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AN ANGEL OF MERCY
My great grandmother
7 March 1838 - 4 May 1919
Part 3 of 3
by Leslie Mikesell Wood
Part 3 - Elizabeth Standley Osborn marries again:
After the death of Ellen, Jefferson's first wife and sister to Elizabeth, LDS ministers President Parr and Bishop West of Ogden came to East Weber and divided Jefferson's property. Elizabeth received one third, her children one third and Ellen's children one third.
Although at the time of his death, Jefferson's farm was prospering, Harriet Jane Osborn wrote about the Osborn's early days at East Weber: "The grasshoppers took the crops and nothing in the line of food was raised. Everyone was out of bread stuff long before another harvest was gathered. Everyone was out of flour. The children used to take sacks and fill them with Sego Lily bulbs and wild onions and any other plant that could be used for food. These things took the place of bread, but far from satisfactory. Those who had bran sifted it and made bread; they felt themselves very fortunate to be able to enjoy such a treat. I can remember yet how the grasshoppers came like a big black cloud in the air and fell upon the plants and vines. Everything was bent to the ground and the fields were left a barren waste. Men, women and children tried to fight them but to no avail and the crops were destroyed.
Harvesting machines were unknown in those days; grain was cut with scythes and cradles. Women and children followed the men as they finished their harvesting and gleaned the wheat which was left on the ground and this was placed on a canvas and the heads beaten off afterwards. The heads of wheat were thrashed out with a flail (two willows joined together). Some people roasted kernels of wheat and made coffee of them. When the grain was ready to thrash it was thrashed out in an old thrashing machine that was ready to fall apart if you looked at it. The wheat also contained many black dirty bits called smut. The wheat had to be used as it was as our mills were not perfected. Some people ground the wheat in old coffee mills."
David Osborn II, Elizabeth's father-in-law, wrote in his journal: "January 2nd 1863 - After a lapse of over 16 months I find leisure to sit down, and record a few items that have transpired in relation to myself and family during that interval - the first of which is the death of the infant son of Thos. J. Osborn which took place a short time after the death of its father. David and Nancy recovered their health and moved back to Weber and took charge of the family, farm and property of his brother Jefferson. As Elen [sic] on her death bed requested her mother sister Stanley [Standley] to take her children, so after much counselling on the subject Elisabeth [sic] consented to give up little Lydia and Sarah to her mother - and after a few months Elisabeth [sic] was seald [sealed] to David, having been counseled by myself and others so to do. Last spring David sold the farm for $1000.00 and moved to three mile creek near Brigham City where he and family are living at present."
Later David wrote: "January 13, 1964 - "I will here relate also that since I last wrote David had two children added to his family; a daughter by Nancy named Byanca and a son by Elisabeth [sic] named Leonard Wines." [David mistakenly wrote Wines instead of Charles. Leonard Wines was David's step-father.].
Spencer F. Allen who was very close to his grandmother Elizabeth wrote: "At the death of her first husband, Thomas Jefferson Osborn, they were living at East Weber, Utah. She was left a widow at the age of 23 with two daughters, Rebecca and Harriet. Grandmother accepted Church counsel to marry her husband's brother, David Osborn, III [who was often called David Osborn Jr.], in polygamy. They moved from East Weber to Three Mile Creek [Now Perry] in 1862 where they lived three years and then moved to Hyrum in 1865. To that union was born her only son, Leonard Charles Osborn."Elizabeth's 2nd husband, David Osborn III., 1838 - 1917In 1865 David Osborn II wrote in his journal: "Early last spring David sold his farm to Alma Davis & brother, and in June moved over to Bear lake valley and is there commencing a new house and farm, Elisabeth [sic] choosing to remain, being employed in school teaching this summer - and I am mortified in having to say that their separation is expected to be final." A short time later, soon after he married in polygamy to Elizabeth's mother, Philinda Standley [a short-lived marriage], he wrote: "We then sent Michael [Michael Standley, Elizabeth's brother] back to three mile creek and moved Elizabeth Osborn over to Hyrum, who is now living in the house with Margaret [Nancy "Margaret" Osborn Nielson]."
And so Elizabeth's second marriage was finished.
