History of Mary Magdalina Wanner Wagstaff

“Our Mother”

by Edna Leona Wagstaff Owen

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.

1908 Wanner Family Photo

Regina Nuffer Wanner with her children in 1908, Willard John and William Christoph and Golden (not clear which is which of the three), Mary Louise in the middle row, and Serge Nuffer, Rulon, and Eva Virtue Wanner on the front (all l-r)

This is another version, colorized, of this photo, but with Regina and others looking less directly at the camera. The above version obviously has some blemishes in the original.

Regina with William and Willard in the back and then Golden, Mary in the middle, holding Serge, then Rulon, then Eva.

I have written previously on this Nuffer/Wanner family. This photo was taken to send to George Wanner while he was serving a mission. This photo is slightly different than the copy I previously shared in that Regina is looking at the photo.

George was called to serve his second mission in the fall of 1907, the second time leaving a pregnant Regina, this time with six children. Baby Serge was the last of their children to be born 8 March 1908 in Preston, Franklin, Idaho. George was set apart on 29 October 1907 to serve in the Swiss and German mission. George completed his mission and set sail for the United States. He departed Liverpool, England on 9 December 1909 and arrived in Preston on Christmas Day 1909.

It was during this mission that George served in Meissen, Germany and taught the Christiana Wilhelmina Andra family. That family joined the church and immigrated to Preston. George and Regina’s daughter, Mary, later married Christiana’s son, William Andra. A direct blessing for serving a mission that rewarded the missionary for generations and still continues.

David D Williams

David D Williams

This photo appeared of David D Williams recently. I had a very small copy of the same photo attached to a family pedigree sheet. Here is a copy of that pedigree that belonged to my Grandmother, Gladys Maxine Donaldson Ross. The other photos on the pedigree I have also match. I was pretty excited when this one showed up in better and higher resolution than the one on the family group sheet.

Pedigree of David Delos Donaldson

My Grandma would not have known David as he passed away in 1911. I have previously written on David D Williams and Gwenllian Jordan. For a quick updated, David D Williams was born 12 November 1832 in Pembrey, Carmarthenshire, Wales. He joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in August 1848. He saved and emigrated to Utah in 1864. He married his wife on board the the ship, General McClellan, docked at Bramley-Moore Dock in Liverpool, Lancashire, England. He and Gwenllian Jordan settled in Ogden, Weber, Utah. They had 10 children of which Mary Elizabeth Williams (1869 – 1951) is my Great Great Grandmother. David passed away 27 November 1911 in Ogden. He was buried 2 December 1911 in the Ogden City Cemetery. He and Gwenllian do not yet have a tombstone, something I hope to correct.

Missionary Flats

I was working through some old mission photos and realized I have not shared many of those photos. I thought I might start out with the places in which I lived and what photos I have of those locations. This will be a little bit of everything of what I could find.

Our MTC District, I only know four of the 11. From l-r, #5 is Elder Olson, #9 Elder Scow, #10 Elder Young, #11 Elder Ross. The rest were going to Peoria, Illinois if I remember correctly.

Usually the first place a missionary stays is at the Missionary Training Center (“MTC”). I went to Provo for the MTC. I have written previously and shared other photos I have from the MTC. I thought this photo was interesting because the Provo Temple is going to be renovated and will look entirely different.

Once arriving in Manchester, England my first stay was in the posh Mission Home in Altrincham, England. Here is the only photo I have from that occasion. I didn’t go search my journals, but I believe we arrived in England on 22 December 1998.

President H Bruce and Cheryl Stucki, and Elder Paul Ross

My first area in which to serve was Liscard, England in the newly created Moreton Ward. At this point I am focusing more on physical locations. Here is a photo of my sleeping area/space on the third floor of our flat at 6 Belgrave Street, Liscard, Wallasey, England.

My study space, bed with used duvet, closet, and heater. The door on the left went down the stairs.

There were six of us in the flat on Belgrave Street. That wallpaper did not cause any nightmares that I am aware. My companion could not stand my wind-up alarm clock and so it was locked away. I am standing at the foot of his bed to take this photo. Some of my little Christmas presents from the Duncan family are on the shelf. My coat, backpack, it was frigid in that little room. I first read Covey’s Seven Habits of Highly Effective People cuddled in that duvet. My companion, Elder Harris snored loud, so I was often fully inside my duvet. I remember such irony that my little clock kept him awake, but yet his snoring must have kept up the whole flat.

Elder Ross, Elder Harris, Elder Mueller, and Elder Lewis at Belgrave Street flat, my transfer day

This is the same flat I arrived at days before Christmas to find more than a dozen boxes of reject Cadbury chocolates given to us by the members. We literally poured ourselves bowls of chocolate and would pour milk over them for breakfast. I still cannot stand mint or orange chocolate to this day. There were six in the apartment, yet only four are shown above. Here is a photo of the six of us going Christmas caroling in our whites.

(l-r) Elders Llewelyn, Lewis, Harris, Mueller, Ross, and Knight

Elder Bert Llewelyn, Lewis, Jeremy Harris (my trainer), Nathan Mueller, me, and Knight. Some day I will have to see if I have Knight and Lewis’ first names and update. Last, here is a picture of the house across the street from my third floor flat window.

