We stopped to pay a visit at the Clarkston, Utah, Cemetery in 2021. We were in Cache Valley for the Jonas Reunion and I knew Amanda had some ancestors buried in Clarkston. Amanda did not recall ever seeing their graves. We had then also been talking about Martin Harris in our study of the Doctrine & Covenants. I surprised the family with a surprise stop on our way home from the Jonas Reunion in Hyrum. It was a hot, windy, and smokey day. We stopped again this year, 2026, for a follow up since I have been doing some research on these families and it is fun to update pictures with the kids. Most of this post I wrote in 2021, but have updated it with new research and photos.
Amanda, Aliza, Hiram, and James Ross at graves of James & Ann Keep – 8 August 2021
Amanda and Aliza Ross – 16 August 2026 – Clarkston Cemetery
James & Ann Keep are Amanda’s 4th Great Grandparents. Amanda wasn’t very familiar with them so we had to do some homework.
James Joseph Keep was born 25 September 1804 to James Joseph and Ann Evans Keep. Family tradition, including his own later Church membership reporting, places his birth in Acton, Middlesex, England. He was christened 11 November 1804 in St. Nicholas Parish, Chiswick, about two miles away. His father died when James was 5, his father was 29 years old at death, and little James was raised for a time by his grandparents.
James married Elizabeth Parr on 15 June 1826 in Greenham, Berkshire, England. She was a widow, he a bachelor of 21. She died in 1836, confirmed by a probate record in Reading, although the exact date was not provided. James remarried to Ann Miller on 25 July 1836 in St. Mary’s, Reading, Berkshire, England. They joined the Methodists, then the Baptists, and then were Independents.
Two young Mormon men came near the house preaching the gospel and Ann told James to go out and hear them. They were preaching about baptism. He went into the house and searched his Bible to ascertain the truth of what they said. Here he found that baptism was to be born of the water and the spirit. When they came again to preach, James took a long bench for the people to sit on. That evening he went to the meeting house. There he heard the saints speak in tongues.
He and his family were baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His own account, written decades later, states he joined 23 July 1848 and Ann soon after, with his baptism arranged secretly, before dawn, without his family’s foreknowledge. Such a secret baptismal services may explain why no official record of the baptism and confirmation appear to exist. Official Church membership records instead show a longer process: daughter Mary Elizabeth baptized 14 March 1846, Sarah on 10 January 1849, James and Ann together on 15 March 1857, daughters Ann and Lucy on 24 April 1857, Harriet on 18 June 1858, Ruth on 1 January 1862, and Maria Jane on 1 February 1865. Rather than one dramatic family conversion, the record suggests a longer, gradual process, perhaps beginning with Mary Elizabeth on her own. I don’t wish to undermine the baptismal story, it does not match official church records.
Ann Miller was born 10 August 1816 in Newbury, Berkshire, England to James and Ann Elkins Miller. She was christened 2 October 1816 at North Croft Lane Baptist Church in Newbury.
The 1841 and 1851 census both have the Keep family in Thatcham, Berkshire, England. He was a mason and bricklayer. It was during this time that Ann Miller had a miracle.
~
Kennett Place, Newbury, Berks, Sept. 30, 1850
Dear President Pratt,
We have recently been favored with a manifestation of the miraculous power of God; in this branch of the Church a sister, named Ann Keep, the wife of Joseph Keep, who is a deacon in the Church, had a cancer in her breast for some time; and it became so bad of late that she intended to have it cut out, and the time was appointed for it to be done. Three medical men were to be present at the operation. A brother named David Davis, an elder in the Church, called to see her, and she told him she was going to have the cancer taken out; and he said to her “have you got any faith in the power of God?” and she answered “yes:” and he said “so have I.” Accordingly he anointed her breast with oil, and laid hands upon her, and the pain left her there and then, and she never felt it any more; and from that time the cancer got less, until it disappeared; and the breast that had the cancer is as well as the other. This is known by many out of the Church.
Yours, &c.
Thomas Squires
President of the Newbury Branch
It was Ann’s daughters Mary Elizabeth and Sarah who ran to fetch the Elders that day, according to the family’s own retelling of the story, a detail Sarah herself would later recall in her own history.
~
James, Ann, and family left for the United States from London on 23 May 1866 on the ship American Congress arriving at Castle Gardens, New York, on 5 July 1866. They were in Wyoming, Otoe, Nebraska on 13 August 1866 traveling with the Abner Lowry Wagon Company arrving in Salt Lake City, Utah on 22 October 1866.
We later found a published account of that crossing by John Nicholson, the young elder appointed to lead the company of Saints aboard the American Congress. His company included James, Ann, and their daughters Ruth, Maria Jane, and Sarah Keep Francis with her baby, Lucy Ann.
~
As the ship neared Newfoundland, a thick fog closed in for several days. Captain Woodward, unable to see the sun, could not fix his position. On the quarterdeck, Nicholson’s counselor John Rider suddenly saw the fog lift and called out, “Captain, what is that?” Rocks and breakers lay dead ahead. Woodward sprang to the wheel and gave the order to come about just in time. Nicholson estimated that a few moments’ delay would have wrecked the ship, with few if any aboard surviving. At the captain’s request, most passengers, the Keeps among them, never knew how close the danger had come.
John Nicholson, “Saved by Providence,” Juvenile Instructor, 16:2 (15 January 1881), p. 19.
~
James was ordained a Deacon 5 August 1849, a Priest 19 January 1851, and an Elder 18 May 1851, all by Thomas Squires, and was set apart to travel and preach the Gospel in the open air throughout England. James and Ann received their endowments and were sealed to each other at the Endowment House in Salt Lake City on 6 June 1868. James was ordained a High Priest later that year, on 25 September 1868, his 64th birthday, by Edwin D. Woolley, bishop of Salt Lake City’s 13th Ward and Brigham Young’s business manager (and later grandfather to Spencer W. Kimball and J. Reuben Clark).
The 1870 Census places the James & Ann Keep in Newton, Cache, Utah with Maria. Shortly afterward they moved to Clarkston and James built a masonry home. The 1880 Census has them located in Clarkston. James was known for his masonry work and often built chimneys for individuals.
Ann helped in the fields with James to raise crops. They had oxen with which they did their farming. Sometimes she would be very tired when she got home. The oxen’s names were Jack and Jue. Ann called them by name and they would reply by their actions.
