Written by Mary Egan Evans
Mary Ann Fisher was born at Woolwich, England, May 21st, 1844. She was the daughter of Thomas Frederick and Jane Christen Fisher. She attended school in England, where among other things she studied dancing and fine needlework, or needlecraft.
Her father (Thomas Frederick Fisher) had permanent employment at the Government dock yards at Woolwich, England, where he served Queen Victoria for twenty-one years. About this time he was made presiding Elder of the Woolwich Branch of the Latter-Day Saints Church, which position he filled with credit, until released in the spring of 1854 to emigrate to Utah.
At the age of ten years, Mary Ann (Minnie) and her younger sister Georgina, also three brothers, Thomas, William and John Fisher, and parents left Liverpool on the sailing vessel in the summer of 1854, with William Taylor as President of the company. They landed at New Orleans, Louisiana, where they took a river boat up the great Mississippi to Council Bluffs, where they fitted out a wagon and ox team and crossed the plains with the Robert L. Campbell Company. During this difficult and lengthy journey there occurred a very unfortunate accident. Georgina, who was eight years old was riding on top of the load, evidently fell asleep and slipped to the ground. The wagon wheels ran over her, which proved fatal to her, and it became necessary to bury her on the road side.
They arrived in Great Salt Lake City, Utah, October 28th, 1854. Their first home was in East Bountiful, later they moved to South Bountiful. Her family endured hardships much the same as the other pioneers of that day. At one time mother used up the last bit of flour, the only food left in the house to make biscuits. They had no idea where more flour or food could be obtained when the biscuits were eaten. Her father took a sack and went in search of food, when he returned after dark he had a half bushel of wheat to show for his day's labor. They ground the wheat in a coffee grinder and made more bread from the coarse flour, but from this time on, they always had plenty to eat.
Mary Ann (Minnie) had a sweet, loveable disposition, was very popular among her friends and was an excellent dancer and was considered one of the most graceful figures on the floor. She had a very pleasant and happy childhood. She loved dolls, and it has been said that she was interested in sewing for them when she was being courted by Erastus Egan, and would rush to put them away when she would see him coming.
Richard Erastus Egan and Mary Ann Fisher were married in the Endowment Hosue, Salt Lake City, January 1st, 1861. Erastus was not yet eighteen years, his birthday being March 29th, Mary Ann had not yet reached her 16th years, her birthday being May 21st.
Richard Erastus Egan's father, Major Howard Egan, presented them on their wedding day with a melodian, a real and rare luxury in those days. It has a sweet melodious tone, and was used by the people in the neighborhood to practice on, it being the only instrument of its kind in the community.
For about two years they made their home in Salt Lake City. Richard Erastus was at that time riding the Pony Express between Salt Lake City and Ruby Valley, Nevada, with headquarters at Salt Lake City. Their first child, a girl, was born to them March 2nd 1863. Her name was Tamson Minnie. While Tamson was still a baby, they moved to Ruby Valley, Nevada, where Erastus Egan's father, Major Howard Egan, had charge of the Ruby Valley Station. The station was a two-room log cabin with a dirt roof. One room was used for the family living quarters, the other part was used for a store and commissary repair shop and mail station. For light they used the home made candles; a very crudely built fireplace furnished warmth and light. Erastus took care of this station which was used as a trading post. Because of this they came in close contact with the Indians, most of whom became friendly. At this time the railroads were rapidly being extended. When the first train reached Ruby Valley, Erastus and Mary Ann (Minnie) moved to a ranch. On this ranch they raised pigs, chickens, and a large number of milk cows. Most of the milk was set in milk plans allowing to stand, then the cream was skimmed off with a hand skimmer. The cream was churned in an up and down churn, and the butter was packed in forty-gallon barrels and shipped to Erueka, Utah and was sold for 50 cents per pound.
They hired Indians at low wages to help about the ranch. Indian squaws could be hired to wash on the board all day for 50 cents. Two boys were born at Ruby Valley, Erastus Howard (September 10, 1864) and Harry Owen (October 20, 1866).
About 1868, Erastus was called on a three-year mission to England for the L.D.S. Church. When he left they leased the ranch and Mary Ann and her three small children moved to Bountiful where she lived with Grandfather (Thomas Frederick) Fisher.
Shortly after Erastus left, another son was born, Horace Frederick (November 2, 1868). Thomas Frederick Fisher gave his daughter Mary Ann (Minnie) a lot adjoining the Fisher home in South Bountiful, and built a six-room brick home for her. When the home was completed, Mary Ann moved in and waited for Richard Erastus' return. During his absence, she conducted in her home a class. She taught eyelet work, and the money earned in this way was sent to her husband to help support him while he was in the mission field.
At the end of three years, Erastus was released from his mission and returned home as far as Ogden, on the first train that came this far west. He was met by his small son Rass, and Thomas Frederick Fisher, and was driven to Bountiful in a carriage. Soon after his return they rented the home in Bountiful and moved again to the Ruby Valley Ranch. They took with them a young girl named Lissie Blackley. She was a convert to the L.D.S. Church and she had no home. She lived with the Egans for six or seven years. Tamson, the oldest girl, was away to school. She lived with some folks by the name of Shoemaker.
While they were in Ruby Valley, they had born in the order mentioned: John Leroy, October 3rd, 1870; William Fisher and Willard Richard (twins), on April 5th, 1872; Joseph Ranson, September 7, 1874, who died at Ruby Valley Ranch and was buried there; Ira Irvine, September 17, 1875, was born next. Soon after this they started to journey back to Bountiful, with teams, wagon and cattle. When they reached Tooele there was such a bad storm that they put Mary Ann and the three small children on the train to go on to Bountiful, while Rass and Mary, Erastus and his brother-in-law, John Fisher, stayed with the teams and cattle. They moved into the new home once more and Erastus took up farming and gardening. Soon after they arrived in Bountiful a baby girl was born who died at birth and was buried at Bountiful.
Erastus acquired some farming land on the Sandridge to the north of Bountiful, the place now known as Clearfield. From this place he received livelihood for his family. At the time of the nationwide diphtheria epidemic, Harry who was then twelve past, contracted the dreaded disease and died. Horace F. also took it but was nursed back to health by his father. Due to the state of Mary Ann's poor health and their large family, she had lots of help. Aunt Sarah, grandfather's second wife, and Mary Ann were as close as sisters to one another. Mary Ann, being a very particular housekeeper, Aunt Sarah came with asking, to help with the housework, washing and sewing.
The balance of the family was born in Bountiful as follows: Linnie Jane, February 25, 1878; Mary Adelaide, February 5, 1880; Charles Merritt, August 27th, 1881; David July 13th, 1884; a baby boy born December 1887 who died. He was also buried at Bountiful. Mary Ann passed away two weeks later, December 26th, at the age of 43 years, and was buried in the Bountiful Cemetery. She had fifteen children. Erastus and Mary Ann's life together was a very happy one.
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