Son of Joseph Broadbent & Sarah Capes. Husband to Ellen Binns Broadbent.LDS Biographical Encyclopedia, Andrew Jenson, Vol. 2, p.129
Broadbent, Reuben, a Patriarch in the Kanab Stake of Zion, was born Dec. 23, 1817, at Kexby near Gainesboro, Lincolnshire, England. His religious training was in the Episcopal Church. He learned the trade of house carpenter from his father and followed that trade all his life. At the age of twenty-nine he married Harriet Otter. He embraced the Gospel being baptized Oct. 26, 1849, and was at once appointed to preach in his home village, with Elder Joseph E. Taylor as companion. Soon after (p. 130) this he came to America. After spending three years in Saint Louis, Mo., where his wife died, he came on to Utah and settled at Farmington, Davis County. Here he designed and superintended the building of the "Rock Meeting House", and helped to build a grist, saw and shingle mill. He belonged to the Farmington Band, which at the time was one of the best bands in Utah. He had now tow wives and was just getting in comfortable circumstances when President Young called him to move with his family to the Muddy. After the Muddy Mission was abandoned, he went north once more and settled at American Fork, where he put up an addition to the meeting house. Then a call came to go to Kanab and help Brother James Leithead to build a grist mill. The mill was built, but a flood came that cut a deep channel through the canyon and left the mill high and dry. He then joined Bro. Leithead and others in buying a dilapidated grist mill at Glendale. The mill was refitted and put in good shape, and was doing well till it burned down. The owners, however, rebuilt it, and in time made a roller mill of it; it is now the only four mills in Kane County. At Kanab, where he still lives and works in his shop, he superintended the building of the Social Hall. Besides these public buildings, there are homes of his designing in every town in which he has lived. He was ordained president of the Eighty-fifth Quorum of Seventy by Elder Jacob Gates, and was later ordained a High Priest; finally he was ordained Patriarch by Apostle Francis M. Lyman.
-------------------------
Rueben Broadbent History
Sketch of the life of Reuben Broadbent, written by him self at the age of eighty-five years.
I was born at Kexby, near Gainsborro, Lincolnshire, England December 23rd 1817. Kexby is a small seaport town located on the river Trent.
I was educated in the common schools until I was fourteen years of age; my last teacher there was an expert mathematician and after leaving him I studied tow years under an expert bookkeeper. I never put into practice what I learned at bookkeeping, but decided to go into the carpenter trade with my Father. Carpenter works become my ideal; my father, an expert carpenter, had built up a good business and we together made carpenter business a success. I worked at home until I was not afraid to take my tools and tramp out to hunt a job of my own. I finally tired of country life and so moved from city to city and finally landed in South Lincolnshire, England, and become master stair-builder.
About this time I decided to marry and on the fifteenth day of October 1846, I was married to Harriet Otter, in the fine old church in Gainsborro. I moved back south intending to settle down there but my old boss and failed in business, so I went to work in the new shop for a Mr. Coulaine.
It seemed fate was handling me as I went right among the Latter-day-Saints. Mr. Coulaine said if they made a Mormon out of me he would kick us all out of his premises as all of his old faithful hands become Mormons. I worked very pleasantly for a few months, in my new position in the new shop.
I had been raised to attend the old established Church of England, and I had been a Sabbath schoolteacher for many years, but their form of Godliness had never entirely impressed my mind with seriousness. I was fairly well read in Bible lore, as the Bible and testament was our main textbooks. I enjoyed reading these books as a history, but when I began to examine them from a Latter-day-Saint standpoint, it become a new book. My wife and I become very interested, and the fatherly care and interest of Brother Thomas Aitkin, who furnished us the Church literature, for our information caused a great interest. My wife at the time being a Weslean, become very interested in the matter. After carful reading and study we decided it was Latter-Day-Saint for us or nothing, as we had to other idea than to learn the truth.
During the time of our efforts to learn the truth Mr. Coulains's only son was investigating the same as we, and he too finally come to the same conclusion, so the fine old gentleman decided he could not kick us all out, and as a result all three were baptized on t the 28th day of October 1848, at night as the citizens would not allow our sins to befoul the waters of the streams if they knew it.
During this great change my Father sent for me to come home as he has secured a life job for me as a house carpenter for Sir Thomas Beckett's castle, a very good situation, but the object of my life had changed, it was now Utah for us. I informed my parents of my designs and went to work steadily and tried to make every lick count to get means together to emigrate. I was prepared to leave with a company when the Elder from Salt Lake Valley arrived and at a meeting held with other brethren it was proposed that I remain in my native village and preach the gospel.
I was accordingly ordained an elder and confirmed and commissioned to proclaim the gospel to my native village and friends and relations as no Mormons had as yet visited these parts; it was a great experience, but I hone my best, and am thankful that I have been sustained by the power of God from that day to this January 29th, 1902.
These dates show I am in my 54th, year as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and I know that I have embraced the truth and I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet divinely inspired by the great Jehovah. I know this by my experience and the influence of the Holy Spirit, as well as by analogy, this is my testimony.
My labors as a missionary, with the assistance of others resulted fairly well in my native village of Kexby. We established a nice branch of the Church. In a little time my Mother and two sisters joint the Church, also many of my old acquaintances and relations.
