In 1829 he married Olive Comstock in Oswego County, NY when he was twenty six and she was twenty one. They had four children together.
Their first child, Elliot Alfred, was born on August 29th 1830 in Amboy, NY.
Their second child, Orris Comstock, was born on January 13th, 1834 in Amboy, NY.
Their third child, Cealey Harmon, was born in 1838 in Amboy, NY. He died as an infant somewhere between New York and Nauvoo, IL.
Their fourth and last child, Sarah Olive, was born on January 22nd, 1844 in Nauvoo, IL.
Sarah died in 1845 in Iowa, across the river from Nauvoo, IL. Almon married a widow, Rachael Bunn Lundy Jerman (or German), when he was forty five and she was forty. She had two young sons from her previous marriage, Daniel and James G.
Their son, Geraldus, was born on January 1st, 1849 in Provo, UT.
Rachel died in 1868 in Mona, UT.
Almon died on May 29th, 1878 in Mammouth, UT at the age of seventy four while trying to rescue his son Geraldus during a mining accident. He was buried in the Mona City Cemetery.
From a history of Sarah Newell:
Sarah Olive Newell was born in 1844 at Nauvoo, Illinois. Her mother died when she was eighteen months old; the father then married a widow German, who had two sons. The family left Nauvoo in 1846, then left Iowa in 1852 for Utah. They were in a company of 75 wagons, including the Cutler family, who also settled in West Jordan (Midvale). They reached the valley October 5, 1852 and camped on the grounds where the City and County building stands.A History of Almon Newell by Ernest Newell of the Newell Family Organization:
Almon Newell, son of Mahitable Griffin and Moses Newell, was born 28 June 1803 in butternuts, Oswego, New York. The settlers of that region were primarily engaged in farming, hunting and trapping. They travelled up and down Butternut Creek, but seldom went very far from the settlement because the threat of hostile Indians was a real danger at all times. The Indians were very angry because they felt the white man was encroaching upon his territory and would eventually destroy his very existence. Travel was almost impossible. The roads were narrow, rutted wagon tracks and most of the streams lacked bridges. For this reason, most of the Pioneers and early settlers used the waterways wherever possible. Sturdy rafts and barges were built and later the material was used to construct new homes when they found a place to settle. All provisions for the journey and for establishing a new home had to be carried with them.
In about 1829 Almon met and married Olive Comstock of Williamstown, Oswego, New York. They settled in nearby Amboy where two sons, Elliot Alfred and Oris Comstock were born. It was here they first heard the news of the Restored Gospel and were baptized and confirmed members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1835. We have not been able at this time to trace the route they took to Nauvoo, Illinois, so we can only guess they followed the trails which were prescribed by the Prophet going by wagon train whenever necessary, or using the river boats as often as possible. We know the journey was very hazardous and certainly uncomfortable for all of the pioneers and we can only marvel at the great fortitude and determination as well as the loyal dedication of these early saints. Upon their arrival, or somewhere along the trail (we aren’t certain), another son, Cealey was born and died. Then, in 1844, a daughter, Sarah Olive was born in Nauvoo.
They enjoyed a very short time of peace and rest before the mobs came in and drove them out of their homes. They were forced to cross the Mississippi River in the bitter cold of February, and find what shelter they could on the other side. It was during this trying time that Olive died. We have no record of the cause of her death, but many of the pioneers died of pneumonia and many others of cholera. Almon was now left homeless and alone to care for three children. He, along with many of the saints, found temporary refuge in Iowa. It was here that he met a young widow, Rachel Bunn Lundy (Jerman). We have no details as to the cause of her husband’s death, but we know that a large number of the men were killed by the mobs. Rachel was left with two small sons, so it seemed a very wise decision for her to marry Almon.
The family spent some time together in Iowa before heading west. Here the eldest son, Elliot Alfred, married Maria Louisa Roberts, and they stayed in Kanesville until after the birth of their first child. We have not been able to determine exactly when both families came to Utah, but the Provo Second Ward Record of 1852 lists both of the families as members of that ward. Almon Newell, wife Rachel, children Orris and Sarah Newell and Daniel and James Alonzo Jerman, and baby Geraldus Newell. Almon spent only a short time in Provo before moving his family to Mona, Juab, Utah. Here he established a permanent home for his family.
Pioneering was difficult in any area and we can assume that Mona was no exception. He probably built a typical log cabin for their first dwelling. This could be constructed quickly, using material that was available in the area. The thick log walls and sod roof were nice and warm in winter and were a special blessing in the summer as insulation against the hot desert sun and wind. For a few years, the family prospered and enjoyed life. Geraldus grew to manhood and married Sarah Shawcroft. His posterity, for the most part, remained in the Juab county area. Sarah married David Drown, and moved to Sandy, Salt Lake County. And Oris married Mary Eveline Johnson. Four of their children were born in Mona. They moved to Moab, and their posterity is still to be found there and in the surrounding area. The eldest son, Elliott, remained in Provo where most of his descendants are to this day. During the winter months when there was not much work to do on the farm, the men went to work in the mines at Eureka, Tintic, Mammoth and Divident. It was while working in the mine at Mammoth that Almon and his son Geraldus were killed in a tragic accident. It seems that Geraldus got caught in the mine cage. His father tried to pry the cage open to free his son, but he was impaled on the shovel handle, and both of them died 29 May, 1879. They were buried together in the Mona City Cemetery.
Do you know anything about Almon? Do you have any memories, photos or information to add? I would absolutely love to hear from you. Please leave a comment below to add your information. If you have photos to share, please send them to me along with any other information at tomebug (at) gmail (dot) com.
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