1883 Edward Kingsford (1826-) Autobiography
Autobiography of Edward Kingsford
(First two pages lost)
Edward was born October 25, 1826 at St. Margarets Kent England. His fathers name was John Kingsford, Mothers name Elizebth File.
While working for John Chittenden my brother William told me of a people in Dover called Latter-day Saints. These people believed in the gifts and blessings of the gospel.
John Chittenden the foreman requested me to do some work which I considered not my duty. I objected, received my wages and left the place. Miss Chittenden was sister to the foreman, and as I left she left also. He did not like me to keep company with his sister.
From there I went to Dover. Miss Chittenden and me both went and heard the Latter-day Saints. W. H. Kelsey preached first, and was succeeded by Thomas Caffal; these men preached to my satisfaction. I believed they had the gospel. This was in the early part of the year 1849. I was well pleased with the Latter-day Saints and in March 1849, myself and Jane Chittenden were baptized by Thomas Caffal, he confirmed both of us. I was keeping company with this young woman, and on the ninth day of April 1849 we were married in Hoffam Church.
From my grandmother Files estate, I had 22. All of my brothers and sisters had the same sum of this money. I kept it in a savings bank, and drew it out as I thought I needed it.
I went to work on the Refuge Harbor, making a pier at 18 shillings a week, sometimes I made nine days a week this brought me in 27 shillings.
I was a member of Dover branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Thomas Caffal was president. I rented a house in Dover where we lived together happily.
I was ordained a deacon at Dover by Thomas Barton and I think was in the year 1850.
I lived at Dover till I emigrated in the year 1853. A young man named George Cooley living at Dover had considerable money, and I agreed to go with him to America to drive his team and I was to pay him in the valley after my arrival. We sailed on the ship Camillus, Capt. Day Master, Curtis E Bolton, President and Wm. Clayton counselor. Our ship sailed on the 1853 for New Orleans, we had about 700 passsengers of the Latter-day Saints. We were in Liverpool three weeks for the ship to be fitted up. After seven weeks on the sea we arrived in New Orleans, staid there some three days, then went to St. Louis by steamboat from there to Keokuk by steamboat. The teams and wagons were purchased by I C. Haight & BroShurtliff. Our company consisted of 35 wagons, or there abouts with families to each wagon. John Brown was captain of our company. We traveled through Iowa to Council Bluffs, crossed the Missouri river at Florence, old “winter Quarters”, from this point we commenced our journey across the plains, crossed the Elk Horn river, and the Loup Fork. Appleton Harmon’s company near us. This was for protection against Indians.
When we camped at Wood river, Harmon’s company on the west side, our company on the east side. The river rose high and we made a new bridge aacross this stream. Soon after crossing Wood River, our wagon tounge broke, this delayed us. At night were we camped some Pawnee Indians came, and in the morning a large band came, and demanded flour and other things. These Indians had been fighting with the Sioux, they were hungry and said they must have something to eat, we corralled our wagons; we then gave them flour, sugar and other things, and about 10 o’clock we started on our journey. We were short of provisions. We lost several head of cattle on the journey, we traveled over the Black Hills road west of Fort Laramie.
Near Green River on the 16th. Of September my wife had a son named Thomas Ephraim; she had been sick all the way over the plains.
Between Fort Bridger and Green River we were met by friends from the Valley bringing us flour and horses; at Bridger we got more supplies, and about a week after October Conference, we arrived in the Valley of Salt Lake. 17th.
We camped on the public square in the 16th ward we dwelt in a tent about three weeks and while there the people brought us things to eat. One day when I was hunting work I came back and found the baby dead in my wife’s arms. The baby was buried in Salt Lake Cemetery. I dug the grave; got the coffin made on the public works, then I carried the corpse under my arm, with so soul with me; to the grave; there I buried my child; being filled with sorrow; my wife sick in the tent at the time.
From there I removed to the Big Cottonwood in Salt Lake County, and lived in a log cabin belonging to a Sister Patten. A Brother Ferkins took us there. Work was very scarce. I got a few potatoes, a little flour etc. We were helped by the people to live. I did anything I could find to do. I thrashed a stack of wheat for John Benbow, this was a blessing. Bro. Middleton was helping me.
1854
In the spring I went and worked on the Little Cottonwood canyon road, and I kept the toll gate. I also dug a mill race this work was for Doctor Jeter Clinton he paid me as he agreed $1.50 per day one half cash and the other half flour.
