A Miracle in Our Family History By Jonathan Pearson Daniels December 24, 2013 A Christmas gift to all the descendants of Marian Fay Bolin Daniels The daughter of Fay Cornwall Bolin The daughter of Mary Bitner Neff Cornwall

In the October General Conference, two talks made an impression on me that were both given in the Sunday afternoon session. The first was by Bonnie L. Oscarson, and the second was by Richard J. Maynes. Each talk contained stories from their family history about the faith of their great-grandparents. When I heard those talks, I was reminded of a story about my great-grandmother. The first time I heard the story was when Mom shared it with me in 2010. It was a story about a miracle involving her grandmother, Mary Bitner Neff. Mom showed me where it was written in a book by Duane Crowther. He got it from an earlier book by Jeremiah Stokes. It took place in the old Neff home which you can see from Mom and Dad’s back yard. After the conference, I decided to include the story in a lesson I was going to give in my ward High Priests group. To learn more about the story, I obtained a copy of the book “Modern Miracles” by Jeremiah Stokes. I researched several people in our family history using the new Family Tree software on the Church’s Family Search website. I used the online overland travels database to get some information about several of our ancestors who were Mormon pioneers. I also went to the new Church History Library to get access to some old books and documents. As I did the research, I discovered many interesting facts. After I gave the lesson in November, I decided to put some of the most interesting things together and share it with the rest of the family for Christmas. If you are related to Mom, you are also related to her grandmother, Mary Bitner Neff. In 2008 two general authorities of the Church passed away. They were President Gordon Bitner Hinkley and Apostle Joseph Bitner Wirthlin. Isn’t it interesting that both men had the same middle name? It was also Mom’s grandmother’s middle name. It is especially interesting since there are no Bitners among her direct ancestors. I wanted to find out where that middle name came from, so I looked in Family Tree at all the surnames of people related to the Neffs. Mom’s great-grandfather, John Neff III, married Ann Eliza Benedict and I discovered that her sister, Mary Esther Benedict married a man by the name of Breneman Barr Bitner. I wondered if that was where Mary’s middle name came from and were either President Hinkley or Elder Wirthlin related to him? 2

When I did a Google search on Breneman Barr Bitner, I discovered that he was both President Hinkley’s and Elder Wirthlin’s grandfather, but Mary was not their grandmother. She was Breneman’s first wife but she died less than two years after they were married and never had any children. Breneman had two other wives, one was President Hinkley’s grandmother and the other was Elder Wirthlin’s grandmother. I then discovered on Family Tree that Breneman Barr Bitner and Mom’s great-grandfather, John Neff III were 1st cousins. Breneman’s father and John’s father had married sisters, Mary Barr and Anna Barr. Then Breneman and John also married sisters, Ann Eliza Benedict and Mary Esther Benedict. So Breneman Bitner and John Neff III were also brothers-in-law. Their families were also connected in another way. John’s older brother Franklin married Breneman’s older half-sister, Elizabeth Musser. Breneman and John were also very close in age. Breneman and John were both born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, just 13 days apart. John’s parents and Breneman’s mother joined the church in the early 1840’s. Both families went with the Latter-day Saints from Nauvoo, Illinois, to Winter Quarters, Nebraska. That is where John’s older brother and Breneman’s half-sister were married in March 1847. John and Breneman were nine years old at the time. That same month John’s twenty year old brother, Cyrus, died in Winter Quarters. John’s father, John Neff II, brought his family, except Franklin and Barbara, to Utah in 1847, the same year Brigham Young arrived. (1) Franklin and Barbara were the oldest and were already married. They both came to Utah in 1848 with their spouses. (2) Breneman’s father, Abraham Bitner, died in 1841. It was the second time that Breneman’s mother, Anna, had become a widow. Her first husband, Samuel Musser, had died in 1832, leaving her with four small children to raise. Anna joined the Church in 1843. She married her third husband, Jared Starr, in Winter Quarters on September 22, 1848. Jared’s first wife had died in 1840. He was 56 and she was 45. They brought their two families to Utah in 1849. Breneman was 11 years old. He drove a team of oxen all the way without a mishap, which was quite a feat for such a young boy. In later years, he was reported to have said “the Lord is ever mindful of the widow and the fatherless”. 3

