By Rhoda (Hiatt) Huff
Edited & submitted by Betty L Hanson
Mary Eleanor was born June 12, 1843 at Nauvoo, Illinois, the daughter of John and Nellie (Burkett) Taylor. Her father was a close friend of Joseph Smith, the prophet, and acted as his bodyguard. One time he was put in jail for acting as a bodyguard, while there he received word, that his family was in need. The Prophet had promised him that he would be delivered in time to help his family. When the jailer brought his noon meal, John heard him lock the door. In a short while he heard the lock turn again, but he saw no one. As he left the jailer’s viscous dog confronted him, but the dog merely wagged his tail in a friendly salute.
After the death of the Prophet, John was confused, and decided to follow Lyman Wight into Texas. After seven years of Wight’s leadership, the Taylor family became dissatisfied, and returned to the body of the saints in Utah. (1852). Mary Eleanor was responsible for the care of her twin baby brothers as they crossed the plains. They camped with other small companies at night. While enroute, an Indian was attempting to steal one of the twins confronted Eleanor. She grabbed up a butcher knife, and frightened the Indian away. She walked all the way from Nauvoo to Salt Lake Valley, except when crossing streams. John Taylor split rails and earned a herd of cattle while in Texas, which he also brought to Utah.
The Taylor family made their home in Slaterville. As young ladies, Mary Eleanor and her older sister, Sarah, received many bids to enter into polygamy. After each proposal the young ladies climbed upon the log house, and cut a notch into a ridgepole.
Following her marriage to Samuel Moore Hiatt, the young couple made their home near Slaterville.
Samuel Moore Hiatt was born January 19, 1833, at Morrisville, Morgan, Indiana, and the son of Rueben and Mary (Stout) Hiatt. The Hiatt’s were pioneers and were continually moving west to try to better their situation. They settled in Iowa, where Rueben died when Samuel was six years old. Eight years later his mother, Mary, died. Samuel went to Texas with his brothers, Stephen, Charles and Rueben. While in Texas he married Emeline Pinkley, who died March 8, 1857 after childbirth. The baby died one month later.
Samuel became restless and dissatisfied with Texas. He joined a company who was headed for the gold fields of California. On this trip Samuel acted as night guard. The company route went through Salt Lake City, as it was considered the safest route. Before his entrance into Mormon Territory (1858), he had not made direct contact with the Mormons, but he had heard so many uncomplimentary stories that he was prepared for trouble. As he rode his horse, “Billy” into Salt Lake City, he was wearing a pistol on each hip, and keeping to the center of the street, prepared for anything. A man from the sidewalk called to him, “Brother Hiatt, you are looking for your brother Elihu. He lives in Farmington.” The man gave him exact directions leading to his brother’s home. He never saw or heard from the stranger again. Samuel didn’t like the company he was traveling with, so decided to go find his brother. He found his brother, and was readily converted to the Mormon Church by him. He always stated very strongly, that until he found a church with the same leaders as prophets, apostles, etc., which were in the original church, he would not be a member of any church. He had found the church he was looking for. He didn’t want to be called a ‘Winter Mormon’, so he waited till spring to join. He spent the winter with his brother, Elihu, and was baptized a member of the Church on 29 May 1859.
From Farmington he went to teach school at Slaterville, although he was not well educated. Previously the students had run out teachers. He handled the unruly scholars so well, that he was given the position for the second term. He refused the third term offer, as he had to study too hard to keep ahead of the scholars.
While in Slaterville, he met Mary Eleanor Taylor and on 19 Jan 1860 they were married.
One time during the haying season, Samuel had an accident when a loaded wagon ran over his chest. The bones were crushed and they had difficulty moving him. He was taken to his home and Eleanor sent young John for Brother Patterson to come and administer to him. Samuel testified that as soon as the prayer was offered he felt the bones move into place. He made a remarkable quick recovery.
Samuel and Elihu prospected the Utah hills and located two mines (Highland Boy and Lucky Boy), both in the same year. A short while later Elihu came to visit his brother. He said he felt that one of them was needed on the other side, by their parents. Elihu said he felt he should be the one to go, as Samuel had a young family. Three weeks later Elihu died of typhoid fever.
Samuel never entered into polygamy because Eleanor would not give her consent. She felt since they were having children close together and still very poor, that Samuel could not support another wife and family.
Samuel moved his family to Provo Bench (1880). The home where they lived was located just north of the site of the Scera Theater. In 1885 the family left Utah and went to Fremont County, Idaho, near the Snake River to homestead a farm, not far from where St. Anthony is now.
In recalling my grandparents (Mary Eleanor & Samuel Moore Hiatt), as I knew them, I remember grandfather Hiatt taking me on his knee and singing songs to me. He loved children and could not see them punished. One day, I had been unruly and Mother was going to spank me. Grandfather’s dog, Brave, got between Mother and me and she could not get to me. Grandfather told the dog, that he was right, Mother shouldn’t hurt the baby.
Grandfather (Samuel) loved the Gospel and spent his later years enthusiastically preaching the gospel to his children and friends. He had the gift of healing. He was always on hand, when there was illness, and with the help of the Lord, he was able to perform many miracles. He always knew when any of the family were ill, and would walk many miles to see them.
Grandmother Hiatt was a very ambitious woman. Several summers of my life were spent in helping her cook for the sugar-beet workers. She maintained her ambitious nature to the last. When she was ninety-two, some of her children went on an excursion to the Cardston Temple. When they returned, she was expecting them, and had the table set for fifteen people. The meal was well under way. She had even baked a cake. When the party came in, they were all tired and worrying about what they would have for supper. Then were surprised to find the meal ready to eat. Grandmother greeted them by saying, “Take off your things, and rest awhile. I’ll soon have supper ready.”
Mary Eleanor died at Freewater, Oregon 6 Jan 1941 at the age of ninety-seven. Her body was shipped by train to LaGrande, Oregon where she was buried beside her husband Samuel who had died in Jan 1909. Laura Blanche Stanford, her granddaughter accompanied her body on the train.
