Thomas Billington and Mary Catherine Nelson
Information comes from Gladys Nelson Jacobsen and Nadine Dunford Nelson in the History of Bear Lake Pioneers
Thomas Billington Nelson was born 19 May 1835 in Mt Vernon, Jefferson Co Illinois, the son of Edmond Nelson and Jane Taylor. Edmund and Jane joined the church early in 1833 and were with the Saints in Nauvoo by 1840 and worked on the Temple from start to finish. The family crossed the river with the Saints, landing at Mt Pisgah 9 May 1846 where they stayed until they left for Utah 9 May 1950.
Following is an excerpt from the personal writing of Thomas:
"I was baptized when I was eight years old by the great Prophet Joseph Smith in the Mississippi River. I well remember the Prophet and his brother Hyrum. I have heard them preach a great many times and remember well the trying scenes of Nauvoo. I saw both of these great men after they were killed and brought home as I passed with my parents through the room where they lay. I shall never forget the cries and prayers offered up to the Almighty God by many good mothers for the protection of their husbands and loved ones at home from the mob prowling the country to destroy the Saints.
When we left Nauvoo we camped one week on the Iowa side of the river with hundreds of Saints. As we started our journey, though a small boy but very quick and handy on foot, I assisted all I could in putting the yokes on cows and steers. We moved on through mud, water, rain, sleet, grass, brush and everything else barefooted, partly clad and not much to eat. I was in my 14th year.
I hired out in Salt Lake for three months and matured to manhood at an early age and though I could stand as much hard work and riding as any man. On 27 Mar 1853 I was married to Mary Catherine Welker, age 21, was was well qualified for a housekeeper and mother, who is due time presented to me eleven children." Mary Catherine was born 12 Jan 1832 in Jackson Co Oh to James Welker and Elizabeth, who had joined the Church in Ohio, moved with the Saints to Missouri and made their home in Illinois in 1839.
Children of Thomas Billington Nelson and Mary Catherine Welker
1. Elizabeth Mary Jane Nelson b-19 Feb 1854 in
Willard, Utah; d-17 Feb 1913 in Bloomington
2. Thomas James Nelson b-19 Oct 1855 in Mountainville, Utah; d-11 June 1881
3. Charles Edmond Nelson b-23 Dec 1857 in Payson Utah; d-6 Apr 1933 in So
Pasadena California
4. John William Nelson b-11 Aug 1860 in Bloomington; d-30 June 1881 in
Bloomington
5. Margaret Ann Nelson b-1 Nov 1862 in Logan Utah; d-3 Dec 1942 in Safford
Arizona
6. Martha Emaline Nelson b-2 Oct 1865 in Bloomington; d-1881 in Bloomington
7. Joseph Aaron Nelson b-1 Apr 1868 in Bloomington; d-11 Apr 1949 in Eden
Arizona
8. Adam Heber Nelson b-17 July 1870 in Bloomington; d-2 Apr 1946 in Bloomington
9. Effie Rosina Nelson b-14 Sep 1872 in Bloomington; d-22 Mar 1961 in Phoenix
Arizona
10. Dora Rebecca Nelson b-28 Feb 1875 in Bloomington; d-2 Oct 1956 in Lonita
California
11. Hyrum Jacob Nelson b-1 Sep 1877 in Bloomington; d-10 Mar 1934 in Bloomington
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"In 1862 I organized the first martial band of Cache Valley. I moved to Bloomington in Bear Lake in 1864 and organized a band there. On 25 June 1867 I was married to Dorthy Christina Sorenson who honored me with nine children. She was a good mother. In 1878 I worked at the Logan Temple mill as a common hand for two months. In the spring of the next year I went to the mill again and had charge of the entire timber business for five months."
Children by Thomas Billington Nelson and Dorthy Christina Sorenson
1. Orson Billington Nelson b-9 Sep 1869 in
Bloomington; d-12 Apr 1949 in Safford
2. Annie Martha Nelson b-20 Oct 1871 in Bloomington; d-2 Sep 1942
3. Laura Alvira Nelson b-21 June 1874 in Bloomington; d-10 Apr 1964 in Safford
Arizona
4. Rhoda Caroline Nelson b-23 Mar 1876 in Bloomington; d-17 Mar 1913
5. Nancy Catherine Nelson b-10 Oct 1878 in Bloomington; d-15 May 1943 in Safford
Arizona
6. Dortha Rosetta Nelson b-2 Apr 1881 in Bloomington; d-21 Nov 1966 in Globe
Arizona
7. George Alma Nelson b-21 Mar 1883 in Bloomington; d-16 May 1890
8. Mary Almeda Nelson b-18 Jan 1886 in Bloomington; d-15 Jan 1971 in Safford
Arizona
10. Alice Laverne Nelson b-6 July 1888 in Bloomington
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"In 1890 I came to Arizona, was ordained a high priest in 1892 and set apart as first counselor to Alma N Bryce, St Joseph Stake of Zion. I labored in that position until 3 Nov 1902."
Thomas Nelson died 19 Feb 1918 in Thatcher
Arizona. Dorthy Christina Nelson died 10 Feb 1916 in Thatcher. Mary Catherine
Nelson died 8 Dec 1920 in Thatcher Arizona.