Elizabeth believed and practiced polygamy. She was the second wife of each of her three husbands. She gives some insight into how she formed her beliefs in a letter she wrote:
Deseret News, 24 March 1904, page 4 -
"We are in receipt of a letter signed Elizabeth Benson, dated Hyrum, Cache county, March 21, 1904, in response to the question, "Are There Any More?" in the Deseret News semi-weekly issue of March 17. It was raised by N. T. Sillcock of Riverton, Utah, who testified to having heard a discourse in Nauvoo delivered by the Prophet Joseph Smith in July, 1943, in which the prophet fully explained the doctrine and revelation on plural marriage. He wanted to know if there were others who were present on that occasion.
The writer of the present letter says she was not there herself on that occasion, but affirms that her mother, Philinda Standley was there when the Prophet preached that sermon, and had told her the circumstances and the effect it produced. "She said that she went home crying, and searched the Book of Mormon to find where polygamy was forbidden; that she read where the Nephites were commanded not to have more than one wife, but when she read further: 'For if I will saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto me, I will command my people, otherwise they shall hearken unto these things.' she become convinced of the truth of the principle but did not practice it."
We give place to this corroboration of N. T. Silcock's statement, not by way of defending polygamy, but merely to show that it was publicly taught by Joseph Smith in Nauvoo, notwithstanding the denials of his opponents who pretend to be his friends. There may be others who were present on the occasion referred to, and our columns will be open to them if they wish to give their evidence. They cannot be very numerous however, because the event occurred more than sixty years ago."
Elizabeth married Moroni Benson on the 12th of January 1867, and so to them two daughters were born, Margaret Cyrene and Linda Vilette "Lindy" Benson. On the 1870 census of Hyrum we find Moroni age 37; Elizabeth 32; Rebecca Benson [Osborn] 12; Harriet Benson [Osborn] 10; Leonard Benson [Osborn] and Margaret Benson 2. Moroni's first wife Martha is in Hyrum at another house with her and Moroni's children. The custom was for the polygamous husband to spend one week with one wife and the next week with the other. Perhaps this is what Moroni did as he was not in Elizabeth's Hyrum household during the 1880 census, just Elizabeth Benson 42; Leonard Benson [Osborn] 16; Margaret Benson 12; Linda Benson 3; and Harriet Benson [Osborn] 20. In the 1900 census Elizabeth is marked as widowed [although Moroni didn't die until 1917] and at the Hyrum home of her daughter Rebecca (Osborn) Allen and children. Moroni is still living in in Hyrum with Martha and their children.
A couple of items made the newspapers during the time Elizabeth was married to Moroni: In the Utah Journal, 29 April 1881, page 3 - "Hand Hurt - On last Wednesday morning a middle aged man named Moroni Benson, while running the lath mill of the U. O. [United Order Co.] in Hyrum, brought his left hand in contact with the saw in such a way as to injure it very severely. The palm was sawn across near where the fingers join it, and the fingers badly hurt.
The patient was brought to Logan immediately to D. B. Lamorenux, who found it necessary to amputate, close to the palm, the first and fourth fingers. there is reason to fear permanent injury to the second finger, but it was not deemed necessary to amputate it."
Utah Journal, 25 Dec. 1889, page 8 - "Disastrous Runaway.
Moroni Benson was driving homeward on Saturday evening from the hay field, riding on a hay rake. Opposite the U.O.M. & B. Co's., shop a man driving a buggy ran into the rake.Benson was thrown from his seat, one wheel was broken from the rake and one of Benson's legs was caught and fastened in an angle made by the shaft, cross bar, and an iron brace uniting them. He was held firmly and dragged head downward for nearly two blocks, the horse running at top speed. Finally it ran on to the sidewalk, being headed in that direction by Mr. Albert Shorten, who tried to stop it. Here the remaining wheel struck a gate and tore it from its hinges. A short distance further on, it struck a post and at this point, so severe was the shock that the horse became disengaged from the rake.
Mr. Shorten ran to the assistance of Benson, whom he found in the position above described, his leg imprisoned, and his head on the ground underneath the axle of the rake. He was entirely unconscious when rescued, although but a moment before he had screamed twice when being dragged. Mr. Shorten procured a vehicle and took him home. Dr. Parkinson was sent for and found that Benson's body and head were badly bruised, and that his spine and brain had suffered severe concussion. There were also several scalp wounds, but for a wonder, no bones were broken. He had a very narrow escape from death."
