Born: 3 Jan 1795, Coventry, Chester, Pa, USA
Married: 1810/1815, Chester, Chester, Pennsylvania (Benjamin Harley)
Died: 4 Feb 1834
Parents: Martin Rinehart , Elizabeth Switzer
Profession: Homemaker
Personal Relation: Elizabeth is my paternal great, great grandmother.
A LIFE SKETCH OF ELIZA MINERVA PORTER BIGLER In a pioneer settlement in Northern Arizona, on the banks of the Little Colorado River, was a town named Sunset. Across the river north-east from the present town of Winslow, Arizona. On November 2, 1879 was born to Samuel Uriah Porter and Mary Minerva Porter, just as the bell tolled to tell the people that dinner was ready, a lovely baby daughter. She was given the name of Eliza Minerva for her mother, grandmother, and aunt. Her parents were very glad she had come to bless their home even though her mother was very sick and it was feared that she would not pull through. The priesthood was called, and they gave her a blessing, and the Lord saw fit for her to live. They lived the United Order in the Sunset Fort. Each doing his share of the plowing, harrowing, cording wool, making cloth, cheese, and butter. They lived there until Eliza was nine months old, when her father’s eyes got very sore and it was feared that he would lose his eyesight. It was decided that they should go back to Salt Lake City to seek medical aid. With a cow and a horse pulling the wagon they set out for Utah.
The horse was called “Old Knitting Machine” because the rugs made from a knitting; machine were sold to buy the horse. This machine was given to grandmother by her mother, and was the only Knitting machine in Porterville at the time. When they arrived in Porterville, grandmother traded the Knitting machine for a sewing machine.
Eliza’s mother and aunts were very good seamstresses and Eliza grew to be one also. They lived in Porterville until Eliza was seven years old.The doctors had done all they could for her father’s eyes, so they moved back to Sunset to finish the colonizing mission that he had been called to by Brigham Young to fill.They lived again there for one year, moving then to St. Joseph, now known as Joseph City. Grandfather’s eyes were so impaired that mother had to take over the farm. Mother said that their oxen Jim and Jerry were so lazy and her arms often ached from whipping them trying to keep them going. Uncle Nathan Porter said that she was the best harrowing hand in Joseph City. She never quit till the hard job was done and she could see the big clods of dirt like her father could, while he could see.
Her father was always called the best harrower in the fort. She plowed and planted the cane, corn, wheat and grain and weeded it, cultivating it often, to keep the moisture in, when it was ready to harvest, she did her share of the cutting of the corn and stripping of the cane. The cane was striped, cut and ground and the juice was processed and cooked to make molasses for winter.
In later years she helped Uncle Nathan Porter make many a gallon of molasses and though tiresome, mother enjoyed it. She only went to school to the completion of the 7th grade, but her ambition was to be a nurse, so when she could get a book on that subject: she would read it. Her father had a sister who was a nurse and in those days a nurses hours were 8 to 35 hours or more without a relief. Her father didn’t want her to be one because of the hard work and besides she was needed at home.Evan though she was given a chance to get the training by a friend and all it would have cost was her books and clothes, be forbade. Children in those days were taught to mind, but Eliza never forgot this ambition. When she was twenty years old her mother and father were blessed with their ninth child, Cyril Victoria. In those days the midwife had to travel far and so Eliza delivered the baby for her mother. When the midwife did arrive Eliza had her mother and the baby taken care of. From what she had read she decided that cleanliness at this time was important, so she gave her mother a bath every day.
The midwife got word of this and gave Eliza a good chastising telling her that she would kill her mother. Eliza felt bad about this but her mother assured her she felt better than she had ever felt before with the other children, so she continued with the baths. Through hard knocks and hard work Eliza became a licensed practical nurse. She helped under many doctors in the Gila and Salt River Valleys as well as in the northern part of the state. She loved the work of helping those in pain and who needed help.
As Jesus said “Do good to all men in need or suffering.” The Lord blessed her in her labors and with the Lord’s help she never lost a case. Never receiving pay for her work to speak of, her only pay was seeing the happiness that she brought to others in need physically, mentally, and spiritually. The next six years the family moved to Heber for the summers and Joseph City for the winters to school the children. Eliza helped cut the corn and put up the crops each fall before school. Eliza never had much time for play. She had a beautiful black pony when she was about 16 years old. They were real pals. Mother told it all of her troubles and it seemed to understand.
The wife of the doctor (who said he could help father) wanted the horse, so Eliza’s father asked her about it. Eliza was brokenhearted to part with her pal but she knew that her father needed the help as well as the rest of the family and so she agreed to give him up. In the summer of 1900 mother developed insomnia. She couldn’t sleep night or day. She lost weight and got so weak that the doctors told grandfather and grandmother that he advised a change in climate, for sometimes this would cure the disease. So grandfather wrote his sister Nancy Cluff in the Gila Valley and asked if Eliza could come down and live with her for her help. Aunt Nancy wrote back that she would be glad to have Eliza come and stay for the rest of the summer. So on July 20th her Uncle Ira Porter came from Joseph City with 2 riding horses and a pack horse and they started their trip over the old Apache Trail which the pioneers traveled when they settled that part of the country. It was a very beautiful country, streams cold and clear, with trout in them darting to and fro.
