| Notes |
- RESEARCH_NOTES:
1. Last name may also be reported as Grabell.
2. Censuses:
1820 US: Bloomfield Township, Jackson, Ohio, pg. 195, township had a little over 40 families; related families include James Lackey, Michael Stoker, and Michael Graybill. In neighboring Madison Township, related families David Stoker, Peter Graybill, Nancy (Graybill) Henson, and James McDaniel are found. Columns are male 0-10, 10-16, 16-18, 16-26, 26-45, 45+// female 0-10, 10-16, 16-26, 26-45, 45+:
Michael Stoker: 2,1,0,1,0,1//1,1,0,1,0.
Michael Graybill: 3,0,0,0,1,0//1,0,0,1,0. [Appears to be Michael, his wife Polly, and their children David, Catherine, Simeon and Levi.]
James Lackey: 2,2,1,2,0,1//1,2,1,1,5.
1830 US: Bloomfield Township, Jackson, Ohio, pg. 109-112, note whole township had 527 people living in it, related families include Michael Stoker, Michael Stoker Jr., Alexander Lackey, James Welker, Michael Graybill, and John Stoker:
Michael Graybill. Males 0-5:1; 5-10:2; 10-15:2; 15-20:1 40-50:1. Females 0-5:1; 15-20:1; 30-40:1. [Appears to Michael, his wife Polly, and their children David, Catherine, Simeon, Levi, George, William, Juliana, and Michael.]
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: District 21, Pottawattamie, Iowa, p. 128b, dwelling and family 1020:
Michael Graybel, 63, labour, NC.
Polly, 58, NC. [Wife]
Cimiel, 34, M, OH. [Son; should be Simeon.]
Michael, 22, OH. [Son]
Elizabeth, 17, OH. [Daughter]
Sidney, 14, OH. [Son]
Almeda, 14, OH. [Grandchild through David.]
Maridith, 12, OH. [Grandchild through David.]
David, 7, IL. [Grandchild through David.]
Amanda, 4, IL. [Grandchild through David.]
William, 10, IL. [Grandchild through Simeon.]
Andrew, 8, IL. [Grandchild through Simeon.]
Aaron, 5, IL. [Grandchild through Simeon.]
Cathern Stoker, 77, NC. [Most likely Catherine Eller, Polly's mother; census was taken 11 Nov 1850.]
1851 Iowa State: Pottawattamie County. FHL film 1022203. The entire state was counted but only Pottawattamie listed everyone by name in the household and their ages; other counties only listed the head of the household and a numerical count without names of the various ages by sex in the household. No date is given when the census was taken but it was certified in Dec. 1851; however, the other counties show a Sep 1851 date which also appears more likely for Pottawattamie as well in light of ages given some children with known birthdays in October. Census return:
Pugh: Hannah 76, Elizabeth 22, Martha 66. Also in household are Grabill: Simeon P. 34, William A. 10, Andrew J. 8, Aaron L. 5. [Note that the following related families are in this census and very close neighbors: Simeon P. Graybill, Michael/Polly Graybill with Polly's mother Catherine Eller Stoker, Eller/Margaret Stoker, Jacob/Catherine Stoker, Philip/Catherine Gatrost, David/Barbara Stoker, Edward/Sarah Davis, and William/Almira Stoker. Other relatives in same county but separated by several pages of census include the following families: Thomas/Hannah Pilling whose daughter Hannah, later marries William Lenore Graybill, Levi/Patience Graybill, John W./Sarah Stoker, Hannah Ford whose son Martin later marries Zibiah M. Stoker, and John/Sarah Smith. Also note that James Welker and Ann Pugh also show up in this census - James is the son of James Welker, Sr. and Elizabeth Stoker; Ann is probably related to these Pughs.]
1852 Iowa: not listed in FHL book index for the 1852 Iowa census.
1854 Iowa: Kane, Pottawattamie, Iowa, listed as males, females, voters, militia (note that there are 8 pages of listings and only pages 5 and 6 list the following:
Michael Grabill, 5-5-2-0.
William L. Grabill, 1-2-1-1.
Geo. Grabill, 5-3-1-1.
Eller Stoker, 4-4-4-4.
Philip Gatirop, 3-2-1-1.
Simeon Grabill, 4-0-1-1.
1856 Iowa: (From Ancestry.com) Kane, Pottawattamie, Iowa, p. 21 of 63, 130/131:
Simeon Graybill, 38, 8 years in Iowa, OH, farmer.
Wm., 15, 8, IL.
Andrew, 12, 8, IL.
Aaron, 10, 8, IL.
1860 US: Council Bluffs Post Office, Kane Township, Pottawattamie, Iowa, p. 362, dwelling 470, family 413, living next door to George W. Graybill and Phillip Gatrost:
Simeon P. Graybill, 44, farmer, $1500 real estate, $1000 personal property, OH.
William, 19, farmer, IL.
Andrew, 17, farm hand, IL.
Aaron, 14, IL.
1870 US: Council Bluffs Post Office, Kane Township, Pottawattamie, Iowa, p. 172, dwelling 50, family 51; the following families were neighbors: Simeon Graybill, Margaret Stoker, George Graybill, William L. Graybill, Phillip Gatrost:
S.P. Graybill, 54, farming, $8000 real estate, $3275 personal property, OH.
Frances, 33, keeping house, MS.
George, 6, IA.
Emily, 5, IA.
Willis, 2, IA.
Amanda, 1, IA.
John, 20, farm laborer, IA.
1880 US: Garner, Pottawattamie, Iowa; NA film T9-0361, p. 22C:
Simen Graybill, farmer, self, 64, OH NC NC.
Frankie, wife, 44, MS NC MS.
Emily J., dau., 15, IA OH NC.
Willis, son, 12, IA OH NC.
Amanda, dau., 11, IA OH NC.
Mary E., dau., 8, IA OH NC.
L.W. Cook, laborer, single, 52, PA PA PA.
Joshua Tucker, laborer, single, 26, MO MO MO.
3. A partial quote 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, from an article entitled: "Polly Stoker":
"Vivian Graybill, of Independence, Missouri, has worked on the Graybill genealogy for many years and since he plans to publish a book with a great amount of detailed information I will not list the names of their complete families. I will note the names of Michael and Polly's children and how they relate to other families in this book. I do have most family names if anyone wants to check it. [Kerry's note: the author lists each child and grandchild of Polly. See her file for the complete listing. I include only the immediate family in this individual's note.]
