David Tarbell Drown

David was born on December 9th, 1837 in Oswego, NY in the United States to Charles Madison Drown and Sarah Ransom Tarbell. He was the oldest of three boys.

From "Midvale History" by Maurine C. Jensen, page 26:

The immigrant Saints of 1849 came to Utah in five companies of about 500 wagons and 1400 people led by Orson Spencer, Allen Taylor, Silas Richards, George A. Smith, and Ezra T. Benson. Many others came in independent companies, as well as some members of the Mormon Battalion. David traveled with his father and brother in the Ezra T. Benson party. 

From 1851 to 1857 he lived in and around Sacramento, CA where he was a gold prospector. He then returned to Provo, UT.

He married Sarah Olive Newell on December 9th, 1860 in Provo, UT, on his twenty third birthday. Sarah was fifteen.

Their first child, Ellen Elizabeth, was born on May 3rd, 1862 in West Jordan, UT.

Their second child, David Almon, was born on March 15th, 1864 in West Jordan.

Their third child, Alice Adelia, was born on December 18th, 1865 in West Jordan.

Their fourth child, Charles Madison, was born on October 10th, 1867 in West Jordan.

Their fifth child, Olive Marie, was born on May 7th, 1870 in West Jordan.

Their sixth child, Alfred Carlos, was born on June 15th, 1872 in Midvale (formerly W. Jordan), UT.

Their seventh child, Eva Geraldine, was born on July 4th, 1874 in Midvale.

Their eighth child, Clara Valeria, was born on January 25th, 1877 in Midvale.

An excerpt from the life of Sarah Newell:

The Newell family moved to Provo, but Sarah came to Midvale and lived at the home of Harmon Cutler. She married David Drown in 1860. They first lived in a cave in a hill near the river south of present Center Street. Ten children were born to this couple, the first four being born while living in the dugout.

In 1866, David, Sarah and their children moved to a two-room log house erected on the North side of Center Street, about 300 feet west of Main Street. From 1866 to 1890, this log cabin was the home of the Drown family with the exception of the summers of 1880 and 1881 when they lived on the farm of Fred Cooper in South Jordan. In 1890 the log cabin was moved to the rear of the lot and a rustic frame house was built on the site.

Their ninth child, Melvin Ernest, was born on January 17th 1882 in Midvale.

Their tenth and last child, Ivy Rub, was born on February 24th, 1884 in East Jordan, UT.

In 1880 they lived in West Jordan, UT in their two room log cabin with seven children; David, Alice, Charles, Olive, Alfred, Eve and Clara. David and David Jr. were farm laborers.

In 1900 they still in West Jordan, now in the larger rustic frame house, with three of their children; Alfred, Melvin and Ruby. David was still listed as a farm laborer, Alfred was a brakeman, and Melvin was a railroad laborer. Ruby was at school.

David died on October 22nd, 1907 in Midvale,UT when he was struck by a train. He was buried in the Sandy City Cemetery.

His obituary in the Deseret Evening News, 23 Oct. 1907:

Shocking Death on the Rail.

David P. Drown, Aged Resident, Struck by Engine.

Bingham Junction, Salt Lake Co., Oct. 22.--While picking up coal on the side of the R. G. W. tracks last evening, David P. Drown, age 70 years, and early settler of this place, was struck by the engine of the passenger train from Bingham and instantly killed, his body being mangled beyond recognition.

Deputy Sheriff Beckstead was notified and took charge of the body until Undertaker Joseph E. Taylor arrived. It was decided that no inquest was necessary. The engineer was not aware that anything had happened, hence did not stop his train. After arriving in Salt Lake City he was made aware of the fact.

David P. Drown was born in the state of New York, Dec. 9, 1837. In 1848, when 12 years of age, he, his father, stepmother and half-sister emigrated to Utah, remaining in Salt Lake City for two years. In 1851, during the gold excitement in California, he removed to Sacramento, where he resided until 1857, when he returned and located to Provo. In 1858 he moved to West Jordan (now Bingham Junction), where he has since resided. He married Sarah O. Newell of Coalville in 1860. They had a family of 10 children, six girls and four boys, two girls having died. Their daughter Eva and son Melvin are now in California, and daughter Ruby is in Nevada.

Do you know anything about David? 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.