Abraham Daniel Washburn - 1805-1886

Life History of Abraham Daniel Washburn - 1805-1886
Abraham Daniel Washburn, Son of Daniel Washburn and Anne Wright was born 17 Mar 1805 at Nine Partners, Duchess, New York. He had two brothers, Isaac and Jacob and a sister Philena. His father, a farmer, was one of the early settlers of Mt. Pleasant, New York.
His first ancestor in America, William Washburn, was a pioneer of Connecticut and Long Island. Later ancestors were pioneers of Westchester, Duchess and other counties of New York. Their descendants are scattered throughout United States and in other countries.
Abraham's father died 14 July 1813. His mother had failing health from then until her death, 8 March 1824. Abraham being the oldest child, carried great responsibilities in helping his mother with the younger children, the home and the farm. As he grew older he accepted the role of the father, looked after their education and learning a trade. His brother Jacob became a Methodist minister in New York City until his death. Abraham continued study throughout his life and was considered well educated. He was a tanner and shoemaker by trade.
Soon after his mother's death, Abraham Daniel married Tamer, daughter of Jesse and Susannah (Tompkins) Washburn. Her father was the brother of Abraham's grandfather, Daniel. Abraham had a successful tanning and shoemaking business in Sing Sing, New York.
About 1836-7, Orson Pratt came to New York teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints. Abraham said that it was like a light in the darkness. His wife was much against these teachings. Abraham was baptized by Parley P. Pratt. Son after, while attending a meeting conducted by Orson Pratt, a message came saying that Tamer had fainted. As Abraham arose to go, Brother Pratt said, "be not alarmed, I promise you in the name of the Lord, that your wife will soon be a member of this church". In a few weeks Tamer became a member. At one time she gave Orson Pratt money to pay his way on a mission to England. Another time the Prophet Joseph Smith gave Tamer a special blessing, saying that her salvation in the celestial kingdom was secure because of her liberality. Tamer had a dream while living in Sing Sing, New York. She thought she was in heaven, everything was so beautiful and orderly. She saw a small group of children and among them her own two children. The gracious lady in charge of the group said to her, "do not grieve for your children, it is your privilege to see, before hand, the joy and happiness surrounding them, so you will not mourn for them". Her two children died soon after and the impression of this vision sustained her and she did not grieve.
Abraham was raised a Quaker and during the Sabbath, from Saturday evening until Sunday evening, there could be no laughter or pleasant pastimes. He later joined the Methodist Church and influenced his family to become members. He saw the evils of liquor and tobacco and abstained from their use. After joining the LDS Church, he was a good friend of Parley and Orson Pratt. They were often guests in his home at Sing Sing. Abraham was appointed to preside over the branch of the LDS Church there until about 1841 when he sold his business to the husband of Sally Kider, a relative of Tamer.
The Washburn family moved to Nauvoo, Illnois. Abraham had been ordained a Teacher and an Elder by the Pratt brothers. At Nauvoo he was ordained a Seventy by Hyrum Smith. He was a member of the School of the Prophets and of the Nauvoo Legion. He was a close friend of the Prophet Joseph and other church leaders. Joseph Smith was often in the Washburn home. Abraham helped in finishing the Temple and other public works. He stood at the corner of the platform upon which Joseph Smith stood when he gave his last address to the Nauvoo Legion.
Abraham sometimes related incidents from the trying times when the people were overcome by persecution and grief at the time of the martyrdom of their beloved leader Joseph and his brother Hyrum. Abraham was at the meeting when the mantle of Joseph fell upon Brigham Young.
During this period, Flora Clarinda Gleason was living at Macedonia, 20 miles from Nauvoo, in the home of John Smith, uncle of the Prophet. She was set apart as President of the Relief Society, the second woman holding this position in the church, Emma Smith being the first. Flora Clarinda was married to Benjamin Johnson, as his second wife.
When the Mormons were driven from Nauvoo and that area, they crossed the river and established Winter Quarters in Nebraska. Abraham and his family were among the first to reach this place. He was 1st counselor to Bishop Bates Nobles; he helped build houses to shelter the homeless Saints.
Fora Clarinda came to Winter Quarters where her first child was born 15 January 1847 while she was living in a wagon box. During a blinding snowstorm a few days later, Flora Clarinda was obliged to go into the storm and gather her baby clothes from the bushes where they had been hung to dry. Kind neighbors were busy. Seven babies were born the day her baby, Huetta was born. Flora's husband was not there. In the spring of 1848 she with her baby came with the Musser company to Utah. She drove her mule team the entire distance from Winter Quarters to Salt Lake City. She had not seen her husband. After talking to Brigham Young, she was given a divorce in Salt Lake City.
