Henry Mower was born December 18, 1798, at Shepherdstown, Frederick, Maryland. He was the son of Michael and Catherine (Geisinger) Mower. He had one brother, Jacob, and twin sisters named Susan and Sarah. Sarah died when she was about seven years old. Susan married a Samuel Buzzard.
Journal History Index. Henry Mower Sr. born 10 Dec 1798 in Shepardstown, Frederick Co., MD; father, Michael MOWER, mother, Catherine GUYSINGER. Baptized Sept 1836 by William Bosley. Ordained High Priest Oct 1842 by George Miller. The source of this ordination is notes from Bro. Casto. This conflicts with other Church records which says he was ordained Oct 1844 by John Taylor and Heber C. Kimball.
The obituary of Wednesday 17 Apr 1878 of Deseret News lists the death of Henry Mower: "Died at his residence in Springville, Utah Co., Utah Territory, of Brights disease of the kidney on the 4th day of April A.D. 1878. Henry Mower had been confined to his bed for 10 months. Deceased was born in Frederick, Maryland, U.S. on the 18th day of December 1796. Moved to Penn. at an early age. Embraced the gospel in 1837; gathered to Nauvoo in 1841; emigrated to Utah in 1851. Presided over High Priests Quorum in Springville for many years; died in full faith of the Gospel. He has left a wife, 10 sons, 6 daughters and 50 grandchildren to morn his loss. He was interred at Springville on the 6th of April A.D. 1878. Twenty-two vehilcles followed him to the grave. Having devoted the greater part of his life to promulgating the principals of the everlasting gospel, he died in peace and full assurance of a glorious resurrection aged 81 years, 3 months and 16 days." He was the father of twenty-five children, ninety-four grandchildren, and five-hundred-seventy-one great-grandchildren, and three-hundred-sixteen great-great-grandchildren.
Bright's disease was used as a generic term for all kidney ailments in the early days. Even as recent as the 1950's a kidney problem that produced blood cells, and albumin in the urine was called Brights disease. With the diagnosis techiniques they have today, it is usually called "--- nephritis. Nephritis is just an infection of the kidneys which can be acute and kill a person or can be cured with antibiotics. Most likely Henry Mower died of kidney failure.
When Henry was about two years old, his father moved to Clearfield, Pennsylvania, where his childhood and boyhood days were spent. He received limited schooling and he had to assist his father in making a living. Henry's father was a wagon maker. Henry enjoyed helping him. Later he worked in a grist mill.
There are at least two records of land transactions in Bedford County, Pennsylvania in which Henry Mower is mentioned. The first is found in FHL #1028688 Pennsylvania Warrant Book Bedford A. #234 and lists that John Amick of Providence Twp. applied to purchase 50 acres of land adjoining John Shaffer, David Schlotter, Benjamin Shaw and Henry Mowry for 5 pounds money.
The second is listed in FHL #331377 page 466. Land Sale: 40 acres, 6 of which are in grain, 1 horse creature---3 years old, 1 cow, from Henry Mower of Providence Twp. to John Eamick for $74.62 1/2.
Mary Amick met Henry Mower Sr., also a Bedford, resident and they were married on 4 Nov 1817. Mary and Henry appear in the 1820 census with a daughter under the age of 10, which would have been Mahala. Their first daughter, Catherine, probably named after Henry's mother, Catherine Geissinger, died as an infant.
The 1830 Census of Colerain Twp., Bedford Co., Pa lists Henry Mower as head of household of 7: 1 male under 5 (John), 1 male 5-10 (Henry), 1 female under 5 (Susan), (Catherine born in 1818 had died, and Leah who was born in 1822 had died in 1829), 1 female 10-15 (Mahala), 1 female 30-40 (Mary), and 1 female 50-60 (her parents had their own home--this might have been Catherine Geissinger, Henry's mother, whose husband, Michael had died in 1829).
