Chris & Julie Petersen's Genealogy

John Stoker

Male 1817 - 1881  (64 years)


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  • Name John Stoker 
    Born 8 Mar 1817  Madison Township, Jackson, Ohio, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Died 11 Jun 1881  Bountiful, Davis, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Buried 19 Jun 1881  Bountiful Memorial Park, Bountiful, Davis, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I2522  Petersen-de Lanskoy
    Last Modified 27 May 2021 

    Father David Stoker,   b. 23 Mar 1795, , Wilkes (now Ashe), North Carolina, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 27 May 1852, Trader's Point (now Council Bluffs), Pottawattamie, Iowa, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 57 years) 
    Mother Barbara Graybill,   b. 1 Apr 1792, , Wilkes (now Ashe), North Carolina, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 3 Oct 1872, Summit, Iron, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 80 years) 
    Married Feb 1814  of, Ashe, North Carolina, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F834  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 1 Jane McDaniel,   b. 24 Feb 1810, Raccoon Township, Gallia, Ohio, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 20 Jan 1890, Bountiful, Davis, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 79 years) 
    Married 21 Jan 1836  , , Missouri, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Last Modified 28 May 2021 
    Family ID F1439  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 2 Harriet Susan Willis,   b. 22 Dec 1821, Potsdam, Saint Lawrence, New York, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 7 Nov 1892, Bountiful, Davis, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 70 years) 
    Married 26 Oct 1855  Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Last Modified 28 May 2021 
    Family ID F371  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 3 Jane Allen,   b. 8 Mar 1841, Parma, Cuyahoga, Ohio, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 5 Aug 1877, Bountiful, Davis, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 36 years) 
    Married 5 Jul 1857  Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Last Modified 28 May 2021 
    Family ID F370  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • RESEARCH_NOTES:
      1. Censuses:
      1830 US: Madison Township, Jackson, Ohio, p. 93a:
      David Stoker: Males 10-15:2; 30-40:1; female 0-5:2; 10-15:1; 30-40:1. [Appears to be David, his wife Barbara, and their children: Christina, John, William, Sarah, and Catherine; appears from children enumerated that Nancy may have been dead by 1830.]

      1840 US: Quincy, Adams, Illinois, the following related families living in near proximity to each other (with exception of John McDaniel and his wife Christina Stoker, all of David Stoker's siblings, children, and mother are accounted for and it confirms his father Michael was dead by 1840):
      P. 43a:
      David Stoker, males 5-10:1; 40-50:1//females 5-10:1; 10-15:1; 40-50:1. [David, his wife Barbara, and their children Sarah (13), Catherine (11?), and Michael (6). Note daughter Nancy not in census which means she was probably deceased by then.]
      Simeon P. Grabell [Graybill], males 0-5:1; 20-30:1//females 0-5:1; 20-30:1. [David's nephew: Simeon and his wife Amanda Hill and their two oldest children.]
      Jacob Stoker, males 20-30:1//females 0-5:1; 20-30:1. [Younger brother to David: Jacob and his wife Catherine and their oldest child.]
      P. 44a:
      Eller Stoker, males 20-30:1//females 0-5:1; 15-20:1; 60-70:1. [Youngest brother to David: Eller with his wife Margaret and their oldest child and probably their mother Catherine Eller.]
      James Walker [Welker], males 10-15:1; 15-20:1; 30-40:1//females 5-10:2; 40-50:1. [Living next door to Eller and ages work perfectly that this is James Welker and Elizabeth Stoker, who is David's sister.]
      John W. Stoker, males 0-5:2; 10-15:1; 30-40:1//females 0-5:1; 5-10:2; 30-40:1. [John and his wife Electa Sarah and their six oldest children.]
      John Stoker, males 0-5:1; 20-30:1//females 0-5:1; 5-10:2; 20-30:1. [David's son: John and his wife Jane and their children.]
      P. 52a:
      William Stoker, males 0-5:1; 20-30:1//females 20-30:1 (father-in-law Samuel Winegar is next door). [David's son William and his wife Almira with their child.]
      P. 55a:
      Michael Stoker, males 0-5:2; 5-10:2; 10-15:1; 30-40:1// females 30-40:1. [Michael, his wife Martha, and their five oldest children.]

      1850 US: Davis County, house/family 117/117:
      John Stoker, 35, farmer $175, OH.
      Jane, 38, OH.
      Alma, 15, OH.
      Hyram, 11, IL.
      Franklin, 9, IL.
      David, 7, IA.
      Zibiah, 3, IA.

      1860 US: Bountiful, Davis, Utah, p. 15 of 23, 15 Jun 1860, house/family 98/91:
      Jno. Stoker, 44, farmer, $2000, $700, OH.
      Jane, 50, OH.
      Harriet, 38, NY.
      Alma, 25, OH.
      Jane, 19, OH.
      Hyrum, 19, IL.
      David, 15, IL.
      Jane, 10, IA.
      Sarah A., 8, NY.
      Geo, 3, MI.
      Jno, 2, NY.

      1870 US: Bountiful, Davis, Utah, p. 26 of 34, 19 Aug 1870:
      Household/family 214/215:
      John Stoker, 53, Bishop, $4000, $1500, OH.
      Jane, 60, OH.
      Alma, 35, farm hand, OH.
      Sarah A., 19, UT.
      Household/family 215/216:
      Harriet Stoker, 46, keeping house, NY.
      John, 13, UT.
      Catherine, 7, UT.
      Hiram, 30, laborer, IL.
      Household/family 216/217:
      Jane Stoker, 29, keeping house, OH.
      Maryann, 8, UT.
      Henry, 6, UT.
      Lorenzo, 3, UT.
      Clarissa, 1, UT.

      1880 US: Bountiful, Davis, Utah, FHL film 1255336, National Archives Film T9-1336, p. 279C:
      John Stoker, farmer, 63, married, birthplace: OH, father's and mother's birthplace: NC.
      Jane Stoker, keeping house, 69, birthplace: OH.
      Hyrum, works on farm, son, S, 40, IL, OH, OH.
      Harriet, keeping house, wife, M, 58, NY, CT, VT.
      Mary A., at home dau, S, 18, UT, OH, OH.
      Catherine, at home, dau, 16, UT, OH, NY.
      Henry, at home, son, 15, UT, OH, NY.
      Lorenzo, at home, son, 13, UT, OH, NY.
      Jessie, at home, son, 5, UT, OH, NY.

      2. Obituary of son David Stoker: "David Stoker Dead. Well Known and Highly Respected Citizen of Davis County Passes. (Special Correspondence.) Farmington, April 3 - David Stoker, until recently Bishop of the East Bountiful ward in Davis stake, died at his home in Bountiful, Saturday morning. During the last four months he had been confined to his bed the greater part of the time with heart and stomach trouble. Bishop Stoker was born in Hancock county, Ill. Sept. 28, 1844. His parents were born in Ohio. In 1836 they moved to Illinois, in which state six children were born to them of whom David was the third son. The family left Illinois in 1846 and after three years of uncertain travel arrived in Utah in 1849. Mr. Stoker spent his early days on the farm in Davis county and his early education was received from the schools then afforded by the country settlements. He was, however, ambitious and intelligent and independent of schooling arose to positions of distinction and trust among his fellow men. He was broad minded, of keen judgment, loving freedom of thought and resenting any encroachments of authority upon the rights and liberties of men. His advice and the wisdom of his counsel were sought by all who knew him. So highly has he been regarded by the citizens of Davis county that their suffrage has elected him to the office of county comisioner and member of Utah legislature. He also held by appointment the position of probate judge, and received the nomination to the office county commissioner at the convention of the Democratic party, Oct. 1910. He has been a stalwart Democrat all his life and is known in the politics of Utah as a legislator and a judge of wisdom and capability. In a religious capacity, Bishop Stoker served his Church on a mission in the Northern States. From which duty he arose in the estimation of his brethren holding various positions, the last in the bishopric of his ward in which he served as counselor to Bishop Call, and later as bishop for a period of 13 years. In religious as in civil matters, his soundness of judgment commended him to the consideration of his fellows. In the industrial world he figured also. He has aided in developing the dry land districts in Davis county, being a promoter in the Davis and Weber canal. He was at his death, president and director in the Bountiful Co-op, the large store which recently burned down. Bishop Stoker leaves a widow, Regeria Hogan Stoker and seven children." Deseret Evening News, Mon., 3 Apr 1911, photo acoumpanies obituary.

