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TRADITIONAL Pioneer Stories
Since 1933, the National Society of Sons of Utah Pioneers has been dedicated to honoring and remembering our great pioneer forefathers and mothers.
We must never forget the great heritage they gave us – a heritage of faith in God – of devotion to family – of loyalty to church and country – of hard work and service to others – of courage in adversity – of personal integrity and unyielding determination! We must never forget!
All of us have heard and been inspired by the stories of the famous early pioneers of the West. However, there are many of our ancestors whose stories are not known – except to a few. These little-known pioneers deserve recognition. Your children and ours need to know more of their own heritage, to be inspired by their lives, by their examples of faith in God, and by the other pioneer virtues they exemplified.
PIONEER STORY INDEX
- ADAIR, Thomas Jefferson
- ADAMS, Arza Madsen
- ADAMS, Arza Matson
- ADAMS, Barnabus Lathrop & Hannah Gove Chase
- ADAMSON, Allen Stewart
- ALEXANDER, Abel
- ALLEMAN, John
- ALLEN Jr., Daniel: A Life of Consecration
- ALLEN, Alanson David
- ALLEN, Albern
- ALLEN, Elihu Moroni
- ALLEN, Elijah
- ALLEN, Joseph
- ALLEN, Joseph Stewart
- ALLEN, Jude
- ALLEN: Joseph Stewart
- ALLEY: Stephen Webb
- ALLPHIN, Israel Dodge
- ALLRED, Isaac
- ALLRED, James Anderson
- ALLSOP, Thomas Hill
- ALSON, Thomas
- ANDERSEN, Jens Peter
- ANDERSON, Editha Morgan
- ANDERSON, Hans
- ANDERSON, Neil
- ANDREWS, Amos Betts
- ARMISTEAD, James
- ARMSTRONG, Francis
- ARMSTRONG, Thomas Kirk
- ASH, Alma
- ASHBY, Nathaniel
- ASHCROFT, Henry
- ASHTON, Edward
- ATKIN, Thomas
MODERN-DAY Pioneer Stories

There are many great men and women today whose lives also reflect the pioneer virtues that inspired the lives of the early pioneers. Today’s challenging world also calls out for the same faith and purpose, the same sacred values that were required of the early pioneers.
Who do you know that has made a big difference for good in today’s world – whose life stands as a shining example to others in our day?
Remember, it is the character of the person, the pioneer attributes that made them what they were, the contributions that made their life rich and meaningful—these are the things to emphasize in your story.
Every accepted submission will be published on the SUP website and will be preserved in a special collection in the SUP Library.
Featured Pioneer Stories
SMITH, George “A” Albert
By Derek RowleyFebruary 20, 2021
From Whitney’s History of Utah, Vol. 4 “THERE were giants in the earth in those days.” Scarcely more apt were these words in the days…
BURT, William
By David HintonFebruary 17, 2021
ANCESTOR STORIES OF WILLIAM BURT, A MASTER PLASTERER Submitted by F. Alan Turner William Burt, my 4th great grandfather did much of the decorative plastering…
ANDERSEN, Jens Peter
By Pioneer MagazineFebruary 11, 2021
This article originally appeared in the May-June 1970 edition of Pioneer Magazine. by Ferdie D. Peterson Jens Peter Andersen was born in Gammelstrup, Denmark, the…
SHIPP, Ellis Reynolds
By Pioneer MagazineFebruary 10, 2021
Mother & Doctor This article originally appeared in the May-June 1970 issue of Pioneer Magazine. by Elon Hanson Ellis Reynolds Shipp knew firsthand about the…
HINCKLEY, Arza Erastus
By Pioneer MagazineFebruary 9, 2021
Heroic Figure This biography originally appeared in the May-June 1970 issue of Pioneer Magazine By Earl S. Paul Arza E. Hinckley, one of the descendants…
HAGGERTY, Lucinda Catherine
By Rich KirkhamFebruary 6, 2021
LUCINDA CATHERINE HAGGERTY AYERS PETTY Compiled by Lila B. Badger, a great granddaughter. Great grandma, Lucinda Catherine Haggerty, and her twin sister Malinda were…
KIRKHAM, George
By Rich KirkhamFebruary 5, 2021
KIRKHAM, George “Uncle Sam’s Hotel”: The Utah Penitentiary By Melvin L. Bashore Where I first met you Brother, Was in the Utah Pen. Where I…
ASHTON, Edward
By LaRon TaylorFebruary 4, 2021
Edward was apprenticed to a man who would teach him how to make shoes. He was bound for three years for his board and room, and his mother paid the sum of six sovereigns (approx $30.00) for his apprenticeship. This was not a happy experience as he did not get enough food and it was not of the highest quality, and he was required to do all kinds of work besides the trade he was supposed to be learning. The man was most unkind and Edward suffered a great deal of abuse as his employer routinely beat him.
