Chapter 6

The Levi family arrived in the Salt Lake Valley in the early 1850's, probably 1852, but we do not know with which company they came, or if they came with a specific company. However, Barbara Jane reports: "When we started across the plains, we children and father had to walk most of the way lightening the load on the wagon as much as we could for the oxen. Often the wagons got bogged down and they would all push to get it out. Half way on the journey, they had to stop and throw away many of their furniture items because the "Hanks" family had broken two wheels on their wagon and could go no further, so we made room in our wagon. The two families came on to Salt Lake in one wagon. The Hanks had seven children and the Levi's had five. (She didn't count William F. Boring who had gone on ahead.) The youngest Hank was two months old, and the oldest was eleven. I remained their baby sitter and caretaker for the rest of the journey."

After only two days in Salt Lake, they were sent by Brigham Young on to Ogden, where they built their first home and began farming. Since beginning a more detailed research, I have felt that because their paths cross the path of Captain Jefferson Hunt so frequently, they must have at least known each other if they weren't in fact close friends. We have thought that William F. Boring may have gone with Captain Hunt's division of the Mormon Batallion, but we find no record of him as either a soldier or as one who went along. William F. Boring did go on to California, but also apparently spent some time in Utah. In his letter to Barbara Jane, he confirmed their friendship with Hunt as follows: "I received a letter from Captain Hunt a few days ago, he spoke of you and said you was all well."

Frederick John Levie apparently lived in North Ogden and in Huntsville until his death in 1864 or 1865. The first three of their children were married and lived there, and Charlotte in Pine Valley, where she probably traveled to marry at the home of her sister Mary Ann and her husband Isaac Riddle. I don't know whether the Levi's had a home or more than one home in North Ogden before they moved to the Huntsville area. I don't know whether the Huntsville ome was the same as the South Spring Creek home which Barbara referred to.

In as much as David and Isaac Riddle were working together on the North Ogden Canal in 1856-1857, I would assume they first moved to North Ogden where they built a home or homes and then later to Huntsville or South Spring Creek and possibly they had homes in each of these places. We have made only cursory examination of the early land records of Weber County and have found nothing more.

Frederick was sealed to Boletta Moonsen and Sarah Johnson on 17 September, 1859 while he was still living. The Ogden, Weber County census of 1860 showed Frederick Levi, 60 years old, a farmer with real property valued at $600.00 and personal property valued at $500.00, living there. He ws shown as being born in Hanover, Germany (which we are quite certain in incorrect, but we have wondered if it might have been the birth place of his father). Listed as in his household were Boletta, age 44 female, born in Denmark, Ann age 16 a female, born in Norway, Joseph who was then age 16 and a boy age 8 born in Norway who is presumed to be a brother of Ann.

We have had no reason to believe that Julia Ann did not live with Frederick at that time, but she was not listed on the census record as living in the home. Some question is raised of Boring's letter to Barbara Jane in which he asked: "Sister, I am sorry you and our dear Mother live so far apart. Sister, tell me one thing, did Mother and Father live together up to the time of his death. The reason that I ask this is I think the letter I got from some of you 6 or 7 years ago stating that Father and Mother did not get along very well together at that time." It seems to me that I remember seeing on family records some place at some time the notation with regard to Frederick and Julia Ann, that the sealing’s for them should not be performed. I had the impression at one time that Frederick was somewhat complacent about the Mormon Church they had joined in Canada and that possibly Julia Ann was the driving force, so to speak. My belief today is that they were both very committed to the cause they originally joined and supported enthusiastically and continued to follow and support heartily all their lives.

I am for the moment assuming that Frederick and Julia Ann were either converted by or came to Missouri-Illinois with John E. Page or his group and that page in any event had influence, possibly even substantial influence in their lives. (A cousin, Thomas Page Whittle was likely named in honor of John E. Page). If that were the case, and not withstanding, Barbara relates that: "Brigham Young had been chosen as the new leader. He had a vision which showed that the Mormons should move West out of the United States into territory owned by Mexico, to the great desert area of the Great Salt Lake. Part of our friends from Canada refused to follow Brigham Young and they struck off on their own into Ohio. Mama and Papa joined the new leader, Brigham Young".

It is mere speculation, but I suppose that Frederick and Julia Ann had some serious reflections when John E. Page left the church and was using great persuasion to take his friends with him to Ohio. There are certain crossroads in the lives of most men and women that effect not only their own life, but also the lives of generations to come. I think that Frederick and Julia Ann approached and passed many of those important crossroads. Their decisions at those junctures had a great influence on the settlement of the West and especially the Southern part of Utah where their sons and daughters and their posterity built homes and farms and were influential in the livestock and farming business, and in the community and church affairs for generations thereafter. I am grateful for and honor them.

The Sexton's Records for North Ogden, Weber County, Utah show that Frederick Levi died on 11 April, 1864 at North Ogden.

I honor and revere these great pioneers for the severe hardships and difficulties they endured to follow the prophet Joseph Smith as well as the prophet Brigham Young. I glory in the knowledge that they were faithful to those principles espoused by those great prophets of God. We know of only a very few of the many difficulties they encountered and do not know their hearts. We do know however of their steadfastness in teaching those principles to their posterity whose lives they touched and have so greatly influenced for good. Again we honor and cherish their memories.

In so doing, I, Paul D. Levie, would like to testify to the world, and to theirs and our posterity, that God lives and directs the lives of men and the destiny of nations; that Jesus Christ is His son and the Savior of the world; that by and through Him the worlds were and are created and we are the begotten sons and daughters of God; that only through Him (and no other) can we attain exaltation through repentance and obedience to His laws and prescribed ordinances of the gospel. Then can we become heirs to all that He has. It is my prayer that through this genealogical effort, we as descendents of these great pioneers may be unified in love and service to one another and to our Father in Heaven. i pray further that this work may be a stepping stone for a greatly expanded effort in genealogical and temple work.

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