Emma Fechser

Emma Feschser is one of two children born to Johann Friedrich Fechser and Rosina Friedrica Kayser, both of Germany. Emma’s 3-month-old brother, George, passed away before the family immigrated to America.

After the Fechser family arrived in America, they joined the James Brown Company to travel west with other members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the Salt Lake Valley. The company departed on June 18.

Disease, injury, lack of food and medicine, prematurity, and weather were some of the greatest threats to pioneers. Cholera, a bacterial disease from contaminated water, invaded the camp.

On the June 21, Rosina passed away from cholera. Her 6-month-old daughter, Emma, died three days later and is buried 15 miles east of Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

Emma’s father wrote: “Many died and most of the company were sick. Among others who died was my dear beloved wife, she died on the 21 of June at one o’clock in the morning, and was buried fifteen <7> miles from Fort Leavenworth, and my daughter died on the 24th of June and was buried fifteen miles from Fort Leavenworth. This was a heavy blow for me; but I will say with Job of old: The Lord gave and the Lord Took, blessed be the name of the Lord.”