The Testimony of Martin Harris
BY WILLIAM H. HOMER
On my return from a mission to England in the fall of 1869, I stopped in Pennsylvania to visit with some of my relatives. Resuming my journey homeward, one of my cousins, James A. Crockett, traveled as far as Kirtland with me. We stayed there overnight, and the next morning inquired concerning the Mormon Temple at Kirtland. Our landlord informed us that Martin Harris was its custodian, and directed us to him. We went to the door of his cottage and knocked. A poorly -clad, emaciated little man, upon whom the winter of life was weighing heavily, came to the door. It was Martin Harris. In his face might be read something of the story of his life. He was a pathetic figure, and yet a figure of strength, revealing that although he had endured hardship and disappointments, he had lived richly; there was plainly the suggestion of his true character which had resulted from the great experiences which had been his.
I introduced myself modestly as a brother-in-law of Martin Harris, Jr., who had married my oldest sister, and as an Elder of the Church returning from a foreign mission. The effect of this introduction upon him was electric. The fact of relationship was overwhelmed by the fact of "Utah Mormon" identification. The old man bristled with vindictiveness, "One of those Brighamite Mormons, are you?" he snapped; then railed impatiently against Utah and the founder of the "Mormon commonwealth." In vain, I tried to turn the old man's attention to his family. He was so obsessed with his indignation that he would not pause to understand that there stood before him a man who knew his own wife and children. After sometime, however, he said, "You want to see the Temple, do you?" We answered that we would like it very much, so he went and got the key. As soon as we started to look through the Temple, he radiated with interest in it, stopping only occasionally for outbursts of his former ire. He led us through the rooms of the Temple, and explained how they were used, pointing out the place of the School of the Prophets and where the Temple curtain had hung at one time. He related numerous thrilling experiences in connection with the history of the sacred building. In the basement and elsewhere there were many signs of dilapidation. The plaster had fallen from the ceiling and the walls, the windows were broken, the woodwork was stained and marred. Again he stopped to speak against the "Utah Mormons." A great injustice had been done him; he should have been chosen President of the Church.
After the old man was somewhat exhausted, I asked, "Isn't it true that you were once very prominent in the Church? That you gave liberally of your means and were very active in performing your duties?" "Yes," he replied, "those things are very true. Then I was honored, but now that I am old and poor, it is quite different." I then asked him, "What about your testimony of the Book of Mormon? Do you still believe that the Book of Mormon is true, and that Joseph Smith was a Prophet?" As if by magic, the shabby, emaciated little old man before us was transformed into a different personality. He stood with his hand outstretched toward the sun of heaven; a divine fire glowed in his eyes. A halo seemed to encircle him, and his voice throbbed with sincerity and conviction. "Young man," he asked very impressively, "do I believe it? Do you see the sun shining? Just as surely as the sun is shining on us today, just as surely as the breath of life sustains us, so surely do I know that Joseph Smith was a true Prophet of God, and so surely do I know that the Book of Mormon was divinely translated. I saw the plates, I saw the angel, I heard the voice of God, I know the Book of Mormon is true."
It was a wonderful testimony; it was a sublime moment. We were thrilled to the very roots of our hair. It was the real Martin Harris whose testimony no power on earth could quench.
After this transpired, he was in a very much softer mood. He turned to me and asked, "Who are you?" I again told him about myself and explained our relationship. "So my son Martin married your sister?" he mused, shaking his head, "and you know my family?" "Yes," I replied, "wouldn't you like to see your family again?" "I should like to see Caroline and the children," he said thoughtfully, naming over each one, "but of course I can't do that, I am too poor." I assured him that President Young would be only too glad to furnish means for him to come to Utah. Again he seemed charged with bitterness, "Don't talk Brigham Young to me. He wouldn't do anything that was right."
I talked to him considerably about the matter, persistently urging him to send a message to President Young by me. His desire to see his family gradually overcame his other objections, so he finally decided to entrust me with a message. He told me to call on Brigham Young and tell him about our visit. "Tell him that Martin Harris is an old man, living on the charity of his relatives, and that I would like to visit Utah and my family and children. I would be glad to accept help from the Church, but no personal favors. Tell him also that if money is sent, it must be enough for the round trip as I don't want to remain in Utah."
I felt pleased at his change in attitude because I believed that President Young would approve of my plan. When I reached home in the 7th Ward, Salt Lake City, my father and I immediately went to the office of President Young about the matter. He received us very graciously, then listened attentively to my whole account of the visit with Martin Harris, asking questions now and again to make clear certain points in the story. When I had finished, he said, "I was never more gratified in my life. Send for him, yes, even if it took the last dollar I owned. Martin Harris spent his time and money freely for the Church when one dollar was worth more than a thousand are now. Send for him? Indeed I shall. It was Martin Harris who gave Joseph Smith money to help in the translation of the Book of Mormon. Martin Harris was the first scribe to assist in the translation of the Book from the original plates, as dictated by the Prophet who was led by the Holy Ghost and the Urim and Thummim; it was Martin Harris who was called by revelation to assist in the selection and ordination of the first Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church."
Martin Harris had been one of the leading figures in the history of the Church. It was Martin Harris who was called to go with the Prophet to Missouri to assist in selecting a land of consecration. He aided in the selection of the first High Council of the Church and was a member of it. He sold his farm for three thousand dollars and paid for the publication of the Book of Mormon. It is no wonder that when the Church was reorganized he was greatly disappointed, but he never denied the faith and never affiliated with any other sect or denomination; but when the Church came West, Martin Harris had remained behind.