Flora Clarinda was married, as second wife to Abraham Washburn in President Young's office. Jedediah Grant and his wife Susan were married at the same time.
Abraham Washburn was called to help make a settlement at Manti. The company arrived there 21 Nov 1849. The next day, Flora Clarinda's second child, Almeda Maria was born, she being the first white child born in Sanpete County.
The night after Almeda's birth a terrible storm came. Snow was knee deep. The winter was hard. Most of the 30 head of cattle Abraham brought from Salt Lake City died that winter.
The Ute Indians came and made the settlers watch a three-day war dance. Chief Walker and his tribe camped near Manti Canyon. He rode into the settlement early in the morning on several occasions, excitedly waving his arms saying that the Great Spirit had visited him during the night and said not to kill the white people because they were his children the same as the Indians were. The settlers felt that these heavenly messages were all that saved them.
The first Manti homes were built on the south side of Temple Hill. But the place was infested with snakes, which were often found in the houses. One morning Clarinda found on on the mantle above the fireplace.
They later built a for, the northwest corner was directly across from the present City Hall. On this corner was the Washburn home. Several of their children were born there, the last being Lorena E. Washburn Larsen. Their home later was block east of Main Street.
While farming fighting crickets and grasshoppers, producing their food, clothing, shoes and other needs these people had to keep watch on the Indians who were constantly on the warpath. In May 1865, the Black Hawk War began. The cattle were brought in and placed in large corrals. Men were on constant guard. They knew the dread and fear everyone felt at the sound of the bass drum in the night. It was the signal that every able bodied man was to gather on the public square, Indians had killed, plundered or driven away the cattle. Women and children were left terrified. Latch strings were pulled inside, heavy flour boxes or their large pieces of furniture were pushed against the doors. They all waited for reports.
Soldiers from the Salt Lake area came to help. Two soldiers, Mr. Vance and Mr. Houtz, who had breakfast at Washburns one morning, were killed later in the day at Twelve Mile Creek. There were a few Indians who had worked for Mr. Washburn before the war. Some loved him because of his kindness and honesty. One, 'Indian Joe' a chief, sent messages to Mr. Washburn by other men. When cattle were being driven off, Indian Joe, turned back some with the Washburn brand on. Years later in Grass Valley, Indian Joe met some of Abraham Washburn's sons. He hugged and kissed these sons. Later when the Washburns lived in Monroe, Indian Joe's son who was now a chief came with his band of Indians. When he saw Brother Washburn, he gave him his finest buffalo robe as a token of the love his father had had for Abraham Washburn.
Mr. Washburn built and operated a tannery and shoe making shop in Manti. Later when the family moved to Monroe he did this kind of work there. He was called by the church to be in charge of the Order tannery in Glenwood, where several men worked for him. In Monroe in his later years Brother Washburn sent to Salt Lake City for his shoe making supplies, as the demand for shoes was great.
In the 1870's when living in Monroe, the Washburn families joined in a Christmas Celebration, with a Christmas tree, the first in Monroe. Abraham Washburn was Santa Claus.
It was thought that Mr. Washburn found the Monroe Hot Springs. Soon after their arrival, he cleaned out a spring and bathed in the warm water often. His son Parley was healed by bathing in that spring, from a pain in his left shoulder that had remained since childhood when he had measles in 1864-5. Abraham didn't lay claim to these springs because he thought they should belong to the community.
He advocated free schools. He was kind and loving to his family. He was considerate and a friend to all people. Each day he encouraged his children to be kind to their mother and help her all they could. He was a peace-loving man who put oil on troubled waters to bring love and friendship. He looked for the good in his fellowman. He was hospitable and had many dear friends from everywhere - Winter Quarters, Nauvoo and crossing the plains. His home was a welcome place for them all. Sometimes a dozen teams were cared for by the Washburn boys in one night. Many times hay was scarce. The people were taken care of in the home. Often they talked on both friendly and serious topics until late into the night. Volumes of unwritten church history were told there.
Abraham Washburn was ordained a Patriarch for Sevier County by Apostle Albert Carington in 1884. He gave 162 Patriarchal Blessings in 19 months. The first one was given to his small grandson, Bent F. Larsen.
Abraham Daniel Washburn died 17 June 1886, at Monroe, Utah. Each Sunday for three weeks after his funeral in the sacrament meeting, speakers told of the splendid life of Abraham Washburn.
He and his wives left comfortable homes, friends and wealth, endured persecution, disaster and hardships for their religious convictions and personal standards. Throughout their long useful lives they kept their faith, high ideals and a good honorable name that will live in history for all time. [Written by Lorena E.W. Larsen]

