oliver cromwell hoskins, pioneer

8/12/2019 Oliver Cromwell Hoskins, Pioneer

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OLIVERCROMWELLHOSKINS,PIONEEROLIVERCROMWELLHOSKINS,PIONEEROLIVERCROMWELLHOSKINS,PIONEEROLIVERCROMWELLHOSKINS,PIONEER

CompiledandwrittenbyDonnaHoskinsHigley,gggranddaughter,Andbyhermother,EllaNielsenHoskins

OliverCromwellHoskinswasborn17May1827inGeorgetown,VermilionCounty,Illinois.HewasthesonofElzaandMaryHallHoskins.HisgrandparentswereJeremiahandMaryScottHoskinsonandWilliamandAnnaCopelandHall.Hehadonebrother,Isom,andtwosisters,LevinaandElizaAnn.In1831whenOliverwasfouryearsoldhisfatherlefthomeandservedintheBlackHawkWaruntil1832whenthewarended. Afterthewartheymoved10mileswestofGeorgetownandlivedhereuntilMay1839whentheymovedtoMissouri. In1847theymovedtoLeeCounty,Iowa.Iowa,Missouri,andIllinoisbeingnewterritories,Oliverhadlittlechanceofschooling.Heattendedschoolduringtheshortwintermonths.Spring,summer,andfallhehelpedhisfatheronthefarm.Hismotheralsotaughthimathome.Hewaseveralertandanxioustolearnandimprovehismind.Asayoungman,hehadadesiretobecomeadoctor.Inthoseearlydaysadoctorcompoundedhismedicine.Heborrowedabookfromadoctorinthevicinity.Thisbookhadmanyformulaswhichcouldbemadefromherbs,roots,leaves,andbarkofvarioustrees,shrubs,andplants.However,thestressoftimeandtheneedofhislaborspreventedhimfromaccomplishingthisdesiredvocation.WhenaladofnineteenhemarriedLucindaHowellon18January1846.ShewasthedaughterofJamesandJaneCopelandHowell.Shewasborn6August1825inGreeneCounty,Indiana.(His grandmother, Anna Copeland Hall, was a sister to Lucinda's mother, Jane CopelandHowell.)ThefirstyearsofLucinda'slifewerespentonthefrontier.Shelearnedhomemakingskillsfromhermotherandhelpedwhenevershecouldonthefarm.Aschildrentheyplayedunderthetreesgatheringnutsandberries.Onedaywhenshewasaboutnineyearsold,asshewas

caring for the youngerchildren, theywerealerted therewere Indians inthevicinity. Lucindagathered the children and hid under the bed with them. This incident is taken from JamesHowell'sjournal.WehavenotbeenabletofindanythingmoreofLucindaHowell'searlylife.Inthespringof1846heleasedatractoflandandwithhisoxteamhepreparedandplantedtheground.Themaincropwascornwithsquashplantedinthecornrows.Whenthecropripenedand was harvested there was no market for the produce. He was quite resourceful. Hepurchasedaherdofswineandfedthemthecornandsquash.TogetthepigstomarketitwasnecessarytocrosstheMississippiRiver.Atthistimetheriverwasfrozenenoughtocarrythepigs.Earlyonemorninghestartedtocrosstheriverontheice,drivingthepigsaheadofhim.Wheninthecenteroftherivertheicestartedtocrack.Oliver

urgedthepigstogreaterspeedandhefinallyarrivedontheoppositebank.Duringthiscrossinghewasfearfuleverymomentthatthepigswouldgothroughtheiceintotheriverandallofhishopesforhisreturnonhislaborswouldbeshattered.SilentlyinhishearthepromisedtheLordifheandhisherdweresaved,hewouldmorefullyserveHim.Thefollowingyear,1847,findstheyoungcoupleinMontrose,Iowa.Theyhomesteadedonehundredandsixtyacresoffertilefarmland.TheirfarmjoinedthebankoftheMississippiRiveron thewest side. Montrose is across theMississippi River fromNauvoo, HancockCounty,Illinois.


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Justafewyearspriortothistime,Nauvoohadbeenabeautiful,growingcity.Infact,oneofthemost thriving cities in the United States, but when the Latter-day Saints were compelled toleave, thecitywas leftdesolate,manyofthehomeshavingbeenburnedandmuchpropertydestroyed. According to tradition, Lucinda saw the Nauvoo temple burn inNovember1848.Therewasturmoilandconfusionin theheartsofmany. Indecisionand fearplayeduponthe

mindsofthepeopleanditwashardtomakeapermanentsettlement,especiallyforanyonewhowasinclinedtowardstheMormonfaith.Duringtheyear1849missionariesvisitedthissectionofthestate.AtfirstOliverdidn'tpaymuchattention. One day he heard their message and the more he thought about it the moreinterestedhebecame.HisinterestandsympathymusthavebeenwiththedrivenpeopleofthechurchbecausehegatheredwiththegroupinGardenGrove,DecaturCounty,Iowaintheyear1849.Heretheirfirstson,Josiahwasborn28April1849.In1849OliverandLucindamovedtoFranklin,DecaturCounty,Iowa.Aneat,hewed-loghousestoodinthecenterofthefarm.Ononesideofthehousetherewerebeautifulgrovesoftimber,andontheothersidewerelarge,cultivatedgreenfields.Thetimberlandsprovidedexcellent

fuelforthefireplacesandlogsforbuildingpurposes.Therewerecrabapple,plum,andwalnuttrees,andanabundanceofhickorynuts,wildstrawberries,dewberries,andblackberries.Thenutsweregatheredandstored,andonlongwintereveningstheywouldsitbythefireplaceandeatnutsandpopcorn.Sometimestheneighborswereinvitedtospendeveningswiththem.Cornwastheprinciplecropraisedandwasplantedinfurrowsbehindasmallshovelplough.The shovel ploughwas used to cultivate the corn, and the horses wore long, hickory-barkmuzzles toprevent them fromeating the tender greencorn. Watermelonsandmuskmelonswereplantedwiththecornandgrewtoanenormoussize.Duringharvesttimethecornwasstoredinloghouses,calledcorncribs,andmuchofitwasusedtofeedhogs.Someofthecornwastakentothemillandmadeintocornmeal,whichwastheirprincipal flour. Cornbreadwasbaked inan ironspiderover thecoals,andcornponeswerebakedonboardsplacedinfrontofthefireplace.Wheatflourwasseldomusedthen.Inthespringeachfarmermarkedhishogsandturnedthemouttogetherontherange.Inthefalltheywerefattenedonthenuts.Whentheywerereadyforsale,theyweretakeninbigdrovestoamarketatLeonandsold.OliverandLucinda'slastthreechildrenwereborninFranklin,DecaturCounty,Iowa;JaneAnn,11February1851;Emma,18January1853;andTheodoreAndrew,28July1856.While residing at Franklin, Oliver was baptized in the Welding Fork of the Grand River byCharlesHaleandwasconfirmedandordainedapriestthesamedayinApril1851.

One daywhileOliverwasworking inthe timbers,a strangerapproachedhim and said, "TheLordwantsyoutogotoUtah.Hehasagreatworkthereforyoutodo."Hethendisappearedamongthetrees.Oliverhadneverseenhimbeforenordidheeverseehimafterward.Thiswas a testimony to Oliver, as he always believed the personage to be a divinely inspiredmessenger,andhebeganthinkingaboutgoingwestwiththesaints.Inthefallof1861OliversoldhishomeinDecaturCounty,Iowa,andmovedtoCouncilBluffs,Iowa,wherehestayedthatwinter.Oliverhaddecidedtofollowthesaintswest.Althoughhemetoppositionfromhisfamily,hedidnothesitateamoment.Lucindawasafaithfulwifeand


