Here is the conclusion of Henry Jolley's autobiography. In it, he gives vivid details of crossing the plains, life in Salt Lake City, and his call to settle the modern day town of Pleasant Grove, Utah. He died two months after settling there.
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We pushed our way across Iowa and finally reached Council Bluffs where we set up our camp at Winter Quarters. . Great streams of immigrants from Europe as well as from the Eastern and Southern states were coming to join, which made Council Bluffs a pulsating community. But this was not our destination. Our Prophet, before his death, prophesied that the Saints would become a mighty people in the Rocky Mountains, and there they would build a new Zion.
Brigham Young and the first company of Saints headed west in the spring of 1847. Many more would follow. The Jolleys were good farmers and were advised to remain where they were to supply food for those coming and going through Winter Quarters. A Dutch immigrant and convert named Barbara became Henry’s wife at this time. He described her as a good woman but not entirely reconciled to a harsh life on the plains. In the spring of 1850, the time had come for us to start for the Valley. There was my wife Barbara, young Sammy, and my daughter Diana and her daughter Lina Maniza Jones in the company. Sammy was twelve now so he was quite a help. My youngest daughter Lina Maniza married John Parris and they remained in Iowa. We had many trials and hardships along the way. It was a large company and the roads were often muddy from the spring rains which slowed us up. Some days we were able to make only a few miles. I came close to losing my wagon and oxen when we crossed the Platte River which was then at flood stage, but God was with us and we were able to master the torrent. There were many fascinating experiences on the plains. The scenery was different and fascinating—no mountains as far as one could see. Waving expanses of bunch grass stretched out in every direction. The wide open spaces were beautiful and inspiring. After the days travel, evening socials and dances were enjoyed. The young folks had much fun and enjoyment, although at times they had to walk. The road generally was not too bad. Many people had traveled on to Oregon and California ahead of us. We were overjoyed to see trappers and Saints returning from the Valley to Winter Quarters. They would tell us intriguing stories about the beautiful canyons and valleys of the new Zion. These would be our refuge from our enemies. Occasionally, we would see a buffalo herd and some Indians which caused some anxiety, but our company was large and our scouts were always on the lookout for any sign of danger.
What a thrill when we first sighted the snow-capped Rockies! The spiraled peaks looked like far away sentinels, and we encountered some snow over the great South Pass. At Fort Bridger we rested a couple of days, and shoed our oxen because the road from here on would be rockier and rougher. There would be deep canyons and streams of water to cross. But these beautiful canyons would lead us to the place of our dreams.
Oh, what a breath-taking scene at the sight of the beautiful Salt Lake Valley. The wide stretching plain with the lake as a background was thrilling to see indeed. We were welcomed by the Saints who had arrived ahead of us and made us feel at home. We had heard so much about the country before we arrived that we did not feel as strangers among our friends. The city had been plotted into 10 acre squares, with wide spacious streets, so the ox teams could easily turn around. Beyond the plotted area were the fields. I obtained a lot on 2nd South and Main Street. I still had a few means, but the wealth we had when we left Tennessee was pretty much used up.
In July, my daughter, Temperance, and her family arrived in the Valley, and on September 15, my daughter-in-law, Sarah and her children arrived. I met them at the mouth of Immigration Canyon. My cows were dry so I traded the Southwest corner of my lot for a cow that was milking so Sarah’s children could have milk to drink.
There was much pioneering to be done to reclaim the land. Here we must build our empire, far away from our enemies. According to Brigham, it was to stretch Northwest and South many miles. Settlements were to be built in every direction from Salt Lake.
We were chosen to move South into Utah County, to a place we called Grove Creek1 at the base of a high mountain called Timpanogas. We were four days on the road, and arrived there on October 13, 1850. The season was late and we had to build our cabins before winter set in. Timber was quite plentiful.Cottonwood trees lined the banks of the two creeks that flowed from the mountain to the east. Everybody was busy and it looked like an army of ants the way the men, women and children worked to have shelter before snow fell. The work was carried forward in relays, groups of men and boys joined together. In this way they could make better progress than each working alone.
One day we had a cabin nearly to the square. The logs for the rafters were in a pile close to the building. Sammy, (the little negro boy we had brought because his parents died) and the other little boys were playing on them when the logs started to roll. One big log struck Sammy and he was killed instantly. He was a fine, obedient little fellow and we mourned his loss. Although his skin was black, truly his spirit was white just like ours. We buried him on a spot just north and east of our main settlement. The fall was open and beautiful with some rain, but otherwise pleasant so we finished our cabins before winter set in. We felt our food supplies were adequate and, now, we were ready to turn our attention to our church duties and planning our new settlement for a permanent home.
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