Jonathan Harriman Hale and Olive Boynton
Jonathan & Olive are Vonnie Elison Ellis’ great great grandparents
[Usually when writing the history of an ancestor, it is difficult to find enough information to "paint the whole picture.” With Jonathan, we have been blessed to have a book written about him and his family, as well as his service in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The problem, therefore, is in selecting the highlights that will tell the story of this faithful couple and do them the honor they deserve.]
While many of the details of our ancestors in their youth are lost to history, enough information exists to know that the home of Solomon and Martha Harriman Hale provided a congenial and desirable atmosphere for raising their family. They seemed to have a fairly large estate in Bradford (now Groveland), Massachusetts. They had a family of eight children, two boys and six girls. Jonathan was the fourth child, born 1 February 1800.
Since there were only two boys, Jonathan stayed at the family home longer than was usual at that time, to help in working the family farm. He was in his twenty-fourth year when he set out on his own. Leaving his lifelong home in Bradford, he settled in Dover, New Hampshire, about 40 miles to the north. This was in September 1824. He went into the butchering business with
Stephen Palmer, his sister's husband. Jonathan must have carried on a courtship with Olive Boynton while still in Bradford, as they were wed on 1 September 1825. Olive was the daughter of Eliphalet and Susannah Nichols Boynton, the second of four children. Olive also was born in Bradford, on 13 June 1834. Following their marriage in Bradford, the newlyweds established their home in Dover, New Hampshire. Their first child, Sarah died the day she was born. Their second child, our ancestor Aroet Lucius Little Hale, was born 18 May 1828 in Dover. Following his birth, the family moved back to their hometown of Bradford. Their third child, Rachel Johnson Savory Hale, was born there on 27 August 1829.
In the month of March 1831, the family returned to Dover, New Hampshire. In Jonathan's journal, he states that he went to the Fox Islands to purchase a ship load of sheep. We presume he and his brother-in-law were buying and selling livestock, principally beef and mutton. This business continued until 31 March 1835.
During the Spring of 1834, missionaries came into the neighborhood, bearing the astounding message of angels, gold plates, and the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Olive and Jonathan attended their meetings, listened, discussed, held in their hands the Book of Mormon which they were permitted to read, and they prayed. Two hearts were touched - two minds
were illuminated with understanding - two souls were convinced of the truth - and Jonathan and Olive were baptized into the Church on the 13th of June 1834. The ordinance was administered by Elder Gladden Bishop, President of the Branch of the Church at Westfield, N.Y.
Jonathan had a burning testimony, and a desire to share it with friends and family. Within two months there were enough members for a Branch to be organized. Elder Bishop ordained Jonathan an Elder and appointed him President of the Branch at Dover. He held this position until April 1835. In due course, a very natural thing developed in Jonathan, and that was
an insatiable desire to meet the Prophet Joseph Smith, about whom he had heard so much. He left Dover on 10 April 1835 and headed for the Church headquarters in Kirtland, Ohio. He joined his cousins, Henry Harriman and Jonathan Holmes, and together they made the 18-day journey to Kirtland. They found the Prophet to be a handsome young man about 30, tall and athletic in appearance, with a magnetic personality, approachable and kindly, strong in his convictions and confident in his position. He received the three strangers as brothers, took them into his confidence, and administered not only to their physical needs, but gave them the kind of food their souls hungered for. Jonathan recorded in his Journal at the time that he had there "received many blessings," but did not enumerate them except to say that one of them was a Patriarchal Blessing given to him by Joseph Smith Sr. The integrity and abilities of Jonathan were immediately recognized by the Prophet and his associates. Within a week he was called to go on a short mission to the Eastern States with the Apostles. (It is noted here that the Quorum of Twelve was not organized until February 1835. This, therefore, was the first mission of the Quorum.) They left 4 May 1835 and took a steamer to New York where they preached for some time. [Part of their travels included a stay at the home of Elder Heman Hyde, another of our ancestors.]
Jonathan and Thomas B. Marsh then left on a two-week trip to Palmyra and Hill Cumorah. They visited the home of Martin Harris at this time. On 8 June 1835 he returned to his home in Dover, having traveled 1550 miles during those two months.
About six weeks later he was called to meet with the Apostles again, and traveled extensively with them, transporting them with his team and wagon. He had traveled about 440 miles on this mission. When he returned home, he settled his business affairs and then moved his family back to Bradford, lived with his wife's parents, and assisted them in selling their property. This was done prior to June 1836.
While there, they were blessed with the birth of their fourth child, a son, which they named Alma Helaman Hale. He was born 24 April 1836. Two months later, Jonathan, Olive and their children began the 750-mile trip to Kirtland, where the Prophet had asked the saints to gather. Olive's sister, Clarissa and her husband Henry Harriman also made the trip with them. For the baby Alma, they made a bed in a little basket tied to the wagon bows, like a hammock. He had a very comfortable trip.
Jonathan immediately set about to build a home for his family as well as attend to his Church duties. During the winter of 1836-7 he was ordained to the office of Seventy and was made a member of the Third Quorum of Seventy. In April 1837 he received the ordinances of the Temple as far as they were provided at that time. On April 6, 1837, he met in the Temple with
the Saints in a Solemn Assembly. The full endowment was never administered in the Kirtland Temple. In November 1836 Olive received her Patriarchal blessing by Joseph Smith Sr.
In May 1837, Elder Wilford Woodruff and Jonathan were called on a mission to the Eastern States, Canada, and the Fox Islands. Jonathan had provided a comfortable home in Kirtland for his family. The family of Wilford Woodruff stayed with Olive while Jonathan and Wilford were on their missions.
The Elders traveled most of their mission on foot, using the canal system when available. They also used a train in New York, traveling 80 miles in five hours. They held conferences, healed the sick, baptized, and met other missionaries who were on their way to their fields of labor. Jonathan spent a full month preaching and visiting his family members in the Bradford area.
He rejoiced to be with his family, but was unable to persuade any of them to join the Church. Olive's parents did not join, but others of her family members accepted the gospel.
Elders Woodruff and Hale made history as they left Portland, Maine for the Fox Islands. They not only were the first missionaries to the Fox Islands, but the first missionaries in this dispensation to any islands of the sea. Jonathan baptized Capt. Justus Eames and his wife Betsy. These were the first baptisms he performed, as well as the first baptisms into the Church on the islands of the sea. The two Elders spent a total of 42 days on the Islands; they had covered the entire territory with their earnest preaching and fervent testimonies. Elder Hale had baptized nine and Elder Woodruff two, making eleven new converts to the Church. They left for the mainland on 2 October 1837. He and Elder Woodruff had travel 2000 miles in their labors. They parted company and Jonathan again went to visit family members before returning to Ohio on 28 October 1837.
Jonathan and his family rejoiced at being together again, especially since he felt his efforts were needed with his family and his personal affairs. In just a few weeks he was called by the Prophet to another mission to the southwest area of Ohio. On 2 Jan 1838 he left for this mission. Several weeks later, on February 12, Elder Hale received a letter from his wife stating that the Prophet and Sidney Rigdon had fled for their lives from Kirtland on January 12. Their enemies had burned the printing office and had taken many prisoners. This was alarming news, and Jonathan felt he should return immediately to Kirtland. They were about 100 miles from home. They left
the next morning, Tuesday, traveled all one night and were able to reach Kirtland Friday night at 11:00. This was February 16, 1838. He found his family all well. Even though his mission was cut short, he had spent 46 days in the field and traveled 399 miles, holding meetings once and sometimes twice daily.
In early March, it was determined that the Saints would move as a camp, to Missouri. A constitution was drafted consisting of rules governing the organization and the movement in general. Jonathan was appointed a treasurer and purchasing agent. Because of the dire poverty of the Saints, opposition from members within the Church, depression of the members over these conditions, as well as other conditions, it was no small task for Jonathan to ready his family as well as raise money to provide for all the Saints to leave. On the 6th of July 1838 the caravan left Kirtland. The camp consisted of 529 souls, 96 horses, 22 oxen, 68 cows, 59 wagons, and about 33 tents, with provisions. They camped at Bath, Green Co., Ohio for one month during which time Jonathan was engaged in buying provisions for the camp. They had traveled 251 miles and arrived there July 28. On the way, they were met by the Sheriff and his deputies, who took Jonathan and two other brethren and put them in prison in Mansfield, July 16. The next morning they were taken to court and charged with being stockholders in the Kirtland Safety Society Bank. The charge was not sustained and they were released at noon. Church history notes that Jonathan was mistaken for Joseph Young. "We were glad and thanked the Lord for deliverance out of the hands of our enemies," Jonathan recorded.
By way of summary, during the long and wearisome trek of 870 miles from Kirtland to Far West they were compelled to halt frequently to repair broken wagons, replace worn out oxen, nurse the sick and bury the dead. It is recorded that 15 miles was considered a good day’s journey. There were instances where contracts were taken for building roads, bridges, harvesting crops, and doing other lines of work to earn money and to restock their needed supply of food and provisions. It was not an infrequent occurrence to be denied camping places in the open, near settlements, and often they were refused the sale of food for themselves and their animals for cash, because they were found to be Mormons.
Having been en route three months, lacking four days, this weary band of over a half thousand pilgrims came happily to their journey's end at Far West, Missouri on Tuesday, October 2, 1838 at 5:00 p.m. - then the Western frontier of America. Five miles from the city they were met, and escorted into the city by the First Presidency. They camped on the public square around the foundation of the Temple. (This temple was never completed.) The following day the camp was moved out to Ambrosial Creek, led by the Prophet Joseph. Their journey was at an end, and Far West was now designated as the headquarters of the Church. Jonathan was given a certificate
by the Prophet, stating that he was in good standing and authorized to preach the gospel. This was made necessary to distinguish the tried and true leaders from those who were dissenting and turning against the prophet. The mob activity followed them to Far West and a short time later,
Governor Boggs issued his order for the Mormons to be exterminated, that there should be no Mormon left in the state. Many atrocities were committed against the Saints and they again had to "move on.” Jonathan and his cousin Henry Harriman, were part of a group of five that were allowed to pass through Davies County and retrieve the belongings of those who had fled the county. In February 1839, the Hales moved to Quincy, Illinois, thus ending the terrible conditions endured by the Saints.
The state of Illinois, through its Governor, its county and municipal officers, extended welcome hands to the exiled Saints, and they began gathering into that state by hundreds and by thousands. The prophet and some of the other leaders were confined in Liberty Jail at this time. Certain others of the apostles became panic stricken before the mob, and fled to other parts. Some apostatized and never came back, while others later returned. The people were scattered over a wide area, like sheep without a shepherd. Brigham Young, then President of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles, gathered about him the leading, dependable and loyal men of the Church. Jonathan was among this group. He spent about five weeks there, pursuing the work assigned to him.
Jonathan made acquaintance of a Mr. Robert Stilson, who owned a farm about 20 miles east of Quincy. They made an agreement for Jonathan to rent the farm for two years. Jonathan could keep all he could produce on the farm, as well as be paid for any improvements he made, such as fences and buildings. Therefore he was able to provide a home for his family, and eventually had enough to outfit himself with a good wagon, team, harness and the other things he needed for the next move with the Saints. The leaders of the Church had already decided to find a new location somewhere on the Illinois side of the Mississippi, and extend the settlement over into Iowa. While at the Stilson farm, the family was blessed with their fifth child, who was named Solomon.
In April 1839, the Prophet was allowed to escape, and he returned directly to Quincy. He and the brethren immediately began to lay plans for another gathering place. He purchased a large tract of land at Commerce (later renamed Nauvoo). On May 4-6 the Prophet conducted a conference and organized a Stake. Missions were set in order and the Saints were greatly heartened. Jonathan participated in this conference. The Prophet left with his family and established themselves in Nauvoo. Later in the month, the Church purchased the town of Nashville, Lee County, Iowa as well as Montrose, Iowa, across the river from Nauvoo.
By December, Jonathan had his affairs enough in order to leave on another mission. On 18 December 1839, he directed his course across the southern portion of Illinois, through Indiana and over into Kentucky. Elder Lewis Ziegler accompanied him for a certain distance. The rest of his mission was apparently conducted alone. In February he returned home to Quincy, having traveled approximately 1000 miles.
The observation is made at this time that if Jonathan H. Hale ever found fault with the Church or its leaders, if he ever felt discouraged or to complain of his heavy burdens, if he ever doubted or hesitated in his onward course, there is not a word in all that he ever wrote to indicate it. The author of the book has painstakingly read everything which Jonathan himself is known to have written, and has as well, carefully examined all that has been written about him. Of comparatively few men of those days can such in fact be said. This reveals the steadfastness and trustworthiness of the man. The next two years were spent working the farm and attending to
Church duties. This was the first time that Aroet 12, and Rachel 11, had the opportunity to attend school. By the spring of 1841, the family had been able to replace the losses suffered from the mobs. Jonathan settled his business relations with Mr. Stilson regarding the farm, loaded all his earthly belongings into the wagon, and with his wife and four children headed for Nauvoo, the
new gathering place, about 50 miles north.
A five-day conference was held in April, and Jonathan was ordained a High Priest, and set apart as counselor to the newly called Bishop Newel K. Whitney of the Middle Ward of Nauvoo. The cornerstones for the temple were also placed at this conference. In Aroet's personal history, he wrote, "Father began hauling rock for the Temple, and never ceased until he had paid up two and one-half years back tithing." Jonathan carried on through the year 1841, completing a home for his family, improving and farming his land, looking after his duties in the Bishopric of the Middle Ward, and working on the Temple. By November 1842, baptisms for the dead, which had been performed in the river, were for the first time commenced in the baptismal font in the Temple.
While in Nauvoo, Olive and Jonathan were favored with the birth of their sixth child, their fourth boy, whom they named Jonathan Eliphalet Hale. But this child lived only 6½ months, and died in Nauvoo, 22 July 1842. The city continued to grow. At the conference in July, at the grove, Joseph Smith approximated the audience to be about 8,000 people. On 6 August 1842, Joseph uttered a prophecy to a group of brethren, that the Saints would continue to be persecuted and would be driven to the Rocky Mountains. "Many will apostatize, others will be put to death by our persecutors, or lose their lives in consequence of exposure or disease; some of you will live to go and assist in making settlements and build cities and see the Saints become a mighty people
in the midst of the Rocky Mountains." In August Jonathan was called to be Bishop of the Ninth Ward of Nauvoo.
The generous and kindly nature of Bishop Hale and his devoted wife may clearly be seen in their action in taking into their home William and Peter Winward - two boys about 12 and 10 years of age, who had been left homeless and alone upon the death of their father in Nauvoo, in October 1842.
William was very ill at the time and Sister Hale was four months in nursing him back to health. The boys were taken care of in this hospitable home for about a year and a half, when Bishop Hale found desirable places for them on farms near the City of Nauvoo. Their mother was in England, but the boys declined to go back to that country. They eventually came to Utah, becoming active and influential citizens with splendid families. William located in South Jordan and Peter in Payson.
In the Winter of 1842, Jonathan was elected an assessor and tax collector, served on a jury and was appointed a recorder of baptisms for the dead. In 1843 he was reappointed tax collector and assessor, as well as a district School Director.
In January of 1844, at a council meeting in Nauvoo, it was decided and announced that Joseph Smith would be a candidate for the President of the United States. Joseph declared, "It is morally impossible for this people, in justice to themselves, to vote for the reelection of President Van Buren – a man who criminally neglected his duties as Chief Magistrate in the cold and
unblushing manner which he did, when appealed to for aid in the Missouri difficulties. . . ."
The council selected 337 men to take special missions to all the states of the Union presenting "General Smith's views on the powers and policy of the general government," and holding conferences and preaching the gospel, "where opportunities present." Bishop Hale's assignment was to the State of Maine. This was his sixth mission. We do not have details of his mission, but
know that he performed it.
The Hale home in Nauvoo was gladdened by the birth of a second daughter, Olive Susan, born on 14 March 1844.
