William is married to Ruth Sherman
William is Vonnie Elison Ellis’ great great great great grandfather
George Carson was born on July 17, 1794, the youngest son of William Carson and Ruth Sherman, in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania. George married Ann Hough and they had eight children. George and Ann's family had six boys and two girls. The first three were born in Wayne, Mifflin Co., Penn. : William in 1818, John in 1819, and Jonathan in 1820. Their fourth child, and our ancestor, Elizabeth was also born in Mifflin County in 1822. Then they moved and had twins George and David born in Greene, Wayne Co., Ohio, in 1827, where their son Washington was also born on Apr. 18, 1830.
George and his family were converted to Mormonism through the preaching of Elders David Whitmer and Harry Whitlock at Sugar Creek, Worcester County, Ohio. They joined the saints and moved to Independence, Missouri, where their youngest child Mary Ann was born on March 16, 1833. They were expelled with the other Mormons by mob violence from Jackson County, Missouri. For the next five years lived in Clay County, then making their home for a brief period in Caldwell County. Whence they were driven with their people and went to Adams County, Illinois. In 1851 George migrated with the Mormons to Salt Lake City, Utah, where he died that year on Dec. 20, 1851.
The following account of some of his children was written by David H. Carson of Lehi, Utah, a great-grandson:
"It was in the spring of 1851 that George Carson and his family set out for Utah. In the family group were their children William Carson and family, John and family, Elizabeth and her husband Patison D. Griffith and family, the twins David and George, Washington, Mary Ann and her husband Thomas Bradford Ewings, who were married May 19, 1851.
"At Winter Quarters they were out fitted with the usual stock of supplies for the trip across the plains. The Mormon Emigrant Train in which they traveled was under the direction of Captain Harry Walton. There were sixty wagons in the train. William Huff Carson was the Captain of ten wagons. The journey was long but pleasant. Two deaths occurred on the way. Those were Mother Thompson and Miss Kingsley. She was killed by jumping from a runaway wagon. Then the oxen could smell the blood of slain buffalo they would get mad and this caused a stampede. William's team was the only one that did not run away. He controlled his oxen by means of rope line which he had just put on them.
"The George Carson family arrived in Salt Lake Valley the latter part of September 1851. They went directly to Little Cottonwood. On December 14, 1851 George passed away and was buried in little Cotton Wood. William's wife died July 7, 1854 leaving a family of five, the youngest was William Harrison Carson, who was born in a covered wagon at Loop Fork Nebraska. The stop over for the child was just one half day. Quoting from William Harrison in 1933 he said : “Sula Goddard lived with us and before Mother died she asked Sula if she would care for us five children. She did and about a year later married father (William Huff).”
"In 1855 the five Carson brothers, along with William Beardshall, John Clegg, Amos Fielding settled at Fairfield, Utah, and others came later. They established themselves a fort which they erected as a protection against the Indians. The fort was four rods square and was built in 1856-1857. In1856 Indian trouble started. On the 21st of February, 1856 George Jr. was fatally wounded by Indians on the south side of town. After the skirmish the Indians went over toward Utah Lake byway of Soldier Pass. On February 22, they met and killed Washington Carson and Henry Moran, who were caring for some cattle near the lake. On that same day George died, making three deaths by the Tintic Indians. The Indians headed for the Tintic District and were never over taken.
"I (David) do not personally remember anything about the Carson brothers who were killed by Indians except what was told me in later years by my father, William F. Carson and my grandfather John Carson and Uncle William Huff Carson. I assume they worked hard as they could the next two years trying to raise things to eat. Improve their farms, build homes, and keep from being killed by the Indians was their challenge.
"In the summer of 1858 twenty-five hundred men of the United States Army moved through Salt Lake City. President Brigham Young had the promise from General Albert Sidney Johnston that the army would not camp nearer than forty miles of Salt Lake City. Camping first near the mouth of West Canyon (the north end of Cedar Valley). After discovering that the water in the creek dried up late in summer they moved on down to Fairfield and camped south of the creek running from the Fairfield Spring. This creek became the dividing line between the military and civilian population which soon after that time numbered about seven thousand. As soon as the army was settled they named the army camp Camp Floyd in honor of the Secretary of War.
The Pony Express: "On April 7, 1880 there was great excitement. It was a horse-man riding on the run. In his saddle were two pouches. The first mail from California by Pony Express. At Fort Floyd a fresh horse was waiting and the mail was transferred and the rider quickly disappeared in the direction of Salt Lake City. A few hours later another rider coming from the opposite direction passed through with mail on his way to Sacramento, California. These trips made exciting days for the camp.
The Civil War: "The Civil War broke out and as suddenly as the camp sprung to life, it began to vanish. Wagons were again loaded and the soldiers prepared to move. There were many supplies to be sold. Buyers came from Salt Lake and other Utah towns for the sale. It had been reported that about four million dollars worth of goods were sold for a hundred thousand dollars. The commissary building erected in 1858 was sold to a local farmer Mr. William Beardshaw. Part of it still stands across from the John Carson Hotel." (End of quote from David Carson.)
Biography of Ann Hough, taken from the Lemmon Family History,
as recorded by Hortence Hovey.
Ann Hough is a great great great grandmother to Vonnie Elison Ellis Ann Hough is married to George Carson
Mifflin county was formed in 1789, and Jonathan was listed in the 1790 and 1800 censuses in Milford Township. Ann, and Elizabeth Hough, the twin daughters of Jonathan, were born in 1794. Some time prior to 1808, Jonathan moved his family to Derry Township, Mifflin County, as he is listed as a "supervisor" of the Township in that year. This was the same township in which most of William Carson's children were living. About 1817, George Carson and Ann Hough were married, probably in Mifflin County. George was Presbyterian; Ann was Quaker they were parents of eight children, six boys and two girls: William Huff Carson, born 8 Jan 1818, John Carson, born 13 Nov 1819,
Jonathan, about 1820, Elizabeth, 7 July 1822, George, 2 Oct 1827, David, 2 Oct 1827, Washington, 18 April 1830 and Mary Ann, 16 Mar 1833. In the middle of June, 1831, George and Ann, on leaving church services one Sunday afternoon, saw two men teaching under a tree. They listened and found they were two Mormon Missionaries, David Whitmer and Harvey Whitlock. They had been commanded to travel to Missouri, preaching along the way. Ann joined the Mormon church that same month; George joined late it in August, 1831. Joseph Smith dedicated the temple site in Independence, Missouri, and designated the surrounding area as Zion. He called all the Saints to gather to Zion, instructing those returning to Ohio to inform all Saints they contacted of the call to Zion. In 1832 George and Ann, along with David and Elizabeth Frampton, respond to the call, and traveled some 900 miles, probably mostly by flat boat down the Ohio River, then up the Mississippi River to St. Louis and the Missouri River to Independence. The first week of November, 1833, mobs attacked the Mormons, forcing them to flee to Jackson County. It was very cold; the ground was frozen and it was raining. The Carsons' and Framptons' fled into the nearby woods. The women tied the tops of some bushes together and spread blankets over them. The children huddled under the blankets all through the night while Ann and Elizabeth stood watch. Ann was holding 7 month old Mary Ann and Elizabeth held three year old Elizabeth Ann. The men stayed near the edge of the woods and watched their houses. They returned the next morning to retrieve what possessions they could, and headed for the river bottoms. "The shore of the Missouri River began to be lined on both sides of the ferry with men, women and children, goods, wagons, boxes, provisions, etc., while the ferry was constantly employed hundreds of people were seen in every direction. Some in tents and some in the open air around their fires, while the rain descended in torrents. Husbands were inquiring for their wives, wives for their husbands; parents for their children, and children for their parents." On November 13, 1833, "About two o'clock on the morning of the 13th, we were called by the signs in the heavens. We arose, and to our great astonishment all the firmament seemed enveloped in splendid fireworks, as if every star in the broad expanse had been hurled from its course, and spent lawless through the wilds of ether. Thousands of bright meteors were shooting through space in every direction, with long trains of light following in their course. This lasted for several hours, and was only closed by the dawn of the rising sun." Elizabeth Carson later described this phenomenon: "As flakes of fire, falling like flakes of snow in a snowstorm, remaining light until a few feet from the ground."