Spencer F. Allen wrote: "Grandmother would hire a team and wagon and go to the mouth of the canyon and get wood for winter. In the springtime the young cattle would be sent to the canyon and then be brought back to town in the fall. On one occasion Grandma went to the designated place to get her calf but a man claimed it. Evidently, there was no brand on the animal. Grandmother suggested that the calf with others be driven past her place and she would be in her corral with her brass bucket and call the calf and if it came and acted as if it had been raised there it would be hers, otherwise she would forfeit all claim to it. The ward teachers acted as the judge and declared it to be her calf.
In the "History of Hyrum, Utah", page 152 is written: "One school was held in the one room home of Elizabeth Bensen [sic]. The children sat around the room on little low benches and the teacher sat in the middle of the room in a rocking chair. They would come up and stand by her side to learn to read. The pupils had slates and pencils. Some had one book. Margaret C. Nielsen, Margaret Savage, Mrs. Barnum, and Elizabeth Osborn were some of the early teachers." The author of this did not realize that Elizabeth Benson and Elizabeth Osborn were the same person.
Spencer F. Allen wrote: "Grandmother was quite well educated for her day and often taught school in part of her small home in Hyrum. Patrons could pay anything that she could use in her home. Some families were too poor to give tuition but their children were still welcome at her school.
In the early days when reading material wasn't plentiful she would read every word of all that came, memorizing all the poems as she was very fond of poetry, and she wrote poetry to her relatives and for anniversaries. In later years when her eyesight was poor, she used a large magnifying glass and would read from a set of large type church works she had, or any large type writings from magazines or papers. She loved children and used to teach them many little poems. One was how to spell potatoes with O's: Put one O, Put two 0's, Put three O's, put four O's, put five O's, put six O's, put seven O's, put eight O's." [I think it was more to learn to count than to spell.]
The Ogden Standard Newspaper, 29 May 1882, page 3:
Died [excerpt from an article about the death on Sunday, May 21st 1882, of Robert Fox Runcle]
"He had no family or relations here, and during his long illness Mrs. Elizabeth Benson has given him every attention and care. He was poor and alone, and her reward will surely come from Him who never fails. - Logan Leader."
Spencer F. Allen wrote: "Grandmother told me many of the experiences she had while going out among the sick. In those days doctors were scarce and usually only found in the larger cities. No matter at what hour of day or night, in fair or stormy weather, she would leave whatever she was doing and go to help relieve the suffering of the people. She was often called an Angel of Mercy."
If there were hard feelings on either side it was not evident when her ex-father-in- law David Osborn II, wrote in his journal about a birthday party the family gave him on the 31st of March 1881. "David wrote a lengthy address (read by Nora) in which was portrayed the many events pertaining to the history of my past pilgrimage from first to last - it was very pathetic & I could not refrain from tears - next followed a recital of communications and blessings by five or six of my grandchildren and Elizabeth Benson chiefly in poetry some original & some selected - all expressing their good will & wishes for the return of many other such days."
A poem written by Elizabeth Benson, provided by Nancy Miles, 31 July 2009:
The Widows Lament
O, He asked me for my daughter, I must smile and let her go.
I must let him take her from me I would be wrong to answer no.
I must see her love another She that once was all my own
Fate deprived us of her father When she's gone I'm all alone.
He has nobly wooed and won her Take her from me It's all right
Though it robs me of my sunshine Leaves my home as dark as night.
I had a group of darling children Alone I reared my little brood
Toiled for them both late and early To procure their clothes and food.
One by one they went and left me Choose their mates and went their way.
Its all right They have my blessings but I'm all alone today.
Oh tis hard to be a mother For it always has been so.
She must all her feelings smother And must let the last one go.
From my Fathers home I wandered From the mansions of the blest.
I long to hear him calling Daughter thy work is done Come home and rest.
On April 1, 1882, David Osborn II, wrote: "yesterday being my 75th birthday I called in all my grandchildren, also Elizabeth Benson & family to Margaret Nielsen's where we partook of a good supper prepared by her & her daughters - we tarried till after 10 o'clock talking, drinking beer made by Rebecca Allen & eating apples from John Willson [sic]. I amused them by reciting many incidents of my early life - also of Thos. Jefferson, the father of four of them who were present - he having died when they were quite young." and in October 1890 he wrote: "Elizabeth Benson also made quite a visit among the relations with her daughter and granddaughter. Well, it's seldom I enjoy such reunions & when we part I always feel that this may be our last meeting in this world."
