Line of Grandma Ellen Clark

Daniel Clark

Great Great Grandfather to Vonnie Elison Ellis

Birth Date: 25 Oct 1815 Birth Place: Colchester, Essex, England Parents: William and Catherine Nichols Clark Death Date: 28 Aug 1864 Death Place: Near Alda, Hall, Nebraska Spouse: Elizabeth Gower Marriage Date: 27 Oct 1839 Marriage Place: St. Mary Magdalen Parish, Colchester, Essex, England Spouse's Parents: William and Elizabeth Nunn Gower Spouse's Birth Date: 20 Feb 1819 Spouse's Birth Place: Little Badadow, Essex, England Spouse's Death Date: 28 Oct 1882 Spouse's Death Place: Richville, Morgan, Utah Died while crossing the plains with the William Hyde Co. 1864 . Daniel 's father died when he was two years old and his mother died when he was six. His maternal grandmother raised him and his brother William . Their father was a shoemaker whose father and grandfather were also shoemakers, thus with Daniel it made four generations of shoe makers. Daniel loved music and developed his talents at every opportunity. He learned to play the concertina, the fife, and several other instruments. He had a good voice and loved to sing. In 1851 , young missionary Charles Penrose entered their lives and Daniel and Elizabeth were converted. They became very active in the Colchester branch of the Church. This brought on much persecution by former friends and acquaintances, even affecting his business. The children were no longer allowed to attend school but were taught at home. They finally left in the middle of the night and went to live with Elizabeth 's parents. They determined to go to America . They sent the three oldest girls first and then saved money to take the rest of them. They finally were able to leave England in 1864 . The voyage was extremely difficult. By the time they got to Wyoming , cholera was raging in the companies and Daniel was not immune. He became a victim by the Platte River near Grand Island and was buried there. Children: Elizabeth Frances , b. 17 Sep 1840 , Colchester, Essex, England . Md. 7 Jun 1862 , Caleb Ebenezer Crouch (Div). D. 25 Jun 1872 , Ogden, Utah . Sarah Annie , b, 27 Mar 1842 , Colchester, England . Md. 24 Dec 1861 , Grantsville, Utah . D. 7 Sep 1918 , Logan, Utah . Rebecca Angelina , b. 13 Mar 1844 , Colchester, England . Md. 22 Nov 1861 , Thomas John Stayner . D. 27 Aug 1917 , Bountiful, Utah . Daniel , b. 13 Jul 1846 , Colchester, England . D. Nov 1846 . Ellen Victoria , b. 6 Jan 1848 , Colchesteer, England . Md. 19 Aug 1865 , Alma Helaman Hale . D. 8 Mar 1940 , Groveland, Idaho William Gower , b. 26 Mar 1850 , Colchester, England . D. 26 Apr 1850 . Catherine , b. 7 Sep 1851 , Colchester, England . Md. 21 Dec 1868 , David Coolbear . D. 12 Jun 1922 , Morgan, Utah . Arthur Benjamin , b. 22 Mar 1854 , Barking, Essex, England . Md. 7 Dec 1874 , Helen Margaret Ross . D. 26 Jul 1917 , Blackfoot, Idaho . Rosa Emeline , b. 14 Jun 1857 , Barking, England . Md. 22 Feb 1875 , George Hammond . D. 18 Jan 1941 , Grantsville, Utah . Frederick William , b. 19 Dec 1859 , Barking, England . Md. 25 Jun 1885 , Emma Sophia Robinson . D. 21 Aug 1949 , Richville, Utah . Janet Ralph
Conquerors of the West

Life History of Ellen Victoria Clark Hale

Ellen is Vonnie Elison Ellis’ great grandmother

Married to Alma Helman Hale

In Essex, England, there is a little village called Colchester, where lived a boy by the name of Daniel Clark. His parents died when he was very young; his father when he was two years of age and his mother when he was six years. After their death Daniel and his brother, William, who was only eleven months older then he, went to live with their mother's parents, Nichols by name. They were taught trades of shoe-making and carpentering—Daniel became the shoemaker.