Life History of Tamer Washburn - 1805-1882
Tamer Washburn was born 4 July 1805. She embraced the gospel in Sing Sing, New York now called Ossing in West Chester County New York. She came with her husband Abraham Washburn and their family to Nauvoo, Illnois in the spring of 1841. They passed through all the trials and persecutions of those trying days and became well acquainted with the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum and all the leaders of the Church at Nauvoo.
They crossed the plains, that trackless desert with the Saints. They left Nauvoo for Winter Quarters in the year 1846 and from there came to Salt Lake City 1848. Tamer drove three yoke of wild stears across the trackless desert and on June 17, 1847 while crossing the plains her little daughter, Artemisia was born.
They lived in Salt Lake about one year and then went to Manti, Sanpete, Utah in the fall of 1849, making the time about eight years since they left New York.
Abraham and Tamer Washburn passed through all the mobbings of those early days of the Church. On one accasion when the mob was raging a leader of the mob came in Abraham's home and started up the stairs. Tamer caught him by the coat tail and pulled him down again. Later he returned with the mob and took possession of their home and all their belongings and turned them all in the street.
In those early days Tamer had the Prophet Joseph Smith visit with her and her folks. On one occasion at a public gathering the Prophet arose on his feet and said "Sister Washburn there is a special blessing from the Lord to you and the Lord says that your just as sure of your celestial crown as though you already had it on your head." The sisters that were assembled said to the Prophet, "This is enough to make us jealous" and then the Prophet said, "This blessing is for Mother Washburn above the rest because she is a free giver. She could always give and never regret."
After the persecutions and the death of the Prophet and the exodus of the Saints from Nauvoo, Tamer and her busband Abraham came to Utah. She lived an honorable life and was always ready to lend a helping hand. She died in Nephi, Juab, Utah on 10 Oct 1882 and left many loved ones to miss her and praise her name. [ Written by her daughter Susanna Washburn Bowles, wife of Thomas Bowles]

Tamer Washburn was born 4 July 1805 at Newcastle, Duchess, New York
Parents: Jesse Washburn and Susannah Tompkins
Married Abraham Washburn 16 March 1825
Died 4 Sep 1886 (age 81) at Nephi, Juab, Utah
Children: Daniel born 23 July 1826 Mt. Pleasant, New York;
Mary Ann born 18 Nov Mt. Pleasent, New York;
Emma Jane born 28 July 1832 Mt. Pleasant, New York
Elizabeth born 23 Aug 1834 Sing Sing, New York and died 1837
Daniel Abraham bor 8 Sep 1837 Sing Sing, New York
Sarah Elizabeth born 16 Aug 1839 Sing Sing, New York and died 1841 or 2
John E. born 13 Apr 1842 Nauvoo, Hancock, Illnois and died 1842
Susannah born 23 June 1843 Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois
Joseph Bates born 20 Jul 1845 Nauvoo, Hancock, Illnois and died 1845
Artemisia Minerva born 17 June 1847 Winter Quarters, Nebraska.

Thomas Bowles - 1836-1927

Life History of Thomas Bowles - 1836-1927
A brave and valiant pioneer
Fought the good fight many a year
But now he has gone to a well earned rest
And with the faithful he'll be blessed.

May his descendants honor his name,
His deeds of merit renown to his fame
The memory of him we'll ever hold dear,
Of this tried and proven pioneer.

