Levi Bracken

Levi Bracken 1791-1852

Levi Bracken was the son of William Bracken and Mary Garrison. He was born March 14, 1792 at
Conamaughn, Cambria County, Pennsylvania (now Philadelphia).

He was very unfortunate, especially in the early years of his life. It was filled with sorrow, disappointments and hardships. He was only three years old when his father died in 1795, thus being deprived of the love and wise counsel that a kind father could give to him. After this tragedy, his mother began to plan as best she could for her two small sons; with Thomas and Levi she prepared to go to Ohio to start a new life. This she did, accompanied by her father, Elijah Garrison, and her brothers.
 After they arrived in the new state, her hopes and plans for her young sons were snatched away
without warning. It was in the year 1797 when Levi was only five-years-old that his mother passed
away. During his tender years he learned many valuable lessons of life that were a lasting benefit in
later years. Robbed of the understanding love and guidance of both mother and father, young Levi
developed a serious independent nature. While he was reared by his grandfather and uncles who were
mindful of his needs, he missed the natural motherly affections and fatherly confidence every son
craves. The years passed swiftly and he did all that was required of him and gained the respect and
admiration of his fellowmen and associates.
 He was energetic and self-reliant, and because of childhood responsibilities, reached the state of
manhood prematurely. He was anxious to have a home of his own and enjoy the love, security, and
peace that had been denied him thus far in his life. At a very early age, he fell in love with an attractive young lady by the name of Elizabeth Clark. She was born in Missouri on the 26th of October, 1797. Elizabeth's family had emigrated to Jackson County Missouri and suffered the usual hardships and persecutions that came to the saints there.

Elizabeth Clark (Levi's wife) 1790-1876

They were soon married and after the happy wedding, took on the more serious problems of
homemaking. Their lives together were filled with varied and unpredictable experience, but they were
young and courageous and unafraid of the future. They were accustomed to frontier life and would
stand together, undaunted by the trials in store for them. The first part of their married life was spent in Hamilton County, Ohio. They lived there until 1821 when they decided to move to Rush County,
Indiana.
 While living in this locality, Levi received the most satisfying blessing of his life. He heard the
gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as it fell from the lips of humble men of God. His yearning
soul drank in the comforting message that explained so many of the mysteries of life. He became an
ardent investigator and with each new gospel truth he heard, the more convinced he became of its
divinity. He was soon converted and led into the waters of baptism by Elder Benjamin Benson on
March 10, 1832 at Clinton County, Indiana. His soul was filled with love, contentment, and
appreciation of God’s kindness to him. He went forth with renewed strength and the power of the Holy Ghost to accompany him during times of distress. He was one of the first Elders ordained in the Church.
By September 25, 1835, Levi was on a mission for the Church with Uriah Curtis. They were laboring in Clark County, Indiana where they taught and baptized John Tidwell among others. John Tidwell would go on to be a branch President of a small group.
After living in Indiana for some time they decided to move to Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, where they could live among the Saints. This they did and remained here until 1846 when the Saints were driven from their homes there. Levi and Elizabeth Bracken took out their own endowments in the Nauvoo Temple on January 22, 1846.
Sometime between January and December 1846, they began their travel west and then by December 31, 1846, Levi and his family were members of the Winter Quarters Twenty First Ward.
After leaving Nauvoo, they traveled to Council Bluffs (then called Kanesville), Pottawattamie County, Iowa and settled in the Big Pigeon area, which was still being established. While living there, Levi became very active in both civil and religious affairs. He served as Bishop for the Church, and as an Alderman for the community. In March 1848, a post office was established in Kanesville. A county organization was also obtained being called Pottawattamie. Levi Bracken was one of the magistrates. Here he also served as Justice of the Peace. He enjoyed giving his service to his fellow men.
On the 1850 U. S. Census, in dwelling #674, the Brackens were listed with those in Big Pigeon.  Recorded were Levi, age 60; Elizabeth, age 61; and Ann, age 20.  Levi and Elizabeth also appear on the 1851 and 1852 Iowa State Censuses in the same place.

Big Pigeon Tabernacle, Pottawattamie County, Iowa. where they met for church meetings

This phase of his life was soon to be interrupted, for in the year l852 preparations were made to begin the trek across the plains. Together with his wife and family he secured the necessary provisions and left with a group of faithful Saints for the Rocky Mountains. He served as Captain of  2nd Ten of the 16th Company under Captain Uriah Curtis.
They endured many harrowing experiences during their strenuous trek across the unfamiliar and barren territory. But their faith was unwavering and they journeyed on. By July they had reached the Platte River in Nebraska. There was a great deal of sickness among the Saints and many died and were buried in unmarked graves along the Mormon Trail.
It was during this time, when many were stricken with cholera, that Levi was called to administer to Sister Allen Mathews who was seriously ill with the dreaded disease. Realizing full well its contagiousness and the danger in which he placed himself, he willingly went to bless a friend. After completing the request he also became a victim of the terrible malady and passed away the following morning at 8:00 a.m. He died in August 1, 1852 and was buried at Loup Fork, Nebraska in an unknown grave.

