WILLIAM W WEAVER

"LIFE OF WILLIAM WEAVER" Submitted by Lilly Vay Weaver Oct . 3 1, 1 95 0 The Life's History of one of Utah's true Pioneers is that of William Weaver. He was called at an early age by Pres. Brigham Young to go and help settle Utah's Dixie in 1861. This call was also a blessing in disguise to young William as his health was failing at this time with asthma, which tried him very much. The warm delightful climate there was just what God had ordered for him. William Weaver was born one delightful morning, April 7, 1842 in Worcester, Worcestershire, England. His goodly parents being George Weaver and Sarah Rogers Weaver. They were a fine, upright couple who were converted to the Mormon faith in their native land. The spirit of emigration entered their souls and they and their family soon sailed for the promised land and their chief goal was Utah, which meant "Zion" and a home among the saints. William was a fair sized boy and was strong and even at an early age he was put to work, which he loved. When his folks reached the starting point for the Western Trek, being Council Bluffs, their son William drove a team for a merchandising company, Lawrence and Kimball, to earn his way out to Zion. His parents and family went ahead and arrived in Utah several weeks ahead of him, and settled in Ogden, Utah. When William arrived in Utah he was alone and heard his folks were in Ogden. He chanced to meet a man who was going there and offered to take him and locate his folks. He was riding a horse and offered to change off with the lad - but it ended up with William walking all the way to Ogden. He located his family there and lived in Ogden for several years. As he grew to manhood in Ogden he met a young widow by the name of Kathryn Beck. Their friendship ripened into love and in time they were married. To this union four children were born - namely: George Henry, Joseph, Willis, and Sarah. About this time William's health began to fail as he had contracted asthma. The doctor advised a warmer climate. it was at this time that Pres. Brigham Young called him to help settle Utah's Dixie. This call he gladly accepted. He moved his family to Washington County and settled in the small town called Middleton, about two miles east of the town of St. George. He obtained a small farm and started farming mainly specializing in onions and green vegetables, for which Utah's famous southern land is noted. But by trade, William Weaver was a mason. His wife finally became discouraged and disliked Dixie and the many hardships our early pioneers were called upon to endure. She deserted her husband and later divorced him, taking with her their four children and later had them take the name of Johnson, her 1st husband's name. They lived at Circleville, Utah for many years. William later married Constancy Johnson. she later divorce him and moved to California with her brother. They had no children. William later met and married a fine young woman, Phoebe Delora Earl.(this is our ancestor.) Of this union Margaret Delora, a fine baby daughter, was born. (Margaret Delora is the mother of Gladys and Olga - our grandmother - Grandma Margaret Delora Weaver Wilkins) This young wife grew ill and suddenly passed away, leaving little "Maggie" as she was known, to comfort the sorrowing husband. (The reason she passed away was this: Her brother had been living with them, William had told him to dig a trench in the yard to get the water to a new section of the garden, which he did. Phoebe Delora was pregnant, and was going out in the yard, she didn't know of the new trench, stumbled in it, and fell, causing her to hemorrhage - they couldn't stop the bleeding, and before help got there, she bled to death. Maggie was only 2 then. The story is told that one day she was out in the garden with her father, and she started running down the row of vegetables with her arms outstretched, calling, "mommy, mommy, mommy" - Her father looked but saw nothing, but he knew she had seen her mother there. Another time, Little Maggie was crying and crying, nothing would stop her, Her father had her in his arms, he looked out the window and saw a lady all dressed in white walking down the sidewalk. She came and stood by their gate for quite a while, then all of a sudden she was gone, and little Maggie stopped crying, and cried no more that night.) By this time William Weaver had cattle, along with his garden. Later he married Sarah Ellen Wardle. {Grandma Wilkins always called her "Aunt Saray Ellen") To this union three children were born - namely: Elizabeth Ellen, John, and Martha. Elizabeth Ellen passed away as a young child. Later this 4th wife grew ill and passed away leaving William a widower again with a young family to care for. Young Maggie was 8 years old when her father, in 1885, moved his family to the small town of Washington in Washington County, Utah, also in the Dixie section. Here he acquired a fine farm raising fresh vegetables as usual and spent many hours and days on the road with team and wagon disposing of them over those unkempt roads of that day and time. (He started the red "Weaver Onion" and was well known for this. It was a sweet onion - he would take his wagon and peddle tomato the neighboring towns and up north. Everyone loved them) It would take from 8 to 10 days to take a load from Washington to Beaver and Cedar City in those days by team and wagon, compared to our days with automobile and by rail. I'd say that sure was a snail's gallop! But William was a good provider and his family was well kept. They had a modest home and had animals and poultry as well as fruit and a fine garden. On one of theses such trips he met a young girl at Pine Creek. Her name was Margaret Vilate Olsen. (She was born April 2, 1875(?)) She was only 18 when she became his bride. Young Maggie had to instruct her in the household duties and the care of Brother Weaver's other small children. Young Maggie