Mormon Martin Miner

A SHORT BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF MORMON MINER

I, Mormon Miner, the third son of Albert and Tamma Durfee Miner

was born Sept. 26th 1837 at Kirtland, Lake Co. Ohio. Baptized at

Council Bluffs June 1848 by David Garner, and Confirmed a Member of

the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints by James C. Snow.

My father having died when I was about ten year old, It was

necessary that I should assist my mother's and older brothers, all

I possibly could in battling with the trials of life, to make ends

meet, during those trying scenes the Saints were called to pass

through in the early history of the Church In Missouri, Ohio and

Illinois.

My recollection of how difficult it was to keep body and soul

together is impressed most vividly on my mind to this day. (Oct. 16,

1914) I cannot enter into any discussion or even narrate for this

sketch without feelings of sadness swelling up in my breast towards

my parents and others who endured so much. My mother, a woman blessed

of God, with the endowments which go to make up character, with

a divine nature of her soul most prominent, was not to be defeated in,

her religious convictions; though her husband was taken, by death,

she pressed on, holding her children together, trusting in the Lord

to assist and make her equal to what may come, She, with her family

left those scenes of persecution in June of 1850 for Salt Lake City.

Arriving there the following October, I was then a boy of twelve

years, and not having much responsibility resting upon me while

crossing the plains, it was more of a pleasure trip to me. I was greatly

impressed with the vast herds of buffalo that then roamed over the

prairies. So numerous were they that often times they had to be driven

away from the road to keep from interfering with the wagon train,

Needless to say we had plenty of buffalo meat. Cholera broke out

In our camp while on the plains, and I drove one man's team for two

weeks, as he was sick and could not drive it. I walked the greater

part of that long journey, barefoot, and drove loose stock most of

the way, and slept on the ground.

Not long after reaching Salt Lake mother met and married Enos

Curtis. My oldest brother, Orson, who bad taken the lead in all our

doings, died the following March, l851. It was in this month and

shortly after Orson's death, that we moved to Springville and located

on Block 6 Plat A. We at once began plowing and planting grain and

our crop was the first to mature in Springville. I helped In making

the first water ditch to bring water on to our land and others and

think it was the first irrigation done An Springville. We were

compelled to live in our wagons until we built a house which was the

first house built outside the fort. We built it from logs brought

from the canyon, and covered it. with cut poles, straw and dirt.

Springville built up rapidly the next few years and I aided in it's

Advancement.

In the Spring of 1854, I along with other young men, went on to

the mountains east of Mapleton and cut logs and slid them down the

mountain sides, which were covered with snow, for the erection of a

meeting house. It was hard work, yet for young men we enjoyed it, for

it afforded much excitement in seeing the logs go with great speed down

the mountain.

I was not enlisted in the Walker Indian War, but did service

and stood guard many times during the year 1853. I assisted in building

the Fort walls. In 1855 mother lost her second husband, and the

responsibility of caring for the family fell on me. I was ordained

a teacher this year. It was either this year or 1856 that the drought

came and we did not have enough water to irrigate our lands, so the

people were called upon to help in making a ditch from Spring Creek

running southwest to Dry Creek, about three miles, I assisted In this

work, A log 55 feet long, was needed in making a dam across Hobble

Creek. I volunteered to get it and did so. Going to the canyon

alone with my oxen. I delivered the log at the desired place before

sundown. My land was the first to be watered under the ditch. With

the assistance of my two brothers, we watered 18 acres the first day.

Our crops were saved, and a good harvest was the result of unity, hard

work and perseverance.

Much has been written and said about the year 1854 when the

grasshoppers came and took most of the crop of that year. I remember

very distinctly that myself and brothers harvested about 75 bushels of

wheat, As our family was large and we had relatives who partly

depended upon us, mother took it upon herself to deal out the wheat in

small quantities. Before our crop the following year was harvested

we were without flour and had to subsist on bran bread, and barley

flour cakes. The manner in which the grasshoppers left was marvelous, for about the time the wheat was in the dough, from some unseen

cause they took to the wing, and flew, some to the east and others to

the north, many were drowned in the lake and were washed upon the

shore in great heaps.

In 1857 I was ordained a Seventy by Noah T. Guymond, I took

part in the Echo Canyon, expedition at the time Johnson's army was

coming to Utah to wipe out the Mormons I was called in the early

fall and camped in Echo Canyon where breast works were cast up ready

to meet the army if It should attempt to come through. When the

army went to camp at Fort Bridger for the winter, I was released to

return home.

