LIFE HISTORY OF FREDERICK WILLIAM FOREMASTER
1821-1892

Written by his granddaughter Florence Foremaster
St. George, Utah   April 1977

 
 
 
 As far back as we have any records of the Fuhrmeister family, they lived in and around the city of Dardesheim, Saxony, Prussia. Frederick was born on a cold day, the 2nd day of January 1821.  He was the eighth child of Heinrich Andreas and Maria Katharina Dorothea Landes Fuhrmeister, who were the parents of thirteen children:

   1. Christoph Karl
   2. Andreas Heinrich Christoph
   3. Christoph Henoch
   4. Maria Dorothea
   5. Heinrich Andreas Wilhelm
   6. Maria Dorothea Karoline
   7. Karl Henoch
   8. Frederick Christoph (William)
   9. Johanna Dorothea
   10. Friedrich Heinrich    }
   11. (stillborn daughter)   } triplets
   12. Friederick Karoline  }
   13. Karl

 Frederick seemed to be a favorite name in the family. No doubt named for their beloved king, Frederick the Great, or one of the four other kings that had the name of Frederick. (Frederick the IV especially had loyal subjects and he reigned from 1840-1861.) It was also customary for them to give the child the names of all their godfathers and godmothers.  This is the reason each child had so many names.

 Heinrich Andreas was a master mason of very good repute.  I imagine father Heinrich built a spacious rock home to house his large family.  Frederick, being one of the in-betweens, had numerous bosses and people to look out for him and see that he grew up in the right way.  I must have been a happy childhood with so many brothers and sisters to love and care for him.

 In that day and age mortality was very high.  Christoph Karl, the first born child, lived four years and two months. The fifth brother, Heinrich Andreas Wilhelm, lived only four days. Karl Henoch, the boy just older than Frederick, lived just 13 days.

 Frederick was just 2 years old when his mother gave birth to triplets.  One (a girl) was stillborn, but Johanna Dorothea and Friedrich Heinrich lived to maturity. On the 10th day of July, 1825, another daughter was born. They named her Friedericke Karoline and two years later, February 14, 1827, little Karl was born. So far we have no records of the deaths of these younger children. Frederick was 12 years old when his oldest brother, Andreas Heinrich Christoph was married to Henriette Maria Honig, on the 17th of November, 1833. Two years later the third child, Christoph Henoch married Elizabeth Hintze on November 11, 1835. Frederick was now 14 years old and by that time, no doubt, he was helping his father at his trade and learning to become a master mason like his father.

 It was a sad Christmas to look forward to for that 16 year old Frederick, that December of 1837. His dear mother, Maria Katharina Dorothea Landes, died on the 5th of December and was buried in the Dardesheim cemetery. I imagine he became closer to his father in those following years, as they put their hearts and souls into their work. Heinrich Andreas didn't live long after his wife's death. In two short years he followed her in death, October 14, 1839, and was buried beside her.

 Frederick was now a journeyman on his own. He was now 18 years old. It was the law of the land at that time, when a young man reached his 18th birthday, he was compelled to serve in the King's army for three years. This was not an easy assignment. I imagine it was very difficult for him to leave his hometown, his loving brothers and sisters and their families, and go away for three long years.

 After three grueling years of strict discipline, very little pay and no comforts, he was discharged and permitted to return to his home in Dardesheim, but he was subject for recall any time the country was threatened with war.

 How wonderful to be home again among his relatives and friends and how anxious he was to begin his career as a master mason. As was the custom, he became a journeyman and soon returned to Deersheim, a town not far from Dardesheim. Here he met and fell in love with Christina Sophia Magdalene Lindau, the beautiful daughter of Johann Christoph Lindau and his wife, Anna Maria Dorothea Pardei. They both belonged to the Lutheran Church, as did the rest of their kin. It was customary at that time for the bride and groom to get the public consent of their parents or guardians before the marriage. As Frederick's parents were both dead, the guardian court of Osterweich on August 8, 1844, authorized the bridegroom's guardian, Andreas Landes, the master baker of Dardesheim, an uncle on his mother's side, to give consent to the marriage of his ward, which he did. The groom was 23 years old, having been born in 1821.

