Digitized by tlie Internet Archive
in 2011 witli funding from Brigliam Young University-ldalio
littp://www.archive.org/details/ashtonfamilyhistOOnewc
DAVID O. MCKAY LIBRARY
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Ashton, Idaho's People
1906 To 2006
This Logo was designed by Alex Egbert. Written and/or Compiled By
Kathryne Scow Newcomb
A conscious decision was made to not spend money on an ISBN No. Any proceeds from this book will remain in the Ashton Archives for further preservation of Ashton history. There will be a copy donated to The Family History Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, BYUI in Rexburg, Idaho, and in the .Ashton Archives in Ashton. Idaho.
ROOTS f"
i:="OR ouRr
FRUITS
.etna^tie.^
This book was started in June of 2005
Copyright June 2006
All Rights Reserved bv the Ashton Archives
11
Table of Contents
i Title Page
ii Rights Reserved
iii Table of Contents
iv-vi Acknowledgments
vii Preface
vii Caveat
viii Dedication
ix Forward
1-979 Family Histories
981-1075 Index for Names
1076-1078 Index for Memories and Trivia
111
Bobbie Hibbert
Acknowledgments
A huge vote of thanks goes to "Bobbie H Ibbert," who was the ideal person for the task of Correspondence Coordinator between myself and Ashton w hile I returned to Spokane Washington, to complete the book. I needed someone that would be accessible to the people, would take the time to do the collecting, banking, answering questions, and have the time to devote to the task. Susan and Bob Comstock, at the City Drug, graciously, and without hesitation, agreed to let me use their employee, while on duty, do the transactions at the City Drug. Since this is a central location that everyone in Ashton goes, it was the perfect spot. Bobbie, being an old family friend, and civic minded person, immediately responded to my call with a resounding "yes!"
Thank you, so much, for sharing your expertise and time with us in accomplishing the correspondence between
two places to make this book come together smoothly.
Upon my introduction, she said, "Just call me 'Jane,' 'plain Jane.' Jane Daniels is anything but plain. She gets in her little motor-cart and trudges off to the Archives almost everyday of her life. ...to do what she loves, and what none of us have the time nor desire to do, but are so grateful for someone like her to do it for us. Don't cross her, or she might hit you!© And Heaven help you if you put a pencil mark on anything in the archive! It must be left alone and exactly the way it was contributed. This little lady has volunteered to be the "keeper of our records" and does it with all the wisdom, skill, and integrity of a General, and the love and understanding of a mother. We thank you for all you have done for us and are so glad you have chosen our town to enjoy the rest of your days!
Jane Daniels in the Asiiton Archives.
IV
To my other daughter, Tricia Scow, again she has jumped to my aid and saved me with proofing this huge project. Tricia is married to my nephew, Kerry, and is a high school Enghsh teacher in Thornton, Colorado. She is called "the 'Queen' of comma's" by her students. She took on the burden of proofing our grammar, trying to make it proper and readable. She proofed and edited this whole project in less than two months while teaching full- time and going to night school for her master's degree. She is very dedicated in all she does.
Words can't describe how much I love this girl. Thank you so much!
Patricia Marie Peck Scow
Without my
husband, Jim, we would never have had this book for our celebradon. I needed another month to finish, and he came to my rescue. He worked tirelessly everyday from morning to night indexing all these names. He also did all of my household duties for this entire year to allow me to work on the project. He backed up my work daily and fixed my computer every time it "didn't mind." He did all the sacrificing while I did what I love to do. I could have never gotten this done without his physical and financial support, cooperation,
James Douglas Newcomb
and sustaining love. He is truly the un-sung hero of this book. 1 will owe him forever.
And, thank you, the people of
Ash ton, for working with my inadequacies to get your histories prepared for print. None of this could have happened without all of your hard work. Your great grandchildren will thank you, your ancestors will thank you, and 1 thank you for allowing me to do this book.
Jiatfvt^m
Kathryne Scow Newcomb
A TRIBUTE TO SUZANN AND BOB A place was needed to collect and distribute data for the book. I decided the City Drug was one of the spots that everyone frequented often. I also knew that Bobbie Hibbert would be perfect for the job if she could do it from her workplace. I went in and asked Suzann if we could use her employee for this purpose, and she never even hesitated to give me a big smile and a resounding "yes"! In dollars and cents, this was a huge contribution to our town, and for this we owe them a great debt of gratitude.
Ashton is very fortunate to have Bob and Suzann Comstock in "our" historical Cit>' Drug. They will retain the original as much as possible and bring their pharmacy expertise to our citizens. Robert Leland Jr. and E. Suzann Wilson COMSTOCK have owned the City Druiz in Ashton since 1 Nov 1997. He was bom and raised in San Diego, California, and she in Nampa, Idaho. They met in pharmacy school at ISU in Pocatcllo. Both are pharmacists. They have five children: Diana, Robert III, Kathryn, Daniel, and Angela. Each have done their share in running the store.
When you step inside the City Drug it seems as though you're in a time warp. Suddenly it's no longer the year 2006. There's a soda fountain just like the one in a Norman Rockwell paintmg. No, it isn't the year 1956, but it could be, and you get a bite of the flavor of the past!
Bob and Suzann have always been involved in church and community affairs. They serve the pharmacy needs of our people, as well as carrying just about anything else in the world you might need. They hang all our advertisements, serve all our instant needs, make a mean milk shake, and their home baked cookies are to die for!! With Bobbie, Ann Shearer, Tammy Floyd, and Sharon Spitz to till all your needs and Michele Martin to embroider your personalized shirts, how could we ask for more. It is people like Suzann, Bob, and their staff that make Ashton the loved place it is. Thank you for all the support you
have given to promoting this book for our town and The Ashton Archives. May you all have long and happy lives in Ashton.
Which is the Norman Rockwell Paintinu and which is the City Drug?
VI
Preface
We have preserved a legacy of "our creation" of the town of Ashton, Idaho. The colonists didn't have anything on us. We carved out this land just like they did at Plymouth, cleared the sagebrush, built our homes, created our suburbs, cried our tears, and finally our "town" was bom. The purpose of this book is to tell the story of Ashton's growing-up years through its people, to document as much of their genealogy as we can for the use of their progeny as well as future researchers, and pay tribute to those that have gone before us.
We
Caveat
All of the information in this book is compiled from secondary sources. Unless it is backed up by vital records, wills, deeds, etc., it is not to be used as definitive. The reader is cautioned to do his /her own documentadon. As much care as possible was taken to insure its accuracy, but with so many human sources involved, there will always be errors. This book was done in less than a year with most of it through correspondence and proofing was minimal.
2"'^ Place Slogan entry by Diane Comstock
Vll
Dedication
I atfcclionalcly dedicate this book to my grandparents,
'^Charlie'' and Sarah Scow,
Sarah \i. See ley Scow
Charles E. Scow
and to my parents, and brothers,
"Sal," Russ,
LaVaur, and Tom
Scow,
who have each indelibly etched their mark in the history of
Ashton, Idaho.
!Katft%(fm
Sal, Russ, Tom, LaVaur, and Speed.
VIII
Forward
I volunteered to do this book so I had the privilege of setting the rules. The only criteria for being in this book was that you had to have lived in Ashton, or the close surrounding area, sometime in the last 100 years. I originally asked for a Family Group Sheet for each family being talked about, their history, and pictures to embellished their story. I stuck to this format as closely as people would allow.
This book is intended to be a genealogy/history book based on the families that created Ashton, Idaho, over the last 100 years. The genealogies are intended to help you sort out the families and to help researchers. If you do not see the value of these, maybe this book is not intended for you, and you may take it back to the archives for a fiill refund.
When I have put a last name in all-capitols, it means that all names preceding it are under the same last name.
In the beginning of each file, the head of the house is listed by last name alphabetically, followed by the wife with her maiden name.
When a name is in parentheses ("") it is usually introducing a nick-name that they are commonly known by and will probably be referred to in future text.
English rules have changed a lot since 1961, when I learned them, to what is being viewed as acceptable today. They use a lot more commas, capitols, etc., now, and have added several words to the dictionary. My main focus to any editing was to hopefully make the text more readable and understandable. When I ran out of proofing time I put a "?" to show I missed something.
When I lost a file and the index was already done, I got creative and added pages with letters so the inserted pages were in the right place in the book. Stuff happens when working with computers!
They say, " a picture is worth a thousand words." I hope there are enough pictures to make up for the mistakes in the words.
Try to not get caught up in critiquing the grammar, rather grasp the flavor of the stories and times. Enjoy your journey through the life of "Ashton, Idaho."
«Mb» m MlMm.ULf
WORLDS UPGiS?
Vlll
IIA,
IX
dafiton S-amiiy. MbtoJcied
^Ibrethsen, Harvey Martin and Marian Frances White.
Harvey was bom on October 26, 1915 in Picabo, Idaho. His parents were Adolph and Anna Marie Peterson ALBRETHSEN. Harvey had one brother, Howard. As children they worked hard together and played hard together as well.
Harvey loved his life at Picabo where his family owned and operated a farm/ranch. He learned at an early age to love fishing, hunting and, of course, working hard.
He graduated from Gannett High School in 1933 and then attended the University of Idaho, Southern Branch, from 1933 to 1935. At this point he transferred to the University of Idaho at Moscow to continue his studies in forestry. While at Moscow he met and married Gwendalyn Langdon. They had one child, a daughter, Patricia Ann, by this marriage. There was
nothing that this child ever wanted for that Harvey wouldn't provide, and love took on a whole new meaning. Harvey and Owen were later divorced.
He began his career with the Fish and Game Department in 1937, but had to leave and go into the service during World War II. He served in the Army and was honorably discharged November 6, 1945. After completing military service, he returned to his career with the Idaho Fish and Game and enjoyed his work at the Ashton Fish Hatchery until his retirement.
On August 12, 1965 he married Marian White Williams in St. Anthony, Idaho.
He loved being a member of the American Legion Post 89 and the Lions Club where he served for many years. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge No. 73 AF and AM, Scottish Rites, Shriner, and Legion of Honor. He enjoyed the outdoors, and his hobbies included fishing, hunting, golfing, bowling, dancing, and spending time with his grandchildren. He truly enjoyed people and made friends with everyone.
I ( Marian) was bom June 4, 1918 at Famum, Idaho at the home of my grandparents, Jane and Henry Bratt. My father, George White, was in the armed services and my mother, Marian Evelyn Bratt White was living with her parents. I was the oldest of three children: Afton, bom November 5, 1919 and Clyde bom February 22, 1930.
I started school at Marysville, Idaho, in the fall of 1924, where I attended for two years. In 1926 we moved back to Famum where I finished my elementary school graduation in 1932.
Wedding picture Harvey and Marian Albrethsen
Cl>fiUui JamiCif Jii.y taxied
Ray and Glcnda Monlgomcr\
Bryant and Winifred Bean were my teachers. I attended Ashton High School 1932-1936. During the years 1936-1937, I attended the University of I'tah.
The next year our bam burned, destroying the hay and livestock, so, I stayed home. 1 got my certificate to teach in 1939 from the University of Idaho, SB.
I started teaching at Svea Falls (Hugginsville) the next two years and lived with Mrs. Nan Kirkham. I made S85.00 a month for nine months and did the janitorial work also. Mrs. Kirkham gave me my board and room and lots of love for 535.00 a month.
1941-1942 I taught at Montpelier, Idaho. It was here that I met Floy Christiansen and introduced her to my bachelor uncle, Wilfred Bratt, and they were soon married.
The next year, 1942-1943, 1 taught until Christmas break. I quit teaching and married Glenn A. Williams in Tonopah. Nevada. We lived at the air base for three years. During this time Glcnda Jane was bom in the Tonopah
General Hospital on January 8, 1944.
June 4. 1944, my uncle, Walter Bratt. passed away, so Glenda and I came home for the
funeral. Tom and Brig Murdock blessed Glenda as there were no LDS Churches in Tonopah. Glenn was discharged from the Amiy in November 1946. We came back to Famum and
lived for a couple of years before moving to Kemmerer, Wyoming, to work for C. T. Williams.
hated it there and was so glad when E. O. Rich
called and offered me a teaching job at Ashton. Mr.
Howe asked Glenn to do the plumbing at the Ashton
Memorial Hospital so we moved back home, and I
vowed I would never leave this area again. I loved
teaching. 1 love Ashton.
Teaching requirements changed, so back to
school with night classes and summer school. I
graduated from Ricks College in 1956 with a B.S.
degree in Education. In 1966 1 received a National
Science Scholarship and went back to school at
Idaho Slate University for three summers and
earned my Masters Degree in math and science. 1
taught math, and Jean Passey and 1 worked with the
Pep Club and Drill Team. 1 did the high school
annual for several years. Jean and I had an ^
Pat and Dave Kime
I
d^fitan ^atniii^ Mhtauea
enjoyable working relationship and have remained close friends.
In 1963 I divorced Glenn Williams and August 12, 1965, 1 married Harvey M. Albrethsen at Afton's home in St. Anthony, Idaho. We had a very rewarding and happy life together. This gave me another daughter, Pat, and son-in-law David Kime. In 1965 Glenda married Terry Hansen and they had five lovely children: Shellie, Shannon, Kristy, Korby, and Reagan. Glenda and Terry later divorced.
Pat and Dave had two sons, David and Patrick. This gave us seven grandchildren and 19 great grandkids.
Harvey and I lived at the Fish Hatchery until he retired
Glenda and Family B-Korby, Kristy, Shellie, and Reagen F- Glenda and Shannon.
Dave, David, Patrick and Pat KIME
By Marian White Albrethsen
October 1, 1977. This was one of the happiest times of my life. It was beautiful there, and the kids and grandkids loved it there as well. Harvey worked for the Fish and Game Department for 40 years, and I taught school for 35. We both loved our work, and we both found retirement hard. 1 still enjoy my work in social and community affairs and all of the school and sport activities. I also have stayed active in the American Legion Auxiliary and Eastern Star for many years. 1 have enjoyed serving in my community.
CLyhton :Janii(i/ Mhto^ue^
Clmcn. Bradley J. and Joni Birch. Brad was bom 14 Jan 1957 in Ashton, Idaho, the son of John Hcnrv "Jack" and Mona Rac Martindalc AMEN. He married Joni birch 3 Jun 1978 at Ashton, Idaho. She was bom 27 Dec 1960 in St. Anthony to Gary and Renee Allen BIRCH. They had the followiniz children:
Jake and Jennie with Micah Marie AMEN
Brad and Joni Amen
Jacob Bradley born 29 May 1979 in Ashton, Idaho. "Jake" married Jennifer Rhodes 30 Nov 2002 in Island Park, Idaho. She was bom 14 May 1982 to Bradley J. and Diane Heather Park RHODES. They have
one daughter. Micah Marie, bom 13 Aug 2004 in Rexburg, Idaho. Jacob is a graphic
designer and musician. He spent most of his life in Ashton. graduating from high school
there and graphic design school in Arizona. He plays with a Christian band and helps the
young people in our church with music. Jennifer Brook was bom 30 Jun 1981 in St.
Anthony, Idaho. She married Jade Sessions 5 Jul
2003. He died in a snowmobile accident. They
took him to a hospital in Salt Lake City and he
died 21 Mar 2004.
Jennifer is a lovely girl. She went to
school and graduated in Ashton. Idaho. She has
attended school in Twin Falls and Idaho Falls.
She is presently living and working in Idaho Falls,
Idaho. Brad and Joni live on the farm in the house
Brad's grandfather, George, built, and they have
remodeled it.
By Mona Rue Amen
Jade and Jennifer Sessions
(Zdfitatt ^aniiii^ Mhto^ue^
(Zmen, George Sr. and Hattie B. Newcomb. George was bom 8 Apr 1891 in Lincoln, Nebraska, to Henry and Anna Bauer AMEN. He died 9 Jan 1973 in Ashton, Idaho, and is buried in the Pineview Cemetery there. George married Hattie 19 Jul 1919 in Ashton, Idaho. She was bom 24 Aug 1900 in Pilot Rock, Oregon, to Charles and Mina Bissett NEWCOMB. She died in 7 Oct 2000 at the age of 100 and is buried in the Pineview Cemetery in Ashton, Idaho. They had the following children:
George Jr. bom 17 May 1926 in Ashton, Idaho. He died in Rexburg, Idaho, 1 6 Aug 2005 and is buried in Ashton, Idaho, at the Pineview Cemetery. George had one daughter, Shirlene, and two grandchildren, Sharlie and Beau. George operated a wrecker service and hauled fuel from Bozeman to Ashton for the Fremont Co-op.
John Henry "Jack" bom 8 Jan 1928 in Ashton, Idaho. (See Amen, John Henry "Jack".)
George and Hattie came to the Squirrel area with their parents as children. Hattie came to this area as a child from Pilot Rock, Oregon, where she was
George, Jr. and "Jack" AMEN
Hattie and George Amen
bom. George took an active part in establishing mral electrification in the Ashton area and was president of the local REA for a number of years. He was known as a gifted musician and played the piano for dances and other Squirrel community functions. I remember Hattie saying George Jr. took piano lessons, but after a while the teacher told her that "someone has to listen!" Both Jack and George Jr. played in the little band at Dmmmond when they went to school there.
George Sr. loved trains and the railroad. He always wore bib overalls and a train engineer cap. The
cap was given to him by his good friend, Harold Anderson, who was a train engineer from Pocatello.
George had nine siblings: Jacob, John, Maria Magdalena "Lena," Henry J., Anna Margaret, Maria Katrina "Kate," Anna Maria, Anna Elizabeth, and Johannes. Hattie' s paternal grandparents were John Livingston and Mary Kelly NEWCOMB.
Hattie was a homemaker and a great cook, not fancy, but so good. She would measure
CL^hton :JuniUi^ 3ihta\U^
George and Hattie Amen original home now occupied by grandson, Brad and Joni AMEN,
evervlhing by handfuls, and it would turn out just right. When our kids were Httle, we spent many a Sunday around her table at the farm. George and Hattie lived on the farm until 1964 when they moved to Ashton.
Jack's grandfather, Henry Amen, came from Russia and settled first in Lincoln. Nebraska. He mo\ed to the Grainville Squirrel area in 1905 when the government opened up land there. His first wife, Anna Bauer, was the mother of their ten children. She died in Lincoln, Nebraska. 1 1 Dec 1896. Jacob, John, George, and Lena came with their father to Idaho and were raised by their father and stepmother, Barbara Meng.
After Henry and Barbara retired from farming and moved to Portland, Oregon, the sons, John and George, took over the fami. Jack fanned the place after his dad and uncle retired until 1994 when Brad took over.
Hattie's brother, Dell, bom 3 Apr 1890 in Athena, Oregon, died 1 1 May 1959 in Idaho Falls. Idaho, and is buried in Pineview in Ashton, Idaho. He married Henrietta M. Atzbach, who was bom 30 Dec 1894 in Hooper, Nebraska, died 22 Nov 1985 in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and is also buried in Pineview Cemetery in Ashton, Idaho. Dell and Henrietta lived on Conant Creek in the Squirrel area for several years and then moved to Roberts, Idaho, in 1940. Henrietta's family, the Atzbach's, lived near Fall River in the Squirrel area.
By Mona Rae Amen
\f^ v»/ \*/ \>X
M' 'yi' Mi %i
(Zdfitan Juaia Bum's Jungle was an area near the train tracks that transients, hitching a ride on the box cars on the rail road, would stop to cook a meal or spend the niuht. Our parents would wam us from having anything to do with them, as no one knew them. The Ashton Buni's Jungle was about 1/4 mile north of town close to Baker Road in the willows next to the train tracks.
Submitted by Kathnne Seow Neweomb
d^fitan f^atniiy. Jibtaucd
Cimen, John Henry "Jack" and Mona Rae Martindale. Jack was bom
8 Jan 1928 in Ashton, Idaho, to George Sr. and Hattie B. Newcomb AMEN. John died 22 Mar 2000 in Ashton, Idaho, and is buried in the Pineview Cemetery in Ashton, Idaho. He married Mona Rae Martindale 10 Jun 1953 in Ashton, Idaho. She was bom 20 Jul 1935 in St. Anthony, Idaho to Vearold E. and Marie Francis Miller MARTINDALE. They had the following children:
Leslie Marie was bom 4 Sep 1954 in Ashton, Idaho. (See Summers, LeRoy) Bradley J. Bom 14 Jan 1957 in Ashton, Idaho. (See Amen, Bradley J.) Mona Rae was bom in St. Anthony because there was no hospital in Ashton.
Jack and Mona Rae met while he was mnning the service station where Key Bank is now. She was walking home from school and would occasionally converse with him. They spent a lot of time at the Squirrel dances where his dad played piano.
After they were married, they moved to their present home that December, and she still lives there. They have five grandchildren, at present, and 2 precious great grandchildren.
Jack died March 22, 2000 after a long illness. He had a great
sense of humor. We
Mona Rae Amen
Jack" Amen
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Mona Rae Martindale
enjoyed camping, fishing, snowmobiling, and Jack loved being in the coffee shop with "the boys." Jack had a great faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and wasn't afraid to tell anybody about that faith.
Jack, Mona Rae, Leslie, and Bradley AMEN Mona Rae and Jack Amen's home in Ashton
(Z^fiton Jantii^ Jihtofoe^
Jack's brother, George has one daughter, Shirlene, and two grandchildren. George operated a wrecker service and hauled fuel from Bozeman to Ashton for the Fremont Co-op. He died Aug 16,2005.
As I write this, I see grain trucks going back and forth. I remember the days when I dro\ e urain truck and am uhid those davs are over! Bv Mona Rae Amen
\uunO%iei 938" Engr Company (DP TRK) Ashton. Idaho
Wc were aciivjicd in Oct 1961 , convoyed all ihc trucks to Fort Lewis. We hauled lots of gravel and other material including coal on base. Rumors had it we were to be shipped to Viet Nam to build roads. In August we loaded the trucks on train cars and came home Sixty-five young men from Ashton were involved in this operation. I ' Row: (L-R): I"Lt Loosli, CWO Swanstrum. Msgt Davidson. Ssgt Holland. Ssgt Thomas. 2-' Lt Goslin. 2" Lt. Hartis. 2"' Lt. Call. 2-' Row: Sp4 Fransen. Pfc Marshall. Sp5 Davis, Sgt Tanner. Sp4 MtCurdy. Pfc Winters. Sp4 Creek. Sp4 Denzel. V Row: Sgt Christiansen. Pfc Hathaway. Pfc Potter. Pfc Baker. Sp.S VonBergen. Sp4 Brown. Pfc Worrel. Sp4 Bacon. Sp4 Jones. Sp4 Larson. 4" Row: Ssgt Stone. Sp4 Hitz, Sp4 Lucio. Sp4 Workman. sp4 Ledcsma, Sp4 King. Sp4 Able. Pfc Cherry. Sp5 Hathaway. Sp5 Hamilton. Sp5 Henderson, S" Row: Pvi Fahreholz. Sp5 Sl^egelmeier. Pfc Hibbert. Ssgt Allison. Sp4 Hu. Sp4 Pulsifer. Sp4 Burd. Pfc Chamberlain. Sgt Kirkham. Sp5 Harshbarger. Sp4 Pond. 5' Row: sp4 Rcimann. Sp4 Sisk. Sp4 Flms. Sp4 Grout. Sp4 Clem. Sp5 tndecott. Sp4 Sillonis. Sp4 Hicks. Sp4 Di.xson. Sp4 Recce. Sp5 Carlson. 7" Row: Sp4 Hclsing. Sp4 Fine. Pfc Nedrow. Pfc Altmycr. Pfc Rudolph, Sp5 Long, Pfc Timmons. Sp5 Blevins. Pfc Smith. Pfc Jansscn. Pfc Bocrger. 8" Row: Sp5 Murdock. Pfc Jackson. Pfc Kennedy. Pfc Hess, Sp4 Luih. Sgt Strain. Sgt Bowman. Sp4 Clock. Sp5 Holcolm. Sgt Frcdericksen. Sgt Lenz. 9" Row: Pfc Endecott. Sp4 Boone. Sp4 Huckins. Sp4 Osborne. Sp4 Hess H. Sp4 Bicklcy. Sp4 Arguiicz, Sp5 Moon. Sp4 Jenkins. Sp4 Fcrrc. Sp4 Bolland. 10" Row: Sp4 Carlyle. Sp4 Huntsman, Pfc Craig. Sp4 Mmirsm.in I SpJ Sl,u-rmcr PK M.cin SuhwiltcJ hv IaiUI loosli
8
d^fitatt !^ami£y. Mhtojcied
Anderson, Glenn Anderson and Ruth. Glen was bom 28 Feb 1915 to Arvid and Laura ANDERSON. Glen had 12 years of schooling in Ashton, Idaho, and 2 years of military service.
Glenn was bom in the house his father buih on Hwy. 20 in 1907, now owned by Mr. Keck. His parents homesteaded in Grainville, but during the winters his mother and the children stayed in town for school, while his father batched on the ranch and cared for the animals.
Ashton was a boom town during Glenn's early years. The railroad had arrived in 1906. A round house had been built where the engines could be worked on and turned around. Even when Glenn was in high school, the train was a novelty. People would watch the smoke come out of the engine and listen for the whistle. It was always interesting to see how everything got out of the way for the train. It was exciting when teams of horses would get scared and try to mn away.
Special trains would bring people from New York and Chicago
for the American Dog Derby each Febmary. The hundreds stayed for two or three days and retumed home on the same train, leaving the people of Ashton with many memories.
Before the train, it was a two day trip to St. Anthony with a team of horses. The train changed business in Ashton, as did the automobile a few years later. The town had grown to 1000 residents. There were two big groceries and two smaller ones, many saloons, and three clothing stores. When people began traveling by auto, the town seemed to stand still as shopping habits changed.
Glenn's family had much sickness. His oldest brother died as a baby, his oldest sister died at 17, his next sister at 33, his brother behind her lived to 35, and the sister who was closest to Glenn's age lived to 70. Both parents died at age 52. His father died in 193 1 of a heart attack when Glenn was a sophomore.
His father went to the Idaho Falls hospital, which had two rooms and two doctors. Dr. Kline and Dr. Hatch. Glenn's mother would take the train, stay ovemight with relatives, and come home the next day on the train. Dr. Hatch finally told Mrs. Anderson that her husband would die in Idaho Falls and suggested he be taken to Salt Lake. Glenn's father was bundled and put on the train. Th mother had friends to stay with in Salt Lake. Although not well, the father recovered enough to come home and live for three more years.
Glenn attributes his longevity to modem medicine. At 75, he had heart surgery, which
Glenn and Ruth Anderson
up
Cl^fitan ^amihf Mbto^ue^
saved his life. With modem medicine most of his family would have lived much longer.
Local doctoring was done by Dr. Hargis. In later years when Dr. Hargis was in a rest home in Rexburg. and Glenn would visit him, he would remember that Glenn had been bom on midnight of Febmary 28, 1915. He could have called it March 1, and then he would laugh and recall that Glenn almost was a leap year baby. He was only one year off. Dr. Hargis had a time one-room office east of Wynn's when he was in practice. There was a doctor's office and a shoe repair shop where Wynn's is now. Utah Power was on the comer in the lOOF Building.
Dr. Hargis owned ground about one mile south of the Anderson dry fann and there was a hollow with rocks on his property. In the spring. Dad would put a dam across where the water ran down and the cattle would have water for most of the summer. When Glenn was about five and his sister seven, they had the job of herding the cows. That was farm life.
Baths were taken in the round washtub, which was filled with water heated in the warming oven on the stove. As quick as the ice left, Glenn and his brother would take their baths in the river, no matter how cold the water.
The homestead was a mile south of Anderson Bridge. There was a lot of water that came down the river in spring which brought many large timbers with it. There was trouble with the rock filled piers. A new bridge with a steel frame was built to replace the old bridge which was later sold to a man for S 1 5.000 and moved up to Warm River to span the water. Dad bought a fami on the river which enabled Glenn to watch the bridge being built every day. George Harrigfeld and Bill Harrigfeld had a Fresno with four horses which put in the backfill. Glenn says he watched every inch of that bridge being built. With his brother he would go hand over hand across the supports under the new bridge. Their parents would be standing on the porch yelling for them to stop.
At Ashton High, Glenn played football and basketball, and ran track. There were only six players on the basketball team the year they made it to state. The team might have won but the sixth man fouled out and that left five. About the first of the last quarter, another player fouled out and that left four. Glen thinks Rexburg won that year.
All towns from Idaho Falls north were in the same league, and Ashton played them all. When they played Driggs, they went by train, stayed overnight, and then got on the train to go play Victor. After a layover in Victor, they took the train home the next day.
Glenn's last year in high school was 1933, in the middle of the Great Depression. He had to leave school to help his brother put in the crop, as his father had passed away in 1931. They harvested a pretty good crop, although Glenn doesn't remember how they were able to do so without money, and then were offered either 90 cents or one dollar per hundred weigh. They had a frost earlier, and another seven or eight cents was subtracted from the price because of that. Glenn and his brother decided not to sell. They scouted around and found some wiener pigs. Some were given to them, and others were obtained by trading. Someone told them that if they boiled the wheat that they fed to the pig, the pigs would do better. They got a 50 gallon barrel and a load or two of wood and boiled wheat all winter. They got those pigs to the top weight of 240 pounds, but nobody would buy them!
Harry Owens, who lived straight across from the cemetery, was in the livestock buying and selling business. Although he had no money, he offered to find a buyer for the pigs. They gave a bunch away, and Harry found someone to pay five dollars a piece for the rest. They had to sell at any price, as the pigs kept eating.
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Franklin D. Roosevelt, the President, was Glenn's hero. Glenn remembers going to work on the WPA road crew with a team of horses and a wagon, and, when it snowed, a sleigh which didn't have a box. He was furnished with 2x6 boards with pointed ends. These went in the bunks close together and 2x12 boards went on the outside for sideboards. He'd go out to the gravel pit, shovel the gravel by hand, and take it out on the road from Ashton to where you turn to the Utah Power Plant. The WPA worked on the road during the winter. When the sideboards were lifted, the gravel dumped out. A man with a Fresno then scraped and smoothed the gravel out. Glenn's pay was one dollar a day and one dollar for the horses. He was tickled to get that much.
Then he hauled saw logs off the mountains. He'd load them by hand, roll them up a skid, and put them on the wagon to bring down to Homing's Saw Mill which was next to Shit Creek. At the time there was a warm springs and a swimming pool there. The pay was the same.
After his mother passed away in 1936, Glenn took his part of the inheritance and paid off the many medical bills the family had accumulated. WWII found Glenn in the Army. After basic training, he was sent to Fort Sill for more training. He enjoyed his work with the 280 Howitzer cannon.
When the war ended, he worked in the Pocatello area for a while. In 1950 he married Ruth and later they bought property in Marysville for $600. There was a good well with a hand pump on the place, and Glenn put in a pressure system to bring water to the house. Old outbuildings were torn down and an addition was added to the house. They eventually sold it for $8,000 and subsequently purchased a larger home in Ashton, which they remodeled.
Glenn drove truck for Hale Hubbard, and hauled ftiel for Fremont Co-op. He rented land from Don Marshall and tried raising spuds when the economy was not in his favor, and he enjoyed working on the new Ashton High School.
In 1950, Glenn went to work for the Marysville Irrigation Company as Water master. He had to keep track of the members. Each member paid a yearly assessment, and in return the canal company furnished them water, which meant keeping the canal repaired. Glenn worked hard to settle disputes and get the water supply sufficient so that each member had his fair and correct share.
When the canal started, the farmers got together with horses, sleighs, and hand mixers. They came to a place where there was a 50 foot drop in 1 80 feet, which is quite a steep pitch. They built a form, poured concrete in it, and used it until more customers needed more water. Clark Concrete put in a four foot jointed concrete pipe that was doing fine until the Hebgen earthquake of 1959. The next spring, when they filled the pipe, they realized there was some seepage, but thought it was due to gophers, squirrels, and other rodents. After much discussion over what to do about the damaged pipe, Glenn was given the go ahead to fix it permanently as he had suggested. He contracted a contractor who put in a six foot steel pipe from the top to the bottom and capped it with a covering which filtered out unwanted debris. At the bottom where the water would rush out with great force, they put an elaborate pad which broke up the force of the water. The pipe and pad have survived 42 years of use.
The company bought an Austin- Western road grader which was in good condition to go with their D-6 Cat. Every year Glenn worked on building up the weak places before the water was turned into the canal. For many years he would have a break or two, but for the last 10 years before he retired in 1982, there was not one break.
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Ruth and Glenn Anderson on their front porch in Ashton, Idaho.
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Being able to shorten the canal 14 miles pleased Glenn because it eliminated some problem sections. The fanner at the end of the line let the Marvsville Irriuation Company put a pump in the river and transferred his water rights to the ri\ er giving up his carrying rights in the canal. This eliminated four miles of rodent infested crooked ditch. \ pipe along the Drummond hiuhwav went down through a swell and up again to a level spot before reaching the last irrigater. Putting in stand pipes with a pump on the top enabled the customers to irrigate with the flip of a switch. This eliminated about six miles of nasty ditch.
Glenn is thankful for having willing helpers through the years. There were many good directors of
the Marysville Irrigation Company including Stan Loosli, who would drop everything and come to help, shovel in hand. Stan would stay until the problem was fixed and made sure the workers did not go hungry.
People like LaGrand Kirkham and his drag line, and other equipment, helped with bigger problems. When the ice gorged by the Marysville Dam, LaGrand used his loader to fill trucks with big lava rocks from near Porcupine, which were dumped in the river and moved in place by Glen on the cat. The job was finished by pouring concrete on the lower side of the rocks.
Whenever there was a hole, Glenn could depend on Gerald "Curly" Kent to come and help with his backhoe or dump truck.
In order for a smooth turnover to take place, Glenn stayed on for two years to help Cleon Cordon break into the job. When Glenn retired, the assessment that each customer was charged was 65 cents a share, the same as when he started.
Ruth worked a short time for Glen Pond as a waitress. She quit to work for Fall River Electric, a job she held for 32 years. When Ruth started. Fall River Electric had 600 consumers and when she retired in 19X2, there were approximately 9,200.
In 1967 Glenn finished building a new home around the comer from the Ashton Fish Hatchery. Glenn had purchased four acres along the road. Black Springs bubbled out of the ground and ran through the hatchery to become a creek which went through his property. Glen built the all electric house and a large shop which he used for his picture framing, a business that he did as a sideline for years. In 1967, when Glenn and Ruth were ready to move in, Glenn had to build a ladder in order to get into the house. He soon had the permanent steps in place at the home they enjoyed for 1 5 years.
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All the time Glenn worked on the canal, he never had to hire a carpenter. His woodworking background has become his hobby with a specialty. Glenn makes the most professional looking, beautiful clocks that would be an asset to any home. He does scroll work too. If it can be made of wood, Glenn can do it.
Glenn remembers the hunting Camp
Dan Reiman and Adolph Reickert were probably the first to hunt on Wyoming Creek where we later had our camp. I was a kid then. My brother and Claude Lee were good friends, but by brother was not able to hunt due to poor health. Claude and Dan were brother-in-law and with myself started the camp. My friends. Gene Morrison, Vic, and Glenn Phillips, and Gene Hemming were some of the others. Our camp was in existence between 15 and 30 years. Many years we had eight hunters in camp.
We bought a tent that was 26 feet long, 12 feet wide, had sides five feet tall so you could stand up in it, and we put a stove in each end. There were partitioned spaces about three and a half feet wide for each man's bedroll or sleeping bag. First we put straw down under the bedrolls for comfort. Each hunter had his own footlocker, which held the straw in place at his feet and gave him a place for his personal belongings. Discarded grain doors from railroad cars served as the head of our sleeping space.
Horses were needed to pack out the meat. We usually kept four or less in camp. A surplus teepee style tent was used for a horse bam. Poles were added and hay was hauled in to make mangers.
We could drive to the camp. Dan Reiman had a 4 x 4 surplus command car, and we had jeeps that could buck the snow.
Claude Lee, who owned a restaurant, found a big cafe grill powered by propane. A long table with benches on each side served as a dinner table. A canvas cubicle was made to serve as an outhouse. When Glenn's cousin, Walt Greene, came from Arizona to hunt, he brought his wife, Lois, who liked to hunt as did Ruth. For the ladies convenience, Glenn and Walt purchased a special tent and furnished it with roll-away beds.
Each year we'd set up camp at the first of the hunting season which was usually in August. Someone had to stay at the camp to see that nothing was stolen. Often I was the one who stayed, and my wife, Ruth, would take time off work to accompany me. We would hunt a little when the season first opened and then would do our serious hunting after the snow fell and the animals moved out of Yellowstone Park.
When there was a mild fall, Ruth and I would go over to Sheep Falls on Fall River, get our limit offish, and then head for Cave Falls to catch our limit of five there. Besides our usual food, lots offish were eaten at camp and meals cooked in big pots and Dutch ovens.
Evenings were spent playing poker or pinocle, or we'd sit around and talk. If the weather wasn't too bad, we'd have a campfire. When it got to ten below zero we would dress for the weather. I had wool shirts, a pair of plaid wool pants, and a cap with ear flaps. The stoves kept the tent warm.
Some years we checked out the animals in the park by air. Those who used their planes included Jack Steinman for several years, and Sherman Hess one year. Glenn was lucky to go along on several of the rides.
Glenn killed his first elk at 16 while hunting with his uncle. Glenn tells the following hunting story about one of his early years. Chet and Marie Smith lived in Ashton, and both
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enjoyed hunting as did the Andersons. Chet and I went hunting on Wyoming Creek and ran into Dan Reiman and a party with horses already saddled. It was dark when we started walking up the snowy trail that went over the hill, past a lake and down into Winegar Creek. We could hear Dan's party coming on their horses, and they quickly passed us. We decided to cut across country to where the elk came out of Winegar's Hole. We climbed a fairly steep hill, came out on the ridae, and found three elk Ivinu down. We each shot a cow, dressed them out, and headed back to camp to figure it out .
In the meantime Dan's group went on the trail. Some elk had come out of Winegar Creek. The men rode down the ridge to where the elk had entered the timber. Dan tossed his reins to Claude Lee, told the group to wait for 15 minutes, and then follow him. Several shots were heard as they waited. When they rode down and found elk, they thought Dan had shot them. They could have gone down the steep hill, but chose to drag the elk back by the trail. We met them at camp and thanked them for bringing our elk to us. Dan had not fired a shot and returned to camp while we were hanging out our elk. They didn't think wasting a day bringing in someone's elk was a bit funny, but over the years we've had a good laugh over the memory.
We had names for some of the trees. Adolph Reickert from Pocatello had Adolph's tree. He invariably got turned around and was lost. He would be put by Adolph's tree and told to stay there. That way everyone could find him. Glenn had Glenn's tree although he did not get lost.
Gene Morrison had a special tree with a special ending to his story. The Morrisons came from California and bought the Log Cabin Motel in Ashton. Gene helped Glenn with building and worked for the Canal Company in the spring.
To kill an elk was Gene's greatest desire. Gene was extremely nervous and had to be on the move. Out hunting he was like a bull moose chasing a rabbit. Not sure Gene could follow directions, Glenn told him to sit by a certain tree, not to smoke often and get the smell in the air, and keep his ritle ready. He was part of our hunt for someone to check the "poinf early in the morning for tracks to see if elk had come out of the Park. Gene was to sit under his tree near the rocky crossing. Over several seasons. Gene was able to shoot three elk. The tree he sat beside was known as Gene's tree. After a day of sitting, he would come back to camp ready to explode.
When Gene Morrison died he was cremated. His daughter had instructions to scatter his ashes on Wyoming Creek where he shot his elk, and Glenn could show her where, which he did.
When they were married, Ruth bought Glenn a hunting knife. Through the years, Glenn added a notch on the knife for each elk he killed starting with the one at 16. The days of the hunting camp have passed, but Glenn can look at the 43 notches on his knife and recall all the wonderful memories.
Dan Reiman had passed away before the group divided up the camp. When the large tent was sold, Mrs. Reiman was remembered with Dan's portion of the proceeds. Glenn and Ruth have visited the old camp site many times and not one trace of the camp has survived.
Years of huntinu have brought Glenn to the conclusion that to become a iiood elk hunter, it helps to know what an elk is going to do before the elk does.
Taken from the Island Park News Sept. 2003, an interview by Jane Daniels Submitted bv Glen Anderson
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Nadeene Lenz 23
Anderson, Tom and Nadeene Lenz. Tom was bom 17 Jul 1935 in Safford, Arizona. He and Nadeene were married 9 Sep 1 960 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She was bom 19 Apr 1935 in Ashton, Idaho to Carl Paul Ludwig and Myrtle LaVaughn Anderson LENZ. They have the following children:
Marti Lynne (VanderHoven) Karin (England) Thomas Carl Anthony David Teri Lorraine (Jolley)
Nadeene attended school in Squirrel, Idaho through the sixth grade. The family moved to St. Anthony for one year, then settled in
the home one mile south of Ashton when Nadeene was in the eighth grade. She graduated from North Fremont High School in 1952 and has many fond memories of that period in her life.
After high school Nadeene attended Ricks College majoring in Pre-nursing. From there she went to Idaho Falls LDS Hospital School of Nursing where she graduated in Sept. of 1956.
Nadeene met her husband, Tom Anderson, when he visited his Ashton relatives, the Hess family and the Porters. After he finished his military commitment and served an LDS mission, they were married in the Idaho Falls Temple. They have three daughters, two sons and twelve grandchildren. They have lived most of their 45 years of marriage in Alpine, Utah where Tom worked in Real Estate and land development, and Nadeene has worked in various areas of nursing. They are both retired now and enjoying a leisurely life together.
They have traveled to many interesting places including Russia, Northem Europe, Mexico, Canada, Tahiti, Israel, Egypt and China.
One of their most interesting experiences was teaching English at South China University of Technology in Guangzhou, China, two different years. While living in China, they traveled extensively in that country. They enjoyed leaming about the Chinese culture and dearly loved their students.
Since retiring they sold their Alpine home and now live in a condominium in American Fork, Utah. This summer (2006), they plan to build a cabin in Squirrel back on the Fall River on the land where Nadeene grew up. They plan to spend their summers in Squirrel and winters in Utah.
SQUIRREL SCHOOL DISTRICT 69 by Nadeene Lenz Anderson
Some of my most cherished memories are of the five years I attended the Squirrel School. Back then, in Idaho, there was no kindergarten, so I started first grade at age six and a half Mother sewed well and often made some of our school clothes, but we were also allowed to
Tom and Nadeene Anderson
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purchase a few items to round out our wardrobe. We had made a couple of shopping expeditions to Idaho Falls. I remember admiring myself in front of the three way mirror in Montgomery Wards. I was wearing a pretty, pale pink dress with puffed sleeves. My new mother could tie the most perfect bow. The w ide sash snuggled my waste and looked so pretty tied in the back. Mom and the clerk visited and discussed the problem, that the dress was very plain and so pastel that it would soil easily. All the while 1 stood patiently waiting a decision, as to whether or not this would be a wise purchase. I had numerous mosquito bites which itched, and 1 scratched until my skin bled all over the front of the pale pink dress. Of course we were required to buy it, which was OK with me.
In September. Daddy drove Mary An (a big fifth grader). Jay (my fairly new step brother, a second grader) and me (brand new first grader in a pretty, pastel pink dress) the two and a quarter miles to the school.
The school was an almost square building on one acre donated by the grandfather of the six Harrigfeld boys, who were all my schoolmates that first year. It was only one story, but stood high on its foundation, to accommodate the large coal burning furnace and a winter's supply of coal in the basement. It was located directly across the graveled road, west of the Squirrel Store. It had been built about twenty five years before, but had been kept up well. The wood siding was repainted as necessary with a creamy ivory color. The white sign lettered in black hung over the front door, announcing this school as District 69. The wide cement steps leading to the front door, crumbled slightly on the edges.
In the front, there was no well manicured lawn, but rather some fine cinder like gravel with chickweed and a few other varieties of weeds or wild grass growing up sparsely, kept trampled down by children's busy feet. A set of three swings stood on the north side of the school. There was a large play area in the back of the school lot. The boys' outhouse stood in the far right comer and the girls' in the center back. There was also a bam where horses that delivered children to school could be secured in a protected area until school adjoumed for the day.
In the left, back comer of the school lot, stood the Teacher's Cottage. It was a small, two room house which provided living quarters for the school teacher. There was no rent required. This was part of the teacher's benefits in addition to the salary.
We entered school by the front door, under the District 69 sign, and up the cmmbling steps and into a small foyer. On the right was a large play room, which provided a warm place to play when the severe winters precluded play out of doors. Favorite indoor games were Red Rover, Charlie, Charlie Butcher Boy, Puss in the Comer, and several variations of Tag or Hide and Seek.
On the left was the classroom with high, south facing windows. The floors were oiled wood with two omamental metal plates covering the heat ducts which let hot air flow up from the coal furnace in the basement. These were the favorite areas to congregate before class work actually started. The girls stood on one with the airflow billowing out their dimdl (gathered) skirts. The boys jostled on the other heat vent, trying to crowd each other off
Off the classroom, was a long narrow cloakroom, entered or exited by a door at either end. Coat hooks took up one wall. In winter, wet boots were neatly placed beneath each owner's coat, while wet mittens were laid on the heat vents to dry. At the far end of the
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Squirrel, Idaho, School and Store in the early years. Picture submitted by Nieca Jessen.
cloakroom there were shelves for supplies, all colors of construction paper, chalk and erasers, scissors, tape, hectograph supplies, thumbtacks, etc. A crank pencil sharpener was fastened to
the top, too high for the younger children to reach without a stool or help from one of the big kids.
There was no plumbing in the school. Each morning, two of the big boys were assigned to fetch water from the Squirrel Store across the street. They carried back two buckets, one for drinking water and one for hand washing. Water for cleansing, was dipped into an enamel washbasin. We were each assigned, at the beginning of the school year, to bring our own bar of soap. This was kept in our own desk
Squirrel School later than 1950 (because of car). This was the school described by Nadeene.
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to avoid cross contamination of using someone else's soap. Personal soap boxes were a favorite place to leave a love note for a special boy or girlfriend. We were also asked to bring our own towel which was hung on our own private hook. They were taken home on Friday for laundering and returned on Monday morning. Mother made each of us Lenz kids a towel from a heavy tlour sack trimmed with nek rack to facilitate hanging. Each of us embroidered our name across one comer.
The classroom was equipped with all the necessary equipment for educating young minds. Bookshelves lined with dog-eared books, appropriate for a range of ages stood in one comer. Green chalkboards covered two walls. A large flat wooden box filled with sand, allowed creation of seasonal displays or scenes related to any particular subject. Sometimes it may be a winter scene, complete with mirror ponds covered with soap snowtlakes and ice skaters. Other times a woodland scene with carefully constmcted log cabins, pine trees and wild animals fashioned from construction paper and a mirror pond with swimming ducks.
One teacher taught all eight grades in one room. Desks of graduated sizes were placed in rows for each class, fastened to heavy two by fours. The desktops were pitted and scarred with initials of fomier students, announcing their undying love for a girl or boy classmate. There was a groove for pencils and stick pens along the top and an inkwell in the upper right hand comer. Under the desktop, there was a shelf for notebooks and textbooks.
School assembled at 9:00 A.M. The teacher assigned one student to ring the bell as a signal that classes were to begin. He or she would take the bell, attached to a wooden handle, and run completely around the outside of the building, clanging the bell at each step, even when all the children were already present in the classroom. The bell ringer was usually chosen as a reward for good behavior.
Morning exercises always included a patriotic song. Pledge of Allegiance to the flag, and recital of the Twenty-third Psalm. Some type of physical exercise was also included, such as Jumping Jacks and Head, Shoulders. Knees and Toes, Eyes, Ears, Mouth, and Nose. Morning inspection was held. Students lined up with hands extended so teacher could check for clean hands, neatly trimmed nails, combed hair above a clean face (including ears) and a verbal report on whether or not we had remembered to bmsh our teeth that moming. One year there was a large poster with a house. Each shuttered window held a photo of a child. If we did not pass inspection, the shutters were left closed for the day.
The usual method of teaching was to call each class to stand in front of the teacher's desk for recitation. This consisted of reading aloud, answering questions about the assigned reading material or pointing out a city or country on the pull down maps mounted over the chalkboards. Students who were not in recitation would be busy reading, solving arithmetic problems or practicing penmanship. We often had contests on the chalkboard. The two youngest students would write down long columns for addition. On the "Go" signal they would each add furiously. Whoever finished tlrst with the correct answer, stayed at the board to challenge the next person. Even in the early grades, John Morris Larsen and 1, were usually the last two at the board. We also had spelling bees, and 1 must modestly admit, that after the third urade. I was alwavs the champion speller at the Squirrel School.
We leamed to read from the Dick and Jane series. We leamed Geography and Social Studies, about Nanook from Baffin Bay, far North of the Arctic Circle and about Omar and his family who were Arabs. (We pronounced it A-rabs, with a long A).
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We had singing time. Sometimes we had a teacher who could play the out-of-tune upright piano. Some years, no one knew how to play the piano, so we sang a cappella with great gusto. Songs I remember were:
"Good morning Merry Sunshine, How did you wake so soon? You scared away the little stars and shined away the moon. "
There was one about a Chinese laundry man: "Ching-a-ling, Ching-a-ling, Ching-a-ling Chan, Higgelty, Piggelty, Happy man."
We also sang Church in the Wildwood, The Old Rugged Cross and In the Garden.
There were two half hour recess periods, one mid-morning and one mid-afternoon. In spring and fall when weather was nice, girls raced for the swings or jumped rope. Boys monkey climbed the swing poles, teasing the girls or trying to look under their skirts while they were swinging, chanting "I see London, I see France, I see Joyce's underpants." Once, when Joyce lay on her back on the swing with her legs tangled in the chains on either side, her brother Kenneth, threw a ripe tomato, splattering it against her upturned underpants, shouting, "Hey Joyce, here's a juicy one for you." Sometimes the boys ignored the girls and ran off to play marbles or softball.
We also developed some sort of a puzzling sexist activity. As soon as class was dismissed for recess, the boys would race for the boy's outdoor privy, and the girls would race for theirs. After personal urges were satisfied, everyone would climb up and perch on top of the outhouses, like a flock of crows. Boys would no doubt tell off color jokes and laugh loudly to make the girls jealous. Girls would giggle and taunt the boys. This went on until the school bell summoned everyone back to class. In later years, when Tom and I drove back to view my old school, he tried to convince me that I should again crawl up and sit on top of the girls outhouse to be photographed.
During the winter, we played Fox and Geese or I'm the Boss of Bunkerhill. There was always abundant snow to build snow forts and have flirious snowball fights.
We had an hour for lunch. Each child carried a lunch bucket to school. Lunches usually consisted of sandwiches made from lunch-meat, tuna, egg salad or peanut butter and jelly. Our mother was somewhat creative and came up with grated cheese mixed with raisins, nuts and mayonnaise. Some kids had thermos bottles and would bring tomato or chicken noodle soup or hot chocolate. Dessert was often an apple, orange or banana or cookies. Sometimes schoolmates traded sandwiches, but we had a hard time trading when we had grated cheese with mayonnaise, nuts and raisins.
Often the kids brought money to spend at the store across the street. Favorite candy bars could be purchased for a nickle or an extra large size for a dime. O Henry, Baby Ruth, Bit O'Honey or Hersheys with or without almonds were yummy. Packages of individually wrapped Walnettos, little squares of carmel with nuts, were always a favorite. During the winter, we purchased Hersheys, melted them on the floor heat registers and licked them off the paper. Bottles of Coca Cola, 7 Up or Nesbitt's orange or grape could also be purchased for a nickle.
After lunch was the best part of the day. The teacher read aloud for half an hour. She would always stop at the most exciting spot, so we would have to wait until next day to satisfy our curiosity as to how the situation was resolved. Favorite books for me were Little Women, Little Men, Elsie Dinsmore, Freckles, Giri of the Limberiost and all of the Anne of Green Gables series. This reading time by my elementary school teachers started my love of reading.
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While I attended school at Squirrel School, the entire school census including grades one through eight, varied between nine and thirteen students. There were the six Harrigfeld boys. Christ a handsome eighth grader was quiet and studious and always kind to the younger kids. I thought he was wonderful? When I could not reach the pencil sharpener, he would lift me up so that r could still do it by myself He was followed by seventh grader, William, mischievous and sometimes surly. Next came curly headed Fritz in the sixth grade. Ernest in the fifth grade, third grade Ira and John a year ahead of me in the second grade.
There were two Garzes, Kenneth and Joyce. Donita and John Morris (Buddy) Larsen were part of the group. Jean Waddell started a year after I did, and my little step sister, Evelyn a few years later. They converged on the school from every direction within about a three mile radius.
During the fall and spring months, most of the kids walked to school or rode bikes or horses. When the hard winter weather set in, our fathers transported us in a canvas covered sleigh behind a team of horses. There was a little wood burning stove in the sleigh where a tire was built to warm us on the way.
Our horses were Jack and Nig, a strong team of blacks. Their powerful legs and backs were often needed to break the road after a severe storm. I remember them lurching through four or five foot drifts for two solid miles to get us to school. Sometimes during severe weather, it was impractical for our father to return home, so he and other fathers would play Pinocle around the wood burning stove in the back of the Squirrel Store. When school was dismissed, we lurched back home again. Sometimes, when there was a winter calm, we would cross country ski to school, cutting across fields with fences buried under the snow.
By having all grades in the same room, the younger students could advance quickly by listening to the older students' recitation. By the end of my first grade, Mrs. Phillips felt that I was ready to be advanced to the third grade, so my second year of school, I joined my older brother. Jay, Johnnie Harrigfeld and Joyce Garz in the third grade. This was the largest class in the school and remained so until Jay and I left after the sixth grade.
Teachers I remember during my sojourn at Squirrel School were Mrs. Jennie Phillips, Mrs. Rindlisbacher, Mrs. Whittle, and Mrs. Gertrude Tanner, who taught my last two years there. Mrs. Tanner was quite obese. She lived with her husband in the teacher's cottage. One day she was late, and the children looked anxiously out of the windows, watching for her to walk from her little abode. It had snowed heavily. The wind had come up and the snow was drifting deeply. We watched her trying valiantly to negotiate the deep snow on foot. The soft snow combined with her excessive weight made progress impossible, so she solved the problem in a most ingenious manner. She laid down in the snow and rolled to school, unaware that she had been witnessed by the school children who would legendize her actions.
The children who attended this little school received a valuable education. I have fond memories of my school days. After sixth grade, it became necessary for us to move away from Squirrel. Mary An was high school age and there was no school bus to transport to the nearest
Nadeene Lenz 8" Grade
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high school We moved to St. Anthony for a year, and then back to Ashton. Life has been good to me . I had a very unique experience by attending school at the Squirrel School, District 69.
The old Squirrel School has been moved about two miles south of it's original site. It has been converted into a private residence. It is perched up on a hill, nestled in tall trees, and looks quite at home there.
By Nadeene Lenz Anderson
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M^emaued Wilcox, Zeda, remembers Wilbur Atchley that took his mule, painted it green and ran him through town for St. Patrick's Day making an
appearance XhToagfi the Imperial Club. From the Ashton Herald 22 Mar 1984, "the mule behaved admirable during the practice run ('That's because I had on my spurs,' Wilbur said. 'It takes Pete only a couple of minutes to decide if I have 'em. If I don't, watch out.')... He was only able to ride him through two Ashton Bars.
"To obtain the desired color and not hurt the animal, Wilbur first wets him down with water, then soaks a sponge in green food coloring and pats it all over.
"He hasn't forgiven me for wetting him down," Wilbur said Monday. "In fact, he's ignored me ever since."
But when the weather is so rainy, as it was Saturday night, it's a trick to transport a wet, green, dripping mule from Twin Groves, where Wilbur lives, to the Ashton bars without all the
color washing off
"I put a blanket around him in the trailer, then when we got to Ashton I parked him under the canopy at Valley Bank." Wilbur said. He noted the bank manager might be a little upset about the "night deposit" left by Pete, even though the sign clearly says, "After Hours Depositor."
"But with orchestras playing in two of the bars and vehicles parked solid through Main Street and within a block north and south, it was truly a big night in Ashton, 'reminiscent of the old Dog Race Days.' This was a yearly show, all free of charge."
21
(l.^fiton Jatn'dif Mhto^ticd
findrasen, Barnard Andrew and Lmilie Marie Gundersen/Juul. Barnard was bom 2 Sep 1973 in
St. Johannes,
Copenhagen. Denmark, to Sven and Maren Mikkelsen ANDRASEN. He died 3 Au2 1941 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Barnard married Emilie 3 Mar 1906 in Logan, Utah. She was bom 13 Oct 1871 in
Copenhagen, Denmark to Wilhelmine Gundersen. Father
Emilie Marie Andrasen
Sitting is Barney Andrasen, back unknown.
unknown. They had the following children:
Cicel Emil bom 16 Nov 1906 in Ashton, Idaho. He died 28
Jan 1907. Shirley bom and died 15 Jan 1908 in Ashton, Idaho. Gladys Bee bom 18 Mar 1909 in Ashton, Idaho. {See Hays,
Dewey Admiral.) Emilie Marie married ( I ) Samuel Hawkes 6 Apr 1894 in Salt Lake City. Utah. He was bom 31 Jan 1850 in London, London, England. He died 31 Jul 1905 in Smitht'ield. Utah. They had the tbilowing children:
Samuel Mercur bom 19 Jan 1897 in Park City, Utah. He married Marie Davis 9 Mar 1922. They had three children: Keith, Darwin and Gary. Arthur Saunders bom 20 Feb 1898 in Park City, Utah. He married Hazel Wheeler Crouch 10 Sep 1921. They had two children: Deon Shephard and Don.
Aunt Hazel was an excellent cook and did beautiful hand work. When 1 married, she gave me a hand-embroidered top sheet and pillow cases.
22
Samuel Mercur Hawkes 1917
V^
d^fitan S-aniii^ Mbtaued
When our first baby was on the way, she made three beautiful dresses and shps.
Uncle Art was a fun uncle. We spent more time with them than any of our other relatives. They had the following children: Thomas Alton bom 10 Aug 1900 in Park
City, Utah. He married (1)
Shirley Mitchell 16 Apr 1925.
Shirley died 29 Dec 1940. They
had a daughter named Beverley. Thomas Alton married (2)
Ila Hunt who had a daughter
named Marty. Together, they had two children: Thomas and Tamara. Ruth Emilie bom 16 Nov 1904 in Park City, Utah. She died 9 May 1926. She
married Joseph Eugene Clark 8 Nov 1922. The had the following
children: Norma and Virginia.
Hazel and Art Hawkes
Andrasen Home 2 Yi miles west of Ashton, Idaho. B-Sam Hawkes, Emilie, and Barnard Andrasen, F-Dog "Bob," Ruth Hawkes and Gladys Andrasen
23
(Zdhten Jatnlbf Mhtojucd
The Andrasen Homestead
Emilie Marie was adoptedand raised byMrs. Juul/Yule.
Barney was a self made man and self taught. He had beautiful auburn hair and a very pleasing personality. Everyone liked him.
The setting of the Andrasen Homestead is below the Utah Power Plant. Barney owned the land the homestead was built on. There were two companies who built the power plant. The company who started was suppose to put electricity into the Andrasen house but they went broke and didn't get the electricity in. It had been a hand shake deal. The second company came in and finished the job. Because there was no contract, it wasn't honored. Barney sold the farm to C.C. Davidson and moved to town into a cute little house.
Everything I remember about Grandma and Grandpa is good. They loved all their grandkids and made each one feel special. Grandma took me out in the back yard and taught me which weeds were healthy and good for you. We picked young pig weed, took them in, and cooked them. I'm sure some of my interest in natural health came from her genes. Darlene, Bud. and I also had tea parties at her house.
By Bar ham Hays Husk ins on
24
(Z^fitan ^atniii^ Mhtaue^
Lisle and Golden Andnis
Clndrus, Golden A. and Anna Lisle Loosli. He married Lisle 3 Jul 1926 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was bom 5 Jul 1903 at Marysville, Idaho, to Dimond M. and Hattie Salisbury LOOSLL She died 8 Jun 1981 in Ashton, Idaho.
Her parents arrived in Marysville from Utah in 1898 where her father homesteaded 160 acres of ground by "proving up" on it. This was done by planting a crop on the cleared sagebrush land every year for five years. Here he built their first one-room home, which later became the chicken coop. Lisle tells about saying something which wasn't very complimentary to one of her brothers when she was about five years old, and he said, "You don't need to act so smart - after all, you were bom in the chicken coop."
Her father later built the farm home with an addition every few years as was needed for the growing family. The large red bam which he built with the "Dimond L" cattle brand on it is a landmark.
Lisle is the third of nine children. She wrote of her childhood:
"Our home was a happy home because Mother and Father taught us to work and enjoy life. I can remember Father coming into the house one Saturday moming in the summer of 1920 and saying, 'There is a good circus in St. Anthony. Get your glad rags on, and we will see the afternoon show.' What a thrill - to go to the circus and see the elephants with the pretty girls riding them!
"In our home, family prayer was held each moming. The chairs were placed with backs against the table, each person kneeling at his chair.
"Looking back on the activities of our farm, I think the most enjoyable for all of us was threshing time. Father owned and operated a threshing machine called 'Old Rosie.' Long before the machine went into the fields to thresh, Father worked on getting it in top mnning order. The meals Mother would prepare for the threshers! It seemed that each farm family would prepare its 'specialty' for the threshers. Ours was caramel home-made ice cream and cake. The sugar was caramelized in the big iron frying pan; then when it bubbled up, the milk and vanilla were and then thickened. This was allowed to cool, then we would put it in the ice cream freezer and fill it up with thick separated cream. After it was frozen, it was delicious!
"During harvest time. Mother mixed a 50 lb. bag of Yellowstone Special Flour into bread each week. Another activity at harvest time was to fill the freshly-washed ticks for the beds with clean straw. What fun to fill them, a added nd what comfort to sleep on a bed a foot higher with the new straw!
"Father had a 'project' each year and taught his children to do the same. He was always fixing things. One of the most precious possessions is the quilting clamps he made from large bolts. They are strong and durable. One year his 'project' was to take a sedan body off an old car and put it on a sleigh pulled by a team of horses. This was really a deluxe outfit."
25
Cl^fiton Jamiiif Jihtaue^
After Lisle's schooling in Mar\sville, she attended Ricks Academy for four years. It was here that she met A. Golden Andrus. Golden says of this period in their lives:
"Lisle was a popular accompanist, and I sang in the choir with her. I was happy to take her home and sing for a time while she played. I took her to the basketball games and school dances. She played the piano for the school orchestra so when I danced with her, Mary Gamer played the piano. After graduation from college, I returned to Idaho, we continued to see each other, and were married in the Salt Lake Temple."
In the spring of 1929, Lisle and Golden were called on a mission to teach school in The New Zealand Maori Agricultural College in Hastings, New Zealand. In 1931, a terrible earthquake hit that area and destroyed the college, closing the school. They finished their mission traveling throughout the North Island as Mission M. I. A. Directors. They later served another mission to the Cook Islands.
Lisle and Golden taught school for many years and in 1946 ,they decided to move to the "Dimond L Ranch" in Marysville and operate the farm. They were farmers for almost thirty vears, retirinu to their home in Ashton in 1975.
On May 27, 1962, Lisle was called by President Max C. Mortensen to be president of the Yellowstone Stake Relief Society. Ortella Atkinson Clark and Jeanne C. Siddoway were her counselors, and the secretaries were Ruth Marotz and Mary B. Williams. She served well in this position nearly three and a half years and was released on September 8, 1965. On September 5'"' of that same year, she was called to be the first Relief Society Stake President of the newiy organized Ricks College Stake, and she served in that calling for nearly eight years. She was released on May 6, 1973. Her counselors were Jessie Morrell and LuSela Peterson, and her secretary was Elsie Lewis. The spirit and love and enthusiasm she brought into that calling are expressed in the tribute by Sister Jessie Morrell that follows later in this history.
Lisle and Golden were so blessed in being able to travel extensively throughout the United States, to England, Europe, the South Pacific Islands, Jerusalem, and New Zealand. A dream of years materialized as they returned to New Zealand for the dedication of the temple at Hamilton, New Zealand. They stayed five weeks, visiting saints and friends from their mission therein 1929-32.
In the fall of 1970, while Lisle was serving in the Relief Society at Ricks, they took a trip to Europe. As they traveled to Monaco and visited Monte Carlo, Lisle posted a letter to Princess Grace expressing appreciation for the beautiful country and the good things she was doing to improve the quality of life there. When they returned home, there awaited her a letter from Princess Grace thanking her for her thoughtful letter and sending best wishes to her and the students at Ricks College.
During all of Lisle's years, music was a very important part of her life. She and Golden organized choirs and choruses in whatever community they were residing. She taught piano her entire adult life - about 61 years - and presented her students in a piano concert almost every year. Her infiuencc in music is still very much alive through her many students.
A happy event occurred on April 23, 1981, when Lisle and Golden were honored at Ricks College with the Distinguished Emeritus Award. The award read:
"For living life 'forever young' and forever full of interest in people, places, and especially your alma mater. Ricks College.
26
(Z^fitatt 3'atniiif Mb tabued
For your work as educators, including Missionary Teachers in New Zealand for the Church.
For your lifelong and continuing activity in church leadership in the college original stake, and in your community.
For your love of music and your willingness to share your joint talents.
For leading out in the acquisition of the Island Park Chapel and for serving there.
For fourteen years as Temple Officiators in the Idaho Falls Temple.
For your long years of friendship and example as people who live life with zest and
For your continued devoted service to the Emeritus Club as persistent and constant and willing organizers and helpers.
We, your friends and associates in the Emeritus Club, are delighted to honor you as our alumni and especially for being what you are, the 'salt of the earth,' by presenting you with this Distinguished Emeritus Service Award."
This sums up so many beautifiil accomplishments in their lives.
Following are special tributes from two loved family members, a close friend Lisle made at Ricks as they served the Lord together, and her dear husband, Golden:
By Lisle 's sister, Adrienne Doty:
"Lisle was four years older than I, and of course, I always looked up to her as a role model. She did everything so well. Her room and her drawers in the chest of drawers we shared were always so neat. When she was baby-sitting for her younger brothers and myself, she did a good job of taking care of us and seeing that we minded.
"We were nurtured and cared for by special parents. We had a wonderfiil childhood, and our parents gave us many opportunities for growth and development.
"Father was choir director in the ward, and he said he was going to raise an accompanist that suited him, and that he did. At twelve years of age. Lisle was the organist. She practiced without having to be hounded. She wanted everything to go well and do as she had bidden. One day the piano seemed to be at fault and one key would not function right, so she took off her shoe and pounded it. I can still see her doing that.
"Lisle had a serious illness when about eleven years of age. She was very sick and nearly died. At the time they didn't know what it was, but later on when she had an exploratory operation to maybe find out why she could not have children, they found she had no appendix so concluded that it had ruptured at the time of this illness. Dr. and Mrs. Hummel took her into their home and nursed her through that illness. Lisle was a good friend of Martha Hummel, the niece of Dr. Hummel, who was living with them at the time. The Hummels had no children of their own and loved Lisle so much. It was Lisle they called for to be with Mrs. Hummel when the doctor became so sick and died. She was always so thoughtftil and kind.
"Lisle was so very talented in so many ways. She was a gifted musician and taught piano for many years. She could sew well and made many of her dresses. Her needle work was the finest. She was a great teacher and a motivator - a true leader. She loved to cook and have friends and relatives in to dinner and she did this often. Her hospitality was known throughout her life. Charity for all was one of her great gifts. She was a team player and in our home, she supported and loved us all no matter what our failings were. She was a hard worker and no matter what she did, she put all she had into it.
27
Lisle loved the Gospel and lived its principles to the best of her ability. She honored and loved our dear parents and was a devoted wife. It was always sad for her that she could not become a mother, but my children loved her as their second mother, and nieces and nephews loved her so much for her kindness and generosity.
"Lisle made friends easily. Once you were her friend, she never forgot you and kept in touch through the years. I've never known anyone who had so many. She nurtured them and cared deeply.
"One of her favorite mottos was, 'Do not wish to be anything but what you are, and try to do that perfectly.'
'"1 don't think I could have loved her more!"
By Lisle 's brother, Alden R. Loosli:
"My, how can a brother put into words all of the reflections which pop into mind about his oldest sister?
"Lisle was so many things. She was an accomplished pianist and a dedicated teacher of the piano. The tunes I liked best to hear her play were 'The Old Oaken Bucket' and 'ITl Take You Home Again. Kathleen.' Father used to sing the latter one.
"She was a good cook. My favorite dessert she made was New Zealand Trifle. I can still see the beautiful blend of colors through the pedestalled tritle dish.
"Lisle was busy all the time, cooking, telephoning, piano teaching, with church callings. Temple work, learning to play the new organ at the church, helping others. Busy! Busy!
"She was a loving and lovable person. She was devoted to those with whom she worked. In my work in the textile industry, I had access to some experimental fabrics. I sent her several hundreds of yards. Among other things, she made matching dresses for her presidency at Ricks. So we must add that she was an accomplished seamstress.
"She was president of the Marysville Ward Relief Society for several years and when she was released, she was immediately sustained as a visiting teacher. Several women came to her and expressed dismay that she would accept a calling of a visiting teacher after being president. Her answer befits all in God's work here on earth, 'I'll serve wherever I am asked to serve by those in authority over me. No matter where we serve, it is God's work we do here.' This dedication I have always remembered.
"At the time she was released after almost eight years as Relief Society President of the Ricks Stake, she wrote me and was planning to meet with the new presidency and said, 'It is too bad that a person just cannot wrap up in a gift box all of the good things they have learned while working in an organization and present it to the incoming officers. Each has to learn by doing.'
"1 guess what really stands out is her love for fellow beings, for family, and for children she was never blessed with - a love which surpasses all description, especially since 1 and my older brothers and sisters were recipients of that love. On reflection, I hope that I returned some of that some kind of love to her."
Lisle 's special friend, Jessie Morrell:
"I first became well acquainted with Lisle in 1965 when she was made the first president of the College Stake Relief Society. She was well qualified for such a job. She was an efficient organizer and knew Relief Society in every detail.
"At that time. Relief Societies were self supporting financially. Her brother was an
28
d^fitatt S-amiiy. Jihtaue^
important figure in a large wholesale business of fabrics. He supplied her with many bolts of material which she single-handedly sold for $1.00 a yard to happy customers in the whole area. It took plenty of energy and perseverance to raise some $500.00 (more or less) to launch this particular Relief Society and keep it financially afloat. After about five or six years, she even divided up some of the funds to help the Second Stake get a good financial start.
"She was energetic and full of enthusiasm that I felt. I couldn't refuse to do anything she wanted me to do. I think the other members and the ward leaders were also inspired by her cheerful, inspired leadership. Besides teaching these young women how to organize and conduct the Ward Relief Societies, she taught and showed them how to organize and conduct bazaars and other public activities. We even held these bazaars as a stake where the wards participated and made money for their activities.
"She was always smiling and bubbling over with slogans and poetry and inspiring thoughts to share with us. Some examples: 'Begin, the rest is easy,' 'Bloom where you are planted,' or examples of people who have succeeded in spite of obstacles and such.
"While we were together on the board, she and Golden went on a tour of Europe and some other countries. Before leaving, she wrote to a lady in a South American country who did specially drawn embroidery work on linen handkerchiefs. She secured one for each member on the board. Then she took them on the trip and crocheted a beautiful edge on each one. At Christmas time, we each received this exquisite gift commemorating her trip.
"When the flood hit Rexburg a few years later, she and Golden were here helping clean up the mud and bringing great kettles of delicious home-made soup and home-made bread and biscuits.
"She was so generous in so many different ways. To know her was to love her and admire her."
Lisle 's husband, Golden:
"Lisle, my lovable, dedicated companion. Always filled with the spirit of God. Honest in all situations. Dedicated to the cause of righteousness. Generous of herself to husband, friends, and all who came her way. A truly dedicated, talented, capable, lovable, friendly, sweet person. Her inspiration, love, and untiring work have cheered and helped me always. She is truly a sanctified 'child of God,' my sweetheart and life's companion."
The life of this loving, dedicated daughter of God came to an end at her home in Ashton. The words of Sister Morrell are so fitting, 'To know her was to love and admire her.'"
Materials for history taken from records at Ricks College, a life sketch by a niece, Ann Godfrey, and information from family and friends.
Submitted by Lynn Loosli
29
Cl^fiton Jamliy. 3iUt(pde.^
^aker, Horace George
and Alice Cleora Judd.
"George" was bom 2 May
1903 in Dickey, Idaho, to
Horace Dwight and Mary
Elizabeth Bradshavv
BAKER. He died 12 Nov
1959 in Idaho Falls, Idaho,
and was buried 16 Nov
1959 in Ashton, Idaho.
George married "Cleora"
26 Dec 1928 in St.
Anthony, Idaho. She was
bom 8 Nov 1906 in Re.xburg, Idaho, to Daniel Fuller and
Alice Mabel Marshall JUDD. She died 10 Mar 1985 in Idaho
Falls, Idaho, and was buried 14 Mar 1985 in Ashton, Idaho.
They had the following children:
Alice Cleora Judd Baker
Horace Georue Baker
Dearing Darlene bom 17 Oct 1930 in Ashton, Idaho. She married Merlin LaVem Bressler 10 Jun 1950 in Ashton. Idaho. He was bom 23 Aug 1928 in Ashton, Idaho, to Lloyd Alton and Mabel Crouch BRESSLER. They had the following children:
Richard George bom 5 Feb 1952 in Ashton, Idaho. He married Debra Lee
O'Brien 4 Jun 1971 in Ashton, Idaho. Baby bom and died 14 Nov 1956 in Ashton, Idaho. He is buried in Ashton,
Idaho. Kristina bom 10 Oct 1963 in Ashton, Idaho. She married Bradley David Larson 6
Aug 1989 in Ashton, Idaho. Robert Merlin bom 23 Feb 1966 in Ashton, Idaho. He married Jenny Rebecca Jan-nan 19 Jul 1989 in Ashton, Idaho. Patricia Lynne bom 20 May 1933 in Ashton, Idaho. She married Ralph Gale Smrm 20 Feb 1953 in Ashton, Idaho. He died 22 Apr 2004 in Ashton. Idaho, and was buried 24 Apr 2004 in Ashton. Idaho. They had the following children:
Michael Ralph bom 30 Nov 1953 in Ashton, Idaho. He married Kristine Gardner
6 May 1976 in St. Anthony, Idaho. Teresa Lynne bom 19 Dec 1954 in Ashton, Idaho. She married Ray land Kent
Smith 20 Aug 1986 in Coeurd' Alene. Idaho. Tamera Lee bom 5 Jul 1963 in Ashton, Idaho. She married Ricky Dee Lords, son of Jay and Nelda LORDS, 1 Mar 1982 in Coeur d' Alene. Idaho. Judy Ann born 23 Feb 1944 in Rexburg, Idaho. She married Gordon Earl Smith 24 Sep 1955 in Ashton, Idaho. Gordon was bom 18 May 1939 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He died 29 Oct 2003 in Ashton, Idaho and was buried 24 Sep 1965 in Ashton. Idaho. They had the followinu children:
30
Q.6fiton ^antiiif Mldtaue^
Douglas Gordon bom 6 Dec 1968 in Ashton, Idaho.
Dale George bom 28 Mar 1971 in Ashton, Idaho. He married Hillary Ann Bird 29 Mar 1997 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. This union ended in divorce. Daniel George bom 4 Aug 1952 in Ashton, Idaho. He married Julie Csergel 27 Jun 1981 in Tigard, Oregon, in the Church of God. They had the following children: Matthew David bom 25 Jun 1985 in
Portland, Oregon. Sandra Michelle 24 Apr 1988 in
Portland, Oregon. George was the second son. His older brother, Lein Jack, was bom 5 Jul 1900; his sister, Dearing Delores, was bom 15 Jan 1902, and his younger brother, Joseph
George (4"^ on top row) with the Basketball Team who became his lifelong friends. Taken in front of the Ashton Train Depot possibly going to a game. (Abt 1922)
B-Lein Jack and Dearing Delorace F- Horace George and Joseph William BAKER abt 1909.
William, was bom 5 Feb 1905. All of these children were bom in Houston, Custer, Idaho, where his father made a home for them not far from Mary's parent's ranch at the Chilly Slough. Mining in the mountains above the Salmon River brought people into the area who were not homesteaders. Working for the mining companies was profitable but not easy for men with families, such as Horace Dwight, so he decided to leave that area about 1908.
When George was five or six, the family moved to the new town of Ashton and lived in a house on the comer of Highland and 2"^ Street. His grandfather, Joseph, had tumed the management of the Baker Livery Stable over to Horace Dwight. The business was sold about 1915 and George's father
31
Horace George Baker (abt 5 mos.)
Ciihton ^ant'dif 3ihtaue6
Horace and Mary lived in this house from 1918 to 1922. George and Cleora were there from 1928 to 1948. In 1939 the porch was added, also electricity, water, storm windows, and metal roof. In 1954, George added siding, closets, and improved the kitchen before Darlene and Merlin moved into the home. They lived there until 1981, had it moved to Parker, Idaho, and built a new house in same spot.
had acquired a farm above Bitch Creek near Felt, Idaho. This was only a makeshift home for the summer months, and it was necessary to haul all their water up a steep incline from the creek. It was George's job to bring water up the hill on his pony. After the crop was planted, the family spent several summers in Yellowstone Park.
He graduated from high school on 16 May 1923. There were fifteen graduates, of which only five were boys. During this last year of high school, George and his classmates were assigned the project of planting trees around what was then the football field located in front of the present- day grade school. These trees still stand and are a very nice addition to the school grounds. He brought some of the small trees home and planted them on both sides of the farm house. Two of them are still in place providing cool
shade for the yard. These trees are now seventy-eight years old. In those days it was not
uncommon for boys or girls to be unable to finish twelve years of formal education, although
some did so and went on to college or other training. Generally students married and had
families early in life, but going on to school after marriage was not considered to be acceptable
then.
George began farming and did
not marry until age twenty-five when he
and Cleora Judd became man and wife.
He and his brother Joe farmed together
for many years, living in the family
home. These were times before tractors,
so many horses were needed to pull the
various kinds of machinery. George
liked horses and spent some time hunting
in the mountain country. He also used
his wagon and team to work of the
Reclamation Road that was built from
Ashton to Flag Ranch located on the
northeast side of the Teton Range. This
road was used to haul supplies for the
construction of the Moran Dam. George
never had the luxury of riding for
pleasure until later with county and state
George driving the steam-powered tractor into Bitch Creek to fill up with water for the climb up the hill (in background) going to the tann at Felt, Idaho. They pulled their threshing machine with this tractor from the farm in Ashton to harvest in the area.
32
(ZdfUan ^atniiy. JihtoJcied
George and Cleora's new house on the comer 3400 E and Fish Hatchery Road, built in 1948. By 1961, the outbuildings, corrals, and cellar had been built. The bam was moved from George's 80 acres on the Power Dam Rd.
fair competitions. Some
time in 1921, Horace D.
bought 120 acres near
Black Springs south and
west of Ashton. The place
was formerly owned by
the Larsen family. The
farm land bordered on the
north to what is now
called the Fish Hatchery
Road. The family moved
into the two story salt-box
house, which was quite
small and needed
remodeling. The walls
were covered with lathe,
muslin, and many layers
of wallpaper as were many
homes at that time.
Horace and Mary started plastering the upstairs bedrooms.
Before Horace D. could complete the improvements on their home, Mary became very sick and was taken to the LDS Hospital in Idaho Falls. George's beloved mother passed away 5 Jul 1922, from a mptured appendix. She was only 45 years old. She had kept a written record of their activities in a ledger, which shows dates from 2 Jan 1922 to 12 Jun 1922, nearly up time of her death. She is buried in the Pineview Cemetery in Ashton.
Not long after Mary's death, Horace left the farming to his sons, George and Joe. Lein had moved to California, where he married lola Bauhaus in August 1930. Dearing met William Chester Carpenter while attending the University of Idaho at Moscow. They were married in May 1923 and lived at Deary, Idaho, where he taught school. Their son, William Chester Carpenter, Jr., was bom at Deary. Bill had to leave his job when he became very ill with rheumatoid arthritis. Dearing brought the family to Ashton to stay at George and Cleora's home for a time. The condition worsened so that something had to be done. George took the back seat out of his Ford car to make a bed for Bill. George drove for two days to Boise, sleeping on the roadside. Bill was treated at St. Alphonsus Hospital. In time, he had only limited use of his hands but from his bed in the hospital, he created a magazine subscription business. With the help of headphones and a secretary, Bill contacted subscribers. Dearing worked at the Statehouse as a secretary. Bill's business grew until he was able to build a home with office space and the necessary bedroom facilities needed for him to carry on his business. During this time, he also researched Dearing's ancestry, writing many letters, which became invaluable genealogical information. He had not lived in their new home very long before he passed away in February, 1939, leaving one son, William Chester "Bill" Carpenter. After Horace D. moved to California, Joe and George 'batched' in the farmhouse and farmed the ranches together until 1928, when George married Alice Cleora Judd. She made the tamihouse back into a comfortable home for them.
33
U^fitan f^am'dif Jihto^ue^
In 1938 rural electricity was made available. For the first time, oil and kerosene lanterns were no longer needed. George did all the house wiring and most of the plumbing since water now came from the new pump house. They purchased all kinds o f electrical appliances, remodeled the kitchen, and added a bathroom. The family lived there in the same home where his parents had lived until 1948, when a new home was built north on the fish hatchery road. In 1952, George and Cleora had their first and only son. She was nearly 46 years old. Daniel George was bom in the Ashton Memorial Hospital. His birth was a very welcome surprise to his sisters. Cleora was ill with toxemia when he was bom, and she needed rest and medication along with a special diet for nearly two years before she regained her health. There never could have been parents who were more devoted to their son as George and Cleora. He gave them many happy times. George's brother, Joe, married Ella Roysdon in Febmary, 1936, and they lived all their married life at the Baker Springs Ranch (homestead) on Baker Road north of Ashton. They had four children: Joseph William, Jr., bom 17 Jul 1937; Richard Dwight, bom 3 Jun 1941; Edward Leroy, bom 14 Mar 1943, and Mary Marie, bom 28 Sep 1944. Joseph William died by drowning on 16 Jul 1951, in a pond at the ranch. His father, Joe, died at the Ashton Memorial Hospital 27 Jun 1983. Both are buried in the Pineview Cemetery in Ashton, Idaho. George's older brother. Lein Jack, never farmed in Ashton. He moved to Califomia as a young man and married lola Bauhaus in August of 1930. Lein and lola raised their three children: Jack, bom 6 Mar 1931, and twin girls. Royal Dawn and Robin Dean bom 30 Oct 1933 in southem Califomia. Lein passed away in Califomia 13 Jul 1982, and lola died in her home at Santa Barbara. Califomia, 22 Jun 2001.
In 1934 George employed Mort Andersen to build a large new bam. Mr. Andersen had also built several of the bridges in the area. This stmcture is unique in that the boards are laid at a slant, giving it good stability. The entire top story is a loft for hay with a track mnning the length of ceiling from which fork-full bunches of loose or baled hay could be transported and dumped anyplace in the loft. The hay was lifted from the ground by cable through the large door on the front. The bottom floor had stanchions for milk cows and stalls for horses. It also had an area for pigs or calves. A bulk grain chopper moved the feed from outside into a bin for storage. All in all the bam is a very handy facility providing most of the needs necessary to handle and feed the animals on the farm. It was never painted because the siding was not added.
George was very inventive, always trying to improve his business with better equipment and good famiing practices. He invented and made a potato harvester which combined the digging and hauling into one operation. Even though the machine dug only one row at a time, it differed very little from the large potato combines used today. The first harvest it was used, he lost most of his right forefinger when it was caught in one of the driving belts. He also built a hay bale loader attachment for his new 1953 Ford cattle tmck and before that, a
The one row bulker potato combine that George built.
34
ddfiton 9 amity. Mb taxied
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George and Sis, Bearing abt 1944.
hay buck-rake with handmade wooden teeth. He purchased a Minneapolis Moline tractor, grain combine, and bailer around 1945. His crops were potatoes, grain, and hay. Earlier he raised hogs and sheep. In the early days, he had to walk to town herding his hogs to be sold there. He also grew sugar beets on the farm for a short time.
In 1954, George and Cleora's son-in-law. Merlin Bressler (m. Darlene) joined the farming operation and together he and George started raising Black Angus beef cattle. Merlin, Darlene, and their children lived for twenty-seven years in the same little farm house where George had lived with his parents.
After water storage dams were built, canals were needed for irrigation, and George joined other farmers to create the Farmers Own Ditch Co., working with horses and earth moving equipment. George also helped organize the Fremont Cooperative, a farmer-owned supplier of products and services.
He was a life-long director of that co-op. George was an active member of the Farm Bureau,
another group organized to benefit farmers. He and Cleora made a memorable train trip and tour
to the American Farm Bureau Convention in Boston in December of 1949.
Photography was one of George's favorite hobbies, and he had a fully equipped
darkroom where he developed and enlarged photos taken with his Argus camera. He printed
many Christmas cards and also made copies of old family photos.
George's bad heart had given him trouble for many years. The condition was not
diagnosed until the 1930s, but the doctor was sure the damage occurred when he had rheumatic
fever as a child. In 1959 he became very ill suffering with
pain, nausea, chills, and fever. It was discovered that he
had gall stones. On 12 Nov 1959, surgery was performed to
remove the gall bladder. His heart failed and he passed
away that afternoon in the Sacred Heart Hospital in Idaho
Falls, Idaho. He was 56 years old and had just finished
harvesting a large crop of potatoes with his combine, even
helping Jack Bressler finish his fields. His fiineral was held
14 Nov 1959 in the LDS Ward Chapel in Ashton, Bishop
Joseph C. Felix officiating. His good friends, Sherman
Hess and Steven Osborne were on the program. His cousin,
Veda Cherry Richards, gave the obituary. The pall bearers
were his brothers-in-law, and the honorary pall bearers were
the directors of the Fremont Co-op. He is buried in the
Pineview Cemetery in Ashton, Idaho.
Alice Cleora Judd was bom was bom 8 Nov 1906
in Rexburg, Idaho, the second child of Alice Mabel
Marshall and Daniel Fuller Judd. She was bom at 10 p.m.
in her parents home, attended by Dr. Rich. Her father
worked at the Sugar Factory in Sugar City for two years,
Alice Cleora Baker graduation at age 1 7.
35
d^fiton Jam'dtf Jihto^ae^
"My mother had this picture taken in Rexburg, Idaho, July, 1907. We came to Ashton that day on the first run of the Oregon ShortHne passenger train. Roy was 2 and I (Cleora) was 6 mos. Old."
stopping on their way at Rexburg while moving north from Panguitch, Utah. Her older brother, Roy Marshall Judd, was nineteen months old at this time.
Cleora has written her own life history as follows: ''My grandfather, Joseph Marshall, along with his brothers, Sheriff William, and James, came to Panguitch, Utah, from Arizona. While they were making the trip to Utah, their covered wagon overturned on a dugway road and their father, George Marshall, was killed. The rest of the family continued on to Utah, settling in Panguitch.
"Joseph later married Alice Jane Dickinson and with their family of young boys consisting of Frank, Earl, Leo, Claude, Gene, and daughter, Neva, my father, Dan Judd, and his wife (daughter) Mabel, came to Idaho in 1905. Several of their friends from Panguitch had come to Idaho and then gone on to Canada. So with several young men looking for work and sufficient wagons and teams for hire, this seemed like a good idea to these people coming from a place where work was scarce and making a living was a challenge. Several of their friends had already come to the Rexburg area of Idaho, so when they came that far they decided to spend the winter before going on to Canada. Farther north in the area of sage bnjsh and weeds of Ashton
and Marysville, lumber was being hauled from mills in Rattlesnake Canyon, Warm River, and
other places to Fogg and Jacob's Lumber Company. The Teton Peak Chronicle, a newspaper
being edited in St. Anthony at that time, was calling for men, teams, and wagons to haul
lumber to be sold. There was also work being done on the Spori Canal near Rexburg. "Joseph and his family decided to
move up to the little town of Ashton,
which became an incorporated village in
1906. There was ample work for the
Marshall family and my father. The
Ashton Village cash book shows records
of payments for labor and for lots
purchased by them in 1907. The family
lived with the rest of the relatives in tents
until homes were built.
"My father, Dan Judd, my mother
and brother. Roy (bom 25 Mar 1905),
lived in Rexburg in a sheep wagon during
the winter of 1906. I was born there, 8
Nov 1906. My dad continued to haul
lumber with my grandfather and uncles.
My mother, Roy, and 1 came to Ashton on
the first passenger train in July of 1907.
Shows the north or rear view of the bam. The cows came in the door on the right into the milking stanchions. There is a separate door for the horses on the West side and one on the East for the smaller animals.
36
Ci^fUan 3-antiiif Mhto^ue^
Records show that my dad purchased Lot 6 Blk. 75 in the Ashton town site on 26 Nov 1908 for $50.00. This is really where my story begins as I have continued to live in Ashton and at my home on the Baker ranch until the present time.
"The first thing I remember upon awakening on that July, Monday morning were the screams of my mother as she ran to the front door of our little house and screamed 'Fire! Fire!' as loudly as she could. My brother, Roy, who was six and one half years old, grabbed his overalls and shirt that were laying on a chair nearby, grabbed me and my little brother. Bub, (bom 30 Apr 1909). By that time the flames from the kitchen, which was all ablaze, were licking through the walls into the living room near our roll- away bed.
The neighbors came running. A few things, including the suitcase of clothes belonging to Lilus Famsworth, who had been our hired girl, were snatched from the burning house. My mother had just gotten up and dressed when she heard the explosion. My dad had left a kerosene can, which he had used to help start the fire in the kitchen range, on the back of the stove. The city water was not piped within a block of our house, on the back street, as we called it. By the time the city fire equipment that was available in July of 191 1 arrived, there wasn't much to save.
"My brother, Roy, was quite pleased that he could don his shirt and bib overalls, but little Bub and I were doomed to stand around in our nightshirts until someone took us to Grandma Marshall's house a block up the street. I'll never forget my big doll that someone put up on the fence with its face all black and its pretty pink dress ruined. (The house was rebuilt and still stands on the comer of S''^ and Highland.) "We continue to live in Ashton on the 'back street,' called that since it was the last
one on the south side of town bordering on the fields. My father worked at various jobs. His life was a continuous struggle to feed and clothe his family. I don't mean to complain as we had the necessities of life and were often better off than some of our friends. Our family, by 1918, had added three more boys: Fred (bom 30 Oct 1913); Floyd (bom 30 Apr 1916); and Keith (bom 25 Nov 1919). Since we now numbered nine, my dad was constantly planning and building a new addition to our house, which was to be our home until my parents, with Emma, Frank (Bub), Fred, Floyd, and Keith moved to Burley, Idaho, in 1920.
"My early school days were rather uneventful. My parents, thinking more of my welfare and less of that of my brother, Roy, had him repeat his year in the first grade so that he could look after me when I entered the strange world of the little 'Red School House.' Consequently, Roy and 1 went through all the grades of school together until my senior year, which is another story. My parents taught us that an education was the most important thing
Cleora's close friend and classmate, Veda Cherry Richards, with her husband, Harold. Veda is also a first cousin to George Baker (mother- Maude).
37
Cl^fiton Jamiiif Mbtaxie^
we could strive for. I found learning always fascinating and easy for me. As a small child, I loved to read and often made several trips to the library on Saturday reading my little animal story book and then running back to the library to exchange it, as we were only permitted one book at a time.
"My love of books has been a great source of pleasure to me. I have often read a book a day. 1 can remember hiding the light glove on the end of a long cord under the covers when my dad would come by my room to check on me in the wee hours of the morning. Small wonder we didn't have more than one fire at our house.
"When I was a senior in high school I had moved into the class ahead of my group and I graduated in 1924, a year ahead of Roy. much to his chagrin. My love of school and teaching prompted me to decide very early in life that, if it was at all possible, I would be a teacher. After fmishing High School in May. 1 enrolled at Ricks College in Rexburg. 1 planned to attend summer session and receive a one year certificate to teach that fall. This was the usual procedure in those days. I visited several rural schools in the Ashton area and considered teachiniz at Warm River until I became frightened of teaching students who were bisger than I was, so I decided to try for more education. Since my best friends were still in school for another year and 1 was out of money, I decided to work in the telephone office.
"After working as a telephone operator for about a year, 1 had saved enough money to go to Albion State Normal, a teachers' college, to continue my training. My dear friend, Veda Cherry, and I left Ashton by train for Albion. Idaho, in September of 1925. We changed trains in Pocatello and then transferred to a bus at Minidoka, a trip that took all day. It was so far and so expensive that even though we were homesick, we did not izet home a^ain until Christmas vacation.
"My mother became ill and I was forced to come home in March after completing three quarters of school. Since 1 already had one quarter at Ricks, I was given a three-year teaching certificate. Veda finished the year and then went to a small school in Montana where she met and married Harold Richards. She devoted her entire life to teaching after obtaining many degrees including a Masters in Special Education.
"In the spring of 1926, 1 went up to Henry's Lake Flat to teach a one room, seven months school, my first teaching experience with two girls enrolled, a fourth and sixth grade student. My salary was $95 per month, of which I paid $25 for
room and board, and a horse for transportation from the Rayburn's ranch to the school house situated in the middle of Henry's Lake Flat. I enjoyed the teaching and the ranch very much. My limited experience in the 'hills,' which finished the day before Thanksgiving in 1926, spurred me on to get a Life Diploma in education. So I was off to Albion again in January
Cleora and Daniel G. Baker at his college graduation 1982.
38
CldfUon ^atniiy. MhtoJiUA
1927. I still had four quarters or one full year of college to go. I got in two quarters when my mother became ill and I again came home. Albion Normal had a summer session in Boise and
my luck was with me when I was able to go to summer school, staying with my aunt Jessie and Uncle Turner Sparkman. I came home in August and went up to Drummond, Idaho, to teach the 4'\ 5'\ and 6'^ grades in that school. Summer of 1928 found me going back ^^^^_^^^ ^^^ to Boise as I still needed one more summer to graduate
^ ^^fl^^^^V# 10^ ^Hl ^^^"^ Albion Normal, and I did get that long awaited w, ^ '^^fiS!^ . ^ :JBm 'Life Diploma.' I taught the following school term
again in Drummond. My salary was $ 1 1 5 a month.
"My dearest husband, Horace George Baker, and I were married in St. Anthony, Idaho, on 26 Dec
1928 during my last year of teaching in Drummond. Those years of teaching and going to school were some of the happiest years of my life. George and I had really been engaged for about four years. He 'batched' and farmed and patiently waited for me to get all the things done I thought I had to do before settling down. I came out to the farm in the spring of
1929 just after the stock market 'crash' and closing of all the banks, including the two in Ashton. Things were tough, but we managed and were very happy. Farm life was new to me, but I loved it.
George and Cleora with son, Dan, On 1 7 Oct 1 930, Darlene was bom. I've never
going to church 1959. (Probably last seen a happier or more doting father than George. He photo of George.) spent all winter playing with his new daughter. On 20
May 1933, another baby girl, Patricia, was bom to us. This year we were in the middle of the US Depression, but we had much to be thankful for and always had the necessities. A third daughter, Judy, was bom 23 Feb 1944. She not only had a doting father and mother, but two big sisters to fuss over her. It is amazing how unspoiled she remained through it all. George was always a wonderful father and was so proud of his three beautiful daughters. He had many hours of pleasure with them, and they will never forget his love and kindness.
"In 1947-48, 1 was persuaded to teach the 6"" grade in Ashton in an emergency situation. I enjoyed the work but George was unhappy as he preferred to have me stay at home. I did not continue teaching this year, and I'm very glad that 1 stayed home as he wished me to do. It was this year that he built our house, which I enjoy so much and for which we had worked and planned for such a long time. Also, in August of 1948, my father died, which was a great sadness to all of us. On 4 Aug 1952, our son, Dan, was bom. After much trepidation, worry, and concem, we were most fortunate to have such a blessing. My ill heahh and the death of his dear father in 1959 made me wonder if he would have a home and family.
"The saddest day of my life came 12 Nov 1959 when my dear husband was taken from us. He had lived with a heart condition for 20 years. His patience and understanding, his love and devotion to his family, will always be remembered. In 1958, we had attended the National
39
Farm Bureau convention in Boston, also visiting the eastern states and Canada. We had planned this to be the first of many such trips together.
"In February 1962, Mr. Hibbert, the Principal of Ashton Elementary, called, and asked me to finish the term of the 5"' grade. I continued teaching this grade until I retired in 1974. My Life Diploma, for which 1 had worked so hard, was good for life, and I had only to apply to get a valid certificate. Not being satisfied with my 'ancienf education, I started taking extension classes in night and summer school. Albion Normal was closed by then and my
credits were transferred to Idaho State University. I now had only two years to go for a B.A. Degree in education. I continued to teach and take classes, and with the cooperation of my family, was able to graduate from ISU in 1967. At the age of 61, 1 had finally received a Bachelor of Arts Degree.
"In 1968, Veda and I attended summer school at the University of Hawaii. I've always enjoyed traveling and have had several interesting trips. In 1968 I went to Europe with Doris Judd and her sister, Melba, along with Carol and Rich Neal. We met Dave Judd in Frankfurt, Germany, and toured Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Frankfurt, and Austria, with a visit to Barcelona, Spain. In 1973, I went with a church group to the Holy Land, including England, Switzerland, Israel, Jerusalem, and Tel Aviv. In that same year, I went with an Ashton group to the World's Fair in Seattle and a tour of Alaska and Canada. In 1976, Doris, my sister-in-law, and I went to Mexico, touring Mexico City and pyramids.
"Since retiring, (signing her last contract at age 68), I've continued to teach as a substiuitc in the Ashton Elementary and to teaching the Cultural Refinement class in Relief Society for three years. In November 1977, the Rebekah Lodge awarded me the Decoration of Chivalry, an honor of which I am very proud. I still enjoy traveling and spent one winter in Arizona and Boise." (End of personally written history.)
The Decoration of Chivalry is an award given by the independent Order of Oddfellows and Rcbekahs for exemplary service to the community and their fellow man. Cleora certainly was qualified to receive this honor.
Cleora served willingly in the community and county. She was a member of the Federated Women's Club, Ashton Library Board, and a charter member of the Upper Valley Historical Society. During World War II, Cleora actively served with the local Red Cross and worked with the Republican Party for years. She was an officer in the school PTA and responsible for getting the school lunch program going for the first time in the Ashton schools. During those sixteen and one-half years of teaching, Cleora was a widow with a small son to raise. He was only seven years old when his father passed away, and she diligently filled the roll of both parents. For several years she cared for her mother at home before it
Mother, Mabel Judd. Brother. Roy Judd, and the GRADUATE Cleora Baker 4 Aug 1967.
40
Cldfitati 3'am'dy. Mhtaue^
became necessary to place Mabel in a nursing facility. It was very difficult for Cleora to work full time while caring for her mother and raising her son. She was a positive influence as well as an excellent teacher to over 500 students in her fifth grade classes over the years. In 1973, her granddaughter, Kristina Bressler, was in her class and was asked that she not call Cleora "Grandma." She was always an avid reader, generally reading two books at the same time, which with the knowledge gained by travel, she was able to enrich her students' education.
Kneeiiiig: Jeff Neai. Chris Bres.sicr. LaDann Bressler holding D.J. Lords, Dale Smiih, Curt Brcs.slcr, & Jennifer Ncal.
Sitting: VanOdi Jiidd, r>(iris Judd. Floyd Jtidd. Fmma Friesen. & Cleora Baker.
Slanding f^avc Judd, Dehhie Bre.ssler Rich Ncai lean Judd. Clint ludd, Jiili«; Baker. Pal Slunn. Bob Bres.sler. KritUina Bressler.
Riek Bres.sler, Doug Smith, Brian Jiidd, Merlin Bres.sler. Carol .Ncal. I>dn Baker & Judy Smith.
Hidden m baek: Ralph Sturm, Rick Lords Pami I ords; absent: Ko> & Dolii'c Judd Peresa &. Mike Sturm/
Dan finished high school with honors. His mother was very proud when he graduated from ISU Technical College in electronic engineering. He later completed his graduate degree at University of Portland May 9, 1982, and later his Master's Degree. She attended his graduation but did not live to see him finish his Master's Degree, nor did she meet his children.
When Dan married Julie Csergei, Cleora was able to attend. Pat and Darlene drove to the wedding. It was an enjoyable mother and daughters' trip they will always remember. Dan and Julie were married in The Church of God at Tigard, Oregon, on 27 Jun 1981. Cleora had given each of her daughters beautiftil church weddings with breakfasts, luncheons, receptions, lovely wedding gowns, photographs, and more.
41
CI .^ fit on ^amiii^ 3ih loaded
Norma Grubc was Cleora's special friend. With her husband, Dave, George and Cleora went on many trips together, especially tlshing on Yellowstone Lake at the opening day. It was always very cold, but they had fun and always enjoyed each other with their families. The following is a copy of a note written to Cleora on her 78"" birthday, November 1984, by Norma Grube. (This was Cleora's last birthday before her death.)
"In March of 1936 we rented the Rankin place about 1/4 miles from your house. In May I came after about six weeks in the hospital. We became friends then, enjoyed each other's company and children. We went through ring worm with Pat, a terrible appendicitis operation on Darlene when she was small. We've quilted, played cards, entertained together, gone camping and fishing. We've had happy time, worrisome times and sad times together. We've had weddings that were fun. We've gone to Jackson and Yellowstone Park more time than we can count and our friendship kept growing. We've had New Year's Eve watches together, Tom & Jerry parties, worked in the P.T.A. and 4H together. It's been a good friendship and I'm delighted you are my friend. We've gone to Farm Bureau Conventions, Rebekah Assemblies and had lots of fun; knew the nature speels better than the Park Rangers. It's been a beautiful forty-eight years." Love, Norma
Another close friend was Mable Bressler. Darlene's mother-in-law. The two of them
spent time on trips, eating out, and many other things. They shared the same birthday, November 8, which the family always celebrated together. They also had in common: three grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and four great-great grandchildren. Mable passed away at her home in Ashton 14 Mar 1 98 1 from a heart attack.
After retirement, she never slowed down, participating in church and community service. Cleora was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints, serving as Cultural Refinement teacher in Ashton 1" Ward for three years. While continuing to work as a substitute teacher, she also held many offices in the Ashton Cloverleaf Rebekah Lodge No. 81, including district Deputy President.
She loved to travel to new places meeting new people of other cultures. Cleora made a study of each place she visited. Although her favorite times were spent on family picnics such as at the special spot beside the Madison River in Yellowstone Park. She and her only sister, Emma Friesen, loved to stay in the Park and travel together. Cleora had a close family relationship with all her brothers, their wives and children, but she and her older brother, Roy, were especially fond of each other. Roy was a pharmacist with Joe Klamt at the Teton Pharmacy in Ashton. George and Cleora's family spent many enjoyable days at Roy and Dollie's home with their sons, John and Larry. Roy died from heart failure on 27 Feb 1990, at Pomona. California, while living near his son, John. He purchased the Lava Drug Store in Lave Hot Springs, Idaho, in 1944 where he was active in civic
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Darlene and Pat at Grandma Judd's 1933.
42
(ZdfUan f^amii^ Mhtaue^
Judy Ann Baker, age two, 1946.
Daniel George Baker age two, 1954.
affairs, serving on the city council and as
Mayor for many years. His wife is Dollie
Leola Myers, bom 30 Oct 1905, living at
Bellevue, Idaho, until she married Roy in
Ashton where she was an elementary school
teacher. She also graduated from Albion
State Normal. She passed away 5 Sep 1992,
in Houston, Texas, where their son, Larry, J fe • fmtUm I lived. They are both buried in the Lava Hot liw'^'- • # « Springs Cemetery.
In 1983, Cleora and her sister, Emma,
along with her brothers, Roy and Floyd,
visited their Uncle Earl Marshall, who then
was eighty-nine and also with their Aunt
Neva Marshall Hill, who was Marshall family. Cleora believed that reunions were necessar>' to help the children identify with their families and to feel a sense of belonging. She planned several that were well attended: Boise, Idaho, in 1968, Red Fish Lake, Idaho in 1977, and Riverside Campground at Island Park, Idaho, in 1984. Her daughters and the cousins have held reunions about every two years since her death: Dormer Lake, California 1987; Ashton, Idaho 1989; Murray, Utah, 1991; Joseph, Oregon, 1993; Lake Tahoe 1995; Garden Valley, Idaho, 1997; Ashton City Park, 1999; Macks Inn Campground, Island Park, Idaho, 2001; Sierraville, California, 2003, and Twin Falls, Idaho 2005.
Cleora had previously spent one winter with her sister, Emma, in California at a resort in LaJolla. In January 1985, she and her sister-in-law, Ella Baker, returned there. She v/as so enthused to show Ella around. They visited Ella's sister in Morro Bay in February, but, by then, Cleora was very ill and in pain. She had been planning to meet Dan in San Francisco where he was to make a presentation to 2000 engineers on February 16-17, and then to go home with him He and Julie were expecting their first child in June and she had purchased a large bear for the new baby. Cleora became so sick that Ella had to help her travel home before she could continue her trip.
She was home for only a few days in pain and very sick when her daughter, Judy, took her to Sacred Heart Hospital where the diagnosis was cancer. The oncologist researched several sources of the cancer and was planning to begin treatment, but nothing could be done. Dan and his sisters spent as much time as possible with her, and the day Dan had to leave, she uttered her last words, "I love you." After he left, she passed away that day, 10 Mar 1985. She had been hospitalized about three weeks and was talkative and aware of everything until the last day. Her dear brother, Roy, stayed several days at her bedside.
Information taken from "Our Parents Past & Present by Bearing D. Bressler, Patricia L. Sturm, Judy A. Smith and Daniel G. Baker pg I -10.
43
Q,yfitan Jantiiif. Jihtaue^
Horace Dwight Baker abt 1896.
^akcr, Horace Dwight and Mary Elizabeth Bradshavv. Horace was bom 7 Jul 1871 in Wayne. Lafayette, Wisconsin to Joseph and Mary Lucinda Weaver BAKliR. He died 8 Aug 1945 in St. Anthony. Idaho, and was buried in the Pineview Cemetery in Ashton. Idaho. Horace married Mary Elizabeth Bradshaw 22 Feb 1S99 in Dickey, Idaho. She was bom 16 Jun 1877 in Malad, Idaho, to William H. and Elizabeth Thomas BRADSHAW. She died 5 Jul 1922 in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and was buried in Ashton, Idaho. They had the following children: Lein Jack bom 5 Jul 1900 in Dickey, Idaho. He died 13 Jul 1982 in Santa Barbara, Califomia. He married lola Adela Bauhaus I Aug 1930. She was bom 23 Feb 1908, died 23 Jun 2001. Dearing Delorace bom 15 Jun 1902 in Dickey, Idaho. She died 29 Mar 1973in Rye, New York. She married William. Chester Carpenter in May of 1923 in Deary, Idaho. She was bom abt. 1898, died 1939. Horace George bom 2 May 1903 in Dickey, Idaho (See
Baker, Horace George.) Joseph William bom 5 Feb 1905 in Dickey, Idaho. (See Baker, Joseph William.)
Horace was the oldest child in his family. Early in 1873, when Horace was about two years old, Joseph and Mary moved to Nebraska from Wisconsin, farming near the Kansas border.
Their farm was a successful operation, and it appeared unnecessary for them to move after living there over ten years. But at that time, many families had the desire to search for new opportunities and explore places west. When they
Joseph Baker Family abt 1892; B-Wallace, Maude (Cherry), Grace (Bishop-Fridenstine), Charity (Harris-Montooth), Clara (Jeffries- Odekirk). F-Horace Dwight, Joseph, Mary L., Martha (Wallace) and Sheridan Baker (child center).
44
Q^dhtan ^amiitf Jihtaucd
decided to leave Nebraska, many days were spent preparing for the journey. They started early in May, 1888, with two wagons, one seated buggy, six work horses, a pony, one team of mules, some chickens, and 32 head of cattle. The days on the plains were hot, dusty, and dreary. Father Joseph walked all the way, keeping the stock together. The Bakers reached Bennington Bear Lake, Idaho Territory, in September 1888. While the family lived there, the second daughter, Clara, gave birth to a son, Sheridan, 25 Feb 1889.
In the spring of 1889, the family came to the upper Snake River Valley. Their homestead was the first to be claimed in the area later called Marysville. Their bedroom was a covered wagon box set on the ground, and the kitchen was a make-shift shelter until the log cabin could be built. Logs for the cabin were hauled from what is now Greentimber and the brothers, Horace and Wallace, would make two trips a day. Four other cabins were built that summer on homesteads claimed by Levi Gifford, L. M. Smith, John Hill, and two bachelors. (There is some evidence that the Smith family are ancestors to Gordon Smith.) Coal oil lamps, lye soap, and travel by wagon were all part of daily life, and a hand water pump close to the kitchen door was a luxury.
Horace's sister, Maude, was the only daughter who lived most of her adult life in the Marysville/Ashton area. She wrote in her life's history, "It was my job to care for the dirt floor in the cabin. Each day, right after dinner, Clara, my older sister, would sweep the floor with a sage brush broom. I would fill a large kettle with water. I had a sack fastened to a stick and dipped the sack into the water
and swished it over the floor. If no one walked on the floor until it was dry, the dirt would be hard and smooth." Maude loved to go riding with her brothers, Wallace and Roy. They often fished at Henry's Fork of the Snake River, riding her favorite pony called Nell. She read from school books that her family brought from Nebraska. A school was started and she completed the seventh grade, at which time the school was disbanded. Even though she had a limited education, she loved to read and had many books and magazines.
Maude's husband, Levi Eddy Cherry, came to this area in 1900. He filed a homestead claim on eight acres of land, one mile south of Ashton and one mile east from the present Highway 20. They lived in a sod-roofed, two-room log cabin and there, four daughters were
The home of Maude Baker Cherry and her husband, Levi, from 1900 to 1936. The two eldest children, Veda and Velta are in front of the cabin. Abt. 1908.
45
bom. Velta, (Austin Brower). Veda (Harold Richards), Nita (Southwick-Gray-Reed) ), and Eddy Larue (Hardinu-Palmer-Lee). Maude had a baby girl with her when she married Levi on 6 Apr 1904. She was Lelah, the youngest child ot Maude's brother, Wallace, whose wife had left him with four children to raise. Lelah always lived at the Cherry home and is considered to be a sister to the other girls.
In those days, after the crops were planted, many men found jobs elsewhere to make enough money to care for their families. During the summer of 1910 the Reclamation Road was built from Ashton to Moran, Wyoming, to provide a short route for hauling supplies for the construction of the Moran Dam. There were road houses along the road where men could get a meal, as well as stable and feed their horses. Levi worked on this road during the summer, and Maude and her girls moved with him to the Milligan Road House. Maude cooked for as many as fifty men at a meal during that year. Levi continued to drive freight wagons for many years. Levi Cherry passed away on 1 Aug 1931, and Maude stayed on the farm until the fall of 1936 when she moved to her home in town. This house was the former home of her brother, Horace D. and his family. On this large comer lot on Highland Street, she raised unusual plants and vegetables and every kind of flower that would take root, experimenting with plants not usually grown in the Ashton climate. Many people enjoyed her beautifiil flowers, and she enjoyed sharing her garden produce with her friends. She continued to do her washing outdoors in tubs for many years, only using an electric ringer washer in later life. She always made her own laundry soap, hanging her wash to dry. As her health failed, she lived more time with her dauuhters, until she died 26 Jan 1964 at age 85 at the home of her daughter, Veda, in Ogden, Utah. She loved her independence and had many friends and family who respected her ability to accomplish whatever she decided to do. She was baptized a member of the LDS Church on March 1, 1908, and is buried at the Pineview Cemetery in Ashton, Idaho.
During the fall of 1889, Horace and his partners made the decision to winter about 400 head of cattle in what was later called Bechler Meadows in Yellowstone Park. He was unaware that the lush fall pasturage would soon be under several feet of snow. There had been very little snow in southern Nebraska. By the end of March, 1890, the snow was still very deep and the cattle were starving. The men were staying in a cabin, but the situation was desperate. Moving the cattle on their own proved impossible. They attempted to break a trail by making snowshoes for the horses, but the horses would sink into the soft, deep snow. In three days a trail had been broken only one-half mile, so the exhausted men resigned themselves to the destruction of the cattle herd. During the night a chinook wind blew, melting the snow into slush. The temperature dropped and the cattle walked across the snowpack looking for grass. The story also says that early in the winter, Horace walked out for supplies and returned on skis made by his mother from quilting frames, having soaked the boards overnight to curve the ends into ski shapes.
Information taken from "Our Parents Past & Present by Bearing D. Bressler, Paticia L. Sturm. Judy A. Smith and Daniel G. Baker.
46
d^dtatt ^ainiitf Mhtaue^
Joseph Baker about 1 900
^aker, Joseph and Mary Lucinda Weaver. Joseph was bom 12 Apr 1850 in Wayne, Lafayette, Wisconsin, to Thomas L. and Lucinda Jane McNight BAKER. He died 3 1 Oct 1929 in Ashton, Idaho, and is buried in the Pineview Cemetery in Ashton, Idaho. Joseph married Mary 2 Jul 1870 in Wayne Lafayette, Wisconsin. Mary was bom 7 Oct 1850 to Horace Ratio and Caroline Mary Jane Parsons WEAVER. They had the following children:
Horace Dwight Baker 7 Jul 1871 in Wayne, Wisconsin.
(See Baker, Horace Dwight.) Martha Lucinda bom 2 Jun 1873 in Kansas and died 7 May 1964. She married George Wallace 12 Dec 1891 in Boise, Idaho. Clara Caroline bom 28 Dec 1874 in Kansas. She died 12 Jun 1925 in Twin Falls, Idaho, and is buried in Twin Falls, Idaho. Clara married (1) Robert Lee Jeffries 19 Aug 1894 in Payette, Idaho. She also married (2) Quincey Adams Odekirk bom 4 Feb 1914 died 1932. Wallace Winfield bom 2 Mar 1876 in Hubble, Nebraska, and died 2 Sep 1949. He married (1) Permelia Rosemond Williams 18 Feb 1896. He also married (2) Dagmar Larsen. Roy Joseph bom 9 Oct 1877 Rose Creek, Nebraska, and died 15 Jan 1927. (See Baker,
Roy Joseph.) Maude Eloia bom 13 Jul 1879 in Hubbell, Nebraska, and died 26 Jan 1964. She married
Levi Cherry 6 Apr 1 904 in St. Anthony, Idaho. He died 26 Jan 1931. Grace Almina bom 26 May 1885 in Hubbell, Nebraska, and died 2 Jan 1916. She
married Galen James Bishop 13 Apr 1904 in Hubbell, Nebraska.. Jettie Jane bom 7 Sep 1886 and died 19 Sep 1886 in Hubbell Nebraska. Charity May bom 18 Mar 1887 in Hubbell, Nebraska, and died 27 Sep 1966. She
married (1) Edward Robert Harris 1 1 Oct 1902 In Lewisville, Idaho. She also married (2) Winfield Montooth.
Robert Oscar bom 9 Jul 1893 in Marysville, Idaho, and died 24 Jul 1945 in Island Park, Idaho, and was buried 27 Jul 1945 in Ashton, Idaho. He married
(1) Melvina Lyons 7 Sep 1915. He also married
(2) Emma Williams Fuger. Sheridan Arthur bom 25 Feb 1889 in Bennington, Idaho.
He died 21 Jul 1950. He married Loretta Matilda Taylor 21 Jan 1908 in St. Anthony, Idaho.
Joseph's maternal grandparents are Joseph McNight (McNite) and Susan Lucinda Parks.
Joseph's sister, Clarinda, aka Clarondia, was bom in 1851 Some records show that a girl, Frances, was bom abt. 1 852, and
Mary Lucinda Weaver Baker about 1900
46a
that she was alive in 1S60. Joseph's mother, Lucinda Jane, passed away abl. 1855 at Wayne. LaFayelte. Wisconsin, where she had married Joseph about 1849 and given birth to her children. Maude Baker Cherry wrote that "her father, Joseph, never remembered seeing his mother. Clarinda was mamed twice. She and her first husband parted but she had two sons by her second husband. She died before the family left Nebraska." (1888)
When Thomas remarried about 1855, Joseph was raised by his step-mother, Martha Millet. With her two children, Joseph and his sisters and ten other children, who were bom from 1856 to 1869 to Thomas and Martha, there were fifteen children in the family. The youngest child of Thomas and Ann Millet BAKER is Thomas Berten Baker bom 12 Jul 1869 in Tecumseh, Nebraska, died 1 1 Nov 1946 and is buried in the Pineview Cemetery in Ashton. Idaho. He married Anna E. Cotton 25 Nov 1903 in Hebron, Nebraska. Children: Zebe, Sy, Frank, Ray. Roy and Joy (twins). Joy Baker m. Elda Crouche, sister of Mabel Crouch Bressler.
On January 15, 1865, Joseph enlisted to serve with Company G 46'^ Illinois Infantry Volunteers in the Civil War. Enli.stment information dated 25 Jan 1865 describe him as being 5 feet 3 inches in height, dark complexion, dark eyes, black hair and bom 12 Apr 1849. His actual date of birth was 1850. making him not quite 15 years old when he began to serve as a private. Lincoln had been re-elected 8 Nov 1864. The South was in trouble and the North was demanding the suspension of the unpopular draft or conscription. Newspapers listed advertisements for men to be substitutes for the conscripts, who offered good bonus money to anyone who would go in their place. Joseph accepted one of these, according to family stories. After General Shemian's infamous "march to the sea" to Savannah, Georgia, the war was all but over, but there were still Federal annies besieging Mobile, Alabama, and the Union Navy was attacking from Mobile Bay. It was there that Joseph was wounded. His injury was described as "a gunshot wound above the ankle in right leg occurring at or near Spanish Fort in the State of Alabama on or about the spring of 1865 in the battle of Blackly across the bay from Mobile, Alabama." The condition caused him pain the remainder of his life, limiting his ability to do hard farm work. He was honorably discharged at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 20 Jan 1866. On his next birthday, 12 Apr, he would be sixteen years old.
By 1869 Joseph had returned to Wayne, Wisconsin, where he married Mary Lucinda Weaver. Mary is the eldest child and had five brothers and five sisters. She and Joseph were both nineteen years old. On 7 Jul 1871 their first child, Horace Dwight, was bom. Before he was two years old they, together with Mary's parents, moved to Kansas. Their daughter, Maude, writes of Joseph and Mary: "Father and mother came to Kansas from Wisconsin. Father took his soldier 's claim in Kansas. On this homestead, Martha Lucinda was born 2 Jiin 1873 and Clara Caroline was horn 28 Dec 1874. Then they moved to Nebraska on a homestead at Ro.secreek, 4 miles east and north ofHubbell, Thayer, Nebraska. Their farm was on a main road where many travelers pa.ssed going west. Sometimes one family traveled alone, but often five to ten wagons came in a group moving west together. Occasionally a big wagon train came that way and it would require many days for all the wagons to pass their home. Some of the smaller groups camped close by to get water from their well, and buy vegetables and fresh milk. The stories of the.se people probably injluenced Joseph and Mary to go west. "
They started west early in May, 1888. Since most wagon trails followed rivers as much as possible, it could be assumed that they followed the Republican River and at some point joined the trail along the North Platte acro.ss Wyoming and then into Idaho. Mary had given
46b
(Z^fitati 5-ainiiy. Mhtaue^
birth to eight children between the years 1873 and 1887 at Hubbell, Nebraska. At the beginning of their trip west she had two little girls less than two years old. The trip took nearly four months traveling by wagons before they reached Bennington, Idaho Territory, in September 1888. While there Mary became a grandmother, (Clara's son, Sheridan).
Early in the spring of 1889, Joseph came to the upper Snake River Valley to look around, liked what he saw and went back for his family and belongings, making the trip in five days. As they traveled north following the Snake River Desert northeast toward the mountains, water was the main problem. They first looked over the Black Springs near the river. Mary did not like it there and they went on to the next spring. She liked this place and they ate their first dinner at
I
Joseph Baker's buggy and team in front of cabins. New addition to the left shows part of the present-day two story house. Abt. 1908.
Baker Springs. The first thing they did was to plant a garden from the seeds they brought from Nebraska. They raised com and wheat the first year.
That same year more families moved in and among them was the Smith family. The Smiths and Bakers had stock. To prepare for the winter's feed, Horace, Wallace, and two Smith boys put up hay on Fall River Meadows, taking the cattle there. Mary and the children wintered alone at the ranch. Horace, eighteen years old, had built a house and other buildings on what is now called Baker Springs Ranch.
New settlers in this area were mostly shut off from the outside world. Other first families were John Hill and three children; Johnnie Spratling; and William Geisler, and Bill Lafatree who built dugouts down by the river. There were also the Smiths and William Whittle, who homesteaded having come from Preston, Idaho. A community well was dug, and the area became the settlement called Marysville because there were several "Marys" living there. The
46c
mail was brought to St. Anthony from Market Lake by stage coach and then on to Marysville by snowshoes and sled in the wintertime. Maurie Sprague and his dog brought the mail on New Year's Day 1891. A party, held at the Bakers', brought all the settlers together. Listening to the mail call was the highlight of the party. In order to establish a post office, mail had to be brought in every three or si.x months. Settlers took turns bringing in the mail and Mary Baker was appointed postmistress on October 6, 1891. The Post Office was named Springville. In 1892 the Governor asked the people to change the name because there was another Springville post office, so it was decided to call the place Marysville Townsite.
Mary Lucinda, together with Grandma Loosli, Fidelia Whittle, Mrs. Cunningham, and Emily Lambom were all home nurses who took care of the sick. Twins were bom to Mr. and Mrs. Whittle in 1890 and Mary Baker was the nurse. Mary was always willing to help when called and even used snowshoes at times. The Whittle twins were the first children bom in Marysville, so were named Marion and Mary, probably after Mary Baker. The first doctor was Dr. Young from Montana, and he had a dmg store in his office. After he passed away, his wife carried on with the post office. The next doctor to come to the settlement was Dr. Mumell and
Log cabin at Baker Springs Ranch about 1892. The Post Office notice is in place by the door. From L: Joseph Baker (father), Sheridan Baker (son), Mary L. Baker (Mother and post mistress), Robert Baker, Charity Baker, Grace Baker, and Maude Baker (son and daughters).
then Dr. Hargis, who practiced in Ashton until about 1940. He delivered several of Mary's great-grandchildren, including George and Joe's children.
Mary had a store when she had the post office and she could be seen delivering items carried on the back of her black-topped buggy pulled by her white horse.
After Idaho became a state, all homestead land needed to be officially filed upon to retain
46d
d^fiton family. Mhtaucd
The Ashton Hotel, built about 1908. Mary L. Baker with her granddaughter, Dearing, are seated in her buggy.
ownership. Joseph was away, so it was necessary that Mary file for the land at Market Lake, which was the seat of government at the time. She took her youngest child, probably Sheridan, with her and drove her one-horse buggy to Market Lake and had the legal work done. This place is near or at the Mud Lake-Terreton area. The road at that time went by the present Ashton Fish Hatchery Springs. Mary gave birth to her tenth child, Robert Oscar, 9 Jul 1893.
As money was scarce, Joseph decided to fmd work. So through Henry White telling of the Gallatin Valley in Montana, Joseph and his oldest daughter, Martha, decided to go there, both of them finding work, and they stayed there that winter. It was a hard winter for the Baker family with deep snow, very cold and not much food, but through it all they were well. Maude said she had seen the time when if money and potatoes were put on the scales to balance, they would have chosen potatoes. There was plenty of wild game and good fishing. Joseph spent eight years working away from home earning money to keep supplies on hand and machinery to clear the land.
From a copy of an interview with Ward Reynolds, done for a history of Marysville by Edna Howard in 1967, Mr. Reynolds said: "The first story that 1 have heard about the Bakers spending the winter here was the summer of 1889. They broke up seven acres of ground on the north of the Baker homestead, the old Baker home today, and raised wheat on that seven acres.
46e
They thought it was going to bum when they didn't get rain. It was along that creek on the sub ground and in the tall of the year, they cut that wheat.. ..went sixty or seventy bushels to the acre. During the summer, timber haulers from the lower country came right by the Baker property to get water from the Baker spring and they all watched that wheat as it matured. They didn't have anvthinu to cut that wheat; all thev had was an old wooden beamed hand plow and two sections of wooden harrow. ...they got an old second hand mower some place, cut and bunched it. ...but they had nothing to thresh with."
Lein, George, and Joe BAKER standing. Mary E and Dearing in the wagon in the doorway. Horade D. Standing. Joseph's buggy and black team are to the right of the door. Horses with packs to the right. Abt. 1909.
In 1911. Joseph applied for a Civil War Pension through Bingham County, which was then the county that included Marysville. He was granted S65 per month, which he received until his death. In 1933 Jennie Sholl. his second wife, applied to Senator James A. Pope to receive his pension. Her address then was Box 42, Tetonia, Idaho, c/o R.S. Henderson.
Getting the fann operating took a lot of hard labor and Joseph had to rely on his eldest son, Horace, to do most of the work. The other sons, Wallace and Roy, were 5-6 years younger, but they had to work very hard also. They built several fami buildings including machine sheds, bams, and a small house over the spring that also served as the place to keep milk and other food cold.
46f
Cldfitati ^amiiif Mbtauca
Shortly after the town of Ashton was estabHshed in 1906, Joseph built a large stable south of Main Street. This business housed and provided horses, wagons for hire, as well as a dray or hauling service for the community. It was very successful and provided a good income for him and later his son, Horace. A news article dated 1 Feb 1906 stated: "Ashton is now a bustling busy city, where, but 30 days ago there was nothing but sagebrush, about 60 carpenters are at work and buildings are being constructed as fast as materials can be obtained. A grand ball will be given in the Miller Bros. New elevator.. ..so far 17 carloads of grain have been shipped.... bond election for a new school building on 12 Feb. Joseph Baker has started work on his livery and feed stable and will be ready for business in 10 days. (Located across the alley south from the first post office and stationary store, taking most of the N W comer lots at 5"" and Fremont to the alley, one block N of the Methodist Church.)"
The 50"" Wedding Anniversary celebration for Mary Lucinda and Joseph Baker sitting. Bk- Robert Oscar, Clara Caroline (Jeffries/Odekirk), Martha Lucinda (Wallace), Horace Dwight, Roy Joseph, and Sheridan (Clara's son).
Mary Lucinda raised ten of her own children and one grandson, and had the sole responsibility for maintaining the home a good share of the time. She was also a strong influence in the settling and establishment of the town of Marysville, from which the city of Ashton evolved. A plaque has been placed on the north gate post near the Marysville Ward Church in memory of the area pioneers. It was placed there in 1987 by the Fremont County Camp Sariah of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers on which the following is written:
46g
U^htati ^antiitf Jihtaue^
"Tall sagebrush and grass, wild animals, the beautiful Tetons and surrounding mountains greeting the first pioneers of this area, and Joe and Mary Weaver Baker and their eight children drove their wagon and cattle from Nebraska and arrived in May of 1 889. The nearest settler was the family of Samuel Sadorus nine miles west, who came in 1885 and called his settlement Sarilda. The Bakers settled in a spring one mile northwest of this site and called it Springville. It was later called Marysville after Mary Baker, the first postmistress, assigned on 8 Oct 1891. More settlers came soon after.
"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints built a log church in 1893 in Marysville. By 1906 Marysville was a thriving village with many stores. In this same year the Oregon Shortline RR was established, which contributed to the development of Ashton. It was named after Bill Ashton, the Project Engineer. Pioneer communities known as Lodi, Lillian, Vernon, Ora, Famum, Wann River, Squirrel, Lamont, Greentimber and Drummond, although merged w ith Ashton, are still remembered by their pioneer names."
Mary and Joseph celebrated their 50"' wedding anniversary in 1920. Family story says that it was held in the basement of the brick LDS Ward House. This church was located on the comer of Main Street and the present Highway 20, and was in use until some time after 1940. Another family story is that when Joseph was asked to contribute money to its construction, he did so but stipulated that the aisle be slanted toward the pulpit so that no dancing could be done there, which is actually how the chapel aisle was built. Mary Lucinda was the eldest child of Horace Ratio Weaver, who was a Mormon. However, she was the only one of his children baptized in the LDS Church. She did not send her children to the Mormon Church in Ashton but several of them joined the faith as adults.
Information taken from "Our Parents Past & Present by Bearing D. Bressler, Paticia L. Sturm, Judy A. Smith and Daniel G. Baker.
vf/ \f/' \t/ \f^
difitatt Jtiaia: A favorite treat for breakfast was hot cakes with home canned preserves and thick fresh cream, straight from the bam, poured on top.
■^^^
A Ri\ or Otter
46h
Cl^fUan 3-ainiiif Jihtaue^
^aker, Joseph William and Ella Marie Roysdon. Joseph was bom 5 Feb 1905 in Dickey, Idaho, to Horace Dwight and Mary Elizabeth Bradshaw BAKER. He died 13 Jul 1982 in Ashton, Idaho, and was buried in the Pineview Cemetery in Ashton, Idaho. He married Ella 28 Feb 1936. She was bom 24 Apr 1915 to Helen Ingram Roysdon Logerstad.
Ella has two sisters, Lura and Nannette, and one brother, Maurice. In their teenage years, our country was in a deep financial depression. Work was hard to find, so the children and their mother moved around frequently. Ella spent some time with her grandparents in Victor, Idaho, where she attended high school but ended her schooling graduating at Park City, Utah. Sometime in 1935 Ella and her brother came back to Victor, found jobs, and became friends with Elsie Baker. Elsie lived with her mother, Alice Hannah Wood Baker, in a house north of the Baker ranch. She had a sister named Pearl. Elsie brought Ella to Ashton and introduced her to Joe Baker.
Joe graduated from Ashton High School in 1924, a classmate of Cleora Judd, who later married his brother, George. Joe farmed with his father and George. When Cleora and George married, he farmed the Baker Springs Ranch. On February 8, 1928, he and Ella were married. There on the ranch their children were bom: Joseph William, Jr. on 17 Jul 1937; Richard Dwight 3 Jun 1941; Edward Leroy 14 Mar 1943; and Mary Marie 28 Sep 1944. "Joe Bill" died by drowning on 16 Jul 1951 in a pond at the ranch. His 14"" birthday would have been the next day.
Nanette, Ella's younger sister, lived with the family for several years. She married Don Ghormley of Ashton and makes her home there. Ella and Joe traveled to Califomia several times. They had one of the first aluminum travel trailers, then a pickup camper and later a motor home. They went to Mexico with brother Lien and lola and traveled with them in the winter around the southwest. After Joe passed away 27 Jun 1983, Ella traveled to China, Hawaii, Florida, Alaska, and back to Califomia to visit her sister at Morro Bay. It was on such a trip with her sister-in-law, Cleora Baker, that Cleora became very ill. Ella had to see to getting her home without any help. Cleora never got well and passed away soon after. Ella has had several severe health problems but remains to take care of herself She has always had a happy, cheerful attitude, making many friends. She has celebrated her 90"' birthday.
Information taken from "Our Parents Past & Present by Bearing D. Bressler, Paticia L Sturm, Judv A. Smith and Daniel G. Baker.
Ella Marie Roysdon and Joseph William Baker
1936
47
d^fitan Jamiiif Jihta^ae^
^aum. Celey Owen and Luria Louise Burt. Celey was bom 4 Sep 1912 in Marysville, Idaho to Orson and Ruby Lorena Haws BAUM. He died 4 Sep 2000 in Famiington. Utah and was buried 8 Sep 2000 in Famiington, Utah. Celey married Lurla 3 Nov 1934 in Dillon, Montana. She was bom 23 Aug 1915 in Chester, Idaho to Harry Solomon and Jennie Janette Hathaway BURT. They had the following children: Lurla Jeanna bom 13 Aug 1936 in St.
Anthony, Idaho. She married William Smith 6 Feb 1954 Famiington, Utah. William was bom 13 Nov 1933 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Manasseh William and Afton Ellene Cleverly SMITH. They had the following children: Kevin C. Bom 4 Dec 1955 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He married (1) Jill They had two children: Landon. Kadee
Celey and Lurla Baum
Kevin married (2) Marcia Shepherd 12 Sep 1987 in Famiington, Utah. Marcia brouizht into the marriaize one child:
Jeremy. He married Angie and they have one boy: Cade Terri Lynn bom 12 Apr 1959 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She married Bmce Philip
Andersen 10 Sep 1983 in Kaysville, Utah. They had the following
children:
Randi
Heather Tamara Jean bom 24 Jun 1962 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She married Brian Keith
Perry 23 Mar 1983 in Bountiful, Utah. They had the following children:
Jessica
Jamie
Carly
Brooke
Most of my relatives on both sides are from Idaho. We moved to
Ogden when I was about six years old, and I went to first grade at Lorin
Farr Elementary. We lived in a made-over garage and then moved to an
apartment on 5"' Street and Washington Bl\ d. 1 went to school through
the sixth grade at Lincoln School. I went to 7"' grade at Mound Fort Jr.
High on 12"' and Washington.
We moved to Famiington. and I spent the S"" grade at Bountiful Jr. High. The rest of my schooling was at Davis High School in Kaysville, Utah. I graduated in 1954. 1 married William in my senior year at Davis, and we moved into a basement apartment in Famiington. Our tlrst baby, Kevin C, was bom
48
CldfUan f^antii^ Jihto^ued
here.
Jeanna Baum
We moved into a small house when Kevin was two years old. This was where Terri Lynn was bom. We bought a lot in Farmington, paid it off, and then started to build our house. I was pregnant with Tamara Jean at the time. We moved into the new house the first part of June and I had Tamara that month.
Bill worked for Ensign Wholesale Floral for 35 years and retired on 1 Jan 1994 at 60 years old. I worked for Clover Club Potato Chip Factory, for the IRS, and then for Ensign Wholesale.
When my third grandchild was bom, I decided I was missing out on too much, so I quit work to be a Grandma.
Jeremy and Angie just gave us our first great grandchild. In September, 1999, we moved to a new house we had built in Elwood, Utah. We love it up here. The people are warm and friendly, and we have an exceptionally wonderful ward. I enjoy quilting and have made many baby quilts for my grandchildren and great-grandchildren to enjoy. I also enjoy oil painting and embroidering. When my children were young, I made most of their clothes and machine embroidered on a lot of them. Gary LaMar bom 26 Oct 1940 in St. Anthony, Idaho. (See Baum, Gary LaMar.) Vicki bom in Salt Lake City, Utah. She married Kurt Robin Fisher 2 Aug 1977. As most of you know, I (Celey) should have graduated from high school in 193 1, but I was a drop-out for 1 Yi years after my sophomore year. Then good old Fred Brady, our athletic coach, talked me into going back to school and taking track. With the desire to mn on the track team, I went back, and graduated in 1933 with you younger kids. I am glad I went back to finish high school. It was easier for me to master the lessons after I became older - and besides - I enjoyed mnning on the track team.
I ran my first sled dog race in 1 934 with the dogs that came from the female that was given to me as a puppy by Warren Cordingley, Don's father, many years before. This race, which was 12 miles long, was mn on wheels because of a lack of snow: Don Cordingley came in 1", Ray Peterson was 2"**, and 1 was 3"*.
