So little has been recorded about Emeline, one must picture her by gaining
knowledge about her family and her ancesters. Also by the things done by other
women of the time. Her husband John’s comments tell us she was a very patient,
considerate and loving person -- ambitious and willing to do her part. She had
to have a strong testimony of the Gospel to live as she did without complaint.
Emeline Bigler, 4th child of Jacob and Elizabeth Harvey Bigler, was born 20
August 1824 in Shinston, Harrison County, Virginia (now West Virginia). She had
only one brother, Henry William and two sisters, Polly and Hannah older, and one
sister, Bathsheba, younger, in her family.
To tell Emeline’s story, we begin in the picturesque land of tulips and
windmills. Her great grandfather, Mark Bigler came to America in 1733, probably
for religious reasons, from the Rhineland, Holland. He was born about 1705 and
died in Pipe Creek, Frederick, Maryland, when about 82 years of age. He had
married a girl we only know as Catherine. She had been born about 1712 and lived
in Frederick County, Maryland. He settled first in Maryland, then moved to Bucks
County, Pennsylvania about 1753, where Emeline’s grandfather, Jacob, was born.
(Jacob became a farmer in Summerset County, Pennsylvania. He married Hannah
Booker and they had ten children. Jacob died in September 1829, at the age of
76. Hannah lived until July 18, 1853, she was 93 at the time of death.) The
family then moved near Shinnston, Harrison County, Virginia in 1782. In 1793 (9
June) Emeline’s father was born. - the sixth of ten children, his name was also
Jacob.(Named for his father, Jacob, Jr.) He married Elizabeth Harvey, a daughter
of Basil Harvey and his second wife Mary (Polly) Hall Harvey, May 24, 1814. She
was born January 10, 1794 at Montgomery County, Maryland.
Jacob and Elizabeth had five children; Henry William, Polly, Hannah, Emeline and
Bathsheba.
Jacob and Elizabeth were poor, humble, hard-working, honest and religious. They
arose by candlelight and worked until late at night. They loomed the flax of
their fields, made their own clothing, including shoes. The simple log home was
furnished with plain furniture, fashioned by Jacob. Education was important to
these parents, for the children went to school and were tutored by David
Masters, a Methodist minister. The curriculum consisted of the three “R’s” with
a “spelling bee” thrown in for “fun”. Whenever the weather would permit, it was
barefoot time. On Sundays the girls would carry their hose and homemade shoes
until they almost reached the little church. Jacob was a farmer, not a
shoemaker!
The beautiful State of Virginia was rich in resources. Game was plentiful. The
family lived on fat venison, wild turkey, honey, acorns, nuts and pigs, which
ran wild in the forest to be fattened. One of the highlights of the year was
“sugaring”. Families for miles around would gather and make camp. Large buckets
were attached to the trees, the oozing sap collected and poured into large
kettles, to be boiled and processed into the delicious sugar. The children loved
to sample the tempting sweet, and happily licked their sticky fingers.
Emeline was three years old when her mother, Elizabeth, usually called Betsy,
died November 13, 1827. She had been in poor health, suffering from consumption
since the birth of her youngest child, Bathsheba, who was sickly from birth and
had died 8 October 1827 - age 14 months. Mother and daughter were buried side by
side in the northwest corner of grandfather Harvey’s apple orchard. The oldest
son, Henry, age 12, remembers his mother gathering the family around her bed and
telling his father to marry soon. She told him the hired girl, Sally (Sarah)
Cunningham, would make a kind and good step-mother. Sally was only 16-17 years
old. Henry also remembered his father gathering the children to his side and
asking them if they would like Sally as their step-mother. It wasn’t long until
Sally’s father and Jacob rode on horseback to Clarksburg, the county seat, to
get the marriage license. On returning home late at night, it was very dark and
Adam Cunningham lost his life crossing Ten Mile Creek, as the stream was swift
and dangerous. The wedding was postponed for eight days, until the body was
found and taken care of. Jacob and Sally were married 16 December 1827.