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devotedmother.AlthoughshehadnotyetjoinedthechurchshedesiredtoaccompanyherhusbandandtheothersaintstoUtah.HerfamilywasveryprejudicedagainstthisnewcauseandhercomingtoUtah.Theyarguedwithherandtriedeverywaytopersuadehertoremaintherewiththem.TheyeventoldherifshewenttoUtahwithOliver,hewouldleaveherinastrangelandheartbroken,deserted,andalone.Butherfaithinherhusbandneverfalteredandshebelievedhimwhenhesaid,"IfIevermarryanotherwoman,youwillbejustaswillingand

anxiousasIwillbe."Inthespring,on25May1862,thefamilycrossedtheMissouriRiverenroutetoUtah.Theycamped three miles west of Florence, Nebraska, and a company of saints was organized.Everyonefurnishedhis ownoutfit,soitwas called the "IndependentTrain." Therewere fiftyteams. Horses,mules, oxen,and evencowswereused topull thecoveredwagons. LouisBrunson wasmade captain over all, and aminorcaptainwas placed over every ten teams.Oliverwasmadecaptainoveroneoftheteams.On10 June1862, theybegan theirlong, tedious thousand-mile journey across the desolate,sage-coveredplains. Thesepeoplewere inbetter financial circumstances thanmost of thepioneers,sotheydidnotsufferasmanyhardships.Oliverdrovetheteamofhorsesonthe

wagon.Lucinda,JaneAnn,andEmmarodewithhim.Josiahdrovethetwoyokeofoxenontheoxcart.Josiahhadnamesforhisoxen:"Tom"and"Jerry,""Bill"and"Berry."Astimewenton theymovednorthwestwarduntil they reachedtheNorthPlatteRiver. Theycampedhereforseveraldaystoresttheiranimalsandthemselves.WhiletheywerehereoneofJosiah'soxendied.TheywerenowinthestateofNebraska.TheyfollowedtheNorthPlatteRiveracrossthestatesotheyhadwaterandgrassforthelivestock.AftermanydaystheywereinsoutheasternWyoming,aroughandruggedcountry.Theagainfoundagoodcamphereandrestedforafewdays.AfterleavingthisplacetheyfollowedthePlatteRiver.TheOldOregonTrailwasalongthesouthbankofthePlatteRiver.TheyhadrememberedthecounselofBrighamYoungtostayonthenorthsideofthePlatteRivertoavoidrunningintoIndiantroublesandalsotherewasplentyofgrasstofeedtheirstock.TheyarrivedinFort Laramie. Fromhere they crossed the river and followed theOregonTrail along theSweetwaterRiverandcrossedtheContinentalDivideatSouthPass.TheycrossedtheGreenRiver and arrived atFortBridger,Wyoming. Here they rested againfor several daysbeforecontinuingon their journey. AfterleavingFortBridger they traveledsouthwest throughEchoCanyon,theneastthroughEastCanyon,overmountainsintoEmigrationCanyon.On29August1862theyarrivedinSaltLakeCity.Forafewdaystheycampedonthepublicsquare.OliverboughtahomeintheSouthCottonwoodWard(nowMurray)whereheengagedinfarming.InOctoberofthatyearOliverwassetapartasanactingteacher.InOctober1863theymovedtoKaysville,DavisCounty,Utah.TheirhomeinKaysvillewasatwo-room adobe house. Oliver participated in civic activities. He played the violin in the

communityband.Thisgroupwasorganizedin1864.Foranumberofyearsthisbandplayedforallpubliccelebrations,especiallytheFourthandTwenty-fourthofJuly.During1863Lucinda'sbrother,James,andhisfamilylivedinoneoftheroomsintheirhome.ThenextsummerJamesbuilthimselfahousenearby.Themaincropwaswheat.Thegroundwasploughedwithahandploughandayokeofoxen.Itwasharvestedwithacradle,andwasrakedandboundbyhand.


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The women were also kept very busy. After the necessary housework such as cooking,cleaning, mending, and canning was done, they spent much of their time at their spinningwheels.Intheeveningduringcoldweathertheybuiltacheeryfireintheold-fashionedironstove.TheyremovedthefrontdooroverthehighhearthandbytheflickeringfirelightLucindawouldknitacompletestockinginoneevening.Someofthestockingsweresoldforagoodprice.Partoftheyarnwasdyedandtakentotheweaverstobewovenintoprettymaterialfor

dresses,whichwereverynicewhenfinished.Lucinda'sbrother,JamesHowell,andhiswife,Rosannah,wereexpertweavers.Thecookstovethattheyusedwascalleda"step"stove.Theybroughtthestovewiththemacrosstheplains.Althoughtheypaid$25.00forittheywereofferedover$400.00foritaftertheyarrivedinUtah. Theywerealsoofferedayokeofgoodoxenfortheirshotgun,buttheywould not part with their possessions. While living here, Oliver sold a pair of mules for$575.000.On8July1865Josiahdecided togoouton therangeto findhispony. HeborrowedaponyfromEnochHarristoride.Hefoundhisponyandreturnedquiteearly.Hesenthislittlebrother,Theodore,totaketheborrowedponyhomewhilehewenttotheneighborstowatchthemkilla

beef. Theodorereturnedfromtakingtheponyhomeand followedJosiah totheneighborstowatch.BysomeaccidentTheodorewasshotandkilled.ThiswasaverysadoccasionandonethatleftanacheinOliver'sheartfortherestofhislife.Onedayin1866BishopLaytoncameovertoOliver'sandsaid,"WeneedateamofmulestosendbacktoCheyenneaftersomesaints."ItwasharvesttimeandOliverneededhisteamverybadly, buthe indicateda large, fat team thatJosiahwas leadingout and said, "Well, there'sone."ThenBishopLaytonsaid,"Youcansendyourboyalongtodrivethem,ifyouwantto."OliverthoughtofthestandingcropsandthevastamountofworktobedoneandfeltthathejustcouldnotdowithoutJosiah,too.ThenthecallcameandJosiahhadtogosouthtoparticipateintheUtahBlackHawkWarandOliverwaslefttomanageasbesthecould.OliverandLucindaweresealedintheEndowmentHouseinSaltLakeCity,Utah,on16April1864.On31December1866JaneAnnwasmarriedtoEnochHarrisbyBishopLayton.TheywerelatersealedintheSaltLakeEndowmentHouseon3January1868.EmmawasmarriedandsealedtoJosephHalfordon27February1868.JosiahmarriedCharlotteLorettaLishon25February1875.TheywerelatersealedintheEndowmentHouseon11October1875.Oliver must have possessed a little of the roving spirit, because once more he packed hisbelongingsand,firedwithambitionandthespiritofpioneering,headedforthenorthernpartofUtah.In1868hemovedtoPortage,BoxElderCounty,Utah,settlingon theeastsideof thevalleyknownasOregonSprings.OnceagaintheOliverC.Hoskinsfamilywasfoundclearinglandsotheycouldfarm.Hereheplantedsomefruittreesandcottonwoodtreesforshade.Henamed

hisplace,"TheOregonSpringsRanch."PortagewasanotherMormonsettlementbroughtaboutbythecolonizationprogramofBrighamYoung. Itwasfirstsettledin1855whenaninfantsettlementwascommencedontheeastsideofMaladRiver, lyingon themail route toVirginiaCity,Montana, fromSalt LakeCity. ThissettlementwasnearlyoppositethepresentsiteofWashakie.Thesettlersbuiltanadobefortenclosingaboutanacreofground.Insidetheforttheydugcellarsanderectedlogcabins.Thefirstattemptatfarmingwasunsuccessfulbecauseofthelargenumberofgrasshoppers.Thislittle settlementwas broken up in1858 because of Indian trouble. The actual settlement of


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Portage tookplace in1867byThomasGreen. LorenzoSnownamedthetownafterPortageCounty,Ohio,wherehewasborn.Uptothistimethepeoplehadcalledthesettlement"HayTown."ThisnewsettlementwasonemileandaquartersouthofOregonSprings,Idaho,andonemilesouthofthepresentIdahostateline,ontheeastsideoftheMaladRiver.In1872mostofthesettlersmovedtothewestsideoftheMaladRiverandlocatedonthepresentsiteofPortage.Themainreasonwastheavailabilityofwater.

The firsthouseswere log cabinsnestlednear the footoftheeasternmountainsand locatedalongtheoldfreightroadtoIdaho,Montana,andOregon.Manyrefreshingspringsofclearpurewaterwereoneofthe chiefattractions ofthenew settlement. Theywerecalled theOregonSpringsbecauseofthemanyweary,thirstytravelersontheirwaytoOregonwhomadethesespringstheircampinggrounds.In June of 1869 Oliver organized the "Fast Freight Company." Josiah became one of thecompany. They hauled freight from Corinne, Box Elder County, Utah (the railhead) to theminingtownsinMontana.EarlysettlersoftheMaladValleysufferedgreathardships,astherewasnoreadymarketforthecropstheyraised.Perishableshadtobehauledagreatdistancebyteamandwagonsohayandgrainwerethemaincrops.

On12July1869Oliverwas set apartasPresidingElderover the PortageWardbyApostleLorenzoSnow.Heservedinthisofficeuntil1877,whentheBoxElderStakewasorganized19August1877.PresidentLorenzoSnowsethimapartasthefirstbishopofthePortageWardon23October1877.PortageWard,atthattime,includedPortage,Washakie,Plymouth,andwhatwaslaterknownasWoodruffWard.Theybroughtlogsdownfromthehillstoconstructabuildinginwhichtoholdchurch,school,andsocialevents.Thebuildingwasfortybytwentyfeetwithanine-footceiling.Thelogswerehewnontheinsideandtheroofwasoflumber.In1872thebuildingwasmovedtothewestsideofthevalleyandlocatedonthechurchlotwhere itserved forbothchurchandschoolforthenext14years.Oliverwasinstrumentalinsurveyingand layingout thevillageofPortageintolotsandstreets.Thelandsurveyedandlaidoutasavillagewasonhishomesteadentry.Healsoassistedindividingthewatercomingfromthecanyoncommonlycalled"SouthCanyon."Thereweretwostreamsarrangedsothewaterwouldcomeinthewestsideof thevillagewhereitwasdividedintotwostreams,onegoingtothenorthandeast,andtheothertothesouthandeast,coveringthecitylotsinthevillage.The riverbridgewas thestartingpoint tosurvey the townofPortage. Theyusedapostandshadowtolayoutthestreets.Themainstreetwasstraightwiththeriverbridge.Someyearslaterthecountydecidedtoputinanewbridge.Theysurveyedagainandmovedthebridgetowhereitistoday.Thisiswhythereisajogintheroad.ErvinHoskinstoldusthisbitofhistory.

