I thought I would share an interesting thought about Malad. One of the reasons I like it. It is one of only two towns I know of, where ‘Holiness to the Lord’ is written on one of the buildings. It is one of the Old ZCMI (Zion’s Co-operative Mercantile Institution) signs. The other one is in Franklin, Idaho. I assume there are others, but I don’t know of them, except for temples. I wish they were still on some of the tabernacles and other church buildings. I suppose another fragment of Zion that was done away. Perhaps to not offend others, who knows. Hopefully some day.
Idaho
Thoughts in Malad
One of the best parts about being able to spray is that you have a nearly endless amount of time to think about anything you choose. What a wonderful opportunity. I hear of these people who are bored with their job, or have nothing to do, and even this job, that it is so boring. Well, that tells the state of their mind doesn’t it? What a wonderful opportunity. It is like the old fairy tale of the hero getting into the cave of precious gems, with only one stipulation, that he can have any one he wants, but only one. How sad that so many people choose to leave the cave with no gem, or with a tawdry, poor quality gem.
Anyhow, when I arrived at Larry’s this morning, he asked me about my meeting with Larry and Lori Kaye Gleim. I told him about my experience and what it was they said. He was disappointed that she did not want to get to know the family any. He told me that he broke his leg and ended up staying with Donald and Carolyn for a time. For about 4 1/2 months, nearly every day he would stay with baby Lori Kaye and take care of her. He said he would never forget holding her on his knee and how beautiful she was. He said there are some similarities between Toni and Lori Kaye, but he considered Lori Kaye beautiful as a baby. That was only confirmed when he met her at her Grandfather’s, Harley Jepsen, funeral. He said he could see the point of her keeping it quiet, but just did not understand it.
It was an interesting starter thought for the day. I sprayed for a couple of hours thinking about that. I think of the doctrine that at the last day all things shall be made known. Those things which are secret shall be shouted from the rooftops. Now, whether that has any bearing on me, I do not know. However, Lori Kaye’s mother, and Lori Kaye will some day have to face that. At some point, Lori Kaye’s own children will have to be told who is their biological grandfather. At some point, Carolyn, for what reason she is hiding all this, pride, children’s hearts, or something else, will have to face it an answer it. It will all have to be sorted out. Especially someone who is where she is now, you would hope the wife of a Stake President would be more honest with her own family. The wife of a High Councilman, who is a representative to a student stake, would also be more honest with their own family. Anyhow, to each their own. However, I would feel that I would seek to know the man to whom I was born in the covenant to. The man to whom untold priesthood blessings will come to me.
I finally took a moment to drive near the elementary school, and notice the foundation of the old Evan’s store still there across the street (the old Malad High School). It was Diane Evans Spackman’s grandparents store. (I stayed with the Spackman family in Eagle last year. She told me about it last year, finally I took the time to pay attention to see if I could see it. It is still there.
I sprayed this lady’s lawn who was in the back yard while I was working. We started talking. She told me about her husband’s death in February (Bill Price). She told me about his death, how it happened, and how she is struggling. I was not sure how to reply. But I just listened. She asked me about my winter and I told her about my marriage. She was excited and told me about her marriage. Eventually, I found out she currently lives in what was her parents house. Then, found out her father was a four term Senator to the state of Idaho. She asked me if I liked to read, and I told her I did and biographies were my favorite. I told her I was currently reading a biography on Borah. She then told me that U.S. Senator Borah was a friend of her father. In fact, she remembered her father and Sen. Borah talking on the front porch of that house. I was surprised. She told me about her memories of the man. Who would have thought I could get personal testimony on a man whose biography I was reading at the time. I was very impressed with how genuine Helen Daniels Price was. I spent a good half hour visiting with her about the lives of others. She was a librarian in Malad for 25 years or so. Such great people in the world everywhere.
At some down time, I read some of the Nuffer family history that Larry gave to me. It was a very interesting read about Neuffen, Germany. Also some of the surrounding towns my family is from. It was interesting to learn that John Nuffer (son of John Christoph Nuffer, my Great, Great, Great Grandfather) studied architecture and building in Stuttgart before converting and coming to America. That is why he ended up building so many buildings including the Oneida Academy. He also worked on the Logan Temple. It was interesting to read his blessing by Apostle Teasdale and setting apart as a Seventy before going back to Germany for a mission. It will be interesting to read more.
