I really do not know anything about this photo. This was one of many photos that were in the Todd/Coley collection that I scanned in 2014. On the back of it was written “Leander Harral Twin Falls” in pencil. I really was not sure if that was enough information. This must have been a friend of Melvin Todd.
Doing a quick search today, I found an obituary for a Leander Harral. Everything seems to be a match. I uploaded the photo to his profile on FamilySearch.
Leander H. Harral
Des Moines, Iowa – Leander H. Harral, 84, died January 15, 2020. Born and reared in Twin Falls, Idaho. Graduated from Idaho State University with a B.S. in business, a minor in accounting. Worked for the State of Iowa, Department of Education for 30 years. Served in the US Army, post Korean Conflict for 6 years. He was active in Neighborhood Organizations in Des Moines. He loved to fish and travel. Most of all he loved his AKC Champion Border Terriers competing in Earthdog, Tracking, Agility, Rally and Obedience. Most rewarding to him was when he did volunteering with his therapy dog, Joy.
Survived by his wife, a 60 year marriage, Olga “Trudy” (Nerge) Harral; good neighbor and friend, Terry Davis; sister-in-law, Betty Lou (Paul) Schwake; sister, June (Wayne Tardiff) Harral; brother, Quintin (Avon) Harral; many nieces and nephews, great- and great-great-.
Leander was preceded in death by his parents, Quintin and Louise (Engelbrecht) Harral; father and mother-in-law, Clarence and Doris Nerge; sister and brother-in-law, Jacqueline and Raymond Davis; and brother-in-law, Harold Haverkamp.
Services will be held at Garden of Memories Cemetery in Waterloo, Iowa at a later date for the immediate family. Arrangements handled by Hamilton’s Funeral Home.
Here is another photo of the bunch. It shows Quinton Harral on it.
Quinton Harral
I found this obituary for Quinton Harral, he passed away just last year.
Quintin Henry Harral, age 86, passed away peacefully early Sunday morning on July 16, 2023, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls, Idaho, from post surgical complications.
Quintin was born in Twin Falls, Idaho, on July 23, 1936, to Quintin Leander Harral and Louise Lulu Engelbrecht Harral. Quintin was the second of three children, Leander, an older brother by 16 months and a younger sister, June, 2 years later.
Quintin grew up in Twin Falls and was a member of the first graduating class of Twin Falls High School in 1954. He then attended Idaho State College which is now called Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho, and graduated in the Votec Auto Body and Fender Program. He also was a member of the ISU Marching Band. Quintin was a premier trumpeter and was often requested to play “Taps” at funerals and events.
He met Leona Rosa Henrie on October 31, 1957, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, while he was drag racing down Main Street. They eloped to Las Vegas, Nevada, on December 17, 1957. They were later sealed in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. Quintin’s and Leona’s children are: Cindy Lu, Pamela Joy (deceased), Bruce Quin, and Anthony Vail. They raised their four children while living in Idaho Falls, Twin Falls, Boise, and Pocatello, Idaho. Leona passed away on June 21, 1993, in Pocatello, Idaho. On January 17, 1998, Quintin married in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple Patricia Jane Hancock Anderson. Patricia passed away on November 24, 2001, in Pocatello, Idaho. On November 29, 2003, Quintin married, and is survived by Avon Woolstenhulme Hillman in Eagle, Idaho.
Quintin worked as a Body and Fender man at C Ed Flandro’s in Pocatello and Theisen Motor Company in Twin Falls after he and Leona married. In 1967, he changed careers and went to work for Farmers Insurance Company in Boise, Idaho, as an Auto Claims Adjuster. In 1971, he was promoted to the Pocatello Regional Office of Farmers Insurance as the Regional Auto Physical Damage Claims Manager overseeing Idaho, Montana, and Utah. Quintin retired from Farmers Insurance in 1998.
Quintin loved cars and racing. Drag racing was his obsession. Prior to retiring and Leona’s death, his two sons formed the “Harral Racing Team.” His daughter, Pam, was even involved in the racing world.
Quintin was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He joined the church in 1963, in Twin Falls, Idaho, and remained a faithful member. He had a strong testimony and never doubted it. He was always participating in many acts of service. He and Avon lived in St. George then returned to Ammon, Idaho, where they served a Humanitarian Mission and worked in the Idaho Falls Temple. Quintin held many church callings, including Elders Quorum President twice, Sunday School President, Ward Membership Clerk, Ward Clerk, and Financial Clerk for four different Bishops. He served a service mission in the East Pocatello Stake while he and Patricia were married.
