TITLE PAGE PIONEER (full name) BIR TH (date and place) DEA TH (da te and place) PARENTS MARRIED (w ho and date) ARRIVAL IN UTAH (date) (Company arrived with) HISTORY (who wrote) (date written) (who submitted) (addr ess ) John Toone 10 April 1813 - Birmingham, Warwicks, Eng (buried in Croydon, 31 August 1893 Morgan County, Utah John To one Elizabeth Reading Emma Pro~ser - 12 June 1836 Hannah Wardle - 1 F e bruary 1857 Jemima Cook - 22 February 1857 " 27 September 1852 Captain Thomas Howell Teresa Dawson Olson (gr - g randda ughter) February 1980 Jane Dawson M erz Morgan, Utah 84050 CAMP & COUNTY SUBMITTING _S_o_u_t_h_M_o_r...ag"--a n_ ________ Camp _M_o_r_g_a_n_ ___________ County ( Camp Historian & address ). ___L_ o_l_a_D_a_w_s_o_n__Pe_t _e_rs__o_n_ _______ P .O. Box 13, Mor gan, Utah 84050 County Historian &t address) --------------------- Veley Tonks Dickson P .O. Box 203, Morgan, Utah 84050 SOURCE OF INFORMATION & PAGE NUMBERS: JOHN TOON E John Toone, our great grandfather, was born to John and Elizabeth Reading Toone the 10 Apr il 1813, at Birmingham, Warwicks, England. Being the eldest of fourteen children, John liad many advantages. He and his four brothers were all given a good education, as their father was a prominent builder and contractor in Leamington. It was important to him that his sons learn the trades of plumber, plasterer, builder , paint er and carpenter . Some of the special things John studied were law, medicine and m u sic. He had a strong thirst for knowledge, reading and st u dying many books. He was a t alented musician and played his violin in the Ro yal Orchestra of Q u een Victoria, as well as a t t he Old Salt L ake T h eat re and S o cial Hall. Old time dances at Croydon, Henefer and Echo often heard t he lively strains o f John's fi ddle • John was about twenty-two years of age when he met and fell in love with a lovely and refined young lady whose name was Emma Prosser. She was born 26 April 181 9 , at Herefordshire, Eng land, t h e t h ird c h ild of James a n d Mary Ann Mor g an Prosser, who had nine children, six g irls and three boys. IC, Emma was t all a n d slender with br ow n hair and s p a r k ling b r ow n e y es, along with a lovely smile. She was reared in a comfortable h ome wit h n ice clothes and pleasant surroundings. She grew up happy and secure. She had a g ood education and special training in dressmak ing and fancy sewing , which came in v ery handy in her pioneer years . Joh n w a s a t a ll hand s o m e fell ow, w ell o v er six fe et, with a n abundan c e of cu rl y hai r and smiling b l u e eye s . When he wa s twe nty - thre e year s old , and Emma but sevent een, th e y were m a r ried i n th e Leamington Chapel on t he 12 Jun e 18 3 6 . Th e y m a d e their h om e in Leamington, w h ere s ix o{ thei r eight child r en we r e born and • -2- two were buried . There had been Mormon missionaries in Leamington a number of times, but they were not too successful in making converts in that part of England. In 1843, Brother Alfred Cordon, who had been converted y ears before, and lived at that time in Willard, Utah, was sent on a mission to England. While in Leamington and Warwick he preached the gospel where Emma had relatives, and they were converted and baptized. The following is taken from Brother Cordon's Journal and given to Sister Dora Toone Brough, by his great, great granddaughter , June Cordon Garfield. 20 On 3 April 1849, he baptized Mr. John Toone of Leamington, who afterwards became an efficient Elder. In conference, held 15 April 1849, he was visited by Elder Levi Richards, who had a commission to travel in any part of England he so desired. On 19 April 1849, John Toone and William Chiveral were ordained Elders. John was later appointed to preside over the branch. Emma was also baptized in 1849, along with other members of the Prosser family. When E l der Cordon was released from hi s mission to return home, the saints of the Warwick Conference presented him with a contribution to help pay his expenses. Elder John Toone, representing the conference, wrote: ''When at last we reflect upon the lonely situation in which you found us , and the wonderful things that have transpired in this, so short a time, we with reluctance say, 1 Go home, dear Brother Alfred, to the bosom of thy family, ' but this event will cause the b reaking forth of many a tear . When we reflect upon your past labors , your diligence and faithfulnes s to build up Zion, by aiding her with converts from the land of our nativity, we will unite to bless you in the name of Israel's God. -3- • We testify to all around that we have found the Church and Kingdom of t he living God. 11 These quotations are from the Journal of Alfred Cordon. In 1850, John and Emma were anxious to come to Utah and join the saints. 