      3. The book "The Henry McDaniel family, 1755-1975," by Esta McDaniel Lee, 1975, FHL 929.273 M141L, p. 82: "Other McDaniels of Gallia and Jackson Counties, Ohio. David McDaniel, b. ca. 1738 m. 5 March, 1801, Elizabeth (Betsy) McCarley in Washington County, Ohio. Gallia County was a part of Washington Coound at that time. David McDanieal was in Ohio long before it became a state for a son James McDaniel was born in what is now Jackson County, 24 Feb. 1762. He married 19 Dec 1805 Zebiah (Sibby) McCarley, b. 10 Dec 1786, Gallia County, Ohio, daughter of John McCarley. She died 5 Feb 1860. James died in Jackson County, 1820. They had the following children:
      1. Sarah McDaniel, b. 26 May 1806, Raccoon Twp., Gallia Co., O., d. 7 Mar 1857, m. John W. Stoker, 13 Mar 1827.
      2. Martha McDaniel, b. 24 Feb 1808, Raccoon Twp., Gallia Co., O., d. 4 Feb 1877, m. 1828/29 Michael Stoker.
      3. Jane McDaniel, 24 Feb 1810, Raccoon Twp., Gallia Co., O., d. 20 Jan 1890, in Bountiful, Utah, m. 1836, John Stoker.
      4. John McDaniel, b. 10 Jun 1812, Jackson Co., O., d. 11 Nov 1884, Alpine, Utah, m. Christina Stoker.
      5. William McDaniel, b. 1814, Jackson Co., O., d. 1889 unmarried.
      There could have been others."
      Page 83: "Jackson County Marriage Records. C.D. Massie:
      19 Apr 1827 Electa Sally McDaniel to John W. Stoker."

      4. From the book "Our Stoker Family Histories 1731-1881," Vol. II, comp. and ed. by Elayne Stoker, 2004, printed by Stevenson's Genealogy Center, Provo, UT. Bibliography:
      Barlow, Ora H. The Israel Barlow Story and Mormon Mores. Published by Ora H. Barlow. Sponsor: The Israel Barlow Family Association, 1968 p 11, 269, 426, 451, 483
      Bennett, Richard Edmond. Mormons at the Missouri 1846-1859. 1946 p. 309
      Cannon, George Q. History of Church as published in the Juvenile Instructor, Vol. 19 p. 60. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
      Carter, Katie. Pioneer Heritage. Daughters of Utah Pioneers. Salt Lake City, UT. 1958 Vol. 3 p. 272, 300
      Daughters of Utah Pioneers. East of Antelope Island. History of the First Fifty Years of Davis County, 2nd edition, Carr Printing Co., Bountiful, UT. 1961 p 21, 70, 115, 320, 366, 491
      An Enduring Legacy. Lesson Committee. Salt Lake City, UT. 1987 p. 207
      Foy, Leslie T. The City Bountiful, Utah's second settlement from pioneers to the present. Horizon Publishers, 1975 p. 49, 50, 55, 80-81, 133
      Gabbott, Mabel Jones. A Tabernacle in the Land Bountiful. Church Library and Archives 1992
      Hancock County, Illinois Property Tax Assessment 1842
      Johnson, Clark V. Mormon Redress Petition. Documents of the 1833-1838 Missouri Conflict. Religious Studies Center. Brigham Young University. Provo, UT. 1992
      Johnson, Luke. Autobiography in Millennial Star 26 (1864), typescript, BYU-S, published by Infobases International Incorporated, Provo, UT. 1995 p. 835-836
      Morris, George. Autobiography, typescript, BYU-S, published by Infobases International Incorporated, Provo, UT. 1995 p. 50-51
      Nauvoo Endowment Temple Record. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Archives. Salt Lake City, UT.
      Pratt, Parley P. Autobiography. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Historical Dept. Salt Lake City, UT. 1874 p 381
      Roberts, B.H. Comprehensive History of the Church. Vol. 3 Chp. 72, Published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Brigham Young University Press, Provo, UT. 1965 p. 40, 49, 50, Chp. 83 p 319
      Stoker, Eunice Southwick. Short History of John Stoker. Published by the John Michael Stoker Family Association"

      BIOGRAPHY:
      1. The book "Mormon Redress Petitions, Documents of the 1833-1838 Missouri Conflict," edited by Clark V. Johnson, contains a copy of the "Scroll Petition" dated 28 Nov 1843 at Nauvoo, IL addressed to the U.S. Congress by members of the LDS Church who had property destroyed by Missouri mobs in the 1830's. Included with over a couple thousand signatures are those of John and Jane Stoker, and their three sons Hyrum, Alma, and Franklin.

      2. Listed in Pioneers of 1848 from the files of the daughters of the Utah Pioneers, Journal History, etc.: "Stoker, John, age 31, b. 8 Mar 1817 in Bloomfield, Ohio and wife Stoker, Jane McD., age 38, 24 Feb. 1810, Ohio and their children: Alma, Hyrum, Franklin, David (age 4, 28 Sep 1844, Illinois), Zibiah Jane, Sarah Ann as part of the Young Company.

      3. Children from marriage with Harriet Willis per Ancestral File v.4.19; all children were born in Bountiful, Davis, Utah:
      John, b. 11 Feb 1857, d. 14 Dec 1876 at Bountiful, UT.
      Catherine, b. 10 Dec 1863, d. 3 Nov 1817 at Roy, Weber, UT.

      4. Children from marriage with Jane Allen per Ancestral File v.4.19; all children were born in Bountiful, Davis, Utah:
      Mary Ann, b. 14 May 1862, d. 1 May 1903 in UT.
      Henry, b. 12 Feb 1865, d. 12 Oct 1904 in UT.
      Lorenzo, b. 21 Feb 1867, d. 9 Jun 1920 at Ogden, UT.
      Clarissa, b. 2 Feb 1869, d. 12 Aug 1870 at Bountiful, UT.
      Jude, b. 2 Apr 1871, d. 4 Sep 1872 at Bountiful, UT.
      Albert, b. 29 Mar 1873, d. 4 Apr 1873 at Bountiful, UT.
      Jesse, b. 17 Jul 1874, d. 30 Oct 1942 at Roy, Weber, UT.
      Harriet Eunice, b. 13 May 1877, d. 23 Aug 1878 at Bountiful, UT.

