Family Life and Friendship Network

A Great Champion of Mormonism

Allen Joseph Stout personifies Mormonism's most ideal convert. He illustrates most beautifully a model in repentance and spiritual growth, and he furnishes his posterity a true pattern of righteousness, integrity, and virtue. This narrative illustrates beautifully the influence which a true religion exercises on the life of a man, who had he not heard the truth, would have become an enemy of Christianity.

[Image - ALLEN JOSEPH STOUT 
1815-1889 
Father of 17 children, grand-father of 143 children.]

Allen Joseph Stout was born and raised in the same environment that produced Abraham Lincoln. Danville, Kentucky, where Allen first made his appearance, is but thirty miles east of Hogansville where the great emancipator was born. Abraham and Allen grew to manhood on the same soil, and developed characters equal in greatness and honesty, the only difference was in publicity.

Allen was the son of Joseph and Anna Smith Stout. He was born December 5, 1815, at Danville, Mercer County, Kentucky. Allen is the tenth child in a family of twelve children. Joseph Stout, the father of Allen, was born in Oxford County, North Carolina, July 17, 1773. Joseph married his cousin, Anna Smith, in 1796; twenty-six years later the family count showed twelve children. The parents of Joseph and Anna were all Quakers. That Church was as near the truth as any in those times. These people were very simple in their religious ideals, fearing and worshiping God as best they knew how.

The ancestry of Allen Joseph Stout takes us back to colonial times in New Jersey. The first Stout to arrive in America was Richard Stout. He landed in New Amsterdam (about 1642) more by accident than by planning. He had completed a seven year enlistment in the British Navy at the very time his ship docked in the harbor of New Amsterdam. Richard was thus freed to enter the Dutch city to seek his fortune in the new world. Richard was born in Nottingham. England, about the year 1602. John, the father of Richard, was a country gentleman who insisted that Richard marry within his station. But Richard had found his love in a family whom John considered beneath their station. The inevitable quarrel took place. Richard, in a moment of anger, left his father's home and joined the English Navy. After a seven years cruise he was discharged at New Amsterdam, a bachelor, forty years of age. In this pioneer town he met the charming Penelope Van Prince, a widow, about twenty-three years old.

This noble woman, whose maiden name is unknown, had passed through death many times in her struggle to reach America. Shortly before the arrival in America, the ship which was bringing Penelope and her husband was wrecked off Sandy Hook, New Jersey. Her husband, whose name we do not know, had been quite sick during the voyage, was seriously injured in the attempt to reach land. The ship's company on reaching the safety of land feared an attack by the Indians, so they decided to hasten on to New Amsterdam. Penelope's husband was in no physical condition to make the trip. The group thought they could not carry him along, nor would they wait until he was well enough to travel. The attack by the Indians was too probable so the company left Penelope and her husband to their fate and rushed on. True and faithful Penelope refused to leave her husband. They had not tarried long in the woods when a large party of Indians fell upon them and "killed them both (as they thought), and stripped them to their skin; however, Penelope came to, though her skull was fractured, and her left shoulder so hacked that she could never use that arm like the other. She was also cut across the abdomen so that her bowels appeared; these she kept in with her hand. She continued in this situation for seven days, taking shelter in a hollow tree, and eating the excrescence of it. The seventh day she saw a deer passing with arrows sticking in it. Soon after two Indians appeared whom she was glad to see, in hope they would put her out of her misery. One Indian made towards her to knock her on the head, but the other (who was an elderly man) prevented him. He carried her to his wigwam and cured her of her wounds and bruises. After that he took her to New Amsterdam and made a present of her to her countrymen, namely an Indian present, expecting ten times the value in return." (From Morgan Edwards, a History of the Baptists in Jersey.) Quoted by Stillwell.

We do not know how Penelope and Richard met, but we do know they did meet and were married (1644) . From this union ten children were born. Penelope lived to see 502 of her offspring before she died at the age of 110. In 1648 Penelope prevailed on Richard to leave New Amsterdam and settle in Middletown, New Jersey – very near the scene of the shipwreck. From this time henceforth Middletown is the capital for the Stout family in America.

The third son and sixth child of this union was Peter, born in 1654, and married Mary Bullen. This couple had two children, Mary and John. Little is known about John. He was born in Middletown in 1675, married a lady whose first name was Sarah, last name unknown. He was a Baptist. May 8, 1708, he moved from Middletown and settled in Dragon Swamp, Delaware. John and Sarah had but one known child, Samuel, date of birth unknown. Samuel left his parents in 1720 and settled on George's Creek, Delaware. He married a lady whose first name was Margaret. Their only known child was Peter, born April 14, 1715, in Newcastle, Newcastle County, Delaware. Young Peter left home at the age of 23 and went to Lancaster, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, there met and married Margaret Cypert, daughter of Lorrance and Margaret Cypert. He loved his wife so well he even joined her church, the Society of Friends. Their first two children were born in Lancaster, Samuel (April 10, 1740), and Charles (March 27, 1742), the other five children were born in Warrington, York County, Pennsylvania.

In July or August, 1762, this family moved to Cane Creek, Orange County, North Carolina. To the Society of Friends in Cane Creek this family presented certificates of church membership from the Warrington Church in Pennsylvania. These certificates are vital in proving the identity of the family and its relationship to the Pennsylvania group.

Peter and Margaret spent the rest of their lives in Cane Creek. Samuel, their oldest son, married Rachel Chauncey the same year they moved there (December 16, 1762); she was the daughter of Daniel and Ann Chauncey. Rachel was born August 7, 1741. All ten of their children were born in Orange County and all became strong Quakers. Joseph, the fifth child. was born July 17, 1773. About the year 1790 Samuel lost his home in North Carolina and so moved into eastern Tennessee. After living there six years young Joseph returned to North Carolina to visit his grand parents. There he met his cousin, Anna Smith, and married her (1797). Shortly afterwards, this young couple went to eastern Tennessee where their first five children were born (namely, Rebecca, May 20, 1798; Sarah, October 29, 1799; Samuel. 1802; Margaret. November 23, 1804; and Mary, November 23, 1804). About the year 1805 the family moved to Madison County, Kentucky; there two more children were born (Anna. December 22, 1806; and Daniel, 1808). After Daniel's arrival the family moved on to Pleasant Hill, Mercer County, where Hosea was born, September 18. 1810. This newly born son had a great destiny. We shall see him later, first as a great defender of Mormonism. and second, the role as the 'Apostle Paul" to the Chinese people. The family soon moved to Danville, where Cynthia was born. April 12, 1812.

During those bitter days in 1812 Joseph suffered from economic and physical disasters; these left him stunned and hopelessly discouraged. He saw no other course but to put his children into the homes of others. The Shakers pressed him relentlessly to allow them to attend their private school. Joseph's resistance was finally broken down, so the children, seven of them, went off with the Shakers. Rebecca, the oldest girl, not only joined them voluntarily, but was completely converted to their faith and remained a firm member to the day of her death (1825). Sarah returned to her father in 1817, Hosea a year later, Mary, Margaret and Anna in 1822.

Meanwhile a very important event took place in the home of Joseph Stout. The hero of this narrative was born December 5, 1815. Allen Joseph was born just one day following the death of his sister Cynthia. Allen Joseph, the tenth child, was born in the midst of death and poverty and was destined to struggle against adversity and ill-health to the end of his days. But economic and physical reverses never conquered his spirit. Like Job of old, disaster stimulated his soul and strengthened his testimony in the divinity of his mission.

