Orson Spencer (1802 - 1855) Profile

Individual

death-date-qualifier-death

Orson Spencer

birth-date-qualifier-birth

Andrew Jenson, "Spencer, Orson," Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia

Andrew Jenson, "Spencer, Orson," Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, Vol. 1.

Andrew Jenson, "Spencer, Orson," Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia.

British Mission manuscript history and historical reports, 1841-1971

British Mission manuscript history and historical reports, 1841-1971.

British Mission manuscript history and historical reports, 1841-1971, 1852, Vol. 1, Part 1, Page 22.

German Mission Manuscript history and historical reports

German Mission Manuscript history and historical reports, January 22, 1853.

German Mission Manuscript history and historical reports.

High Priests of Nauvoo and early Salt Lake City

Nauvoo Restoration, comp., High Priests of Nauvoo and Early Salt Lake City, M251.33, Page 123.

High Priests of Nauvoo and early Salt Lake City.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, July 25, 1844.

CR 100 137: Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, December 28, 1847.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008, October 25, 1846.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008.

Lyon, "Memento to Orson Spencer," Deseret News 5, no. 42

Lyon, "Memento to Orson Spencer," Deseret News 5, no. 42, December 26, 1855.

Lyon, "Memento to Orson Spencer," Deseret News 5, no. 42.

Orson Spencer, General Epistles, Church History Library

Orson Spencer, General Epistles, Church History Library.

Temple Records Index Bureau, comp., NTER, 977.343/N1 K29c

Temple Records Index Bureau, comp., NTER, 977.343/N1 K29c, Page 3.

Temple Records Index Bureau, comp., NTER, 977.343/N1 K29c.

Camp of Israel schedules and reports, 1845-1849

Ezra T. Benson's 100, report

"Ezra T. Benson's 100, report", Camp of Israel schedules and reports, 1845-1849, September 24, 1849, Page 8.

Camp of Israel schedules and reports, 1845-1849.

Edward Phillips, Autobiographical sketch, reel 10, box 13, fd. 2, item 9, 3

Edward Phillips, Autobiographical sketch, reel 10, box 13, fd. 2, item 9, 3.

Leaving there in the spring of 49 with Capt. Gulley's company. William Hyde was Captain of our fifty. We traveled until we arrived at Grand Island. Capt. Gulley was taken sick and died there. Daniel Collett and myself washed him and dressed him and laid him away. We then appointed Orson Spencer as Captain of our hundred for the remainder of the journey. The cholera was very troublesome on the road, it being the year of the California gold crase [craze]. A great many of the emigrants died of cholera. It also got among the Indians and made them very angry with the whites for crossing their country. A great many of them were camped at Scotch Bluffs and were threatened to wa[i]t with the emigrants. When we arrived at Scotch Bluffs, soldiers were called for at Fort Laramie to come and meet us which they did and guarded us through in safety. We traveled the balance of the way in safety to the Salt Lake Valley in October of 1849

Transcript for Edward Phillips, Autobiographical sketch, reel 10, box 13, fd. 2, item 9, 3

Historical Department journal history of the Church. Supplement after December 31 1849: Page 1.

Index to Utah pioneer biographies

Utah Pioneer Biographies

"Utah Pioneer Biographies", Index to Utah pioneer biographies, 32, Page 82-83.

