John Ray Young (1837 - 1931) Profile

Individual

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John Ray Young

birth-date-qualifier-birth

Biographical Encyclopedia

Biographical Encyclopedia, Vol. 2.

Biographical Encyclopedia.

Historical Department journal history of the Church

CR 100 137: Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, April 8, 1877, Page 3.

CR 100 137: Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, January 24, 1864, Page 1.

CR 100 137: Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, October 8, 1861, Page 9.

Historical Department journal history of the Church.

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959, Vol. 1, Page 38, Line 1628.

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959, Vol. 2, Page 5, Line 200.

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959, Vol. 1, Page 5, Line 200.

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959, Vol. 2, Page 41, Line 1628.

37th Quorum, Orderville, Kane, Utah, set apart by O. Pratt

Transcript for Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959, Vol. 2, p. 41, line 1628

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959.

Missionary reports, 1831-1900

Missionary reports, 1831-1900.

Young, John R

Young, John R, Vol. 1.

Young, John R.

"A Thrilling Experience on the Plains: The Stampede," Our Pioneer Heritage

"A Thrilling Experience on the Plains: The Stampede," Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 7.

"A Thrilling Experience on the Plains: The Stampede," Our Pioneer Heritage.

Andrew Jenson, "Young, John Ray," Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia: A Compilation of Biographical Sketches of Prominent Men and Women in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Andrew Jenson, "Young, John Ray," Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia: A Compilation of Biographical Sketches of Prominent Men and Women in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Vol. 2.

Andrew Jenson, "Young, John Ray," Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia: A Compilation of Biographical Sketches of Prominent Men and Women in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

"Blanding Man, Oldest Utah Pioneer of 1847, is Dead," Times Independent

"Blanding Man, Oldest Utah Pioneer of 1847, is Dead," Times Independent, September 17, 1931.

"Blanding Man, Oldest Utah Pioneer of 1847, is Dead," Times Independent.

Dame, William H., to Brigham Young

Dame, William H., to Brigham Young, September 18, 1862.

<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Fort Laramie [September] 18th [1862]</center>



 



Prest B Young



Capt [William Horne] Dame &amp; [John Ray] Youngs train of sixty four 64 wagons just passing Laramie four 4 PM Sept 18th[.] twenty 20 oxen dead twenty 20 more old &amp; poor[.] three 3 weeks rations of flour[.] health of camp good[.] two hundred thirty five 235 persons. Have you any word for us



 



<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Wm H Dame</center>

Transcript for Dame, William H., to Brigham Young, 18 Sept. 1862 [telegram], in Brigham Young, Office Files 1832-1878, reel 59, box 45, fd. 24

Dame, William H., to Brigham Young.

DUP Pioneer History Collection

Ernest Petersen, autobiographical sketch

"Ernest Petersen, autobiographical sketch", DUP Pioneer History Collection, Page 1-2.

The Civil War was on at that time, so my father had much difficulty in making arrangements for the trip. We traveled to Omaha, Nebraska, and then to Florence, Nebraska, where we spent three weeks getting ready to cross the plains. My Father, having had much experience with fine horses in Denmark, traveled down to Missouri, and bought one of the finest stallion, and some mares, that he could find. He brought them to Utah. He purchased three well built wagons, with two teams on each wagon. We hawled [hauled] some special freight for Brigham Young across the plains. We enjoyed our travels, as we were well fitted out for the journey. I, being the oldest boy, had many experiences with my Father in taking care of the horses and doing the chores around camp. The only serious trouble we had, was when the Indians would cause the cattle to stampede. Our captain, John R. Young, out witted the Indians, and with other men, brought back our stock. Near Fort Bridger, our company was met by Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball, who gave us potatoes, onions, and other vegetables. As I had always been use to having all I could eat, before leaving the old country, I hardly knew what it was to go without but I would soon know.

Transcript for "Ernest Petersen, autobiographical sketch", DUP Pioneer History Collection, Page 1-2.

The Story of My Life

Ann Maria Dorius, "The Story of My Life", DUP Pioneer History Collection.

Besides her own children, Mother assumed the responsibility of bringing a young girl [a]long, whose emigration she paid, and in return the girl assisted her in caring for the children. This girl was killed on the plains in a buffalo stampede. At the time of the accident she was leading me by the hand beside the wagons, when like a terrible tornado the animals ran for their lives, and in their mad rush trampeled everything in their path. Just how I happened to escape, I do not know, but I feel that it was through the blessings of my heavenly father that my life was saved. Mother also paid the emigration of all the saints in Stavanger, numbering seventeen, who were ready to leave at that time.


We finally reached Florence on June 12, and camped until July 7th. where we made preparations for the remainder of the journey. Mother bought two yoke of oxen, three cows, one wagon, one tent, a stove, boiler, cooking utensils, etc. She had brought with her from home many valuable articles of copperware, including a very large kettle which she used as long as she lived, this was filled with cooking utensils etc. She also brought many pieces of valuable silver ware, silk, and other dress materials, also shoes and clothes enough to last the family for two years.


The company with which they crossed the plains was called "The Independent Emigration Company," which means that they were able to pay their own expenses. J[ohn]. R. Young was their captain. W.W. Cluff had charge of the company while crossing the ocean.


While they were encamped at Florence, the young widow [Mother] was married to John Gustave Jorgenson, a young missionary from Dramen, Norway, whom she had met at Stavanger, where he was doing missionary work. To this union was born five children, the first two dying in infancy. The other three were Enoch, Bertha, and Heber.


The journey across the plains in 1863 was one of hardships, excitement, privation, and sore trial. Mother was sick with mountain fever, when the accident occurred to the hired girl which brought on a relapse, almost costing her life. While on the journey, one yoke of oxen died and they had to hitch up the cows; the only fuel available was buffalo chips.


