Sunday, 2 March 2025 by Sagacity

Lincoln Days 2025

Minidoka and Cassia Counties celebrated their joint Lincoln Days this year on February 22. It was the first time held at Wick’s Steak Place in Declo. Minidoka County Republican Central Committee chaired the Lincoln Days Committee for the two counties. Many thanks to the committee members who organized and orchestrated the event, from the silent auction, donations, auction, meal, location, and more!

It was a great crowd for an election off-year. Denton Darrington, and Virgene, both attended this year. Denton is the longest serving Idaho Senator in Idaho History. Kelly Anthon, and Joelle, also attended and was one of our speakers. Kelly is currently the Senate Pro Tem and stands on the shoulders of Denton Darrington in the Senate.

Here is a copy of the program I received. The final agenda had a change for the national anthem performer, I believe Kiya Fife. The lot fell on me to conduct. I made note that it was George Washington’s birthday. I brought to attention that he was born 11 February 1731, but with the change from the Julian to Gregorian calendars, it moved from 11 February 1731 to 22 February 1732. Imagine if government tried to do that now! How many people would refuse? How many would say it was a deep state secret agenda? How many decades afterward would we hear about it? What would you do if you lost over a year of your life due to a calendar change?

Many others attended the Minidoka – Cassia Lincoln Days. Some of them include Idaho’s Lieutenant Governor Scott Bedke, and Sarah; Idaho’s Secretary of State Phil McGrane; Idaho’s Comptroller Brandon Woolf; members of Senator Risch’s office including our Region Chairman Mike Mathews; members of Senator Crapo’s office; LD 27 Representative Clay Handy, and Kristine; all six county commissioners for Minidoka and Cassia (Jared Orton, Dan Schaeffer, Sheryl Koyle, Leonard Beck, Bob Kunau, and Kent Searle); and other local county elected officials.

Robert Moore was kind enough to donate a portion of the proceeds from the auction of two of his paintings at our Lincoln Days.

Idaho Republican Chairman Dorothy Moon, and Darr, were also in attendance representing the party. Locally Minidoka Chairman Jenny Bateman and Oneida Chairman Bryan Kerr were present (I serve as Chairman of Cassia County Republican Central Committee).

Idaho’s Senate Pro Tem, Senator Kelly Anthon representing Cassia, Minidoka, and Oneida Counties

Sen. Kelly Anthon spoke on the history and representation of Denton Darrington and his imprint/impression left on Idaho politics and history. He gave a brief overview of the currrent legislative session and the sausage being made in Boise.

Representative Clay Handy representing Cassia, Minidoka, and Oneida Counties

A note was made of the passing of former Cassia Chairman Tim Preston, also a native of Declo.

Idaho Republican Party Chairman Dorothy Moon

It was a successful Lincoln Days for the two counties. We will be headed over to Oneida County’s Lincoln Days on 15 February 2025. Looking forward to the trip and time associating with the good people of Malad.

I look forward to planning our Lincoln Days for 2026, which will be in honor of the Semiquincentennial (250th) of the Declaration of Independence.

Sunday, 12 May 2024 by Sagacity

Starrh’s Ferry Precinct Committeeman Campaign

We moved into our new home in September 2022. The move from Fairmont Street to 200 South Road was only a little over a mile. It changed quite a few things. We changed elementary schools, we changed routes to work, we changed Wards, we changed Stakes, and we changed Precincts. We were in the Burley 4 Precinct and now are located, oddly, in the Starrh’s Ferry Precinct.

Starrh’s Ferry is a large Precinct, named after the historical ferry across the river. Here is the language from the historical marker:

“In 1880, George Starrh, a Snake River placer miner, started a ferry across Snake River one mile north of here.

“From 1880-2, freighters hauling supplies for a mining rush to Wood River used Starrh’s ferry (powered by river current when stiff winds were not blowing too hard), and local traffic lasted until Milner reservoir flooded out summer operations after 1904. But a small town with a post office (1909-12) remained there for more than a decade. During that time, nearby bridges replaced Starrh’s ferry.

