Summer 1995 John Neff

John Neff Mill in East Millcreek Salt Lake City, Utah

John Neff II was born September 19, 1794 in Strasburg, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, a son of John and Barbara Herr Neff. Little is said about his youth. We are told that his parents were wealthy and gave their son a good education, both in English and in German. Various accounts talk about his fine penmanship, though we̓re not aware of an autobiography or any extensive personal writings that would expose his personal thoughts and feelings. Nonetheless, we can acquire a taste and flavor of what type of person John Neff II was by what has been written about him and his life by his contemporaries and others years later.

John grew up in Strasburg and there became a farmer, stock raiser and shrewd business man. His father and Frank Kendig were the owners of a woolen factory near his home but this business failed when John was quite young. John was able to buy them out at an auction sale at a very low figure because the neighbors, out of respect for the Neff family would not bid against him in purchasing his father̓s property. To the woolen factory,farming, and stock raising, he added a distillery where liquor was manufactured. His wealth, honor, and respect in the community were extensive. How extensive? It has been stated that at one time, his holdings amounted to half a million dollars. He was closely acquainted with President Buchannan, Thaddeus Stevens and other leading politicians of the time. He even met General Lafayette on his last visit to America and delighted in describing his distinguished personal appearance.

John Neff II married Mary Barr on January 12,1822. He was five feet six inches tall and weighed about 140 pounds, was 27 years old and was rather homely. She was about the same height, weighed about 160 pounds, was 21 years old and was very beautiful. Both were strict in their discipline of children and would use a stick in correcting them when they felt it was necessary. John was quite quick tempered and would whip the children severely when he thought they were not doing the right thing. However, he was an affectionate father and a true and faithful husband.

Amid this prosperity and wealth, in 1841 the Mormon Elders visited Strasburg. At a meeting in a nearby schoolhouse, John was converted to the L.D.S. faith on the words of a sermon given by Elder Henry Deem. Though it would mean giving up the Mennonite faith and the many friends who went with it John, Mary, and those in the family who were old enough were baptized on February 7, 1842. From that hour until his death his religion was to him the most precious thing in existence. Thus began a 27 year period until John̓s death in which his generosity, faith, obedience and kindness would know no limits. No sacrifice was too great to make for his faith.

Scattered throughout the various writings and histories about John Neff are examples of his untiring willingness to give of his wealth to help others. With all that is written, it can also be surmised that many of his kind deeds went to the grave with him as he avoided publicity, being reserved and modest.

In May of 1844, John went with his wife Mary and daughter Barbara to visit the Prophet Joseph Smith In Nauvoo, Illinois for the purpose of seeing and visiting the Prophet and to purchase property there. They stayed at the Mansion House with the Prophet̓s family. They had many conversations with him in private and heard his prophetic voice many times from the pulpit. While there, he gave several thousand dollars to the prophet to help (with the building of the Nauvoo Temple as well as to assist the Saints during the reign of mobocracy in Nauvoo.

After this visit, they returned home in Pennsylvania very much impressed and with an even firmer conviction that God was speaking through this young prophet. They continued in their arrangements to sell their property and holdings in Pennsylvania at great sacrifice in order to join the Saints in Nauvoo. As stated earlier, their holdings were worth one half million dollars and yet by the time they had sold them, their fortunes had shrunk to $100,000, still a vast amount of money in those days but only one-fifth of what it was all originally worth.

In 1846, after adopting the Nauvoo Covenant” in which members pledged themselves to the church policy of assisting mutually in the removal of the poor to the Far West, John donated $1,000 to release the ship Brooklyn from wharfage in New York harbor with Elder Samuel Brannan in charge of two hundred and thirty-five church members from New England and the Atlantic States.

When John Neff̓s family reached Nauvoo, the beautiful thriving industrial center had become desolate. Their next destination became Winter Quarters along with all of the other expelled Saints. From the Discourses of Brigham Young we find the following:

Discourses of Brigham Young, Pg. 311
“The great majority of men and ‘women do not know how to take care of themselves. Let me refer the whole of you to a circumstance in Winter Quarters. We left Nauvoo in February, 1846, made our own roads through Iowa, except some 40 or 50 miles, built bridges, cut down timber, turned out 500 men to go to Mexico, came this side of the Missouri river, and there wintered. How did you live there? Do you know how you got anything to eat? Brethren came to me, saying, ‘We must go to Missouri. Can we not take our families and go to Missouri, and get work?” Do you know, to this day, how you lived? I will tell you, and then you will remember it. I had not five dollars in money to start with; but I went to work and built a mill, which I knew we should want only for a few months, that cost 3,600 dollars. I gave notice that I would employ every man and pay him for his labor. If I had a sixpence, I turned it into 25 cents; and a half-bushel of potatoes I turned into a half-a-bushel of wheat. How did I do that? By faith. I went to Brother Neff, who had Just come in the place, and asked him for and received 2,600 dollars, though he did not know where the money was going. He kept the mill another year, and it died on his hands. I say, God bless him forever! for it was the money he brought from Pennsylvania that preserved thousands of men, women, and children from starving. I handled and dictated it, and everything went off smoothly and prosperously.” 6:173.