I visited with Lorraine Dives today, whose son is Larry Dives, who lives in Pleasantview, and works at the Malad Post Office. We had a good visit about her yard and how it is improving. It is these types of experiences that I like. Mingling with those individuals who are the salt of the earth and go about doing their own thing.
Of other news, something to add to the usual surprises of life. Amanda returned home on Thursday evening to find that there was a fine layer of dust throughout the house. Originally, due to the dark nature of the dust, it was assumed to be coal dust. There are workers replacing the old coal furnace in the basement, and somehow they ended up shooting dust up into both apartments. Our landlord, John Payne, send a nice cleaning lady to take care of the problem. Saves us from having the clean the whole home I suppose. But it was not a happy thing for Amanda to discover.
Well, that will do for today. Tomorrow is spraying in Malad again. I have to admit, it is the only place in the country I know of, and somehow a great source of pride to me, that they fly an American flag on every other light pole on the main streets. The clincher, on the other poles there is a Welsh Flag. Reminded me of my mission, and I am excited that a city takes its heritage to heart and shows it. So many cities have become mainstream Babylonia. Here is a town who has not forgotten some of what it is and where it came from. Plus, I have a special place in my heart for Cymru. I even bought a Welsh Book of Mormon a while back and would like to learn to read it. I hope Malad is doing it for the right reasons, and continues to do it, for it is a wonderful thing.
Tomorrow Amanda and I attend Prairie Home Companion. I am really excited. Not that I have to leave at 5:30 in the morning to finish work in time, but that I am going to personally attend a Prairie Home Companion. I have always admired them, even from when I was in Junior High. Also, tomorrow night after Prairie Home Companion, Amanda and I attend the last Utah Temple, Ogden. That will complete our goal of attending all 11 temples. If we had time, I would like to get in both Idaho Temples (soon to be 4!).
Back from Father’s Day
Another weekend with some visits to a far away land. Well, at least another state. We get around! Colorado, Idaho, and Utah all in the last few weeks. In the upcoming weeks, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Kentucky, and Virginia. We are looking forward to it. It should all be an adventure.
We went up to Idaho for Father’s Day. In typical Ross household fashion, they forgot we were coming. A couple of grandchildren gave up their bed so we could have a bed to sleep in. Jan had just returned from the hospital in the previous day from having a kidney infection. I hope she improves quickly.
The next morning with nobody home, I left Amanda sleeping and went to a field out at Ridgeway. I met Ted there and we ended up chatting for several hours. The pump on his 4-wheeler died, so we ran to Murtaugh for parts. They had what we needed, but we were hungry, so we ran to Kimberly. The Maverick for some reason or another was not serving breakfast, so we ran to Eden for food. They did not have anything desirable, so we headed to Burley. We ended up settling for a breakfast at Burger King. We enjoyed the time to chat. He counseled me on my marriage, and I counseled him on his being Bishop. It really weighs on him at the moment for a variety of reasons. Some of which I hope no Bishop ever has to endure. Our several hours were finally up with Amanda calling me. She was finishing the laundry. Ted really has some heavy burdens. I hope I never am called to such a position. He was curious what my ideas were on what he should do in a couple of scenarios. The only thing I had to call on was mission experience, and they did not really seem to apply.
I went home, got ready for the day, and Amanda and I headed out. We ran to visit some people, none of which it seemed were home. Steve and Abby Whitesides, Dennis and Joan Isaak, Paul and Kathy Duncan, Warren and Sara Crane. It was a good day. We stopped for burgers at Burgers Ect. Then we had to drive to Burley to pick up Jan’s granddaughter, Shyanne (spelling). We picked her up and headed home. We stopped at Andra’s and dropped off her wedding photo. At home, I crashed for a couple of hours. I had been fighting a cold since Friday afternoon. The nap was great, and I think it was the breaking point. I awoke and we met Kevin and Megan Orton for dinner at Perkins. Dustin and Maren McClellan were to meet us, but I suppose they had more important things going on. It was great to visit with Kevin and Megan again. They seem like they are doing really well in their lives. I am happy for them. Ryan and Kegan were there, and they seem like good kids. I hope they grow up to be good, faithful, diligent boys.
Sunday arrived and I slept in I think due to the cold. We got ready and went to church. I really enjoyed Elder’s Quorum, Sunday School, and Sacrament. Sunday School was about David and how one little innocent thought can lead to a whole host of things. A look, glance led to sin. Not only that, the desire to hide sin led to greater iniquity. It even cost someone their life. They made the comment that the first sin was forgiven, but the second is what cost David his exaltation. I had never heard this before and I have no idea where Brother Dibb got this from. I e-mailed his Sister-in-Law and hope to find out.