Late last year the current Precinct Committeeman lost her husband and had some of her own health issues. In conversation she had indicated she did not think she would run again and I said I would be happy to run for the position so she did not have to worry. She was very gracious. Just weeks before the registration period she sounded like she might be planning to run again and suggested she let me know if she was going to do it. A few days before, she let me know she would not be running again. I had heard maybe another lady, Melissa Brown, would be running but nothing was confirmed and the current Committeeman didn’t say anything about another candidate. I threw my hat in the race on the first day for Candidate filing. That same day, Ms. Brown also filed for the same seat. The race was now on.

Before running, I also learned that Gem State Conservatives was building a coalition across the state to help committeeman run in contested races that were considered more mainstream Republican. The basic idea was that various individuals would assist candidates to help ‘right the Republican ship’ from the ‘conservative’ contingent of the party. A wide variety of aids would be made available from access to online registries to the covering of the costs for signs and postcards. There would be total autonomy on which resources we wanted to use, if any. Various meetings would be set up in order to help train on how to navigate the campaign website and even putting together a slogan. Also was the option of networking across the state to learn from other committeeman candidates. These all turned out to be very valuable resources. The meetings also helped provide encouragement in the topsy turvy emotions of a race.

I had assisted with various campaigns throughout the years, from U.S. Senator down to a city Mayor. The basic idea is always the same, connect with the voter. As I downloaded all the registered voters of my Precinct, I realized I already knew or had interacted with about 70% of them in some fashion over the past decade. When I started, the Starrh’s Ferry Precinct had 729 registered voters in roughly 396 households. Some of those are duplicates as married couples living with their parents, or college children, and more, are really not a separate household. There were 358 separate mailing addresses. The work started.

You can see the signs above. They are free to all candidates, but are generic and all basically the same. I was not in love with my short name in such a small fashion. You cannot cuss free signs though. I did my first mailer very early in the season as part of the Presidential Caucus. The Idaho Republican Party was kind enough to provide the Caucus jpeg. It brought about a dozen texts asking for more information. I dare say the flyer was effective as the Starrh’s Ferry Precinct was the best attended of the Precincts that caucused at Burley High School’s King Fine Arts Center.

The next stage was texting or calling every single person on the registered voter list. That turned out to be somewhat of a nightmare. My phone did not like texting over 700 people in two days in April. I did not want to use an auto-dialer. If someone wanted to reach out to me, I hoped they would do so. But then I could also avoid potential federal law on auto-dialers and all the disclosures that sometimes can get problematic. Just me, raw Paul Ross.

That drummed up another dozen conversations. Very helpful. Started quite a few conversations. Interesting how many people responded “STOP” but then were surprised and chatty when they realized a real person was sending out the text messages. A hurdle for me is that I still have my (801) prefix on my phone. Various said they don’t live in Utah. But it also helped cull the herd as many indicated they had moved, no longer lived in Idaho, and various other things. After a series of chats or text chains, a number of people were asking for more.

Now it was time to put up signs. The signs arrived near the end of April. I had my strategic war map of the precinct and where would be the best sites for signs. Gem State Conservatives provided 25 signs. Of course the signs on corners never get much attention. Nothing more than weeds. But well selected sites, with property owners taking ownership of the signs, is best. That conjures up conversations between neighbors, discussions about issues, and questions for candidates to find out their stances. That was less than a sign per square mile in Starrh’s Ferry! I had to be very strategic on which stretches and which houses. Most were very complimentary and willing to help. It was just taking the time to go and visit each site and get the signs up. Hopefully in a way that an Idaho wind wouldn’t remove it. We did have some crazy winds for many days. I did have to replace the stands on more than a dozen signs, more than half of the total signs.

Then the voting started. That is when people started doing some homework and reaching out to friends and family. The first week of voting I lost at least an hour a day from work in responding to texts and addressing questions. It is always nice when the majority of the precinct is already familiar with, knowledgeable of, or circumstantially aware of both the candidates. Discussion and contrasting seems to be easily done and people do it on their own after asking their own questions. I really did not have to present myself, usually just answering questions. I was also surprised by how many of the questions really did not have to deal with my precinct race, but rather the contested Sheriff race (between Jarrod Thompson and Travis Worthington) and the Legislative District 27B race (between Clay Handy and Pat Fields). By giving insight and answers to both of those races, and even the U.S. Representative race (between Mike Simpson, Scott Cleveland, and Sean Higgins), the answers I provided gave them the information they also felt they needed for the Precinct race.

