Description

A True Pioneer

Catherine Hickerson Miles

This story begins in 1839 with my second great uncle, George Washington Hickerson. One night George, being a very religious man, experienced a dream which he described as follows:

“I dreamed that one of my neighbors, Joseph Bowls, and I were sitting in my home. It was a log cabin and an angel came down, making an opening through the top of the house near the southeast corner. The impression came with him to us so he did not have to tell us that he was an angel for we knew it. He proclaimed this singular sentence, ‘The Heaven Church Bell is ringing.’ I being somewhat concerned was anxious to know more about it and asked, ‘Is it ringing for us?’ At this moment, my wife shook me and I awoke which ended the dream.”

Some time later a Latter-day Saint missionary by the name of Stewart returned from his service and spoke in a cottage meeting at George’s house which George relates as follows:

“He stood before a window which threw light just as it had appeared when the angel came, and when I thought of my dream, I looked for my neighbor Mr. Bowls and there he sat at my right hand just as he had when the angel appeared, and from that time to this I have believed Mormonism.”

About a year later George was baptized, and in 1848 emigrated to Utah. In 1854 he went back to the states to serve as a missionary. On his way home from that mission in 1855, he stopped by to visit his sister Catherine living near Vandalia, Illinois.

Life had not been kind to Catherine. She and her husband Sampson had nine children together and by 1856 only four were living, and the year before; Sampson had passed away, leaving Catherine to manage the farm alone. She was barely getting by.

George persuaded his sister to come with him to Utah where he could help take care of them. On June 15, 1856, they started west. However, Catherine’s daughter, Elnora, was very ill, prompting some to try to convince Catherine not to make the journey or Elnora would die. George heard that and disagreed, “and being prompted by the Holy Ghost, said that she would not have another chill. She got better very quickly.”

They joined up with the Benjamin Clapp wagon train and continued west. Catherine had been ill for a long time and the rigors of daily walking brought her even lower. Finally, the captain halted the train and asked everyone to fast for two days for Catherine’s recovery. At the end of the fast, Catherine was given a blessing and promised, “that she would live to go to the valley and have the privilege of embracing the gospel along with her family.”

The next day, Catherine was well enough and ready to travel. Shortly after arriving in Salt Lake City, Catherine and her children were baptized as members of the Church and settled in Kanosh.

It is said of Catherine that she was:

“…a true pioneer all her life…. She made the 1300 mile trip to face a new beginning. She never regained marital happiness nor peace of mind. Her life was a struggle to gain the necessities of life. Her consolation was her children and her faith in her Father in Heaven. Her last days were spent in the love and safety of [her daughter’s home] where she helped raise her grandchildren who loved and cherished her. Catherine was able to go to the temple and do work for her ancestors.”

Catherine Hickerson Miles is my second great grandmother. She struggled through life, knew much of loss and sorrow and obtained very little of this world’s goods, but because of her I have been given much. I believe that in a coming day, she will be waiting for me on the other side and we will have a wonderful time sharing stories and getting acquainted.

Source: https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/memories/LKVB-S5B