1 married Lurla Burt in November of 1934, and the next
Gary LaMar and Stephanie Jean BAUM
Vicki Baum
49
(I^fitan Jamilij Jibtaued
summer I worked in West Yellowstone Park w ith a road gang sloping banks along the road. I tlnally got a job as power shovel oiler. I worked 5 hours a day, 5 days a week, at 90 cents an hour.
But it was tough for us newly-weds to live apart, so we got Earl Smith, Merlin Smith's father, who was working up there as a stone mason, to haul us and our camping gear and Old Red, the dog we got from Warren, up to the West Thumb in his Model A Ford car. We traveled over the, then, rough Reclamation Road, and Til bet we had 6 flat tires on the way. Good old Earl was another person I was indebted to.
We had bought a new 8'xlO' tent and located it about 100 yards or so out in the timber away from the construction camp and lived as campers would with a little gas stove to cook on. We found a hot spring up near West Thumb Hot Pots that dropped over a little cliff that served as a hot shower. We would don our swimming suits and take a hot shower as needed.
After a few weeks went by, we needed some food supplies, so we decided to ride home with Earl and replenish our supply. We found that old Red had been good at keeping the bears at a distance both at night and during the day when Lurla was at the tent alone, so we left Red tied to the front tent pole and asked a friend at the construction camp to feed and water her while we were gone for the two days. We rolled all of our belongings up tight in our bed roll and figured that Red would protect everything.
However, when the bears discovered that we were gone, one of them must have challenged her for possession of the tent. Our friend had found her still tied to the tent pole, but the tent had been knocked down and ripped open. Red was guarding the front of the tent, so it looked like a bear had ripped one side of the roof open to get in, then ripped another hole in the rear of the tent to get back out. Maybe Red had grabbed him by the seat of the pants in the process. Poor old Red must have been scared half to death.
Anyway, we were left without a place to stay. So Lurla and I rented a cabin to live in at West Thumb which was close by. It was a boarded up tent with a little sheep-herder stove in it. a bed and table, and a couple of chairs.
It didn't take much to make us newly-weds happy though. We would go out in the woods and explore around and gather wood for our little stove, just we two and old Red in the beautiful cool forest. As I said, I only worked 5 hours a day, so we had plenty of time to enjoy our time together.
However, the rent on the cabin amounted to almost as much as I made working, so Lurla decided after awhile to go back home, and 1 went back to living in the bunk house at the construction camp. I managed to catch a ride home to see Lurla every week or so the rest of the summer. I stayed and worked until they shut the job down for the winter and left the T' of November. The Henry's Lake Flat became snow-blocked, so we had to stay at McGinns overnight and wait for them to plow the roads out. There were about 50 of us who were stranded, makinu it difficult for Keith McGinn to find enough beds and food for all of us.
I arrived home Nov. 2nd. the day before our wedding anniversary.
I gathered my sled dogs together and started training them for the dog races.
The next summer I went to work for Darrel Anderson on his farm north of Marysville. Lurla and I lived in one room of Darrel's house. We had orange crates for cupboards and just the bare essentials for house-keeping. Those were the days when we used good old horses for horsepower to pull the farm equipment.
The next winter 1 ran in another dog race. This was the 3'^ vear that I ran and the y^ time
50
ddfUati 3^atn'dy. Mhto^ue^
I came in 3"* in Ashton.
The next summer I got a job with the State Highway Maintenance Dept. working for Hazen Hodges and working with Letho Gee, Bee Hedrick, Cleo "Chip" Kirkham, and others who's names have slipped my mind. Hazen Hodges was one of the best bosses I ever worked for.
As I mentioned before, every winter I would gather my dogs together and start to train them for the races. Not having the money or the facilities to care for them during the summer months, I gave the first puppies that were bom to old Red to different kids around the country with the agreement that I would be able to take them during the winter months and race them. Those kids were really glad to get those beautiful pups and took the best of care of them. Also they were proud to know that they had a dog in my team. I was able to put together a good 5 dog team, all Irish Setter red- except Boots-who was also red, but had white markings on his face and four white feet. By the way. Old Red, their mother, was V2 Irish and Yi English Setter, and she had 53 pups in 5
litters during her lifetime. I was able to eventually gather together a winning team out of her
pups. Red was a full sister to the dogs that Don broke the world record in the 25 mile race with. Boots was such a pretty puppy with his white markings, that I decided to raise him
myself instead of giving him away.
I was keeping him at my father's
home when he was a pup when he
ventured out into the horse corral
and was stomped on by one of the
horses. My father rescued him, but
thought that he would surely die, he
was so badly hurt. I was away at the
time, but my dad and mother took
care of him the best that they knew
how. He could not move at all, just
whimpered and laid on his side.
They gently turned him over with
the blanket he was lying on when
they thought he needed it and finally
got him to take a little nourishment
as they held it to his mouth. ^^^^^ B^^^^ ^„ ^ ^^3^^^^ Lois, 1 937.
Celey and Luria with Boots. Brother Elwood in background.
51
Cldfiton !}atn'dtf Mbte^ue^
Celey Baum 1939 Ashton Dog Derby My lead dog. Boots, loved to hear the crowds cheer us on and would proudly hold his head and tail in the air and loaf a little as we passed them. He seemed to be "showing off." Out on the track away from the crowds, he would settle down to work and pull his share. Winning Team!
Surprisingly he recovered, and the only signs he showed from being crushed was a slightly crooked front leg which didn't affect his running ability. Little did I know then that some day he would become my lead dog in my team and lead my team to victories in the American Dog Derbies. He was one dog I could drive "Gee" and "Haw" almost like 1 had lines on him.
After 1 was finally able financially to raise and keep my dog team at home, I was able to feed them during the summer months by gathering meat scraps from the butcher shops they were going to throw away. Heber Rasmussen, a butcher at Ashton, helped me immensely by saving the meat scraps for me. I usually had more than the dogs could eat.
During the winter while I was traininsj them for the races, I would change their diets to horse meat and com bread. 1 can't fail to mention that Lee Cordingley gave me skim milk from his cream separator to put into the com bread.. 1 was grateful to him for that.
Darrel Anderson built my first dog sled for me. 1 look back and remember how szood people were to help me, and 1 feel guilty to think that 1 can't retum their kindness. I haven't even mentioned half of those who have helped me. Don and Warren Cordingley were really good to me in so many ways.
I eventually rented a service station at Marysville from Orlando Gooch, another wonderful man. I would close the station up when business got slow during the winter months
(Zdfiton 3-aniiiy. Mhta^ue^
and start getting my dogs in shape for the races. After I had operated the service station for three
years, the Japs bombed Pearl Harbor, so Delbert Groom and I decided to go to Ogden, Utah and
get a job in a defense plant, 1942. I gave my dogs to a lady at Henry's Lake and sold her the
harness and sled for $25.
The first job I got in Ogden was as a gandy dancer, tamping ties on the railroad at the 2"'^
street Defense Depot. I couldn't see any ftiture in that job, so by pulling a few strings, I was able
to get a job driving a dump truck hauling gravel.
Lurla stayed home at Ashton until I could fmd a place for both of us and our two kiddies
to live - 1 had been living with my sister and brother-in-law in Ogden.
My brother-in-law fixed his single-car garage up for us to live in for awhile until we
could find something better - more orange crate furniture. We finally found an apartment out on
5"" and Washington for $15 per month. Cheap huh?
I finally got a job working the grave-yard shift at the garage at the Depot at 2"'* Street
fixing truck tires and cleaning up the garage. I would also have to go out on the winter mornings
with one helper and start about 50 dump trucks with 3 D8 Cats, so they would be warmed up and
ready for their drivers on the 8 o'clock morning shift.
I Always had my eyes pealed for a better job, so when an opening came along for a
power shovel, I took it. I later went with the shovel operator to Hill Field where I worked for
different operators for a couple of years. 1 got so I could operate a drag- line pretty well.
I finally went to work in the Maintenance Welding Shop and began tinkering around with the welding torch. It appealed to me, so I started to go to Weber College taking a course in welding. By welding on the job in the day time and going to welding school at night, 1 was able to master the welding trade quite fast - so I thought.
My welding
instructor at Weber started a welding and machine-shop business and asked me if 1 would like to
go to work for him, so I took the job. I worked for him for about three years and became
disgusted with the job so 1 quit.
They were starting to build the Standard Oil Refinery at North Salt Lake and needed
some pipe welders, so I decided to go down and take the test. That is when I felt like a beginner
again, when I started welding up the joints between two 6" pipes butted together. I still don't
know why they didn't flunk me out, but they said that 1 could stay and roll-weld the fabrications
Celey, Lurla, and great-granddaughter, Jamie.
53
d^fiton f^amiCi/ MLytau&^
until I got so I could weld the pipes in position. I must have shown some promise.
1 finally got so I could weld with the best of them. After the Standard Oil Refinery was built, and 1 joined the Union, I went from construction job to construction job and had to take a welding test on almost every new job I went to. I have worked all over Utah on different construction jobs and on jobs in Idaho. Wyoming. Colorado, and New Mexico - mostly on Oil Refineries - welding on the piping systems as a pipefitter-welder.
I retired when I was 63 years old. I was afraid that I couldn't make it until I became 65, because the welding of pipe is very demanding. It is hard on the eyes, the mind, and the nerves.
I have really enjoyed my retirement, and wonder now how I ever got anything done at home before. I keep so busy. Shortly before I retired I acquired a nice Arabian horse and have had a pleasure horse ever since. I will always remember Glenn Anderson's Old Pete, the beautiful horse with the running walk. I have wanted a walking horse ever since I rode him. I have had Arabians. Quarter Horses, an American Saddler, and now I have a Tennessee Walking Horse. If you want a horse that pleases you, you must get a Walking Horse. You'll never be satisfied with any other breed of horse again. Of course that is my opinion. I have used him for trail rides and for deer hunting, and he is tops. I ride him every week and sometimes every day. Luria can't ride so I usually ride alone. I usually ride him with the Game Officials as they go on the game survey rides in the spring of the year. I have ridden all over the steep mountain above Farmington to the altitude of 9,000 feet. It is beautiful up there, many hidden trails and beautiful sights.
Lurla and I go fishing a lot. We have a 14 foot aluminum car-top boat that we load with a loader I made - my welding skills come in handy for such as this, and for building my horse trailer, etc. We pull a 17ft. self-contained travel trailer. The mud slide at Thistle blocked off our access to our favorite fishing lake, Scofield, this spring, increasing the distance about 80 miles over a much tougher road.
I hope you are all enjoying life as much as we are.
Your class-mate and friend
Celey Baum 79
S?S? NANA - From a memorial for Lurla:
Lurla, or "Nana," was bom in a little house behind her Grandpa Hathaway's place. She was the fifth of nine children. Nana remembers this little house burning down, though she didn't know how old she was at the time - she remembers fire coming out of the windows, and she could remember being upset that she had to give up her red high chair her dad had made for her. Her dad was a good carpenter and built their family a four-room house on some rocky ground up on Fall River. They raised pigs and did a lot of dry farming. Nana remembers having to carry water from the canal because they had no running water.
She remembers making stilts out of tin cans and her dad made them a checker board. He made them skis and a sled for the winter, and she remembers big snow drifts and blizzards you could get lost in.
Nana and her older sisters helped their dad on the dry farm. They hauled water from the canal in a big tank on a wagon to water the horses. She hated cutting hay with the mowing machine, but she learned how to work hard. After Lillian and Lavon got married. Nana and Althea helped their dad cut and rake hay. and put it in big stacks. Then their little brother, (iarold, using a horse and a derrick would pull the hay to the top of the stack to dump it.
54
Clafitatt §ainliif SihtoJiicd
Nana went to school in a one-room school house on Fall River until about the 4"" grade. Then they closed that school, and she said someone would pick them up in an old wagon and take them into Chester to go to school.
Their family never had much money, but Nana says they never went hungry. They milked cows, sold the milk, and they had chickens and pigs. She remembers her dad giving flour and slabs of bacon to the church to help people in town who didn't have enough to eat.
She remembers her dad making horseshoes, and she would turn the handle on the forge to blow air on the coals to get the fire hot enough to heat the iron. And she remembers trips into Chester in the buggy during the summer months and riding in their camp sled, which had a stove and bed in it, in the winter. And she said going into St. Anthony to see a show was a great treat.
In the wintertime, they would go out on the ice, cut big chunks, and load it onto sleds. They would put it in a shed and cover it with sawdust, one layer at a time. The ice would last all summer, and they would make their own ice cream.
Nana remembers one Christmas when they only had oranges, nuts and candy for their Christmas; but she says they always had a big tree, and her mother always made a big fruit cake. Her mother made her own soap to do washing with, and they scrubbed clothes with a washboard until they finally got a washing machine that you ran by hand.
Nana met Papa at a dance in Chester. Papa ran a service station for a few years to make a living.
When Pearl Harbor was bombed, and the United States went to war, Nana and Papa moved to Ogden, and Papa went to work at Hill Field for a few years. After quite a struggle to find a decent place to live, they finally moved into a three-room apartment in Ogden and lived there for eight years. Papa later went to Weber College and studied welding which he became very proficient at. They bought their home in Farmington in 1950. Jeanna and LaMar finished their schooling there, and Nana and Papa had another baby, Vicki, in 1955. Nana and Papa were married in the Temple on 24 Jun 1964.
Nana was always a strong person. She knew how to work hard; she canned a lot of their food; she sewed a lot of their clothes; and she passed these qualities on to her children and taught them to be self-reliant too. Mom remembers Nana teaching her how to can, and she remembers her teaching her to sew on an old treadle machine when she was only 10 or 11. About seven years ago. Nana fell and broke her hip. It was a really bad break, and they had to operate and put pins in. But when it was time for her to go home from the hospital, she went to her own home. We all worried that she wouldn't bounce back from that, but she amazed us all, and it was easy to forget she'd ever broken her hip.
As we were reminiscing about Nana, the thing that we all thought about the most was how Nana took care of us all. She was always feeding us when we were at her house. There were always carrot sficks and sliced apples. She used to bone the fish she and Papa caught and fry it for us. And, even after we were married, she would always send something home with us that she baked or preserved. Nana and Papa were always taking us on fishing trips with them in the summer. Kevin remembers playing Tom Sawyer on the sandbar in the Green River. And sleep overs on Friday nights at Nana and Papas were a big hit. There was always vanilla ice cream with walnuts before we went to bed. And in the morning there were always all you could eat pancakes with homemade syrup. Nana used to make the best bread and Terri remembers Nana letting her help knead it, and she says she remembers wondering how Nana did it because it was so hard to do. In later years Nana was always sending food home with Vicki and Kurt
55
Clihtan ^atnitif Mhto^ued
when they came to visit on weekends. My girls, Jessie and Jamie, have memories of picking strawberries and peas from their garden and grapes off the vine. I think that Nana lived to nurture and take care of all of us.
When Papa died two years ago, Nana's health had already started to decline. She had strujzsled to take care of him while he was sick, and I think it took its toll on her. Kevin and Marcia were right there to help her whenever she needed them, but after awhile it seemed best for her to be with someone. For the past year and a half she lived with her daughter, Jeanna, and her son LaMar. She has always been strong and able to take care of others, and I think it was really hard on her to have the tables turned. But I am really grateful that I was able to see her more often, and that my girls could get to know her a little better. Brooke is at my mom and dad's house almost as much as she is home, and Nana got along really well with Brooke. When Nana first moved up here, I took Brooke over to visit, and when I left. Nana and Brooke were sitting at the kitchen table coloring together and debating on which color to use. Nana got a kick out of teasing Brook, and Brooke would go right along with her and tease her right back. I know that Nana appreciated everyone taking care of her, and I know she was happy to be with her family during her last days. We will miss her, but we will cherish the memories we have of her, and one day. Nana and Papa will greet us with open anns and just maybe a warm loaf of bread.
By Tamara J. Perry, grand daughter ofLiirla Submitted by Jeanna Bawn Smith
Nt/ \fy \*^ xt/ •Js ^«\ y^\ •♦N
56
G^dhtan family. SiUtaued
Saum, Clark Allen and Norma Louise Robinson. Clark was bom 25 Aug 1 9 1 7 in Provo, Utah, to Orson and Ruby Lorena Haws BAUM. He died 9 Aug 2000 in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and is buried in Ashton, Idaho. Clark married ( 1 ) Norma 29 Dec 1939 in St. Anthony, Idaho. (Div.) They had the following children:
Deanna Kay bom 1 Jan 1941 in Billings, Montana.
Rex Clark bom 12 Jan 1943 in Ashton, Idaho. (See Baum, Rex Clark.) Norma married (2) Wesley Schuldies
Clark married (2) Eva Elaine Munns in 1955. (Div.)
Clark at about two or three.
Clark had two older brothers, Celey and Elwood, and three sisters, Lois, Murl, and Donna. Two other siblings had died as babies.
Clark started riding a pony when he was four years old, and as a small boy, would herd cows up and down the road. When he was
Clark Baum Army WWII
Rex and Deanna Baum
six years old, he fell off his pony and broke both bones in his arm; however, that didn't change his life-long love of horses.
He started his first year of school in Ashton but the second through eighth grades were spent in Marysville. He and his siblings always walked to school, except during a blizzard, when they rode a horse. After tuming the horse loose to return home, they would walk home later on.
He quit school during his freshman year to go to work putting up hay, feeding cattle, and milking cows for Eugene Davis for fifty cents a day. He saved his money and was able to buy a Morgan saddle horse for ten dollars. He got a saddle and traded a gallon of his mother's strawberries for a bridle. He also broke colts for Mr. Davis, who thought he was quite a horseman. For the next five years, he worked a wide variety of jobs in a lot of places, finally ending back in the Ashton area.
57
U^hUut ^atnliif^ 3iidtaued
He vsas drafted into the army in 1945 and spent two years in the Philippines. When he came home, he settled on a career in farming potatoes and raising cattle. He became very successful at it.
Clark and Nomia's marriaize ended in 1944. In 1955, he bought the Harry Hudson fami west of Ashton and married Eva Elaine Munns Wade. Eva was a widow with two children, LaRae and Rex. They worked hard on the farm and played hard packing with horses in the woods, fishing, and hunting. Little Rex, as he was called, was verv sood at helpin^ Clark on the farm, and Clark appreciated that.
This marriage ended as well, and Clark's last twenty-five years were spent with his best friend and companion, Jean Williams, horseback riding and touring all over the world. Jean helped make Clark's last few years of failing health much easier. He passed away in the Idaho Falls Hospital.
Deanna Hogan, Clark, and Rex BAUM
By LaDawn Oherhansley Baiim and Deanna Bauni Hogan
Rex and LaRae Wade
Clark on Strip
58
G^dhtan S-am'd^ Sil^tmU^
^aum, Elwood Orson and Blanch Hickman. Elwood was bom 1 0 Apr 1 904 in Provo, Utah to Orson and Ruby Lorena Haws BAUM. He died 28 May 1982 in Ashton, Idaho and was buried 1 Jun 1982 in Ashton, Idaho. He married Blanch 10 Oct 1925 in St. Anthony, Idaho. She was bom 16 May 1909 in Rigby, Idaho. She died Jan 1987 in Ashton, Idaho and is buried in Ashton, Idaho. They had two children:
Gale/Gail bom about 1925 and died 29 Dec 1933 in Dillon, Montana.
Faye Lynn bom abt 1940. She married Mr. Nichols.
Elwood's family moved to Ashton with a team and covered wagon in November of 1908. They consisted of my father and mother, Elwood and two sisters, Murl and Lois.
Elwood and Blanch were married in St. Anthony.
In 1928, they, with their young son. Gale, traveled in Model T Ford to Broken Bow, Nebraska where Elwood worked on a Silver Fox Farm for two years. They then moved to Dillon, Montana and ran another fox farm for 15 years. While there,
their son, Gale, then 8 years old.
Blanch and Elwood with Faye Lynn BAUM
Faye Lynn Baum
Faye Lynn Baum
was accidently killed.
I stayed with Elwood and Blanch for awhile and helped Elwood on the fox farm at Dillon. He was skilled at whatever he attempted to do and was very faithful in performing his work. There wasn't a lazy bone in his body.
He later became involved in raising mink and chinchillas on the fox farm and was very successfiil in his ventures. He was very good at handling animals.
I remember he had a beautiful little mare at Dillon that he had picked out of a herd of wild horses, tamed, and broke to ride. She was so gentle that you would not have know that she had once been a wild horse.
ril always remember how good Elwood and Blanch were to me, a teen-age kid. Blanch could make the
59
(Z.^fitan §atnli^ Jih tabued
best hot-cakes. I believe she used straight cow's cream when she made them, they were so good. I guess she wondered if she would ever get me filled up. I could sure put away the hot cakes.
Elwood and Blanch later moved to Redman, and Ocean Lake, Oregon, where El wood decided he would try his hand at carpenter work. He worked there two years.
The town of Ashton tlnally lurked him back in 1944. He returned home to Ashton, farmed, and did carpenter work.
Elwood had a great love for Ashton. We used to get so aggravated with him because he wouldn't come to Utah to see us. About the only time he ever would leave was when he went out of town to race his mules. My brother-in-law in Phoenix, Arizona, even offered to pay for his gas if he would come down to see them. Elwood didn't like the big cities. He was content to stay in Ashton.
As I said before, Elwood was good with animals. He had horses all of his life and loved handling them. When he was a kid he even trained a pig to the harness. Another time he trained a calf to pull a buggy.
As some of you know, about ten or so years ago, he raced a team of small mules in the Chariot Races. He saved many pictures of his mules which he proudly showed us at different times.
It is natural for younger brothers to look up to their older brothers and to be proud of their accomplishments. It was that way with me. He was very talented and always willing to share his talents. Many times I went to him for advice. I guess you would call him a "Jack of all Trades."
Elwood lived at a time when all horse-power wasn't engines and motors. I can remember how proud he was of the horses he owned. He owned some too that were not so nice! He owned a black mare he called "Night." I believe she was bom to be mean. She was a corral balky and did everything except what he wanted her to do. She even reared over backward with him. It's a wonder Elwood lived as long as he did.
He had another horse he called Skeeter. She was a black bally-faced mare of the mustang type. Elwood started racing with the old Model T's on the dirt road as they were driving to Ashton. Soon Skeeter wanted to race with every car that came along and would run away with Elwood unable to hold her back.
Elwood had many experiences he could tell about. I must tell you about one.
Elwood and another teenager. Dude Van Sickle, decided to take a trip with a team of horses - so they drove Skeeter and a little 750 pound pony of mine, "Strip," on a buck-board buggy 600 miles in 15 days. They drove from our home in Ashton up through Yellowstone Park, out the north entrance at Gardiner, on to Livingston, to Bozeman, Montana, over to Whitehall and Butte, back to Whitehall, down through Virginia City to Henry's Lake and down through Island Park to Ashton. They averaged 40 miles a day.
When they left home, Elwood had S7.00 in his pocket and Dude did not have a dime. They took a few groceries, their bedding, and two sacks of oats for the horses. They staked their horses out at night and swiped a little hay if a hay-stack was close to the road. They dug potatoes out of farmer's fields to help their food situation.
He said that every morning. Strip would balk when they started out. She wouldn't tighten a tug until she got warmed up. She was what you would call "cold shouldered." Then by the end of the day. Strip would be pulling the whole load because Skeeter would give out.
60
CLdfitan 3'antiiy. Jihto^ue^
Skeeter did not have as much stamina as Strip did.
He said as they were coming home down the Yellowstone highway, they came to a sign that said that it was 9 miles to Big Falls. They had run out of food, it was getting dark, Skeeter was giving out, and they were hungry - so they staked their horses out to graze and decided to walk down to Big Falls and bum some food at the Inn. They tied a white handkerchief onto a tree so they would be able to find their horses on their way back and hiked down to Big Falls. They were so weak from hunger that they barely made it. They were acquainted with the owner of the Inn, Charley Causy, told him about their predicament and promised to pay him later if he would feed them. Elwood said that as he was about to take the first bite he was so weak from hunger and the long hike that he laid his head on the table and passed out for a few seconds. He was able to finish his meal, and after a short rest, they were able to start back to their camp. Good Old Charley had fixed them a lunch for the next day to take with them.
He said as they were almost to their camp they became so tired they decided to take off their shoes and walk bare-foot in the dusty road to rest their feet. It was amusing to hear when Elwood said that on the only rock in the highway that night, Dude had to stub his toe and broke it. They continued on with Dude limping along until they saw the white rag. They would have never found their horses in the dark.
In Elwood's plain spoken way he said, "And the S.O.B. kept me awake all the rest of the night complaining about his broken toe."
Before they got home Strip wore her front shoes out and became so tender footed she could hardly walk, so they took Skeeter' s back shoes off and nailed them onto Strip's front feet, and they only had three horse-shoe nails. He said they scrounged around and found some ordinary nails to complete the shoeing job.
I can remember seeing them arriving home. They looked pretty travel worn. Taken from an obituary written and given by Celey Baum.
\f/ \t/ \f/ \f/
•4^ /•\ /•\ ^V^
61
U^fitan ^atn'djj. Sihtaued
^aum. Gary LaMar and Carolyn Cottam. Gary was bom 26 Oct 1940 in St. Anthony, Idaho to Celey Owen and Lurla Louise Burt BAUM. He married Carolyn 23 Sep 1961 in Bountiful, Utah. She was the daughter of Lawrence William and Delia Ellis COTTAM. They had the following children:
Shelly bom 22 Jun 1962 in^Bountiful, Utah. She married Da\id Summeril. (Div.) She later married Mr. Middleton. Tracy LaMar bom 23 Jul 1963 in Bountiftil,
Utah.
Tracy LaMar Baum
Bonnie
and
LaMar
Baum
at
Carolyn and LaMar Baum
Shelly Baum
Gary LaMar married (2) Bonnie Jean Decapot 3 Sep 1966 in Boston. Massachusetts. (Div.) She was bom 17 Aug 1947 to Francis Kemmerer Edwin Neilsen and Doithy Evelyn WY. Gadwah DECAPOT. They had the
following children:
Jason LaMar bom 19 May
1970 in Salt Lake'city, Utah. He married
62
Ci^fitan §amii^ 3iUtaue^
Rachelle Payne 29 Jun 1993 in Salt Lake
City, Utah. Stephanie Jean bom 1 1 Dec 1971 in Salt Lake City,
Utah.
Gary LaMar married (3) Wanda Jeanette Pulley 23
Stephanie and Jason Baum
Wanda and LaMar Baum
May 1981 in American Fork, Utah. She was bom 14 Aug 1940 in American Fork, Utah to William T. and Wanda Clift PULLEY. They had the following children: Julie Ann Smith (adopted)
bom 9 Oct 1965 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She married Ronnie Wayne Huff 5 Jul 1989 in Pleasant Grove, Utah. William Roger Smith (adopted) bom 25 Nov 1966 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He died 28 Jul 2004. He married Beki Bell 3 Jun 1994 in American Fork, Utah. (Div.) I was bom in a birthing home in St. Anthony, Idaho. We moved to Ogden, Utah where 1 attended Lincoln Elementary School through third grade. We then moved to Farmington, Utah
where I attended Farmington elementary School through the sixth grade. I then attended the Bountiful Jr. High School the seventh grade and Central Davis Jr. High in Layton, Utah the eighth and ninth grades. 1 then attended Davis High School tenth, eleventh and twelth grades where 1 graduated. 1 attended the Salt Lake Trade Technical College for apprenticeship training and became a pipe fitter welder. 1 then was an apprentice for five years, became a joumeyman, and was a fitter welder for forty-five years. I have worked at many various power houses and oil refineries in my lifetime. I worked on a submarine at one point in my life.
Julie Ann Baum
William Roizer Smith
63
Q^fitan f^am'dj^ Mh taxied
When Wanda and I were married I adopted her two children on 30 Oct 1995.
1 belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where I have served in many positions. 1 am now serving a member locator mission.
My hobbies are oil painting, wood carving, plastic carving, leather working, and fishing. I also have a fami where 1 raise sheep.
By Gary LaMar Baiim
■ Vi iVt iVt iVt
Menia^ued Class of 1950 taken in 1985.
B-LaVaur Scow, Perry Grube, Jr. Calonge, Hale Hubbard, Jr., Lillian Glover Lewies. Joyce Strain Riggs, M-Peggy Van Sickle, Barbara Waugh*.\ Pearl Grub, Deloris Harris McClure, Annette Clark Hendricks, Barbara Hays Huskinson F-Dick Egbert. Leonard Stone. Jerry Thomas. Submitted hv Barbara Haws Huskinson
64
(Z^fitatt §atniiy. Mbtojue^
Ruby Lorena Haws
Orson Baum
^aum, Orson and Ruby Lorena Haws. Orson was bom 12 Jan 1875 in Provo, Utah to George and Eliza Ann Allen BAUM. He died 19 May 1958 in Ashton, Idaho and is buried in Ashton, Idaho. Orson married Ruby 21 Jun 1899 in Provo, Utah. She was bom 29 Feb 1880 in Provo, Utah to Oliver and Luella Isola Newell HAWS. She died 3 Jan 1945 in Dillon, Montana and is buried in Ashton, Idaho. They had the following children:
Eliza Murl bom 19 Aug 1901 in Provo, Utah. (See Hatton, Herman LaMar.) Elwood Orson bom 10 Apr 1903 in Provo, Utah. (See Baum, Elwood Orson.) Lois bom 22 Sep 1905 12 Jul 1907 in Provo, Utah. (See, Rowland, Ivan D.) Afton R. who died at four months. Leona L. who died at birth.
Celey Owen bom 4 Sep 1912 in Marysville, Idaho. (See Baum, Celey Owen.) Clark Allen bom 25 Aug 1917 in Provo, Utah. (See Baum, Clark Allen.) Donna Luella bom 2 Dec 1920 in Marysville, Idaho. (See Jay Greene.) Orson and Ruby were married at the home of her parents. They were treated to a very fine wedding supper along with wedding cake, which Ruby helped her mother make.
They lived at the Haws residence until August 15, 1900, when they began the process of moving. Orson had gone to Wyoming in April and retumed in August. On November 4, 1909, they loaded a team and wagon, and, in cold weather, set out for Marysville, Idaho. On November 17, they arrived at their new home.
65
Cl.^fiton Jam'dif Jihta^rie3
Orson's brother, John William, had already moved to Marysville years earlier (in 1901), so Ruby and Orson lived at his ranch until Novembers, 1910. They moved into the town of Marysville and rented a place for four dollars per month. In 1912, they bought a twenty-eight acre place east of Ashton. In 1918. Orson sold the east half of the property and started buildimi a four-room house on the west fourteen acres in the spring of 1919. By July 5, the family was
B-Celey, Clark, and Elwood F-Lois, Donna, and Murl BAUM Taken in Phoeni.x, Arizona.
Ruby and Orson Bauni
able to move into their new home.
Ruby was a kind, gentle woman and a good wife and mother. She was well liked by everyone.
Orson worked hard as a freighter and vegetable gardener. He grew vegetables to sell, and in the early years, hauled them by horse and wagon. He had a route that went through Island Park all the way to Ennis, Montana. It took him two nights and three days each way. There was a little cabin north of Henry's Lake he would stay in for the first night, and then would travel to the Madison River as far as the bridge to Wade Lake, stopping overnight to cool his vegetables in a cellar in the hillside.
Orson and his son, Celey, hauled logs from Targhee Forest in order to build a cellar near Orson's home to store the produce he raised. Later in life, he worked at the Ashton Power Dam. He walked to and from work much of the time, which may have contributed to his long, healthy life.
66
CL^fUan fjratnii^ Mbtaue^
In 1944, Ruby was operated on in Idaho Falls and spent three weeks recovering. Her daughter, Murl, took her to Dillon, Montana, to care for her. Four months later Ruby passed away from kidney failure. Orson lived alone for the next thirteen years, dying at the age of 83.
By LaDawn Oberhansley Baiim and Jeanna Baiim Smith.
\f ■/ xtx \»/ xt/
"• ' * i ' * • * ^Jn
Orson, Murl, Ruby, F-Elwood, and Lois BAUM
Baum Family B-Lois, Clark, Blanch. Celey, Mud, Lurla. Jay. and Donna F-Ruby with Jeanna on lap, Orson, and Ned Hatton.
67
Uifitan ^amiiif^ Jihtatie^
^aum. Rex and LaDawn Oberhansley. Rex was bom 12 Jan 1943 in Ashlon. Idaho, to Clark Allen and Norma Robinson BAUM. He married LaDawn 2 Jun 1967 in Ashton, Idaho. She was bom 8 May 1948 in St. Anthony, Idaho, to Wayne Alvin and Georgia Cordingley OBERHANSLEY. They had the following four children: Rex Corbett bom 30 Mar 1969 in Ashton, Idaho.
"Corbett" grew up in Ashton having a real love for athletics and hunting. He and his family and friends spent a lot of time snowmachining, motor biking, and camping. He graduated from North Fremont High and then attended Ricks College. He served a
LaDawn and Rex Baum
mission in Ohio and then attended more college at Utah State University. He presently works for ajewelry business in Las
Corbett Baum
Vegas, Nevada, but returns home periodically to visit, hunt, and enjoy his nieces and nephews. Lynette bom 20 Jan 1972 in Ashton, Idaho. She married ( I ) Ryan Thomas Hall 16 May 1992. (Div.) Shemamed (2) Eloy Mazo 26 Mar 2004 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was bom 4 Feb 1966 in Jerez, Spain.
Lynette enjoyed being raised in Ashton with lots of friends and family. She especially enjoyed water and snow skiing, and any and all fun activities at school and with friends.
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^^^^^m 1^ Am^^K ^^^^^P^^fll |
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^^^BmStl^^^m T - i ^^1 |
Jl |
Lloy, Lynette w/Blanca, and Audrey G- Kelley and Emily
68
(Z^fUen Jantii^ Mh taxied
She graduated from North Fremont High. After her marriage to Ryan, she attended college at Utah State University and graduated in Landscape Architecture. She later married Eloy. He is a career Army officer, and they presently live in Valrico, Florida, outside of Tampa. They have four beautiful girls in their family: Audrey Lynn Hall bom 25 Nov 1992 in Rexburg, Idaho. Kelley Amanda Hall bom 4 Jun 1994 in Rexburg, Idaho. Emily Dawn Hall bom 30 Jul 1998 in Rexburg, Idaho. Blanca Carolina Mazo bom 28 Dec 2004 in Fort Belvior, Virginia. Jared Michael bom 1 1 Jun 1 974 in
St. Anthony, Idaho. He married Tonya Moody 1 Nov 1997 in Ashton, Idaho. She was bom 28 Dec 1975 in Jerome, Idaho.
Jared farms with his father. He spent his whole life growing up here enjoying the outdoors, the area reptiles, and becoming an avid fisherman. He graduated from North Fremont High and spent enough time at Ricks College to leam how to do his own landscaping. He enjoys carpenter work as well as farming and has many creative hobbies. His wife, Tonya, is from Gooding, Idaho and they have three special children: Gaven Clark bom 3 Sep 2000 in Idaho Falls,
Idaho. Grace Michelle bom 3 Jul 2002 in Idaho Falls,
Idaho. Ella Marie bom 28 Nov 2004 in Idaho Falls,
Idaho. Tyler James bom 1 Mar 1978 in St. Anthony, Idaho. (See Baum, Tyler James.)
There is a history of Rex and LaDawn in "The Fruits and Roots of Thomas Wesley Richards and Hannah Eliza Bird" pgs. 303-306.
B-Jared and Tonya with Ella F-Gaven and Grace BAUM
B-Lynette, M-Jared and Corbett F-Tyler BAUM
69
(Z^fitatt Jam'dif Mhtatie^
The LaDawn and Rex BAUM Family: B-Roselle Curtis Baum, Tyler James Baum, Rex Corbett Baum, Lynette Baum Mazo. Jared Michael Baum, Tonya Moody Baum F-James Tyler Baum, Emily Dawn Hall, Jennifer Baum, Rex Clark Baum, Blanca Carolina Mazo, LaDawn Oberhansley Baum, Ella Marie Baum, Grace Michelle Baum, Gavin Clark Baum F-Audrey Lynn Hall, Kelley Amanda Hall.
By LaDawn Oberhansley Baum
\9^ \t/ \t/ \fy
Cl^fitatt Jtlaia: A "Chautaqua" was a traveling company which had acts they performed for the public much like a circus or traveling road show. They frequented the Ashton area and were much enjoyed by young an old.
70
d^fUati 3'am'dif Siidtojue^
Roselle, Tyler F-James and Jenny BAUM
^aum, Tyler James and Roselle Curtis.
Tyler James Baum was bom in St. Anthony, Idaho, on Wednesday, March 1, 1978, to Rex Clark and LaDawn Oberhansley BAUM. Both are Ashton natives: Rex was bom to Norma Robinson and Clark Allen BAUM, and LaDawn was bom to Georgia Cordingley and Wayne Alvin OBERHANSLEY. Tyler is the fourth of four children.
Tyler spent his gro wing-up years in the same house in Ashton-a white house one mile north of the Pineview Cemetery in an area once known as Ingling-until after he graduated from North Fremont High School in 1996.
While growing up, Tyler tried nearly every extra-curricular activity he could. After trying T-ball, wrestling in grade school, and basketball in junior high, he spent high school playing football. He started playing the tmmpet in the sixth grade and continued through Viking
Pep Band at Ricks College, as well as lessons at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. He also sang in the North Fremont Show Choir and was in the annual school play from the time he was in the eight grade until he was a senior in high school. He was the lead twice: Joe Hardy in Damn Yankees as a sophomore in 1 994, and Harold Hill in The Music Man as a senior. Because of his interest in acting, he was awarded the first-ever Mr. North Fremont award in 1996.
After graduating from North Fremont, Tyler attended Ricks College. Before he had even spent the night in his first apartment away from home, he and his Dmmmond roommate, Ned Rogers, visited former classmates Brenda Harshbarger and Marcia Murdoch in Heritage Manor #202. There, Tyler met Roselle Curtis, a sophomore from Concord, California.
Roselle was bom in Panorama City, California, on June 14, 1977, to a once Rexburg native named Jerry Curtis and a once Burley native named Bonnie Bell. Both had moved to Downey, California, when they were still young. Roselle is the fourth of eight children. Roselle's parents moved to Concord, in the Bay Area, when she was three months old. She lived there until attending Ricks College in 1996.
Tyler spent many evenings visiting Roselle during his freshman year, and even though he had a hunch she was the one he would marry, Roselle never took him seriously because he was younger than her and a pre-missionary.
Tyler was called on a mission in 1997, and left for the MTC shortly after Roselle graduated from Ricks on June 1 1. He served honorably in the Califomia Arcadia Mission, which encompasses everything in Los Angeles County east of Los Angeles itself
After Tyler retumed in 1999, he met back up with Roselle at the wedding reception of Brody Harshbarger and Jennifer van Zwol. Jen had been Roselle's best friend in Concord, so when Tyler showed up at the reception, Roselle was there as the maid of honor.
Later that summer he met her in Bountiful, Utah, before his first mission reunion, and the two began dating long distance. While Roselle attended Utah Valley State College in Orem,
71
^
(Z^fitan Jatnliif Mhta%i&3
Utah, Tyler finished Ricks College. He graduated in the spring of 2000, earning an associate's degree in Language and Letters before spending that summer in a summer-stock theater in Garden Valley, Idaho. He was Franz in The Sound oj Music, Gad in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (and sang the solo "One More Angel"), and Caleb in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.
Tyler and Roselle knew they wanted to get married but didn't know when. After the season was over, Tyler and Roselle flew to Concord where he met her parents. He took advantage of a sunset over the San Francisco Bay from the view at the Oakland Temple to propose to Roselle. She accepted.
Tyler attended Brigham Young University for three years; the end of each year brought something new: at the end of the first, he married Roselle in the Oakland Temple on April 28, 2001 in Oakland, California; at the end of the second, they gave birth to their first child, James Tyler, on May 8, 2002; and at the end of his last year, Tyler graduated with a bachelor's degree
in English.
The couple moved to Ashton where they lived in a brick farmhouse three miles west of Ashton. The house was inherited by Rex from his father, Clark. Tyler has been told it was built by Andy Sack-brother to Johnny Sack, who built the cabin at Big Spring in 1914.
Tyler was hired as a writer-photographer at the Rexburg Standard Journal in October of 2003, where his beats included Ashton, Island Park, agriculture. Forest Service, Fish and Game, and Harriman State Park. He worked in the old Herald Chronicle office on Bridge Street in St. Anthony. He was later hired at Press-A-Print International in Idaho Falls as the Communications Coordinator.
While Tyler was a reporter, the couple gave A^^K - ^-. j; birth to a daughter, Jenny, on August 6, 2004.
I^^^Bhm J Tyler's favorite class at BYU was Oral History, and
^^^^^^m ' i .^,.*^M:,^. SO Tyler's wish is to use his oral history training and
fl^^^^^P ^ ' 1 his transcribing machine to publish family history
1 i I l|BM||i narratives for a fee. Roselle is an independent
f ^^^B beauty consultant for Mary Kay and a full time
I I ■j^^l At this writing, they now live in Kuna. Idaho
' I f I Hl^l and Tyler is a contractor for Hewlett Packard.
MetnoJue^ Bonnie Reneau with Kathy Scow. Submitted hv Helen Marsden Bv Tvler J. Bauni
72
ddfitan f^atniiy. Mhtaued
^lanchard. Alma Lane and Zeralene Egbert. Zeralene bom 28 Mar 1935 in Marysville, Idaho to Zera Newton and Sarah Louise Howard EGBERT. She married Alma Lane Blanchard 5 Jun 1953 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He was bom 2 Mar 1931 in Chester, Idaho to Arlo Murie and Mary Brenchley BLANCHARD. He died 24 Oct 2002 in St. Anthony, Idaho and was buried 28 Oct 2002 in Annis, Fremont, Idaho. They had the following children:
Tawna Louise bom 28 Mar 1954 in Ashton, Idaho. She married D. Lynn Atwood 26 Jun
1975 in St. Anthony, Idaho. (Div.) Ryan Lane bom 28 Mar 1956 in Ashton, Idaho. He married Leslie Elizabeth Devenport
7 Jul 1979 in Los Angeles, Califomia. (Div.) Melanie bom 21 Oct 1957 in Logan, Utah. She married Allen Carl Taylor 7 Nov 1981 in
Idaho Falls, Idaho. Bret Egbert bom 8 Feb 1959 in Ashton, Idaho. He married Rebecca Kaye Birch 26 Jun
1981 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Mario Howard bom 15 Jan 1963 in St. Anthony, Idaho. He married Sharon Ann McKenna 5 Jan 1984 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Zeralene married (2) Winston James Soelberg 23 Nov 1979. He died 28 Mar 1999. Zeralene married (3) Melvin Call 9 Jun 2000.
I,
Zeralene, was
the third child
bom to my
parents. My
memories of
growing up are
happy. While
very young, I
remember living
in the log house
across the river
at Marysville
with grassy
pastures where I
loved to chase
pretty butterflies
and pick yellow
buttercups and
blue bells. Later
I remember
helping Mom cut
potatoes (that
were embedded
in sprouts) on a table outside to be used for spring planting, cutting new tender green clover or
hay with hand shears for the baby turkeys to eat, and then herding them, when they were bigger,
in the open fields east of Marysville. 1 also herded cows with my big brother. Zee J. Tending
cows was not a favorite chore to do!
Zeralene and Lane BLANCHARD Family B-Ryan, Tawna, Melanie F-Zeralene, Marlow, Lane, Bret
73
(Z^fitan §atn'dif Mbtaue^
At an early age my cousin, Vella Reynolds, and I took tap dancing from K. Dean Larsen, who would come to Ashton once a week to teach. Our routines were fun and snappy, and our costumes were darling. They were created and sewn by our Aunt Matilda Winters, Mom's oldest sister. We performed at many school and community affairs. In later years, K. Dean Larsen was the star on "Stump the Organist," an entertaining radio, and later T.V. program enjoyed by all in the valley.
I attended grade school at the three-story red brick Marysville schoolhouse. We lived just kitty-comer to it. The popular song, "In the Little Red School House" was quite appropriate at that time. I especially remember great teachers like Miss Tew, Mrs. Passey, Mrs. Daniels, and Mrs. Jenkins. Recess and noon hours were spent with schoolmates playing such games as "Mother, May I." and Pomp-pomp-pull-away, Dare-base, Red Rover-Red Rover or at the swings, slide, and scary giant strides. What I didn't like was the fire escape! To this day, heights frighten me! Aside of school, when families and friends would visit us, we cousins and neighborhood friends would all get together and play: No Bears Out Tonight, Anti-I-Over, Kick the Can, Tag, or play mischievous tricks on our parents as they visited inside the house. They played along with us.
Our family worked hard caring for a large garden, picking raspberries, shelling peas, husking com. snapping beans, canning peaches and pears. These would be going on outside among cousins sitting on the grass in the shade of the tree, along with singing, telling stories, and much laughter while Mom, Aunt Madge and whoever else was there, bottled and canned hundreds of quarts and pints of vegetables and fruits for the coming winter season. Work and play seemed to tlnd a balance in our lives.
These were the days before television was invented, but the large Zenith radio we had sitting in our living room was a very favorite place for us all to gather in the evenings after supper and listen to very entertaining programs. We loved to press our ears right to the radio. ..and we would listen to the news. I remember hearing about Tokyo Rose and even Mussolini and Hitler, and what was going on during the War. We enjoyed favorite programs such as Tom Mix, The Shadow, Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, Dagwood and Blondie, Gracie Allen and George Bums, Amos and Andy, and the Hit Parade of popular music.
I must have been seven or eight when I started piano lessons from Lisle Andms. Lisle was my mother's good friend, and together they were a "team" that contributed to the growth of the cultural arts in the field of music, dance, and drama for all of us kids growing up during our childhood. Mom and Dad were beautifiil ballroom dancers, and they taught us ballroom dancing, hula, and singing. Mom would compose floor shows for school dances, road shows, and Gold and Green Balls, and we would all have wonderful chances to learn to perfomi and enjoy our developing talents and develop our self-esteem. Mom was very talented, and she shared this gift for the arts with the whole community. For several years we all got to go to Salt Lake for June Conference Dance Festival and perform in our beautiful home-made costumes that rivaled the best from anywhere. One of Mom and Lisle's road shows was a Hawaiian theme. We performed it at our ward house, and it became one of the big hits of Yellowstone Stake. Our stake president, Bro. William Lewis, asked them to enlarge upon it, and make it a one hour program as a fund raiser for the building of the Stake Center. They did just that, and we got to perform it at the Harrigfeld's new movie theater in Ashton. I can remember how sophisticated and dignified a place it was. ..so impressive. The usherettes wore cute little unifomis and ushered people to their seats with their flashlights very properly.
74
Q^dhtan S-atniitf Mb taxied
A transition occurred for me in the community about 1948-49 whereby I attended 8"" grade at Ashton. We added more friends to our existing list. Almost the same time, April 1 , 1948, Mom and Dad bought the farm north of Ashton, and we moved onto it. The boys usually worked outside (and so did Mom!) while Trenna and I worked inside with the domestic chores of learning to cook and keep a clean house. Dad trustingly put me on a tractor to cultivate potatoes, rake hay, and I even graduated to drive the spud truck under the bulker during the harvest time. Many times while working in the fields. Mom and Dad would sit their children down to eat lunch while they would practice their dance routines, twirling around and kicking up the dirt. After all, "the show must go on!" We learned commitment, faithful stewardship, and joy in serving.
Going "huckleberry ing" in the late summer was a big treat for our family. Mom would make a picnic with store bought bread, cookies, and real soda pop to drink. What a treat from homemade! Mom used these times together to expound on scriptures and talk about the gospel with us. ..often one-on-one. Now we would call these times "great teaching moments," but then it was just plain "visiting" with Mom. She really knew her scriptures, and 1 just marveled at her memory. Lots of learning and understanding of the gospel took place during these picking and canning times, and my testimony of the truthftilness of the gospel began to take root.
Mom and Dad loved going to movies. Dad would take us to the Ashton movie. ..even if he had to borrow a dollar from Mr. HoUingsworth over at the City Drug. We would always go there to buy a candy bar to take in with us. Dad had a sweet tooth, and so did we! He worked hard and hardly ever took time for himself He always tried to do the "very best" for us kids and for Mom. He put the needs of others always above his own needs.
I was close to my dad. I remember him as a gentle and kind father. He allowed me to take the little yellow jeep and drive my girlfriends up and over the dry farms on lazy afternoons. That showed a lot of trust in me. He always seemed proud of me and interested in whatever I was doing. Mom and Dad were always very generous to each of us and to others.
At North Fremont High I held various school offices through the years. I was Student Body President in 1953 during my senior year. Mr. Mark Anderson, our high school principal, was very kind, patient, and helpful during that time, and the student body put up with me. I really enjoyed all the good friends and activities we had together, especially the camaraderie we developed during these years. "O You Huskies. ...MUSH!" was our cry! Many of these friends I have to this very day.
On April 10, 1953 I got engaged to A. Lane Blanchard of Chester, and after graduating we were married in the Idaho Falls Temple. He served in the Army and while he was over-seas, our first child was bom. A telegram was sent to announce her arrival. During his absence 1 lived at home with my folks, and also worked as a waitress at Lyd's Cafe in Ashton. Zee J and Peggy were in the military also, and Dennis, Brent, and Trenna were living at home. After serving in the military we moved to Logan, Utah where Lane got a teaching degree from Utah State College. We then moved back to Idaho, and he started teaching history at the junior high in St. Anthony. He often taught math and Spanish, and a few other subjects, as well as refereeing many sports.
We made our home in St. Anthony. Our family grew to five children. 1 enjoyed being a mom and a homemaker, helping in the potato harvest at the Ashton farm, and selling Jafra cosmetics for over 30 years. I have made many friendships with my co-workers and customers. During this time I enjoyed church callings in music, dance and drama.. .and have all of my life. I
75
d^fitan Jamliif Jihta%ie^
was the Stake Drama Director when the church came out with a very needed play called "House Talk" that was intended to bridge the developing "generation gap." It was very successful. I also remember directing "And Suddenly You're Older" and several others. It was also during this time I was the piano accompanist for our family quartet consisting of my sister, Trenna. my brother Zee J, his wife, Peggy, and Lane. We were quite in demand for years for funerals and celebrations and church meetings throughout the area. We even performed and spoke at Canyon and Lake in Yellowstone Park.
We were called to be Stake Dance Directors and kind of followed in Mom and Dad's footsteps - doing road shows and ballroom dancing. We even took kids to Salt Lake City for dance festivals. It was great fun for everyone involved.
Our mairiage ended in 1977. I worked for awhile in Rexburg at Porter Printing in the front office, and then later as a receptionist to 9 Realtors at Reese Realty. This was a new challenge and a growing experience for me. During that time I was once again involved with music, dance, and drama, but the most fun was keeping up with my family and extended families. It was enjoyable to be close by my sister, Trenna, and her family. For about ten years Trenna and I presented a musical program entitled "A Night on Broadway" ...she as a soloist, and 1 was her accompanist. Our last performance was March 19, 1999. Ten minutes after the performance. Winston dropped to the floor with cardiac arrest, and he passed away on 28 Mar 1999.
I played the organ in the Idaho Falls Temple every week for 13 of the years we lived in Idaho Falls. It was there that I became acquainted with Melvin Call, whose wife had passed away. We became friends and married in a beautiful civil ceremony in the Idaho Falls Temple. We were two days into our Alaskan honeymoon cruise when I got word that my mother had passed away. Mel arranged for a tender and air flight, and we quickly arrived back in Idaho Falls to be with family.
A year later in October of 2001 we were called to serve an 18 month mission for our church to Manchester, England. We began on the Isle of Man for the first 6 months where we made many friendships and treasured moments. For the remaining 12 months we were assigned to the Manchester Mission Office. We handled housing and other office work. We went from the Scottish border down into Wales taking care of the missionary flats. We have had many wonderful experiences and made many good friends. We have also enjoyed traveling with many of these friends. When we returned back to Idaho Falls, Mel and I bought a home where we now reside at 436 Hickory Circle.
At this reading (Sep 2005) 1 have 19 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild with two more to arrive soon. We continue being involved with families and their manv activities which brings much joy into our lives.
By Zeralene Egbert Blanchard Call
*ri?rirrjT
ddfitan fJxiuia: "Cloverine Salve" was sold by a salesman and not in the store. It was a salve similar to bag balm that was a good remedy for many things. The best part was that with your purchase you got a beautiful colored picture that could be framed.
76
Cl^fitan ^antii^ Mh tended
^lanchard, Floyd Ivan and Rula Kent. They had the following children: Helen bom 15 Jun 1934 in St. Anthony, Idaho. (See Davis, Drex.) Floyd Jay bom 14 May 1946 in St. Anthony, Idaho. (See Blanchard, Floyd Jay.) Terry L. bom 9 Aug 1939 in St. Anthony, Idaho. (See Blanchard, Terry Lynn.) Jeanette bom 1 1 Aug 1944 in St. Anthony, Idaho. (See Depew, Rodney.)
Dad was bom March 15, 1903 in Chester, Idaho, to Alma Moroni and Harriet Lillian Smith BLANCHARD. His mother passed away leaving six small sons and a baby daughter shortly after her birth. He attended school in Chester and one year at Ricks Academy. Dad was athletically inclined when he was younger. He rode horses a lot and he loved to fish and hunt. He fished his whole life. He always had a fishing pole in his car. He was on the basketball team at Ricks Academy. He had to leave Ricks and help his father on the farm during World War II. He was called to fill a mission for the church in the North Central States from December 1926 to December 1928. When he retumed from his mission, he made his home west of Ashton on a farm in 1928. He and his brothers bought a farm from their dad.
On January 11, 1933, he married Rula Kent of Ashton in the Salt Lake Temple. They lived and worked on the farm until arthritis caused him to rent it. He bought a home in Ashton in 1943, and they still lived in it.
Dad enjoyed people and had a friendly
personality. He never
Floyd and Rula Blanchard
met a stranger. Dad sold insurance, worked for the U.S. Forest Service, and for the last 1 8 years, worked for the Fremont County Assessor's Office. Dad was a counselor in the Bishopric to Horace A. Hess. Then Bishop Hess was called to be Stake President of the Yellowstone Stake, and Dad was called to be the Bishop of the ward in the church across from the old high school, in 1936. Thomas Murdoch was his first counselor and Eugene Hess, Sr. was his
77
Floyd Blanchard
Rula Blanchard
U^htun Jamliif JihtaucA
Helen, Rula, Terry, Floyd, and Jay BLANCHARD
second counselor. Dad was asked to speak at the meeting they held in honor of the White Church before they tore it down. It was an emotional time for him. Dad was a Bishop for 10 years in the LDS Church. He held many leadership positions in the church and helped many people inside and outside of the LDS Church. He was active in the church all his life. You
would never hear Dad say a bad word about anyone.
He loved fishing, hunting, and singing. Concerning his singing, he enjoyed this very much. We sang together at home once in a while. The Christmas before he passed away, I taped us singing together, as well as each of us taking Uims singing alone. He could yodel very well. I enjoyed hearing him yodel so much. I am glad I have a tape of this and many of his other songs. He sang in operettas when younger. He was still singing in the 4"' Ward Choir when he took sick.
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c^ |
|
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WL. |
|
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y^^ |
|
fc |
j^j^ |
|
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Rula and I loyd with Jeanette BLANCHARD
78
d^fitati ^atnii^ Jihtaued
Dad had other close calls with life concerning his ulcers, knee infection, along with other surgeries. Like his brothers, the bones in his legs started bothering him a lot and deformed more when he got older. His arthritis got worse, and it became very hard for him to walk the last few years with a heavy brace. He started using one crutch to help him get around. He had other physical conditions besides those mentioned but that didn't dampen his spirit. He went through a lot of pain and discomfort, yet had a strong will and determination not to let these physical conditions get him down.
f
Taken in Anaheim California 12 Feb 1933.
Dad enjoyed people very much. He knew where most people in Fremont County lived since he worked for the County Assessor's office. The last job Dad had was to assist Clyde Ingram. He enjoyed working with the County Assessor, Clyde Ingram, very much. They became very good friends. Clyde also enjoyed fishing and while they were assessing in Island Park, they would stop at times and fish while they were eating lunch.
Dad loved the Fremont County area. He got out in the county area in business as well as took part in the recreational benefits of the county. In the summer of 1984, before Dad got sick, my nephew, Mike Davis (Helen and Drex's boy) and his family came and visited Mom and Dad. Then Terry and family drove from Phoenix, Arizona, to visit on vacation. It was
I
Floyd Blanchard on mission December 1926.
79
(Ziyfitan ^atniii^ 3ii^Umied
unusual for all of us to be there at the same time, but I flew from Arizona and was with Mom and Dad, also for my vacation.
On August 1 , Dad got real sick and was taken to the Ashton Hospital. They wouldn't let us in his room because they thought he had an infection that was contagious. He got worse over night and was taken by ambulance to the Idaho Falls Riverview Hospital. He was in ICU for quite awhile. I rode in the ambulance with Dad as they transported him to the other Idaho Falls hospital. Mom and I stayed days and nights with Dad for quite awhile. Terry, Marianne, and the boys had to get back to Arizona. I changed my airline ticket and stayed longer. Then I had to get back to Arizona to work. I received word that Dad had passed away. Terry and I were on our way as soon as possible for Idaho. Dad had passed away on August 24, 1984. Services were August 27, 1984, at the Ashton LDS Stake Center. His burial was in the Ashton Pineview Cemetery.
Mom probably gave some of the information for the life sketch. Clyde Ingram gave his life sketch at the funeral. I took information from the obituary in the paper and the life sketch and added a little more information. Written by Jeanette Blanchard Depew.
Our Dad
When I think of our Dad, many thoughts come to mind,
A man that is small-with a heart strong and kind.
You would never hear dad, speak ill of anyone. He has a love for people, always joking and having fun.
A common sight with Dad, is a fishing pole in his hand, He knows all the spots around-has a mental map of the area land.
Music has always played a big part of our dad his whole life through, He's sung solo's, in operetta's, many ward choirs and even yodels too.
His hands were strong, from a lifetime of work, even up to the very
end. At age 81 with a crutch in his hand and a determination that would not
bend.
Dad was a good man who believed in the church, a lifetime of service
in it he spent,
He respected the counsel and advice of its leaders, if meetings he
should attend, he went.
He had great concern and love for his family, a helping hand he would
always lend.
His last desire was to have us togethcr-we responded, even grandson
Mike, as if his voice did send.
Dear Dad, we will miss you, yet grateful to know, you are now
free from worldly care.
We'll look forward to seeing you someday soon and other loved ones
who are there.
Floyd and Rula Blanchard
80
ddhton 5-ain'dif Mhtaucd
Even though we know we'll meet again, it's still hard to have you go. It's harder for us left behind, because we'll miss you so.
But we are grateful now you're free, from discomfort, worry and pain. And now you'll progress to a higher path, that will provide for you more to gain.
There's just one last thing we want you to know-from Mom, Jay, Terry and Jeanette, "We love you Dad, till we meet again. You are a part of us and we'll never forget. "77
Written by Jeanette Blanchardfor Dad 's funeral service held on August 27, 1984
WI was bom January 31, 1914, to Norman Kent and Leona Isabelle Hill at Ora, Idaho which is a few miles west of Ashton. My mother and dad's families both lived there. I was bom in my Grandmother Hill's house. Grandfather Hill died two years before I was bom. She was left with nine kids and a farm. She used to take tums with the kids going in a buggy or wagon to St. Anthony to take butter, eggs, and things from the farm. All the kids had to help. Our family moved around for work. Dad got a job and worked at the Railroad Ranch, then Buffalo, known
now as Ponds. My folks worked at the
camps. The last one was in Pineview. Dad
hauled ties for the railroad and Mother
cooked for the men.
Norman Gerald was bom Feb 13,
1916. Gerald (Curley) and I stayed with
Millie Olsen while we went to school until
the folks moved down in the fall. We used to
ride on the train. I remember how scared I
used to get on that narrow track and going
through the tunnel.
Elden Hill was bom April 5, 1918. I worked at different homes while in
high school as well as in the potatoes.
Norma was bom Febmary 2, 1924, when I was ten years old.
Mother always worked in the seed house. She also worked in the Ashton Hotel along with doing peoples' house work. She did whatever she could do. I always had to get Norma from the baby sitter after school, take her home, and do up the house work. Mother always worked somewhere. I remember every night after Dad got home, 1 would have to go to the store before we could eat. We would work in the potatoes with large baskets we had to fill with our hands. It took 2 baskets for a sack. We picked in rows. Then they would haul them at night. We lived in Ashton then and Dad worked for years for Woodbum Transfer hauling freight from the train, the mail, coal, or whatever anyone wanted hauled.
Rula Kent
Rula Blanchard
81
Cl.yfiton ^antiii^ Jihtaue^
I was quite popular when I was in school. We would ride horses with the boys, go to dances all around in sleighs or however we could go. I love to dance. My favorite place to dance was the Wami River Dance Hall. I loved going there to dance so much. I even went one night with cold sores all around my mouth.
I met Floyd Blanchard at church. He had a farm west of Ashton. We didn't have much of anything. I thought he was nice looking, and he had money. Man! I thought it was really something when he asked me for a date, and I was about seventeen. I went with him quite a lot but went with others too. Everything was fun then. Mother thought that was great for me to go w ith him, even though he was 1 1 yrs. older than 1 was. He had a nice car, some money, and was old enough to have some sense. Mother really liked Floyd and pushed things. I kept going with Floyd. A bunch of us would go out to his ranch and cook suppers. Dad tole me once that if I didn't marry Floyd, Mother would. She went a lot with us places.
Then on January 10, we left for Utah to be married. We were married January 1 1, 1933 in the Salt Lake Temple. We went to California for our honeymoon. I really got homesick because it was the first time I had been away for that long. We came home from our honeymoon on Floyd's birthday, March 15, 1933. The snow was so deep he had to ride a horse to check out the ranch. They didn't plow roads in those days. You should have seen that house. He painted the kitchen and stairway a dark green, then varnished over it to make it shine. I thought it was pretty nice then.
Our tlrst dresser was two orange crates with a board across the top and a curtain around it. He had a huge oblong mirror with a carved gold frame around. He made a place to hang clothes with a curtain around it. I washed at Mother's until we got a washer. We had the water put in the house, fixed a bathroom, and put cabinets in the kitchen. It was a pretty good place.
Our first toilet was a wooden thing out from the house quite a way. It faced the road. It didn't even have a door. He had a gunny sack across the top. Why, I'll never know because there was nothing down where we sit. Just went in there in hopes no one went down the road, which they hardly did. We finally got it fixed up.
Helen was bom June 15, 1934, at St. Anthony. Then in about 1935 they called Floyd to be the Bishop of Ashton. Then Helen was called "the ward's" baby. Floyd was the first Bishop of the White Church when it was first built. (It was where the Post Office is now). Our first baby boy was bom May 14, 1936. Floyd was bishop for 10 years.
It would be so cold with so much snow in the winter that the horses would have to lunge over the drifts, and icicles would be hanging from their noses.
When I was about two or three months pregnant, I had to have an emergency operation on my appendix.
One day Floyd thought it would be nice if I leamed to milk a cow. Then I was milking seven and eight while Floyd was thrashing or something else. Then I was going to be nice and have the chores done when he came home.
On August 9, 1939 we had another boy. I had quite a setback after Terry was bom. They took me and Terry to a Mrs. Bolton's home in St. Anthony, and she took care of us a couple of weeks. Then after I went home, she came and stayed about a month. I wonder how I ever did what I did. In the fall I would cut grain and work in the potatoes. Then he thought it would be
82
nice to plow, harrow, combine, whatever. So I weakened some more. I did everything on the place, even after three kids. Then I would do my work at night. I was always so tired. I cooked for many hired hands while on the ranch. Floyd rented the farm. He was starting to get arthritis. We moved into Ashton. In 1943 they bought the house I still live in. Then on August 1 1, 1944, we had a very tiny baby girl. Gerald was in Germany in the army at the time and heard we were having a baby and wanted to name her, so we said he could. It turned out to be "Jeanette." He liked the movie star Jeanette McDonald so well, he wanted to give her that name. So now we have two of each.
Tragedy struck our family in December of 1955. My daughter, Helen and her baby, Michelle, passed away when their home caught on fire due to faulty wiring. This happened around 2:00 in the morning of December 14, 1955. Her husband, Drex Davis, and little boy, Mike, only two yrs. old, survived. This was very hard on the whole family. I needed the assistance of our beloved Dr. Krueger at this time. Drex passed away four years later, and we have our Mike left with us now.
I loved to give to my family and friends. I would give popcorn balls and banana bread to a lot of people. I cooked large meals for my family three times a day. My family loved my fried chicken and homemade noodles, fudge, cinnamon rolls, and many other foods I would prepare for them.
I feel so bad when the kids call, and I can't hear them. I'm just thankftil for this hearing aide I have that helps me to hear much better. I can't hear anything without it. I have had this problem for years and years. I have a continual roar in my head. It sure makes me nervous. My Aunt Vesta said it was probably due to her. She said when I was a tiny baby she was carrying me outside and stumbled and fell hard on me. Whenever they laid me on my back, I would turn black in the face. As I have gone through the years, I have had severe dizzy spells along with severe nausea and a cold sweat. I couldn't lie on my back and sometimes on my side. In later years, I have had them more often. The roaring in my head is worse at these times.
I love to give. If only I could give more. I have sent birthday cards and taken things to people for years, and I really love this. There is nothing I would rather do than to be able to give to the church, family, and friends a lot. 1 love this so much.
I was mostly a housewife, but later I worked very hard in the City Market store as a clerk for Tom Murdoch. 1 lifted cases of cans, carried out groceries, worked at the register, wrapped meat, and whatever needed to be done. When Tom closed the store down, I worked awhile at a new IGA store that was opened by Jack Rice.
Written by Rula K. Blanchard
I am going to finish Mom's life history. (Jeanette Depew)
Dad passed away in August of 1984. We all have missed him very much. Mom never liked being alone, but she handled this obstacle for a long time, now alone in her home. Mom was always very clean inside and outside her home. One of her greatest frustrations, which she fought, was her neighbor's leaves landing in her yard. She never had a tree, but they really did seem to all congregate in her yard. She raked tons and tons of leaves over the years. She couldn't stand to have a leaf on her yard or snow on her sidewalks. She was a very hard worker all her life.
83
(Z^fiton f^atnii^ Mhtaue^
Mom was a woman of many talents-the talent of charity, thoughtfulness, integrity, and a great cook. She had a great talent of enduring hardships and heartaches. Mom hked sports and was good playing them. She played basketball in high school, where she fell and hurt her knee which nave her a scar. Her knee bothered her at tunes for the rest of her life. She bowled on a league in Ashton when she was in her 60's and won a few trophies.
Mom was always very independent. She hung her own wallpaper, and took off her own storm windows outside, which were very big and heavy. She also did her own yard work as long as she could. Even though she had Karen Harrigfeld and family mow and trim her yard when she could no longer do it herself, she would go out and do things around the yard in between times. She did many other demanding jobs herself. 1 tried to get Mom to come to Arizona many times to stay with us, but she did not want to do that and wanted her own independence. She wanted to stay in her own home for as long as she could and she accomplished this until the last three months of her life.
Mother loved her family, her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She appreciated all her family did for her and enjoyed being with them when she could be. She appreciated greatly her many friends who helped her for so many years when she was home as well as in the Ashton Memorial Nursing Home, which she entered in April, 2005. Mom agreed to go to the nursing home and preferred to go to Ashton. She knew she needed more help since her fall than she could get at home. Even though the nursing home was not the place she wanted to be, the therapists helped her to walk again and that was very important to Mom. It helped her quality of life until the last three days of her life.
There is one friend Mom would want me to give a special thanks to-Lynda Kerbs. She was a special friend for many years who shared a special bond with Mom. Mom loved her so much and appreciated the special care she gave her for many years, up to the end of her passing. On behalf of our family, thanks so much, Lynda.
Mom's strong will and determination plus answers to prayers helped Mom keep going to the end, in spite of how frail she was. She had a remarkable spirit to keep going. She was alert and concerned about taking care of herself up to the end. After Mom's fall, the first part of April, she went to the Rexburg Hospital and was on oxygen all the time. After she got to the nursing home and was walking, she got off the oxygen for awhile even though her lungs weren't working 100%. Then the lungs got worse and she was put back on oxygen again until she passed away. Our dear sweet Mother passed away July 16, 2005. She was 91 years old and lived in her home alone until April. She was a strong woman even though she was a small woman. She persevered through many trials and physical conditions in her life. She was a true monument of womanhood to her family and friends. Mom loved giving to people. She gave the most precious gift she could give to others, 'The Gift of Self." Mom lived a full life and was very tired and prepared to pass through the veil. Yet it doesn't make it easier for those of us left behind because it will never be the same without her. We will miss you dear, sweet Mother, until we meet auain.
84
Rula Blanchard
My Mother
It is hard to know just where to start,
When I think of you Mom, for you're close to my heart.
You have always been around when I came to town, To visit and laugh with, till tears are running down.
Because you have loved your family very much. You've had many worries due to lots of caring and such.
You have worked so very hard all your life, And you have endured it well through the grief and the strife.
It isn't what comes to you as you travel on life's path. It's how situations are handled with an attitude free of wrath.
Even though you have been hurt by some people close to you. You still reached out in forgiveness and did all you could do.
You are a true example of Christian service to everyone. You gave so much to so many whether tired or on the run.
You were always very thoughtful of your family as well as friends. Sending cards, delivering popcorn balls, banana bread-gifts of self that never ends.
You did so much for me dear Mother, growing up as well as now. If I was given a chance to choose, I would lovingly take your hand and give a bow.
I miss you so, I always will, for we had a special bond. But I wouldn't bring you back if only needed was to wave a wand.
I know you were ready and wanting to go, you were tired and very prepared, It's just hard for us here that are left behind; we are sad because we truly cared.
Life will go on and things will be fine-but special memories of you I'll never forget. And I'm looking forward to seeing you again dear Mom, in the eternal future that is set.
Written by Jeanette Blanchard Depew
Submitted by Jeanette Blanchard Depew
85
Cl^fitati ^antiiy. Mbtaue^
5?lanchard, Floyd Jay and Uti Welker.
Jay was bom 14 May 1936. He was a long skinny baby. He
started school in August of 1944. When Jay was in the 7'" or 8"' grade, he was out at Hess's playing. We were to my Uncle's funeral in St.Anthony. (McDowell) One of the boys he was playing with had a bee-bee gun and shot Jay in the eye.
They rushed him to Idaho Falls where he had to lie flat on his back, eyes covered most of the time. It was lucky when the doctor rolled the eye lid back and the bee-bee fell out. He lost the sight in his eye. At this same time, we had Jeanette's surgery on her legs when she was four years old in Boise, Idaho. We brought her home in a body cast and had a bed in the living room for her. Jay got his eye hurt and was brought home after he got out of the hospital, so I had both kids down at the same time. All of the kids were active and good in school. Jay was an outstanding athlete all the way
throuiih hitih school. He
Jay Blanchard
Jay "Doc" Blanchard
Terry, Jay, and Helen BLANCHARD
Jay and Uli BLANCHARD
was called "Doc" Blanchard by his schoolmates and they still call him "Doc" when they see him.
He was very good in basketball. Jay played a horn in school until he hurt his eye and that was it. All the kids were special through school. Jay graduated from Ashton High School in 1954 and went to Ricks on a scholarship. That fall Jay was playing football for Ricks College. At their first game he was sick and couldn't play. He came home and acted like he had the flu and said his neck hurt. I rubbed him and doctored him over the week-end. He didn't feel any better but insisted on tioins back to Rexburu to colletje. The next day the woman where the boys were living called and said he was pretty sick. I went down and had the doctor come over. He checked him all over and said it was a
86
ddfUan 3-antiiy. MhtofUed
Lance and Jay Blanchard
very bad case of the flu or polio. We would have to take him to the hospital in Idaho Falls. Yes, it was polio. He was there in isolation for two weeks. I never could understand the isolation bit. We could stand in the door but not go in. They said he would never play ball anymore and would have to make a new life for himself It about did me in, and I knew it would Jay. He couldn't use his right arm very good. He has a hole where the muscle was in his shoulder. His arm is still weak and shakes some but through prayer and his determination, he played church basketball all winter. He has had to use his left arm more, but he did it. This deal ended Jay's college career. He wouldn't go back.
Pamela Blanchard Peebles
Teresa Blanchard McFarland
Lance Blanchard
Jay married Elaine Miller in Idaho Falls June 15, 1956. They lived out to the farm for awhile. He worked in the Post Office. Elaine's brother-in-law, Fred Dixon, moved here and they built them a new home. It was very nice and ftimished nice. Pamela was bom in 1958. She was a healthy little gal. She married Wayne Pebbles and lives in rural Sugar City, Idaho. She works for the County Assessors office at the Madison County Building. They have four children. Wayne adopted Pam's two boys. Brandon is married and lived in Idaho Falls, Idaho and works for Merrill Lynch. Jason is married and lives in Sugar City, Idaho and is a Police Officer. Sheree works with her mother, Pam at the Madison County Building in Rexburg, and Corbet is on a mission for the LDS Church in Oregon.
Teresa was bom in 1963. She was a nice, cute baby, too. She married Justin McFarland, and they have two children: Krystal and Justin. Justin adopted Krystal, who is in Provo getting training as a dental assistant. They got their boy in 1968 and named him Lance. Lance is
87
Cl^fitan Jamd^ Jihtaue3
B-Jay, Rula, Pam, Jeanette F-Corbet, Uti, Sharee, and Rod 1999 in Ashton
divorced and has two daughters. He adopted his first daughter, Katie. Then he had his young daughter. Tori. He lives in Kennewick. Washington and is a Security Officer and Police Officer. As a Police Officer he has had special training with his dog, Bruno, that helps with the bomb squad. We are so proud of all of these grand kids.
Jay went into Farmers Insurance Business and had an office in St. Anthony for years. Jay was divorced in 1982.
Then on July 6, 1990, he married Uti Welker at the Ashton
25 Apr 19S3 Jay, Tcrcse vv Krystic, Pam, Floyd. Lance, Jason, Brandon
88
d^fitan ffatnii^ MLdtaue^
LDS Stake Center. Jay and Uti were given an open house after their wedding, and it turned out very nice. They reside in Sandy, Utah, at the present time.
Jay said, "The highhght of my time at North Fremont was when we beat out Idaho Falls in 1954."
Most of the above information was taken from Mom 's Life History & Genealogy. I added just a few sentences. Jeanette Blanchard Depew, submitted by Jeanette and Jay Blanchard.
Classof 1952 Jr. Play B-John Harrigfeld, Carol Egbert, Jackie Nelson, Dan Jensen, DeLane Cordingley, Bob Carter, Don Rasmussen Mark Perry, Billie Reynolds, Keith Cordingley, Nadeene Lenz, Ann Wynn, F-Connie Robinson, Nina Richards. Marilvn Lee, Helen Blanchard, LaVerla Bressler
/./a/?/- /^/'-(' -^/y
■////^
Jr CI a;.,;j plAV .ACIS
A
iy
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'!
^» maL'-
TJv 7j\ /»\ /»\
This play was supposed to be March 9, but a blizzard delayed to Wednesday and Thursday Mar 2 1 , & 22, 1951
i
89
Ci^hton ^amiiif 3ihto^ue6
Jay, Terry, and Helen Blanchard
^lanchard, Terry Lynn and Marianne Hansen.
Terry was bom 9 Aug 1939. I had quite a
setback when Terr\- was bom. They took Terry
and me to a Mrs. Bolton's home in St. Anthony,
and she took care of us a couple of weeks. Then
we went home, and she came and stayed about a
month.
The boys were active in sports. Terry had
arch problems and wouldn't get them taken care
of All through high school we went to all the
games and took Mother w ith us. Terry played the
trombone awhile but couldn't see anything but
sports. They were all special through high school.
Terrv graduated from Ashton Hi^h School in 1957 and then went to Idaho State
University in Pocatello, Idaho. He graduated from college in 1962 in business. He took
R.O.T.C. at colleue and went to Washinizton for a few weeks in R.O.T.C. and then went into the
Army as a First Lieutenant.
He and Marianne Hansen got married December 8, 1962, in Riverton, Wyoming. Terry
had ordered a new Corvair Monza, so he and Jay drove that to Riverton. Floyd and I, Jeanette
and Mother, Ode and Lucille drove together to Riverton to the weddins. It was a nice wedding and reception. We had an open house for them at the Marysville Church, which also turned out nice.
Terry was in the service so they went to Pennsylvania. Terry and Marianne lived in Glendale, Califomia a few years. Floyd and I tlew down once to see them. It was the first time I had flown, and they about had to carry me off the plane. I couldn't enjoy the trip for worrying about cominu back.
Terry worked for the Interpace Company, which sold Franciscan China among a lot of other things. He was transferred to Massachusetts where he lived about seven or eight years. They all t1ew here once.
Brett was bom in Califomia and Ryan in Massachusetts. Terry was transferred to Ohio after several years in Massachusetts. When he lived in these rvvo states, he was
Marianne and Ycrry Blanchard
90
dafUatt 3-aniihf Mhto^Ue^
B-Ryan F-Marianne, Terry, and Bret BLANCHARD
district manager of about
five states. He had people
working under him. He
flew and drove a lot as he
traveled to the different
states and areas he needed
to visit concerning his sales
position.
Floyd flew to Ohio
and spent Christmas with
them in about 1976. Then
they flew here to Idaho for
a couple of weeks the next
year. In 1979, Terry's
Interpace Company sold
out and would have given
him a job but he was
financially okay, so he
could get on his own now.
He has always wanted his own business.
He started it in Phoenix, Arizona. They liked it there. He calls it the Tema Enterprise.
(Tema for Terry and Marianne)
Terry and Marianne had two boys: Bret John bom November 22, 1967, in Glendale,
California, and Ryan Mathew bom August 27, 1970, in Framingham, Massachusetts. On
January 3, 1998, Ryan married Amy in Phoenix, Arizona. Ryan and Amy live in Awatukee,
Arizona, and Bret lives in Tempe, Arizona. Terry and Marianne still reside in Phoenix, Arizona.
Most of the above information was taken from Mom 's Life History & Genealogy. I added Just a few sentences. Jeanette Blanchard Depew
Submitted by Jeanette Blanchard Depew
'■^iff
--^M
Jiema^ie^ Ashton Dam Submitted by
Nieca Cordingley Jessen
91
(Z^fiton ^amiti^ 3ih taxied
^onneru, Hans Christian and Brighamina Olson.
Hans Christian Bonneru was bom in 1849 in Oslo, Norway,
which was then called Christiania, and was also then a part of Sweden. Brighamina Olson was bom in 1860 in Stockholm, Sweden. These two
Scandinavians came to know each other, and were married in the early 1880's after their respective families had emiurated from northern
Willard, Brighamina and Edwin Bonnem
Brighamina Bonneru 1940's
Ldwin, Liin and Norma Bt)nncn.i
Europe to the Salinas area of Utah.
Not long after their marriage and the birth of their older children, they moved to Lethbridge, Alberta, on the request of John Taylor, who was then the president of the EDS Church in Salt Eake City. At that time, a community of Latter-day Saints
(Cardston) had been established just south of
Lethbridge and barely north of the U.S. - Canada border
for a variety of reasons.
But 1898 found the Bonnem family back in the
United States just west of
Marysville, Idaho, where
H.C. and Brighamina proved
a homestead in what was
called the Vemon area.
Being a brick-maker by
trade, Hans Christian set up
a brick baking kiln on the
Black Springs on his
property, which ran
eventually into the Henry's
Fork of the Snake River. In
fact, most of the
reddish/orange clay bricks
which comprise the original
buildings on Main Street in
Ashton and many original homes in the area were of his
manufacture.
Of their eight children, only three continued to
make Ashton their home after growing up, as they made
|
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|
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Nomia Bonnem Grube 1971
92
Ci^fitan 3-ani'dy. Jihta^ue^
farming their primary occupation: their oldest son, Willard; another son, Edwin; and a third son, Elmer. Willard married Myrtle Olsen from the Logan Valley in Utah, and they reared twins, Leo and Cleo, and their other daughters, Marcella and Venita. Edwin married El in Jacobson, from Goteborg, Sweden. Their only child was a daughter, Norma. Elmer married, but this union never produced children. In 1919, Willard and Myrtle took Edwin's four-year- old daughter. Norma, into their home to rear because Edwin's wife, Elin,
had died. This brought the number of children in their home to
five.
Just like their parents, the Bonneru sons were
extremely active in
Edwin Bonneru on mission in 1912
Norma Bonneru Ca. 1915
community and LDS Church
affairs. Willard held many offices in the LDS lay priesthood, and Edwin completed two fiill-time proselyting missions for the church and was also a 1912 graduate of the church-owned Ricks Academy in Rexburg, Idaho. Willard was also active as a board member of a variety of private and public enterprises. Hans Christian passed away in 1927, in Ashton, at the age of 77. Son, Elmer, died in Nampa in 1936. Edwin passed away in St. Anthony in 1948 at the age of 58. Brighamina passed away in 1950 at the age of 90. Of the original Bonneru settlers, only Willard remained then in the Ashton area along with the niece he and Myrtle had reared. Norma, who had married David Paul Grube in 1932. Willard passed in 1975 at the age of 87, and Norma Grube; nee Bonneru, passed away in 1992 at the age of 77.
The pioneer couple's descendants who make Ashton and surrounding areas home as the city approaches its centennial year include Rulon B Grube, Holly Goebel, David
Goebel, John Edwin Grube, and summertime resident, David Q. Grube, who also submitted this
short family history.
Willard and Myrtle Bonneru Ca. 1950
93
Uyfitan fJ^atnli^ Jibto^aea
Public School, Ashton, Idaho
Before 1920
By David Q. Gnibe
' I * 'i' %' ' J '
This was a "Puppet Show" that Jacicy organized and called the newspaper to advertise, thus getting full coverage. B-Susan Phelps?, Vera Green, Curtis Loosli, Brent Stohl, Kay Harris, unknown, Kay Green. Jeanette Blanchard, Karen Bainbridge?. baby ?, Sandy Stohl, (iaynol Harris. Jacky Jessen, Kaye Jessen, Susan Parkinson, Sid Stohl
unknown. Brucc Jessen, John Bainbridge, Betty Hargis, Bill Bainbridge, and unknown. iihmittcd hv \icca Jessen
94
Ci^fUan 3-ant'dtf Jihiojue^
bowman, Hyrum Edward and (1) Margaret Rite Kent (2) Adelaide Parke, Bowman, (Ernest) MacArther. Hyrum was bom 1 3 Aug 1 859 in West Jordan, Utah, to Hyrum Webster and Mary Bateman/Hannah Turner Wilson BOWMAN. He died 2 Dec 1936 Ashton, Idaho, and buried in the Ora Cemetery. Hyrum married (1) Margaret Rite Kent bom 23 Feb 1865 in Bountiful, Utah to George Washington and Amanda M. Poorman KENT. They were married July 1, 1881 in Logan, Utah. She died 29 Oct 1918 in Ora, Idaho, and is buried in the Ora Cemetery. They had the following children:
James Edward bom 24 Aug 1883 in Richmond, Utah. He died 12 Dec 1909 in Vanada, Montana and was buried 19 Dec 1909 in the Ora Cemetery.
Hannah Melvina bom 10 Apr 1885 in Richmond, Utah, and died 2 Jun 1959.
George Francis bom 29 Aug 1886 in Richmond, Utah, and died 2 Jan 1956.
Eamest Melvin Bowman bom 13 May 1888 Richmond, Utah. He died 19 Nov 1964 at St. Anthony, Idaho, and was buried 21 Nov 1964. Other children listed on pg. 323.
Margaret Lazetta bom 19 Feb 1890 in Richmond, Utah. She died 23 Apr 1944.
Lillian Lucile bom 19 Feb 1892 in Richmond, Utah. She died Jul 1892.
Pressley Alvero bom 15 Oct 1893 in Richmond, Utah. He died 8 Jul 1966.
William Earl bom 31 Dec 1896 in Richmond, Utah. He died 19 Jul 1957 in Rigby, Idaho, and was buried 22 Jul 1957 in the Ora Cemetery.
Dewey Lorenzo bom 1 Dec 1898 in Richmond, Utah. He died 14 Apr 1964. (2) Adelaide was bom 4 Mar 1917. She married (1) Reuban Chester Parke. (2) Hymm Edward Bowman 14 Feb 1919. (3)Emest MacArthur.
There is more history on Hyrum Edward Bowman in "Family Histories of Lewis Davis & Deon Bowman A Look at Their Lives and Ancestors, " compiled by Brenda Davis Strobel in 2002.
Information from hook: Hymm Edward Bowman and Margaret Rite Kent.
Adelaide, Bobby, and Emest MacArthur
"My grandfather, Hymm Edward Bowman, owned the famous racehorse Man of War's grandson, Thousand springs. He loved to breed horses. My father loved to ride them.
95
Cl^fitan ^amiiif Jihtaued
Thomas Howell Winterbottom lived in Ora, Idaho. Lady unknown
Parke, Alton, Bobby Patty
"My Grandpa Bowman's parents became upset over the Church when Apostle Merrill sold them a grain binder that was defective and wouldn't take it back, so they would not pay for it. Consequently, when Grandpa died. Apostle Merrill wouldn't let him be buried in his temple clothes. This caused quite some bitterness in the family." Pg. 192
Read at Hyrum Edward Bowman's funeral
Means of the era in which this all took place are seemingly very crude to the age in which our society presently functions. Who would deny that the The Snake River Valley, comprising a large percentage of the arable land of southern Idaho, was pretty-well settled when my generation was new. I will always believe it was by good fortune to have lived and matured in the upper reaches of this sinewy heartland where earlier generations had created a productive and quite habitable environment. The means of the era in which this all took place are seemingly very crude to the age in which our society presently functions. Who would deny that the scarcity of engineering skills, the infancy of communications, whether the movement of materials, the spread of what was considered culture, deterred in any way the detemiination of the people to survive and create using mostly what was at hand. Of course this may be said of the hundreds or thousand locals spread across this great land, and it is this thought which tells me that by concentrating on events, characters, tragedies, and arts of a particular region, might give later generations a better understanding of themselves and the time in which they live. This preface is not intended as an introduction to any literary masterpiece, but simply an accounting ....written partly in reverie, and the remainder in reminiscence of what is undeniably anomalous to the present
As boys are, and doubtlessly will always be, this Jack Parke was greatly and correctly impressed by his stepfather, Hyrum Edward Bowman, having lost his natural father at quite an
96
a^fUati ^amiiif Mhtaue^
early age (nine months by one account and twenty months by another). A more popular
nickname than Jack was the name "Coresus" so far as my stepfather was concerned.
When I was three years old, late spring had arrived and the need for room for a sea of
pigs was evident. Wooden posts had been set and page wire unrolled for enclosing a pasmre for
swine during summer months. It seems that a considerable amount of staples had somehow been spilled from their container and lay strewn upon the ground much to the consternation of H.E. when he returned to the starting point in preparation for stretching the wire and stapling it to posts. According to accounts of the incident, when I was old enough to remember my explanation of the staple was that a white coyote in a pink dress had come by, upset the staple container, and vanished as mysteriously as he had appeared. He never ceased to enjoy telling of this incident. I think as much in later years when I was old enough to appreciate the ridiculousness of such a story as to impress upon me the importance of truth in all matters, regardless of how trivial they might be. The embarrassment I felt was far more effective in character building than a switching would have been at the time of the occurrence. I often reflect upon this in this age of child psychology and marvel at the insight of a man who was a very strict disciplinarian in all matters and think of his very effective
method of installing a virtue in a very imaginative three year old. Countless are the times I have
reflected upon this lesson when confronted with problems and derived the strength from it for
dealing with various situations, both actively and passively. I suspect that knowing which
course to pursue constitutes pure wisdom and find myself emulating such sagacity. If, when I go
before the final judge, I am
batting 500, what an average!
What a coach.
This was written to be
read at his funeral, which it was,
at the graveside in Albion,
Cassia, Idaho, Masonic
Cemetery. It tells about my
"Grandpa" Bowman. He called
me Padell and spoiled me rotten.
(PSA)
By John Woodrow Parke
submitted by Patty Wilde
John Woodrow Parke
1 did not get this labeled. I would guess that Adelaide is in the middle.
97
(Z^fiton f}amiitf Jihtaue^
lilitr Parke, Viola, Floyd, Park Alton G
Adelaide, Park G
Ernest McArthur, Bobby,
Mimie, Chet Parke. F-Gayle, Colleen Batch, Loween Parke, Patty Joch Wilde
Adelaide and Ernest MacArthur
Thomas Howell Winterbottom and Ivy Ehlert Parke. Dad is John who lived at Ora about 7 years ago. Their home is still standing.
Park, John Woodrow 1917-1999 buried at Albion, Idaho beside his parents. John is the step-son of Hyrum Edward Bowman of Ora, Idaho. Mother is Lorena Adelaide Pierce, Parke, Bowman, (Ernest) MacArther. Father is Rubin Chester Parke.
This is an exception to the rule of the book. Patty Wilde was not able to to complete her submission because she had to move. I didn 't want her to be left
out, therefore I took the information she gave me, what I could find in Brenda Strobel 's book, and incorporated the pictures to the best of my guess work. I hope this will help Patty- 's descendants. None of this information has been personally checked .so use carefullv.
Submitted bv Kathnne Scow iVewcomb
98
d^fitan 3-ainiiy. Ml^tojue^
^rady, Allyce. Allyce was bom 18 Feb 1931. Allyce is the daughter of Fred and Grace BRADY. Fred died Oct 28, 1962, and Grace died May 12, 1959.
Allyce Brady
Fred and Grace Brady were in Warsaw, Missouri, staying with
Dad's parents because they were both planning to go to school in
Chicago. Dad had his name in the Washington State Teacher's
Agency. After receiving about three telegrams, they got the map out to
see where Ashton was. They saw it was close to Yellowstone Park, so
they decided to come out and stay a year, see the park, and take the job
as principal and coach of the football team. He also taught a class of
Chemistry or Physics in the alternate years.
When they got here, they lived upstairs in what is now the Lenz
house. The boys would get Dad to play football with them after school
until supper time.
Dad was thinking of moving to Idaho Falls to coach. When he got the offer, he told Doss
Hargis, who refereed his basketball games, what he was thinking it would cost to move to Idaho
Falls. He told his brother, Tom, about it. He and Tom went around to the businesses and collected $200, which was the amount it would cost to move to Idaho Falls. When Tom brought Dad the money to stay. Dad told Mother he couldn't leave here if they wanted him to stay that much. This was during the Depression.
Mother and Dad went back to Kansas and Missouri in the summer and thought they would stay, but getting a job there was tough because of the dust bowls, etc. Dad became Supt. when Tom Hardy left, and then the school district hired James Lacy as principal. Dad gave up sports when he became Supt., but he coached basketball one year when Phil Smith decided to coach boxing.
When the war broke out. Dad went to the draft and got all the men teachers deferred until the end of the school year. In May of
1942, Dad quit. In October we moved to Carlsbad, New
Mexico, where Dad worked in a potash mine. Dad, in Jan.,
got a letter from Earl Hossner, who asked Dad if he could
come home and help farm because he couldn't find any
help. So Dad went to his boss, and he said he would let
him go because food was more important than potash. So
we left New Mexico April 30"' and got home May 2'"^.
Mother was a truant officer for the school district in
Carlsbad.
Mother started teaching Sept '45, the 6"" grade. Mr.
Perry didn't want Mother where he could see her because
of Dad. Mother taught the 3'^^ and 4"' grades in Marysville
until the school was combined. Then she taught 3"^ grade
until May of 1958.
Fred Brady
On the night I was bom. Dad had a basketball game
Grace Brady
99
Clifitati ^amiitf Mhte^ue^
with Driggs. The boys lost, and 1 was the reason they lost. They were sure I decided to show up early. Dad was at school and they called Dad home. I showed up late in the evening.
I worked for Fess Fuller part time and the Ashton Herald part time. I bought the dime store on Sept P". I opened the store after Labor Day 1960. I had it until 1981 when I sold it. Before that 1 did the cooking and kept house for Mom and Dad while they worked and took care of Mother the last year of her life.
Tom Murdoch told me one time that he asked Dad if he could come over and play with me when I was a baby, and Dad gave his pennission.
Here are some things that happened to Dad while he was teaching school. His first football game day in Driggs. Dad walked to school and Lewis Kiser saw him and told him to get on the road. He did. He left right away, w hen he got to school. They got there at 4 o'clock, played the game, then came right home. They got home at midnight.
One time they went to Driggs to play a game. They stopped in Victor and the boys swiped some pies that a lady had outside on a window ledge to cool. That evening she called Driggs and told Dad what happened. She said she didn't want them to pay for her pies but would like her pie plates returned. So the next morning they returned the pie plates.
One time the boys were playing football over in Jackson. They had dinner at the Blue Bird Cafe, and the boys decided it would be fun to swipe the salt and peppers. They ate supper there but when they went back, they had a lot of help keeping an eye on all of them. Dad didn't find this out until years later.
One time I was eating dinner at the cafe when I had the store, and I was saying if Dad had trouble with parents, I had trouble with the kids. This person told me to shut up. I asked him if he had a guilty conscience. It finally dawned on me that he was one of those who put the cows in the school.
One time some boys took the clapper out of the bell. Dad decided to call the sheriffs office and ask them to send someone up to talk to the kids. They sent someone up, and Dad told him to scare them. When the fellow was through, he came and told Dad he would soon get the clapper back, and he did.
One time one of Dad's former pupils met the school bus to ask if this person was with those who put the cows in the school house that Halloween. He told Dad. "No." The fellow told me, however, he would have been with them if he would have been in town. Those kids had to spend the summer working for the school district for
^Hetnatie^ Snow mobiles
are competing with dog teams.
Submitted by the permission of
the Ashton Chamber of
( Omnwrce
nothing.
Bv Allvce Bradv
U^iUan Juaia "an that..." is often used instead of "and so on" or "etc."
100
ddfitati 3-ainii(^ Jibtaue^
^rown, Hyrum Mantle and Clarissa Howard. They had the following children:
Shirley married to William C. Lords.
Naida married Wayne A. Lords, son of Joseph Alvah Lords and Bertha
Christiansen. Wayne farmed with his father in the Vernon and Ashton Fish Hatchery areas. Joseph "Alvie" and Bertha had four children: Rula who married Howard Bingham. Wayne
Jay who married Nelda Hendricks. Bemadine who married Ray Quinton. Wayne and Naida had three sons:
Danny married Karen Durst, daughter of Steve and Velma Sturm DURST, who owned and operated the City Drug Store in Ashton for several years. Kevin married Linda Stigile from Hazelton, Idaho. Kent married Kathy Stevens, originally from Ashton, the daughter of Max and Marilyn Duke STEPHENS. Wayne was previously married to (1) Darlene Glover. They had one daughter: Ellen Lynette who married Ron Rose. Darwin Ronald LaRae
Lonnie Dean bom in Ashton, Idaho. In 1940, "Mont" and Clarissa moved to Ashton from the lona, Osgood, Shelton areas. They were encouraged to make the move by Mont's sister, Veta, and her husband, Clarence Ashley. The Brown's lived on and farmed south of Marysville, which we called the "Fess" Fuller place.
The Brown families were not original homesteaders, but we feel we helped Ashton in our ways...
/ om ai a rown B-Kent LaVem, age 15, Kevin Alden, Age 20, Danny Wayne age 23
F-Naida Brown and Wayne Alvah LORDS Taken a few days before Kevin left for Lackland Air Force Base, TX.
101
d^^tott Jamiitf Jih taxied
...Being a sophomore in high sehool, those of us old enough went to an old building
which held all twelve grades.
1 enjoyed it a lot because of cousins Kenneth and Gene Nickell and Merlin Ashley, who were good in helping me adjust to a new area. They had a team and sleigh and little old skis. We delighted in enjoying the farms in the winter. We danced at Warm River and sometimes Pond's Lodge and roller skated at Venus Rink by the falls outside of St. Anthony. The annual dog races were a special event every February.
Peggy Woods, married to Tom Egbert, was special in her friendship to me, and it's nice to know she is still at Pierre's Playhouse in Victor.
I also was involved as best friends of LaVona and Lucille Cordon of Marysville, who were daughters of Bishop Cordon, for twenty years.
LaRae Brown (Garald Birch), Naida Brown (Wayne Lords), Shirley Brown (W.C. 'Bill' Lords), Hyrum Mantle 'Mont' Brown, Clarissa Howard Brown (Mother), Darwin R. Brown, Ronald J. Brown, Lonnie 'Dean' Brown.
World War II came in 1941 and things changed. I was a senior and graduated from Ashton High School, same old building, in 1943.
I remember our class president was a Japanese boy, and they took him and his familyt away, as it was the Japanese who started the war. This was a mistake to us. He was a good Japanese.
I remember riding on the old "Galloping Goose" train to Felt. Idaho to spend time with a friend, Alice Hill. Up there many people had dog teams and sleigh that they also used to get around with during the hard winter months. One driver I particularly remember was Lewis
102
CLdfitan f^antii^ Mhtojue^
B-Bemadene Lords Quinton, Rula Lords Bingham Lawson, Wayne Alvah Lords, Verl Jay Lords Center- Bertha Christiansen Lords 96"^ Birthday.
Price, whom I dated some before he went into the paratroopers. After he returned home, he took his dog team up in a plane at the dog races and dropped them out. As they landed, he got them together and drove them back to town.
I remember the swimming pool Uncle Clarence Ashley owned down by the river north of Ashton and the natural warm water that filled the pool.
I remember the old school house in Greentimber, the old building at Squirrel, and the dances there with a band in which Ernest Gunter played. How we used to dance the night away to the tunes they played.
And yes, we had a movie theater owned by the Bud Swanstrums. I think it was a good place to spend Sunday afternoons. I remember Tom Mix continued every week.
And well I remember the nights pretty often in the winter when kids came into town to the ball games, a blizzard would come up, and the kids would collect at our house in Ashton. Mom never knew how many she would have to feed the next morning, but she loved it.
The winter after graduating from high school, 1 went to Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho, and there I met Bill Lords who was home on leave from boot camp. I later married Bill. I ended up, before the war ended, teaching school in Ashton. I taught one-half of the third grade and a fourth grade. This, I would say, was an awesome experience, much to my surprise. Besides having the best kids and loving their response to learning, I got to know and treasure the other third grade teacher, Ruth Williams Hemming. Our relationship was close as we were both waiting for our men to return fi^om the service.
The war ended in August of 1945, and Bill got home in time for Christmas. He began his senior year upstairs in the two-story building, and I finished that year teaching downstairs. He graduated that year, and we moved away.
We are all still living and doing well.
From Shirley Brown Lords
Submitted hv Darlene Baker Bressler.
103
J5rown, John David and Hannah May Honess. John was bom in 1860 and died 5 Jan 1916. He is buried in the Pineview Cemetery in Ashton, Idaho. He married Hannah May Honess 3 Aug 1888 in Ashton. Idaho. She was bom 1 1 Jan 1868 in Lamoffe, Jackson, Iowa, to James M and Harriet Marie Sealey HONESS. She died 31 Oct 1950. They had the following children:
Charles Irvan Brown bom 4 Apr 1889 and died 1947 in Wendell, Idaho. He married
Mary Louise Crabb 24 Jun 1908 in Vernon, Idaho. Mary Etta who married William L. Chittock.
(See Honess, James M.)
Submitted by Shannon Marie Sorensen Uriona
Xf/ Ntx \f/ \f/
7l\ TJx /^\ y^\
Fremont County Sheriffs Department 1979-80. 3'^ from left in back is Don Knox.
Cl^fitmt JxUiia: In 1940 the railroad had a special train which toured southern Idaho to inform and educate people about potatoes. It was called the "Spud Special."
104
(Zdfiton ^amiii^ Mh tended
Card, William Henry and Lena Emma Schaefer. William was bom 21 Nov 1882 to Charles Benjamin and Emma Leper CARD in Beloit, Wisconsin. William died 20 Jan 1954 in Ashton and is buried there. William married Lena at Squirrel, Idaho. Lena was bom 7 Dec 1898 in Emerson, Nebraska, to Sophie Schaefer. She died in Idaho Falls 25 Sept 1975 and is also buried in Ashton. Together they had six children:
William and Lena Card
Velma Edna bom 27 Jan 1918 in Squirrel, Idaho. (See Heller, Theodore Ruben.) Charles Benjamin bom 15 Sept 1919 in Ashton, Idaho. He died in 1972 in St. Anthony,
Idaho, and is buried in Ashton, Idaho. Charles spent considerable time as a farm
worker in the area. Gertmde Jessie bom 18 June 1922 in Ashton, Idaho, died 29 Apr 1985 in American
Falls, Idaho, and is buried in Ashton, Idaho. She married ( 1 ) Eugene Peterson,
whom she later divorced, and married (2) Ralph Ferris. Mildred Emma, who died shortly after birth in 1923 and is buried in Ashton, Idaho. William, Jr. bom 1 Aug 1926 in Ashton, Idaho, and died 18 Jun 1975. He is buried in
Ashton, Idaho. William married Betty Dunlap and they raised two children: Robert
105
Cl^htan Jatniiif Mhta^ie^
Irene.
After William's father died, William took over the family blacksmith shop and in later years, he logged in the area until his death. Stephen Ray bom 9 Jul 1929 in Ashton, Idaho, died 19 Jun 1999 in Humbolt, Kansas, and is buried there. Stephen married Leah Rae Card and they had two children: Billie Rae. who died in 2000 in Florida and is buried there. Stephanie married ( 1 ) Stacy Wykle and they had one son:
Forrest. They later divorced and Stephanie married (2) Maynard Nelson and together they had a daughter: Amy.
Stephanie resides in Rexburg, Idaho. Stephen was employed by the Manwaring Cheese Factory in Ashton for many years until the business closed. He then was employed by the City of Ashton until his retirement. Bill Card was well known because he had a steam thresher to harvest grain on various farms each fall. Before Velma was two years old, the Cards moved into a house on the comer of Fourth and Cherry in Ashton, and Bill set up a blacksmith shop on the property. Each winter when the dog sled races came to town, he joined the group of men keeping law and order. Velma remembers the vast number of spectators that would come each year to see the Dog Derby.
By Velma Heller
sfy \tx \9y \fy •4N /'♦nTJv /J\
Memo^ie^ Ashton Main Street after a good snow!
Submitter Anonymous
106
d^fitati S-amiiif Jiidta^ue^
Carlson, Johnnie and Mary Ada Sellers.
The Carlson ranch in Squirrel was originally established in 1907 by the Campbell Brothers of the Highlands Ranch, who also homesteaded it in 1907. Tom Osmond purchased it from the Campbell's and later sold it to Johnnie Carlson.
In the Spring of 1929, one-fourth mile east of the Squirrel Store, Johnnie and "Ada" Sellers CARLSON and two daughters, Alma (Anderegg) and Josephine (Kniep), moved to the old log house known then as the Barker place but purchased from Tom Osmond.
Johnnie and Ada were married in Idaho Falls, Idaho, April 3, 1922, and moved to the old Clay Harshbarger place on lower Squirrel Creek.
Summer of 1943 Alma, Delores, Josephine, Ada and Johnnie.
Mary Ada Sellers and Johnnie CARLSON Wedding picture 3 Apr 1922.
The place belonged then to Axel and Cynthia Johnson, and Johnnie and Ada leased the property for seven years.
Johnnie was bom in Sataryd, Langaryd, Sweden, and immigrated from Smoland, Sweden, in 1912, coming first to the Malcolm Anderson ranch in Opal, Wyoming. When the Anderson's bought property in Squirrel, Johnnie and many other Swedish boys moved with the Anderson family.
He first began farming and lived at the golf course property known as Aspen Acres, where he leased land from Mai Anderson.
He met Ada Sellers and her sister, Alta (Dickason), at the Squirrel dance hall. Ada's family had moved to Squirrel in 1914. Oscar and Clara Sellers bought Carl and Lena Sheets' property near the Dave Clouse property on upper Squirrel Creek.
Her three sisters, Alta Dickason, Mildred Lenz, and Ruby Carlson, all settled in the Squirrel area. Alta married Vic Dickason and their only son. Gene Dickason, now farnis at Squirrel and lives in Ashton. Mildred married August Lenz,
107
(Zifitan !}atniiif Mb taxied
Jr. They had two children: their deceased son, Lyle, and Wilma Threet, who lived in Idaho Falls. Her mother, living at 90 years of age, is in a local nursing home. Ruby married an immigrant from northern Sweden, John Carlson (no relationship to Johnnie Carlson). Both are deceased.
After moving to the Squirrel homestead, Delores (Mrs. Wally Bums) was bom in 1930 and Ada lives at her farm house each summer in the house that she and Johnnie built in 1937. She has spent winters in Idaho Falls since Johnnie's death on December 14, 1943.
Johnnie Carlson was a progressive agriculturist per se., in today's word. He raised rotated crops and was a lover of the good earth. He was a good, caring stockman, and his deepest love was his family first and the horses next. His horses were always well-fed and groomed. Today their family, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren can come "home" to enjoy the fmits of their labor, and Grandma Ada welcomes them all with open arms. She has preserved what Johnnie started back in the twenties.
Her children will always remember the long strenuous hours of farming with horses, milking cows, the "Big" Depression, World War II, and many years of stmggling to keep the heritage, as of 1990, for her three daughters, eleven grandchildren and twenty-six great grandchildren.
Ada passed away June 29, 2002 in Idaho Falls, Idaho, at almost 99 years of age. She continued to take care of the interests of the farm up until the time of her death.
Submitted by Josephine S. Kniep
Metna^rie^
Sal Scow
and Cleo Hill
Submitted
' ■ . 1 Kathv
yjewcomb
108
(Zdfitan 9am'dtf Jihtaue^
Carlson, Lowell Ford was bom 28 Jun 1948 in Everett, Washington, to Raymond Flander Ford and Maude Jones CARLSON. He married (1) Sylvia Harris on 6 Dec 1969. She was bom 28 Jan 1949 in St. Anthony, Idaho, to Grant and Beth Kidd HARRIS. They had the following children:
Brook bom 30 Sep 1970 in Ashton, Idaho. Brooke married Aaron Parsons 1 Jul 1 995 in Utah. Yvonne bom 25 Jun 1972 in Ashton, Idaho. Yvonne married Kenneth Moller 8 Jun 1996 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Audrie bom 18 Sep 1977. Sylvia's parents were from
■=saMaria w/Daniell Lowell w/Kathmn CARL- SON
Lowell and Sylvia Carlson
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Kay Carlson with grandchildren, Caden, Kylan, Braigen and Chandra.
Harold and Eva Calonge of Ashton, Idaho.
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Marysville.
Lowell married (2) Maria Tsakres 15 Mar 1989 in Pocatello, Idaho. Maria died 28 Feb 2003 in Pocatello, Idaho. Their children:
Kathmn Ray bom 24 Mar 1989
in Pocatello, Idaho. Daniell Ophrodite bom 29 Dec 1992 in Pocatello, Idaho. Lowell married (3) Kay Calonge Kidd, the daughter of
By Nieca Cordingley Jessen
109
U^htati ^atniiif Jibte^ue^
Carreno Vciza, Juan and Mar^rita Arisa. Juan is the son of lunacio Canreno and Gitrudcs Vega VEGA, who was bom 17 Dec 1946 in Cerroprita, Tarimoro, GTO, Mexico. He married Margarita Arisa in 1963, who was bom 19 Dec 1948 in Cerroprita, Tarimoro, GTO, Mexico, to Bmno and Carmen Ramos ARISA. All of Juan and Margrita's parents were bom, married, and died in Cerroprita, Tarimoro, GTO, Mexico. Juan and Margrita's children are:
Julio was bom 1 Mar 1967 in Cerroprito. Tarimoro. GTO. Mexico, and died about 1990. He married Martiarita Renteria. Their children are: Soledad, Stacy, Jonathan, and Manuel
Camiela born 18 Aug 1970 in Cerroprito,
Tarimoro, GTO,
Daniela and Eri Flores
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Mexico. She
married Alfonzo
Flores. Their children are: Jaime,
Daniela, and Eri. They live in
Mexico.
Juan Jose bom 7 Oct 1972 in Cerroprito, Tarimoro, GTO, Mexico. He married Soledad Martinez. Their children are: Manuel, Stacy and Jonathan.
They live in Camas, Utah. Jose
Rosario was bom
14 Nov 1974 in
Cerroprito,
Tarimoro, GTO,
Mexico. He
married Berta
Ferrusquia. Their
children are: Julio
and Mariza. They
live in Brigham
City, Utah?
Soledad, Stacy, Jonathan, and Manuel Correna Veaa
Carmela and Jaime Flores
Berta, Jose Rosario, Julio, and Mariza CarrenoVega
Juan Jose, Soledad, and Manuel CARR£NO VEGA
10
(ZdfUati H-ant'dy. Jibta^ae^
Tono was bom 7 Apr 1976 in Cerroprito, Tarimoro, GTO,
Cristian Vega
Mexico. He married Adela Rojas. Their children are: Marlen and Cristian. They live in Coleville, Utah.
Margarita bom
Marlen Vega
Adela and Tono Vega
11 May 1978 in Cerroprito, Tarimoro,
GTO,
Mexico.
She married
Pablo Leon.
Their
children are,
Ulises and
Pablo. They
live in
Mexico.
Pablo Leon, Margarita Arisa Vega, Margarita Leon, and Juan Carreno Vega,
Guadalupe bom 7 Jun 1980, died about Nov 1980, and is buried in Cerroprito,
UMses and Pablo Leon
111
Ana Luz Carreno
Clifiton ^amihf Jih taxied
Tarimoro, GTO, Mexico.
Ana Luz was bom 9 Aug 1981 in Cerroprito, Tarimoro, GTO, Mexico. She married Carlos Rodriges. Their one child is Carlos. They live in Coleville, Utah.
Grabiel bom 19 Apr 1983, died about Sep 1983 and is
buried in Cerroprito,
Tarimoro, GTO, Mexico. Isaura bom 14 Jun 1985, died about Sep 1985 and is buried in Cerroprito, Tarimoro, GTO, Mexico.
Maria Elena bom 2 Sep 1986 in Cerroprito, Tarimoro, GTO, Mexico. She married Rigo Rodriges. Thev live in Coleville, Utah.
Fransisco bom 12 Oct 1988, died about Jan 1989, and is buried in Cerroprito, Tarimoro, GTO, Mexico.
Juan and Margarita met at a dance in Cerroprito. He was 1 7 and she was 15. They dated for about 2 years
before they were married in the local Catholic Church with many of their friends
and relatives present. Both parents were happy with the marriage. Juan worked as a cowhand on a ranch in Mexico that also did produce farming. They would sell their produce in the neighboring towns.
Juan has been coming to Ashton for 20 years. He has worked on the Bryan Loosli farms. Margarita joined him here six years ago and they have been year around residents since. They have both become American citizens.
They do not like the cold in the winter, but it is all right. Both speak some English but they have lots of neighbors and relatives that can translate for them, so they get along fme. All of the children visit as often as they can.
Out of the 12 children they had, four were lost at a few months. Their eldest son, Julio, died at age 23. He was killed in an automobile accident in Mexico, leaving three children and a wife.
Juan and Margrita say that the people here have been very nice to them, and they ne\ er intend to go back to Mexico to live.
From an interview with Margrita ami Juan Carreno Ve<:a . Kat/iv Newcomh and translator Laura Sanz.
Maria Elena Rodriges
Carlos Carreno
•>"•
112
(Z^fitan 3-ainiiif Mhtaue^
Chamberlain, Thomas Lavere, "Pete," was bom 20 May 1939, in Chester, Idaho. He was the son of Thomas Robert Chamberlain and Mary Ada Curr. Pete married Helen Holbrook, daughter of Joseph Lamoni and Sarah Leola Wilkes HOLBROOK, 5 Oct 1978, in Ashton, Idaho. Helen was bom 27 Jun 1933, in St. Anthony, the dau. of Joseph Limoni and Sarah Leola Wilkes HOLBROOK..
Helen was married (1) to John Nield Hibbert, Jr.,
Nield, Barbara, and Helen Hibbert
years old . We then moved to Ashton where I graduated from the 8"' grade in Ashton Elementary School. I then graduated North Fremont High in 1952. While in high school, I worked for Fred Swanstmm in the movie theater and throughout the years for Joe Klamp in the Rexall Dmg Store, Market Center, Gambles, and Fall River Electric.
I married John Nield Hibbert, Jr. in the Idaho Falls Temple in 1953. In 1954 he accepted a call to the Northern Califomia Mission for two years. He was one of the last elders to serve, after marriage, from the Yellowstone Stake. I could have went with him, but stayed behind to continue LPN Nurses training at the Ashton Memorial Hospital and worked there for a few years. When he came back, he worked for Ott Harris IGA and Jimmy Allison as a meat cutter until early retirement in 1972. Nield was active in church and
Neild and Helen Hibbert
son of John Nield and Ethel LaVon Wetherbee HIBBERT, on 19 Aug 1953, in Idaho Falls, Idaho. John was bom 14 Aug 1929, in Ashton, Idaho. He died 4 Nov 1973, in Salt Lake City, Utah, and was buried 8 Nov 1973, in Ashton, Idaho, Pineview Cemetery. "Nield" died of leukemia.
Helen married (2) Pete Chamberlain above.
I lived in Marysville 'til I was 10
Barbara Hibbert, Pete and Helen Chamberlain
113
dihten Jatnliif. JihtoJoe^
community. He was always called Nield.
1 worked for about 5 years at the hospital before Barbara was bom there, in Ashton. Then I stayed home and enjoyed being a mother and homemaker. I did not work anymore until Nield retired.
I was working for Gambles when Nield passed away. I later went to work at Market Center where I was working when I married Thomas LaVere "Pete" Chamberlain October 5, 1978.
1 used my nurses training throughout the years taking care of and helping family members with the help of my sisters.
"Bobbie" was a name that Barbara's dad called her because she was such a "tomboy." They were always doing things together.
She attended school in Ashton and graduated from North Fremont High School 27 May 1976, the bicentennial class! She went to Ricks College for three years, and then to Idaho Falls to work for awhile.
She served a mission in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 1987-88, came home, returned to Ricks for two more years, and has earned two Associate degrees. Barbara "Bobbie" is currently working at the City Drug Store as one of the Pharmacy Technicians and Soda Fountain Specialist!
Pete and 1 have lived in Marysville, Idaho, for 27 years, just a block from where I grew up. Pete has been a building contractor for 40 years and is still working. He has always enjoyed doing this. He started working with his dad and did so for many years. His dad's health caused him to retire from the business. Pete then bought out his dad and continued on his own. They would often play music together. His dad played the violin and guitar and Pete the organ and guitar.
Barbara lives with us. Through the years we have been on trips, hunting, fishing, and picnics. We enjoy family get-togethers and the memories of the past. We also enjoy our friends, and the memories of Ashton, past and present.
Pete and Tom Chamberlain working together.
'to '^'-'f
By Helen Chamberlain
4
d^fUati ^amiiy^ Mhtaue^
Thomas and Mary Chamberlain
Chamberlain, Thomas Robert and Mary Ada Curr. "Tom" was bom 12 Dec 1916 in Clyde, Idaho, the son of Thomas and Christina Marie Larson CHAMBERLAIN. He married Ada 28 Jun 1938 in St. Anthony, Idaho. She is the dau. of Otis Sherman and Hannah Hill CURR. Ada died 12 May 1983, in Ashton, Idaho, and is in the Pineview Cemetery. Tom and Ada had one son, Thomas Lavere. His story is listed under his name.
Thomas was bom in a little place called Clyde, Idaho, in Blaine County. His father had to go 60 miles with a team and sleigh for a doctor. He thought his dad would never forgive him for having to drive 60 miles for a doctor in December. He was the 7"" child with 6 older sisters, 3 younger brothers, and 1 younger sister.
His dad had lots of horses and did constmction work with them, building road beds for the railroad. He let Tom start driving horses at an early age.
The family moved to a farm 4 or 5 miles from Arco, Idaho, when he was about 8 years of age, soon after this his father was called to be a Bishop in which he
served for 18 years. He was the official driver of the team and sleigh. He said, "We attended church every Sunday, which was good for me."
He attended school in Arco. When he was 16, he signed up for "CCC" (Civilian Conservation Corp) and was there for 6 to 8 months. It was at this time his mother died, and he retumed home to take care of his younger brothers and sisters. He also helped his dad, who at this time own a farm implement business.
After a period of time he went to live with his Uncle Norm Fackrell on a farm at a small place near Blackfoot, Idaho. He called Thomas to help with the farm work. When the fall work was done, he went to Honeyville, Utah, to work for a man named Hunsaker, who raised thorough bred racing horses. He helped to train and race them.
After 2 or 3 years of this horse racing business, he quit. He said, "I got tired of living out of a horse van, and very little money." But, he had fun doing it.
He went to work in a meat market in Tremonton, Utah, where he leamed the butchering trade. This he did for many years on and off.
In the following spring with some friends, he went back to Arco to work in road constmction. This is where he met his ftiture wife, Ada Curr, who was visiting her sister. They were married in St. Anthony, Idaho, on June 28, 1938, and the following year, 1939, on May 20"\ a son, Thomas L. (Pete) Chamberlain, was bom. He was an only child. Ewa and Tom Chamberlain
115
(Z^fitan f}atniiif Jihto^ued
A short time later, he took a job in a store in Klamath Falls, Oregon. He worked there until WW II started, at whieh time they returned home to Chester so he would be ready to be dratted. He found a job as a foreman in a potato warehouse. His employer was on the draft board and wouldn't let him go.
After WWII, he and his employer went into a farming venture together. In 195 1 he quit farming, moved to Ashton, and went back to cutting meat, which he did for several years. In the late '50s, he owned and operated a service station and repair shop.
He played guitar and violin and was in a band that played for dances.
In about 1962, he and Pete started a construction business. He did this for several years until his health made it necessary to discontinue this line of work.
His wife, Ada, died on May 12, 1983. He was a widower until June 20, 1987. when he married Evva Lee Lenz. They loved to travel and spent a few winters in Arizona. This they did until his health made it impossible.
He loved the church and going to the Temple. He loved to hunt and fish. He spent the last two months of his life at the home of his son, where he passed away May 31, 1995.
Bv Helen Holhrook Chamberlain
\t^ N»^ v»^ \t/
/4\ •JN /«\ X4N
^Re/ntt^UiJ Athlon Llenicniary 1^)58 Jhe fvc:>t ifeax fax an CpcuUta. B:Mrs. Bratt.
Karen Burt. Richard Brcsslcr, LaFay Harrigfcld, Linda Howell. Rex Wade. Barbara Patte. Jack Chaple. Gene Grossbeck M:Nancy Griffel, Ron Dixon, Ty Ncdrow. Stacy Wykle, Claudia Harrel Bill Sturm, Edward Chambers. Wayne Lenz, Gary Oberhansiey. Rebecca Rankin. Steve Cordon F:Charles Moon. Larry Wickham. Rhett Butler. Jeff Marotz. J'Lene Marshall. Eddy Harrigfeld, \\ aync VVomack. Alice Whitmore. Wilma Green. Suhmilted hv Rex Wade
116
Ci^fitan 3- amity. 3il6toJue6
Chambers, George William.
and Louise Perry. They had
the following children:
George B. bom 4 Oct 1924 in Provo, Utah. Died 7 Oct 1924.
David
James
Arlene Louise bom 28 Sep 1925 in Ashton, Idaho. She married Jack Eckman 5 Feb 1946 in Ashton Idaho by Bishop Thomas Murdock. Jack was
Louise Perry Age 2 1
Louise Chambers with Linda
bom 4 Dec 1924 at Chester, Idaho. They had the following children: Elaine bom 23 Mar 1949 at St. Anthony, Idaho.
Julie bom 6 Jul 1956 at St. Anthony, Idaho.
Arlene attended college one year at Ricks before her marriage.
I, Arlene, was always interested in art as a hobby so I studied it in college. I worked at a theater and helped during harvest time in the
potatoes and doing other things on the farm for my father. Jack served as Sargent 1" Class during World War II, in Germany as a member of General Patton's 4"^ Armored Division
as a tank driver 'til the end of the war. He then served as a Radar Operator during the Army Occupation in Germany for 1 8 months. He worked as a lumber-jack for a number of years and as a mechanic 'til the Korean War. He was a member of the Idaho National Guard at this time. Since that time he has remained in the National Guard and is now a 20-year-man. Jack is now employed as a mechanic
Jack Eckman
George W. Chambers
Arlene and daughter Linda Eckman
Linda Eckman
117
Cl^fitan Jatnii^ Jihtaued
at Fremont County Road and Bridge Department.
We are a fishing, hunting, camping, and bowling family. My other hobbies are cake-baking and decorating for weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, and I do sewing for people, etc. Don Ray bom 4 Jan 1932 in Ashton, Idaho. He married (1) Patricia Ruth Robbins 7 Oct 1950 in Reno, Nevada. She was bom 7 Sep 1933 at Henrietta, Oklahoma to Charles Earl Robbins.
They were divorced 16 Jan 1952.
Charles Edward Chambers
Don Ray and Patricia Chambers
They had one child:
Charles Edward bom 6
Dec 1951 at
Lettemian
General Hospital,
San Francisco,
Califomia Don Ray married (2) Sandra Frost 12 Aug 1957 at Eureka, Montana. Sandra was bom 14 Jul 1941 at Eureka, Montana, the daughter of Sylvester Seth and Ruth Mildred Campbell FROST. She died 24 Sep 1985inLibby, Montana and was buried in Eureka, Montana. They had two children:
Donnel Ruth bom and died 8 Nov 1976 in Libby,
Montana. She is buried in Eureka, Montana. Tiffany Ann bom 28 Jan 1978. She married Jason Papanscolas in Michigan. Don worked for Rodney Gifford, some in Greentimber, and with his dad on the fami. He also worked a year in Island Park on a section crew with "Hayfey'' Jones, and Ed Atchley. He then traveled for about a year doing odd jobs. Eventually he, Hayfey, Ed and Bob Cherry went to Libby, Montana to work. Don retired from J. Neils Lumber Company in Libby, Montana, and still lives there. Darwin Glen born 1 1 Jul 1936 at Ashton, Idaho. He married Darlene Gayle Lundberg at Blackfoot, Idaho, 7 Jul 1 958. Darlene is a daughter of Waldo Nathan Lundberg and Wilma D. Jardine. They were divorced 26 Jul 1965. They had the following children: Debby K.
118
Don Ray Chambers
Dcbra Kay and Tara Lynne
d^fitan fj^atniiy. Mi^taue^
Tara Lynn bom 1 1 Aug 1961 in Idaho
Falls, Idaho. Glen married (2) Rosalie Dermer. They had
the following children:
Tammy L.
Michael D. He is the County Assessor At Sandpoint, Idaho. Glen married (3) Reva J. Dutton. Glen married (4) Clara May Smith and they had one child:
MeHssa
Glen completed school at Ashton and enlisted in the Army in 1953. He took his basic training at Fort Ord, California. He then was sent to Korea. Later he was sent back to Fort Polks, Louisiana and was honorably released. He then re-enlisted and was stationed in California and Fairbanks, Alaska, rank SP3. He is now working for Mercuy, Government Site, Nevada. He is a scout and a teacher in church. Betty Jean bom 4/6 Dec 1938 at Ashton, Idaho. She married Richard C. Renstrom 9 Jun 1956 at St. Anthony, Idaho. Richard was bom 1 Apr 1935 in Washington D.C., a son of Lester Francis and Frances Hood Carrick RENSTROM. They had the following children: Catherine Ann bom 4 Feb 1956 at St. Anthony, Idaho. Patricia Jean bom 16 May 1958 in Boise, Idaho. Brian John bom 29 Feb 1960 in Ontario, Oregon. Mary Frances bom 30 May 1965 in Caldwell,
Idaho.
Betty Jean completed H j^ I school at Ashton, a
I ^ /^^'^^^k. member of the Pep Club,
■ j j ■ school paper staff, and is
■ 1 1 _ '▼. active in the church. She and
I |i ' Richard were married
P ^ "*^^^ y in Mary's Immaculate
Church.
Linda Renee bom 6 May 1946at Rexburg, Idaho. She married John Allred, and they had the following children: Robert
Darlene Gayle and Darwin Glen Chambers
Betty Jean Chambers
Mary Frances Renstrom
119
Betty Jean and Richard Renstrom
Cl^fitan Jamii(^ Jibto^ue^
Catherine, Brian, and Patricia Renstrom
Jolyn
Debbie
Craig
Linda graduated from Ashton High School in 1964 and is now a Sophomore at Rick College. She was
Valedictorian of her high school class. She won awards and pins in school and MIA., was in the youth chorus and play, drama, and the Promised
Linda Renee Chambers
1^
Valley. She was in Pep Club, Student Council, F.H.A. and is now a teacher in Jr. Sunday School. She is on the High Honor Roll taking Humanities at Ricks College.
When Linda and John were married, he brought to the marriage three children
Annette
Barbara
John
John worked for
the State of Nevada as
Municipal Water
Systems Inspector and
Linda had her hands
full being a stay-at- home mom. They live
in Yearintiton, Nevada.
George Chambers came from Utah. He was from a Mormon family. They had homesteaded several places. He had a traveling spirit. They eventually ended up in Marysville where he operated a grain elevator for a while, worked in a barber shop, a grocery store and a blacksmith
Louise, George, and Don Ray Chambers.
120
ddfUati 3'ainiitf Mbtojoe^
shop, all in Marysville. He even tried out for the baseball pros once, but he broke his hand and that ended that career.
Louise was always active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
(Information taken from an earlier publication probably in the '60s.)
Submitted by Norma Gallagher
Following are more Perry/Chamber pictures contributed by Don Chambers:
Betty
Renstrom
and
Louise
Chambers
Allison
and
George
Chambers,
children
of
Edward
Charles
Chambers
Don
Chambers with a mess of Montana fish!
Don Ray Chambers
Howard and Joseph Perry
121
i
CL^fitatt ^amiit^ Mbta^ie^
Jess, Dick, and Ortella CLARK Spring of 1928
Clark, Jess and Melva Ortella
Atkinson. Jess was bom 27 May
1902 in Teton City, Idaho, to
James Israel and Julia Ann
Stewart CLARK. He married
"Ortella" 17 Feb 1925 in
Rexburg, Idaho. She was bom 8
Aug 1904 in Lyman, Idaho, to
William Elmer and Marantha
Althera "Dot" Morris
ATKINSON. They had one son,
Richard J., who was bom 13 Dec
1927 in Ashton, Idaho. (See
Clark, Richard J.)
Jess received his
schooling in the Teton City
schools. He loved baseball,
played on the town team, and
also took part in most of the
home town dramas. He worked
on the family farm at Teton with
his father but was a natural
barber and worked in the barber shops of Claude Graham at Teton when not busy on the farm.
In September 1924, he left the farm and started his life's vocation barbering in Rexburg, moving
to Ashton, Idaho in November 1924 where he continued his profession for 45 years. He was an
artist in his field, being recognized throughout the country for his work.
Ortella was bom on a beautiful summer moming and was much loved by three older
brothers, as well as her parents. Later, three more brothers and two sisters were bom to complete this wonderfiil family. She graduated from Ricks Normal College in 1 923. After her graduation the family moved to Teton City, Idaho where she worked at the Teton City Bank and then for the telephone company in Rexburg. She remembers seeing the first automobile and thought it was so wonderful. Her dad bought his first car about 1916, which was a thrill for the whole family.
One night in late August of 1923, she attended a dance in Teton with her brother, Wando.
Richard, Ortella, and Jess CLARK abt 1960
During
122
J
ddfiton 3'am'di^ Mhto^ae^
the intermission, she was introduced to a handsome young man, Jess Clark. They were both smitten, and he courted her ardently from then on. The night before Thanksgiving, he proposed and gave her a beautiful diamond ring. In December, Jay Ball came to Rexburg looking for a good young barber to work in his shop in Ashton, so the following Monday Jess started to work in Ashton, December 10, 1924. He planned to only work there long enough to get a start.
"I was a bride of only one week when I first arrived in Ashton aboard the special holiday
"Shorty" Casperson, Jess Clark, Jay Ball with Ortella peaking around the comer in the Jay Ball Barber Shop located in the old bank building.
train that was chartered to bring celebrants to the National Ashton Dog Derby. This was on February 22, 1925. My husband, Jess Clark, had been employed at the Jay Ball Barber Shop through the winter, and he and several other Ashton men were delegated to sell tickets on this special holiday train. No one was allowed to leave the train until they had purchased their tickets for the celebration.
"My first recollection of Ashton was a big sign that spelled "ASHTON" in electric lights. As the train pulled in, there was this big sign over the entrance of the depot. That was the entrance to Ashton for all the passengers on the train. Jess came back to me and jokingly said that they had put the sign up just for me. I do not know how long the sign was there or when it
was taken down.
"Ashton was a seething mass of celebrants who had come for the Dog Derby. That first
123
(Z^fitati ^atnliif Mhtaue^
Ortella and Richard J. CLARK
time I watched from the window of our one-room
apartment on Ashton's Main Street in the Bowles
Ashton Hotel, which was upstairs over Charley
Burrell's grocery store which, in turn, later was the
Ashton IGA. (This building burned to the ground in
1975.) It was reported there were thousands that had
attended the races that day. Main Street was a mass of
humanity. There were cafes, temporary soup kitchens,
sandwich booths, etc., that were provided just for the
races. There was food and dancing all day long in the
Opera House and shows in the theater all day.
"At that time, Ashton consisted of two banks, three hotels, a
theater, two drug stores, several cafes, three or four barber shops, several grocery stores, three doctors, one dentis,t and three churches. There was a small golf course located where the Trail's Inn Cafe is located today, a tennis court, a swimming pool northwest of town out near where Don Marshall's property is today (natural hot spring).
"When we first came to Ashton, we planned to stay here through the winter months, and then we would 20 down the line where Jess could eet into business for himself. . .but we fell in love with this beautiful area in the shadow of the Tetons where there was hunting and fishing, such wonderful farms, schools and, above all, such wonderhil people in this area. We felt we would like to make this our home. . . and I still feel that there is no place like Ashton." By Ortella Clark.
The social events in Ashton for young married couples were movies, dinner parties, and dances. Some
of their good friends at that time were the Pierce Seeley's, the John Davis', the Jim
Whittemore's, and the Arvid Glover's. In June of that year, they chaperoned John Amen and
Blanche Johnson through Yellowstone Park. John and Blanche were married that fall and they
remained good friends from then on.
After their first and only son was bom, they enjoyed many happy and fun experiences
together in the years that followed. When Dick was in the 2"^ grade, they purchased a home on
the comer of Fremont Street and enjoyed a wonderful neighborhood-the Jim Allison family, the
Ortella, 1946.
Dick, and Jess CLARK abt.
124
ddfitatt 3^atnU^ Mi^taued
Winfield Lane's, Claude and Annie Waugh, John and Blanche Amen, the Dan Reimann's, Milt and Rose Hanson, Elma Hill, and, later on, Lee and Dorothy Cordingley.
In 1960 they had the opportunity to buy the Ashton Theater building and because Jess's health was beginning to fail, they sold their much loved home and bought the Theater building and built a beautiful apartment upstairs for their own living accommodations. They were so very happy in this home until Jess passed away. Ortella has carried on and been a great example of courage and strength to her posterity and many friends. She has always been an active member of the LDS church and has served in various positions, including ward and stake Relief Societies and in the Young Women's organization. She has always loved knitting and various crafts and has created many beautiful things to grace her home. She has also loved flowers, gardening, and reading.
She worked for a period of time as an Ashton agent for Rexburg Floral and also worked for a time in the Ashton school's hot lunch program in later years. In October 2003, she moved into the assisted living wing of the Ashton Living Center. At the time of this writing, she has recently celebrated her 101st birthday and still finds great joy in visiting with her many friends and her much-loved posterity. By Dick and La Vonne Clark
Nt/ \f/' vf/ \fy »»• »»• »f »»■*
•»\ /Jn /J\ /J\
Jl^emO-^Ued Local workers who worked on building the new Marysville Ward. F- knccling- Golden Andrus, Bee Hedrick, Myron Jcpson, Ivan McGavin M-Curt Marsden, Johnny Cooley, Floyd Blanchard, Steve Davis. Tom Murdoch, Wiltord Green. Ward Reynolds, Oliver Baum, Howard Murdoch, Bob Hedrick. James Stringham, John Marsden, Orville Brower B- Fern Kidd, Gene Hess, Bob Ezell, Steve Osbom, Edgar Westerberg, Chet Issacs, Eldon Richie, Jim Allison, Keith Nyborg, Leonard Osbom, Frances Bratt. Submitted hv Jeanette Depew
125
Carol and Ed Clark
Cl^fitan ^atnliif Jihta^ue^
Clark. Leland Edgar and Carol Ann Jensen. Ed was bom 23 Oet 1934 in Ashton, Idaho to Stanley Albert and Julia Etta Miller CLARK. He married Carol 1 May 1957 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She was born 9 Apr 1936 in Idaho Falls, Idaho to Owen Martin and Edith Viola De Mott JENSEN. They had the following children:
David Owen bom 14 Dec 1958 in Frankfurt, a/main, Gemiany. He married Valerie Raybould 27 Jan 1981 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. This union ended in divorce. Becky was bom 8 Apr 1960 in Ashton, Idaho. She married Russell Gibbons Workman 27 Dec 1985 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Michael Edgar bom 23 Jul 1962 in St. Anthony,
Idaho. He married Michelle Lois Ard 14 Jun 1984 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Jeannie bom 18 Nov 1965 in St. Anthony, Idaho. She
married Gregry Scott Johnson 27 Dec 1990 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Sheri bom 27 Jun 1967 in St. Anthony, Idaho. She married Gary Lee Trost 16 May 1991
in Salt Lake City, Utah. Kristi born 23 Apr 1970 in St. Anthony, Idaho. She married Robert Winward Young 23
Dec 1996 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Kaylie bom 30 Mar 1975 in St. Anthony, Idaho. She married Blake K. Bowman 25 May
2001 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. The Ashton area has been very good to our family. We became acquainted with this area in 1 948 when my father, Owen Jensen, came to Ashton to collect a bill from a grocery store that had purchased cream from his dairy in Idaho Falls. Having been raised on a farm and still having the farming blood running through his veins. Dad liked what he saw and decided that he would look into purchasing a farm in this area if one was available.
He went to the local real estate office and there was informed that a Mr. Guinn had listed
his farm in Famum the day before. Dad felt this was an answer to his quest. He talked it over with my mother, and they decided that this would be a good investment and a lot of work because my parents were blessed with five daughters and no sons.
For five years my father, with one of his daughters, came to Ashton, put in the crops, and then, in the fall, would come back up and harvest the crops. The rest of the family were in Idaho Falls managing the first drive-in which became theirs after the buyer couldn't make a go of it. In 1954 the family sold the drive in and moved to the fami for the summer where four out
Edith and Owen Jensen
of t"ive of the "iris attended school, and, in the
126
ddfitatt 3-aniiii^ Mhtaue^
next few years, graduated from North Fremont. We lived in the Kirkham Apartments in Ashton until they built their home on Fall River Hwy 32.