During the next summer-the year 1870-Elder Edward Stevenson was authorized to collect money by subscription to bring Martin Harris to Utah. About two hundred dollars was raised for that purpose. On August 30, 1870, Martin Harris arrived in Salt Lake City accompanied by Elder Stevenson. He visited with President Young. They were reconciled and Martin Harris was invited to speak in the Tabernacle where he bore a faithful testimony as to the truthfulness of the Gospel. He then went to Smithfield to live with his son, Martin Harris, Jr., later moving to Clarkston. He had been in Utah for five years when early in July, 1875, he was stricken by a paralysis. This was his last illness. We began to think that he was about to pass away; the last audible words he had spoken had been something about the Book of Mormon which we could not understand. On the evening of July 10, his son, Martin, Jr., and his wife, Nancy Homer Harris, had gone out to milk and do the evening chores. I and my mother, Eliza Williamson Homer, were with him. I stood by the bed, holding his hand; mother was at the foot of the bed. He asked me for a drink of. water. I raised his head with my arm, and mother put the glass to his lips. He drank freely, then looked up and recognized me. He said, "I know you, you are my friend." Then said, "Yes, I did see the Plates from which the Book of Mormon was taken. I did see the angel, I did hear the voice of God, and I know that Joseph was a Prophet of God, holding the Keys of the Holy Priesthood."
Then came the end of his life. He relaxed and gave up my hand, and laid back on the pillow, and his soul passed on just as the sun was setting behind the Clarkston mountains. When the family returned to the house, they found that their father had left them.
In his passing, Martin Harris, divinely chosen to be a witness of the work of God, had, for the last time, repeated his testimony of the divine inspiration and prophetic genius of the great Prophet, Joseph Smith.
From the "Homer Family History" by Rachael Maretta Homer Crockett
Note: I included this about Martin Harris because my Dad, Edmund Elmo Homer was so proud of the Homer connection (His grandfather's sister) to Martin Harris, Jr. Mom & Dad were called to the Cumorah Mission. They spent some time as caretakers and guides in the Martin Harris Home at Palmyra. Mom said that in his tour of the Martin Harris home, Dad never missed an opportunity to explain his family relationship to Martin Harris.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Nancy Ann Homer Harris
Nancy Ann Homer Harris
The family of Russell King Homer and Eliza Williamson, together with their small son Edmund, were spending the winter of 1840-41 in Logan County, Illinois, as a temporary sojourn on their trek westward. On a blustery day in March, the 23rd to be exact, a little ray of sunshine arrived at their home to warm their hearts, and cheer their lives-a wee baby girl. She was thought by her father to be the grandest baby in the world. He promptly announced she should be named after his mother-in-law, her grandmother Williamson, whom he thought to possess all womanly virtues. She accordingly was named Nancy Ann Homer.
As Nancy grew in beauty and strength, she indeed appeared to have the same warm heart, kind ways, and patience of her maternal grandmother. Being the oldest girl in the family, she early assumed a part of the household responsibilities, and was a great help to her mother in taking care of the large family. Her father always took special pride in dressing her and her sister Anna in beautiful clothes, and escorting them to whatever social functions the frontier life afforded. He bought the material, and with great delight superintended the making of their clothes, being very particular that they were just as nice as they could possibly be. After her family had gone to Iowa and were keeping a hotel and general merchandise store, Nancy was growing into young womanhood, and found plenty of work to do assisting in the family business. When her father made his trips to Utah, he took the oldest son Ed with him, leaving mother and Nancy with the responsibility of running the business and taking care of the family. She came across the Plains with her family in the summer of 1858 in a wagon train, arrivIng in Salt Lake City, October 7 of that year. She occupied her time partly by preparing a lovely trousseau. On November 1, 1859, she was married to Martin Harris, Jr., the son of Martin Harris, one of the witnesses to the BOOK OF MORMON. She and her sister Anna and another couple were all married in a triple wedding, followed by such feasting and dancing as only father and mother Homer knew how to provide. Soon thereafter, the two young couples, Martin and Nancy and Anna and her husband, Willis Lemon, went to pioneer Cache Valley. They were among the first to settle at Smithfield. I have heard them say they attended the first public gathering ever held there. They also assisted in building a fort as a protection from the Indians. Several children were born to them-Martin Harris III, Nancy, Benjamin, and Franklin, all of whom died young. Four other children were born to them - Russell King and Sariah, who still survive, and Roset, who died when a baby, and Ella, who lived to be 22 years of age.
While they were living at Smithfield, Martin suggested to Nancy that he, in accordance with the teachings of the Church, should take another wife. Nancy was a very devout Church member and believed in the principle of polygamy. She thought it her duty to live it as a part of the religion. She consented upon the condition that the second wife be her very dear friend, Mary Corbett, whom she loved as a sister. After this marriage, they all lived in one house, sharing everything, a happy and contented family. The two women loved and respected each other, attended each other when sick, and loved and cared for each other's children. Nancy, not being overstrong physically, did the lighter tasks such as sewing, knitting, and spinning; Mary cheerfully busied herself with the heavier ones of washing, ironing, and scrubbing. Nancy was an excellent seamstress. She used to sit up long hours of the night sewing clothes by the light of a tallow candle, sewing not only for the Harris family, but for many others, some who paid her and some who could not. She took special pleasure in making clothing for old people , and children, even sewing doll clothes for motherless little girls.
In the year 1870, her father-in-law, Martin Harris, witness of the Book of Mormon, came to Utah, as is related elsewhere in this book. He came to make his home with them. Despite the fact that he was very old and feeble, they made him welcome, and gave him every possible care and attention their circumstances would permit. The family arranged to move across the valley to Clarkston where they were living when Martin Harris died. At the time of his death, he was being cared for by Nancy Homer Harris. That same year on December 30, 1875, Nancy gave birth to her last child, Ella. She did not recover from the ordeal of childbirth, but passed away January 4, 1876, leaving three small children to the care of Mary Corbett Harris, who took them willingly and became a real mother to them. She nursed Ella on the breast along with her own little girl, a few months older. When she found she could not feed them both, she weaned her own child, so that Ella might have enough to get along on.
The children of Martin Harris, Jr., and Nancy Ann Homer are:
Russell King Harris ..............Eliza Walker
Sariah Harris Steele............Wm. Steele
Martin, Jr., Nancy Ann, Benjamin, Franklin, Rosette, and Ella all died unmarried.