Danville was a very auspicious place for Allen to begin life in. It was America's frontier in 1815, and situated on the "wilderness road," one of Kentucky's pioneer settlements (1781). Danville is the home of the famous little "Center College.' It was in Danville that the nine historical conventions were held that framed the state constitution and the resolutions of separation from Virginia (1784). The family did not remain long in Danville after the birth of Allen. Joseph secured employment in a saw mill near Pleasant Hill so the family lived in a rural community until the spring of 1819. During that season he moved his family to Wilmington, Clinton County, Ohio, where the two youngest children were born: Roena Lydia, January 3, 1820, and Elizabeth Mahala, March 5, 1822. The last died, July 5, 1823.

Joseph's brother Isaac lived on a farm near Wilmington, so he was the means of helping Joseph to find a farm to rent. The farm he rented was covered with trees and underbrush and necessitated a lot of work before a crop could be planted. Hosea, age 9, and Allen, age 4, was all the help that father Joseph had to assist him. These boys did their best to help their father prepare the land for cultivation. Their relations were quite primitive if we are to accept the account recorded by Hosea:

"I sometimes could prevail on my mother to let my brother Allen go out to work with me, but never failed to set him at something he could not do, and on his failure would most unmercifully beat and whip him, and then make him promise not to tell on me, swearing if he did I would kill him the next time I got him out. The little fellow would not know what to do; if he went with me I was sure to beat him shamefully, and if he refused to go I would whip him for that the first opportunity. * * * Notwithstanding my tyranny and ill treatment, he always loved, feared and obeyed me and was kind and docile, ever ready to take my advice and instructions which made me repent of my abuse to him."

Children were even children in 1819. It is remarkable how little children have changed in their social relations with one another since that time. Little Allen was inducted into the social stream rather early in life. His rough treatment at the hands of Hosea served to prepare him for the great impediments which lay ahead.

The year 1820 saw much sickness in the home of Joseph Stout; mother, daughter, and two sons, Hosea and Allen, took their turn in bed. During the winter of 1822-23 Allen and the two younger girls suffered from a long siege of whooping cough. Later he had the measles, then the chicken pox along with the other children. His sister Elizabeth died from the chicken pox (July 5, 1823), even father Joseph came near dying with the disease. After Allen's recovery he was sent to Rebecca Stout's school (his cousin) and "graduated" twenty days later! That same year his sister Margaret was married (June 6. 1823) to a scoundrel by the name of William Stout (no relation) . This union eventually went on the rocks.

After the birth of Elizabeth in 1822 mother Stout never fully recovered. She finally developed a serious case of consumption which caused her death, July 28. 1824. Her loss to the family was well described by Hosea:

"By her death I lost the only unwavering friend that I had and our family was now left like a ship without a rudder to be the sport of misfortune, and I sure felt and realized her loss, and now when deprived of her could begin to see my own ingratitude and disobedience to her."

Joseph Stout, wifeless and defeated, knew not what to do. Hosea was hired out to different neighbors and so passed from home to home. For a few months Allen also was passed around like all unwanted children. In the fall of 1824 Joseph took Lydia, Anna, Mary: and Allen and moved to Cincinnati, then to Louisville, Kentucky; there they remained until the spring of 1825. While in Louisville, Mary married a man named Nicholas Jamestown who Allen described, as an "abandoned wreck". During that winter Allen lived some of the time with his sister Mary, at other times he was hired out to different neighbors.

In the spring of 1825 Joseph took Anna and Allen down the Ohio River bound for Little Rock, Arkansas. (Lydia remained in Louisville with Mary.) They passed through New America and at Cape Girardeau Allen and Anna were left a few months before going to Caledonia, Missouri, where Ephriam, a brother of Joseph lived. Allen's grandparents. Samuel and Rachel Chauncey Stout were then living there. It was the first time Allen and Anna had ever seen them. During that winter in Caledonia, Allen and Anna were sick much of the time.

In the spring of 1826 Ephraim took Joseph and his two children to Taswell County. Illinois. That community was a real Stout center. Stout's Grove was first settled by Ephraim, hence its name. Allen had many uncles and distant relatives living within Taswell County. Allen and Anna were left with "friends" while father Joseph returned to Ohio for a four year period. Meanwhile Allen and Anna were kicked around from home to home like all unwanted children without parents. First Allen went to live with a Nathan Dillon: there he remained two years. Then he lived with Martin Myers, a very cruel guardian who sent him to school for twenty days. Allen made the following comment: "I was a very weakly child; this man used to abuse me by whipping me for things which I could not help." Allen was still under the Myers tyranny when Hosea came out from Ohio in September, 1828. It was through Hosea's influence that Allen was released from the clutches of Myers. Allen now went to live with his cousin Ephraim Stout, Jr. During that stay he was privileged to attend Jesse Stout's school for another twenty days. Allen says that Ephraim "was undoubtedly the meanest man I ever saw." Ephraim senior was at that time a county commissioner. For some reason Ephraim was prejudiced against Allen so he entered a complain against Allen in order to have him bound out. At this stage of the proceedings Hosea stepped in and took Allen away from the Ephraims (1829) and had Him bound out to a man of his own choice (James Watson) whom Hosea was working for at the time.

Allen and Hosea worked for Watson for about fifteen months. During that period the boys attended Johnson's school where they "finished" their college education. In the fall of 1830 father Joseph returned from his trip into Ohio. He brought with him Sarah and Lydia. Joseph was very angry at Ephraim for his court action against Allen so he took Allen away from Watson and with the three girls (Anna, Sarah and Lydia) moved to Little Mackinaw where he had bought land. Hosea remained behind and continued working for Watson.

Joseph and his four children lived in Little Mackinaw until June, 1831 At that time Joseph left his three daughters in charge of the farm and took Allen for a trip into Texas. This was the beginning of six years of fruitless wanderings in Missouri and Arkansas. An account of these travels is not considered worthy of attention. When Joseph and son Allen returned to Taswell County in the spring of 1837 Anna had married a man by the name of Benjamin Jones, a Mormon, and around this incident the story of Allen Joseph Stout really begins.

Before reaching Little Mackinaw Allen heard something about these strange Mormons. Before arriving in Peoria Allen records that a man by the name of Smith said "he knew me by Lydia." I asked him if he was acquainted with my folks. He said he was and that Anna had married a Mormon. I asked him what that was for I never before remembered of having heard the name of Mormon spoke. Re said it was a religious denomination of folks. I asked if they believed the Bible. He said they pretended to but any man who understood the scriptures could confound them in a moment." This was Allen's first impression of Mormonism. This impression was destined to grow until it produced a revolution in his philosophy of religion.

Meanwhile Hosea's introduction to Mormonism had been quite a different story. After his father and brother Allen had left for Texas to seek their fortune, Hosea had shown better judgment by holding fast to his job and saving his money. He had divided his time between studying law, teaching school and taking part in the Black Hawk War of August, 1832. Hosea was in the Bad-Axe River battle when Black Hawk himself surrendered to the United States troops. From that battle he went to Dillon's settlement to visit his sister Anna and Lydia. Before arrival he learned that Anna had married a Mormon widower with five children. Hosea was greatly agitated when so informed:

"This perfectly astonished me, and I at first felt like simply going to see her for the purpose of telling her my mind and then leaving her forever; for I considered it a disgrace beyond endurance to be in any way connected with the 'Mormons' and a widower too, — was too great a sacrifice. I had only heard the "Gold Bible" stories and the fortifying Jackson County; and, in short, the common universal slang then going about them, I did not even once think but it was true. I thought deep all that night intending tomorrow to see her for the last time. My agitation of mind was intense. On my way the next day, I came to the more sober conclusion not to unbosom my feelings, for as she was now fairly into a scrap, not to irritate her feelings but let her enjoy herself if she could. So I hastened on with this view. When I arrived there I was met by her and introduced to Mr. Jones who seemed glad to see me and in fact was a very clever and pleasant man against whom I could find no fault; and, had he not been a Mormon, should have been well enough pleased with were it not for the stigma and disgrace inevitable to the name. This bore on my mind and weighed down by feelings while I endeavored to put on a cheerful and happy countenance."

