On 5 April 2020, I had to go digging to find my Hosanna Shout Handkerchief. It was the 200th Anniversary of the First Vision of Joseph Smith Jr. and President Russell M. Nelson had indicated we would be having a Hosanna Shout the day before to honor and celebrate. At some point on that day I snapped this picture of my handkerchief.
This handkerchief was given to me in Runcorn, England by John and Rose Byrom. It had been used in the Hosanna Shout for the Preston England Temple Dedication. I do not know who it belonged to or why it was being given to some missionary from Idaho, but I gladly accepted it. I got to use it for the first time on 8 October 2000 in the Manchester England Stake Center for the dedication of the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Several days later I recall my companion, Elder Gheorghe Simion, telling me that during the night he heard me muttering the Hosanna Shout in my sleep. Later, again, we were in the car and he told me I should stop saying the Hosanna Shout under my breath. I had not realized I was doing it. But I do catch myself once and a while repeating its words to myself on particular occasions. It is deeply entrenched in my soul.
As I sat thinking about this handkerchief in 2020, I was thinking about all the occasions on which I have had the privilege of using it since then. For a record, I thought I better list the dates this handkerchief was used for a Hosanna Shout. I have updated it even for additional uses since 2020, particularly in dedicating our own Burley Idaho Temple.
Preston England Temple – 7-10 June 1998 – Preston England Temple, Chorley, England. I did not use it, someone else did.
Conference Center – 8 October 2000 – Manchester Stake Center, Altrincham, England.
As I worked through the photos of Dave and Betty Donaldson, I stumbled on some pictures sent from Dad. Dad, Milo Paul Ross, attended the 1957 Boy Scout Jamboree in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. I thought I would share those photos along with some other items I have scanned related to that trip. Since there were a couple of photos from the 1958 High Adventure Trip, I thought I would include those too.
First, be aware that the Great Salt Lake and Lake Bonneville Councils published a book about their trip. “Onward for God and My Country” was the motto. I have scanned the entire book – it is provided below.
The book says the trip occurred in July 1957. The book provides plenty of photos of the highlights. These few photos show what Dad thought was interesting enough to take pictures.
The trip took them east through a variety of states. Included was Chicago, Detroit, and Palmyra. Stops included the Sacred Grove and Smith Farm. Albany, Springfield, Boston, and New York City.
Dad does not recall the names or even knowing anyone in the photos at Jamboree.
I remember Dad talking about the Statue of Liberty. They climbed the stairs to the crown. He also indicated that at that time they let some of them climb to the torch. It was a very memorable experience. He also mentioned the Empire State Building and Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Vice President Nixon addressed the Scouts.
Kammeyer’s supported the Jamboree.
For those LDS Scouts, Harold B Lee and Delbert L Stapley spoke to the boys on Sunday. Here is a letter Dad wrote home while there.
I previously wrote about Dad and scouting. Here is his Eagle Scout picture.
Milo Paul Ross achieved Eagle Scout
Here is a note Grandpa made about this picture.
Milo Ross, Bill McBride, Leon Taylor, Freddy Cox Eagle Announcement
Milo James Ross commented about Milo Paul Ross receiving his Duty to God award on 27 April 1959
Duty to God Award
Letter from Church Headquarters
Here are a couple of the photos from the Colorado River rafting trip. Dad thinks there are more photos. He does not remember or recognize any of the individuals in the photos.
Dad remembered they had to pull out of the river to go around the Glen Canyon Dam construction.
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Both of these were trips of a lifetime. Neither have been forgotten.
Here are four more clippings from my Grandparents, Milo & Gladys Ross. Grandpa talked quite a bit of baseball in Plain City from his youth. I have shared this photo too where he and Elmer played together on the same team. Visiting with Grandpa, multiple baseball players came up, but Elmer was the one that went on to some fame. Plain City’s history includes excerpts on Elmer.
“Plain City hurler recalls years as major leager
“Relives baseball days; wishes he could start over
“PLAIN CITY – “Baseball is more than a little like life – and to many, it is life.”
“This now famous quote came from the lips of sportcaster Red Barber. But its meaning probably best parallels the philosophy of a mischievous-appearing 66-year-old with a flat-top haircut who toiled on the mound through 28 seasons of professional baseball and now wishes he was just starting his career.
“Elmer Singleton, whose right arm challenged now Hall of Famers while pitching for four major league teams, still lives and relieves at his Plain City home the game he feels has no equal. The lifestyle involved with the sport has been to the liking of the baseball veteran and his wife, Elsie.
“For his contribution to the game, Singleton will be inducted into the Old Time Athletes Association’s Utah Sports Hall of Fame in Salt Lake City ceremonies on Nov. 14.
“”I probably don’t deserve this,” Singleton said modestly of the upcoming induction. “It’s quite an honor for someone coming from a little town like this.”
“The lease Plain City native got his baseball start in that town. His father, a semi-pro, himself, started him pitching at the age of 10 years. While still a teenager, Singleton recorded a 15-0 record as a pitcher in both the A and B divisions of the Weber County Farm Bureau League.
“”We had a good team. The catcher was (the late) Dick Skeen. And, do you know what? I pitched to his son Archie when he was catching in the Boston Red Sox organization,” he said.
Following his good showing in the county league, Singleton was a highly sought-after item. He had been interested in the Cincinnati Reds since they had a class C farm team in Ogden, but a contract dispute nixed that. “They’d only offer me $75 a month and I wanted more,” he said. At the age of 20 he signed with the New York Yankees.
“During that next 28 years he spent four in the low minors, seven in the major leagues and the remaining 16 years with a number of teams in the Pacific Coast League. He took one year off when his oldest son was born.
“Although many of his most memorable performances came in the PCL, he pitched well with the Boston Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates, Washington Senators and the Chicago Cubs. “Hell, I helped Cooperstown pick up a lot of Hall of Famers,” he quipped as he told of pitching against the likes of Henry Aaron, Ted Williams, Jo DiMaggio and Stan Musial.
“Probably his best major league season was 1959 while with the Cubs as he led the National League in earned run average with a 2.72. “That was the year the Braves won the pennant and I was able to beat Warren Spahn 1-0 in a late season game. I also had wins that year over the Pirates’ 20-game-winner Bob Friend, the Giants’ Sam Jones and the Pirates’ Vernon Law.”
“The ageless Singleton later pitched a shutout for the Pirates at the age of 41, and hurled a no-hitter for Seattle of the PCL at 43.
“Regarded as a very hard-nosed athlete, Singleton chuckled when told of former Ogden Reds’ manager Bill McCorry telling Ogden newsmen in 1949 that “Elmer will make it. He’s about two-third ornery and that’s the main ingredient for being a good major league pitcher.”
“”Back then, knocking batters down was legal,” Singleton said. “I remember the day when pitching for the Pirates, the Braves were working us over pretty good so Manager Billy Herman put me in and told me to take care of things. I knocked everybody in the lineup down except Spahn and, ya know, the Braves didn’t score another run off me for more than a year.”
“Singleton displayed a “not guilty” expression when asked about his reputation among baseball players and t news media of throwing a spit ball. He wouldn’t confirm nor deny loading them up, just said “I had a good slider. My slider always broke down.”
He placed the blame for the present high salaries among players on the team owners.
“”The players any more don’t read the Sporting News, its the Wall Street Journal. I’m sure players enjoy playing the game as much now as we did, but they just want to be paid more for it. They turn everything over to their agents while they play.
“”But the owners brought it on themselves. It used to be a business for owners, but now its just a pasttime and tax writeoff,” Singleton said.
“After finishing his baseball career as a PCL coach in the Pacific Northwest in 1961, the Singletons resided in Seattle until returning to Plain City four years ago where they obtained the second oldest house in the town and remodeled into a comfortable home.
“He has no regrets over a life of baseball. “I wish I could start it all over. Look! I still have two straight arms,” he said has he extended them.
“What does he do to occupy his time now?
“”Oh, I help my brother some on his farm, garden a little and help people who need help. I also watch some baseball on television but sometimes that really disturbs me,” he answered.
“Tidbits from the Sports World
“Elmer Singleton of Plain City, righthanded hurler of the Pittsburgh Pirates, looks for the Pirates to be serious contenders for the National league pennant during the 1949 season. Elmer is at San Bernardino, Calif., now, awaiting the opening of spring training for the Pirates this coming week.
“Singleton started his baseball career with the Plain City Farm Bureau team prior to World war II.
“He pitched for Idaho Falls, Wenatchee, Kansas City and Newark before going to the majors. He joined the Yankees first and was later sold to the Boston Braves for two players and $35,000 cash.
“Pittsburgh obtained Singleton from the Braves for a fancy sum. He is ready for his third season with the Pittsburgh club.
“Last year Elmer lost three games by single runs. He was used most as a relief pitcher last season. He hopes to take his regular turn this season.
“Before leaving for the coast Singleton said: “I believe the National league race will be a thriller right down to the wire. Naturally I’m pulling for our club to come through and land the pennant.
“”My ambition in baseball is to get to play in a world series. I hope to realize this dream before closing my diamond career.
“Elmer Singleton Rates Praise
“The “best pitched game” ever witnessed at Seals’ stadium went down in the record book as a defeat for Elmer Singleton, San Francisco right-hander, writes James McGee, San Francisco newspaperman.
“Singleton started his baseball career with Plain City in the Weber County Farm Bureau league back in 1938. Since that timehe has worn a number of major league uniforms.
“Writes McGee: “The big Seal righthander pitched 12 1/3 innings of no-hit ball against Sacramento, April 24, yet lost 1 to 0.
“”That was the best-pitched game I ever saw,” his manager, Tommy Heath, declared. But, as it turned out, it was not quite good enough. Singleton, who set a Seals stadium record and etched his name in Seal history, had the bad luck to meet a tough opponent, Jess Flores, Sacramento’s veteran righthander.
“Flores was effective. The Seals got to him for eight hits, compared to the three singles from Solons finally wrenched from the reluctant Singleton. But the three Solon hits came in succession in the first half of the thirteenth inning, Eddie Bockman, spelling Manager Joe Gordon at second base; Al White and finally Johnny Ostrowski did the damage, Bockman scoring.
“Singleton admitted he was tiring in the thirteenth.
“”It wasn’t that I pitched to so many hitters. It was the strain of the thing,” he said. “All through the early innings I knew I had a no-hitter going. I had to be careful with every pitch. I never pitched one before and I wanted it.”
“Umpire Don Silva vouched that Singleton was careful.
“”He had great stuff. His fast ball was good, but his curve was particularly good. And he was hitting the corners of the plate all the time,” said Silva. “His control was almost perfect.”
“Walked Four
“Singleton walked four men, one of them purposely. He retired the first 18 men to face him before he faltered and walked Bob Dillinger, first man to face him in the seventh.
“In the seventh, the Solons had him in jeopardy for the only time until they finally scored.
“Singleton was within one out of tying the Coast league record for no-hit innings when Bockman got the first hit, a sharp roller through the hole between third and short, in the thirteenth.
“Dick Ward, pitching for San Diego in 1938, went 12 and two-thirds innings of a 16-inning game against Los Angeles without a hit. He eventually won, 1 to 0.
“Ironically, the greatest game pitched at Seals stadium in its 22-year history was pitched in virtual privacy. Only 790 spectators were there at the start with about 1000 fans leaving the park before the end of the game.
“Sports Tid Bits
“Great Falls postmen have accepted the challenge of members of the Ogden post office and have wagered $125 that the Electrics finish ahead of the Reds in the 1952 Pioneer league race.
“Harold Stone of the Ogden post office department informed this corner of the acceptance Saturday night. Two years ago the Ogdenites lost a similar wager.
“George East, landowner of some of the finest duck shooting grounds of the area, is living like Noah of old at his home in West Warren. Genial George says that instead of duck problems, the trash fish from the lower Weber are visiting him and drinking out of his flowing well.
“The ducks have been winging their way annually in George’s direction for nearly four score years. Some years there has been so little water that the migratory birds have avoiding George’s feeding and nesting grounds. Not this year, however, George says as there is more water flooding the pasture lands than in many, many years.
“Herb Woods went out to look the situation over this week. George told Herb he could find his favorite blind by use of maps and a deep diving suit – but Herb did not want to get his nose wet.
“Hal Welch, our so-called game expert, says there is consternation among the sportsmen about the pheasants that will be lost because of their nests being destroyed by the floodwaters. He admits that there will be no shortages of mosquitoes for sportsmen, however.
“Screwy Situations
“The 1952 baseball season still is an infant but here are some of the crewy things that have taken place:
“An umpire – Scotty Robb – got fined, for pushing of all people, Manager Eddie Stanky, of the St. Louis Cardinals.
“Leo Durocher of the Giants protests Augie Guglielmo’s call of a third strike on one of his hitters but nothing happens. We thought questioning a third strike meant automatic banishment.
“A Phillie, Stan Lopata, fails to run from third base with two out, the batter reaches first on an error and Lopata is left stranded as the next batter is retired. And Manager Eddie Sawyer was coaching at third.
“”The Giants are leading the Braves by two runs in the eighth inning yet Leo Durocher lifts his number four hitters, temporarily Henry Thompson, for a pinch slugger. You don’t lift your number four batter in any situation, says wise baseball men, but then who says Thompson (not Bobby) is a number four hitter?
“Roy Campanella, a good number four hitter, bunts in a tie game. Another old baseball adage is that “you don’t bunt your number four hitter.” We disagree with that one. In this case Campy’s bunt paid off for the Dodgers as the next batter singled home the winning run.
“W.S.C. Loses
“PULLMAN (AP) – Idaho defeated Washington State 15-12 in Northern division gold matches Saturday.
“B. Elmer Singleton
“PLAIN CITY – Bert Elmer Singleton, passed away Friday, January 5, 1995 at his home in Plain City. He was born June 26, 1918 in Plain City, Utah, a son of Joseph and Sylvia Singleton.
“He married Elsie M. Wold January 20, 1939 in Ogden, Utah.
“He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
“He played professional baseball for twenty-four seasons, originally signing with the New York Yankees Baseball Organization. His chosen vocation provided he and Elsie the opportunity to live in Pittsburgh, Pa., Boston, Mass., Chicago, Ill., Havana, Cuba, [Caracus, Venezuela], Seattle, Wash. and several other cities in the Midwest and on the West Coast.
“He retired from professional baseball in 1964 and returned to Plain City in 1980. Upon his return he actively lobbied for the Meals on Wheels program for Plain Cities Seniors. He helped with 4-H programs and worked with gifted children.
“He was chosen as Player of The Year for the State of Utah in 1939. He was inducted into the Utah Sports Hall of Fame in 1984. He was chosen as the Pacific Coast League most Valuable Player for years 1955 and 1956.
“Surviving are his sons, Joe F. of Chugiak, Alaska and Jerry E. of Tacoma, Washington and his brother, Don R. of Plain City. He has two grandchildren, Joe E and Shelby J., residing in Anchorage, Alaska.