The family of Russell King Homer and Eliza Williamson, together with their small son Edmund, were spending the winter of 1840-41 in Logan County, Illinois, as a temporary sojourn on their trek westward. On a blustery day in March, the 23rd to be exact, a little ray of sunshine arrived at their home to warm their hearts, and cheer their lives-a wee baby girl. She was thought by her father to be the grandest baby in the world. He promptly announced she should be named after his mother-in-law, her grandmother Williamson, whom he thought to possess all womanly virtues. She accordingly was named Nancy Ann Homer.
As Nancy grew in beauty and strength, she indeed appeared to have the same warm heart, kind ways, and patience of her maternal grandmother. Being the oldest girl in the family, she early assumed a part of the household responsibilities, and was a great help to her mother in taking care of the large family. Her father always took special pride in dressing her and her sister Anna in beautiful clothes, and escorting them to whatever social functions the frontier life afforded. He bought the material, and with great delight superintended the making of their clothes, being very particular that they were just as nice as they could possibly be. After her family had gone to Iowa and were keeping a hotel and general merchandise store, Nancy was growing into young womanhood, and found plenty of work to do assisting in the family business. When her father made his trips to Utah, he took the oldest son Ed with him, leaving mother and Nancy with the responsibility of running the business and taking care of the family. She came across the Plains with her family in the summer of 1858 in a wagon train, arrivIng in Salt Lake City, October 7 of that year. She occupied her time partly by preparing a lovely trousseau. On November 1, 1859, she was married to Martin Harris, Jr., the son of Martin Harris, one of the witnesses to the BOOK OF MORMON. She and her sister Anna and another couple were all married in a triple wedding, followed by such feasting and dancing as only father and mother Homer knew how to provide. Soon thereafter, the two young couples, Martin and Nancy and Anna and her husband, Willis Lemon, went to pioneer Cache Valley. They were among the first to settle at Smithfield. I have heard them say they attended the first public gathering ever held there. They also assisted in building a fort as a protection from the Indians. Several children were born to them-Martin Harris III, Nancy, Benjamin, and Franklin, all of whom died young. Four other children were born to them - Russell King and Sariah, who still survive, and Roset, who died when a baby, and Ella, who lived to be 22 years of age.
While they were living at Smithfield, Martin suggested to Nancy that he, in accordance with the teachings of the Church, should take another wife. Nancy was a very devout Church member and believed in the principle of polygamy. She thought it her duty to live it as a part of the religion. She consented upon the condition that the second wife be her very dear friend, Mary Corbett, whom she loved as a sister. After this marriage, they all lived in one house, sharing everything, a happy and contented family. The two women loved and respected each other, attended each other when sick, and loved and cared for each other's children. Nancy, not being overstrong physically, did the lighter tasks such as sewing, knitting, and spinning; Mary cheerfully busied herself with the heavier ones of washing, ironing, and scrubbing. Nancy was an excellent seamstress. She used to sit up long hours of the night sewing clothes by the light of a tallow candle, sewing not only for the Harris family, but for many others, some who paid her and some who could not. She took special pleasure in making clothing for old people , and children, even sewing doll clothes for motherless little girls.
In the year 1870, her father-in-law, Martin Harris, witness of the Book of Mormon, came to Utah, as is related elsewhere in this book. He came to make his home with them. Despite the fact that he was very old and feeble, they made him welcome, and gave him every possible care and attention their circumstances would permit. The family arranged to move across the valley to Clarkston where they were living when Martin Harris died. At the time of his death, he was being cared for by Nancy Homer Harris. That same year on December 30, 1875, Nancy gave birth to her last child, Ella. She did not recover from the ordeal of childbirth, but passed away January 4, 1876, leaving three small children to the care of Mary Corbett Harris, who took them willingly and became a real mother to them. She nursed Ella on the breast along with her own little girl, a few months older. When she found she could not feed them both, she weaned her own child, so that Ella might have enough to get along on.
The children of Martin Harris, Jr., and Nancy Ann Homer are:
Russell King Harris ..............Eliza Walker
Sariah Harris Steele............Wm. Steele
Martin, Jr., Nancy Ann, Benjamin, Franklin, Rosette, and Ella all died unmarried.
Edmund Homer
History of Edmund Homer
Edmund Homer, the oldest son of Russell King and Eliza Williamson Homer, was born at Conneaut, Crawford County, Pennsylvania, June 11, 1839. During his early childhood, his family moved westward to Iowa, as is related in his father's history included in this volume.
He was baptized and confirmed a member of the Mormon Church, November, 1848, by Ezekial Lee. As he approached his youth, he assumed the responsibilities of farm and pioneer work, helping his father with all of the family tasks. By the time he reached his 'teens, he was able to handle the work of a man, and was a great help to his parents.
His parents started on their trip across the Plains with a company of Pioneers. Although Edmund was only 19 years of age, he had had so much experience with livestock and travel that his experience proved very valuable in assisting the company with their oxen and wagons and all the difficulties that came up on the way; this extra work he did in addition to driving a separate outfit for his father.
After the family settled in Salt Lake, he became acquainted with Susan Eveline Greene. They were married November 15, 1864 at Bennington, Bear Lake County, Idaho. Later they moved to Smithfield, where they farmed for several years. Edmund had procured a grammar school education and was a fairly well educated man. While living at Smithfield, he taught school.
With the approval of the Church Authorities, Edmund married Mellissa Greene, the sister of his firt wife, at the Endowment House in Salt Lake City, December 13, 1868.
In the year 1875, Edmund and his family were called by Brigham Young to go to the southern part of Utah to help settle that country. He settled at Springdale where they lived for four or five years; here he farmed and also taught school. They were there when the St. George Temple was dedicated and they worked in the Temple as soon as it was opened; Edmund was baptized for 25 and his wife, Eveline, for 15 persons; they also did endowments for one couple, a certain Benjamin Homer and wife, which were the only names available at that time.
