MYLER NOTES

 

JAMES MYLER, JR.

 

HISTORY of JAMES MYLER

by

his granddaughter

Isabell Myler Knowles

(Copy given to Joan Carnahan Carlin by Isabell Myler Knowles in 1973)

James Myler, son of James Myler and Olive Maine, was born 3 February 1822 in Paddy's Run, Butler, Ohio. His wife, Julia Ann Brownell, was born 12 February 1826 in Dayton, Hamilton, Ohio. Julia Ann'a parents are Gideon Brownell and Elizabeth Wheeler. James Myler was a medium-sized man around 150 pounds. Not so much is known of his parents and his early life in Ohio. It is said that he and Julia Ann met in Ohio. It is said they were married 5 October 1843 in Buchanan, Berrien, Michigan, and that they went to Nauvoo with Gideon Brownell and Elizabeth Wheeler. Their first son, Oscar Myler, was born 25 September 1844, in Bertrand, Berrien, Michigan. Their second son, Joseph, was born 31 January 1846 in Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois.

They left Michigan after 25 September 1844. James was baptized 28 June. Some say Julia Ann was baptized May 1841 and that her father baptized her. I haven't any information about just when they and the Brownells went, but they were in Nauvoo together. They had heard the missionaries teach the Gospel and went to Nauvoo to learn more about it. They say they were there when Joseph Smith and Hyrum were killed in the martyrdom. They were just in time. Time to be among the persecutions and the driving away of the Saints. They became acquainted with the Prophet Joseph Smith.

Their problems are of Church record, but I wish to tell the incidents which became associated with my grandparents which are of intense interest. The mob came to their door and told them one February evening when it was 26 degrees below zero that they were to have just one hour to vacate their homes and get out of Nauvoo; otherwise they would be put to death. Grandfather rushed out, hitched up his team onto his wagon, and loaded as many things as he could &endash;&endash;helter skelter &endash;&endash; taking no time to arrange it and finally he filled up what he could and rushed to the house. In the meantime, Grandmother had, prior to the coming of the mob, just prepared for bed their little boy Oscar who was at that time about eighteen months of age. The baby, Joseph, was in the course of preparation. When they came and ordered them to leave, she rushed out and they fixed little Oscar in the wagon and the rest of them with the baby in her arms walked. They rushed on down towards the Mississippi River. As they drove out of the yeard, the mobs were screaming wth their torches just a block away. They drove down to the river and fortunately for the Latter-Day Saints; this was the first great pilgrimage out of Nauvoo. The Saints went across the river on the ice. Just a few days before the river had been open, but this severe spell froze the river over solid.

As they walked, Grandmother's shoes were so worn that every step the last half of the way she took on the ice left the imprints of her blood on the Mississippi River ice. Finally they wended their way across and arrived at Montrose, Iowa where they prepared a place to sleep as best they could. They continued there in Montrose until the spring of the year. Then they went over to what is called Winter Quarters on the outskirts of Omaha, Nebraska.

Grandfather, along with other men, had been called to prepare the soil and plant crops for the coming Saints, knowing that they would not be there to harvest them. The crops were well prepared and were growing well when July came and a general of the United States Army arrived in this community and demanded five hundred of their able-bodied Mormons to join the Army.

The five hundred was raised; Grandfather was among them, also Gideon Brownell and a brother to Grandmother. When the time came, Grandfather gave his wife the clothing allowance which he had received &endash;&endash; $42.00. They marched off that July day and he left his wife with two little boys in a wagon box under the shade of one of the native trees. That is a matter of history. The Mormon Battalion arrived several months later in San Diego, California, and then later marched to Los Angeles where Grandfather assisted in hoisting the flag, the first flag that was raised in Los Angeles. At the end of the year he was mustered out, but having no money with the family near Omaha, Nebraska and he in Los Angeles and no means of transportation, he went up into Northern California along with many other Latter-Day Saints men where they worked in mines and other things. They remained there for almost a year. By that time he had saved enough to travel back to his family. So in the spring of 1848 he left California and eventually that fall arrived in Winter Quarters where he found his wife well and still living in the wagon box. They remained there that winter, James had been away from his family eighteen months. James Myler was in Company C service of the United States of what has been termed the greatest infantry march in the history of the U.S.

