Anson Call: Great Grandfather of Lois

Anson Call was an early pioneer in the LDS church.  He is largely known for helping colonize many settlements in the West in Utah, Old Mexico, and one town in Arizona located now under Lake Mead between Arizona and Las Vegas known as Callville (now Callville Bay).  Born, in Fletcher, Vermont in 1810, his parents were Cyril Call and Sally Tiffany.  A reluctant convert, Anson joined the Church after reading the Book of Mormon and not being able to deny its truth. Like other saints, Anson and his family became the subject of much persecution, in Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois.

Anson was friendly with Joseph Smith and mentions several meetings and discussions with the Prophet in his journal including a special assignment he and another were given by Joseph to scout out Carthage and report back to Joseph directly the mood and level of hostility that might exist if Joseph were to travel there. Anson returned to report of the likelihood of grave bodily danger and with a warning to the Prophet from the authorities there to not show up as protection would not be possible. This message never got to Joseph before he headed to Carthage, where he uttered his famous line, "I go like a lamb to slaughter". Anson suffered from depression after blaming himself for this personal failure after Joseph's martyrdom.

Anson and his family moved west with the original Pioneers.  Anson and his wife, Mary, buried two children along the trek to the Salt Lake Valley and experienced the hardship of farming with the Mormon crickets and other trials.  In 1850, Anson was called to help build a settlement in Parowan Valley, Utah.  Next, he helped colonize Millard County, of which he was appointed probate judge.  After establishing his ability to settle new areas, Brigham Young called upon him again and again to do the same fulfilling a prophecy Joseph Smith made directly to him that he would assist in colonizing many cities from one border to the other.  There are many church stories referencing the life of Anson Call.  Among them, you will find his name mentioned in the rescuing of the saints of the Martin and Willie handcart pioneers and for recording the "Rocky Mountain Prophecy" in which he was mentioned and present for.

Cyril Call, Anson's father

Margaretta Unwin Clark, one of  Anson's six wives and great grandmother of Lois.

Elders Dallin H. Oaks, left, Earl C. Tingey and Eran Call stand near monument to Anson Call

Visit Anson Call Memorial at This Is The Place Heritage Park in Salt Lake City

Read more about Anson Call:

• Ensign, "Anson Call: Man of Action".  
• Excerpts from his Autiobiography
• Church News
• book:  Anson Call and the Rocky Mountain Prophecy by Gwen Marler Barney. It is very well written and researched, and is filled with photographs, diagrams, maps, and other illustrations.  The book was published by Call Publishing in Salt Lake City, Utah, and its ISBN is 0-9721527-0-9.