Quintin is survived by his wife, Avon Hillman; daughter, Cindy Lu Latimore (Mark) of Chubbuck, Idaho; son, Bruce Quin Harral (Cathy) of Eagle, Idaho; and son, Anthony Vail Harral (Bobbie) of Pocatello, Idaho; sister, June Harral of Ft. Walton Beach, Florida; and sister-in-law, Trudy Harral of Des Moines, Iowa; as well as his 14 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren.
Preceding Quintin in death is Leona Henrie, wife; Patricia Anderson, wife; daughter, Pamela Harral; brother, Leander Harral; and his parents, Quintin Leander Harral and Lousie Lulu Engelbrecht Harral.
Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 20, 2023, at the Cortland Ridge Ward, 3934 E. 49th S., in Ammon. The family will visit with friends from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. prior to services at the church. Burial will be at 2:30 p.m. in the Mountain View Cemetery in Pocatello, Idaho.
Lastly, there was this photo of Quinton, Leander, and June. Quinton’s obituary indicate she lives in Florida and is still alive.
I was recently visiting with RaNae Coley Harms at her home in Wendell, Gooding, Idaho. I recalled she had my Great Grandma’s antique bedside commode chair. I asked if I could take a picture. That is what you see above. It is in fantastic shape.
I have previously written a history for Martha Christiansen Coley. Here is an article about a video at her funeral.
Martha Christiansen Coley was born in 1879 and died in 1961. She married Herbert Coley in 1874. Herbert was born in 1864 and died in 1942. Martha was born in Fredrickstad, Ostfold, Norway. Herbert was born in Lutley, Worcestershire, England. Both Herbert and Martha passed away in Richmond, Cache, Utah. They are both buried in RIchmond.
A few years ago I snapped this photo of my Great Grandmother’s clock sitting on my Dad’s work bench in his shop.
My parents picked up this clock in Richmond, Utah after my Great Grandma Lillian Coley Jonas Bowcutt passed away in 1987. The story I recall was that it was in the root cellar. The belief being that at some point it quit working and was placed in the cellar.
At some point I remember Dad determining that the main spring had broke. The photo above 2021 shows that the silver of the clock, if it was original, was nearly all gone. I don’t think it was original, probably painted at some point over the years. Sitting in a root cellar for unknown decades had not helped the wood and clock mechanism either.
I don’t know if my Great Grandparents purchased it new or not. I will have to do some research on it, but the belief is this clock likely predates my Great Grandparent’s marriage in 1918. Did it belong to the the Coley family before that, the Jonas, or did someone else give/sell it to them? We will not know in this life. It likely even predated Lillian’s birth in 1898.
Either way, Dad took it upon himself to work on restoring it. He took the clock to Twin Falls and had the mechanism fixed. He restored the wood and glass while the clock was fixed. Here is what it looked like at Christmas 2022. Pretty amazing.
It now works and even chimes the hour and quarter hour. A beautiful relic restored to life.
Here are two photos that came into my possession just in the past month. One from an unknown person on FamilySearch, the one above, and the whole Jonas family photo below found by my Uncle William Melycher in Jackie’s possessions. I have written of the Joseph and Lillian Jonas family before.
I am somewhat unsure what to make of the photo above. It is a colorized version of another photo I do not have. I have this one which appears to be a blurrier version.
Joseph and some friends at work after a game of shoes
It is obviously the same photo as the strange reflections and shapes in the window behind Joseph are in the colorized photo above. But whether they have another photo or the computer has somehow tried to enhance the one above, I don’t know. I am somewhat skeptical of the colorized photo above. For example, the dimple in his chin for which he was well-known is missing but you can see it in the photo where they are holding the horse shoes. It obviously messed up his temples and hairline.
However, some of the characteristics the photo pulls out, like his lower eyelids, is not in the blurry photo but can be seen in some degree in his Brigham Young College photo.
Joseph Nelson Jonas’ Brigham Young College yearbook picture
The photo is familiar to me, it seems to be mostly accurate, but I don’t know how it was done. Fascinating. I wrote on Joseph before, but he was born 19 November 1893 in Ellensburg, Kittitas, Washington and was electrocuted 6 September 1932 in Ogden, Weber, Utah.
He married Lillian Coley 6 September 1916 in Logan, Cache, Utah in the Logan Temple. They had the 8 children, the last just before his untimely death in 1932.