I worked for Jeter Clinton till hay time then I went back to Big Cottonwood and cut hay for Bro. Huffaker I could not get much to eat there. I heard of work at Bountiful and I walked there, 20 miles found a place to live, walked back next day 20 miles. I paid a shawl to George Hale for removing us to Bountiful in David County. Here I became acquainted with Bro. William Waterson. I worked for him in the harvest field; he paid me two bushels of what a day and my board. Bro. Waterson let me have 80 pounds of flour some butter, milk etc. I thought we were on the road to prosperity. Sister Waterson was very kind to us. After harvest I went to work for John Pack the rest of the fall. I stacked 1800 bushels of wheat; helped him thrash, then I helped anybody who would employ me. I got one Bushel of what a day and board while thrashing. I hauled some wood on shares. This fall and the winter I lived in a house belonging to Dona Walton: two other families lived in the same house; each had a room (family).
1855
On the 12th of March my wife Jane had a son named Edward.
I went and lived on J. M. Grant’s farm and I worked for him. I obtained a yoke of steers for fitching. Bro. Grant promised me a house to live in free and a cow to milk also, by looking after the other cows, but when we settled up he charged me $3.00 a month for house rent and a dollar & fifty cents for the use of the cow for two weeks. I felt quite grieved when we settled up with Bro. Grant, he listened to a boy, and accused me of being idle and he would not pay me up.
This fall I went and lived in the house of Bro. George Hancock. I traded off the steers this fall for a yoke of cattle. Grasshoppers came and destroyed much of the crops; they came by millions; darkened the sun, and destroyed much of every thing growing.
1856
Early this spring I moved to Payson in Utah Country Bro. Geo. Thompson of Bountiful lent me a wagon to go to Payson; free. I lived in one of Bro. T. C. D. Howell’s log cabins rented land of him, he furnished seed and me team and myself. We lived in Payson Fort and we had a quarter of an acre for a garden. Breadstuff was scarce. Sister Howell gave me half cup of beans to plant. I made 4 rows a rod long, and when they behan to bear we had some every day for two weeks. She was very kind to us during the hard times, giving us of their scanty fare. I raised enough to bread us this year. I was quite weak this season from want of food. I got ½ a bushel of barley for which I was to pay a bushel of wheat after harvest, then I worked a day for a bushel of what after harvest we had plenty to eat.
I received a patriarchal blessing under the hands of John Young, a Patriarch. He said I had been in poverty as low as the Lord wanted me to be: From this time on I should be prospered. I should have houses and lands wives and children, until I was satisfied, and I should live on the earth when Jesus Christ would come and I should be changed in the twinkling of an eye.
One night I had a dreamn that Bro. Grant told the Bishop Charles Hancock to be good to me and that he had wronged me, and was going to made it right. A few days after I learned that Bro. Grant was ead. He was second councilor to Pres. Brigham Young. I felt reconciled in my heart from this time towards Bro. J. M. Grant.
This fall I got a heifer calf; I gave a ton of hay for it; this was my first start for a cow. I got this of Bro. David Fairbanks.
I paid tithing, and was a full believer in this doctrine. George Cooley the man who paid my emigration to the valley went to the Bishop and told him I would not pay him; I had been paying him one half of what I have earned. After some talk before the Bishop and council, a decision was arrived at: After this Bro. Cooley came to me and asked me to give him my cattle, and he would give me twenty bushels of wheat and a piece of pork and that would cancel the debt: to this I agreed. He got the cattle, the debt was paid of $120.00 and I was free from this obligation.
1857
One of the first things I did this spring was to trade the yearling heifer to Oswell Simons for a three year old heifer, to pay him the difference of price in work anytime he wanted me by giving me a days notice. This year I was prospered. I had a house, city lot eight acres of farming land and five acres of meadow land. I obtained this land by putting up a mud wall for a defense against Indians, and other work that I did for Nathaniel Haws.
James Buchanan, President of the United States, sent troops to Utah to keep the Mormons in subjection and depose the Governor Brigham Young.
I was still at Payson. This year was called “the move” The United States had sent some troops from the States for Utah: infantry, cavalry, and artillery; these soldiers were under the command of A. S. Johnstone. Governor B. Young had called on the Militia of Utah to keep an armed body of men from coming into Utah. Hundreds of men from Utah had gone to oppose the U. S. soldiers. Col. T. L. Kane came on as an agent from James Buchanan, Prest. Of the United States. He went to Fort Bridger and Governor A. Cumming came in to Salt Lake City with him. However the people north of Utah County moved south. As the people came south I let several have a piece of land for their gardens. I sold my house this year for $150.00. I bought a yoke of oxen and a wagon. I made a wickeup, and we lived in that till I made a dug-out and we lived in that this year. Raised a good crop this year. My wife Jane, had a daughter on the 5th of February. We then lived in a dugout. We called this girl Mary Jane.
1859
Built a Log house this year. I farmed this year as usual. I sold some hay and straw at Camp Floyd, this brought in a little money.