All the girls learned how to drive tractor and, as soon as Dad heard about sprinkler pipes as a possibility for irrigation, he purchased
Gwen, Carol, Linda, Gail, and Edith
hand lines which we also learned to move with one sister on each end.
As I started this history by saying that this area had been good to our family, 1 need to explain that from this area 1 married Leland Edgar Clark. Gail married Sylvan Ferry Seely from Twin Groves on 27 Aug 1958 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Gwen married Robert Rue Lee from Ashton on 19 Aug 1960 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Ruth married Dan William Reynolds from Ashton on 26 Jun 1970 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Only one sister, Linda, married out of state, Wendell Brent Fames from Washington D.C. on 21 Jun 1967 in Idaho Falls, Idaho, but they now reside in Rexburg.
Owen Jensen sold his farm to Dan Reynolds, his son-in- law, when he could see that farming was wearing out his knees. He then sold his home
Gwen Jensen Lee
to David Clark, a grandson, and mother and dad moved to Rexburg where mother still resides in the home. She is now 94 years old. Now on to our history. Carol graduated from Idaho Falls High School the spring that the family moved to the Ashton area and attended Ricks College where she heard much about Ed Clark, one of the football stars. The second year when she wanted to attend college, there was a crop failure, and so she went to work in a Real Estate office in Idaho Falls where she worked until Ed had filled an LDS mission to the Southwestern Indian Mission.
On his return they met at a church function and started dating, which didn't last too long because the
Edith Jensen and youngest daughter Ruth
127
ddfitan !}atniiif Mhta^Ue^
Golden Wedding Anniversary of Owen and Edith Jensen F-Dan Reynolds, Ruth Jensen Reynolds, Owen Jensen, Edith Jensen, Gwen Jensen Lee, Robert Lee Row 2-Linda Jensen Eames, Carol Jensen Clark, Gail Jensen Seely B-Brent Eames. Ed Clark and Sylvan Seely. 1949
U.S. govt, draft board was determined that anyone who had been deferred for mission would immediately do pay back time to the United States Army, so after returning in February, Ed reported May 15"" 1957 for boot training.
This made their courtship fast, and on May 1" 1957 they were married in the Idaho Falls Temple. Carol was able to join her husband in Gemiany the first of the year where they lived for a year and a half. Upon returning to Ashton, Ed went into farming on the family farm with his father and brother, Stanley M. Clark, until they sold part of the farm in 1996, after which Carol and Ed accepted a call to serve an LDS mission in the New Hampshire
B-George
M-Robert
Carol,
Sam, F-
Gail,
Linda,
Gwen.'Rr'
128
Ci^fitatt family. Mhtaued
"Family Affair" Owen Jensen on tractor, his family, girls, and wife on harvester, cousins on truck.
Manchester Mission.
A farm has been a wonderful place to raise our seven children. There was always plenty of work to do so that they could learn that ethic, lots of open space to explore and use their creativity, and close neighbors for learning social skills. Our children gained a good education from attending North Fremont and from this education, as well as higher education, came David, a contractor; Michael, a computer specialist; Becky, Jeannie and Kristi, teachers; Sheri, a nurse; and Kaylie, a secretary. So education and hard work helped our children to be active contributors to the communities in which they reside.
Because of the cost of missions and education for their children, Carol went back to
school to finish her degree and taught school for 13 years in St. Anthony. Idaho and now teaches in Ashton Elementary.
Besides being involved in the
Carol Clark and Gail Seely.
farming business, Ed has been active in the LDS Church serving as Stake President of Ashton
129
(Z^fitan Jatniiif Mhta%ie^
1 David Clark, 2Dustin Clark. 3Julie Clark. 4Gary Trost, SCarson Rcid, 6Russell Workman. 7K.urt Workman, 8Ryan Workman, 9Michacl Workman, lOBIake Bowman, 1 lAubri Bowman, 12Kaylie Clark Bowman. 13Kree Bowman. 14Robcrt Young, 15Gregry Johnson. 16Michclle Ard Clark. 17MichaeI Clark. ISMelissa dark. 19Dallin Clark. 20Natalio Clark, 2 I Colter Clark, 22Victoria Clark, 23Brooklyn Trost. 25Becky Clark Workman. 26Carol Jenson Clark, 27Ed Clark, 28Samuel Young, 29Kristi Clark Young, SOQuinncic Johnson, 3 1 Jeannie Clark Johnson, 32Haiiie Clark, 33Nathan Clark, 34Talon Clark, 35Tiffany Trost, 36Megan Trost, 37Trevor Trost, 38Rebecca Workman. 39Jared Workman, 40Kennedie Johnson, 41Bailey Young, 42Taylor Johnson. 43Harrison Johnson
41 JO „ lis W.
3f
f5 36 ^3^f^*^''^Mi
Stake and Bishop of T'
Ward in Ashton along; with
other caUings. Five of the
seven children served
missions: David, to Florida;
Michael, to New York;
Jeannie, to Tennessee,
Sheri to Pennsylvania; and
Kristi, to Argentina. Ed
and Carol served a second mission in Leeds, England.
At present two children, Kaylie Bowman and David Clark, live in Ashton. but the rest are in other western states. They would all return to Ashton in a heart beat if they could tlnd the employment opportunities that they enjoy in larger communities.
So on this 100"' anniversary of the community of Ashton, we say thank you to all the good friends and people of this area for the influence you have been in our lives and the lives of our children.
By Carol Jensen Clark
130
dafUon 3-amlb^ 3ili tended
Clark, Richard J. and Lylas LaVonne Bailey. Richard was bom 13 Dec 1927 in Ashton, Idaho, to Jess and Melva Ortella Atkinson CLARK. He married "LaVonne" 13 Jun 1949 in Logan, Utah. She was bom 10 Jun 1928 in Wellsville, Utah, to William Smith and Lylas Merle Clawson BAILEY. They had the following children:
Bmce Richard bom 15 Oct 1950 in Ashton, Idaho. He married Glenys Lynn Randall 22 Aug 1973 in Ogden, Utah.
Carolyn bom 2 Jul 1954 in Ashton, Idaho. She married Robert A. Christesen 12 Jul 1974 in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
Janice bom 29 Dec 1958 in Ashton, Idaho. She married Jody Walker 27 Dec 1977 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. This marriage ended in divorce.
LuAnne bom 3 Aug 1962 in Ashton, Idaho. She married Monty Lamar Fowler 14 Aug 1981 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Richard was bom on a snowy, blizzardy, wintery night, necessitating Dr. Hargis having to come in a sleigh with a team of horses, and has lived in this community all of his life with the exception of the time he spent at Utah State Agricultural College (today known as Utah State University), the year and a half that he served in the U.S. Army in Korea and Japan, and the time that he was attending Barber College in Salt
Lake City, Utah. During his growing-up years, his good friends were the Allison kids
(children of Jim and Sarah Allison) who lived just across the street west and also Jimmy Lane who lived two homes east from the Clark home. They had a lot of fun playing together, especially as they played a lot of marbles on Samrdays. There were two girls who would challenge them to playing marbles and the girls would win all the marbles-a VanSickle girl and a Waugh girl.
When he was just a boy, his best friend was his dog. Pepper. He built a platform on the back of his bike for the dog to ride on, and they spent many happy hours together. Often, with the dog looking over his shoulder, he would take his lunch and pedal nearly 20 miles down the
L-R Bmce, Carolyn, LaVonne, LuAnne, Richard, and Janice CLARK
131
(Z^fitatt ^atnliif 3iht(mie6
Jess Clark, "Shorty" Casperson and Jay Ball, "the boss," This picture shows about Vi of
Jay Ball's Barber Shop.
highway to his grandmother's farm in Teton City where he rode the derrick horse during haying season.
He enjoyed music and played in both the elementary and high school bands. He started playing the saxophone but soon turned to the trumpet and really enjoyed that. In fact, he organized a small band, and they were in great demand for programs and dances around the area. Erma Lou Nedrow played the piano, Neil Hill played the drums, and Kenderson Rankin added his talents on the clarinet. He recalls that one time they played at Hibbard for a dance, and they each were paid two dollars. Dick also played the trumpet in exchange assemblies.
Dick enjoyed taking part in the scouting program and remembers how much he enjoyed going to Scout Camp at Treasure Mountain at the base of the Grand Teton. He loved the hike to Table Rock and has made that climb again since that time. To this day. Dick has feh a special love and "respect" for the Teton Mountain Range.
During the summer months, he worked for the Forest Service and received some excellent training from men like Jack Heinz and Steve Osborne, and during those three summers. he was taught to run a bull dozer, and they built new roads through the forests and through
132
ddfUan S-amiitf Mhta^ue^
Richard J. Clark in the Clark Barber Shop.
campgrounds. He remembers one time when they were up in Teton Basin and came on a herd of cows. He started bellowing like a cow and lo! They ended up having all those cows following them up the road.
He loved sports-all of them- and skied while in high school and also in college and traveled with the ski team in high school. But because he was so small, his coach talked him into trying
the sport of boxing when the football season ended. He was quick and alert and was able to win
many honors during high school in Ashton and became the AAU Intermountain Boxing Champ
when he was a student at USAC. He graduated from Ashton High School May 24, 1945. During
the year that he attended USAC, he lived at and joined the Sigma Chi Fraternity and enjoyed
college life very much. He
met and courted his wife-to-be,
LaVonne Bailey, They were
married in the Logan LDS
Temple on June 13, 1949, and
have lived in Ashton since that
time. They raised their four
children-a son and three
daughters-none of whom are
living in the Ashton area.
Dick barbered with his father,
Jess Clark, and it was a close
and happy relationship for all
of them. They "played
together" on the Clark Barber
Shop Bowling Team along
with John Blackburn, Grant
Harris, and Joe Rankin and
won numerous trophies and
LuAnn Fowler, Carolyn Christesen, Bruce Richard, Janice Walker F-Dick and LaVonne CLARK
133
U^fitati ^atniiif Mhto^xie^
traveled to attend several state bowling tournaments.
At the time of this writinu, Auuust 2005, Dick's mother, Ortella, is a resident in the Ashton Living Center and is now 101 years of age. Dick's father, Jess, passed away on December 10, 1967, and after that time, Dick carried on the Clark Barber Shop business alone until retirement in October, 2004. This summer of 2005 the building housing the barber shop was sold to Billy Stronks.
Dick has been very involved in Church leadership and activities in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all of his married life, having served as bishop of the Ashton Ward for seven years. Stake Young Men's Superintendent, counselor to H. E. Hess in the Ashton Stake Presidency, as Director of the Ashton Stake Family History Center, and currently as Ashton Stake Patriarch.
LaVonne, Dick's wife, grew up in Hyrum, Utah, where her father, William S. Bailey, served as principal of the Lincoln Elementary School for 35 years. She graduated from South Cache High School on May 26, 1945, and started to work as a secretary in the Engineering Building at US AC the very next day. She attended three years of college, majoring and concentrating on Business and working in different offices on campus-all while Dick was serv ing in the military and attending Salt Lake Area Vocational School where he learned the trade of barbering.
She loves and appreciates the beauties of this Upper Snake River Valley and especially the good people who live here. She has served in various capacities in the Church responsibilities in Relief Society presidencies, both Ward and Stake, and in the Young Women's organizations and as secretary in the Ward Primary organization, and particularly enjoyed working in the Family History Center, and at this time as Scribe to Dick's calling as Stake Patriarch.
The current residences for their children are as follows: Bruce Richard (Glenys) Clark
lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, in the South Jordan community and is employed in administration of Intermountain Health Care; Carolyn C. (Robert) Christesen lives also in Salt Lake City in the Riverton community; Janice C. Walker is currently living in Boise, Idaho, and LuAnne C. (Monty) Fowler lives in the Woodville area of Shelley, Idaho. By Richard and
LaVonne Clark
^p»« .
M
etno^uci
Ashton Memorial Hospital
Submitted hv Sclda Lords
134
sf/ \*/ \*y t^ TJx 7i\ ^«\ TJ\
Cl^fitan Jratniiy. Mhto-ue^
Clark, Stanley A. and Julia Miller. They had the following children:
Evelyn J. bom near Rexburg abt 1926. She married Willis B. Mason of Parker, Idaho. They had six children:
Stanley M., Stanley A., L. Edgar, Annetta, Clea, Julie M., Joy R., and Evelyn J.
CLARK 1937
W. Clark who married Renee Starlin from Spokane, Washington. (7 children) S. James who died at age five.
Rashell who married James Cardell from Yulee, Florida. (8 children) Douglas L. who married Shari Romrell from Wilford, Idaho. (4 children) Debra who married Shane Dorceus from Rexburg, Idaho. (4 children) Shawna who married J. William (Bill) Bryan from Kingsland, Georgia. (5 children) Son who died at birth.
135
Stanley M. Who married Joyce Reynolds of Ashton. Joyce died 27 Jan 2006. They had the
follovvinsz children:
Darice Ann who married Lyie R. Oldham.
S. Frank who married Barbara Zollinger.
Shelli who married Richard (Rick) Blanchard.
Lexie who married John J. Waddell.
Joyce LaVema who died at age one day.
Mathew R. who married Debra Murdock.
Stan and Joyce were guardians of and raised:
Joseph A. Brush who married Katrina Hunt.
James A. Brush who married Anna L. Roberts Annetta who married L. Ken Hendrickson of Ashton. They had the following children:
Charleen who married John L. Keebaugh.
Delaun K.who married Zaneta Rhodehouse.
Denice who married Dave Hart.
Janette who married Marlin I. Whetten.
Sheila who married and divorced.
Christine who married and divorced.
Donetta who married Mark G. Arrington.
Kari who married Brian C. Jenkins.
Ronald L. who married Brenda Tuft. Clea bom I Aug 1932 in Twin Groves, Idaho. (See Daniels, Doyle Aaron.)
L. Edgar who married Carol A. Jensen. (See Clark, L. Edgar.)
Jay R. who married Sandra L. Child. She was of Fresno, California. They had the
following children:
Jeffrey J. who married M. Kay Bezona.
A daughter who died at birth.
Eric R. Clark (Not married at this time.)
S. Casey who married Daisy H. Farwell.
Shane P. (Not married at this time.)
Early settlers of the Ashton, Idaho, area were, David Edgar and Janette Crapo Miller, who homesteaded about 160 acres of ground about five miles almost straight south and a little west of Ashton.
In 1927, Stanley A. and Julia Miller CLARK moved to that area living about a mile from the Millers. They rented ground from Frank Soule and a Mr. Wright (about 300 acres) to farm and raise their family. They taught their posterity honesty, how to be of service to others, and how to do a good day's work and do it right. Stan and Julia farmed most of their married life in the Ashton area. Around 1946 or 1947, they built a house in Ashton and moved into it but still ran the farm with their sons. Stan and Julia were generous with what they had. They would help others who might need to use machinery and did many other things for others. They were very family oriented, and their children knew most of their cousins those living in Wvoming and Utah. They visited them at least once a year or more often.
136
(Z^fitatt f^atnii^ Mhtaue^
Every year in February, Ashton would celebrate Washington's birthday with their famous Dog Derby. Stan always took his family (by sleigh) into Ashton to be there for the races. It was a fun time for family and friends.
"I remember the winters that we had in those days. The snow was always piled high. The fences were buried for two or three months during the winter. Often there were snow drifts up even with the eaves of the house. Great fun for kids to slide down. It was a fun time skiing behind horses
B-Jay R., Annetta C. Hendrickson, Stanley M., L. Edgar and going
F-Clea C. Daniels, Julie M., Stanley A., Evelyn C. Mason CLARK Abt. 1952 sleigh riding
in the sleigh pulled by a team of horses. Dad put fresh hay in the wagon box which was on the sleigh runners, and we sat on the hay and covered up with heavy quilts. We were warm even though the air may have been below zero. Eventually we had a covered sleigh with a stove in it. In that sleigh, we went the five miles to school. At that period of time, the school had a bam behind it, and we put the team in the bam during school, We fed them hay at noon and hooked them up and headed home after school. In that period of time the snow was not plowed off of the country roads. In the winter we left for school before the sun was up and got home after it had set. When the snow was gone the covered wagon box was put on a wagon with rubber tires, and we went to school in that."
By Evelyn C. Mason
137
Cl^^tan f}aniiiif Jihto^ue^
Juanita Williams
Cooley, John William and Juanita Williams.
John Cooley was
bom 27 Mar 1917 in
Shoshone, Idaho and died
19 May 2005. He had a
long, eventful life. He
married Juanita Williams
17 Sep 1937. They met
while sitting next to each
other in a class while
attending Ashton High
School. Johns's father
was Charles William
Cooley. John's mother was Emma Elizabeth Thorpe. She lived in Ashton with her third husband, Frank Henderson. She was buried in Ashton on 25 Apr 1964, next to Frank. John's brother, Fred Cooley, married Cleo Joan (Peggy) Thompson, from Ashton, on 15 Aug 1953. His sister, Elvretta Mae Cooley, married Glen Dee Munger, a police officer, who died in 1949. She was married to her second husband, Jess Reuben Kidder, 16 May 1951, who was also from Ashton. All are buried in Ashton.
John and his family moved to Island Park when he was about 10 years old. Then when he was high school age, his mother and Frank Henderson moved to the town of Ashton. John played football with Coach Gordon Dixon and wanted to play after an operation. Unbeknownst to the coach, a lady gave John a corset, his buddies laced it up, and he played three years, both ways, without the coach knowing he had the corset or a large hernia. John quit school to go to work for Walt Womack, logging, and made up for his bad decision by insisting that his four children would graduate from college, which they did.
John worked for Murray Baum driving truck. He delivered gas to farmers. He remembered working with Russell Scow and Ronald Richards, and sometimes he worked with Leland Anderson and Ode Kent. These last two men would split driving time for the trip to Montana, which was a 600-mile long drive. He then worked at the Grassy Lake Dam. which was contracted by the Lobnitz Brothers. Laurence Lindsley hired him. John drove belly dump trucks hauling fill materials to the dam for two summers (1938-39). His brother-in-law, Max Stalker, and his father-in-law, Clyde Williams, also worked at the dam. John and Juanita had four children:
Virginia married Jerry Calley and they had the following children: David who married Julie EUist.
Johnny, Virginia, and Juanita Cooley
138
ddfitan ^fatniiy. JiLa taxied
Stacey who married Alvin Hadley.
Darren bom married Larie Kenser.
Jonathan who married Benjamin Gatie.
Daniel
Amanda
Steven Johnny who married (1) Joan (Div.) and had two children: Candy Curtis
Johnny married (2) Susie Jackson. They had one child: Treone JoLynn who married Carlos Pierce. No children. Curtis who married Betty and had two children:
Shawn
Kristi John was drafted into the Army in the fall of 1 944 and served in Korea. Juanita stayed in Ashton with their first child and delivered their second child, a son, while John was away. He returned safe to Ashton and decided to go to Ricks College on the GI Bill, became interested in welding, and learned the skills associated with that area to use for his lifetime career, that of mechanics and welding that brought him to many locations in the United States and Bolivia, South America. He retired from MK as the General Superintendent in 1981 and returned to Idaho Falls, Idaho, until his recent death on 19 May 2005.
Taken from his life history he says, "Some other things happened when I lived in Ashton. Many men were trying to get on the WPA. That job didn't pay very much, but it was better than trying to make a living by playing 'Four, Five and Six' at Ott's Pool Hall. At that time I had a dog team. I knew that some men were working at a camp located above Warm River. I knew it had something to do with WPA. Because of the recent blizzards, these guys had run out of food and supplies. The Red and White grocery store in Ashton had some kind of contract to sell them foodstuffs. I owned a freight sleigh and had nine good and strong work dogs to pull the sleigh. I loaded as much on the sled as we could. The blizzards had created huge snow drifts to the top of the Warm River Dug Way and, after that, the snow was much smoother. 1 think they called those drifts, 'Thanks Mom.' I don't remember being paid anything for doing this, but the men were very happy to see me
Juanita, Johnny, Virginia, and John COOLEY
139
G.:^htati ^atn'di^ Jihto^ue^^
Eldon Hill, John Cooley, and Max Stalker
arrive with the food. After three or four trips to the camp, they came up with a better way to do it."
John had a big dog, Jerry. He had read a story about a dog somewhere in Alaska that had been challenged to pull a thousand-pound load for a predetermined distance. He was curious to see just how much old Jerry could pull on the sleigh that he owned. So he took him to the elevator in Ashton where he loaded ten one-hundred sacks of coal onto the sled. It was a slight upgrade all the way to Main Street. Although Jerry had to lunge forward a couple of times before he got the sleigh to move, he pulled that load of coal all the way to Main Street and one block east to the comer where he turned north and continued all the way to John's house. This is a true story of a wonderfijl old dog who was blessed with a stump of a tail, which didn't remove any strength of this oversized sled dog.
John remembered the water tank that was constructed of wood and was located in proximity to the Main Street. It was either 1932 or 1933 that he was walking by the water tank on his way to town and noticed that he couldn't see the tank. He realized that something was amiss, that there was no water tank there, only a pile of
frozen ice and timbers.
This was a first class catastrophe and folks were running around in the area very excited. "I think I know what happened. Because the water supply pump had not shut down when the water tank was full of water, the water began to run over the top and freeze as it traveled downward towards the iiround. A man named John Davis was hired by the city to use an axe to break the ice loose. Mr. Davis had to climb on a
JoLynn, Virginia, Juanita, John, Johnny, and Curtis COOLEY ladder upward as he removed the huge icicles. I can only surmise that too much ice was
140
Cl^fitatt ^atn'dif Jih tabued
removed from one side before the removal operation could get to the other side, and the water
tank suddenly collapsed. John Davis was injured, hospitalized in the Idaho Falls hospital and did recover."
John Cooley was married for 67 years to Juanita. He left this earth leaving a legacy of great adventures and many remember him.
Juanita graduated from Ashton High School and spent a year in Idaho Falls going to school. She and John have had a busy life as John worked for Morris Knudson on construction. They have lived in Bolivia, California, Oregon,
John Cooley at a "Run"
Bost
on. North Dakota, Montana, Utah, Idaho, Texas, and have made many friends all over the world.
John and Juanita are very good family people, having raised four children that have all married and moved away, have children and grandchildren of their own. Juanita was always a very caring daughter, mother, sister, and friend. She has always been a very faithful member of the L.D.S. Church, working in different organizations all of her life. She is very talented in making crafts of all kinds, sewing, cooking, playing the piano, and loving her husband, children, and grandchildren.
John did many things. He was an expert welder, truck driver, and mechanic. He would drive a truck down that Ashton hill when he could hardly reach the brake pedal. He spent time in the Army during WWII. He loved playing the guitar and singing. He also liked writing stories. He had a hard life but did many things. He ran in many races. He started running in 1966 while living in Oxnard, California. He ran a total of 26 lOK races (6.2 miles) John ran his first of four marathons (26.2 miles) at the age of 63 in Kansas City, Missouri. He later ran in Denver, Salt Lake City, and Hawaii marathons. He always finished the game as he did in this life. Thanks for the memories.
John recently died in 2005, and Juanita now lives in Idaho Falls. Written by Virginia Cooley Calley, Submitted by Mabel Williams Stalker
141
Anninta Cordingley
Cl^fitatt Jatn'dif Jibte^ue^
Cordingley, George Muggins and Arminta Egbert. George was
bom 29 Mar 1896 in Marysville, Idaho, to John Muggins and Jessie
Squire Jones
CORDINGLEY.
Me died 5 Mar 1962
in Idaho Falls,
Idaho, and is buried
in Ashton, Idaho.
Me married Arminta
20 Feb I9I8inSalt
Lake City, Utah.
She was bom 1 5
Apr 1898 in
Marysville, Idaho,
to Joseph Mollis and Emmeline Whittle EGBERT. She died 15 Apr 1980 in Ashton, Idaho, and was buried in Ashton, Idaho. They had the following children:
Margaret bom 1 1 Dec 19 1 9 in Ora, Idaho. She
married Leland William Stanford 27 Oct
1945 in Jackson, Wyoming. Leland died
13 Sep 1974 and is buried in Ashton,
Idaho. Zelda bom 10 May 1 921 in Marysville, Idaho.
She married Jay "N" Mill 28 Oct 1 94 1
in Pocatello, Idaho. She died 14 Mar
2003 in Rexburg, Idaho and is buried in
Ashton, Idaho. (More history in "Mistory
of the Uplands," pg. 217.) Nieca bom 9 Jan 1924 in Marysville,
Idaho. (See Jessen, John Frederick Jr.) Madge bom 27 Jul 1925 in Marysville, Idaho,
died 3 May 1941 in Ashton, Idaho, and
was buried in Ashton, Idaho. Georgia bom 20 May 1927 in Marysville, Idaho. (See Oberhansley, Wayne Alvin) John Mollis born 7 Oct 1928 in Marysville, Idaho. Me married Jacqueline Mood 26 Jul 1957 in
Idaho Falls, Idaho. (Div.) Me later married Donna McLeish.
More information in Marysville Book 160- J 66.
George Muggins Cordingley
142
Cl^fitan f^atnii^ Mi^tojue^
Margaret Cordingley
Zelda Cordingley
Nieca Cordingley
Madge Cordingley
John H. Cordingley
Georgia Cordingley
Arminta Egbert in front of her home in Ashton. 143
HoUis Cordingley taking out ashes.
d^fitan ^atniiif Jihtaue^
The George Huggins and Arminta Cordingley Family
Key to Cordingley picture: 1 . Garth Oberhansley 2. Morgan Mecham 3. Don Mecham 4. Russell Miller 5. Margaret Stanford 6. Leland Stanford 7. Wayne Oberhansley 8. Georgia Oberhansley 9. Jack lessen 10. Nieca Jessen 1 1. Zelda Hill 12. Grant Bischoff 13. Jay Hill 14. Dennis Oberhansley 15. Bruce Jessen 16. Lowell Carlson 17. Kaye Mecham 18. Jacki Miller 19 Arminta Cordingley 20. Madge
By Nieca Cordingley Jessen
d^fiten Jtiaia: North of the Ashton the railroad built the Ingling depot, and named it after a master railroad mechanic, William J. Ingling. Both Ashton and Ingling had beet dumps. The tourists would come as far as Ingling Siding, spend the night at the Davis Boarding House, and load onto the stage coaches to travel through Yellowstone Park.
144
d^fitan ^amibf 3il6toJue6
John Huggins
Cordingley, John Huggins and Jessie Squire Jones. John was bom 26 Sep 1868 in Fountain Green, Sanpete, Utah, to WilHam and Parmeha Huggins CORDINGLEY. He died 23 Jan 1962 and was buried 26 Jan 1962. He married Jessie 1 Dec 1892 in Manti, Utah. Jessie was bom 27 Nov 1874 in Heber City, Utah, to Elisha Warren and Jane Ann Pierce JONES.
John and Jessie Cordingley
She died 27 Feb 1933 and was buried 2 Mar 1933. They had the following children:
William Warren bom 28 May 1 894 in Huntington, Utah. He married Sarah Ethel Dumey
on 22 Dec 1912 in St. Anthony, Idaho. Ethel was bom 19 Feb 1895 in High
Creek, Utah, to James Holiday and Mary Andms DURNEY. She died 3 Jun 1954
in Ashton, Idaho. George Huggins bom 29 Mar 1896 in Marysville, Idaho. (See Cordingley, George
Huggins) Parmelia Ann bom 22 May 1898 in Marysville, Idaho. She died 26 Apr 1899. Melinda Emaline bom 18 Jun 1900 in Marysville, Idaho. She was buried 27 Jul 1996 in
the Pineview Cemetery in Ashton, Idaho. Melinda married Clarence LeRoy
Sprague 20 Dec 1916 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Clarence was bom 13 Jun 1893 in
Marysville, Idaho, to Festes Franklin and Anna Marie Mountrie SPRAGUE. He
was buried 15 Nov 1965 in Ashton, Idaho. Myron Lorenzo bom 16 Jan 1902 in Marysville, Idaho. He married Myrtle Elinor
Gutherie on 3 Dec 1923 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was bom 19 Aug 1903 in
Chester, Idaho, to George William and Sarah Urana McArthur GUTHRIE. She
died 7 Jun 2004 in Ashton, Idaho. Lottie Pearl bom 6 Oct 1903 in Marysville, Idaho. Lottie married Earl S. Larson on 21
Nov 1920 in St. Anthony, Idaho. He was bom to Nels and Anna LARSON. Marion Guy bom 16 Apr 1905 in Marysville, Idaho. Guy married Leora Mae Brower in
1907 in Marysville, Idaho. She was bom to Lansing Bates and Rose Mae Birch
BROWER. Baby bom and died 1907 in Marysville, Idaho. Horace Glen bom 1 May 1909 in Marysville, Idaho. Horace married Fem Genevive
Thorsted on 2 Sep 1932. She was bom to Richard L. THORSTED. John Lee bom 17 May 1912 in Marysville, Idaho. (See Cordingley, John Lee.)
145
Cl^fitan f^atnii^ Jibtaue^
John Huggins was the sixth child of nine: William Thomas, Sarah Alice, George Alonzo, Mary Emaline, Stephen Lorenzo, John Huggins, Howard Lee, Enoch Ernest, Lula Parmelia, Hannah Flavilla, and Seymore David.
John Huggins Cordingley's beginning was humble as he lived in a small two room house made of logs with a dirt floor. John remembers it fondly, a home where he sat down to eat his meals his mother prepared, and where he went to bed at night to rest his body. He was unable to attend very much school as a child. He had to work to help the family but did enjoy playing ball and dancing. It was at one of the dances that he met Jessie Squire Jones who had come to the dance with one of his friends. He ended up taking her home from the dance.
John and Jessie were married
B- Guy, Myron, John, Lynn. Lee Myron, George Warren CORDINGLEY
' (
II
''Ml!
Ill
\V
\\\
• Ml- ■:!'■'. ;
John Huggins Cordingley Homestead
146
1 Dec 1892 and later sealed in the Manti Temple. They moved to Idaho in 1885 with their first child, William Warren, who was a year old. They came in a covered wagon, driving three cows, a calf, and had one dozen chickens fastened on the back of the wagon in a box. It took three
G^dfiton ^antiiif Mbtojue^
weeks to make the trip.
Jessie never saw a woman after leaving Provo until they arrived in Blackfoot. The first woman she saw was a squaw who said she was 80 snows old. The squaw's husband was very sick. Jessie had some hot cakes left from their breakfast, so she put some cheese in between them and gave them to the Indians.
They arrived in Marysville on the 4"^ of July and spent their last dollar on a sack of flour which they purchased in Rexburg as they came through. They had only been in Marysville about a month when John broke his leg. Jessie had to be his doctor. She set his leg, and he healed just fine. They lived with John's mother for a few days, and then he got work at Warm River at a sawmill owned by M. M. Hammond, Joe Hendricks, and John's brother, William Thomas Cordingley. The company built them a one-room home which they lived in for two years. While living there they took up a homestead three miles east of Marysville on Hugginsville comer. They first built a one-room log cabin and then added another room to it. It was while living in this house that the
Cordingley Homestead Warren, George, Myron, Jessie, John Huggins holding Lee, Glen in front, Lynn, Pearl and Guy.
'mj^^
Jessie and John Huggins Cordingley children; B-Glen, George, Warren, Lynn F- Guy, Pearl, Myron, John, and Lee.
147
William Warren
Melinda Emaline
Pearl Lottie
rest of their family was bom. Parmelia Ann passed away when an infant.
John tells that Jessie and he were a very congenial couple. They loved to be in each other's company and loved their home and children. They worked hard and taught their children to work. Jessie acted as a midwife in the community and served many people. On 27 Feb 1933 she passed away of heart trouble.
John and Jessie had a good life together and found comfort and peace in the gospel of Jesus Christ serving the Lord. They took many temple trips together going to Salt Lake and Logan. Their joy was full when their children followed in their footsteps and were sealed in the temple. John lived alone for a number of years and even though his children were a comfort to him, he was lonely. He married Charlotte Emmeline Larson Howard, or Aunt Lottie, as everyone called her. They had several happy years together and then Lottie passed away. John was left alone again. He filled his life with service at the Idaho Falls Temple until his death in Jan of 1962.
John and Jessie were certainly some of the pioneers of the Upper Snake River Valley. They were hardy pioneer stock and set an excellent example for their children. We honor those who came here and made this such a beautiful peaceful valley for us, their descendants, to live.
By Jessie Cordingley Jones
N»/ \»X Vjr Nt/
Georize Huimins
Myron Lorenzo
John Lee
Guy Marion
148
Horace Glen
d^fUan 3-ainiitf Mhtaue^
Cordingley, John Lee and Dorothy Mae Strong. John was bom 17 May 1912 to John Huggins Cordingley and Jessie Squire Jones in Ashton, Idaho. He was the last bom of nine children. His childhood was spent west of Ashton in the area called Hugginsville. It was here his parents established their homestead when coming into this valley in 1895.
Lee had a wonderful childhood with his brothers and sisters. They were raised in a two-room log home. His life sketch pays tribute to his father and mother who made their lives so happy. They worked hard and played hard. Money was not plentiful and the Cordingley boys made extra money by trapping and selling the pelts. Lee also worked on the Yellowstone Highway between Bear Gulch and Last Chance. He drove a team of horses owned by his brother, Myron, and helped to widen the road. He was paid $7.50 a day for him and his team.
The Cordingley hunting camp was well known as many hunters stopped in to warm up and have a meal .
Many
Lee and Dorothy Cordingley
hunters were guided by the Cordingley boys. Lee tells of following the same hunting trails his father used. He remembers that his father helped build the Brady Canal.
Lee finished eleven years of school at Hugginsville, or as it was also known, Svea Falls School, and in Ashton High School participated in sports, football, basketball, and track. These were fun years with many parties and lots of dancing. He met Dorothy Strong and began to date her. He bought her a ring at Rudy Marquet's Jewelry Store and took her out to the Wendell Bridge by Snake River to propose to her. On the way out she sang this little jingle to him: "You've got what gets me, what gets me you've got, you've got what gets me, I know not what."
Lee and Dorothy were married 1 0 Nov 1932. They wanted to be married on November 1 1 but that was Armistice Day, so they had to be married the day before. Lee's parents took them to St. Anthony where they were married. They were later sealed in the Logan Temple in Logan, Utah.
Keith and Jessie Cordingley with Cap. 149
U^htan ^atnliy. Jibtatie^^
Herbert Keith Cordingley
To this marriage two children were bom: Herbert Keith bom 1 1 Feb 1934
Jessie Mae bom 24 Dec 1935. (See Jones, Walter Franklin.) In 1933 Lee helped erect the Ashton Water Tower and in 1934, he started famiing. He farmed the Paul Histerburg, R.I. Rankin, and the Wayne Johnson place, and finally ended up farming the Gust Steinmann ground for 21 years. He also worked for the Idaho Fish and Game Department, the Union Pacific Railroad, and was Superintendent of the Marysville Ditch Company from 1948 to 1955. He worked on the Idaho Falls Temple when it was being constructed.
In 1952 their son, Keith, was killed in a train accident south of Ashton. Their life was changed dramatically. Jessie married Walter Franklin Jones 5 Feb 1954. Lee and Dorothy were called to serve a mission to the Southwest Indian Mission in 1955 and then to serve in the Idaho Falls Temple in 1965 where they served for 32 years two days a week.
Dorothy is the daughter of Herbert Strong and Martha Margaret (Maude) Loutensock and had three sisters. She was bom 27 Nov 1914 in Ashton. She was raised in Dmmmond and Ashton. She finished eleven years of schooling.
Dorothy spent many years working at the Teton Phamiacy in Ashton, which was the Rexall Dmg Store. She also worked for Story and Meese in their clothing store. She served as Relief Society President and initiated the "All Faith
Fashion Show" which was a huge success, with all the different churches in Ashton participating and having a luncheon along with it.
Her home was always clean, and she was a great cook and neighbor. She had a real talent for sewing and doing handy work. Her yard was always so neat, and she grew beautiful fiovvers. She was a loving mother.
Lee and Dorothy have quite a progeny from just one child. Six grandchildren, twenty- five great grandchildren, and at this time, eleven great-great-grandchildren. There are about sixty members in their family.
Lee and Dorothy have lived their lives during some of the best years. They have seen many changes and been part of many of them. They have been a wonderful example for their family and have served well in their community supporting the school and community activities. Lee passed away 8 Dec 1995 and Dorothy passed away 9 Jul 2005. There is more history in "Histories of the Uplands Farnum, Drummond, Squiirel, LaMont and Communities Faded into the Past 1896-1990" pg. 355.
Jessie Mae Cordingley Jones
By Jessie Mae Cordingley Jones
- ^ - - - - "'^ -^^-
150
(Zdfiton 9-amlb^ Mhtojue^
Coverley, Roderick William and Candee Lee Gardner. "Rod" was bom 12 Dec 1969 in Carson City, Nevada, to William Harold and Sandra Louise Ford COVERLEY. Rod married Candee 3 Aug 1993 in Oakland, California. She was bom 1 Oct 1969 to Robert Anthony and Sandra Lynn Warden GARDNER. They had the following children:
Roderick William Jr. bom 28 May 1996 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Patrick bom and died 1 1 Feb 1998 in Rexburg, Idaho. Jarom stillbom 26 Sep 1998 in Rexburg, Idaho. Daniel Mark bom 9 Jan 2000 in Rexburg, Idaho. Jackson Robert bom 24 Nov 2001 in Rexburg, Idaho.
Rod was raised in Gardnerville, Nevada, in the Carson Valley. Rod has a twin brother, Daniel James Ford Coverley. Rod was a firefighter for the Yellowstone Fire of 1988. He then served a mission in Hartford, Connecticut. He then attended Ricks College while playing football for the Vikings.
Candee was raised in Minden, Nevada, in the Carson Valley. She is the third of seven children. Her siblings are Scott Gardner, Cindy Kurth, Mark Gardner, Julie Logan, Lisa Robison, and Kevin Gardner. Candee graduated in 1992, from BYU with a B.A. in dance.
Rod and Candee were married in the Oakland Temple. They first lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where Rod continued his education and played football for the University of New Mexico. After his two years of playing, Rod was a student coach while he finished his B.A. in history. Just before leaving Albuquerque, their first child, Roderick William Jr., was bom. Rod and Candee then moved to Rexburg, Idaho, for Rod to coach football at Ricks College. They also managed the Colonial House girl's apartments, where Patrick was bom, but only lived one day. Then Rod changed careers and was hired by the Idaho State Police. Candee and son Roderick, Jr., lived with Mike and Mary Ann Leek, whom they knew from Nevada while Rod attended the academy for five months in Meridian. This is when their third son, Jarom, was stillbom. Upon Rod's graduation from the pohce academy, they moved to Rigby and rented a small home in the Shelton Ward. This is when Daniel Mark was bom.
Rod's been a State Police Trooper ever since, and when Jr. Gonzales became a Sergeant, the Ashton residency position opened up, and Rod was transferred there. Rod and Candee rented the home of Joyce and Stan Clark on 3300 E. and this is where their fifth son, Jackson Robert,
B-Rod, Candee and Rod, Jr. F-Daniel and Jackson
COVERLEY
151
Cl^fitan f}amiiif. Mhto^tie^
was born. Rod and Candee, with their three boys then bought Joe and Karen Curry's home next door, where they currently reside.
At this writing. Jr. is 9, Daniel is 5, and Jackson is 3 years old. Rod has helped coach the North Fremont Husky football team for the past four years under Coach Leek, and now Coach Mat Clark. Candee is the Primary President in the LDS Ashton T' Ward and is involved in La Leche League, Daughters of Utah Pioneers, and raising the three boys at home.
Bv Candee Gardner Coverlev
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u«« ^ ,
^:.
^ ■
it
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Warm River running into the Henry's Fork of the Snake River Submitted hv Nieca Cordin^lev Jessen
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Cl^fUan 3-ain'dif Mbta^Ue^
fZ)aniels, Claude and Jane Teachman. Claude was bom 16 Jun 1933 in Santa Rosa, California, to Todd Monroe and Claudine Gabert DANIELS. He married Jane 30 Jun 1956 in San Bernardino, California. She was bom 30 May 1931 in New Bedford, Massachusetts, to Albert Gardner and Anne Giles Fowler TEACHMAN. They had the following children: Rebecca Jane bom 23 Jun 1957 in Redlands, Califomia.
Claude David bom 25 Aug 1960
in Redlands, Califomia. This is a story of how two people from opposite sides of the continent ended in Ashton, Idaho. Claude Daniels was bom in Santa Rosa, Califomia. His mother divorced and married Paul Seines, and the family moved to Klamath Falls, Oregon. In 1943 Claude's family moved to Chehalis, Washington, where they remained until Claude, his older sister, and two younger siblings were grown. After graduating from Chehalis High, Claude joined the USAF and became a crew chief During the Korean War he was stationed at Norton Air Base in San Bemardino, Califomia.
Jane Teachman spent the first 1 2 years of her life on the east coast. An only child, she moved with her parents to Glendale, Califomia, during WWII, finished high school and Junior College in Glendale and went on to get a BA from the University of Redlands, Redlands, Califomia.. Jane remained in Redlands teaching school.
Claude and Jane were introduced by a friend, and that is how the east and west met in Califomia. They were married in San Bemardino, Califomia, in 1956. Two children and four years later they moved to Grants Pass, Oregon, where Claude began his career with the govemment. After a year with the USES, Claude transferred to the Bureau of Reclamation, working first on a survey crew and then becoming a constmction inspector.
Claude had to move when a job finished, and the family found themselves in The Dalles and Eagle Point, Oregon, Buraa Vista, Leadville and Pueblo, Colorado, and eventually they ended up in St. Anthony, Idaho, where Claude worked on the Teton Dam. Jane worked at Housley Pumps.
Daughter, Becky, graduated from South Fremont High, married, and remained in St. Anthony for 20 years.
Every move was traumatic in its own way. Claude and Jane remember a weekend trip from Ephrata, Washington, to Idaho to see Becky and her family before being transferred to
Jane and Claude Daniels 25 ' Anniversary.
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(Z^fitan ffatniCy. 3ihtaue6
Utah. When they returned to Ephrata, they got word that Claude was to go to Island Park as
soon as possible. Finding a place to live in Island Park was hard, even in 1979. The Daniels
stayed at the Rankin Motel for
six enjoyable weeks while they
had a mobile home built. There
aren't many folks that can say
they lived at a KOA for four
years, but Claude and Jane did
until they purchased ground in
Shotgun. Son, David, chose to
stay in Ephrata.
While in Island Park, snowmobilinii became their winter fun. Claude took an early retirement in 1984. The next few summers were spent on short jobs while Claude worked for engineering firms. Time was spent in Bozeman and Sidney, Montana, Declo and Lowman, Idaho, Portland, Oregon, and a job in Virginia. When winter arrived, Claude and Jane came home to Island Park.
During their stay in Island Park, Jane became interested in the history of the
area. She started writing a weekly column for the Island Park paper called Calamity's Comer. Writing historical articles soon followed. She also enjoyed several years of being Archivist for the Island Park Historical Society.
After 20 years of having fun in the snow, Claude and Jane sold out in 1999 and moved to Ashton. Claude was already a member of the American Legion Post 89. They often ran down the hill to take care of business. Their health demanded seeing doctors. They were ready to make a positive move and Ashton was the choice. Claude is currently taking his turn as Commander of Post 89 and he tights with the computer to get the Legion calendar ready each year. Jane is the Archivist for Ashton and writes a historical column for the Island Park News. They were proud to be Grand Marshals of the 2003 July 4"' parade. With no family in Ashton, the Daniels have adopted the town.
Jane and Claude Daniels about 2001 in Ashton, Idaho.
Bv Jane Daniels
154
Cl^fitan 3-am'd^ Mbtaued
iZ)aniels, Doyle Aaron and Clea Clark. Doyle was bom 14 Jun 1931 at Live Oaks, California, to Vere Fulmer and Lettie Ireta White DANIELS. He married Clea 20 Jun 195 1 in Ashton, Idaho. She was bom 1 Aug 1932 in Twin Groves, Idaho, to Stan Albert and Julia Miller CLARK. She died 8 Dec 1999. They had the following children:
Lynnor married Marion Clifton Painter on 7 Jun 1976 in Driggs, Idaho. He was from Santiquin, Utah. They have three children: Steven Garth Deanne Clifton Doyle Doyle Vere married Annette A. England on 5 May 1977 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She is from Arimo, Idaho. They have four children: Annette Rebekah Adam Doyle Elizabeth Katherine Jennifer Teresa Julia Ann married Keith Doyle Egbert 14 Jun 1975 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He is
from Hamer, Idaho. They have one child: Jayson Doyle Diane married David Alan Parker on 6 Feb 1981 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He is from Orem, Utah. They have four children: David Alan, II, Lettie Marie Kacey Dee, Curtis Hamilton Doyle was bom one of four boys. Arlo, Lyle, and Eugene were his brothers. His mother died at a very young age. His father later married Pearl Hoge. Vere and Pearl had two daughters: Kaye Bright and Karen Bridges.
Doyle grew up in the Tetonia and Ashton areas. In June 1947, he joined the Army. He did his basic training at Fort Ord, Califomia. He was at Schofield Barracks in Honalulu, Hawaii, and was also on an island in the South Pacific called New Britan.
Clea was bom at the home of her parents. They settled south of Ashton, where she lived most of her life. Clea enjoyed playing and working with her five siblings on their family farm.
Clea and Doyle were married at the home of her parents. They lived, worked, and played in the Ashton area most of their married life. Doyle worked on Stan Clark's farm. He also farmed and had dairy cows of his own. He spent most of their married lives employed by Pillsbury Grain, where he worked with his dad, Vere. After Vere retired, Doyle became the manager of both elevators, the Ashton and France Crossing. Doyle stayed in that position for many years. Clea worked part-time in the potato packing house owned by her brothers. She also worked as Doyle's secretary until Pillsbury sold all their county elevators. After that Doyle went to work at the Madison Co-op in Rexburg, Idaho, until he retired.
Doyle and Clea raised four kids in the Ashton area. All four children attended grade school, junior high, and graduated from North Fremont High School.
Clea died at her home in Ashton. Doyle remarried on 1 1 Apr 2003. He married a wonderfiil woman. Donna Hillam Clark, from St. Anthony, where they live now.
By Julia Egbert
155
d^fitan fjratnii^ 3ihtaue.5
fDaniels, Vere Fullmer and Ireta Lettie White.
Vere Fullmer Daniels lived in Marysville. Idaho, for forty-four years. He was bom in Hayden. Idaho, to Enoch Aaron and Pearl Rammell Daniels. Vere grew up in Teton Valley and married Ireta Lettie White in May of 1927. Three sons were bom as a result of this union - Lyle, Doyle, (See Daniels, Doyle Aaron.) and Gene Daniels. Ireta died in 1936. Her parents were George Henry White and Phoebe Saunders.
Vere married Mae Pearl Hoge in May of 1939. Vere and Pearl moved from Tetonia, Idaho, to Marysville, Idaho, in 1943 and were residents of the Ashton area throughout their lives. They were parents of two daughters; Kaye D. Bright and Karen D. Kirkham Bridge.
Vere worked for the Midland Elevator a short time and then became Manager of the Pillsbury Mills in Ashton. He worked in this capacity until retirement at the age of 65. For many years, he worked in the evenings at the Ashton Theater as a Projection Operator. Pearl was a school teacher and worked in the elementary school in Ashton over twenty years.
Vere and Pearl were hard-working and ambitious citizens of Ashton. They were always together. Vere ran a shuttle service for his daughters and their friends. They were devoted parents. They served the LDS Church in many callings, including a two-year mission to the Virginia-North Carolina area. They both loved Ashton and the surrounding communities. A long drive through the beautiful countryside was a family event. Often the family was extended to include Jean Passey and her children Ann and John. Jean is Pearl's sister and they spent much time together for many years.
All of the five children survive them; Lyle in Phoenix, Arizona; Doyle in St. Anthony, Idaho; Gene in Biggs, Califomia; Kaye in Bountiful, Utah, and Karen in Arlington, Virginia.
Jltematie^ Where is a broom when you need it?
Submitted hv Ne/cia Lords
By Kaye Bright
\t/ v>/ \»x xf • /J\ ** * ' 4 * * »•
Mabel Williams Stalker and "Sal" Richards Scow
Suh. By Mabel Stalker
156
(Z^fUatt ^atniitf Mhtaucd
fZ)avis, James Craig and Sherrill Ann Winder. Craig was bom 3 Jul 1951 in Ashton, Idaho to Drex and Laura Alice Allison DAVIS. He died 15 Aug 2003 in South Jordan, Utah. Craig married Sherrill in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She is the daughter of Mr. And Mrs. Floyd WINDER of Moses Lake, Washington. They have the following children:
Casey
Jaime
Parker
Taylor
Whitley
Craig Davis
"Craig" spent most of his childhood years in
Ashton, Idaho. He graduated from North Fremont High in 1969 and continued his education at Brigham Young
Craig and Sherrill Davis
University. Shortly after serving an honorable mission to Peru, Craig married the love of his life, Sherrill Winder, in the Idaho Falls Temple.
Upon graduating with honors from the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago, he served an internship at the Great Lakes Naval
Sherrill Winder Davis and family Oct 2005, '^ B-Camery and Parker Davis, Jaime and Brett Byrson w/Dylan, M-Taylor Davis Sherrill Davis, Casey Davis F-Siasosi Sekona Whitley Davis.
156a
(Z^fitati Jamiii^ Jihtojued
Hospital in its Hospital in its department of opthamology and at Fort Sheridan, Illinois Medical Clinic. His family moved several times, tmally calling Utah home. He remained active in the LDS Church and fulfilled a variety of callings throughout his life. Most recently, craig served as first counselor in the Glenmoor Sixth Ward of the Glenmoor, South Jordan, Utah, stake. An avid fan of BYU football and basketball, he never let a season's pass go to waste. If the mountains had snow, it was usually safe to assume Craig was ready to strap on his skis, and during the summer months he was typically preparing for the ski season. But above all else, Craig cherished the time he spent with his family.
Whether it was during a family trip to Ashton or a conversation at the dinner table, he wanted to be sure each person knew how much he loved them. He showed his love with hard
work, kind words, and was a humble example every day of his life. He will be remembered by his kind heart and quick smile.
Taken from the Salt Lake Tribune obituary on 16 Aug 2003 and a graduation announcement from the Ashton Herald 31 Oct 1985.
Submitted bv Jolene Davis Merical.
Craig Davis
jHemaue^i One of the annual Ashton cattle drives. Submitted by Virginia Hess Tolman.
156b
d^fUatt S-atniitf 3il6tauc6
MemoJiie^ : History of Squirrel, Idaho
Grass and sage brush as high as the belly of a horse. Aspen groves as beautiful as a painting, and a real task to remove by horse and man power to make the fertile ground available to plant a crop, good rainfall and fine rolling hills especially adapted to stock raising, and general farming was Squirrel in the late 1800s.
A farm detriment was the many gray, ground squirrels that occupied this fertile land. It was a peril to run a horse over this ground for fear of a foot going in a squirrel hole and breaking a leg or throwing a rider of a buggy wheel breaking when hitting the hole. They were a detriment to the growing crops because they ate anything planted. They were probably where the name of Squirrel originated.
The year, 1862, saw the Homestead Act come via congress. It provided that any citizen, either head of a family or 2 1 years of age, without capital, could acquire a tract of public land not to exceed 1 60 acres. One had to settle on and work the homestead for a period of 14 months. These didn't have to be consecutive months but some each year up to five years. This was called proving up the land. Advertisements were put in papers in the east and mid-west for the land in this area.
It was reported that the first settlers in the Squirrel area in 1899 was a quartet of young men who saw Squirrel as an area for stock and grain operation. This'was the start of Highland Ranch. In the second year of operation, three of the original holders of Highland Ranch sold their investments to others. Only W. L. Campbell had the fortitude and single-minded faith in the future of the ranch and country. By 1905, the ranch covered 4,000 acres of crops and had four hundred head of Herford cattle and hundreds of Red hogs. The ranch, as the Orme Brothers of Utah knew it, was 2,160 acres of land and the Orme Brothers purchased it in 1910 for the sum of $80,000. They began farming in 1911. Larry and Deanna Orme now live on the original location. Their sons help with the ranching, with Ryan and family living nearby at the old Leland Anderson home.
However, the first settler was probably Elijah "Boat" Johnson and wife, Anna, who took up a ranch in Squirrel Meadows in 1897.
Carl F. L. Lenz, Chris Harrigfeld, George Harrigfeld, and August Garz came out from Nebraska in 1900 to look things over. Carl F. and Mrs. August Garz were half siblings. Lenzs, Harrigfelds, and Garz' all came from the same area of Nebraska. They rode a train to Idaho Falls and hired a team and wagon to look at the area open to the Homestead Act. They returned to Nebraska and made preparations to move to Squirrel which they did in the spring of 1901.
The trail from St. Anthony was where Highway 32 now crosses Fall River. This had to be forded each way. Land occupation determined the road. One often had to drive on other people's land and open gates several times within a few miles to get where you wanted to go. For sometime, these people had to go to St. Anthony for supplies because Ashton hadn't started yet. The Garz' stayed with Charles Mackerts in St. Anthony for ten days and then with Carl F. Lenz, Augusta's half-brother, until buildings were built on the Garz farm. August then purchased a cow from Carl F. Lenz. The original Garz homestead is still operated by the Garz family. Now the si.xth generation has arrived.
Squirrel was all sage brush, quaking Aspen trees and cowboys. Highland Ranch was on the east side of Squirrel continuing east from where Larry Orme now lives.
The U.S. Calvary was in charge of the boundary of Yellowstone Park. Native Americans considered Yellowstone "Spirit World" and would come by on their way to and from there. This would scare the young people.
Paul Garz told of a time as a boy herding their cows on foot near Squirrel Creek with sage brush four-feet high and a Native American came by on a horse. He said he was so scared he hid behind a sagebrush. Now with hindsight, he was sure the rider saw him and the cows, so he had hid for nothing. They often picked up fiint and rock arrowheads and spearheads.
Lenora Reinemer Garz told of coming to Squirrel as a bride in February. The dog races were on and no rooms were available, so they stayed overnight in a friend's home. The next day, they went by sleigh to Squirrel, and she never was to town again for nearly four months. This was a big change for a young girl who lived in Nampa and worked at a hospital around people daily.
Bill Garz said, when they moved to Squirrel, he was little and there were lots of cowboys. He liked the cowboys and they let him ride with them. One day, he rode with them, and towards evening he and his pony started back for the farm but came to a closed wire gate. He was too little so not tall enough or strong enough to open it, so he sat down by it and cried. Roy Moore, a cowboy, came along, opened it. and let him through. Bill's mother wasn't happy with him for being gone so long.
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Other families coming in 1901 wore: Jim Allen and his wife Kassie Haiik. who came from Tennessee. They moved to Canada in 1920. but returned in 1922. They lived in east Squirrel next to the timberline. Jim's children were Ernest. Arthur, and Doneta. Doneta (Bonnie) married Walter House.
Another family, moving to Squirrel in 1901, was David Moore and wife, Harriett, who moved from Nebraska. They homesleaded on land near the forest boundary which is now next to the Reclamation Road. Near them was Alex and Cardell Owen, and Thomas Sheet? and son. Lute Sheetz, of Nebraska, who also came in 1901.
In five years from 1899 to 1906, the population for Squirrel increased from three families to 150 which was considered conservative.
The first post office was located where Larry Orme lives now, then the Highland Ranch. W.L. Campbell was the postmaster. The first store was across from where Clark and Denise Lenz live and was built by Bill Wanke. Before this store, all supplies came from Marysville or St. Anthony. In 1903, the supplies were moved to a new location at Squirrel Comers and was built and operated by Howard Campbell. He sold to Felix Burgess who had a store in Ashton.
The mail route was from Ashton to Farnum, to Lillian, and on to Squirrel. Around 1910, the mail carrier was a woman, Mrs. Phoebe Sanders White Swanner. She had a four year contract traveling by horse and wagon, by buggy, sleigh, or horseback. The more notable carrier was Hazen Hawkes who carried the mail for 18 years with an 8-year break when Conrad Lenz carried it.
Mai Anderson had purchased some ground in Squirrel and persuaded his friend. Charles Burrall, to come by the Squirrel Store in 1909. A tragic flu epidemic in 1918 took the lives of Burrall's wife, Mr. and Mrs. John Carlson (who ran the Drummond Store), and two Carlson children. Burrall moved to Ashton, and Axel Johnson bought the Squirrel Store. Mr. Johnson was the postmaster and store operator for over thirty years. He handled not only food and clothing but windmills, harnesses, gasoline, and oil, etc. They bought cream, eggs, and butter from farmers which the farmers traded for supplies. The Squirrel Store was the community center with pinochle games during the winter and horseshoes during the summer. Often farmers would hitch their horses to the rail when they transported their children to school. Floyd and Aimee Griffel purchased the store and post office in 1950 and ran it until September of 1979 when the post office was closed and replaced by a rural route. A few years later, the store was closed, but the voting for Squirrel Precinct was held there until the late 1900s.
The first Squirrel School was a log building located south of Larry Orme's home. The second was a homestead two-room building located on the Carl Lenz ranch. Chris Harrigfeld donated land and a new, two-room building was built in 1916 which closed in 1950. In the 1960s, it was sold to the Albert Scafe family and moved to their property for a home. Now Nathan Scafe and his wife (third generation) lives in the school house. In 1904, there were 31 boys and 23 girls. In 1906. there were 58 boys and 40 girls in attendance. According to Bill Garz, in 1903-1 904, they tried to hold school in the winter months, but it didn't work and school went back to April to November with four winter months vacation. One teacher taught all eight grades.
L.D.S. services were first held at the Highland School. Later, some members met at Lament School and then joined with the Farnum Ward. Now, all members go to wards in Ashton.
A Lutheran Church was built in 1907. The first services by a pastor were in the fall of 1901 . The first class of contlrmation was held in 1904. Henry Griffel and son, Gus, along with other members helped build the first Lutheran Church building in Squirrel. A second building was erected near the old building on the Reclamation Road. Both buildings are now gone. The membership moved to what is now the American Legion Hall and then consolidated with a new Zion Lutheran Church building in Ashton on Highway 32.
Mrs. John King taught and was the superintendent of a Christian-interdenominational Sunday School at the Squirrel School house.
The Squirrel Cemetery is located two miles north of Squirrel Comers. The first two graves were of Elizabeth Kandler and Baby Ernst Harrigfeld. They were moved from the Harrigfeld property to the Squirrel Cemetery. The cemetery property was donated by Carl F. Lenz in 1906. At first, it was called the Zion Lutheran Cemetery of Squirrel.
The cemetery has been fenced and a well drilled for a sprinkling system to water the grass. It is a lovely, well-kept, choice hallowed spot with a spectacular view on all sides. An Eagle Scout project renewed the fencing and erected a large Squirrel Cemetery sign.
Land was donated by Silas Orme, and a hall was built in 1916-17. Local men built the hall and the younger men put the shingles on. The young people held dances and sold food to buy the first piano. The Ladies Squirrel Friendship Club mstalled a new floor and bought another piano. George Amen, Pete Griffel, Maynard Bowersox,
156d
ddHton 3'aniii^ Mhtaue^
and George Shield were some of the musicians that played for dances. Often, it was George cording on the piano and Maynard playing the violin. Maynard had learned to play a fiddle in the war in France. They never charged for the service of playing. Different people would bring wood from home to provide the heat to warm the building. Lights were first furnished by a light plant at the store. Later, the electricity was connected to the store. Local ladies would bring sandwiches, cakes, and cookies . The coffee was often furnished by Axel Johnson and made in a wash boiler. During long winters, the dances would last until 1 or 2 a.m. with young children bedded down on the benches along the side or on the stage.
In about 1969, a group of neighbors got together to modernize the building. A couple dances were held with Herb Bolland, Larry Fredrickson, and Grant Bessey furnishing the music. Insulation was added to the hall along with a new tin roof and tin siding, walls were repaired, and a new chimney and a new ceiling were added. Some windows were closed off and others had removable window coverings added. Two stoves made it warm for regular card parties that are held every other weekend during the winter. Occasionally a dance is held, and more often, a family gathering is held there. The Community Pinochle Club sees to upkeep. A kitchen area was modernized in the last few years. A new sign was designed and made by the crew at Kandler Cellars.
At one time. Squirrel had a baseball team, a Squirrel Band and a Squirrel Grange. The Ladies Friendship Club was organized for the friendship of the Squirrel ladies. Membership ended in about 1935, but the club continued until the late 1990s when only a few of the members were still living. Evva Lenz is probably the sole remaining member.
Trying to list all the people that have occupied the Squirrel area would be like trying to capture the color on the Teton Mountains as the sun sets in the winter, in a glass jar. By 1920, there was a very large community. People came from different walks of life to try their hand at farming. Some wrote to relatives back in their hometowns to move here to the "land of milk and honey."
Arthur Conant came from New York in about 1908 and worked for Tom Sheetz on his threshing machine. He homesteaded what is now the Sharp home and ranch. Mr. Conant went after a load of wood for their winter stove fuel. The load tipped over and pinned him underneath. He was only caught by one shoulder but was unable to dig out with his one bare hand. He froze to death in the creek that now bears his name.
Jacob Harshbarger and his wife, Mary, his son earl, wife Olive, and son. Max, and Clay and wife, Cynthia ,and son. Cliff, came in the spring of 1 909. They bought a threshing and steam engine in 1910 and did a lot of custom threshing besides their own. Brent Harshbarger and family now operate the Harshbarger farm.
August Lenz came in 1907 from Concordia, Missouri.
Curtis Marsden homesteaded in 1916.
Henry Amen purchased State Land in Squirrel in about 1917. George Amen came about that time also.
Ed Payne lived east of the Squirrel Store and was, for many years, Ranger Manager for Squirrel Meadows Cattle Company.
Herman H. Lenz came to Squirrel in 1906 from Concordia, Missouri. They moved to Nampa in 1936.
Richard Waddell came from Orange, Massachusetts, in 1907.
Mai Anderson came from Kemmerer, Wyoming, in 1912, and purchased a home in Squirrel. He had promised his wife, Johanna Pernella, he would build her a better home in Squirrel. He did, and she enjoyed being a delightful hostess. Arthur came with his father as a young boy. He married Velma King and late in their lives, they established "Aspen Acres," a private golf course on their farm, which is still in operation. Velma Anderson was the wife of Arthur Anderson and lived at the homestead until a few years ago when she moved to Idaho falls with her daughter. Penny, at the age of 100. She will celebrate her lOS"' birthday this year.
Allie Burkhalter, for twenty years, lived east of Larry Orme's present home. He married Lillian Reese in 1915. It was a big change for a 39 year old town raised woman to move to a humble farm. Burkhalter was a very tidy man and kept his farm so. He also helped his wife in the house. They had no children but had a nephew who helped him. He encouraged him to get a good education because he felt farm life was too hard. When he retired, he and his wife sold his farm to Harrigfeld's and Burkhalters moved back to Kansas.
Louis Kandler came to Squirrel around 1912 and stayed with the Carlie Lenz family. He married Minnie Warsany and in 1934, moved to the Squirrel farm. They had four sons; Louis died in WWII and is buried in Luxembourg. Hans and Bill are deceased, and Kurt owns and operated Kandler Farms. Kurt married Genola Craven. She passed away in 2004 shortly after the passing of their son, Scott, who had partnered with his father on the farm. Louis died in 1952 and Minnie in 1959.
Chris Christensen came in 1905, and brother Frank and wife, Jennie, came in 1906. They worked on the
Highland Ranch.
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Cl^fitan ^amiiif Jibto^ued
Julius Warsany and wife. Phillipcnia. came from Ely, Nevada, to Squirrel in 1918. He was Carl F. Lenz' nephew .
Young W. F. (Bill) Griffel persuaded his family. Henry and Margaret Griffel, to come west. They arrived in Ashton in March of 1907. Four members of the Henry Griffel family married members of the Carl F. Lenz family. They arc double cousins all around. Three other Lenz families live in the Squirrel area. The August and Walter Lenz families are distantly related but no relation to the Carl F. or the Conrad Lenz families. Many relatives of these families live yet in the area.
Martin Luetjen came to Squirrel from Concordia, Missouri, in 1908, and was met by the Carl F. Lenz family. They stayed with the Lenz' until their freight could be moved to the Wanke place where they would live.
The Kunrath family came to Squirrel homesteading near the forest line.
Rudolph Habekost and wife. Laura Bergman, came about 1905. He was a charter member of the original signers of the Zion Lutheran Church at Squirrel and a precinct committeeman for the Squirrel Grange.
In 1908. Mai Anderson hired the David R. C louse family to come to Squirrel. In 1911, they bought a homestead on Squirrel Creek. Jessie Clouse, who married Randall Howe, came with her parents. David was foreman on the Mai Anderson place and also built many buildings in the Squirrel area. Mai Anderson also brought Johnnie F. Carlson. He married Ada Sellars in 1922, and built their home on Squirrel Creek in 1932. Ada passed away in the last few years.
Olaf Larson called himself a stereoscopist. He occupied and farmed a parcel of land in Squirrel in the early 1900s. He was very educated with degrees from Moscow, Idaho, and could have been a professor. He will not be remembered as a good farmer but will be remembered for his stereoscopic prints of the great productivity of the virgin soil and its hardy pioneers at Squirrel, Idaho.
Until WWII, nearly everyone farmed with horses in the Squirrel area. Most families had a garden, at least one milk cow, a steer for beef, pigs for ham, bacon, and lard, and chickens for eggs and later for dinner.
The ladies of the families often brought with them live yeast starts and later, when hops were grown , they made it from com meal and dried hops. This allowed them to make raised bread and rolls, and they also made beer. Some bootlegging was done with stills in innovative locations.
Fishing was good in Squirrel Creek, Fall River, and Conant Creek. This provided food and recreation. Elk and deer supplied some with meat. Huckleberries and currents were prized for juice, jelly, and pies. Most families canned fruits and vegetables, cured meat, put down sauerkraut, pickles, preserved eggs in water glass and home churned butter in brine, stocked blocks of ice in sawdust for summer use, and had a smoke shed to preserve meat. They made bar soap for bathing and laundry. Laundry was done by hand and then hung outside to dry in summer, hung out. freeze dried, and then draped indoors in winter. Bread, pies, cakes, and cookies were baked, all meals prepared, and house work was done.
Neighbors helped neighbors and didn't hesitate to ask for help when needed. Wood was hauled from the timber by horse and wagon or sleigh for building and for home fires. It was cut with hand saws, and firewood later split into sizes for cook stoves and heat stoves.
There were countless hours spent in the fields by farmers. After working all day, there were still evening chores, horses to be cared for. cows to milk, animals to feed, wood and water to bring to the home. Clothing was mainly house dresses and aprons for women and for men, an old head covering, rough pants or bib overalls, cotton shirts and long underwear that covered from neck to ankle and neck to wrist. Light cotton for summer and heavy wool for winter.
Population in Squirrel has been on a decline as families moved to occupations easier and more profitable than farming. Some people have moved into the area for summer homes. Old names remaining in Squirrel are: Griffel, Lenz, Kandler, Orme, Bolland, Harrigfeld, Amen. Garz, Bergman, Scafe. and Dickason. Many families moved from the farm to town and many are deceased.
As in the settlement time. Squirrel awakens from a mantel of white snow to rolling hills of good fertile soil ready to begin tilling and planting each spring.
Some information from Snake River Echoes Volume 12, No. 3.
Bv Harold Lenz
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Ci^fUan S-amiiif Midtojued
iDavis, Drex Jay and Laura Allison. Drex was bom 22 Jul 1929 in Ashton, Idaho to Jefferson Eugene "Gene" and Bessie Egbert DAVIS. Drex died 21 Jun 1959 in the American River near Auburn, California. He was laid to rest next to Helen and Michelle in the Pineview Cemetery in Ashton, Idaho. Drex married (1) Laura Alice Allison 1 1 Jun 1948. She is the daughter of James and Sarah ALLISON. (Div.)
Drex Davis
Laura and Drex Davis
Mary Ann Davis
They had the following children:
Mary Ann bom 10 Jul 1949 in St.
Anthony, Idaho. James Craig bom 3 Jul 195 1 in
Ashton, Idaho. (See Davis, James Craig.) Drex later married (2) Helen Blanchard on 7 Jun 1952 in Ashton, Idaho. She died 14 Dec 1955 in Ashton, Idaho. They had the following children:
Michael Eugene bom 25 Aug 1953
in Ashton, Idaho. Rula Michelle bom 12 Feb 1955 in Chico, Califomia and died 14 Dec 1955 in Ashton, Idaho.
Tina, Becky, and Shirley Davis Gray 2004 157
CL^fitan ^atn'dif Mbta^ue^
Becky Bailey and Tina Menehune
He married (3) Shirley Mae Beebe on 3 Mar 1957 in Reno, Nevada. They had the following children:
Rebecca Jean bom 21 Nov 1957 in Chico, California.
Tina Jaye bom 1 Dec 1959 in Chico, Califomia.
Drex was the fifth child bom at the Spratling home where Gene and Bessie were living at that time (where the Zera Egbert farm is now). Drex was delivered by Dr. Ed. Hargis (who was also our dentist). ''Doc" Hargis was the first doctor to set up practice in Ashton. He was devoted to his profession and was a good friend to all he care for. He traveled by
horse, skis, sleigh or snowshoes to get to his patients. After automobiles came along, he wore out several going about his rounds. When asked once how many babies he had delivered, he answered "Over 4,000." Doc Hargis died in 1974 at the age of 98. He neglected to file birth certificates for the twins, Becky and Billie, Drex, Donna, or
Jolene.
Drex got his name from Drex Tolley who lived in Gridley, Califomia. I don't know where his middle name. Jay, came from. He was a handsome baby with black, curly hair, and a tooth. Grandma Emmeline Egbert was
Drex Davis age 5
very concemed about the tooth because she had always been told that
Drex Davis aae 3
when a child is bom with a tooth, they would have bad luck. That seemed to be true as Drex's life was full of misfortunes and heartaches.
My sister. Donna, recalled how much
Drex Davis and Herschel Egbert in Sleigh Race. 158
d^fitoLfi !^atnii^ Mht4f^ue6
Drex Davis
Grandfather Egbert loved Drex and called him J.D. Boy. Drex grew to be a handsome man, 6'1," 170-80 pounds, with dark, brown- black curly hair, and an olive complexion.
Drex was blessed on 5 Jan 1930 by Bishop Purl Cordon. He was baptized on 4 Sep 1937 by Orden Glover, and was
Drex Davis
confirmed 5 Sep 1937 by Joseph Orlando Gooch.
Our home was talked about in Mada's history.
Being the only boy in the family, much was expected of Drex at a young age. He had a great love for horses and took very good care of them. Drex looked forward to the dog races held in the wintertime. Drex and Uncle Herschel Egbert would race their team of horses in the bob sleigh race, and they won!
Dad's sister, Elva Davis Reneau, her husband, Tom, and Elva and Tom's children (Bonnie, Wayne and Janice) were our closest neighbors-approximately four miles away. We had a very close relationship with them. Drex and Wayne were always together, riding their horses, playing like they were cowboys with cowboy hats, chaps, and martingales on their horses. They were always riding into Ashton showing off their horses, buying "sarsaparilla," and acting tough.
Drex worked hard on the ranch, as did the rest of the family. One morning, dad wanted Drex to go get the hay rake that Rodney Gifford had borrowed. So Drex went down and hooked up Old Ben, our stallion, and another horse for the two-mile ride. Dad, Donna, Genola Craven, and I had to take the milk to town, and we saw the rake and the horses. The horses had stopped running because the wheel of the hay rake was broken off So we knew there was trouble. Dad tied the horses to the fence. What had happened was that Drex was coming down the hill, and Edsel Mower and some other men, were working on the Marysville, Idaho narrow bridge. Drex asked him to move his truck so he could get by with the horses. Old Ben was quite tame, but the horse that was paired with him was spooky and always wanted to run. Edsel told Drex that he wouldn't move his pickup, that he could get around it. Drex almost made it, but the hub on the
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d^fitatt J^atniii^ 3ih tabued
Drex pushing Laura in a wheelbarrow on their wedding day.
wheel ticked the pickup, and that's all it took for that horse to start running. The wheel fell off, Drex was thrown off the hay rake under the tines of the rake, and dragged halfway up the hill. Somehow the other wheel hit a rock and released him. He was laying downhill, his leg was twisted around, and was clear up around his head. Edsel Mower and the guys loaded him into the back of the pickup and took him to Doc Hargis in Ashton. We were all crying and feeling so bad. And Edsel felt bad too. Later that day. Dad and Mom took Drex to Idaho Falls to the hospital where he stayed for weeks. Drex was in a cast for months. When he had the cast taken off, the doctor and nurses laughed when they saw paper dolls stuck down in his cast. (Donna and I would play paper dolls with Drex while he was convalescing at home.) Drex had to have a steel plate put in his leg, and he walked with somewhat of a limp afterwards. His leg bothered him the rest of his life, especially in cold weather. It was a hard time for the family when our log house burned to the ground on Wednesday night, March 20, 1946. Our dog, Purp, saved Doug
and Vance Humphrey's lives. (Doug was LaMada's husband). We were visiting Grandpa Pete and Grandma Ida Davis in Gridley, California. Everything we owned was destroyed. We pulled old buildings close together and cleaned them up to live in for approximately one year. Drex and Laura Allison were married, and in November of that year. Dad, Mother and I, Drex and Laura moved to Durham, California.
Soon after moving to Durham, California, Mom and Dad bought property. One of the properties was a dairy farm that Drex operated. Drex and Laura made several trips to and from Ashton, Idaho. At some point, Drex and Laura decided to divorce. Laura eventually moved back to Ashton and Drex stayed in California.
This portion of Drex 's history was written bv Jolene Davis Merical
160
Drex and Helen DAVIS
ddfitatt 3-ainiiif SiUtaue^
Michelle Davis
Mike Davis
History of Helen Blanchard Davis Helen was bom in St. Anthony, Idaho, June 15, 1934 in the only hospital in the county. Dr. Horace Doty took my mother, Leona Hill Kent and me down to St. Anthony in the night. I stayed nights in town with her. He said he would call Floyd, Helen's father, at the farm after it was over. She was a perfect baby. She weighed eight pounds and six ounces. At that time they kept us in the hospital 10 days. Floyd carried me straight to the car on that 10"" day. Children were held by their mothers to go home and not put in a car seat in the back. At first I was scared to death. I knew nothing. It seemed I always had to learn everything the hard way.
Helen was blessed July 15, 1934 at the Ashton church by her father. Helen was a good baby. When she was four or five months old I had laid her on the bed and went out and hung up some clothes. She was asleep. When I went back to check on her she was gone. I could hear her cry. She had fallen off the bed and rolled back under the bed.
Helen was always a ftin loving baby all through her life. Her father was a counselor to
Horace A. Hess and when Helen was almost two yrs. old, he was called to be Bishop of the Ashton LDS Church. At that time we only had one church. It was across the street from the high school and next to the grade school. Helen was then called the "ward baby."
We were trying to get her to go to college, but she wouldn't listen. She wanted to get married. Our church had just finished building what we called the Marysville Ward. They split and made two wards. They split right on our west comer. We hadn't been in it long and Drex and Helen were the first couple to be married in the Marysville Ward. It was nice. James Stringham married them on June 7, 1952. They had a very nice wedding. It was right after Helen graduated from high school.
They left that night to go to Chico, Califomia, and lived there a little while. They moved back up to Ashton, we fixed the farm house, and they lived out there. Their son Mike was bom August 25, 1953 in Ashton, Idaho. Then they went to Keetly, Utah, and lived awhile, then went back to Califomia. Their daughter Michelle was bom in Chico, Califomia, Febmary 12, 1955. Our family went
Drex, Michael, Michelle, and Helen DAVIS 1955
161
Q.^htan J^atniiif Jihta^ed
to Chico to see Michelle blessed. This is the only trip uc all liad together. Helen and Drex moved
back to Ashton in the summer of 1955. They lived in a couple of different places. Drex was working at the saw mill at Warm River. I was tending the kids while Helen worked at the City Drug. I always had them ready for bed when she came to get them, for she worked till late.
When I went out after Helen, Mike, and Michelle the morning of December 13, Helen had been washing clothes and the washer quit. I think.
Helen Blanchard
Helen Blanchard
Mike, Stephanie, and Kristin DAVIS with Grandma Rula Blanchard.
within myself, it might have been burning where the motor was all day long. Michelle was just learning to walk. Jay had got her to take three steps. They picked the kids up around ten the night of December 13, 1955. Their house out south of town, where they were living, caught fire in the night. They went to bed back in a bedroom when Helen awoke to a tire and tried to put it out. When she couldn't, she called Drex. They couldn't get out very easy. He took Mike wrapped in a blanket and set him on a snow bank, then went back to help Helen. When he saw she wasn't following him, he couldn't get in and Helen, with baby Michelle, couldn't get out. So Helen and Michelle died around 2 a.m. December 14, 1955. Helen was 21 yrs. of age and baby Michelle was ten months old. Mike was only two years old.. Drex was cut and burned some. He was in the hospital for a few
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ddfitatt ffatniiy. Mbtaued
days. Mike's hair was singed.
We had Mike for six months. Drex was so upset and heartbroken, he took Mike and went back to Cahfomia.
Helen went with a young man from Utah she met while in high school. Helen came home once and brought a dozen red roses. When I went out to leave some flowers on Helen's grave one day, there were a dozen red roses. I couldn't imagine who had left them. Helen's friend told me it was the young man from Utah she went with in high school. I couldn't believe it. Every Christmas till after 2002, 1 have received a Christmas card from this young man and his wife.
A lot has been left out as written by Helen 's Mother, Rula Kent Blanchard, in the year 2002 at age 88.
I will just add a little more information about my sister, Helen. She loved to sing and had a beautifiil voice. I was 1 1 years old when she and Michelle passed away; however, 1 still remember most of the songs she taught me while she played the piano. Helen's funeral service and burial was on December 16, 1955. Drex's father, Jefferson Eugene Davis, was proxy for Drex. Rula K. Blanchard was proxy for Helen. Michael Eugene Davis, still living, represented himself and Elaine Miller Blanchard was proxy for Michelle. Helen and Drex were sealed July 7, 1960. Their children, Mike and Michelle, were sealed to them July 7, 1960 in the Idaho Falls Temple. Helen's favorite song was "I'm Sending You a Big Bouquet of Roses," by Eddie Amold. I look forward to singing with my sister again some day.
Written by Jeanette Blanchard Depew
Submitted by Jeanette Depew
Jolene continues on with Drex 's life history.
The tragedy of Helen and little Michelle was such a hard time for Drex, a tragedy from which he never recovered. He was so depressed at time, he would often say that if it wasn't for his son, Mike, he wouldn't want to go on living.
Drex married Shirley Beebe.
Shirley was pregnant with their second child when Drex drowned in the American River near Auburn, California. Memorial services were held in Chico, California and Ashton, Idaho.
After the birth of the second child, Tina, Shirley moved her family to Durango, Colorado to be near her brother. She later married David Gray and they currently live in Arizona as so Drex's two daughters from that marriage.
I have tried to stay in touch with all of Drex's children. It was difficult when they were young, but about 16 years ago we started meeting
Jamie Groman and Kristin Davis
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(Z^fitan f^atniiy^ Jihtaucd
in Reno, Nevada for the Gene and Bessie Davis Family Reunion. It was at these reunions that most of Drex's children were reunited, some of them meeting for the first time. Drex's son, Craig and his wife Sherrill attended the wedding of Drex's daughter, Tina, and her huaband Ernie Menehune in the .D.S. Temple in Mesa, Arizona. Drex's son, Mike, and his wife, Stephanie, also spent time with Craig and his family. When Craig became ill, Tina and Ernie visited Craig and Sherrill at their home in Utah. When Craig passed away, Tina and her sister Becky (also Drex's daughter) attended Craig's funeral where they met Drex's daughter, Mary Ann.
I know that Drex would be proud of all his children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren. How happy I am for being able to share my remembrances of Drex with his children that they would never have known without keeping history and genealogy.
Ending portion of Drex 's history also
written and submitted bv Jolene Davis Merical
\f/' Nf/- \t/ \f/
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Yes, school is open!
Submitted by Brent Egbert
1|
164
d^fUo^i f^atnlC^ Mhtaue^
Eugene Davis
iZ)avis, Jefferson Eugene and Bessie Egbert. "Gene" was bom 23 Dec 1901 to Peter Winn and Ida Belle Wheeler DAVIS in Dempsey, Idaho. He died 5 Feb 1977 in Chico, California. Gene married Bessie 25 Apr 1923 in the Temple in Logan, Utah. Bessie was bom 4 Mar 1900 to Joseph HoUis and Emmeline Whittle EGBERT in Marysville, Idaho. She died 22 May 1979. They had the following children:
LaMada (See Humphries, Douglas.) Rebecca (twin) bom 18 Nov 1925 tragically died in infancy. Billie (twin) bom 18 Nov 1925, died a few days after Rebecca. Donna Quinn bom 4 Jan 1928 at Marysville, Idaho. She married Tom L. Holcomb 16 Aug 1948 in St. Anthony, Idaho. They had the following children: Tom Q. Kathy
Donna was educated in Ashton, and they made their home in Ashton. She was a member of the Chubby Chucklers and the LDS Church, where she held positions in the Primary, Mutual, was secretary of Relief Society and was Ward Librarian for 10 years.
Bessie Davis
From a newspaper article entitled "Postal worker retires after serving 30 years"
After 30 years of employment with the Ashton Post Office, Donna Holcomb, postal clerk has retired. Although she actually quit work April 7 to take her accumulated annual leave.
Mrs. Holcomb started work with the post office Oct. 14, 1956, after working 10 years with the telephone company in Ashton. "Ashton switched over to dial telephone, so I was out of a job," she said.
Bud Swanstrum was postmaster at the time, and continued for about 20 years before his retirement. Succeeding him was Rex Wilson, who was later transferred to Fmitland. Kerry Cottreil is postmaster at the present time.
"I've worked with three generations of Ashton area postal workers." Mrs. Holcomb said, "I've really enjoyed the work. When 1 started I was the only woman in the office.
Donna Quinn Holcomb
165
Donna Quinn Davis
ddfitan fJ^atniii^ 3ibta^e3
but they couldn't have been nicer to work
with."
A party was given for her at a local
cafe Thursday night at which 26 present or
former workers attended with their
partners. Mrs. Holcomb received two
service awards from postal officials, a 30- year pin, a plant from Rex Wilson and a
clock from the Ashton employees.
Francis Bratt, retired mail carrier,
praised Donna's work and said, "Donna
always contributed to the pleasant
atmosphere of the Ashton Post Office. I
felt it an honor to work with her.
"Donna knew practically everyone in Ashton, and whenever some little kid sent a letter to Grandma and Grandpa in Ashton, Idaho, she was the one who figured it out." He continued, "When we retire we wonder how they will ever replace us after we did such a perfect job, but somehow they always find someone and the work or project goes on. So we know that no one is absolutely
Donna Quinn Davis
B-(jene, Lcland, lilva, Pete, June, Ned, Neil and Verl F- Belle, Ida and Tressa DAVIS
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d^fitati ^am'dif 3il6 toiler
Pete and Ida Davis home at Old Ingling Siding This was a gift to Jolene in Memory of Donna Holcomb fi^om JoAnn Gifford Richards.
indispensable, but we all appreciate working with Donna and give her our love and best wishes. Our greatest compliment to her is to tell her she will be missed more than any of
us. . .
Drex Jay (See Davis, Drex Jay.)
Nila Jolene. (See Merical, Don.)
Gene was the third of 1 1 children. His siblings were Cornelia Bell, Tressa Afton, Peter Winn, Leland Hugh, Elva Juanita, Verl "V," Mildred, twins Ned and Neil, and Melba June. As of this date all are deceased except Ned and Melba June.
Gene's family moved from southwestern Idaho to Marysville, Idaho in 1905. They lived in two different houses before moving to a house at Old Ingling Siding (just outside of Ashton). His mother, Ida,
B-Bessie and Gene M-Donna, Mada, Drex andF-Jolene DAVIS
167
Q^dPitati f^atniC^ Jihta^e^
fWA^'O-^
'.."■■^
^^j
LaMada and Gene Davis
cooked the meals for all the train crew that were building the railroad to West Yellowstone. Later the family moved to a farm southwest of Marysville, a place now owned by Ivan Crouch and Jim Stringham.
While at Ingling Siding Verl was only about two years old. These trainmen thought it was cute to hear him swear, so they taught him many swear words and
"Gene"
gave him money to swear for them.
Later the family moved to a farm southwest of Marysville,
Idaho, owned by C. I. Lucas. This place is now owned by Ivan Crouch
and Jim Stringham. Pete was a very good father to his family and
helped in all the community progress. He was a good farmer, a lover of
livestock, and always had very good horses which was quite an asset to
any and everyone in those days. He helped in the building of the
churches, roads, bridges, canals, and all things for the good of the
community. He helped bring one of the first horse-powered thrashing
machines into the country from St. Anthony in the fall of 1905 (previously stated in error 1903.)
Gene attended schools in Marysville and helped his father with the farming. He helped with building roads, bridges, and other community projects.
Gene was loved by his family and he loved them. His brother, Winn, died when he was 16 years old and Gene was 14. They were very close, and Gene never really got over Winn's death. Gene's younger brother, Ned, has this description of Gene: "Those who knew Gene over the years described him as a joyful man. When there was any fun to be had. Gene was always in it. He loved to sing, whistle, and dance, and he was good at all of it. I remember, as a small boy, that Gene would dance with anything from a broom to a pitchfork or a milk bucket. There were times
that he would dance with our mother in the kitchen where there was no music, but he would siniz
"Bessie'
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(Zdfitait 3-ainiiy. MidtaueA
to himself."
In approximately 1921, Gene moved from his family home and rented the Mott Fuller ranch across Snake River north of Marysville. This was a "dry" farm, and Gene depended on the weather for his livelihood. The main crop consisted of wheat, hay, and barley. It was said that Gene always owned beautiful horses whose harnesses were always decorated with tassels.
Gene rented this ranch for approximately one year when he met Bessie Egbert at the Marysville Ward dance.VS?
WBessie was fourth of eight children. (See Egbert, Joseph Hollis)
Bessie's father was a prominent figure throughout the State of Idaho,
Mission companion, Ingeborg Peterson, and Bessie Egbert.
Drex and Donna Davis on Fuller Ranch
holding many high-profile positions, including County Sheriff and four years in the House of Representatives. His picture hangs in the Boise, Idaho State Capitol Building. Bessie shared her father's love for politics. Bessie's mother was a good homemaker and supported her husband through all of his endeavors while raising the large family.
Bessie attended school in Marysville. Bessie's sister, Thelma, has this description of Bessie. "I remember Bessie as being very beautiful. She was always creative, high spirited, and full of mischief One was well entertained to be in her company. How well 1 remember how pretty Bessie's hair always was, especially when mother would put white ribbons in her hair. And how cute she was when mother would put her in a white ruffled pinafore (dress). No wonder daddy would call her his prince of a girl. I also remember when Bessie made a hula skirt out of our sailor suit dresses by tearing the pleats of the dresses.
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Cldfitatt f}atn'dy. Jibta^ue^
I recall Bessie's baptism. It was so cold that the men had to cut a hole in the ice to make enough room to baptize her. After she emerged from the water, daddy wrapped her up in a quilt and carried us home in the sleigh. I will always remember the Christmas when Bessie told me that there was no Santa Claus. Of course, I thought she was wrong, but Bessie was determined to prove it to me. She told me to crawl under the bed where I would find lots of gifts. She told me to find the package with candy in it, and get a handful for her and a handful for me. I did so and came crawling out from under the bed with two handfuls of candy. She emptied one of my hands and asked, 'Now do you believe?'"
Bessie's sister Arminta recalls, "Bessie was very active in the LDS Church and civic affairs. She taught Primary and was active in M.I. A. Bessie was a member of the Yellowstone Stake Choir for a number of years and of the Liberty Choir which consisted of a group of well-talented girls who sang at many entertainments held to cheer the hearts of people during World War I."
Sometime after graduating from high school, Bessie attended the Gem State Business College in Idaho Falls, Idaho, where she took stenography classes. As Bessie was enjoying her college days, she received a call from her father telling her to return immediately home to Marysville because the Bishop wanted to speak with her. The Bishop informed Bessie that she was called to be a Missionary in the Central States Mission.
Prophet Heber J. Grant signed Bessie's missionary certificate on 6 Jan 1920. Bessie's mission calling sent her to Independence and Springfield, Missouri. Bessie was honorably released from her mission on 27 Sep 1920. Upon returning home from her mission, Bessie taught school at the Judkins schoolhouse and worked in a bank for a short while before meeting Jefferson Eugene "Gene" Davis at the Marysville Ward dance.
Gene and Bessie were married in the Logan Temple. After their marriage, Bessie moved with Gene into the Fuller home where they continued farming and raising their family. They had six children. As of this date, all are deceased except Nila Jolene.
Rebecca's father. Gene, was holding her when she passed away. Billie's Aunt Marie Egbert was holding Billie when he died. Thanks to sister Mamie Hillam's written calendar notes which the Hillam family allowed to have copies, there is some knowledge about the twins. From Sister Hillam's calendar notes: Friday, January 15. 1926, "I went to Bess Davis' to see sick baby. Baby died at 1 1 at night. We went down and stayed until 5 in the morning." Saturday, January 16, 1926, "Made clothes to bury Davis baby." Sunday, January 17, 1926, "I went to the Davis' and dressed baby for burial. Had nice service at house. It was cloudy and cold." Thursday, January 21, 1926, "We went to Davis'. Baby died. I washed and laid him out." Friday, January 22, 1926. "I made burial clothes for Billie Davis." Saturday, January 23, 1926, "Went to the
Bessie and Gene Davis
170
(Zdfiton ^amiiff Mhtaue^
Davis' to the funeral." We are also told that Bishop Abraham Hillam made the caskets for the twins. There are no known pictures of the twins.
With such a large family, there was much activity, and something was always going on with the Egbert family and the Davis family. Bessie's sister Arminta recalls. "Bessie was very well accomplished in all fields of labor from helping with the all kinds of drudgery that farming entails to a very gracious hostess when unexpected company arrives, which often occurred. She could serve a most delicious meal in such a short notice regardless of what she had planned to do or how much her physical body was in need of rest. All this was cast aside and a very enjoyable time was spent in humorous jokes and laughter."
It was a very hard life with no electricity or running water. The winters were especially harsh. Though times were rough. Gene and Bessie found time for fiin by going to the dances at Warm River with their friends. Their daughter, Nila Jolene, remembers how beautiful her mother looked in her red fringe dress that she wore to the dances, her mother's pretty black hair, and how handsome her father looked.
Their house burned down in 1946, they sold the farm to the Howell brothers, and in 1 948 they moved to Durham, California where they bought a dairy farm and lived and worked on the property. In the early 1950's Gene started working at Claremont Wood Products. In 1960 or '61, Gene and Bessie sold the farm and had a lovely home built on Esquon Road in Durham, California. During these years, Bessie did seasonal
work, canning peaches at Libbey McNeil & Libbey in Gridley, California, and enjoyed her church callings. Bessie was called on a Stake Mission for the Gridley Stake which she served in the Chico area from 1957 to 1959.
After moving to California, Gene became very active in the LDS Church. He was ordained a Seventy in the Melchizedek Priesthood by Antoine R. Ivins on February 26, 1961. He spent many hours helping to build the LDS Church house on the Esplanade in Chico. When the LDS Temple was built in Los Angeles, he took many carloads of brethren to the Temple with him.
When Gene retired, he and Bessie lived in this home until approximately 1971 when they sold that house, bought a mobile home, and moved it behind their daughter, LaMada's house on Lott Road, in Durham. They made this move because Gene was suffering from the effects of what was then called early dementia, but what we later learned was Alzheimer's disease, and
Gene and Bessie Davis
171
Bessie needed assistance with him. As Gene's disease progressed and all other avenues were exhausted, he was admitted to a care facility in Chico, California in 1972 where he remained until his death.
After Gene's death, Bessie visited her daughters often, traveling to Redding, California and to Ashton, Idaho to be with their families. They all enjoyed her visits and especially her sense of humor and her molasses cookies. Bessie had heart problems throughout her life. Bessie was becoming increasingly disheartened by her decreasing quality of life and wanted a pacemaker. Though told by her Redding doctor that her heart would probably not withstand the surgery required to have a pacemaker installed, Bessie found a doctor in Chico who would do so and died during the operation.
It should be mentioned that Gene and Bessie raised their grandson, Michael Eugene Davis, after his father, Drex Davis, drowned at the age of 29. Mike's sister, Rula Michele Davis, and mother, Helen Blanchard Davis, had died two years previously in a tragic fire. Drex had once told his mother Bessie that should anything happen to him, he wanted his parents to care for Mike. Mike was orphaned at about the age of six and was raised to adulthood by Gene and Bessie. Mike went to school in Durham where he excelled in baseball and basketball. Bessie and Mike's Aunt LaMada never missed any of his games. The Merical family (his Aunt Jolene's family) attended when possible. Mike worked for the Bultema family until he left for Idaho to attend Ricks College. In the early 1980's Mike served a mission in Louisiana. Mike married Stephanie Weeks in the Oakland Temple on 18 Feb 1984. Mike and Stephanie have two daughters, Jaime and Kristin, one granddaughter, lives in Hanford California and works as a correctional officer. Jeanette Depew Blanchard thinks Kristin really resembles her Grandma Helen. She is attending BYU-Idaho at the present. Mike has had many callings in the LDS Church including counselor in the Bishopric, and is currently serving on the High Council. Gene and Bess would be very proud of him.
Submitted by Nila Jolene Davis Merical and Marquetta Merical
Sf/ %•/• \t/ Nf/
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Memories of Peter Winn Davis and Ida Belle Wheeler.
When my parents came to Marysville, Idaho, they had five children. The remaining six of us were bom in the Marysville area. I was bom in a one-story log house with a dirt roof and that was at the end of a railroad track. The train turned around on the "Wye" and went back through Ashton, Idaho. Mother used to cook for the train crew once a day. Dad was a famier, and he grew grain. When I was about a year or a year-and-a-half old, we moved to the Fuller place across Snake River about two miles away. My youngest sister June was bom there. When I was four, we moved south of Marysville to the Lucas place. This house was a two-story log house. There were six rooms in this house that made it more convenient for a family of 13. In those days, there were no inside facilities of any kind. We had a wood stove in the kitchen and a wood heating stove in the living room. It was us kids' jobs to pump water to fill the reservoir for washing, drinking, and cooking. The reservoir was attached to the cooking stove in the kitchen.
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Ci^fitan ^ amity. Mhtaued
That is the way we heated our water for bathing also. In the wintertime, the water in the water bucket on the wash bench would freeze solid. The pump sat on a platform in front of the house outside. We also pumped water two or three times a day in a trough for about 20 horses and 20 cows. On the north side of the house was a shanty or a wood shed. Verl, Neil, and I would cut wood on Saturday that dad had sawed up into blocks. We would cut enough wood to last a week so that we wouldn't have to do it after school during the week. The house wasn't very tight in the wintertime, and the snow would blow into the house around the windows and doors. Dad and the older boys and the neighbors mixed dirt and water in a hole in the ground and made thick mud for the cracks in the house. Mildred, Neil, June, and I would run our fingers over the mud in the cracks and eat it. We would also lick the mud from the house. We thought it tasted good. It tasted like dirt smells when it rains. I remember one cold winter night the hinges on the living room door were white with frost and my brother Verl dared me to stick my tongue on it. Not knowing what would happen, I did it. I pulled back and pulled the skin off my tongue. This was when I was around six years old. When I was four years old, my brother, Winn, died. He was 16. It was the fall of the year. Dad and the boys were butchering pigs and Winn caught cold, got pneumonia, died, and was buried within a week. I also had two older sister -Bell and Tressa- who were married in that year of 1916.
Dad helped build the brick school that I attended in Marysville, Idaho. I went to that school until I was 13. We had to create our own recreation such as sledding. Neil and I used to ride our sleds together out in the fields. We also dug tunnels in the snow banks. We would dig holes in the snow and then dig tunnels from one hole to another. We used to get up on a straw stack that would get covered with snow and sit in a scoop shovel and slide down the slope banks. We used to feed cattle and horses by hauling the hay and spreading it out on the snow banks in the feed yards. In the fall, we would thrash the grain and blow the straw on top of the bam to make better shelter for the stock. Coyotes used to dig holes through the straw and get into the bam and eat the chickens.
All of us kids used to like to watch the steam engine thrashing machine come to our place and go across the bridge and bend the boards until they would break. Then the bridge would have to be fixed again before using it.
In summer of 1920 when I was eight years old, my sister, Mildred - who was two years older than I - died of a brain disease. That was the summer Neil and I were baptized. Neil and I used to cuss a blue streak, and mom told us that after we were baptized we couldn't swear anymore. So we did pretty good until we wanted to cuss, and then we would have our younger sister, June, fill in the cuss words for us. It was a sad day for us when she was baptized.
When I was about seven or eight, Neil and I were playing with a grain binder that makes bundles of grain. Neil was tuming the crank and I was sticking the straw in a sickle to cut it. It got my right pointer finger in it and nearly cut it off. I grabbed my finger and walked to the house and mother bandaged it up for me. I didn't even cry. I made sure that mother knew that Neil didn't mean to do it.
In the fall of 1925 my father and mother decided to leave Marysville, Idaho and move to Gridley, Califomia. My two older sisters - Belle and Tressa - were living in Gridley where they moved in 1919. My sisters married the two youngest sons of John and Bessie Hill - they were
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James and Lenard. There were four families who moved about the same time - the Hills, two Spratling families, and the Famsworths.
The winters were cold in Idaho, and we had several horses and cows that had to be taken care of no matter what the weather was like. In the winter of 1924 and 1925, it was bad with snowdrifts so deep that extensions had to be put on the fences and around the haystacks to keep the stock out. The snow was frozen so hard they could walk over the fences. Farming was all done with horses. The girls - Belle and Tressa - found a place in Gridley that was for lease - 160 acres known as the S.A. Mealey place. Forty acres was in peaches and the rest in hay and pasture.
We left Idaho on November 16, 1925. It took us 10 days to travel to Gridley. We traveled in two Model T Fords. My dad drove a 1925 Ford Touring car with mother, Neil, June and I. My older brother Leland and Uncle Ed McGavin drove a 1923 Model T Ford Touring car. We traveled through southern Oregon. We camped out every night until we reached northern California. Then we spent the last two nights in cabin courts. We kids had a real good trip and lots of fun at the campgrounds. We cooked all our meals on campfires. As we reached the Sacramento Valley and saw the summer like weather, it was really something. There was snow when we left Idaho. To pick ripe oranges from the trees was a real treat for us. We didn't wear coats for the first winter.
My brother, Verl, and his friend, Theran Spencer, had come to California a few weeks ahead on a train. At some time, Verl and Theran went back to Idaho.
Neil, June, and I attended school at the Manzanita School. The family attended church in the Liberty Branch or social hall. We graduated from Manzanita and attended high school in Gridley. My freshman year was the first class to attend the beautiful new high school building in 1928.
Uncle Ed McGavin's family. Aunt Bertha, Blake, Bess and Edna moved to Gridley in the spring of 1926.
By Ned Davis
Memories by granddaughter
My parents. Gene and Bessie Davis, were married April 25, 1923, Elva Davis married Tom Reneau in 1925. When Grandpa Pete and Grandma Ida moved to Gridley California, their son Gene and daughter Elva remained in Marysville, Idaho, north across the Snake River. Tom and Elva lived approximately five miles west of us. At some time, Len and Tressa Davis Hill moved back to Ashton. Then in approximately 1948 or 1949, they sold their farm to the LDS Church and moved to Coleville, Washington.
Taken from Verl Davis' calendar and journals: August 1929: Gene and Bess came down from Idaho and stayed with dad and mother. I went home with them and started to work for Gene sometime in March. I got there the 17"' of March. When I got there, there was lots of snow. (According to VerPs journal, Verl went back and forth to California several times. Veri married Dazel McGavin on November 8, 1930. From May to October 1933, he was working for his brother Gene and other people in Ashton.) So Verl and family must have moved to Gridley,
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California in 1934 or 1935.
I, being the youngest in the Gene Davis family, having lived the first 15 years of my life in Idaho, and grandpa and grandma passing away the year we moved to Durham, California, and having only the few memories of them on our infrequent trips to California, 1 really didn't know them as well as the other grandkids did, but what I do remember is that I loved them dearly.
I remember our trips to California seemed to take us so long in our mode of transportation at that time-a slow car. The roads left a lot to be desired. I would say, "Daddy, where are we?" He would give a cute little giggle and say, "Right here." My mother had a beautiful voice and she and Dad would sing, "When It's Nighttime in Nevada." When we would finally arrive at Grandpa Pete and Grandma Ida's home in Gridley, Grandma would have a nice meal cooked for us - with homemade bread. I thought she had the strangest butter - it was Nuco or some kind of imitation butter. We churned our own butter on the farm. Grandma had bought some cookies from the store. I wish I could remember the name of them. They were long and filled with some kind of fruit.
I, too, remember the phonograph that everyone has spoken of in the memories. I don't remember the record "The Preacher and the Bear," but the phonograph was upstairs when they lived at the Mealy place.
When we did visit in California, Mother and Bessie would help grandmother with the housecleaning and cooking. My mother and sisters also had varicose veins like my grandmother, and my sisters Donna and Mada had surgery on theirs. Donna's was the worst and she reminded me of Grandma. The first thing she would do when she got up in the morning was put on her long, elastic socks. Her's didn't ulcerate and drain as Grandma's did. Grandma would bandage her legs every day.
At Christmas time, the Davis family would draw names. One year. Grandpa Pete drew mine and sent me a piece of pink, taffeta material. I was so thrilled with that material. My mother was a beautiful seamstress and made me a two-piece dress with a pepplin (sp?) and trimmed the dress in black.
When Grandma and Grandpa would visit us in Idaho, we would have family picnics down by Snake River. I remember going to Yellowstone Park with them. I remember the story of
Grandma laughing so hard when she was helping in the kitchen, my mother had gone (It
just stops. Is there more?)
Submitted by Nila Jolene Davis Merical and Marquetta Merical
Cidfitan Juaia: Trading "funny books" was popular among the kids. To many, these were
their prized possessions. Archie.. .Little Lulu.. .Roy Rogers Batman.... Dagwood and Blondi,
etc.
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(Z^fitan J^atniii^ Mb tended
Deon and Lewis Davis
lZ)avis, Lewis and Deon Bowman. Lewis was bom 9 Oct 1912 in Ashton, Idaho, to Steve and Mary Green DAVIS. He died 15 Dec 1974 in Ashton, Idaho. He was buried in the Pineview Cemetery in Ashton, Idaho. Lewis married Deon 8 Apr 1932 in Logan, Utah. She was bom 24 Apr 1915 in Franklin, Idaho, to Emest Melven and Adah Rae Neeley BOWMAN. She died 2 1 Mar 2000 in Fort Collins, Colorado, and is buried beside Lewis in Ashton, Idaho. They had the following children:
Redge L. Bom 4 Feb 1 940 in St. Anthony, Idaho.
He died 4 Feb 1940. Brenda Lou bom 3 Dec 1 942 in St. Anthony,
Idaho. She married Allan W. Strobel 3 May 1968 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. (Div.)
They had one son:
Richard bom 30 Apr 1969 in Lewistown, Montana. Janalee born 26 Oct 1944 in St. Anthony, Idaho. She married Vaughn F. Hoopes on 30
May 1968 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. They had the following children:
Travis Vaughn bom 8 Jul 1969 in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
Donalee bom 12 Apr 1971 in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
Curtis Julian bom 22 Aug 1973 Idaho Falls, Idaho.
David Lewis bom 14 Nov 1975 in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
Randy Blair bom 4 Nov 1980 in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
Rickey Jay bom 25 Oct 1982 and died 22 Feb 1983 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Sheila Kay bom 20 Oct 1949 in St. Anthony, Idaho. She married William Richard
Berger in Idaho Falls, Idaho on 3 Sep 1971. They had the following children:
Heather bom 12 Nov 1973 in Sandy, Utah.
Erica bom 13 May 1976 in Sandy, Utah.
Erin bom 3 Oct 1978 in Sandy, Utah.
John Richard bom 4 Feb 1982 in Sandy, Utah. Kevin Davis bom 28 Dec 1954 in Ashton, Idaho. He married Kathrine Anne Kasson 7
Oct 1983 in Salt Lake City, Utah. They had the following children:
Stephen Lewis bom 27 Jan 1987 of Marysville, Washington.
Jennifer Anne bom 25 Nov 1988 of Marysville, Washington.
Michael David bom 1 1 Sep 1992 of Marysville, Washington.
Benjamin
Kathrine Lewis was bom at the homestead one and '/z miles west of Ashton, Idaho. His parents had come there as a young married couple.
He was the eighth child and the sixth son in his family. There were nine children in the family. The names of his brothers and sisters were: Leona, Lorenzo, John, Floyd, Devere, Vaughn, Ametta, and Stephen. His childhood was tilled with usual events of large families.
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Sheila, Deon, Janalee, Brenda, and Kevin DAVIS
There were always plenty of chores on the farm for all. He attended elementary school at Ashton and was always a lively, mischievous boy. He loved to tease and play pranks, sometimes getting himself in big trouble with his older brothers.
The family was always without any extra cash. They grew what they needed to sustain the family but many things were lacking in his home and for years after growing up he hated Christmas. All his childhood he received only a pair of socks and an orange for Christmas. The sisters received a few presents but the boys did not because their mother said they could not afford presents for everyone. Lewis always made sure that each of his children were treated equally.
His mother described him as sort of a lonely little boy. He would be found somewhere with his arm around a dog or lamb. His love of animals started early and always remained with him. He always had beautiful teams of horses and saddle horses on the farm.
Lewis was a hard worker who began working away from home at an early age. One of his early jobs at twelve or thirteen years of age was for the Raybum family. They had a dairy at Henry's Lake in Island Park. He milked twenty cows and delivered the milk all over the Island Park area. He also worked on hay ranches in Montana and for neighbors, Boundy Loosli, and Bruce Reynolds. He was involved in much of the construction and development around the Ashton area. He helped build the Cave Falls road and the bridge at Ponds Lodge. At various times, he worked at numerous occupations such as mining, the railroad, highway department, timber, seed companies, and then settled on the major occupation of his life, farming. He worked for the Mark Means Seed Company both in Ashton and Twin Falls.
His formal schooling ended with an incident in the eighth grade. The teacher angrily threw an eraser at a student, and it missed and hit Louie (his nickname commonly used through out his life by those who knew him well). He threw it back and hit the teacher for which he was expelled from school. He could have returned by apologizing to the teacher. He stubbornly refused to do so, a decision he very much regretted throughout his life.
He had two unique experiences as a young boy, either of which could have been a tragedy. The first occurred in the company of his mother, a sister, and an older brother, who was driving the open Model T Ford they were in. They were traveling toward Marysville when a vehicle loaded with lumber extending endwise towards their lane of traffic passed them. It dragged all but the driver out of the car. They were not even missed for a while. It happened so
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quickly that nobody knew exactly what happened. The driver, his brother John, continued on toward Marysville for a ways before he missed them. Lewis' mother was very seriously injured, and it took several years for her to recover. Lewis and his sister Ametta, were less seriously injured but it was an experience they never forgot. Lewis seemed prone to have accidents all of his life and carried several severe scars. His second serious experience occurred when he was thirteen years old. Two of his boy friends came over one morning to pull him out of bed. They had been skinning an animal, and one of them put the pocketknife in his pocket without closing it. They went up to Lewis' room and began scuffling with him to toss him out of bed. He suffered an abdominal wound crosswise from his stomach to the hip on the opposite side. The wound required twenty-seven stitches. He came downstairs holding his insides in his hands and told his mother, who was washing dishes at the sink, to call the doctor.
It took three men to hold him down while Dr. Hargis pushed the insides back in and taped them to get to the nearest hospital. The hospital was in Idaho Falls some miles away. There were no antibiotic drugs in those days to combat infection. Lewis suffered terribly and fought a hard fight for his life. He has always given credit to the power of the Priesthood for saving his life. He described himself as feeling very torturous pain, and a feeling of hanging over a precipice clinging on by your fingernails and them being torn out by the roots. The elders came and administered to him, and he felt relief from pain and at rest in a very short time. He was in the hospital for some weeks and had many complications before everything began healing and his family knew he would live.
Lewis was ordained a Deacon in the Aaronic Priesthood 5 Apr 1926, and became inactive soon after. His family never formed the habit of going to church together. His mother had a lot of ill health and was not often able to go. Their father never insisted they go when he went and so most of the children grew up inactive in the church and remained so all or a great part of their lives.
He met Deon, who had been bom and raised in the Ora community about three miles west of Lewis' home. They were married in Logan, Utah. Those were depression years, and they had to work very had to get a home of their own. They lived the first year of marriage with his folks. Lewis worked in the timber with a team of horses sometimes traveling 22 miles a day in bitter cold. He would work all day to get a cord and a half of wood which sold for S6.00. Sometimes he would remain overnight putting his bedroll down on the straw over the snow inside a tent.
Deon walked a mile to town at 6 o'clock in the momins during all kinds of weather. She worked for a family for three dollars a week out of which she bought dishes, cooking utensils, and bedding so they could have a home of their own.
Lewis worked for a farmer for $45 a month and paid $ 1 8 of it as a car payment each month. He finally got a political job on the state highway for $80 a month. They really got ahead until election time came and politics were changed.
Deon worked in seed picking plants and the city laundry to help what she could until they began having a family. They had begun to believe that blessings were not coming to their home. A son, Redge L. Davis, was bom and died at birth. A few months later they decided to try farming, so they sold their car and rented some land from Deon's father. They borrowed machiner>' from both sets of parents the first year or two. It took all the money they could eam.
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(ZdfUatt S-atniiif Jihtaue^
Lewis and Deon Davis family home.
in addition to a meager living, to get equipped to farm.
There were quite a few years before they could say they were on top. They had been married twenty-four years before living in a house with a bathroom or hot water inside.
During the years Lewis and Deon had no children of their own, he spent a great deal of time with his nephews, especially Dee, the son of Devere and Elda Davis and Terrell, the son of Vaughn and Helen Davis.
Lewis purchased his folks farm in 1947 or 48. He later sold it and moved to Rigby, Idaho, and bought a farm. It was irrigated with dikes and very rocky. He didn't like that and sold it in the spring of 1953, and moved back to Ashton. They bought a home in town and rented land to farm.
He farmed the Boundy Loosli farm, after it was given to Lyle Glover for her lifetime, for twenty-three years. He was known for his honesty and hard work and never had any trouble finding work.
During the years they had four children. On October 8,"" 1957, they sold their home in town and purchased his brother Stephen's farm one and V2 miles west and 3/4 mile north of Ashton. Lewis had farmed this place many years earlier when it was the Wadey place.
The house had been built around 1 899 or 1900. It was two stories with three bedrooms upstairs. There was a small back porch, kitchen, dining room, living room, bedroom, bathroom, and a large front porch across the whole front of the house. The porch had originally had a number of windows with screens so the windows could be taken out in the heat of the summer. Lewis and Deon closed it in and put in several large picture windows. It became the children's indoor playroom and a storage area. There was a basement with an old concrete floor where the furnace was, the coal room for the furnace stoker, and a closed off food storage room. The electric pump for the well was also in a comer of the basement.
There was an irrigation canal running through the yard, and the children spent countless summer hours playing in the water by swinging out over it on a rope and dropping in with a splash. There was also a very nice rope swing with a comfortable board seat hanging in one of the larger trees near the back porch. Stephen Davis, Jr. had probably placed it there for his children. There was a raspberry patch, a large vegetable garden patch, and a few fruit trees. You could sit on the back porch and view the three Tetons in the Teton Mountain Range.
The children spent countless hours entertaining themselves in the outbuildings. There was a large building that housed a shop, chicken coop, and a farm machinery storage with a loft full of straw. There was also a granary, a bam with one side for milking cows, and the other a horse bam and a tack room. The bam also had a full loft for storing hay. There were corrals and
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a long shed for lambing or calving in the cold weather.
Lewis loved his children. He would sometimes spend the evenings playing a ball game with them called anti-I-over. where you threw a ball over the roof of the house to the other side and tried to run around and catch those on the other side before they could catch the ball. He also played no bears out tonight with them.
He was usually a very kind father who loved teaching his children to ride horses. He would help them ski behind the horses, or a pick-up, or horse hay wagon. He had the local shoe shop make a harness for their pet dog and taught them how to teach the dog to pull them on their sleigh. He never questioned how much gasoline they ran out of the car or pickup on weekends when they were teenagers.
He taught them to be aware of things around you, and use great thought and safety around animals or machinery. He taught Brenda and Kevin how to safely handle and shoot his rifle. The other two children were not interested in guns.
Lewis worked very hard to make his children's lives easier and better than his had been. He was very particular to teach them manners and politeness. He was always very kind and considerate to the elderly. His wife and children always came first with anything he had.
Selfishness never bruised his character. Not only his family, but also anyone, who was ill or needed a helping hand, or something he could share, received his concern and action.
He believed in going the extra mile and working as hard for anyone else as himself. He was honest and fair in all his business dealings and strived to teach these qualities t his children. Peace and harmony between himself and others was important to him, and he went out of his way to keep it.
Little children and animals especially felt his capacity for love. Small children were never in his home without being magnetically attracted to his laugh, teasing fun, and games, and loving attention. He loved horses and dogs and could get them to do things others could not. This is why he enjoyed his work the last three years of his life for the Green Timber Cattleman's Association so much.
It was a family joke that he could stand on the back step and call his horses or cattle, and they would come running from the pasture.
Lewis did have a temper, especially when tired or upset while trying to get the farm work accomplished. At times this proved a character flaw and caused him trouble. Once he was working with his sheep, and one ram loved to come running and butt whoever was in the corral. Lewis would laugh and think it very funny when it was one of the kids who got knocked over. However one morning it came running and knocked him head over heals while he was shaving a pole with an ax. He swung around angrily and hit the buck with the flat side of the ax right between the eyes. The buck instantly tumbled over dead as a doornail, and, swearing as he walked away, Lewis said, "There goes $300 dollars due to my temper!"
Another time, Lewis got up one day in the early spring and said he was going out in the pasture and clean the ditch out with a tractor ditcher. Deon asked if he didn't want to wait until the pasture had dried a little more. He replied that he knew what he was doing, and he would get it done before he had to prepare the other fields for planting when they dried out. The ditcher was hooked to the power take off at the end of the tractor.
The snow was only partly melted off the field, and it was very wet. Af^er going about
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ddfUon ^amiiif MUtoJue^
Allen, Brenda, and Richard STROBEL
twenty feet down the ditch, the tractor became stuck and Lewis tried to raise the ditcher to get the tractor out but could not. Both machines were buried in mud down in the ditch.
Lewis tried and tried to dig them out but then decided to go to the house and get Brenda and another tractor to pull him out. They hooked the second tractor to the first with a chain. He told Brenda that when the chain was taut she would put her tractor in gear, and when he signaled they would pour the gas to both tractors and pull his out. All that happened was the second tractor also spun down 'til its wheels were buried to the hubs in mud. Brenda suggested they go get a neighbor's help who had a caterpillar. With a few expletives, Lewis said no he wasn't asking any neighbor for help for something they could do themselves, and she should go to the house and bring back the really big tractor while he dug mud from in front of the wheels of the two buried tractors. When Brenda returned with the third and last tractor, it was hitched at the front of the line to the middle tractor with a chain. Lewis told Brenda to, again, get her chain taut and watch him while he ran between his tractor and the middle stuck one and gave each of them all their power, then she was to give her tractor all it had and pull the other two out. When she did so, there was a horrible loud crack as her chain broke after pulling her lead tractor down in the mud to its wheel hubs. Lewis ran between the other tractors shutting them down and yelling loudly at Brenda, as if she had to have done something stupid beyond belief to cause this latest catastrophe. Having had enough, and thinking she would rather take the chance of getting killed when her dad reached the house than stay and listen to him yell at her, Brenda angrily got off the tractor and walked to the house.
When Lewis finally came into the house, he apologized and called the neighbor with the caterpillar to come and get them out, which he did.
Lewis loved candy and would bring some home to the children whenever he had been in town. Some of his favorites were licorice, Babe Ruth, Hershey with nuts, Malo-Nut, Idaho Spuds and of course the homemade candies Deon made. His favorite was Boston Creams, then Divinity, and finally fudge.
Sheila was the only child to ever convince her dad to go to a church ftinction. During the first years she was in Primary and Mutual, she would go to the Daddy-Daughter Party with her uncle Stephen or the Bishop as the rest of the girls had done. The last one she told her dad that she was tired of not going with him, as uncle Stephen's heart palpitations the year before had ruined the dancing, and he had better get his church clothes ready and plan on attending the next Friday evening. Much to her surprise, she later heard him tell Deon to get his suit to the cleaners as he was going to need it next Friday.
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U^fiton ^atnlitf Jibta^ie^
Sheila really thought he had a good time as he laughed a lot. The other time she got him to go was the first Christmas after Janalee and Brenda were married and came home. Sheila told her dad he really should go to Sacrament meetinu so the whole familv could be together. He said the building would fall down, or they might ask him to pray, and she replied no to both. Anyway he went to that also.
Kevin was the only child to have his own car. Lewis thought boys should have cars when old enough and responsible enough to take care of them. The others shared the family vehicles. Kevin and his dad worked together, spent a lot of time together in the fields, and on horses working with the cattle.
Kevin with Benjamin, Jennifer, Kathrine, Kathy, Michael, and Stephen DAVIS
B-Travis M-Donalee, Janalee, and Vaughn F- David and Randy HOOPES
Lewis passed at home of a major heart attack. His services were held in Ashton and he was buried in the Pineview Cemetery.
There is a 30+ page histoiy transcribed from tapes ofDeon by her daughter Sheila and prepared for publication by dauirhter Brenda in a book called "Family Histories of Lewis Davis and Deon Bowman A Look at their Lives and Ancestors " compiled by Brenda Davis Stroble 2002. This book covers
the parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters of both Lewis and Deon with histories and charts. There are copies in The Salt Lake Family Histoiy Center, BYU Idaho Genealogy Library, and the Ashton Archives to mention a few. By Brenda Davis Strobel
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Miram and Bill Dedman, with Miriam Lee
fZ)edman, William Allen and Edna Miriam Sprague. "Bill" was bom Feb 1898 to Claude Neal and Clara Elizabeth Mariow DEDMAN. He died in 1978 in St. Anthony, Idaho. He married (1) Edna Miriam Sprague in 1922. She was bom 1896, the daughter of Edwin Elmer and Edna Miriam Le Baron SPRAGUE. She died in 1965. They had the following children:
Bill, Jr., bom in 1923 south of Dmmmond, Idaho. He was bom on the Jim Lupton place.
Keith bom in 1924 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
JoAnn bom in 1931 in Las Vegas, Nevada. She married Gene Dickason in 1952.
William Allen married (2) Agnes.
William Allen married (3) Zella Mains
William's father, Claude Neal, was bom 6 Feb 1875 to William Anderson and Lou Thomas Neal DEDMAN. He married (1) Clara Elizabeth Mariow in Feb of 1895. She died in 1902 in Illinois. They had two other children:
Claude Louis bom Nov 1895. He married Alma Anderson.
Helen Ruth bom Nov 1901. She married George Daniel Lunn.
The family was living in Illinois at this time. After Elizabeth's death, Claude married her cousin, Viola Elizabeth Mannering. They moved to Idaho and started homesteading. Claude and Viola had the following children:
Besse bom 1905. She married
Kenneth Shores.
Neal Frederick bom in 1908 in Idaho. He married Elizabeth Campbell.
Riley Anderson bom in 191 1. He married Bessie Nettles.
Edna bom 1913 and died 1916.
Frank bom 1915 and died 1915.
Mary Lou bom in 1917.
Claude was well to do at one time, owning a lot of land around Dmmmond. He had bad crops which caused him to lose part of his land.
Bill and Miriam worked for Claude in the Dmmmond area where he was homesteading. They gave up farming and
Keith, Claude, Miriam, and Bill DEDMAN
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Cl^fitan f/atniiy. 3ih taxied
moved to Salt Lake. Bill, Sr. worked as a laborer for Garfield Smelter at Kennecott. He lost his job in 1929. Bill and Miriam had bought a car and a home in Salt Lake City. They lost their
home and moved to California. They worked picking oranges for a while in Lindsay, California.
In 1931 Bill Sr. worked in Las Vegas on the Boulder Dam and the buildings there. The name of the dam was later changed to Hoover Dam. After the Boulder (Hoover) Dam was finished in 1934, they moved back to Idaho for a short time. Bill and Keith were in the fourth grade and had Dorothy Rogstead as as a teacher. She later became Dorothy Baum. Bill, Sr. worked on the section in the summer. When he was laid off, they went back to Nevada.
Bill and Carlyle, Miriam's brother, worked in Mina, Nevada, in a gold mine. They each rented a house, and they lived close by one another. The mine superintendent took the money for operating the mine, so Bill was out of work again. They moved back to Utah and then to Yearington, Nevada, in 1935.
They moved to Sparks, Nevada, in 1936 where Bill worked as a hod carrier. Miriam's father, Edwin Sprague, died in April, 1939 in Reno, Nevada. Neal was bom in 1939 in Reno.
Bill's eyes were bad, and his father wanted them to come back to Idaho to farm. So they moved to Drummond in 1940. Claude's health was bad, as he had diabetes. He had not been successful farming. Miriam's health wasn't very good either.
Bill and Miriam got a loan and bought the farm. They were farming with horses when they started. They worked very hard. Miriam raised a big garden, and Bill milked cows.
They bought a home in Drummond and continued to farm with the help of their second son, Keith. They later put the farm into the government soil bank program for ten years. Then their son-in-law, Gene Dickason, rented their land for a few years. It was later sold to Bob Parkinson.
They lived in their home at Drummond until Miriam's death. Their home later burned. After Miriam's death. Bill moved to Reno, Nevada, where he married Agnes. They were married four years when she died. He later married Zella Mains from St. Anthony, Idaho.
Submitted bv JoAnn Dickason
Bill, Keith, Mary Lou, and Neal DEDMAN
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ddfitan &-atniiy. Mh tabued
Jeanette Blanchard
fZ)epew, Rodney and Jeanette Blanchard.
I was bom August 11, 1944. Mom said I was a very tiny baby weighing 5 lbs. 4 ozs. I
was bom at the St. Anthony, Idaho, hospital. When I started to walk,
my parents could tell there was something wrong with my legs. I was bom with a rare bone disease that wasn't known much about at that time. I had multiple leg surgeries during my life. The first one was when I was four years of age. Then surgeries in 1961, around 1968, and the most recent ones in 1999, and 2000. I am grateful for the orthopedic surgeons I found in 1968, 1999 and 2000 who had the knowledge and expertise to deal with my particular situations and the new technology in the medical field and implants that have helped me tremendously. I am grateful for the help I can be given in the future, as needed, also.
I attended Ashton Elementary and graduated from North Fremont High School in 1962. My Ashton school days from elementary through
high school hold some special memories. My friends in Ashton
are very special people. Our class was close with one another,
which makes just seeing my classmates and schoolmates again
very special. Our reunions have been very memorable. I leamed to play the guitar and ukulele by Ametta
Jackson teaching me some basic chords. After that I was able
to pick out tunes by ear. I had some fun times picking out tunes
and even wrote a few songs later, but only for my own
enjoyment.
I was given a scholarship to Ricks College my senior
year from the Rotary Club. I lived in college dorms all my
college days and enjoyed it very much. I had great roommates
and made many friends. I graduated from Ricks College in
1964. My major was Elementary Education and minor was
music.
In January of 1965, 1 went to the Church College of Hawaii with four other Ashton
friends. We went to school for a semester and this was a great experience for all of us. At the
time I had acne quite bad, but that Hawaiian sun really helped, and I never had it bad again. I
took a Polynesian music class and just loved it. I was able to learn more chords, as well as many
different Polynesian songs, on the ukulele. You leam a lot about the people of many different
cultures through their music.
After Hawaii I went to Utah State University in Logan, Utah. It took me a little longer to
complete my graduate hours due to changing schools and the difference between semester hours
and quarter hours. I did complete them, however, and graduated the summer of 1968 from Utah
State University. I taught the second grade in Keams, Utah, and Leaming Disabilities through
Jeanette Blanchard
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d^^fUan Jatniiy. Mbta^ue^^
the Eastern Idaho Mental Health Center in Idaho Falls. 1 worked with grades 1-3.
Then there was an opening in St. Anthony, Idaho, for T' grade, and I took it to be closer to family and friends. I taught in St. Anthony for a few years. There were four of us who were teachers and friends from our hometown, Ashton, who went to the Church College of Hawaii for summer school. All of us had taught for several years. I was able to take some good Special Education classes there, so I was able to enjoy Hawaii again. After I had begun to teach and was around children who were sick a lot, my immune system started getting low, and I was getting sick the whole winter by around 1970 with laryngitis and bronchitis. The doctor told me I needed to go to a warmer climate. I moved to Mesa, Arizona, in August of 1974. I tried finding a teaching job but there were more than enough teachers at that time. It was less expensive for the School Districts to choose young teachers right out of college than to hire teachers with several years of experience, so I did several different kinds of jobs. I was a counselor aide in a junior high, a reading aide in the elementary school, and I tutored children in reading. I was receptionist for an interior decorator.
In 1978 I came home to Ashton to see Mom and Dad. Their bishop, Ed Clark, talked to me about going on a mission. So I filled out the paperwork, sent it in, and got my call to the Arizona Tempe Mission. I guess I was meant to stay in Arizona due to my health. I was embarrassed at first by the call because I had just come from Arizona. Anyway, it turned out to be a great mission. I was older than the regular missionaries, but that really wasn't a problem.
My mission held some very difficult situations along with some very special experiences. I seemed to be involved with training and working with missionaries who had a hard time learning their discussions, as well as some that had emotional and other problems. I was told at one time I was to be a trainer of a new Sister Missionary, that we were going to be on bicycles and were going to open up an area in Scottsdale. My companion and I were the first Sister Missionaries on bicycles in Arizona. After my mission, 1 worked at the Arizona Temple for several years in their main office as a file clerk. I did a lot of typing, worked with an adding machine, helped patrons as they needed ordinance cards typed up, and did many different types of office work. Then I worked for Southwest Gas for ten years. I topped out as a Rep II. but to go hiuher I would need to szet into the management end of things and I had no desire to do that.
In 1986 a former missionary companion and her husband moved to Mesa, and a good lookinsz man moved across the street from them.
Rod and Jeanette Depew and Copper
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d^fUatt ^atnii^ Mhtauea
They invited their neighbor, Rod Depew, and I to dinner. We became real good friends after that and were married a year later in the Arizona Temple on September 26, 1987. We had a reception in Mesa and an open house in Ashton.
Our hobbies were prospecting in the Arizona mountains. Then we loved to square dance. We became coordinators of a square dance class and on the board of the officers of our square dance club. We met some very good friends and enjoyed those times very much. There were four couples of us from our square dance club that became good friends and had a lot of fun together going to square dance festivals in different parts of Arizona. Later, we both were having some problems with our bodies and had to stop our dancing.
Rod got an interest in fly fishing and we joined a fly fishing club in Mesa. We have met a lot of good friends there. Rod was on the board of the Fly Fishing Club and in charge of a lot of activities for years with the Desert Flycasters. I enjoyed the people of the club and going on the outings with him.
I started taking classes to re-activate my teaching certificate before I left Southwest Gas, and then I was re-certified and went to work with three school districts as a substitute teacher. I kept busy full time with that many school districts. I worked with K-6 grades as a substitute. 1 substituted in the regular classrooms along with learning disabilities, physically handicapped, emotionally disturbed, and the blind. Then some charter schools were starting up and the main school districts still had a lot of teachers, so I decided to try one.
The Charter School that hired me gave me a lot of money to get books, supplies, and all that was needed to set up a classroom. 1 had my own building to use as a school but had one classroom with multiple age levels as well as multiple educational levels. My class consisted of normal children, as well as learning disabilities, emotionally disturbed, physically abused, sexually abused, and attention deficit disorder (ADD). I worked with the parents as well as the children.
In one classroom I had the ages of K-5 grades with the above problems. There was a 5"' grader in my class with ADD and emotionally disturbed that had never learned to read. She learned to read along with the rest of the class. She was able to go back into the regular classroom later and became an honor student. Her mother kept in touch with me for a few years and updated me with her progress. I felt good about what I accomplished there but still had some health issues and was really burned out. 1 loved to teach, but situations were very different now, even in the regular classrooms. 1 didn't have the physical and emotional stamina to deal with all of the problems anymore so decided it was best to leave teaching professionally. I taught school professionally for ten
years and, even though I won't be in it professionally anymore, 1 will always be able to use the skills and knowledge I gained in many ways throughout my life.
Rod and I got a real cute little Maltese dog for our 7"' wedding anniversary. The tradition
Copper
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was wool and copper for that year. Rod said he is wooly white and we can name him Copper. So we bought him and he became our baby Copper. He was a joy in our hves. He brought so much entertainment and love into our home. He was truly a member of our family. He went everywhere with us.
The activity Rod and I enjoyed doing was camping. So when we could, we would head for the Arizona mountains on weekends and camp out. Copper loved to travel with us and just plain enjoyed being with us and traveled very well. We always looked forward to see Copper, knowing he was waiting for us and running to us when we came home from work. 1 worked full time doing other jobs.
I found an excellent Orthopedic Surgeon in Scottsdale and had my knees replaced and later got a job with Brown and Brown Auto Nation in Mesa. Arizona. I worked as a receptionist under two bosses and we dealt with four dealerships. It was a very busy office. I worked there several years and needed surgery on my shoulder and foot, so in March of 2005 I went on medical leave and then told them ahead of time I wouldn't be back. It was time for my body to retire.
So since my Rod had open heart surgery in 2001 and was starting to have some more problems, he decided to retire the end of June, in 2005.
Before I was married, I always used my vacation time to come and see my mom and dad, then after Dad passed away-I would come to see Mom. After I was married, we both used our vacation time to come and be with Mom. Mom and I had a special relationship, and she has always been a big part of my life. I kept trying to get her to come to Arizona to live with us, but she felt she would be a burden and just wanted to stay in her own home. I called Mom at least once a week and even more, many times. It wasn't unusual for us to talk at least a couple of hours on the phone. I sent her letters, cards, and envelopes with jokes, stories, etc. in. If I didn't think something was right when I talked to her on the phone, I would call a neighbor to check on her.
After Rod's father passed away in Florida last August, Hurricane Francis was heading right for their town. Rod evacuated with his mother, who had Alzheimer's, to Arizona. Mom Pauline was in our home for a while and then we were able to take her to a very good Alzheimer's Center, which I was fortunate to fmd. It was pretty close to where we lived and was a real nice place. She liked it there and settled right in. Then Mom Depew broke a hip, after which she started to get worse. She passed away in 2004. In 2005, I had been working full time until I went out on medical leave for a couple of surgeries in March of 2005. I came home to help Mom in April, for she had been in the Rexburg hospital
188
Rula Blanchard and daughter. Jeanette Blanchard Depew
Cl^fitan 3-atn'dif Jihtaues
after a fall and had been very sick. Because Mom was frail and weak after being in the hospital for several days, she was too weak to walk. I tried to help her at home for a couple f days, but it was obvious that wasn't going to work. Not being able to walk on her own and all, it was difficult for me to handle alone. Only with the help of friends and neighbors was I able to work it out for three days and two nights. With the help of a couple of people, the nursing home in Ashton called and said they were getting an opening and I could bring Mom in. So I got help to get Mom transported to the Ashton Memorial Nursing Home. After talking it over with Mom, her agreeing that she needed more help and was willing to go, I entered her into the Ashton Nursing Home. That is the one she preferred to be in. Once the therapists were working with her to walk alone, and she was settled in more, I needed to get back to Arizona to go with my husband. Rod, to New York.
It was very difficult to leave Mom but things were now better than before. After flying back to Arizona, I was there three days and then Rod and I flew to upstate New York. His parents were buried together in a Pennsylvania cemetery on Mom Depew's birthday, April 30, 2005. Rod did a wonderful job with the grave side service and notifying relatives. The grave side service was very nice and had a good turn out of relatives and friends. Rod was having some problems with his heart and needed to get an angiogram, along with other tests done, as soon as possible. I have been very concerned about him. While these tests were going on. Rod decided that it is time he retired and talked to his boss about retiring the end of June. Around the middle of June, we got word that my Mom wasn't doing very well; as soon as Rod had his heart tests taken care of and retired, we were on the road to Ashton four days later to Mom.
We found out last year, while visiting Mom on our
vacation, that our little Copper had j^^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^^
a large tumor. The doctor didn't ,,^ p^^^^ j^ ^^^ Y^^ j^^^ ^j^j^ Your Heart."
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d^fitati Hatniit^ Jihtaue^
think he was going to live only about three more months. However, little Copper was a strong little dog and hung in there pretty good for a little over a year. It was obvious, before we left to come to Idaho, the trip would be too hard on him so Rod and 1 decided it would be best to have him put to sleep before we came. It was very difficult for Rod and 1, for that little dog was so much a part of our lives for 1 1 V2 years, but we knew it was the best thing to do for his behalf. So after we said goodbye to our little baby Copper and had him put to sleep, we needed to continue to pack our camper and get ready to leave for Idaho to be with Mom.
We were fortunate to have a week and a half to be with Mom before she passed away. It was my heart's desire to be with Mom at that time, and I am so grateful 1 was given that desire. Our time with Mom was very special for Rod and I, and I know special for Mom also. Even though 1 knew my sweet Mother was tired, ready and wanting to go, it is still terribly hard for I will miss her so very much.
She was always here when I was in Ashton. Mom had told me what she wanted for her funeral, and I arranged it the way she requested. I feel she would be happy with all the arrangements for her and the services. It has been a very difficult and emotional year for my Rod and I with our families. We decided that, since we were retired now, we didn't need to endure the Arizona summer heat any longer and had in mind moving to a different place. It worked out that we bought property along with a home in Marysville while we were here in Ashton July of 2005. Rod always enjoyed coming to Ashton in the summers, not only to visit Mom, but also to be able to fly fish the beautiful lakes and rivers in the area. He loved the area. This is where we were meant to be for everything seemed to work out and fall into place even though there were several stumbling blocks. We seemed to get through each one as they came along.
We are so excited about our new home and property, we hate to leave and go back to Arizona for the winter, but we need to go take care of things there and get our home in Mesa ready to sell. We will be back in the spring just as soon as we can.
I wish Mom could be here now that we are able to move, but I guess it wasn't meant to be. As Rod and I sit outside by our camper at Jessen's RV Park, we can see the beautiful green farming land in the foreground and the Tetons at the back. The weather is just beautiful. We look at each other and say, "It just doesn't get much better than this." It is like a huge picture post card.
So next spring, in 2006, we will be moving back to the Ashton area and look forward to making Ashton our permanent home. The year 2006 will be a special year for us as we move to our new home along with celebrating the Ashton Centennial. It is like a circle for me, a circle bringing me back home to the land of my birth. A small town place among special, strong, caring people. I have been away a long time amidst the hustle and bustle of the cities. Now I look forward to coming back with my Rod, where our bodies and spirits can be renewed at the foot of the beautiful Grand Teton Mountains once again-to Ashton, my hometown.