Brother Joseph E Taylor, now of Salt Lake City, counselor to Angus M. Cannon, President of the Salt Lake Stake assisted me in this great work. We also opened up Gainsborro, the nearest market town. With the help of other elders raised a good sized branch there. We were much persecuted and insulted and opposed, very especially by the Weslean Methodists.
Our efforts were now turned toward emigration. I was honorably released from my mission to prepare to gather to Salt Lake City. This was in the fall of 1850. I had made up my mind to be ready to leave England for the Untied States by the next January. I was then without finds having assisted the other elders to the last six-pence. By perseverance and the help of the Lord, I was armed and equipped and ready to start by the first of January 1851.
On that memorable day, never to be forgotten, I left my home. I was the oldest of twelve children and had been a help and stay to my Father's house ever since I was fourteen years old. To start out was quite a trail for us all.
My wife and I and her tow sisters went on board the ship "Ellen" on January 6th, 1851. We were nine weeks crossing the Atlantic. We landed in New Orleans in March and took passage from New Orleans on the steamer "Alice Scott" and landed in St. Louis in the month of March.
I went to work at the carpenter business for Mr. W. F. Stacy, following stair-building as a specialty. My wife Harriet died October 27th 1851 from premature childbirth and change of climate. I too was taken sick with bilious fever but finally regained my health through the help and assistance of Mr. Tracy and my shipmates, for which I owe them a debt of gratitude.
I struggled on until April 25, 1854 when I married Mary Ann Bunting a widow with one child named Thirza M Bunting. Then to make up for lost time I married Ellen Binns, June 29th, 1856 after coming to Utah. We had traveled by ox team, arriving at Salt Lake City in June of 1856.
During my stay in Salt Lake City I worked at my trade most of the time on church buildings. On account of the grasshoppers destroying our crops many of the public hands had to leave to find food. Many of the people had to dig roots; my family did among many others. I went north to Farmington to hunt work and food. I found work and food with Thomas Grover, go feed for myself and sent food to my family in Salt Lake. Since that time I have never know want of good substantial food.
I was invited to cast by lot in Farmington by Bishop Hess and Thomas Grover. I moved my family to Farmington and spent many happy days there. Soon after arriving there I was engaged to guild a gristmill in connection with Bishop John Hess, Hinman Brothers and Arthur Stayner. The miss was finished and did a fairly profitable business.
We also engaged in sawmill and shingle mill business in Farmington Canyon, the same being a failure on account of myself and James Leithead being called to go on a mission to the Muddy. While in the saw and shingle miss business myself and James Leithead took the lead in building the Farmington meeting house.
In December 1867, Brother Hollist and I started from Farmington on the Muddy Mission. Just after we got started a severe storm set in and we couldn't get farther than American Fork, when we had to turn back until spring.
During the winter Bishop Hess got my release, so I settled down quite satisfied. I was prospering, when on May 16th 1869, President Brigham Young again called me the Muddy Mission, saying my services were very much needed. I cheerfully responded sold out and went and stayed until we were all honorably released. From there I went to Glendale, Kane County Utah expecting to settle there but there was no work there and no way to sustain my family, so I sent them to American Fork, Utah County among their relations. I stopped and Helped James Leithead whipsaw some timbers for his proposed gristmill. I stayed and helped him se this turbine wheel and then I left for American Fork to join my family.
On arriving there at the request of Bishop Harrington I took the leading part in building and addition to the American Form Meeting house. I also helped to remodel the old gristmill for the co-op Store. I was just beginning to get a new start, when I was again called to go to Kanab, Utah in company with James Leithead and Lorenzo Watson to build a gristmill there.
At this ti8me the John R Young "Order" was running in full blast, they furnished the lumber and black smith work. Just about the time the miss was finished the Order ceased operations and the builders too the mill and paid the debts
A miller was employed and I went back to American Fork and was well employed when I was requested to move to Kanab to run the miss and see if I could make it pay any better than the present miller. Many changes took place, new stake presidents, etc. The famers started to raise Lucerne to feed stock. The mill didn't have much work so we sold it, soon a flood came that left the mill high and dry. I like others took chances in Kanab and started for the fifth time to make a home.
During the interlude I took charge of building a new social hall in Kanab. And also about this time I in company with a few others bought the Glendale Grist Mill from the Orderville United Order.
It was like the "Order"-it got out of order and we set to work to repair same. We just got it to doing a good business when it took fire and was totally destroyed. We immediately set to work to clear away the debris to build a new mill. When it was in good running order, doing a fair business, its patrons demanded that we put in rollers. That was another great expense but it was done to meet the demand.
After moving to Kanab I was one of the first to be ordained at seventy June 9, 1885, and served as such until September 2nd 1894. I was ordained by Jacob Gates, I was then ordained a Patriarch by Francis M Lyman.
I am now in my eighty-fifth year and can see and realize the dealing of my Heavenly Father and am satisfied and yet willing to do all the good I can. I am the father of three children; one of them being thrown from a horse and killed. My daughter, the wife of Joel H Johnson died while a very young woman. I also adopted the daughter of my wife Mary Ann Bunting.
