Obituary of Margaret McCleve (Hancock)

Taylor Arizona, Pioneer Summoned

Grandma Hancock Closes Honored Career at Seventy

Taylor, Arizona, Mary 22, Grandma Margaret McCleve Hancock, one of the most prominent and high respected pioneer women, and wife of Mosiah L. Hancock, passed away May 4, 1908, after a long illness. Mrs. Hancock was a daughter of John and Mary Jane McCleve; born Sept. 1836 in Belfast, Ireland. She was baptized at 12 years of age and emigrated to America. She crossed the plains in Captain McArthur's famous handcart company in 1856, pulling her handcart the entire distance. She had the very sad misfortune of losing her father, who died from the hardships of the journey, and was buried on Bear River. She married Mosiah L. Hancock in Payson, Utah, January 9, 1857, and was the mother of 13 children, 11 of whom survive her, 10 in Arizona and one in Idaho. Mrs. Hancock with her husband went to southern Utah, first settling at Harrisburg, Washington County, 1861, where they remained a few years, when they moved to Leads. In the fall of 1879, she and her family were called to settle in Arizona, locating in Taylor, January 1, 1880, where she has spent her life as an efficient and skillful nurse. She was a faithful Latter-day-Saint, loved by all who knew her.

All the time after coming to Utah her life has been spent on the frontiers, she knew fully well the trials and privations of helping build up a new country; was an active member of the Relief Society from its organization in 1880 until her last sickness, being head teacher in the organization for about 20 years. She leaves as her descendants now living 11 children, 63 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren.

Taken from newspaper clipping of death.

Submitted by great-granddaughter, Lula Pruett Ross.

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