We still have a week of early voting to go and then the election on May 21st. Here are some flyers I have seen for people. Steve Taggart, a friend of mine in Idaho Falls, is running for a Precinct in Bonneville County.

Here is the one for my opponent.

Since I already felt I have connected and did not need to do as much cold-call introductions, I kept mine to the more generic postcard.

There is the profile that is listed for Gem State Conservatives. Here is my biography:

Hi! I’m running for Republican Precinct Committeeman to represent Starrh’s Ferry on the County Rep. Committee. I have helped build and sustain our County party since 2014, serving as Chairman since 2022. I am involved in the community as an attorney, helping bring a public charter school, and more. I am asking for your vote on May 21. Contact me at paulnjross@hotmail.com

I guess we will see how things actually turn out on the 21st. But this week almost a dozen people texted or called to let me know that they voted early. The thought that they wanted to let me know makes me think it was for me (if they are in my Precinct). I voted on the first day early voting opened.

This week I will text everyone in my precinct again to encourage them to remember to vote, either early or on May 21st.

There are so many stories I want to share from discussions, but those will have to be in my journal and not in the public forum of my blog.

Sunday, 1 October 2023 by Sagacity

Route of the Hiawatha

Taft Tunnel, Hiram, Aliza, Lillian, Amanda, and James Ross

A little over two years ago, we did a trip through the US Northwest. One of our stops was the Route of the Hiawatha trail. We were a bit concerned initially as the kids were 9, 8, 5, and 3. But that turned out to not be a problem. Hiawatha had bikes for us, a tandem bike for Lillie, and a bike trailer for James.

Montana entrance/exit of the Taft Tunnel.

You have to book your tickets at the nearby Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area. We rented our bikes there as we did not take bikes with us on our trip. They delivered the bikes to the beginning of the trail so we did not have to worry about getting the bikes from Lookout Pass to the trail. The night before we stayed about 45 minutes away in Superior, Montana.

James in the bike trailer riding behind me.

As an interesting side note, we ran into Clay Handy and his family at Hiawatha. I hadn’t expected to run into anyone from Cassia County on the trail, let alone the parking lot!

Route of the Hiawatha literally follows the old train line from Chicago to Seattle. The last passenger train passed through in 1961. Afterward the rail lines were removed and much later the idea of a biking trail was conjured. That is why the trail is so agreeable with so many people, it is train grade. Starting on the Montana line it is literally downhill for the entire time! Those who get to the end and do not want to ride all the way back uphill can take a bus back to the Taft tunnel. Then you only have to ride the mile tunnel through St. Paul Pass back to the trail head.

Aliza, Hiram, Amanda, and Lillie coasting down the train grade.

There were some breathtaking views, which is one of the draws of the trail/ride as well.

You can see one of the trestles below which we would also cross over later in the trail.

The bike trailer turned out to be pretty convenient. James slept the entire time! All 15 miles! But he kept our backpacks company.

Lillie and Amanda about to enter a tunnel.

The Hiawatha trail boasts 10 train tunnels, 9 that you actually get to ride through.

Lillie and Amanda crossing a train trestle.

Hiawatha also boasts 7 sky-high trestles. That was a pretty exciting part of the ride. If you are afraid of heights, you can see the trestles are wide and have a road base. You can stay in the middle and then venture out to the side to safely take a picture.

You can see yet another trestle in the distance.

If you are really adventuresome, you can even look down below.

Here is another view of crossing one of the trestles.

The view of another one of the train trestles.

As you can see, the trail is wide and safe. Even on the trestles they have ensured safety with the cables. Injury will come only to those who are reckless or careless. Some of the trestles are truly sky high.

Looking down from one of the train trestles.

Here is another view up from the trestle view above.

Beautiful mountain valley viewed from a train trestle.

Lillie was able to ride a tandem bike. Frankly, it was the perfect fit as she worried us if she had to be on her own bike.

Lillie on a tandem bike riding behind Amanda.

Some of the tunnels as you approached looked somewhat scary. But the closer you got you could see there was sufficient light in the tunnel.

