Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
Beth Daves AG
The story of Samuel and Hannah Marinda Colborn Miles parallels the history of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and they participated in many of the major events in
Mormon History. Samuel completed a history of his life in 18811 which I can only briefly
summarize here. Samuel Miles was born April 8, 1826 in Attica, Genesee County, New York, the
son of Samuel and Prudence Marks Miles.2 He tells of his family joining the Church in New York
in 1833 when he was 7 years old. In the fall of 1835 his family began their trek to Missouri. They
spent that winter at New Portage, 50 mile west of Kirtland, Ohio. They had passed through Kirtland,
and Samuel's father attended the dedication of the Kirtland temple. They bought land and
established a farm near Far West. With the rest of the Saints, his family was driven from Missouri
in the winter of 1838. In fall of 1839, Samuel's family moved to Nauvoo. There Samuel began
teaching school at the age of 15, something he would do at times throughout the rest of his life. He
pursued his own studies in Nauvoo in the following years while teaching terms of school in the
outlying communities of Blandenburgh, and LaHarpe. On hearing of the death of the prophet,
Joseph Smith, he rode home by way of Carthage and attended the prophet's funeral. His family left
Nauvoo in June of 1846 and arrived at Council Bluffs in July, just as the Mormon Battalion was
being recruited. Samuel volunteered for the Battalion and marched with them to San Diego.3 In San
Diego, "The battalion men also participated in community government. Because of his knowledge
of American jurisprudence, Samuel Miles helped the Mexican Alcalde (Justice of the Peace or
mayor) to administer U.S. laws."4
When Samuel's enlistment ended, he traveled with a large group of other ex-Battalion
members to Sutter's Fort, intending to meet his family in the Salt Lake Valley. While traveling
toward the valley, this group received word from President Young that provisions were short in the
valley and those who were single should plan to stay in California temporarily. Samuel and others
returned to Sutter's Fort. Most of the men stayed there, but Samuel and Zadok Judd went by
horseback to San Francisco. Samuel worked in that area, chopping wood for two months, then found
employment as a clerk in a store in Benicia. He writes of improving his Spanish while working here,
since many of the customers were native Californians. He worked here for about six months, then
went back to Sutter's Fort, where gold had been discovered, and served as a clerk for Samuel
Brannan there for two months.
Samuel left for the Salt Lake Valley in July of 1848 and arrived there on Sept. 10th. There
he found his brother Ira's wife (Ira had returned east) and learned that his father had died in St. Louis,
1
Sam uel M iles: Reminiscences, 1826-1881, photocopy in possession of Beth Davies of handwritten
origina l found in the H untington Library. All informatio n on S amuel M iles which is not foo t-noted is taken fro m this
source.
2
Obituary, Washington County News (St. George, Utah), Vol. III, #18, May 26, 1910, FHL film 1,486,766.
3
Compiled Service R ecords, M ormon B attalion, F HL film 471,51 7 sho ws that Samuel enlisted at Council
Bluffs July 16, 184 6. Co mpa ny M uster Rolls for M arch-June 1847 show he had extra d uty assisting the com missary.
He wa s mustered o ut on July 16, 1847 at Los Angeles.
4
Gerry Ava nt, Church News (Salt Lake City), Feb. 8, 1997, p. 11, quoting Larry C. Porter.
5
Declaration for Widow's Pension, Mormon Battalion Pension Records, Samuel Miles, FHL film 480,141.
6
Price Ward, St. George Stake, Records of Members, #16, FHL film 26,419.
7
Frank Essh on, Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah (Salt Lake City: Utah Pioneers Bo ok Publishing
Company, 1913), p. 814.
8
Albe rt E. M iller, The Immortal Pioneers--Founders of City of St. George, Utah (Albert E. Miller, 1946), p.
15, FHL 979.248/S1H2m.
9
W ashington County, U tah, Co unty Co urt M inutes, B ook A, 18 54-7 2, p. 251, d ated 2 Feb. 187 2, FH L film
484,840.
10
Washington County, Utah, Deeds, Book E, pg. 174, FHL film 929,326.
11
Ibid., Book F, p. 67.
12
Ibid., Book T, p. 182, FHL film 929,333.
13
Ibid., p. 504-505.
14
Ibid., p. 357, 363, 632.
15
Washington County, Utah, Assessment Roles, 1865, p. 16; 1866, p. 48; 1867, p. 90; 1868, p. 124; 1869,
p. 16 0; 18 71, p . 218 ; 187 2, p. 10; 18 73, p . 56; 1874 , p. 92; 187 5, p. 136; 1 876 -77, p . 10; 1877 , p. 52; FHL film
484,841
16
Washington County, Utah, Probate Record H-3, p. 453, FHL film 484,832.
