Brief History of John Stoker's Ancestry and Conversion

Brief History of John Stoker's Ancestry and Conversion

Thank you to Jimmie "B" Stoker for his contributions in research and in writing histories of the Stoker family. This history is his doing, and how blessed we are to have this!

A colony of families of German ancestry settled in the Vega area of Jackson County, Ohio. Jackson is located at the southern end of the state not far from the Ohio River. Michael Stoker, Elizabeth’s father received and 80 acres patent from the United States Government. The land is located in Jackson County, Madison township.

Shortly after the Mormon Church was founded in New York state, migrants and missionaries came to this county. Many converts were obtained in this German colony, as well as a few in the town of Jackson. Most of the meetings were held in the home of Michael Stoker.

During the fall of 1833 Michael Stoker (1762-1838) and his family, living in Bloomfield Township, Jackson County, Ohio, first heard the preaching of the missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These missionaries exhorted them to join the new church and told them about Joseph Smith receiving inspired revelations from God. In addition the Church was noted for its new scripture, the Book of Mormon.

The Stokers were drawn to the message. Many accepted baptism before the end of 1833. They included sixteen-year-old John Stoker (1817-1881) who was baptized November 13, 1833 by Seymour Brunson and four days later his double cousin, fifteen-year- old Joseph Levi Graybill, who was baptized by John A. Fisher. These two grandsons of Michael Stoker (1762- 1838) were among the first of the Stoker family to embrace the new church.

In 1834 Seymour Brunson moved his family to Bloomfield and organized a branch of the Church. John's parents, David (1795-1852) and Barbara Graybill Stoker, joined the branch during that year. David’s younger brother, Michael, Jr., (1805-1858) was affiliated with the Mormons. Evidence of his affiliation with the church comes from the fact that his son, born on July 10, 1834 was named, “William Moroni.” Clearly the name Moroni marked Michael as having read the Book of Mormon. Moreover, in his journal Michael, Jr., writes, “The names of the members who were baptized by me in February, 1836. Baptized James Toinbuson and ordained him an elder.” He also baptized William and Barbara Stoker that year. Michael held the Mormon priesthood to officiate in these ordinances. The Stokers and their relatives were very enthusiastic about their new church. They contributed to its growth and sustained its leadership.

In the spring of 1836, some Members of the Bloomfield branch made the 200 mile trip north to Kirtland, Ohio to attend the dedication of the temple. In that group was Michael Stoker’s son-in-law and grandson, Michael Graybill, Sr., and Joseph Levi Graybill. Michael Graybill’s wife, Polly Stoker (17921864), was expecting the birth of her eleventh child, a son who was born April 6, 1836. She didn’t go with them. Michael Graybill while at the conference temple dedication at Kirtland was impressed by Sidney Rigdon’s two and a half hour sermon. Upon returning to Bloomfield, he named his newly born son, Sidney Rigdon Graybill.

The family, listening to their church leaders, were anxious to gather to Zion. On October 27, 1836, Michael, now past the age of 74 and Catherine 63 years old, sold out their holdings in southern Ohio and headed west to join the Saints in Missouri. With all of his children married except their youngest son, Eller (1816-1855), Michael Stoker (1762-1838) and a couple of dozen or more of his married descendants and their families headed west.

David Stoker's wife, Barbara Graybill. and Polly's husband, Michael Graybill, brother and sister, said their good byes to their parents, John Peter Graybill, Sr. (1762-1842), Christina Wampler (1771-1844). This couple had journeyed from the Blue Ridge North Carolina mountains in Ashe County with the Stokers in 1815 to southern Ohio and they had planned to die there, which Christina Wampier may have trembled to see her children leave for the west. She had been kidnaped by the Delaware Indians from her Pennsylvania home when she was three years o/d. With pressure from the increasingly stronger armed forces of the whites, the Indians relinquished when she was eleven years old, along with other children. She became easy to identify as she sang a lullaby, no doubt a German one, which her mothe had taught her. When her mother heard her sing, she knew immediately that it was her Christina.

Stoker that year. Michael held the Mormon priesthood to officiate in these ordinances. The Stokers and their relatives were very enthusiastic about their new church. They contributed to its growth and sustained its leadership.

In the spring of 1836, some Members of the Bloomfield branch made the 200 mile trip north to Kirtland, Ohio to attend the dedication of the temple. In that group was Michael Stoker’s son-in-law and grandson, Michael Graybill, Sr., and Joseph Levi Graybill. Michael Graybill’s wife, Polly Stoker (17921864), was expecting the birth of her eleventh child, a son who was born April 6, 1836. She didn’t go with them. Michael Graybill while at the conference temple dedication at Kirtland was impressed by Sidney Rigdon’s two and a half hour sermon. Upon returning to Bloomfield, he named his newly born son, Sidney Rigdon Graybill.

The family, listening to their church leaders, were anxious to gather to Zion. On October 27, 1836, Michael, now past the age of 74 and Catherine 63 years old, sold out their holdings in southern Ohio and headed west to join the Saints in Missouri. With all of his children married except their youngest son, Eller (1816-1855), Michael Stoker (1762-1838) and a couple of dozen or more of his married descendants and their families headed west.

David Stoker's wife, Barbara Graybill. and Polly's husband, Michael Graybill, brother and sister, said their good byes to their parents, John Peter Graybill, Sr. (1762-1842), Christina Wampler (1771-1844). This couple had journeyed from the Blue Ridge North Carolina mountains in Ashe County with the Stokers in 1815 to southern Ohio and they had planned to die there, which Christina Wampier may have trembled to see her children leave for the west. She had been kidnaped by the Delaware Indians from her Pennsylvania home when she was three years o/d. With pressure from the increasingly stronger armed forces of the whites, the Indians relinquished when she was eleven years old, along with other children. She became easy to identify as she sang a lullaby, no doubt a German one, which her mothe had taught her. When her mother heard her sing, she knew immediately that it was her Christina.

A reprint of a newspaper article in the Jackson, Ohio, Hearld. Friday February 27, 1959 p. 7

“The Life of John Stoker” Compiled by Eunice Stoker Southwick.

Early Members of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Vol 111 G.K. Compiled by Susan Easton Black. Provo” Religious Studies Center, Brigaham Young University, 1993 p. 149.

"Seymour Brunson," LDS Biographical Encyclopedia Vol. 3 compiled by Andrew Jenson. Salt Lake City: Andrew Jenson History Co.. 1901. o. 331.