The crossing at Loup Fork, where the Loup River and the Platte River meet,
near here is where Levi Bracken died

Plaque posted at the signt, 'Road to Zion', showing groups of pioneers crossing here.

It may be said of him, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13.

Elizabeth Bracken, Levi’s devoted wife, continued to travel on with the company of Saints to Salt Lake City, Utah. She later moved to Spring Valley, Nevada and made her home with one of her daughters. Here again a new life was opened up before her, one full of the care and responsibilities that come with pioneer life. But she continued to carry on with faith and courage.
Her eventful life came to a close 8 June 1876 at the home of her son-in-law, William Bailey Maxwell. She was 85 years, seven months and 15 days old. She lived and died a faithful Latter-Day Saint, and died with a hope of coming forth in the morning of the First Resurrection.
The descendants of Levi and Elizabeth, six daughters and one son (two more sons died young or in infancy), bear record of the valiant efforts of those noble pioneers and pay homage to them today after a period of one hundred and fifty years.

Their Children:
Mary Ann married Luther Collins Ramsey
Hannah Maria married Levi Tomlin
James Bennett married Sarah Head
William died in infancy
Martha Ruth married Thomas Hampton
Lucretia Charlotte married William B. Maxwell
Matilda married James McFate
Elizabeth Ann married to Dabney Keele (our ancestors, they had a son William Augustus Keele that married Cleopatra Burgess)
another son died young

Johan Nicolai Christensen

Johan Nicolai Christensen (1836-1914)

Much of this information is taken from his daughter, Leolette Christensen, daughter of John Nikoloy Christensen from Treasures of Pioneer History: Vol 4, Pioneer Dentists and Druggists, Provo, page 124

His mother, father and siblings 

John Nikoloy Christensen, pioneer dentist of several Utah towns was born December 28, 1836, in Gjerringe, Thested, Denmark, the son of Kristen Pedersen Knattrup and Ane Johanne Nikoloydatter. 

Johan Nicolai Christensen had three sisters and one brother Peder Christensen, who was born 2 Oct 1828 in Hoerdum, Thisted., Denmark. A sister Ane Christensen born 24 March 1826 also of Hoerdum., Thisted, Denmark, she married Christen Sorensen. His second sister Ane Katrine Christensen, born 2 Apr. 1832, Gjerringe, Thisted, Denmark, married John Peter Holm.
The third sister Kirsten Christensen came with their parents from Denmark. She was born 8 May 1843, at Sunby or Stagstrup, Thisted, Denmark,and died 30 Nov. 1866 in Utah. She was 22 years old when they sailed from Denmark,on the ship Kenilworth,on 25 May, 1866 this according to the Emigration records. John's parents came to Utah with a company of Saints in 1858.
John and Emma's daughter Johanne also came to America with her grandparents (Kristen and Ane Johanne) on the ship Kenilworth. She was 4 3/4 years old. This was the ship that Andrew Jensen sailed on in 1866. It is told that this daughter, Johanne Christensen was left with strangers until her father, John, came two years later.

His wives and children

John's marital affairs with their various children can seem complicated so I am listing who he married and his children in list form rather than story form.

John first married Emma Nicoline Dahl in Denmark, June 10, 1858. She never came to America and eventually remarried Mr Anderson. She died in Denmark 1907. John and Emma had three daughters,
1. Margrethe born 1858 in Alborg, Thisted., Denmark. She died in Denmark 1905.
2. Johanne born Sept. 1860 at Alborg., Thisted, Denmark. Johanne married first James Chauncey Carter in Utah they had six children. They eventually divorced and she married second Stephen  J Adams. She died in Colorado in 1937.
3. Louise Nelsine (our ancestor) born March 28, 1862, Alborg, Thisted, Denmark. Louise married Charles Eli Williams, we know this marriage was not a happy one but still they managed to have seven children all in Utah. She died 1945.

John married as his second plural wife Maria Jensen about 1864 in Denmark. Once they were in Utah and several children later, they too divorced and she remarried Andrew Christopherson.  Their children were,
l. Albertine Christensen., born 1866 in Denmark. She died on board ship Emerald Isle 1 July 1868.
2. Atlantic, born 22 July 1868 on the Atlantic Ocean. Died 1951.
3. John Christensen died young.
There may have been other children by this marriage.

John married as his third plural wife Christine Charlotte Johnson on June 3, 1872. They were married in the Salt Lake Endowment House. The two plural wives and John could not get along and Christine Charlotte's marriage to John was eventually annulled and she remarried James Hansen, her children were willed to John Nicolai. Their children were,
l. Leolette Josephine Christensen, born 17 Aug. 1874 at Spring City, Sanpete, Utah. She never married and died in 1963.
2.Carl Albert Christensen born 1876 and died 1879.