"Simeon Peter Graybill, b. 3/26/1816, Jackson County, Ohio, m. (1) Amanda Hill, who died in Adams Co., Ill. in 1848.
1. Rachael, b. Mar., 1838
2. William Graybill, b. July 28, 1840 m. Agnes Spears, sister to William Spears. William Graybill, William Spears, Andrew Graybill and Orson Stoker were early settlers in Washington Township, Harrison County, Iowa. William's great grandson, Donald Nelson married Elaine Dollen, daughter of Harold Dollen.
3. Andrew Graybill, b. Dec. 29, 1842
4. Aaron Graybill, b. Oct. 30, 1848, killed at Camp Creek, Georgia Aug. 31, 1864 in the Civil War.
m. (2) Frances Graham Downs, widow of Ezekial Downs, who named Downsville, Iowa.
5. George A. b. 4/2/64
6. Emily Jane b. 4/12/65
7. Willis M. b. 1/22/68
8. Amanda M. b. 5/8/69
9. Almeda b. 10/8/70
10. Mary Ellen b. 7/31/72"
4. Children with Amanda Hill as mother per 17 May 2002 Ancestry.com database ":11752":
Rachel, b. Mar 1838 in Adams Co., IL, d. 22 Mar 1848.
William, b. 28 Jul 1840 in Adams Co., IL, d. 14 Mar 1920, m. Agnes Atkins.
Andrew Jackson, b. 29 Dec 1842 in Adams Co., IL, d. 19 Aug 1922 in Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie, IA, bur. 22 Aug 1922 in Yorkshire, Harrison, IA.
Aaron, b. 30 Oct 1845 in Adams Co., IL, d. 31 Aug 1854.
5. Children with Frances as mother per 17 May 2002 Ancestry.com database ":1142121" with additional notes added from Graybill Cemetery records:
"George Alvin, b. 2 Apr 1864 [possibly 2 May 1864 per tombstone] at Weston, Pottawattamie, IA, d. 28 Aug 1873. The following name is found on a new memorial stone with 33 other related family members at Graybill/Stoker Cemetery: "George A. Graybill 1864-1873." It is 3 miles east of Council Bluffs, Iowa in Garner Township on old Highway 6 (also known as McPherson Highway - not to be confused with the new Highway 6), then a right (south) on State Orchard Road for 9/10ths of a mile, then left (east) on Cedar Lane to the first driveway on the left (north). The address is 21090 Cedar Lane and the cemetery is in their backyard. Get permission from the homeowner first. These directions were corrected from previous directions after my visit May 8, 2007. Tombstone at Graybill Cemetery, Garner Township, Pottawattamie, Iowa: "George A. Graybill d. 28 Aug 1873, 9y, 5m and Almeda d. 8 Sep 1873, 2 y, 11 m, children of Simeon P. and Frances M. Graybill."
Emily Jane, b. 2 Apr 1865 at Weston, Pottawattamie, IA, d. 17 Sep 1937.
Willis Meredith, b. 22 Jan 1868 at Weston, Pottawattamie, IA, d. 14 Jul 1932.
Amanda M., b. 8 May 1869 at Weston, Pottawattamie, IA, d. 17 Jan 1905.
Almeda, b. 8 Oct 1870 at Weston, Pottawattamie, IA, d. 8 Sep 1873. The following name is found on a new memorial stone with 33 other related family members at Graybill/Stoker Cemetery: "Almeda Graybill 1869-1873." It is 3 miles east of Council Bluffs, Iowa in Garner Township on old Highway 6 (also known as McPherson Highway - not to be confused with the new Highway 6), then a right (south) on State Orchard Road for 9/10ths of a mile, then left (east) on Cedar Lane to the first driveway on the left (north). The address is 21090 Cedar Lane and the cemetery is in their backyard. Get permission from the homeowner first. These directions were corrected from previous directions after my visit May 8, 2007. Tombstone at Graybill Cemetery, Garner Township, Pottawattamie, Iowa: "George A. Graybill d. 28 Aug 1873, 9y, 5m and Almeda d. 8 Sep 1873, 2 y, 11 m, children of Simeon P. and Frances M. Graybill."
Mary Ellen, b. 31 Jul 1872 at Weston, Pottawattamie, IA, d. 10 Aug 1960 at Portland, Multnomah, OR."
6. http://iagenweb.org/pottawattamie/Bios1891-G.htm#GraybillS quoting from the "Biographical History of Pottawattamie County," 1891:
"Simeon Graybill, deceased, was one of the well-known pioneers of Pottawattamie Co. Born in Jackson Co., Ohio, March 26, 1816, he was a son of Michael Graybill, a native of North Carolina, and of German ancestry. His mother's maiden name was Polly Stocker, and she was born in the Carolinas. Mr. Graybill was reared to manhood in Ohio on a farm, but for a time he was engaged in mining at Mt. Vernon, that state. He was first married March 16, 1837, in Jackson Co, Ohio, to Amanda Hill, who died in Adams Co., Illinois, Feb 21, 1848. In the fall of that year, Mr. Graybill came to Pottawattamie Co, and he was afterward married to Mrs. Frances (Graham) Downs, who was born in Kemper Co., Mississippi, a daughter of Thomas and S. Ann (McCrary) Graham. Her parents came to this county in 1846; her mother died in the eastern part of this state. In 1852 her father went to Utah, where he was some time afterward killed by a grizzly bear, which was afterward captured and found to weigh 800 pounds. Mrs. Graybill was first married to Ezekiel Downs at Downsville, who was born in North Carolina, and came to this county in 1846. By this marriage, there was one child, John W. Downs. Mr. Downs died in 1860. Mr. Graybill settled on his present farm in 1848 where he resided until his death, June 27, 1889. By his first marriage, there were four children, three of whom grew up to years of maturity, viz.: William, who now resides in New Yorkshire, Harrison County; Andrew, who is living near the same place; and Aaron L., who was killed at Camp Creek, Georgia, August 31, 1864, as a member of an Iowa regiment. By his second marriage the subject of this sketch has had six children, four of whom are living: Emily Jane, Willis M., Amanda M. and Mary Ellen. Politically Mr. Graybill was a Republican. He had a landed estate of 320 well-improved acres on which he lived for over 40 years. His death was lamented by all the community."