1 and 3 Belgrave Street, Liscard, England

Then it was off to Dukinfield to serve in the Hyde Ward and Glossop Branch. Jumping across Liverpool and Manchester headed for the Moors.

Elder John Peters before 37 Dukinfield Road

There were four missionaries in this flat when I arrived. Elder John Peters, Christopher Giddings, and Elder Moreton. This apartment had problems. It was musky, moldy, and only had a bath tub. It had the water storage in the attic and nothing seemed to work right. When the buses drove by you could see the curtains move with the air. Sometimes even dust and such would fly. And the bathroom… Imagine four missionaries trying to bath in a tub presumably every day for years. No amount of cleaning would ever get it clean, and we did not try very hard. I don’t have any photos inside 37 Dukinfield Road. But I found this one that was on the canal walking to church that was not far behind our flat. Which, looking at Google Earth, is no longer a large factory behind our row of homes.

Elder John Peters moved on and both Elders Giddings and Moreton were shotgunned out. Elder Jarem Frye moved in as my companion and we were the only two in the apartment. He had some illnesses and missing limb, so it was a slower time. It was a great time for work though and in the mornings I was able to read the Book of Mormon more than once a month and the entire History of the Church in the downtime.

Elders Ross and Peters on canal between Dukinfield and Hyde England

My next flat was in Patricroft, England serving in the Eccles Ward. This one was in a fairly rough neighborhood. We had a number of issues we had to avoid and had a few run ins with yobs. I replaced a British Sign Language missionary and was paired with a BSL missionary (who was native Spaniard, which made for some interesting mis-translations). I was expected to learn BSL in addition to the more interesting learning some Spanish and Swedish.

Looking at our apartment of 24 Lewis Street, Patricroft, England

This photo is from St. Johns St looking at our apartment at 24 Lewis Street. Ours is the one with the old slatted windows, not the newer windows of those on both sides. This is the flat I learned about my Grandmother’s passing. This is the apartment that crazy kids fired fireworks in through the mail slot of our door on Guy Fawkes Day 1999. This is where we played an epic prank on greenie Elder Theobald. My first bedroom with a sink in the corner which I have desired ever since.

Elder Wood eating a famous kebab in our Patricroft apartment

There were four of us in this flat. I was first serving with Elder Jose Hernandez from Ibiza, Spain. Then my companion was Elder Jason Wood from Roy, Utah. Poor Elder Hernandez is the missionary who got really upset one night on the way home about always talking about the gospel so he sat by himself half way up the bus. I told him we still were supposed to sit together, even if he was upset. He still moved. Somewhere around Irlam a brick came through the window and knocked him out cold. Elder Wood was in love with the Spice Girls, particularly Sister Halliwell.

Elder Hernandez sorting through garbage

As you can see from the above picture, Elder Hernandez accidentally threw something away and thought he would bring the garbage in to sort through it. It stunk and we were not happy with him. I do not recall if he found what he lost.

Zone Meeting in Eccles. Sitting on the floor is Elder Cory Meehan. The four of us in the back are Elders Van Hensen Van Unigen, Klomp, Ross, and Jose Hernandez. Then sitting from Elder Van Hensen Van Unigen are Elders Matthew Dean (face partially hidden), Richard O’Dea, Mark Cutler, Jake Smith (Red), Nick Smith (Black), Jarem Frye, Tracy, and Mark Thatcher with Vicente Garcia kneeling before him.

We had a Zone Meeting in Eccles for some reason. However, we liked to do Zone Meetings in Levenshulme for the Pakistani kebabs there, so I do not know why they ventured up to Eccles on this occasion. My journal probably tells, but I have not spent the time to research it.

Another photo of me enjoying some Jello shipped in by someone from the United States.

Elder Ross eating stateside Jello

And a picture of one of my bruises after a good couple of punches in my arm with an idiot. But you can see the wallpaper at the top of the stairs.

Only real damage after a few punches with an idiot.

Here is a photo of me about to get a haircut by Elder Wright in the front room of our flat, downstairs. That mirror and location are the same in which we blessed a deaf man to be healed. We used the mirror so he could read our lips while blessing him. He began to gain hearing and then I was transferred and I lost contact shortly afterward. Wish I knew the rest of the story.

Elder Wright about to cut my hair over pages of the Church News.

Elders Thaddeus Wright and Viktor Johansson were together when I arrived. Elder Wright was replaced by Elder Brad Theobald.

Elders Johansson and Theobald

The next area was Runcorn for the Runcorn Ward and Northwich Branch. There we lived at 29 Handforth Lane, Halton Lodge, Runcorn.

Elders Ross and Hales at 29 Handforth Lane, Runcorn, England

This one has a couple of photos in it. Here is where we prepped and weathered Y2K. Also, my second Christmas in the UK.

1999 Christmas haul for Elders Ross and Hales. Also see our Handforth Lane kitchen.
Elder Brad Hales opening Christmas gifts at 29 Handforth Lane

This poor area had to put up with me for 7.5 months! Elder Hales for 6 months!

