Moroni Fisher, Another Pioneer of Ashley Valley, Passes On To the Beyond

Moroni Fisher, nearly eighty-three years of age, and one of the early pioneers of Ashley Valley, passed away peacefully away at his home in Vernal Monday evening June 10 from general debility.

Mr. Fisher has suffered ill health the past winter but became more poorly about two weeks ago. However he was up and around until the last. He was a staunch Latter-Day Saint and his dying words to his boys urged them to carry on the work of the gospel that he had left undone.

Moroni Fisher was born in Preston, Lancashire, England August 24, 1844, the only son of John and Jane Pearson Fisher. He had one sister who preceded him in death. With the family he came to Utah in 1851. As a young lad he worked in Weber Canyon for President John Taylor who became a favorite of Mr. Fisher, getting out ties for the first railroad that was built in Utah. He was an Indian war veteran and stock quard at Cedar Fort during the Indian trouble. He was also in the skirmish at Pleasant Grove, when he was a calvaryman. On September 30, 1875 when he was a young man of thirty-one years, he married Miss Mary Peterson. To them were born thirteen children, nine of whom survive. After suffering the hardships of the early pioneers in Cedar Valley he with his wife came to Ashley Valley forty five years ago as early pioneers where they again endured the privations of pioneer life, They first lived in Maeser where Mr. Fisher was a farmer and cattleman.

At the opening of the Indian reservation he with his boys homesteaded a section of land near Boneta. About eleven years ago Mr. and Mrs. Fisher moved to Vernal where they have since resided.

Besides his wife Mr. Fisher is survived by the following children: Mrs. Alice Bodily, Mrs. Jane Hardy of Vernal, Mrs. Elsie Hall of Tabor, Canada. James Fisher of Vernal, George Fisher of Boneta, Orm Fisher of Vernal, Mrs. Nellie A. Eaton of Rainbow, Don Fisher of Grand Junction, Colorado and Mrs. Tattar Miller of Helper. Also by forty-three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. All of the children were at the bedside of their father, except Elsie Hall of Canada, who because of ill health and the distance was unable to come.

Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon in the Second Ward Chapel under the direction of Bishop A.T. Johnson.

Vernal Express, June 13, 1929
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LAST SAD RITES PAID ONE OF ASHLEY VALLEY'S PIONEERS

Impressive funeral services for Moroni Fisher who passed away the preceding Monday evening were held in the Second Ward Chapel Thursday afternoon, June 13 at one o'clock. The rostrum was draped in white with beautiful cut flowers and floral pieces. The casket draped with an American flag, laden with fragrant flowers was attended by James George Orin and Don Fisher, sons of the deceased and Reed and Sterling Bodily, grandsons.

A mixed quartet sweetly sang "Come, Come Ye Saints" which was followed by invocation being pronounced by Oscar Wilsins of Beneta. Earl Goodrich then sang the solo "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" with the quartet chorus.

Phillip Stringham of Maeser, a pioneer acquaintance of Mr. Fisher, was the first speaker and told of the arrival of Mr. Fisher to the United States from England, when he was a very small boy. How he landed at New Orleans and sailed up the Mississippi River. No matter what obstacle he had to face he was always cheerful and helpful outstanding traits of character which made him a blessing to this community in the pioneer days.

Mrs. May Jorgensen tenderly sang "Face to Face".

John L. McConkie then spoke of Mr. Fisher's life as having been an open book, all of his actions being worthy of example being honest and dependable at all times. In his religious life he was very retired but made a good many lives better by his association.

President Wallace Calder the concluding speaker gave an interesting sketch of the life of the departed from his early childhood until his last years. He mentioned among other things his steadfastness to the gospel in spite of bitter persecution, his love for his mother, his journey to Utah under such adverse circumstances as had been related. The speaker said "True genuine religion is love and service, the religion that Mr. Fisher lived every day of his life.

The quartet then sang "Oh My Father" after which the benediction was pronounced by Thomas Bingham. A large concourse of relatives and friends followed the remains to the Vernal Cemetery where the grave was dedicated by John Hodgkinson. Those attending the services from outside points beside immediate members of the family were Mrs. Iris Jensen, Dwey Mayweather, William Potter and Orson Munsen, all of Boneta and Mabel Stevenson from Mountain Home.

-Vernal Express, June 20, 1929, transcribed by Rhonda Holton