After church, we ran to Andra’s house and picked up May and Andra. It was great to see May for the first time in years. She has matured and looks like a responsible young woman. In visiting with her, it sounds like she truly has put her life on the right track. I hope that is truly the case.
We drove to Darrel and Cindy Schmidt’s for Sunday Dinner. There was quite the host there. Cindy’s sister, Mary Lou, and brother, Lanny, were both there. Lanny brought his son Jeremy, who seems to have pulled his life around as well. I am glad to hear the family is progressing. I hope many others will put there life in order.
Dinner was absolutely amazing. I loved it. I ate two full plates. It was good to visit with the family and to see Cindy again. Tia was there, but did not seem too interested in visiting. I was told that she thinks the only time I call is when I want something. Which is partially true. She seems to have become so cynical and pessimistic, that it is hard to visit with her too often. So I use my coming into town as an excuse to call, which means I also would like to get my car in for a service or something like that. They go hand in hand.
Andra left with a friend and we headed back with May. I forgot to go visit Armina Jonas Farnes in Kimberly. We did visit Tuck and Kathy Taylor though. That was fun. I also got a bunch of temple cards back, most of which I will send to St. George to have the sealings to parents done.
We crashed and went to bed. Monday morning dawned and again we were alone in the house. I got to see Dad for a whole 15 minutes on Sunday. We did give him his card and Father’s Day present, which was three photos from the reception. He said he really liked them, especially the family portrait. We got ready and headed out. We met Brock for lunch at Perkins at 11:00. We had a good visit with him. He had to run off for an art teaching appointment. It was good to visit with him. I am glad he is doing good things with his life.
Afterward, we stopped to visit Ted and Becca Tateoka one last time. We visited for probably about an hour. Then went to pay a visit to Paul and Kathy Duncan. We were there for about 2 hours. We visited with Kathy and she updated on all the family and everything that was going on.
I was sad to realize that I was saying good bye to many of these people for the last time for several years. Some of them possibly ever. On the way back down, we stopped to see Grandpa. He had left to go pick up his army buddy, Polke at the Greyhound Station. We left him his two photos in a frame from the wedding. I hope he appreciates them. They were for Father’s Day as well. We stopped to visit the Hemsley family, and they were happy and about the usual. Jill has flown to Pennsylvania for a week of meetings.
Anyhow, that was the weekend. Things are well here. I worked yesterday and today. People seems surprised that we are now in single digits for the amount of days I have left at work. I am going to miss the painting and maintenance.
Pirates
Just got an e-mail from Brad Hales in Ghana. He seems to be doing well, glad to be alive, especially since he just finished a bout of Malaria. What a gruesome sickness. I hope he continues to improve and do well.
Stopped to visit a long lost cousin on Wednesday. Lori Kaye is her name. She was not raised knowing of the family, and for family history at least, I paid her a visit. We have been corresponding for a little over a year through e-mail. Well, it has been her husband who has been doing the corresponding. I stopped by their home a few months back but she was ill and I only met Larry. He was a nice man and they have a nice home. I left them a book on the Andra family for their perusal, and I needed to pick it up again. So I e-mailed, and they agreed to meet. They invited me over, and we ended up visiting about family for a couple of hours. It was really good. They are very cautious as none of their extended family know the circumstances. Plus to save turmoil, feelings, and any other problems that could be raised, there is not going to be any interaction any time to come. Perhaps someday when the applicable parties are gone, I will explain the details of the story for family history purposes. But for now, it will remain vouchsafed with those who are participants and knowledgeable of events. The ‘skeleton’ in the closet will have to be told for later generations. I am happy to report I do know the names of the two children. It was great to visit with a long lost cousin, one who is content with her current family makeup and not willing to rock the boat. Hopefully someday all parties involved can overcome their concerns and some reconciliation will occur.
The next night, Amanda and I, upon invitation of her parents went to the Desert Star for a play, Pirates 2. Quite honestly it was not worth the time. I enjoyed visiting and seeing the family, the meal (which Bryan graciously paid for), and some time to visit with Amanda. However, I think I much rather would have just met at an exit off the freeway. Some of the singing was even painful it was that bad. Such is life. The Potter Spoof was far better.
Anyhow, things are going well. We are headed to Idaho this weekend for Father’s Day. Could be a few years before we make it back. Who knows what will be in Idaho or happening next time we venture back. We will remember to turn the light out when we leave.