Henry and Mary (Amick) Mower joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1836 and by 1840 they had moved to Illinois. From early childhood he was religiously inclined and joined the Methodist Church. He studied for the ministry and became a Methodist preacher, but it seemed to him there was something lacking with the religion. He wanted something he didn't have. He then came in contact with the Campbellites and became a Campbellite preacher. This is according to family history, but documentation of this is lacking. In 1836 a Mormon Elder by the name of William Bowsley came to see him and asked for permission to preach to his church. He told him he might use his church and he might also preach to his congregation. A large crowd greeted the Elders with much curiosity. They listened intently to the sermon and wondered what he would say at the close. Imagine their surprise when their pastor arose and bore testimony to the truthfulness of what they had heard. Henry invited the Elders to his home, and applied for baptism. The day he was baptized many of his congregation walked twenty-one miles to see him baptized. They surely felt bad to think their minister had been misled. His family also joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
They were very desirous of being nearer the main body of the church, so with all his family -- excepting Mahala -- they moved to within four miles of Springfield, Illinois. His home was always the home of the Elders, and all he could do was cheerfully done to advance the work of the Lord. They are found in the 1840 Census of Sangamon County, Illinois, (FHL #7644 page 18): Henry MOWER with 1 male under 5 (George); 1 male 5-10 (Ezra); 1 male 10-15 (John); 1 male 15-20 (Henry Jr.); 1 male 40-50 (Henry Sr.); 1 female 10-15 (Susan); 1 female 50-60. (Catherine Geissinger Mower?).
From Springfield he soon moved to Iowa just opposite Nauvoo. While living there he was called on a mission to the Eastern States. His companion was Nathan Porter, who, when he came to Utah, lived in Kaysville. They were very dear friends and made wonderful missionaries. They met with great success and Henry had the privilege of baptizing many into the Church.
This mission call to Indiana happened in 1842, and leaving his family, he proceeded to respond to a call to serve. This would have been difficult for Mary to care for her family alone. She had just given birth to Hanna in 1841. Those living in the home at this time would have been: Henry Jr., age 18, John, age 16, Susan, age 13, Ezra, age 10, George age 7, and Hanna age 1. Mary's daughter Mahala married in Bedford County, Pennsylvania to George Shaw and was herself living in Bedford, a mother of one daughter, Matilda Shaw, born in 1841.
While on his mission, Henry Mower performed marriage of Abraham Beard to a lady named Mary Ann Yougan. Clinton Co., Indiana records. This marriage performed 5 Jan 1843.
Henry had a successful mission in Indiana and while on that mission wrote a letter home to the Prophet Joseph Smith to report the success of his mission to Indiana. The is that Letter from Henry Mower to the Prophet Joseph Smith:
Clinton County, Indiana March 9, 1843.
"Dear Brother--- I embrace an opportunity now offered to inform you of the progress of truth in this region. I left Nauvoo on the twenty-third of September last, to go to the eastern states, to preach the everlasting gospel, in company with another elder. On our journey we preached frequently to large congregations, many of whom in consequence of false reports, appeared enraged against us as a people; but when the truth penetrated their hearts, they saw that they had been imposed upon by falsehoods and misrepresentations, and entertained very different feelings towards us. Their enmity was turned to respect, and they treated us with the greatest kindness. The Lord has indeed opened out our way, and although we have had much to contend with, both from priests and people, we have lacked no good thing, for the Lord God has been our friend. When we arrived at Clinton, Boon County, we were fully satisfiedthat it was our duty to stop and preach. We had, at first some difficulty to get a place to preach in but after speaking two or three times, there was more calls than we could attend to. We have continued preaching in this and an adjoining county, and combatting with priests, (who seem to be the most determined opposers to the truth) until now. We have baptized thirty-two, and the prospect is still good. There are many enquiring after truth, and earnestly desirous to know the way of salvation, while many of the priests are running from place to place, and crying delusion! delusion! and we have understood by many of the citizens that their great text is 'the Mormons' and 'Joe Smith'; but while they have made lies their refuge, and under falsehood hid themselves, their misrepresentations only have a tendency to drive the honest in heart to enquire into the truth, and to make the saints rejoice while they see Satan overshoot himself. They have been endeavoring lately to make their hearers believe that we are more dangerous than their own mother, the Roman Catholic Church; They call her the mother of Harlots, if indeed she is, they are her offsprings and they all have descended from her. It does not speak much for her relationship; we must be in a bad predicament, if we are worse than them, for they are the acknowledged daughters of the old lady, who is described as being the mother of harlots. In the midst of all their strife and confusion however, the work of the Lord is still progressing; the 'little stone cut out of the mountains without hands' is rolling forth, truth is gaining ground and priestcraft is trembling and my prayer is that the God of truth may roll forth his mighty work, till the honest in heart shall be gathered out of all nations, and the ends of the earth see the salvation of God. I remains yours in the new and everlasting covenant,"
E. H. MOWER (Elder Henry Mower)
Reference: Journal History of the Church found in the Church Historian's Office, LDS Church Office Building.
FHL #182378: Pre-Nauvoo Baptisms for the Dead 11 Sep 1842- 12 Aug 1843: Henry MOWER, was baptized on 22 Sep 1842 in the Mississippi River for and in behalf of: Andrew MOWER, his grandfather; Michael MOWER, his father; Jacob MOWER, his uncle; Andrew MOWER, his uncle; Charles GUYSINGER, his grandfather, Catherine GUYSINGER, his grandmother; and Charles GUYSINGER, his uncle.