17
1900 U.S. Census, Bloomington Precinct, Washington Co., Utah, E.D. 173, sheet 8, dwelling #124, FHL
film 1,241,688.
18
Cam p Sunflower D.U .P, Utah Pioneer Histories and Biographies (Pro vo, U tah), p.1 56-1 57, F HL film
363,044.
19
Miller, The Im mortal Pioneers (Albert E. M iller, 1946), records on page 123 "S amuel M iles reco rds in
his journal: "I commenced to teach in the First Ward, St. George, December 4, 1866.
W hen the people had located on their city lots in 1862, the town was organized into four wards, each having
its own board of school trustees. Through the cooperation of the ward organizations and the trustees, three other
school and church buildings were soon erected.
Of these houses, the First, Second, and T hird Ward buildings were used five days a week for school and
Saturday an d Sunday for church activities."
20
Price Ward, St. George Stake, Record of Ordinations, #4 ', FHL film 26,419 shows that Samuel was
ordained a Seventy on Jan. 18, 1851 and a High Priest on Aug. 18, 1867.
21
Mormon Battalion Pension Records, FHL film 480,141, show that Samuel received $8 per month in 1887,
which by May 9, 1907 had been raised to $20 per m onth. After Samuel's death, Hannah received $12 per m onth.
22
Sam uel M iles De ad; W as M ormon B attalion V et., Washington County News (St. George, Utah), Vol. III,
#18, May 26, 1910, FHL film 1,486,766.
23
Samuel Miles: Reminiscences, pp. 21-22.
THE CHILDREN
William Gustavus Miles was born Sept. 13, 1851 in Salt Lake City25 . He was ordained a
Teacher Jan. 31, 1866, an Elder Nov. 15, 1869, and a High Priest Nov. 20, 1881.26
Samuel Miles recorded in his "Reminiscences" in 1869, "Gustavus went to Salt Lake City
on a working trip & visit in June; he received his Endowment.."27 In 1871, he wrote, "Gustavus also
commenced Feb. 28 to learn Stone cutting at St. George Tabernacle."28 Washington County land
records show that William G. Miles own Lot 1, Block 1 in Heberville (later called Price) by 1873.29
In 1876, he bought lots 3 and 4 of Block 4, Plot D in St. George for $50.30
Gustavus married Paralee Amanda Church at the Endowment House in Salt Lake on May
25, 1874.31
William Gustavus first appeared as a head of household in the 1880 census. His occupation
at that time was "stone cutter".32 William helped build the foundation and did part of the stone
cutting for the first school building in St. George in 1897-98.33 In the 1900 census, he was a
carpenter,34 but the 191035 and 192036 census list him again as a stone cutter.
William Gustavus Miles died 6 May 1927 and is buried in the St. George cemetery as is his
wife who died 29 July 1929.37 His obituary in the Washington County News states in part, "...He
was formerly justice of the peace in this city and performed the duties of that office without fear or
24
Ob ituary--M rs. S. M iles, Washington County News (St. George, Utah), Vol. IV., #40, Oct. 26, 1911.
25
Price Ward, St. George Stake, Records of Members, #17, FHL film 26,419.
26
Price Ward, St. George Stake, Record of Ordinations, #25, #49, & #64.
27
Samue l Miles: Reminiscences, p. 24.
28
Ibid, p. 25.
29
Washington County, Utah, Deeds, Book E, page 169--Land Certificate, FHL film 929,326.
30
Ibid., Book F, p. 385.
31
Sam uel M iles, Reminiscences, p. 27.
32
1880 U.S. Census, Price City and Precinct, Washington Co., Utah, E.D. 93, sheet 37, dwelling #3, FHL
film 1,255,339.
33
Miller, The Im mortal Pioneers, p. 134.
34
1900 U.S. Census, St. George Precinct, Washington Co., Utah, E.D. 175, sheet 10, dwelling #178, FHL
film 1,241,688.
35
191 0 U .S. Census, St. G eorge, W ashington Co., Utah, E.D . 210 , sheet 3b, dwelling #4 9, FH L film
1,375,623.
36
1920 U .S. Census, St. George (City and Precinct), Washington Co., Utah, E.D. 231, sheet 7a, dwelling
#109, FHL film 1,821,869.
37
Mrs. M ary M . W . Leany, compiler, St. George, Washington County Utah Cemetery Records 1861-1935,
p. 82.
