Transcript

I left my native home in the spring of 1853 comeing through some of the states of America. Reached Keokuk in the month of May 1853[.] My father purchased oxen and wagons for the trip a cross the plains, leaving the Missi[ssi]ppi river we came through Iowa to the Missoura river nothing of note happening on that part of the journey. In July we left the Missoura river for Utah[.] while on the Western plains we met up with lots of Indians[.] they were very friendly[.] We also saw many Buffaloes[.] it would [be] hard to estimate the number, it would take some days to count them. We arrived in Utah Sept 11th 1853. 

Stayed in Salt Lake City a few days and then came North to a settlement called Sessions where I have since lived. My occupation being a farmer and blacksmith in the year 1861 I went to Florence and assisted in bringing saints to Utah traveling in Captain Ira Eldridges company.