Mary Magdalena Witzig History by son Heber Swindle

Mary Magdalena Witzig

History by Son: Heber Swindle, Dec 9, 1930

Grandma Swindle was a convert of Patriarch Joseph Horne, of Richfield, and was the only one of her people to accept the Gospel. Her parents were not violently opposed to the Elders, but did not desire to join the church.

When a young girl, she married John Martin Diggleman, by whom she had three children: Mary, Lydia and Harmon. He was very opposed to the church, and especially so to the Mormon Elders. Grandma had gainded a knowledge of the Latter-day Saint religion and had recieved a testimony. It was her ambition to immigrate to Zion. She and Mr. Diggleman finally drifted apart, and the last that was heard of him he joined the army.

Grandma then decided to immigrate to Utah. She had no money, but had the provilege to sending two children ahead with the Elders. She decided upon this plan, and Lydia, 5 years old, and Harmon, 3 years old, were intrusted into strange hands to go across the Atlantic Ocean to find a new home. Grandma has related many times how she felt as she left them at the shipyard. She said she watched the little blue cap and dress as far as the eye could see, wondering if she would ever see them again. She made it a matter of prayer, and felt the Lord would make it possible for her to have her children again. It was a great sacrifice to make, but the Gospel meant more to her than anything else. She struggled and saved and finally was prepared to say, "Babylon O' Babylon. I bid thee farewell". She sailed with one child named Mary.

She arrived in Utah, and once again there was fond embrace of mother and children after a seperation of two years. The children had much to endure. (The Lord moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to preform.) Grandma then married George Swindle, who already had a wife and family. There was trouble in the home as the first family did not welcome a second wife. After some shifting around, the two families settled in Monroe, Utah. Grandma had four children by Grandpa Swindle. Ann, Heber, Joseph and Ellen. Grandpa died, leaving Grandma no property. The first family took possession of everything. It was at this time that she went to Salt Lake City, Utah to take an Obstetrics Cousre. She became very skillful, and at the time of her death had a record of more than a thousand babies that she had delivered in Monroe and surrounding areas.

She was an ardent worker in the church, serving in Relief Society, Ward Choir, Stake Relief Society, and was seretary of the Sevier Stake at the time of her death.

She was truly a wonderful woman, faithful to her family and her religion.

It is hoped that we her children, can conduct ourselves to merit her associations in the future