      5. From 30 Nov 2002 website which is the autobiography of Joseph Holbrook:
      a. January 16, 1851, Horace S. Eldridge served a notice on me of my being appointed the Judge of Davis County, and State of Deseret. President Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball and others from Salt Lake City came and held a meeting in our Ward and appointed John Stoker Bishop and ordained him to that office. Bishop Stoker made choice of Perigrine Sessions as his first councilor and Moses Daily as his second councilor and they were ordained to their office.
      b. In the fall of 1852 the books for tithing was transferred into the hands of several Bishops throughout the valley. Bishop John Stoker wished me to act as his clerk in the settling of the tithing and keeping of the books which I did. It was attended with considerable trouble as many of the brethren were careless and not settled tithing for years in which they were far in the rear on settlement and some became somewhat troubled in their feelings, but the man that was punctual in settling and paying felt it a privilege to be on hand to meet all demands with joy as it helped to build up the Kingdom of God on the earth.
      c. ... Sept. 4, 1854. About the first of May, President Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball and Jedediah M. Grant called a meeting at the school house in our district and decided that there be a city laid off in this place making the school house the northwest corner running east about three fourths of a mile, thence south about three fourths of a mile, thence west about three fourths of a mile, thence north about three fourths of a mile to the place of beginning that the street running north and south be six rods wide, east and west three rods wide and that there be four acres in each block and that there be a center block for public buildings and for the brethren to build their good houses in the city and for the families of the brethren to move into the city but let their poor cabins remain on their farms. They said if the brethren would do this they would be richer in five years than if they remained on their farms. I was acting as Bishop John Stoker's first councilor at this time and had been for a year or so in the place of Perigrine Sessions who had been sent on a mission to England.
      d. In 1854, we were directed to wall in the city Bountiful with a wall 12 feet high, six feet wide at the bottom and two feet at the top with a gradual slope on each side with suitable port holes and bastions for to be used against an enemy who might attack us and to defend us from the Indians. My tax for 1854 on city wall $651.45. Tax for 1855 on city wall $509.46. My full tax on city wall was $1160.91. I was appointed one of the superintendents on the city wall with Bishop John Stoker and Chester Loveland, by the County Court for Davis County. The people generally paid up their first assessment in building their proportion of wall in 1854 and the balance in the summer of 1855. There was over three miles of this wall to be built around the city to make a good fort at an average of over $30.00 per rod. This to be done in all the settlements throughout the Territory of Utah. Ours was built of powdered clay laid up in plank and then wet sufficiently to make a hard cement sufficient to dry and become hard to stand the weather with a ditch on the outside to prevent horse-men from approaching the wall.
      e. In December 1856 I offered my resignation as Probate Judge of Davis County to John Stoker and John D. Parker, two members of the Legislature of the County Davis as my health was poor and had been for a considerable time.
      f. In 1857 in February by the request of Bishop John Stoker I resigned my office as his councilor which I had acted in for four years and had done the best I could in assisting him in the duties of that office which with other duties had occupied much of my time for the last four years.
      g. [During the Utah war] it was thought best for the people to move away to the southern settlements for the present and if the army were determined to continue their threatened vengeance upon the Latter-day Saints we would burn up our cities and lay our farms desolate as we found them upon our approaching the valley rather than that our enemies should again share our property as they had done in our former drivings in the states. How long we had got to flee before our enemies we did not know. Much of our crops for the spring were in and what was not in was left without being put in to a crop. The brethren commenced moving from the northern settlements and our roads were continually filled with wagons, teams, stock, sheep, horses, hogs, etc. by night and day so as to get moved away before the snow would get out of the mountains so that the army could come in. The army consisted of about ten thousand regular soldiers besides teams, army followers some three or four thousand more with orders for as many to follow as would be needed to wipe out Mormons from among the mountains. I had hauled some twenty loads of my own and left it out of doors as the most of our loading had to be left as there could be no storage found. We moved about from 70 to 150 miles when the brethren had got the country cleaned of everything that could be taken away and every man was ready with his torch to set fire to his hard earned labor at a moments notice. President Buchannan and his cabinet finding his expedition against the Mormons rather unpopular and expensive business to be carried on to gain any credit to himself or the nation as the country was prepared ready for the burning. He thought best to send three commissioners to enquire into the circumstances of his sending an army to drive and kill the Saints offering at the same time to grant a full and complete pardon for all and every evil that might have transpired previous to the gracious pardon if the people would let the army into the valley and the citizens would again return to their homes they should not be molested in their persons or in their property. Governor Cummings having come into the valley and General Johnson having marched his army through Great Salt Lake City, June 26, 1858 and camped at camp Floyd, about 45 miles from the city of Salt Lake and by the proclamation of Gov. Cummings for the people to return home peaceable. The brethren began to move to their homes about the first of July 1858 when we found that our grain was ready for harvesting and by the blessings of God it was a good crop. I had some 1300 bushels of wheat besides barley, oats and without any irrigation except the rains that fell which was enough to make a good crop. I got back the 4th day of July and found my grain ready for the harvest. Thus God had over ruled everything for the best as wagons, mules, goods etc., were plenty and our grain brought a fair price with a ready market for the army which they were now ready to pay for instead of their plundering it from the Mormons as they having done it in the states in our former persecution. Great Salt Lake City, Jan. 22, 1858, a list of the names to form a prayer circle in North Canyon Ward, selected by Heber C. Kimball. Names: John Stoker, Bishop, Daniel Carter - 2nd councilor, Anson Call, Chester Loveland, Jeremiah Willey, Israel Barlow, P.G. Sessions, James Duncan, Thomas F. Fisher, Martin Wood, William Atkinson, John Ellis, E.G.M. Hogan, Joseph Holbrook, John W. Lasley. The prayer circle of North Canyon Ward was organized by choosing John Stoker President, Joseph Holbrook clerk. The prayer circle was held at P. G. Sessions upper room which dedicated for that purpose and kept up until April 4, 1858 when it adjourned till further instructions which did not continue after the move south.
      After our return from the south on the night of the 24 July, 1858, North Canyon Ward, during the day I had meditated somewhat on the difference that now existed and that which had been our lot in years gone by. The night of the 24th of July I dreamed the following: I thought I saw the people in great commotion and they did not know what to do. While many were a saying let us do this others let us do that, etc. I said unto them, "Have you faith in the hymn you sometimes sing, "On the Rock of Enoch Founded. What can shake your sure repose, etc." Some said they used to believe in it but they did not know so well about it now. I told them if they had faith as they once did that they were founded on the rock of Enoch. That God could open these mountains and hide up this people from all their enemies and none could harm them. I thought I was near a grist mill in the valley and there appeared to be a large ledge of rocks near by. I said let us go up and see that ledge. When we came to where it was it was rough and craggy. I said to my brethren, "Will you help me to make an opening in this ledge?" They seemed unwilling and began to laugh at me. I then began to beat away at the ledge myself and soon I found a small opening which gave my brethren some hopes. I continued to beat away until I had made a large opening so that teams, wagons, herds, etc. could easily pass in to this cave but I soon found the passage obstructed by large stones having fallen from the sides and over head and there began to be a murmuring again and to know what they should do. I told them we would remove them. They began to be angry at me and wanted to know if I thought we were going to stay here and blast those large rocks out of the way. I said no, I would remove them for them so I laid hold of them and threw them out of the way into the sides of the cave so we had a free passage. We passed along quite well a little distance and it began to be dark. Bishop Stoker said we should have to have candles before we could go further. I said, "No, it was the poorest light that ever a man had. It was nothing but borrowed light at best." He looked quite angry at me and said what would you do. I said, "I would have the light of God to fill the cave the same as God had before he made the sun and moon in the beginning. He said he would rather see me do it than hear me tell of doing it. I then said, "In the name of God, let this cave be filled with light." I thought the light came forth from the sides out of the ground and overhead out of the rocks so that every crevice and corner was filled with a bright light and it filled the cave above the brightness of the sun and we began to travel on in the cave and there began to be murmurings again with the people saying that if all our flour and provisions should give out we should starve to death, and our clothes would wear out and we would be naked. I said unto them, "Have you not seen that God opened this cave, that he gave me power to remove those rocks at the mouth of the cave. That he had filled the cave with light and now why do you murmur?" Said I, "If you had faith in God your flour would never fail, your clothes would never wear out but you are a going into a good country and the Lord can send you goods until you would not know what to do with them." Says I, "Brother Telford you will have your peach orchard or one like unto it. I shall have my farm or one like unto it except it will be a wet farm for you have not murmured because it was a dry farm nor because you did not get in half of your proportion of water but have been patient, wherefore your farm shall become wet." I said further, "We are a going where gold will be so plenty that it will be like cobble stones in the road." You would not stoop to pick it up and the cave had become very wide with a plenty of timber, grass for our cattle, etc. And I began to be sorrowful, for I did not know whether I had done all things right as I thought no one had told me to do as I had done. About this time I thought Brother Brigham Young came along with his family, teams, wagons, herds, etc. and brother Heber Kimball's family, teams, etc. Brother Brigham says, "Brother Joseph go ahead you have found the right road and have done right." I felt glad that Brother Brigham knew what I had done and that it was in the right place so we continued our journey in the cave and it still continued to grow larger. Finally Brother Brigham said he wanted me to go on a mission to the mouth of the cave. I said I would go and started forthwith and when I came to the mouth of the cave I looked and marveled at what I saw; for I saw that our enemies were camped about four miles from the mouth of the cave in a circle with many of the Mormons with them and that the light that was in the cave formed that circle. It was light to the faithful but darkness to our enemies. When the faithful came to the light they came forward to the mouth of the cave but many of our enemies endeavoring to follow them being encouraged by the Mormons among them to do so. But as they came forth into the light Egyptian darkness to them the most of them perished by their own hand and few escaped, swearing they would never be caught in that darkness again. And I began to think of my mission and I began to speak and say, "Come here by your tens, your fifties, your hundreds, your thousands and your tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands and your millions," and I stopped talking and I heard my voice go from mountain to mountain and from hill to hill and says I, "It has gone I think to the end of the earth. I wonder if this is what he wanted of me. I cannot think of nothing more. I will go back." Brother Brigham asked me if I had been to the mouth of the cave. I told him I had. He asked me what I had done. I told him what I had said. He said it was right. It was what he wanted. I thought what had been shown me was the deliverance of the Saints and I should help do it and what had been shown Charles W Stodard was the power by which they, the Saints should fight our enemies and while I contemplated those things I became as clear as transparent glass. I could see myself and all within me and also in others for nothing was hid from my sight. (I saw Bishop Stoker. He was walking by candle light borrowed from others.) I saw many in the ward who made a great profession but were hypocrites. I could see them in all grades from the highest to the lowest, and I wished I might always see them as well as myself but was told I could not now but I should have the privilege of this great gift hereafter, and I awoke from sleep and behold it was a dream. But I felt comforted to think that the Lord by his spirit should visit me in my night's repose to enlighten my mind, so may I always be faithful even unto the end
      h. I continued to send back teams, means, etc. to help in the emigration from year to year as usual. My tithing for 1859 amounting to $204.00. I have settled the tithing in North Canyon Ward for eight years and found my own fire wood and rooms to attend to the business and the tithing amounting in the eight years to something over fifty thousand dollars and often found my own paper, ink, etc. free of any charge to the tithing office or to Bishop John Stoker.
      i. July 8, 1864 went to Provo, by the invitation of President Brigham Young, for a two days meeting in company of John Stoker Bishop and Anson Call with a number from Davis County and brother Kimball and many others from Great Salt Lake City. There was much valuable instruction given to benefit the Saints. President Young told the people to take care of their grain and not sell it to our enemies to rob ourselves as it was our duty to lay away and store up our wheat, a surplus for each year, enough for our families and our dependents for seven years to come so that at the expiration of seven years we would have bread for that length of time in our store houses as it was the council of God to his people for their salvation.
      j. In March 1869 there was a new organization in our Mercantile Institution which resulted in Bishop Stoker being appointed President which relieved me from further duties at this.
      k. A clipping found in the journal from the Deseret News: "Fifty Years Ago." The Deseret News of fifty years ago, dated March 18, 1863, referred to the dedication of the building on Saturday the 14th says: "A large concourse of people as per report, were in attendance. Pres. Young, Kimball and Wells, and several others who went from the city, started early in the morning in order to be in session as the services were to commence at 10 a.m." After stating that Pres. Young and those accompanying him returned on Sunday evening, March 15. The News offers the following naive apology for failing to give a more extensive report of the services, the issue for the following week being also silent on the subject: "Having been favored with a special invitation to be present on the occasion, we should have been pleased if circumstances had permitted; but as they did not, and having no reporter there, we can neither give the particulars of the dedicatory ceremonies, nor allude to the preaching and teaching which followed." Previous mention, however, had been made of the active generosity of Anson Call, Judge Holbrook, Bishop Stoker and others in pushing forward the work of completion after all other apparent sources of revenue had been exhausted. While the estimated cost had been $60,000, the actual outlay on construction, thought The News on the 4th of Mar. "has been the work of the people unitedly, and if any have done more than others it has been because they have had the ability to do so, and they do not, as we have been informed, wish to be lauded for having done that which according to Scripture, was their duty to do."

