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JACOB TOBLER

ORIGINAL PIONEER

In a beautiful village in Switzerland named Shonengrund, in the Canton of Appenzell, lived a family whose father’s name was Christian Tobler and the mother was Anna Buhler. Fifteen children were born to this couple, made up of seven girls and eight boys. The sixth child was a boy, Jacob, born 15 Jan 1833, who is the hero of this story. He grew up with the companionship of his brother’s and sisters and developed the peaceful disposition he was c credited with. He loved his parents and his brothers and sisters. It was necessary, as each child reached the ape of twelve, to go to work in a factory, this time being what was called “factory age”. Jacob became a weaver of cloth, and did this work to help his parents provide for the family. Jacob also had other talents, which will be disclosed later.

When he became 18 years of age, it was the rule for boys to enter the armed forces to be trained for active duty, if necessary. However, when he was examined it was found that he had flat feet which would be a handicap for a marching soldier, but they discovered that Jacob had a musical talent, and had him for one of the drammers while he was in the army.

He had to go to another town for this training, so perhaps it was during this time that he became acquainted with a girl named. Anna Katherina Preisig, who was from Schwellbrum. They were married on 16, May 1854. No children were born to this union. Later they joined the Church of Latter Day Saints and were on their way to Zion in the year 1861. They traveled on the railroad until they reached the Missouri River and were ferried over the river on flat boats. They had reached Florence, Bebraska and rested a few days and prepared for the trip west.

One evening, after his good wife ___ helped to prepare the evening meal, she was weary and went into the tent that was their sleeping quarters. When Jacob went, in later, to his great surprise and terror, he found that his dear wife had passed away. a great sorrow filled his soul as we can only imagine. He had no other relatives and was far from home, but he was among friends. They were all so sympathetic and kind and helpful in every way they could to comfort and sustain him. Barbara Staheli, a young convert fro. Amerswill, Switzerland, had become acquainted with Jacob and his wife in Liverpool. England. She was most kind and helpful through the trying journey to Salt Lake City. They remained in Salt Lake City for ywo weeks. Perhaps Brigham gave them work to do during this time. Barbara had been emplowed by. an English couple at Mill Creek but it was a difficult time for her. She spoke German and they spoke English so they had to communicate by means of hand motions.

She was very lonely and longed to be with the other Swiss people. After the short rest President Young called the Swiss Company to go to Dixie or Southern Utah and asked that all the men be married, or if single to take wives on this journey. So Jacob went to Mill Creek and asked Barbara to be his wife. She gladly accepted his proposal and they fere married in the Endowment House on 18 Oct, 1861. President Young asked them to do this as it would have been necessary to return in a short time for this purpose. This was the only place where they could obtain their endowments at this time. They were advised to go to Southern Utah and grow grapes and cotton as it had been found they would grow there. The Swiss group left Salt Lake City under the leadership of Daniel Bonelll. Jacob and Barbara had few belongings and little means, Barbara later told how she had taked the full skirts of his other wife to make coverings for their beds.

They would use brush for a matress and with these coverings make their beds, When they reached St. George in November, 1861, Anthony Ivins father brought them over to Santa Clara and they were more or less dumped out there among grease-wood and sage brush which was frequented by the Indians. Here is where these noble Swiss people began to make their little valley blossom as the rose. At first they began by living in the fort built be Jacob Hamblir and others, but not for long. In the middle of January 1862 a big flood came down the Santa Clara Greek and the women had to be carried out and across the stream A stout rope was spanned across the water and tied to posts on each side for the men to hold to. Soon after all were safe the entire south side of the building caved in. Later the home was rebuilt further down the stream and it is still standing.