Joseph Nelson Jonas and Lillian Coley family, Joseph Herbert, Spencer Gilbert, Irwin John, Wilburn Norwood, Ellis Seth, Evan Reed, Lillian Annetta, LeReta Mary
Ole and Constance Christiansen are pleased to announce the marriage of their daughter Martha to Herbert Coley, son of Stephen and Hannah Coley. They were married in 1874 in Norway. While I normally like to start these historical posts as a wedding announcement, I trip up there. We do not have any histories that give us an actual marriage date and location. Knowing the period, it is not imagined they were not actually married. Their first child was born in 1875. Curiously, after their immigration to the United States due to their conversion to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they not only went to the Logan Utah Temple to be sealed, but also applied to be married. As such, they were married and sealed in the Logan Utah Temple on 26 April 1893.
Martha was born the second of eleven children to Constance Josephine Eliza Jorgensen and Ole Christiansen on 16 April 1879 in Fredrickstad, Ostfold, Norway. I have not written their history yet, but as linked above, I wrote some limited information on Constance when we visited her grave first in 2018 and again in 2020. Ole was born in Trogstad, Norway and Constance in Drammen, Norway. Both Ole and Constance were baptized and confirmed into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 26 January 1876 in Norway.
What happens for the next few years is unclear on the reasons. Martha’s older sister, Walborg, was born 24 December 1875 in Fredrickstad, then Martha in 1879. We really have no records during this period and so I am unclear if there was another child, or two, in that period of time. Eivelda was born 20 October 1881 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. I have no clue why or what took the family to Australia. Their next child, Constance, was born 9 November 1883 also in Collingwood, then a suburb of Melbourne. Apparently Walborg and Martha were left in Norway while their parents went to Australia. Alice, Martha’s granddaughter recalls Martha telling of her sitting on the mountainside overlooking the fjord waiting for her parents to return and her missing them terribly. Martha’s first brother, Henry Owen, was then born 27 March 1887 back in Fredrickstag, Norway. Ole and Constance were back in Fredrickstag by March 1887.
I have been unable to find the immigration records for the Christiansen family between Norway to Australia and back. But the family was in Australia for at least 3 years, maybe as long as 6 years. They were not back in Norway very long as Rhoda was born in Richmond, Cache, Utah on 18 September 1890. Martha moved with her family to Richmond in the late 1880s. One record has it in 1887, another 1889, Martha was listed in the 1900 Census as immigrated in 1888. Either way, we now are in the vicinity of where she would have met Herbert Coley. Of Martha’s remaining 6 siblings, 5 were born in Richmond and 1 in Hyde Park.
Herbert was born the 5th of 9 known children to Hannah Maria Rogers and Stephen Coley on 12 February 1864 in Lutley, Worcestershire, England. It was while living in Lutley that the LDS missionaries first made a visit. We do not know the conversion story but Herbert and his siblings joined the church. Martha joined 23 August 1867, Herbert 1 June 1881, George 22 August 1881, and Frank 2 June 1882. The 1871 English Census has the family still living in Lutley and Herbert listed as a scholar. The call to gather in Utah was strong enough that these four children made the venture. We don’t know if Stephen and Hannah came begrudgingly or not, but they joined some of their children in Utah. Unfortunately, the other children left in England we do not know where they went or what happened to them.
Herbert shows on the 1881 English Census in Dudley, Worcestershire, England as farm labor for the Doorbar family. Herbert appears to have boarded the Nevada in Liverpool arriving 3 July 1882 in New York City, New York. I cannot see that any siblings went with him on the trip. Stephen, Hannah, and Martha all traveled in 1890 (with Letitia Lea Willetts and her daughter Clara, and two known Frank and Mary Coleys). Stephen Coley was baptized 5 January 1892 and Hanna 26 October 1892 (same day she was endowed in the temple, so either that date is wrong or the prior record could not be found and the ordinance was duplicated. Hannah died 22 October 1894 in Franklin, then Oneida County, Idaho and was buried in Lewiston.
I don’t know any of the details of how they met, but the stars seem to have aligned in Richmond. However it happened, Herbert and Martha were married and sealed 1 December 1896 in Logan at the Temple. Herbert was a diligent laborer who would acquire full ownership in their home by 1910. Martha was a strict and involved homemaker and mother.