This inward struggle is the price all truth seekers must pay. Benjamin Jones played his cards well in winning the confidence of this honest investigator. Hosea remained at the Jones home several days during which time he met his old friend Charles C. Rich, who was now a Mormon Elder. Hosea and Charles had some very lively debates on religion. The result of these conversations is well expressed in Hosea's own confession:

"It is not necessary to mention our investigation which resulted in all cases in the loss of my position, while he always sustained his on the fairest possible terms. The perplexity which this threw me into can only be realized by those who have been through the same thing with the same anticipations before them that I had. I saw plainly that my position was wrong, and did also verily believe Mormonism to be correct."

Hosea's reaction to this religious revolution in his own soul is well expressed when he says that:

"All my plans and calculations both spiritually and temporally were now futile. The agitation of my mind was intense and I did not know what to do. I could not forage the idea of joining the Church, for aside from the disgrace which would follow – I was fearful lest I should not live up to its precepts as I did with the Methodists. I wanted confidence in myself."

[Image - HOSEA STOUT 
1810-1889 

Illinois School Teacher; Veteran, Crooked River Battle; Colonel, Nauvoo 
Legion; Attorney-General, "State of Desert," 1849; Member, first legislative 
Assembly Territory of Utah, 1851.

Headed Mission to China 1852-3; Member House of Representatives, 1854; 
Speaker of the House, 1854; Regent, University of Utah, 1857; Pioneer, Utah's 
Dixie, 1841-64; Appointed Attorney-General of Utah by President Abraham 
iincoln, 1843; Member, Constitutional Convention, 1842; District Attorney in 
Washington and Salt Lake Counties for many years; Member High Council, Salt 
Lake Stake. 

Husband of six wives, father of 19 children. Death, March 2, 1889.

Andrew Jensen says of him: "Hosea Stout was a man of sterling integrity 
and excellenl ability. He possessed great courage, physical and moral, wa« 
firm in hit convictions, steadfast and loyal as a friend and blessed withal with a 
genial, kindly humor. He became a true and staunch friend of President 
Brigham Young, who placed the utmost confidence in his ability and integrity." 
L. D. S. Biographical Encyclopedia, Vol. 3, P. 534.]

In spite of Hosea's conversion, but lack of courage to be baptized, he returned to Stout's Grove and commenced preaching the doctrine to his many astonished relatives. Two years later (1834) Hosea was still hesitating when Hyrum Smith and Lyman Wight passed through Stout's Grove on their way to join the main body of Zion's Camp. "The effect of their preaching," says Hosea, "was powerful upon us, and when I considered that they were going up to Zion to fight for their lost inheritances under the special direction of God, it was all that I could do to refrain from going. Jones and I let them have one yoke of oxen. Elder Charles C. Rich went with them."

Three years later, Hosea was still hesitating when his father and brother Allen returned from their six years of fortune seeking in Arkansas and lower Missouri (May, 1837). Allen, unlike his brother Hosea, was ready to accept the responsibilities of church membership once he was fully convinced. Upon their arrival at the Jones home, father Joseph and son Allen plunged into an investigation of Mormonism with both hands and both feet. Allen writes:

"I read the book: 'Doctrine and Covenants'. I could not get hold of a Book of Mormon. I went to a number of Sunday prayer meetings, but still the most satisfaction I could get was what Hosea would tell me, for he was as well acquainted with the Gospel as he is now, but had not obeyed it yet. Soon after we got here (Illinois) Lyman Wight and Charles C. Rich came on from Missouri and held a meeting, so we all went to hear, and I was well pleased, and so was father, but to my great astonishment, some were very mad and said they did not teach the scriptures, but I knew better for I was well acquainted with the Bible." This simple testimony shows that Allen was absorbing Mormonism rapidly.

Two months' study of Mormonism convinced Allen he should gather with the Saints. When the Jones family decided to move to Far West, Caldwell County, Missouri, Allen and his father went along too. They arrived there August 6, 1837. Allen was a sick man when he arrived there. He appealed to one George M. Hinkle for credit who first consented then refused to make the loan. This set-back so discouraged Allen he decided to return to the south and endless wanderings, but he was so completely out of money he could not even do that. "Fortunate for me," said Allen, "my money was gone," and more fortunate for his posterity that they were not born in spiritual darkness. This shows that the Lord has a hand in what we call misfortunes. If Allen had had plenty of money and had gone south this story would have ended right here, or better, never have been told. We, his descendants, must thank our lucky stars he was broke. The Lord soon came to his rescue for Hosea arrived, bought land and provided Allen with employment and shelter while recovering from his illness. That winter Allen suffered considerably from a "breast complaint, fever sores," and other sickness which interfered with employment. Besides suffering physically he also suffered mentally for "I had become satisfied of the truth of the gospel and wished to embrace it, but still lingered back and had not courage to go forward and be baptized until the 22nd of April. 1838." His sister Lydia was baptized the previous day which may have made his decision easier. Father Joseph never joined the Church but seems to have been favorably impressed with Mormonism. Hosea continued his hesitating another four months before he was finally baptized (August 24, 1838). Allen's prior action established his heirship in the Stout family. Thousands of his ancesters have since had their temple ordinances performed with the use of his name as heir. Little did Allen realize the significance of his act in April. 1838.

Allen Joseph Stout was the humblest of all converts to the Church. He joined the Church at a time when apostacy from the organization was very popular, when membership in the Church was a stigma, when Mormons were ideal targets for persecution^ — these speak well for his courage. During the very month that Allen mustered courage to cast his lot with the persecuted saints the great and mighty in high Church councils were losing their faith and courage. If Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer. who had seen angels, witnessed manifestations, and received divine proof that the Gospel was true could not endure persecution, then what can we expect of humble Allen Stout who accepted their testimonies? Should he, a new convert, be able to endure the persecutions in triumph? These two men proudly permitted themselves to be excommunicated from the Church during that same month of April when humble Allen was seeking admission into the persecuted church.

At the time of Allen's baptism he was a sick man. He had suffered from chest "complaint," fever sores and other chronic skin diseases. Allen writes that after Charles C. Rich baptized him "it seemed to me that I could almost rise and fly. As soon as I was immersed I felt relieved of a seemingly great weight, and as I went home I felt as though I could almost walk and not touch the ground. I had the Elders anoint me and I was healed of both my breast complaint and fever sores after the bone had been nacked all winter on my leg." This is a simple testimony of a new convert. It was very fortunate that he received this spiritual reassurance for it strengthened him for the severe tests which soon followed.

Hosea and Allen rented land near Far West and spent the summer of 1838 as farmers. Hosea had spent the last of his savings in the purchase of land which he was soon to lose. Allen writes that the Whitmers and other apostates went to the enemies of the Church and swore to falsehoods against Joseph Smith and the Church. It was these lies which excited the gentiles to gather in mobs. Such action forced the saints to organize in self defense. This only infuriated the mob more. Allen was a member of the third fifty led by Reynolds Cahoon. These units were falsely labeled the "Danite Band." The apostates charged that these secret bands were under oath to kill all enemies of the Church. Public anger was raised to a white heat by Sidney Rigdon's "Declaration of Independence" speech (July 4, 1838) in which he threatened to resist persecution by physical force. This challenge ignited the whole country side to arms.