The company arrived in Salt Lake City September 12, 1863.

Transcript for Ann Maria Dorius, "The Story of My Life."

Daughters of Utah Pioneers. DUP Pioneer History Collection.

Franklin W. Young autobiography, circa 1915-1917

Franklin W. Young autobiography, circa 1915-1917.

Transcript for Franklin W. Young autobiography, circa 1915-1917

Hans P. Lund journals, 1854-1880, 81-84

Hans P. Lund journals, 1854-1880, 81-84.

Friday jul 3 a part of captain Sanders company left. A waggon overturned near a bridge. During a meeting in John Youngs company I was set apart as curate but because of illness I was not present. We started our journey, drove 2 miles,



jul 4 we rested and



jul 5-6.



jul 7 we drove 15 miles and camped near Elmshorn [Elk Horn],



jul 8 we drove 16 miles and camped near Mormon Liberty Pool,



jul 9 we drove 16 miles, camped near Rott,



jul 10 12 miles[.] camped near Schel [Shell] Creek,



jul 11 19 miles[.] camped near Platt[e] by Loppart.



Sunday jul 12 drove 3 miles and went by boat across the river for 60 cent per waggon. Everything went well, we had a nice meeting, P. Bechstrøm was there, we camped near the forest.



Jul 13 drove 20 miles, passed a huge Indiancamp, 2000 indians, they were kind, they played games, camped near Platt[e].



jul 14 drove 20 miles[.] camped near Platt.



Wednesday jul 15 1863 drove 18 miles[.] camped near Platt,



jul 16 drove 22 miles[.] camped near Voodrever? [Wood River]



jul 17 drove 3 miles, camped near br. Pasch store, here we changed oxen. We weighed all the luggage because some of the people had too much weight. Hans Petersens widow left a stove and a box with glass, Poul Larsen a stove, Lars Hansen a stove, Lars Hansen a stove, Hans J. Kruse a kettle and a box with glass, Søren Hansen a chest and 2 pans, Hans C. Hansen a chest, a box with glass, Wilhelmine S[vendsson]. a box of glass. All these things should be picked up by the waggons from the Church. Our teams were lighter because we left all these things, and some boxes were destroyed. We drove 18 miles and camped near Platte.



Sunday jul 19 C[hristian]. Jensens little daughter [Mette Marie] died. At noon we camped near Platte together with captain [John R.] Sondess [Sanders] company. We had a meeting together with talks, songs and prayers and we felt good, then we drove again 18 miles, camped near Platte.



Monday jul 20 br. P[eter]. Jensens daughter [Johanna M.], 3, died. Drove 18 miles, camped near Platte.



Jul 21 drove 20 miles, camped near Platte,



jul 22 br. Anders Bonnesens daughter [Kersti], 2½, died, drove 15 miles, here is the last chance for firewood.



Jul 23 3 times we crossed Skunk Creek, at noon we camped near Pony Creek, sandy, in the evening rain and t[h]under, drove 14 miles to Platte,



jul 24 met a company of foreigners, in the evening we gathered together to celebrate the pioneers arrival in Salt Lake Valley. It is 16 years ago. Captain John [R.] Young spoke about the driving out of the Saints and about their traveling; we drove 14 miles, camped near Platte.



Jul 25 we crossed a branch of Platte, North Bluff Fork, camped near a spring. Br. O. Hansen and family came to our company, he was left behind because hos [his] horses ran away, we drove 16 miles.



Sunday jul 26 sandy road, crossed several creeks, camped near a creek after we drove 16 miles.



Monday jul 27 we crossed some little sandy hills, P[eter]. Jensen killed a cow because she was limping and not able to follow the others. The meat was sold in the company, 5 cent for 2 pounds, we camped near Platte by Swift C., Drove 15 miles.



Jul 28 at 2 am. our oxen trampled several times and ran up the hills. Captain and some brethern at horseback and on foot followed them, we drove 2 miles and they began trampling again. When they stopped 6 persons were badly hurt. S[oren]. Hansens wife [Ane Marie] died after 1 hour, str. [sister] Valborg died after 5 hours and Ole Jensen died after 2 days. This was a day of sorrow. We buried them in the grave of Zion. 1 ox broke its leg and was butchered. Our journey that day was 3½ miles.



Jul 29 we crossed some creeks and the oxen began again to trampling, but nobody was hurt. We drove 17 miles and camped near Platte.



Jul 30 we crossed some creeks and here we met 9 brethern who was sent out from the Church. Here was C. Andersen from Salt Lake City. We left O. Jensens and J. Olsens waggons here and Ole Jensen died 2 hours later. We drove 20 miles and we have now travelled 400 miles from Florence near Platte.



Jul 31 we crossed some hills, Young Red looked for a runaway ox, and he brought it back in the night after he had travelled 75 miles on horseback, we drove 18 miles and camped near Platte.



Saturday aug 1 we drove 17 miles. P[eter]. Christiansens cow broke a leg and he had to leave it,



sunday aug 2 we passed Chenny [Chimney] Rock, drove 22 miles and camped near Platte,



aug 3 drove 18 miles, camped near Platte,



aug 4 drove 17 miles, the brethern traded horses, oxen and cows, camped near Platte.



Aug 5 we found firewoods but only little grass, camped near Platte,



aug 6 at noon we rested in a forest, passed Fort Larami[e], camped near Platte, drove 16 miles. 2 waggons drove to Fort Larami[e] and did some errands, the sisters washed and baked and we had nice weather, drove 5 miles and camped near Platte,



aug 8 we came to some high mountains, bad roads, drove 16 miles and camped near a forest, it was far from water and we had to take the oxen 2 miles to the river and to the grass on the other side.