It needs to be mentioned here that Jonathan was a member of the Nauvoo Legion, along with his other duties. The Prophet held the position of Lieut. General, and Jonathan H. Hale, that of Lieut. Colonel. We also need to note that Jonathan's son Aroet, a husky lad of 16, is listed among the
members of the Nauvoo Legion band, in which he played as drummer. In the Spring of 1844, the prophet was apprised of a secret movement being organized to take his life, as well as the lives of several other leading men of the Church, including the Prophet's brother Hyrum. The destruction of the press of The Nauvoo Expositor after printing only one issue of inflammatory remarks about the Mormons, was all that was needed to incite mobs to action. Joseph and Hyrum were taken to jail in Carthage, the Nauvoo Legion was relieved of their arms and ammunition, and a pall of gloom spread over Nauvoo.
Jonathan recorded a day by day account of what transpired from 18 June until 7 July 1844. The Legion members had been left to arm themselves with privately owned arms. On 6 July a letter came from the Governor which dismissed the Legion, except police. On 7 July, all provisions were put into the hands of the Bishops for the poor.
Brigham Young and most of the twelve were on missions when the Prophet was killed. It was about a month before they heard the news, upon which they immediately began their return journey to Nauvoo. Brigham recorded in his journal on 21 February 1844 the subject of
their council meeting that day. The Prophet Joseph directed the Twelve "to select an exploring company to go to California to select a location for the settlement of the Saints. It was agreed that the company should number twenty-five."
At the special conference held on 8 October 1844, the members unanimously sustained the Quorum of Twelve with Brigham Young at their head, as leaders of the Church. Immediately they set about putting things in order and calling missionaries to various parts of the United States and England. At this same conference "President Young proceeded to select men
from the High Priests' Quorum to go abroad in all the Congressional districts of the United States, to preside over the Branches of the Church." Among those so selected was Jonathan H. Hale. This was his seventh mission. Meanwhile, all along, Jonathan was active in the official ranks of the Nauvoo Legion, which was kept in good organized form as minutemen, for
protection of the people and their property in Nauvoo. Sometime between September 12 and the 5th of October, Jonathan was made Colonel-President of the 3rd Regiment, 2nd Cohort, of the Nauvoo Legion. This is evidenced by an original document of the Legion where the Adjutant Pro tem and Secretary, certify over his signature a list of the officers on 5 October 1844. With the beginning of another year, another mission call came to Jonathan from the General Authorities. This was a “special” mission which was in addition to the duties he already had. Forty-six brethren were appointed "to collect donations and tithing for the Temple in Nauvoo, and for
other purposes, having complied with all necessary requirements by entering into bonds to our entire satisfaction. We hope they will be received as such by all people wherever they may travel." Thus read the official certificate given these special missionaries.
Early in this year, two seriously significant movements began to take form. One was dark and forebode much evil - it was the gathering cloud of mobocracy and persecution. The other, which drew out of the first, was a definite plan beginning to take form toward a wholesale migration of the Saints to the great West.
Brother Brigham said the temple must be completed first; so Jonathan and the other special agents of the Church increased their activity and were able to bring in sufficient funds to make possible the laying of the capstone on the sacred edifice by May of this year. William Clayton wrote in his Journal under date of 24 May 1845: "The last stone is laid upon the Temple, and I
pray the Almighty, in the name of Jesus, to defend us in this place and sustain us until the Temple is finished and we have all got our endowments." By September, conditions had become so serious that President Young appointed Jonathan Hale and certain other men to "forthwith assist with teams, the brethren in the country to move their best grain as well as their families into Nauvoo" for protection. In response to this call of distress, Jonathan and his committee
speedily got together and sent out 134 teams and wagons to bring in the persecuted Saints scattered in the country districts of Illinois and Iowa.
The temple was completed enough to permit the holding of General Conference within its walls, 5 October 1845, attended by about five thousand of the faithful. This was the first and the last conference of the Church held in this holy sanctuary. The attentions and energies of the Saints turned toward preparations to evacuate their beautiful city and commence an unparalleled pilgrimage to the great West. Nauvoo was then the largest city in Illinois, triple the size of
Chicago.
On 11 October 1845 a special meeting was called by President Young to organize 25 companies "with captains of hundreds" preparatory to the great move. Jonathan H. Hale was made Captain of Company No. 21. Parley P. Pratt calculated that an outfit which every family of five persons would require, should consist of the following: 1 good wagon, 3 sheep, 1000 pounds flour, 1 rifle and ammunition, 3 yoke of cattle, 25 pounds of sugar, 1 tent and tent poles, 2 cows, and 2 beef cattle. All this was to cost about $250 if the family had nothing to begin with, except clothing, bedding and cooking utensils. The weight would be about 2700 pounds, including the family, but
counting on the family to walk most of the way, would reduce the load to about 1900 pounds.
Nauvoo presented a busy scene in those days. Men were hurrying to and fro collecting wagons and putting them in repair; the roar of the smith's forge was well nigh perpetual. Brigham Young and his associates studied maps and reports of the Great Salt Lake basin. Thus passed the year 1845. There is but little mention in the book of the Temple. We do know that both Jonathan and Olive received their endowments on 22 December 1845 and that they were sealed on 27 January 1846. Heber C. Kimball and Jonathan Hale arranged for Aroet Hale to be ordained an Elder and receive his endowments. Then Jonathan, at Apostle Kimball's request, let Aroet accompany the Kimball party as teamster. Bishop Hale remained in Nauvoo to help the people secure outfits and traveling equipment. This was particularly a difficult task in the cases of many who had neither equipment, nor money with which to purchase. By March the great caravan, organized into companies, was on its way westward across the plains of Iowa, and by the first of June, more than 900 wagons were on the road. Jonathan succeeded in outfitting his company and they were on their way in early June. Aroet had returned to help him, and met him part way. The company safely arrived at Council Bluffs, a distance of 300 miles on 16 July 1846.
On 13 July 1846, President Young met with military men representing the United States with a request for a battalion of men to help fight the war with Mexico. Four companies were raised. A few days later, Bishop Hale and Aroet attended another meeting where another company was raised. Aroet stepped forward to volunteer, but was counseled by Heber Kimball to remain
to help his family. Jonathan had a broken leg, and Olive was expecting another child. Aroet took the counsel and stayed with the family. The Saints continued to arrive by the hundreds, and it was obvious that they would have to remain the winter in Council Bluffs. On 17 July 1846,
the day after Jonathan's arrival, another meeting was held. Several men were selected to be Bishops and assist the families of the Battalion members. They also were to assist in bringing the poor who had been left in Nauvoo, and not stop until all who wanted to come were able. Jonathan H. Hale was one of the men selected for this purpose. Four days later, another meeting was called and twelve men were called to preside in all matters spiritual and temporal.
Both Heman Hyde and Jonathan were called to this position. That same day he was given the assignment, with two others to go to Fort Leavenworth and receive the pay from the Battalion members on behalf of their families. On 27 August 1846, Olive gave birth in a tent, on the ground, to a daughter, Clarissa Martha. She was the fourth daughter, and the eighth and
last child born to this union.
At the high council meeting held on 5 September 1846, the startling announcement was given, "Bishop Jonathan H. Hale is dead." Even though weary clear through, he was always "at his post" filling the callings and assignments that had been given him. He eventually came down with malaria, so common in the camp at this time. He was forced to lie down to rest, never
to get up again. He died at the age of 46 years. Just four days later, his faithful wife Olive, then sick in her tent with baby Clarissa, now weak and weary of body and mind, had come to the end of her earthly pilgrimage. Olive, with her devoted husband, had borne the relentless persecutions,
hardships and privations. She could go no farther, and she joined her husband on 8 September 1846. As if this were not enough, little Olive Susan, then two and a half years of age, died of the same malady on 15th of September. And baby Clarissa Martha succumbed on the 18th of September. She was just 22 days old.
When Jonathan was on his sick bed, he called his family near to counsel them and bid them goodbye. He gave them his blessing and said, "Stand by the Faith and continue on with Brother Brigham and Brother Heber to the Rocky Mountains. It is God's work and we must not fail. Do not be persuaded to turn back, even though our relatives insist upon it. Go with the Church and God will bless and preserve you."
Shortly before Olive died, she called the children to her side and showered upon them the affection and love that only such a Mother could bestow. She realized that with her going, the children would be left alone, and she admonished them to follow the counsel given them by their dying Father, to go with President Young and the Brethren to the mountains, and to remain
true and faithful. Then she turned to Aroet, who was the oldest in the family, and asked him to promise that he would see that this was done. When Aroet answered that he would do so, Olive smiled sweetly, and said she could now "go with Jonathan." She then peacefully passed over to him.
Solomon Hale is a brother to Alma Helaman Hale
Alma is Vonnie Elision Ellis Great Grandfather
Alma is Vonnie Elision Ellis Great Grandfather
Compiled by Barbara Winward Seager July 1997
Search Terms: HALE (49), SOLOMON (68) brother to Alma Helaman Hale Database: LDS Biographical Encyclopedia Combined Matches: 2Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia
Volume 2
Biographies
Goaslind, Charles David
Hale, Solomon Henry, first counselor in the Presidency of the Oneida Stake, Idaho, was born at Quincy, Ill., April 30, 1839, while his parents, Jonathan and Olive (Boynton) Hale, then recent converts to "Mormonism", were on their way to join the great body of the Church at Nauvoo, where he was later appointed Bishop of one of the Wards in the City. The Hales belongs to the distinguished family of the name that has a glorious record in both English and American history, and numbers among its renowned men Sir Matthew Hale, lord chief justice of England, and Nathan Hale, one of the early martyrs to liberty in America. There are now some 23000 members of the family, and its name has adorned every elevated and admired walk of life with the noblest traits of manhood and womanhood, the learning of the scholar, the eloquence of the orator, the courage of the soldier, the patriotism of the statesman, the genius of the writer and the daring of the pioneer, all being set down to its credit, and all repeated many times in its membership. The immediate ancestors of Solomon H. Hale were natives of Massachusetts, and could trace their ancestry back in an unbroken and distinguished line to the year 1400, and through all the variations of colonial history in New England. In 1830 they moved from their native State to Ohio, but after a short residence there went to Nauvoo, Ill., where they remained until 1846, and then joined the first company of saints for the far West. They reached Council Bluffs, Iowa, in the summer and crossed over the Missouri river to Winter Quarters in September of that year; the father soon died, and the mother followed him to the better world a few days later, as did two daughters, their youngest children. Four children were left in orphanage, namely Aroet L., Rachel S., Alma H., and Solomon H. The oldest son was a young man and the sister was also nearly grown at this time and they were able to keep the four together and continue the journey to Great Salt Lake Valley, which they did in the spring of 1848 with the second company. They remained in Salt Lake City four years, and during this time Solomon secured what education he could under the circumstances. In 1852 his two brothers moved to Tooele county, where they engaged in farming on land which they still own and occupy. The sister was married and moved to San Bernardino, California, where she died some time in the seventies. Solomon went to Farmington, north of Salt Lake City, to make his home with his uncle, Jonathan H. Holmes, and worked on his farm until 1854, when he began the battle of life for himself in earnest by going to Utah V alley, near Lehi, and securing employment on a stock ranch. He remained there until 1856 and then removed with the first settlers with a herd of Church cattle to the site of Logan, in Cache Valley. They all intended to remain there, but in the spring of 1857 United States troops came along under the command of General Johnston, and the settlers, by order of President Brigham Young, moved south. In the fall of the year they returned and Bro. Hale came with them. He passed the winter near Logan and in the ensuing spring of 1858 went to Salt Lake to work for William H. Hooper, then one of the most extensive stock-growers and dealers in Utah, with his principal ranches located about thirty miles north of Salt Lake City, where the town of Hooperville now is. Bro. Hale continued his work on the ranch until the spring of 1
1861, when he left Hooper's employ to break horses for the Pony Express Company in Deep Creek Valley. There was such a demand for riding horses on the express route at this time that Bro. Hale, who, by the way, had the reputation of being the best rider in the county, was required to ride ten bronchos a day. This he kept up for five months, when he was broken down in health and returned to Salt Lake City, spending the ensuing winter in Centerville. These were very troublous and dangerous times with the Indians. Some of the station keepers were killed, and express riders shot and a general state of terror was kept up. Bro. Hale was among those who suffered some very narrow escapes. One incident that showed well his bravery and adventurous spirit, which were so characteristic of him, was when he volunteered to go at the head of nine men in pursuit of two savages who were known to be the principal cause of their trouble. For days they kept a close watch upon their trail in the mountains, when, on their way to do further deeds of terror, the two braves passed the fatal spot where Bro. Hale and four others were successful in capturing and afterwards killing them. On May 1, 1862, Mr. Hale enlisted in the government service in Captain Lot Smith's command of Utah Volunteers and was appointed wagon-master and assigned to do duty in protecting the mails on the overland route, all the government troops having been called off the plains, leaving the Indians in almost full control and using their opportunity to murder emigrants, burn stage houses, destroy coaches, kill the guards and generally keep up a state of terror throughout the country. The Utah volunteers were used in restraining the savages and preserving order, putting up wires, protecting stage coaches and keeping up as far as possible communication with the east. They enlisted for ninety days, but were kept in service 115, and on their way home, three days before their term expired, they reached Fort Bridger, where Indians had made a raid on the ranch of the old mountaineer, John Robinson, and taken off 136 horses and mules. Yielding to the appeals of the settlers, the forty volunteers set out upon the trail of the savages, following them in swift pursuit for eight days into the Snake River region, the then heart of the Indian country. Not being successful in overtaking the hostiles, they gave up the chase after having reached the vicinity of the Three Tetons. They crossed Snake River at Meek's Ferry, north of Blackfoot, and went on to Pocatello; thence they passed through Malad Valley back to Salt Lake City, where they arrived on the 9th of Aug. and were mustered out of service on the 14th. This expedition, in which only one life was lost and that by drowning in the Lewis Fork of Snake River, has been recorded as being "one of the most hazardous in the annals of local Indian warfare". During the eight days of their pursuit they were almost without food and also suffered untold hardships in other ways. They subsisted principally upon what few birds and animals they could kill by the way and were at one time driven to the extreme measure of killing for food one of their pack horses. Brother Hale remained in the vicinity of Salt Lake until April 17, 1863, when he was married there to Miss Anna Clark, a native of Ohio, daughter of Samuel and Rebecca (Garner) Clark; her father was born in New Jersey and the mother in Tennessee. They came to Utah in 1848, and after a short residence in Salt Lake City moved to Provo, where the father started the first tannery in the Territory. The mother died in southern Utah and the father at the home of a son at Whitney, Idaho. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hale settled in Skull Valley, Utah, where he was in the employ of William H. Hooper, having charge of all his interests in that region. Mr. Hooper was one of the famous men of early Utah history, being prominent in public life as well as in business circles. In the autumn of 1865 Bro. Hale moved to the Bear Lake country, which then contained but few settlers. He bought land near the present town of Liberty and engaged extensively in the stock industry, raising, buying and selling cattle. He remained there until the spring of 1872, when he changed his base of operations to Soda Springs, where he, in partnership
with Brigham Young jun., opened a livery, feed and sale stable. He kept up right along big stock interests, procuring hayland in Gentile Valley for the raising of winter feed. He did the freighting from Logan, Utah, for the branch of the Z. C. M. I. in Soda Springs and acted as their Indian interpreter and trader. In the latter place he built two fine residences and a billiard hall, which was the best equipped of any north of Ogden City. These buildings are still standing and occupied. In the spring of 1875 he sold his interest in Soda Springs and procured other tracts of land in the central portion of Gentile Valley, where the town of Thatcher now is. Here he started a new enterprise and went quite extensively into the stock business and soon became one of the leading stock men of that whole valley. A peculiar incident in his locating in Gentile Valley was that the ranch men and trappers then living on the west side of the river forbade "Mormons" locating among them; they claimed that the valley should be kept exclusively Gentile. It will be plainly seen from this whence Gentile Valley derived its name. Mr. Hale gained the friendship of his neighbors and before a great while a number of other "Mormons" settled there and finally a Ward of the Church was organized, over which he was appointed Bishop. While living here he served his county (Oneida) for two years as one of its commissioners, during which terms funds were appropriated for the building of the county house in Malad City, the Bear River bridge in Gentile Valley, etc. In April, 1890, he was called by the Church to superintend the erection of the Oneida Stake Academy, at Preston, to which town his family moved the following July, retaining their possessions in the Gentile Valley. It took about five years to build the Academy and in 1894 Elder Hale traded land in the Gentile Valley for the ranch on which he now lives, about two miles south from the center of Preston. Here he has since maintained his home and carried on an extensive cattle and dairying business, also raising and selling large quantities of hay and handling pure breeds of sheep. Throughout his life he has been active in the Church works. He was a member of the High Council of Bear Lake Stake from its organization until the formation of Mormon (now Thatcher) Ward, in Gentile Valley, when he became Bishop of that Ward, holding the position until the Oneida Stake was formed, in May, 1884, when he was made first counselor to President William D. Hendricks. In August, 1887, he was called as first counselor to President George C. Parkinson, of the Oneida Stake, and filled the office until recently. In politics he is a staunch Republican and is active in the service of his party. His family consists of eight children in all. Their names in order of birth are as follows: Solomon H., Jonathan J., S. Clark, Hattie V., Arta D., Heber Q., A. Alma and Lavinna, of whom three are deceased, namely, Jonathan, Clark and Arta.
