Benjamin Adrian Miles

Conquerors of the West: Stalwart Mormon Pioneers, Volume 1:

Benjamin Adrian Miles Born: 3 Dec 1835 in Parkman, Geauga, Ohio Parents: Albert and Margaret Mariah Viets Miles Died: 5 Dec 1888 in Peoa, Summit, Utah Arrived in Salt Lake Valley in 1848, Heber C. Kimball Company

Married: Rachel Mahulda Lockhart Born: 24 Feb 1836 in Monroe County, Mississippi Died: 9 May 1912 in Peoa, Summit, Utah Marriage: 28 May 1856 in Salt Lake City, Utah

 Benjamin and his parents and siblings moved to Adams County, Illinois in about 1838-39 when he was about 3-4 years old. His parents joined the Church in 1839 and they moved to Nauvoo in about 1843 and were there when the Prophet (Joseph Smith) was killed. In 1848, the Miles family joined the westward migration of the saints. The Lockharts were in the same group, so it is possible (likely) that is where he met his future wife. 

 Their first winter in Salt Lake was spent in the Old Fort. In 1852, Benjamin was listed in Company A, 1st Regiment, Cavalry, Nauvoo Legion. In 1854, he was listed with the William Bringhurst Company, Utah Militia.

 After his marriage, in 1858, they were called to help settle Summit County. They were living in Peoa when their fourth child was born (before 1863). Benjamin and Orrin Lee (brother-in-law) owned the first saw mill in Weber Canyon in 1865. Benjamin also owned the first Amusement Hall. He built two houses while there, which are still in use (in 1990).

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Jun 16 2016, 15:13:53 UTC

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GEDCOM Note

Benjamin Adrian was born December 3, 1835 in Geauga County, Ohio to Albert and Maria Viets Miles. When Benjamin was only four years old, his family moved to Adams County, Illinois, close by the Mississippi River. It is possible this was bounty land given to men who fought in the War of 1812. Benjamin's parents joined the church about this time in 1839. In 1843-44, his family moved to Nauvoo. Benjamin was 9 years old when the prophet Joseph was martyred. At the age of 13, he came to Utah with his family in the Heber C. Kimball Company. They reached Salt Lake City on September 3, 1848. In this same group was Rachel Mahulda Lockhart. Hulda was born on February 24, 1838 to John and Margaret Towery Lockhart. She was born in Monroe County, Mississippi. Rachel had a good education and spoke French, which she had been taught by her mother. Benjamin Adrian and Hulda's families settled next to each other in Big Cottonwood. Her father died soon after, and it is thought Benjamin Adrian and his brother helped with the farm work on the Lockhart farm. Benjamin and Hulda were married May 5, 1856 in Salt Lake City when he became 21, and she was 20 years old. They lived the next five years in the Holladay area. Three children were born here: Benjamin Franklin, January 5, 1858; John Lockhart, April 1, 1859; and James Henry, December 28, 1861. They came to Peoa in the early summer of 1856. They did not stay through the winter because of the harshness of the weather, the isolation, and the threat of Indians. This young couple came to Peoa to stay in the middle of May, 1861, with their three children. They were some of the first settlers to come there. They had seven more children while living here: Edwin Hezekiah, January 1, 1863; Margaret Mariah, May 15, 1864; Mary Alice, December 24, 1865; Adrian Edgar, December 5, 1867; Albert, July 5, 1869; Don Carlos, January 10, 1871; Luchious Marion, June 24, 1872; Ida May, January 25, 1874; and Eva Maud, July 20, 1876. The first homes were constructed of rough logs held together with wooden pegs, and or clay in the cracks. The roofs did leak though-- it was said that when it rained one hour outside it rained three hours inside. Hulda was the first Relief Society President in Peoa, when it was organized in 1875. She kept the Relief Society records in her own house, and when it burned down so did the records. She made a needlepoint picture that has been passed down to her son James Henry, and he gave it to his son Rue. Rue says he remembers going to his grandmother's home and seeing her sitting working on the spinning wheel. She died when he was 7 years old. Benjamin was a very progressive man. He raised a lot of hay, grain and livestock. He was the first man to own a mowing machine in Summit County. People came from all over to watch it mow hay. He, along with his brother-in-law Orin Lee, also owned the first saw mill in Weber canyon in 1865. He built at least two houses in Peoa that are still in use in 1990; he must have been a good builder. Benjamin passed away on December 5, 1888. He is buried in Peoa. The following is on his headstone: We mourn the loss of a kind loving husband and friend. He's gone, his work on Earth is done, His battles fought, his race is won, Blest is the path he led, For he espoused the glorious cause In prompt obedience to the laws of the Eternal God. Hulda passed away twenty four years later on May 13, 1912. She is also buried in Peoa.