A Sketch Of My Life As I Remember It
by George Freestone

I was born of English parents on Prince Edward Island 13 of August 1838. When I was under two years old my parents emigrated to America and settled in Harden Co., Ohio. When I was about 13, an elder of the Latter-day Saints came and preached the Gospel to us. My parents received it and we started for Zion the next year. We arrived at Mt Pisgah, Iowa in November 1852. We suffered many privations during the Winter and in the Spring we started for Winter Quarters and when we arrived we found a Company of Saints preparing to cross the plains for Salt Lake. We joined them and I drove four yoke of cattle on a heavy loaded freight wagon across the plains, arriving in Salt Lake the 9th of September 1858; in Daniel Miller's Co.

We moved to American Fork, Utah Co., and stayed there one year, then moved to Alpine. Here we made our home for many years and in the Fall of 1861 I was married to Alice Carlisle. In this same year I hauled rock for the Salt Lake Temple. Four children were born, all girls during this time. I became a Sabbath School worker and taught in every grade. I also became superintendant. I was also a captain of a company in the Militia of the Territory and served in the Black Hawk War in 1866.

In 1868, my wife Alice died and left me with four children. In 1872 I married Jennie Lind and moved to Bear River, Weston, Idaho, with the intention of raising stock. Had much enjoyment fishing and hunting. Three children were born there, one died. I remained there seven years and then in 1879 I moved to Ashley's Fork and endured a very hard Winter and lost all my horses and stock. Engaged in farming with good success, raising 3000bu one season. Bought the first twine binder, also the first two stand of bees in the valley, fenced the first farm and built the first frame house. I also planted a nursery of fruit and shade trees and supplied the settlers with trees for fruit and shade. I also labored in the Sunday School and became stake superintendent. When the stake was re-organized, I was appointed Bishop which position I held for eleven years. During that time I was called on a mission to Great Britain. I labored for nearly two years, 1894-1896. I resigned soon after my return and labored as a home missionary for two years.

My posterity is quite numerous, having had 15 children, 7 boys and 8 girls. I have many grandchildren and a number of great-grandchildren and I will be eighty-two in August (13) 1920.

submitted by Jeanne McFadden
from the collections of the Uintah County Library Regional History Room, file 870