Benson

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History of Nils Bengtsson and Johanna Johansdotter’s Family

I received a copy of a history from Julie Jonas Kowallis. It is attached to Johanna’s profile in FamilySearch. Whoever compiled or rewrote the previous version seems to have mixed in references and stories related to Johanna’s son and grandson as if they were Johanna’s husband or son. Both emigrated to Utah at different times and had different trips. Further, this author edited out parts of the other history that seem to be passed down, although not verified. Some of the other history is missing, I will share it if I can find the missing second page. 

I have previously written about Johanna. I make only minor corrections within brackets. Nils and Johanna’s daughter, Agneta, is my Great Great Grandmother through her daughter Annetta “Annie” Josephine Nelson, who married Joseph Jonas.

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The country of Sweden is about the same size as the state of California. Southern Sweden is made up of flat, fertile plains. The lan (which means country) borders have changed very little since they were established. Each lan is subdivided into smaller units that are known as parishes. 

Little is known about Swedish history before 800 AD. About this time two different tribes of Vikings entered Sweden. The Svear, who lived in the eastern parts, and the Gotar, who lived in the western parts. THey were almost continuously at war with one another. It was only after the introduction of Christianity in the 9th century that they united and formed a nation. The name Sweden comes from the phrase Svea rike, which means “Kingdom of the Svear.”

For many generations the farming class comprised most of Sweden’s population. The farmer who owned his land was usually quite stable. However, trades-men could travel great distances to obtain employment in their professions, often seeking a good position in the city. There are many lakes and streams in Sweden, so it is logical to think fishermen and seamen would have resided along the coasts or lakes. 

The people of Sweden are known to be energetic, hardworking people who value order and tidiness.

Our ancestors Nils Bengtsson and Johanna Johansdotter’s families were among the parish district of Halland in Sweden. Nils came from a long line of tall strong men of the north. Legend has it that one of his relatives was so large and strong that he was considered a giant. He could pick up two ordinary sized men, one in each fist, and bump them together. Nils was a big man, handsome and strong. He possessed unusual physical strength. An attribute many of his [descendants] would inherit. 

We have no details as to where or how Nils and Johanna met but we know that when Nils was 28 years old and Johanna 17 they were married on July 4, 1830. Johanna affectionately called Nils “her big handsome man.” They were blessed with eight children, raising seven of them to adulthood. 

The Nils Bengtsson family lived in the usual country home in Sweden. There was a long building on the south with the family residence in the east end and the west end was used for pete or turf and wood. They had a building on the north side where the cattle and the hay and grain were stored. Thatch roofs were the rule for the ordinary farm house. On the ease side of the house was a path running south past a meadow and then over a hill covered with trees. On the west there was a road leading down through the green and across a stream through a field to the north. It is difficult in our day to imagine what it would be like to live in a small one room home with a family of seven children. 

Although freedom of worship is guaranteed by the law in Sweden over 90 percent of the population belong to the Lutheran church, which is the state church. During the 1800’s missionaries from [The] Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or the [Mormons], began to proselyte in Sweden.

Sometime in the [1850s] missionaries called at the home of Nils and Johanna. At the time Nils was very ill. Their one room home was divided by a curtain to separate the area where Nil’s bed was. Even though he was very ill at the time he listened intently to what those missionaries said. Later he called his son Nils to his bedside and said, “What those men are telling us I feel it is right. I will not live long enough to join their church, but I want you to listen to them and if you feel that it is right you must embrace it.” Shortly after this on March 12, 1859 Nils died.

Two years passed between Nils death and the [family’s] acceptance of Mormonism. But when the Bentsson family were baptized they embraced the gospel with sincerity of heart and a love for its doctrines and principles. [Johanna was baptized a member on 11 May 1861. Agnetta was baptized 10 November 1863, Lars 5 May 1860, Ingjard 5 May 1861, Christina 4 February 1866, and Nils Jr 5 May 1860. Johann joined 7 September 1893 after immigration to Utah. The other two were after their deaths. Bengta and Borta did not join or immigrate to Utah.] Nils and Johanna’s son Nils [anglicized to Nels in United States] said that the songs of Zion filled their hearts and minds. The saints throughout the world were encouraged to emigrate to Utah to be with the main body of the church. Nils said, “I had a birds eye view of Zion in my soul and I yearned to go there.” So with a call from a Prophet and songs of Zion ringing in their hearts, the Bengtsson family began to prepare for the long journey to join with the Saints in Utah. Prior to their departure little Johan Peter, who was 6 years old, gave all of his toys away. I can’t even imagine the faith and courage that Johanna must have had. She was 49 years old at the time and she was leaving her family, her friends and her beloved homeland. The family loaded all their earthly belongings that they could carry and began their trek to America. They left Sweden because of their testimonies of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and their convictions in its teachings. 

Nils wrote of this experience, “the family hustled along the rock paved sidewalks of Halmstad to the coast. The noise of the horses feet and the rumble of the vehicles on the rock paved road drowned all of the voices of the little ones who complained of the unceremonious haste of departure. All were safely on board, the gang planks withdrawn, before we realized that we were moving. We could see that men on the shore were being left behind… As we glided out on the calm blue waters. As we Denmark we say the harbor at Copenhagen covered with sails and booming of cannons. The dense smoke made it difficult to see the city. Germany and Denmark were at war. We sailed and entered the city from the back just before sundown. We had a long way to walk but it was worthwhile. We saw the prettiest homes, lawns, shrubbery, and statues; such as a man on a horse with beautiful decorations representing warriors and noblemen. That even I first heard the Danish language, though odd at first I soon got accustomed to it and learned to understand it.” They sailed from Denmark to Norway on their way to Hamburg, Germany passing between Holland and Belgium. 

On Friday, April 18, 1862 Johanna and her children boarded the ship “Electric” and sailed from Hamburg with 336 Saints all bound for Utah. Elder Soren Christofferson was in charge of the Saints and H.J. Johansen was the Captain of the ship. The emigrants were from Holland and other conferences in Denmark and from the Norrkooping Conference in Sweden. The “Electric” sailed down the Elbe to Bluckstadt Roads, arriving there about noon. Here anchor was cast near the ship “Athenia,” which had another company of emigrating Saints on board. At this time there were 335 emigrants on board the “Electric and 486 on the ‘Athenia.'” The “Electric” lifted anchor April 22nd and sailed to a point off the coast of Hanover, where anchor was again dropped and the ship waited for the wind to change. Favored at last with good wind the “Electric” made the final start for America April 25th, sailing out into the North Sea. Once again Nils tells of their experience, “I remember traveling through a city, the streets were lined with wagons all loaded with all kinds of meat, beef in particular. We set sail that evening with beef cattle in the hold, sheep on the deck, and the passengers on the middle floor. When daylight came we were all easing ourselves by [emptying] our poor stomachs down into the hole.” After crossing England and setting foot at several ports they finally boarded the ship that took them to America. Before sailing, President John Van Cott came on board and assisted organizing the emigrating Saints, who were divided into nine districts, in each from 25 to 40 persons. Nils wrote of this experience, “We got on board the great ship that carried us across to America. When we boarded it it stood so high out of the water that it was quite a climb to get on. We had to wait some time while the sailors and others loaded rails and other heavy freight into the hold. I have tried to forget this part of the journey. Our rations were raw beef, lard, and hard soda crackers and water, mustard and salt. The passengers would take their turn at cooking their rations of meat and sometimes they never got to cook their meat. The winds and the waves were so high sometimes that the ship rolled from one side to the other, the flag on the main mast would touch the waves and this could be seen by looking straight up through the hole. Trunks and boxes had to be tied fast to the beds on the sides of the ship. Some times passengers as well as sailors and some women helped to pump water out of the vessel.”

It was stated that unity and harmony existed among the emigrants during the entire journey. A number of meetings were held on board the ship during the voyage and at least one marriage took place and one child was born. But many also lost their lives because of diphtheria and measles. After 49 days on the ocean the ship arrived safely in the New York Harbor and the emigrants landed at Castle Gardens on Friday, June 6, 1862. Upon arriving in New York there were merchants who were selling their goods along the dock. Nils approached one who was selling what he thought was the most beautiful red fruit that he had [ever] seen, he later learned that they were tomatoes. All the money he had was 5 cents, but he gladly spent it for one of those delicious looking fruits. Much to his surprise he found it to be the nastiest thing he had ever tasted. He told the merchant this and asked for his 5 cents back. After a good laugh the merchant [returned] his 5 cents. 

Here the company met the Saints who had crossed on the “Athenia.” Both companies left New York Jun [9th], 1862 and arrived at Florence, Nebraska, Jun 19th. Lars Bengtsson, the oldest son, who was probably 27 at the time, purchased an oxen team and wagon that would take their family the rest of the way to Zion. They left Florence on the 29th of July 1862. Their captain was Joseph Horne. There was a total of 570 Saints, 52 oxen teams and wagons. 

The first few days of the journey some difficult was experienced, as the oxen, who were not used to Scandinavian orders and management, would often follow their own inclination to leave the road and run away with the wagons, but after some practice on the part of their inexperienced teamsters things became much better. 

Their oxen team gave out many times and the Elders administered to them and they would revive and trudge on. Upon crossing a river one oxen gave out and Lars quickly let the animal loose and put the yoke on his own shoulders and pulled along with the other oxen through the muddy [current] to the dry bank. It was said that Lars was a mighty man. Nearly all able bodied men and women had to walk most of the way. Some of the women rode in the wagons across the larger rivers, while they would wade across the smaller streams like the men. Sometimes the women and children were carried across the streams by the men when it was feared that the oxen could not pull the wagons with their heavy loads. 

Nils tells us in his life history that crossing the plains was a very thrilling and adventuresome as they came in contact with the wild frontier and Indians. While crossing the plains Nils along with a group of teenage boys decided one day to go a considerable [distance] from the wagon train and explore the area. One of the teenagers, pointing to an island in the middle of the river, said, “Lets all swim out to it.” They were all excited about this suggestion, so off came all of their clothes which were folded and left in neat piles along the river bank. In they jumped and swam out to the island. They landed and laid down on it. It had no animal life on it and seemed like a paradise to them. However, as they did so they found it was just a floating mass of sod and trees that had broken off from the bank upstream. They immediately turned back and tried to swim to shore, but to their dismay, they found they were too far down stream and the river banks were now rocky cliffs. They were growing very tired as they searched for a place to crawl out of the river. They prayed they could find a spot, and they did find one, their spirits lifting until they found it was infested with huge snakes. They floated on their backs until they reached a place on the river where they could get out. Thank goodness it was now getting dark because they were naked. They followed the road back to camp and whenever a wagon would come by they would have to run and hide behind bushes. It was very late when they got back to their camp. 

In the meantime a search party was sent to search for the boys and when they found their clothes on the river bank they were all presumed dead. 

As Nils neared his mother’s camp site, he could see his sister Christina outside by the camp fire baking bread. He hid himself behind some bushes and called out to Christina to bring him some clothes. She dropped what she was doing and called out, “Oh Nils ghost.” Nils called again, “don’t be foolish, bring me some clothes.” There was much rejoicing in the champ when it was discovered the boys were not dead. 

There were other exciting experiences as they crossed the plains. One day while they were crossing the North [Platte] River one of the brethren began to go down in a whirlpool. Although Nils was young he was an excellent swimmer, he quickly dove in and swam to the man. The man grabbed on to Nils and Nils pulled him to shore. 

The Saints often gathered berries for food. One day while Nils was gathering berries he because occupied with trying to find the berries and had not noticed that the wagon train had moved on. He picked up his pail and started running after them. All of a sudden a big Indian on horse-back swooped down upon him, trying to grab him as he leaned over the side of his horse. But, Nils was quick and dodged and ducked his attempts until the Indian spied some scouts from the company and fled. (Indians often succeeded in capturing young white boys and then would raise them as Indian Braves.)

L-R: Johanna Benson, Johanna Icabinda Benson, John Irven Benson, Nels Ernst Benson, Mary Ann Angel Works holding Merrill Lamont Benson.