John lastly married Phebe Carter as his fourth wife on September 22, 1877 in Salt Lake City. Not in polygamy this time. Their children,
1. Herbert Christensen 1878-1879
2. Ruby Christensen 1879-1940, she married Herald B. Crandall
3. Harold D Christensen 1888-1955, he married Catherine Needham.

To America

Johan or John Nicolai, his second plural wife Marie Jensen, and their daughter Albertina came on the packet ship Emerald Isle which left Liverpool June 20, 1868 with Hans Jensen Hale as captain. During the ocean voyage little Albertina died and a son, whom they named Atlantic, was born July 22nd. During that fateful voyage thirty-seven persons died and were buried in the ocean, and others died after landing in New York. The company docked in New York harbor August 11th and on the 25th they arrived at Benton on the Union Pacific Railroad seven hundred miles west of Omaha.

When John left Denmark, he took with him his second and pregnant wife Marie Jensen and their infant daughter Albertine. John promised Emma Nicholine Dahl, his first wife, that they would send for her after they got settled in Utah, planning to live in polygamy. But for whatever reason, they didn't ever send for Emma. John did try to live in polygamy with his second (Marie Jensen) and third (Charlotte Christina Johnson) wives but they couldn't agree. Eventually both of these wives left him, legally divorced him and he came alone to Provo to live.

Here, Johanne, John's oldest daughter in America introduced her father John to her soon to be sister in law, Phebe Carter.  John married Phebe Carter as his fourth wife. John and Phebe Carter and Johanne Christensen and James C. Carter had a Utah double wedding  in 1877. Phebe was sixteen years old at the time of her wedding to the forty-one year old doctor. Three children were born to them in Provo, Utah.

Interest in medicine and dentistry

John N. Christensen had served with the Danish army in the war between Denmark and Germany. He was wounded and so was forced to stay in the rear ranks where he assisted the army doctors with other wounded men. In that way he became interested in medicine and surgery which served him well during the pioneering period in Utah.
He settled first in Richfield where he followed the trade of tinsmith and did any other odd jobs he found to make a living for his family. From Richfield he moved to Mount Pleasant where he met Dr. Van Nocken, a dentist from whom he learned the profession. He practiced in Spring City, Lehi, Springville, Payson and Provo. He moved from Spring City, Sanpete County to American Fork in 1876, and remained there for several years before finally settling in Provo. He not only practiced dentistry, but surgery and medicine as best he knew, and became known as Dr. Christensen. He also learned Ventriloquism also Hypnotism. When a Doctor he cured people thru Hypnotism as well as medicine. He was mechanically minded, industrious, of an inventive nature and never idle. He instilled in his sons a love of his profession and both Atlantic Christensen of American Fork and Salt Lake City, and Harold Christensen of Lehi and Provo, became dentists.

Dr Atlantic apprenticed under his father and after practicing in American Fork for a few years went to the University of Denver Dental College where he received his DDS. Three of John N. Christensen’s grandsons are also in the dental field; Dr. Scott A. Christensen, Hollywood, California; Dr. Harold Crandall, Salina, Utah, and John C. Christensen, a dental technician, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Interesting facts

One of his granddaughters, Florence Williams, recalls, "He was a handsome man, large in stature. I think he was 6 feet 4 inches tall and he wore a size 14 shoe. He used to go to Salt Lake to order his shoes because they didn't have any that size in Provo."

One thing long remembered by the people of Spring City was John N.’s treatment of the family of Apostle Orson Hyde during the typhoid epidemic. He had the sick children wrapped in wet sheets, gave them plenty of water to drink, and all recovered. He had some knowledge of ventriloquism and used it more than once when Indians threatened trouble. The Indians credited him with supernatural powers.

He died in Provo January 16, 1914.

Obituary of Johan N. Christensen

, January 29, 1914 "Herald" Extra" page 94

Provo City Cemetery, Provo Utah

Joanna Patten Keele

Joanna Patten Keele 1888-1959

Joanna Patten, was born 8 March 1888 in Provo, Utah to her parents Thomas Jefferson Patten, Jr and Clara Isabella Billings, the third child in a very large family of eleven children. She married Frank Keele the 12th of July 1911 in Manti, Utah. Together they had nine children, five girls and four boys. Joanna Patten Keele passed away 25 March 1959, Provo, Utah.
She was a talented singer, homemaker, Gardner, mother and wife.

Patten Sisters, L-R Clara, our Joanna, Luella about 1890

Clara Isabella Billings Patten (Joanna's mother)

Thomas Jefferson Patten, Jr (Joanna's father)

Patten brothers and sisters. Joanna Patten Keele front row last on right.

