Biography of Martha Ann Mills Wilkinson by her daughter Martha Ann Wilkinson Mills

Biography of Martha Ann Mills Wilkinson
Pioneer of Hoytsville, Summit County, Utah
Came to Utah September 3, 1863
Written by her daughter Martha Ann Wilkinson Mills
March 1, 1939


When one considers the stupendous undertaking of subduing the West and the great progress that has been made, due consideration should be given the stalwarts who braved the hardships, suffered and toiled, lived and loved to make this structure of civilization possible for us that followed. As we back in luxury, for we do live in luxury comparatively speaking, little do we realize what they sacrificed.

These men and women represent the hosts whose selfless service asks nothing in return but to be allowed to live the truth; a firm conviction that God lives and that Jesus is Divine; that their children and children's children might grow up with the same undaunted faith and live true to their trust.

Such was the life and ambition of my noble Mother, Martha Ann Mills Wilkinson. She was born at St. Louis, Missouri, November 1, 1851, the daughter of Robert Mills and Nancy (Nannie) Whitehead. Her parents were married at Prestwich, Oldham, Lancashire, England, 4 August, 1844 and came to St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A. about 1845.

Martha came with Father and step-mother to Hoytsville, Utah, on September 3, 1863 in an independent company. The family of William P. Brown came at the same time. Her father brought stoves and other furniture with him. They were the first stoves brought to this part of Utah. Martha rode the entire distance on top of the stoves. On going over a high dugway in Echo Canyon, the wagon tipped over and stoves and all went on top of her. A folded carpet on top of the stoves eased the blow, but Martha always told her children that it was the protection of an all-wise Providence that saved her life. From this time on, she always had a dread of traveling on elevated roads.

Martha's mother passed away when she was about nine years of age, and was buried in the Weslyn Cemetery at St. Louis, Missouri, August 1860. She remembered her mother as a thin, delicate woman with a dry, hacking cough. Possibly she died of consumption.

Her mother, Nannie, heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints preached by the elders, but never joined the Church. She belonged to the Methodist Church.  

Her Father, Robert Mills, joined the Church.  He married Ann Hamilton of St. Louis, Missouri, April 2, 1861. His first wife, Mary Scott, died of childbirth in England. She was born 26 April 1812. Martha was reared by the third wife, Ann Hamilton. Martha went to school probably three years in St. Louis. She was baptized by Charles Thomas Mills when about fourteen years of age.

She was married to Joseph Wilkinson, May 29, 1871 by Joseph F. Smith in the Endowment House at Salt Lake City, Utah. To this union was born 10 children as follows:

                   Mary Ella               8 April 1872

                   Sarah                       3 May 1874 died Nov 1929

                   Joseph and Ann     22 Feb1876            (twins)

                             Ann died     22 Feb1876

                   Robert                    16 June 1878

                   Estella Pearl           30 Sept 1880

Martha Ann               7 Apr 1883

                   Cora May               5 June 1886

                   George Willard       12 Feb 1889

Lawrence Wilmer 30 March 1892

Martha led a very active life at home, in church, and civic affairs, always on hand to help and comfort the sick and needy. She did much practical nursing even while rearing her own family. She helped care for many mothers and babies, as nurses were scarce in those days. Often she went night and morning, took care of mother and babe, then back to meet the requirements of her own home with no thought of remuneration. In later life when her children were all married, she did considerable nursing at a nominal fee. Her patients were her best friends. Rich and poor alike felt that she was a angel of mercy in their homes. I remember one doctor's wife saying to her, "Sister Wilkinson, I have been in hospitals, I have had trained nurses, but never have I had such care as you have given me."

In the early days it became necessary for her husband to seek employment off the farm in the winter to meet the financial requirements of a large family. He would go to the coal mines at Almy and Rock Springs, Wyoming. Mother was left with the responsibility of supervising the farm work and doing much of it herself that her children might be kept in school. She met these responsibilities without complaint, ably and economically making her husband's hard earned money go just as far as she could.

In the early days there was also fear of the Indians. I have heard her tell of them visiting her home, asking for food, while she was alone with her small children. Martha was a

devoted, self-sacrificing mother, never being too tired to gather her children about her and help them with school work.

She was a very able reader, even though she had very little schooling. She could pronounce most any word at sight. In fact, I never remember seeing a word she couldn't pronounce. She was also very apt in giving meanings of words. She wrote a legible hand and excelled in spelling. This quality was inherited, or else through her earnest efforts, handed down to her children, for they were all very excellent spellers, and generally spelled the school down in old-fashioned spelling matches. Her children were taught the old method, pronounce, syllabalize, pronounce again.

All this training of her children went on while she was working butter over, making mince meat, knitting, mending, or various other things she might have to do in the evening. If it were something the family could do, they helped.

Father was very kind and tried to help all he could. The older children were taught to help relieve the burden by helping each other and the smaller ones, especially with reading and spelling.

In those days, socks and stockings were knitted for the whole family. When you consider ten children, husband and wife, that meant many hours work. One child held the skein while another wound the ball ready for Mother to knit. I have seen her many times doze and go right on knitting. Of course, sometimes she had to unravel some and do it over.

Then in those early days of her married life, there were bare floors to scrub, and much scrubbing to do. The washing was done by hand; not light underwear as we have it today, but great, heavy pieces you could scarcely lift when wet. All had to be washed through two waters, boiled, suds ed, and rinsed. Wash day lasted all day, but the children were never kept out of school to help. All her life, Mother was very fussy about her washing.

