Daniel Russell

The Grave of Daniel Russell, Millcreek, Utah

 https://familysearch.org/tree/#view=ancestor&person=LCQ8-48P
Daniel Russell
In the early days of East Millcreek, three families resided on the upper bench of Millcreek.  One of the three was the family of Daniel Russell.  In the year 1849, Daniel Russell, is credited with setting out the first orchard in the valley.  This project seemed foolish to some people.  In the early days of Utah, the land around the upper bench was considered unfit for cultivation.    However, that didn’t stop Daniel Russell.  He forged ahead and successfully farmed the land.  When Daniel settled in Millcreek, he brought from his farm in New York, shoots from his apple and peach trees.  He was renowned in New York and Utah for his fine produce.  He also planted the first Peach trees in Utah.

The building of a home to live in was not an easy job with the limited number of tools these people had.  Daniel Russell built a home of wood and adobe.  I was a large room with a loft for storage and sleeping.  The exterior of the home was made of red pine planks stand upright.  The planks were held in place by wooden pegs. Lining the inside were adobe bricks. One wall of the old house, large bins were built and filled with straw.  Apples were kept here.  The apples were dried and used for cider and apple butter.

Valoran Russell

Valoran Russell, a grandson of Daniel Russell came to Utah with his grandfather.  Valoran raised large crops of hay, grain and fruit.  Vegetable products also received much attention.  He had a melon patch much to the delight of the community.  He treated all of his neighbors to melons each year.  The bench land at the mouth of the canyon must be much better agricultural land.  This land had many orchards, vineyard, berry patches and vegetable gardens on it. The children had the job of gathering wild choke cherries, strawberries and other wild fruits for the winter.

Eventually, the hay, vegetables and fruits raised in this area of East Millcreek became known all over the country for it's great quality.

In addition to farming, the family subsistence economy included dairy products, eggs, honey bees, beef and pork. Elk and deer helped supplement the settlers' meat supply.

Because of his love for agriculture and farming he wanted to buried on the homestead, under an apple tree.   Today, you can visit his grave at a beautiful park that pays homage to the early settlers of East Millcreek.  The small park is located on Wasatch Blvd. and Upland Drive in East Millcreek. 

The Historical Record, Volumes 5-8
http://www.livingplaces.com/UT/Salt_Lake_County/Millcreek_Township/Evergreen_Avenue_Historic_District.html
Pioneer History
https://foursquare.com/v/daniel-russell-grave/5211517c11d2ecadceb22d7e
https://history.lds.org/overlandtravels/pioneerDetail?lang=eng&pioneerId=2456