History of Sanpete
Published by W. H. Lever in 1898
Prominent Citizens of Moroni

ROSTEON, DAVID K., truck gardener, son of William T. and Nancy Reid, was born in Manchester, Eng-land, October 16, 1846. He came to Utah in '62. and located at Spanish Fork, where he resided three years, then came to Moroni and went to work for Bishop Bradley, as a farmer. Has been engaged in truck farming for several years, and was the first in Sanpete county to cultivate celery successfully. Served as secretary of the Elders' quorum fourteen years and secretary of the Y. M.  M. I. A. eleven years. Is at present librarian of the Y.  M. M. I. A. and Sunday-school. Was married, December 15, 1866, to Mary Ann, daughter of John and Mary Ann Underdown Tilby. Her father was among the early settlers of Moroni, coming here in '60. She has had nine children: Hary A., Emma, John, Francis, Wilford and Caroline, living; David, Sarah and Jane, deceased.

SIMPSON, GEORGE P., farmer, son of John and Hannah, was born in Durham, England, November 12, 1846. He learned engineering in the old country, came to Utah in '65, and located at Moroni. He assisted in building the first railroad south of Salt Lake City and helped construct the Union Pacific through Weber canyon.  Served in the Black Hawk war as commissary sergeant among the minutemen. Has been Constable for about ten years; was City and Precinct Justice for about twenty years, and City Sexton seven years. Was married July 24, 1866, to Annie J., daughter of Michael and Ann Foster, born in Bangor, North Wales. She died June 3, 1864, leaving four children: George V., Annie J., Angelo F, and Michael L. Was married again at Moroni, November 13, 1897, to Maria, widow of Niels Sorensen. She has six children: Niels P., Alvin L., Ella M., Charles D., Amanda H. and Anette C.

STOTT, JOHN, City Recorder and clerk of bishop's storehouse, son of Francis and Jennie Stott, was born in Lancashire, England, June 7, 1835. He learned the trade of a cotton spinner and machinist, beginning work when 6 years old. In '50 he joined the Mormon church and in '67 came to Utah, crossing the plains in an independent ox-train. He resided in Centerville one year, when his family arrived and they came to Moroni in '68. In '76 he became clerk of the tithing office, which position he still retains. He owns a ninety acre farm and for the past twelve years has been City Recorder, giving perfect satisfaction and being an exemplary officeholder and honorable man. Was married in England, to Sarah A. Armfield, born December 15, 1836. They have had eight children: Francis, William, Emma J., Nancy M., Sarah A. and John H., living; Mary J., Harriet and John, deceased.

SWENSEN, PETER, mason, son of Lars and Annie E., was born in Moroni, November 28, 1869. His parents emigrated from Denmark and located in Moroni about '60, where father engaged in farming. He was a prominent man in the Mormon church; serving as counsellor to the bishop many years and acted as bishop two years. Was head teacher several years and performed two missions. He took part, in the Black Hawk war, being in the Salina canyon engagement. Father died November 16, 1894. Peter was raised here and learned the trade of a mason, which he still follows. He was married in the Manti Temple, November 28, 1894, to Sylvania, daughter of Abner and Arlisha J. Lowry, born in Manti, May 9, 1876. They have three children: Peter E., Geneva and Vera.

SYME, JOHN, deceased, was born in Scotland, in February 1824. He was brought up a miner and followed that occupation. He was married March 5, 1847, to Barbara Wylie, daughter of William and Janet Fife, born in Scotland, December 31, 1819. She joined the Mormon church in '42 and he became a member soon after. In '51 they emigrated to the United States and located in St. Louis. They came to Utah in '61, crossing the plains in Capt. Murdock's ox-train, and located at Moroni. In '65 they removed to Monroe, Sevier county, and engaged in farming. He took part in the Black Hawk war and was forced out of the settlement, with others, by the Indians, returning to Moroni, where he died, August 2, 1894. There are five children living in Moroni: William, married Cene Poulson; James, married Christina, Christensen; George; Richard, married Jane Bailey, and Janet, wife of Mons Monson.

TAYLOR, BISHOP MARTIN V., son of Benjamin Franklin and Ann Menels, was born in Loraine county, Ohio, December 26, 1835. His parents joined the Mormon church in '41 and in '42 removed to Macedonia, Illinois, one of the Mormon settlements. They passed through all the persecutions of that State, and in '46 moved to Kanesville, from which they started for Utah, in '50, in Capt. Foote's ox-train. Many of this company died of cholera while en route, but the family reached Utah and located on Little Cottonwood. The next year they went to California, with Lyman Rich, and founded a colony at San Bernardino. In '57 they returned to Utah and located at Springville, and about '70 settled at Little Salt Creek, or Juab. Elmer, a brother of Martin, was bishop of Juab and Levan for several years. Martin spent several years in freighting to the mining camps of Montana, and in '83 came to Freedom, where he engaged in farming and stock raising. He followed cattle raising and wool growing some years, and now has a fine farm of 140 acres. About '93 he, in company with others, started the Meadow View Creamery, of which he was manager, and made it a success. He is now one of the principal stockholders of the company.  In '97 he was appointed bishop of Freedom, and has given general satisfaction, being well liked by everybody, and an enterprising and upright citizen. He was married in San Bernardino, California, to Amanda Hart, by whom he had ten children: Benjamin F., Martin A., Alice A., Jesse E., Vasco H., Forest N., Jane, Lucy, Nettie and Crispin. The second wife was Mary A. Clemens, who had one child: Minnie. Third wife was Cornelia Mount, who had six children: Mary, Florence, Lee, Joseph M., Jean and Mattie. The fourth wife was Joanah Jennings. She had eight children: Ray, Heber C, Polly B., Schuyler, Wane, Duke, Nephi and Earl.

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