His wife Eveline couldn't stand the Dixie climate and her health failed so seriously that it was necessary for them to move back north. They went back to Clarkston for a while. In May of 1882, they went to Marion, Cassia County, Idaho, living there until July, 1882, when they moved over the mountain onto Cassia Creek, now Malta, Idaho. In 1886, he traded his place at Malta for one at Elba, Cassia County, where he spent the remainder of his life. On November 25, 1887, when the Elba Ward of the Mormon Church was organized, he was set apart as Ward Clerk, which office he held for over thirty years. He was a Sunday School teacher in that same ward for over 37 years. He served in a number of minor public offices, including that of watermaster, school trustee, and served a number of terms as Justice of the Peace. He was Post Master of Elba for over thirty years. He was very active in the Church all of his life, holding all of the priesthoods from that of deacon to high priest. He passed away at Elba, ldaho, July 8, 1916, at the age of 77 years.
His children were as follows:
Susan Eveline Greene, the mother of:
Susan Eliza .............. Samuel Barker
Benjamin King ......... Juliaette McMurray
Edmund Flavious ..... Mary Jane Pettingill
Artie Malbourne ...... Unmarried
Mary Mellissa ........... Lyman Howell
Louvisa Eveline ....... Died young
Annie May ............... David Hubbard
Mellissa Greene, the mother of:
Admanzah Greene .... Died young
John Williamson ....... Unmarried
Willard George ......... Elvina Pherson
Nancy Greene .......... George Smith
Louisa Lula .............. Wm. Hopkins
Rhoda Greene .......... James Hopkins
P.S. I have heard father say that when Edmund was 11 years old he went out in the woods and shot a deer. He could not get it home and would not come home and leave it, so he stayed with it all night.
One time when Edmund lived in Smithfield, he doctored An Indian chief's horse and cured it. Soon after, there was An Indian uprising. The few people rushed to the Fort, but Edmund went out to meet the Indians and tried to talk with them. When they saw who he was, they stopped and gave him a chance to reason with them, and then they rode away. The Indians called him Tom and thought he could do most anything.
By Susie H. Barker and Annie H. Hubbard
Taken from "Homer Family History" by Rachael Maretta Homer Crockett
Edmund Homer, the oldest son of Russell King and Eliza Williamson Homer, was born at Conneaut, Crawford County, Pennsylvania, June 11, 1839. During his early childhood, his family moved westward to Iowa, as is related in his father's history included in this volume.
He was baptized and confirmed a member of the Mormon Church, November, 1848, by Ezekial Lee. As he approached his youth, he assumed the responsibilities of farm and pioneer work, helping his father with all of the family tasks. By the time he reached his 'teens, he was able to handle the work of a man, and was a great help to his parents.
His parents started on their trip across the Plains with a company of Pioneers. Although Edmund was only 19 years of age, he had had so much experience with livestock and travel that his experience proved very valuable in assisting the company with their oxen and wagons and all the difficulties that came up on the way; this extra work he did in addition to driving a separate outfit for his father.
After the family settled in Salt Lake, he became acquainted with Susan Eveline Greene. They were married November 15, 1864 at Bennington, Bear Lake County, Idaho. Later they moved to Smithfield, where they farmed for several years. Edmund had procured a grammar school education and was a fairly well educated man. While living at Smithfield, he taught school.
With the approval of the Church Authorities, Edmund married Mellissa Greene, the sister of his firt wife, at the Endowment House in Salt Lake City, December 13, 1868.
In the year 1875, Edmund and his family were called by Brigham Young to go to the southern part of Utah to help settle that country. He settled at Springdale where they lived for four or five years; here he farmed and also taught school. They were there when the St. George Temple was dedicated and they worked in the Temple as soon as it was opened; Edmund was baptized for 25 and his wife, Eveline, for 15 persons; they also did endowments for one couple, a certain Benjamin Homer and wife, which were the only names available at that time.
His wife Eveline couldn't stand the Dixie climate and her health failed so seriously that it was necessary for them to move back north. They went back to Clarkston for a while. In May of 1882, they went to Marion, Cassia County, Idaho, living there until July, 1882, when they moved over the mountain onto Cassia Creek, now Malta, Idaho. In 1886, he traded his place at Malta for one at Elba, Cassia County, where he spent the remainder of his life. On November 25, 1887, when the Elba Ward of the Mormon Church was organized, he was set apart as Ward Clerk, which office he held for over thirty years. He was a Sunday School teacher in that same ward for over 37 years. He served in a number of minor public offices, including that of watermaster, school trustee, and served a number of terms as Justice of the Peace. He was Post Master of Elba for over thirty years. He was very active in the Church all of his life, holding all of the priesthoods from that of deacon to high priest. He passed away at Elba, ldaho, July 8, 1916, at the age of 77 years.
His children were as follows:
Susan Eveline Greene, the mother of:
Susan Eliza .............. Samuel Barker
Benjamin King ......... Juliaette McMurray
Edmund Flavious ..... Mary Jane Pettingill
Artie Malbourne ...... Unmarried
Mary Mellissa ........... Lyman Howell
Louvisa Eveline ....... Died young
Annie May ............... David Hubbard
Mellissa Greene, the mother of:
Admanzah Greene .... Died young
John Williamson ....... Unmarried
Willard George ......... Elvina Pherson
Nancy Greene .......... George Smith
Louisa Lula .............. Wm. Hopkins
Rhoda Greene .......... James Hopkins
P.S. I have heard father say that when Edmund was 11 years old he went out in the woods and shot a deer. He could not get it home and would not come home and leave it, so he stayed with it all night.
One time when Edmund lived in Smithfield, he doctored An Indian chief's horse and cured it. Soon after, there was An Indian uprising. The few people rushed to the Fort, but Edmund went out to meet the Indians and tried to talk with them. When they saw who he was, they stopped and gave him a chance to reason with them, and then they rode away. The Indians called him Tom and thought he could do most anything.
