Zibiah Jane Stoker became the fourth wife of Judson Tolman to fill the void left by the loss of his first wife, Sarah Lucretia. Jane was born May 21, 1847 at Mount Pisgah, Pottawattamie, Iowa, while her parents were crossing the plains. Her father was John Stoker, who became a bishop and prominent citizen of Bountiful, and her mother was Jane McDaniel. Jane was just 22 years old when she married 43 year old Judson April 5, 1869. When Sarah Lucretia died, she left ten living children. Nancy Jane, who was married at that time, was just a few months older than her new step-mother. Jane took over as mother to the remaining nine children, ranging in age from one year to nineteen years. Jane and Judson were the parents of 11 children, of which nine lived to maturity: Martha Ann, Mary Jane, Julia Abba, Ella Annice, Lillie Malinda, David Roy, Alma Ray, Elmyra Maud, unnamed son, John Hewitt and Justin.
The following is from The Life Sketch of Martha Ann Tolman Thurgood (first child of Jane and Judson): “We girls were taught to help outside as well as inside and often worked in the fields. Many times when we were working away up at the top of the field (a mile away), Ma trudged up there with sandwiches and water for us. She milked cows, fed pigs and chickens and such chores. Although she never took part in ward affairs or such, if there was something she could do for anyone she did it, and she did it for the joy of doing, always giving of herself. If any of us had sickness we’d either send for her or take it home to her and she always took care of us. At Christmas time she and Pa used to get in the car and visit each of our homes early in the morning to see what Santa had brought and enjoy watching the kiddies with their toys and when one of us had a new baby you could always depend on them coming each morning to see us and help out if needed. She loved her home and really made it Home Sweet Home.
“Grandma, as she is lovingly called by all, is a woman who loved her husband, home and family above all else. She had been one of the hardest workers I’ve ever known. She taught all her children to be honest and industrious-to love each other.”
“Grandma was truly a queen in her home. No matter what task she was doing nor how much company she had, her home never looked messed up For many years grandpa and the boys worked together in the hay, potatoes, grain, etc. going from (one) farm to another until the harvest was over. The wives worked along beside them and when we worked at grandpa’s place,
grandma always saw to it that sandwiches and cold water or lemonade or the like were provided at 10:00 o’clock and 3:00 p.m. Then at noon she’d feed the crowd, often setting the table the
second and third time.”
“I can just see grandma as she washed on the board in the shanty room built over the cellar. She made all her own soap, using the fat from the pork or beef which they butchered. Her hands were rather large and capable, and they’d slide up and down the board in and out of the suds, then the way she’d wring out those big heavy underwear, etc. Her kitchen range always seemed to be full of something. She either had a big batch of soap on or a large pan of catsup or chili-sauce, so delicious, or chopped pickles, fruit or preserves. Then the huge pans of golden brown bread she’d take from the oven and she’d always insist that we try her hot bread, butter and jam Besides all of these jobs she still found time to sew, make quilts and crochet yards and yards of pretty lace for pillowcases and other things.”
“Grandma always hated to see her boys work so hard, and she’d even go out in the fields and help pitch sugar beets upon the wagon. You just couldn’t stop her.”
Jane died May 28, 1933 in Bountiful, Utah. She lived to see both families raised and outlived her husband almost seventeen years.
Compiled in November, 2000 by Pauline Hanks Christiansen, 2nd great granddaughter of Judson Tolman and Sarah Lucretia Holbrook.
(Contributed by the Thomas Tolman Family Organization. Excerpt from Judson Tolman: Pioneer, Lumberman, Patriarch by E. Dennis Tolman, Second Edition, 2004, page 152-153.)
Bibliography:
1. Tolman, E. Dennis, Judson Tolman – Pioneer, Lumberman, Patriarch, Family History Publishers, Bountiful, Utah, 1995, copy on file, Thomas Tolman Family Genealogy Center, 2937 South Orchard Drive, Bountiful, Utah.
2. Thurgood, Martha Ann Tolman “Life Sketch of Martha Ann Tolman Thurgood” copy provided by the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, Salt Lake City, Utah.
3. Tolman, Elden A. and Loveland, Elnora Tolman “Life Story of My Father Cyrus Tolman,” written for his 73rd birthday, submitted by Myrintha Tolman Hopkins to Camp Mead, Caribou County, Soda Springs, Idaho of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, copy on file in the DUP Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.