Sunday aug 9 drove 10 miles in the morning, met cap. Sanders company. They had rested for 1½ day, it was so nice to meet again, we camped near Platte and had a gathering. Str. Marie Larsen from Copenhagen gave birth to a daughter.



Aug 10 passed a Telegraph-station near Horseshoe Creek and we saw several dead oxen on our way, drove 15 miles and camped near Platte.



Aug 11 crossed Platte and drove through some mountainpasses. Br. Anders Eliasens son [Joseph Oscar], 1½, died, They are from Gøteborg. Aug 11 Drove over distances with burned grass, camped near Platte,



aug 12 crossed again Platte, grass and trees were burned, Jens Jørgensens and Hans Kruses cows died. Drove 14 miles and camped near Platte.



Aug 14 some of our cows run away but we found all of them, passed Deer Creek "Soldier Station." 2 cows died, they were P[eter]. Jensens and E. Lindbergs. Drove 17 miles and camped near Platte,



aug 15 came to Platte Bridge, br. Hans Andersen got 300 pounds of flour, which he had paid in Florence. $6 per 100 pounds. We crossed the River near the bridge. Here we met a freighttrain which had lost many oxen and T? Some of the brethern from cap. Sanders Company worked as T? for $20 a month. This Company had travelled 64 days since they left Florence.



Br. [D.] Garners ox and str. [Sister Wilhelmina] Svendsens [Svendsons] ox and cow died, drove 16 miles.



Sunday aug 16 had a gathering and the brethern told have [how] happy they were. H[ans]. Petersens ox and Niels Petersens cow died, we drove 6 miles.



Aug 17 we started early and left the old river Platte which had refreshed us so often and where we had camped so often. Cap. J[ohn]. Youngs cow, Anders Bondesens and br. Askelunds oxen died, drove 18 miles and camped in a city-spring.



Aug 18 we did not drive long and camped near a spring, drove 9 miles and camped near Green Woods [Greasewood] Creek,



Aug 19 during the night 65 piece of cattle ran away, the captain and [Jeremiah] Strimham [Stringham] and H[ans]. Petersen on horseback and some brethern looked for them and found all of them. Captain [William B.] Prestons company passed us, they were English and Danish. In the afternoon cap. Young called H[ans]. P[eter]. Lund, D. Garner, H[ans]. Petersen, Hans Andersen, P[oul]. Larsen and N[iels]. Larsen should talked about what we could do, because some of the people had too much goods. The result was that they, who could take some of it should have $2 for 100 pounds of goods 100 miles. Young called a Counsil and told us what they decided and it was carried out, drove 5 miles and camped near Sweet Water [Sweetwater],



aug 20 left early and found some sage which we gathered, at noon we met a company of horsemen from California, passed Devil Isle? [Devil's Gate.] N[iels]. Larsens cow died, we drove 15 miles,



aug 21 H[ans]. Andersens ox died, drove 16 miles,



aug 22 I. G. Jensens ox died, H. Petersens cow and N. Larsens ox died, we crossed Sweet Water 3 times, drove 15 miles.



Aug 23 we rested in the morning, drove 5 miles, had a gathering in the evening and the misic [music] and dance,



aug 24 str. Petersens ox died. We drove 19 miles,



aug 25 some oxen died, our journey went still well and we felt good, we had our prayer meetings mornings and evenings.



I have not had time to write my journal so I will give a short resume about the journey.



1863 apr30 I left Copenhagaen with a company of the Saints, we went via Kiel, Grimsby, Hull, New York, Florence. We arrived here [Florence] jun 23, everybody was happy and we had a nice spirit among us. We stayed here some days, then we drove 3 miles from Florence. I got really sick. I was in cap. Sanders company, jul 5 I was called as curate in cap. John Youngs company. We left Florence jul 7 with 240 persons in 47 waggons and arrived in Salt Lake Valley sep 12.

Transcript for Hans P. Lund journals, 1854-1880, 81-84

Historical Department journal history of the Church, June 21, 1847, Page 15.

CR 100 137: Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, September 23, 1863.

John R. Young letter

"John R. Young letter", CR 100 137: Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, October 29, 1862.

<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Blanding Utah</center>
						
<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">April 6-1917</center>
Andrew Jensen—Church Historian Dear Brother,
In your Historical Record Vol. 9. Page 64—also in the Genealogical magazine Vol. 8—no.1—Page 5—you say—
Capt. Wm. H. Dame came in on Oct 29, 1862 being the last train for the season. It is an error, John R. Young's train was the last train in 1862.
In that year I went down to Florence in John R. Murdock's train. Just as Wm. H. Dame's train was pulling out, President Young telegraphed to Joseph W. Young the Emigration Agent, to have J. R. Young stay and buy wagons and teams and clean out the Church warehouse. To do that I bought 22 wagons, and Capt. Hooper added three making a train of 25 wagons. I left Florence Aug. 17, reached S. L. City the same day that Capt. Dame did,						
<center>John R. Young</center>

Transcript for Young, John R., Letter, in Journal History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 29 Oct. 1862

CR 100 137: Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, September 12, 1863, Page 2-9.

Transcript for Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1896-2001, 12 September 1863, 2-9

CR 100 137: Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, August 17, 1862, Page 1-2.