Allen's brother-in-law, Benjamin Jones, had signed a contract to build a warehouse near Richmond. He invited Allen to assist him in its construction. Richmond was too near Jackson County and the old mobocrats for them to work in peace there. The mobs became so threatening they had to give the contract up and return to Far West, narrowly escaping a death trap before reaching home.

In Far West the mobs were becoming more and more bold. Pinkham and others were kidnapped by the mobs and taken prisoner. David W. Patten called for volunteers to make the rescue. Hosea went but Allen had no horse nor saddle so very disappointedly remained behind. In the Crooked River battle that followed Patten was mortally wounded and was taken to the Winchester home where he was cared for by a new convert named Allen Joseph Stout.

Allen was a close observer of the great events which followed. First came the Governor's "Exterminating order," the treachery of Hinkle. General Lucas' court martial, the sentence to death of the Church leaders. General Doniphan's interference, and the Prophet's removal to Jackson County as a prisoner. These events did not intimidate Allen; they tended to strengthen his testimony in the restored gospel. October 4, 1838, John B. Clark came to Far West and ordered the arrest of sixty men. These men had been carefully selected by the apostates as persons against whom they held malice; their objectives then were pure vengeance. General Clark was determined to punish these men unmercifully that an example might be made of them. Allen's name had been placed on the list by the notorious Sampson Avard. Hosea and Benjamin Jones were also listed. These sixty men were taken to Richmond for trial. Their treatment by the mob-militia is well recorded by Allen:

"We had corn which was ground on a horse mill, and so coarse that a man could not get one bite without a whole grain, and nothing but dirty shingles to spread it on, and a piece of beef to roast, was our supper. Then we scraped away the snow and lay down to rest till morning. We then had the same kind of breakfast, and then were marched on our way. * * * This day I was so afflicted with the rheumatism in my hips that I could scarcely walk."

In due time the sixty prisoners reached Richmond, where after three weeks imprisonment the mock trial began. The infamous organizer of the "Danite Band" himself was the person who brought a charge against Allen that he was a member of the band. He, Allen, was found guilty of the "crime," but since they could find no law on the case they were forced to turn him loose. Thirty-three others were also released for lack of evidence. Benjamin Jones was released one week later. Later, Hosea and forty others escaped the mob, went north then east into Illinois.

Due to exposure and neglect, Allen's fever sores had become worse while confined in prison. He was in a serious condition when he arrived in Far West. His leg was "nearly rotten so as to render me almost helpless." In spite of these handicaps, Allen sold Hosea's crop and gave the money to Samantha to enable her to join her husband in Illinois.

It was during this period of preparations for leaving Missouri that Allen was returning from a trip to Richmond that he "saw a man walking behind me. I reined in the team to let him overtake me, and who should it be but Orson Hyde, who had apostatized in the fuss, but had seen a vision in which it was made known to him that if he did not make immediate restitution to the Quorum of the Twelve, he would be cut off and all his posterity, and that the curse of Cain would be upon him. I invited him to ride with me, which he was very thankful for as he was very much fatigued. I also divided my morsel of bread with him, but I was not much in love with apostates, so soon after my exit from prison. But I saw that Brother Hyde was on the stool of repentance, and he did repent good, and got back to his place in the Twelve.' This note on Orson Hyde is a valuable contribution to Church History. The incident records the reaction towards apostates by one who had suffered imprisonment at the hands of apostates.

Allen, father Joseph, and the Jones family all left Missouri by team for Quincy, Illinois. On arrival there he left his father with his brother Hosea and returned to Far West, then to Clay County to assist Father Joseph Knight, a distant relative, to move to Illinois. He aided him to sell his land, then helped him to move to Quincy. Shortly, the entire Stout group moved to Nauvoo. Father Joseph, who had made a short visit to Ohio, returned with his daughter Sarah. Joseph and Sarah decided to leave Nauvoo and the saints (he was never baptized) and move to Washington County, Missouri. They hadn't gone twenty-five miles when Sarah took sick and died. Joseph went to Caledonia, Missouri, where his brother Jacob lived and shortly afterwards died (1839).

At the regular October conference held in Nauvoo. Allen was ordained an Elder by Alpheus Cutler, October 6, 1839. Shortly afterwards, he made another visit to Caldwell County to visit his sister Lydia. During the remainder of the winter (1839-40) Allen assisted his brother Hosea in Iowa, opposite Nauvoo, building houses and farming. In the spring they all moved over the river to Nauvoo.

April 20, 1840, Allen was set apart by Hyrum Smith to go on a mission. He left Nauvoo on foot going south. His intention was "to try to preach the Gospel, young (age 25) and unlearned as I was, but I had never spoke in public in my life." He walked forty miles down the river to Louisiana, Missouri, then worked his way on a boat that took him to Herculaneum, thirty miles below St. Louis. From there he walked across the country to Caledonia, Washington County, Missouri, where his uncle Jacob lived. Here his missionary labors began. In his first meeting which he held in a school house he spoke for forty-five minutes. He felt embarrassed, "but I did call on the Lord for strength and wisdom to enable me to perform my duty with an eye single to his glory." This was an excellent beginning for one with his education and preparation. After spending some time in that region he moved south, probably in Reynolds County; there he preached in the home of his cousin, Mrs. John Bounds. From there he went to Randolph and Lawrence Counties, Arkansas. (Five years earlier, Wilford Woodruff had first brought the message of Mormonism to Arkansas) . Allen was very successful in finding people to preach to in those parts. Moving on down to Batesville, Independence County, where an old doctor threatened to have him hanged then burned. But the Lord was his guardian, so nothing came from that. He continued his journey south, entered White County and preached twice, once was at Gabriel Baker's home. Mrs. Baker was Allen's relative.

At Little Rock, Arkansas, Allen had a very interesting experience. He made an appointment to preach in the City Hall. "As soon as I arose," writes Allen, "about 40 or 50 men arose on their feet and began to ask impertinent questions and then began to stamp on the floor and swear. I tried to call the house to order three times and this only made them worse. So I started down the stairs and one man said to me, 'If you are not out of town by sunrise you will ride out on a rail.' I told him that I had never yet rode in that manner, nor was I afraid of having to do it. I then returned to the hotel where I had stopped. Several of the citizens came to me and asked if I would preach if they would call out the police and keep order. I said I would, so they deliberated on the matter, but finally said that they would have to kill some of those ruffains to keep order, so they gave it up, but they were anxious to hear a Mormon preach." Such was Little Rock's reception to Mormonism in 1840.

Allen returned to the Baker home in White County and worked out of that center as a base for his missionary activities in the surrounding communities. Late in September he returned to Nauvoo for the October conference, November 20. 1840. Allen left Nauvoo for his second mission. He returned to the Baker home in White County by way of Memphis. Tennessee. Using the Baker home as a base, he spent the next seven months in White County settlements. While there he baptized one man named Lewis Kirkpatrick.

July 4, 1841, Allen received a letter from Hosea in Nauvoo reporting the bad news that the Missouri mobs were trying to kidnap the Prophet Joseph. The safety of the Prophet was Allen's first consideration. Accordingly, Allen hastened back to Nauvoo, covering the 500 miles in ten days. In Nauvoo Allen learned that the Prophet had been released on a Habeas Corpus. During the following fifteen months Allen worked at odd jobs, first fishing, then carpenter work. October 20, 1842, he received a commission as Third Lieutenant in the Nauvoo Legion. About the same time he was initiated and passed various degrees in the Masonic Lodge. That same winter (1842-43) he suffered a severe spell of sickness. After recovery he secured employment from Miles Anderson as teamster. He met and fell in love with Mr. Anderson's daughter, Elizabeth. The bride's parents opposed the marriage so they went to a friend's home and were married by Charles C. Rich, July 17, 1843.