James & Ann Keep
Ann enjoyed her home and loved to make it look nice. She had flowers in the windows and all around the house and a fine orchard of apples, English currants, and gooseberries. All kinds of vegetables were grown in the garden. Her husband helped to care for it too. There was a small porch on the front of her house with a hop vine all around it which grew and ran all over the porch making a nice shade in the summertime. In the fall she would gather the hops and dry them and make yeast with them three times per week. The sisters in the town would send a cup of flour to trade for a cup of yeast to make their bread. In this way she kept herself in flour.
The house, located at about 53 West 200 South in Clarkston, was plastered white on the outside by their son-in-law, Morgan Davies, husband of their daughter Ann. Morgan was a professional plasterer who worked as a foreman on the Salt Lake Temple and helped finish several other prominent Salt Lake City buildings, including the Salt Lake Theater and the State Capitol.
Ann and James Keep at their home in Clarkston, Utah
She was called as first counselor to Mary Griffin in the Clarkston Relief Society on 12 January 1875, per a contemporaneous letter published in the Woman’s Exponent. She was released in 1885 as she and her husband were getting old and could not do their work so well. Ann was a very busy woman. When too old to do heavy work, she would sew quilt blocks for the Relief Society and for her grandchildren or anyone who would let her do it for them.
James and Ann decided to sell their house and property and live on the principle and interest. In 1890, they sold out and moved to Lehi, Utah for two years. They then returned to Clarkston for several years. Ann had a very bad sick spell and it took her a long time to recover. After she got well, they moved to Newton to live with a daughter, Ruth Griffin.
Just before her death Ann bore a strong testimony to the truth of the gospel, telling her daughters and families to hold fast to the end for this was the true Church of Jesus Christ and to do all they could for their dead. She told her nurse, Caroline Thompson, to hold her pocket book for her, then she took out a dollar and passed it to her daughter, Sarah Buttars and said, “Get my brother Joseph’s temple work done for he was a good man.” She passed away 25 October 1896 in Newton.
Nine days after Ann’s death, James wrote to his grandson, John Griffin, then serving a mission: “I can tell it is such a blow to me that it makes me feel so lost that I can hardly bear up with my spirit… after living with a good wife 60 years it is very hard to part with each other.” He wrote that Ann had told him not to pray for her life to be spared, “I want to die and I am going to die so give me up to the Lord.” She spent her final hours talking and praying, urging their children to “stand fast to this church, it is the true church.” James added that he had recently been to the temple, baptized eleven times for the dead, and sealed forty-one couples as man and wife since her passing.
Ann’s funeral was held in the Clarkston meeting house on 28 October 1896, with remarks by Thomas Griffin, John Griffin, Ole Peterson, Bishop W Griffin, Counselor A W Heggie, and Bishop John Jardine. A local correspondent noted that James, then 93, sat at the head of her coffin, “he has lost his right hand,” the account read. “He is deaf and can’t hear a sound but can walk around and converse with others and may yet live many years.”
James passed away while staying with his daughter Mary Turner in Lehi on 14 March 1899. His body was returned and buried in Clarkston.
James’s funeral was held in Clarkston on 17 March 1899, three days after his death; his body had arrived the day before, accompanied by his daughter and grandson, Mr. and Mrs. Turner of Lehi, and his grandson Mr. Davies of Salt Lake. By his own prior request, six friends spoke, including John E Godfrey, the same Godfrey who had stood beside him as a witness to Martin Harris’s testimony some 24 years earlier. Six of his grandsons served as pallbearers.
~
James Keep finds himself in history due to being present in the home of Martin Harris at the visit of Ole Jensen in July 1875. John Godfrey and James Keep both signed as witnesses to the statement of Ole Jensen, Clarkston Ward Clerk. This is from Jensen’s statement:
It was in Clarkston, Utah, July 1875. Early in the morning a thought came to my mind that I would go and see how Brother Martin Harris was feeling. It was only three blocks from my home. I heard he was not feeling well. People came from other towns to see Brother Harris and hear him bear his testimony on the Book of Mormon. When I arrived there were two men present. Brother Harris lay on his bed leaning on his elbow. I said, How are you? Brother Harris answered slowly, Pretty well.We came to hear your testimony on the Book of Mormon.
Yes, he said in a loud voice as he sat up in bed, I wish that I could speak loud enough that the whole world could hear my testimony. Brother stand over so I can see you. Then he stretched out his hand and said, Brother I believe there is an Angel to hear what I shall tell you, and you shall never forget what I shall say. The Prophet, Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and myself went into a little grove to pray to obtain a promise that we should behold it with our own eyes.
That we could testify of it to the world. We prayed two or three times and at length the angel stood before Oliver and David and showed them the plates. But behold I had gone by myself to pray and in my desperation I asked the Prophet to kneel down with me and pray for me that I may also see the plates. And we did so and immediately the Angel stood before me and said, Look and when I glanced at him I fell but I stood on my feet and saw the Angel turn the golden leaves over and I said, It is enough my Lord and my God.Then I heard the voice of God say the book is true and translate correctly!“
Martin Harris then turned himself as though he had no more to say and we made ready to go but he spoke again and said, I will tell you a wonderful thing that happened after Joseph had found the plates. Three of us took some tools to go to the hill and hunt for some more boxes of gold or something and indeed we found a stone box. We got quite excited about it and dug quite carefully around it and we were ready to take it up, but behold by some unseen power the box slipped back into the hill. We stood there and looked at it and one of us took a crowbar and tried to drive it through the lid and hold it but the bar glanced off and broke off one corner of the box.“
“Sometime that box will be found and you will see the corner broken off and then you will know I have told the truth again. Brother as sure as you are standing here and see me, just so sure did I see the golden plates in His hand and He showed them to me. I have promised that I will bear witness of this truth both here and hereafter.”
His lips trembled and tears came into his eyes. I should liked to have asked one more question but I failed to do so. But I refreshed myself and shook hands and thanked him and left. When I think of the day I stood before Martin Harris and saw him stretch forth his hand and raise his voice and hear his testimony, the feeling that thrilled my whole being, I can never forget. Nor can I express the joy that filled my soul. This is a true statement.
Sarah Keep later confirmed this in her own written history, noting that her father’s presence was recorded “in the presence of John Godfrey, Ole A. Jensen and James Joseph Keep, my father.”
~
We also visited the grave of Martin Harris in the same cemetery at Clarkston.
Paul, Aliza, and Hiram Ross at the grave of Martin Harris on 8 August 2021
Amanda, James, Lillie, Aliza, and Hiram Ross at Martin’s grave – 16 August 2026
Thomas Squires (1811–1868), who ordained James and later served as President of the Newbury Branch, had followed a strikingly similar religious path of his own. A Wesleyan preacher from age fifteen, he later turned to the Baptists, and finding neither fully satisfying, began preaching what he considered an improved doctrine of his own. He first heard of the Latter-day Saints from two women he met after preaching in a village on a Sunday morning, tracked down and corresponded with an Elder in London, and was soon baptized, confirmed, and ordained an elder in a single day. He baptized many converts and established several branches of the Church.