David Osborn's last mention of his ex-daughter-in-law in his journal was after his 84th birthday in April of 1891. In talking about his estate he wrote: "I now wish to qualify this request by directing that Elizabeth Benson shall receive an equal portion with my other children - she is a branch of Jefferson's family and her situation is such that she needs assistance. Jefferson was faithful to me & his counsel was good to the family after his mother's death."
She taught her children to do their part in the family and to not only assist at home but to work for others for the benefit of them all.
Spencer F. Allen wrote: "In those days the women and order children helped to make the living while the men were in the fields or canyon, or building roads and ditches. The women would care for the cows, hogs, chickens and sheep. They would shear the sheep and then wash, card and spin the wool from which they made stockings, shirts, dresses, underwear, quilts, blankets and sometimes mens pants, caps, coats, etc. They churned the cream and made cottage cheese from sour milk. Products they might sell to neighbors brought: for a fat hen 15 to 25 cents; eggs, 9 to 15 cents per dozen; pork chops, ribs and bacon 5 to 10 cents per lb. From beef tallow, the women made candles for lighting their one room home or dugout."
As for Elizabeth's children, Rebecca became the second wife in polygamy to Simeon Franklin Allen in 1875 and died in 1908 a few months before her 51st birthday. Harriet Esther married Andrew Jackson Mikesell in 1882 and died in 1926 at the age of 66 years. Leonard Osborn married Mary Sophia Simpson in 1885 and died in 1938. Margaret Cyrene Benson married Joseph Ervin Hatch in 1886 and died in 1933, Linda "Lindy" Villette Benson married Amos Christopher Atkinson in 1894 and died in 1952.
Spencer F. Allen wrote: "Grandmother had a loom and wove many carpets. After my mother's death (Rebecca, 7 July 1908, at Hyrum, Utah) she stayed at our family home and assisted in the raising of my four younger sisters.
She used part of her homestead-right on 40 Acres in Grays Lake and the balance on 120 acres in Pocatello Valley, Idaho, on land that joined my homestead. At this latter place she had a flower garden, raised chickens and ducks, made cheese, and helped in many ways to be self-supporting. She was independent, didn't want anyone to have to pay for her burial.
In the wintertime she did some Temple work and received her second endowments in the latter years of her life. She was a strict observer of the Word of Wisdom and an honest tithe-payer. Her greatest desire was to live the life of a true Latter-day Saint. She visited much among her relatives and was always found assisting about the kitchen. I am sure when the books are opened many will call her blessed."
Elizabeth was found in the 1910 census in Hyrum, Cache County, Utah living with her grandson Spencer F. Allen, his wife, Sarah, of 2 years, their daughter Laurena, 2 months old and Spencer's younger Allen sisters: Calista, age 19; Zena, age 15; Maud, age 12 and Nellie, age 9.1916, Elizabeth and Maud Allen, Calista Allen Clawson, Hedda LaRee Clawson, Zina Allen [Calista died a short time after this photo was taken.]Unidentified Utah publication March 1917:
"Birthday Anniversary - The latest event of the week was the birthday party tendered Sister Elizabeth Benson on Friday, March 7, it being that lady's 75th birthday, her grandchildren, nieces and friends gathered at the Allen home to show her honor.
Her sister and brother-in-law Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Burnham of Richmond, came down for the occasion. A very nice supper was served, after which the evening was spent in music, games and social pastime.
Original poems were read by Mrs. Lydia Hall and Mrs. R. C. Allen. Sister Benson has three daughters and one son living 38 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren living.
Lines written by Lydia O. Hall (affectionately inscribed to Elizabeth Benson March 7, 1913.)
"Today we've met together A slight tribute to pay,
To one we love and honor On her seventy-fifth birthday.
Who's life has not been one of ease And pleasures have been few,
But spent with the sick, or sorrowful, To see what she could do.
She has raised a good big family, Her trials should be done;
May peace and happiness be her lot Is the wish of everyone.
And when this life is ended, And we meet on earth no more,
She will gain a just reward With those who have gone before."
Poem by R. C. Allen, March 7, 1913.
"Dear Aunt Elizabeth, bright and cheerful Contented, smiling who would say,
As they see her climbing up the hill, She's seventy-five years old today?
Three-fourths of a century she's been here; Labored and toiled from day to day
To hundreds she's brought comfort and cheer, When on beds of sorrow or pain they lay.