      6. Reference to John Stoker and Jane McDaniel in daughter Zebiah Jane Stoker's biography per the book "Pioneer Women of Faith and Fortitude," Daughters of Utah Pioneers, p. 3145, photo accompanies article: "Zebiah Jane Stoker Tolman, born 21 May 1847 at Mt. Pisgah, Iowa; died 28 May 1933 at Bountiful, Davis, Utah; parents were John Stoker and Jane McDaniel; pioneer of 18 Sep 1848 in the Brigham Young Wagon Train; spouse was Judson Tolman married 5 Apr 1869 in Salt Lake Endowment House (he died 6 Jul 1916 in Bountiful, Davis, Utah; they had 11 children [see book for Children's names and birthdates]. Zebiah Jane was born in Mt. Pisgah, Iowa on May 21, 1847. She came across the Plains with her parents by ox-team. Her father was one of the leaders of the third company of the first division of the Brigham Young Wagon Company. Their division left the Elkhorn on June 1, 1848 and arrived in the Great Salt Lake Valley on Sep. 18, 1848. Zebiah's parents settled in Bountiful where she grew up living the hardy pioneer life. She felt education was very impartant and became a pioneer school teacher for many years in the Bountiful area. She was especially skilled in mathematics and english. She became the fourth wife of Judson Tolman on April 5, 1869 in the Salt Lake Endlowment House. Her father and Judson were good friends. His first wife had died on Feb. 4, 1869. She was 22 years old as she moved in to care for his older family, some as old as she was. She bore Judson eleven children of her own. She was a generous and loving mother. She passed her love of education on to her children. Three of her sons became well known educators in the Utah Schools. Zebiah passed away at her home on May 28, 1933 at the age of 86. Funeral servieces were held in Bountiful Tabernacle and she was buried in the Bountiful City Cemetery."

      7. Biography in the book "Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia," p. 252: "John Stoker, Bishop of East Bountiful, Davis county, Utah, was born March 8, 1817, at Bloomfield, Jackson county, Ohio, the son of David Stoker and Barbara Graybill. Becoming a convert to 'Mormonism' he was baptized Nov. 13, 1836, by Seymour Brunson, and cast his lot with the Saints in their gathering places in the States. He emigrated to Utah in 1848 and settled in what was then called the Sessions settlement (now Bountiful). He was ordained a Bishop Jan. 20, 1851, by Brigham Young and set apart to preside over the North Mill Creek Ward, afterwards named Bountiful. Bishop Stoker married three wives, namely Jane McDaniel, who became the mother of six children; Jane Allen, who gave birth to nine children, and Harriet (a widow), who bore her husband two children. In 1869-70 Bishop Stoker filled a short mission to Virginia. He was ordained a Patriarch in 1877 and died June 11, 1881, at Bountiful."