It is not proved that Henry owned lot #50 in the City of Nauvoo. Lot #50 was on the corner of Monson St. and Gordon St., but this has passed down through the family history. The Church Historians office was not able to support that claim.
Sometime late in 1843 Henry rejoined Mary, but found himself called on a mission in the spring of 1844 to go to Pennsylvania on a mission to proclaim the candadacy of Joseph Smith for President of the United States. Names of Elders were published who were called to fulfill missions to the several States on 15 April 1844: Henry MOUER listed as 1 of 19 missionaries to Pennsylvania. Journal History, located in Church Historical Department, Church Office Bldg. Henry left his family again and traveled to Pennsylvania where he was serving a mission when Joseph was murdered by an angry mob with painted faces on 27 Jun 1844 at Carthage jail.
Henry returned to Illinois and in Nauvoo on 8 October 1844 he was ordained a High Priest. This information comes from the Membership of the Church of Jesus Christ of L.D.S. 1830-1848. #6031596 Microfiche #59 lists many references for Henry Sr. and children. Mentions: High-Priest-Date/Place: October 8, 1844; Nauvoo, Hancock, IL, USA. Officiator: H.C. Kimball and Taylor. Reference: Nauvoo Temple Endowment Register 1845-1846. Early Church File.
Henry and Mary lived in the Nauvoo area until completion of the Nauvoo Temple and on 7 January 1846, Mary received her endowment in the temple and on the 31st of January, she and Henry were sealed for time and all eternity as husband and wife in the Nauvoo Temple. Nauvoo Endowment Regist. FHL # 6051326 lists this Nauvoo Temple Register Information: Henry MOWER Sr. was a High Priest when he was sealed in the Nauvoo Temple to Mary AMICK. His son, John was a Seventy as was his son, Henry Jr. John and Henry were born in Bedford County, Pa. Susan MOWER, (wife of Henry Jr.) was born in Indiana County, Pa. Nauvoo Temple Record no. 754, book B, page 58.
The Saints were expelled from Nauvoo in February 1846 and spent the winter in Iowa without adequate clothing or shelter. In the spring the saints headed west across Iowa. From the journal of Brigham Young 5 July 1846: Brigham Young mentions passing that day the camps of James Allred, John Wolf, Wm. Mitchell, Lewis Nealy, Down, Mower, Hale. That day they counted 242 wagons.
The Mower family crossed Iowa safely and settled for the winter at Council Bluffs, Iowa known as winter quarters. This was a time of tragedy for the saints and many members of the Church died. Among those was Mary Amick Mower, age 43. Where she is buried is not recorded. The date of her death is also not recorded. Searches have been made in the Mormon Pioneer Cemetery in Council Bluffs, but no record exists. The first 200 entries of the cemetery book, containing Mormon burials were torn from the cemetery register by anti-Mormon persons. Ella Cragun writes of this: "When he returned from his mission, he moved his family to Council Bluffs, Iowa. His beloved wife, Mary, had endured so many hardships of pioneer life, it seemed she could stand no more. She became very ill. All that loving hands could do was done for her, but she rapidly grew worse and passed away at the age of forty-eight, leaving her husband and ten children to mourn her loss." Well, I don't know where Ella got the date age 48, but it that date is correct, Mary was born about 1798. I do know that there were not 10 children left to mourn her loss. There were 7 at most and 4 of those were adults or nearly so.
Upon her death in 1846, this was the status of the family of Henry Mower Sr.
Mahala Mower Shaw was 27 and had 3 children of her own and was living in Bedford County, Pennsylvania married to George Shaw.
Henry Mower Jr. was 22 and was married to wife, Susan Strong and they had 1 son, William Henry Mower.
Still living in the family was John Mower, 20 and single. Susan Mower was just 6 months away from turning 17 and 1 year away from marriage to Simeon Cragun. Ezra was 13. George was 10. Hannah was 5.