Reuben Broadbent died at Kanab, Utah on May 29th 1909, at the age of ninety -one years.
Broadbent, Reuben, a Patriarch in the Kanab Stake of Zion, was born Dec. 23, 1817, at Kexby near Gainesboro, Lincolnshire, England. His religious training was in the Episcopal Church. He learned the trade of house carpenter from his father and followed that trade all his life. At the age of twenty-nine he married Harriet Otter. He embraced the Gospel being baptized Oct. 26, 1849, and was at once appointed to preach in his home village, with Elder Joseph E. Taylor as companion. Soon after (p. 130) this he came to America. After spending three years in Saint Louis, Mo., where his wife died, he came on to Utah and settled at Farmington, Davis County. Here he designed and superintended the building of the "Rock Meeting House", and helped to build a grist, saw and shingle mill. He belonged to the Farmington Band, which at the time was one of the best bands in Utah. He had now tow wives and was just getting in comfortable circumstances when President Young called him to move with his family to the Muddy. After the Muddy Mission was abandoned, he went north once more and settled at American Fork, where he put up an addition to the meeting house. Then a call came to go to Kanab and help Brother James Leithead to build a grist mill. The mill was built, but a flood came that cut a deep channel through the canyon and left the mill high and dry. He then joined Bro. Leithead and others in buying a dilapidated grist mill at Glendale. The mill was refitted and put in good shape, and was doing well till it burned down. The owners, however, rebuilt it, and in time made a roller mill of it; it is now the only four mills in Kane County. At Kanab, where he still lives and works in his shop, he superintended the building of the Social Hall. Besides these public buildings, there are homes of his designing in every town in which he has lived. He was ordained president of the Eighty-fifth Quorum of Seventy by Elder Jacob Gates, and was later ordained a High Priest; finally he was ordained Patriarch by Apostle Francis M. Lyman.
-------------------------
Rueben Broadbent History
Sketch of the life of Reuben Broadbent, written by him self at the age of eighty-five years.
I was born at Kexby, near Gainsborro, Lincolnshire, England December 23rd 1817. Kexby is a small seaport town located on the river Trent.
I was educated in the common schools until I was fourteen years of age; my last teacher there was an expert mathematician and after leaving him I studied tow years under an expert bookkeeper. I never put into practice what I learned at bookkeeping, but decided to go into the carpenter trade with my Father. Carpenter works become my ideal; my father, an expert carpenter, had built up a good business and we together made carpenter business a success. I worked at home until I was not afraid to take my tools and tramp out to hunt a job of my own. I finally tired of country life and so moved from city to city and finally landed in South Lincolnshire, England, and become master stair-builder.
About this time I decided to marry and on the fifteenth day of October 1846, I was married to Harriet Otter, in the fine old church in Gainsborro. I moved back south intending to settle down there but my old boss and failed in business, so I went to work in the new shop for a Mr. Coulaine.
It seemed fate was handling me as I went right among the Latter-day-Saints. Mr. Coulaine said if they made a Mormon out of me he would kick us all out of his premises as all of his old faithful hands become Mormons. I worked very pleasantly for a few months, in my new position in the new shop.
I had been raised to attend the old established Church of England, and I had been a Sabbath schoolteacher for many years, but their form of Godliness had never entirely impressed my mind with seriousness. I was fairly well read in Bible lore, as the Bible and testament was our main textbooks. I enjoyed reading these books as a history, but when I began to examine them from a Latter-day-Saint standpoint, it become a new book. My wife and I become very interested, and the fatherly care and interest of Brother Thomas Aitkin, who furnished us the Church literature, for our information caused a great interest. My wife at the time being a Weslean, become very interested in the matter. After carful reading and study we decided it was Latter-Day-Saint for us or nothing, as we had to other idea than to learn the truth.
During the time of our efforts to learn the truth Mr. Coulains's only son was investigating the same as we, and he too finally come to the same conclusion, so the fine old gentleman decided he could not kick us all out, and as a result all three were baptized on t the 28th day of October 1848, at night as the citizens would not allow our sins to befoul the waters of the streams if they knew it.
During this great change my Father sent for me to come home as he has secured a life job for me as a house carpenter for Sir Thomas Beckett's castle, a very good situation, but the object of my life had changed, it was now Utah for us. I informed my parents of my designs and went to work steadily and tried to make every lick count to get means together to emigrate. I was prepared to leave with a company when the Elder from Salt Lake Valley arrived and at a meeting held with other brethren it was proposed that I remain in my native village and preach the gospel.
I was accordingly ordained an elder and confirmed and commissioned to proclaim the gospel to my native village and friends and relations as no Mormons had as yet visited these parts; it was a great experience, but I hone my best, and am thankful that I have been sustained by the power of God from that day to this January 29th, 1902.
These dates show I am in my 54th, year as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and I know that I have embraced the truth and I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet divinely inspired by the great Jehovah. I know this by my experience and the influence of the Holy Spirit, as well as by analogy, this is my testimony.
My labors as a missionary, with the assistance of others resulted fairly well in my native village of Kexby. We established a nice branch of the Church. In a little time my Mother and two sisters joint the Church, also many of my old acquaintances and relations.
