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

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

This town is almost midway between Provo and American Fork, and was settled in 1850, by George S. Clark and J. G. Holman, and is probably the most flourishing fruit section in the State.

It is not as well favored in the matter of location as some other cities in the county, being so near the mounhouse are worthy of mention, and the Central School is a credit to the skill of the architect who designed it, and is under the management of the following officers: Mrs. R. B. Hayes, secretary; A. B. Walker, treasurer; Alex Bullock, chairman, and D. H. Robinson, principal.

tains that its streets participate in the to the traveler, the May hew being rise thereto. That it is a progressive only two blocks from the Oregon Short town its many buildings plainly indi- Line depot.

There are some onyx mines in this town, owned by William Wadlcy. This gentleman and Mr. Ash have the reputation of raising the best fruit in Pleasant Grove.

D. Adamson & Sons an; dealers in flour, grain, bran and shorts, chopped feed, etc. They are the proprietors of a Hour mill in this town, in which they manufacture and sell the famous White Hose and White Elephant brands of Hour, both brands being well known on account of their purity and excel-

Joseph E. Thorn e is the bishop of the First ward of Pleasant Grove, and his labors in behalf of the city and its people with his honorable, upright career have found for him a warm place in the hearts of all in the community. James Cobley and K. Sorenson are respectively the bishops of the Second and Third wards, both gentlemen being of high repute.

Andrew Hansen has a fine store, and carries a full line of uroceries. boots and shoes, dry goods, crockery and general supplies. He also has a shop in which he does blacksmithing, horseshoeing and wagon repairing. Mr. Hansen thoroughly understands

The Christensen Mercantile Company. This house is popular in Pleasant Grove, on account of the strict business principles upon which its affairs are conducted. They carry a line of general merchandise, selling their goods upon a strictly cash basis, and at the lowest figures possible, a system which has considerably increased the volume of their business.

No lady could find a better assortment of millinery, ribbons, etc., than is displayed in the establishment of Mrs. Mary A. Sorensen. She is an artist in her line, and trims hats to order. Those who place their orders with her will have them executed with both taste and promptitude.

prominent firm, and is under the management of Mr. R. B. Hays. They are dealers in general merchandise, produce, etc., special attention being given to the buying and shipping of potatoes, hay, grain, flour and farm products. The straightforward manner in which this house has always acted, and the courteous treatment accorded to all has given it a high rank in commercial circles in this city.

An establishment which appeals to all who appreciate the beautiful in nature is the survey owned by Daniel Smith. The profusion of flowers and plants displayed here is well worthy of a visit. Floral designs of all kinds are executed in the most artistic style.

.ii Ul\ s GLEASON. Ezekiel Gleaaon unci Polly Boward married iiihI settled in the township "i Livonia, Livingston County, N. Y. The; were hard-working,

He whs born on the 13th of January, Isl'.i, anil when about three years old his parents moved to Sparta, I/ivfngston County, X. Y. There was a large family to support and he early had to assist his parents and help provide for himself. He attended the public schools, where he was an apt and interested scholar. During the time not iu school he found employment in working for the farmers of that neighborhood- His youth was passed in Sparta and when he reached early manhood he was about 5 feet 10 inches in height and his averge weight was 148 pounds. He had blue eyes and black hair. His mother belonged tothe Christian church, but he was of a skeptical turn of mind and was rather inclined to infidelity. During the winter of 1838-9 he first heard Mormonism preached, and, being convinced of its truth, accepted it and baptized into that church on the 21st of June, 1839. About this time he was working for a farmer named Isaac Chase, whose daughter Desdemona he married on the 8th day of November, 1839. His wife continued to reside with her parents, ane he accepted a mission to preach the gospel in the Eastern States and in Canada, where he remained during the year 1840 and a portion of 1841. Returning home, he immediately prepared to move with his wife and her father's family to Nauvoo, 111., where the Mormon people had gathered after their expulsion from Missouri. He worked his fatherin-law's farm in 1842, and in 1843 went on a mission to the Eastern States, returning to Nauvoo in the spring of 1844.