Like Brenemen Bitner, another early Mormon pioneer who was indirectly related to our family was Julian Moses. Julian joined the Church in 1834 in Connecticut and served five missions for the church between 1836 and 1850. He went to Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, the eastern states and the Society Islands. Julian married John Neff’ II’s oldest daughter, Barbara Matilda, in 1845. They met when he was proselyting in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania in 1841. In 1848, Julian Moses and Barbara Matilda arrived in the Salt Lake valley. Julian Moses baptized John Neff III that same year. John was 10 years old at the time. Julian’s younger sister, Fidelia, had joined the Church in 1833 before he did, but she stayed in Connecticut and married Joshua Benedict in 1844. They had three children, Ann Eliza, Mary Esther and Garrie. The two girls were baptized in Connecticut but there is no record that their father, Joshua, was ever baptized. In 1861 the Benedict family crossed the plains to Utah. Mom told me that she was very moved by the tragedies in the Benedict family. Joshua and Fidelia Benedict were her great-greatgrandparents. When they arrived in the Salt Lake valley by wagon train, Ann Eliza was 16, Mary Esther was 14, and Garrie was 8. Fidelia’s husband, Joshua, died soon after they arrived. Within six years her two younger children would also die. Fidelia went to the East Mill Creek area where her brother, Julian Moses, was serving as a branch president. He was farming and teaching school to John Neff II’s children and grandchildren. About 16 months after the Benedict family arrived, Ann Eliza Benedict and John Neff III were married on January 31, 1863. They were sealed in the Endowment House. He was 25 and she was almost 18. John and Ann Eliza had nine daughters. John succeeded Julian Moses as the East Mill Creek Branch President, and then served a mission to England in 1872 - 1873. After his mission he served as the Bishops First Counselor in the Big Cottonwood Ward. In 1877 he became the first Bishop of the East Mill Creek Ward and served in that position for 35 years. (3) Ann Eliza was selected by Eliza R. Snow to be the Relief Society President in 1876 before the branch became a ward. She served in that position for nearly 43 years. (4) She was also a midwife and delivered many babies during that time. 4

This is a picture of John and Ann Eliza.

Not quite two years after John Neff III and Ann Eliza were married, Breneman Bitner and Mary Esther were married. They were sealed in the Endowment House on December 10, 1864. He was almost 27 and she was 18. Plural marriage was being practiced by some families in the Church at that time. It was a difficult challenge to live that lifestyle and some, like Aaron Daniels, were not successful at it. We don’t understand all the reasons why it was introduced, but today we can see the blessings which have resulted from those marriages in the large number of wonderful people who are descendants from them. Today, many young people find it hard to make the commitment to be married to one person. In those days, some were committed to more than one. John Neff III only had one wife but Breneman, with Mary’s consent, added a second wife to his family. 5

On April 10, 1866, Breneman was sealed to Maren Martine Pedersen Halseth, a convert from Norway. Twelve days later, on April 22, 1866, he left Salt Lake City to serve with the Nauvoo Legion fighting Indians during the Black Hawk War in central Utah. When he returned home on August 6, 1866, Mary was severely ill and on September 20, 1866, she died. She was 20 just years old. This is a photograph of Breneman Barr Bitner.

