Julia A.
Brownell, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,
was born February 12, 1826 at Buchanan, Michigan. She was the daughter
of Gideon Brownell and Betsy Wheeler Brownell.
She was
married to James Myler October 5, 1843. Her father converted her husband,
James, and they received their endowments in the Nauvoo Temple of January
28, 1846. They were among the Saints persecuted and driven out of Nauvoo.
She knew
the Prophet Joseph Smith very well. They camped across the Mississippi
River and her husband was called to fight in the Mexican War, later becoming
one of the famous Mormon Battalion. She was left with her two sons, Oscar
and Joseph, in a covered wagon. They suffered many hardships and after
two years her husband returned and they, with all the other Saints, immigrated
to Utah in September 22, 1849.
They lived
in Farmington, Utah and in 1856 her father, Gideon Brownell, was appointed
Presidency Elder and a Ward was organized. They lived there until 1858
when they moved to Logan, Utah. Three of their children were born here.
In 1883
they moved to the Snake River Valley, settling at Lewisville, Idaho.
She was
active in all church activities with her husband and family
She died
in Lewisville, Idaho in February 1899.
(Other History)
This history like all others is a story of a people seeking a land of
freedom. Gideon Brownell arrived in Farmington some time in early 1848,
perhaps left before Joseph Lee Robinson was first Bishop he was then called
to go and help settle Parawon, he served from 1849 to 1851. Brother Brownell
was chosen second Bishop of Cotton-Wood as it was then called. It was
later called Farmington. He and Bishop Robinson helped the little settlement
to build and grow. They had many hardships, they helped the Pioneers to
build, lay-out streets, roads, build school house, a little store and
substitute place for worship. Bishop Brownell's home was the Rock home
where George Papadokis lived, and is still standing.
Gideon Brownell
was born May 5, 1789 a son of Benjamin H. and Mary Ann Danby Ruthland,
Vermont. The mother Mary Ann Russell Brownell father born May 8, 1750
at Dutcher, New York. Gideon married Elizabeth Wheeler, she was born Oct.
16, 1789 Hartsmonth, Bristol Mass. Benjamin was born in New Hampshire.
Gideon and
Mary Ann were blessed with eight children. The history doesn't give an
account of their children except who the eldest daughter Mary Ann, who
was born March 2, 1815, she married Jesse Pearson. They were married in
Nauvoo June 3, 1840. There were no sealings in Nauvoo Temple at that time,
so they were sealed in the Office of President Wilford Woodruff Dec. 26,
1851. After arriving in Utah they were endowed Jan 3, 1846 in Nauvoo.
Gideon had
his first Patriarchal Blessing while living in Nauvoo by William Smith
a kin to the Prophet Joseph Smith Jr. He had a second blessing after reaching
Salt Lake City by Joseph Epheram.
In the fall
of 1845 the Brownell family moved to Nauvoo, where Gideon and Father worked
on the Temple. They like all other Pioneers were driven by angry wicked
mobs from there homes, so they all prepared for the long trek across the
Plains.
Brownell
must have been call called by President Brigham Young to go to Cache Valley
to help settle that place. We have no date, but I am sure it was done
after retiring as Bishop from 1855 - to? They built our rock meeting house
1862.
Brother Brownell
died in Logan March 16, 1871 at age of 82. His wife died there also in
1870 at age 81.
Our little
Town had four or five apostles living here at one time also the Budge
Brothers who were sent to Logan they were Doctors.
All the dates
and information I have of Bishop Brownell was given by relatives Clarissa
Clark Issacon from Murray. Thru her we also obtained his picture which
is now placed in that vacant spot we had for a number of years with the
other Bishops of our ward. Gideon Brownell is a Grandfather to Clarissa
C. Isacson, and she is an aunt to Mrs. Gillis who lives here. Justin Clark
who once lived here in Farmington owned land and is the Father of Clarissa
C. Isacson.
Margaret
S. Hess
Historian
DUP