1860
I sold my little property for an old wagon, a woke of cattle, some flour, a plow and some leather. I left Payson in March with my family, and some twenty families some staid in Ogden, some in Logan the rest of us came to Franklin, vis. T. C. D. Howel and sons, T. M. Bennett, D Keel, W. H. Head, W. Patten, J. Doney and myself with our families. Franklin was settled this spring with some fifty families: we arrived there in the month of May.
We obtained some land, plowed, and put in some crop. Bro. John Doney and me generally worked together. When I came to Franklin I had two yoke of cattle one cow and calf and some chickens. Provisions were not very abundant, we were short of clothing and bedding I had a wife and two children.
Thomas Smart, was President of the Church at Franklin, S. R. Parkinson and Jas. Sanderson counselors.
President Brigham Young and company came to Franklin in the month of June, and Preston Thomas was appointed Bishop. I with others were working on a water ditch from High Creek, to the South Field when Prest. Young came to Franklin. We lived in our wagon through the summer. Another ditch was made from Okiller, and South Canyons called Sandersan’s ditch, as Bro. Sanderson was the contractor. Still another ditch was made from High Creek called the upper ditch. All the people owning land under this ditch were required to work on it. It was finished in July. The Indians were troublesome this year, and for mutual protection we moved our wagons pretty close together.
To show the state of Indian affairs, I will just mention that John Reid, Thos. Slater, Jas. Cowan, and others were going on a visit to Statersville, when passing through Smithfield, some Indians had escaped and dired at this little company, killed John Reid and wounded James Cowan: this was on the 23rd of July. On the 24th of July we had a funeral instead of a celebration. Bro. Reid was a good man. I helped to dig Bro. Reid’s grave.
Our cows, and animals had to be herded, Bro Samuel Handy, was the herdsman. Our hay was cut on the co-operative plan. After the best of the hay was cut, we gleaned what hay we could and prepared for winter. I built a log cabin, a corral and harvested my grain. Our houses were built in rows and we lived pretty close together in the form of a square. I lived on the east side of the Fort. We had about 10 acres of land within the Fort. We stood guard every night through the summer and fall. On the 13th of December, I had a son born named John: in Franklin. My wife Jane had a very hard time before this boy was born.
1861
This year Bro. John Doney and me worked together a great deal. Through the winter I worked a great deal on a water ditch on the west side of Cub River called the “Thomas ditch.” Many a day I worked faithful on this ditch.
Bro. Doney and me rented land of A Stalker which we put into grain. Busy this season, on farming getting wood, and a variety of different kinds of work. I was never Idle.
During harvest time, I had the privilege of going to Salt Lake City with my wife and getting my Endowments. Bro. Doney and Jas. Perkins went along also with their wives, I owned an old wagon. I borrowed a wheel of Mark Nelson before I started but this gave out on the way. I wove sticks in it and got to Willard with it where I left it an got another one to go to Salt Lake City. We traveled nearly night and day, and when near the Hot Springs my wife was taken sick, she said she was struck with death. We bathed her with Hot Spring water, and did what we could for her.
We got our endowments next day. I was ordained an Elder in the endowment house, my wife was sealed to me. We traveled as rapidly as we could going back to Franklin as our gain was in the fields, in the shock. Wilford Woodruff sealed me and Jane my wife.
When we arrived at Logan my wife said she had lived as long as she wanted to, and requested me to bury her as decently as I could, to have her washed with soap and laid peacefully away. She died a week from the day she made the request of me. October 26th. I had been to Logan grist mill, and staid away one night, and when I returned she was making pancakes, she said she could not make any more. Sisters Howell and Doney sat up that night with her, she died next morning, the date above mentioned. She said, before her death I would have seven women sealed to me, and I could get another good woman that would be a mother to my children. We had three children then.
I could not go to the funeral, as I had to stay at home with the baby nine months old. She was taken to the graveyard and buried; no ceremony was said at her funeral as I am aware of. I was lonesome and desolate and filled with grief.
The next day I went and saw Sister Halgar Poulsen whose husband had died this year; she was left with two children, a boy and a girl. I asked her to come and keep house for me and I would look after her things. She told me she would answer me next day. Sister Poulsen enquired of the neighbors about my character, and the next day I moved her things to my house and she kept house for me. At this time she had two cows, two oxen, four sheep, and some chickens, and a wagon. She had not been to my house but a few days before I asked sister Poulsen to be my wife. She told me she would not be married before Christmas to anybody. On Christmas eve I asked sister Poulsen to be my wife. She told me she would not be married before Christmas to anybody. On Christmas eve I asked her if she would be my wife, she said "I guess so". The next day Bishop Preston Thomas came and married us. Alexander Stalker came with Bro. Thomas and as soon as we were married Bro. Stalker kissed her. This was quite a joke. We were much pleased with each other. She was good to my children, and I was good to her children.
This year Bro. George Lee, hauled my grain. The snow was on the shocks before it was stacked. A wet fall.