OliverhelpeddigacanalontheeastsideoftheMaladRiver.Heandthesettlerswenttoworkwithshovels,spades,oxteams,andskipstobringthewaterdownthecanal.Afterspending$3,000inlaborandcash,theyfoundthesurveyorhadthewateratthewrongendofthecanal.Thiswasverydisappointingtothesettlers,astheyallhadbuiltuphighhopesforsufficientwaterfortheirfarms.ErvinHoskinssaidthecanalcouldstillbeseeninthefields.Oliverwasambitious.Heworkedhardandexpectedallotherstodothesame.Theidlerfoundnofavorwithhim.AbranchofZCMI,knownasthePortageZCMI,wasorganizedon6January1870.Oliverwaschosenaspresident.


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Hewasafarmerandmerchant.HeoperatedasawmillatElkhornfortheIndianfarm.ThismillwaslocatedinthemountainseastofMaladValley.HealsoownedandoperatedasawmillinSpringCreekjustnorthofMaladCity.Healsolaidbrickandwasamailcarrier.Honestyandthriftweretwoofhisoutstandingqualities.Hewasgenerouswithhistimeandmeans.

Hewasalargemaninstature,carryinghistwohundredpoundsormoreinaverymanlyandstatelymanner.Hewaskindandthoughtfulinhishomelife.Twoofhisfavoritedisheswereclabberedmilkandhotbiscuits.Nomatterhowbusyortiredhemightbe,ifoneofhischildrendesiredinformationfromhim,hetookthetimetogiveittothem.Everyonehassomeweaknessor peculiarity. Oliver's was minor, yet distinct. His path could be traced by his draggingshoelaces.Hewasalwaystoobusyorintoobigahurrytotiethem.Hefoundrealdelightduringtheeveningsinentertainingnotonlyhisownfamily,butalsoothers,byplayingtheviolin.Hissenseofhumoroftenhelpedhimoversomeverydifficultsituations,butsometimesitwouldgetalittleoutofhandandcauseanembarrassingmoment.Inaplayfulmomentheaccidentallypushedhiswife, Lucinda,intothe river. Naturallyhehad tojumpinafterher,inhisbestclothes.Atonetimeoneofhisgrandsonswastravelingaroundthestake

withhim.Inthecourseoftheirtravelstheyencounteredthecompanyofsomeyoungladies.Oliver'sintroductionofhisgrandsonwas,"Hereheisgirls,nowgrabhim."Hewasadevotedanduntiringworkerinthechurch.Heheldpositionsofresponsibilityandoftrust,andgavehistimeandtalentsforthegrowthofthechurch.Floweryspeechandlargewordswerenotapartofhim,buthewasaninterestingspeaker,andcouldexpoundonthegospelverywell.Hisaccomplishmentshavebeenmany.Hedidnotmaketheworldricherinamonetarysense,butinservicetohisHeavenlyFatherandfellowmen.WhileservingasbishopofthePortageWardhewascalledupontoworklonghoursofmanuallaboraswellasforthespiritualsustenanceofhispeople.Peoplepaidtheirtithingwithallsortsofproduceandlivestock.Inthefallheoftenhadtoslaughterfromthirtytosixtyhogs,takecareofthemeat,anddistribute it amongthepoor in thewintertime. All the vegetablesand fruitsweretakencareofinalargecellar,whichheprovidedforthatpurpose.OnewinterOliverandLucindawereindirecircumstances.Lucindahadjustmixedbreadusingthelastflourinthebin.Later,whensheneededtomixbreadagain,outofhabit,sheopenedtheflourbin.Therewasjustenoughflourtomixbreadoncemore.Sheshookthebinforthelast bit of flour. This procedure continued all winter. As spring came, Oliver went to themountainsandcutaloadofcedarpoststosell.Lucinda,asbefore,checkedtheflourbintofindit completely empty. The Lord provided for them until such time as they could provide forthemselves.On5May1873OlivermarriedEllenEvansJonesofMaladCity.TheyweremarriedinSaltLakeCity,Utah.Lucindanotonlyagreedtothismarriage,butshechoseEllenasOliver'ssecond

wife.Ellenwasborn29August1850inLlangbyther,Carmarthen,SouthWales,toRichardThomasandMaryEvansJones.Shewasthesecondofninechildren.Theoldest,Alexander,diedinWales. WhenEllenwas fiveweeksoldherparentsbookedpassagetoAmerica.During thecrossingEllencrieddayandnightmakingitverydifficultforhermother.Ellenspentmostofher childhood inBrighamCity, BoxElder,Utah,where fivebrothersandsistersjoinedthefamily.Sheattendedschoolandlearnedhomemakingskills.Herfatherwas


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anexcellentweaverandfromhimshelearnedspinningandweaving.Sometimebetween1864and1866thefamilymovedtoMalad,OneidaCounty,Idaho.Shewas ahardworker,having a big gardenandfruit trees. Shecannedand prepared theproduce for winter use. She knitted sweaters and socks beautifully, quilted, and did otherhandwork.Shewasactiveinchurchandheldleadershippositions.

SevenchildrenwereborntoOliverandEllen.Theywere:ThomasElzaborn10August1875inMalad,LorenzoEzraborn10August1876inPortage,Utah,MaryLucindaborn22August1878inPortage,RichardSmithborn18January1881inPortage,Elijahborn9September1882inPortage, David Marion born 9 September 1883 in Portage, and Rachel Leona born 12September1885inPortage.Thomasdiedthesamedayhewasborn.LorenzomarriedMinnieIsabell Johnon19April 1899. Hemarried secondClaraSusannahKempon21December1910. Marymarried Joseph Edward Gibbs on11October 1898. Richardmarried LadethaParkinsonon21December1910.Elijahdiedthesamedayhewasborn.DavidmarriedMaryElvaMorrison28March1914.HemarriedsecondCynthiaJohnHalfordon19August1959.RachelmarriedJamesAlbertEtheringtonon26February1908.

During the years of 1876-77 Oliver filled a mission laboring mostly in the states of Iowa,Missouri, and Kansas. He also filled several missions in the different stakes of Zion, alsomissionstotheIndiansindifferentlocalities.In1888aspecialconferencewasheldinPortage.AtthistimetheMaladStakewasorganized,andOliverwassetapartbyLorenzoSnowaspresident.Thestaketookinalargearea,asfarnorth as American Falls, Idaho, and as far south as Fielding, Utah. Portage was theheadquarters.Thetripsaroundthestakerequiredseveraldays,travelinginbuggiesdrawnbysleek,fathorses.WhenstakeconferenceconvenedinPortage,heassumedtheresponsibilityofseeingthatallconferencevisitorswerefedandmadecomfortable.Oliverwasapolygamist,havingtwowives.Manytimeshewashuntedbythemarshalandoftenhadtohidebecausehecouldnotrenouncethatprincipleofthegospel.TheLordhadgiventhecommandmentand, until revoked,Oliver lived it honorably. Finally, figuring that itmight beeasierforallconcerned,hegavehimselfupwhichresultedinaprisontermofthreemonths.HewasintheUtahPenitentiaryfrom25Januaryto10April1889.On22March1902Oliverwasreleasedasstakepresident.AtthistimehewascalledtobethestakepatriarchbyElderRudgerClawson,apositionhehelduntilhisdeath.HehadanabidingfaithintheteachingsandprinciplesoftheChurchofJesusChristofLatter-daySaints.HewasaclosefriendofLorenzoSnow.Hehonoredandrespectedallthegeneralauthoritiesofthechurchaswellasallwardandstakeofficerswhereheresided.ChiefPocatelloandhistribelivedinavalleyjustoverthehillsonthewestsideofthetown.One

morning,afterthemenhadallgoneoutintothefieldstowork,LucindaandJanewerealoneinthe house. Chief Pocatello and some of his warriors came to the door, and the old chiefdemandedbreakfast.Lucindatriedtoconcealherfearandquicklypreparedbreakfastforthem.Theyategreedily,thenwentoutintothefieldanddemandedabeeffromtheworkingmen.Themenstoppedwork,killedabeef,andgaveittothem.Theywentontheirwaypeacefully.Duringhis lifetimeof churchactivity,Lucindaalwayssupportedhimandparticipated inmanypositioninvariouschurchorganizations.