From Nauvoo we went again to Iowa and did not start West until 1853. In the company were mother, step father, half brothers James and Hyrum, and my half sister Rachel. Others to make up the company were Orson Spencer, Jacob Houtz, the family of the sister of Jacob Houtz, Aldro Lord, Joel Terrill, Charles, Henry, Emily, Mary and Sarah Woodmansee and myself.	
Although only a boy I took turn standing guard, helping to get game when needed, and assisted in every way possible as did the others. We, however, had an easier time than some of the early pioneers because we were well equipped with oxen, wagons and supplies. Weather conditions were as good as could be expected, yet there were hardships at the best, and we had to be constantly on guard against Indians and wild beasts. We had all the experiences, as did the other pioneers, of fording rivers, cattle stampedes, and Indian troubles.	
My step father and I had two yoke of oxen, one yoke of cows, a span of horses, one light and one heavy wagon loaded heavily with freight. For food we had bacon, crackers, dried pumpkin, squash, dried fruit, flour and milk and butter from the cows. We would milk the cows in the morning, put the milk in a jar and by night through the chug and jar of the wagon it would be churned to butter.	
When we reached the Missouri River we were detained three weeks waiting to ferry, the traffic was so heavy crossing east and west. It was here I had my first Indian trouble. I had been away from camp all day and upon returning found an Indian trying to steal mother's best blankets. She tried to make him understand that she was going West and needed them, but neither party was able to know what the other said as they each spoke a different language. I went into the tent, got the old musket and pointing it at the Indian told him to be off. He seemed to comprehend the words and started towards the river. As he jumped in he made a motion of defiance. I raised my gun to my shoulder and fired as he came up the bank on the other side. He was heard to say, by some boatsmen who knew his language, that he would get even. Not knowing the nature and policy of the Indians I regretted my rash act afterwards. Three days later we crossed the river and one day out from there we came across a company of thirteen wagons under Captain Hazard going to California who had been attacked by the Pawnees, the tribe to which the Indian belonged. The guard was killed and the provisions stolen. We always thought the Indian had taken the company for us and had raided them.	
When nearing the West we seemed to have more and more trouble with the Indians. One day we met a lone man whose party had met with them. He had escaped with his life and two horses. He had no food and was practically destitute of clothes. We gave him some supplies and he proceeded East alone.	
While traveling through the Black Hills we caught up with two companies which had met with misfortune at the hands of Indians. They were going to California and were large in number. They had four or five hundred horses and oxen, some thirty-five vehicles and a goodly number of persons. We joined with them and gave each other support until we had passed the dangers from Indians.	
When we were two days out from Laramie, Wyoming we met a California company who had been raided and robbed by the Rapahoes, whom we found the most troublesome. They asked to buy clothes and as they could well afford it, having preserved their gold from California, they offered to pay $100 for 100 pounds of flour. We could not spare so much but did sell them 50 pounds for $25. We gave them some bacon and cooking utensils.	
One day while in Wyoming we espied an Indian blanket in a tree. All of the boys claimed to have been the first to see it and to decide the matter we ran a race to the tree. As I neared it and getting a whiff of wind from the direction of the tree I stopped and told the others they could have it. We found it contained the body of a dead Indian which had from appearances been there several days. Many things we learned concerning the wild red men as we went on and many more after settling in Utah.	
Just to give an idea of the prices in early days in Utah. While nearing our journey's end we came across an alkali lake. We shoveled and sacked up some saleratus, which we found could be had for the digging and when we got to Salt Lake sold 25 pounds for $25. This was used in cooking.	
We arrived in Utah for October conference 1853, after two months travel. Our company had covered 1,100 miles and we were indeed grateful for the reception given us by the saints and more so to know we had come that long hazardous journey and could now make a home unmolested by our enemies of the East.

Transcript for Hill, William John, [Autobiography], in "Utah Pioneer Biographies," 44 vols., 32:82-83

Index to Utah pioneer biographies.

Reuben Miller journals, 1848-1849, Journal

Reuben Miller journals, 1848-1849, Journal, June 1849.

Transcript for Reuben Miller journals, 1848-1849, Journal, 1849 June-September

Reuben Miller journals, 1848-1849, Journal.

Reuben Miller letter to Brigham Young

Reuben Miller letter to Brigham Young, September 9, 1849.

Green River Second division of Israel Camp 
September 9th 1849



 



To President Brigham Young Heber Kimball, And Willard Richards, And the Saints in general in the Vally of the Salt Lake.