Brother Joseph E Taylor, now of Salt Lake City, counselor to Angus M. Cannon, President of the Salt Lake Stake assisted me in this great work. We also opened up Gainsborro, the nearest market town. With the help of other elders raised a good sized branch there. We were much persecuted and insulted and opposed, very especially by the Weslean Methodists.
Our efforts were now turned toward emigration. I was honorably released from my mission to prepare to gather to Salt Lake City. This was in the fall of 1850. I had made up my mind to be ready to leave England for the Untied States by the next January. I was then without finds having assisted the other elders to the last six-pence. By perseverance and the help of the Lord, I was armed and equipped and ready to start by the first of January 1851.
On that memorable day, never to be forgotten, I left my home. I was the oldest of twelve children and had been a help and stay to my Father's house ever since I was fourteen years old. To start out was quite a trail for us all.
My wife and I and her tow sisters went on board the ship "Ellen" on January 6th, 1851. We were nine weeks crossing the Atlantic. We landed in New Orleans in March and took passage from New Orleans on the steamer "Alice Scott" and landed in St. Louis in the month of March.
I went to work at the carpenter business for Mr. W. F. Stacy, following stair-building as a specialty. My wife Harriet died October 27th 1851 from premature childbirth and change of climate. I too was taken sick with bilious fever but finally regained my health through the help and assistance of Mr. Tracy and my shipmates, for which I owe them a debt of gratitude.
I struggled on until April 25, 1854 when I married Mary Ann Bunting a widow with one child named Thirza M Bunting. Then to make up for lost time I married Ellen Binns, June 29th, 1856 after coming to Utah. We had traveled by ox team, arriving at Salt Lake City in June of 1856.
During my stay in Salt Lake City I worked at my trade most of the time on church buildings. On account of the grasshoppers destroying our crops many of the public hands had to leave to find food. Many of the people had to dig roots; my family did among many others. I went north to Farmington to hunt work and food. I found work and food with Thomas Grover, go feed for myself and sent food to my family in Salt Lake. Since that time I have never know want of good substantial food.
I was invited to cast by lot in Farmington by Bishop Hess and Thomas Grover. I moved my family to Farmington and spent many happy days there. Soon after arriving there I was engaged to guild a gristmill in connection with Bishop John Hess, Hinman Brothers and Arthur Stayner. The miss was finished and did a fairly profitable business.
We also engaged in sawmill and shingle mill business in Farmington Canyon, the same being a failure on account of myself and James Leithead being called to go on a mission to the Muddy. While in the saw and shingle miss business myself and James Leithead took the lead in building the Farmington meeting house.
In December 1867, Brother Hollist and I started from Farmington on the Muddy Mission. Just after we got started a severe storm set in and we couldn't get farther than American Fork, when we had to turn back until spring.
During the winter Bishop Hess got my release, so I settled down quite satisfied. I was prospering, when on May 16th 1869, President Brigham Young again called me the Muddy Mission, saying my services were very much needed. I cheerfully responded sold out and went and stayed until we were all honorably released. From there I went to Glendale, Kane County Utah expecting to settle there but there was no work there and no way to sustain my family, so I sent them to American Fork, Utah County among their relations. I stopped and Helped James Leithead whipsaw some timbers for his proposed gristmill. I stayed and helped him se this turbine wheel and then I left for American Fork to join my family.
On arriving there at the request of Bishop Harrington I took the leading part in building and addition to the American Form Meeting house. I also helped to remodel the old gristmill for the co-op Store. I was just beginning to get a new start, when I was again called to go to Kanab, Utah in company with James Leithead and Lorenzo Watson to build a gristmill there.
At this ti8me the John R Young "Order" was running in full blast, they furnished the lumber and black smith work. Just about the time the miss was finished the Order ceased operations and the builders too the mill and paid the debts
A miller was employed and I went back to American Fork and was well employed when I was requested to move to Kanab to run the miss and see if I could make it pay any better than the present miller. Many changes took place, new stake presidents, etc. The famers started to raise Lucerne to feed stock. The mill didn't have much work so we sold it, soon a flood came that left the mill high and dry. I like others took chances in Kanab and started for the fifth time to make a home.
During the interlude I took charge of building a new social hall in Kanab. And also about this time I in company with a few others bought the Glendale Grist Mill from the Orderville United Order.
It was like the "Order"-it got out of order and we set to work to repair same. We just got it to doing a good business when it took fire and was totally destroyed. We immediately set to work to clear away the debris to build a new mill. When it was in good running order, doing a fair business, its patrons demanded that we put in rollers. That was another great expense but it was done to meet the demand.
After moving to Kanab I was one of the first to be ordained at seventy June 9, 1885, and served as such until September 2nd 1894. I was ordained by Jacob Gates, I was then ordained a Patriarch by Francis M Lyman.
I am now in my eighty-fifth year and can see and realize the dealing of my Heavenly Father and am satisfied and yet willing to do all the good I can. I am the father of three children; one of them being thrown from a horse and killed. My daughter, the wife of Joel H Johnson died while a very young woman. I also adopted the daughter of my wife Mary Ann Bunting.
Reuben Broadbent died at Kanab, Utah on May 29th 1909, at the age of ninety -one years.
