Edward Davis Wade

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Edward Davis Wade, son of Moses Wade and Mary Bundy, was born 11 May 1825 in Farmersville, Allegheny county, New York. He married:

1. Belinda Hickenlooper in 1849, at Salt Lake City (daughter of William H. Hickenlooper and Jane Hawkins of Pennsylvania, former pioneer 1847). She was born 4 March 1830, in Pennsylvania. Their children were:
   1. Edward W. born October 1850, married Julia Ellis December 1872
   2. James M. born February 15, 1852, married Isabelle Crandall January 24, 1875
   3. Charles F. born December 8, 1853, married Sarah Bidwell December 28, 1874
   4. Sarah Jane born 1855, married Dennis Quinlan 1878
   5. John A. born 1857, married Olive F. Ferrin 1875
   6. Moses A. born 1859, married Sarah J. Lyster December 1888
   7. Joseph D. born 1861, married Maud Frodsham 1895
   8. Andrew born 1863, married Lillie Rose December 14, 1889
   9. George born 1865, married Mary A. Barnett 1892
   10. Clarence B. born about 1867, married Marian Driscoll 1893
   11. Mary Ellen Page (daughter of Daniel and Mary E. Page)
   12. Daniel D.
   13. Mary E.
   14. Henry E.
   15. Isaac
   16. Minerva L.
   17. Lucy
   18. George
   19. Ruth
   20. Jeremiah D

The family home North Ogden, Utah. Edward was a member of the Mormon Battalion. Family history says He was apparently a rather sickly child and his mother, Sally Mariah Bundy, as well as his father, were quite worried about him. When Edward was called to go with the Mormon Batallion, Moses went too, to safeguard Edward and take care of him. Edward Davis Wade died 2 February 1880, Pleasant View, Utah.

Edward Davis Wade

(Born May 11, 1825, Died January 2, 1880) "Oh happy home! Oh blest abode! Where Saints communion hold with God without a doubt or fear, when shall / reach thy fertile plains?" This was the longing in the heart of young Edward Davis Wade as he marched with the soldiers of the Mormon Battalion. ,

Edward and his father, Moses Wade, joined the five hundred Mormon men who answered the call of the United States government to go fight against Mexico. They were members of Colonel Cook's Company C. They left Council Bluffs, Iowa on July 20, 1846 and marched south to Levenworth, Kansas. The government gave them clothes and supplies. They continued on to establish the borderline between the United States and Mexico. It was a gruelling march and many of the soldiers became ill. Moses had a knowledge of medicine and he doctored the men. He understood the use of herbs and other native foods that he gave the sick men instead of the arsenic and calomel that was being forced down other sick men. Moses was kind and comforting to his patients. He doctored many of the horses, mules and oxen of the Company and kept them well enough to carry the supplies of the Army. The Mormon Battalion march was the longest infantry march ever made in the history of the United States Military.

The men endured many hardships, but were successful to the end. Through their efforts, the boundary between Mexico and the United States was settled and the California Territory became part of the United States of America. They marched to Fort San Diego and were discharged July 16, 1847.

Moses and Edward Davis were anxious to go to Utah and find their family. However, President Brigham Young sent word for them to remain away and find work. They prospected for gold and valuable stones. They worked at many odd jobs for whatever money they could earn. They drifted North and worked at Sutter's Fort when they struck gold. It is not known how much gold the Wades brought back to Utah, but what Edward Davis had he used in getting a home. He was a true Latter-day Saint. He was honest and a good worker.

Edward Davis returned to Salt Lake City to find that his mother had died of hardships and disease at Winter Quarters in Florence, Nebraska. She was not strong enough to withstand cold and privation. His sister, Minerva, had married William "Bill" Hickman.

Edward Davis married Belinda Hickenlooper January 2, 1849. Belinda's wedding ring was made of the California gold. They lived in Salt Lake City near the home of William Haney and Sarah Jane Hawkins Hickenlooper. These, people were Belinda's parents. Edward Davis was thankful for his blessings and to be living among the Saints. He was proud of his family heritage. Edward told the events of his life to his children in these words:

"My father, Moses Wade, was born July 2, 1792 at Farmersville, Cattaraugus County, New York. His father was Jacob Wade and his mother Sarah Jones. He learned the trade of a dyer and cleaner and also practiced medicine for a number of years. My mother was Marie Bundy, who was born May 13, 1798. I had three sisters, Mary E, Minerva and Sarah M.