In August 1836, Far West was founded; John Whitmer and W.W. Phelps selected the site. During the fall of 1836 to spring, 1838, the growth of Far West was rapid, reaching a population of 5,000 by 1838. The Carsons', Framptons', and Egberts' all located in Far
West. There were as many as 15,000 Mormons in the northern counties of Missouri. On March 14, 1838, Joseph Smith arrived at Far West from Kirtland to direct the affairs of the church. In April, 1838 Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer were excommunicated from the church. This was probably a very trying time for the Carsons', as David Whitmer was one of the missionaries that converted them. In addition, John Whitmer, W. W. Phelps, Lyman Johnson, John Boynton, and William McClellan were excommunicated, comprising the presidency of the church in Missouri, and four of the twelve apostles. In 1843, the Carsons' apparently kept their farm in Adams County, but moved their family and some of their possessions to the Nauvoo area for protection from the mobs. On June 27, 1844, Joseph and Hyrum Smith were killed by a mob at the Carthage Jail. David Carson recalls that the Carson brothers got on their horses and rode to Carthage after the bodies had been removed. They saw the blood on the floor, the bullet hole through the door, and the raised window through which Joseph fell. In the summer of 1845, the Carsons' were "sharing the fortunes of the saints and doing their share on the temple and other public works, and in making preparation for the move to the Rocky Mountains that had been decided on as a new gathering place." The summer of 1846, the Carson family left from Nauvoo, returned to Adams County to gather their belongings, and started their journey through Iowa. In November, 1846, between five and six hundred saints gathered at Garden Grove, about 170 miles west of Nauvoo. This camp was the first stopping place of the first group of saints, most of whom had moved further west. As the Carsons' did not have the provisions required by Brigham Young to continue the journey, they were forced to remain in Garden Grove. On May 17, 1851, the Garden Grove company left for the Salt Lake Valley. In the company were the Carsons', Egberts', Ewings', and Griffiths'. They procured the service of Harry Walton at Council Bluffs, Iowa. William Huff Carson was a captain of ten, comprising the Carson family. There were 60 wagons in the company. William Huff Carson had two yoke of oxen and two yoke of cows; he traded the cows for oxen en route. Patison Griffith had two wagons. One drawn by oxen, one by cows. They used the cows for fresh milk. On September 24, 1851, the company arrived in Salt Lake Valley. The Carsons' moved to South Cottonwood, about 10 miles south of the city, where the pioneers had made preparations for the Garden Grove Company. On November 9, 1851, George Carson and Ann Carson were re-baptized at South Cottonwood. On February 1, 1869, Ann Hough Carson died at the home of her daughter, Elizabeth Griffith, in Hyde Park, Cache County, Utah, as the result of ruptured blood vessel caused by coughing. She was 74 years old at the time of her death, and was buried in the Hyde Park Cemetery. This history was rewritten by Margaret G. Dallof 2 Nov 1982 of Murray, Utah.
George and Ann Carson are the parents of Elizabeth Carson. Elizabeth Married Patison Delos Griffith, and they are the parents of Louisa Emily Griffeth Seamons
Life History of Louisa Emily Griffeth Seamons
Louisa is married to Samuel Seamons
When I was three months old my parents moved to Camp Floyd in Cedar Valley. It is a small valley about 40 miles west of Lehi, covered with sage brush, low hills covered with cedars where they got their wood. There was a large spring near by. We settled on the north side of it while Johnson's Army were on the south side. It was used for irrigation and culinary purposes. We lived in a fort because the Indians were so bad. Two of my Mother's brothers were killed in fighting these Indians. I well remember how a little boy followed the men out of the fort when they went to look for the horses. The men failed to notice he was along and did not bring him back with them. When they went to look for him he could not be found. The next day an old squaw came in to camp with the little boy's toes strung on a string around her neck displaying his fate very vividly.
Two of my sisters were born at this fort. They were Lovina and Marinda. When I was seven or eight years of age, we moved to Lehi and while there my sister, Urmina was born. Andrew and Phoebe were born before leaving Nauvoo. In the spring of 1860 when I was nine years old, we in company with William Hyde and others moved to Cache Valley and settled in what is now known as Hyde Park. It was named after William Hyde who later became the bishop of the ward. We lived in a wagon until the men got out logs from the canyon and built our homes. While moving to make our new home, we would milk our cows and put the milk in the churn and when we camped for the night we would have some nice fresh butter. There wasn't many young folks and amusements were very few. We would have a dance on holidays and once in awhile a show. Some of my childhood playmates were Phoebe Gibson, Ellen and Vira Hyde, Issac Jim and Appy Woolf. I had very little education just limited lessons of reading and writing and some arithmetic. Mrs. Slight was my first teacher.
I well remember when I was fourteen years old, I helped spin yarn for a quilt. We took wool from the sheep's back, washed and carded it into roll, spun it into yarn and wove it into cloth. We wore socks and hose made from this wool. Mother would also make blankets from it. We colored it with dyes we made ourselves, from madder red, Indigo blue and coperous. I made my own lye burning greasewood and using the ashes. These ashes were placed in a leach or barrel on top of straw and covered with water. This mixture set aside and then the water was drained off and boiled down till it was strong enough to eat a feather. Then using butter for grease this made a very good soap. We also used this lye for softening the water to do the family washing. Our lights were made of a piece of cotton cloth put through a large button, tying it at the center and twisting it. This was placed in a plate of grease and burned slowly for a long time. This was called a bitch. The candles were quite an improvement over this. We made our own candles too. The molds were made of tin and fastened together, holding from four to twelve candles. The
wicks were placed in the center of these molds, tied at the bottom and top. The melted tallow was poured in to the molds and let set. When cold, they were placed in warm water and the candles removed. Later we had coal-oil lamps.