1862
The winter was very wet-it rained nearley every day-our houses were mostly covered with willows, rushes, and dirt, and they were not waterproof. Nearly all the grain raised in Franklin was not thrashed till March. The stacks of grain were wet and the people had musty grain and musty flour till harvest. About two weeks after I was married Alexander Stalker dreamed he was near Alfred Alders' blacksmith shop, he saw Bro. Poulsen who told him Bro. Kingsford had five acres of land, and he had five acres of land (he Bro. Kingsford controls both of them) said he had a garden lot with two apple trees, thes needed training and trimming (I think he meant his two children) he also saw Bro. Porritt whose wife lived in Franklin. After telling this they vanished out of sight.
I raised some grain, and a good garden this year. My wife Halgar, had a son born on the 15th of November, named George Albert. I had bought an Indian pony an Bro. Doney had another, and we had a team between us of horses.
1863
Winter very cold; getting wood, and atteded to the stock. A great many Indians were camped on Berar River, on Battle Creek; they used to come to Franklin every few days, begging and trading. A difficulty occurred on Bear River between some Indians and some men from the northern mines, now in Montana, one white man was killed; some of this company went to Salt Lake City under the command of Col. P. E. Connor. Major Mc. Garry had charge of the cavalery. The infantry came one afternoon in January; the cavalry in the night. The cavalry staid but a short time; they hastened to Bear River.
Indians were at Franklin just before the troops arrived. An Indian was at my house and wanted to trade me a saddle for a bushel of wheat, said he "if soldiers get killed, you have saddle and pay me wheat, if I get killed you have saddle and wheat to".
The battle was fierce, quite a number of soldiers were killed at the first fire, many soldiers were wounded. Many Indians were killed and some of their chiefs, two of them named Bear Hunter and Lehi Sagivitch, escaped wounded. The next day the soldiers came to Franklin, the living and the dead, the dead were in wagons.
I was in the canyon when the soldiers arrived in Franklin. My wife had been getting supper for some of the soldiers, she only had a bake kettle, and a kettle to boil in: they gave her $0.50 a meal and she made $20.00 in feeding soldiers before and after the battle. I got a Ten dollar bill that was squezed up and thrown down by a doldier as something useless. I picked it up and found it; this made us $30.00. I thought were were rich for money had been very scarce. I went to Salt Lake City with an exteam and wagon, James Oliverson one of my neighbors went with me to the city to spend my money in the winter! I spent my money for clothin, for the family which was a great help. Salt Lake City was 110 miles from Franklin. In coming back snow was a foot deep from Ogden to Willow Creek or Willard City. Snow was deep in the mountains between Brigham City, and Cache Valley, and we were all night in the mountains. In Dry Lake Valley, without feed for our cattle and we had to sit up all night with but little fire, in the morning two teams came from Cache Valley and they had broken the road, this we thought was a blessing. We started for Cache Valley, the roads were soon drifted up, our team was tired out and I went afoot to Wellsville to get help. I obtained a yoke of oxen, and when I ascended the hill near the mouth of the canyon James Oliverson was coming with the team and wagon. When I was gone he found a few carrots and a beet that I was bringing along for seed. These he gave to the cattle and gave them new life. We got home next day a distance of 30 miles. We felt we were rich I had bought so much clothing. Bro. John Doney and me rented 10 acres of land of Wm. H. Head this year: put in some land of our own. Busy working canyon road in Maple Canyon and working water ditches, and doing any kind of labor that come along. This spring Lorenzo H. Hatch came to Franklin and was appointed Bishop in place of Preston Thomas. Bro. Hatch was ordained a Bishop under the Hand of E. T. Benson and Peter Maughn. Our fort was remodelled in the shape of a "T" some houses were built on the new survey but most lived in their old places. I obtained some land of Bro. Thomas and I was busy this year. Some of my grain was lodged through rains, and some of it was frosted. I ploughed some land this spring for Bro. Preston Thomas for land I received from him.
1864
This spring we moved onto our city lot. Lost were surveyed of 1 ¼ acres each; streets 6 rods wide and the blocks were ten acres each with 8 lots on a block. I lived near Spring Creek and had John Doney as a near neighbor: my barming land was near the house which made it quite convenient. I was very busy so were my neighbors. I ploughed some land for President B. Young and a large company came to Franklin this spring on their way to Bear Lake Valley. I went also. Roads were good till we came to the mountain which was steep and on its summit there was snow and mud. We went through the following settlements Liberty, Paris, Bloomington, St. Charles and Fish-haven. A conference was held at Paris. C. C. Rich, resides at Paris and presides over the valley. It was in the month of May we visited Bear Lake Valley. On our return Prest. B. Young and company held meating at Franklin.