Elder Paul Ross opening Christmas present 1999 at Handforth Lane, still wet from the rains
Elder Paul Ross at Handforth Lane bus stop

The time serving in Runcorn and Northwich was a very prolific time of the mission. There was a time our District and Ward had baptisms every week with ongoing interviews and visits to companionships. We loved this Ward and we believed they loved us. It was a spell of excitement and growth in this area, both personally and for those we served. Very fond of my time here.

Elder Paul Ross and our flat after a heart attack. I still have all these!
Trying on Elder Hales’ present, a Royal Mail Postal Carrier’s bag and jacket
29 Handforth Lane, Runcorn, Cheshire, England

Last area of the mission was off to Scholes for the Wigan Ward. This flat was located at 2 Lorne Street, Scholes, Wigan. This flat was owned by the same owners in Runcorn, the Pass family. They took good care of us even though this flat had a number of issues. You can see the wall on the end had to be fortified and I understand the one that stood beside it had to come down, but I second guess that knowing our flat was #2. Who knows?

Elders Dean and Cutler in front of our apartment and the mission Vauxhall Corsa.

This was my last area. Initial memories was a bed bug problem for Elders Dean and Cutler just in their bedroom. My Romanian companion fighting off a cold with an entire head of garlic in one meal, Elder Gheorghe Simion. Training my last companion Elder Garrett Smith. Some pretty amazing personal revelations, of which both companions also were able to partake. Very blessed in this area.

Elders Wright and Smith goofing off in front room
Elder Gheorghe Simion pondering

Elders Dean and Cutler were shotgunned out the same day bringing in Elders Wright and Hulse.

Elders Ross, Dean, Cutler, and Simion in front of St. Catherine’s on Lorne Street, across from our flat

Here is another shot of our flat looking up the street.

Rose and John Byrom stopped by on their way through Wigan

For the last area of the mission, these 3 Elders became brothers to me. Closer than the other areas in which I had served. Like Runcorn, we engaged well with the Ward. One of the best kebab houses in the whole mission was located here, Kebab King. I tried to stop in 2008, but it was closed both days we stopped. Wasn’t sure it had been open for a while.

Well, there are all 5 areas of the mission. All the photos I could find of our flats in which we stayed. I will have to work on sharing and telling the stories of the other photos I have.

Coley – Christiansen Wedding

Herbert and Martha Coley holding Lillian in 1899

Ole and Constance Christiansen are pleased to announce the marriage of their daughter Martha to Herbert Coley, son of Stephen and Hannah Coley. They were married in 1874 in Norway. While I normally like to start these historical posts as a wedding announcement, I trip up there. We do not have any histories that give us an actual marriage date and location. Knowing the period, it is not imagined they were not actually married. Their first child was born in 1875. Curiously, after their immigration to the United States due to their conversion to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they not only went to the Logan Utah Temple to be sealed, but also applied to be married. As such, they were married and sealed in the Logan Utah Temple on 26 April 1893.

Martha was born the second of eleven children to Constance Josephine Eliza Jorgensen and Ole Christiansen on 16 April 1879 in Fredrickstad, Ostfold, Norway. I have not written their history yet, but as linked above, I wrote some limited information on Constance when we visited her grave first in 2018 and again in 2020. Ole was born in Trogstad, Norway and Constance in Drammen, Norway. Both Ole and Constance were baptized and confirmed into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 26 January 1876 in Norway.

What happens for the next few years is unclear on the reasons. Martha’s older sister, Walborg, was born 24 December 1875 in Fredrickstad, then Martha in 1879. We really have no records during this period and so I am unclear if there was another child, or two, in that period of time. Eivelda was born 20 October 1881 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. I have no clue why or what took the family to Australia. Their next child, Constance, was born 9 November 1883 also in Collingwood, then a suburb of Melbourne. Apparently Walborg and Martha were left in Norway while their parents went to Australia. Alice, Martha’s granddaughter recalls Martha telling of her sitting on the mountainside overlooking the fjord waiting for her parents to return and her missing them terribly. Martha’s first brother, Henry Owen, was then born 27 March 1887 back in Fredrickstag, Norway. Ole and Constance were back in Fredrickstag by March 1887.

I have been unable to find the immigration records for the Christiansen family between Norway to Australia and back. But the family was in Australia for at least 3 years, maybe as long as 6 years. They were not back in Norway very long as Rhoda was born in Richmond, Cache, Utah on 18 September 1890. Martha moved with her family to Richmond in the late 1880s. One record has it in 1887, another 1889, Martha was listed in the 1900 Census as immigrated in 1888. Either way, we now are in the vicinity of where she would have met Herbert Coley. Of Martha’s remaining 6 siblings, 5 were born in Richmond and 1 in Hyde Park.

Herbert was born the 5th of 9 known children to Hannah Maria Rogers and Stephen Coley on 12 February 1864 in Lutley, Worcestershire, England. It was while living in Lutley that the LDS missionaries first made a visit. We do not know the conversion story but Herbert and his siblings joined the church. Martha joined 23 August 1867, Herbert 1 June 1881, George 22 August 1881, and Frank 2 June 1882. The 1871 English Census has the family still living in Lutley and Herbert listed as a scholar. The call to gather in Utah was strong enough that these four children made the venture. We don’t know if Stephen and Hannah came begrudgingly or not, but they joined some of their children in Utah. Unfortunately, the other children left in England we do not know where they went or what happened to them.

