Joel William White (1831 - 1914) Profile

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Joel William White

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"Aged Man Dies," Box Elder News

"Aged Man Dies," Box Elder News, June 18, 1914.

"Aged Man Dies," Box Elder News.

Joel W. White autobiographical sketch, 1908, 3-5

Joel W. White autobiographical sketch, 1908, 3-5.

In the Spring of 47 started on our journey again and stoped at what was called Keg Creek about ten miles east of Kanesville: went to work with my father farming land putting in crops and building a house[.] remained there about three years[.] during that time I went back to Missouria [Missouri] and worked getting flour and other provisions for the family: By this time our oxen and outfit was getting about worn out[.] we had to get a new out fit to go on with by trading flour and working around. I got a yoak of oxen and got fixed up to start on again[.] Claborn Thomases family was living at Keg Creek and Preston Thomas family at "Coesta holla[.]" there was my first acuaintince with them and also there I first met Frances Thomas (a niece of Claborn Thomas) who after became my wife[.] I was married to Francis Ann Thomas May 8 1850!



And in a few days started on our journey west again not selling any thing leaving all for the Saints that was expected to follow. Going on to the Missouria [Missouri] river where <s>we</s> large companeys of saints were gathered and were organized in Companeys of one hundred wagons with Aaron Johnston [Johnson] Captain of the hundred and traveling in Companeys of fifty wagons with Jishea [Elijah] Everett [Averett] Captain of our fifty. Cap. Johnston traveling in our company



after traveling a short time the Cholary [cholera] broke out in our companey[.] the first dying was Bro. Shipley: Cap. Johnston came to Claburn [Daniel Claiborne] Thomas captain of our ten and said you go on and travel till noon and there wait till the rest comes up[.] we did and when they came up bro Shipley was dead and buried and Cap Johnstons son [William Kelsey] was dead. "He was well when we left and helping to yoak the oxen[.] Cap Johnston lost t[w]o wives[,] a son[,] and to teamsters with Cholary. there were about 10 or 15 died out of our company[.] after that was Checked we had fa[i]rly good health[.] everything working along nicely[.] the road was well marked with graves clothing and bedding left by the emigrants gon[e] ahead of us.



we having arrived in Salt Lake City the 12 of Sep 1850 . . .

Transcript for Joel W. White autobiographical sketch, 1908, 3-5

"Pioneer of Utah Dies in Brigham," Ogden Standard

"Pioneer of Utah Dies in Brigham," Ogden Standard, June 18, 1914.

"Pioneer of Utah Dies in Brigham," Ogden Standard.

Roberta Flake Clayton, compiler, To the Last Frontier: Autobiography of Lucy Hannah White Flake (Mesa: The Compiler, 1976), 3-5

Roberta Flake Clayton, compiler, To the Last Frontier: Autobiography of Lucy Hannah White Flake (Mesa: The Compiler, 1976), 3-5.

The exodus toward the west began in 1846 but Father [Samuel Dennis White] remained behind until the Spring of 1850 assisting other families to leave. The company in which we crossed the plains was not very large. We made good time on the trip. I walked most of the way from the Missouri River to the Great Salt Lake Valley. We all walked who were able, to lighten the load of the poor oxen. I was always glad when it came time to camp. The oxen soon learned without much gee-ing and haw-ing how to place the wagons to form a circle, leaving very little space between the front wheel of one and the near hind wheel of the wagon ahead.



In the corral thus formed the fires were made to cook the meals and the beds were made down near the wagons. If the Indians were troublesome the cattle were put in this corral for the night and guard kept over the camp by the men.



When suppers were over, all gathered around the campfire, or if it were moonlight we needed no other light. Someone would start a song, all would join in, or someone would tell an amusing story. The weary miles trudged that day would be forgotten, soon the lively tune of a fiddle or accordion, a flute or a fife, or maybe all of them, could be heard playing a quadrille or a reel. Hardship, weariness, separation from loved ones were forgotten and these homeless exiles joined in the dance.



I would keep my eyes open as long as I could, picturing myself as a grown young lady, Belle of the Ball, with beautiful flowing skirts that would swish and swirl as I danced. Before I knew it my poor head would rest on Mother’s lap.



When the dancers were all tired out, or ten o'clock arrived I would be awakened, to join in the closing hymn and kneel in prayer in a big circle before going to bed. Some of the prayers were so long that I would go to sleep again, then Father would carry me to bed.



Poor Grandfather [John Griggs] White was not strong so we had to be careful of him on the trip giving him the best we had to eat. Father contracted Mountain fever a week or two before we reached our destination, so Mother [Mary Hannah Burton] had to look after them and had a hard time doing that and all her other things. To me the three months journey was not a hardship.



Provisions were not plentiful any of the way. We had a cow along but she didn't give much milk after walking all day. We ate the last of our food for breakfast on the morning of August 31, and about the middle of the afternoon we arrived at the home of Mother's people.

Transcript for Roberta Flake Clayton, compiler, To the Last Frontier: Autobiography of Lucy Hannah White Flake (Mesa: The Compiler, 1976), 3-5

White, Joel W., Autobiography, in Kingston United Order journals 1877-1883

White, Joel W., Autobiography, in Kingston United Order journals 1877-1883, Vol. 1.

White, Joel W., Autobiography, in Kingston United Order journals 1877-1883.

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John Griggs White

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The Church History Biographical Database is a powerful research tool that contains biographical entries on over 100,000 early Latter-day Saints, such as pioneers who traveled to Utah and missionaries who served throughout the world from 1830-1940.

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