When I was seventeen I joined the choir; it was the largest organization in the ward at that time. It was there that I met Samuel Seamons, who later became my husband. My courting days were going to church and choir practice. These meetings were held in a log cabin at first and later in a rock church which still stands but is used as an inter urban station. On the 25th of April 1870, I was married to Samuel Seasons in the Salt Lake City Endowment House. We made our first home in Hyde Park. Our first home consisted of one room. My cupboard was a soap box and all the utensils we had was a strainer and a biscuit cutter. I used some of his Mother's until we could get some of our own. We were blessed with nine children, five girls and four boys. They were Emma, Elizabeth, Mary Emily, Samuel, Elva, William, Wilford, Janette, and Ivan. Mary Emily at the age of 19 months, pulled a cup of hot tea off the stove scalding her. This caused her death two weeks later.
Hyde Park was one of the wards that lived the United Order, where the people turned over all they had to the Bishop. A foreman was placed over the districts and provisions and other things were distributed to the people as they needed it and all faired alike.
My reading has been mostly church works and publications. I have always lived on the same lot since I was married. I was a Relief Society teacher for 39 years, being 17 years old when I joined this organization. I was also a member of the choir for 4O years. My husband was leader of this choir for many years. He was also a minute man in times of trouble with the Indians. We did a great deal of temple work. My husband died November 26th 1917. Since that time I have spent most of my time with my daughters Elizabeth until her death in July 1923 and Emma Hale of Pocatello and Janette Merrill of Smithfield. Later years of my life I have had poor health. The best trip of my life was In July 1931. Calvin Hale, my grandson and his parents, Edgar and Emma and I took a trip to two reunions. We first went to the Griffith reunion at Dayton, Idaho. We had a large crowd and a good time. My brother, Andrew, and sisters Angie and Ella were there. The next day we went to Lehi and the following day to Saratoga Springs near Lehi to the Carson reunion. Here we met some of our relatives that I hadn't seen for 70 years. It was a glorious meeting. We surely enjoyed ourselves. The next day we went out to Fairfield to my cousin Charley Carson’s place. We went over the historic places which included Johnson's Army cemetery. The government had placed a fence around it and erected a monument with a plaque giving names of soldiers buried there. We visited the graves of my two uncles who were killed by Indians. We also visited the spot where one was killed. We saw where the gate of the old fort once stood and took pictures of all of the historic places. Going on to Provo we saw the Mental Hospital. We then went on up to Provo Canyon to Bridalvale Falls through the aspen groves. Then we went down to Spanish Fork canyon to Mutualdell, a resort, where reunions and excursions are held. Visiting Grantsville, Edgar's home town, we came on to Salt Lake and witnessed one of the biggest parades ever held there.
On Sept 19th 1942 a open house was held in her honor being her 90th birthday. Lu Ru Hale made her a huge birthday cake. She spent her remaining days in her old home in Hyde Park with her son, William. She passed away at the age of 91 years on April 15, 1943 at Hyde Park, Utah.
Samuel is Vonnie Elison Ellis’ great grandfather
On June 7th, 1845, Samuel Seamons was born to Henry and Mary King Seamons, at Allsaints, Suffolk, England. When Samuel was just a boy the family was converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and they left England for America to be with the saints.
His father, Henry died at Omaha, Nebraska, January 14, 1860. His mother, Mary continued across the plains with her family of six girls and two boys. (Mary, Rachel, Henry, Lucy, Jemima, Lydia, Eliza, and Samuel). Records show that Samuel’s brother Henry, was part of the Franklin Brown Independent Company, which arrived in Salt Lake City September 4, 1860, but they do not show if Samuel was a part of this company.
Samuel was a short, stocky built man, about 5 feet, 7 inches tall, and probably weighed about 160 pounds. He was a jolly man with a happy-go-lucky disposition, and reports indicate that he always tried to do as he should. He had thick hair and bushy eyebrows and wore a moustache.
In 1864 he assisted in bringing immigrants from the Missouri River to Utah. He hauled rock used in the construction of the Salt Lake Temple. Later, he and his mother and sisters came to Cache Valley and settled in Hyde Park. His brother Henry stayed at Rockport, Summitt Co.
On April 25, Samuel married Louisa E. Griffiths in the Salt Lake Endowment House, in the year of 1870. She was the daughter of Pattison D. and Elizabeth Carson Griffiths. At that time he was 24 years old and she was 18.
Their first child, a girl, Emma, was born April 18, 1871. Another daughter, Elizabeth A., was born July 26, 1872.
Then fulfilling a commandment from the Prophet of the Lord to engage in plural marriage, and on the advice of their Bishop, Robert Daines, he and Sarah Hurren were married on May 25, 1875, in the Salt Lake endowment House. He was then 29 years and 11 months old, and she was 21. Sarah was the daughter of James and Eliza Reeder Hurren.
Louisa’s third child, and girl, was born that fall on October 15, 1875. Sarah’s first child, and the first son of the family, Henry Hurren, was born September 15 1876.
The first home that can be remembered for Louisa was located on Center Street across from the present Post Office. The address now would be about 94 West Center, on the south side of the street. Sarah first lived in a little log house in the north east part of town; the address would have been about 187 East 100 North, on the north side of the street. There were two lots located here. The log home was located in the east lot and Sarah raised alfalfa in the west lot. Water had to be carried 1 ½ blocks to this home.
Louisa’s first son and fourth child, Samuel G. was born Dec. 10, 1877. Sarah gave birth to her second child and son, James William, on March 11, 1878. Two daughters were born in 1880. Louisa gave birth to Elva A. on March 31, and Sarah gave birth to Mary Eliza on July 22. Another daughter was born to Sarah, Rhoda Louisa on April 28, 1882, and Louisa had her second son, William on August 8, 1883. Sarah’s fifth child and third son came along on December 22, 1884. They named him George David. Wilford was born to Louisa on June 4, 1886, and Sarah followed that same year with Grace on October 20. No children were born in 1887, but Sarah had another son, Orson L. on November 16, 1888, and the next year Louisa gave birth to Janette on April 10, 1889. On January 27, 1890, Sarah had Loran B., and then she gave birth to Delbert K. October 19, 1892. Louisa had her last child, Ivan V. on November 19, 1894. Sarah gave birth to her last child, on November 8, 1895, Harvey Noble.
Louisa bore Samuel nine children, five girls, and four boys. Sarah bore him ten children, seven boys, and three girls, giving him a total of 19 children, eight girls and eleven boys.
Mary Emily, Louisa’s third child died when she was 19 ½ months old, on June 2, 1877. From complications of scalding burns.