D. Brethren. We gladly imbrace the present oppertunity of informing you that we c[r]ossed the Missouri river on the 6th And left the horn on the 12th of June, destined for your place



We were organized by President George A Smith into A company of one hundred With two divisions of fifties Samuel Gully captain. Including a few california emigrants both camps number 124 waggons. The first division of fifty is under Captain William Miller. The Second under Captain William Hyde. Brother C [Orson] Spencer is president. With Councilers Bro Gidian [Gideon] Brownell And Bro [William Farrington] Cahoon



We have every reason and do feel truely thankfull to God our heavenly father for his extended hand of Mercey to us as a people. Allthough it is true the distroyer prevailed to Some extent in our camp And constrained us to lay by the way three of our brethren. And 2 calafornia [California] Emigrants. We Yet live. And enjoy health and Strength



And the peacefull and good Spirit is resting upon our camp. With &lt;no&gt; gloomy prospects before us we pursue Our journey. And resting upon the arm of Jehovah for protection and diliverance. We have assurance that the way will be opened before us. And that we Shall in due time arive at our place of destination.--



Owing to the excesive and often repeated rains which rendered the roads allmost impassable. We were constrained to travile very Slow in order to keep up the Strength of Our teams. And from the time that we left the horn untill we arrived at Elm Crek 221 Miles from Winter Quarters Including all Stopages and days laid by. Our average Speed of travil per each day was 7 1/2 Miles. Sin[c]e then the roads have been better and we have got along much faster.



After the death of Bro [Samuel] Gully. The two Camps met together and apointed President C. [Orson] Spencer Captain to fill the vacancy.



The following is a Statistic of Captain William Hydes Company as taken on the North Side of the Loup fork June 26th. Souls 190[,] Waggons 64[,] Horses 3[,] Mules 10[,] Oxen 255[,] Cows 120—L.[,] Cattle 8[,] Sheep 64[,] Pigs 17[,] Chickens 39[,] Ducks 2[,] Geese 2[,] cats 13[,] Dogs 11[,] Doves 7[,] Bees 1.



Perhaps it would not be a miss to give the Statistic of Captain William Millers Company of Israel Camp. The following imbraces all in our possession. Souls 174[,] Waggons 60[,] Horses 7[,] Oxen 258[,] Cows 104[,] Sheep 38[,] Pigs 14[,] Chickens 23[,] Cats 12[,] Dogs 14 L.[,] Cattle 9



The following embraces the names of the heads of families in the Second division of fifty



John Barry. Daniel Allen. Samuel Gully. Hyrum Judd[.] Charles Daulton [Dalton]. O[rson]. B[ennett]. Adams. Wm Vandike. Daniel Collett. Edward Philips. William Smith. Thomas Atkins[.] William Thompson. John Collins [Coulam]. Lewis Hardy. James Mendenhall. William Parshell. Rosel Hyde. William Hyde. Elias Blackburn. Joseph--[blank space], William Lewis[.] Enock [Enoch] King. Jennet [Jenst] Peters. E. Thomkinson [Ephriam Tomkinson]. G.W. Robison[.] Andrew Shannon. Sarah Roggars [Rogers] &amp; Amanda M. Roggars [Rogers]. D[avid].H. Readfield [Redfield]. H[enry]. Alexander. Zinnia [Zimri] H Baxter. Reuben Miller. A[rza] Adams. James A Smith[.] Wm W Smith[.] William Young. And the Bloggett family.



The Company from the Vally met our camp at this place.



Yours in behalf of the second division of Israel Camp.



 



Reuben Miller Clerk

Transcript for Reuben Miller letter to Brigham Young, 9 September 1849

Reuben Miller letter to Brigham Young.

Samuel Gully letter to Brigham Young

Samuel Gully letter to Brigham Young, July 3, 1849.