In the spring of 1849 they came to Utah in Captain William Melbers's Fifth Company and located in Farmington and remained there ten years.

James was ordained a member of the Fifth Quorum of Seventies in Nauvoo and was ordained one of the seven presidents of the 56th Quorum of Seventies in Farmington in 1858. While residing in Farmington he was engaged as one of the ward teachers and acted as water master.

In 1859 he moved to Cache Valley, first in Logan in the history of Cache Valley. The story that unfolds in these pages is one of inspiring accomplishments by Cache Valley builders. From an area inhabited by a few Indians, the Cache Valley pioneers in a few years transformed the countryside into Utah's grain and dairy center and a delightsome residential area. To know that my grandparents, both my father's and mother's side, played a great part in it means a lot. Grandfather made a home in Logan and stayed about five years.

When in Farmington, Johnson's Army came to wage war with the people of Utah. James served in that campaign known as Echo Canyon War. When Johnson's Army was determined to come into Salt Lake City, James moved with his family south with the people and returned some time in July of the same year. James had moved to a settlement known as Escalanta while they were living in Farmington.

While living in Logan, my father was born 22 April 1861. Also, Rosetta Sephrine Elizabeth was born 15 May 1863 in Logan and George Frank was born 10 August 1865 in Logan, making eleven children; five being born in Farmington, one in Michigan, one in Illinois, one in Council Bluffs or Winter Quarters, Iowa. There were eight boys and three girls. The parents of these fine boys and girls have a lot to be proud of. It was fine looking family and I thought my aunts were very pretty. It was jolly bunchful with jokes, good entertainment, and very musical. Uncle Oscar and Uncle Joseph were violin players in demand every place to play for dances and other places in general.

They made a good choir with just the family. My father was the singer. He learned to read music and had a wonderful bass voice. We all loved to hear him sing. The Mormon Battalion sang. The Mormons were camped by the side of a green grove. Charles C. played the guitar, mouth organ, and accordian. The rest of the boys played different things. I am sure James and Julia Ann were singers. Grandfather was so good at dancing and singing to us children. James's boys, I am sure, were like their father , full of fun, but earnest also. Clarkston was a pretty place and still is.

Within the valley of the Wasatch Mountains in the northwest part of Cache Valley, the town of Clarkston and her homes hug the foothills of the western mountains which are known as "Clarkston Mountains". The highest peak of Clarkston Mountains bear the descriptive name of "Gunsight". Through the high mountain land the deer roam, luring many seasonal hunters. The mountain streams and springs fill the watersheds that supply the culinary water for Clarkston, Newton, and Trenton. Across the valley and stretching up the slopes of the surrounding mountains are neatly-blocked dry farming areas. Livestock graze in the meadows where the creek waters flow. A band of scouts discovered this picturesque valley in the summer of 1864. The were impressed by the abundant timber, the rolling hills, and mountain peaks. Some of the first settlers were Israel J. Clark, Jesse Clark, James Myler, Joseph Myler, Oscar Myler, and many others. They say that Oscar and Joseph Myler was their dance music all around the little villages. The James Myler grew up and was married in Utah.

You would think that James and Julia would have had enough of moving to new places. I suppose it was to better their families is why they went. (James built the first house in Newton.) They moved to Snake River country; his three sons, Oscar, Oning, and Charles (son Joseph Myler and family remained in Clarkston through the years), daughters Alzina Myler Goody and Alvina Myler Harmon and Rosetta Myler Archibald and families in 1883 all settled near the south side of the river near each other. It was about 15 miles north of Idaho Falls and 6 miles west of Rigby, Idaho. The men all filed a homestead right on the land. They built homes from logs obtained near the river. They also built sheds for stocks, made fences, took sage brush off the land, and raised crops. Lewisville was a cold wintery country and still is a flat place for miles around and plenty of water when they made canals.