When the Newbury Saints raised the means to send him to Zion, Thomas emigrated in 1854 with his large family, sailing from Liverpool to New Orleans on the Golconda. Cholera struck the company in St. Louis, killing his wife, Mary Ann, and all but a son and a daughter, Sarah Ann, among his children, along with the wife of his son-in-law John Green. Thomas himself was gravely ill but survived, arriving in Salt Lake City on 30 September 1854, where his brother John, who had emigrated a year earlier, nursed him back to health. Sarah Ann later married her brother-in-law, John Green, himself recently widowed in the same epidemic.
Thomas settled in Kaysville, mending shoes for a living, but never fully adjusted to life afterward. In the words of his brother, John Paternoster Squires, Thomas had been “almost worshipped” as a preacher in England, and mending and pegging old shoes “seemed too monotonous for him.” He grew discouraged, drifted from the Church, briefly joined the Josephites (the RLDS movement), then left Utah altogether for Denver and later Cañon City, Colorado, where he preached for the Baptists and was supported by the townspeople until his death on 18 May 1868, of paralysis.
This is a book I received that belonged to my Great Aunt Betty Oram Donaldson. I was not sure exactly what to do with it, other than share it for family history purposes. The photos in the book were not very high quality, but I am replicating them here anyway. Hopefully this history is of value to someone else who has family in the book.
“It’s a Great Life”
It’s the time in life for all of the Wilson School Class of ’47 to stop for a moment and realize that “It is a Great Life.”
We are matured and “aged” to the point that we are willing to accept that we are what we are. We realize that all of us have talents and abilities and that no two of us are alike, but that’s what makes us successful and happy. We are happy when we use our abilities and develop our talents.
In sports and business they often refer to “a level playing field,” meaning that both sides of the competition have equal opportunities. Therefore I believe that in life competition, the only “level playing field” is when we compete with ourselves. Our goal should be to do the very best we can, because no one else has the same talents, or abilities, or past experiences that we as individuals have. It has been said that we are the sum total of our past experiences. I believe our religious freedom and our constitution give us the opportunity to pursue success and happiness.
At the reunion dinner it was noted that all of us were satisfied with our accomplishments in life and most of us were in the service of others by actively volunteering in our churches, schools, civic organizations or other needy causes. Yes! It is true that most of us are involved in golfing, traveling, or other hobbies that we have looked forward to doing while preparing for these Golden Years. The time and resources to pursue and enjoy these activities make it “a Great Life.”
I am proud and honored that I attended Wilson School and associated with all of you there. From that small class we have many success stories and important things that we have done. Each of us has his or her own success story to be proud of whether it’s related to our families, our friends, our activities in church, our civic involvement, our involvement in other special organizations, or our career successes.
It has been said that when we die if we have five close friends that we have been successful in life, If that is true, then all who were part of the Wilson School Class of ’47 are successful individuals because of the friendships that we share today.
May each and every one of us continue to be successful and happy in our daily life, and always remember that it is a Great Life.
— R. B. (Bud) Willey, Class of ’47 Student Body President
History of Wilson School Class, 1938 to 1947
Many of you attended your very first school years in another school. As each one came to Wilson we became friends and so your memories will begin where you started. For a few of us our total elementary school experience was in the old Wilson School and that is why we started this memory book with the first grade.
First Grade, 1938–39
Our first grade teacher was Miss Dorothy Poulsen. She was young and pretty and we loved her. Our first grade class room was upstairs on the southwest corner. It was large with windows on the south and had wood floors. We had tables and chairs, a playhouse, a sand table and a space for a reading circle. We read from Dick and Jane books. We carried our lunches to school and stored them in a screened cabinet in the hallway. Many of us had Snowdrift shortening buckets for lunch pails. That year the front entrance of the school faced north with steps going toward the road. There was no cafeteria. First and second grades were excused at 2:00 p.m. to go home. That year we had two age groups in our class. We met with the children a year older than us. A doctor visited our class and checked our ears and throats. There were about 29 children in our room.
Second Grade, 1939–1940
Our teacher was Miss Viola Poulsen. Our classroom was upstairs on the southeast corner with windows on the south and east and a fire escape outside. We had desks that year and reading circle space on the east. We learned reading, math and other subjects. The school district closed the Marriott-Slaterville School that year and those children came to our school, so we had one age group of children in our classroom. About this time in the second or third grade we began getting soup for school lunches. They brought buckets of soup to the classrooms and passed enamel bowls and spoons to each student and filled them with soup. That was the forerunner of school lunches. About this time the school was remodeled so that the entrance faced the east and the office was built where the north entrance had been. The bathrooms were downstairs in the basement.
Third Grade, 1940–41
Mrs. Folkman was our teacher. Our classroom was the upstairs northeast corner or the southwest corner. There were 29 children in the class.
Fourth Grade, 1941–42
These were the war years. Our teacher was Miss Chadwick. Our classroom was the upstairs middle room on the north. These war years were very hard. School was closed in the fall so the older school boys could help harvest farm crops. We went to school on Saturdays a while to make up the time. The older boys were soldiers and were drafted to fight Japan and Germany. Many of our brothers were soldiers. No school pictures were taken during our fourth, fifth and sixth grades because all resources were concentrated on helping the war effort.
Fifth Grade, 1942–43
Our teacher was Miss Vera Shaw. She was a superb teacher. Our classroom was the upstairs northeast corner. About the time of fifth or sixth grades they began school lunches and we had tables in the basement in the hallway. I don’t remember when the cafeteria was built.
Sixth Grade, 1943–44
Our teacher was Vera Shaw again. Our classroom was on the main floor southeast corner. As an activity one day we made butter by shaking cream in a bottle then we each had a cracker with butter on it. We learned reading, math, and spelling etc. It seems like part of this year we had Mrs. McGrath for a music teacher and we made a book of all the old music composers. We bought victory stamps and gave the government the money to help fight the war. A favorite game of the boys was marbles. Each boy took great pride in his collection of marbles and his skill at shooting. The girls played jacks. We had a rubber ball and a set of 12 or so jacks and we would sit on the floor in a circle or around a table and go clear through onseys, twoseys, downseys, under the bridge or over the bridge etc. Another favorite of the girls was jump rope. If you could do “Red Hot Pepper,” or “Double Dutch” without missing you could jump quite a while. To be able to run in and out without missing was a keen skill. The boys played baseball. Another favorite game was “Pop the Whip.” Boys and girls would hold hands “tight” and run in a snake line and try to pop the end person off. We took turns being on the end to be popped off. Another favorite was “Flying Dutchman”. We were in a circle and two people ran around the circle. If your hands were touched you ran to beat the other couple to the empty space. Another favorite in winter time in the gym was four-corner kick.