When Daniel became a man he married Elizabeth Gower, of Baddon, England. They made their home in Colchester where they lived very simply and appreciated the Father's blessings to his people here on this earth. Five daughters and four sons came to this humble home to brighten it and make it lovely with their laughter. For all these babies, each one in his turn, a mission was planned, a mission which would take each one into a different path, give each one a different view of life and each a different understanding of life's mission here on earth.
The first daughter came to them about 1840 and was given the name of her mother, Elizabeth F. then Sarah A. was born about 1842. Rebecca A, the third was born about 1844. The first son, who was to carry his father's name Daniel, born about 1846. But his mission was not planned to be fulfilled on this earth, he had a greater one to fulfill on the other side and so he died at the age of ten months. Then came the one whom this history is written, Ellen Victoria Clark born the 6th day of January 1848. Named for the Queen of a great empire, she likewise had a great mission to fulfill. Little did this tiny babe know that hardships, sorrows, and joys she would be called to endure while fulfilling her life's mission; where it would take her and greatly she would be blessed.
While still in Colchester, another son named William was born, about 1850. He also had a great mission to fulfill on the other side, and so at the age of four weeks, he left this life to join his brother. In 1852 another daughter, Katherine, was born.
In 1852, when Ellen was four years old, three men came to Colchester and made themselves known as Elders Charles W. Penrose, Thomas St. Alner, and Henery Herriman. They said they were missionaries for the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints sent into the world to preach the Gospel to all the people of the Earth. These three missionaries aroused great feelings among the People of Colchester, many turned against them but through tireless efforts they won the and confidence of the people and converted a great many Saints, among them Daniel Clark, his wife and children. Also his wife's father and mother. The three Elders were invited to the
Clark home and the members of the family listened to the greatest sermons and stories they had ever yet heard. Elder Penrose took the little ones upon his knees, telling them stories from the Bible and explaining the pictures to them. It was thus that Ellen learned her first Sunday School lessons--the lessons that brought the fulness of the Gospel to her. It was the love of this religion which developed in her heart and guided her in all her work and helped her to endure many hardships which later found her.
Because her parents belonged to the so-called Mormon church, Ellen was not allowed to attend school when she became six years of age. But because she could not go to school did not stop her from studying. By looking at the pictures in the Bible and remembering the stories Elder Penrose taught her she finally was able to spell out the words, then a sentence, a verse, and then a chapter of the Old Testament. She read the story in it, finally reading the whole book. A copy of the Old Testament could always be found in her apron pocket, even while at work. Later in years she read Doctor Books, from which she obtained a great knowledge of diseases, their cause and the treatment or cure. She also read books on nursing which became of great value to her later.
In 1854, at the age of six years, her family moved to Barking, England. Two sons were born at this place, Arthur Benjamin, 1855 and Fredrick, 1862, and one daughter, Rose Emeline, 1856.
In Barking at the age of eight, Ellen helped in a Bakery shop, later working out to care for children and do small chores. At the age of eleven she worked in an Inn in Relford, not far from Barking, where she was first a nurse maid and then later did part of the housework. She stayed in this place for three years and ten months, then went to London where she worked in a large four story house doing general housework for nearly two years.
At the end that time they made arrangements for the family to join a company of Saints who were leaving England for Utah. At 11 o'clock on May 1st, in 1864, a beautiful spring night, the family embarked in the sailing ship called Husdon, where they found themselves with 1100 people, a great part of them on their way to Utah. Some of them never realized their hopes of reaching that state; some found sorrow by losing loved ones with the black measles, and they were buried at sea; while others found great joy through meeting people of the church and songs were sung. This was the happy lot of Ellen and the family… escaping all thought of serious sickness or sorrow. Thus after seven weeks of sea life they landed at the Customs House in New York.
