Margaretha (Huber) Stucki (1835 - 1912)

Born 20 Feb 1835 in Felben, Thurgau, Switzerland

Wife of John Ulrich Stucki — married 18 Aug 1859 in On board ship "Emerald Isle"

Died 6 Nov 1912 at age 77 in Paris, Bear Lake, ID

Margaret (Huber) Stucki was a Latter Day Saint pioneer.

Biography

Margaretha was born in 1835. Margaretha Huber ... She passed away in 1912. ^[1]

History of Margaretha Huber Stucki (Written by Elfie Stucki Richards, daughter of John U Stucki)

Margaretha Huber Stucki was born February 20, 1835 in Well hausen, Canton, Thurgau, Switzerland. Her father was Hans Heinrich Huber and her mother, Anna Maria Schneider. When she was only three months old, her father died leaving her mother a widow at only twenty-two. Her mother later married Henry Hafter and a daughter Carolina blessed this union. Margaretha and Carolina, with the same mother but different fathers, were real sisters. They loved each other dearly. Carolina was lame all her life, and the older sister with tenderness cared for her like a mother. For sixteen long years the mother was an invalid. During this time the care of the household came to Margaretha, young as she was. No wonder that early in life she learned the spirit of service and of carrying responsibility.

When the Gospel of Jesus Christ came to these honest and truth-loving folks, they heard, all believed and joined the church. The elders hesitated to baptize the invalid mother, but she insisted and was tenderly carried into the water. With great faith she entered and a miracle was performed. She walked from the water and home; the first time she had used her feet for sixteen years. This was always a wonderful testimony to Auntie. She loved to tell it to others.

In these years she was interested in a young man, John U. Stucki, and on August 8, 1859, when Auntie was twenty-four, she with her sister, father, mother and lover left her beloved native land never to see it again. They planned to go to Utah and make a home with the Saints. For six weeks they were on the ocean. The ship encountered severe gales during the voyage and at one time there was a fire on board that threatened all their lives. Auntie, her mother and sister were all very ill during the voyage. The father, ill himself, could hardly care for all his loved ones, so suggested that inasmuch as Father and Auntie planned on being married later that they do it now and relieve him of one patient. So on August 19, 1859, they were married by a pastor who happened to be on board the ship. Her wedding gown was her night gown, as she was too ill to leave her bed.

The spent several months in Williamsburg, New York, where Father earned enough to purchase a yoke of oxen and two yoke of cows to make the trip to Utah. Auntie was ill much of the time in New York, but through faith was healed so that she was able to make the tedious journey across the plains in 1860. She walked almost every step of the way. She often described the trip, their method of making butter by hanging the milk bucket on the back of the moving wagon, the long long days, their sore tired feet. But to these young people with life before them, joy was in their hearts in spite of the trials along the way. They were ten weeks and three days making the trip, but it was free from accident.

After spending a few days in Salt Lake, they went to Providence, Cache County, Utah, where they secured ten acres of land. The first winter they spent in a wagon box. The frail little lady who had spent many sick days put on strength and did many things she thought impossible to do. From the beginning she was a helpmate to her husband. She even joined him with his work in the fields.

They had little to eat except watermelon the first fall. Knowing that Father needed strength for his hard work, she made little cakes for him of the small store of flour she had, and when he asked where hers was, she would say she had eaten before. On rare occasions when they had meat, Auntie made soup of it three times. Then the third time they would have a feast when they could enjoy eating the meat. Somehow they secured a cow. When Auntie began to make butter, the first pound she made went as a payment of tithing.

More than anything else in the world, Auntie desired a child but none came to her. So when she had an opportunity to adopt a little three-day old boy, she made it a matter of sincere prayer and decided he should be as their very own son. This was February 17, 1869. They named him John Henry. He was the pride of Auntie's life. How she loved him, and remembered all his little manly acts. She told how he read a sermon by President Brigham Young reported in the Deseret News the day before he died. He only lived until he was nine years old. Then he left her only sweet memories that she carried with her always.

In July 1870 at a call from the authorities of the Church, they moved to Paris, Idaho. Here she had more pioneer experiences. Even moving into an old log house was a trial to her for she was an immaculate housekeeper. She had a constant fight with bugs she found in the house. She often told of the many times she whitewashed the little house and tried to keep it clean and livable. But in this same long house she entertained many distinguished visitors. President Woodruff, Brother Cannon and others slept in her bed while Father and Auntie made a bed in the attic. Later she came into a much better home. It was about the first nice house in Paris.

Another trial in these early days was making trips back to Cache Valley for supplies. Nothing much could be grown in Bear Lake because of the short growing season. Father made many trips to Providence for flour and fruit. Auntie accompanied Father on those long trips made with team and wagon. They were often cold and very tired, for it took two days each way to make the trip.

But during the years of pioneering and homemaking Auntie was not unmindful of others. She made many visits to the homes of the sick and needy, always with a basket of good things on her arm. These visits were made mainly in the evenings or on such times that she would not be seen by others. Many have called her an angel of mercy. Hers was not a bold spirit but a retiring lovable one.