ing the death of the prophet. His was one of the lirsl families to leave Nauvoo and cross the Mississippi river, and he assisted in ferrying the citizens across the river from that ill-fated city. The following winter, 1K40-7, was spent at Winter Quarters, Neb., where the city of Florence now is. I'righam Young was now presl dent of the Mormon people. In the spring of 1847 he formed a company of 143 to migrate westward forth- purpose of finding a dwelling place for the people. Mr. (Ueason joined this company and they started on their perilous journey across the plains. They were about three months on the journey and reached Utah on the 22nd of July,1847. He did some ploughing and got out house logs, but owing to a scarcity of provisions, started on a return trip with ox teams on the 10th of August of the same year, reaching home late in the fall. The following year he returned with his family to Utah and settled on Little Cottonwood near Union Fort; here he remained until the fall of 1849, when he moved to Salt Lake City and ran a saw mill for two years, which stood where Liberty Park now is. In 1851 he rented a farm in Centerville, but moved from there the following year to Tooele, where he was appointed County Commissioner in 1852. In 1853 he returned to Davis County and took up a farm near Farmington. He raised one crop and in consequence of the uprising of the Indians was required with others to move into the settlement of Farmington. The militia was organized in Utah and he was appointed lieutenant-colonel of the regiment organized in Davis County. Directly after moving into Farmington he engaged in teaching the public schools, which vocation he followed until 1857, when he went with the handcart missionaries to Florence, Neb., returning in the autumn of 1858. The latter part of March, 1860, he again crossed the plains to go on a mission to England, where he remained three years and a half. On his return he again engaged in farming. He served as justice of the peace in 1864 and the next year was appointed county clerk of Davis county. In the fall of 1869 he again went on a mission to the east and returned in 1870. In 1873 he purchased a farm in Pleasant Grove, Utah county, where he has since resided. His wife Desdemona raised four children, Alvirus H., Louise, Joseph Hyrum and Clara. In 1852 he married Eliza Ann Mailen, who was the mother of Elijah M. and Amasa L. He married his present wife. Mary Ann Sutherland, in 1864, whose familyconsists of Thomas H., Stanley D., Eliza and Mary. He held the position of Seventy and is now a High Priest in the Mormon Church and was president of the Teachers' quorum in Farmiugton for several years. He was also one of the seven presidents of the Fortieth quorum of Seventies.

church to which he belongs. He has ever been a genial host and welcomed his friends to his home, and the needy have never been turned from his door. At the age of 78 he enjoys comparatively good health and unimpaired intellect and is still a firm adheaer to the faith he embraced in youth.

David West

Another pioneer, a sketch of whose life is well worth reproduction, is David West, who was born January 26, 1824, at Borrowash, Derbyshire county, England. His parents were William West and Hannah Winterton, hardworking, industrious people, but not blessed with any great amount of means, so that whatever education David may be said to have received was chiefly owing to his own laudable efforts in that direction.

At the age of thirteen he was supporting himself by knitting at the frame, which was also his father's occupation, until when he was sixteen he worked at making silk gloves, where he was able to earn more money. As a youth he soon discerned the social and other advantages to be derived from a union with fraternal societies and in his native town became a member of the Nottingham Albion I. O. O. F. Lodge No. 28, passing through the minor offices, he was elected " Noble Grand," and remaining closely affiliated with the lodge until he left England.

On July 15, 1844, he married Miss Amelia Hooley, and later raising a family of thirteen children, whose names were Mary, Hannah, Charles Henry, David Fisher, Mary Ann, Willam, Hyrum, Amelia Matilda, Elijah Alpheus,

As a result of his religious convictions he joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter. Day Saints June 20, 1848, to improve which step he decided to join the colony in Utah, so suiting the action to the word, he sailed from Liv. erpool January 6, 1851, and landing in New Orleans on March 9th, traveling thence by steamer to St. Louis and St. Joseph, arriving there in April and locating in that town for two years.

May 25, 1853, with a yoke of oxen and one of cows, he attempted to cross the plains with his wife, five children, a nephew, his brother's wife and two little children.

He reached Council Bluffs and stayed there until a company was organized consisting of thirty-six wagons, the whole being under the command of a man named Moses Dayly. After some delay they moved to St. Mary, and on July 6th crossed the river, traveling until they reached Loop Fork. On September 27th they entered the valley of Utah and Mr. West located in Salt Lake City until March, 1854, removing thence to Kaysville. He visited many towns going wherever employment presented itself, visiting in turn Pleasant Grove, Mount Pleasant, etc., until in 1860 he settled permanently in Pleasant Grove.

He received a letter from President John Taylor on September 12, 1880, requiring him to be ready a month later to go on a mission to Great Britain, and therefore in accordance with his instructions he left Salt Lake by rail for New York on October 12th, sailing on the steamship Wyoming for Liverpool, setting foot on his native soil once more October 31st. Owing to illness he was released October 21, 1881, returning at once to Utah, arriving in Salt Lake City November 11, 1881.

He was ordained a Priest by Elder John Fido, and March 20, 1849, he received at the hands of Elder Lewis Bobbins his ordination as an Elder and was ordained one of the Seventies May 8, 1857, by Jacob Gates. During the years 1869-72 he served as city councilman in Pleasant Grove and from 1879 to 1880 saw him enjoying the distinction of being one of its aldermen, and August 4, 1879, he was elected justice of the peace for Pleasant Grove precinct. He is today holding the office of High Priest, to which he was ordained by Bishop John Brown of Pleasant Grove, and he bids fair to continue his life of usefulness for many years.

Thepremisea are admirably adapted for the business being a large two story brick building. The stuck consists of groceries, dry goods, crockery, enterprise was founded many years ago by the father of the present proprietors, he conducted it with- much success and acquired a very substancial and splendid patronage.

hardware, boots and shoes, harness, etc. This firm is one of commanding influence and patrons of this house will always obtain the most honorable treatment.