Written and submitted by Jeancttc Blanchard Depew
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ddfitan 3-ainii^ Mhtaue^
fZ)ickason, Victor Hugo and Alta Ruth Sellers. Victor was bom 2 Jun 1 899 at Cambridge, Couley C, Kansas, son of James Howard and Tabitha Elizabeth Williams DICKASON. He died in 1986. He married Alta in 1927. Alta was the daughter of Oscar and Clara SELLERS of Squirrel, Idaho. She died 11 Nov 1975. They had the following children:
Gene bom 1928. He married JoAnn Dedman in 1952. She is the daughter of William A. and Miriam DEDMAN of Dmmmond, Idaho. They had the following children:
Barbara Ann bom 16 Aug 1954. Barbara married Wendell D. Gaston. They helped on the farm for 20 years.
Alta and Vic Dickason
Wendell is now working as an electrician, and they live on the farm. They have 3 children:
Jacob bom in 1984. He married Jenny Blair, daughter of Russ and Terri BLAIR. He is living and employed in Pocatello, Idaho. Kimberlybom 1986.
She is living and working in Pocatello, Idaho. Molly bom 1988. She is a senior at North Fremont High School. Janet Ruth bom 15 Jun 1959. She
married Wayne Ingram in 1979. They live in Blackfoot where Wayne is working for the Blackfoot Moming News. They had two boys: Matthew bom in 1980. He
married Laney Wilde, the daughter of Sheila Wilde. They are
JoAnn and Gene Dickason
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(Z^fitan Jamiiif 3ihto-xie5
living in Kansas City. Missouri, where they are employed. Codv bom 1981. He married Stacie Mickelsen. the daughter of Russ and Julie MICKELSEN. They are living in Chubbuck. where they are employed. Gene and JoAnn farmed with \'ic and .Alta at Squirrel and Drummond and
Lamont.
Gene and JoAnn bought the Del Jessen farm at Squirrel in 1942. .Also, they
bought the George Thorsted and Max Franz places at Drummond. They bought the Jack
Jessen place at Squirrel. They also bought the Jesse Franz place at Squirrel.
In 1952. Gene and JoAnn moved to .A-shton where thev live now. Thev also have
a home in Chubbuck. Idaho. Gene and Jo.\nn quit farming in 2003.
Vic married (2) Thelma Peterson in 1979. She was from Tucson. Arizona. They lived in .Ashton until \'ic"s death. Thelma died in 2005. Vic lived in the state of Kansas until 1905.
\'ictor has two brothers who were also bom in Kansas: Harold M. was bom 12 Dec 1893. and Walter J. was bom 7 Oct 1896. In 1905 they moved to Snohomish. Washington, where James worked in the sawmill and logging. In 1915. they moved to Squirrel. Idaho, where James. Vic. and Walter worked for wages for Art Campbell. In the following years, they started renting land, which was the Cunningham place and part of the Flagg ranch. \'ic and Walt rented land for quite a few years. They were among the first to start raising seed potatoes at Grainville.
Vic lived year-around in Idaho, and Walt went to Washington in the winter and cooked in the logging camp cook houses. Harold and Glenn moved to Washington to live.
James, their father, died in 1937.
Vic. Alta and Gene lived at what was called the "Johnson" place - between Dmmmond and Squirrel Creek. Gene went to school at Dmmmond for eight years. He then went to Ashton and Idaho Falls High Schools. Walt died November. 1951.
By JoAnn
Dickason
W ip '4\
*
B- Wayne Ingram. Janet Ingram. Barbara Gaston. W endell Gaston. Mat Ingram M-Cody Ingram. Jake Gaston, Jo Ann Dickason. Gene Dickason. Kim Gaston F-Mollv Gaston.
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d^fUatt 3-aniiiif MhtaueA
lZ)ixon, Elzworth Alfred and Violet Olive Blanch Noble. Elzworth was bom 27 Jun 1881 in Obey, Illinois, the son of John Alfred and Susie Elizabeth Short DIXON. He died 26 Mar 1957 in Salem, Idaho, and was buried 30 Mar 1957 in Ashton, Idaho, at the Pineview Cemetery. Elzworth married Violet Olive Blanch Noble Sadorus on 30 Apr 1907 in Ashton, Idaho. Violet was bom 12 Jun 1885 in St. Joseph, Missouri, the daughter of George William and Clarissa Emaline Persons NOBLE. She died 3 Oct 1962 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Olive had been married before to (1) James Samual Sadoms 2 Oct 1902. He died in 1905. They had the following children:
B-Roy, Arthur, Lester, May, Mother Olive holding Burt, Father Elzie
F-Elsie, Myrtle, Merlin, and Fred DIXON. ..Walter was married and gone. He married Hazel
Reybum, and they were married 75 years!
George bom in 1903 and was buried 1 1 Mar 1998 in the Pineview Cemetery, in Ashton,
Idaho. Berthie bom in 1 1 Feb 1905 and died 12 Nov 1992. (See Shelton, George Delbert.) (2) Elzworth and Olive had the following children:
Walter Alfred bom 21 Jan 1908 in Sarilda, Idaho. He died in 2002. Ivy May bom 20 Jul 1909 in Sarilda, Idaho. She died 7 Jan 1999. Lester Ervin bom 8 Jun 191 1 in Sarilda, Idaho. He died 24 Jul 1969. Roy Francis bom 17 Feb 1913 in Sarilda, Idaho. He died 8 Nov 1985.
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Violet Elsie bom 26 Nov 1914 in Sarilda, Idaho.
Arthur Elmer bom 24 Jan 1917 in Sarilda, Idaho. He died 17 Jan 1994.
Myrtle Louise bom 19 Sep 1919 in Sarilda, Idaho.
Merlin Elzworth bom 23 Oct 1922 in Sarilda, Idaho.
Dixon Farm Established 1908
Herbert Fred bom I Dec 1924 in Sarilda, Idaho. He died 16 Oct 1992.
Burt Richard bom 23 Oct 1929 in Sarilda, Idaho.
My grandfather met my grandmother after moving to Idaho, and they were the first couple to be married in the newly established town of Ashton on 30 Apr 1907. Elzworth had the first sawmill in the Ashton area. He helped settle the Sarilda area. My dad told me they almost lost the steam engine while hauling it across the Snake River. It was shipped from back east. Elzie was very creative. He made puzzles out of metal, had a blacksmith shop, and they were very self-sufficient. They only went to town once a year.
Marjorie and Fred Dixon
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My father is Herbert Fred Dixon. He was a carpenter/farmer west of Ashton. He built many homes in our area - Herb Steinman's, Hark Misseldine's, and Mike Davidson's, to name a few. My mother, Marjorie Miller, grew up in St. Anthony. She was bom 14 Mar 1927 in St. Anthony, the daughter of Edgar Leo and Dortha Wayment MILLER. Mother and Dad were married 19 Feb 1944 in St. Anthony, Idaho. My dad was immediately shipped off to
B-Kathy Dixon Henderson, Drex Dixon, Tamara Dixon Wade, Don Dixon F-Herbert Fred and Marjorie Miller DIXON
Shad and Irish Dixon
war in the Navy right after he and Mom were married. He returned safely and they had the following children:
Don Dixon and restored '57 Chevy.
Donald Fred bom 13 Feb 1945 in St. Anthony, Idaho. He met a young lady while in the Navy. He then brought her home from Rhode Island and they were married 2 Sep 1970 Ashton, Idaho. Her name is Patricia Diane Smith bom 5 Oct 1950 in Newport, Rhode Island, to
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ddfiton !^atni£if Jibta^e^
Hannah Dixon
Frederick William and Clarissa Wheeler Champlin SMITH. She still speaks with a New England accent
Drex, Shari, Talese, Rochelle, Alyssa, and Damon DIXON.
after living in Idaho for 35 years! She loves Don's restored "cahs!" Today Don puts up siding and still practices his passion of restoring '57 Chevy's. They lived in Ashton until 1979 when they moved to Shelley, Idaho, where they still live. Trish is the Shelley School District Business Administrator. They have three children: Clarrissa Smith was bom 19 Sep 1974 and died 19 Sep 1974. Shad was bom 3 Apr 1976 in St. Anthony, Idaho. He is married to Suzanne Porter. She was bom 2 Mar 1973 in Florida to Richard and Kathryne Carlton PORTER. They have two children:
Aspen bom 22 Oct 2000 in Idaho Falls,
Idaho. Jericca. 9 Jun 2003 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Hannah bom 19 Oct 1981. Kathleen bom 3 Aug 1947 in St. Anthony, Idaho. (See
Henderson, Ross Claron.) Tamara bom 12 May 1962 in Boise, Idaho. ( See Wade,
Rex Alvin) Drex Clayne bom 25 Apr 1967 in Rexburg, Idaho. He married Shari Dopp, of St. Anthony, 14 Dec 1985. She was bom 28 Jan 1968 in St. Anthony. Idaho, to Dean J. and
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Dortha Wavment Miller
ddfitati ^amiiif Midtaued
Brenda Ebom DOPP. They had the following children: Talese Beth bom 29 May 1986 in Rexburg, Idaho. Rochelle Laree bom 8 Aug 1987 in Orem, Utah. Alyssa Brianne bom 12 Marl991 in Provo, Utah. Damon Drex bom 1 8 Aug 1 992 in Payson, Utah.
Drex and Shari later divorced and he now lives in Denver, Colorado where he is a Computer Programer.
My mother's parents are Edgar Leo Miller and Dortha Wayment. He was a truck driver
in St. Anthony, and she worked at the old seed pea factory and later the Reform School in the laundry room. They had four children:
Marjorie bom 14 Mar 1927. Nealbom22Nov 1928. Beverly bom 25 Oct 1931. Elaine bom 20 May 1938. All are still living. My Grandpa Miller's dad, David Edgar Miller, helped to settle the town of Parker, and his father helped to dig the canals there. My great grandmother, Julietta Rogers Miller, was the first Relief Society President in the Yellowstone Stake. She was stranded ovemight on the train to West Yellowstone one night during a blizzard doing her Relief Society work.
Fred and Marjorie Dixon, Leo Miller and Beverly Miller Johnson, baby-Donald, girl-Elaine Miller Blanchard Hilton.
By Tamara Wade
****
CUfitan Jxiaia A "Spud Spree" was usually a trip to Idaho Falls after the potato harvest to spend your money on school clothes, Christmas gifts, parties, or whatever you had wished for all those days you had worked so hard in the fields!
197
II
(Zdfitatt ffatnii^ Jihta^ue^
lZ)orcheus, John T. and Mary McDonald. John married Mary on 20 Dec 1882. In 1891 John and Mary moved to the Ashton area one mile north of present day Ashton. They had eleven children:
Elizabeth Ann
Edward William He had the following children: William Sam
Rhoda Blanche
Ellen Louise
Gladys (See Hammond, Milton Melvin - Louis Tibbetts.)
John Alexander
Jessie Josephine
Mary Irene
Robert Albert
Charles Henry
Ernest Allen
All six boys and five girls grew up in this area or attended school in Lodi and/or Ashton.
Of the eleven children, only Edward Dorcheus and Mrs. Louis (Gladys) Hammond continued to live in this area. The children of Ed Dorcheus, William and Sam, attended Ashton schools graduating from Ashton High School.
By Margaret Hammond and Leo Hammond and
Kathleen Hammond Dav
Jietna^e^^
Vina Hill Edna Hessman, Velna Davis
Submitted by Kathy Newcomb
Nt/' sf/ \fy \t/ • ••••• »x *••
•«\ /«\ /^\ /»\
Jlietnaue^ Edna Thompsen and Wayne Phelps Sub. By Mabel Stalker
198
(Zdfitan 3-atniiy. Mhte^ue^
lZ)uke, Dean Woodrow and LaRae Wade. Dean was bom 26 Feb 1942 in Heber, Utah, to Alma Hicken and Carol Violet Slaughter DUKE. He married LaRae 15 Sep 1967 in Ashton, Idaho. She was bom 3 Oct 1946 in Rexburg, Idaho, to Rulon Alonzo and Eva Elaine Munns WADE.
B-LaRae and Dean Duke Left 3- Aspen, Travis, and Tanner Duke Middle 3- Dan, Kirsten, and Danny Bethers. Right 2- Brian and Jori Duke.
They had the following children:
Travis Wade bom 30 Jan 1972 in Honolulu, Hawaii. He married (1) Tiffany Simpson. They had two children: Aspen McCall Tanner Wade Travis Wade married (2) Michelle Griffin 3 Mar 2003 in Park City, Utah. They have one daughter:
Rowan bom 18 Apr 2004 in Salt Lake City, Utah. They now live in Salt Lake City, Utah. Kirstyn Ann bom 23 Sep 1975 in Wurzburg, Germany. She married Daniel Steven Bethers 1 1 May 1996 in Salt Lake City, Utah. They have three children: Danny bom 6 Jun 1999 in St. George, Utah. Ryan bom 7 Nov 2001 in St. George, Utah. Elyse Kirstyn bom 7 Jan 2005 in Baltimore, Maryland. Brian Jordan, "B.J.," bom 19 Jan 1983 in St. George, Utah. He just returned from an
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Cl^fitan ^ amity. Mhto^ue^
LDS mission to England and is attending Dixie College. Jordan, "Jori," bom 9 Jan 1985 in St. George, Utah. She is a student at Dixie College to
be a nurse. LaRae grew up in Ashton and graduated in 1964. She then attended BYU Hawaii. After she and Dean were married, they lived in Germany for a while as Dean was in the Army. He earned his M.D. during his Army career and is now a Dermatologist, and they have settled in St. George, Utah.
Bv Tami Wade
\t/ N*/ \f/ \t/
ddfitatt J%iuia: The "old timers" often called the "iris" a garbage flower, because it would grow anywhere, even in the garbage!
Jienta^ie^ A snow train
Suhniittcd hv Norma Gallw^hcr
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d^htatt 3'ainii(f Mhtarie^
Egbert, Dennis LaVoy and Edna Marie Faddis. Dennis was bom 1 Apr 1937 in Idaho Falls, Idaho to Zera Newton and Sarah Louise Howard EGBERT. He married "Marie" 22 Jun 1962 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was bom 30 Sep 1942 in Tooele, Utah, to Ray Clark and Josephine Edna Damico FADDIS. They had the following children:
Wendy Denise bom 23 Oct 1965 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She married Kent Durren Robertson 10 Jun 1989 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Todd LaVoy bom 13 Jan 1968 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He married Cindy Muterspaugh 21 Jun 1991 in Salt Lake
City, Utah. Marie and Dennis Egbert
Troy Lee bom 1 2 Apr
1969 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He married Karen Ruth Peay 13 Feb 1988 in Salt Lake City, Utah. I, Dennis, was the fourth child and the second boy bom to Zeke and Louise while they lived in Marysville, Idaho. My parents called me their April Fool's baby; you know, the funny part about that is that I love it because that is the only time I can have all the fools waiting on me. I was told I was a beautiful boy with curly dark hair and had the startling blue eyes that were a dominant feature of the entire family. Then, 1 5 months later, my little brother. Brent, was bom. I could finally be big brother. I dearly loved my big brother. Zee J, my big sister, Zeralene, and my other big sister, LaRee, who died before she was two years old, but now it was my tum to be big brother. I was so proud. Then a year later, my reign of big brother was over and my little sister Trenna Louise was bom. Now we had five and what a loving family we were. Brent and I developed a beautiful and close friendship as we bonded early and became the best of friends. ...sharing most days and hours together. In fact, we developed a special language as very young toddlers that only the two of us could understand. Our mother could mimic our words perfectly... and often demonstrated it to the delight of the adults and other guests who frequented our happy little home. This special closeness between Brent and me has continued through our lives and gives us both happiness and pleasure as time continues throughout our adult years.
I remember going to elementary school in Marysville. We would have to take a little nap on a blanket after having some cookies and milk. That was so fun but when they could not wake me up from my nap, they took that wonderful pleasure away from us!
I always had trouble reading and sounding out letters, so my parents, wanting the best for
Todd 28, Wendy 30, and Troy 27.
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(Zd^ton f/atni£^ Jibtaue^
their son, hired a teacher to teach me phonics so I could pronounce my words better. Well, I am not too sure how much 1 learned from this wonderful teacher. She scared me. She was always trying to kiss and hug me because she thought that I was so cute, so I would run and hide behind the woodshed.
My childhood memories are many. We lived in ''town" in my early years and had friends galore to play with, whenever time pennitted. Neither snow, sleet, or rain seemed to deter the fun. Sledding down the big hill in Marysville at a high rate of speed was always a fun thing that was sure to happen on Thanksgiving while dinner was being prepared at home. The hills were SO HIGH and the snow SO DEEP in those days.
I learned the value of hard work and could be found at an early age doing "daily chores" with my parents and siblings. For example-watering the chickens, gathering the eggs, being ver>' careful not to drop a one—, milking cows, weeding the garden, picking peas and com, raspberries, etc.- and all the fun daily chores that are required to keep a farm running.
We moved to Ashton when I was in the 4"" or 5"' grade and continued through high school in the Ashton schools. I often could be found late at night working in the potato and grain fields, on the farm, and getting homework done between chores. Brent and I milked eight cows daily and helped raise sheep, and turkeys and participated in various other ventures with our older brother. Zee J, and our dad, Zeke. We all made a good team and had fun together. During harvest, our mother, Louise, and sisters, Zeralene and Trenna, could be found working right alongside of us.
One thing that was always a great memory and joy to Brent and me was when we would bring friends to our home. They were always welcome to join the family for a delicious home- grown chicken dinner, which our mother was famous for. Her breads, desserts, and pies were special and common treats, as well as her homegrown and home-canned vegetables.
Family prayer was a big part of our breakfasts and when frequent guests were there they joined right in and felt a part of the family.
After I graduated from North Fremont High in Ashton in 1956, 1 attended Ricks College in Rexburg until I received an LDS mission call to the Central States Mission where I served in many areas such as Little Rock, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Independence, Missouri, from 1957 to 1959.
When I returned to Ashton I decided I would enjoy cutting hair and barbering. There was a school of barbering in Salt Lake called Salt Lake Barber College. I made the move to Salt Lake to attend the college. I attended the college from September 1961 to April of 1962.
While I was in Salt Lake, I went to visit Elton Richey, who is the father of Reed Richey in Ashton. He invited me to come to church at his ward that next Sunday and to dinner at his home. He told me he would like me to meet this beautiftil girl in his ward. So, of course, I did and that is how I met the love of my life, Marie.
We were married in the LDS Temple in Salt Lake City. We made our home in Sandy, Utah, and together, in 1962, we opened our first barbershop in Sandy, Utah. This is a profession that 1 have continued throughout my life.
Marie went to barber college also before we had children. After graduating, she worked with me for close to ten years part-time. During the 10 years we worked together, we had 3 beautiful children come into our lives. She often brought the children to the shop while she was working, and they would take a nap on the floor or just sit and play and color. They thought it
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was a fun thing to do in Dad's shop. They knew they had to behave.
One of my favorite hobbies is photography. I enjoy sharing the photos with family and friends. I have a small gun collection. I love to work on my computer. I really enjoy the challenge of genealogy. It has been fun and very rewarding to me. At this time in our lives, we have seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren with whom we enjoy spending time.
We love to visit Ashton and its surroundings. I am so grateful to have the upbringing that I had. I have a wonderful heritage, and I am very proud of it. I am also proud to have lived in Ashton, Idaho.
By Dennis Egbert
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Russ HoUis Egbert
£tzbert, HoUis Russ and Marie Antoinette Karren. Mollis Russ was bom 16 Dec 1896 in Marysville, Idaho, to Joseph Hollis and Emmeline Whittle EGBERT. He died 14 Mar 1981 in Ashton, Idaho, and was buried 17 Mar 1981 in the Pineview Cemetery in Ashton, Idaho. Hollis Russ married Marie 31 Mar 1920 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was bom in 10 Dec 1901 in Marysville, Idaho, to Thomas William and Marie Antoinette Van Orden KARREN. She died 1 9 Jun 1 994 and was buried 28 Jun 1981. They had the following children:
Idris bom 7 Jan 1921 bom in Marysville, Idaho. She married Keith Auger Hebdon 21 Jun 1944.
Thomas Russ bom 24 May 1924 in Marysville, Idaho. He died 25 Jun 1987. He married Margaret Hannah Wood 20 Mar 1948.
Marva bom 7 Sep 1926 in Ashton, Idaho. (See Rich, Lowell Bolton.)
Richard Karren bom 6 Apr 1932 in Ashton, Idaho. He married Dorothy Margaret Browning 28 Feb 1952.
Carol Marie bom 14 Dec 1933 in Ashton, Idaho. She married Darwin Charles Murri 28 Jan 1954.
This couple spent 6 1 years together and all of this time they lived in the Ashton vicinity. Russ did live the first two years of his life at the little place called Lodi, west and a bit north of where Ashton City is now. The area was soon to be known as part of Ashton. They were parents of five children. The family made their living by farming and raising animals and gardening.
Their
autobiographies are found in the hook -
Hollis Russ Egbert Family B- Marva Egbert Rich, Richard K. Egbert, Idris Egbert Hebdon F- Thomas Russ Egbert, Marie Antoinette Karren Egbert. Hollis Russ Egbert, Carol Marie Egbert Murri.
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"Marysville, Idaho - People and Happenings " compiled by Joseph W. And Edna M. Reward; also in the booklet, "Family Stones and Ancestors " compiled by Marva Rich.
Submitted by Marva Rich
When I was about two years old, we moved to Lodi, a little settlement about three miles northwest of Marysville. My father carried the mail from St. Anthony to offices between there and Marysville. He also hauled some freight for the stores in the valley.
We moved from Lodi up to the town of Marysville in the Fall of 1900. Here I attended school and graduated from the eighth grade. My time in Marysville was full of varied experiences. The Fall I was five years old I helped my father haul grain to St. Anthony. He drove four horses on a large wagon with a big load of grain. I drove two horses with a smaller load and followed him. Dad would fix a place for me to sit where he could tie me on. He put a large overcoat on me and put the lines up through the sleeves so I couldn't drop them. After we unloaded the grain and fed the horses, we could go to the restaurant, have dinner, and have an ice cream cone at Watson's Drug Store. Oh, yes, we always got candy too. Then we hooked up our horses and started home about four o'clock in the aftemoon. Coming home I would ride with Dad. He would fix me a bed with grain sacks in the front of his wagon, and my team would follow.
In 1902, when I was six years old, I went with my dad, Tom Karren, and Pete Davies to bring a horse-powered threshing machine from St. Anthony. It was about the first one in this area. In the Spring of 1908, we moved to the ranch home four miles northeast of Marysville. I did all kinds of farm work. We had lots of horses, cows, pigs, and chickens to care for so I had lots of chores to do. I drove four head of horses on a disk gang-plow and broke sage brush out of many acres of land for my dad and the neighbors. At this time I was twelve and thirteen years old.
Getting to school from the ranch was not easy, as I had to drive a team on a buggy in the Spring and on a sleigh in the Winter. It was my responsibility to drive and get myself and others to school. I took the Otto Johnson family, the Dave Weatherbee family, and sometimes the McGavins; also some of my own brothers and sisters. There were eight children in my parent's family. Some winter days were extremely cold, and we would be nearly frozen when we reached the school house. We often welcomed a blizzard so we could stay home.
One day Dad left me alone at the Mesa Ranch to do some harrowing while he went to town. I had two horses on two section of harrow. I rode one horse and drove the other at the side. We came around a clump of trees, and there stood a big black bear. The team got frightened, and I couldn't hold them so we took off toward the bam, and before I could get them stopped, we were at the bam. I didn't get hurt, but I sure got over a lot of ground in a hurry.
In the Fall of 1917, 1 received my call to serve as a missionary representing the Marysville Ward in the Yellowstone Stake. 1 was assigned to the Westem States Mission with headquarters in Denver, Colorado. I served in Durango, Colorado, for a time and then was transferred to the desert in North Dakota, to labor among the Sioux and Gros Ventre Indians. I was in the mission field during World War I. The elders in the field were not called home because of the draft, but no more elders were called into the mission. Consequently, I labored much of this time without a companion. I retumed in the Fall of 1919, after serving for 21
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monihs due to the shortage of elders.
I realized that by joining in the Indian's evening sports and working with them daily, that I was somehow getting closer to them. They were surprised and pleased to know that I would take turns in coming out of a stall astride one of their untamed nags and ride it to the finish. I was able to tell them of the restored gospel but had not felt that my mission was truly a success, for 1 had not the privilege of baptizing one person.
Many years after my return from the mission while my sister, Arminta, was living in Idaho Falls, one of her neighbors. Brother Thomas Murphy, who was a member of the Marysville Bishopric at the time I received my call in 1917, came to her door. He had just returned from spending the winter at St. George, Utah, where he worked in the Temple. Mr. Murphy said that he had a very important message he wanted her to relay to me. He said that he had gone to the Temple one morning, and as he entered, he observed that the assembly hall was filled with Lamanite (Indian) people. The old chief of the tribe was asked to speak at the chapel meeting and to give an account of his conversion to the Church.
He related that many years ago a young elder from Idaho came to his door with a message of the truth of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. However, at that time he was not prepared to accept it. Because of the stirring, convincing testimony and the kind, understanding attitude the young Elder displayed, the chief was impressed. He said that the elder was "one" with them in work and play, and that they learned to love him and his way of life during those many months.
Brother Murphy said that after hearing the talk, he knew that I was the elder from the Marysville Ward. He said that he had managed to make his way through the crowd to shake hands with the elderly chief and had asked him the name of the elder. The chief smiled and said "Elder Russ Egbert." Mr. Murphy said that this old chief had brought all of his eligible posterity to the Temple, which were many.
Just a few weeks after this message was given to me by my sister, Arminta, the bearer of the message. Brother Murphy, had passed away. It has been an added testimony to me that we must live the gospel each day, and we just may influence someone for good and hopefully bring them to a complete understanding of Jesus' mission on earth.
Soon after I returned from my mission, I resumed dating the girl I had met on a "threshing tour." and married Marie Antoinette Karren 31 Mar 1920 in the Salt Lake Temple. She was a wonderful wife to me and a sweet, dear mother to our five children.
This history was written in 1998 with the help and cooperation of several individuals, including Marva Rich, to be read with the purpose of helping and inspiring some of the youth who were preparing to be the leaders of tomorrow. It was submitted by Nina and Glen Mvers.
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(Z^fitan Juaia: The Mesa Falls Run started in 1997.
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Egbert, Howard Brent and Linda Lee Willardson. "Brent" was bom 1 Jul 1938 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He married Linda 16 Dec 1961 at Los Angeles, California. She was bom 16 Feb 1939 in Santa Monica, Califomia, to Lee Harold and Rosetta Mae Solso WILLARDSON. They had the following children:
Rosalee Ann bom 16 Dec 1963 in San Diego, Califomia. She married Anthony Esalas Bowman 6 Jun 1987 in Oakland, Califomia. Kristen Louise bom 20 Jun 1967 in Van Nuys,
Califomia. She married Timothy Andrew Hudson 26 Jun 1990 in Los Angeles, Califomia. Shannan LaRee bom 26 Nov 2969 in Walnut Creek, Califomia. She married Allen
Royal Skidmore 2 May 1992 in Oakland, Califomia. Correne Renee bom 9 Mar 1973 in Concord, Califomia. (See Fabanich, James Alan.) Celeste Eileen bom 4 Oct 1974 in Walnut Creek, Califomia. She married Robb Scott
Headrick 13 May 1995 in Oakland, Califomia. Jared Brent bom 5 Apr 1976 in Walnut Creek, Califomia. He married Bianca Michelle Heaton 2 Oct 1999 in Stateline, Nevada.
Linda and Brent Egbert
I, Brent, was the time, we lived as a family in Marysville, Idaho. My brothers and sisters consist of Zee J, LaRee (deceased), Zeralene, Dennis, and my baby sister Trenna. I never knew LaRee because she died before she was two years of age and before I was bom. Linda and I were married in the Los Angeles Temple. We became the
the fifth child of my family bom in the hospital in Idaho Falls, Idaho. At
Linda and H. Brent EGBERT Family B-Rosalee M-Shannan, Kristen, Linda, Brent F-Correne, Celeste, Jared
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parents of six children.
My early growing up years were spent in Marysville. During that time, my father farmed and raised turkeys, and Mom occasionally worked in Ashton in a pea seed factory to make ends meet. 1 remember great events. ...such as our first telephone, which was a "party line." As little kids, we loved getting on the phone and listening to others talk, and occasionally we'd input and be soundly chastised and told to get off the line. I also remember the advent of indoor plumbing in our house. What a relief not to have to go out in the dark by myself in the middle of winter and scrape snow off the seat to go to the bathroom! Not to mention the scary things a young
mind can imagine could happen between the house, the outhouse, and back in the pitch dark!!!
In those days, entertainment was homemade. We spent many hours playing a variety of games, including hide-and-go-seek, dare-base, no bears out tonight, and anti-I-over.
I still remember my first day of school. The schoolhouse was a tal,l three-story, red-brick schoolhouse with a full basement. The older students got the higher floors, and the younger grades were on the first and second floors. My first classroom had three grades - first, second, and third combined and taught by Ruth Jenkins. I was so thrilled when I was old enough to go to school that I remember crying for joy on the way to school. For me, going to school was the real first assurance that I was "coming of age" and growing up! Besides, my brother Dennis, who was my best friend, had been to school for a year, and I was left at home to put up with my baby sister, Trenna. Now 1 was again reunited with my brother, and the two of us would go through and ultimately graduate from school together. At school I learned many new games. ...including ring marbles, jackpots and tag, tackle football, and in the fall, going out in the cut grain fields, choosing up sides, and pulling up grain stalks and throwing them at each other. Obviously, if you got hit, you were out! In those days, there were no restraints put upon our exercise and games. First graders could play tackle football with eighth graders! I remember bringing down some of the older boys, but I paid a price for it.
I loved everything about school except the fact that each afternoon, we had to lie down on our own special rug and take a nap. I never felt like sleeping. ..and I thought it was for sissies! It was sheer torture. ..directed and managed by the teacher. However, I loved the teacher reading time that always followed the imposed rug restraint. I remember the teacher reading to the class from a book and the reading time was always too short. This is where my love for books began, and it continues on even now. One of the great annual school events was packing a lunch and spending the whole day, as a school, hiking over to Egbert Springs and back. This occurred in the spring of the year, and we always managed to find fresh pussy willows along the route and watercress at Egbert Springs to bring home to our parents. Playing with the crawdads in the spring was also a great experience. To this day, I can't remember any unfortunate incidents occurring during the outings.
Between the third and fourth grade in the summer of 1948, my parents bought a near thousand acre farm from Johnny Spratling north of Ashton about two miles. That move required us to attend school in Ashton. I was extremely dismayed about having to attend such a "large" school and leaving my friends behind in Marysville. As it turned out, the size of our family was such a loss to the Marysville school that it compelled a decision that had been pending for some time to close it, and all Marysville students were transferred to Ashton. There I was able to continue my friendships with my Marysville friends and develop new ones in Ashton. For the first time, I was in one of two classes consisting of only 4"' graders. Again we were allowed
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pretty much to play the games we had grown up with in Marysville, including tackle football, but we were playing with kids our own size and having experienced the other, I proved to be "very effective." Indeed, I was named "Bulldozer" for my penchant to plow through anyone who attempted to bring me down when I carried the ball. Nicknames came easy. I was also called "Turkey Trot" because we continued to raise turkeys on the new ranch.
The ranch was not modernized. We had no electricity, running water, or indoor plumbing. The home was old but still stands today and was left to me by my mother when she passed away. I have exchanged it with my brother. Zee J, in return for some land across the river where Linda and I now live in a home we designed and built. This is where my mom had always wanted to build a home. When she left me the home we were raised in, I wished she HAD built it on the hill. It would have saved me a lot of trouble! Actually, I never minded living in the old home, either in its original state or its modem state. Initially, Dennis and I shared the chores of chopping wood, bringing water into the house, caring for the chickens, pigs, and milking cows. The farm, in its original state, was a patchwork offences and rock patches. The first several years, Dennis and I worked together pulling out all of the old fences, hauling rocks, and removing other barriers to the cultivation and cropping of the ranch. It was during this period of time that we discovered many arrowheads and pieces of significant flint that obviously were tomahawks, hide skinners and scrapers, and even a grinding stone used for grinding com or roots. I still have these today. They are being used to embellish our house on the hill immediately north of Henry's Fork.
The initial years on the farm were hard years, but we always had plenty to eat and our physical needs were cared for generously by my parents. They were happy times. I particularly appreciated and enjoyed the little creek that runs through the south side of the ranch. Its origins spring forth about a mile to two miles above the ranch on the Baker ranch. I soon leamed the creek was a great stream for rainbow, cutthroat, and spotted trout. I would work hard during the day just to find a few spare moments of free time that I would use to fish the creek. I always caught trout when no one else could. My first fishing gear was an old willow stick, some cotton string, and a bent safety pin. I caught my first fish with this equipment. Sadly, the natural beauty of the creek and its ability to produce such great fishing has been severely compromised, if not mined, by the modem demands and needs placed on the stream for sprinkler irrigation of ours and contiguous farms.
My life was greatly enriched through the combined educational experience in Ashton and growing up as the son of an agriculturist. Academically, my grades were good but not outstanding. That was my fault, not that of any of my teachers. They all knew 1 could do better, but other interests took precedence, including sports and social activities... and the farm itself I did do well in the sports of football and basketball. I was a first string offense and defense player my junior year that we took the District Championship against teams like Rexburg, Sugar City, St. Anthony, and Bonneville. Teton was never a factor, but we also played them. Basketball. ..we did well, but we were too small of a town to compete against the bigger schools to excel. 1 was about 6*1" in high school, which of necessity made me the center and also the co- captain. Upon graduadon from high school, 1 received a scholarship from Ricks College to play football for them. I made the traveling team but was forced to quit because of critical injuries to both my knees while in high school. I never sought the appropriate medical attention at the time, and they were unable to sustain me in the increasing demands of college football.
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Upon graduation from high school. Mom and Dad gave Dennis and myself a 1956 four- door Chevy Impala as a graduation present. The same time they gave us each a Book of Mormon and told us that the book would have more value to us in our life than the car would. That sage advice went right past me! In the two years from graduation until 1 accepted a call as a missionary to the North Central States, Dennis and I managed to virtually drive that car right into the ground! The North Central States Mission comprised all of Manitoba and western Ontario, Canada, the eastern half of the North and South Dakota and all of Minnesota. I spent 2/3 of my time as a missionary in Canada, concluding my mission there as a Supervising Elder in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The two years experience as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints truly taught me the value of the Book of Mormon as an anchor to my life and as a constant reference for direction therein. My mother's prophetic advice was well directed!
My Ashton heritage and life-forming experiences contributed significantly to the formulation of my thinking, values, and goals. It was here I resolved to become a lawyer. Specifically my resolve was spawned from an experience my folks had with the IRS. The IRS had challenged Dennis and my filing of an income tax return for a spud project that we had derived money from as part of a Future Farmers project. This project enabled us to obtain recognition as State Future Farmers, which, at that time, less than 2% of Future Farmer participants obtained. The challenge by the IRS so terrorized my parents and was so arbitrarily one-way that it resulted in combining our income with our parents for an increase of taxes, which was very difficult for my parents to pay. That experience bred into me the determination never to be in a position to be bullied by that government agency, or any other, without my having a fighting chance to press back the issue. On more than one occasion I have successfully won against the IRS on challenges to my income tax returns. This has been gratifying and directly related to my Ashton heritage.
For all intents and purposes, my departure to the mission field in 1956 began the severance process from Ashton to a larger world. While on my mission, I gained even a greater appreciation and recognition of the need for higher education. Upon my return, I immediately enrolled at Brigham Young University in Provo. I had resolved to go to BYU Provo to remove myself from the magnetism of the farm and Ashton, which I loved greatly. Upon return from my mission, I proceeded to realize my educational goal of ultimately acquiring a law degree and practicing law. During my education process at Brigham Young University, I met my wife, Linda Lee Willardson. We met as a result of a blind date arranged by our roommates. Ultimately our relationship and love grew to result in our marriage in the Los Angeles Temple. At that time, Linda had completed her BS degree in Education and was credentialed as an elementary teacher. She returned to her hometown of San Diego and was under contract teaching third grade in the San Diego school system. I, however, had just barely completed my freshman year of college. We managed to get her a teaching assignment in Provo, and, after a small stint at San Diego State College, I returned to Provo to complete my bachelors degree from BYU in Political Science. Realizing the non-economic value of Political Science as a major, I took the minimal number of courses required for the degree and had a split minor between Accounting and Business Management. This split minor, with an over-indulgence in psychology classes, were far more valuable to me throughout my life than the Political Science degree. However, Political science was the norm for preparation for acceptance into law school.
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Upon graduation from BYU in 1963, Linda and I moved to California, and I became employed by Bank of America in their Fiduciary and Investment division . Four years later, both Linda and I were sufficiently contributing to our economic situation such as to allow me to begin law school. I was admitted to Loyola Evening Law School in Los Angeles. Loyola was a Catholic Jesuit-taught law school. A year after admission, I was re-assigned from the Beverly Hills Trust office position to San Francisco as an assistant to the division head of Fiduciary and Investment activity. It was then that we moved to our Pleasant Hill home of 38 years. I was able to transfer from Loyola to the University of San Francisco, which again was a Jesuit-taught Catholic school. Four years later, I achieved my goal of obtaining a law degree and gained a great appreciation and understanding of the Jesuits and the Catholic Church.
I have had many broadening experiences while working for Bank of America, which built upon the broadening of a legal education in the Catholic institution. My 30-year career with Bank of America was constantly evolving and challenging. From assistant to the director of Fiduciary and Investment Activity, I became a manager of a branch of such activity in San Rafael, California. Two years later, I was promoted to Assistant to the Sr. Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors and Assistant to the President of Bank for America. Two years later, at my request, I was transferred to the legal department as an Assistant Counsel. Shortly thereafter, I was asked to go to Washington, D.C., as the Bank's Legislative Counsel. They wanted a five year commitment. I wanted a two-year experience. We compromised with three years. My responsibilities were to advocate the bank's interest in both the Senate and Congressional sides of Congress as well as to interact with the regulatory agencies in the bank's behalf The three- year experience was truly a broadening experience for me and my family. We made many wonderful and good friends that we cherish today.
Upon returning to San Francisco, I continued to work within the legal department, advancing to a Sr. Counsel. Upon my initiation, I was able to transfer out of legal back into the fiduciary and investment division of the bank where I became the head compliance officer and chief negotiator and liaison between the department and the bank's legal department. I worked long and hard hours but was fairly compensated for my work. I often remarked to Linda how fortunate I was to be blessed with doing the kind of work that I loved doing and at the same time, being so well compensated for it.
During this time of education and work experience, Linda and I managed to have our family. Of all our experiences, our children have been our greatest and most crowning achievement. They have graced us presently with 24 grandchildren. ..all bom or sealed under the eternal covenant of marriage. Their activity, strength, and service to the Church and communities they live in is our combined legacy, of which we are not ashamed to be grateful and proud.
We presently live in Ashton. We sold our home of 38 years in Pleasant Hill, California, and moved to Ashton in April of 2005. After my mother's death and receiving the home on the ranch as an inheritance, we spent several summers in Ashton. It was during those stays that our families would come and recreate with us. They had all left California for better work opportunities and greatly improved home accommodations and preferred to have ftin with us in Idaho rather than in California. We consciously made the decision to move here to build on an evolving legacy that nicely springs from my origins in Ashton and most especially my parents, Zeke and Louise Egbert. The home we built was designed with the combined views of my wife
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and me to provide a place for our families to recreate together or to be a refuge from the vicissitudes of life that our children and grandchildren might experience. They say. ...'Tf you build it. they will come." Already we have been blessed with our daughter, Correne, her husband, Jim and their four children. ..Kyle, Bradley, Renee, and Jacob Brent, who have, out of necessity. ..sold their home in Dallas and moved to Ashton to live with us. During this time, Jim will continue to pursue an education at BYU Idaho. Frankly, we are most pleased that our home will serve our family first as a refuge, and yet is adequate to provide for a place for all to recreate and build on family values and the Ashton heritage. This is all possible because they all share a feeling of "attachment, acceptance, and appreciation" for the Ashton area, its people, and its beautiful surroundings and environment.
Linda reminds me that I have omitted my church service and activity. In addition to a two year mission, I have served in a number of positions as counselor and president in the Priesthood quorums and auxiliaries of the Church. From 1980 to 1985, I was First Counselor to Bishop Dick Stauffer in the newly-formed California Pleasant Hill III Ward. From 1985 to 1991, 1 served as Bishop of this same ward. I also served on the High Council of the Oakland Stake. My wife and I fulfilled a two year mission together as members of the inner-city 9"'' Branch of Oakland, which was predominately minority. There again, we both experienced a broadening and appreciating experience of many dear brothers and sisters whose culture and life experiences have not been as generous as ours. Nevertheless, their gratitude for what little they have been blessed profoundly affected us as being greater than that of the membership of the Church generally who have been blessed so much more. We learned much from them that sweetened and strengthened our lives and our commitment to each other, our children, and to our Father in Heaven.
As you have read my history, it is obviously no secret that I have a firm belief and testimony of a kind and loving Father in Heaven and of his gracious and merciful son, Jesus Christ. I know they in tandem worked together to provide us an example and teachings that both my wife and I have inculcated into our lives that have made the preceding experiences of this life rich and truly fiilfilling. I have never felt the need to ever apologize or to denigrate or separate myself from this influence either in my occupation or my personal life. Indeed, it has been the ROCK of my salvation and desires for myself and my family. What a wonderful mixture of strength when this is combined with the heritage that I began with, and shall end with, here in my beloved Ashton.
In conclusion, I feel greatly blessed to have begun my life here, received adequate preparation to effectively deal with the world sufficiently to provide for my wife and children, and to now return and build on the more profound family relationships that will co-exist in the eternities.
By Howard Brent Egbert
Cl<ifitati 5'uala: In the early days with "outhouses," many people would tie a rope from the house door to the outhouse door to follow in blizzard conditions so they wouldn't get lost.
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Egbert, Joseph Hollis and
Emmeline Whittle. Joseph was
bom 20 Aug 1870 in St. Joseph,
Piute, Nevada, to Robert Newton
and Josephine McCosker EGBERT.
He died 12 Feb 1934 in Marysville,
Idaho, and was buried 14 Feb 1924
in the Pineview Cemetery in
Ashton, Idaho. Joseph married
Emmeline 10 Jan 1894 in Logan,
Utah. She was bom 18 Aug 1871
in Richmond, Utah to Zerah and
Cassandra Pope WHITTLE. She
died 31 Aug 1962 in Ashton, Idaho,
and was buried 4 Sep 1 962 in the Pineview Cemetery in Ashton, Idaho. They had the following children:
Josephine Egbert bom 2 Apr 1895 in Richmond, Idaho. She died 24 Jun 1958. She
married Adam Earl Carter 3 Oct 1 93 1 . Hollis Russ bom 16 Dec 1896 in Marysville, Idaho. (See Egbert, Hollis Russ.) Arminta was bom 15 Apr 1898 in Marysville, Idaho. (See Cordingley, George Huggins.) Bessie bom 4 Mar 1900 in Marysville, Idaho. She died 22 May 1979. (See Davis,
Jefferson Eugene Davis.) Thelma bom 6 Feb 1902 in Marysville, Idaho. She died 22 Jan 1990. She married John
Harlow Hendricks 16 Jun 1920. Zera Newton bom 6 Feb 1904 in Marysville, Idaho. (See Egbert, Zera Newton.) Cassanda was bom 6 Sep 1906 in Marysville, Idaho, and died 27 Nov 1961. Unmarried. Herschel Whittle was bom 21 Jun 1908 in Marysville, Idaho, and died 8 Jan 2002. He married Eva Lorene Sanders 17 Mar 1928.
Joseph Hollis Egbert
Emmeline Whittle Egbert
Joseph was bom the second son. His parents were at the little settlement of St. Joseph responding to the call of President Brigham Young to colonize the area. St. Joseph area is now under Lake Mead. In Church history, this undertaking was called The Muddy Mission because it was located near the Muddy River. After four or five years the family, released from the call, went to Lewiston, Utah, to live. Here Joseph attended elementary school and later Brigham Young College. He taught school for a time in Gentile Valley and worked in a store at Lewiston.
At the age of 23, Joseph married Emmeline in the Logan LDS Temple in Utah. After two years he moved to Marysville, Fremont, Idaho, in the Upper Snake River Valley. He brought with him his wife and one small daughter, Josephine. The family was among the early pioneers to settle in this area.
Joseph exhibited great interest in building up the country. He helped build canals that brought water to many thirsty acres of land. He helped build schools, churches, and bridges.
Joseph's son, Hollis Russ, said his father was a member of the first board of tmstees of the village of Marysville, along with Bishop James H. Wilson, William A. Barrett, Levi B. Reynolds, and James G. Wood, at the time the village was incorporated, January 15, 1904. He
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served in that capacity for many years. He was enthusiastic in all civic affairs and made many trips to Boise in the interest of railroads, right of ways, roads, etc. At different times he served as County Commissioner, County Assessor, Deputy Game Warden, Marshal of the town of Marysville, and County Sheriff.
He was a rancher who raised all kinds of livestock and farmed quite a large tract of land. He raised, bought, baled, and sold hay to the stage coach companies in Yellowstone Park. This was loaded at Warm River and shipped by rail to West Yellowstone.
During the years of 1910-1914, Holl, as he was called, was asked by Mr. Frank T. Crow and Mr. Robert V. Sass, who were supervising engineers and superintendent of construction in charge of building the Jackson Lake Dam at Moran, Wyoming, to supervise the hauling of the freight for this project from Ashton to Moran.
In the winter of 1911, Joseph Hollis took a contract to haul coal from a mine in Wyoming to Moran and other places around there. In the winter of 1 9 1 3- 1 9 1 4, he also took a contract of moving six large boilers over the Jackson Pass from Victor to Wilson. A Mr. Blanchard of Victor was his main helper in the project. The boilers were 22 feet long and weighed 8 tons each. It took wide tract sleighs and plenty of good snow horses to do the job in from two to nine feet of snow.
In the summer of 1914, he took a contract to build a swimming pool at Old Faithful in Yellowstone Park. The hole was plowed with horses on a hand plow. Slip scrapers were used to take the dirt out. Holl and his son Russ were helped in this project by HoU's brother Pari and his son, Rob. They witnessed the Bee Hive Geyser blow up and tear its cone all to pieces while at work one day. It did not play again for a long time.
HolFs interest in politics was climaxed in the fall of 1930 when he ran for State Representative on the Republican ticket. He won this election and also the next three, serving four consecutive terms in the State Legislature in Boise. His family says he introduced a bill that culminated in the establishment of the school for the Indians at the Fort Hall Indian Reservation. His greatest interest while there was in agriculture and reclamation. They said he would have so enjoyed the campaign talks etc., on TV and radio, but these came after his time.
In the summer of 1926, Joseph Hollis took a contract to build a stretch of road between Sunset Lodge and the Montana west line. He was very efficient as a road builder and was in demand more than he could do because of his other interests. His son-in-law, George Cordingley, was a good grade man and helped him a lot in his road work.
He was a devoted husband and a good provider for his wife and eight children.
Joseph died at age 64 at his farm home northeast of Marysville, Idaho. His daughter, Thelma, said he took suddenly sick on February 6"' and died the 12"' with pneumonia. His strength, leadership, and loving counsel was greatly missed by all who knew him.
A tribute to Joseph from his mother, Mrs. Josephine McCosker Egbert, on his 3r' birthday.
1-Just thirty years ago today 3-Many years have passed since then
And one more added on. With joys and sorrows too;
Was down in Old Saint Joseph, My boys have all grown to be men
A little babe was bom. I trust they're good and true.
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2-1 can see that little dark head And lovely big dark eyes; As he sat upon his Pappa's knee And looked so wondrous wise.
4- And may the Father bless you Where ever you may be; And guide your feet in righteousness, To the Great Etemity.77
77Emmeline was the fourth child in a family often children. Her daughter, Arminta, tells us if she had unhappy moments in her childhood, she never talked of them. She always had praise and admiration in her heart for her parents, her brothers and sisters, and when speaking of them she would always say, "Bless them."
She often told of the time when she and her brother Will were playing in the sawdust and while chopping around with a hatchet, she cut off his finger. She was not afraid of her parents for they never used harsh punishment, but she told of how she crawled under the granary until dark, then her father told her he would give her the largest radish he could find in the garden if she would come out from under the building. Not because she wanted the radish, but because she was afraid of the dark, did she come out.
She often talked of the many times she would go to the meadow to get hay for the horses and of her father's patience and kindness to them. She never ceased to praise him. Although she was very small when he passed away, very few days passed by that she did not tell of some kind thing he did for her. After his death, her desire was to help her sisters and brothers lighten the load and responsibility, which they knew had come to their mother. There were five younger children, and their help was needed. "Mother, (Arminta writes) helped the neighbor ladies with
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their house work and was always very observant." She loved order and cleanliness, and with the training she received from her mother and the help of the lovely ladies she worked for, she became a very efficient home maker.
We have all heard her tell of her experiences, and I will mention a few. She went to work for Pond and Webster in their store at Lewiston, Utah. She loved the work. She was always a very intelligent, gracious woman and had the love and respect of all who knew her. Robert Newton Egbert, a native of Lewiston, who later became her father-in-law, came into the store one day, admired her, and after her marriage to Joseph Mollis Egbert (his son), Robert told her of the day he saw her in the store and upon his return home, of telling his wife about the lovely little girl and how very happy he would be to have her for his daughter-in-law. No doubt he was instrumental in promoting their courtship, for some time after his (Robert's) visit to the store, HoUis called to see Emmeline, and I am sure that he had the same feeling toward her, for after calling to see her he had a desire to know her mother. After meeting her, he was often heard to say that he had a hard time deciding which of the two he loved most. The decision was finally reached and he gained courage enough to call on Cassandra Whittle one day and ask her for her daughter, Ina, which was what they called Emmeline. Grandmother hesitated for a while then said, "Well, take her, she is the one who will have to live with you."
Emmeline (says her son Russ) also worked for Pond Bros. Construction Co. cooking for 25 or 30 men. They were building railroad through Southern Idaho.
Arminta says, not long before Mother's death, she related the story of her marriage. She said the morning after their wedding. Father got up, and before dressing, he took her dress in one hand and his pants in the other and asked, ''Which of these do you prefer to wear?" She laughed when she said, "My dress." She said from then on throughout our married life I remembered my promise. I took my place as a wife and mother in our home, and he stood at the head of the house. He ruled the home with love and kindness, and never did I hear our father raise his voice in anger to our mother.
They started their married life on eighty acres of ground west of Lewiston, Utah. It was at that home their first child, Josephine, was bom. She was a beautiftil baby and, being the first grandchild for the Egbert's, she received much love and attention. The baby was fifteen months old when they, like many of the young married couples of Cache Valley, got the pioneer spirit, put their possessions in a covered wagon, and moved to the Upper Snake River Valley in Idaho to the little town which was later called Marysville.
December 16, 1896, Mollis Russ was bom. New strength was added to the home for now they had a daughter and a son to strengthen their morale and to help make decisions. Russ was not the baby for long for on April 15, 1898, Arminta was bom.
The family moved from Fall River to Lodi, which is now northwest of Ashton, and is no longer called Lodi but is a part of Ashton. At this place in 1900, March 4"', another girl was bom named Bessie. They farmed here for two years then moved to the little town of Marysville, a few miles southeast of Lodi. Mere three more children were bom: Thelma, Zera Newton, and Cassanda. They then moved to the farm east of Marysville and their last child was bom, Merschel Whittle Egbert.
Their home was always open to anyone who needed a place to stay, and she never hesitated to feed the hungry and clothe the poor. Mother became very ill, for since she was a girl
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sixteen years of age and working for the Pond Brothers, she noticed a Httle lump appear on her neck. It bothered her from then on and turned into a huge ugly double goiter which hung from her neck, extending below her breast. This caused a complex with Mother, but in spite of it all, the caring for the duties of a mother, she labored faithfully each year to do her part. In the year 1917 she became very ill and was told that she must have an operation to remove this ugly growth. Fearing the operation may not be successful, she hesitated to have it done. Putting her trust in the Lord, knowing that only through faith and the power of the Priesthood she could be healed, she asked that President Miller, who was the President of the Yellowstone Stake, to come out to the home to administer to her. When he entered the door, Mother said that she saw a circle of light around his head. She was promised that she would be made well. Two days after President Miller's visit to the home, with our father and Dr. E. L. Hargis, the longtime family doctor, she went by train to Salt Lake City, entered the LDS Hospital and was operated on. This operation was the first of its kind to be successful; others had failed. For many years, because of the goiter, she never cared to associate with other people. Before going into the operating room,
Holl Egbert Family Home
Father told her that he was going up town and buy her the nicest dress he could find in Salt Lake, and that he did.
When she came home she was wearing the most beautiful blue taffeta dress. She was so lovely in it. At the dinner table that night she said the doctor was very efficient and did the operating, but someone more powerful than he guided the knife. She was always instilling in the minds and hearts of her family the goodness of men and the power of God.
She was loved and respected by all who knew her. While her husband was serving in the House of Representatives at Boise for four terms, which put him there eight years, she often
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visited him and became personally acquainted with the government otTicials. On one occasion, complimentary to his accomplishments. Senator Borah presented her with a beautiful black suit, expressing their appreciation for the wonderful work State Representative J.H. Egbert had done.
Emmeline was thought to be an artist at churning, molding, and wrapping pounds of butter for sale (said daughter Thelma). The monogram on the butter paper read - Mrs. J. H. Egbert Ranch Butter. She dried fruit and made preserves to fill the old fashioned crock jars. She pickled string beans in these jars and also crabapples with stems left on them were preserved and so enjoyed by her grandchildren. She used the crock jars for preserving delicious pears, apples, peaches, and white rinds of watermelon. She would can much good food and would say, "Now we won't start eating what we have stored for winter until Thanksgiving Day."
Emmeline would pray aloud when the need arose for help from the Lord (says daughter Thelma), such as the time her baby Zera was caught in the pole fence by his head. She prayed and pried with a lever until he was released.
After the death of her husband, she and her daughter Cassanda left the farm and moved near her family, and as time went by she gave up her home to live with her children. Although her physical body lost its strength, her mind remained young and active. She attended conference in St. Anthony one Sunday after she had reached the age of ninety and Mack Reynolds, a young man, took hold of her arm to help her down the steps. She walked rather spry and fearing that she was going too fast for him she asked, "Mack, am I walking too fast for you?" When she was asked to ride in a car leading the parade of a pioneer celebration she refused, saying, "If they think I am going to ride with all of the old people, they are foolish."
She patiently cared for her invalid daughter Cassanda until she died in 1961; then nine months later Emmeline quietly passed away in her sleep at the home of her son, H. Russ Egbert, at Ashton, Idaho.
More information in "Marysville, Idaho People and Happenings" pg 143-148.
Information taken from Marva Egbert Rieh Family Group Sheet and histories submitted and compiled by Marva Rich on Joseph Mollis and Emmeline, from writings of her daughters, Thelma and Arminta.
Emmeline Whittle Egbert
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Sarah and Zera Egbert
Egbert, Zera Newton and Sarah Louise Howard (Fisk). Zera was bom 6 Feb 1904 in Marysville, Idaho, to Joseph HoUis and Emmaline Whittle EGBERT. He died 16 Nov 1973 in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and was buried 20 Nov 1973 in Ashton, Idaho. He married Sarah 13 Aug 1930 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She was bom 4 May 1912 in Chester, Idaho, to Don Carlos and Annie Marie Matilda Johnson HOWARD (FISK). She died 13 Jun 2000 in Ashton, Idaho, and was buried 17 Jun 2000 in Ashton, Idaho. They had the following children:
Zee J bom 14 Mar 1931 in Chester,
Idaho. He married Peggy Eileen Call 16 Dec 1953 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. LaRee bom 28 Dec 1932 in Marysville,
Idaho. She died 13 Feb 1934 and was buried in Ashton, Idaho. Zeralene bom 28 Mar 1935 in Marysville, Idaho. (See Blanchard, Alma Lane.) Dennis LaVoy bom 1 Apr 1937 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. (See Egbert, Dennis LaVoy.) Howard Brent bom 1 Jul 1938 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. (See Egbert, Howard Brent.) Trenna Louise bom 10 Jul 1939 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. (See Hillam, Amold Bmce.) Zeke was the 3"* youngest child bom to his parents. His sisters and brothers are Josephine, Hollis Russ, Arminta, Bessie, Thelma, Cassanda and Herschel.
He grew up in the beautiful farming country of south-eastem Idaho and leamed to love
working with the land, plants, and animals. He went to 1 *' grade at Marysville. It was a large school (three stories plus a basement) in a thriving
community. He continued his education through the 10'" grade. That was the end of his schooling. He then took care of his mom and Zee J holding Brent, Dennis, and Zeralene EGBERT. Marysville school "Cassann," (his in background. sister who was
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bom crippled), while his dad served at Boise for five years as a representative in the legislature from Fremont County. (There is a picUire hanging in the Hall of Fame in Boise of Zera. Brent is very proud of this.)
He loved to ride the range, as he called his dad's farm. Today it is called the LDS Girls Ranch in Greentimber. His family owned 200 or 300 acres up there. They raised summer hay and would haul it down on sleighs in the wintertime to the cattle. He even drove a team of horses when he was a child-not a bit older than nine! He farmed his father's farm until they lost it because they couldn't pay the mortgage off. After they lost it, he rented it and continued to farm it.
He then worked at various jobs. I remember he built the road in front of Pond's Lodge on the Buffalo River between Last Chance and Mack's Inn on the road to Yellowstone National Park. He earned $ 1 ,005.00 for his work on it.
His dad would go to Utah and get groceries and all kinds of things that the people of Jackson would need, and then he and his dad would go over by sleigh in the wintertime through the Old Flagg Ranch and sell the groceries and goods at a profit. Zeke would drive a team right behind his dad. His dad actually helped to build the big dam at Jackson Lake.
During a couple of winters, Zeke went with his dad to Boise, and he worked there as a janitor. But his real love was farming and cattle. He loved horses and was a good rider. On the combine, he drove an 8-horse team. He had a rare sensitivity to the growing crops - wouldn't let even a little patch of planted ground go without water. He loved seeing things fresh and green. He liked to have his rows of potatoes planted straight and worked hard to make sure they were. In fact, Zeke was an orderly person in most ways. His yard was clean and mowed. He didn't like piles of "things." Even his farm workshop, with his tools and equipment, was always kept neat and orderly. This extended to unseen places, like drawers. He always knew where everything was!
Zeke was a very handsome man. He had beautifiil blue eyes, dark brown hair, and very fair skin. It was so fair that he would easily sunburn, often right through his shirt onto his shoulders! He grew to be 5' 10" and wore a size 10 shoe as an adult. His weight was about 180 lbs. He was left-handed. The one exception to this was that his teacher insisted that he write his schoolwork right-handed, so he became a right-handed writer. Everything else was left-handed. He developed ulcers early in his life. Every spring his stomach would get to hurting, and he'd lose about 1 5 lbs. Eventually he had the ulcers cut out by surgery. They had to take a good portion of his stomach, and this did help for several years. But eventually the ulcers did return and played a part in his death. He was definitely an "outdoor man" and loved the land, the seasons, and appreciated the beauty of it all. He was not a good swimmer, but he always tried!
Zeke had a great weakness for candy, and one could be sure he'd have some in his pocket most of the time. He had a real "sweet tooth." He especially loved the stiff, black, thick licorice sticks. He loved mashed potatoes, good meat, cake, pies, and cookies. Raisin-filled cookies were a big favorite of his. He would put sugar in his salt shaker to make people think he was putting salt on his tomatoes and grapefruit. One afternoon Arnold was eating watemielon, and he took the salt shaker and started putting salt on it. It just didn't seem to be getting any salty taste, and Arnold was getting frustrated. He looked over at Zeke, and he was just chuckling and enjoying the scene! Arnold figured it out!
He loved to go to M.l.A. (the LDS teenage youth organization) and get in on the contest
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dances. He was an outstanding, graceful dancer. When he walked on the floor, everybody watched! He was a baptized member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but the theology never played an important role in his life until after his marriage to Louise when they had young children. Since the area where he was raised was predominately LDS, the Mormon way of Hfe was more just part of his culture. He fit in very well.
He wasn't much for public speaking and whenever it was part of a responsibility of his, he always wanted Louise, his wife, to do it. One night at a dance practice when details to a large group were to be given, he stood and said, "My wife's done all the talking for the last 15 years, and there's no need for me to start now!" ...and he sat down. Needless to say, everyone laughed, and then Louise took over and gave the instructions, and it was a tremendous success! There was one time, however, when he couldn't pass off the assignment. He was one of the President of Seventy in the old Yellowstone Stake. They were having a meeting in the historic St. Anthony Tabernacle. S. Dillworth Young of the Council of Seventy was visiting. Early that Sunday morning, the cattle broke through the electric fence that we had jury-rigged on the north side of the farm on the river where the electrician had attempted to drop 1 10 power off from our 440 irrigation pump. After much struggle and facing tardiness at conference, Zeke, in great frustration said, "We have to go! The cattle can go to hell!" When "Dilly" (as they referred to this great general authority), heard of this situation, he stood in the meeting and said, "Well, now I know where hell is. It's in the neighbor's field."
Zeke was always the instigator of quiet acts of charity to the poor and needy. There were plenty of poor and needy that passed his path during his life. No mortal groups were privy to the knowledge of his gifts. His acts were not for the praise of man, but just to help. Oftentimes not even his wife knew, but at his fiineral many people came and told her and his son. Brent, of their individual experiences with Zeke and his thoughtftilness. Many are the times he would hitch his team of horses and get people out of the snow when they were stuck. His house in Marysville was located close to an area where people would walk up to it for help when they were stuck. After his daughter, Trenna, got rheumatic fever when she was two, it was necessary for them to get a phone. Many strangers would come and use that, too. He was generous with what he had.
One of the joys of farming for Zeke was teaching his own sons to work. They all learned to work and love the land as he did. In the days when he was raising his children, hay loading was done as a family. It was not a one-man job as it became in later years. Many fond memories and much hard work was done when the family raised turkeys-all together. It was definitely a family affair, and each of his children can remember this experience with great fondness. Other times when the whole family would help was during spud harvest. Louise would drive the tractor, the girls would be working on the combine behind her, and the boys would be driving truck. Zee J. would be in the spud cellars, and Zeke would be wherever he was needed. School would have vacation for two weeks so that children from all the farms could help their families.
He derived great happiness just being with his wife and family. He enjoyed the closeness and love they had for each other and the Gospel that gave him the assurance of them being together as a family throughout eternity. Family prayer at breakfast table was a part of their daily life, they always attended church together, and he taught them all to love the Gospel and to be grateful for their blessings.
He served in many ward and stake callings in the church. He was a ward MIA Counselor
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and also served in that same position in the stake. He and his wife, Louise, served as ward and stake dance instructors for years and years. While serving as a Seventy, he served as one of 7 presidents of Seventies Quorum for the stake. Another calling he really enjoyed was presiding at the summertime Sacrament meetings at Yellowstone (Old Faithful, Yellowstone Lake, and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone) where they provided church services for vacationers and people living in their summer cabins.
Zeke wouldn't sing. He struggled trying to sing parts alone, but he could follow and really had a nice voice. He sang tenor, but he had difficulty staying on tune. Pretty soon that bothered him, and he just stopped singing! He loved music of all kinds, though. Zeke was always clowning around, and he loved to use singing in a joking way. He wouldn't sing in the choir but enjoyed supporting his musical family as they were always involved in musical productions in one way or another. His ballroom dancing was the way he loved to express himself musically. However, he could and would yodel, and he did it beautifully. At one time he, taught his oldest son the art of yodeling, but Zee J didn't take the time to cultivate this particular talent.
Zeke was almost blind in his right eye. When he was younger, he got some metal in his eye when he was pounding on something, and they had to draw it out with a magnet. But the next accident happened to get glass into his eye, and the doctor had to cut it out. Thus, his eye became permanently damaged.
He had some unfortunate accidents that resulted in several parts of fingers missing. The first accident resulted when chopping wood for his mother and Cassann. He chopped his right thumb and the first finger off He had to have them sewn on. Then, when he was first married, he had another accident where he had to have his hand attended to. He hurt it on some machinery, and hurried and threw a blanket on a horse and wrapped his hand in a tea towel. He went to one local doctor but he couldn't help him because of emergencies piling up, so he had to ride on to see another doctor. This was a Dr. Meacham. He spent three hours tying all the little cords and tendons. He sent him home and said that infection was likely. But, as it turned out, his hand healed beautifiilly because his "blood was clean." He didn't smoke, and he didn't drink. Zeke felt very fortunate and was left with a scar to remind him of that incident. He eventually lost other fingers in the drive chains on the potato diggers.
About the time of the end of World War II, a wonderful event transpired for this little family. He bought his own farm of nearly a thousand acres outside of Ashton on 1 Apr 1948 for $90,000.00. (It was actually recorded on 30 Jun 1953.) This was a dream come true for Zeke and Louise. They truly loved this particular piece of land. He promised the man that he bought it from, Johnny Spratling, that he would never divide it and sell it in smaller parcels. This is a promise he kept true. He got it to farm for himself and his boys, and this he and his wife did for the rest of his life. His son, Zee J, continued to farm with his father after the other siblings left after marriages and missions and helped it become free and clear from debt. The soil is perfect for beautiful seed potatoes, and crops of alfalfa, wheat, and other grains flourish.
In his later years, he developed arthritis in his shoulders and knees. He had several operations on his legs, but he still suffered with pain all the time.
He liked to read the scriptures and enjoyed many church books. He loved the prophets and had a great testimony of the Gospel. He considered it a privilege and not a sacrifice or a hardship when he could send his sons on missions. They all served honorable missions. All of
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his children have either been married or sealed in the temple and have remained very active in the Church.
Zeke suffered an accident on a tractor (brought on by a bleeding ulcer which caused him to pass out), which led to his death.7^
By Louise, Linda and Brent Egbert
WA little girl was bom 4 May 1912 in the small town of Chester, Idaho. She was the last often children and the name that was given to her was Sarah Louise Howard. Her parents actually were pioneers of this area, arriving in 1888. They first lived in Wilford in an old house near the Teton River, after which they moved to Chester on a homestead on April Fool's Day, 1889.
Louise is what she went by, but I will refer to her as "Grandma" as I share her life sketch with you.
She was an energetic girl and made friends easily. In fact, many friends were life-long lasting. She was very popular in school but was unable to complete her education because she had to work. She was a skilled horseman and frequently could out-ride most of the guys, yet she was every bit as much of a lady.
She, Aunt Madge, and some friends always enjoyed going to dances at Warm River. One night on the way to the dance, the car headlights went out. A handsome young man happened to come along and offered to help. Driving behind them, he became their headlights, and they continued on to the dance. While at the dance, this gentleman who assisted them earlier seemed pretty popular with the girls. He would share his obvious talent in dancing with several. To make a long story short, they made a cute couple and enjoyed the same interests. The two became quite fond of each other and were married.
They started their family as well as a career in farming. Initially they rented ground, but they always wanted a place of their own to raise their children. In 1945, they were able to purchase their own farm north of Ashton, where she has resided ever since.
Grandma and Grandpa always farmed. She loved working the land side by side with him and always felt so blessed to live in this area. They both knew how to mix business with pleasure. While working in the field, they would take a little time to sit the children down, have them eat their lunch, and they remember watching their mom and dad practice their dance routines in the dirt. This was all in preparation for the Youth Dance Festivals. Their love for dancing was evident wherever they performed.
Grandma was a woman of many talents. Her talents were musical as well as choreography, drama, and dancing. She would compose and put on fabulous Road Shows and productions. One of her productions turned into a fund raiser for the building of their stake center. She would often work on the productions and then work on the posters for advertising them. There was very little that she couldn't or wouldn't do. In fact.. .was there anything? Grandma and Grandpa spent many hours of service in the church. Both were very familiar with the scriptures. They taught, through example to their children, the love of service and the value of life. Zeke was the more quiet one.. .and Louise was very outgoing. They complemented each other very nicely and their company was always valued wherever they went.
When it was possible (and it wasn't often), they would take their family on occasional
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trips. Traditionally they would travel to California for the purpose of taking Grandma Howard to visit her family, until she passed away. The trips then would be simply taking the family through Yellowstone Park or to Lava Hot Springs for the Howard Family Reunion. Eventually the Howard reunions would take place at Porter's Park in Rexburg. I think a lot of us remember those.
Another tradition that was fun for the family was when Grandma and Grandpa would treat their children, after the harvest was over, to Johnny's Cafe. There they would order the fabulous soup and breaded veal cutlets. They were paid an allowance from working on the farm so at this time, they would take their money that they earned to buy clothes for school and do a little Christmas shopping. I remember when Grandma and Grandpa would take us up to the Last Chance Chalet for a delicious meal in celebrating the end of spud harvest.
While we're on the subject of the harvest, I remember when Uncle Zee J's family and Mom's family would go up and work in the potatoes. The hillsides were painted with beautiful fall color. Grandma was getting to the point where she couldn't work out in the fields, so instead she would work around the yard, cook, and watch Zee J's youngest daughter, LaRee. Grandma loved to cook and boy, could she cook! ! ! Grandma would make it a point to come out to the fields and cellar to bring us treats. Still to this day, I miss those black licorice sticks that you simply can't find anymore! What wonderful memories I have etched in my mind of spud harvest.
If I may share with you another memory that seems to come to mind and probably to a lot of us. ..do the words "pea patch" mean something to you? I remember always arriving at the farm bright and early in the morning when it was cool so as to beat the heat of the sun. Usually we didn't get breakfast before we came, so hunger was pretty prevalent towards the end of the picking. Because of this, we came up with a song while we worked to the tune of "The Oscar Meyer Wiener." Grandma would get such a kick out of it, and it goes like this: (Melanie sang the song.) Well, of course Grandma always had breakfast made for us. Pancakes, bacon, and eggs, which (of course), gave us the strength to now shell the peas! Grandma was #1 with us. We would then pick our spot in the shade and shell the peas. They were so sweet and deliciously fresh.
Grandma was a perfectionist when it came to cleaning her home and it extended to her decorating. Her cupboards and walls were often painted. ..and they would just glow with not a single bit of sticking dust while they were drying to mar the sheen when they were finished. Despite this, everyone felt comfortable in her home. She would often cut hair for family and friends, and she gave beautiful permanents. She was a gifted seamstress and loved making baby blankets, costumes, Easter dresses, and beautiful gifts for her children and grandchildren. She was generous with all she had.. .and shared her delicious pies and treats with all visitors. I can sincerely say she was a "giver". ..but her generosity was quiet and not ostentatious.
Grandpa Zeke suffered an unfortunate tractor accident in 1973, which took his life. Grandma, now alone, chose to go on a full-time mission for the Church. She served in Linton, Indiana. The people there loved Sister Egbert and she loved them. She had a very successful mission. It seems that after certain missionaries leave the field, some members go inactive. This happened in Grandma's mission as well. Many years later. Uncle Arnold and Aunt Trenna had the need to go to Atlanta, Georgia. They thought it would be fun to invite Grandma to come along. They told her they could go see some of the Church history, Nauvoo, the Carthidge Jail,
224
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Adam Ahdiahman, but the highlight would be to go back to her mission area where she served almost 20 years earlier. Grandma would be hesitant one minute, be excited the next, make an excuse another minute, and then turn around and be inquisitive about it the next. It's a good thing Uncle Arnold has a way of getting Grandma to do some things. So the closer they got to Linton, the more energetic she became. That Saturday night, word got around that Sister Egbert was back for a visit. On Sunday they went to the new church house that was built after her mission. A member of the bishopric came up to her, told her that the speakers were postponed, and that she was IT! The congregation was the fullest it had been in a long time. Sister Egbert gave the finest talk on "Love For One Another." This talk was very much needed, and Grandma was a missionary once again, bringing some members back into activity.
Another trip that Uncle Arnold and Aunt Trenna talked Grandma into taking with them was a trip to Hawaii. I don't think they had to coax too much because this was something she had wanted to do all her life. She had such a wonderfiil time. I understand that she shared her talent in hula dancing and impressed those who observed her, including the islanders.
Zeralene and her family often visited Grandma. Giving permanents was a favorite thing they did. The grandchildren remember a big huge box of cones Grandma always had... and she loved to fill them with ice cream for the kids when they would come. She ALWAYS had treats for everyone to eat.
In July of 1995, Grandma had surgery in Idaho Falls to remove some mass from her lungs. She came through the surgery beautifiilly. When she was ready to be released and to recuperate ftirther, she met with an unfortunate incident in the hospital in which she lost a lot of blood, which caused her to go downhill from then on. She never really was the same after that. Her health continued to fail and she couldn't gain her strength back. Uncle Zee J and Aunt Peggy did all they could to make it possible for her to stay in her home as long as she did. It finally got to the point when she needed around-the-clock care. Then is when she entered the Ashton Memorial Nursing Home where she was a resident for a year and a half... receiving excellent care. While in the home, she sdll felt the need to drive her car or cook her delicious pies and do for family and friends as she had always done before. Trenna and Arnold came out to visit and remember many times during the harvest time in the fall they would load her up in the car and take her out to the fields to watch the activity. She loved farming and always was an active participant in the fields when help was needed. This was a way to help her still feel a part of it all.
A few days before her passing, it was evident that Grandma's body organs were failing fast. Uncle Brent and his wife were visiting from California, and they took her for a ride to Warm River and wheeled her around in her wheelchair to see the fish and beauty of the outdoors. They knew she had a sense of her impending death. She told them, "Dad is waiting for me. He has been with us this whole trip." She also told them, "I can hardly believe that my Heavenly Father loved me enough to let me be bom, live my life, and die in this beautiful valley. Isn't this the most beautiful place?"
The next day. Uncle Zee J had the opportunity to take her in his truck on one last drive around the farm which she loved so much. She talked to Trenna on the phone the day before she died. Trenna wanted her to know that she was coming up to see her the next day. Louise said, "I won't be here, Trenna." Trenna asked, "Where will you be?" She answered that she didn't know..but she wouldn't be here! And.. .by the time Trenna made it there the next day, she had
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quietly passed away with Brent and Zee J at her side. Brent was holding her hand, and she just slowly stopped breathing. She peacefully fell to rest on June 13 at approximately 10 a.m. I can only imagine what a joyous reunion it was for all as she joined her beloved Zeke and all her loved ones on the other side of the veil!
(This was originally written by Melanie Taylor, a granddaughter, and given at her funeral. Later additions of events were added for this history by Linda Egbert (daughter-in-law) and Zeralene and Trenna...her daughters.)
I had a happy childhood, was taught correct principles and the joy of real work by my good pioneer parents. I loved to ride horses. I loved to swim. I loved babies and tended plenty of them. I also loved to dance and to sing, and was privileged in my lifetime to do a lot of both as I was called to various positions in the Church.
I also, as a child, saw my benevolent mother work very hard as a Relief Society President, a position she held for many years. So-to be a Relief Society President was never one of my aspirations. However, in the month of November 1962, 1 was called to this position and cried the whole week before I was installed. I felt so weak and so inadequate for such a calling. How 1 underestimated the power and blessings of my Heavenly Father! It proved to be one of the greatest experiences of my life. With Sister Beverly Groesbeck and Deon Davis as counselors and Sister Myrtle Millward as secretary, how could it be otherwise?
At the time of our call, plans were being made to enlarge and remodel our chapel. So it proved, along with all other duties, to be a fund-raising time. Try and guess, when all the auxiliaries were asked to each raise one thousand dollars, who came up first with their money-our Relief Society sisters!
We were given many ways and opportunities to raise funds, but I think the most successful were our bazaars, banquets, and programs.
We cooked and served banquets on both a stake and ward basis. But I think the most challenging was our serving hot fried chicken box lunches at the BYU-Ricks College Education Week. 450 box lunches each day for 3 days. Booths for serving chili, hot dogs, and hamburgers were also set up to help take care of the large crowds. It took a lot of planning and organizing, but with the cooperation and hard work of the sisters and blessings of Heavenly Father, we succeeded in serving them in about 20 minutes, and they were able to return to their classes on time. My thanks to all.
I would like to mention one program rendered in our behalf by the members of the Ricks College faculty heads of the Music Department. There were four pianos on the stage all being played at the same time by Dr. Chester W. Hill, Nina Bohi, Ruth Barrus and Ruth Jacob.. .all dressed in tails and formals. Also beautifiil renditions on a large electric organ by Lucien Young. And oh, those beautiful voices - Lyle Bowen, Ruth Jacob, and Naomi Jergenson singing arias from great operas. My thanks again.
These were just a few of the things accomplished outside our regular curriculum. But I still have to mention our last bazaar. Never have 1 seen so many beautifiil and creative things. It was a huge success. Thanks for the love, support, and hard work of our sisters.
Now a few months prior to my release. Sister Beverly moved to Utah, so was released as
226
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counselor. And due to her failing eyesight, Sister Myrtle Millward was released as secretary. At this time, Sister Portia Loosli joined us as counselor and Sister Thelma Pence as secretary. Just as the two before them had done, so did these two inspired sisters add to our joy and happiness. In February of 1965, 1 was released. Though I was very tired, my, how I did miss it!
Some excerpts from a talk written and given by Louise soon after she was released as Relief Society President in 1965. Submitted by Linda and Brent Egbert.
\t/ \J/ \V \V
J\/ieniOJcle^ Danny Kent heading for home!
Submitted by Jeanette Blanchard Depew
111
(Z^fitatt J-amii^ Mhta^ue^
^abanich, James Alan (twin) and Correne Renee Egbert. Alan was bom 24 Jun 1965 in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, to Embrose Joseph and Gayle Ann Glover FABANICH. He married Correne 23 Apr 1994 in Oakland, California. She was bom 9 Mar 1973 in Concord, Califomia. They had the following children:
Kyle Joseph bom 12 Feb 1996 in Walnut Creek, Califomia. Bradley Alan bom 17 Feb 1999 in Walnut Creek, Califomia. Renee Elizabeth bom 30 Jul 2001 in Dallas, Texas. Jacob Brent born 29 Apr 2005 in Piano, Texas.
Idaho, and especially the Ashton area, was a place that I had loved to visit from early childhood. Most vacations taken with my family were to Idaho, and I loved staying at Grandma Louise Egbert's home and seeing all of my cousins and relatives that live in the area. Grandma always had people coming to visit, and there were such fun things going on all the time. How I loved her good cooking! Picnics at Egbert Point were highlights I loved.... and it was there 1 became well acquainted with many of my relatives. When I married Jim, this was one of the first places I wanted to bring him to visit.
After Jim and I left Ashton on our first visit, Jim said he had a feeling that someday we'd be moving to that area! I was touched that he loved being around my relatives, but I knew that there was really no way we could actually move here because of the lack of employment opportunities in the field Jim was pursuing.
Well, now 12 years later.. ..Jim's feelings were right! Neither of us would have dreamed that the reason we would move to Ashton was to pursue higher educational schooling for Jim at BYU-ldaho in the field of Business Management in their newly expanded university. What a
marvelous opportunity this has been for our family. All six of us just LOVE it here! It's a great feeling to be greeted by someone we know and admire (and are often related to!) everywhere we go in the area. Living in "the shadow of the Tetons" with all the seasons and beautifiil country to recreate in makes for a wonderfiil family experiences and bonding. It is our hope to continue living here after Jim graduates. Towns like Ashton are hard to find! We've experienced it.. ..and we don't want to leave! By Correne Egbert Fahanich
Kyle, Bradley, Correne, Jim, and Renee FABANICH
Rcncc, Kyle, Bradley and Baby Jacob FABANICH
228
dddtatt 3-atniiy. 3il5io^de^
Bonnie Reimann
J'eam, Nigel R. and Bonnie Reimann. Nigel was bom 17 Sep 1937 in Cambridge, England, to Geoffrey Kate Beatrice Hobbs FEARN. He married Bonnie 3 Jun 1967 in Ashton, Idaho. She was bom 28 Dec 1941 in Ashton, Idaho, to Daniel and Verla Valoy Lee REIMANN. They had the following children:
James Daniel bom 25 Jun 1968 in Seattle, Washington. Timothy John bom 1 Aug 1970 in Floirssant, Missouri. In 1960-64, Nigel attended University of Idaho at Moscow, Idaho.
In 1964-65, he attended St. Luke's School of Medical Technology in Spokane, WA.
In 1965-66, he worked as a laboratory technologist in Moscow, Idaho.
In 1966-1967, he worked as a laboratory technologist in Seattle, WA and Everett, WA.
Nigel and I honeymooned in Europe, then traveled by car through the U.S. to New York. We stayed at Niagra Falls
and attended the 1967 World's Fair in Montreal. We sailed from New York on the SS France to England and spent 2 weeks with Nigel's family. Then we spent a month traveling by car on the continent to France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, and then back to England for 2 more weeks spent with Nigel's family and friends. We shipped the car we bought back around to Seattle then went back to New York via the SS France and drove back across to Seattle where Nigel worked for Boeing, and I became a housewife and a Persian cat fancier. I raised and showed them for around 10 years and stopped about 1973 when we agreed not to breed them anymore. We still have one which I bred and her name is Candy because she is orange and
white like a puff of cotton candy!
Febmary 1970 Nigel transferred jobs to McDonnell Douglas in the St. Louis area. In November 1 970, we made a trip to the Caribbean to the Grand Cayman Island. Febmary 1971 I had postpartum depression, and we felt it was caused from being in the mid-west.
In August 1972, the great move west finally came. Nigel got a job at North
Tim, Nigel, Bonnie, and James FEARN at Nigel's 50th!
229
American Aviation, which became Rockwell International, and we became Califomians.
I have not dated our trips back to Idaho, which have been many and frequent, needless to say, or my trips to Phoenix in the winter to see my mother. At present we are very active in our church here in Manhattan Beach. 1 am Assistant Superintendent for Vacation Bible School. I am cradle roll chairman and help teach Sunday School. (We have 3 month terms once a year. Everyone shares the burden.) I have been on the Board of Education and have been the Lutheran High School representative of the congregation. At the beginning of 1980, I became 3"^ Vice President of the LWML and am learning all kinds of things that I did not know before!
We lived in California until 1994, whenNigel retired, and we did a "split move." We decided to spend half of our time in Greentimber, Idaho, and half in Green Valley, Arizona. This worked until the stock market went haywire, and we no longer had enough money for both homes. In 2001, we decided to sell the house in Arizona (I hated the kitchen!). We then moved to Greentimber full time in Feb of 2002 and built a garage that summer. We have struggled along since but have managed to keep on an even keel financially.
By Bonnie Reimann Fearn
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•♦\ /^N XiS •♦V
Jiientaue^ F- Darrell Kirkham, Coach Jim Morris, Keith Gooch, Bill Heycock B-Keith Nyborg, Stan Clark, Orson Tew, Ross Wynn, Edgar Cox
Submitted hv Ross Wvnn
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CldfUatt ^amiiy. Jihtaue^
^eatherston, Joseph Carroll and Mildred Virginia Williams. Joseph was from Mississippi. He died in 1972. He married Mildred in 1946 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was bom 19 Sep 1923 in Ashton, Idaho, to Clyde Edwin and Alice Christensen WILLIAMS and died 2 Nov 1980 in Houston, Texas. They had the following children:
Patricia Ann bom 20 Jul 1948 in Houston, Texas.
Darcy Lynn bom 17 Apr 1950 in Houston, Texas.
Steven Carroll bom 12 Feb 1952 in Houston, Texas.
Donald Joseph bom 13 Aug 1953 in Houston, Texas.
Gary Wayne bom 7 Jun 1958 in Houston, Texas.
Mildred was an attractive girl.
Joe and Mildred Featherston
Mildred Virginia Williams She was a good
student, wonderfiil daughter, sister, and friend. She enjoyed life and had a lot of fun going to dances and movies with many of her friends. Norma Robinson, Virginia Hutchinson, Norma Kent, and Mona Humphries. Mildred loved music and played the piano.
Mildred graduated from Ashton High School in 1941 and then enrolled in Hennigers Business College in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was employed as a secretary at Fort Keams, Utah, where she met her ftiture husband, Joseph Featherston, a very handsome and charming man serving his country in the Army.
B-Gary, Donald F-Patricia, Darcy, and Steven FEATHERSTON
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Mildred Virginia Williams
After getting married, they moved to Houston, Texas, where they remained the rest of their lives. Mildred worked in an auto salvage company where she was office manager. Joseph worked for the Borden Milk Company. Mildred was a devoted wife and mother. She was a member of the LDS Church. She was widowed in 1972. Mildred died suddenly at the age of 57 from a heart attack.
Bv Mabel Williams Stalker
Patricia, Gary, Steven, Darcy, and Donald FEATHERSTON
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■'OSTAL EMPLOYEES donned new uniforms last week. Piclurete [eft lo rigbl, wearing the new outfits axe Postmaster Richard Swan- :lrun». Jay Blaiichard and John McCorcL Ashtoo Herald photo.
Jietna^ie^ Submitted bv Jar Blauchard
(Zdfitait JtiiUa: The unofficial birthday for Ashton was celebrated 14 Feb 1906. It was the opening of the Miller Brother's Elevator with feasting, dancing and festivities.
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dafitatt 3" amity. SiUtaue^
Foster, Joseph Delaney and Donna D. Grover. Joe was bom 16 Aug 1940 in Driggs, Idaho, to Stephen George and Sarah Delaney FOSTER. Joe married Donna 19 Aug 1967 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She was bom 27 Mar 1946 in Rexburg, Idaho, to Samuel Erick and Barbara Evalyne Anderson GROVER. They had the following children:
JoDee bom 13 Jul 1968 in Provo, Utah.
Kristine bom 30 Nov 1969 in Rexburg, Idaho.
Patti bom 1 Jul 1972 in Rexburg, Idaho.
Erin bom 18 Oct 1974 in Rexburg, Idaho.
Kathryn bom 17 May 1977 in Rexburg, Idaho.
Susan bom 16 Jun 1979 in Rexburg, Idaho.
As the century mark nears for the city of Ashton, Idaho, it holds a unique time for reflection about this place that has been our home for almost 37 years and the only home our children have ever known.
It is probably necessary to start with a few basic facts about the Joe Foster Family. Joe was the fifth child of six bom within eight years, and Sarah didn't even have a washing machine! They moved to northem Idaho when Joe was eight years old. Stephen worked in the silver mines. Joe attended schools in Burke and Wallace, Idaho, and joined the Navy at 17, just after he graduated. After seeing the world for three years, he started his goal of a college education. He enrolled in Ricks Junior College in Rexburg, Idaho, where he was given a scholarship to play baseball. After two years at Ricks, he took some time off to eam money working in the mines. He then continued his schooling at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. While in his senior year at BYU, he found himself on a blind date with someone who loved athletics about as much as he did. They went to wrestling matches,
basketball games, baseball games (She drew the line at one boxing match), and even a few good movies.
And who was she? Donna Dee Grover. She had graduated from Madison High School and Ricks College and just happened to end up at BYU the same time as Joe. They were married in 1967 in Idaho Falls.
Their first year of marriage was spent in Provo while Joe finished a Masters Degree and Donna finished a Bachelors Degree. Just before they left Provo, the family increased to three with the birth of JoDee. They then took off for Cardston, Alberta, Canada when JoDee was just a few weeks old. There Joe began his first year of teaching and also coached basketball and baseball. The experience was a good one, but they really did want to retum to the states. After some searching, Joe was offered a job in Soda Springs, Idaho, and also one at North Fremont High School. So they made up their minds to come to Ashton. And those are the facts about how they got here.
Now I, Donna Foster, will tell THE REST OF THE STORY
Donna D. Grover Foster
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a^fitatt f^amii^ Jibto^e^
Joe and Donna Foster
Little did the three of us know as we pulled into Ashton, Idaho in August of 1969 how this city would become a part of us, and us a part of it. It seems that we had made a decision that would affect us the rest of our lives and the other five that would eventually join our family.
Joe was hired by Superintendent Duane Handy to teach and coach football and basketball. We settled in at Jimmy Allison's apartments across from the football field. Within a few days, Dave and Rayetta Lalonde moved in next door to us. Dave was to be the assistant coach. We became the greatest of friends, neighbors, and colleagues.
Football ended up being quite the experience because there weren't even enough kids turn out to have a scrimmage. Joe and Dave would fill in and scrimmage with the boys. They were such a great bunch of students; we just had so much fun with them. Lots of hard work finally turned into a winning team.
After two years, we went to Laramie,
Wyoming, where Joe received another Masters Degree. He then spent a total of twenty-nine years teaching mathematics, science, physical education, and physics at North Fremont High School. He was also Vice Principal his last three years. It was amazing how many children he taught that were children of the original group of children he helped educate. He used to get confused with the names, and he'd always say, "If I call you any name that is in your family, you better answer. I'll get it right eventually!" Besides coaching for several years, he got involved in the wrestling program when an old college roommate. Bob Christcnscn, came to NF. He announced the wrestling matches, ran seven District Tournaments, and one State Tournament. That led to him announcing at the football games. He became quite famous for his
B-Patti, Kathryn, JoDee M-Kristine, Erin F-Susan FOSTER
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(Zdfitan ^antUy. Mhto^ue^
"Give a Honk" to the people watching from their cars on a cold fall evening. The family teased him about being the Golden Throat of the Huskies. It became tradition before many events for him to do his very loud, guttural rendition of "Let's Get Ready to Rumble." I had one lady tell me she sure hoped Joe died before she did because she wanted him there to greet her with a great big "let's get ready to rumble." He retired from teaching in May of 2000.
%■
"Following In their dad's footsteps" coutd well be sons) of Joe Foster lined up to help him the title of this picture as the six daughters (no celebrate Fathers Day. The girls are, from left,
JoDee, 12; Kristine. 11; Patti, 8; Kathryn 4; and Susan, 2.
Erin,
' ..>... ,..>...
On the other end of the spectrum, he was the M. C. at nine Jr. Miss programs in Ashton. He was very proud of all six of his "Little Women" who participated in this scholarship program.
Besides his teaching career, he did several other things. He ran the Ashton Swimming Pool, worked for farmers, ran the Drivers' Ed Program and finally got into bidding forest service contracts. He actually became a specialist in Rodent Control in the National Forest which surround us here in this beautiful place. He employed many young people, and all of our family had their turn at "killing gophers."
We were thrilled in 1973 to move into our home that we had built. Our address became 387 Spruce Street and has remained so until the present.
Meanwhile back at the ranch-1 became the mother and he the father of five more daughters. They all attended Ashton Elementary, North Fremont Jr. High, and graduated from North Fremont High School. We couldn't have asked for better teachers, a better education, or a
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d^dtatt ffantiiy^ Jihto^ucd
At one of the sames we won the newspaper reporter snapped a picture of Joe as the final gong sounded! It became a famous picture and told a great deal about his intense drive to succeed.
better childhood for our children. They loved all the activities and were well prepared to go to college. They all went on to earn a college degree. 1 substituted in the Ashton schools for 18 years while being a "mostly" stay-at-home mom. Finally in 1990, I began teaching at South Fremont Junior High in St. Anthony and retired in 2001 after 1 1 years there.
Joe served in the LDS Church as a counselor to Bishop Dean Green and Bishop Ross Wynn. He was a counselor to Stake President Ed Clark and served as Bishop of the LDS Ashton 2"^^ Ward from 1994-1999. Squeezed in between these many happenings in our lives, Joe had to have two kidney transplants and many other surgeries. The school, our church, the community helped us through many hard times.
In June of 2001, we left to serve a mission for our church for 18 months in Birmingham, Alabama. We were so happy to get home where there are vistas, clean air, quiet moments, and yes, even snow. When we returned, the new rest home had just been completed right close to our home. Soon after that, the new ftineral home appeared. We informed our children it was all perfect now. When the time comes, they can wheel us over to the rest home, then on up to the Baxter Funeral Home, and right on out to our secured lots at the peaceftil Pineview Cemetery. It will be so simple for them because we never want to leave Ashton. Our decision to come here has made for one great life for the Joe Foster Family.
By Donna Foster
LAST ONE OUT-TURN OFF THE LIGHTS
Although negative things can be said about any place one chooses to live, it isn't hard and much more productive to think about the many positives of living in Ashton, Idaho. It seems fitting that the story is told in this history book of one time the town was united and extremely happy!
It was the fall of 1989. Falls are beautiful in Ashton, Idaho. August is greeted with excitement as the sounds of coaches shouting, pads crashing, and young men groaning from sore muscles are heard when the famous "two-a-day" practices begin. This particular fall.
Coaches Foster and Siwachok planning strategies for the Championship Game.
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d^fitait 3'ainiiif JihtaueA
OUT TURM OFF
THE LIGHTS
football fever was at a very high pitch. The returning players had seen playoff games. They
were ready. They were ripe! The head coach, one Wally Siwachok, was geared up and prepared
with the formidable "OPTION." At his side was his assistant coach who was in charge of the
defense, one Joe Foster. Practices were grueling, weight training a must, attitude all important.
And then it started. First one game buttoned up-then the next. We were killing everyone. The
team got better and better. They were a running, passing, hitting machine. The town was
ecstatic. Everyone and their dogs showed up to the games. The crowds grew and often at the
away games, we would have more fans than the home team. At one home game, I was sitting by
a man from out of town. The odors were wafting from the Husky Hut. The EMT's were all in place, and the hill filled with blankets and hyper fans. About halfway through the game, he commented, "Who are you kidding! This isn't a football game. It is just a town social disguised as a football game." It was so ftjn, and then it came. We were undefeated in season play, and we were heading to the Mini Dome in Pocatello. We had actually been this far several times and in the final game, our hopes had been dashed. But this time just might be different. First we met Grace, then Malad. The outcome was the same. We were headed to Moscow for the State Championship game! Now, when I say we, I'm not just talking about a large busload of grit and muscle. As a matter of fact, the whole town was about to embark on a ten-hour trip to the Kibby Dome in Moscow, Idaho. Within a matter of days, several thousand dollars were donated for the expenses of the team. It was amazing!
Then the motel reservations and all
plans were laid for several hundred people to be in attendance.
Thus the famous picture of the marquee in front of the high
school which read, "Last One Out - Turn Off The Lights" was
taken.
The day arrived. The ride into the Dome was quiet.
The team, the coaches, I think even the fans were focused. It
almost seems surreal now. The time went quickly. We scored
and scored and scored. It was a big win with the final score
being 40 to 14 over Grangeville. We did it; we were the State
Champions!
That night I pulled motel duty. Boy, was that fiin. You
never saw a more excited bunch of kids in your life, and
sleeping was definitely not on their agenda. The bus ride home
was long, and they were worn out. We had arranged for calls
to be made so the town could be alerted as to the return of the
team.
Idaho State Football Championship Trophy -- to North Fremont Huskies of Ashton, Idaho.
237
(Z^fUan Jamliif Jibto^tie^
CLASS A-3
North Fremont "Huskies"
|
No. |
Name |
Pos. |
Ht. Wt. |
Yr. |
|
13 |
ShaaaciiLHiil— — |
~=£iA |
. 1SG_ |
.^12. |
|
72 |
1 yrer Wonrack ~" |
RB |
175' |
12 |
|
39 |
DesCasse |
RB |
165 |
12 |
|
29 |
Jorma Martindaie |
RB |
160 |
12 |
|
36 |
Charlie Heward |
RB |
175 |
12 |
|
52 |
Robert Bates |
CL |
170 |
12 |
|
45 |
Nathan Stohl |
SE |
130 |
12 |
|
71 |
Ds'.'id Moritz |
CL |
170 |
12 |
|
66 |
Rcnnje Paimer |
CL |
170 |
12 |
|
81 |
Scctt Bowman |
SE |
150 |
12 |
|
69 |
Darren Carlson |
SS |
140 |
12 |
|
64 |
Chris Frederickson |
TF |
180 |
11 |
|
70 |
Chance Whitrrwre |
CL/DL |
215 |
1 1 1 1 |
|
4 |
Ben Lenz |
C8 |
140 |
11 |
|
79 |
Reece Moon |
OL |
145 |
11 |
|
43 |
Cody Cutler |
WR |
110 |
11 |
|
IS |
Cade Cheny |
GB |
140 |
10 |
|
22 |
Kent Parkinson |
RB |
110 |
10 |
|
24 |
Kyle Case |
RB |
135 |
10 |
|
55 |
Jason Grigg |
LB |
125 |
10 |
|
41 |
Dean Green |
WR |
110 |
10 |
|
S8 |
Matt Egbert |
TE |
123 |
10 |
|
40 |
Jared Baum |
OL |
155 |
10 |
|
67 |
Jared Morison |
OL |
155 |
10 |
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Rarxjy Paimer |
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Jerah Martirdale |
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Travis Hess |
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Kurt Murdoch |
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Mike Lish |
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Paul Christensen |
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Jason Arnoid |
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Jared Locsli |
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Caieb Schauer |
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Dan Riiey |
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lo\ors: Purple 4 GoW
luperintendent: Duane M. Handy
'rincipal: Dick Seeley
ithletic Director: Wally Siwachok
*^ach: Wall/ S'wachok
vsst. Coach: Joe Foster, Delton Clark
lanagers: Justin Marotz, D«jstin
'arsden
:and Director: Bill Baxter
:heer1ead€rs: Hess, Williams. Heck,
SEASON RECORD North Fremont Opponent
Ffemo'^*
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7 |
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V/est Jefferson |
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bowler, Larry Eugene and Fay LaRue Grover. Larry married ( 1 ) LaRue 26 Jan 1 96 L She was bom 22 Nov 1928 in Thornton/Archer, Idaho, to Seth Bennett and Aha Jenkins GROVER. She died 19 May 1996 in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and was buried 22 May 1996 in Parker, Idaho. (Also see Huntsman, DeLos.) They had the following children:
Franciena Marie bom 31 Oct 1961 in St. Anthony, Idaho.
Michelle LaRue bom 24 May 1963 in St. Anthony, Idaho.
Troy Larry bom 26 Jan 1967 in Ashton, Idaho.
Larry married (2) LaRue Jeffs Pearson, moved to Arco for a short time, and then to Hurricane, Utah.
Larry had never been married so he was very brave to take on a wife with four children, three of whom were teenagers. LaRue had lost her husband, DeLos Huntsman, in 1959. At the time he was working for Brown's grocery store in St. Anthony. When he was asked to manage the store, the family decided to move to St. Anthony. They only lived there for two years before they bought the Harris home and moved back to Ashton where Larry worked for Meredith Dexter in the City Market for two years.
Larry decided that he needed to make more money to provide for his growing family, so he bought a chainsaw and spent two years falling trees for the Idaho Stud Mill. For six months one winter, he had the Lindsey Water Softener franchise which covered Idaho, westem Wyoming, and Montana. This experience taught him that he wasn't cut out to be a salesman. Larry was interested in expanding his interests in the timber industry, so he made a deal with Mr. Timmons at his implement business, bought an old skidder, and went into the business of skidding logs. He eventually had his own logging business. At one time, the business had over 20 employees. Larry spent about twenty-two years doing what he really enjoyed. When the logging business started to go downhill, Larry drove long haul tmck for Idahoan in Lewisville.
Larry and LaRue were on a bowling league and really enjoyed that sport. They enjoyed camping and fishing. The family especially enjoyed their trip to Canada one summer.
Larry and LaRue loved to dance and would have date night every Friday with Cal and Ema Whitaker. They would usually go to the Silver Horseshoe in St. Anthony. As the children got older, they would take one child at a time on their dates with them and let them have the meal of their choice. It was a special time for all.
Larry and all the kids leamed how to ski at Bear Gulch. Franciena and Michelle remember taking dance lessons from Brother Oliphant in the room behind the barber shop. They were both cheerleaders in Jr. High and members of the drill team in high school. Michelle also played volleyball and basketball.
Troy participated in baseball, football, and wrestling. Larry's business sponsored his baseball team. They were called the "Left Field Loggers."
Larry and LaRue were always very supportive of the children and their activities and community events. They loved living in Ashton and raising their family there.
By Patricia Huntsman Cordon
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Florence Amanda Frandsen
5'randsen, Lars and Florence Amanda Kimball. Lars was bom 25 Jul 1870 at Tyvelse, Denmark, to Frans and Annie Catherine Jensen FRANDSEN. He died 15 Jul 1931 Ashton, Idaho. Lars married Florence 17 Mar 1897 in Rigby, Idaho. She was bom 1 1 May 1877 in Salt Lake City, Utah, to William Gheen and Calista Florence Thomton KIMBALL. She died 13 Jul 1957 in Blackfoot, Idaho, and was buried 17 Jul 1957 in Ashton, Idaho. They had the following children:
Gertrude Florence bom 19 Jan 1898 in Ashton, Idaho. She married Grover Charles Tiplett/Tripplett 3 Jul 1920. They spent their married life in Englewood, Colorado. They had two sons, Clarence and LaVem. She lived in Englewood until her death. Merle William bom 17 May 1899 in Ashton, Idaho. One month later he died of unknown causes. Veda Bertha bom 3 Jun 1901 in Ashton, Idaho. She married Martin J. Decker 10 Jun 1923. She lived in southem Califomia until her death, 16 Feb 1987. There were no children. Hazel Ivy bom 27 Nov 1902 in Ashton, Idaho. She married Joseph Eugene Clark 1 5 Oct 1932. At age 19, Hazel was vaccinated for small pox and two weeks later became paralyzed from her waist down. This condition remained with her the remainder of her life. Joseph was with the Fish and Game Department, so they lived in several places. After retirement, their permanent home was Blackfoot, where she lived until her death, 18 Apr 1975. There were no children. Ralph Green bom 7 Mar 1904 in Ashton, Idaho. He died 17 Oct 1906 of accidental formaldehyde poisoning. Fred Clifford bom 1 1 Mar 1907 in Ashton, Idaho. He died 15 Nov 1950. He married Harriet Alice Mikesell. They had three sons: Gail Gerry Lonnie Fred farmed near Fall River southeast of Ashton which he worked until his untimely death at age 43.
Lar Frandsen
241
Larue Charles bom 10 Sep 1910 in Ashton, Idaho. (See Fransen, Larue Charles.) Clair Willard bom 10 May 1912 in Ashton, Idaho. He died 25 Jul 1975. He served in the U.S. Army during World War 11. He was stationed in England where he met and married Olive Blanche Francis. They had four children:
Pat
Hubert
Carol
Linda He was living in Dillon, Montana, at the time of his death. Rose Lavina bom 21 Feb 1914 in Ashton, Idaho. She died 12 Sep 2003 in American Falls, Idaho. She married (1) Clifford Leroy Mikesell. They had two children:
Jerry Lorraine
Lorin Leroy, who died shortly after birth. This union ended in divorce. Rose married (2). Norman Floyd. He was with the Idaho Fish and Game
L-R: Lame, Gertude, Clair, Hazel, Veda, Rose, Fred FRANDSEN
Department, which required several transfers. They lived in Grace, Idaho, for many years until being transferred to American Falls, where she lived until her death, 12 Sep 2003.
242
d^fitan ^antliif Mhtaue^
Building new home.
Lars Peder was the sixth child often. He came to America from Denmark in 1874 with his mother and three sisters. After arriving in the United States, they traveled by train to Brigham City, Utah.
One year later, in 1875, Frans and remaining children arrived in the United States. The family lived in Brigham City for about eight years, then they moved to Richmond, Utah. The children grew up and left home, but Anna and Frans remained in Richmond until their deaths.
Sometime after the family was all together, it was decided to drop the D from the last name of Frandsen. The last name was then spelled Fransen.
Lars' brother, Pete, and sister, Sophia, had homesteaded in Ashton. He took a trip to visit them. He went through Yellowstone Park and parts of Montana. Soon after that, he took a job with the railroad in Yellowstone Park. He really liked the country around Ashton, and the land was being settled fast. He filed on 160 acres southwest of Ashton on Black Springs, which ran through his land. He cleared the land and built a house. The house was a one-room log house with an upstairs. He built an outside cellar, a blacksmith shop, a bam, chicken house, and pig pen out of logs.
At that time, the land had to be cleared of sagebrush, trees, and rocks, then plowed with a hand plow pulled by horses. He plowed and planted what little land he could as he went. It was back breaking work, but he was young and strong with a big dream of the future. The land was fertile, and he had high hopes of great crops. Conveniences he did not have. Water was put in barrels on a skid, filled from the creek. The barrels were kept by the side of the house.
243
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Gertrude, Veda, Hazel, Fred, Larue, Florence, Clair FRANDSEN
In the winter of 1 897, Lars met and married Florence Amanda Kimball. Florence had seven sisters and two brothers. She lived in Paris, Idaho, until she was nine, then she and her family moved to Independence or Burton, Idaho.
On 16 Aug 1893, Lars applied for citizenship. On 3 May 1896, he became a citizen of the United States.
When Florence was 14 or 15 years, old there was an epidemic of scarlet fever. It hit the small community hard. Not many families escaped the deadly illness. Many lost their lives. Florence survived the fever, but she was so ill for such a long time, and the fever was so high that she suffered permanent damage. Her
Rose, Lars, and Fred Fransen
244
d^fitait 3-ain'di^ Jihtaue^
Planting grain on Fransen farm.
personality was
changed
dramatically.
After Lars and Florence were married, they lived and raised their children on the 160 acres in Ashton. After Ralph Green was bom, Lars built a beautiftil new brick house, close to the creek. The first child bom in the new house was Fred Clifford.
It was very important to Lars that his children have an education. On cold winter momings, no matter what the weather, he would hitch his team of horses to the sleigh and take the children three miles away to the Vemon School. He would always pick up the neighborhood children along the way.
Lars and Florence enjoyed music. There was always some kind of instrument in their home. Florence had leamed to play the organ and Lars bought her one. She enjoyed the time she spent playing it.
Lars was the first in the neighborhood to buy a car. That car brought a lot of joy to Lars and the family.
Lars and Florence were tme pioneers of the era. They worked hard farming the land and raising a fine family. Their stmggles and heartaches were many. Florence loved her children and trained and sacrificed to the best of her ability. Lars was an honest man, and he expected honesty from his children. He was always ready and willing to give a helping hand to anyone in need.
Lars died in Ashton from a heart attack at the age of 61. Florence died in Blackfoot from a stroke at age 80.
We all have missions to fulfill. Lars and Florence fiilfilled theirs, leaving a rich heritage for future generations.
Submitted by Joan, Janice, Doug, and
M^ema^ied North Fremont Drill Team Submitted bv Jean Passev
245
ddfitatt ffantii^ Mhtatied
Larue Charles Fransen
^ransen, Larue Charles and Rhoda Robinson. Larue was bom 10 Sep 1910 in Ashton, Idaho, to Lars Peter and Florence Amanda Kimball FRANSEN. He died 3 May 1980 in Ashton, Idaho, and was buried 6 May 1980 in Ashton, Idaho. He married Rhoda 12 Oct 1935 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She was bom 18 Oct 1915 in Wallsburg, Utah, to Joseph and Emma Naoma Mecham ROBINSON. She died 7 Jan 2003 in Ashton, Idaho, and was buried 1 1 Jan 2003 in Ashton, Idaho. They had the followinii children:
Joan Lame was born 4 Oct 1936 in St. Anthony, Idaho. She married Donald Stanton Brower on 24 Jun 1955. They have four children and reside in Ashton. Janice was bom 13 Jul 1938 in St. Anthony, Idaho. She married Harold Leon Andrews 5 May 1961. They have two children and reside in Idaho Falls. Douglas Mac was bom 7 Feb 1942 in Ashton, Idaho. He married Janice Carolyn
Guipre 29 Sep 1961. They have four children. Dennis R. was bom 10 Jun 1953 in Ashton, Idaho. He married Susan Georgia Forssell on 20 Jun 1975. They have five children and farm the original homestead west of Ashton. Lame was the seventh of nine children. He attended school at Vemon and Ashton. Because of demands on the farm. Lame was not able to participate in sports. He was a good student and desired an education. After graduating from Ashton High School, he went to college in Salt Lake City, Utah. There wasn't any money for college, so he took odd jobs to support
himself Before his first term ended, because of his father's deteriorating health, he had to retum home to help on the farm. After Lars died, it was on his young son's shoulders that the responsibility fell for the farm and the care of his mother. During this time. Lame also worked part-time for the Ashton Fish Hatchery with Bud Ainsworth. Lame and Bud were the first to plant fish in this area. The fish were put in barrels with water and packed on mules. They were then taken to remote areas. Lame truly enjoyed the time he spent with Bud and the fish hatchery, and reflected back on it often. He enjoyed his neighbors and loved visiting and working with them.
Rhoda joined a family of three sisters and two brothers. At the age of three, her family moved to Basalt, Idaho. There she attended school and church. During Rhoda's school years, she became an avid swimmer and an excellent speller. Her spelling ability remained with her until the time of her death.
Rhoda Robinson Fransen
246
ddfitatt 3-ainiiif Mhtaue^
Rhoda had to face many trials in her young life. When she was 12 years old, her mother passed away. Then when she was 16 her father passed away. She and her sister, Cecile, still living at home, had to live with their sisters in Ashton and Shelley. While living with her sister, Naoma, in Ashton, she worked at jobs available in Ashton. It was at that time she met and married Larue Fransen.
After their marriage, they lived on the original homestead west of Ashton and raised their four children.
For a few years, Larue drove a school bus, which was built on a flat bed on his truck with a canvas top. He put benches around a small stove for warmth.
Larue raised cattle and sheep. His main crop was seed potatoes, along with grain and hay.
The winters in Ashton were long and cold with lots of snow. On many Saturday nights, you could fmd the neighbors gathered together. They would play cards and other games and sometimes participated in square dancing. The neighbors enjoyed these parties so much that if a blizzard came up or the roads were closed, they would walk or ski to get there.
Larue rode with the Fremont Posse for a few years with his friend Vem Kirkham. They traveled throughout the valley.
During his lifetime, many improvements were made in farm equipment. Harvesting of potatoes improved from picking by hand to combines pulled by tractors with bulker bed trucks.
Larue served 20 years on the Board of Directors for the Fremont-Madison Irrigation District. He was instrumental in the building of the Teton Dam. He spent 33 years on the Farmers Own Canal Company Board of Directors. For several of those years, he served as the president. He served many years on the Marysville Canal Company Board of Directors. For several years, he served on the Fremont Co-op Board of Directors.
Larue and Rhoda remained on the Fransen farm until the time of their deaths.
Both are buried in the Ashton Cemetery.
Mom and Dad were of pioneer stock and saw many changes take place during their life time. As a consequence, they taught us, their children, some of the old and of course, much of the new. We were very privileged to be bom and raised by them and to receive the heritage they passed on to us. We will be forever grateful to them for their influence in our lives and the countless sacrifices they made for us. Thanks Mom and Dad.
We submit this history in loving memory of our parents. Joan, Janice, Doug, and Dennis
B-Dennis, Janice, and Douglas Rhoda, Larue, and Joan FRANSEN
247
(Zdfitati f^atnii^ Mh tended
Bertha and Oscar Franz
^■ranz, Oscar and Bertha Rosella Martin. Oscar was bom 13 Jul 1845 in Breslau, Silesia, Prussia, to Wilhelm and Adelheide Ehmke/Shiltz FRANZ. He died in Nov of 1919 in Squirrel, Fremont, Idaho, and is buried in the Squirrel Cemetery. Oscar married Bertha Rosella Martin in 1870 probably in Germany/Prussia. She was bom 25 Sep 1845 in Driepnitz, Germany, to Mr.( l" name unknown) and Rosella Ketsler MARTIN/ MATTINE/MARTINE. They had the following children:
Alfred bom 8 Jul 1871 Breslau, Silesia, Pmssia, died 22 Feb 1916. Son bom 1873 Breslau, Silesia,
Pmssia, died 1873. Richard bom 22 May 1874
Breslau, Silesia, Pmssia, died 1 1 Apr 1890. Otto bom 23 Dec 1875 Breslau, Silesia, Prussia, died Jul 1972. Max bom 28 Mar 1878 in Breslau, Silesia, Pmssia (Germany), and died 1 1 Jan 1953.
He married Charlotte Louise Louis 17 Sep 1913 at Dmmmond, Idaho. He died 17 Jan 1953 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He and Charlotte are both buried in the Pineview Cemetery in Ashton, Idaho. They had the following children:
Maxine is buried in the Pineview Cemetery in Ashton, Idaho.
Herbert R. is buried in the Squirrel Cemetery.
Marian married a man by the last name of Pattee. They live in Salmon
and have two sons. More history can be found in "Homesteading and Pioneering in the Upland Area between Fall and Teton Rivers" on pg. 143-4. Robert bom 21 May 1880 Breslau, Silesia, Prussia, and died 29 Jul 1936. He married Clara Louise Stemler 2 Jul 1908. She was bom 18 Feb 1883 and died 15 Nov 1973. They had the following children:
Edith Catherine bom 17 Jul 1910 in St. Anthony, Idaho, and died 15 Nov 1973. She married a Alfred Lee Williams. They had one dau.: Arlea Annett bom 13 Dec 1937. Jesse George bom 14 May 1914 Dmmmond, Idaho. He died 15 Jul 1983. He married Louise Hutchison. They had the following children: Raymond bom 25 May 1937.
Roberta bom 6 Jul 1941. She married Randall Fredrickson 20 Jun I960. They had the following children: Steven bom 14 Mar 1969.
248
Cidfitait S^amiitf Mbtojoed
Robert bom 15 Jul 1970. Emma bom 26 Apr 1886 in Jeffersonville, Clark, Indiana, died 1 1 Oct 1973. She married Frank Cox and they had the following children: Baby bom and died 1915. Leslie bora 14 Nov 1917. Leslie married Audrey Anderson. They had
one son: Douglas who has one son and one daughter. Ellen bom 21 Aug 1921. Ida bom 26 Apr 1886 in Jeffersonville, Clark, Indiana, died 2 Nov 1962 . (See John
Frederick Sr. Jessen.) Max came with George to Idaho in 1900. The parents and girls followed later from
B-Max, Otto, Alfred, Robert F-Emma, Betta, Oscar, Ida FRANZ
Jeffersonville, Indiana.
Oscar and Bertha Franz lived at Franz Siding above Fall River between Lamont and Squirrel. When WWI started, the name was changed to France Siding because the people in the area did not want a German name there, according to Franz family history.
According to Ida, their daughter, one day she was taking a ride on a surrey over a hill to her folks' place and came upon them with a bonfire. Ida's parents were so afraid when the war started that they took all the papers, pictures, and contacts that they had with their people from Germany and bumed them. This happened to some other German families in the area.
Oscar declared his intentions to become a citizen of the United States on 3 Nov 1884 in Jeffersonville, Clark, Indiana, and was admitted on 9 May 1901.
More history can be found in "Homesteading and Pioneering in the Upland Area between Fall and Teton Rivers " on pg. 142-144. Sub. by Nieca Cordingley Jessen
249
ddfiton 3-amiiy. 9ildio^ue6
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James Alfred Fulleton
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Luella Honess Fulleton
5'ulleton, James Alfred and Mary Luella
Honess. James was bom 19 Jun 1870 in
LaSalle, LaSalle, Illinois, and died 14 Dec
1938. He was buried 16 Dec 1938 in the
Pineview Cemetery in Ashton, Idaho. She
was bom 28 Jun 1870 in Gentryville,
Gentry, Missouri, to James M. and
Harriette Marie Sealey HONESS. He
married Luella 21 Dec 1898 in Nebraska.
She died 28 Sep 1974 in Nampa, Canyon,
Idaho, and was buried 2 Oct 1974 in the Pineview Cemetery in Ashton, Idaho. They had the following children:
Harriet Frances bom 3 Nov 1899 in Osceola, Polk,
Nebraska, and died 21 Nov 1998 in Emmett, Gem, Idaho. She is buried at Morris Hill Cemetery in Boise, Idaho. She married Lewis Everett Fullerton 4 Sep 1919 in Caldwell, Canyon, Idaho. Lewis was bom 18 Aug 1892 in Holdredge, Phelps, Nebraska, to Henry Walter and Laura Adazella Hahn FULLETON. He died 1 1 Jan 1960 in Caldwell, Idaho and was buried in the Morris Hill Cemetery in Boise, Ada, Idaho. They had the following children: Dorothy Marie, Nina Mae, June Lenore, Margaret Lucille, Betty Lou, Edna Bemise, Alfred Henry Fullerton, Lewis Everett, Jr., Leonard Alphonsus, Phyllis Arlene, and Donald Edwin.
Lewis Everett Fulleton changed his name to "Fullerton" when he married his cousin Harriet Frances Fulleton. Several family members went by "Fullerton."
Lewis was a retired mechanic and house-mover. He moved with his parents to Sterling, Colorado, when he was 17 years of age. He farmed with his parents there until 1919 when he first came to Caldwell. After marriage, he and Harriet moved to Akron, Colorado, farming there until 192 1. Then they came back to Caldwell, and he was employed as a mechanic at the Motor Inn Garage and Milliner Transfer Company before moving to Portland, where he worked for three years. He retumed to Idaho and opened a garage in Boise in 1927. He later retumed to Caldwell and was in the house moving business until he became ill. He was known throughout this area for playing the violin at "old-time" dances. Frances was 5'1 " tall. She was educated in Ashton, Idaho, and attended Business College in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She was a homemaker and worked for Simplot grading potatoes. She was a member of the Methodist Church.
In December of 1928, Frances was about to give birth to Edna, and the girls were acting up. They were all lined up in a row and given a spoon of castor
Frances and Lewis Fullerton 1919
250
d^fitati f^atnii^ Mhtaue^
Dorothy and Ralph Sorensen
oil. Dorothy couldn't ever remember
having to take castor oil again. Frances
had a midwife to help her with Edna. This
was the first time she ever had a midwife. She enjoyed visits from family and
friends, her puzzles, making crafts, and
crocheting gifts for her family brought her
the most joy.
Note: Lewis and Harriet
Fullerton's daughter, Dorothy Marie,
married Ralph Ephriem Sorensen, who had
two girls, Shannon Marie, and Marlene
Kaye. Shannon Marie bom 29 Mar 1941
in Boise, Ada, Idaho, married (2) John
Chick Uriona 2 Jun 1962 in Elko, Nevada.
Shannon submitted this and several other
connected histories but never actually lived in
Ashton. Thank you for this wonderfiil
contribution. James Harvey bom 5 Apr 1902 in Polk County,
Nebraska. He died 15 Dec 1950 in Portland,
Oregon, and was buried at the Morris Hill
Cemetery in Boise, Idaho. He married
Mildred F. Roberts in 1934. She was bom 23
Mar 1908 in Ora, Idaho and died 26 May
1995 in Boise, Idaho. He was cremated and
interred in Cloverdale Memorial Park, Boise, Idaho. They had one child:
Jerry Lee bom 23 Apr 1935 in St. Anthony, Idaho. He died 2 Jan 2005 in Boise, Idaho, and was buried 6 Jan 2005 in the Veterans Cemetery in Boise, Idaho. Jim drove tmck and went to Portland, didn't feel well and was having
some discomfort in his chest. He went to the hospital and died there. He did have
a history of heart trouble. He was buried at the Cloverdale Cemetery in Boise,
Idaho. Leonard Malster bom 1 5 Oct 1 904 in Stromsburg, Polk, Nebraska. He died 4 Mar 2000
in Boise, Ada, Idaho, and was buried 10 Mar 2000 in the Morris Hill Cemetery in
Boise, Idaho. He married Lidia Masoni 6 Apr 1946 in Italy. Leonard was
delivered by Dr. Malster. There was some problem about paying the Dr. so the
Dr. asked for payment with Leonard's MIDDLE name. They never forgot who
delivered Leonard.. They had three children: Mary, Charlotte, and Bud.
Leonard worked for the county on many constmction projects, including
Lucky Peak Dam and the Highway 21 Roadway. He worked as a trucker and
logger and in most of the building trades. After retiring in 1969, he continued to
work on many projects at home and for his children. He was extremely talented
Chick and Shannon Uriona
251
(Z^fitan Jatnii^ Mbta^Ue^
at designing and building, and built many useful items out of whatever he had at hand.
Ashton School Class Picture 1913-1914 Leonard is far right at arrow.
Leonard was proud of his Irish heritage, loved music about the common man, and played guitar in country bands in his younger days. He was truly a remarkable man who would give of himself to others. Many times he would give food or money to someone down on their luck even though he had to go without because he really did care about his fellow human beings.
Leonard was in the 4"' and 5"' grades in Ashton during 1913-1914. It was in the south room, second floor of the old original brick school building. Mr. Goodall, not shown, was principal. The students are, right row from left: Elston McDonald, Salome Robinson, Leonard Fulleton and Ada Karen. Next row: Alvin Parks, Ronald Cutler, Charlie Samsel, Garland Kidd, Howard Rush, Ethel Wendell, unidentified girl, Leland Cunningham and Roy Wendell. Third row from right. Lena Tollman, Ada Cunningham, Allen boy, Mae Stonaker, Dorothy Marquadt, Waldo Wilkie, next two unidentified (possibly one was Charlie Dorcheus), then Evan Whittemore. Standing in back of room was the 4"' grade teacher. Miss Frasier. Extreme left row (standing) Leona Harris, Ruth Scow, Wilma Robinson, Calie Colson, Wesley Williams, Ethel Beckstead. next a Famsworth or Osborne girl, and the last person unidentified (possibly another teacher). Leonard describes 60 years ago and where they lived. The following is
Cidfitait ^ amity. 3ii6taue6
a description of each student as he remembers:
Elston McDonald was a son of the First National Bank banker. He had a
sister, Dorothy. Salome and Wilma Robinson's parents were Mr. and Mrs. Bill Robinson,
Mr. Robinson was also an employee at First National Bank. Leonard FuUeton was a farm boy and a son of James Alfred Fulleton.
They lived west of Ashton. Ada Karen was also a farm girl. Her sisters were Maria and Stella. Alvin Parks lived at one time on Highland Street in Ashton. Ronald Cutler was a son of Sheldon Cutler, a cook at the old Royal Cafe. Charlie Samsel was a son of the man who ran the Gold Rule store, which
was in the middle of the block on Main Street. Garland Kidd was a son of Earl Kidd. He had a sister. Myrtle, and a
brother, Theron, and possibly another sister. Howard Rush was a son of a one-time Ashton policeman. Howard later worked for Mr. Lansberry in the Ashton Herald office in the early 1920's. Ethel and Roy Wendell's father was a watch repairman. They lived on the north bank of Snake River near the bridge north of Ashton, and at one time built a dance platform or pavilion on the water's edge. Leland Curmingham was a son of Bishop Cunningham. They lived on a
farm north and a litde west of Ashton. Lena Tollman, a farmer's daughter, lived where Bee Hedrick lived later, west of the Hess home place. The Hess home was owned at that time by Nels Larson. Ada Cunningham was also a daughter of a farmer. Her sister was Blanche
Scow. (Not from Charlie Scow family.) Mrs. Glen Smith and her teachers were Ivan and Jeppson. Mae Stonaker was a daughter of a milliner (hat maker) in Ashton. Mae
was a niece of Lew Graves who lived north of Ashton Dorothy Marquadt was a daughter of the Ashton jeweler, Rudy Marquadt.
His office was the old C'W&M building. Waldo Wilkie's father was a lawyer in Ashton.
Charlie Dorcheus was in the same class, but Mr. Fulleton does not know which one he was in the picture. The family lived north of Ashton. His brothers and sister were Ed, Irene, Mrs. Hammond, and Robert. Evan Whittemore and a son of D.S. Whittemore, cement contractor. Mr. Whittemore put in lots and lots of sidewalks in Ashton in early years. The teacher. Miss Frasier, was not very large but all woman. She was a
good teacher and when she spoke, it was wise to pay strict attention and comply. She didn't hesitate to wash out the mouth of anyone who uttered profane or indecent language after the first or second warning. This happened to at least one of the 4"' grade students.
253
Leona Harris might have lived on Highland Street - Fulleton was not sure.
Ruth Scow lived a short distance north of the comer intersection of west main and the main highway that led east. She had a sister. Ruby, who lived recently in Ontario, where she lost her husband. (These were Charlie Scow's daughters. Ruth is second from the left standing in the class picture.)
Calie Colson lived north of the Odd Fellows Hall, close to where Pine
Street intersects with 6'"'. Her father was Sam Colson Sr. and her brothers were Fred and Sam Jr., among others.
Wesley Williams was a son of the Methodist Church minister at that time.
Ethel Beckstead lived on 7"" Street between Idaho and Highland.
Mr. Fulleton does not recall the few remaining students. Leonard went to school in Ashton 1922-23.
James Fulleton's home in Ashton. Pictured are Jim, Leonard, James, Luella FULLETON.
James and Luella lived in Idaho in 1931. Luella was stated as being 4T 1" tall and a Methodist. She moved to Ashton in 1906, then moved to Caldwell, Idaho, in 1919 and fanned in the Sunny Slope community of Huston, Idaho. Then they moved back to Ashton. In 1936, they moved to Boise and lived at 2708 Lemhi, Boise, Ada, Idaho.
Their home was one of the first built in the small town of Ashton.
When I, Shannon Sorcnsen Uriona, was 12 years old, about 1951, we would go and stay
254
all night with G-grandma, and I loved her wonderful feather bed. She didn't have a bathroom, but she had a slop jar with a cover under her bed for night time. Otherwise we had to go outside to the outhouse. She had a wood cookstove and Marlene (my sister), and I would heat an old flat iron on the stove and iron flat clothes. She also had an old ice box for which the ice man still brought her ice every day. I also remember her sideboard with the flour sifter. We would make cookies or biscuits, maybe both. Mary Luella was a very patient woman. She lived in a small, one-room house with a very small bedroom.
From the 1970 Idaho Statesman: Mrs. Alfred Fulleton....on 100"" Birthday. Her great wish has come true. Mrs. Fulleton has lived for 100 years. She celebrated her lOO'*" anniversary last Sunday at the home of her granddaughter, Mrs. Lloyd Montgomery of Boise. She died at 104 at the Nampa Nursing Home. She was interred in the Pineview Cemetery in Ashton, Idaho.
Submitted by Shannon Marie Sorensen Uriona
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255
Benny and Evelyn Garcia
^arcia. Benny and Evelyn Lenz.
Evelyn was born 22 Oct 1937 in Sunnydcll, Madison, Idaho. She moved to Squirrel when her mother, Evva Ellen Lee, married Carl P. "Carlie" Lenz. She was about 3 Vi years old and the youngest of the four children brought to this marriage. Mary An and Nadeene were Carlie's daughters from his first marriage and Jay and Evelyn were Evva's children from her first marriage. Later Karleen and Anna Louise were bom, making this a "yours, mine, and ours" family. Carlie didn't believe in "steps" or "halves" in relationships and said the only steps were outside the back door. He was Evelyn's first hero and her happiest childhood memories are those with him at the farm/ranch at Squirrel.
She attended the 1" and 2"'' grades in the one- room Squirrel schoolhouse, 3'*' in St. Anthony, and the
rest of her elementary and high school education in Ashton. Her fondest memories of Ashton were associated with playing the clarinet in the band, music fesfivals, marching band, pep band, competitions, and the friends she shared those activities with. She also loved Bear Gulch and skiing.
She attended Excelcis Beauty College in Idaho Falls upon graduating from North Fremont High School. She married J. Merrill Rose on 25 Jun 1956 and they were blessed with three sons: Randy Merrill bom 3 Aug 1957; Rick Lynn bom 22 Oct 1961; and Cory Lenz bom 24 Mar 1969. Merrill and Evelyn were later divorced.
She moved to Caldwell in 1975 and pursued legal secretarial studies at Boise University. She worked in that capacity until retirement.
Evelyn married her second hero, Benny Garcia, on 7 Mar 1986 in the Boise Idaho Temple. They served a mission together for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Mexico City, Mexico D.F., in 2001 and 2002. She is currently a temple ordinance worker in the Boise Idaho Temple and Humanitarian Specialist in the Caldwell 8"' Ward where Benny serves in the Bishopric in that ward.
Benny's three daughters, Betsy (Kelly Buckley), Benita (Gary Buckner), and Alice (Michael Wilcox), and Evelyn's three sons. Randy (Wendy Adolphson), Rick (Joy Egan) and Cory (Kristina Johnson), have blessed them with 25 grandchildren. They are anxiously awaiting the pending adoption of two Marshallese baby girls by Rick and his wife, Joy. (2006)
Submitted bv Evelyn Lenz Garcia
256
ddfitan 3-ainiiif Mhtaue^
John Elmer George
^orge, John Elmer and Jeanne Jenkins. John was bom 1 7 Jan 1934 in Greentimber, Idaho, the son of Elmer David and Elsie Atchley GEORGE.
John was bom at his parent's ranch house in Greentimber, east of Ashton. He spent his early years growing up on the family farm. In 1939 he started school at the age of five at the two-room Greentimber School house. Starting him at this young age was to help the school district meet the necessary quota of students. In the momings, he would walk a mile to school and make the retum trip later that aftemoon.
Two years later, in 1941, John's father died in an accident while working for Fall River REA. Elmer was an electrical pioneer and was one of the founding directors of this now successful electrical supplier. Johnny inherited his father's intelligence and electrical know-how.
Johnny, now at age seven, had to shoulder the responsibilities of helping his mother raise his four-year-old sister, Judy, and one-year-old brother, Bill.
During the years of WWII while his mother was widowed, John was taken in as a son by one of his father's closest friends, George Marotz. The whole Marotz family, including Grandma Marotz, became his second family. It is said that George Marotz taught John how to drive a tmck while standing up in the seat. No one knows how the pedals got operated!
In 1945 Elsie dated and married Dallas Howell, a family friend and local farmer. The three children now had a new father and many aunts and uncles. Then in 1953, a new brother, Tom, was bom.
Johnny worked for several years with enthusiasm and dedication helping Howell Bros, on the family farm, and the brothers Pop, Mope, and Joe, quickly bestowed the nick-name of "Bun- Head " on him, in honor of his flat top hair cut. The name stuck with him for years to come.
John was unable to sit for very long without becoming restless. He spent most of his spare time water skiing at Loon Lake with family and neighbors and enjoying fishing the many rivers and small streams in the area. Later in life he would retum to find solace in the mountains that he loved.
Skiing was one of the hobbies in his life that he especially enjoyed. In high school he played football and was president of the Ski Club his senior year at North Fremont , graduating in 1952.
Shortly after graduation, he married Jeanne Jenkins, whom he had dated in high school and made their home in Ashton. They had a son, David Elmer, who was stillbom and was laid to rest by the side of Johnnie's father in the Pineview Cemetery.
Johnny started school at Idaho State College in the fall of 1953, majoring in Electronics in the Trade & Technology Department. He was elected and served as Upper Campus Student Body President his senior year. He was awarded the Certificate of Completion in Electronics in the spring of 1956.
As many young marriages have a hard time surviving, Johnny and Jeanne parted ways. John then enlisted in the Air Force the fall of 1956 and spent the next five years in the service,
257
training in Vermont and putting in overseas duty in the Far East and Japan. Most of his service career was spent working on air craft electronics. He was discharged in 1961, receiving the Good Conduct Medal and the Air Force Longevity Service Award.
After the service, he returned home to East Idaho to work at the National Reactor testing station west of Idaho Falls. It was there he met and married his second wife, Donna King. To them was bom a daughter. Holly Jill, on December 27"'.
In the early '70's, he married Vera Webster and helped raise her daughter, Casey.
The Teton Dam flood in 1976 brought the opportunity for him to become an electrical contractor, starting John George Electric. With as many as five employees, the next two years were spent in the Rexburg area helping homeowners rebuild after the flood. He also subcontracted trenching work for Mountain Bell Telephone Co. and was very proud of his work for them.
In the late '70's, he married Jan Rock, who had served as regional supervisor for Mountain Bell.
He was working for Golden Valley Packers in Roberts when one afternoon, after work, in the 1967 Chevy Bel Air that he had borrowed from Hoover and Elsie, he pulled out in front of a fast moving freight train, losing his life December 22, 1979.
Johnnie had a big heart and was well-loved by all who he touched.
Submitted by June Howell McCord
\f/ \9/ xt/ \f/
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Jientaue^ Boys State
Jay Blanchard, Jack Hoch, and Ira House Submitted bv Jav Blanehard
258
ddfitan JamiC^ Mhtaue^
^ifford, Dennis and Dorothy Keefer. Dennis was bom 1 1 May 1936, the second son bom to Rodney and Gertmde Porter GIFFORD. He married Dorothy 3 Mar 1957 in St. Anthony, Idaho. They had the following children:
Lurah Lorraine bom 24 Jan 1959 at St.
Anthony, Idaho. She married
Steve Klatt Jacqueline Sue bom 7 Feb 1961 at St.
Anthony, Idaho. She married
Joseph Dilley. They have one
daughter:
Elizabeth (Lizzie) Heidi Denise bom 1 1 Mar 1969 at St.
Anthony, Idaho. She married
Daryl Henderson. They have two
sons:
Zachary
Jeremy Dennis attended school at Marysville until he was in the sixth grade. The following year he had to attend school in Ashton as the county was closing the mral schools. He graduated from North Fremont High School and went to the
University
Dorothy and Dennis Gifford
Lurah and Steve Klatt
of Idaho at Moscow, Idaho, for one year. When he retumed to Ashton, he married Dorothy Lou Keefer of St. Anthony, Idaho. They lived in Ashton where Dennis worked with his father and brother Paul on the family farm.
Dennis loved to work with the machinery, and it was his job to keep things working around the farm. His father, Rodney, was trying to find a more efficient way to harvest potatoes and had built a machine called the Rodmont (after Rodney and his brother, Mont). This was one of the first mechanical harvesters to be used in the Ashton area. Because it was the only one of its kind, it was a constant job to work on the machine so that it would harvest the potatoes. Each fall the machine would be used, and then in the winter and summer, Dennis would use his welding skills and would modify it and make it better. The Rodmont harvested a lot of potatoes until it was replaced with a modem harvester.
259
_.
a^fiton ^am'djf Mh taxied
Jacque GitYord, Laura Richards Wollan, Lurah Gifford, Janalyn Richards Larish, Heidi Gifford Henderson
With his brother, Paul, and his father, he owned and operated Gifford and Sons Potato Warehouse. Rodney was the seed salesman, Paul ran the warehouse, Dennis managed the potato cellars, and Dorothy kept the books. The name of Rodney Gifford and Sons became known as far west as California and east to include Florida and Chicago.
Dorothy was very active in the community. She served on the Library Board. During her tenure on the board, they moved into a new library. Dorothy also volunteered at the school, helping where she was needed. When the Forest Service threatened to demolish the Johnny Sack Cabin in Island Park, Dorothy got an organization and saved the cabin. She was also very active in helping Ashton get medical services after the death of Dr. Krueger
In 1988, Dennis retired from farming. He and Dorothy moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, where they opened a business called "The Farmer's Daughter." They import herbs, repackaged them, and sell them to restaurants and grocery stores in the Salt Lake City and Park City areas.
Dennis continued to tinker with machinery and has invented a machine that will size the potatoes as they are
sorted. He has been able to obtain some patents on this machine, and it is being used in several potato warehouses.
