AUGUST 1997 NEWSLETTER
Mary Amick history continued.... Henry Mower letter finished:
In the midst of all their strife and confusion however, the work of the Lord is still progressing; the 'little stone cut out of the mountains without hands' is rolling forth, truth is gaining ground and priestcraft is trembling and my prayer is that the God of truth may roll forth his mighty work, till the honest in heart shall be gathered out of all nations, and the ends of the earth see the salvation of God. I remains yours in the new and everlasting covenant,"
E. H. MOWER (Elder Henry Mower)
Reference: Journal History of the Church found in the Church Historian's Office, LDS Church Office Building:
Sometime late in 1843 Henry rejoined Mary in Illinois, but found himself called on a mission in the spring of 1844 to go to Pennsylvania on a mission to proclaim the candadacy of Joseph Smith for President of the United States. Henry left his family again and traveled to Pennsylvania where he was serving a mission when Joseph was murdered by an angry mob with painted faces on 27 Jun 1844 at Carthage jail.
Henry returned to Illinois and in Nauvoo on 8 October 1844 he was ordained a High Priest. This information comes from the Membership of the Church of Jesus Christ of L.D.S. 1830-1848. #6031596 Microfiche #59 lists many references for Henry Sr. and children. Mentions: High-Priest-Date/Place: October 8, 1844; Nauvoo, Hancock, IL, USA. Officiator: H.C. Kimball and Taylor. Reference: Nauvoo Temple Endowment Register 1845-1846. Early Church File.
Henry and Mary lived in the Nauvoo area until completion of the Nauvoo Temple and on 7 January 1846, Mary received her endowment in the temple and on the 31st of January, she and Henry were sealed for time and all eternity as husband and wife in the Nauvoo Temple.
The Saints were expelled from Nauvoo in February 1846 and spent the winter in Iowa without adequate clothing or shelter. In the spring the saints headed west across Iowa. From the journal of Brigham Young 5 July 1846: Brigham Young mentions passing that day the camps of James Allred, John Wolf, Wm. Mitchell, Lewis Nealy, Down, Mower, Hale. That day they counted 242 wagons.
The Mower family crossed Iowa safely and settled for the winter at Council Bluffs, Iowa known as winter quarters. This was a time of tragedy for the saints and many members of the Church died. Among those was Mary Amick Mower, age 43. Where she is buried is not recorded. The date of her death is also not recorded. Searches have been made in the Mormon Pioneer Cemetery in Council Bluffs, but no record exists. The first 200 entries of the cemetery book, containing Mormon burials were torn from the cemetery register by anti-Mormon persons.
Upon her death in 1846, this was the status of the family of Henry Mower Sr.
Mahala Mower Shaw was 27 and had 3 children and was living in Bedford County, Pennsylvania.
Henry Mower Jr. was 22 and was married to wife, Susan Strong and they had 1 son, William Henry Mower.
Still living in the family was John Mower, 20 and single. Susan Mower was just 6 months away from turning 17 and 1 year away from marriage to Simeon Cragun. Ezra was 13. George was 10. Hannah was 5.
On February 5th 1847, Henry Mower Sr., age 48 took a second wife, Lucretia Hupper, age 28. Lucretia became a mother of 4 children at home (not counting John who was 20). She and Henry were to have 6 children in the next 10 years.
On 20 Jan 1848 a petition signed by the Brethren for a Post Office to be established in the vicinity of the log Tabernacle, which is situated on the Government Purchase in Pottawattomie, Iowa. Signed by Brigham Young and 7 pages of other brethren. Included in the signatures was the signature of Henry Mower.
The 1850 Census of Pottowatomie, Iowa FHL #442963 Page 74 dwelling 159, family 159. Henry Mower age 50 bn. MD; Lucretia age 31 bn. Maine; Ezra age 16 bn. Pa; Geo. age 14, bn. Pa; Henrietta 9, bn. Illinois; Orson age 10 mos. bn. Iowa. Census taken 9 September 1850.
Henry Mower (Sr.) is listed as an immigrant to Utah. FHL #298441. Reference J.H. 31 December 1851, supplement pg. 11 He is listed as coming from the Missouri River to Great Salt Lake City under the direction of the Church officials but not in the companies listed. Henry came to Utah in 1851. He served as president of the high priests quorum. He was a member of the city council of Springville. (Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah, page 1048)
1860 Census of Springville, Utah FHL # 805314 page 291-292, dwelling 2596 family 2036. Henry had a household of 8, a real wealth of $350, and a personal wealth of $600. Hy Mower age 62, farmer, bn Maryland; Lucretia age 41, bn Maine; Elmira age 19, bn. Maine; Orson age 10, bn Iowa; Oscar age 8, bn UT; Eliza age 6, bn Ut; Delila age 1 bn Ut; Hy age 1 bn Ut.
There is a write-up in the Deseret News, Dated 15 March 1862. Henry Mower Sr. inventor of a hand driven washing machine that can do the labor of a day's wash in one hour. This machine can be built at a cost of $10.
Census of 1870 Springville, Utah Territory page 327 dwelling 45, family 48: Almira Mower age 30 bn. England; Lever (Levi) 11; Almira 8; Joseph 6; Michael 4; Andrew 2. All born in UT. (No Henry was listed, but he was still alive)
Henry Mower obituary of Wednesday 17 Apr 1878 of Deseret News: "Died at his residence in Springville, Utah Co., Utah Territory, of Brights disease of the kidney on the 4th day of April A.D. 1878. Henry Mower had been confined to his bed for 10 months. Deceased was born in Frederick, Maryland, U.S. on the 18th day of December 1796. Moved to Penn. at an early age. Embraced the gospel in 1837; gathered to Nauvoo in 1841; emigrated to Utah in 1851. Presided over High Priests Quorum in Springville for many years; died in full faith of the Gospel. He has left a wife, 10 sons, 6 daughters and 50 grandchildren to morn his loss. He was interred at Springville on the 6th of April A.D. 1878. Twenty-two vehilcles followed him to the grave. Having devoted the greater part of his life to promulgating the principals of the everlasting gospel, he died in peace and full assurance of a glorious resurrection aged 81 years, 3 months and 16 days.
The heritage passed down to the Mower Family from Mary Amick is typical of many histories of the members of the pioneering Mormons who experienced the Nauvoo, Illinois persecutions and moved west with the saints. Mary Amick died as a result of her devotion to her faith. As the Mormon pioneers moved west exhibiting "faith in every footstep", her story is just one of many which ended in tragedy on the trail west--- yet a tragedy it is not. Her posterity continued the journey, arrived in a wild and untamed land and made a settlement which today is a thriving part of America. Her descendants have in large part remained affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Many have followed the footsteps of Henry Mower Sr. and have filled missions for the Church. Many descendants today are raising Christian families which are a "healing balm" in a world desperately needing stability and a good dose of the faith that Mary Amick exhibited.