Heritage Day

Myron Abbott – story by President Laren Abbott, given January 5, 2019 at the monument in Bunkerville.

Myron Abbott was born 1 December 1837 in a log cabin at Perry, Pike County, Illinois. He was the 6th of 8 children of Steven Joseph and Abigail Smith Abbott. In 1839 his parents, joined the church of Jesus Christ of Ladder-Day Saints. In 1842 they moved to Nauvoo.

In 1843 Steven was called on a mission to the Southern States. In order to fulfill his mission, he with several other brethren went to rafting lumber down the Mississippi River to obtain means to support their families in their absence. Myron’s Father, Steven, took ill and died of pneumonia on October 19, 1843while still serving his mission. The prophet Joseph Smith spoke at Steven’s funeral giving comfort to Abigail and her 8 children. The family suffered much hardship and oft times had very little to eat. They had a cow for milk and grew a garden. In his biography Myron wrote of one such example. Myron said they arose from bed one morning with nothing in the house to eat. His mother called her children around her and said a prayer asking Heavenly Father for help. A short time later his mother, Abigail and Myron went outside to plant some seeds. In a place where a pile of straw had been burned the day before Myron found a dime that had been lost in the straw and uncovered by the wind blowing the ashes away. Abigail’s heart leaped for joy. She exclaimed, “now we can have something to eat. They were able to purchase 15 pounds of flour for the dime. Abigail added flour to warm milk. Myron recalls how much joy filled the house that they had something to eat. Myron continues: I often think of these things; how the Lord will provide for his children; still he will try his saints to see if they will serve him. When Myron was eleven he and his family crossed the plains to Utah where they settled in the Ogden area.

On the 25 April 1860, now age 23 Myron married Laura Josephine Allen. In Ogden Utah. They were blessed with 8 children, 5 sons and 3 daughters. After their first son Myron, Alma was born, they moved to Toquerville in southern Utah, where they intended to stay. However, in 1863 Myron was involved in a quarrel with the chief of a local tribe. They thought it best to return to Ogden.

On the 10 Oct 1870 Myron took on second wife Emily Pauline Malan a divorcée. In Salt Lake City 5hey were blessed with 1 daughter. This caused much stress in the marriage to Laura his first wife. Laura stated she could live with polygamy but not with polygamy and poverty. As a result, in 1876 Myron and Laura his first wife divorced, she moved to California with the 2 youngest daughters and left Myron in northern Utah with his second wife Emily and their 6 older children. Later that same year Myron and Emily his second wife also divorced. Emily went back to her first husband. Myron stated how humiliating the two divorces were for him.

Alone now with 6 children he was encouraged to come to Bunkerville and help his brother in law, who was married to his oldest sister. Edward Bunker established the United Order which he did The United Order lasted only approximately 5 years.

Myron serve as a Councilor to Bishop Bunker for many years. He was also Justice of the peace in Bunkerville for many years. There are many stories of hard work on the farm and keeping the water in the ditch. Myron also hauled a lot of salt from St. Thomas to trade for other commodities. Myron and his family stayed in Bunkerville when many others left.

Myron fell in love with and married Lovisa Leavitt on the 11 January 1878 In St. George, Utah they had 13 childre3 daughters and10 sons, their 6th child was Thomas Edward who is my Grandfather.

On the 5th of March 1886 Myron married Emma Evaline Knight in St. George, Utah. They were blessed with one son. One account states, they had two children. Myron and Emma also divorced. Myron and his third wife Lovisa remained in Bunkerville for the remainder of their lives. They are buried in the Bunkerville cemetery.

Myron’s first wife Laura Josephine later returned to Bunkerville to live with her daughter. She was the last to die and is Josephine’s 5th child a son named William Elias Abbott and his wife Mary. Their statues are currently in front of city hall in mesquite. Myron a great legacy in the area.