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Itwasduring this timein the timberland thathemettwoMormonmissionaries. Afterhehadheardtheirmessage,hesaidtohimself,"IhaveheardenoughthatIknowwhattodo."AfewshortweekswentonandOliverreturnedtohisfamilyandfarminMontrose,Iowa.Hethentoldthe story to his wife, Lucinda. In a fewmore short months, Oliver and Lucinda obtainedmembershipintheChurchofJesusChristofLatter-daySaints.Thisgreateventaddedmuchhappiness to their family life. Again, in the year of 1853, they were blessed with another

daughter.Theycalledhername,Emma.Astimewentontheyaddedmanyimprovementstotheirfarmbusiness.Again,intheyearof1855,another sonwas born to their union (28 July 1856). They called his nameTheodoreAlbert (TheodoreAndrew). This fourthchildmadeupthe totalnumberoftheir family. Theirfamilyconsistedoftwodaughtersand twosons. Steppingbackjustafewshortyears totheyearof1849,Lucindawitnessedasadevent.Shewashomealone,asOliverhadgoneawaytowork.Josiahwasathomewithher,buthewasasleep.Hewasonlysixmonthsofageatthistime.Lucindastoodinthedoorwayand,lookingeastacrosstheMississippiRiver,shesawtheNauvooTempleburntoashes.Sherelatedthatitwasasadsighttobehold.Asweallknow,itwasanevilactofthemobtoburndownthatgreattemple.Astimewenton,thefamilymembersbecameoldenoughtogivesomehelptotheirfatherandmother.Thechildrenweretaughtto

carrytheresponsibilitiesofhomelife.Inthecomingyearof1857,Josiahwasoldenoughtogivehelp tohisfather. Hewas taughthowtohelpwiththecattleandhogs,andthroughouthislifeheknewhowtoraisegoodhogsandcattle.WhileontheIowafarmhelearnedhowtoplantcorn,tocultivatethecorn,andhelearnedsomeabouthowtotanhides.Duringtheyearsfrom1857to1859,theycontinuedfarmingandstockraising.Itwasintheyearof1859(8July1965atKaysville-fromPortageWardRecordandfromthelifesketchofOliverC.Hoskinswrittenbyhimself)thatmoresicknesscameintothefamilylife.Oliverandoneofhisneighborswerepreparingtobutcherabeef.Oliverhadastockcorralmadefrompoles.Whiletheyweregettingreadytogetthecattleintotheyard,youngTheodore,onlyaboy,cameintotheyardwithsomeofhisboyfriendsandstartedclimbingandplayingonthepolefence.Whileplayingonthefence,youngTheodorecameoverwherethegunhadbeenlaidagainstthefencetobeusedinthebutchering.YoungTheodorejumpeduponthepolefencewherethegunwasleaningandthegundischargedandshotTheodore-killinghiminstantly.Thisbroughtmuchsadnessintothefamily,buttheyhadthefaithandcouragetotrytocarryon.Fromtheyearspast,theyhadaddedmorecattletotheirnumber;alsomorehogsandtheyhadbuiltalargecorncrib,astheywereraisingapproximately40acresofcorneveryseason.Intheearlyspringof1860,OlivertraveledaroundtothesmalltownsinIowa.HethoughthemightbeabletoselltheirfarmandgotoUtahinthevalleysofthemountains.Inashorttimehefoundasaleforthefarm.Therewerelotsofgamebirdsrightonandaroundtheirfarm,andallkindsofnutsgrewinthatpartofthestateofIowa.Inthefalloftheyear,alloftheneighborhood

wouldturntheirhogsouttoeatthenuts.Thatisthewaytheywouldfattenthem.Theyraisedplentyofcorntofattentheircattle.Intheearlyspringof1860,amancametothefarmandboughtit;orhetradedthemanicespanofbaymaresforthefarm,thetanyard,thecattle,thehogs,thecorn,andthecorncrib-butheletOliver'sson,Josiah,havehischoiceoffouroxenfromthecattleherd.Josiahpickedoutfourverygoodsteerstopullhiswagonacrosstheplains.Hegaveeachoxaname.Theirnameswere:TomandJerry,BillandBerry.Josiahgothisoxwagonreadyandhisoxyokesothathe


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couldgettheoxenreadyforthelongtripacrosstheplains.Oliver,Lucinda,Jane,andEmmagottheirwagonpackedtostartontheirjourney.EarlyinthemonthofMay1860,theystartedacrosstheprairieofIowa.Josiahhadjustpassedhis11thbirthdayashestarteddrivinghisoxteamstowardtheRockyMountains.Oliver,Cindy,and theirdaughterswent in thewagon, whileJosiah followedbehindwithhis ox teamsand

wagon. ItwasinMid-Maywhen theystartedwestwardacross theplains. Theyhad totravelveryslowly,as the ox teamsweremuchslower togo than the horse team,and theyhad todependuponthegrassandthewateringplacesfortheirstock.Theywouldstopatnoonandatevening for their stock to graze and to have something to eat. A lot of their moves wereguesswork,andtherewerenoroadsigns.Sometimesitwouldbecomenecessaryforthemtomakecrossingsoversmallstreamssothattheycouldgettheiroutfitsovertocontinueonward.Theytraveledformanydaysinasouthwesterlydirection.FinallytheycametothebanksoftheMissouriRiver.HeretheyloadedtheirwagonsontheferryboatandwentacrosstheMissouriRiver.Oliverrelatedthattheyallenjoyedtheirrideontheferryboat.Onthewestsideoftherivertheyunloadedtheiroutfitsandagainstartedtheirjourneysouthwesterlytowardapromisedwesternhome.

They had traveled many days along the grassy prairie and they finally arrived at Counsel(Council)Bluffs,Iowa.AtCouncilBluffstheystayedtorestthemselvesandtheirhorseteamand theiroxen. During this restperiodatCouncilBluffs, theymetmanyotherwagon trainsheadedforUtah.Itwasatthisplaceandatthistimethattheymetmanynewacquaintancesandheretheymademanyfriends.AfterleavingCouncilBluffs,Iowa,theyenteredthestateofNebraska.ItwasnowsoutheasternNebraskawheretheycampedforgrassandwater.TheirjourneyacrossthestateofNebraskawasa longandtiresomeone.LateinthemonthofJulyfoundthemlandedattheNorthPlatteRiverinthesouthernpartofthestateandaboutthree-fourthsofthedistanceofthelengthofthestateofNebraska.Onceagaintheystoppedforsometimetorestfromthesameroutineoftheirjourney.Theycontinuedtheirjourneyalmoststraightwestward,seeking for the best trail to travel,andto findsuitablegrass and campingplaceswherewoodwasalsoavailable.InthisareatheyfoundafewIndiancampsatdifferenceplaces.MostoftheIndianswerefriendlytotheemigrantsthattraveledthroughthatarea.Aboutthreeweekslatertheyfoundthemselvesenteringinthesoutheasterncornerofthestateof Wyoming. Cheyenne, Wyoming, was situated quite close to the emigrant trail into thewesterndesertofWyomingandUtah. Heretheycampedagain forashorttimeasfeedwasplentifulandalsowater.AttimestheywereincloserangeoftheCheyenneRiversotheycouldfind water. Here again they found somemore Indianpeople. Their acquaintance with theIndians and their customs was interesting. They related the counsel of President BrighamYoung,thatitisbettertofeedthemthantofightthem,sotheytradedfoodswiththeIndiansattimeswhen itwaspermissible. During their travelsacross the grasslands ofWyoming, theyfoundmanybuffalo.TheIndiansgavethemsomebuffalomeatattimesandtheywerealwayshappy to get it. At this periodof time, they felt much encouraged, as they knew they were

gettingmuchnearertheirdeserthomeintheRockyMountains.After leaving this campground insoutheasternWyoming, they changed the direction of theirtravels.TheybegantogoinamorenorthwesterlydirectionacrosstheremainingdistanceofWyoming.Duringtheirstopwhilegoingontothenorthwest,somepeoplewhoweregoingontheir return into the east stopped at theircamp and visited andate dinnerwith theHoskinsfamily.Whilevisitingwiththem,theysaidthattheyhadbeenclearacrossthewildernessandtheysaidthattherewasnothingoutthereforanyhumanbeing.Thissadstorythattheytolddidnot dishearten them. Thesevisitors also related the saying ofCaptain JimBridger, that the


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entirewestwasworthless.Atthistimetheyseemedsomewhatdiscouraged;but,withaprayerintheirhearts,theymovedonward.AftertheyhadreachedsouthwesternWyoming,theyfoundsomemountainroadstotravelover,alsosomefertileprairielands.TheyalsolearnedmoreabouttheactivitiesofJimBridger,andthey learnedofthehistoricFortBridger,andsomestoriesofthegold rushers,andofthe fur

tradersandtrappers.InthisareaofWyoming,theymadecampforanothershorttime.Theysawsomegamelife-buffalo,deer,andothergamelife.Whilecampedhere,theyhadbuffalomeatattimes.TheirnextmovefoundthementeringtheGreatDivideintheWasatchMountainswheretheyviewedtheGreatSaltLakeValleyforthefirsttime.TheysoonbegantodescendfromthetopoftheWasatchMountainsintoagreatpromisedland.TheyhadtakenitslowdownthroughEmigrationCanyon.TheirlongjourneyfromtheirIowafarmhadtakenawayalloftheirspring and summer days. Early October of 1860 found them camping in the mouth ofEmigrationCanyonintheSaltLakeValley.Here,atthisplace,theybegantopreparetostayforthefallandwinter,whichtheydid.Astimewenton,theyworkedtogether.Oliver'sson,Josiah,foundthattherewasmuchwoodinanearbycanyon,whichiscalledBigCottonwoodCanyon;so,Josiahriggeduphisoxwagonandhehauledwoodbyoxteamaslongastheylivedinthatpartofthecountry.