By Susie H. Barker and Annie H. Hubbard
Taken from "Homer Family History" by Rachael Maretta Homer Crockett
Saturday, November 7, 2009
R.K. Homer # 3
R. K. Homer # 3
On January 20, 1848, Russell K. Homer applied by petition for a post office for the town of Winter Quarters. On January 24, 1849, /Shadrack Roundy, Russell K. Homer, Jedediah M. Grant, G. D. Grant, and J.S. Fullmer organized a company for the purpose of carrying persons and goods from the Missouri River to Sutter's Fort in California. This company was called 'The Great Salt Lake Carrying Company.' They would guarantee to furnish the very best in transportation that was to be had; good teams, reliable teamsters and light spring wagons, each wagon to cary three besides the teamster, and each passenger allowed 150 pounds of baggage. One of the owners would be in Salt Lake City to relay with fresh horses and supplies. The fare per person was $100 to Salt Lake City or $300 to Sutter's Fort to be paid in advance. The freight trains would carry freight at the rate of $12.50 cwt., two-thirds in advance.
In the spring of 1852 father received word that his father, Benjamin Cobb Homer, had died in Pennsylvania and that father had been named executor of the estate. He sold out his holdings in Iowa and took his family by team back to Pennsylvania. He arranged a proper settlement of the estate. They first went to Buffalo and took passage on a steam boat to Cleveland, Ohio, where they bought teams and equipment to travel back to Iowa. Upon their arrival in Iowa, Father took up a homestead on Pigeon Creek, 13 miles North of Council Bluff. They improved on this land and entered into the business of buying and selling hogs. After proving up on the homestead they moved into Crescent City in Iowa and opened up a real estate office and a hotel.
Many of their patrons were Indians who lived on the opposite side of the river. ...when a large number were across on our side, such heavy storms came up the water was lashed into a fury and it was not safe for them to go back in their light canoes. Mother asked them to remain all night. She took her children into her room and slept all night. The dining room and kitchen floors were covered with drunken Indians wrapped in their blankets and no white man around the place but she was not afraid. She said, "Why should I be afraid, I was their friend and they knew it and not one of them but would have defended me against any danger."
The Homer House entertained all missionaries free of charge as they passed by there either going to their fields of labor or returning home. During the winter of 1857-58 all missionaries were called home on account of the Johnston's Army episode. (The Utah War) Fifty of them sat down at the Homer table at one time without anything being asked for their keep. Sixteen missionaries were too late to go with the last company across the Plains and stayed with the Homers all winter. Mother did their laundry, mending and darning besides keeping and boarding them all winter. Father found ways for them to cross the Plains at the earliest opportunity.
Father continued in the ferry and freighting business, leaving the management of the store and hotel to the members of the family. Whenever they employed extra help, they tried to give work to someone anxious to get across to Utah. In spite of all they did for others, they prospered and became well off. One of Father's sayings was, "You will not lose anything by helping a person who is putting forth an honest effort to help himself."
On January 20, 1848, Russell K. Homer applied by petition for a post office for the town of Winter Quarters. On January 24, 1849, /Shadrack Roundy, Russell K. Homer, Jedediah M. Grant, G. D. Grant, and J.S. Fullmer organized a company for the purpose of carrying persons and goods from the Missouri River to Sutter's Fort in California. This company was called 'The Great Salt Lake Carrying Company.' They would guarantee to furnish the very best in transportation that was to be had; good teams, reliable teamsters and light spring wagons, each wagon to cary three besides the teamster, and each passenger allowed 150 pounds of baggage. One of the owners would be in Salt Lake City to relay with fresh horses and supplies. The fare per person was $100 to Salt Lake City or $300 to Sutter's Fort to be paid in advance. The freight trains would carry freight at the rate of $12.50 cwt., two-thirds in advance.
In the spring of 1852 father received word that his father, Benjamin Cobb Homer, had died in Pennsylvania and that father had been named executor of the estate. He sold out his holdings in Iowa and took his family by team back to Pennsylvania. He arranged a proper settlement of the estate. They first went to Buffalo and took passage on a steam boat to Cleveland, Ohio, where they bought teams and equipment to travel back to Iowa. Upon their arrival in Iowa, Father took up a homestead on Pigeon Creek, 13 miles North of Council Bluff. They improved on this land and entered into the business of buying and selling hogs. After proving up on the homestead they moved into Crescent City in Iowa and opened up a real estate office and a hotel.
Many of their patrons were Indians who lived on the opposite side of the river. ...when a large number were across on our side, such heavy storms came up the water was lashed into a fury and it was not safe for them to go back in their light canoes. Mother asked them to remain all night. She took her children into her room and slept all night. The dining room and kitchen floors were covered with drunken Indians wrapped in their blankets and no white man around the place but she was not afraid. She said, "Why should I be afraid, I was their friend and they knew it and not one of them but would have defended me against any danger."
The Homer House entertained all missionaries free of charge as they passed by there either going to their fields of labor or returning home. During the winter of 1857-58 all missionaries were called home on account of the Johnston's Army episode. (The Utah War) Fifty of them sat down at the Homer table at one time without anything being asked for their keep. Sixteen missionaries were too late to go with the last company across the Plains and stayed with the Homers all winter. Mother did their laundry, mending and darning besides keeping and boarding them all winter. Father found ways for them to cross the Plains at the earliest opportunity.
Father continued in the ferry and freighting business, leaving the management of the store and hotel to the members of the family. Whenever they employed extra help, they tried to give work to someone anxious to get across to Utah. In spite of all they did for others, they prospered and became well off. One of Father's sayings was, "You will not lose anything by helping a person who is putting forth an honest effort to help himself."
R. K. Homer # 4
In the summer of 1858, an independent company of emigrants and returning missionaries was organized to leave Florence, Nebraska, for Salt Lake City; of that company, Russell K. Homer was captain and Christian Felsted was chaplain and president. The company left for Utah July 3, 1858. It was in this company that the Homer family crossed the Plains. The family was well equipped with conveniences for camping. They had tents, a camp stove, a light spring wagon for the family, and had three additional wagons loaded with their effects and two loaded with merchandise they were freighting for merchants in Utah. They also drove with them a bunch of loose stock consisting of horses, mules, and cattle. The rest of the company was mostly from Denmark. They were also pretty well equipped, all having pretty good outfits and their own supplies. Early in the journey, they came to some high water, but ferried across in tight wagon boxes which were build tight for just such an emergency.
