Last Sunday we participated in the re-dedication of the Idaho Falls Temple.
While there, I felt impressed to check out my own family history.
So I found this document.
Shadrack Empey and his four sons
Shadrack
Empey and His Four Sons (This historical sketch was gathered and compiled by
Mildred Empey and read at the Empey Reunion July 17, 1949.) Shadrack Empey was
born the 21st day of June 1822 at Eatonbray, Bedfordshire, England. He was
baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on the 21st day
of November, 1851 at Whipsnaid, Bedfordshire, England by Daniel Matthews. He
was confirmed on the 22nd day of November 1851 by Samuel Empey. He was twenty
nine years old. He left Whipsnaid on the 8th day of January 1853 for Salt Lake
City. He left the port of Liverpool on January 17th and landed at New Orleans on
March 6th, and Salt Lake City on October 11, 1853. He arrived at Lehi on March
1854. It took twenty eight days to get to New Orleans from from the time he
left Whipsnaid- and it was nine months and three days before he arrived in Salt
Lake City. He was ordained a Seventy in the 44th Quorum by S.F. Driggs on the
4th day of May 1860. He was called on a mission to England on Oct. 7, 1875 and
started on that mission on Oct. 18, 1875. He arrived back home on May 6, 1876
after being released from his labors in England on account of illness. When
Shadrack Empey came from England he brought his wife and six month old son with
him. This son was Ephraim, and his mother carried him across the plains in her
arms. The following poem might well apply to Ann Athes Empey: PIONEER MOTHER By
Ruth H. Chadwick She held him close to nestle near her breast, And tired to
hush each fitful baby moan; Tenderly her aching arms caressed The thin, frail
body, hot against her own. Into the blackened strangeness of the night, Beyond
the covered wagons’ friendly sphere, She gazed as lurking shadows grew in the
night To feed her soul’s anxiety and fear. Her sleepless eyes then sought the
stars above, And silent words made up her anguished prayer: “Oh, Father, spare
this dear one that I love, And make me strong to carry my fill share,” She held
him close, and from her stalwart soul Flowed living faith that blessed and made
him whole. In 1888 Ephraim, who was thirty-six years old, came to Idaho. He and
his wife Sarah Ann Rhoades (she was born the year that Johnston’s Army came to
Utah), and their six children made the trip which took them three weeks. They
were the parents of eleven children. Joseph Empey was born November 26, 1858 in
Lehi, Utah. On December 29, 1878 he married Chrisitie Lewis. He was baptized
Nov. 18, 1877. John and Elmira Norton Empey came to Idaho in 1887. They first
settled on a ranch in West Iona. They lived there two years and then moved to
what is called the south branch of Iona. Later this was made into the Ammon
Ward. Here they homesteaded the ranch one mile east of the Ammon Store. Alfred
Empey came to Idaho in November 1898 and lived in the home where Oren Empey is
now living. In March 1899 his wife, Mary Lewis Empey, and seven children came
to join him. They spent their life on that ranch- and in 1917 they filed on a
claim on Sellars Creek in the hills east of Ammon. Alfred liked livestock and
always had some around him. He especially liked good horses. He was fearless,
courageous, and honest. In 1935 his wife died and he grieved for her until Oct
26, 1937; after a short illness he passed on. He was 74 years, 9 months, and 6
days old. He has a family of eight living children- two daughters having passed
on before his death. Of the large family of twelve children only four reached
maturity and raised families. They, all four, Ephraim, Joseph, Alfred, and John
came to Idaho and made their homes. Wherever you look at their work, it all
spells toil and labor. When I look over the acres and acres of land on Homer
Creek where Joseph Empey plowed and planted with horses, not the machinery now
available, I think we owe him a lot of respect for he would have been ambitious
to do all that work. The reports I have of Ephraim show that the always
endeavored to have a good Christian home for his family. I knew John Empey, and
he enjoyed life with his family and neighbors. He was interested in the
community in which he lived. Hunting and fishing were his favorite sports. His
family was his pride and joy.
I loved reading this and more.
My very tough family were some of the first settlers of this area.
There were Indians, harsh, cold weather, and unending work.
I didn't find the story my sister told me about where one of the boys
was kidnapped by Indians and cut off his ear.
I did read one of a boys being kidnapped by sheep headers for ransom.
I have seen the farm.
This was about 60 years ago.
It is gone today.
In fact there is a church right about where this house was.
I've seen the old store and school.
For me, it was good to read and I am grateful for the kind woman who posted
it on familysearch.org .
Sometimes, it is nice to make a connection.