History Of Aroet Clinton Hale
Written by Katie L. Hale Elison
Aroet is Vonnie Elison Ellis’ Grandfather
Aroet married Elizabeth Alfretta Seamons
Aroet Clinton Hale was born in Grantsville, Utah on August 17, 1869, son of Alma Helaman Hale and Ellen Victoria Clark Hale. The family lived there for a number of years. Then they moved to Gentile Valley, where the boys dry farmed. When Aroet and his older brother got the crops in, they worked other places. They each owned sheep and would take care of them and help shear for other people. At the shearing camp, two young women cooked for the men. When Aroet met these two young ladies he knew immediately he wanted one of them for his wife. After a short time of courtship he married Elizabeth Alfretta Seamons on November 15, 1893 in the Logan LDS Temple. Elizabeth was born on July 26, 1873 in Hyde Park, Utah. To this couple were born five children: Elmer Clinton Hale who married Leone Roundy and they resided most of their life in Salt Lake City. Katie Louisa Hale who married Horace Andrew Elison and they resided in Groveland all of their life. Orvin Melrose Hale married Lillie Belnap and after her death he married Lucy Crouch Cox and they resided in Pocatello. Delos Griffith died at the age of 19 from a ruptured appendix on March 28, 1921. Ferrin Alma Hale married Larue Stapley and after her death he married Elaine Seamons and they resided in Logan, Utah. An adopted son Zeneth Aroet Hale married Hazel Henderson and they resided in Northern Idaho and Washington area.
The family moved to Groveland in 1904 in the fall of the year. They lived with Aroet's brothers during which time they purchased an acreage on the Groveland townsite. My father bought a two room frame house and moved it from the Rose area and put it on the land he had purchased across from the schoolhouse. Father built two rooms on, so it would be adequate for our family. We moved into it in the spring. We all worked very hard landscaping the yards, planting all varieties of fruit trees and berry bushes. We also had lots of shade trees and a good garden. We took pride in our home, Mother was an excellent house keeper and we were all taught to work, sew and cook. Father taught the boys how to manage the farm and care for animals. We had a small herd of milk cows and we would separate the milk to get cream which we churned into butter. Then we would take it to town to the mercantile store and exchanged it for fabric for our clothing or groceries. We also had our own chickens and eggs. Father rented farms working from early in the morning till late at night. He worked with horses and a hand plow and later purchased a two-way plow. It was slow progress, but the men went forth with a determination to succeed. Many of the farmers drove to the hills where they cut poles to build cellars for their potatoes to be stored. I remember one winter they couldn't sell the potatoes and with no
Aroet Clinton Hale was born in Grantsville, Utah on August 17, 1869, son of Alma Helaman Hale and Ellen Victoria Clark Hale. The family lived there for a number of years. Then they moved to Gentile Valley, where the boys dry farmed. When Aroet and his older brother got the crops in, they worked other places. They each owned sheep and would take care of them and help shear for other people. At the shearing camp, two young women cooked for the men. When Aroet met these two young ladies he knew immediately he wanted one of them for his wife. After a short time of courtship he married Elizabeth Alfretta Seamons on November 15, 1893 in the Logan LDS Temple. Elizabeth was born on July 26, 1873 in Hyde Park, Utah. To this couple were born five children: Elmer Clinton Hale who married Leone Roundy and they resided most of their life in Salt Lake City. Katie Louisa Hale who married Horace Andrew Elison and they resided in Groveland all of their life. Orvin Melrose Hale married Lillie Belnap and after her death he married Lucy Crouch Cox and they resided in Pocatello. Delos Griffith died at the age of 19 from a ruptured appendix on March 28, 1921. Ferrin Alma Hale married Larue Stapley and after her death he married Elaine Seamons and they resided in Logan, Utah. An adopted son Zeneth Aroet Hale married Hazel Henderson and they resided in Northern Idaho and Washington area.
ventilation in the cellars like they have now, they all rotted and when spring came they scraped them out on the land and plowed them under. While the potatoes were still good, the housewives grated them and made starch for use in the home. Father and his brothers homesteaded some dry farming land north of Groveland.
We had a good family life working and playing together. My Mother died in 1923 after which my Father went to Pocatello to live with his son Orvin. While living there, he did carpenter work and helped build the Union Pacific Railroad Station. He later moved to Logan where he met and later married Martha Olsen. To this marriage was born a daughter Norma. He resided in Logan until his death.
During my father's lifetime he served in the bishopric, visiting and sometimes staying several days with the sick. He worked in the Stake Sunday School, was a Stake missionary and religious class teacher. He was a man of great faith. My mother served in Relief Society, as Mutual chorister, and Primary. We children took part in all the organizations. We took part in operettas, programs, and other activities. Elmer, my older brother and I were dance directors for some time. Two of my brothers helped in the construction of the LDS Tabernacle in Blackfoot, now the Civic Center.
A branch of the LDS Church was organized in Groveland April 27, 1902. Adam Yancey was presiding elder. On February 1, 1903, the Groveland Ward was organized under the direction of the Bingham Stake Presidency, R.L. Bybee presiding and conducting. Adam Yancey was sustained as Bishop with Andrew C. Jensen Jr., as 1st counselor and James Chapman as 2nd counselor. In 1904 a new church house was built costing $2,200 dollars. It was a long frame building and later two classrooms and a stage was added on the back of it. The members of the ward built the benches. We held Sunday School at 10:00 a.m. and Sacrament Meeting at 2:00 p.m. and MIA at night. When the cultural arts were added to the church program, MIA was held on Tuesday nights. We enjoyed music, drama, speech, and dancing. We had primary operettas also the MIA sponsored one and three act plays during the winter. We had a dance nearly every Friday night with the music being furnished by ward members. William and Fred Hammond with Jack Palmer on the fiddle and Bertha Yancey Jensen on the piano. The benches were stacked on the stage so we had plenty of room to dance. When we had ward dinners the tables were set full length of the hall. Everyone furnished food for these occasions. The bishopric always brought big wooden buckets of candy and everyone helped themselves and we thought that was great. After the meal the dishes were gathered and put on tables on the stage. The men carried big cans of hot water from Bishop Yancey's home nearby and the dishes were washed by men and women. We all looked forward to the ward dinners and the sleigh riding parties in the winter.
I want to acknowledge my appreciation for the families of my parents, the Hale and Seamons families, and the family of my husband, Horace, the Elisons. They were all hard working, faithful, dedicated people. They lived in Groveland many years ago and helped to strengthen the community. They were real pioneers. We have a great heritage to live up to and pass on to our children.
Aroet C. Hale Aroet is married to Elizabeth Alfretta Seamons
Aroet is Vonnie Elison Ellis’ Grandfather
that they had gotten the message. It wasn't long before they arrived with Grandma, who had trained herself in doctor's ways and there delivery of your eldest son was accomplished. He was given the name of Elmer Clinton Hale on November 1, 1894. Three years later, on October 12, 1897 the horn was again summoned to use when Katie Louisa came to join the family. As you recall there was much entertainment going on to alleviate the long lonely evening hours. In those days dances were held often and whole families attended. Because you and Elizabeth enjoyed waltzing together so much, you took your little ones along and put them to sleep on the side benches while you danced the evening hours away. From time to time you and Elizabeth graciously accepted calls to serve in the ward when they came along and while her two young-sters were very small she became a counselor in the Relief Society in Perry Ward. One April day in 1900 she rode to Relief Society in a hay rack, took charge of the meeting, and one hour after returning home, gave birth to your third child and second son, Orvin Melrose. It seems that he wasn't going to wait for the blowing of the horn. You were called to the Bishopric and served diligently in that capacity. And because you were willing to leave your home many miles for the purpose of blessing the sick, and exercised great faith in this capacity, many were healed by the powers of the Priesthood through your hands. Delos Griffith joined your family on September 19, 1902. At about this time, you helped to erect the first new church in Perry by hauling gravel and helping with the excavation. You, no doubt, were very proud of that building upon its completion. And not too long after that, you took your family to stake conference in the new stake house built in Central. You could count on everyone attending conference even though it was necessary to travel dusty roads in wagons or buggies. Remember how early you had to get everyone out of bed in order to arrive to the meetings on time and the delicious food you took along for the noon meal. In 1904, you undertook the small task of moving your family and belongings to a spot near Blackfoot, Idaho, finally settling in a town-site which was named Groveland because of the many trees which were planted there to make it shady and green. There you established yourself and family in a two-room frame home and it was in this home that another son was born. This son was Ferrin Alma, who was born May 1, 1905. At this time you had enough land to raise hay, grain, potatoes and sugar beets and most years found a good market for them. At one time you went to the hills with other farmers for the purpose of gathering poles to use in building cellars and corrals. It meant several days away from home to accomplish this with team and wagon. I know you remember all too well how your load of poles broke loose and rolled off the wagon, injuring your back severely. This injury caused you much pain and it was necessary for you to remain off work for several weeks. While you were recuperating, your industrious wife got the children together and they dug a cellar where the fruits and vegetables were stored and milk and cream were kept fresh. It was in the year 1910, I believe, that you secured 320 acres of dry farm land where you built a one-room house in which were two beds, a cookstove, table and cupboard. On this farm, you raised oats, wheat, barley and hay and also cows which produced rich cream that was churned into butter. This butter was sold to merchants for food, clothing and other articles needed. The boys took turns working the dry farm and indeed, there was plenty of work to keep them busy. Your children were growing rapidly as all children do but your family was not to decrease in size until one more increase was made. At the time your youngest child, Ferrin, was 10 years of age, you and Elizabeth opened your hearts and your home to a little boy just a few hours old. He was given the name of Zenith Aroet and was born the 16th of July 1915. He was loved and treated as one of your own. All though you were busy with long difficult hours of making a living, you never turned down the chance to help in the home of others who needed you even though it took you away for two or three days at a time. Your wife was equally as diligent in taking care of the children and keeping things in working order while you were away. In March of 1921, a touch of sadness entered your family when Delos passed away at the age of nineteen after an operation. By this time Katie was married and had one child: Elmer had filled a three year mission in the Central States, had returned and was married. Shortly Orvin was to also marry so in a matter of a few short years, your family was reduced to just the two boys, Ferrin and Zenith. And then in the summer of 1923, you and Elizabeth went to Garfield, Utah where you stayed with Elmer and Leone and their young son and daughter. You found work as a carpenter at the Magna Mills. Elizabeth was soon to celebrate her 50th birthday and her mother was to arrive by train to be with her. While you were at work and Leone had gone to meet Grandma, Elizabeth had just packed a lunch for Elmer who was also getting ready to leave for work, suddenly without any warning whatsoever, Elizabeth collapsed and died. Needless to say this was a great shock to everyone and you made preparations for her burial to take place on her birthday in Groveland, the 26th of July. To help overcome your grief you spent sometime with Orvin and Lillie in Pocatello. There you worked as a carpenter for the railroad. Your health was not the best at this time so you went to Logan for treatments and as you began to feel better, you desired to do Temple work in the Logan Temple. Fate must have played an important part in that move for it was here that you met a very lovely temple worker who was to become your wife on the following 16th of September, 1924. Martha Olson, who had had the sad experience of losing a sweetheart, had devoted much of her life to service in the church and particularly in doing temple work. Your marriage filled a void in both her life and yours and it was complete with the birth of a lovely daughter Norma who was a delight and a source of pride to you in your later years. You then lived in Millville, a few miles from Logan and you did gardening work on the Temple grounds for awhile. Later you took up farming there in Millville with your new family and eventually you and Martha began the task of remodeling the home in which you lived. You and Martha worked diligently side by side whether on the farm, working on the house or gathering names for temple work or helping others in doing research for genealogy sheets. One morning in July of 1934, as she prepared to do the milking, Martha met with an accident and broke her leg in two places. To show that she was not going to be pampered in bed, she had you set up a bed in the kitchen where she took care of preparing the food and other smaller tasks with Norma's help. Soon she was able to get out of bed but still needed to protect the broken leg so you accommodated her by fixing a light weight chair to rest her leg on as she pushed herself around the house with the other leg. You and Martha continued your important calling as temple workers and at the same time accepted various positions in the Church. During the winter of 1950 and 51 you suffered an illness which required surgery. Arrangements were made for this to be done in the St. Marks hospital in Salt Lake. Afterward you spent some time recuperating in the home of Elmer and Leone in Salt Lake, then with Orvin and Lillie in Pocatello and Katie and Horace in Groveland. For a year your health was poor but the following summer you felt you were well enough to resume limited farm chores. However, another misfortune was to befall you when a horse you were leading, stumbled, causing you to lose your balance and fall. Both legs were fractured and though you were given the best of care the injury was too much of a shock to your system and you passed away from us on August 1, 1952 at the age of 82. Aunt Martha lived on continuing with her many church duties and always helping others. She was dearly loved and respected by all of your family as well as many friends. She filled many hours making rugs, crocheting hot pads and babysitting; always keeping busy despite her age. She attended this family reunion last year where she enthusiastically endorsed plans for this special celebration on your hundredth birthday. However, it was not in the plan that she should be here with us in body for as you know she joined you last January 15th after suffering a severe injury in a fall. She was 84 years old. Grandpa, this has been but a brief sketch of many fruitful years of your life. We can't help but feel that you, Elizabeth and Martha and yes Delos with others who have gone, are here with us to share this important occasion. We want you to know that we love you and appreciate the accomplishment you and your dear wives achieved. We know you must have loved each one of us deeply and we hope to be a credit to our children as you have been to us. Your loving posterity… The above was recorded on tape and played to those present at the Aroet C. Hale family reunion which was held August 16, 1969.Aroet is Vonnie Elison Ellis’ Grandfather
Dear Grandpa, (Aroet C. Hale)