They made good time all the way and saw hundreds of loaded wagons hauling supplies for Johnston's Army which had gone on the year before. One of the boys, William H. Homer, who was 12 years at the time, reports in his diary the following incident:
"On one occasion we seemed about to meet our fate at the hands of Sioux Indians on the warpath. Decked out in their war paint and feathers, a band of these fierce-looking fellows swooped down upon us about four o'clock in the afternoon, circling around our wagon train. Captain Homer, understanding the situation, called all the teams to a halt and sent out a man with a white flag to meet them. They kept coming closer whooping and yelling, until they were quite close to the man with the flag, when their chieftain held up his hand and they all stopped. He came forward alone on a beautiful white pony; he spoke to the man with the flag, and after a brief conversation asked to talk to the big white chief. After very impressive preparations, father went out to meet the Indian chief, who demanded great quantities of flour, sugar, tobacco, and beef cattle. After some time spent in parlying, they agreed to settle for a much smaller amount and various trinkets—beads, mirrors, bandanna handkerchiefs, etc. The chief, very gratified, then said, 'I see you are peaceful travellers wishing to pass through our country, and we will make a dance in your honor,' which they did. When all matters were satisfactorily settled, the chief took father to one side and said, 'There are hostile tribes of Indians ahead watching for wagon trains, and if the great white chief so desires, we will go along to protect your company; however, we would prefer to keep out of sight, but would see that no harm came to the white chief and his friends.' This offer was gladly accepted and he kept his word. We caught glimpses of them in the distance for a few days, but they did not come near us; and that was the last of our Indian troubles.
"At the crossing of the Green River, we camped near the tents of that famous scout and trapper, Jim Bridger. With father [Russell King Homer], I visited his tents and saw his two Indian wives, and played with his children while father traded horses with the illustrious Jim Bridger.
"One night when we camped on Wood river, near its junction with the Platte, we had just got our cook tent pitched when it started to rain. How it poured down; accompanied by fierce thunder and lightning! Everybody rushed for cover; sixteen crowded into our tent. Mother was near the stove cooking; I was on the ground behind the stove. I heard a heavy clap of thunder, and the next thing I knew was next day we were travelling along in the wagon. Mother [Eliza Williamson Homer] told me how the tent had been struck and everybody in it stunned. I was the last to come to. Mother was the worst injured; she was badly burned about her feet and legs, her shoes were torn off and her clothing was torn and burned."
"They traveled as fast as their teams could stand, stopping only for the regular Sunday rest. They made what was considered very good time all the way, and on October 7, 1858, arrived in Salt Lake City."
They made good time all the way and saw hundreds of loaded wagons hauling supplies for Johnston's Army which had gone on the year before. One of the boys, William H. Homer, who was 12 years at the time, reports in his diary the following incident:
"On one occasion we seemed about to meet our fate at the hands of Sioux Indians on the warpath. Decked out in their war paint and feathers, a band of these fierce-looking fellows swooped down upon us about four o'clock in the afternoon, circling around our wagon train. Captain Homer, understanding the situation, called all the teams to a halt and sent out a man with a white flag to meet them. They kept coming closer whooping and yelling, until they were quite close to the man with the flag, when their chieftain held up his hand and they all stopped. He came forward alone on a beautiful white pony; he spoke to the man with the flag, and after a brief conversation asked to talk to the big white chief. After very impressive preparations, father went out to meet the Indian chief, who demanded great quantities of flour, sugar, tobacco, and beef cattle. After some time spent in parlying, they agreed to settle for a much smaller amount and various trinkets—beads, mirrors, bandanna handkerchiefs, etc. The chief, very gratified, then said, 'I see you are peaceful travellers wishing to pass through our country, and we will make a dance in your honor,' which they did. When all matters were satisfactorily settled, the chief took father to one side and said, 'There are hostile tribes of Indians ahead watching for wagon trains, and if the great white chief so desires, we will go along to protect your company; however, we would prefer to keep out of sight, but would see that no harm came to the white chief and his friends.' This offer was gladly accepted and he kept his word. We caught glimpses of them in the distance for a few days, but they did not come near us; and that was the last of our Indian troubles.
"At the crossing of the Green River, we camped near the tents of that famous scout and trapper, Jim Bridger. With father [Russell King Homer], I visited his tents and saw his two Indian wives, and played with his children while father traded horses with the illustrious Jim Bridger.
"One night when we camped on Wood river, near its junction with the Platte, we had just got our cook tent pitched when it started to rain. How it poured down; accompanied by fierce thunder and lightning! Everybody rushed for cover; sixteen crowded into our tent. Mother was near the stove cooking; I was on the ground behind the stove. I heard a heavy clap of thunder, and the next thing I knew was next day we were travelling along in the wagon. Mother [Eliza Williamson Homer] told me how the tent had been struck and everybody in it stunned. I was the last to come to. Mother was the worst injured; she was badly burned about her feet and legs, her shoes were torn off and her clothing was torn and burned."
"They traveled as fast as their teams could stand, stopping only for the regular Sunday rest. They made what was considered very good time all the way, and on October 7, 1858, arrived in Salt Lake City."