An angel of mercy she's ever been Among the needy, the sick the poor;
She's traveled often as we have seen Bringing comfort to many a door.
So dear Aunt we have met today A few of your friends, grand children too,
To show honor on your natal day, And bring comfort, joy and cheer to you.
Tho' your children are scattered and cannot be here, Of grand-children and friends you have quite a few;
The nieces and nephews all bring you good cheer And of great-grandchildren we see at least two."
In July of 1916, shortly before Moroni Benson died [28 January 1917] he was interviewed by A. A. Savage who wrote a short sketch of Moroni's life. He was born on the 25th of July 1933 in Independence Missouri of a Mormon family. He also had fought the Indians after arriving in Utah and had been shot in the leg with an arrow in 1853. [He was one of the town of Hyrum Utah's founders, and along with David Osborn and David Osborn Jr. his name is on the Hyrum Founders Monument.]
Moroni told of marrying his first wife Martha on the 6th of April 1862, but the only mention of Elizabeth was in the next to last sentence of the sketch. "Besides his two wives, Moroni Benson is survived by twelve children, all of whom were present at the funeral except one. He has fifty grand-children and Twelve great grand-children."And so Elizabeth's third and last marriage was finished.
1916, Elizabeth with her great-granddaughter
Hedda LaRee Clawson. Little Hedda died early in 1921.
Mary Mikesell Dean, Elizabeth's granddaughter told that Elizabeth taught school under all three names, Standley, Osborn and Benson. She was a lively, vigorous person. She wrote songs and poems and had a poem or poems published. She was called Grandma Benson by her family. She had her temple underwear in a box ready for her funeral. Mary said that she killed and dressed a couple of chickens then walked to church and died in church.
From an Unknown publication in Utah:
"Pioneer Lady Answers Last Call
Funeral services over the remains of Sister Elizabeth Benson were held at 2:30 p.m., May 7th, at Francis, Summit Co., Utah, with Bp. Marion Corbett presiding. Six grand-sons acted as pallbearers.
Bishop Corbett and Coun. Atkinson had both known Aunt Elizabeth - as they affectionately called her - for many years and testified of her industry and unselfishness, her kindness to many who were sick or in want, and her devotion to her religion. During the services a solo and three songs by the choir were beautifully rendered. Her brother Michasell [Michael] Standly [Standley], made some remarks and endorsed what had been said.
After the dedication of the grave she was laid to rest in the Francis cemetery.
Obituary
Sister Elizabeth Benson, a well known and highly respected old lady and a former resident of Hyrum, passed away at the home of her daughter Mrs. Amos C. Atkinson at Francis, Summit Co., Utah, after one hour's illness following a stroke, May 4th, 1919.
She was the daughter of Alaxeander [Alexander] Scoly [Scoby] and Philinda Upson Standley, and was born March 7th, 1838, at Portage Co., Ohio. She went with her parents to Nauvoo, and shared in the persecutions in the early days of the church and often spoke of seeing the Prophet Joseph Smith. She came to Utah in 1852, walking the entire distance and driving cattle. Settled in Bountiful, Davis Co; was married in 1854 to Thomas Jefferson Osborn; was left a widow in June 1861, and moved to Hyrum in 1865, with three children, and shared in the hardships of pioneer life. She taught school in her own home a number of years, she then met and married Moroni Benson, one of Hyrum's pioneers, who has preceded her to the great beyond.
She was the mother of five children, her oldest daughter, Mrs. S. F. Allen, preceded her eleven years, leaving a family of small children. Aunt Elizabeth did a mother's part by living with them for seven years.
Elizabeth Benson is survived by one son and three daughters; Mr. Leonard Osborn of Kamas, Utah, Mrs. Andrew Mikesell of Dubois, Idaho. Mrs. Joseph E. Hatch of Randolph, Utah and Mrs. Amos C. Atkinson of Francis, Utah. She has 46 great-grandchildren and she leaves one brother and two sisters.
She was stricken while in Sunday School after bearing a faithful testimony on the date above stated."
[Obituary provided by Nancy Miles, 31 July 2009]
Elizabeth Benson, Francis Cemetery, Summit Co., Utah
<back to part 1 <back to part 2
Elizabeth's findagrave.com memorial page
[Some free LDS clipart in this article are courtesy of mormonshare.com]