<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Camp 192 miles from Winter Quarters 
July 3rd 1849</center>



 



Presdt. B. Young



Dear Sir



Allow me to introduce to your acquaintance Genl. G Blodget the bearer of this. Genl. G. accidentally fell into our company at the Mo. River and has traveled with us to this point. he now leaves us with his pack animals &amp; leaves 4 wagons &amp; Teams with the remainder of his Men, all in my charge. Genl. G has offered many friendly favors while we have been on the road and has acted the part of a Gentleman; any favors rendered him by yourself will [be] duly reciprocated by your friend.



I am sorry to inform you of the choleras being in our company. We have had several cases and lost 3 men of our company[.] Bro. Nelson Mc[C]Arty died at the Loup fork, Ambrose Kellogg at Prarie Creek, a Mr. [Moses] Hale on the Platt[e] 7 miles from this point. My desire is that we may no longer be troubled with this sad disease. Since we left Winter Quarters which was the morning of the 7th June the Horn on the 11th the rains have been so continued that it has prevented us from moving faster than we have and now we have had two nights of as heavy rains as I most ever saw, the Grass is Good, but the Roads most Horrid



Messrs [James A] Livingston &amp; [John Henry] Kinkead is now with us, with the Goods mentioned in my former letter, and they wish me to renew the wish for you to have them a House ready for them to put there Goods in when they arrive. They are extremely anxious to return to St Louis this fall in order that they make an early start the next sping with at least one Hundred thousand Dollars worth of Goods. The season is now so far advanced that they fear if they have to go through to the Vally &amp; then have to retail them out, it will be too late for them to return and they are therefore willing to sell them sooner if possible and say if you or any other person will meet them this side of the South Pass they would sell them for much less than they would in the Vally say at least five thousand Dollars. They have with them near $30,000 at St Louis cost consisting of a Genl. Stock of Dry Goods, a very heavy stock of Hardware for building purposes, with Groceries &amp;c &amp;c



Bro. Orson Spencer is now in our company and from the best I can learn has money with him sufficient to pay near half the amount. They will take Gold Dust at a Good rate



 



<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">SAMU[E]L GULLY 
Pr WM. HYDE</center>



 



July 5th 1849



President Brigham Young



Sir



Capt Gully after writing the above left it uncealed with a view, if possible of obtaining, news from Ft. Childs which might be of interest to you, but on yesterday the 4th he was taken with the Cholera, and died this morning, the 5th inst at 5 O.c[.] on which account I have signed his name above and forward to you this sheet. The Camp is now in tolerable health. We now expect to start on our Journey in the morning, have laid here two days



 



<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Yours with respect 
Wm Hyde</center>

Transcript for Samuel Gully letter to Brigham Young, 3 July 1849

Samuel Gully letter to Brigham Young.

Thomas Atkin autobiography, circa 1901, 5-7

Thomas Atkin autobiography, circa 1901, 5-7.

On May 28 we started from Council Bluffs on our journey, father having purchased two wagons, five yoke of oxen and two yoke of cows. The road on this, our first day's travel on land, proved to be exceedingly rough, being most through a hilly country with heavily loaded wagons that were not new but second hand. Our teams were wild and unbroke, many of them being strangers to the yoke, and drivers about us awkward as their teams, and with our mother sick in one of the wagons with that dreaded disease the cholera: under these circumstances it required our utmost care in managing the team in which my mother lay sick. We camped at night in the forest.



May 29th--traveled a short distance and camped near the ferry which crossed the Missouri river.



May 31st we had the satisfaction of seeing the recovery of our mother.



On June 2nd we crossed the ferry over to the South side of the Missouri river. Here we joined the main body of the company of Saints waiting to be organized into companies of tens, fifties and hundreds with captains to lead each division.



On Sunday, June 3rd we camped with the main camp at the old Winter Quarters of the leaders of the Church, and the Pioneers when on their way from Nauvoo to the Rockey Mountains. We saw the vacated log cabin of Brigham Young and others of the Twelve Apostles and Saints in which they wintered before starting upon their long and perilous journey. We remained here a few days to break in our teams and to make final preparations for our journey.



and on June 8th we commenced our pilgrimage with Brother William Hyde, a most excellent man, as captain of the fifty wagons of our company, and Brother [Daniel] Collett as captain of the ten wagons in which our[s] was included. Orson Spencer was captain of the hundred.