The following is taken from the narrative of Elder John R. [Ray] Young, who left Florence, Nebraska, on this date, for Salt Lake City, Utah:
 "In the spring of 1862 I was called by the bishop of the Santa Clara Ward to drive an ox team to Omaha on the Missouri river, to get some cotton gins and spinning jennies for the benefit of the ward. Leaving my family camped in a tent, I responded to the call, driving my own team and crossing the plains in John R. Murdock's train.
At Omaha I found my brother Jos. W., who had charge of the church immigration, lying at the point of death. He had been knocked down by lightning and nearly crushed to death by baled wagon beds that were blown upon him during the terrible storm. Under the blessing of God, and with careful nursing, his life was preserved. For three weeks I aided in purchasing teams for the immigrants and brought up the rear end of that year's immigration. After all our companies had started back, I received orders by telegram from Pres. Young to buy more teams and wagons and to clear out the Church warehouse at Florence.
On the 17th of August I started for Salt Lake with 22 wagons and teams, but only 10 teamsters, and we traveled 100 miles before I got additional help. On Elm Creek, while on the move, we were charged by a stampeded herd of buffalo, estimated at 3,000 head. It was with great difficulty that we turned them aside, and kept the train from being run over and trampled to pieces.
During the combat, one of my night guards was dismounted, and his mule, a fine animal, ran off with the buffalo. As soon as the train was safe, a young man by the name of Stewart, and I, followed the herd, stampeded them again, and riding into the heaving, rolling mass, secured the mule, and also succeeded in cutting out three oxen and a cow that we found running with them.
Near Fort Laramie we overtook Capt. Wm. H. Dame's train of 50 wagons. As he was prostrate with mountain fever, we blended the trains and I took charge of them until we reached Ft. Bridger.
When I reached Salt Lake City, Pres. Young gave me a beautiful Canadian mare, which the Church had furnished me to use on the plains, and he gave me moreover, his blessing as a reward for my services.
At Provo, I found my wife Lydia with a sweet babe—Lydia Roseana—in her arms."

Transcript for Young, John R., Reminiscences, in Journal History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 17 Aug. 1862, 1-2

Jensen, Jens, Sketch of life of Jens Jensen 1941, fd. 2, 1

Jensen, Jens, Sketch of life of Jens Jensen 1941, fd. 2, 1.

Outfitted in Omaha for crossing the plains to Salt Lake City. Distance about 1100 miles. Father bought a Schuttles wagon 4 oxen, 2 cows, a small cook stove, a camp kettle, a pistol and a few other articles <needed> on the journey and after reaching Utah 
The train left Omaha July 7 &amp; reached S.L. City Sept 12, 1863. There were perhaps 50 wagons and 100 to 150 persons in the Company. John R. Young, a nephew of Prest. Brigham Young, was captain of the train; and I believe the only person in the company speaking English, all of the immigrants were Scandinavians[.] Ours was an "independent" company, in that all owned their outfit and paid their way from Europe to Utah
Some of the Saints were aided by the Church, being unable to pay their way and were expected to repay when able, the means thus returned being applied to assist other migrating Saints to gather to Zion. This was named the Perpetual Emigration fund. Many were helped by this fund who otherwise were not able to gather to Utah from Europe
On crossing the plains besides father and his 2 children we had a young man and a young woman as members of our Family[,] the man drove the team most of the way, I suppose to pay his passage.

Transcript for Jensen, Jens, Sketch of life of Jens Jensen 1941, fd. 2, 1

Jensen, Ole Andersen, Reminiscences and diary, 1863-1920, 2

Jensen, Ole Andersen, Reminiscences and diary, 1863-1920, 2.

The train ran until we got to St. Joseph Mo. and from there we sailed up the Missouri River to Florence, Nebraska. We stopped here until 5 July, 1863. We had bought wagons, oxen, and provisions to last us until we came to Utah, and Salt Lake City. When we started that was indeed a task, most of us had four oxen for each wagon, and we had never drove oxen before, but Captain [John R.] Young told us what to say, but they could not understand our language. Away they went and the teamsters after them, and we made a bad start. But the Captain and the guards went after them on horse back and soon brought them into line, and the next day we did better.
Some thought they had too big a load, and many valuable things were unloaded and left there on the plains. One day in August our oxen took fright and ran away; three people were killed by them and one wagon was broken. Two men were burried in one grave, and I helped to bury them. There were no coffins but they were dressed and burried neatly. By this time we were good teamsters, and after this we had good success.
We were six weeks crossing the Atlantic Ocean. We landed in Salt Lake City 12 September 1863, and heard Brother Brigham Young preach and shook hands with him . . .

Transcript for Jensen, Ole Andersen, Reminiscences and diary, 1863-1920, 2

John R. Young, Autobiographical sketch, reel 14, box 20, fd. 3, item 4, 9

John R. Young, Autobiographical sketch, reel 14, box 20, fd. 3, item 4, 9.

1863 was Called again to the States, drove my own team[.] Went down in Capt. D[aniel] McArthurs Company—On reaching Florence I was appointed Captain of a Danish Independent Company of 40 wagons—they were a well-to-do-Robust fine looking People, I was proud of them,



July 7th we started, reached S.L. City—Sept 12.



July 28, While traveling we had a fearfull Stampede, one Man and two women were killed. Beleiveing that the Brethren on guard, ignorantly, frightened the Cattle I watched them alone for 5 nights. Keeping my mare Saddled And Sleeping With the Halter Rope in my hand—

Transcript for John R. Young, Autobiographical sketch, reel 14, box 20, fd. 3, item 4, 9

John R. Young, Memoirs of John R. Young: Utah Pioneer, 1847 (1920), 109-14

John R. Young, Memoirs of John R. Young: Utah Pioneer, 1847 (1920), 109-14.