 The bride, Christina Sophia Magdalene Lindau of Deersheim, was 23 years old, having been born on 18 July 1821. The father, Johann Christoph Lindau, the cottager of Deersheim, and his lawful spouse Anna Marie Dorothea Pardei, both gave their vocally expressed permission to the Pastor. The marriage was consummated the 24th of August 1844 in the quiet of Sunday at noon through Pastor H. A. Garcke. Neither the bride nor groom were previously married. I imagine it was a gala celebration when he took his bride to Dardesheim and introduced her to his many brothers and sisters and all their families, as well as the numerous other relatives. It was here they set up housekeeping and began their happy family unit.

 On February 1, 1845, Christina gave birth to a pair of twin girls. They named them Henriette Friedericke and Maria Sophia. Little Henriette seemed to be the weaker one and she couldn't cope with all the problems of life, she came for such a short time. She died 24 April 1845 and was buried in Dardesheim. Little Maria was more vigorous and they showered all their love on her. On 26 November 1846 they were blessed with a son. They named him Frederick Christoph Henoch.

 In the year 1847 there were rumors of a war floating about. Frederick knew that if war was declared he would be called back into service. He was worried. Army life was far from desirable at any time, but now that he had a wife and family it seemed to be more than he could cope with. What would happen to his little family while he was gone? And what if he never returned or if he did, and came back maimed and unable to support his family? He wished he had his family safely in the free new country of America, where there were so many opportunities and where some of his relatives had gone and sent back such glowing reports. He talked it over with his dear wife Sophia and they decided if they could find a way, they would go to America.

 One of his uncles was Captain of a ship plying between Europe and America. Frederick went to him with his problems. The uncle gave them the necessary passport to England for a vacation. They hurriedly gathered together their belongings and bade a tearful farewell to their beloved relatives and took passage to England some time in March or April of 1848.

 The ship docked in Liverpool, but conveniently the oldest child, Mary, had measles so the officer quarantined them and would not permit them to land. When the ship was ready to sail for America they went along, which was Frederick's desire. They began the voyage probably the latter part of March or the first part of April, because Frederick's record tells that little Frederick Henoch became very ill and died the 25th of April 1848 and was buried at sea. That must have been a sad experience to be forced to put his precious body into the sea. Sometime while enroute to America, Frederick decided that he should change the spelling of his name to English, so from then on they were Foremasters.

 In Aunt Mary's history, she says they landed in the state of Virginia. When they first arrived, Frederick had a bad sore hand which didn't heal for several months. It must have been a trying experience for them, strangers in a strange country, unable to speak the language, and the head of the family unable to work for a living. Sophia had to do housework for people in order for them to exist. However, they soon discovered there were good Christians living in America too. When the people discovered what poor circumstances the Foremasters were in, they brought them many luxuries as well as the necessities of life. The Foremasters were honest, humble, prayerful Lutherans and they asked the Lord for help and received it. As soon as Frederick's hand was healed he did not lack for work or the bounties of the country.

 I think he must have longed for his relatives and to be with people of his native Saxony. He must have known of relatives living in Wisconsin since he moved there in 1850. Aunt Mary records that he bought a small home, with a garden spot, in Milwaukee. However, he was unable to find work and so he left the garden to his capable wife and went to Beloit, Wisconsin. Here he found a cousin and also found employment with the railroad company making culverts. He remained there about a year and a half to make enough money to pay for his home in Milwaukee and arrange for another home in Beloit. While the family was in Milwaukee, little Franz Henoch was born, February 1, 1851 and what a joy he was. It had been so long since their little son, Frederick Henoch had been buried at sea.  Mary was quite overjoyed with her new brother.

 Not long after this, a group of 12 men arrived in Beloit from Mecklenburg, Germany on their way to the notorious gold fields of California. They had heard of an easy way to get rich. They asked Frederick if they could board with them for a few days, I imagine Frederick and Sophia considered it a great privilege to have these people in their home where they could communicate in their native tongue and hear all the news from their fatherland, Little Mary was especially fascinated with one named William Albrant. He was so kind and could play the violin and do so many tricks. When they were ready to resume their journey, Mr. Albrant handed his violin and case and a bundle of clothes to Frederick and asked him to keep them until he returned, He thought perhaps he would be glad to get them by that time, Frederick agreed, never dreaming that they might move.