Herbert and Martha maintained their home, large garden, and raised 10 children. Lillian was born 26 August 1898 in Lewiston (listed in the Coveville Precinct, which is now the area of Cove). The 1900 Census on 9 June 1900 lists Herbert as a farm laborer with his immigration in 1881 and Martha’s in 1888. By 1910, the Census finds the family in Wheeler (about six miles west of Lewiston) where the home was owned outright. We don’t know exactly where the family lived. Edna was born 23 November 1900, Wilford Herbert 1 Mar 1903, Carrie 20 April 1906, and Hannah Marie 3 June 1909. Ole Christiansen passed away 27 February 1900 in Richmond and was buried there. Carrie is listed as born in Richmond, but we do not know the circumstances how she was born there instead of Wheeler/Lewiston. Hannah’s birth certificate lists Herbert as a farmer and Martha as housewife. The 1910 Census on 26 May 1910 shows Herbert as a Laborer and that he “Works Out.” Whatever that meant in 1910.
All the remaining children were born in Richmond. As such, it is likely at this time the family moved to the cabin south and east of Richmond estimated about 2016 E and 9000 N. I have tried to pinpoint where the cabin remains are still located. Here is a photo of the cabin from the 1980s. The 1920 Census on 16 January 1920 lists Herbert as a Farmer and Teamster with the additional insight of “Hauls Milk & Farms.” This same Census also lists Wilford as having his own Farm, but still living with his parents.
Coley Cabin near Richmond, Utah
It was in this house that the remaining children were born. Ivan Stephan on 26 June 1912, Roland Charles on 20 July 1915, Oley Lloyd on 11 February 1918, Arthur Christiansen on 15 July 1921, and William Golden on 22 January 1924. In 2012 the home had collapsed to a pile of rubble. It was after Ellis Jonas’ funeral we visited as family (Ellis is Lillian’s son). Ellis had taken me there about 2002. Stephen Coley died 22 October 1913 in Lewiston and was buried by his wife.
The 1930 Census taker showed up 15 April 1930 and shows the family in Richmond with Roland, Lloyd, Art, and Golden still in the home. The 1940 Census on 8 April 1940 has the family still in Richmond with Art and Golden the only two remaining.
Herbert and Martha Coley in the garden
Over the years, the family kept busy with marriages. Lillian married Joseph Nelson Jonas on 6 September 1917 in the Logan Temple. Edna married Gerald Andrus 17 April 1921 in Richmond and after a short marriage, divorced, and remarried to Olof Alma Neilson 23 July 1923 in Logan, sealed 30 July 1924 at the Logan Temple. Wilford married Edith Dagmar Cammack 15 May 1924 in Logan, sealed 3 June 1946 in Logan Temple. Carrie married Joseph Lorus McMurdie 21 July 1924 in Logan, sealed 21 October 1926 in Logan Temple. Hannah married William Surgeoner Thomson 2 July 1927 in Logan, sealed 14 June 1972 in Salt Lake Temple. Ivan married Clara McMurdie 22 October 1930 in Buhl, Twin Falls, Idaho, sealed 10 February 1932 in Logan Temple. Joseph Jonas passed away 6 September 1932 in Ogden, Weber, Utah. Constance Christiansen passed away 10 December 1932 in Portland, Multnomah, Oregon and was buried there. Roland married Veda Anderson 5 May 1937 in Logan Temple. Lloyd married Verda Anderson (twin sister to Veda) 23 November 1938 in Logan Temple. Arthur married Gladys Bernice McMurdie (his niece!) 10 September 1940 in Preston, Franklin, Idaho, that marriage lasted a short time for hopefully obvious reasons. Arthur remarried to Mary Elizabeth Popwitz (his nephew’s WWII widow) 3 May 1946 in Evanston, Uinta, Wyoming. Golden married Shirley Mae Hall 15 March 1946 in Elko, Elko, Nevada, sealed 11 May 1965 in Logan. Many grandchildren were born in these years as well for Herbert and Martha.
Herbert and Martha Coley (I have the original of Martha, but not of Herbert, so I know it is still out there)
Recorded family stories are fairly scant. Nobody wrote much down and that generation was gone before many were asking questions. Ivan Coley told his daughter Colleen that Herbert was a short, very English man. Apparently Herbert met Wild Bill Hickok at one point and shared that fact regularly.
In 1942, Herbert went to visit Ivan and Clara in Buhl. I will have to find out if Martha was there as well. While out in the yard, I have been told by a well, or a trough, he slipped and broke his hip. There was not really much to do for someone in that condition then. He was in terrible pain. He was taken back to Richmond and passed away later of pneumonia. He died 7 September 1942 at age 78 (obituaries all have 75) and was buried in Richmond Cemetery 9 September 1942.