By the first of March forty persons had gathered at the Redwoods, 40 miles south of San Francisco, prepared to go to Utah. We organized a company by appointing Eli Whipple, captain; Sextus [Sixtus] E. Johnson, sergeant of the guard; John R. Young, chaplain; and Elemuel Sawtell, clerk.



Brother Whipple furnished the provisions, and hauled the blankets for the returning elders, thirteen in number; and with hearts full of hope and joy we started out for a walk of thirteen hundred miles. Before setting out, Joseph A. Kelting and I went to San Francisco and purchased thirty-five rifles and one hundred pounds of powder.



At the start grass was short, and teams were heavily loaded, so we traveled slowly. By the middle of April, it was evident that our provisions would not last us through. Our meat was nearly gone, and I began to urge the brethren to lie over a day and hunt. However, as we saw but little game, and killed none, there was no spirit for hunting.



On the 20th of April we camped at Elizabeth's Lake. After evening camp prayers, I talked and prophesied that if we would lie over, and go out to hunt, we should kill all the meat we should want. The company consented; and the next morning at daybreak thirteen of us started out. I was the odd man, and went alone.



I had walked about a mile when I saw nine deer standing across a hollow. I fired and killed a large buck. That commenced the ball. William King killed three without moving out of his tracks. By noon we had in all, twenty-two deer. We lay by and jerked the meat. Needless to say, we had plenty to last us the rest of the journey.



At Stony Creek, Mr. Cooper and party from New York, overtook us. My services were secured to pilot them to Salt Lake City. So bidding goodbye to my fellow missionaries, who were very dear to me, and to the Saints that composed our little company, I mounted a mule and struck the trail for home.



On the Mohave, having struck the Mormon road leading from Salt Lake to San Bernardino, we saw Indian signs. The redskins approached our camp at night, but kept out of sight in the day time. That looked unfriendly. At the lower crossing of the Mohave we picketed our animals close around our wagon.



At three o'clock in the morning, they stampeded, and all got away but one. I mounted bareback, without stopping to dress, and soon overtook the frightened animals, and making a wide circuit, brought them safely to camp.



At the Vegas Springs I met for the first time, that renowned Indian peacemaker, Jacob Hamblin, and learned from him the history of the Mountain Meadows Massacre. He said the Indians were still hostile, and thirsting for more blood. On the Muddy, a small stream of that region, we found living in a wagon-bed, turned bottom-side up for a shield from heat and sand, Ira Hatch and Thales Haskell, strong men, giving the better part of their lives to missionary work among the Indians—a labor that brought them neither pleasure nor wealth.



Taking their advice, we rested a day, purposing to make rapid drives from there to the settlements. On the 13th of May we nooned at the Beaver Dams, rested until night, then drove to the Clara Mountains, made a dry camp, kindling no fire. In the morning we drove to the Cane Spring for breakfast.



Scarcely had we turned out our horses when we were surrounded by forty Indian warriors, their faces all blackened. I soon became convinced that they had been watching for us and intended to rob, if not kill us. Many of them had on good broadcloth clothes, which I suppose they had taken from the people they had murdered at the Mountain Meadows. Most of them had good guns, and they were very insolent helping themselves to whatever they wanted.



A few minutes after they came, a mourning dove alighted on a willow at the head of the spring, about twelve rods from our camp. The wind was blowing hard from the south, waving the willow on which the bird rested. The Indians commenced shooting at it. With a sudden impulse, I raised my rifle and fired. If I had had the dove in my hand, I could not have cut its head off more nicely than I did.



The Indians seemed astonished, and for a short time were quiet. In our small company—only five of us—was a mountaineer by the name of Hardin. I felt that he was the only man that could be relied on in case of trouble. He had loaded a double-barrelled shotgun with navy balls, and stood leaning by the side of the carriage, the butt of his gun on the ground, the muzzle resting in his right hand.



Three Indians crawled under the carriage and commenced scuffling. Instantly one barrel of his gun went off, taking off the upper part of Hardin's ear, and tearing away the rim of his hat. It knocked him down, and I thought he was killed. The chief threw the back of his hand to his mouth and gave the war whoop.



I cocked my gun and put the muzzle against his belly. He stopped yelling, and Hardin sprang up and attempted to shoot him; but I interfered, telling the men that our lives depended on our keeping the chief.



I then spoke in Ute, and ordered the Indians to their camp, but kept the chief a prisoner. We hitched up, and putting the chief into the carriage, drove until three o'clock, then rested until dark, when we hitched up and drove rapidly until midnight. We then camped, tied up, and stood guard without a fire until morning. After breakfast, we gave the Indian a shirt and plug of tobacco, and told him to "git."



Years after, I became intimately acquainted with this chief Jackson. He was a bad man; and while he lived there was no peace with his band. Without doubt, all that saved our scalps at that time was the fortunate shot in killing the dove, and the course we pursued in keeping the chief a prisoner.



After turning the Indian loose, we passed a painfully anxious day; our animals were so exhausted that we had to take several rests, and were fearful of being followed by the Indians. Just before night, however, we had the good fortune to pull into the town of Pinto, the frontier Mormon settlement.



We were kindly received by the good people of that ward, and after resting a few days, continued our journey. The monotony of the desert was now pleasingly changed by the many ranches and busy villages we passed. At Parowan, two hundred miles south of Salt Lake City, we encountered a scene that I shall never forget. I remember distinctly, the "Exodus," as it was called, from Nauvoo, when sixteen thousand souls left their homes and commenced that marvelous journey of fourteen hundred miles to the unknown valley of the Salt Lake. But that exodus was like a small rivulet by the side of a mighty river when compared with the seventy-five thousand men, women, and children that we now met in one continuous line of travel.