Upon arriving in Salt Lake Johanna and her family first settled in the Sandy-Crescent area. Here they homesteaded 40 acres on land and built a small sod and log home. They farmed and raised cattle. Later Nils went to work for a man named John Nielson from Sanpete Valley and Nils moved to Spring City. At some point in time Johanna went to live with Nils and his family. She died and is buried in Spring City. Other members of the family settled in different pioneer communities that were being settled at that time. Johan Peter our ancestor who was the youngest of the eight children grew up in the Sandy-Crescent area. When he was 27 years of age he married Amanda Josephine Peterson and they became the parents of 7 children. 

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Jonas History: William Nelson Jonas

William Nelson Jonas

This is another chapter of the Jonas history book compiled by Carvel Jonas. “The Joseph Jonas clan of Utah (including – early Jonas family history; early Nelson family history)” This one is on William Nelson Jonas.

John, Joseph, and William Jonas

“William had the same name as his great grandfather, William Jonas, although he never knew it in his life.  Most likely he was named after his Uncle William Jonas.  William Nelson Jonas, the second son and fifth child of Joseph Jonas and Annette Josephine Nelson, was born 2 December 1889, He was called “Bill” by his friends at church and “Willie” by his family at his home.  His parents had, two years before his birth in 1887, sold their property 3 miles south of Ellensburg, Kittitas County, Washington State.  But the family must have stayed in the area because William went to the public school in Ellensburg his 1st, 2nd, and 3rd elementary grades.  The family then moved to a little town named Bristol, which is northwest of Ellensburg.  When he was in his 4th grade the family was living in another town named Thorpe and he attended the school at Thorpe.  Thorpe is another town northwest of Bristol.  Sometime during this time William and his two brothers went to a neighbor’s place and swiped some apples.  The kids also helped themselves to their cousin’s watermelon patch.  in 1895, he went with his family to pick hops in Yakima.  The 1900 census tells us that William and his family lived in another town which also is northwest of all the other towns mentioned.  It is called Cle Elum.  The family was renting a house in this western city.  As far as we know the family always rented. 

“William arrived in Crescent, Utah with his entire family 3 July 1901.  He attended the public school in Jordan School District for the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grades.  He graduated 8 grade in Sandy.  He was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 10 January 1902, the same day his two brothers were baptized.  When he was baptized he had just turned 12 years old by a little over a month.  Up to that time he had been raised a Catholic.  He was baptized in the Jordan River in South Jordan by his Uncle, Nels August Nelson.  He was confirmed a member the same day by William Fairfard.  There were no records found for William at the St. Andrew church in Ellensburg, so it is likely that his baptism was performed elsewhere.  Shortly after he was baptized he was ordained a deacon in the Aaronic Priesthood.  He remained a deacon until 6 January 1908 when he was ordained an Elder in the Melchizedek Priesthood by Bishop James P. Jensen.  He was never ordained a Teacher or a Priest, which are the two offices traditionally held by young people in the Mormon Church before they are ordained an Elder.  While he was a deacon he was called to be the secretary of the quorum.  He was also the President of the deacons quorum for a few years.  Perhaps after being raised in another church it was good training for William to remain a Deacon a little longer than usual.  He belonged to the 7th Quorum of Elders in the Crescent Ward in Salt Lake County.   

“During his stay in Crescent from 1901 to 1908 when he moved to Richmond, Utah, William helped his Uncle August on the family farm.  According to August’s life story William and his brothers worked hard.  It was understood that William and his brothers were to be given some land for the work they did on the Nelson farm.  But the farm wasn’t given to anyone else because much of it was sold.     

“William knew many of his cousins on his father’s side of the family until he was 12 years old.  After July of 1901 he became familiar with all of his cousins on his mother’s side of the family by living with the Nelson family.  William’s mother and this Uncle were the only two siblings in the Nelson family who had children of their own.  One of his cousins from his mother’s side, Virgil Homer Nelson, wrote in his autobiography, “They (Rosa, John, William, and Joseph) gave me plenty of companionship.  Our chief amusements were swimming, playing baseball, and skating.”   

“William had a lot of farm land to discover.  Virgil, August’s son, wrote that their farm, “…extended a mile along the east side of State Street and far to the east…a thousand acres of land in East Crescent and into the hill there.”  On one occasion when William was in the area he found a dead man laying in a ditch.   

“In the school year 1907 William went to the L.D.S. College, his first year in High School before moving to Richmond, Utah.  William and his two brothers left Crescent and went to live with their only living sister, Rosa Jonas Andersen.  When William had just turned 19 years he made this trip.  One cold, snowing day in 1908 the three boys finally arrived at their sister’s home in Richmond, Utah.  William worked four years for an August Larson in the summer and went to Brigham Young College at Logan for five years.  Each year he received a sports letter in baseball.   

Loretta Merrill, William Nelson Jonas

“On 19 September 1909 he was ordained a Seventy by Charles H. Hart, the same day his brother, John, was also ordained a Seventy.  He remained a Seventy for over 40 years.  On 1 May 1908 he received a Normal Diploma at Logan, Utah, Brigham Young College.  2 June 1911 he graduated from the BYU College and received a General High School Diploma.  Two years later he received a college diploma.  On 4 September 1913 he received a Grammar Grade County Teacher’s Certificate for Public Schools of Utah.  His graduation diploma states that he “passed an examination satisfactory in writing, arithmetic, pedagogy, physiology, reading, drawing, orthography, English, grammar, U.S. History, geography, nature study, psychology, and history of Education.”   

William Jonas “To Father”

“The following post cards have survived since 1912.  This is the year prior to his graduation from the college and gives a few insights into his personal feelings and activities.  All the cards are written to Karen Marie Thompson whom he later married.   

“Logan, 4 October 1912  “Dear friend, The first dance will be given Friday night.  It was announced in chapel this morning.  I do wish you could be here.  I’ll be up Sat. noon and we’ll go, if not say so.  I have a fine place to stay, with aunt Felelia and my cousins.  With best wishes Wm. N. Jonas.”   

“Logan 240 E. 3rd North.  Oct 11. 1912 “Dear friend: School is fine and full of life.  How is work, school and everything in particular?  There will be an oration given this morning, you ought to hear it.  I’ll not be up Sat. would certainly like to, but–  Wishing you an enjoyable time.  Your Friend William”   

“Logan240 E. 3rd N Oct 18, 1912 “Dear Friend: I would like to come up Sat. but as I have work and a class entertainment Sat.  It is impossible.  Then too I’ll be up a week from tonight.  I wish you could be down here tonight, a lecture and a dance.  Work Sat. and have a dance.  Have a good time, Don’t be angry.  With best regards and wishes as ever, your friend, Wm”   

“Logan, Oct 30, 1912  “Dear friend, Hoping you a most happy birthday and many good wishes.  There is a dance tonight, a lecture Thur. night and another dance Fri.  Always something doing in Logan.  Tell everybody hello.  as ever your friend Wm. N.”   

“Logan, Nov 7, 1912  “Dear friend, Congratulation on Nilson and the De.  We had a good conference here Sun.  Joseph F. and his son Hyrum will speak.  How are all the folks?  We are all fine.  How is the candy mouse?  Well, how is school life and activities…as good as ever here.  With best wishes from Wm. N”   

“Nov 19, 1912  “Dear Friend, your card was only rec’d.  Hope the best of health for your Pa.  I won a quarter on the game between 1st and 2nd yrs R.H.S. Sat or Fri.  We have a couple of excellent Musical recitals the last week at the Logan Tab and Nibley Hall.  Wm N.  How do you like the house work for a change or are you a hallo kid?”   

William Nelson Jonas, sitting middle, President of Wisconsin or Minnesota Conference, 1915 or 1916.

“William graduated from college soon after the above post cards were written, when he was 23 years old.  4 September 1913 when he received a Grammar Grade County Teacher’s Certificate for Public Schools.  During 1913 he taught school at Lewiston and was principal of Wheeler School District.  During this first year of teaching he received his endowments 22 May 1914, in the Logan Temple.  After teaching for one year he was called on a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  He served for 27 months in the Northern States Mission.  His only grandson who served a full time mission was called to the same mission about 60 years later.  The mission was called the Minnesota-Wisconsin Mission in 1973.  William was first given a minister’s certificate which was dated 2 June 1914 and was signed by the First Presidency of the Church.  Several months earlier 16 April 1914, he had been called to the Switzerland and Germany Mission.  He was to prepare to leave by 1 July 1914 and had a meeting with the Prophet at 9:00 A.M. that first day.  However, he never went to Europe on his mission because of the First World War.  He was then reassigned to the Northern States Mission, which had it’s mission headquarters in Chicago, Illinois.  While he was on his mission he was called to preside over the Wisconsin Conference, 23 September 1915.  He was next called to preside over the Minnesota Conference.  10 January 1916.  While serving on his mission he lived at 2707 Clarke St. Milwaukee, Wisconsin; 31 South 5th Street  La Crosse, Wisconsin; 247 North Gretto Street, St. Paul, Minnesota, and no doubt visited the mission home at 2555 North Sawyer Ave, Chicago, Illinois.  He was released from his missionary service 20 August 1916. 

William Jonas, seated with girl in white standing in front of him.

“After his mission he went to Cowley, Wyoming and served as a school principal.  There were 18 graduates from the school that year.  During the summer of 1917 he went to Provo, Utah, for 12 weeks of summer school.  About this same time William went to Richmond, Utah for his father’s funeral.  William was the person who gave the information for Joseph Jonas’ death certificate.  He then went back to Wyoming and on the 28 February 1917 he registered in Big Horn County to teach school.  Soon after that in the beginning of the school year of 1917 he accepted an offer to become coach of baseball and basketball teams at Dixie Normal College in St. George, Washington County, Utah.  We have several pictures from the Dixie College School yearbook which was called “The Dixie”.  Also, the following tributes from the same book.  “Drafted (Class 1 A) It was under Coach Jonas that Cedar met their match in the Dixie basketball team.  Favors the “Windsor Tie”.”  And this one which was entitled “First Years”.  “In September 1917, the D.N.C. found on hundred and five First Year’s invading it’s halls, with bewildered excitement.  We did not remain in this state of unrest, however, for Father Jonas and Mother Watson soon had us under their protecting care.  With their willing aid and the help of every Freshie, we came off the field on Founder’s Day, flying one blue ribbon and two red ones.  The loyalty of our First Year Class was made evident by our purchase of a $100.00 Liberty Loan Bond and $75.00 in Thrift Stamps.  We are justly proud of a Freshie lad who is a member of the D.N.C. debating team.  Our class part early in December was very successful.  If you do not believe us, As Jonas, Jr., and his partners.”   

William Nelson Jonas WWI uniform

“The following 20 May 1918 William was inducted by the draft into the Army.  On 25 May 1918 he was in a training camp.  He went to camp Louise and then to Camp Kearney in California.  On August 16, 1918 he left for France.  Before he left he expressed to members of his family that he wouldn’t mind serving in the service if he didn’t have to kill people.  To his relief he was a member of the medical detachment 145 artillery.  He stayed five months in France.  His army serial number was 3,127,617.  He was a resident of St. George, but was inducted in Cache County.  He was in Btry A 145 Fa by July 15, 1918.  He went overseas from August 16, 1918 to January 4, 1919.  He was honorable discharged January 24, 1919.  He remained a private during his short stay.  His Military records tell us that he was 28 8/12 years of age when he was inducted.  He had brown eyes, brown hair and medium complexion.  He was 5 feet 8 1/2 inches tall.  He received paratyphoid shots 10 June 1918 for typhoid and was not wounded while he was gone.  He is character was considered excellent.  He was paid 24 dollars and 40 cents 24 January 1919 and was given travel pay back to Logan.  During the voyage home William was so sick that he thought he might die.  So he promised the Lord he would do whatever He wanted if his life would be spared.  And he was faithful to that promise all his life.   

“While William was in France he sent letters and post cards.  One that still survives was sent to his cousin, Hubert Jonas, who lived in Washington State.  The following is quoted from that card.  “Camp DeSavage, France November 24, 1918.  “Dear Cousin and Family, A Joyous Christmas from France.  notice our gun ‘4 point 7’.  1898 date.  The Regiment was organized 1916 on the Mexican border.  1918 France from the Beehive State Utah.  had six weeks work in the hospital, am well near Bordeaux.  Expect to move soon may be ‘over there’ too.  Sure tickled.  Best wishes and Love W. N. Jonas Sanitary Det. 145 FA Am. Ex. France.”   