Samuel Miles, Jr. was born 23 Dec. 185339 in Salt Lake City. He was ordained an Elder
Nov. 14, 1875 and a Seventy Oct. 30, 1887.40
In October of 1867, Samuel went north to Weber Valley to live with his grandfather, Thomas
Colborn. He returned home the next fall.41 His father wrote in 1871, "On the first of Jan. Samuel
commenced to learn the harness and saddle trade in St. George with Bro. Platt." 42 Samuel married
Louisa Worthen on Dec. 6th 1875. 43 He bought lot 5, next to his brother Gustavus, of Block 4, Plot
D, in St. George in 1876 for $25.44 He bought lot 6, Block 30, Plot A in 1883 for $700. 45He is first
listed as a head of household in the 1880 census. His occupation at that time was "harness maker".46
This was still his occupation in 1900.47 The Immortal Pioneers records, "One of the indispensable
tradesman was the harnessmaker. Without him there could be no teaming. This need was filled by
Henry Platt, who plied his trade, to turn into harnesses the leather tanned. After the completion of
the Temple many reverses came to the people in St. George. Conditions looked bright elsewhere, and
many moved away, among them the harnessmaker. However, there remained one who had learned
the trade in Platt shop, Samuel Miles, Jr., who acquired and operated the harness business. Later, his
brother, Frank G. Miles, followed the trade. 48 On Jan. 4, 1896, Samuel Miles, Jr. became a city
councilman for St. George.49
38
W illiam G . Miles De ad, Wash ington Cou nty New s (St. George, Utah), Vol.. XX, Number 18, May 12,
1927, BYU film W27 #6.
39
Price Ward, St. George Stake, Records of Members, #18.
40
Price Ward, St. George Stake, Record of Ordinations, #26.
41
Sam uel M iles, Reminiscences, p. 24.
42
Ibid., p. 25.
43
Ibid., p. 27.
44
Washington County, Utah, Deeds, Book F, p. 387, FHL film 929,326.
45
Ibid., Book T, p. 124, FHL film 929,332.
46
1880 U.S. Census, St. George City and Precinct, Washington Co., Utah, E.D. 93, p. 352, dwelling #115,
FHL film 1,255,339.
47
1900 U.S. Census, St. George Precinct, Washington Co., Utah, E.D. 175, sheet 7, dwelling #116, FHL
film 1,241,688.
48
Miller, The Im mortal Pioneers, p. 149.
49
Ibid., p. 50.
Ira Miles was born Dec. 17, 1859 in Salt Lake City.52 He was ordained an Elder Jan. 25,
1877. 53 Ira married Alice Henrietta Bell on 9 Jan. 1989 at Manti, (then Sevier Co.), Utah.54 She was
born in Ephraim Aug. 19, 1868, a daughter of Thomas and Euphemia Lindquist Bell. 55 He is listed
as a farmer in the 190056 and 191057 census of St. George.
Ira died 8 June 1910 and is buried in the St. George cemetery.58 His obituary in the
Washington County Times reads:
"Death came to Ira Miles Wednesday, June 8, after an illness of about a week's duration with
pneumonia. His father, Samuel Miles, a Mormon Battalion veteran, preceded him to the spirit world
May 22, this year....He was married in the Manti temple to Alice H. Bell of Elsinore, January 18,
1889. Seven children resulted from this union, five of whom are living, namely, a married daughter,
Mrs. Ernest Nelson, three boys, Harold, Ivan and Vern and Leona, a daughter; all residents of this
city.
50
Lean y, St. Georg e Cemetery Records, pp.21, 22.
51
Sam uel M iles is Called, Wa shing ton C oun ty News, Vol. XIV, #22, June 9, 1921, BYU film W27 #4.
52
Price Ward, St. George Stake, Records of Members, #20.
53
Price Ward, St. George Stake, Record of Ordinations, #28.
54
Sevier County Marriage License Book 1A, p. 12, FHL film 482,036.
55
Alice H . B. M iles, The Salt Lake Tribune (Salt Lake City, Utah), April 18, 1947, p. 19.
56
1900 U.S. Census, St. George Precinct, Washington County, Utah, E.D. 175, sheet 13, dwelling #218,
FHL film 1,241,688.
57
191 0 U .S. Census, St. G eorge, W ashington County, U tah, E.D . 210 , sheet 15b, d welling # 271 , FHL film
1,375,623.
58
Lean y, St, Georg e Cemetery Records, p. 82.