Herbert shows on the 1881 English Census in Dudley, Worcestershire, England as farm labor for the Doorbar family. Herbert appears to have boarded the Nevada in Liverpool arriving 3 July 1882 in New York City, New York. I cannot see that any siblings went with him on the trip. Stephen, Hannah, and Martha all traveled in 1890 (with Letitia Lea Willetts and her daughter Clara, and two known Frank and Mary Coleys). Stephen Coley was baptized 5 January 1892 and Hanna 26 October 1892 (same day she was endowed in the temple, so either that date is wrong or the prior record could not be found and the ordinance was duplicated. Hannah died 22 October 1894 in Franklin, then Oneida County, Idaho and was buried in Lewiston.

I don’t know any of the details of how they met, but the stars seem to have aligned in Richmond. However it happened, Herbert and Martha were married and sealed 1 December 1896 in Logan at the Temple. Herbert was a diligent laborer who would acquire full ownership in their home by 1910. Martha was a strict and involved homemaker and mother.

Herbert and Martha maintained their home, large garden, and raised 10 children. Lillian was born 26 August 1898 in Lewiston (listed in the Coveville Precinct, which is now the area of Cove). The 1900 Census on 9 June 1900 lists Herbert as a farm laborer with his immigration in 1881 and Martha’s in 1888. By 1910, the Census finds the family in Wheeler (about six miles west of Lewiston) where the home was owned outright. We don’t know exactly where the family lived. Edna was born 23 November 1900, Wilford Herbert 1 Mar 1903, Carrie 20 April 1906, and Hannah Marie 3 June 1909. Ole Christiansen passed away 27 February 1900 in Richmond and was buried there. Carrie is listed as born in Richmond, but we do not know the circumstances how she was born there instead of Wheeler/Lewiston. Hannah’s birth certificate lists Herbert as a farmer and Martha as housewife. The 1910 Census on 26 May 1910 shows Herbert as a Laborer and that he “Works Out.” Whatever that meant in 1910.

All the remaining children were born in Richmond. As such, it is likely at this time the family moved to the cabin south and east of Richmond estimated about 2016 E and 9000 N. I have tried to pinpoint where the cabin remains are still located. Here is a photo of the cabin from the 1980s. The 1920 Census on 16 January 1920 lists Herbert as a Farmer and Teamster with the additional insight of “Hauls Milk & Farms.” This same Census also lists Wilford as having his own Farm, but still living with his parents.

Coley Cabin near Richmond, Utah

It was in this house that the remaining children were born. Ivan Stephan on 26 June 1912, Roland Charles on 20 July 1915, Oley Lloyd on 11 February 1918, Arthur Christiansen on 15 July 1921, and William Golden on 22 January 1924. In 2012 the home had collapsed to a pile of rubble. It was after Ellis Jonas’ funeral we visited as family (Ellis is Lillian’s son). Ellis had taken me there about 2002. Stephen Coley died 22 October 1913 in Lewiston and was buried by his wife.

The 1930 Census taker showed up 15 April 1930 and shows the family in Richmond with Roland, Lloyd, Art, and Golden still in the home. The 1940 Census on 8 April 1940 has the family still in Richmond with Art and Golden the only two remaining.

Herbert and Martha Coley in the garden

Over the years, the family kept busy with marriages. Lillian married Joseph Nelson Jonas on 6 September 1917 in the Logan Temple. Edna married Gerald Andrus 17 April 1921 in Richmond and after a short marriage, divorced, and remarried to Olof Alma Neilson 23 July 1923 in Logan, sealed 30 July 1924 at the Logan Temple. Wilford married Edith Dagmar Cammack 15 May 1924 in Logan, sealed 3 June 1946 in Logan Temple. Carrie married Joseph Lorus McMurdie 21 July 1924 in Logan, sealed 21 October 1926 in Logan Temple. Hannah married William Surgeoner Thomson 2 July 1927 in Logan, sealed 14 June 1972 in Salt Lake Temple. Ivan married Clara McMurdie 22 October 1930 in Buhl, Twin Falls, Idaho, sealed 10 February 1932 in Logan Temple. Joseph Jonas passed away 6 September 1932 in Ogden, Weber, Utah. Constance Christiansen passed away 10 December 1932 in Portland, Multnomah, Oregon and was buried there. Roland married Veda Anderson 5 May 1937 in Logan Temple. Lloyd married Verda Anderson (twin sister to Veda) 23 November 1938 in Logan Temple. Arthur married Gladys Bernice McMurdie (his niece!) 10 September 1940 in Preston, Franklin, Idaho, that marriage lasted a short time for hopefully obvious reasons. Arthur remarried to Mary Elizabeth Popwitz (his nephew’s WWII widow) 3 May 1946 in Evanston, Uinta, Wyoming. Golden married Shirley Mae Hall 15 March 1946 in Elko, Elko, Nevada, sealed 11 May 1965 in Logan. Many grandchildren were born in these years as well for Herbert and Martha.

