Some of the stuff I have found on my Dad's side has been super interesting... They were all pioneers that came across the plains from the years 1847 to about 1857. I have even found scandalous, fun stories such as the following:
My great-great-great-great Grandpa named Howard Egan, was Joseph Smith's personal body guard up until the time he got killed, then he was in the first wagon train with Brigham Young in 1847.
He had married a lady named Tamson Parshley, but left her behind while he went on the trek west. He had married a few more wives by the time Tamson eventually made it to Salt Lake City.
Howard Egan left to California for the Gold rush in 1850. While he was gone, Tamson (my great-great-great grandma) had an AFFAIR with her friend Jame's Monroe (also Joseph Smith's children's school teacher). Well, she got pregnant by this illicit lover. OOPs!!!! To avoid confrontation with Howard Egan, James Monroe left Salt Lake City shortly after Tamson found out she was pregnant. A few months after the baby was born, Howard learned that James Monroe was coming back to Utah, so he went and met up with the wagon train. He shot and KILLED James Monroe basically in front of the whole wagon train. Howard is quoted to have said, "I have just shot the seducer of my wife. This vengeance is sweet to me" right after shooting him.
Howard got arrested and went to court. George Albert Smith - an apostle - was his lawyer. Howard was acquitted due to the jury believing this was justifiable homicide! Interestingly, on March 6, 1852, the Territorial legislature passed the Justifiable Homicide Act, which was a direct outcome of the Egan case. The Act stated that it would be: "Justifiable homicide to kill the person who defiled a "wife, daughter, mother, sister or any other female relative or dependent." This law was in act until 1874.
Howard raised the illegitimate baby as his own and even named him after the biological father - William MONROE Egan. http://jod.mrm.org/1/95
Seriously - this stuff is all well documented - you can't make this up.Howard Egan did some other pretty cool stuff - besides being Joseph Smith's body guard, he and his sons (my great great grandpa) were major players in the pony express.
But that is for another post.
:)
For all my cousins and family - these people were Minnie Marshall McKinnon's great grandparents.
4 comments:
Hi Cuz. I have been reading from my genealogy book which includes one in the same Major Howard Egan, my great great great grandfather. However my great great great grandmother is Mary Ann Tuttle, if I have followed the genealogy correctly. I am Dale A. Stocking from Idaho. P.S. Interesting story about the shooting.
I came across your sight looking for stories about my great great great great grandfather Major Howard Egan. My name is Venessa. I am the daughter of Tess Egan, who is the daughter of Earl Egan who is the son of Delbert Egan who is the son of George Egan who is the son of Howard Ransom Egan who is the son of Major Howard Egan. It is fun to see the lines of Howard Egan spread and reach out and grow. I have loved the colors of the stories I have found of our great family. feel free to contact me at
grand_piano7@yahoo.com
I came across your blog looking for descendants of Major Howard Egan from the McKinnon line. I am trying to locate descendants of Minni Luella Marshall Mckinnon. I want to notify this branch of the family about a reunion that will be held June 11,12 and 13th in Salt Lake City celebrating Howard Egan's 200th year anniversary. I would really appreciate it if you could help me in this effort. Please contact me at elisabeth.lambert@sbcglobal.net
Hi cousins I am one of the descendant of Howard Egan and tamson parshiey I didn't know that he killed the guy who had sex with his wife but I my opinion I don't think he was in the wrong for doing that
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