In 1858 I assisted two families in the general move Southward,

and my mother cared for them at our house. When peace was declared

I moved one of the families back to their home while the other

remained in Springville. After Johnson's Army was permitted to enter

the Valley they were located at Fairfield, Utah County, and made camp

Floyd. The army brought many things the Saints were in need of.

They furnished labor that brought good wages to the young men of the

Church. I spent some time there making adobes, and hauling supplies

to them. I also assisted the blacksmith in making nails, etc, out

of old iron. During this year I assisted in making the first wagon

road up Provo Canyon, and received pay in paper money from the Church,,

or scripts as was used in those days.

In March of 1860 I moved to Fairview, Sanpete County, My brother

Moroni accompanying me. We were among the number who took part In

guarding the north end of the valley against the Indians and renegades

following .Johnson’s Army. We spent about three months guarding this

Valley and during that time we assisted In making a ditch across the

Valley from which the people watered their land, Prior to this It was

more or less barren, but after being watered it became a beautiful

meadow and is to this day. (It is now known as Indianola.) While

on this trip I assisted in moving an Indian to Fairview. He had been

attacked, by a, bear in the head while up Salt Creek Canyon, The Indians

were hostile toward us, but this act of kindness did much toward making them think we were their friends, I was one to pilot Orson Hyde

through Spanish Fork Canyon, before there was a road through It.

Beginning with the year 1861 I furnished a yoke of Oxen for four

years in succession to assist the Saints from Missouri River to Salt

Lake City, Utah. On the 24th of February 1861 I married Emeline

Phoebe Curtis of Springville who bore unto me thirteen (13) children.

We began our home in Springville, residing there for over a year.

during which time I was overseer of Bringhurst and Houst freighting

outfits hauling supplies to Nevada to support the overland mail route.

July 4th,1862 our first child, Martin Mormon Miner was born. The

fall of this year we moved to Salem and I worked in the mountains,

getting out timber for the old Springville Cotton Factory, then owned

by Bringhurst and Houst, During the spring and summer of 1865 I also

worked In the timber. The fall of 1863 I moved with my family back

to Fairview. I here bought a saw mill and then entered into partnership

with Brother Terry who had a mill site, and we moved the mills

to his place below town. Licorgus Wilson was taken in as an equal

partner in the business, through being an experienced millwright

After the mill was in readiness, the people furnished logs and we made

lumber from which the meeting; house and many homes were built I also

bought land and opened a farm of 150 acres and went into farming and

stock raising.

I served through the Black Hawk Indian war as a Lieutenant under

Captain John Saunders, During the months of May and June 1866 the

Indians in and about Fairview, were very hostile. They seemed to

have in mind that all whites should be killed off. One Christian

Larson was killed while herding sheep. James Ivie and Henry Wright

lost their lives, and many cattle and horses were stolen, and driven

into the mountains. The people raised in arms and pursued the Indians,

but they, being so well fortified in their mountain retreats, the

whites had to fall back, with but few of their animals secured. During

these troublesome times President Young, dispatched General David

H. Wells with his militia to assist the settlers in protecting their

lives and property. This incident took place, June 30, 1866. Many

skirmishes followed and I took part in them. I was who assisted in

preparing the bodies of John Owen and family (“six in number") for

burial. They were massacred by the Indiana in Thistle Valley. I

was one of the posse who gave chase for the Indians who killed Thomas

Jones and wounded William Avery, while Hyrum Wilson escaped unhurt.

They were on picket duty outside of Fairview. The Indians made their

escape to the mountains and it was thought not safe to follow.

In 1868-9 I worked on the Union Pacific Railroad, also on the

Utah Central from Ogden to Salt Lake City, receiving for my labor for

on the later, credit on tithing. In 1872 I was called to act as a

Sunday School teacher at Fairview and continued In that capacity

until 1902. I also served as a Trustee from 1875 to 1877 in the

Public Schools. The positions of trust I have filled are numerous.

During the seventies I was superintendent of the United Order Stock

Farm in Fairview. Was City councilman for ten years and assisted

in all the important enterprises, such as aiding the Arizona Mission

in 1876, building meeting houses sawmills,, Roller Mills, etc.