“He was preceded in death by his loving wife Elsie on January 31, 1988 and brothers, Earl and Harold.
“Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 11th at 11 a.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd.
Friends may call at the mortuary on Wednesday, January 10th from 6 to 8 p.m. and Thursday 10 to 10:45 a.m.
“Internment, Plain City Cemetery.
Back (l-r): William Freestone (manager), Norman Carver, Glen Charlton, Fred Singleton, and Elmer Singleton. Middle: Clair Folkman, Dick Skeen, Albert Sharp, Abe Maw, Milo Ross. Front: F. Skeen, Walt Moyes, Arnold Taylor, Lynn Stewart, Theron Rhead.
I wrote previously of a book I have that belonged to my Great Grandfather, Joseph Nelson Jonas. The book was given to me by Ellis Jonas along with a couple of others. Inside the book was this clipping, presumably put there by my Great Grandmother, Lillian Coley Jonas. I have no clue about its significance, if any. It was clipped and put there in the book for some reason.
“Word was received yesterday afternoon of the death of Dr. Wm. B. Parkinson, Jr., of Fairfield, Idaho. He had been ailing for the last year and was being treated for heart trouble at the time of his death in a hospital at Twin Falls, Idaho.
He was a son of the late Dr. Wm. B. Parkinson, Sr., and Elizabeth B. Parkinson, of Logan and was born at Morgan, Dec. 24, 1877, moving to Logan with his father’s family when a small boy. He graduated from medical school in Chicago and came back and practiced in Wellsville and Logan and settled in Lewiston where he practiced for many years. Later he moved to Fairfield, Idaho, where he was practicing at the time of his death.
“Surviving are his wife and the following children: Mrs. Ben Red of Price, Mrs. Hugh Johnstone of Oakland, Calif., Floyd Parkinson and Mrs. Beth Blair of Lewiston, Paul of Price, and Peggy Parkinson of Lewiston, and seven grand children.
“The brothers and sisters are Mrs. George W. Leishman, Mrs. Ada England, Elizabeth Parkinson, and Mrs. Afton Nielsen of Logan, Mrs. Winnifred Jennens of Detroit, Michigan. Dr. George T. Parkinson, Twin Falls, Ida., Mrs. Hazel McAlister of Preston, Dr. Fred B. Parkinson, Cedar City. Mrs. Veda Worley of Salt Lake, Mrs. Karma Parkinson of Franklin, Dr. Wallace Parkinson of San Francisco, Calif., Don Parkinson of Texas, Mrs. Edith Shaw of Provo, and Mrs. Arthur Rallison of Whitney, Idaho.
“Funeral services are being held at Fairfield, Idaho Thursday morning at 10 a. m. Burial will be at the Logan cemetery. Short services will be held at Logan graveside at 3 p. m. Friday.
“Friends may call at the W. Loyal Hall mortuary in Logan Friday from 10 a. m. to time of graveside rites.
Our mother, Mary Magdalena Wanner was born September 12, 1873 at Atzenweiler, Neckarkreis, Wuerttemberg. Wuerttemberg is one of the States in the divided German nation.
Mother is a daughter of Johann Georg Wanner and Anna Maria Schmid, and was given the name of Maria Magdalina. After the family came to the United States, mother adopted the American spelling of Mary Magdalina which she used the remainder of her life.
Our mother and her brothers and sisters were very fortunate to have parents who were honorable, upright hard working people who loved their children and worked very hard to see that they got the very best they could. Both parents believed in God and had a strong faith that their prayers would be answered in providing them with the blessings they needed. They belonged to the Luteran Church, and tried to teach their children correct principles.
Mother was the 3rd child in a family of 10 children – 5 boys and 5 girls; two of her brothers died at an early age in Germany.
Between the ages of 7 and 8, mother took care of her younger brothers and sisters while her mother and father were working in the fields. She was told to get the children to sleep; and when they woke up she would bring them to the fields to their parents. She was anxious for the children to settle down and get to sleep, so she would hold her finger tips over their eye lids thinking this would make them go to sleep but when she took her fingers off they would be wide awake.
Mother started school at the age of 8 years and graduated when she was 14. She did not go to school after that.
From the age of 10 until 13 she herded cows on a big hillside. The family lived on a farm and everyone had to help. Their father was gone a great deal of the time as a road overseer, or working in the Black Forest to make a little extra money to help increase the family income. Mother had to do a lot of hard work such as getting wood from the canyon to use for fuel to heat the house and to cook with.
Another of her jobs was to lead the cows that pulled the plow. She also piled hay and gathered grain in the fields. Most of the work was done by hand and much of the time the hay was piled on the fence so it would dry.
A 9 years of age she learned to knit and she became very proficient in this art. She knitted all her life supplying her own family with socks, etc. She knitted scarfs, caps, socks and sweaters for the soldiers during both World War 1 and 2. Among the things she knitted was a beautiful white shawl for my first baby. She also knitted two choice sweaters for my husband, one of which he has been wearing on many occasions for over 40 years and it is still in good condition. He still uses it and it has been very useful to him throughout these 40 years.
When she was 11 years of age, she could not walk for a time because of a problem with her leg. At this time, it was necessary that she be put in a baby buggy and pushed 5 or 6 miles to see the doctor.
She went to the city of Ravensburg to work when she was 15 years of age. She took care of children, did washings, ironing, helped with the cooking as well as other household tasks. While working at this job, mother developed a sore on her hand which required that she be hospitalized for two or three weeks.
During the year 1891, mother’s father brought some missionaries to their home. These missionaries were representing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These missionaries were Jacob Zollinger from Providence, Utah, John Hassenfritz of the Bear Lake area, and John Federley of Salt Lake City, Utah. Incidentally, I got to meet Jacob Zollinger, a very fine man. After my marriage, whenever I sent to the Temple, Brother Zollinger was there.
After the missionaries had been teaching them the gospel for some time, the family became very much interested and decided they would like to join the church. Some of the family that were old enough were baptized in October, 1891, and became members of the only True Church. This brought peace to their minds and joy to their hearts. It didn’t take long for this family to decide that they wanted to leave their native land and come to the United States where they could have religious freedom and better opportunities for their family to provide for their wants and needs. Not so long after this, the oldest son came to this country with some returning missionaries. This was Uncle George.
In the spring of 1893 her mother and father made preparations to take their family to America. When all was ready, they said good-bye to their relatives, friends, their home and native land.
They rode the train for one day after which they took a boat up the Rhine River. After being on the boat for 3 or 4 days, they took the train for another day which took them to the North Sea. At the north sea they got on a large boat to go to Liverpool, England. The Sea was very rough and stormy. It took them another day to reach Liverpool where they boarded a big ship and sailed for America. They were on the ocean about two weeks before they reached New York where they stayed for two or three days. Then they took the train and started across the continent for Salt Lake City, Utah. They stopped at Chicago, Illinois for one day and one night; then continued on their way. After they got to Salt Lake City, they continued on their journey to Franklin, Idaho, arriving there the 18th June 1893. After their long hard tedious journey, they were all happy and anxious to get settled in their newly adopted homeland.
They were met by their brother George and Fred Nuffer with a team of horses and a wagon. They also brought a buggy with horses. They went to Fred Nuffer’s place in Cub River where her brother George had been working. They stayed at Nuffer’s place about one week. Her father soon started to look for a place to buy and settle down. He decided to take a trip over to the Bear Lake side to see what he could find. Grandpa took mother with him on this trip. They walked across mountains and had to cross the Cub River which was very swift and difficult for them to wade across. They spent one miserable night in the mountains listening to the bears growling. They saved some of their bread to give the bears in case they bothered them.
The next Sunday after arriving in Franklin, they all went to church in Glendale and had their membership records moved to that ward. The Ward Clerk in Glendale was William Addison Wagstaff who later became mother’s husband. Grandpa Wanner soon bought the home and farm of John Nuffer in Glendale. Grandpa and Grandma lived there a number of years and then sold it to their son Fred. Later he sold it to his son Bertus.
In a short time Mrs. Fred Nuffer got mother a job in Logan, Utah, doing house work for a lady by the name of Robin. Mother could not speak the English language at this time but with the help of this good family she was able to understand and speak a little.
Mother worked for the Robin’s until 1894, at which time she went to work for a family by the name of Card. She worked at Card’s about six months. She then returned to her home in Glendale for awhile. After a short rest, she went to work at the Section House in Preston, Idaho, helping a lady cook.
In April 1895, she went to General Conference of The Church in Salt Lake City, Utah. While she was there, she found a job doing housework for a banker by the name of Shutler (we are not sure of the spelling). Mother stayed at this place until November and then went home again for a while. Some time later mother worked for some people in Preston, Idaho, by the name of Hale. In 1896 mother returned to Logan and worked for a family by the name of Bishop.
In the spring of 1896 her mother wrote her and told her that her sister Louise was going to be the “Queen of May Day” celebration to be held in Glendale and she would like her to come home and be there on this occasion. Mother decided it would be fun and decided to be there.
On the day of the celebration mother accepted the invitation of William Addison Wagstaff to have lunch with him which seems to have been a big turning point in mother’s life. After they had their lunch they went for a stroll together. It appears that it was at this time that he proposed marriage to mother.
In a few days mother returned to her job in Logan, Utah. On 11 June 1896 W. A. took Mary’s sister Louise to Logan to take over her job so she could come back to Glendale to make preparations to be married. The next day they went to Preston to pick out material for her wedding dress and selected a cream cashmere trimmed in white silk. Her Tiara had orange blossoms on it. Looking at her picture now I think it must have been just beautiful.
On 16 June W. A. and Mary went to Logan with a wagon load of grain to sell for her father. After they got to Logan they purchased a plain yellow gold wedding band. She stayed with her sister Louise that night and on Wednesday 17 June 1896, W. A. and Mary were married for time and eternity in the Logan Temple by Marriner W. Merrill, The President of the Logan Temple. They spent their wedding night in Logan and returned to Glendale the next day, June 18th. That night Mary’s father and mother gave them a wedding supper at their home.
James, Annie, and Mary Wanner Wagstaff
Then mother went to live in the home where her husband and his mother resided. It was a log house with a dirt roof. This home was located about 5 miles North East of Preston, Idaho, in an area that is commonly called Glendale Flat. Mother took charge of the house and cared for her mother-in-law who had very serious leg trouble.
Right from the start mother worked side by side with her husband getting in the hay and grain. All the water for washing, bathing, drinking, etc. had to be hauled as they had no water on their place. Their cattle were driven to Worm Creek to drink. This Creek was about a mile from their home.
26 January 1897 mother’s first child was born, a tiny premature son. He was named George William. Our Dad held this tiny infant on his lap and fed it with a medicine dropper. He did everything he could to save his life but he passed away after 9 days.
Their second son named James Addison was born 24 June 1898; and 28 December 1899 her first baby girl, Annie Eliza was born. Our Dad and Mom and Dad’s mother were so very happy to have a son and a daughter to bless their home.
Back row: Willard, William, Annie, Parley, Maria, Jesse. Front row: Elsie, Edna, Herbert.
During the early part of mother’s married life, she worked in the Relief Society. Mother loved working in the Relief Society and did her part to make it a success.
In 1900 they moved to a two-room log house with a dirt roof. This house was located one mile from their first home. This move was made so they could be where there was water. This was a big help as they now had water from a well for culinary use as well as other things. Here they were able to have a nice garden with currants, both black and red, as well as gooseberries and raspberries. They could also have shade trees and fruit trees. I am sure this was a great blessing to them.
August 28, 1901, a son Wilford John was born. This made four children for them including the one who died. Dad and Mother were happy to have a family and Dad’s mother was thrilled to think she was now getting some grandchildren. Our Dad’s mother had a very sad time raising her family; our Dad being the only one of 4 children who lived to maturity.
Our Mother and Dad gave Dad’s mother kind and loving care for many years. She continued to have poor health. She was especially afflicted with varicose veins. Those finally turned into ulcers on her legs which had to be bandaged. One of their old neighbors has told us that she had her legs bandaged each day for over 35 years. She finally passed away in the early morning hours of December 2, 1902, and was buried in the cemetery at Glendale, Oneida County, Idaho.
The 9th of April 1903 Parley Leroy was born; and on 23 June 1903, our 22 months old brother Wilford John was drowned in a ditch just north of the house. Many people came from all around to help them at this sorrowful time in their life.
Children continued to come to bless this humble home and 3 March 1905 Willard Lesley was born. On 9 January 1907 Jesse Oleen was born. The 11th of November 1908 Herbert Spencer was born. Mother had now given birth to 7 sons and 1 daughter. She was very busy caring for them, her husband and home, as well as participating in church activities.
During the summer of 1909, they built a new house which had two rooms down and two rooms upstairs. It had a singled roof and later on was pebble-dashed.
It was in this home on a beautiful Sunday morning, 10 July 1910, the next child, a girl with hazel eyes and blond hair Edna Leona was born. The family as well as the Glendale Ward were delighted to see this baby girl come to the home where there were 7 sons and only 1 girl. 7th of August 1912 another daughter, Elsie Magdalina came to bless this home.
On the 19th of March 1913, sorry struck this home when their son James who had been ill a lot of his life passed away and was buried in the Glendale Cemetery.
On the 25 of March 1913 Mother had a patriarchal blessing by Patriarch Wm. Daines. This was a big comfort and a joy to Mother in later years.
The 8th of July 1915 Mother had her last child, a son she named Albert Wanner. Mother had a very difficult time at this birth and she was ill a long time after.
After Mother’s parents moved to Logan in 1910, she frequently went to visit them and did Temple work.
Very often Dad and Mom would drive their team and wagon and later a buggy to Preston; leave them there in the tie-yard and catch the U.I.C. to Logan to do two sessions at the Temple; then back to Preston to get their team; drive home about 4 miles. After Mother was married, she took every opportunity that came her way to go to the Temple. She loved to do this and it brought her great joy to be engaged in the Lord’s work.
Mother loved the outdoors and kept a beautiful garden and flowers; tended chickens and worked with her husband and children in the fields.
September 1918 Dad and Mom took their 3 daughters and youngest son Albert to Brigham City, Utah on the U.I.C. for Peach Day. They all had a delightful time, and enjoyed the trip very much.
During the summer of 1919 Dad and Mom and their 3 daughters and Albert again went on a visit. This tie to see Mother’s sister Pauline, who lived in Gentile Valley. They went in the white top buggy, and followed the road through the Bear Rivers narrows. This was a very narrow road and there was only a few places where people with teams could pass. Our Mother was very nervous going through the narrows. Dangerous things always made Mother worried and nervous. Mother was frightened when thunder and lightning storms were close to us, where she could see and hear it.
September 1919 Dad and Mother again took their 3 daughters and baby son on a trip. This time they took the train and went to see and learn more about where our Dad and lived and worked. They first went to Evanston, Wyoming, then Almy, Croydon and Ogden. They visited with many relatives and friends in Evanston, Almy and Croydon. Dad lived at both Almy and Croydon before coming to Idaho in 1884. For many years Dad wanted to take Mother on this trip to show her where he had lived and to meet some of his relatives and friends he had made before going to Idaho. This trip was the happy fulfillment of that wish.