had been their only Mother for quite a spell and had done an excellent job, but nevertheless, under young Maggie's 3 instruction the young bride became a good mother in the home. To this marriage was born six lively youngsters - namely: George, Mary Ann, Melvin, James, Frank and Hattie. ( It wasn't too long after William married this last wife that Maggie met Ormon Wilkins and they were soon married.) Brother and Sister Weaver loved their home, family and friends. They were beloved for their kindness to others. They loved the farm life and worked hard at their jobs of making a home and providing for their family. Sister Weaver especially loved animals and she spent many happy hours with them feeding, talking, and making friends with them. She had one favorite dog they called "Shep". He followed her everywhere and when she grew ill and passed away the faithful dog knew she was gone. He ran away and never returned, he was so grief stricken. William Weaver was a mason by trade and helped considerable with the construction of the st. George Temple and Stake Tabernacle. He also build the foundation of the present school house in Washington. Brother Weaver made many friends on his numerous trips north disposing of his farm produce. He was a friend to everyone and they appreciated him and his family in the community where he lived for so many years. In his declining years the asthma he had as a young man returned, along with heart trouble. He suffered greatly at times and had to sleep many nights in a chair as he couldn't get his breath lying in his bed. Despite his poor health and declining years he persisted, with the help of his faithful wife in supervising his farm until the day of his death. He passed peacefully away on March 15, 1925 in Washington, Utah at the ripe age of 83 years. His fine wife followed him in death four years later on May 13, 1929. William Weaver lived a full, round life and passed to his reward with a knowledge he had done God's will of helping to make the desert blossom as the rose in Utah's Dixie. We pay tribute to one of Utah's great and true pioneers. ( Quotes added by Kay and Emma Mitchell -1997)- a few things Gladys Wilkins Mitchell remembered that they thought worthy to add. A poem by William Weaver about his loneliness after Phoebe Delara Earl Weaver died and about his meeting and carrying Aunt Martha Sudweeks's mother, Sarah Wardle. FOR FIVE LONG YEARS I WANDERED LONELY WANDERED UNTIL SOME GOOD CHANCE COME WANDERED FAR AND OFT TIMES MOURNING UNTIL I HAVE MET WITH ANOTHER ONE. IT WAS IN THE YEAR OF EIGHTY FOUR, SIR, ON THE 3RD OF JUNE MY GOOD FORTUNE CAME HOPING GOD WILL RULE MY DAYS FOR BETTER TO COMFORT ME WHILE HIS SPIRIT REIGNS. From a letter to Aunt Martha, I think from Mother (Margaret Delora Weaver Wilkins) (It looks like her handwriting and spelling) I do wish I could remember the rest of his poem. There is a lot of things I wish I could remember about their lives. I just don't know how we are going to get the date of your Mother's birth, so their work can be done. Martha, you should go see the Greenhalgh boys, maybe they could give you some data that their mother had. I'll tell you I am worrying about it. It may have to be done in the millennium.

William Weaver 1842 .. 1895 William Weaver was also known as William Washington Weaver and was born on April 7, 1841 in Worcester, Worcestershire, England. He married Margaret "Maggie" Vilate Olson. William was an old dyed in the wool Englishman who never became naturalized as an American citizen. He was always faithful to England. William Weaver is given the credit of developing the red Bermuda onion. He did it by carefully selecting the proper seeds and growing them time and time again he came up with the red Bermuda onion. There is no doubt that in his onions he had a superior vegetable. He traded his onions for flour, potatoes, cabbage, carrots, and whatever else he could use. When he went peddling he always took one of the kids with him to present himself at the doors of the houses to proclaim the virtues of the . Waver onion. Weaver would have the child dangle the onion before the customer and recite a little rhyme of his (Weaver's) own composition: "Sweet as an apple, Round as a ball, You can eat this onion, Roots, tops, and all!" Dixie wine was one luxury the old chap tolerated. Once, when he had imbibed a little too freely, he was upon a scaffold laying an adobe wall. He was engaging in a . spirited discussion of the reality of God. He had been disfellowshipped a few years earlier for some infraction and was a bit bitter at the church and religion in general. Brother Weaver, his tongue loosened by the friendly glow of Dixie wine, warmed up to the occasion. With a mighty flourish of his trowel he declaimed, "If there be a god, let him come down, and I'll smite him with me bloody trowel!" Just as he made this boast his foot slipped, and down he tumbled to the vast amusement of his companions. He resumed his place on the platform, albeit in a somewhat subdued demeanor. The family was very poor which made it hard for the six children that Margaret Olson bore in Washington City. Maggie helped the family to make a go of it financially by selling liquid yeast. Customer's children would be sent to their home with a small bucket or quart container in which to put the yeast. Many of the children liked to drink the liquid yeast and Maggie would always caution them not to drink it "Because then your Ma'Il say I give short measure." William Weaver was a different individual but members of his family and their children who knew him said he was different but a nice, honest, good hearted old gentleman. He was a good farmer and showed his abilities by developing the red Bermuda onion. In 2003 his strain of onion is still grown in Washington. William Weaver, Margaret V. Olson Weaver, and Sarah E. Wardell Weaver (both of his wives) are buried in the Washington City Cemetery.