 Work was quite plentiful and they got along nicely. On the 9th of Dec. 1853 another son blessed their home. They named him Albert Charles. He was a big raw boned individual with sandy hair and blue, blue eyes. He looked as if he were strong enough to weather the worst of storms. Little Mary was overjoyed. Now she had a baby brother to help care for and love. Frederick, too, was a very proud father and he prayed the Lord to bless him that he might be able to raise this son.

 Things went very well for this little family for the next three or four years, but Frederick became restless, His profession seemed to have lost its zest. He thought he would like to try his hand at farming. This was such a wonderful new country. There was plenty of room. One was free to go wherever one chose, and there were opportunities everywhere. He had heard much talk of the rich soil in Iowa along the Mississippi River and the land was cheap. He talked it over with his good wife, Sophia and they decided to give it a try. It didn't take long to purchase a team and wagon to move his family to Dubuque, Iowa, in 1856. Here he procured a farm on the main highway. The road forked at their place, one road going across the Mississippi River and the other going into the country.

 This was a new community and the majority of the people belonged to the Methodist Church. The Foremasters for generations back had belonged to the Lutheran Church. They were very devout people, humble and prayerful. The community needed a church building and when they found out that Frederick was a master mason, they came and pleaded with him to take charge of building their chapel. Frederick had a number of men working under him, so it didn't take long for them to erect a very lovely chapel. The people were so delighted and were so friendly with the Foremasters.

 But Frederick needed a house for his family. Timber was plentiful and it was customary for people to have a House Raising Bee when they had a house to build. All the men of the community came and helped him raise the walls of a story and a half log cabin. Than he exchanged work with other workers. He would do mason work for them if they would do the carpenter work on his home. Now once again his family had a comfortable home to live in. He planted a garden and a field of potatoes and grain. Most of the work of caring for the garden fell on Sophia and Mary because Frederick was so busy with his trade.

 The people of this community were so friendly and congenial and he had helped build their chapel. he decided maybe he should join the Methodist Church and Sophia agreed with him. Although they lived five miles from the chapel, they were very devout members and walked to church every Sunday winter and summer.

 Frederick was soon very productive chickens, horses and a very energetic person and a good provider. His farm was and he was able to accumulate farm animals, cows, pigs, oxen. He always owned a good team and wood was plentiful. He supplemented his income by cutting cord wood and hauling it to the city to sell.

 Now they had an added blessing from the Lord. To them was born another son and on the nation's birthday. Little Wilhelm made his appearance July 4, 1856. How could they help but have high hopes for this little son. Why he might even grow up to be the president of the United States. However, this was not in the plan. Little Wilhelm came just long enough to acquire a mortal body and then he was called back to his Father in Heaven in just two weeks time.

 One sunny morning in February 1857, Frederick was busy in the yard fixing his woodrack and making preparations for a trip to the city with a load of cord wood to sell. Mary was playing in the yard, when she happened to look up and saw a man about a quarter of a mile away coming down the highway. She called to her father saying, "Here comes that man who left his violin with you." Frederick said, "Oh no Mary, you can't see that far," But Mary insisted and Sophia looking out the upstairs window verified what Mary had said. Frederick went on with his work until the man reached the gate, then he recognized him as William Albrant and invited him in. Frederick inquired how he had fared in California. William replied that be had not been to California but had stopped in Utah and had been converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Now they had sent him on a mission to teach the same gospel that Christ had taught when he was here on the earth.

 Frederick told him if he would stay with them for three days, he would give him a lift to the city. William accepted the invitation and Sophia and Mary hastened to prepare some food for their guest. William began immediately to explain the gospel as taught by the Latter-day Saints, but Frederick didn't listen very well. He felt that he had found the true church and didn't care to change. So after supper he lay back on the bed and dozed. Sophia and Mary listened very attentively to all William had to say and they believed it. For three days William continued his preaching and Sophia and Mary made a very receptive audience. Finally when Frederick had his load of wood ready, William thanked his hostess and left a blessing on the household and rode to the city with Frederick.

 William Albrant was a very dedicated missionary and didn't let a minutes time go to waste.  He preached the gospel to Frederick all the way to the city. Frederick was particularly blessed in selling his load of wood for a good price. He offered to buy William a drink but he refused. He then offered to buy him a cup of coffee which William also declined but said he would accept lunch if it were agreeable with Frederick. After lunch Frederick bought William a hat, a pair of trousers and a pair of boots and then gave him a five dollar gold piece, thus hoping to compensate for the things William had entrusted him with, for Frederick had disposed of them when he moved to Dubuque. William bade Frederick good-bye and blessed him.