7. See additional mention within 1891 biography of son Andrew in his notes section. They came to Iowa in 1848.
8. Mentioned in son William's biography per two sources: www.rootsweb.com/~iaharris/ and FHL book 977.747-H2n: "History of Harrison County, Iowa," 1891, pp. 686, 687:
"William A. Graybill... To learn something of his early career the reader will be informed that he was born July 28, 1840, in Adams County, Ill., and accompanied his parents, who were among the early pioneers to locate in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, coming, as they did, before Council Bluffs had an existence, that location then being known as Miller's Hollow. Our subject remained with his parents until 1864. For nine years prior his father, himself and brothers A. J. & L., kept bachelor's hall in Pottawattamie County. Simeon P. Graybill was born March 26, 1816, in Jackson County, Ohio, and was the son of Mr. Graybill, a native of New York and of German ancestry. The father, Michael Graybill, was the son of Peter Graybill, who was born in Pennsylvania and married Christena Wampler, who had been taken prisoner by the Delaware Indians when a child and kept with the tribe for seven years and then returned to her parents. Peter Graybill was a son of John Graybill who came from Germany in the days of the Revolutionary War. Simeon Graybill's father, Michael, was married to Polly Stoker, in Ashe County, N. C., May 1811, removed to Jackson County, Ohio, and reared a family of eleven children: David, Catharine, Simeon, Levi, George, Lenore, Julian, Michael, Mary Ann, Elizabeth and Sidney. Simeon was married to Amanda Hill, in Jackson County, Ohio, March 16, 1837 and the same year moved to Caldwell County, Mo., and in 1838 to Davis County, of that State. They removed back to Caldwell County, remained until 1839 and went to Adams County, Illinois, where they remained until 1848. February 14 of that year, his wife Amanda, was taken sick and died February 21. The same week, her eldest daughter, Rachel, sickened and died March 22. In the autumn of 1848, the family started West and arrived in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, December 5. The mother of our subject was born in 1817 in Jackson County, Ohio, her maiden name being Amanda Hill. They were the parents of four children, three sons and one daughter. One son, Aaron A., was killed in the time of the Civil War. He was killed at Camp Creek, Ga. August 31, 1864."
9. Mentioned in grandson Lester Graybill's biography per two sources: www.rootsweb.com/~iaharris/ and FHL book 977.747-H2n: "History of Harrison County, Iowa," 1891, pp. 898 [same quote word for word also appears in 1915 book per FHL film 934944 "History of Harrison County, Iowa," 1915, p. 898]:
"Lester D. Graybill. It is a well-attested maxim that the greatness of a community or state lies not in the machinery of government or even in its institutions, but rather in the sterling qualities of the individual citizen, in his capacity for high and unselfish efforts and his devotion to the public welfare. In these particulars, he, whose name appears at the head of this review, has conferred honor and dignity upon his locality and, as an elemental part of its history, it is important that there should be recorded a resume of his career. With the object in view of noting his connection with the advancement of one of the most flourishing and progressive sections of the commonwealth as well as his splendid personal attainments. Lester D. Graybill, farmer and stockman, of Washington township, Harrison County, Iowa, was born on December 20, 1892, in Washington township, on the farm where he now lives. He is the son of Andrew and Mary (Miller) Graybill, the former born on December 29, 1842, in Adams county, Illinois. Andrew Graybill was the son of Simeon and Amanda (Hill) Graybill, the former born in 1816, in Ohio. He came to Iowa in 1848 and farmed in Pottawattamie county all his life. He died on June 27, 1889. His wife was born in 1819 in Ohio, and died in 1848. Simeon Graybill was twice married, his second wife being Mrs. Frances (Graham) Downs. Three Children: Rachel, deceased; William; and Andrew, the father of Lester D., were born to the first union. Aaron, a fourth Child, died during the Civil War. There were six children born to the second marriage, three of whom are deceased. Andrew Graybill made his home with his grandparents on his father's side of the family. They were Michael and Polly (Stocker) Graybill, natives of Pennsylvania. Andrew Graybill freighted over the plains in the early days from Bellevue, Iowa, to Denver, Colorado, using oxen for his trips. In the spring of 1866, he came to Harrison county, Iowa, where he bought 75 acres of land. This farm was heavily covered with timber and Mr. Graybill began fencing it with the old-fashioned rail fence, stakes, and riders, some things that are not seen at this day and age in Harrison County, Iowa. He cut timber, erected a frame house, which still stands, used for implements, etc., a very rare sight in those days. Andrew Graybill made extensive improvements on all of his farm property and now owns 580 acres of land in Harrison and Pottawattamie Counties. Forty acres of this land is covered with natural timber. At one time, he was a heavy cattle feeder and made a specialty of Polled Durham and Shorthorn breeds. He has since retired from farm life. Andrew Graybill was married in 1878 to Mary Miller, who was born in 1857, in Decatur county, Iowa, and who is the daughter of Abraham and Sophronia (Champlain) Miller, both natives of Pennsylvania and now deceased. Lester D. Graybill attended the schools of Washington township and the Yorkshire village schools. He was reared on the farm where he lives and has always worked for his father. He is now engaged in extensive farming and the operation of the home place. Lester D. Graybill is unmarried and is not a member of any lodge. He is, however, a devoted member of the Church of Latter Day Saints and is an ardent Democrat. He deserves to rank as one of the rising young farmers of Harrison county. His friends and neighbors are convinced that sooner or later he will make a distinguished mark in his chosen profession."
10. FHL film 934962, items 3 and 4, "History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa," by Field and Reed, 1907, pg. 192: "Garner Township... Among the first settlers were Wm. Garner, Adam Ritter, J.D. Haywood, in 1846, followed a little later by M.B. Follet, J.B. Dingman, George and Simeon Graybill, George Scofield, John Child, J.J. Johnson and Wm. Child."
11. The book "The Howard Leytham Stoker Von Dollen Family Histories," FHL 929.273 H833a, by Doris Lewis, 2017 So. 80th Ave., Omaha, Nebraska, 68124, pp. 90-91: "m. (2) Frances Graham Downs, widow of Ezekial Downs, who named Downsville, Iowa. Children:
George A., b. 2 Apr 1864.
Emily Jane, b. 12 Apr 1865.
Willis M., b. 22 Jan 1868.
Amanda M., 8 May 1869.
Almeda, b. 8 Oct 1870.
Mary Ellen, b. 31 Jul 1872."