In 1847, John met with Brigham Young and offered to donate $1,000 to help the Saints at Winter Quarters get outfitted for crossing the plains.

In the early years of the Salt Lake Valley, many of John̓s friends and neighbors were without work. He hired many of them to help with building the flour mill, lumber mill, shingle mill, digging ditches for irrigation, sawing logs, etc. John Neff man-aged it all. He had an interesting way of determining whether a man was a good worker or not. When a man applied for work, John would tell him that he had a sickle or an axe to grind. The man would be asked to turn the grindstone while John would hold the axe. When he would raise the axe from the stone to feel its edge, the man would stop turning, John would take to the house, give him a good meal, and tell him he had no work for him. If the man continued to turn the grindstone while he tested the sharpness on the tool, the man was considered a good workman and was employed.

John had a working arrangement with Orrin Porter Rockwell where for many years, Porter acted as John̓s agent to help those in need. Over the years he did much to gather the poor from foreign lands as well as helping them after reaching their destinations.

He often went to Salt Lake and before returning home would always visit President Brigham Young and give him several hundred and many times a thousand dollars or more. One of those times he gave one thousand dollars to assist in the construction of the first penitentiary.

In the late 1850̓s when there was talk of establishing the United Order, John Neff turned over all of his real and personal property, the real estate by deed, to President Brigham Young. Sometime later, President Young returned it all because the Saints weren̓t ready to live it yet.

We could be left to wonder whether the Neff family ever yearned to return to the beautiful green lands of their former home in Pennsylvania. This is answered by a letter from Major Charles E. Wentz to a friend back in Lancaster County after visiting the Neff home in East Mill Creek. It stated in part that Mr. John Neff, formerly of Lancaster County, is one of the best farmers in this Territory. He has nearly two thousand acres of land embracing some of the best soil in the world; the greater part, however, is a desert. He has a large grist mill and a saw mill and is building a large mill for sawing shingles, lath, etc. He has cattle and sheep by the thousands to be seen grazing upon the mountain benches. He is considered one of the wealthiest men here. He has no desire to return to Lancaster, and is exceedingly happy in his religion. His wife is a perfect lady, one of the sweetest women of her age I ever saw. Mr. Neff told me with perfect sincerity that he had everything that his heart could desire. We passed a delightful day with them. They gave us a magnificent Lancaster County dinner... Among the preserves was watermelon butter. The edible part of the melon boiled down without sweetening of any kind. It was delicious.”

At his death, the Deseret News said of John Neff editorially:
“He was liberal with his means. When assistance was called for it was forthcoming . . . He lived and died a saint.”
(Editors Note: The preceding was taken from 15 writings from many sources. Thanks is given to all who contributed and wrote.)

Salt of the Earth

John Neff Mill, East Mill Creek
Pages Turned Back a Century ‘SALT OF THE EARTH̓'

By Gordon B. Hinckley

(From The CHURCH NEWS. MAY 30, 1948)
This week this column reaches into the pages of history for the story of a man who was of ‘the salt of the earth.̓

An even century ago hordes of crickets began attacking the first grain ever grown in the Salt Lake Valley. A hundred years ago men, women, and children desperately fought this foe which threatened their very existence. Then in answer to their prayers came the seagulls. That story is well known, and worth remembering.

But there is another less well known, but also worth remembering, and of particular interest to this generation of 1948, influenced on all sides by examples of lust and greed for personal gain. tie the story of John Neff, who in that same 1848 of cricket-seagull fame settled along the stream since known as Mill Creek in Salt Lake County.

He was a prosperous man. But he is remembered today not for how much money he made, but for how much he refused to make and for how much he gave away.

He grew up in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in the ways and traditions of the Mennonites. He was a mill operator, a substantial citizen, frugal, shrewd, and independently rich.

Then one day in 1841 a Mormon missionary preached a strange but plausible doctrine in that part of the Keystone State. The record is not clear as to the struggle that took piece in his mind when he heard this doctrine. His Swiss ancestors generations before had fought the battle of conscience, and had come to America at the invitation of William Penn to enjoy the religious liberty they cherished. Now they were to give up the Mennonite faith to which they had devoted their lives. He end his family were baptized members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In May. 1844, he went to Nauvoo to meet Joseph Smith. There he stayed in the prophet̓s home and listened to the counsel of this man who was to die a martyr six weeks later.