The first news of the Gospel was brought to the area by neighbors who had
visited farther west. They were talking of a golden Bible and a Prophet Joe
Smith. The Elders first visited their area 23 September 1834, and preached to
the people. An interesting excerpt taken from Henry W, Bigler’s journal, reads
as follows:- “At the time the Elder’s made their appearance in the neighborhood
(Mormon missionaries in Harrison County, in 1834) the inquiry was, who are they
and where did they come from. My Uncle Mark Bigler, who was always full of his
fun and had no faith in any religion, and for whom I was working, was asked
where these Mormon Elders came from. My Uncle said they came from the moon and
had found a new road to Heaven 400 miles nearer than the old route. But how did
they get down was asked. His answer was they greased themselves and slid down a
rainbow. Up to this time he had not heard the Elders preach. He soon went to
hear them and believed their preaching.”
Sally was the first to join the Mormon Church after reading the Book of Mormon,
which Jacob had sent 200 miles (to Kirtland) to secure. Henry also joined. Soon
after this he was working in the field when a messenger came and told him that
Polly (his sister) was going to be baptized. He hastened to the near-by stream
to be with her. As she stepped into the water, his father also stepped into the
water for baptism. This was in July 1837. Hannah, another sister, was also
baptized but we have no record of Emeline accepting baptism at this time, but it
is presumed that she did. Jacob Bigler hadn’t read many pages of the Book of
Mormon until he said, “No man of himself ever wrote this book.”
The Gospel made a great impression on this family. Henry tells of a
manifestation he had while praying, when he jumped up shouting, felt light as
feather, and describes a brilliant light as an angel was near. Another time he
tried to talk to his grandfather Harvey, who would have no part of the Gospel
nor read the Book of Mormon. As the family was summoned to his grandfather’s
dying side, Henry felt impressed to pray for him. As he did this, the
grandfather instantly improved. A few years later, he did die and later in a
dream, he visited Henry and asked for forgiveness and seemed very upset because
he didn’t listen to the Gospel message. Later Henry did his Temple work for him.
Polly, Emeline’s older sister, died 3 April 1838 and was buried by her mother
and sister. It was said of her, “She was a good girl and loved by all who knew
her -- dying in the faith.”
The spirit of the gathering touched this family along with others in Virginia,
and preparations were made to join the Mormons in Far West. The family traveled
overland with their wagons and stock. Henry went earlier by steamer.
Mark Bigler, a brother of Jacob, and his family had also gone to Far West in
March 1838. Mark’s daughter, Bathsheba W., had married George A. Smith. Henry
lived with his Uncle Mark until the arrival of his own family. Mark was a
gatherer of tithes here and in Nauvoo. Jacob G., his only son, was baptized in
Far West in 1838. Jacob G., with his family, moved to Quincy and then Nauvoo and
then to Salt Lake City. He settled with his family, in Nephi, Utah. He was the
first Stake President of Juab Stake, served six terms in the Legislature and had
other prominent positions and later became a Patriarch. This family, cousins of
our Emeline, became prosperous and numerous. While living in Quincy, Illinois,
Jacob G. helped move the Prophet to Nauvoo and remembered the “mummies” in his
wagon.
After the arrival of Jacob and his family in Far West, persecutions became
progressively worse. Emeline, a young lady of 14 years, must have experienced
much fear and uncertainty in the trials they had to go through and also the
trials of friends. Many had
invested their life savings in the hope for a peaceful home, only to lose
everything they had.
In one instance, the mobs had burned and damaged property and then turned the
story around to blame the Saints. Then the Saints were herded into the town
square and made to sign over their property in order to save their lives.
Henry attended many meetings with the Prophet Joseph Smith and other brethren.
He tells of attending the court trial of Sister Marsh. Some of the sisters had
agreed to save the milk and not skim the cream off that they might all have
butter. Sister Marsh had skimmed the cream off and at the trail swore her
innocence by the name of the Holy One, whereupon Joseph Smith rose and said, “If
you say that, you lie like the devil.” Henry was very shocked.
Emeline no doubt was learning the homemaking arts, how to card, spin and weave
the cloth, also to sew the clothes, do lace and embroidery. She was also
probably a good cook, for she had small half-brothers to care for.
Jacob had no sooner arrived in Far West, than the “Extermination Order” came
from Governor Boggs. The Saints must denounce their faith or leave the state.
This was 27 October 1838.
