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Jonas History: Preface to Jonas History

Many years ago, I obtained a copy of Carvel Lee Jonas’ book that he wrote on our particular Jonas family.  I cannot seem to find my copy of the book now, but about 10 years ago I typed up most of it.  I am going to make it available with full credit to him.  Hopefully we can build off his research.  I removed Carvel’s home address and phone number off this preface.  If you wish to contact him, please contact me.  Further, I hope you will take the spirit of his preface to heart.  If you have stories to add, documents to share, or corrections, please make them know.  The sooner the better as time is our enemy when it comes to history.
“The Joseph Jonas clan of Utah (including – early Jonas family history; early Nelson family history)”
“After more than four years of research and compiling I am thrilled to offer this Jonas family history book to family members.  The more family members distribute this history book to other members, the more likely the history will survive into the future.  This is your book!  Use it to create greater family unity.  When thoughtfully read the reader will discover a wonderful spirit which is associated with this history.  To get that feeling it may need to be read more than once. 
“This history book was no easy task!  Information was collected from all over Utah, and also from Washington, Nebraska, Michigan, and Germany.  We are blessed as a family to have the Jonas family pedigree from Germany, which was finally discovered in 1985.  A feeling came to me that the records were in existence, and it was possible to trace the family surname back to Europe.  In the process of looking for clues to extend that pedigree, I discovered that I had collected a considerable amount of information.  Land records, church records, county records, census records, etc.  The idea came to me that since I had so much information I might as well collect all that I could and make a history book.  I collected more information and talked to older members of the family so that I could get to know the personal stories about different members of the family.  I’d write down everything that I was told.  When I finally had enough information I put it all into one story.  Then I would get more information and rewrite the story again.  Finally I added my research and some logical conclusions which would feel correct to the stories and rewrite them again.  A special thank you to Verla Jonas Andersen Lythgoe for her willingness to answer my questions and tell me stories about Joseph and Annette Josephine Nelson Jonas.  She is the main reason we have a story for them.  When she was younger she would get my grandfather, William Nelson Jonas, and her mother, Rosa Nelson Jonas, together in the same room and quiz them about Joseph and Annie Jonas.  Because she asked questions and because of her good memory we now have a wonderful story about Joseph and Annie Jonas.  I remember taking all the letters that cousin Verla had sent to me, and putting all the information into a short story.  Then I went to cousin Verla with the story and asked her what her opinion was.  She corrected a part and eventually added more to the story.  I added my personal impressions and finally typed the last revision.  That is how the story of Joseph and Annie Jonas came into existence.
“The following persons gave information to me so I could write the individual life stories found in this book.
“Verla Jonas Anderson Lythgoe; Merlin Jonas Andersen; Lillian Jonas Talbot; Joseph H. Jonas; Spencer Jonas;  Carvel Thompson Jonas; Vaughn Thompson Jonas; Annette Nelson Brown; Mabel Jonas Parvi; Mr. And Mrs. Otto Hansen; Armina Jonas Farnes; Calvin Andersen Jonas.  Also, the autobiography of August Nelson and the biography of Christian Andersen were used and quoted when they applied to our direct family line.  It should be noted that the life stories were written by a person who had never met anyone he wrote about.  I never even met my grandfather, William Nelson Jonas, except as a small child.  I relied on the documents which I found and the memories of the above mentioned family members.  If there is a comment about something you read it is up to you to take the responsibility and let me know about it.  This is not intended to be the last edition of this history.  It is hoped that when more information comes from you, the family member, that there will be a future edition. 
“This history was reproduced in an inexpensive way to assure that a copy may be given to every member of the family regardless of their financial situation.  Perhaps a future edition will be professionally bound.  Also, this book is designed so that you may add your personal history to this book.  An attempt was not made, and will not be made by me, to write stories for those who are still living.  Their stories would be better stories if you wrote them yourselves.  I’ve left the responsibility for your own personal histories to you. 
Sincerely,
Carvel Lee Jonas
West Jordan, Utah
84084
26 October 1987
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2017 Family Portrait

Ross Family, July 2017

I realized I never shared this photo and little James turns two years old this month.

Here is our July 2017 Ross family portrait.  We shared it on Facebook and other social media, but here it is for my website.

Paul, Amanda, Aliza, Hiram, Lillian, and James Ross.  This is at Dad’s place with some amazing dandelions in seed along with the 1956 Dodge Coronet.  Fun times under the apricot tree, outhouse in the background.

I am a lucky man!

Photographer was Brandi Teuscher of Burley, Idaho.  She did a phenomenal job.

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28 July 2018

Aliza, Hiram, and I went to Preston, Idaho at the end of July.  If anyone knows me, I like to stop and visit people, family, and cemeteries.  While we were out visiting, we made a few stops at some cemeteries.  I thought I would share these couple of photos with Aliza and Hiram with the tombstones of a few of their ancestors.  All on the same date!