In the little city of Calne, Wiltshire, England lived Edward Bowles and his wife Ann Bolton and a family of five children. The family was supported by the Father weaving different kinds of buckets and selling them. Thomas, a second son was born on August 18, 1836.
He left school when he was ten years old and went to work in a button factory. While working there he met with a painful accident breaking his leg and thigh. While adjusting the belt which was connected with the machinery his foot was caught breaking the bones. The leg was set by the Doctor pulling on the leg while Thomas held to the head of the bed pulling up. Because of the lack of a skilled physician and improper attention the leg was shorter which caused lameness throughout his entire life. The effects were more pronounced during his later years. Eleven weeks he suffered with the broken bones in a hospital.
During his early boyhood he narrowly escaped drowning twice.
The Bowles family were noted throughout the city for their hospitality; consequently it was not strange that Robert Nelson, Joseph Coleman and a Brother Salter, missionaries of the Mormon Church should spend their time at that home while in Calne. It is possible through these missionaries that the family accepted Mormonism and prepared to immigrate to Zion.
At the age of 19 years in May 1856, Thomas, with the rest of his family except an older Brother John who refused to leave England, started across the ocean on the sailing ship "Thornton". They arrived in Iowa City, July 4, 1856, after a six week journey across the ocean.
Here they were assigned to cross the plains in the James G. Willie Company. The story of the trails and hardships of these immigrants is one of the saddest in the history of the West. The handcarts were made at Iowa City and consisted of two wheels with a frame work extended in front with a cross-bar which was grasped by the one who pulled. The clothing and food were strapped onto the frame. Only 17 pounds of luggage was allowed to a person.
The Willie Company, one of the two last companies to attempt to cross the plains that fall did not cross the Missouri River until August. Unfortunately and early winter set in. The company consisted of 500 souls, 120 carts, 5 wagons, 24 oxen, 45 beef cattle and cows.
The journey from Iowa City to the Missouri River was pleasurable in every particular. The roads were good, game was plentiful, and grass was high for the cattle. Arriving at Florence several days were spent making new carts and mending old ones and obtaining supplies.
On the plains they had many experiences. At Winter Quarters they rested and prepared to resume their journey to Zion. From Winter Quarters they traveled along Plum Creek. At a small place called Plum Creek the Indians drove off the beef cattle, which amounted to about 30 head , which was a very unfortunate occurrence.
Thomas with his Father pulled the cart with the provisions. A younger brother Enoch was ill the entire journey.
When the company reached a point about 300 miles west of Florence, they barely escaped being trampled under foot by a herd of frightened buffalo. With the loosing of many of their cattle, travel with the added loads was most difficult. The roads were very rough and much rawhide had to be used on the rickety carts to keep them from falling to pieces. The axles wore through before the journey was half ended causing much trouble and delay all along the road.
The early frosty nights made it cold for the immigrants but they pushed on until reaching Fort Laramie where they obtained some buffalo robes and a few more provisions.
On they traveled and with the consuming of the food it was discovered that the rations must be meted out to the men, women and children. On October 12 it was decided to apportion two ounces to each soul and on the 14th another reduction was made. Thomas tells of mixing the four ounces of flour with water and baking it over a bonfire made of buffalo chips, which he gathered.
This was their food for 24 hours. On the 19th the last ounces of flour was doled out. What made matters worse was that the snow was flying and it was already 18 inches deep on the level.
Just before camping at Sweet Water Thomas become too tired with pulling the loaded handcart and walking many miles that he laid on the ground along side of the road. His Father said to him: "You must not lie there, the wolves will eat you." The company trudged on and Thomas soon fell asleep from utter weariness. When he awoke it was dark and he had to feel the dust to find which direction the company had traveled. When he got up and began to walk he had not gone far when he saw a light and followed it until he arrived at camp. At Sweet Water nine members of the company died.
During their travel over the plains one of the Bowles oxen died. The company left the animal by the side of the trail. Thomas with a companion ran away from the company and walked back to the dead animal and skinned it and took a piece of the meat and boiled it and ate it. This was done because of their extreme hunger. The Captain, of course, would not allow them to eat the meat of a dead animal had he known.
At Rocky Ridge 13 members of the company died and while they were preparing to bury them two more died and they were buried with their clothes on in the same snow grave.