Herbert and Martha Coley (I have the original of Martha, but not of Herbert, so I know it is still out there)

Recorded family stories are fairly scant. Nobody wrote much down and that generation was gone before many were asking questions. Ivan Coley told his daughter Colleen that Herbert was a short, very English man. Apparently Herbert met Wild Bill Hickok at one point and shared that fact regularly.

In 1942, Herbert went to visit Ivan and Clara in Buhl. I will have to find out if Martha was there as well. While out in the yard, I have been told by a well, or a trough, he slipped and broke his hip. There was not really much to do for someone in that condition then. He was in terrible pain. He was taken back to Richmond and passed away later of pneumonia. He died 7 September 1942 at age 78 (obituaries all have 75) and was buried in Richmond Cemetery 9 September 1942.

Martha Coley and Hannah Thomson in a garden, dresses and even a brooch

Martha moved into town shortly afterward. Various family members lived in the cabin when they started out their marriages. Martha’s new home was somewhere near 400 South and 200 East. With the new homes I cannot tell as well, but I have tried to pinpoint the spot. She lived in this home until she needed assistance and went to live with Lloyd and Veda in Salt Lake City. When they could not care for her any more, she then lived in a care facility in Logan the last months of her life.

5 generations about 1959, Lillian Coley Bowcutt, Martha Christiansen Coley, Joseph Hebert Jonas, Robert Lee Jonas, Joseph Leland Jonas.

In 1948, Martha was honored for successfully Relief Society Teaching for more than 40 years. Here is a photo from that occasion. You can find more detail here.

Back (l-r): Lydia Leavitt, Estella Blair, Sarah Preece, Susanna Allen, Livinia Wilcox, Clara Wheeler. Front: Lavina Poulsen, Christensia Hansen, Martha Coley, Martha Lewis, Sarah Snelgrove.

Unfortunately I do not have a many more stories. But I do have a few more photos. We have these two photos of a gathering about 1950.

Back(l-r): Doreen Neilson, Martha Coley, Golden Coley, Edna Neilson, Unknown, Gloria Neilson holding unknown child, Olof Neilson. Middle: Shirley Coley, Joy Coley (baby), Mary Coley,
Mary (holding Joy), Shirley, Doreen, Unknown, Martha, Edna, Gloria

This wonderful family reunion picture from 1955. I have linked the other post sharing the other photo. That link also names everyone in the photo. Martha is sitting surrounded by her grandchildren and children.

1955 Coley Reunion, Richmond, Utah

Herbert’s obituary in the Salt Lake Telegram on 8 September 1942 reads:

“Richmond, Cache County – Funeral Services for Herbert Coley, 75, who died at his home in Richmond Monday at 7:45 a.m. following a brief illness will be conducted Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. in the Richmond South L.D.S. ward chapel by E. M. Hicken, Bishop.

“Mr. Coley was born in England on February 12, 1867, a son of Stephen and Hannah Rogers Coley. In 1885, at the age of 16, he immigrated to the United States.

“On December 1, 1896, he married Martha Christiansen in the Logan L.D.S. temple. He was a prominent farmer in the Richmond district.

“Surviving are his widow of Richmond, 10 sons and daughters, Mrs. Lillian Jonas, Ms. Edna Nielsen and William Golden Coley of Richmond, Wilford Herbert Coley of Logan, Ms. Hannah Thomson and Lloyd Coley of Salt Lake City, Ms. Carrie McMurdie, Ivan, Roland and Arthur Coley, all of Buhl, Idaho, 37 grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and a sister, Mrs. Martha France of Richmond.

Lillian, Edna, Martha (sitting) Coley in the 1940’s

“Friends Pay Tribute to Richmond Man

“Funeral Services for Herbert Coley, 75, prominent Richmond farmer who died at his home in Richmond, Monday at 7:45 a.m. following a brief illness, were conducted Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. in the Richmond South ward chapel by Bishop E. M. Hicken.

The rest of the article follows nearly verbatim what the Salt Lake obituary listed, then this line.

“Burial was in the Richmond cemetery under direction of the W. Loyal Hall mortuary.

Martha Christiansen Coley very small picture enlarged
Martha Coley and Scotty
Martha Coley serious
Martha Coley smile

Martha passed away in Logan at age 82 on 14 August 1961. Here is the language from her obituary and an article of the funeral. She was buried in Richmond 17 August 1961.

“Richmond – Martha Christensen Coley, 82, died at a rest home in Logan Monday of causes incident to age.
“She was born April 16, 1879 in Norway to Ole and Constance Josephine Eliza Jorgensen Christensen. When she was eight years old she came with her parents to America.
“On December 1, 1896 in Logan she married Herbert Coley. The marriage was solemnized in the Logan LDS Temple in 1900. They made their home in Lewiston and Richmond. She was always active in the LDS church, especially as a Relief Society block teacher. Mr. Coley died September 7, 1942.
“Surviving are Mrs. Lorenzo (Lillian) Bowcutt and Mrs. Edna Neilsen, Richmond; Wilford H. Coley, Logan; Mrs. William (Hannah) Thompson and Lloyd O. Coley, Salt Lake City; Mrs. Lars (Carrie) McMurdie and Ivan S. Coley, Buhl, Idaho; Roland Coley, Mesa, Arizona; Arthur C. Coley, Ogden; William G. Coley, Hyrum; a number of grandchildren and great grandchildren.
“Funeral services will be held Thursday at 1 p.m. in the Richmond South Ward with Bishop Oral Ballam in charge.
“Friends may call at Hall Mortuary in Logan Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. and at the South Ward chapel Thursday from 11:30 a.m. until time of services. Burial will be in the Richmond Cemetery.