Ogden, Utah was our last stop and while there Dad and Mother purchased the farm and home of his cousin and her husband Albert Phipps. This farm is located in West Weber, about five miles west of Ogden. It is an 80-acre irrigated farm. Less than half of which turned out to be good farm land.
Soon after they returned home, the news spread around that the Wagstaff family would soon be moving. Many friends and neighbors came to help in preparation for the move.
Before leaving Glendale, Mother’s good friend and neighbor Elizabeth Owen gave our family a nice going away party. Also the Glendale Ward did likewise and gave the folks a rocking chair as a token of their love and appreciation. After my brother Herbert got married, Mother gave the chair to him.
Mother had now lived in Glendale for over 25 years. She had many friends and neighbors that she loved and appreciated so much. In some ways she did not like to leave all they had worked so hard and sacrificed so much to get. Mother loved her home which had 3 new rooms added. They were now quite comfortable.
I’m sure Dad and Mother had given great thought to this venture before making the final decision to go away and start over in a strange kind of farming and among people they did not know. On the other hand they had become convinced that the move would provide better opportunities for their children. They did have 8 living children they loved with all their heart and soul. They also had great love and respect for each other. These things together with their strong testimony that Heavenly Father would bless them if they did what was right. They put their trust in God and bravely faced the future in their new environment. Little did they realize just what trials they would have to go through — even before they completely settled in their new home.
So it was in October 1919, Dad, Parley and Willard headed from Glendale to Ogden, Utah, with teams, wagons, and white top buggy loaded with family possessions. Jesse and Herbert stayed home and did the milking and tended animals. Parley and Willard stayed in Ogden, and Dad came back to Preston on U.I.C. With the help of faithful neighbors, the rest of the family possessions, cattle, chickens and furniture were put on the freight train and Dad went with them on to Ogden. Mom, us girls, Jesse, Herbert and Albert went on U.I.C. Little did he realize that when he arrived in Ogden, the officials would not let him take his animals home but quarantined them. It was a great shock to Dad when he had to pay over $1,000.00 for feed and care before he could get his animals. It is laughable now, but it wasn’t then when somehow the chickens got loose and were running all over the railroad yard with people trying to catch them. It must have been quite a sight to watch people scrambling around chasing chickens.
Our Dad left a paper in his own hand writing describing a few of the experiences our family had after we got to Ogden. The paper stats that in November 1919, the next month after we got there, Annie and Elsie came down with the Small Pox. Shortly after all the other children also came down. Dad and Mother had all 8 of us in one room and gave us patient loving care. I am sure it taxed their strength and was a great cause for worry and anxiety for them.
We had scarcely got over the Small Pox when all the children, Mother and Dad got the Influenza. We were a very sick group and our Mother was especially bad as she had Asthma along with the flu. Dad also got it but stayed up on his feet, caring for the rest of us and doing the chores. Our sister Annie and Anna Gregersen were working at a cafe in Ogden and roomed together and both of them had the flu. Our Dad went over to Ogden in the buggy every other day to take care of Annie and Anna and take them food. It became evident to our Dad that Anna was getting worse so he sent word for her parents to come. Annie and Anna were great friends and it was a great loss to Annie when her dear friend passed away 14 February 1920. I sometimes wonder how our Dad held up to the terrible work load and responsibility that was placed upon him at this time. Mother was worried about our Dad through all this.
When we first got to Ogden, we joined the Wilson Ward and Mother was put in as Relief Society Teacher. In August 1921 we joined the West Weber Ward. Before we joined the West Weber Ward, the Wilson Ward gave Mother a party and a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Mother was soon put in as a Relief Society Teacher. She continued to be a teacher until she moved to Ogden in 1935.
In June 1921 Mother and her three daughters went on a trip to Logan, Preston, Glendale and McCammon. In McCammon we visited with mother’s brother Gottlob and family. In Glendale we visited with old friends and neighbors and in Logan with Mother’s sisters and her parents.
In December 1921 Mother’s sister Pauline passed away and left her little family without a mother.
In September 1922 Uncle Wills family all got Typhoid Fever. Our Mother believed in being her brothers keeper so she took this family into one room of her home and nursed them back to health, except Annie who was in the hospital. After they got over this terrible disease, Mother continued to take care of the baby boy for some time.
In the ensuing years Mother continued her activities in taking care of her family and supported her husband in his work, church, etc. Mother loved to have chickens and she usually had a flock — this enterprise besides furnishing eggs and meat for her family helped out in providing extra income. She was active in Relief Society and regular in her attendance at Church and in paying her dues.
In January 1931 her daughters Edna and Annie went to Logan to attend the Utah State Agricultural College. This meant that Dad and Mom were alone except for Elsie, Albert, Herbert and Jesse who had come home again. That winter they did considerable visiting of friends and neighbors and Dad helped them with their genealogy. It was during the winter and spring that three old friends passed away and mother and dad attended their funerals — John Dobbs in Logan, Henry D Auger in Lewiston, and Mother’s dear friend and neighbor in Glendale, Elizabeth Owen.
Mary Allsop Wagstaff (1826-1902) with William and Mary.
Little did Mother realize at the time that it would be less than a month when she would lose her devouted companion. Her husband had an operation for stomach ulcers in the Dee Hospital in Ogden the 29 May 1931 and passed away from Post Operative Pneumonia on 31 May. This was a terrible shock to Mother and she grieved very much. There was nothing for her to do except to go on alone without her companion. Life was hard for Mother at this time but she had all the loyal support her sons and daughters could give her. They all loved their Mother and did what they could do lighten the burden. Mother grieved long and hard over the loss of her dear husband but in time found her way to continue life and plan for the future.
Mother stayed on the farm and with the help of her children operated the farm the best they could. THe depression was on in full force and money was hard to come by. Through sheer frugality and wise management, they started to come out on top.
In January 1935, Mother, Annie and Elsie said good-bye to the farm and moved into Ogden. At first they moved into a rented house. They lived in two different rented houses.
In May 1939 Mother purchased a home at 2069 Jackson Ave in Ogden and this was her last home. Mother was comfortable in this home and she enjoyed having a little leisure time in which she could enjoy her flowers and listen to her favorite programs on the radio — Myrt and Marge was one of her specials — it all seemed so real to Mother.
20 December 1940 Mother’s oldest daughter Annie Eliza passed away. I am sure Mother missed Annie as Annie had been confined to the home with heart trouble for several years, during which time they had a lot of opportunity to enjoy each other.
In September 1941 Mother was honored on her birthday when her family gave her a dinner party at which time many of her children and grandchildren were present and Mother enjoyed it very much.
September 1943 an open house was held for her 70th birthday when many of her friends and relatives came.
April 1942 Mother had a serious operation from which she seemed to make a good recovery. FOr quite a few years after this Mother appeared to be in reasonably good health.
Time moved on for Mother as it does for us all. She had seen two world wars in which the people of her home land were heavily involved. I am sure Mother realized that many of her relatives were in action. She said little but seemed to think a lot about it. She had witnesses great changes in the lives of people including transportation, cars and trucks; telephones were beginning to gain in popularity and the radio was in almost every home. It was a thrill to Mother when she got her refrigerator. Tractors were in common use in farming and much of the back-breaking work was now done with machinery.
July 31, 1952 Mother had a mild stroke but was never confined to her bed completely. It did make a change in her life and I think she realized it. 23 of October 1952 after 3 months illness, Mother passed away at her home.
She had always been a hard working, devoted wife and Mother. She served as a Relief Society teacher for over 50 years. She paid her tithing, fast offerings and other donations. She kept her love for her family and her faith in God to the very end.
Her funeral was held 27 October at the Lindquist & Sons Mortuary in Ogden, Utah. It was a lovely funeral with lots of flowers and many friends and relatives attended. She was buried beside her dear husband in the cemetery at West Weber, Weber County, Utah.
THis little history of Mother was put together many years ago by her 3 daughters with her help in relating facts to us. Elsie brought it up to the time of Mother’s death.
I feel there is much more that could and should be said but I am sure each of her children have their own personal remembrances, as well as some of the grandchildren, but I would just like to add a little more that I don’t think has been mentioned.
I don’t remember a time when Mother did not have a lot of beautiful flowers. Geraniums that blossomed all winter long. She had morning glories, pansies, sweat peas, portulacas, pinks and others to mention a few.
Mother always made her laundry soap which was so good to use in cleaning the farm work clothes and so beautiful and white. She made many batches of soap for each of her married children as well as some of her neighbors.
When Dad and Mother killed a pig for home use, Mother worked so hard helping Dad cut it up, cure it and make delicious link sausages; and the head cheese she made was the best. There was always a piece of pork given to the neighbors.
She always churned her butter while on the farm and it was very good butter.
After we went to Ogden, Mother had a hot bed where she raised tomato and cabbage plants for themselves and others to plan in their fields.
Mother was a good cook and made the best bread, pies, rice pudding and soups. Oh! they were so good. When we had the threshers they always liked to be at our place for meals as they enjoyed the delicious meals Mother put on.
She loved to have her neighbors, friends and married children drop in for a good meal — and no one ever dropped in unexpected but that they were treated to a real meal or a snack.
After we moved to Ogden, it was the joy of her life to return to Preston to visit her dear friends, relatives and neighbors, and Dad somehow always found the necessary money so she could do that.
Mother was always clean and neat when she left home to go any place. She had beautiful long black hair that stayed dark until her death. She had a unique way of putting up her hair — hair styles changed but Mother’s never did. Many people commented on her lovely hair and the unique way she fixed it. Mother also had beautiful hats which she loved very much.
I would like to relate a little incident that happened in the summer of 1918. It was when we had a total eclipse of the sun. We did not have a radio or television and the paper hadn’t come. I guess Mother did not know the eclipse was coming. Dad had gone to town. I don’t know where the others were but Elsie, Albert, Jess and I were home with Mother. It started to get dark, then darker and darker. She became very excited and thought the end of the world was coming. She dashed out to gather the precious eggs — it was totally dark in the cop and the chickens had gone to roost. Mother was so relieved when it all passed over and the sun came out and best of all Dad came home.
One day during World War I, Dad was sitting at the breakfast table reading the paper. We knew, of course, about the German submarines sinking many of our food ships. Dad said rather nonchalantly, “Well, some more sugar has been sunk.” Mother became very excited and said, “Where?” Dad said, “In my postum,” and let out a roar.
Mother suffered with asthma most of her adult life and we all did everything we could to help out when she had a bad attack. Many mornings I remember Dad calling to us, “Come on and get up. Mother is sick.” We all rallied around and kept things going while she was down. If someone lit a match and let it burn, it would always bring on an attack of asthma. Many times when Mother was fighting for her breath we would all be frightened and I remember one time I ran to Bishop Ed. Bingham’s place to get him to come and administer to her.
Dad was always so kind, considerate and helpful to her especially when she was will; and her children were also.
Mother had a unique laugh and when something struck her as funny, she could really laugh. In a crowd you could always pick out Mother’s laugh. Several years at the July 24th celebration in West Weber she took the prize for laughing the longest and hardest. One year the prize was a leg of lamb; another time a beautiful Jordinere.
I remember that Mother had a pet lamb she loved and took very good care of it. She went to Logan for a few days to visit her mother. She wrote a letter home to use in English, but as a joke also wrote a note in Germany. We could not read the note so took it to a neighbor lady who could read German. The note said “Be sure and take good care of my lamb.” We all got quite a thrill out of this.
It was important to our Mother and Dad to see to it that each of their children were baptized in the Logan Temple. All their children were baptized except the last two. 30 March 1915 Dad and Mother took Jesse to Logan with the horse and buggy so he could be baptized. Then they stayed at grandpa’s and grandma’s home one night. When they couldn’t go they sent the children with Annie on the U.I.C. electric train.
At a George Washington party in the Glendale Ward, Vern Nelson tells this story. Mother was sitting on the front bench and Vern had to recite a poem. It was
Of all the girls in this world,
I’d marry none for riches,
I’d marry one six inches tall,
So she couldn’t wear my britches.
Vern changed the poem to read necktie instead of britches. Everyone expected him to say britches. He said Mother started to laugh and he had never seen anyone laugh so hard in his life.
A few years ago Meda Nelson Robinson told me as long as she lives she will never forget the blue and white granite kettle Mother used to make sandwiches in for us kids to eat between Sunday School and Sacrament Meeting when there was a little recess. They were usually just break and butter or sometimes a little sugar sprinkled on them, and always a cub cake with little currants in. She said that when Mother got the kettle out, that she and some of the ward kids would sally up to Mother hoping for at least a cup cake. She said sure enough Mother always had plenty and she would always get one, and how good they were.
Mother was kind and compassionate and believed that true happiness in life comes from serving others. Her friends and neighbors were often beneficiaries of her goodness, and if there was a new baby or sickness or sorrow in a home, she always found time to put on a clean apron and take a loaf of fresh baked bread, a pie, or fresh berries or something from her garden to cheer them.
She never lost sight of the purpose of life and the reasons for coming to America.
She abhorred cruelty to animals or humans.
She always had little sayings to put over a point such as “If a string is in a knot, patience will untie it. Patience can do many things; have you ever tried it.”; or “If there is a will, there is a way”; or “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, again.”
When Mother passed away, she did not leave many possessions and no riches; but she did leave a legacy far superior to earthly things, and I’m sure we as a family appreciated that.
Mother had her dub of joy but she also knew sorrow. As I have raised my family, we had our share of sickness, accidents and near deaths and it has made me think about Mother. She must have been in great anxiety and pain over the loss of three of her children before they reached maturity.
Dad and Mother really loved each other and were always happy with each other. Dad got so much joy out of buying her special little things when she was ill such as oranges, or a can of oysters, or a bottle of soda water. They worked together as a team in whatever they did. Whether it was in the garden, cutting and curing meat or whatever, they enjoyed being together. They both enjoyed going in a cafe and having a snack like a hot beef sandwich or root beer and a sweet roll.
Mother really suffered and grieved deeply over the loss of her husband. Dad was just 70 and Mother 57 at the time. Many times we have found Mother out back of the house crying as if her heart would break — many times she was heard to say “If only papa was here.”
Mother is long since gone, but those of us who remember have a MEMORY that is SWEET and LASTING.
I have two copies of the History of Plain City, Utah. The front indicates it is from March 17th 1859 to present. As far as I can tell, the book was written in 1977. At least that is the latest date I can find in the book.
One copy belonged to my Grandparents Milo and Gladys Ross. My Grandpa has written various notes inside the history which I intend to include in parenthesis whenever they appear. They add to the history and come from his own experience and hearing.
I will only do a number of pages at a time. I will also try to include scanned copies of the photos in the books. These are just scanned copies of these books, I have not tried to seek out originals or better copies.