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Russell King Homer # 2
While they were living in Pennsylvania, a stranger came along and asked father for a nights lodging. Father readily welcomed him and went out to help him unhitch and care for his team. The man took a book out of his wagon and said, "I think your name is Homer. Here is a book your friend Martin Harris sent you." As father took the book in his hand, a voice said distinctly in his ear, "That is a history of those bones you used to play with." Surprised, he looked around and could see no one. He was sure it was not the man who presented the book as father was looking at him and he had not spoken and neither of them had seen anyone else. This book was the Book of Mormon. Father was deeply impressed by this experience, and related it many times in connection with his testimony of the Gospel. ...When he had finished reading it, he was convinced that it was the true history of the American Indians and that it contained the fullness of the Everlasting Gospel This he firmly believed to the last day of his life." He became very anxious to go to Kirtland, Ohio to meet the Prophet Joseph Smith. He pursuaded his wife, her sister, and her sister's husband to go with him. "When they arrived there, church was in session and the Prophet...was speaking. He mentioned the poverty of the Church, and said that some funds were needed immediately. After the session, he came down through the congregation shaking hands. He neared father, and Martin Harris stepped forward to introduce them. As father shook his hand, he left a $10 gold peice in it. The Prophet looked at the money and said, "Mr. Homer, money was never needed worse or put to a better use than this will be. This is indeed 'bread cast upon the waters' and will be returned to you and yours. Neither you nor your family shall ever want for bread." Father "wished to get baptized before he left Kirtland, but the others were not so impressed. ...he persistantly urged his wife Eliza to join him ...but he didn't want to join without her. ...she had no wish to change, but in ... 1844 she suffered a severe sick spell and was administered to by Mormon elders, after which she rapidly regained her health. ...she was baptized and confirmed a member in the Mormon Church before father was. He was baptized in the Nauvoo Temple March 21, 1844. ...he was ordained an Elder the same day.
They now both embraced the Gospel with firm conviction, ..." Though they didn't live in Nauvoo, "..they joined with the Saints in their Exodus from Nauvoo. They went into Iowa as far as Garden Grove, where they planted crops for those who would come later. They left there and went on to the Missouri River where they stopped amoung the Pottawattamie Indians. These Indians were friendly and gave them corn, beans, melons, and other foods. Father left his family there and went to Missouri to work, husking corn to get supplies for his own family and others whose fathers and husbands had gone with the Mormon Batallion. He husked corn and cut cordwood and received corn for his pay.
When the pioneers of 1847 were preparing to leave for the West, father took his teams, wagons, and supplies for himself and his neighbor, Almon Williams, and went to headquarters, prepared to go with the Saints. They were much longer getting ready than was at first expected. After two weeks of waiting, President Kimball came to him and said, "Brother Homer, you are just the man we need to stay here and look after the Church cattle. Your family are sick and need you, so you better let Brother Williams take your outfit across and you stay here. We want you to inspect every animal that starts across, and make sure it is able to stand the trip. ...Father took over the management of the Church cattle, and supervised the outfitting of all emigrants that left there during the next two years. Many emigrants did not have sufficient money to buy proper outfits, but he managed to find ways for them to travel, or sold them cattle and supplies on credit. Father also established a ferry across the Missouri River for carying passengers and freight. It consisted of flat-boats propelled by oars. This was the only means of crossing for many years. Note: Grandma (Verda Adams Homer) had a great grandfather Barnabus Adams, who accompanied the first group with Brigham Young, leaving his wife and family to come later. When grandma Adams was ready to travel with two wagons loaded with supplies, Russell King and his helpers dumped one of her wagons in the river. The wagon and team were rescued, but the supplies wer gone. She was advised to wait to replenish her supplies and her group left without her. She decided she was going with two wagons half full of supplies. With lighter wagons she caught up with the group in a couple of days. She was welcomed back into the group, but she said if they could leave without her, she could leave without them, so she left the group in her dust. She caught up with a group of soldiers taking supplies to Johnston's Army for the "Utah War" and traveled with them. She was settled in by the time her group made it to the valley.
While they were living in Pennsylvania, a stranger came along and asked father for a nights lodging. Father readily welcomed him and went out to help him unhitch and care for his team. The man took a book out of his wagon and said, "I think your name is Homer. Here is a book your friend Martin Harris sent you." As father took the book in his hand, a voice said distinctly in his ear, "That is a history of those bones you used to play with." Surprised, he looked around and could see no one. He was sure it was not the man who presented the book as father was looking at him and he had not spoken and neither of them had seen anyone else. This book was the Book of Mormon. Father was deeply impressed by this experience, and related it many times in connection with his testimony of the Gospel. ...When he had finished reading it, he was convinced that it was the true history of the American Indians and that it contained the fullness of the Everlasting Gospel This he firmly believed to the last day of his life." He became very anxious to go to Kirtland, Ohio to meet the Prophet Joseph Smith. He pursuaded his wife, her sister, and her sister's husband to go with him. "When they arrived there, church was in session and the Prophet...was speaking. He mentioned the poverty of the Church, and said that some funds were needed immediately. After the session, he came down through the congregation shaking hands. He neared father, and Martin Harris stepped forward to introduce them. As father shook his hand, he left a $10 gold peice in it. The Prophet looked at the money and said, "Mr. Homer, money was never needed worse or put to a better use than this will be. This is indeed 'bread cast upon the waters' and will be returned to you and yours. Neither you nor your family shall ever want for bread." Father "wished to get baptized before he left Kirtland, but the others were not so impressed. ...he persistantly urged his wife Eliza to join him ...but he didn't want to join without her. ...she had no wish to change, but in ... 1844 she suffered a severe sick spell and was administered to by Mormon elders, after which she rapidly regained her health. ...she was baptized and confirmed a member in the Mormon Church before father was. He was baptized in the Nauvoo Temple March 21, 1844. ...he was ordained an Elder the same day.
They now both embraced the Gospel with firm conviction, ..." Though they didn't live in Nauvoo, "..they joined with the Saints in their Exodus from Nauvoo. They went into Iowa as far as Garden Grove, where they planted crops for those who would come later. They left there and went on to the Missouri River where they stopped amoung the Pottawattamie Indians. These Indians were friendly and gave them corn, beans, melons, and other foods. Father left his family there and went to Missouri to work, husking corn to get supplies for his own family and others whose fathers and husbands had gone with the Mormon Batallion. He husked corn and cut cordwood and received corn for his pay.