When Sarah’s daughter, Rhoda Louisa was 7 years, 2 months old, she died from diphtheria on June 15, 1889, and one week later, little Grace Emma, who was two years eight months old, died on June 23rd, 1889, from the same illness. Twenty months later little Loran B., 13 months old, died on February 5, 1891. In eleven years, Sarah’s son Delbert King, who was 8 years, 2 months old, died from heart problems and diphtheria. And then, as if history were repeating itself, one week later, Orson L. who was 12 years, 1 month old, died also from diphtheria, on December 28, 1900. During this dreaded illness no one was allowed to come into the home and no one was allowed to leave. Mary stayed out of the home because she was contemplating a marriage in the near future. She was married the same day Delbert King died on December 20th, 1900. Samuel wasn’t allowed in the home during these illnesses and deaths. “Sister Beddingfield” came into the home and helped Sarah prepare the bodies and dress them for burial and lay them in the wooden caskets. Sarah put them out the window to a waiting vehicle to take them to the cemetery. Harvey, who was five years old remembers how hard his mother cried at this time. After the two boys died, Harvey and his mother Sarah went over to the Joseph B. Daines home, at the north west corner of 1st South and 1st East. They stayed there for one week while their home was being fumigated “to kill the diphtheria germs.” (Joseph Daines was living with his second wife at this time, Louisa Dowdle. She was Earl Daines Mother. Joseph’s Mother was Sam’s sister.) What sad times these must have been for Samuel, Sarah and Louisa, and their children.
Samuel had a lot of musical ability. He was the ward and Sunday School chorister and was the first choir director in the Hyde Park Ward.
Jim Hancey, who played the organ, and Samuel went around the valley organizing choruses in different towns.
Hyde Park organized a martial band about 1863 to serve with the military organizations of the valley. They also provided entertainment for Hyde Park and other valley community residents. In 1880 it was named the “Hyde Park Band”. Samuel played a fife, flute in this band. The band consisted of four fifes (or flutes), three snare drums, and one base drum. The other members were: Christian Christiansen, Edwin M. Thurman, William Hyde Jr., James S. Hancey, Andrew Griffin and Niels Mikkelsen. Christian Christofferson was a member a little later. This band became famous and was much in demand on holidays and festive occasions. Samuel was very talented musically and he passed this inclination on to many of his children and grandchildren.
Samuel made his living mainly as a farmer. He had cows, horses, and raised crops of grain, etc. on his land. He was a near and meticulous worker. He kept his yard well groomed, his fences mended and his grain stacks neat. He dug a well close by the back door of Louisa’s home and there was a large locust tree in their yard that added shade as well as beauty. He was a good farmer. He had a dry farm east of town on the bench land. He owned 160 acres there. He was ambitious and industrious. He supplemented his farming income by going around the valley butchering sheep, beef and pigs. He most always had a following of children with him while he was accomplishing this task. He also had quite a few bee hives from which he harvested honey.
Many times he had to hide from the Deputy Marshalls as they came into town looking for the polygamists. One day Harry Griffiths of Smithfield came to Sarah’s door when Harvey was only a baby. He asked her if she knew anything about Samuel Seamons. She later said about the occasion: “I asked him what he wanted with Samuel Seamons and I told him to go ahead and find what he could find.” He looked all throughout the house, under the beds and everywhere, then out through the stackyards and buildings. Sarah threw an overcoat over him so the deputy marshall would not see him and ask questions.
Samuel was secretary of the co-op store, a member of the Utah Militia and served as Home Guard during the Indian troubles in Cache County.
When they moved the Hyde Park school from the “Old Rock Building” on first west and center to the new red brick building on the corner of first east and center in 1909, Samuel was the first custodian. He would playfully pull June’s red hair and say he was going to pull it out.
Some of his children moved up into Idaho, and Samuel and Louisa went up to visit them quite often during the summer, sometimes staying two weeks or more. They lived in an area called “Gentile Valley”, north of Preston. Samuel had a good team and a buggy which was their mode of transportation.
When Samuel and Sarah’s son, Henry, who lived in Idaho, was to be married, Samuel took Sarah and Harvey up to the wedding in a one horse, open buggy. They forded the Bear River at
Riverdale and the water came up to the box of the buggy. Harvey was 6 years old and he states he “was sure scared”. It took them two days to make the trip. Samuel would jerk the lines and say, “Come on May, Get up! Get up May, Get Up!”
Samuel was quite proud of his whiskers, but one day just before the fourth of July he had them shaved off. Louisa was very upset and angry about it. She thought he looked “something terrible”. When Sarah saw him she didn’t like it either. When the fourth of July celebration came along, Sarah looked out her window and saw Samuel coming up the street. She thought, “Well now, Louisa wouldn’t go with him to the celebration so now he doesn’t need to think I’m going to go with him either.” So she hid. He came into the house to take her with him and couldn’t find her. He had two wives but had to go to the celebration alone.
As he grew older he had arthritis in his knee, as his son Harvey does now, and he walked with a limp much the same way. He became ill, probably with cancer, with complications of pneumonia and stomach problems, and he was incapacitated for quite a while before he died. As he became worse and was near death, at his home with Louisa, George Daines and Harvey sat up with him the night of November 25, 1917. He passed away November 26, 1917 about 2 a.m. After his death, Harvey cut his hair and shaved him. George Daines, Will Follett and another son James William finished preparing him for burial. There were no mortuaries or morticians then, and preparations were made at home. They straightened him out on a board and put ice under him to help preserve the body. He was buried in Hyde Park City Cemetery November 29, 1917.
Evender Waite remembers him as a bee man. He said, “Sam had quite a few hives of bees. He would get the bees in his hives when they swarmed in the trees. One day he came down to get a swarm in a tree by John Lee’s. I said to him, ‘Say, that’s a dangerous job you are doing.’ He said, ‘Why, don’t you know, I can talk to these bees?’ There were some strays that he didn’t get in the hive. I took off as fast as I could. He got stung. I think that day he didn’t talk to them in the right way. He was a happy sort of fellow. You never saw him grumbling around.”