Seventeen years and fourteen days ago, you took your leave from this world to join your loved ones beyond leaving a posterity who love and revere you as their common ancestor. Today, we are celebrating the one-hundreth anniversary of your birth. We have gathered together here at River Heights Park in Logan for a day of fun and frolic and to renew acquaintances in your honor and to review a brief sketch of your life. We are proud of the many sacrifices you made during your life-time for your family, church, and loved ones who in turn have made similar sacrifices for their own. Indeed as our lives are challenged daily with problems of an age quite apart from the world in which you lived, we hope to be able to exemplify the same quality of courage and faith that characterized your life so that we might leave this earth with our job as well done. Because of the example your life has been to us, we, your posterity, are proud to present this small sketch entitled, "THIS IS YOUR LIFE". You were born the second son and child of Alma H. Hale and Victoria Clark on a hot August seventeenth in 1869 in the town of Grantsville, Utah. You lived in a humble dwelling four miles out on the Salt Grass Flats with your mother and older brother, Edgar. You also attended public schools there and developed many childhood friendships as you participated in such sports as baseball, horseback riding, swimming and other sports. Heber J. Grant and J. Reuben Clark were among your boyhood pals. Since your mother was the second wife of a plural marriage, she was alone much of the time with the children making it necessary to assume all the farm respons-ibilities as well as rearing her family. As time went on your home was blessed with four younger brothers and one sister all born in Grantsville. You experienced many times of hardship as money was scarce in those days. It was necessary for your mother to make all the children's clothes out of a durable homemade fabric known as “lindsay cloth". And perhaps you remember how, some days, you and your brothers and sisters had to stay home from school during the winter months for lack of shoes to cover your feet. Farming was attempted even though there was not sufficient water for crops until wells sprung up in the area. Your childhood days were spiced with many experiences with the Indians, some unpleasant, others humorous. You must have had great pleasure relating many stories to your children and particularly the one about the time an old Indian came to your mother's door for food as they often did. This one came wearing nothing but a breech cloth. Your mother, thinking to teach him a little modesty, secured a pair of overalls from the closet and told him she wouldn't give him any food unless he put them on. He took them and put them on so she then gave him a loaf of homemade bread which he put in a sack and left. As he reached the gate, he promptly pulled the overalls off and hung them over the gate post and quickly disappeared. While ice cream is considered a favorite treat among boys nowadays, you and your pals enjoyed nothing else quite so much as a slice of homemade bread smothered with your favorite jam and it was said that there was no limit to the amount you could eat. You were very fond of horses and up through your adolescent years you spent much of your time in the Oquirrh mountains rounding up wild horses to "break" them for farm use. This was no small feat and a very dangerous one but you took great pride in developing and using this skill. When you were about eighteen years of age your father moved his first wife to Smithfield and your mother and family to a fertile valley in Idaho known as Gentile Valley where you occupied a small log home of two rooms and with a dirt floor. It was in this home that another sister Zina was born making a total of eight children now. You and your brothers shouldered the responsibility of the farm and taking care of the cattle and horses your father worked on this farm as well as other places. Perhaps you remember a place in Gentile Valley known as "The Meadows" which was a large pasture used as the gathering place for all the communities around for such celebrations as the 4th and 24th of July. Some months later, you decided to accompany your brother Edgar on a visit to see a girl he had become fond of by the name of Emma Seamons. She had a sister, Elizabeth, and you went along for the purpose of being introduced to her. This meeting sparked a very pleasant courtship which was climaxed with your marriage in the Logan Temple on November 15, 1893. This was the same year you, Elizabeth, Edgar and Emma had the privilege of making the trip to Salt Lake to attend the Temple dedication. This proved to be an experience you were never to forget for you literally saw an earlier Church prophecy fulfilled on this occasion. It was prophesied that at the time of the dedication of the Temple that Satan would be turned loose. Just as the dedication began, the wind howled fiercely blowing over sign posts and trees, filling the streets with rubbish; while above the Temple, the beautiful white seagulls spread their powerful wings and circled peacefully around and around. You and your new bride decided to make Gentile Valley your first home and there you occupied a three room frame house surrounded by shade trees. Though there were no bathrooms, running water or electricity or any of the conveniences of today you were blissfully happy. Water was pumped from a nearby well and carried to the house for household use. Kerosene lamps were a real luxury after having used candles. Your wife, Elizabeth, scrubbed the clothes on a scrubbing board with homemade lye soap and lots of elbow grease. She then ironed these clothes with hand irons which were heated from on top of the stove. Remember those hot summer days when it was necessary to keep the fire burning until all those dresses, petticoats and shirts and pants were ironed? That should have been the day of "wash and wear". But many loaves of bread, delicious pies and cakes were baked in those ovens while the fire was hot to compensate for your discomfort. For recreation you and your brothers organized a band which played for dances and other festive occasions. You played the tenor horn and it was not long before you put it to a very unusual test. It seems that arrangements had been made with the relatives to alert each other when help was needed. And so on a cold November night when it was evident that things were getting beyond your control at home you took out your horn, stepped outside, and gave a loud blast until a light came on in the house a half mile down the road. This was Edgar's and Em's home and you knew
Chapter 1 Introduction of Family
I was born 12 Oct 1897 at Perry, Bannock Co. Idaho. I weighed six pounds. I was blessed in the Perry Ward 7 Nov 1897 by my father, Aroet Clinton Hale. I started my history in the spring of 1961. I have had a desire to write most of my life but just neglected doing it. After writing some all these years I am finally getting it copied. Our church President, Spencer W. Kimball, now urging us to get our life stories written has given me the feeling that I should get at it and now. I am trying to follow an outline given us, so will have to do some organizing, differently that I have it written, so hoping it will be of interest to those who desire to read it. Alma Helaman Hale, my grandfather was born 24 April 1836 in Bradford Essex Mass. Through the years he was persecuted along with all the Mormans. He traveled with the Saints from Kirtland, Ohio, through many states to the great Salt Lake, where he found peace and rest, which all church members had been seeking. The Hale Family came from England in 1634. Grandpa was only seven months old when they started this treck. In later years Alma wrote of this, “I was so young at this time it was very hard for my parents to devise a plan where I could travel comfortable and with out injury. They fastened a basket to the wagon bows and put me in it, the motion of the wagon made it an excellent cradle. They reached the West with the rest of the companies. Grandpa was a very likable person, and believed in living the commandments. Grandma Ellen Victoria Clark Hale was born in Colchester Essex England in 1848. When she was four years of age, three men came to Colchester, they were the Morman Missionaries. Charles W. Penrose and two other Elders, after gaining the confidence of the people, converted and baptized many, including Grandma’s father, Daniel Clark and family. Elder Penrose took the little children on his knee and told them stories of Jesus, and here Ellen received her first Sunday School lessons, that brought the fullness of the gospel to her. At an early age Ellen worked in bakeries and did house work. Her father arranged for the family to join a company who were leaving England for Utah. After seven weeks at sea they reached New York. The Civil War was on at that time and the saints didn’t want to get involved or find themselves in the hands of the soldiers so they went up the Husdon river and down to the Missouri river where they camped for two weeks and prepared for the journey across the plains. Her father became ill, so Ellen took his place, stood on the wagon tongue, and drove the team. She even drove while crossing the streams. They experienced many sorrows and had much happiness. Grandma was an active member of the church and held many responsible positions. All her life she helped take care of the sick, especially caring for mothers during childbirth. She was loved by all. My father, Aroet Clinton Hale, was a very humble, faithful, kind, gentle, ambitious person. He was a good farmer and took much interest in his livestock. He was concerned about his family and provided well for them. My mother, Elizabeth Alfretta Seamons Hale, was a good wife and mother. She was neat and tidy in her appearance and also in her home. She had a desire to teach her children that whatever they had to do, it had to be done well. She taught me many worthwhile sayings. One was, Waste not, want not. She was a really good cook. They both taught us to live the commandments, also gave us much love. They were very patient and understanding in our growing up years. My older brother Elmer Clinton Hale, was born in Gentile Valley 1 Nov 1894. He farmed some, and then was on the Police Force in Salt Lake City for many years. He also did a lot of leather work, wallets belts and hand bags. Elmer’s wife was Leone Roundy Hale. Both Elmer and Leone passed away in 1975. Orvin Melrose Hale, my younger brother was born 27 April 1900, in Gentile Valley. He married Lillie Belnap Hale, she passed away in March 1957 and he in 1974. They farmed and later he spent many years working in the Railroad shops in Pocatello, until the time of retirement. They lived in Pocatello. Delos Griffeth Hale, was born 19 Sept 1902 in Gentile Valley. He worked for wages besides helping father on the farm. He passed away 28 March 1921. Ferrin Alma Hale was born 1 May 1905 in Groveland. He married LaRue Stapeley Hale. After working for wages, he was interested in the Arctic Circle in Logan, where they lived most of their lives. He passed away 2 May 1974. Norma Linder, my half sister was born 7April 1926, in Melville, Utah. She married Clyde Amil Linder and now lives in Magna, Utah and is a homemaker. My adopted brother Zenneth Alma Hale, was born 16 July 1915 in Pocatello, Idaho. He married Hazel Edmond Henderson Hale. He spent time in the service of our country and they now live in Polouse, Washington. He is a carpenter.
Chapter 2 Family Memories to 18 years of age
Father were very kind in teaching us the good things we should know to build strong character. They taught us the principle of honesty, faith, reliability, independence, the desire to work and save money, love for each other and our fellowmen. I remember how Elmer and I were anxious to go with father when he went to our dry farm, which was close the hills, in the lower parts you would find a grove of quaker aspen trees, among them grew wild flowers, blue bells, that were so pretty and others, I always went home with a arm full of flowers for Mother. We rode on the harrow and sometimes on the horses, as all the farm work was done that way. When Elmer went to school, I would go with father around our irrigated farm to help build fences, I carried the bucket of staples and the hammer. As we worked we would sing or whistle. I remember fathers favorites were “Darling Nellie Gray”, “When You and I Were Young Maggie”, and “Did You Think to Pray”. I did always enjoy being out with nature. Father always milked a few cows, they did not have milking barns and milkers like they do now. The cows were brought in from the pasture and put in a corral, they would get a milk bucket and stool and get to work. My brothers and I each had our own cup so at milking time we would be there to get our share of fresh warm milk. We thought that was great We all shared in doing chores, feeding pigs, cows, chickens and the boys cared for the horses. I’m grateful for the times I worked with my mother, her example to me, the things she taught me that have helped all my life. She and father had many good qualities that I’m sure were passed on to we children, for which we are very thankful. They set us a good example of living the gospel. They took us to church no what kind of weather or distance. We held our Stake Conference at Central, about ten miles north from where we lived. In the winter time we went in the bob-sleigh. We heated flat irons and rocks in the oven, then wrapped them in burlap sacks and put them on the straw in the sleigh to keep us warm. We always had home made quilts to bundle up in to keep from freezing. In the summer time we rode in a wagon and then later father bought a white top buggy. We were happy as we rode along viewing all the wonderful flowers, trees, mountains and beautiful creations for us to enjoy. We always had a special lunch to take along and everyone shared with friends and neighbors. Mother made an especially good rice pudding, always in the largest pan that she had, this was in our lunch each time and everyone ate heartily of it. We always looked forward to these picnics. Grandma Hale lived by the river and close to the hills. By their place was a large grassy place we called the meadow. This is where we held our 4th and 24th of July celebrations. A large bowery was made for shade, and we had races, programs, contests in games and everything that went for a good time. My father and his brothers all played in the home town band which everyone enjoyed. The ways of harvesting were so different then, when the grain was ripe and ready to be threshed the horse power thresher was used, and it took a week to get our grain done. The machine crew stayed at our place night and day so we had to feed them three meals a day. The other help was neighbors and relatives. Mother’s sisters who lived close by came and helped serve the noon meal. We children thought it was a great time, having company and so much good food, prepared extra for the occasion. Some of our family activities and picnics were held, on the river above the meadow, where there were two natural bridges of solid rock. We walked across these many times and could have our picnic on either side of the river. It was so pleasant to hear the water as it went bubbling over the huge rocks. There was even a large cave we could hide in, it was very cool inside. There were two of fathers married brothers and mothers two sisters and families lived in the valley not far from us, so we spent many hours with them either at their home or ours. I remember going to Relief Society with my mother. If Dad was using the horses so we couldn’t drive we would walk. Mother carried the baby and I had the responsibility of carrying the work bag, which had the necessary things in for the baby. The road was dusty with plenty of sage brush and wild flowers which I gathered as we went along. I enjoyed my mother so much. I wasn’t privileged to have a sister so mother and I spent many happy hours together. She even helped me build a playhouse and it was fun. She taught me how to sew and it had to be done just right. If a mistake was made I had to unpick it and do it over and get it right. I was only 18 months old when mother and I got a disease called Erysipelas. I don’t remember it but remember her telling me about it. We had water blisters all over our bodys and it was very painful. Mother worried and wondered what could be done to ease the pain. One night she dreamed that a woman in our ward came and put poultices on the affected parts. Her name was Charity Gray and she went to help those who were ill and so mother went for her. When she came she did as mother had been inspired in the dream. We were very sick but with administerations, prayers and good care we recovered in a very short time. The only trips we took was to see our grandparents, Samuel and Louisa Seamons who lived in Hyde Park, Utah, mother’s home place. These were special people we surely loved. Grandpa was an Englishman and could talk Danish. He was a real good man with a sense of humor. We were happy to see them each time. We teased him when we heard him talking to himself and he would say, Well, I like to talk to good man and I like to hear a good man talk. He was a music director in this ward for many years. He belonged to the Militia Band and did many interesting things. Grandma was just a small person, loving and kind, and neat and clean in her home. She and Grandpa always so willing to show us a good time when we were visiting them. They had a cellar under their that you went into from the outside. I always liked to go down there to get something for Grandma, here they kept milk, butter and canned fruits and vegetables and crocks of pickles. It always smelled so clean, they white-washed the walls with slacked lime, and it smelled so fresh. Apples in the orchard were a joy for all. And the pleasing oder peppermint as we walked through the orchard, my two brothers and I thought this was lots of fun. Our grandparents were a good example to us and loved by everyone. All of these things happened when I was a child and lived in Gentile Valley. I remember when father was in the Bishopric he would go to members homes who were ill or needed help and many times he would be gone overnight. Mother would see to it that everything was taken care of in his absence. Both were wonderful, understanding and loving parents. When I was seven years old the Hale families decided to make a move to another place in Idaho. We children were rather unhappy, we were contented where we were. Many things had to be done in preparation for the move, packing took several days. I remember the last night we spent in the valley we spent at Uncle Ernest and Drucilla Hales home, they lived across the river in Cleveland. Beds were made on the floor for all the children and of course we chatted most of the night so didn’t get much sleep. We always enjoyed being in their home. When morning came and we had to prepare to leave we all felt bad and tears were shed. Uncle Ernest said “Now don’t feel back we’ll save our nichole and dimes and come up and visit you. And in a few years they moved to Groveland also. We started out with the furniture in the wagon and father drove the white top buggy with the family in. I don’t remember how long we traveled, but we went over dusty roads at a slow pace. We arrived at our destination in Groveland in the fall of 1904. We stayed with fathers brother, Uncle Frank and Aunt Cora Hale until father could get us a place. In time father bought a little two room house in the Rose area and moved it on a two and one-half acre piece of ground on the townsite. We purchased the land from Bishop Adam Yancey. He had this all planted to, alfalfa shich was all nice and green. The house was supported by lava rock spaces so far apart, when the alfalfa got in bloom I crawled under the house and picked a bouquet and took into the house to mother. She happened to be in bed with my youngest baby brother. This was in May, a beautiful time of year, spring when all creation is being awakened. We lived in the house one summer and then father built a lean-to on to make room for our growing family, this gave us four rooms. Our growing up years were pleasant. We all had the usual childrens diseases, each time they came our way we had to be put under quarantine till every one was well enough to be out and back to school. We rather enjoyed this time at home, cause after we got to feeling good we made cookies and doughnuts and etc.
Chapter 3 Blessings and Baptism dates and Experiences in all Organizations
I was blessed 7 November 1897 and baptized 12 October 1905 by my father, Aroet C. Hale. I was baptized by our place in the Riverside canal. In Primary we put on little operettas, I remember once I sang a song alone. I had a prayer in my heart that I could do this well. If was fun putting on these programs with all the other children and we appreciated the love and service given by all the good teachers. Sunday School was pleasant, soon after we moved here one Sunday they had the whole Sunday School go outside for a picture. The old church at the time had a big porch along the front of it, several feet wide, and we children were on chairs and benches right in front. I have that picture, it’s interesting to look at and see how many people you recognize. It was taken back in 1907 or 1908. I enjoyed M.I.A. When I was young we had our Mutual on Sunday night after Sunday School and Sacrament meeting had been held. This was before Dance and Drama were correlated into the program. After that our meetings were on Tuesday night. We experienced all the Arts and they became a part of our lives, and we were happy to have them. We also had a girls basketball team, we played during the summer months. This was fun for all. We played on an open court on the public square. Our Speech Director at one time had a Oration contest. I took part in this and my subject was “Mothers of Great Men”. I won first honors and was real happy about this. I prayed many times that I might do it pleasing to all the listeners. My older brother Elmer and I were Dance Directors for some time. We drove in town with a horse and buggy to take the lessons which were given Saturday afternoons in the old Castel dance hall located on Bridge street in Blackfoot.