Zachary, Daryl, Heidi and Jeremy HENDERSON
Siihmitted by JoAnn Gifford Anderson
260
a^fdatt ^amilbf Jihto^ie^
^ifford, Rodney Paul and Irene Goodsen. "Paul" was bom 28 May 1934 at St. Anthony, Idaho, to Rodney Veach and Gertrude Porter GIFFORD. Paul married Irene at Lewiston, Idaho. She was from Howe, Idaho. They had the following children:
Rodney John bom 26 Mar 1961 and died in 1988.
Stephen bom 23 Aug 1962.
Rebecca bom 21 Dec 1963 and died 22 Dec 1963.
Randy bom 28 May 1965.
Lynn bom 29 Jun 1966.
Robin bom 7 Dec 1967 and died Oct 1968. , Y r Paula bom 6 Jul 1969
^k ^ Mary bom 15 Sep 1970.
Paul attended Marysville
Elementary school and was a
member of the last 8"' grade class to
graduate before it was consolidated
into Ashton. He
attended Ashton High
School but when he
was a senior, he
moved into the new
high school and was
in the first class to
graduate from North
Fremont High School.
Paul went to the
University of Idaho at
Rodney John
Paul Gifford fishing at the river below the farm.
Stephen
Paula
Mary
Moscow for one year.
Paul was drafted into the Army in 1956, was assigned to the Second Armored Division, and stationed at Bad Kreuznach, Germany. Then he transferred to the Third Armored Division at Frankfort, Germany. He was discharged in 1958. Paul and Irene lived in Ashton
Randy
Lynn
261
where Paul worked with his father and brother, Dennis, on the family farm, which they enlarged into Rodney Gifford and Sons farm and potato business.
Paul retired from farming in 1988 and lives in Teton, Idaho.
Submitted by Jo Ann Gijford Anderson
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ici^hM$'
f^^
i^ ^
, Delora Huntsman, Francis Ann
JHemaxie^
Hurre, Jackie Nelson F-Connie Robinson, Nina Richards and Glade Richards.
Submitted bv Nina Richard Smith
ddfito-n J^iaia: H. G. "Fess" Fuller spent most of his life helping Ashton grow. He fondly became known as the "Father of Ashton."
262
CL^htatt 3-antliy. Ml^tojue^
^ifford, Rodney Veach and Gertrude Porter. Rodney was bom 14 Jan 1905 at Marysville, Idaho
to Arthur and Sarah Jane Bainbridge GIFFORD. He passed away 8 Jul 1969. He married
Gertrude on 17 Jan 1931 in Ogden, Utah. She was bom 28 Mar 1906 in Rexburg, Idaho to
Arthur Jr. and Gertmde Paull PORTER. She died 12 Jun 1975 in Ashton, Idaho. They had the
following children:
Rodney Paul bom 28 May 1934 at St. Anthony, Idaho. (See Gifford, Rodney Paul.) Dennis bom 1 1 May 1936 at Rexburg, Idaho. (See Gifford, Dennis.) Gertmde Jo Ann bom 30 Sep 1941 at St. Anthony, Idaho. (See Richards, Ronald Glade.) Rodney had a busy life growing up on a farm. He developed a love of animals and a love
of the soil which was to direct his later life.
One of Rodney's favorite horses was Dove.
He got Dove when he was 12 years old and a
year later, in 1918, he rode Dove through
Marysville to tell everyone the news of the
signing of the Armistice to end World War I. His life was not all work. There were
the fun times as a boy when he did the boy
things. His only swimming instmction was
when his brother, Mont, threw him into the
river, and it was sink or swim. The lesson was
short and successful. Rodney had his tum
when he taught his cousin, Fred Sommers, to
swim in the same manner. In those days, there
was a railroad wye by the river where the
trains would tum around. One time Rodney
and his friend, Elwood Baum, decided they
would climb on top of the boxcars and have a
chase. Maybe they were pretending to be train
robbers. Rodney fell off, broke his arm, and that ended that activity.
As a money-making venture, Rodney would gather pigweed and sell it to the Negro porters on the trains. They would then cook the pigweed and have a good meal.
He received his schooling in Marysville and Ashton, completing high school at Ricks Normal School in Rexburg. He attended one year of college at the University of Idaho at Moscow. This was not the end of his education as he was an avid reader. He especially enjoyed reading history books as well as about the accomplishments of great men.
Rodney's cousin, Fred Sommers, had perfect pitch and was a talented musician. His brother, Mont, later became the music director at Idaho Falls High School, writing marches for the band and distinguishing himself in the music field. Rodney, however, had no such talent. While at the University of Idaho, he offered to type for a classmate who was blind. (His typing skills were
A.L. "Mont" and Rodney Veach GIFFORD
Gertmde Porter Gifford
263
Q^dfitan family. 3ih tabued
exceptional.) This classmate was a musician. For payment, Rodney asked for voice lessons. He told his friend that he just wanted to be able to sing in church when the congregation sang. After a semester of lessons, his friend told him that perhaps when the congregations sang, he should just listen, and that was the end of his singing career. However, he had good rhythm and was a terrific dancer.
When Rodney and Gertrude were married in 193 1, they were in depression times and getting up a household was not easy. Gertrude was teaching school at this time but was forced to resign at the end of the school year as married women were not allowed to teach school.
The young couple spent one year in Cedar City, Utah running a laundry. Rodney worked 12 hours a day for 12 2/3 cents an hour. At the end of a year, they had saved what seemed to be an incredible fortune-$50.00- and returned to the farm in Marysville where they were to raise their family, fami, and become an integral part of the Ashton community.
Times were still hard. Only those who lived through the bad days of the Depression can appreciate the hardships that they endured. It was hard enough to buy the necessary food-clothes were unheard of- but they also had to struggle to make payments on the farm. Gertrude and Rodney worked side by side trying to get established in the farming business. When at last the farm was paid for, they were happy, but Rodney was not satisfied.
Gertrude enjoyed her children and openly admitted spoiling them. She was patient with them as she taught them to love all things and all people. Rodney complained that his sons would never be hunters because their mother taught them to love animals so much they could not kill them.
Rodney was interested in his community and proud to be from Idaho. He was active in the Farm Bureau for many years. He was proud of being among the lobbyists who spent time in Boise fighting for the passage of the bill making it illegal to sell liquor in any place but an incorporated village or city.
Life on the farm was not easy. The family learned to live with failure as the bad years seemed to be more frequent than the good ones. As the children grew older, they also became part of the farm help. Winters, though long, were never too bad, as the family was kept busy with jigsaw puzzles, books, music, games, and making flidge. Gertrude never mastered the art of winter sports and couldn't ski because she said the skis always went faster than she did. She tried to help out with the animals. Rodney tried to teach her to ride a horse and drive a team. He told her to just let them know who was boss. She replied, "They know. It isn't me, it is them."
Gertrude resumed her teaching career as a fourth grade teacher at Ashton Elementary. For the next 17 years, she devoted many loving hours to her students, teaching several different grades, andending up as a second grade teacher.
Gertrude had only completed two years of college and after resuming teaching, she had to complete her Bachelor's degree. Other teachers had the same problem and with them, Gertrude attended Ricks college. They would teach all day and then drive to Rexburg to attend night classes. Summers were spent in Rexburg attending summer school. They also took several correspondence courses, which were terribly time consuming. In August of 1956, Gertrude and her colleagues graduated from Ricks College in the last graduation class to receive a Bachelor's Degree from that institution. The following year. Ricks became Ricks Jr. College. This completed the cycle as she had graduated from Ricks three times-Ricks Normal, which was her high school diploma. Ricks Jr. College with an Associate Degree, and finally. Ricks College
264
d^fitatt fj^amiiy. Mhto^Ucd
Dennis Gifford, JoAnn Gifford Richards Anderson, and Rodney Paul Gifford
with her Bachelor's Degree in Education.
Rodney believed in Idaho potatoes and built his life around them. He knew that, for a farmer to survive, he had to have a more economical way to harvest. With his brother, Mont, they built one of the first mechanical harvesters ever used in the Ashton area, which they lovingly christened the "Rodmont." This was a strange looking contraption, different from most of the harvesters because it picked the potatoes after they had been dug and then loaded them on the trucks.
Rodney and his sons expanded their farming operation to include more land and later to develop a potato warehouse. At this time, they became known as Rodney Gifford and Sons. The three worked closely together on the farm. In the winter, Rodney was the seed salesman, known to hundreds of farmers throughout Idaho. Dennis managed the potato cellars and Paul ran the warehouse. Through the warehouse, the name of Rodney Gifford and Sons became known as far west as California and east to include Florida and Chicago.
After Rodney's death, Gertrude taught for two more years finally retiring to ftilfill dreams of travel and church work.
Gertrude was an active church worker. Shortly after moving to Marysville, she was sustained as an organist in the Primary. This was a double blessing. Although most of the time she had to walk the mile and a half to the church, she said that she felt like running because it gave her an opportunity to play the piano. She also served as Primary President, Young Woman's Secretary, and as a teacher, organist, and chorister in the various organizations. She was active in the Ward and Relief Society choirs.
The six years following her retirement were not idle ones as she did all sorts of needlework and crafts such as rugs, afghans, and pillow tops. She also loved to garden and spent many hours working in her immense yard. She traveled to Jerusalem, Mexico, and Hawaii.
Gertrude also spent a lot of time with her grandchildren. Paul had four boys and two girls; Dennis had three girls; and JoAnn had a boy and two girls. Gertrude was buried beside Rodney in the Pineview Cemetery in Ashton, Idaho.
By JoAnn Gifford Richards Anderson
265
Cl<yfitan H-am'dif Mhtaucd
Dora Goebel Stegelmeier
goebel, August and Dorothea Margaretha Elisabeth Hargens.
August was born on January 28, 1872 in West Point, Nebraska, to Auizustin and Caroline GOEBEL.
Dorothea was bom September 10, 1871 in Wesselburen, Prussia, to Jurgen and Bertha HARGENS.
August and Dorothea met at a dance in Nebraska and were married two months later on February 19, 1895 in West Point, Nebraska. They had the following seven children:
August bom in 1895 in West Point, Nebraska, died in 1904 in Greentimber, Idaho, and buried at Pineview Cemetery, Ashton, Idaho. Fredericum (Fred A) bom 20 Dec 1896 in West Point, Nebraska, died 27 Feb 1952 in Ashton, Idaho, and buried at Pineview Cemetery, Ashton, Idaho. Henry bom 28 Dec 1897 in Beemer,
Nebraska, died 13 Nov 1973 in Ashton, Idaho, and buried at Pineview Cemetery, Ashton, Idaho. Caroline bom Feb 1899 in Beemer,
Nebraska, died 21 Jun 1914 in Ashton, Idaho, and buried at Pineview Cemetery, Ashton, Idaho. William born 30 May 1900 in West Point, Nebraska, died 17 May 1959 in Ashton, Idaho, and buried at Pineview Cemetery, Ashton, Idaho. Bemard born Jul 1901 in West Point, Nebraska, died 29 Oct 1975 and buried at Pineview Cemetery, Ashton, Idaho.
Helen bom 19 Dec 1902 in Pender, Nebraska, died 6 Apr 1984 in Portland, Oregon.
August and Dorothea were divorced 8 Sep 1902. After her divorce, she received a letter from her brother. Otto Hargen, who had a homestead in the Greentimber area. He told her to bring her
August, Fred, Henry, Carrie, and Bill GOEBEL
Frank and Louis Stegelmeier, Ben, Bill, Heni7, and Fred Goebel. 266
(Zafitan fj^amiiy. MhtoJcie^
Frank Owen 1915
seven children and come live with him. So, in the spring of 1903, she and her family took the train from Nebraska to St. Anthony, Idaho. They lived with Otto until she could get her own place.
Otto Hargen had a friend, Otto Steglemeier. He introduced them and they were married in Marysville, Idaho 30 Sep 1904. Otto and Dorothea had four children:
Louis Otto bom 5 Apr 1905 in Ashton, Idaho. Matilda Ann bom 14 May 1906 in Ashton, Idaho. Frank Albert bom 5 May 1 907 in Ashton, Idaho Dorothy Grace bom 13 Jun 1909 in Ashton, Idaho. This made a family of 13.
Fred Goebel grew up in the Greentimber area helping his stepfather and his mother with the everyday chores. Farm work was done with a horse and steam power. The neighbors helped each other whenever the need arose. Fred, along with his brothers and sisters, went to the Greentimber School. When Fred was old enough, he left home and roomed with Jake Kautz (also a Greentimber resident). They had a deal that whoever complained about the cooking took over the cooking. It became a contest to see who could do the worst cooking. In 1925 he moved to a farm south of Ashton. Owen Gmbe lived with Fred while he finished high school. Fred's neighbor was Frank and Florence Owen. Frank K. Owen was bom 9 Aug 1865 to John E. And Catherine OWEN in Kaneville, Illinois. Florence Nightingale was bom 20 Nov 1866 to William Nightingale and Mary Alexander in Alexander, Nebraska.
Florence Owen 1915
Frank, Fred, Helen, and Kathryn Goebel
Florence Kathryn Owen 1915
On 19 Sep 1893, Frank and Florence were married in Fort Collins, Colorado. Florence had a son from a previous marriage. Henry H. Owen was bom 3 Mar 1888. Henry was a veterinarian in Ashton for years. He also had a Shell Service Station for a few years before
267
d^fitan fJ^antiiif Mhta^ue^
I
Kathryn and Fred Goebel
leaving Ashton. Florence Kathryn Owen was bom 16 Oct 1905 in Wayne, Nebraska. She went by Kathryn. In 1908 Frank and Florence moved their family to Ashton, Idaho, and bought a farm three miles south of Ashton. In 1917 the Owen family sold out and moved to Colorado. One year later they returned and rented the F.E. Taylor farm (the Stan Loosli place). Kathryn went to Ashton to school and graduated from Ashton High School. She then went to college at the University of Oregon. When her fiance, Fred Goebel, came to get her from college, they were married in Eugene, Oregon, 17 Dec 1928 on their way home. They continued to farm next to Kathryn's parents.
On March 14, 1931, Helen Jeanne was bom, and on August 27, 1933, Frank Owen was bom.
Florence Owen died in August 1932, and Fred, Kathryn and daughter, Helen, moved into the Taylor house.
Frank K. Owen built a small one-room house on skids and moved it along with the Goebel's each time they moved. He died on 7 Nov 1949. Fred, Kathryn, and their family moved twice, ending up in Vemon where their son, Frank, still resides (2005).
Helen Jeanne Goebel went to first grade in Ashton. When the family moved to Vemon, she got to skip second grade and start in the third grade. She went to the Vemon School through seventh grade when the Vemon School was closed. She graduated from Ashton High School. She then went to nursing school in Boise, Idaho. She met Elmer Dean while at school, and they were married in 28 Aug 1949 in Boise. Elmer died on 1 5 Jan 1 953. Their son, E. Joe, was bom on 1 6 Jun 1 953, never knowing his father.
Helen moved back to Ashton where she married Perry Owen Gmbe. The Grubes and Goebels were neighbors and had been friends for a long time, and Helen and Perry had grown up knowing each other.
Fred A. Goebel died 27 Feb 1952 on his farm. Kathryn Owen Goebel died 20 May 1963 at the home of her daughter.
Helen and Frank Goebel 1936
By Michael Gnibe. (2005)
268
(Zdfitait JamlCy. Jih tabued
§reene, Jay and Donna Luella Baum. Jay was bom 9 Mar 1 9 1 5 to Alphus Theron and Ruth Hughes GREENE. He died 3 Mar 2002. He married Donna 27 Sep 1938 in Driggs, Idaho. She was bom 2 Dec 1920 in Marysville, Idaho, to Orson and Ruby Lorina Haws BAUM. She died 21 Oct 1991 in Twin Falls, Idaho, and was buried 24 Oct 1991 in Twin Falls, Idaho. They had the following children:
Eloise bom 9 Dec 1939 in Twin Falls, Idaho. She married John
Lucena. Joan bom 19 Nov 1944 in
Clarkston, Washington. Joan died of multiple sclerosis. She married Mike Evan Kemin. Denny bom 25 Nov 1946 in Twin Falls, Idaho. He
married Jill. Connie bom 5 May 1956 in Twin Falls, Idaho.
Donna and Jay Greene
Connie and Donna Greene
Submitted by Jeanna Baum Smith
Denny, Eloise, and Joan F-Connie Greene
269
dd titan ^atniiij. 3ih tabued
Wilford and Velma Green
§reen, Wilford James and Velma Hillam. James was bom 21 Jan 1919 in Oakley, Idaho, to Sam and Vivian Vilate McMurray GREEN. He married (1) Velma 6 Aug 1943 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Velma was bom 2 Jun 1917 in Marysville, Idaho, to Abraham Baron and Mamie Ann Taylor HILLAM. She died 15 Feb 1987 in Las Vegas, Nevada. She was buried in 1987 in the Ashton Cemetery.
They had the following children: Kaye bom 22 May 1944 in St. Anthony, Idaho. Kaye married Donald T. Miller, and they have seven children and live in Weiser, Idaho. Vera bom 6 Nov 1946 in St. Anthony, Idaho.
(See Knox, Emet Don.) James Wilford bom 21 Mar 1949 in St. Anthony, Idaho. He died 22 Nov 1949 and was laid to rest in Ashton, Idaho. John A. bom 16 Jun 1950 in Ashton, Idaho. He
died and was laid to rest in Ashton, Idaho. Wilma bom 21 Jul 1952 in Ashton, Idaho. Wilma married William C. Zink, and they have
four children and live in Salt Lake City, Utah. Betty bom 18 Jul 1955 in Ashton, Idaho. Betty married Paul E. Steen and they have two
children and live in Pocatello, Idaho. Barbara bom 3 1 Aug 1957 in Ashton, Idaho. Barbara married Dennis R. Jensen and they
have two children and live in Smithfield, Utah. Ivan Crouch and Wilford Green were Army buddies in the same unit at the beginning of World War II. In May 1942, they were transferred from Fort Lewis to Fort Smith, Arkansas, to form the 817"" Tank Destroyer Battalion. While being transferred, Ivan stopped in Ashton to marry Mary Hillam. Mary was able to follow Ivan to Fort Smith and then Camp Hood in Texas. Mary had her sister, Velma Hillam, come to Fort Hood to drive home to Ashton with her, so she could keep her teaching contract. A romance was bom between Wilford and Velma. They exchanged many letters and then were married Aug 6"\ 1943, when Wilford got home on furlough. Velma lived with her parents, Abe and Mamie Hillam, of Ashton while Wilford completed his military service in Europe. Their first daughter, Kaye, was bom May 22, 1944.
Wilford was discharged in Salt Lake City in October 1945. Velma was there to meet him, and they retumed to Ashton where he was introduced to his 18-month old daughter. Wilford had always wanted to farm, and Ashton was the perfect place. Velma's brothers were harvesting when they returned and were very happy to have another man to help. After two years working for Golden Andms on his farm, Wilford and Velma were able to lease a farm of their own from Mr. Honess. The farm was located southwest of Ashton. After a year or two, they were able to
270
dafitatt S^am'dg. Jih taxied
Velma, Vera, Barbara, Kaye, and Wilford F-Betty and Wilma GREEN
B-Kaye, Vera, Wilma, Barbara, and Betty F-Wilford and Velma GREEN
purchase the farm.
In April 1948, the family moved into the small farmhouse. They continued to plant crops, milk cows, and raise many other animals. The family enjoyed working hard together on the farm, raising wheat, barley, certified seed potatoes, and hay. They also enjoyed playing when the work was done. There were many trips to Yellowstone Park to enjoy the animals, the beauty and other local scenic destinations. The family was active in the Ashton Ward. Wilford served as Elders Quorum President, Councilor to the Bishop Joseph C. Felix. Velma served as Young W^omen's President, Sunday School Secretary and many other callings. Wilford and Velma served in community activities. Wilford was on the board of directors of the Farmers Own Ditch Co. He was President of the Fremont County Farm Bureau. Velma was secretary for the Ashton Farm Bureau. She was also involved in the girls' activities.
The girls all attended school in
Ashton. They all graduated from North Fremont High School. Each enjoyed their friends and teachers and were involved in many school activities.
After 25 years of farming, Wilford was employed by the Idaho Farm Bureau but continued to live in
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Cldfitan HatnLi^ Jihta^ue^
Ashton. In 1977, he was transferred to Pocatello, Idaho.
Wilford was married to (2) Oma Lee Armstrong on 7 Jan 1989 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was bom 24 Aug 1931 in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho, to David and Gertrude Denton PARRIS. They now reside in Inkom, Idaho.
By Wilford James Green
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d^fitan ^uaia: Terry Huntsman remembers the breed of dogs that Ashton tried to establish. He thought they were called the "Targhee Hounds." Everett Hessman had the greyhound stud and Charlie Bumside had the Irish Setter mother. Their pups made great racing dogs. They bred them around here for a while but don't think they ever got established as an actual breed..
Over the years, a completely separate breed, the Targhee Hound, began to emerge at the Dog Derby. The beginning of the breed can be traced back to a dog rescued from a pound when Ashton musher Tud Kent found a huge black dog with a big head and paws in the Salt Lake pound, saw his potential as a sled dog, and bought him for $2.50. "Nero" resembled the stag hound of England lore, and when bred with retrievers, setters, and similar breeds, sired dogs that formed one winning team after another as selective breeding out the power, lasting endurance,
and intelligence that came to distinguish the breed. The breed was never registered with the American Kennel Club and may no longer exist, but they had a powerful impact on the races, even impressing Alaskan mushers who scoffed at the breed until Lloyd Van Sickle took his team to Alaska durino; the winter of 1955, raced against their best, and proved that these dogs could not only hold their own, but win as well. Idaho Magazine, "Dog Days" of February, pg. 13.
Memaue^ "Babe" Reiman... children unknown. .tnonvmous
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Ci^fitan family. Mhto^Ue^
Donna and Henry Griffel
^riffel, Henry C. and Donna Phyllis Phillips. Henry was the son of Pete and Minnie Lenz GRIFFEL. He married Donna Phyllis Phillips 6 Jan 1951 in Ashton, Idaho. She was bom 1 8 Jan 1 929 in Ashton, Idaho, to Walter Albertus and Lydia Martha Christine Reimann PHILLIPS They had the following children: Nancy Ann bom 26 May 1952. She married Jack H. Marotz, son of Herman and Ila Atchley MAROTZ, on 12 Aug 1972 in Ashton, Idaho. They had the following children: Jonathan Eric bom 3 Feb 1 975 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He married Megan Seeley 3 Aug 2002. Alissa Ann bom 4 May 1977 in Idaho Falls. She married Cliff Lewis 17 Jun 2000, and they have one child: Brandon James.
James Carl bom 13 Oct 1978 in Ashton, Idaho. Phyllis Louise bom 31 Jul 1953. She married Ted
D. Sturm, the son of Donald and Betty Orthell STURM, 21 Jun 1975 at Ashton, Idaho. They have the following child:
Melanie Ann bom 1 1 Apr 1977 at Ashton, Idaho. She married John Gallop 5 Jul 2001. Carla Kaye bom 15 Mar 1955 at Ashton, Idaho. She married Mark Erich Kuehl,
the son of Erich and Dorothy Flint KUEHL, 26 Jul 1975 at Ashton, Idaho. They have the following children: Cicely Kaye bom 2 Aug 1978. Nathan Mark bom 2 Aug 1980 at Ashton, Idaho. Richard Henry bom 1 Oct 1966 at Ashton, Idaho. He married Julie Greene. They have the following children: Amber Lynne bom 25 Aug 1992. Michial James bom 21 Nov 1993. Bridger Henry bom 14 Apr 2002. Carson bom 8 Feb 2004 at Idaho Falls, Idaho. "An Ashton business that follows its motto 'We're the problem solvers" is HG Lumber and Tmstworthy Hardware on Main Street.
"Owned by Donna and Henry Griffel, the family-operated business offers a wide variety of building supplies, hardware, and gift items. They also do custom work and oftentimes make the product to exactly fit the customer's needs, such as fitting windows, cutting pipe, or sawing just the right size of board.
"The Griffels have been in business since Nov. 1, 1967, when they bought Howe Lumber from Randall and Jesse Howe. The Howe's had operated a hardware and lumber business at that location since the 1930s.
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(Zdfitati ^atn'di^ 3ihto^ue6
"This summer HG will undergo some changes as the Griffels expand the store 1 , 1 OOsquare feet to the west. Construction is slated to begin around the first of May and should be finished during the summer.
"The expansion will allow more floor space to display merchandise. 'Ashton and the surrounding communities have been very good to us, and business is looking good,' said Mrs. Griffel. The present Fall River Review office and the empty building to the west will be demolished to offer off-street parking.
"In recent years Donna and Henry have turned over much of the
operation of the business to their children, Richard and Phyllis Sturm. This enables them to take time off as needed, leaving capable knowledgeable help behind. Richard is now manager of the store and Phyllis is bookkeeper and salesperson." Taken from the Fall River Review April 5, 1990 pg. 9
At this time H. S. Lumber is still in business.
Submitted bv Helen Reiman Marsden
Donna and Henry Griffel
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Ashton
American
Dog Derby
in
1930s
Anonvmoiis
272b
ddfitan 3-ainiiy. Mldtofucd
^riffel, Henry F. and Dorothy Klai(/au)ssing. Henry F. was bom 24 Apr 1812. Dorothy was bom 1 2 Aug 1813. They had the following children:
Marie bom 1 1 Jun 1840. She married Frederik Schamhorst in 1867 in Germany. They made their home near Concordia, Missouri. Frederik died in 1894. They had seven children. Henry F. Jr. bom 24 Nov 1848 in Germany. He married Margaret Bosen in Feb, of 1873 in Concordia, Missouri. She was bom in Germany 3 1 Oct 1854. They had the following children:
Gustav H. Bom in 1877. Gus never married. Emma bom in 1879 (their only child who did not move to Idaho.) She married
Herman Eckhoff of Concordia, Missouri. Frieda bom in 1882. She married Louis Kappelmann of New Haven, Missouri.
They also came to Idaho. He owned a saloon in Ashton at the time. William (Bill) bom in 1885. He married Mary Harrigfeld.
In 1906, Bill went to Idaho and decided this is where he wanted to settle. His parents and the rest of the family followed in March 1907, making the trip in three days on a railroad coach. Fred bom in 1888. He married Martha Lenz. Arthur (Pete) bom in 1895. He married Minnie Lenz. Selma (See Lenz, Franz K. L. - Fred J.) Elenore (Nora) bom in 1901. (See Lenz, Otto.)
The last four marriages made four sets of double cousins. All the Lenz's were children of Carl F. and Anna Lenz. Most of the Lenz and Griffel's were double cousins:
Minnie and Pete: Fred and Martha: Fred and Selma: Otto and Nora: Henry 1 Doris, Velma Viola Francis
Everett Gladys, Bemice Thelma Cleo
Earl 1 Fred, Elmer Maxine Robert
Irene Lois, Lloyd Fred Jr. Marlene
Floyd Harold
Ida Lenz was married to Carl C. Lenz. Carl C. Lenz is not related to Carl F. Lenz. How is that for confusion?
Henry F, Jr. Griffel and Margaret came to America in the same year of 1 866.
Anna bom 2 Aug 1856. She married George W. Kurtz 8 Sep 1876. They were they were the parents of 12 children of which 3 sons and 2 daughters died in infancy. (Not sure about the relationship of this Anna to family, but left in for clue to future genealogists. K. Newcomb.)
Henry and Dorothy Griffel came to New Orleans from Germany. Henry has two sisters.
Bv Harold Lenz
273
Cl<yfitan Jantii^ Jihto^ue^
^rube, Perry David and Sophie Louise Kautz.
Perry was bom in Iowa in 1876 and reared in Ohio, from whence he came to parts west with his older sister, Cora, when he was in his very early teens. Like many young men at the time, he secured employment in the mining industry, working in the Butte/Anaconda area of Montana.
In the 1890's, the news was of land opening up for settlement in the south in Idaho, and this captured the youth's imagination. So he saddled up his horse and investigated the area on his own, and finding the lands in question very much to his liking, he returned to Montana where he told John George, a good friend, who also lived there. Subsequently, they rigged up a covered wagon, and loaded it with all their worldly possessions. He named the homestead he cleared and proved in 1901, ''Greentimber Ranch." Now that he had a farm and a hand-hewn log cabin for his own, he was a man
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Sophie Kautz and Perry David GRUBE
with a future. Within five years, he met and then married his neighbor, who owned the adjoining property. Her name was Sophie Louise Kautz.
Sophie, bom in Wisconsin to a German speaking family in 1873, was a gentle soul who had come to the area with her parents, Julius and Louise Kautz; and her brothers, Jake and George. The Kautz family had arrived by train in St. Anthony, which was so far as the railroad lines extended at the time. The Kautz family had also dreamt of a better life out west and had accompanied a large group of Lutheran homesteaders, which had been led by Chris Harrigfeld, out of Hastings, Nebraska.
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Rt- P.D. Grube First Gmbe home-that became the schoolhouse.
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dafitan 3-ainiiif Mhtaue^
After spending some little time in St. Anthony as a dressmaker and seamstress, Sophie had proved her own homestead in the Greentimber area.
This hopeful and ambitious couple soon welcomed three boys into their family; Owen Peter, bom May 4, 1906; Merle Perry, bom Feb 4, 1910; and David Paul, bom March 16, 1911. This rapidly growing family required a bigger house than the log cabin, so a frame house was built when their oldest, Owen, was still a baby. The original log cabin then served as the first school house in Greentimber. The first teacher was a woman named Kate Gallagher. On the first day of her career in Greentimber, she discovered that most of her 36 new students spoke only German, and she spoke not a word of the language! The kids could all understand each other, but they couldn't understand her, nor she them! Around 1908 and 1909, a new frame school building was built across the road from the log cabin. Both buildings still exist and are in service at the time of this writing (July 20, 2005) with the frame schoolhouse being used for various private social functions and by Greentimber Good Fellowship Club for card parties. The log cabin is used by Greentimber Ranch for storage.
As the boys grew up on the farm, they had many chores to do, and they also experienced many wonderftil family excursions into Yellowstone Park, family picnics, and other "neighborhood get-togethers." The boys even had a pet bear cub for a season. The farming machinery of the day was mostly horse-powered. Their produce eventually included some potatoes, along with the traditional crops of barley, wheat, and hay.
Mr. Gmbe was a charter member of Ashton Lodge #73, A.F. & A.M.; he was also Noble Grand of the Ashton I.O.O.F. Lodge #88. Mrs. Gmbe was active in Dorcas Circle, a ladies auxiliary of the Lutheran Church. Besides church and/or lodge activities, either "P.D.," as Mr. Gmbe was often called, or Sophie would often serve on the Greentimber School District Board as a tmstee. This connection to the school district served Owen especially well since it was he who drove his mother to the train to meet a newly hired schoolteacher. Miss Lucille Baldwin, recently of Kansas City, Missouri. Owen and Lucille
Owen, David, and Merle GRUBE Ca. 1913
Merle, Owen, B-David GRUBE Ca. 1949
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(Zifitatt f^atnii^ Mhto^ue^
met at that time and
eventually married.
They reared three
children: Perry,
Pearle, and Fern.
Merle came to marry
a local girl, Evelyn
McKerigan, whose
maternal family
(Liet) had
homesteaded in the
Hu^sinsviile area.
The children bom to
this union, which
lived to be reared,
were Jimmie,
Shirley, DeLynn
(Swede), "Linda"
and Judith. David
married a local girl.
Norma Bonneru, whom he met at a card party, and whose grandparents were homesteaders just
west of Ashton in the Vernon area. They reared ''Darlene" and Rulon. The three Grube "boys"
grew up to farm or ranch in the Ashton area nearly all their lives. The original Greentimber
Ranch continues operations as Ashton prepares to celebrate its centennial year. Ownership
passed through the years from P.D. and Sophie to Owen and Lucille, and from them to Owen's
son, Perry, and his wife, Helen.
Sophie passed away in April of 1951 at the age of 77; and P.D. passed away in November of 1956 at the age of 80. Eighteen of P.D. 's and Sophie's great-grandchildren passed through Ashton schools in the 1950's, '60's, '70's and '80's. Living descendants who have made Ashton or its environs their home as it approaches its centennial celebration include Pearle Merrick, Rulon Grube, Shirley Reimann, Kaylen Lenz, Jeff Grube, Michael Grube, Holly Goebel, David Goebel, John E. Grube and summer resident, David Q. Grube, who also submitted this short family history.
Grube Family in Greentimber ca. 1932 1-r: P. D., Sophie, Owen holding Perry, Lucille, David, Norma, Evelyn, Merle GRUBE, unidentified woman holding child, and Owen Grube (bro. of P.D.) Unidentified girl in front
By David Q. Grube
ddfitan J^^Laia: Before many bridges were built, often the roads pointed from one good place to ford the river to another rather than follow the shortest path.
276
B-Pearle and Perry
F- Fern, Lucile, and Owen GRUBE
(Z^fitan ^atn'dif Mhtaue^
§rube, Owen Peter and Matilda Lois "Lucile" Baldwin.
Owen Peter Grube, a pioneer of Greentimber, was bom May 4, 1906 in a log cabin that still stands today. His parents were Perry David and Sophia Louise Kautz GRUBE.
His parents homesteaded next to each other. Perry David came from Anaconda, Montana, with Bill Austin in 1901, and Sophia came from Nebraska with her parents, Julius and Louise Capple KAUTZ and her two brothers, Jake and George, in 1902. They were married February 1, 1905 in St. Anthony, Idaho.
Owen grew up on these homesteads with his two brothers, Merle Perry and David Paul.
He attended grade school across the road from his house and joined in the usual prank games of his time. After graduating from Greentimber School eighth grade, he attended Ashton High and graduated in 1926. Since the roads were closed in the winter, Owen had to stay with friends in Ashton during the week but came home on weekends regardless of the weather. One time he froze his fingers and toes coming home with the team during a blizzard.
After graduating from high school in 1926, he farmed with his dad, eventually taking over the farm. In those days farming was done with horse, steam thresher, and grain binder. In the winter all the neighbors got together and hauled their grain to town with sleighs.
Lucile Baldwin came from Kansas City, Missouri, to teach school in Greentimber in 1928 and lived with the Grubes. She was bom on Febmary 14, 1910 in Stonington,
Baca, Colorado, to George Francis and Nina Pearle Bunting BALDWIN. Owen and Lucile were married on the 25"" wedding anniversary of his parents, Feb. 1, 1930 in St. Anthony, Idaho
Owen and Lucile had three children:
Perry Owen was bom 6 Nov 193 1 on the ranch in Greentimber, Idaho. He died 5
Apr 2003 and is buried in the Pineview Cemetery in Ashton, Idaho. Pearle Virginia was bom 7 Jan 1933 in Ashton, Idaho.
Gmbe Family Reunion B-Michael, Joe, Helen, Perry, Gr. Owen, Jeff F-Jeanne, Kaylen, Julie, Penny
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ddfitatt S^amiii^ Mhtaue^
Jeff, Julie, Joe, Perry, Helen, Michael, Penny, Kaylen, and Jeanne GRUBE
Fern Louise was bom 17 Aug 1941 in St. Anthony, Idaho. She died 6 Nov 1956
and is buried in the Pineview Cemetery in Ashton, Idaho. Lucile passed away 21 Apr 1976 in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Owen 17 Mar 1986 in Greentimber, Idaho. They are both buried in the Pineview Cemetery in Ashton, Idaho. Pen-y Owen grew up in Greentimber helping his parents operate the farm. Perry attended Greentimber School through the eighth grade and graduated from Ashton High School in 1950. August 1950 brought Perry into the Korean War.
Perry Owen married Helen Jeanne Goebel Dean, a local gal, on November 29, 1953 in Ashton, Idaho. Helen's son, Elmer Joe, by a previous marriage, was adopted by Perry soon after. Their children are as follows:
Elmer Joe was bom 16 Jun 1953 in Gooding, Idaho, died 7 May 1988 in Las
Vegas, Nevada, and is buried in the Pineview Cemetery in Ashton, Idaho. Kaylen Jeanne was bom 30 Nov 1954 in Ashton, Idaho. Jeffry Owen was bom 14 Aug 1956 in Ashton, Idaho. Pcnelepe Fern was born 27 Nov 1957 in Ashton, Idaho. Michael Fred was bom 26 Nov 1959 in Ashton, Idaho. Julie Ann was bom 27 Oct 1961 in Ashton, Idaho. Jeanne Sue was bom 25 Nov 1964 in Ashton, Idaho.
278
dafitati f^atnii^ Mhtaue^
This comprised the rest of the family. Perry and Helen farmed with his parents and eventually took over the farm. Perry died 5 Apr 2003 in Greentimber and is buried in the Pineview Cemetery in Ashton, Idaho. Helen still lives on the farm.
Michael Fred Grube was bom on Thanksgiving Day in 1959. By this time farming with a horse was a thing of the past and was done by tractors, self- propelled combines, and all types of modem machines. This did not mean we didn't have to go out and work on the farm helping with the hay, cows, and potato harvest. It was not all work, though; with that many kids we had our share of fun swimming at "White Fish," fishing, or playing pranks on each other. We all were involved in 4-H for many years.
While working at Grand Targhee Ski Resort in Alta, Wyoming, in 1988, I met Kathryn Janet Kunz of Victor, Idaho. We were married in Victor, Idaho, 21 Oct 1988. She was bom 21 Oct 1962 in Victor, Idaho, to Keith James and Betty Janet Wray KUNZ.
Michael and Kathryn farmed with his parents and eventually took over the operation of the farm. They have four kids:
Arleigh bom 13 Dec 1990 in Rexburg, Idaho. Michael Owen bom 30 Jan 1993 in Rexburg, Idaho. Marinda bom 4 Oct 1994 in Rexburg, Idaho. Austin Keith bom 21 Apr 1999 in Rexburg, Idaho.
In 1994 Kathryn drove spud tmck until it was time to have Marinda. Then a couple of days after her birth, Kathryn was back out in the tmck helping finish the harvest.
Michael, Austin, Kathryn, Marinda F-Arleigh and Owen GRUBE
By Michael F. Grube 2005
S>veet Perfdifle
We live and leam through our own experiences. We are also taught by others or out of books. Sometimes these leaming experiences are a disaster. Other times they accomplish a goal or a worthy project. Then again, they end in a funny conclusion.
As a young teenager, I was willing to try almost anything within reason. I also had a great
279
Q.^fitatt family. JihtaueA
respect for my Grandfather Walker. Anything he suggested, I accepted without question. Thus my experience with a skunk.
Grandfather was hving on a farm some seven miles east of Ashton, Idaho, in the little community called Warm River. With the help of his old faithful dog. Bob, he caught about fifty skunks. Bob became Grandfather's companion merely by climbing into his car, thus deserting his owners.
Throughout the winter months, skunks would wander into the building areas of the farm looking for something to eat. Old Bob would give the alarm and Grandfather would get out of bed. By the time he dressed and arrived on the scene. Bob would have the skunk cornered.
The skunk, more interested in the dog than Grandfather, would find himself hanging by his tail and placed in a pen. By the time spring arrived. Grandfather had a large colony of skunks.
Grandfather took good care of his so-called pets and the idea occurred to him, "Why not start a skunk farm?" After all, skunk pelts were bringing about two dollars a pelt. Two dollars in that day and time was good money for a pelt, so the idea had merit.
Withe the arrival of spring, several litters of skunk kitten arrived on the scene. His skunk population had now grown to about 150 animals. The amount of perfume this number of skunks could produce was enormous. When one skunk became excited, which wasn't very often, so did the others. The word went out, "LET US SPRAY."
Grandpa decided that to be able to go on living with Grandmother and to keep his skunks, they had to be deodorized. He had two ideas how to accomplish this task, and this was how I became involved in the experiment.
He asked me if I would like to help deodorize his skunks. I accepted the challenge and Grandfather outlined the procedure I was to use.
We placed a big Tom skunk in a gunnysack. I merrily threw the sack over my shoulder and mounted my horse. We left a seven-mile trail behind us filled with skunk perfume. At home I placed Tom in a rabbit pen and in a short time we had become friends. Skunks are easy to tame and they do make good pets.
A week or so passed before I was able to find someone to assist me in the operation. For some unknown reason or other, those I asked graciously declined to assist me when I mentioned we would be operating on a skunk. Finally I talked an old trapper into helping. It took a bit of doing before he consented to help. He wasn't too clean, and it was a toss up which smelled worse, he or the skunk.
Now Old Tom hadn't agreed to have an operation and having performed by a couple of novices was out of the question. It wasn't his idea of fun. The knife I used and looking back in time, wasn't the sharpest. My stepfather refiised to let me use his razor, even though he hated my pet skunk . So I had to make do with what I had.
I sharpened my knife to the best of my ability. I got Old Tom out of the pen and rolled him up in a gunnysack and placed him on his back. I gave my assistant directions to hold the animal tight. I started to cut. Tom took a dim view of the whole affair and managed to roll over on his feet. He gave me both barrels in the left eye! I rolled him back over on his back and admonished my assistant to hold him tighter. Being able to see with one eye, I started the operation once again. This time Tom managed to roll over in the opposite direction and gave me both barrels in the right eye. I was totally blinded. I couldn't see a thing. I felt my way out of the shed and 1 let the wind blow in my face. In a few minutes my eyes cleared and I could once
280
dafitan 3^atniitf Mhtaue^
again see. It was back to finish the operation and this time I told my helper to hold him even tighter. We finished the operation without further incidents. I pulled Tom back in the pen to recover from his incisions.
Skunk water in one's eyes is like being sprayed with tear gas. Your eyes sting and tears come gushing down like a cloud break caused by a summer's thunderstorm. The smell, believe it or not, does not have the noxious smell but rather the sweet sickly smell of the honeysuckle.
It was time to clean up and I headed for the house. A bath and clean clothes were in order Mother met me at the door and greeted my by saying, "YOU'RE NOT COMING INTO MY HOUSE SMELLING THE WAY YOU DO!"
"How am I going to get cleaned up?" I asked .
Mother replied, "You'll take your bath outside." With actions to suit her words, she soon had the wash tub sitting on the lawn. She filled it with warm water and handed me a bar of yellow soap.
"Mother," I exclaimed, "you mean I have to take a bath out here in front of everyone?" We were living in a small community. With fire in her voice she replied, "That's right. Get with it!" I mustered up the necessary courage and took my bath. The yellow soap killed the odor. In fact, Feld's yellow soap could kill anything because of the lye it had in it. Once again I was pronounced clean and now deodorized, and I could once again associate with the human race.
I reported my assignment to my grandfather, giving him all the facts. He had a good chuckle over my efforts. My operation didn't succeed. However, Grandfather's method did. Even though he deodorized all of his skunks. Grandmother's sensitive nose could still
smell the little
J/lemoLue^ Gail Biom and his does.
beasts. In order to keep peace and harmony in the home. Grandfather took all of his pets for a ride. He turned them loose in Bear Gulch, some fifteen miles east of his home in Warm River.
Copyrighted by Elwood W. Chambers, 2004
Submitted by Tom Howell
Carol Egbert sub. Bv La Vaur Scow
281
Cl<yfitan 3- amity. Jihto^ue^
^ale, Alma Helaman Jr. and Elizabeth Presinda Hendricks.
Alma was bom in Grantsville, Tooele, Utah, on 1 1 Jan 1857 and died 9 Apr 1938 in Logan, Utah. He married Elizabeth, bom 16 Dec 1867, on 1 Oct 1884 at Logan, Utah. She died in Idaho Falls, Idaho, on 27 Nov 1946. They were the parents of eight children who lived and two who died early in life:
Elizabeth Presinda bom 5 Sep 1885 and died 1 1 Jul 1975 at Springville, Utah.
Mable Fidelia bom 20 Mar 1889 at Swan Lake, Idaho and died 18 Jun 1969 at Idaho Falls, Idaho. (My patemal grandmother.)
Joseph Alma bom 16 May 1893 at Preston, Idaho, and died 29 Oct 1962 at Blackfoot, Idaho.
Alta bom 25 Aug 1885 at Preston, Idaho, and died 7 Aug 1974.
Theolia bom 16 Jan 1899 at Marysville, Idaho, and died 25 Nov 1955 in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
LeGrand Sheldon bom 1 Oct 1901 in Marysville, Idaho, and died 16 Oct 1962.
Leila bom 10 Aug 1905 in Marysville, Idaho.
Harold Hendrick bom 12 Jan 1911 in Marysville, Idaho.
B-Theolia, Alta, LeGrande, Mable, Leila
F- Elizabeth, Alma, Harold Jr., Elizabeth (L-ibbie), and Joseph HALE
Alma grew up around Tooele, Utah, and migrated north to the Cache Valley with his family. He and Elizabeth were married in 1884. About the first week of April, 1889, he was called on a mission from the LDS Church in the British Isles for two years. When he retumed, he took his young family and moved to Oxford, Idaho, and later on they moved to Preston,
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dadtatt 3-aniii^ Mhtaue^
Mabel Fidelia Hale, Knapp's Autobiography "Our New Home" Marysville, Idaho, still standing 2005. Alma H. Hale, Jr. (age 52), Alta (age 14), one of the boys is LeGrand (age 8), Elizabeth P. Hendricks Hale (age 42), Leila (age 4), Theolia (age 10).
Idaho. Joseph and Alta were bom while they were living in Preston.
Alma worked in a store and the Tithing Office while they were living in Preston.
Grandma Hale was not blessed with very good health and her oldest daughter, Elizabeth (Finnic and my Grandmother, Mable) took care of her many times when she was ill.
Alma H. Hale, Jr. home in Marysville still standing in 2005.
283
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The young couple attended the Logan Temple often, and they also went to the local celebrations and dances in the area.
About 1895 the family moved to Marysville, Idaho. They came to Market Lake by train and were picked up by Uncle Joe Hendricks, who took them by wagon to Marysville where he had a homestead. Uncle Joe's wife had died, so the family moved into his house which was near to Grandpa Hendricks' home. Alma served as Ward Clerk and Elizabeth's father was a member of the bishopric. Sister Hale was the Sunday School teacher for the children. Alma was a beautiful writer, and he spent many hours working on the ward records, which had been sadly neglected for a long time.
After a time, they moved from town to a place north and east of Marysville on top of a hill above the Snake River. That winter, 1899, they lived with Will and Deal Whittle, who were family members. Theola was bom there in January. The snow was so deep the family had to move back to town. They always had plenty offish and elk meat to eat during the long winters.
Alma was a good carpenter and sometimes he would be away for several days working for others to help earn a little extra money, but he always returned so he could be with his family in church on Sundays.
With what little extra money they could scrape up, the family made contributions to the building of the Rick's Academy at Rexburg.
Summer times were pleasant and the family made trips to Big Springs, Upper and Lower Mesa Falls, and the grove at Warm River to celebrate the 24"' of July.
p"wgiimiig""»'iii^
A.H. Hale & Company Grocery Store in Marysville, Idaho. (See Holbrook, Joseph - for AH Hale & Company store on Marysville Main Street.)
284
dafitatt §amiiif Mhta^ue^
Winters were severe and the snow was deep. Blizzards would last for several days and the children couldn't get to school. But after the storms they could walk on the hard drifts, and it was easier to get around.
Alma was the superintendent in charge of building the new Marysville two-story, four- room school, which was a real addition to the community.
The family built a red brick home on the northeast side of town in Marysville in 1909, and the family moved back into town. Alma ran a little store and was also the Post Master.
The older girls were leaving home and getting married. Elizabeth, "Finnic," married Jasper Hammond (Jessie) and they lived in Ashton most of their lives. Finnic was certified as a school teacher and Jasper worked for the railroad.
Mable, (my grandmother), married J. W. Knapp and moved away to Hibbard where he was involved in farming with his family. About 1916 the Hale family sold their property in Marysville and moved back to Logan, Utah, where they were active in Temple work for the rest of their lives. Most of this information was taken from Mable F. Hale, Knapp Family History.
By Steve Knapp
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Jl/tetno^ue^ Taken from the bi-centennial paper
285
ddfitan S-amliy. Jihta^de^
Ji^ammond, Craig Lee and Susan Laureen Burt. Craig was bom 18 Jan 1951 in Shelley, Idaho, to Hugh B. and Jean HAMMOND. He married Susan 10 Jan 1975 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She was bom 4 Aug 1955 in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Cyril Osbom and Maxine Hobbs BURT. They had the following children:
Laureen bom 13 Nov 1975 in Rexburg, Idaho. She graduated from North Fremont High School, received her Associates
B-David, Laureen F-Jimmie, Craig, Susan, and Michael HAMMOND
Degree from Ricks College and her Bachelor's Degree from Utah State University. She also served an LDS Mission in San Bemardino, California. James Craig bom 18 Jun 1977 in St. Anthony, Idaho. He married Kimberly Ann
Colemere 5 Aug 2000 in Holladay, Utah. Jimmie graduated from North Fremont High School and received his Bachelor's Degree from Utah State University. He served an LDS Mission in Leeds, England. He received the Eagle Scout award. He has four children:
Sophie
James
Samantha
Zachery Michael Jay bom 27 Apr 1981 in St. Anthony, Idaho. Michael graduated from North Fremont High School. He has attended school at Bridgerland in Logan, Utah, and at East Idaho Technical College in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He served an LDS Mission in Phoenix, Arizona. He received the Eagle Scout award. David Lee bom 5 Sep 1983 in St. Anthony, Idaho. He died 19 Aug 1999 in Ashton, Idaho and was buried 23 Aug 1999 in Ashton, Idaho. David attended North Fremont High School. He received the Eagle Scout Award. He died in a car accident near Aspen Acres Golf Course. He was 15
David Hammond
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(Zdfitati 3-ainliif Mhtaued
2 — The Ashton Herald. Thuraday. September 1 3. 1 984
At Hammond Plumbing and Heating
Minding your business
""^"fl^glBI'i^'y^i'Mr
From left. Craig Hammond and his father Hugh work on another project at Hammond Plumbing and Heating.
By JOYCE OTTO Staff Writer
When the plumbing plugs up and company is on the way, or the heat shuts off and it's 20 below zero, the business most area residents call is Hammond Plumbing and Heating in Ashton.
Owned by partners Hugh Hammond and his son Craig, the business came to Ashton in 1957 when Hugh and Louis Smith bought it from Keith deStwolinski. Known as H. and S. Plumbing, the business was located where the Flea Market is now.
In 1975 Mr. Smith move to Rexburg and the store became Hammond Plumbing and Heating. In 1976 the business was moved to its present location in the old Neifert Hotel.
Some remodeling was needed on the building to house a plumbing and heating business, and the middle story was removed. The top story is now used for storage.
The Hammonds do all types of
plumbing, heating and pump repair and
• replacement. They also thread all types of
pipe, and Hugh's specialty is sheet metal works.
Most of the business is from residential homes, although the Hammonds have done some commercial work. Ninety-five percent of their customers are from the Ashton area.
Many of their calls are from "emergencies" that come at all times of the day and night. The Hammonds strive to get to an emergency as soon as possible, although it often puts them behind in other work. "When people need it (emergency plumbing work), they need it bad," said Hugh.
Prices at Hammonds are "very competitive" with other plumbers in the valley. "If we're not competitive we're not in business," said Hugh. "If plumbers are supposed to be rich I haven't found that out yet."
Items sold in the store are also priced competitively with those of similar quality. "A lot of times you can buy a similar looking item a lot cheaper, somewhere else," said High, "but a cheap item is just that — cheap. Quality-wise, our prices are very competitive."
At the Hammond store, all types ol phimbing and heating items can be purchased from stock available. Special orders are sent to Hammond's from Idaho Falls and will usually arrive the following Tuesday or Friday.
Between August and the last of January is the busy season for Ham- monds as many individuals prepare their homes for winter. Although Hugh and Craig are often at a residence working, messages to them are quickly relayed through their wives at home.
About the only time the Hammonds can (probably) be found at the store is at 8 a.m. and I p.m. as they prepare for another job. However, calls at home are readily accepted and the store can be opened as needed.
Hugh and Craig are the only two employees at the business, although Mrs. Hugh Hammond keeps the books.
Plans for the future include main- taining the "same good service we've always had," and improving the in- ventory and doing what is possible to improve customer service.
"When we do a job," said Hugh, "we like it done right."
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(Zifitati ffatnii^ Jihtaue^
Craig, Laureen, Jimmie, Susan, and Michael HAMMOND
years old when he died.
Craig was raised in Ashton, Idaho. He graduated from North Fremont High School in 1969. He served an LDS Mission in Pennsylvania. After returning home from his mission, he worked with his father, Hugh. B. Hammond, in the plumbing business. Originally the business was called H&S Plumbing and Heating. In 1976, they changed the name of the business to Hammond Plumbing and Heating. He worked with his dad until 1988. Then he became the Idaho State Plumbing Inspector, covering the Eastern Idaho counties of Bingham, Bonneville, Jefferson, Madison, Fremont, Teton, Butte,
and Clark. Currently he covers Fremont and Teton Counties. He also has taught the 4"' year Plumbing Apprentice courses at East Idaho Technical College in Idaho Falls, Idaho, for the last 1 7 years.
Susan was raised in Parker, Idaho. She worked at the Ashton Elementary School as a kindergarten teacher's aid for two years. Susan was elected in 1995 to serve on the Ashton City Council. She served for 8 years until the end of 2003. She worked closely with the Police Department, the Ashton Public Library, and was instrumental in the city building a dog pound. She currently works at Stronks and Sons Lumber and Hardware as a secretary.
Ashton City Council - 2003 B-Councilwomen: Suzette Bollinger, Linda Janssen, and Susan Hammond F- City Clerk, Joni Amen; Mayor, Teddy Stronks; Councilman. Richard Huntsman.
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Cidfitan 3-am'di^ Jihtaue^
Snake River ice jam from Jim's boat dock. Craig, Mike, and David HAMMOND
Snake River ice jam view from Jim's boat dock.
Craig, Susan and their family are active members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints.
By Susan Hammond
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J/iema%Le6 Ashton Hotel during the dog races. Note the horses at the hitching post at the left. Anonymous
289
(Z^fitati ffatnli^ Jih tabued
Hammond, Hugh B. and Norma Jean Mecham. Huijh was born 18 Oct 1923 in Groveland, Idaho, to Alma Frederick and Martha Louise Barrus HAMMOND. He died 29 Oct 2003 in Orem, Utah, and was buried 3 Nov 2003 in the Pineview Cemetery, in Ashton, Idaho. Hugh and Jean were married 8 May 1948 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Jean was bom 19 May 1928 in Pocatello, Idaho, to Clinton Charles and Elsie Curtis MECHAM. They had the following children:
Fredrick Charles bom 24 Jan 1949 in
Pocatello, Idaho. He married Shauna Joyce Wagner 8 Jan 1972 in the LDS Temple in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
Hugh and Jean Hammond
She was bom 14 Dec 1952 in Rigby, Idaho, to Wes and Ethel Ruth WAGNER. They had the following children:
Kellie Joy born 5 Feb 1973 in Rexburg, Idaho. She married Eric James Shultz 1 Mar 1997 in the Mount Timpanogas LDS Temple in American Fork, Utah. Eric was bom 1 1 Feb 1971 in Puerto Rico. They are the parents of two daughters and a son:
Korinne McKel bom 15 Oct 1998 in Boise, Idaho. Brianne Noel bom 21 Jun 2000 in Boise, Idaho. Nathan James bom 25 Sep 2003 in Boise, Idaho.
Kellie attended schools in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and American Fork, Utah. She graduated from American Fork High School and attended Ricks College. Kellie served an LDS Mission to Washington, D. C. South.
Eric served an LDS Mission to the Philippines.
Eric, Kellie, and family currently reside in Boise, Idaho where Eric is Employed with Micron. Eric Todd bom 28 May 1974 in Rexburg, Idaho. He married Natalya (Natasha) Petrovna Meschaninova 16 Mar 2002 in Tempe, Arizona, in the LDS Temple. She was bom 2 Oct 1976 in Saratov, Russia.
Eric attended schools in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Highland, Utah. He graduated from Highland High School and graduated from DeVry Institute in Phoenix, Arizona. Eric served an LDS Mission to Samara, Russia.
Eric and Natasha currently reside in Phoenix, Arizona, where Eric is employed in the healthcare industry. Kirk Dallas bom 9 Jul 1976 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He has one child. Her mother is Autumn Van Why:
Jessica Alexis bom 17 Mar 2000 in Orem, Utah.
He married Stephanie Stegman 16 Aug 2004 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Stephanie was bom 12 May 1982 in Clinton, Maryland.
Kirk attended schools in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Orem, Utah. He
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d^hton ^amihf Mbto-ued
graduated from alternative high school in Orem, Utah. He attends college
in Colorado. Kirk and Stephanie currently reside in Brighton, Colorado. Brad Lee bom 9 May 1978 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He married Michelle Lynn
Ferguson 17 Feb 2002 in Las Vegas, Nevada. She was bom 13 Feb 1974
in Denver, Colorado. They have two daughters:
Isabella Marie bom 19 Feb 2003 in Denver, Colorado. Sophia LeAnn bom 18 Jan 2005 in Denver, Colorado. Brad attended schools in Highland and American Fork, Utah. He
graduated from American Fork High School with a dual enrollment in
Utah Valley State College. He attended college in Kansas City, Missouri,
and Colorado. They currently are purchasing a pizza business and reside
in Aurora, Colorado. Patrick Charles bom 9 Sep 1979 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He attended schools in
Highland, Utah. Patrick is purchasing a pizza business and currently
resides in Brighton, Colorado. Valerie Jean bom 4 Mar 1983 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She attended schools in
Highland, Utah, and Butte, Montana. Valerie currently resides in Aurora,
Colorado. Jordan Craig bom 29 May 1984 in American Fork, Utah. He attended schools in
Highland, Utah, Butte, Montana, and Brighton, Colorado. He graduated
from Brighton High School. He is currently attending college in Colorado
and resides in Brighton, Colorado.
Fred attended schools in Idaho Falls, Idaho and Ashton, Idaho. He graduated from North Fremont High School and attended Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho. Fred served an LDS mission in New England-United States. He served in the United States Army in Fort Lewis, Washington where he met his future wife.
Fred and Shauna currently reside in Brighton, Colorado where Fred works in the oil and gas industry and Shauna works in a Physician's office. Craig Lee bom 18 Jan 1951 in Shelley, Idaho. (See Hammond, Craig Lee.) Sandra Kay bom 1 1 Jul 1952 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She attended schools in Ashton, Idaho, and graduated from North Fremont High School. She attended Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho, LDS Business College in Salt Lake City, Utah, and attended college in Kansas City, Missouri, University of Oklahoma, and Boise State University in Boise, Idaho. She currently resides in Roosevelt, Utah, where she works as a Grants Compliance Supervisor for the Ute Indian Tribe. Dennis Hugh bom 5 May 1955 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He married Carla Van Dyke 17 Feb 1977 in Salt Lake City, Utah, in the LDS Temple. Carla was bom 1 1 Dec 1956 in Logan, Utah, to Don Carlos and Calva VAN DYKE. Dennis and Carla are the parents of five children: Scott Clinton born 19 Mar 1978 in Monticello, Utah. He married Tassy Ann
Scott 12 Jan 2002. She was bom 18 Oct 1979 in Provo, Utah. Scott and
Tassy are the parents of two daughters and are expecting a third child in
Sep 2006:
291
Trinity Alexis bom 9 Nov 2001 in Roosevelt, Utah. Dakota Jean bom 27 Apr 2003 in Provo, Utah.
Scott attended schools in Orem, Utah, and graduated from North Fremont High School in Ashton, Idaho. He served an LDS mission to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. They currently reside in Springville, Utah. Scott works as a Surgical Technician in Provo, Utah. Brooke bom 4 Mar 1980 in McMinnville, Oregon. She attended schools in Orem, Utah and graduated from Mountain View High School in Orem, Utah. Brooke graduated from Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho. She currently resides in Orem, Utah, and works for Overstock.com. Trevor Hugh bom 2 Jul 1982 in Provo, Utah. He married Megan Elizabeth
Campbell 19 Jun 2004 in Oakland, Califomia, in the LDS Temple. She was bom 4 Apr 1983 in San Jose, Califomia.
He attended schools in Orem, Utah, and graduated from Timpview High School in Provo, Utah. He served an LDS Mission in San Diego, Califomia.
Trevor and Megan have one daughter: Jordan Breeze bom 10 Mar 2006 in Provo, Utah. They currently reside in Springville, Utah. Trevor currently works for My Family.com and is attending college at Utah Valley State College in Orem, Utah. Jeffrey Curtis bom 5 Jun 1986 in Provo, Utah. He attended schools in Orem, Utah, and graduated from Mountain View High School in Orem, Utah. Jeff is currently living in Orem, Utah, where he is attending Utah Valley State College, preparing for an LDS mission, and working. Jason Dennis bom 30 Nov 1988 in Provo, Utah. He attended schools in Orem, Utah, and will graduate in the Spring of 2006 from San Juan High School in Blanding, Utah. Jason will also have an Associate Degree from CEU, College of Eastem Utah. In March 2006, Jason was the Utah State Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) winner in Researched Persuasive Speaking. He will complete in the national competition in June 2006, to be held in Anaheim, Califomia. He currently resides in Orem, Utah. Dennis attended schools in Ashton, Idaho, and graduated from North Fremont High School. Dennis graduated from Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho, and graduated from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. He served an LDS Mission to Paris, France.
They currently reside in Orem, Utah. Dennis is CFO for Utah Navajo Health Services, and Carla is a Registered Nurse at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in Provo, Utah.
Hugh attended schools in Groveland, Idaho. He served in the United States Army and was a Veteran of World War II where he served in the Pacific Theater. He received an honorary high school degree from North Fremont High School.
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ddfitati ffatniiy. Sihtojue^
Hugh and Jean Hammond
Jean attended schools in Firth, Idaho and graduated from Firth High School. Jean currently resides in Ashton, Idaho. Hugh and Jean's marriage was solemnized 9 Jun 1965 in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple.
Hugh and Jean met and married after World War II. They farmed in the Groveland and Thomas, Idaho, area for several years. They moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho, in the early 1950's and Hugh worked for a plumbing and heating contractor until 1956. Hugh Hammond and Louis Smith bought the plumbing business from Keith DeStwolin-ski in 1957 and the Hammonds relocated to Ashton, Idaho. They started out renting a home from Carl Lenz on the south side of Ashton. They later moved to the apartments in Ashton until they built their home in 1 96 1 .
The business, H & S Plumbing and Heating, was operated from the east side of the Odd Fellow's building. The partners bought the Neifert building in 1971, but did not occupy it until after Louis Smith moved to Rexburg, Idaho in 1973, and the partnership was dissolved. Dewey Hays was a plumber in Ashton, which meant that at one time our local plumbers were Hughie, Dewey, and Louie, just like the Walt Disney ducks! Hugh Hammond and his son, Craig Hammond operated the business as Hammond Plumbing and Heating. They moved into the remodeled Neifert building in 1975. Craig later went to work for the State of Idaho as a Plumbing Inspector, and Hugh operated the business until he retired and the business was sold to Dan Whitmore in January 1994. The business name was changed to Dan's Plumbing and Heating. There are very few plumbing and heating systems or pumps in Ashton, and the surrounding areas, that Hugh was not involved in the original installations and maintenance of the homes, farms, and businesses. Even after he retired from the business, Dan Whitmore spent many hours discussing the plumbing and heating problems of the area with Hugh. Dan was always amazed at how Hugh could recall and discuss just about every single plumbing setup, furnace, and pump in Ashton and the surrounding areas until the time of Hugh's death in 2003.
Jean Hammond worked in the Ashton area at the Husky Drive Inn, a local hamburger joint for teenagers and local folks. Jean also worked as a cook at the Ashton Memorial Hospital under the direction of Doctor Alexander A. Krueger and Administrator Helen Kent, for many years. When the plumbing and heating business partnership dissolved, Jean went to work for the family owned business and kept the books until the time it was sold.
Hugh and Jean Hammond were always actively involved in community, church, and school activities in the Ashton area. They were instrumental members and served in many leadership positions in the American Legion Post 89 and Auxiliary during the time they lived in Ashton. They were integral members of committees to elect representatives for Boys and Girls
293
Ci^fitan fJ-amiiif Mbtaue^
State from
North
Fremont
High
School.
Hugh and
Jean were
always
involved in
community
service and
community
activities,
including
local and
national
elections.
Jean served
for many
years as a
member of
the election
committee and spent hours working for the election processes. They were members of a
consortium that purchased the Husky Drive Inn and Ashton Theater in order to provide activities
and a place for young people to gather and be entertained. They spent many hours renovating
and updating the facilities to make a nice place for the community.
Hugh and Jean were very supportive of all the school functions and attended the school activities, sporting events, and banquets to support their children and the schools in the Ashton area. Community involvement and community unification was important to them, and they were actively involved in the progressive dinners between the different churches in the community and made a point to support all church activities and fund raisers.
Hugh spent many years as a volunteer fireman in the Ashton community. This was an unpaid position but he always answered the call and went without question when help was needed. Hugh and Jean were members of the local bowling teams for many years.
Hugh and Jean also enjoyed the recreation areas and the beautiful scenery that is part of the Ashton community. They spent many hours and weekends camping, fishing, hunting, and enjoying the beauty of the area. They were always proud of their home and their community and always worked hard to keep it a quality place to live and work.
Submitted hv Sandi Hammond
B-Sandra, Dennis, Fred, and Craig F-Jean and Hugh HAMMOND
294
(Zdfiton 3" amity. Jihtaue^
Milton Melvin Hammond
J^ammond, Milton Melvin and Eliza Jane Tibbetts. Milton married Jane 2 1 Jul 1886. Their children:
Louis Tibbetts. He married Gladys
Dorcheus on 13 Dec 1911. They had the following children: Don Dorcheus Leo Louis. Leo married
Margaret Hargis. She died 10 Jan 2006 and was buried 13 Jan 2006 in the Pineview Cemetery in Ashton, Idaho.
Leo continues to reside in Ashton. He is a businessman and farmer. After World War II, Leo operated a dry cleaning business, and later engaged in farming in the area. They are the only ones to remain in Ashton - living there continuously except for his periods of military service. Kenneth Kay Shiriey Kathleen William Jay Constance
They all attended and graduated from Ashton High School.
Kathleen said that her dad was an Ashtonite through and through... knew all the fishing holes and chokecherry outcroppings. Robert LeRoy Iris Benjamin Lovisa Mary Melvin Milton Karl Hayes
Eliza Jane (died in infancy.) Ross Jay (died at 1 1 months.) Earlier, Milton Melvin married Sarah Elizabeth Thornton on 3 Apr 1 876. They had five children-one of whom was a long time resident of Ashton:
Jasper "Jesse" M. married Elizabeth P. Hale 18 Dec 1907. Their children:
Eliza Jane Tibbetts Hammond
Louis Tibbetts Hammond
Leo and Margaret Hammond
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-.
CL^dtan ffatnli^ Mhta^ue^
Zara, Maxine, and Melva.
They all attended and graduated from Ashton High School. In 1895, Milton and Jane moved to the Marysviile area. They homesteaded in the Fall River area. Milton was also the first County Assessor of Fremont County. The family moved to St. Anthony soon after. Later Jane moved to Raymond, Washington, with her daughter, Lovisa H. Nelson.
By Margaret and Leo Hammond, and Kathleen Hammond Dav
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Margaret and Leo Hammond
Jlietnaued Tud Kent is the winner! Submitted by Nieca Cordingley Jessen
296
^argis, Thomas Stringfield and Martha Potts. They had the following children: Dr. Edward L. married Verta Lowe. Thomas B. married Sophia. She died in 1924. They had the following children:
Tom Jr. bom 1916 married Helene Mahalle. After he left the Army he
practiced law and lived in Tucson, Arizona. Margaret bom 1917. (See Hammond, Milton Melvin - Louis Tibbits - Leo Louis.) Thomas B. then married (2) Muriel Turtle in 1928. She was a pretty young school teacher. Muriel died in 1939. They had the following children: Marie bom in 1929. She married James M. Graham, Jr. They made their home in Garden Valley, north of Boise, where she taught high school. Muriel bom 1932. She was called "Bobby Jean." She married Kenneth McLean. Muriel and Ken moved to Bellevue, Washington, where he established his dental practice. Edward bom in 1934. He married Frances Ann Herre. Ed became the second doctor in the family when he became an opthalmologist and began his practice in Billings, Montana. James bom in 1935. He married Marilyn Gies and practiced law in
Tigard, Oregon. Thomas B. married (3) Jalma Oustrand Ridley. Thomas set up his law practice and also served as the town Postmaster. Frances married William McDonald. They had one child:
William Doss. "Doss," to friends and family, married Elizabeth Wood. They had the following children: Mary Frances bom inl 9 18. She married William Tmde. They made their
home in Califomia. Lewis bom in 1920. He married Virginia and they joined their parents in
farming in the Ashton area. Doss and Elizabeth joined his parents in farming. She taught school and later became a realtor. America married Lewis Hurst. Sam married Agnes Bullard.
The first Hargis to come to Ashton, Idaho, was Dr. E.L. Hargis (Ed), who arrived in 1906, as a newly-graduated doctor from Tennessee. Family tradition says that he was lured off the train by locals who asked that he make a call on a "sick friend," and the train left without him. Dr. Hargis commented that "I wasn't sick when I got there, but I wasn't feeling too hot when I left." Whatever the tmth of the story, he liked what he saw, accepted a job as the doctor for the railroad, and stayed - ultimately delivering over 4,000 babies in the course of his career in family medical practice. He was soon joined by his father and mother, Thomas Stringfield and Martha Potts Hargis, and together they homesteaded in the Famum area. Martha also boarded teachers in her home in town and kept house for Ed while he built his medical practice. As his brothers and sisters finished college, they, too, moved west. Thomas and his new bride,
297
Q.^fiton f^atnii^ Mhto^ue^
Dr. Ed Hargis in front of his Doctor's Office.
B-Doss, Elam, Tom F- Ed, Momma, Poppa, Fan, Mec, Lewis
Sophia came in 1915, followed by Frances and William Doss. Sister America and brother Sam remained in the east but visited often. Ed also married and his new wife, Verta Lowe Hargis, joined him in Ashton. Verta was a nurse who Dr. Hargis met in Chicago during World War I.
In 1924,
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CL^fitaft ffamii^ Mh tended
tragedy came to the Hargis clan when Tom's wife Sophia died, followed shortly thereafter by the deaths of Thomas S. and Martha Hargis.
By Margaret Hargis Hammond
Dr. Ed. Hargis
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Marion Albrethsen and Jean Passey conducting important school business!
Submitted bv Jean Passev
Jiemaue^: MarvaRich
remembers... the crews on a smaller
scale - the dripper pan (large black
bread pans) of baked beans, etc.... and
she had to prepare the Vi gallon of icicle radishes from the garden, pick several cucumbers and
tomatoes for the large vegetable dish, and peel the 2 gallons of potatoes for the thresher's meals,
I wondered about some old stories of mad bulls chasing people. My mother told of crawling back and forth through a fence when one was chasing her. I asked Nick if range bulls were meaner than animals are now? He said, "Oh, yes they were, and they had to be to survive."
In later years, a lot of the meaness was probably bred out of them - "except for the rodeo bulls, of course."
299
t
d^fitatt 3-ainiijf Mbta^Ue^
Ira and Lida Harrigfeld
^arrigfeld, Ira Edward Sr. and Lida Gail Phillips. Ira was bom 13 Sep 1933 to William and Frieda Kandler HARRIGFELD. He married Lida 4 Feb 1952 in Ashton, Idaho. She was bom 20 Sep 1933 in Ashton, Idaho, to Walter Albertus and Lydia Martha Christina Reimann PHILLIPS. She died 9 Jul 2000 in Ashton, Idaho. They had the following children:
Ira Edward Jr. was bom 15 Sep 1952 in Ashton, Idaho. He married Terri Lee Markland 22 Aug 1975 in Ashton, Idaho. (Div.) Daniel Phillip was bom 3 1 Aug 1954 in Ashton, Idaho. He was killed in a snowmobile accident 21 Jan 1984. He was buried in the Pineview Cemetery in Ashton, Idaho. He married Angela Renee Staeb on 29 Nov 1980 and they had a daughter:
Angela Marie bom 3 May 1982 Matthew John was bom 14 Nov 1958 in Ashton, Idaho. He married Patricia Ann Hannon 3 Nov 1989 in Ashton, Idaho. Read at Lida's flineral:
On September 20, 1933, one of the most remarkable women I have ever had the pleasure of knowing was brought into this world. On this splendid day, Lida Gail Phillips was bom on a farm east of Ashton to Walter and Lydia Phillips. Here she spent her childhood and adolescent years, graduating from North Fremont High in 1951.
On Febmary 4, 1952, she wedded her high school sweetheart, Ira E. Harrigfeld. To this union three sons were bom: Ira Edward, Dan Phillip, and Matthew Jolin. What a handful that must have been, a house full of men! Nevertheless, these three sons were the pride and joy of Lida's life and nothing brought a finer smile to her face.
Aside from being a fiill-time mother to these three and eventually a grandmother to another set of three, she also worked as a Physician's Assistant to Dr. Krueger and as a clerk at HG Lumber, just naming a few of the diverse positions Lida held.
Perhaps it is this variety in her life that brought about her paramount personality. Never have I met a woman with so much courage, so much strength, and so much understanding. For as long as I can remember, my grandma has always been there for me. Her unconditional love for everyone was a guiding light as 1 grew up. Family and friends were the things she held closest to her heart. She was the crazy glue that kept us all together through the good times and the bad. No matter what the circumstances, she displayed such patience and acceptance.
Lida was a very active woman. She adored golfing and snow skiing, as well as sewing and canning from her garden. To this day 1 have never enjoyed better pickles!
The outdoors was Lida's passion. No matter where she was, she turned her yard into
300
(Z^fitan S-amiiy. Siidtonied
something that could be on the cover of Better Homes & Gardens. My cousin, Angie, and I would have a hay-day playing in her flowers, particularly when Grandma allowed each of us to pick a bouquet. Lida and her brother, Glenn, were constantly competing against each other to see who could harvest a better garden. One day Lida was out visiting Glenn and his grandson, Gabe, who was about four at the time. Lida asked Gabe to go fetch the fattest peas he could find. Well, after waiting for more than twenty minutes, Gabe finally returns with a handful of the skimpiest peas imaginable.
"Are those the best peas you could find?"
"They sure are, Aunt Lida."
"Oh, all right, if you say so."
Then as Lida gave Gabe a closer look, she noticed these large peas bulging out of his pockets, even out of his socks. However, being the good-hearted woman that she was, she overlooked Gabe's little fib and was tickled as she saw him on the front porch devouring the garden- fresh peas. It was obvious whose grandson he was.
Before long, Lida and Ira, after residing in Ashton, decided it was time for a change. In 1988 they packed up their bags and moved to LaQuinta, California. Yet again, Lida used her magical green thumb and developed this blah desert landscape into another remarkable work of art. Here in LaQuinta, I remember waking up with Grandma at six o'clock on Saturday mornings to go to the garage sales. The early bird may have caught the worm, but Grandma and I captured some unforgettable treasures. After a mere two years, Ira and Lida, worn from the desert heat, returned home to Ashton where she continued to reside until her passing on the ninth day of July.
Lida was an avid member in Mary Martha League and the Lion's Club. She was an annual participant in the St. Anthony Fair, earning an abundant amount of blue ribbons for her ingenious creations. As I recall, her entry last year was a collection of old antiques.
Look not where I was I'll watch for you
For I am not here From the other side
My spirit is free I'll be the one running
I am everywhere. New and old friends by my side.
In the air that you breathe Smile at my memory
In the sounds that you hear Remember in your heart
Don't cry for me This isn't the end
My spirit is near. It's a brand new start.
In closing, I would just like to thank my grandmother. Her enchantment taught me lessons I will never forget. You will be immeasurably missed. We love you and may you eternally rest in peace.
By Sara Dee Harrigfeld
Submitted bv Helen Reiman Marsden
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Q^dfiton ^antiii^ Sihtaucd
3t^n\s, George Washington and Helen Naomi Andersson. George was born 5 Nov 1879 in Albion, Iowa, to Robert "Arch" and Irene Sophronia McKenzie HARRIS. He died 12 Dec 1955 in Ashton, Idaho, and was buried in Ashton, Idaho. He married Helen 13 Apr 1907 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was born 2 Jul 1886 in Stockholm, Sweden, to Karl Johan (Wik) and Mathilda Johansson ANDERSSON. They had the following children:
John McCoUum bom 16 Feb 1908 in St. Anthony, Idaho. He married Nora OvardlOJan 1917. They had two children: Jesse George "JG" who married a lady by the name of Esther. John who died in a
vehicle accident when young. Nathan George bom 6 Jan 1911 in Eugene, Oregon. He was cremated. He married Rowena "Pat" Riniker30Sep 1936 in Driggs, Idaho. She was bom I Oct 1914 in Grovont, Wyoming. She died 4 Jul 1981 and was cremated. They had the following children:
Mona "Patsy" Lane bom 1 Feb 1937 in Jackson, Wyoming. She married Blain McMurtrey 19 Oct 1956. Div.
George Washington and Helen Naomi Andersson HARRIS wedding picture 13 Apr 1907
Harold, Charles, Mary Houchin, John, and James HARRIS 4 Feb 1978
302
(Zdfitan f^amiiy. Mbtaued
Phillip George bom 3 Dec 1938 in San
Francisco, California. He married Marion Deanna Butte 15 Mar 1969 in Shelley, Idaho. Harold Lynn bom 8 Sep 1913 in Eugene, Oregon. He
died 28 Sep 1999 and was buried in the Aberdeen
Cemetery. He married Louene Sophia Elg 10 Dec
1938. She was bom 10 Jan 1917 in Idaho Fall,
Idaho. She died 28 Jan 1988 and was buried in the
Aberdeen Cemetery. They had the following
children:
Pennie L. Bom 1940. She married Steve Davis.
Daniel Lynn bom 1 Feb 1943 in Pocatello, Idaho. He married Cherry Jones
Carla Eileen bom 1949. She married John Judge.
Nancy bom 1953. She married Mr. Pazdan. James Robert "Bob" bom 12 May 1916 in Ashton, Idaho.
(See Harris, James Robert.) Mary Irene bom 7 Mar 1919 in Ashton,
Idaho. She died 19 Apr 2004 and
was cremated. She married
Lawrence E. Houchins 18 Jul 1936 in
St. Anthony, Idaho. He was bom 18
Oct 1915 in Butte, Montana to
Lawrence Richard and Edna Viola
Willard HOUCHINS. He died in
June of 1984 and was cremated.
They had the following children:
Mary "Angie" Irene bom 1 8 Sep
1937 in San Francisco, Califomia.
Lawrence "Buddy" Keith bom 2 Oct
1938 in San Francisco, Califomia. He drowned 9 Aug 1947 and is buried in Colma , Califomia.
Charlene Naomi bom 7 Apr 1940 in San Francisco, Califomia. Charles Leonard bom 2 1 Apr 1 924 in
Ashton, Idaho. He died 29 Jul 1979 and was cremated. Charles married Marie "Norma" Gallo 9 Jun 1947 in Tijuana, Mexico. They had the following children: Roxanne bom 3 Mar 1950.
Nathan Harris
^'^^'SWi
Grandma Helen and Grandpa George with Patsy, Phil, Angie, Bud, and Charlene.
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CL^dtan ^atniiif Jihtojue^
Helen Naomi born 5 Dec
1952. Charles Leonard, Jr. born
1955 and died 7 Apr
1956. Charlotte Elizabeth bom 28
Dec 1962. Erik James bom 2 1 Sep
1967. George W. bom 26 Mar
1964 who died 14
Jun 1965.
Submitted by Bernetta Harris Hanson
Helen and George Harris
\t/ \^/' \t/ Nt/
Jlietna^ied Getting rid of the snow Submitted by Nieca Cordingley Jessen
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Cl^fitatt 5^ amity. Mhtaue^
♦^i^arris, James Robert and Bemice Margaret Ohlert. James was bom 12 May 1916 in Ashton, Idaho, to George Washington and Helen Naomi Andersson HARRIS. He died 8 Oct 1993 and was cremated. He married Bemice 2 Aug 1942 in The Dalles, Oregon. She was bom 1 Jul 1918 in Everett, Missouri, to Orra Jacob and Dollie Jane Hall OHLERT. She died 25 Dec 1 992 and was cremated. They had the following children:
Bemetta Alaine bom 2 Sep 1943 in
Harrisonville, Missouri. She married Kenneth H. Hanson 16 Jul 1966 in Salmon, Idaho. He was bom 8 Oct 1927 to Oswald and Cora Iverson HANSON. Kenneth was married to ( 1 ) Mattie. Lecia J. bom 5 Apr 1952 in Ashton, Idaho. She
James and Bemice Harris
married Robert N. Jones 18 Aug 1973 in Ashton, Idaho. (Div.)
James O. bom 1 Sep 1953 in Ashton, Idaho.
Shawna Ann bom 1 1 Jul 1957 in
Ashton, Idaho. She married Kelly Anderson. (Div.)
James Bob Harris, right and Warren Cordingley, left went duck hunting and came home with what is believed to be the largest Rainbow Trout ever taken in Fremont County. The pair, who had gone hunting for ducks, decided to take a few minutes to fish and came up with this 24 pound beauty. The fish, measuring 34 inches long is 24 Vi in girth. It was taken about two miles below the Wendell Bridge near the old Woodbum Ice House. The record Rainbow is 37 pounds, and that fish was taken from Lake Pend Orielle in 1947. (Ashton Herald Friday, October 14, 1955)
The Chamber used this picture on tourist brochures for the next few years.
(See Strong, Harold for more information on this family.) Submitted bv Bemetta Harris Hanson
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(Z^fitatt f^atnii^ Mhtaued
Harris, Robert "Arch" and Irene Sophronia McKenzie. Arch was bom in 1856/57 in Lucas, Iowa. He died in Jan of 1883 and was buried in 1883 in Pueblo, Colorado. He married Irene 5 Nov 1876 in Albia, Iowa. She was bom 24 Jan 1858 in Franklin, Missouri to Irene Marrinet who ran a boarding
house in Canon City, Colorado, and MCKENZIE.
Irene Sophronia died 28 Mar 1937 and was buried in St. Anthony, Idaho. They had the following children:
William Arch bom 1 Sep 1877 in Cedar Mines, Iowa. He died in Oct of 1936 and was buried in St. Anthony, Idaho. "Bill" married Cumorah S. Lowe 14 Jun 1904 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was bom 2 Dec 1882 in Providence, Utah, to William Walker and Mary Shelton Sautter LOWE. She died 1 1 Feb 1964 and is buried in St. Anthony, Idaho. They had the following children:
William Wylie bom 17 Aug 1905 in Rexburg, Idaho. He died 9 Dec 1970 and was buried in Driggs, Idaho. "Wylie" married (1) Alice Humphries in 1931. Wylie married (2) Maude Killpack 17 Feb 1940 in St. Anthony, Idaho. Mary Irene bom 12 Jun 1908 in St. Anthony, Idaho. She died 10 Apr 1999 and was buried in Ogden, Utah. She married Ross Nash 27 Jun 1937 in Preston, Idaho. Andrew Stoney bom 14 Jun 1910 in St. Anthony, Idaho. He died 20 Aug 1990 and was buried in Santa Monica, California. He married Helen Jacobs 1 1 Jun 1933. Marccila Helen bom 29 May 1912 in St.
Anthony, Idaho. She died 26 Feb 2000 and was buried in Fielding Memorial Park in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She married
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306
(Zdfitatt ^atniii^ Mhtaued
Irene Sophronia McKenzie Harris McCollum
Ted Burr Hillman 10 Nov 1928 in Idaho
Falls, Idaho. Melba H. bom 24 Aug 1919. She died 7 Mar 1999
and was buried at Wasatch Lawn Memorial
Park. She married Earl D. Walters 25 May
1940 in Rexburg, Idaho. Katherine Lucille "Peggy" bom 25 Mar 1924 in St.
Anthony, Idaho. She died 8 Feb 2004 and
was buried in Salt Lake City, Utah. She
married Gary Barsnick 8 Jun 1945. George Washington bom 5 Nov 1879 in Albion,
Iowa. (See Harris, George Washington.) Clara B. bom 21 Sep 1882 in Canon City, Colorado. She died 14 Dec 1936 and was buried in St. Anthony, Idaho. She married ( 1 ) Reuben A. Cameron 18 Feb 1901 in St. Anthony, Idaho. They had one child: Archie Cameron
Clara married (2) Harold Strong 1 1 Jul 1905 in St. Anthony, Idaho (See Strong, Harold.) Irene Sophronia married (2) Jonn G. McCollum 29 Aug 1890 in Canon City, Colorado. John was bom 22 Jun 1869 in Dequoin, Illinois, to George and Lucinda Wells MCCOLLUM. He died 25 Sep 1930 in St. Anthony, Idaho. They had the following children:
James Albert bom 23 Jun 1892 in Canon City, Colorado. He died 28 Jun 1946 and was buried in Dillon, Montana. He married Lenore Bishop Thompson in June 1930 in Dillon, Montana. She was bom 10 Feb 1901 in Twin Bridges, Montana, to Leslie Allen and Mildred Bishop THOMPSON and died in 12 May 1993 in Dillon, Montana. They had the following children: Elizabeth Lenore bom 8 Jul 1934 in Dillon,
Montana. She died 28 Feb 1985 and was
buried in Dillon, Montana. She married Jerry
Smith. John Bishop bom 13 Nov 1936 in Dillon, Montana.
He married Nancy Salstrom 17 Jun 1967 in
Dillon, Montana. Mary who died in infancy.
James A. McCollum
Submitted by Bernetta Harris Hanson
.****
307
(Z^^dtan ^amiit^ 3ibtaue^
.9^arton, Herman LaMar and Eliza Murl. "LaMar" was bom I Mar 1895 in Kokomo, Tipton, Indiana, to Leonard and Annie Blanch HATTON. He died 21 Aug 1988 in Phoenix, Arizona, and was buried 23 Aug 1988 in Phoenix, Arizona. LaMar married "Murl" 23 Mar 1922 in Rigby. Idaho. She was born 19 Aug 1901 in Provo, Utah, to Orson and Ruby Lorina Haws BAUM. She died 17 Jan 1996 in Phoenix, Arizona. They had the following child:
Ned bom 2 Oct 1928 in Dillon, Montana. He died 30 Nov 2000 in Phoenix, Arizona. Ned married Georgine Mary Ann
Schlunberger in Aug of 1957.
LaMar was the fourth of
five children. He supported
himself from age 13 by working
in glass and nail factories. At
age 17, he moved to Rigby,
Idaho, where he raised bees
until he was called to the war in
France.
Murl was the eldest of
six children. In 1908, the
family of five moved from
Provo to Ashton, Idaho, by
wagon - a difficult two-week joumey in winter. Murl left the farm in her teens to work in Idaho Falls where she married LaMar.
They had various employment in Idaho from 1922-1927. They kept bees in Camas where Murl was also Post Mistress. After owning a cafe in Ashton, they then moved to American Falls where LaMar drove a motorgrader on the highway. He took training on a fox farm in Idaho Falls, then moved to Dillon in 1927 to supervise the construction of the fox farm being built by Roy Forrester and A.T. Peterson. It was located two miles from the town on the Twin Bridges Road. After managing the Forrester farm for a year, LaMar, in partnership with Mr. Eugene Blinn, began construction of the Blinn and Hatton Fur Fami on Shaffner Lane, north of town. The site is (was) the home of Ray and Fay Nelson.
Among those who built the first pens and kennels in 1928 were Cliff Owens, Joe Klebba, and Joe Arrigoni. More pens were added each year until by 1936, the fami housed over 100 breeding pairs with an annual production of over 400 pelts. In 1932, a new house was built and soon after, Louis and Ada Dieterle were hired as caretakers. They remained as valued employees until they left in 1938 to build their own fox fami. They were replaced by Glenn and Lola Walters who later left to support the war effort.
For more than a decade, the demanding job of pelting was done by George Laknar and Magnus Mugaas. Each fall for about two weeks, they would process about 50 pelts per day for
Ned Hatton
Murl and LaMar Hatton
308
(Zdfitan ^atniCy. Mh tabued
the Hatton farm as well as for several other fox farms in the Dillon area.
During the war years, the demand for fox furs weakened because of style changes, excise taxes, and excessive foreign imports. As prices fell, the fox farmers reduced the size of their herds waiting for the fiar market to rebound. But it got worse and by 1948, all ten fox farms in Dillon had gone out of business.
LaMar was a life member of the Elks and Commander of the American Legion for four years. He organized the Legion baseball team with the assistance of Bob Greg as coach. LaMar managed the State Employment Agency in Dillon until his retirement in 1951. LaMar was narrowly defeated in his runoff for Sheriff in 1950 by Paul Temple. The family moved to Phoenix where LaMar died at age 93. He left Murl, Ned, three granddaughters and five great- grandchildren.
Submitted by Jeanna Baum Smith
\f^ Vf/ Nf/ \f^
/4\ /4N /AN /AN
309
(Zdfitan 5^ant'dff Mhte^ue^
Jiays, Dewey Admiral and Gladys Bee Andrasen. Dewey was bom 1 Jul 1 898 in Junction City, Lane, Oregon, to George Belshaw and Sarah Ann Calvert HAYS. He died 10 May 1961 in Monroe, Washington. Dewey married Gladys 25 Feb 1929 in Elk River, Clearwater, Idaho. She was bom 18 Mar 1909 in Ashton, Idaho, to Barnard Andrew and Emilie Marie Gundersen Juul ANDRASEN. They had the following children:
Darlene Ruth bom 15 Jan 1932 in Ashton, Idaho. She did very well for herself. She married (1) William Francis Keman 10 Dec 1954. They had the following children: William Michael bom 3 Sep 1956. He is
married, has raised three girls, and works on computers. Kimberly Jo bom 5 Nov 1960. She is married
and has two children. She is an attomey. Ellen Kay bom 25 Dec 1966. Ellen is married and has one darling little boy. She is a Seattle Police Officer.
Ellen became very skilled in office managing and was responsible for a strip mall. She lives in Kent, Washington. Darlene married (2) Fred Hintze. Barbara Jean bom 17 Dec 1932 in Ashton, Idaho. (See
Huskinson, Ralph Wasden.) Dewey Aden ''Bud" bom 13 Sep 1935 in Ashton, Idaho. He married (1) Lorraine Lamb 27 Oct 1956. (Div.) They had the following children: Craig Aden bom 4 Jul 1957. Kirk Dewey bom 28 Jul 1958. Kevin Leslie bom 17 Apr 1960. Stacie Leineala bom 8 Aug 1961.
Dewey married (2) Barbara Falwell in June of 1969. She had four girls and a boy.
Bud had a blended family of nine children. He has nearly twenty-five grandkids and some great-grandkids. When he retired, he moved to Arizona for the winter months, and they live in Washington in the summer. Michael Barnard bom 19 Dec 1942 in Alexander, Idaho. He died 6 Mar 1963 in Snohomish, Washin^ton. Dewey Admiral married (2) Lucinda Elizabeth Fenton.
Gladys Bee Andrasen "Our beautiful mom." She finally consented to write her history for me, and this is it. She has been a good mother, a great friend, and a delightful grandmother. Barbara
Dewey Hays "Our handsome dad." This was taken up where he worked for the Forest Service... probably Island Park. I miss him. Barbara
310
ddfitan f^amii^ Mhtaue^
My (Barbara) earliest memory of my grandparents was being in their big kitchen,while Grandma was making hot-cakes. She would spread them with homemade butter and sugar, roll them up, and give one to Darlene and me. Grandma made the very best oatmeal on the old cook stove she had. It was such a big, warm, and friendly kitchen. I always remembered how I felt
when I was there.
I remember the out house there too. There was a Montgomery Ward catalogue that was used for toilet paper. It was always kept super clean and never had a bad smell to it at all.
Some of my best memories were being with my grandparents. I spent quite a bit of time there. I remember one time when Grandpa and Dad let me drive the horses. I turned too sharp and the double tree broke. I was scared but neither one of them got upset with me. Both of them were very loving toward me. I have always admired that about them. One reason I spent a lot of time there was because Darlene was really sick with rheumatic fever. But in fact, all I remember about that was she would have to take this really awfiil medicine. After she would take it, Dad would reward her with a silver dollar. I was always being sent to Grandma's. That's when 1 began to feel like I didn't belong. 1 was only five years old. I didn't know that Mother was just trying to keep me from getting sick too. Later I understood that. Darlene and 1 both had our tonsils taken out around that same time. The doctor gave us a
Best Friends Barbara and Darlene outside their house at the power plant west of Ashton. 1937
two-for-one deal. I was the one who ended up paying the price on that one. I was so sick after that. My tonsils didn't need to be taken out. I started to gain weight after that, and I have been fighting that battle ever since.
I loved living near the dam. I spent a lot of time wandering up and down the hills near the house and dam. I loved to be near the river too. 1 would sit and sing and watch the flowers begin to blossom. It was so relaxing and fun to be out there in the open. As a little girl, I remember going up and down those steps. I also
Ashton Power Plant
311
(Z^fitan ffatniiy. 3il^tome6
learned to swim there.
I really loved my dad. I would go down to the power plant and visit him. I remember helping him kill chickens for our Sunday dinners. There were also a bunch of horses near the bam. I didn't know whose they were, so 1 rode them anyway. We went down the lane for a ride once, and I was riding King. He was a really big, grey, dapple. He bucked me off, and I had to
walk back home. We also used to pick peas in Vaughn Davis' pea patch. He was nice enough to let us do that a lot. Dad would fill up the washer with hot water and run the peas through the wringer. We then would help Mom can them. Dad helped her can the peas, too. Something I remember about Dad was if we were hurt, he would fix it for us, and we always felt better after that. When I was about twelve years old, I went to the hospital to have my appendix taken out. Dr. Krueger was the doctor that performed the surgery. That was about the only time I remember being in the hospital. Once I dropped a glass in the bathroom sink and when I went to try and pick up the pieces, I cut my hand pretty badly. I showed Dad, and he put me
Grandma Andrasen's home in Ashton. The Hays grandkids spent many happy days here. We had many tea parties, and she taught us which weeds were good to eat.
back together. It healed quite nicely, too. He was an excellent care giver.
By Barbara Jean Hays Huskinson
Both of my (Gladys) parent's fathers were sea captains. They were both lost at sea. Other than that, not much else is known about them. Mother's father was lost before she was bom, and Father's father when he was about four years old. Father's mother, brother Christen, and he sailed to the United States when Father was about nine years old. His brother, at this point, was about eleven. Their mother died at sea and was also buried at sea. The two boys continued on their joumey to Utah. There awaited an uncle, some records, and possessions from their father. No one has gotten any infonnation from those records.
About two years after reaching their destination. Christen Andrasen, Father's brother, died of either typhoid fever or diphtheria. Soon after that, at a very tender age. Father left and went out of town on his own. He told of his experiences following sheep camps and such in Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho. Most of this period of his life, we know little about. However, he did take up a homestead 2 Vi miles west of Ashton, Idaho.
Mother's mother died when mother was bom. She was adopted by a Mrs. Emilie M.
312
dafitatt §aniii^ JiidtoJoe^
Yule, who gave mother her name. They came to the United States when mother was eighteen months old. They too, settled in Utah, more specifically in Salt Lake City. Mother's childhood was one of really being poor. Her mother did marry but soon separated. It was just the two of them together. She seemed to have a happy childhood, and her mother was good to her as long as she was helping out, and she didn't think mother would leave her.
Mother worked for one of Brigham Young's wives. She told of ironing pure linen table clothes and having to roll them instead of folding them. That way, there were no creases when they were put on the table. She also told of being served sliced tomatoes for lunch. She thought they were trying to poison her. Tomatoes were a decorative vine and not for eating. That's how she saw them in those days. These are only a few of the stories from Mother's girlhood that she told to me.
Mother married Sam Hawkes. Mother's mother was very fond of Sam. When she found out he wanted to marry mother, mother was put out of the house. They were married the very next morning and went to settle in Park City, Utah.
My dad and Sam Hawkes were friends, and he, not being married, visited often. He was very impressed with mother. She liked him too. Sam Hawkes died of miners consumption. Ruth was only nine months old. When my father heard of this, he offered condolences, I'm sure, but also started courting mother through letters. He went to Idaho to improve on his homestead. After a suitable length of time, he proposed to mother by mail, and she accepted. They were married in Logan, Utah.
After the wedding. Dad went on ahead to fix things up and prepare for his wife and family. Dad sent a friend to meet them and bring them home. They were then introduced to Idaho, and farm life. I am sure things looked pretty barren and desolate after living in the big cities for so long.
There was a two- room cabin on the farm. Mother was really impressed with the cleanliness of the house. The floors were the first thing she commented on. They were scrubbed until the boards were white. Dad later built an addition that had an upstairs. That was where the boys'
'*ll"«
On the Snake River at the power plant. Gladys Andrasen, Francis Hartvigsen, and Urdawa Claybough, three of Ashton's beauties. Taken abt. 1922.
313
d^fitatt ffantii^ Jihtaue^
bedrooms were.
On 6 Nov 1906 Cicel Emil Andrasen was born. This baby lived three months and died of bronchial pneumonia on 28 Jan 1907. The following January, Shirley Andrasen was bom 15 Jan 1908. He was bom prematurely and lived only four hours. These first few years were very trying and difficult, mostly because of extreme cold, wind, and blizzard conditions. Cattle froze standing up in the fields. The storm and cold would come on so sudden that Dad and the boys couldn't get all the cattle rounded up and in the shelter. I remember Dad telling that story. Mother and Dad withstood the storm together, and things did get better.
My childhood memories are pleasant ones. The first big event was the building of the power plant on the Snake River. We were still living in the log house, and for some reason, the carpenters who worked on the plant, built us a new house on the farm. There was a large living room, a new family kitchen, and two new upstairs rooms: one for the boys, and one for Ruth and me. This new house was joined to the existing house. So at this time, the downstair's room became Mom and Dad's bedroom and sitting room. This is where they would retire early in the evening. Dad to his reading and Mom to her sewing, mending, and relaxation. The family kitchen was known as the "kid's place" for studies, games, and general ''kid" stuff Two nights out of the week, we got a real special treat that even the older boys would stick around for. We all got to go into Mom and Dad's room and listen to Dad read to us. He would read the continuing stories found in the magazines that we received. He had a wonderftil reading voice, which made the stories come to life for us.
1 can remember being the only one home, while the rest of the children were at school. Mother would rock me in front of the kitchen stove and sing to me my favorite songs, "Two Little Girls in Blue," and "After the Ball." What a peaceful feeling.
Christmas time was always a special time for us. Dad also made sure of that. There were always plenty of gifts. New dresses, tea sets, and supplies to help out with the jobs the boys had as they grew older. We also had special treats at that time of year like oranges and hard candies. Wonderful times those were and never forgotten. It seems that the special times like those still live as if time had never passed from that day to this.
World War I took my brothers away from us for a time but they returned. Sam, who had been over seas, met me as I was coming home from checking the progress at the dam. He picked me up and carried me home the rest of the way. I was so happy to see him. Time somewhat stood still for that moment, but then quickly found Tom graduating from High School as Valedictorian of his class. He also went on to the University of Utah, where he became the only college graduate in the family. All of us were very proud of him.
I had two riding ponies. The boy's name was Bill, and the girl's was Bell. Oh how I loved those horses. 1 rode them to school and drove a one horse buggy. We had many good times together. 1 loved riding. It didn't matter when or where, just to be out there free. There was time to think and dream and find answers to the questions of the heart. There were also many riding parties starting at Easter Time. These outings were boy/girl and held during the day. Great times. Good laughs. Wonderful memories.
High School proved the most interesting with boyfriends, school dances, football, and basketball games. It seems, I was lucky enough to have a boyfriend who had a team and a sleigh, so we could play in the winter time. We also had access to cars for the junior and senior proms. Graduation was a thrill. What was fun for us then, seems dull to most in these days, but
314
they were truly the good old days!
During my junior year, I experienced my first sad experience. My sister Ruth died at the tender age of 21. She left behind two beautiftal baby girls, Norma Jean who was only 16 months old, and Virginia May who was nine days old. This is the year I grew up. Mom and Dad took the babies in, and this is when I learned what life was about. It's not all "I want" and "good times." I hope that in some way I repaid my parents for all they have done for me
After graduation, I worked at a variety store, but it went out of business. Not my fault, I hope. There were others who worked there too. I really should have gone on to school and gone into teaching. I would have had help from a dear friend , Otto Latridge, a bachelor who boarded with Mother when he worked at the power plant. I was the daughter he never had. All I had to do was make my wants known, which I was good at anyway, and I'd get really neat things, like Japanese parasols, dresses, and shoes. You name it, I got it. It was a good life for me and a great childhood. I have often regretted not having more schooling. But as the saying goes, "Hind sight is better than foresight, but it's something you can't do anything about."
In the fall of '28, after I graduated, my boyfriend and I were having problems. We had been together for just over a year. My brother-in-law wanted me to come to Northern Idaho to work at Elk River. He worked in the mill there. Dad didn't care too much for my boyfriend, or the idea of us being married. They decided I'd be in good hands up there, so they let me go.
It was a long journey by train to St. Maries, Idaho. That is where Gene Clark met me. We had to stay overnight before going on up to Elk River. We stayed at the St. Maries Hotel. It was quite elegant for our time. After getting our rooms and freshening up, we met in the hotel's dining room. I remember beautiful chandeliers and a great meal. I will never forget how shocked I was when I saw for the first time, women smoking in public. That really took me by surprise.
The next morning, we continued our journey and the beginning of a new life. Elk River was something else. A typical early day frontier town with wooden sidewalks, not made for high heels. Ashton, at that time, would have been considered an up to date town.
The town was supported by the mill, mostly logging train crews, mill hands, and lumber jacks. There were also the business men, too, but they were all married. This is what made up the little town. Gene took me to meet the lady I was to work for. She ran a cafe and boarding house. She was a dear person in my eyes. She took me in under her wing and watched over me as if I was her own daughter. I was installed in the attic, and I do mean attic. It was a huge, open, room with a bed, rug, dresser, and chair. There was no heat, and it sure got cold. I arrived there in November and stayed on through the end of February. Believe me, it was an experience for a green horn country girl who had never worked except for those few months at the variety store. I had never been away from home either.
The next moming,I started working. Mrs. Wylie did the cooking, a married woman washed the dishes, and I waited tables. What a job! At breakfast, it was just mill hands. I was able to remember most of the orders, but noontime was chaos. There were mill hands, railroad crews, and sales men. I thought for sure, I'd be fired and the patrons would be all upset, but 1 struggled a little and made it. The dinners were mostly men, which always helps, especially if the waitress is young, blonde, and shall 1 say, shapely-sounds a little vain doesn't it?
The work soon became a natural procedure. It was hard, and I would often go to bed extremely tired. There was always the usual entertainment-dancing. There were lots of single
315
men. Some of them were good looking too. I wanted to go with one of them in the worst way. He asked me to go ice skating. I could ice skate, too, but Mrs. Wylie wouldn't let me go with him, or anywhere for that matter. I never really found out why, I guess she knew best. She even told him not to ask me anymore, because she wouldn't let me go anyway.
Later on, there was a dance, and she let me go with a young fellow named Al Nygard. We had a good time. He had some young, married friends, and we were invited to their houses for dinner. That's where 1 got my first taste of Italian food. There were quite a few Italians around the Elk River area. Al and I had a quick romance. In less than a month we were technically engaged. I hadn't even returned Leo's ring yet. Al and I were saving buffalo nickels for our honeymoon, but then he was called to Potlatch, Idaho. There was some kind of family trouble. We wrote until nearly Christmas time. That's when a handsome, tall, dark, man came into my life.
He actually came to town just after thanksgiving. He and his father came into the cafe one day after rush hour. His dad had driven him up to Elk River from Bovill because he was now to brake on one of the logging trails. He had been bumped off his job in Deary, Idaho. Mrs. Wylie knew the family, so she chatted with them while they ate their dinner. After they had gone, I asked her who they were. She told me that Dewey was going to brake for the logging train... the train that comes to Elk River everyday. He and the other crewmen would be eating at the cafe for dinner. Dewey's last name was Hays. His father was George Hays.
The next day, Dewey came in with the crew and hardly gave me a glance, but I knew I'd met the man I was to marry.. .if I had it my way. I wrote and told Al that I couldn't go through with our plan. I also sent Leo's ring back to him. I was now free of them all. Then it happened! Three days before Christmas, he came in, and after the crew left, he brought a Christmas card and a three-pound box of chocolates. It made my day! I can't remember being lonesome over the holidays. That's how happy it made me. Dewey went to spend Christmas with his folks in Bovill. On New Year's Eve, there was a dance. I went with some friends, and as we were going down the stairs, there Dewey was coming up them. He said he was coming to get me. We went on down to the dance floor and danced several dances. He was a super dancer. They announced that they were having a prize waltz. We came within one place of winning that. The winning couple was local, and both of us were new strangers in town. I think that was the deciding factor in that decision. He took me home that night and out again on Sunday for a ride on the hi-way in his 1927 Chrysler Coupe. There were three feet of snow down on the ground and more up on the sides of the road. When we went to turn around, we got stuck. He walked a ways and got a man to pull us out with donkeys. I was late for work but Dewey explained everything, and all was well. He had to go back to camp that night, and I didn't know how far we had progressed, and then the next day 1 got a letter in the mail from him. Our courtship progressed more through the mail. I would see him at noontime and sometimes on weekends. One weekend, he took me to see his family in Bovill. 1 didn't think they were too impressed with me.
1 was in seventh heaven and terribly in love. I truly believe in love at first sight. Our courtship was short but always pleasant to look back on. We were married on the 25"' of Feb. 1929, by Reverend McCullough. After that, we went to the movie Uncle Tom's Cabin. I then went back to the cafe, and Dewey went back to a hotel. This was supposed to be a "secret marriage." Don't ask me why. The third day after we were married, he wrote a letter to Mrs. Dewey Hays. The postmaster always kidded me about my letters. This one he marked No. 1,
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and of course, the news was out. That's when I had to tell Mrs. Wylie. She was quite disappointed to think we hadn't confided in her. She said she would have given us a reception and used the cafe for our wedding. I'm sorry that we didn't tell her. She was always good to me. It would have been something to remember.
We were transferred to Bovill, and that's where we had our first home. It was a one room apartment. It was pretty nice for a first. I had also written to Mother and Dad. I knew I had disappointed them too. But, as always, they accepted what I had done and soon a large packing box came from them filled with blankets, quilts, dishes, and other helpful things. That box was packed with a lot of love. While Dewey worked, I got to spend some time with his parents. I got to know his father really well. I liked him a lot. I am sure he liked me a lot, too. He taught me how to drive the Chrysler Coupe. It was a stick shift. He was also on my side on just about everything. He will always be one of my favorite people.
In the latter part of August, we received a telegram from Dad and Mother. They were both in the hospital. Mother had an appendix operation, and Dad was having gall bladder trouble. They asked if I could come home. We left that afternoon. It took us two days and one and a half nights for travel, but we made it. We called them to let them know we were coming. When we got there, Dad let us in, and we went to the bedroom and saw Mother. By this time they were both out, Daddy was feeling better, and Mother was able to be up and around a little bit. It was pretty late when we got there, and the lighting was poor. Dewey kissed Mother on the cheek, and then we went to bed. I bounded down the stairs the next morning. I was still in a dream world from being married and happy to be home. I asked Mother what she thought of Dewey. "My, he's black," she said. Dewey hadn't shaved in three days, and with his skin being so dark anyway, I could see where she could get that from. He soon won her heart, and they had a real mother-son relationship. He and Dad became good friends too. We spent the winter at home. I helped Mother, as she still had the two little girls. Did she ever need help! Dewey worked part time at the dam doing maintenance work. That spring Dewey got a job for the Forest Service crew. He was on the "bug" crew. In the spring this crew went out and burned trees that were infested with bugs and beetles. I got a job as "cook." It was quite an experience cooking for a crew of about eight men. I cooked on a camp stove in a tent. That added a little bit to the experience. That job, at one time, made more money than the men I was cooking for. Seems like every job I've ever had had to deal with food or cooking in some way or another.
When that job was over, we
Randall Howe and his dog with Darlene and Barbara. Randall lived next door, and we spent a lot of time playing together. He looked out for Darlene and me. Abt. 1935 - springtime in Ashton.
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moved into a house in town. We got some furniture and set it up the way we wanted it. Dewey kept working with the Forest Service on fires, did a little plumbing during the summer, and played on the Ashton City Baseball Team. Later that fall, I worked at the seed house picking peas, and Dewey plumbed and did whatever else he could. Then the next spring, we both went back to the Forest Service. It was at this time, I found out that I was pregnant. I was thrilled! I had always wanted children. Dewey wasn't too thrilled. I suppose it wasn't the happiest of thoughts with no steady job or anything. But he sure was thoughtful and very helpful to me at this time.
When the Forest Service season was over, we moved to the ranch. Dad and Mother moved near the fish hatchery. Mother could then keep house for Gene Clark, and the girls could be with their father. Daddy still farmed the homestead. Dewey worked some at the dam and helped Dad too. That winter was pretty rough. There were really bad blizzards and such very cold temperatures. Dad patiently cleared the snow so Mother could be with me when the baby came.
Darlene made her appearance on a cold and stormy day, Jan 15, 1932. It was a long day, but Dr. Hargis and Mother were there for me. Dewey was there too. Dr. Hargis was also there for Mother when I was bom. Darlene only weighed four lbs. ten oz. Most would consider her premature now days. She was a beautiful baby but colicky. It was hard being my first, but Mother was there to help and she had a loving daddy who would pat her and sing to her. We made it through the winter that way. In the spring, we moved back into town. It was a nice little apartment. Dewey went back with the Forest Service, and I was pregnant again. There was nothing but faith in the future that helped us through.
That winter of '32-33 was the beginning of the Depression years. We moved into a three bedroom house that had an inside toilet, water, and a sink in the kitchen. True luxury! The rent was $12.00 a month. It was in that home on Dec. 17, 1932, that Barbara was bom. It was about midnight, and she weighed five lbs. four ozs. She was very blonde and beautiful too. We really did ourselves proud, two babies in one year and not twins. We were happy and proud of our two babies. It was the hardest winter we would experience. Snow would blow in under the doors creating drifts in the kitchen ovemight. There were some dear friends that were made there at that time in life. Mildred Graham was someone I uraduated
Gladys with new baby, "Bud." Darlene and Barbara getting to hold their new baby brother, and our ever loving grandmother, Emilie Andrasen, looking on.
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with. We weren't good friends in high school, but the times and situations drew us close together. Dewey and Walt, her husband, became good friends, also.
Walt had a team of horses, and he and Dewey would haul wood. That way, we had some wood for heating the house. We never really suffered.. Dad and Mother were very good to us. They gave us meat, butter, milk, and other little goodies. Hazel and Art sent us a box full of love, things for the babies, and other little things to eat. It made our Christmas a happy one. This was also the first time we weren't able to pay our rent for a couple months and got evicted.
We moved into a larger house. Darlene was walking, and Barbara was growing and being such a good baby. They were really fun. Each had their own personality and disposition. It wasn't long before both were walking. Barbara was the first to talk, and we always said that she taught Darlene to talk. We moved a few more times over the next two years, and then we bought a place. Dewey was still plumbing. It was such seasonal work. It was always a struggle to just make ends meet. Then it happened again. I was pregnant. It was a little discouraging because times were tough, but we hoped for a boy. On Sept. 13, 1935, Dewey Aden
Hays was bom. He weighed seven lbs. and five oz. He was a much bigger baby than the others.
He looked like a boy from the time he was bom. We were very happy with our little family. We
called him "Bud." Dewey was offered a job at the power plant as a maintenance man. This was
the first steady job Dewey had. We were able to get a house with lights and heat fiimished. I
felt sure we were now on our way. We had a bright future now. Also in this year, the
govemment paid the World War I soldiers their bonuses, $600.00. We bought our first new car
and took our first vacation to see
Dewey's family. It was a nice visit.
Then we went to see Cleo and Frank,
his brothers in Spokane, Washington.
This was the last time he saw Cleo.
He was killed in an accident during
WWII on his way to work. We then
traveled to Seattle to see his two other
daughters. We had a nice visit, and
their mother treated us very nice.
We've always been friends. They
gave us a picnic on Lake Washington.
After a few days in Seattle, we
headed home, back to a busy life.
Bud, outside our basement house. Jerry Thomas' Grandmother's house in background, I think.
Good friends, Gail Femy and Michael Hays.
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The next few years were just normal growing up years for the kids and us. Darlene had rheumatic fever and was really sick. She needed her tonsils taken out. We shouldn't have gotten Barbara's done though. The doctor gave us two for one.
Barbara had felt for a while that she was adopted, but she was ours, all ours.
1955 Art Hawkes' family at the Idaho Falls Power Plant. B-Art, Hazel, Don and Dean Shepard, Don and Norma Jean F-Keith, Renon, Collene, Kim, and Jamie.
In the fall of '37, the girls started school. This was a big event for them and for me. I could go on and on for pages about school events. There were good ones and sad ones. It was, and is, all part of the growing up process. But 1 still had Bud at home, and that was really nice. He was such a good natured little boy. He had an adorable playmate. Sherry Goudy. They were
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always together and never caused any trouble. We spent two more years at the Ashton plant. In the latter end of July of 41, Dad was taken to the hospital and stayed there for three weeks. He never fully recovered. 'Til the end, he was the kindest and gentlest man who made a success of his life. Mother, Dewey, and I were there for him in the end. How often we wished that we could go back through life and heal all the hurts we dealt to the nearest and dearest to us. Mother lived on alone in her house in town. They had sold the ranch, and she did quite well for herself. Dewey and I were close by and kept watch over her. Later that fall, we moved to Soda Springs, and that's where Michael was bom on Dec. 19, 1942. He was a very delicate baby. It
Darlene Hintze, Luella O Hop, Gladys and Dewey Hays, June Allen, Bud Hays, and Barbara Huskinson.
was hard to get him adjusted to regular baby food, but that's where Grandma came in. She cured his ills and spent hours singing to and rocking him. He then had a normal start to babyhood. We spent a year there and then went back to Ashton to work at the plant and be closer to Mother. We there gained a dog named Inky. She was to be Bud's dog but she grew up with Mike and was his constant companion.
After working at the plant for two years, we moved into town, and Dewey wanted to start plumbing again. 1 thought that this was not a good thing, but maybe it was for the best. We purchased two lots and went to building our basement house. We lived in two cabins while the house was being built. Living and cooking in one room and sleeping in the other. Then we moved into our three-bedroom, living room, kitchen, and bathroom basement house. We
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planned to add more. This was the house that the girls grew up, reached their teens, and started having dates and worrying their mother.
Mother passed away on Nov. 1 8, 1946. She had been quite well and then wanted to go to Salt Lake City. She was down there before her birthday Oct. 13. She was turning 70. She stayed with Tom for a while and then went to see Art. She had a blood clot in her leg and was transferred to the Salt Lake Hospital where she passed away. Her last wish was granted. Her's was a life well spent. She was dedicated to her family and always willing to lend a helping hand. During the days of the pioneers, she was a midwife and called on to lay out the dead. She could be depended on in any situation. She had a life well spent and was a much loved person. After we moved back in town, our plumbing experience hit another low. It was bad because it was a time we should have been able to give the children better opportunities, however, they grew up, held jobs, and were able to buy for themselves the things we couldn't buy for them. Bud was always happy. He could go hunting and wander all over fields and mountains. It was a great place to raise children.
The winter of '47- 48 was another time of uncertainty for us. Dewey didn't have a steady job. Barbara had met a young man. She was dating steady, and Darlene was away at school. It sure was a trying experience for us. In March, Dewey left with Elder Lee for Walla Walla to look for a job. I have been grateftil for good credit, and for a son who worked at the Service Station and turned his money over to me even though he was only thirteen years old.
About a month after Dewey left, he found work with the Army Engineers. Barbara and Ralph had decided they wanted to get married. At the time, Barbara had one more year of school. She was so young, but Ralph had a very persuasive way about him. We said all right, and they were married on May 25, 1949, in the Mormon Church in Ashton. She had quite a nice wedding, and as only a mother could think, she was beautiftil. Our only regret was that her Dad wasn't there to give her away.
Darlene also graduated from Gem State. Mike and I were at her graduation. They were impressive exercises both the baccalaureate and graduation. Darlene was home for Barbara's wedding and was her Maid-of-Honor. Bob, Ralph's brother, was his Best Man. Ralph and Barbara went on a short honeymoon, and when they got back, Ralph's dad let us take one of the farm trucks to move us to Walla Walla. I had sold our basement house.
Ralph, Bud, and the girls loaded up the truck, and we were off. It was quite a trip. Darlene, Bud, and Inkie rode in the back with the furniture. Barbara, Ralph, Mike, and I rode in the cab. I didn't have any regrets leaving Ashton. Mom and Dad were both gone. We must have been quite the sight to see, but we made it to Walla Walla all right. When we got there, we had no place to live. It was evening when we arrived. The next day, we went house hunting and found a four-room house next to a kind lady and her husband and near cherry trees!
We got settled down somewhat, then Barbara and Ralph took off on a trip to northern Idaho and then on home. It was sure hard to let them go, but you must let each "bird" leave the nest in their own way. Through the years, we have been very fortunate. Barbara comes to visit at least once a year. Dewey, Mike, and I did make trips down there to see them. Ralph won a special place in our hearts. We love him like he was one of our own, which of course, he is.
Our stay in College Place was a very enjoyable experience. We made quite a few friends, and I really thought we'd settle there. We were looking for a place to buy. Darlene started college there. Bud started High School, and Mike was in the first ^rade.
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Dewey's work came to an end, but he went to work for Montgomery Ward and was doing quite well. Then his friend, Jim, who he had been working with and had gone to Seattle, came looking for Dewey to work for him there. I really think this was a mistake. I believed we really had a future where we were. Things could have been different, but then again, who really knows?
He left me alone with the kids again and went to Seattle to work. It wasn't the best situation with the union troubles and all, but he had to make the break. So here we were. I came over, and we found a nice two-bedroom house. It was pretty new, too. I went back to College Place, and at the end of December, Dewey and his son-in-law came over with a truck to move us to Seattle. We traveled at night with snow on the pass but with Gene's competent driving, we made it. So we began to settle down in Seattle for the next twelve years. Our first few months were really hectic. Darlene had quit college. Dewey started work, and then one of the coldest winters hit Seattle. Plumbing work was at a standstill. In the spring, things started looking up for us. Dewey was working for a friend but still had the union to contend with.
Darlene got some work in Seattle as a filing clerk and then went quickly into secretarial work. Both boys were still in school. After the snow and cold weather, it started to rain. I thought it would never quit.
That spring, Barbara was expecting her first baby, and Mike had been really sick. I took him out of school, and
we went to beautiftil Idaho. We arrived in May. Randy Scott came into the world on the 6"" day of June in the year 1950. It was a special thrill to have a grandchild. He proved to be a real blessing to not only his family, but to ours. We are proud of him. He has given two years of his life to the Lord serving in New Zealand. He continues to be a blessing to all he comes in contact with.
In the following years, Ralph and Barbara gave us four more grandchildren. They were a year in Utah, a winter in Seattle but all the rest of the time was spent in Idaho.
Darlene went back to college in Walla Walla in the fall of '53, completing one year. She spent her summer at home working and then went back to school. That's where she met Bill Keman. He was a Marine veteran from the Korean War. He was just starting college. They were married Dec. 5, 1954. They left for California and were there less than a year. They then
Long time friends taken in Oregon Sept 1986. Eva Strong, Gladys Hays, Mildred Graham, Lucille Homing.
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1989 Gladys and Barbara at Gold Bar, Washington at home Dewey built, with. With Mom's beautiful Rhododendrons behind us. She has a real green thumb. She always had beautiful flowers, a skill Darlene also has. The Grandkids loved this place in the woods and Grandma's Cookie jar was always filled with cookies.
made it back to Seattle. Bill went to work for Boeing and was advanced to a designing engineer. They have given us three grandchildren.
Bud went to Seattle Jr. Academy, one year to Auburn, and graduated from Lincoln High in 1954. He started working for Safeway warehouse that summer and continued there through the years. Bud married Larraine Lamb in 1956. They gave us four beautifiil grandchildren. It is sad to say, but this marriage ended in divorce. Bud married Barbara Teriney in June of 1969. They seem very happy, and it increased Bud's family by five.
Michael, our "after-thought" as the doctor called him, eight years younger than the others, continues in school in Seattle Jr. Academy and Auburn Academy, our church school, graduating from there in May of 1 96 1 . He was a truly dedicated Christian
boy. He was always special to me. Not that 1 loved him anymore or less than the others. He was just the youngest and home alone after the others had gone on with their lives. We grew very close during that time.
He went to Walla Walla college completing the first quarter. He was working his way through. He decided to work a year and then go back. We offered to help, but he said he'd rather do it himself and not be dependant on us. We were getting ready to retire, and he also told us he had his whole life to get his education. He got his first car in February. It was the pride of his young life. During this time, he was at home, and he and his dad became good friends. Barbara also spent some time there and got reacquainted. Mike was only six years old when Barbara was married. She had never known him as a young man.
Mike got his first job on March 5, 1962. He was working the swing shift from eleven p.m. to six thirty a.m. at Weyerhauser Mill. He was still being true to the Lord, keeping the commandments, and not working on the Sabbath. On his way home, shortly after leaving work there was an accident, and Mike was killed instantly. We don't know what happened, and we were stunned with grief and shock. Dad and I have always been thankful for our other children. They helped us much at this time.
1 worked for Firland Sanitation for eleven years. We really improved financially in our years in Seattle, and they proved to be good ones. In the summer of '61, we bought a half an acre of land in Gold Bar, Washington. This is where all the children pitched in and helped us build our retirement home. Before this time, we sold our home in Seattle and had a mobile home, but that wasn't our answer. We were lucky to sell it at a profit. Dewey had always wanted to build a house.
We were both going to retire in July, but after losing Mike, we just couldn't go on. We
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felt the need to be together. We both quit work at the end of April and moved into the partially finished house. It was another cold and rainy spring. Work was enough to keep us busy, and with the kids, we pulled together and finished up the house.
In our declining years we are thankful for what we have. To many it may not seem like much, but we have a home, warmth, plenty to eat, and health that is doing quite well, but most of all, we have a great family. All have done well so far in this life. That in itself is an accomplishment in this day and age. We don't know what the ftiture holds, but we are thankful we are together.
Love,
Mother ( Gladys Bee Andreas en Hays)
Gladys now lives in an independent apartment in Kent, Washington. Although she is confined to a wheelchair, she does quite well, and her memory is good. She is able to live here because of good care-givers. Also, Darlene and her husband live ten minutes away and cherish the time they can spend with her. Her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and friends visit and keep in touch.
On March 18, 2006, Gladys celebrated her 97"" birthday with daughters, Barbara and Darlene, son-in-law, Fred, grand-daughter Ellen, and great-grandson, Dillon (3 V2 - he made the cake). She received many cards and flowers. We feel blessed to have her still with us. She has a loving relationship with her God, loved ones, and friends.
Submitted by Barbara Hays Husk ins on
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1 -Dewey Hays, 3-Mr. Brady, 10-C. C. Davidson, 1 1-Mr. FCirksteder. The rest unknown.
325
John Jacob Heinz
Jicmz, John "Jack" Jacob and Helen Virginia Larson. Jack was bom 22 Dec 1905 in Rexburg, Idaho, to Jacob and Caroline Katherine Haefele HEINZ. He married Helen 23 Jun 1926 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She was bom 28 Jun 1908 in Cache, Idaho, to Edwin Lorenzo and Hannah "Hattie" Rebecca Stoddard LARSON. Three sons were bom to this union:
Richard John bom 18 May 1927.
Kerry Maurice bom 3 Oct 1929.
Jan Thurston bom 2 Apr 1949.
Soon after their marriage. Jack and Helen moved to El Monte, California , where they worked at a dairy. Shortly after the birth of their first son, they returned to Idaho and eventually ended up in Ashton. Jack worked for Brown's Dairy milking cows and delivering milk in the evening. The dairy was located on the Steinman Ranch, just south of town.
After a couple of years, Jack took a job with Duncan and Effie McArthur on their dry farm north east of Marysville. They were able to rent an old house on the Holl Egbert ranch that was not too far away and lived there until 1933, when they moved into Marysville.
Eventually Jack found work with the Forest Service and spent thirty-three years working in the Targhee National Forest. He did road and trail maintenance, built bridges,and fought forest fires and pine beetles during the summer. He also constructed and managed camp grounds such as Buffalo Camp Grounds at Ponds Lodge, the Riverside Camp Ground, the camp ground on the west end of Island Park Reservoir, and the Blow Out Camp Ground on Palisades Reservoir. One interesting project that Jack pioneered was the terracing of Sawtell Mountain in the Island Park area. This idea was to build terraces
around the side of the mountain to catch the water as the snow melted in the spring. This allowed the water to soak into the ground, eliminating erosion and increasing the water table. The problem was getting the D8 Cat up the mountain and keeping it there. A few wild rides down the mountain made this project interesting. It seemed to be worthwhile and was continued on Targhee Mountain and other places. In the winter, Jack built and repaired signs that were placed throughout the Targhee National Forest.
Two of Jack's hobbies were crocheting and gardening. He leamed to crochet from his mother when he was very young. She would knit the socks and have Jack crochet the toe and heel. He was laid up one winter with tom ligaments in his knees and began to crochet to pass the time. He did doilies and small things, then embarked on a grand project and crocheted a bedspread. Over the years, he did hundreds of doilies, tablecloths, bedspreads, and afghans. He became very proficient and put many of the ladies to shame with his immaculate work. He won blue ribbons at County and State Fairs for many years.
Jack always had a wonderful garden that was free of weeds. His raspberries and
Helen Virginia Larson Heinz
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strawberries were the envy of all his neighbors. There was always a root cellar full of potatoes, carrots, and onions to carry through the winter.
Helen worked at the Rogers Brothers Seed house during the winter. She and several other women from Marysville would walk the two and a half miles to work every day and then home at two in the morning. She did this until the family moved to Ashton in about 1943. She then worked for the Bell Telephone Company, whose office was located in the back of the Ashton Hotel on 5'^ St. And Main. She was a "number please" operator. She knew everyone in town and where to find them if a call came for them. When the telephone company converted to dial telephones, she was no longer needed. She went to work at the North Fremont High School, as a secretary and spent many years there. She treated the kids as if they were her own. If they needed a scolding, they got it. If they needed a hug, they got that also.
Jack and Helen were active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held many positions.
By Dick Heinz
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CL^fitan Jatnii^ Jibta^ue^
Ted and Velma Heller
,9^eller. Theodore "Ted" Ruben and Velma Edna Card. Ted was bom 25 Feb 1914 in Fredonia, North Dakota, to David and Sophia Engel HELLER. He passed away 9 Apr 1979 in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and is buried in Deer Lodge, Montana. Ted married Velma 30 Nov 1943 at Wishek, North Dakota. She was bom 27 Jan 1918 in Squirrel, Idaho, to William Henry and Lena Schaefer CARD. Their children are: Minnie Emma bom 5 Oct 1939 in Ashton, Idaho. She married Bill Aken and moved to Califomia where she raised five children: Cassie Bobbette Brett Lori Teddy
Minnie currently resides in Yuma, Arizona. Velma Maye bom 23 Nov 1944 in Ashton, Idaho. She married Lonnie Atchley. They had two daughters:
Angela of Billings, Montana. She married Duff Gray and they have two sons: Dawson Dustin Shannon of Phoenix Arizona. She married Matt MacLaughlin, and they have one son: Jack
Velma Maye later divorced Lonnie Atchley and married Rudi Sabo. She has spent a career in education and lives in Great Falls, Montana. Violet Ann bom 20 Mar 1947 in Ashton, Idaho. She married Sherman Anderson in 1964 and together they raised two sons:
Sherman "Troy." He is of Deer Lodge, Montana. He married Terri Jo Thomas in 1984. Together they raised two sons: Christopher Theodore Matthew David Rex Eugene. He is of Deer Lodge, Montana. He married Patricia Palin in 1995. Both Sherman "Troy" and Rex work in the logging industry along with their father. Violet later divorced Shennan and moved to Washington state where she worked in the medical field. She returned to Montana in 1991 where she met and married Fred Pfeiffer in 1996. He is a television weatherman and self-syndicated newspaper columnist. Fred has two daughters:
Tammy Lynn Pfeiffer Townsend of Fairfield, Montana. She and her husband have three children.
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d^fitan 3'ainiiy. Mh tabued
Elizabeth Marie Pfeiffer
Herzog of Great Falls, Montana. She and her husband have two children. Ted Heller worked for several businesses in town, including the Reinke grain elevator. He worked for the city as a policeman and served as chief for a while. For 19 years, he had Ted's Service Comer, which was in the now-empty building across from Rod's Tire. It was a Conoco station.
Ted had one brother, the late Clarence Heller and two sisters, Gertrude Heller Hehr, residing in Kulm, North Dakota, and Violet Heller Hilscher of Lodi, California.
Velma chose to arrive during a blizzard, and Dr. Hargis reached the house by horse, sleigh, and skis.
B-Ted and Velma F- Velma, Violet, and Minnie HELLER
Velma has always been a homemaker. She has cooked, as well as maintained a large garden from which she sold raspberries and strawberries to some individuals and businesses, as well as vegetables for canning for use during the long Ashton winters. She sewed all her adult life, learning these skills in childhood. She likes to knit and crochet. For her own enjoyment, she reads a good book. Over the years, she has taken trips through the western states with her family, but she has never changed her mind and likes Ashton "best of all."
Velma recalls Ashton being a booming town with two drug stores, a jewelry store, two banks, two hotels, a creamery, several groceries, dry cleaners, and Mr. Woodbum's Transfer Shop, which moved freight - among
B-Velma, Ted with Violet F-Velma and Minnie HELLER
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(Zi^fitan ^-atn'di^ SihtoJtie^
Ted's Service Comer
other things. She recalls two busy movie theaters in town. Freid's Clothing was the new store in town when she was young.
Velma was the oldest of six siblings and has outlived her three
brothers and two sisters.
Since kids walked to school during the winter, Velma was glad she lived in town. There were times she went through the snow that was waist deep. She graduated valedictorian of her class at Ashton High in 1936 and felt she got a good education, as others have agreed. She would like to have gone on to college but because of the Depression, money was not available. Instead, Velma joined many other young ladies who sorted seed peas when growing peas was a part of the local farm economy. She worked at a couple of motels, and she thoroughly enjoyed the time she spent baby sitting for various local families.
Many young men moved west looking for work during the dust bowl days. Ted Heller was one who came from North Dakota. Velma met him before he served with the Army as a medic in the Pacific during World War 11. When he returned, they were married. In 1954, they had a house built on Third Street, which has been Velma's home for more than 50 years. They raised three daughters, and Velma has 16 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and three great- great-grandchildren.
If you see a mature, agile lady walking on a warm day with a long stick to make sure she keeps upright, that is Velma getting her exercise and doing her errands. "Since Velma moved to town in 1920 and it is now 2004, she has been an Ashton resident for at least 83 years. This is one record that no one may be able to beat." Some of the above information is from Jane Daniel's Archives, 16 Jan 2004.
It is now 2006 and despite a fall and broken hip in November of 2005, she is still going strong.
Submitted bv Velma Heller
330
Cidfitan 3'ainii^ Jihtaue^
.?i6enderson, Ross Claron and Kathleen Dixon. Ross was bom 17 Jul 1946 in St. Anthony, Idaho, to Claron F. and Roxie Olive Nungusser HENDERSON. He married "Kathy" 16 Oct 1964 in Ashton, Idaho. She was bom 3 Aug 1947 in St. Anthony, Idaho, to Herbert Fred and Marjorie Miller DIXON.
They had the following children: Ross Shaun bom 18
Mar 1965 in Rex-
Ross, Heather, Kathy, and Daryl F-Shaun HENDERSON
Kathy and Ross HENDERSON
burg, Idaho. He married Deeanna Santomauro 17 Oct 1987.
They have one daughter, Kasie Nicole Henderson Satter. Shaun and Deeanna later divorced. Daryl Kim bom 17 Dec 1967 in Rexburg, Idaho. He married Heidi
Gifford bom 9 Sep 1989 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Heidi was bom
1 1 Mar 1969 to Dennis and Dorothy GIFFORD. They live in
Keams, Utah and have two sons:
Zachary bom 14 Oct 1992 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Jeremy bom 13 Jan 1995 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Heather was bom 1 1 Dec 1979 in Rexburg, Idaho. She is currently
finishing her school career in Oregon and will soon be a lawyer!
Shaun Henderson
Daryl, Heidi, Jeremy and Zachary HENDERSON
Heather Henderson
By Tami Wade
Kasie Henderson Satter
331
Q^dhtan ^ amity. Sihto^ue^
Aral and Leona Davis
Hendricks, Aral Doris and Leona Davis. Aral was bom 17 Jun 1892 in Lewiston, Utah, to William Dorris and Allie Anninda Wiser HENDRICKS. He married Leona 7 Oct 1911 in Ashton, Idaho. She was bom 14 Jul 1895 in Wilford, Idaho, to Stephen and Mary Rosamond Green DAVIS. She died 30 May 1967 in Ashton, Idaho, and was buried 3 Jun 1967 in the Pineview Cemetery in Ashton, Idaho. They had the following children:
Glendle Doris bom 28 Mar 1913 in Ashton, Idaho.
Nolan Davis bom 20 Mar 1916 in Ashton, Idaho. Cleon Clell bom 22 Jul 1919 in Lewiston, Utah.
Venice bom 8 Jul 1922 in Lewiston, Utah.
Mary Nelda bom 28 Sep 1925 in Ashton, Idaho.
Doris Jean bom 243 Dec 1935 in Ashton, Idaho.
Aral was the oldest of six children. He was bom in Lewiston, Utah, and the other five children were bom in Marysville, Idaho. The family moved back to Lewiston about 1915.
Aral and Leona raised their family in Ashton, Idaho. They had six children, 3 girls and 3 boys. Their family was a musical family and grew up with music, dancing, and singing. Aral was a one-man band. He could play the piano and a mouth organ at the same time with an apparatus that went around his neck to hold up the harmonica. Leona could also play the piano and sing, so there was lots of harmony and music with the parents and children.
Aral and Leona loved to dance. They won the waltz contest at the Old Opera House. Aral would dance with his daughters. He would get them in their stocking feet, they would put their feet on his, and they would dance. The hard part was keeping their feet on his feet.
Aral loved babies. He would hold the newboms and dance around the place with the baby's small head hobbling and fat cheeks bouncing. When he babysat his grandchildren, the parents were often surprised to see their child's hair had been cut by Grandpa when they retumed to get their children. Sometimes he even got so lonesome for a baby that he would "borrow" his little baby nieces and nephews for a few hours.
Aral loved his family. Christmas was a special time in their home. He would cut a big beautiful tree. If it wasn't perfect, he would just drill holes and put in branches until it was! He would sit back and tell his children how to decorate the ceilings with garlands and red balls. They enjoyed popcom balls and homemade candy. Each child was happy on Christmas moming when they received two gifts and a great big orange in their sock. Doris Jean remembers, "Dad was always into Christmas. I remember quite a few days he would ask me what I wanted for Christmas. He would say, 'a table?' And, I would say, 'Yes.' One Christmas Day, I received a table and two small benches he had spent hours making. They were made of logs with the legs burnt, and he had spent some time on it. I was happy."
