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Show Morgan Pioneer History Binds Us 'Together Johann Martin Heiner and Adelgunda Dietzel Heiner Johann Martin Heiner was bom March 17,1818, in Wasungen Sax, Meiningen, Germany to Johannes Heiner and Anna Susanna Elizabeth Hundrof Heiner. Adelgunda Dietzel was born June 11, 1815, in Wasungen, Sax, Meiningen, Germany to Johann Michael Dietzel and Sophia Christine Knies Dietzel. A fortune teller in Germany told fifteen year old Adelgunda she was an elect lady. She would cross the great waters and join a strange people. Martin married Adelgunda on January 6,1838, and in May, 1845, they left for America. After forty days on the water, they landed in Baltimore, Maryland, later moving to Waynesboro, Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Here three years later, they were baptized and confirmed by Elder Jacob Secrist on December 13,1852, with their two eldest daughters, Mary and Amelia. In 1832 Joseph Smith prophesied there would be a civil war. In 1863 the battle of Gettysburg was fought only a few miles from their home. They only knew German and it was hard to communicate. Martin had a bible written in both English and German, and by comparing scriptures, he learned English. They had an irresistible desire to join the Saints in Salt Lake. By working, toiling and saving, they were able to begin the trek across the Allegheny Mountains in 1859. Then they traveled by boat until they reached Florence, Nebraska. Here they started in Captain Edward Stevenson's company, with 285 people and fifty-four wagons. All who were able to do so, walked most of the way across the plains, arriving in Salt Lake City in September of 1859. The Heiners had a wagon, one yoke of oxen, one yoke of cows, and ten children. All that could walk, did, and "when we got very tired, mother would bake a dodger for each of us on a buffalo chip fire." It took ninety days of walking and many hardships before they reached Salt Lake. The pioneers arrived with few possessions, no food, and few prospects, but somehow through faith and guidance of church leaders, they were able to survive in this strange and barren land. Many times, Martin would dig half the night to get a rabbit out of a hole to cook for dinner. They lived in a dug-out at the mouth of Bingham Canyon for two winters and on the Alkali Flats west of Salt Lake for two years. In December 1863, they moved to Morgan, where they lived the remainder of their lives. Martin Heiner built the first rock house in Morgan for his home. They had eleven children born to them. The first four born in Germany: Mary, Amelia, John, and Anthony; George was born in Baltimore; Elizabeth, Daniel, Susanna Catherine, Emma Ann, and Rachael were born in Pennsylvania; and Eliza was born in Bingham Canyon, Utah. A trip through Devil's Gate on November 27, 1863, with two yoke of oxen and a wagonload of things in six inches of snow, after dark with the moon shining, turned bad. The ice was frozen on each side of the river. After the oxen crossed toward the far side, they started downriver. Son Daniel jumped into the river, stumbled over slick rocks, and turned the oxen back up on the road. He thought he would freeze to death, but ran up and down the road to Mountain Green where a family took them in to dry out in front of their fireplace. They brought sheep to Morgan and it was lucky there was a lot of grass, because there was no hay. Martin helped build the first canal on the north side of the Weber River. The Heiners cleared eight acres of land and raised wheat and potatoes. Two springs east of North Morgan watered town lots. Martin obtained a steady stream for each one acre lot which had the whole stream for eight hours, then it went to the next one. He planted the first fruit and shade trees in the young settlement. A log meeting house which Martin had built, was used by Joseph Dark as a school to teach the children in 1864 and 1865. Some of these children had not seen a school room. That year, Adelgunda and Martin lost two children to scarlet fever. Son, George, built a red brick home on the left side of his parents' home. Later George and his brother built the Heiner Hotel. Martin was a city councilman for years and was instrumental in setting up the townsite. He also served as High Councilman, and in 1893 was ordained a Patriarch. He always honored the priesthood. Adelgunda learned the New Testament by memory, and could quote any part of it as long as she lived. Besides raising a large family, she would care for the sick. Families for miles around would come to her. Johann Martin Heiner died March 11, 1897, at Morgan. Adelgunda Dietzel Heiner died November 24, 1894. They are buried side by side in the North Morgan Cemetery, Morgan, Utah. |