Before Mary Bitner died, her sister Ann Eliza gave birth to her second and third babies, twin girls on July 10, 1866. One was named Marian Barr Neff and the other was named Mary Bitner Neff, after her sister. Mary Bitner Neff was Mom’s grandmother and Mom was named Marian after her grandmother’s twin sister. About a year after Mary passed away, their younger brother, Garrie, also died. Ann Eliza and Fidelia were the only ones left of the Benedict family. Fidelia lived with John Neff III and Ann Eliza for the rest of her life. She passed away on February 15, 1910 when she was 97 years old. 6

After Mary died, Breneman grieved terribly. Apparently, Eliza R. Snow was aware of his situation and wrote a poem and presented it to him in March of 1867. It was later printed in the Deseret News and I found it in a compilation of Sister Snow’s poetry. As a soft-beaming star, from the view is withdrawn, So the gentle, the loving, loved Mary has gone; To her loving young husband, the choice of her heart, With affection she clung, and linger’d to part. Love echoes her mem’ry in accents as sweet As the breathing of zephyrs that placidly meet In the calm evening twilight, in spring’s beauty, where The effluvia of roses, embalms the fresh air. She was young - she was lovely - a pattern of grace The sweet spirit of Jesus illumin’d her face; Her words were effusins that flow’d from the heart, Untainted with guile and unmingled with art. To each sacred injunction she nobly did yield, And thus honor’d the principles God has reveal’d In His plan of salvation, His infinite plan For the full salvation and glory of man. We most tenderly lov’d her, and struggled to gain A reprieve from death’s summons, but all was in vain; Her life-sands were number’d - and finishe’d, and though We prayed and entreated, the lov’d one must go. Let her husband cease mourning, and be of good cheer, And perform every duty in faithfulness, here; He will thus, to a fullness of blessings attain, And enjoy his dear Mary’s affection again. On January 4, 1869, Breneman was sealed to his third wife, Sarah Ann Osguthorpe, a convert from England. Two years later, in 1871 he was called to leave his wives and children and serve a mission for six months. As to where he went, his mission card just reads “the United States”. Utah was still just a territory at the time. 7

Breneman’s second wife, Maren Martin Pederson Halseth, bore him 10 daughters and 2 sons. Their last child, Madeline Bitner, was born in 1893 and was Elder Wirthlin’s Mother. Breneman’s third wife, Sarah Ann Osguthorpe, bore him 5 daughters and 2 sons. Their first child was named Mary Esther Bitner and their fifth child, Ada Bitner, born in 1880, was President Hinkley’s mother. In total, Brenaman had 19 children, 15 daughters and 4 sons. So, what became of Mary Bitner’s niece, who was born just before she died and was named after her? She grew up to be a lovely young woman. I found this somewhat grainy photograph of her.

About 1886 when Mary Bitner Neff was 20 years old, she also became seriously ill. She was diagnosed with Bright’s disease, which was a serious kidney disease. By her description, she was in what we would call “end stage renal disease”. Today the only treatment for this is either renal dialysis or a kidney transplant. I looked up her doctors names; they were both well-qualified and well-respected doctors in Salt Lake City at the time. There just wasn’t anything they had to offer patients with that kind of kidney disease at that time. Neither of them appears to have been a member of the Church.

8

Mary’s father, John Neff III, was a Bishop at the time but he and Ann Eliza asked another man to administer to her. I was curious, why a bishop would have somebody else administer to his daughter, so I did some research to learn more about him. His name was Alvus H. Patterson, but he was also called Alvin. (5) Brother Patterson was originally from Tennessee. He came across the plains in 1860 and settled in Payson, Utah. He made ten more trips to help other immigrants come to Utah. He was known for the gift of healing and in 1887 he moved to Salt Lake City. After he gave a priesthood blessing to Eliza R. Snow, she contacted the Salt Lake Stake President and recommended that he be given a calling to administer to the sick in the Salt Lake valley. The Stake Presidency then called and set him apart to do that work. It must have been shortly after that when he was asked to administer to John Neff III and Ann Eliza Neff’’s daughter, Mary Bitner Neff. In 1935 a successful Latter-day Saint attorney named Jeremiah Stokes compiled a book about miracles which had occurred among members of the Church. The book was titled “Modern Miracles”. Because he was an attorney, trained in the rules of evidence, he obtained the sworn testimonies of as many witnesses as possible. The following is an extract from his book, beginning on page 107. Bright’s Disease Healed Testimony of Mrs. Samuel A. Cornwall 3345 Oakwood Street, Salt Lake City, Utah When I was about twenty-one years of age, I was the recipient of a most remarkable blessing. I had suffered for nearly one and a half years with Bright’s disease and during the time was under the care of Doctors Joseph Benedict and August Rauscher, both of whom are now dead. In spite of all that was done for me, I steadily grew worse until the last stages of the disease had developed, and dropsy had set in. My feet and limbs were so badly swollen that when I would press my thumb on my ankles it would sink in and the imprint would remain for some time. For days at a time I would be almost blind with the pain in my head and about my eyes. Both physicians told my parents that I could not live and that it was only a matter of a very short time until I would succumb. 9