Whilelivinginthisplace,theysawsomeofthepeoplethatwerehaulinggraniterocksforthebuildingoftheTemple.FromwheretheHoskinsfamilylived,theycouldseetheframeworkofthetabernacle.Itwasnotlongbeforetheyfoundoutaboutthiswonderfuledifice.Theysoonbecameacquaintedwithmanypeople.Intheearlyspringof1861,theymovedfromtheirpresentandfirstlocation.TheymovednorthwardintotheareathatiscalledLayton.Here,closetothetownofLayton,theymadethemselvesanewcamp.Itwasatthisplace,inthetownofLayton,thattheymetBishopLayton.Hewasaprominentmanatthattime.ItwasherethatOliverandhisson,Josiah,boughtafreightoutfitfromBishopLayton.BeforeleavingtheirfirstlocationinthemouthofEmigrationCanyon,theylostanotheroneoftheiroxen.Atthisevent,theywereleftwithoneyokeofoxenandonehorseteam.Duringthistime, Oliver had sold the horse team. He sold them to a gold-seeker who was going toCalifornia.Oliverreceivedfourhundreddollarsforthehorseteam.While living at Layton, they ran their freight business; also they purchased some land overwherethetownofKaysvillenowis.Duringthespringof1863,earlyinthespring,theyagainmovedovertoKaysville.Heretheybuildasmallhomeandbeganfarmingandclearingthebrush from the land. Here they farmed andalsooperated their freightbusiness. Theyhadmulestoputontheirfreightwagons,butJosiahstillhungontohisoxteam.Intheearlyspringof1864,theyagainmovednorthward.TheysoldtheirlandandtheirhomeinKaysvilleforonedollarperacre.Theyreceivedgoldforthisland.Josiahrelatedthathewassohappytogetthemoneyforhislandthathehadashortcry.

Theirnextmovewasalsonorthward-intoBoxElderCounty,about40milesnorthofBrighamCity. This location was in northeastern BoxElder County. Here at this new location, theybought160acresofunimprovedsagebrush land. Here theyresumed theirfarmingactivitiesagain.Hereonthistractoflandtheyfoundasmallspringofwater.Withpickandshovel,theydugasmallpondandcaughtthespringwater.Thespringandpondarestilltheretothisday.Theybuildahomeofdouby(adobe)brick.Thereatthisplacetheybegantoraisesomewheat,hogsandcattle,astherewasmuchgrassatthisplace.Theycalledthefarm,"TheOregonSpringRanch."Someothersettlersmovedinduringthefewshortyearswhiletheylivedonthis


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Ranch. At this time, they establisheda town sitecalled, "Portage," but later thenamewaschangedto"EastPortage."During the short time that theHoskins family lived here on theEastPortageOregon SpringRanch,theyspentmanyhappydays.OliverandJosiahrelatedafewoftheirthrillingevents.Oneniceeveninginlatespring,Josiahtookanotiontosleepoutsideonthegrass.Soheasked

hisfathertosleepoutwithhim,buthisfatherdidnotfeelinclinedtodoso.SoJosiahsleptoutonthegrassalone.Atabout1:30inthemorning,abearcamedownoutofthesmallcanyonadjoiningthefarm.HecamestraightacrossthegrassandwalkedovertoJosiah'sbed.Whatascare!Josiahjumpedupandranonewayandthebearwentanother.JosiahjumpedthroughthecloseddooroftheroomwhereOliverandCyndaweresleeping.Helituponthefloorandwasmuchfrightened.OliverandCyndawereasfrightenedasJosiahandthebear.JaneandEmma,whoweresleeping inanadjoiningroom,werealso frightened. The familyhadmanygoodlaughsaboutthisscaryeventwhiletheylivedtogetherasafamily.Duringthesehappydaysonthefarm,thefamilyworkedtogetherasusual.Fromtheyear1863until1866,theyhaddonemuchhardworkonthefarm.Theyhadclearedmanyacresofsagebrushfromtheland,andtheyhadmademanyotherimprovements.In the

earlyspringof1866,theywitnessedanothereventintheirlives.ItwasatthistimethatthefederalgovernmentswasaskingforvolunteerstogointoservicetosettletheIndianuprisinginSouthernUtah.Josiahhadalreadybeenaskedtogo.Inthisdifficultdecision,Josiahwenttohis father for some advice. His father's advice was, "You go and be loyal and serve yourcountry,andwewilltrytodothebestwecanwhileyouareintheservice."SoJosiahenlisted.ItfelltoOlivertofinancehimintotheservice.Hejoinedthecavalry.Oliverboughthishorse,saddle,gun,anduniform.Josiahreceivednopayforhisservice.Alsoatthisevent,Josiahhadtwo friendsthatalsoenlistedintheservice. Thenamesof the friendsthatenlistedwithhimwereEnochHarrisandJosephHalford.Thesetwostaunchfriendslaterbecamethehusbandsofhistwosisters,JaneandEmma.Thesethreeyoungmenreturnedfromtheserviceinthespringof1867.Again,theywentbacktotheirusualroutine.JosiahwentbacktotheOregonSpringRanchandhelpedhisfatherwiththefarming.Duringthistime,fromtheLaytonfreightbusiness,Oliverkeptsomemuleteamsandhisfreightwagons.Inthespringof1868,JosiahtookajobwiththeUnionPacificRailroad.ThisagainleftOliver,Cynda,andadnthetwodaughterstodothefarming.Josiahworkedontherailroadjobuntilitwasfinished.TherailroadconstructionjobthatheworkedonwaslocatedatCorrine,Utah.Theyworkedtenhoursadayandsixdaysaweek.WhenSaturdaynightwouldcome,hewouldwalkfromCorrinetotheOregonSpringRanch,adistanceofabout30miles. Hewouldratherdothatafterworkingthantostayat the railroadcamp,andhewouldsay,"Igetenoughoftherailroadduring theweek." As timewenton,theygot father intothewest,astherailroadcompanywasheadedintothestateofCalifornia.Thisrailroadconstructionwork lastedall through 1868 and untilMay 1869. The railroadcompany finallymoved theirconstructioncampintothePromontoryMountainarea.Whiletheyworkedatthiscamp,Josiahwouldwalkhome,afterworkingallday,onSaturdaynights-adistanceofabout35miles.On

Sunday,hewouldleavequiteearlyinthedaytobethereforMondaymorning.Finally,thejobhadneareditsend.Onthe10thdayofMay1869,atPromontoryPoint,theUnionPacificandtheSouthernPacificmet in their building of the railroads. A fewweeks beforeMay10, 1869, they had mergedtogether.Onthishistoricdaythecompanyhadacelebration.ThiswastheeventoftheDrivingoftheGoldenSpike.Thereweremanypeoplethatattendedthiscelebration-alsotheOliverC.Hoskinsfamily. Thedrivingof theGoldenSpikestillholdsastrongmemoryinthehistoryoftoday.Aftertherailroadjobwascompleted,JosiahsettleddownontheOregonSpringRanch


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withhisdadandmotherandhistwosisters.InaveryshorttimeJosiahfoundworkagain.Hetooka jobwiththesurveyorswhoweresurveying theUtah-IdahoStateLine. The surveyorswerecampedneartheOliverHoskins'ranch.Josiahwouldgettobehomeintheeveningsforafewweeks.Thentheymovedwestwardwiththeirsurveywork.Latein1870,theyfinishedthesurveywork.Alloftheworkersthatworkedonthejobwerecalledtogetherbyoneofthebigbosses.HetoldthemtostayatcampwhilehewenttothePayStationinNevadatogettheir

pay.This,alloftheworkersagreedto.ThepaymastersaddleduphismuleandrodeawaytocatchastagetogotoNevadatogetthesurveymoneyforthemen.Timewentonanditwasfourorfivedaysthatthemenstayed inthecamp. Theybecameuneasyandworried. Theythoughtthatthepaymasterwouldnotreturnwiththemoney,sotheywereharnessinguptheirmulesonemorning togohome,when, totheirsurprise,hecameridingintothecampon hismule. He said to themen, "Youmenall join in the camp circle for payday." He paid theworkersingold.Itwasaboutathree-days'journeywithmuleteamfromtheNevadalinetotheOregonSpringRanchinUtah.Josiahrelatedthatthedistancedidn'tseemfarashehadsomemoneytotakehomewithhimforhisfatherandmotherandhistwosisters.Soonafterarrivinghome from the Utah-Idaho survey job,Oliver and his son, Josiah, organized a fast freightcompany.Theywerepartnerstogetherinthefreightbusiness.TheybuiltasmallfreightdepotontheOregonSpringRanch.AlsotheybuiltasmallfreightdepotontheOregonSpringRanch.