Monticello and Vernal
This weekend was a great trip. I don’t know if I have written this, but Amanda and I made a goal to hit all the Utah Temples before we move away. We made this goal in Jan or Feb and have been working on it since. Monticello and Vernal both posed a problem for achieving that part of what we wanted to do. Why not knock them both out at once? So we did. We took this past weekend, drove down to Monticello on Friday and stayed the night. We stayed at, and highly recommend the Monticello Inn (in the phone book as Triangle H) especially if you are LDS. They were more than wonderful with us. She even called the temple to make our reservation for the 8:00 session for the next morning. We attended the 8:00 session and when we came out, got our photo (we are taking a photo with us and each temple as well, Amanda’s idea!) and headed out. We drove back up through Moab, over to Fruita, Colorado, up through Rangely, Colorado and into Vernal. It was a beautiful day for a drive.
Vernal turns out to be one of our favorite temples. There is something about it. It has more character than some, and it seemed more like home to me. We were sitting in the chapel waiting to go on the next session when I kept looking at the only other couple in the room. I was sure it looked like the parents of a friend from high school. She looked younger though, and he had some chops, so I had my doubts. Finally, I just had to know, walked up to them, and sure enough, it was Scott and Anita Jensen from Paul, Idaho. Anita was a cub scout leader for me for a few years. Bryan, their son, helped me secure a ring at a great price for Amanda last year. We chatted, and were one of only a few couples on the session. I will tell you what, there is something that is inspiring when the rays of the sun are coming through the veil when they lift the curtain before being introduced. It just lit up the room and I loved it.
On the session was also a Shane Mayberry. Afterward, I visited with him and asked if he knew a Carma Preece. He said he went to school with her son. I asked about her, and found out she only lived a block of two from the temple. Before we left, by asking others, he had her address and phone number for me. So, we are close, why not visit. I gave her a phone call, she was home, and we were invited to stop.
She is the first person I have ever met who is related to me through the Ross line. In fact, her maiden name is Ross and her father is the brother to my Great Grandfather. It was interesting to look at her characteristics and physical makeup. She must have barely have been over 5 foot. Similar to most of my closer Ross relatives, other than my Dad, who inherited his height from the Donaldson side. Amanda snapped a picture of a portrait of her parents. Giving me the first copy of a photo I have of any of the other Ross siblings. I have a rough, vague, damaged photo of my Great Grandparents, and nothing of them together. My Great Grandmother died in 1925 after giving birth. The baby also passed away with her. For some reason or another, the Sharp line did not like my Great Grandfather, John William Ross. So he was run off, and my Grandfather’s family farmed out to members of the Sharp family. My Grandpa to the Ed Sharp family, Uncle Harold to the Delwin Sharp family, and Paul Ross to Fred and Vic (Sharp) Hunt. The only thing we really know is that he moved to California.
He died in the Veterans Hospital in Livermore, Alameda, California. As far as we can tell, all of his siblings ended up in California as well. John had a sister named Fanny, who married a Calvin Dickerson Phibbs, who was the judge in Rupert, Idaho for a time. Calvin’s father and some other family members are buried in Rupert. But the Phibbs went to California as well. Then there was a Robert Leonard Ross, and his life is very sketchy. Have very little idea of him. He was married to a Minnie Belle Hambrick, Rose Ann Clawson, and Ruby Leaster Hall. The only one of these I could confirm was Rose Ann Clawson, who had been married to a Sanders, but he married her in Burley, Idaho. Then there was Carma’s father, James Thomas Ross who settled in the Vernal area. Apparently he was the one who went to Utah so his children could marry LDS. They missed Virginia so much, they named their first child after their old home. So, Carma’s older sister is named Vesta Virginia.
It seems to me that somehow they caught wind of the opening of the Sugar Factory in Paul, Idaho, so they moved there from Virginia. I know the Phibbs were there before the Ross family was. Fanny and Calvin were married in Virginia in 1906. The Phibbs all moved to Idaho and then Fanny probably invited her other siblings to go. Fanny arrived there sometime between 1912 and 1914 as children changed their birth locations. My Grandpa has a half brother, Hobart Day, born in 1911 in West Virginia. My Great Grandparents were married in Fort Logan, Colorado. How that ever happened I will never know. My Great Grandmother was married to a Mark Lewis Streeter, who gave another half sibling to my Grandpa, June Streeter. Great Grandma went with Mr. Streeter and they operated a confectionery in Paul, Idaho named Streeter’s Confectionery. There doesn’t seem to be records of this in Paul, other than a Hall’s Confectionery which according to my Grandfather would have been in the same location. Whatever happened, my Great Grandmother divorced her Streeter husband in 1919. My Grandpa is the oldest, born in Plain City. Paul was born in Paul, John Harold in Burley, and Ernest Jackson in Plain City, who died. So that pretty well breaks down the time in Idaho for my family. My Great grandmother married Streeter in 1917 or so as June was born in June 1918. Fanny and Calvin were there until after 1930, when their last child was born in Rupert that year.
