Jared Moroni and Harriet Jane Davis

 

Information comes from Bernice D Pendry in History of Bear Lake Pioneers

 

Jared Moroni Davis was born 20 Nov 1839 in Adams Co Illinois, the son of William Davis and Sarah McKee.  Jared was raised in a pioneer family as his parents joined the church ten years after their marriage, being baptized  in Dec 1832 in a stream on which the ice had to be broken.  They were baptized by Elder Simeon Carter and soon left their home, friends and loved ones to join the Saints in Ohio, then Missouri and on to Nauvoo. Jared's father was present at the meeting when Sidney Rigdon went forward to claim the guardianship of the church and with others saw the mantle of Joseph fall upon Brigham Young.

Jared's father was skilled as a blacksmith and used his trade freely to help the pioneers provide for their trek westward.  In 1850 William Davis was called by President Young to help settle and explore the country as far north as Box Elder Creek which he did. The established the settlement later called Brigham City and the first meetings were held in the log home of Bishop William Davis.

Being accustomed to the life of a pioneer, Jared was not dismayed after his marriage to Harriet Jane Osborn on 26 Jan 1864, at the idea of moving to Bear Lake in the fall of 1864 to help settle Montpelier. Harriet Osborn was born 8 Feb 1847 in Mercer Co Missouri, the daughter of David Osborn & Cynthia Butler. To the best of historians knowledge, their first child, Moroni Jefferson Davis, born 24 Sep 1864 was the first white child born in Montpelier. Jason & Harriet Jane's house boasted having the first wooden floor in their log house. Jared and other were credited with commencing the first salt works at Crow Creek between Montpelier and Star Valley.

Jared was an Indian Scout and could understand the Indian language enough to communicate with them to some extend and was instrumental in helping to maintain peach between the Indians and the white settlers.  He was also overseer of the grading of the railroad from Boise Idaho to Kemmerer, Wyoming.

Children of Jared Moroni Davis and Harriet Jane Osborn

1. Moroni Jefferson Davis b-24 Sep 1864 in Montpelier; d-21 Sep 1956 in South Pasadena California; m-Hulda Henrie 4 Sep 1888; m (2) Catherine Maude Brennen June 1892
2. Sarah Jane Davis b-4 Dec 1866 in Brigham City Utah; d-9 Feb 1958 in Pocatello
3. Cynthia Ann Davis b-23 Jan 1869 in Brigham City Utah; d-18 Oct 1869
4. Joseph Osborn Davis b-5 Aug 1870 in Hyrum Utah; d-28 Apr 1952 in Montpelier
5. David William Davis b-3 Jan 1873 in Montpelier; d-13 Jan 1957 in Pocatello
6. Margaret Eleanor Davis b-10 Dec 1875 in Montpelier; d-26 Oct 1909 in Montpelier
7. Ida May Davis b-9 Dec 1876 in Montpelier; d-9 Jan 1941 in Pocatello
8. Rebecca Adaline Davis b-17 June 1879 in Montpelier; d-19 Sep 1962 in Salt Lake City
9. Charles Leroy Davis b-13 Sep 1880 in Montpelier; d-19 Oct 1882 in Montpelier
10. Effie Celestia Davisb-16 Sep 1883 in Montpelier; d-7 June 1884 in Montpelier
11. Ethel Irene Davis b-27 Oct 1885 in Montpelier; d-18 Nov 1966 in Salt Lake City
12. John Lyle Davis b-13 Jan 1888 in Montpelier; d-19 Apr 1937 in Tenino, Washington
13. Guy Butler Davis b-17 Sep 1890 in Montpelier

Jared died 5 Sep 1905 in Montpelier and was buried in the Montpelier Cemetery.  Harriet died 6 June 1932 in Montpelier and was also buried in Montpelier.
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Children of Moroni Jefferson Davis and Huldah Rebecca Henrie (1867-22 Dec 1889)

1. Henrie Jefferson Davis b-2 Nov 1889 in Montpelier; d-2 June 1890 in Montpelier; br-Montpelier Cemetery
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Children of Moroni Jefferson Davis and Catherine Maude Brennen

1. Lillian Catherine Davis b-12 June 1893 in Montpelier; d-28 Oct 1990 in South Pasadena California; m-Mondell R Hampton
2. Harriet Helen C Davis b-July 1895 in Montpelier
3. Imogene Davis b-1905 in Montpelier; m-Robert Powell

 

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