They camped on the banks of the White River one night and had a good trout supper. On July 23rd, three days after they had started they arrived in the town of Central in the Gila Valley, tired but glad to get to their destination at the Cluff Ranch at the foot of the Graham mountains. The climate moved to be a blessing to Eliza for she slept through that night and every night after. The next day being the 24th of July a big celebration was held in Central. Several of Eliza’s cousins lived there ,as well as a brother Wilford. So they went and spent the day having a wonderful time.Eliza began to gain weight and the color began coming back into her cheeks. She asked her uncle which was the best ward in the valley as she wanted to join the best one. He told her the Central ward of course. The young people and the old. So on Sunday she and her brother Wilford attended Sunday School. After the meeting the Bishop, Edsil M. Allred asked her if she would teach theology class with her cousin David Cluff.
This was a surprise, and she said, “Why brother Allred, I’m not a member of the ward yet” but he said “That’s alright you soon will be and your uncle and aunt have recommended you and he is a member of the stake Sunday School board.” She accepted and was put in July 29th 1900, serving for four years. It was July 24th 1901 just one year after she went to the Gila Valley that she met a young returned missionary of the southern states who’s name was William Bigler. He asked to be her escort to the dance that night and from this their friendship grew and developed into love for each other. It was during this courtship mother said that she tasted her first banana, oh what a horrible taste. But she, soon learned to like them. William told her that while he had been on his mission, one night he lay on his bed wondering who he would marry. He made it a matter of prayer and he said that that night he dreamed that he saw her, then that day he had gone to see the program and there she was sitting on the stand. He knew that she was the one he would marry and would be the mother of his children. On March l2, 1902 they were married. at his father’s home by president of the stake Gordon Kimball. As the President of the church advised the young people all to be married first before the journey to Salt Lake to the Temple because it was so far away. They went to Utah by train and on April 10, 1902 they were sealed for time and all eternity in the Temple of the Lord.
They honeymooned in Nelphi, visiting his people for two weeks and having a wonderful time. Mother said that “Then his grand-father saw her he stood looking at her for a while and then turned and said “Why, Willie, why didn’t you marry a woman, not a skin-pole.She’ll never be able to stand hard. work and motherhood.” Mother never forgot this. The Biglers are all large people of German descent. From there they went to Joseph City to see mother’s parents. They stayed four weeks then returned home to Central. Nine children came to bless their home.
Their father had contracted malaria fever while on his mission and every summer for 12 years he would have many spells along with enlargement of the liver. He came near to death several times and the doctors would give him up for dead. But through the power of the priesthood and the faith of his loved ones he was restored to health. The doctors advised mother to take him to a higher climate.
The doctor once said, “tell a Mormon he’ll die and he’ll live in spite of it all. In April, 1923 mother and father packed up their belongings in two wagons, sold their home, and started for Heber, where their oldest daughter lived. They arrived in Clay Springs on April 19, 1923, their oldest son’s birthday and spent the night at the home of one of mother’s old friends, Amanda Rogers Brewer and family. They had a party and candy pull to celebrate. The next day they went to Sunday School and Church and visited end enjoyed the day’s rest. Then on to Heber to their daughter Elva’s and family who were very glad to see them.
They lived the rest of the summer and winter in an old log cabin of Brother James Shelley’s, their son-in-law’s father. Mother set to work chinking up the holes between the logs with mud and straw. She dyed burlap sacks for carpets and put dry straw on the sub floors and dirt floors, covering the knot holes with a piece of board. She stretched the sacks she had sewn together over the straw and tacked it down. She tacked cheese cloth and paper on the walls and ceilings, making a comfortable home for her family. Father end Kenneth worked for the forest service using their beautiful span of horses; Old Prince, Colonel, Babe, and Doll. Mother said they were the envy of all who saw them.
The next spring, 1924, father and mother moved their family to the old Levitt ranch, now known as Burger, or Crandall ranch and helped to farm it. They kept their eyes open for a farm to buy. Fathers health continued to improve day by day. He heard of a homestead that two of the Levitt brothers had, but couldn’t seem to make anything grow on the land they had cleared. Father went to see them about it.They told him if he could make anything grow on the land they would sell it to him for 150.00 and half of the first year’s crop. So Father talked it over with Mother and they decided to try it.
The Lord truly blessed them and they set to work clearing off the cedars, Junipers, rabbit bush, Pinion pine, and regular pine trees. Piling and burning the small branches and sawing the large logs for winter wood. Next came the plowing, harrowing and planting of the seed. Late hours and long ones were spent with Mother and all helping as much as we could. Then a fence was put up to keep the cattle out. The Lord blessed them with a bumper crop and half of the crop was given to the Levitt brothers along with the S50.00, and one tenth of the crop was sold for tithing money.