When Joanna was born, her father, Thomas Jefferson Patten, Jr. took her into the kitchen and gave her his mother's name of Joanna. To which her mother, Clara Isabella replied, " I will never call her Joanna, I will call her Jossie."  Joanna's mother, Clara Isabella, never did call her by her given name of Joanna and when Clara Isabella died in 1944 Joanna said, "There, now I will take my name back!!" (I guess she didn't like her nick name. This story was told over and over by her daughter Lois Keele Williams)

In Joanna's own words she tells us of her life, 
"I commenced school on Provo Bench in 1894. My teacher's name was Susan Talmage. I graduated in 1902. Worked in Provo Woolen Mills from 1904 until 1906. Attended school at Brigham Young University 1910 to 1911 where I studied voice under Anthony C. Lund, and was also chosen to sing in the Utah Stake Choir under the direction of Dolf Boshard with Clair W. Reid as Tabernacle organist. I well remember the installation of the pipe organ 'twas at that time and required months of labor to complete. At the final completion, we presented a concert with Emora Lucy Gates as our guest soloist and following with concerts with Torit. Sisters as guest soloist and also J. J. McClellian.

Photo taken by David Kinnear, a friend and neighbor of the Patten family. He writes on the back of the photo that it was taken in 1904. Middle row, left to right: 1-Clara Isabella Billings Patten, age 43, 2-Jerusha Shomaker Billings, age 64, 3-Nellie Bell's mother, 4-David Kinnear's mother called Auntie Jean.  The babies being held by the grandmother in the center place of honor, are likely not twins but probably Alden Gaylor Patten, age 3-6 months, and a child belonging to the Kinnear family.  None of the Patten grandchildren were born until three years later.  Back Row, left to right: 1-Luella Billings Patten Holman, age 20, 2-Jerusha Lois Patten Downs, age 15, 3-Mrs. David (Nellie Bell) Kinnear, 4-Clara Isabella Patten Clark, age 18, 5-Joanna Patten Keele, age 16 1/2.

I was married to Frank Keele in the Manti Temple July 12, 1911 and prior to my marriage I became acquainted with my husband who also was attending school at the Brigham Young University."
Of this acquaintance, their daughter Lois recalls, "A few years later, dad had a great desire to attend Brigham Young Academy in Provo, Utah. Arrangements were made for young Frank to stay with his cousin, George P Billings. They soon became fast friends. One night George said, "I know a family with seven daughter, living on the Orem Bench about six miles away. They're cousins of mine." So breaking the school rules, they rented bikes and paid a visit to the Thomas Jefferson Patten Jr home, the family with seven girls. George was to date Luella, the oldest and Frank would date Clarabell, the second oldest daughter. However when Frank saw Joanna, in bed with the chicken pox, he knew she was the one for him. For the remaining school year, there were many more visits to the Patten home but always to court Joanna."

Frank Keele and Joanna Patten Wedding 1911.

Joanna continues, "Before entering B. Y. U., I was secretary of the Sunday School Organization in the Timpanogos Ward from 1906 to 1909 and also secretary of the Young Ladies Mutual Improvement Association in the Timpanogos Ward. My husband and I worked in the fruit. He picked peaches and I packed for Stephen Bunnel. And on the 18th day of  September 1911, he left Provo Bench to go to Idaho with my grandmother (Jerusha Lois Shomaker Billings) who had been spending the summer at my father's home on Provo Bench and whom was returning to her other daughter's home in Heyburn, Idaho where she was living. 

Grandmother Billings
Jerusha Lois Shomaker Billings (1840-1915)

On the 23rd day of November 1911, I followed my husband to make our home in Idaho. 

Columbia River Basin Project, Idaho, Burley, Idaho about 1910

We lived with one of my aunts (her mother's youngest sister), Lapriel B. (Billings) Sorenson there on the Columbia River Basin Project for the next four months and then in the spring, we filed on an eighty-acre tract of land owned by the Government. We built us a one-room shack and the next September 2nd, 1912 our dear little girl was born, Luella Billings."

Typical homestead, Idaho 1912

They both loved the gospel and were very obedient to the law of multiplying and replenishing the earth. In Idaho, she had all seven babies at home with only the assist of a midwife or country doctor with none of the conveniences of modern medicine. None of these births were registered at Heyburn City records, or the state of Idaho. (Luella, Cleopatra, Thomas, William, Clara Isabella, Lois and Frank)

Joanna continues, " 'Twas there we both worked in the church traveling eleven miles to Heyburn Branch to attend our Sunday School, Mutual and Fast Meeting and we very seldom missed a meeting.  'Twas there I was set apart as Visiting Teacher in the Relief Society Organization and it was there we both received our Patriarchal Blessings."
Her daughter Lois recalls, "A beautiful recollection of my mother happened here in Heyburn, Idaho. Following her patriarchal blessing, the stake patriarch commented to my father after she left the room, "I have never laid my hands on a more pure vessel."

They experienced the typical pioneer hardships of clearing the sage brush land with their bare hands, building a rough shack home, enduring the ever constant blowing wind and sand in the summer and the biting cold in the winter. They developed the land, planting rotation crops and building a herd of milk cows and cattle.

