Henry Howland

Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel 1847–1868 with 7 people; died en route 15 June

John Tidwell Company (1852) Age at Departure: 39

• Updated from MyHeritage Family Trees via wife Martha Diana Hickman (born Case) by SmartCopy: May 15 2015, 6:08:40 UTC

Henry Howland was born July 12, 1812, in Vermont. When a small boy his parents died and he lived with an uncle. He was not contented so he boarded a steamboat and sailed south. He became acquainted with Martha Diana Case and they were married December 27th, 1842. After their marriage they went to Flagg Town, Ogle County, Illinois to live. Four children were born to them at this place. He was a large well-built man. He enjoyed sports and was a great wrestler. He was a blacksmith. An old lady by the name of Leonard lived with them for a while and converted them to the Mormon religion. A company of Saints were leaving for Utah, June 1, 1852, and they decided to go with them. He helped the other men to prepare their wagons to travel. They came in the Captain John Tidwell Company. There was no one in the vicinity rich enough to buy them out so he left his property in charge of his father-in-law, Moses Case, and expected to go back later to sell it, but he never did. The family had not been baptized, so he asked to be baptized in the Missouri River, but he was so ill with cholera that they dared not do it. He died on the west bank of the Missouri River. Captain Tidwell, in an effort to prevent spread of the disease ordered the family to ride separately, but Grandma Leonard would not leave his body. Due to the excitement the team pulling the wagon containing Henry's body and Grandma Leonard was not harnessed properly, and the horses took fright and ran away. During the wild ride Grandma Leonard was thrown out and instantly killed. There was a double floor in the wagon and one floor was removed and a rough coffin was made for the two. They were buried in the same grave, and he never realized his desire of becoming a member of the Church and going on to Utah.—Harriet C. Larson.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Sep 8 2016, 11:52:55 UTC