James Thomas had only one child born in Idaho at Rupert. She is a middle child, and the rest were born in the Vernal area. That child, Sydney Bea was born in 1922. As for Robert Leonard, he married the one wife in 1919 at Burley, but that is about all that is set in stone for him.
I do not know what the draw was to California. All of them seemed to have died there. I don’t know where Robert died, but I know it was in 1944 and everyone says it was California. Nobody seems to know where, and I have not found a record. My John William died in Livermore in 1948. He remarried a Zane Coffey in Rock Springs, Wyoming. We don’t know what happened to her, if they stayed together. Fanny died in 1943 in San Francisco. James died in Los Angeles in 1964. California had such a draw that both of their parents, James Thomas Meredith (legally, but went by James Thomas Ross) and Damey Catherine Graham both moved to California and died in 1951 and 1933 in Fresno and Marysville respectively. I do not know if my Great Great Grandparents ever came to Idaho, or spent any time in Utah. Carma told me that she met her grandparents in California, so that makes it seem that while she has memory, they were not in the Vernal area. Who knows for sure. I seem to remember somewhere that James Thomas Meredith/Ross was a Bishop in California at one time, indicating he spent some time there, long enough to become acquainted and be called. I don’t remember for sure if it was him or someone else who was called as Bishop.
Anyhow, it was interesting to visit with Carma. She told me of a couple of visits to Grandpa and Grandma’s place. She told me how impressed she was with how tender they were with Judy. They have not visited Plain City since the early 1970’s. She told me of a time that Grandpa came to visit them in Vernal. She said they took them around and introduced them to the family and showed them the area. The one comment that was interesting was that Grandpa used to swear up a storm. According to her, every other word was a swear word. I have never known him like that. The only time I ever heard him swear was when the emphasis was needed, or another word sometimes just did not seem to fit. She was surprised to learn that Grandpa and Grandma had become active. I thought that was interesting. She was even more surprised to learn that they both worked in the Ogden Temple for a few years. Carma now works in the Vernal Temple.
It was good to sit and visit with her. She loaned me a book that was given to her just the month before with all the descendents of James Thomas Ross (Jr). I was excited about that. It looks like we will have to call on Carma on the way to Denver at the end of this month. To return the book and perhaps to glean some other memories from her mind. She is 81 now, and who knows how much longer she could be around. Getting into those ages, things change so quickly. However, I hope she will still be around when we come to visit Utah again, and that we can pay her another visit. Funny how things happen.
We had a great visit and we snapped a picture of Carma and me together. I enjoy visiting family. There are always more stories to hear. I have many more, I record of all my visits in my regular journal. Sorry you don’t get to read of some of those adventures. Perhaps someday I will reiterate some of them here.
People
“I love that man better who swears a stream as long as my arm and is attentive to administering to the poor and dividing his substance, than the long smoothed faced hypocrites.”
That quote by Joseph Smith sums up much of what I believe. I have been always so fortunate to end up with the salt of the earth, or at least being amongst them.
No matter where I go, or what I do, I have been very blessed.
I made a stop at the Oneida County Museum on Saturday. I ended up chatting and visiting with those ladies for a length of time. Most of them knew or knew of my relatives from Samaria. It was a good day. I sat and had lunch with an 88 year old, Daphne King Thompson. She was a good lady. We discussed her lawn, and she informed me about the Welsh Festival that had been revived in Malad. Did you know Malad (Samaria) has the most Welsh people outside of Wales? Yep, it is a bona fide fact. BYU said so! So I think I might join the Welsh Society. After all, some of those Williams, Jones, and Evans are my relatives. Also, seeing where I served in a mission for Northern Wales, and my ancestors really did come from Southern Wales, why not? I can support a good cause. So, if you are interested, www.welshfestival.com It is only $10!