When the pioneers of 1847 were preparing to leave for the West, father took his teams, wagons, and supplies for himself and his neighbor, Almon Williams, and went to headquarters, prepared to go with the Saints. They were much longer getting ready than was at first expected. After two weeks of waiting, President Kimball came to him and said, "Brother Homer, you are just the man we need to stay here and look after the Church cattle. Your family are sick and need you, so you better let Brother Williams take your outfit across and you stay here. We want you to inspect every animal that starts across, and make sure it is able to stand the trip. ...Father took over the management of the Church cattle, and supervised the outfitting of all emigrants that left there during the next two years. Many emigrants did not have sufficient money to buy proper outfits, but he managed to find ways for them to travel, or sold them cattle and supplies on credit. Father also established a ferry across the Missouri River for carying passengers and freight. It consisted of flat-boats propelled by oars. This was the only means of crossing for many years. Note: Grandma (Verda Adams Homer) had a great grandfather Barnabus Adams, who accompanied the first group with Brigham Young, leaving his wife and family to come later. When grandma Adams was ready to travel with two wagons loaded with supplies, Russell King and his helpers dumped one of her wagons in the river. The wagon and team were rescued, but the supplies wer gone. She was advised to wait to replenish her supplies and her group left without her. She decided she was going with two wagons half full of supplies. With lighter wagons she caught up with the group in a couple of days. She was welcomed back into the group, but she said if they could leave without her, she could leave without them, so she left the group in her dust. She caught up with a group of soldiers taking supplies to Johnston's Army for the "Utah War" and traveled with them. She was settled in by the time her group made it to the valley.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Russell King Homer born 15 July 1815 at Spafford, Onandaga, New York. "When he was about 15 years old, he and some boy friends were riding on horseback in the woods, going nowhere in particular. They saw a man coming towards them on horseback. ...When he came even with the boys, he halted and asked for directions to a place nearby. Father (Russell) answered and gave him directions. The stranger then asked, "My boy, what is your name?" Father answered, "My name is Russell Homer." The stranger then said, "My name is Joseph Smith and my boy, you will join the church that has just been organized, (April 6, 1830) and go with the saints to the Rocky Mountains and stand up and bear your testimony to the truthfulness of the everlasting gospel." Father had no idea what he was talking about, but it made a deep impression upon him and was never forgotten. He related the incident many times, and people now living (1942) have heard father bear this testimony.
In some spots in the locality where they lived, human bones were to be found strewn over the ground. It was supposed that they were the bones of Indians that had been killed in wars before the advent of white men into that part of New York. These bones which father and his playmates played with later became important to him in his conversion to Mormonism.
One of the near neighbors to the Homers in Onondaga County was the Williamson family. They had a daughter, Eliza, who was born the same year as Russell King. As their parents were friends and neighbors, these two were childhood sweethearts. When the Homers went to Crawford County, Pensylvania, the Williamsons went with them, and the families located near each other. The two children were 15 years old,(1830) and their youthfull romance continued. In the summer of 1836, Eliza returned to New York to visit with old friends and was gone some months when she sent word to her mother that she was homesick and would like to come back to Pennsylvania. Her mother reported this to the Homer family and asked Russell how he would like to go get her. He replied that he didn't know of anything he would like better if he could bring back a wife with him. Mrs. Williamson graciously responded that she did not know of anything she would like better for a Christmas present than to have him for a son-in-law. I have heard father tell of how, when he began this journey, he was as proud as a gallant knight of old setting out to rescue his lady fair and bring her back to a home of her own. Before he started, he procured some elegant clothes, a swallow-tailed coat and a fine linnen shirt with a frilled bosom, a high stove-pipe hat, knee breeches, and high top boots.
They were married December 20, 1836, (21 years old) at Erie, New York, and spent the holidays honeymooning in and around that city. They rode on the first steamboat which had sailed on Lake Erie. Father spent all of his money, and had to sell his new boots to get sufficient money to complete the journey home.
Their first home was a log cabin built in the woods from logs cut from the clearing where the house stood. The furnishings were made of the same materials; these furnishings consisted mainly of a hewn table, stools, and bed. The house had a fireplace with a big iron pot and a bake oven for cooking purposes. As they had no matches, the starting of a fire was quite a job. On one ocassion, father went seven miles on foot through the woods to get a start of a fire, and carried it home in the iron pot, keeping it alive all the way by occasionally replenishing it."
Copied from "Homer Family History" by Rachael Maretta Homer Crockett
In some spots in the locality where they lived, human bones were to be found strewn over the ground. It was supposed that they were the bones of Indians that had been killed in wars before the advent of white men into that part of New York. These bones which father and his playmates played with later became important to him in his conversion to Mormonism.
One of the near neighbors to the Homers in Onondaga County was the Williamson family. They had a daughter, Eliza, who was born the same year as Russell King. As their parents were friends and neighbors, these two were childhood sweethearts. When the Homers went to Crawford County, Pensylvania, the Williamsons went with them, and the families located near each other. The two children were 15 years old,(1830) and their youthfull romance continued. In the summer of 1836, Eliza returned to New York to visit with old friends and was gone some months when she sent word to her mother that she was homesick and would like to come back to Pennsylvania. Her mother reported this to the Homer family and asked Russell how he would like to go get her. He replied that he didn't know of anything he would like better if he could bring back a wife with him. Mrs. Williamson graciously responded that she did not know of anything she would like better for a Christmas present than to have him for a son-in-law. I have heard father tell of how, when he began this journey, he was as proud as a gallant knight of old setting out to rescue his lady fair and bring her back to a home of her own. Before he started, he procured some elegant clothes, a swallow-tailed coat and a fine linnen shirt with a frilled bosom, a high stove-pipe hat, knee breeches, and high top boots.
They were married December 20, 1836, (21 years old) at Erie, New York, and spent the holidays honeymooning in and around that city. They rode on the first steamboat which had sailed on Lake Erie. Father spent all of his money, and had to sell his new boots to get sufficient money to complete the journey home.
Their first home was a log cabin built in the woods from logs cut from the clearing where the house stood. The furnishings were made of the same materials; these furnishings consisted mainly of a hewn table, stools, and bed. The house had a fireplace with a big iron pot and a bake oven for cooking purposes. As they had no matches, the starting of a fire was quite a job. On one ocassion, father went seven miles on foot through the woods to get a start of a fire, and carried it home in the iron pot, keeping it alive all the way by occasionally replenishing it."
Copied from "Homer Family History" by Rachael Maretta Homer Crockett
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