Meanwhile in June, 1843, the Prophet was kidnaped by an angry Missouri mob. This caused a great deal of excitment in Nauvoo. Allen with eighty-two others, took the boat "Maid of Iowa," descended "the Mississippi River to the mouth of the Illinois River then up that stream" seeking diligently for the Prophet. At Peru they learned that the Prophet was safe at Nauvoo. A few days after their return Allen was promoted to captaincy. First Company, Nauvoo Legion, July 8, 1843.

Soon after the marriage of Allen and Elizabeth they left Nauvoo on board the famous "Maid of Iowa" for Black River, Wisconsin. Lyman Wight and George Miller were in charge of the company. The purpose of this expedition was to secure lumber and other building materials for the Nauvoo House and Temple. The journey up stream lasted five days. At the Falls of the River the men began cutting timber and preparing it for shipment to Nauvoo. Allen was employed in the construction of houses for the employees. By March, 1844, their provisions were so low that Allen and wife decided to return to Nauvoo. They built a flat boat which they traded for a skiff, then began their journey down the river to Nauvoo. Allen found employment as carpenter in the construction of the Seventies Hall. May 1, 1844, their first child was born, whom they named Charles Heber Stout.

Difficulties with the mob once more broke out. The agents of the Evil One were determined to capture and kill the Prophet. Captain Allen Stout and his fellow Legionnaires were equally determined to protect his life and person. This necessitated taking up and remaining under arms day and night for many weeks. Allen writes that after Joseph and Hyrum were taken to Carthage and jailed the Prophet wrote an official order to Jonathan Dunham to bring the Legion to Carthage to save "him from being killed, but Dunham did n )t lot a single man or mortal know that he had received such orders, and we (the Legion) were kept in the city under arms not knowing but all was well, till the mob came and forced the prison and slew Joseph and Hyrum Smith." If this statement of Allen is true it serves as a real contribution to Church History since even B. H. Roberts in his complete account makes no mention of Dunham's knowledge of the Prophet's request. If Jonathan really received this official order from Joseph why didn't he dispatch the entire Legion to Carthage? That action may have saved their lives. It was probably divine will that Dunham did not take the fatal step.

Allen relates that the dead bodies were brought to Nauvoo. there he "saw their beloved forms reposing in the arms of death, which gave me such feelings as I am not able to describe. But I there and then resolved in my mind that I would never let an opportunity slip unimproved of avenging their blood upon the head of the enemies of the Church of Jesus Christ. I felt as though I could not live; I knew not how to contain myself, and when I see one of the men who persuaded them to give up to be tried, I feel like cutting their throats out. And I hope to live to avenge their blood; but if I do not I will teach my children to never cease to try to avenge their blood and then teach their children and childrens' children to the fourth generation as long as there is one descendant of the murderers upon the earth." This statement of Allen's reaction to the martyrdom is interesting to us living a century later. If Allen's sentiments were representative of the feelings generally held in Nauvoo, then the Church authorities had a difficult problem holding the people's passions in check.

Soon after the martyrdom Allen joined the Nauvoo Police Department. His salary was one dollar per day in "city script" In January, 1845, when the Illinois legislature repealed the Nauvoo City Charter even this pay ended. This act also ended the existence of the Nauvoo Legion. As a consequence of this dismemberment, Brigham Young called the police force together and frankly explained to them that the city could no longer pay them. He appealed to them to continue guarding the city and promised them that if they would the Lord would provide for their support. Many of the policemen took no stock in his promises and left the service, but Allen, a man of great faith in the Prophet's word, continued to work as a policeman without pay. He did not have to wait long for the fulfilment of the promise. Very soon he was offered a part time position that paid $1.50 for only three hours per day. This experience proved to Allen that it paid to heed divine counsel.

December 22, 1844, Allen was ordained a Seventy and voted a member of the Eleventh Quorum. Later, February 9, 1845, he was ordained a President of the Nineteenth Quorum. The winter, 1844-45, was a busy one for Allen – except when he was sick. During the morning hours he worked as carpenter; in the afternoons he went to the "sword" school: in the evenings he lectured on masonry at the Lodge, and after midnight stood guard, suffering many times from car and tooth ache.

In June, 1845, Allen's duties as a policeman were changed. Brigham Young asked him to be his own personal body guard. He served in that capacity until the following fall when he became Heber C. Kimball's personal guard. The leaders of the Church had been threatened with death, so President Kimball invited Allen to move into one of his rooms to aid him in case of attack. Shortly after moving in Kimball's home the latter sealed Elizabeth and Allen to each other for time and eternity which is equivalent to a modern temple marriage. Shortly afterwards, December 3, 1845, their second son arrived whom they named Allen Joseph Stout (Junior). December 20, 1845, the Nauvoo Temple being completed for endowment work, Allen was endowed.

During those fall and winter months of 1845-46 Allen writes that the saints were making every preparation for their journey west. They could not remain "in Nauvoo any longer," said he, "without fighting all the time." February 4, 1846, the first of the saints began crossing the Mississippi. Allen and family made the crossing on the tenth. The journey west was a great task for Allen. He had no team nor wagon and his health was very poor even under satisfactory physical conditions. Exposure to the raw weather greatly weakened his resistance and caused much suffering from rheumatism. He was fortunate, however, in having a father-in-law who had a large wagon and traveling equipment. But in joining the Andersons it was necessary for the Stouts to leave all their household goods except their bedding and clothing. The weather contributed its part in making life as disagreeable as possible. Snow, rain and wind came with great violence and force. It was the wettest and coldest spring Iowa had ever experienced. Sister Stout struggled hard to protect her tiny infant from the savage weather. The severity of the weather finally forced the travelers to remain in camp at Sugar Creek for several weeks.

While lying in camp "Israel" was organized in groups of tens and hundreds. Hosea was made captain of all the guards, while Allen was a captain of ten. Before the camp was ready to move on Allen became afflicted with sore eyes, which nearly blinded him. This eye trouble was to plague him for the rest of his natural life. His eyes became so serious that when the main body moved on, he and family were forced to remain behind. In due time his eyes were cured so that he resumed his travels and by traveling long and hard they overtook the main body.

Traveling could only be done between rains. When the roads were too muddy to use the company stopped and sought employment from the old settlers through whose country they were passing. This enabled the saints to replenish their stores of provisions. At Chariton River the company was forced to lie in camp ten days. During that period Allen peddled off some books for corn and other supplies. This act indicates his food supplies were nearing exhaustion. At Garden Grove the saints who were out of provisions were advised to remain and plant a crop. Allen was in need of provisions but could not stop since he was traveling with his father-in-law and must move on when he did. At Mt. Pisgah Allen took seriously ill with a fever and was thought to be dying. While in this dangerous condition he received a letter from Brigham Young, who had reached Council Bluffs, asking him whether he should like to join the Mormon Battalion. This was one call from the Prophet Allen was unable to respond to. After miraculously recovering from his illness the family finally arrived at Council Bluffs. December 10, 1846.

