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Show Volume XXIV Issue XXIII The Ogden Valley news Page 9 February 1, 2018 The Life of Francis Asbury Hammond–Part II By Preston Nibley Note: This is Part II of a two part historical narrative. Part I was printed in the January 15, 2018 issue of “The Ogden Valley News.” An electronic copy of Part I may be requested by email to slfrancis@digis.net or <crwendell@ digis.net> Francis A. Hammond, in addition to being a spiritual leader in Huntsville, Utah during its early days as a settlement, was also a prominent civic leader. He was deeply involved in the affairs of the community, and used his leadership, organizational, and building skills, to increase the economic wellbeing of the settlement. He led out in obtaining contracts for the men of the town to work on the building of the transcontinental railroad, and was intimately involved in the everyday activities of the town’s operations. Francis A. Hammond found a boarding place in the old Fort and with his usual diligence, promptly opened a shoemaker’s shop. Business was good from the beginning and it was not long before he was able to hire two men to assist him. Also, he soon found the girl of his choice. Two months after his arrival, he was married to 17-year-old Mary Jane Dilworth, Utah’s first school teacher. Francis, at the time, was 26. (A monument in honor of Mary Jane can be found in the center of Huntsville Town on the property previously home to Valley Elementary.) There were two men in the little Mormon colony whom Francis was anxious to meet. One was Parley P. Pratt, who had written the book, “The Voice of Warning,” which had influenced Francis in joining the Church; the other was President Brigham Young, the great pioneer leader. When he was introduced to Parley P. Pratt, he found the apostle threshing beans before his door, using a wagon box with the sides down for a floor. He was barefooted, in his shirtsleeves, and wore a homemade straw hat, with the brim nearly separated from the crown, and his ears protruding between the brim and the crown. Francis Hammond was quite surprised. “I must confess I was a good deal surprised to find my ideal Apostle in such a plight, and forced to labor in such a manner for his support, for I had the old sectarian idea about the grave and revered appearance of apostles and prophets.” Shortly after his arrival, he was favored with an introduction to President Brigham Young. “I sought and obtained an introduction to him. I was profoundly impressed with his appearance. Never did a man make such an impression on me as he did. No one doubted the word of Brigham, the prophet of the Lord. We loved him and he loved the Saints with all his heart, and served them faithfully by night and by day. He seemed to have a capacity that nothing could escape him, form locating temples and directing their building, down to the small- there to halt the advance of the army. When est matter in household affairs. peace was declared, he returned to his home. “It seemed the easiest thing in the world In 1859, he moved to Ogden and joined for him to take our poor emiChauncey W. West in establishgrant Saints and tell them how ing a business “for the manufacto fight the battle of life so that ture of boots, shoes, saddles, and in a very few years they could harness.” This venture proved to be found with a nice, well culbe profitable and Francis made tivated farm and comfortable considerable money. surroundings.” His business was interFrancis states that the winter rupted in the spring of 1865 of 1848- 1849 was a happy one when President Brigham Young for him and his bride. “We had requested him to go to Hawaii meetings, parties, and schools, and assist Elder George Nebeker well attended, during the winter, in the purchase of a 6,000-acre and great peace prevailed in the plantation on which to settle camp of Israel.” Someone set up the native Saints. This work a molasses mill near his home. was carried out and in the fall, With the squeaking of the old when he returned home, he was mill, the shouting of the boys requested to move to Huntsville and the big gray wolves, we and preside over the members had no chance to become loneof the church in Ogden Valley. some.” For a number of years, he After he had resided twoacted as branch president, but Mary Jane Dilworth and-a-half years in Salt Lake in 1877, a ward was organized Hammond City, Francis A. Hammond with Francis A. Hammond as July 29, 1831 received a call from the First bishop. The same year, June 6, June 6, 1877 Presidency, in March 1851, to his beloved wife, Mary Jane undertake a mission to the Hawaiian Islands. Dilworth Hammond, died and was buried in He was told that he might take his wife and Huntsville. six-month-old baby with him. Accordingly, he Other important events occurred at closed upon his business and in April, Francis Huntsville while Francis served as bishop. and Mary Jane traveled by ox team and cov- On September 8, 1881, a little 8-year-old boy ered wagon to California. It was a difficult named David O. McKay was baptized by journey, the heat and dust of the desert. Two months’ time was spent before they reached San Pedro. Arriving at San Pedro harbor, Francis sold his outfit and, with his family, boarded a sailing vessel for San Francisco. Here he labored as a shoemaker until he had sufficient money to pay for the necessary fare to Hawaii. Also, he purchased a quantity of shoe leather, as he knew he had to work his way through the mission. On August 10, 1851, he was put ashore at Lahaina, Maui, where he had lived previous to going to California. There is not sufficient space here to relate the interesting details of Francis Hammond’s mission. He and his wife remained on the islands for four-and-a-half years, during which time, hundreds of natives were baptized and many branches of the Church established. Also, between their arrival and departure, two more children were born to them. In March 1856, Francis and family sailed for home. Arriving at San Bernardino, California, they found a Mormon Colony and decided to remain all winter and recuperate their finances. Francis set up his shoe shop and by spring he had made enough to buy a team and wagon. They arrived in Salt Lake City in June 1857, after an absence of six years. In July 1857, word was received that Jonson’s army was marching to Utah. Francis spent the fall and winter with the Mormon troops in Echo Canyon, who had been placed Peter Geertsen and confirmed a member of the church by Bishop Hammond. David O. McKay became the honored president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In the fall and winter of 1883-1884, Bishop Hammond and his son Fletcher B., having acquired a considerable number of cattle, made an extended tour of Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and parts of Old Mexico, looking for an opportunity to buy a large cattle ranch. No doubt hearing of his desire to move to the southwest, the First Presidency, in 1884, appointed him to preside over San Juan Stake. He accepted the appointment, sold his holdings in Huntsville, and the following year moved to the new location To recount the activities of President Hammond during the following 15 years would take more space than we have here. Besides, a vast territory in Utah, his stake extended into parts of Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico. It took him three weeks to make the rounds of the wards and settlements over which he presided, traveling with horses and buggy. All his work was faithfully performed. On November 1, 1900, President Hammond observed his 78th birthday. Three weeks later, while visiting the saints in Bloomfield, New Mexico, his horses became frightened and he was thrown from his buggy. He died without regaining consciousness November 27. His body was returned to Utah and buried beside his wife, Mary Jane, and other members of this family in Huntsville, Utah. From The Past . . . Francis A. Hammond (1865-1885) and Adam Petersen home (1885 -1898). The home burned June 1, 1898. People identified in front of the home are members of the Adam Petersen family. Article and photo courtesy of the Huntsville History Library. For All Your Engine Needs! 2668 Grant Avenue, Suite #104A, Ogden, UT Ash Wednesday Masses, February 14, will be held at 8:00AM and 6 :00 PM with distribution of ashes. St. Florence Catholic Church is undergoing some remodeling. Join us at our temporary location at the Eden Park Bowery at 2100 N 5600 E in Eden. Saturday Night 5:00 p.m. Sunday Morning 8:00 a.m. Sunday Morning 10:00 a.m. No Tuesday Mass during the redecoration. Fr. David Gaeta 857-247-0770 Before and after any Mass or by appointment. Saint Joseph Catholic Elementary, Middle School, and High School Providing a challenging, college-focused education in the proven tradition of Catholic schools, for the families of the Ogden Valley. We want to teach your children! For information on our program, financial assistance, tours, or application, please call 801-393-6051 or 801-394-1515. 801-612-9299 |