During the winter months and early spring, the Saints experienced some of their
worst trials; Haun’s mill, Liberty Jail, tar and feathering of the Brethren,
burning of homes and all kinds of indignities -- even to the herding of the men
into the square by the
soldiers to execute them, only saved by the intervention of General Doniphan,
who said he would have no part of murder.
In the early spring of 1839, Jacob left with his family, along with about 15,000
other Saints for Quincy, Illinois. Jacob rented a farm near Payson, south of
Quincy, and began to till the land. Henry was now 24. To help the family, he
went to work on a
steamboat, however, this job was soon terminated because Henry answered the call
of the Lord and went to preach the Gospel. They enjoyed peace and freedom of
worship for a time, but the people of Quincy soon became fearful that the
Mormons were taking the jobs and the land away from them, and so once again they
felt prejudice and hatred. In 1843, Jacob moved and purchased land on Bear (Bier
?) Creek, about 16 miles south of Nauvoo.. It was called Morley’s Settlement,
near Lima today. Here they enjoyed the company of the other Saints and felt
secure with friends. Emeline loved the City of Nauvoo, especially after she met
a tall, dark and handsome Dutchman, named John Wells Hess, “a nice, young
Dutchman,” was Henry’s comment. Emeline had a genial disposition and a
gentleness which attracted people to her. And perhaps there was a sense of
fellowship, because long ago, Emeline’s great-grandfather, Mark Bigler, had
called Holland his native land. This lovely, sweet girl was 24 when she married
24 year-old John. On a cool, crisp day, November 2, 1845, they exchanged vows.
They were endowed on January 29, 1846.
When Jacob and his family first moved to Quincy, Henry had been on a river boat
for some time, enjoying the free run of the galley, until he became ill with
fever. He then returned home and at a conference at Quincy, was called to serve
a mission in the eastern states. He served here until called home by the death
of the Prophet. He served other missions to the Hawaiian Islands and in the east
-- serving eleven years in all.
Emeline, no doubt, kept company with John when he had spare time from his
labors. John being the eldest son, helped his father with his farm and in caring
for the family. He also, in the fall of 1844 and spring of ‘45, purchased 40
acres of his own and began putting up a hewed log house. Was this to be their
honeymoon cottage and first home together?
Persecution became so severe and threats on the lives of those who lived outside
of Nauvoo after the death of the Prophet, that nearly every night one could see
the flames of some home, barn or haystack burning -- and hear the mobs as they
stopped at the gates to hurl oaths and threats. It became advisable to move into
the city of Nauvoo for protection.
John W. Hess moved his father’s family into Nauvoo with his Uncle, Jacob Foutz,
who was a Bishop of the 10th Ward at that time. Before he could return for his
possessions, everthing was destroyed by the mob and once again they were left
destitute.
John’s father, Jacob Hess, had suffered a stroke and was paralyzed on one side,
probably brought on by the hardships he had endured. This was in November, 1845.
Emeline’s brother, Henry, was working in a quarry, getting stone for the Nauvoo
Temple. Everyone was working hard towards it’s completion. Henry was living with
a George A. Smith and working as a private clerk also.
On October 6, a three-day conference was held, and all agreed that the Saints
should move to a place where they could be free from persecution. The motion was
made by George A. Smith and all raised their hands to sustain the motion.
On November 2, 1845, Emeline Bigler and John W. Hess were married in Nauvoo and
on January 29, 1846, they received their Endowments in the yet unfinished Nauvoo
Temple.
On February 7, 1846, all Endowments ceased, and on February 9 at 3:30 pm, a fire
was discovered in the roof of the Temple. It burned a half-hour, but was soon
extinguished due to the able organization of men and equipment by Willard
Richards. Cause of the fire was found to be an over-heated stove pipe. The
Nauvoo Band played in the afternoon.
Some of the Church leaders were instructed to cross the Mississippi River and
meet at Sugar Creek. A few days later, President Brigham Young met with them and
explained the organization of companies of 100’s, 50’s and 10’s, and gave
instruction on supplies needed and how to proceed. On February 27, the
Mississippi froze over and the order was given for the Saints to cross over into
Iowa.