this letter was written to Nadean Houston on May 3 1997 it was written by Sharmeen Moore. which i got from my aunt BJ Mitchell 2006. Dear Nadean, It has been good to talk to you. I have made contact with Richard Johnson in Phoenix, Arizona. He has given me a few leads which I will continue to work on. I am sending you the following copies of documents, and I will try to explain where I go them and what I know about them: Baptismal record of Hedevig Catherine Johansen: This is taken from the Membership Records of the Copenhagen/Scandinavian & Danish Mission Records 1860-1863. I found this document in the Logan Family History Center, Microfilm #041942. Part 9, item#1. page 93 (third entry from the top of the page). I Learned from this document that Hedevig Catherine was baptized at age 28; on 19 April, 1857, by brother A Peterson, and confirmed by a Brother Guhl, On 20 April 1857. ( This is different information on dates than I have on my records. All of my older records show Catherine as being baptized 27 April 1858.) Shipping card: This card is the only record I can find that proves when Hedevig C. came to America. ( The date corresponds with record showing when she arrived in America.) I found this in the Logan Family History Library, microfilm #298,434. I cannot find her as a passenger on any of the passenger lists. The ship she traveled on is the "John J Boyd" ship. A document from another passenger on the same ship that sailed the same day lists the captain of the ship as a Captain William C Cluff. The initials "BM" in the right hand corner, I think, refers to British Mission because the ship sailed from Liverpool, England. The P.O.V. Johansen, I feel refers to "Personnel On Vessel". It is my opinion that Hedevig Catherine worked as a cook on the ship to help pay the passage way. That is why her name does not appear on any of the passenger lists. The children, William and Constanza, are not listed with her. Again, it is only my opinion, that the name Godfredine Johansen refers to her First husband's mother or sister, who traveled with her, and took care of the children while she worked as a cook. When they reached America, Hedevig C. got off the ship with her two children, and Godfredine picked up as the cook and traveled back to England with the ship. This is only speculation. Records of Endowment for William Weaver & Catherine Weaver from the Endowment House Records: Found in Logan Family History Center on Microfilm # 183,405, Books EF, 1864-1868. This indicates to me that William and Catherine were married in a civil marriage before taking out their endowments because Catherine was using her married name instead of her maiden name. ( The name looks like, Beaver, but other data indicates this is Catherine Weaver.) This is not the record of them being sealed, It is only the record of their endowments on Feb. 17, 1865. They are on two separated records, because one is the record of the male endowments for that day. The other one is the record of the female endowment for that day. Application for Marriage License No. 47: the marriage of Thomas Day. age 75 years old, and Catherine Jonhson, 62 years old, on June 11 1890. ( I found this and marriage license below in the Piute County Court House, in Junction City, Utah. Application for Marriage License No. 138 The marriage of Heber D Wiley, age 27, and Sarah Johnson, age 25, on September 28, 1895. ( This was 5 years after Catherine married Thomas Day.) I thought this might be of interest to you because Sarah is your grandmother. Obituary from "The Richfield Reaper", Saturday, Nov. 4,1916. Catherine's Obituary. 1880 Census of Denmark: I found this document in the Salt Lake Genealogical Library microfilm #263180, (row 4) 0186631 to 0279938. In this February 1880 census, Peter is age 31. He is listed as belonging to the Lutheran Church, and was born in Kolding. I understand there are two parishes in Kolding, and we need to check both of them for records of his birth. His occupation is listed as journeyman blacksmith. His wife's name is listed as Clausine Johanne Beck, named after her father. She is 37 years old, and I can't make out her birthplace or parish. (This name is a different name than she uses on the United States Census.) The oldest child is listed as Christian Frederick Beck. His age is 7, which means he was born in about 1873. I cannot make out his birthplace or Parish, but it looks like it couId be Homum. This may be our George Beck, ifhe used George asa nickname, but he does not show up on any other census I have check so far. So he may have passed away. This is another one of those unknowns. The next child listed is Louise Magalina Beck. She is listed as age 5. She was born in 1874, according to the Illinois 1900 census. The next child is listed