“While William was gone to war his older brother, John Jonas, died.  John died 19  December 1918 and William arrived in New York 4 Feb 1915.  He missed seeing his older brother for the last time by a little less than two months.   

William Nelson Jonas and Karen Marie Thompson

“Two years after he got back from the Army he married Karen Marie Thompsen, 6 January 1921.  They were married in the Logan Temple.  Karen Marie was born 31 October 1892.  She went to school in Richmond for eight years.  She started when she was 8 years old and graduated at 15 years old.  She had passed the sixth, seventh, and eight grades in two years.  She worked in the Utah Condensory called Sego Mile, which canned milk.  She worked for 13 years.  Part of the time in the factory and part in the office.  The company had an office in Logan in which she worked most of her 13 years.  While she was working at Logan she also went to New Jersey Sewing Academy for nine weeks at night.  On 9 March 1920 she received a patriarchal blessing.  While she lived in the Murray area she was the quilt chairman in Relief Society for many years and went visiting teaching for many years.  She loved flowers and had a flower garden most of the time.   

“Mary, as she was called, was blessed by William G. Plonallsen 5 Jan 1893.  She was baptized by Clarence L. Funk 1 September 1901.  She was confirmed by Wallace K. Burnham 1 September 1901.   

“Mary’s mother was named Jensine Caroline Christensen.  She was born 11 April 1864 in Aarhus, Denmark.  She joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1890 and came to America 6 July 1891.  While she was sailing she met her husband, James Thomassen, who later changed his last name to Thompsen.  They were married 24 December 1891.  James Thompsen was never a member of the Church.  He was immigrating to Richmond, Utah, to be with his older brother, John, and his younger sister, Johane Caroline.  His brother, John Thomassen had joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 10 February 1869.  He later immigrated to Utah to join the Saints.  He was endowed 12 October 1875.  John must have immigrated to America about that same year.  It took his brother, James, about 16 years to follow his older brother to Utah.  Caroline was converted to the Church by August S. Schow who was from Richmond Utah.  That is one very important reason she moved to Richmond.  Their children were the following: Karen Marie born 31 October 1892 ; Ebba born 31 April 1894; James born 6 September 1896; Alta born 12 August 1902; Leland and Stella were both still born April 1898; Michael born 13 July 1906.  Caroline was a milliner in Denmark.  She sold her hat shop and paid her ticket across the Atlantic to America.  James was a carpenter and died at the age of 59.  He was bitten by a pig and was poisoned.  He suffered a great deal for four years before his death.  James was born 19 August 1854 in Vildmose, Denmark and died 8 January 1913 in Richmond, Utah.  Caroline died 17 July 1951 at 4:30 A.M. at daybreak on a Tuesday in Salt Lake City.   

Vaughn, Gaylen, Karen, Maynard, William, and Delwyn Jonas with Alta, James, and Caroline Thompson

“William and Mary lived in Richmond, Utah, when they were first married.  They went to the Benson Stake of the L.D.S. Church.  In August of the same year (1921) they moved to Franklin, Idaho, so William could teach school.  Mary worked checking ledgers for the Milk Condensory in Franklin, Logan, Richmond, and Hyrum during her life.  By September of 1921 they moved to Thatcher, Idaho.  They went to the Thatcher 2nd Ward in the Bannock Stake of the L.D.S. Church.  William, his brother Joseph and his sister, Rosa with their families tried farming.  William tried farming from Sept 1921 to Jun 1923 when they moved back to Logan.  Apparently discouraged with farming William went to Park Valley, Utah, so he could teach school for one year.  After school was over they moved back to Logan for a short while and then to Avon, Utah, for another teaching assignment.  September 1924 William took an examination at West High School for the Post Office.  He rated 3rd in his class with 93% – he got 5% for being a veteran.  In August 1925 he started work for the post office.  He worked there for 33 years and accumulated many days for not being sick.  He worked the afternoon shift and would take the trolley car to town.  He retired in 1958.  His work consisted of being a supervisor and worked with the public weighing packages.  His hours were from 3:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M.   

“L.D.S. Church records show that they moved into their home at 120 West Burton Ave in Salt Lake City the same month he was hired at the post office, August 1925.  Mary’s mother also lived on Burton Ave.  They were in the Burton Ward, Grant Stake.  After they had lived on Burton Ave. where their son, Vaughn, was born they moved to 1854 East Clayborne in Salt Lake City in 1928.  About 1931 they moved to 906 East 39th South in the Murray area.  Then the family moved to 2964 South 9th East (where Carvel was born) in 1933.  They lived there from 1933 to about 1942-43.  Then they moved into the new home next door at 3974 South 9th East.  When William first bought land in the Murray area he purchased 6 1/4 acres.  William and his brother-in-law, Christian Andersen, built the home at 3974.  Then they moved again to 3954 South 9th East in 1951.  All three of the homes on 9th East were next door to each other.  The home at 3954 was originally an Army barracks which was moved from Kearns and later remodeled by their son, Maynard.  On 29 April 1962 they then moved to 1005 East 4025 South which was still in the Murray area.  There they lived until each passed from this life to the next.    

“William and Mary were the parents of 6 sons.  The last son, William Thompson Jonas, was born what has been called a “blue baby”, and lived only 31 1/2 hours.  He weighed 6 1/2 pounds and is buried in the Elysian Burial Grounds in Murray, Utah.  He was blessed by his father the 22 October 1937.  Their 3rd son, Gaylon Thompson Jonas, was killed 19 September 1944 on Peleliu Island in the Pacific Ocean.  He had enlisted 19 August 1942 with the 2nd Mormon Battalion.  He was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Navy Citation Award, Pres. Citation, Navy Unit Cit., American Theater, Pac. with 3 stars.  He was killed by a Japanese sniper’s bullet while removing a wounded man.  He was killed while he was helping the fourth man that he helped that day.  He had volunteered for the assignment.   

“William blessed all six of his sons.  He also confirmed 5 of them after they were baptized.  Delwyn was blessed 2 April 1922 and confirmed 1 February 1931.  Maynard was blessed 14 March 1925 and confirmed 3 December 1933.  Vaughn was blessed 7 November 1926 and confirmed 4 November 1934.  Carvel was blessed 17 September 1934 and confirmed 2 May 1943.  William also ordained several of his sons to different offices in the Priesthood.  Gaylen was ordained a Teacher 29 January 1940.  Carvel a Deacon the 22 September 1944 and a Teacher 30 October 1949.   

“William was actively involved in work for his Church all his life.  He was Superintendent of the Sunday School of the Mill Creek Ward for 2 1/2 years.  He served as Stake Supervisor of the gospel doctrine classes.  During his gospel doctrine classes he would compare Catholic point of view with the L.D.S. view quite often according to his neighbor who attended his class.  He also served as one of the Seven Presidents of the Seventy in his stake.  He was a leader of the cottage meetings.  And taught the genealogy class for many years and became one of the senior teachers of these genealogy classes.  He was baptized for some of his dead ancestors and his wife’s dead ancestors.  He served as a ward teacher for many years.  He did all of the above including serving a full time mission for the Church before he was 50 years old (1940).  After that on 20 Mary 1943 he received a missionary call from the Mill Creek Ward, Cottonwood Stake for a stake mission.  He was set apart 26 March 1943 in the stake office at about 8:00 P.M.  Afterwards he received another stake mission calling (this was his third mission).  He and his wife Mary, were both called.  William was set apart 12 May 194?.  One of grandpa’s neighbors said that grandpa was considered a scriptorian by those who knew him in their ward, and that he had a hard time understanding why people didn’t recognize the truth in the scriptures.  He was set apart Wednesday May 18, 1944 in the stake office at 176 Vine Street for this third mission.  While William was on this stake mission his son, Gaylen, who was killed in World War II appeared to him twice requesting that his temple work be completed.  His wife, Mary, was set apart 31 August 1949 so they could serve on a mission together.  They received honorable releases from their stake missions 3 June 1951.   

“When William was called on his second mission he wrote a letter which was printed in the Millcreek Courier, which was the ward paper.  The following is quoted from that letter written March 1943, the same month he was called on his second mission.  “Faith Unshaken  Greetings to the boys in the service from Mill Creek; Recent events have not shaken my faith in the ultimate triumph of freedom and justice, for I was reared in a church where faith in God and belief that right will triumph eventually is too deeply ingrained in me to doubt its final victory.  As long as we have faith at all in God, we must know that his is All-Powerful.  That his will for the world is Justice and Right, and that eventually His purposes will be established here on earth.  Good emerges slowly, but we must not doubt its victory.”   

“”As to our country, my faith is our America, in its people, and in the American Way of Life, is unwavering.  The United States is the greatest country on the earth, not because it is our country, but by comparison.  It’s founding I believe to have been divinely ordained and that God had a mighty mission for the United States among the nations of the world.”   

“”America was founded by our forefathers in prayer, in faith, and in the heroic spirit of sacrifice.  Lives of comparative ease in their old country might have been theirs had they been willing to surrender their  convictions.  They chose the Hard Right rather than the Easy Wrong, and were ready to lay down their lives for freedom to worship God according to the dictates of their conscience.  No matter what lies ahead, we must carry on to the best of our ability, doing our utmost from day to day, each in his own niche.”   

“”After the Hard War No. I was over and the happy Peach had come, I experienced the most wonderful day of my life.  February 4, 1919 we first saw the light reflections in the distance, then the lights, buildings, the land.  Oh the shouts, “America”, “God’s country”, “Zion”, “Home Sweet Home”, ect.  Believe me the statue of Liberty certainly faced the right way–in fact everything we saw was just O.K.”   

“”I am now praying for a second great day to come soon, when this Hard War No. II is over and happy Peace is declared and my sons, Delwyn of the Army, Maynard of the Navy, and Gaylon of the Marines come marching home.  Parents, fill in the names of your sons, and my God grant the day soon.  Sincerely, William N. Jonas.”   

“On 17 December 1950 William was ordained an High Priest making  little over 40 years that he was a Seventy.  He was ordained by Verl F. McMillian of the Mill Creek 2nd Ward in the Cottonwood Stake.  After he was ordained an High Priest he was asked to teach the High Priest class for many years.  He also became interested in doing the Jonas genealogical line.  Around 1960-65 he wrote to places where his grandparents, Hubert and Mary Jonas lived after arriving in America.  On 26 October 1960 he received a returned letter from the research department of the L.D.S. Church.  He had paid people to help in the research.  From this letter we were able to learn about the 1880 census of Nebraska where the family had lived.  Another letter was received 13 April 1961 from the Register of Deeds, Monroe County, Michigan, written by the Genealogical Society research department.  In behalf of William many land records for Hubert and Mary were then found.  William wrote to the Texas State Department and Historical Society of Wisconsin hoping to find more information about our family.  Also, he had driven to his place of birth, Ellensburg, Washington for some research and visited his cousin-in-law, Regina Jonas who was living in Vancouver at the time.  The following is a quote from a letter he had written which shows the sincerity of his desires.  “…this seems to be asking a lot.  However, I will be glad to pay for services.  Have you someone who is available for such work?  I shall try to come to Ellensburg this summer if necessary.  I thank you.  William N. Jonas.”  Many attempts were made to find out where the Jonas family had lived in Germany.  Unfortunately, William never was able to discover that genealogy.  But because of his efforts there were many clues for the author to use in what eventually lead to the discovery of the Jonas genealogy pedigree, and also this history book.   

“The following are some observations about William that his children and friends have told me.  William liked to garden.  During hard economic times, and especially during the Great Depression, they always had a large vegetable garden.  Although we don’t have the exact figures it was close to an half acre.  They were able to provide for their family and also provided for a neighbor and his family who were experiencing financial difficulty.  He enjoyed excellent, physical health all his life.  He was in a car accident when he was older, about 1953-54.  During the car accident the gear shifting know of a late model Cadillac punched his side.  The knob was shaped like a tear drop.  He was a passenger and had slid across the seat with his left side hitting the knob.   