Through an order from President Young to Pres. Peterson I was one

to go and assist in locating the Indians in what is now known as

Indianola. After Bro. Peterson and others had bought the land from

the White settlers. I stayed with the Indians, assisting them In

plowing and planting their crops. (This was in 1875.)

From 1883 to 1885 I served as a missionary in the Northern

States. Have also sent four of my sons on missions; three in the

United States and one to the Sandwich Islands, who is still there,

Their expenses were borne principally by myself. In 1886 I was

ordained a President of the 26th Quorum of Seventy, and acted in

that calling until 1902, when because of old age I was honorably

released, and ordained a High Priest by John R. Baxter Jan.14,1905.

In 1905 I was called to act as one of the workers in the Manti

Temple and was there for six months. In February of 1905 I was called

upon to part this life with my wife, I afterward sold my home

in Fairview and moved to Provo the same year. October 1906 I married

Elvira Euphrasia Cox in the Salt Lake Temple. The following

year I bought a small home and a small farm on Provo Bench and am

at present still living there.

My entire life and energies have been direct toward the salvation

of souls, and the up-building of Gods work on earth. All the

Temples which have been built in our State, I have assisted in their

erections and have spent considerable time in them working for the dead.

I take great pride in serving the Lord and living my religion, to

the best of my ability. I have received many testimonies through

the Inspiration of the Holy Spirits and will endeavor to give some

of the impressions.

At the time of the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith When

the news was brought to Nauvoo, the Spirit of the Lord came upon me

in great power. It first gave the feeling of deep indignation at

the thought of such a wicked crime, then the feeling of mourning

and later a consoling prompting that all would be well. At the

time I was too young to understand fully the meaning of it all, but

reflecting upon it later in life and seeing the results, I have

been able to explain these powerful manifestations.

During the time that is spoken of as the Reformation. I was

exercised to know my condition before the Lord and made it a

matter of prayer and supplication. In May 1856 the Lord gave me a

testimony that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of the Lord, and later

that my sins were forgiven. This came to me the same as if a

person had spoken, driving It in with great force Into my very

being.

At one time my wife was in a very delicate condition and looking

to be confined. We kneeled down in prayer to the Lord and as

we raised to our feet, the whispering of the still small voice said

to me: “If you will attend to your prayers in the season thereof,

she will get along, all right." When my wife came to be confined,

she went through her labor without being sick, and could have gotten

up as soon as her baby was delivered, and felt no further feelings

of sickness.

Just before 1895 I had placed a mortgage on my farm for $l000.00

to start a Roller mill and turned the money over to the Mill Co.

Hard times come in and it looked as though I would not be able to

lift the mortgage. I applied to the Mill Co. for help, but they

said my Capital stock was good for it and would take the $1200.00

I owed by process of law. I told them to take it before the Courts,

but as I was walking home the whisperings of the Spirit said; "I

would be given power to meet my obligations." I then placed a heavier

mortgage on my farm and made settlement with my creditors. A

few years later I sold stock and grain and cleared the indebtedness

on my farm and at present am a free man.

On the 7th of December 1894 I was thrown from my wagon and my

team ran away. I lit upon my shoulder and was badly hurt, so much

so that I could not turn myself in bed. The Sisters administered

to me, but no help or relief came. The second day the Spirit came

to me and whispered the names of three Elders, Otto L. Terry Sr.,

Andrew Rasmussen and Neils Larson to come and administer to me.

They came and during the administration an unseen power seemed to

pull my arm and shoulder three times, causing me so much pain that

I thought I would have to cry out, but when the Elders said Amen

the pain all left me and the next morning I got up and ate my

breakfast with the family. Since that time my shoulder has been

just like the other one, except that it is a little weaker. After

the completion of the Manti Temple, I was chosen a director from

Fairview to aid in setting up the business of the Temple and the

arrange for the beginning of Temple work.

I have spent about seven years on the Miner family record,

placing In it over one thousand names, and doing much of the work

for them in the Temples of the Lord. I have been to considerable

expense in gathering genealogies and the hunting up of histories

that will give some idea of our ancestors.

Springville, Utah, March 4, 1859.

A Patriarchal Blessing by Isaac Morley Sr., on the head of

Mormon Miner, son of Albert and Tamma Durfee Miner, born. Sept. 26th,

1837 in Kirtland, Geauge Co. Ohio.