BENSON, Benjamin
By TrailMarkerFebruary 3, 2021
By Philip Wayne Ercanbrack: Third great grand-son of Benjamin Benson My name is Benjamin Benson, I was born in 1773 in Maple, Rensselaer, New York.…
BRINGHURST, William Augustus, Sr.
By Derek RowleyJanuary 29, 2021
This pioneer history was submitted by Cailyn Bringhurst, a student at Washington Elementary School in Washington, Utah. I was lucky to be able to learn…
MEEKS, Mary Jane McCleve
By Derek RowleyJanuary 28, 2021
This pioneer story was submitted by Acacia Barney, as part of the Cotton Mission Chapter’s 4th Grade Student Essay Contest. Mary Jane McCleve Meeks is…
HATCH, Meltiar
By Derek RowleyJanuary 27, 2021
Submitted by Will Allphin, Chapter member. This information came from: The Hatch Genealogical Society, Prominent Men of Utah, Family histories. Meltiar Hatch was born in…
RIDING, Christopher Lister: Tinsmith
By LaRon TaylorJanuary 26, 2021
Christopher's skills were needed in St. George because the temple was under construction there and he was the only sheet metal worker in the Dixie mission at that time. However, there was not enough business in St. George to provide him work, so he secured a little four-wheeled cart and an ox. He loaded the cart with tin ware and tools and visited all the towns in southern Utah, exchanging his ware for flour, potatoes, butter, cheese, etc. He made most of his wares from waste cans as it was difficult to ship in sheet tin. People saved empty cans and metal ware of all kinds for him. His store of wares consisted of buckets, milk pans, tin cups and plates, lamps, canteens, coffee pots, wash boards, etc. The ball on the St. George temple and the one on the St. George tabernacle are Christopher Riding's work, as is the metal work on all the public buildings erected before his death. The tin-covered sphere on the temple remained until October 25, 1994, when it was replaced with a fiberglass model as part of a renovation project.
Christopher was a loyal member of the church although he was never active in public affairs due to the fact that his work kept him away a great deal of the time. He was a great reader, spending every evening in this way.
Christopher was a loyal member of the church although he was never active in public affairs due to the fact that his work kept him away a great deal of the time. He was a great reader, spending every evening in this way.
ALLPHIN, Israel Dodge
By LaRon TaylorJanuary 25, 2021
A TURBULENT TIDAL WAVE RAGED THROUGH THE CREEK CHASM DESTROYING EVERYTHING IN ITS PATH. THERE WOULD BE NO ACCOUNTABILITY AS TO WHAT WOULD TAKE PLACE AT THIS TRAGIC MOMENT...A CENTURY LATER, HISTORY BOOKS WOULD CHRONICLE THE EVENTS OF THE JULY 16, 1863 PINE VALLEY FLOOD.
LYMAN, Amasa Mason
By Derek RowleyJanuary 21, 2021
From Whitney’s History of Utah, Vol. 4 THE name of this noted man—Apostle and Pioneer—is inseparably interwoven with the early history of Utah and other…
UNTHANK, Ellen “Nellie” Pucell
By Pioneer MagazineJanuary 19, 2021
PIONEERS OF SOUTHERN UTAH This article originally appeared in the Nov-Dec 1990 issue of Pioneer Magazine by William R. Palmer Privation and hardships were the…
KARCHNER, William Decatur and Margaret Jan Casteel
By Pioneer MagazineJanuary 17, 2021
This article originally appeared in Vol.50 No.2 (2011) issue of Pioneer Magazine William Decatur Kartchner was born May 4, 1820, in Montgomery Co., Pennsylvania. In…
WHITNEY, Orson Ferguson
By Derek RowleyJanuary 14, 2021
By John Nicholson From Whitney’s History of Utah, Vol. 4 BISHOP ORSON F. WHITNEY, author of WHITNEY’S HISTORY OF UTAH. was born at Salt Lake…
ALLEN: Joseph Stewart
By LaRon TaylorJanuary 13, 2021
He learned the cooper trade from his father in law, Isaac Morley. He was a farmer and shoemaker.
