Pioneer: Tarlton Lewis (Jenifer - 4th Grade)
Tarlton Lewis, my fourth-great grandfather, is my pioneer hero. He was born May 18, 1805. In October of 1838, he suffered persecution at Haun's Mill, Missouri, and carried a bullet in his shoulder until his death. Leaving his family camped in a covered wagon at Winter Quarters, Nebraska, he traveled with Brigham Young's vanguard company, arriving in the Salt Lake Valley, on July 24, 1847. He was asked to be a captain over 50 wagons. In Salt Lake City, he acted as the first bishop, a position which he held until the Saints were organized into five wards. Later, Tarlton was called to help settle Parowan, Minersville, and Joseph City, Utah, and also lived in Richfield. He was a real pioneer, always on the frontier, founding new towns, making reservoirs, clearing ground, and building wells. He was an important man in the early days of Southern Utah. He has been called " The Grand Old Man."