Abigail Jane Daley

Abigail Jane Daley was born Jan 26, 1815 in Marcellus, New York to John Jr. and Elizabeth Ennis Daley.

Early Life, Conversion, Early Latter-day Saint

Though Abigail was born in New York, she was raised in Lorain County, Ohio. Here, she attended school and became acquainted with Milo Andrus. In 1832, Missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints paid a visit to the county, and the Daley family, including Milo, were baptized. A year later, Abigail and Milo were married in Florence, Ohio on Feb 14, 1833. They had six children.

As early members of the Church, they moved to Kirtland, Ohio, and were able to participate in the building and dedication of the Kirtland Temple. Milo was active in being a Branch President, being a missionary, participating in Zion's Camp, and attending the school for the prophets. When the family moved to Nauvoo, Illinois, Milo served as a Bishop, and Abigail served responsibilities in the newfound Relief Society. They were present for the laying of the cornerstones of the Nauvoo Temple, the martyrdom of Joseph Smith, and the completion of the Temple.

Trek West

In preparing to leave Nauvoo to go west, the Andrus family transformed their basement into a wagon shop and stocked up on what they needed to move west. Though they were prepared, Abigail couldn't help to say about her home of six years, "We are leaving our home and will never see it again." 

The family moved to Winter Quarters, Iowa where they farmed and helped those who were in need. While here, Milo entered into polygamy, which Abigail found hard to accept. After Milo's marriage, he was called to serve a mission in England in 1848, leaving Abigail to cross the plains by herself with her five remaining children. The family was part of the Heber C. Kimball Company of 1848, and walked the whole distance, arriving in the Salt Lake Valley in the fall of 1848.

Life in the Salt Lake Valley

For work, Abigail washed clothing for others around the area of Salt Lake, while her eldest son, James, herded cattle. There were many times when the family was near starvation. After Milo returned home from his mission in 1850, Abigail and Milo divorced. After their divorce in 1859, she married Elisha Van Etten, and they moved north to Richmond.

Life in Richmond

Abigail and family moved to Richmond in 1860. After moving to Richmond, Abigail and Elisha divorced. Abigail and Milo were remarried in the Logan Temple in March of 1886, however, they did not move in with each other but did visit often. She is known—recorded by her grandchildren—for how well her cottage cheese was and how well she kept her home.1

Epilogue