June 9th we reached the Elk Horn river over which we ferried our teams the following day.



A large band of Indians was camped a short distance from us, who manifested signs of hostility towards us. Our captain required every man in camp to muster armed and equipped for business which seemed to have the desired effect of quieting the Indians. Here father purchased a yoke of fine cows, having found that our teams were hardly sufficient for their loads.



On the 22nd of June we arrived at the Loup Fork of the Platt[e] river, a large and rapid running stream.



Saturday 23rd, on account of the depth of the river we were unable to proceed.



Sunday, 24th of June we made a tabernacle of the branches of trees and held Sabbath meeting, which was addressed by Captain William Hyde and President Orson Spencer.



June 26th both fifties forded the river which was quite deep and dangerous with quicksand bottom, but we were all landed in safety on the other side. During the first week in July a rainy season set in which greatly impeded our progress, having often to attach 6 or 8 yoke of oxen to one wagon that cut into the ground until the axeltrees almost scraped the ground.



On July 5th, Brother Samuel Culley [Gully], Captain of the other fifty, died of cholera and was buried by the road side.



July 7th camped at night on Elm Creek. Here we discovered that we were traveling in the famous buffalo country. Every day large, dark, moving herds of buffalo could be seen on the distant hillsides or down in the meadows.



July 10th the hunters killed their first buffalo.



On the 12th they killed two others.



and on the 14th they killed 4 buffalo. In the afternoon of the 14th wagon and team were started out to gather up some of the best parts of the 4 buffalo. My brother George and I being desirous to see a buffalo before it was dis-sected, went along with the hunters for that purpose. After traveling several miles we entered a range of low hills and finding that the sun was about setting, I took an hasty glance at the buffalo, then started back alone for camp, hopeing to arrive there in time to help secure our cattle by tying each animal to the wheels of our wagons before night set in, and guarding them through the night against the raids of the hostile savages that were numerous in this region of the plains. I had proceeded a short distance when I heard the hunters calling on me to return, assuring me that I would get lost among the hills or meet some of the natives on the plains, but regardless of their friendly warning I continued on my way following the slight trail which the wagons had made in coming out. I soon found that I was not traveling fast enough to enable me to get out of the hills before night set in and in my anxiety to increase my speed I lost all trace of the wagon track, and although I made several circuts back in hopes of again finding the trail, I was unsuccessful in finding it. Having abandoned my search, I hastened off in the direction I judged lead towards the river.



I was greatly impelled on my way by the knowledge that I was alone on the domains of the Indians at that time hostile towards the white man. With night rapidly approaching, the country around me afforded no distinguishing object as a guide, nothing but a succession of low hills and vallys in every direction as far as the eye could reach. Under these circumstances I hastened on over hill and vale, climbing some of the highest points and anxiously looking in every direction, hoping to see the river and the trees bordering it, occasionally kneeling to offer up a fervent prayer for guidance from above. Finally, just as the day was disappearing I saw from an eminence I had gained, the reflection of a hundred camp fires lighting up the gloomy horizon, and although the camp was several miles away, I felt greatly encouraged. I soon emerged from the range of hills but found yet another difficulty in my course. I was suddenly checked in my progress by a dismal swamp of deep water and rushes which were directly in my course, but I was not in the mood to hesitate long. I entered the swamp and after struggeling what seemed to me a long distance through mud and water, fighting mosquitoes which were fearfully numerous, I finally landed on solid ground and soon reached the camp in safety.



Large fires were kept burning all night to guide the party of hunters to camp but they did not return until the next morning.



July 27th--passed chimney rock.



July 29th--forded the Platt[e] river three quarters of a mile across very deep quick-sand bottom.



August 3rd--passed Fort Laramie.