Chapter 4 Memories of School
I started to school in a building that was a little east of the church, I thought it was fun, as my teacher was Aunt Julia Dean Hale. I liked her very much, she taught me two years. My 3rd and 4th grade teacher was Miss Miller, she was a very good person. She had beautiful hair that hung down to her waist, but she kept it neat mostly done on top her head. May Croskey was my fifth grade teacher, she lived in North Groveland, we really enjoyed her too. Ethel Fox taught me in the sixth grade, she was so kind and understanding, soft spoken and gentle. All through these years we had some good programs. Plenty of singing and that was a joy to all. She could play the piano and that surely helped. She lives in California now and I have seen her twice since our school days, and it was good to see her. She was a lovely person. Samuel D. Rice was my seventh and eighth grade teacher. He was real tall and a good person. He graduated pupils that had been the eighth grade, along with my cousin, Golden Hale, some pranks were sometimes played. One recess while the teacher was out Golden took an overshoe, put a string on it and tied it to the electric light cord in the middle of the room. When Mr. Rice came back in he saw what had been done and said “Well Katie must have done that because she is the tallest in the room.” We all had a good laugh about it and he laughed too. This same year the first grade teacher was ill for a week so I taught the children, I surely enjoyed it. Spelling and Arithmetic contests were special. I remember our spelling tablets we used to have and I got a 100 on mine for 14 weeks, was happy about this. It was fun to be in the school operettas, also taking speaking parts.
Chapter 5 Other Childhood memories as an Individual
I always had the desire to live the gospel and be a good member of the church. I had some good teacher from my parents, to be faithful and honest. I believed in prayer and knew it was a constant guide in my life. My mother taught me to be clean, both body and soul. I like to embroider and do something constructive with my hands. Sewing was important in my life. I likes pretty clothes, mother could sew well and taught me what she could. I have always been grateful as I have done a lot of sewing for my family and myself. I had a real desire to read when I was a teenager, especially poetry. When time permitted I would take a book, go out and find a comfortable place in an apple tree and read aloud to myself. I have always had the desire to work. When Father and Mother had to be gone for a few hours, I worked real hard to get the house all cleaned up before they returned. Mother was always happy and thanked me for what I had done. I had great love and confidence, a good feeling with my parents. I had many good friends, those who went to church and school with me. Many times we went to each others homes for parties and activities. Some of the things we did with our neighbors was hold a rag Bee. We didn’t have carpets on our floors and everyone wanted comfort for their homes. So the women would save their worn out clothes, they used the best parts of them and tore strips a inch wide. After gathering many baskets full Mother invited the relatives and friends to come to our house. They all gathered around a huge pile of rags and sewed the strips together. We children wound the strips into big balls. We had fun to see who could get the biggest ball. When we had enough Mother took them to a weaver. He made them into rugs a yard wide and many yards long. Before this was put down on the floor a thin layer of straw was spread over the floor. Then the carpet was cut into the right length sewed together then stretched tight and tacked down all around. We surely did enjoy this new carpet. Another thing we did because we didn’t have mattresses, each fall when the threshing was done we emptied our the old straw that was in the ticks we had on the beds and filled them with fresh clean straw. We children were delighted to carry these in and put them on our beds. It took four of us to do the task. The beds were real high and we had fun getting on top, so comfortable and cozy. The women made their own soap for the family wash. The men did their own butchering so the fat from the cattle, beef and hogs, was cut up and put in the oven in drippers and tried out. This grease is what they made soap with, along with lye. Mother would boil this until when tested was ready to pour out in shallow pans or leave it to harden in a five galloon honey can. When hard it was taken out and cut up into convenient bars. I really liked to help Mother do this, the white bars of soap looked good and gave one a feeling that you were prepared with washing materials. We had a pantry in one end of our kitchen where the food was stored. I really did enjoy helping to fill the shelves. There was no floor coverings on the kitchen and pantry floors so they were kept clean by scrubbing. Many happy hours were spent with Mother, cleaning, cooking, sewing and caring for the garden. She was in the Presidency of the Relief Society so there was plenty to be done. We had a lot of good times when Mother’s sisters came to visit us and when we went to their homes, they were so pleasant and happy. We always had fun with the cousins too. We got together on several occassions to sew and work. In our teens our sports were many, in the winter time when there was plenty of the boys would tie a long rope to the horn of the saddle, which was on the horse already to go. Then they would tie on a couple of hand sleighs and we piled on two on each one, then my brothers would ride up and down the streets, and when we went around the corners, sure as anything we would roll off in a snow drift. We didn’t mind and in no time we were up and ready to go again. Our neighbors and friends all came to join in the fun. In the summer we went swimming, also horse back riding was a pleasure. Father had bob sleighs and many times we all went for a ride with sleigh bells on the horses sending out the cheery chimes in the cool brisk air. I can remember an activity the women folk had, when we first came to Groveland, father rented a farm and raised potatoes. One fall he had a pretty good crop and put them in the cellar, all winter he tried to sell them and couldn’t. So when spring came they were scraped out on the ground for fertilizer. Mother and some of the neighbors thought they could use some of them by making starch. The potatoes were peeled and grated and put in large containers with water. They let them sit a while stirring occasionally, Then they carefully poured off the water and then starch had hardened. So after a few hours of drying they stored it for future use for cooking and starching our clothes. The first few months in our new home we had no well for water, so we put two ten gallon milk cans in the little wagon and hauled water from our neighbors two blocks away. In a year or so Father dug a well, it was very much appreciated and was the best water ever.
Chapter 6 Prior to marriage
The year of 1910 father along with his brothers took up a dry farm, about ten or twelve miles north of Groveland. Father and the boys farmed 320 acres. They took the cow herd out there, they were milked, they separated the milk and when enough cream was saved for many pounds of butter it was brought in home and churned into butter. Mother and I took turns going out to the farm to do the cooking for the men. So whoever was in home at the time did the churning and molding of butter, and we did thirty or forty pounds at a time. This was taken in to town to the Mercantile store and exchanged for groceries or clothing. We also did the canning and took care of the garden. Every one came in from the farm on Saturday night, to be here for Sunday meetings and duties, then go back Sunday evening. It was pleasant out on the farm in the wide open spaces. I also enjoyed my time spent at home taking care of things, I learned many things that helped me through my life. Many worthwhile projects were accomplished during these years. I did embroider work, did quilts, learned to crochet and put edges on pillow slips and dresser scarves. I was interested in all these things, also sewing and canning, drying food and all. We also had a coop full of chickens to care for…more fun. Before my elder brother went on his mission, he and I were ward dance directors, We went in town on Saturday afternoons for practice. Then on Mutual night and other nights we held practices with the young people. We all enjoyed Sunday School class parties and other activities. The M.I.A. had an oration contest and Horace and I both took part, winning first place. It was a humbling experience. I think I enjoyed the Book of Mormon class in Sunday School most of all.
Chapter 7 Courtship and Marriage
Before our courting started, we met at church, and got better acquainted at dances. The Mutual sponsored a dance in our ward nearly every Friday night during the winter, also many were held during the summer. The winter months were enjoyed especially when three act plays were put on, we usually had three of these a year. Sometimes we would take these to other wards and they would bring theirs to our ward. Much talent was displayed on these occasions and Horace and I took part in many of them. It was fun for all. The winter sports were great, we always had a lot of snow, so sleigh ride parties were planned. One night there were about twenty of us loaded in the sleigh, with a double bed wagon box on it. We were at Horace’s parents place and as we drove out of the long drive way and turned rather quickly top part of one side of the box broke down and ones sitting on that side fell and went rolling the snow bank. On the other side of the wagon no one was hurt and we all had a good laugh. At times the driver would play tricks by starting the horses before everyone was seated and we would all fall down…more fun. One time three of the girls fell out the back of the sleigh and got neck kinked, that was not so funny. Sometimes in the summer we would go for a buggy ride just around in the country or to see some of our friends. We went to our church meetings on Sunday and then had our pleasure. It was enjoyable to be at church events. When we did go for a ride we didn’t go far with a horse and buggy. Mutual was held on Sunday night many years, then the cultural arts program was started, drama, dance and speech. Then they change Mutual to Tuesday night. I remember the night Horace asked me to marry him. It was a Sunday night and he was taking me out to the dry farm where I was to cook for Father and the boys the following weeks. We were out there in the wide open spaces, certainly no one could listen in on us. As we traveled along the rest of the distance we talked about many interesting things for our future. I just wondered if the distance back home seemed any shorter that night, he surely had plenty to think about in the silence of the night, because in the near future he would have added responsibilities. We had many good times together and as time went we found that our love was becoming greater and we had the desire to be married. Our wedding was decided and we both had been taught that the temple was the place to have our marriage performed by those with the proper authority. On 15 November 1916 Horace Andrew Elison and I were married in the temple in Logan, Utah. He was born in Oakley, Idaho the 13th of February 1895. his father’s name is William Elison and his mother’s name is Margaret Elida Callister. I loved him very much and it was such a wonderful feeling in the temple. We knew we would have each other for eternity. We were enthuised about making a home and planned to have a family. We were married just 24 years to the day after my parents were married and in the same temple. They were with us, Aroet C. Hale and Elizabeth Alfretta Seamons. We all went to Logan on the train. The weather was really cold as and we traveled we saw acres and acres of sugar beets frozen in the ground. We all went to Grandpa and Grandma Seamons’ place. The next morning we all went by street car to the temple. It was a lovely day. We came back late in the afternoon and Aunt Jannett, mother’s younger sister had a wedding dinner prepared for us, it was delicious. She had the room and the table all decorated so attractive. Grandpa and Grandma Seamons’ home was where the wedding dinner was held, in Hyde Park, Utah. We went to the temple and Father and Mother had Zenneth Aroet sealed to them. He is my adopted brother, 15 months old at that time. We arrived back home safely, grateful for all the kindness shown to us while in Utah. We rented a little two room house east of the Groveland road on the townsite. There were no clothes closets nor cabinets. We bought a cupboard, had a round table, six chairs, a rocker and a comfortable bed. We had a wood or coal stove and were cozy and warm with the good old cedar wood to burn. There were no out buildings except a shanty at the end of the path. Across the street from us there was an old barn where we kept the horses, also a weiner pig which was given to us. Horace build a pen in the corner of the barn for it. We took real good care of it and it came in handy for our next winters meat. After we got moved in and settled, Horace went out to the lavas to get a load of wood he had sold. He got home late that night and put the horses in the barn and fed them. In the morning when he went out to hitch them up to deliver the wood, one of the horses was dead. We were discouraged as we planned on selling wood that winter for our living. In a few days Horace found work. Our neighbor had a team of horses and had been hauling potatoes, but had gotten blood poison in this hand so he couldn’t work for quite awhile. Horace used his team and worked all winter so we got along fine. We were grateful for the work. In the spring of 1917 we bought another horse, rented a forty acre farm and moved on to it. After we got the crops in, they sold the farm. They paid us for what we had done, and we only lived there three weeks. Then we purchased a two and one-half acre lot on the east side of the townsite in Groveland. Our house consisted of three rooms. There were outbuildings for our animals. Horace turned our team to Mr. Jack Palmer as down payment, then he bought another team and worked for wages that summer. We planted the land into pinto beans, in the fall when they were cut and dried we threshed them out ourselves. We had three hundred pounds of them. My parents gave us a cow, we had plenty of milk and made our own butter. We raised a garden and had plenty of fresh vegetables to eat and can for winter. We were happy here taking care of our place and had plenty of work to do. We didn’t have a well on the lot so had to carry our drinking water from the neighbors. Horace made a sled and we put a barrel on this and carried our water to wash on this, winter and summer. I washed the clothes on a wash board and hung them outside. Horace seen to it that I always had good clothes lines. We had a small lawn and many lilac bushes, also shade threes. We lived just two blocks from my parents so when I had time I helped mother. We did enjoy being close to my family. This summer I had quite a lot of sewing to do so Horace bought an old White treadle sewing machine. He paid ten dollars for it and I used it three years. Then we bought a new Singer. The fall of 1917 we had our food for winter, and wood and some coal to burn for fuel. On the 7th of January our first child was born. A little boy with brown and dark blue eyes, later turned brown. He was so sweet and pleasant, always had a smile. We named him George Andrew and were so thankful for him. Horace worked at odd jobs this winter. In the spring of 1918 we moved out on a dry farm owned by Raymond Hale, my cousin. This was about ten or twelve miles north of Groveland. We farmed 320 acres, had it all planted to various kinds of grain. It was quiet and pleasant out there, in the cool morning air, we could hear the sweet song of the birds. In the evenings we enjoyed the most beautiful sunsets. It gives a satisfied feeling to work the good earth, plant and watch things grow. We did enjoy many happy hours, just the three of us, miles from our nearest neighbors, who were my relatives. We loved our baby, he was such a joy to us. One night he had the ear-ache, I doctored it, walked the floor with him and anything I did didn’t seem to help. So I asked Horace to administer to him, he did and the baby went to sleep and slept the whole night till it was time for us to get up. So grateful for the priesthood and the spirit of the Lord. On Sunday morning, Horace hitched the horse, Duke to the little buggy and we drove in to Sunday School and Sacrament meeting and back to the farm in the evening. When the grain was harvested in the fall we moved back to our little home in the townsite. In September and October there was an epidemic of flu. Our baby George got it and it turned to pneumonia, we did what we could had the Doctor too but I guess he had filled his mission here on this earth, he passed away Oct 16, 1918. We only had him nine months to love and care for. Many many people had the flu and a lot of them passed away. This was a great sorrow for us but we were thankful to have had him for that long. He is a choice spirit and we know we will be ours for eternity. We will always remember how loving and sweet he was. That winter was a very lonely one for us. Our prayers were that we might be blessed with more children. Horace kept busy this winter working for wages. The spring of 1919 we turned our place on a forty acre farm. We moved and plowed and planted part of it into grain and had a few acres of beets. They grew good and the leaves touched across the rows. We could not get water for them, there was plenty of water in the, but the head of the canal was so high they couldn’t get the water out of the river. The grain had been watered once so did harvest some of that, but lost our beet crop, and seven hundred dollars. We made arrangements with the man we got the farm from and got our little place back again. It surely looked good and we were so thankful for it. We lived here and Horace worked for wages many years. He hauled beets and potatoes for farmers in the area. In the winter he hauled beet pulp from the sugar factory to the Bond Brothers farm where they fed it to the cattle. In order to make two trips a day, he would leave home at four o’clock in the morning, drive to the sugar factory, deliver a load at Bonds and be home for dinner by 11 o’clock. Made another trip and was home before night time. Many miles each day with team and wagon, Horace always had a good team and wagon. One summer he worked for James Yancey who was a carpenter and contractor and Horace would dig the basements for the houses he built. After working hours Horace would plow gardens for the city people before returning home. This was a good year for, plenty of work and we made enough to pay back the 700 dollars we had borrowed. On Dec. 9, 1919 we were happy to get another baby, a girl, she was born in the same house that George was born in. We named her Reava. My mother and her sister Emma were with me besides Dr. W. W. Beck. Horace was there to see that all went well, just as he was with our first baby. This winter Horace worked on the headgate of the Riverside Canal. He had a large tank on his wagon, he would back down in the river, pump the tank full of water, then take it where they were working, it was used to mix cement. He also hauled gravel for the job. They did this in February so it was completed ready for spring. Horace worked for many farmers this spring and summer. In the summer he planted and cultivated beets and potatoes and in the fall he helped harvest them. There was a beet dump where the starch plant is now. He did this for two years. The evening of June 2 Horace and I went to wedding dinner for Bill and Almanie Botter, we were expecting a baby about now but decided to go anyway. We surely enjoyed the dinner and visiting with all the Uncles, aunts and cousins. Later in the evening I decided we better go home. We had only been home a little while when my pains started so Horace went to get his mother. We had lots of lilacs in front of the house, they in bloom so pretty, so while he was gone I went out and picked a bouquet of flowers, by the light of the moon, it was a beautiful night. I put the lilacs in a vase in my bedroom to enjoy the fragrance. It was a rather long night, but at eight in the morning on 3 June 1922 another girl arrived. We named her Beth and were thankful for another daughter. Reava was excited to have a baby sister. It was pleasant on the acreage and there was plenty of work, besides taking care of the garden and yards. All these years we had no well on the place and had to haul all of our water for our needs. We were both working in church organizations, which we enjoyed very much. We had to have these responsibilities