Pg. 6 Acknowledgement We are indebted to a number of the older people for their assistance in the preparation of this record. And we make grateful acknowledgement to all who have helped in any way to make it interesting and worthwhile. This record is dedicated to the memory of the Pioneers of Morgan County. A partial list of the names of those who have assisted us in compiling this record: R. R. Fry, Fred W. Clark, William Dickson, G. A. Condie, Geo. Heiner, Alice B. Whitear, Alonzo Francis, Daniel Heiner, Mrs. Electa Porter, Thomas Rich, W. E. Criddle, Martha R. Mecham, Geo. I. Robison, David Boolbear, Thomas Palmer, Hyrum Geary Mrs. Janet Bridges, Mrs. Matilda Peterson, Mrs. H. C. Smith, Mrs. Dorothy N. Marker, Thomas Grover, T. U. Butters, Mrs. Janus A. Anderson, Mrs. Annie S. Dickson, Mrs. Emma B. Butters, Lyan Toone, C. E. Condie, S. B. Dunn and O. B. Gilson, Hannah G. Hoegsted. We have also used the Welch History of Morgan County, Tullidges History of Utah and the County, School and Church records. Add dedication here Pg. 7 Early History of Morgan County Before the year 1855 Weber Valley was inhabited only by wandering tribes of Indians. Fur traders and trappers had visited this region long before any permanent settlements were made. History tells us that before 1926 3 or 4 hundred trappers had a famous rendezvous on the Weber River, but in that year they split into various groups and left this place. Up to 1848 the valley belonged to Mexico. But soon after the close of the war with that country it was ceded to the United States and became a part of the Territory of Utah. The first person to make his home here was Ben Simmons,* a Cherokee Indian, who came up from Mexico. He had obtained permission from Brigham Young to use the valley in which to range his cattle. He was a trapper, and lived in South Round Valley for a while. He later settled on what is now known as the Stoddard Spring. *Some of the people who knew Be Simmons, claim that he was a Frenchman and that his wife was an Indian. It is also said of him that he was very kind to the first settlers in Weber Valley.