21 They began planning for their future in a new land. At this time they were expect-ing their sixth child. Little Ann was born the 23 November 1850. They loved the precious gospel, were humble and faithful and more than happy to make the sacrifices necessary to leave. In early winter, 1 February 1851, the little family set sail for America. Mary Elizabeth, age 12; William Henry, age 10; Charles Jabez, age 8; and baby Ann. Soon after sailing, Ann was taken ill and died on the 16 February, only two months and twenty-one days old. The tiny girls was buried at sea. Can we mothers realize the angu.ish of Emma when s h e had to wrap h er darling baby in a blanket and see her cast into the ocean? In those days it took from six weeks to two months to make the voyage by sailing vessel, the only way to travel, and if passengers died during the voyag~ they were buried at sea. Emma and John were on their way to a new land, to make a home in the west, leaving Emma Georgenia and Hezekiah Prosser buried in their native land and baby Ann at sea. The voyage was long and t iresome, with much sickness and hardship. They finally arrived in the U.S. A. in March of 1851, and made preparation to cross the plains . They left Pottawattamie 7 June 1851, in Captain Thomas Howell 1 s company. They spent some time at a place called Little Pigeon, Indiana, getting wagons and oxen ready. There were 10 families, 79 souls, 12 wagons, 77 oxen, horses, sheep and calves . They left there 7 June 1852, just one year l;;..ter. This company sent a letter on ahead to the presiding council in Salt Lake, dated 4 August, Upper Ferry of the Platte River, signed Captain Howell, J0hn Toone, clerk. The letter stated -4- • they were on their way and hoping they would have food enough to carry them through. They arrived in Salt Lake Valley the 27 September 1852 , with their remaining three children. Soon after arriving in Salt Lake they bought a homestead about " D" Street and 3rd Avenue, and built a nice four-room adobe house , where Emma kept busy sewing and taking care of her family. She did beautiful fancy work for many noted w omen of Utah, and made burial clothing when needed. How happy Emma was when she could sit in the theatre in her black, or brown, lace trimmed dress and see her John in the orchestra, playing the cello, or other times the viola, during the performance of a Shakespearean play, or home dramatics. On the 19 February 1854, another son was born to Emma and John. They named him John Prosser. He was a strong, fine baby. He was their 7th child. This same year, John was called to go back to England on a mission. This gave him a chance to preach the gospel to his family in Leamington. They were very nice to him and told h im the y loved h im, but were not interested in his new Mormon religion. Emma was lonesome, but kept busy. She worked in the Primary, holding the position of President for 20 years. Little did she know that she would be sharing her John with two other wives soon after his return from his mission. While on his mission he converted a very nice young English school teacher by th e name of Hannah Wardle, born 2 April 182 1, at H0okley Heath, Warwickshire , England. She b e came his second wife on the 1 February 18 5 7 . Littl e i s know of Hannah or her family . • -5- While returning from his mission in 1856, in Apostle Richards' Company, John met Jemima Cook. Jemima was the daughter of Richard Cook and Elizabeth Johns. To our knowledge she was the only one of her family to join the church. Her early childhood was one of nine children, 5 boys and 4 girls, Jemima being the youngest daughter. The children were all born at Stoke Damerel, Devonshire, except Jemima. When she became old enough she had to help s upport the family. Her schooling was very little, two or three months each winter, over a period of a few years, but she was bright and alert and learned the profession of a tailoress . When she heard the Mormon missionaries preach the gospel, she became very interested, although her family was very much opposed to her listening to their teachings and attending their meetings . She would slip away after they thought her in bed, and slip back in through the window unobserved. She was baptized in February of 1854, against the wishes of her £am ily. She had the tailor, who had especially trained