Goudy Ericsen Hogan

Goudy Ericsen Hogan was born Sep 16, 1829 in Tinn, Norway to Eric Gautesson Midtboen Hogan and Helga Knudsdatter. Goudy is a pioneer of Richmond. Goudy is a veteran of the Utah War and Indian Wars.

Early Life, Expeditions, Conversion

"In 1837, my father was moved upon to sell out his farm and start to America to better his conditions temporally. …It was a great surprise to his folks and all the people around in that part of the country to start to America with a family in those early days as my father was the first one that had been known to start to America in that part of the country."1

The Hogan family ultimately moved to LaSalle County, Illinois 1838, then moved to Iowa in 1841.

"In the winter [of 1843] a man by the name of Goudmon Hougus, a Norwegian, came from Illinois where we formerly lived to visit us and preach Mormonism in our native tongue. After hearing one or two discourses, my father was convinced of the truth of the everlasting gospel and was the first in that part of the country of the Scandinavian to believe and embrace the Gospel, and soon after my mother also was baptized. I also was baptized that same winter."1

The family continued to live in Iowa for many years, working on building fences, granaries, and farming.

In 1846, the Hogan family moved from their part of Iowa to Council Bluffs to be closer to the Saints. They lived there for two years before beginning their journey west to the Rocky Mountains. They were part of the Brigham Young Company in 1848 and arrived in the Salt Lake Valley Sep 22, 1848.1

Life in Salt Lake Valley

In 1849, the Goudy family moved north to Bountiful, Utah. While in Salt Lake, Goudy joined a wagon company that was looking for teamsters to trek to California. Goudy joined the company and stayed in California until 1850.1

In 1850, Goudy was called to action to help during the Utah War. 

"In the spring there was a selection of 1,000 young men as a standing army and I was called on as one of that numbers to fit myself out with a number one horse, gun, and pistol and to be dressed in buckskin suit and suit of sheep’s gray—this was to be our style. Then came the word of the Lord to all Israel for all people to move south and have our buildings ready to set fire to, in case they would come in; accordingly, all the people moved south. There was a great stir among the people as many were short of teams or had no teams. The road was lined with teams and wagons driving stock, hogs, and sheep. I moved south to Springville, some 60 miles during the fore part of spring. Several trips were necessary to haul all my flour and household goods from Bountiful, 8 miles from Salt Lake City. I had no hopes that we ever would go back again. When the officers saw that we had all left and would burn all that was left into ashes, in case they came in, they concluded to send in a peace commission. Accordingly, few of the officers that they would come in peaceably through Salt Lake and march south, 40 miles to Camp Floyd. There they made their quarters. July 4th, we were privileged to return back home to the great joy and satisfaction of the Saints."1

Life in Richmond

In 1859, Church President Brigham Young sent Church Apostles Orson Hyde and Ezra T. Benson to survey Cache Valley, as it was prime real estate. During their return, the Apostles encouraged the Hogan family and their neighbors the Merrill family to move to the new valley. The Hyers, Hogans, and Merrills made a small company and began travel to Cache Valley on March 11, 1860. They arrived in Richmond on the 28th of the same month.2

In 1862, Marriner Wood Merrill instructed William D. Hendricks, William H. Jackson, Phillip Pugsley, and Goudy Hogan to build a mill on the Cub River. William and Gowdy wanted to buy out the other men and did so. They moved the operation of the mill to High Creek and built a grist mill which began working in December 1862.3 

In 1866, Marriner instructed Goudy and his brother-in-law Christian Hyer to build another grist mill on the Cub River. Feeling compelled, Goudy sold his city lots and moved close to the mill in 1867.1

"I also sold my share of another grist mill on Cub River to a man called Chadwick at Franklin. He paid me what was called $500.00 in stock and grain and some money. This sale helped me considerably to pay some of the debts that have been running on interest at the rate of 2 per cent per month. My interest in the grill mill cost me $4500 and I sold it $1500. I lost $3000 in this sale of property. I lost in the sale of the interest of these 2 grist mills some $5000 besides paying several hundred dollars interest; I felt determined to pay up all my debts if it would take all that I had on earth if it would take several more years to pay up the remainder, I felt determined to take the benefit of the bankrupt law as I could have done the same as some others but I consider that dishonest or too humiliating."1

In 1877, Church President Brigham Young instructed the Hogan family to move to Orderville, Utah.

Indian Wars Service

After the construction of the Richmond Fort in 1860 and other forts in Cache Valley, the Territory of Utah created the Cache Military District on Oct 15, 1861 with Church Apostle Ezra T. Benson as Colonel. Richmond was organized as the 5th Battalion Infantry, with Thomas L. Whittle as Major, David P. Rainy as Adjutant, and Robert M. Kerr and Dana Walton as Captains. On June 16, 1863, Richmond was organized into two companies of Infantry and two squads of Cavalry. Goudy was appointed as a Lieutenant in both instances.

Family

Goudy Ericsen Hogan entered the practice of polygamy by marrying Bergetta Nelson and Christiana Nelson on Christmas Eve, 1853 in the Endowment House, Salt Lake City, Utah. Goudy married Ann Nelson on April 2, 1857 also in the Endowment House.

Goudy and Bergetta had nine children with only three living to adulthood. Goudy and Christiana had seven children with only three living to adulthood. Goudy and Ann had nine children with five living to adulthood. Goudy fathered 25 children with only 11 living to adulthood. 

Epilogue