ADAMS, Barnabus Lathrop & Hannah Gove Chase
By Pioneer MagazineJanuary 8, 2021
Family history excerpts of two paternal great-grand-parents, followed by two maternal great-grandparents of LaMar Adams: Barnabus Lathrop Adams was born Aug. 28, 1812, in Canada…
JEX, William and Eliza
By Derek RowleyJanuary 6, 2021
Taken from Orson Whitney’s History of Utah, Vol. 4 THIS worthy pair, the prolific though now aged parents of a numerous flock of children, grandchildren,…
WOOLSEY, Joseph Henry and Abigail Schaeffer
By LaRon TaylorJanuary 5, 2021
When her daughter Agatha Ann Woolsey, the first wife of John D. Lee, introduced her to the Gospel, she embraced it whole heartedly, remaining faithful from her baptism 17 Jun 1838, in Vandalia, Fayette County, Illinois, until her death on the cold dreary plains of Wyoming, just before “Rocky Ridge” on the way to the summit of the Rockies.
GIBSON, Henry Eliot
By Derek RowleyJanuary 3, 2021
from Whitney’s History of Utah Vol. 4 A native of New York State, born in the town and county of Otsego, January 14, 1827, and…
ATKIN, Thomas Jr.
By LaRon TaylorJanuary 2, 2021
When the call came in late 1857, for men to defend the church against Johnston's army, Thomas and other Tooele men responded. The Tooele contingent, under the command of Major John Rowberry, was sent to Echo Canyon, October 10. They remained in Echo Canyon until December 1.
SWEETEN, Colen Hagle
By LaRon TaylorJanuary 1, 2021
Finally, I heard his muffled voice calling from the bottom of the well. He said that the horse filled the entire hole. There was just about enough mud and water to cover the horse. He could not find anything of the man or the shovel.
ATKIN, Thomas
By LaRon TaylorDecember 30, 2020
Mary became seriously ill with a "rupture" in her side. The doctors could do nothing to help her. Thomas, watching her suffer, resolved he would be more devoted in serving the Lord, if only the prayers and desires of his heart and those of his children regarding his beloved wife would be granted. Eventually, Mary was healed. He did not forget the resolution and promise he had made with the Lord and commenced in earnest to inquire of his spiritual advisors.
ALLRED, Isaac
By LaRon TaylorDecember 29, 2020
He promised them that they would not have to shed the blood of their fellowmen, but that this added affliction heaped upon them in this hour of their trials would turn out as a blessing upon their heads. Several of the young Allred boys joined the "Mormon Battalion" and performed with that Battalion in the longest march of foot soldiers in length of miles ever traversed by any army in the history of time.
CHRISTENSEN, Alten
By Derek RowleyDecember 28, 2020
by McKay Ellis Note: This pioneer history is one of the winning 4th-grade student essays submitted to the Cotton Mission Chapter in it’s annual Essay…
THORNLEY, Bob: Modern-day Pioneer
By Derek RowleyDecember 28, 2020
from the Cotton Mission Chapter Newsletter, December 2020 Robert K (Bob) Thornley is recognized as a Modern Pioneer for his many contributions to his family…
SMITH, Mary Ann
By David HintonDecember 27, 2020
I was born in Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, May 14, 1841, the youngest daughter of Hyrum Smith, Patriarch, who was martyred in Carthage Jail. I…
CLARK, Joseph
By David HintonDecember 26, 2020
Written by Daughter Hannah C. Pike My father, Joseph Clark, was born in Clinton County, Ohio, April 26, 1828. His Parents, Samuel and Rebecca Garner…
SHIRTS, Peter
By LaRon TaylorDecember 25, 2020
The road was to follow an old Indian trail on the west edge of the Black Ridge. When asked how the wagons would get across the deep canyon which barred the way, he replied, “We’ll leap it!” The 165 ft deep canyon crossing became “Peter’s Leap.” The stream became “Leap Creek.” A sturdy windlass was erected on top of the north canyon wall. The wagons coming from the north were stopped here. The cargo was lashed securely to the wagon box. The teams were unhitched and led down the winding 30 percent grade to the canyon bottom.
