Transcript

John Daniel Holladay, Jr., was born on June 22, 1826, in Marion County, Alabama. He was the son of John Holladay, son of Daniel. His Mother was Catharine Beasly Higgins. And in his own words (and spelling) he said: “My boyhood days was passed on my Fathers farm: labouring some 9 or 10 months in the year assisting my Father in making a living for the family. I was the oldest boy. The remainder of the time was spent in a Common Country School. My parents means was quite limited. My parents was reared on farms near Charlestown, South Carolina, about the year 1822. Moved to Marion County, Alabama. Commencing in life poor ____. In June 1844, I was baptised into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints by Benjamin Mathis, was ordained an Elder by Elder Mathis and William Brosby. In the winter of 44 visited a conference in Miss. My natural inclinations led me to farming, stock raising and the general _____ pertaining to a Southern plantation. I laboured with my Father on the Old Homestead till the spring of 1845 at whitch time, in March, I took leave of my Folks and visited Nauvoo, spending the sumer and fall thare, returning home in December following. During my stay in Nauvoo I worked in the stone querry, procuring rock for the Temple, also choping timber on the River above Nauvoo. in the fall worked on the roof and tower of the Temple. Was taken sick in Sept., at that time was living with A.O. Smoot & Wife.

In Dece. I returned to my Father’s house in Alabama. Informing my Father of what had transpired at Nauvoo between the officials of Illinois and the Church officials.” “I assisted my Father in the way of repairing Wagon Harness & etc. Our teams consited of Horses, Mules and Oxons. The Family consited of 15 souls at the time. We started west in March of 1846. Crossed the Miss. River at the Iron Banks since called Columbus, traveld through the state of Mo., by Far West & Independance, strickin the Plat at Grand Island. By this time thare was quite an addition to our nombersom familys from Tennessee and some from Punkaw. On arriveing at Fort Larrimee we met with one John Rinshaw, a mountaineer. He told us that none of our imergration had passed that place. We imployed Mr. Rishaw as pilot to Purbelow. This place is situated on the Arkansaw River just East of Rockeys, arrived thare in August. I spent some six weeks getting out logs to build Winterquarters. Near the last of Sept.

in company with Wm. Crosby, John Brown, Wm. Lay, George Bantead & James Smithson, took leave of the camp and returned to Ala. on business for my Father. Was detained until the spring of 48. Arrived in Utah late in the fall. Settled on Big Cottonwood at Holladays Burge. In 57 accompayned Ammasy Lyman & C.C. Rich and others to Calafomia. Settled at Sanbarnerdino Ranch. Returned to Utah in January 58, stoping one season at Beaver Then to Santaquin in 59, where I was connected with David A. Holladay and Norman Taylor in the lumbering business. 

In the spring of 66, I was called and took charge of a church train to Mo. River and return to Salt Lake 25 of Sept. with 69 wagons, some 300 Emergrants. Apr. 68, went to the Southern States labouring in the missionary field. returning in March 70. Have taken an active interest in religion and benevolent associations and institutions. During the years I acted the part of a Bishop of the Santaquin Ward of Utah Co. Since that time have been Ward Teacher, Home Missionary and in 65 was commissioned by ________ of Utah: Capt. of a company of Utah malitia of Utah Co. Was dept sherif of Utah Co in 77-78. In 64 and 65 was elected School Trustee of Santaquin District.

I married on October 28, 1848, to Mahala Ann Rebecca Matthews. our children were Mahalia Ann, John Daniel, Lenorah McRay, Rhoda, Isaiah, Joseph A. Luna, David Thomas, B., Wm. Daniel, Sarah J., John W., Lucia Ann, Idea F., Caron Mabel, the 7 last named is by my second wife, Joanna Blake.