Hiram waiting to go through another tunnel.

The trail is well maintained. You can see that they put some extra protection near the tunnels to avoid rocks falling on the trail.

The concrete tunnel with extra roofing to protect against rocks and snow.

The trail is only open during the best season. It opens in May and goes through September. These photos are from our visit on 3 August 2020.

Hiram, James, Aliza, Lillie, and Amanda Ross on a pit stop.

There are some restrooms along the trail. We had lunch at one of them. You can always pull over anywhere else if you wish. The trail has plenty of space. James even slept through snack time.

The end of the Hiawatha trail, the Pearson stop.

It was here at Pearson we loaded up on busses altered with bike storage in the back to haul us and our bikes back to the Idaho side of the Taft Tunnel. We had to go back through the mile long tunnel to get out on the Montana side. There we were able to turn over our bikes and be done.

Inside the Taft Tunnel, going through St. Paul Pass.

We stayed that night in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Other than our stop to visit the graves of family in Mullan, Idaho, we traveled the hour drive to CDA. I had a lengthy hearing the next day so I felt I needed to prepare. I would highly recommend the Route of the Hiawatha to anyone who needs a great opportunity to ride bikes, see nature, and experience train tunnels and trestles.

Sunday, 14 May 2023 by Sagacity

2023 Legislative Session

Brandon Woolf, McCord Larsen, Paul Ross with Idaho State Capitol

This year I was more involved in the legislative process than in the past. There were a few bills I was particularly interested and closely involved. I even helped write a few.

On 3 March 2023 I traveled to the Idaho State Capitol with my friend and Cassia County Prosecutor McCord Larsen to testify on a particular bill related to Public Defense. While there, we took the opportunity to make a number of other calls and visits in addition to the legislators/legislative. This photo comes from one of those visits.

Brandon Woolf is the Idaho State Controller. More importantly he is my friend. He is always out and about in visiting communities and friends. I have run into him in Preston, Soda Springs, Malad, Burley, Rupert, and Boise. Not only do I respect and honor this friend, our families have been friends for generations. Brandon is from Preston, where my Andra, Nuffer, and Wanner lines are all from. I have ran into Brandon at That Famous Preston Night Rodeo, the Rodeo Days Parade (also in Preston), and even the Independence Day Breakfast in Preston. It has been a small world and an oddity that I run into this guy as much as I do.

He took us through and shows us the new Transparent Idaho website. He is pretty excited for this website to continue to be rolled out and outfitted with all information for Idaho government. That is not just state, but every taxing district from cities, to counties; from cemetery districts to school districts.

The highlight was catching up between old friends (and Aggies). For the occasion, we snapped this photo from Brandon’s office. Somehow it seems enchanting. My beloved state, a phenomenal Idaho Constitutional Officer, friendship, and a beautiful Capitol. My experience with Idaho is that we are in good hands.

As for the legislation we were working on that day, well it was a disappointment. Representatives Weber and Cannon apparently were more interested in passing a bill than getting it right. We have tons of clean-up, which is always harder the second or third year than at the beginning. I have many, many reservations on the bill generally and don’t think it cannot be cleaned up but for a rewrite. But they didn’t care about that either. For a state that is independent, local control, and willing to do things different, this bill flew in the face of all that. It centralized power, removed local stakeholders, consolidated processes, ignored processes, and all at the same time wildly underfunded. I hope I am wrong, but I think it will get worse before it gets better.

Other bills were introduced too late and didn’t get too far. Others passed through unmarred and become clarifying law. The updates of bankruptcy related law all seem to have failed. But we will try again next year. Too bad it does not pay, it is hard doing all this on your own dime and sacrificing your gainful employment.

We were able to do lunch with our local Representative Clay Handy and visit with Representative Doug Pickett. Senator Kelly Anthon was kind enough to introduce us and welcome us from the Senate floor. We were unable otherwise to meet up with him.

Idaho is still small. I hope we do not lose the small state legislature, the gentleman’s creed, and the ability to do business. Please like Brandon keep hope in government when it is sometimes hard to keep hope in such a process.