A water ditch was surveyed from Cub River to Franklin. Jesse W. Fix surveyed from Cub River to Canyon, and JU. H. Marinean from the Canyon to the town, as water had been scarce the year before. Prettn near all the men of Franklin were engaged on this ditch. C. J. Songberg, W. Woodward and myself worked together. This ditch was completed it was about 4 feet deep on the bottom and brought considerable water to town. Good crops were raised in Franklin this year. A great band of Shoshonees, Indians came to Franklin this fall under the direction of their chief Washakie. They could be seen from Franklin to High Creek a distance of four miles: these Indians appeared well dressed, had good horses, and were well clothed. The tribe camped on Maple Creep bottom some Indians got some whiskey one of them it so affected him he tried to run over a woman Mary Ann Alder. The Indian was on horseback. I was working on a thrashing machine, helping brother S. Handy. As soon as the Indian commened his deviltory a man shot the Indian with a revolver. I had a pitchfork Bro. Doney a rake and we tried to defend the woman. As soon as the Indian was shot the whites had to leave the bottom. The Indians were exasperated, and took hold of one man Bro. Handy and pounded him over the head. Robert Hull was taken prisoner. An express was sent to Richmond and from Richmon to other settlements in Cache Valley. Through the night horsemen were coming to Franklin from various settlements; some 30 miles away. The people were much excited and next day Bro P. Maughn and others were in Franklin; the whites and Indians held a council. Washakie complained that the whites had sold his Indians whiskey which was the cause of all the trouble. L. R. Parkinson, and N. W. Parker, were required to give the Indians a yoke of cattle each of them, this made peace. The Indians restored all the property they could to the whites, and went away in peace.
The Latter-day Saints have been in the habit of sending teams to the States to bring the emigrants of the Latter-day Saints from the Missouri River. I put one ox and Bro. Doney another, this we did for two years. Others from Franklin sent teams and sometimes 3 and 4 teams, with 3 or 4 yoke of oxen; and mule or horse teams with 2 span to each team. Propserous times – traders from the north came to Franklin and bought up our produce to our and their advantage. Wheat was $5.00 a bushel, gold flour $12.00 per hundred lbs, butter $.50 per dozen this fall. I sold a cow for $40.00 and sent the money back to the states by Wm. Hyde of Hyde Park for a stove.
1865
On the 26th of January I had a son by my wife Halgar named William Richard, born this day. After putting my crop in I stated to Salt Lake City with Annie Petersen and was married to her on the 2nd of June by Geo. Q. Cannon officiating. Water was high this year, Weber bridge was washed away, and I had to cross the river near the mountains, Ogeden Bridge was also gone. Attended the farm as usual.
About this time we started the stone Meeting House of Franklin, and I with my brethren spent considerable of my time in building the house. I was working on the walls as a mason.
This fall Bro. W. Fhritt, went to Oxford to get his sheep; coming back, trying to cross Bear River on the ice, his wagon broke through. He drove his sheep up the river, crossed over himself (forded) walked a distance then sat down and was frozen to death. I with others hunted for Bro. Fhreitt but did not find him on Christmas day, some of the brethren went to Bear River and brought Fhreitt’s sheep to Franklin, the cattle followed. Weather very cold. I visited my brother William Richard Kingsfordt at Ogden 70 miles from Franklin this fall.
1866
Busy improving my place and working as usual in the canyon and other places. On the 3rd of March my wife Annie had a daughter born named Sarah Ann.
Bro. Fhreitt’s body was found in March, he had been covered with snow all winter, he had been frozen. Put in crop this spring, and raised grain as usual. My child Sarah Ann died on the fourth of September.
On the 23rd of December my wife Halgar gave birth to a son called James.
1867
My labors were as usual attending the farm, looking after the stock, and doing any duty that came along. On the fourteenth of November my wife Annie had a daughter born named Elizabeth. Raised a pretty fair crop.
1868
My labors were as usual on the farm as at other years and attended to any other duties public or private. I attended the October conference at Salt Lake City; my wife Halagar accompanied my on this trip. We went in a wagon a distance of 110 miles.
This fall after digging potatoes, while doing something to the drag, it fell down on my foot, one drag tooth went through my foot and a piece of the boot before the tooth. My foot was sore for a good while.. This fall my son Edward and myself, went to work on the Central Pacific Railway for L. H. Hatch at Dove Creek. I worked one month and Edward some 3 weeks longer.