to enrich our lives. I taught a Sunday School class, that was a pleasure. The spring of 1923 we rented a twenty acre farm and moved on it. The house was small but we got along fine. We were milking five or six cows, and when Horace had to see to water early in the morning I would help with the milking. I was willing to do this if I could have the easy ones. We were milking cows and separating the milk and feeding the skim milk to the pigs. We sold the cream and bought groceries. This was a happy summer until we received word of my mother passing away. Father had taken her and Zenneth to Garfield, Utah to stay with my brother Elmer and wife Leone. Father was working in the Magna mills at carpentering. One day after he went to work she took sick. She had already packed a lunch for Elmer as he was to leave for work in a little while. Mother told him that she didn’t feel well so he had her lie down and in just a little while she passed away, on 23 July 1923. That morning Leone had gone in to town to meet Grandma Seamons as she was coming to spend Mothers fiftieth birthday. Mothers birthday was July 26th and when they got back and heard about her it was a great shock to them. After Father had received the word he had to hitch-hike a ride home as he had gone to work with others, He said it seemed like hours before he could get home, he was really stricken with sorrow, as we all were. The body was brought home to Groveland for burial and the funeral and she was buried on her birthday July 26, 1923. We took care of their place this summer, Father was here for a short time and then went to Pocatello for work and stayed with Orvin and Lillie. When our crops were harvested we moved into Fathers home on the townsite. Horace had two brothers living in Aberdeen so we thought we might try it there, so in the spring of 1924 we moved to Aberdeen on a farm and had a good crop, we got lonely for our friends and our family very much. We lived only a half mile from town and church and met a lot of good people. We were expecting a baby and the Doctor who was caring for me was going on vacation when I needed him, so we decided to come back to Groveland so I could have my usual Docter. Horace brought me and the two girls Reava and Beth and we stayed with his folks. We were there for about a week when on the night of July 12, 1924 another girl was born to join our little family. Horace was home and we had no phone to call him, I felt real bad that he was not there to be with me. The girls missed him so much too. This was Friday night and Saturday morning he came, He just had a strong feeling he should come and be with us. We were all happy to see him and we still stayed on for ten days. Then Grandpa Elison took us to the train for home and we arrived home safely. It was so good to be home as a family again. When Horace and I talked about a name for our new daughter he said he had read a book while I was gone and the girl in the book was so kind and her name was Shelda, so we agreed. The night Shelda was born seemed a long time for me. I felt quite miserable hours before I said anything to Grandma Elison. Some of her children were there and their families, 23 in all. So I waited until they were all bedded down for the night and then told Grandma I thought we’d better get the Doctor. He came and delivered the baby and he said you could have been through this 2 or 3 hours ago. Well everything was fine and before long I felt fine, and so grateful the baby was here. This fall after we again returned to Groveland. We lived in a large red brick home on the west side of the townsite, we were back in time so Horace could still haul beets for the farmers. We only lived here a couple of months and then moved back into Father’s place and later purchased it. The summer of 1925, Horace did work with his team besides farming. He had a few acres of potatoes on the Wilford Bird place. One Sunday afternoon he rode down to the canal to water his horse, and on the way back it ran with him stumbled and through him off, then fell on him injuring his right hip and shoulder. He was in great pain and unable to walk for two or three weeks and wasn’t able to work for some time. We had to hire someone to irrigate the potatoes and before harvest time he could get around a little better. We got along a little better that winter, but the following spring he couldn’t do hard work so got the job of ditch-rider for the Danskin canal. He would walk from the head to the end of the canal and then I would drive down and get him. We raised a good garden, canned vegetables and fruit and had the bottles filled. On November 7, 1926 a son was born to join our happy bunch. He had lots of black hair, when the girls was him they were happy for a brother. They said “Mama, can we really keep him?” I assured them we could and we gave him the name of Rolland Junior. The winter of 1926-27 was a little rough, Horace didn’t have good health, had rheumatism and couldn’t work. We got low on groceries, so I did washings for my sister-in-law and one of our friends. They both had new babies and needed help. I was busy all day by the time I heated water on the wood stove and with the hand washer it took a while, I was thankful I could do it. As the months things were better for us, Horaces health improved and when he was able he went to the lavas for our winters wood and some to sell. We surely enjoyed the cedar wood as it crackled and burned in the old range stove. The heat was the best ever. When he made the trips in December he would always bring a Christmas tree home, it was a delight to all of us. Our little family is still growing, the 15th of December 1928, a girl was born, Light hair and blue eyes, We named her Vonnie Mae. This happening just before Christmas I couldn’t do much about the preparation that had to be done for a special dinner. So Horace and the girls got busy and the day before Christmas Orvin and Lillie came from Pocatello with a box of goodies and something for the children. We really enjoyed the dinner and each other. I told the family I would try and not do that again, so I could help, Well as time on we had many happy hours with our children and our daily activities went about the same working and caring for our family. Also taking care of our church duties, was good to be involved. Winters were full of activities, hauling wood from the lavas, a large pile of it. Then getting it cut up in stove lengths. Well in December another Christmas was near, and on 15th of December 1930, another girl was born and was welcomed by all. She had lots of black hair and we named her Katie Marie. The family all got busy as before and again Orvin and Lillie came and gave of their kindness and happy spirit. So grateful for their help and we surely felt blessed at this time. There was much joy in our family as we worked and played together, we did have some sorrow too. During the summer of 1931 Horace did the farm work as well as going to the lavas for wood, we had a large pile of it for our winters use. We decided to have it sawed in pieces so it would be easy to split. So on 5th of December 1931, we had the men move in the equipment to get it done. We hired help but Horace was helping too. They were sawing a large piece of cedar that had knots in it, was rather difficult, they gave a jerk on it and it pulled Horace’s left hand in to the saw. It cut off his thumb and first finger, also cut through the bone of his big finger. This happened about in the middle of the afternoon. I was resting at the time as I didn’t feel well. When I heard the saw stop I had such a terrible feeling come over me, but I didn’t go to see what was wrong, or if they were having trouble. In a few minutes our neighbor, Fred Bergeson came to the door and told me Horace had, had an accident with his hand and one of the men had taken him to the doctor. He did not tell me how bad it was. I was so worried and upset I didn’t know what to do. When the children came home from school they wanted to know what was wrong and when I told them there were more tears shed. The girls went to do the work at the school house as were doing the janitors work at this time. When the Doctor started operating he told one of the fellows to come and get me. I went in and sat there a long time, nervously waiting until I could see him, not knowing yet how bad it was. When the girls told the school what had happened the principal Kenneth Thomas came in to see if he could help. When the surgery was completed, he brought us home. That day had been clear and bright but when we came home that night it was snowing so hard we could hardly see the road. Pearl Williams was the first grade teacher at school, and when we got home she was there and had fed the children their supper and had them all ready for bed. Vonnie Mae, Katie Marie and also Rolland were not in school. Sister Williams was a middle aged woman, so sweet and understanding. We all loved her and were so grateful for her help. Horace was home a week when he got infection in his hand so he had to go to the hospital for another ten days. He laid there with his hand in hot salts packs all that time, he was very ill, couldn’t eat but very little. I went in every day and sometimes he hardly talked at all. Orvin and Lillie came and stayed with us while Horace was in the hospital. They took me in each day, and also took care of the children. When we had to keep fire at nights to have it warm for Horace, Orvin went home one day and came back with a trailer full of coal back of his car. They knew we had plenty of wood, but couldn’t keep an even heat at night. One Thursday night Orvin and Lilie took the children and I in to see him and his hand had to be lanced on the back to release the poison. He was so sick this that he couldn’t talk to us. When we got home before going to bed we all kneeled down and had a special prayer for him. Many prayers had been said each day. Next day was Friday I went in, was with him all day, hardly said a worked. In the evening I asked our Stake President J. Elmer Williams and Uncle Orson Callister to come and administer to him and they did. I knew we would have to exercise much faith. I went home that night very worried, and before retiring prayed again in his behalf. I spent a sleepless night. The next morning when I went in to see him, he was dressed and sitting on the bed. I was so happy to see him so very much better. The first thing he said was “Well, lets go home”. Through the Priesthood and the power of the Lord our prayers were certainly answered. One of our friends came and milked the cows and took milk for pay as he had a little family. Some of the men came and split wood and helped in many ways. Our close neighbor, Sarah Bergeson did our washing a couple of times. One day when I went for the clothes I said “I just don’t know how Horace will be able to work” and she said, “Don’t worry Horace will be able to do everything, this won’t stop him.” The girls did the school work and when the weather got we took over the chores and milking and all. With Rollands help he was only five, Reava, Beth and Shelda got right in and worked. In about six weeks, when his hand was healed, Horace was back helping at the school, shoveling snow and taking care of the furnace. We were thankful to have him back with us again at our work. We did the work at the school till the end of the term 1934. The 3rd of March 1934 we welcomed another son into our family, William Delos, light hair and blue eyes, later turned brown. In the spring of 1935 we decided we needed more room for our growing family, so went to work to remodel our house. We built on a kitchen, a back porch, and one small room to be used in the future for a bathroom. While doing this we moved our kitchen stove out side in the back yard cooked and ate there, also did all of our canning that summer. We moved the beds out in the orchard and that is where they all slept except Delos and myself, outdoor living was great. The old house had been two rooms and a lean-to and we had to raise the roof so it was all off for weeks. We were hoping all the time that we could get the roof on and get it shingled before we got rain. Our relatives came and helped, also Bp. Joseph F. Jensen who had given us many hours of work at that time. They worked real hard and did it in one day. The weather had been beautiful during our building project, but two days after the shingles were on we really got a good rain. This summer Delos was walking around pretty good, getting over the lumber scraps, and one day one of his shoes was missing, we hunted all over but couldn’t find it. I took him to town and got him a new pair of shoes, Well when we cleaned up the pieces we found the shoe. During the time we were building the girls were all taking 4H, making articles that were required; we had one room that wasn’t in the remodeling process so it was really a busy sewing center. So grateful for all their activities, but more grateful when the house was finished and we could move back into it. The summer of 1936 was a busy time full of work and activity. We were expecting another baby so much preparation was in order, with taking care of the garden, berries to pick, and canning to be done. The 12th of August Gloria Kae was born, The 9th child to join our happy home and to bless our home. The children were so happy for another baby, they told all friends and the neighbors about it. She was born at midnight and the next day there were plenty of visitors, 23 in all. The girls were doing 4-H articles this year too so we were real busy, but with the help of their father the baby and I were well taken care of. They did the canning and dried 30 pounds of corn. So thankful for their ability to do what they did. The spring of 1937 Horace rented a 80 acres farm in North Groveland, it was called McDonaldville at the time, we moved there in March. We had a huge garden and a pretty flower garden, which everyone helped to care for and enjoy. Horace planted potatoes, grain, hay and beets. His sister Ada, and husband Herschel Coles lived neighbors to us. The men worked together in the spring planting crops, spreading the fertilizer, and when the crops were ready to harvest they all helped each other, which ever place they were when noon-time came they were served a delicious meal. We were about three miles from church. In the summer each family went by themselves but in the winter time when there was plenty of snow we hitched the team on the bob-sleigh and every one went together. They did this especially on Mutual nights. Horace was president of the Young Mens Mutual and gathered all who had to go and made sure they got home safely. Out there we had a two room school house, two teachers with grades one to eight. The younger children went here and the others went in town by bus to high school. We had our P.T.A. meetings here and a Primary. We enjoyed living on this and enjoyed meeting socially with the neighbors, as well as in our church duties. We lived here four years and then moved back in to our home on the townsite. We had rented it out during this time. We had only been moved back in a few days when our neighbor, Clochey Reynolds came at 4 A.M. and woke us up, and said the school house was on fire. Horace dressed hurriedly and they went to see if they could help, our home was just across the street from the school-house. The children and I stood at the window and watched. There were many tears shed by all of us. It was dear to us, we had done the janitor work there for 7 years. Sweeping floors, washing windows, dusting benches, many waste paper baskets had to be emptied and the furnace to care for. One of the teachers was living in a trailer house close by so Horace got his team and moved it so it wouldn’t burn. The men wanted to move the piano out, but someone said if they did it would cut their insurance so it was left. The children were all taken to Blackfoot for the rest of the school term. When it started again Delos went to school in the old church and Gloria started this year and went to the old Relief Society building. This happened to be the same room that I had started school in. It was the school house in the beginning and after we got a school house built, the back part of it was moved to provide a home for some one and front part was used for Relief Society and Junior Sunday School so it had been there for a long time. Plans were made for new school house and all who were concerned worked really hard. About three months after school started in 1942 they moved into the new building, which was badly needed. It took great effort to get it completed as soon as they did. In January of 1943 I became ill, at times I didn’t feel bad enough to stay in bed but couldn’t do much. This winter Vonnie, Katie, Delos and Gloria all got the chicken pox and were home at the same time. We were all in bed at the same time and would take turns getting up to get drinks for the rest of us. At noon we would get up, have a light lunch and back to bed. It seemed so good when the children felt well enough to be up and around. I went to the docter several and he did not find the trouble until the 3rd of March. He told me I had cancer. Dr. Beck told us to go to Salt Lake City as soon as possible to a cancer specialist, he made an appointment and we left the next morning. Orson and Edna Callister took us to the bus. I was so ill I did not know if I would make the trip or not. When we got there we had to wait for hours before Dr. Leland Cowan could see me. He gave me an x-ray treatment that night. I had a prayer in my heart that he could do something for me. He assured me that I was going to be all right, because we had gotten it in time. I was in the hospital four days with radium treatment. Horace stayed with me all day and at night stayed with my brother Elmer. I was in a ward in the hospital where there were five other patients, so if they needed help Horace assisted them, we did have some laughs even if none of us felt up to par. When we left the hospital we went to Elmers home and the next day Horace came to take care of the children and other things. For awhile I didn’t know how I was going to get along without him. The next day or two I didn’t know if I was even going to get well again, I had to stay in bed about ten days. When I got up to walk I was so weak I could hardly move. Gradually strength came and I did better Shelda came down and stayed two weeks and helped me go to the doctor and back on the street car. I was thankful for her, I had to take an x-ray treatment each day. After two weeks of this the doctor told me I could go home. We came home on the bus and it was so good to be home again, we all had a good cry. The children made a cake that was on the table and it had “Welcome Home Mother” on it. It gave me a really good feeling of love for such a dedicated family. I was still weak and had problems, Shelda quit her job and stayed home two months to take care of things in the home. I had to go back for a check up every six weeks, then every three months, then six months and finally once a year. This went on for years and they never did find any more trouble, we were grateful for this. I felt I was so blessed being permitted to have my health back to help Horace raise our children. While in Salt Lake my thoughts were continually of them and wondered how they were getting along. Gloria, the youngest and was just six. Beth was in California working but Reava was working in Blackfoot so was here to help at night. With the help of everyone I was well taken care of and life was pleasant. It’s so wonderful to be a wife and mother of a precious family. While away the children were all so good to write to me. Each letter was read with joy, and tears. I also received many get-well cards from friends. I was first counselor in the Primary and a few weeks after returning home the president of the Primary, Lavell Bingham, came with all the officers and teachers and presented me with a book, Treasured Memories, I was thankful for them and have enjoyed the book. Grateful to my heavenly father for my many blessings. that through the series of treatments I could be restored to my health again. In December 1944, Rolland enlisted in the navy. It was hard for us to see him go, he seemed so young to go to other parts of the country. We missed his help on the farm, but knew he should serve his share in defending our United States. The winter went well, school, church work and a number of loads of good cedar wood from the lavas for our use. When spring came Horace rented Orson Manwarings farm, so ever one was busy, planting garden, cutting potatoes, also setting out flowers to beautify our yards. Reava was working in Pocatello and we went in town one Saturday to meet her, on our way home we had a car accident. Vonnie was in the back seat and didn’t get hurt very, Reava had cuts on her legs that needed many stitches. My right leg was broken just below the knee and both Reava and I had cuts on our foreheads that required stitches. Reava