They could only raise the heartier fruits such as apples, prunes, plums, and some vegetables. they had cows and pigs. I remember them heating water on the stove to scald the pigs with. They had chickens giving them eggs. I remember my father's farm joined grandfather's, so we crossed the field from one place to another where we wore a path.

James Myler was the father of 11 children, seven of them lived to raise families and they all had their endowments. James was always ready to help anyone in need. He was a good father and a good neighbor and was always active in the Church and really had a testimony of the Gospel, the only one of his family to join the Church. I remember as a little girl seeing Uncle Robert, Grandfather's brother, come to see him and all the families. He lived in Indiana. Another brother, Calvin and wife came to see the families. Their view had changed enough that they would come to see them.

Two of Grandfather's boys were bishop counselors and held other offices such as choir leaders. The girls were very active in Church. In the 1890's James's son Charles put on a concert to raise money for a building fund.

I know my grandfather loved us children. He came in often and always played with us. He would take us on his knee and sing to us, always so jolly. My father told us how they would help him plant the seed and see that they had a good living. They were so sweet and grateful for everything. When I think of what they went through for the Church and to help build up Zion, I bow my head in reverence to such great people and will be glad to meet them in the great beyond. There they got their rest I am sure. I pray that their descendants will live to be a credit to them. At the time of James's passing, he left 43 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren. At his passing on 22 May 1894, he was 72 years old. I have seen their headstone. It was a monument to a great Mormon Battalion.

James Myler, a much respected citizen and sincere convert of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, was born the 3rd of February 1822, at South Bend, Indiana. He married Julia Ann Brownell the 5th of October 1843.

They were visited by Mormon missionaries in 1844 and were so impressed by the story of Joseph Smith and the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, they made arrangements to go to Nauvoo to meet the Prophet. The were baptized in 1845 and received their endowments January 28, 1846 in the Nauvoo Temple. He helped in the building of the Nauvoo Temple.

When the Saints were driven from their homes and the beautiful City of Nauvoo, James Myler, his wife, and two little boyes were with them. The crossed the Mississippi River on ice in February 1846. They, with the rest of the Saints, endured the persecutions and experiences of that eventful time and camped on the bank of the river.

While there, the government sent messengers fo President Brigham Young asking for 500 men to protect our country and its freedom. President Young asked for volunteers. James Myler was one who joined what was later known as the Mormon Battalion. Leaving his wife and boys at Winter Quarters camped in a wagon box on poles to keep it up off the ground, James marched across the Western part of the continent to San Diego, California, and shared with them the hardships and privations of that campaign. Julia Ann's brother, Gideon Brownell and family were in the camp to help, if needed.

After being discharged in 1848, he returned to his family being gone nearly 18 months. Not being able to find employment to support his family, he crossed into Missouri and found work. After 6 weeks he returned. It was late in the spring, still he plowed some land and planted corn and one bushel of wheat, that being all the seed he could obtain.

The Myler family remained there until 1849, then came to Utah in Captain William Milber's 5th Company. They arrived in Utah the 22nd of September 1849, locating in what was later called Farmington.

While still in Nauvoo, James Myler was ordained a Seventy in the 5th Quorum of Seventies and one of the seven presidents of Seventy in the 56th Quorum of Seventies in Farmington in 1858. He was one of the Ward teachers and acted as Water Master for some time. They remained in Farmington for ten years.

On July 24, 1857, as the Pioneers were celebrating 10 years since entering the Valley, word was brought that Johnson's Army of the government was coming. That caused a lot of trouble and commotion. Later the Saints left their home and went to Southern Utah thinking it would be safer. James Myler went South with the Saints. They returned the same summer of 1858. James Myler was active in the Echo Canyon War and was a Scout to the Indians.