It wasn’t until April 3, 1846, that John and Emeline were able to get their
wagons and supplies ready to leave Nauvoo and cross into Iowa and spent the
first night in a heavy rain with no shelter. John had outfitted one wagon for
his invalid father and another
with their supplies, which left no room for his mother, sisters and brother, nor
for Emeline or himself. All the way across Iowa, they trudged in the rain,
sleet, sun and wet, seeking shelter under the wagons. They cut willows and piled
them into crude
mattresses, then fell upon them, exhausted, to sleep in wet clothing, arise the
next sun-rise to plod on again.
Two and a half months later, on June 15, 1846, they limped into Mount Pisgah.
They were low on supplies and John’s father was too ill to go further. Earlier
pioneers had planted corn and vegetables which were welcome food for their use.
John made his father’s family as comfortable as possible, using bark from trees.
The rumor had gone out the Brigham Young was outfitting a group to leave from
Council Bluffs, the Church headquarters at that time, to go west of the Rocky
Mountains to find a place to settle. John and Emeline decided then to push on to
Council Bluffs, a distance of 130 miles. They traveled with the Henry W. Miller
Company.
John writes in his journal, “We were overtaken one evening about dark by Captain
Allen, of the U. S. Army, who was accompanied by a guard of five dragoons of the
regular United States Army, all of whom camped with us for the night.” It soon
became apparent that they were sent to see if the Mormons would respond to a
call for 500 men to help fight the battles of the United States against Mexico.
You can imagine the feelings of John and Emeline and the rest of the Miller
Company. They had been driven out of the State of Illinois, subjected to
indignities and persecutions of all kinds and now to give up 500 of their
strongest men seemed unjust.
Previous to this time, President young had sent Brother Little to Washington to
get any help they might get for the movement of the destitute Saints. President
Polk approached Congress and the Cabinet on the idea of asking for recruits.
Some of these leaders boasted the Mormons would never help their country, The
order was given to General Kearney to enlist 500 men, a much higher percentage
than the rest of the nation.
Upon reaching Council Bluffs, there was much discussion about the joining of the
army. On July 13, 1846, President Young said, “The blessings we are looking
forward to receive will be attained through sacrifice. We want to raise
volunteers, are we willing
to undergo hardship and privation to procure that which we desire? I say we can
do it---.” The brethren counted and reported 205 wagons at Mt. Pisgah, some on
the road, and with those at headquarters, made a total of 1805 wagons on the
road from Nauvoo to Council Bluffs. Could 500 men come from this?
The Company arrived in Council Bluffs on about the 10th day of July and found
that four companies had already enlisted and were organized. John was advised by
George A. Smith, and others, to enlist. He was enlisted in Company “E”, with the
Daniel C. Davis Company. Emeline also enlisted, as the government had provided
for four women to each company of one hundred men to go along as laundresses.
On July 18, 1946, President Brigham Young instructed the Captains to be fathers
to their companies and manage their affairs by the power and influence of the
Priesthood; then they would have power to preserve their lives and the lives of
their companies and escape difficulties. President Young said he would not be
afraid to pledge his right arm that every man would return alive, if they would
perform their duties faithfully without murmuring and go in the name of the
Lord, be humble and pray every morning and evening in their tents. He assured
the brethren that they would have no fighting to do.
It was not long until 4 companies were ready and the 5th soon after. Each
company was allowed four women to go as laundresses, who would travel with the
company, receiving ‘rations’ and other allowances given to laundresses of the
army, as orders of Colonel Kearney to Captain Allen. Emeline is listed as one of
the four.
It is typical of the Mormon spirit to have a party the night before departure,
with music and dancing to lively violins, horns, sleigh bells and tambourines.
As the sun dipped behind the Omaha hills, silence was called and a clear
mezzo-soprano voice rang out - “By The Rivers of Babylon We Sat Down and Wept.”
Tears were close to the suface as the crowd left for their camps, and on July
20, 1846, the Mormon Battalion started their march toward Fort Leavenworth.
Families were left behind, some sick and dying -- as John’s father was. Several
families caught up with the original group. In this company, some had cows, some
sheep or calves in tow. Some days they traveled far, others only a short
distance. At intervals they rested a day and everyone washed clothes and baked
bread. Their rations consisted of flour, pickled pork, rice, beans, coffee and
sugar. Each man had a certain amount of soap and candles. The morning milk would
be put in a tight churn and when opened at noon, fresh butter floated on top.