John Neff returned to Pennsylvania fully satisfied in his faith. In 1844 he liquidated all his holdings so that he might move with the body of the Church. When word reached him that the ship ‘Brooklyn̓ could not leave New York until wharfage charges had been paid, he donated a thousand dollars so that Sam Brannan and the members of the Church with him could be on their way to California. That was the first of many substantial donations to the cause.

When he arrived in Nauvoo the peace he had seen two years earlier was gone. Mobs were burning fields and homes. Twenty thousand citizens were evacuating the city as rapidly as possible. He joined the throng moving over the Mississippi and the Iowa prairie.

At Winter Quarters one of his boys died from the plague that swept the Missouri bottomlands that tragic fall and winter of 1844-47. But there was little time for mourning. The people needed bread, and John Neff, experienced mill operator, was requested by Brigham Young to build and operate a grist mill.

In the summer of 1847 he and his family moved west with the third company to cross the plains. They arrived in October, and spent the winter in the old fort with its dirt floor and leaky roof. He wished for better things, and with the coming of spring boldly moved ten miles south and east from the fort.

It is reasonable to assume that he had assisted in the planting of the first grain that previous fall and winter. But wheat must be ground for bread. He set to work to build a mill. He dammed the stream, constructed a race, and led the water to a huge, ponderous overshot wheel. As the wheel turned, it rotated a great stone burr which crushed the grain. A part of one of those stones is preserved today in a monument which stands in front of the East Mill Creek meeting house. The crushed grain was then bolted through silk screens to separate the flour from the bran.

Much of the grain grown in the valley that first season, as well as subsequent seasons, was ground in the Neff mill.

The real test of John Neff’s character came in 1855-58. Those were lean years, when drought and grasshoppers had decimated the crops. Those were also years when great numbers of emigrants came to the valley, including the ill-fated Martin and Willie Handcart companies. On top of all that, the situation was worsened by the demands of hundreds of California-bound gold-seekers. on their way to find the precious metal that had been discovered in 1848.

Flour became a precious commodity. The gold-seekers who had money offered John Neff one dollar a pound. They would have taken all he had at this fabulous figure. A lesser man would have succumbed to the temptation.

But he refused. He set for himself a policy that flour should be sold only to those who needed it, and that it should be sold at the tithing office price of six cents per pound. For every hundred pounds he sold, he passed up ninety-four dollars in cash.

What an example for this day when black markets and consequent starvation are the rule rather than the exception in many parts of the earth, and when the practice almost everywhere is to charge all the market will bear, regardless of consequences to those who must buy.

That one incident alone is enough to assure John Neff a high place in history. But there were others. He gave uncounted thousands of dollars to the Church as Brigham Young indicated a need for money. It has been said that at his death he left less money than he and his sons had carried in their belts across the plains, when he might have multiplied this original capital many times.

Quiet. unassuming. inconspicuous in public gatherings, John Neff was nonetheless a giant. He was an exemplar to a generation a century beyond his own time.

Orrin Porter Rockwell Fireside Packs Chapel!

By Cherry

On April 23, 1995 the John Neff Family sponsored a fireside as was advertised in our last newsletter. Business discussed included a decision to mail another newsletter to all on the mailing list while cautioning that all must contribute at least $5.00 for it to be able to continue. Families were encouraged to compile family group sheets and to seek to prepare a Book of Life (Genealogy Records).

Neff Family members packed the East Mill Creek Chapel to overflowing for an intriguing looks one of the enigmatic pioneer family members. John Rockwell, historian from Lehi Utah, shared his expertise with us as he unveiled the character of Orrin Porter Rockwell.

People have described his physical presence as tall and muscular, others as short and fat. The fact of the matter was Porter stood a "husky" 5'6". He had black hair, steel-gray eyes and a full beard. He was known for his long, wavy-hair. "Many a woman in Utah was envious because he had better looking hair than they did!"

He didn̓t particularly like his hands for they were small. Hard work kept them well-calloused to make them look masculine. He had normal male voice, but when he was angry, upset. or anxious, it would go about “eight octaves higher in a thin falsetto." To avoid embarrassment he learned to control both his voice and his temper so he wouldn̓t squeak.

A study of the life or Orrin Porter Rockwell is an intimate study in Church History and dedication to the Prophet Joseph Smith. His father (Orin with one “r”) was lured to the frontier of upstate New York and the Rockwells established their farm in Palmyra. The Smiths moved In a year later and established their farm a mile from the Rockwells. Joseph end Porter became good friends, despite their age difference of eight yearn. They shared a similar physical limitation, both had a limp. When Porter was a youngster, he broke his leg. A backwoods doctor set it incorrectly and for the rest of his life one leg was shorter than the other. He actually used a silver-headed cane in his later years, a gift from Joseph Smith. The young Prophet Joseph would often go to the Rockwell home and tell them of his visions and the marvelous things he was learning. Porter worked at odd jobs for local farmers and gave every penny he earned to Joseph to help pay for the publication of the Book of Mormon. He worked for a book he would never read, for he was illiterate!

