Cedar Fort, Utah - Utah County: a Graphic Account of Its Foundings, Its Wonderful Growth

Utah County: a Graphic Account of Its Foundings, Its Wonderful Growth

At she base of the Oquirrh range of mountain, and on the Mercur and Tintic branch of the Oregon Short Line Railroad, is the town of Cedar Fort.

In October, 1853, Allen Weeks and Eli Bennett (the present bishop) located in this place, and from time to time others arrived, until it has grown to a town of about two hundred and seventy-five inhabitants.

John S. Hacking, John Drysdale, James Clarke and Barnes Rodeback are among those who have lived there many years, M. Rodeback being the postmaster and notary public. Although the rssidents engage in general farming, fruit and stock raising to some extent, the limited water supply hinders any great progress, or this town would soon gain a reputation second to none, as the soil here is very rich, only requiring an adequate supply of water for irrigation to make it one of the most fertile and productive sections in the county.

John Samson Hacking

Another pioneer, an old-time resident of Cedar Fort is John Samson Hacking, born September 16, 1836, in Preston, Lancashire, England. His parents were James Hacking and Jane Pierson, people in good circumstances of lite, his father being a cabinet maker. His father died onthe 12th of September, 1840.

His boyhood in England was passed in much the same manner as that of most boys, attending school part of the time and helping his mother until he reached that age when it became necessary for him to choose his vocation

Having become a believer in the gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and being filled with a desire to assist in the upbuilding of the kingdom of God, he decided to act according to his religion convictions and emigrate to Utah - a purpose he carried out in the usual way - cross ng the Atlantic, braving the dangers of the ocean, and making the journey across the plains in a comfortable outfit, arriving in Utah in 1851, settling first in American Fork. He removed in 1853 to Cedar Fort, which has since been his permanent home. On May 5. 1856, he married Miss Jane Clark and has had a family of fourteen children, whose names are: James, Harriet, Phoebe, Jane, Eleanor, John S., Henry, Charles L., Joseph, George A., Mary, Martha C, Orson and Thomas W.

Mr. Hacking accompanied Captain Gunnison's party on their expedition to California, a trip which will be remembered by those familiar with the earlier history of Utah. He was a director of the Cedar Fort Co-op from 1868 to 1876 and a school trustee for nine years. The office of watermaster has been held continuously by him for thirty-four years, and he has been a director of the water board since its organization. In 1862 he was ordained an Elder.

Mr. Hacking is a representative specimen of that type of hardy pioneer who, by years of laborious toil, possessing a spirit of energy and perseverance which knew not the meaning of the word "fail," have by their bold, intrepid dispositions made prosperous cities and towns, inhabited by an intelligent call of people, occupy the place where but a few years since the camp of the Indian alone indicated the pres ence of humanity. Rich agricultural districts now cover hundreds of square miles which in former years were a desolate waste of prairie, the wild sage being almost the only sign of vegetation, and all praise is due these early settlers, who endured hardships and privations in their untiring efforts to raise a deserted country to its present conditions, and they may well feel, in looking at the past, that they have a right to exclaim with Julius Caesar, "I came, I saw, I conquered."

Jane Hacking

She was the daughter of James and Elizabeth Clark and was born in Preston, Lancashire, England Her parents were people in moderate circumstances, unable to give their daughter any educational advantages, and when she was but a child they emigrated to America, settling first in St. Louis, Missouri.

Since Mrs. Hacking's arrival at Cedar Fort she has interested herself in Church matters and since February 26, 1888, she has been a teacher in the Eelief Society. In 1880 she was appointed first counsellor to the president of the Primary and September 20, 1887, she was elected to the presidency, which office she still holds. Mrs. Hacking was residing at Cedar Fort when a part of Johnson's army made an attack upon that place in the belief that some one who had shot one of their officers was secreted in that town, and here it may be remarked that the women have played no minor role in the formation of Utah. Their names and deeds may not occupy as prominent a place in the pages of its history, but nevertheless the patient endur-

.-nice, heroic fortitude and bravery they have exhibited at all limes, thereby exerting a silent but powerful influence which has stimulated the men to greater efforts, deserves the respect and admiration of all mankind,

With the exception of a three months' residence in American Fork, Mrs. Hacking has lived at Cedar Fort since her arrival in Utah, and during that time lias earned for herself the respect of the entire community.

Lorenzo Barnes Rodeback

Mr. Rodeback was born in Nauvoo, 111., March 11, 1843, his parents being James Rodeback and Phcebe Beagel. As the child of parents of moderate means, his father being a carpenter and wheelwright, most of Lorenzo's education was attained at home during spare moments.

Probablv by right of heritance he possessed an aptitude for the carpenter and wheelwright trade, but like many more, circumstances and environments prevented him from following the bent of his inclination, in consequence of which his early labors were helping upon the farm in summer and freighting during the fall and winter.

He came to Utah in 1852, when only nine years of age, his parents having a comfortable outfit, consisting of a good wagon, three yoke of oxen and provisions enough to suffice for a family of seven three months. They arrived in Salt Lake City October 9, 1852, moving at once on to the farm of 'Squire D. H. Wells, at Battle Creek, from whence, in April, 1854, they removed to Cedar Valley. May 13, 1863, he left home as a teamster in one of t he ox trains then operating with a view to assist in the immigration of the Saints from Florence, Neb. Leaving Salt Lake City, he joined Captain Harris' company at the head of Farley's canyon, making t he journey, which was fraught with the usual dangers incident to crossing the plains, and arriving in Salt Lake by October 1st. He served as constable for Cedar Fort during the years 1806-76, and was interested in the Cedar Fort Co-operative Institution, which was organized in lHC'.t. He rendered his services as secretary to that institution during the years 1870-75, and that he filled the many duties of that office in a thoroughly satisfactory manner may be deduced from the fact that in 1871 he was elected president, holding the two incumbencies together for four years, and retaining the presidency until December, 1879.

His marriage occurred June 7, 1875, to Mary Ellen Bassett, daughter of C. H. and Mary Knight Bassett, of Salt Lake City, and as years passed by their union was blessed by a family of nine children, to-wit: Roy Bassett, Lester Barnes, Milton Hardy, Douglas Fletcher, Myra Morette, Charles Howard, Mary Esther, Ruby Bassett and James Clive, all of whom are living except the last-named.

Mr. Rodeback was twice appointed and four times elected justice of the peace for Cedar Fort precinct, between the years 1875 and 1892. In June, 1875, he was appointed postmaster of Cedar VaUey, to succeed his father, who died the preceding month, and he has attended to that office ever since, excepting from September, 1880 to June, 1881, during which period he was a temporary resident of Logan, and an almost uninterested term of office of nearly twenty-two years augurs well in favors Mr. Rodeback's trustworthiness and reliability, and is a record of which he may feel justly proud. Mr. Rodeback's family are all skilled musicians, their services in that direction being in constant demand, and the felicity attending many a ball and festive occasion has been greatly augmented by the inspiring, enlivening and melodious strains emanating from the instruments of this musical family.