“After some of his children got back from their military service they thought they were in better physical shape than their father, who was in his 50’s.  They oldest thought he could out arm wrestle his dad now.  But William won the match.   

“While he worked for the post office he played for the baseball team on the Industrial League.  He was a good baseball player and had large knuckles on his left hand from catching baseballs.   

“William was instrumental in helping his oldest son to get a job at the post office.  He also helped his younger brother, Joseph, financially so he could go to college.  William paid for the first month rent for his son, Carvel, when he was first married.  Also, William and his wife, Mary, both visited Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Clayton and took pictures on several occasions of their grandson, Carvel Lee Jonas.   

“William, when he lived on 9th East raised chickens, pigs, had a cow and an horse.  Their children had pigeons and also dogs.  They had an orchard of mostly apples, and grew hay and grain; potatoes and lots of vegetables.  They had a chicken coop that was heated with a kerosene heater.  On one occasion the chicken coop burned down and they lost all the chickens (perhaps as many as an hundred).  While the chicken coop was burning William and his son, Maynard, tried to removed the heater and William was burned.   

“One time William had bought a new pitch fork.  He was able to carry so much hay at one time that the weight of the hay broke the handle of the new pitch fork.   

“When William would read or study a book he would read with a pen or pencil and underline and make notes in the margins.   

“A neighbor of William’s for over 25 years, Otto Hansen, said the William was very helpful in getting him a job for the post office.  William had told him about the civil service test, and encouraged him to try and pass.  This neighbor and his wife said that William and Mary were good neighbors and would do anything they could to give a helping hand to someone in need.  They considered them to be very honest people.  A story that they remember was when William was teaching the gospel doctrine class.  Apparently, for a practical joke Mary would remove William’s notes that he had prepared to teach class with from his book.  They said that they remember Bill saying, “Mary’s done it again.”  Then he was left to use the scriptures and rely on memory and past study to make up a lesson on the spot.   

“William died 14 April 1972.  He suffered from senility for a few years before he died.  Grandma had a neighbor put locks on the doors to keep grandpa Jonas from leaving without knowing where he was going.  Even when he wasn’t at his best at the end of his life his thoughts were to go to the Church welfare farm and work.  William had received an award for doing over 100 hours of volunteer work for the Church welfare farm in one year (1962), which made him 72-73 years of age.     

“Even with the differences in personality of his sons, the one thing that they all agree on is that they had a very good father.  Gaylen before he was killed in the war told his friend, “Blondy, I want you to (meet) my folks when we get a furlough, they are the best parents a guy could want.”  His sons don’t agree on many things, but they all agree about how lucky they were to have such a wonderful father.  That in itself is one of the finest tributes that a man could have.   

“Merlin Andersen told me that he always had admired William’s language.  William spoke as an educated man who had a firm grasp of the English language.  William loved kids.   

“Once William and Merlin were walking and they came to a creek.  Merlin was wondering how he was going to cross because he didn’t feel like he could jump across and make the other side.  Merlin was a young boy, but he remembers that William grabbed him and threw him easily to the other side of the creek.

by

Paris, Idaho

Paris Idaho Tabernacle and James Ross

One year ago I took the four kids to go on a sightseeing tour. Amanda did not feel up to the trip and I just needed to get of town and reduce cabin fever. We went on a trip to various locations, but here are some pictures from 25 July 2020.

I had not been to Dingle, Idaho, where my Grandmother is buried for quite a while and none of my children had memories of being there, so that was our first stop.

One of our first stops was at Register Rock State Historic Park. It is located near Massacre Rocks State Park outside American Falls, Idaho.

Hiram and James Ross at Register Rock State Historic Site

On the way we stopped at Teuscher Square in Bancroft, Idaho.

Lillie, Aliza, and James Ross at Teuscher Square, Bancroft, Idaho.

We found our way to Dingle and took a picture with my Grandmother’s grave in Dingle, Idaho.

Lillian, Hiram, James, and Aliza Ross with tombstone of Colleen Mary Andra (1928-1999) and Ivan W Lloyd (1919-2011) on 25 July 2020.

Then we stopped in Paris, Idaho. I took a picture of the Bear Lake Court House but apparently the photo didn’t save. I am disappointed as it has now been torn down. But we snapped some pictures with the Paris Tabernacle.

Lillie Ross beside Paris Tabernacle
James, Lillie, and Hiram Ross beside Paris Tabernacle.
James and Lillie Ross goofing off on north steps of Paris Tabernacle.

Afterwards, the kids had to play on the playground at the Paris Elementary School, just east of the Paris Tabernacle.

Hiram and James Ross at Paris Elementary playground.

We traveled through Logan Canyon and stayed in Logan, Utah, that night.

James, Hiram, Lillie, and Aliza Ross at Bear Lake Overlook.

I previously wrote of our visits to the Logan Cemetery to visit family and notable graves. Those include our Nelson, Wanner, and Andra relatives. Also, graves of Benson, Thatcher, Nibley, Parker, and Maughan.

Then we bedded down for the night for the trip through Cache Valley and home on the next date.

Hiram, James, and Lillie Ross already fast asleep in Logan, Utah.
by

Jonas History: Joseph Jonas and Annette Josephine Jonas

This is another chapter of the Jonas history book compiled by Carvel Jonas. “The Joseph Jonas clan of Utah (including – early Jonas family history; early Nelson family history)” Some day I hope to get better copies of these photos than the copies of copies I have in my possession.

Joseph and Annie Jonas 1883

“Joseph Jonas was born 10 January 1859.  We learn the exact date and year because of research and the United States Census.  His death certificate has the year of birth as 1858, and the headstone has Oct 1, 1860.  I was told that members of the family couldn’t remember if he was born 10/1 – Oct. 1st or 1/10 – Jan 10.  Fortunately, when Grandpa Jonas was asked during the 1900 census he told them January 1859.  So we know he was born 10 January 1859.  Also, all the other census records but one seem to agree.  Joseph was born at Frenchtown, Monroe County, Michigan.  His father was Hubert Jonas, who was born 8 Oct 1816 at Kirchheim, Rheinland, Prussia (Germany).  His mother was Maria Catharina Schumacher, who was born 13 September 1815 at Oberdrees, Rheinland, Prussia.  Joseph was the sixth and last son of a family of all boys.  These three older brothers were born at Rheinbach, Rheinland, Prussia.  These three older brothers died before marrying.  Joseph lived with his family on the family farms in Michigan until 1879.  Joseph was educated in the public schools in Michigan and could read and write.  Joseph remained a member of the Catholic Church and went to St. Michaels Parish, which is still located at 502 West Front Street, Monroe, Michigan.  This was a mostly German Parish, and this is the Parish that recorded Joseph’s older brother, John who was buried Sept 1870.  Joseph moved with his family in 1871 to Ash Township.  There the Jonas land was bordered by a railroad on its east border and was probably was the place where Joseph first became introduced to a very long career working on the railroad.  In 1879 the family sold their land in Michigan and moved to Nebraska, Platte County, in a place called Pleasant Valley.  This is where Joseph’s mother died in March of 1880.  Pleasant Valley was a large area of county and the place where Joseph visited is now called St. Bernard.  St. Bernard was a German settlement, and is probably the reason that first attracted the family to the area.  His father and brother, William, farmed with a man named Michael Jonas.  It was first believed that this other Jonas family was a branch of ours.  Research proved this incorrect.  Our Jonas family owned no land in Nebraska.  Members of our family helped this other family to operate their farm for 4-5 years.
   

“Joseph had a long career working with section gangs for railroads.  By the time he was 21 years old, (maybe before this age) until he was about 57 years old he worked for the railroads in section gangs.  The only exception was a year and a half when he tried farming.  That is over 35 years that we know of.  “A section gang was a group of men – muscular, sunburned, streaked with dust and sweat; using crowbars and mallets.  They were maintenance crews, the housekeepers of the railroad.  All summer they chip away at their allotted section of railroad roadbed, weeding, spraying, burning, resurfacing, reballasting, repairing the ravages of frost and rain.  The crew rode a handcar, which was nothing more than a flat, open truck on wheels, which raised about a couple of feet above the rails.  It could be lifted on and off the tract by four men, two at each end.  The men stood up to pump the handles by which it was propelled”  Joseph’s work consisted in “Keeping the track in good level order.  He used a jack to raise the sunken rails, shoveling earth beneath the ties to keep them in place.  Besides the regular pay, they made overtime when there was any special work to be done, as unloading gravel trains.  Only a few hands were kept on past November in the Northwest where Joseph mostly worked, two on a section.  The rest got free passes, there being next to no work on the track until the frost breaks up.”  Much of the information about section work was adapted from “Section Life in the North-West,” an anonymous article published in “Cornhill Magazine,” in January 1888.     

“When Joseph worked for the Great Northern Railroad he had to keep the track he was working cleared when the Fast Mail came.  A train that carried the U.S. Mail from St. Paul to Seattle traveled the track once a day.  The men had to be careful to get out of the way for the train.   

“Research indicates that Joseph used the following tools: claw bars, line wrenches, spike malls, adzes and tongs.  Each of the rails were thirty three feet long, and were held together by bolts and fishplates.  The men who worked on the railroad comprised the most cosmopolitan crew in American History.  They included Civil War veterans and freed slaves, Irish and German Immigrants, Mormons and atheists, Indians and Chinese.  They would ride the rails on their hand cars replacing rotting ties, tamp loose spikes and tighten bolts.  Joseph’s daily wages averaged in 1892 $1.76 to $2.20 in 1914 a day as a section foreman (statistics found in Railway Statistics of the USA published in 1917).   

“Now a little early history about great grandmother, Annette or Annie Nelson Jonas.  Annette Josephine Nelson was born 18 November 1864.  Logan 4th ward records tell us she was given a priesthood blessing 2 Feb 1865.  She was born one month after her parents had arrived in Utah from their immigration from Sweden.  She was born in a temporary dugout on College Hill, Logan, Utah.  Her parents were Johannes Nilsson, (He later changed the last name to Nelson, and also used Neilsen at one time).  He was born 4 Oct 1827 in Tonnersjo, Hallands, Sweden.  Her mother was Agneta Bengtsson who was born 9 December 1832 in Oringe, Hallands, Sweden.  Annie was the sixth child of her family.  Her husband, Joseph, was also the sixth child in his family.  She had ten siblings, 5 sisters and 5 brothers.  When Annie was born it was raining, so members of the family put pans on the bed to catch the water as it dripped through the sod roof.  Annie’s older brother, August, told about this day in his life history.  The following is a quote from he history.      “We were just moved into your home when Annette Josephine was born…She was the first child born in the Logan fifth ward.  Mother was alone except for James (an older brother) and me.  James sent to fetch father who was threshing wheat for John Anderson.  When he arrived with a sister, mother had already taken care of herself and the baby.”  The Nelson family had joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints the year they left Sweden.  They had built a temporary dugout until they could build a wooden cabin the following year.  That winter was very hard for everyone in the area.  An early January thaw had caused the snow to melt and the water inside the dugout was knee deep.  Boards were used so the family could walk without wading in the water.  They bailed out the home and went back the same night.    

“When Annie was a baby the following events happened.  “When mother went gleaning, I (August) had to stay with the baby (Annie).  One day I left her on the bed while I went out to play.  She rolled off the bed and got a big lump on her head.  She was still crying when mother came home.”  When Annie was almost nine years old her mother died, 4 November 1873.  It was just about 14 days before Annie’s ninth birthday.  And just six days before her birthday her infant brother, Moses, died.  Moses was less than a month old when he died 12 November 1873.  When Annie was about 11 years old her father remarried.    The three younger children were raised by a stepmother.  We have no details now, but life was very unpleasant for these three children because of the relationship with this stepmother.  This marriage didn’t last more than eight years.  Before Annie’s mother died she said to her son, “August, if I die, I want you to take care of the children.”  He continues, “That had always been my job around the house.  Later one evening mother kissed me and said, “You have been a good boy.  God bless you.”  With a smile she turned her head and breathed her last.  God alone knows what little children lose when mother is gone.  While she was sick I heard her say, “I don’t want to leave my little children.”  Little did I know or realize what home would be like without her.  She was more than ordinarily ardent and spiritually minded with high ideals, had a comprehensive knowledge of the gospel.”   