On April 6, 1830 the Church was officially restored. Early histories listed Porter as one of the original six. This was incorrect as he was not of legal age. He was there and became the ninth person baptized into the Church at age 16.

Porter married at age 19 his first wife of four, though he was never a polygamist. In Porter̓s absences mob came to his home, terrorized his young bride, and not content with destroying the contents, they pulled down the cabin with ropes tied to their saddle horns, it was just a pile of lumber. Porter arrived to find his young bride sitting on what was their home. From that time on, Porter never went unarmed He would never be driven out again, but he would defend his people, his family and his church. He would often go to the woods and practice with a rifle and a pistol. Every time he would shoot the target, it would be an enemy of the Church. He carried a pistol with a sawed-off barrel. He carried it in the pocket of his coat as he felt a holster was clumsy. He became an excellent marksman.

The Prophet Joseph Smith had a true friend and defender in Porter Rockwell. He visited him often in the Liberty Jail and actually smuggled in hammers, chisels and en auger to aid an escape attempt. (The audience was asked to imagine the size of the loaf of bread that would have been needed to accomplish this.) He put an end to the plots against the Prophet in Nauvoo. He sent a message when he was incarcerated in the Independence Jail that enabled Joseph to uncover a secret plot. A Sheriff offered Porter $2,000 in gold pieces to betray Joseph and he staunchly refused to even consider it. He was the lone horseman to galloped through the streets of Nauvoo shouting the terrible news of the death of the Prophet and his brother Hyrum. And lastly, he felt he avenged their death somewhat by shooting Frank Wars (in self-defense), the man who deliberately defaulted on his charge to protect the Prophet while in the Carthage Jail.

Porter himself was no stranger to incarceration and vendictive judicial systems. He spent time in Independence jail on charges that he shot Governor Boggs of Missouri at Joseph̓s command. Charges that he murdered Frank Wardle were also pressed against him in Nauvoo. They were dropped in the Boggs case and he was justified with a verdict of "self-defense" in the Wardle case.

Upon Porter̓s release from the Independence Jail, the Prophet Joseph gave him a special blessing. Placing his hands on Porters shoulders he promised “As long as he was true, and faithful to his covenants, God and his Church, no bullet or blade would ever harm him.” As a token of this promise, he was told never to cut his hair. Only once did he slip and cut his hair, but all for a good cause. He met an old friend in California, Agnes Smith, the widow Don Curios Smith. She was totaly bald and recovering from a bout of typhoid fever. He cut his hair, had a wig made from the dark tresses and gave it to her. He went into hiding after that until his hair grew back.

Brigham Young called Porter to serve as a scout-guide-hunter for the advance party of saints traveling to the valley. In essence he blazed the pioneer trail West. He had an encounter with a buffalo. He maneuvered his horse through a stampeding herd until he galloped in front of the leader. Placing the rifle over his shoulder he fired and hit the beast in the head. It stopped, sized up the offending individual and chased him all the way back to the wagon train. Others brought the buffalo down with their guns and there you have it, the first home delivery!

Once in the Valley he received a plethora of assignments. He traversed the plains again, led a group to California, drove cattle from California to Utah, and served as an Indian scout and treaty negotiator.

He became close friends with John Neff of East Mill Creek. He met his daughter Mary Anne Neff when she was 18 years old. They were married by Brigham Young in his office and later sealed in the Endowment House. Six children were born to this marriage. Mary Ann, died after the birth of their 6th child, Joseph. The child died two weeks later.

Home in Salt Lake, Porter was elected Deputy Marshal. He served for years. He once said that if he had to "chase an outlaw over 100 miles he’d not come back alive? People called him "Judge Jury, and Executioner all in one. The fact of the matter was that he was not Judge, Jury, and Executioner unless you made him. A man walked into a saloon and called Porter out with a gun. He recognized the man and let him pull the trigger, but the gun would not fire. Porter then took out his own gun and “made him dance.” He then proceeded to throw him out into the street.

Porter̓s fame spread among the outlaws in the West. A group in California collected a “pot" to kill Porter. One of the men accosted him near the Jordan Narrows. Porter with his hands in the air challenged the gunman with you can't kill me, there̓s no cap in your gun. When the gunman looked down, Porter pulled his own gun and resolved the situation.