Sunday, 9 January 2022 by Sagacity

Preston High School Kanoma Club – 1945

Another found picture that includes my Grandmother, Colleen Mary Andra, in the 1945 Preston High School yearbook. I recently posted the photo regarding the Preston Girls Athletic Association. This photo includes the following writing on the page:

“Kanomo Club

“During this school hear the Kanoma Club has been successfully directed by the following officers:

“President … LuDean Maughan

“Vice President … Patricia Wood

“Secretary … Mary Jane Handy

“Social Manager … Gladys Rawlings

“Faculty Advisor … Viola Veibell

“Some of the activities this year have included the initiation and Christmas Party entertainment of the boys at a roller skating party, sponsoring an assembly for the girls where Ms. Star, Dean of Women from the A.C., spoke, helping the Red Cross in making bags and different articles. In addition, this club has cooperated in preparing and serving food at some of the other social functions. Each spring the girls in the club spend three days to a week at Girl’s Camp in Logan Canyon.

LuDean Maughan (1927 – alive, married Byron Glover)

Patricia Wood (1928 – 2005, married Norman Beckstead)

Mary Jane Handy (? – ?)

Gladys Rawlings (1923 – 2016, married Blaine Lemmon)

Viola Veibell (1921 – 1984, married Lorin Simper)

Colleen Andra (1928 – 1999) She is standing left front, next to the mail box, in the plaid skirt.

Sunday, 30 April 2017 by Sagacity

Wanner-Nuffer Wedding

John and Eva Nuffer are pleased to announce the marriage of their daughter Regina Friederike to John George, son of John and Anna Wanner. John and Regina were married 31 August 1898 in the Logan LDS Temple, Logan, Cache, Utah.

John & Regina Wanner

Regina Friederike Nuffer was the first child of four born to the marriage of John Christoph Nuffer and Eva Katharina Greiner on 26 January 1869 in Neuffen, Esslingen, Wurttemberg. John was a widower when he married Eva endowing Regina with two older half brothers and sister, John (1862), Georg Friedrich (1864, Fred), and Christiane (1865, who lived less than a year). John and Eva were married 25 July 1867 in Neuffen. Regina had three younger siblings, Charles August (1871), Adolph (1875), and Mary (1881). Regina was christened 7 February 1869 in Evangelische Kirche, Neuffen.

Evangelische Kirche, Neuffen and Paul Ross. The Nuffer family attended this church and Regina was christened here.

When Regina was about 9 years old, she heard the Mormon Elders preach in town. One of those Elders was John Jacob Theurer (1837 – 1914) of Providence, Cache, Utah. She was converted to the LDS church and was baptized 1 January 1880. Her parents were baptized 12 April 1880 in the mill race behind their home in the very early morning to avoid others in the community knowing. Other siblings followed later.

Overlooking Neuffen, 2008

The family applied to immigrate to North America in April 1880. They left for Stuttgart, then to Mannheim on a boat to Holland, over the North Sea to Hull, England where they left on the Wisconsin for New York. From Castle Garden they went by train to Utah, finally arriving in Logan. The family moved to Providence, Cache, Utah where Elder Theurer had connections. Mary, Regina’s sister, was born in Providence in 1881. John Jr worked in Montana, Salt Lake, and on the Logan Temple. After the Logan Temple stonework was completed, the Nuffers sold their home in Providence and moved in 1883 to Preston, Franklin (then Oneida), Idaho. Eventually they moved around until John and Eva purchased property up Cub River near Mapleton (then St. Joseph), Franklin (then Oneida), Idaho.

Regina Nuffer

I don’t know the details of how or when, but Regina met Jacob Scheibel and married him 15 July 1889 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah. Alma Katherine (“Kate”) Scheibel was born 27 September 1889 in Pleasant Valley, Carbon, Utah to Jacob and Regina. In 1890, Jacob and Regina separated and she moved back to Mapleton. She helped as a nurse and midwife while her mom helped tend little Kate. It was during this time she met a young man named John George Wanner Jr who was working for her brother Fred Nuffer, also in Mapleton.