Son of Joseph Broadbent & Sarah Capes. Husband to Ellen Binns Broadbent.LDS Biographical Encyclopedia, Andrew Jenson, Vol. 2, p.129
Broadbent, Reuben, a Patriarch in the Kanab Stake of Zion, was born Dec. 23, 1817, at Kexby near Gainesboro, Lincolnshire, England. His religious training was in the Episcopal Church. He learned the trade of house carpenter from his father and followed that trade all his life. At the age of twenty-nine he married Harriet Otter. He embraced the Gospel being baptized Oct. 26, 1849, and was at once appointed to preach in his home village, with Elder Joseph E. Taylor as companion. Soon after (p. 130) this he came to America. After spending three years in Saint Louis, Mo., where his wife died, he came on to Utah and settled at Farmington, Davis County. Here he designed and superintended the building of the "Rock Meeting House", and helped to build a grist, saw and shingle mill. He belonged to the Farmington Band, which at the time was one of the best bands in Utah. He had now tow wives and was just getting in comfortable circumstances when President Young called him to move with his family to the Muddy. After the Muddy Mission was abandoned, he went north once more and settled at American Fork, where he put up an addition to the meeting house. Then a call came to go to Kanab and help Brother James Leithead to build a grist mill. The mill was built, but a flood came that cut a deep channel through the canyon and left the mill high and dry. He then joined Bro. Leithead and others in buying a dilapidated grist mill at Glendale. The mill was refitted and put in good shape, and was doing well till it burned down. The owners, however, rebuilt it, and in time made a roller mill of it; it is now the only four mills in Kane County. At Kanab, where he still lives and works in his shop, he superintended the building of the Social Hall. Besides these public buildings, there are homes of his designing in every town in which he has lived. He was ordained president of the Eighty-fifth Quorum of Seventy by Elder Jacob Gates, and was later ordained a High Priest; finally he was ordained Patriarch by Apostle Francis M. Lyman.
-------------------------
Rueben Broadbent History
Sketch of the life of Reuben Broadbent, written by him self at the age of eighty-five years.
I was born at Kexby, near Gainsborro, Lincolnshire, England December 23rd 1817. Kexby is a small seaport town located on the river Trent.
I was educated in the common schools until I was fourteen years of age; my last teacher there was an expert mathematician and after leaving him I studied tow years under an expert bookkeeper. I never put into practice what I learned at bookkeeping, but decided to go into the carpenter trade with my Father. Carpenter works become my ideal; my father, an expert carpenter, had built up a good business and we together made carpenter business a success. I worked at home until I was not afraid to take my tools and tramp out to hunt a job of my own. I finally tired of country life and so moved from city to city and finally landed in South Lincolnshire, England, and become master stair-builder.
About this time I decided to marry and on the fifteenth day of October 1846, I was married to Harriet Otter, in the fine old church in Gainsborro. I moved back south intending to settle down there but my old boss and failed in business, so I went to work in the new shop for a Mr. Coulaine.
It seemed fate was handling me as I went right among the Latter-day-Saints. Mr. Coulaine said if they made a Mormon out of me he would kick us all out of his premises as all of his old faithful hands become Mormons. I worked very pleasantly for a few months, in my new position in the new shop.
I had been raised to attend the old established Church of England, and I had been a Sabbath schoolteacher for many years, but their form of Godliness had never entirely impressed my mind with seriousness. I was fairly well read in Bible lore, as the Bible and testament was our main textbooks. I enjoyed reading these books as a history, but when I began to examine them from a Latter-day-Saint standpoint, it become a new book. My wife and I become very interested, and the fatherly care and interest of Brother Thomas Aitkin, who furnished us the Church literature, for our information caused a great interest. My wife at the time being a Weslean, become very interested in the matter. After carful reading and study we decided it was Latter-Day-Saint for us or nothing, as we had to other idea than to learn the truth.
During the time of our efforts to learn the truth Mr. Coulains's only son was investigating the same as we, and he too finally come to the same conclusion, so the fine old gentleman decided he could not kick us all out, and as a result all three were baptized on t the 28th day of October 1848, at night as the citizens would not allow our sins to befoul the waters of the streams if they knew it.
During this great change my Father sent for me to come home as he has secured a life job for me as a house carpenter for Sir Thomas Beckett's castle, a very good situation, but the object of my life had changed, it was now Utah for us. I informed my parents of my designs and went to work steadily and tried to make every lick count to get means together to emigrate. I was prepared to leave with a company when the Elder from Salt Lake Valley arrived and at a meeting held with other brethren it was proposed that I remain in my native village and preach the gospel.
I was accordingly ordained an elder and confirmed and commissioned to proclaim the gospel to my native village and friends and relations as no Mormons had as yet visited these parts; it was a great experience, but I hone my best, and am thankful that I have been sustained by the power of God from that day to this January 29th, 1902.
These dates show I am in my 54th, year as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and I know that I have embraced the truth and I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet divinely inspired by the great Jehovah. I know this by my experience and the influence of the Holy Spirit, as well as by analogy, this is my testimony.
My labors as a missionary, with the assistance of others resulted fairly well in my native village of Kexby. We established a nice branch of the Church. In a little time my Mother and two sisters joint the Church, also many of my old acquaintances and relations.
