BUSHMAN, JOHN (son of Martin Bushman and Elizabeth Degen). Born June 7, 1843, Nauvoo, Ill. Came to Utah 1851. Married Lois A. Smith Feb. 11, 1865, Salt Lake City (daughter of John Smith and Maria Foscue, pioneers Sept. 15, 1850, James Pace company). She was born Jan. 25, 1844, in Arkansas. Their children: John Albert b. May 28, 1866, died; Homer Frederick b. Aug. 6, 1868, m. Sariah A. Smith Nov.' 19, 1890; Maria Elizabeth b. Dec. 17, 1869, m. Silas D. Smith Nov. 21, 1888; Martin Lester b. April 6, 1871, died; Lois Evelyn b. June 28, 1872, m. John W. Smith Nov. 2, 1892; Wickliff B. b. Feb. 10, 1874, died; Preston Ammaron b. Dec. 11, 1875, m. Anna Smith Oct. 1, 1902; June Augusta b. June 25, 1879, m. Hyrum Smith June 10, 1908; Jesse Smith b. June 10, 1881, m. Elva Porter; Florence C. b. Oct. 4, 1884, died; Alonzo Ewing b. Dec. 21, 1885; Jacob Virgil b. Jan. 4, 1889, m. Ruth Fuller Aug. 18, 1909. Family home Lehi, Utah. Married Mary Ann Peterson March 2, 1877, St. George, Utah (daughter of Jens Peterson and Maren Frost, pioneers 1861). She was born May 24, 1857, Denmark. Their children: Elsie May b. Feb. 14, 1878, died; Lillian Ann b. Oct. 31, 1879, m. Wesley Palmer; Maren Adele b. Aug. 18, 1881, m. John L. Westover Oct. 1, 1902; John Lehi b. Sept. 14, 1883, m. Etna Cooper. Bishop St. Joseph ward 1887; second counselor to President Lot Smith; high priest; called to settle in northern Arizona 1876. Veteran Black Hawk war. Member Snowflake stake board of education 23 years. Farmer and stockraiser. BUSHMAN, HOMER FREDERICK (son of John Bushman and Lois A. Smith). Born Aug. 6, 1868, Lehi, Utah. Married Sariah A. Smith Nov. 19, 1890, Manti, Utah (daughter of Jesse N. Smith and Janett M. Johnson—married Oct. 9, 1866, Salt Lake City; former a pioneer 1847, latter born in Utah). She was born Feb. 21, 1873, Parowan, Utah. Their children: Homer Frederick, Jr., b. Oct. 30, 1891; Silas Aiken b. May 15, 1893; Florence b. July 5, 1894; Martin Degen b. April 29, 1898; Curtis Johnson b. Dec. 9, 1899; Karl Maeser b. July 20, 1901; Mary b. Nov. 4, 1903; Lyman Smith b. Nov. 23, 1905; Marguerite b. July 1, 1908; Joel H. J. b. July 7, 1910. Missionary to Germany and Switzerland 1894-97; superintendent religion classes Snowflake stake. Farmer.

 3. Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 3, p.187

John Bushman was born June 7, 1843, a son of Martin Bushman and Elizabeth Degen. He came to Utah in 1851 with his parents and settled in Lehi. In 1865 he married Lois A. Smith. In 1876 he was called by President Young with two hundred other men to explore northern Arizona. He was appointed to go with William C. Allen's company to settle on the north side of Little Colorado, where they established Allen's Camp later named St. Joseph. In August of that year he returned to Utah, then made another trip to Arizona taking with him his second wife, Mary Peterson. In the spring of 1878 he sold his property in Lehi and brought Lois and their five children to Arizona. The following are musings of Mary, her letter to Lois, and a letter from Lois to Mary. Material contributed by Adele Bushman Westover.