My parents were converted,to Mormonism. Father Moses was baptized April 1, 1837 at Farmersville. In 1846 my family journeyed West and joined the Saints in Nauvoo, Illinois. I remember the mobs driving the Saints out of their homes. Father and I made a raft that carried people and wagons across the Missouri River.

While we were living at Council Bluffs, Iowa, the United States Government asked for five hundred men to go to Mexico and fight for our country. It was the "Mormon Battalion." Mother said I was too young and too sickly to go alone, so father joined and we went off together. Mother and Minerva would go West with the Saints and we would join them in the valley of the mountains."

On January 2, 1850, their first wedding anniversary, Edward Davis and Belinda went to have their endowments in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City. On that same day, Edward Davis married Mary Ellen Page in the Sacred Order of Plural Marriage. Mary Ellen was the daughter of Daniel and Mary Socwell Page. She was born March 4, 1835. Belinda had given consent to this marriage. One day she went alone into a small shed where she prayed earnestly to Father In Heaven for guidance. Her prayer was answered by a feeling of peace within her heart. She grew to love Mary Ellen as a sister. They raised their families side-by-side with few problems and much companionship.

Mary Ellen had to help her parents when they became ill. She spent a lot of time in Parawan, Utah at their home. Edward's first home was in Salt Lake City.

Edward's family grew rapidly. His first son, Edward William, was born October 28, 1849. James Monroe arrived February 15, 1852 and Charles Franklin December 8, 1853. On the advice of Brigham Young, Edward moved his family to North Ogden, Weber County, Utah. He acquired a good piece of land that is now owned by the White Barn Golf Company. He was able to get this land through the government who rewarded the soldiers of the Mormon Battalion.

Edward developed his property. He built a home for each wife and a good barn and sheds for his animals. The soil was fertile and he raised good crops. There was plenty of water supplied by springs and ponds. With some of his gold he purchased sheep, cattle, goats and pigs. He planted orchards of peaches, apples, pears and cherries. His wives were industrious and good cooks. Friends were always welcome and strangers were never turned away.

The families worked and played together. They played baseball and rugby in the summer and skated over the ponds in the winter.

Edward Davis was active in church and civic affairs. He helped build roads, canals, a church and a school. He was generous with his means and always ready to assist his neighbors. He was known as an honest God-fearing man who set a good example for his sons to follow.

He like the better things of life for his families. He bought one of the first sewing machines available for Belinda who enjoyed sewing and rug-making. The boys learned to make furniture and cabinets for their home. Edward presided over his family as a patriarch.

Edward Davis was called to serve as a missionary in China. He put his house in order and went to San Francisco. While waiting for a boat he received word from the Church President that missionaries were not allowed to preach or land in China. He was given an honorable release and returned home. He was proud of his children and was often referred to as the modern Jacob with his twelve sons.

Belinda gave birth to ten boys and one girl. Edward William, James Monroe, Charles Franklin, Sarah Jane Wade Quinlan, John Alonzo, Moses, Joseph Davis, Andrew, George and Clarence Bertram. Mary Ellen Page became the mother of nine children. Daniel Davis, Henry C., Mary E., Isaac, George, Minerva L., Lucy, Ruth and Jedediah Wade.

This large posterity contributed much to the growth of Pleasant View, Weber County. They became builders, farmers, school teachers, politicians and mechanics. They settled in many nearby communites: Plain City, North Ogden, Warren and Liberty, all thriving wards.

Edward Davis became ill and died January 2, 1880 at the age of 55. He is buried in the Ben Lomond Cemetery, Weber County, Utah.

In 1888 a great catastrophy came to the Wade family. An epidemic of typhoid began. The only daughter, Sarah Jane, died October 2, 1888 followed by a grandchild, Nina Quinlan, the next day, October 3, 1888. Moses, Joseph, John and Andrew became victims of this dread disease within four months of each other. Belinda and Mary Ellen nursed the sick and cared for the living. Their faith and courage gave them strength to go on and build happy lives for others in spite of the tragedy.

Belinda died November 22, 1894 at the age of 62. Mary Ellen died April 29, 1914 at the age of 79. They are buried beside their dear husband in the Ben Lomond Cemetery.

• Residence: North Ogden, Weber, Utah, United States