The remainder of that winter (1846-47) Allen was employed as guard of the herd of cattle belonging to the saints. The Omaha Indians were ever on the alert to steal the cattle unless well guarded. Lacking equipment and horses, Allen was unable to leave for the west when the first company started in the early spring of 1847. Consequently Allen rented some land, planted a crop and continued guarding cattle part of the time. In this fashion they managed to keep body and soul together for some time. January 25, 1848, Elizabeth gave birth to their first daughter whom they named Martha Ann. Elizabeth never recovered from this confinement and died five days later, January 30, 1848. This left Allen "in a benighted condition without a wife, with three little helpless babies and a journey of 1100 miles to perform without an animal to help me, and what to do I did not know. So I continued to pour out my soul in prayer to God day and night for him to open up some way for me to support my little ones and get them to the Valleys of the Mountains." The Lord did hear and answer this man's prayer.

Allen sent his three children to live with his sister Anna. He hired girls to assist her in the care of these children. The last girl he hired was one Amanda Melvina Fisk. She began work April 8, 1848. She proved very satisfactory as a helper, for before the end of the month (April 30) . she was Allen's wife. Brigham Young came to their home and married them for time and all eternity. Soon after the marriage the couple moved to Pigeon Creek, Iowa, there he rented land, planted a garden, taught masonry and guarded cattle at night. This program continued until the fall of 1848 when he made greater efforts to prepare for the journey west. All savings from employment were used to buy equipment for the great trip west. In October, 1848, the family set out for St. Joseph. Missouri, where he found employment during the winter. April 16, 1849, Amanda gave birth to her first child whom they named Lydia Mariah Fisk Stout. A few weeks later, Allen .suffered an attack and was sick for some time. "None thought I could live, but just as they thought I was going to die I began to get better." After more sickness in the family and other financial set-backs the family moved to Camden, Clay County, Missouri, where his sister Lydia lived: there they rented land and worked for farmers for irregular periods. Allen had no trouble with these ancient enemies of the Church until they learned he was a Mormon, then he had to escape for his life. Under the circumstances he was unable to take his family. After many "privations" she joined him in Kanesville in the spring of 1850.

In Kanesville Allen began compounding essence and peddling the products to his neighbors. He found the work paid very well, so he continued in that business until he was ready to leave for the Rockies in July, 1851. March 9, 1851, their first boy arrived, whom they named Alfred Fisk Stout. He had been blessed in his employment so that in late June, 1851. he bought a wagon and hired three yoke of oxen from the "Perpetual Emigration Fund," and was ready to make the trek to the land of religious freedom by July 4, 1851.

The journey westward was eventful. The Elkhorn River was so high the company had to go 150 miles out of their way to avoid crossing it. At the North Fork of Sweet River Allen's wagon broke down. This made it necessary for him to cache a lot of his personal property and go on without it. At the Big Sandy the Alfred Corden's company was reorganized. James Lowe replaced Miles Anderson as captain of Allen's Ten. Lowe was more considerate of Allen's poor health by relieving him of night cattle guarding. Amanda was sick during the last half of the journey. This made it necessary for Allen to care for the sick, nurse the little ones and manage the wild oxen. It was a great day of relief when the journey ended October 2, 1851, in front of Hosea's home in Salt Lake City. Amanda was so sick she had to be carried into the house.

Allen made a settlement with the Perpetual Emigration Fund. He signed a note to cover the loss of one yoke of oxen and the use of the other two. It amounted to $67.00. He then paid $5.00 as tithing! It is difficult to imagine how he could have made any profits on that journey! Allen now returned to the compounding of essence and peddling its products. He continued selling these products for the next eighteen months. In August, 1852, he returned to Sweet Water to secure the freight which he had cached there, but found most of the plows and other tools left there had been stolen. Shortly after his return home, his oldest son, Charles Heber, died, November 19, 1852. This loss was soon replaced by the arrival of a new son, Hosea Fisk, born December 14. 1852.

Meanwhile Allen's brother Hosea had been called and left for his mission in China. After his departure his wife. Louisa died, so Allen and family moved into his home and attempted to care for his three children. This arrangement continued until the spring of 1853 when Brigham Young advised Allen to let Hosea's children go and live with their grandmother. No doubt Allen was more than willing to do that.

Soon after the separation with Hosea's children, Allen and family moved to what is now Centerville, Davis County. There he took possession of idle land, built a home and settled down. In that region Allen divided his time between raising a garden, selling essence, hauling wood, and manufacturing ginger beer. The stream of California immigrants who were passing through Utah created an excellent market for his beer. During those three seasons in Centerville a very important addition was made to the family. David Fisk Stout was born, February 3, 1855. David is the writer's father, whose life history is told elsewhere in this volume.

In the fall of 1855 Allen and family moved to Mill Creek. During that winter he was employed in Hyatt's saw mill making shingles. In the spring of 1856 he rented a small farm in the lower part of town where he spent the summer raising corn, wheat, potatoes and cabbage. In the fall he returned to work at Hyatt's mill; there he remained until April, 1857. Meanwhile, Rebecca Alvira, Amanda's second girl, came to bless their home, January 13, 1857. In April, 1857, Allen moved his family to a farm on Big Cottonwood Creek. There he remained until May or June, 1858, when he and all saints were obliged to pack up and move south to avoid a clash with Johnston's Army. A mile south of Pleasant Grove he halted, fenced a piece of land, built a house, and started to make malt beer for sale. This proved to be a profitable business. During the three years he spent there he prospered both materially and numerically. Allen Joseph Fisk Stout arrived February 14, 1859, and Amanda Melvina Fisk Stout came January 15, 1861. In the fall of 1861 the future looked very bright for Allen. His farm was doing well, the brewing business was paying well, and his live stock was increasing rapidlv. These all fell like a house of cards when he cheerfully accepted a call from Brigham Young to go and help settle Dixie. He sold his farm and products which was worth $1200.00 for a yoke of oxen and one heifer! He immediately began his journev southward to spend the rest of his days in poverty on the bleak deserts of Dixie. It seems the Lord was unwilling to have Allen win material wealth for that would have spiritually destroyed – not only himself – but his children as well. As long as the family was in need of material assistance they spiritually were well nourished.

Hosea Stout was called to settle Dixie at the same time. The two families made the journey together. They arrived in Cottonwood Creek, now Harrsiburg, November 28, 1861. If Allen had combed very carefully the entire Dixie country he could not have found a poorer place to settle than Harrisburg. The soil was thin and sandy, not even weeds would grow unless well cultivated. Among the rock piles and sand holes Allen attempted to build a home. He spent the entire winter trying to build a shelter. The weather did not contribute to this family's comfort. It rained nearly all winter. They lived in their wagon and tents, eleven strong, dashing out between showers to "build their home. When the spring of 1862 arrived the family emerged from their tents like a colony of ants after an all night soaking. Exposure and malnutrition had produced continued sickness and misery. Allen and his sons attempted to clear some land for planting. Cotton, corn and cane were the principal crops planted. A starvation crop was harvested that fall which barely kept them alive until the spring of 1863. During that winter, 1862-63, the father and sons built stone fences around their land. The land was so richly supplied with rocks they did not need to carry the rocks far to build the fences since there were more rocks than soil. Allen suffered greatly from rheumatism during that winter. But his trials and suffering never affected his testimony in the gospel. From his sick bed in 1863, he appealed to his children:

"To ever keep with the Church and observe the order of the Church. In all things obey council to the best of your ability. You must attend to the ordinances of the Priesthood for our dead parents, for we have not yet done our work. And if we do not live to attend to the holy ordinances, we want you to finish our work. We have worn out our bodies in laying the foundation for you to build on; we have grappled with the powers of darkness to help to commence a work which we know will never be destroyed, but we do not expect to live to enjoy much of the fruits of our labor: but we have labored for you that we might leave a rich reward with you. Be strong in the work of the Lord, and whether in life or death, your reward will be sure, and you shall conquer at last."

May 18, 1863, another son arrived in the family, whom they named John Henry Fisk Stout.