      8. Reference to John and Jane in son David Stoker's biography in the book "Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia," p. 253 (photo accompanies article): "David Stoker. Bishop of East Bountiful, Davis county, Utah, was born Sept. 28, 1844, in Hancock county, Ill., the son of John Stoker and Jane McDaniel. The parents spent their early life in Ohio where they were married, and in 1836 they emigrated to Adams county, Ill., and later settled in Hancock county, in the same State. At the time of the exodus (1846) the family came west as far as Mt. Pisgah, Iowa, where they remained until 1848, when they fitted out ox teams preparatory to crossing the plains to Utah, which they did that year in Pres. Brigham Young's train, arriving in Salt Lake City Sept. 23, 1848. The first winter was spent in the Old Fort, and in the spring of 1849 they located at Bountiful, which at that time was sparsely settled in a wild state. There David received his eduaction and became earlier in life a faithful woriker in the Church. In 1866 (March 3rd) he married Miss Regena Hogan, daughter of Erick G.M. Hogan and Harriet Nesteby. Bishops Stoker's whole life was spent in Bountiful, where he assisted in transforming the county from a wild and barren waste to its present prosperous condition. His home was considered one of the finest of its size in the locality. In 1892-1894 he filled a mission to the Northern States. During the Indian troubles in Utah he served in the militia orgainzed to protect the settlers and was in the Black Hawk war for 81 days. After presiding a number of years over the Elders quorum at Bountiful, he was ordained a Seventy and still later a High Priest and chosen as first counselor to Bishiop Chester Call. This position he held till Jan. 19, 1896, when he was ordained a Bishop by Lorenzo Snow and set apart to preside over the East Bountiful Ward. He also served as county commissioner and probate judge of Davis county, and served two terms in the Utah Territiorial legislature. Respected and beloved by his people he died April 1, 1911, at his home at Bountiful."

      9. FHL Book 929.273EL54h "George Michael Eller and Descendants of His in America," compiled by James W. Hook, 1957, also on FHL film 896571, item 2, pp. 100-101, notes children of John and Jane Stoker as follows - but he misses the oldest Alma:
      Hiram, b. 9 Nov 1840 at Columbus, Adams Co., Ill.; d. 5 Jun 1885. He did not marry.
      Franklin, b. 12 Aug 1842 in Hancock Co., Ill, d. 25 Sep 1855.
      David, b. 28 Sep 1844 in Hancock Co., Ill.; d. 1 Apr 1911; m. 3 Mar 1866, Regena Hogan.
      Zibiah, b. 21 Mar 1847 in Pottawattamie Co., Iowa; d. 28 May 1933; m. 5 Apr 1869 Judson Tolman.
      Sarah Ann, b. 10 Oct 1851 in Bountiful, Davis, Utah; d. 23 Jan 1922; m. 2 Mar 1869, Harlan Simmons.

      10. FHL film 702: "Journal of John Stoker, b. 1817; Journal starts November 1, 1869." John was the son of David Stoker and Barbara Graybill. The first 35 pages detail his mission taken from Utah to Virginia and Tennessee through Council Bluffs, Iowa, which I have summarized and included with his notes in this database. Pp. 36-227, the balance of John's journal, are genealogical notations of family. Many pages are blank. Besides family, the journal also notes many other unrelated Stokers who were probably gleaned from books and other sources. It appears as if maybe his son David may have taken over the book later. Many entries are repetitive at different times. Pertinent data for this family or individual is quoted verbatim as follows:
      P. 36-48: Franklin Stoker, son of John and Jane Stoker was born Illinois, Hancock County, Aug. 12, 1842. Died in Bountiful, Davis County, Utah Territory, Sept. 27th 1855.
      Clarissa Stoker, daughter of John and Jane Stoker the Second, born Feby 2d, 1859, Bountiful, Davis County, Utah Territory. Died Aug 12th 1870 at midnight in Bountiful, Davis County, Utah Territory of diarea and bloody flux.
      Jude Stoker, son of John Stoker and Jane Stoker the second. Born April the 2d, 1871. Died Sept. 4th 1872 at 9 o'clock a.m., Bountiful, Davis County, Utah Territory.
      Albert Stoker, son of John and Jane A. Stoker, born march 27th 1873 at 3 o'clock a.m. Blessed by John Stoker mouth, April 3, and Thomas Briggs and John Livingston(?). Died April 4th 1 ½ p.m. Buried April 5th Bountiful, Davis County, Utah Territory.
      Harriet Ann Stoker, daughter of David Stoker and Regina Haugen(?) born March 21st 1873. Died Nov 19th 1873 of scarlet fever and inflammation of the brain.
      Jesse Stoker, son of John and Jane A. Stoker was born July 17th 1874 at 3 o'clock and 45 minutes a.m. in Bountiful, Davis County, Utah Territory.
      John Stoker, son of John and Harriet S. Stoker, born Feby 11th 1857 in Bountiful, Davis County, Utah Territory. Died in Bountiful, Davis County, Utah Territory, September 14th 1876 at 6:15 minutes a.m. of typhoid fever.
      Harriet Eunice, daughter of John and Jane Allen Stoker, born May 13th 1877… blessed August 22d 1877 by Elder Wm. Thurgood… died August 23d in Bountiful, Davis County, Utah Territory.
      Jane Allen, wife of John Stoker and daughter of Jude and Mary Ann Allen, born March the 8th 1841, died August the 5th 1877 in Bountiful, Davis County at her residence after nearly three months illness from the affects of child birth.
      Died Aug 23 1878 Henry Stoker, born in Bountiful, Davis County, Utah Feb. 12, 1855.
      Lorenzo Stoker, born Feby 21 1867 in Bountiful, Davis County, Utah.
      John Stoker, son of David and Barbary Stoker was ordained Bishop in North Kanyon ward Davis Co., U.T. Jany 20th 1851 under the hands of Pres. Brigham young, Heber C. Kimball, Jedediah M. Grant. Laboured in the same place until August the 4th 1874 when he resigned his office as Bishop to Pres. P. Young on account of ill health not being able to attend to the labours required with the blessings of the priesthood upon him from his past labours.
      John Stoker, son of David Stoker and Barbara Grabill was born March the 8th 1817 in Jackson County, Ohio. Died at Bountiful, Utah Territory June 11th 1881 at 10 minutes to 7 o'clock p.m. of paralasis.
      Hyrum Stoker, son of John Stoker and Jane McDaniel, died at Bountiful June 5th 1887.
      Jane McDaniel Stoker died at Bountiful Jan. 20(?), 1890. Wife of John Stoker.
      [Entry on p. 43 which is too light to read and with someone I don't recognize. Looks like: Sonia Stoker Born Dec 7, 1835/6 Died June 5th 1897 at Syracuse Ward of Harriet Stoker.]
      Birth of Jane Allen parents. Jude Allen borned Doillsborough, Essy Co. New York. Oct 12, 1811. Mary Ann Nichloos Allen, born Cincinnati, Ohio, Feb. 25, 1820. Jane Allen Stoker born Parma, Cayuhoga Co., Ohio, March 8, 1841… died Bountiful Davis Co. Aug. 5, 1877. Jude Allen died Feb 13, 1900, aged 88 years. Mary Ann Nchloos died Bountiful Davis Co., January 9, 1860.
      Rockland, Ida. Oct 14, 1917. Mary Ann Stoker, born Bountiful, Davis Co., May 14, 1862. Henry Stoker, born Bountiful, Davis Co., Feb. 12, 1865. Lorenzo Stoker, born Bountiful, Davis Co., Feb 21, 1869. Clarissa Stoker, born Bountiful, Davis Co., Feb. 21, 1869. Jude Stoker, born April 2, 1871 at Bountiful, Davis Co. Albert Stoker, born Bountiful, Davis Co., March 29, 1878(3?). Jesse Stoker, born Bountiful, Davis Co., July 17, 1874. Harriet Eunice Stoker, born Bountiful, Davis Co., May 13, 1879.
      Mary Ann Hack Stoker, died at Provo, Utah, May 1, 1903. Henry Stoker, died Salt Lake City, Oct. 12, 1904. Albert Stoker, died April 4, 1873. Harriet Eunice Stoker, died Bountiful, Davis Co., Aug. 12, 1870. Jude Stoker, died Bountiful, Davis Co., Sept. 4, 1872.
      Mary Ann Stoker was married to James Hack at Salt Lake City 1881, was second wife, died 1st of May 1903
      Henry died 12 of Sept 1904, Oct 12, 1904.
      John Stoker was a captain of Fifties under Pres. Brigham Young's companies in Emigration to Utah from Nauvoo in the year 1848.
      P.103: David Stoker, born Mar. 23, 1795, died May 27, 1852. Barbara Graybill wife of David Stoker and daughter of Peter Graybill and Christenia Wampler, died Oct. 3, 1872, Summitt, Utah. Children:
      John Stoker, born 8 Mar 1817, died 11 June 1881 Bountiful, Utah.
      Sarah Stoker, born 26 Jun 1827, married Edward H. Davis.
      Willam Stoker.
      Michael Stoker.