12. FHL book 929.273 P684pn: "Graybill/Stoker/Eller/Smith/Koons/Pitt Connections," by Norman E. 'Gene' Pitt, 1996, pp. 34-38, note that this book has a very detailed downline of the children of this couple:
"Simeon Peter Graybill, b. 26 Mar 1816, Bloomfield Twp., Jackson Co., OH; d. 27 Jun 1889, Weston, Potta. Co., IA; md. (1) 6 Mar 1837, Jackson Co., OH to Amanda Hill; md. (2) 5 Oct 1862 to Frances Margaret (Graham) Downs... Amanda was b. abt 1814/19, Bloomfield Twp., Jackson Co., OH; d. 21 Feb 1848, Quincy, Adams Co., IA; bur. Quincy, IL. Frances was b. 22 Feb 1836, DeKalb, Kemper Co., MS; d. 28 Jan 1902; bur. in Downsville Cemetery, Potta. Co., IA. She was the d/o Thomas Graham and Sarah A. McCrory. Thomas and Sarah came to Pottawattamie Co., IA in 1840. After Sarah died, Thomas went to Utah in 1852. Some time later, he was killed by an 800 pound grizzly bear. Frances was previously married, about 1853, to Ezekiel Downs from whom Downsville, IA got its name. She had one son, John W., by Ezekiel who was 37 years her senior. In 1837, Simeon moved from Jackson Co., OH to Caldwell Co., MO. They moved to Adams Co., IL in 1839 and remained there until 1848. Simeon travelled by covered wagon in Dec 1848, bringing his three children and his brother's four children to Kanesville (later named Council Bluffs), IA. His youngest Child, Aaron, was but three years old. Simeon's wife, Amanda, and daughter, Rachel, had recently died in 1848 near Quincy, IL. Simeon's and Amanda's children were Rachel, William A., Andrew Jackson and Aaron George. Simeon's and Frances' children were George Alvin, Emily Jane, Willis Meredith, Amanda M., Almeda and Mary Ellen." [His brother's children must be the children of David and Mahala (Hill) Graybill, both of whom died in 1848. I wonder if both Mahala Hill and Amanda Hill were sisters.]
Also mentioned on pp. 17-24: "In the early 1830's, the family was visited by Missionary John Fisher from Bloomfield Twp. and was introduced to the early Latter Day Saints church. Those who were old enough were baptized in 1833. Involved in the church, Michael Graybill Sr. and related families anxiously followed the news from Independence, MO. The wanted to gather with the Saints in Caldwell Co., MO to be part of Zion, the new Jerusalem. Michael sold his farm to his father, Peter Graybill Sr., who along with Henry, Michaels' brother, and sister Celia (Graybill) Henson, decided to stay in OH. In 1836, Michael and other relatives packed to make the trip to Far West, MO. They spent the winter with Stoker relatives in Monroe Co., IN, then arrived at Far West in September 1837. The family withstood the dangers and aggravations of mob attacks. They endured many hardships. They had their plows, wagons and horses taken and even their first crop was taken just before it was harvested. With no provisions of food for the coming winter, Michael's sons, Simeon and Levi, left to look for work. They found jobs chopping railroad ties for the Eastern Railroad in Hannibal, MO. But they were unable to collect their pay until the following spring of 1839, when they were allowed to take the amount of their earnings out in goods. This allowed them to obtain wagons and horses and move the related families to Quincy and Nauvoo, IL. Michael Sr. and his family, Simeon's family and Catherine (Eller) Stoker's lived eleven miles southeast of Quincy, IL. After the death of Joseph and Hyrum Smith in 1844, Simeon went to Nauvoo to help guard the secretly hidden bodies of Joseph and Hyrum. Fearful that the anti-Mormon mob might try to do further violence to Joseph's and Hyrum's bodies, their caskets were filled with sand for the public burial. By 1846, most of Nauvoo had been vacated. Michael Sr.'s and Levi's families had gone west and settled in Kanesville, now Council Bluffs, IA. Some of the related families went on to UT. Michael Sr.'s daughters, Juliana and Mary Ann, were among those who went to UT. Michael Sr.'s sister Barbara (Graybill) Stoker went to UT later..."
13. FHL film 702: "Journal of John Stoker, b. 1817; Journal starts November 1, 1869." John was the son of David Stoker and Barbara Graybill. Selected family related passages from his journal:
P. 1: Nov. 1-4, 1869: The journal starts with John leaving as a 52 year old missionary with Jesse N. Perkins as a companion from Salt Lake City on the railroad to Omaha, NE. The railroad had just recently been completed so he details the progress of the transcontinental railway journey.
P. 2: Saturday, Nov. 6, 1869: "Went to Bluff City with J.N. Perkins. Sunday 7th, spent the fore noon with Moroni Stoker - took dinner with him." [William Moroni Stoker, 1834-1929, was John's first cousin thru John's father's brother Michael S. Stoker, 1805-1858.]
P. 3: "Monday 8th. Went up to Musketoe to see Simeon P. Graybill. Stayed all night. Tuesday 9th, took dinner with Aunt Margaret Stoker, Uncle Eller Stoker's widow, and returned to Aunt Martha's at Trading Point, Potawatamie Co., Iowa. Wednesday, 10th. Wrote a letter to Mr. Wm. Atkinson in Bountiful, Davis Co., Utah. Thursday 11th. Visited Wm. McDaniel in Harrison Co. 40 miles north. Friday 12th. Visited the grave of Zibiah Birdno [could also be Binders], my wife's mother. Saturday 13th. Returned to Aunt Martha's at Trader's Point. Sunday 14th. Spent the day with Aunt Marthaother Michael Peter Graybill. Eller Stoker, 1816-1855, was John's father's brother and married to Margaret Judd, 1822-1893. Aunt Martha was Martha Carr McDaniel, 1808-1873, wife of John's father's brother Michael S. Stoker, 1805-1858. William McDaniel, 1810-1885, is John's brother-in-law. John's Mother-in-law, Zibiah (McCarley) McDaniels, 1786-1860, apparently remarried a Mr. Birdno after her husband James McDaniel, 1762-1820, died.]