It was during this period of time that the nation was involved in World War I and Frank was drafted. Lois recalls, "My mother petitioned the local authorities and explained in no uncertain terms, that she needed him to care for her, the seven children and the eighty acres much more than the government did."
Of this time in Idaho Lois recalls, "Money was always scarce and mother earned a little extra by selling cream and homemade butter. Luella, the oldest child was always left at home to tend the house and take care of the children. Cleo would most always accompany mother on these trips over the Snake River into the town of Burley, tending the two younger babies, Frank and Lois bouncing along in Joanna's two-seated buggy."
After their first seven children were born or about 14 years, they moved to Lovell, Wyoming to run the Keele Ranch. This would be about 1923 when they moved. Prior to the big move, grandfather Keele paid them a visit for the very first time. 
Their daughter Lois recalls, "Dad went to pick up his father, William Augustus Keele, at the train station in the little black 'Cadillac' buggy, which he seldom drove. As they arrived into the yard, the children had to snicker, because one side of the buggy was sagging nearly to the ground from  grandfather's portly frame, while dad's side was sticking way up in the air."

Grandfather Keele
William Augustus Keele (1852-1924)

Grandfather Keele was a very sick man dying of dropsy. His legs were enormous and hung down over his boots. The only way he could prevent his lungs from filling up with fluid was to sleep propped up in a chair. He seemed to fill the whole room.
After some private dialogue and talking into the night, grandfather Keele asked Frank and Joanna to come to Lovell and help take care of him and run the Keele Ranch. In exchange for this service, my father had the understanding that the ranch would become his. This was a hard decision. How could they wisely and quickly dispose of their livestock, eighty acres of cleared and cultivated land, farm equipment, their home and most of the household goods. There would be precious few items they could take with them. However, this noble couple agreed to sell out everything they had worked for all those years. They chose to accommodate the request only out of love and loyalty to Grandfather Keele. 

Once again love and loyalty was the deciding thread of their life's tapestry.

Of this time in Wyoming, their daughter Lois recalls, "The next few chapters of my life were spent in another harsh climate, and more grueling work as we took over the labor of the Keele Ranch. We raised sugar beets and potatoes, alfalfa to feed the livestock and we even tried growing an acre of cucumbers as a money crop for Hinze Pickle Company. In addition we always planted and weeded and harvested about 1/4 acre garden for family use. Preserving these crops for winter was also part of family life. This was how our life pattern flowed in the summers, but in October after the beets and pumpkins were harvested we would move to town six miles away, into a white two story house. This house was so impressive because our family of nine going on ten people lived while at the ranch, in one room house with wall to wall beds, five children in a bed. There was a small adjoining kitchen."
Lois continues, "Many happy childhood memories occurred in this two-story house in Lovell. We were close to school and church. My dad worked in the sugar factory in the winter and would surprise us with brown sugar treats brought home in his lunch box. These treats were the burnt sugar residues left from the processing. Our childhood joy was so complete here. John and Max were now the latest addition to the family. My sister Carol was born on Christmas Eve. Dad woke us up and carried each one down stairs in a warm blanket to share our newest Christmas gift, our darling baby angel, Christmas Carol.

The harsh climate and the grueling work soon took its toll on Joanna. She was far away from her brothers and sisters. She felt totally alone. Wyoming was barren in contrast to the wonderful fresh fruits grown back home in Utah. Also her son, Gus, started getting pneumonia almost every winter and one year the entire town of Lovell had a terrible epidemic of spinal meningitis and the schools were closed for weeks and the whole town was quarantined. School children received their lessons through the mail! These were only some of the reasons Joanna longed to be back home closer to her family.
After five long years in Wyoming, for these and other reasons, they decided to move back home to Provo, Utah. 
Frank put his family on the train and kissed his wife and children good-bye. He had to stay behind to finish the trip and try to sell off equipment. That first night in Salt Lake City was spent in a hotel room, with all ten children and Joanna in a rented one room. The lights of a big city were awesome!
Once they landed in Utah, they stayed with Joanna's mother, Grandma Patten (Clara Isabella Billings) in Orem. It must have been in the spring because it was the strawberry season. Frank had given Joanna some money to last until he arrived and turned up missing from under her pillow. Staying in the Patten home became too awkward. Her daughter, Lois recalls, "The stay at Grandma Patten's was not very pleasant or very long, we were glad to leave."
Additionally, Joanna's father, Thomas Jefferson Patten Jr, had passed away years before and had ear marked 10 acres, 1 acre for each of his children. However, Uncle Ezra (Joanna's brother) eventually got all the land through fraud and deceit. It was a blow to them as they really needed that land for their family of twelve.
The first house back in Utah was at the back of an empty store right next to Orem High School. That fall Frank finally arrived driving into the yard with a new truck. All the children jumped for joy! 
The next few years for the Keele family was spent moving from one house to another. Frank tried his hand at many different jobs and finally ended up working at the brick yard and harvesting fruit as a side job. He was tired of paying rent and decided to build his own home, so he purchased a lot and bought all the material and completed the house in Provo on 7th West and 6th North.