In the summer of 1858 or 1860, he moved his family to Logan in the Cache Valley, establishing a new home and living there five years. Three of the children were born there, one of them being my father, Charles C. Myler, born the 22nd of April 1861.

From Logan, they moved to Clarkston, living there until 1883 where the family grew up. James went to Escalanta from Clarkston, but not finding things satisfactory, he returned in a few months to Clarkston until he and his family of five married children and their families pioneered to Snake River country in Idaho. His three sons, Oscar, Orring, and Charles, and two daughters, Alzina Myler Goody and Alvina Myler Harmon, all settled near the south side of the river near each other. The men all filed a homestead right on land, built homes from logs obtained from near the river, built sheds for stock, made fences, took sage brush off the land, and raised crops. I well remember my Father's farm joined Grandfather's so we crossed the field from on place to the other. Grandmother had a brass kettle or bucket and I remember Grandfather taking that to milk the cow, then Grandmother would strain it in pans, let it stand about twenty-four hours, skim the cream off, and make butter. It was very good butter. Grandmother was a real good cook and a neat housekeeper. We children always enjoyed going there. There were always cookies or doughnuts. Grandfather would come to our house, take the little folks and sing and dance them on his knee.

James Myler was the father of eleven children, eight of which lived to raise families and all going to the Temple.

Grandfather was always ready to help any one in need. He was a good father and a good neighbor. He was always active in the Church. They were a musical family with good voices and spent many evenings singing and playing the family organ. Two of the boys were Bishops and Bishop's Counselors and held other offices in the Church. The girls were active and did a lot of good in MIA and Relief Society. In the 1890's, James's son Charles put on concerts to raise money for a building fund.

At the time of his passing, James left 43 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. James Myler passed away at the age of 72 in the year 1894.

I was born July 2, 1884, in Clarkston, Cache County, Utah to Emma Elizabeth Godfrey and Joseph Elias Myler, in a frame house with a sloping roof. I resided here until the age of five years, at which time we moved to a ranch two and a half miles north of town, where we lived for seven years. When I first moved there, only twenty acres of land was broken up east of the creek. We were subjected to very heavy winters on the ranch, and the snowing and blowing was so severe that sometimes it was two and three weeks before we could come into town. At this time all the ranchers would get together and break a road to town. When the severe storms came, the farmers would have to cut willows from Big Creek and place them along the road to mark the way.

We then moved into town. It seemed good to go to school and participate in the programs the school put on. I grew up with the priesthood, but we didn't have priesthood meetings Sunday morning like they hold now. I was baptized the fourth day of August 1892, by Ole Petersen. I was confirmed by Henry Yeates, who was second counselor in the bishopric. I progressed step by step in the priesthood and was ordained an Elder when I was twenty-one.

I married Rachel Beathear Buttars on November 22, 1905 in the Logan Temple. Through this union six children were born to us, five girls and one boy. We moved into a single room frame house when we were first married, and this was our own house, which my father and I built. After one year we built on to the house to make more room. Later in life, we built a red brick house in the year, 1949.

In 1936 I went on a mission to the Northwestern States. My four oldest daughters married and I left my wife and two children. When I left I was serving in the Council of seventies, and upon returning I was put in Senior President. One year later I was called to be an assistant to the High Council. The stake was then divided and I was put in Senior President of the 269th Quorum of Seventies, which was a new quorum because of the division. I was Sunday School chorister for ten years and ward chorister for fifteen years. Also at this time I played leading parts in the dramas with the old professional actor, Thomas Cutler, of Logan. Will Clark, John Myler, Jennie Clark, Frank Griffiths and I formed the "Piano Club" and bought first piano in the Clarkston Ward. We each paid $1.25 a week until it was paid for.

My wife and I were then called on a mission to the Northwestern States. While serving there we baptized eight people, which was a wonderful experience. While I was still on my mission, I was chosen to be first counselor to the Smithfield Stake Mission.