Alsotheybuiltabarntoprovideshelterforthe freightmules. Josiahhadbecomeoneofthedriversofthefreightwagons,ashehadprovedtobeagoodhandwithoxen,horses,andmules.Oliver'sson,Josiah,woulddrivethefreightwagonsbothways.HedroveonetripintoIdaho,and thenhewoulddriveonthenexttrip intoUtah. Josiah toldof the roughcountryonthesefreightruns.HesaidthathewouldfindcampingplacesandwateringplacesalongtheSnakeRiver.WhilecrossingIdahoterritoryhewouldsaythatsomeofhisworstdreadwouldbeastretchofroadfromFortHallintoBlackfoot,adistanceofabout12miles.OntheUtahrun,hesaidthatsomemoredisagreeableroadwasaboutnineor10milessouthoftheOregonSpringRanch.ItwasontheoldMaladRiverhillandtheriverbottomsoftheMaladRiver.Inashorttime,therewasapassengerstagelineorganizedbysomeUtahpeople.TheirrouteoftravelwasthesamewayastheHoskinsFastFreightroute.Thepassengerstagelinecompanybuiltaneathousesothepassengerscouldhaveagoodcookedranchmealbeforeleavingtogoonthestagecoach.ItwasatthistimethatOliverandCynda'stwodaughtersfitin.JaneandEmmabecame themanagersof theStageHouse, and also the chiefcooks. Themealswere verygood,andtheyhadmanyhungrypassengerstofeed.(Pages7and8oftheoriginalcopyaremissing,sohaveusedthefollowingparagraphfromanotherofConley'shistoriestocompletethestory.)Inabouttheyearof1889,shortlyafterthestakewasorganized,thepeoplebegantoputupsomesmallbuildings, soJosiahhauledsome lumberfortheward. Theygavehima twenty-dollargoldpiecetobuysomelumberatthesawmill.ThesawmillwaslocatedafewmileswestofPortage.Onthewaytothesawmill,acreekcrossedtheroad.Josiahbecamethirstysohestoppedtogethimselfadrinkofwater.Hehada twenty-dollargoldpieceinhis(shirt)pocket.

Helaydowntogethimselfadrinkfromthecreek.Whilehewasdrinking,thegoldpieceslidoutofhispicketadnintothewater.Hewentontothesawmillandheloadedsomelumberonhiswagon.Hewenttopayforthelumber,buthediscoveredhehadlostthemoney.Thesawmillmantoldhimtotakethelumber,andthathecouldpayhimwhenhecameformorelumber.(Continuedonpage9oftheoriginalcopy):Josiahbecamedisappointed,butsaidtohimself,"Oh,Iwillbecomingbackthroughheretomorrow,andIhavestronghopesoffindingthatlostmoney;andIrolledonhometoPortagewiththeloadoflumber."ThenextdayherelatedhisstorytoCynda,"Say,Cynda,Igotthisloadof lumberfree."Cyndasaid,"Howcomeyougotitfree?"Hesaidtohismother,"It'salongstory.IwilltellittoyoutomorrownightwhenIcomein


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withthenextloadoflumber,sodonotworry,mother.Youwomenfolkshaveatleastsomelumbertostartworkingon."Josiahwentearlythenextmorningandsoonhecametothecreekwherehedrankthedaybefore.Hespottedthetwenty-dollargoldpieceintheedgeofthecreek.Hesaidhecouldhardlybelievehiseyes.Heputthemoneyintohispocket,andsoonarrivedatthesawmillagain

foranotherloadoflumber.Afterhehadreturnedhome,thenextmorning,hetoldCyndythestory.Cyndyrelates,"Howluckyweallare!"SoonthenewReliefSocietyHallwasallfinishedandreadyforuse.Anotherimportantstepintheaffairsofthewardwas thattheyhadbuiltanew tithing granary and had installed weighing scales to weigh tithing grain and othercommodities.Afterthistaskwascompleted,theybuiltatithingbarnthatwouldhold75tonsofhay. Theyalsobuilt feedmangersformanyteamstoeat from.Also,theyhadbuilta tithingoffice building, alsoawomen's hall. Some of thesehistoric buildings are still there in goodshape.Thehistorictithingbarnwasfinallysoldmanyyearsagotoaprominentrancherinthearea.HisnamewasJohnF.Conley,Sr.HewasthehusbandoftheoldestdaughterofJaneAnnHoskinsHarris.Mr.andMrs.Conleywereprominentpeopleinthatarea.Theyrearedanhonorableand

industriousfamily.Mr.JohnF.Conley,Sr.filledamissiontotheSamoanIslands.HealsowastheBishopofthePortageWardformanyyears,alsoCountyroadsupervisorformanyyears,also he served well as County Assessor of Box Elder County, also he served as CountyCommissioner formanyyears. JohnF.Conley,Sr.wasa staunchpillarinhelping tobuildagoodward,agoodtown,agoodcounty,andagoodstate.Hehadmanyfriendsthroughoutthecounty,thestate,andinthemissionfield.Also,hewasanexcellentswimmer.AlloftheJohnF.ConleyandLenaConleyfamilyweretypicaloftheteachingsoftheirfatherandmother.Intheyearof1875,OliverandEllenHoskinsweretheparentsoftheirfirstchild,aboy.TheycalledhisnameLorenzo.(ThisfirstchildwasstillbornandtheycalledThomasElza.Lorenzowasthesecondchildandwasborn10Aug1876.)Lorenzolivedtoagoodoldageandraisedanoblefamily.Lorenzomarriedthesecondtime.HisfirstwifewasthedaughterofJamesJohn,aprominentmaninthearea.Hewasafarmerandastockman.Lorenzo'sfirstwife'snamewas______ (MinnieIsabellJohn). Shepassedaway. Lorenzo latermarriedClaraCamp,averytruecompaniontohimandhisfamily(ShewasClaraSusannahKEMP-divorcedfromWilliamDayandhadasmallson,James,whowassealedtoherandLorenzo.)LorenzofilledamissionfromthePortageWard.Hespentallofhisyearsintheserviceofhisfellowmen.Alsohewasengagedinfarming.LorenzoandhisgoodwifewerecustodiansofthePortageWardchapel.(Lorenzowasappointedtokeeporderinthebuilding.)LorenzoandClaraalsocarriedthemail(from the train to the post office) for some time. There weregood servants in many othercapacities.DuringalloftheseyearsinthesettlingofPortage,thingswereimprovingalongquitewell.Intheyearof1877,OliverC.andEllenwereblessedwithadaughter.Theycalledhername,Mary.(MaryLucindawasborn22Aug1878-PortageWardRecord.)Mary(Mayme)grewto

womanhood andwasmarried and reared a good family. Maryand her husband lived to agoodlyoldage.MarywasmarriedtoJamesEdwardGibbs.(IntheSaltLakeTemple,11Oct1898)Herhusband,Edward,wasthesonofWilliamH.Gibbs,whobecameacouncilorinthe(Malad)StakePresidency.JamesEdwardGibbs,thehusbandofMaryHoskinsGibbs,wasalsoaprominentmanthearea. Hewasa farmer,abusinessman,andaschoolteacher. Edwardtaught school ina LamaniteschoolatWashakie,Utah,a small IndiantownnearPortage, formanyyears.WhileteachingattheWashakieschoolhewouldridetohisworkandbackonhorseback,adistanceofthreemilesorbetter.Edwardwasafaithfulworkinginthewardandinthestake.MaryHoskinsGibbswaslovedbymanyfaithfulfriendsandrelatives.


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Intheyearof1879,(18Jan1991-PortageWardRecord)OliverandEllenJonesHoskinswereblessedwithanotherson.TheycalledhisnameRichardS.Hoskins.Richardgrewtomanhoodandwasmarriedand reareda goodly family. Richardwasmarried toLadethaParkinson, adaughterofHenryandMaryJaneJohnParkinson.Richardandhisfaithfulwife,Ladetha,livedtoagoodoldage.Theyrearedanoblefamilyinandthrough,andbytheteachingofthegospel

tothem.RichardandLadethawerefarmersandRichardwasabusinessman.Hewasastoremanandheownedameatmarket.RichardandLadethawerefaithfulworkersinthewardandinthestakework.Theywereveryhard-workingpeople.Richardwasalsoveryconcernedofhismotherinherdecliningyears.Hewouldalwaysseethatshewasprovidedfor.Intheyearof1882,OliverC.andEllenHoskinswereblessedwithanother son. Theycalled his nameDavidMarion.(ThelittleboybornSep9,1882,wascalledElijah.OliverC.wrotethathelivedthreeweeks,othersourcessayhediedonthedayofhisbirth,nodeathdategiveninwardrecord.)DavidMarionwasbornjustayearlater (9Sep1883-wardrecord). Davidgrew tomanhoodandwasmarriedtoElva(MaryElva)Morris,agranddaughterofJohnS.Morris,whowasaStakePatriarchformanyyears.DavidandElvarearedaverynicefamily.Theyareallfaithfulworkersinthewelfareofmankind.DavidandElvaalsolivedtoagoodlyage.Theywerefaithfulworkersinthewardandinthestake.