Times were not always easy. One evening, just after camp was made, a severe
storm came up with wind and rain. The furious wind blew down every tent in camp
but one, having no respect for the headquarters of the Battalion. All the wagons
were blown down a hill, but fortunately no damage was done, except the death of
one oxen. All the horses and other stock had bolted, but were found some
distance away in a grove of trees.
Buffalo were sighted along the trail and occasionally one was shot for food.
When they were more numerous, they could be heard all night, feeding and going
past the wagons and tents. The plains would be barren of feed for the army stock
and the water holes were thick with mud.
One large indian camp was sighted and all the indians came out to meet them,
some on foot and others on horseback, until the road was black with them. The
indians spent the evening in camp and after they left, a heavy guard was posted.
The indians appeared in camp again the next morning. The Battalion moved on and
the indians stayed behind.
Many times there would be no water for days, and when water was found, it would
be so brackish that even after boiling, it was unfit to drink. At times water
could be found by digging in dry stream beds. There was always a lack of
firewood and scarcity of buffalo chips for fuel. There were miles and miles of
desert, and plenty of flies. Their rations were cut to 2/3 and the normal
illnesses were made worse by an army surgeon who could only prescribe calomel
given out ofa dirty black spoon. This dehydrated the already dry men to near
death. President Young wrote to them, “If you are sick, live by faith and let
the surgeon’s medicine alone. Use only the herbs and mild food at your
disposal.”
John was worried and discouraged to see his young wife work so hard and she
would always comfort and encourage him. She was a great moral support and he
tried to keep her close to him.
At Fort Leavenworth, they exchanged their dilapidated outfits for better ones
with a supply of rations, then moved up the Arkansas River and on to Santa Fe,
arriving on October 13. The Battalion had now traveled 700 miles.
Many drew their first pay and sent it to the relief of the Saints who were
suffering in Nauvoo, and also their mite for the missionaries in England.
At one time, they examined ruins made of a cement substance, looking like an
ancient city, long deserted. There were dry canals which appeared to be for
irrigation purposes.
Here they received orders from General Doniphan that the sick, disabled and
women were to return to their original units with a detachment of army men.
Emeline was to return with this group. John and several others would not consent
to their wives traveling with the army men and the sick and disabled. After much
discussion with Captain Davis and General Doniphan, the men with wives were
allowed to return together.
On October 15, the detachment left, under the command of Captain Brown, for
Pueblo, where they arrived with very few provisions and broken down wagons and
oxen. They were sent to Fort Bent, 90 miles away, for supplies.
The winter was spent near Pueblo. They had received new outfits and a full
supply of rations. Houses were put up, constructed of cottonwood logs split in
half. They were all joined together to make a stockade. The men enjoyed drilling
and hunting and having a good time. They (John and Emeline) became good
friends with John and Caroline Sessions. This made things more bearable for
Emeline. However, she missed her brother Henry, who had been in the Battalion,
but was sent on to California. He was at Sutter’s Mill (Coloma) when gold was
discovered, in fact, his account in his journal probably is the most accurate
historical reference to the discovery we have. He wrote, “Monday 24th (1848)
this day some kind of mettle was found in the tail race that looks like goald
first discovered by James Marshall, the boss of the mill.” He went out
several times later and picked up pieces of gold.
With the arrival of spring, the detachment made preparations to go to Fort Laramie in hopes of getting word of the pioneers. They left about April 15 to travel the 300 miles. They were met by Amasa Lyman and others and given the welcome news that the Saints, led by President Brigham Young, were about two weeks ahead of them on the trail to the Salt Lake Valley. They had hopes of overtaking them, but arrived in the valley a few days behind them on July 29, 1847. The Council of Twelve went out to meet Captain Brown and the 150 volunteers and escort them to a selected camp-site. They were greeted in a thunderstorm and drenched with rain.They were discharged from the army the same day.
John felt this year’s service was one of the noblest and grandest acts of his
life, in the service of his Church as well as his country. I’m sure Emeline had
these thoughts also. Now she could try to forget the work and trials of her army
life.