1869
My duties were similar this year to other years. My wife Annie, had a daughter born on the 3rd of July named Anna Maria. I traded 150 bushels of wheat for a horse and wagon to George Sant of Clifton. I had a mule team before this, and now I had a horse team besides. I raised a good crop of grain this season. This fall I decided to make a trip to San Pete valley, a distance of about 250 miles from Franklin. My wife Halgar, had an aunt living there, at Mount Pleasant I visited Ephraim also. I was treated with great kindness by Canute Petersen, and others with whom I became acquainted. This visit was in the month of September. On my way back I staid two days at Ldhi, and while there I dug potatoes for a friend, with whom I was staying. I attended the October conference, which continued three days. I had my likeness and Halagar’s also taken while at Salt Lake City. Bro. Isaac Hunter with whom I stayed in the City of Salt Lake, treated me with the greatest of kindness, and before I left, he gave me a load of peaches to take home for my family. Both going and returning I was treated with the greatest of kindness by friends with whom I stayed over night, as it took several days to make the trip. I attended a meeting of the High Priests in Franklin and I was ordained a High Priest under the hands of Lorenzo H. Hatch, Jefferson Hunt, and John Boice, L. H. Hatch was mouth; this was on the 22nd of December. I was called to take the oversight of the High Priests in Franklin at this meeting.
1870
Busy on the farm as usual this year. In the month of April about the 19th my wife Halgar had a son named Hoseph Henry.
About October conference I started to Salt Lake City I took my wife Halgar, on the way and left her at Willow Creek. Annie’s sister Kari had come from Norway to Salt Lake City, I went and fetched her to Franklin; she could not speak English when I saw her, and on the way, I made up my mind I would have her for my wife if I could get her. After staying a few weeks at Franklin, I took Kari to the City and was married on the 18th. Of December by Daniel H. Wells, officiating Thomas G. Lowe and Joseph Carforough, were married at the same time; these young men were both from Franklin.
Kari Petersen the daughter of Peter Evensen and Annie Larsen was born on the 17th of November, 1836, at Boreskong Trondjim, Norway, she was the third child of a family of seven children, two boys and five girls, all of these children grew to maturity. She was brought up to hard work, principally farm labor; her mother taught her to read and she learned to write a little. She went to school a short time about five months altogether; when she was about ten and a half years old she went and lived at a farmer’s herding cows and sheep, for about 3 years exdept a short time in the winter. For this work she had her board and part of her clothing. She performed hard labor as long as she staid in Norway. Her father died when she was 18 years of age. She heard the gospel in the fall of 1857 by Christian Poulsen, Lars Petersen, and Frederick Laingborg. She firmly believed the gospel as preached by these Elders, and on the 10th of May 1858 she was baptized by Fred. Laingborg and confirmed by the same person. Sometimes she went out to service and received 12 dollars a year (Norwegian). She had a hard time to save money. Her sister Annie emigrated in 1864 and Kari gave her nearly everything she possessed in money and clothing. Sometimes in the Summer Kari would walk nearly 100 English miles to obtain work, and in about 6, or 8 weeks she would earn 6 or 8 dollars, and one year she earned 11 dollars at this kind of work, haymaking. She kept a few sheep and was brought up to shear sheep card wool, and spin and weave, She used to cut grain and do a variety of hard labor. Walked 21 English miles to Trondjim. On the 2nd of June 1870 she bid farewell to Trondjhim and sailed on a steamer for Christianan where she staid nine days from there she sailed to Gottenburg in Sweden from there to Copenhagen, from there to Hull in Engliand from there to Liverpool; sailed on a steamship to New York from there took the cars to Salt Lake City and staid there about two months when she came to Franklin.
Took a Mr. Fancher from Salt Lake City and his wife, we had all the load we wanted on our return through the mountains.
This year I hauled rock built a cellar and laid the foundation for a new house.
This fall I made three trips to Malad city, with oates fro Fanklin Co-op.
This fall I made three trips to Malad city, with oats fro Franklin Co-op. Store, with two teams, one of the boys drove one of the teams to Malad. This brought us considerable store pay.
1871
On the 31st of January my wife Annie had a daughter named Martha.
This spring I commenced to fence a pasture east of Franklin of about 25 acres which was of great benefit to me. I have kept sheep for several years and my boys have herded them. Attended the farm as usual this year. Commenced to build a log house this fall in the pasture.
1872
I finished the log house in the pasture. I then moved Annie and Kari into it, the house had two rooms. Kari had a son born on the 4th of April which we called Peter. I had just finished putting in grain the day Peter was born. The next fast day the boy was blessed by Lorenzo H. Hatch the bishop of Franklin.
Raised a good crop this year.
My wife Halgar had a son born on the 21st of August about 4 A. M. and she died about 11 A. M. The child was blessed the next day at the funeral service and was named Benjamin this was on the 22nd of August. I had a funeral; and a child blessed the same day.
I moved Annie and Kari from the pasture to the town lot.
Annie had a boy born on the 10th day of November which we named David.
This was an open fall.
1873
A tolerable open winter. Got my crop in this spring in good time. In the month of May on the 2nd. Day I took Tyresha Ann Vail, to Salt Lake City and married her. I was busy building a house in town. Tyresha Ann Vail, only staid one week with me after we came from the City. I thought it was a blessing when she left.
