Wiley P. Allred (1818-1912), an early member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, purchased the land for this house from Andrew J. Allred in 1878 for $500. Soon thereafter, using oolitic limestone, Allred built the two-story, hall-parlor style home. Wiley Allred had been “set apart” as a pioneer doctor by the founder and leader of the LDS Church, Joseph Smith. Wiley practiced medicine in Spring City. His treatment practices consisted of the application of herbal compounds. In 1886, Allred sold the land and home to Ole Olsen for $1,000 who immediately sold it to Harrison Fugane for $1,400. In 1888, Fugane sold the home to George L. Hyde. James R. Watson bought the house in 1894 and it remained in the Watson family until the 1980s. Prior to 1913, a bay window was added with a brick “L” addition being added in 1915, modifying the hall-parlor style. Community dances and other functions were often held in this historic home.
Jedediah Morgan Grant The first Mayor of Salt Lake City
Jedediah Morgan Grant was born February 21, 1816 to Joshua Grant and Athalia Nan Howard in Windsor, New York. He was baptized into the Church of Christ on March 21, 1833, at the age of 17. By age 18, he had participated in Zion’s Camp, marching from Kirtland, Ohio, to Missouri under the direction of Joseph Smith. Though physical objectives of the march were not met, many members later became leaders in Smith’s church. Grant’s close relationship with these men from such an early age would last the rest of his life.
Grant was among the first Latter Day Saint missionaries to go to Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia. His preaching efforts in the Toms River area of New Jersey in the late 1830’s led to the conversion of members of the Ivins family. Grant was one of a group of men (which also included Brigham Young, Wilford Woodruff and George A. Smith) who were called in 1844 to campaign for Smith’s election to President of the United States.
After Smith’s death, Grant was called to serve as President of the Seventy. As a Seventy, he assisted with the trek westwards and the setting of the Salt Lake Valley. He would later become the first mayor of Salt Lake City, Utah, serving in that position from 1851 until his death. Morgan County, Utah and Morgan, Utah are both named after him. In 1854, Grant was ordained an apostle, but he did not become a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Instead, he was called to the First Presidency as Young’s Second Counselor, filling the vacancy left by the death of Willard Richards.
n 1856, Grant was called by Young to tour the northern sections of Utah Territory, calling the Latter-day Saints to repentance. Grant inspired the Mormon Reformation of 1856 as he delivered speeches on this tour. He issued a call for rebaptism of all the members of the area. Grant’s speeches earned him the title “Brigham’s Sledgehammer”. The effects of his speeches were felt almost immediately. Members throughout the area, as well as in distant parts, were rebaptized to signify their commitment to renew their commitments to the Church of Latter Day Saints and the gospel.
Grant contracted pneumonia after his vigorous tour. He died on December 1, 1856, just nine days after his son, Heber J. Grant, was born to his wife Rachel Ridgeway Ivins. Like many early Mormons, Grant practiced plural marriage. He had a total of seven wives, among them Susan Fairchild Noble Grant, who wrote reminiscences of early life in Utah and was a leader in the Relief Society after Grant died. By his wives, Grant had 11 children (10 biological, one adopted). His son Heber became the seventh President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
In the Carthage, Illinois Jail on June 27, 1844, Be the presence of Willard Richards and John Taylor and just a few moments before Joseph and Hyrum Smith were murdered, Joseph smiled upon his older brothers rock Pyrum’s right hand in his right hand and sanid:
“One day it shall be you who finishes what I could not. May the Lord’s work be cut short in the righteousness of what you will do for the Father. I love you my brother, my friend.
With that prophesy, the resurrected Joseph Smith Jr. returned to the earth on June 16, 1987, and gave further instructions to his then reincarnated brother Hyrum, who was born into this would as Christopher Mare Nemelka, to commenre the “work of the Father, known among the inhabitants of this world as the MARVELOUS WORK AND A WONDER www.marvelousworkandawonder.com