Meier and Frank continues to go well. I am now a full time painter. Who would have thought. That Law and Constitutional Studies major has come in mighty handy in telling that paint where to stick and not to. Things are good at work. I like having a my own list of things to do and having my own drive to get it done, rather than a taskmaster of any sorts. Oddly, somehow moving from receiving to maintenance, my opinion actually counts for something. I don’t know how a position change actually gave me intelligence in the presence of others, or at least an opinion to be expressed.
I stopped to visit my cousin Ralph Naef. He is a 1st cousin, twice removed. We share Regina Nuffer for an ancestor. He came to our reception, which is a great thing, seeing how we had never met. I promised I would stop to visit him. We had a great conversation. But moreover, he gave me a book. Oh yes, more to add to my family history. It contains the whole Naef family history, but I am only going to add the descendants of Charles Daniel Naef. Ralph was telling me, that he has 600 and something direct descendents, and like 900 if you include spouses. That is simply amazing. That is from a number of descendants that was compiled over 10 years ago. So I am sure there is well over a thousand now.
A good friend of mine from work, Bob Corliss, allowed me to look up some records on the internet with his information. I stumbled upon a registration form for my great grandfather, David Delos Donaldson, and WWI. He was working in Twin Falls, Idaho. The best part is, we never knew he went to Idaho, ever. Not only that, he was working there, and was exempted because he was working to support his younger siblings and mother. He did later enter, we don’t know when or how, but went to France in the Argonne and was gassed there. He suffered his whole life and eventually died from the mustard.
With this information, I went to visit my Uncle Dave Donaldson because my Dad did not know anything. So I picked his brain. We know little about my Great Grandfather before he married. Now we know he was working for Ballantyne Plumbing in Twin Falls in roughly April 1917. He served in WWI with two brothers. As mentioned, he was hit with mustard, spent some time in hospital, and he wasn’t getting better, so they sent him home. He married my Great Grandmother in 1919, Berendena Van Leeuwen. They had 5 children. During the great depression he worked down south as a plumber. Dave did not know where, but there was a possibility it was at the Hoover. When they went on a trip to Los Angeles, he insisted on stopping at Boulder City and the dam on the way home. Oh, we do know that before they got married, he worked as a plumber in Phoenix. How long we don’t know, but he could not bear the heat down there. During the depression when he worked down south, the family stayed in Ogden. Dave was young enough that he did remember his father coming home, but not where from. Again during WWII, the whole family moved to Napa, California and Great Grandpa was a plumber at the naval yard there, he made it sound like Oceanside. I do not know if there were any other naval bases down there. Then they moved back. The family must not have stayed down there, or he did not work the entire war, as my Grandpa and Grandma met in 1941-1942 at the Berthana on 24th street Ogden at a dance. They were married in April 1942, shortly before he left for war. They were not allowed to be married in the temple because Great Grandpa was not a member of the church. I am not sure if this was to get him to join or what, but it backfired. My Dad was born on 4 July 1943. My father did not see my Grandpa until he was 3 years old when he returned from war. Anyhow, Great Grandpa was a plumber by trade. He worked up until the 1950’s when his health failed him. He picked up smoking because it soothed his lungs. It sounds like the mustard burned his lungs the rest of his life. He would smoke to deaden the nerves. Dave told me this increased until he died. Even the last few years of his life, he had oxygen when he went places and when he slept. But he kept smoking. Dad told me of one of the few memories he had of his Grandpa. He went to visit him in Ogden, Grant Ave if I remember right, and he was laying in bed. There were newspapers all over the floor. He got into a coughing fit and coughed a big thing of phlegm up and it went on the floor. It was the combination of the irritation to the lungs from mustard, and the smoking. It was what eventually killed him. I was told the story that when he had had enough, he had my Great Grandma cook this big dinner, and he ate it, and then passed away afterward. Apparently his body could not handle certain foods, especially meats. He just could not take it any more and wanted a full meal.
Dave told me that David Delos Donaldson’s father, William Scott Donaldson was a plumber also. Supposedly he had a confectionary in downtown Ogden at one time as well. We have a picture of them standing in the store. His mother, Mary Elizabeth Williams, was according to Dave a witch with a b. She was high minded, snooty, and a brat. Dave said never once that he was in her presence did she ever notice him or give him the time of day. He said she was very negative and a condescending person. Nothing went right, everything was wrong, and it was everybody’s fault. He never liked his grandma, and would rather move out than be in the house when she went to move in. At one point, Great Grandpa did not allow her to move in because Dave would move out. She was the daughter of David D Williams, whose brother, John Haines Williams, is the father of those Williams who settled Samaria, Idaho. All those William’s in the Malad Valley are my relatives, and they are the Welsh I spoke of earlier.