Seventh Grade, 1944–45
Miss Maude Holmes was our teacher. That year for a very short while we had a Mr. Carter who was unusual. He stole some of our lunch money. Our classroom was on the southwest corner of the main floor. Around this time the school district built the cafeteria on the south of the school. We blessed the food and everyone ate together and we learned dining etiquette. The mashed potatoes and hamburger gravy and chocolate cake were favorites.
Eighth Grade, 1945–46
Mrs. Woodward was our teacher. Our classroom was on the northwest corner of the main floor. There were 27 in our class. World War II ended and the United States began it’s healing process and the rebuild.
Ninth Grade, 1946–47
Mr. Leland Reese was our teacher and our classroom was on the northeast corner of the main floor. We were becoming sophisticated adolescents. Mr. Reese taught us first aid. Mr. Wheat Taylor was our principal. Mr. Pettigrew was the orchestra teacher and some of us played instruments. We had basketball and baseball games against the other schools on Fridays.
Wilson School was a safe and healthy environment for children to grow. The teachers respected our childhood and watched over us with kindness. Every year each class in the school participated in a school program. Mr. Arthur Taylor was our principal in the early years. A Mr. Chadwick was principal for a time. Wheat Taylor was principal in our later years and helped prepare us for high school. All in all we had a memorable early school experience and look back at those fun years with fondness.
Ninth Grade Class of ’47 Reunion in 2000
Drauca Marston Holmes, Lola Taylor Sheffield, Louise Holmes, Marilyn Bowman Garner, Betty Lou Buck Schulze, Emma Ropelato Walling, Nona Flitton Forsgren, Gladys Sorensen Gibson, Lila Stone Harwood, Robert Holmes, Gordon Belnap, Betty May Oram Donaldson, Rudell Willey, Jewel Checketts Atwell.
Where Are They Now
GORDON “DUTCH” BELNAP
Married Faye Robins in 1951. Three sons, Rob, Tim, Mike. Eight Grand kids. US Navy: Honorable Discharge. Weber Jr. College 2 years. Utah State: Grad 1958, Masters 1965. Coach, Utah State University 13 years. Athletic Director Weber State University. Faye passed away Aug. 1996. Married Karen Smith Sept. 1997. Hobbies: woodworking, golf, travel, volunteer 2nd grade teacher.
MARILYN BOWMAN GARNER
I’ve had a good life. I attended Weber College, married Don Butler and had 2 children, Kathy and Gary before leaving Ogden in 1956. We lived in Pocatello, Idaho before moving to Grand Jct. Colorado. During our 15 years in Colorado, I worked for a wholesale drug company and the last year as office manager, bookkeeper for an ophthalmologist. While living there Vickey and Jodi were born. Our son was killed in a car accident in 1968 and in 1971 Don and I were divorced. I moved with my girls to Salt Lake in 1973 where I spent the first 4 plus years as office manager/legal secretary for an attorney. Then I went to work for Salt Lake County. When I retired in 1999, I was fiscal manager for the SLC Public Works Department. I married Clair Garner in June of 2000. We plan to keep up the good life with travel, golf, volunteer work, genealogy and enjoying our 9 grandchildren.
BETTY BUCK SCHULZE
When I left high school, I married Marler Williams. A boy, Monte B. was born of that marriage. Marler died 8 months after Monte’s birth. I went to work at HAFB to support myself and Monte. While working at Hill, I completed my schooling at Utah State University. I married Willard Smith. One son, Donald was born of that marriage. After Donald’s birth I returned to work at Hill. I worked as a supervisor for several years, then selected to study under Dr. Fredrick Herzberg, Distinguished Professor of Management from University of Utah. Under Dr. Herzberg’s guidance I completed a Masters Degree Equivalent in Industrial Psychology then taught Organizational Development, Air Force wide. I retired from HAFB with 25 years service. Willard and I traveled for 8 years prior to his death from cancer. I am now married to Hugo Schulze. We are enjoying our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. I love to golf and play every chance I get. I have played on bowling leagues in the past. I had a wonderful time golfing with my past friends, especially Dutch Belnap, at the Weber High Golf day in 2000.
JEWEL CHECKETTS ATWELL
I was engaged my senior year, and married Daryl Hendrick on June 19, 1950. We settled in Layton and had 4 girls and 2 boys. I played on the church softball team until I tore the cartilage in my knee, then I helped coach. We moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico and I started my dream of becoming a nurse. I worked 25 years in all areas of nursing, really enjoyed it, and learned a lot. Daryl passed away in June ’68. That was the year I met Gene. I married him in Nov. ’78. He is my best friend, lover and husband. He’s really been good through all the surgeries I’ve had. Gene had 4 children and our families are like one big family, all getting along well. These 21 years have been so happy! We have a total of 10 children, 26 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Gene is now retired from US West [Quest] and we live in Roswell, New Mexico.
JOHN EILANDER [JACK]
Upon my graduation from high school, I married and went into the US Army. After my release from the Army, I went to work for 3 years at the Ogden Arsenal. Subsequently, I was hired by Weber State University, where I retired in 1992 after 38 years of service. I am the father of 6 children, grandfather of 11 grandchildren and great grandfather of 10 great grandchildren.
NONA FLITTON FORSGREN
After graduating from high school, I got a job at a 5 and dime store for a short time before the opportunity came for me to take employment at Hill Air Force Base as a sheet metal mechanic. I had met my husband, Judd, at a senoir class party. After dating for some time we were married in 1953. I quit work to have our family of 3 daughters. We lived in Ogden and Willard then back to the Ogden area of Kanesville, West Haven. About the time our girls were in school, I again had a chance to return to my old job of riveting. I worked on the F4’s and F16’s. After 22 years of enjoyable service at HAFB, I retired in 1987. I have been busy since, wondering how I had time to work. Judd and I have traveled long and short trips, taken cruises and just the summer of 2001 traveled to Sweden, my husbands long time desire. I have served as Relief Society President in our ward and am enjoying my grandchildren as well as all the family. We have much fun and enjoyment with them. They are the greatest.