J. William Hyde said about Samuel: “Yes, I remember Sam Seamons. He use to kill beef down here for Uncle Robert Reeder and then cut it up for him and they would sell it around town. I was following him down one night. I was about 6 years old, tagging him down there to watch him kill beef, and I says, ‘What do you limp for Uncle Sam?’ He says: ‘Why, the Doctor tells me I have a bone in my leg.’ Then one night Orle (Hyde) and Gold (Golden Reeder), they got into the shotgun shells and they took the bullets all out, put the wads back in and left the lead out. We dug some holes up in the hay and got up in the hay to see what Uncle Sam would do when he shot the cow. He shot’er and a big wad flew across the room, ya know, and the cow stood there and he said, ‘By thunder, I never seen that before.’ He put another shell in and Uncle Robert was there then and he shot that and Uncle Robert was that paper wad go across the room of the slaughter house and he said, ‘GOLDEN’. But we didn’t answer. They went up and got some more shells and killed the cow. Uncle Sam, he killed pigs for everybody, all over town. He went all around; he would always come and kill ours. He was a good natured man, good to the kids. Then another thing he did, I remember going to church, he was the choir leader, and he was the first choir leader I ever knew. And I never remember a time in my life, in my whole life, and I’m 80 years old, when Aunt Sarah didn’t have either her husband or one of her boys leading
the music in one of the departments in the ward. There was Henry H., J.W., George D., and Harvey and their dad. They’ve all been, well, I don’t know if Henry H. was ever choir leader or not, but he did a lot of singing in the other organizations. And George did too. But J.W. was the Sunday School chorister for years and years, then Harvey, of course, was the choir leader for many, many years. He wanted to be released when I was put in Bishop, said he’d been in long enough. I said, ‘Well, I’m not a gonna get another choir leader. Your gonna lead the choir. Then he STILL leads us in Priesthood meeting. That’s a long while. They’ve done that, Uncle Sam started it, then his four boys. I never remember going to church when one of them didn’t lead the singing in one of the meetings I was to.
Uncle Sam had whiskers and he was about, maybe a little bigger than Harvey, yeah, he was, but he wasn’t near as big as Ivan. He was short and had whiskers and he really walked a lot like Harvey cause he had trouble with his knee. He was---well, I’d say he was a cute old man, I really thought he was. He had whiskers and they were gray. He died of cancer you know---an’ he laid there quite a while but he always had something to say to the kids. We were around him a lot cause we’d tag him around. When we’d hear a pig squeal on Saturdays, why we’d all break and run. I hadn’t better tell you why. Yeah, he’d give us the bladder and we’d blow it up with a straw and then play football. He went everywhere to kill pigs and he built the prettiest grain stacks of anybody in the ward. He used to start to the bottom there and he’d bring em out wide and then he’d bring em right in pretty and right up to a peak and he’d take a pad he had, it was a big one and he’d go around and tap the butts of the grain bundles so that it would be even, see? And his stack was just like a picture. An’ he had a lot of grain. He had a dry farm there and where Gary (Anderson) lives, (About 48 South, 100 West in Hyde Park.) In that lot there. That’s where he stacked it all. ---But he was quite a man about town too.
He resembled J.W. Seamons more than any of his boys, because he had whiskers it was hard to tell. But he was about the size of J.W. though.
Uncle Sam used to live with Aunt Louisa most of the time. He didn’t stay with Aunt Sarah as much as he did with Aunt Louisa and of course Aunt Sarah was a Hurren, and the Hurrens are all workers. They couldn’t be still; they always had to be doing something.
When Uncle Sam got cancer, he stayed with Aunt Louisa and she took care of him. He used to go on a lot of trips with Louisa up to “Gentile Valley”. They had kids up there you know, up north of Preston. They had family up there, Wilford and Elvie and oh, I think he had 2 or 3 daughters up there and Henry H. lived up there too for a long while. But they always used to go up there every summer and stay a couple of weeks. They would go in a surrey. Uncle Sam had a good buggy. He had a good team and a good buggy…He had good outfits. He had good cows and kept his place up well. He kept it real well. He dug a well right in back of the back door. Their house was here, just above Dan’s (Stowells---92 West Center, Hyde Park). They had a great big locust tree down in the corner of the lot.”
Harold Daines said: “When I remember him he had gotten older and he was smaller than his picture shows here. But he was straight. As I look back now I realize how straight and tall he stood, strong looking, but he had a limp.
He had a pasture next to ours and once in a while he should walk to the pasture with Bill (his son William), or somebody to take the cows. The pasture was down to the west railroad. Then about a block north, and then back east across the railroad. He had 10 acres there of good pasture. I remember one day he had a bulldog, it was an English Bull. And one day the cows were fussin’ around so he said, “Sic Em” to the bulldog. The bulldog grabbed the cow by the nose. The cow threw the dog up over its back an’ it lit in the gutter. It ‘bout squashed it. It really threw it! But he said, Oh he was sorry he did that.
He was a nice man, but quite serious. I remember when he had bees. I can remember seeing him with the bee mask on his face.
Then he was janitor up to our schoolhouse several winters. An’ I remember he was a good janitor. Especially he’d come in and help us with our singing. He was really musically inclined. He knew his music. He’d teach music and us with our singing. He was like J.W. Seamons, (his son). He liked music. He could really make the classes sing. The teachers appreciated that. They liked it too. They liked his help, cause he was, it seems to me, what I can remember, he was professional---he knew.
He was an interesting person. He was not only a nice person but he was very much alive. He retained that youth in his old age through his music.
I went to George Wolfe’s once. They were killing a pig and when I got there, I thought it would be Sam Seamons, but it was Pat Hancey. I was surprised.”
Compiled By: Ronda Seamons
Her father was Henry Seamons born May 5, 1809 in Rumberg, Suffolk, England. Her mother was Mary King born March 5, 1801, in Rumberg, Suffolk, England.
The family was converted to the Church of Latter-day Saints religion by Father John McDonald in the year 1853.
I have heard my mother say that they rejoiced exceedingly at their conversion for they knew it was the truth. The family was baptized in a pit dug in their backyard, because of the ill feeling to the Latter Day Saints. My mother was baptized May 15, 1854, by Elder James Hurren. Confirmed May 18, 1854, by Elder William Budge.
After mothers’ family became members of the church, the spirit of gathering came upon them, and they wanted to gather to Zion. How hard they all worked and put all their wages together, in order to save enough to come to the Land of Zion. But through the kind providence of the Lord the way was opened up much sooner than they expected.
An aunt of her mothers’ died leaving them a small sum of money which enabled them to pay their expenses across the water. Also enough to buy some clothing and other necessaries needed for the journey.
They left England, February 18, 1856. Sailing on the ship, Caravan. Captain James Sands having charge of the ship. Elder Daniel Tyler having charge of the Saints. There being 457 on board ship. They were tossed about upon the water for six weeks. Having had a very rough voyage they finally landed in New York, where they remained for a few months.
They then moved into the State of New Jersey, where the family found employment. My mother Lydia, working out at housework for a family by the name of Joseph Leonard. While in New Jersey one of the brothers from New York went over to New Jersey, organizing the Saints that were there into a company. There being 25 families in all, and by putting all their money together it brought the company as far west as Omaha in the fall of 1859. Some of the Saints being able to come on to Utah that winter.
While in Omaha, her father became ill, had fever and ague, from which he died on January 14, 1860. This detaining their family that winter. And while her father lay sick, there came another letter from England saying another aunt of her mother’s had died leaving her another sum of money. This money bought their oxen and cows and provisions enough to bring them to Utah.