Martha Coley and Hannah Thomson in a garden, dresses and even a brooch
Martha moved into town shortly afterward. Various family members lived in the cabin when they started out their marriages. Martha’s new home was somewhere near 400 South and 200 East. With the new homes I cannot tell as well, but I have tried to pinpoint the spot. She lived in this home until she needed assistance and went to live with Lloyd and Veda in Salt Lake City. When they could not care for her any more, she then lived in a care facility in Logan the last months of her life.
5 generations about 1959, Lillian Coley Bowcutt, Martha Christiansen Coley, Joseph Hebert Jonas, Robert Lee Jonas, Joseph Leland Jonas.
In 1948, Martha was honored for successfully Relief Society Teaching for more than 40 years. Here is a photo from that occasion. You can find more detail here.
Back (l-r): Lydia Leavitt, Estella Blair, Sarah Preece, Susanna Allen, Livinia Wilcox, Clara Wheeler. Front: Lavina Poulsen, Christensia Hansen, Martha Coley, Martha Lewis, Sarah Snelgrove.
Unfortunately I do not have a many more stories. But I do have a few more photos. We have these two photos of a gathering about 1950.
Back(l-r): Doreen Neilson, Martha Coley, Golden Coley, Edna Neilson, Unknown, Gloria Neilson holding unknown child, Olof Neilson. Middle: Shirley Coley, Joy Coley (baby), Mary Coley,
Mary (holding Joy), Shirley, Doreen, Unknown, Martha, Edna, Gloria
This wonderful family reunion picture from 1955. I have linked the other post sharing the other photo. That link also names everyone in the photo. Martha is sitting surrounded by her grandchildren and children.
1955 Coley Reunion, Richmond, Utah
Herbert’s obituary in the Salt Lake Telegram on 8 September 1942 reads:
“Richmond, Cache County – Funeral Services for Herbert Coley, 75, who died at his home in Richmond Monday at 7:45 a.m. following a brief illness will be conducted Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. in the Richmond South L.D.S. ward chapel by E. M. Hicken, Bishop.
“Mr. Coley was born in England on February 12, 1867, a son of Stephen and Hannah Rogers Coley. In 1885, at the age of 16, he immigrated to the United States.
“On December 1, 1896, he married Martha Christiansen in the Logan L.D.S. temple. He was a prominent farmer in the Richmond district.
“Surviving are his widow of Richmond, 10 sons and daughters, Mrs. Lillian Jonas, Ms. Edna Nielsen and William Golden Coley of Richmond, Wilford Herbert Coley of Logan, Ms. Hannah Thomson and Lloyd Coley of Salt Lake City, Ms. Carrie McMurdie, Ivan, Roland and Arthur Coley, all of Buhl, Idaho, 37 grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and a sister, Mrs. Martha France of Richmond.
Lillian, Edna, Martha (sitting) Coley in the 1940’s
“Friends Pay Tribute to Richmond Man
“Funeral Services for Herbert Coley, 75, prominent Richmond farmer who died at his home in Richmond, Monday at 7:45 a.m. following a brief illness, were conducted Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. in the Richmond South ward chapel by Bishop E. M. Hicken.
The rest of the article follows nearly verbatim what the Salt Lake obituary listed, then this line.
“Burial was in the Richmond cemetery under direction of the W. Loyal Hall mortuary.
Martha Christiansen Coley very small picture enlarged
Martha Coley and Scotty
Martha Coley serious
Martha Coley smile
Martha passed away in Logan at age 82 on 14 August 1961. Here is the language from her obituary and an article of the funeral. She was buried in Richmond 17 August 1961.
“Richmond – Martha Christensen Coley, 82, died at a rest home in Logan Monday of causes incident to age. “She was born April 16, 1879 in Norway to Ole and Constance Josephine Eliza Jorgensen Christensen. When she was eight years old she came with her parents to America. “On December 1, 1896 in Logan she married Herbert Coley. The marriage was solemnized in the Logan LDS Temple in 1900. They made their home in Lewiston and Richmond. She was always active in the LDS church, especially as a Relief Society block teacher. Mr. Coley died September 7, 1942. “Surviving are Mrs. Lorenzo (Lillian) Bowcutt and Mrs. Edna Neilsen, Richmond; Wilford H. Coley, Logan; Mrs. William (Hannah) Thompson and Lloyd O. Coley, Salt Lake City; Mrs. Lars (Carrie) McMurdie and Ivan S. Coley, Buhl, Idaho; Roland Coley, Mesa, Arizona; Arthur C. Coley, Ogden; William G. Coley, Hyrum; a number of grandchildren and great grandchildren. “Funeral services will be held Thursday at 1 p.m. in the Richmond South Ward with Bishop Oral Ballam in charge. “Friends may call at Hall Mortuary in Logan Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. and at the South Ward chapel Thursday from 11:30 a.m. until time of services. Burial will be in the Richmond Cemetery.