 His preaching did not fall on barren soil. Frederick had time on his return trip to think over the things that William had discussed and he began to compare them with the doctrines of the other churches he had come in contact with, The more he thought about it the more he wondered if William wasn't right. By the time he reached home, he was really in a quandary. Her told Sophia about his trip and what he had done and said if he knew where to contact William he would send him money for him to return to their home in order for him to get his questions answered and set his mind at ease. Sophia told him that William had left his address with her.

 Frederick immediately sent $25,00 for him to return to their home. William returned and answered Frederick's questions. Frederick listened with an open mind this time, It seemed so right and plain. All three were convinced that this was the true church of Jesus Christ. The same that he had established when he was here on the earth. They all wished to be baptized but Sophia was pregnant again and wanted to wait until the baby came. Even though it was winter and cold Frederick and Mary were baptized in the Mississippi River, Feb. 1857. After the birth of her daughter, Martha, on Mar. 25th, 1857, Sophia was baptized in May 1857. Albert and Martha were blessed at the same time.

 Immediately after they were baptized, they got the spirit of gathering with the Saints. William told them good-bye and continued his travels, while they began their preparations for the journey to Utah. The evil one was on the job, too. Their friends deserted them and put all sorts of stumbling blocks in their way. Frederick was blessed in getting $1250.00 for his farm which was a little less than he had been offered a few months earlier. He had two wagons, two yoke of oxen and a span of mules. They had  provisions to last them for a year. He had killed an ox that weighed 1000 pounds and pigs which provided them with plenty of lard. They had plenty of tallow, bacon, dried beef, dried fruit and rice. They were comfortably fixed.

 William Albrant then joined them, saying he had been recalled from his mission because Johnson's army was going to Utah to put down a rebellion that never existed. He would drive one of the teams for Frederick. They started their trek in April 1858, when spring was opening and there was no bottom to the roads. There were threats to tar and feather the Mormon missionary, so when asked where they were going Frederick said they were on their way to California, since everyone was excited about the gold fields of California. It took them from April till June to travel through the state of Iowa because of the bad roads. As Frederick neared Iowa City he heard of some Fuhrmeisters living there, They stopped here for a few days to get acquainted with these relatives. Since they were not Mormons, he told them he was on his way to California. Frederick had one mule with small feet. He was always the first one to get stuck in the mud. This he traded for a big gray mule,

 At last they reached the Missouri River and crossed over to Florence, Nebraska and then on to Genoa, Nebraska which was the headquarters for the Utah Pioneers. Here Frederick was advised to remain a year, which was Brigham Young's policy for one group of pioneers to stay and raise a crop for the next group of immigrants. Frederick was a true Latter-day Saint and heeded the advice, and counsel of those in authority. I imagine it was a great disappointment to him, since he was well prepared and anxious to go to Utah. He purchased a city lot and ten acres of farm land for which he paid two seamless sacks of crackers. He built a two story frame house, fenced his lot and put his land into corn and buckwheat.  Sophia's health was not so good, so most of the work fell on their eldest daughter, Mary, It was here in Genoa, Nebraska, that their little daughter, Isabelle Henrietta was barn, 14th April 1859.

 Frederick had been busy all that year raising his crops, repairing his wagons, replenishing his supplies and making all the necessary preparations for the long hard journey to Utah. He was glad to make another start in May 1859. He was to travel in Captain Beckworth’s company. Their first day's journey was crossing the Platte River. They met up with some missionaries going east. They reported that Johnson's Army had been recalled so missionary work could now continue. It was here that William left them and returned to the East to finish his mission. Now Mary, Frederick's 14 year old daughter, had to learn to drive an ox team. But, the land was quite level and her father helped her over the bad places, She learned to drive very well, and got so she could jump off and on the wagon while it was moving. It was six year old Albert's job to drive their two cows. Mary took good care of him and when he got too tired she would rest him off.