Scarlet fever afflicted the family during the spring and summer of 1863 sparing none. Allen's rheumatism, the children all sick, and a tiny baby to care for made life for Amanda a severe burden. It is difficult for us living in this day to fully appreciate the suffering and hardships our grandparents willingly endured to ensure salvation for their children. It was August before any of the family were well enough to care for the badly neglected crops. In late August Allen had recovered sufficiently to take a load of his farm produce to Cedar City where he traded them for other necessities. The harvest in the fall of 1863 was a scanty one, but it enabled the family to "exist through the winter. That winter Allen's health was poor as usual due probably to malnutrition and exposure. There were some social gains made during that period, however, four of the children were privileged to attend school; David was one of them.

In March. 1864, Allen came to the conclusion that his Harrisburg farm was too small for his rapidly growing family. Since there was no more land to be had in that region he decided to seek a new home elsewhere. Accordingly, on March 20 he and son Allen, age 19, started up the Virgin River to find a larger farm site. They passed what is known today as Mount Carmel, and traveled on up to Berryville (Glendale), arriving there the last day of March. One mile and a half above Glendale, at the forks of the creek, Allen staked out a claim and named the place "Lydia's Canyon" in honor of his oldest daughter. Here the two Aliens built a cabin, cleared a piece of land, built a fence around it, and planted a crop. In the space of seventy-five days these mighty pioneers had converted a wilderness into a potential home. Son Allen remained on the new farm while father Allen returned to Harrisburg to move the family up to the new home. In Harrisburg Allen sold his small farm and house for three cows, packed his personal property in the old dilapidated wagon and started for Long Valley. Enroute the old wagon broke down: this forced them to finish the journey on two wheels. The balance of 1864 was -a' struggle for existence. The daily menu was corn and vegetables. They pounded the corn down into cornmeal. Corn-bread became their principal diet until harvest time in 1865. Keeping clothes on the children was indeed a serious problem. Amanda shouldered the responsibility of making all the clothes for the family – like all true pioneers of her day, she succeeded well.

The spring of 1865 brought greater prosperity to the family. They enlarged their acreage to ten. Grain, potatoes, and vegetables constituted their principal crops, all of which did very well. It was during the growing season of 1865 that an accident to Allen's eye caused him untold grief and pain. While walking through the trees he ran a stick in his eye ball. This caused an acute inflammatory condition which finally burst open. The result was blindness in that eye.

July 14, 1865, a new son was born to brother and sister Stout. They named him Orlando Fisk Stout. This brought the number of children to nine for Amanda and eleven for Allen. It was about this time that young Allen decided to leave home and start working for himself. Father Allen expressed his keen regrets when he left for he needed his help desperately at the time.

In December, 1865. Allen senior became very sick. His faithful wife Amanda became very much alarmed, and, with the help of the boys, took him to Berryville, believing the end was near. It did not matter how sick Allen became, he always recovered promptly. It was well he did so in this case for the Indians were becoming very troublesome in those parts. Allen was not any more than well when he started to help the people of Berryville build a fort in defense against the Indians. This necessitated vacating his farm in Lydia Canyon and buying a house within the fort. By this action he lost much of his food supplies stored in the canyon home.

In March, 1866, Allen was sufficiently recovered to take some of his surplus sheep to St. George for sale. Soon after his return home in May the Indian troubles reached a new crisis. The situation became so dangerous that President Snow of the St. George Stake advised all saints in Long Valley to move to Dixie. This placed Allen in a very desperate situation. He was forced to leave home, farm, and two years of hard labor and rush to Dixie. He was seriously handicapped by not having a wagon. But the Lord came to his rescue by providing a good neighbor, Thomas Gower, who moved his family to Toquer. Enroute the company narrowly escaped being attacked by the Indians. From Toquer they went to Harrisburg. By that time the family was financially washed up. Their only earthly possessions were what little clothing was still clinging to their backs. Allen, in great despair, walked to St. George to seek council from President Snow. He was advised to move his family to St. George, if he chose, which he did, thanks to the kindness of W. C. McMullin, who hauled the family there. They reached the city July 3, 1866.

The low altitude in St. George affected the health of the children greatly. The result was much sickness in the family. Little Orlando, one year of age, succumbed to diarrhea (July 16, 1866). Allen's left eye having gone blind, his right eye now began to give him trouble, but like Job of old, he bore testimony in the midst of his greatest adversities to the divinity of the Gospel, and prophesied:

"Obey the council of those whom God has set in His kingdom, and never turn aside from keeping the commandments of the Lord. The day will come when you will see the saints of God free from all oppression and flourishing in Zion; And you will be blessed in the midst of the people of the Lord. It is this knowledge that has helped me to bear up under sickness and death, through mobs and being driven from land to land, from state to state, being robbed and driven for the Gospel's sake. But my body is now so feeble that I cannot stand much more, unless the Lord shall strengthen me to bear it." The Lord did strengthen him for he lived twenty-three more years to accomplish a great work for his ancestors.

In the midst of this sickness and death the family moved into a house belonging to Isaiah Cox in the lower part of the city. Here Allen started his basket making and fruit drying even though he was so blind he could hardly see. July 28, 1866, his oldest daughter, Martha Ann, married Thomas Pitts and moved to Paragoonah, Utah, where they made their home.

Allen's eyes continued to harass him in ever increasing intensity. He reached a point in his physical suffering where fortitude was intolerable. He decided to go to Salt Lake City to seek medical council. Ten different physicians gave conflicting opinions on what should be done. These doctors agreed, however, the trouble was not cancer. Before returning home, his daughter Lydia married Charles E. Griffin in the Endowment House, September 22, 1866. Since the doctors could give him no satisfaction he returned to St. George to find his family in destitute circumstances. Some were sick and all were hungry. He plunged into the making and selling of baskets. He continued at that work all winter (1866-67) even though his eyes were so bad he could hardly see. From the depths of his adversities his joy was supreme in the knowledge that "I labor and toil in pain and sickness, my afflictions are light when I contemplate the glory that will come to those who endure to the end."

His twenty-nine years of Mormonism were beginning to show results. In 1867 he discontinued the use of tobacco. This triumph of spirit over the carnal body is evidence supreme that Allen believed that religion was a force that demanded personal reformation rather than mere belief.

In March, 1867, the family left the Cox house and moved into a house Allen and his boys had built in the northwest part of the city. April 18. 1867, was a red letter day in the life of Allen Stout. On that day the first of a host of grand children was born. Martha Ann Pitts gave birth to a boy whom she named Thomas Miles Pitts. May 9, 1867, Amanda gave birth to another son who was named Milton Fisk. In August, 1867, Allen sold the home he had built and received a team and wagon and $400.00 besides. He then rented until his removal to Rockville in the spring of 1868. Meanwhile in January, 1868, Allen was again stricken with a fever which left him helpless for weeks. After recovery, which his family never expected, he made his last move. In Rockville he bought a home where he spent the last twenty-one years of his life. In that higher altitude his health continued to improve in spite of his failing eye-sight. The small farm in Rockville was planted to corn, vegetables and fruit trees. The family also began the construction of a home. The first season's crop was successful considering the impediments which they had to meet. During the winter 1868-69 when little work could be found in Rockville, Allen went to St. George to make and sell baskets. He was there ten weeks. While there he joined the School of the Prophets and received much needed instruction on the doctrines of the Church. During the same period in Rockville. five of his children attended Henry Jenning's school.