      11. Nauvoo LDS Land and Records Office research file (copy in my possession as of 2 Jun 2007 and also partially viewable at www.earlylds.com). Includes family group sheet from Ancestral File and copy of Susan Easton Black's book on LDS Members. Also included is:
      A. Land records: Property T4 R7 (Bear Creek Township) below Carthage.
      B. 70s Records: Quorum 3.
      C. Ordained a high priest by Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball 30 Jan 1851 in Utah.
      D. LDS Biographical Encyclopedia, Andrew Jenson, v. 3, pp. 252-3: Ordained a Bishop 20 Jan 1851 by Brigham Young and a Patricarch in 1877. He was set apart to preside over the North Mill Creek Ward. In 1869 and 1870 he filled a short mission to Virginia.

      12. From the book "Our Stoker Family Histories 1731-1881," Vol. II, comp. and ed. by Elayne Stoker, 2004, printed by Stevenson's Genealogy Center, Provo, UT [Note: spelling corrected by myself.]. From an article entitled "A Brief History of Sylvanus Cyrus & Catherine Stoker Hulet":
      "David Stoker, also, helped with the building of the Nauvoo Temple and some of the homes in the City of Nauvoo. The Hulets and the Stokers left Nauvoo with other Saints during the cold winter of 1846 and crossed Iowa. It was at Mt. Pisgah that Sylvanus met and fell in love with Catherine Stoker. They were married May 19, 1850, by a Reverend March. Evidently, the Hulets and the Stokers had been in some of the groups who had stayed to protect some of the villages as they were not in the first companies to go to Utah. However, it was soon after Sylvanus and Catherine were married that they started on their journey westward from Mt. Pisgah, with a company of Saints led by Aaron Johnson, who was appointed by President Young. At Winter Quarters Catherine's father, David Stoker, was laid to rest.
      Catherine's mother, her brothers John, William, and MIchael, and her sisters Christina and Sarah, and Sarah's husband, Edward David, were in the company of the Hulet's. It was the latter part of September when they arrived in Salt Lake City. They thought they had reached their journey's end, but President Young asked the Hulets to go on with some other families to Hobble Creek and help settle that area. It was the first week in October 1850 when they arrived at this place, later named Springville."

      13. From the book "Our Stoker Family Histories 1731-1881," Vol. II, comp. and ed. by Elayne Stoker, 2004, printed by Stevenson's Genealogy Center, Provo, UT. The following is a partial excerpt from the longer article entitled "David Stoker and Barbara Graybill," which is quoted in its entirety in the notes of David Stoker:
      "By August of 1815 David and Barbara had settled into family life in Bloomfield, Jackson County, Ohio. It was on the 24 August 1815 that their first child was born: Christine Stoker. By the spring of 1816, David's parents had also joined them on the new frontier of the Ohio River Valley. David and his father, Michael, are listed on the Jackson County, Ohio, voting registry for an election that was held on 1 April 1816. Also, David's youngest brother, Eller, was born in Bloomfield, Ohio.
      John Stoker, second son of David and Barbara, was born north of Bloomfield. He was born on 8 March 1817, in Madison Township, Jackson County, Ohio. William, their next Child, was born 26 March 1819 in Bloomfield Township, Jackson County, Ohio:
      [1820 Census:]
      David Stoker- Head of Family
      One female age 26-45, (Barbara Graybill age 28),
      One male age 16-26 (David age 25),
      One male 10-16 yrs (unknown),
      One female and two males under the age of 10 (Christena age 5, John age 3 and WIlliam age 1).
      The record also indicates that four people were engaged in agriculture. Two of these were probably David and Barbara. The record also listed two male slaves. The slaves were listed as one male 26-45 yrs of age and one male under the age of 14.
      It is interesting to note that between 1815 and 1824 that the family residential township changed four times. It is unknown why this occurred. Madison and Bloomfield Townships are located next to each other. It is probable that one of the following reasons accounts for this:
      The boundaries continually shifted during this time.
      The family lived on the border line of the two counties and which one was recorded depended on the person recording the event.
      The family was constantly on the move.
      After William, the rest of the children of David and Barbara were born in Bloomfield County, Illinois [KP: typo for Ohio?]:
      Nancy Stoker- October 1824 (No information on what day)
      Sarah Stoker- on 20 June 1827
      Catherine Stoker- on 24 July 1829
      Michael Stoker- on September 1833
      David and his family are not listed on the 1830 census records for Ohio or Indiana. (The family of John Stoker listed on the 1830 census in Ohio is that of David's brother, John W. Stoker.)
      A Change of Religion
      Between the years of 1830 to 1836 David and Barbara Stoker along with some of the extended family received missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Some of these missionaries were: Seymour Brunson, John A. Fisher, and Luke Johnson. All baptized members of the Stoker family into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. John Stoker (David's son) was baptized by Seymour Brunson and Luke Johnson in 1834. David's younger brother, Michael Jr., baptized Barbara in 1836. ('LDS Biographical Encyclopedia.' Andrew Johnson Vol 2 pg. 252. Luke Johnson, Autobiography in 'Millennial Star' 1864, Lewis p 92)...
      An article in the local paper records that there was strong religious persecution against members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Vega area. This fighting lead to some families leaving Vega. ('Jackson Herald,' Friday, February 27, 1959 and cited in Jim Stoker's Stoker history 1993)
      It was in the fall and winter of 1836 that David Stoker, his father, Michael, with their families and some of the Graybill families left the Ohio valley traveling west. On the 15 August 1838, David bought 52+ acres of land in Harrison County, Indiana. His brother, William, bought 120 acres in Madison County, Indiana. (Bureau of Land Management- Eastern States- General land Office, records of the Ohio River Valley Survey)
      Other members of the extended Stoker family were already living in Indiana. David's sister, Elizabeth and her husband, James Welker, were married in Henry County, Indiana in 1828, and it's possible that their first son was born there. Albert Koons, a relative of Catherine Eller (David's mother), lived in Henry County, Indiana along with other Eller families. (The Indiana connections need to be fully researched to understand the detail of the different families movements.)...
      David and Barbara's first born Child, Christena, married John McDaniel on 8 Feb 1835 in Jackson Co., Ohio. John married Jane McDaniel in 1836 probably in MIssouri. (I have found no official marriage record.)...
      Other church members fled into Adams County, Illinois as the local citizens promised them safety. David, his brothers, and brother in law found work on farms south of Columbus, Illinois.
      The 1840 census records for Adams County, list David, his son John, and their extended families. After taking time to restock and restore, the Stoker families moved further west as did the body of their church; into the state of Illinois. Their prophet and leader, Joseph Smith sent word to all church members to gather in and around the town of Commerce, Hancock County, Illinois where they could homestead new land and start over. It was a piece of swamp land on the bend of the Mississippi River heavily infested with disease carrying insects. The people drained the swamp land and built a city that housed thousands of church members. The name of Commerce was changed to Nauvoo. Tax and historical records of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints show that some of the Stoker families settled a few miles south of the city of Nauvoo...
      David's grandson, David, (son of John Stoker and Jane McDaniel), was born in Nauvoo...
      David, Barbara, and their grown children with their families, moved in to Central Iowa settling at a temporary camp the church called Mount Pisgah. They stayed long enough to replenish their supplies and help others as they could. It is noted in John's record (David's son) that some family members were in Mount Pisgah for nearly two years...
      Mount Pisgah is located on top of a large knoll. Local residents state that early farmers had removed some of the headstones from the many small cemeteries that dotted the hill. When the railroad came through it built its grades on top of the wagon roads, but there still are many remaining signs of the large community buried in the soil. Dugout depressions can still be seen in the hillsides, while cabin outlines are scattered around the area. The Mormon settlers built many small cabins, fenced in the settlement around the north and east sides down to the Grand River. Gardens were planted, communications centers set up.
      Today local volunteers from the neighboring towns, in cooperation with the current land owners, are working to map, restore, and provide some tour trails through the area. One local volunteer told this author that some believe there are a lot more graves there than are known. One of the schools has, as part of a history project, a working to find and map out the old rock wall fence. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints owns some land on the hilltop and has reconstructed a cabin and take care of the small cemetery. This area provides a small visitors center.
      Most of the hill top area is currently private land and is used for grazing purposes only. The land owner is aware of the history of his land and stated he did not have the heart to plow the area under. It has been left for nature to take care of it...
      In 1847 David's son, John, was asked to join with church leader Lorenzo Snow and leave Mount Pisgah. They would help supervise one of three groups of saints moving on that summer to the next gathering spot for the church: Winter Quarters, Nebraska, on the Missouri River...
      All of David and Barbara's children settled south of the Salt Lake City valley except for: Nancy who died at age 16, and John who settled in Bountiful, Utah with his friend and leader Lorenzo Snow...
      John Stoker with his wife Jane McDaniel, arrived in the Salt Lake Valley September 24, 1848 having stayed with Lorenzo Snow's company the entire way. Their first winter was spent within the Salt Lake City fort and in the spring of 1849 John was called by the church president to move his family to the north helping to settle Session's Settlement, now known as Bountiful, Utah..."

