Mrs. Mary Jane Hawkley, daughter of Thomas John and Margaret Thomas, was born November 18, 1856 in Pembrokeshire, Wales. She was the youngest of nine children, five boys and four girls. All of the family except the oldest daughter immigrated to Utah, October 17, 1862. In their native land, they had listened to the L.D.S. missionaries, were converted and baptized and then wanted to join the Saints in America. It took them six weeks on a small sailing vessel to make the trip across the waters.
When they arrived in New York, the Civil War was in process, and the father of the family could make a good living following his trade making shoes and belts for the soldiers. So, for a period of between one and two years, here is where they remained. Mary Jane’s father made shoes for his family of the finest leather, and she always prided herself on her beautiful shoes. All her life her shoes must be as shiny and clean from the back to the front.
After this period, the family left New York by train and headed toward their dream. They had a lovely supply of clothing, bedding, quilts, pillows and feather ticks. As they neared the end of their destination, the baggage car was burned and all their supplies were destroyed. They were left in a desperate plight but through prayers and faith in God and determination and courage, they were able to continue on their westward journey within a short time. Mary Jane was very delicate as a child and was ill all the way across the plains. They came to Utah with the Henry W. Miller company. All members of the company were required to walk the distance across the plains except Mary Jane and an old lady. One of the teamsters permitted a bed to be made in his wagon for Mary Jane. Her mother walked beside the wagon in order to be nearby in case she was needed. Often, her mother carried her over stretches of bad roads and up steep hills.
They first settled at Wellsville, Utah, living there for a number of years. They then moved into Malad Valley, near the Idaho border in the year 1867. Her father was the first man to plant wheat on the west side of the Malad River. Mary Jane could look from their front door and see her father and brothers working in the fields. They helped found the towns of Portage, Utah, and Johnstown, Utah, which was named in honor of her father and brothers who took up land and farms in that location. While there her parents entertained Chief Pocatello and his seven brothers several times. Mary Jane was told of the first visit these men made to her parent’s home and of the terrifying experience. Chief Pocatello came to the door and demanded food, and Mary Jane’s mother told him, “Yes, I will feed you.” Immediately she began making biscuits and preparing a meal like those she fed her family. Her children were afraid of this great Indian and his brothers because the news of his wickedness and treachery had traveled far and wide. As her mother saw the fear in her children’s faces, she said gently, “Don’t be afraid and above all, don’t let them know of your fears.” On an average of once a week, these Indians came and each time were treated as guests. It was at Mary Jane’s home that they learned to sit at a table and use a knife, fork, spoon and plate as the white people did. These Indians learned to call the children by name and were kind and gentle to each of them. They often asked why Mary Jane’s hands were so beautiful and white and what made her seem so quiet and gentle. They soon learned from the children to call their parents “Papa John” and “Mala John.” Until the time of her death, she was a friend to the Indians and had many of them who remembered her for the kind acts she had done.
She met Joseph Brigham Hawkely and they were married in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City, November 13, 1871. She was the mother of 11 children. She buried one girl and one boy as infants. The other nine children grew to manhood and womanhood. Her husband lived until they were both a goodly age, then she was left without her companion.
Once, when she was very ill, she received a blessing under the hands of Heber J. Grant. She was given her choice of living or passing on. She chose to live and was told she could live until she was ready to die, which promise was fulfilled. She remained at home with her family while her husband filled five missions. While her husband was gone, she did practical nursing and she knew the Lord was watching over her and the children. On one occasion while she was on a case away from home, a tramp came to her home and asked for their mother. When told she wasn’t home, he replied, “Well, I’ll come tonight.” It frightened the children and one of the older brothers got his father’s gun, which was used while father was watchman in the R.R. yards. He said to his sisters, “When that tramp comes tonight, I’ll just meet him at the door and tell him to…”
He raised the gun and aimed it at his sister and as he pulled the trigger, his arm fell to his side and the bullet went through the floor. When the mother, Mary Jane, returned home and heard the story, she said, “We were sure that gun was unloaded before we stored it away.”
On another occasion, while her husband was on his mission to Oregon, she had three sons working. One as a painter apprentice in the R.R. shops, one in a laundry, the other as a clerk in a store. Two of the boys became very ill. The one who was a painter apprentice became sick with lead poisoning, the one in the laundry had been exposed to small pox and she was afraid he was with the disease. She prayed and asked the Lord to help her take proper care of her sons so that they would soon become well. Her prayers were truly answered. In a very short time they were well and strong. It was at this time that an elderly man came to her door asking for food. “I was only a young girl, but how well I remember him. He was dressed as other men, but on his feet were sandals and they were different. His hair was white and beautifully clean, and his appearance was clean.” My mother, Mary Jane, told him she only had part of a loaf of bread in the house and her children were ill. He didn’t offer any words of sympathy, but again asked for food, so my mother told him yes, she would share with him. As she handed him the lunch, he said, “Lord, Bless you my sister, your breadbox will never be empty.” I can truthfully say when her body was returned home for burial, we found in her bread box a part of a loaf of soft, edible bread. She fed everyone who asked for food. She has often said, “Do we know who is worthy and hungry, or do we know who are the angels sent in disguise. Hasn’t the Lord told us that whatsoever we do unto the least we also do unto Him?”
How different their lives were then to ours of today. The women would follow the sheep herds and gather the wool from the fences, then take it home, clean, cord and weave it into clothing for their family. Mary Jane knitted stockings for her family during the year and had them well supplied for the winter months.
Two of her daughters filled missions. One of them filled two missions and later returned with her husband to the Southern States Mission as a Mission Mother.
Mary Jane John Hawkley was among the first to be called to the presidency or the Primary Association when there was but one Ward in Pocatello. She was also president of the Relief Society when there were but two Wards in Pocatello. In Eagle Rock, later known as Idaho Falls, she was the first counselor in the first Relief Society. In her home were….entertained the leaders of the Church who always left their blessing. She always saw to it that her children attended Sunday School, Primary, M.I.A., and Sacrament Meetings. She was always full of fun and made her home a real gathering place for both old and young, and the homeless of travelers. At one time, she entertained a young couple who had just returned as far as Pocatello from the Logan Temple. When this couple were grandparents, they visited her to tell her thanks and renewed their acquaintance. No charges were ever made for lodging to either strangers or friends. Everyone enjoyed being in her home.
She came to Pocatello with her husband and family in the year of 1889 and resided there until the time of her death except for a short period spent in Lincoln, Idaho, and Logan, Utah.
After the passing of her husband, she lived alone for a period of about eight years. She left here April 5, 1934, to attend General Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was visiting at the home of her daughter, Zina Towland, when she was taken seriously ill and passed away on April 22, 1934.
Her personality was of such a type as to cause both old and young to love and honor her forever, after making her acquaintance.
May her beautiful example of good will and love for the human race and her testimony of the Gospel remain in our memories through life.
The greatest lesson she ever taught her children was, “The Gospel is true and no matter what other people or members of the Church may do, that is contrary to its principles, it does not change those principles. They are truth eternal.”