The Civil War was being fought at that time, and emigrants, not wishing to find themselves in the hands of the soldiers, went up the Hudson River on a flat boat into Canada, then down to Chicago, Illinois, and took a train from there to the Missouri River. Their camp grounds of one night was used for a battleground the next morning.
They camped on the Missouri River for two weeks, preparing for the journey across the plains, making wagon covers and tents. The water was very bad and caused many to be sick. The first night in camp, Ellen's father was called as guard. The cold dampness from the Missouri River caused a sickness which confined him to bed.
A company was organized with William Hyde as Captain. They were met by a group of wagons with teams, sent by the Church in Salt Lake City to get freight for the stores. After all the
preparations were made the Company started. The wagons were loaded to the top of the double beds with merchandise, leaving only room for the families under the bows. Thus they traveled for weeks. Her father being ill, Ellen, at the age of 16 took his place, driving the team by day and sleeping on a sheepskin under the wagon at night. She walked the thousand miles across the plains, and rode on the tongue of the wagon across streams. After 26 days they landed at the first crossing of the Platt River in Nebraska.
The next morning at 8 o'clock her father died from cholera fever, contracted on the Missouri River. While the men dug his grave at the side of the trail and dedicated it, the women wrapped his body in quilts to prepare it for burial. No songs were sung, and without a stone to mark his grave, he was laid away. Brush was scattered over the top to hide it from the Indians, and at 9 o’clock the remainder of the company moved on leaving the grave in the hands of the Father who watches over all, even those in the seas and the plains. Ellen had her first taste of real sorrow here and she was taken from the grave of her father whom she loved as a companion and a guide.
And so the company moved on; traveling for many weary months over the hot, sandy deserts, watching for the great Rocky Mountains to come into view—the mountains which marked the place they would call home.
Many strange sights they passed, and awful ones--places where massacres had taken place and little mounds of earth left to tell the story--burial grounds of the pioneers before them. They found log cabins demolished where the pioneers were driven out. The skulls of animals killed to feed the Indians of pioneers before them.
Only once was the Company with which Ellen traveled molested by the Indians. Seventy-five of them came to their camp near the Black Hills but their cries were quieted by giving them salt pork.
They experienced hunger, cold, heat, sorrow, and gladness. It was a dreary journey, for they could not sing around the campfire at night, play games or do much cooking for fear of Indians. They trudged beside the wagons from the break of day until late at night. Surely when moving they could sing "Come, Come Ye Saints” for even though they were on their way to Zion to live among the Saints they needed encouragement to endure the hardships that were heaped upon them. Fourteen of their company died while crossing the plains. Ellen's shoes were completely worn out and became necessary to wear her father's large ones the rest of the journey.
One morning the great Rocky Mountains came into view and there was great rejoicing among the company of Saints, for they could see the landmarks of Zion. The mountains grew and each morning they would measure the distance until at last in October of 1864, they landed in Salt Lake City. Upon arriving in Salt Lake, Ellen went immediately to Grantsville, about fifty miles south-west, to live with her married sister Sarah. Her mother had the dropsy while crossing the plains and was still ill upon reaching Salt Lake. She stayed with another sister who had made her home in the city. There she met a man by the name of Wood, whom she later married, going with him to Morgan to live.