JEPPSEN, Niels Andersen
By LaRon TaylorDecember 22, 2020
The day after their wedding they walked to their farm in North Ward (now named Harper Ward). She carried a basket with her dishes in one hand, while with the other hand she helped Niels carry a large box which contained their worldly goods. A large stove kettle was fastened to the box, while suspended on a stick, which he placed across his shoulder with a sheet with quilts wrapped inside.
POND, Stillman Pond
By LaRon TaylorDecember 18, 2020
On February 2nd 1846 the migration west began. Stillman and his family remained in Nauvoo until after the battle of Nauvoo in September 1846 when they were driven at the point of a bayonet across the river. Tribulations and hardships were many as the winter set in early and the Mormon refugees were without the proper food, clothing and shelter. The camp was ravaged by malaria, cholera, and consumption. The Pond family fell victim of all of these diseases. Stillman’s wife, Maria, became consumptive and all the children were afflicted with malaria. Snow fell early on the plains of Iowa and along the way Stillman and Maria buried their son Lowell Anson in September of 1846 on the plains of Iowa. Maria’s body wracked with pain and bowed down with grief for the loss of her son; was unable to walk and was confined to her bed in the back of the wagon with the fever of malaria. In this condition she gave birth to twin boys Joseph and J. Hyrum, the later part of September and the twins died a few days later and were also buried along the trail in Iowa.
HOWARD, Mary Ann Tolman
By LaRon TaylorDecember 15, 2020
Her two younger sisters died while crossing the plains and they were just 300 miles from Salt Lake City when her mother passed away. Mary Ann, age 12, and Emma, age 10, washed and dressed their mother, wrapping her in sheets ready for burial. This was a very heart rendering experience for these two young girls. They gathered sage brush to cover and conceal the grave so the coyotes wouldn't find it so easily.
HOWARD, Joseph
By LaRon TaylorDecember 11, 2020
A canal ran between and divided the 5 acre farm from that of Joseph's father, William. A pleasant pastime of the children was to watch the horses as they pulled the loads of freight and coal in boats along the canal. Locks were located near by and it was such fun to see the boats raised and lowered as they proceeded on the journey to the big cities.
ASHBY, Nathaniel
By LaRon TaylorDecember 8, 2020
The Ashbys were seaman and ship wrights until after the War of 1812. Nathaniel however, was apprenticed to a shoemaker at an early age to learn the shoemaking trade. He became expert in the making of fine shoes and started his own business.
HILL, Heamon Alison
By LaRon TaylorDecember 4, 2020
During that time their father and baby Jasper died. They were so poor that they did not have enough money to bury their father and baby brother. “The Lord blessed us, for a man came to see us and seeing our plight, took us to his farm, gave us one room in his home, put our cattle in his pasture and buried our father and baby brother on his burying ground.
WOOLSEY, Thomas
By LaRon TaylorDecember 3, 2020
On 15 Jun 1856 they left their all to overtake the first covered wagon train of Mormons, to cross the plains that year. The oldest daughter was sick with chills and fever when the journey began, and had to be carried from the house to the wagon. Her father's brother who did not belong to the LDS church and was opposed to their leaving their home, predicted she would not live to go far, but Elder Hickerson promised her she would not have another chill, and she never did.
SAVAGE, David Leonard
By LaRon TaylorDecember 1, 2020
In twenty minutes, he was decked out in war paint and feathers and riding through Cedar Fort giving his terrifying war cries and soon the mountains rang with the death call of these desperate people. They were on the war path for sure, assembling their forces they hid in a ravine near Lehi. When the stage coach passed, the driver and all the passengers were massacred.
GROVER, Thomas III
By David HintonNovember 29, 2020
Submitted by F. Martell Grover Thomas Grover was born 22nd of July 1807 in Whitehall, New York. His family lived on the northern end of…
BINGHAM, Erastus
By LaRon TaylorNovember 27, 2020
Erastus Bingham stood up on his wagon wheel and talked to the Saints, telling him that he proposed to obey the council of president Brigham Young, that he and his family would remain until Spring and invited all to join with him in accepting the invitation of the Indians to share their camping ground. About one half of the company remained with Erastus Bingham; the others decided to attempt the journey Westward with their commander, Bishop Miller. They pushed on Westward but met with a great many losses. The Indians stole some of their animals; and they suffered from the cold and lack of food and were compelled to return, some of them camping near Erastus Bingham’s camp. The Ponca Indians were very kind to the families who were sharing with them their camping ground, even bringing meat for some of the most destitute families. They wintered with the Ponca Indians, living in their wagons and a wickiup the friendly Indians provided for them.