her, and for whom she worked, hold a little of her earnings back each week until such a time as she would be ready to start for America. The night she left she wrote her parents a note, then she slipped quietly through the window. Her parents rushed to the harbor, but the ship had already set sail. She came to Utah in 1856, in Captain Edward Martin's company. She often pushed a handcart through 18 inches of snow. One night she was so exhausted she tried to steal a ride on one of the wagons, and the teamster guid e used his bull w h ip on her . This incident was told by Jemima to one of her g rand-daughter s, with whom sh e u sed to liv e. Most of the way the y suffered many hard - ships. Sh e told o f men di ggi ng gr a v es wh ere fires had been bur ni ng all night. This softened the ground, as it was fr ozen very ha rd. One night 18 souls were • buried in one grave. -6- " 24 Their provisions ran out and they became very hungry. Some ate the flesh from their own forearms. At night, when they stopped, their clothing was covered with ice and snow and frozen to their bodies. Large fires were built to thaw them out, only to have them awake in the morning and find two or three feet of snow oh their beds. Some of the Saints were so exhausted they would ask to die, they felt they could not go on. Mand did die and were buried only in the deep snow. President Young heard of their suffering and distress and sent men and provi - sions to help them. One of the greatest of Mormon Scouts was Ephriam Hanks, and he said the storm during those three days was simply awful. In all his travels rn the Rocky Mountains, before and after, he said, 11 I have seen no worse. It lay on the ground so deep it was impossible to move wagons through it. The sight that met my gaze, as I entered their camp, can never be erased from my memory. The starved forms and haggard countenances of the poor, suffering souls was enough to touch the stoutest heart. I was camped in South Pass one night and earnestly prayed for meat to tak e to the starving saints. Upon arising next morning , a buffalo crossed my path. I shot it and took it to the starving saints. 11 John was on of the many men sent to rescue the Saints. At a place called Devil's Gate, in Wyoming, John again met Jemima. He asked her if !!he were going to cross the river in the morning. She told him she was . The river was deep and the water very cold. She sat down to remove h er shoes to wade it. Instead John picked her up and carried her across the r i ver to safety. He also helped push her handcart. This wa s when thei r cou rt ship bega n. She had remained at Winter Quarters for some t ime before leav ing with the saints fo r the Rocky Mountains . The faith of these saints was s u rel y tried , and yet, 25 -7- • in the face of so many obstacles, they had courage to go on, stopping each Sunday to worship and give thanks for their new found true religion. • They,Jtrrived in Utah the 1 November 1856. John and Jemima were married the 22 February 185 7, and she became his third wife. Jemima, like Emma, was also a beautiful seamstress. She made many suits for the army officers at For t Douglas, also for President Young and other church leaders, for which she was well paid. She bought green tea from Fort Douglas and paid $5. 00 a pound for it. At one time, President Young asked her to make a coat and a pair of pants for a speaker who was to appear at the Opera House. She told him she would for a pound of tea and $10. 00. President Young thought it too high, but they needed the clothes badly, so they gave her what she asked, and the suit was mad e . William Driver, a pioneer druggist of Salt Lake, said she made him a suit out of a blanket. He was very well p leased, and said he would never forget her. When Johnson's army came to Uta.h in 1857, it caused m u ch unrest. John, and his family, stayed in Salt Lake until the early part of 1858. Here Jemima gave birth to their first child, Lyon, born the 6 Ma rch 1858, in Salt Lake. Emma and Hannah, John's other two wives, were both expecting babies. There was a move south, so John and his three wives moved to Payson, Utah. On the 19 March 1858 , at Payson, Emma gave birth to another son, Benjamin Prosser, her eighth child. It was a terrible hardship for all concerned. Living conditions were very poor, with practically no conv eniences. His second wife , Hannah, gave birth to premat u re twin babies . She and ooth babie s died the 20 July 18 5 8 . That same we ek o n the 23 July , Emma ' s t iny son, B e njamin , di e d. He , along with Hanna h and her