Life History of Susan Emeline Dameron Allphin

By Leanor Allphin Averett (her daughter)

Susan Emeline Dameron was born near Dresden, Tennessee, 26 August 1833. She was the daughter of Constantine Ladd Dameron and Sarah McCormick.

Susan was married to William Coldiron in 1850. They made their home in Mississippi, where four children were born. These children were: Sarah Ellen, Mary Matilda, Joseph Warren, and William Henry.

In 1857, in company with John Moody, a Brother Williams, Israel Dodge Allphin, Brother Collins and others of the Coldiron family, they started for Utah. When they reached the Missouri River William Coldiron was chosen to swim and drive the cattle across the river. While swimming he was bitten by a poisonous adder and died two days later. The body was wrapped in a sheet and buried in a shallow grave and the grief stricken wife moved on with the company. About a month later, William Henry, one of Susan’s four children, died and he too had to be left on the prairie. The company pressed on and in 1857 reached Salt Lake City.

Israel Dodge Allphin had been a great help and comfort to Susan in her sorrow. After reaching Salt Lake City, Susan became Israel’s second wife. Burnetta Collins was the first wife.

A few years later a number of the saints were called to help settle the area of southern Utah known as Dixie. Israel and his two families were among those who moved and made their home in Pine Valley, Utah.

In 1862, the families were living on the Santa Clara Creek, eight miles from Pine Valley, where Israel was running a sawmill. One night a cloud burst caused a flood on the creek. Israel helped his first family to safety, and then rushed back to save Susan and her children. Israel took the next to the youngest and Susan took the baby, and the other three ran as fast as they could. Israel reached safety with the one child, but Susan and the other four children were over-taken by the flood. The baby was pushed from Susan’s arms by a log from their home. After losing the baby she clung to the log until her husband could swim out to her. The four children were found sometime later, and buried in a common grave. The surviving child was Susan Emeline Allphin.

This tragedy seemed almost more than this good woman could bear, but she was yet to live and be of great service to mankind. Susan was a midwife and often rode miles on horseback to do her duty. She delivered her first grandchild.

In 1878 Israel’s first wife died. In the spring of 1879 Israel and Susan sold their property in Pine Valley and moved to Panguitch, Utah. On the way Susan drove the cattle on horseback. Two days before reaching Panguitch Susan fell from her horse and was seriously injured. She suffered until 10 January 1879 when she died.

Susan Emeline Allphin had, indeed, had a hard life, but her faith never wavered. She was a faithful servant all the days of her life, and died a true Latter-day Saint at the age of forty four.