Continued to work on the house through the summer, raised a good crop this year.
November the 27th my wife Kari had a son which we called Robert.
Annie lived in the pasture throught the summer.
1874
In the month of January, Tyresh Ann, had a boy born named William Jacob.
The Utah Northern Railway was made to Franklin in the month of May. I had worked considerable on this Railroad.
On the 16th of May, Anna, had, born a dead girl. My son Edward married Sarah Smith, L. C. Mecham Justice of the peace, performed the ceremony.
A general conference was held in May in Salt Lake City. A train went to Salt Lake city to take Conference passengers for one rate.
1875
Put in a crop as usual this spring. I went to Salt Lake City and married Annie Kjerstine Neilsen, D. H. Wells performing the ceremony. My son Edward and his wife went to Salt Lake City with us and were sealed.
On the 30th of April my wife Annie had a girl born named Alice.
Working on the farm as usual. I moved Annie into the South Field in Utah. Before I moved Annie I moved the house in the pasture to the South field, commenced a home there.
I built a house in the South field for John Doney he gave me a horse for this labor.
On the 26th of October my wife Kari had a girl named Clara.
In October my wife Annie and me went to Conference at Salt Lake City, by rail, fare the round trip $4.50. My daughter Mary Jane, was married this fall to Henry C. Fisher.
1876
I took up some land in Utah this year, and pulled down part of my house in Franklin, and removed it to Utah. My family were kept busy moving the house and putting it up. All the buildings I put up this year were between R. N. Comish’s and John Biggs part of my family were in Franklin, and part in the South field in Utah. I went to the October conference in Salt Lake City with my wife Annie.
1877
Early this spring I moved the rest of the house from Franklin to Utah and built it at the base of the mountain. I also moved the other buildings from where they were to the foot of the mountains near the boundary line between Utah and Idaho, in Utah. I broke 10 acres of land in Utah this season put a fence around part of it. I put 10 acres of land in, in Franklin Idaho. I was busy fencing and building all the season. Two of my boys at home were young men John, and my stepson Christian; the other boys were growing and were becoming useful. I did not raise much crop this year. I felt discouraged I thought I had traded off a good place for a poor one. I was short of water. I still belonged to Franklin ward. I seemed short of water, I did not know how to utilize the springs. Grasshoppers destroyed all of my grain in Idaho, and much of my neighbors grain. My wheat in Utah was shrunken, I had only 80 bushels.
1878
I traded my land in Idaho at Franklin 26 to @. L. Webster for land in the South Field but in Idaho, but near my place in Utah, 16 acres for 26 acres. I put in 16 acres to wheat I got of Bro Webster and 10 acres on the bench and broke 3 or 4 acres more. I raised a good crop this year, besides fencing some of the land I got of W. L. Webster. I was busy all the year.
On the 25th of March my wife Kari gave birth to a girl named Harriett Evenia.
I sted to make reservoirs and saved the water from the springs this was a great benefit to me. Building fences this season, And at the October Conference Kari and me went to the October Conference at Salt Lake City.
1879
Busy farming this year as usual. I made a ditch from South Canyon to my land; my prospects were brightening. We put up a school house in our district and we became a part of Richmond ward. I took up more land and did more fencing this season and raised a good crop.
1880
Farming as usual this spring; on the 18 of May Kari had a son born named Ephraim. I obtained some lumber and built an addition to my house. The waters for irrigation was still increasing and I was prospered temporarlly. I am greatly blessed this year and I felt encouraged.
My step son Christian Poulsen married Margaret Lowe.
1881
Labors on the farm as usual fencing and cropping. Boys going to the canyon. I superintended the work. We raised a good crop this year.
1882
Cropping as usual this year. Improving the farm. My step daughter Elgenea Poulsen was married to Henry Heber Allen at the April conference at Salt Lake City on the 10th of April Our district extends from the Idaho line to High Creek about 4 miles, and was organized into a Ward called Cove-ville with John C Larsen as Bishop and Edward Kingsford (myself) and Andrew Allen councilors.
1883
On the 23rd of April there was a great wind storm blowing down fences and unroofing some houses.
Comments by Diantha O. Kingsford Schaub
At this point, my grandfather ceased the recording of his brief history. His son, my father Robert Kingsford, is responsible for the following bits of information concerning him.
Grandfather could not write but had a friend do the writing of his autobiography for him during the time they were both in hiding from those who persecuted the polygimists.
After the time he ceased making his record, he gradually turned the heavier part of his farm work over to his sons but continued to do garden work and most of the irrigation for several more years. My father has often mentioned that he seeemed to have an unusual talent for getting water over a piece of land, stating that he could walk around a side hill with a hoe and make marks where he wanted a new ditch plowed, then have the ditch made on that line with complete success. Father protested once when asked to guide the old hand plow over such a line while grandfather led the horse saying that water would never run up there. Grandfather answered, "No, but it will run down here" and it did.