Berendena Van Leeuwen, my Great Grandmother was an amazing lady. Everybody loved her. Betty, Dave’s wife, told me that whenever she thinks of the Donaldson home in Ogden, she sees herself pulling in the drive, and the curtains parting and this little curly headed woman with a big smile with a little wave beaming at her. She was an amazing cook, never using recipes. She had an infectious laugh and loved everybody and everything. In 1955 she was in an auto accident that handicapped her the rest of her life. It was an Oldsmobile 88 that she went to pass a semi and he put her into a telephone pole. She did some major damage to her hip. She had a full body cast for a long time. She had over 14 major operations. The final one, one for kidney stones, weakened her enough that she died shortly after. Despite 4 years or so of being handicapped, Dave and Betty told me that she was as chipper and happy as ever. It did not even seem to phase her. They took her camping several times, but the one they remember is the one before she passed away. They would be out fishing and they would put her in a chair on the bank to watch. She would giggle at the birds and them. Betty insists that when she smiled the whole world brightened. Dad remembers Great Grandma coming to visit with her monster bed. Dave remembers that very well too! After she went out to live with Grandpa and Grandma two different times for about a month each, he said she could go, but he was moving the bed no more. Dad remembers her in a full body cast but she was funny.
Dad would tell me about Grandma always having home made bread. They got in trouble more than once for coming home and taking some when they should not have. Dad also told in Grandma’s funeral how Grandpa would come home, sneak in, ask if anyone was looking, and lay one on Grandma. Other times he would come in and they would start dancing in the living room. During the war, Grandma and Grandpa would kneel at 9 o’clock no matter where they were and pray. In the spirit of oneness.
Anyhow, that is all I am going to share now. There was more about David Delos’ siblings. But I am not so sure on all that, need to do another interview, then I will comment.
Updates
Sorry, I have not been on for a little. The internet at our house has been a bit hit and miss. Since we free load from the neighbors, I have nothing to complain about. Our other neighbors had a really good signal, but then they moved. So now we rely on a much weaker signal. I have decided that someday when I get wireless, I will not put on a password so others may use it as well. I don’t see why people want to keep it locked up anyway. Not like we are hurting for speed or anything.
Well, as for the update on life. Things are going well. I have started working for my Uncle Larry in Preston again spraying lawns. I am doing it on Saturdays. I have very much enjoyed it in the past, and once again am doing so. I sprayed the last two weekends, and look forward to this weekend. It is good to be out with the people, in such a beautiful place. The valley where Malad, Grace, and Preston (I know this one is Cache Valley) are all so beautiful. Plus the people in general are the salt of the earth. Who could ask for more than that. While I am looking at going to law school, I find myself second guessing. Why not just move back to Preston and be content there? But then the reminder comes, gain as much education as you can. So, why not. I can get my law degree, head back home to Idaho, and work the spraying business a day a week or so. Who knows.
I have to admit, it is such a great time to think and ponder. I stopped at Red Rock Pass, near Oxford, on the way back to Preston the other day. It is a favorite spot of mine. I visited the little cemetery out back, and there is Jefferson Hunt buried. He has gone like every other man, but he did something noble with his life. Yes, he has credits enough to have me know his name as a founder and builder, but he was a good man. Funny how his posterity would come to personally bless my life. Senator Smith is a descendent of his. Yet, this great man, spiritual and societal, lies in the earth, in a very humble location. In the middle of nowhere, not even a maintained cemetery. Somehow, I find that inspiring. I also visited my great grandparents graves at Whitney, and there lies a Prophet, Seer, and Revelator of God. Even the prophets are laid low in the earth. This man, Ezra Taft Benson, also was a well known man for his role as Secretary of Agriculture under Eisenhower. There are other great men who were well known in their generation, who are now buried in those cemeteries, even amongst the most humble of others. They lay right beside them. Yet, these men left an influence. Jefferson Hunt will be remembered by his posterity for his efforts and example. President Benson’s influence is great, and will never cease because of his noble willingness to follow the Lord. I have been the grave of many great men, but their name is almost forgotten, and continues to diminish. But those who are righteous will never be lost. Their influence will only increase. Some greater than others, but as one star differeth from another….
Well, I love life. Amanda and I are exceedingly blessed. I pray it will continue.