 Frederick drove the wagon containing his wife and his two baby girls, Martha, two years old and Isabelle, one month old. There were also two passengers, a Mrs. Miller and her 10 year old daughter, which Captain Beckworth had persuaded Frederick to take to Utah. She became quite a problem to Frederick. She was very uncooperative. She wouldn't walk up and down steep grades as the other women did. She also stole their flour and traded it off at the trading posts along the way.

 As the company reached the Sweet Water and were in the process of crossing, they met a group of Johnson's army returning to the states. When they discovered that these people were Mormons they began cursing them and threatening to wipe them out then and there. They were very bitter towards the Mormons because of the way they had been treated at their winter's quarters in Echo Canyon. Capt. Beckworth ordered his company to continue on and to travel late so as to get past their train before camping. When they did camp, they found themselves in the midst of another camp of soldiers. They too, were hostile and used vile language. Capt. Beckworth ordered guards for the oxen and wagons and ordered the oxen to be brought in at 2 o'clock in the morning. Everything was made ready the night before and the women were to remain in bed when they started. When daylight came they discovered that they had been almost in the soldier's camp. The soldiers were very vile and abusive in their talk. The pioneers were very happy to get through with nothing worse to happen.

 This was a very trying time for Frederick and Mary and they were glad to see the last of the soldiers and to have that experience over. But there were other problems just ahead. There were mountains to climb like they had never seen before and dugways to go down. It was surely a worry for Frederick with two wagons to look after.

 When they arrived at the soldier's winter quarters, what a sight to behold. Acres of land fenced in with discarded prairie schooners and wagons of all descriptions, chains, yokes, stoves and all sorts of equipment that they couldn't be burdened with on their trip back to the States. There were dead cattle and acres of bones. It could well have been called a "bone yard." It looked as if the army had been well provided for. This junk heap proved a blessing in disguise to the Saints later on. They had use for all this iron.

 Frederick's nerves were to be tried again and again. Big Mountain was something else. As usual the women climbed the hill on foot. The oxen had difficulty getting up the hill with their load, even without the women. Well, they made it up the hill, but going down the other side was another new experience. Frederick blocked his wheels and tied a heavy drag on the back end. Thus, they were able to get down without accident, How weary the women were, but how thankful.

 Now there was just one more camping place before they entered Salt Lake Valley. There was great excitement, everybody wanted to wash his clothes, bathe and make themselves as presentable as they could to meet their beloved leader and prophet, Brigham Young, and all the other saints in Salt Lake City. Frederick was especially grateful that he had made the trip in safety and that all were well. how anxious he was to meet the prophet, Brigham Young, whom he had heard so much about.

 They arrived at Union Square, the 3rd of August, 1859 and camped there they could get located, As was customary, a great number of the Saints came to meet them and see that they were properly cared for.

 Frederick had a desire to get a farm, The next day he drove up in front of Brigham Young's office to tithe himself. He took two yoke of oxen and gave President Young his choice. President Young was pleased with the condition the oxen were in and complemented Frederick on the way he had cared for his animals. Pres. Young asked Frederick what his intentions were and he replied that he hoped to get a farm and do farming. But Pres. Young, having heard that Frederick was a master mason, advised him to work on the temple. They were just beginning to uncover the foundation, which had been covered when the word came of Johnson's army coming to Utah. Now that the danger was over they were ready to resume work.

 Frederick decided to take the Prophet's advice. So with this second team he was able to purchase a small home in the 12th ward. It had a garden spot and small orchard.  I imagine they were most grateful that they, at last, had found a place where they could worship God as they chose without suffering continuous persecution. Here they could raise their precious children in the way the Lord directed. This was the end of three months of continuous travel and now they could settle down to a peaceful existence. The Bishop of the 12th Ward was Leonard Hardy and the Foremasters took an active part.

 As was customary, when the immigrants arrived at Union Square, there were people there to find places for them in homes, if they cared to work. Mary was 14 years old and she decided she would like to work out. So she went to work for Brother David Callder, President Young's head clerk. Here Mary got her first view of polygamy. She thought Bro. Callder was a wonderful character and that he lived the law of polygamy the way the Lord intended it to be lived. It seemed to her to be a worthy principle. She lived with the Callders for same time; then she went to work for one of Pres. Young's plural wives.

 Once again Frederick and Sophia began a new home for themselves and their family. Frederick retained a mule team with which he began to haul wood from the nearby canyons for his own use and that of others. It was also quite a project to make his home comfortable for his family.