“Annie had light red hair and blue eyes.  Annie’s mother her sister Abigail, and her first daughter, Margaret, all had red hair.  Annie wasn’t very much taller than five feet, and was slender.    

“While Annie was a teenager she went to work in a boarding house.  She didn’t like living at home with her stepmother and her step siblings.  While she was working at the boarding house she met Joseph Jonas, who was renting a room.  Joseph had a dark, wavy hair and brown eyes.  During their courtship Annie received a letter from her brother, August.  He said, “I suggested to her that she marry a Mormon boy.  Her reply was that Mormon boys were not as genteel as a Gentile.”  With Annie’s unhappy life at home she must have thought marriage would be a better life.  Annie was married the same month she turned 19 years old.  Joseph was 24 years old, two months shy of being 25 years old when they were married.  They were married November 1883 in Logan, Utah.  Since Annie was born in November she may have been married on her birthday, but the day isn’t known.  Joseph was 5 years older than Annie.  Their first child was born 17 Jun 1884 in Logan, Utah.  I am told Annie’s children would come early, before the normal nine months.  Shortly after their first child was born Annie and Joseph moved to central Washington State near or at Ellensburg, Kittitas County.  That move was made before the birth of their second child, Mary, who was born 17 Jul 1885.  The rest of their children, seven in total, were all born at or near Ellensburg.  They eventually lived in several, little towns near Ellensburg, such as Bristol in the 1890’s, Thorp in 1901, and Cle Elum 1900.  Annie and Joseph moved to Washington because Joseph’s father and brother, William, had moved there from Nebraska about this same time in 1883-84.   

“By 21 Jun 1887 Joseph and his brother bought 240 acres of land.  Their father, Hubert, was living with the two families.  An 1885 census of Washington Territory has William’s wife, Emma, Joseph’s wife, Annie, our great grandmother, living at the same place.  The land was about three miles south east of Ellensburg according to the speedometer on our car when we drove the distance.  These two sister-in-lays, Annie and Emma, would help each other take care of their babies.  Annie’s daughter, Rosa, said they washed the clothes on a washing board and then would take them, especially the diapers, down to the creek.  The clothes were rinsed to get all the soap out of them.  Then they would hand the diapers over some bushes to dry.     

“The families shared responsibilities.  Rosa and some of Uncle Williams children would take the cows out on the plateau to graze.  Mary and Margaret would help take care of the house.  There were a lot of rattle snakes in the area.  Occasionally Rosa Jonas would take a forked stick and hold the snakes head down.  Then the boys would stone the reptile to death.  One time the snake was so large it pounded the ground and jumped until it got loose.  The kids never realized the danger they were in until years later.  Fortunately, no one was hurt.  Another time a large, wild cat kept attacking the cows so the kids brought the cows home.  When their parents got upset at them for bringing the cows home the kids told them about the large cat.  Uncle William Jonas rode his horse to the plateau and found the large cat tracks so the parents knew the kids were telling the truth.     

“Joseph and William sold their 240 acres 28 Dec 1888 for 100 dollars in gold coins.  They owned the land for a year and six months.  Joseph gave up farming and went to work for the railroad again, much of the time working as the section gang boss.  William stayed in the area as a farmer and homesteaded.  William lived about three miles north of Ellensburg.  While the two brothers, Joseph and William were buying their land a third brother, Francis Jonas, came to live with them.  On 5 Sept 1887 Francis baptized his son at the St. Andrews Church in Ellensburg.  For a time Joseph’s two brothers and his father lived together as a family in the same area.   

“An important date for the Jonas families must have been 3 April 1886.  This day there were three Jonas children baptized.  Joseph and Annie’s daughter, Mary; Williams and Emma’s two children, Elizabeth and Hubert.    

John, Joseph, and William Jonas probably right before moving to Utah in 1901. The photo is stamped with Ellensburg on the matting.

“It seems that Joseph and Annie rented after this time in 1889.  William’s family lived close and the cousins would visit each other.  Uncle William’s family had a gorgeous watermelon patch.  William’s children chided Joseph’s children because they didn’t have a watermelon patch.  One night, Rosa, John, William and Joseph swiped a watermelon and ate it.  They didn’t want anyone to know so they fed the rhines to the pigs.  The pigs wouldn’t eat the rhines.  So uncle William’s kids discovered the rhines and the kids were caught.    Joseph, soon after selling his land, began working for the Northern Pacific Railroad Company. He became a section foreman for the railroad.  Both the 1900 and 1910 United States Census tell us he was a section foreman.  Joseph would also make money besides working on the railroad.  In the fall of 1895 the whole family went and picked hops.   

“Joseph and Annie lived together as husband and wife for 13 years and one month.  Annie’s mother, Agneta; Annie’s youngest sister, Abigail; her oldest daughter, Margaret; Annie’s Granddaughter, Verla; and also Annie all had a similar physical condition.  Some of the symptoms were that the heart would palpitate of flutter, not fully beating.  And their womanly cycles would last up to six months and then stop for two months.  There was a chemical imbalance in their systems.  Today we would call this PMS or premenstrual syndrome.  In our family it is apparently passed from daughter to daughter, and sometimes it skips a generation.  It also seems that it is harder to live with after each pregnancy, but during the pregnancy it goes away.  Annie had a severe case of this chemical imbalance.  After each pregnancy her condition made her more emotionally imbalanced.  During her seventh pregnancy she lost the baby girl who lived only a few hours.  Rosa and some of the family gave the baby daughter the name of her mother, Annette Josephine and later sealed her to her parents.  Lillian, who was Joseph Nelson Jonas’ wife, had a dream.  In this dream her husband was carrying an infant in his arms.  That experience got the family thinking and Rosa remembered the baby being born.  While Annie was having contractions with this seventh baby she went to her husband who was at work.  Joseph was very upset with his wife for not staying home.  Some say that Joseph did a very foolish thing while he was upset, and kicked Annie where the baby was.  I’m not sure why this happened, or what the entire circumstances were at the time.  On 12 August 1896 the little girl was born.  With Annie’s history of chemical imbalance getting worse and emotional health came to the last straw.  I am certain that both Joseph and Annie felt guilt that the baby died, and blamed themselves to some degree.  Joseph took Annie to the Eastern State Hospital in Spokane Country, Washington State.  She was admitted 29 December 1896, a little over four months from the time Annie lost her last baby.  After the baby died Annie continued to loose blood for several months after.  Annie agreed to go to the hospital.  The night before she went to the state Hospital her children knew something was wrong of different.  Annie put on her nice clothes, curled her hair and slept with her children.  The next morning Joseph and Annie took the train to Spokane.  While Annie was gone Margaret, the oldest child, was in charge of the household.  The children knew that if they didn’t mind Maggie she would tell Joseph when he came home from work.     

Margaret Jonas

“After Annie was admitted to the hospital she was later sent home 31 October 1899 after 2 years and 11 months of hospitalization.  Annie was just 32 years old when she first went to the state hospital.  She had her 32nd birthday a little over a month before.  She had been admitted four days after Christmas.  With needed time to travel she must have left just a day or two after Christmas.  It was probably delayed until after Christmas so she could have one last holiday with the children.  Later she was discharged on Halloween day.  Just about a month before she was discharged, 21 September 1899, Joseph and Annie’s daughter Mary Nelson Jonas had died.  Perhaps after the loss of this daughter Joseph thought of bringing his wife home to the family again.  The family was still living in the Ellensburg area.  The stay was short.  She was home for six months and 11 days.  Then she was readmitted 11 May 1900.  Her name is on the 1900 general census taken in Spokane County while she was at the hospital.  Annie never saw her daughter, Mary Nelson, after her 11th birthday because Annie wasn’t home when she died.     

Annie Nelson Jonas 1900

“After Annie was readmitted the second time she stayed for 14 months until 2 Jul 1901.  On this day she was released by her family and taken to Utah.  On the 3rd of July 1901 Joseph, Annie and their five living children arrived in Utah at Annie’s brother’s home in Sandy.  Joseph and Annie’s sister, Charlotte, were hopeful if Annie associated with her family, the Nelson’s, it might help her emotional and mental health.  Annie’s brother, August, had this recorded in his life story, “…my sister, Charlotte Abigail, lived with us that summer (Sandy, Utah-1893).  When she went to Logan that fall she had the fever.  Later, (1901), she went to Washington to visit with our sister, Annie, wife of Joseph Jonas.  Annie had been sick for a very long time, but none of us knew the nature of her illness until Charlotte brought the whole family to Utah with her.  It turned out to be a mental illness.  She kept running away so we finally had to put her in the institution at Provo, where she died a short time after…”  “…There were five children.  It was sad to see sister in her condition.  I had not seen her since 1878, (Annie was 13 years old in 1878 until November)…Her daughter told me that before she lost her mind she would hold her head in her hands and moan, will not my father or brothers come and get me?  …Her husband destroyed her letters to us so we never knew what she was going through.”  Joseph and Annie’s children did write to the Nelson’s while they were living in Washington because we have some letters or post cards that have survived.  So it is the belief of the author that Annie could have found a way to communicate with the Nelson’s.   

“August was asked to care for the children by his mother when she was on her death bed.  Instead, he left home when Annie was 13 years old and never saw her again until she was almost 29 years old.  In his life story August said that instead of caring for the children he wanted to go and “make money.”  To his credit August did help his other sister, Charlotte, when she was older.  But it would have helped if care could have been given when the children were young.   

“After Annie arrived at her brother’s home in 1901 Annie stayed with them for a few days over four months.  Then August and his wife signed the warrant of commitment for Annie to be admitted to the Provo State Hospital 6 November 1901.  Annie’s records are still at the state hospital in Provo.  Annie remained there for 6 years 11 months until she died 23 December 1907 and was buried 25 December on Christmas Day.  She was buried in the Crescent cemetery.  For some reason the Nelson’s never put a headstone on her grave.  Years later members of the Jonas family, probably William Nelson Jonas, placed a headstone on her grave.  Annie was a young 43 years old when she died, the same age that her mother Agneta, had died.   

A copy of Annie’s Utah State Mental Hospital records are included after. There is very little in the record, but it is telling what little is included.

Annie-Jonas-Utah-State-Hospital-RecordsDownload

“While the Jonas family lived with the Nelson’s Joseph Jonas worked on August’s farm.  He was not a free quest.  While they were there it became harvest time.  Joseph worked with both families.  Joseph wasn’t a tall person, 5’6″ or 5’7” but he was a very strong man.  He often boasted that he could take the place of two men in the field.  Joseph worked on the threshing machine.  He lifted the bags of grain off the thresher.     

“Annie’s brother, August, condemned grandmother for not raising her family in the LDS church.  He would bring out his temple cloths and according to Rosa Jonas who was there, made grandma cry.  He would say, “This is what our mother was buried in.”  Then he would show her the temple clothes.  This happened a few times and grandma was so upset on time that she spit on her brother.  August probably had good intentions, but he handled the situation wrong.  Annie was a women who was sick and just released from a state hospital.  She needed special consideration and understanding.   

Joseph and Margaret Jonas about 1899

“Joseph and August had arguments, too.  August persuaded the Jonas children to stay in Utah and not go back with their father to Washington.  Rosa remembered that her father shook his fist at her and said “You remember where you belong.”  Finally, Joseph went back to Washington with only one of his five living children, Margaret.  The rest stayed in Crescent.  The four Jonas children finally went to Richmond, Utah.  Rosa married in 1904 and in 1908 the three boys left Sandy to live with their sister.     

Christian & Rosa Andersen

“An interesting book that may help the reader of this story to understand the life of Annie had while she was in the state hospitals was published March of 1908 and is entitled “A Mind that Found Itself.”  This is a biography written by the author after his complete recovery from a mental illness.  He describes conditions in a state hospital during the same time period Annie was living in one.  The man’s name is Clifford W Beers.  People who were admitted at the turn of the century were often treated cruelly.  The people who were hired were untrained and needed no qualifications.  Add to this the low wage and one may understand that people who hired to watch the sick used physical restraints and force to control their assigned subjects.  Besides having their freedoms and dignity taken away, they were assigned to one style of clothes to wear.   