“Funeral services were held in the Richmond South Ward chapel Thursday for Mrs. Martha C. Coley with Counselor Quentin Peart conducting. Lloyd Coley gave the family prayer. “Prelude and postlude music was played by Reese Murray. The ward chorus directed by Mrs. Florence Lewis with Mrs. Billie Lou Bagley as accompanist sang “The Lord’s Prayer.” Ila Rae Richman and company sang “That Wonderful Mother of Mine.” Mrs. Florence Lewis and Mrs. Rebecca Lewis sang “In the Garden,” and Ronnie Lewis sang “Beyond the Sunset.” “Prayers were by William Thomson and Larus McMurdie. Speakers were Mrs. Leona McCarrey who read the obituary, Noel Stoddard and Counselor Peart. Pallbearers were her six sons, Wilford, Ivan, Roland, Lloyd, Arthur and Golden Coley. The grave in Richmond Cemetery was dedicated by Joseph Jonas. Flowers were cared for by the Relief Society.
~
I have written previously about the video that came from the funeral and graveside service of Martha. In that post I walk through the video and the identified individuals. It also scans the 10 children standing in the cemetery. This photo below is of the same instant.
Art, Golden, Wilfred, Roland, Lloyd, Edna, Hannah, Carrie, Lillian, Ivan at their mother’s grave in Richmond, Utah
I hope some day I obtain more photos to share of Herbert and Martha.
I have sat on this photo for many, many years. I have looked at this beautiful baby and recognized she is definitely related and certainly a Coley. I previously wrote about her eyes. I looked at it again a few weeks ago and it dawned on me. I recognize the eyes. This looks like my Great Grandmother, Lillian Coley Jonas. She was born in 1898 in Lewiston, Cache, Utah. The clothing, the baby carriage, all fit her time frame. Here is another picture of her as a baby.
Baby Lillian Coley
Looking through my website, I realize I have not written a history of Lillian’s parents, Herbert and Martha Coley. I have written about the video from Martha’s funeral. I have written on Herbert’s parents, Stephen & Hannah Coley. I have even written of the Coley cabin. Looks like an item of business to work on in the near future.
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 Joseph Nelson Jonas. I have written a biography of Joseph and Lillian previously.
Joseph and Margaret Jonas about 1899
“Joseph Nelson Jonas was born 19 March 1893 at or near Ellensburg, Kittitas, Washington State. He was the 6th child and 3rd son of Joseph Jonas and Annetta Josephine Nelson. He became the youngest of the family (a younger sister was born after Joseph, but she died a few hours after birth). Joseph was about three years old when his mother left the family and went to the Washington State Hospital in 1896. Joseph lived in the Ellensburg area with his father and siblings until he was 8 years old. On 3 July 1901 the family moved to Crescent, Utah. He was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 10 Jan 1902 by Aug Nelson. His two older brothers were also baptized that same day.
John, Joseph, and William Jonas
“He worked on his Uncle August Nelson’s farm until he moved to Richmond, Utah, to live with his older sister, Rosa, in 1908 when he was 15 years old. He traveled the same day with his two older brothers. When he was 23 years old he married Lillian Coley. They were married 6 September 1916 in the Logan Temple. That same day they were each endowed with the temple ordinances for the first time. Joseph met his wife while he was living in Richmond. His wife’s family had a farm in Richmond where Joseph had hired on as a far laborer to help the family harvest hay.