Pp. 4-9: The journal details their departure from Council Bluffs area by various means including railroad, hack, steamboat, packet boat, hired horses, and on foot with luggage to "Leith Co. 5 miles north of Estillville," Virginia via many detailed waypoints including but not limited to DesMoines, Chicago, Cleveland, Wheeling VA, Burlington on the Ohio River, the "Big Sandy" on the line between Kentucky and Virginia, the "Pound Gap" summit of Cumberland Mountain, the "High Nob the highest point in Virginia." John details with whom they stayed and what hospitality they received. Along the way they see and preach the Gospel to many McLelland/McClelland relatives of his companion. In Leith Co., VA, on Monday, Dec. 13, 1869, he "wrote a letter home to my family and one to Ash[e] Co., North Carolina to David and Henry Graybill" which they mailed the next day from Estillville. [John's mother, Barbara Graybill, had two brothers - Henry, ca1780-ca1843, and David, 1794-1874 - who remained in Ashe Co. where she was born; however, Henry was dead by then but his "Uncle" David responds later on Jan. 22.]
Pp. 10-17: They stayed in the area doing missionary work mainly among McClellands. He notes on Christmas day while staying with Samuel McClelland, they went to a meeting and heard a Dunkard preach. On Monday, Dec. 27th, John notes, "wrote a letter to my family also one to my sister-in-law Martha Stoker at Bluff City, Iowa. [Martha Carr (McDaniel) Stoker was whom he referred to as Aunt Martha previously in his journal since she was married to his father's brother Michael S. Stoker, but she was also a sister-in-law since she was the sister to John's wife Jane McDaniel.] John notes on Saturday, Jan. 8th, that he "went to the widow Quillins to inquire concerning the Wampler family." [I am unsure who the widow was, but John's maternal grandmother was Christina Wampler, 1753-1844.] On Tuesday, Jan. 11th, John notes, "Went to Patsy Daughterty's to inquire after my mother's relatives." On Thursday, Jan. 13th, he notes that he "went to Wm. Wampler's, took dinner." [I do not have either a Patsy Daughterty nor William Wampler in my database - they must be of a later generation than John's grandmother Christina Wampler.] He also notes on the same day that he received a letter from his son-in-law J. Tolman and daughter in Utah. On Saturday, Jan. 22nd, John notes, 'Received a letter from my son David Stoker, Davis Co., Utah dated Jan'y 1st, 1870, gave particulars of my son John Stoker's sickness but getting better. Also received a letter from my uncle David Graybill, Ashe Co., Jefferson, North Carolina." On Jan. 24th, he writes back to his uncle David Graybill.
Pp. 18-24: Starting on Jan. 26th, 1870, the missionaries are on the move: first to Bristol (VA?), then thru Chattanooga, Nashville, Sparta, to Putnam Co., Tennessee where they did missionary work with the Perkins and Mayberry families who relatives of his companion, Jesse Perkins. On Sunday, Feb. 13th, 1870, John wrote letters to his son David Stoker in Davis Co., Utah and one to Aunt Martha Stoker and cousins in Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie Co., Iowa. On the next day he went to Gainesboro where he received a letter from his son David Stoker. Beginning Feb. 16th, 1870, John proceeds by boat down the Cumberland to Nashville then to St. Louis via the Mississippi River from Cape r money for himself and his companion.
Pp. 25-33: John arrives Feb. 26 and remains in Pottawattamie Co., Iowa until March 24 when he, Jesse Perkins who arrives March 9, and several other missionaries from the East Coast join up in Omaha for the trip home to Utah by railroad which he notes cost $50.75. Generally he is staying with his Aunt Martha. Some journal entries during that time period dealing with family follow: "Sat., Feb 26th, 1870: Went up to Musketoe Creek to Simeon Peter Graybill, my cousin. Stayed over night. Sunday, 27th. Went to Walker's Grove in Harrison Co. to Sidney R. Graybill, my cousin, with Moroni Stoker to see some sick cousins Michael and Elizabeth Graybill. [Sidney Rigdon, 1836-1893, Michael S., 1827-1910, and Elizabeth, 1833-1891, are siblings and all children of Polly Stoker, John's father's sister.] Stayed over night. Monday 28th. Cold and windy. Remained all day. Stayed all night. Tuesday, March 1st 1870. Returned to Aunt Martha Stoker's at Traders Point. Read a letter from David Stoker, my son, to John A. Stoker, dated Feb'y 21st, 1870. Stayed overnight… Thursday 3d. Cousin Jared Stoker killed 2 turkeys, the 2 weighing 40 lbs. [John Alexander Stoker, 1837-1918, and Jared, 1843-1912, were first cousins and sons of Michael S. Stoker, brother of John's father David.] Stayed over… Tuesday 8th, being my birthday, age 53… Wednesday 9th… was weighed being 184 lbs… Friday 18th… went to Aaron Thomas, took dinner and spent the day with him and family. [Aaron Morris Thomas, 1833-1920, was married to John's first cousin, Elizabeth Jane Stoker, who was the daughter of John W. Stoker, a brother of John's father David.] Returned to Aunt Martha Stoker's… Saturday 19th… Sent a letter to Wm. Atkinson in Bountiful, Davis County, Utah, heard from home by a letter wrote to John A. Stoker dated March the 12th, 1870. All was well… Thursday 24th… John A. Stoker and Joseph Stoker took me and Bro. Jesse N. Perkins to Omaha with a wagon. Rained before we got there. Joseph Stoker went over the River with us met about 30 of the missionaries at the St. Charles Hotel. [Joseph Jehiel Stoker, 1846-1921, was a brother of John Alexander and William Moroni Stoker.] Left Omaha at 6 p.m. on the Emigrant Cars for home…"
Pp. 33-35: John details the train trip which started March 24th and arrived home in Bountiful March 29th after switching to the Utah Central in Ogden. He notes his arrival "in the midst of family and friends with a hearty God bless you… and a hearty shaking of hands." The missionary journal ends at this point.
Pp. 36-227: The balance of John's journal book is genealogical notations of family. Many pages are blank, which I did not copy. Besides family, John would also note many other unrelated Stokers who he must have gleaned from books and other sources. He also notes some totally unrelated non-Stoker individuals with whom he evidently has some acquaintance. I have entered the pertinent data with each family in my database.
14. 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 on pages:
102: Michael Graybill, born May 1787 North Carolina. Polly Stoker Graybill, born Nov. 24, 1792, died Feb. 7, 1864. Children:
Simeon Peter Graybill, born Mar. 25, 1813, died 27 June 1889.
Catherine Graybill, born June 8, 1814.
Sidney Rigdon Graybill, born April 6, 1836.
Elizabeth Graybill, born Sept. 15, 1833.
Michael Graybill Jr., born July 5, 1828.