Rose, Ellen's youngest sister, married George W. Hammond of Grantsville. Her brother Arthur, married Helen Ross, Mary Rasmussen, Marinda Griffiths, and Ethel Shirley. He died in 1917 through injuries received by his car going over an enbankment on "Concord Dugway" on the South Fork of Snake River. Her brother Fred, married Emma Robinson and made Morgan his home. Kate married David Coolbear, Sarah married Alma Helaman Hale. Rebecca married Tom Stainer; Elizabeth married Caleb Ebenezer Crouch and lived in Morgan. Ellen lived with Sarah from October 1864 until August 1865. During that time she joined the L.D.S. Tabernacle Choir which was instructed by Brother George Careless, practicing in a cellar by the light of a lamp. In 1865 she married her sister's husband Alma H. Hale. Some months later, when her husband was called to perform a mission in the Eastern States, he gave her a home of her own in Grantsville, where she lived for 22 years. Besides singing in the choir, she also found a part of her mission in life-caring for the sick, acting as doctor and nurse. Helping mothers with babies was the task she found her greatest joy in doing. She put into practice the lessons she had learned from the doctor, books she had read, and she loved nothing better then to watch the cure of the patients she nursed. Many loved her for her tireless efforts and unerring hand.
In 1887 she moved to Gentile Valley with her family where she was called to work as president of the Primary, in which capacity she held for twelve years.
At first she had a two room log house, then the boys built a five room house. Many Saints gathered here for Sunday dinner, to visit and enjoy the wonderful spirit there. Many outings such as the 24th of July celebrations were held in the canyon not far from their home.
During these years in Gentile Valley she spent most of her time caring for the sick, going to Soda Springs (27 miles away) and down to Treasureton and Mink Creek (about 20 miles away). The valley was narrow, being about four miles wide. She would be gone several weeks at a time, waiting on mothers and bringing babies into the world--about 80 babies.
Her home was always open to friends, a favorite meeting place. She found time to attend and help with church social, quilting bees and rag bees. She carried on her work of nursing, watching children recover from long illnesses, caring for mothers and babies, fighting to keep life in their little bodies. She would work tirelessly for hours to finally see them open their eyes or drop into healthy sleep. Can a greater mission than this be fulfilled? Being of such great service to others? Yes, it was decreed in Heaven that we would be placed here on this earth to multiply and replenish it. And this, her greatest mission, she has worthily fulfilled. Six sons and two daughters she raised to manhood and womanhood. She worked for them, loved them and cared for them, prayed for them, and sung to them. Always ready to heed their call. Slow to anger and quick to see their wants and needs. She has made them God-fearing and taught them to love all mankind. She has made them worthy citizens of this nation and God's Kingdom.
Three years after her marriage her first baby was Edgar, by name, in 1868; then in 1869, Aroet Clinton; Arthur in 1871, Franklin George in 1874, Alvin Wilford in 1879; and Eugene Clark in 1886; two daughters, one Rose, born in 1876, died at the age of twenty years; and then Zina Emeline, born in 1888. Four of these sons grew to manhood and married while in Gentile Valley. Edgar married Emma Seamons; Aroet married Elizabeth Seamons; and later after her death Martha Olson; Franklin married Cora Hammond; Arthur, married Alice Jacobson.
In 1907 Ellen and her three remaining children moved to Groveland, three miles northwest of Blackfoot, Idaho, where she carried on her loved work of nursing, especially for her children and grandchildren. Alvin married Julia, Eugene married Sylvia Jensen, and Zina married Melvin Barrus.
Every year on Christmas day her sons, daughters and grandchildren gathered at her home to see "Santa Claus". Her home was always open to them or any one outside of the family. They were always greeted with the same glad smile and welcome hand. Her flower garden, in which she took great pride and where she spent many hours until 1924. When she moved to Logan with her son Alvin, where she lived enjoying her books and visiting with her family. She always read many books, we remember that she was still reading novels, love stories, etc. at the age of 80 without glasses. While in Logan she helped out many times by doing dishes, cooking, ironing, folding office towels and etc.
In 1936 she came to Groveland where she spent the summer. Late in May 1938 she returned to Logan where she spent the remaining one year and 10 months of her life.
She died at the age of 92 in March, 1940 after an illness of about three weeks, which was caused by a stroke. Her many friends gathered here to pay their last respects to her and a beautiful service was rendered. She was buried in the Groveland Cemetery on March 11, 1940. In 1932 her grandchildren numbered 52 and her great grandchildren 54. Has anyone fulfilled life's mission more completely? Can anyone meet his or her maker and have Him say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant," as well as she? No sweeter grace or nobler character could be found in anyone than in her.