“About 6 months after they met they were married. His wife was 18 years old and Joseph was five years older than his wife, age 23. They became the parents of eight children, the first six were boys and the last two were girls. Joseph went to work for the sugar factory in Lewiston, Utah. By about 1920 Joseph had moved to Thatcher, Idaho with his brother, William and his sister, Rosa. They operated a dry farm which grew grain. Joseph had a wooden red house which had a front room, bedroom and a kitchen. His sister lived about a mile away in her own home and William lived in Thatcher teaching school. At the farm Joseph and others operated a combine which was pulled by horses and had blades that were taller than the men. The animals were kept in a barn which was about a block from the house. They had five horses, a cow, pigs, chickens, domestic animals and a vegetable garden. One horse was white and was named “dime.” To mail letters and receive letters the boys would need to ride Dime. This horse, while carrying his son, Joseph H., ran as fast as it could go all the way from getting the mail one day. This experience scared the young boy who was about 5 or 6 years old, and he had to hold on for fear of his life. About 1924 or 1925 Joseph moved from Thatcher to Lewiston, Utah. Joseph drove the wagon which carried some of his sister’s children. He began working for the Utah-Idaho Central Railroad. This was an electric inter-urban trolley railroad that had 94 miles of track and went from Ogden, Utah north to Preston, Idaho. Joseph began working on a section gang, the same type of job his father, Joseph, had had. Joseph worked keeping the track in operating condition by repairing rotten timbers, hammering spikes or tightening the bolts which kept the track together. He worked seven days a week, some of the work was all night, but he was able to come home after a shift was over. While the family lived in Lewiston they lived in a train box car, which had the wheels removed. There were two box cars which were used by the family. They were close together and a ditch ran under their box car. One car was used as a storage shed, the other one was used as the family home. Once there was a tub of gas which was stored in the shed. This gas caught on fire, which started the shed to burn. Joseph went to his wife and told her to leave because the shed was on fire and it may cause the house to burn down (the two structures were close together). She didn’t believe him, but there was little time to convince her so he picked her up and carried her outside. The best way to stop the fire was to remove the burning tub of gas–Joseph must have thought. So he went into the shed, picked up the burning tub of gas and took it outside. Joseph’s brave act saved his home from burning, but they lost the shed and it’s contents. Joseph spent about two weeks in the Ogden Hospital with 2nd and 3rd degree burns.
Joseph and some friends at work after a game of shoes
“About 1927 Joseph was promoted to Section Foreman and moved to Ogden with his family. His father, Joseph, had been a section foreman in a leadership position, too. Joseph worked on the railroad line that went from Ogden to Huntsville, and also a line that went to Plain City. Joseph worked at one time on the Quinney Railroad Line. Except for the Thatcher home the family rented their homes until Joseph died. They lived at 17th St. and Wall Ave. in an apartment complex owned by the railroad called a section house. This was a long, wooden building that was divided into rooms. Joseph’s family was the only one that had a porch, a special privilege given to Joseph because he was the foreman. Joseph had a vegetable garden when he lived in Ogden. He was a very generous host and his visitors were always given a lot to eat when they visited their home. Joseph was active in the L.D.S. Church. He was a strict father and was not afraid to “switch” his children when they got into trouble. He stood about 5’6″ tall and was muscular. His nephew, Merlin Andersen, said that Joseph told him “I want to show you what a good wrestler is!” Next thing Merlin knew was that he was on the ground. Joseph was on the wrestling team at Brigham Young College (Logan), the school he graduated from. Joseph and his brother, William, went to college some of the same time together.
Joseph Nelson Jonas’ Brigham Young College yearbook picture
“Joseph liked to discuss religion. He would argue with his siblings his point of view with determination. After the discussion all the siblings would talk nice to each other and gave each other hugs and handshakes. They family moved to 103 17th Street in Ogden. On 1 Aug 1932 Joseph last child was born. He was very glad to have two daughters after having six sons in a row. September 6, 1932, a little over a month later, Joseph and Lillian had their 16th wedding anniversary. Joseph had gone to work as usual that day. He was welding some train track on the corner of Lincoln and 20th East in Ogden. One week before, while Joseph was working in front of the American Cannery, he had been shocked by electricity and landed on the ground. He got up and went right back to work that day. But it was a week later when Norwood, Joseph’s son, was bringing his father something to eat. Norwood saw his father welding when someone started to move the trolley car. Joseph was welding a ground wire. Grounds were put into the track to the electricity would go harmlessly into the earth. This time the electricity, cause by the trolley being moved, went to the ground which Joseph was touching. Joseph was killed Sept 6, 1932 on his 16th wedding anniversary. The Ogden City paper, dated Sept 8, 1932 carried the following obituary. “Ogden-Funeral services for Joseph Jonas, 39 of 103 Seventeenth Street, section foreman for the Utah-Idaho Central Railroad Company, who was electrocuted Tuesday afternoon, will be held Friday, at 10 A.M., in the Lindquist’s Chapel, with Bishop Huggins of the Tenth ward in charge. Investigations into the death of Mr. Jonas are being conducted by the railroad company.” He was buried in Richmond Cemetery where two of his sons, his wife, his brother, John, and his father, Joseph are also buried.
“Merlin Andersen gave me the following tidbits about his uncle, Joseph. “Joe always had cows so he could have enough milk for all his kids. He was an ambitious person-he had a way to get things done.”