A the request of my father, John Neff, then Bishop of the East Mill Creek Ward, and my mother, Ann Eliza Benedict Neff, Brother Alvin H. Patterson came to our home to join my father in administering to me. On this occasion there were present my parents, also Brother Patterson; my grandmother, Fidelia M. Benedict; my sisters, Marion B Neff Stillman and Frances Neff Smith, all of whom are now dead. Two sisters, who are still living, were also there; namely, Mrs. Delia B. Spencer and Mrs. Esther E. Hixson. The administration was a miraculous manifestation of the power of the Lord. During the prayer of Brother Patterson, he paused for several seconds, his eyes and mind centered upon something he saw above him. And then, he resumed his supplication. The moment the last words of the benediction were said, I felt the healing power of the Lord penetrate my whole being from head to foot. Immediately, I stood upon my feet and knew that my body had been cleansed from all affliction. I knew that I had been healed. Every vestige of the disease left me, and I was restored to perfect health. When the administration was over, Brother Patterson, turning to mother, said, “Have you lost a sister?” “Yes,” mother replied. “My only sister.” “I thought so,” he continued, “for I saw a beautiful young woman interceding with the heavens in behalf of your daughter.” This miracle happened about forty-six years ago and, although I am the mother of five children, four of whom are living, in all these years I have never had a recurrence of the disease. A few years after the incident, and after I was married, Dr. Rauscher made inquiry concerning me of Lucy Neff, my cousin by marriage. “How long has it been since the Neff girl died?” he asked. Whom do you mean?” she replied in great surprise. “Bishop Neff’s daughter - the one who was dying with Bright’s disease.” 10

“Why, she isn’t dead. She’s married and the mother of two children.” In great astonishment, the doctor raised his arms and exclaimed, “It cannot be! It is impossible!” But it was possible, and I am here today, a living miracle of the power of the Lord. My life was spared in a miraculous manner through faith and prayer and the Priesthood of God. And today, it is with the greatest gratitude to my Heavenly Father that I acknowledge His goodness unto me, not only in saving my life in my youth, but in blessing me with perfect health ever since. Dated January 10, 1935. Mrs. Samuel A. Cornwall Signed in the presence of: Jeremiah Stokes, Eugenia Neff Stokes And be it known that we, the undersigned sisters of Mrs. Samuel A. (Mary) Cornwall, bear the following record: We sisters were all living at home at the time of Mary’s illness, and therefore knew how long and how seriously ill she was. We knew, too, how she suffered and what the doctors said. We were present when she was administered to and so were father, mother, grandmother, and our other sisters mentioned and Brother Patterson, as she has said, and we all witnessed the miracle wrought by the power of the Lord in healing her body. And we know, that from that time on, Mary has possessed perfect health. We also heard Brother Patterson relate the remarkable circumstance of what he saw during the administration. The incident of Doctor Rauscher’s astonishment and what he said to Cousin Lucy Neff, as related, has been common knowledge in our family ever since the circumstance happened. Sister Mary is the mother of five children, four of whom are living. Mrs. Delia B Spencer, Mrs. Esther E. Hixson. About five or six years after she was healed, Mary Bitner Neff married Samuel Augustus Cornwall in the newly completed Salt Lake Temple on June 21, 1893. The temple had been dedicated on April 6, 1893. They had five children, including my grandmother, Fay. Mary passed away on August 1, 1937, about 2 ½ years after writing down her testimony for Mr. Stokes. 11