 Frederick had been ordained an Elder the 10th of June, 1858, in Genoa, Neb. by Bishop Sprowl. He was now rebaptized in Salt Lake City in August 1859 and again the 10 Sept., 1859 by Bishop Hurti and his first counselor, Bro. Hartens. He was confirmed by second counselor, Bro. Etwart and Bishop Hurti. On July 18th 1860 Frederick W. Foremaster and his wife, Christina Sophia Magdalene Lindau were endowed in the Endowment House and sealed the same day. Frederick was ordained a Seventy in the Twenty-first quorum of Seventies in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Elder Aleck (Alex) Glasby and a Elder Beck.

 On July 21, 1860, Mary Sophia Foremaster was married to Henry James Maudsley. Henry took Frederick's team and woodrack on shares and hauled wood from Cottonwood Canyon, selling to different individuals for fuel and supplying Brother Thomas Cottam with wood for his furniture store. Then Henry and Mary moved onto a farm, working on shares. This didn't prove satisfactory. President Young then advised them to move to Dixie, because at conference time he intended to make a call for settlers to go and settle Dixie to raise cotton. They moved back and lived with Mary's parents for a while. Mary did so hate to go so far from her parents. Frederick promised Mary that if he ever moved, he would go south. In Nov. 1862, Mary and Henry moved to Dixie.

 Frederick worked on the Salt Lake Temple during the years 1861-1863. On Feb. 29, 1861, Elizabeth Louise was born and blessed by her father, Frederick W. Foremaster the 7th of Mar. 1861. She died the 5th of Sept. 1861, and was buried in the city cemetery in Salt Lake City. On June 18, 1863, Mary's little daughter, Agnes, died and was buried in St. George City Cemetery. Mary grieved so much over this death that her husband got a way for her to go to Salt Lake City to visit her
parents.

 Frederick and Sophia were delighted to have their oldest daughter visit with them. She was very helpful to her mother at that time because little David was born the 11th of March 1863, at 8 AM. Mary stayed until November, helping her mother dry fruit, spin and weave and do the general housework. She then went back to Dixie with the Daniel McArthur company.

 Frederick was taught the principle of polygamy and felt that it was a God given law and that he should comply with it, With Sophia's consent he married Maria Rich, a German lady, no doubt from his own district in Germany. They were married Nov. 7, 1863.

 Frederick then decided to move to Dixie where his oldest daughter, Mary, lived, He made arrangements to sell his home, but couldn't get his pay until spring. He took his oldest son, Albert, and went to Dixie in the fall of 1863. He planned to procure a home for his wives and family. It was a long hard trip, especially for a ten year old boy who walked most of the way. How pleased Mary was to see them and to learn that they were moving to Dixie.

 Frederick began immediately to search for a suitable place for his family. Oliver Huntington and family, who had been called to help settle Dixie, owned a house and property on the corner of 4th South and Second West. He just didn't seem able to cope with the many problems and hardships in settling Dixie, so he sold his property to Frederick and moved his family to Springville, Utah. Frederick purchased this property and, according to the courthouse records, he homesteaded a 40 acre section adjoining this property running north and west up on the Black Hill. He also purchased a piece of farming land on the Santa Clara Creek, not far from the junction of the Santa Clara Creek and the Virgin River. This was known as the Foremaster Bend. He spent all that winter here getting things in order and ready to plant his crops. In March 1864 he sent his son-in-law, Henry Maudsley, and his son, Albert, back to Salt Lake to bring his family.

 It was no picnic to live in Dixie in those early pioneer days, It was hot and dry and dusty. Food was scarce and of poor variety. Flies and mosquitoes were in great abundance. Those early settlers were tried and tested. Water was scarce. People who depended on the Virgin River were tried the most. It became intolerable for Mary Rich, the second wife, so she gave up and returned to Salt Lake City.

 Frederick was called to be a teacher in 1864, which calling he held until he moved away. On Oct., 7, 1865 another son, Ephriam Joseph, was born; their first child born in Dixie. He was a real Dixieite and lived here his entire life. In the spring of 1866 Martha and Isabelle were baptized.