History of Plain City March 17th 1859 to present, pages 123 through 140.
SPORTS IN PLAIN CITY
By Lyman H. Cook
Plain City’s most prominent claim to fame has been through the sports program and the great players and teams that the town has produced. I know of no other town to community in this state, to possibly out of state, that can equal the accomplishments in the total sports program as the town of Plain City. I don’t know how many hundred championships or trophies this town has won in baseball, basketball, softball, volleyball, and Jr. Posses, over the last 75 years or more. We include the young teams and people in the town, and also the girls. These trophies and championships came from local, county, multi-county, state, stake division, region, multi-region, and All Church basketball, softball, and volleyball, which is the largest leagues in the world.
On February 14, 1977, at 3:30 PM, there were 226 trophies in the trophy cases at the Plain City Church. I couldn’t begin to estimate the number of trophies in the homes here in Plain City. Can you comprehend the number of teams involved and especially the number of people involved on the teams in accomplishing this great record.
There seems to be a special spirit, or force, ambition, or drive, that compels players to excel and teams to win. The will to win in Plain City is the strongest I have ever known. We have been accused of playing dirty, or being poor sports, but in answer to these charges, I would submit the phrase: We just play hard, and the spirit of competition just brings out the best in us. In Plain City you don’t hope you can win, you are expected to win. Some communities dislike us for our sports program because it is so strong, and in reality, they judge their success of their season by the fact of whether they can beat Plain City or not. I realize these are rather potent and strong statements, but never the less, they are all true.
We dedicate this section of sports to all the people who have ever played on a team in Plain City. We realize that some names will be missed and it is not our intent to forget anyone, but we can’t remember all, and this is all of the sports material that has been turned in for the history. If your name is left off, write it in, and if you were star of the team, write that in also.
We have asked for and received personal write-ups on a few people who have signed professional contracts or have distinguished themselves in certain sports. We recognize them for their talents in that they in turn have brought special recognition to Plain City. I am sure these talented athletes would be the first to recognize their fellow members, for they realize that no one man is bigger or better than the whole team, and in this light, we recognize the teams they played on.
From 1944 until the present, there were three basketball teams that went to All Church and won two second places. Commencing in 1951 through 1954, we played in four fast-pitch All Church Tournaments. We won a second-place finish and eight-place finish.
In 1953, we played on a volleyball team that went to the All Church Tournament and won the Sportsmanship Trophy, which was a great honor. The team that played were: Dee Cook, Lyman Cook, Wayne Cottle, Wayne Skeen, Blair Simpson, Kenneth Lund, Harold Hadley, and others we couldn’t remember.
There were teams that went to the All Church Slow Pitch Tournaments from Pain City for three years. They won two All Church Championships, and a third-place finish. There have been some excellent younger teams in baseball, basketball, and softball, and a Junior team last year (1976) won a second-place in a
The All Church program.
This was one of the early teams of Plain City, and this picture was taken around 1910. They played together for many years, and they won several championships.
Top Row: L to R: Joe Hunt, Tooley Louis Poulsen, Preston Thomas, Parley Taylor, Jack Hodson.
Middle Row: L to R: Mr. Anderson, Coach, Jim Thomas, Melvin Draney
Bottom row: L to R: Oscar Richardson, Joe Singleton
Louis Poulsen
Tooley Poulsen played on many championship teams, and played several positions, mainly second base and catcher.
This was one of the first Mutual basketball teams in Plain City. They played their games in the upstairs of the old hall. Lyle Thomas reports that you didn’t have to be polished to play on this team, just big and rough, for there was very little whistle blowing in those days. This picture was taken in about 1925, and they won several championships.
Back Row: L to R: Rulon Jenkins, Lyle Palmer, Marion Sneed, Milton Garner
Front Row L to R: Theo Thompson, Ralph Robson, Coach Ellis Giles
This was the 1930 Plain City Baseball team. They played for State Champion ship.
Top Row: L to R: Horace Knight, Albert Sharp, Walter Christensen
Middle Row: L to R: Floyd Palmer, Angus Richardson, Arnold Taylor, Walter Moyes, Abram Maw, William Freestone
Bottom Row: L to R: Clair Folkman, Gilbert Taylor, Dick Skeen, Fred Singleton, Frank Skeen, Elmer Carver
BASEBALL AND EARLY SPORTS
By Elwood (Dick) Skeen
Baseball was Plain City’s most favorite sport. Baseball in Plain City in the early 1920’s and 1930’s was composed of the Plain City Bull Dogs with the following players taking part:
Louis Poulsen
Joe Singleton
Walter Draney
Elmo Rhead
Parley Taylor
Joe Hunt
Elvin Maw
Oscar Richardson
John Hodson
They represented Plain City in the Weber County Farm Bureau League, composed of North Ogden, Hooper, Roy, and Clinton. There were many good ball players in those days that played on the teams. The town park at that time was covered with salt grass. There were no base lines, no pitcher mounds. But, on a Saturday afternoon the park was filled with people that came from all over the county to watch the games. Horses and wagons lined the park.
Foot racing was also a great sport at that time, and Plain City had one of the best in Walter Draney, who was not only fast, but also a great athlete.
As time passed and the older players began to drop out, the chance came for us younger players to take over. In 1925 I caught my first Farm Bureau game at Liberty with Ezra Taylor doing the pitching. Then, the other players that made up our team for the next few years started to play. We had our share of victories. In fact, we had more than our share of wins.
Finances at that time were hard to come by. We did what we could to raise money to continue supporting the team. In 1928, the ball team put on the first Black and White Day with Mervin Thompson and Joseph Skeen showing their cattle. An old-time refreshment stand, soda water, ice cream, candy bars, and popcorn, which sold for 5¢. Also, some drinks that were not sold at the stand.
Our uniforms were furnished by Plain City individuals and business firms from Ogden. Suits would have the name of the giver on the back. Decoration day and the Fourth of July were our most celebrated days with all kinds of sports for those who wished to perform. A baseball game and a dance in the evening would top the day.
We would get the best team from Ogden to play on these days so that we could show what was leading up to the best team we had. In 1930, we won the Weber County Farm Bureau League, and the town bought us new uniforms to go to Lagoon to play Sandy, Utah, for thy State Championship. We lost by a close score. Our players were:
Gilbert Taylor
Walter Moyes
Arnold Taylor
Frank Skeen
Horace Knight
Albert Sharp
Fred Singleton
Abram Maw
Walter Christensen
Clair Folkman
Dick Skeen
Bill Freestone was the manager. Angus Richardson was the coach. Elmer Carver took care of finances, and Floyd Palmer and Byron Carver were scorekeepers. We played in tournaments at Brigham City and Ogden, and some out-of-state games were played.
We continued playing, but soon the gang started drifting different ways and our days were coming to an end. The league started to dwindle and later, folded up with the workload increase. Baseball was soon lost to the towns in Weber County.
Left to Right: Nalon Taylor, Bert Cook, Howard Gibson, Bud Dallinga, Wayne Cottle, Thayne Robson, Bill Stokes, Rulon Jenkins, Coach
The Desert News Sport Best Two MIA Teams
Page 10 – Salt Lake City, Utah-Saturday, March 11, 1944
Bottom Row: L to R: Carl Taylor, Carl Hodson, Fred Singleton, Coach, Blair Simpson, Glen Charlton
Top Row: L to R: Frank Hadley, John Nash, Lyman Cook, Ray Cottle
Ray Cottle, Center: First Team All Church
Frank Hadley, Forward: Second Team All Church
Lyman Cook, Guard: Second Team All Church
Blair Simpson, Guard: Honorable Mention
This team played for All Church Championship in 19441. They played Grantsville, Utah, and lost to them for the title. The games were played in the old Desert Gym, by the Hotel Utah. The teams stayed four nights in the Hotel Utah. They ate, slept, and played basketball.
Top Row L to R:
Alf Charlton, Athletic Director
Lyman Cook, Ronald Skeen, Kenneth Lund, Grant
Lund, Wayne Skeen, Clair Folkman, Coach
Bottom Row L to R:
Harold Hadley, Elmer Hipwell, Bill Stokes, Dee
Cook, Blair Simpson
This was the Plain City M-Men Team that played after World War II, in 1946, for several years and won several state championships and played in the division tournaments.
Winner of the district three double elimination softball tournament of the L.D.S. church was this fast moving team from Plain City in the Farr West Stake. In the lineup (front row) F. Hadley, 2b; Cook 3b; B. Simpson, 5b; D. Christensen, rf; T. Musgrave. Of; L. Cook, lf; coach; G. Charlton, of; W. Cottle. 1b; R. Cottle, p, and K. Jenkins, c.
Plain City Romps To 12-4 Win
Over Centerville for L. D. S.
District Three Softball Title
PLAIN CITY SOFTBALL TEAM OF 1951
By Lyman Cook
Plain City has always been a very strong baseball town, and the feeling was that softball was a game for girls, or you played softball at family reunions. In 1951 the Farr West Stake started a softball program and wanted teams to participate. I was Ward Athletic Director at that time and asked these players to play. This was the first softball team organized in Plain City. We won the Stake and District III. We then went on to the All Church Tournament in Salt Lake City. We won some and lost some, not too eventful. I coached the team the first year we played. This was a fast-pitch team.
L. D. S. Division III Champs
Repeating their last year’s victory in the L.D.S. division III softball tournament, the Plain City team came through again last night at Ogden softball park to beat Hoytsville 9 to 6. Front row Left to right: M. Heslop, E. Hadley, C. Taylor, D. Cook, A. Maw and G. Charlton: back row, lerft to right: R. Cottle, W. Skeen, W. Cottle, L. Cook, B. Simpson, and D. Skeen, coach. Absent from photo: Jenkins, V. Stokes and R. Skeen.
PLAIN CITY WARD SOFTBALL TEAM OF 1952
By Lyman Cook
In 1952 we repeated as stake champions and also won the Division III Championship again. We went to the All Church Tournament again and played very well. We played for the All Church Championship, but lost to Pocatello 10th Ward in a good game. Blair Simpson was voted Most Valuable Player of the tournament. Wayne Cottle made the All Church Team. There may be others. This was also a fast-pitch team. Dick Skeen was the coach.
This team played Farm Bureau Baseball and won the
Championship around 1950:
Top Row: L to R:
Junior Taylor, Wayne Skeen, Don Singleton, Bert Cook,
Glen Charlton, Kent Jenkins, Clair Folkman, Coach
Bottom Row: L to R:
“Buss” Lyman Skeen, Frank Hadley, Wayne Cottle, Ray
Charlton, John Maw, Dee Cook
This team played Pleasant Grove for All Church Champion-
Dee Cook, Manager, Darrell Christensen, Robert Folkman,
Bert Cook, Kenneth Lund, Wayne Cottle, Kent Jenkins, Coach
Many county and Northern Utah Championships were obtained by this team that was sponsored by the Town Board in the late 1950’s to middle 1960’s.
COACHES: Clair Folkman – Blair Simpson
TEAM MEMBERS: POSITIONS:
Blair Simpson P- IF
Wayne Cottle IF
Cy Freston IF
LaGrand Hadley OF – P
Archie Skeen C
Gaylen Hansen C – P – IF
Bobby Taylor P – OF
George Cook IF
Reid Nielson IF P
Ted Favero IF –
Dennis Anderson P
Garry Skeen OF
Lynn Folkman OF
Bud Parker IF – OP
Tom Seager OF
Harold Hadley IF
Harold Marriott IF
******
PLAIN CITY WARD FASTPITCH TEAM
1960, 1961, 1962
This team won the Stake, Region, and Division Championships, and represented the ward in All-Church competition with a successful number of victories.
COACH: Elmer Carver
TEAM MEMBERS:
Tom Seager, P Blair Simpson, SS
Gaylen Hansen, C LaGrand Hadley, LF
Wayne Cottle, 1st Robert Folkman, CF
George Cook, 2nd Dee Cook, RF
Cy Freston, 3rd Don Singleton, IF
Blaine Eckman, QF Gar Hunter, 1st – OF
THE PLAIN CITY BULLDOGS
This is one of the very first Weber County Recreation Teams in Plain City. Many of these players went on playing baseball for many years.
Front Row: L to R:
Dick Skeen, Coach, Fred Palmer, Darrel Thompson, Kenneth Hogge, George Cook, Ronald Sharp.
Back Row: L to R:
Archie Skeen, Brent Taylor, Wayne Poulson, Jay Freestone, Robert Folkman, LaGrand Hadley
PLAIN CITY SECOND WARD
ALL – CHURCH CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM
1963 – 1ST Place
1964 – 1st Place
1965 – 3rd Place
This team represented the Plain City 2nd Ward and Plain City Town by winning 64 and losing only two games over a three-year span. Many players received All – Church recognition. In the championship game the first year the team hit 11 home runs and pulled off a triple play for the victory.
Back Row: L to R: Not in Photo
Garry Skeen Archie Skeen
Gaylen Hansen Ken Searcy
George Cook Jay Freestone
Gar Hunter Val Taylor
Jerry Bradford Mel Cottle
Lynn Folkman Gordon Singleton
Bishop Rulon Chugg Jim Beasley
Don Singleton
Front Row: L to R: Gary Hill
Bishop Orlo Maw
Jerry Moyes
Doug Palmer
Dale Searcy
Blair Simpson
LaGrand Hadley
All – Church Honors:
Gar Hunter
Jerry Bradford
Ken Searcy
Gaylen Hansen
Archie Skeen
Blair Simpson, Most Valuable Player
BLAIR SIMPSON
and
ELMER SINGLETON
of the
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
1948
“Two cousins met”
ELMER SINGLETON
Elmer Singleton started pitching for the Farm Bureau League in Plain City. He pitched for several championship teams. He signed a professional contract with Cincinnati, and played at Wenatchee, Washington in 1939, his first year. He played for Idaho Falls, Portland, and Oklahoma City. He moved on up to the big league and played with the following teams:
Cincinnati
Yankees
Chicago
Kansas City
Boston
Pittsburgh
Washington in 1950
Toronto
San Francisco
Seattle
He was in professional baseball for 27 or 28 years, the last eight years as a player coach.
He pitch two no hitters, one at San Francisco, and the other at Seattle. Elmer won the Player of the Year Award at Seattle in 1956. There is a baseball card with Elmer’s picture on it with the Chicago Cubs. It reads:
“This will be Elmer’s 17th year in professional baseball.
He started back in 1940 and after 11 uneventful seasons,
got red hot to become one of the top hurlers on the
Pacific Coast. In 1952 at San Francisco, he won 17, followed
with 15 triumphs in 1953 and moved to Seattle in 1956.
He had the best Pacific Coast Earned Run Average.”
Elmer told us that before he left to play professional baseball, the people of Plain City honored him at a banquet. They gave him a ball glove, and he still has it. He is listed in the Sports Record along with his accomplishments. Elmer was a great baseball pitcher. The only picture we have of Elmer is with Blair Simpson. Elmer and Blair are cousins,
BLAIR SIMPSON
BY Blair Simpson
I attended school at Plain City before going to Weber High School. At Weber High School I participated on the track team, played some basketball and pitched for the Weber High baseball team.