CURTIS, Celestia
By LaRon TaylorNovember 24, 2020
The people were screaming for they thought there was no help for them. Celestia’s father (Enos Curtis) raised his hand and commanded the wind to cease and for the boat to stand still in the name of the Lord. The wind did cease and the boat stood still until the men on the bank could get ropes to them to pull them to safety.
ANDERSON, Editha Morgan
By LaRon TaylorNovember 20, 2020
Whatever else she was, Edith, like many other mature single Latter-day Saint Women, had internal strength and strong religious beliefs sufficient to tolerate an environment that was unsympathetic toward mature single women, as exemplified by Stout’s comments.
Editha established a private school in her small log cabin that was located on 1st North and about 70 West in American Fork. It served as a bedroom, living room, and a tightly packed class room. The dwelling featured one door, one window, two beds, a wood stove, and a rest facility located out back of the cabin. Her rudimentary school attracted a dozen or so students, about the same number of youngsters as attended another school that met in a community-owned building that served as a place of worship and education.
Editha established a private school in her small log cabin that was located on 1st North and about 70 West in American Fork. It served as a bedroom, living room, and a tightly packed class room. The dwelling featured one door, one window, two beds, a wood stove, and a rest facility located out back of the cabin. Her rudimentary school attracted a dozen or so students, about the same number of youngsters as attended another school that met in a community-owned building that served as a place of worship and education.
ALLSOP, Thomas Hill
By LaRon TaylorNovember 13, 2020
STORY COPIED FROM FILES IN SUP LIBRARY
When more people came to Sandy, Mr. Allsop sold some of his land. Later he donated land for the Church site and cemetary. He gave Sandy a big bowery where large parties could go and dance and have weenie roasts. The bowery, the reservoir and Allsop's Lane was known to all the people of Sandy and surrounding communities.
When more people came to Sandy, Mr. Allsop sold some of his land. Later he donated land for the Church site and cemetary. He gave Sandy a big bowery where large parties could go and dance and have weenie roasts. The bowery, the reservoir and Allsop's Lane was known to all the people of Sandy and surrounding communities.
COX, Orville Sutherland
By LaRon TaylorNovember 10, 2020
Being successful in disposing of their chairs, and securing loads of bacon and corn, they were almost home when an Iowa blizzard, or Hurricane, or cyclone, or all in one, struck them. Clouds and Egyptian darkness settled suddenly around them. They had no modern "tornado cellars", to flee into and no manner of shelter of any kind. The cold was intense; the wind came from every direction; they were all skilled backwoodsmen and knew they were very close to their homes; but they also knew that they were hopelessly lost in that swirling wind and those black clouds of snow. They and their oxen were freezing, and their only hope of life was in making a fire and camping where they were.
ALLRED, James Anderson
By LaRon TaylorNovember 6, 2020
In 1853 the family moved to Fremont County, Iowa and obtained more valued farm land and eventually owned farms in several states and became financially independent.
LEE, Roland L.: Modern Day Pioneer
By Derek RowleyNovember 5, 2020
This was originally published in the December 2018 issue of the Cotton Mission Chapter Newsletter. (If your chapter has honored modern-day pioneers, please email admin@suponline.org…
ANDERSON, Hans
By LaRon TaylorNovember 3, 2020
They had 37 deaths on this voyage due to an out break of the measles and the stagnant and unfit water. Just 4 days before arriving in America, August 7th, Hans' grandson Carl Fedrick Liljeroth died. The "Emerald Isle" arrived at the New York harbor on August the 11th.
WADSWORTH, James: A Return to England
By Pioneer MagazineOctober 30, 2020
This story originally appeared in the Nov/Dec 1980 issue of Pioneer Magazine Winner Senior Division Pioneer Story Contest 1980 Encampment Helen Free VanderBeek Route 5…