Father was bothered with rheumatism. It was thought that red flannel was very effective in treating the disease. I well remember Father's red flannel undies and the harlamenses oil.

Martha was devoted to her father and step-mother. As long as her father lived, it was her custom to go to his borne in the evening when the paper came and read it to him. It meant a walk of about 1/2 mile.  Then Father would walk up after his chores were done to bring her home.  Then the newspaper was distributed semi-weekly.

The Deseret News came semi-weekly. Her father was hard of hearing, so she formed the habit of reading in a loud tone of voice. As long as her step-mother lived on the farm,

Martha did all of her correspondence and read her letters to her. Grandmother would give her an idea of what she wanted to say, then Mother would word the letter and read it back for her approval. I don't know why grandmother's own children didn't do this for her.

Martha's step-mother left her farm in Hoytsville years before she passed away, going to Salt Lake City and then to Los Angeles with her daughter, Mrs. F. B. McDowell. Later she came back to Martha's home and there she died of general debility, age 79, June 12, 1919.

Martha was very kind to dumb animals. She would rather be hungry and cold herself than to see animals suffer. She always had pets on her farm. She admired beautiful horses and taught them to do tricks. She had one cow in particular called "fairy" that was a real pet. It was a beautiful Jersey. Fairy would come at her call and follow her everywhere when she was in sight.

Dependability, punctuality, and hospitality were striking characteristics of this good woman. Everybody was welcome to her home and table. She always had plenty to serve of very tasty food. There was also always a warm welcome for her in the homes of her relatives and friends.

Martha's life was one of service. She gave of her time and talents to her Church and was happy in so doing.

Her name is found on the earliest Relief Society Roll I have been able to find in this ward. Her first calling was that of a Relief Society teacher in 1877. In 1879, she was called to be secretary of the ward relief society, and acted in this capacity for 12 years. She was released from this position May 14, 1891. During this time, there was not one set of minutes that failed to be recorded in ink, and all written in a neat, legible hand.

A special meeting was called June 7, 1895, and the Relief Society was organized according to law, Brother John L. Nuttall of Salt Lake City being present. Martha was again chosen as secretary. Her last baby boy was just three years of age.

At May Conference in 1901 Summit Stake was reorganized. President WW Cliff was released and Moses W. Taylor was sustained as Stake President. As a result of this action Hoytsville Relief Society was again reorganized. Martha Wilkinson was chosen as second counselor to Sarah E. Sargent. She was set apart by George W. Young. She had acted previously for 18 years as secretary of this organization.

Owing to poor health of Sister Sargent, it became necessary for her to resign as President and Martha Wilkinson, Sr. was appointed to take her place on July 13,1913. She was set apart by William Brown, counselor to Bishop Irwin Crittenden.

It was during her service in this capacity that the Hoytsville Amusement Hall was rebuilt after the fire, and a new Relief Society room and Sunday School room were added to the Church. The Relief Society worked diligently under the direction of the President to raise funds and help in every way possible. The first meeting in the new building was held June 22, 1915. Now for 36 years Mother had given her time and talents to the work of the Relief Society and she gained untold reward. It had added strength to her character and given her a broader vision of life.

Her children had all grown up. Her responsibilities at home, both in managing the farm and daring for her family, were not so great. She was away from home considerable, so she felt that she could not do justice to her Relief Society work and on April 18, 1916 she was released from this responsibility.

I remember the lovely party that was given in her honor by the Relief Society. A large part of the adult population of the ward were present. She was presented with a beautiful chair. This is now one of my prized possessions. Mother was thrilled with the honor shown her and the expressions of love and appreciation tendered her.

It was my honor to succeed Mother as President of the Organization, and try to carry on what she had been doing.

Not only did Mother serve in the Relief Society, but was an officer of the 5Y.L.M.I.A. of the ward, and an instructor in religion class. She lived a mile from the church and had to make quite an effort to attend to her duties, often walking, but I believe this exercise kept her physically strong. The day after her 80^th birthday, we took her to the Temple. We rode 40 miles in an auto, we were there before the doors opened. She went through two sessions and came out as spry as a young person. We then did some shopping and rode 40 miles back home. She was grateful for the privilege of being able to go to the Temple.

Her children and grandchildren all loved her and made her welcome to their homes; the grandchildren begged her to tarry longer.

Her husband preceded her 27 years in death, but she very ably managed her farm with the help of her sons. The hardships and hard work she endured as a pioneer seemed to give her added strength of body and character.

In later life she had two lovely visits and sightseeing trips to Los Angeles, California,

and one to Hayden, Arizona. Also to southeastern Idaho and Yellowstone National Park. She enjoyed the beauties of nature and was always thrilled with Parley's Canyon in autumn when dressed in its brilliant and varied colors.

Her faith grew stronger as she advanced in years until the end came November 23, 1931 at the Old Home in Hoytsville, Summit County, Utah. She went to Church Sunday afternoon, retired early that evening, went to sleep as usual to awaken to a new life. The covers of her bed were not even disturbed. Hands crossed on breast in the usual way.

Life had left the body just a few minutes before her youngest son Lawrence entered her room to greet her in the morning.

She was buried in the family plot in the Hoytsville Cemetery, Nov. 25, 1931. A fitting close to a life well spent.