After graduating from Weber High School in 1944, I was drafted into the army for two years.
In 1948, I signed a professional baseball contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. While playing with the Pirates, I played with the following cities:
Santa Rosa, California
Pittsburg, California
Modesto, California
Hutchinson, Kansas
Waco, Texas
Charleston, South Carolina
I was a pitcher and had to quit because of an injury to my knee.
After retiring from professional baseball, I played a considerable amount of baseball with Plain City and other teams in the Ogden area, such as:
Ogden Ford Sales
Heitz Heating
Wasatch Time
I was selected on the All Star Baseball Team composed of 16 players from the State of Utah.
I also played on many softball teams in the Ogden area such as Fisher Hess, Utah General Depot, Fred M. Nyes, Savon, and others.
In 1952, I was named the Most Outstanding Player in the “All Church Fastpitch Softball Tournament” in Salt Lake City and was also named to the All Church All Star Team in 1953.
In 1963, o received the Most Outstanding Player Award in the All Church Softball Slow Pitch Tournament. In 1964, I again received the most Outstanding Player Award in the slow pitch division of the All Church Tournament held in Salt Lake City. The year 1964 was one of my most memorable occasions in All Church Softball as I hit four consecutive home runs in one game.
I would like to give a lot of credit to whatever successes I have enjoyed in athletics to the talented town of Plain City.
WAYNE COTTLE
By Wayne Cottle
I was born November 30, 1928, in Ogden, Utah. I lived in Plain City all my life. I attended Plain City Elementary and Junior High. I played basketball in the 9th and in the 10th grades for Plain City. L. Rulon Jenkins was our coach and our principal. We played against Hooper, North Ogden, Huntsville, and Weber High School.
In the Fall of 1945, I started Weber High School, playing football, basketball, baseball, and track for both years. In 1947, I played to a tie for the Region I Championship with Box Elder. We played off the tie breaker at Ogden High School, beating Box Elder for the first Region I Championship for many years. I won the Region I scoring title. We entered the State Tournament in Salt Lake City and we lost to Granite, who became the State Championships, in the semi-finals. I was the recipient of the Standard Examiner KLO Watch Award for being the outstanding athlete of the year.
I entered Weber Junior College in the Fall of 1947. After about a month of practice I became one of the starting forwards. We played in several tournaments winning 3rd place in the Compton California Invitational. We played an independent schedule that year. In 1948-49 Weber became a member of the ICAC Conference. We won the conference and played Snow Junior College Tournament. We won the game and I was voted the tournament’s Outstanding Player Ward. We went to the national finals in Hutchinson, Kansas. We won our first game, then we met two defeats.
In the Fall of 1949, I entered Brigham Young University. I was on the team that won the Skyline Conference Championship for the first in many years. We went to the NCAA at Kansas City, Missouri. We lost to Baylor University, then beat UCLA for 3rd place. The next year we accepted a bid to enter the National Invitational Championship and two of our players were voted All American.
I graduated from BYU in 1951, came back to Plain City and started to play basketball with the Ward team. From the 1951- 1952 season until the creation of the Plain City 2nd Ward in 1960, we never lost a league game in the Farr West Stake. The year of the creation of the Plain City 2nd Ward, they beat us once and we beat them once. We played off the Stake Championship at Wahlquist Jr. High, and we won the team and the championship. After that season, the Church specified an age limit and I was area championships and went to the All Church several times.
WAYNE COTTLE
Brigham Young University
BERT COOK
He attended Plain City School where he was active in athletics. He graduated and attended Weber High School in 1947 and 1948., where he participated in football, basketball, baseball, and track. In 1948, he was selected on the Class A State All Star Team, in which Weber High School won the championship. He also won the All American in boys Award in baseball at John Affleck Park in 1948. From this he won a trip to Chicago.
He played for the Plain City baseball team for the Farm Bureau and Ogden City League.
From 1948 until 1952 he attended Utah State university at Logan, Utah, where he started on the first five as a freshman, and later in the year played in the AAU Tournament and was selected on the All Tournament Team.
In 1951 – 1952, he lead the conference in scoring and was voted All Conference both years. In 1952 he was voted All American in basketball where his Number 6 jersey was retired at Utah State University being the first one in the history of the school. That same year he was selected on the All Conference Team, and traveled with the Harlem Globe Trotters and the College All Star for several games. Later that year, he signed a contract with the New York Knickerbockers and was drafted into the service where he played for Fort Lee, Virginia Military team in which he lead the scoring and was later voted to the Second Army All Star Team.
He served his country in the Far East Command in 1954, being released in 1955, when he rejoined the Knicks until 1956. After a serious knee injury he returned to Plain City and played for the Plain City Ward and the Ogden City League.
He played on the 1956 team that won second place and he made First Team All Church.
At Weber High School I participated in basketball, baseball, and football and was productive and beneficial. After graduation in 1954, I attended Utah State University for two years on a football scholarship. Next, I received a University of Utah Scholarship in baseball. That year 1958, was a successful year with a batting of .350. The next year was even more eventful. My batting average jumped to .490. The .490 batting average was good enough to lead the Skyline Conference, plus I was fortunate to lead the NCAA in homeruns and RBI’s. These statistics and the efforts of the University of Utah Sports Publicity Department lead to my selection as the “First Team Catcher on the College All -American baseball Team”. As a result of this honor, I was selected the “Most Valuable Player in NCAA, District 7.” The year was 1959.
Opportunities were available to sign a professional baseball contract with the New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox, and the Phillies. In 1959 I signed a bonus contract with the Boston Red Sox.
During the next three years I played in the following leagues: Sophomore League in Alpine, Texas: North Carolina League in Raleigh, North Carolina; Midwest League in Waterloo, Iowa; and the Eastern League in Johnstown, Pa. Winter ball was played in Bradenton, Florida.
In 1962, spring training was held in Deland, Florida. Because of a successful spring training I was invited to join the Triple A League in Seattle, Washington, “The Seattle Rainiers.” All Star Catcher honors were received in 1960, 1961, and 1962. In 1963 I was invited to spring training with the parent ball club, The Boston Red Sox. At the completion of spring training I was again assigned to the Seattle Rainiers.
Some of the great stars helping the young players were: Ted Williams, Bobby Doerr, Rudy York, Johnny Pesky, and Mel Parnell. As of this year, 1977, the only teammate of mine still with the Boston Red Sox is Carl Yastrzemski.
I have two copies of the History of Plain City, Utah. The front indicates it is from March 17th 1859 to present. As far as I can tell, the book was written in 1977. At least that is the latest date I can find in the book.
One copy belonged to my Grandparents Milo and Gladys Ross. My Grandpa has written various notes inside the history which I intend to include in parenthesis whenever they appear. They add to the history and come from his own experience and hearing.
I will only do a number of pages at a time. I will also try to include scanned copies of the photos in the books. These are just scanned copies of these books, I have not tried to seek out originals or better copies.
History of Plain City March 17th 1859 to present, pages 76 through 106.
HISTORY OF THE OLSEN GROCERY STORE
Two of the earliest merchants in Plain City were A. M. Schoemaker and William Van Dyke. Mr. Shoemaker had a little store just east of the old adobe meeting house. Van Dyke’s store was just across the street from the southwest corner of the public square on the sight of the John Maw store where the Plain City bowery now stands.
The Cooperative Mercantile Institution was organized in 1869 with John Spiers as President, J. P. Green, C .O. Folkman, George Folkman and Andrew Ipson as directors, and George H. Carver and J. S. Carver as the managers.
In the early days of Utah, the L .D. S. Church organized cooperative stores in different places called “Zions Cooperative Mercantile Institutions.” One of these was organized in Plain City in Jens Peter Folkman’s home at 2480 N. 4350 W. in March of 1869. He was appointed manager by the directors.
The capitol stock was $500.00. Mr. Folkman continued as manager for several years. At a reorganization some time later, John Spiers was retained as president and John Carver was elected vice president of the board of directors, which was composed of Jeppe G. Folkman, William Sharp and Alexander Marian Shoemaker, with George Bramwell as secretary and William G. McGuire as secretary-treasurer.
Finally a corner was bought by the company from Mr. Hansen in 1889, where Carl Olsen’s store is now situated. (1959) A frame building was erected and here Jens Peter Folkman continued as manger until the store was closed by Z.C.M.I. on account of bankruptcy cause through too many bad debts.
It was reopened by the parent store in Ogden and was managed by George and James Carver but was closed again for the same reason as before.
George W. Bramwell and his brother, Henry, bought the stock of goods and ran the store as a private business. Z.C.M.I. took over once more and hired George W. Bramwell to run it as a branch of their store.
It was next sold to Henry J. Garner and Robert W. Maw. They sold it to Thomas England. Thomas England sold his store to Peter J. and Evelyn Christensen, who rented it out for a time, then later sold it to Carl Olsen in 1925.
In the early days of the Olsen stores Parvin Produce Company of Ogden established the business of shipping potatoes from Plain City. They were located at the Olsen store and when they discontinued business, Carl Olsen and Wilmer J. Maw started shipping potatoes. Mr. Olsen loaded his cars at the end of the railroad spur in front of Roll’s Garage, now Jack Etherington’s Garage at 2415 N. 4425 W. and Mr. Maw loaded his cars by the “John Maw & Sons” store where they bowery now stands.
Carl Olsen
Don Olsen
Lee Olsen
The above was taken from a Historical Study of Plain City, Weber County, Utah, by Fern Olsen Taylor. A thesis was submitted for her Master of Science Degree in 1959.
The Utah Oregon Lumber Company business was purchased by Carl Olsen from Wilmer L. Maw, and at this time Annie Knight Geddes came to work for Mr. Olsen. Coal was also sold. Many loads of potatoes, coal, etc., were weighed on the scales located just south of the store.
Oscar Richardson worked with Carl in the produce shipping and George Elvie Weatherston worked with him in the store for a short time.
Carl opened the store with the help of his family, Lucille, Lee, Fern, Don, and Loyd.
A beautiful ice cream fountain was purchased and installed in the northwest part of the store. There were marble counter tops, malt machines, syrup dispensers and necessary equipment to make malts, splits, sundaes and many, many hand-dipped ice cream cones. A half dozen stools lined the counter. The choice of flavors then were chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry. A popular item was the candy punch-board that was a temptation some had a hard time resisting.
In 1939 Carl remodeled the back of the store. The partition at the east end and the swinging doors were moved, making room for a meat counter and meat cooler. More shelves and more groceries were added. Heat was provided by a coal heaterola. A shed was built by the store about 1889 and was used until 1949 for various purposes, a lumber storage shop, a barber shop and also later for a meat market. It faced the road and was located just south of the store.
In March, 1941, cold storage lockers were installed. The store was enlarged and a full-time butcher, Ralph Vause, came to work to serve the locker patrons. Many deer at hunting time were cleaned and dressed, filling the meat coolers to overflowing.
Carl Olsen sold his store to two of his sons, Lee and Don in April 1947. The store became “I.G.A.” and then later “A.G.“ Lee and Don enlarged the store, adding the brick building extending the south wall to the confectionery. The frame shed was moved to the back of the store and connected to a metal storage shed connecting the back of the store.
On July 9, 1949, the grand opening was held. Children came to the store from near and far to buy penny candy, a special treat.
Mr. Carl Olsen passed away February 25, 1955.
The Olsen family owned and operated the store for half a century and enjoyed a wonderful association with Plain City and the neighboring communities.
On April 18, 1973, Don and marge Olsen, and Lee and Clara Olsen sold the store to Perry and Sonia Merrill of Pleasant View. They Operated the store for three years and sold it to Elliot and Gayle Casperson. It is now the “B and C Market.” May 24, 1976.
COPY OF DOCUMENT PLACED AT THE BASE OF MONUMENT HONORING SERVICEMEN
August 26, 1944
To whom so ever of the dim and distant future, may come in possession of these documents, let it be known that:
We, the people of Plain City, Utah through our Committee for the men in Service with the aid of the people in the community do erect and dedicated this memorial, of everlasting granite, to honor the memory of those who, from our community, were enlisted and served in the Armed Forces of these United States of America and fought for its principles of Freedom, Justice and Democracy in the Second Great World War, which we have faith will culminate as all our country’s war have, in victory.
Today, August 26, 1944, when hostilities have been raging for 32 months, as we solemnly and proudly honor all Servicemen and Women, especially those who left from our community, and whose names are cut and will be cut in this monument, this war, cruel and savage beyond description is being waged across the seas, gravely threatening to destroy our freedom.
May God and justice destroy the forces and the barbarious leaders of those aggressor nations before they make it necessary for this nation of ours to again, by force of its arms, defend itself and the principles on which it was founded.
We, as a people are deeply grateful for the services and sacrifices made, not only the men who served in the war, but all those who fought and for those who died to defend this great nation since the first clash of arms in the battles of Lexington and Concord, we honor and revere the memory of them all. So in the erection of an everlasting memorial those, who left this country beginning 32 months ago to serve in the Armed Forces of these United States, to keep alive the flame of liberty and pass on to our posterity the stories of their brave and noble deeds, even beyond the time that this granite shall have crumbles to dust obliterating the names carved here on.
May we never again be called to erect other similar memorials because our country was again at war.
But rather, would we as a people whole heartedly join together to sponsor a shaft to commemorate the beginning of an era of eternal lasting peace without the horrors of war.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF PLAIN CITY
A group of men from Lehi came in the fall of 1858 and looked over the town, they also made a preliminary survey for a canal site, using a sixteen foot two by four grooved out and set on a three-legged tripod, with water in the groove to act as a level. This preliminary survey was made to the big levee that fall of 1858, some work was done on the big levee that fall, until it was necessary for the men to return to their homes in Lehi.
On March 17, 1859, a company of about 100 people arrived in Plain City about 5 o’clock in the afternoon. They camped in a hollow in the south part which later became Samuel Draney’s lots. The wagons were lined up east and west for protection against the north winds. Although snow was deep, they soon dug a big hole and built a fire making it as comfortable as possible.
One of the first things to do after arrivals was to survey the townsite and assign lots to the settlers, so they could get some kind of shelter for their families. Joseph Grue states that John Spiers and others who surveyed Plain City had in mind their home, the city of Nauvoo, and followed the pattern as nearly as possible. They surveyed the town at night using the north star and three tall poles just below it, as a working guide. The measuring chain was a piece of rope which they dragged along over the deep snow through which they waded. The original plat was six blocks long and three blocks wide, running north and south. Each block contained five acres and is divided into four lots. Each settler was allowed some choice in the selection of his lot, and each shelter was allowed twenty acres of farm land on the out shirts.
