Joseph Cadwallader Davies
Grandfather of Verma L.
Donaldson on her Mothers Side
Sketch prepared by Bishop Hans P. Ipson
When the Gospel net was cast into the sea in this
dispensation of the fullness of Times, perhaps no more stalwart and faithfull (sic) defenders of the truth was reached than in
Wales, the birth place of the subject of
my sketch, Joseph Cadwallader Davies son of John and
Elizabeth Cadwallader Davies. Born 6 December 1836 at Penbroke,
Saint Mecheal Parrish, South Wales where he grew up
being born of lowly birth, he was taught a trade, that of a Tanner, and became
very skilled in the art of making leather which was to be of much benefit to
him when destiny had taken him from his native land.
As a young man of nineteen he heard the gospel as taught
by the Elders of the Church of “Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints”, and like
other sheep of Isreal (sic) he knew his master’s
voice, and received its teachings with gladness. He was baptized in the year of 1855. He was siezed (sic)
with a burning desire to gather with the Saints in Zion,
so early in 1859 he set sail for America.
Arriving in New York City, where he resided for a time. Here he met Maria Williams who was to become
his future wife. Both he and miss Williams having that strong desire to come to Utah. They came west to Iowa City, Iowa where
before taking up their long journey across the plains were married, April 1,
1859, later recievieving (sic) their endowments in
the Old Endowment house in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The same year he was ordained a High Priest by Apostle
Orson Pratt. They continued to live in Salt Lake City and Davies county
until the settling of Panoca [Panaca],
Nevada. Where with his family he moved there where
they remained until the breaking up of the Nevada settlement. He then came to Panguitch,
Garfield county, Utah, in the early part
of 1877 where he continued to reside until 1888 when he moved to Old Mexico.
He was very active in church matters, and when the Panguitch was devided
(sic)
he was made the first Bishop of Panguitch
First Ward. Filling
this office for eight years. When
the wards were again consolidated he was honorable released having gained the
love and confidence of the members over whom he had presided.
While in Panguitch he worked at
his trade as a tanner. Many of the older
people will remember the plant upon the hill (unclear) the Grist Mill, known as
Uncle Jimmy Dickinson as well as was shoes made from the leather made by Joseph
C. Davies.
[p.2] Later the factory was
abandoned. He became an industrious
Farmer, having a large family of sons.
He was well known as a Harvester.
He continued in the days of the Cradle and Hand Harvester. When all the grain was
bound by hand. (Uncle Robert Cadwallader Davies tells some interesting stories of
helping in the harvest fields with his father even though he was only a small
boy.)
Joseph C. Davies was married twice, his first wife being,
Maria Williams, to them were born eleven children, Annie M., Elizabeth, Alice
Ann, Joseph Williams, Hyrum, George H., Margaret E., Mary, Elias M., Josephine
and Edward C..
His second wife was Sarah Louisa Salisbury (Williams)
whom he married 6 Jun 1863. To them was
born twelve children, Maria Jane, John Owen, Sarah Ellen, William George,
Heber, Robert C., Wilford S., Louisa Susanna,
Erastus, Esther, Harriet S., and Martha Pearl.
During the persecution of those who had second families
he moved to Mexico
in 1888 with his second family. Where he continued to live the rest of his eventful life. He died 20 September 1905, and was burried (sic) in Colonia
Juarez, Mexico.
Not having the number of the descendents (sic) will say that his
posterity is numerable and may be classed as the Patriarch whose posterity has
no end.
***************
Joseph Cadwallader and Louese [Louisa] Salisbury Davies’s Family
Married June 7, 1862
1. Marie Jane
2. John Owen
3. Sarah Ellen
4. William George
5. Heber John
6. Robert Cadwallader
7. Wilford Salisbury
8. Louese [Louisa]
Susannah
9. Erastus
10.
Esther
11.
Harriet Salisbury
12.
Martha Pearl