Your loving friend,

Mary Bushman

Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 3, p.188

Lois Bushman

4. Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 9, p.165

Joseph City is beautifully located on the brow of a hill overlooking the Little Colorado River. Early in 1876 about 200 families were called from Utah by the Church authorities to locate new settlements in Arizona, and to act as missionaries to the Indians. They were advised to live the United Order and were divided into four companies in charge of George Lake, Lot Smith, Wm. C. Allen and Jesse Ballinger. Wm. C. Allen located on the present site of Joseph City and the first plowing was commenced there March 25, 1876. The settlers made a ditch to carry water to the proposed town-site and built a dam, John Bushman cutting the first logs for its construction. They erected a fort and organized themselves into a branch of the United Order sharing all their possessions and working under a common leadership. Until they were properly established, occasional trips to the settlements in southern Utah were made, but they soon became self-supporting.

5. Andrew Jenson, Encyclopedic History of the Church…, p.377

On Jan. 27, 1878, the Little Colorado Stake of Zion was organized with Lot Smith as president, and at that time John Bushman was appointed to take charge of the saints at Allen’s Camp, Bro. Allen being absent at the time. In August, 1878, Samuel G. Ladd of St. Joseph (Allen’s Camp) reported [p.378] that they expected to harvest 1,200 bushels of wheat, that their 1,000 fruit trees and grape vines were doing well; that they milked daily 100 cows, had a flock of 500 sheep and were sending a load of wool to Utah. The United Order was working harmoniously. It should also be mentioned that the people of the settlement made a specialty of raising broom corn and furnished all the country around with brooms.

6. Andrew Jenson, Encyclopedic History of the Church…, p.378

The Little Colorado Stake was divided in 1887 and later St. Joseph became part of the Snowflake Stake. Bishop Richards, who was called into the Snowflake Stake presidency, was succeeded as Bishop of St. Joseph by John Bushman, who was succeeded in 1916 by John L. Westover, who presided Dec. 31, 1930. On that date the Joseph City Ward had 391 souls, including 99 children.

7. Andrew Jenson, Encyclopedic History of the Church…, p.438

Lot Smith presided over the Little Colorado Stake during its entire existence. First Counselor Jacob Hamblin was succeeded in 1879 by William C. Allen, who was succeeded in 1884 by John Bushman. Second Counselor Lorenzo H. Hatch was succeeded in 1879 by John Bushman, who was succeeded in 1884 by Thomas Brockbank. Joseph H. Richards, Bishop of St. Joseph’s Ward (Joseph City), acted as president of the stake, pro tem, in 1885–1887, under the direction of Apostle Erastus Snow as Lot Smith, with his counselors, were in exile on account of polygamy.

8. Andrew Jenson, Church Chronology, January 27, 1878 (Sunday)

The Saints who had settled on the Little Colorado river, Apache Co., Arizona, were organized as a Stake of Zion, with Lot Smith as president, and Jacob Hamblin and Lorenzo H. Hatch as counselors. Geo. Lake was ordained Bishop of Brigham City (formerly Ballinger): Levi M. Savage, Bishop of Sunset. John Kartchner was appointed presiding Elder of Taylor, and John Bushman, acting Bishop of St. Joseph (formerly Allen). This was the first Stake of Zion organized in Arizona.

9. Guide to Archives and Manuscripts Collections In Selected Utah Repositories

Bushman, John, 1843-1926.

Papers, 1871-1923.

3 boxes (15 linear inches).

Mormon pioneer in Utah and Arizona, Bishop for the Mormon Church in Snowflake, Arizona.

Summary: Collection consists of original diaries covering 1871-1923, along with typescripts; a personal account book; receipts; temple recommend; microfilm copy of the diaries and an autobiography; photocopies of appraisal and accounts books for the chapter of the United Order in St. Joseph; minutes of United Order meetings; and typecript of correspondence.

While most of the diary entries are one-liners narrating the author's daily activities in northern Arizona and occasional trips to Utah, others are quite detailed and provide good insights into life on the Mormon frontier.

Some of the original diaries are restricted because of their physical condition. Complete typescripts are available in their place.

