Amanda, Lillian, Hiram, and Aliza Ross at the grave of LeRoy and Clara Holden in Payson, Utah
We tend to not get down to Payson, Utah, Utah too often. On this occasion we were on our way back from Ely, White Pine, Nevada from a trip to Great Basin National Park. We were also coming home on Memorial Day weekend, so we had to make some visits to family graves.
LeRoy and Clara Elizabeth Jarvis Holden are Amanda’s maternal grandparents.
Back (l-r): Roy Holden, D Hemsley, Bryan, Jill, and Amanda Hemsley, Mel and Shanna Thompson. Front: Clara Hemsley, Belle Hemsley, June and Walter Hansen.
LeRoy Holden was born 28 November 1914 in Provo, Utah, Utah. He was the son of Alvin Peter Holden and Emma Jane Roberts. I tried to convince Amanda we should name a son Alvin citing to her family history, but it was to no avail.
He met Clara Elizabeth Jarvis was born 11 May 1918 in Palmyra, Utah, Utah. She was the daughter of Joseph Finch Jarvis and Sarah Jane Evans.
Clara Elizabeth Jarvis
LeRoy and Clara met and were married in the Salt Lake City Utah Temple on 19 January 1939. Together they had 5 children and adopted Amanda’s mother, Jill in 1963.
Clara and Roy Holden
LeRoy developed cancer and passed away 25 December 1995 in Provo. He was buried 29 Decembber 1995 in Payson City Cemetery.
Clara met and married Jay LeGrande Barlow on 20 December 1996 in Provo. He was born 7 July 1918 in Enterprise, Washington, Utah.
Clara passed away 22 April 2009 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah. She was buried 25 April 2009 in Payson City Cemetery.
Jay passed away a short time later on 23 September 2009 in Draper, Salt Lake, Utah. He was buried 28 September 2009 in Payson City Cemetery next to his wife Dorothy Emett (1920-1993).
Bryan & Jill Hemsley, Roy and Clara Holden, Amanda Hemsley in stroller
In May of 2021, the Ross family traveled back to Ely, Nevada. We went the first time in October 2020 with Amanda’s parents and the Hales Family and quite enjoyed our trip. I told Steve Taggart about it and he wanted to go the next time we went. He brought his parents and family down as part of the trip. Here are some photos from both trips.
East Ely Train Station of Nevada Northern Railway (Oct 2020)
Lyle Taggart, Bonnee Taggart, and Kristen Taggart in Ely, Nevada (May 2021)
Another historical Paul photo I thought I would share. This old gas station is still on the south side of West Ellis Street in Paul, Minidoka, Idaho. I was started and operated by Clyde Richans and later by Jim Brown. It was bought by Snyders who added on to the west end of the building.
I have only ever known it as owned by Snyder’s, but did a little digging.
Richfield Oil was founded in 1907. Richfield Oil and Atlantic Refining merged in 1966 to create the Atlantic Richfield Company, known as ARCO now. This photo likely predates that merger with the use of the Richfield logo. I do not know how long this little gas station operated, but by the time I was running around in the 1980s, it was no longer a gas station. I do not know if it ever used the ARCO label or not.
I did a little homework on Clyde Richan. Clyde Lavar Richan was born 15 February 1927 in Tooele, Tooele, Utah and on the 1930 Census was living in Ely, White Pine, Nevada. By 1935, his family had moved to Rupert, Minidoka, Idaho. His father was also named Clyde Richan (1904-1992). Clyde had a brother who lived to be 6, Eldon Leo Richan (1928-1934), but that was all of the children for Clyde and Verona (1905-1989).
Clyde married El Vera Louise Bott (1927-2018) in 1945. Her obituary included some insights into her and Clyde. Apparently he also started the Tri-City Rebuilders, which I knew on other side of Paul.
RUPERT – ElVera Louise Richan, a lifetime Minidoka County resident, joined her beloved husband, Clyde Richan, on Saturday, August 18, 2018. Her life has been an ordinary and interesting journey. She was born the second child of Ottone “Toni” Bott and Esther Garbardi Bott at home on a farm near Paul, Idaho, on March 1, 1927. She attended the Paul Grade School, graduated from Paul High School, and went on to further study at Idaho State University and College of Southern Idaho.
On a very important day in June 1945, she married her high school sweetheart and best friend. They moved to San Diego, California, where Clyde served in the United States Navy and ElVera worked for the American Red Cross at the Regional Naval Base. They returned to Minidoka County, their roots, to raise their two children, Toni and Ted, to work, and to enjoy their lives.
While her husband started two successful businesses, Paul Automotive and Tri-City Rebuilders, ElVera worked at Idaho First National Bank for 22 years as a commercial and agricultural loan officer. She had previously worked for the Minidoka County Courts and Schools.
ElVera was active in the community serving on the Project Mutual Telephone Board, Minidoka Hospital Board, and Rupert Library Board. She was also treasurer of the Minidoka County Highway Board for 32 years and a lifetime member of the St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Rupert.
Snow skiing, water skiing, hiking, camping and golfing, were activities she enjoyed with her husband, children, grandchildren, and many wonderful friends. So many great memories!
She is survived by her daughter, Toni Marie Merz; sister, Dolly Kidd; grandchildren, Christopher Merz, Ted S Richan, and Tonya White; other close family, Sharon and Mark Kidd; and 13 beautiful great-grandchildren.
Sagacity 