109: Simion Peter Graybill, born Mar. 25, 1813, died Oct 27, 1889. Amanda Hill. Children:
Aaron Lenoer Graybill, born Oct 30, 1845, Ill., Adams Co., killed in the army near Atlanta, Georgia, 1864.
Andrew Jackson Graybill, Dec. 29, 1842, Adams Co., Ill.
179: Simeon Peter Graybill, Amanda Hill, children;
Wm. Amlicy Graybill, b. July 28, 1840, Adams Co., Ill.
Aaron Lenoer Graybill, b. Oct. 30, 1845, Adams Co., Ill, killed in the war at Atlanta, Georgia, 1864.
Andrew Jackson Graybill, b. Dec. 29, 1842, Adams Co., Ill.
184: Simeon Peter Graybill, son of Michael and Polly Stoker was born March 25th, 1815, State of Ohio, Jackson County, Bloomfield Township. Died 27th June 1889.
Wm. Amliez Graybill, son of Simeon Peter Graybill and Amanda Hill was born July 29th, 1840, State of Illinois, Adams County.
Aaron Lenoir Graybill, son of Simeon Peter Graybill and Amanda Hill was born October 30th, 1845, State of Illinois, Adams County. Killed in the Army near Atlanta, Georgia, in 1864.
Andrew Jackson Graybill, son of Simeon Peter Graybill and Amanda Hill was born Dec. 29th, 1842, State of Illinois, Adams County."
15. Nauvoo LDS Land and Records Office research file (copy in my possession as of 2 Jun 2007) provides the following information (also partially viewable at www.earlylds.com):
"Our Family History Dating Back as Far as 1748," by Vivian Graybill: Graybill is a German name which probably means "dweller near a ditch." There are thirteen ways of spelling Graybill, Grabeel, Graybeal, Grabiel, Grabel, etc. the first spelling being Krehenbuth, is of Swiss origin. Christian Graybill, which is five generations back from Mary Ellen Graybill Mercer, was the first settler of our family coming from England, as Mennonites driven to Germany, Holland and England. (According to Mrs. Duvall of Walkerville, Maryland, she says the family history shows that Christian Graybeal was married to the daughter of King George III of England, whose name was Mary. She forsake the Church of England to become a Tundker, she had taken her money and rigged up a ship and went on to buy ten more ships.)
Christian Graybeal's grandson, Peter Graybill, Sr. married Cristena Wampler, daughter of Peter and Barbara Wampler in 1780. Cristena, along with her little sister and a neighbor Child, was captured by the Delaware Indians and kept captive for seven years. The Indians were good to them and raised them as their own. When an exchange of prisoners took place, great Grandpa Wampler didn't know the children until Cristena sang her mother's lullaby. There is more to this story.
One of the writers, Florence Wilson of Omaha, now deceased, refers to our ancestor, Conrad Grebel, connected with the early Ana Baptist people (before Mennonites) in Switzerland, as early as 1526. Conrad Grebel was born in the late 1400's, and according to Florence Wilson can be traced as far back as Ceasar Augustus, Conrad Grebel's descendants John and Christian Graybill, came over on the "Friendship" in 1727, leaving Rotterdam in 1726, landing in Philadelphia and later moved south.
The Mennonites people in their historic preservation of Graybill records at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, have confirmed to us as late as July 1975, what several of our writers from coast to coast have offered as evidence of our early Graybill ancestors for several years. Twas a gratifying experience and brought joy to our souls and when things are clear and we don't have to guess, or suppose, or conjecture, the experience is very rewarding.
[missing pages] ...north and one mile west of the present RLDS church.
The families withstood the dangers and aggravations on mob attacks. They endured many hardships. They had their plows, wagons and horses taken and even their first crop was taken just before it was harvested. Simeon could take what he had to, but when his personal and prized saddle horse was taken, he reportedly became so angry he had to repent.
With no provisions of food for the winter, Simeon and Levi left to look for work. They found jobs chopping railroad ties for the Eastern Railroad in Hannibal, Missouri. But they were unable to collect pay until the following spring of 1839 when they were allowed to take the amount of their earnings out in goods. This allowed them to obtain wagons and horses and move the related families to Quincy and Nauvoo, Illinois.
Levi Graybill, who had married Patience Smith, lived in Nauvoo, Illinois. They received their Patriarchal Blessings from patriarch Hyrum Smith. The patriarch's office was one door west of Joseph Smith's red brick store. Levi went to Quincy to bring Polly and her mother, Catherine Eller Stoker to Nauvoo, for their Patriarchal Blessing from Hyrum Smith.
Michael Sr. and his family, Catherine Eller Stoker and Simeon's family lived eleven miles southeast of Quincy, Illinois. After the deaths of Joseph and Hyrum Smith 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 the public burial.
By 1846 most of Nauvoo had been vacated. Michael Sr. and Levi's families had gone west and settled in Kanesville, now Council Bluffs, Iowa. Some of the related families went to Utah. Michael Sr.'s daughters, Julianna and Mary Ann went to Utah. Michael Sr.'s sister, Barbara Graybill Stoker went to Utah later.
Simeon's wife Amanda Hill, died in 1848. Simeon's brother David and his wife Mahala Hill Graybill had both died. And Simeon's daughter Rachel, at ten years of age, died that same year. Rachel was buried along side her mother and aunt in Illinois. Simeon had three small children, William Ashby, Andrew and Aaron and his brother's young children Meredith, David Jr., Amanda and Almeda. In Dec. of 1848, Simeon took all seven small children by wagon to Kanesville, now Council Bluffs, Iowa. He stopped off shortly at Winterset, Iowa along the way. Simeon purchased 327 acres in old Brushollow, which joined his father's land on the west. Michael Sr. owned land three miles north of the old cemetery our family history association now maintains.
Between Michael Sr.'s land and the old cemetery, the old "North Star" Branch log church was built on the bank close to Little Mosquito Creek This was 1/4 mile south of Gilliat on the Great [copy ends]."
16. 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 Stoker family members endured many hardships [in the Missouri persecutions]. They had their plows, wagons, tools, mill wheel, beehives, pigs and horses stolen. Their furniture was damaged. Guns and rifles were taken. Joseph Levi Graybill's brother, Simeon, suffered also, but when his personal and prized saddle horse was stolen, he reportedly became so angry he had to repent. (Per Vivian Graybill, "Michael Graybill Sr.")..."