They built a one room house on the ranch with the closest neighbor 3-miles away. They were happy and thankful to the Lord for his blessings to them. Going to church on Sunday was always Observed. On Sunday a wagon was hitched up with all aboard and they drove 5 miles each way to partake of the sacrament and to renew their covenants with the Lord. It was there in this home that sorrow came to father and mother and family.
Their daughter and sister, Elsie Pearl was called to her heavenly home on April 25, 1925. She had contracted the flu during the first world war and it left her with leakage of the heart and inflammatory rheumatism. Mother knew she had suffered long and the Lord’s will was acknowledged. They laid her to rest in the Heber cemetery on April 27, 1925. Mother and Father knew they would see her in the next world because they had been married in the Holy Temple of The Lord. This fact made it easier for them to bare the load of sorrow placed upon them. Mother always wanted a bigger home but she never complained. Four beds in one room with a huge bin for beans and corn storage for winter under each bed springs placed across the top. In the late spring of 1928, Mother’s dream began to be realized. They dug the trench for the foundation of a new home. Mother helped as well as the children.
With a horse team and wagon, sand, water, cement, and lumber were hauled five miles to make the foundation and then the sub-floors. Finishing nails, lumber etc. were hauled from Holbrook some 50 miles distant. They traded beans or corn for these things needed to build a home. It was when the sub-floors were down that another sorrow came to Mother and family. One that seemed too big to bear. On August 15, 1928 just a little over two years after the death of her daughter, her beloved husband, helpmate, and companion was taken from her (killed by lightning).
Mother had always been taught Thy will not mine be done, so she knew the Lord needed him for another purpose. On August 17, 1928 she laid him to rest beneath the ground and sky he loved so well. Mother knew she had a greater load placed upon her shoulders now, being both Father and Mother to seven children. She was determined that the home they had started would be finished, so with the help of a carpenter, Mr. white,whom she hired, and hard work of all concerned, the home was completed.
Many times she would wonder how the materials needed would be obtained, but the Lord was and is mindful of those who keep his commandments and serve him. This Mother always did, and taught her children to do the same. Mother took in washings and ironing’s to get the essential things of life so badly needed. She spent long hours scrubbing on a scrub board and ironing with the wood irons, six days a week, lots of times. Selling eggs, chickens, butter, milk, and vegetables in season. She taught her children the responsibility of helping to make an honest living and to always do their part and duty to each other and to pay an honest tithing to the Lord.
Three years later sorrow came again to Mother. On July 8, 1931 her mother who had been living with her was called to her heavenly home by death,s angel. A short time later Mother’s youngest daughter was taken ill with polio and spinal meningitis, she was near death many times but through her prayers, the priesthood and the prayers of others she was helped. She devoted her patient care to work to keep things going and all she could to make her child comfortable.
Medicine mounted up the bills to be paid. Never murmuring or complaining, for two years Mother made bread, butter, cheese etc. and other things and sold them to the doctor and others to pay for the bills. This child, through the help of the Lord and priesthood, and faith and prayers and medical care, got well and has a family of her own today. I know this to be true because I am that child.
Five years later sorrow came again on November 29, 1936. The angel of death took her Father, the holder of the Melchezidek priesthood that had been so much strength to Mother. She saw that he was laid to rest beneath the cedar tree they had picked just two weeks before her mother passed away. Mother sensed the absence of her father and priesthood keenly. Many times she would get up when sickness arose and get the consecrated oil and rub over the foreheads and pray to the Lord for his healing power, and many times we were made whole and well. She always taught her children to pray night and morning, in family and in secret prayer. A little over two years later Mother moved from the ranch to Heber, not being able to run the farm by herself and letting her two sons Alma and Laureld and their wives live at the ranch.
Her home in Heber needed and took many hours of hard work and labor to fix it up like she wanted it. But she had spent many hours constantly digging, pounding, painting, planting, and watering until it was a garden of Eden and a paradise to all who came to see it. Mother was told that fruit could not be grown in Heber and this was a challenge to Mother. She planted many fruit trees and flowers around the home to prove that it could be done. With her efforts and courage she used smudge pots at night to save the fruit. Many are the buckets of fruit that have been picked, bottled, and eaten from the trees that they said could not be grown.
She enjoyed working in the soil and having beautiful flowers. Life wasn’t a bowl of cherries for Mother, she was near death many times but the Lord spared her life. It was in March or April of 1955, while mother was smudging the trees to save the fruit, that one of the pots was accidentally tipped over, throwing burning oil over her legs from the knees down, but the spirit said “don’t go to the doctor but put cat-tail and Vaseline on it. This she did. Under no persuasion from her sons would she go to the doctor. They were quite put out at her but later her son Kenneth went to see the doctor, to see if he could get medicine for it and was told that they could be thankful that she would not go , for before they could have gotten her there she would have died of stagnation of the blood (blood clots).