Most of Edward Kingsford's sons became farmers and entered land in northern Utah or southern Idaho when they started out in life for themselves. Most of his daughters married farmers.
Edward Kingsford was widely known as one having a remarkable gift of healing by virtue of which he was often called to help the sick.
By 1902 members of the family realized that his sight was growing dim,and gradually his activities grew more limited. In 1904 my mother took her new baby boy Kenneth, and presented him to Grandfather. Grandfather felt his head and face gently and tenderly and said "I cannot see him, but I kanow he is a beautiful baby ," so by that time he was totally blind. Most of his time he passed sitting in an old arm chair and occasionally eating peppermint candy, and thereby hangs one of my now amusing memories of my grandfather. I thought a lot of him for he was kind and friendly with me. He would often give me a piece of his candy, hard little brown balls with white stripes. I only remember one thing I hated; that was peppermint candy, but I always thanked grandfather as sweetly as I knew how and immedientely put the candy in my mouth . I loved my Grandfather and would not hurt his feelings for any price,but I always went off to play immediatly. Yes and I went to the far corner of the yard and threw the candy as far as I could throw it, but I still love my grandpa for his kindness to a child and I doubt that he will like me any less when he understands.
Again, I well remember telling Grandpa how much fun I had riding a stick horse, a nice willow I broke from the base of a big tree out in the yard. He offered to get me some nice ones if I would lead him to a tree where some were growing, but he told me I would have to take his hand and lead him as he could not see. I assured him that I would take him to a tree and I led him carefully out on the porch and down the steps, warning him of the steps, then to a tree nearby where there were some very choice stick horses and with a thrill thought of how I could take one to my little brother who could just toddle around on the back terrace. Just then Grandfather's wife known to me as Grandma Stena appeared on the scene and I think she did not quite understand or trust my motives tho she only reproved me gently as she led my Grandpa back to his old arm chair. I am relating these incidents to show his kindly attitude toward his little grandchildren and to show how impressions live on in the human heart. In 1908 Clara Kingsford, next to the youngest child of Edward Kingsford married Wilford McClellen and it was my privilage to attend the wedding supper with my father. But I was deeply disappointed, for I only got one brief glimpse of Grandpa in bed and he seened to be asleep.My father had moved with his wife and young family to a pioneer home in what was then known as Gentile Valley in Southeast Idaho, and we were only able to make the trip by team and wagon or the old white-top buggy back to Coveville , Utah to see Grandpa and other relatives about once a year. On an April morning in 1910 an Uncle rode up to our door and a few minutes later Mother told me that Grandpa was dead.
A lump swelled up in my throat and I began to cry with disappointment because I would never see him again and his old arm chair would be empty thereafter. My Mother then taught me that I should not weep, for my beloved grandpa would feel sorry if I did. She explained to me that now he could see again and would be well and happy. Later it was with a feeling of pride and pleasure that I, with other grandchildren, gathered wild flowers on the hills near his old home to make bouquets to put on his grave. Edward Kingsford departed this life 10 April, 1910 in Coveville, Utah, and a few days later was laid to rest in the family lot in the Franklin Cemetary, Franklin, Oneida, Idaho.
Testimonies Left by Edward Kingsford
Weston Oneida, Idaho
June 2, 1895
This is to certify that Thomas Alma Fifield was heald by the power of God through the administration of Edward Kingsford and we under signed bear witness to the same.
Priscella Campbell
Thomas Alma Fifield
Rebecca Ann Fifield
William P. Fifield
Aurrott Fifield
Jesse H. Fifield
Welessa Fifield
M. P. Fifield.
Logan, Utah
June 26th 1895
This is to certify that on June 20 I George W. Lindquest having been confined to my bed for one week with Inflamitory Rhetism was healed by the power of God made manifest through the administration of Edward Kingsford. Fjellstrom and Thomason the each anointing me Elder Kingsford sealing the anointing emmidionlly at the also of which he behan speaking to my in tongues this commanding me to arise and put on my cloths said it was the word of God to me I obeyed and as above stated was restored to perfect health I wrie this for the glory of God and to Produse faith in all who read this. We under sighn know that this is testimony is true.
Mettine Lindquest
A. T. Fjellstrom
Chas Thomason
Newston Utah
September 22nd
Mr. Edward Kingsford
Dear Brother
You was here twise and administered to my father in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and you said that he would again never as bad as he was your word is come to pass he is abround at the Present time and can begin to work again these were but little prospect of his recover for a short time but your words has been fulfilled and he is around and beginning to work as you said he would.
Newton Cache Co Utah
Isaac Benson