The Plain City canal was commenced in May of 1859 shortly after part of the crops were planted and completed to four mile creel that first year and later to Mill Creek and then to Ogden River, which relieved the situation somewhat during seasons when water was plentiful, but was of little benefit in dry seasons, the Plain City irrigation company under the supervision from the beginning.
Mr. Rollett, a Frenchman, introduced the culture of asparagus to Plain City, the seed came from France in 1859. This became one of the leading industries of Plain City, as the soil and climate are especially adapted to its culture. Plain City asparagus had become known far and near, and at the present time the asparagus in handled by the Plain City Asparagus. They ship asparagus to all parts of the United States.
Early homes were dugouts, then log cabins and later adobe. The first stone house was built by William Skeen in 1862 or 1863, by hauling rock from Hot Springs, northeast of Plain City.
The first school and meeting house was built in 1859. It was of log and adobe and was located on the south side of the public square. This adobe building was used as a meeting house, school house, amusement and dance hall for a number of years.
George Musgrave was the first Plain City school teacher. His first school was held in his dugout on his lot.
The First Relief Society was organized January 3, 1868, with Almira Raymond President. The first Primary was organized in 1881 with Susannah Robinson President. The first Mutual Improvement Association was organized in 1876 with William England as President.
An Episcopalian Church was built in 1877, and was used as a school and church. At that time, it had about 75 members. The building is still standing and still in use (Lions Club House).
Evelyn Sharp was the first white baby girl to be born in Plain City, and Thomas Singleton was the first white boy. They were born in 1859.
People of Plain City have always fostered amusement and entertainment of various kinds. In the early days they always had a brass band, a choir, dramatic association, and a baseball team. Regardless of all the hardships endured by the early settlers, recreation was always enjoyed. Dances were held in the old adobe school house on the south side of the square in winter and in the bowery near it in summer. They danced on the hard dirt floor at first, many of them in their bare feet. Most of the dances were square dances, at various times music was furnished by comb bands.
The first real meeting house that was built expressly for ward purposes is the present brick structure commenced in 1884 and finished in 1889.
The following men have been Bishops of Plain City Ward since it was first organized in the order listed: W. W. Raymond, L. W. Shurtliff, George W. Bramwell, Henry J. Garner, Henry T. Maw, Gilbert Thatcher, Wilmer J. Maw, George A. Palmer, Charles Heslop and the present Bishop Elvin H. Maw.
Plain City is principally a farming and dairy community, with sugar beets, onion, tomatoes, potatoes, peas, grain, alfalfa and asparagus being grown as the principal crops.
A branch of the North Ogden Canning Factory is located in Plain City and tomatoes are grown and processed each year. The canning factory was completed in 1925.
Many of the men of the community have profitable dairy herds, and each year a “Dairy Day” is held on the town square, prize stock being shown. Stock is shown from all parts of the state.
A Junior High School is located in the center of town, where approximately 225 children attend. L. Rulon Jenkins is now the principal of the school.
At the present time, Plain City has a population of approximately 800 inhabitants.
Each year on March 17 a “homecoming” celebration is held to commemorate the settling of the town.
Plain City was incorporated this year of 1944 with the town board as follows: Dean Baker, Chairman, W. Albert Sharp, Fred L. Singleton, Floyd A. Palmer, L. Rulon Jenkins and Don E. Carver as Secretary.
**************
The committee for the servicemen was selected about one year ago, and appointed by the Ward Bishopric, for the purpose of paying tribute and honor to the fellows and girls who enter the service.
The first funds were collected through a scrap iron drive, which was initiated by Dean Baker. The support of all the people of Plain City was gained by soliciting, and many tons of irons was donated by members of the town.
The task of securing the names to be placed on the monument and helping to plan its erection was done by the Committee for the Men and Women in the Service with William Freestone as Chairman, Elbert J. Moyes, Elmer P. Carver, John A. Hodson, Dean Baker, Mrs. Frank V. Skeen, Mrs. W. Albert Sharp, and Mrs. Vern L. Palmer.
As the original plans for the erection of his memorial called for only those who had been honored at Plain City, we deeply regret that names of some of the fellows who are in the Service, who have been residents at some time previous to their entering the service, will not appear on this monument.
We, the Committee for Servicemen, representing the people of Plain City extend our thanks and heartfelt appreciation to all individuals whose combined efforts have made the erection of this monument possible. The primary objective of this committee is to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America and be to service to the community, state and nation and to transmit to our posterity the principles of justice, freedom, and democracy.
This everlasting and beautiful monument is sturdy and tough and is truly symbolic of the sterling qualities and character of the men whose names it will bear until it shall have been worn away to dust by the elements of time and returned to mother nature from when it came.
As duly requested, this document was written and prepared by Mrs. Frank V. Skeen, Mrs. W. Albert Sharp, and Mrs. Vern L. Palmer, together with the aid of the other members of the committee, and whose sincerest hope and aim was that the full honor and credit due, is bestowed on the citizens of Plain City who form a part of the great until by which this nation was founded and is governed. May the heritage of these rights of quality and self government never be taken away from those to whom it rightfully belongs – the people.
Mothers or Fathers and Wives of Service Men whose names appear on the Monument. Picture taken August 26, 1944, at the dedication of the monument. [Gladys Donaldson Ross on the back row, fifth from the left.]
BEET GROWING IN PLAIN CITY
SUBMITTED BY RUTH K. FOWERS
The sugar beet industry was one of the early farming activities in Plain City.
The ground was prepared late in the fall and early spring for planting the seed much the same as it is today except horse drawn machinery was used instead of tractor operated ones.
After the seed sprouted and the young plants grew a few inches in height, the rows were cultivated, and a thinning of the plants was required since the seeds were drilled close together. Segregated seeds had not been developed at that time. This thinning process was that of spacing the beet plants several inches apart to allow the young plant to grow. This was usually done with a short handled hoe and hand labor. A good beet thinner might be able to cover an acre a day.
The best crop required another hoeing or two and cultivating to eliminate the weed growth. Regular irrigation was necessary to give moisture to the growing plants.
In October the beets were matured and ready for harvesting. Again this process required much manual labor and the use of horse powered machinery.
The beets were dug using a beet digger. The beet leaf was cut from the beet itself by hand using a long beet knife. Then the beets were thrown into rows or piles to be gathered up with a large beet fork to be placed on a specially built box on which they could be hauled to the beet dump.
Sometimes young members of the family, who were too young to lift the beet fork full of beets, could assist with the beet loading by grasping the tail of the beet and giving it just enough of a throw to allow to them to load in the beet box.
With a team and wagon they were then transported to the beet dump and emptied into either a railroad beet car or placed in the beet pile.
Double hitch teams and wagons load of beets ready to leave the field.
Unloading the wagon by means of a hand turned pulley which lifts one side of the wagon and dumps them into the hopper.
From the hopper the beets are elevated to be dropped into the railroad cars.
When the beets were brought in faster than the railroad cars could be loaded they were piled for later loading.
The beets were transported to the Amalgamated Sugar Factory where another process was utilized to manufacture refined sugar to be used in homes, industries, eating establishments or wherever possible.
In 1958, in Weber County, the average yield was 16.3 tons per acre. According to an article which appeared in the Ogden Standard Examiner on October 19, 1959, Mike Pannanzio averaged 28.8 tons per acre on a 13-acre piece. On a four acre piece, the yield was better than 30 tons per acre. This farm situated near the site of the Plain City beet dump which was located just north of 4100 West 1975 North.
The beet dump has since been removed and a modern housing development now occupied the site.
RALL TAYLOR’S OLD BLACKSMITH SHOP
He started his business in 1908, ad was still in business in the Forties. We understand this building was a part of the first canning factory in Plain City, and was moved to this location.
DAIRY DAYS
BY WILLIAM FREESTONE
The first Dairy Days held in Plain City was in May of 1926. The purpose was to finance the Plain City baseball team.
William Freestone was the manager for the team with Elmer Carver, finance, Angus Richardson was coach, Floyd Palmer and Byron Carver were score keepers, and Rufus Maw, umpire.
The general committee consisted of William Freestone, Chairman for the day, with Elmer Carver, Floyd Palmer, Merwin Thompson, Angus Richardson, Byron Carver, and Rufus Maw assisting. The entire team also worked hard to make a successful day.
The day was well organized. There was a big exhibit of cattle from all around the area, especially the Holstein Breeders Association. The local dairy men have full support to the day.
The afternoon programs consisted of a game between Plain City and Clinton. Horse racing and horse pulling contest were also on the program. The successful day ended in the evening with a big dance held in the town hall.
Dairy Days have continued to this day under various managements.
This information was obtained from William Freestone, Elwood Skeen, and Walter Christensen.
This picture is the baseball team that the first Dairy Days was organized to sponsor and finance.
Top Row L to R: Angus Richardson, Coach; Bill Freestone, Manager; Alf Charlton, Transportation; Horace Knight, Dick Skeen, Walt Moyes, Abe Maw, Tooley Poulsen, Clark Taylor
Bottom Row L to R: Rufus Maw, Umpire; Fred Singleton, Louie Giles, Clair Folkman, Frankie Skeen, Arnold Taylor, Wally Knight, bat boy
DAIRY DAYS
BY HAROLD THOMPSON
Merwin Thompson came to Plain City in 1907. He had lived briefly in Ogden during which time he worked on a big cattle and sheep outfit in Eden, Utah. Before that, he lived in Scipio, Millard County.
He ran the farm which was later owned by himself and his brother, Gordon. This farm was not very level when he and his brothers took it over, and they levelled it with horses and fresno Scrapers. They then established a fine irrigation system.
During the 1920’s Merwin acquire four fine registered Holstein heifers from Joseph Skeen of Warren. From his beginning, he developed a high producing registered milking herd.
In the late 1920’s he helped organized the Plain City Black and White Days and served for over forty years as a director of that exhibition. In the beginning, the show was for Holsteins-Friesias Cattle only. Later, it was expanded to include all dairy cattle.
At the time of his death, his dairy farm, dairy buildings and dairy was one of the best farms in Weber County.
The Ralph Robson family have participated in Dairy Days for many years. Shown are two animals they have shown.
DAIRY DAYS
BY FLOYD PALMER
This was first known as Plain City Black and White Days. It was sponsored by the Plain City Farm Bureau, as a fund-raising project for the baseball team. Later, it was sponsored by Holstein Breeders and the Plain City Farm Bureau. The financial help came from local people and business firms in the area.
Members of the Ogden Chamber of Commerce, along with the “Ogden Livestock Show” committee and the Weber County Commissioners, all became interested in lending their support tot eh growing need for an expanded show. These people were influential in getting the three-county shows (Jersey Show, Coliseum-Guernsey Show, Huntsville-Holstein Show, lain City) to combine their shows, and this is how it became known as the “Plain City Dairy Day.”
This move with the support of local people reaching out for help, was the means of getting the Weber County Commissioners and the State Legislature to give financial help for the show. It is also supported by many individuals and firms in a financial way. The officers now consist of the following:
Plain City has become the home of one of the largest Dairy Shows in the State of Utah. It is held annually around the middle of May and is open to all breeds of dairy cattle. The opening day is devoted to the Junior divisions. This is limited to bonafide 4-H Club members and F. F A. Future Farmers Only. The second day is designated for the Open division. It is also held under strict rules, such as, Registration Certificates, State Health Standards are required, including Health Certificates and blood tests.
The management is well planned and organized. It consists of General Management, Directors, Clerks, and special committees, Finance, Premiums and Entries, Junior Department, Junior Judging Classes, Publicity, Cattle Supervisor, Grounds and Dinner, Special Awards Committee, and Tractor Driving Contest.
Many of the very finest dairy herds in the United State of Utah are on exhibition here.
The judging is by top quality judges, usually out of state judges are used foe the open division. The junior department is also very selective to get the best judges possible. Rules adopted by the Purebred Cattle Association of Utah are strictly enforced for the Open Division. The Junior Division is placed according to the Danish System of judging.
The Junior Division exhibits 150 to 175 animals. The open Division exhibits 250 to 200 animals. The breeds are mostly Holstein, Jersey, Guernsey, and Brown Swiss. Cash rewards run from $1600 to $2000. Ribbons are also awarded in both Open and Junior Divisions. Special awards are given to the juniors in Fitting and Showmanship, Outstanding Exhibitor, Best Club Group of Animals, (five animals owned by at least three exhibitors.)
One of the outstanding special awards is the Frank M. Browning Memorial Award. A Swiss Cow Bell is given to the outstanding 4-H exhibitor. Other
Other special awards are: Lynn Richardson Award to the outstanding F.F.A Exhibitor; Smoot Dairy Award which is a special prize to the 2nd and 3rd place 4-H boy in fitting and showmanship; Five Points Drug Company which is a special prize to the 2nd and 3rd place F.F.A member in fitting the showmanship; Utah Holstein-Friesian Association Award, which is a trophy for the three best females bred and owned by exhibitor: Weber Chapter F.F.A. which is a belt to the F.F.A. exhibitor taking best care of his exhibits: Read Bros. Halter to the 4-H member under 13 years of age placing highest in fitting and showmanship: John Chugg Halter to the 4-H member placing highest in showmanship only: C. W. Cross Gift Certificate to the F.F.A. boy placing highest in fitting and showmanship: Curtis Breeding Service Halter to the 4-H club member over 13 years of age placing highest in fitting and showmanship: Federal Land bank Award to Grand Champion Cow: Commercial Security Bank: Production Class, 14 cash awards and ribbons.
Mr. Robert P. Stewart, Principal of the Plain City Elementary School takes very active part in the success of Dairy Days. For several years Mr. Stewart has organized a dairy class at the school. Paul Knight has furnished the facilities. The calves have been furnished by Paul Knight and Archie Hunt. The school instructors have been Ray Hull and Steven Gertsch. Both boys and girls have entered the Dairy Class activity. In addition to oral instructions, they feed, groom, care and prepare the calves to be shown in the ring to be judge. As many ass 25 very enthusiastic youth have taken part. The award money has been divided among the participants.
The Plain City School, under the direction of Principal Stewart, has served an annual Dairy Day Dinner. This has been an outstanding attraction to many state and local officials, business, and dairy people. The food is always delicious, and the service is excellent. French-grown Plain City asparagus is always included in the meal.
The faculty and P.T.A. operate the concession stand on the park for the two-day dairy show. This serves a worthwhile purpose for the school and those attending the day’s events. The school children have been good to help clean the grounds after.
Since this Dairy Days started, small dairy herds have almost become extinct. They have been forced to grow larger and develop better grades of producing animals. We now have dairy herds entering this show from Utah dairy farms that are recognized as top dairy herds of the nation. They also exhibit their cattle at national shows.
This Plain City Town Board takes an active part in helping to promote the success of Dairy Days. The last few years they have provided help to put up the tie racks, take them down, and clean up the grounds.
Over the years, the Dairy Days Committees have replaced the old pole fences with a new set of painted tie racks that can be moved after the show is over. They also have a moveable loading chute for the cattle.