      14. The following is a partial quote from an article entitled: "The Michael and Catherine Eller Stoker family as early Mormons in Ohio and Missouri," by Jimmie "B" Stoker, November 24, 1993, as reprinted in the book "Our Stoker Family Histories 1731-1881," Vol. II, comp. and ed. by Elayne Stoker, 2004, printed by Stevenson's Genealogy Center, Provo, UT. See the notes of Michael Stoker (1762-1838) for the full transcript of this article:
      "The Stokers join the LDS Church.
      Mormon missionaries come.
      During the fall of 1833 Michael Stoker (1762-1838) and his family, living in Bloomfield Township, Jackson County, Ohio first heard the preaching of the missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These missionaries exhorted them to join the new church and told them about Joseph Smith receiving inspired revelations from God. In addition the Church was noted for its new scripture, the Book of Mormon.
      The Stokers were drawn to the message. Many accepted baptism before the end of 1833. They included sixteen-year-old John Stoker (1817-1881) who was baptized November 13, 1833 by Seymour Brunson(1) and four days later his double cousin, fifteen-year-old Joseph Levi Graybill, who was baptized by John A. Fisher.(2) These two grandsons of Michael Stoker (1762-1838) were among the first of the Stoker family to embrace the new church.
      In 1834 Seymour Brunson moved his family to Bloomfield and organized a branch of the Church.(3) John's parents, David (1795-1852) and Barbara Graybill Stoker, joined the branch during that year. David's younger brother, Michael, Jr., (1805-1858) was affiliated with the Mormons. Evidence of his affiliation with the church comes from the fact that his son, born on July 10, 1834 was named, "William Moroni." Clearly the name Moroni marked Michael as having read the Book of Mormon. Moreover, in his journal Michael, Jr., writes, "The names of the members who were baptized by me in February, 1836. Baptized James Toinbuson and ordained him an elder." He also baptized William and Barbara Stoker that year.(4) Michael held the Mormon priesthood to officiate in these ordinances. The Stokers and their relatives were very enthusiastic about their new church. They contributed to its growth and sustained its leadership.
      The McDaniel connection.
      The children and grandchildren of MIchael Stoker (1762-1838) had an affinity to marry the children of James McDaniel and Zibiah McCarley, neighbors in Jackson County. John W. Stoker (1802-1857) married Electa Sarah McDaniel (1806-1857) on April 19, 1827. Michael Stoker, Jr., (1805-1858) married her sister, Martha Carr McDaniel, on Jan 1, 1829. A grandson, John Stoker (1817-1881), and a granddaughter, Christine Stoker (1815-1854), children of David Stoker (1795-1852), married Jane McDaniel (1810-1890) on January 21, 1836 and John Riley McDaniel on February 8, 1835. Nineteen-year-old John, in addition to marrying Jane, also adopted her son, Alma. Family tradition says that Alma's father would not consider joining the LDS church so Jane left him. About a month after her son's birth, Jane married John Stoker, the nephew of her two brothers-in-law.
      The Kirtland Temple is dedicated.
      In the spring of 1836, some members of the Bloomfield branch made the 200 mile trip north to Kirtland, Ohio to attend the dedication of the temple. In that group was Michael Stoker's son-in-law and grandson, Michael Graybill, Sr., and Joseph Levi Graybill. Michael Graybill's wife, Polly Stoker (1792-1864), was expecting the birth of her eleventh Child, a son who was born April 6, 1836. She didn't go with them. Michael Graybill while at the conference and temple dedication at Kirtland was impressed by Sidney Rigdon's two and a half hour sermon. Upon returning to Bloomfield, he named his newly born son, Sidney Rigdon Graybill.(5)
      Picture p. 3: "Barbara Graybill and her son, John Stoker."
      Footnotes
      1. "The Life of John Stoker," compiled by Eunice Stoker Southwick
      2. "Early Members of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," Vol. III G.K. compiled by Susan Easton Black. Provo: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1993. p. 149.
      3. "Seymour Brunson," LDS Biographical Encyclopedia Vol. 3 compiled by Andrew Jenson. Salt Lake City: Andrew Jenson History Co., 1901. p. 331.
      4. "The Howard, Leytham, Stoker, Von Dollen Family Histories and including the Bell, Teeple, Mackland, Bardsley, Graybill, Eller, Dick, Oman, Smith, and Koons Families," compiled by Doris Lewis, 2017 So. 80th Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. p. 92.
      5. Vivian Graybill, "Michael Graybill, Sr." Typescript sent to Jim Stoker by Alice Graybill Russell, 6120 Wincanton Dr., Shreveport, LA 71129 on October 6, 1993."