ROBERT WILLIAM HOLMES — February 17, 1932
(“Where he’s at, there’s mischief” . . . “Bob” . . . likes any back seat . . . not a lone wolf . . . Windy’s always with him . . . they work together . . . that smile! . . . is the key to many locked doors . . . for Bob.)
Born and raised in Wilson, my Father passed away when I was 10, I was left to run the farm, which I did after school and during the summer months.
After graduating from High School I joined the Navy for a 4 year term. During the time I was in the Navy I was in several places in and around Formosa (Taiwan), Korea, Japan and China. It was very educational for me, seeing other countries and other cultures. In the Navy I was assigned to the aircraft carrier, USS BOXER, for eight months we cruised the seas patrolling the waters and land around the foreign countries. The rest of the time I spent in San Diego at Miramar Air Force Base and Point Mugu at Oxnard, California. I learned lots and seen lots during these eight years.
While in Point Mugu, I went a place called Jockey Meads, a resort between Oxnard and the San Fernando Valley, where I met Dorothy Lou Bates. I was invited to church in the Valley and stayed to a fireside at the Bishop’s house. My relationship with Dorothy continued and we were Married on July 17, 1953 in the Logan Temple. We have been blessed with five beautiful daughters, three son-in-laws and twelve grandchildren, six boys and six girls.
After my duty in the Navy, I enrolled in college at Utah State Agricultural College, halfway thru my years there they changed the College to a University, now called Utah State University. I graduated with a BS degree in Industrial Arts Education with a minor in Math after four years. The next summer I started my Masters Degree and a couple years later I finished my Masters in School Administration with a minor in Industrial Arts Education.
I was an Industrials Arts Teacher and taught wood shop for 35 years, retiring in June 1993. I was also a General Contractor for many years building houses and other structures.
I was the Chairman of the Wilson area planning committee for 14 years.
I was on the Weber County Board of Adjustments from 1988 until 1995, chairman of the board from 1990 until 1995. I also served on the Weber County Boundary Commission for one term.
I was the facilitator in organizing and establishing WEST HAVEN CITY – 1990. We became a city in July 1991 and I was the first Mayor serving for three years. While Mayor, I tried to get the city to agree to the sewer and secondary water but no one thought that was important and no one needed it, now, in the year 2001, it is needed and being put in the ground.
Keeping active in politics, I am currently the chairman of the WEST HAVEN SPECIAL SERVICE DISTRICT. Working with the city makes me feel like I have accomplished a great deal in my life and I enjoy what I am now doing. I am excited about every piece of pipe that is laid in the ground.
LOUISE HOLMES
I’m still Louise Holmes, having never changed my name. Following high school I attended Weber College and received an A.S. Degree. Then I attended USAC and received a B.S. Degree. After teaching school for 10 years I went back to what is now USU and received a Masters of Education Degree. After 33 years of teaching school I retired. I have spent part of my time volunteering as a tutor for children ages 6 through high school. I’m still recognized by many of my former students. They always stop for a visit. Traveling has always been fun for me. I’ve taken many tours and have met people who still remain my friends. For the past 23 years I’ve made my home at the Three Fountains Condominiums in North Ogden
JoANNE HOWE GEARY
Since graduation in 1950 my life has been pretty good. I got married in ’52 and had my first boy in ’53, another boy in ’55 and girls in ’59, ’60, and ’66. They are all grown now and in their own homes. We have 11 grandchildren, 6 girls and 5 boys. My husband and I took our children to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico in ’75. We’ve been to Catalina Island off California 4 times. We like to travel when we can to visit our daughter and her family. My husband and I, for the most part, live a very quiet life. Don, my husband, likes gardening and watching video movies. I like to cook, do puzzles and watch quiz shows and video movies, of which we have a large collection. My husband also likes to paint and sketch. Two years ago, after wearing glasses for 56 years, I had my eyes operated on and now I only need glasses for reading small print and driving. We’re going to California, San Bernardino to be exact, in April to see our youngest granddaughter get baptized. We like to travel when we can. We’ll be celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary before the Winter Olympics in 2002. It will be a family affair.
CARMA KLINKE POINDEXTER
I married Hugh H. Poindexter in Deer Lodge, Montana. He was a rancher and truck driver. I have three daughters, Denise, Kathy; and Ellie, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. I have lived in Ogden, Utah; Roy, Utah; Los Angeles, California; and Bountiful, Utah. My home has been in Bountiful, Utah for the past thirty-two years. My husband and I have drove truck together and traveled every state in the U.S. except the New England States and Hawaii. God has been good to me. We are retired Snowbirds now.
DRAUCA MARSTON HOLMES
Drauca and Wayne Holmes were married in October following our graduation. Drauca worked as a secretary while Wayne attended Weber College. They moved to Logan where Wayne graduated as an electrical engineer. Drauca was an Executive Secretary for the Cache Co. Dept of Public Welfare. Wayne was commissioned into the Air Force and they lived in California and New Mexico for the next four years. Drauca was a stay-at-home Mom. They moved to Brigham City in 1959. They have four children and 14 grandchildren. Drauca worked as an Executive Secretary for Thiokol, NASA and the Air Force, performed semi-professionally for six years, graduated from Weber State University in Theater and developed the Heritage Theatre in Perry, Utah, for which she was the Executive Director for 23 years. She and Wayne retired in 1994 and have served an LDS Mission to the Family History Library in SLC.
BETTY MAY ORAM DONALDSON
My name is Betty May Oram Donaldson. I have lived in the Honeyville and Ogden areas during my younger years. I attended the Honeyville Elementary School and the Wilson Lane School, then the Weber High and Box Elder High Schools. After school I worked as a dental assistant and then a medical assistant until retiring at 62. I married David W. Donaldson in 1953. We built a home in Plain City, Utah and have lived there for 49 years. My hobbies are cooking, working in my flower gardens, fly fishing and all other outdoor sports.
EMMA ROPELATO WALLING
After graduation I went to work for Hill Air Force Base where I met my husband Richard J. Walling. We married Aug. ’53 and I continued working until Dec. ’54 at the birth of our son Dean. Our daughter Terry arrived Jan. ’56. I was able to stay home to rear the children until ’64. Then I went to work at the I.R.S. seasonally until I retired in ’90. My husband passed away in 1972 and my son died in an auto accident in ’93. I sold my home and moved in with my aging parents to help care for them until their deaths in ’96 and ’00. I now plan to visit my family in California and will enjoy traveling to long dreamed of places and spending time with my six grandchildren.
