Down a pretty dirt road in search of background and perspective for our life's story...
The pioneer town of Grafton, Utah is just west of Zion's National Park
In 2004, Alene and I drove our Tundra to the beautiful and historic town site of Grafton, Utah, near Zion's National Park. In the small cemetery there we were both pleased and surprized to find the grave of one of her ancestors, Byrum Lee Bybee.
We learned that Grafton was first settled in 1859 one mile below its present site. In January of 1862 the town was completely washed away by a flood. The people rebuilt the town up stream at its present site. Twenty-eight families lived there in 1864. There were several log houses, a post office, church, school and community hall. The town was deserted in 1866 because of Indian attacks. People moved back in 1868. By 1920 only 3 families still lived there. The magnificent scenery has attracted movie makers including the producer of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
We learned that Grafton was first settled in 1859 one mile below its present site. In January of 1862 the town was completely washed away by a flood. The people rebuilt the town up stream at its present site. Twenty-eight families lived there in 1864. There were several log houses, a post office, church, school and community hall. The town was deserted in 1866 because of Indian attacks. People moved back in 1868. By 1920 only 3 families still lived there. The magnificent scenery has attracted movie makers including the producer of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
Upon researching the history of Grafton it was fun to learn that shortly after the town was first settled in 1859, great grandpa John R. Young and his brother Franklin W. were sent to the cotton country or Dixie by their uncle, President Brigham Young to "help build up the barren wastes there."
On December 13, 1861, Franklin Wheeler Young was called as Bishop of the Grafton Ward, including Rockville. This was done at a meeting held in the camp, then called Grafton, and presided over by Apostle Erastus Snow. This position he held until October, 1862, when he removed with his family to St. George. There he was chosen as a member of the High Council. In October, 1863, Franklin was released by President Brigham Young, from the "Dixie mission," and called back to Salt Lake City, and directed by the President to move the next spring to Bear Lake Valley, and help settle that country, which he did, arriving in the valley May 8, 1864. |
While living in Grafton in 1862, both of Franklin's plural wives delivered their first child. First wife, Nancy Leonora Green gave birth to son, Franklin Archie Young on 23 February 1862, and second wife, Annie Maria Sabin gave birth to daughter, Maria Leonora Young on 7 July, 1862.
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