Porter loved the theater and actually performed himself as a soldier in the play Pissario. He did well the first time, but the second time he forgot his lines. He knew that he was supposed to stab the man in the chest with a dagger. Instead of waiting for the prompter, he turned and in a stage whisper asked. “Do I stick him yet?”

His last day on earth he attended the theater with his daughter. After escorting his daughter home, he went to a nearby saloon and then bedded down for the night in his office at the Colorado Stables. He became very ill during the night and remained in bed the entire day. Late in the afternoon he quickly got up and put his boots on. He laid back down on the bed and died. He died of a heart attack at the age of 65.

Porter is buried in the Salt Lake Cemetery near Wilford Woodruff. His tombstone reads: "He was brave and loyal to his faith, true to the Prophet Joseph Smith, a promise made him by the Prophet, through obedience, it was fulfilled."

1995 Reunion

Sat., August 12, 1995 3:00 PM 6:00 PM
Pepperwood Pool & Pavilion (See Map)
Bring: Dinner for your family & a dessert to share, a lawn chair, & family members of all ages.

Enjoy: Volleyball, 6 tennis courts, basketball (bring your own ball), a playground, & swimming in an Olympic size — (Swimming cost: $1.00 per person.)
Dinner: 6:00 PM

Program: Perfect Harmony

Pictures of the Neff Mill & Neff Family members will be available
COME JOIN THE FUN!

Spring 1995 Neff Times Volume 1 Issue 1

My Great Grandmother, Mary Barr Neff by Verna Seely Carter

Mary Barr was born on December 1, 1801, in Bart Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania; a daughter of Christian and Susanna Brenneman Barr. She grew up in a large, well built, brownstone house. She was one of thirteen children, she being the fifth child. Her brothers and sisters were: Michael, Christian, Jacob (who died young), Amos, Benjamin, Susan, Anne, Elizabeth, Fanny, Judith, Barbara, and Jacob. It is interesting to note that this family, at this time, knew nothing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; therefore, they believed that when their first son Jacob died, that was the end of him. Therefore, they named another son Jacob.

Mary learned to cook, weave cloth, sew, keep a clean house, and tend the garden and livestock. By holding a lamp close to a bedside while her mother cared for the sick, she learned home nursing and the use of herbs as medicine.

When Mary was eighteen years old, her father painted a fresh coat of blue paint on the gate of the white picket fence, signifying that there was a daughter of age to marry living there and young men were permitted to come calling. They did, and each sat dutifully with the family in the parlor until the daughter was permitted to go walking with the young man. Mary selected the distinguished young John Neff II for her husband. He was 26 years of age and she was 21. They were married on January 12,1822. Along with quilts, hand woven chair covers, cured fruits and vegetables, Mary brought a cow and several pigs as her dowry. On Mary̓s wedding day, her mother took her in her arms and gave her a tight hug, telling her to be a good wife. Her father patted her shoulder, wished her well, and told her, You have made your bed, lie in it," which meant, “You have made a marriage, stay with it.”

Mary’s first child, Barbara Matilda, was born on October 28, 1822. Nine other children were born within one and one half to two years of each other. They were Franklin, Amos Herr, Cyrus, Mary Ann, Susanna, Benjamin Barr, Amanda, John Ill, and Elizabeth. All grew to maturity except Amanda, who passed away at the age of four.

Mary Barr made a good choice in a husband. John Neff II was the only living son of his family, and his father had given him the opportunity of a liberal education. At the time of his marriage he had land and a few head of livestock. With knowledge of what to do and how to do it, combined with a willingness to work, he and his wife built up a prosperous livelihood and, at one time, he was considered one of the wealthiest land owners in Lancaster County. They owned woolen shops, flour, shingle, and molasses mills, plus a brewery.

The story is told of John and Mary discovering four of their sons slacking their thirst much too often at the brewery, so the door was bolted and the sons were put on a diet of straight molasses until they were “purged” of their indulgence.

John Neff was a personal friend of President James Buchanan. Mary was a gracious hostess to him in their fifteen-room home of rock.

In 1842 two Mormon missionaries came to Lancaster County, and John and Mary were converted and baptized by Elder Henry Deem. Seven of their children were also baptized and the others were baptized as they become of age.

It is not certain how many times John and Mary visited the Prophet Joseph Smith in Nauvoo, but we do know that they were there as guests of the Prophet and his wife in the Mansion House in the year. 1844, just weeks before the martyrdom of the Prophet and his brother Hyrum. Mary told her children that the Prophet had told her husband, “I shall not live long.” In grave sadness John Neff inquired, “Brother Joseph, then what shall we do?” The reply was, “There will be someone in my place."