“Lillian told me the following story. One day we went to the movies. This was when Lillian was about 5 months pregnant. When they had both decided to cross the road near the movie theater a car ran over both of her legs. Her legs weren’t broken, but were badly bruised. The other family felt so badly that the mother of the boy who was driving the car became good friends with Lillian. This mother visited and gave Lillian comfort during her recovery.
“Joseph Nelson Jonas had read the Bible so much that he could quote scriptures and could back up his knowledge by finding the scripture and showing it to people.
My grandfather, Wilburn Norwood Jonas, had an older brother named Joseph Herbert Jonas (1917-1993). I don’t have any memories of Uncle Joe, except his funeral, although I remember hearing stories about him. Uncle Joe married Hilma Grace Erickson (1918-2000). I also do not remember Aunt Hilma. Again, I heard the stories, and also about nearly all their children.
Joe and Hilma Jonas younger
Joe and Hilma had 7 children, Joseph Leland (1937-alive), Hilma Maxine (1938-2002), Earl Reed (1944-1988), Nancy Lee (1946-alive), Evelyn (1948-2017), Ellen Lynn (1951-alive), and Helen (1956-alive). I mentioned above that I remember his funeral. I remember it being at Myers Mortuary on Washington Avenue, almost North Ogden, Utah. I remember the line for the viewing, my mother’s shoes and jeans, and sitting in the outskirts of the chapel to the northeast. There, for the first time in my life, I was haunted by the strains of O My Father. First time I ever heard the song and it penetrated my soul. So much that I wanted to learn it more. My Grandmother, Colleen, a short time afterward showed me it in her old Richmond, Utah hymnal. I taught myself how to play it and the words to the song.
Joe & Hilma Jonas older
As those who know me know, I do a little family history. I had reached out and got to know Joseph Leland Jonas’ daughter Debra. I had e-mailed some of Lee’s other children. But I had never met any of them that I recalled. Lee lived in Yakima, Washington. I had taken a job in 2008 working in the northwest for Inland Environmental. I was going to be in the Yakima area working and so I made a few phone calls. Lee suggested I call his daughter, Stacey, who lived in Moxee not far from them. I called her up to visit with her and told her I was going to be in the area. She not only insisted that I visit, but also that I stay at her house.
I got to know this second cousin of mine on that occasion. We chatted, talked about family history, she took me to visit her parents, I met her family, and had a great experience getting to know each other. It wasn’t planned, but she had quite a few questions about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In the course of the night, we covered nearly every single topic in all the six missionary discussions. I gave her a copy of the Book of Mormon and some other pamphlets.
The next morning we talked some and we separated our ways. I went on with work and eventually to law school. She had some marital issues and normal life. Then I found out she was attending law school in Mesa, Arizona. We stayed more in touch. Then one day, we were talking on the phone and she dropped a bombshell for me. She asked me to baptize her a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! I told her I would be thrilled and honored to do it.
Stacey Jonas and Paul Ross, Mesa, Arizona
These are pictures from the day she was baptized. We orchestrated it so I could fly down and attend the baptism and confirmation over the course of the weekend of June 25-27, 2016, in her home of Mesa. Once again, she insisted I could stay with her rather than finding a place to stay.
Stacey Jonas, Paul Ross at her baptism in 2016
It was a great weekend. She also let me steal her car and I made a trip over to the Mesa Arizona Temple. I made sure to snap a picture while I was there. Unfortunately you see some of the reflection of the console in the window of Stacey’s car, fun little Jaguar!
Mesa Arizona Temple, 25 June 2016
Stacey later attended the Gilbert Arizona Temple to receive her endowments! Not surprised that she did it, but surprised that I could say I helped her in some small part along the way.
Stacey Jonas and her friend Melanie Walker attending the temple
It is remarkable the bond and friendship I have built with Stacey since we first met, that I recall, in 2008. She has visited us here in Idaho since, some day we will have to make it back her direction to visit again. I am grateful that I could help her in her spiritual growth and striving since we first met as well. In some ways I felt bad we stayed up late that night conversing. I don’t know how much actually links to that night, but I feel a deep sense of appreciation for Stacey and the kinship that we feel, both since we are related, and also spiritually.
I am also aware that I am posting this on 6 September 2020. The 104th anniversary of Lillian Coley and Joseph Nelson Jonas. A date that has held happiness and sorrow for the Jonas family. I can only imagine they are pleased that their Great Grandchildren are associating and helping each other improve.
Sagacity 