| Notes |
- This history like all others is a story of a people seeking a land of freedom. Gideon Brownell arrived in Farmington some time in early 1848, perhaps left before Joseph Lee Robinson was first Bishop he was then called to go and help settle Parawon, he served from 1849 to 1851. Brother Brownell was chosen second Bishop of Cotton-Wood as it was then called. It was later called Farmington. He and Bishop Robinson helped the little settlement to build and grow. They had many hardships, they helped the Pioneers to build, lay-out streets, roads, build school house, a little store and substitute place for worship. Bishop Brownell's home was the Rock home where George Papadokis lived, and is still standing.
Gideon Brownell was born May 5, 1789 a son of Benjamin H. and Mary Ann Danby Ruthland, Vermont. The mother Mary Ann Russell Brownell father born May 8, 1750 at Dutcher, New York. Gideon married Elizabeth Wheeler, she was born Oct. 16, 1789 Hartsmonth, Bristol Mass. Benjamin was born in New Hampshire.
Gideon and Mary Ann were blessed with eight children. The history doesn't give an account of their children except who the eldest daughter Mary Ann, who was born March 2, 1815, she married Jesse Pearson. They were married in Nauvoo June 3, 1840. There were no sealings in Nauvoo Temple at that time, so they were sealed in the Office of President Wilford Woodruff Dec. 26, 1851. After arriving in Utah they were endowed Jan 3, 1846 in Nauvoo.
Gideon had his first Patriarchal Blessing while living in Nauvoo by William Smith a kin to the Prophet Joseph Smith Jr. He had a second blessing after reaching Salt Lake City by Joseph Epheram.
In the fall of 1845 the Brownell family moved to Nauvoo, where Gideon and Father worked on the Temple. They like all other Pioneers were driven by angry wicked mobs from there homes, so they all prepared for the long trek across the Plains.
Brownell must have been call called by President Brigham Young to go to Cache Valley to help settle that place. We have no date, but I am sure it was done after retiring as Bishop from 1855 - to? They built our rock meeting house 1862.
Brother Brownell died in Logan March 16, 1871 at age of 82. His wife died there also in 1870 at age 81.
Our little Town had four or five apostles living here at one time also the Budge Brothers who were sent to Logan they were Doctors.
All the dates and information I have of Bishop Brownell was given by relatives Clarissa Clark Issacon from Murray. Thru her we also obtained his picture which is now placed in that vacant spot we had for a number of years with the other Bishops of our ward. Gideon Brownell is a Grandfather to Clarissa C. Isacson, and she is an aunt to Mrs. Gillis who lives here. Justin Clark who once lived here in Farmington owned land and is the Father of Clarissa C. Isacson.
Margaret S. Hess
Historian
DUP
Gideon Brownell Called as an Elder
TIMES AND SEASONS.
"Truth will prevail."
Vol. V. No. 13.] CITY OF NAUVOO, ILL. JULY, 15,1844 [Whole No. 97.
HISTORY OF JOSEPH SMITH.
(continued.)
April 6th, 1844, afternoon.
The president arrived at the stand at 1-2 past 2 o'clock, P. M. The choir sung a hymn, after which prayer by elder J. P. Green, when the choir sung another hymn. Elder Rigdon resumed his history of the Church of Christ.
(For the want of room we postpone president Rigdon's remarks for the present.)
The Kalamazoo conference met at the house of elder Ezekiel Lee, in Comstock, Kalamazoo county, Michigan, on the first day of June 1844. There were present two of the quorum of the twelve, viz: W. Woodruff and George A. Smith; three of the high council, viz:, S. Bent, C. C. Rich and D. Fulmer; five of the High Priest's quorum, viz: H. Green, Z. Coltrin, Moses Smith, E. Thayer and G. Coltrin; eight of the seventies, fourteen Elders; two priests, and one deacon; total 35. Conference was called to order by elder C. C. Rich; W. Woodruff was called to the chair; C. Dunn and E. M. Webb chosen clerks.
Conference was opened by singing and prayer by the president.
The following branches were then represented:
The Kalamazoo branch represented 44 members, six elders, one priest and one deacon.
Grand prairie branch represented eight members, one elder.
Otsego branch represented 6 members, one elder, two priests and one teacher.
Pawpaw branch represented eight members, three elders.
Albion branch represented 26 members, two elders, one priest and one deacon.
Florence branch represented 10 members, one elder.
Motville branch represented 7 members, one elder.
Scattering members, 10.
Total 126 members, 15 elders, four priests, one teacher and two deacons.
It was moved and carried that Gideon Brownell, Jonathan Willard and Charles Lee, be ordained elders.
Also Seth Tuft, to the office of a priest.
Also W. Tyrril, to the office of a teacher.
The above named persons were then ordained under the hands of elders S. Bent, Z. Coltrin and D. Fulmer.
It was moved and carried that we sustain elders
From Ancestral File (TM), data as of 2 January 1996.
From Ancestral File (TM), data as of 2 January 1996.
From Ancestral File (TM), data as of 2 January 1996.
From Ancestral File (TM), data as of 2 January 1996.
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1789 - 1871 (81 years)