John McDonald is one of those stories that doesn't seem to get a straight answer. It is suspected by some of us that she married him(or lived with him for means of support) while her husband, Charles, was gone on his mission to Canada and presumed dead; but as it turned out he returned after being very sick there and hospitalized and said he had had no way to let anyone know, or at least that was his story. They did have mail service then, albeit slow, so you would think they would have been able to communicate some over a four year span.
It is said that she insisted on being buried at his feet rather than at his side for some reason not openly discussed. Sadly, I think that the ones that may have known the truth are now also gone, so it will probably remain speculation. Charles was gone for four years and finally returned in 1868. There were no children born of Susan Jane from 1864 to 1869. She was left with 4 children to raise with the oldest about six. Not a pleasant task at any time.
I also read in a book titled How Beautiful Upon the Mountain. Joseph Smith had stopped by their house and gave their daughter Sarah Jane Wilkins an apple. The book also says that John's wife was bed ridden and that they carried the bed outside before burning the place down. And, that while crossing the plains, the Indians were taking my Sarah Janes's red hair. I was told about this book by a cousin Richard Buys. I found a used copy by internet, from a used book store in Salt Lake.
John McDonald is one of those stories that doesn't seem to get a straight answer. It is suspected by some of us that she married him(or lived with him for means of support) while her husband, Charles, was gone on his mission to Canada and presumed dead; but as it turned out he returned after being very sick there and hospitalized and said he had had no way to let anyone know, or at least that was his story. They did have mail service then, albeit slow, so you would think they would have been able to communicate some over a four year span.
It is said that she insisted on being buried at his feet rather than at his side for some reason not openly discussed. Sadly, I think that the ones that may have known the truth are now also gone, so it will probably remain speculation. Charles was gone for four years and finally returned in 1868. There were no children born of Susan Jane from 1864 to 1869. She was left with 4 children to raise with the oldest about six. Not a pleasant task at any time.
John McDonald is one of those stories that doesn't seem to get a straight answer. It is suspected by some of us that she married him(or lived with him for means of support) while her husband, Charles, was gone on his mission to Canada and presumed dead; but as it turned out he returned after being very sick there and hospitalized and said he had had no way to let anyone know, or at least that was his story. They did have mail service then, albeit slow, so you would think they would have been able to communicate some over a four year span.
It is said that she insisted on being buried at his feet rather than at his side for some reason not openly discussed. Sadly, I think that the ones that may have known the truth are now also gone, so it will probably remain speculation. Charles was gone for four years and finally returned in 1868. There were no children born of Susan Jane from 1864 to 1869. She was left with 4 children to raise with the oldest about six. Not a pleasant task at any time.
I also read in a book titled How Beautiful Upon the Mountain. Joseph Smith had stopped by their house and gave their daughter Sarah Jane Wilkins an apple. The book also says that John's wife was bed ridden and that they carried the bed outside before burning the place down. And, that while crossing the plains, the Indians were taking my Sarah Janes's red hair. I was told about this book by a cousin Richard Buys. I found a used copy by internet, from a used book store in Salt Lake.
John McDonald is one of those stories that doesn't seem to get a straight answer. It is suspected by some of us that she married him(or lived with him for means of support) while her husband, Charles, was gone on his mission to Canada and presumed dead; but as it turned out he returned after being very sick there and hospitalized and said he had had no way to let anyone know, or at least that was his story. They did have mail service then, albeit slow, so you would think they would have been able to communicate some over a four year span.
It is said that she insisted on being buried at his feet rather than at his side for some reason not openly discussed. Sadly, I think that the ones that may have known the truth are now also gone, so it will probably remain speculation. Charles was gone for four years and finally returned in 1868. There were no children born of Susan Jane from 1864 to 1869. She was left with 4 children to raise with the oldest about six. Not a pleasant task at any time.
>>> <WNerger@aol.com> 03/04/04 1:56 AM >>>
I saw on the WorldConnect Project, that both of you had Zilla Shelton. And
her spouse Hans Milton Hansen.
I am their grandson. I just thought you might want the the inofrmation on
them.
Hans Milton Hansen, Son of Hans Hansen and Ernestine Eliza Buchanan, born 22
July 1891 in Fountain Green, Sanpete, Utah. Died on 24 July 1967 in Spokane,
Spokane, Washington.
He married Zilla Shelton on 26 June 1926 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah
Zilla Shelton, Dauther of Charles Edwin Shelton and Amanda Clarissa Buys,
born on 29 January 1898 in Heber City, Wasatch, Utah. Died on 24 Noember 1995,
Fairfield, Spokane, Washington.
Both are buried in the Freeman Cemetary, in Freeman, Spokane, Wahington.
Wayne Nerger
Spokane Valley,WAjohnjaycox@hotmail.com Honestly, my info is a bit sketchy outside my own lineage, but I will briefly summarize what I know of it. Charles and Susan Jane had 8 children: John Wilkins, Nancy Bithiah, Albert, Oscar, Charles Edwin, George Alexander, Jane, and Francis. My Grandfather, Charles Edwin married Amanda Claressa Buys and had 8 children: Fern m. J.L. Moriarty, Orel, Zilla m. Hans Milton Hansen, Vont m. Francis King, Clair Edwin m. Rose Hickman, Albert Buys m. Ila Rolfe, Jane m. Clarence Peterson, and Diamond D. m. 1)Ruth Jensen 2)Hildred Evon Osborne. My parents, AB and Ila had 5 children: Shirley Rae m. Romeo DiLuzio, Jr., Carol Elaine m. John N. Stilz, Orel Jean m. Hugo Eugene Marek, Alberta Joyce "Ginger" m. John Jay Cox, and William Charles m. Colleen Ann Pfau. That is a quick and dirty summary. All of my parents children live in Washington with the only exception being me just west of Portland OR. If I can be of further help, let me know. Ginger