Aral made a swing for his children. He had gotten two large poles, dug the holes, and
332
dafitan 3'ainiiif JihtoJue^
made me this big swing. When the children were Httle, it seemed like they could swing forever.
Aral loved fishing. While living at Ponds Lodge in Island Park, they went into the pine trees, and Aral would kick open an old rotten log and get those big, fat, white grub worms for bait. They fished. Aral may not have caught a fish but was proud when his children caught the first and the biggest fish. He bragged to his friends while the proud child listened.
Everyone was always welcome at the Hendricks' home. They loved playing cards with friends and family. They told "tall stories" as they enjoyed eating fried potatoes, fried cabbage, macaroni and tomatoes, pies, cakes and cookies.^^
W History of Leona Davis Hendricks
Leona was the first of nine children. When she was very small, the family moved to Marysville because Ashton was not yet a town. Later they built a home west of Ashton, and it was while living there that Leona started taking music lessons. One of her teachers was Mrs. Drollinger.
She took piano and organ lessons and played in church and at church functions. Leona played the piano at the silent movies in Ashton when she was a young girl of about 15 years old. Besides playing the organ and piano, she sang solos and also sang in the Ward Choir. As she did these things, she learned to love music. This love for music went with her, and she taught her children to sing and encouraged them to learn to play musical instruments. The music they loved and shared has stayed with their family and helped them to be close throughout the years, love, and appreciate each other.
Leona was still quite young when she married.
Special memories for all of her children and grandchildren are the Hendricks family get-togethers at Grandma Leona's house, especially around the holiday season. There was singing and harmony around the piano while Grandmother played..
Leona was a great cook. She baked and sold her cakes. Her burnt-sugar cake is still a coveted treat at Hendricks Family Reunions. Grandma was never without an apron in her home It's like it was just a part of her wardrobe.
Leona was a good seamstress and also did handwork, especially beautiful crocheting. She taught her children and grandchildren. This art seems to be passed on to each new generation. Leona would give the grandchildren a string of yam, needles, and oodles of buttons for what seemed to be hours on end. One of her favorite things was to give her grandkids old powder puffs and/or compacts. Memories of powdering their faces with nothing
**rt''
it"tfni'»iiwi'rniiiTWifiiiiiiiM
B-Aral, Leona Hendricks
F-Allie ArmindaWeiser Hendricks
333
(Z^fitatt Jatnlhf Jibtaue^
but the sweet smell of powder and an essence still remembered lingered in the air upon those young faces
With all of these talents, Leona's home was a magical place with a hutch full of teacups, figurines, and all kinds of treasures. Crocheted afghans and doilies adorned her home. There was always the smell of good food in the kitchen.
Leona was a hard worker outside the home. She cooked for the men who worked for the Reclamation while they were building roads. She tended children, worked in the potatoes, and did cleaning for people.
It was fun to take Grandma for drives. She loved to go buy a hamburger - so did the rest of us. She loved to look through "dime stores," and could usually find a pretty dish to add to her collection. She had a beautifijl flower garden and fruit trees. Wouldn't it be great to go back in
time for just a day
Submitted by Nelda Hendricks Lords
Sickness, sorrow, and death were no strangers to Leona. After the death of her husband, Aral, she met and married Charlie Myers and shared some good years with him. She outlived each of her husbands. Both husbands suffered long illnesses, and one son and one daughter were taken in their prime of life. Bravely she faced the challenge and brought strength to those who were left.
Taken from "Family Histories oj Lewis Davis and Deon Bowman A Look at Their Lives and Ancestors, " by Brenda Davis Strobel, pg. 23, pictures from pg. 26.
\f/ \f/ nV \f/
Jieme^lcd
Nieca and
Jacky
Jessen in front of "The Flats."
Submitted by Nieca Cordingley Jessen
334
d^fitatt f^amii^ Jibtaue^
J^erker, Bruce Richard and Ina Adelle Oberhansley. He was bom 21 Jun 1956 in Des Moines, Iowa. He married Ina 19 May 1978 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She was bom 12 Nov 1955 in Ashton, Idaho, to Wayne Alvin and Georgia Cordingley OBERHANSLEY. They had the following children:
Christopher Bmce bom 17 Jun 1979 in Rexburg, Idaho. He married Tamara Ann
Haering 14 Aug 1999 in Rexburg, Idaho. She was bom 1 1 Feb 1979 in Glendora,
CaHfomia. Children:
Hayley Ann bom 8 Jul 2001 in Rexburg, Idaho. Dylan Christopher bom 20 May 2006.
Nicole bom 18 Jul 1981 in Rexburg, Idaho.
Joseph William bom 4 Feb 1983 in Rexburg, Idaho.
Amy bom 29 Jul 1985 in Rexburg, Idaho.
David James bom 12 Jul 1987 in Rexburg, Idaho.
Joshua Daniel bom 18 Sep 1989 in Rexburg, Idaho.
Jonathan Ian bom 17 Apr 1992 in Rexburg, Idaho.
F-Ina, Granddaughter Hayley, and Bmce.
M-Daughter-in-law Tammy, Grandson Dylan, Daughter Amy, Daughter Nicole
B-sons Christopher, David, Joseph, Joshua, and Jonathan.
335
(Z^fitan !}ami£y^ Mhto^Ue^
Ina was raised in the Ashton area and attended schools in Ashton, Idaho. After graduating from North Fremont High School, Ina attended Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho, and Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho. She met her husband, Bruce Richard Herker, while attending Idaho State.
Ina and Bruce were married in the Idaho Falls Temple. They have seven children and, at this time, two beautiflil grandchildren. They currently live in Rexburg, Idaho where Ina works as a Para-educator for the school district, and Bruce is a Sales Director for a Rexburg business.
By Ina Oberhansley Herker
\fy \fx \f/ xfy •i\ •iS /4\ /»\
NINE PRESIDENTS of the Ashlon ward Relief society were honored at a party Tues- day afternoon in the recreation hall. Standing in the back row, left to right are Mrs. Milton Humphreys, Mrs. Archie Hill, Mrs. Eugene
M
etna^ie^
Hess, Mrs. Carl P, Lenz, and Mrs. Willard Bonneru. Seated in front row are Mrs. Stephen Davis, Mrs. Eldon Pence, Mrs. Rose Edginton, and Mrs. Millie Olsen.
Ashton Herald photo.
Annonvnious
336
ddfitatt 3'atniiy. Mldto^Ue^
Mary and Dan Hess
JCqss, Daniel Stewart and Mary Evelyn Bullock HESS. Dan was bom 5 May 1923 in Ashton, Idaho, to Horace Arnold and Linnie Mildred Smith HESS. Dan married Mary 20 Aug 1948 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Mary was bom in 1921 in Salt Lake City, Utah, to George Albert and La Vinia Dean BULLOCK. They are the parents of 6 children:
Stephen Daniel was bom 4 Aug 1949 in St. Anthony, Idaho. He married Linda Rae Loveland 12 May 1971 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Stephen was a Chaplain in the US Army. Thomas Bullock bom and died 21 Mar 195 1
in Salt Lake City, Utah. Robert Stewart born 8 Apr 1955 in Provo, Utah. He married Shauna Jane Elkington 3 Mar 1 977 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Thomas Dean bom 30 Mar 1959 in Idaho
Falls, Idaho. He married Barbara Phillips (div.). Mary Lynn bom 26 Apr 1960 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She married Bmce Jon Lyman 25
Apr 1980 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Joseph Arnold bom 12 Feb 1965 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He married Francine Huebner
24 Jan 1986 in Winnepeg, Manitoba, Canada. Daniel Stewart Hess was bom at Ashton, Idaho, the son of Horace A. Hess and L. Mildred Smith. He was the fifth child having two older brothers, Sherman and Gene and two older sisters, Magdalena and Lucile.
Dan is a prominent farmer and educator in the Rexburg and Ashton area. He farms the home farm that was known as the Nels Larson place, and in 1981 he tumed part of it into a museum. He holds a private pilot's license and owns his own airplane.
He was educated in the schools at Ashton, and while in high school, almost lost his life due to a serious accident. On April 5, 1940, before leaving the chemistry lab at high school, he had filled a bottle with chemicals and put it in his pocket. He and his chum were going to experiment with it making matches. Much time elapsed while the chemicals became thoroughly warmed in his pocket. He rode home from school in the back of a tmck. On entering the kitchen, he placed his lunch pail on the cabinet, and just then the chemicals exploded. He was badly blown up. It was five weeks before he was out of danger and five months before the wounds were healed.
In 1943, he was working for the Kaiser Ship Yards as a welder in Vancouver, Washington, when he joined the U.S. Navy instead of being drafted. He was stationed in San Diego where he was a radar operator. Radar was new and few were trained in it, so he was asked to extend his duty. Dan boxed for the US Navy and became a local boxing champion.
He served a mission to the Hawaiian Islands leaving in 1946 to 1948. He met his future wife while in the Hawaiian Islands, Mary Evelyn Bullock, who was serving in another mission there. While serving his mission, he was asked to re-open the area of Lanai, a small island 1 8
337
d^fitan 3^atni£^ JiLdto^ue^
miles long and 14 miles wide. There had been no church organization on the island for 81 years, but in November 1946, he with his companion. Elder J. Dale Brown, reestablished the LDS Church on the island. The Dole Pineapple Company gave them a generous donation of an old dilapidated mess hall which they were able to turn into a chapel which, today, is still the main chapel for the island. Dan and Mary were able to return and visit Lanai, Hawaii, in October 2004.
Dan and Mary were married in the Salt Lake Temple.
Mary was educated in the schools in the Salt Lake area. She graduated from the University of Utah with honors in sociology, and she received her graduate degree from the University of Utah in social work. She was a social worker supervisor with the Red Cross in San Jose, California, later being attached to the Army Air Force as a social work director. She service a mission among the Japanese in Hawaii. After her marriage, she went back to school for two years to certify as a teacher and taught in the elementary schools in Ashton, Rexburg, Rigby, and Provo.
Dan graduated with his Bachelor's Degree from Ricks College which, at that time, was a four year institute. He taught school at Ashton, and then he was the first Seminary Teacher at the Ashton LDS Seminary. Both he and Mary taught at Ricks College. They went back to School at BYU, flying back and forth, each earning Doctorate Degrees in Education from BYU, Dan in 1961 and Mary in 1969; the first husband and wife to receive doctorate degrees from
BYU. At that time Mary was director of the Ricks College Reading Center. She also was the first lady faculty member at Ricks to receive a doctorate. Dan became Administrafive Assistant to Pres. John L. Clarke
Both Dan and Mary have been active in the LDS Church in the Rexburg area holding many positions. Dan was Bishop of the First Ward on the Ricks College campus. He was a Chaplin of the 449"^ Military Government Unit in Rexburg and was a Captain in the Army Reserve serving as a Chaplin and was only one of seven that had been designated "Mobliization Designee" - such assignments for the U.S. Army Chaplain School in the world in 1965. Mary has taught Sunday School and has held various church and civic positions.
In 1981, Dan turned the home farm bam and small house into the Hess Heritage Museum. He has added a Carriage House to the farni. The small house has many items of furniture and other historical family items, pictures, butter chums, etc. The museum usually opens in May, and they
'^**S,.
The Bam at the Hess Museum.
338
ddfitatt ^ami£^ Jihtaucd
have an open house that marks the final day of the museum's season, usually in September. The bam has been turned into an Equipment Bam. The farm equipment, including a 1930 Allis Chalmers all-crop swath combine, a 1920 sod-buster, and other equipment dating back to 1780. Covered wagons, freight wagons, pioneer wagons, and a covered school sleigh are also on display.
Submitted by Virginia Hess Tolman
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ASHTON WARD, YELLOWSTONE STAKE
Front row, left to right— Delone Cordingly, Stanley Clark, Kerry Hienz, Gerald Nyborg. Back row, left to right— Ross Wynn, Eugene Hess, Doyle Daniels, Rex Johnson, Ed Clark. Absent when picture was taken: Orson Tew, Don Brown.
Jltema^le^ Submitted bv Ross Wvnn
339
Q.6fUo.n ^atnlii^ Mb tabued
"^i
y:^
Jtess, Sherman Smith and Martha June Lansberry. Sherman was bom 4 Apr 1908 in Fannington, Utah, to Horace Arnold and Linnie Mildred Smith HESS. He died 14 Apr 1994 in St. George, Utah. He was buried 18 Apr 1994 in Washington, Utah. Sherman married Martha 1 Mar 1934 in Logan, Utah. She was bom 7 May 1914 in Wallace, Idaho, to William Arthur and Martha Emelia Voigt LANSBERRY. She died 7 Apr 2001 near Rexburg, Idaho, and was buried in Washington, Utah. They had the following children:
William Amold "Billy" bom in Ashton, Idaho. He married Lorraine Christensen in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Lorraine is a school teacher. Sherman Dean bom 15 Apr 1937 in St. Anthony, Idaho. He died 22 Jan 1957 in mesa, Arizona and was buried 28 Jan 1957 in Ashton, Idaho. Virginia Kaye bom in St. Anthony, Idaho. She married David Marshall Tolman in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Janet Elaine bom in St. Anthony, Idaho. She married Charles Vail Codling in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Mary Nadine bom 29 Oct 1944 in Ashton, Idaho. She died 21 Jan 1987 in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and was buried in Jan 1987 in Ashton, Idaho. She married Wayne S. Winters 29 Aug 1963 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. (Div.) Mary was a Social Worker. Jessie Maureen bom 17 Aug 1947 in St. Anthony, Idaho. She died 12 Jan 1995 in Jack Pot, Nevada, and was buried 17 Jan 1995 in Ashton, Idaho. She married Stanley Milton Lloyd 13 Nov 1970 in Boise, Idaho. (Div.) Jessie was a Social Worker. Nada Jan bom in Ashton, Idaho. She married Philip Leland Leonardson in Blackfoot,
Idaho. Nada is a Dental Assistant. Gail Ann Hess bom in Ashton, Idaho. She married Craig Lynn Clyde in Idaho Falls,
Idaho. Gail is a Registered Nurse. Bruce Paul bom in Ashton, Idaho. He married Shannon Worrell in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
Bmce is a Security Guard. David Frank bom in Ashton, Idaho . He married (1) Lori Ann Widener (Div.) and (2)
Shelia Gardner. (Div.) Sherman Smith Hess forwarded developments in the field of agriculture by his activities. He contributed to progress in the area of, not only farming, but as a member of the school board
i
June and Sherman Hess
340
(Zdfitan ^antii^ Mh tabled
in Fremont County, the Marysville Irrigation Board, and as a leader in the Ashton Ward and Yellowstone Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
He served on the School board for many years, and he was instrumental in consolidating Fremont County into one School District. The small outlying communities of Marysville, Squirrel, Greentimber, Lamont, and Drummond were part of
the consolidation. Before consolidation, once the students finished the 8"' grade, they either had
to come to Ashton and board to go to high school or the families had to move into Ashton if they
wanted more education. The Hess children went to school in an automobile driven by the
neighbor Mr. Orvil Brower in the fall and spring, but in winter time it was a covered sled drawn
by horses until about 1947 or 48 when a school bus begun picking up children south and west of
Ashton. In the winter time, the road was plowed to Hess' only and the bus had to turn around
and back track; but after the county purchased better equipment all the roads were plowed.
Sherman lived in a log cabin for 10 years after coming to Idaho with his parents in 1909
when he was a year old. The log
cabin was about three and one-half
miles south of Ashton near the Falls
River. The winters were harsh and
blizzards kept them snowed in for
days ~ sometimes weeks at a time. He was educated in the
Ashton public school system and
was brought up on the family farm
outside of the community. He rode
a horse to school for many years
traveling in all types of weather.
Horses were used for travel,
plowing the fields, and harvesting
the fields. His Grandmother (Sarah)
Hess gave him a bicycle when he
was a young boy. He preferred it
over riding the horse and used it as
much as he could. Sherman worked
Sherman Smith Hess with the prize Bull abt. 1917.
341
1
as a machinist and welder, maintaining an independent shop for many years. He returned to farming full time in 1934 but worked as a machinist and welder during the winters in Arizona from 1942-1954 for the Sizemore Shop. He built and maintained a fully equipped shop on his farm which had a lathe, blacksmith facilities, hoists, oil pit, and all the equipment necessary to build tractors and repair any type of equipment. He built the first one row potato digger in the Ashton area which was followed by a two-row pulled by a tractor. That wasn't good enough for him so he built a self- propelled two-row digger, and then he built a self-propelled four-row digger. He spent the winter months building tractors and potato digger. He once told his daughter Virginia, 'i can see the finished tractor in my mind, and I can go out to my shop and build it." He built the first four- wheel drive tractor, and it was a pleasure to drive. The last tractor he built has gears like you would find on a semi- tractor truck, you could gear it down so low that it would barely move pulling a heavy load up a hill or through the field, and it would turn on a dime.
During the war it was hard to get fires, gasoline, sugar, soap, and other items, Sherman was able to get a couple of hard rubber bicycle tires and built a bicycle for Dean for Christmas. We all learned to ride that bike and it was a treasure for years. Both boys had Sherman's skills and built things. Dean took an old washing machine motor and built a scooter.
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June and Sherman Hess
The lava house. Billy, Dean, June, and Janet HESS in 1943.
342
Ciafiton ^amiiy. Jihtaue^
Sherman Hess 1908
Sherman married his sweetheart Martha June Lansberry, better known as June, in the
LDS Temple at Logan, Utah. They were married for 60 years when Sherman died.
June's parents spent a lot of time teaching her to read, spell, and write. The first word
she learned to spell at age three was "orange." She had a
large vocabulary, read profusely and always had a book at
hand. She first came to Ashton in 1919 when her father
founded the Ashton Herald. In 1928 they sold the Herald
and moved to California. In 1929 they moved back to
Filer and bought the Filer paper. She graduated from Filer
High School in 1931. In 1932 the man who had bought
the Herald offered to sell it back to her father. They then
moved back to Ashton. June worked at the printing shop,
and then she started to work in the dry good store owned
by E. A. Hunt. She was paid $ 1 .00 a day for about a ten
hour day. She was an accomplished pianist and organist.
Her parents saw that she took music and dance lessons.
She saw that her oldest daughter Virginia also took music
lessons in piano and trumpet, and Janet on the violin.
Their first home was in a small house on his parents' farm
which Sherman's parents built for them. The house
wasn't finished when they were first married, and they lived with Sherman's parents. The house
is now part of the Hess museum owned by Sherman's brother, Dan Hess. Gene and Erma Hess
were married in October and lived in part of the house with them. Their oldest child, William Arnold, was bom Thanksgiving Day 1934. Dr. Hargis had a farm and milked cows that day. He delivered three babies, and during the delivery his rubber gloves broke. All three women and babies got an infection. One
June in front of the "Upham" farm house.
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Q^dhto-n 3^antii(^ Jihte^ue^
baby died. June and Billy were taken to Idaho Falls where they spent a month, it was touch and go for June.
When they bought 160 acre farm in 1935 with a two room shack on it, they fixed it up and moved into it. In the summer of 1935 they purchased another farm next to the one they already had that had a large lava stone house on it. The house was full of bedbugs and had to be fumigated, and then after they moved in it was filled with mice. The old lava house did not have electricity, a telephone, running water, or indoor plumbing. It has gas lights. They also used kerosene lamps. About 1939 the REA put electricity into the rural areas. Sherman was very progressive and put in the plumbing as soon as he could. An outhouse was used for many years until Sherman was able install a bathroom in the summer of 1942. Baths were taken in an old tin tub and water was heated on the stove. They lived in that house for 10 years. Three other children were bom while they lived in the Lava house, Sherman Dean, Virginia Kaye, and Janet Elaine. There was a field in front of the house which Sherman had planted to Barley. Dean and Virginia were out playing pioneers with their wagon, and decided that they needed a camp fire. They asked the "au pare" girl for matches to build the fire. She gave the matches to the children and they proceeded to build a camp fire in the middle of the ripe barley field. Sherman and June were coming home from Idaho Falls and saw the fire from the highway. June said, "Sherman flew that car home." They were able to save the house and farm but lost the 40 acres of barley. In 1944 they sold the farm to Rudolph Steinman and bought the Bob Upham farm which was near the first piece of property that Horace had bought in 1905. So they moved further from
' town. The house had an inside bathroom and a telephone. They spent one winter in the old bam of a house; the snow would blow through the cracks and drift across the kitchen floor. In 1959 they bought additional land that was down the road. The main crops that they raised were potatoes, wheat, and peas. Sherman was always looking for ways to improve his farming methods. Irrigation was by flooding the fields. It was hard work and couldn't be left to just anyone. In 1956 Shennan put in a sprinkler system, which was more efficient, and his children were soon out in the fields moving sprinkler pipe. Each line was one-fourth mile long and when the pipes were filled with mud and water they could weigh up to 200 pounds; empty they weighed 44 pounds. In 1985 and 1986 he put in an overhead sprinkler system that was run by a motor and tumed the sprinkling amis slowly across the field.
Their oldest son, Billy, suffered from asthma and Dr. Alex Krueger
Sherman in his shop.
344
(Zdfiton family. Mhtaue^
recommended a warmer climate for him during the winter. Because WWII was on, gasoline was strictly rationed. They were able to get the gasoline rationing stamps on condition that Sherman get a job. The first winter, 1943, was spent in a very small trailer. Sherman worked as a mechanic and machinist for Sizemore. The winter of 1944 they rented a house that had a citrus orchard on it; the owner said they could eat the grapefruit. Sherman's parents lived with them in Arizona from 1944 to 1948 because of his father's ill health. The next year they stayed in Ashton as they were unable to fmd a house to rent, so they bought a home in Mesa where they spent the winters until December 1952 when Sherman was put into the Yellowstone Stake Presidency as a counselor to President William J. Lewis.
They sold their home in Arizona after Sherman was put into the Yellowstone Stake Presidency and built a new brick home as the house on the farm was not very comfortable in the winters. They made this their home until they sold the farm in 1987 and moved to the St. George area of Utah.
In June 1961 they adopted 6 children, Mary age 15, (1944-1987), Jessie age 13 (1947- 1995), Nada age 10, Gail age 6 almost 7, Bruce age 5 and David age 3. Their original family name had been Blanchard but they were legally adopted.
Sherman had a love of flying, took flying lessons, and got his pilots' license. He suffered from airsickness all the time he was learning to fly until he took his solo flight, and then seemed
HJhvstotte StitB Prssidency iitd H-igh Comil Seceeter 1954 St. Mhon^ idilfo. front /-r; 1st Conn. frfgirO. tissterberg, Pres. HilJut J. levis, 2n(i Coitn, Shernm S. Hess. Hiddle: Gordon I HiJJiti-Ckrk, kgm 0. Sich, floyd LiM, Hoyd SJinchira, Josesh Hemrd, Otto Hiehon, Stiniey loosU. Mert L Mdnorth-ClsrL kd: Orson lev, Archie Svensen. ihindividson, HamJosephson, tirl Jerry, sna
Leorard Pec*.
345
(Z^fitan J^atniiy. Mbtojcie^
to get over it. His brother, Dan, had a little Piper Cub, and he would sometimes borrow that until he purchased his own airplane. He bought a Cessna in the 1950's while living in Arizona. The owner flew the plane from Kalamazoo, Michigan and to Tempe, Arizona for Sherman. He made many trips in that plane between Idaho and Arizona, during the winter time, to check on his potatoes and take care of his church obligations. He had a small landing strip on the farm and kept the plane in our old red shed until 1957. His son. Dean, also obtained a pilot's license in 1955. When Dean was killed in an automobile accident near Mesa, Arizona, January 22, 1957, Sherman lost all heart for flying and finally sold the airplane.
Sherman was always active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served as superintendent of the Ashton Ward's Sunday school for nearly 12 years. In May 1945 he was put on the High Council of the Yellowstone Stake and oversaw the operations of the Yellowstone Stake Farm located east of Ashton. Many times he would leave his own crops and take his equipment over and fmish up the harvest on the farm. He then served in the Stake Presidency from December 1952 to December 1957. He was instrumental in getting the LDS Seminary program at Ashton and procuring the land that the building was built on. He served a Stake mission and held many other positions.
June was also very active in the Church. She served on the Yellowstone Stake Primary board for many years. In Arizona she worked in both the Sunday School and Primary and received a five year certificate for Primary in 1954. In 1954 she was Junior Sunday School Coordinator and held that position for five years. In 1959 she became President of the Relief Society President and served under two Bishops, Bishop Joseph Felix and Bishop Zee J. Egbert. Five of their children served LDS missions, Bill in the Southern States which at that time
included Georgia and Florida, Virginia in Berlin, Germany, Janet in the Western States which included Montana at that time, Bruce in the Anaheim, California and David to the South Carolina, Columbia Mission which also included Georgia.
After Sherman's death in St. George, Utah, June made her home with her daughter Janet. In 2000 Janet moved back to Idaho near Rexburg, where she had built a new home. June died at Janet's home April 7, 2001 and is buried beside Sherman in Washington, Utah.
Submitted by Virginia Hess Tolman
346
Horace Hess 1906
(Z^fitatt S^amiiif Mh tolled
^Cqss, Horace Arnold and Linnie Mildred Smith. Horace was bom 19 Sep 1880 in Farmington, Utah, to John "W" and Sarah Lavina Miller HESS. He died 25 Jul 1949 in Ashton, Idaho, and was buried 28 Jul 1949 in Ashton, Idaho. He married "Mildred" 14 Mar 1907 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was bom 28 Jan 1881 in Tooele, Utah, to William Henry Jex and Mary Magdalena Gam SMITH. She died 2 Jan 1959 in Ashton, Idaho, and was buried 5 Jan 1959 in Ashton, Idaho. They had the following children:
Sherman Smith bom 4 Apr 1908 in Farmington, Utah. (See Hess, Sherman Smith.)
Horace Eugene bom 21 Aug 1910 in Ashton, Idaho. (See Hess, Horace Eugene.)
Mary Magdalena bom 4 Apr 1912 in Bountiful, Utah. She died 30 Jan 1935 in Nampa, Idaho, and was buried in Feb 1935 in Ashton, Idaho.
Mildred Lucile bom in Ashton, Idaho. She married John Howard Craven in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Daniel Stewart bom in Ashton, Idaho. (See Hess, Daniel Stewart.)
Horace Amold Hess, along with his wife and son Sherman, were early settlers to the Ashton area. Horace was a prominent member of the community serving on the Irrigation Company Board 25 years, on the local school board, bishop of the Ashton Ward for 15 years, and stake president of the Yellowstone Stake for 10 years. His other children were bom in the Ashton area except Mary Magdalena, who was in Bountiful.
He was the sixth child. One boy, James Thaddeous, died in infancy, and four girls: Sarah Jane, Alice Malinda, Josephine Archer, and Helen Lovisa called Nellie. Three more children were bom after I was: Milton Miller, Hannah Lenore, and Jessie Eugene.
Horace is a descendant of Johann Freidrich Hess (ca. 1735- 1784) and Rachel (ca 1737-1786) Fredrich Hess who came to Pennsylvania from Germany, prior to 1754. They had at least 7 children i.e. Henry, Elizabeth, Jacob, Frederick, John, Susanna, and Mary. Their son John (1767-1819) and his wife Catherine (1796- 1846) had 13 children: Frederick, Jacob, Mary, John, Catherine, Susannah, Samuel, Philip, Rachel, Abraham, Barbara, David, and Elizabeth. Their son Jacob bom ( 1 792- 1 846) married 1816 Elizabeth Foutz (1797-1876) a daughter of Michael Foutz who served in the American Revolution which entitles his descendants to join either the DAR or SAR. Jacob and Elizabeth had Catherine, Polly, Mary Ann, John "W", Sarah, Ann Elizabeth, Christena, Harriet, Lydiann, David, Alma and Emma Elizabeth. They moved from Pennsylvania to Ohio in 1830, where they joined the LDS Church. They then moved to Missouri and then to Illinois. Jacob died of exposure when the Saints were driven from Illinois in 1846. John "W" Hess was with
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Q^dfito-n f^ amity. Jihto^Ue^
the Mormon Battalion. He settled in Famiington, Utah, where he raised a large family. Through John "W" Hess, we are eligible to join either the Daughters or Sons of Utah Pioneers. Horace married Linnie Mildred Smith in the Salt Lake Temple.
Mildred is a descendant of John Gam who came to Pennsylvania from the Netherlands and died there in 1808, and Michael Vogt, who fought in the Rev. War, and through him, her descendants are eligible to join either the DAR or SAR.
Mildred was raised on the family dairy farm in Woods Cross. Her father was one of the first dairymen in the Salt Lake Valley to sell milk commercially. Mildred graduated from the local schools and the University of Utah. She taught school prior to her marriage and was a very good artist. Many of her pictures are in the possession of her children and grandchildren. She was the fourth child and daughter having three older sisters: Mary Emma, Ella, and Lutie Austin. Lutie, a well know artist, had studied in Paris, France. Her paintings, tapestries, and china ware are in the homes of many nieces and nephews. Her parents welcomed their first son, William Henry Jex Smith, followed by Edwin Eugene, then Elizabeth, Leland, Susannah, and the last child, Sherman. Lutie and Susannah died from appendicitis and never married. Her father, Jake, was one of the men sent by Brigham Young to help the early pioneers cross the plains.
Horace was raised on the family farm at Farmington. When he was 20 years old, he attended the missionary class at the L.D.S. University in Salt Lake City for six months. In 1900, he served a mission to the Southern States along with his brother Lyman, Roll Udy, and Ezra T.
Clark. He was assigned to the Kentucky Conference. He served his mission in the hills of Kentucky. His only mode of travel was on foot. He received the nickname as the "Mormon Kid." When he had been there about 1 8 months, he was called to be President of the Kentucky
Conference, and he was transferred to Louisville, Kentucky. His brother Lyman, who was in Alabama, came down with chills and fever and was transferred to Kentucky where it was felt his health would improve.
In November 1903, he and Lyman received a telegram from President Joseph F. Smith calling them home to see their dying father. They arrived home to Famiington on Thanksgiving
191 I - Our mode of traveling. Mildred, Horace, and Old Nig, one of the four faithful horses that helped pay off the mortgage on the farm.
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a^fitatt 3-atniii^ Mbtaued
Day. John "W" only lived a few days after they returned home. He died 16 Dec 1903.
Horace took a ploughing job at Riverside to earn money where he met Linnie Mildred Smith who was teaching school. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple. She was known in the Ashton community area as "Lady Mildred," as she was always dressed beautifully, conducted herself with dignity, and respected others. She was an excellent cook and homemaker.
In the spring of 1908, Sherman was bom. This nearly cost the life of his mother, and her health was injured through not having the proper care from her doctor which caused her ill health for many years.
In 1909, Horace and Mildred decided to move to Idaho and farm the land he had purchased in 1905. Ashton had come into being since he had purchased the land.
Horace was always making improvements on the land and house. He drilled a well 135 feet deep, 100 feet through solid lava rock. He worked for Tom Karren for 10 days in exchange for an old buggy. It didn't have any top on it, no seat, and the tongue was broken. But he fixed it up so they could use it. The wheels dried out, and the tires became so loose we had to wire them on; as the wire would wear out, we would have to stop along the road and get wire off the fences to tie them on again. When we would get home, we would run it in the canal to soak the wheels until we could use it again. We named it the geb-rig, and rode in it until we had money enough to build a garage and pay for our first automobile which was a Model T Ford. Horace, in time, built a bam to put the stock in, and it had plenty of room for the hay. They had an opportunity to buy 79 acres of Carry Act Land joining their land. To improve upon it, we had to live on the land for 30 days, so I build a 10x12 foot granary to live in.
On April 4th, 1912, our third child Mary Magdalene was bom. Before her birth. Mama left for her home at Woods Cross, thinking that she would get better medical care at a privately owned hospital in east Bountiful, but proved to be otherwise. Magdalene was a very
beautiful baby but , . ^ , , • »,-,,, ^, , r^ , ^
, , , , , Horaces s mother Sarah Lavina, Mildred, Sherman, and Baby Gene in
when she was 1 1 days . ^ ^„ r, ,A, •*, ,,,
, , , , , .,. 191 1, in front of Horace Hess iirst home in Ashton, Idaho.
old, she took with '
spinal meningitis.
She never recovered from its effects. This was the greatest sorrow that ever came into our lives.
349
f
(Zdfitati ^amii^ Jib taxied
She suffered terribly until she passed away at the age of 23.
They still lived in the little log cabin in hopes that they could buy a farm closer to town to build on, as it was a hardship to get the little boys into school. This was especially bad during the winter when the storms and blizzards were on. You could see the old sleigh with a little stove in it (to keep the children from freezing) slowly meandering through the field; the horses plowing through the snow, stumbling and falling when the snow was deep, and the roads had to be broken. Sometimes the boys would leave for school before light in the morning and not return until after dark at night.
They were able to buy 150 acres of the old Hammond ranch. They had a bumper crop in 1919, were able to pay all their bills, and bought
the Nels Larsen ranch about one mile south and one-half mile west of Ashton. They fixed up the house and made it comfortable even though it did not have modem conveniences. Living so near town on a well traveled road made life so much more pleasant.
A couple of years later, electricity was put along the highway. Horace went to the neighbors and asked them to help pay to run electricity along their road and to their homes. They all refused, so Horace paid to have it run to his house.
They were blessed with two more children after they moved to the Nels Larsen place; Mildred Lucile, and almost 2 years later, Daniel Stewart.
"1 must take time here to say through all our trials and struggles to make a success of our coming to Idaho, we attended to our religious duties faithfully. Among other positions, I was Superintendent of the Ashton Sunday School. On a Sunday morning winter and summer with our little children to get ready and chores to do with cows to milk, we had to rush, and many times during the winter we had to break the road three and one-half miles through, and when we arrived at the meeting house often had to crawl in the window, unlock the door, and make the fire.
"We hadn't been in our new house many months when the Stake President came and asked me to be bishop of the Ashton Ward. This was a staggering surprise. I felt so keenly my weaknesses but I did not dare to reftise. I had traveled over the Stake doing missionary work and ward teaching but this position I felt that 1 could not fill. When 1 came to the house. Mama and the little boys were playing ball in the back yard. She knew something had happened and followed me inside. When 1 told her, she was as surprised as I was. Then she knelt beside me
1910 Horace Eugene, L. Mildred, and Shennan Hess.
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d^fitan JantUy. Midto^ue^
Mildred Hess
and said, 'Daddy, I will help you all I can.' She drew little Sherman and Gene beside us and said, 'Boys, bishop's sons are not always good sons, they have many temptations. Will you promise to help Daddy?' They promised to be good boys and have always kept that promise. I held that position 15 years, and during that long term of service, Mildred stood faithfully by my side. She kept and did all the book work that I was responsible for. This lifted a great deal of work from my shoulders. Never once did she keep me fi-om my appointments to help her or take her places. My duty to the Church was first with both of us."
January 5, 1936, we were having a terrific blizzard the night before. I was called early on Sunday morning by President John M. White (of the Yellowstone Stake). I was requested to be sure and come to conference that day (our quarterly conference was being held). He said that it was most important that I be there. I said, "I am snowed in and cannot get my car out." He said, "Walk up to the highway and I will have someone come up and get you." I could not
imagine what I had done, or not done, that I had to be sent for. I was sent into the president's room and there sat President Clawson alone. He arose, greeted me, and said, "Bishop Hess, we have chosen and appointed you to be President of the Yellowstone Stake. Will you accept?" This was the greatest surprise that had ever come into my life. That afternoon after the meeting, I was voted in as President of the Yellowstone Stake and set apart by President Rudger Clawson. This was the greatest thing that had ever come into my life and has made me the most humble." Horace was released December 16, 1945.
Mildred was active in the LDS Church. She served in many positions. She was on the Yellowstone Stake Sunday School Board for several years.
Horace suffered from asthma most of his life but in 1942, it worsened, and he was diagnosed with spasmodic asthma. They then spent the winters in Arizona with their son Sherman and family, as their grandson Billy had asthma also, and the climate helped them both. [Note: both of my grandfathers Hess and
Horace and Mildred Hess in Arizona 1944.
351
Lansberry had asthma but Grandfather Hess' went undiagnosed for years. It wasn't until Dr. Krueger came to Ashton that it was discovered, vkt]
In 1944, his health began to fail him more so, and the asthma became chronic until at times it was most difficult for him to breath. At this point, Feb. 28, 1944, they went to Idaho Falls to consult Dr. H. Ray Hatch. Horace was then diagnosed with prostrate cancer and was given three to five years to live. He underwent deep x-ray treatments which helped a little. [Note: His father John "W" Hess died of prostrate cancer, both of his sons Sherman and Gene developed it. Sherman had a check up every year, and his was caught very early; he had surgery and laser treatments and was cured. Gene, like his father, did not catch it in time, and he suffered for many years. Vkt]
This was a most difficult time for them as World War II was raging, Daniel was serving in the Navy, and Horace's health was worsening. Dan was stationed in San Diego and was able to go visit them at Mesa, Arizona, where they were staying with their son Sherman and family. Dan had had a terrible accident in 1940 which almost cost him his life, and with him serving in the Navy during the war, he was a constant worry for his parents. Gene and Dan both were able to fill missions for the LDS Church. Gene served a mission to the Tahitian Islands November 8, 1930. He returned from his mission March 1934. Dan served in the Hawaiian Islands October 20, 1946. All four of their children were married in Temples of the LDS Church.
J. Howard Craven had been inducted in the Army during World War II, had returned on a few days furlough, and they were married. Lucile continued her schooling at the University of Utah and graduated with honors as a Medical Technician the following June.
Horace died peacefully at his home on July 25, 1949.
Mildred continued to live in the family home which was a show place for all to see. She took up painting again and traveled. She toured Europe with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. She suffered a heart attack in 1957, and spent several months with Sherman and his family recovering. She then spent a few months with Gene and his family. She returned to her home in December 1958, and passed away peacefully in her sleep.
The following was submitted by Mary Hess on the same family
In the fall of 1905, my sister Jane's husband, L.E. Abbott, a claim agent on the railroad, informed me that the railroad was going through Marysville to Yellowstone Park. He said that in that country there was very fine farming land, and he would like to get in on it and would put up the money if I would farm the land. I agreed to do this.
My brother, Milton, and I took the train to St. Anthony as that was the end of the line. From there we went over to Parker four miles west of St. Anthony, where my Uncle Daniel Miller lived. We asked him to take us to Marysville, so he hitched up his team to a white top buggy and drove the distance of some 20 miles. He had to ford the rivers as there were no bridges. We found that the railroad construction was completed as far as Chester.
Upon arriving at Marysville, we called upon Bishop Wilson who was in the real estate business. He informed us that land prices were on the boom, and it was hard to get hold of good farms at that time. The further we inquired the more discouraged we became. We stayed overnight and next morning drove back to St. Anthony, but on the way. Uncle Dan went out of his way a little and drove past a 40-acre tract that he owned and pointed it out to us. When we
352
ddfitatt 3-ainiiy. Sihtomed
arrived back at the station to leave he said, "If you want that 40 acres, you may have it for $800 rather than to see you go back without anything. So I told him to have the deeds made out, and I would send him the money. I asked Milton what he thought of the country. He said, "I wouldn't have the whole country fenced."
Four years later, I took the train for Ashton, a town which had come into being since I had bought the land. Melvin Hammond's land joined this land I had purchased. He showed me where my land was. It was covered with sagebrush. I walked over it on my way back to town and on my way succeeded in renting a house located one mile east - not a very desirable place to live but the only one to be had.
Mildred's father made arrangements for us to ship our belongings to Idaho for $54.00 in a box car which was called a "Home-seekers car" and therefore was less expensive than renting a regular box car. So about the first of April my brother, Jess, and 1 began to load all of our earthly belongings, which consisted of the furniture and floor coverings for three rooms, our wedding gifts, clothing, bottled fruits, four horses, a cow, plow, wagon, harnesses, etc., but altogether they didn't fill the box car. Jess accompanied me, as he wanted to find a place for himself
Mildred and the baby stayed in Woods Cross with her mother to come later after I had become established.. We arrived at Ashton in due time and unloaded our stock and equipment. It took quite a few trips to unload the car. The weather was cold and stormy, and the roads were
353
Mildred Hess
(Zdfitatt 9^antiiif 3iht(m.e^
not as we have them today, so it was wading through mud and getting stuck, etc.
We set up house keeping and made ourselves as comfortable as we could preparatory to starting work on the farm. We began clearing the land. The horses took sick. We hired Tom Karren to help us, and after about six weeks, we had the land seeded to oats.
It wasn't very pleasant to batch it. We could make mistakes with our cooking and get away with it, but when I did my first
Horace Arnold Hess
washing, I boiled my white and colored together, which told the story long after. When Mildred and the baby, Sherman, arrived on May 30, 1909, how happy we were to see them. We met the train in the lumber wagon, our only way of travel. When we went into our house, Mildred looked around and said, "Dear, I am glad you have unpacked only what you have had to use. This is sure a filthy place. We can only camp here until we can find something better." After we had eaten, I told her I would take the baby down to see if the grain was coming up so she cold rest. She looked at me with fear in her face and said, "I am frightened. This country is so big and looks so wild." I assured her that she would be all right but when I returned , although the sun was still high, the doors were locked.
By this time the weather had warmed up, and it was more pleasant to get around. We decided to try and get more land, so we traveled around the country looking at different farms that were for sale. All we had to ride in was the wagon we had brought with us, and this wasn't very pleasant for Mama and the baby.
Finally in June, we heard that Mr. Otto Smith owned 160 acres of land just across from our 40 and would like to sell it. He lived at Chester. So to Chester we went, happy to think he would sell. There were no improvements on the place, just a two-room log cabin which had been used as a shelter for stray cattle for years. We didn't mind that, so we rushed to see if Mr. Bowerman, the banker, would lend us $2,000 to make the down payment. He told us that he would come over to look at the farm. There were 100 acres of wheat and 60 acres of sagebrush. Mr. Bowerman didn't look at the farm as much as he was sizing us up. His reply was, "No." Mildred and I were so disappointed that we couldn't sleep that night. We got up before daylight the next morning, hitched up the old gray team to the wagon, and drove the 20 miles to Parker to see if Uncle Dan and Ed Miller could help us. Through their recommendations Moore and Fuller gave us the loan.
To finish paying for the land, my dear mother lent us $2,000. more, for which we gave her a joint deed to the land. She returned this to us when we paid her back the money, plus 8 percent interest for the use of it. Bowerman told our ft-iends a few years later, when we wouldn't bank with him, that he certainly made a mistake in not letting us have the loan. He said, " I
354
(ZdfUatt 3-atniii^ Jii^taue^
misjudged them. I thought that they were two city kids and wouldn't stick it out."
The little log cabin on our newly acquired 160 acres just had a dirt roof and was badly in need of repairs everywhere. We put dirt on the roof, fixed the floor, lined the inside walls with paper and the ceiling with factory, put in new windows and doors, and moved into our first real house.
There was no well on the place, so we had to haul water from the river in barrels, a distance of 1 V2 miles. This was a sore trial, as it seemed the barrel was always empty even though we tried to be earful with it.
It seemed very hard to get ahead . We worked and saved in every possible way, but it seemed that our debts kept piling up. More equipment had to be bought, and we had no money, so it had to be bought on time, thus making it much more expensive than if we had the cash to buy with.
We couldn't afford to bum coal, so I went to the hills to get out wood to bum and poles to make a frame for a shelter for the stock , which I covered with straw. The first winter was terrible. We couldn't travel anywhere with the horses because the snow was so deep, and they weren't used to it. I made me a pair of skis which I used to go to town for the mail and groceries.
This was a great hardship on Mama and the baby. They weren't very strong and so had to stay in the house most of the time because of the severely cold weather. Many times it was 20 below zero and sometimes lower with the wind howling around the little, lone, log cabin. We used wood to bum, and it took so much of it that this was very trying, as it was all new. The baby took sick and the neighbors were far away and no road to our place, we had no callers. During this one time, when the baby was sick, Mama wasn't able to get out of the house for six weeks.
In those days, this country was subject to severe blizzards which would last for days on end, when travel was out of the questions. I well remember one that lasted seven days without letting up; the snow piled up so high we could scarcely see out of the windows. I had to bring the shovel and ax in the house to pound the door open in the momings in order to get out. If the tiniest crack was left open, the snow would drift across the room.
We had, at this time, no well and were burning kerosene lamps. I hauled water in a barrel for culinary purposes and drove the stock to the river to drink. Sometimes we would have to put the tub on the stove and melt snow for them to drink.
We certainly were happy when April came, and it commenced to warm a little, and about the first of May we were farming again.
Written by Horace and Mildred Hess and submitted by their son, Dan Hess ofRexburg, Idaho. Submitted to book by Mary Hess.
My father was John W. Hess, the same who held the first Primary meeting in the LDS Church. That was in my home ward of Farmington, Utah. I had much love and respect for my father. He was a wonderful person. He was also a polygamist, my mother was his sixth wife, and was much younger than my father.
My mother was a great influence on my life. She was a sincere and spiritual person. I wanted to make her happy. Many times, when I was "standing at the crossroads," as it were, or
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was tempted to do wrong, my mother's face would come before me, and I would realize how sad she would be and disappointed in me. This gave me the strength to resist wrong. That doesn't mean that I never did anything wrong, of course - I was a boy!
I grew up on my father's fann in Farmington. Early in life I learned hard work, responsibility, and dependability. From my earliest childhood, I was taught to prepare myself for a mission. I was happy when that day came. My half-brother and I went at the same time, he to Alabama and I to Kentucky. We were both in the Southern States Mission. I was blessed so much during my mission. 1 appreciated all of my opportunities to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Just after Lyman, my brother, and I had been out twenty months, we were called home, as our father's health was failing. We arrived back in Utah on Thanksgiving Day. We were pleased to be able to talk to our father and to hear his counsel to us for almost a month before he passed away. He was a great soul. He was serving as both president and patriarch of the stake at the time of his death.
Later, I met a young lady from Woods Cross, Utah. She was teaching school. "There was an attraction the minute I laid my eyes on Mildred Smith, the school teacher, and we were drawn together." Mildred made me wait much over a year, and then we were married in the Salt Lake Temple on March 14, 1907. She was the greatest blessing in my life.
A few years after our marriage, we moved to Idaho - to a land of sagebrush in the summer and ice, snow, and wind in the winter. Our home during those first few years were log cabins with dirt roofs, but they were fixed up as best we could. One of our happy times was when we had a well dug and actually had water right by our house!
It seemed very hard to get ahead. We worked and saved in every way possible but progress was slow. When I became discouraged, Mildred would say, "we will not leave; there is a good living here. Some day we will own a section of land and have tractors to run it!" You know, she was right! But it did take many years of more hard work and being ever so careful with our finances.
We were blessed with five good children: Sherman, Eugene, Magdalena, Lucille, and Dan. Magdalena died at twenty- three years of age. Our sons became good farmers. A great surprise came to me when I was called to be Bishop of the Ashton Ward - a position I held for fifteen years. Mildred stood faithfully by my side and helped and sustained me in many ways. My duty to my Church was first with both of us. We had many friends, and we came to love this Ashton area.
When I was bishop we went to church in a small, red brick church house on the curve coming in to Ashton, which is now part of the elementary school playground. One of our duties then, in the winter, was to get to church early enough to build a fire in the large wood and coal heater which stood in the corner of the room. That comer was warm, but the rest of the building didn't usually have the chill off We divided the room with dark curtains which were drawn back and forth on wires - that gave us a few classrooms. Many precious experiences transpired in that little
red meetinghouse.
First LDS Church in Ashton.
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a^fitatt ^atnii^ Mhtaue^
The LDS Marysville Church (Red Brick) was built in Ashton and was later called Ashton Third Ward. Now-2005-not over 6 people are living pictured above. This was a Sunday School Class in 1955. The White Ashton Church had already been built across town. Notice the front row is empty. Ha, ha! Picture submitted by Nina and Glen Myers.
I was released as bishop to become Stake President of the Yellowstone Stake. The stake covered all of Fremont County in those days. Again, many choice blessings came to me and to our family as a result of our association with the good people in the area, as well as our association with many of the General Authorities who visited our stake often. I was released because of my poor health, after serving eleven years as stake president.
Mildred and I felt that our lives were successful in several ways. Mostly because we were faithful to the end in our beliefs in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; second, because of our good family; and third, because we were finally able to have the necessities and many of the comforts of life
We are so grateful to our son, Dan, and his wife, Mary, who have established the Hess Heritage Museum at our home place, which serves to honor us and all of the great pioneers of this beautiful Snake River Valley.
My death came after several years of suffering with cancer on July 25, 1949.
This history was written in J 998 with the help and cooperation of several individuals, including Erma Hess, to be read with the purpose of helping and inspiring some of the youth who were preparing to be the leaders of tomorrow. It was submitted by Nina and Glen Myers.
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I have included the following information as part of the foregoing autobiography as that is where it belongs . I copies it from the original record that Grandmother Hess had kept and now add it here. I found it was interesting a d mostly of a genealogical value. The place and residence is Idaho unless otherwise given. Virginia Kaye Hess Tolman
DATE
June 1, 1921
June 5, 1922 yes
Dec. 5, 1925
Nov. 3, 1927
Apr. 28, 1928
Aug. 14, 1929 Dec 23 1929 Jan 7 1932 Mar 2 1932 June 30, 1932 Nov 8 1932" Nov 21 1932 Nov 26, 1933 July 5, 1934 Feb 23 1935 Mar 23 1935 July 20, 1935 Aug 24 1936 Jun 3 1936 Dec 22 1936
|
PLACE |
NAMES IN FULL |
|
Ashton Ashton |
Ernest Johnson Ila Peterson |
|
Ashton |
Robert Oscar Baker |
|
Ashton |
Emma Fuger |
|
Ashton Ashton |
Letho LaFayette Gee Sarah Evlin Brower |
|
Ashton Ashton |
Fayette B. Knapp Cleo Bonneru |
|
Ashton Ashton |
W. Harold Mower Lillie Jane House |
|
Ashton Ashton |
James Olif Cotton Celia Peal Lewis |
|
Ashton Ashton |
Qai D. Walson Leora Olsen |
|
Ashton Ashton |
Cecil Steven Cherry Pearl Mae Fransen |
|
Wayne Reece Anelda Olsen |
|
|
Ashton |
David Grube Norma Bonnerou |
|
Ashton |
Robert Mower Mildred Johnson |
|
Ashton |
Eben Rasmussen Nona Brower |
|
Ashton |
George Tippitts Voghn Harsberger |
|
Ashton |
Carl Hendricks Lula McLane |
|
Ashton |
Arthur Fransen Neva Gormley |
|
Ashton |
Roy Mikesell Rose Fransen |
|
Ashton Ashton |
Earl V. Smith Rheva Marsden |
|
Ashton Ashton |
Clifford Harshbarger Alice Harden |
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Ashton |
Glendle Hendricks Verna Birch |
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Ashton |
Orvil Hull Cloe Sprague |
PERSONS MARRIED BY HORACE WHILE BISHOP
RESIDENCE BIRTHPLACE
Squirrel Goshen, Idaho
Brigham City, Utah Brigham City, Utah
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Ashton |
Ashton |
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Driggs, Idaho |
Mackatosh, Lanseane |
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Ashton |
Ashton |
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Ashton |
Ashton |
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Ashton |
Wilmington, Ut |
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Ashton |
Ashton |
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Ashton |
Marysville |
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Squirrel |
Veniss, Nebraska |
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Rexburg |
Richfield, Utah |
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Ashton |
Ashton, Idaho |
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Pocatello |
Riverside, Ida |
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Ashton |
Ashton |
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Draper, Utah |
Franklin, Idaho |
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Ashton |
Meridian, Idaho |
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Felt, Idaho |
Felt, Idaho |
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Aston, Idaho |
Ashton, Idaho |
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Greentimber |
Greentimber |
|
Ashton |
Ashton |
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Ashton |
Marysville |
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Squirrel |
Ashton |
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Preston, Idaho |
Preston, Idaho |
|
Ashton |
Marysville |
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Loveil, Wyoming |
Loveil, Wy |
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Squirrel, Idaho |
Squirrel |
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Ashton |
Butte Falls, Oregon 23 |
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Chester |
Chester, Idaho |
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Ashton |
Ashton |
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Ashton |
Ashton |
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Ashton |
Ashton |
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Ashton |
Ashton |
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Ashton |
Marysville |
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Squirrel |
Tooele, Utah |
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Squirrel |
Ada, Kansas |
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Squirrel |
Tooele, Utah |
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Ashton |
Ashton |
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St. Anthony |
Wilford |
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AGE |
COMMENTS |
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20 |
White |
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23 |
White |
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28 |
Md. before |
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Divorced N |
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25 |
Md. Before yes |
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Divorced Yes |
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21 |
White |
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18 |
White |
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21 |
White |
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18 |
White |
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23 |
White |
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21 |
White |
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25 |
White |
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29 |
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18 |
White |
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19 |
White |
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21 |
White |
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16 |
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20 |
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18 |
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21 |
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17 |
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25 |
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17 |
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22 |
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19 |
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21 |
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21 |
Ashton Ashton
Peck, Idaho Marysville, Idaho
22
23 19
21 21
28
20
22
19
21 19
White White
White White
358
ddfUan ^atnliy. Mhto^ueA
Gene and Erma Hess
JCqss, Horace Eugene and Erma Porter. Horace was bom 21 Aug 1910 in Ashton, Idaho, to Horace Arnold and Linnie Mildred Smith HESS. He died 28 Apr 1985 in Ashton, Idaho, and was buried 1 May 1985 in Ashton, Idaho. "Gene" married Erma 4 Oct 1985 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was bom 22 Apr 1915 in Ashton, Idaho, to Frederick Charles and Stella Marie Jeppson PORTER. She died 9 Apr 2003 in Davis County, Utah, and is buried in Ashton, Idaho. They had the following children:
Horace Eugene Jr. bom in St. Anthony, Idaho. He married Ann Todd in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
John Richard bom in St. Anthony, Idaho. He married Shirley Ann Downard in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
Dorothy Eileen bom in St. Anthony, Idaho. She married Larry Duane Hill in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
Ray Charles bom in St. Anthony, Idaho. He married Marcie Lynn Vreeken in Los Angeles, Califomia.
Diane bom in Ashton, Idaho. She married Robert Wayne Shirtliff in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
Horace Eugene Hess, known as Gene Hess, was bom in a log cabin on the Hess farm on the Falls River. He was a life long resident.
Gene was a prominent farmer, rancher, and church leader of the Ashton community serving as a member of the Fremont County School Board. He had served previously as a bishop's counselor in 1943 and as councilor in the Yellowstone Stake Presidency in 1969.
May 18, 1975, the Ashton Idaho Stake of the LDS Church was formed with Gene as the Stake President. He oversaw the building of the new Ashton Idaho Stake Center in the north part of Ashton. The ground breaking was held October 31, 1977, and the building was completed and dedicated July 22, 1979, by Elder L. Tom Perry.
Gene was the President of the Ashton Stake for six years, then he was Stake Patriarch for four years, and was released due to ill health.
Gene was educated in the Ashton schools and later attended Utah State Agricultural College at Logan.
He serviced a mission to the Tahitian Islands November 8, 1930. He retumed from his mission March 1934.
He engaged in farming and owned several hundred acres of land. He and his sons owned and operated Hess Farms.
He met Erma Porter, and they were in the Salt Lake Temple.
They had three sons: Eugene, John, and Ray who all lived and farm in the Ashton area; Dorothy, wife of Larry Hill, who are now retired and live in St. George; and Diane, wife of Wayne Shirtliff of Saudi Arabia.
Erma was also active in the LDS Church serving in many positions. Gene died of prostrate cancer and had suffered for many years. Erma died at a rest home in Davis County, Utah. They are both buried in the Pineview Cemetery at Ashton.
Submitted by Virginia Hess Tolman
359
Ci^fitatt ^atniiy. Mbto^ue^
Jieizel, Michael C. and Anna Louise Lenz. Michael married Anna Louise inl975. She was bom 5 Mar 1949 in St. Anthony, Idaho, to Cari Paul Ludwig and Evva Lee LENZ.
Anna was the youngest child in the family. She was born in St. Anthony because the Ashton Hospital had not been built yet. Her education through tenth grade was in Ashton. Because of her severe asthma, her parents had tried a change of climate in the wintertime. It seemed to help, so Anna Louise spent her junior and senior years of high school in Mesa, Arizona. She graduated with double majors in Nursing and Child Development/Family Relations from Brigham Young University. After working for a year in hospitals in Ashton and Mesa, she became part of the first team of L.D.S. health missionaries to serve in Columbia. That experience has had a tremendous impact on her life and thinking, bringing home the realization that most of the world has much less than do U.S. citizens, and that we have a responsibility to be contributing members of the world community. After further education, she worked as a college health nurse practitioner for several years while her husband completed his Ph. D. at BYU.
She met Michael on a flight between LaPaz, Bolivia, and Lima, Peru, and they were married in 1975. They lived for eight years in the Chicago area and now live in the Seattle area where Michael works for Boeing. After having owned and managed an independent bookstore for ten years, Anna Louise now enjoys doing family history research and caring for grandchildren. She and Michael have five children and three grandchildren to date.
Bv Anna Louise Lenz Hertzel
Nf/ \f/ \f/ \f/
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entailed
An ice jam on the Snake River
Suhmitteci hv Craii^ Hamiuond
360
Cl^fitan ^atniiy. Mbtaue^
MihbQTt, John Nield Sr. and Ethel Wetherbee.
John was bom in Upton, Utah, 2 Jul 1892. His mother, Sarah Nield Hibbert, died at his birth, and he was cared for by a neighbor for some years before his father, Ambrose Hibbert, who had immigrated from England, remarried. His family moved to Burlington, Wyoming, for John's teen years, where his father had a homestead. When the farmland in Wyoming turned to alkali, Ambrose moved his family to Idaho.
When John became older, he was known as "Jack," and that is what he was called by everyone who knew him. About 1910 Jack worked for a time in the sugar factory at Sugar City. He also homesteaded with his brother, Thomas, near Parker, in what was known as the Junipers. Jack enlisted in the Army for World War I on December 1, 1917 and served in the Artillery Corps in France. When the war ended, he returned to Idaho and was discharged March 14, 1919, only to fmd there was drought in the land, so he decided to work for the Railroad Ranch. This was in 1922, and he eventually became foreman of the ranch. He was expected to run the ranch with regard to having horses, cows, cattle, and, for a time, a heard of elk and buffalo.
In 1927, Jack
married Ethel
Wetherbee, who was
bom Febmary 1, 1908
in Marysville, daughter of David and Phebe Wilson
WETHERBEE.
To this couple
were bom two
children, Nield,
who was bom in
August of 1929 in
Ashton, and
Beverly, who was
bom in July of
1932, also in
Ashton. The
couple lived on
the Railroad
Ranch where Jack
was employed
and where Ethel was expected to care for her young family,
plant, and care for the huge garden which provided food for
the ranch hands, cook three large meals a day for the ranch
workers, and whatever else was needed to mn the ranch
Jack Hibbert, Ashton, Idaho
Beverly Hibbert
Jack and Ethel Hibbert married 1927
361
Cl^fitatt J^atnii^ 3ihtome6
house. During World War II, sugar and meat were rationed, so each ranch hand brought his ration books with him. He gave them to Ethel, and she was then to purchase the amount accorded each man and use the food in preparation of each meal. The ranch had a herd of sheep and ten milk cows, permitting them to butcher lamb and beef during these times. For many years, there was no telephone connection to places outside the ranch, but was installed about 1938. There were two generators keeping electricity provided to each of the homes on the ranch. There was an ice box, not refrigerator, in each of the homes and the ranch house, which was kept cold by blocks of ice, that had been harvested from Silver Lake during the cold of the winter and stored in a shed full of sawdust. It was from this shed that each of the home's ice boxes were kept cool during the summer months.
For Nield and
Nield Hibbert
Beverly's first school years,
a teacher was hired to come
to the ranch and spend the
winter because of its
isolation created by the
deep snow. A classroom
was in the upstairs section
of the ranch house, and two
desks were placed therein.
As Nield was older, he was
kept in class longer than his
sister, so she was given
piano lessons by Ethel
during the last half hour of
the school day. After a few
years, Ethel moved to
Ashton each winter so
Nield and Beverly could
attend public school. They
would return to the ranch each weekend and on holidays until the roads closed due to the snowdrifts.
The snowdrifts in Ashton were fun for skiing and making snowmen for the two children, and they enjoyed
watching the Dog Races every year. When spring came, they played marbles and jacks, jumped rope, rode bicycles, and enjoyed the carefree time of youth. When WWII was in process, Etiicl made sure the house had blackout curtains, and they participated in the drills that became part of the town's concern about Japanese bombers. It was while living in Ashton that Ethel began to
Nield Hibbert, Miss Gertrude Nelson, and Beverly Hibbert
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Grandmother Phebe Wetherbt 1949
362
ddfitan ^J-amii^ Mhtaued
experience pain, which required surgery and ended in her death on March 22, 1943 at the early age of thirty-two. Jack then moved permanently to Ashton so his children could attend school, and Ethel's mother, Phebe Wetherbee, came to live in the home and care for the family. Nield and Beverly attended Ashton schools from elementary through high school.
Nield enlisted in the Army on November 23, 1948 and was stationed in Germany in the Occupation Forces after
WWII. He
Eva and Jack Hibbert
returned to Beverly Hibbert and Don CLEMENTS 1983
Ashton in
1952, and in 1953, he married Helen Holbrook, who was also of Ashton. (More history listed with Helen Chamberlain.)
After high school graduation in 1 949, Beverly attended Ricks College for two years, worked in an insurance office in Idaho Falls for a year, and then married Don Clements of Rexburg. Don was in the Air Force and stationed at Fairchild AFB near Spokane, Washington. They spend the next 20 years traveling, moving from Spokane to England for three years, then back stateside to Biloxi AFB in Mississippi, from there to Seward AFB near Nashville, Tennessee, on to Amarillo AFB in Texas, then to Elmendorf AFB near Anchorage, Alaska. For his last three years in the military, Don was transferred to the Pentagon in Washington, DC. This was during the time of the hippie movement and their marches on the government and when drugs became more prevalent.
Don was able to take his family with him on all these transfers, and he and Beverly had four children during this time. Steven and Gale were bom in Spokane, Washington, and Susan and Roger in Amarillo, Texas. After twenty years, Don retired from the military, and they
moved to Boise, Idaho, where they still live
over 30 years later.
"Jack" married Eva Powell Cruser in
April 1947. Eva had two children, Blair and
LaDawn. After living in Ashton a year, they
moved to Marysville, where Jack owned a
farm.
Nield went into the service, and
Beverly went to Ricks College. Blair and
LaDawn went to school in Ashton. They lived
in Marysville until Jack sold the farm and then
moved to Ashton and lived there until Jack
Blair Cruser
LaDawn Cruser
363
(Zdfitan ^amlii^ Mhto^Ue^
LaDawn and Devon Bratsman
passed away in 1971. Eva lived in Ashton 7 more years, and then moved to Rexburg to be near her daughter, LaDawn.
Eva died September 5, 1997, in Rexburg. Blair died in 1953 in a car accident. LaDawn graduated in 1957 from Ashton High School. She worked a short time in the Rexall Drug in Ashton and also in West Yellowstone. She graduated from Ricks College with an Associate Degree in 1959. She married Devon Bratsman in December of 1959. They lived in Rexburg where he worked at Parts Service for several years. They bought and owned Anderson Auto Parts in Mudlake, Idaho.
Devon is retired, busy with the daily things of life and plays golf. They have six children, four living and two, Greg and Shawna, deceased. Laurie lives in Sugar City, Allison in Newdale, Mark in Seattle, and Megan in Rexburg. All of these children were bom in Rexburg. DeVon and LaDawn were both active in the LDS Church and community.
By Helen Holbrook Hibbert Chamberlain
Nf/ Nf/ \f/ \f/'
(Zdfitan 3^'cLaia: Huntsman, Terry, remembers the chariot races they used to have in Ashton. They would use mules to pull them. Lucy Huntsman was involved in these races. He also had a favorite dog named Ring. He was an Australian Shepard that proved to be a great sled dog, and he ran him in the kids races. Terry ran in the big races a few years. He ran Herrigfeld's dogs and loved training them. He would go out to the farm, hitch them up, and run them all over the countryside.
364
i
dafitait f^amliy. Jibte^ue6
JiiW, John Elden (twin) and Glenda Lucile Williams. Elden was bom 26 Mar 1 924, in Famum, Idaho, to James Nelson and Elma Whittle HILL. He died at Pocatello 17 Jul 1989 and was buried in Restlawn Memorial Gardens in Pocatello, Idaho. He married Glenda on 5 Sep 195 1 in Ashton, Idaho. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls Temple on 25 Feb 1967. She was bom 6 Sep 1936 in Ashton, Idaho, to Clyde Edwin and Ida Alice Christensen WILLIAMS. They had the following children:
Scott Neal bom 10 Sep 1952 in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
Mark Elden bom 6 Jan 1954 in Rexburg, Idaho.
Shawna bom 2 Jun 1956 in Rexburg, Idaho.
Blake Edward bom 4 Dec 1959 in Rexburg, Idaho.
Nancy Dawn bom 5 Jul 1961 in Rexburg, Idaho.
Glenda Williams Hill
Elden attended Ashton High School where he played football and basketball, sang bass in quartets, was Student Body President during his senior year, and was liked and admired by his fellow classmates. He was also an excellent student. Elden was one of five sons who joined the Navy during World War II, and all retumed safely home. There were six sons who served in the armed forces: 5 sons in the Navy and 1 son in the Marines.
After the war, Elden attended the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho, graduating in Agriculture Economics. He was employed by the Eastem Idaho Production Credit Association for 35 years, served as president for 22 years, and retired in 1986. He lobbied Congress in Washington, D.C., and was instmmental in keeping the EIPCA an independent organization.
Elden served his country, his occupation, his church, and his family with honor. To quote a statement said about him, "Elden lived so that he neither was afraid of tomorrow nor need apologize for yesterday." Elden had nine siblings:
Edwin Casper bom 18 Nov 1906 and died 21 Mar 1984. Leonard Matthew bom 16 Apr 1908 and died 30 Apr 1981. Bmce Whittle bom 18 Aug 1910 and died 4 Apr 1984. Leslie Whittle bom 17 Aug 1912 and died 1 Sep 1987. Eugene Whittle bom 1 Apr 1914 and died 9 Jan 2001. Blaine Whittle bom 1 Apr 1916 and is living in Tucson, Arizona. Jay N. bom 20 Oct 1918 and died 28 Jul 1998. Elma Ruth (twin) bom 26 Mar 1924 and died 3 Dec 1996 George Neal bom 14 Aug 1929 and died 13 Nov 2003. All were hard working, honorable citizens, and each left a legacy to be desired.'v'S?
John Elden Hill
365
(Z^fitatt Jatnii^ Jibtaued
B-Nancy, Blake, Shawna F-Mark, Elden, Glenda, and Scott HILL
B-Nancy, Blake, Shawna F-Mark, Elden, Glenda, and Scott HILL
S?S? Glenda had a wonderful childhood with loving parents, siblings, and friends. She was an avid reader and spent many hours selecting books in the Ashton Public Library, including: James Oliver Curwood, Zane Grey, Nancy Drew, and many others. She loved to play with, roller skates, ride her brother's bicycle, dance, and go to movies with some of her friends: Phyllis Robinson, Clella Davis, Itha Rae Van Sickle, Doris Christiansen, and SaDonna
366
Glenda Williams
John Elden Hill
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John Elden Hill Torpedoman's Mate 3^^^ Class
(Z^fitait ^am'dif Mhte^Ue^
Stanley. Phyllis, Clella, and SaDonna are deceased.
Glenda graduated from Ashton High School. She later enrolled in Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, graduating with a Bachelors Degree in Education. She taught school in Provo and Salt Lake City, and in 1952, as previously stated, married John Elden Hill. Glenda loved teaching and taught in Rexburg, Idaho Falls, and Pocatello, feeling very privileged to do so.
Her greatest blessings are her heritage, her family, her church, and having served missions in Houston, Texas, and Thailand, and she recently returned from Poland. She is truly thankful for her many blessings.
By Glenda Williams Hill
Jtetnaued 1948/49 Lloyd Van Sickle doing mail run from Drummond to Squirrel. Submitted by Benietta Harris Hanson
367
d^fitait 9^amiiy. Jihtauc^
Ji\\\, Less W. and Gertrude Volly Campbell. Less was born 17 Aug 1912 at Famum, Idaho, to James N. and Elma Whittle HILL. He died 1 Sep 1987. Less married Gertrude 1 1 Jan 1943 in Boise, Idaho. She was bom 3 Apr 1916 at Chester, Idaho, to Joseph and Alberta Russell CAMPBELL. Gertrude died 26 May 2003. To this union were born two daughters:
Sonja Jane was bom 3 Apr
1944. She married Paul Parkinson Cherry of Ashton on 16 Jun 1963. He passed away 6 Oct 1985 of cancer. They had three children: Portia Jenkins, attomey-
of-Iaw in Boise, Idaho. Children: Allison Kelsey Andrea (Andy) Taylor, 5"" grade teacher in San Jose, Califomia. Children: Ethan Lauren Cade, financial auditor, Hartford, Connecticut.
Sonja graduated from North Fremont High School in 1962 and attended the University of Idaho. She and Paul lived in Ashton where they farmed. Susan Jan bom 7 May 1948. (See Seeley, Alvin Hyrum "Dick".)
Jan, Gertmde, Less, and Sonja HILL
Less had eight brothers and one sister. Gertmde had three sisters and one brother.
Less graduated from the 8"' grade in Ashton, at which time, he began his lifetime living of raising sheep and cattle. Gertmde graduated from Sugar Salem High School in 1934 and continued her education at Rick's College graduating in 1936. She taught school in Malad, Annis, and 3"* grade at Ashton Elementary in Ashton.
Less and Gertmde lived in Ashton from where they ran their livestock business in Fremont, Jefferson, and Clark counties, retiring in 1969.
By Jan Hill Seeley
368
(Zdfitan 3^amii^ Mhtaue^
JiiW, Ralph and Nelda Zitting. Ralph was bom 12 Aug 1912 in Malad, Idaho, the son of Alexander Hill and Eliza Tew Hill. He passed away 10 May 1998. He married Nelda 1 1 Jan 1943. They had the following children:
Delores (See Lenz, Otto - Harold.)
Marvin married Brucene Howard.
Steve married Marsha Bracke.
Kalle married Juji Matsuyama.
When Ralph was about six years old, they moved to Lamont, Idaho, where his father leased some ground. They lived in an old house until his father built a new home in 1936. Ralph went to school in Lamont, had two dogs, and sometimes a sheep that pulled him to school on a sleigh in the winter. If he fell off the sleigh, he was out of luck because the animals and the sleigh went on to school or back home, whichever way was intended. In the summer, he usually rode a horse named Duke. When it came to high school, he rode the train on weekends and boarded in Ashton during the week, usually at Mrs. Klampt's.
After Ralph and Nelda were married, they fixed up a one-room house where his parents had lived.. Delores was bom while they were there. After a year and a half, they moved into a house on a hill that had been used for a granary for a few years. Marvin was bom while they lived here, followed by Steve. Kalle was bom after they had moved to the home Ralph's father had built.
In 1973 or 1974, they sold the ranch to Marvin and Bmcene. They raised their five children there and continue to live on the ranch.
In 1978, Ralph and Nelda moved a few miles away, closer to Conant Creek into a mobile home. Ralph passed away at age 85. Nelda moved to Boise, Idaho, a few years later and lives just a few miles from Kalle and her family and Steve and his family.
Nelda and Ralph Hill
Submitted by Nelda Hill
Cldfitati ^fciaiu: The first half of the century, "poaching" was getting meat out of season "if you didn't need it." There was still a game warden, but often he would tum his head if he knew the food was needed.
369
CLdfitatt fj^atnli^ Mbto^ucd
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Mamie Hillam
Abraham Hillam
Jdillam, Abraham Baron and Mamie Ann Taylor.
Abraham and Mamie first came for a visit to Marysville, Fremont County, Idaho, in 1900. The next year, in February 1901, they came back from Brigham City, Utah, and moved into the log cabin home with Mamie's father and his wife, Samuel and Mary Ann Taylor. The cabin was located a mile north and east of the townsite of Marysville. Later on, before Samuel Taylor passed away in 1906, Abe bought the farm and continued to break up the remainder of the eighty acres from sagebrush. Abe and Mamie established the farm and worked hard as all the pioneer farmers did in that day. They became parents of twelve children, four of whom died in infancy.
The children of Abraham and Mamie Hillam were:
Loren Abraham bom 7 February 1898 in Brigham City, Utah.
He worked for First Security Bank in Salt Lake City. He married Ruth Josephine Olsen, and they had four children. He passed away in Salt Lake on 20 May 1970. Charles Elmer bom 2 Feb 1900 in Brigham City, Utah and passed away 30
August 1901 in Marysville, Fremont, Idaho. Warren Nephi bom 1 1 Jul 1902 in Marysville, Idaho and died 19 Aug 1902. George Marvin bom 19 Jul 1903 in Marysville, Idaho. He was a farmer and
owned land close to his father and also his brother, Norman. The brothers and their father farmed together for many years. Marvin married Laura May Lemmon and they were the parents of nine children. Laura passed away 2 Dec 1961. In November 1962, Marvin married Leona Herbst Lords. Marvin died 5 Oct 1983 in Idaho Falls, Bonneville, Idaho. Ronald Clyde bom 2 Nov 1905 and died 24 Dec 1905. He was buried in the
Pineview Cemetery in Ashton, Idaho, beside his two brothers. Gordon Rodney bom 2 Jun 1907. He married Florence Evelyn Skidmore and
they were the parents of five children. Gordon worked as a grain elevator operator. He passed away in Ashton, Idaho, on 30 Apr 1956. Norman Roy bom 15 May 1910. He married Dorothy Mary Hansen, and they were parents of four children. Dorothy passed away 10 Apr 1963. In 1964, Norman married Ethel Laveme Bush Weight. At this writing, Norman is in his 96"' year, and he and Laveme still live in their home in
370
(Z^fitafi S-atniiy. MUto^Ue^
Ashton. Alta Blanch bom 25 Feb 1913. She married Thomas Hammon Murdoch, who
was a merchant. They are parents of five children. Thomas passed away 9 Mar 1988 in Ashton. At the present time, Alta is living in the Ashton Memorial Living Center. Mildred Hannah bom 13 Jul 1915. She married James Edward Stringham, who was a farmer. They are the parents of four children. James passed away 28 Aug 1991. Mildred lives at their home in Idaho Falls. Velma bom 2 Jun 1917. She married Wilford James Green, who was a farmer
and also worked for Farm Bureau. They are the parents of seven children. Velma passed away 16 Feb 1987. Wilford later married Oma Lee Armstrong. They live in Inkom, Idaho, at the present time. (Also see Green, Wilford James and Velma Hillam.) Mary bom 21 Jan 1920. She married Ivan Crouch, who was also a farmer. They are parents of three children. Ivan passed away 5 Jul 2002, and Mary continues to live at their home east of Ashton. (Also see Crouch, Ivan and Mary Hillam.) Vera bom 6 May 1923 and passed away 1 1 May 1924. She is buried beside her three brothers in the Pineview Cemetery in Ashton, Idaho.. All of the last ten children of Abe and Mamie were bom at the farm in Marysville. When Abe's health became a problem, they sold the farm to son Marvin and moved to Ashton to a home they enjoyed together only a short while, because Abe became ill with cancer and passed away in Salt Lake City on 28 Feb 1945. Mamie was a widow for nineteen years. She passed away on 20 Feb 1964.
(Parents of Abraham Baron Hillam were Abraham Hillam and Mary Baron, who were both bom in England. They came to Salt Lake Valley as converts to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The parents of Mamie Ann Taylor Hillam also were bom in England and Wales and emigrated as converts in the LDS Church. They were Samuel Taylor and Hannah Eliza Warren)
Histories of Abraham and Mamie Hillam and George Marvin and Laura Hillam are published in the book "Marysville, Idaho- People and Happenings " compiled by Joseph and Edna Heward in 1981.
By Nina Myers
Cidfitati ^niaia: Going "down the line" means to travel south of Ashton usually to Idaho Falls, Pocatello or further.
371
Ci^fitan fj^atnify Mhta^Ue^
Arnold Bruce Hillam
Trenna Louise Egbert Hillam
Villain, Arnold Bruce and Trenna Louise Egbert. Arnold was bom 26 May 1938 in Rexburg, Idaho to Gordon Rodney and Florence Evelyn Skidmore HILLAM. He married Trenna 6 May 1958 in Ashton, Idaho. She was bom 10 Jul 1939 to Zera Newton and Sarah Louise Howard (Fisk) EGBERT in Idaho Falls, Idaho. They had the following children:
Roxanne bom 13 Sep 1958 in Ashton, Idaho. She married Felix (Rob) Vandewiele III 5 Oct 1978 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Coya bom 8 Mar 1960 Provo, Utah. She married (1) Scott Charles Pierce 21 Jun 1971 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. (Div.) Coya later married (2) Bmno Pedri Gerber 23 Feb 2000 at Magic Island, Oahu, Hawaii. Kirt Bmce bom 7 Sep 1961 in Ashton, Idaho. He married Sandra Kaye Jensen 3 Jan
1984 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Scott Lynn bom 25 Apr 1963 in Chicago Heights, Illinois. He married Amae Rich 14
Feb 1985 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Todd Egbert bom 10 Feb 1969 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He married Deena Peterson 12 Jun
1992 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Lori Ann bom 24 May 1971 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She married Lynn Charles Willden 24
Apr 1993 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. I, Trenna, was bom at the Idaho Falls Hospital. I was raised in Marysville from birth to 3'"'' grade. My parents bought a farm two miles north of Ashton, and I lived there until 1 got married.
My growing up days in Marysville were exciting, memorable, and a very joyous time. I was the baby of the family. My mother seemed to have her family very rapidly-babies one right after another. After Brent was bom. Mom said she needed to have another baby girl. Dr. Hargis said, "Oh my god, Louise, not another baby. So.... I was a bundle of joy! I am guessing there must have been regrets years later.. .but.. .we all made it through together with our ups and downs. There was lots of love in our family.
There were no televisions, computers, telephones, or modern technology when I was little like we have now in the early 21" century. We used our own "imagination" to entertain ourselves, and I must admit that we had fun inventing. I never had a tricycle of my own, so I would have nightmares of actually having one and someone would always take it from me, and I would start crying in my sleep. My dad would sweetly come in to comfort me, and I felt secure again and could finish my night in peace. I remember at night I would cry out with "growing pains" in my knees, and Dad was always there to mb those away also. I loved him so much. He
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ddfitan family. Jihtaues
Trenna and Arnold HILLAM Family 2000 B-Lori, Arnold, Kirt, Scott, Todd F-Trenna, Coya, and Roxanne.
was a sweet and tender man, and I was proud of him.
Warm summer evenings bring back wonderful memories of playing out late with my brothers and sisters, and neighbors, and friends. We always enjoyed playing Annie I Over, or No Bears Out Tonight, or Kick the Can.. .running and making noise at the top of our lungs as the sun sank in the horizon and the shadows appeared. During the daytime we loved to play marbles and seeing how many big ones we could get. ..or steelies. This game always wore holes in the knees of our Levis. I wore my hair in braids tied up with ribbons a lot.
When my brothers, Dennis and Brent, would head over to the three-story brick schoolhouse just a short block away from our house, I always wanted to go with them and join the fun. They could run faster than me, and I had the hardest time keeping up. I remember one good trick was to stop in my tracks and loudly do a fake cry. They would always come running back and take my hand and help me along. It always worked, but they sure did murmur! The school grounds had fun equipment to play on. I loved the giant strides, the swings, and a big slippery slide. Now adays these fun toys would not be allowed because of the "danger" involved. I'm lucky I got to enjoy them then! The school was a fun place with great teachers and good friends. I remember learning to read with lots of "See Dick run! See Spot jump! See Jane play." During recess we played "Red Rover Red Rover.. .send Trenna (or whoever) right over." There was jumping rope, more marbles, hop scotch, and whatever else we could think of. We naturally entertained ourselves, used up our excess energy, and had a great time doing it.
The winters were cold and heavy with snow. Our snow clothes were heavy and bulky, but they were not waterproof as they are now. My feet would always get wet and cold. Our
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mittens would just get sopping wet and if we spent any time at all outside, our snow pants would be soaking also. However, I do remember that our ears stayed warm because of our great ear muffs! I loved bundling up my doll in her now clothes. I would put a blanket around her and go out on the dirt cellar and slide down. I loved dolls. My sister, Zeralene, would sew clothes for my dollies on Mom's Singer treadle sewing machine. Paper dolls were something we played with a lot also. The beautiful ones we cut out from the paper doll books were often movie stars, such as Loretta Young, Claudette Colbert, and Jane Wyman. They had beautiful clothes to wear and were so fashionable. We would finally just wear out these store-bought paper dolls, and then Zeralene would draw some dolls and clothes, and we would color them and cut those out to play with. When the weather was too cold, we played board games and indoor games. We loved Polly Anna, Sorry, Pick-up Sticks, Chinese Checkers, and Checkers. ..to name a few. Mom would often make vinegar taffy, and then we would all pull and pull on the strands until it was white. Mom was pretty fussy about how we handled it. It had to be with the "tips of our fingers" so it would get air into the taffy and turn it pearly white. Zeralene would get busy and make cocoa fudge. 1 remember often it would fail and turn to sugar. That was the BEST!
My best friends while living in Marysville were Deanna Croft and Kaye Daniels. Of course, there were other friends, but these two lived close. It was fun when we would walk over to Myrtle Cordingley's little store on the highway and take our pennies to buy big lollipops and other penny candy. The store seemed so far away at that fime, but it was really only a long block.
I remember that when we kids would do something wrong. Mom or Dad wanted to find out who actually did it. They would put a pile of raisins on each chair in the kitchen and the biggest pile of raisins went to the child that did the wrong. We loved raisins, so they would always find out who did it!
My jobs around the house were keeping my bedroom clean, dusting, wiping the woodwork, taking the garbage out, doing dishes, and setting the table for meals. Of course, there was always weeding to do in the garden. (After we moved to Ashton, our jobs increased to many more.)
I think I was rather a tom-boy growing up. I wore big overalls with holes in the knees. I loved to push a rubber tire by hand down the dirt roads for amusement. Also, I would take my parent's garden cultivator, turn it upside down, and push it down the road. I had a buggy for my doll, and I often took her for a ride. I often had kittens in the buggy and gave them a ride, too.
The holidays were fijn and exciting. At Thanksgiving, our family would have a big holiday feast. After dinner, we kids and cousins would bundle up and tread through the deep snow over to Ward Reynolds "huge" hill with our sleds or skis and play all afternoon. We would come home soaked, tired, happy, and with memories to last a lifetime.
At Christmas time, all of our family would do all we could do to help Mom and Dad so the elves wouldn't go back to Santa Claus and report that we were bad children. Our beautiful, ornate upright piano got dusted every day! We tried not to argue or fight among us until Christmas was over. The house was decorated in red and green crepe paper ropes that were strung from comer across to comer. We had a big red fold-out bell that hung from the center of the ceiling attached to the ropes. The house was full of the aroma of fiiiit cakes, cookies, popcorn balls, and candy. I've carried these traditions in my own family through the years. My siblings and I slept downstairs in the basement on Christmas Eve. That is, we tned to sleep. Zee J. was in charge of all of us to keep us from running upstairs before Santa came. Zee J was of
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the age that he thought he knew who Santa was, but the rest of us still believed him with all our hearts. (I was about 1 1 years old before I realized who he really was. I then immediately know the same went for the Easter Bunny.) Christmas Day was always exciting and fun all day playing with new toys and games together and then going with our relatives, the Reynolds.
Growing up, we always had wonderful meals at home. We rarely ate out like this generation does now. I thought that Mom was the best cook in Marysville, and I've tried to adapt her cooking and recipes in my own home today. If I ever got a chance to ride into the city of Ashton, it was a treat, because we sometimes got to have an ice cream cone or have a Big Hunk candy bar. It was really BIG then, too. Another real treat was Cracker Jacks with the fun prize toys that were in each box. A Twinkle was a real treat also.. .5 cents for a double pack. ..and they were filled with delicious cream. Juicy Fruit gum was my favorite gum and Bazooka bubble gum was a treat. Mom would always carry gum in her purse that we could talk her out of.. .but it was only half a stick. A great treat. Sometimes when we would drive to Ashton and back, we kids would get to ride on the fender of the car. We often straddled the headlights or rode on the flatbed of the truck.. .with no sideboards and nothing to hang onto. We'd just dangle our legs over the edge! Kids were brave in those days!
Canning was a big production where the whole family was involved. Mom canned fruit cocktail, creamed com, pickles, and all the vegetables and fruits ever grown. Zeralene and I would have to keep watch of the pressure cooker and Mom warned us that if the needle got past the red mark... the cooker would blow! So we sat there in the kitchen on our stools with our eyes glued on that pressure gauge.
A ditch of water ran in front of our house parallel to our white picket fence. I could sit many hours of the day and make mud pies and watch the water skippers (bugs) in the water. When our family would shell peas for canning, I liked to take the empty pea pods and make them into little boats with a toothpick. We would float them in our ditch and then run down along the bank and see how far they floated. Making dandelion chains and wearing them was fiin, and we seemed to be able to find plenty that were long enough. In our back yard were bunches of copper roses, and Zeralene and I would pick the yellow and orange flowers and put them in our hair. We would also take the silk off the tops of com and make hula skirts for our dolls. Our garden was in the back yard across from Jim Christiansen's home. I was always crying about one thing or another, and Jim could hear me. He would start to howl so loud.... teasing me.... and then I would really cry LOUDER and harder. In spite of Jim's teasing Zeralene and me, he tumed out to a "golden," a very successfiil business man, stalwart in the church, and a very good family man. I still look up to him.
Around the 4"" of July we kids had some powerftil fireworks. One day, out by the clothes line. Zee J, or one of my other brothers lit a cherry bomb and blew a hole in one of Mom's sheets hanging there. Boy.. .we were scared. I don't remember what happened!
Out in our pasture. Dad had several horses. Our favorite horse was Ranger. We liked to ride him around the pasture. In the bam, we would climb to the top of the loft and play Tarzan... swinging across and dropping into all of the hay. We hoped there wouldn't be a pitchfork to land on. West of our pasture was an apple orchard across the fence, which was our "boundary line." We were always tempted to climb over the fence for apples. No sooner than we did so, "old lady Christensen" was on her way out to shoo us away! I know she must have been sitting by the window just watching for us!
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A family outing for all of us during summertime days was to go to Warm River. Often our California relatives would be camping out there on their vacation. We would swim at Robinson Spring. ..and it was a good time to take a bath while having fun! Another great outing was going to Pincock Springs (now called Green Canyon) and swim in the warm, natural-spring, huge pool they had there. All the adults had black swimming suits that had the straps over the shoulders and covered down to their knees. Very modest by today's standards, that's for sure. Idaho Falls was a big treat and fun family trip. Mom and Dad would say, "We're going 'down the line' to Idaho Falls to shop." That was the only time we actually got to eat out, and that was at Johnny's Cafe on Park Avenue.
A big treat was when the telephone came into our homes. I remember we had a party line, so we would have to wait our turn to get to use it. The line was shared by several families. It was a great temptation and lots of fiin to just ''listen" to conversations going on. Some of those sessions were some good, juicy gossip!
Mom and Dad would take a trip each year to see relatives in California. When they came home, they would bring us treats and toys. One toy I remember was Mexican jumping beans. We could never figure out why they would jump! Also, Mom and Dad would bring a stalk of bananas home and would hang it downstairs. We loved going down and picking a banana off the stalk as they ripened.
We loved watermelon. It was about 3 cents a pound as I was growing up. At the town grocery store, the manager, Tom Murdoch, would cut or push a piece out of the melon to see if it was ripe or not. So we always got a good one! I can't really remember the price of groceries because Mom and Dad always bought them. We also raised so much of our needs at home.
The year of 1948 was when Mom and Dad bought a farm two miles north of Ashton just off the highway to Yellowstone Park. It lines the Snake River on both sides, and I thought it was one of the most beautiful farms around. Now I know how truly beautifiil it is. Mom and Dad were truly inspired to buy it. The farm was lots and lots of hard work for ALL of us, and we worked together long hours. We were always happy for Sunday to come because we knew it was a "day of rest," and we would not have to work.
I finished out elementary school in Ashton and then went on to North Fremont High School there in town, where I graduated in 1957. It was fun being a cheerleader for several years and also being a Senior Class Officer. I had several "best friends"... but a really true friend was Linda Fischer (Seely). She would come out to our farm, and I admired her thick long braids wrapped around her head. We enjoyed our years together. We found it fun to run over to Ghormleys store for candy and then stop and get one of their most DELICIOUS hamburgers for 25 cents! I wish we could buy them that way today. Then we'd go up to Main Street to City Drug and have Beverly Kirkliam (Heinz) make us an iron-port and cherry drink. ..or a cherry coke. ..or cherry soda. Beverly made the best!
Boxing was a big spectator sport that we enjoyed while growing up in Ashton. Boxing matches were held at the old 3-story elementary school. I would get with friends, and we would go upstairs to watch Jim Christensen, Gerald Egbert, Cleon Cordon, Merlin Bressler (to name a few) do their matches.
Several years after moving to Ashton on the farm in the early '50's, a new "light" came into our home. The television made a big hit and brought much entertainment from morning until midnight. I remember the station would sign off with the national anthem every night.
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There were many programs to watch on those first rather fuzzy screens. I remember the Ed Sullivan Show, which was a talent show. Many of our entertainers this very day were introduced during those early talent shows. Our family would rush home after Sacrament meeting (we had Priesthood and Sunday School in the morning and then went back for Sacrament meeting about 6:00) to watch it. We also enjoyed the Beverly Hillbillies, Green Acres, Ann Southern, Jackie Gleason, Liberache, Lawrence Welk, and Queen for a Day programs. Many tears would be brought to our eyes as these women who were chosen "queen" would cry because they were so happy. It was ftin to gather around as a family and watch as long as the ole "tube" wouldn't blow out. That was always a worry in those days.
Church played a big part in my life. Our parents were great examples and taught us to pay our tithing, attend our meetings, and keep the word of wisdom, as well as associating with good friends and keeping our language clean. Church seemed involved in everything in our lives. In fact, it seemed that most everything we did had something to do with church. Our ward would have a bazaar every year, and it seemed that Mom furnished half the items sold there! She was always busy and devoted to all these church happenings. I remember so many bazaars, banquets, dances, and wonderful entertainment such as roadshows. My testimony was a work in progress. I began bearing my testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel as a very young girl, and it has surely grown through the years.
I love to sing. Mom had me take vocal lessons from Bell Lupton, along with piano from Lyie Andrus and Tom's wife, Peggy Egbert. I performed with a trio consisting of Marge Cordingley, Deanna Croft, and myself. We sang in a lot of church meetings and in school assemblies throughout the valley. We even performed on KID-TV in Idaho Falls when it was east of Idaho Falls and had no building, around it at all. Idaho Falls has really grown eastward now. Throughout my married life, I still sing solos in our community. Wherever we have lived or traveled throughout the United States (and even Portugal), there have been opportunities for me to sing. I appreciate this gift I have been given.
I performed in several floor shows that Mom directed during all of my growing up years. One that I specifically remember was at our big "Snow Ball" dance. The floorshow was a winter scene, and Mom had made the costume. It was green with long sleeves and a short skirt with fur all around the bottom and around the collar and sleeves as well. It was so beautiful and elegant. Mom also made my costumes for the big dance festival for the church held at the University Stadium in Salt Lake City. Thousands of youth performed at that special event. Linda Fischer and 1 had a great time going together. I also got to do a "Poy" dance taught by Lyle Andrus. She and her husband. Golden, had been on a mission to New Zealand and the Poy dance was part of their culture there.
My first love came along during the summer of 1956. Arnold Hillam of St. Anthony swept me off my feet. We had a great courtship. We attended Ricks College together, and then in 1958 we married. We moved to Provo where Arnold attended and graduated from BYU. After that we traveled back east to Northwestern Dental School in Chicago. He graduated in 1964, and we settled in Idaho Falls where Arnold began his practice with his brother, Harold. This continued from 1964 to 1993 at their office at 154 West Elva St.
During our marriage, we had six children. We actually had four children by the time Arnold graduated from Northwestern. Then we waited six years and had two more. Ours was a fun family, and we did many camping and recreational things together that 1 hope our children
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will cherish in their own histories. We now have 24 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. They keep us young and are fun to be around.
Arnold's bout with melanoma cancer has been a great testimony growth for us all. ..children and grandchildren, relatives and friends. He was just 42 years old when it began when he noticed a mole on his upper arm. It was a miracle the way doors and channels were opened that he might receive the help necessary to stop the growth and spreading of this cancer. Many prayers and Priesthood blessings were offered. Elder Neil A. Maxwell called Arnold and asked him if it would be all right to put Arnold's name on the prayer roll for the prayer circle in the Salt Lake Temple when the general authorities met. What an honor.. .and prayers have been being answered in his behalf ever since! His cancer remains dormant, and he is now 67 years old. He continues to receive medication to keep it that way. We feel very, very blessed.
Arnold retired from practicing dentistry in 1993, and we now spend our winter months from January to May in Gilbert, Arizona, where we have built a home to enjoy the warm winters there. We love having our children and their families come visit us there. The summer months are always enjoyed at our cabin in Island Park, Idaho, and we enjoy entertaining and getting together with friends and family constantly. Our original home is in Idaho Falls, where we still have our same home at 33 1 E. 25"' St.
By Trenna Egbert Hillam
/i\ /^\ /4N /4\
Jientaue^ Another of Nina's birthday parties! B-unknown, Judy Nettles, unknown, Helen Blanchard, Marilyn Lee, LaVerla Bressler F- Mildred Sceley, Connie Robinson, Nina Richards, Helen Holbrook, and unknown. Suhmittcd hv Nine Richards Smith
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^illam, Douglas and Charlotte French. Douglas is the son of Norman and Dorothy Hansen HILLAM. He married Charlotte in 1958. She is the daughter of Harry and Elaine Hill FRENCH. They had the following children:
Lane Charlene
Blair Blake
Gaylene Evan
Eilene Jared
Derek
Douglas grew up on the family farm in Marysville. He had one brother, Blair, and two sisters, Marcelene and Dorothy Ann. He attended school in Marysville and in Ashton, graduating from North Fremont High School in 1956. Following high school, he took classes at Rick's College in Rexburg, Idaho.
Doug and Charlotte made their home in Marysville on the same farm where Douglas had grown up. He worked in farming with his father until Norman retired, then Douglas and his son, Blair, managed Hillam Farms for several years.
In 1998, Douglas and Terry Martindale bought a construction company from Weldon Reynolds, and they formed H & M Construction, Inc. Terry left the corporation later, but Doug continued to operate the excavating and snow removal business.
Douglas served on the Ashton Hospital Board for several years, as well as the Marysville Ditch Board and Fremont-Madison Irrigation Board. He also worked as the ditch rider for Marysville Ditch Company two different times.
Charlotte grew up in the Lamont area east of Ashton. She had one brother, Harry Douglas, and one sister, Leona Mae. Charlotte attended school in Lamont, Ashton Elementary, and North Fremont High School. She taught piano and voice lessons in her home and was active in the Upper Valley Music Teacher's Association for many years. She was a member of a women's sextette called the Harmonettes. Other members were Portia Loosli, Carol Clark, Donna Steinmann, Peggy Egbert, and Dorothy Egbert. They enjoyed singing for funerals and community functions. By Douglas Hillam
B-Blair, Charlene, Douglas and Charlotte, Lane, Blake F-Jared, Eilene, and Gaylene HILLAM . Evan and Derek deceased.
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.9T£illam, Norman Roy and Dorothy Mary Hansen. Norman was bom 15 May 1910 in Marysville, Idaho, to Abraham B. and Mamie Ann Taylor HILLAM. He married Dorothy March 28, 1931. She was bom 21 Sep 1908 in Mt. Pleasant, Utah, to Jacob and Dora Caroline Madsen HANSEN. She died 10 Apr 1963. They had the following children:
B-Marcelene, Dorothy, Norman, Norman Blair
F-Dorothy Ann and Douglas Roy HILLAM
Norman Blair born Dec. 5, 1931 in Marysville, Idaho. He died 27 Aug 1953.
Marcelene born 7 Jul 1934 in Marysville, Idaho. (See Robinson, Joseph Errol.)
Douglas Roy bom 26 May 1938. He married Charlotte Elaine French.
Dorothy Ann bom 14 May 1941. She married Kimber Orson Ricks.
Norman married (2) Ethel LaVeme Weight 16 may 1964. She was born 7 Jun 1 9 1 3 in Rigby, Idaho, to Henry and Ada Thorn BUSH.
I was bom in the log house that my parents bought from my grandfather Samuel Taylor. It was here that nine of their twelve children were bom. I was the seventh child born and also the seventh boy and I am sure that I heard my mother say, "Oh no, not another boy!!"
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Marysville School
I remember all the big Marysville community celebrations we used to have, but the ones I remember best were the 4"^ of July celebrations. I would go with Dad across the river to get quaken aspen branches, and we would put up posts and stringers, and lay the branches on them to make shade. We had horse races and all kinds of activities, and they would sell root beer.
I always enjoyed working on the farm with my dad, even when I was little.
I didn't care a lot about going to school, but I did have a lot of respect for my teachers and knew they were there for my benefit.
Back in those days, we had a lot of respect for our teachers. It was sort of like military. We would march up the stairs and stand by the side of our desks until the teacher would come in and tell us that we could sit down. One time when I was in the upper grades, we went to a patriotic program up by the store. After it was over, we ran back to the school, and the principal got after us. He told us that we didn't even think about those guys that were going to war to save our freedom. Then he lined us up, and we walked back up by the store and then back to the school, and we kept in step. We were taught respect for our teachers by our parents and knew if we got in trouble at school, we would get in more trouble when we got home.
Dad was made Bishop in 1920. The president of the stake told him that they were going to make him Bishop and that he ought to have a new house because there would be a lot of people come to see him. We were still living in the log house where I was bom at this time. Dad said, "If I get enough money ahead, I will build a house, but 1 will not go in debt for it." In the back of the bam, we had a patch of peas, and they grew so thick that
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when it came time to cut the peas we could hardly cut them. When it came time to harvest the peas and the crew came to thresh them, one man could not sack the peas fast enough and had to have two men sack them. Dad got $5,000, enough to pay for a new house. We didn't have electric lights at first, and you just can't imagine what it did to a home to have electric lights instead of packing a candle or lantern. I had good hard working parents who taught me how to work and to enjoy it. We learned to live off of what we could raise
I had some good friends, dated, went to dances, and danced in the Gold and Green Ball, but the place I liked to be most of all was on the farm working. I had a good life, and I have a lot of memories of camping with the Loosli and Johnson families. One of my best friends was Clive Johnson.
When I was twenty-one, my life took a change. A new teacher came to town in the middle of the year. Her name was Dorothy Hansen, and I was sent to the train to meet her since Dad was on the school board. She was the most beautiful girl I had ever met, and it wasn't long until we decided to get married. Our marriage was later solemnized June 10, 1931 in the Salt Lake Temple.
When Dorothy was two years old, her family moved to Rexburg, Idaho, from Mt. Pleasant, Utah.
Our first home was an apartment above Holbook's Store in Marysville, and that is where our first son was bom. He was bom premature and with a clef palate. The Dr. didn't think he had much of a chance but with the care of a loving grandmother, his parents and Priesthood blessings, his life was spared. He had many surgeries in Salt Lake. All were successful and he was strong and healthy. He lived a productive life until he was 21 years old, when he died from a blood disease.
Our next home was a house we rented from Mabel Cordon on the east side of Marysville. Here Marcelene was bom and in 1936, we were able to rent the house and farm on the west side of Marysville that belonged to Homer Henry. 1 farmed that land and helped Dad and Marvin. In the winter, I worked in the elevator, dug graves at the cemetery, and delivered mail for Purl Cordon on a horse or the little whippet sleigh. I did a lot of deliveries out in the Ora area, and those people were so lonely in the winter for someone to visit with. 1 hauled ice for Harry Woodbum and was usually able to find jobs during the winter in our early years.
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Laveme and Norman Hillam
We had two more children, Douglas and Dorothy Ann, which made our family complete.
I bought the farm and home from Homer Henry in 1948. I also rented the Z. Whittle farm.
I farmed from the era of the threshing machines to the modem combines, from the horse and plow to the modem tractors and equipment. I enjoyed farming with horses, but the modem equipment certainly was nice.
Dorothy had rheumatic fever several times which left her with a bad heart and poor health. We decided to move to Ashton in 1957. Douglas and Charlotte moved into the home in Marysville and continue to live on the homestead.
Dorothy died April 13, 1963. She had blessed the lives of her family and many others during her life time.
My brother Marvin's wife, Leona, introduced me to her friend Ethel LaVeme Weight with whom she worked. Her husband, Claude, had died a few years earlier, and she was as lonely as I was. We were soon married .
We have continued to live in Ashton, and I continued to help with the farming until I was in my 80's.
We were able to travel in the winter for several years with some special friends, but those days are just memories now.
I served on the Pineview Cemetery Board for 47 years, Fremont Madison Water Board, Fremont Co-op Board and Marysville Canal. I was honored to be the recipient of the 1991 Idaho Water Users Association Hall of Fame Award.
I am grate fill for my children and their spouses. I now have 19 grandchildren, 46 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren.
I feel so blessed to have grown up and lived in this area. I appreciate all of the good people that I have associated with through all the years and the good friends I have made.
By Norman Roy Hillam Submitted bv Marcelene Hillam Robinson
Norman Hillam
*^**
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J^offman, Fred and Mary Lucinda Wetherbee. Fred was born 30 Jul 1871 in Thumen, Bern, Switzerland, and died 7 Apr 1962. He is buried in the Pineview Cemetery in Ashton, Idaho. He married Mary Dec of 1897 at Mary's home in Marysville, Idaho. Mary was bom 26 Jan 1879 in Laketown, Rich, Utah, to David and Lucinda Barbara Green WETHERBEE. Mary died 22 Oct 1949 and is buried in the Pineview Cemetery in Ashton, Idaho. They had the following children:
Daniel Fred bom in 1899 in
Fred Hoffman
Mary Lucinda Wetherbee HOFFMAN Marysville, Idaho and died in 1942.
Lawrence Herald bom in 1900 in Marysville, Idaho, and died in 1901.
Willard Rex bom in 1902 in Marysville, Idaho, and only lived 20 days.
Mary Elizabeth bom in 1903 in Marysville, Idaho, and died in 1960.
Barbara Louise bom in 1906 in Marysville, Idaho, and died in 1981.
Leonard bom 1909 in Marysville, Idaho, and died in 1935.
Silas Russ bom 1912 in Marysville, Idaho, and died in 1965.
Helen bom 1915 in Marysville, Idaho, and died in 1970.
John bom 1918 in Marysville, Idaho, and only lived one day.
Henry Floyd bom 1920 in Marysville, Idaho.
Fred's birth record on the Parish Record shows his name as Gottfried Hofmann. All records in this country, including his citizen naturalization certificate, show the altered spelling Fred Hoffman. The Parish Record also shows his parents' names as Johannes Hofmann and Elizabeth Schmied. Furthemiore, a death date of Johannes of 1873, plus both a birth and death date of 1873 for his sister Rosalie is shown. The mother, Elizabeth, converted to the Mormon Church and with her 7-year old boy, Fred, joined a church-assisted program to America and Salt Lake City. This occurred in 1877 or 1878, and they were routed through Liverpool, England.
In November 1878, Elizabeth married Jakob Zweifel in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City.
The Mary and Fred Hoffman Family about 1910
1-r Mary and Louise, Beth and Dan, Fred and Leonard.
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d^fitait S-amiiif Mh taxied
Fred Hoffman with mother, Ehzabeth Schmid Hoffman. The original was a charcoal portrait made in Switzerland in 1 876.
They (including Fred Hoffman) lived in the Park City-Midway area of Utah. Jakob farmed, worked in the mines, and did other odd jobs.
The expanding church colonization program and the enticement of free land involved the Jakob Zweifel family. In February 1883, an 18-family wagon train arrived in what now is Rexburg, Idaho. The Zweifels, including Fred Hoffman, were one of the families. Think of the problems of such a mid- winter trip! Feed for the livestock, firewood, shelter, etc. Then upon arrival, the immediate task of clearing the sage brush and preparing the land for essential food crops with planting time only 2-3 months away.
Fred was eleven years old on their arrival at Rexburg. At age fourteen, he
took a summer job-herding sheep in the Mud Lake area. The pay 50 cents per week and food.
For the next few years Fred worked at odd jobs as available and lived with the Dan Miller family
in Parker, Idaho. He purchased forty acres of farmland in Parker from Miller. In the summer of
late 1895, Fred was driving home from the town of Parker with a team of horses and wagon. He
met a cute little redhead walking to town. Fred turned his rig around, gave her a ride to town,
and bought her a bag of chocolates at the general store. The courtship that followed is not on
record. The marriage occurred Christmas day 1897 in Marysville at the home of the bride's
parents.
Mary is the second child and granddaughter of
Oliver Wetherbee. (This line finds its way to Richard
Warren of the Mayflower and other famous people such as
Ulysses S. Grant, Teddy Roosevelt, Franklin D.
Roosevelt, and Allen B. Shepard.)
The Wetherbees came to America from England
roughly in the mid 1600's. The early records show them
to be primarily in the Massachusetts and adjacent states
from 1685 until the early 1830's. Oliver joined the LDS
Church and moved his family to Kirtland, Ohio. Church
history records show Oliver contributed labor and other
needs to the building of the Kirtland Temple in 1835.
Church records show Oliver as a member of the 25"'
Quorum of Seventy and residence as Nauvoo, Hancock,
Illinois in 1845. His oldest son of his first marriage, ^^^.,, ^ ^^
J. • 1- . . • .1 iithrA A * 1 4. Willard and Rosamond Famum
Harrison, is listed in the 1 1 Quorum and was taken out ^ ^^r^r^xr
Sprague GREEN
385
a^fitan 3-amiiif Jiht(m£^
by death. Harrison was shot and killed by a mob action in December 1845. Ohver and his first wife had eight children, the youngest of whom was bom 1 1 Apr 1834 in Ohio. We do not know when Oliver's first wife, Sarah, died.
Oliver married Arabella McMurray 9 Aug 1946 at Van Buren County, Iowa. They had three children. Mary Lucinda was bom 1 Oct 1847 in Atlas, Pike, Illinois. Oliver was born 6 Aug 1850 in Kanesville, Potawatamie, Iowa, and another son, David, 20 Oct 1851 in Kanesville. In 1854, Oliver, Arabella, and their three children joined a wagon train for Salt Lake City. About 100 miles into Nebraska Territory near the Loup River and present day city of Columbus, Nebraska, our 60-year-old great pioneer ancestor died of unknown causes. The young mother (27 years) and three children continued on to Salt Lake City and on west to the new town of Grantsville.
On 31 Aug 1856, Arabella married Benjamin Allen in Salt Lake City. They had 6 children. Three were bom in Utah. They moved to Bluff City, Iowa, about 186 land had three
Lucinda Barbara Green.
The barnyard on the Hoffman's Marysville homestead with Fred Hoffman and son, Dan. About 1914.
386
(ZdfUan ^am'dif Mhtaued
more children. Arabella died there in 1875. The three Wetherbee children, ranging from 10 to 14 years, remained in Grantsville and grew up in and with the town.
The youngest of the three, David Wetherbee (son of Oliver), married Lucinda Barbara Green in Grantsville 23 May 1875. Their first child, David, was bom 28 Sep 1876 in
The front yard and the home where all 10 of Fred and Mary Hoffman's children were bom. The Hoffman family about 1914 B-Dan, Verla (a cousin), Fred, Mary holding Russ F- Leonard, Beth and Louise.
Grantsville. The Indian threat was pretty much over; the lush farmlands of Idaho were beckoning. (See Green, Willard and Rosemond Famum Sprague.)
David Wetherbee led their second migration. (The first being Bluff City Iowa to Grantsville). It began 1877-1878 and ended in Marysville in about 1890. There were at least four stops. Stop number 1 was Laketown, Utah, where Mary Lucinda was bom. Number 2, Preston, Idaho, was where Evalina and Arabella were bom. Then number 3, the Declo-Burley- Rupert area, was where Willard and Delbert were bom. And, finally, number 4, the Marysville
387
Cldfitati 3-ainiiy. Jihtaue^
and Parker area, was where Morris, Lester, and Duane were bom. During the 13-year, 400- mile trip, five children were bom.
While living in Parker, David's second child, Mary, met Fred Hoffman and they later were married by Bishop James P. Wilson of the Marysville Ward on Christmas day of 1897.
It is not known when Fred acquired the homestead a mile or so northeast of the town of Marysville or when the log house was built. It may have been prior to their marriage. However, the first child, Daniel Fred was bom 24 Feb 1 899 and all 10 of their children were
1926 Dan, Leonard, Russ, and Floyd HOFFMAN
bom in the log house. Three of the children died in infancy. The other seven lived fmitful lives in Idaho and nearby states and raised 19 grandchildren for Fred and Mary.
Their early married life was pre- railroad. Horse drawn freighting for incoming supplies and outgoing farm produce was slow, expensive, and perhaps unreliable. Consequently, much of the farm produce was fed to saleable livestock such as cattle, sheep, hogs, and horses, which were more marketable and also a significant part of their daily food needs.
Very few of the farms had natural springs or flowing water. This was a constant problem, and hauling water from the Snake River or other sources was a major chore for many of the pioneer settlers. Early in his married life, Fred Hoffman acquired a well- drilling rig and drilled many of the water wells in Marysville and surrounding
Fred Davis and around
and Fred Hoffman drilling wells in Marysville and Ashton. Abt 1900
388
ddfUan S-atniif^ Mhto^Ue^
communities. With this cable-tool rig, Fred Hoffman drilled wells. The steam engine was for power. It took a two-man crew.
In February 1918, the oldest son, Daniel, was 18 years old and was anticipating a call to military service. However, in November 1918, WWI ended and the military call never occurred.
In 1922, Fred and Mary sold their Marysville property and purchased a farm 4 Vz miles west of Ashton. The farming routine went on much the same. They always maintained a small band of sheep with summer range rights. He liked this part of his farming business. It gave him two paychecks a year-wool in the spring and lambs in the fall. He also tried the chicken and egg business. At the peak of the season, there was more than a case (30 dozen) eggs a day. He traded primarily with a general store, Burral and Stone. In this fashion the Hoffman family survived the depression years, just making a living. Also news-reel memories of the horrid Kansas-Oklahoma dust storms occurred at
this time. It blew much of those states populations to California! Then came the Roosevelt administration with the depression recovery alphabet programs-the C.C.C., the N.Y.A., etc. America hasn't been debt-free since.
By 1940 the Hoffman children had all moved out to their own life pursuits. The youngest child, Floyd, participated in the WWII military service in the Idaho National Guard and in the Air Force. Fred and Mary were unable to handle the farm work and rented the property to Fred Reynolds. Later it was sold to George Nedrow.
Fred and Mary lived in Ashton a few years with their daughter, Louise, and her husband, Joe Barrett. It was there that they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1947. Mary suffered a stroke and died in October 1949. Fred continued on in Ashton for a time, then moved to Salt Lake city where he did considerable work in the LDS Temple and lived alternately with his son Floyd and grandson Doyle Barrett. Fred died April 1962 at Floyd's home in Salt Lake City. Both Fred and Mary were buried with four of their children in Ashton, Idaho.
Lucinda and Fred Hoffman
Submitted by Ron Flatt
ddhtan Vtwia: Ashton High School changed its name to North Fremont High in 1948.
389
ddfitan Jatniiif Sih tended
.^T^olbrook. Joseph Lamoni, was born 12 Sep 1880 in Bountiful,
Thede, Helen, Glen, Beth, Blaine, and Dortha HOLBROOK
Utah. He died 29 Dec 1949 in Ashton, Idaho, and was buried 2 Jan 1950 in Ashton, Idaho. Joe married Sarah Leola Wilkes 18 Dec 1907 in Evanston, Wyoming. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple. She was bom 1 Jan 1 890 in Afton, Wyoming. She died 27 Oct 1964 in Ashton, Idaho, and was then buried 30 Oct 1964 in the Pineview Cemetery. They had the following children:
William Thede, bom 14 Apr 1909 in Afton, Wyoming. He died 25 Dec 1978 at his home in Ashton, Idaho, of a heart attack and was buried in Ashton, Idaho, in the Pineview Cemetery.
Thede never married. Thede worked in the family business at the store in Marysville through the depression and then at BurrelFs Grocery store. He joined the Army and served overseas in the Philippine Islands until his discharge in 1945, where he retumed and worked in the IGA grocery store until it bumed down in 1975. He then worked for the Market Center until his retirement in 1977. He always said he was an authority on putting big toilet
paper boxes of groceries
Linda, Virda, and Glen Holbrook
in the back seat of a two- door car.
Glen Wilkes was bom 1 7 Nov 1 9 1 3 in Afton, Wyoming, and died 16 May 1976. Glen was married to Virda Weaver on 29 Apr 1936 in Rexburg, Idaho. Virda died in 1975. They had the following children:
390
Thede Holbrook
Gene Holbrook
(Z^fiton ^atniiy. Mbtaue^
Dortha and Sy Baker, Kenneth, and Gary Hainsworth
Harry Hainsworth
Darwin Eugene "Gene" was bom in 1937 in Rexburg, Idaho. He died in 1949 at age 12 with rheumatic fever; and Linda Mary, bom 20 Aug 1939, at Rexburg, Idaho. She died in 1994,
leaving three children.
Glen spent his early life in Afton, Wyoming, coming to Marysville when he was 13. He worked for a sheep ranch when he was 15 and then owned and operated his own service station in Marysville. In 1963, he started working for the Union Pacific Railroad at Dmmmond, New Dale, Ashton, Marysville, St. Anthony, and Lima, MT, until ill health forced him to retire in 1974. He and Virda had their marriage solemnized in the Idaho Falls Temple.
Dortha was bom 23 Sep 1915 in Afton, Wyoming. She married (l)Harry Hainsworth 18 Jun 1935. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1943. They had the following children: Kenneth and Gary.
Clara Holbrook
Hazel Holbrook
Dortha also married (2) Sy Baker in 1963. Sy died in 1974.
Dortha moved to Idaho Falls in 1945. Dortha worked in the restaurant
business until she retired in 1987. She still lives in Idaho Falls.
Blaine Wilkes, bom 4 Dec 1919 in Afton, Wyoming, died 6 Apr 2004 in Idaho Falls and
is buried in the lona, Idaho Cem. He married Clara Murdoch in September of 1945, daughter of Thomas T. And Sarah Hansen MURDOCH. Clara was bom 1 May 1923 in Famum, Idaho. She died 28 Apr 1953 in Idaho Falls. She is buried in the Pineview Cemetery in Ashton, Idaho. Blaine also married (2) Hazel Elizabeth Stranger Mickolson 15 Sep 1954. Hazel died 22 Jan 2005 and is buried in the lona, Idaho Cem. Hazel was married (2) to Guy H. Mickelsen 4 Apr 1941. The marriage ended in divorce. They had the following children: Kaye and Gregory.
Beth and Vaughn Murdoch
Blaine Holbrook
.,.
391
Blaine graduated from Ashton High School. He also worked in Burrell's Grocery store in Ashton until he left for the service. During WWII he served in the U. S. Army Air Corps from 1942 to 1945 in Italy and France. Blaine had lived in Idaho Falls since 1948. He worked as a desk clerk at the Hotel Rogers and then for the Department of Energy until retirement in 1982.
Beth was born 26 Sep 1926 in Auburn, Wyoming. She married Vaughn Murdoch on 26 Aug 1945. She went to school in Marysville and Ashton, graduating in 1945. While going to high school, she also worked as a telephone operator. Beth and Vaughn lived in Idaho Falls,
— vrT~,.iimm,
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William Arthur Barrett store 1899-1908
Same, but older and after some growth.
Idaho. She worked for Montgomery Ward and Sears, retiring in 1982. Vaughn worked for Pacific Gable Robinson Company, retiring in 1981. They did a lot of traveling and now reside in St. George, Utah.
Helen, bom 27 Jun 1933 in St. Anthony, Idaho. (See Chamberlan, Thomas LaVere.) Joseph, who was always called Joe, was a pioneer with his parents in Star Valley settling in Auburn, Wyoming, where they owned a cattle ranch, buying and selling cattle. Because of riding horses so many years, Joe's legs became bad, and he was unable to ride any more. They
sold the ranch and moved to Marysville, Idaho, in October of 1926, where he owned and operated the General Store, which they changed the name to Holbrook Mercantile, which also had the post office. It was at on time, owned by William Authur Barrett. There were three apartments upstairs besides a living apartment for Joe's family. Lola was Post Misti^ess until the railroad moved out of Marysville.
Marysville Main Street
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The store burned down in 1943. They then moved to Ashton and bought a home on 408 Idaho St., but it is now house number 456. Both lived there until their deaths. In Ashton, Joe was retired and Lola worked a while at Paul Stones grocery store, and then she retired, also.
Thede always lived with his parents except during WWII. Helen was there also until she married Nield Hibbert. When Lola died, and Thede was alone, Helen and her family moved in with Thede and stayed until Helen married Pete Chamberlain. Thede wanted to try and live by himself, which he did. The Story of My Life by Sarah Lola Wilkes Holbrook :
Sarah, always called Lola, was bom 1 Jan 1890 in Afton, Wyoming.
"I am very thankful I had the privilege of coming and receiving a body in a home where we were cared for and loved as I was in my early life. We were also taught to love and respect each other. We had nine children in my family. My father had been bom in England, and crossed the plains with the hand carts, settling later in Star Valley at Afton. It seemed that many years of their lives were dedicated to
pioneering.
Sarah, Thede, and Joseph Holbrook
"I was baptized in 1898 by Harvy Dixon. Afton seemed to be a good hunting ground for the Indians. At one time word came to the valley that the Indians were on the war path and were coming through Afton. A lot of people spent the night with their families in the LDS Church, but the Indians went through the valley about nine miles northwest of the town, for which every one was very thankftil.
'T graduated from elementary school at Afton, Wyoming. The name of my teacher was Mr. Bell. It was about 1903. At that time there were no high schools in Afton, so there weren't many of the young girls that went after the eighth grade. I worked in Burton Merc-Store a few years. During this time I enjoyed, very much, teaching a class in Sunday School. 1 felt
Lola and Joe Holbrook
393
(Z^fitait Jatn'dif Jibta^ue^
Grandchild, Barbara "Bobbie" Hibbert
that I had always been greatly blessed with the desire to try to do the things I had been taught in my home, and I know I have been protected from evil many times through asking my Heavenly Father for divine guidance through humble prayer.
"As a young girl, I was very happy and 1 liked to dance very much those days. Nearly all the parents opened their homes to their young people, and we had many house parties and candy pulls. That was our recreation besides our Mutual activities.
'i married Joseph L. Holbrook in 1907. We made our first home in
Auburn, Wyoming, where we milked cows and fed cattle. Joe had bought our little home the year before. I will always remember that home. We were so happy.
"We hadn't been in the Auburn Ward too loni? until I was asked to work in the Primary as a Counselor. I did enjoy this very much and loved every one 1 ever worked with. After working several years, I was called to be Counselor in the Relief Society, which office I held when I came to Idaho in 1926. I will always remember how kind the Marysville Ward people were. We almost felt like we had just been away and returned, there were so many we felt that we had always known. I,
again, worked as a Counselor in the Primary and later President. I was a Relief Society teacher I served as a Post-mistress 1927 'til the railroad moved out of Marysville. Fire destroyed our home on July 9, 1943, and at that time, we moved to Ashton, Idaho, where, again, the people accepted us with great respect again. I served as Teacher Topic Leader and Relief Society Teacher. I am thankful to my Father in Heaven for the opportunities I have had of serving in my most humble way and have received many blessings and gained a strong testimony by so doing.
"On 27 Sep 1924, I received my Patriarchal Blessing given by Thomas Walton in Afton, Wyoming, which has been a great comfort to me throughout the years and especially when we had sickness and death come to our
Some of Holbrook Grandchildren: Kenneth, Linda, and Gary Hainsworth, Greg and Kay Mickelsen.
Holbrook home in Ashton on 456 Idaho Street.
394
home. On May 6, 1949, Darwin Eugene Holbrook passed away. This was my grandson. On Dec 29, 1949, Dad was called home. We had always been very fortunate through all the years we had been married. This was the first time we had been called to part with any of our loved ones. I do have many sweet memories of our married life.
"I have six children that have been so wonderful to me, and I pray continually that I can live worthy of every blessing the Lord sees fit to give me. Now it is March 1955. I hope that I can go to the Temple as often as possible and do work for those who are waiting for their work to be done."
A later quote from Lola: "I first met Joe when Mother and I were walking to her sister's home, who lived Yz mile out of town. This was in the Fall of 1905. On our way we met a herd of cattle. They were driving them to Montpelier, Idaho to ship them to Omaha. There were two men with them. The cattle were frightened of Mother and me. Joe rode between us and the cattle. I had never met him. It wasn't long 'til we met at a dance and we saw each other often after that."
By Helen Holbrook Hibbert Chamberlain
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Gerald,"Curly," and Helen Thurston KENT in front of their
home on Highland St. about 1952.
Submitted by Kathy Newcomb
395
(Zdfitan ^atnii^ Mhto^ae^
J^oness, James M. and Harriette
Marie Sealey. James was bom 10
Jun 1930 in Biddenden, Kent
England, to Robert and (unknown)
HONESS. He died 29 Mar 1909 in
Ashton, Idaho. James married
Harriette 2 Dec 1857 in Lamoffe,
Jackson, Iowa. She was bom 24
Jan 1841 in Hudson, New Jersey to
John and Mary Ann Pierce
SEALEY. She died 8 Sep 1940 in
Ashton, Idaho. They had the
following children:
Hannah May bom 1 1 Jan 1868 in Lamoffe, Jackson, Iowa. She died 31 Oct 1950 and is buried in the Pineview Cemetery
in Ashton, Idaho. She married John David Brown 3 Aug 1888 in Ashton, Idaho. John was bom in 1860 and died 5 Jan 1916. He is buried in the Pineview Cemetery in Ashton, Idaho. They had two children: Charies Irvan bom 4 Apr 1889 and died in 1947 in Wendell, Idaho. He married Mary Louise Crabb 24 Jun 1908 in Vemon, Idaho; and Mary Etta Brown who married John Harrison Chittock. She was bom 12 Sep 1895 and died 1987. He was bom 19 Jul 1883 and died 5 Jan 1947. Mary Luella bom 28 Jun 1870 in Gentryville, Gentry,
Missouri. (See Fulleton, James Alfred.) John Franklin born 16 Mar 1873 in LaMotte,
Jackson, Iowa. (See Honess, John Franklin.) Ettie Jane lanson bom 14 Dec 1875 in Stromsberg, Polk, Nebraska. She died 23 Jul 1969 in Eugene, Lane, Oregon and is buried in the Pineview Cemetery in Ashton, Idaho. She married William L. Chittock. Robert William bom 27 Jan 1878 in Polk County, Nebraska. He died 7 May I960 in Ashton, Idaho. He married Elsie M. Kisler 22 Oct 1902 in Arborville, York, Nebraska. Both are buried at the Pineview Cemetery in Ashton, Idaho. Caroline Matilda bom 15 Mar 1883 in Polk County,
James M. Honess Family 1909 B-Robert W., Mary Luella, Hannah May, John Franklin, F-James., Ettie Jane, Harriette Marie Sealey HONESS
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396
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Nebraska, and died 5 Nov 1884 in Polk County, Nebraska. In August, 1862, James M. Honess enlisted in Co. I, 24"" lA. Vol. Inf., as a private.. .in the
Civil War. Mr. Honess was
discharged 17 Jul 1865, being
mustered out after his return to
Iowa on the 3"* of August. He
was never wounded nor
captured, but at Champion Hill
had his gun shattered by a
musket ball, and it was at this
place he was promoted to the
rank of Sergeant for
meritorious conduct and
bravery on the field of battle.
His Veteran of the Civil War
marker is beside his grave
marker in the Pineview
Cemetery in Ashton, Idaho. Land agents came
through Stromsburg,
Nebraska, lauding a new land,
kindling a desire for some
people to move on. Our
Nebraskan relatives, who lived in West Pleasant Home Precinct of Polk County, decided to
move to the Upper Valley of Idaho.
About 1898 James Honess and his two sons, Robert W. and John Franklin Honess, came
to Idaho by train, de-training at Rexburg. A land agent took them over the country in horse and
buggy. The number of trips to Idaho before moving is unknown. Probably several trips were
made before plans were formulated to make the move.
In 1902 our family saw much green forest to the east and north, also the beautiful Aspen
forests to the east of the Henry's Fork. The forested mountains around Ashton drew them to
stay, never returning to the flat land of Nebraska. Coming to the Ashton frontier was an adventure with the excitement of a new beginning.
In 1 904 land was purchased and families boarded an Iron Horse in Nebraska with their house-hold goods. John Franklin Honess brought his wife, Jessie, and son, Ralph, to the Idaho farm in Ashton. His brother, Robert W. and wife, Elsie Honess, came with them. They de- trained at St. Anthony, unloaded, and
1904 Log Cabin, first home in Ashton, Idaho. John Franklin, Jessie, son Ralph (4), Elsie And Robert W. HONESS.
Ashton in 1906
397
(Z^fitatt ^amiiif Mhtaue^
drove to Ashton with their team and wagons, moving into the log cabin home in Ashton.
James Alfred Fulleton, John David Brown, and his son Irvan traveled approximately 950 miles in the box car of a freight train with the livestock and house-hold goods from Stromsburg, Nebraska, to St. Anthony, Idaho. "In 1906 two box cars of emigrant goods arrived last week from Stromsburg, Nebraska. James Alfred Fulleton, one of the numbers, is a blacksmith and has arranged to open a shop." (Quoted from "the Teton Peak Chronicles, Thursday, March 15, 1906, Ashton Boomlets.)
When J. A. Fulleton moved away from Ashton, he sold the black smith tools to an Ashton man, and this man donated all the tools to the Ashton Museum. (Information from daughter Frances Fullerton.)
On Mar 16, 1906, their families arrived on the passenger train at St. Anthony. The families were Mary Ettie Brown, her mother, Hannah May Brown, Luella, wife of James Alfred Fulleton, and children: Francis, 7, Leonard, 2, and James, 4; also James M. and Harriette Honess.
The families were met in St. Anthony because a blizzard had set in and blocked the railway between Ashton and St. Anthony. The families were met by J. A. Fulleton, Franklin Honess, a four-horse team and bobsled, and the driver Pete Fransen. They all wrapped up in blankets and traveled 18 miles to the cabin at Black Springs.
Sometime in 1906, George Sealey and family came to Ashton. It was a couple of years after his sister, Harriette Honess, arrived and was several vears
1915 James Alfred Fulleton Family Harriet Frances, Mary Luella Honess Fulleton, Leonard Malster, James Alfred, and James Harvey FULLETON
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Camping in Yellowstone Park 1907
398
Cl^fitan f^antli^ Mhtaue^
after the town was established. They remained till their deaths and are buried in the Ashton Pineview Cemetery.
James M. Honess bought 40 acres on the road north of John Franklin Honess' land in Township nine, the old Linquist place. In 1907 Robert W. and Elsie Honess moved down the road a little more than half a mile to the south and a little west.
These pioneer families had a great self-sufficiency and did not depend on any services. They farmed
the land, raising food and crops. They had chickens, cows, and pigs and raised a garden for canning and storing for the winter months. Only one service was a comfort to all, a physician.
Going through Yellowstone Park in 1907
1952 Lewis Everett and Frances Fullerton Family June, Nina, Betty, Dorothy, Phyllis, Leonard, Edna, Sonny, and Lucille F- Frances, Donald, and Lew FULLERTON
399
New arrivals to the valley wanted to see Yellowstone National Park as soon as possible. It was a dream come true. The park line was no more than ten to tlfty miles in the distance, yet it was a considerable trek to visit the main attractions. From Marysville around the park loop road and back was no less than 250 miles by the west or south entrance. Several families would form a party of eight, three rigs, two buggies and one wagon. Cooking was done over an open fire. Tents, bedding, extra food, grain, horseshoes, axle grease, tools, and personal effects went by covered wagon. The hostler (one who takes care of horses) and another person rode on this wagon. About 1907 James (77) and Harriette (66) Honess joined such a party. They rode in a two-seat white top carriage with a cupboard built into the rear end of it carrying vitals and cooking paraphernalia. A glorious unforgettable time was had till the bears attacked their carriage cupboard with tooth and claw. Pieces of wood were torn from comers on both sides. James Honess, at the age of 77, booted those bears right out of camp. This is a story that will be handed down to the generations to come. When looking back at these stories of our ancestors, it stirs in us the thrill of our pioneer spirits.
James M. Honess died March 29, 1909, a very honored and respected man. After his death, Luella Fulleton, his daughter, and her husband, James A. Fulleton, came to live with her aging mother, Harriette Honess. Luella and Alfred Fulleton rented Grandmother Honess' house, farming and raising their children Frances, Jim, and Leonard. The children went to school in Ashton until Grandma Honess sold the property in 1917.
Some of our relatives came to live in Ashton; they didn't like it and packed up quickly, returning back to Nebraska whence they came. However, some stayed, in Ashton, and the Chittock family moved to Green Timber.
In 1910 John Franklin Honess' first car was an old Model-T Ford without a top, cushions, or running boards. He paid $25.00 for it. It became the work horse of the farm.
When Haley's Comet came calling in 1910, there was a fever of excitement throughout the country. People were standing around talking about having read of people in the country giving away their possessions in anticipation of world's end. Some people were said to be huddled together in continuous prayer. Those in the Valley just looked at the sky morning and evening and went on with the milking. In late spring, the comet was a conspicuous object in the
early morning sky but not so clearly seen in the evening sky. Alfred and Luella Fulleton were telling her brother, Franklin Honess, how large and brilliant it was the previous evening with its four tails. Franklin wondered how that could be since he had been
1952 Leonard M. Fulleton, Wife, Lidia Masoni, Children: Charolet, Mary Quintilla, and Bud Fulleton.
400
Q.^fdon H^atn'dy. Mhta^Ue^
School Sleigh drawing by Ralph Honess
unable to see the comet that evening. Next evening it was the same thing, no comet visible, just a bright moon in the sky. Franklin was up early the next morning to have a look as the comet would be about as close to the earth as it would come. The comet was plainly visible in the sky and it had only one tail. So, the next day he asked his sister if they had seen the comet in the evening sky again. Oh, yes, and it still had four tails.
Franklin pondered this four-tail phenomenon. One evening it dawned on him what his sister Luella and Al had been looking at. Off he went to see them.
"Have you seen the comet this evening?"
"Yes."
"Let us go out and look at it."
"That is strange. It was right there almost where the moon is now."
"Come stand in the doorway and look at the moon."
Luella said, "It has four tails."
That was the end of the mysterious comet with four tails. They had been looking at the moon through the screen door.
Getting the children to school and back was a difficult task for country dwellers. One winter Alfred Fulleton took his children, Frances (11), James (9), Leonard (7), and Ralph Honess (9) to the Ashton School in a sleigh pulled by two horses. This was almost a fiall-time job driving six miles to school and six miles back home on a snow road. It did not leave much time between trips for farm work.
In the words of Ralph Honess, "Few people have experienced the hard seat, the warmth, the pleasure of riding in a canvas-covered sleigh with the horses trudging through the deep snow pulling the sleigh. What a thrill of sort in being unable to see out and not knowing just where you were along the way. There was a small window at the front which the driver peeked through and a rear door to tumble in and out of The window was useless in a storm, and it was not needed because the horses knew their way between home and school. In the school sleigh there was bedlam, shouting, and loud laughter, no one paying any attention to where they were. When the team stopped, it was either time for kids to get on or off, or they had come face to face with another school sleigh. School sleighs were comfortable if one were not too close, nor too far from the potbellied stove. Families living near the far end of the school route took turns driving the sleigh. You had to get up early to start the fire in the potbelly stove in the middle of the school sleigh.
Walking home from school was always an adventure. One day when the kids were on their way home from school, Jim Fulleton, about 9 years old, began harassing Earl Larson. Jim became insulting and Earl knocked him down. Jim got up slowly and whirled about with a knife in hand. Earl twisted his arm till he dropped the knife. Frances Fullerton, Jim's sister, thought Earl was killing Jim. She wound up with a heavy lunch pail she was carrying and hit Earl over
401
the head. Frances was astonished and immobilized for a second. On recovery she ran off behind Jim, still holding the crushed dinner pail. The only harm done was to the dinner pail.
In the early years, a school teacher was paid and school was held in several homes. Usually the teacher lived with the family where the school was held. They had school for two years in the log cabin. Then Uncle John and Aunt Hannah Brown's vacant house became the classroom. It was one-quarter mile north of Franklin and Jessie Honess. Later they all went to the Ashton school in fall and spring. They walked orrode by horse or car and, in winter, there was always the school sleigh.
During the summers families would get together, having a time of their lives in between the chores. Their entertainment was having family for dinner, talking, and telling stories. The children played. The boys had their games and the girls were off doing what girls do. There was fonnal entertainment like wrestling matches, sleight-of-hand performances, dances, balls, brawls, fights, roller skating, basketball games, and moving picture shows.
The picture show cost two dollars to get in. A white sheet on a back wall was erected as a screen. It had a box with a bright light coming from it and a crank on the side that someone had to turn. The motion of the actors was related to the cranking. The images of people moved about, silently wagging their jaws, mimicking the words that appeared on the screen. As the movie operator tired and the cranks slowed, the actors' movements became jerky and tired, and it became very comical to watch.
About 1911 Ashton had a telephone exchange and Harriette Honess and family members were connected to the trunk line within weeks. Every time the phone jangled, everyone within hearing distance of the phone bell dropped what they were doing and ran like mad to listen, just to make sure they were not wanted, so they said.
John Franklin Honess never caught very many fish with hook and line at Ashton. Perhaps his poor fishing luck influenced him to raise domesticated fish.
Frank started the Idaho Trout Co. on Black Spring in 1909. About four years later, in 1913, Mr. George Isaac became a partner in the hatchery. He left in 1915 for a commercial fish hatchery near Pocatello. George Sealey took his place as a partner. George was a master carpenter, mechanic, and a philosopher of a kind.
The first day of December 1919, John Franklin Honess sold 15.6 acres along Black Springs to the State of Idaho. He stayed on as Hatchery Supervisor for awhile. Sadly a great adventure of his life passed with the sale of the hatchery.
In mid January of 1929, John Franklin and Jessie Honess moved to King Hill, Idaho. Robert W. Honess and several family members remained in Ashton. Our kin is strung along the Snake River all through Idaho and on down the Columbia River to the sea. The special relationship within this family remained strong even with the distance separating them.
"When you reach back in time and touch the hearts of your relatives something deep inside of you stirs."
Many of our relatives' names are found resting in peace at the Pineview Cemetery in Ashton, Idaho.