Footnote #1 John Neff II Andrew Jenson, LDS Biographical Encyclopedia, vol. 2 (1914) Neff, John, a Utah pioneer of 1847, was born Sept. 19, 1794, in Strasburg Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where he lived until he gathered with the Saints in Illinois. In the earlier part of his life he was moral, industrious and economical and thereby acquired a handsome fortune. Becoming a convert to "Mormonism" he was baptized Feb. 7, 1842. In May, 1844, he went to Nauvoo, Illinois, to visit the Prophet Joseph Smith; there he became acquainted with many of the leading members of the Church and returned to Pennsylvania well pleased, having unlimited confidence in the Prophet and his divine mission. In the spring of 1846 he started with his family for the contemplated gathering place of the Saints "beyond the Rocky Mountains." He arrived in Nauvoo just in time to be driven across the Mississippi river by the mob; thence he proceeded onward to Winter Quarters, where he was greatly afflicted, himself and family all being sick; his son Cyrus, an amiable youth of twenty, was buried there. At Winter Quarters Bro. Neff was ordained to the High Priesthood. In the summer of 1847 he started with many others for the Rocky Mountains. After a laborious journey of four months he arrived in Great Salt Lake Valley in October, 1847. It is said of John Neff by one who was walking with him, that on emerging from the mouth of Emigration Canyon and beholding the desert valley, he knelt upon the ground and thanked the Lord that he had found a resting place. He moved out of the "Old Fort" (Salt Lake City) and located near the mouth of Mill Creek Canyon in the spring of 1848; there he built a flouring mill (the first of its kind in Utah), under disadvantageous and very discouraging circumstances. He was very active in developing the agricultural resource of the Territory and was a man of great benevolence. It is told of him that during the famine year of 1856, when flour was worth one dollar a pound, he refused to accept

12

more than six cents a pound and declined to sell at any price except to those who were in need. Bro. Neff died May 9, 1869, at his home in Mill Creek. In an obituary published at the time of his death the following occurs: "Father Neff was truly devoted to his religion. The kingdom of God to him stood paramount to everything else. His faith was exhibited by his works. He was liberal with his means. When assistance was called for, it was forthcoming. When at Nauvoo he helped the Prophet and gave a considerable sum to start the ship "Brooklyn" for California. During the reign of mobocracy in Nauvoo he also rendered considerable pecuniary assistance. He has also done much to gather the poor from foreign lands, as well as to help them after reaching their destination. In times of extreme scarcity, when provisions commanded a high price, he distributed his means among the brethren at low figures, when he could have obtained twice and even thrice the amount from passing strangers. The poor called not on him in vain, nor were the destitute sent empty away. In Pennsylvania he was called an honest man and a good citizen. He was an affectionate father and a true and faithful husband. In short he lived and died a saint." Mary Barr Neff Neff, Mary Barr, wife of John Neff, was born Dec. 1, 1801, in Bart Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Christian Barr and Susannah Breneman. She married John Neff Jan. 22, 1822, and became the mother of five sons and five daughters. The names of her sons are Franklin, Amos H., Cyrus S. (who died at the age of twenty at Winter Quarters), Benjamin Barr and John. The daughters are Barbara M., Mary Ann, Susannah, Amanda and Elizabeth. Sister Neff came with her husband to Utah in 1847 and suffered poverty and privation on many occasions, exposed to severe experiences of pioneer life. Previous to that she has suffered at the time of the exodus from Nauvoo in 1846, having been expelled by mobs, together with her husband, but not once did she complain or desire to turn back. Sister Neff died Dec. 1, 1875, at East Mill Creek, Salt Lake County, Utah. On the occasion of her funeral Pres. Brigham Young said that a better woman never lived. Sister Neff was equally generous with her husband, and although she had left a comfortable home and all that was desirable in the East, she endured all the trials of travel and persecution with patience and fortitude. She was ever ready and willing to assist with her time and means all who were in need. 13