Frank and Joanna home in Provo, UT

The fruit industry offered plenty of work for all the children and Joanna worked right along with them. Leaving at 5 am, they would crawl along the strawberry rows with small baskets, filling them with luscious ripe red berries.  The pay was ten cents a crate (12 cups in a crate). Joanna always took her pay in the fruit to can for him use in the winter. Money was spent on fabric to sew their own school clothes.

Keele sisters, berry pickin' bunch (Lois is the dark haired beauty without hat, overalls, long sleeve)

Fond memories recalled by Joanna's daughter, Lois. "Walking home from primary where she would watch her mother leading the music and that's what I wanted to do. We didn't have a car and had to walk to and from church, this is when she was a young mother."

Joanna and her daughters Bell, Carol and Lois all sang together in a quartet and tried to practice daily as they were asked to perform all over the valley frequently. They had to develop a wide repertoire and loved doing this. Their warm, tight vocal blend was wonderful as only family can produce. It was always for church service, never any thought of going big time.
(compilers note, granddaughter Joanna Williams Curtis also raised her daughters in this same way, the tight harmonies were taught to her daughters and passed on, what a beautiful legacy to carry on)

Keele sisters with Joanna (her long hair down)

Her granddaughter, JoAnna Williams remembers: " As a young child, I remember visiting Provo, UT and can still "feel" the envelope of warm, deep love that my grandmother's arms consistently provided as she encircled me with her passionate greetings. Her love was so intense that the substance of it melted my bones and fed my young soul. It was so thick it was as though I could physically touch it.
The Keele home was very humbly built by Frank Keele's ingenuity, determination and sweat of his brow. The Provo based home included a roughed-in cement basement and 2 bedroom house above ground. It also had a lighted kitchen featuring a large wooden round table where canning corn, tomatoes, peaches and cherries joined laughter and work together for the Keele family. Aroma from freshly baked bread and homemade pies still graces my senses. Gleaning the fruit trees, berry patches and vegetables fields provided their winter's primary source of food. I can recall a back porch where Joanna grew lovely, stair-step potted flowers and green, hanging plants and nearby the lilting song of birds housed in a cage.
Beyond the porch lay my childhood fascination... grandmother's garden. Along the wire fence, gladiolas and sweet peas paraded their brilliant red, yellow and purple hues. Mid center in elevated green rows grew peas, carrots and tomatoes. Nearby a berry patch yielded lots of sweet juicy berries. In the back of the garden there were tall rows of golden corn and the rabbit hutch with many white furry bunnies which caught my undivided attention for hours. To me, the garden's beauty was the outward expression of my grandmother's nature and never at any time did she prohibit me from visiting her garden."

Now the adult Keele sibling singers 

Joanna died from bone cancer on 25 March 1959 in Provo, Utah and her husband followed with lung cancer 2 years later.

Joanna Patten Keele obituary The Daily Herald, 25 Mar 1959, Wed, Page 4

Frank and Joanna (Patten) Keele family about 1959
(Joanna's picture was added after the fact. This picture was taken at or around the time of her death, and her picture was added later.)

Diantha Morley Billings

Diantha Morley Billings 1796-1879

In 1815, Diantha Morley was just shy of her twentieth birthday when she first set foot on Ohio sod with her parents, Thomas and Editha Marsh Morley, and some of her siblings. Born in the township of Montague, Franklin County, Massachusetts, on August 23, 1795, Diantha was the seventh of nine children. Her older brother Isaac and his wife, Lucy, had previously established a farm near the rural village of Kirtland, Ohio. Here in Kirtland area, Diantha met and on February 16, 1816 married Titus Billings. To this union would be born nine children.

They both became members of Sidney Rigdon's Reformed Baptist congregation.  

Sidney Rigdon

In November 1830, Diantha and Titus, with Isaac and Lucy Morley and many others in Rigdon's congregation, heard of and joined the Church of Christ, later renamed The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As the first woman to be baptized in the Kirtland area, Diantha set her course to follow her heart's yearnings and never wavered in devotion to her family, her brothers and sisters in the gospel, or her God.

At the time of her baptism, Diantha was thirty-five years old and had five living children under the age of twelve; she had buried three others as infants. 

She first became acquainted with Joseph and Emma Smith when the Smiths settled in Kirtland in February 1831. 

Joseph and Emma Smith

In August of that year, Joseph Smith sent Titus to Missouri to aid in the gathering of the Saints in Jackson County. There Diantha gave birth to her last child and assisted in the births of several other children as a well-respected midwife. 