PAUL STOKES
I married Mary Jean Miller June 1961 and we have two daughters, Julie Ann, 34 and Lisa Marie, 31. We have two grandchildren, Heather Lynn Beasley 8, and Nicholas Ryan Bronch 17 months. I graduated from Utah State University with a BS degree. I majored in education and minored in Psychology. I taught school for a total of seven years. I also was in the Air Force Reserve for seven years. We moved to Ward, Arkansas in 1965, where we owned and operated a dairy farm for 12 years, then went into the mobile home park business in Jacksonville, Arkansas, and have been renting mobile homes for the past 17 years. We are now semi-retired and have moved back to the farm in Ward. My hobbies are music, dancing and most of all watching the Arkansas Razorbacks football and basketball teams play.
LILA STONE HARWOOD
I married Jack Harwood 52 years ago. One year later we had our only child, a son, Keith Harwood. He gave us 4 wonderful granddaughters. Our 3 older girls blessed us with 6 great grandchildren, 3 more girls and 2 boys. My husband retired a few years ago, but still works part time, which is nice for both of us.
GLADYS SORENSEN GIBSON
After graduating from Weber College with an Assoc., I married Gary Gibson in the Logan Temple. Our 4 children were born in ’54, ’56, ’58, and ’59, two girls and two boys. Our oldest daughter passed away in June, 1995. Gary traveled for HAFB fixing missile test equipment and I stayed at home with our children. In 1966 I was hired at Pioneer Elementary as librarian, so I went to school with our children. I cataloged the books and set up the library. It was on the job training. I read stories to the school children and taught library science. I worked there 15 years. I love children’s literature. In 1977 I enrolled at Weber State once again and in 1982 graduated with a BS in Elementary Education with a Library Endorsement. I was hired as a teacher at Kanesville Elementary in 1982 and taught second grade 13 years and retired in 1995. I have worked in many chruch positions the most recent being an ordinance worker in the Ogden Temple. I’ve been a member of 3 musical groups and performed as soloist and alto. Gary passed away in Oct., 2001. Now I enjoy making quilts, reading and my family. We have 3 living children, 13 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren. I’m trying to keep busy and enjoy life..
LOLA TAYLOR SHEFFIELD
What Have I been doing the last 50 years? After I graduated from Ogden High School, I took the Cosmetology Course at Weber College and finished after a year. Then I worked at a salon in downtown Ogden. The money was sporadic so when another job offer came at McKesson-Robbins Wholesale Drug House, I took it.
My brother was on a mission in New York and he suggested I come back to Palmyra to see the pageant, which I did. Among the many missionaries involved in the production was one Grant Sheffield from Kaysville, who I met while at the pageant. When he returned from his mission in December he called and came to visit to ask me for a date for New Year’s Eve. We continued to date through the next few months and we were married in June. Shortly after our marriage, Grant was inducted into Uncle Sam’s Service at Fort Ord, California. Our first daughter of three, Vickie, was born while we were at Fort Ord, followed by two more girls, Debbie, and a year later, Sherrie. (Three years after Debbie.)
After Grant graduated from the School of Architecture at the University of Utah, he was hired at Thiokol in the design section. We bought a newly constructed home in Salt Lake- that was another story- commuting back and forth from Salt Lake to Brigham City. Everything went great for five or six years, then Thiokol went down the tube. We were the first wave of the unemployed.
Our neighbor had recently left Utah and went to Tempe, Arizona, and already had set up an interview for himself. So we packed up and went job hunting, hoping to have similar luck. But our trip continued on to California. Another friend we had been close to left a job in California and took a leave of absence when he went to Thiokol in Utah. He took his old job back, with Metropolitan Water District in California, as an engineer. He told us they were hiring and Grant was hired. He retired after 32 years. We bought a home in Brea, California, (Tar Town). Brea means tar in Spanish. (La Brea tar pits in Hollywood or Los Angeles County, not the same.) We lived in an old oil-producing town. Our son Jared was born ten years after our youngest daughter. It took all of us to raise him; he was one busy boy.
We have 8 grandchildren, 5 boys and 3 girls, one little great granddaughter. Most of the children and grandchildren live in Utah. The oldest and the youngest, with 6 of the grandchildren and the great grandchild, live in Utah. Our daughter Sherrie lives in Texas and we have one in California.
We have done a lot of traveling with our children. We have enjoyed traveling with our children to see aunts, uncles, cousins, who were living in Canada, and my sister and their children living in New York. We could travel the country and do lots of visiting and also Mexico was close by and fun to visit too. We continued our traveling after our children flew the nest. Also retiring gave us more time to travel the globe. We have enjoyed spending our vacations in many countries.
We have had a great 50 years and look forward to many more.
RUDELL WILLEY
Rudell married Barbara Hadley a few months after graduation on November 1, 1950. They have three children, one boy and two girls. They also have twelve grandchildren.
Rudell worked 35 years for the Southern Pacific Railroad as a brakeman-conductor traveling between Ogden and Carlin, Nevada. During those years Rudell was active in electrical contracting with a Master Electrician License. He was also involved in real estate development with a Real Estate Brokers License and a Commercial Property Managers License.
Rudell has enjoyed hunting in Alaska, Yukon Territories, Canada and the Western United States. fishing in Alaska and Mexico, flying his private airplane the past 34 years in Alaska (four times north of the Artic Circle) Mexico, Guatamala, Jamaica and the Caribbean Islands. Vern Smith accompanied him on many of these trips. Rudell is currently involved in activities in the L.D.S. Church, civic activities, The Quiet Birdmen (an international pilot organization) and Enable Industries, a handicapped facility. Rudell and Barbara now spend a lot of time traveling in their private plane and their motorhome.
In Memory of Our School Friends Who Are Gone But Not Forgotten
DOLORES HIPWELL CHARLTON
Dolores was married June 9, 1950 to Wayne Charlton from West Weber. They moved into a small home in West Weber. It caught fire and burned everything, wedding gifts, furniture and all. They then moved up to Wilson into a small home by her mother and dad on 2100. Later they built a nice brick home by her mother and dad. Wayne and Dolores had two children, Brent born in 1952 and LaRee born in 1954. Wayne worked at American Can and also became involved in race horses. He raised a very nice quarter horse from a colt and named her LaRee Bar and took her to Las Alemedas, California and won many races and made good money from her. A Dr. Allred helped Wayne get started in horse racing. They built another brick home on 2550 in Wilson with nice horse barns and then moved to California and raced horses. They did very well. Dolores loved Utah Noodle chow mein and ate a lot of it when they were in Ogden. They bought a ranch in California then sold it and moved to Oklahoma on a ranch. Their son Brent helped Wayne train race horses. Wayne is an expert on knowing the legs of race horses. Dolores was the bookkeeper. Late in 1992 the doctors discovered she had a cancer in her liver. Wayne had expert doctors attend to her but the cancer was too far advanced. They moved back to the house on 2550 and she died June 1, 1993 and was buried in West Weber Cemetery on June 5, 1993. Dolores and Wayne have five grandchildren.