The company was organized by President Joseph Young. There was 15 wagons in the group. There was a hand cart company that came through that year with them. They would have starved
had it not been for their company. Her mother gave flour and bacon from her own supplies. Their outfit consisted of a wagon yoke of oxen and 2 cows and enough provisions to do them on their journey.
My mother was then 18 years old and her health was poor. And people said she would never live to get to Utah, but she did and walked nearly every step of the way. The 2,000 miles across the plains. When she landed in Utah her cheeks were like roses. They came through Parley’s Canyon leaving her oldest brother Henry in Rockport on the Weber River.
They entered the Salt Lake Valley August 30, 1860, just at sun down. My mother’s family went direct to the home of father John McDonald where he made them welcome. The family remained there for a week after which they traveled on to Hyde Park where they settled September 9, 1860. Thus my mother, her mother and sisters and younger brother becoming pioneers of that town. My mother remained there a few weeks after which she returned to Salt Lake City, to obtain work. She served in the home of President Lorenzo Snow. She was treated as one of his own children. She earned a small wage with which she helped her mother as they had a hard struggle to get along.
Mother said she would never forget the feeling of disappointment that came over her when she landed in Hyde Park. She said, she thought they would never be able to make a living in such a forlorn, desolate, place where the only abodes then were dugouts. That is holes dug in the ground where they slept at night, and in the day lived in the open. Her mother had a small stove on which they cooked their meals. Here they lived in that manner until they could build them a home.
She came into Salt Lake. While mother was in Salt Lake she met my father and after a few months they were married, June 9, 1861.
My parents went to Hyde Park to live. In which town my oldest brother was born in a dug out. They moved from there to Brigham City where my father obtained carpenter work, as he was a carpenter by trade. Her 2 of their children were born.
While there my parents’ became acquainted with Martin Harris who was one of the witnesses of the Book of Mormon. So one day my parents went to his home and he bore his testimony to them of the divinity of the Book of Mormon and also of having seen the Angel Moroni and the plates. My mother asked him, saying brother Harris did you see the Angel, and he replied, Sister Crowther do I see you standing before me and she said, I think you do, and he said to her just so sure as I see you before me I saw the Angel of Heaven. My father did some carpenter work for Mr. Harris.
My parents left there going in to Logan to live where they run a grocery store, from there they moved into Salt Lake City for a short time. Where one of my sisters died. After that they moved to Coalville where I was born December 18, 1880.
Mother made the first kid gloves in Coalville and father tamed the hides for them. My mother was a Relief Society teacher for over 30 years. She worked in the Relief Society rooms in Coalville for many years.
She was a dressmaker and had the agency for the Buddington Pattern and Cutting Machine Company. She had a class in her home and gave instructions in cutting and sewing. She held the agency for Summit County and sometimes went to other towns to organize classes.
We then moved into Salt Lake City in May 1889. Where she continued her sewing.
Mother and Father attended the 14th Ward Choir led by C.R. Savage.
Attended the dances and many times danced in the same set with President Brigham Young. She worked in the Relief Society in the 5th Ward Pioneer Stake. She died May 19, 1917.
She was faithful to the gospel to the end on her dying bed she bore her testimony of its truthfulness to her children.
Written in 1914 by daughter:
Eudora Crowther Wills while her mother dictated to her.
Janice Crowther-Stalls
Input into my files 8 February 2004, from a hard copy of this letter I was given by my father Glenn Lee Crowther about 5-10 years ago.
(My Note: Lydia Seamons Crowther is my 2nd Great Grandparent, 5th Generation on my father Glenn Lee Crowthers’)
Written by her daughter Katie Louisa Hale Elison
Elizabeth is Vonnie Elison Ellis’ grandmother
Elizabeth is married to Aroet Clinton Hale
Our Mother Elizabeth Alfretta Seamons was born the 26th of July 1873 at Hyde Park, Cache County, Utah. She was the daughter of Samuel Seamons and Louisa Emily Griffeth. She is the second child in a family of nine. Her parents and a sister Emma welcomed her into the family. In a few years other members of the family came along. The family consisted of five girls and four boys, Emma, Elizabeth, Mary, Emily, (who died at 19 months) Samuel, Elva, William, Wilford, Jannett and Ivan.
Mother attended Sunday School, Primary and grade school. When eight years of age, she along with several of her girl friends, were baptized in July 1881. At the age of ten she went to live with her Grandma Elizabeth Griffith who lived across the street from her home, she lived with her for a few weeks probably while grandpa was away working. As a little girl she would sit up with her Mother while she spun late into the night, because she could stay awake. One night her sister Emma sat up with them and she went to sleep, leaned her head back and opened her mouth. Just for a joke Elizabeth put a big piece of wool in her mouth. When she awakened she was very unhappy. Because of the shortage of fuel they would wrap up in blankets while they worked. The girls also helped their mother make candles, which they used until years later when Kerosene lamps came into use.
In those days the women made their own carpets. The girls helped cut and sew rags, for this purpose, to get them ready to weave. The old clothing was used so there wasn’t anything wasted. The art of making soap, drying prunes and apples for winter use, was important for the family.
Mother had a lovely voice, and even before she was eight years old, she and Emma sang for many occasions, and all through their children days. At the age of 18 she was chorister of the Young Ladies Mutual. In Sunday School and Primary she gave her time teaching the youth. She was also a member of the ward choir at an early age.
When the girls grew up she found work outside the home. One of their uncles, Austin Hyde, raised sheep and at shearing time he hired many hands for this work, also he had to have someone cook, keep house, wash and iron for the men. Mother was hired to do this, for a dollar and a half a week. One time she had a tooth ache and couldn’t go so Emma went in her place to help out. Edgar Hale was working there and he and Emma became attracted to each other. One time when he came to visit Emma he brought his brother Aroet with him to meet Elizabeth. When they were introduced he decided he wanted Elizabeth for his wife, so here the courtship began. The four of them had many experiences together. One especially they would always remember, the occasion of attending the dedication of the Salt Lake Temple, was very special. A prophecy of early church history to the effect that Satan would be turned loose and it would not be safe on the streets of the city at the time of the dedication, was certainly fulfilled, and witnessed by Aroet, Elizabeth, Edgar and Emma. At the very moment of dedication the wind began howling and blew down trees and sign boards. Weeds and rubbish were present in the
streets, while above the temple the beautiful white seagulls spread their powerful wings and circled peacefully round and round.
After a few years of pleasant courtship Aroet and Elizabeth were married in the Logan Temple on the 15th of November 1893. They stayed their first night in an upstairs bedroom at the home of her grandmother. The bed was a home-made four poster with a straw tick for a mattress. The other furnishings of the room were plain and neat. With this marriage a wonderful mission is in the future for this lovely, faithful, sincere couple. They went to Gentile Valley to make their home.
Aroet and Edgar bought 160 acres of land and divided it between them. It was some of the best land in the valley. They raised sheep and also dairy cows and cattle. They also raised hay and grain. The buildings surrounding the farm were a barn, hog houses, and chicken coop, and were kept in good condition as well as fences around the farm.