John tells their story well in his journal in the following; “I was now a free
man in a country untried, one thousand miles from where any supplies could be
obtained, and only the outfit of a discharged soldier, which consisted of a
small tent, a sheet-iron kettle, a mess pan, two tin plates, two spoons, two
knives and forks, a pair of badly worn blankets, two old quilts, ten pounds of
flour, and my dear, precious wife, Emeline, who had been with me through all the
trials and hardships and endured them all without a murmer. God bless her -- had
it not been for her noble spirit to comfort me, I think many times I would have
despaired, because of the gloomy outlook. I concluded a faint heart would not
buy a baby frock (although we were not blessed with one at this time), and began
to get out house logs to put up a shelter for the winter.”
John was able to do business in a whip saw-pit and obtain bread stuff, corn meal
and flour and get along fine through the winter. In the spring, they moved to
Mill Creek and planted what grain they had. Then began their want for food.
Through the winter, they dug thistle roots, but by this time they began to leaf
out and this spoiled the roots. They then resorted to the tops, cooked them in
salt and water. This, with some buttermilk, was all they had for two
months. The crickets then made their appearance in countless numbers, attacking
the grain crops. Emeline helped John to fight the crickets, but they found the
crickets were over-powering them. Through prayers of the Saints, seagulls came
and devoured the crickets. John and Emeline re-dedicated themselves to the
Lord and went down into the waters of baptism again on August 10, 1847 (48?).
On September 9, 1848, Emeline was left alone as John returned to Council Bluffs
to get his mother and her family. His father had passed away while he was with
the Mormon Battalion. He arrived back on July 27, 1849. Emeline had managed well
during his eleven months absence. Her first child was born January 6, 1849. He
was named Jacob for his two grandfathers. It was a happy reunion and Emeline was
happy to have him home safe and well.
After John returned to the valley, he found the land they had in Mill Creek was
given to another, so the family moved to Farmington, north of Salt Lake. John
secured 20 acres of land and started to farm. There was work to do from dawn
until dark. Emeline probably helped on the farm as well as keeping up the home;
daily chores such as cooking, cleaning and washing clothes. She also had to card
and spin and make all the clothes and knit the socks and father made the shoes
-- no wonder the children all went barefoot as soon as spring came.
Brigham Young advised the saints to import silk worms and make their own cloth.
Mulberry trees were planted in Grover’s Grove so the worms could have food. Oak
brush was gathered and stood up in rows where the worms might spin their cocoons
on the branches. It was a pretty sight to see the oak brush covered with the
bright yellow cocoons. Dresses, scarfs and ties were made from this, and much
prized.
The Saints found much pleasure in association with friends and neighbors. Dances
were held from early evenings to the break of day, especially on holidays and
during the long winter months. During intermission, they would gather at some
home for supper, then return to dance.
Other forms of entertainment were horse racing, baseball, horse shoe pitching,
marble tournaments and many others. The women had quilting bees and what was
called “picking bees”,where, after the wool was washed and dried, it was spread
on a sheet in the middle of the room where each one could take a little on her
lap and pick out the burrs, sticks, etc., leaving it ready to be carded. The
hostess would then serve supper and the men were usually invited. After
everything was cleared away, the carpet would be rolled up and dancing would
begin.
The 4th and 24th of July were usually celebrated in Haight’s Grove or Thomas
Smith’s Grove, which is now Lagoon Park. After being awakened at day-break with
the shooting of guns and the music of the brass band, lunches were prepared,
then everyone gathered for contests, spelling bees and games. In the afternoon,
there was a program of singing and reciting, after which there were more games
and dancing -- suppers were eaten and more dancing. John sang in a quartet with
Betty Steed, Ellen Barkdull and Ortenia White Leonard. This quartet was said to
be very good and was in much demand for Church and festive affairs.
Probably one of the first celebrations on the 24th of July was an invitation
from President Brigham Young to attend a ‘Pic-Nic’ at the headwaters of Big
Cottonwood Canyon in 1857. This was also the time of the Johnson army scare.
After the celebration was over, everyone rushed home to prepare to move South.