This is the grave of Wilburn Norwood Jonas, 15 May 1924 – 14 March 1975, who is their Great Grandfather, my Grandfather. There are other posts on Norwood.  This grave is in Richmond, Utah.

Hiram and Aliza at Wilburn Norwood Jonas’ grave.

These are the graves of Joseph Nelson Jonas, 19 March 1893 – 6 September 1932, and Lillian Coley, 26 August 1898 – 11 February 1987, who are their Great Great Grandparents, father of Wilburn Norwood Jonas, whose grave you can see right behind Hiram.  I have also previously written about Joseph and Lillian.

Hiram and Aliza at Joseph and Lillian Jonas’ graves.

These are the graves of Hannah Maria Rogers, 4 June 1932 – 22 October 1894, and Stephen Coley, 28 January 1830 – 22 October 1913, who are their Great Great Great Great Grandparents.  This is the grandparents for Lillian Coley above.  For whatever reason I didn’t get a picture with Herbert and Martha Coley’s grave, the link between.  These graves are in Lewiston, Utah.  I have written of Hannah and Stephen also.

Hiram and Aliza at Hannah and Stephen Coley’s graves.

These are the graves of Mary Louise Wanner, 5 March 1901 – 30 August 1991, and William Fredrick Andra, 11 February 1898 – 13 March 1990, who are their Great Great Grandparents, parents of Colleen Mary Andra, wife of Wilburn Norwood Jonas.  I need to write a biography yet of Mary and William but have been overwhelmed by it in the past and just need to work on it some day.  These graves are in Whitney, Idaho.

Hiram and Aliza at Mary and William Andra’s graves.

These are the graves of John George (Johann Georg) Wanner, 29 October 1870 – 5 January 1947, and Regina Friederike Nuffer, 26 January 1869 – 10 March 1942, who are their Great Great Grandparents, parents of Mary Louise Wanner, whose photo is above, but also the tombstone to the left of Aliza’s head.  I have written of John and Regina in the past.

Aliza and Hiram at John and Regina Wanner’s graves.

These are the graves of Ezra Taft Benson, 4 August 1899 – 30 May 1994, and Flora Smith Amussen, 1 July 1901 – 14 August 1992.  There is no relationship with the Bensons, but it is the same cemetery as Wanners and Andras.  He was the 13th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  As such, the kids know him as a previous prophet of the Lord.  They were happy to make the visit.

Aliza and Hiram at Ezra and Flora Benson’s graves.

 

 

 

 

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Paul Elementary Faculty 1988-1989

Paul Elementary 1988-1989 Faculty: Back (l-r) Tracy Haskin, Annette Winward, Sherry VanEvery, Joy Hansen, Jennifer Reynolds, Bonnie Willis, Marvin Stearns, Claudette Bray, Karen Bagley, Jan Mee, Millie Laib; 3rd row: John Dutton, Michelle Ennis, Ella Suhr, Nancy Allen, Eileen Boots, Laura Workman, Brenda Goodsell, Carolyn Erwin, Dorothy House, Linda Johnson; 2nd Row: Ann Stearns, Janice Hansen, Cindy Danielson, Tammy Broadhead, Teresa Lowder, Ann Hollins, Helen Wyant, Elaine Mayes, Shirley Zemke, Frank Peterson, Lauriene Hathaway; Front: Irene Renz, Madena Wilson, Robin Anderson, Carolyn Peterson, Mary Frances Cozakos, Joann Fowler, Connie Williams, Anna Marie Andersen.

I mentioned a while ago that I ran into Robin Anderson, my fourth grade teacher, and told her I was missing photos from elementary school and asked if she had copies.  She said she had a scrapbook full of all the years she taught and would let me look through the photos for a scan.

She later provided the book and I scanned my missing fourth grade picture.  I also stole a copy of this picture at the same time.  This was the Faculty picture for Paul Elementary, Paul, Idaho for the 1988-1989 school year.  It was a refresher for those adults that were hovering over us those years in grade school.

Nancy Allen

Anna Marie Andersen

Robin Anderson (4th grade teacher)

Karen Bagley

Eileen Boots

Claudette Bray

Tammy Broadhead

Mary Frances Cozakos

Cindy Danielson

John Ray Dutton (1935-2023)

Michelle Ennis

Carolyn Ann Jones Erwin (1940-2022)

Joann Fowler

Janice Hansen

Joy Hansen

Tracy Haskin

Lauriene Hathaway

Ann Hollins

Dorothy Ann House (1928-2009)

Linda Johnson

Millie Laib

Teresa Lowder

Elaine Spencer Mayes (2nd Grade Teacher)(1940-2024)

Jan Mee

Carolyn Peterson (1945-2008)