The 1977 Plain City Dairy Days will be listed on the program as the Forty-Eight Annual Show. This takes it back to 1929 for the beginning of Plain City Black and White Days. It would seem appropriate to list and give credit to some of the management people that have served fifteen years or more. They include:
Ralph Robson Merwin Thompson
Clair Folkman Floyd A. Palmer
Lee Olsen John Chugg
J . W. Hatch Fay Boyer
Robert (Bob) Penman Edgar Smoot
Verl Poll Clifford Smout
Mary Papageorge Kogianes Burns Wangsgard
Lynn Richardson Byron Thompson
A L Christensen
Plain City has the largest all-breed dairy show in the State of Utah.
Plain City School Students take great pride in learning how to train and groom their loaned animals for the Dairy Days Show. For them it means a full day away from the books while they get the real learning of being part of a real livestock show.
PLAIN CITY CEMETERY
SUBMITTED BY Floyd Palmer
The old of the Plain City Cemetery grounds came about only once a year. This was when the tulips came into blossom for about two weeks. After this it was solid mass of tea vines and weeds.
A newspaper article that appeared in the Ogden standard Examiner in the spring of 1938 was submitted by Roxy Heslop.
Bloom Wave Will Appear No More
Spring of 1938 Roxey Heslop
BLANKET OF FLOWERS…. The field of varicolored tulips being admired by 14-year-old Idona Maw of Plain City will be dug up and replaced with grass and shrubbery as a part of the improvement program underway at the Plain City Cemetery. The tulips will be taken out as soon as they cease blooming, Wilmer J. maw announced. An elaborate sprinkling system fed by a 700-foot artesian well will be laid throughout the cemetery. The well recently completed, flows 40 gallons per minute. The blanket of blooms will be removed because of the short of tulip lives. Bulbs will be given free to persons interested in obtaining them for replanting. (Standard-Examiner photo)
The new beautification program started in the year 1937. It came about through Floyd A. Palmer and his affection for his mother, Emma Jane Carver Palmer, who had suffered a long illness. She had said to him many times that she hoped someone would keep the weeds and tea vines from growing on her grave in the Plain City Cemetery.
Following her death on May 26, 1937, Floyd went to Bishop Charles L. Heslop and asked of something could be done to improve the Cemetery grounds. Bishop Heslop was quick to say, “…yes, and I would like to make you the Chairman of a committee to start the project.” Following their conversation Walter J. Moyes and Art M. Simpson was called in by the Bishop to assist on the committee. The preliminary took several months of work and study to formulate a workable plan for the project.
It was decided to drive a flowing well for the water. Raising the necessary money was the next step. Local lot owners were contacted and letters were sent to those living in and out of the state. We asked for $5.00 per lot and stated we would drive a well large enough to handle all that participated. The response was good and very few questioned the feasibility of the project. A 2 ½ pipe was washed 730 feet deep for the well. It required continuous drilling and was necessary to haul water in to drill with. Wesley and Virgil Stoddard from West Point did the drilling. The well was flowing a beautiful stream of water in May, 1938. The people were happy to have water available for flowers on Memorial Day.
Pipe lines were laid to service each lot from stand pipes with a hose connection. Our Cemetery Sexton, Walter J. Moyes, agreed to care for the lots for $6.00 a season. The owners were to help prepare the lots for seeding. Much credit is due to Walter for the first lawn planted and their care. Some lots were seeded in the Fall, of 1938. Others, in the spring of 1939. As each lot was improved, it made a new appearance.
L-R: Floyd A. Palmer, Art M. Simpson, and Walter J. Moyes
This caretaker system continued to grow each year through 1934. Then the flow of water became inadequate to serve all desiring lawns. This, along with public interest, led to developing a way to extend caretaker service to all lots. Through the counsel and help of many interested town residents, it was decided that the best method would be to levied to finance the project on a sound basis. Rulon Jenkins gave much help and assistance to get things started for the Town Incorporation. It was necessary to raise money to finance the preliminary work of surveying, engineering fees, Attorney fees, etc. Our first annual Potato Day Celebration, July 4, 1943, was a financial success. Dean Baker was the Chairman of this and many others worked hard on the committee. The profit was used toward the Incorporation of the town.
Petitions were circulated through the town of Plain City and were presented to the Board of County Commissioners of Weber County on November 27, 1943, certified as follow:
“That they have read the said petition, including the names of signors thereof, and what they are acquainted with each of the signors whose names appear as following: L. Rulon Jenkins certifies to names appearing opposites the number 1 to 50, inc.; Dean Baker certifies to names appearing opposite the numbers 101 to 150, inc,; W.A. Sharp certifies to names opposites numbers 201 to 253, inc,; and they believe each of said respective signatures to be true and genuine.”
The board of Weber County Commissioner approved a RESOLUTION to take effect and be in force from and after 5 O’Clock P.M. on the 13th day of January, A. D 1944, creating the TOWN OF PLAIN CITY.
A Board consisting of a President and four Trustee was appointed by the County Commissioners. The following named persons were appointed, to-wit: Dean Baker, President, L. Rulon Jenkins, Fred L. Singleton, Albert Sharp, and Floyd A. Palmer Trustee, to hold office until the next municipal election. Bond was fixed at $500.00 each.
The Board then moved ahead with plans to complete the Cemetery improvement. Potato Day, July 4th, again brought some revenue and a one mill levy on property tax in November, 1944, was enough to purchase pipe and get it installed with mostly donated labor, in Fall, 1944. In the spring of 1945, the caretaker building was relocated on the west side of the cemetery for a pump house. A new pressure pump was purchased and placed in the building with a connection to the irrigation ditch. This furnished plenty of water to sprinkle the entire cemetery.
Walter Johnson was Sexton at this time and was employed on a full time scale. There was a big job to be done preparing the lots to be seeded. Many concrete coping, large trees, obnoxious weeds, fences, and undesirable shrubs had to be removed. After this, it was necessary to haul in some top soil, spade and level the lots to prepare them for seeding to grass. This took several months and required a lot of donated labor. Mr. Johnson is deserving of much of the credit for his extra efforts and hard work.
The next change came about through the action of our State Legislature. The 1945 Session made it possible to organized Cemetery Maintenance Districts throughout the State. A one mill Property tax levy can be levied. After a thorough investigation and holding public meetings, the Town Board and public favored creating a Cemetery District.
In pursuance to Chapter 17, Session Laws of Utah, 1945, property owners of Plain City, Utah, filed a petition with the Board of County Commissioners for organization of a Cemetery Maintenance District. The Board set Monday, June 11, 1945, at 11 O’Clock A.M. in the session room for the purpose of hearing objections of any taxpayer within the proposed District boundaries. No objections were recorded.
An election was held in Plain City, Tuesday, July 17, 1945, for the organization of the Plain City Cemetery District. There were 407 legal registered voters, less non-property owners, leaving a total of 310 legal registered voting taxpayers. The official canvas of votes cast were as follows:
Total Vores Cast 233
Yes 222
No 10
Spoiled 1
The Board if County Commissioners of Weber County, State of Utah, met pursuant to Chapter 17, Session Laws of Utah, 1945 at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, July 19, 1945, in the session room and organized the Plain City Cemetery District, and that the following be recommended to the Governor of the State of the Utah, as the first Commissioners of said subdistricts:
Albert Sharp, District Number One
Floyd A. Palmer, District Number Two
Charles Helsop, District number Three
There being no further business the meeting adjourned.
(Signed) L . M. Hess, Chairman
At the next election LeRoy Folkman replaced Charles Heslop as a Commissioner. They are as follows:
Floyd A. Palmer, Chairman
Albert Sharp
LeRoy Folkman, Secretary
During 1952, a new brick building was constructed for the pump house and caretaker. A 60’ Flag Pole was installed. Memorial Day Services were held at the Cemetery on May 30th.
In the spring of 1953, Charles Telford was employed as a full time Sexton and Caretaker. Mr. Johnson had requested to be released because of health. Mr. Telford had great pride in his work and did an excellent job as caretaker. He always went the extra mile to help keep the grounds in beautiful shape. New chain link fencing and gates were installed at different times around the boundaries of the Cemetery.
It has been necessary to open new lots on the north side of the Cemetery. These have been seeded and made a part of the new area. There had been good planning for future growth when this extra land was purchased.
Charles Telford was stricken with a stroke while he was working at the Cemetery on June 9, 1963. He was found by a neighbor living by the Cemetery, after Lulu, had phoned her to tell Charles his dinner was ready. Mr. Telford never recovered from this. After going to the hospital he was taken to the Roy hospital where he passed away on September 25, 1967. The town of Plain City is very grateful to Charles and Lavina Telford for their faithful work.
The Sexton and Caretaker job was then taken over by Jerry Bradford and LeRoy Folkman. They have continued with very fine devoted service to the town.
In 1967, Floyd A. Palmer moved to Ogden and when the election came that fall, Abraham Maw was voted in to take his place on the Board. By then, Floyd had been helping with the Cemetery growth and improvement for 30 years. He is grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this excellent town and Church programs that has gone on. Also to work with so many fine people who will continue their service and may this responsibility be passed on to those who will have a desire to continue.
SERVICEMEN’S MONUMENT
This monument was built to honor the Servicemen who serve in World War II. Photo shows it as it stands today in front of the Town Bowery and Church parking lot.
THE FOLLOWING WAS TAKEN FROM DEEDS IN POSSESSION OF MRS. GEORGE WEATHERSTON:
The townsite of Plain City was established. An act of Congress April 24, 1820, entitled, “An Act Making Further Provision For The Sale Of The Public Lands, Etc.”
Six hundred forty acres of land were provided for people of this townsite.
“Now know ye that the United States of America, by these present, do give and grant unto the said Franklin D. Richards, Judge of Weber County, in trust as aforesaid, and this successor in said trust above described, the tract as described.”
Signed: Ulysses S. Grant, USA
Utah became a territory in 1872.
INCORPORATION AND GOVERNMENT OF PLAIN CITY
In Utah the community affairs were first conducted by the President Elder, and later by the Bishopric of the L.D.S. Ward.
As all community members wanted a voice in the governing of the town, it became necessary to formulate a system whereby elections could be held and others could be voted into office.
A group public-interested men spent many hours promoting the incorporation of Plain City. Petitions had to be formulated and circulated to gain interest and cooperation of the townspeople.
A Committee had been chosen to help beautify the Plain City Cemetery. They found that the only way service could be maintained was to incorporate and thereby secure money through a tax levy.
On January 13, 1944, the Articles of Incorporation for the town of Plain City were filed in the Weber County Clerk’s office in Ogden, Utah.
Adoption of a resolution designating Plain City as an incorporated town was made and action was taken by Weber County Commissioners, George F. Simmons, Lyman M. Hess and Joseph Peterson. Appointment of a “President of the Town Board” and four “Trustees” was made to serve as a governing body until the next municipal election two years later.
A nomination was made by L. Rulon Jenkins that Dean Baker serve as President. The following were appointed to serve:
The cemetery district was officially created on July 19, 1945.
Town board meeting were held in the Plain City School.
Formerly, the county had jurisdiction over road improvement. Now, the town board had to assume the responsibility or road upkeep and new construction. The state tax funds, based on the population of the town, could now be secured for improvement of roads and culverts. Later, it would be used law enforcement, public works, recreation, etc.
In November, 1945, the first municipal election was held in the plain City. In 1946, the following elected men took office:
In 1948, the town board directed a beautification project on the Town Square. The five-acre park was leveled and sodded in the spring of 1949. Dairy Days had to be held on the school grounds and on neighboring property.
A granite monument was erected on the Church ground honoring those who had served in World War II.
In November, 1948, President Elmer Carver was elected to the position of Weber County Commissioner. On April 12, 1949, the duties of President of the Town Board were taken over by Floyd A. Palmer, who was appointed to succeed Mr. Carver to the post. Meetings were held with three Trustees until a fourth could be appointed. They met in the home of President Palmer.
On January 1, 1950, the following men took the oath of office:
President of the Town Board . . . . . . . . Clair M. Folkman
Elvin H. Maw was appointed Town Clerk. Meetings were held at Clair Folkman’s home.
Plain City’s assessed valuation for 1950 was $390,220.00
An annual celebration was held each year on July 4th. It was called “Potato Day.” A queen and her attendants were chosen to reign over the day. The affair was sponsored by the Town Board and the Cemetery Committee to raise funds for the upkeep of the cemetery and other purposes.
Walter Johnson was employed as caretaker of the cemetery.
On October 2, 1950, Frank Anderson became the Town Marshall. He served until August of 1951.
In 1951, Plain city joined the Municipal League. It was made up of cities and towns in the State of Utah. Years later, the name was changed to “Utah League of Cities and Towns.”
The population of Plain “City in 1951 was 829. The elected men of Plain City would now hold office four years instead of two years.
In January, 1952, the Trustees elected to the Board were:
Trustees . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lee Olsen
Earl Hadley
Holdover Trustees. . . . . .Elvin H. Maw, Town Clerk
Lewis Vincenti
On April 7, 1952, Frank Hadley was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Earl Hadley, who passed away April 4, 1952.
On April 6, 1953, Rulon Chugg was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Lewis Vincenti, who passed away December 1, 1952.
In May 1953, a flagpole was installed at the Plain City Cemetery.
The Town Board discussed the possibility of bringing the following elected officers:
President of the Town Board . . . . . . . . Lee Olsen
Town Board meetings were now held at President Lee Olsen’s home and at the L.D.S Church.
Gordon Thompson was serving on the Mosquito Abatement District.
Plain City voted to have supervised control of the town dump. Victor Lund, Ezra Richardson, Elwin Taylor, Verl Stokes, and later Carston Illum have been employed as supervisors.
Plain City signed an application for culinary water.
Lights were installed on the town square for night games and recreation. A dedication ceremony was held and President Lee Olsen threw the switch for the first time on July 2, 1954.
On November 7, 1954, the new L.D.S Church was dedicated.
In 1955, public restroom were constructed on the north side of the recreation hall.
On October 25, 1955, the new addition to the Plain City School was dedicated.
A motion was made that the Town Board assist the Lion’s Club in building a water tower.
On January 2, 1956, Elvin H. Maw, Town Clerk, administered the Oath of Office to the following-elected trustees:
Trustees . . . . . . . . . . . . Floyd A. Palmer
Elvin Maw
Holdover Trustees. . . . Merrill Jenkins
Blair Simpson
The Town Board sponsors and assists the Plain City “Dairy Days” show each year.
Floyd A. Palmer was assigned to serve on the Board of Trustee in the Bona Vista Water District. Theron Palmer was Superintendent of Bona Vista.
The Town Board assisted the Lions Club and the Plain City Ward in building a bowery and fireplace south of the Town Square in 1957. This was completed in 1958.
Property was purchased from Llewellyn Hipwell, located west if the Lions Clubhouse for the purpose of building a Town Hall.
