Do you know who the first non-native couple married in Idaho was? It could be difficult to track down. Still, I have a nomination. Let’s see if you know of a couple who were married in Idaho earlier.
I’m talking about a place officially named Idaho, so the first candidates would have to have been married on or after March 3, 1863, when Idaho became a territory.
My candidates are Niels and Mary Christofferson Anderson who were married in Morristown, July 30, 1863. Morristown lasted only a few years and became known as Soda Springs.
The year before, 15-year-old Mary Christofferson had been struck in the face by a cannonball, the beginning shot fired in what would be known as the Morrisite War, that took place at Kington Fort, Utah. Joseph Morris and his followers were holed up there waiting for the Second Coming when a group called the Mormon Militia came to demand the release of a prisoner they were holding. Morris had formed the breakaway Church of the Newborn when Brigham Young refused to acknowledge the prophecies of Morris.
In the siege that followed several Morrisites were killed, including their leader. About half of the followers of Morris were escorted into the newly formed Idaho Territory in May, 1863, where they founded Morristown.
Mary Anderson did not let her disfigurement—her jaw was shot off—ruin her life. She and Niels raised a thriving family. Many of their descendants live in Idaho today.
This was the shortest possible telling of the story of the Morrisite War. I give a one-hour presentation about the war to interested groups. You can also watch my YouTube video about it. The best book available on the subject is Joseph Morris: and the Saga of the Morrisites Revisited, by C. Leroy Anderson.
So, do you know of another non-native couple who were married in Idaho earlier?
I’m talking about a place officially named Idaho, so the first candidates would have to have been married on or after March 3, 1863, when Idaho became a territory.
My candidates are Niels and Mary Christofferson Anderson who were married in Morristown, July 30, 1863. Morristown lasted only a few years and became known as Soda Springs.
The year before, 15-year-old Mary Christofferson had been struck in the face by a cannonball, the beginning shot fired in what would be known as the Morrisite War, that took place at Kington Fort, Utah. Joseph Morris and his followers were holed up there waiting for the Second Coming when a group called the Mormon Militia came to demand the release of a prisoner they were holding. Morris had formed the breakaway Church of the Newborn when Brigham Young refused to acknowledge the prophecies of Morris.
In the siege that followed several Morrisites were killed, including their leader. About half of the followers of Morris were escorted into the newly formed Idaho Territory in May, 1863, where they founded Morristown.
Mary Anderson did not let her disfigurement—her jaw was shot off—ruin her life. She and Niels raised a thriving family. Many of their descendants live in Idaho today.
This was the shortest possible telling of the story of the Morrisite War. I give a one-hour presentation about the war to interested groups. You can also watch my YouTube video about it. The best book available on the subject is Joseph Morris: and the Saga of the Morrisites Revisited, by C. Leroy Anderson.
So, do you know of another non-native couple who were married in Idaho earlier?
Mary Anderson. Idaho Territory's first bride?
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