Frank Peterson

Irene Quenzer Renz (1924-2021)

Jennifer Reynolds

Ann Stearns

Marvin Stearns

Ella Lucille Senften Suhr (3rd Grade Teacher)(1927-2005)

Sherry VanEvery

Connie Williams

Bonnie Willis (5th Grade Teacher)

Madena Wilson (1925-2000)

Annette Winward

Brenda Arlene Winward Johnstone (1st Grade Teacher)(1954-2024)

Laura Workman

Helen Wyant

Shirley Lila Zemke (1928-2015)

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Jan 1963 Jonas Family Photo

Sandra, Colleen, Jackie, and Doug Jonas in January 1963

As if the photo didn’t make it plain enough, this photo was developed in January 1963.  In our modern world, photos are data stamped and metadata stamped at the time of the capture.  Not in 1962!

I assume with the lush grass and flowers in the background, this is a photo from summer 1962.  It could have been an older roll of film, but 1962 would have turned Doug 10, Sandy 8, and Jackie 2.  If it was a more than the summer before January 1963, Jackie would have been less than a year, and she is too old for that in the photo.

I like the ruffles on Mom’s shirt.  The saddle shoes too.

It would be interesting to know where this photo was taken.  Also, what is Jackie pointing toward?

This month, this photo was developed 56 years ago.

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Burley High/Junior High School

Burley High/Junior High School

This is a picture of the Burley High School built in 1915.  I stumbled upon this post card early last year and picked it up.  This picture is from 14th street looking to the southeast.  This is the location of the jail or The Mini-Cassia Criminal Justice center, the southwest corner of Hansen Avenue and 14th Street.  The front doors would be facing the Family History Center to the North.

The interesting thing about this location is that the field to the right (or west) extended clear through the property that is now the Burley City Hall and the Cassia County Police Station.  Albion Avenue did not extend between 14th and 15th Streets due to the high school field.  The road was right behind the old Courthouse, virtually between the current Burley City Hall/Cassia Police Station and the old Courthouse.  If you look closely at this aerial photo, you can see the back of the school and its wings along with the field between it and the old courthouse.

Burley, Idaho about

This building was replaced by a new high school at the southwest corner of Park Avenue and 16th Street built in 1958.  This building then became Burley Junior High and operated as such until 1973.  That is when the building burned down.

Here is an article from the Times News about the fire.  The Weekly Mailer provides this article about the history of fires in Burley.  You can read the limited history of Burley Junior High from this obituary from its principal, Lovell Turner.

The current Junior High on the northeast corner of Park and 16th Street was completed in 1975 and remains the junior high to date.  The 1950’s high school at southwest Park Avenue and 16th Street has been replaced and is now the home of the Mini-Cassia satellite site for The College of Southern Idaho.

After the school burned down, the city realigned the streets and took Albion through the block so it is a full grid today.  The Police Station and Burley City Hall, as mentioned above, are now on parts of the field.  Cassia County School District still owns the south side of the block and maintains a service garage and other buildings on the site.

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Logan Canyon Snow Removal

Norwood Jonas, Logan Canyon, Dec 1947

What is written on the back of this photo is about all I have for detail.  Grandpa standing beside a blade, presumably for snow removal.  The back of the photo says Norwood, Logan Canyon, Dec 1947.  My first thought was the blade/grader/patrol looks new.  I don’t know if he was operator, stopped for a shot, maybe got stuck, who knows?  It is an interesting photo all the same.

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Sitting on the Steps

Sandra and Doug Jonas sitting on the steps of their home at 142 N State St, Richmond, Utah

Aunt Jackie stumbled on a stash of photos.  There are hundreds of photos.  I am scanning a few at a time and then process them over a few days, usually a weekend.  I upload them to FamilySearch and save them to my own archives.  Some of them take a while to name all the parties in the pictures.  Naming photos is getting harder as time goes on because those earlier generations are leaving mortality.  Having said that, I easily recognize Doug and my mother, Sandy, in this photo.

This photo captures my heart.  It captures the youth of a little baby girl excited about life and is at comfort with and loves the photographer.  There is innocence in this picture.  Doug is fuzzier, likely moving in the photo.  But the sideways glance also seems to speak in and of itself.  But even more, I also see my mother in my own children.  I could see this smiling face in all four of my children at one point in their young lives.  I see it in James now.  This photo isn’t just my mother, it is my children.

As much as I hate taking pictures, it is this sort of picture that somehow captures something more than just the physical.  There is emotion captured here.  It is beautiful.  I am glad this photo still exists.  This photo also tugs at the heart-strings for this little boy for his mother who is so emotionally distant it is as if she no longer exists.  It is poignant and causes yearning.

We all have those relationships that touch us deep down.  I would think every child feels it for a parent, a parent for a child.  I hope you enjoy this picture as much as I do.