On February 5th 1847, Henry Mower Sr., age 48 took a second wife, Lucretia Hupper, age 28. Lucretia became a mother of 4 children at home (not counting John who was 20). She and Henry were to have 6 children in the next 10 years. Another beautiful young lady came into his life -- Lucretia Hupper from Port Clyde, Knox Co., Maine. Ella Cragun writes: "She had accepted Mormonism against the wishes of her parents and left her home as a lone girl to cast her lot with the saints of God. She had endured many persecutions with the Saints and was longing for loved ones who would be dear to her. These two met. It was almost love at first sight. They needed each other, but there were a great many things to be considered by Lucretia. Henry was much older than she, having a daughter her own age, and all this family of children she would have to mother, and his poor financial condition. She had been working hard and was quite well fixed. What should she do? Her heart told her. She loved Henry and felt she couldn't live without him, so they were happily married February 5, 1847, and she became the stepmother of one of the loveliest groups of step-children in the world. They called her mother from the first, and treated her with the greatest love and respect, not one of them ever causing here any trouble. They came into her life when she needed them most, and she loved them as her own. At the time of her marriage her husband's earthly possessions consisted of a small log room, a bedstead, and some bedding. Lucretia had plenty of clothing and cut much of it up to make clothing for the children.
"They next moved to Kanesville, Iowa, where the first child was born, a little girl who they named Matilda, who they have all told was one of the most beautiful children and who brought so much joy and sunshine into their humble home. But she did not come to stay long, for in March of the next year she was taken seriously ill and died March 12, 1859, just ten days before her first birthday. We can all imagine the sorrow of Lucretia. November 29th of the same year a baby boy was born to them whom they named Orson Hyde, and their home was thus made happy again."
On 20 Jan 1848 a petition signed by the Brethren for a Post Office to be established in the vicinity of the log Tabernacle, which is situated on the Government Purchase in Pottawattomie, Iowa. Signed by Brigham Young and 7 pages of other brethren. Included in the signatures was the signature of Henry Mower.
The 1850 Census of Pottowatomie, Iowa FHL #442963 Page 74 dwelling 159, family 159. Henry Mower age 50 bn. MD; Lucretia age 31 bn. Maine; Ezra age 16 bn. Pa; Geo. age 14, bn. Pa; Henrietta 9, bn. Illinois; Orson age 10 mos. bn. Iowa. Census taken 9 September 1850.
Henry Mower (Sr.) is listed as an immigrant to Utah. FHL #298441. Reference J.H. 31 December 1851, supplement pg. 11 He is listed as coming from the Missouri River to Great Salt Lake City under the direction of the Church officials but not in the companies listed. Henry came to Utah in 1851. He served as president of the high priests quorum. He was a member of the city council of Springville. (Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah, page 1048). Ella Cragun states: "He suffered all the hardships of the early saints, but was never heard to complain, but was happy to be numbered with the saints of God. When the great march to the West began, he made preparations for the journey, leaving in June, 1851. They came in Abraham Day's company. On the way over one of his horses died, and he had to use cows for oxen." I have not been able to verify that, but perhaps he was an unlisted member of that company.
He first settled in Salt Lake City, but soon moved to Ogden. From there he moved to Pleasant View, where he lived until 1858, when Johnston's Army came to Utah. They moved south to Springville, where they made their permanent home. While living in Ogden, a son was born to them whom they named Oscar Middleton, April 25, 1852, and on August, 1853, twin daughters were born to them whom they named Lucretia and Eliza. Soon after they arrived in Springville their daughter, Delilah Jane, was born on September 8, 1858.
In 1856 they accepted the higher order of marriage and Elmira Jane Wheeler became his plural wife. Eight sons and one daughter were born to them as follows: Brigham, Henry, Levi, Joseph, Michael, William, Heber, Elmira Ann, Hyrum, and Andrew.
The 1860 Census of Springville, Utah FHL # 805314 page 291-292, dwelling 2596 family 2036 lists Henry had a household of 8, a real wealth of $350, and a personal wealth of $600. Hy Mower age 62, farmer, bn Maryland; Lucretia age 41, bn Maine; Elmira age 19, bn. Maine; Orson age 10, bn Iowa; Oscar age 8, bn UT; Eliza age 6, bn Ut; Delila age 1 bn Ut; Hy age 1 bn Ut.
The Census of 1870 Springville, Utah Territory page 327 dwelling 45, family 48 lists Almira Mower age 30 bn. England; Lever (Levi) 11; Almira 8; Joseph 6; Michael 4; Andrew 2. All born in UT. (No Henry listed although he is not dead at this time.)
Henry Mower Sr. is buried in the Springville, Utah cemetery. He died in good standing in the Church and was well respected by his friends and neighbors. The influence of this man on the history of the Mower family is great. Had he not joined the Church, very likely the descendants of this family would be living in the Bedford County, Pennsylvania area. His father-in-law, John Amick died in this county and most of his descendants remained in Bedford County, and there are many of them there even today. That is one of the great "ifs" in the history of our family. If Henry had not joined the Church. However, this is not the case and the entire history of the family was changed.
Family members with more information about Henry are encouraged to e-mail me at jmower@silverstar.com with that information.