Gilbert Johnson MARCHANT

                   Gilbert Johnson Marchant was born 10 Feb 1858, at Big Cottonwood,Salt Lake County, UT.  When he was young, the family moved to Peoa.  InJuly 1876, he married Elizabeth Wright.  She became the mother of ten ofhis 21 children.  In December 1876, Gilbert married Louisa Wright,Elizabeth's sister.  This was during the time when the Mormon Churchapproved polygamy.  After eight years he was arrested as a polygamist andwas sentenced to three months in prison.  He was released in two and onehalf months and continued to live with both his wives until Elizabeth'sdeath in 1899.  From that time forward Louisa rared both families as herown.
       Gilbert came with his large family of 17 living children and Louisato the Big Horn Basin in 1900.  His was one of the first families whosettled in Cowley.  He was a carpenter and, with his sons, also farmednorthwest of Cowley.  Gilbert was Second Counselor to William C Partridgewhen the Cowley Branch of the LDS Church was first organized.  He was amember of the School Committee before the school board was elected.  Healso served on the first Stake High Council.  Several years afterLouisa's death, Gilbert married Annie Martin Jensen, a widow.  Followingher death, he made his home with his daughter, Charlotte, and herhusband, Claude Alvin Lewis.  Gilbert died 24 Apr 1939.  His children byElizabeth were Lillie Maud, Gilbert T, William, Ernest, Lenora, Alice,Charles, Elizabeth, Richard and Lydia.  His children by Louisa were ClaraAnn, Hubert, Joseph Leslie, Loren Heber, Eldred, Marvin, Charlotte May,Ward, Minnie, Vernal and Irma.

---  Cowley WY Cemetery Burial Records
       Vol 2 of 3   G - M