Brother Joseph E Taylor, now of Salt Lake City, counselor to Angus M. Cannon, President of the Salt Lake Stake assisted me in this great work. We also opened up Gainsborro, the nearest market town. With the help of other elders raised a good sized branch there. We were much persecuted and insulted and opposed, very especially by the Weslean Methodists.
Our efforts were now turned toward emigration. I was honorably released from my mission to prepare to gather to Salt Lake City. This was in the fall of 1850. I had made up my mind to be ready to leave England for the Untied States by the next January. I was then without finds having assisted the other elders to the last six-pence. By perseverance and the help of the Lord, I was armed and equipped and ready to start by the first of January 1851.
On that memorable day, never to be forgotten, I left my home. I was the oldest of twelve children and had been a help and stay to my Father's house ever since I was fourteen years old. To start out was quite a trail for us all.
My wife and I and her tow sisters went on board the ship "Ellen" on January 6th, 1851. We were nine weeks crossing the Atlantic. We landed in New Orleans in March and took passage from New Orleans on the steamer "Alice Scott" and landed in St. Louis in the month of March.
I went to work at the carpenter business for Mr. W. F. Stacy, following stair-building as a specialty. My wife Harriet died October 27th 1851 from premature childbirth and change of climate. I too was taken sick with bilious fever but finally regained my health through the help and assistance of Mr. Tracy and my shipmates, for which I owe them a debt of gratitude.
I struggled on until April 25, 1854 when I married Mary Ann Bunting a widow with one child named Thirza M Bunting. Then to make up for lost time I married Ellen Binns, June 29th, 1856 after coming to Utah. We had traveled by ox team, arriving at Salt Lake City in June of 1856.
During my stay in Salt Lake City I worked at my trade most of the time on church buildings. On account of the grasshoppers destroying our crops many of the public hands had to leave to find food. Many of the people had to dig roots; my family did among many others. I went north to Farmington to hunt work and food. I found work and food with Thomas Grover, go feed for myself and sent food to my family in Salt Lake. Since that time I have never know want of good substantial food.
I was invited to cast by lot in Farmington by Bishop Hess and Thomas Grover. I moved my family to Farmington and spent many happy days there. Soon after arriving there I was engaged to guild a gristmill in connection with Bishop John Hess, Hinman Brothers and Arthur Stayner. The miss was finished and did a fairly profitable business.
We also engaged in sawmill and shingle mill business in Farmington Canyon, the same being a failure on account of myself and James Leithead being called to go on a mission to the Muddy. While in the saw and shingle miss business myself and James Leithead took the lead in building the Farmington meeting house.
In December 1867, Brother Hollist and I started from Farmington on the Muddy Mission. Just after we got started a severe storm set in and we couldn't get farther than American Fork, when we had to turn back until spring.
During the winter Bishop Hess got my release, so I settled down quite satisfied. I was prospering, when on May 16th 1869, President Brigham Young again called me the Muddy Mission, saying my services were very much needed. I cheerfully responded sold out and went and stayed until we were all honorably released. From there I went to Glendale, Kane County Utah expecting to settle there but there was no work there and no way to sustain my family, so I sent them to American Fork, Utah County among their relations. I stopped and Helped James Leithead whipsaw some timbers for his proposed gristmill. I stayed and helped him se this turbine wheel and then I left for American Fork to join my family.
On arriving there at the request of Bishop Harrington I took the leading part in building and addition to the American Form Meeting house. I also helped to remodel the old gristmill for the co-op Store. I was just beginning to get a new start, when I was again called to go to Kanab, Utah in company with James Leithead and Lorenzo Watson to build a gristmill there.
At this ti8me the John R Young "Order" was running in full blast, they furnished the lumber and black smith work. Just about the time the miss was finished the Order ceased operations and the builders too the mill and paid the debts
A miller was employed and I went back to American Fork and was well employed when I was requested to move to Kanab to run the miss and see if I could make it pay any better than the present miller. Many changes took place, new stake presidents, etc. The famers started to raise Lucerne to feed stock. The mill didn't have much work so we sold it, soon a flood came that left the mill high and dry. I like others took chances in Kanab and started for the fifth time to make a home.
During the interlude I took charge of building a new social hall in Kanab. And also about this time I in company with a few others bought the Glendale Grist Mill from the Orderville United Order.
It was like the "Order"-it got out of order and we set to work to repair same. We just got it to doing a good business when it took fire and was totally destroyed. We immediately set to work to clear away the debris to build a new mill. When it was in good running order, doing a fair business, its patrons demanded that we put in rollers. That was another great expense but it was done to meet the demand.
After moving to Kanab I was one of the first to be ordained at seventy June 9, 1885, and served as such until September 2nd 1894. I was ordained by Jacob Gates, I was then ordained a Patriarch by Francis M Lyman.
I am now in my eighty-fifth year and can see and realize the dealing of my Heavenly Father and am satisfied and yet willing to do all the good I can. I am the father of three children; one of them being thrown from a horse and killed. My daughter, the wife of Joel H Johnson died while a very young woman. I also adopted the daughter of my wife Mary Ann Bunting.