Intheyearof1884,(12Sep1885-wardrecord)anotherdaughterwasborninthehomeofOliver C. and Ellen Hoskins. They called her nameRachel (Rachel Leona). She grew towomanhoodandwasmarriedtoJamesEtherington.(MarriedintheSaltLakeTemple26Feb1908-MaladStakeformE.)Theylivedtoagoodlyage.Theywerefarmersbytrade.TheylivedatWestWarren(WestWeber-obit),Utah,nearthecityofOgden.Theywerefaithfulworkersintheteachingsofthegospel.ThisisthetotalnumberofchildreninthefamilyofOliverC.HoskinsandEllenJonesHoskins-threeboysandtwogirls(whogrewtomaturity).Fromtheyearof1884totheeventfulyearof1888,manychangescameaboutinthewholeMaladValley.Duringaperiodof20years,thetownofMaladbecamequiteaprosperoustown.Thetowngrewsofastthatitsoonbecameacity.Farmingandstockraisingbecametheirmainbusiness-farming,sheep,andcattle.Inafewshortyears,arailroadwasbuiltfromBrighamCitytoMalad-adistanceof55miles.Passengersandfreightwereitsbusiness.OnFebruary12,1888,theGeneralAuthoritiesoftheChurchorganizedtheMaladStake.Fromthenon,thePortageWardbelongedtotheMaladStakeandstillisatthispresenttime.(ItwaspreviouslypartofBoxElderStake.LorenzoSnowwasthenPresidentoftheChurch.LorenzoSnowwasanapostleatthistime.PresidentWilfordWoodruffdiedinSanFranciscoSeptember2,1898,andLorenzoSnowwassustainedasPresidentoftheChurchonSunday,October9,1898,duringthe69thsemi-annualconferenceoftheChurch-ChurchChronology.)OliverC.Hoskins became the first President of the Malad Stake. At this time Josiah and Charlotte

Hoskinswerestillworkingatthe farmingbusiness. Theyhadaccumulateda few sheepandcattlebythistime.AfewyearsbeforetheorganizingoftheMaladStake,thefirstsonofJosiahandCharlottewasborn,1May1876.TheycalledhisnameWilliamOliver.HemarriedNellie(MaryEllen)Moon.Theyrearedfourchildren-twoboysandtwogirls.WilliamandNelliewerefarmers.AlsoNellieoperatedasmallgrocerystore.Williamlovedtotillthesoilandheraisedverygoodcrops(andalargevegetablegarden).WilliamalsofilledamissiontotheSouthernStates.TheirfamilywastruetotheteachingoftheGospel.WilliamandNellieworkedfaithfullytomakeabetterlifeforthosewhofollowedafterthem.


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Duringthetryingyears,thesettlershadverylittlefarmmachinerytoworkwith,sotheydiditthehardway. Theywouldhand-seed theirgrainorbroadcastitbyhand.Whenthesowingwasfinished,theyhadtocoveruptheland.Thiswasknowntothemasthebrush-drag.Whenthewheatwasready toharvest,theywouldcut thewheatwithascythe.Alsotheywouldputanattachmentonthescythetokeepthewheatstrawstraightandtogether.Whentheyhadmadetwoorthreestrokeswiththescythe,theywoulddropoffthewheatandtieitintoabundle.They

wouldusewheatstrawtotiethebundles.Whenthreshingtimecame,theyhadnothreshingmachine.Theywouldlayacanvasdownuponthegroundtolaythewheatbundleson.Theywouldtakeaclubandpoundthebundlestoshellthemout.Thentheywouldpickoffthecoarsestraw.Whenthewindblew,theywouldcleanoutthechaffbylettingitfalluponanothercanvas.Duringtheseeventfulyearsfrom1875andmanyyearsaheadinthesettlingofWestPortageandthedevelopingofthePortageWardandtheMaladStake,allofthepeopleworkedunitedlytogether.OliverC.Hoskinsandhiswife,Cynda,hadbuiltthemahomeonthetownsiteofPortage.Oliveralsohadbuilthimamercantilestore.Theyhadbuilttheirhomeononeblockofthetownsiteandtheirstoreonanotherblock,astheyownedseveralblocksonthetownsite.Theyhad alsobuiltanother homeona thirdblock intown forMrs.EllenJonesHoskins,hesecondwife.Theoldhomesarestillstandingthereatthepresenttime.(Ellen'stwo-storyhome

waslaterdestroyedbyfireandwasreplacedbyasmallerframehome.)Inthefollowinglateryears,thePortageWardtookthestoredown,anditisonthisspotofgroundthatthe(new)wardtabernacle(meetinghouse)wasbuilt.(DedicatedSunday,May28,1939,byPresidentHeberJ.Grant.)Itisstillinusebythewardatthepresenttime.During the administrationofOliverC.Hoskins, the stakewas quitescattered, andmeansoftravelwas by teamand wagon. Oliverand hiscouncilors,Abraham Zundel andWilliamH.Gibbs,would load upawagonwith food necessities, and they traveled throughout the ward(stake),findingandhelpingpeopleinneed.Oliverandhisfaithfulcouncilorsservedinthestakeformanyyears.OliveralsoservedasStakePatriarchforseveralyears.Duringtheseyearsofactivity,Oliverhadbuiltupaverygoodstorebusiness.AlsohewasestablishedwiththeZCMIofSaltLakeCity,Utah.Thepeopleofthevillagehadverylittleincomeinthosedays,sohedidbusinessonthecreditsystem,andallofthiscustomerswerehonestonesastherecordshows.(Mostofthemwerefaithfulandactivechurchmembers.)Thisrecordwastakenfromoneofhisaccountbooks.ThissketchwasdigitizedintothisdatabasebyLouiseWheelerHorman,gggranddaughterofO.C.andLucindaHowellHoskins,withitsoriginalspellingandpunctuationfromacopygiventoherbyMarjorieHarrisWardon24Jan2006.(CoraMaeHeatonWheeler-1,AnnieJaneHarrisHeaton-2,JaneAnnHoskinsHarris-3,andOliverC.HoskinsandLucindaHowellHoskins-4)----------------------------------------------------------------------------------SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF OLIVER CROMWELL HOSKINS (by himself). Typed by EvaHoskinsHoltmanfromacopyloanedtoherbyLeonaZundelJohnson

ElzaHoskins(sonofJeremiahandMaryScottHoskins)wasbornAugust13,1801,inBelmontCounty,Ohio.OliverCromwellHoskins(sonofElzaandMaryHallHoskins)wasbornMay17,1827,inGeorgetown,VermilionCounty,Illinois.In1833,fatherlefthishomeandservedintheBlackHawkWaruntilpeacewasmadein1836.(NotebyEvaHoskins:Errorindates--warcommencedinJune1831andendedJuly31,1832.)Hemovedtenmileswestandmadeanewfarmandhomeonwhichheremaineduntil1839.InMayofthatyear,weleftourhomeforthestateofMissouri.Wemadeanotherfarm


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wherewestayeduntil1847.Fromthere,wemovedtoLeeCounty,Iowa. Iowa,Missouri,andIllinoisbeingnewcountries,Ihadlittlechanceofschooling.OnJanuary18, 1846, Iwasmarried toLucindaHowell. Myfather's familyconsisted offourchildren:OliverC.,Levina,Isom,andElizaAnn.