In January, 1958, Town Clerk, Elvin H. Maw, administrated the Oath of Office to the following elected officials:
President of the Town Board . . . . . . . . . Kent Jenkins
The Board signed an ordinance with Bona Vista Water District and construction of a culinary water system was begun. Surface wells and pitcher pumps would soon be a memory. The above information was taken from:
A book “ A Historical Study of Plain City “ by Fern Olsen Taylor.
Ogden Standard Examiner news clipping
Research by Clara Olsen
In 1958, Lee Carver contracted the building of the 20’ x 44’ Town Hall. In May, the new municipal building was completed to serve the Town of Plain City, under the direction of President Lee Olsen, Trustees: Floyd A. Palmer, Glen Charlton, Kent Jenkins, Elvin H. Maw, Town Clerk.
Zoning ordinances were passed.
Work on the Willard Bay was underway.
On March 17, 1959, Plain City celebrated its Centennial year. It was observed with a week of outstanding events. We wore pioneer clothing, walked to church and enjoyed many programs as we honored pioneer ancestors. One special feature was the presentation of a pageant written by a Plain City native, Mrs. Gwendolyn Jenkins Griffin, called “Sand In The Shoes.” A large cast of characters, choir, and band members participated. Wheatly and Fen Taylor were program chairmen.
A large water tower storage tank is now an important new part of the scenery in the Plain City area.
In May, 1959, letters were sent to all residents of Plain City, informing them that they were required to obtained building permits. Walter Moyes was assigned to be the building inspector.
On January 2, 1959, Theron Palmer reported that the water was turned into Plain City water lines.
In 1960, two newly-elected Trustee took Office:
Trustees . . . . . . . . . . . . . Keith Blanch
Dee Cook
Holdover Trustees . . . . .Kent Jenkins
Glen Charlton, Town Clerk
The Plain City Ward was divided June 12.
The Plain City Town Board is now working with Mountain Fuel Supply Company to have natural gas piped into the town. The project is to be completed in 1961.
Plain City board members are organized a “Zoning Board.”
Plain City Improvement Council for community development was organized with executive committee members as follow:
Mayor, Lee Olsen Merrill Jenkins
Rulon Chugg Carl Taylor
Lyman Cook Clair Folkman
Mrs. Rosella Maw
In 1961, it was decided that the 40-year-old Recreation Hall would be renovated. Many hours were spent by dedicated men and women on this project.
The Plain City Town Board considered purchasing property from Bernard Poulsen for a park. It was voted down.
The population of Plain City now is near 1,5000. (Standard Examiner)
The 1962 elected officials for this term were:
President of the Town Board . . . . . . . Kent Jenkins
Rulon Chugg was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Keith Blanch.
The Town Board is supporting the Summer Recreation Program, and junior Posse activities.
George Weatherston was the first Justice of the Peace in Plain City. He resigned in 1966, and Keith Daley was appointed to that office.
On June 3, 1967, Plain City received a proclamation signed by Governor Rampton:
“Where Govern Rampton did declare Plain City a City of the Third Class.”
The former title of “President of the Town Board” will now be changed to “Mayor”. Keith Blanch was the first to be officially called “Mayor of Plain City.”
The title of “Trustees” will be changed to “Councilmen”. There will now be five councilmen instead of four.
In April 1967, the recently renovated recreation hall was destroyed by fire.
In 1968, three new councilmen were elected and installed. The Oath of Office was administered by Keith Daley:
In November, 1968, Plain City approved the “Sewer Bond Issue” by a 228 to 69 vote. Plans for the project are underway with work to be completed in 1969.
Mayor Keith Blanch became the manager of the Plain City-Farr West Sewer System.
“Mans First Trip To The Moon” – July, 1969.
In January, 1970, the following officials took the Oath of Office:
Mayor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Keith Blanch
Councilmen . . . . . . . . . .Kent Jenkins
Melvin Cottle
Vernal Moyes
Holdover Councilmen. . Lynn Folkman
Rulon Chugg
Cherrill Knight resigned her position as City Recorder and Lucille White took her place.
Plain City annexed 57 acres of land bordering on the South of the town to become “Pioneer Village.”
A Railroad line was constructed along the north side of Plain City extending to little Mountain where the Great Salt Lake Minerals and Chemical Corporation is located.
On November 27, 1971, the new Bank of Utah was dedicated in Plain City.
Two newcomers and one incumbent won elections in 1972. Keith Daley administered the Oath of Office to :
Councilmen . . . . . . . . . . . . .Darwin Taylor
Wayne Cottle
Lynn Folkman
Holdover Councilmen. . . . . .Vernal Moyes
Kent Jenkins
On October 23, 1973, the council asked for bids and plans for new restrooms to be constructed west of the concession stand on the Town Square. They accepted the bid of Verl Rawson for $5,000.00
In January 1974, Keith Daley, justice of the Peace, administered the Oath of Office to the following who were elected in November, 1973:
Councilmen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David Thomas
William VanHulten
Holdover Councilmen. . . . . . . . Wayne Cottle
Darwin Taylor
Lynn P. Folkman
In 1974 Kelly Hipwell was hired as full-time “Public Works Director” for Plain City. Walter Johnson and Elbert Moyes have served as Public Works’ employees. Carson Illum is presently “Plain City Public Works” employee.
Lucille White resigned and Diane Taylor became the City Recorder.
Plain City endorsed the Mass Transit Proposition.
The new Weber High School was dedicated March 28, 1974, in Pleasant View. Plain City students attend Weber High School and Wahlquist junior High School.
England Builder’s Lumber Company was heavily damaged by fire on April 6, 1975.
The Lions building was restored by the Plain City Lion’s Club. The building was formerly the Episcopal Church built in 1877.
Residents of Plain City were asked to post “House Numbers”.
Ground breaking was held for the new “Pioneer Park” racetrack in the northeast part of Plain City, in 1975.
“The Bicentennial Year” – 1976 – three new councilmen were elected:
Councilmen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ralph A. Taylor
In July, 1976, the assessed valuation of Plain City was $2,862.521.000.
New subdivision ordinances have been formed.
The property of Bernard Poulsen was purchased for a park. The 20 acres will be developed for posse drills and future recreation.
The Utah Transit Bus Service was initiated in Plain City in 1977.
The population in March of 1976, was approximately 2,300.
Those now serving on the Plain City Planning Commission are:
Boyd Parke, Chairman
Frank Hadley
Paul Knight
Darwin Taylor
Farrell Bingham
Those now serving on the Plain City Board of Adjustments:
Orlo Maw, Chairman Lee Painter
Garry Skeen Farrell Bingham
Archie Hunt
The above information beginning in 1959, was taken from the Ogden Standard Examiner newspaper articles and the Plain City Council minutes.
Clara Olsen
Dean Baker
Elmer Carver
Clair Folkman
Floyd Palmer
Mayors
Keith Blanch
Lee Olsen
Ball Park with Concession Stand built by the Town in the background
Town Hall erected in 1958
Bowery built by the Town and the Lions Club [Milo James Ross finished off cement on Bowery]
Dean A. Baker
Submitted By Beverly B. Eddy
The town of Plain City was incorporated, approved and effective January 13, 1944. Dean A. Baker worked many long hours helping to organize the Town Board when Plain City was incorporated and served as Plain City’s first mayor, January 13, 1944.
During World War II (with the help of scouts) Dean gathered scrap iron from all over the surrounding area, hauled it to Plain City and piled it in the town square, to help in the was effort. According to a letter he has from the Governor of Utah, Plain City collected more iron than any other community in the state of Utah. When the iron was sold, the money was used to help finance the incorporation of the town and to build a monument (located in the center of town) honoring all the Plain City men and women who served in the armed services.
Dean Baker helped organized the first Plain City cemetery District in the State of Utah, July 19, 1945.
The Plain City Lion’s Club was chartered May 11, 1948 with 65 charter members. Dean Baker was chosen for their charter president. The history of the Plain City Lion’s Club is an inspiring one of unselfish service to the community.
Some years ago, Dean was asked (in an interview concerning the Lion’s International) how he felt about his Lion’s Club activities? His answer was “I’ve enjoyed everything I have ever done in the Lion’s Club and was always well paid in the satisfaction that comes from doing something for others. But the Lion’s have done more for me that I ever did for them. When I was seriously ill and recovering at home after some major surgery, the Plain City Lion’s came down to my place and harvested over 20 acres of corn for me. They showed up here with over 20 trucks, tractors and corn Choppers, harvested my crop, hauled it to the pits and put it away. Then they all went home and harvested their own crops. But nine was the first crop harvested. You ask me what I think of the Lion’s Club? Mister, I love ‘em.” –and great big tears rolled unashamedly—the guy really meant it. The Lion’s Club has done this for many other people. The Lion’s Club is the largest service club in the world.
Some years ago Dean Baker acquired the old Episcopalian Church building (built in 1878) in Plain City. He offered this building to the Lion’s Club for a club house. In order for the club to finance the purchase (which would return only his investment in the property) he deeded the property to the club and allowed them to sell two-thirds of it. This raised part of the funds and the club put on queen contest and other promotions to raise the balance. Dean organized and helped with these promotions until the money was raised.
The Lion’s have completely remodeled the building several times. They now have a beautiful clubhouse, which they have turned over to the Town Board for use as a Civic Center available to all.
Dean Baker was an Air Raid Warden in Plain City and went to meetings every week. Just about the whole time of the war. Meetings were held at the City and County building in Ogden.
Dean was chairman of the first Potato Day Queen Contest Celebration, which was held for many years thereafter. At this celebration there were well over one hundred horses. They held horse shows, children’s races and parades. The celebration committee gave away horses and saddles and other prizes and still made $1,000 or more for the town. This was one of the biggest events of the year and everyone participated. There were wrestling matches. Flag raising ceremonies to start the day off. Later in the day, Dean held a Rodeo in his pasture just west of the town square by his barn. Many of the young boys and girls riding calves. Horse races were also held. Everyone had a great day.
The old Singleton Home, and is presently owned by a daughter, Art and Florence Singleton Simpson
Picture of Merlin England Milk Truck in front of the Cream O’ Weber Diary located between 25th and 26th Street on Ogden Avenue. He hauled milk for many, many years. Many people would ride into town and home with Merl England in those days.
It was nearly one hundred years ago that a small band of families broke away from the Mormon Church in Plain City, Utah, to once again embrace the Episcopal faith. That summer of 1876, representatives of these 13 families met with the Rev. James Gillogly to ask his help in forming a new congregation.
Rev. Gillogly encouraged the brethren by traveling to Plain City from Ogden, where the tiny congregation would hold church services in the public school house. The ten mile trip was made regularly, regardless of weather conditions.
Finally, an appeal was made through the “Spirit of Missions” asking church members in the east for money to build a church. A corner lot of one acre was purchased for $150, and another $100 was all it took for the people of Plain City to build their long-awaited church.
The resulting dusty red, adobe brick building is a monument to the perseverance of those early settlers. Erected in 1877, the building still stands today—and is in better shape than ever because of the recent Bicentennial efforts of the Plain City Lions Club. [Built by William Sharp]
The Lions actually took an active interest in the old church on 1952. Members needed a place to meet, but with no other space available, decided that the church was the most likely spot.
They intended to buy the building, but were hampered by the lack of funds in the club’s coffers. Turning down the offer of a loan from two businessmen in town, the club raised their funds through a Memorial Day celebration and the sale of two lots from the church’s one acre of ground.
The building was finally theirs. Members fixed it up, and even added a modern new kitchen, restrooms and a furnace room. By 1974, however, the old structure had nearly succumbed to weather, time and vandalism.
The Bicentennial restoration of the original church was voted to be a most appropriate way to celebrate America’s heritage. A new roof was put on. Double doors decorated the front entrance. Aluminum windows and screens were attached to keep the harsh weather out. Cement windows sills were built to replace the rotting wood. Inside, a new hardwood floor and draperies finished the church’s now-modern décor.
Wheatley Taylor, club president, took a personal interest in the church’s “memorial bell,” carted to the little western town in 1878 to sit atop the building’s belfry. “We believe it is the first church bell to ring in Plain City,” he said, adding, “When we took the bell down, the wood just came apart in our hands.”
Taylor scoured the state in search of a craftsman who could repair the cracks in the metal bell. While cleaning the bell, he found an inscription which explains the bell’s name. Engraved on the huge 500 pound bell is the inscription, “in Memorial Rev. James Lee Gillogly Obit XIV Feb. MDCCCLXXXI.”
The bell now sits atop the church, nestled in a new belfry.
Once again, the Lions Club coffers were exhausted. The club made application to the Bicentennial Committee for funds and also asked that the building be named a historical site. Cooperation was received on both counts, Lions report.
The building has turned into a true civic center for the 2,000 residents of Plain City. The Lions Club entertains townspeople by scheduling special programs in the completely-renovated building.
Other civic groups also use the center for their special purpose. When town meetings draw an overflow crowd, they are naturally moved next door to the larger quarters of the Lions Civic Center.
Clean, light and airy, with sparkling new metal chairs, the interior belies the building’s historic façade.
Although most of the work was done recently as part of the club’s Bicentennial efforts, members’ original restoration work back in the 1950’s has not been forgotten. In 1962, the Plain City Lions Club was presented with the state’s D. A . Skeen Award, in honor of the past International President who spent his childhood years in Plain City.
Through much hard work and effort by the Lions, not only is the building now restored, but so are the integrity and strength that forged it in the beginning a hundred years ago.
DAVID ALFRED SKEEN
Submitted by Roxy Heslop
David Alfred Skeen was the sponsor of the Plain City Lions Club. He was born 13 May 1885 in Plain City, the son of Lyman Stoddard Skeen and Electra Phelomila Dixon Skeen. His father came to Plain City with the first group that arrived 17 March 1959.
The family seemed to be very interested in education when few people thought of attending college. D. A. Skeen was an attorney in Salt Lake. His brothers, Jedidiah D. and W. Riley were also attorneys. His oldest brother Lyman, 14 years older, was a medical doctor who was very brilliant but passed away at the age of 35.
There were eleven children born in Plain City and were very progressive people. At thew death of their mother, their father married Annie Skelton and they had eight children all born in Plain City. Ivy Marsden, Leona Freestone, Jennie Cook and Elwood Skeen are living (1977) and are happy to claim Plain City is a choice place.
D. A. Skeen, founder of Lionism in Utah, charter member and first president in 1921 of the Salt Lake City Lion’s Club is a native Utah son. He was born at Plain City. Lion D. A. Skeen served as District Governor of District 28 in 1922. At that time District 28 included all of Utah and part of Idaho. He continued to be very active in Lionism and was elevated to the position of International President in 1944.
During the United Nations Conference held in San Francisco in 1945 he served with Melvin Jones, founder of Lionism, as a Consultant and Special Delegation. He was a Consultant and Special Delegate to the Paris Peace Conference in 1946. He was an ardent supporter if the United Nations and was a member of the Board of Directors of the American Association for the United Nations.
Past President Skeen has served with distinction and has witnessed the growth and development of Lionism throughout the World.
Sagacity 