Jacob Mica Truman

Jacob Mica Truman, son of Martha Patty Spencer and John Frank Truman, was born in Niagara, New York, August 30, 1825.

In the early 1840's he heard and accepted the Gospel along with other members of his family. When the call came for five hundred Mormon men to form a battalion, Jacob was among the first to volunteer. He was assigned to Company "C."

Jacob loved to ride horses and when new horses were bought to replace those that had died along the way, Jacob helped to break them in. One day he tried to ride a very wild animal. The horse ran under a tree whose branches knocked Jacob to the ground and he was badly hurt. The doctor of the company said he would not live long—that they would have to go on and leave him there to die.

Four of his comrades begged the doctor to dress the wounds and let them stay behind with him for a little while. The request was granted. As soon as the company moved on, the four boys formed a circle and offered up a fervent prayer for the recovery of their comrade. After a short time Jacob was sufficiently recovered to be put on a horse and all rejoined the camp that evening. The doctor, not being of their faith said: "You can't kill those d--- Mormons."

After Jacob's release from service, he stayed in California and panned gold. He brought back a small sack of nuggets to Salt Lake. Soon after he met, fell in love with and married Elizabeth Boyce. They had three children when he married Catherine Maxwell. He built two homes and purchased a small farm for each of his families.

In 1860 Jacob was called to help settle small communities located in Southern Utah. Later he was called by President Erastus Snow to help settle a small town, named Hamblin, where he served as Presiding Elder. He passed away November 31, 1881.

— Lauretta Hunt Ross
Treasures of Pioneer History, Vol. 4, p. 496


STILL ANOTHER VETERAN GONE

Bro. John Pulsipher wrote from Hamblin, Washington Co., on the 26th inst. - "This morning I report the sad news of the demise of our beloved Jacob Mica Truman, who died at this place at 8 o'clock last Wednesday evening the 23rd inst. after one week's suffering with lung fever.

"Bro. Truman was born in the State of New York on the 30th of August 1825 . Joining the church in Nauvoo in 1845 and from that time he has been a firm and faithful servant of the Lord, ever ready to speak and act in defense of the Latter-day work. He was one of the brave men known as the Mormon Battalion that performed so important a part in freeing t his portion of our country from the rule of foreign power.

"Deceased was among the first settlers of St. George having arrived there twenty years ago this fall. He breathed his last after business was ended, like going to sleep, in the midst of his numerous family. May the Lord comfort them. The funeral was attended by almost the entire inhabitants of this town and a good number from other places. Bishop Robert Knell, of Pinto, Elders Jos. Eldredge and Richard Harrison and others gave much good instruction to comfort and encourage all."

Deseret News, 29 Nov 1881

Children with Elizabeth not listed below: Emma Truman Holt, George Almus Truman, William Thomas Truman, Albert Henry Truman, Mary Truman Hunt Jones, Lasina Truman Bowler and Esther Truman Hunt

Children with Catherine not listed below: Ralph Maxwell Truman, Rhoda Maria Truman Hunt and Elizabeth Ann Truman