 In 1867, another daughter, Josephine, was born to them on December 5th, almost a Christmas present. What a joy and comfort she proved to be in Sophia's declining years. She was the thirteenth child born to this couple, but only six lived to maturity and raised families: Mary, Albert, Martha, David, Ephriam, and Josephine. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh, and sorrow struck again on April 29, 1869, when little Isabelle died of scarlet fever. She was buried in the St. George Cemetery. The family was tested and tried in other ways, for this was the year the grasshoppers ate up 14 3/4 acres of wheat and barley.

 In 1871, Frederick worked on the St. George Tabernacle. It was completed in 1876. He would work all day on his job, and then go home and work on his own home. He was building a large two story house for his family. The foundation and walls were made of black lava rock which could resist the alkali in the soil, and around the windows and doors he used the red sandstone for trim. It was a very attractive building and very substantially made. It still stands today a monument to his profession. It has changed ownership many times and others have used their taste for artisticness. It's been plastered and painted until it is hard to recognize the original.

 Frederick also worked on the St. George Temple, as did his son, Albert. The ground breaking of the Temple took place Nov., 9, 1871. A dedication service was held on Jan. 1, 1877, but the final dedication occurred in connection with a general conference held in St. George on April 6, 1877.

 After the Temple was completed and opened for ordinance work, Frederick and Sophia spent much time there doing work for their kindred dead. The first work Frederick did was for his father, Andreas Fuhrmeister, Jan. 23, 1877. Then he did his grandfather's work -- Heinrich Fuhrmeister. Sophia was among the first to be called as a temple work hand. She spent many hours in the Temple from then until she became too ill to go.

 They lived four blocks west of the Temple and at that time there was quite a swampy area between there and the Temple. Uncle Eph told that when his father left home to go to the Temple he would pick up a rock and carry it until he came to a muddy spot where he would place the stone. In time he had a path of stepping stones from his home to the Temple.

 There were other buildings he worked on, as well as the Temple. There were two I know of. He was put in charge of building a fort out on the Fort Pierce Wash to protect the cattle and the herdsmen from the Indians. This building was restored by the Sons of the Utah Pioneers not too long ago. Another building, still standing, he built for Brother John Naegle, who had two wives. The building was not completed when Bro. Naegle went to Mexico. Later the basement was known as the winery. This was a special kind of wine used for the sacrament.

 In 1878, Frederick was called to Germany on a mission. We have no record of his missionary experience. We don't know if he converted any of his relatives or not. It has been told in the family that when he began searching in the churches and cemeteries for his ancestors, the officers began to wonder about him and he had to stop searching for fear they would arrest him for being a deserter. That was the custom in Germany then that no matter how long after one deserted, if they ever caught him, he had to serve a long prison term. We do know that he did convert a widow, Caroline Schmidt (Smith), who had three children. She later came to Utah and he married her as a plural wife, on Mar. 25, 1881. That same day, he also adopted her children: Freda (who was deceased and was buried in Germany), Otto Paul, Robert Henry and John Carl. They lived for a short time in St. George, and then they moved to Manti, Sanpete County, where Frederick worked on the Temple.

 On Oct. 6, 1881, a baby girl was born to them and they named her Mantiline. She died in Sept. 1883. They must have moved to Salt Lake City soon after because a boy was born to them in Salt Lake City the 30th of June, 1883. They named him Joseph.

 At this time there was much contention over polygamy. The United States officers were arresting all the men they could find that were practicing it. Many families were moving to Mexico. Frederick decided that they would go there also. They came to St. George in 1886, and after a short visit they started for Mexico. They got as far as Fredonia, Arizona, where a new community was just starting and Frederick decided to stay there. A few farmers had come down from Kanab, Utah, some 5 or 6 miles to the north, and put in a dam in the Kanab Creek and tried farming. The adventure proved successful and one or two farmers built their homes down where the fields are now. More people decided to move down so a town meeting was called to decide on a site for the new town. The present site was decided upon and Bro. Hortt was the first to build, but it was down where the fields are now. Frederick was the second one to build his home, then Bro. Brown, Bro. Jensen and Bro. Pratt. Soon there was quite a village. With all these new homes going up, Frederick no doubt had plenty to do along with his farming. So here he was established with his second family and here he lived for the remainder of his life, a true Latter-day Saint Pioneer.

He died July 4th 1892 and was buried in the Fredonia cemetery near the grave of his grandson, Hyrum.


 
 

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