She spent three long months in bed and arm chair before this burn healed enough to spend the winter in Mesa doing Temple work again. In the fall of 1955 she sold her home in Heber to a Despain boy and bought a trailer house from her son ,Kenneth. She brought it to Mesa where she could be near the Temple that she loved so much and not bother anyone as she said. Mother longed to return to live at the ranch and the home which she and her help-mate had worked so hard together to make. She said it made her feel closer to her beloved husband and God. So after taking care of her grandchildren while her daughter was in the hospital, she returned to the ranch home she longed for On June 6, 1956.
The children didn’t want her to be there alone and it was decided that one of the grandchildren would stay with her. Mother thought this an imposition on her part. June 9, 1956 she started cleaning the yards, she couldn’t stand filth, she had. only been there three days when the hands of fate reached out for her in fire. The three homes burned to the ground. She was caught in the bedroom of the big house but managed to crawl out on her hands and knees to the outside. Being badly burned over 75% of her body with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd degree burns and losing consciousness. Mrs Nunn and son coming from Holbrook saw the fire and went to investigate, found her unconscious with her clothes still smoldering. They put out the fire and wrapped Mother in a blanket and left the son there while she rushed to Heber for help.
Her cousins, Jay and Lavine Crandall, and her nephew Junior (Cyril) Porter rushed her to the Holbrook hospital, she walked from the car into the hospital without assistance. Doctor DeMarse looked at her and shook his head and started dressing the burns as best he could. Her sons, Laureld and Alma, arrived and helped some. Then all the children were contacted, The doctor said that he didn’t think that she could live until they could all get there. Sunday morning June 10th all were there but two and they arrived at 5 and 7 PM. Her heart and will were strong. She suffered much that long week. On June 15, 1956 at 4:30 a.m. her husband’s 83rd birth-day, the Lord called this nobel daughter, mother, and wife to her eternal home and the reward she so nobly had earned.
On June 17, 1956, Father’s day she was laid to rest by the side of her beloved husband, daughter and grandchildren who had preceded her,in Heber cemetery, neath the whispering pines,cedars, and the clear blue sky, at the close of a perfect day for those who awaited her over there and what a multitude waited, Mother did the Temple work for about 6,000 people, what a glorious meeting! She was a mid-wife for 56 years, delivering approximately 500 babies into this world. Administering to the sick, those lain to rest and others too numerous to mention, where ever she was called to labor or live. Mother served as 1st councilor in the Relief Society and YWMIA for four years each. Theology teacher for four years. Religion teacher for two years. Visiting teacher in the Relief Society for 63 years. Sunday School kindergarten teacher for 48 years. Secretary of the Relief Society for 18 years.Temple and genealogy worker for 14 years. She has left behind a great posterity of descendants. May we all live worthy to enter that heavenly and great reward as she has so worthily done and as she said before passing.
“Father make my children worthy to enter thy kingdom and sit and stand at thy throne. The thoughts of you, Mother bring memories of sunset, Of laughter and love at the close of the day. I see a small child with her hands clasped before her, as I knelt at your knee while you taught me to pray. When I think of her smile it reminds me of sunlight, Her sweet tender voice like the song of a bird. Mother still rules in the hearts of her children, We treasure your memory, each look and each word. When I think of your hands, once so soft and so dainty, made rough by the toiling for those you loved best. I know that your burden though sometimes too heavy, Was borne without mummer, She would not do less. With courage undaunted though gentle by nature, She blessed our dear home with refinement and cheer. So now I pay tribute to an Angelic Mother, An angel of mercy I shall always hold dear. Now let us pause for a moment, those memories to treasure. My head bows in renewing my promise. To plant my feet firmly and never retreat.”
Story and Poem by Athena Marie Bigler Rogers.
Jacob G. BIGLER was FIRST president of The JUAB STAKE By Preston Nibley Jacob G. Bigler was a convert to the church, a friend and Confidant of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pioneer of Nauvoo, pioneer of Utah, early settler of Nephi and first President of Juab Stake. Jacob G. Bigler was born on a farm in Harrison County, West Virginia, on April 4, 1813. He was the son of Mark and Susanna Ogden Bigler.
The parents and sisters of Jacob Bigler joined the Church in 1837 and the following year the family moved westward to Missouri to unite with the main body of the Saints at Far West. Jacob was baptized at Far West on June 10, 1838. The Bigler family were among the thousands of Latter-day Saints who were driven from Missouri during the winter of 1838-39. They made their way to Quincy, Illinois, where their father died On September 23, 1839. In the spring of 1840 Jacob moved his mother and sisters to Nauvoo, JACOB BIGLER was married to Amy Loretta Chase, on June 18, 1844. He labored on the Nauvoo Temple until he left for the West in the spring of 1846, when he departed with the first company of Saints.
