ALVIN CROCKETT
Alvin Crockett was born October 19, 1831 on the Fox Islands in the town of Vinal Haven, Maine. He was the eldest child of David Crockett and Lydia Young. His parents were among the first who accepted the Gospel as taught by missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The missionary who taught Alvin's parents was Wilford Woodruff, when he was on his first mission.
In 1841 the Crockett family had a strong desire to be associated with the main body of the Saints, so with a team and wagon they started for Nauvoo, Illinois, at which place they arrived during October of 1841. In Nauvoo they were eye witnesses to, and sharers of the manifold hardships that were endured prior to the great exodus to the west in 1846.
For one entire winter during their stay in Nauvoo, Alvin, who was just then 12 years old, had the responsibility of caring for his family who were all confined to their beds with fever. When he was not at the bed side administering to their needs, he was in the woods with an axe and wagon getting fuel to keep them warm.
When the Saints were driven from their beautiful Nauvoo, the Crockett family settled in Davis County, Iowa. They made their living by farming on shares until April, 1849 when they traveled to the Missouri River where they remained until July 4, 1849. On that day they left for the Great Salt Lake Valley with the Willard Richards Company.
As did other Saints, the Crockett family suffered many hardships as they crossed the plains, which took almost four months. Alvin was a great help to his family during this time and he learned many lessons that helped him for the rest of his life. They arrived in the Salt Lake City on Alvin's 18th birthday, October 19, 1849.
The Crockett family located in the Salt Lake First Ward and after a great struggle they were successful in building up a comparatively comfortable home. Later the family was sent to Payson to help build up that part of Zion. At this time Alvin went with some of the other young men to California to the gold rush, but he soon returned with very little of the gold he went to seek. Meanwhile, his father, David Crockett, had been elected the first mayor of Payson and he served faithfully in this capacity for many years.
When Alvin came to Payson, Utah, from California, he met Mary Sophia eed, Payson's first school teacher. He gave her an engagement ring made from the gold he had dug in California. They were married June 20, 1852.
The young couple lived in Payson where they were considered promising citizens, both from a social and religious standpoint. Alvin distinguished himself in the military organization of that day, which was called to protect the settlers from the fierce attacks of the indians. Alvin held the position of Colonel for twelve years before circumstances ceases to require military service. Alvin was kind and friendly to the indians and endeared himself to them so when he was on guard, either day or night, the indians never molested them. But when Alvin was relieved and another was in his post of guard, the fighting was begun and in at least one instance, Alvin related, the new guard was immediately shot down.
In the spring of 1860 Alvin moved his family, which consisted of a wife and four children, to Logan, in Cache Valley, Utah. There he was one of the first settlers of Logan. He was the first mayor of Logan and held the office for 15 years. He was called as a member of the first high council organized in the stake in 1863, and held that calling with honor until his death. He was also the first County Sheriff, which position he held for 21 years. He was City Marshall and School Trustee on August 5, 1865, when the Militia was formed he was again appointed Colonel.
In the early days in Logan, Alvin made all of his own shoes and the shoes for his family. He went to the canyon for wood for their fuel and some of the wood was sawed in thin blocks and then split and whittled down into little pegs to fasten the soles of the shoes together, as there were no tacks available at that time. Alvin was a contractor and builder and built some of the finest homes that were built in Logan. Some are still standing and in good condition. Alvin was also the contractor for the first long dugway leading from Logan to Bear Lake, Idaho. This road was used for many, many years.
In August 1866 Alvin married his second wife, Anna Naomi Peel. In 1888 Alvin was arrested on the charge of having two wives. He was found guilty and was sentenced to six months in jail and had to pay a fine. Many of the men in similar circumstances weren't caught, so they didn't have to go to jail. But Alvin did not think it was right to run away from things. He had always been taught to face the difficulties that come like a man. He served his sentence rather than have to hide out all the time and be hunted by the law enforcement officials continually. Alvin was allowed two months off for good behavior, so he only served four months in jail.
In 1871 Alvin was called on his first mission, to take the Gospel to his old home on the Fox Islands in the state of Maine. Later he filled a second mission in this same area. Five of his sons and 22 of his grand children served missions, and many of his large posterity have also served as missionaries for the Church he loved.
The most painful period of Alvin's life began in March 1898 when his second wife, Anna Naomi, was taken by death after an illness of many years. The following year, Mary Sophia, also passed away. The first wife left 12 children and the second wife left six. All of them were married with families of their own, except for one son.
Alvin was the father of 18 children. All of them lived to maturity except one. He was a loving father and was ever ready to advise and assist his children who followed his teachings and example and will always remember his admonition to he true and trustworthy Latter-day Saints.
Alvin Crockett died July 9, 1902, in Logan, a faithful and respected Latter-day Saint.