Stories taken from the hook: Of Our Parents, Jessie M. And John Franklin Honess and more. A Sojourn In Idaho, by Ralph F. Honess and Harold R. Honess.
Submitted bv Shannon Marie Sorensen Uriona.
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Ralph F. Honess
J^oness, John Franklin and Jessie Minda Bowlby. John was bom 16 Mar 1873 in LaMotte, Jackson, Iowa to James M. and Harriette Marie Sealey HONESS. He died 5 Jun 1946 in Kuna, Ada, Idaho and was buried at Glen Rest Cemetery in Glenns Ferry, Idaho. He married Jessie 1 Mar 1899 in Polk County, Nebraska. She was bom 3 Feb 1880 in Burwell, Garfield, Nebraska. She was buried at Glen Rest Cemetery in Glenns Ferry, Idaho. They had the following children Ralph Franklin bom 1 1 Sep 1902 in Stromsburg, Polk, Nebraska and died 29 Apr 1992.
Ralph was a full back on the Ashton football team. It was said about him... when
he hit something, watch out. They say that when
Honess bowed his neck, something popped. He
could plow through four stone walls and kick the
fifth one down. His senior picture read "To
serve his fellow men, a Diplomat." Football 4,
President Student Body 3,4, Student Body Judge
3, President Class 4, Senior Class Play "Fifty- Fifty." He retired as a professor of parasitology
at the University of Wyoming, Laramie, and is
the co-author of the 275 page book, "Of Our
Parents." He was appointed research assistant in
zoology in 1932 at the University of Wyoming,
then studied diseases in bighom sheep in the
Teton area from 1939 to 1940. He served with
the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1946, during World War II, and retired as a major of
the USAF Reserves. From 1947 to 1955 he organized and directed a wildlife
disease research laboratory for the Wyoming Fish and Game commission. He
retired in 1969 but still remains on the payroll of the University of Wyoming. He
received help in writing the book from his
brother, Harold Honess of Oregon. Edna Jessie bom 10 Aug 1905 in Ashton, Idaho. The
Yellowstone Eagle of 1924 said: "A modest
unassuming maid. A chum and pal of Gladys,"
Choms, Alumni Editor of "The Yellowstone
Eagle." Senior Class Play, "Fifty-Fifty."
Edna became a schoolteacher. Milo Rathbum bom 17 Oct 1907 in Ashton, Idaho. He
died 8 Feb 1988 in Hesperia, San Bemardino,
Califomia. His wife was Marion E. McNutt.
From the Ashton Harold News 13 Jul 1978:
"An Ashton resident more than 50 years ago,
Mike Honess and his wife, Marion, visited the
Ashton area this week. Old timer recalls area's
early days. "It seems like all the dry farms
have changed to irrigated farms and all the
horses are traded for tractors," said Milo 'Mike' Honess, a 70-year-old Ashton
visitor this week. Mr. Honess moved away from the area in 1929, and this is his
Edna Jessie Honess
403
and his wife, Marion's, second visit back in 5 1 years. They are now making their home in Hesperia, Cahfornia. Mr. Honess was employed by the Union Pacific Railroad for 29 years. 'There is also a building boom on homes around here." Mr. Honess noted. He said there are three new homes now where his home used to be at the tlsh hatchery west of Ashton. Frank Honess, Mike's father, started the fish hatchery in the early 1900's. Mike added that Ashton hasn't seemed to grow much since he left, but all the stores have moved from one end of town to the other. "I first drove to Jackson on a freight wagon in 1924, 54 years ago," said Mr. Honess. "At that time you got to Jackson on what is now the Reclamation Road." But Mrs. Honess was especially looking forward to visiting Big Springs. "It will be 47 years ago next month that we floated the river from Big Springs on our honeymoon trip," she said, "August 1931." Harold Robert bom 24 Feb 1911 in Ashton, Idaho. He died 1 1 Jan 1996 in Coos Bay, Oregon. His first wife was Mildred Louise Luke. She was bom 3 Mar 1915 and died of polio 25 Oct 1939. She was the first person in Idaho to die from polio. The hospital brought an iron lung in, but it was too late. She died in Boise, Idaho and is buried at Glen Rest Cemetery, Glenns Ferry, Idaho. Harold's second wife killed herself by drowning in Idaho Power Lake, Idaho Falls, Idaho. Harold had only one daughter, Betty Louise,
who was bom 20 Aug 1936 in King
Hill, Idaho. She went to sleep at the
wheel of her car, and she was killed
near Sacramento, Califomia in
1959.
....Unknown date: Edna and Harold
rode David Larsen's spirited saddle
horse. Prince, bareback to get the
milk cows from the pasture one
evening. The cows were across the
creek, and coming back, Edna and
Harold followed the cows, which
forded the creek where there was a
steep rise on the far side. Edna,
who was foremost on Prince, told
Harold to hang onto her. "Oh! I'll
stay on." He did not. On the
second lunge, Harold slid off,
hitting the ground hard and
breaking both bones in his left
forearm. A wedge-shaped piece of
bone fell out, and the end of another
bone was thmst through the tlesh
and into the ground. At once Harold began trying to replace the broken bones.
When Edna saw his arm she wheeled the horse and rode for help. The men were
Mildred and Harold w/Betty HONESS
404
(Z^fitati ^amlii^ Mhtaue^
at the house waiting for supper when she arrived with the news. They took off, running through the field, to help Harold. Earl, the wrestler, was there first. He looked at Harold's arm and fell over in a dead faint. Harold wondered what was wrong with him. Harold was carried to the house and rushed to Dr. Hargis, who cleaned and replaced the bones and set the arm. It healed without developing an infection.
Some stories from Dorothy Marie Fullerton Sorensen's Life about Harold:
Dorothy was very fond of her cousin, Harold Honess. He was in the Navy and quite a teaser and practical joker. He came home and called Dorothy and said he was a friend of Harold Honess, and Harold told him to call Dorothy, and she would be happy to go out with him. Dorothy was so mad she flew into him on the phone and hung up on him. Harold called a little later when Ralph was at home and told him who he was, and what he did to Dorothy and how he was told by a cousin that Dorothy would date him and show any sailor a good time. They had a good laugh over how Dorothy flew into him and hung the phone up on him. Dorothy just could have killed him. I asked her why she didn't recognize his voice, and she said he disguised it till she didn't know who it was. (There were many stories.) Mary Lu bom 16 Aug 1913 in Ashton, Idaho and died in Phoenix, Arizona. She was a student in the eighth grade at Ashton in 1927.
Frank fell dead on his front yard in Kuna, Idaho. He was Methodist. He was buried in Glenns Ferry, Idaho. (See family story in Honess, James M.)
Jltemo^ied Good ol' Ashton Grade School and North Fremont
High!
Submitted hv Nina Richards Smith.
Submitted by Shannon Marie Sorensen Uriona.
405
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^'itoness, Robert William and Elsie M. Kisler. Robert was bom 27 Jan 1878, in Polk County, Nebraska, to James M. and Harriette Marie Sealey HONESS. He died 7 May 1960, in Ashton, Idaho. He married Elsie M. Kisler 22 Oct 1902, in Arborville, York, Nebraska. She was bom 25 Feb 1880 in Polk County, Nebraska, anci died 29 Nov 1948 in Ashton, Idaho. They had one child, Frances, who married Clem Grundzinski.
Robert was an active citizen and served as an honorary tmstee on the Methodist Church Board. He and Elsie moved to Ashton before it ba:ame a town in 1906. Before the Methodist Church was built, they attended church in Vemon.
Two years after Elsie died, Robert married her widowed sister, Cora Blair, at the Methodist Church in Lincoln, Nebraska. He brought her home to his fami west of Ashton where they lived happily. He later retired and moved into Ashton.
Submitted hv Shannon Marie Sorensen Uriona.
Cora and Robert Honess
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'v Lloyd Van Sickle at the opening of
the renovated big Falls Inn. He said he used to stop by the inn now and then I' ;• ~*^<:-^ with his team of sled dogs. He was a Vf^' £^ winner or high place holder in several i:S$ ■^/^•i ' •'^'■■M Ashton American Dog Derbies when '^"^'ST 41 ^'^^ ^^^ racing was at its peak.
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This tidbit was gleaned from the Island Park News 7-20-2001 and submitted bv Bernetta Harris Hanson.
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Stossntr, Earl Orland and Yolanda Almeda Tinsley. Statistics are in story.
Earl Orland Hossner was bom in Osceola, Nebraska, on February 13, 1907. He was the
fourth child of Frederick and Luella Hossner. Ralph, Ray, and Goldie were older. Frederick was a rural mail man in Osceola. Fred started to carry mail about 1900. He was probably one of the first rural mail carriers.
He owned three acres of land just out of the city limits of Osceola. There was a house and bam on the three acres. During his vacation in 1908, he went to Washington and got an option on a fmit farm. The sale of his property on Osceola fell through so he dropped his option in Washington.
In 1909, during his vacation, he came to Ashton, Idaho, and located 1 60 acres of farm land in Greentimber. This land had been filed on by John and Americus Lutch. They had taken up the land under a desert claim. Owing to the fact they couldn't get water, he relinquished his claim to Fred for $ 1 500.00. Fred filed on the land under the Homestead Act. Forty acres were broken up. There was a dirt roof house, 16 ft. by 20 ft. There were nine other log buildings and a hand-dug well, which was 65 ft. deep. It was cribbed up with split logs. He also got a 6 ft. Milwaukee binder and a hand dump hay rake.
He went back to Nebraska and gave up his mail route in 1910. In March of 1910, Fred, Ralph, Ray, and William Keaton shipped their belongings in an emigrant car with George Miller. They had a plow, some horses, and a buggy. Mr. Keaton went with
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Earl and Ray Hossner with Alford Zitting abt. 1927.
Some of the younger Hossners w/Fred and Louella: B-: Ray, Fred, Louella, and Ralph M- Earl and Goldie F-Neola abt 1916. 407
the animals and fed and watered the stock when the train stopped. They arrived in Ashton either the 14" or 15" of March 1910.
Neola was bom February 21, 1910.
Luella, Earl, Neola, and Goldie
didn't come to Idaho until the later
part of April. Luella had packed
lunches for them to eat on the train.
Fred met his family at the depot
with a white top buggy and brought
them to Greentimber. Their house
had one large room. It was 1 6 ft. by
20 ft. There was a heating stove in
the center of the room and cook
stove with a reservoir at the east end
of the room. The beds were hinged
to the wall and in the morning they
were raised up to give floor space.
William Keaton lived in a tent to the
north of their house, near the well.
In 1912, they added two rooms to
the house with two rooms up stairs.
This was like an L-shape and had a fruit cellar under it.
When Ralph and Ray arrived in Greentimber, they had a bad cough. When the other children arrived, they took the cough, all except Earl. It turned out to be whooping cough. Earl never did take whooping cough until he was in his twenties. The next summer the whole family had scarlet fever. The next winter they all had small-pox.
John George had the post office when they first came to Greentimber. Fred was made Postmaster about a year later. In 1916 they built the red barn. Mr. Keaton and John Linquist were the carpenters. They brought the poles to the home place and the kids peeled them.
Earl started school in 1912 at the age of five. At that time, they gave the 8" grade examination in January. Earl took the test and passed it when he was 12 years old.. In the spring, he went to work in the fields to help plant the crops. He has always loved to read, so he has taught himself many things which the young people learn at school today. During the winter, they would haul grain with the team and sleigh. Earl would get a library book and start to read it on his way home in the sleigh. Earl was always mechanically inclined and
worked a good deal in the shop. He drove teams, combines, and tractors in the fields. He also ran the threshing machine for Carl Reimann in the fall. They would go from one place to the next. They didn't have combines here before 1938.
They always had church at the school house. Two different religions, the Methodists and
Ray Hossner
408
(Z^fitan f^amiiy. Mhtaue^
Carol Hossner
the Lutherans used the school house on Sunday for their services. Earl used to tell the story that they wouldn't talk to one another as one went in and the other came out. They also had dances, parties, and community activities there.
People were always stopping at the Hossner home. There were preachers and missionaries, soldiers from the Ranger Station, and several bachelors whodropped in for a hot meal.
Gladys Lillian Hossner was bom 26 Nov 1917. She died of spinal meningitis in
March of 1918. Fred Hossner took sick in 1918. He had Multiple Sclerosis. It started in first one hand and then moved to the other. He did the chores and the boys did the farming.
Carol was bom 17 Dec 1919. Ralph was married in 1928. Goldie was married in May of 1926 and Neola in 1932. Ray went to Pocatello to work on the Union Pacific as a fireman about 1920. Carol went to school and Earl did the farming and took care of his dad and mom. Ray came home during the depression and farmed with Earl. Ray went to work for Garrett Freight in 1936.
In 1928, the Burral General Store gave away a Model T Coupe. They gave a ticket with every dollar purchased. Ray would grab the tickets when he could, but Earl's mother wrote his name on some of the tickets. Earl was getting his hair cut at the time of the drawing and Ray mshed to get him. Earl has won many things, but this was the biggest prize.
Yoland came to Greentimber to teach school in September of 1934. Dora Stegelmeier introduced us on the theater comer in Ashton a few days after I arrived. Earl came to the school house and asked me to go to the dance at Warm River with him. This was a large dance hall close to the river. Otto Reimann and Margaret Ellen, Madison Reimann's niece, went with us. That was the night of my 20"' birthday. We went to every Saturday night dance that fall.
We went to the dog races in Febmary of 1935. My parents came up for the races and met Earl for the first time. Frank, Lila, Earl, and I went up in an airplane that had skis on it in place of wheels. It was the plane that carried mail to West Yellowstone. The pilot was just giving rides at the dog races to make extra money. We went skiing and had house parties every week all winter. The summer of 1935, Earl, Carol, Lou, and I went through Yellowstone Park. We three girls slept in the tent and Earl slept in the car.
I taught the third and fourth grades of school in King Hill in 1935-37. Earl came down to see me a few times. In the summer of 1936, Earl went back to the factory for a '36 Chevrolet. I was going to summer school in Albion but met him in Pocatello on the 4"' of July before he left. He had asked me to get married and go with him, but I said I had to teach school at least another year.
Earl and Fred Brady bought the Stone place in 1936. It was 160 acres and was located just east of the home place. Earl came to Burley when I went home. We were married in 8 Jul 1937. I had signed a contract to teach another year at King Hill, but I sent my contract back. We were married in my folks' home at Unity by Bishop Gee. Ronald and Emma were married in
409
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1934. They were there and so were my sisters, Lou and Bessie, and my parents and Bishop Gee and his wife. We were married and then all ate dinner and then left for Utah about 6 or 7 o'clock. It was raining and we hit a calf on our way to Utah. We stayed the first night in Tremonton. We
drove on to Salt Lake the next morning. We stayed at the New House Hotel in Salt Lake. We
visited Uarda Nielson and her family and we went to a dance at the Old Mill. It was up a canyon
from Salt Lake. We were in Salt Lake about 5 days and then we went back to Burley. The folks
gave us a wedding dance and shower on Friday night at the church house.
Earl bought the little house next to the Brady's before we were married. We only stayed
there one night. Earl's folks moved to town and we stayed in Greentimber. We had a wedding
dance in the Greentimber School House the next Friday night.
The two years I taught in King Hill, there wasn't any school in Greentimber because there
weren't any children of school age. Irma Dietrich taught school in the fall of 1937 and she stayed
with us. We had the threshers for three meals a day and Marie Smith helped me with the cooking.
John Sleeby was our hired man at that time.
In April of 1938, Earl's mother had a gallstone operation and died. George Phillips,
Luella's brother, came to Ashton a few weeks before that. His wife, Jane Phillips, came with him
and Jim when school was out in Nebraska. Jane taught school in Greentimber in 1938, '39 and
'40.
Alford and Goldie's place was sold so they moved into town and took care of Goldie's
dad, and Carol went to beauty school in Idaho Falls.
Larry was bom 25 Jul 1938 in Greentimber. Mrs. Spencer came up and stayed all day and
Larry was bom about 2 o'clock in the morning. We had Dr. Harris. Dr. Harris took a nap on the
davenport. Earl put up a redwood water tank about 20 ft. high so we could have water in the
house.
Lynn was bom 16 Dec 1939. Mrs. Spencer helped us again but this time we had Dr.
Hargis. Earl was wiring the house for electricity and he got it in the bedroom the day Lynn was
bom. Lynn arrived while the Dr. was still washing in the kitchen.
We started to have potluck suppers and a card party afterward in the fall of 1937. The
women had supper club before, but this was the first the men started to come. We had the first
supper in our big kitchen.
Eari's dad died on July 6, 1940. He first contracted multiple sclerosis in 1918. Fred was
410
dafitati ffatniiy. MLdtauei
Earl Hossner on his tractor
bom 2 Feb 1941. Mrs. Spencer helped us again and Dr. Hargis was there also. Earl went to town and helped Dr. Hargis get his car out of the snow. Then they both rushed to our house.
In the spring of 1941, Carol Hossner, Bessie Tinsley, Earl and I went to Portland and down the coast highway to San Francisco. Aunt Jane kept Fred for us and Mom Tinsley took care of Larry and Lynn. On our way home, we heard our neighbor, Elmer George, had been killed when a power pole fell on him. He was Earl's age.
Bessie Tinsley taught school in Vernon and stayed at Goebels. On Sunday, the 7"" of December 1941, Bessie and the Bradys were at
our house for dinner. We had the radio turned on and heard about Pearl Harbor being attacked. My cousin Berry Stanley Jolley was serving as a seaman second class on the U.S.S. Arizona which was docked at Pearl Harbor. The battle ship U.S.S. Arizona was bombed and sunk on that morning when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Berry had lived with the Bill Tinsleys since his parents died when he was 5 years old. Earl asked him to come to Greentimber and work for us that spring. Instead he joined the Navy after he graduated from high school that spring.
Bessie and Rex were married 25 Dec 1941. Kendell was bom in May of 1943. Bessie went to the different places Rex was stationed until he was sent over seas.
My folks came up and helped us with the farming in 1942 for the summer. They then went to Hill Field, Utah, to work because they were so short of help.
Janet was bom 7 Oct 1944. We had just finished combining our grain. Earl went to Pocatello to get Bessie and Kendell Bingham. When they got home. Earl took me in to Mrs. Wellman's matemity home. Janet was bom that moming about 4 o'clock. We had trouble getting Janet to eat. Mrs. Wellman had the doctor test her heart and it seemed to be strong, so she gave Janet a little water and about 1/4 teaspoon whiskey and a little sugar to relax her. In about 15 minutes we would give her the bottle of milk. Without this, she would spit up everything we tried to give her.
When I came home with Janet, Earl had Larry, a first grader, out of school and driving the tractor for them to pick up sacks of spuds. He went to school the next day.
Earl bought the home place piece by piece from his brothers and sisters in 1942 & 3. He then paid off the mortgage.
In the winter of 1944, Earl was called to St. Anthony to serve on a jury. Larry, Lynn, and Fred were out playing in the snow. They were about two, three, and four years old. We had a water tank to water the cattle at the side of the pump house. Earl had chopped a hole in the ice for the cattle to drink. The boys were playing near the tank and Fred slid into the water tank. Larry grabbed his arm and Lynn ran to the house for me. 1 got him out and gave him some warm soup, and he didn't even get a cold.
In the summer of 1949, we took Larry, Lynn, Fred, and Janet to Glacier Park. This was a nice vacation. We went into Canada and home on the north and south highway.
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Q^dfUon ^atnii^ 3il6 tootled
In 1949, Earl started a 4-H CLUB. He stayed with this club for 18 years. All the family worked with him. Earl and the three older boys won a judging trip to Portland. Larry won a watch at the fair in Blackfoot, and Lynn went to Chicago for his electric project.
In 1950, Karl was bom 7 June. We had a snow storm that night and the boys were raising pheasants in the bunk house. Some of the pheasants smothered while Earl was gone with me.
In March of 1951, we went back east to get a car. Bessie from St. Anthony, stayed with our family. We went to the end of the Greentimber road in Alonzo Atchley's snow plane. It had a propeller on it like an airplane. It was one of the first snow machines.
In 25 Jul 1953, Diane was born. She is 15 years to the day younger than Larry.
In 1953, during the Christmas vacation, we took our family to San Francisco and Reno. We left Diane with Goldie Spitz. We watched the Rose Parade on TV. We went to a cinerama in San Francisco. We road the cable cars and went for a boat ride around Alcatraz. Larry and Lynn thought they could get into the casinos but were stopped at the door. They let the family in to the casino at nine in the morning. At night the kids went to the theater, and Earl and I went to the casino.
Ronald came up and went hunting with Earl some years during the fall. Earl, Larry, Lynn and Fred went to Burley to hunt pheasants with him in the fall. Ronald always had a good bird dog. One year Ronald drew on a special elk hunt. Emma, Ronald, Earl, and I went in the pickup to hunt. Ronald got a bull elk with a nice head of horns. That was the only time I was ever with them when they got their game. Ronald drove around Burley showing off his trophy so long that some of the meat spoiled.
One Saturday night, when Earl and I were going to the dance at Warm River when I was teaching. Earl was late coming for me. Earl was shaving to go to the dance when Freeman Francis came to the door. He said he had found a moose about a half a mile east of his house. He lived where Roy Stegelmeier lives now. He had gotten the 2 hind quarters into his basement and told Earl he could have the front quarters. He thought his neighbor had killed the same moose. The year before, when Freeman had been hunting with him and they had the moose dressed out,
Fred Hossner's ranch
412
(Zdfitatt f^atnii^ Mhtaue^
his neighbor said "my gun shot the moose so I'll take the hind quarters." When Freeman and Earl got to where the moose was killed, they could hear the brush cracking. Freeman said the front quarters had been skinned out since he was there, "Whoa," he said, "let's go back to the house and I'll give you one of the hind quarters." As they were bringing a hind quarter out of the basement, Guy and Lee Cordingley came running down to the house and said they had killed the moose and didn't want to go home with two front quarters. They wanted to trade a front for a
hind quarter. Earl gave them the hind quarter and he went home with a front quarter. We got to the dance about one o'clock.
About 1947 or '48, Earl went on his last illegal hunt. Owen Grube and Earl Meyers had been cutting posts south of the old C.C.C. camp. They saw a moose and came home for dinner. When they went back, they came after Earl to go with them to get the moose. It was in late Nov. Earl went where they had seen the moose and Earl Meyers went up the ridge. Earl took a shot and he thought he hit the moose, but he didn't. Earl Meyers fired several shots but didn't hit anything. The game warden was on a hill with some binoculars. He saw Owen leave home and came over after Earl. The game officer went into town to get someone to go with him. He told Lee Cordingley, and Lee told Ralph. Ralph called me and asked where Earl was. I said, "Probably out to the bam." Ralph said, "If he is in the hills and you can get any word to him, tell him the game warden is coming on his way up there." 1 told Charlie, our hired man, and he and Grant went up the road and picked up Earl Meyers. He was walking down the road. Earl Meyer sand Owen were waiting for Earl at the C.C.C. Camp. The game warden took Earl's gun and searched the sleigh. The next morning, he brought back the gun and laid it on the table. This was the last hunting Earl did out of season.
During WWl, we were plane spotters for the government. We had a hearing device outside the work room, so we could hear planes in the house.
We started building our house the day WWII was over in Europe in 1945. Jess Summercom was our carpenter. He didn't even have an electric saw. He charged us $ 1 .37 an hour. He worked on the house all summer, and in the fall he went to California. Earl and I nailed on all the plaster board and they plastered our house around the first of the year. When Jess came
Greentimber home of Earl Hossner. Lynn, Karl, Fred, and Larry Hossner
413
back and Earl laid the hard wood floors every room was finished place except the kitchen and utility room. Earl went to Pocatello and got a truck load of hard wood flooring. Joe Reimann did the electric wiring, Bingham & Sons did the plumbing and Paul Hack painted some. We finished the painting because he was doing such a poor job. We moved into our new home in the summer of 1946. The upstairs and basement weren't finished until in the winter.
Charlie and Mable Olsen started to work for us and moved into our log house. The next year they moved to the Stone place, and Alford and Goldie moved to the Elmer George place. Charlie worked for us about six years. Erwin Spitz worked for us in the spring and fall for several years and helped sort spuds in the winter.
In 1947, Earl, Owen, Lucille, and I were going to travel some. When we got to the Grand Canyon, Owen didn't feel good. We went to see my sister, Lou, and her husband, Dave Salyer in Bakersfield, California. Owen thought he should go home. Earl said if Owen wouldn't fiy home, he would take him home. Owen had never been in a plane, but he flew to Idaho Falls. Earl and I went to Catalina , went in glass bottom boats and could see like you were under the water. On the ship going to Catalina, we danced and had a good time. Earl's sister, Carol, and her husband. Grant Bessey, stayed with our family that time.
Lynn won a trip to the 1956 Club Congress in Chicago. He won on his outstanding electric project in the state of Idaho. Jack Marotz also won for his crop project and went to Chicago. In 1956 , Larry graduated from high school. He went to school in Pocatello the next year.
Lynn graduated in 1957 and in the fall, Lynn and Larry went to Elk Point, South Dakota, and got a job harvesting com. Then they went on to Earl's cousin, Audrey and Chuck Ptlug, for Thanksgiving. Next they went to the 1957 4-H Congress in Chicago.
Lynn was looking for an auction school in Decatur, Illinois, but there wasn't a term starting so they went to Atlanta, Georgia, and then on to Jacksonville, Florida, and New Orleans. The only job they could get was carrying hod, (sic) so they came home for Christmas.
They started to school in Moscow in the spring semester of 1958. In the summer of 1958, Lynn went to auction school in Billings, Montana. Larry and Lynn both went back to school at Moscow in the fall of 1958 and spring of 1959. Fred graduated from high school in the spring of 1959.
In the summer of 1955, the Greentimber road was built. Carl Woodall was the contractor. He hired our tractor and driver to pull the sheep foot roller. Larry started and after they had the base done, all three of our boys drove the roller until school started. They earned $4.50 an hour
Original Hossner log home at Greentimber 1910.
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driving the tractor and they worked about 16 hours a day, which was about $72.00 a day for the three of them. They mixed the oil for the road on our lane, so we got the road to our bam oiled for $250.00. In the fall of 55, Larry and Lynn bought a 1956 Chevrolet with their earnings. In the fall of 1958, Fred bought a 1959 Chevrolet. He graduated from high school in the spring of 59.
In the summer of 1959, Earl started to double the size of the potato cellar. Where Lynn was in the bucket of the tractor, the bucket tripped and he fell out and broke his neck. He was in the hospital about 7 weeks. When he was able to get out of bed, he had to wear a foam brace on his neck. That fall when the harvest was finished, Lynn and Fred took a trip around the northwest and stopped in Sun Valley. Fred got a job working for Union Pacific Railroad in the hotel and Lynn worked in a jewelry store for Ben Goldberg. When the 2"'^ semester started in Moscow, they started to school there. Lynn could then take the brace off his neck.
Larry and Linda Croy, of Hope, Idaho, were married August 27, 1961 in Hope, Idaho. They both went to school in Moscow and Larry finished the end of fall semester. Linda finished in the spring. They lived in the little house by Brady's until July of 1963, when Larry took a job for Swift Meat Company in Iowa. Bryan was bom that May. Cammy and Heidi were bom in the midwestem United States. Larry and Linda retumed to farm in Ashton in 1969. They farmed until 1986. Linda taught school in the Fremont elementary schools. Larry and Linda now live in Lewiston, Idaho, where Linda is a special education teacher and Larry is working at a junior college.
When Lynn graduated from Moscow, he went to the George Washington Law School in Washington, D.C.
Janet graduated from high school in 1962. That summer she went to business school in Salt Lake City, Utah. I don't know how many times she was engaged. She had quite a few rings in her cedar chest. When we had a call from the room mother about 2 in the moming. Earl told Janet if we had any more calls she could come home and rogue spuds or move pipe. This was the summer she went to business school. When Janet finished business school, she could get a job in Las Vegas or Washington, D.C. I told her she couldn't go to Las Vegas, so she started to work for the FBI in Washington, D.C. in 1964. Janet was only in D.C. a few days before Lynn came home for the summer.
In the fall, Janet and Karen Hogue rented a house. When Fred went to Washington, D.C. in the fall of 1 964, he roomed with Janet and Karen. Lynn was dating Karen Hogue of Evanston, Indiana, and in Febmary 1965, Karen had a friend teaching with Mary De Graaf, who had a daughter named Elizabeth of Falls Church, Virginia. A blind date was arranged for Fred and Liz. We have always been very happy because of this blind date.
Earl and I went to see our family in D.C. and attend Lynn and Karen's wedding in the spring of 1965. Owen and Lucille Grube went too. We met Liz and her parents. We rented two cars to go to the wedding in Evansville, Indiana. Fred, Janet, Diane, Owen, Lucille, Earl, and I took the two cars. Lynn, Karen, and Karl went in Lynn's car. Lynn and Karen were married April 18, 1965.
After the wedding, Lynn, Karen, Fred, and Janet went back to D.C. Fred finished his CPA schooling, and he and Janet came home the last of May. Lynn had finished law school, so he and Karen went to Moscow and Lynn took the Idaho State Bar Exam. They settled in Ashton, where
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Lynn set up a law practice. Todd, their first child, was bom in January of 1966. Natalie, their second child, was born in December of 1967. Lynn later became Prosecuting Attorney for Fremont County. Karen taught school in Ashton for many years and was killed in a car wreck in November of 1982.
I had my first cataract eye operation. I had to stay in bed 2 weeks. Janet took care of me and the family.
Fred was drafted in July of 1965. He took his basic training at Fort Ord, California. In October of 1965, Fred and Liz were married in Bar Harbor, Maine. Our harvest wasn't finished, so Lynn and Karen stayed to work the harvest. We asked Allyce Brady if she wanted to go to the wedding with us. Janet, Diane, Karl, Allyce, Earl, and 1 flew from Salt Lake City and met Larry, Linda, Bryan, and Cammy in New York City. Janet had been to New York before, so she took care of Bryan and Cammy and arranged our tours. We went to the Statue of Liberty and on bus tours of the city. Betty Johnson, my cousin, took care of Bryan and Cammy and got us tickets to a Broadway play. When we left for Maine, we rented a car. Janet drove this car and Larry and family followed in theirs. It was a pretty time of the year and we would have liked to stay in the area longer, but we had to get home to the harvest.
The wedding was October 2, 1965. Everything was well planned. Fred and Liz had to get their things and go to El Paso, Texas. We went home to harvest. Janet and Allyce traveled for 2 weeks and then Janet went to Germany with Margo Marotz and two other girls. The neighbors gave us several gifts for Fred and Liz, and when we finished harvest, we went to Texas. Fred was at Fort Bliss Army Base taking training. They were there until February of 1966. They then were transferred to Maryland, where Fred was stationed at Edgewood Arsenal as a radar technician. During his watch, the east coast was never invaded by them Commies. Fred was discharged from the Army, and they moved to Ashton in August of 1967. They bought a trailer house and parked it west of the home place near the garden.
In the spring of 1968, Fred went to work for Fremont County School District as the business manager. He and his wife, Liz, bought a home in Ashton. It was the old teacher house from Hugginsville. They had three daughters. Amy, Jennifer, and Jill. Liz has taught at the Ashton Elementary school for many years. She is currently a 3'"^ grade teacher. Amy was tragically murdered in June of 1983. Her murderer was brought to justice in 1992.
Janet was in Europe for about 14 months. She worked for our government. The summer she was there, she and three other girls toured Europe. Janet came home in 1967 before Christmas.
When Larry graduated from Moscow, we went to the graduation and then to the World Fair in Seattle. Diane and Earl were with us.
We went to get cars in Chicago several times. Each time we went a little different way home.
In January 1968, Janet and Margo Marotz went to Chicago for five months. Then Janet went to Hawaii. Janet had a job in a cafe. That summer, Diane went to Hawaii and stayed with Janet. Diane was only thirteen but she helped some in the cafe!
In 196X, Karl graduated from high school. He went to Moscow the first semester of
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school. He didn't stay in school very long until he asked Janet to send him a ticket to Hawaii. Earl and I went to Hawaii while they were both there. Janet was manager in the Hilton. Her boss had been in an accident, so she moved from secretary to manager. Karl was waiting tables at the Hilton in the evenings and renting cars in the day time. They worked at the Kaanapali Beach Hilton on Maui. We stayed in Hawaii two and a half weeks. Nick, Janet's friend, took us to the big island and we stayed with his folks. He took us all around the island and the volcano was sending hot lava down the middle of the island. Earl, Karl, and I flew up to Hana on Maui. There were many water falls on the side of the island we could see from the air. When we got to Hana, we rented a car and drove back to Lahina. Earl was our guide.
Karl came back from Hawaii, worked on the farm that year, and went to school at ISU during the spring semester of 1970. He worked on the farm that summer, and in the fall of '70 he and Fred Swanstrum took a trip across the United States. They first went to Lake Tahoe, Nevada, and stayed with Fred's relatives for a week. They then returned to Lake Tahoe. They then headed east. They drove through Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico to Lubbuck, Texas. There they stayed with Bill (Tex) Schwartz for a couple of weeks. They then went to Knoxville, Tennessee, and spent Christmas with Kim and Linda Hossner. From there they went to St. Petersburg, Florida. They got jobs working as waiters in a hotel there. Fred Swanstrum got sick and had to fly home. Karl then returned home by himself in February.
Janet and Ron Iverson were married in August of 1973. Ron has worked for the Wyoming Game and Fish his entire career. Janet has worked at various professions including bookkeeping, secretarial, bartending, and is working at the Fremont County Courthouse in Lander, Wyoming. They had two children. Casey was bom in August of 1975. Kip, their second child, was bom in July of 1977.
In March of 1973, Karl and Brenda were married. They lived at the old Jack Reimann place until 1977. Brenda had two children, Chari and Bigi. On Oct. 20, 1973, Heather was bom
B-Karl, Fred, Diane, Lynn, Janet, and Larry F-Yoland, and Eari HOSSNER
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while Earl was on a pack trip in Bechler Meadows. He came out the day after she was bom due to a snowstorm. The next year, on Dec. 16, Josh was bom in the midst of a blizzard. It was a good thing Karl and Brenda went to town and stayed with Lynn that night. Tragedy stmck in Nov. of 1982 as Heather and her Aunt Karen were killed in a car wreck by Lynn Loosli's potato cellars on Highway 20. Karl fanned until the spring of 1984, sold real estate, auctioned, did chattel appraisals, and sold machinery until January of 1992. He then went back to school at Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana. He received his B.S. in secondary education in May of 1995. Brenda is currently the school psychologist at the Manhattan school district in Three Forks, Montana. Karl ran for Gallatin County Commission in the fall of 1994. He went down to defeat along with the rest of the many Democrats in the Republican landslide election of 1994.
In the fall of '71, Diane went to school at Moscow for a year. The next fall she went to school in at ISU Pocatello until the spring of '73. That summer she went to work for Dean Grossenbach and ended up with his company in Encampment, Wyoming, that fall. She worked for him there until the spring of 1974. She married Mike Dyer Dec. 30, 1974. They went to school in Moscow from 1974-78. David was bom in Moscow, Dec. 16, 1976. Shannon was bom Nov. 20, 1978. In 1979, Mike and Diane moved to Ashton. In 1980, they moved to Rexburg and Mike worked on the police force. In 1981, they moved to Sugar City and Richard was bom on June 26 1981.
On May 19, 1973, Earl and I took a 6-week trip to Europe. Diane took us to Rexburg to go by bus to Calgary. The group we went with took a plane to Israel from Canada and we flew to London. We met Chuck and Audrey Pflug. We stayed in London a week, and then went by ship to Holland. We had a Eurorai pass so we could ride on any railroad in Europe. We were in Holland, France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Norway, and Sweden. I have some details of our travels in a black record book.
In 1974, Earl and I went with a group of 25 people to Alaska. We were gone for 16 days. There were 17 from Ashton. These are the people on the trip: Joe and Andy Klamt, Bill and Ruth Fowler, Verla Reimann, Goldie Zitting, Owen and Lucille Gmbe, Ferrel and Peggy Nelson, Merle and Fem Harshbarger, Herman and lla Marotz, Max and Virginia Marotz, Stan and Kate Loosli, Cleora Baker and Ken Howell, the tour guide. The driver of the bus, Eldon Stinner, his wife Lariel, and dau. Sue.
We celebrated our 37"' anniversary by taking a trip. We went to the World s Fair in Spokane, then tlew to Sitka, an old Russian Village. Earl went on a fishing trip and caught a large 16# halibut. We took 36 lbs. of halibut with us. We tlew to Anchorage, the largest city in Alaska. At the airport they cooked our fish and we had baked potato, roll, salad, and dessert. They only charged us $2.50 per plate. The bus met us in Anchorage. We went on the bus and saw a lot of country. We took our lunch in 2 orange crates because there were no restaurants. Tonight was the first night it got a little dark.
We went on the White Pass and Yukon Railroad. It was 126 miles long. At noon they stopped the train and we got off and were served family style. We had caribou stew, pie, and rolls. There were several tables in a room and when one room was filled, they opened another room. We got off the train at Skagway and the next day we got on a boat and went to Juneau. We went through southern Canada and home. We went to Seattle 850 miles, by air 1700 miles,
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by rail 125 miles, ferry 800 miles, and bus 3050 miles. A total of 6525 miles. We really saw a variety of beautiful country.
In March of 1983, Fred, Jennifer, Earl, and I went to Daytona Beach, Florida, to a Harley Davidson Rally. We visited the space center and went to Epcot Center. If anyone would like a special vacation, they should see the Epcot Center. The different countries have put special scenes there and General Motors and the large companies in the U.S. have spent a lot of money on many things there. Plants are growing in the air and prehistoric animals of life size are around you. There is a lot more to see there than you see at world fairs.
We were called home from this trip when Ralph died March 1 1, 1983. Ralph was in Idaho Falls Hospital when we left. Earl stopped to see him on our way to Salt Lake. Ray died June 17, 1983, of cancer.
In November of 1983, Earl, Doris Hossner, and I went to Palmyra, New York, to visit Rex and Bessie, who were on an LDS mission there. We flew to Rochester and they met us there. They were living in the Martin Harris house and we stayed with them. They were the ones to
tell the history to the visitors of Joseph Smith's home. Hill Camorah, and the Granada building where the press was to print the Book of Mormon. Then we rented a car and drove some in Pennsylvania. We had Thanksgiving Dinner at an Amish cafe. We had a motel in that area and you could hear the horses clumping along pulling the carriages and at night, there was a lantern on the back. We drove to Niagra Falls. It was decorated for Christmas, so it was extra pretty at night.
Earl had a heart attack about the 20"" of April, 1984. He was in the hospital about 5 V2 days and was home until May 26, 1984. He wasn't well but came to the table for all his meals. He was on the davenport during the day talking about the farming. Larry went to a ftineral in Idaho Falls for Chet Isaacs the day before Earl died and left Todd and Bryan to go over the ground after the fertilizer was sprayed on the ground. They couldn't start the tractor, so Earl had me drive him close to the shop and he went out and started the tractor.
That night he called Ronald and Neola and different friends. I think he must have known his time was about over. When he got up the next morning, he fell in the hall on his way to the bathroom. I called Larry and the quick response. Dr. Rocco Cifrese was at Lynn's and he came in just a few minutes and told us he was gone.
Yoland Hossner died March 6, 200 1 in her home in Ashton.
Yoland and Earl Hossner
By Yoland and Earl Hossner, submitted by Elizabeth Hossner
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J^ossner, Ralph and Ruth Merrick. Ralph Hossner was an early resident of Fremont County, arriving in Greentimber from Osceola, Nebraska, with his parents, Fred and Louella (Phillips) Hossner, in 1910. Ralph was then 8 years old, the oldest of 5 children. His brothers and sisters who also came to the Ashton area as children in 1910 were Ray, Goldie (Zitting), Earl, and Neola (Vik). Carol (Bessey), the youngest, was bom in Ashton. The family farmed 160 acres in Greentimber. Ralph married Ruth Merrick, of Famum, in 1928 and farmed in the Greentimber area until 1943 when they moved to their farm 1 mile west of Ashton. Ralph and Ruth had eleven children: George, bom in 1928, married Louene Brown of St. Anthony, was a lifelong tmck driver and resident of Ogden, Utah, and died in 1998; Nita bom in 1930, married Dennis Payne of Ashton, lived in Los Angeles and died in 1981; Keith, bom in 1931, was married to Pat Bader of Boise, is a retired civil engineer, lives in Salem, Oregon and Mesa, Arizona; Clyde, bom in 1932, is now married to Corrine Morehouse and is a retired aerospace worker living in Murrieta, Califomia; Dean Hossner, bom in 1934, married Carma Kirkham of Ashton, and is a retired banker living in Ashton; Lloyd, bom in 1936, married Yvonne Reese of Utah, and is a retired Texas A&M faculty member now dividing his time between College Station and Red Lodge, Montana; Lyle was bom in 1937, married Helen Isaacs of Ashton, and farmed and taught school in Ashton until his death in 1979; Beth (married to Helmi Habib of Egypt), bom in 1939, worked as a secretary in Ellensburg, Washington for many years and is now retired and traveling extensively; Veda, bom in 1941, married Tom Nass of Ogden, worked as a secretary at Weber State University and lives in Huntsville, Utah. Don; bom in 1943, married Heddy Von Dongen of Salt Lake, was a tmck driver in Utah for many years and is now retired and living in Salt Lake City; and Kim, bom in 1949, married Linda Timmons of Ashton, and retired from the faculty of Colorado State University in 2005 and lives in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Bv Kim Hossner
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Submitted
Nieea Jessen
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»9T£otchkiss, Sidney "Pete" and Marie "Mary" Katherina Reimann. Pete was bom 20 Jun 1907 in Bums, Hamey, Oregon, to Hull Luther and Edith Smith HOTCHKISS. He died 15 Jun 2001 in Twin Falls, Idaho. Pete married Mary 20 Sep 1930 in Bums, Oregon. She was bom 13 Oct 1905 in Greentimber, Idaho, to Gottfried and Katherine Kraemer REIMANN. She died 1 Mar 1998 in Twin Falls Idaho. They had the following children:
Harold Lee bom 30 Aug 1937 in Bums, Oregon. He married Beverly Jean Cockrell 23 Jul 1960 in Bums, Oregon. She died 1 Mar 1998 in Twin Falls, Idaho. She was cremated after her death. They have one boy and one girl: Michael has one son. Lori Michelle has three boys
Harold was educated at Oregon Technical Institute in Klammath Falls. They live in Lakeview, Oregon. He is a diesel mechanic and is the shop foreman for the Lake County Road Department. Ruth Ann bom 10 May 1940 in Bums, Oregon. She married Russell Dale Tumipseed 13 Jun 1965 in Filer, Idaho. "Ruthie" went to college here in Caldwell. Dale is a game warden for Idaho Fish and Game. They live in Jerome and have three boys: Garth is in the National Guard and studying to be an electrician. He has
been married and divorced. Russ works for wages in Jerome, Idaho. Steven is still playing around! He likes livestock. I, Sidney Hotchkiss, was bom south of town in the house where Mary and I lived later on. 1 used "P" as an initial because my dad said, "You look like a 'Peter' to me, so he called me 'Pete.'"
When I was little, I went to Lakeview with my mother and sister. Beryl. She went in the horse and buggy, and it was 130 miles. I had a good mother and father. They were hard workers. They "told us" and we did it. Dad was the boss.
They didn't pay much attention to our birthdays but once in a while, we'd have cake. For Christmas we got clothes. We didn't get toys.... we did without them.
The house south of Bums where we lived had a stone cellar in the north end. My brother put in the water system and built the porch on the west side. I shared a room with my brothers.
We didn't play games with other kids until we went to school. The ranches were so far apart that we only got to visit other ranches once or twice in a summer.
My folks bought a house in Bums and sent us to school from it in the winter, then moved back out on the ranch in the spring. The first school I went to was a one-room house. When I was in the 4"' or 5"" grade, they built a new school and also had a high school. Then we had separate rooms. The old high school was a two story outfit.
Mary and Pete Hotchkiss
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I graduated in 1925. I was valedictorian of my class. I didn't feel that was much because there weren't many of us. 1 went to Links Business College in Boise that first winter. 1 ran out of money, so 1 had to go back home to work. 1 worked for two or three years in Paisley on a ranch called the Z.X. Land and Cattle Company. 1 wanted the bookkeeping job and stayed two years waiting for it but didn't get it, so I went back to Bums and worked in the grocery store for George Hewitt.
Then 1 met Her, and she has pretty much filled you in on the rest of it!W
By Pete Hotchkiss
WWhen I, Mary Katherine Reimann, was bom, there was a midwife present at my birth. I didn't talk before I was three years old because my mother told me I caught cold before I was bom.
Usually we had a cake when we had birthdays. The special thing that 1 remember about Christmas was that my dad lifted me up so I could light the candles on the Christmas tree. I used to get a doll for Christmas.
1 shared a room with my two older sisters. They slept in the double bed, and I slept on a trunk about 5' by 2 Vi. Because the school teacher had to stay with us, the boys slept in a tent outside.
Our house was a frame one but had rough, unpainted planks on it. There were 2"x6" studs across the bottom of the doors, so you had to step over them to go from room to room. It was the nicest house in the area. The Chittock place had a log house with mud between the logs and a sod roof on it. Most of the others were just logs too.
I was pretty much a 'loner' growing up because we were isolated. We would play with the William Kremin children, Anny and Amanda, and the boys were Otto, Henry, Willy and Eddy. I also played with Tilly Stegelmeier. We played Hide & Seek and Duck, Duck Goose- all the usual childhood games. We also went skiing in the moonlight in the winter time. Once we watched the older kids playing horseshoes and someone hit Danny in the head. He kept saying, "I'm all right, I'm all right!" but he reached up and touched his head and got blood all over his hand. He saw it and started crying and mnning for his mom.
I took care of the chickens and the mnt pigs. I taught the runt pigs to drink from a cup. When we were older, we would milk the cows. One would get on one side and one on the other, and it was much faster. Lydia used to cut dry branches, and the little ones took them to the house.
Our folks didn't mistreat us but saw that you did the work. My mother would always listen to what I had to say when I wanted to talk to her. We didn't have family vacations but had a picnic on the 4"' of July. One year we lost a horse as it tangled in the hamess and hung itself. Usually they had foot and horse races on the 4"' of July. One year Joe rode a bucking mule and didn't last!
On Easter we attended church in Squirrel. Usually we colored eggs and hid them. One lime 1 saw the 'colored drops' and my sister said, "The rabbits stopped."
One time my mother was making bread. My dad came into the house, and she told him she needed a bowl. He said to her, "Here is my hat," so she dumped the dough in his hat. He
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went to town, 12 miles, and brought her back a bowl.
I attended grade school at home, and Miss Phiffer was my favorite teacher. My favorite subjects were drawing and arithmetic. Because I could draw well, I used to put the maps on the blackboard, and one time I drew Santa Claus on there, too.
I attended high school in Ashton. I boarded with Dr. Meachum's family and worked for my board. 1 washed dishes, took care of the kids, and cleaned up after them. I slept upstairs on the floor. I only went three years to high school as I developed an ear infection in the third year and didn't finish.
I went to Boise with my sister, Anna, a year before she got married. It was 1924 and I was 18 going on 19. Fred and Henry had rented an apartment from a man named Henry Tucker. He told them to get us over there to Boise, so we went and he put us in his house. Our cousin, Sadie Reimann, cooked for us.
I worked in Boise in the laundry and went to business college at night. I worked in the office tallying, and it was just a winter job. I trained for Western Union and then got transferred to Bums, Oregon.
I was baptized and confirmed a Lutheran. All churches do things I don't agree with, so I don't attend church. I have my own religion.
I can't remember exactly how I met Pete in Bums. It's been 62 years ago. ..well, in fact, more than that. We chased around with another couple by the name of Goldy and George. We courted for about a year. We would go up into the hills with Goldy and George in the aftemoons. George tried to fish. Pete wanted to be married in June, but I held out until September.
We were married in Pete's mother and dad's home. Rev. Waterman, a Baptist preacher, performed the ceremony. Pete's sisters, Doris and Beryl, his mother, George and Goldie were at the wedding. There was no reception afterwards.
We were going to Crater Lake for our wedding trip but went to Lakeview instead. I was sure glad because Pete got a paper the next moming, and it said Crater Lake had two feet of snow during the night.
When we were first married, we rented a little house. Eventually the store where he was working sold out, and he was out of work.. I had quit my job at Westem Union because the boss said, "If you get married, I will fire you." So we skipped here and there living and working. Pete worked in the potato cellars. Once we were caught in two feet of snow in Ashton. Pete's occupation was really nothing. The depression hit, but we came through it pretty good.
Pete worked at the sawmill in Bums, and I cooked at the commissary. They had six to eight boarders. We never bought a home.
We ended up on the cattle ranch because Pete's folks had cattle and each of the boys inherited a place. Pete worked at the sawmill for ten years while we got the ranch started, and we bought more property.
To begin with, we bought one cow, milked her, sold the cream, and got enough to buy another cow and worked it up from there. 1 also raised chickens and sold eggs and chickens.
The house on the ranch south of Bums had square nails in it. Pete's folks had built an addition on after the kids started coming. We lived there for about 15-16 years and moved out in I960.
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Pete and I used to go fishing, but it is so crowded now that we don't go. We go camping with the Good Sam Club. We also go to the Sr. Citizens for dinner and meetings.
I am now legally blind. I have macular degeneration of the eyes. I can see articles the size of four inches.
By Mary Hotchkiss
Submitted bv Helen Re i man Marsden
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Jliemofue^ Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Van Sickle at Big Falls Inn in late '40's.
Submitted bv Bernetta Harris Hanson
Q^fitati J%laia: Howe, Jessie, told of the large threshing crews-sometimes 22 of them. Some stayed overnight, and the women were to cook three large meals for them.
424
(Zafito-tt ffamii^ Mb tabued
Jiov/ard (Fisk), Don Carlos and Annie Marie Matilda Johnson. "Carl" was bom at Pleasant Grove, Utah, 22 Oct 1855 to William Riley and Tirza Permilla Warner HOWARD (FISK). He married Annie 17 Apr 1888 in Mt. Pleasant, Utah. She was bom 27 Feb 1871 in Mt. Pleasant, Utah, to John Martin and Marie Matilda Omen Neilson JOHNSON. She died 5 Feb 1948. They had the following children:
Matilda Permellia bom 21 Feb 1889 in Wilford, Idaho.
Don Carlos Jr. bom 23 Aug 1890 in Chester, Idaho.
William Alfred bom 1 1 Jul 1892 in Chester, Idaho.
Lawrence Lavell born 1 8 Jun 1 894 in Chester, Idaho
Burgess Wamer bom 20 Mar 1896 in Chester, Idaho.
Annie Erlamond bom 5 Jan 1 898 in Chester, Idaho.
Audrey Estella bom 22 Oct 1899 in Chester, Idaho.
Laurel Clayton bom 27 Apr 1902 in Chester, Idaho.
Madge Marcella bom 25 Jul 1909 in Chester, Idaho.
Sarah Louise bom 4 May 1912 in Chester, Idaho. (See Egbert, Zera Newton.)
My older brother was bom 1 7 months before I was, and he was named for our father, William Riley. His birthday was the 14th of May, 1854.
I don't remember just how long we lived on Provo bench, but my brother and I used to herd cows on the bench. Sometimes the Indians would steal our lunch and we didn't have much... sometimes bread and butter, and sometimes bread and molasses. We would herd the cows along the lake edge and in the marshes.
Old Squash was the chief of the tribe, and they stole a nice span of Father's horses. A year later Old Squash came to our door. He asked for Father. Mother told him Father was away, so he sat on a chair and asked mother about the span of horses. She told him Old Squash took them. He said, "Where is Old Squash?" and Mother said, "He's sitting right there on that chair." Then he laughed and laughed, and he told her they had killed one of the horses for food that winter, and the other one was stolen from them by the Snake Indians.
We moved to North Ogden, and I remember having my thirteenth birthday there. I also remember while at North Ogden that Grandfather Fisk came west looking for Father. (Before Grandmother Minerva (Sagers) came west, she was married a second time to a man by the name of Daniel C. Howard, so she gave her little boy (from her marriage to Ira Fisk) his name. He kept the name of Howard, but his real father was Ira Fisk. Also, before Minerva came west she had divorced Howard and was married again to Ralph Rose, (another story found the The Fruits and Roots of Thomas Wesley Richards and Hannah Eliza Bird.) and they were the parents of Adelaide Rose who married Thomas Richards whowas our neighbor just up the road in Twin Groves. This line follows the Adamic line through English Royalty. Kathy Newcomb)
Grandfather Fisk married again in the east and had six children by his second wife, and I feel his wife had died before he came west looking for Father. He lived with us for quite some time. I don't remember how long, but he said he wanted to go back east to see his family. He had a sister living in Salt Lake City, so he and Father started to go to Salt Lake. Father tried to persuade Grandfather to stay with him and not go east. As they were going on their joumey they stopped for lunch. They ate and as they were talking of the trip. Grandfather said, "Yes, life is so uncertain." He had his hands on his cane, he dropped his head on his hands, then he straightened up, leaned back, and was gone. Father took him to Hall Egbert's house. He stayed there all night
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and then took him to Salt Lake. He was buried in the old Salt Lake Cemetery.
I started going to school in North Ogden. Aunt Hulda was my teacher. She was very good to me. I couldn't go very much because we were so poor.. .we didn't have money to pay for school slates, books, etc.
We moved from North Ogden to Hooper, Utah and I attended Joe Meservis School. One day 1 was studying my lesson, and Mr. Meservis came along and hit me on the head and said, "You get busy and study." This made me feel bad because 1 was already studying.
In 1884, we left Hooper intending to go to Arizona. We got as far as Mt. Pleasant, and I took very sick with rheumatism. We had a band of horses, so we pitched our tents and made camp east of Mt. Pleasant in the foothills. I was very sick, so they moved me from our camp over to Orin Clark's place. Later we moved into town, and we had quite a bit of sickness. My brother, Ira, had typhoid fever.
It seemed we were supposed to stay there, for my sister Rozetta found her husband there. She married Perry Carter, son of John Carter and Janet Mc Arthur, step-son of Bishop Seeley. In 1888, April 17th, I married my wife, Annie Marie Matilda Johnson, daughter of John Martin Johnson and Marie Matilda Omen.
We formed a company to move to Idaho and left Mount Pleasant on the 19th of April, 1 888. In our group were the following: my father, William Riley Howard Fisk, my mother, Tirza Permilla Warner, my brother, Ira Arlando and his wife Sylvia McArthur, my sister Rozetta and her husband Perry Carter, and my younger brothers John and Joe, and my baby sister, Lura.
We made our first camp at Thistle. It is now known as Indianola. We went to Springville next, and we stayed with Melvin Dalton. Mother and Father stayed with the Gene Dalton's, and Perry and Zetta stayed with some of the other Dalton boys. We had several cousins living there at the time. My mother's two sisters, Mary and Elinora Warner, had married two Dalton brothers, Simon and Charles Dalton, so we visited all of these cousins for a couple of days and then traveled on to Hooper, Utah, and stayed a week with my sister, Manda Schofield and Det Cox. Then we started on our long journey in our wagons for Idaho to find us homes. There were no roads. ..only wagon trails and no bridges over the rivers, so the going was pretty rough at times. We arrived at Wilford, Idaho, about 3:30 in the afternoon of May 22, 1888.
My brother Riley's wife was teaching school at Wilford, so she dismissed school and took us all to her home.
Riley, George, Bill Davis, and other men had gone to Fall River to work on the Wilford Canal. This was to bring water onto the Wilford Flat. This was the last town in Eastern Idaho at the time. There weren't any canals taken out at that time, only one little canal for Parker and Egin.
Aunt Jane had a woodchuck cooked for dinner, and it tasted like chicken. The next day was Saturday, so Ira, Perry, and myself went to see Rile where he was working and to see the canal and the country ourselves.
Thursday, the 27th day of May, we pulled our wagons up to Fall River and camped by Sam Barrett's cabin on the river. Sam had started to hold some land here. It was just squatter's rights as the land had not been surveyed as yet.
We camped at this beautiful spot all summer and above us on the river was another beautiful spot, the Hank White Place or the Miller Place.
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There were lots of fish in the river and they were easy to catch, so we had lots of good trout dinners.
The next day after we made camp, we went to Tom Brown's place. He was an old chum of mine. He and his brother, Joseph, had moved up that same spring from Teton, and their brother-in-law, Joseph Curr, had wintered on Fall River the winter before... the only family in the area.
Tom and I traded horses. He got a milk cow, a balky horse, and 27 bushels of wheat for my horse. But he was a good horse. Cows were cheap, about $12 or $15 a head then, so we had plenty of milk, bread, and fish, and Pa traded for a cow soon after that that gave them all the milk they needed.
Not long after we arrived, a company started to build the big canal just four miles east of St. Anthony where the steel bridge is now. Ira and I got work on the canal, so we moved down the river to be closer to our work. Perry Carter and his wife were also with us. This canal was the third one taken out of the river. We worked nearly all summer. Then in October, Ira and I got into the timber to get logs out for a house. We had located land here on Fall River and had to get a house to move into the next spring as we intended to start farming.
Father, Perry, and I took three quarter sections running in line east and west, about 2 Vi miles south of Fall River and the Wilford Canal running all three places.
We lived in Wilford that winter and in 1889. We moved to our land and we watered what little com and grain we had, and we felt rich that fall when we threshed.
Father and Mother, and Joe and Lura went back to Hooper for the winter, and John stayed in Wilford with us to go to school.
Our first child, Matilda Parmilia, was bom at Wilford Feb 21, 1889, and we moved to our homestead on the first day of April... into a little one-room log cabin. We only had six small lights, so we had to put boards over the rest of the window until we could get more lights, but we felt like we were in a palace.
And we were very happy. We had terrible winters. We had so much snow, we had to shovel our horses and cattle out of the stables, and we had to haul water from the Fall River. We would drive our cattle and horses to the river to drink and sometimes the blizzards were so bad, we couldn't take them. We did this for several winters until we got our wells dug. The snow was so deep everyone carried shovels wherever we went. Whenever we met someone on the road, we would tum out and then have to shovel ourselves back onto the road.
Many times I would have sold out for a little or nothing just to get out of the snow, but my wife, or "Mama," didn't want to as we had no place in particular to go and she said we were raising a family of little ones. She didn't want to mn around and depend on other people for our bread and butter, the children wouldn't have a chance for schooling, so here we are yet at the same old homestead, and we have been here for 40 years next spring.
All of our children are married but Madge and Louise. Erlamond, Audrey, and Lavell are living in Califomia. Signed - Don Carlos Howard
Supplement to my Grandfather's History by Vera Winters Barrett:
I, Vera Winters Barrett, feel that 1 should add a few notes to my grandfather's history that he left out, but may shed light on the good times and the bad times that they had - and to show how they were tmly pioneers. They were sturdy and stalwart people who stmggled through many hardships, but 1 have heard my grandmother (Annie) say many times how happy
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they were and as I think back on my childhood, I can recall many happy times, and so many were at my grandma's and grandpa's.
I am their oldest grandchild, so I can remember many wonderful good times. We got enjoyment out of such simple things in those days— like going to Pincock Hot Springs, which was a "must" at least once a year. May-Day and the 4th of July were days we looked forward to. Also the 17th of March, Thanksgiving, and Christmas were very special.
Birthday parties were celebrated very often, and these were in the form of a surprise party so that the honored guest was sent someplace on his or her birthday and when they came home all their neighbors and friends would be hidden someplace and really give them a scare when they yelled "Surprise!"
Grandma was one of the ring-leaders in thinking up something to do. She had a birthday party for Grandpa one time that lasted three days and nights before all of the guests went home. Friends and relatives came from miles around, and they numbered close to 100! They came in wagons, brought their children, and everyone had to be fed and put to bed at night. I can just imagine beds in the wagon boxes of new-mown hay. Grandmother roasted two whole pigs, and all the women helped fry dozens of chickens. All kinds of wonderful pies and cakes. Can't you just imagine the baked beans and rice pudding? They all had so much fun playing, eating, and dancing. Grand-grandfather Riley played the fiddle, and they danced in the yard. Just try to imagine a life without roads, telephones, and no mail delivery. When they wanted to get a message to someone, it had to be delivered in person or sent by a messenger who walked or rode a horse to the place the message went. So I imagine Grandma was months getting her invitations to everyone who came to Grandpa's party.
There were no doctors, no medicine, no dentists, and I asked Grandma what they did for sick people and she said, "We used the Priesthood and depended on the Lord for our blessings." And He blessed them, or they would never had made it through some of their troubles. Grandmother said they prayed a lot.
I can remember going to the 17th of March celebration, and the children were allowed to come all day. The grown-ups really put themselves out to entertain us, and I can see the wonderful food on the tables and benches. We ate at noon, then again in the evening. Then they would take the children home and tuck them in bed. They would do their chores, milk cows, etc., then the grown-ups would all return to the dance-hall for a hoe-down. They would dance far into the night, eat some more, and then talk about their wonderful party for weeks afterwards.
When Yellowstone Park was made a park, and the soldiers were put there to watch over it. Grandpa ran a freight line into the part to take fresh food such as butter, eggs, cheese, honey and truck garden stuff to sell to the soldiers for supplies. He didn't get much cash, but he would trade for dried fruit such as raisins, apples, apricots, prunes, etc., and he would have a good supply of this kind of food on hand for the winter. Grandma used to treat us children when we would go there swimming with hands full of raisins or dried fruits, and we really looked forward to this as our candy treats were few and far between. Homemade ice cream was our big treat. Grandpa cut ice from the river in the winter and packed it away in sawdust so we could freeze ice cream in the summer. Another great treat I remember at Grandma's and Grandpa's was to be turned loose in one berry patch or another. By the time I was a teenager. Grandma had all kinds of berry patches. ..raspberries, strawberries, gooseberries, currants (both white and red), and we used to help Grandma pick the berries. When we had finished them, we could eat all we wanted
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to. I used to love to pick berries. Grandma would tell us stories to make the time go fast, and then we would all go swimming in the old swimming hole. We were all good swimmers, but Grandma would put on a pair of Grandpa's old overalls and go in with us so that no accidents happened.
My grandfather loved children, and I knew he loved me. He spoiled me so much I didn't care whether I went home or not. I liked to stay at their house, and as long as grandma and Grandpa lived, their home was a meeting place of all their relatives. They always made you welcome and always invited you back. I'm sure wherever they are, they still gather people about them and talk of their experiences in earth-life, and I hope that when I leave this earth, I won't live far from them. They had a great influence on my life and I never reached an age when I didn't enjoy being with them.77 Signed: Vera Winters Barrett
S?S?My mother's right name is Neilson. She was bom in Stockholm in Sweden. When she was a year old, her parents moved over to Denmark where her youngest brother, Alfred Tobison Omen, was bom at Bamhalm. The people called them Owen because they lived on a little land called Owlan, but their right name was Neilson. My father was bom in Oster Risor, Norway. They all joined the LDS Church in the old country and came to America. My father first came with his parents, and part of his brothers and sisters came first. Then father went back to the eastem states for immigrants, and he walked back two trips. It happened he hauled Grandpa Omen's family. Grandma Omen was sick and had to ride all the way. Mother was a young girl about sixteen years old and had to walk most all the way as they had to haul a little freight. What they could. ..food, bedding, and some clothes to change off in riding. They couldn't travel very fast, only about twelve miles a day with the oxen because they had to let them have time to eat and watch them while they ate so the Indians couldn't steal them. So many of the immigrants walked a lot. My parents and my father's mother's parents settled in Mt. Pleasant, Utah.
I loved my parents and always wanted to be with my mother, but it seemed like I always had to be away from her so much. As a little tot about 4 Vi years old, I had to stay with Father's cousin, who had lost her husband, and she always went to bed before sunset or dark. I never saw a candle or lamplight in her house and she had no fireplace. I used to lie and cry and wish I could stay home with Mother. I guess my legs hurt, and I used to kick. She woke me up many times slapping my legs. Then when I was five years old, I had to go and stay with a Mrs. Oley Hanson to take care of her baby boy. He couldn't walk, and she made me try to teach him to walk, and I would put my hands under his arms and walk him til I got so tired I couldn't do it any longer. Then 1 had to carry him around, and he seemed nearly as big as me, and she wouldn't let me go to bed till she went and when the baby went to sleep. She would make me sew rags to keep me awake. She was a dressmaker and would sew at nights. I was so scared. It sounded like someone was outside the window. She would jump up and swear and mn outdoors swearing. I think it must have been someone teasing her. She had such a mean temper. But Sister Dora Kimball told me she stayed there awhile, and she thought that place was haunted. She said there were such queer noises, and Mrs. Hanson carried on so bad, but I just think someone was teasing her. No one liked her. I never told Mother. She wouldn't have let me stay. I don't know how long I stayed there but when I was six years old, we moved six blocks
farther east, just east of town, and then I didn't have to stay at any of those places. Annie 's
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journal told about how she had to stay with many people to help them with house work. She hated being away from her mother. Then I Mar 1882, when she was II, her mother died and she didn 't make it home in time to say good-bye. She continued to work out for different people and eventually went to Salt Lake City and worked until she got a telegram from home that her sister, Delaney was sick
"Well, I was going back to Salt Lake to work, and I had loaned Alvin the money I had for my car fare, so I had to wait a week or two until he got it, and the Howard folks were going to Idaho. They were after me to ride with them as far as Salt Lake, but I didn't want to do that. I would have been gone long before if I had got my money, but it seemed like it just had to be as it was. Carl came home to Mt. Pleasant from Hooper, and that's who they were waiting for. As soon as he came home, Zett and Perry and Sylvia and Ira kept coming over to Brother Alvin's. I was staying there and Carl came every night. I didn't pay any attention to that, as there were so many friends, boys and girls, coming all the time. But he would stay after the others left, and sometimes he would come alone in the daytime. He wanted me to marry him and come to Idaho with him to start a life together. Well, I couldn't see it just that way but as he explained, it would cost him more to come down the next fall to get me than all I could make.
"So they got married and started for Idaho. They borrowed $5.00 at Ogden to travel and had to buy hay on the road for some of the horses. The roads weren't very good. Grandpa Howard had a band of horses, and he had a stable horse and a jack they had to feed all the time. And at noon we had to feed the horses that pulled the wagons. After they got to Pocatello, the road was awful heavy. The sand was so deep and heavy, we couldn't travel very far in a day, and then we had to go to Market Lake to go across the ferry boat. There were no bridges at that time. There was an old bridge over the big South Snake River, but it was condemned. So when we got to Market Lake, the men said, 'We will drive the band of horses into the river and make them swim.'
"Well, we camped there the 20"' of May, 1888. In the morning when we got ready to start, they drove the band of horses into the river and they swam more than halfway across when they struck a sand bar. The water looked so blue and deep and ran so slow, 1 guess all the high water and sand had formed that sand bar. When they struck that bar the horses put their noses in the air and snorted, stood there a little while, and came right back. Then they said we will have to tie the bell mare behind one of the wagons, and someone stand and ring the bell. All the horses followed the bell. So they tied her behind the wagon. Carl was in the wagon, and I stood beside it on the ferry boat. Perry had his main horse making him swim. He was so mean to break and run. They got all the horses together. He would run and all the horses would follow him, and that horse could swim faster than the boat could go. He tried to get on the boat. I thought he was going to break the cable, but he didn't. Perry stood ringing the bell, and when we got about halfway across, they drove the band of horses into the river again, and they came across that time.
"We traveled up to the river near Lorenzo and camped that night. May 21" we had to ford the river. There was no bridge there. Next morning we got a pretty good start and came through Rcxburg about 1 1 :00, and there was only a few dirt-roofed houses. Brother Henery Flam had a little cabin for a store across from where the Rexburg Courthouse now stands, a low wide door like we used to make our stable doors with a big Z of rough boards to hold it together. What a help he was to the country. He had the goods. There were no trains. They had to haul
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all their goods from Eagle Rock. This whole country was very new and wild, but with all its little old dirt-roofed houses you could see in "God's handiwork" a chance for homes and a living even if it was in a crude and simple way. The people were more united and willing to help one another. And people were happier and more contented than they are today. Well, we didn't stay for lunch, as the horses were too much bother. So we went right on through to Wilford, and we
got there about 3:00 Friday afternoon. May 22,1888
The men looked the country over and marked out the homesteads. Carl took the
1 60 acres where the Chester townsite is, and he gave the land where the schoolhouse is at Chester. Perry took the 160 acres Noah Williams bought where Trever Williams lives now (1947), Grandpa Howard took the quarter where the Chester meeting house is. He donated that ground for that purpose. There was only one family lived upon (can't read Fallmes? Fall River?) as it was called then. Now it is Chester. There were no meeting house, so we held meetings down on the Fall River by Tom Brown's house. Tom Brown, Joe Brown, and John and Listra Hathaway all came up there from Teton that spring before we got there, so we held the meetings over there. And we only had a bowery with a few rough boards for benches, and we had a few little old-fashioned hymn books, but we knew all the tunes, and we certainly enjoyed our meetings. Everyone had the spirit of worship and thankfulness for the privilege of meeting
together. We were all depending on the Lord for his help to get us established
"Tilda was bom and the next day the ice went out of the Teton River, and they said that was the sign of spring. And so it was. The snow was soon gone. We didn't have much snow that winter. There was a warm snow the morning Baby came. Big flakes. I soon got out of bed and done all my washing before she was two weeks old. The snow water was running all over. I could hardly pick my way to the clothesline. In two weeks, we went up to Ira's place and Ira and Carl went to Chester to finish our house, and I stayed with Sylvia. Then we moved into our little log cabin with a dirt roof and rough, wide boards for the floor. But I soon scrubbed the rough boards smooth. I would use sand and I made lye water out of the wood ashes, and that made the floors so white and clean. I didn't have much furniture. I only had a bed, three chairs, and one rocking chair, one trunk, and a little stove. My table was made of rough lumber. Carl made it with a saw, ax, and a hammer. He tapered the legs down with the ax and he done a good job. I don't know how many young married couples had that as their first table, and 1 think it is good yet somewhere. He didn't spare the nails. It looked pretty good with a nice oilcloth. Then we got a big wooden box, and I had Carl make a couple of shelves in it, and that held all our clothes. I had lots of nice (tidies/doilies?) and pillow shams. I made a nice curtain around the box and a nice covering on top, and I had a little (teda?) on the back of all the chairs, and when I got my white bedspread and my shams it looked pretty good. The shams were about 3/4 of a yard square, fancy work over the top with ruffles all around. We put two big straw pillows at the head of the bed after the spread was on and then the nice shams over them. They looked real nice. 1 liked them better than the way they make the beds now. They cover up all the pretty lace on the pillowcases. Well, we were just as proud of that little log house as we could be of a mansion
now '\this is only a portion of her Journal hut covers life as it was then.
Taken from Annie Marie Mitilda Johnson Howard personal history at age 76.
Submitted by Brent Egbert.
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B-Jessie and Randall F-Margaret, Randall, Jr., and Marilyn HOWE
3io\\Q, Randall C and Jessie V. Clouse.
Jessie Clause was bom in a sod house 18 Nov 1901, the daughter of David R. And Clara Lahm CLOUSE of Sumner, Nebraska. In 1908 she came with her parents to live on the Anderson farm in Squirrell, Idaho. She had three brothers:
1. Arthur (Bud) Clouse, married to Mae Harrigfeld. They farmed in the Squirrel area and then moved to Ashton. Bud was the dealer for International Harvester and was located next to Ott's Place in Ashton. He died in 1970.
2. Charles Clouse died in 1937 in Idaho Falls, Idaho and is buried in the Rose Hill Cemetery.
3. Melvin (Mel) Clouse was married to Phyllis McArdle. Mel worked for the Consolidated Vultee Aircraft (Convair) Company in San Diego and Fort Worth. He filled various positions in aviation from 1938 to 1975, such as Flight Engineer, Field Service Engineer and investigator of flight crashes in different parts of the world. He retired from the company after 32 years of service. He currently resided in San Diego, California..
Jessie's father, David Clouse, was foreman on the Mai Anderson ranch (Aspen Acres now) and also worked as a carpenter building homes and bams in the area.
Jessie graduated from Nickolas Senn Hospital (Omaha, Nebraska) in 1923 with an R.N. diploma. Through the years she worked as a part-time nurse for Dr. Kmeger and others.
Randall Howe was bom in Hampton, Iowa 1 1 May 1981. He and his father, Frank Howe, worked as contractors in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming and were in Ashton building several buildings. In 1924 he married Jessie Clouse. They went into the Howe Lumber Company, serving the community well for some 40 years. Jessie worked in the store for many years helping out during her husband's time of illness.
Randall passed away in 1973 and Jessie in 1997 both being buried in the Pineview Cemetery in Ashton, Idaho.
They had the following children: Randall Jr, bom 25 Jan 1925 in Ashton, Idaho, worked at the Shore Lodge in McCall, Idaho
before he moved to Littleton, Colorado. While living in Littleton, he won the "Volunteer
of the Year Award." Randall died on April 3, 1999 in Littleton. Marilyn bom 17 Jun 1935 in Salt Lake City, Utah, eamed an R.N. diploma from Holy Cross
Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah, a B.S. Degree from the University of Utah, and a M.S.
Degree from the University of Califomia, San Francisco. She worked in many
administrative and educational positions in nursing and was selected for the American
Academy of Nursing and Sigma Thcta Tau (nursing honor society). She worked for the
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dafitan S-amlt^ SiUtaued
State of Wisconsin in the Medicaid program and resides in Monona, Wisconsin. Margaret bom 13 Jun 1937 in Salt Lake City, Utah, earned a B.A. from the University of Utah, a M.A. from Northwestern University and taught math in Utah and North Fremont High School. She belongs to Pi Mu Epsilon (National Mathematics Honorary) and won the Mathematics Teacher of the year given by the Intermountain section of the Mathematics Association of America. She retired in 2003 and resides in Ashton, Idaho.
By Margaret Howe
Jtema^e^: Nichols, A.C. Remembers: Several early families had a liking for bear meat and the hunt was not before October 15"". Prior to that time, the meat was stringy. "They had bear fat that was deep and white. They were fat as pigs." Ray Nichols and John Collier, who married Minnie Lee, would hunt together. "My mother made pie crust from bear fat. It made fine lard. Grizzlies - no good to eat!"
"Fords or 'river crossings.' I think one was called Busbee Ford. It was above the steel bridge at Chester. Then, also, there was one by St. Anthony. The Cox family lived close by one. Can't remember what it was called."
Speaking of the freighting from Ashton to Moran, Wyoming: "There were four road houses from here to Moran. One by Mr. Boad? Johnston, the next one was a Maurice Fitz. He got shot - a little mystery attached to that - (an infernal triangle). Meals were 25 cents. The third one at Flag Ranch. Ed and Ben Sheffield had this one and also charged to cross their log bridge. Then there was the Milligan Road House, now covered with the Jackson Lake."
What were some of the messages you might hear from the freighters? "Tell so and so we need 3 snap teams to pull second wagons through the Ford." After first wagons, the ground would get soggy and more teams were needed to assist other teams through the mire.
From a person in lead. "We have killed an elk. It is hanging at such and such a place." Later travelers could cut steaks for food (during cold weather).
Mr. Nichols told Marva Rich that when he was a boy on his father's ranch at Greentimber on the north side of Fall River, his father told him if he ever left the yard to wander around the area, he was to take two dogs. These dogs were for animal taming and were sometimes better than a gun.
He said his family all left the ranch one time for town and while they were gone, a grizzly bear attacked and killed their sows and little pigs. Several of the small pigs were hanging in a tree close to the pens. Those bears, with claws always out, tear the flesh.
Mr. Nichols said he was horse riding with Shirley Reynolds one time when their horses stopped still and snorted. They went a few steps more and stopped again. They had a suspicion the horses sensed a grizzly. They saw what looked like a dried up pothole in the tall grass, but "we scared up 3 big females and several cubs. You could tell what kind of bear, grizzly or black, had gone through the grass. Where the grizzly has gone it looks like a gush of water had run over it."
He also said a grizzly had killed 37 of their sheep. Mr. Dewey (a shell-shocked bachelor who was their herder) shot the charging bear with 535 Remington auto-loader gun just a few feet from himself, and Mr. Nichol's brother, Joe.
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Dallas and Elsie Howell
Lowell, Dallas "Hoover" and Elsie Ruth Atchley. Dallas
was bom 16 Aug 1920 at Wann River, Idaho, the son of
David Taylor and Zina Iowa Gunter HOWELL. He
married Elsie 25 July 1945 in Dillon, Montana. She was
bom 31 May 1915 in Greentimber, Idaho, the daughter of
John Preston and Laurel Emily Johnston ATCHLEY. They
had one child, Thomas Lynn, bom 9 Jul 1953 in Ashton,
Idaho.
Dallas was the 8'"' child of David and Zina Howell.
He grew up in Warm River where he attended elementary
school in the old stone school house over the hill on the
Reimann place. In the winter, he and his brothers could
easily ski to school in the moming and tmdge back up the
hill at the end of the day.
Hoover built a wooden tepee on the side hill in the
cow pasture when he was a boy, not knowing how much joy this tepee would bring to the next
generations of children, Ema, Bill, Judy, and later to Tom and his friends and cousins.
He received his nickname "Hoover" during President Herbert Hoover's administration. Dallas's chore was to feed the pigs. Because times were tough, even the hog slop was in short supply. So they kidded him about "Hooverizing" the hogs.
To attend high school, he and his brother, Ed, rented an apartment at the "flats" during the winter. They graduated from North Fremont High School in 1941 . During WWII while Ed, Joe, and Mope were in the service, he. Pop, and Bud worked on the family farm. One winter he left with Vic Marotz and Dan Hess to build Liberty Ships and Baby Aircraft Carriers at the Kaiser shipyards in Vancouver, Washington. This was one of his fondest memories. Another winter during the war, he went and worked for Union Pacific in Pocatello "icing" refrigerator cars as they came in. Hoover had taken three medical exams for enlistment in the military but was rejected. For all his years, he denied that his eyes were the reason but always wondered about a heart murmur.
At the age of 25, he married Elsie Atchley George on July 25, 1945 in Dillon, Montana. Elsie had been widowed since 1941 and had three small children, Johnnie, Judy, and Bill. Hoover never treated these children as anything but his own. The children became
Bill and Cherie George
part of a larger family of aunts, uncles, and a new grandmother.
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Ci^fitatt 3'ainiiif 3il6to^ue6
Don and Judy Jesperson
For a couple of years, Hoover and Elsie lived in
the house that Elsie had in Ashton in the winters, and
then they moved to the old Fransen-Hudson house,
which was a half mile north of their current home. They
built their home by the grove of quaking aspen trees
starting in 1951, with the help of his brother Bud and
Lavar Cherry.
When Mope, Joe, and Ed came home from the
service, the boys set to full scale farming. The years
following the war were good farming years as the U.S.
was feeding the world. This allowed an opportune time
for the boys to purchase more farms and ranches. Ed
split off later on, taking the Davis place north of the
river. Farming was done with cats but soon switched to
wheeled tractors, such as a DC Case, 401 Case, 2-4010
John Deers, and a 1070 Case. The family usually ran
about 120 head of Herford cows and 15 dairy cows.
1967 proved to be a bad year with the passing of their mother and the untimely death of
their brother. Mope, in a car accident. Things would never be the same. The brothers stayed
together until 1971. Now that Dick and Tom were out of high school, the three brothers split the
operation, going their separate ways. Pop, being the cattleman, took the Airhart Ranch and
continued on with cattle and farming. Joe and Hoover took mostly farm ground and continued to
grow potatoes and grain.
Hoover and Tom built the now existing building by Hoover's home consisting of three potato storages, a shop, and a machine shed. They stayed in cattle with the 35 head that they had received out of Howell Brothers until 1976, when the market finally made it unbearable to stay in. They had rented pasture from Ed and Jack Marotz.
They built a seed potato business with potato acreage reaching a peak of about 500 acres in 1972. Malting barley acreage peaked at around 1400 acres. They rented as many as a dozen different farms. Family life was entertaining immediate and extended family members. "Stormy" was a Shetland horse that became granddaughter Heather's first horse. And the other grandkids, Kim, Tami, Eric, and Holly would enjoy coming up and riding in the tractors and riding the early snowmobiles, a 1970 Rupp that Hoover had purchased from Doyle Egbert and a '74 Sno-Jet. Elsie and Hoover would take extended road trips sometimes taking the grandkids.
Jason, Carla, and Tom Howell
435
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Hoover's hobbies were restoring wooden antique furniture and collecting Indian artifacts.
Hoover was always building metal projects for the farm. Hoover enjoyed associations with neighbors by being a member of Potato Growers of Idaho, Ashton Seed Growers Association, the Greentimber Good Fellowship Club, and Zion's Lutheran Church.
Hoover and Elsie were able, in the last 1 5 years, to travel to Europe, Russia, Mexico, and the Caribbean with many of their friends. Judy accompanied them on one of their big trips to Europe.
Mitch and Kimberley Hawks, Joel and Tami Nelson
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Digging potatoes
Ready to start picking
Tom had attended Ricks College and was married to Karla Miller in 1976. A grandson, Jason Thomas, was bom in 1981.
Dallas died on a Friday, August 26, 1994. He was on Mary Nay's property near the old Marotz home place when his grain harvester caught tire by the engine. In a frantic effort to put out the fire, he suffered a fatal heart attack.
Bv June Howell McCord.
436
ddfitatt 3-ainiiy. Jihtaue^
.9^owell, David Taylor and Zina Iowa Gunter. David was bom on 9 Sep 1871. He was the fifth child of Jason Elihu and Jane Morehead Thomas HOWELL. He was bom in Dingledell, Idaho. The name has now been changed to Dingle.
" He came to Wami River country in 1900 and homesteaded.. He Jmr' ^ixei^ came into this country with his sister
r" I and her husband, Sarah and Lorin
i^i|| M^ f Walker. David worked hard to clear
the land of trees. He met a sweet young lady by the name of Zina Iowa Gunter. They were married 24 Dec 1908. The first summer or two, he drove stage coach in Yellowstone
National Park. They lived down on the river, and the railroad went right in front of the cabin. Zina spent most of the summer home alone. She said that she was scared to death most of the time because there were a lot of bums that walked the railroad, and she was afraid of them.
Zina Howell
David Howell
'They were finally able to build a new home up on the farm. David had put a Delco
B-Forest "Pop, Joseph "Joe", Dallas "Hoover", Edward "Ed", Russell "Mope" F-Rodney "Bert", Zina "mother", June, Lewis "Bud" HOWELL
437
d^fitatt ffamiEi/ Jihto^ie^
Bert, Pop, Joe, Hoover, Ed, Bud, and June HOWELL
Lighting System in the home, and it caused a fire in the home and burned it down. They moved an old log cabin that David had built when he first came to the country closer to the main road, then pulled up a granery and made it into a kitchen and bedroom for the boys.
"They started their family, but didn't have a good time with them, because they lost their first four children, David, Zina, Jason, and Daniel. Daniel lived to be about 1 1 months old when he died. They didn't give up and had eight more children. Bert, Forrest, Joseph, Dallas, Edward, Russell, Lewis, and June. When June was bom, she had a lot of blonde hair. David's sister said, "I wanted her to have dark hair." David said he wanted her to be just what she was. He only got to enjoy this baby daughter for seven years.
"The Owens family lived west of the Howells, and they became very good friends. Their daughter, Anne, wrote a short history of David and Zina. She said that David made everything fun. He was always telling us stories and making up songs. I remember best when we dug spuds. He had a song for each horse, and they abided his commands in the songs.
"David had a Model T ford and lots of times he took my sister Mary, and me with them on Sunday drives through the neighborhood and on steep hills, he had to back up the hills. There were eight in David's family and five in ours. We celebrated each holiday together. We didn't have gifts, but we had either fried chicken or chicken and noodles. On our birthdays, we always had cake and three gallons of ice cream. She said that Zina could fry chicken better than anyone she knew.
"My dad, David, Willis Hibbard, and Eli Kirkham went hunting every fall and some other times. Usually they got their meat and kept us well fed. One fall, when the huckleberries were on, we took a team and hay rack, went berryin', and stayed all night. There was my dad.
438
(Zafitait !^atni£^ Mhtauea
David, Joe, Pop, Mary and me. We were setting around the camp fire. Our fathers told some pretty scary tales. One of our fathers slipped away without us noticing it. Soon we heard growling and lots of movement in the brush, and here came what we thought was a bear up to the fire. We all screamed and ran into the tent. It was our dad dressed in a fur coat,
"Zina used to fry potatoes, have beet pickles, made fried eggs for all of us, and it tasted like royal food. One fall your folks and mine had quite a bit of grain to thrash and lots of men to feed, but no meat to feed them. A black bear came down in your dad's field, and he killed it. So we had some good meat to feed them.
"David and the older boys had a team of beautiful horses they called the white angels. They were full of spirit and tried to run away. David watched over all of us and was a good neighbor.
"David took sick in 1936 and had to be taken to the hospital in Idaho Falls. The family didn't have a car good enough to take him to the hospital, so their good neighbor. Otto Lenz, came and took him down. Zina and June stayed in Idaho Falls, and Otto would bring the boys down to see him. He lived about two weeks and died June 22. This left Zina with seven children at home. Bert was married, and he brought Eva home from the hospital with a new baby the night of David's funeral. Dave never got to see a grandchild. Zina had good boys, and they stayed on the farm and helped her raise the small children and made a good living for them. In 1943 the boys built a new home for their mother on the same foundation as the one that burned down. Zina said she really enjoyed her home, but it was the bathroom she enjoyed most of all.
"One Labor Day Zina and June were out picking chokecherries when all at once, Zina came around the tree and said, "Let's go home." When they got in the car and started home, she told June that she had met a bear face to face. The picking was good but not good enough to stay where there was a bear. Zina sent three sons to the armed service during WWII. This was very hard on her. She shed a lot of tears when they left, but she went on with life. Zina helped the boys that were at home by helping with the milking. June stayed in the home and fixed the meals. Prices were good during the war years, and the boys prospered. Zina made the statement that if anything happened to one of her boys in the service, none of the financial gain would be worth one of the boys lives. But she was blessed again. They came home safe and sound.
"As each of the boys married and started their families, each little one that came into her family was loved very much by their grandmother. Zina enjoyed traveling with her children. When there was only Mope and June at home, they took many nice trips together.
Howell Five Generation B-Christine Kole, Reed Howell F- Jessica Sharp w/Molly Sharp, and Eva Benson Howell Egbert.
439
Cidfitatt Jatniiy. Mbto-ue6
"Zina's health began to fail in the latter years, and the family was able to get Katie Hobbs to come live with her and Mope. But when Mope died from a car accident, we were able to get a smile on her face, but we always looked into the saddest set of eyes. Zina only lived about two months after his death. She died on the 7"' of September 1967 of a broken heart."
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The "Spud" cellar.
A field of sacked potatoes.
By June Howell McCord
440
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.^itowell, Edward Gunter and Rebecca Pauline Egbert.
Life sketch as read by June McCord, 1 Sep 1993:
Edward Gunter Howell was bom 6 Apr 1 922 at Warm River, Idaho, the eighth son of David Taylor and Zina Iowa Gunter Howell. He grew up on a farm in Warm River and attended grade school at the old block school house. During the winter, all of us kids would go to school either on skis or sleds. Ed was always such a good skier. Often times he would give me a thrill by allowing me to ride on the back of his skis. He graduated in the spring of 1936.
Ed attended high school in Ashton. He
was active in sports and earned three letters in
football. He was also the student body president
his junior year and captain of the football team
his senior year. Ed and his brother, Hoover,
wrote the senior class prophecy for the school
annual. The prophecy left everyone in stitches,
and it was remembered for a long time. Ed
graduated from high school in the spring of 1941. ^^ ,, ^
Howell Farm.
The Howell homestead was nearly an institution in Warm River. Neighbors all knew that if they needed help of any kind, they could
count on the Howell boys for assistance. Although
the house was small, Mother never knew how many
people would come out of the boys' bedroom every
morning. She always just planned on making a big
breakfast.
Our father died in June of 1936 of unknown causes, leaving Mother with six boys at home to run the family farm. Mother's boys rallied around her, and she was able to keep us all together to grow up as a family. They did their best and were successftil in their farming.
He entered the Armed Services in October of 1942 at the age of 20. He was assigned to basic training at Camp Campbell, Kentucky. He trained at different bases for two years before being sent to the South Pacific theater of war. He held the rank of r' Sergeant. Ed served 15 months over seas and 39 total months in the military. He arrived home on January 17, 1946, having an honorable discharge and a world of experiences to share with us.
After his time in the service, Ed attended
Ed Howell, Ila Nordquest, and Mitch Gunter
441
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college in Logan, Utah, during the 1947-1948 school year. After returning home in the spring of 1948, he met his eternal sweetheart, Rebecca Pauline Egbert, daughter of Hershel and Eva Egbert, at a dance in the Warm River Rendevous (a favorite social gathering place for our little community). The courtship lasted for 2 Vi years, and then they were married at Pauline's parent's home in Marysville on December 20, 1950. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple on May 13, 1954.
Ed and Pauline Howell
Dean Howell Family
loved, his fishing ponds. He enjoyed taking anyone fishing, but especially his family. His kids remember the fun they had tlshing with their dad and being thrown overboard. Doc recalls one time when they were tlshing at Snow Creek, falling into the water. Later, on the way home, he was sitting in the car sad with a long face when his dad turned around and said, "What's wrong. Doc?" Doc replied, "Daddy waffed and Dean waffed." Doc said that his dad always enjoyed telling this story on him.
Ed enjoyed seeing progress and accomplishing projects like establishing the Flying Circle "E" Subdivision. They lived on their farm for 23 years. They later sold it and built their present home on the subdivision where he lived until the time of his passing.
442
Pauline and Ed then set up house in Warm River. They later moved that house into Ashton. In August of 1958, they moved across the Snake River where they have stayed all these years. Ed and Pauline worked hard for many years on their new farm clearing land and building what he truly
Ike Howell Family
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Ed was a member of the LDS Church and held various callings including: T' counselor in the new Ashton 2"'^ Ward Bishopric, two stake missions, taught various classes, and was a faithful home teacher for many years. He held the office of High Priest. Ed loved to study, discuss, and
Todd Howell Family
argue about politics and world affairs. He was always reading a good book.
Ed attended real estate school in Salt Lake City where he became interested in Sub- division planning. He served for many years on the Fremont County Planning and Zoning Commission. He has worked for the past three years in the Older American Program for the Forest Service.
Ed loved his family and friends. He was always able to make friends easily. He enjoyed going to church and made each class a little brighter. He showed love, concern, and compassion for all people. He enjoyed being a "Chubby
Chuckler"
hubby and
had many
great times
with our
friends.
Ed
is survived
by his sweet
wife,
Pauline,
four sons. Dean and Dwight of Boise, Todd of Ashton
Monty Howell Family
Ann and Jim Kennard
443
(Z^fitati ^atnlh^ Mbta^ue^
Ed Howell Family
and Monty of Tacoma, Washington, and one daughter, Shelley of Boise, three daughters-in-law, 15 grandchildren, and his adopted son and daughter, Jim and Ann Kennard. Three brothers, Forrest and Dallas of Ashton, Lewis of Rexburg, and one sister, June McCord, of Ashton.
He is preceded in death by his parents, David and Zina Howell, six brothers and one sister.
He was a loving husband, father, brother, uncle and friend. He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends and neighbors.
Ed always spoke of his death as being his graduation from this life. On Sunday morning, August 29, at 4:00 a.m.. due to heart problems, he graduated from this life to a higher and nobler sphere.
May the Lord bless you in your new and holy calling.
Submitted by June Hon ell MeCorJ
Future llowcii Farmers
444
(Zdfitan §amii^ Mh tabued
Lowell, Forest and Louise Bertha Marotz. Forrest, or "Pop," was bom 8 May 1 9 1 6 in Warm River, Idaho, to David Taylor and Zina Iowa Gunter HOWELL. He married Louise Bertha Marotz on 19 Mar 1942, in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She was bom 28 May, the daughter of Max William and Emma Selma Zitkowski MAROTZ. They had the following children:
Anita Louise, bom 23 Feb 1945 in Rexburg, Idaho.
Richard Forrest, bom 26 Aug 1948 in St. Anthony, Idaho.
Pop was the 6"" child of David and Zina Howell. He lived at Warm River with parents and one brother, Bert. The first four children in the family had died as babies. He and Bert would go with their father to the field to plant crops. One day Mother said she heard them crying. They had been out in the field helping their father drill, and Pop had stuck his finger in the drill and cut it. Bert was holding his hand up in the air, and the blood was mnning down their arms. Mother cared for her boy and dried his tears.
Pop graduated from the 8"' grade at Warm River but due to the death of his father, he never went on to
Pop and Louise Howell
Dick, Louise, Pop, Ethan, Anita, Crystal Howell, and Chuck Brazier
Dick and Elena Howell
high school. He stayed on the family farm and helped to make a living for the rest of the family. He also worked some on the railroad. If any of the neighbors needed help for a few days, they would come down and get one of the Howell boys. In the winter, they would put ice up for Fred Lewis in his ice house for their summer use in their store. He was a very good hunter. In the late fall when hunting season was
445
dafitatt §amii^ Jihta^ue^
It takes five combines to get the grain in before the storm comes.
Ethan and Lisa Howell
open, they would set up tents on Snow Creek and hunt until they were able to get their meat.
One day when Ralph Hossner was hunting geese with Pop, a flock flew overhead. Pop said, "I can hit one with my rifle." He took one shot and sure enough, he had hit one.
Pop married Louise Marotz 19 Mar 1942, in Idaho Falls, Idaho. We knew that he was going to get married because he was out washing his car in the winter. They had two children. They built a home across the highway from the home place. As Pop's health began to fail, they bought a home in town. Then Dick and his family moved into the home. After years of not making it on the farm, Dick sold the home to David Wamke. David had put a new furnace in that was gas. It was in the basement. Fumes from the furnace rose to the pilot light and this
caused the home to blow up. It was in the early morning and one boy died in the explosion.
Pop and his five younger brothers farmed and ranched together. Pop was very good with cattle and enjoyed working with them. One day he was roping a calf from the fender of the car. When he caught the calf, it pulled him off and he was hurt quite bad. He went to Dr. Cifrese, and he patched him up and sent him home. When he went back to the doctor, he had healed so well that the doctor asked him what
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446
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Jennifer Howell
Forest, Dick, and Louise Howell
he had been putting on his sores. Pop told him he used Bag Balm. The doctor asked his
neighbor, Lynn Hossner, "What is Bag Balm?"
Pop was running for County Commissioner. He had a stroke that fall that left him unable to work any more. Louise kept him at home for several years until he got so bad that she had to put him in a home. He died Sep 12, 1999 at Ashton, Idaho.
He and Louise had two children; two grandchildren, Jennifer and Ethan; five step grandchildren, Kim, Hiede, Tiffany, and Crystal; and seven great grand children.
Enid Fay and Mary Kathryne SCOW
Submitted
by Kathryne
Nadine Scow
By June Howell McCord
447
.
Cdfitati family Jihtaued
«9^owell, Joseph Fielding and Sarah Immogene Young. Joseph was bom 1 6 Jul 1 9 1 8 at Wann River, Idaho to David Taylor and Zina Iowa Gunter HOWELL. He married Sarah 19 Aug 1949 at Lava Hot Springs, Idaho. She was born 23 Apr 1922 in Shelley, Idaho, the daughter of Howard William and Lucy Jane Thomas YOUNG. They had the following children:
Jo Anne bom 6 May 1950 in Ashton, Idaho.
Lucy Zina bom 22 Jun 1952 in Ashton, Idaho.
Baby about 1954 who died young.
Helen Marie bom 26 Feb 1957 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Linda Kay bom 5 Mar 1961 in Driggs, Idaho.
Michelle Jean bom 17 Feb 1968, in Ashton, Idaho.
Joseph was bom in the family home in Warm River, Idaho. Considering the first line of his personal history, ''Bom of goodly parents," he had a great deal of love and respect for his parents. He was the seventh child of a family of twelve, and third child of the eight living children, six brothers and one sister. Times were tough and money was short, but the family enjoyed each other and found great entertainment in playing together and
with neighbors.
Jean and Joe Howell
One year after his birth, the modem home, for the time that they lived in, bumed to the ground due to an electrical problem. The family then moved into a log building. Because of a growing family, they remodeled first by pulling in a shed, then a second remodel found a granary being attached for another bedroom.
Joe attended grade school at the Warm River School in the canyon north of their home. The most exciting part of school was skiing down to the schoolhouse in the winter. Practical jokes involving tacks and frogs also made his education fun. Joe started high school in Ashton but didn't stay long. He claimed that he stayed until he got too smart for his teachers and quit. Later he said that quitting school was one of the biggest mistakes that he made in his life. After quitting school, he went home to work on the family fann.
The Howell homestead was nearly an institution at Wami River. Neighbors all knew that if they needed help of any kind, they could count on the Howell boys for assistance. Although the house was small. Grandma never knew how many people would come out of the boys bedroom every morning. She always just planned on making a big breakfast.
Joseph and Sarah "Jean" Howell
448
Q^dtan f^amiiif Sihto^de^
Lucy Howell
His father died in June of 1936 of
unknown causes, leaving the six remaining boys
at home to run the family farm. They did their
best and were successful.
Joe continued to work on the farm until
he was drafted into the Army on October 2 1 ,
1941. He was one of only 17 taken from
Fremont County. His first stop was Fort
Douglas, Utah, then Camp Roberts, California.
He was given basic training in field artillery
until December 7, 1941, the bombing of Pearl
Harbor. At that point, he was transferred to
Camp Haan and placed in the Signal Corp.
Later he was stationed in San Francisco
watching for any aircraft coming in, friend or
foe. After spending 21 months in San Francisco, then a little more radar training in Fresno, he
was shipped overseas to later serve in Italy, France, and Germany. Joe states in his history that
he "was never sorry after seeing the horrors of war, that he had to go overseas" to keep the
enemy from coming here.
After being released from the Army, he returned home to work on the farm. The following winter, December of 1 947, Joe and Vic Marotz decided to take an extended trip to Old Mexico. After arriving in Mexico City on New Year's Eve, they decided to go to a bull fight on New Year's Day. One bull fight was enough for him. He could not believe the cruelty of the entire event. 10,000 miles later, they returned home on February 21, 1948. Of the many things that Joe did in his life, this trip was one of his favored memories.
The next August 17, 1949, he married his sweetheart, Sarah Immogene Young at Lava Hot Springs, Idaho. That following December 5, 1 949, they were sealed for time and all eternity in the Idaho Falls Temple. To this union five daughters were bom. Over the years, he and
Jean were blessed with seven grandchildren. Their children
and grandchildren could not have been blessed any more than
being bom into a family that loved them and cared for them as
much as Joe and Jean.
Each of their children have fond memories of their
father. JoAnn remembers when complaining about having to
do some job, her dad would tell her, "There are a lot of things
in life you will have to do that you don't like to do, so just get
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Michelle Howell
Joseph Howell
449
Q^fitatt fatnii^ Mhte^e^
Heath, Jerry, Steve, JoAnne Howell and Heide Becker.
it done." Lucy remembers the fun they had riding around with her dad on the farm. Helen
remembers her dad teaching her how to drive a tractor so that she could drive while he set out
sprinkler pipe. Helen also remembers the patience that her dad had with all of the kids when it came to helping him in the fields. "He wouldn't scold or cuss, just use the patience of a saint" when telling them the right way to do things. Linda remembers stopping at the Frost Top with her dad and while enjoying an ice cream cone while he had a vanilla shake, talking about the rivers. Upper and Lower Mesa Falls. He also laughed when she asked who turned them off at night. Linda also remembers having a dog around, but his favorite was always Blue. He would ride in the cab and drool while they both had a good time. Joe was a true friend to any child that he met. There is not one niece or nephew that
didn't love him. When Lucy was young, she spent a lot of time in the Children's Hospital in Salt
Lake. Many times when he came out of the hospital he would have tears in his eyes because
there were also children there in worse condition
than Lucy.
Jim Anderson loved Joe very much. Joe
always treated him as if he were his own son. One
fond memory of Jim's is that Joe hated snakes.
One day when they were fishing in the river with
big hip boots on, a water snake swam by and
touched his leg. It startled him so much that he
knocked Jim down just trying to get out of the
river. Once he realized the floundering state that
he left Jim in, he went back after him.
Joe filled two stake missions for the
Yellowstone Stake. He truly enjoyed the work
and the time that he spent with the people of this
area. Although he had numerous church callings,
one of his favorite was working with the Cub
Scouts from 1980 through 1985 as the Pack
Master. Jean was never really called as an assistant, but they both worked diligently in this
calling, enjoying the many activities with the boys. Joe always had a heart as big as all outdoors,
but he kept a special place in his heart for children. Any child that he came in contact with
certainly benefitted from this love.
Sarah and Mauuie Crusv
450
(Z^fitati f^amiiif Mhtaue^
Since I have the opportunity to speak for his nieces and nephews, I just want to say that I couldn't have asked for a better uncle than him. He always showed his love for you. He always gave me a big hug when we saw each other. Uncle Joe would often come get me to help him when I was young, to set out pipe or something. Although it was work, it was a pleasure just because I was with him. I spent a lot of time in their home and always felt welcome. Uncle Joe and Aunt Jean are as generous and caring as any people could be.
JoAnne states that her dad missed Michelle, Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle Mope, my dad John, Uncle Bert, Uncle Bob, and all of his family and friends that passed before him. One can only imagine the happy reunion going on right now - and sitting on his lap encircled in his loving arms is his "Peanut" - Michelle. Soon he and his special friend, little Herman Wamke, will go for a walk.
For the last several years. Uncle Joe has been sick and spent a lot of time in the hospital. It has been no easy job taking care of him, but one person never shirked from that responsibility. That person is Aunt Jean. She has worked hard taking care of their home, taking him to the doctor, missing many nights sleep, and taking care of him in every way. No one could have shown greater love than she has for her dear husband.
He died Thursday, September 3, from complications of surgery. He is survived by his wife Jean, four daughters, seven grandchildren, four brothers, and one sister.
He is preceded in death by his parents, David and Zina Howell, five brothers, one sister and one daughter - Michelle.
He was a loving husband and father, and one would never find a more honest man. He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends and neighbors.
Mandy Howell
By June Howell McCord
\.ty^ sf/ v*^ \f^
Cidfitan ^fcmia: A "scone" is a hunk of fresh, raised, or dough pulled off in chunks, pulled apart like a large flat biscuit, and deep fat fried in pan of hot grease, served as a complete meal, smothered in butter and/or jam or honey with a drink to wash it down. Yum! In Ashton, it is not an English pastry!
451
(Z^fitan ^atnli(f Jihto^ue^
Nadine and Bud Howell
Lowell, Lewis Keith "Bud" and Ruth Nadine Murri.
Bud was the 1 1''' child and the 10"' son of Zina Iowa Gunter and
David Taylor HOWELL of Ashton. He was bom May 5, 1926. His
first three brothers and first sister died in infancy.
His oldest living brother was Rodney Bert, then Forrest (Pop),
Joe, Dallas (Hoover), Ed, Russell J. (Mope), and Lewis (Bud). Three
years later June was bom. Nicknames were a big thing in the Howell
Family. There was Sweed, Moose, Soup Lip. Bugs, Red, Snuffy, and
other terms of endearment. Bud's nickname was Termite. Nadine's
father called him "Rosebud."
It has always been so
amazing to me how tough the people
were two and three generations ago.
Families were large and everyone had a job assigned to them for the family to survive. Money was, at times, non-existent and spent wisely when they had it. Everything was used and then used again. They grew their own gardens, canned their own food, and hunted their meat. Neighbors were sometimes a good amount of distance away. Fred and Gussie Owens lived closest to the Howells. They had two daughters, Annie and Mary. These people took an immense liking to Bud. Annie said to them that Bud was the son this family did not have. The girls actually taught Bud to walk. And walk Bud did. Every chance he had, he would mn away to their home. Someone would have to retrieve him. Bud's father made him walk all the way home one night. June said it was a long walk for such a little guy.
Nadine and Bud Howell
The Howell place was atop the ridge before dropping into the Warm River Canyon. Bud attended the first eight years of school in the Warm River School, District 18. Two of his first recollections of his youth were skiing and tobagganing in the hills surrounding this two-room school. Bud's father was custodian at the school for a while. Every Christmas the school would put on a Christmas play for the parents. One year a little Indian came on stage and Bud's mother asked Mrs. Lenz who that little Indian was. Dumbfounded, Mrs. Lenz said, "Why that's Lewis." Grandma looked at her and asked, "Lewis who?" That school later bumed down, and a new school was built just across the road from their home.
Grandma Howell was alwavs looking for beddinsz. Winters were so brutal in the Ashton area. Roads were not open for days at a time. June has a picture of Pop walking on a drift while hanging onto the telephone line. Dad told me about a very, very cold night. It was cold enough to freeze the water
Bud Howell
452
(Zdfitan 3'aniiiif Mhta^Ue^
Bud and Nadine F-Colleen, Diana, and Linda HOWELL
in the pans on the wood stove. June was sleeping with her mother, and Bud was sleeping in bed with his dad. In the middle of the night, they woke to the sound of breaking glass. Grandpa got out of bed to light the lantern. As he lit the lantern and turned around to see what was wrong. Bud said he about half screamed. There looking at him with his head through the window was one of the horses. The scream scared the horse as well. Soon everyone was awake. Bud guessed the horse wanted in the house to get warm.
Bud said you never knew how many people would show up for dinner or how many would come out of the back bedroom for breakfast with the boys. His mother always cooked a mountain of food for the family, and there was always plenty
for anyone who might drop in. Doors were never locked and if some friend of the family or kids needed a place to sleep, they knew where the beds were upstairs. Grandma Howell always made rounds at night before she went to bed, gathering up the cats and animals the boys had taken to bed with them.
Bud's mother never allowed the boys to fight in the house. She would send the boys outside to "cool off" As you can imagine, seven boys were very mischievous. There were always tricks and pranks to play on animals and each other. Birthdays were a great occasion for a party. Bud said there was hardly ever a gift but always a cake and lots of homemade ice cream. The Owens had a two-gallon ice cream freezer and the Howell family a one-gallon ice cream freezer. Three gallons of ice cream was gone in no time.
Bud remembers Ed playing sick one morning to get out of doing chores. When the boys came back, he laughed at them through a window. He did not see his dad with the boys, and Ed received a good spanking.
When Bud was in the third or fourth grade, he was given a bee-bee gun from Fred Owens. He was the envy of all his friends. Dad and his brothers were constantly shooting at everything, including each other. On Bud's birthday, his brothers told him if they could spank him real good, they would give him so much money. After the spankings were done, they had forgotten about the money. Bud retrieved his trusty bee-bee gun, and the war was on. He got even and made them fork over the money owed to him. Grant Hibbert finally got the gun from Bud and when Joe was crawling under a bed to catch a rolling bee-bee, he was immediately shot in the fanny.
Bud had an old dog named "Pood." Bud loved that dog, and this dog grew to be so old he became deaf and one day was hit with a car. When Bud came home, he saw his dog lying in the yard and went over and kicked him trying to get him up crying, "Pood, Pood, Pood!" But Pood did not get up. The boys decided to have a funeral for Pood. Ed preached the sermon. Everyone gathered around. The funeral was very short. "Here lays old Pood the pup, many pounds of meat he has lapped up. Amen."
453
G.5fitati f^atnii^ Mbtaued
Diana Ruth Howell
Bud and June, being the youngest siblings, spent more time with their dad as he was getting older, and the older boys took over the farming. They were usually the ones able to ride to town or other places with their dad. Bud and his brothers always said that June was the spoiled baby. June feels that Bud was the spoiled one. He always had a sore throat. June has a lot of pictures of Bud with a rag around his neck.
Bud remembers Hoover as being the inventor. Bud and June were always being sent to the shop to find "Whatchamacallits" or "get that thing,
David Keith Howell
you know it's out there on the bench by the Whatchamacallits."
Bud's father passed away when he was only ten years old. His father was 64 when he left Bud's mother to finish raising the family. Bud always spoke of his dad as fair but strict.
Bud's father made sure everyone did his share of the work. When they played, he saw everyone got to have fun. Bud told me his parents were always helping out the community and neighbors where ever they could.
Bud attended high school in Ashton for four years. During World War II, three of his brothers, Joe, Ed, and Russell (Mope), were drafted in the armed services, which left three brothers at home to run the farm. Because of having so much extra work to do at home, he missed graduating high school by one semester.
In the summer of 1943, he helped a carpenter, James Truit, build his mother's new home. In 1946, he helped LaVar Cherry build his brother Forrest's (Pop) home. And then in 1947 he became an apprentice carpenter for LaVar Cherry.
At a dance at the Armory Building in St. Anthony, Bud met his sweetheart, Ruth Nadine Murri. Bud and one of the Lenz boys flipped a coin to see who would dance with Nadine. Bud won, and he also won her heart. They were engaged on July 4, 1949 and were married December 6, 1949 in the Idaho Falls Temple. Their first home was about 3/4 miles southwest of Bud's mother's home. They lived there that winter and then moved part of the house to the highway.
On November 28, 1950, their first child Zina Colleen
was bom in the Ashton Hospital. In the summer of 1951,
they bought a 28-foot trailer and moved to Arco, working at
the Atomic Energy plant as a carpenter and then back to
Colleen and Wayne Fyte.
454
Ashton to work for LaVar Cherry again. He worked for the telephone company. Bud then moved his trailer to Nadine's parents' place where, on July 10, 1952, their second daughter Linda Lucille was bom. They then transferred to Preston, Idaho, then to Pocatello, Blackfoot and then to Rexburg. In 1952, they bought an 80-acre farm in Marysville. Bud loved farming and milking cows. We had a dog named Pooch! He was a great dog when herding cows until
someone said, "Sick 'em!" Then old Pooch would run around
behind Bud and sit down.
On October 14, 1955, Diana Ruth came into their
lives. Colleen remembers
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Lisa, Corey, Nicole, and Jessica Alberton.
living with her parents was
a very happy time. If anyone could say they had the perfect parents, it would have to be me. Bud and Nadine treated each other with a lot of respect and love. There was always love and concern for each other. I do not ever remember hearing my parents argue. My mother used to tell me things were not worth the sad feelings when two people fought. We worked in the garden together and rode with Dad on the tractor.
In February of 1958 we three girls had the Measles. Then Linda and I had Chicken Pox in April. In March Diana began having convulsions. She continued to get deathly ill. Linda and I stayed with various family
members, and the family helped with the farm so Mom and Dad could spend about a year getting Diana medical help. The illness left Diana very retarded. Bud has always had a very special place in his heart for Diana.
Bud had a very soft heart. He was one of the kindest people I know. When Linda and 1 were around the age of five or six, we had been naughty in church and made
Shawn and Kadie Fyfe Family
455
d^fitati f^atnli^ Jihtaue^
Linda L Howell - Miskin Second i-.ilc of Lev;:s K. arc R. Xacine Hov/e.l
Married to David X. Pzrkes in October 1S74. Tnree children from this .Tiarriage: Christine. Michelle and Joshua. Divorced in July 1939. Married to Arton C. Miskin on March 05, 1994. Arion had eight children, 1 had three. Nanes in order of age (oldest to youngest): Hanalorraine, Tringle, Zoninia, Christine, Aryon, Torq, Michelle, Jolicica, Qancrye', Joshja and C«itina. Christine, Michei.'e and Joshua were legally adopted spring of 1996. August 24, 1996 we were ail sealed together in the Idaho Falls Temcle.
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too much noise. Mom sent us to our bedroom. Soon Dad came in and sat down on our bed. He told us Mom had sent him in to spank us. He had tears in his eyes when he told us this. We felt so bad and of course, we promised we would be good girls next week.
In May 1960, they sold the farm in Marysville and bought a farm one mile west of Ashton with 147 acres. Linda and I were a little older and could help more in the fields. Dad taught us how to ride bikes. He also taught me to drive a stick shift so that I could help in the fields. Linda never did learn how to drive and then drove over the bales of hay. He told Mom he wondered how she was ever going to drive a cae
David Keith was bom on July 31, 1961. Dad was so tickled to have a little boy in the house. He was a very energetic little boy. Never learned to crawl, but he ran everywhere. Later he was diagnosed as being autistic. He resides in Meridian, Idaho.
In 1964, Mom and Dad decided to sell the farm due to low prices, early frost, late springs, high expenses, and terrible medical bills still from Diana. This was sad, sad times for my parents. I remember money being very tight during these years. My mother felt so bad for Dad. When we lost the farm, it was the first time I realized I wanted a marriage like theirs. Together they had the strength of a rock.
Dad moved us to Rexburg and worked at the Nelson Ricks Creamery. A few years later he delivered eggs for Haroldsen Egg Farm. In the summers, Linda and I took turns going on his routes to deliver eggs. He taught us how to count change back to the customers. He tried to make this ftin. He liked to sing, wasn't always on key, but he was a lot of fun. He loved it when
Linda and I sang together. Trips in the car were full of song. Mom had a beautifiil voice. We loved to play games together and eventually Russian Rummy was the card game of our family. They loved their grandkids and loved to be with them.
Bud and Nadine ran the Thornton Merc Store and Cafe for about seven or eight years. They made a lot of good friends. When they sold the store, they said they would miss the people most. Friends and neighbors not only missed Mom and Dad, they missed the great hamburgers and those fresh homemade fries.
In November of 1988, Nadine passed away from a three-year fight with leukemia. It was so sad watching them say goodbye to each other. I have never doubted the strong love my parents have for one another.
In August of 1989, Bud married Mona Orr. He increased his children by five, adding Gae, Vodney, Mashell, Cathy, and Wyatt. He considered these kids as his own and loved the grandkids as much as a grandpa could. When the two families joined together for a picnic or dinner, there was a lot of laughing. Gae has a very infectious laugh. She makes me want to laugh. Mashell has a sweet, quiet disposition. Linda said she thought Gae and Mashell were the peace makers. 1 admire Cathy raising her boys. 1 really considered her to
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Bud and Mona Howell
457
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Vodney, I
do not know well, but Wyatt's hair always looked good, and he is always taking care of his
mother's hair. All of these kids are concerned about their mother's well-being.
Bud and Mona worked the last seven summers in Island Park. They loved meeting the people as they went around doing their chores in each campground. They went on several trips together like to Panama Canal on a cruise ship and Branson, Missouri.
Bud loved the mountains, fishing, hunting, his friends, family, and the gospel of Jesus Christ. His family was very important to him, and he wanted his family to always be together. He enjoyed being with his great grandchildren. He thought they were just the cutest. He often told me he was proud of his kids and their kids. He and Mom liked to visit their families on holidays and birthdays. Sometimes they could not get around to everyone who wanted to see them.
Bud became ill about August 1998. His health rapidly went downhill. Wlien I was driving him home from the hospital, he said he hoped this surgery would make him feel better so he could go see Davy. He always wished he could feel good enough to go see David one more time. He passed away in his home on February 3, 2000. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Nadine, daughter, Diana, nine brothers, and one sister. He left 27 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.
Bv June Howell MeCord
Bud and Mona Howell Family
458
CLdfitan f^amiiy^ Mhtaue^
J£owell, Rodney Bert and Eva Benson. Bert was bom 16 Nov 1914 in Warm River, Idaho, to David Taylor and Zina Iowa Gunter HOWELL. He married Eva Evelyn Benson in Idaho Falls. She is the daughter of Harry and Ann Cherry BENSON. They had the following children:
David Reed bom 15 Jun 1936 in St. Anthony, Idaho.
Robert Eugene bom 1 Aug 1938 in Powell, Wyoming.
Evelyn Jean bom 31 Jul 1931 in Lyman, Idaho.
Bmce Benson bom 21 Jan 1948 in Rigby, Idaho.
Alan Wayne bom 5 Nov 1951 in Rigby, Idaho.
Arden J. Bom 21 May 1955 in Rigby, Idaho.
Rodney Bert was the oldest living child of David and Zina. They had lost four other children as babies, three boys and one girl. He was followed by six brothers and one sister. He attended school at Warm River and graduated from the eighth grade there. He grew up
helping on the family farm until he was old enough to work away from home. He was blessed and baptized in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When he was 19 years old, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps, which was organized by the govemment to supply work for young men to help their families. During the years of the Great Depression they were given a few dollars each month and the rest was sent to the families at home. He was stationed at Challis, Idaho, to help build forest roads. The experience started him on a few years working on road constmction. He found work close to home for awhile, first leaming to mn a "jack hammer," then some tmck driving and over the next ten or twelve years he leamed to mn the
Caterpillar tractors and dumpsters.
He then took a job as an oiler on a dragline. This gave him the opportunity to try hands-on in mnning the dragline once in awhile as the operator took lunch or a rest as he worked, with an operator who was willing to teach him. He stayed with that work until Dec. of 1945 when he bought a farm of 40 acres at Archer, Idaho. He still worked occasionally with a dragline for the ditch compound and in the winters, he worked on a cat and ripper in Madison County. The farms in Burton had such clay soil that the hardpan had to be ripped every few years, so it gave him work to do during the winters. When he was 21 years old, in 1935, he married Eva Benson from Famum, and they moved wherever he got work for ten years. The depression was gradually getting better, but it was a stmggle to keep their heads above water until, in June of 1944, he signed on to work in the
459
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Aleutian Islands on a 13- month war project, and he made better wages so they were able to save a down payment on a farm. Over the years, he worked in an open pit iron mine in Cedar City, Utah, and a coal mine in Rock Springs, Wyoming. He and Eva were sealed November 6, 1945 along with their three children, David, Robert, and Evelyn, They later had three more boys.
When we first came to the farm, we had a large chicken coop so we kept 400 laying hens for a few years while we built up a dairy herd, starting with one cow and adding one or two, plus calves, for a few years. When we got ten good cows, we quit the chicken business. Bert went to Chicago to a school given by Curtiss Candy Co. and became an artificial breeder of dairy cows in Madison County. It gave him a chance to build his own herd better by selective breeding. After a few years his distributor quit and Bert, along with a friend who was in the same work in Bonneville County, Elmer Engstrom, took the distributorship with six other men working under their supervision. Eva acted as secretary for all.
In about 1956, we were able to buy another 40 acres, which we ran for three years before trading it for another 50 acres close to home. In fact, it was next door, and it has served us well. We were relieved not to have to haul the machinery the three miles we had to before. Eva's dad was a good farmer and was a willing coach for a few years, and Bert soon became known as one of the best farmers in the area with a dairy herd of 40 cows and producing grade A milk.
As the boys grew and began leaving home, it was more and more of a struggle to keep up. A girl was hired to do the house work, so Eva could spend time in the fields or in the milking barn.
In 1967 with only Arden left at home, Bert started having blackouts where he would become unconscious for a few minutes. We tried doctors from Rexburg to Salt Lake City, Utah, but got no help. We never knew when the black-outs would occur, and he had several close calls working around the machinery, driving, and irrigating. It got so we tried to have someone with him all the time. He had a heart attack about 1966, but the doctors could not connect it to his blackouts, which went on for years. He was put on medicine that only seemed to make him
Back row Arden, Zack, Wayne, Jan, Nichole, Eva "Howell" Egbert, Jean "Howell" Clifford, Kathy
460
d^fitait 3-ant'dy. Mhtojoe^
B-Arden, Wayne, Bruce, Jean, Bob, and Reed F-Janet, Lanilee, Aldean, Terry, Poma, and Ada Lou
worse or give him severe headaches. Finally, in the fall of 1972, he had multiple blackouts one morning. He had 12 right on top of another. We decided something had to be done, so we asked our family doctor to get us an appointment with a clinic in California that we had heard of. The Woodland Clinic in Sacramento, California.
In November, we left Arden to take care of the cows, and we drove to the clinic. It only took the Dr. there thirty minutes to determine that a pace-maker would take care of the problem. After a week of tests at the University Hospital in Sacramento, he had a pace-maker installed. In the years following, he had the pace-maker replaced twice. He was able to go on for another 20 years. The last change was only a few months before his death on May 5, 1992.
He was buried in the Sutton Cemetery in Archer, close to where he had farmed for 46 years. The dairy herd had to go a few years earlier when all of the boys were gone and it became too big a job for just the two of them.
He was survived by six children all married, 19 grandchildren, and about 26 great- grandchildren. There are now about 43 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren, which include a set of triplets of great-grandchildren and twins among the great-great grandchildren.
461
Ci^fitan ^amiii^ Mhtaue^
Bv June Howell McCord
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»9^owell, Russell J. "Mope." Russell was bom May 28, at Warm River, Idaho. He was the 10"" child of David Taylor and Zina Iowa Gunter HOWELL. He was the 2"*^ blue eyed-child in the family and a blonde. He was always pleasant and a fiin person to be around. He grew up in Warm River and went to grade school in the Rock School House over the hill from home. He was a very strong man. His brother, Ed, said that he could get on one side of a piece of machinery and two people on the other side, and he could lift as much as the other two.
He went to high school in Ashton. He never finished high school. He played on the football team in high school. While in high school, he got the name "Mope" because he was always slow.
He and his mother picked up a new car in Detroit, Michigan, on their way to Atlanta, Georgia, to pick June up from her mission. At the dinner table in the Mission Home, the
Russell J. Howell
"Mope" Howell
Elders asked him if he played ball in school and what position he played on the team. He told them he played end and guard, he sat on the end of the bench and guarded the water bucket.
He was drafted into the Army during WWII. He took his basic training at Fort Riley, Kansas. He went over-seas and was stationed in the Philippine Islands. The war was about over by the time he went over, so he helped with the clean up. He also went to Japan where the Atomic bombs were dropped. While there, he was able to see the destruction that they caused.
After returning home from serving in WWII, he stayed on the farm
and farmed with his brothers.
Mother, Mope, and June went on a lot of trips together before June was married. They had many good times together. After June married, he stayed at home and took care of their mother. He was really good to her. He went out every Saturday night. Mother got to where she was afraid to stay alone at night. So he would bring her down to June's place. They were always glad to have her. One time when he brought her down, a blizzard came up, and she had to spend several days with them. She was looking out the window one day and said, "When the wind blows, you should be
463
"Mope" Howell
Cl<yfitan ^atnii^ Mhtaue^
Mope Howell and Zina McCord
home."
Mope was a good hunter. June spent a few days up at home when Zina was bom. Deer season was on. One day Mother went out to the cabin in her backyard. There she found 1 2 deer hanging up. When Mope came home, Mother looked at him and told him to get those deer out of there. When some of John's family would come to see Zina, Mope would send a deer home with them. They didn't feel one bit bad about getting a piece of meat.
John and I went to Arizona with him and Mother one time. All he wanted to do was stay out at the airport and watch the planes come and go. We stayed with Ken and Dixie Robinson. Dixie and Mope were great friends. He was loved by all of his nieces and nephews. He also had a world of friends. He had a cancer on his lip and when they took it off, it burned really bad. June was up home one day and asked him why he wasn't smoking. He said you don't set fire to fire. After he quit smoking, he couldn't stand the smell of the smoke in his car, so he traded it to George Amen for his Ford car. He told George one day, "That car is going to kill me." Little did we know how true it was. On July 2, 1967, he was coming home from St. Anthony when he came around a comer and was hit head on by another car. The three boys in the other car had all been drinking. At his funeral the love and respect for this man was shown in the many flower arrangements, friends and neighbors that were in attendance. The men that hit him lived, but it took his life.
After his death. Mother just couldn't come out of it. We could get her to smile, but we always looked into the saddest set of eyes. He was the fifth child she had buried. Mother only lived for two months after his death. Doctor Melcher told the family that she died of a broken heart.
The last of May, 1967, Mope and the family went on a picnic for his birthday. Colleen and Linda Howell, two of his nieces, wrote him a song and it goes like this.
This is our birthday present dedicated to: Russell J. Howell, Happy Birthday Russell:
Ready
R is for the rough time that he gives us.
U is for the good-uncle that he is.
S is for the sinful things he's thinking.
S is for the simple wife he won't have.
E is for the eyes that are sometimes bloodshot.
LL is for his love for teenagers.
Put them all together they spell Russell the word that means the world to me.
By June McCord
464
Cldfitait S-atnii^ Mhta^ae^
Mada and Doug Humphrey
JiumphTQy, Douglas and LaMada Davis. Doug was bom 14 May 1919. He died 5 Jan 1986 at Chico, California. He married "Mada" 9 Jul 1942 in St. Anthony, Idaho. She was bom 9 Feb 1924 to Jefferson Eugene and Bessie Egbert DAVIS in Marysville, Idaho. She died 6 Jun 1997 in Chico, Califomia. They had the following children:
Howard Winn "Dewey" bom 8 Feb 1945 in St. Anthony, Idaho. He died 14 May 1997. Linda Dawn bom 27 Sep 1946 in Rigby, Idaho. Mada was the first child of six: Rebecca, Billie Egbert, Donna Quin, Drex, Jay, and Nila Jolene. To my knowledge, she was bom at Grandpa Hall (Hollis) and Grandma Emmeline Egbert's house. She was a beautiful baby with dark brown eyes and jet black hair.
LaMada "Mada" was blessed on 6 Apr 1924 by Rulan Shephard, baptized 4 Jun 1932 by her Uncle George Cordingley, husband of Arminta Egbert Cordingley, and confirmed by her Grandfather Joseph Hollis Egbert.
Our parents bought a farm across the Snake River north of Marysville, Idaho, from Mott Fuller. That was our first home. Dad was renting that farm a year before he and Mom were married. The house was a small, four-room log house. Later a porch and bedroom were added. There was no electricity. A kerosene lamp was used for light; the water used for drinking, cooking, and bathing (in a tin tub) was carried by hand in gallon buckets from a spring under a hill. The powder room was an outhouse on the hill with no door. Entertainment was an old battery-operated radio the family listened to, if Dad remembered to charge the battery.
Winters were very hard in those days so some winters the family would move into Ashton, Idaho. We lived in several places - apartments, cabins - including the Gibsons, Rankins, Hutchinsons (behind their service station), cabins by the railroad tracks by the Reinke's Granary (which used to be the Fuller Brothers), and the Spratling place where Uncle Zera
Egbert's farm is now.
Mada attended school in Ashton, Idaho, until her junior year of high school. Her friends in school were her cousin, Nieca Cordingley Jessen, Babe Reiman Tighe, and cousin Clara Bell Hill Reimann. I'm sure there were a lot more friends. She had such a kind and sweet personality. Mada always helped Mother in the house with the cooking and cleaning. When Mada got older, she got a job in Ashton with Robaum Bakery.
Howard and Blanch Humplirey
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Howard Winn Humphrey
465
owned a cafe in Ashton, Idaho. Their son, Doug, had been away from home for a long time and arrived back in Ashton in March or April of 1942. He and Mada dated for approximately three months before getting married. Mada borrowed a suit to be married in from our sister. Donna. Mada and Doug both worked in the cafe for Blanch and Howard and lived in a hotel room they rented from Sally Neifort. They later lived in a log cabin east of Ashton.
When World War II began, Doug was drafted into the Army. Mada traveled to Abilene, Texas, and Campbell, Kentucky to be with Doug until he was sent to Germany. Mada came back to Ashton and lived on the ranch with the family. She was pregnant with Howard Winn "Dewey." That winter she purchased a small trailer house (I mean small), and Donna and I stayed with her. That year we had a very hard winter, and the family was afraid that if Mada had to go to the hospital, she would be snowed in and unable to leave the ranch in Marysville. So the Craven family let her park the trailer behind their house in Ashton. Dewey was bom just a few hours shy of being bom on Mada's birthday.
Mada bought a piece of land next to dad's property. Dad was in the turkey business at the time, and Mada also invested in some turkeys. Doug soon returned from the war. One time Doug was feeding the turkeys, and Dad came up from behind and startled him. Doug almost hit Dad! Doug had been involved in direct, hand-to-hand, combat during the war, and Dad's clothes were the same color as that of the German soldiers. For a long time, we all had to be very careful not to startle Doug in any way.
Howard Humphrey bought The Inn Cafe in Rigby, Idaho. Mada and Doug moved to Rigby and worked for him, and this is where their second child was bom.
Mom and Dad, our brother, Drex, and his wife, Laura (Allison) Davis, and I moved to Durham, Califomia, in 1948. Approximately one year later (1949 or 1950), Mada, Doug, Dewey, and Linda moved to Durham and lived with us. We lived on Esquon Road - we called the house and property 'The Vames Place" because Mom and Dad bought it from Mr. Vames.
During this time, Mada and Doug bought a hamburger stand, which adjoined a service station owned by Frank Lazard.
The family later moved one house south (Rt. 1, Box 257) on Esquon Road. We called it "The Latimer Place" because we bought it from Mrs. Latimer. Mada and Doug built a small house next to Mom and Dad. They lived in that house for approximately 10 years before having a lovely home built on Lott Road in Durham. Mada and Douu loved this home. Walnut trees grew in their back yard, and they also had a lovely garden which produced tomatoes, onions, and
"Dewey," Doug, and Mada Humphrey
466
LaMada Davis
a^fitatt ^family. Mldta^ue^
other vegetables. Mada enjoyed canning the vegetables in the summertime, and she and Doug would spend hours cracking the walnuts that grew from their trees. They were known for their generosity in sharing the fruits of their labor with family and friends.
Doug worked at Claremont Wood Products and later Jessup Door, both lumber mills in the Chico area. Mada's employment included Victor Industries and E.T. Reynolds. Mada retired from Tenneco West in 1987 after 30 years of employment. Though Mada worked at various jobs throughout her life, her family was her first priority, and she greatly enjoyed her role as homemaker. She loved to sew, and especially enjoyed making the costumes that her daughter, Linda, wore while performing as a majorette.
Mada cared for Doug after he was diagnosed with cancer. He passed away of respiratory failure at Enloe Hospital in Chico, California.
After Mada's retirement, she enjoyed her time visiting numerous relatives in Ashton, Idaho, until declining health made traveling impossible.
As Mada's health began failing due to Alzheimer's disease, she moved into the MiYour care facility in Redding, California, so that I could help care for her. This enabled me to take her on outings-to lunch, for rides, to the park to feed the ducks, etc. Mada stayed in that facility for approximately one year. At the request of her daughter, Linda, she was eventually moved to North Valley Nursing Home in Chico, California (1645 Esplanade).
About 5 a.m., on 6 Jun 1997, 1 received a phone call from the nursing home staff that Mada had passed away. The family had recently suffered a great loss in that Mada's son, Dewey, had lost his battle with cancer and passed away. A graveside service for Mada was held at Glen Oaks Memorial Park in Chico, California, 9 Jun 1997. At this writing, survivors include daughters Linda Hunt and Lisa Brashers (adopted granddaughter - Linda's biological daughter), four biological grandchildren, and eight biological great-grandchildren.
Mada was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, her last calling being in Primary where she enjoyed teaching the young children. I am very happy that Mada, Donna, and I were able to go through the Temple together on 30 May 1986, before the onset of Mada's Alzheimer's and Donna's cancer. Mada and Doug were sealed together by proxy at the Idaho Falls Temple on 31 Jul 1998, and Dewey got his endowments and was sealed to his parents at that time.
I am proud to say that Mada was my very special sister, and that I could care for her in her elder years as she cared for me in my younger years. 1 know that she is a special daughter of our Father in Heaven. I miss her and love her very much as does everyone that knew her.
467
CL^fitatt ^atniii^ 3iUtaue6
By Jo I cue Davis Merical
VANCE HUMPHREY'S RECOLLECTION OF THE FIRE THAT DESTROYED THE DAVIS RANCH IN 1946.
I had just gotten discharged from the Army, and my brother, Doug, came to get me. He had to stay at the Davis ranch while Gene and Bess (Davis, Doug's in-laws) were visiting in California, so he asked if I would go out with him.
We loaded my G.I. trunk on the sleigh (with all my Army belongings in it) and went to the ranch. It was fun - we two brothers together.
That night, before we went to bed, Doug stoked the wood stove with fuel. Boy. Was it ever cold. We were awakened by Purp (the dog) bumping the bed as he went under it. We woke up and found flames burning brightly inside the living room. Doug hollered, "Vance! Get up! The house is on fire!" We tore out of bed and grabbed the small bucket of water to douse the flames, but that was useless as the flames were so hot and much too much for us to extinguish. We were scared, and, with nothing to fight the fire with, we were really helpless. Then I remembered the trunk of clothes that was just inside the back porch. We snaked it out and saved it. The clothes and shoes that we wore that night were laying to the side of the bed and burned.
Doug and I could wear each other's clothes, except the shoes. Ha! Ha! His feet were bigger than mine!
The trunk provided us with clothes and one pair of shoes. Doug wrapped his feet in shorts and gunny sacks and tied them together with the laces from the leggings. We then hooked
the team to the
sleigh and went
into Ashton like
that.
This is all
that I can
remember about
the tire- except
that the poor dog
was so afraid that
he didn't come out
from under the bed
while Doug and I
were racing about.
He perished there
under the bed. We
felt so bad about it
after realizing
what had happened
to him.
By Vance Humphrey
P'Lt Stanley L. Loosli, Company Commander, Ashton, Idaho. 938'" Eng Company (DP TRK) Submitted hv Lynn Loosli
Jiemaue^
2"' Lt Gerald S. Harris Exec Officer, Ashton, Idaho. 938" Eng Company (DP TRK)
Submitted by Lynn Loosli
468
Cl^fitait ^atniiy. Mhtaue^
»9T£untsman, DeLos Glen and Faye LaRue Grover. DeLos was bom 7 Mar 1928 in St. Anthony, Idaho, to Glen William and Emma Adelaide Richards HUNTSMAN. He died 30 Oct 1959 in Ashton, Idaho, and is buried in Ashton, Idaho at the Pineview Cemetery. He married "LaRue" on 24 Sep 1 944 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. LaRue was bom 24 Sep 1944 in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Seth Bennett and Alta Jenkins GROVER. She died 19 May 1996 in Idaho Falls and is buried in the Parker Idaho Cemetery. They had the following children:
Richard DeLos bom 19 Dec 1945 in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
Patricia Lynn bom 13 Dec 1946 in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
Sandra Ann bom 23 Jun 1 949 in St. Anthony, Idaho.
Shauna De bom 23 Feb 1954 in Ashton, Idaho.
An
DeLos and LaRue Huntsman
accounting of DeLos and LaRue can be found in "The Fruits and Roots of Thomas Wesley Richards and Hannah Eliza Bird, " by Kathryne Scow Newcomb, pg. 349-359.
LaRue married (2) Larry Eugene Fowler on 26 Jan 1961. They had the following children:
Franciena Marie, bom 31 Oct 1961, St.
Anthony, Idaho. Michelle LaRue, bom 24 May 1963,
St. Anthony, Idaho. Troy Larry, bom Jan 26, 1967, Ashton, Idaho.
Submitted by Kathryne Scow Newcomb
*^^
^
LaRue and DeLos Huntsman
469
Cl<yfitan S-amii^ Mhte^ue^
Glen Huntsman as child
Glen Huntsman with Granddaughter Cheryl, the daughter of Laurel.