Thrifty, she always made the most of the little she had. She knew how to manage and to save so that she could give when she wanted to. This quality was recognized in her by her friends and associates, and for many years she was the Stake Treasurer of the Relief Society. The little strong box in which she kept the funds for the organization was always a sacred trust to her.

Just four years after the move to Bear Lake in 1874, Father was called on his first mission. Auntie with her good judgment and efficient management helped very materially in the performance of this mission; also with a later mission that came between the years of 1888-1890.

She recalled with pleasure the times when she went to Soda Springs to cook for President Brigham Young and others when they came up for their vacations. Her skillful hands and inventive mind made delicate foods that were delicious for any one to eat.

At one time when she was clearing the table, she brushed a pin on the ground. She was chided by President Young for not picking it up for future use. "You can never make a pin no matter how hard you try," he said, "but you will always have one to use if you take care of it."

With pride she told of entertaining all of the general authorities of the Church in her home and many state officials from Idaho and Utah. Her home was her palace. She like to have others there to enjoy it with her and in it she presided with dignity and graciousness.

Auntie's love of children and of flowers was the tender spot in her life. Whatever she touched wanted to grow because she treated it with care and with skill. She never had the privilege of being a real mother, but she had the mother heart that made her quick to see the needs of others and was a real mother to all who came within the circle of her acquaintance.

She had the fine gift of making friends. Her friends were numbered all over the west. She was affectionately called "Auntie" by most of them. Many cards and letters came to her through the mail merely addressed "Auntie Stucki, Paris, Idaho." To know her was to love her.

She had one quality that was outstanding in that she stood firmly for what she believed to be right. No one need have a doubt which side of a question she stood on for she spoke her mind and held to her convictions. She gave all she had for the faith she had in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She came to a new land and adopted its habits and customs and became a useful citizen. The same zeal that characterized her household duties went into other things she did. Belief in a principle made her act no matter what it caused her feelings. So she gave much even part of the dearest thing in life to her--her helpmate's love--because of the strength of these convictions, and that children might be part of the kingdom of her husband. This priceless sacrifice brought its compensation. It made her patient, tolerant, unselfish and brought joy and satisfaction into her life. At times she must have tasted the bitter side of this experience, but of so, she got from it a lesson that brought only sweetness in return.

But the real test of character came when Auntie's health failed in her later years. She submitted to an operation that brought some relief, but she never was well again. She tried with all her strength to go on with her work, but finally had to give up and spent two long years in bed--long years because they were filled with pain and suffering. But her faith never failed her. She looked hopefully forward; always patient and considerate of those who cared for her. How her eyes brightened when someone came into her room whom she longed to see! And she never failed to speak the loving word of appreciation that meant so much to her loved ones. "Sing me a song" she often said. "Oh, My Father" and "Abide With Me" were two of her favorites. The last evening of her life she went to sleep with the melody of "Oh, My Father." She slipped out of life as silently as her kindly deeds had been done, without a murmur. Quietly, peacefully, she wrapped the drapery of her couch about her and laid down to pleasant dreams on November 6 1912, when she was 77 years of age.

What makes a successful life? If to live well and love much is success--then Auntie had it. For she had the respect of family, friends, neighbors. She accomplished her tasks well whatever they were, never lacked appreciation and never failed to express it. She looked for the best in others and gave the best she had. Her life was an inspiration and her memory a benediction.

No more info is currently available for Margaretha Huber. Can you add to her biography?

Sources

• Spencer Stucki, firsthand knowledge. Click the Changes tab for the details of edits by Spencer and others.

"Schweiz Taufen, 1491-1940," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FVXJ-JYW : 6 December 2014), A. Margaretha, ; citing Huttlingen, Thurgau, Switzerland, reference 2:26TKBH7; FHL microfilm 958,418.

"Utah Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel Database, 1847-1868," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/QK9B-CJBP : 25 July 2017), John Ulrich Stucki, 30 Aug 1860; from "Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel: 1847-1868," database, > The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (https://history.lds.org/overlandtravels/ : 2004-).

"Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/QV2L-4Q73 : 13 December 2015), Margaret Huber Stucki, 1912; Burial, Paris, Bear Lake, Idaho, United States of America, Paris Cemetery; citing record ID 73414618, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com. Memorial: https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=73414618

1. ↑ Entered by Spencer Stucki, Nov 5, 2012

"My Ancestral Story" by Spencer E Stucki

Eugene B. Stucki, son of E. Woodruff Stucki (1894-1968) and Afton Rhea Peterson (1896-1977), was born in 1918 in Paris, Idaho. He married Leonora Spencer (1917-2000), daughter of George B. Spencer (1876-1952) and Adelina Horsely (1878-1943). Ancestors, descendants and relatives lived mainly in England, Scotland, Wales, Switzerland, Massachusetts, Utah and Idaho. Includes bibliographical references and index. Includes Bruce, Budge, Butler, Hales, Horne, Horsley, Peterson, Rich, Spencer, Wilde, Wilson and related families. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_cD0RgM2INRQW1FcmNscXJweE0/view?ts=576752f5