twin s, was buried at Payson. • • -8- Years later , m e mbers of the family went to Pa y son and tried to fin d the g raves, so markers could be installed, but there were so many others, the g raves were never identified. After the army trouble was over the family moved back to Salt Lake. They were very happy to get back in their own homes. The follow ing year Jemima gave birth to another son, Felix, born 25 August 1859, in. Salt Lake. John and Jemima had seven children, four sons and three daughters, all born in Salt Lake, except Emma Jemima, their 5th ch ild, wh o was born in Croydon, Utah, the 15 November 1865. She was given the name of John 1 s two wives . The two youngest girls were born in Salt Lake, Carolin e , born the 16 November 1867, and Elizabeth, born 20 May 1871. In 1863, John Prosser , Emma' s y oung est son, was almost ten years old . His two brothers, William Henry, 21, and C h arles Jabez, 19, and their father were sent to 1-tost Creek (later named Croydon) by President Brigham Yo ung t o help build up the town. In October of 186 5 , Lost Creek was first or g anized int o a branch of the church. In 186 5, W illiam Henr y married Ha n nah Webb a n d Charles Jab ez ma rried Sarah Aug u sta Squires. They both made their homes i n Cro y don. Joh n P rosser remained in Salt Lake with his mother. As most boys, he was very unhappy , because he felt he was big enough to go a long with his big brothers and father. As John traveled back and for th between S a lt Lake and Croydon, he continu ed to ser v e c hurch affairs a n d fa mili e s. Emma and J emi m a were a lone much o f the time. It wasn 1 t unt il 1871 that John and Jemima , with their youngest child, Elizabeth, who was but six months old at the time, moved t o Croydon to make it a permanent home • • 27 -9- Emma chose to remain in her comfortable home in the Salt Lake 20th Ward area, where she had served in the Primary for so many years, and had many friends. Her daughter, Elizabeth, had married John Lyon in April of 1857, and lived close by her. Emma was lonesome at times, but always enjoyed the company of her grandchildren, who stayed with her often. In her later life- she had several illnesses and was obligated to give up Primary and sewing for others. For several week s she was very ill, and her family took turns sitting by her bedside. She passed away 7 April 1889, age 70 years, with her son, Charles, sitting by her side. She had many trials and heartaches, but she loved the precious gospel and was humble and faithful to the end. John was tall, with an abundance of curly white hair and a long white beard, a description given by many of h is grandchildren. He carried a walking stick, and a dog was always at his heels. He always had such exciting stories to tell about people, places and things. He would teach the children songs and music, and he sang with them, as they listened to him play h is fiddle, as he often called it. He was the father of 17 children, 91 g randchildren, numerous great - g rand-children and countless g reat, g reat g randchildren. He died just four y ears after Emma's passing, the 31 August 1893, at the a g e of 80 y ears. Jemima was age 65 at the time of John's death. As a young woman she had been tiny in stature, with small hands and feet, brown hair and blue eyes . As she grew older, her weight was always a problem. Her son used to call her, joking ly, 11 a little round butter ball." She was almost as round as she was tall. The life of a polyga mist wife was anything but smooth sailing . Many jealousi es and ba d feelin g s , among childr en, a n d wiv es, wer e often a problem. The men1 s dedic a t ion to chur ch affairs le ft w i v es alone much of the time in t h ose day s. • • -10- Jemima loved the gospel but was very shy at taking part in public affairs . Her first and last concern was always John and the children. After Jemima's health began failing, she went to live with her children. She lived for a time with her son, Benjamin, at Echo, and also Lyon. As her health continued to fail, she went to live with her youngest daughter, Elizabeth (Bessie) Hardy, in Morgan, Utah. Jemima helped raise a grandson, Joseph Toone , son of Felix, whose wife died at Echo, Ut ah, when the boy was born. Jemima lived 14 years after John's death, and died the 3 January 1907, age 79. She was buried in Croydon, by the side of her husband, John, in the beautiful little valley where they helped build a settlement. Compiled and written by Teresa Dawson Olson, great - granddaughter of John and Jemima Cook Toone, in February 1980.