LYNN JENSEN, 1932–1998
Lynn Jensen served in the U.S. Army for three years. Fifteen months of which he spent in Korea, where he saw combat and was awarded the Bronze Star with V device for valor. He also was awarded the Occ. Medal, a Korean Service Medal with five bronze stars, the Presidential Unit Citation, and the Meritorious Unit Commendation. Following his military service, Lynn spent time in California and Utah. He married Betty Jo and has a stepson, Butch. He divorced and moved to Alaska, where he lived in Chugiak and Eagle River. He had been through engineer and demolition school in Fort Belvoir, Virginia. He was a self-employed mechanic and machinist until he retired in 1996. He died December 2, 1998 from a stroke and was buried in Alaska. He was a very quiet man who would help anyone in need.
ROBERT WAYNE KIRBY
Robert Wayne Kirby was born in Brunswick, Missouri in 1932. In 1941 the family moved to West Ogden. He attended Wilson Elementary and Junior High School for 9 years. He graduated from Weber High School in May of 1950. Bob worked for the Union Pacific Railroad as a fireman/engineer for a period of time. He also worked as a cabinet maker before becoming involved in the drywall trade. In about 1970 he moved with his wife to Elko, Nevada to work in the construction trades. This was a period of increased construction in the Elko, Nevada area due to the newly found gold mines in the surrounding area that brought an influx of workers. Later on Bob worked at the Commercial Hotel in Elko maintaining the gaming machines in the casino there. Bob died in an accident in 1974 in the Elko area and is buried by his parents in the Centerville, Utah Cemetery. He left behind three daughters and one son. Bob will always be remembered for his infectious smile that was always on his face and will be noted among his family, classmates and co-workers for his happy-go-lucky attitude and good-natured personality.
ARTHUR KRANENDONK
Art died a very tragic death when his truck caught fire in an accident and burned. Art was married for a very short time and has one daughter. He worked for George Stratford and at the Sugar Factory. He was a very hard, steady worker.
FRANKLIN F. STANGER
Served lds mission to Uruguay. Married Mada Lurae Waldron from Malad, Idaho. Father of 7 children, 3 girls and 4 boys. Employed as a salesman. Loved to fly an airplane. Passed away May 8, 1990. Lived in Weber County area all his life.
RUSSELL PACKARD
When Russell was young, his dad owned the Oil Refinery in West Ogden. He was at the Ogden Rodeo when the announcer said his business was on fire. Everything was destroyed. The family moved to Astoria, Oregon. Russell went in the army and was assigned to guard duty on base in North Africa. His buddy was on guard duty. For a prank Russell kicked the guard shack. The buddy shot Russell dead without checking on who was kicking the shack.
JIM POULOS
Married a Greek girl, had one son and one daughter. He was office manager of Texaco Oil Co. in Salt Lake City until the company went out of business. He was stand offish and wanted nothing to do with his family. He was a bartender in Salt Lake City. He died about 15 years ago during open heart surgery, after having heart problems for several years.
SHELDON STAUFFER
Sheldon married Colleen Bradshaw sometime between 1952 and 1953. His oldest daughter, Beverly, was born in 1954. His son Gary was born in 1957 and a daughter Shelley was born about 1960. He worked at Hill Field. He died sometime between 1975 and 1985.
MAURICE CHENEY
No information is availabe for Maurice.
We could not find any information or the whereabouts of Vincent McEnerny or Rose Mary Ellsworth or Bill Saunders.
VERN H. SMITH, August 24, 1932 – February 28, 1981
Born in Wilson Lane on August 24, 1932, grew up in Wilson on a farm, attended Wilson School for 9 years, Weber High School for 3 years, attended Weber College from 1950 to 1954, bought first farm in the spring of 1953 in Warden, Washington, served a 2 years L.D.S. Mission in the southern states, starting January 6, 1954.
Vern started farming in the spring of 1956 in Warden, Washington. Met his wife Kay Pratt in Moses Lake, Washington (14 miles from Warden) in 1956. They were married August 15, 1957 in the Salt Lake Temple.
Vern served in the L.D.S. Church as a Bishop, on the High Council, and in the Stake Presidency.
Vern and Kay had 7 children. They had two boys and five girls.
In 1968–1969 Vern was chosen “The Outstanding Young Farmer” in the state of Washington. At the time of his death he was raising beef cattle and farming approximately 1,300 acres of land.
Vern loved to travel, especially in his private plane (Piper Cherokee six) to Mexico.
On February 28, 1981, on the return trip from Mexico, his plane crashed, on Parker Mountain, just north of Escalante, Utah. All aboard, six adults, were tragically killed.
It has been said that, “The common people of the earth are the great people of the earth.” If that is true, then Vern Smith was among the greatest.
Wilson School Faculty
Row 1—Mrs. Stanford, Miss Shaw, Mrs. Barton, Mrs. Bouwhuis. Row 2—Mrs. Secrist, Mrs. Woodward, Mrs. Sorensen, Miss Holmes. Row 3—Principal, Wheat Taylor, Mr. Pettigrew, Mr. Rhees.
Wilson School 9th Grade Class of ’47 Directory
Name
Address
Phone
Jewel Checketts Atwell
502 N. Mexico Drive, Roswell, New Mexico 88501
(505) 624-1751
Gordon Belnap
2338 Combe Road, Ogden, Utah 84403
(801) 479-7793
Betty Mae Orem Donaldson
2558 N. 4100 W., Plain City, Utah 84404
(801) 731-3168
Jack Eilander
1111 N. 2000 W., Ogden, Utah 84404
(801) 731-2916
Nona Flitton Forsgren
3703 S. 2700 W., West Haven, Utah 84067
(801) 731-0123
Joanne Howe Geary
2166 Polk Ave., Ogden, Utah 84401
(801) 621-4152
Gladys Sorensen Gibson
2294 S. 2300 N., West Haven, Utah 84401
(801) 731-0590
Lila Stone Harwood
2486 C. Ave., Ogden, Utah 84401
—
Robert Holmes
2297 W. 2550 S., West Haven, Utah 84401
(801) 731-0564
Louise Holmes
325 E. 2550 N., North Ogden, Utah 84414
(801) 782-7753
Drauca Marsten Holmes
75 N. 600 E., Brigham City, Utah 84302
(435) 723-6459
Marilyn Bowman Garner
7025 Sunburst Circle, Salt Lake City, Utah 84121
(801) 943-8912
Carma Klinke Poindexter
P.O. Box 373, Clearfield, Utah 84015
—
Betty Lou Buck Schulze
1111 E. 1150 S., Clearfield, Utah 84015
(801) 825-8354
Lola Taylor Sheffield
587 East Aspen, Brea, California 62621
(714) 671-0335
Paul Stokes
2205 Green Acres Road, Jacksonville, Arkansas 72076
(501) 982-2232
Emma Ropelato Walling
1013 E. 5285 S., Ogden, Utah 84403
(801) 479-2743
Rudell Willey
1028 E. Brookhaven Dr., Kaysville, Utah 84037
(801) 546-8880
(Note: addresses/phone numbers as printed in the original memory book — likely out of date by now, but preserved as a record of where the class was circa 2001–2002.)