I will make a last comment. I have been reading Rough Stone Rolling by Richard Lyman Bushman. While I am very impressed with his scholar capacity, and his great time, I will admit there are some serious errors in the book. He has written of Joseph Smith and has diminished him. I will have to write more on this later. I have some quotes by Brigham that bite Brother Bushman and his perspective of Joseph. When I have them with me, I will share them.
Interesting Days
It is strange how coincidence seems to play into our lives. Even I, a low staffer, an Idahoan, who is of very little importance in the realm of all men who have walked upon the earth have the privilege of meeting such amazing men. There are giants around us and we very seldom realize it. Most of those will never be recognized or accredited for what they do. However, today I wish to pay tribute to the common man (men and women, you know what I mean…man is not without the woman, and woman not without the man). There are souls around us who affect us so deeply that they forever change our course. Most of them are the every day run of the mill who humbly go about doing their duty. Many men do what they can to get by, others in service to others oblivious and often doing more damage, but then there are those who know what they need to do and do it well. Those who seek to do what they do well, live their lives to the best of their capability who influence the most.This week I met a man by the name of Mehmet Ali Talat. He paid a visit to Senator Smith. He is the president of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. It definitely is not every day that we meet the President of a small country. What is more, one that is a bit more questionable in the eyes of many nations. Besides that, he is a very powerful man. He came with his entourage and sat in the office for a while (the Senator was meeting with the President of Starbucks…how ironic) and then left to visit with the Senator in his office. I do not know the culture, I do not know the man, but he seemed very deliberate and almost unhappy. The whole group seemed almost dire in many ways. While I can boast that I met the man who leads another nation, he left little or no influence upon me.
The same day, I met a man named Bob Livingston. A representative from Louisiana that served in the house for over 20 years. If I remember right, he was even Speaker of the House of the United States for a short time. A powerful man in the United States who served for a third of most people’s lives. (While there are hundreds of people in the U.S. government and I have come to learn it is just another job, it still holds a mystique) He sat with me for a few moments and was so concerned about his blackberry he couldn’t even visit for a whole five minutes. Another man who influenced millions of lives, but in lasting tribute will have little more than name recognition to go with his face in my life. Do we recognize the influence we could have on people, but due to our own concerns and selfishness do not take the opportunity to reach out more often.
If you would not know it, I was giving a tour this week and while explaining the Capitol Ceiling (which is always accompanied with my looking around while explaining rather than peering up a dozen noses) and I recognized a man sitting on one of the benches on the outer parameter. I excused myself from my tour group for a moment to go say hello to the Governor of Idaho, my beloved home state. I walked over, shook the hand of Dirk Kempthorne, and introduced myself. He looked pensive and contemplative. I somewhat regret having visiting with him as he seemed almost melancholy, but I was thrilled with the opportunity. Here was a man who took a few moments to say hello and learn a little about me. He did not brush me off and seemed somewhat interested. This man, while definitely with his own thoughts, took a few moments out to focus on the one. He will have a much more lasting influence than the President of a small nation or Speaker of the House. Nevertheless, many don’t like the Governor, but he seemed much more willing to care about other people than the first two.
In that tour group that I excused myself from was a former Senator of the State of Oregon. Neil and Mary Bryant were a different breed though. They were engaging, willing to share of themselves and learn of others, and even reached out to meet others. They and their friends Neal and Linda Huston were fun to take on the tour as they were so willing to get along and be a part of society. They are good individuals who loved to learn. He tried to stump me on historical facts of the United States of the Pacific Northwest (which my knowledge is not very good, I just got lucky that I knew his answers). They were by far the best people I met that day. While not as impressive in stature of the world, they left an impression that will be much more lasting.
With all that said, I want to recognize some of those who have affected my life the most. Colleen Jonas. Father in Heaven. Jesus Christ. Milo Ross. Sandra Jonas. Amanda Hemsley. Brad Hales. Kathy Duncan. Ted Tateoka. Kevin Orton. Nicole Whitesides. Laurel Hepworth. Marie Lundgreen. Kathryn England. Anna Badger. Chris Horsley. Megan Duncan. Dustin McClellan. James Cazier. Tom Kunzler. Altan Hardcastle. Warren Crane. Gene Hansen. Lorn Duff. I am sure there are more, many more. Thank God for good souls who reach out and connect with people. Who care more for others than they do for themselves. May God forever bless those who have affected my life and may I return the favor to all I come in contact with.
Sagacity 