Before the Neffs left the Mansion House, John Neff said to his wife, ‘The Prophet Joseph could use some money to help take care of the saints.” and Mary helped him remove some gold pieces from the heavy leather money belt he wore around his waist.

Six weeks later, news reached the Neffs that the Prophet and his brother had been murdered. With grief John and Mary prepared to sell all their holdings in Pennsylvania, which they sold at a loss. With their family and loaded wagons, they moved to Nauvoo, where the Saints were being driven from their homes. The Neffs joined the exodus from Nauvoo and, with the saints, suffered the trials of the long trek to Winter Quarters, which culminated in a tragedy in their lives. Their son Cyrus became ill and spent many days with fever in the wagon where his mother practiced all the nursing skills she knew. They were to no avail, as he worsened and passed away. He was buried at Winter Quarters.

The Neffs spent the winter of 1846-47 in Winter Quarters where John and Mary again went to the money belt for help to build a flour mill. In 1847, they moved on with Captain Jedidiah Grant̓s company. Their family went with them with the exception of Franklin, his wife, Elizabeth, and their little girl. Franklin stayed in Winter Quarters to operate the flour mill as long as it was needed by the saints.

Arriving in the Salt Lake Valley on October 2, 1847, the Neffs spent the first winter at the Old Fort. When Franklin and his family arrived in the Salt Lake Valley in the spring of 1848, the whole family moved to what became East Mill Creek. There they built log houses and started to build a flour mill on Mill Creek. The logs were hauled from a canyon which was named Neff̓s Canyon.

Mary Barr Neff won the love and respect of everyone. She was a staunch supporter of her husband, a good wife and mother, an example of good homemaking and thrift, but generous with what they had. The money belt worn around John̓s waist was well known by the family and they called him President Young̓s Treasurer. They said they witnessed Brigham Young driving up in his carriage to their home, and after a brief interlude with their father, John Neff would go to his wife with this statement, “Mother, President Young needs a thousand dollars:” Then came an entry in the expense account, “Let Brigham Young have a thousand dollars.̓ A son records that after a time he did not see the money belt again.

Mary Barr Neff outlived her husband by six years and died In Salt Lake on December 1, 1875. She was 74 years old on that day.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Getting to know our President, Alice Neff

Hi! I am Alice Neff, daughter of J H and C P. I am married to B Neff the son of T and A Neff. B̓s grandfather is Samuel Neff, son of Amos Herr Neff and Catharine Elizabeth Thomas. My great great grandfather John Parry came across the plains with several other Welsh saints. They sang as they walked. When the first general conference was held in the bowery on temple square, Brigham Young ask John to lead his Welsh Choir in the hymns. As years passed others joined the Tabernacle Choir. John Parry served as their leader for several years.

My great great grandfather Jonathan Herriman Hale was a bishop in Nauvoo. While crossing the plains, he, his wife, Olive Boynton and 3 children, died. Their 4 orphans continued into the valley. They were given S acres of land to farm in the Sugar House area. Aroet Hale, the oldest, worked hard every day trying to get water to the wheat. Then the crickets came and devoured it all. Aroet went to Neff Mill to trade his horse, bridle and saddle for 4 pecks of flour. The miller scolded him for asking for so much. “There are women with baby̓s in their arms asking for 4 cups of flour and you want 4 pecks. What a booby?”

Aroet went away in tears. How was he to support his brothers and sister? Then he saw some strangers coming out of the canyon and went to talk to them about a trade. They were on the way to California and one of them had a pair of twin colts, born on the trail. He asked Aroet if he would trade his horse, bridle and saddle for the colts. Aroet asked for food also and received bags of flour, corn meal and bacon.

My father has loved genealogy for as long as I can remember. He was about 75 years old when he got a computer and he entered about 12,000 names, from his records, before he died 2 years ago. He told us stories and shared his research and temple experiences with us. He was one of the only people I knew that kept track of the living descendants of my grandfathers and great grandfathers. He seemed to know every one. Whenever my sisters or I had a date he would visit with them a few minutes and then inform us that we were related.

I grew up in the Millcreek area and graduated from Granite High School. While attending the University of Utah, I met B at a Lambda Delta Sigma Halloween Dance. The next July we were married. We have 6 children.

I have been able to stay home with the children most of their lives. I have worked in the PTA and the community. While serving as the PTA president at Hillcrest High, S and I were involved in starting a Psycho\Social Drama program to teach Elementary and Junior High Students to say No” to drugs.

When the children began leaving home I had an opportunity to sell a computer program to businesses and train them in it̓s use. I learned the computer from Bob and the software from classes. I read the book and called tech, support a lot. For 5 years I worked with computers daily. A couple of years ago I had earned enough to buy the computer I wanted.