17. From an article entitled "The Family" 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. For the full transcriptional listing of the descendants of Michael Stoker and Catherine Stoker, see the notes of Michael Stoker - the following only pertains to this immediate family. Generation "1" is Michael Stoker and Catherine Eller:
"The Michael Stoker Family as existed at the time of his death. Those names that are [bracketed] probably were involved in the Missouri experience...
2-[Polly Mary Stoker], born on 24 Nov. 1792 in Ashe Co., NC, married [Michael Graybill] (14 May 1787- 24 Sep 1856), son of John Peter Graybill and Christina Wampler, on May 1811 in Jefferson, Ashe Co., NC. She lived in Ashe Co., NC; Jackson Co., OH; Caldwell Co., MO; Adams Co., IL; and Pottawattamie Co. IA. She died 18 Feb 1864 in Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie Co., IA. Both Michael and Polly are buried in the Graybill/Stoker Cemetery.
3-[David Graybill], born 24 Sept 1812 in Ashe Co., NC, married Mahala Hill. Both died in Illinois. In December 1848 David's brother, Simeon Graybill whose wife, Amanda Hill, had died, took David's children and his own making seven altogether in a wagon to settle in Kanesville, Iowa.
3-[Catherine Graybill], born 9 Jun 1814 in Ashe Co., NC, married [Philip Gatrost]. Philip and Catherine moved to Missouri with her parents. They built a brick house in Blue Grass Hollow on the edge of her father's land in Pottawattamie Co., IA. She died Dec. 1, 1886 at Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie, IA and is buried in the Graybill/Stoker Cemetery.
3-[Simeon Peter Graybill], born 26 Mar 1816 in Jackson Co., OH. Reared to manhood on a farm. For a time engaged in mining at Mt. Vernon, OH. Married [Amanda Hill] on 16 Mar 1837 in Jackson Co., OH. They moved to Caldwell Co., MO then to Adams Co., IL where Amanda died on Feb 21, 1848. In the fall of 1848, Simeon moved to a farm in Pottawattamie Co, IA. He married Frances (Graham) Downs. While serving a short term LDS mission his cousin, John Stoker of Bountiful, UT visited him on Nov 8, 1869. Simeon resided on the farm until his death, June 27, 1889.
4-[Rachel Graybill], born Mar 1838 probably in Caldwell Co., MO, and died in 1848 near Quincy, Adams Co., IL.
3-[Joseph Levi Graybill], born 12 Mar 1818 in Jackson Co., OH. Baptized by John A. Fisher on 17 November 1833. Ordained an Elder in 1836. Moved to Caldwell Co., MO in 1837. Moved to IL in 1839. Ordained a seventy on May 3, 1839. Married Patience Smith on Jun 20, 1841. Moved to Nauvoo, IL in 1845 and to Pottawattamie Co., IA in 1846. He was baptized a member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 6 August 1861 by W. W. Blair.
3-[George Washington Graybill], born 26 Jun 1821 in Jackson Co., OH. Married Mary Smith. In 1862 after she died (Feb 16, 1860 in Iowa), George married her sister, Hannah, who had been twice widowed. She had six children and George had ten, together they had three more. George was buried in the cemetery at Underwood, Iowa. Mary is buried in the Graybill/Stoker Cemetery near Council Bluffs.
3-[William Lenore Graybill], born 25 Jan 1825, married Hanna Pilling who was born 3 Mar 1835 in Lancashire, England. William died January 25, 1880 and is buried in the Stoker/Graybill Cemetery.
3-[Juliana Graybill], born 19 Jan 1826, married Wilford Heath Hudson. Went to Utah. Died 8 May 1851.
3-[Michael Graybill], born 19 Jan 1825. Living in Harrison Co., IA on Feb 27, 1870 when John Stoker of Bountiful, Utah, visited him. He never married. At age 40 he was injured in a runaway accident and lived as an invalid until age 82. He resembled his cousin, Michael Stoker, so closely that Polly Brittann Hughes upon meeting her future husband thought he was Michael Graybill whom she had known.
3-[Mary Ann Graybill], born 25 Feb 1830, married Wilford Heath Hudson. Went to Utah.
3-[Elizabeth Graybill], born 16 Sep 1833, was living in Harrison Co., IA on Feb 27, 1870 when her cousin, John Stoker of Bountiful, visited her at which time she was living with her brothers, Sidney Rigdon and Michael.
3-[Sidney Rigdon Graybill], born 6 Apr 1836 in Jackson Co., OH, was living in Harrison Co., IA when his cousin, John Stoker, visited him on Feb 27, 1870. He married Jane Davis."
17. This individual is mention in the following partial quote from an article entitled: "John Stoker (1817-1881) and Wives: Jane McDaniel, Harriet Susan Willis, and Jane Allen" 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 John's notes for full transcription:
"Beginning in 1869, John filled a short mission. The following is a copy of John's missionary journal, which after he returned was turned into a genealogical records - some believe it was not written by him. It is entered here exactly as it is written. John's journal is on microfilm at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Family History Center, Salt Lake City, Utah. The whereabout of original journal is unknown and many pages have been ripped out before the journal was microfilmed.
'The Journal of John Stoker, 1869 (direct copy from the hard copy, genealogical sheets provided by Ora and Vinal Barlow. The micro film copy shows many pages torn from the journal.)
Notes:
1. Parentheses are used to insert words and letters not used in the journal but believed to be meant.
2. After Journal Page 1 below, the abbreviation JP2, JP3, etc. will be used on this transcript.
3. As much as possible we have tried to copy the wording as it was written by John or others who wrote in the journal.
4. A sort of preface is given before page (1) of the journal on the reverse of the cover page.
Journal Page 1. (Labeled in error on the original journal.)
'Elders went up to (station) left home on his (my) mission to the United States Nov 1 1869 1/2 past 4 AM Arrived at unita 9 minutes before 9 oclock left on the Cars 35 minutes after 2 oclock Arrived at Green River Tuesday 2nd- 5 minutes past 8 at Point of Rock Station half Past 9 the engine Switched off to Bring on the Main track 6 or 7 Cars of Coal in Running Back to hitch on Ran into the other Cars on the Main track and Broke the Coupling of 2 cars no body was Hurt by the Blessing of God'
JP2 (Unlabeled in original journal)
'(Minu)tes Past 11
Wednesday 3rd - Arrived at Larima (Laramie) City 1/2 past 7 A.M. left at 11- fixed Cars. Crossed the Bridge in Black Hills 1/2 after 1
Thursday the 4th Arrived at North Platt 20 minutes Past 10 A.M. all well Counted Missionaries 67 Arrived at FT Kearney 1/2 past 4 P.M.