was employed at Garrett Freightlines but could not go to work for 3 or 4 weeks. I got a cast on my leg and had terrible back pains, it was such a shock to my body. The nurse gave me sleeping pills and I took them longer than I should, Dr. Beck was out of town and when he came back he told me to ease off and take aspirin or anicin but I didn’t. I could not sleep or get any rest and my nerves were so bad that I was real sick. I was so depressed I wouldn’t eat. One morning Dad and Reava came into my room before going to work and Reava said, “Mother it says in your Patriarchal blessing that you could live until you were satisfied with life, you have got to get better to be with your family.” I surely did want to get better to be with my family and Horace for many years. I prayed constantly that I might have my desires granted. That Saturday I did not sleep at all, I had plenty of time to think. The next day we asked the Elders to come after Sacrament meeting. Bp. Joseph Jensen and uncle Orson Callister came and helped Horace administer to me. Two weeks before this the Bishop had asked our family to give the program in Sacrament meeting. I was so sick that Horace stayed with me and the children gave the program. Reava, and Shelda and Lyle talked and the children Vonnie, Katie, Delos and Gloria sang. Rolland was in the navy and Beth in California. Everyone in the ward said it was a really good program and we were so thankful that they would do it. After meeting they came and blessed me. Bishop Jensen gave me such a wonderful blessing. Among other things he said, “Sister Katie we bless you with health and strength, but it is partly up to you, if you have faith enough and desire to get well this will be accomplished.” It impressed me, I thought up to this time I had exercised plenty of faith. It made me think seriously. I had even felt I was a burden to my family as I couldn’t do anything without help. The next morning I asked them to take me out to the couch in the living room. This cheered me up and a few days later they got a wheel chair for me to get around in. This way I could get outside a little and see the pretty flowers we had planted in the spring. This wreck happened in June and we had a difficult summer but I was grateful for my blessings of health and strength which returned to me. During harvest time that fall Gloria was home with me and helped me prepare dinners for the men. I was on crutches by then and I would set the table putting the salt and pepper shakers and silverware in my apron pockets to get the table set. Rolland came home on leave and spent a few days with us. In March of 1946 we sold our home and small acreage on the town site and bought a 50 acre farm down by the river, south and west of Groveland. We felt reluctant to leave this place, we had lived here a good many years. Five of our children were born here. We were close to school and church. After we got settled in our new home we were happy and contented. It was pleasant to look out and see Horace and the boys out working on the farm instead of off on some rented farm. This place needed a lot of work done on it to make it look like home. We planted a new lawn and trees and flowers, berry bushes and plants. Had a good garden, but the house was small, so in the fall we dug a basement back of the house, and built 2 bedrooms and a bath. Also had a back porch with the steps leading to the basement where we had room for storage. During the winter Horace had a operation so we didn’t get the project finished until the next spring. We were grateful for more room. The fall of 1946 Katie Marie had the misfortune of getting the end of one of her fingers taken, while working on the potatoe combine. We felt bad about this but she got along fine. In June 1947 Reava left for a mission to the Eastern states. Bp. Golden Hale came over and talked it over with us so we told the Bishop we would support her if she wanted to go. While in the mission field we enjoyed her letters and spiritual experiences and were blessed. She returned in March of 1949. During the time we lived on this farm we had many good times and different experiences. One winter the snow was so high that the school buses couldn’t get around and the kids got to stay home for a few days. The milk trucks weren’t able to make their routes, so Horace and Delos took the team and sleigh and started out to pick up the milk. The drifts were four and five feet high and they were really cold when they returned. While we lived here the Groveland people decided to build a new church and Horace was chosen to work on the committee to help decide on the plans for it. They made many trips to Salt Lake City to meet with the Authorities before settling on the plans. In 1950 we sold this farm and moved to the old Atterbury place on the Groveland road across from Fred and Delores Manwaring. Horace spent most of his time working on the church and Delos run the farm. We had many times of happiness here with loved ones coming to see us. Also had Youth activities in our home which we enjoyed. I was president of the Young Ladies Mutual. There were many parties and dances to plan for as well as our meetings, all very pleasant experiences. Soon we felt we needed more land so moved to North Groveland on a 40 acre farm that had been owned by Doris Herbst. As in other places the house had to be remodeled. We built a new bedroom on the east end of the house and put big windows in the living and had it carpeted. Also built on a back with a more convenient way to get to the one room storage area in the basement. Horace and Delos farmed this place and rented another 40 acres, milked cows and raised pigs. We were here two years and in May of 1954 Delos went on a mission to the North Western states. After he left Gloria helped Dad on the farm and milked cows. We both did what we could to save hiring help. That fall Gloria went to college at Ricks, Rexburg Idaho. Dad and I were pretty lonely for a few weeks. Daytime while we were busy wasn’t so bad, but when evening came it was quiet and lonely. So thankful though for all our children, those who had married and making homes of their own all who are excepting their different responsibilities in life. Dad and I got along fine during the winter but in June Dad got pneumonia. He had the hay cut and baled and some of the men of the ward came and hauled and stacked it for us. And the Relief Society sisters served them dinner. So thankful for their help. Horace and I had built pig pens early in the spring and in May I got sick so we both were feeling rather at times. Gloria was at the hospital in Idaho Falls, training to be a nurse. While there she had her tonsils removed, she came home the 22nd of August to recuperate and this was the day we received word that Katie’s husband Marlow had been killed in a plane accident in Germany. Katie was in Germany with Marlow and had two small children, we felt so helpless being so far away from them. She brought the children on the plane and we met her in Pocatello on the 25th. It was good to see them and have them back home, but was sorrowful. By now I had felt a little better but with all the excitement I wasn’t so good. I was going to sleep with Katie this night, but after I had got to bed I got so sick I had to get up. About 11 o’clock Beth and her friend Margurite came and they stayed up with me until about 3, then went to bed. It was chilly then so I got in bed with Horace, when I told him how I felt he got up and called the doctor. He came out and said he thought I had a bowel obstruction, but he said to come to the hospital at 8 the next morning. He decided I had appenticitis so as soon as they could get into the operating I was take to surgery. My appendix was about ready to burst and I was so thankful they found it in time. This was one time I was glad to get to the hospital. I got along real well, also thankful that Katie and the children had a safe flight. Although the days that followed were lonely, with our prayers and many blessings from our heavenly father we did enjoy brighter days. Delos expressed in his letters from the mission field that he would come home to help, but we didn’t want that. Delos returned home in May 1956, was good to have him around to be with our family again. That summer many of his friends came from the mission field, some to go through the temple, we enjoyed all of them. In March of 1957 we dug a basement to build a new home near the older one. Dad started working at the state hospital then and Delos took over the farm. We worked on the house early hours before Horace went to work and after he came home at night. We all worked on it and in August moved into it. This was a smaller house than the old one but cozy and comfortable. It never did seem like home though because none of the children had lived there with us as a family. We seeded the new lawn and planted trees and shrubs and planted flowers. Also had a good garden and I cared for the place except for cutting the lawn. I enjoyed doing it. Horace had Saturdays off so I tried to arrange my work so we could do things together that day. One winter while he worked there to use my time to good advantage I made five quilt tops and three afagans. I used up my pieces I had saved for years. It really was fun doing this and I gave some of them to the children, either a quilt top or an afaghan. Doing this I didn’t get so lonely all day, of course I saw Delos and Judy every day as they lived in the old house. The other children came quite often and spent some time with us. In the summer Reava and Wilf came for their vacation and helped Horace and Delos put in the cement sidewalks and steps, surely appreciated them. We lived in this house for 4 years and then traded it a three hundred acre farm in Tabor. This was 1964 and Horace retired from the state hospital. Delos, Judy and Robyn moved to Tabor and we moved back into the old home. Horace wanted to help on the farm so Delos had a trailer moved on the farm and we lived there that summer and came in on weekends to do our church duties. The next summer we live in home and just went out and helped when we could, as Horace enjoyed the farm and spent many happy days there. In the late summer of 1962 an opportunity came to us that we had never dreamed would happen. On Sunday our Bishop Rulon Callister called us in his office and ask us how we would like to go on a six month mission. We had mixed emotions and told him to let us think about it a day or two. We wanted to talk to our family, as we approached each they thought it would be a blessing for all of us. So we reported to the Bishop that we would go and started making praparations. We decided the first thing we would be to get a physical examination to see if we were in a good condition to answer this call. If we weren’t we wouldn’t have to see about the other requirements. Well, we passed all right so got all the shots we needed. This took a few weeks. We had to buy new clothes and sew some of them, so we were busy. We didn’t want to tell anyone we were going until our call and it was hard to keep the secret we were so excited about our good news. In September we received a call from President David O. McKay to the New England mission. What a thrill. We had our testimonial on October 28th. Our children were all there except Beth, in California. Surely had a good program. We left home on Saturday Nov 3rd. Delos and Judy with Robyn and Melanie took us to Utah to Reava and Wilfs home. We were there over Sunday and entered the mission home at 6 o’clock on Monday morning. The four of them took us to the home, goodbyes are always difficult, but we love them so much and we felt their love on this occasion. The history of my mission will be on other pages. In May of 1963 we returned from our mission just in time for our oldest grand-daughter to be married. Marsha and Spence were married on June 7th. It was good to see all the children again. The summer days were filled with canning gardening and helping on the farm. In the early fall Bro. and Sister Burrage visited our home. They drove from Athol, Mass. To get their sealing in the Idaho Falls temple and be with us. We went with them for a couple days and helped them do this for both their families and parents. They stayed with us 10 days and it was so good to have them in our home and enjoy their sweet spirit. Thankful we met them in the mission field, and they were able to come and see us. Dec 6, 1964 we went in our car with Marvin and Leone to Hemet, California, to spend a few months where it was warmer. The weather was good here when we left, so was good traveling. We stopped at Spanish Fork to see Katie and Neal and family, they were there on a labor mission. We stayed with them a day or so and then visited with Horaces sister Ada in Payson. When we left it was rather overcast and soon it began to snow. We got to St. George early in the evening, found a place to stay over night. After we went to bed Horace and I decided we would get up early the next morning and go to the temple. The president met us at the door and wanted to know where we lived and our church duties. He asked Horace to talk in the meeting. It was very nice and we enjoyed the peaceful feeling. We went back to the motel and after our noon meal went on our journey. When arriving in California we met four families of Horaces nieces and nephews. We found a pleasant apartment, were there 2 or 3 days and then found a more comfortable one so we moved. We went to all our church meetings and drove around to see everything that was interesting. We wanted to go to the Los Angeles temple but didn’t want to drive in the traffic so after work one night LaMar took us, Leone stayed at home as she was in a wheel chair due to a stroke. It was 94 miles and a long drive but we enjoyed it. The temple there is beautiful, so thankful to LaMar. One day we drove to Tijuana, Mexico, it was so different and interesting. The first of February we left Hemet and headed for St. George. We stopped in Las Vegas and stayed a couple of nights with another niece Betty and Ted Hone. They were happy to see us and took us places to see that were interesting. We appreciated their hospitality. We arrived in St. George and found a apartment with enough room and we could do our own cooking. We were there 16 days and spent many of them in the temple. One day when in the temple we saw relatives and also the Oliver Ostergars, they are uncle and aunt of Judys. The weather here was mild and we took many walks, some in the light sprinkling rain but it was pleasant and invigorating. On Feb 17th a beautiful morning we left there for home. We stayed at Herschal and Ada’s the first night and then stayed a couple days with Katie and Neal in Spanish Fork. It was pleasant there and spent happy hours with them. We then stayed in Salt Lake with Reava and Wilf for a few days and enjoyed going to church with them. One more stop at Rollands and Leahs where our visit with them and the children was pleasant. We arrived home the first week in March and it was good to be home and see all our children here. The winter days of 1964 was cold and we had three or four feet of snow. Horace and Delos were feeding cattle and one time broke the sleigh trying to get through and had to make repairs. At one time it was so bad we didn’t have any church. Still we would all gather together and enjoy the day quilting. Also celebrated birthdays, that was special too for us as a family. On the 7th Of July we left for Utah for Sister Urban, a lady from our mission field. Lex went with us and we stayed with Rolland and Leah that night. Reava and Wilf were on vacation so we went to Elder Whipples home where sister Urban was. Good to see Elder Whipple again, also Elder Cundick who had come there to see us. After visiting awhile with we left and drove to Rolland and Leahs for awhile and then went to Logan, where we stayed with my brother, Ferrin and Elaine. We did arrive home the next day about 1:30. Don and Gloria came to get Lex and visited awhile, also Delos and Judy. On July 10th we went to the Idaho Falls temple where sister did the sealings for her parents and had her husband sealed to her, also one daughter. We went to Linda Elison and Max Collards wedding, so sister Urban got to see a temple marriage. We went to there reception and she thought it was all very nice, so different from those outside our church. She met more of our children and thought they were really special. We surely enjoyed Lex on this trip and had such a good visit on the way home. Had such a pleasant time with sister Urban, took her to church with us and she bore such a good testimony to our people. On July 18th Reava and Wilf and children came so after dinner Dad, Reava, Marcee, Judy, Andrew and I took Sister Urban to Idaho Falls to meet the plane, it was difficult to bid her goodbye. She is a lovely person and we enjoyed her so much. This summer was filled with activity. I was Gay Note leader in the Primary. I enjoyed preparing the lessons and planning parties and camp-outs, it was a pleasant experience, with such lovely girls to teach. Horace worked at the auction every Friday so we found plenty to do. The children came often with their families to see us and we spent many happy hours with them. In the late fall 1965 Horace’s brother-in-law Rastus Chapman who lives in Logan, wanted us to come to Logan, so I could do the cooking and Dad could help him sell his Christmas trees. Aunt Eva had passed away in March and he needed help. We prepared to go and Delos and Judy drove to Logan with us after Thanksgiving, and then went on to see Katie and Neal and children at Vernal, Utah. We enjoyed our stay there except it was so cold and foggy. One Sunday we went to their stake conference in the old historic tabernacle, it was so interesting. On the same day in the afternoon we went to the University center to hear Truman Madsen speak on the Book of Morman. He was our mission president so it was good to see him and his family again. Also got to see Elder Olson and his wife, he was one of the elders who met us at Boston when we arrived in the mission. We came home from Logan on the 14th of December to get ready for Christmas. He paid us well and I had enough money to get a new coat, and what Horace got it all helped out. The winter of 1965 was filled with church duties, I was on the stake board in Relief Society. Dad took me to the different wards when I had to make my visits. We had to take inventory at the stake store-house so Horace and I went in one afternoon and helped with this. It was an interesting experience. At this time the sisters were asked to make an article to add to the supply. The Sunday morning of March 27, 1966 Dad went to Priesthood meeting, I went to so as to be there for Sunday School. While I sat in the foyer President Willard Wray came and talked to me and said he wanted to talk to us when Horace was available. When he came out of the meeting we all went to the Bishops office. He asked us how we were feeling and how our health was in general. After giving him our answers he told us we had been called as temple officiators in the Idaho Falls temple. We were so surprised and felt very humble, even shed a few tears, so emotional, but grateful to receive this calling. He asked us to report to the temple after April conference. They wanted us to spend 2 days a week in service there. We did go to conference. We went 2 days a week for 2 weeks and studied hard. When our good supervisors who trained us thought we were ready we were set apart for the work. We accomplished this in 4 days study at the temple, of course this was for ordinance work. Horace later studied other parts which he took on the cast. I did other duties also. We were set apart n 27th of April 1966. We were real nervous for awhile and then relaxed and enjoyed the work very much. We had many wonderful spiritual experiences. I had the priveledge of taking the children to the sealing room to meet their parents. It brought tears to our eyes to see those little tots dressed in white at the alter. I even cared for a three month old baby while her mother went through a session to fill her requirements to become a golden gleaner. We worked with many wonderful and dedicated people. We left home in the winter time before day light, the roads were slick and had to drive very slow. But our prayers were answered and we always arrived there safely. I also helped the brides, such sweet lovely young ladies. Sometimes our children would come on our day and we enjoyed them. One time Horace birthday came on that, Katie, Delos and Judy came and went through a session and then we ate dinner together. It was a pleasant day. I really felt good when I could take part in a session and I was proud of Dad when he was on the cast. He always did so well and looked so nice in his white suit. We served 8 ½ years and were released in Sept 1974. We are so grateful for having this wonderful blessing. In August of 1968 Dad had heart problems and that fall