Eli, with his musical talent, was asked to join the Farmington Brass Band. Eli played IstB flat cornet. This band was one of the bands that was asked to accompany President Brigham Young and the Saints up Big Cottonwood Canyon for the tenth anniversary of the pioneers entering the Salt Lake Valley. Eli's older sister, Elizabeth, had joined the church in England. She was married to John Sermon, a widower who was much older than she. He did not join the church, but when she seemed determined to join the Saints in America, he traveled with her and their four children. When they had arrived in Iowa in the spring of 1856, John just could not make up his mind and they delayed until the last chance and then joined the ill-fated Martin Handcart Company. John died at Martin's Cove, but the children, three boys and one girl, and Elizabeth continued on and arrived in Salt Lake on November 30, 1856. Two of the boys had suffered frostbite of their feet to the point that their mother had trimmed away almost the whole feet. Eli was not aware that his sister was coming, and was not there to meet the sad family. They were taken into the home of a friend from England and then a day or two later, Lot Smith took them to Eli's home in Farmington. They were in such pitiful condition that he was moved to tears. Overcome at the sight of their suffering, he called in another elder and they administered to the family and gave each member a priesthood blessing. Trying to alleviate their suffering, they poulticed their feet which had been frozen. Eli and Maria cared for them until Elizabeth had recovered enough to get employment and care for herself and her family. Four years later she married Robert Camm and they moved to Logan. In 1889, Robert and Elizabeth moved to California, where she died February 1,1893. Eli and Maria's second son was born March 13, 1857. He was given the name of Eli Frank. They were happy when he seemed a strong, healthy baby. On Christmas Day, 1858, another son, named James Alfred, was born. He was followed by Eugene, born January 1, 1860, and a fifth son, Fredric, born December 27, 1862. Maria became ill with milk fever and passed away January 14,1863, just twenty days later. Maria was buried at Farmington. Eli was left now with a new baby and three small boys. The bishop arranged for a young English convert, named Annie Maria Hall, to come live with the family to keep house and care for the children. Annie had given up a considerable inheritance to come to America and join the Saints. After only two weeks, though she had come to love the children, she told Eli that she would have to leave because Morgan Pioneer I lislory Binds Us Together the neighbors were talking about them living in the same house. He asked the bishop for advice and was advised to ask Annie to marry him. Even though he was older and they had only known each other for two weeks, she accepted his proposal and Eli and Annie were married January 29, 1863. She took the young family to her heart and the baby, Eugene, was especially dear to her. Sadly, this baby died when he was nine months old. The first child born to Eli and Annie was a girl, born January 12, 1864, and named Emma Jane. Eli left the blacksmith shop to try various other employment. At one time he worked for the brewery at Camp Floyd. Morgan County had been settled and several of the families that Eli knew had moved to Morgan. He moved his family to Littleton (now known as Milton) and began to farm. More children were born to the couple: Eliza was born in Milton on September 26,1865; Annie, March 24,1867; Lloyd, February 6,1869; and Horace, September 21,1871. About this time, Annie's sister, Eleanor, called Ellen, came to live with them and after about two years, church leaders suggested to Eli that he should marry the younger sister in polygamy. Annie was pregnant and it was a great test of her faith, yet she didn't want to go against church counsel. She tried to hide her feelings and gave her consent for Eli to ask Ellen. Eli and Ellen were sealed on March 10,1873. When Annie retired alone to her room that night, she was so distraught she felt she could not sleep a wink. In her anguish and heartache, she fell on her knees and cried, "Oh, Lord, if polygamy is true, give me a good night's rest tonight." She hardly remembered getting up from her knees, and as soon as she lay down, she was fast asleep, and did not wake until Eli came the next morning to wake her to come eat breakfast. When she opened her eyes, the sun was shining full upon her face. She had overslept and she felt so good and refreshed, she knew the Lord had answered her prayers. She decided she would live the principle to the best of her ability. When Eli found that there was no band nor choir in the county, he began to organize these groups and gave music lessons. He would ride his horse from Littleton to Morgan to conduct the band and lead the choir. This he did faithfully every week for many years. His band and choir was asked to entertain in celebrations and parties. He also taught in the first school in Littleton. This was held in the old tithing house in Littleton, adjacent to Deep Creek. His dry sense of humor and good personality made him popular with his associates.