Then I received all of my Fathers records. I began doing genealogy again. While J was serving in the Indianapolis Mission a letter was misdirected and Glatha Neff wrote to see if we were related. We weren̓t, so I forgot all about it. She didn̓t. In the spring of 1993 I received an invitation to the International Neff Reunion in Lancaster Pennsylvania. I thought it was a reunion for our Franz and Hans Heinrich Neff. The itinerary included a tour of John Neff̓s home and Franz Neff̓s mill site. I, my mother-in-law and my daughter-in-law were able to go to the reunion.

Bob Neff Tours took us on tours of different homes, churches and cemeteries. While driving-up to the John Neff home the guide said, “This home was built by John Neff II for his Father and Mother, John and Elizabeth Herr Neff. After his parents and his brother and sister died, John II listened to some Mormon Preachers and sold everything and left. We don̓t know any more about that branch of the family.” While we were looking at the house and grounds. I introduced myself to the guide and asked if I could tell the rest of the story. When we got back on the bus he let me have the mike.

Telling of John and Mary̓s trip west had some advantages. Everyone on the tour knew who I was, how I fit into the family, that we are Mormon and that I had records none of them had. I was able to talk to several of them and exchange genealogical information.

There are still several questions to be answered on our Neff genealogy. Some of them we may not find here on earth. We can not prove any relationships to the Swiss Naf̓s. There are no shipping records. Family tradition has our Neff line going back to Adam Naf, Kappel Switzerland. We were blessed to be able to go to Switzerland when Steve was released from his mission. We made contact with the Neff Organization there and made arrangements to meet Hans Naf in Zurich. We were concerned as we got nearer the meeting point. How would we know him? We recognized him. Hans looks just like our Neff̓s.

I have a lot of interest in the Neff Family at this time and look forward to working with each of you. After so many years of being involved in Genealogy, it is nice to have names to do in the temple. We have a noble heritage and need to preserve it. Not just keep track of names, but tell our children and grandchildren stories of their ancestors. We would like to help you do that in your own family. This newsletter and the socials we are planning are to help bring your family and ours closer.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Patriarchal Blessing of Mary Barr Neff 13 May, 1844 Nauvoo, Ill.
A blessing given by Hyrum Smith, Patriarch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

A Patriarchal blessing of Mary Neff, daughter of Christian and Susanna Barr, born in Bart Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, 1 December 1801.

Sister Mary, I lay my hands upon your head in the name of Jesus of Nazareth and bless you and I seal you up unto eternal life and what I seal on earth shall be sealed in Heaven, the same is in answer to the desires of your heart, a blessing by promise and a gift of God, a blessing, there is none greater. The same shall be your comforter henceforth and forever if you will believe for the same is the second comforter as it is written in the testimony of John, therefore I say unto you, Mary, you are blessed verily and shall share in common with your husband in all things that are sealed upon his head, even in all things pertaining to your house and habitation.

Your outgoings and incomings, Basket and store, fields and flocks and also the blessings of the Priesthood the communion and power, the Holy Spirit is also the blessings of your posterity which goeth down from generation to generation and also your inheritance which is the lineage of your fathers and the blessings of Abraham to crown your head with glory, honor and immortality and eternal life, even the fullness of the everlasting covenant and its blessings that shall honor and realize and fully appreciate to the honor and glory of God, even in the days of your probation and your name will be perpetrated, written and commemorated in the chronicles of your brethren, wisdom and knowledge shall your heart and move you into action and bring you up into your place upon Mount Zion in the midst of the Saviors, that time wash their robes and made them white through the brood and redemption of the love of God and then to inherit the mansion that is prepared and have a name and a place like Sarah and Rachel and as to your days and years they shall be intended according to your faith and the desires of your heart. These blessings I seal upon your head, Even so, Amen,

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Franklin Neff 1824-1882

(From “The Neffs & Fishers of East Millcreek" by Louise Fisher, Submitted by Cal Fisher)

Franklin Neff built one of the first brick and adobe mills In the country on the quarter section of land he homesteaded near what is now 38th South Street. The First home built by John and Franklin Neff was on the Old Mill site at what is now Oakwood in East Mill Creek. It was built of adobes made by them. Franklin Neff also operated the first shingle mill and they also operated a molasses mill.

Later, Franklin Neff was called by Brigham Young to go out among the Indians as a scout to make friends with them and help later companies of Saints through safely. President Young̓s policy was always, "It is better to feed the Indians than to fight them." Franklin and his brother-in-law, Orrin Porter Rockwell, on many occasions gathered around the campfires and smoked the pipe of peace with the Indians. They also let their hair and beards grow long as a compliment to their Indian friends.