“According to Annie’s records Annie was rational at times and then would have a sudden stroke of passion come over her.  While Annie was in the state hospital she wrote to her children.  She was capable of writing beautiful intelligent letters.  At times she was in possession of her mental abilities.  Unfortunately her children never answered her letters, which only worsened the way she felt about herself.  The children were young, the oldest in her mid-teens.  But the lack of support of her children and all other family relatives must have made her very lonely and given her a feeling of unhappiness and probably despair.  Also, Joseph, her husband, must have been frustrated after taking her out of the state hospitals three different times and unable to help her.  The circumstances would try the patience of any man.  Joseph and Annie were given certain trials in this life which would be hard to bear by most people.  Perhaps their trials in this life will help their standing before God in the next.  A feeling of empathy for them comes over the author when he thinks of their lives and their loneliness.   

“All of the children of Joseph and Annie, who lived past the age of 20, joined The Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints.  John, William, and Joseph Nelson were all baptized 10 January 1902.  Rosa was baptized 6 February 1902.  Margaret, Mary, and Annette Josephine had short lives.  Mary died of typhoid fever 21 September 1899 being 14 years and two months old.  Her sister, Rosa, said she chided her sister and told her, “You’re not sick because your face is so pink.”  Mary unfortunately died the next day.  The children did not realize it was the high fever that caused her cheek’s to be so flushed.  Mary was baptized in the St. Andrew church in Ellensburg 25 Jul 1886 with two of her cousins, Elizabeth and Hubert.  She was just one year old.  Her headstone is on the main road or trail which runs through the Holy Cross Cemetery in Ellensburg.  Her headstone is facing away from the road so you would need to go to the back to see the words.  The original road was moved from in front of her headstone to the back of her headstone.  The headstone reads, Mary dau. of Joseph and Anna Jonas born 17 Jul 1885 died 21 Sep 1899.  She is buried next to her grandfather, Hubert Jonas and close to her sister, Margaret, and Uncle William Jonas.  Her baptism and death records are at St. Andrew’s church.  Margaret died of Bright’s disease.  Bright’s disease is characterized by heightened blood pressure.  The city paper called the Ellensburg Dawn dated 22 Sep 1904 reads, “Miss Jonas, daughter of Joe Jonas died Sat of Bright’s disease.”  Margaret was born 17 Jun 1884 in Logan, Cache county, Utah.  No records were found for her baptism in Ellensburg, although she was baptized.  We have pictures of her graduation from catechism.  Margaret was the only daughter who had red hair like her mother.  Margaret was the only child who went back to Washington with her father sometime in 1901.  She lived in Thorpe when she died.  She has a beautiful headstone with a lot of detail embossed on it and these words, “Margaret beloved dau of Joseph and Annie Jonas died 17 Sep 1904 aged 30 years 3 months.”  Both Margaret’s and Mary’s headstones were bought by grandpa Joseph Jonas.  We know that because grandma was absent from the family during both deaths.  Margaret also had a 4″ X 6 1/2″ card made at the time of her death.  This card, too, was Joseph’s idea.  The card is in a silver and black print with white background.  There is a bird that has a paper in its mouth with the following description, “Let us be patient: These severe afflictions not from the ground arise, but often times celestial benedictions assume this dark disguise.”  There is a small arch with “In Living Remembrance of.”  Then a box elaborately decorated with, “Margaret Jonas” died Sep 17, 1904 aged 20 years and 3 months.”  Then at the bottom in silver letters the following poem.  “We miss thee from our home, dear, We miss the sunshine of thy face.  We miss thy kind and willing hand, Thy fond and earnest care, Our home is dark without thee, We miss thee everywhere.”  Joseph Jonas’ sentiments are realized to a degree by the headstone and card he left behind.  He was obviously deeply hurt by his daughter’s death.    

 

Margaret Jonas

“Another interesting story we have, which gives us insight to Joseph’s personality, is how he handled his three son’s misbehaving.  The three Jonas boys, John, William, and Joseph, had been caught stealing apples.  Joseph was very upset.  But instead of doing something immediately he went and chopped some wood for the fire.  He chopped long enough to get rid of some of his anger.  Then he disciplined his three boys.  Joseph had a quick temper, but this story reveals his attempt to control his temper.  If Joseph came home and got upset he was capable of turning the furniture over.  However, Rosa’s children who knew Joseph Jonas really loved him.  Rosa said that she had often wished she had sealed her mother’s sister, Charlotte, to him after he died.   

William Nelson Jonas

“Joseph gave annual donations to his church.  One record reveals the following: “Mr Joe Jonas paid $5.00 this 11 day of October.”  Also, 5 July 1910-paid $5.00 for cemetery care; 1911-his name was written for contributions; 1912 contribution of $3.00; 1913 contribution of $10.00.  Joseph was also one of the witnesses when his brother, William, sold his land on the 18th of October 1905.  The above records reveal faith in God.  Also, there were probably other donations before 1910 that weren’t recorded.    We have a census record for Joseph in the following years; 1860, 1870, 1880, 1885, 1887, 1900, 1910.  We learn from the 1900 census that the family lived in Cle Elum, a place north west of Ellensburg, at which time they were renting a house.  The 1910 year has Joseph living in the South Kittitas Precinct.  He was living in a house with two single men, who were also of German extraction and were also workers for the railroad.  Joseph was 51 years old and his roommates were 47 and 56 years old.  He told the man taking the census that he was the head of his family and that he was a widower.  next to Joseph’s name on the 1910 census is the record of seven men who were living in a section house.  Joseph was most likely living in the foreman’s house that was owned by the railroad.  Counting the two people living with him it is likely that Joseph was the foreman of nine men during this summer work.     

Margaret Jonas

“On 19 February 1912 Joseph Jonas went to a notary and recorded the following affidavit: “Joseph Jonas to public.  Joseph Jonas, being first duly sworn, on oath states: That he is a brother of William Jonas who died in Kittitas County Washington, Oct 11, 1905; that said William Jonas died seized the following real estate situated in said Kittitas County, to wit: the south west quarter of section twenty three (23) in township eighteen (18) north of range eighteen (18) east, W.M.; that said William Jonas at the time of his death was a widower, his wife, Emma Jonas, having died in said Kittitas county, on March 17, 1898, intestate: that said William Jonas was married once; that George Jonas, son of said William and Emma died on the third day of July, 1908, at the age of ten years, intestate.”   

“Joseph Jonas was a hard working man.  He was strict with his family, and was a good provider.  He often helped neighbors by letting them stay in his house and by feeding them.  One time grandmother, Annie, had made some rolls and jam which were given to a visitor.  The man decided that he didn’t want to eat the food so after he got outside he gave the food a toss.  Joseph saw this and gave the man a verbal tongue lashing.  Also, Grandpa one day was cooking a pan of eggs.  It was a large fry pan.  A fly landed into the eggs, so he threw the eggs, fly and all, into the fire.   

“About 1907 Joseph was visiting his daughter, Rosa.  He needed some help on his section gang.  So his son-in-law, Christian Anderson, went to Washington and worked on the railroad.  His son-in-law thought Joseph was a good man to work for and after Joseph died he made a wooden cross for his grave.   

“When Joseph was 58 years old he came to Utah to die at his daughter’s home in Richmond, Utah.  Joseph had sugar diabetes and dropsy.  He had been sick for a year and six months before he died.  He stayed at Rosa’s home for about two months before he passed away.  Lillian, Joseph Nelson Jonas’ wife, who remembered seeing Joseph said that he was a handsome man even on his death bed.  He died 28 Jun 1917 at 3:00 A.M. and was buried 30 Jun 1917 in the Richmond Cemetery.  He has a headstone.  It is exactly like his wife’s headstone and were both placed on the graves by a member of the Jonas family years after their deaths.  The records aren’t clear, but the only sibling they had who could have bought these headstones was William Nelson Jonas.  All the other siblings had died rather early in life.     

Joseph Nelson Jonas and Lillian Coley Jonas

“During one of the visits Joseph made to his daughter, Rosa, in Richmond, Utah, Rosa had forgotten to put Annie’s picture away.  Joseph picked it up and said, “They didn’t tell me when you passed away, but you came to me so I knew you were dead.”   

“Some time after Cy Anderson was born, the first grandson of Joseph and Annette, Joseph made a visit to Utah to see the family.  That was probably in 1908.  Joseph bought him some new clothes, a sailor’s outfit.  During his visits he would ask the children to help their mother.  Joseph would be standing at the top of the stairs and would toss someone a nickel and say, “clean up the table for your mother and the nickel is yours.”  The grandchildren who knew Joseph really like him.  Joseph rejected any attempt his children made to convert him to the LDS Church.  But Joseph was a religious man, and believed in God.   

“Rosa loved to take her father’s coat and smell the lapel when he came to visit.  She liked to smell the smoke from the big cigar Grandpa smoked.   

John and Nellie (Andersen) Jonas

“Grandpa Joseph Jonas lived to see his wife, Annie, die; three of his daughters; both of his parents; his brother, William, and Emma his sister-in-law all die.  He lived away from his four living children for most of their lives.  He was a man with a family, but wasn’t able to be with them very much for the last 16 years of his life.  He was very much alone except for friends he made in Washington.  Grandma, Annette Nelson Jonas, except for a few brief months, spent the last 11 years of her life alone or in the company of strangers.  Annie experienced her family’s lack of support and certainly a broken heart sped her to an early death.  One may wonder why some people are asked to suffer such hardships in life.  Yet, we should always appreciate them for giving us our lives and for the sacrifices they made in raising a large family.  They provided for and loved their children, and raised them well under extreme hardships.

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Biography of John George Wanner Sr

Wanner Family about 1895

Biography of John George Wanner taken from a hand written history which was in a box of Genealogy material of Clara Bodrero, now in possession of Elaine Ricks (unknown dates), author unknown.. I have written a history of John George Wanner Sr previously. I updated location and names to their proper spelling.

“John George Wanner, son of John Frederick and Anna Maria Marquardt, was born Oct. 18, 1845, at Holzgerlingen, Germany. He had two brothers, namely Michal and Conrad. Grandfather was the youngest child. [He wasn’t a very large man about 5 feet 6 inches tall. He always looked well dressed, clean and very nice.]

“He was member of the Protestant Church. At this church the members graduated from Sunday School at the age of 18.

“In those days children didn’t get very much schooling and grandfather was no exception.

“Grandpa while in Germany worked on the roads and was the road overseer. he also worked in the Black Forest and fought in the Civil War in Germany in 1865 and the War of 1870-71.

“He was married to Anna Maria Schmidt on June 6, 1870. [She was about 5 feet 4 inches and had a good shape. She always fixed her hair so beautiful, she looked nice and well dressed. I can remember this beautiful black knit winter dress she had and she always wore gloves] From this union was born to them five sons and five daughters. Before his marriage he served in the Civil War in Germany and again after his marriage in 1870 & 71 for quite a while.

“After his marriage he worked in the woods. In 1873 they moved from Holzgerlingen to Gruenkraut, Wuerttemberg, where they bought a little home and farm. He also worked in the gravel and woods on this side. In 1880 he got a job on a big highway and worked on it until he came to America in 1893.

“In the month of May 1891 while working on the Highway two men came along and talked to him, giving him a Tract. They were members and missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They visited his home telling him and his family of the gospel and the Lord’s work. They made their visits often, and in July 1891, John George, the oldest son was baptized and came to America with a missionary by the name of Terrell from Providence, Utah.

“In October 1891, grandfather, his wife and some of their children were baptized by the Elders. (Grandfather was the only member of his father’s family that joined the Latter Day Saint church.

“In May 1893, they prepared to come to America. [They rode the train for a day and then got on a ship and went up the Rhine River. This took them three or four days. They then rode the train another day and got on a ship on the North Sea that took them to England; the sea was very turbulent and they had a rough voyage.