They arrived on the Missouri River in August and Jacob established a home at Council Bluffs (later named Kanesville) until 1852. In 1850 he was elected Probate judge of Pottawattamie County, Iowa. In June, 1852, Jacob Bigler and family joined a company of Saints who were making their way across the plains to Utah. They arrived in Salt Lake City in October, and the following month moved to Nephi, where they established a permanent home. Jacob Bigler was set apart as Bishop of Juab County, by Apostle George A. Smith.(a brother-in-law) shortly after his arrival in Nephi. The following year he was elected a member of the Territorial Legislature and he served in this capacity for six terms, in 1855 he was elected mayer of Nephi. Two years later he was called on a mission to the British Isles. He returned home in 1863, having labored in England, Ireland and Wales. THE Juab Stake Tabernacle was begun in 1860, under the direction of Jacob Bigler and completed in 1865 under the supervision of Bishop Charles H. Bryan.
When Juab stake was organized in 1868, Jacob Bigler was chosen as president. A High Council selected at the same time consisted of the following brethren:
President Bigler served as president of Juab stake until 1871, when he was released to join the Southern Mission. He reached St George, where he learned that he had been elected a member of the Legislative Council and that that body was to meet in January, 1872, in Salt Lake City. He therefore returned home and was released from the southern mission. Jacob Bigler was ordained to the office of patriarch in June 1878. He held this position until his death on February 27,1907, at the age of 93.
My GREAT GRAND FATHER JACOB BIGLER had five sisters, Sarah, Malissa Jane and Bathsheba W. (who married George A. Smith, Grandfather of president George Albert Smith) on 25, July 1841. Matilda, who married John S. Martin,and Nancy, who married Josiah W. Fleming.
Born 26 March 1908, Central, Graham, AZ.
Married 03 April 1934, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, UT (Elvira Audry Dobson)
Died 12 Feb 1985, Provo, Utah, UT
Parents Clarence Mindel Bigler and Edith Vilate Porter
Profession Rancher
From his journals. Written June 19, 1959:
I was born, March 26, 1908 Central, Arizona, Graham County to the parents of Clarence Meudle Bigler, and Edith Vilate Porter. After I was born my parents moved out to Ash Creek, not very far from Central. I was just getting around pretty good. My folks had a wood pile alone to the house with some stumps in it. when mother let me outside to play I went to the wood pile and was going to climb up on one of the big stumps. Suddenly mother came running out and grabbed me down.
Under the stump was a large rattle snake that was really rattling. She called father to come and kill it. As I recall he had a shot gun and there wasn’t much left of the snake to find afterward. Another time I remember my father set steel traps on stumps of trees to catch crows. I watched him set the traps and knew where they were. After he had gone, I went down to one of the traps and could just reach it on the stump.
I caught my fingers in the trap but made enough noise that they came and got me out. My grandfather came out to the farm to see the folks and was hauling sand with a wagon and terra for my father. I came down where he was shoveling and walked up behind him. He didn’t know I was there and as he came back with the shovel he hit me in the head and made it bleed. My mother came to see what was the matter with me and my grandfather told her what had happened. I was always in the right place at the wrong time.
One time I remember my father came in out of the field with his team of horses, a bay and a black, and took them to the well for water. I wanted a ride, so he put up on one to rids to the correll. He had the harness fixed so T could hang on the harness knobs. When we got part way to the Carrell the horse decided to lay down and roll. As he started down my mother saw him and came running and hollering, but as he started to turn over I could sat my feet on the ground and I got off and ran out of the way. I was one seared kid. The first circus I ever saw I still remember. My father hitched the team to the buggy and drove to town. I don’t remember how many miles it was, but I remember the circus leader coming down the road ahead of the parade telling everyone to hold their horses since all horses mere afraid of elephants, My father and an uncle had a large heard of goats away out on the mountains.
My father took me with him one time and I had a wonderful time with the goat kids. While I was there I came down with the measles and dad made me a bed on a load of Wood and we came home. Mother gut me to bed and called a doctor, and I made it again. As I grew older the folks moved into the town of Central for me to go to school. There they had a store and I got all the candy I could eat untill I made myself sick. I don’t care much for it even today. We didn’t live very far from the church house where they held all the socials. One night my father and mother put me to bed and told me where they ware going. I Woke up later andt didn’t find anyone home, so I left the house and started for the church in my pajamas.
One of the neighbors saw me coming and went in and told my mother, who was dancing. She caught me before I got to the door, so I didn’t get very far at my first dance. Then I started school I made two grades the first year and then two more the second year, but after that they would only let me take one. I was never very big, so I had quite a time with the bullies. I made up the difference a time or two and after that I got along good with them all.
As I grew older I got a job cutting wood for the school, so much a cord. I kept warm twice. Another time the town baseball team took me with them to play ball. They got me a suit and did I think I rated, even if all I could do was chase balls for them. My father and mother both worked in the church. Father was the ward clerk for years. Mother worked in the Primary and religion class, where I learned much. I learned to dance at church, for which I thank my parents. I went to church early and loved it. I remember when I was baptized in my uncle George’s pond it was nice. Brother King baptized me and was confirmed by my grandfather.