I continue to scan many of the photos belonging to Dave and Betty Donaldson. Some of the photos are a group or series, like this one. I don’t know why, but this one stood out enough for me to do a post on it.
Dad often helps me name some of the individuals in photos, or at least he looks at them. He does not always know who people are in the photos. When skimming these photos, he made the comment, “If you looked at the sign in sheet on the top of that arch, my name is there.” He told me it was one of the stops on a Boy Scout whitewater trip down the Colorado River in about 1957.
That trip was while the Glen Canyon Dam was under construction. They had to take their canoes out and hike around the dam construction and put back in below. When they were passing the canyon where Rainbow Bridge is located, they pulled out and hiked up the canyon. They then climbed up on top of the bridge, which is a big no-no now.
These photos show a Rainbow Bridge much more accessible by water through the still filling Lake Powell.
As you can see in the photo below, these photos were likely taken in the middle to late 1970s. The dam did not fully fill until 1980! 17 years to fill! It has not been full since that time, continuing to decline due to prolonged drought.
It is an awe inspiring sight to behold.
Dave Donaldson and Irene Telford
I do not know anything more than what the photos tell. Family trip to Lake Powell? Who is the instigator? Rented boat?
Irene Telford, children, and Betty Donaldson
Irene is the daughter of Sterlin Delaino Telford Jr and Maxine Donaldson. David and Maxine are siblings to my Grandmother, Gladys Donaldson Ross. I scanned this photo just recently of Irene and Mel Rawlinson. I believe the daughter’s name is Shelly.
Another article clipped by my Grandparents, Milo and Gladys Ross. We do not know why this was clipped.
The top of the article shows it was published in the Ogden Standard-Examiner, Thursday, August 12, 1976.
“Newspaper reporting account of the death of Abraham Lincoln is displayed by Mrs. E. J. Krull of 1362 23rd.
Written by Milo Ross – “1860 – 64 – John Wileks Booth
“The drama of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln came to life again for an Ogden man this week. Sifting through the contents of an old trunk, E. J. Krull of 1362 23rd found a yellowed, tattered edition of the New York Herald dated April 15, 1865.
“Chronicling the assassination of the man whom many historians believe to have been America’s finest president, the newspaper shows the tragedy of the Civil War had been overshadowed by the events of the previous evening in Ford’s Theater.
“The edition outlined an almost chronological account of the events that transpired following the shooting of the president by actor John Wilkes Booth and the simultaneous attempted assassination of Secretary of State Seward.
“A series of accounts describtd Mr. Lincoln’s deteriorating condition, the scene around his deathbed and finally, a bulletin indicated the president had passed away at 7:30 a.m. on April 15.
“Mr. Krull noted the old newspaper had been found while sifting through a trunk that belonged to his wife’s parents.
“Of six total columns on the front page, about 4 1/2 were dedicated to the assassination while the remainder were mostly accounts of the Civil War events including the escape of Jefferson Davis and his Confederate Cabinet to Dansville.
“Ironically, there was only one more item in the four-page newspaper that merited more columns of space than the presidential assassination.
“Nearly 9 1/2 columns inside were devoted to glowing testimonials about the incredible curative powers of “Kitchel’s Linament” and Kitchel’s Spavin Cure.”
I did some homework to find out more about Mr. & Ms. Krull.
Eielt J Krull was born 11 November 1900 in Clark County, South Dakota, and passed away 13 August 1987 in Ogden, Utah. He married Thelma Blaine, previously married as Nelson, in 1943. Thelma was born 29 August 1901 in Ohio and died 3 May 1991. Eielt is buried in South Dakota, Thelma is buried in Colorado.
The National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys held their 2024 national convention in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This works out really well for me to attend these types of conferences that help me obtain continuing education credits in both Idaho and Utah. Most of the time I go alone, but Amanda was able to go with me this year.
The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs
The NACBA convention was held at The Broadmoor. We were pretty spoiled for the trip. We also rented a vehicle for our use while in Colorado along with Andrew and Willow Curtis. Willow and Amanda went to goof off while Andrew and I were attending the convention.
The convention hall gearing up for one of the sessions
I always appreciate when Idaho gets some air time in these events. Shows me Idaho attorneys are also doing their jobs and advocating for their clients.
In re Evans is an Idaho case appealed to the 9th Circuit and United States Supreme Court
The Broadmoor also had a bottle of Scotland’s Oldest Whiskey, Young’s Gold Medal Mountain Dew. The real original as sold prior to 1834! I had to take a picture as I do have a limited affinity for Mountain Dew. Just not as potent as this version!
Young’s Mountain Dew at The Broadmoor
We enjoyed some pretty amazing meals at The Broadmoor. Except for the cost, I would definitely recommend the meals.
Manitou Cliff Dwellings
Here is a picture I took at the Manitou Cliff Dwellings. We also attempted to drive to the summit of Pike’s Peak, but it was closed due to a snow storm the day before.
Pike’s Peak in the distance from the Garden of the Gods
Andrew and I went to law school together in Oklahoma City. Amanda and I became friends with Andrew and Willow and have enjoyed various meals and trips together with them since then. We were thrilled to spend some time with them in Colorado.
Amanda Ross, Willow and Andrew Curtis, Paul Ross at Garden of the Gods
We took some other photos of the Garden of the Gods. We also went to visit Amanda’s brother, Scott and Victoria, in Fountain while we were there. They treated us to dinner at their place.
The Garden of the Gods reminded me quite a bit of Idaho’s City of Rocks, just a different color of rocks.
I also met up with Tom Duchen for dinner in Colorado Springs. He has done legal work for City of Heyburn and it was a good opportunity to catch up and visit again. Always good to see someone personally on their own turf rather than just all work.
