BIOGRAPHY of HENRY JOHN, PIONEER.
Born
in Wa1es in 1801
Among the many early pioneers of
Provo, we find
the name of Henry John. This worthy pioneer first opened his eyes and began his
mortal existence in Wales,
in the year 1801. Here he was carefully nursed by his loved ones and brought up
to honor and obey the Giver of all. Early in life he learned the greatest of
all truths “To give is better than to receive.” While yet a young man he
married Margaret Harris, a young woman of the town in which he lived. They were
only permitted to enjoy each others company for about four years as his wife
was called to a higher sphere. Later he remarried; his second wife tenderly
cared for and loved his children for a few short years when she died. Comfort
came to him when he heard the principles of the Latter Day Saint
Church as they were
taught by the missionaries. He accepted them as truths and became a member of
that organization. After joining the Mormon Church he was very anxious to leave
his native land and join the small band of Mormons in far away Utah. After crossing the
Atlantic, he got as far as St. Louis
where he remained for a short period. He later made his way to Utah, arriving in Salt
Lake City in the year 1853. Soon after, he was called
by President Brigham Young to go to Provo
to assist the immigrants in starting the little town which has developed into
the “Garden Spot” of that little State pioneered by the “Mormons.” Henry John
came to Provo a
stranger. He had left all that was near and dear to him in Wales, not having even a relative
out in this country. His kindly and loveable disposition soon brought him
friends and he always had a home. Being without family ties he became one of
Brigham Young’ s right hand men. In 1854 he was sent
by him to help build the road to Provo
Canyon. In this capacity
he worked with Bishop Duke for six weeks, being paid for their services, in
Church Script, which was accepted as cash by the Church stores. Later the heavy
storms of the season washed the road out and Henry John was again called into
service. This time he donated half his earnings to the cause of the Church.
One of the many worthy
attributes of this pioneer was his unbounded faith in God. He put his whole
heart and soul into whatever he did and felt sure that all would come out well
in the end. It was during his years prior to the time he immigrated to America, that he converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter
Day Saints, a young man by the name of John G Jones, who later became his
son-in-law, having married his daughter, Mary. The people loved him for the
influence which he spread about them, that of happiness and joy.
When called among the sick,
which he often was, the affected ones had great faith in the power which he
exercised in their behalf. During the winter of 1855, he received a call to
spend his time encouraging the people in their work and teaching the gospel of
his belief. He labored among the people located between Salt
Lake and. Provo.
In the year 1856 he was called
by Bishop Blackburn to help build a road into Rock Canyon.
In 1857, while Johnson’s Army
was invading Utah, President Young made a call
for help to blockade the road in Echo
Canyon to prevent further
invasion of their home and property. Grandfather John was ready and gave
valuable assistance. During the Indian War, known as the Walker War,
grandfather gave service without fear of the outcome. He was among the bravest
in defending the losses of the women and children through their having lost
husband and father in the conflict. The Indians were very cunning in their
warfare and it was necessary to study their habits; this Henry John did and by
knowing just how and when to set he saved many a life that would otherwise have
been lost. He accomplished these acts on numerous occasions, but only at the
risk of his own life.
In the year 1858, he was called
to answer the final summons. He was needed for a greater work. Thus, while still
a young man of only fifty-seven years, he was forced to leave the good work he
had begun to others. He was not permitted to see the spot in the Desert, known
as Utah,
blossom out in all its beauty and glory.
We know that a work so nobly begun would have continued to greater
achievements had he been permitted to continue this life and we trust that
peace and happiness are hand in hand with what his memory has left us.
[Written by
Martha Jones His granddaughter of Camp No. 2 of Daughters of Utah Pioneers, Provo, Utah.]