Later I became a deacon and got to pass the sacrament and gather fast offerings. Sometimes I would get flour, bacon, sugar or some commodity instead of money to take to the bishop, Edsel Allred. My parents decided to move to Glenbar, Arizona, so of course my brothers Carl, Albert, Woodrow, and I went with them. I had one brother, Ralph, next to me, who died from diptheria October 8, 1913.
We liven in Glenbar for three years and farmed . After a while my father sold Rawleigh products and traveled a lot. Sometimes he would take me with him. One time we stopped at a farm house overnight and had supper with the family. The people liked to joke, and in their sugar bowl they had a teaspoon with a hole in the bottom that let the sugar out. I gave it a try and didn’t get much. Another time I was helping a neighbor with his bees, extracting honey. I got in the wrong trail and the bees really gave me a run for my money. I fell down and I’m sure none of them went by without stopping. Finally the neighbor care with the smoker and got them off. I was sore a long time from that experience.
In the fall of 1921 we sold our stock except two teams and wagons and one saddle horse and headed for New Mexico across the Apache reservation where they tried to trade their horses for my saddle We traveled 3 to 4 weeks passing through the Zunia reservation and others. We passed through the White Mountains., a beautiful trip. It was there I saw my first flying squirrel, which I shot to make soup. we never killed anything unless we needed it for food. I was taught never to kill anything needlessly, for God made animals for people to eat, that really needed food.
In the late fall we arrived at Kirtland, New Mexico where we stayed until school was out. I was In the eighth grade there. While in Kirtland us kids would go to Primary and religion classes as well as Sunday School. It was here that I was ordained a teacher in the Aaronic priesthood, and my sister, Bessie, was born. I got a job with a Mr. Palmer, he made adobe bricks and burned them into red bricks like they have in a lot of older homes. We would make sometimes 7,000 a day. That’s where I learned to love ,the Indiana, the Navajos. This was at ShipRock, the Indian Agency. I had lots of fun with them. They gave me the name of Mountain Bear and Mountain Lion.
Another time I lived at Farmington, New Mexico, a place where lots of indians traded for goods. Some of them could drive four little horses on an empty wagon. It looked like they were always on a trot. I’d go down by the tracks and listen to them talk. I worked for a fellow named McClucus, who read water meters on the river for the government. There I trapped and helped him and went to school. One time I was out for a week because I surprised a skunk and he surprised me. Finally I led him to the river and drowned him.
Mr. McClucus had some nice horses and I would run horse races with the Indians on their Big Day. One day a neighbor boy wanted to ride the mare that we were going to run against the indians, so. the boss let him try. He started second at the starting line and held the mare back. The Indians got a big lead on him, but finally he loosened up on the reins and she began passing them up and was only half a neck from the lead at the finish.
We moved on into Colorado (Kline), where I met the most remarkable family. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Glispie, better known the country around as Uncle Bob because of his friendliness and hospitality. He taught me that the great pleasures of live Come from helping other people. To do unto the other fellow that which you would have him do to you. I have tried to follow his example and have received much pleasure in doing it.
We moved again, this time into Utah in 1928 where we lived in Bountiful. We kids did farm work while dad sold mattresses for a company in Salt Lake. Our darling mother kept house and got our meals and lunches with the rest of us helping her when we could. She was such a wonderful mother kind, patient, gentle and sympathetic with us all.
I got a job before and after school working for Dip. Carter. I would got up at 4 o’clock in the morning and cut asparagus until train time, then go to school. In the evening we would gather all kinds of vegetables and wash then bunch them for the Central Market in Salt Lake City. We helped build a church and a recreation hall in bountiful, then later we moved to Delta where we had a cream station and did other odd jobs while we went to school. We helped build another church here. My sister Christa was born in Delta.
Finally we left Utah in an old car and came to Wyoming in 1928 and settled in Burlington. We farmed there and that winter was very cold and stormy. The old house we lived in was like a barn, Every time a storm came streaks of snow were across every floor about a foot apart. The rugs would flop and the curtains would blow. We stayed one season, then left and went to Oregon and Idaho. I came back, but father has never been back since.
It was in Burlington that I met my wife, who was teaching school. We worked in the Mutual together and later became engaged. While we were engaged she decided she wanted to become a nurse, so we waited five years before we were married at the Salt Lake temple. Our wedding date was April 3, 1934 and we have been together most of the time since then, except when I had to go away to work.When we were first married I worked at Emmett Idaho on a ranch. Ella took care of an apartment house for us a place to live. That was in the depression of the 1930’s. Top wages were $30 a month with board, but the Lord has blessed us all the way through with the necessities. In 1935 Charmayne was born in Emmett, Idaho. Ella’s mother had come out from Burlington and took care of us. She was one of the most beautiful persons in soul you would ever meet. Unselfish, kind, cheerful and patient. In all my acquaintance with her I have never heard her speak an unkind work to anyone or about anyone. Her whole life has been one of service to others.