Horses, oxen, and cows were harnessed or yoked to wagons and carts; and one family by the name of Syphus, was moving their effects on a handcart drawn by a pair of yearling steers. Mothers and children walked along as merrily as if going to a corn husking; each family moving its little bunch of cows and flock of sheep, and all starting on the journey (that was never completed) to Sonora, in Mexico, or some other place.



At times we were compelled to drive our wagon for miles outside the beaten road, everywhere hearing and seeing evidences that increased my gentile companions' wonderment of the marvelous power held by Brigham Young over his people; and added to my curiosity to see the outcome of Mr. Cooper's colonizing scheme. Surely everything looked favorable for the promoters of that idea.



At last we reached Provo, where the Church leaders had made their temporary headquarters.

Transcript for John R. Young, Memoirs of John R. Young: Utah Pioneer, 1847 (1920), 109-14

Johnson, Olaus, "Autobiography of Olaus Johnson," in Chronicles of Courage, 8 vols. [1990-97], 5:299

Johnson, Olaus, "Autobiography of Olaus Johnson," in Chronicles of Courage, 8 vols. [1990-97], 5:299.

<xhtml:p xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns:xhtml="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">We stayed here [Florence] until July first, when we continued our journey by ox team over the Plains with John Young as our leader. While here, Anna Helena and I became engaged. We were married in Echo, Weber Valley, September 9, 1863 three days before arriving in Salt Lake City. </xhtml:p>

Transcript for Johnson, Olaus, "Autobiography of Olaus Johnson," in Chronicles of Courage, 8 vols. [1990-97], 5:299

Johnson, Sixtus Ellis, Journal

Johnson, Sixtus Ellis, Journal, Vol. 3.

March 12 13 14 We were fixing up our waggons and harnesses to start. Brothers King[,] West[,] Thurston[,] Bell and myself of the Sandwich Island Mission and Brother Carlson a Norwegian and Callahan one of the Battalion Boys all Started together with our team a wagon and 5 horses[.] the wagon belonged to Brother Bradford[.] We was to take it through and haul a few things for him to pay for the use of it. I have a horse also Brothers King[,] West[,] Thurston and Bell have had one of Brother Williams to use through
Our Company consists of 22 men[,] 3 Women married[,] 3 girls and 3 children[,] 6 waggons and about 28 horses and mules.
March 15th to day we organised[.] Brother Whipple was chosen Capt J.R. Young Chaplain I was appointed Ser[gen]t of the guard Dr Sartell Clerk
On March 15 we started drove 8 miles camped on the San Franskeit Creek[.] our horses were wild and unaccustomed to the harness but they have walk from the first time they were harnessed together
Tuesday 16 traveled 18 miles passing San Jose and Santa Clara[.] cold and stormy to night
Wednesday 17 We traveled 12 miles
 Thursday 18 We traveled 23 miles camped on the shore of a small lake[.] passed Gilroy to day
Friday 19 We lay still today[.] plenty of feed and watter
Sat 20 traveled 12 miles[.] Camped in a large Canyon
Sunday 21 lay by to day
Monday 22 this morning Brothers Calihan and Binly were rebaptized also a man by the name of Perry after which we passed on through the Pichieheu Pass 16 miles to the San Louis ranch and camped for the night
Tuesday 23 We slept here to day[.] Some of the Brethren went on the mountain and killed a deer
Wednesday 24 We traveled 15 miles camped on a slough
Thursday 25 this morning 6 of our horses took a stampede and ran off[.] Brother Warren Cetched [caught] them about noon and then lost his way to the waggons[.] he was found near night by myself and others about 8 miles from camp
Friday 26 traveled 22 miles camped on the San Jo[a]quin at Daytons ferry
Saturday 27 We lay here today[.] We shot a lot of rabbits[.] it was so stormy we could not proceed
Sunday 28 this afternoon we traveled 6 miles camped on a big Slough[.] between the hours of 10 and 11 this [illegible] H. Perry stole a horse[,] sad[dle,] bridle[,] revolver and watch and other things
Monday 29 Brothers Warren and Thurston started back in search of Perry who had decamped with about 150 dollars worth of propperty belonging to the company[.] We traveled 12 miles camped on a slough
Tuesday 30 We traveled 15 miles camped on a slough[.] We left the main road
Wednesday 31 We traveled 12 miles camped on a slough
April 1st Thursday traveled 12 miles camped on a small lake
Apr 2 We traveled 25 miles camped on the Tularia [Tulare] Lake[.] Bro West and I stopt on the road and ketched some fish[.] We caught 7 and carried them 20 miles before we ketched up with the Camp[.] they were salmon trout
Saturday 3 We traveled 2 miles[.] I went a hunting saw an elk[.] the first one I ever and shot an antelope with my revolver and packed it to the camp on my back[.] Brothers Warren and Thurston returned from hunting Perry who stole the horse and other things[.] the[y] found him and got the things back[.] rejoicing in camp this evening

Transcript for Johnson, Sixtus Ellis, Journal, vol. 3, in Diaries 1854-1857

Johnson, Sixtus Ellis, Journal.

MS 4040 1-4: Eli Bell diaries, 1854-1864

MS 4040 1-4: Eli Bell diaries, 1854-1864, Vol. 4.

Transcript for Eli Bell diaries, 1854-1864, vol. 4

MS 4040 1-4: Eli Bell diaries, 1854-1864.

"Oldest Surviving Pioneer of 1847 Passas Away; Visited Vernal in 1930," Vernal Express

"Oldest Surviving Pioneer of 1847 Passas Away; Visited Vernal in 1930," Vernal Express, September 17, 1931.

"Oldest Surviving Pioneer of 1847 Passas Away; Visited Vernal in 1930," Vernal Express.