Regina Nuffer and Alma Katherine Scheibel

John George (anglicized from Johann Georg but called George by the family) was the first child born to the marriage of John George (also anglicized from Johann Georg) and Anna Maria Schmid on 29 October 1870 in Holzgerlingen, Böblingen, Württemberg. To keep them separate, younger John George went by George. He was christened 30 October 1870 in Holzgerlingen. He grew up in Holzgerlingen and during the summer of 1890 met the LDS missionaries. He was the first of the family to join the new church on 11 July 1891 and was baptized by Jacob Zollinger (1845 – 1942) of Providence, Utah.

St. Mauritius Church in Holzgerlingen where the Schmid family were christened

St. Mauritius Church in Holzgerlingen, the church where the Wanner’s attended and where John was christened.

George apparently emigrated to America with an Elder Theurer in 1891. We don’t know who Elder Theurer is, but he was also from Providence although likely a relative of John Theurer who converted the Nuffer family. The LDS missionary records do not show an Elder Theurer out in 1890 – 1892. I wonder if this wasn’t meant to be Elder Zollinger in the family histories. But this Elder helped John find employment with Fred Nuffer. The rest of the Wanner family followed to Mapleton in 1893. Mary, George’s daughter, indicates it was an Elder Terrell who brought John to America (Theurer sounds like Tire, and Terrell isn’t that far off, so maybe a misspelling?)

George met Eliza Stirland of Providence and married her 14 November 1894 in the Logan LDS Temple. Two children were born, Earl Wayne Wanner born 31 October 1895 in Providence and George Phineas Wanner on 22 September 1897 in Glendale. The unhappy marriage ended in divorce. Nobody seems to know what happened to these two sons either.

Regina received her Patriarchal Blessing 13 September 1897 from John Smith.

George and Regina fell in love and married in the Logan Temple 13 August 1898.

William Christoph and Willard John were born 9 November 1899 in Mapleton.

Mary Louise was born 5 March 1901 in Mapleton.

George was called and set apart as a missionary to Germany on 1 October 1901 .

Acceptance Letter from John to President Snow

Acceptance Letter from John to Lorenzo Snow, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Golden was born 4 September 1902 in Mapleton while John was on his mission to Germany.

George safely arrived home 7 October 1903.

Eva Virtue was born 24 February 1904 in Mapleton.

Rulon was born 6 November 1905 in Mapleton.

About this time, George Wanner had John Nuffer build him a home on East Oneida Street in Preston.

George was then called to serve a second mission in the fall of 1907, again leaving pregnant Regina and six children. He was set apart by Orson F. Whitney on 29 October 1907 to serve in the Swiss and German mission. Interestingly, the missionary record says he was plurally married, but no records or history show another marriage. I suspect it is a mistake.

Serge Nuffer was born 8 March 1908 in Preston. Again, another child born while John was on a mission.

Regina with William and Willard in the back and then Golden, Mary in the middle, holding Serge, then Rulon, then Eva. This picture was taken and sent to George on his mission.

George left Europe sailing on the Southwark from Liverpool, England on 9 December 1909.

1909 Southwark Manifest

George returned home on Christmas day 1909. It was during this mission that George taught the Christiana Wilhelmina Andra family. The Andras immigrated to Preston. William Andra, Christiana’s daughter, would later marry George’s daughter, Mary.

In 1910, George and Regina purchased the Wanner farm (John’s parents) in Whitney (which the Wanners had purchased from the Nuffer family). His parents moved to Logan.

1910 Whitney Census, Dursteller, Handy, Beckstead, Foster, Cardon, Wanner, Oliverson, Moser, Benson

About 1912, this picture was taken on the farm.

l-r: Eva, William, Golden, Serge (sitting), George, Regina, Rulon, Willard, Mary Wanner

Another photo from about 1917.

l-r: Golden, Mary, Regina, George, William, Willard. Sitting: Eva, Serge, Rulon

Sadly, things started to change their idyllic world.

Golden died 26 November 1918 in Salt Lake City at age 16. His death certificate says he was a student, Regina is the informant, but I don’t know where he was going to school. I was told he died from influenza, but the death certificate just says natural death.

William died 1 December 1918 at Camp Genicart, Gironde, France from influenza. He enlisted with the army 5 August 1917. I don’t have anything to back it up, but I suspect the photo above is in preparation for his enlistment. He left Salt Lake City for Camp Kearney on October 11, 1917. He served in the Supply Company, 145th Field Artillery, American Expeditionary Forces. The war did not kill him, disease did (as was common then with influenza). His body was brought home 11 November 1920, and interred in the Whitney Idaho Cemetery.