“They went to Liverpool, England from Germany on a small ship. From Liverpool to New York they came on a big ship and were on the ocean 13 days. They arrived at New York City and stayed in a Hotel 20 stories up for 1 or 2 nights. They took the train to Chicago where they stayed 1 or 2 nights. Then they took a train and came to Franklin, Idaho arriving on Sunday June 18, 1893. They were met by their son George and Brother Fred Nuffer, the man George was working for. They met them with a one seated buggy and a wagon. Grandfather Wanner asked for a drink of water after getting off the train. “You’ll have to be on your stomach by that stream”, George spoke up. This made Grandfather Wanner so discussed that he walked back to Logan over 20 miles, with a determination to go back to Germany if he had to drink from ditches. The next day he reconsidered and again returned to Franklin, Idaho. They went to Cub River to Fred Nuffer’s place where they stayed for almost one week Then they purchased the farm of John Nuffer in Glendale, Idaho. [It was during this week that Grandpa took his daughter Mary and they walked to Bear Lake County seeking a farm and a home and to see what was available there. They slept on the ground at nights and saved some of their read to feed the bears so they wouldn’t bother them. They had to take off their shoes as they forged streams. It as a rough trip.

“[The first Sunday they were in Glendale, Grandpa and Grandma went to church with these five beautiful daughters and two sons. One day, William Addison Wagstaff was the ward clerk and mother, Mary, had on a red dress; dad looked down at her and winked. You see, dad was well past 30 and not married. I bet he though here is my chance. Of course there were other nice gals available, but he hadn’t married and we were happy he chose mother.]

“[Grandma soon joined the Relief Society and in the minutes of the meetings that I have, tell of her bearing her testimony often and donating eggs, wheat, calico or whatever, when asked to do so. They had a strong testimony and remained true to the Church and were ardent Temple Workers till their last days on earth. ]

“John Wanner took up more land after a few years and built a log cabin to claim the land. Cleared quaken aspens from his farm to have more land. One day his All slipped from a stump and cut a deep space i his hand. It was necessary for the doctor to put in several ditches as the farm work advanced he built a barn and bought addition cows.

“Mother Wanner made and sold many pounds of butter a week to George Benson Store in Whitney, Idaho.

“The Wanners also picked and sold number quarts of currants, gooseberries and raspberries. Gooseberries were about 20 quarts for a dollar, the raspberries sold for about 10 or 12 quarts for a dollar. These were delivered price.

“About that time 2 additional rooms were added to a rock house that was on the place.

“They bought the John Nuffer’s farm at Glendale, Idaho, now Franklin County. Later he bought the Jed M. Blair farms in Whitney and started to raise sugar beets.

“[They later moved in 1910 to Logan, Utah and ] while living at Logan, Utah [to be near the Logan Temple where they could go often. In Logan, they lived at two or three different places, but I wasn’t able to find out for sure. The places I distinctly remember was their home on 3rd North and two or so blocks East and their last home in Logan was a lovely home they built located on 4th North and two blocks East. they did a great deal of Temple work for the dead having got many names from Germany. They also did a lot of work for other people. While in Logan, Grandpa always had a lively horse, a good looking single black buggy and a real snazzy buggy whip. This one place they lived on in Logan had an extra lot where he grew hay for his horse and he’d cut it with the scythe. They also always had a nice garden and beautiful flowers. As I remember this home was on 3rd North and a few blocks East.]

“[They were hard working, thrifty people and handled their affairs very well. They really made hay while the sun shone and were able to retire at a reasonable age and had enough to live on plus an estate they left. ]

“February 16, 1922 after a short illness of pneumonia he died and was buried in the cemetery at Logan, Utah.

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2020: The Year of the Dead

This wasn’t intentional.  Not sure why or how it happened, but it did.

Anyone who knows me knows that I stop and visited deceased people and ancestors anytime I am in the neighborhood.  Kinda like stopping in to visit any other cousin or friend when you are driving through, are in town, and have some time.  Ancestors are very accommodating whenever you want to stop in and visit.  Maybe COVID-19 just gave us more time.

I have the following ancestors who are buried somewhat nearby, western United States.  I will link each ancestor I have written about previously if you want additional information.  Here are my ancestors and where they are buried.

As of this writing, I see there are two ancestors that I haven’t stopped and visited in the last few years and got pictures with the kids and the tombstone, Christiana Andra in Salt Lake City and William Sharp in Ogden (I now have the goal to get it done before the end of the year).  I also have a couple of known ancestors without tombstones, David and Gwenllian Jordan in Ogden, Utah, Hubert Jonas in Ellensburg, Washington (but we got pictures at the grave), and Damey Ross in Olivehurst, California (who we visited after hours and couldn’t even locate the grave).  We should remedy that but we may just have to stop and get pictures with their grave locations.

I also cheat and use the 2016, 2018, and 2019 photos with three ancestors, Johanna Benson in Spring City, Utah in 2018, John William Ross in San Bruno, California in 2016, and James Thomas Ross/Meredith in Fresno, California in 2019.  I could do a 2020 photo for Johanna, but I am not going to California just to redo a tombstone photo with the two Ross ancestors.

Grandparents

Milo & Gladys Ross – Plain City, Utah

Lillian, Paul, Aliza, and Hiram Ross with tombstone of Gladys Maxine Donaldson (1921-2004) and Milo James Ross (1921-2014) on 23 May 2020.

Norwood Jonas – Richmond, Utah

Hiram and Aliza Ross with tombstone of Wilburn Norwood Jonas (1924-1975) on 26 July 2020.

Colleen Lloyd – Dingle, Idaho

Lillian, Hiram, James, and Aliza Ross with tombstone of Colleen Mary Andra (1928-1999) and Ivan W Lloyd (1919-2011) on 25 July 2020.

Great Grandparents

John Ross – Golden Gate National, San Bruno, California

Paul Ross with tombstone of John William (Jack) Ross (1890-1948) on 24 May 2016.

Ethel Ross – Plain City, Utah

Hiram, Aliza, and Lillian Ross with tombstone for Ethel Sharp Ross (1898-1925) on 23 May 2020.

Delos & Dena Donaldson – Ogden, Utah

Aliza Ross with tombstone for Berendena Van Leeuwen (1898-1959) and David Delos Donaldson (1894-1953) on 28 June 2020.

Joseph & Lillian Jonas – Richmond, Utah

Hiram and Aliza Ross with tombstone of Lillian Coley (1898-1987) and Joseph Nelson Jonas (1893-1932) on 26 July 2020.

Bill & Mary Andra – Whitney, Idaho

Lillian (in background by Wanner tombstone), James, Aliza, and Hiram Ross with tombstone of Mary Louise Wanner (1901-1991) and William Fredrick Andra (1898-1990) on 26 July 2020.

Great Great Grandparents

James Ross/Meredith – Belmont Memorial, Fresno, California

Paul, Aliza, and Hiram Ross with tombstone of James Thomas Ross (aka James R Meredith)(1869-1951) on 10 May 2019.

Damey Graham Ross – Sierra View, Olivehurst, California

Damey Catherine Graham Ross doesn’t have a tombstone, but we visited her grave in 2016 in the evening.  No photo.

Milo & Lillie Sharp – Plain City, Utah

Aliza, Paul, Lillian, and Hiram Ross with tombstone of Mary Ann Bailey (1828-1913), Mary Ann (Lillian “Lillie” Musgrave) Stoker (1861-1935) and Milo Riley Sharp (1857-1916) on 23 May 2020. Mary Ann Bailey is the mother of Milo Riley Sharp, don’t confuse mother Mary Ann with spouse Mary Ann. We shorten our Lillian’s name to Lillie’s spelling in her honor.

William & Mary Donaldson – Ogden, Utah

Aliza Ross with tombstones of Mary Elizabeth Williams (1869-1951) and William Scott Donaldson (1865-1913) on 28 June 2020.

George & Minnie Van Leeuwen – Ogden, Utah

Aliza Ross with tombstones for Hermina Jansen (1860-1921) and George Henry (Gerhardus Hendrick) Van Leeuwen (1856-1932) on 28 June 2020.

Joseph Jonas – Richmond, Utah

Tombstone of Joseph Jonas (1859-1917) on 26 July 2020.  The S is a mistake put there by someone.  Some have put his mother’s maiden name “Schumacher” there, but we have yet to find any evidence of that middle initial or name.

Annie Jonas – Crescent, Sandy, Utah

Lillian and Hiram Ross with tombstone of Annetta Josephine Nelson Jonas (1864-1907) on 11 July 2020.

Herbert & Martha Coley – Richmond, Utah

Lillian Ross with tombstone of Martha Christiansen (1879-1961) and Herbert Coley (1864-1942) on 26 July 2020.

Christiana Andra – Wasatch Memorial, Latona Section, Salt Lake City, Utah

Aliza Ross, Jill Hemsley, Lillian Ross with tombstone of Christiana Wilhelmina Knauke (1869-1957), widow of Friedrich Theodor Andra, on 6 September 2020.  She went by Wilhelmina in the United States and married Johann Wendel, as I have written previously.  The other grave is her daughter-in-law and grandson, Rebecca Emelia Christensen (1904-1931) and Otto Carl Andra (1929-1929).

George & Regina Wanner – Whitney, Idaho

Hiram and Aliza Ross with tombstone of Regina Frederike Nuffer (1869-1942) and John George Wanner (1870-1947) on 26 July 2020.

Great Great Great Grandparents

William Sharp – Ogden, Utah

Lillie, Paul, Aliza, and Hiram Ross with tombstone of William Sharp on 27 November 2020.  This was the first time I had ever been to William’s grave.

Mary Sharp – Plain City, Utah

Aliza, Paul, Lillian, and Hiram Ross with tombstone of Mary Ann Bailey (1828-1913), Mary Ann (Lillie Musgrave) Stoker (1861-1935) and Milo Riley Sharp (1857-1916) on 23 May 2020. Mary Ann Bailey is the mother of Milo Riley Sharp, don’t confuse mother Mary Ann with spouse Mary Ann. We shorten our Lillian’s name to Lillie’s spelling in her honor.

William Stoker – Plain City, Utah

Hiram, Paul, Lillian, and Aliza Ross with tombstone of William Edward Stoker (1827-1899) on 23 May 2020.

David & Gwenllian Williams – Ogden, Utah

Aliza, Lillie, Paul, James, and Hiram Ross at the graves of Gwenllian Jordan (1842-1900) and David D Williams (1832-1911) on 27 November 2020.  Neither have a tombstone. 

Hubert Jonas – Holy Cross, Ellensburg, Washington

Lillian Ross with tombstone of Emma Schriber Jonas (1855-1898), wife of William Jonas on 5 August 2020. William and his father Hubert both do not have tombstones and are buried next to Emma.

John & Annie Nelson – Logan, Utah

Hiram, James, Lillian, and Aliza Ross with tombstone for Agnetta Benson (Bengtsson)(1832-1873) and John Nelson (Johann Nilsson)(1827-1902) on 25 July 2020.

Stephen & Hannah Coley – Lewiston, Utah

Aliza Ross with tombstone of Hannah Maria Rogers (1832-1894) and Stephen Coley (1830-1913) on 26 July 2020.

Olle Christiansen – Richmond, Utah

Lillian Ross with the tombstone of Olle Christiansen (1853-1900) on 26 July 2020.  This tombstone notes his wife’s burial in Portland, Oregon.

Constance Christiansen – Multnomah Park, Portland, Oregon

Paul, Aliza, and Lillian Ross with tombstone of Constance Josephine Eliza Jorgensen Christiansen (1857-1932) on 8 August 2020.  Portland apparently isn’t watering their cemeteries this year.

John & Anna Wanner – Logan, Utah

James, Aliza, Hiram, and Lillian Ross with tombstone of Anna Maria Schmid (1849-1929) and John George Wanner (1845-1922) on 25 July 2020.

John & Eva Nuffer – Preston, Idaho

Aliza, Hiram, and Lillian Ross with tombstones of Eva Katharina Greiner (1835-1893) and Johann Christoph Nuffer (1835-1908) on 26 July 2020.

Great Great Great Great Grandparents

John Williams – Ogden, Utah

James, Lillie, Aliza, Paul, and Hiram Ross at the tombstone of John Williams (1797-1876) on 27 November 2020.

David & Margret Jordan – Brigham City, Utah

Paul, Aliza, Lillian, and Hiram Ross with tombstones for Margret Watkins (1816-1902), David Jordan (1820-1893) and Thomas Jordan (1857-1880) on 23 May 2020. Thomas is the son of David and Margret.