Their first home was a three room frame house which was on the farm when they purchased it. Many large shade trees were around the house. They had no conveniences like we have today. When it came time to bathe, water was pumped and carried into the house, heated in the wash boiler, then poured into the galvanized tub in front the old range stove where it was nice and warm to bathe. The kerosene lamps were a luxury after using candles. The washing was done on the washboard, using home-made lye soap and plenty of elbow grease. The old hand irons were put on the stove to heat and no matter how hot the weather, the fire was kept burning to keep the irons hot until the clothes were all ironed. Many loaves of fresh bread, pies, cakes and puddings were baked in the oven of the kitchen.
When Grandma Hale’s family got settled in the valley, the older boys organized a band, they practiced at grandmas and what a time they had. They played for dances, celebrations and other festive occasions. Aroet played a tenor horn, which came in quite handy, at the time their first child was to make its appearance. Before that time arrangements were made with the relatives, to let them know when they needed help. So on a cold clear night in November things began to happen, Aroet got his horn, stepped outside and blew it hard and loud, till he saw a light appear in the window of Edgar and Emma’s home which was almost a mile away. He knew they had gotten the message. They went and got Grandma Hale and all were there to give their assistance. Soon a baby boy arrived on 1 Nov 1894. He was named Elmer Clinton. Not many doctors were in the area for miles around. Grandma, in her earlier years had the desire to study medicine and nursing. She had gained this knowledge so Mother and baby were well taken of. On the 4th of July celebration held at Logan, the folks drove down and Elizabeth and Emma had sang on the program, before Elmer was born in November. They sang together all their lives. Some of their favorites were: “The Old, Old Home of My Childhood”, “Life’s Story”, and “From the Cradle to the Grave”.
Now in three years time the old horn was put to use again. On the 12 Oct 1897 Elizabeth gave birth to a little girl, Katie Louisa. They were proud parents, they now had as many kids as anyone.
For entertainment dances were held often, every family would go, and take the children. They would make beds on the benches for the babies. Father and Mother loved to dance and loved to
waltz most of all. They had old fashioned candy pulls and did many things for enjoyment without a lot of expense. The relatives and friends all shared alike in all they did. They made their own molasses and this was sometimes used to preserve the fruit. The women would all get together and prepare apples for drying. They all took time to help a neighbor. Mother was first counselor in the Relief Society in the Perry Ward. One day she and Aunt Em went to the meeting on the hayrack, she took charge of the meeting and an hour after she got home Orvin Melrose was born 27 April 1900.
Father served in the Bishopric as a counselor. During this time he went to many homes in the ward to help in times of sickness. He was a man of great faith, through the power of the Priesthood, his prayers, and the help of Heavenly Father many were healed. On one occasion a woman in the ward was ill. The doctors and others said there was no hope for her recovery, that she could only live until evening. Father and a woman who helped with the sick, stayed with her all afternoon while the family got some rest. During this time Father knelt at her bedside, placed his hands on her head and asked Heavenly Father to bless her that she might recover to take care of her little family. There was not much change in her during the night and when morning Father went home to shave and get cleaned up, and get some rest. When he went back to the home, as he reached her bedside she raised her hand and touched Father’s face and she noticed he had shaved. This was the first time she had moved for days. His prayers had been answered, she recovered and enjoyed good health.
Father was a good farmer and our farm was a pretty place. He probably would have gotten along better if he had not been in partnership with others, this was difficult for them financially. It was sometimes very discouraging for them. He loved horses and livestock. He was always kind to them and gave them the best of care. We had a dry farm too, I do not know just how many acres. Sometimes when Father and Elmer went there to work I would go with them. On the farm there was a grove of Quaken asp trees and among these grew the most beautiful wild flowers. The bluebells were plentiful here and we would always go home with loads of flowers. We spent many happy hours with our relatives. Another brother Uncle Frank and Aunt Cora, also mothers sister Aunt Elva and Uncle Arthur Bennett who lived just over the hill from us. We children liked to go to their place. They always showed love and kindness to us and we enjoyed many good times together and will always remember all the good times we shared with relatives.
Another member came to join our family, Delos Griffith was born 19 Sept 1902 at Perry, Idaho. He was born on Grandma Seamons’ birthday. Mothers and Fathers church activities were the same as in all newly settled areas. They had a school-house where all grades were held with only one teacher. About 80 pupils were enrolled. They held all the church meetings in the school house. The first stake conference was held a few miles north of Perry and south of Grace, Idaho, as it was central for the people. The sagebrush was cleared from the ground and prepared for this occasion. The seats were planks supported by wooden boxes and a bowery was made for shade. This was the summer of 1895. Apostle Melvin J. Ballard was there and organized the stake. He was accompanied by Lorenzo R. Snow, who requested that at the close of the meeting that everyone come up and shake hands with him. It was a thrilling experience for all. A church house was built at Perry in about 1901. It was built of brick. Father’s mother was Primary president at the time and she and each of the officers put in a certain number of bricks. Father gave of his time generously in helping to build the church. A stake house was built at a place called Central, north of Perry. When conference time came the team was hitched to the white
top buggy or wagon and everyone went. They traveled the long dusty road and were glad they could go. Everyone took food for the noon meal and had plenty to eat. Mother was noted for her delicious rice puddings, which everyone there had a helping. It was on the menu for all parties and get-togethers. We had to get up real early to get there in time for the meetings.
In the fall of 1904 plans were made to make the move to Blackfoot, Idaho. All our belongings were packed on wagons and taken care of by the boys. The cattle and horses were driven all that distance and they left two or three days ahead of the family, who rode in the white top buggy. Father being our teamster. We stayed the last night there with Uncle Ernest and Aunt Drucilla Hale. They lived in Cleveland just across the river from us in the same valley. We visited with them late into the night. Through the years we had the pleasure of staying all night with them, big beds were made on the floor for the children, and that’s what happened that night. When we got ready to leave the next morning we children were very unhappy and Uncle Ernest said “Now don’t be sad we will save our nickels and dimes and move up there so we can be with you.” It was only a few years until they did move to Groveland. After traveling many days over dusty roads we arrived in the Snake River Valley, in the Groveland Ward. We lived with Uncle Frank and Aunt Cora until Father could get a place. In a short time he bought 2 and ½ acres from Bp. Yancey. It was an alfalfa field. Father then bought a two room frame house from the Rose area and moved it on the property. Lava rocks supported the house until a foundation could be built. It was in this house that Ferrin Alma was born 1 May 1905. In the spring when everything was beginning to get green the alfalfa under the house was blooming nicely so I crawled under there and picked Mother a bouquet and took it in to her, she was in bed with the new baby. She thanked me for them and thought it was nice. The land was plowed and leveled and planted, we needed trees for planting as did many people in the area, most of them new settlers. Near Blackfoot just south of Groveland there was nursery owned by O.F. Smith. He told the people he would furnish all the shade trees they wanted if they would call the place Groveland, so that’s what they did. Everyone planted plenty, we had about three dozen on our place and we surely enjoyed the shade and their beauty. Father also planted an orchard of five varieties of apples, cherries and plums. Our buildings consisted of a barn, granary, and chicken coop. Father did not have money to purchase a farm so he rented land for a number of years. He raised hay, grain and potatoes and beets. Some years the price of potatoes wasn’t very good. He built a big cellar on the west lot and one year had it full of potatoes, we couldn’t sell them so in the spring they were scraped out on the ground and plowed under. We usually got a good price for beets. When the farmers needed poles for corrals and fences they would take a team of horses and go to the hills for them, it would take several days. Once the load Father was hauling wasn’t bound tight enough and the poles started rolling and Father got his back injured. He suffered intense pain and was not able to work for some time. He got a salesman job for a while. During this time Mother and we children dug a small cellar close to the house. We were very proud of it and it was adequate for our fruits and vegetables.