as an unchristened male child who is less than a year old (3 months old). This child is probably Martin, who was born according to the Illinois 1900 census in approximately November 1879. Louise and Martin both seem to have been born in Kolding also. We know the family is renting (I can't read the home owners name.) in a home in the front part of the house on 625 Kathrinegade Street. There are 3 males in the family, and 2 females, and a total of 5 in the family. Illinois 1900 State Census Sheet (Cook County): I ordered this. microfilm from Salt Lake. It is microfilm #1240264. I learned from this data that Peter's wife, Sceand had 6 children, and that in 1900, only 4 were living. This record verifies that Peter was born in April 1848. He is 52 years old, and has been married 28 years. He was horn in Denmark, as was his parents. He came to America in 1881, and has been in the United States for 19 years. He is a Naturalized citizen. And has been employed all the time while he has been in the United States. He an read, write, and speak English. He owns is own home, but is not free from mortgage. His wife is Sceand, and was born in Dec. 1843. She is 56 years old, and has been married 28 years. She and all of the 3 children listed came to America in 1882, and have been in the United States 18 years. She and all of the children read, write, and speak English. Martin was born Nov. 1879, and is 20 years old, and is single. His occupation is listed as a Broom Maker, and has also been employed. Louise was horn Feb. 1874, and is 26 years old, and is single. She lists her occupation as a Costume Tailor, and is employed. Julia was born 1881, and is 18 years old, and single. She lists her occupation as Office Work. She has been unemployed for 7 months. From this record, I found the Enumeration #468, which led to the 1900 census family card below. 1900 (Soundex B200) Census Family Card: from Salt Lake. It shows the family of Peter Beck. Lists his birth date as April 1848, his age in 1900 was 54, he was born in Denmark, and was a Naturalized Citizen. He lived in Chicago, Cook County on 929 Campbell Avenue. His wife is Sceand, born Dec. 1843, age 56 in 1900, and born in Denmark (N.R. means naturalization Not Required. Only the husband needed to be Naturalized.) The children listed are Martin, born Nov. 1879 (age 20 in 1900), Louise, born Feb. 1874, (age 26 in 1900), and Julia, born Nov. 1881, (age 18 in 1900). Picture of Julia Beck Nielsen, March 1946. This is Peter Beck's youngest daughter. She would be 65 years old in this picture. She married Harold Bernard Nielsen in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, in 1906. He died Jan 27, 1929 in the same place, and was buried Jan. 31, 1929. I am sorry I have taken so long to get this information to you. I have had too many interruptions. When you go to Chicago I think it would be wise to check with the sexton of the cemetery near the 1900 home address of Peter in Chicago, and see if Peter and any of the family are buried in the cemetery; and check any records that might be there. There could be records of plats, burial permits, grave opening records, and family burial plots. Sometimes, there be a will list of other family members; and this may clear up the George Beck question. Also, we need death dates for Peter, and all the rest of the family. The court house in Cook County also houses records of vital statics. The deaths of the family might be recorded there, with death certificates, as well as legal records of block plats, mortgages, wills, probates, etc. The marriages of Louise, and Julia should be there, as well as for Martin, and maybe Christian Frederick, or George. This would give us the names of the spouses for Martin and George, if he exists. There are just a lot of unknowns. Mortuary records are also a good source. Your Family History Center should have forms to fill out to send into the court house for Vital Statics, and other data, as well as addresses to send too. It may he an advantage to fill these out and mail them in some time before going to Chicago, so that they would have the information available when you go there. Otherwise, they may not come up the information on a minutes notice. Look the information over, and let me know what questions you may have. I'd like to know when you are going to Chicago; and ifI can obtain any more pertinent information before then, I'll get it to you. It's great to know there is another person out there trying to put the puzzles pieces together, also. How are you doing as far as finding any Beck relatives? Thanks again, for calling me. Maybe, if the good Lord is willing, we'll solve some of these family mysteries before the millennium. Sincerely, ~ Mrs. Sharmeen B. Moore Logan, Utah 84321 Phone # (801) 752-4785