Diantha's husband, Titus Billings, was a stonemason and among the first appointed by revelation to move to Jackson County, Missouri. In August 1831 the Lord gave Joseph Smith the revelation contained in D&C 63:39, for Titus to sell his land in Kirtland and move to Missouri, the land of Zion. He did so and in the spring of 1832 they moved to Jackson County, Missouri and experienced the terrible persecutions which the saints had to endure.   Things did not go well in Jackson County for the Saints, and Titus and Diantha were among those who were forced to leave by an armed mob.

A 19th-century engraving of Kirtland, Ohio.

In 1835 the Billings family returned to Kirtland to work on the building of the temple there. 
Diantha, with her beautiful singing voice, was part of the choir that sang for the dedication of the Kirtland Temple in March 1836.

Kirtland Ohio temple

Diantha and her family had returned to Missouri and were living in Far West when the Saints were driven from the state. The night of November 13, 1838 the family was moving across the Missouri River into Clay County and beheld the phenomenon of thousands of shooting meteorites of falling stars. It caused considerable awe and concern among all who watched it. They settled near Quincy, Illinois, and established a home as part of the Morley Settlement. 

Diantha, Titus, and Eunice had beautiful voices, and often sang at Church meetings per the request of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Eunice recorded an incident while they were living in Far West: “The first time I ever sang for the Prophet, Father and Mother were called upon to sing “Redeemer of Israel,” and I sang a part alone.”  (Diantha and Titus sang at the dedication of the Kirtland Temple, and the whole family was in the choir for the dedication of the Nauvoo Temple.)

Diantha was always giving service, especially as a midwife. She was set apart for this purpose by the Prophet Joseph Smith, and it was said that in the 50 years she practiced, she never lost a mother. In fact, one night, after the Battle of Crooked River when her husband had to flee, leaving her alone for three months, the mob was out ransacking houses and terrorizing the women. She delivered a baby, and then raced home to take care of her own family. 

Emma Smith conducting early Relief Society meeting.

By 1842 they were living in Nauvoo, Illinois, where Diantha became a member of the Female Relief Society and Titus worked on the Nauvoo Temple. She joined the Relief Society of Nauvoo at the second meeting, March 24th 1842, where she continued to show her dedication to the Lord and His work. In the minutes she is recorded speaking on the cases of families who need help, and she donating money to help. In Relief Society on August 13, 1843, Sister Billings rose and said:

“I can say with Sister Whitney, we are called to rejoice—

notwithstanding the trials, sickness and death through which we

have been called to pass through in Missouri. I am thankful we

have lived it through and now it becomes us to be faithful and to

walk humbly before God. I feel my unworthiness. and desire that I

may war a good warfare and at last be received into the Kingdom

of God.” She exhorted the sisters to be bold, not timid or fearful in

bearing their testimony…none were required to go beyond their

strength. (Pioneer Women of Faith and Fortitude, 1: 254.)

This good woman still had many trials ahead of her, and she always remained a woman of faith. . Diantha's youngest daughter Eunice recalls of this time,

"I shall remember as long as I live mother telling her children about the mob tarring and feathering brother Joseph Smith, Edward Partridge and one or two other brothers and how they went home for their wives to take care of them and what a terrible condition their heads and their hair was in. Mother always wept when she spoke of the condition they were in and how badly their families felt about it. "

Diantha's youngest child died in Nauvoo at the age of ten.  

The Lord must have had great trust in Diantha, because the Prophet Joseph Smith called upon her to make the first set of Temple garments and to design and embroider the first temple apron, which has been used as a pattern throughout the history of temple endowments in the Church. She did a lot of sewing for the Smith family, and was a very good friend of Emma’s. In fact, she was with Emma and Lucy Smith when the Prophet’s and Hyrum’s bodies were brought back from Carthage. How devastated she must have been, but it shows what kind of person she was thought to be that Emma and Lucy wanted her with them at that time to provide comfort.  In her daughter Eunice’s words, “Mother was as intimate with Sister Emmy as anyone could be with another.” 

Nauvoo temple 1845

Diantha was endowed in the Nauvoo temple, December 13, 1845 and in January 1846, Diantha helped with the administering of ordinances in the Nauvoo Temple. Later that spring, she and her family joined the exodus across Iowa to Winter Quarters. As Diantha was a midwife, she assisted in the nine births which occurred on 4 Feb 1846, when the Saints fled across the Mississippi River from Nauvoo.