Reuben Broadbent died at Kanab, Utah on May 29th 1909, at the age of ninety -one years.
Broadbent, Reuben, a Patriarch in the Kanab Stake of Zion, was born Dec. 23, 1817, at Kexby near Gainesboro, Lincolnshire, England. His religious training was in the Episcopal Church. He learned the trade of house carpenter from his father and followed that trade all his life. At the age of twenty-nine he married Harriet Otter. He embraced the Gospel being baptized Oct. 26, 1849, and was at once appointed to preach in his home village, with Elder Joseph E. Taylor as companion. Soon after (p. 130) this he came to America. After spending three years in Saint Louis, Mo., where his wife died, he came on to Utah and settled at Farmington, Davis County. Here he designed and superintended the building of the "Rock Meeting House", and helped to build a grist, saw and shingle mill. He belonged to the Farmington Band, which at the time was one of the best bands in Utah. He had now tow wives and was just getting in comfortable circumstances when President Young called him to move with his family to the Muddy. After the Muddy Mission was abandoned, he went north once more and settled at American Fork, where he put up an addition to the meeting house. Then a call came to go to Kanab and help Brother James Leithead to build a grist mill. The mill was built, but a flood came that cut a deep channel through the canyon and left the mill high and dry. He then joined Bro. Leithead and others in buying a dilapidated grist mill at Glendale. The mill was refitted and put in good shape, and was doing well till it burned down. The owners, however, rebuilt it, and in time made a roller mill of it; it is now the only four mills in Kane County. At Kanab, where he still lives and works in his shop, he superintended the building of the Social Hall. Besides these public buildings, there are homes of his designing in every town in which he has lived. He was ordained president of the Eighty-fifth Quorum of Seventy by Elder Jacob Gates, and was later ordained a High Priest; finally he was ordained Patriarch by Apostle Francis M. Lyman.
-------------------------
Rueben Broadbent History
Sketch of the life of Reuben Broadbent, written by him self at the age of eighty-five years.
I was born at Kexby, near Gainsborro, Lincolnshire, England December 23rd 1817. Kexby is a small seaport town located on the river Trent.
I was educated in the common schools until I was fourteen years of age; my last teacher there was an expert mathematician and after leaving him I studied tow years under an expert bookkeeper. I never put into practice what I learned at bookkeeping, but decided to go into the carpenter trade with my Father. Carpenter works become my ideal; my father, an expert carpenter, had built up a good business and we together made carpenter business a success. I worked at home until I was not afraid to take my tools and tramp out to hunt a job of my own. I finally tired of country life and so moved from city to city and finally landed in South Lincolnshire, England, and become master stair-builder.
About this time I decided to marry and on the fifteenth day of October 1846, I was married to Harriet Otter, in the fine old church in Gainsborro. I moved back south intending to settle down there but my old boss and failed in business, so I went to work in the new shop for a Mr. Coulaine.
It seemed fate was handling me as I went right among the Latter-day-Saints. Mr. Coulaine said if they made a Mormon out of me he would kick us all out of his premises as all of his old faithful hands become Mormons. I worked very pleasantly for a few months, in my new position in the new shop.
I had been raised to attend the old established Church of England, and I had been a Sabbath schoolteacher for many years, but their form of Godliness had never entirely impressed my mind with seriousness. I was fairly well read in Bible lore, as the Bible and testament was our main textbooks. I enjoyed reading these books as a history, but when I began to examine them from a Latter-day-Saint standpoint, it become a new book. My wife and I become very interested, and the fatherly care and interest of Brother Thomas Aitkin, who furnished us the Church literature, for our information caused a great interest. My wife at the time being a Weslean, become very interested in the matter. After carful reading and study we decided it was Latter-Day-Saint for us or nothing, as we had to other idea than to learn the truth.
During the time of our efforts to learn the truth Mr. Coulains's only son was investigating the same as we, and he too finally come to the same conclusion, so the fine old gentleman decided he could not kick us all out, and as a result all three were baptized on t the 28th day of October 1848, at night as the citizens would not allow our sins to befoul the waters of the streams if they knew it.
During this great change my Father sent for me to come home as he has secured a life job for me as a house carpenter for Sir Thomas Beckett's castle, a very good situation, but the object of my life had changed, it was now Utah for us. I informed my parents of my designs and went to work steadily and tried to make every lick count to get means together to emigrate. I was prepared to leave with a company when the Elder from Salt Lake Valley arrived and at a meeting held with other brethren it was proposed that I remain in my native village and preach the gospel.
I was accordingly ordained an elder and confirmed and commissioned to proclaim the gospel to my native village and friends and relations as no Mormons had as yet visited these parts; it was a great experience, but I hone my best, and am thankful that I have been sustained by the power of God from that day to this January 29th, 1902.
These dates show I am in my 54th, year as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and I know that I have embraced the truth and I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet divinely inspired by the great Jehovah. I know this by my experience and the influence of the Holy Spirit, as well as by analogy, this is my testimony.
My labors as a missionary, with the assistance of others resulted fairly well in my native village of Kexby. We established a nice branch of the Church. In a little time my Mother and two sisters joint the Church, also many of my old acquaintances and relations.