John Talmai Miles was the last of Samuel and Hannah's children to be born in Salt Lake
City. He was born May 7, 186264, so would have been only a few months old when the family
moved to St. George. He was ordained an Elder Sept. 13, 1877 and a Seventy Oct. 30, 1877.65
John Talmai Miles married Myrza Alexander Whitehead on 23 May 1889 in St. George,
Washington Co., Utah.66 He first appears as a head of family in the 1900 census in St. George. His
occupation at that time was "day laborer".67 In 1910 he was a laborer at odd jobs.68
John died Jan. 7, 1920 and is buried in the St. George cemetery. 69 A short obituary reported
that "He was a frugal and industrious man until stricken with illness several months ago.70
59
Ira M iles is Called, Wash ington Cou nty New s (St. George, Utah), Vol. III, #20, June 9, 1910.
60
Washington County, Utah, Probate Record H-3, p. 450, FHL film 484,832.
61
Washington County, Utah Probate Record H-4, pp. 154-155, FHL film 484,833.
62
Ibid., p. 164.
63
Obituary Index, Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret News, FHL film 821,674.
64
Price Ward, St. George Stake, Records of Members, #21.
65
Price Ward, St. George Stake, Record of Ordinations, #29.
66
W ashington Co., Utah, Marriage Book A , p. 25, FHL film 484,821.
67
190 0 U .S. Census, St. G eorge Precinct, Washington Co., Utah, E.D . 175 , sheet 3, dwelling #35 , FHL film
1,241,688.
68
191 0 U .S. Census, St. G eorge, W ashington County, U tah, E.D . 210 , sheet 2b, dwelling #3 5, FH L film
1,275,623.
69
Lean y, St. Georg e Cemetery Records, p. 82.
70
Ob ituary, John T . Miles, Washington County News (St. George, Utah), Jan. 15, 1920, BYU film W27 #4.
Franklin died 10 May 1932 and is buried in the St. George cemetery.78 His obituary in the
Washington County Times tells us,
"Franklin G. Miles, former bishop of the St. George East and South wards, died at 8:30
Tuesday morning following a five months' illness with Bright's disease, kidney trouble, a light stroke,
and other complications.
He was born in St. George on April 7, 1865, a son of Samuel and Hannah Miles, early
pioneers of this region. His entire life has been spent here with the exception of one year at Parowan
where he lived shortly after his marriage.
On his 22nd birthday, April 7, 1887, he was married in the temple to Miss Helen Francis
Moss. To this union were born eight children, five of whom died in infancy. The others, with his
widow, survive as follows: Mrs. Edith Smith, Payson; Mrs. Helen Douglass, Long Beach, Calif.;
Mrs Maude Seegmiller, Frank and Edward Miles of St. George....
He was devoted to his religion and was ordained a counselor in the bishopric when a young
man. Later he was made bishop of the East ward which office he held for five years, until the East
and West wards were divided and the South created, and he was then placed at the head of the latter
ward. After five years of active work he was obliged to retire on account of ill health. He underwent
a gland operation four years ago.
He was a member of one of the first bands in Dixie, playing the horn. He served in the city
council for one term, and was a member of the high council of the church.
Funeral services will be held in the tabernacle at 3 p.m. today under the direction of Bishop
71
Price Ward, St. George Stake, Records of Members, #23.
72
Price Ward, St. George Stake, Record of Ordinations, #30.
73
Washington Co., Utah, Marriage License Records, 1887-1892, p. 24, FHL film 484,421.
74
Washington County, Utah, Deeds, book T, p. 631, FHL film 929,333.
75
191 0 U .S. Census, St. G eorge, W ashington Co., Utah, E.D . 210 , sheet 10A, dwelling #16 1, FH L film
1,275,623.
76
1920 U.S. Census, St. George city, St. George precinct, Washington County, Utah, E.D. 231, sheet 13a,
dwelling #207, FHL film 1,821,869.
77
Washington County News (St. George, Utah), Vol. 1, #1, Jan. 30, 1908, FHL film 1,486,766.
78
Lean y, St. Geo rge Cemetery R ecords, p.81.
James Edwin Miles is the only child of Samuel and Hannah who did not live to adulthood.
He was born Oct. 26, 1867 in St. George80. He died just a year and a half later, May10, 1869, and
is buried in the St. George cemetery.81
Charles Henry Miles was born July 2, 1870 in St. George.82 He was ordained a Deacon Jan.