Mary married William Andra 10 March 1920 in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple.

Willard was set apart as a missionary 7 January 1921 to New Zealand by Melvin J Ballard and left for the mission 8 January 1921. He successfully completed his mission and ended his service 18 October 1922.

Willard John Wanner

Mary Andra, Regina Wanner, holding William Andra Jr in 1921

Willard married Gladys Laverna Thompson 15 November 1923 in the Logan LDS Temple.

Rulon was a student in Logan when he caught a cold. It developed into acute meningitus caused by acute otitis media. He died 25 February 1924 at the age of 18. George is the informant.

George was called to serve a third mission to the Southern States Mission. He was set apart 15 December 1925 by Joseph Fielding Smith and departed 16 December 1925. He returned home 8 June 1926.

On 4 July 1926, George received his Patriarchal Blessing under the hand of William M Daines.

Serge was set apart as a missionary 24 April 1928 to New Zealand by Orson F Whitney and left for the mission on 28 April 1928. He arrived in New Zealand 20 May 1928. He served in the Bay, of Island, Whangerei, and Wellington districts, and on the South Island. He cut himself while shaving and died from blood poisoning 4 October 1929. His body was brought home for burial in Whitney with the funeral held in the Preston opera house. Four sons were now deceased.

Eva was set apart as a missionary 16 April 1930 to California by George F Richards and left for the mission 17 April 1930. She completed her service 6 June 1932.

George was called to serve a fourth mission to California. He was set apart by Reed Schmid on 1 December 1933 and left for the mission the same day. He arrived back home 6 April 1934.

John George Wanner Jr

Eva married Adolf Ernest Spatig 29 January 1936 in the Logan LDS Temple.

Regina, Kate Naef, Carmen Cole, and Ladean Cole

George was known for his ability to work hard. He worked hard, raised his crops, and took exceptional care of his farm animals. He took great price in having things looking neat and clean around the farm and yard.

George usually was out working when the sun came up. The story is told that he was usually the first to get to the beet dump in the morning. Apparently one morning some of the neighbors decided to beat him to the dump. They got up early to get a head start. Before they got to the dump, the could hear George Wanner already going down the road ahead of them. It was still dark but they could tell it was him by the way he was talking to his horses, “Gid up – gid up – gid up.”

George and Regina sold the Whitney farm and purchased 40 acres nearer to Preston and built a home on it. Oakwood Elementary and Preston Junior High sit on what was part of this farm. When he retired, it was this farm he sold to William and Mary Andra.

George had a knack for being successful in the various undertakings he engaged in. He was one of the first in Preston to have an automobile. When he brought it home he hadn’t quite got the knack of stopping it. He yelled “whoa” when he got in the garage, but before he got it stopped he had gone through the end of the garage.

Grandma Wanner

Regina Wanner

George built two little homes on the west side of 2nd east and 1st south in Preston. He also built three homes on 1st south and the south side of the street in Preston. George and Regina lived in one of those homes until she died. Regina passed away 10 March 1942 in Preston. She was buried in Whitney.

She was ill for quite a while before she passed away. George would care for her the best he could and regularly took her for rides in the car. She was unable to walk and George would carry her on his back from place to place as they went visiting.

George remarried a few months later Grace Irene Frasure (1893 – 1980) on 3 Jun 1942 in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. Their marriage dissolved in divorce.

John George Wanner Jr

George was having a number of health issues and had heard that Florida would help him. He moved to Florida. It was there he met Annie Jane Metts (1873 – 1961). They were married 4 May 1945 in Fort Myers, Lee, Florida. This marriage also dissolved in divorce.

George and Annie Metts Wanner in Florida

George remained in Florida until he became ill enough that he knew the end was coming. His daughter, Mary, sent her son, William Andra, out to Florida to bring George back by train. When William and George arrived in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, he was quite ill and taken to the hospital. It was there that George passed away 5 January 1947. William brought George’s body back to Preston. George was buried beside Regina in Whitney.

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