Ole A. Jensen, "My Trip from Denmark to Zion in 1863," Our Pioneer Heritage

Ole A. Jensen, "My Trip from Denmark to Zion in 1863," Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 7.

Ole A. Jensen, "My Trip from Denmark to Zion in 1863," Our Pioneer Heritage.

Stringham, William Elisha, "Life history of William Elisha Stringham, as told to and written by his son

Stringham, William Elisha, "Life history of William Elisha Stringham, as told to and written by his son, April 25, 1937.

In the spring of 1863 Father [Jeremiah Stringham] took his family (five children at the time) and in connection with Steven Goosbeck left Missouri for the Rocky Mountains. Father had a team of horses consisting of a grey mare and bay horse, he also had some cows. All of his personal belongings and family were crowded into one wagon. We traveled this way to Florence, Nebraska. At this place Father was requested to take a new wagon across the plains for the use of it. He obtained a yoke of red oxen, four cows and the two oxen were hitched to one wagon and the team of horses to the other. The cows, when they were milked,— one cow was so wild she had to be tied head and foot to milk her. This provided a more roomy means of travel from Florence, westward.
At Florence we joined a wagon train of Scandinavian emigrants, who were going to Utah. In this group were two young girls who later became the Mothers of Wilford M. Christensen and his wife, Birdie Bates of Goshen, Idaho.
John R. Young, Father of William R. Young of Goshen, Idaho was the captain of the company.
The oxen and cattle stampeded twice during the trip. During one stampede several people were killed and injured, one lady was severely cut. Father sewed and bandaged up the cuts, he was very handy around the sick and injured.
One day the boys went in swimming in the Platte River. In diving they found some cooking utensils including a chopping knife which our family used for years.
We passed the "Independence Rock" which covered 17 acres and is between five and ten feet high. I, with others, climbed upon the rock.
We arrived in Salt Lake City early in the fall of 1863 when the fruit was ripe. It was like dropping into heaven.

Transcript for Stringham, William Elisha, "Life history of William Elisha Stringham, as told to and written by his son, 25 April 1937," 1-2

Stringham, William Elisha, "Life history of William Elisha Stringham, as told to and written by his son.

Young, Franklin Wheeler, Young family genealogy [ca. 1889-1899], fd. 1, 4-6

Young, Franklin Wheeler, Young family genealogy [ca. 1889-1899], fd. 1, 4-6.

In the spring of 1847 my father [Lorenzo Dow Young] went in the first company of Pioneers, with Prest. Brigham Young, and my brother John R[ay]. [Young] and I were left to come on later, with one ox team of two yoke of oxen, to bring my father's second family. We had a few cows that were put in with, and helped to make up the company cow herd; and the same with a few sheep we had, and my brother, 10 years old, and I 8 years old, had to help drive the cow herd one week, and the sheep herd the next, and then with the cows again, but other people were just as well, or bad off, which shall I call? one man having a few cows, but no boys, had to send a girl, some 8 or 10 years old to help drive the cows. One day we got away behind the train with the cow herd, and this poor girl gave out, and would have been left behind, but 
<s xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">us</s>
 <we> boys caught a yearling heifer and got the poor, tired little Miss on to the heifer, astride? yes, and brought her safe into camp. and she live<d> and grew and came to be a very nice lady.
One day I was riding in the wagon, and while moving along, I slipped down on to the wagon tongue, and slipped &lt;and&gt; fell to the ground, the front wheel passed over both my legs just above the ankles, but no bones were broken, and I got a ride for a week or ten days, before I was able to drive cows again. On the way I saw thousands, yes, tens of thousands of buffalos. The hills being black with them for miles &amp; miles 
Our company had with it an old cannon, mounted on two wheles [wheels]. It was known as the "Old Sow". One morning while we were camped just below Laramie, on the bank of the Platt[e] river, in respons[e] to a request brought by a messenger from Capt. John Taylor (afterwards President Taylor) the cannon was fired, just to let the Indians know we had a big gun. Just as they were about to fire the cannon, I, not knowin&lt;g&gt; of the intention, rode a little mule down a "buffalo trail" into the river to let the mule drink. The bank was steep, the mules front feet were in the water up to its knees, when"bang" went the Old Sow. the mule jumped backward, and I went forward head first into the river, and it over my head, but I hung to the halter rope and "Peggy" pulled me out! Is it any wonder I have always had a kindly feeling for a mule ever since Seeing this one saved me from floating down the river to become food for fishes? This same day a big, big Indian chief learning that I had no father there wanted to buy me, and offered five ponies and two mules for me. I thought it was more than I was worth, and went and hid under some bedding in the wagon. When asked what he wanted me for, the big Cheif [chief] said I should sleep in his lodge,ride a good horse and learn to kill buffalo, and when grown Should have his own little girl for a wife, and be a big cheif too. Lo, how glad I am they did not sell me, for then I could never have been your loving Father. 
 My dear daughter:
We came across the plains in Capt. Jedediah M. Grant's fifty, and Isaac Chase's ten. At Green river I was afraid to ride across the river in the wagon, and proposed to wade the stream, but Capt. Chase saw me, and called out to me in a very earnest way "Here, what are you up to! Get in that wagon this minute." I obeyed, and no doubt saved my life by so doing, for the stream was too deep and swift for me to wade it.
 The day we met Prest. B[righam].Young and the returning Pioneers we camped early, and there was a time of rejoicing, and a meeting held in the afternoon, and, as I remember a dance in the evening, and while our young and able men were dancing, the Indians were quietly driving off ever so many of our horses and mules, among them little "Peggy" that dumped me in the Platt[e] river, and then pulled me out in the same movement. The loss of so many horses and mules, crippled the company very much.
 We arrived in Salt Lake Valley on the 4th day of October 1847.

