Eveline Burdick Johnson: A Testament to Resilience and Faith
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Born in the quaint town of Jamestown, Chautauqua County, New York on September 18, 1832, Eveline Burdick was the fifth child among eleven siblings in the Burdick household. The family had recently established their lives in Jamestown, with her father finding employment in her uncle Hiram Winters’ sawmill.
Life took a significant turn for the Burdick family when, in June 1833, just nine months after Eveline’s birth, they embraced the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Along with other converts, they journeyed to Kirtland, Ohio, the gathering place for the Saints.
As a child in Kirtland, Eveline had a profound experience that she would cherish for a lifetime. A chance encounter with Joseph Smith, the Prophet, left an indelible mark on her young heart. Her mother’s affirmation of his identity and divine role deepened the roots of her faith.
However, the following years were anything but smooth. Persecutions in Ohio and Missouri forced the Burdick family to relocate to Hancock County, Illinois, in 1838. While the family grew in numbers, they faced the devastating loss of their Prophet, Joseph Smith, and his brother Hyrum to martyrdom in 1844. Adding to their sorrow, Eveline’s father, Alden Burdick, passed away in Nauvoo just a year later.
By 1846, the escalating tensions in Nauvoo necessitated another move. This time, Eveline, alongside her siblings, made her way to Council Bluffs under the guidance of her uncle, Thomas Burdick. There, she met and wed George Washington Johnson and gave birth to their first child, Joseph Horace Johnson, in 1850.
In 1851, the family’s journey to Utah commenced. They were part of the Alfred Cardon Wagon Company, and upon reaching the Salt Lake Valley, they had to remarry to validate their union legally. From the Valley, they moved to Summit Creek and then Springville, where they faced the heartbreak of losing their daughter, Margaret Ellen Johnson, shortly after her birth.
Colonizing efforts saw the family moving frequently, from Cedar City to Santaquin, then to Fountain Green, Spring Lake, Mona, and finally, Huntington. Throughout these moves, the Johnson family continued to grow, enduring both joys and tragedies.
George Washington Johnson, a pillar of strength for the family and the community, passed away in Moab on January 22, 1900. Eveline, showcasing her unwavering spirit, took on tailoring to support her family. Her faith remained undiminished, and she split her time between Provo and Moab in her later years.
Eveline’s journey, dotted with challenges, moves, and personal losses, is a testament to her unwavering faith and resilience. She breathed her last in Provo, Utah, on February 12, 1911. Her legacy, rich with tales of perseverance, faith, and love, continues to inspire generations.
