Family Histories: Heywood, Joseph Neal Sr (1851-1904 ) by Mary H. Lewis Riggs

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Heywood, Joseph Neal Sr (1851-1904 ) by Mary H. Lewis Riggs

(Grandfather of the contributor, Richard N. Heywood. Mary Heywood Lewis Riggs in a granddaughter of Joseph Neal Heywood Sr.)

Joseph Neal Heywood Sr.

(1851-1904)

“First White child born in Nephi”

Joseph Neal Heywood Sr.

Painting by Joseph Neal Heywood Sr.

By Mary H. Lewis Riggs

Granddaughter

January 1999

Joseph Neal Heywood was the first white child born in Nephi and was Martha Spence Heywood’s first child. He was born November 18, 1851. Martha wrote about his birth in her journal:

It is now over two months since making any record, in which time my darling boy was born on the 18^th of Nov. about half past nine forenoon in the wagon. Was first taken sick on the night of the 15^th. Suffered much unnecessary pain and distress from taking a wrong position as also from the smallness of the wagon and its openness. Sister Anna Gifford was all the assistant I had and after my sweet one was born was left pretty much to myself, having taken all the care of my babe from the time he was first dressed.[1]

Ordinances and Service

He was baptized when eight years old, ordained an Elder July 17, 1875 by William J. Smith, and filled an LDS mission in 1888 – 1891 to New Zealand. He was ordained a High Priest and Bishop September 5, 1891, by David K. Udall. He serviced as Bishop of the Alpine Ward, St. Johns Stake, Arizona, from 1891 to 1896.[2]

Born in Nephi, Juab County, Utah

Joseph Neal Heywood Sr., son of Joseph L. Heywood and Martha Spence Heywood, was born November 18, 1851, Nephi, Juab County, Utah. He had red hair, eyes of blue; was small of stature but was great in mind and righteousness.

Blessing From Brigham Young

He was honored in 1873 with a blessing and counsel from Brigham Young. He followed that counsel and always upheld church standards. He worked on the construction of the Saint George Temple and did ordinance work in the temple for his kindred dead.

Married Sarah Francelle Coleman

He married Sarah Francelle Coleman January 12, 1876. Their first child was born in Springvalley, Nevada where he taught school. The 2^nd child was born in Upper Kanab, Utah. W. B. Maxwell wanted J. N. H. to move to Arizona to teach school, so he and his family moved to Alpine, Arizona, arriving January 5, 1881, and he taught school there for several years.

Mission to New Zealand

After three more children were born, he was called on a mission to New Zealand. He left his wife and five children in May 1888, sailing from San Francisco.

Joseph Neal, Sr. did a great work in the mission field in spite of illnesses and miserable living conditions— some of which were unsanitary. Upon returning home he was called to be Bishop of the Alpine Ward. He held that position for several years.

Many Talents

He not only taught school and farmed, but he was also very talented in music and art. While on his mission he drew sketches of New Zealand scenes. Once he drew and painted a vase filled with pretty flowers. A photographer grandson, Roy Molen, took a picture of it. The photo is very good. We, who are the posterity of J. N. H., Sr., treasure his art.

Moves From Alpine to St. Johns

The Heywood family moved from Alpine to St. Johns. Here two more children were born, and then Joseph Neal Heywood, Sr. moved his family to Thatcher. His wife needed a lower altitude because of her heart condition. Here two more children were born.

Eleven Children

J. N. H., Sr. and his wife were parents of eleven children: Joseph Neal, Jr., Spence Coleman, Martha Emma, Ella, Ida Etta, Leland, Sarepta, Francelle, David Evans, Sarah Velma, Robert Tassie, Irving Yates. (He legally changed the spelling of his name “Yeates” to Yates.)

Fatal Accident

Father had been out with the buck-rake bucking the hay up in piles ready to be hauled into the baler. The buck-rake was a treacherous thing that might suddenly shoot from one side to the other if the team made a miss-move. One of the horses in the team had been recently brought from the range and was not too well broken. When he made a certain lunge, no doubt, it threw the rake out from under him, and as he fell on his head it broke his neck. It must have been an hour or two when Mother stepped outside and noticed the team wandering about the field and he lay there all that time in the hot sun.

And so ended a great life! This brief biography does not do justice to my dear Grandfather. For further information one may read his many well written journals.

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Links: Find A Grave

Ancestry.com

The Descendants of John Heywood

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