Transcript for Young, Franklin Wheeler, Young family genealogy [ca. 1889-1899], fd. 1, 4-6

Young, John R., Memoirs of John R. Young: Utah Pioneer, 1847 [1920], 286-96

Young, John R., Memoirs of John R. Young: Utah Pioneer, 1847 [1920], 286-96.

Transcript for Young, John R., Memoirs of John R. Young: Utah Pioneer, 1847 [1920], 286-96

Young, John R., Memoirs of John R. Young: Utah Pioneer, 1847 [1920], 56, 60-61

Young, John R., Memoirs of John R. Young: Utah Pioneer, 1847 [1920], 56, 60-61.

I may relate a little incident in my own life. My father and my younger brother, a lad of five years, went with the advance company of pioneers. My brother Franklin W. and I followed in Jedediah M. Grant's company. On Ham's Fork, near Fort Bridger, a cow gave out, and I was left behind the train to try to bring her into camp. At sunset, while about three miles behind the camp, letting the cow rest, I saw an Indian just across the creek move from behind a tree. Needless to say I made quick tracks toward camp.
In the morning we found that the Indians had killed the cow. It proved to be a band of Sioux, on the war path after Shoshones. Had they been angry at us, they could have killed me as well as the cow,—Brigham's counsel was bearing fruit. Neither my scalp, nor our cattle, beyond that one cow, were interfered with, while Fort Bridger was heavily raided.
To me the migration of our people for the next twenty years was a wonderful history. Our companies often scattered far apart in order to get feed for the cattle; our men, weak in numbers and but poorly armed; our women and children often compelled to walk, and therefore, sometimes quite unconsciously going too far ahead to be safe, or, in spite of the vigilance of the guards, becoming weary and lagging behind, yet not a single life was lost by the hand of the Indians.
Again the cheerfulness with which the people passed under the rod during these unparalleled journeys was no less marvelous than the protecting providence that was over them. Picture in your mind starting out on a certain morning, in company with five hundred men, women, and children. We walk eight or ten miles, then halt for dinner. Five hundred head of cattle have to be unyoked, watered, then driven to pasture and guarded, while fires are built and dinner is being prepared. Then the cattle are reyoked, the wagons packed, and the line of travel is taken up again.
Thousands of our people, many of them mothers with babes in their arms, walked every foot of that ten hundred thirty-seven mile stretch from Winter Quarters to Salt Lake. Day after day the toilsome journey is renewed. At night a quilt or blanket is spread upon mother earth for a resting place. Days pass into weeks, and weeks into months, before the longing eyes find rest and the weary feet pass down the dusty road of Emigration Canyon. Picture then, their feelings, when, on reaching a certain eminence, the Salt Lake Valley, with the Dead Sea glimmering beyond, burst like a vision of glory upon their view! Old and young break down, and weep for joy.
Having foreshadowed the immigration movement in general, I turn back to the parting at Winter Quarters. Owing to the poverty of our people, and to the lack of men, conditions were such that in making up the Pioneer Company many families were divided. Such was the case in my father's family. My dear mother, poor in health, was left behind with my only sister, Harriet, to follow several years later.
It fell to my lot to cross the plains in Captain Jedediah M. Grant's company. Brother Grant was a man of wonderful energy. In fact, the various companies which followed on the heels of the pioneers were led by a host of stalwarts; so that in my youth I became acquainted with many solid men of Joseph's day. Foremost among them, to my mind, were Brigham Young, John Taylor, Geo. A. Smith, Parley P. Pratt, Uncle John Smith, and Uncle John Young.
The last-named stood as a father to me; and yet, during that pilgrimage I was like a waif upon the ocean. The camp fire was my home, and I was everybody's chore boy. While this arrangement taught me self-reliance, it chilled my heart, and turned me against those finer, more tender endearments of life which ever abound in happy, lovable homes; and from this experience I have learned to pity the child that grows up without a mother's care and caress.
On reaching the Valley, our people at first all lived in the "Old Fort."

Transcript for Young, John R., Memoirs of John R. Young: Utah Pioneer, 1847 [1920], 56, 60-61

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/chd/landing

motherReferenceId

fatherReferenceId

birthPlace

company-arrived

joined-company

with-pioneer-activity

Franklin Wheeler Young

Joseph Watson Young

pioneerCompanyReferenceIdValue

baptizedBy

baptizedByReferenceId

arrived-at-home

departed-from-home

missionQualifier

maritalStatusWhenCalled

missionOrganizationReferenceIdValue

locationServed

associatedPeople

Settled in Santa Clara, Washington, Utah with most of those called at the same time. From Bio. Ency we learn that in 1862 he was called to go to Omaha and help gather the poor and was captain of one of the emigration companies.

missionaryActivityNotes

priesthoodOfficeWhenCalled

Payson, Utah, Utah Territory, United States

residenceWhenCalled

set-apart

Arrived in Field (1864 June 10) and Depart from Field Date( 1864 October) per Hawaiian Mission Record of Missionaries, 1850-1914; Record states he spent about four months on this mission.

priesthoodQuorumWhenCalled

Santa Clara, Washington, Utah Territory, United States

setApartBy

released

Jour. Hist.: John R. Young, Orderville was called on a mission in Europe and left May 8th. Sept. 9, 1878 was released and left Liverpool on Sept. 14th. Bio.Ency. has that in 1867 he was ordained as a High Priest and set apart to be on the High Council in St. George.

John Ray Young

Birth Date

Death Date

Gender

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