Brother Mormon;

In the name of the Lord, I lay my hands upon your head and

I seal your Fathers blessing upon your heart and upon your

memory, that His counsels may be revered by thee. I seal His

blessings whilst thou art In the days of thy youth, I bless

thee with the sons of Abraham by promise unto an everlasting

inheritance.

I seal upon thy memory the attribute of prudence, that

keys of knowledge may be given thee to be the governing principles

of the mind in all thy councils,. By promise I seal upon

thee the blessings of thy washings and anointings, where thou

wilt obtain keys of knowledge pertaining to the exaltations of

man; where thou wilt receive the light that no eye hath seen or

ear heard, except those who do receive the keys of salvation

through faithfulness.

This promise I seal upon. thee that thy heart might be preparing

for the mysteries and glories of Christ’s Kingdoms.

In thy descent thou art from Ephraim. Keys of knowledge will

be committed to thy care pertaining the redemption and exaltation

of thy fellow-man. Thou wilt have labors to perform and missions .

to fill, for the exhortations of thy fellow-man from the fall.

Cultivate in thy bosom the attribute of faith with its keys

of power, and it will be a lamp in thy path, by it thou wilt rebuke

disease, the discerning of spirits will be manifest before

thine eyes.

The Lord will bless thee in thy basket, and in thy store.

Thou hast obtained an heirship to Immortality and Eternal lives.

Even so, Amen and Amen.

MORMON MINER

In account with JAMES A, OLIVER.

Dec. 27, 1911 worked 7 hrs. @ 25¢ $ 1.75

28, " 7 " 1.75

29, " 6 " 1.50

50, " 9 " 2.25

Jan. 15, 1912 " 9 " 2.25

15, " 3 " .75

24, " 6 " l.50

25, " 4 " l.00

27, " 2 ½ " .60

Feb. 6, " 5 " .75

9, " 4 " l.00

12, " 5 " 1.25

27, " 2 " .50

28, " 2 " .50

Mar. 2, " 5 " l.25

5, " 5 " l.25

14, Wrote " Book of Genealogies " 2.50

Apr. 1, worked 4 hrs. @ 25¢ " l.00

16, " 2 " .50

17, " 6 " 1.50

20, " 5 " .75

29, " 1 " .25 $26.35

CREDIT.

Jan. 15, 1912 By check $5.00

Mar. 14, " bu. apples 1.00

Apr. " 3 ½ Crates Cherries l.75

" 6 Qt. Gooseberries .50

" 38 " " " 1.90

" 5 Crates Raspberries 2.70

" 2 " " " 2.00

" 1 ¾ bu. Apples 1.55

" 1 " Peaches .60 $16.60

Bal. Due 9.75

REMARKS

Dear Brother;

The above time do not account for all the time that I have

put on your work, but It Is all that I have charged you for.

There have been times that I spent In looking up genealogy that

I was not sure about and felt that I could not ask wages for

all though It was necessary to be sure no mistakes were made.

During this time I have made two copies of a brief history, one

being placed with the High Priests records, of your life; I have

begun a more complete history of your life and brought it down to

the end of the Indian troubles of Utah.

As you are aware, I have written the genealogies of nearly 1000

persons and made a complete copy of the genealogical work you

received from the publishers. Another book should be purchased to

enter the remainder of the genealogies un-copied in the published

record. I also made a complete index of all the names entered in

this genealogical record,. While it was put in a poor book for that

purpose, I should not recommend at the present time the making of

another, as I do not think It will be of much service after the

copying is completed. It may, however, be necessary if the family

continues the work to people that lived in other sections of the

country, to see that no repetitions are made. I think it would be

a good idea for the family to form an organization to carry on this

work, as it is too great for one or two to undertake it and furnish

the necessary means. And another thing all should be interested in

the accomplishment of this grand work.,

Respectfully,

(Signed) James A. Oliver

http://www.familylinks.us/MM-m.html

• Residence: Pottawattamie county, Pottawattamie, Iowa, United States - 1850
• Residence: Springville, Utah, Utah Territory, United States - 1860
• Residence: Fairview, Sanpete, Utah, United States - 1880
• Residence: Pottawattamie county, Pottawattamie, Iowa, United States - 1850
• Residence: Springville, Utah, Utah Territory, United States - 1860
• Residence: Fairview, Sanpete, Utah, United States - 1880