Issac Baum

Issac Baum was born on April 7, 1832 in Chester, Pennsylvania. His family lived for short time in Carthage, Illinois and later moved to Nauvoo. At the age of twelve he was one of the witnesses of the Martyrdom of Joseph Smith. he wrote of his experience.
On June 26, 1844, I was helping my father cultivate the corn when shots were heard. I called to Father, saying, “They have killed the prophet,” and Father asked, “How do you know they have killed the prophet?” I said, “I heard the shooting.” Father told me to go to the house and tell Mother to have his clothes laid out, for he was going to town. When I got home, Mother was starting for a bucket of water to start the noon meal, and when I met her I said, “Oh, Mother, they have killed the prophet,” and she said, “My son, I fear they have,” I took the brass bucket and got the water from the well, and as I came back and gave it to her, as she looked in the bucket she said, “Son, there is blood in this water. Throw it out and get some more.” The water was much better this time. A boy like me was too excited to wait for father, and as I put the bucket down, I started away, calling back to Mother, “Tell Father I have gone ahead.” Not taking time to go around by the road, I crawled through the fences, back yards, and arrived at Carthage Jail, where a large crowd had gathered. I heard the militia shouting, profaning and boasting what they were going to do. The body of Joseph was sitting propped up by the old curb. One of the militia took hold of his hair and jerked his head up, and raised his sword which was sharp on both edges. But just then lightning came out of a clear sky and he dropped to the ground. The mob thought he was dead, so they galloped away on their horses, any way to get away quickly.
Issac was also one of the men that volunteered to go to the rescue of the ill fated Willie and Martin handcart companies that were stranded by an early winter storm in October of 1856.
Issac married Mellissa Sessions on 6 May 1856 in Provo, Utah and they became one of the earliest families to settle in what would become Heber, Utah. Together they were the parents of eleven children, the oldest, Louisa Maria is my great grandmother.
Issac was said to always be a man of service to others willing to always lend a hand.
Issac died in Heber 18 November 1920. He is buried in the Heber City cemetery.