Footnote #2 The following is a transcription of a letter written by Elizabeth Musser Neff while on the pioneer trail in Nebraska on June 8, 1848. She, Franklin and their two month old baby named Martha were in the large Brigham Young Company of 1848. The letter was written to her mother Anna, Breneman (Brenne) and his sister Martha who were still in Winter Quarters. Dear Mother Brenne and Martha I take my pen in hand to write a line to you letting you know w[h]ere we are and how we are[.] We arrived at this place on Tusday but did not cross untill yesterday[.] My health has improved some though I have to be very Carefull[.] A little Work makes me feel as bad as ever[.] I tried to get A plaster from the Docter[,] he has not got any[.] Sis is good when the wagon is gong [going,] when it stops She wants to be nursed all the w[h]ile. She rests weell [well] at night[.] I have got to write my letter and hold her And I suppose you will have hard work to read it[.] Brother Snow delivered your letter last Sabbath[.] I was very much pleased to hear from you[.] I hope when you get this you will be settled and try to feel at home[.] Br Brigham Called to see me[.] he Said he gessed I would know how travling went by the time I got to the Vally[.] he said I must be carefull of my health[.] There was A company went out yesterday[,] there is another going out today. There is talk of Br Brighams going in the morning[.] I do not beliv he will get off before sunday or monday we are going with him[.] Hannah is not with me. she is going to help me any time[.] she will wash for me tomorrow if we do not Start[.] We have had Some trouble with our wagon breaking which detained us some[.] I think it will Stand now[.] we have had to unload and get our goods halled[.] I think of nothing more to write except that there has been two deths Since the we are here[,] A babe Six weeks old[,] the other was drowned[,] one of John Neffs children[,] A boy Eight years old[,] and two of John Bays wommen went after gooseburry and lost themselves[.] they were gone a day and night[.] We do not get wet when it rains[.] There is a man Close by that is going East by the name of Curtus. I will Send this by him for feer [fear] of not having another chance[.] Excuse all mistakes and bad writing as I have written in a hurry[.] except of our love yourselves And Remember us to Br and Sister Davis and all inquiring friends Elizabett Neff 14

Martha wears her [w]ristlet[,] it looks very nice[.] She grows fast[.] Send us a letter if you have a chance [to] my mother Ann Musser. Footnote #3 John Neff III Andrew Jenson, LDS Biographical Encyclopedia, vol. 2 ( 1914) Neff, John, the first Bishop of East Mill Creek, Salt Lake County, Utah, was born Dec. 28, 1837, near Strasburg, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the son of John Neff and Mary Barr. He came to Utah with his parents in 1847 and was baptized by Julian Moses in 1848. For several years he acted as presiding Elder in the East Mill Creek branch of the Big Cottonwood Ward. In 1857 he made a trip to Ft. Bridger in Orrin Porter Rockwell's company, and in 1862 he participated in the expedition sent out under Captain Lot Smith to guard the mail route. In 1872-1873 he filled a mission to Great Britain, presiding over the Liverpool conference. In 1874 he was set apart as first counselor to Bishop Wm. G. Young, of the Big Cottonwood Ward, and when the East Mill Creek Ward was organized July 15, 1877, he was ordained a High Priest and Bishop by Daniel H. Wells and set apart to preside over the same. He filled that position until 1912, and was ordained a Patriarch Feb. 6, 1912, by President Joseph F. Smith. In 1863 (Jan. 31st) he married Ann Eliza Benedict (the daughter of Joshua N. Benedict and Fidelia Moses) who was born Feb. 8, 1845, in Canaan, Litchfield county, Connecticut. She bore her husband nine children, all girls. Footnote #4 Ann Eliza Benedict Neff Andrew Jenson, LDS Biographical Encyclopedia, vol. 3 ( 1920) Neff, Ann Eliza Benedict, president of the Relief Society of the East Mill Creek (Granite Stake), Salt Lake County, Utah, was born Feb. 8, 1845, in Canaan, Litchfield County, Conn., the daughter of Joshua N. Benedict and Fidelia Moses. She came to Utah with her parents when a young girl, where she was baptized in 1855 by Elder Miner G. Atwood. She arrived in Salt Lake Valley on September 10, 1861, and located in East Mill Creek, where she still resides. In December, 1876, she was chosen by Sister Eliza R. Snow 15

