Manti...in the Sanpete Valley of central Utah...
After arriving in Utah in 1852 with the early vanguard of saints driven from Nauvoo, the family of Nancy Anne Bach Buchanan settled at Manti, Utah. There, the two living Buchanan sons, John and Archibald, planted roots and commenced their families
Archibald married his first wife, Helen Amelia Whiting in 1854, and his second wife, Mary Ann Brown, on January 1, 1860. During the period 1854 to 1871, he fathered eleven children and adopted an additional daughter (the first child of Mary Ann Brown by a previous marriage). Grandfather Archie was said to be a healthy and ambitious provider to his families. For Helen Amelia and Mary Ann he built each a comfortable rock home.
In Utah Territory, as elsewhere in early America, there arose frequent hostile interactions with the resident Indians whose lands, resources and way of life were being taken away. Early Mormon leaders, under the direction of President Brigham Young, established Indian Missions in critical areas to prevent hostilities and to teach the natives survivable "white man skills."
Archibald married his first wife, Helen Amelia Whiting in 1854, and his second wife, Mary Ann Brown, on January 1, 1860. During the period 1854 to 1871, he fathered eleven children and adopted an additional daughter (the first child of Mary Ann Brown by a previous marriage). Grandfather Archie was said to be a healthy and ambitious provider to his families. For Helen Amelia and Mary Ann he built each a comfortable rock home.
In Utah Territory, as elsewhere in early America, there arose frequent hostile interactions with the resident Indians whose lands, resources and way of life were being taken away. Early Mormon leaders, under the direction of President Brigham Young, established Indian Missions in critical areas to prevent hostilities and to teach the natives survivable "white man skills."
Elk Mountain Mission
This is a view of the Elk (later LaSal) Mountains from the Doloros River side.
In 1855, Grandfather Archie was called to serve in the Elk Mountain Mission in Utah's San Juan country – an experience that would start him on his journey in learning to communicate with the Native Americans in their own tongue. Hostilities between white settlers and Indians in Utah increased in the 1860s into what is known as the Black Hawk War. Archie was called to serve as interpreter on many occasions -- and he earned a reputation for being appreciative and considerate of the Indians point of view. They were, after all, the ones losing their land and native resources to the advancing civilization of the white people. Archie’s acceptance with the Indians earned him a place of honor and a new name, "Utsa-Kibe" or "Unca-Kibe Adawata" which means Red Mountain Boy or Chief (See Addendum B).
After the Black Hawk War ended in August 1868, Grandfather Archie set his eyes on the future of his growing family. His vision included marrying a third wife and acquiring more land to support his growing family; but first things first. Living with his 78 year old widowed mother in Manti was a young unwed, Danish convert mother with her one year old son (1780 Federal Census, Manti City, 2nd Ward). Sometime during the year 1869, thirty-seven year old Archibald asked eighteen year old Anne Maria Larsen to become his third plural wife.
After the Black Hawk War ended in August 1868, Grandfather Archie set his eyes on the future of his growing family. His vision included marrying a third wife and acquiring more land to support his growing family; but first things first. Living with his 78 year old widowed mother in Manti was a young unwed, Danish convert mother with her one year old son (1780 Federal Census, Manti City, 2nd Ward). Sometime during the year 1869, thirty-seven year old Archibald asked eighteen year old Anne Maria Larsen to become his third plural wife.