      15. The following is a partial quote from an article entitled: "The Michael and Catherine Eller Stoker family as early Mormons in Ohio and Missouri," by Jimmie "B" Stoker, November 24, 1993, as reprinted in the book "Our Stoker Family Histories 1731-1881," Vol. II, comp. and ed. by Elayne Stoker, 2004, printed by Stevenson's Genealogy Center, Provo, UT. See the notes of Michael Stoker (1762-1838) for the full transcript of this article:
      "The following members of Michael Stoker's family attached their names to a petition in 1843 that they had lived in Missouri and had been driven from their state:(21)
      David Stoker [Michael's son David (1795-1852)], John Stoker [possibly David's son, John (1817-1881) or Michael's son, John W. (1803-1857)], John McDaniels (1812-1884) [David's son-in-law, husband of his oldest daughter, Christine (1815-1854)], Elles Stoker (1816-1855) [Eller, Michael's youngest son], Mary Stoker (1822-1890) [probably Margaret Judd, Eller's wife]. Catharine Stoker (1773-after 1850) [Michael's wife, Catharine Eller], Jacob Stoker (1812-1893) [Michael's son], Catharine Stoker [Catharine Burcham, Jacob's wife], John Stoker (1803-1857) [Michael's son, John W. Stoker], Sarah Stoker (1806-1857) [John W. Stoker's wife, Electa Sarah McDaniel].
      Geo. Graybill (1821-?) [Michael's grandson, George Washington Graybill, son of Polly Mary Stoker (1792-1864)], Michael Stoker (1805-1858) [Michael's son], Martha Stoker (1808-1873) [Martha Carr McDaniel, wife of Michael's son, Michael], Gabrael Stoker (1832-1852) [Michael's grandson, son of Michael (1805-1858)], William Stoker (1819-1892) [Michael's grandson, son of David], Almira Stoker (1818-1884) [Michael's granddaughter-in-law, grandson, William's wife, Almira Winegar], Samuel D. Stoker (1840-1908) [Michael's great-grandson, son of William and Almira], William Stoker (1842-1906) [Michael's great-grandson, son of William and Almira].
      Mary Graybill [possibly Michael's daughter, Polly Mary Stoker (1792-1864) or his granddaughter, Mary Ann Graybill (1830-?)], William Graybill (1825-1880) [Michael's grandson, son of Polly Mary Stoker], Adam Graybill [still looking for this relationship to Michael], Sidney R Graybill (1836-?) [Michael's grandson, son of Polly Mary Stoker], Levi Graybill (1818-1912) [Michael's grandson, son of Polly Mary Stoker], Patience Graybill (1825-1895) [Patience Smith, Michael's granddaughter-in-law, wife of Joseph Levi Graybill (1818-1912)], Mary Graybill [possibly Michael's daughter, Polly Mary Stoker (1792-1864), or his granddaughter, Mary Ann Graybill (1830-?), Polly's daughter].
      John Stoker (1817-1881) [Michael's grandson, son of David], Jane Stoker (1810-1890) [Michael's granddaughter-in-law, Jane McDaniel, wife of John (1817-1881)], Hannah Graybill [Michael's great granddaughter, daughter of Joseph Levi Graybill], Hyrum Stoker (1840-1887) [Michael's great grandson, son of John Stoker (1817-1881) and Jane McDaniel], Alma Stoker (1835-1897) [Michael's adopted great grandson, son of Jane McDaniel], and Franklin Stoker (1842-1855) [Michael's great grandson, son of John Stoker (1817-1881)]. Lucinda Stoker is also listed on the petition but cannot establish a relationship to Michael Stoker (1762-1838).(22)
      Refuge found in Illinois.
      The people of Quincy reached out to help the Mormons fleeing from Missouri. Elizabeth Haven Barlow writes, "The people of Quincy had contributed between four and five hundred dollars for the poor Mormons. God had opened their hearts to receive us. May heaven's blessings rest upon them. We are hungry and they feed us, naked and clothed us. The citizens have assisted beyond all calculations."(23)
      Footnotes
      21. Also included are some of their children who were born after 1838 in Illinois.
      22. "Mormon Redress Petitions," pp. 574, 598, 599-601.
      23. Elizabeth Haven Barlow in letter to Elizabeth Howel Bullard, 24 February 1839, published in Ora H. Barlow, "The Israel Barlow Story and Mormon Mores." Salt Lake City: Ora H. Barlow, 1968."

      16. Partial transcription from an article entitled "Michael Stoker and Catherine Eller." from the book "Our Stoker Family Histories 1731-1881," Vol. II, comp. and ed. by Elayne Stoker, 2004, printed by Stevenson's Genealogy Center, Provo, UT. See notes of Michael Stoker for full transcription of this article:
      "During the Adams County time period some of the Stoker men found work with a farmer named Coleman Wilkes. Mr. Wilkes lived approximately two miles southeast of Columbus, Ohio. He had first offered work and a home to Elizabeth's husband, James Welker, and soon after David, John W., Michael, and Jacob also obtained work with him. Here they labored diligently trying to earn enough to rebuild their supplies and stock which they had lost during the Missouri struggles.
      Moving to Bear Creek, Hancock Co., Illinois
      On July 1, 1839 the Mormon church's prophet and leader, Joseph Smith, called for all church members to settle in and around the Commerce, Illinois area. The town of Commerce was renamed by the church members to Nauvoo. In 1842 the Stoker family had complied. Packing up their belongings they moved north settling their families around the Carthage/Bear Creek area. James Welker's son, John, recorded: "...he found that there was land that could be entered in Hancock County, about 15 miles south of Nauvoo. He moved there and filed on a homestead. Part of it was prairie land and part was timber. He built a large hewed two roomed log house. Then the next thing was to fence and make a farm to make a living off of" (Ibid).
      The 1842 personal property tax assessment book of Hancock County has records for Stoker, Welker, and Graybill families living within the county. These records indicate the possibility that they lived outside of the cities."
      Building the Nauvoo Temple
      The Stoker families were on hand for the building of the temple for their church. It is recorded in the church history that Eller Stoker, Jacob Stoker, and John McDaniel (husband to Christine Stoker) worked on the temple for a period of time. All families were expected to donate time and supplies to the temple project...
      Life was beginning to flourish again for the families, and happy times were with them. On May 23, 1844 Joseph Levi Graybill, Eller Stoker, and Michael Stoker were initiated and passed into the Nauvoo Lodge of Masons. Two weeks later Levi Graybill, Eller Stoker, and Michael Stoker became lodge members, and on June 8th they were raised to Master Masons. While in Illinois, John Stoker, John W. Stoker, John Welker Eller Stoker, and Jacob Stoker were given church callings of Office of the Seventy.
      Death of Joseph and Hyrum Smith
      Living around Carthage the Stoker, Graybill, and McDaniel families were homesteading lands close to those who most violently disagreed with the Mormons and who were constantly calling for their removal. Sometimes these men formed their own vigilante groups trying to scare the Mormons into leaving. Some of the Stoker men folk were called into military duty within the State Militia as recorded in the history of John McDaniel.
      "Early on June 24, Joseph and Hyrum Smith, John Taylor, and fifteen other members of the Nauvoo city council headed to Carthage to answer the charges filed against them. They passed the home of William Stoker located six miles southeast of Nauvoo on the Carthage Road before 8 A.M.... Sometime after noon, the Stokers saw the mounted riders traveling toward Nauvoo. Arriving at their destination at 2:30, the leaders gathered three small cannons and about two hundred firearms which were turned over to the militia. At nearly midnight the militia delivered the Mormon leaders who came voluntarily to the authorities in Carthage... Thursday June 27 Joseph and his brother Hyrum, were martyred. A mob of about one hundred men with blackened faces gathered about five 'clock in the afternoon. Several stormed the jail where the Smith brothers and a few friends were sequestered. Joseph and Hyrum were shot dead, and John Taylor wounded...the assassins and their comrades fled Carthage to Warsaw and then sought refuge west of the MIssissippi River... Friday June 28, with the bodies of the slain leaders placed in two different wagons, covered with branches to shade them from the hot sun, Willard Richards, Samuel Smith, and Artois Hamilton pulled out of Carthage and headed for Nauvoo. Sometimes shortly after noon, the procession with eight soldiers passed by William Stoker's driving teams pulling the two wagons containing the bodies of the martyrs. Mary Stoker Aitken, a granddaughter of WIlliam Stoker and Almira Winegar, wrote, "My father [John Stephen Stoker] told us that his parents had told him that they had seen the bodies of the Prophet and his brother Hyrum Smith, being taken from Carthage to Nauvoo." ...One of the Stoker relative's narrative mentions that "After the deaths of Joseph and Hyrum in 1844, Simeon Graybill went up to Nauvoo to help guard the secretly hidden bodies of Joseph and Hyrum. Fearful the anti-Mormon mob might try to do further violence to Joseph and Hyrum's bodies, their caskets were filled with sand for public burial" (Ibid).
      Conflict/Harassment Again.
      In 1845 the mobbing and burnings began, starting with the outlying settlements. The Stokers were living within the church area called the Highland branch of Illinois. The babies, weddings, and all manner of social life continued on and in July the families were doing more temple work for their ancestors. Again the families grew; new ev