Later we moved to Basin, Wyoming where Ella’s mother was. Grandma was very ill and they called us to come. We’ve never gotten away since, not enough money. We stayed with Ruth and Clarence Eastman and I worked at Woodruff & Bon beanery. Here at Basin on January 13, 1937, our second girl was born, Alice Gayleen. She contacted the flu and died 11 days later on January 24, 1937. It was a great loss to us, but understanding the gospel as we did we knew she would still be ours in the next world. We feel proud to have such a wonderful daughter that God loved her so much that he called her back home when her life was in the bud.
I was put in as second counselor in the superintendency of the Sunday school and in charge of the ward teachers of the Basin Branch of the church. Brother Clinton Black was bishop, Elden Kinghorn and Alfred Whyte were counselors. February 28, 1937 we moved south of Basin 6 miles and started work on a ranch for William Spencer. We went to our first ward teachers meeting, Mar. 3, at Eldon Kinghorns home. We had good attendance. In looking over the years of life and counting blessings, I can say that very little sickness have I had in my life due to the teachings of my parents to keep the word of wisdom. by example they taught moderation in all things is essential in keeping good health.
As a boy my favorite sports were horseback riding, baseball and swimming, basketball and dancing. We all had work to do at home after school and my first chores were to carry in little buckets of chips and wood for the fire. Later I milked the cows and fed the pigs and chickens. As I grew older I helped do general ranch work with father. March 11, 1937, made a frame for my wife’s mirror and played with the baby, who was always ready to help do things in her way. I was a lover of animals, especially dogs and horses. I would take all the stray dogs home with me that I could find and feed them. One time I picked up a valuable trail hound that got lost on the river from a man who used him for trailing fox and coyotes. He was glad to get him back. I traded a little dog I had one time for a ticket to the circus because the manager wanted him.
March 12, 1937 – Helped clean the yards and straightened things up around the house so people could tell someone lived there. We are judged lots of times by the way our place looks and our yards. March 18 came up to the place where I lived and burned weeds, hauled manure. March 20 had Charmayne’s foot lanced at the doctor’s in Basin. It had a gathering on it. Also helped my wife plant her garden seeds in hot beds. March 22 – Butchered a hog at Mr. Spencers place and hauled manure. Tuesday we spread fertilizer and put a drag together and a harrow. March 28 – My family and I went to the Sunday Easter program then brought my two sisters-in- laws and families out, and also my wife’s mother, for Easter dinner which we had in connection with a birthday party for my sister-in-law, Ruth Eastman, and myself. After dinner I took Ruth’s families back to town and then went to sundayThermopolis mineral springs where I left my wife and baby, sister and mother-in-law, to take treatments for their ailments.
My nephew Richard Eastman went with me. Coming back we were so sleepy that we got on the wrong road and had to turn back 24 miles to get on the right one, but we made It all right anyway even if it was late at night. On the road we saw one of the most beautiful pictures – a mirage of the moon, It was something very unusual to see. The moon coming up threw a reflection on a line of clouds a short way above the horizon that made it look as though we were going to drive into a lake. Finally the moon came up and spoiled the scene. March 29 I started batching with Ella gone. I didn’t care much for it because it was lonesome, so I bought a good dog for company.
April 1 – Received a paycheck and went to town to pay my bills and tithing. The Lord pours out great blessings to us if we pay our tithes and offerings. If you pay your bills when you agree to you make friends and can get help when you need it. Honesty is of very great importance in our lives. It wins strangers, for they will trust you. Appreciation goes a long way as you travel along life’s highway. Truthfulness goes hand in hand with these other factors which make or help to make great characters. A thing which all admire in a person. So let it be said of me that I am honest, appreciative. truthful and considerate of others.
April 5 – went to Thermopolis to see my wife and baby. I took Ruth and family with me. Wednesday went to ward teachers meeting at Bro. Kinghorns where we had refreshments after meeting.
Friday April 9, my wife and baby came home after being gone for two weeks. I certainly was glad to have then back after batching that long. Sunday went to sunday school and church where they held a special meeting to see whether or not we build a church house. We voted for one, as God asks nothing but what he prepares a way to accomplish it.
April 13 – planted potatoes
April 12 – made a scrap book with the help of my wife.
April 24 – helped the boss plant sugar beets. Thursday we set an old hen. Saturday night corralled my neighbors horses for him until morning.
May 4 – Planted potatoes and garden. We had Grandma Dobson and Ruth and family out for Mother’s Day dinner, also a deaf and dumb man. I had to irrigate, so I didn’t get to go to the program, but stayed home. Brother Kinghorn’s daughter got me a carnation just the same.
May 17 – started planting beans for Mr. Spencer.