“Funeral services were held in the Richmond South Ward chapel Thursday for Mrs. Martha C. Coley with Counselor Quentin Peart conducting. Lloyd Coley gave the family prayer.
“Prelude and postlude music was played by Reese Murray. The ward chorus directed by Mrs. Florence Lewis with Mrs. Billie Lou Bagley as accompanist sang “The Lord’s Prayer.” Ila Rae Richman and company sang “That Wonderful Mother of Mine.” Mrs. Florence Lewis and Mrs. Rebecca Lewis sang “In the Garden,” and Ronnie Lewis sang “Beyond the Sunset.”
“Prayers were by William Thomson and Larus McMurdie. Speakers were Mrs. Leona McCarrey who read the obituary, Noel Stoddard and Counselor Peart.
Pallbearers were her six sons, Wilford, Ivan, Roland, Lloyd, Arthur and Golden Coley. The grave in Richmond Cemetery was dedicated by Joseph Jonas. Flowers were cared for by the Relief Society.

~

I have written previously about the video that came from the funeral and graveside service of Martha. In that post I walk through the video and the identified individuals. It also scans the 10 children standing in the cemetery. This photo below is of the same instant.

Art, Golden, Wilfred, Roland, Lloyd, Edna, Hannah, Carrie, Lillian, Ivan at their mother’s grave in Richmond, Utah

I hope some day I obtain more photos to share of Herbert and Martha.

Golden Spike National Historic Park

Jupiter at Golden Spike National Historic Park Sep 2020

We took a trip to Golden Spike in September 2020 for the kids to experience some Utah history. It was well worth the drive out to Promontory, Utah.

The Golden Spike has some significance on Amanda’s line. Her ancestor, Joseph Wayment, is standing in the photo taken 10 May 1869 on that momentous occasion. Below is a copy of the photo. You can see him with the hat and long beard. Look at the train on the left and the man standing right below the train light with his jacket open and white shirt; the man whose head is in front of that man’s right thigh (behind the guy with the partially raised hat). That is Joseph Wayment. Joseph Wayment was born 7 February 1844 in Whaddon, Cambridgeshire, England and passed 20 December 1931 in Ogden, Weber, Utah. He is buried in Warren. I wrote of his parents William and Martha Wayment previously.

Another interesting bit of history is that Joseph Wayment came to the United States on the ship “Amazon.” This is the same ship that my Stoker ancestors came to the United States. Not only is it the same ship, it is the same trip of the ship. Here is part of the history I wrote for William and Emma Stoker.

Joseph Wayment departed from London on a ship called “Amazon” 4 June 1863 (His parents and some siblings traveled later on “Nevada” in 1878).  George Q Cannon dedicated the ship which was entirely of Saints (880+) headed for Zion.  It was this same ship that Charles Dickens wrote that the Mormons were not taking misfits and scoundrels, but the “pick and flower” of England.  Even George Sutherland, future U.S. Supreme Court Justice was on this ship.  Here is a link to the story by Charles Dickens: The Uncommercial Traveller.  The LDS church also tells of the story that day at this link: Amazon Departure.  The ship sailed to Liverpool before finally heading out for America.

The “Amazon” landed at Castle Gardens, New York, New York on 18 July 1863.  The Saints took rail to Albany, Albany, New York and then to Florence, Douglas, Nebraska through Detroit, Wayne, Michigan.  From there they hoofed it on to Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah Territory arriving 3 and 4 October 1863 (depending on which of the two companies), just in time for General Conference.  Several of the company wrote of Brigham Young coming out to greet them and giving them advice. Brigham sent Joseph to Salt Creek (now Warren) to settle. He later was the first road supervisor and the father of the first born white child of Warren, Sarah Wayment in 1875.

I will have to spend some time telling more of Joseph and Ann Reed Wayment’s story another time.

My own limited tie to Promontory is just the fact the Sharps, taking my Grandpa Milo Ross, used to drive past the site out to harvest salt.

Hiram, James, Paul, and Aliza Ross on 7 September 2020
Hiram, Amanda, Aliza, and Paul Ross, Bryan Hemsley, Lillian and James Ross, and Jill Hemsley

William and Martha Wayment

William and daughter, Martha Wayment

I previously wrote of an interesting incident I had with Aliza in the Plain City, Utah Cemetery. I have thought about that several more times as we have been back to visit. It seems fitting I finally follow up and provide some additional information on William and Martha Wayment.

Aliza with William and Martha Wayment tombstone in 2016
James, Amanda, Lillian, Aliza, and Hiram Ross with tombstones for Martha and William Wayment in 2020. My William Edward Stoker’s tombstone is in the background.