Friday the 5th Arrived at Omaha 20 minutes Past 10 A.M.
Saturday 6th went to Bluff city with J N Perkins-
Sunday 7th Spent the fore Noon with Moroni Stoker - Took Dinner with him'
JP3
'Monday 8th went up to Musketoe to See Simoen P Graybill Stayed all night
Tuesday 9th took dinner with Aunt Margaret Stoker uncle Eller Stoker's widdow and Returned at Trading Point, Potawatamie Co Iowa
Wednesday 10th wrote a letter to Br Wm Atkinson in Bountiful Davis County Utah
Thursday 11th visited We McDaniel in Harrison Co 40 Miles north
Friday 12th visited the grave of Zibiah Birdno my wifes mother
Saturday 13th Returned to Aunt Marthas at Traders Point
Sunday 14th Spent the day with Aunt Marthas family
Monday 15th went to Bluff City (Council Bluffs) to look for a Letter but gone none and Returned to the Point Traders...
JP29
'Br We, H Lee giving information (of) Charles burton making arrangements in N.Y. to have a Company of missionaries to Start from Omaha on the 25th for Utah at 50.75 (or 30.75) the same that it cost us to come down last November- Returned to Trades Point Stayed over night wrote a letter to Wm H Lee Calamazoo Michigan
Saturday 12th Cloudy and Cold wint from the North Sent a letter home to Utah to inform our families that we Received their Check of 160.00 and 1 (letter) to Wm H Lee Calamazoo Michigan Stayed over'night
'Sunday 13th Cold wind North East all Day Snowed at night High wind Stayed over night
Monday 14th Cold wind in the North East Cloudy and very'
JP30
'Cold and Snow Blowing and Elements Stark Blew all night Stayed over night to Aunt Martha Stoker
Tuesday 15th very Cold and Blowing wind I the north west colder than the Day before the Elements Still Stark with Snow Blowing Stayed over night
Wednesday 16th very Cold wind in the north west the Elements Still Darkened with Snow blowing Wind very Hard more Moderate in the afternoon. Stayed over night
Thursday 17th weather more Moderate but Changeable went to Moroni Stokers Spent the Day Took Dinner with him and in the evening Returned to Aunt Martha Stokers Stayed over night'
JP31
'Friday 18th pleasant and wind in the South went to Aaron Thomas took Dinner and spent the Day with his family, Returned to Aunt Martha Stokers Stayed over night
Saturday 19th wind in the North Cloudy and Cold. Sent a letter to Wm Atkinson in Bountiful Davis Co Utah, heard from home by a letter wrote to John A Stoker Dated March the 12th 1870 All very well Stayed over night
'Sunday 20th wind in the North Cold Sleet last night also cloudy Broke away at Noon Stayed over night
Monday 21st Pleasant in the Morning went to Omaha and drawed our money for our Check on the First national Bank Met Br'
JP32
'Daniel Carter and Aron Farr, Thomas Rich and a number of Missionaries at the St Charles Hotel Rained Some in the afternoon Returned to Traders Point to Aunt Martha Stokers being quite u(n)well Stayed over night
Tuesday 22nd Clear and pleasant Cool wind North West very unwell in the evening Br Wm Neel arrived at Martha Stokers about 10 oclock and (al) the missionaries from the East Came up through St Louis was better in the afternoon Stayed over night
Wednesday 23rd Clear and pleasant wind in the South not being well Jesse N Perkins went and got'
JP33
'Some plum Sprouts and lilocks Packed up our clothes Stayed over night
Thursday 24th Cloudy wind in the South John a Stoker and Joseph Stoker and Br Jesse N Perkins (went) to Omaha with a wagon Rained before we got there Joseph Stoker went over the River with us met about 30 Missionaries at the St Charles Hotel left Omaha at 6 P.M. On the Emigrant Cars for home..."
18. The following partial excerpt is from the article "Michael and Catherine Eller Stoker's Descendants in Illinois" by Jimmie "B" Stoker, July 30, 1994 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 numbers in the text refer to endnotes at the end of the article. See Catherine Martha Eller's notes for the full and complete transcript which is quite lengthy and only deals with her children in the Illinois period of Mormon history:
"On Friday morning, 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. Sometime shortly after noon, the procession with eight solders passed the William Stokers' 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 (1858)] told us that his parents [William and Almira] had told him that they had seen the bodies of the Prophet and his brother, Hyrum Smith, being taken from Carthage to Nauvoo."59 The news of the martyrdom had reached Nauvoo and hundreds of its inhabitants solemnly lined Mulholland Street about a mile east of the temple as the two wagons bearing the dead prophet and patriarch arrived at 3 o'clock. A gloom had fallen over the city. The following day, Saturday, the bodies lay in state at the Mansion House while thousands of Saints filed past the coffins. Joseph and Hyrum were buried clandestinely in the basement of the Nauvoo House so that anyone trying to collect a reward offered for Joseph's head could not find the remains. One of the Stoker relative's narratives mentions that "After the deaths of Joseph and Hyrum Smith 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 the public burial."60"
BIRTH:
1. There appears that there are two sets of birth dates being used on web posted family histories: 25 Mar 1815 and 26 Mar 1816. I prefer the latter since it coincides with his reported age of 64 in the 1880 census. Pitt book quoted above uses 26 Mar 1816.
2. Another variant is from John Stoker's Journal quoted above where the book used 25 Mar 1813; however, it appears that the 3 is overwritten over a 5. At another entry, the Journal notes 26 Mar 1815.
MARRIAGE:
1. The book "Marriages in Jackson County, Ohio," FHL book 977.185 v28h, notes: "Simon Graybill and Amada Hill, 16 Mar 1837."
2. Per FHL book 977.771 V2p" Pottawattamie Co., IA Early Marriages 1848-1869"and Internet site www.genexchange.org for Pottawattamie IAGenExchange marriage records: "S.P. Graybill, Frances M. Downs, 5 Oct 1862."
DEATH:
1. Per Pitt book quoted above.
SOURCES_MISC:
1. The book "The Howard Leytham Stoker Von Dollen Family Histories," FHL 929.273 H833a, by Doris Lewis, 2017 So. 80th Ave., Omaha, Nebraska, 68124, pp. 90-91.
2. 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, p. 98.
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Chris & Julie Petersen's Genealogy
1816 - 1889 (73 years)