Everyone had to move and the town was built on the present site. Their first homes were dugouts until they had time to collect materials to build log cabins. Some made willow huts. In the beginning the townsite was surveyed and each settler was given a lot in town and acre plot beyond the lot as a vinyard and later they obtained other land as they were able to buy it. Jacob’s lot was in the southeast part. It was the lot that Jacob Frei, owned later. At some point in time Jacob Tobler traded it to to Bishop John G, Hafen for the lot now owned by his son Ernest, as he may have desired to be more in the center of town. At both places he built a log room. His two daughters, Bertha and Barbara were born here, Jacob Had come with very little means and so it was necessary for him to begin in a very humble way. Hw had to rely on those who had more than he and so exchanged labor for the use of tools. These Pioneers were a most wonderful group; always helping each other out in work and, when sickness or death struck they were there to help. At such times, EVERYONE did something. Their home furnishings were very crude. Split logs for tables and shairs clean chips for dishes; posts driven into the around for beds with limbs for stringers and the thinner limbs for cross bars. Their matresses were of brush until grain was raised when they filled ticks with straw. When sufficient corn was raised the shucks from the corn were used and each year it was replaced with clean shucks. This continued for many years, even down to the year 1909, and some continued to use corn shucks for even longer than that. Their first pillows were filled with cat tall fur and the fur from the milkweed. Of course, as soon as chickens became plentiful, the pillows were filled with feathers and feather beds were also made. The Swiss People were accustomed to having these on their beds in their homeland.

Soon these thrifty people began to till their ground. Gardens were planted into cotton. Father Tobler rented a piece of land up at Three mile as a certain place was called, where he raised cotton. He also had other land Polygamy was the order at this time so Jacob consulted his wife Barbara and she consented for him to marry Barbara Hafen Willie, the wodow of Ignata Willie. These two women lived in the same one room log house until Father Tobler rented a house on the lot where late John and Barbara Staheli lived. To this woman four children were born, two boys and two girls. The girls died young, but I have not; learned their names. The two boys, William and Albert, were married on the same day, having a double wedding on 12 Jan 1898. William married Mary Magdalena Wittwer and Albert married Barbara Stucki. These two coupled moved to Washington, where they lived and raised, their families. Albert passed away 15 Nov 1815 from pneumonia, leaving a large family who are a credit to him William is still living and is 93 years of ape. He lost his wife, Mary, on 13 Jan, 195l. He also lost four children. He has been spending his time working in the St. George Temple and has a wonderful family.

Jacob Tobler has filled many positions in the priesthood. He was Ward Clerk for many years and was first counselor to Bishop John G. Hafen and remained for many years in this position, which he filled very well. The greater part of the time the full responsibility fell on his broad shoulders as Bishop Hafen was away from home peddleing and the second counselor Samuel Wittwer had a family in Bunkerville, Nevada. He always took care of the Fast Offerings which was held in produce such as flour, potatoes, wood, etc. He was very honest and upright; always doing the Lord’s work first and considering his own work as secondary. While he was in the Bishopric, George Staheli, the band leader died leaving a wife and two children. She lived neighbors to Father Tobler and in her sadness, often had him called to comfort her. She was of a melancholy disposition. This occured so very decided often that he no doubt he could help her more if he married her, so he consulted his his wife Barbara and the children and it was decided agreeably. So he married Rosena Reber Staheli but she continued to live in her own. home. To this union were born six children, 3 boys and 3 girls. These were Alfred, Edward, Vernon, Josephine, Billie, and Rhoda. This good woman died of appendicitis when Rhoda was only 14 months old. Father Jacob and Mother Barbara were beginning to be old but they accented the responsibility of this family and did a wonderful job. father Tobler was no great financier, but with th help of his families and wives they made a living and were satisfied with their lot. They never had many material comforts of life, but I know they are possessors of mansitions in Heaven for which they were able to send building material through their sacrificing and diligent natures while here on earth. They had a family family of eleven children, 8 of whom grew to adulthood. They were Bertha, Barbara, Jacob, Hermina, George, Harmon Christian, John Henry, and Ernest. The son Jacob passed away in his 19th year of appendicitis.

Jacob Tobler was a source of comfort in the community. He was a man of eat faith and went among the sick, blessing them, and many times persons were healed through his faith and blessing, He also had a musical talent. He was able to play the big bass horn in the Staheli band. He lived near the Church so was responsible for ringing the bell for all gatherings. he owned a good clock which he had obtained from some of the gold seekers in 1873, who had gone on to California. It was given to his son Ernest and family and it is still in good running order. It could be as much as 100 years old. In his later years he, with members of Rosena’s family, took care of the Church as janitors. He has a large posterity and an honorable one. All are members of the Church and in good standing. Many have served on missions and in the armed forces. I Cecillia Ence Tobler, do honor and revere his, name and feel highly honored to be the wife of one of his able sons. may the Lord help all his posterity to emulate his example and prove worthy to meet him in that Heavenly Home and hear him say “WELCOME” when their time comes to go.

Source:Brent Bunker