Johanna Benson – Spring City, Utah

Paul, Aliza, Hiram, and Lillian Ross with tombstone of Johanna Johannsson Benson (Bengtsson)(1813-1897) on 7 September 2018.  I know I am cheating, it wasn’t 2020.  But it was recent.

Olavus & Hanna Jorgensen – Richmond, Utah

Aliza Ross with tombstones of Hanna Mathea Christensen (1831-1900) and Olavus Jorgensen (1830-1904) on 26 July 2020.

Others visited this year.

Garrett Lee Smith – Weston, Oregon

Paul Ross with tombstone of Garrett Lee Smith (1981-2003) on 9 August 2020.  Garrett was my last missionary companion.

Eli Benjamin Stoker – Mullan, Idaho

Tombstone of Eli Benjamin Stoker (1870-1952) on 3 August 2020.  Eli is the half-brother to my Mary Ann Stoker Sharp.

Mary Nelson Jonas – Holy Cross – Ellensburg, Washington

Aliza Ross with tombstone of Mary Nelson Jonas (1885-1899) on 5 August 2020.  Mary is the sister to my Joseph Nelson Jonas.

Ezra & Flora Benson – Whitney, Idaho

Aliza and James Ross with tombstone of Flora Smith Amussen (1901-1992) and Ezra Taft Benson (1899-1994) on 26 July 2020.  Many know Ezra as the 13th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Secretary of Agriculture under President Eisenhower.

Spackman Plot Marker – Lewiston, Utah

Aliza Ross with the Spackman Plot Marker. She recognized and wanted a picture with the Pacman tombstone on 26 July 2020.

Walter Theodor Andra – Logan, Utah

Aliza, Hiram, and Lillian Ross with tombstone of Walter Theodor Andra (1896-1967) on 25 July 2020.  Walter is brother to my Bill Andra.

Charles Wilson Nibley – Logan, Utah

Aliza, Hiram, James, and Lillian Ross with tombstone of Charles Wilson Nibley (1849-1931) on 25 July 2020.  Charles is known for various positions and business interests, but most will know him as a member of the First Presidency (non-apostle) to President Heber J Grant of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Moses Thatcher – Logan, Utah

Lillian, Hiram, and Aliza Ross with tombstone of Moses Thatcher (1842-1909) on 25 July 2020.  Moses is known for various positions and business interests, but most will know him as a an Apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Allison Ann Parker – Logan, Utah

Tombstone of Allison Ann Parker (1976-1997) on 25 July 2020.  Allison is a friend and brother of my high school friends Ryan and Russell Parker.  She passed away after a tragic accident driving back to Utah after our Senior Prom date night in 1997.

Peter Maughan – Logan, Utah

James, Aliza, Lillian, and Hiram Ross with tombstone of Peter Maughan on 25 July 2020.  Peter is known for various positions and business interests, as one of the founders of Cache Valley, Utah.

Ezra Benson – Logan, Utah

Aliza, James, Hiram, and Lillian Ross with tombstone of Ezra Taft Benson (1811-1869) on 25 July 2020.  Ezra is known for various positions and business interests, but most will know him as a an Apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Nels Nelson – Crescent, Sandy, Utah

Hiram and Lillian Jonas with tombstone of Nels August Nelson (Nilsson)(1857-1935) on 11 July 2020. He is the brother to my Annetta “Annie” Jonas.

Stanley Spatig – West Warren, Utah

Tombstone of Stanley Hazen Spatig (1940-2013). Son of Eva Virtue Wanner Spatig, sister to my Mary Louise Wanner Andra.

Joseph & Ann Wayment – West Warren, Utah

Bryan Hemsley, Amanda, Aliza, and Hiram Ross with tombstones of Ann Reed (1852-1931) and Joseph Wayment (1844-1931). Amanda’s Great Great Great Grandparents on 24 May 2020.

Louis & Martha Hansen – West Warren, Utah

Bryan Hemsley, Aliza, Amanda, and Hiram Ross with tombstone of Sarah Eveline Judkins (1886-1943), Louis Alma Hansen (1876-1951), and Martha Ann Wayment (1877-1908) on 24 May 2020. Louis and Martha are Amanda’s Great Great Grandparents.

Walter & Myrtle Hansen – West Warren, Utah

Bryan & Jill Hemsley with Aliza, Lillian, Amanda, and Hiram Ross with tombstone of Myrtle Thompson (1902-1959) and Walter Wayment Hansen (1904-1995) on 24 May 2020. Walter and Myrtle are Amanda’s Great Grandparents.

Evan & Lona Jonas – Lindquist Memorial Gardens of the Wasatch, Ogden, Utah

Aliza and James Ross with tombstone for Lona Rae Jensen (1930-2012) and Evan Reed Jonas (1928-1999) on 23 May 2020. Evan is the brother to my Norwood Jonas.

Spencer & Jimmie Jonas – Lindquist Memorial Gardens of the Wasatch, Ogden, Utah

Aliza Ross with tombstone of Viola Amelia (Jimmie) Cole (1920-1996) and Spencer Gilbert Jonas (1919-1988) on 23 May 2020. Spencer is the brother to my Norwood Jonas.

Melvin Thompson – Lindquist Memorial Gardens of the Wasatch, Ogden, Utah

Amanda, James, Aliza, Lillian, Hiram Ross, Bryan and Jill Hemsley, and Alyssa Smart with tombstone of Melvin J Thompson (1925-2018) on 23 May 2020. Mel is Amanda step-Grandpa.

Merle & Belle Hemsley – Lindquist Memorial Gardens of the Wasatch, Ogden, Utah

Bryan & Jill Hemsley, Hiram, Lillian, Aliza, and Amanda Ross with tombstone for Belle Sarah Peterson (1917-2003) and Richard Merle Hemsley (1912-1962) on 23 May 2020. Merle and Belle are Amanda’s Great Grandparents.

Ellen Weller – Hooper, Utah

Tombstone of Ellen Watton Weller (1828-1894) on 23 May 2020. I stumbled upon this tombstone in Hooper. I was walking around, felt inspired to walk over, and looked at this one knowing there was a link. Name looked vaguely familiar. Half-sister to my Hannah Maria Rogers Coley. Didn’t know she was buried in Hooper, FamilySearch didn’t have it either. Her and Joseph Weller are now documented and updated.

Dee Hemsley – Hooper, Utah

Alyssa Smart, Bryan and Jill Hemsley, Aliza, Lillian, Amanda, and Hiram Ross with tombstone of Richard DeLece Hemsley (1936-2013) on 23 May 2020.  Dee is Amanda’s grandfather.

William & Martha Wayment – Plain City, Utah

James, Amanda, Lillian, Aliza, and Hiram Ross with tombstones for Martha Brown (1823-1905) and William Wayment (1822-1883) on 23 May 2020. William and Martha are Amanda’s Great Great Great Great Grandparents.  The tombstone above Aliza’s head is William Edward Stoker mentioned above, my Great Great Great Grandfather.

Lorenzo Snow – Brigham City, Utah

Hiram, Lillian, and Aliza Ross with tombstone for Lorenzo Snow (1814-1901) on 23 May 2020. Lorenzo Snow is known as the 5th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

David & Ruby Haight – Wasatch Memorial, Salt Lake City, Utah

Aliza & Lillian Ross, Jill Hemsley, with tombstone of Ruby Olson (1910-2004) and David Bruce Haight (1906-2004) on 6 September 2020.  David Haight is known as an Apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and I previously interacted with him regarding marriage.

Charlotte Sharp – Ogden, Utah

James and Paul Ross at the tombstone of Charlotte Elizabeth Earl (1816-1907) on 27 November 2020.  Charlotte married my William Sharp (1826-1900) after she was widowed of her first husband Charles James McGary (1808-1875). 

Lorin Farr – Ogden, Utah

Paul Ross with tombstone of Lorin Farr (1808-1907) on 27 November 2020.  Lorin Farr was the first Stake President of the Weber Stake which covered all the territory of all my ancestors in Ogden and Plain City.  He was also the first Mayor of Ogden.

Thomas Marsh – Ogden, Utah

Paul Ross with tombstone of Thomas Baldwin Marsh (1800-1866) on 27 November 2020.  Thomas Marsh is known as the first Apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who had he remained faithful, would have been President before Brigham Young.

Sergene Sorenson – Pleasant View, Burley, Idaho

Lillie, Hiram, Aliza, and James Ross with tombstone of Sergene Sorenson (1932-2013) on 2 January 2021. Sergene is the sister to my Grandma Colleen.

Scott Sorenson – Pleasant View, Burley, Idaho

James, Lillie, Hiram, and Aliza Ross with tombstone of Scott Sorenson (1951-2001) on 2 January 2021.
Lillie, Hiram, Aliza, and James Ross with tombstone of Bert Sorenson (1924-1991) on 2 January 2021.
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German Branch of Oneida Stake

Necia Seamons article at Oneida Stake Academy

In 2018, I took the kids over to Preston, Idaho because there was a display on some of our Nuffer ancestors at the Oneida Stake Academy.  Necia Seamons has been good to write history of the area and do various research projects.  The Academy continues to be restored and progress is being made.

I thought these pages deserved their own entry for the history as well as reference to family.

“On April 19, 1896, the Oneida Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints organized a German speaking branch based in Glendale.  Both John Nuffer and Charles August Nuffer served int he branch’s leadership, as did Joseph Moser, Mr. Kern, Alma Moser and William Addison Wagstaff.

“The first branch president was Jacob (Ira) Naef, who was Swiss.

“They gathered every two weeks, at first in the homes of members, and sometimes traveled as many as 20 miles for services from the towns of Glendale, Preston, Mink Creek, Whitney, St. Joseph and Franklin.

“‘The branch existed for 20 years, until Oneida Stake President Joseph S Geddes, in 1916, asked Charles August Nuffer, then branch president, to not hold meetings due to contentious sentiments toward the German speaking people.’

“‘During the latter part of the war, some of the people of Preston made it very hot for the German-speaking people, yet most of them were Swiss but that did not make any difference.’

“‘After the war, many of the German people moved away, so we never started to hold meetings anymore,’ said Charles August Nuffer.

“At the end of WWI, Preston resident gathered outhouses into the town square, what is now Benson Park (above), and called it the ‘Schitty of Berlin.’  They whooped and hollered and burned the mock city down.

“Willard and Austin Nuffer sons of John and Louisa Zollinger Nuffer, served the U.S. in WWI.  Willard also registered for WWII.

Necia Seamons article at Oneida Stake Academy

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Richmond South Ward, Benson Stake Basketball

Richmond South Basketball Team.  Back (l-r): LeReta Andersen, Elaine Bell, Jeannie Spackman, Hope Anderson.  Front: Janet Whitman, Louise Godfrey, Marva Dawn Spackman, Carolyn Spackman, Arlene Alvey.

This photo was shared with me several years ago but I didn’t know who the individuals were in the photo.  Only this past weeks I was given a copy of a newspaper clipping with the same photo in it with a little bit of background.  Here is the language of the newspaper clipping.

“BENSON STAKE CHAMPIONS – Richmonud (sic) South ward girls were undefeated in eight games, which was good enough for stake honors.  The team captain is Arlene Alvey; manager and coach is Marva Dawn Spackman.  Left to right, (front): Janet Whitman, Louise Godfrey, Marva Dawn Spackman, Carolyn Spackman, Arlene Alvey.  (Back): LaReta (sic) Anderson (sic), Elaine Bell, Jeannie Spackman and Hope Anderson.  The Benson stake league has featured some fast girls’ games this season.

Here is the information on the individuals in the photo I could find.

Myrtle Arlene Alvey (1935 – 2017), married Melvin Butterfield.

Hope Anderson (? – ?)

Elaine Bell (? – ?)

Louise Godfrey (? – ?)

LeReta Mary Jonas (1932 – 2018), married Lowell Andersen.

Carolyn Spackman (1935 – 2013), married Leon Fisher, Ray Fiske.

Jeannie Spackman (? – ?)

Marva Dawn Spackman (1932 – 2017), married Gail Alvey.

Janet Whitman (? – ?)