October 28, 1870, Don Carlos Fisk Stout was born, but died five months later, March 15, 1871, of measles. The winter, 1871-72, Allen found employment in the town of Washington. In the evenings he taught classes in Masonry. Later he went to Pioche for work but found he was too feeble to do that hard work. In March he went to Salt Lake City and secured a license to peddle fruit, but his only feeble eye became worse, so he went to see Doctor Anderson, an eye specialist, who suggested that he be permitted to cut off the lump that was causing the blindness. Allen gave his consent, so without the use of chloroform, the doctor cut it off. Allen writes the pain "was so acute that I have no language to describe it."

In June, 1872, Allen returned to Rockville three days before the arrival of Huldah Louisa (June 24, 1872). The balance of that year Allen spent in hauling his farm products to Cedar City and other towns where he made exchanges for clothing and other needed supplies.. In the meantime, construction on the home had been continuing as rapidly as means and time would permit. By March 17, 1873, it had been sufficiently completed to be moved into. In April following there was such a heavy frost in Rockville that all of Allen's fruit was killed, so he went to Salt Lake City to look for employment. He worked there four months doing odd jobs. While returning home in August he suffered from a severe attack of cholera morbus "which nearly used me up." The following winter (1873-74) he worked at basket making in Rockville.

In the spring of 1874 President Brigham Young came to Rockville and organized the United Order. Sons: Allen, Alfred and Hosea enthuiastically joined the order. David, however, left Rockville that spring and went to St. George to work on the new temple being constructed there. The Order was fairly successful the first season considering its inexperience and handicaps. The following year (1875) the members of the Order decided to let every man be a steward over his own property and pay a portion of his income into the Order as a revenue. 1875 saw the end of the social experiment.

April 8, 1875, Amanda gave birth to her last daughter, Anna Smith Fisk Stout, but the child died fifty days later. May 28, 1875.

Amanda suffered a great deal from rheumatism and dropsy early in 1875. In the fall of that year she began to improve. In December of that year she was well enough to accompany her husband to St. George to view the new temple being constructed there. While returning to Rockville Allen succumbed to a violent cough which put him on the sick list until the spring of 1876. November 20, 1876, Marion Fisk, the last child in a family of fourteen, was born. (At the time of this writing, April, 1941, he is the only child still alive). This last confinement case was more than mother Amanda was physically able to take. The result was she suffered an attack of dropsy which kept her in bed for twelve weeks.

Amanda and Allen attended the dedication services of the St. George Temple, April 6, 1877. This was the second temple Allen had witnessed dedicated. (The Nauvoo Temple was the first.) Amanda may have witnessed the dedication of the Nauvoo Temple too. Allen made a second trip to St. George in June when he commenced working for his dead ancestors – a life long ambition. He worked in the temple about a week at that time. Returning to Rockville, he took sick. This disabled him for weeks. In late July he made another trip to St. George and did more temple work.

It was in this period that he corresponded with some of his eastern relatives who aided in furnishing names for temple work. January, 1878, Allen went to St. George where his health permitted him to remain two months. He did considerable work for his dead at that time. In April. 1878. he made still another trip to St. George and continued the work when his health would permit. September, 1878, he took sick and remained disabled till March. 1879. Returning to his temple work at that time he remained until June, when he broke down again. His son David took him home to Rockville. His health did not permit him to return until November, 1879. when he started for St. George again, determined to do that temple work for his ancestors. If all his descendants were equally determined to do their duty what a great and a marvelous work could have been done! Allen was so feeble and weak that winter that temple work was next to impossible. In late February, 1880, he had to give up and returned to Rockville where he testified he had been endowed by the spirit of Elijah to seek after his fathers.

The spring and summer of 1880 he spent in Rockville working in his garden, drying fruit and doing other work when his health would permit. By the end of October. 1880, his Dassion for temple work became too strong to resist so back to St. George he went. His health was even poorer that winter than the previous one, but he held on and worked every single day that his weak body could carry him to the temple Finally in February, 1881, his fever became so high he could work no longer so he retired to Rockville where poor health kept him for over two years.

May 1, 1883, he returned to St. George where he spent a busy seven weeks in the temple. Late in June he returned to Rockville and spent the next four months gardening, drying fruit and assisting his sick wife with the housework. In November he headed for St. George again, but after two weeks he fell seriously sick and had to be returned to Rockville by his son David. He did not attempt to make another trip down to the temple until March, 1884. While there Allen was recommended by his bishop to be ordained a High Priest. This ordination look place May 1, 1884, William Faucett officiated. He was President of the High Priests Quorum in St. George stake. Allen was still in St. George in June when his son David married a second and a third wife. He returned home in late June, 1884. where he remained until March, 1885. At that time he spent another four weeks in the temple. In May he made another temple excursion, but dashed back to Rockville when he learned that Amanda had fallen and broken her leg. His wife's disability kept him in Rockville until June, 1886. At that time he worked another two weeks for his dead. His health prevented him from doing more that year.

[Image - Allen Joseph and Amanda M. Fisk Stout, our great pioneer Ancestors.]

March 13. 1887, Allen wrote in his journal that he wanted himself and all his brothers and sisters adopted (sealed) to the Prophet's father, Joseph Smith, Senior. He made a plea to his children, in case he failed to do it himself, that they do it.

Allen was not able to go to the temple in 1887 nor 1888. He was too feeble and sick to stand the strain. Amanda never fully recovered after her fall. She suffered several strokes and was paralyzed in her left side which left her speechless and quite helpless. She suffered a final shock in September and was unconscious until the end, September 21, 1888.

Allen and his two youngest children continued to struggle on. He continued making his baskets, drying fruit, and caring for his home. March 2, 1889, his only brother, Hosea, died. This left Allen the sole survivor of his father's family. He felt this was a great responsibility. The adoptions had not been taken care of, so Allen gathered all his strength for one last trip to St. George to do a few more endowments and have those adoptions attended to.

In March, after the death of Hosea, he found strength to travel to St. George. That was his last trip. April 9. 1889, he had himself and his brothers and sisters all sealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith. He also had all the brothers and sisters of his father sealed to the same person; and he also had his mother (Anna Smith) and her brothers and sisters sealed to the Prophet. He explained that that was all "we were permitted to do for the present." Five years later the ruling was changed by President Wilford Woodruff. (The writer, after investigation, found that these sealings had never been corrected, so is making arrangements to have them annulled and the children in each of the three families sealed to their true parents.) June 5, 1889, was the last day that Allen went through the temple. He returned to Rockville to spend his last six months, keeping house, drying fruit, and making baskets. The end came December 18, 1889.

[Image - THE BIG FIVE – 1897
Left to right: Alfred, David, Rebecca, Allen and Hosea. These fine products are the fruits of Mormonism]

At the time of his death, Allen had twelve children living, about sixty-five grand children, and a few great grand children.

Allen's greatest contribution to humanity was his work for the dead; the last twelve years of his life he put the last pound of surplus energy into that work. Considering the state of his health he has done more for his dead than all his descendants combined. There is no justification for the indifference displayed by his grandchildren toward temple work. It shows a lack of appreciation for the great sacrifices which Allen made to bring supreme happiness to his posterity. Unless we repent the glory will be his. not ours.

A post-script on the life of Allen Joseph Stout should be included here. Martha Cox is authority for the statement that Allen saw John the Revealer. She says on page 78 of her journal that Allen himself related the following story to her personally: While Allen was serving as a body-guard to the Prophet they (Allen and the Prophet) saw a man coming toward them. When he was near, the Prophet said to Allen: "Wait here while I speak with this man." Allen waited for sometime a short distance away while Joseph Smith spoke with the stranger. When the Prophet returned to where Allen was the latter apologized for being so negligent as his body-guard. The Prophet said: "That man wouldn't hurt me. he was John the Revealer."