<9T£untsman, Glen William and Emma Adelaide Richards. Glen is
the son of John and Lucy Elvira Hardy HUNTSMAN. He was bom 20 Nov 1906 in Marysville, Idaho. He died 6 Apr 1979 in Rupert, Idaho, and was buried 9 Apr 1 979 in Ashton, Idaho. He was married to (1) Emma Adelaide Huntsman on 3 Dec 1923 in Felt, Idaho. They were divorced and remarried (2) between the births of LaMar and DeLos, abt 1927. Emma was bom 16 Mar 1906 in Twin Groves, Idaho. She died 25 Dec 1938 in St. Anthony, Idaho, and was buried 28 Dec 1938 in Ashton, Idaho.
They had the following children: LaMar Rickie bom 30 Mar 1924 in Idaho Falls,
Idaho. Died 19 Jul 1999 in Driggs, Idaho, and is buried in the Pineview Cemetery in Ashton, Idaho. (See Huntsman, LaMar Rickie.) DeLos Glen bom 7 Mar 1928 in St. Anthony, Idaho. Died 30 Oct 1959 in Ashton, Idaho, and is buried in the Pineview Cemetery in Ashton, Idaho. (See Huntsman, DeLos Glen.) Renee bom 24 May 1930 in Driggs, Idaho. Laurel K. bom 21 Sep 1931 in Driggs, Idaho. Died 7 Jul 1981 in Twin Falls, Idaho, and is buried in the Pineview Cemetery in Ashton, Idaho. DeLora bom 16 Jun 1933 in Ashton,
Idaho. Died 29 Mar 2005 in Soda Springs, Idaho, and is buried in Soda Spring, Idaho. Verlon J bom 3 Jun 1935 in Ashton, Idaho. Died 28 Jan 1996 in Ashton, Idaho, and is buried in the Pineview Cemetery in Ashton, Idaho. Terral Don bom 20 Jun 1937 in St.
Anthony, Idaho. (See Huntsman, Terral Don.) An earlier history of this entire family is recorded in "The Fruits and Roots ofT W Richards and H E Bird, "
by Kathryne Scow Mewcomh, pg. 1 77-180. Emma Richards and LaMar
HUNTSMAN
470
CL^fitatt 3" amity. Mhtauea
LaMar Huntsman, Meredith Dexter, Larry Fowler, Terry, Laurel, and Verlon "Butch" Huntsman at the Ashton Park.
Glen also married (2) Monta Young. She was bom 15 Dec 1906 in Shelley, Bingham, Idaho. She died 1 Jan 1996 in Idaho Falls, Bonneville, Idaho.
Glen married (3) Jean "Unknown."
Glenn married (4) Rita Margaret Hagbert who died 1995 in Burley, Cassia, Idaho, and is buried in the Pineview Cemetery in Ashton, Idaho.
Submitted by Jerrie Huntsman
\f/ Xfy Nf/* Nf/" /»\ /#N /^S /S^
DeLos, LaMar, Renee, Glen, DeLora, Verlon "Butch," Laurel, and Terry in front
HUNTSMAN
471
Cidhto-n ^am'di^ Jihtaucd
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Grandma Lucy Huntsman with dresses her and lona had made for Darlene Leer's girls, her great- grands, for school.
J^untsman, John and Lucy Elvira Hardy. John was bom 16 Apr 1870 in Wellesville, Cache, Utah. He died 23 Oct 1919 in Marysville, Idaho, and was buried in Ashton, Idaho, in the Pineview Cemetery in 1919. John married Lucy, the daughter of William Reed and Mary Ann Bickmore HARDY, on 4 Sep 1894 at Little Basin, Cassia, Idaho. She was born 11 May 1874 in Hooper, Weber, Utah. She died 21 Mar 1959 in Ashton and was buried in Ashton, Idaho, at the Pineview Cemetery 24 Mar 1959.
They had the following children:
Myrtle, buried in Oakley, Idaho, who only lived about a
month. Mary lona, bom 1 May 1898 in Little Basin, Cassia, Idaho, and buried in Ashton, Idaho, at the Pineview Cemetery 27 Oct 1982. Emma Lavon, bom 12 Apr 1900, died 27 May 1963. John Basil, bom 23 Aug 1902 in Marysville, Idaho, was
buried in Ashton, Idaho, in the Pineview Cemetery 9 May 1968. Edson Lionel, bom 24 Oct 1904 in Marysville, Idaho, and
died 23 Dec 1992, Ashton, Idaho. Glen William, bom 20 Nov, 1906 (See Huntsman, Glen
William.) Elmer Claude was buried in Ashton, Idaho, at the Pineview
Cemetery 28 Mar 1910, Zelma was buried 2 Jan 1986 in the Pineview Cemetery in Ashton, Idaho. She was married to the following men, but we are not sure of order: William Gerard, David Bamette, and Jess Crow. John and Lucy lived in Marysville in abt 1904. John and Lucy came from a long line of "Old Mormon Stock." John's matcmal grandparents, John Morris and Sarah Ann Jewell KING, came to the valley. John died in Salt Lake City 18 Nov 1855 and
lona Huntsman
Lucy Hardy Huntsman
472
(Zdfitatt S-atnliy. Sildtojcied
his wife, Sarah, 1 1 Nov 1873 in American Fork, Utah. John's father and mother, Eleazer and Nancy Fowler KING, also came, Eleazer died 14 May 1854 in Spring City, Sanpete, Utah and Nancy died 8 Nov 1845, in Nauvoo, Illinois.
Lucy's grandfather, Zachariah Hardy, was bom 20 Mar 1799 in Belfast, Maine, married Eliza Ann Philbrook 17 Jul 1 822 in Belfast, Maine, and he died in Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois. Zachariah's parents, Joseph and Elizabeth Thomdike HARDY, also died at Nauvoo, Illinois. Eliza went on to the valley and died 3 Jan 1881 in Hooper, Utah. Her father, Elisha Philbrook, also died in Hooper, Utah.
Lucy's maternal grandparents also came with the Mormons. Issac Bickmore died 6 Jul 1852 at Loop Fork, Platte River, Nebraska, and his wife went on to the valley to die in Wellsville, Cache, Utah.
Terry, Lucy and Jerrie HUNTSMAN taken 15 Jan 1955
Submitted by Jerrie Huntsman
\f/ \t/ \t/ Nf/ 7J\ /^\ /^\ /»\
MemoJcied CWO W-2 Richard P. Swanstrum Ashton, Idaho. Submitted by Lynn Loosli
Jietno^Lcd M Sgt. John H. Davidson, Ashton, Idaho. Submitted hv Lvnn Loosli
473
Cl^fitatt ^-atniiy. Mb tabued
Ji6untsman, Laurel K and Jacquline Lee Ferguson. Laurel was bom 21 Sep 1931 in Driggs, Idaho, to Glen William and Emma Adelaide Richards HUNTSMAN. He died 7 Jul 1981 in Twin Falls, Idaho. He is buried in Ashton, Idaho, at the Pineview Cemetery. Laurel married "Jackie" 9 Aug 1950 in Idaho Falls. Jackie was bom 6 Sep 1934, the daughter of Ray Thomas and Roberta Fern FERGUSON. She died 6 Sep 2005 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Jackie and Laurel's marriage ended in divorce. They re-married (2) later in Olympia, Washington, but it also ended in divorce. They had the following children:
Cheryle Fem bom 19 Jan
1951 in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
Glenna "K" bom 23 Dec
1952 in Ashton, Idaho.
Robert Allen bom 18 May 1955 in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
Laurette bom 22 Nov 1960 in Ashton, Idaho.
Laurel also married (3) Sherry Lish in Ashton, Idaho, which ended in divorce.
An accounting of Laurel and Jackie 's
family can be found in "The Fruits and Roots of
Thomas Wesley Richards and Hannah Eliza
Bird, " by Kathryne Scow Newcomb, pg. 363-365.
Jackie went on to marry (3)Lee Larson
and (4) Harold "Dusty" Scheller. She and Dusty
lived in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Jackie
owned the Style Broker, worked at Hair Avenue
for several years, and worked for the Parkside
Nursing Home. She died of lung cancer.
Jackie and Laurel owned and operated a
cafe in Ashton called "Laurel and Jackie's Cafe"
It was located in the same building as the Ashton
Hotel.
Submitted bv Kathnme Scow Newcomb Jackie and Laurel Huntsman
Laurel holding Robert, Jackie holding Cheryl and Glenna
HUNTSMAN
474
ddfitan ^amiiif Mhto^Ue^
LaMar Huntsman
huntsman, Rickie LaMar and (3) Lucy L Mira Jones. "LaMar" was bom 30 Mar 1924 to Glen William and Emma Adelaide Richards HUNTSMAN. He died 19 Jul 1999 in Driggs, Idaho, and is buried in Ashton, Idaho, in the Pineview Cemetery.
He married (1) Bessy Viola Roberts 4 Apr 1944 in Ashton, Idaho, and they had the following children:
Gary bom 3 Nov 1944 in St. Anthony, Idaho. Emma Louise bom and died 1 1 Dec 1945 in St. Anthony, Idaho, and is buried in the Pineview Cemetery in Ashton, Idaho. He married (2) Dorothy Nielsen in May of 1947 in Dillon, Montana. They had the following children:
Emma Renee bom 9 Dec 1 947 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Rickie LaMar bom 14 Jul 1949 in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
He married (3) Lucy 13 Feb 1952 in Blackfoot, Idaho. Lucy was bom 29 Aug 1924 to Dee Barry and Ida Brown JONES in Whittier, Jackson, North Carolina. They had the following children:
Robert bom and died 3 1 May 1952 in Driggs, Idaho. He was buried in the Pineview Cemetery in Ashton, Idaho. Virginia bom 21 Dec 1958 in Ashton, Idaho. Brenda Kaye bom 2 Dec 1 96 1 in Ashton, Idaho. Julie bom 13 Jun 1963 in Ashton, Idaho.
Becky Lynn bom 1 Feb 1965 in Driggs, Idaho. An accounting of LaMar and family can be found in "The Fruits and Roots of Thomas Wesley Richards and Hannah Eliza Bird, " by Kathryne Scow Newcomb, pg. 342-349.
Since LaMar died, Lucy has remained in her home with Ginger, and occasionally other children or grandchildren have been there for a short time.
Lucy's family came to the Idaho country before she was bom and their posterity has remained in and around Ashton.
Lucy remembers all the fun times they had together. She was involved in LaMar's racing and stood by him in all his endeavors. She has always stayed pretty close to home. She just celebrated her 80"' birthday with an open house given by her girls. Many friends and relatives shared in her party.
LaMar getting a trophy at West Yellowstone.
475
ddfitati ^atn'di^ Mhta^Ue^
A birthday party for LaMar and Jerrie Huntsman. . Jackie, Laurel, Bobby, LaMar, Lucy, Jerrie, DeLos, LaRue F-Glenna and Cheryl HUNTSMAN 1956
Submitted bv Kathrvne Scow Newcomb
\f/ \f/ Sf/- \9/
m¥* mim »♦♦ —m TJS^ /Jn /4N ^4N
ddfUon fj%mia: No one had a deepfreeze, so we rented a locker at the back of the grocery store. It was a large walk-in freezer with big heavy wire drawers that we rented to store our frozen goods. It was very scary because you had to close the door behind you to keep the cold in. Sometimes you were alone and would be afraid the door would lock, no one would know it, and you would be stuck there overnight. I don't ever remember this happening, but as a kid, it was a possibility. The store was run by Ott Harris at the time I remember in about 1945.
476
CL^fitan 3'ainiiy. Mhtaue^
huntsman, Terral Don and Jerrie Mimen Pearson. Terry was bom 20 Jun 1937 to Glen William and Emma Richards HUNTSMAN, in St. Anthony, Idaho. Jerrie was bom 28 Mar 1938 to Howard Charles and Thelma Mimen Geisler PEARSON in Rexburg, Idaho. Terry and Jerrie were married 15 Jan 1955 in Rexburg, Idaho. Their history can be found in "The Emits and Roots of T W Richards and H E Bird," by Kathryne Scow Newcomb, pg. 376-377.
They had the following children: Kelly Don, Kerry Lane, Jeffrey "C," Brett, and Kristi Renee.
Terry and I met through our friends who were dating. Bud Sprague and Jane Fullmer. Jane and I went to Madison High School in Rexburg, Idaho. They set me up to meet Terry after school when the boys were to pick us up, but this other friend of mine went out and got in the car with them. As the old saying goes, "So much for that!" We did get together a few days later. We dated and had so much fun going to movies, driving to West, and going on different rides to places I had never been to with Bud and Jane. We visited a lot with Laurel and Jackie in Idaho Falls and did many things with them to entertain all of us.
We were married Jan 15, 1955. When our kids were little, there was never a dull moment with 4 boys and one girl. We did a lot of camping with them, had picnics with all of Terry's family over at the city park. Everyone would bring chicken, salads, cake, etc. The gathering was always so much fun and everyone always got along so well.
The kids bring up the time we camped at the CC camp in Greentimber with Kathy, Butch, and family. One of the kid's friends went with us and the boys sent him out snipe hunting. It took him a while to catch on.
Terry and I both belonged to the Lions Club and we both served in different positions. The Club did a lot of good for the town.
Kelly, Kerry, Jeffrey, Brett, and Kristi all graduated from North Fremont High and then continued with their lives, marrying and raising their families. Terry's brother, DeLos, was such a wonderful guy. He and LaRue lived in a house and also owned 4 apartments next to them. We moved into the apartment next to them. They were so helpful to us on so many things. Being so young themselves when they married, they also had four children. We just had Kelly at the time, and LaRue taught me so much and was always there if I needed her. If Terry and I ever had a little tiff, DeLos would always stick up for me and not Terry. We were always there to help DeLos and LaRue out also. DeLos had multiple sclerosis and passed away in October 1958. It broke Terry's heart to lose his big brother. Terry would help DeLos many
Terry and Jerrie Huntsman-wedding day.
477
ddfitatt ^ amity. Jii^taue^
B-JetY holding Joshua, Jody, Kelly, Kerry, Pattie, Lisa F-Kristi, Terry holding Cori, Jerrie holding Bradie, and Brett HUNTSMAN
times to get
in the car
and take him
fishing,
which he
loved to do dearly.
We spent a lot of time with Bill and DeLora O'Brien, Terry's sister and husband and their 4 kids in Pocatello and here in Ashton when they would visit. Renee and Meredith
Dexter and their 4 boys also would come for vacation and we had many interesting times with all 8 rowdy boys and 1 girl, Kristi.
Holidays were gatherings for big dinners with Laurel and Jackie and kids, LaMar and Lucy's girls, Terry and I and kids, Meredith and Renee and boys, LaRue and Larry and kids. We were all such a close-knit family.
Terry's grandmother, Lucy Huntsman, and lona were so good to us. Grandma so enjoyed Kelly and Kerry. She would hold them on her lap and give them loves. lona would baby sit the kids and they have some ilin stories about her. She was a good woman.
Retirement has been great. We enjoy camping, family, fishing, and going to Jack Pot. Terry and 1 had fun growing up with our kids. As of July 2005, we have 19 grandchildren, which we love so much and are so much fun. There is nothing quite like them. They are all doing well with their lives and families. We are so proud of them. We also have 10 great- grands and 2 little twin girls to be bom in Nov. 2005. We have gotten such a kick out of our great-grand kids. Terry and I celebrated our 50"' wedding anniversary Jan 15, 2005.
By Jerrie Pearson Huntsman
478
dddtait S^amiiy. Mhtaued
huntsman, Verlon J "Butch." Butch was bom 3 Jun 1935 in Ashton, Idaho. He died 28 Jan 1996 in Ashton, Idaho, and was buried 31 Jan 1996 in Ashton, Idaho, at the Pineview Cemetery. He married (1) Joy Parker, daughter of Roy and Francis Parker. Joy was bom 18 Jun 1937 in Phoenix, Arizona. They were married 1 7 May 1 954 in Wickenburg, Arizona. The marriage ended in divorce. They had the following children:
Ricky J bom 10 Mar 1955 at Luke Air Force Base, Maricopa, Arizona. Peggy Sue bom 21 Feb 1958 in Phoenix, Maricopa, Arizona. Gaylene bom 4 May 1960 in Ashton, Idaho.
Butch married (2) a girl named Judy, but it was a short marriage, they divorced and went their separate ways.
Butch married (3) Laura Kathleen Reay, the daughter of Loren Lindsey and Pearl Davis REAY,on29Dec 1967 in Elko, Nevada. (See Stegelmier, Roy) Kathy was bom 4 Mar 1943 in Pocatello, Idaho. Kathy came to the marriage with two children that were adopted by Butch:
JoDee Lynn bom 6 Jul
1961 in Roosevelt, Utah. Wendy Jo bom 25 Jun 1966 in Murray, Utah. Butch and Kathy had one daughter:
Shealin bom 23 Apr 1969 in St. Anthony, Idaho.
An earlier history on this family is recorded in "The Fruits and Roots of Thomas Wesley Richards and Hannah Eliza Bird, " by Kathryne Scow Newcomb, pg. 369-376.
Submitted by Kathryne Scow Newcomb
\f/ \»/' \t/ \f/
B-Wendy Jo and JoDee , F- Verion ''Butch," Kathy, and Shealin HUNTSMAN
479
(Ztifitatt ^atn'di^ Mhtauea
^uskinson, Ralph Wasden and Barbara Jean Hays. Ralph was bom 16 Feb 1928 in Preston, Idaho, to Kenneth William and Arvilla May Wasden HUSKINSON. He died 10 Sep 1995 in Soda Springs, Idaho, and was buried 14 Sep 1935 in Sugar City, Idaho. Ralph married Barbara 25 May 1949 in Ashton, Idaho. She was bom 17 Dec 1932 in Ashton, Idaho, to Dewey Admiral and Gladys Bee Andrasen HAYS. They had the following children:
Randy Scott bom 6 Jun 1950 in Ashton, Idaho. He married Jenny Finlinson 20 Apr 1973 in Provo, Utah. They have four children and six grandchildren. Randy farms the home place. Pamela Jean bom 6 Sep 1951 in Ogden, Utah. She married Scott C. Neville 24 Mar 1989 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Pam and Scott have a blended family of nine children and sixteen grandchildren. They, too, are farmers in Hammer, Idaho. Kenneth Dewey born 15 Apr 1955 in Rexburg, Idaho. He married Cathryn Elizabeth
Ford 24 Jun 1993 in Pocatello, Idaho. Ken and Cathryn have a blended family of eight children. They live in St. George, Utah. Ken works for a tmcking company. James Hays bom 19 Dec 1958 in Rexburg, Idaho. He married Julie Darington in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Jim and Julie have a blended family of nine children and one grandchild. They also live in St. George. Jim works for a tmcking company too. Teresa Mae bom 3 Jun 1961 in Rexburg, Idaho. She married Steve Gregory Wynne 5 Jul 1980 in Sugar City, Idaho. Teresa and Steve live in grand Junction, Colorado. They had five children, however a son died. Teresa owns an equestrian store. Steve has several businesses of his own. Ralph and I were married in the Ashton LDS Church. After I was married at the young age of 16, Ralph took me to Osgood. We plowed up 3,600 acres of sage bmsh. We lived in a sheep camp. We had to haul water in a barrel and use the sage bmsh for a bathroom. We also watched the antelope roam all over the country side, and the rabbits enjoy eating our crop.
I'm glad we did those things at the beginning of our lives and not at the end. I am always grateful for bathrooms and hot water!
rd say we had a wonderful life but by that I mean, even through the highs and lows, we kept a positive attitude. We had five wonderful children. We have lived in Osgood, and Rexburg , Idaho, Layton, Utah, Seattle, Washington, and back to Rexburg. I loved being a famier's wife and raising the children, cleaning house, and cooking.
I went on to being president of the Hospital Auxiliary. Then I went to work next for the Diet Center. I was director of the school and taught people from all over the United States and Canada, how to mn a Diet Center.
After Ralph passed away was when I moved to Redmond, Washington, to be closer to Mother. I went to work for a company called S.V.W.S. (School of Urban and Wildemess Survival). The business was based in Redmond, Washington. The program was for troubled kids, and it was and is still, based out of Shoshone, Idaho. I talked to the parents and signed the kids up for their twenty-one days in the wildemess. I then moved back to Idaho to be closer to my children and grandchildren. Blackfoot seemed to be where I am supposed to be. I've now been here ten years. 1 have twenty-five grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. 1 really feel blessed to have them in my life. My life has its ups and downs but I'm glad that I'm experiencing the ride life gave me. I also am grateful to have had a mother who was always
480
ddfitan 9-ain'dy. SihtoJcUd
been home, and a dad who was a great hugger.
This somewhat sums up a history of my family. For all of them, I am forever grateful. We were there for each other during the ups and downs. That's what makes us, us.
JiefncMtted r^^rrrr By Barbara Jean Hays Hiiskinson
I
B Richard Reimann, Arlene Jenkins. Renee Reynolds, B-Brent Murray, . Dee Reynolds
Don Hossner M- Terry Kidd, Janet Hill M- , Patty Rue Boger, Dickie Nedrow, Kathryne
Linda Blanchard, Sandy Hower, LaRae Mae Scow, Barbara Blanchard, Bernetta Harris F- Joyce Henry
F Melvin Osborn. Billy Whitmore, Ernest Carlson, Robert Timmons, and Terrell Perry.
Mrs. Spencer's 2'"' Grade. She had a project where we would take a field trip to a business, come back, and build a replica of it. We eventually built most of Ashton and had a party day where everyone came dressed as what they wanted to be when they grew up! This was the coolest project I ever participated in. Thank you Mrs. Spencer. Future Class of 1961 Submitted by Kathryne Scow
481
(Z^fitatt f^atnii^ Jihto^Ue^
^acobson, David Paul and Julie Kay Thatcher. Dave was bom 3 1 Dec 1956 in Heppner, Oregon, to Loal and Mary Wells JACOBSON. He married Julie Thatcher in Jackson, Wyoming. She was bom 16 Jan 1958 in Murray, Utah, to David and Mema Ransom THATCHER. They had the following children:
Jared Loal was born 10 Feb 1982 in Jackson, Wyoming.
Tory Nicole was bom was bom 16 Jul 1983 in Jackson, Wyoming.
Tyler David was bom 20 Oct 1985 in Jackson , Wyoming.
Shane Christopher was bom 14 Apr 1988 in Jackson, Wyoming.
Koby Bryce was bom 19 Jul 1996 in Rexburg, Idaho.
We moved here in August of 1990 from Jackson, Wyoming. Our kids were 10, 8, 6, and 4. We went into business with Dave and Mema Thatcher, Julie's parents, at Dave's IGA. Dave and Mema had purchased the old Market Center from Dennis Nichols. It was located next to the Forest Service and Rankin Motel next to Highway 20. It used to be the bowling alley in earlier days. We quickly became involved in the community. I started going to the Chamber of Commerce meetings, and Julie was put in as PTA President. There was a summer soccer league going that Greta Lenz (from Ashton)and Julian Hill (from St. Anthony) had started two years earlier. There were about 35 kids participating that first summer we were here. A couple years later, Greta sort of retired from soccer and we started mnning it. Over the years, it got bigger and bigger with over 150 children participating last year. We played teams from Ashton, Driggs, St. Anthony, Rexburg, Rigby, and Terreton with some of the communities coming and going, depending on how well-organized they were. Eventually we started playing Club Soccer with the older kids who weren't interested in football and track, and soccer was going from mid-April to October. In 2000, soccer was officially recognized as a high school sport in Idaho, and Julie and I were hired to coach the high school teams. The second year, the boys' team went to the State play-in game (we lost) and again the 4"' year (we lost again). Julie's girls' team was District Champions and went to State in 2003. The boys were the district Champions in 2005 and went on to State in Boise, losing two close games, one to the eventual State Champion.
In the meantime, we were still involved in many things. Julie was PTP President two years, 4"" of July Parade Committee Chairman two years, and was a prominent member of the committee to choose the new high school design. I have served as the NF Hospital Taxing District President for four years and counting. I'm also the race director for the Mesa Falls Marathon held in Ashton at the end of August each year, and that has continued to grow each year with nearly 300 mnners in 2004 and more expected our tenth year. I also keep the score book for the girls, and boys, varsity and junior varsity basketball games. This is my 12th year keeping the boys, book and seventh year for the girls. We took over the store eight years ago and employ 25 people during the winter and 35 in the summer. We work 60 plus hours a week there. Do I really need to say that neither one of us are fisherman? No time!
We are LDS, and each of us has served in various positions with myself serving five years as T' Counselor in the bishopric, two years as Gospel Doctrine teacher. Stake Young Men's President, and 1 currently teach the 4"' Sunday lesson in High Priest's Quorum. Julie has been in the Primary and Sunday School and Relief Society.
Ashton has been a great place to raise our family and with Koby being only nine years old, we will probably be here a while longer. We love to go to Yellowstone whenever we can find the time and look forward with optimism about Ashton's growth and development in the
482
years to come.
(Z^fitait 9^ amity. MhtoJcLe^
By Dave Jacobs on
\9y \t/ \f/ \f/
Patriotic Demonstration 4-3-191 7 Ashton, Idaho. Submitted bv Bernetta Harris Hanson
d^fitan ^fiiaia: Before funeral homes, they took care of their own people. The men made pine wood coffins. Then, the women lined and padded the inside with whatever material they had, hopeftilly black trimmed with white lace, laid out the deceased, and dressed them. They often used coins to keep the eyes closed. They had the showing in their homes, and often the fiineral was also held there.
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Jensen, George Rudolf, was bom 19 Jul 1892 in Huntington, Utah. He died 23 Oct 1973 in St Anthony, Idaho, and was buried 27 Oct 1973 in St. Anthony, Idaho, at Riverview Cemetery. There is more infomiation in the History of Sanpete and Emory County 1898, pg. 667.
George married Francis Eliza Mills, daughter of Henry George and Eliza Ann Horsley MILLS. Francis was bom 14 Feb 1907 in Deseret Lake, Emory, Utah. She died 4 Jul 1993 in Salt Lake City, Utah, and was buried Jul 1993 in St. Anthony, Idaho, at Riverview Cemetery. They had the following children:
Vada A. bom 23 Jul 1923 in Huntington, Utah. She died 30 Dec 1985 in Phoenix,
Arizona, and was buried in Jan 1986 in Huntington, Utah. Ina (twin) was bom 14 Aug 1924 in Huntington, Utah. She died 14 Aug 1924 in
Huntington, Utah, and was buried in Huntington, Utah. Ines (twin) was bom and died with her above twin. Henry Madsen was bom 15 Jan 1926 in
Huntington, Utah. He had four wives: (1) Renee, divorced (2) Carol Judd, divorced (3) June, divorced, (4) Marjie. Ronald Rudolph was bom 19 Oct 1927 in
Huntington, Utah. He died 1 1 Aug 1966 in Rupert, Idaho. Ronald married (1)
Jenivieve Jensen and (2) Jenese McDermott.
Bessey Lavece 7 Dec 1929 in Castle Dale, Emory, Utah. She died 30 Jan 1990 in Salt Lake City, Utah, and was buried in West Jordan, Utah. She was married to Rex McKenna. Albert Lamont was bom 5 Oct 1931 in Fayette, Sanpete, Utah. He married LuDean Judd and they had the following children: Delray, who works for the town of Ashton. Deanna, who lives in Burley, Idaho. Ronald, who lives in Bagdad, Arizona. Alvin, who was killed on 22 Sep 2004 in a dune buggy accident out by his
parents home north of Ashton. Amold Benjamin.
The following is a newspaper article on Alvin Jensen: "Alvin Jensen of Ashton was warmly greeted by friends and family after returning home last Wednesday from the Persian Gulf.
"Alvin was the first Fremont County military person to return since the war ended..
"A son of Lamont and LuDean Jensen, Alvin. 34, found life on a converted oil tanker to be much different than on the family fami north of Ashton. He served during the war on the USS Mercy, a hospital ship. His
Rudolph Jensen of Heybum relaxes after bringing home this 600 lb. moose he bagged near Ashton.
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dafitait 3^amii(f 3ii6toJue6
job was to repair and maintain diesel engines and auxiliary equipment.
"The USS Mercy was run, operated and maintained by civilians, but the military was the military was the o provide their protection and expertise.
"Alvin has been in the Navy for 14 years, and was in the Persian Gulf for 6 months before Operation Desert Shield began. He then volunteered to return on the USS Mercy, where he served another 6 months, and following a leave which ends later in March, Alvin will board the USS McClusky, which will return from the Gulf to patrol, find mines, monitor submarines, etc. Because of the low number of US casualties, the USS Mercy saw
Lamont Jensen turning the . . .
• , , , , miunes and
neighbor s garden. .,/
illnesses.
However, the persons on board were prepared to handle many injuries with a 1,000 bed hospital and all medical facilities.
L-Earl M-Earl and Lamont R-LaMont
Bottom M-Lamont and Earl Jensen working on LDS
Stake Center.
Lamont Jensen, Ashton's only dairy farmer, invents new way to feed calves.
'If he had to be over there, we felt he was in pretty good shape where he was, unless those gases were released,' said Alvin 's father, Lamont. 'Of course we kept glued to the TV, and I'd turn on the radio the first thing every time I went out to the bam.'
'"There were enough combat ships around us to take out any trouble, so we felt pretty safe,' said Alvin. 'We were ready, but none of us wanted the war to happen.'
"The hardest part of his stay over there, he said, 'was just the sitting and waiting.' However, much of the time was spent on duty or performing
485
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Cidfitatt fj^atnii^ Jih tended
watches, while free time was filled with reading, television, cards or organized events such as Bingo, holiday parties or special birthday dinners. He was allowed to go ashore in the Baharain area to sight-see, shop, etc.
"However, as the deadline to war came closer, the number of
persons on the ship rose from around 500 to 900 or 1,000, and drills and watches intensified.
"When the war actually began, Alvin at first didn't believe it. 'When they came down and told me we were really bombing them. I couldn't believe it at first, even though it was after the deadline.' said Alvin. 'But sure enough, we were doing it.'
'"The best thing about my stay over there was knowing we didn't have as many casualties as expected and being ready and able to perform my job.' he said,
'"The best thing about coming home was when we landed and I saw how much support we had. All of the yellow ribbons and signs-it really means something. We'd heard that there were yellow ribbons up, but I didn't know it would be like this'
"Welcoming Alvin into Ashton was the marquee at North Fremont High School which read 'Welcome Home From the Gulf Alvin Jensen.' He was immediately treated to a free dinner at Dave's IGA and, had Alvin arrived at home when his family expected him, he would have been greeted by members of his church singing the national anthem. However, he was again honored at church Sunday. "On Saturday, Alvin was the guest of honor at the annual Ashton American Legion birthday party as the town turned out to welcome him home.
'"We really feel good about who we are-living in America and being a part of this great community,' said Lamont. 'A welcome home like this means a lot to all of us.'" Clara Uzena was bom 25 Oct 1933 in Fayette, Sanpete, Utah. Flody Lavelle was bom 26 Jan 1936 in Lawrence, Emory, Utah. Flody
married Jo Ann Hall. Zada Uneva was bom 20 Mar 1939 in Lawrence, Emory, Utah. She married Claude Ardelle Wilcox "Bud," son of Harvey Benjamin and Mary Katherine Jones WILCOX, on 24 Dec 1962 in Elko, Elko, Nevada. Bud was born 21 Feb 1903 in Salinas, San Bernardino, California. He died 27 Jul 1983.
We lived on a big ranch named Ranch 71. We came to Ashton for our honeymoon because Bud loved to fish. We also came to see my brother, Flody, and family. They lived at the Davis Motel. Ashton has a lot of places to fish, and we loved it here. 1 said that someday we would live in Ashton.
Engine man 1" Class Alvin Jensen of Ashton pauses in front of a patriotic military mural at the Russian Naval Base in Vldivostock, Russia.
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Cidfitait !}ani'di^ Mb tabued
Bud and Zada Wilcox
In the fall of 1966, my dad killed his moose just east of Ashton. He was the only one that had a permit to hunt moose. Bud, my brother, Lamont, my brother, Ivan Delray, my nephew, and myself were hunting for deer and elk. Sometimes I liked to go with them. Most of the time I would stay in camp. My dad was the only one to get his moose, but there were others hunting them. He killed it at Horse Shoe Lake in Greentimber.
The next summer we came to Ashton to fish because my brother, Lamont,
was living in Ashton also. He had moved to Ashton to work in the woods. After
that we would come up to go fishing and hunting in the fall. Bud worked for Mile
High and Ashton Parks and Recreation.
I've seen a lot of changes in the last 22 years that I have been alone. I am
presently working for the City of Ashton. Ivan Ersel was bom 14 Jun 1941 in Gunnison, Sanpete, Utah. He married Diane Stalka,
who was bom in Chester, Idaho. They had the following children: Mary Ella bom
14 Dec 1965, Marcia May bom 7 May 1965, Jesse Lee was bom 2 Feb 1971. Ivan
lived in Ashton for a while and worked in the timber. Earl M. was bom 12 May 1944 in Salina, Utah. He married Christine Jones. Earl lived in
Ashton for a while and also worked in the timber. His second daughter, Brenda,
was bom in the Ashton Memorial Hospital. Rae E. was bom 23 Jun 1946 in Salina, Utah. Dolly Cotha was bom 15 Feb 1952 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She married Daniel Lee
Bardlsey. The marriage ended in divorce.
By Zada Uneva Wilcox
487
(Z^fitatt Q^atnih^ Mbtaue^
Diantha Jessen
Jessen, Christian and Diantha Brothersen. Christian was born 6 Jan 1847 in Copenhagen, Denmark. He died 8 Apr 1914 in Squirrel, Idaho, and was buried in Squirrel, Idaho. He married Diantha on 7 Oct 1872. She was born 18 Dec 1847 in Copenhagen, Denmark. She died 3 Feb 1928 in Squirrel, Idaho, and was buried in Squirrel, Idaho.
They had the following children:
Christian Jessen
John Frederick. Bom 17 Nov 1879 in Mt. Pleasant, Utah. (See Jessen, John Frederick
Sr.) James F. was bom 1883 in Mt. Pleasant, Utah, and died 1940. He married Minnie
House. Boone Ebby bom in 1881 in Mt. Pleasant, Utah, and died 1962. He was married to
Dollie Depriest. Delmer Christian was bom in 1873 in Mt. Pleasant, Sanpete, Utah, and died in 1950. Delmer married Bertha Swensen. There is more history in "Histoty of the Upland Farniim, Drummond, Squirrel, Lamont and Communities Faded into the Past 1896-1990. " pg. 223. Peter was bom in 1875 in Mt. Pleasant, Sanpete, Utah. He died in 1896. He never
married. Hans Festes was bom in Mt. Pleasant, Sanpete, Utah. He died in 191 1. He never
married. Ernest was born in 1892 in Mt. Pleasant, Sanpete, Utah. He died in 1916. He never married. The Jessen boys came first to Egin, Idaho. They stayed a short time then went to Squirrel, Idaho. Christian and Diantha came later and settled in Squirrel on Squirrel Creek. John F. Jessen homesteaded west of the original Jessen homestead. Jim Jessen homesteaded east of the Squirrel Store, now owned by Ira House. Taken from pg. 222 of "Histoty of the Upland Farnum, Drummond, Squirrel, Lamont and Communities Faded into the Past 1896-1990. "
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Jim lessen other two unknown.
James F. Jessen
Jessen's cutting grain on Reiman's ranch.
Dollie and Boone Jessen 489
Q^dhto-it ^antlh^ Mhtaued
Diantha Brothersen Jessen and Bertha Brothersen Jessen in front of house that Christian Jessen homesteaded at Squirrel. Gene Dickason owns it now.
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Diantha Jessen
John and Christian Jessen
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d^fitait f^atnii^ Mhto^Ue^
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John Jessen, Sr., lady unknown.
Woman unknown and James F. Jessen with a good mess offish. Note the surrey on the buggy!
Submitted by Nieca Cordingley Jessen
491
(Zdfitan 3^atn'd^ Mhto^Ue^
Jessen, John Bruce and Sharon Murri. "Bruce" was bom 28 Jul 1949 in St. Anthony, Idaho, son of John Frederick Jr. and Nieca Cordingley JESSEN. He married Sharon, daughter of Irvon Dale and Shirley Lane Noris MURRI 1 1 Sep 1971 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Sharon was bom 17 Jun 1951 in St. Anthony, Idaho. They had the following children:
Jennifer bom 6 Aug 1972 in Logan, Utah.
Natalie born 8 Jul 1975 in Logan, Utah
Shannon bom 28 Mar 1977 in Enid, Oklahoma
Christian Boone bom 16 Oct 1982 in Naples, Italy.
B-Stacy Johnson, Christian Jessen, Shannon Allen, Nicholas Allen Sean Bates M-Natalie Johnson, Bmce and Sharon Jessen, Jennifer Bates F- Meg Bates and Theona Bates
Bmce works for the Federal Govemment and Sharon maintains their home in Spokane, Washington. They come home often to renew their roots.
By Nieca Cordingley Jessen
****
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CLdfitafi §ain'd^ Mhta^e^
Jessen, John Frederick "Jack" Jr. and Nieca Cordingley. Jack was bom 24 Oct 1920 in Squirrel,
Idaho, to John Frederick and Ida Franz JESSEN. Jack died 23 Jul 2003 in Ashton, Idaho, and
was buried 23 Jul 2003 in the Pineview Cemetery at Ashton, Idaho. He married Nieca 13 Aug
1943 in Bozeman, Montana. Nieca was bom 9 Jan 1924 in Marysville, Idaho, to George
Huggins and Arminta Egbert CORDINGLEY They had the following children:
Jaqueline bom 22 Jun 1944 in St. Anthony, Idaho. (See Miller, Russell B. )
Nieca Kaye bom 12 Sep 1935 in St.
Anthony, Idaho. (See Mecham,
Donald Vance.)
John Bmce bom 28 Jul 1949 in St.
Anthony, Idaho. (See Jessen,
Bmce.)
Lowell Ford Carlson bom 28 Jun 1948 in
Everett, Washington. (See
Carlson, Lowell.)
Several children stayed at different times.
Jack attended school in Squirrel, Ashton,
and Rexburg. Nieca attended school in
Marysville, Ashton, and Idaho Falls. Jack was a
farmer, a member of the Volunteer Fire
Department, on the Potato Board, a potato
Nieca and Jack Jessen with Kaye and Jacky.
B-Russell Miller, Bmce Jessen, Lowell Carlson, Don Mecham holding Morgan Mecham. F-Jacky Miller, Jack Jessen holding Jaesen Mecham, Nieca Jessen holding Bryan Miller and Kaye Mecham.
warehouse owner, and worked for Mile High. He had many callings in the LDS Church including officiating in the Idaho Falls Temple for 23 years. He was a devoted father, husband, and friend.
Jack and Nieca served a mission in the south.
Nieca worked at the variety store in Ashton, the dmg store, was an
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ddhton ^amib^ Jihto^ue^
B-Lovvell Carlson and Bruce Jessen F-Jacky Miller, Jack, Nieca and Kaye Lovell.
assistant manager of Hanson Irrigation, held an office in the Ashton Chamber as president, was active in civic and church affairs, and officiated in the LDS Temple in Idaho Falls for 23 years. She helped Jack in his farming and opened the first Bed & Breakfast - RV Park in Ashton. They enjoy their guests from all over the world. Most of the children from Ashton and the surrounding area enjoy coming to "the farm." They would have sleep-overs and enjoy jumping on the trampoline, swinging in the various swings, playing in the play house, and floating the canal.
Nieca describes her home as "this beautiful little valley in Ashton, Idaho. To the East lies the majestic Teton Mountains. To the North the Snake River, and the beautifiil forest with pines,
aspen and mt. ash trees. To the West, the rolling sand hills, and the South, on to the big city. It is no wonder they settled here in this little valley in the 1 800s." She goes on to say, "We both have history of the early settlement and are six generations of childhood with great parents, grandparents, and friends. We still enjoy the association with those who are still living. Pops and 1 are
Jack Jessen Ranch
494
ddfitan ^ amity. Mhto^ue^
best friends. This takes many years of maturing and sacrificing and so worth it all."
"Morgan completed his senior school year with us. We so enjoyed his friends and activities (talent in drama). We also chaperoned
Theona Bates enjoying the trampoline. Note the play- house and swings in the background.
The Playhouse Nieca and Jack's Great-Grands. B-Ashley Nieca Miller, Theona Bates, Kyla Diette Miller, Remington Reese, Riley Reese, Loreena Miller and Madelyne Miller F- Meg Bates, Ellise Miller, Soren Bates, Renae Reese. The inside is complete with carpeting, fake sink and cabinet, love seat, dishes, dolls and a "grandmother's love."
his senior dance.
"After about nine years of living in Ashton, we moved to what they all call 'The Farm,' even though we sold the farm a few years ago and put in an RV Park. We are the second owners of the homestead, and it is over one hundred years old. It is a great place for all of us to enjoy." Taken from a personal writing of Nieca.
Pops, Morgan, Jenni, and Pooch enjoying a quiet moment under the shade of the willow trees!
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Cl<yfitatt f^atnii^ Sihtaue^
Looking out back door of farmhouse.
2004 addition of bridge over canal.
Jessen's RV Bed and Breakfast. View of the back of the house. Right is a gazebo lit with white lights. The picnic table is the gathering place for smores parties around the open-pit campfire with an orchard and large lawn for playing games and housing tenters.
Nieca giving rides to the Great-Grands on her ''wheels!" B-Jacky w/Renie, Meg Bates, Ashley Miller, Madelyn Miller, Loreena Miller, Kyla Miller next to Nieca, Theona Bates, Nieca holding Remington Reese, Soren Bates and Riley Reese last on right. By Nieca Corciingley J ess en
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ddfitati S^amiiy. Mhtaued
^essen, John Frederick Sr. and Ida Franz. John was bom 17 Nov 1879 in Mt. Pleasant, Utah, to Christian and Diantha Brothersen JESSEN. He died in 1945 in Squirrel, Idaho, and was buried in the Squirrel, Idaho, Cemetery. He married Ida 25 Mar 1905. She was bom 26 Apr 1886 in Indiana, the daughter of Oscar and Berthe Martine FRANZ She died 2 Nov 1962 in Ashton, Idaho, and was buried in Squirrel, Idaho. They had the following children:
Clarence Peter bom and died in 1909. John Frederick, Jr. bom 24 Oct 1920 in
Squirrel, Idaho. (See Jessen, John Frederick, Jr.) Thelma Mae bom 1 Dec 1922 in Ashton, Idaho. (See Phillips, Victor Walter.) Ida Delmar bom 1923 in Squirrel, Idaho. She married Dale Tarbert. Janice Fem bom 1917 in 1955. She married Russell Holt in June of 1941. This union
ended in divorce. John Sr. came to this part of Idaho in 1 90 1 . He worked for a while at the Highland Ranch in Squirrel and then homesteaded the place where he had lived for 41 years. He met Ida
at the Highland Ranch. He died from a heart attack right in front of the Squirrel Store in his sleigh.
John Frederick, Sr. and Ida Franz JESSEN
Ida Jessen
Ida and Janice Jessen
John Frederick Jessen, Sr.
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From John Frederick Jessen, Sr. pictures.
From John Frederick Jessen, Sr. pictures.
More history found in "History of the Upland Farnum, Drummond, Squirrel, Lamont and Communities Faded into the Past 1896-1990" pg. 223.
Submitted by Nieea Cordingley Jessen
****
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ddhto-ii 3-atniiif Jihtaue^
jA)nQS, Walter Franklin and Jessie Mae Cordingley. Jessie
was bom 24 Decl935 in Ashton, Idaho, to John Lee and Dorothy Mae Strong CORDINGLEY. She had one brother, Herbert Keith Cordingley, bom 1 1 Feb 1934. He was killed in a train car accident south of Ashton 15 Nov 1952. Jessie was bom in the Ashton Hotel in a room rented by Warren and Ethel Cordingley.
Jessie had a good childhood growing up in Ashton among her relatives. She always felt very loved. She was named after her grandmother, Jessie Squire Jones Cordingley. She took the name of Jessie Cordingley and then, when she married, she took her grandmother's maiden name of Jessie Jones.
Jessie attended all twelve years of school in Ashton, going to grade school and one year of high school in the old school building, and then being in the class of the first
sophomores
Walter and Jessie Jones
Jessie and Walter Jones
to be in the
new North Fremont High School in 1951-1952.
Jessie was given her first dancing lessons when she was five years old. That played a big part in her life as she was able to perform and teach dance most of her life and has been able to pass that on to her children. She loved to sew and made most of her children's clothing while they were growing up. She also shared this talent with others. She spent many years caring for her parents and her husband's parents, which blessed her life.
Jessie married Walter Franklin Jones 5 Feb 1954 in Ashton, Idaho. They were blessed with six children, Jerrilee, Teena Rae, Keith Walter, Annette, Wendy Sue, and Nicki Lyn. Their lives were spent in Dmmmond, Idaho Falls, and Driggs, Idaho.
Walter farmed in Dmmmond and then when they moved to Idaho Falls, he worked for D.H. Loosli, then for VanGas. They moved to Driggs while employed for VanGas and lived there for eight years, owning a dry cleaning business while there. They moved back to Dmmmond in 1974 to help care for Walter's mother. They spent two years in Rexburg and
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B-Teena, Jerrilee M-Annette, Jessie, Walter, Keith F- Nicki and Wendy JONES
then back to the farm.
Their son, Keith, was killed in a construction accident 6 Jul 1990.
They have been active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all of their lives and have enjoyed serving in the positions they were called to.
At this time, 2005, they have five children married, and one daughter-in-law, married, 29 grandchildren and 1 1 great grandchildren. Their family numbers over 60.
Life has been good in the Upper Snake River Valley where all have been safe and had all they needed to sustain life.
By Jessie Cordingley Jones
Vf/ Nf/ \t/ \f/ •♦\ •♦X /^N /4\
Walter F. Jones Family Nicki Lyn, Jerrilee, Teena Rae, Walter F., Jessie, Wendy Sue, Annette, Keith Walter ^^^
(Zdfitatt S'atniiy. MUtoJue^
Daniel Fuller Judd
Alice Mabel Marshall Judd
Judd, Daniel Fuller and Alice Mabel Marshall. Dan was bom 27 Sep 1886 in Pima, Graham, Arizona to Ammon Frank and Annie Dowler JUDD. He died 18 Aug 1948 in Twin Falls, Idaho, and is buried in the Pineview Cemetery in Ashton, Idaho. Dan married Mabel 19 Aug 1903 in Panguitch, Garfield, Utah. She was bom 19 Jul 1886 in Panguitch, Garfield, Utah, the 4"^ child of Joseph Steele and Alice Jane Dickinson MARSHALL. She died 15 Feb 1973 in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and is buried in the Pineview Cemetery in Ashton, Idaho. They had the following children: Roy Marshall bom 25 Mar 1905 and died 27 Feb 1990 in Pamona, Califomia and was
buried 3 Mar 1990 in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho.. He married. Dollie Leola Meyers 17 May 1929 in Rexburg, Idaho. She was bom 30 Oct 1905 and died 5 Sep 1992. They owned the Teton Pharmacy Dmg in Ashton. Alice Cleora bom 8 Nov 1906. (See Baker, Horace George.) Frank Daniel bom 30 Apr 1909 in Ashton, Idaho. He died 23 Mar 1966 in Dixon,
Califomia. He married Doris Huff 1 Apr 1934. She was bom 27 Nov 1913. Emma Lola bom 27 Jul 1911 in Ashton, Idaho. She died 19 Feb 1999 in Gresham,
Oregon. She married Stanley D. Friesen 7 Mar 1934 in Nevada. He was bom 9 Jul 1913 and died 1984/1985. Fredrick Earl bom 30 Oct 1913 in Ashton, Idaho. He died 23 Oct 1994 in Kirkland, Washington, and was buried 28 Oct 1994 in the Larkin Sunset Gardens in Sandy, Utah. He married. VanOrda Mary Martindale 29 Mar 1935 in Marysville, Idaho. She was bom 15 Aug 1918 and died 1 Dec 1991.
Floyd Joseph bom 30 Apr 1916 in Ashton, Idaho. He died 14 Jul 2000 in Boise, Idaho. He married Naomi Jean Bronson 26 Feb 1943 in Jerome, Idaho. She was bom 6 Feb 1925. Keith bom 25 Nov 1919 in Ashton, Idaho. He died 3 Mar 1965 in Caldwell, Idaho, and was buried 8 Mar 1965 in Caldwell, Idaho. He married Yvonne Roblyer 25 May 1945 in Caldwell, Idaho. She was bom 9 Aug abt 1918 and died in 2004. Dan was the 5"' child in a family of fourteen. When he was a young boy, his family moved to Panguitch, Utah where he grew to manhood. His father, a common laborer, was stricken with arthritis and the children were required to find work at a young age. Dan's opportunities for formal education were limited to a completion of the eighth grade. He realized the need of at least knowing a trade and often remarked that life was hard when one had to rely only on two hands to support a family. He always urged his children to get all the education possible, and he made many sacrifices to help them realize those goals. He often told of his first job as a camp helper at a sheep camp and how lonely and homesick he was.
When Dan was not yet seventeen years old, he married Alice. Roy was bom in 1905. Mabel's father, Joseph, had filed on a homestead in Alberta, Canada, and in the summer of 1905,
501
(Zdfitan f^amiiy. Mbto^ue^
his family decided to migrate to Canada. Dan and Mabel traveled along with them to seek their fortune in a new place.
Joseph Marshall and his sons. Gene, Claude, and Frank, and son-in-law Dan Judd, packed up two freight wagons and with four teams of horses, began the month long, 600 mile trip. Mabel and baby son would leave later with her mother and brothers Earl and Leo and sister Neva. They made about fifteen miles a day in Jack Judd's freight wagon until reaching
Marysvale, Utah. (Jack is Dan's younger brother). From there they went by train to Provo, then Salt Lake City where they continued on to Rexburg, Idaho, arriving on July 4"' 1905 by train. Friends had previously migrated there, and they were able to work for them. The boys worked on a farm and were rewarded with half of the hay crop. The next year they received some cattle for their work.
In March 1907 the families moved north to Ashton and set up housekeeping in walled tents. These tents had wooden plank floors with board walls about four feet high, the rest was made of canvas. They spent that summer and the next living in tents. In those days winter in Ashton was very severe, with many blizzards. Without many buildings and trees to stop the. wind, the snow piled in big drifts, making living in tents not only uncomfortable but frightening, especially with two very small children. Dan and Mabel had traveled to Rexburg with their four-month old baby son, Roy, and on 8 Nov 1906, Alice Cleora was bom while they lived in the sheep wagon. She was only six months old at the time they moved to Ashton.
Some time during 1908, Dan built his family a five-room house, which burned completely down in August 1911. The house was rebuilt in the same spot and still stands in Ashton in the third block east of the tracks on Highland, on the north comer lot, number 308. (Records show that Dan purchased Lot 6 Block 75). It is in good condition and lived in at present. Mabefs parents lived one block to the east on the same street, south comer lot, 4"' and Highland and it still stands, although in disrepair. The children spent many trips hauling water and other things with their wagons to and from the elder Marshall's and called them "Grammy and Grampy." (Joseph and Alice Dickinson Marshall.) As time went on, Dan was one of few residents in town to have indoor plumbing and an electric washing machine. He always admonished his children to help their mother with housework and cooking. By this time five more children had been born to Dan and Mabel. Daniel Frank (Bub), Emma Lola, Fredrick Earl,
Mabel and Dan Judd 1912
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ddfitan 3'ainiiif Mhta^ucA
»
Floyd Joseph, and Keith.
Mabel attended grade school and high school in Panguitch. When she was thirteen years old, she became very sick and seemed close to death. The cause of her sickness was unknown but after she recovered, she was asked to teach a Sunday School class, which lasted for four years. This was the first of many church leadership services. She served thirty years in the Primary organization, forty-three years as a Relief Society teacher, and nine years on the genealogy board in Twin Falls. She was also a class leader in the MIA youth groups. She worked in all civic affairs everywhere they lived, i.e.. Red Cross, Community Chest, Polio drives, etc., and was active politically, especially for women's right to vote. After her husband passed away, she ran her apartment house business until 1953 when she was 67 years old. She spent most of the summers in Ashton with her daughter, Cleora, and winters visiting other members of her family.
he home in Ashton built by Joseph Steel Marshall, facing west on comer lost 4'" & Highland (Back Street) one block cast of Ihe Dan JuUd Home. The lady on lell is Grammy Marshall, in the middle Neva Mai^ihall anil the boy is RoyJudd. Abt 1915.
The Joseph Marshall home at the present time. 2002.
503
F» «^iS*...%1R'
Cidfitan family. Jibta^e^
Mabel was only 4 feet 10 inches tall and had very small feet (wore a size four shoe). She hardly ever left her bedroom to begin the day without being fully groomed, complete with neatly pressed apron. She liked to wear a pretty brooch at the neck of her dress or blouse, usually with earrings to match. Her hair always looked neat and stayed a dark brown, almost black, until she was about 80 years old. She wore glasses nearly all of her life and had big brown eyes. She believed that women should be knowledgeable and be recognized as an active participants in all affairs, whether public or private, and took great pride in her political affiliation and right to vote. Mabel also believe that "cleanliness was next to Godliness" and everywhere she lived she kept her house very clean and tidy. She expected high standards from her family, but at the same time was tolerant and forgiving. Mabel loved getting together with her children's families and her brothers and sisters. She especially enjoyed picnics in Idaho forests and Yellowstone Park with Cleora's and Roy's children. After her husband, Dan, passed away, she spent many summers in Ashton and visited her other children
during the winters. She had sold the apartment house and lived in several small apartments in Twin Falls, Idaho. It was very hard for her to live alone.
In Ashton, Dan ran a livery stable for one year and later bought a dray or transfer service but sold this business after four years. He began working at the Consolidated Wagon and Machine Co. (CW&M) located on the north side of the street across from the theater building. He worked for this company 23 years (14 years in Ashton and 9 years in Burley) six days a week, until the business terminated.
His favorite thing to do on Sunday was to load up the family in a rented buggy or car and climb up the Ashton Hill to picnic in the forest. Many years went by before he could afford to own a car. He loved farming and always wanted to own a farm, but the nearest he came to that was when he sold machinery to farmers and helped them make it run.
About 1928 Dan transferred to work at the CW&M in Burley because of Mabel's poor health. The doctor recommended a lower, warmer climate for her, and she seemed to do much better. The first four children had graduated from high school in Ashton and the youngest three, who were boys, graduated from Burley High School. All of them strived to get an education or
Taken on Warm River where Roy Judd's family often vacationed in cabins there. Standing John Judd (Roy's son) and Darlene (Cleora's daughter). Adults sitting Grandma Mabel Judd and Roy Judd. Children sitting: Larry Judd (John's little brother and Pat Baker (Darlene's little sister). Abt 1939
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ddfitait ^atniiif Mhtauea
work at jobs that included training and advancement. Several of them helped each other financially to attain their educational goals. Cleora helped Roy finish his education at a Pharmacy college in Missouri and he worked at the Teton Pharmacy in Ashton for 25 years before owning his own store in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho, until he retired. Roy helped his sister, Cleora, get her diploma to be a teacher from Albion State Normal. Both Roy and Cleora helped Frank finish at Link's Business College in Boise from which he made his living selling cars and owned the Frank Judd Auto Parts store in Twin Falls. Emma worked as a telephone operator for many years both before and after marriage. Fred received help from his brothers and sisters working at different jobs. Floyd worked for the railroad doing many different jobs, retiring after working in the switch control at the Nampa yard. Keith became a high school coach after graduating from Albion State Normal and later from FBI Academy to become a Law Enforcement Officer.
Keith was the Chief of Police for the city of Caldwell, Idaho, when one evening (26 Aug 1961) he was called to investigate unidentified sniper shots aimed at a farmhouse, having been told by the farmer that the shots came from outside the house. Actually the 'sniper' was his 13- year-old grandson shooting from an upstairs window. He shot Keith in the neck while he was in the yard looking away from the house. He also shot another officer in the back from the same place. Keith was paralyzed from the neck down and had only a little movement in one hand. The other officer was paralyzed from the waist down and never walked again. For three and one-half years, Keith tried to lead as normal a life as he could being a paraplegic. He typed notes and letters with one finger and did some art work holding a brush with his hand and teeth. After living at the Elks Rehabilitation Center in Boise and then for a year and a half in a hospital, Keith died 3 Mar 1965 at age forty-six. He had one child, a son, Christopher Keith, who passed away suddenly with pneumonia a few days before his high school graduation in 1969.
When Mabel's health failed about 1970, she stayed at the Good Samaritan Convalescent Center in Idaho Falls for about two and one-half years. She passed away there peacefully.
After the wagon and machine company terminated in Burley, Dan owned a comer grocery with a cabin court behind and operated this business for four years. Dan had a butcher shop in Declo, Idaho, from which he supplied his store with fresh meat. Later they owned and lived in an apartment house in Twin Falls for eleven years. The last five years Mabel ran that business alone.
Dan Judd was still working part time at Kringles Hardware Store when he passed away suddenly with a heart attack early in the morning of 18 Aug 1948. He was 62 years old and had never collected a day of retirement or overtime pay after working since before age sixteen. He had a wry sense of humor and respected accomplishment through hard work. He often said, "You need to amount to something," and he knew anyone could if they worked hard enough and got an education. He was greatly admired by his children and grandchildren and what he stood for as a man.
Information taken from "Our Parents Past & Present by Bearing D. Bressler, Paticia L. Sturm,
Judy A. Smith and Daniel G. Baker.
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ddfilon !}atniitf SiUtaue^
Nine of the twelve children of Thomas and Marie KARREN
Stella Dicks, William Karren, Ruby Ashcroft, Marie Egbert, Edith Gee,
Delphia Marshall, Evelyn Lempke, Sylvia Wills, and Ted Karren.
JiCarren. Thomas
William and
Marie Antoinette
Van Orden.
Thomas was bom
4 Mar 1864 in
Lehi, Utah, to
Thomas and
Sarah Gibbons
KARREN. He
died in 2 Aug
1925 in Ashton,
Idaho, and was
buried 4 Aug
1925 in Ashton,
Idaho. He was a
farmer. He
married Marie 15
Sep 1887 in
Logan, Utah. She
was bom in 9 Nov 1866 in Kaysville, Utah, to Everett Clark and Elizabeth Harris VAN ORDEN.
She died 22 Jun 1942 in Ashton, Idaho, and was buried 24 Jun 1942 in Ashton, Idaho. They had
the following children:
William Everett bom 4 Aug 1888 in Vemal, Utah. He died 18 Sep 1953. He married
Martha Rogers 12 Dec 1912. Ruby May bom 17 Dec 1889 in Vemal, Utah. She died 22 Nov 1979. She married Jacob
Cleveland Ashcraft 21 Nov 1910. Edith Elva bom 31 Dec 1891 in Lewiston, Utah. She died 4 Jul 1984. She married John
Ether Gee 7 Oct 1909. Delphia born 16 Sep 1894 in Egin, Idaho. (See Marshall, James Eugene.) Grace Adelia bom 16 Jul 1896 in Marysville, Idaho. She died at 18 mos. in 1898. Estella bom 16 Mar 1898 in Marysville, Idaho. She died 2 Mar 1955. She married
George Franklin Dicks 4 Aug 1917. Marie Antoinette bom 10 Dec 1901 in Marysville, Idaho. (See Egbert, Hollis Russ.) Ada (twin) bom 15 Aug 1903 in Ashton, Idaho. She died 15 Nov 1919. She never
married. Ida (twin) bom 15 Aug 1903 in Ashton, Idaho. She died 5 Nov 1941. She never
married. Sylvia bom 16 Jul 1905 in Ashton, Idaho. She died 20 Dec 1979. She married Benjamin
Elvin Wills 8 Sep 1924. Evelyn bom 28 Nov 1907 in Ashton, Idaho. She died in 1982. She married { 1) Orval
Bolton Preston 10 May 1926. She married (2) Edward Lempke 3 Jul 1947. Thomas Edward bom 10 Jun 1910 in Ashton, Idaho. He died 26 Oct 1992. He married Inez Mathews 27 Apr 1931.
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(Z^fitait S'ani'd^ Mhto^ue^
They both were from Utah and came by horse, team, and wagon to the Snake River Valley in 1893 with their three oldest children. They came in company with the Joe and Edith Glover family. Marie and Edith were sisters.
The Karren's homesteaded 3 Vi miles south of the present town of Ashton on Fall River. They lived the pioneer
life that included
Marie Antoinette Karren with home-made clothes and high button shoes. Age 2-1903.
hauling water from
the river, contending
with antelope and
squirrels for garden
produce, making
homemade soap,
homemade clothes,
etc.
When the
family was old
enough to go to
school, Thomas got a
log home in
Marysville. The long
winter evenings were spent reading to the children.
Talent and Drama Club in the village brought families
together to perform and this they enjoyed and
participated in. When summer came, they were back on
the farm working hard.
About the time the first school house was built in Ashton, Thomas and Marie built a home in Ashton close to the school on what was called later Highland St.
After Thomas' death, Marie and Ida moved permanently to this home for the remainder of their lives.
Twelve children were bom to the Karren's. The first and the last were boys. Delphia (Marshall) Marie (Egbert) and Ted Karren spent all or most of their lives living in the Ashton
Ada and Ida KARREN
area.
Submitted by Marva Rich
My father, Thomas William Karren, was bom in Lehi, Utah. They were sent there by the Mormon Church to colonize that area. After a short time, when Father was still a small boy, they went to Vemal, Utah. This was the early days of the valley, and he spent his childhood there.
When he was about 2 1 years, old he went to Lewiston, Cache, Utah, to live and work with his Uncle Hyrum Karren. This is where he met and married my mother.
My mother was bom in Kaysville, Utah. Her childhood days were spent there where she attended school. She was the sixth child of a family of 15 children. She was baptized in the
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Cidfilan J^atnlt^ Mhtaued
Momion Church by Henry Talbot and confirmed by Brother H. Lewis.
The family moved to Lewiston, Utah, when Mother was in her teens. At the age of 21, she was married in the Logan Temple to Thomas Karren. They started their home back at his home town of Vernal. Here William Everett and Ruby May were born. After three years, they moved back to Lewiston, where another daughter, Edith Elva, was bom.
At that time, a number of young residents of Cache Valley became interested in the advantages offered to young farmers who would move to Canada. My father, who loved adventure, was determined to join a group of six families who organized a wagon train to make the long trip. Mother disliked the idea and tried to discourage him in going, but she finally gave up and helped make ready for the trip.
When the day of departure came, the three small children had the whooping cough. Father was determined to go anyway, so the start was made. On the third day, however, the children became very sick and had to be cared for. Mother refijsed to go on until they felt better, so they made camp and waited three days. The rest of the wagon train went on ahead. They attempted to catch the others by driving longer hours each day, but they took a wrong turn and became confused in regard to directions and after much traveling, they met a man who told them they were headed back toward Ogden, Utah. By this time, they were so far behind that they gave up and went back to Lewiston, Utah.
The following summer, they decided to join my mother's sister and her family, Edith and Joseph Glover, to cast their lot in the Upper Snake River Valley in Idaho. The long trip was made from Lewiston, Utah, to the northern part of southeast Idaho in a covered wagon. They filed on homestead lands and built log cabins to live in. The winters were so hard and we were quite a distance from supplies, so we moved down to Egin abt. 20 miles west and south where there was a small settlement. Here we could get feed for the horses, and the men hauled freight from Market Lake (which is now the area called Roberts). Here Delphia was bom.
Our homestead was located on Fall River 3 Yi miles from the town of Ashton. The Glovers' ranch was a few miles east of our place. At this time, there were only about a dozen families in and near the little town of Marysville. At this time, the nearest town and railroad was at Market Lake, near what is now Idaho Falls or Roberts.
The first few years in our new home were very hard and trying ones. Father built a one- room cabin with dirt fioor and with oiled paper at the windows. A quilt hung at the door. The water had to be hauled from the river in barrels so in the summer time. Mother often took clothes down to the river where she built a fire and heated her water in a tub. The tub rested upon two rocks over the fire. The clothes were washed on a wash board and hung on the bushes to dry. When the wild berries along the river were ripe, she would gather berries while the clothes were drying.
In winter. Dad would saw large cakes of ice from the river and pile them up by the side of the house to melt for water.
Many were the dangers and hardships of those first few years on our homestead. The winters were long and cold; summers hot and dry. They worked hard to get the fences built and ditches made for irrigation.
My father was a good-looking, strong, dedicated person, both to his work and to his family. He had a wonderful sense of humor which helped a lot when times were especially
508
difficult. He loved to tease us and created a lot of fun for us. He worked so hard and had many unfortunate accidents. Besides cutting his foot, that Ruby mentioned, on one occasion he had removed the knife from a header and placed it across his lap in the buggy so he could take it to town to get it sharpened. As he drove his team through the gate, one of the horses saw something that frightened it, and it jumped forward. It caused one end of that 10 ft. knife to hit the gate post. Father was holding this knife, and his hand got badly cut-almost severing two fingers.
During the winter of 1918, there was a bad flu epidemic the community suffered. As we had no hospital at that time, the school was used for one. My father became sick with this flu. He was delirious. I did not take off my clothes to go to bed for four or five nights because I was attending to him and the rest of the family by applying chest plasters of mustard and Denver mud alternately to break up the congestion. Everyone in the family was down with it but me.
Father was an expert at irrigating and making ditches so the water would run well. Many of the neighbors sought his help to make their ditches. He was a very good farmer and spent his entire life farming and raising livestock. Ruby says that at one time, for a short time before he came to this country area, he taught school. He loved horses and always had good ones. He also took great price in his milk cows. His only automobile was a Model T Ford, which he had just a few years before his death. He could only run it in the summer as the roads were blocked with snow all winter. In the winter, the car was parked in the buggy shed.. I remember when the Easter holiday was near, how we girls would be found chipping away at the ice-bound wheels of the buggy to make certain it was ready to go when the day arrived.
Educating a family here in the early days was not easy. At first the older children attended school in a little log room about three miles south of the cemetery which is located on highway 47 about Vi mile east of Ashton. School was held here for about three months each summer. It was impossible to hold school during the severe winter months. Later the family moved into Marysville during the winter so the children could attend school there. Father owned a home there. It was in the Marysville home I was bom. After my birth, my mother had milk- leg and was confined to her bed most of the winter. My oldest sister. Ruby, who was twelve years old, took care of Mother and baby as well as the rest of the family. She cooked, washed, ironed, and even did the sewing. Mother sat up in bed to cut out dresses on a board across her lap. Ruby sewed the Christmas dresses on the sewing machine for herself and three younger sisters. By the time I was old enough for school. Father had sold the house in Marysville and had built a small two room house in Ashton close to the school house which had been built there. Sister Ruby had a job at the first newspaper office in Ashton called the Ashton Enterprise. She worked and mothered the rest of us girls while we went to school. This was a cold little house. Our water bucket would be frozen over in the mornings and often again by the time we came home at noon for lunch. Being the youngest, 1 would get home earlier than the others so it was my job to build the fire. Many times 1 had to wash my hands in mush-ice in the wash basin. Eventually two more rooms were added to our town house and it was here that Mother moved after Father's death. She spent the rest of her life here. She did all her own work, took care of a few chickens, had her garden, berries, and flowers right up till her death at age 76.
It must have been about the year 1900 when my father built the new frame house on the farm. Although it was only two large rooms, at first it was a real pleasure for the family. 1 was
509
about 6 years old when Father built another large room on the ground floor and two large bedrooms upstairs, and back porches were also built on at this time. How proud we were of our beautiful home, the nicest in the country. It was painted white with green trim. It was surrounded by green lawn and tlowers. One can hardly imagine the heartache we suffered when this home was lost to my family during the depression. My parents' lives were ones of work, trial, and sorrow, but they left fond memories.
Mother said her first garden was eaten up by the antelope. They could jump high and fences were not a problem to them. There were many coyotes. One time we stood watching as a coyote snatched a hen as she drank water only a few feet from us.
On one occasion when Father was away from home, the country was swept by prairie fire. Mother saw it coming and put the four younger children on top of the chicken coop. She only had one barrel of water so she tied a burlap sack to a pitchfork, dipped it in the barrel of water and fought the fire. She put out the flames away from the house and fought desperately and saved the buildings, but the fence and the grain were burned.
Father would go every summer to drive stage coach in the Yellowstone Park to get money for our winter supplies. I can remember what a thrill it was when he came home with a bolt of calico for dresses and shirts and a bolt of outing flannel for night wear and unbleached muslin for underclothes and garments. Mother made them all, and we all had clothes out of the same material. There would be crates of dried apples, peaches, prunes, and raisins. There would be macaroni, too, and so many things we needed for food. We were so thankful for these things.
All the people in the settlement were Mormon, but it was a while before we had a church, and in the winter they all would get together and have a good time with drama. They had a home dramatical company. Father was the leading man. He was an excellent reader and pleased the crowd. I will never forget the night he took the part of the Villain in "Ten Nights in a Bar Room." In the long winter nights, he would read some good books out loud to us while Mother knitted stockings and mittens.
On July 16, 1895, Grace was bom, and then she died at 18 months from a spinal defect. It was in the winter, and we were snowed in. Father had been laid up with his foot. He had been up in the timber and tripped and fell on his ax. It had cut his foot badly. He hadn't been out with the team to break the road, so he went on show shoes for a mile to the neighbors for help. They were two days breaking the road for teams and sleighs. Two men went seven miles on snow shoes and carried boards from a saw mill. A little casket was built, and Mother lined it with cotton and also with satin from her wedding dress. Grace was buried in the field a short distance from the house. As time went on seven more children were bom to join our family.
Father sold his homestead to George Garret and bought another one just two miles west where he built a new house. It was a large frame home and life began to be a little easier for us.
His oldest son, William, went on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the Southem States Mission.
During the years from 1 9 1 6 to 1 923, my father had bad luck and due to some misunderstanding about water and taxes, my father lost his fami and was forced to move to another one, which he rented. He was a hard working man, good to his family, and had many friends. He helped build all the roads, church houses, and schools in the area.
He passed away with quick pneumonia at the age of 63 and went to his just reward.
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ddfitan !}ainii^ Mhtaued
Mother moved from the farm into Ashton and spent the rest of her life there. She Hved to see her children married. Those who did. Three daughters passed away before her death. They were the aforementioned Grace, and the twins Ada and Ida. Ada died at the age of 16 from typhoid fever and Ida lived to be 39. Ida died from flu and pneumonia.
Mother loved flowers and each of her homes were adorned with them, both inside and out.
I can remember so many things that happened, as I am the second child of the 12 children. One night when Father was gone and we were sleeping in our little cabin, our little calf pushed the quilt away from the door and came in where it was warm. Mother woke up and thought it was some wild animal. She was frightened and got all us children in bed with her and stayed quiet until morning. Then she discovered it was only our little calf
The antelope would come and drink the water we had put out for the chickens, and the wild chickens would come and lay their eggs under our doorstep. There were also many Indians on the other side of the river. They came in large numbers and built their camps. They came to our house and traded us chickens for bread and sugar. Mother was not afraid of them and was kind to them. One day our Bishop came out and wanted Mother to take us children and go over to his place to stay until Father got home.
When Mother passed away, she was laid to rest beside my father in the Pineview Cemetery at Ashton, Idaho. She was 76 years old. She was a very wonderful mother.
By Marie Antoinette Karren Egbert Last three paragraphs written
By Ruby May Karren Ashcraft 8 Aug 1959.
A more detailed account of this family is found in the book "Marysville - People and
Happenings " compiled by Joseph and Edna Heward.
\^/ Sf/ \f/' Nf/' /«N /JS /«\ /4\
511
a^htatt ^atn'd^ Mb tabued
JCeck, Kenneth Robert and Elizabeth Ann "Ahlstrom" Keck
Ken hails from Arkansas, with Elizabeth coming trom Utah. After Ken graduated from Forestry College, he found a job with the United States Forest Service in Panguitch, Utah, as the Assistant Ranger. This is where the couple met and married.
A transfer then came which sent the now family of three, to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where Douglas got a
sister, Kathy, and a brother, Steven. The next transfer moved the family of five just over the Teton Mountains to Ashton, Idaho, in 1970.
Ken's first assignment here was to administer the Warm River salvage sale of bug timber. Once the children were in school, Elizabeth went to college, graduating from Ricks and Brigham Young University. She then started to teach third, then fourth grade, for 15 years, at the Ashton Elementary School.
All three children graduated from North Fremont High School as the family stayed in Ashton, even after Ken was transferred to the Supervisor's Office in St. Anthony then on to Idaho Falls, where he retired.
Douglas Robert played football, moved pipe for Lynn Loosli, and worked at the Husky Service Station. After graduation, he left home, coming back later with his two sons, . Ian and Scott. He then married Zina McCord, and they had a son, Nathan. Douglas graduated from an aircraft mechanic college in Denver, Colorado, and now lives in Silver City, New Mexico, where he is a mechanic for Southwest Medivac.
Kathy Ann, enjoyed Bill Baxter's musicals, played a flute in his band, and the piano in his jazz band. She was a member of the drill team, enjoyed debate, became one of Ashton's Jr. Misses, and was the valedictorian of her graduating class. She worked as a lifeguard at the Ashton Swimming Pool. After a year at Brigham Young University, she married Gregory William Moeller of Parker, Idaho. They live in Rexburg with their five children, Kimberly, Corinne, Ryan, Megan and Amanda. Greg is an attorney.
Elizabeth Ann "Ahlstrom" and Kenneth Robert KECK
512
Steven Kenneth worked for Gale Womack, then Z. J. Egbert moving pipe, and later worked at Jacks Grocery Store, and then with Kurt Eidam before leaving on his mission to Japan. He also enjoyed being in the musicals, played trombone in the band and jazz band, played basketball through his jr. and high school years. He married Kristine Bumingham of Rochester, New York, after graduating from Brigham Young University with a master's degree in business. They now live in Westmister, Maryland, with their four children, Chandler, Tristan, Tatum, and Ella. Steve is a computer whiz for Blue Cross Blue Shield.
The Keek's are active members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Ken and Elizabeth served three missions and are now ordinance workers in the Idaho Falls Temple. They retired in Ashton because of their love for cross-country skiing, camping, fishing, hiking, and the delightful people of the valley. Ashton will be their permanent retirement home as they have plots in the Pineview Cemetery.
By Kenneth Robert Keck
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/4\ /^\ /4\ /»\
M.etnoJcie6
Mrs. Elmer (Dottie) Wurscher submitted by Zeda Wilcox
Juanita Cooley, Wanda Marshall, Rhonda Fransen, and Mabel Stalker. Submitted by Mabel Stalker
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(Z^fitan ^atn'dif Sildtaue^
JCcnU Nomian and Leona Isobellc Hill.
B-Norman, Gerald, Eldon F-Rula, Leona, and Norma KENT
My grandfather, Norman Kent, was bom May 1, 1893 at Franklin, Idaho. He is the son of George Francis and Eveline Melissa Day KENT. In 1899, the family came from Mapleton, Idaho, which is close to Weiser-known as the Indian Valley then, but now known as "Council," and came to Ora. Grandpa had relatives in Ora, whom his parents intended to get some land by, but the farms were so expensive, that they came over to the Snake River. Grandpa's immediate family of children consisted of George Francis (twin), son Kent (twin-stillborn), Jessie Gertrude, Charles Henry (well known as Tud), Rosa Lee, Daughter Kent (stillborn), Norman, Dwain, Carlos, and Frederick Day. So Grandpa was 5"' out of eight living children.
Norm Kent married Leona Hill on November 7, 1912 in St. Anthony, Idaho. After their marriage, he worked at the Railroad Ranch. Grandpa worked as a ranch hand whose job partly was feeding 500 head of cattle in all kinds of weather-including many blizzards. Quite a few times he worked from daylight to dark. He also worked at the camps. The last one he worked at was Pineview. Dad got out ties, and Mother cooked for the men.
Grandpa was a very hard worker. Grandpa drank a lot in these days but quit later and would sit in his rocking chair during the time he wasn't working and watch T.V. One of his favorite programs was "All in the Family." Grandpa had a dry sense of humor. He made me
514
ddfitati §ainiiif Mhtauea
smile a lot.
He later worked for the Woodbum Transfer Company prior to purchasing the firm. After the purchase, which was in 1940, the firm became known as the "Kent Transfer Company." Later his sons went over seas to help Uncle Sam in World War II. After returning home from military duty in the fall of 1945, Gerald and Elden joined him in business. They worked together for many years until Gerald wanted to start his own business.
I
Grandma and Grandpa Hill's home in Ora, Idaho. Mildred, Vesta, and Dean in front. Leona Emeline Kent, Christina Hill, Edith, LaVon, and unknown in back.
To show Grandpa's decisive determination, there is a colorfiil incident that happened to him when he was 20 years old. He went into the barnyard and tied one end of the rope around a calf s neck and the other end around his waist. The calf took off, dragging Grandpa for quite a ways until the rope finally hit a post and stopped them. His mother asked him, "Norm, what went through your mind then?" He just told her, "Well, I decided when I was ready I'd stop that calf" "How did you think you were going to do that?" He looked at her straight in the eyes and replied, "I just knew he'd go for that post."
Grandpa had a yearning for adventure, along with the courage to make it happen. Similar to the story of David and Goliath, he killed a bobcat once with a rock from the distance of twenty feet. Another adventuresome incident in which my grandfather was involved has an interesting historical ending. Tud, Norm and George Edgington, and Wind River Smith had their own
515
(Z^fitait !}atnify Mbtaue^
B-Bliss and Edith GEE, Floyd Blanchard F-Christina Sophia Hill, Mr. Richards, Cousin Verla Richards, and Rula Blanchard
teams of dogs to race. The destination was to West Yellowstone and back. On the day of the race, there was a big blizzard, so they had to break trail all the way, each changing off to take the lead. Tud Kent just happened to be the one in lead when they reached the finish line. This was the first of many dog races in Ashton. The dog races drew much interest and many crowds, making Ashton well known throughout the country. Tud was the winner of many dog races and made a big name for himself and Ashton.
Grandpa was a very hard worker throughout his life, right up to the year of his death. Many young men would tire before Grandpa would in shoveling coal. My brother. Jay, remembers times when he worked along side of Grandpa, and he wore him out. I don't know how many tons and tons of coal, grain, peas-to name a few- that he shoveled all by hand through the years, but it was an enormous amount. I believe it would be safe to say that there hasn't been a man in Fremont County that has shoveled as much by hand for so long a time as my grandfather, Norm Kent.
Not too tall, but large in heart
Hard working, right from the start.
You never heard him say very much.
But when he did, it had the right touch.
As I remember him, sitting in his chair.
His dry sense of humor I enjoyed, that he would share.
He had a certain way with words, that was only Grandpa's stvle.
And he always had me leaving with a deep and inward smile.
For I knew that Grandpa's life has always been quite tough And he showed his great strength, even when he'd had enough.
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(Zdfitatt 5" amity. Mhta^ue^
We are all going to miss you, yet relieved of your great pain, May God bless you and keep you until we meet again.
Written by granddaughter, Jeanette Blanchard Depew
Grandpa passed away September 20, 1972, and the funeral was held September 23, 1972. The interment was at the Pineview Cemetery. Mom had part of Grandpa's Temple work done December 12, 1973 and on January 13, 1978, he was sealed to Grandma.
Norman and Leona Hill KENT
/ wrote and gave Grandpa 's life sketch at his funeral. Jeanette Blanchard Depew^^
W Leona Isabelle Hill was bom to William H. and Christina Johnson HILL on September 20,1894 in her home at Richmond, Utah. She was baptized August 6, 1904 and was sealed to her parents on October 30, 1901. As a small child, she moved with her parents to Ora where her parents homesteaded. Grandma came from a family of nine children (she being the third). They are as follows: Hazel, Edith, Leona, Vema, Lavon, Stella, Dean, Vesta, and Mildred. When Grandma was bom, she didn't have
any hair but when she did get some it was as white as snow. At the age of 15 it tumed darker, but until then, she was known as "Cottontop."
Grandma didn't like school at all, but she finished through the 8"" grade. (They never had high schools then.) Like most kids, she liked to whisper and had to stand in the comer many times because of it.
After Grandma and her folks moved to Ora, they always had to go to St. Anthony for food, clothing, and everything. (Ashton wasn't started till 1906.) On their way to St. Anthony, they had to ford the rivers because there were no bridges. At first her family lived in only one large room. The kids would sleep three in a bed, at times, to keep warm because they had one little stove that didn't help much in such freezing weather. They even used straw ticks instead of mattresses. As time went on, her dad built on two more rooms. They had a nice living room. They even had what they called a "summer kitchen" that they built by their porch. They would cook their meals out there in the summer kitchen in the summertime (they would bring their food in the house to eat it) and store things in it in the winter. This summer kitchen is just a one-room shed.
One day some people came selling organs, and Grandma's folks bought one. Grandma never took lessons but heard and watched others play the piano. She finally started playing it herself, by ear. She played for Sunday School and Sacrament Meetings all the time.
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♦
Floyd Blanchard, Norman Kent, Jay Blanchard, Gerald ''Curly" Kent, and Terry Blanchard.
Grandma was always very bashful around people. She told of how her dad would always have her play the "Bee March" on the organ for the company. She hated this so bad that she would run and hide under the bed, in the privy, or anyplace whenever she saw anybody coming. She said her family went clear to Rexburg in a horse and buggy to attend Conference. During her teen years, she cleaned houses for people and helped around her own home. She did things such as cook meals, wash dishes, etc.
For entertainment she would go to dances that were held on Friday nights. They danced to a violin. Some of the dances that the people did at that time were the Quadrille, Two-Step, Waltz, Berlin Polka, and the Schottische. She also visited friends and went horseback riding for a pastime. Then there were meetings to attend on Sunday and Mutual once a week. Grandma's mother was President of the Primary and Relief Society at one time.
The 4"' of July was celebrated a lot better in those days than it is now. The community would have a program, kids races, a bowery (this was made by throwing the green boughs over poles for shade), picnics, horse races, bucking horses, tug-a-wa,r and the men would usually start a game of ball and horseshoes. At Thanksgiving, the families would get together for a big dinner. On Christmas they did the same thing, only it was much simpler in those days.
Grandma's dad died in 1911, leaving her mother with the farm and all the kids. The girls had to work like men till her mother sold the farm. Her mother died August 6, 1949. Grandma married Norman Kent when she was 18 years old, on November 7, 1913. They went to the courthouse to get their license and Bishop Andres happened to be there, so they got married in the courthouse in St. Anthony, Idaho. From their marriage they had four children. Mom being the oldest. Beginning with the eldest: Rula, Gerald, Elden, and Norma. Grandma and Grandpa lived and worked at the Railroad Ranch and tie camps. The last one worked at for a long time was Pineview. Grandma worked in a cookhouse, which was a large tent fixed on logs. In 1940, Grandma and Grandpa started in the Kent Transfer Company and Ice business. During these
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years, Grandma helped the family finances by working in the seed house in Ashton and at the hotel in Ashton for many years.
Grandma has been very interested in sports. She was probably one of North Fremont's athletic team's greatest boosters. She was always in the cheering section, especially when her grandsons were on the team. She and Mom followed my brothers to all the games when they played on the teams in high school. My brother. Jay, was a well-known basketball player all over the area. Grandma yelled for all she was worth at his games. She would give the referees a piece of her mind if she didn't think they did right to our team. Mom and Dad always took her to the basketball games with them to watch. They may be sitting on the top of the bleachers and at the end of the game, somehow they would look down at the team, and Grandma would be down on the floor with Jay and his team giving Jay a big hug and patting all of the team on the back. Mom and Dad couldn't figure out how she could get down so fast among all the people attending. Many NF athletes felt they had to win for Grandma Kent. Ashton High School was in the big leagues when my brother Jay played. (Everyone called Jay "Doc" during high school.) We played Idaho Falls, which was very good. The radio announcers all knew Grandma and called her "Grandma Kent" on the radio and commented about her during the games. After Terry and Jay were out of high school. Mom quit going to the games, but Grandma never quit. She never missed a game and for the past two years, the high school presented her with free season tickets to the games. Grandma Kent is not only called Grandma by her grandchildren but by everyone in Ashton. I hope when I get her age, I can still be as spry and active as she was. Grandma has done so much for me during my life and I appreciate her so much that I wrote a poem about her on December 22, 1962. I wanted in some way to tell her how much I loved her. I would like to add the poem now in conclusion of this history.
My Grandma
I have the sweetest Grandma
She's as kind as she can be
And she's really very busy But always finds time for me.
This is where my heart will be forever.
Whenever I am in a jam
And Mom isn't here
All I do is call her up
And she's on her way in cheer.
The people of Ashton call her "Grandma Kent" - like me And it makes me feel very proud That she's my relative, you see.
I was pretty sick, not long ago
And got to feeling kinda blue
But every night Grandma came to see me
And she knew just what to do.
519
She told me jokes and stories
Of the people round our town
It made me laugh and feel glad
To have around this clown.
Whenever she thinks of Kennedy
And crooked referees
She gets so very awfiil mad
She's like a swarm of bees.
Even though she has a temper
That can really get to purr
I just get myself an onion sandwich
And pay no attention to her.
Yes, I have a wonderfiil Grandma
She's always very spry
We sometimes even sing together
Just her and I.
And when Tm on my knees at night
To say my evening prayer
You can bet your bottom dollar
That my Grandma's included there.
Yes, Grandma Dear This poem I wrote, especially, for you Not just because you're so wonderful or because of all the things you do- But to tell you in some sort of way And give to you my thanks For bringing into this world - "My Mom" Who's worth more than a million franks.
Not only does this thanks I bring.
Come from me alone
But comes from Dad, Terry and Jay
And Helen, who is gone.
So thank you very much. Grandma
For everything you do
And may you have a Very Merry Christmas
These are my best wishes for you.
Written hv Jcanctte Blanchard aht 1 963
Gerald and Rula Kent
520
111 health forced her to give up the ice business. They moved just north, across the alley from the bank on Main Street. She went to a few games at school now and then but finally quit. She was in and out of the hospital for about two years. Then after Grandpa passed away on her birthday, September 20, 1972, she never seemed the same. She was taking a lot of medication and wasn't herself. She was up here in the hospital for a couple of weeks. None of her family was able to take her, so she was taken to a rest home in Idaho Falls on November 7, 1972. She looks and acts so awful. She has now been there over three years. At the time they thought it would just be a matter of years. She worked so hard all her life and was always willing to help when needed. It's so sad to see her in the condition she is in now. She doesn't know hardly anyone who goes to see her and can't visit. Just sits. It is so sad.
Written by Rula Blanchard
Leona and Norman had the following children:
Rula Kent bom 31 Jan 1914
in Ora, Idaho, died 16 Jul
2005 and buried 20 Jul 2005
in the Pineview Cemetery in
Ashton, Idaho. (See
Blanchard, Floyd Ivan.) Norman Gerald "Curly" bom 1 3 Feb
1916 in Ashton, Idaho, died
in 19 Oct 1993 in Ashton,
Idaho, and is buried at the
Pineview Cemetery in
Ashton, Idaho. Curly
married Helen Thurston 27
May 1946. She was bom 9
Jul 1921 in Ogden, Utah.
They had the following children: Daniel Gerald bom 30 Jun 1947 in St. Anthony, Idaho. Lawrence Ray bom 30 Oct 1948 in St. Anthony, Idaho, died 1 Jan 2005 Ashton, Idaho,
and was buried in the Pineview Cemetery in Ashton, Idaho. Eileen bom 17 May 1950 in Ashton, Idaho. Dean Louis bom 30 Sep 1957.
Rula Blanchard
Floyd and Rula Blanchard
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Uifitatt 3-atniii^ Mhta^ae^
vieet the Kent family of Ashton, all veterans and all Tiennbers of Post 89, Ashton American Legion, ixcept Mrs. Dan (Linda) Kent, who is a member of ;he Legion Auxiliary. From left, front, Dean Kent, A/ho just completed service with the U.S. Army in Germany, and Larry Kent, who served with the U.S. Vlarlnes. Middle, Gerald (Curley) Kent who served
with the U.S. Army overseas during World War II and his wife, Helen, a captain in the Nurse Corps with the U.S. Army during World War II. Back, Dan, who served with the U.S. Army; his wife, Linda, a member of the Auxiliary; and Mrs. James (Eileen Kent) Bergman and her husband, both of whom served with the U.S. Marines.
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(l^fitan ^am'df^ Mhtaued
Helen Thurston Kent
Danny Kent
Norman Gerald Kent
Larry, Gerald, Eilene, Helen, and Dan KENT
Eldon "Odie" was bom 5 Apr 1918 in Ashton, Idaho. Odie married Edith Lucille Cordon 16 Feb 1946 in Ashton, Idaho. She was bom 29 Apr 1925 in Marysville, Idaho, died 17 May 1980 in Ashton, Idaho, and was buried 20 May 1980 in the Pineview Cemetery in Ashton, Idaho. They had the following children:
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Larry, Eileen, and Dean Kent
Q,^fitan !}atni£if 3il5ta^ue6
,* (■•■jf^
B-Darris and Michael
F-Lucille, Craig, and Eldon KENT
Craie Cordon bom 26 Aug 1956 in Ashton. Idaho.
Darris Purl bom 2 1 May
1945 in Ashton, Idaho. Michael Elden bom 9 Sep 1947 in Ashton, Idaho.
Robert and Norma Hedrick
Odie Kent
Norma was bom 2 Feb 1924 in Ashton, Idaho. She married Robert Thomas Hedrick 3 1 Mar 1931. He was bom 27 Nov 1916, the son of Bert Victor and Elsie Kent HEDRICK. He died 22 Aug 1 99 1 in Orotlno, Idaho, and was cremated. They had the following children: Donald Robert bom 14 Jan 1942 in
St. Anthony, Idaho, died 3
Mar 1988 in Salt Lake
City, Utah, and was
cremated. Dennis Eugene bom 1 1 Aug 1945
in Prosser, Washington. Keith Dee bom 1 Sep 1956 in
Ashton, Idaho.
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Don Hedrick
Dennis Hedrick
Keith Hedrick
Bob and Norma Hedrick with sons, Donald and Dennis.
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Norma and Bob Hedrick
Keith Hedrick
Norma and Bob Hedrick home in Orofino, Idaho.
Submitted by Jeanettc Blanchard Depew
Norma Kent Hedrick
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JiCerstetter, Earl and Ruth. They have one son named Glen.
The following taken from Vol. 30, No. 24 of North Fremont High School, Ash ton, Idaho School Paper, pg. 2: KIRK - A JANITOR PLUS
On the morning of April 6, 1960, Ashton lost not only a janitor who worked in the schools in this community for 38 years, but someone important to the school and also very close to all the students and admired by the teachers. His name was Earl Kerstetter, known to everyone as "Kirk."
Who was it that issued those gentle reminders to stay off the grass or use the sidewalks. Who was it that taught you how to play baseball? Who was it that always had a friendly smile and a few words to everyone he met? It was Kirk!
He was always looking for some way to help people whether it was a child who came early to school and needed someone to talk to or a teacher who needed a piece of equipment for his room. No one had to ask because Kirk could see what was needed before anyone got around to asking him.
He took care of the school equipment as though it all belonged to him and treated all the students as his own. He watched over them while they were in grade school. It didn't stop there. He knew what they were doing over at the high school and even after that.
Last October, in order to show a small part of our appreciation, the student body of North Fremont High School unanimously voted to name the new football field "Kirk's Field." I'm sure that everyone at the dedication will never forget his tears of gratitude.
A BETTER MAN I'VE NEVER KNOWN.
In my 19 years of living, I don't think I've ever known a man with such character and knowledge about the thoughts of others. He always wanted to help in any way he could.
1 remember, as a young boy, Mr. Kerstetter used to help the boys and girls get started in school by showing them the different rooms they were to go to.
He had many kids for friends because he always wanted to help them learn about the different sports, most of all baseball. He treated each one of us as if we were his own.
He always supported our sports to root for us even if we didn't win. He always had a
Ruth and Earl Kirstetter
527
good word for the boys before they went out on the field to play.
I think everyone will always remember "Kirk'' because he was a vital part of our school
life.
How good to know
We soon forget
The hurts and tears;
But hold within our hearts
Through life The beauty of the years. And now from all the students that you have ever helped - Thanks, Kirk, and good-bye.
I REMEMBER KIRK
My first memories of Kirk go way back when I was in the first grade. A little girl had hurt her knee. He picked her up gently and carried her into the school. A few kind words and a couple of band-aids later, she was out playing happily.
Kirk was "just the janitor," but he loved the kids as if they were each and every one his own. Their problems were his problems.
He taught them how to play ball, to be good sports; and when the day was over, he picked up after them and repaired the damage they had done.
He was friend and advisor to all the teachers. He built the props for all the plays.
As I grew up, Kirk was always around; first to arrive at all the games, and last to leave after the game was over. Who cleaned up after the happy laughing people? It was Kirk, and he was happy doing it.
Kirk had fewer enemies than anyone else in this world.
REMEMBER KIRK?
Yes, V\\ always remember "Kirk." I'll remember him every time I see a school house or a baseball game. Why? Because these were the things with which he was most associated.
For 38 years he was janitor of the Ashton Schools and in those 38 years, he "packed" more kindness and consideration than any ten men could in 79 years. All those years there was never a favor asked of him that he didn't do.
Ano?Jvmous
(Zdfitan Juaia: Ashton was named for either a chief engineer of the Harriman system named Bill Ashton, or a surveyor of the OSR whose name was James Ashton. I found both accounts. From all I have read, I think he was Bill Ashton who worked for the railroad. I'm just the messenger, Kathryne Scow Newcomh
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JCidd, Earl Jackson and Estella McGavin
I, Earl Kidd, was bom in Oxford, Alabama, on November 7, 1 877. My father's name is John Thomas Kidd. My mother's maiden name was Mary Ann Andrews. The following is about John and Mary Ann:
Mary Ann was bom 20 May 1858, at Hillsboro, Alabama. She was the daughter of Andrew Jackson and Sarah Francis Swope ANDREWS.
Her father was a Methodist minister. She was raised in a home where it was important to read and ponder the scriptures. She felt very strongly about the importance of a religious life.
Mary Ann was a gentle, lovely lady. She had great love for her family and the church. When the missionaries taught her the gospel, she seemed to know instinctively that this was the tme church, and she longed to be near church headquarters.
She leamed to sew and to do things to enrich her home. One of her hobbies was quilt making. She made many beautiful quilts with intricate stitchery.
It is not known how many slaves the Andrews family had; however, when Mary Ann's mother was married, her father gave her one slave-probably one who had taken care of her.
It is interesting to note that the Andrews family fought with the South during the Civil War. The Kidd families fought with the North. This difference did not cause trouble with the two families. It was the matter of religion that tore them apart.
Mary Ann's father was killed during the Civil War when she was seven years old. This was a bitter blow to her and her family. As the war was ending, soldiers started coming home. They hadn't heard from the father for some time but felt he would soon be coming home. Her mother spent lots of time in the yard watching as the soldiers retumed. She hoped to find one who had been with her husband. Finally one day, one of the soldiers told her that her husband was dead and buried at Vicksburg, Mississippi. The South beaten, retreating, was unable to report the deaths of the soldiers as they had earlier. What a sad blow this was to the family.
Little is known of her life until she married John Thomas Kidd on 22 Jul 1875. They lived on a farm and were a very happy family. A few years after their marriage, the Mormon missionaries came into their community. They were well-received by the Kidd families. The more they heard of the church, the more they believed it was tme. Mary Ann was especially pleased with their message and knew in her heart it was tme. Not so with the Andrews family. They felt their message was false. They were heartbroken to see their daughter so impressed with this new religion.
At this time, the missionaries were beaten by the mobs and harassed badly. The Kidd family offered them protection as much as possible. My father. Earl Jackson Kidd (Mary Ann's son), recalls many times when he raced to wam the Elders that the mob was coming. By careful watching, they were able to get the Elders away before any harm came to them. The Elders always felt the Kidd family home was a haven for them.
After much prayer and planning, John Thomas and Mary Ann decided to go West. They wanted to be near the center of the church. Mary Ann was thinking, too, of being near the Temple. She wanted so much to have their Temple work done. She had hoped that she could get her family to listen to the Elders. She felt that if they would sit down and really listen to their message that they would feel as she did. So they were hopeful that if they visited with her family, perhaps they could get them to sit down and listen to the Elders explain the gospel. When they visited her family to tell them of their plans, it was a bitter blow to them. They
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(Z^fitan f^atnlfy Jihte^ue^
believed Mary Ann was being taken to a place where women were not respected.
I have sympathy for her family. Their thoughts were only for her good. They worried and their hearts were heavy with grief. They sincerely believed that Mormons were immoral people. Mary Ann's brother, William, swore he would kill her husband before he would let him take her to a life of degradation. The day they left Alabama on their journey West, the wagon was heavily laden with all their earthly belongings. They were driven to the railroad by John Thomas' father, Luke Gipson Kidd. It was a drive of three or four days to the railroad. As they started, Mary Ann's brother, William, walked along a short distance behind them. He had a gun slung over his shoulder and seemed very determined.
As Earl Jackson, the oldest boy recalls, he sat beside his mother and she held him and his little brother, Walter, close. He could see her lips move in silent prayer as they drove along. His father, seeing William following them, got off the wagon and walked along the side, thinking that if William decided to shoot him, his family would not be hurt. Mary Ann's prayers were answered. William finally turned back and left them to go on in peace, unharmed.
They drove on to the railroad where they bought tickets for as far as they had money to pay, which was Topeka, Kansas. They were embarking on a strange new way of life. Those in the group were: John Thomas, Mary Ann, and their two little boys. Earl Jackson, seven years and James Walter, two years old.
They arrived in Topeka, Kansas, a few days before Christmas. They were met by Joseph Kidd, John Thomas' brother. Joseph and his family were also on their way West, working for a while to earn enough money to take them on.
Joseph was working on a horse ranch a few miles out of Topeka. They moved in with Joseph and his family until work opened up in the spring. Early in the spring, John Thomas got a job on the same ranch where Joseph was working.
In a letter to her niece, Mary Ann told her how well they were doing. When John Thomas went to work for this man, he was to receive $20.00 per month. When payday came, the boss said he was such a good worker he would pay $26.00. Mary Ann was very proud of her husband.
In this letter to her niece, Mary Ann told her she had written her mother as soon as they reached Topeka. She never received a reply. This did not deter Mary Ann. She said she intended to write her mother every now and then even if she had no answer.
Poor, brave, little woman, she never heard from her mother even though she continued writing her. Her niece, through her letters, kept Mary Ann posted on how her family was doing.
They continued to stay in Topeka and worked on the horse ranch. They finally had enough money to take them to Pueblo, Colorado. The men found work in a rock quarry. They stayed there and worked until they had enough to take them to Ogden, Utah. In December 1885, they arrived in Ogden, Utah, one year after they had left Alabama.
They had written John's Uncle Billy Moultrie. He was supposed to meet them in Ogden when they arrived there. But when they arrived, there was no one to meet them. John had 30 cents in his pocket when they arrived. He found a rooming house and left his wife and two little sons there to rest while he went out to look for work. He talked to a merchant and explained their plight. The merchant felt sorry for him, gave John a part time job, and helped him to find odd jobs around town.
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ddfitan ^amii^ Mhtaue^
They wrote again to Billy Moultrie, telling him they were in Ogden, Utah, and he finally came for them. It took time to get word to Billy, and then several days for him to drive there. When he arrived, the horses needed a rest, so John worked two or three days more.
It took four or five days to make the trip to Basin, Idaho. They arrived there just a few days before Christmas. They moved into a one-room log cabin for the winter. Coming to this community that was just being settled and enduring hardships that she was not accustomed to must have been very hard for Mary Ann. It was a shock to find that here, many of the church members failed to keep the "Word of Wisdom." Mary Ann so loved this church and lived each principle as it was supposed to be lived. These conditions did not deter her. She attended church regularly with her husband and sons. She longed for the day when they could go to the Temple and get their work done.
On April 9, 1887, a baby girl, Lucy Frances, was bom to John and Mary Ann. Nine days later, April 18, 1887, Mary Ann died. She left a husband, John Thomas, and two sons, Earl Jackson, ten years old and James Walter, five years old, and a tiny daughter, Lucy Frances.
For some reason, John never got the Temple work done. After John's death, his son. Earl Jackson, started working on his brother, Walter, to get ready to go to the Temple. Walter had not been active in the Church. Through the efforts of Earl and Walter's wife, Vida, Walter started to church and soon was ready to go to the Temple.
On 10 Nov 1948, Mary Ann and John's three children went to the Idaho Falls Temple. They were so happy to be able to do the work Mary Ann had yearned for these many years. Happy were Walter and Vida who were sealed the day their parents were.
Earl Jackson and his sister, Lucy Frances, had both been very active in the church. Each in his turn had been married in the Temple at the beginning of their marriage. Now the family unit was complete.
Mary Ann gave up family and loved ones to come west to be near the Church Headquarters. I am sure there were many sacrifices she made willingly. It seems so cruel that she only lived a little more than a year after they reached Basin, Idaho. Almost the last thing she said to her husband was, "John, get our Temple work done." She had to wait sixty one-years, but finally her wish was granted, thanks to a dutiflil and loving son.
I have thought a great deal about my grandmother's family and whether they would accept the gospel in the Spirit World. When my father. Earl Jackson Kidd, was 83 years old, he made a trip to Alabama to visit his cousins. One on the Kidd side was Baptist and one on the Andrews side was a Methodist. He got quite a bit of genealogy and told them as much as possible about the Church. They were very happy to see him, and both families gave him all the information on their families that they had.; but told him they wanted nothing to do with our church. They were very satisfied with their religion. They felt they were saved.
When my father returned home, he compiled the information he had received. He was able to get the work done for a lot of his mother's people.
The following is the story of Earl Jackson and Estella McGavin:
I have heard of people who say they don't believe there is a God or that there is a life after this one. I never could believe there was anyone in this world who really believed this but
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if there is, I think I know a little of how they must feel. I will relate an experience I had at six or seven. If! live to be 200 years old, I am sure I won't forget my feelings that night.
I had gone to bed and for some reason, I got to thinking about death. To me, at that time, it seemed that death was the end and that we would just lay there in the grave forever and ever. I got so worked up over this train of thought, that I began to cry. My mother hadn't gone to bed yet, discovered that I was crying, and came to see what my trouble was. At first I didn't want to tell her, but she stayed with it until I broke and told her my trouble. Of course she told me there would be a place prepared for us after death and that we would be taken care of. I don't remember all she told me, but it made me feel better, I never was quite satisfied until after I was baptized and learned something of the Resurrection.
Now if these people that don't believe in a hereafter, and in their sober moments feel anything like I did, I think they must do, I surely feel sorry for them. It was about this time that the Mormon Elders came into our section of the country. Now this was back in 1883 & 1884, and the Elders had a hard time finding entertainment. When they came to my grandfather, Luke G. Kidd, he took them in and they always had a place to stay when they were in our neighborhood. I have seen as many as six Elders there at a time, though generally only two. The Elders came to our place some, but generally we would go to my grandfather so we would all be together to hear the Elders talk. I have lain on the floor in front of the fireplace many an evening listening to them talk. Of course, after a while I would fall asleep.
On Mar 13, 1884, my father and mother, my grandparents, and some of the older children were baptized. I remember how I wanted to go and see them baptized, but they wouldn't let any of us small children go. After the folks were baptized, they began to talk about going to Idaho. I can remember the folks talking of how the neighbors had turned against them for joining the Mormon Church. It was during this time that the Elders had received warning that they had better leave this neighborhood, but they had not paid much attention to it.
One day my mother took me and my brother, five years younger than I, and went to my grandmother's. Then they went to visit with a neighbor woman and mother left me to play with Grandmother's children. Now on this day, there were two Elders there. One was out in the woods reading and the other. Elder Stephens, was at the house writing letters. Now we children knew of the threats that had been made, and I wondered just what it would be like or what a mob would do if they came. On this particular day, we children were out playing in the woods. I happened to look up the road and saw a big crowd of men coming. I knew, in a minute, that it meant the mob was coming. I knew Elder Stephens was at the house alone. Grandfather and four or five of the boys, my father included, were in the field at work. When I made a run for the house to warn Elder Stephens, I was so frightened that it seemed I fairly flew. When I told Elder Stephens, he lay down his writing material and put his hat on and went down to the field where my grandfather was working. By the time they got to where my grandfather was, the Elder wasn't very far ahead of the mob. The boys were in different parts of the field, but when they saw the crowd of men, they all came in. I remember one of the boys was plowing and was on the opposite side of the field, near a neighbor's house. He left his team and went over to the neighbor's, then came back running across the field, leaving his team where they were. I didn't see it , but I always had the impression that he had borrowed a six-shooter and was ready to use it, and 1 thmk the mob had the same impression.
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d^fitait 3-aniiiif Mhtaue^
They had their conference and it wound up that the mob gave the Elders until noon the next day to leave the county and if they didn't, the mob would come and move them. After the mob spokesman got through giving his warning, grandfather had this to say: "If these Elders make up their mind to leave by tomorrow noon, that will be their business. But, if they want to stay here, they are welcome to stay, and 1 warn you men that if you come inside my gate, some of you will have to be carried away."
Well, the Elders didn't leave the next day or the next and the mob didn't come. Grandfather had a big house and a big yard with a picket fence around it. He stayed close around the yard for a few days, ready for any trouble, but nothing happened. The Elders left in a few days but came back making their regular visits.
All the family planned on going to Idaho just as soon as they could get money enough ahead to make the trip. Some time during the summer of 1884, one of my uncles, Joseph Kidd and family, was the first to start. He got money enough together to take them to Topeka, Kansas. My father and our family were the next to make the start but before we left, we had to go see my grandmother, my mother's mother, and her only son. My grandmother was a widow and the son, William Andrews, was the only child at home.
Father made ready for our trip, our Model T was an ox team hitched to a lumber wagon, which had bows and a cover on. We took food and bedding. I don't know how far it was, but we took two or three days on the way. You know you don't go very far in a day with an ox team. If you don't know, try it.
When we arrived there. Grandma and Uncle William were very glad to see us and everything was fine. When Mother told them that we had come to tell them goodbye, that we had joined the Mormon Church and were going to Idaho, things changed. I guess they had some pretty heated arguments. I don't remember any of it but Mother did a lot of crying, and I couldn't understand what it was all about. She wouldn't tell me until we had left to go home. The trouble was that Uncle William blew his to, and said that he would kill Father before he would let him take Mother to Idaho to be a slave for those Mormons. Grandmother didn't want us to go and tried to talk my folks out of it but she wasn't radical about it. Uncle William was mean and insulting about it, and I think he really intended to kill my father, but when the time came, he couldn't quite muster the courage.
The morning we left to go home. Uncle William followed us on foot. We had to pass the store and Post Office, and Father rode in the wagon until we got there. Then he got out and walked beside the oxen. I remember Mother crying so hard and begging him to stay in the wagon, but he thought it would be safer for Mother and us children if he was outside where Uncle Will could see him. Uncle Will followed us for a mile or so past the store, then turned and went back without firing a shot.
As soon as we returned home, the folks disposed of what stuff we had, which was not very much, and we started for Idaho. My grandfather took us to the railroad. We stopped over one night to visit my Aunt Lizzie Creel and her husband, Hench. My aunt was older than my mother, and she had quite a large family. There was no argument about our leaving or the church.
We made it to Kansas and Father got work. Mother was lonely and felt bad about leaving her family. Following is a letter [sic] that Mother wrote to one of Aunt Lizzie's
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daughter:
MapCe JiiUJCan^OA Opxii 22^ 1SS5 iDeax ^Viece,
J deat tn^^eCf. ta atiiiae^ ^xuvt trw^H kind and laeiaune iettex that 3 tecemed on the, 17^ and utxL> ^£ad ta dewc ftatn y.ou ail. JfUi leaved ivi ail weii.
3 had Begun ta thind that 3 laad not going, la get ani^ andiae^A. 3 uptate gxui and Ma a tetter the iame time and 3 haae nevex gat antf amwex ptam. Ma y£t. 3 don't finoia hwtdiif what ta think. 3 xechon that the^ have decided ta neaex iwdte ta me again, kut 3 da thanh Qod that 3 da feet iike that. 3 am ail tight and 3 attend ta umte ta them eue^ once in a while and theg- can an^wex nvg, ieitexi oftietit aione. 3 da lechan they, get nu^ tetter.
Weil ^Mattie 3 lechon that the nem mwixied iaae fuiA not got o^ y£t da 3 wi£i uuut a iittie athilc ianget and Ace if. Vnde uuU imite. 3 wili teii i^ou aii that 3 am mdi 6cdiificd he^te decaude Lue can get plenty ta eat he^e and fuwe got good health. John La getting aa fat aa he luaa when he came from ^enn. 3ie hoidi out the Beat kind at wojJi. ^he man he waxha fax id 6a well pleaded with him that he giaed him $26 a month. 3 WHote to you that 'John wu» getting $2C pex month But when the man paid John dome money, he daid that he had ewtned $26 da he id getting $26 pex month nam.
John had washed out $50 dince we came hexe. Jhexe wud da much Bad weathex when we came heue that John could not waxh much. We axe going, ta make out on od iittie od we can to get money ta go on. 3f we don't have any Bad Cuch we will go on thid fall.
Jhe land hexe id nich and lead But we want ta go onto whexe we dtaxted. We have got moved ta that dtane haude that we wa.d going ta. 3 am in one end and Millcy in the othex.
Well Jllattie you daid youx Ma had the dweetedt Bahy that 3 evex daw. 3 da widh 3 could dee it But 3 don't nechon that 3 evex will dee it in thid woxld But 3 da hope and txudt in the £oxd that we all will meet in a Bettex woxld than thid, wAexe thexe will Be no txauBied.
Weil Mattie, 3 da lave Qxandma and want to hecvt, ptam hex and when you all heax fxom hex you mudt wxite ta me ahout hex. Well Mattie little Waltex id od fat od a pig and Od dweet ad he can Be. 3 know- you would laugh ta heax him talh. &ixly wantd ta dee you all da Bad he nevex faxgetd ta talk ahaut you all. Well Mattie thid id to all af you. Well 3iench we can dtep out hexe a little piece and get domething ta eat without going da fax aftex it. We have Bidcuitd all the time.
Well 3 will clodc. May. Qad Bledd all af you. 3iaping ta heax ptam you doon.
M.a.3iidd
As a rule, the southern people had hot bread three times a day, mostly com bread.. Wheat bread was something special, and we didn't have very much of it at our place. That's why Mother told Uncle Hench in her letter that we have biscuits all the time.
Well, Father and Uncle Joe worked for this man in Kansas til some time in mid-summer. They had money enough to take us to Pueblo, Colo. When we got there, they found work in a rock quarry 25 miles out of town. We moved out there and they worked there 'til 1 think some time in November. They had made enough money to get us to Ogden, Utah. That was as far as we were going by train. Uncle Billy Moultrie was to meet us there and take us the rest of the
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Clafitan f^ amity. Mhtaued
way by team and wagon. Now Uncle Billy Moultrie is my grandmother's brother and was one of the Elders that the mob was after that I have told you about, and perhaps had more to do with converting the folks than any of the other Elders. Well, Father and Uncle Joe went into Pueblo to get their money. They decided Uncle Joe would take their time checks in and get their money, and father would stay at home and help pack our belongings, and be ready to go as soon as Uncle Joe got back.
Well, when he got back he didn't have any money. His story was that he bought his ticket and laid down on a bench in the depot, fell asleep and someone picked his pockets. Well, there was only one thing to do and that was to go to work again at the quarry. They decided that as soon as the two of them had money enough for one family to get to Ogden that Father and his family would go, and Uncle Joe would stay and work until he had enough money to make the trip, and that is what we did..
All this time we were writing to Uncle Billy, telling him about when we would be in Ogden. The folks thought as soon as Uncle Billy arrived and took over all our troubles would be at an end. They got the impression, somehow, that Uncle Billy was well off and had about any and everything that anyone would want. It was about the first of December 1885 when we arrived at Ogden, but there was no Uncle Billy
As I remember. Father had thirty cents in his pocket when we arrived there. They couldn't figure out why Uncle Billy wasn't there. They had to write to him at Basin, Idaho, to tell him they were in Ogden. Basin is about 25 miles south of where Burley, Idaho, is located.
They received word from Uncle Billy that he was coming, and I presume he told them what day he would be there. All this took time, and we had no money. We were located at a rooming house, and Father went out looking for a job. At this time of year there wasn't much doing, but father got to talking to a merchant and explained to him our plight. As I remember, the merchant gave Father a little work and helped him find a few other odd jobs. When Billy got there, he was about as broke as we were. Well, they counted their money a few times and Father worked two or three more days while the team was resting up for the return trip. I don't know just how far it was the way we went, but we were four or five days ,or more, making the trip. We arrived in the Basin just a few days before Christmas. Uncle Billy had an extra one room log cabin so we moved there for the winter.
Bishop Enoch R. Dayley of the Basin Ward was building a new home, and had it enclosed and the floor in. They had their Christmas celebration there, and it was there that I saw my first Christmas tree. Old Santa was there to distribute the toys. He found a pocket knife with my name on it and some candy and nuts. It sure was a good day for me. We lived at Uncle Billy's until spring, then moved to another place.
Vince Cooper and James McGavin operated a saw mill there. Father worked for them at the mill during the summer of 1886. I was baptized in July of that year. On the 9"' of April 1887, Mother gave birth to a baby girl, Lucy Francis. On April 18"\ Mother died. Father let Mr. and Mrs. James K. Dayley have the baby to raise. They had no children at that time but later on, they had four or five of their own.
The months that followed were sad ones for Father, Walter, and me. Father worked at the mill again that summer. He built a shack at the mill, and we lived in that. Father ate his meals at the boarding house. That left Walter and me to eat alone, and I was the cook.
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If I tried. I couldn't explain how lonely and lost I felt in this strange country and among strangers, and I had all the care of Walter. Father did the best he could but even so, it left most of the responsibility on me. I couldn't go anywhere unless I could take Walter with me.
Elmer and Frank McGavin were among the first boys I became acquainted with when we arrived in the Basin. The fact that my father was working for their father caused us to be together more than we would otherwise have been. We seemed to take to each other from the first, and 1 doubt if you could find three boys anywhere that were closer than we were. This friendship lasted throughout our lives. They have both departed this life, but I expect to meet them again at some future time. I am grateful to the McGavin family for the influence they had over me for good. They were all more or less in the church, and my association with them was a guide to me. There were not as many church activities then as there are now, but I generally attended most of them and most always I was with some of the McGavin family.
Mary McGavin and her mother were both like mothers to me. During the summer of 1887, Mary and her mother took turns cooking for the men at the mill. The week that Mary was there, she would take a little time out of each day to play games with us small children. My Uncle Joe's family was there and they had four or five children, so there was quite a group of us, but I think Walter and I got the most attention.
Uncle Joe and family arrived in the Basin some time in the forepart of 1886. I am not sure of the date. When the mill closed down for the winter in 1887, Father decided he wanted to go back to Colorado. We landed in a little town called Del Norte. This town is in the San Luis Valley, a real potato country. In January 1888, my father married Mary Pendergrass. The Pendergrass family was from Alabama, and Father had known them there. How he knew where they were at that time, I do not know.
I never blamed Father for getting married again so soon after my mother's death, for he had to work for wages for a living, and that meant he had to leave us small children alone so much. Also, Father wasn't one who wanted to be chasing around. True, we made it through that first summer alone after Mother's death, but no one knows the heartache and sorrow that it brings. Only those who go through it can understand.
My grandfather and family arrived in Oakley some time in 1888. We stayed in Del Norte that winter and the following summer. In the fall, we moved to Pueblo, Colorado. Father worked for a merchant there, running a delivery wagon for him. We stayed there that winter.
In the spring of 1889, we moved back to the basin, and Father worked at the saw mill again. Then, in the fall, we moved to Ogden, Utah, for the winter. I think we stayed in Ogden that winter and the following summer and winter. In the spring of 1891, we moved back to the Basin, and again, my father worked at the saw mill. He worked at the mill for two or three summers for wages, and then he and Bill Eberts bought the mill.
In about 1 892 or '93 we moved to Oakley, Idaho, which is only six miles west of Basin. Father built a home there.
In the spring of 1894, John Mcintosh, and his wife, Mary, and Ed McGavin left the Basin looking for a location. They went east to Wyoming, stopped in Soda Springs, Idaho, then around to Cody, Wyoming, then came through Yellowstone Park on their way home. When they arrived at Marysville, Idaho, they decided they had found the place they were looking for. John and Ed both filed on a homestead. John's land was a mile west of where Ashton now stands, and Ed's
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land was the north half of what is now Ashton. A little later on, El McGavin filed on a homestead. In the spring of 1896, John, Mary, Ed, El, and their wives made ready to move to their new home.
Their father, James D. McGavin, planned on going with them and take his cattle and horses as there was more and better range land there, and, too, he planned on locating in this new country as soon as he could dispose of his property in the Basin, so he and his daughter, Estella, went with them.
While all the planning was going on. El asked me if I wouldn't like to go with them and help drive the stock and see the new country. I said I would like very much to go if it was all right with the folks. Well, it was approved of, and I went along. I had a good saddle horse and saddle, chaps, and spurs, and I was glad of the opportunity to go. I don't remember the date we started, but it was around the 1st of May. It was slow going, and about the second or third, some of the cows gave out so that slowed us down some more. We were about 2 Yz weeks on the way. We had lots of storms, had to lay over one day near American Falls. It rained so hard we couldn't travel. We finally made it through, and it was surely new country. Lots of cabins with just a small plot of ground fenced in around the cabin.
I stayed about 2 weeks, then I headed for home. Father was depending on me to help him in the mill, and I was about three weeks late. My horse was fat and in good shape when I left to go home, but he was soft as I had not used him much during the eight weeks I was there. I was six days on the way, and my horse was all in when I arrived home. I know Father was glad when I returned. I began working in the mill when I was 14 years old, and by now, I could run any part of it. We only made lumber and shingles, but I could do any of it. This relieved Father of a lot of responsibility. Estella and her father didn't come home 'til some time during the summer.
The next spring, 1897, they rented their place and went up to the new country again, returning to the Basin in the fall. The next spring, 1898, they rented their place again and went back to the new country, and I went with them. I had been planning on this move since I was there in 1 896, and now I had a team and wagon; still had my saddle horse and outfit, and a few dollars that I had saved.
Father hated to see me go but there wasn't much there for me to look forward to, and I was determined to make the move. There was no Twin Falls or Burley at that time. Just open country loaded with Jack Rabbits.
Frank and I filed on a homestead when we got to Blackfoot and when we got to Idaho Falls, we each bought a 12-inch walking plow. When we arrived at Marysville, Ed, El, Frank and I got our heads together to figure out just what would be the first and best move to make. It was getting late in the season, but we wanted to try and raise a little crop if possible.
We decided we would all work together and put the crop in on Ed's place. Frank and I put four horses on each of our 12 inch walking plows and went to work, Ed and El working on other things. We broke up about 30 acres. The sod was tough, but we stayed with it until we had done about all we had dme to seed. We disced and harrowed while Ed sowed it broad cast. That means he sat in the rear of a wagon with a tub of wheat in iront of him, throwing wheat with both hands, covering as wide a space as was convenient. When we got to the end of the land, we would go back, just close enough so that the seed would lap over the other strip. After this was done, we harrowed again, to cover the seed. Now this plot of ground is on the north
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side of Main Street in Ashton. We harvested in the fall. We had, as I remember, a little over 800 bushels of wheat. It was a little frosted, but it would make flour.
When the spring work was done on this crop, we went to the timber and got out logs for Frank and my cabins. We cut green logs and peeled them, then let them lay 'til in the summer. By then they were as light as dry lumber. We also got out posts and logs that had dried out we hauled them and 1 got my house laid up that fall.
That same fall John Mcintosh was called on a mission to the Southern States. He left in the forepart of November. Ed and his wife, and Frank and I left the same month for Oakley and Basin for the winter.
The next spring, 1 899, we returned to our new homes. I never went back to winter with my folks again. However, I would go and visit with them for a day or so when I could. This summer I got out logs for a stable and got it built. I got out wood and other timber and worked wherever 1 could get a chance. Frank and I went over in Montana and worked in the hay for a while. That winter I lived in my cabin alone, and it was sure a long winter. The next Spring, 1900, Ed, El, Morris Sprague, and I decided we would go down to Shoshone, Idaho, and try to get on in the sheep shearing, so we left in March. As we got there a little early. El and I got a job of the section as our money was getting low. Ed went to stay with a fellow he knew.
When the shearing started ,we couldn't get on. All the crews were full. There was a crew from Oakley working at Kimima and we learned of it, and so we drifted back there. They only had about two days more work there, then they were going over on Little Wood River on a run. They had a ftill crew but said we could work those two days to get a stake to go home on. Well, during those two days, the foreman decided to keep me on and Sprague got a chance to go with another crew further up the river, so Ed and El went home. Sprague and I gave them what we had made on this job to help them to get home.
I went through the run with this crew. When it was over, two of the boys wanted to go to Soda Springs to try for shearing there. They had a team and wagon and a camp outfit, and said there was room for me if I wanted to go. Well, that is just what I did want, and so we went. We arrived in Soda Springs about 22 days early. We had been misinformed on the date the shearing was to start there. We decided to stay and see what we could get out of it, so we made camp and waited. We had been a little reckless with our money and before the work started, we ran out. We saw it coming so one of the boys wrote home for a few dollars, and it came in time to save our bacon.
When the work started, we had a nice run and good weather. When it was over, I headed for home. I was only home a few days when Estella and I decided we would get married in the fall. Then Frank and I went up into Montana to work in the hay. We worked there a while and then came home. I got a job on a farm in St. Anthony during the harvest.
Estelle and I went to Salt Lake City to Conference and were married in the LDS Temple on 9 Oct 1900 by John R. Winder. When we returned home, we fixed up the cabin a little and moved in. While we were making this move, John Mcintosh returned home from his mission.
About the time we got things shaped around for winter, the saw mill man came down from Warm River and wanted me to work in the mill that winter. I gladly accepted the offer. I set ratchets at the mill 'til the latter part of February. In March, John, Ed, El, and myself went down to Gooding, Idaho, to shear sheep. I sheared sheep every spring there after up to and
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dafitan 3-aniiiy. 3ihtome6
including 1914. Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, and Montana are the states I sheared in.
In the spring of 1904, John Mcintosh traded me 40 acres of his land for 80 acres of mine. I had a lot of waste on my land. The trade was made for two reasons. First, the women would be closer together and second, it would give me some land I could irrigate that I didn't have on mine. I broke out that 40 that spring and put it into oats. I built a two- room frame house, later added to it and then still later, in 1917, 1 built a new brick house.
In July 1905, 1 was ordained a High Priest and set apart as First Counselor to Bishop Samuel P. Egbert of Vernon Ward. Stephen Davis was made Second Counselor. In the fall of 1905, the railroad built into our community and a new town was started. It was named Ashton.
In 1906 the bishopric went out collecting funds and pledges for the construction of a new church in Ashton. In the latter part of 1906, Bishop Egbert resigned as Bishop and Marion J. Kerr was sustained as Bishop. He chose Hyrum R. Cunningham as his first counselor and me for his second counselor. The new church was completed in 1907.
In 1906, John Mcintosh and I bought a 240-acre farm just west of where we lived and farmed it together until about two years before he died, which was in February 1923.
In 1909, Yellowstone Stake was organized with Daniel G. Miller as President and Marion G. Kerr and James Fogg as counselors. On this same date, Hyrum R. Cunningham was made Bishop of Ashton Ward. He selected me as his first counselor, and no second counselor was named at that time. Later on, John Mcintosh was chosen as second counselor.
In 1915, 1 was appointed Post Master at Ashton. I checked in on April 15. In 1919, 1 resigned and asked the department to release me by March 31". I wasn't released until October.
In 1917, 1 was appointed a member of the School Board. Our district was Ind. #8 with six members of the board. I served on the board for 27 years. I resigned in 1944. During these 27 years, I served as a member, as clerk, and as Chairman of the Board..
In the spring of 1921, John and I asked the Stake Presidency to release us from the Bishopric. Stake President Daniel G. Miller visited our ward on July 21, 1921 and reorganized the Bishopric. Horace A. Hess was sustained as Bishop with John W. Mcintosh as First Counselor, Frank Marshall as Second Counselor, and Ray Thompson as Ward Clerk.
In 1936, Bishop Hess was sustained and set apart as President of Yellowstone Stake, and Floyd I. Blanchard was made Bishop of Ashton Ward. I served as Ward Clerk under Bishop Blanchard until I resigned in 1940, making 34 years service either as a counselor or Ward Clerk.
At this date, March 1954, 1 am Secretary of High Priest Group and a Ward Teacher.
As I look back over the field now, I can't help but wonder what a difference there might be had my mother been permitted to live and to raise her family. Mother was full of faith and was so happy that we had found the Gospel and she was trying to live as far as she understood it. Mother saw to it that we all went to church each Sunday, and father enjoyed it too. Mother was looking forward to the time when they could go and do the Temple work. She thought it was so wonderful. When she knew she had to leave us, the last words she spoke to my father were for him to be sure and have their Temple work done. However, he never did anything about it.
It seems that after Mother's death, we moved around so much that he lost the spirit of church work. Not that he didn't believe. I am sure that he would defend it as best he could, but he just became careless and didn't try to take part in the activities.
I wasn't quite nine years old when 1 was baptized. After that, and after I had heard the
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(Z^fitan ^atniiy. Jibta^ue3
Brothers talk, Sunday after Sunday, about the gospel plan, that old fear I had about death left me, and I never had the least doubt in my mind in regards of the truthfulness of the Gospel. It just seemed that I knew it was true.
After Estella and I were married in the Temple in 1900, 1 worried some about Mother's last request. It didn't look to me then like there was a chance in the world of their work ever being done. On March 15, 1908, I had my Patriarchal Blessing given by Patriarch Alexander Latham. In that blessing, he said I would be a savior in my father's family. I thought about this a great deal and wondered just how that would be done. I finally decided that if I outlived Father, maybe I could see that their Temple work was done. My father died 18 Aug 1940. Two or three years after his death, I began to plan how I could get their Temple work done. My sister, Lucy, had always been active in the church and could get a Temple recommend anytime. Also, I could get my recommend, but my brother, Walter, had not been active and I knew he couldn't get a recommend. 1 had known for a long time back just how we stood in this matter, and for a long time I made it a matter of prayer. When I began to talk to Walter about it, he didn't seem much interested. I still made it a matter of prayer. Later on, he was hurt very badly, and then he had a sick spell or two and this seemed to help him to change his attitude toward the religious side of life. All this time his wife, Vida, was urging him to become active in the church so that they could meet the requirements and obtain recommends to go to the Temple. She was anxious about their own work as well as that of Father and Mother. All this took time, but Vida and I worked together and finally accomplished our aim. On November 10, 1948, we all went through the Idaho Falls Temple and had all the work done. I feel sure that this was a happy day for Father and Mother as well as for our children.
I have never mentioned my courtship with Estella, so perhaps I should do that now. As I have mentioned before, Frank and El McGavin and 1 were very close friends. I was at their place a lot. If they were working in the field, I would go out and work with them. We just enjoyed being together. During all this time, I never thought of Estella ever being my girl- friend, and she never paid any attention to me. It all started one Christmas night at a dance.
It was not very often that there was snow enough to sleigh ride, and very few people had sleighs. On this Christmas night, in 1894, there was a little snow. Now this was a picnic dance. Everyone took their own eats and around ten o'clock they would have an intermission for about an hour for lunch. When it was getting about lunch time, Estella's brother, Frank, suggested to me that we get some girls and get Joe Hardy to take us for a sleigh ride. 1 think Joe had the only sleigh there. We asked Joe to take us and he said if we would get him a girl, he would. We agreed to that.
Frank told me who he was going to take. I didn't know if I dared ask anyone. Frank suggested I ask Estella, but I said she wouldn't go with me. We got Alice Fairchild for Joe's partner. Before we got back to the dance, I asked to take her home, and that was okay. By now I was getting pretty brave and asked to take her to the New Years dance. She said yes and from then on, it was steady. Within a year or a little more, we began to talk about getting married some day, no date yet.
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d^fitan 9-ain'dy. Mh tabued
Because our intention to get married was the main reason for me coming up to this new Duntry with Estella's family in the spring of 1898, we have lived a happy life together for 58 ears. She is 80 and I am 81 years old at this date, January 17, 1959. We have raised eight bildren: Myrtle, Garland, Theron, Norma, Therma, Darwin, Frank and Burgess.
Sorrow came into our lives on October 13, 1957 when our Frank was killed in a car :cident. Four months later, Feb 25, 1958, our oldest son. Garland, was killed in a mine >cplosion. Through the help of the Lord, we were given the strength to face these sorrows, nowing we will be reunited with them.
This bit of history may not mean a great deal to those who lived around us during these years, but perhaps our grandchildren, great grandchildren, and their children may enjoy reading it in years to come. Good night.
Submitted by Garland Lynn Kidd
\t/ \t/ \.f/ \t/ •Js /»\ /'♦v y4\
LONG BEACH JAIL
D
Alta and Tom Murdoch, Rula and Floyd Blanchard, Irma, and Eugene Hess 1948. Compliments ofJeanette Depew
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Ji'idd, John Theron and Vema Arvella Gilbert. John was bom 6 Nov 1906 in Ashton, Idaho, to Earl Jackson and Estella McGavin KIDD. "Theron" married Vema Arvella Gilbert 29 Mar 1926 in Pocatello, Idaho. They had the following children:
Gilbert Earl
Joyce
two sons that died in infancy.
My Brother, John
The little town of Ashton, Idaho, where he was bom, was just getting started when he arrived. The Union Pacific Railroad had just come into town and things were booming. I
Theron was a lively little boy fiill of imagination and daring. When he was about three years old, he found a ladder leaning up against a building, so he decided to try out the ladder. He climbed to the top of the ladder and onto the flat dirt roof of the building. When his mother found him, he was mnning around on the roof having a great time. Finally they got him down, but this did not discourage his adventuresome habits. Because he was constantly climbing, our f
Uncle John Mcintosh started calling him "The Monkey." At first it was just a nickname used by I
our family and later shortened to "Monk." Soon friends started calling him Monk and to his dying day, his friends and relatives affectionately called him Monk instead of Theron.
I remember his vivid imagination so well. He loved to play that he was captain of a large boat. In fact, many times he would say, "I am Captain of the Ocean!" Oh, the many things he planned to do when he grew up.
He was always so good to play with me. He was always daring or should I say, brave. He was willing to try and give his very best. One example of his bravery happened when he was 14 or 15 years old. He was thinning beets with a group of boys his age. After lunch, the boss took them to the river for a cool swim before they went back to work. They were all enjoying themselves when suddenly Danny Judd started calling for help. He was one of Monk's good friends. He was caught in an under current and couldn't get out. Danny had crossed over to a part of the river that was very swift and dangerous. They were not supposed to be swimming there. The boss couldn't swim, so Monk knew it was up to him to save his friend. He got to the shore quickly and got his horse. He rode into the river and to his friend. The horse was swimming part of the way. When they reached Danny, he was frantic with fear. Monk knew he couldn't get him on the horse, so he grabbed him by the hair of his head and was then able to get him back to the shore. Danny was vomiting blood and was in bad shape but soon came out of it. Thanks to the bravery and quick thinking of Monk, Danny's life was saved.. Later the boss said to my father, "It was the bravest thing. We were all helpless while he thought of his horse, went out and got him, and saved Danny's life.
When Monk was in the second grade, they introduced phonics. He was really enthused about the new method that helped so much in both reading and spelling. His teacher. Miss Gregg, walked out to the ranch one day to tell Mother and Dad what a good student he was.
He was always so proud of his little sister, Norma. At school one day, he was standing by his teacher. Norma was jumping rope and his teacher remarked on how cute she was and so in time with her jumping rope. Monk said later how proud he was to tell his teacher, "That is my little sister!"
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When Monk was nearing eight years of age, he started thinking of being baptized. His birthday was Nov 6"' and the weather was freezing, but he wasn't discouraged. When they arrived at the pond where he was baptized, it was frozen over. They broke the ice and he stepped right up and was immersed in the icy water. He was so proud that now he was a Mormon!
He was an excellent student and had such a pleasant disposition that he was well liked by all of his teachers. He made friends easily. Monk was a happy person, always looking on the bright side of life. He had big plans for the future.
He loved to whistle, and we all loved to hear him. Many times we would hear his whistle coming down the road before we would see him.
He married Vema Arvella Gilbert 29 Mar 1926 in Pocatello, Idaho. After their marriage, they moved to Butte, Montana. Here he worked for Anaconda Copper mine for 27 years.
Their home was blessed with four children: Gilbert Earl, Joyce, and two sons who died in infancy.
They moved to California where he worked for several years. His health failed and he was forced to retire. They then moved to Rexburg, Idaho.
Monk always loved to read. He chose histories and books that were informative and educational. He was interested to visit with because he was always telling about something he had read recently. One could learn a lot from visiting with him.
The last few years of his life were painful. He had such a hard time breathing. I remember how cheerfLil and patient he was, never complaining, even though he could not lean back in his chair to rest. A comfortable position seemed to shut off the air to his lungs, but he didn't complain.
In his later years he read many church books and loved to discuss them and the principles of the gospel. He knew and understood the gospel plan much better than most of us do.
We can be proud of Monk in many ways. Most certainly he had courage and determination. Just as the sun was rising on a beautiful day, June 2, 1974, he passed away peacefully. His burdens gone and now he was at rest.
Gilbert Kidd, son of Monk and Vema, has written the following about his father:
"My father was a self made geologist. On several mining jobs in Montana, Nevada, California, and Wyoming, the Supt. of Mines would ask Dad's advice on mining procedures, his estimates on length and width of ore body.
"Dad was offered Supt's. jobs many times, but he preferred to remain independent and do what he liked to do. There was one exception. He was Supt. of Yellow Jacket Mine in Montana for Governor Allen.
"Governor Allen thought a lot of my dad.. He wanted to send Dad around the states to various mines he owned to inspect and advise. Dad didn't want that kind of job. He liked to get in and really work the mines.
"Governor Allen and Dad used to talk for hours. He asked and took advice on all mining matters. In 1949, at the age of 43, Dad was contract mining at a gold mine in Wenatchee, Washington. He fell 180 feet down in the mine, breaking his back in three places. All of his ribs were broken, one rib going through his left lung. It took three hours to get him out of the mine and one hour to get him to the hospital. He wasn't expected to live. He was cast for six months,
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then wore a harness. The doctors told him he would never work again and would have to wear the harness for support. They said that if he took the harness off and tried to walk, it would kill him.
"Being strong willed and determined, he told Mother he would rather die than wear that harness and never work again. Seven months later, he returned to work in the mines and worked until 1961.
"While working in Colorado Springs, Colorado, for N.O.R.A.D., the underground H.Q. for Missile Site, he broke his neck in two places. He was in the hospital for eight months. He returned to work in California. In 1965, he had his left eye put out in Grass Valley, California, while on a tunnel job. Dad continued to work until 1968 when he had to give it up due to bad lungs."
Gilbert said, "I'm proud of my dad. He had determination, drive, and knowledge. He was a hard worker and always gave a fiill day's work."
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Dallas and Mema Robinson Submitted by Kathy Ncwcomb
By Myrtle Kidd Millward,
submitted bv Garland Lvnn Kidd
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Dean Hossner in Scow's back yard! Tom Scow said Dean never drank, so that has to be soda pop or fake.
Submitted bv Kathy Neweomb
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