We had no refrigeration so it kept the milk, cream and butter fresh and good. It was a while before we could drill a well so we hauled water from a place about three blocks from home for household use, and used water from the canal for washing. In time when we did get a well it was very much appreciated. The water was the best ever. About the year 1910 the Hale brothers all took up dry farm land twelve miles north of Groveland. Father had 320 acres. He built a one room house, in which we had 2 beds, a cook stove, and table and cupboard. It served our needs as only part of the family were there at one time. Father fenced off a piece of land around the
house, where we always had a good garden. Uncle Edgar’s house was quite close to ours, so he and Father dug a well together to supply water for both families for household use and for the animals. They raised oats, wheat, barley and hay. In the fall when grain was ripe it was harvested with a machine called a header. This was driven by horse power and elevated into big boxes on the running gears of the wagon, then hauled in and stacked ready for the threshing machine. The cows were kept and milked on the farm. The mild was separated and every few days the cream was taken to our home on the townsite, here it was churned into rich golden butter. Mother would work and mold the butter and it would make many pounds at a time. We traded this to the merchants for food, clothing and other articles that were needed for the family. Mother and I would take turns cooking and keeping house for the men on the farm. The one at home always took care of the cream butter and the garden. We would trade off a week at a time. No matter where we were we had responsibilities. We all worked hard. Those were pleasant days on the farm, it was so quiet out in the wide open spaces, it gave one a feeling of peace and contentment. They would all go home on Sundays to attend church and take care of their duties.
Another person came to join our family. Father and Mother adopted a baby boy, Zenneth Aroet, he was born 16 July 1915. We brought him to our home when he was only a few hours old. Ferrin was about ten years old then and it was good to have a baby in our home again. He needed clothes so Mother and I spent a few days sewing, making all the things a new baby needs. Mother was a good seamstress, she often did sewing for some of our relatives who lived close by. She taught me many things that have helped me. One of her mottos was “What is worth doing at all is worth doing well.” Another one was “Waste not, want not.” Father and Mother both had pleasing personalities and were always willing to give of their time to assist others. Father went into many homes to help with family loved ones, sometimes he was gone for two or three days. At this time Mother would care for everything at home and care for the children.
Some activities that Father and the boys did was hauling gravel for the Potatoe Warehouse on the railroad track in Blackfoot, owned by the Pendlebury brothers. Another thing they along with Uncle Frank and his boys, with their teams did the excavation work for our Stake Tabernacle. They also hauled the gravel for the cement work. It was completed in 1920. The folks stayed with the dry farming until 1919 when the grasshoppers got so bad they took all the crops. They moved off and had to find work elsewhere.
In March of 1921 our family experienced the sorrow of losing our brother Delos Griffeth. He was sick for 2 or 3 weeks and then they operated on him and he had a ruptured appendix. He passed away 21 March 1921. In the summer of 1923 Mother and Father went to Garfield, Utah, staying with Elmer and Leone and family. Father found carpenter work at the Magna Mills just a few miles away. On the 23rd of July Grandma Seamons was to arrive there to spend Mothers 50th birthday with her. Leone had gone to meet her at the train. During this time Mother was staying with the children and packed Elmer a lunch so he could go to work in a short time. She suddenly became very ill and passed away before anyone could get there. It was such a shock to Grandma and Leone when they arrived home. Father was at work and after receiving word he went to the highway to find a way home. He told me the few minutes he stood there before someone picked him up seemed like hours to him. The love between them was a cherished quality, they were dedicated to each other. Mother’s body was brought to Groveland for burial. The funeral was held the 26 July on her 50th birthday.
In a few weeks time Father went to Pocatello to find work. He lived with Orvin and Lillie. He worked as a carpenter for a contractor, building forms for the Union Pacific Power House. He was there a year and during this time he became ill and went to Logan for treatments. When he felt like it he did temple work. While in Logan he met Martha Olson, and in a short time they were married, the 24th of Sept 1924. They made their home in Millville, Utah.
The year Father became 81 years old we had a birthday party for him at our home. In 1951 Father became ill and was bedfast many weeks. In May 1952 he came to Pocatello and stayed with Orvin and Lillie for about a month, where they gave him the best of care. Then he came to our house for four weeks, we cared for him and enjoyed his love and kindly spirit. He talked of Mother and their life together, how he loved and appreciated her. He expressed his desire to be with her and said he was ready to go anytime the Lord wanted him. Horace and I and our children were so happy and grateful for the opportunity of having him with us in our home. Our children got to know him better and enjoyed visiting with him. The time he lived in Millville it seemed we weren’t able to visit with him for very long at a time. He was here for Fathers Day 1952. Martha, Clyde, Norma and family came from Utah and spent the day with us. We had a very enjoyable day. The middle of July Father expressed the desire to go back home. Martha’s people were having a reunion at Smithfield, so Horace and I took him there where he met the family. This was the last time we talked to him. A short time after he arrived home he had an accident and had to go to the hospital at Logan. We went to see him, but he was under the influence of a hypo so was unable to know we were there or even talk to us. He did not recover from this accident, and passed away 2 August 1952 at Logan, Utah. He had fallen off a horse and broke his hip.
Father’s callings in the church as given to the High Priest Quorum leader while living in the Millville ward.
Sunday School Supt. Counselor---5 years
Ward Clerk---------------------------9 years
Bishops counselor-------------------4 years
Ward teacher------------------------50 years
Religion class teacher--------------19 years
Genealogical committee------------8 years
Home Mission------------------------6 years
Pres. of choir--------------------------
Sunday Stake Board----------------10 years
Choir member-----------------------30 years
Eccleastical board--------------------6 years
School Board member---------------3 years
Mothers calling in the church were many also but I do not have the years.
Counselor in Relief Society
Chorister in Y.W.M.I.A.
Teacher in Primary
Teacher in Sunday School
Choir Member all her life
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