Brother Joseph E Taylor, now of Salt Lake City, counselor to Angus M. Cannon, President of the Salt Lake Stake assisted me in this great work. We also opened up Gainsborro, the nearest market town. With the help of other elders raised a good sized branch there. We were much persecuted and insulted and opposed, very especially by the Weslean Methodists.
Our efforts were now turned toward emigration. I was honorably released from my mission to prepare to gather to Salt Lake City. This was in the fall of 1850. I had made up my mind to be ready to leave England for the Untied States by the next January. I was then without finds having assisted the other elders to the last six-pence. By perseverance and the help of the Lord, I was armed and equipped and ready to start by the first of January 1851.
On that memorable day, never to be forgotten, I left my home. I was the oldest of twelve children and had been a help and stay to my Father's house ever since I was fourteen years old. To start out was quite a trail for us all.
My wife and I and her tow sisters went on board the ship "Ellen" on January 6th, 1851. We were nine weeks crossing the Atlantic. We landed in New Orleans in March and took passage from New Orleans on the steamer "Alice Scott" and landed in St. Louis in the month of March.
I went to work at the carpenter business for Mr. W. F. Stacy, following stair-building as a specialty. My wife Harriet died October 27th 1851 from premature childbirth and change of climate. I too was taken sick with bilious fever but finally regained my health through the help and assistance of Mr. Tracy and my shipmates, for which I owe them a debt of gratitude.
I struggled on until April 25, 1854 when I married Mary Ann Bunting a widow with one child named Thirza M Bunting. Then to make up for lost time I married Ellen Binns, June 29th, 1856 after coming to Utah. We had traveled by ox team, arriving at Salt Lake City in June of 1856.
During my stay in Salt Lake City I worked at my trade most of the time on church buildings. On account of the grasshoppers destroying our crops many of the public hands had to leave to find food. Many of the people had to dig roots; my family did among many others. I went north to Farmington to hunt work and food. I found work and food with Thomas Grover, go feed for myself and sent food to my family in Salt Lake. Since that time I have never know want of good substantial food.
I was invited to cast by lot in Farmington by Bishop Hess and Thomas Grover. I moved my family to Farmington and spent many happy days there. Soon after arriving there I was engaged to guild a gristmill in connection with Bishop John Hess, Hinman Brothers and Arthur Stayner. The miss was finished and did a fairly profitable business.
We also engaged in sawmill and shingle mill business in Farmington Canyon, the same being a failure on account of myself and James Leithead being called to go on a mission to the Muddy. While in the saw and shingle miss business myself and James Leithead took the lead in building the Farmington meeting house.
In December 1867, Brother Hollist and I started from Farmington on the Muddy Mission. Just after we got started a severe storm set in and we couldn't get farther than American Fork, when we had to turn back until spring.
During the winter Bishop Hess got my release, so I settled down quite satisfied. I was prospering, when on May 16th 1869, President Brigham Young again called me the Muddy Mission, saying my services were very much needed. I cheerfully responded sold out and went and stayed until we were all honorably released. From there I went to Glendale, Kane County Utah expecting to settle there but there was no work there and no way to sustain my family, so I sent them to American Fork, Utah County among their relations. I stopped and Helped James Leithead whipsaw some timbers for his proposed gristmill. I stayed and helped him se this turbine wheel and then I left for American Fork to join my family.
On arriving there at the request of Bishop Harrington I took the leading part in building and addition to the American Form Meeting house. I also helped to remodel the old gristmill for the co-op Store. I was just beginning to get a new start, when I was again called to go to Kanab, Utah in company with James Leithead and Lorenzo Watson to build a gristmill there.
At this ti8me the John R Young "Order" was running in full blast, they furnished the lumber and black smith work. Just about the time the miss was finished the Order ceased operations and the builders too the mill and paid the debts
A miller was employed and I went back to American Fork and was well employed when I was requested to move to Kanab to run the miss and see if I could make it pay any better than the present miller. Many changes took place, new stake presidents, etc. The famers started to raise Lucerne to feed stock. The mill didn't have much work so we sold it, soon a flood came that left the mill high and dry. I like others took chances in Kanab and started for the fifth time to make a home.
During the interlude I took charge of building a new social hall in Kanab. And also about this time I in company with a few others bought the Glendale Grist Mill from the Orderville United Order.
It was like the "Order"-it got out of order and we set to work to repair same. We just got it to doing a good business when it took fire and was totally destroyed. We immediately set to work to clear away the debris to build a new mill. When it was in good running order, doing a fair business, its patrons demanded that we put in rollers. That was another great expense but it was done to meet the demand.
After moving to Kanab I was one of the first to be ordained at seventy June 9, 1885, and served as such until September 2nd 1894. I was ordained by Jacob Gates, I was then ordained a Patriarch by Francis M Lyman.
I am now in my eighty-fifth year and can see and realize the dealing of my Heavenly Father and am satisfied and yet willing to do all the good I can. I am the father of three children; one of them being thrown from a horse and killed. My daughter, the wife of Joel H Johnson died while a very young woman. I also adopted the daughter of my wife Mary Ann Bunting.
Reuben Broadbent died at Kanab, Utah on May 29th 1909, at the age of ninety -one years.
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