As you can see, there is a little biography poster for Memorial Day. The history there is pretty brief. I found a couple of histories on William and Martha. I am posting these two for the history to be available for my children, who are descendants of William and Martha Wayment. First is the history for William, then Martha.

“William Wayment (Whayment) was born to Joseph Wayment (Whaymond) and Mary Rook Wayment. He was born 14 May 1822, in Whaddon Parish, Cambridgeshire, England. He was a small and fragile baby, but survived through his parents loving care. William was christened on 2 June 1822, in Whaddon Parish, Cambridgeshire, England. Two years later, there is a christening record dated 6 June 1824, another brother, Robert, frail from birth, who sustained life for seven months, buried 23 January 1825. William was their only surviving child.

“There are several different accounts of Joseph and Mary Rook Wayment and their descendants. Another account is this; the couple also married 15 March 1813, and lived in Barrington, Cambridgeshire, where they had become the parents of six children, three of whom, Ann, John, and Joseph, had died prior to their moving to Whaddon about 1819. This would make William the seventh, instead of the first born. The only surviving child of this union that I can find recordson is William Wayment, our ancestor.

“Whaddon is a small town in the district of Roysten and County of Cambridge with a population at that time of about 319 people living in about 60 houses. The manor belonged to Lord Hardwicke. A famous old stone Parish has stood over the town for many years.

“Very little is known about William’s early years. It is known that he received some education and learned how to read and write. Most likely he went to work at an early age, as was custom for children of that time. It is most probable, his frail beginning coupled with his early work years and sometimes meager meals stunted his growth. He often referred to himself as ‘a runt.’ All of his sons were taller than he. Our best information indicates he was small of stature, about five feet and eight or nine inches in height. He was known as a laborer and sometimes a miner, likely working wherever he could be employed.

“His father, Joseph Wayment, died and was buried 12 July 1840, in Whaddon, Cambridgeshire, England. William was about eighteen or nineteen years of age

“Sometime after the death of his father, William began courting Martha Brown, a young, fair woman of the Bassingbourne Parish. The courtship bloomed and they were married Christmas day, 25 December 1841, in the Parish of Whaddon, Cambridgeshire, England. A clerk at Somerset House, England, pointed this out to Hollis R. Johnson when he requested and received a certified copy of their marriage certificate: William signed his last name as Whayment, giving his age as twenty and listed himself as a laborer. Martha gave her age as nineteen and listed herself as a spinster, a title used under English law for any woman who had never married. William and his bride made their home with his widowed mother, Mary Rook Wayment.

“The Wayment family lived in the same house in Whaddon, Cambridgeshire, England for more than 300 years, but like most others in England, they did not own the property. They only rented. When the Wayment family moved to America, the ancestral home was claimed by the government as a Post Office. The house was one of those quaint old, two story cottages, constructed of white stone masonry and had a thatched roof. Vines grew up the walls and flowers grew on either side of the cobblestone path leading to the entrance. The fireplace was large enough to walk in with seats built on either side of the fire. A kettle hung down, stopping just above the fire. Martha did all of the cooking and baking in this huge fireplace. Years later this house was put on the market and a member of the Wayment family, by the name of Waymond (Wayment), purchased this property. Wayment descendants still reside in this home today, 2006.

“William and Martha Brown Wayment began their married life under very limited circumstances. Although an extremely hard worker, William never accumulated much wealth. Coming from a wealthy family, their modest home and insufficient circumstances were a source of embarrassment at times for Martha. It has been said that Williams earnings were often around eight shillings a week (about two dollars U.S. money). With this money, there were food, clothing, coal and rent to pay for. By careful management they were able to take care of their children as they came into their family.

“Although not a proficient provider, William proved to be a very loving, a kind and caring husband. They had eight children together, six boys and two girls. Two children died early, one at one day the other at one year and three months. It is also said that he was an exemplary father.

“All William and Martha’s children were born in Whaddon, Cambridgeshire, England. 1) Male, Aaron Wayment born 14 Nov 1842 died 15 Nov 1842 2) Male, Joseph Wayment born 7 Feb 1844 died 20 Dec 1931 3) Male, Samuel Wayment 28 May 1846 died 1 Jul 1912 4) Male, William Wayment Born 1 Mar 1849 died 19 Jun 1850 5) Female, Emily Wayment born 15 Apr 1851 died 15 Mar 1925 6) Male, John Brown Wayment born13 Apr 1854 died 30 Sept 1923 7) Male, William Thomas Wayment born 29 Apr 1859 died 15 Feb 1943 8) Female, Martha Wayment born 25 Mar 1863 died 19363

“All their children were taught to be responsible and dependable workers. But as one granddaughter, Thora Wayment Shaw stated, “it seemed necessary for them to come to America to develop their full potential.”

“As their children became old enough, they hired out to work for farmers in the area. Their work included keeping birds out of the cherry trees, pulling poppies out of grain fields and other needed farm work. Among other things, they learned to stand the bundles of grain up in small groups, called “shocks” to dry. When dry, the grain was then piled into high pointed stacks to help shed the rain while awaiting to be threshed. Some of the farmers were very hard on these young workers. Often the children would leave home at five o’clock in the morning and work until they were called for breakfast between eight and nine o’clock. Sometimes the meal was very meager. They would break around noon for lunch then continue to work until seven at night. Joseph and William T. describe one of their employers as “the meanest man on earth.”

