Chapter 2

The pioneers dug the canal as far as Cold Water Creek by May of 1857. Richard and Alfred Berrett dug the canal from Garner's Lane (1700 North) to Cold Water Creek. The Barrett's found the going slow because of rocks and underbrush. William Hill was the first farmer to turn water out of the canal onto his land.

The same work is quoted about midwives and David's mother as follows: Among those serving in that capacity should be mentioned. "Mother Levi"; "Mother Love", and others.

In view of the times we can be assured that David was busily employed either on his father's farm or working for others during those years between 1852 and 1858. In July, 1858 he married Ann Gillespie in Ogden. For that event and the days and years following, we will rely on the narration account written much later by his daughter, Katie Bell Levi, and submitted by a granddaughter, Clerynth Jensen Larson to the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers.

.There he met and married Ann Gillespie on July 1, 1858. She had migrated to Utah from Scotland at the age of 12. She crossed the plains with a handcart company known as the Smoot Company in 1852. (Incidentally, that is the same year the Levi's arrived in the Salt Lake Valley.)

Soon after David and Ann had built their home in Ogden, Brigham Young sent them with other settlers to make a settlement in Southern Utah. With their two daughters, Julian and Janet, they made their home at what became known as Pine Creek, between what is now Cove Fort and Beaver City. Their home was a small crude cabin, sheltered by the cedar trees in a small cove between the hills. They lived at Pine Creek for several years, while David and his brother-in-law, Isaac Riddle, cared for the Co-op cattle herd. This kept him away from home for days at a time. The only neighbors were friendly Indians. Ann felt quite safe with an Indian couple sleeping in her home. She milked cows and made hundreds of pounds of butter and cheese every week. The Indians and her little girls were her only helpers. The Pine Creek farm was not far from the route followed through the mountains by the gold seekers on their way to California. Those travelers bought her butter and cheese.

Ann has told how she prepared the butter in two and four pound rolls, then the rolls were packed in large pine barrels. Many times when unfriendly Indians drove the cows and horses away from the ranch, it was the Indian friends who brought them back.

During their lifetime in Southern Utah, Ann and David welcomed the Indians into their home and taught them the ways of the white man. They loved Ann's soda biscuits and she taught the squaws how to make them.

In 1869, David built one of the first brick homes in the town of Beaver, and moved the family there. Three baby girls and a boy were born to them in this home. Two of these little girls, Jane and Mary, were stricken with and died of Diphtheria within days of each other. Their family now consisted of three girls and a son.

David Levi not only became a successful farmer and cattle owner, but he operated the first Beaver Co-op store as it's Superintendent. His eldest daughter, Nettie, assisted him as a store clerk.

David was always mindful of the less fortunate families, and he used much of his worldly goods to help those in need. He took pride in his fine cattle, his horses and productive farm lands and pastures. He was a familiar figure, as he rode his favorite horse while performing his duties.

In 1871, he married a second wife, Christina Gillies, in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City. Ann accompanied them on their journey from Beaver to Salt lake and return by wagon. Christina, or Aunt Tinnie as she became known to her many friends had come to Beaver from Scotland with her parents. She became the mother of seven fine sons.

Although David was not prominent in public life or affairs of society, and religion, he quietly, in his own way practiced the golden rule and was loved by all who knew him. Indian and white man alike were his neighbors and he respected them.

He was a devoted father to his children and a good provider in both of his households. He passed away in his sleep in 1909, at the age of 76.

Chapter 3