May 13 – took an unfortunate man in who was deaf and dumb and gave him a bed for a night and his meals for a day or two and let his rest up. He had an assortment of things to sell for his living. I bought 82.50 worth of stuff to help him. I get a great deal of pleasure out of being able to help someone.
May 22 – helped put the new roof on. Fixed the sprinklers that irrigated bean ground.
May 27 – I bought a heifer from Mr. Kinghorn for $80 and she freshened
June 1. She brought we a nice black heifer calf. I gave Mr. Spencer a dollar for hauling her home.
May 30- Went up to Lou and Lotties. They gave the baby a bum lamb that we took home. My cow gave about 8 gals. of milk a day her first calf. which was very good.
The latter part of May and up until June 11 it was quite unsettled weather. Lots of farms got their hay rained on.
We started haying June 14 and finished June 23.
June 14 – Started doing chores for Mr. Glen Small for a week while he went to Billings Montana for treatments from a doctor there. He hasn’t felt well for some time. He is also a ditch rider on the Big Horn canal and a very good neighbor.
June 23 -. I came after my wife to take care of their mother who was very ill. Grandmother Dobson came and kept house for my baby and I until she returns. We sure miss her, but doing good to others and helping others gives her great pleasure. She has always been liked and appreciated for nursing work, which she enjoys. I haven’t written for several years, so will make a few notes to fill in the gap. After working for Mr. Spencer for a year we went to work for Mr. Pete Pederson close to where we had lived. We worked for him for-four years then quit for various reasons. Later we went to Lovell to the Brick and ‘file company, but came back to Basin where we are still staying. We rented different places and tryed farming but didn’t do so well. Even with all my mistakes and ups and downs my good wife stayed by and helped though it was hard on her. I am thankful for her help and counsel. She always held up her part.
After renting several years we bought a small place close to Manderson, Wyoming, which we still have. It isn’t big enough for us now because the Lord blessed us with a large family and the best children he had. We are proud of them all. Thus far all the children have gone to Manderson school. Charmayne graduated, went to the “Y”, for a year and is now married and has a nice family. Edith Mae graduates this year, 1958, and planed on going to BYU this fall. She is a great leader in Mutual or wherever she is.
Our prayer is that she will marry a boy of her own faith and be married in the temple. One who lives his religion and honors his priesthood, who can give her the spiritual protection she needs to work in the church and get the most pleasure out of life. If she doesn’t her life will not be so happy and successful. We are proud of the others – Donna who works for St. Claire down by Worland, A fine girl. The boys are scouts and deacons. Dale is a very fine boy and is working for his individual awards in priesthood and scouting. Perie and Bill are scouts now, March 28, ’88. I have been working for Jefferson Lake Sulpher Co. for 3 years, not far from home. The boys and mother run the place. We raise and some hay.
9th October, 1957 I was made secretary of the Mutual and also of the Elders Quorum. In 1958 I was made second counselor in the Sunday school, also snout committeeman for the scouts and welfare representative for the elders quorum. I was thankful for these jobs. When I do the Lord he will help me when I need him.
Edwin, who represents us in the Navy and in the church, is doing a fine job.
1958 has been quite a year. I had my first operation at Worland hospital, Edith got married, I got to go to the scout camporee and jamboree in the big horn mountains, Tom and Charmayne had another daughter giving us two granddaughters. All the boys were in 4H this year. Dale started in FFA this fall. I was put in the Sunday School superintendency for the second time. I have a fine group to work with – Ross Wardell and Lester Snider, Lova Kinghorn and Iva Henderson.
I am also a ward teacher with Dale along with other jobs. I was also 4-H leader for 4 years. I go tomorrow for a check-up at Worland. Andy Anderson is my doctor. I was going to California to see the folks there when my vacation came, but it got too stormy. We had a very nice Christmas, 1958. All were home except Charmayne and family. Edwin and Helene came from California, Donna came from St. Clair’s at Worland. We all got lots of nice presents. The Lord was kind to us and protected us through the holidays. Mother and Donna went after Edwin and Helene at Rawlins, but they had taken a plane by the time they got there. It was a hard drive for mother and Donna. Helene was ill most of the time she was here. I took any vacation and used one week doing things around the place and going to Burlington with mother to genealogy and the other week I went to Lovell to Aunt Mae Faith Porter’s genealogy on my mothers side. June 15, 1959.
I am still working at the sulpher plant. Charmayne & Tom and family came out from Calif. to help me spend a happy vacation and will stay a week with us. I wish they were closer so we could see them more often and the dear children. We are thankful for them and also for the kindness of Tom’s father and mother. We are proud of their fine church record and the records of each of our children this far in life. Today we plan on goigenealogyng up Tensleep canyon, June 19, 1959. We will have a picnic and the kids who want to can fish. I plan to go on the 20-21 to see my stepmother in Salt Lake, who is ill. At 90 years old She has had to slow up a little. She has been a good mother. I plan also to get all the geneology I can concerning her and her family.