to act as president of the East Mill Creek Relief Society, having previously held the office of president of the Re-trenchment Society of East Mill Creek for three years. This was before East Mill Creek became a separate Ward. When the Ward was organized, in 1877, Sister Neff was chosen as president of the Ward Relief Society, which position she held until March 4, 1919, serving in that position for nearly forty-three years. Sister Neff is known as a most remarkable woman, whose history scarcely has an equal in the whole Church. She has labored most faithfully and unselfishly for the up building of the kingdom of God, untiring in all good works, caring for the sick and ministering to the wants of the needy. Being especially gifted in various ways, she has by example as well as precept taught the ways of salvation to her associates in life. The has chosen for her motto in life, "The only way to have a friend is to be one," and she has been true to this motto until her friends are legion and she is still young both in mind and spirit. Sisters Lydia Roper Osguthorpe and Sarah Eliott Skidmore acted as counselors to Sister Neff for thirty-six years, after which Sisters Eliza H. Neff and Sarah J. Capson acted as her counselors. At the death of Eliza H. Neff, Barbara J. Debenham was chosen as counselor to Pres. Neff. Sister Amelia King acted as secretary to Sister Neff for many years. Footnote #5 The following is an obituary for Alvus H. Patterson. Born: 17 May 1826, Tazewell, Claiborne, Tennessee Baptized: 24 Dec 1857, Raymond, Racine, Wisconsin Died: 21 Nov 1900, Salt Lake City, Utah, Utah Buried: 22 Nov 1900, Payson City Cemetery, Payson, Utah Respected Citizen Passes Away - Was Well Known for Labors With Sick: Alvus Hueston PATTERSON, a well known resident of Salt Lake County, died at his home in Sugarhouse ward at 2:15 o'clock this (Wednesday) morning, of diabetes. He has been ill about eight months. He was familiar among the people because of his ministrations among the sick for a number of years past. His funeral will be held at 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon, from the First ward meeting house. The deceased was a native of Tennessee, having been born in Taswell County, May 17, 1826. He joined the Church in 1857, and came to Utah in 16

1863, settling at Payson, where he lived until 1878. He then moved to Arizona, having been called on a mission. He came back to Utah six years later, and moved to Salt Lake City in 1887. Since the last named date he devoted himself almost exclusively to visiting the sick, among whom he proved to be a man of very strong faith. In his experience, Elder PATTERSON crossed the plains eleven times, ten of the trips being in the work of bringing immigrants to Utah. He was a High Priest at the time of his death. He has had three wives, one surviving him. He leaves fourteen living children, 65 grandchildren, and 28 greatgrandchildren. He was a kind and affectionate husband and father, devoted to his family. He was highly respected in the community, both in Salt Lake county and the other places he has lived as a most estimable citizen, always ready to give aid wherever his services could be used to bring comfort and peace to those in need of help. ***** Mary Georgia Greaves was born on July 12, 2012. She and her parents, Andrew and Summer Greaves, live in the home at 3345 Oakwood Street which was also Mary Bitner Neff Cornwall’s home and she is her greatgreat-great granddaughter.

17