Jeremiah Russell Willey 1847-1905
Jeremiah Russell Willey was born February 17, 1847, at Omaha, Nebraska to Jeremiah and Samantha Call Willey.
Jeremiah’s father was serving in the Mormon Battalion when Jeremiah was born. When Jeremiah was about two weeks old, there was a thaw that brought water into the dugout where his mother and her children were living. The water level was shoe deep. The Willey’s were moved out of the dugout into a cabin with no floor. They were given a cowhide to sit on and a large log was rolled to cover the doorway. Chips were gathered and a small fire was started to give them warmth. With their father gone, the children depended on their mother and the goodness of the church members who lived by them to meet their needs. Their living conditions and means of support were very meager.
Jeremiah’s father returned in the spring of 1847 and the family moved to Little Mosquito, which was about eight miles from Kanesville. Here they began to farm and planted a garden hoping to set provisions aside so they could travel to the Salt Lake Valley and join other members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Jeremiah traveled with his family across the plains as a young child. It took four months even with a team of oxen pulling their wagon. The family arrived in the Salt Lake Valley in 1851. They went to Bountiful, Utah and worked hard to establish their home. Jeremiah grew up in Bountiful surrounded by family, friends and gospel activities.
To get the complete history download below.
Jeremiah’s father was serving in the Mormon Battalion when Jeremiah was born. When Jeremiah was about two weeks old, there was a thaw that brought water into the dugout where his mother and her children were living. The water level was shoe deep. The Willey’s were moved out of the dugout into a cabin with no floor. They were given a cowhide to sit on and a large log was rolled to cover the doorway. Chips were gathered and a small fire was started to give them warmth. With their father gone, the children depended on their mother and the goodness of the church members who lived by them to meet their needs. Their living conditions and means of support were very meager.
Jeremiah’s father returned in the spring of 1847 and the family moved to Little Mosquito, which was about eight miles from Kanesville. Here they began to farm and planted a garden hoping to set provisions aside so they could travel to the Salt Lake Valley and join other members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Jeremiah traveled with his family across the plains as a young child. It took four months even with a team of oxen pulling their wagon. The family arrived in the Salt Lake Valley in 1851. They went to Bountiful, Utah and worked hard to establish their home. Jeremiah grew up in Bountiful surrounded by family, friends and gospel activities.
To get the complete history download below.
willey_jeremiah_russell.pdf | |
File Size: | 703 kb |
File Type: |