Of the time during September 1846, Diantha's youngest daughter Eunice recalls, 

 "The next thing that comes to my mind is the burning of my uncle Isaac Morley's cooper shop. It was full of cooper ware, such as barrels, tubs, churns and other articles he had made to sell. The mob set fire to it and stood around and cursed and swore and yelled, looking like demons from hell at the time it was burning. I can well remember how frightened I was and how light it was from the flames. The shop was but a short distance from our home. I think mother said it was the next night after the fire that we were ordered to leave or home or we would be treated the same way. Mother said fifteen or twenty of the sisters got together and counseled what course of action to take. They concluded to take their smallest children and flee to a house out of town a short distance, where an old man by the name of Beebe lived alone. We had to go about three quarters of a mile in the dark and no women could go together. I remember well how my limbs were scratched and how they bled when I was put to bed and not allowed to cry or make a loud noise. The room where we slept was a large log room. The floor was completely covered with children and some of them did not even have a quilt over them or under them. Mother had three of her children (Alfred, George and Eunice) with her and not one of us had a bite of supper. We went through briars and all kinds of stubble. Mother carried a lantern half concealed under the apron she was wearing. Being the youngest of the three children, I held onto her skirt while she led the way. We had to cross the  main road at a point where four other roads crossed and some very large trees stood. As mother stepped into the road a man from behind one of the trees flashed a bright sword in her face. She jumped back and screamed. The man soon made himself known. He was one of the brethren guarding the crossroads His name was Morgan Gardner. Mother said that ever she was glad to meet a friend it was at that time. All of the women arrived safely."

Diantha experience a similar wagon train scene 1848

 Then, in the spring of 1848, they began their trek farther west in the Heber C Kimball company, arriving in the Salt Lake Valley in September of that year.

At the October 1849 general conference of the Church, Diantha was surprised to hear the names of her brother and husband read over the pulpit to lead a group south to settle what would become known as the Sanpete Valley. It took them three weeks to make the journey, and they arrived in what became Manti, Utah, in November, just as winter was setting in.

In Manti, Diantha adopted a little Indian child who was given by the mother for food and clothes. She was christened “Rose Billings” and embraced the gospel and was baptized. When she was grown she moved to Salt Lake City and died a member of their family.

For the next fourteen years, Diantha and Titus lived in Manti, where Diantha participated in the first Relief Society in that area.  In Manti, Diantha Billings was called to be the President of the first Relief Society that was organized, but also continued to serve as the only doctor and midwife in Manti for many years. She served as Relief socity president February 1856–March 1861. 

Some of the things mentioned in her Patriarchal Blessing, given February 22, 1877, are of note in what they tell us about this great woman: “Thou…have yielded obedience of the gospel with an honest heart for which thou art entitled the blessings, gifts and privileges of the new and everlasting covenant. Thou hast seen many changes, passed through trying events and suffered privations, forsaken home and kindred and friends for the sake of salvation which thou shalt verily receive thy reward. The Lord hath heard thy petitions, witnessed thine afflictions and is pleased with thine integrity. Thy guardian angel hath delivered thee from among thine ememies and preserved thy life many times that you might partake of the blessings promised unto the Mothers in Israel among whom Thou art numbered and secured unto thyself the blessings of Eternal Life with a name, which shall be handed down with thy posterity in honorable remembrance from generation to generation. Thou art of the lineage of Ephraim, and thine inheritance is on Mount Zion, the new Jerusalem where thou shalt be crowned with those who have fought the good fight of faith and won the prize. The Lord, hath accepted thy sacrifice and thine offerings, thy mission is about finished. Therefore I say unto thee, be of good cheer and let thy heart be comforted, for all shall be well with thee both here and hereafter, thy name is written in the Lamb’s book of life...”

Around 1864 they moved to Provo to be near their son Alfred and his wife, Deborah Patten. There Titus died in 1866. Diantha lived as a widow for thirteen years, until her death on May 14, 1879. She was buried in the Provo, Utah, cemetery.

As if we needed it to know just what kind of example this great woman is for us, the following comes from her obituary which appeared in the Woman’s Exponent:

“Sister Diantha Morley Billings departed this life at Provo on the evening of May 14, [1879] at fifteen minutes to ten o'clock. She was familiarly known as "Mother Billings," and was truly a mother in Israel, beloved and respected by all. She was amiable, gentle, tender, truly benevolent, and her kindness and deeds of mercy extended to the stranger, as well as the friend or neighbor…

“Early in the settlement of these valleys in the Rocky Mountain region, organizations were formed, a natural outgrowth or continuation of the parent organization in Nauvoo, for the same spirit and sentiment still existed and was soon brought into active exercise. During all this time the sisters never lost sight of this institution as it had been established, nor the promises made to them of its future greatness, by the Prophet Joseph Smith. Among the foremost heroines of that eventful time should be indelibly engraven on the minds of the women of today and coming time, the names of Sisters Vilate Kimball, Mary Ann Young,

Elizabeth Ann Whitney, Mary Fielding Smith, Diantha Billings and others now passed away. These noble mothers in Israel with kindly deed and loving words inspired many a fainting heart with faith and courage and ministered temporal and spiritual blessings to hundreds of the daughters of Zion, whose paths were not strewn with roses, but were full of thorns and fiery trials and needed their encouragement. “…She was an intimate friend of the Prophet Joseph Smith and also of President Brigham Young, President Heber C. Kimball, Bishop N. K. Whitney and of the families of these brethren… Her name will ever be held in honorable remembrance, and she will be esteemed as a woman of God.” ("In Memoriam," [obituary of Diantha Morley Billings], Woman's Exponent