10. Cite as: George S. Tanner Collection.

Location: Brigham Young University Archives Rm. 5030 HBLL BYU Provo, Utah 84602. (801) 378-3514. Open 8 AM to 5 PM Mon-Fri.

1. Bushman, John, 1843-1926--Papers. 2. Mormon Church--Arizona--History-- Sources. 3. Mormon Church--Utah--History--Sources. 4. Mormons--Arizona--Social life and customs--Sources. 5. Frontier and pioneer life--Arizona--Sources. 6. Joseph City (Ariz.)--History--Sources. 7. Mormons--Missionary experiences-- Arizona--Sources. 8. Mormons--Indian relations--Arizona--History--Sources. 9. Mormon Church--United Order--Arizona--Joseph City--History--Sources. 10. Mormon Church--Colonization--Arizona--History--Sources. 11. Diaries. I. Tanner, George Shepard, 1897-

MSS 1520

ID: UTBV89-A517

371. Bushman, John, 1843–1926

Diaries (1871–1923)

Davis Bitton, Guide to Mormon Diaries and Autobiographies (1977), pg.51

Years covered: 1871–93, 1896–1906, 1909, 1911–14, 1916–23. Some lapses of several days or weeks. Bushman was an Arizona pioneer of 1876. Counselor in stake presidency, justice of peace, officer in United Order, bishop for more than thirty years. Diaries important for understanding Mormon colonies in Arizona and United Order of 1880s.

11`. Mormon Manuscripts to 1846: Guide to Lee Library, BYU

BUSHMAN, JOHN (1843-1926).

Journal, 1843-1926. Typescript and microfilm, positive, partial reel. 515 pp.

Born in Nauvoo, Illinois, son of Martin Bushman and Elizabeth Dagen. Extensive family genealogy and an historical sketch of his parents; their 1840 conversion while yet in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania; their departure to Nauvoo in 1842; patriarchal blessings given them in March 1843; the Nauvoo persecutions and the resultant martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith; completion of the Nauvoo Temple and subsequent endowment work; exodus west with the Latter-day Saints.

Two Wives

12. Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 3, p.186

John Bushman was born June 7, 1843, a son of Martin Bushman and Elizabeth Degen. He came to Utah in 1851 with his parents and settled in Lehi. In 1865 he married Lois A. Smith. In 1876 he was called by President Young with two hundred other men to explore northern Arizona. He was appointed to go with William C. Allen's company to settle on the north side of Little Colorado, where they established Allen's Camp later named St. Joseph. In August of that year he returned to Utah, then made another trip to Arizona taking with him his second wife, Mary Peterson. In the spring of 1878 he sold his property in Lehi and brought Lois and their five children to Arizona. The following are musings of Mary, her letter to Lois, and a letter from Lois to Mary. Material contributed by Adele Bushman Westover.

Lehi City

Jan. 6th 1878

"I have been thinking today about how wonderful it was that Lois, my husband's first wife was willing to let her husband share his love with another woman and how she trusted us to bring her five year old daughter, Lois, with us out to this barren country that was just being pioneered and so far away from her Mother. I must write Lois now and tell her how we all are, and what we are doing."

12. Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 3, pp.186-188

Allen's Camp, Arizona

Aug. 31, 1877

Dear Sister Lois,

With pleasure I seat myself to write you a few lines to let you know how we are getting along, as John is not here to write. He has been in the harvest fields all this week and will not be back until tomorrow night, and I thought you would be anxious to hear from us. We are all well, and I hope these lines find you enjoying the same blessings. I have been helping Sister Richards sew today. She is going to Dixie on a visit. She is a nice woman, and I think everything of her.

Well, I hardly know what to write as there is no news here to write about. The men are very busy harvesting. All the wheat is ripe and only ten men to work, and it keeps them pretty busy. They have 85 acres of wheat to cut, all getting ripe at once. The crops all look splendid. I wish I had one of your apples, it would be quite a treat. Lois often says she wishes she was back home where all the good apples are, and she wants to know if you will save some for her till she comes. She is eating bread and milk for her supper, she is well and [p.187] hearty, she grows prettier every day. She says Ana must kiss those sweet baby boys for her and then they must kiss you.

Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 3, p.187

Well, dear Lois I hope you will write soon for I cannot live if you do not write. We have received one letter from you this week. I looked for one today but did not get one. I am so glad you write so often, it is such a comfort to get a letter from you for they are always so good and interesting. I hope we can always feel as we do now. If we can it will be a blessing to us all, and I think we can if we will call on the Lord in secret and with a humble heart he will hear us and help us to do what is required of us. I hope you will pray for me, for I am young and foolish and fear myself very much, but I hope by the help of God, I will be able to do what is right. Lois has written a letter to Maria and wants her to write back. We write two letters nearly every week to you, but I do not think you get them all. John sends his kindest love to you and the children. He has not forgotten you, for when he speaks to me he calls me Lois more than Mary. Give my love to my folks and all my friends and accept a sack full for yourself & babies. Remember me to cousin Ellen. Have you gotten any money yet? I remain,

Dear Mary,

Your welcome letter of the 19th found us in good health and spirits. I received yours and John's of the 21st on New Years Day, I considered them my New Years gift as I had no other and I duly appreciate them, am always thankful to hear from you all, glad my little girl's cheeks are rosy red and eyes of clearest, clearest blue and heart all innocent and true. I am glad she grows so fast, yes, I can read her writing; It says Lois isn't a very good girl when she meddles with Aunties pen and ink when she is out. Homer, Maria and Grandma are at meeting, and my babes are asleep and all nature is hushed in repose. Thank you for getting an apron for Lois. What do you have to pay a yard for calico there am glad she is a comfort to you, I don't worry about her now that I have a promise that you will be home in the Spring, if your lives are spared; as for you I have never doubted but you would take as good care of her as I possibly could, that ought to be a proof to you, that I had all confidence and faith in you, to place a child of mine under your care; I am not afraid of your correcting her too much. Liza Holdsworth and James Grey are married; also Joe Suly & Emily Clark. Malissa Peterson has a son. I would like to go out sleigh riding, the weather is very cold and clear here, how is it there? Bells, bells, the jingling bells and the happy hearts go flitting by, their hopes are in the future, in the days of by and by, the past is in oblivion, as they give themselves up to the enjoyment of the hour; What memories the bells awaken in the past of long ago when I was beside the one on earth most dear to me. I hope you had a merry [p.188] time Christmas and New Years. The general health of the people is good. Mother, Homer and Maria join in kind love to you all.

Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 3, p.188

Lois Bushman

Bushman, John

13. LDS Biographical Encyclopedia, Andrew Jenson, Vol. 1, p.553

Bushman, John, Bishop of St. Joseph Ward, Snowflake Stake, Arizona, is the seventh son of Martin Bushman and Elizabeth Dagen, and was born in Nauvoo, Hancock county, Ill., June 7, 1843. He writes: "My parents were expelled from Nauvoo with the Saints and went to Iowa, where they stopped at Kanesville until the spring of 1851, when they started for Utah, arriving in Salt Lake City in October of that year. We located in Lehi, Utah county, where we built a home and experienced the trials and hardships of those early times. In the fall of 1861 I hauled stone for the Salt Lake Temple. I drove an ox-team to the Missouri river after emigrants in 1862. In 1865 I married Lois A. Smith. During the summer of 1866 and 1867 I did service in the Blackhawk war. In 1876, being called together with 200 others, I went to Arizona, where I settled on the Little Colorado river, near the spot where St. Joseph now stands. I took to wife Mary A. Petersen in March, 1877. I was ordained a High Priest in 1879 and set apart as second counselor to Lot Smith, president of the Little Colorado Stake, by Pres. Wilford Woodruff; and I was ordained and set apart as Bishop of St. Joseph Ward in 1889, which position I still occupy." Elder Bushman has served as a member of the board of education of the Snowflake Stake, and has always taken an active part in the upbuilding and development of the resources of the country.

Continue to Part Two