WehadasonJosiah,borntousonApril28,1849.InNovember1849,wemovedtoGardenGrove,DecaturCounty,Iowa.Therewemadeanewfarmandhome.(NotebyEvaHoskins:This must have been the town of Franklin, nearGarden Grove, which Oliver surveyed andstarted.) On February 11, 1851, a daughter, Jane Annwasborn. On January18, 1853, adaughter,Emma,wasborn. OnJuly28,1856,ason,TheodoreAndrew,wasborn. HediedJuly8,1865.(AccidentallyshotatKaysville,Utah.)InApril1851,IwasfirstbaptizedintheWeldonForkoftheGrandRiverbyCharlesHaleandwasconfirmedthesameday,alsoordainedaPriest.In1861,IsoldmyhomeinDecaturCountyandmovedtoCouncilBluffs,Iowaandstoppedthereallwinter.(NotebyEvaHoskins:ThiswasnearCrescent,PottawattamieCounty,Iowa,where

Oliver's parents remaineduntil theirdeaths.) In the spring, onMay 25, 1862, I crossed theMissouriRiverenroutetoUtah.CampedthreemileswestofFlorence.AcompanyofSaintswasorganized.IwasmadeCaptainofTen,andonJune10,westartedforUtahandcampedatSaltLakeCityonAugust1862.IboughtahomeinSouthCottonwoodWard.InOctober(1862)wassetapartasacting-teacher.InOctober1863,wemovedtoKaysville,Utah.InDecember1863,wassetapartasacting-teacherthere.In1864,wassetapartCounselortothePresidentoftheElder'sQuorum.In 1868, removed to PortageWard. In July 1869, was set apart as Presiding Elder in thePortageWard.In1877,wassetapartasBishopofthesameWard,byLorenzoSnow.In1888,wassetapartasPresidentoftheMaladStakeofZion,andwasreleasedfromthatofficeonMarch22,1902.In1876,wassentonamissionintheU.S.A.Ivisitedmyfatherandmotherandagreatmanyofmyfriends.In1882,IfilledamissiontoIndianaincompanywithPresidentLorenzoSnow,IsaacZundel,_____Jensen,andJohnJones.In1873,ImarriedEllenJones.Herchildrenwere:LorenzoE.,MaryLucinda,RichardSmith,DavidMarion,andRachel.(Elijahdiedwhen3weeksold,andThomaswasstillborn.)Ihavelivedwithmyfirstwife56yearsandwithmysecondwife30years.In1889,Iservedasentenceof3monthsandpaida$100.00fineforconsciencesake.(Forpolygamy-UtahState

Penitentiary.)My lifehas been fraughtwithdifficulties and disappointments, but withall these, I have hadmuch pleasure in my labors at home, and also in public among my brothers and sisters.Althoughithas takensomecourage,bytheblessingsoftheLord,I havebeenable tostandfaithfultothetruth.Oneday,whilesittingintheshadeofmyhouseatOregonSprings,PresidentSnowexplainedtometheOrderofCelestialMarriageandboreafaithfultestimonytothesame,andadvisedmeto


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enterintothatorderassoonasIcouldmakeitconvenient.ItisbyhisadviceandcounselthatInowbeholdmyfamilywhonumbernearly100.OnSeptember14,1902,IwasordainedaPatriarch(Stake)underthehandsofApostleRudgerClawson.

NOTE:TypedbyEvaHoskinsHoltmanfromacopyloanedtoherbyLeonaZundelJohnson.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------FROMTHEBOOK:"SKETCHOFTHELIFEOFOLIVERCROMWELLHOSKINS"(Frominformationfoundat)Byfamily,hemarriedLucindaHowellwhenhewas19yearsold.In1847theyoungcouplewereinNauvoo,Illinois.Oliver'ssympathymusthavebeenstrongtothepeopleofNauvooandtheturmoiltheywereunder.HeandLucindawerenotmembersofthechurchatthistime,buthisinterestwassuchofthefaithandpeoplethattheygatheredwiththeSaintsatGardenGrove,Iowain1849.

In November 1849 they moved to Franklin, Iowa where their last three children were born.OliverwasinterestedinjoiningtheMormonChurch,buthisfamilywasagainsthisjoining.Hecouldn'tmakeuphismind.WhileinGardenGrove,heborrowedmoneytoplantcorn.Hehadagood crop but thepricedropped until hecould notmeethisdebt. So he borrowedenoughmoneytobuyahundredheadoffeederpigs.Hehadabeautifulherdreadyformarket.Inordertogetthemtherehehad todrivethemacrosstheMississippiRiver. The icewas testedandfoundthickandreadyforcrossing.Whentheyhadthepigsabouthalfwayacrosstheicebegantobendinthemiddlealmostreadytogiveway.Oliverthoughtofallthefailureshehadthepastfewyearsandhisindecision.Hedroppedtohiskneesandprayedthathemightbeabletoclearhisdebts.Heknewnowthatjoiningthechurchwastherightthingandmadeuphismindthathe was going to do it. The ice straightenedand he marketed the pigs and paid his debts.CharlesHalebaptizedhiminAprilof1851.LucindawasverymuchagainsttheirmovingtoUtahbecauseofthepracticeofpolygamy.OnedaywhenOliverwasoutinthefieldamanspoketohimandtoldhimtogotoUtahastheLordhadimportantworkforhimthere.Heneversawthemanagain.HepromisedLucindathathewouldnevermarryanotherwifeuntilshewantedhimto.TheytraveledwiththeLewisBronsonoxcompanywith57wagons.Hewasamanlargeinstature,carryinghis 200 pounds in a very manly and statelyway. In his home life he wasthoughtful. He played the violin,was ambitious,andwas a hardworker. Her servedas aBishopandasthefirstStakePresidentfortheMaladStake.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------FromTheBiographicalEncyclopedia,Volume1,Biographies:

Hoskins,OliverCromwell,firstpresidentoftheMaladStakeofZion,isthesonofElzaHoskinsandMary Hall, andwas born May 17, 1827, atGeorgetown, Vermilion county, Ill. He wasmarried18Jan1846andtheyearfollowingtheymovedtoNauvoo,Ill.,arrivingthereaftermostoftheSaintshadmadetheirexodustothewest.In1849hewenttoGardenGrove,Iowa,wherehewasbaptizedintotheChurchinApril1851byChas.Hale,andonthesamedayhewasordainedaPriest.HeimmigratedtoUtahin1862andlocatedinSouthCottonwood,SaltLakeCounty,wherehelaboredasaWardTeacher.In1863hemovedtoKaysville,DavisCounty,wherehe tookan


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activepartinChurchwork.HewasordainedanElderinthespringof1864byWilliamFolsom,andaHighPriestin1873byPres.LorenzoSnow.In1868hemovedtoPortage,BoxEldercounty,andin1869hewassetapartbyPres.LorenzoSnowtoactaspresidingElder inthePortagebranchoftheChurch.On23Oct1887hewasordainedaBishopandcalledtopresideover the PortageWard,whichpositionheheld till Jan. 12, 1888,when hewas set apartaspresidentof theMaladStake,byPres.LorenzoSnow,inwhichcapacityhe served tillMarch

1902,(14years).During1876-77hefilledamissiontotheUnitedStates,laboringmostlyintheStatesofIowa,MissouriandKansas.PresidentHoskinshasalsofilledseveralmissionsinthedifferentStakesof Zionand among the Indians in different localities. For braving yielded obedience to theprincipleofpluralmarriageheservedatermofimprisonmentintheUtahpenitentiaryfromJan.25,1889,toApril10,1889.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------OliverCromwellHOSKINSandLucindaHOWELLhadthefollowingchildren:iJosiahHOSKINS,b28Apr1849inMontrose,Lee,Illinois,mdCharlotteLorettaLISH25

Feb1875inSaltLakeCity,SaltLake,Utah,d15May1933inPortage,BoxElder,UtahiiJaneAnnHOSKINS,b11Feb1851inDecaturCounty,Illinois,mdEnochHARRIS31Dec1866inKaysville,Davis,Utah,d20Oct1938inRirie,Jefferson,IdahoiiiEmmaHOSKINS,b18Jan1853inFranklin,Decatur,Illinois,mdJosephHenryHALFORD22Feb1868inSaltLakeCity,SaltLake,Utah,d7Sep1927inPortage,BoxElder,UtahivTheodoreAndrewHOSKINS,bornon28Jul1856inFranklin,Decatur,Iowa.Hediedatageeighton8Jul1865inKaysville,Davis,Utah,fromanaccidentalgunshotwound.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------OliverCromwellHOSKINSandEllenJONEShadthefollowingchildren:iThomasElzaHOSKINS,b10Aug1875,Malad,Oneida,Idaho,stillbornii LorenzoEzraHOSKINS,b10Aug1876,Portage,BoxElder,Utah,md(1st)MinnieIsabellJOHN,md(2nd)ClaraSusannahKEMP,d24Feb1963inOgden,Weber,Utahiii MaryLucindaHOSKINS,b 22Aug 1878,Portage,BoxElder, Utah,mdJames EdwardGIBBS11Oct1898,SaltLakeCity,SaltLake,Utah,d1Jul1969inTwinFalls,TwinFalls,Idahoiv Richard Smith HOSKINS, b 18 Jan 1881, Portage, Box Elder, Utah, md LadethaPARKINSON,d18Jul1943inPortage,BoxElder,Utah

vElijahHOSKINS,b9Sep1882,Portage,BoxElder,Utah,diedat3weeksofageviDavidMarionHOSKINS,b9Sep1883,Portage,BoxElder,Utah,mdMaryElvaMORRIS,d24Aug1959vii Rachel Leona HOSKINS, b 12 Sep 1885, Portage, Box Elder, Utah, md JamesETHERINGTON26Feb1908,SaltLakeCity,SaltLake,Utah,d25Aug1966

oliver cromwell hoskins, pioneer

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