August 5th the camp did not move. Held Sunday meeting under the shade of some trees. President Orson Spencer preached.



August 10th our ten commenced to travel seperate from the main company on account of the scarcity of feed for our animals.



August 22n-- passed Independence Rock and camped at Devil's gate, a narrow channel cut through a mountain through which the sweet water river runs, overhung by rocky crags. We here began to experience frosty nights.



August 29--snowy morning today. A child was run over and killed.



September 2nd--crossed the Sweet Water river for the last time being the twe[f]lth crossing.



September 7--traveled to Green river which we forded and camped on the other side with a company of brethren and teams on their way to meet Apostle E.T. Benson's company of Saints, they having started late in the season.



Sept. 13th--traveled 8 miles and camped at Fort Bridger.



September 16th--traveled 6 miles and crossed Bear river. Rough mountain roads is the rule for the rest of the journey.



September 19th--5 miles and crossed the Weber river.



September 20th--14 miles, chiefly in a canyon up and down steep hills, having to hold our wagons from upsetting with ropes.



September 21st-- traveling over the big mountain.



On Tuesday, September 25th we entered the Valley early in the afternoon and thus completed our long journey and at last gazed upon the Great Salt Lake valley, the goal upon which our hopes and expectations had so long been centered, and although the whole country was at that time in a wild and uncultivated condition, it appeared to us all that we could desire.

Transcript for Thomas Atkin autobiography, circa 1901, 5-7

William Farrington Cahoon in Reynolds Cahoon and His Stalwart Sons (1960) complied and edited by Stella Cahoon Shurtleff and Brent Farrington Cahoon, 90

William Farrington Cahoon in Reynolds Cahoon and His Stalwart Sons (1960) complied and edited by Stella Cahoon Shurtleff and Brent Farrington Cahoon, 90.

<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Traveled Six Months to Reach Salt Lake</center>



"As stated above, I in company with my brother Daniel and our families, started on the 21st March and camped the first day at Brother Burgess, six miles out. At length, we were on the way leaving civilization behind us and glad to get away from it, and as we journeyed across the great plains in the wage [way] of the pioneers, we felt as if the ‘God of Joseph' was with us and blessed us and preserved us. On our way we had the usual vicissitudes of the early travelers across the plains, such as fording rivers, and when we could not ford, making rafts and building bridges, killing snakes, burying our dead, guarding our cattle and traveling under difficulties.



"We traveled day after day, for six months and on 24th day September 1849, we entered the valley in company with my father and Andrew's family who came to meet us. Was It Not A Joyful Meeting! Only those separated from their families for a long time, can tell.

Transcript for William Farrington Cahoon in Reynolds Cahoon and His Stalwart Sons (1960) complied and edited by Stella Cahoon Shurtleff and Brent Farrington Cahoon, 90

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/chd/landing

motherReferenceId

fatherReferenceId

West Stockbridge, Berkshire, Massachusetts, United States

birthPlace

baptizedBy

baptizedByReferenceId

missionQualifier

maritalStatusWhenCalled

Called to fill a mission to New Haven, Connecticut at a conference held April 10, 1843.

missionaryActivityNotes

priesthoodOfficeWhenCalled

residenceWhenCalled

missionOrganizationReferenceIdValue

locationServed

associatedPeople

released

departed-from-home

Presided over British mission, 1847-1849

Winter Quarters, Omaha, Nebraska, United States

called

departed-from-field

company-arrived

joined-company

with-pioneer-activity

Martha Knight

Martha Emma Spencer

pioneerCompanyReferenceIdValue

arrived-in-field

Called to fill a mission to Prussia, but was banished from there and returned to Utah in 1853.

Great Salt Lake City, Great Salt Lake, Utah Territory, United States

with-missionary-activity

In 1854 he was called upon to perform a mission to the United States until July 1855, when he was requested to occupy the editorial chair of the St. Louis Luminary.

Orson Spencer

Birth Date

Death Date

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