he had a siege of pneumonia again, Delos came in and took us to see the Doctor and he said Dad had double pneumonia and put him in the hospital. For 2 or 3 days the doctor didn’t give us much encouragement. He was in the hospital for 10 days and during most of that time he didn’t know much that was going on. Through many prayers and administerations he gained strength. The winters after this I had heart problems so days that Horace went to the temple, Shelda or Vonnie or Gloria took turns staying with me. So thankful for them. We were both so happy when we could both go back to the temple again. In 1970 we moved back to Groveland townsite in a house south of the Groveland church, an older home but comfortable. We sold our home in North Groveland and were glad to be close to church when the roads were slick. Here we have a nice garden spot and some pasture. It was difficult to change wards form the 1st to the 2nd Groveland ward. It was different but in time we felt at home. We had a lot of repairs to make on the house and out-buildings and have changed many things to our liking. We both spend many happy hours in the garden and flower beds. We keep busy in our yard and with church responsibilities. We enjoy our neighbors and friends, but especially are happy when our children come to visit us. They are such a blessing to us. Also the grand and great-grandchildren. We really enjoy going to visit all of them and help out when need be. 1975 was a eventful year for our family. Horace had been sick for awhile and it was necessary for him to have a operation. We went to specialist in Pocatello and he had tests and finally they did prostrate gland surgery on Aug 12th. Don and Gloria, Delos and Judy and Lyle and Shelda all helped take me back and forth and stay with Dad. Also Katie came and took her turn. He was delirious for a week and needed much care. After a week he was much better so Delos left on a camp trip with the Explorer boys. He was just gone a couple of days when on Thursday evening Judy and the children were in a really bad car accident. Judy suffered a broken neck, Aaron and Jared had severe cuts, Melanie an injured neck. Joseph had a slight cut on his head and Joseph came out without a scratch. Robyn was home painting the house and Andrew was with Delos. The ambulance took them to the hospital and two sheriffs deputies went for Delos. They arrived there in the middle of the night and got him out of bed and they had to ride down in the dark. Delos said that was really a rough and strenuous ride. Brothers, Nixon, Stucki, and Rhead met them as they came out of the mountains and they got to the hospital about 6 A.M. I had stayed in Pocatello with Lucy, Orvins wife, and so Shelda called me about 9 oclock, she was afraid I might have seen about the accident on the news, but I hadn’t. I was very upset and did not sleep much that night. The next morning Shelda came for me and took me to the hospital to see Dad. He was nervous and upset and didn’t know why and we couldn’t tell him about the accident. He kept saying “Mother get those children out of the car or they will get hurt.” When the accident happened the electric wires did fall down over the car but the pole was broken and so the power triggered off. Dad was nervous all the while we were there. So when I got home I called Golden and asked him to get Orson and administer to Dad. They took their wives and went down and visited awhile and Golden stayed all night with him, cause he was so bad. On our way home Shelda took me to the hospital to see Judy and the children. She was in intensive care and the children all in one room. They all looked so miserable, Aaron had a blood vessel over his right temple that was severed and it took 32 stitches to repair. We went from one bed to another to see how they were and I felt so sorry for them. The next morning Judy and Delos went by ambulance to Pocatello where she was put in traction for 7 weeks. One night Shelda stayed with me at home. We had a good visit and got up early and picked beans, which she took home to can, we also picked apricots, having to climb the tables and ladder to get the high ones. Vonnie came from Hagerman the next day and took me to see Dad. We stayed all day and then Lyle and Shelda stayed all that night with him. On Sunday Vonnie and I went again, also Reava, Wilf, Lauree and Perry and Rolland and Leah. All day Sunday Horace was delirious, he told us it was his time to go. In the early evening all the children were there and he made comments about each one of them. Beth wasn’t there but had planned to be. She left Califnoria on Saturday to come and see Dad, after leaving she became real sick, they stopped in Reno and went to a doctor. He couldn’t tell what was the matter and told them, Ruth, her friend was with her, to go back to Vallejo, where her doctor was. It was a long way to travel, Ruth driving and going as fast as would permit, they reached the hospital a doctor was notified. On Sunday afternoon at 3 Ruth called and told us Beth had an operation and her appendix had ruptured and she was very ill. We were very upset and worried, we expected her on Saturday and did not know what happened until Ruth called Sunday. That night I asked Wilf to give Dad a blessing, our sons and son-in laws assisting. Then after that for them to find a vacant room and for them to have prayer for Dad, Beth and Judy, all in different hospitals and very much in need of our faith and prayers. I stayed with Dad while they did this, so glad for the children and that they were there to give me strength. Rolland stayed that night with and when we went to the hospital the next morning to see him, he knew where he was and realized his operation was all over. We had not told him about Beth and Judy, as he was too sick, now he asked me why they didn’t come. I said perhaps they will come in awhile. Dad improved slowly but could talk and was rational. Wilf and Reava were at the hospital with him on Wednesday, also Delos and they told him about Judy and the children and Beth. He said he knew something was wrong and he had a good cry. He gained strength and they said he could come home on Friday. So Wilf and Perry and I went after him but he had a very bad night so they wouldn’t release him. Wilf came back home and got Reava and the three of us were there all day. The next morning we all went to see him and the folks left for home back to Oregon that day. Monday morning Gloria and I went for him and he was able to come home. We were so happy to be back and Dad had to stay in bed quite a few more days, as I had been with him 15 days in the hospital I had to get some rest. It was so unusual for all of these events to happen within 6 days time. Beth got infection and poison so it took awhile for her to get back to normal. Judy had a really long siege before she was able to be home again. Many of our families have had accidents, sorrows and unhappy times, the Lord has been mindful of their needs and they have been blessed. 1976- -4th of June Delos and Judy took Dad and I to Salt Lake to be at the wedding of Lauree and Neal. We enjoyed the returning that night. The 5th was such a beautiful, bright morning, everyone seemed happy. At 11o clock Gloria called and ask if we knew the Teton dam had broken and we hadn’t had the radio or t.v. on so we didn’t know. When we realized that Katie and Neil was in danger, we tried to call but no answer. Later got the report that they were safe up on the Rexburg hill. Katie and Neil and Lyle and Shelda had the terrible experience during this ordeal. Took many hours of scrubbing and the willingness of many hands to get everything repaired and livable again. Those of our family who couldn’t help physically helped financially, they were concerned. We were thankful for our families, it was a special blessing, each time a special spirit came to join our family. Blessings for babies, baptisms and confirmations all were special. We have rejoiced with them in all of their accomplishments, in school and church. It has been a wonderful experience to help them prepare for the sacred event of marriage. We are happy at these occasions. Reava married Wilford Smith Stevenson 22nd of September 1949 in the temple at Salt Lake City, Utah. Beth married Haven J. Stringham at our home 25th of June 1942. She later divorced. Shelda married Lyle E. Belnap 15th of November 1944 in the temple at Logan, Utah. Rolland J. married Leah Williams 20th of June 1947 in the temple at Idaho Falls, Idaho. Vonnie Mae married Merthan Glenn Ellis 10th September 1946 in the temple at Idaho Falls, Idaho. Katie Marie married Marlow D. Gardner, 1st of July 1949 in the temple at Idaho Falls. Marlow was killed in Germany in a plane crash while in the service of his country in August 1955. Katie married Robert Neal Baird 7th of November 1957, in the Idaho Falls temple. William Delos and Judy Ellen Ostergar were married 5th of June 1957 in the Idaho Falls Temple. Gloria Kae and Don Carol Carter were married 2nd of December 1955 in the Idaho Falls Temple. When I think of what I could say about our children, I have a long list that would describe all of them, and all are worthy of these blessings. They are blessed with gifts and talents. Trustworthiness, honesty, dependability, Love for the gospel is part of all their lives, they are all diligent and except responsibility. Willing at all times to serve others, show their love and concern for others and their families. All enjoy music and singing and have the ability to sound out a happy and cheerful note, share and enjoy it with others. All of them are ambitious and not afraid to work. All keep their homes neat and clean, also their yards and surroundings in order. This can’t be done without a desire for a well cared for home, and many hours of hard labor. Happy families are those who work and pray together. The gift of creating, arts, crafts, cooking, sewing have brought happiness to our families. Sharing one with another has been felt through out the years. I appreciate their ability as parents to do things for themselves and teach their children to work. Pres. Kimball says work, work, we are all blessed by having work. We feel better by keeping busy with something constructive and worthwhile. All are for education to keep our minds active and alert. Faithfulness is a quality felt by all, we could not accomplish our hearts desire without faith. Each one is blessed with a sense of humor, which cheers one and makes for a pleasant atmosphere among family and friends. A pleasing personality you will find when you get acquainted with our children, grand children, and great grand children. So very thankful for the companions too, of our children. We do appreciate their love, concern and thoughtfulness. We are so grateful and proud of our posterity. Beth does not have children, but she does have a family who love her and would do anything for her happiness. The times she has been in the hospital very ill, she has prayed and had lots of faith. She has many abilities and talents. The doctor told her if she had not of had faith, a good attitude, and plenty of determination she would never have lived. The elders were also there. She has a friend, Ruth Moore, living with her that has been very concerned on these occasions. She did all she could for Beths comfort and welfare, she is a true friend. We love all of you very much, and pray the Lord will bless you with love, understanding, good health and the necessities of life. May you all be prayerful, live close to the Lord, keep the commandments and always have a desire to do good. I have a strong testimony of the gospel, know it is true and recognize our many blessings as a family. Dad and I have had a good happy life together. He has so much faith and determination to go forth and perform all of his responsibilities as a husband, father and church member. He has had the ability to solve many problems through out our married life. He does so many things for my happiness and welfare, so capable in his decisions. I love him very much. I’ll have to mention our wonderful times we have at our Christmas, and other get-togethers. We have had so many pleasant occasions, our anniversaries when you children have made parties for us, also the times we went to the temple and went to eat out. So enjoyable, many thanks to all of you. I hope I will along with father add more years of history to these, so it is to be continued. Now for my church callings, duties activities or whatever. My church duties have many and I am so grateful for having had the opportunity to give of my time to serve others. While doing so, building my character and adding to my testimony of the gospel and of the Lords work which is to be done. At the age of 14 I was secretary of the primary for 2 years, at the same time I taught the younger Religion class which had just been organized in our ward. Then I taught Primary for two years, this was before my marriage. In 1917-18 I taught Social Science lesson in Relief Society and again in 1947-48. I taught a Bee Hive class and again in 1926-30 I was secretary of the Primary. In 1931-1932 was leader for the Junior girls in M.I.A. In 1935 I was sustained as 1st counselor in the Primary. Served here for 10 years. They were happy ones. Putting on operettas and programs with children was so much fun. We lived 2 blocks from the church so walked home. While we lived in North Groveland I was chorister, also taught the trail builder class. I was in the Primary for 25 years. In 1921-22 I taught Sunday School. I was nursery leader and then took the kindergarten children, I served here for 17 years. I served as 2nd counselor in the Relief Society, then 1st counselor for 2 or 3 yrs, had to quit as my health was not too good at that time. In 1946 I was sustained as 2nd counselor in the M.I.A. then President in 1947-50. M.I.A. Maid leader from 1950-52. Ward Era Director 1955-56. In July 1956 Horace and I were sustained as Special Interest Leaders. Served here for 3 years and 8 months. Was president of the P.T.A. for one year. Have been captain of the D.U.P. four years, and chorister 10 years, and am still serving in this capacity. Thealogy leader in the stake Relief Society 1964-65. In April 1966 father and I were called to officiate in the Idaho Falls Temple. We performed this service for 8 ½ years. Were released in September 1974. It was a great opportunity for us to help and be a part of this important work. Should have mentioned our mission. We served in the New England States Mission from October 1962 till May 1963. This was a glorious experience, to receive a letter from the President of our church, David O. McKay. I was librarian for the Relief Society for 4 years. We mounted many pictures and prepared visual aids. At the present time I am giving the Visiting Teachers message in Relief Society, going Home Teaching with my husband. We are also the ward examiners for the Family Group Sheets. I have been a Visiting teacher for 61 years. I have enjoyed every one of my callings. I want to thank my husband and all of my children for helping me all these years to fulfill my duties. Typed and copied off for the Elison Family Reunion July 1979 by Shelda E. Belnap
The Visit of the Angels
The Logan Temple, The First 100 Years by Nolan P. Olsen, p. 173
John Farnham Boynton was one of the original 12 apostles of latter days. At Nauvoo, Joseph Smith had preached the doctrine of plural wives, and had told John that it was the will of the Lord that he take another wife. He talked it over with his spouse, and they decided they didn't want another wife. The Prophet reminded Brother Boynton three or four times of his marriage responsibilities, which went unheeded. Because of this and other matters, John was excommunicated from the church.He returned to his home state of Massachusetts to live, but at Nauvoo he had caught the spirit of genealogy and temple work. He never lost his testimony of the gospel and was a Mormon at heart all his life. He eventually had three wives, but only one at a time.
In the 1870's John went to work to compile a history and genealogy of the early Boynton families of America. In one of his letters he said: "I am in correspondence with more than eleven hundred descendants of William and John Boynton who located in Rowley, Massachusetts; I have issued 2200 circulars and distributed 1700 newspapers; I have traveled over 6000 miles examining libraries, local histories, deeds, probate and county records, and archives of states and national departments."
Olive Boynton, a sister to John F., had married Jonathan Harriman Hale, Bishop of the ninth ward at Nauvoo. The Hale family headed west with the pioneers, where the parents died at Winter Quarters. The four sons and a daughter arrived in Utah September 24, 1848, and settled at Grantsville in 1854.
As John F. compiled his thousands of names in family order, he sent copies to his nephews in Utah, knowing they would soon have a temple, and could do the temple work for his families.
In April 1888, the Hales moved to Cache Valley, bringing their voluminous genealogical records with them, and began an extensive temple activity. At this time they arranged with Samuel Roskelley to prepare the sheets for temple work. He kept names in the temple continuously from then until about 1903. That fall his health began to fail, his eye sight was poor, and he decided to give up all his record work. He brought the records to Sacrament Meeting one night and gave them to Alma H. Hale, and told him it would be necessary to get some one else to take over the work.
Jonathan H. Hale wrote: "During the following week, father was very depressed and worried all the time, and was hardly able to work or eat. He could not decide what to do, for neither he nor any of the Hale family knew how to proceed with the work. A great deal of information had been gathered and the family felt a great responsibility to complete the work. The whole family made it a matter of prayer for the week. The next Sunday at meeting, Brother Roskelley came to father and said:
'Bring the records back to me. I have to finish them. Friday evening as I was returning home form the temple, near Hyde Park, a messenger on a white horse appeared by the side of my buggy and said he wanted me to finish the Hale record. He assured me that the work was done
right and that it was all being accepted. He said thousands of the Hale family were anxious that the work go on. I explained that I was too busy to do any more record work, and that my eye sight and health would not permit it. Then the messenger made me this promise, that if I would continue, the Lord would bless me with health and strength, my eye sight would be good, and the way would be opened so I would have the necessary time to do the work. He stayed by my side until I finally promised to do it, and then he blessed me and disappeared.'
"When Brother Roskelley described his messenger to father, he answered, 'Why that was my own father, Jonathan Harriman Hale, the first of the Hale's to join the church in 1834. He died in 1847 at Winter Quarters."
When Brother Roskelley finally finished the record he said that the greatest load he ever carried was lifted off his shoulders. He had made a promise to a heavenly being and couldn't rest until the work was completed. He went home that very night and took off his glasses and never wore then again in his life. He enjoyed much better health and found more time for the work than he had hoped for.
The Hale family had a week-long reunion in the temple about 1905, when they completed the last baptism and endowment, and then on Friday afternoon the sealing was done for the 4000 family members. As President Merrill neared Smithfield that night on his way to Richmond, he turned to tell the temple good-bye, as was his custom, and his heart about thumped out of his body. He could see the temple was on fire, but as he looked at it for a few minutes he was satisfied that there were no red flames licking upwards. The whole temple was filled with light, and the outside of the building shone with a pale pink glow. All the people in the neighborhood gathered to watch the phenomena and said they heard a heavenly choir sing for nearly two hours. Everyone marveled at the sight, for there were no electric lights or other means of lighting the building until 10 years later in 1915. The same thing happened the following night, too, with all the rooms and the building lighted, and the heavenly choir singing.
President Merrill knew that we had had a very heavenly manifestation. When he reported the incident to President Wilford Woodruff, the president asked what special work had been done in the temple. He was told of the unusual activity of the Hale family and how they had accomplished so much in such a little time. President Woodruff said the Hale and Boynton families had been permitted to come from the Other Side, to sing and rejoice and celebrate their deliverance in the Logan Temple.
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