Daughter of David Reeder and Lydia Balls. Crossed the plained in the Willie Handcart Company with her husband James Hurren and 4 daughters: Mary (7), Emma ( 4), and Sarah ( 2). Their youngest daughter, Selena, was born on July 14, 1856 at Iowa City. She lived only 2 weeks and died at Cherry Creek, along the trail in Iowa. They were also accompanied by Eliza's father, David Reeder, and Eliza's sister,Caroline Reeder, who both died on the trail, and Eliza's brother, Robert Reeder. Eliza helped her husband pull the handcart & walked the entire way.
When her father David did not wake from his sleep, Eliza wrapped a cherished sheet around him & they placed him in a shallow grave, hoping the wolves would not disturb.
Her sister Caroline (17) took off her apron to tie some sagebrush into it to bring into camp & sat down, leaning on her bundle to rest from exhaustion. They found her chilled & dying and carried her to camp where she died, burying her near Three Crossings, Sweetwater river.
The weather grew colder each day on their journey, and Elizas daughter Marys feet eventually froze. When the family finally arrived in the Valley, their first concern was little Mary's frozen feet. They took her to a doctor and he said her legs would have to be amputated or she would die. Her father protested, "This little girl didn't walk a thousand miles to have her legs cut off. If she dies, she will die with her legs on."
The family moved to Brigham City to make their home and an elderly lady, Mrs. Snider, told them to get some fresh steak and wrap her feet in it and call her after three
days. Fresh meat was not available where they lived, so Mary's father walked 20 miles to Ogden, got a steak, and walked back. When the beefsteak was removed after three days, Mrs. Snider applied homemade ointment on Mary's legs and feet. Within a few days the rotten flesh dropped off. Mary was able to walk again in two years.After they arrived in the Valley, James and Eliza were asked how they felt about their ordeal. They were quick to reply, 'With all our trials, our weary traveling, burying our dear ones, piling our clothing and bedding by the wayside and setting fire to them, we have never once felt to murmur or complain or regret the steps we have taken."