Life of Israel Dodge Allphin

By Leanor Allphin Averett

Israel Dodge Allphin, son of Shelton Allphin and Martha Taylor, was born September 3, 1814, in Davies County, Kentucky. He married Burnetta Collins September 5, 1831. The following ten children were born to them; Benjamin S., Emily Mary, Joshua H., Jasper, Burnetta, Martha Jane, Ransom W., Sarah Eliza, Israel D. The children were all born in Illinois, but later moved to Walker County Texas, where they grew up. In 1857 they started for Salt Lake City in company with John Henry Moody, a Brother Collins, a Brother Dameron and others.

After many trials and hardships they reached Salt Lake Valley in 1858. The same year he married Susan E. Dameron Coldiron as a plural wife whose husband, William Coldiron, had died crossing the plains. She had two children by her first marriage. Israel and his two families lived for several years in Salt Lake, but was later called to settle the Dixie Country, as it was called. He moved his families to Pine Valley, Utah in 1862. A saw mill was built on the Santa Clara creek where he was employed and to which place he moved his families. One night after all the camp had retired, a cloud burst caused a flood in the narrow valley. Hearing the terrible roar of the coming flood Israel helped his first family to safety, then rushed to the rescue of his other family. He was carrying a small child and his wife was carrying the baby. The other children were following when the flood overtook them. Israel, making the child safe, rushed back to save the others. In the meantime a loose log from the floating house had knocked the baby from Susan’s arms. It floated down the stream as did the other children and were drowned. Israel rescued his wife, Susan, from the floating log. The next day two children were found and several days later the other two were found hanging from the tops of some tall trees. All were buried in the same grave in Pine Valley.

Following this incident Burnetta, Israel’s first wife, moved to Salt Lake City and lived a time with a married son. When Israel had built two good homes in Pine Valley, Burnetta returned. The two families lived for several years in Pine Valley until Burnetta’s death in 1873. In 1875 Israel’s son, Ransom, was murdered. This same year President Brigham Young called Israel to serve a mission in Texas. He was ordained a member of the Quorum of Seventy and set apart by Orson Pratt. He labored in Madisonville, Texas where he taught the gospel to his mother, his son, Benjamin, his brothers, and sisters.

On December 5, 1875, in Madisonville, Lorenzo Snow was attempting to remove a handkerchief from his pocket when he accidentally discharged a small handgun, also in his pocket. The bullet passed through his leg, and lodged in Israel’s leg, where it remained for the rest of Israel’s life. However, Israel had great faith and was healed without the aid of a doctor.

After two years, Israel was released from his mission and moved to St. George, Utah. Here he completed the temple work for many of his ancestors, and was sealed to his wife Susan. Israel and Susan had ten children: Joseph Warren, Susan Emeline, Hyrum, David C., Anna P., Melica Jane, Leanor, Rebecca P., Emma May, and Samuel Taylor Allphin. Seven of these children died in infancy. In 1878 Israel and his family moved to Panguitch, Utah. Susan rode horseback during the move, driving the cattle. She accidentally fell from the horse receiving internal injuries. She died January 10, 1879.

In the spring of 1885 Israel married Christiana Riding Asay, a widow with five children. To this union were born four sons: George K., Reuben L., Owen lee, and Donovan J.

Israel Dodge Allphin was the father of 24 children and raised children of his wives by other husbands.

In 1902 Israel’s family moved to Lovell, Wyoming. Shortly thereafter Israel moved to Elba, Idaho, where three of his married children lived. He was set apart as a patriarch in 1903. He was stricken, soon after, with a paralytic stroke and died April 25, 1903.