After the company started again Thomas' father became so tired he said, "I cannot pull the cart any further." In Thomas' own words he said, "So I pulled the cart until we came to Fort Bridger and then I dumped it into a hollow."
At this point of the journey Thomas tells of roasting buffalo hooves and eating them.
Beyond the South Pass a rescue party sent by President Young met the Willie Company. They had had nothing to eat for 48 hours and were freezing and starving to death. Wood was drawn to the camp from the neighboring hills and bonfires were lighted. Food was doled out and the immigrants took new courage. Yet nine died the night that the relief came.
William H. Kimball started for Salt Lake City with the Willie Company. It continued to snow and the nights were bitter cold. The women and children huddled at night around the fires, while the men did all they could to make it comfortable. They gathered wood and tried to keep the clothing dry. The company finally reached Green River where they were met again by supply wagons and in November the men at Fort Bridger welcomed them.
After arriving in Salt Lake City Thomas tells that his mother would give them a very small piece of bread. They would look at it and she would say, "You needn't look at it, it is all that you will get."
For two years Thomas worked in Salt Lake City for Bishop Brown of the 4th Ward. Here he hauled timber from the nearby hills and did any jobs that were to be done for the bishop. They moved to Nephi a few years after it had been settled.
When Thomas was 23 years old he hired a donkey for $5.00 and traveled to Manti and was married by Welcome Chapman a minister to Susannah Washburn (age 16) on January 27, 1859. His wife rode to Nephi with him after the ceremony on the donkey.
A log cabin with a dirt floor on the corner of 3rd North and 2nd East was built and served as their home. The cabin was located outside the Old Fort Wall making it much more dangerous to live there. They had no furniture. A hole left in the dirt floor for the hearth served as table and chairs. Here they could sit with their feet in the hole. A small piece of homemade carpet hung in the doorway served as a door.
He left his young wife many nights with only the carpet hanging to the door and went on guard in the Black Hawk War.
He experienced a narrow escape at one time when he drove a pair of wild steers hitched to a wagon from Sanpete County through the canyon to Nephi. He was also riding through the canyon the day the small company, to whom the monument is erected in the canyon, were killed. He did not know of the massacre until he reached home, where his wife and anxious friends were waiting fearing that he too had been killed.
Samuel Gilson, an early pioneer owed Charles Foote a debt. He was willing to pay this debt in horses which Mr. Foote took and with them bought tools for a butcher shop. Thomas Bowles ran the shop and was later given the tools by Mr. Foote, and he entered into the butcher business for himself. For several years he was engaged in this business. He was an excellent butcher and made many friends while in the shop.
He was one of the largest land owners in Nephi at that time. He also acted as a freighter to Salt Lake City carrying merchandise, grain etc. between the two points. He was know throughout this territory until the time of his death for his braided whips and laiette ropes. He hauled loads of logs for the Juab Stake Tabernacle. He had the distinction of buying possible the first cook stove in Nephi giving $150.00. He was a excellent gardener and made some money truck gardening. He possibly the best grafter Nephi has ever know. He was called to all parts of the country to graft trees.
He was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the age of 10 years by Richard Prater 1846 in England. He was always active in this capacity. While in England he acted as a Deacon, Teacher and Elder. President Wilford Woodruff ordained him a High Priest. In Nephi he acted as counselor to Bishop David Udall and counselor to David Cazier in the High Priest Quorum. He was a member of the first Old Folk's Committee and carved the meat for their banquets until his death a few years ago.
He played the drum and clappers in the first band organized in Nephi.
He was always known as a friend to the Indians and took them into his home many times. His home was always open to freighters and those who needed help.
At the age of 91 he died at his home in Nephi on March 1, 1927. The following children survive him: Thomas Edward, William Abraham and Martha Ann. Two Children died. An adopted daughter Mary J.J. also survives him. He has 22 grandchildren and 100 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren.

Susannah Washburn Bowles - 1843-1917

Born: 23 June 1843 at Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois; Parents: Abraham and Tamar Washburn

Married: 27 Jan 1859 at Manti, Sanpete, Utah to Thomas Bowles

Died: 25 March 1917 at Nephi, Juab, Utah

Mother of seven children: John 1859; Thomas Edward 5 dec 1860; William Abraham 5 June 1863; Martha Ann 13 Aug 1866; Alvin 15 Jan 1871; Mary Elizabeth 13 aug 1874; Mary J. 27 Jul 1878.