On one occasion, an Indian Chief grew so fond of Franklin that he offered him his daughter in marriage and was so insistent that he accept this high favor that he ordered a feast to honor the marriage. A dog was killed on which to feast. Franklin managed to extricate himself from the bond of matrimony, and also the feast, without incurring the ill-will of the Indian Chief.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

One Hundred and Ten Attend Birthday Party!
By Alice Neff

September 18, 1794 John Neff II was born in Strasbourg Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. We decided September 2nd to get together for his 200th birthday party September 23 at the Chapel on Evergreen. When we began calling we had a list of 28 relatives. Thanks to the your response, the list expanded to over 200 and more than 100 of you came. Now there are 350 names on our mailing list. Thank you.

R S Neff designed the invitations and programs. Sharlene H, Natalie B and Alice Neff set up displays in the Multipurpose Room and back Foyer. We had reserved the Relief Society Room for the meeting. As people began to arrive it became evident that we had under estimated the attendance. We moved to the chapel. 110 descendants of John Neff signed in.

Elwood Neff welcomed all those present and told of some of his experiences as a member of the Neff Family. Gordon Neff gave the opening prayer. Natalie presented a slide show history of East Millcreek. She had taken pictures of some of the homes that were still standing and places where our ancestors̓ homes had been. She told stories of the area. Not just Neffs but Bagleys, Stillmans and Fishers had lived in that area. It was an excellent presentation.

Alfa Jean Carter gave a report on the Genealogical Research that has been done over that last 15 years. Our John Neff of 1794 is the great grandson of Franz (Francis) Neff not Hans Heinrich (John Henry) Neff as once believed. She has all the documentation to substantiate this and would love to share it.

Kathryn Neff gave a Financial Report of the Family Organization, We have about $2,000 that has been donated to research our ancestors and defray the costs of keeping the family organization going.

An election was held and enclosed you will find the slate of officers. Only two families were not contacted. If you can help us find representatives from these families, we would really appreciate it. Russ Capson gave the closing prayer.

Cherry and her daughter made and decorated 2 delicious birthday cakes and S B Neff brought ice cream. Natalie brought sketches of John and Mary and most of their children.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We have not found a picture of Mary Ann Neff. If you have seen one, please contact one of the officers. The Rockwell̓s would really like to have a copy.

On October 16th the executive Committee met at the home of Alice Neff and discussed putting out this newsletter, its format and content. We also decided to have 2 socials in 1996, an Orrin Porter Rockwell fireside April 23 and a report on the International Neff Reunion in September or October. We would like to have a John Neff family reunion the summer of 1996 and host the International Neff Family reunion in 1998. To accomplish these goals, we would like names, addresses and telephone numbers of all John Neff descendants. Please help us.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Upcoming News

The bylaws of the John Neff Sr Family Association states that, “The oldest living descendant of John Neff Sr. shall be the Honorary President of this Organization.” WHO IS THE OLDEST DESCENDANT IN YOUR FAMILY?

We would like to reach every descendant of John Neff to pull together and strengthen each of us. Please send names, addresses and phone numbers to your representative on the executive board, We would like to do a book on all the descendants of John and Mary Neff. We need your family group sheets & histories and those of your married children and your parents.

We would like to blend old news, histories and family history research information with new news. In the next issue, we wish to highlight John Neff. Please call Alice Neff if you have a history or story about John Neff. In future issues, we want to print stories of each of Johns and Mary ̓s children. Please start looking through your files this spring.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A Neff Reunion in Switzerland

On June 18,1995 the descendants of Adam Neff who was born in. about 1500 will celebrate Neff Day at the Nafenhaus (Neff House), in Kappel am Albis, Switzerland. We are all invited. Bob Neff Tours in Lancaster, Pennsylvania is arranging a tour leaving June 10 and returning June 20.

You will arrive in Zurich, Sunday June 11 and be transported by private motorcoach on a tour around Zurich and Kappel. Monday you will tour Appenzell and several Neff historic sites. Tuesday you will tour Berne, the capitol and see many government buildings. Then on to Zermatt. Wednesday will be a free day to go up to the top of the Matterhorn. Thursday you will travel through the Pillon Pass to Interlaken. Friday you can go up to the top of Mt. First. Saturday you will go on a luncheon cruise on Lake Lucerne. Sunday is the Neff Family Day at Kappel. Monday you will go up Mt. Pilatus and then on to Zurich from where you will fly home Tuesday, June 20th.
The cost of the tour is $2,825.00 per person.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BRING THE WHOLE FAMILY! HEAR THE REAL STORY!
EXCITING FIRESIDE! ORRIN PORTER ROCKWELL
Presented By John Rockwell--Slides & Stories

East Millcreek Chapel, 2702 E. Evergreen Ave. (3435 S) Sunday, Apr 23, 1995 7 p.m.