They stopped at Willow Creek, which is now Nephi, some even went to Payson. Men
were left to fire the homes and the fields if the army came into the city. A
peaceful settlement was reached and the people soon returned home.
Early in the Church, the Prophet Joseph Smith had received a revelation from the
Lord concerning plural marriage, but had not written it down. In July 1843, it
was recorded for the first time, but wasn’t made public until Elder Orson Pratt,
under the direction of President Brigham Young, declared it on August 29, 1852.
However, many knew of the law and participated in it before that date. It must
have been hard on Emeline when John approached her about a second wife. She was
a courageous woman as she gave her consent, also giving help and counsel to the
new wife. John married Mary Ann Steed on March 30, 1852.
John was to marry three other wives before the death of Emeline. She must have
given her consent and given help and counsel to the others. She must have known
she always came first in the thoughts and love of her husband.
In March 1855, John was ordained a Bishop by President Brigham Young, to preside
over the Farmington Ward or North Cottonwood as it was first called. Emeline’s
family numbered five by now. She would frequently be called on to to entertain
visiting authorities and have her home open to other guests. John was
elected to the legislature and was an important figure in the town.
John and Emeline now had a special event in their lives and a fulfillment of the
Gospel plan. On what was described as a snowing, thawing, sloppy morning at 11
14 AM on Monday May 9, 1856, they were sealed for eternity in the office of the
President by President Brigham Young.
On January 31, 1862, Emeline Bigler Hess died in the premature childbirth of her
10th child. John calls her his much beloved wife and this was one of the
greatest trials of his life, as she was the wife of his youth and had been with
him through all their poverty and trials of life.
She died as she had lived, a faithful wife, devoted mother and a true Latter-Day
Saint. Emeline lived a good supportive life and endured much in her short 38
years. She accomplished more in her seventeen years of married life than most
women do living to a good old age.
“And her children shall rise up and call her blessed”
*******************************
Children born to John W. Hess and Emeline Bigler:
Jacob 6 Jan 1849
John Henry 14 May 1850
Sarah Jane 15 Jan 1852
Hyrum 20 Apr 1853
Elzada 26 Aug 1854
Moroni 30 Dec 1855
Jedediah Morgan, Sr 8 Jul 1857
Joseph Wells, Sr 11 Oct 1859
Albert Carrington 17 Mar 1861
Infant Hess 31 Jan 1862
This history was arranged by Kathryn R. Hess, wife of Delbert Earl Hess, Jr., of
West Bountiful, June 8, 1979 -- assisted in gathering material by Winona
Hammond, granddaughter of Hyrum Hess and Adeline Earl Hess.
REFERENCES:
L. D. S. Biographical Encyclopedia, Vol. 1 and 2.
Times and Seasons, Vol. 6.
Utah Historical Quarterly, Vol. 4.
Improvement Era, Vol. 5.
The March of the Mormon Battalion, From Council Bluffs
to California.
Millenial Star, 11:52 and 12:162.
Juvenile Instructor, Vol. 55:55.
D. U. P. April 1955, April 1958.
A Concise History of the Mormon Battalion in the
Mexican War - Tyler.
Journal of Henry William Bigler GSF000465.
Journal of John W. Hess.
Gs729.273 B485b, Bigler Family
This history was re-arranged and added to by Myrtle Hess Bosley, granddaughter
of John W. Hess and Emeline Bigler Hess, of Brigham City, Utah, on January 23,
1987.
REFERENCES OTHER THAN THOSE LISTED:
Nauvoo The Beautiful pg. 280 by E. Cecil Mc Gavin.
The Bigler Family by Norman Burns.
A Comprehensive History of the Church by B. H. Roberts
Vol. 2 & 3.
Doctrine and Covenants Sec. 132.
Some other material was added that my mother, Bada Susanna Johnson Hess, wife of
Jedediah Morgan Hess, Jr., had in her possession. The information was written by
Fern Laub McDermaid, granddaughter of Hyrum Hess and Adeline Earl Hess. (The
source of much of her material is recorded in the history of Henry William
Bigler, Genealogical Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.)
I have added and/or changed some punctuation as I thought it should be.
This copy computerized by Floyd M. Hess, Granada Hills, California, 25 September
1998.
Great grandson of John W. Hess and Emeline Bigler Hess.