8, 1882, an Elder Oct. 7, 1894, and a Seventy June 26, 1896. 83 He began early to follow in the
school teaching footsteps of his father. The Immortal Pioneers tells of the establishment in 1888 of
the St. George Stake Academy with Nephi M. Savage as the teacher for five years. At the end of that
time, the district school system was established and Professor Savage was employed by the school
board with Charles Miles as one of his assistants.84
Charles married late. He was 35 when he married Minnie L. Mangum on Aug. 2, 1905 in
Salt Lake City (she was 21).85 She was born June 23,1884, Nephi, to Harvey and Amy Loretta
Bigler Mangum. 86 Salt Lake directories for 1910 and 1911 show Charles as a high school teacher.
In 1910 he lived at 105 North 2nd West and had a Frank Miles living with him. By 1911, he had
moved to 750 E. 8th South87 where he still lived when the 1920 census was taken.88
Charles died Nov. 24, 1940 in Salt Lake. His obituary reads, "Charles Henry Miles, 70, a
teacher at West High School and the old Salt Lake High School for 36 years, died yesterday at his
home, 75 O Street after a long illness.
During his service in the schools, which he terminated in 1938, Mr. Miles taught German,
Spanish, French and social sciences. At one time he was president of the Salt Lake City High School
Teachers' Association and later a member of the association's executive committee.
He was active until recently in Church organizations, serving on the Sunday School board
of Liberty Stake and as a teacher in the First Ward Sunday School. He served a mission in Germany
from 1896 until 1900. Prior to going on the mission he taught school in St. George and in Littlefield,
Ariz.
Mr. Miles was born at St. George July 2, 1870, a son of Samuel and Hannah Colburn Miles.
79
Death Ends Suffering o f Bisho p, Wa shing ton C oun ty News, May 12, 1932, BYU film W27.
80
Price Ward, St. George Stake, Records of Members, #22.
81
Lean y, St. Georg e Cemetery Records, p. 82.
82
Price Ward, St. George Stake, Records of Members, #24.
83
Price Ward, St. George Stake, Record of Ordinations, #31 and #65.
84
Miller, The Im mortal Pioneers, p. 131.
85
Salt Lake County Marriage Licenses, Book 3, #823, FHL film 429,062.
86
Minnie M . Miles, The Salt Lake Tribu ne, June 2, 1964, p. 26.
87
Salt Lake City Directory (R.L. Polk), 1910 and 1911 , FHL film 1,6 12,1 59. T he 19 10 census fo r Salt
Lake (E.D . 124 , sheet 13A, dwelling #18 3, FH L film 1,3 75,6 20), shows Charles' family living at house 105 on N orth
2nd W est.
88
192 0 U .S. Census, Precinct 4, Salt Lake C ity, Salt Lake Co unty, Utah, E.D . 80, dwelling 3 77, F HL film
1,821,865.
Hannah Marinda Miles was born Aug. 14, 1874 in St. George.90 Hannah, who was known
as Minnie, married Wallace B. Mathis on March 22, 1897 in St. George.91 He was born May 3,
1877, in St. George, to Henry and Barbara Bryner Mathis. 92 Minnie died June 28, 1963. Her life
was spent primarily as a wife and mother as expressed in her obituary:
"Mrs. Hannah M. (Minnie) Miles Mathis, 88, St. George, died Friday, 9:30 a.m. in a Salt
Lake hospital after surgery. Born Aug. 14, 1874, St. George, to Samuel and Hannah M. Colburn
Miles. Married Wallace B. Mathis March 22, 1897, St. George Temple, Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints. Active, LDS Church, civic clubs. Survivors: husband; sons, daughters, Gordon,
Carl, Reed, Mrs. Robert (Blanche) McComb, all St. George; Mrs. Frank (Melba) Gates, Ogden; Mrs.
Garland (Lillian) Andrus, Salt Lake City; Mrs. Don (Norma) Lott, Walla Walla, Wash.; 18
grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren. Funeral Tuesday, 4 p.m., St. George Second LDS Ward
Chapel. ...Burial, St. George Cemetery.93
Her husband lived an additional 2 years. His obituary indicated that he had been a banker
and state representative, active in city, county, and state affairs, and an original member of the Utah
Water and Power Board.94
89
"C.H. M iles Expires at 70" , Deseret News (Salt Lake City, Utah), Nov. 15, 1940, p. 3.
90
Price Ward, St. George Stake, Records of Members, #25.
91
Washington County, Utah, Marriage License Records, Book A 1888-1909, p. 125, FHL film 484,821.
92
The Salt Lake Tribune, April 8, 1965, p. B9.
93
Hannah M. Mathis, The Salt Lake Tribune (Salt Lake City, Utah), Sunday, June 30, 1963, p. C13.
94
The Salt Lake Tribune, April 8, 1965, p. B9.