“At that time in history, they wore a peculiar type of “smock” clothing. William T. said that it resembled a long sack with sleeves coming out of the corners and a hole in the end between the sleeves to put your head through. This ‘smock’ came down below the knees, which prevented a person from taking a long step. To jump a ditch or run, the “smock” had to be pulled up. Often the jumper landed in the water of the ditch, much to his embarrassment and to the amusement of others. If the “smock” became wet, it seemed to shrink and stick tight to the body it was covering. Usually one had to have help to get out of a wet “smock.”

“William and Martha Brown Wayment were contacted by the first Mormon missionaries in their area. William Wayment listened to their message becoming convinced of the truthfulness of the gospel. He was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 28 May 1850. He and his wife Martha opened up their home to the missionaries. This was a very courageous act on their part, because many people in their community stirred up hate to prevent the spread of the gospel. This malevolence made it necessary for the Saints to hold their meetings in different houses and to hold baptisms at night to avoid the mobs that were continually a threat to them. William was ordained an elder in the church 5 March 1876. Between 1850 and 1878, the traveling LDS missionaries always found a bed to sleep in and meals with the Wayment family. William and Martha’s home was also used as a place for the Saints and friends to meet and hear the gospel. William Wayment and George East, both our great-grandfathers, were great friends, tracted together and loved to do missionary work together before they came to America.

“Martha was one of the first to accept the message of the gospel brought by the Elders, however, due to the objections and threats of disinheritance she prolonged her baptism. Martha was baptized on 1 May, 1857, about seven years after her husband embraced the gospel. When word, of her accepting the gospel and being baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, reached her father, Samuel Brown, he disinherited her, cutting her off with only a few shillings. However, this did not change her mind. Setting an example with her husband, they taught their children the principles of the gospel. All of their children were baptized into the church. Joseph, Samuel, and Emily were baptized by John Jacklin on 7 May 1860.

“The first test of faith and understanding of the gospel for William Wayment came with the illness and death of his mother, Mary Rook Wayment. She died 19 March 1853, and was buried four days later in Whaddon, Cambridgeshire, England, beside her husband. William had fulfilled his final obligation to his mother.

“In the spring of 1863, William and Martha were experiencing some challenging and sobering thoughts. A new baby girl had been born to them 25 Mar 1863. Their oldest son, Joseph, was planning to leave their home to journey with a group of Saints to the Utah Territory in the United States. After careful consideration, the Wayment family set up a mutual plan to migrate to America and the land of Zion. They would all work together to save money, then send one at a time until they were all settled in the Utah Territory. At that time, Joseph worked with his father in the fossil diggings or fossil mines earning money for his transportation.

“On 4 June 1863, William and Martha’s oldest living son, Joseph, listed as Joseph Whaymond, age 19, was the first to leave, sailing from London, England, emigrating to the United States of America aboard the Amazon. This was a large 1600 ton ship, but Joseph was seasick almost all the way across the Atlantic. Arriving in New York 20 July 1863, he took the train to a point on the Missouri River, then by boat up the river to Florence, Nebraska. From there he walked and drove an ox team in Captain McCarthy’ the Dixie Company all the way to Salt Lake City, Utah Territory. It took four months to make the trip from his father’s home.

“Joseph was sent to Salt Creek, Utah, by Brigham Young, to help settle this area. Joseph planted the first fruit trees in Warren. He was the first road supervisor and the father of the first born white child of Warren, Sarah Wayment Hansen. In England, William and Martha continued to guide their children in the gospel. John was baptized and confirmed by John Jacklin on 15 April 1866.

“The passenger’s manifest of 1868, show Samuel and Casting Chapman Wayment emigrated to New York that year aboard the Constitution. Arriving in New York 6 August 1868, they continued across the continent by train to Fort Bento, then by covered wagon in the John Gillespie Company to Salt Lake City. Five years later in 1873, John followed Joseph and Samuel to America on the ship Nevada,and onto the Salt Creek District of Utah, which later was named Warren.

“Samuel Wayment first worked and lived in Deweyville and Cove Fort before settling in the Salt Creek District. They built their home at 1239 North 5900 West where Chester Wayment lived and now Matthew Wayment lives. On that very spot, the first house that Samuel and Castina built burnt to the ground along with the barn. The animals were cooked, so the people who had come to help put out the fire went home, retrieved knives, pots and pans and returned to cut up the meat.

“After Samuel and Castina left for America, William and Martha remained in England with only three children at home. On 4 March 1872, John Brown (Whayment) was ordained a priest by George Wilkins. On 31 May 1873, William Thomas (Whayment) was baptized by John Jacklin. The spirit of gathering to Zion continued to work with the Wayment family.

“The sixth child, John Brown, completed preparations, and at age 19, booked passage on the ship Nevada and sailed from Liverpool, England, 9 July 1873. Arriving in New York, he headed to Utah Territory to join his brothers. John lived with his brother Joseph in what they called “Bachelor Headquarters” in Salt Creek.

“The saving of money was slow and hard to come by so when William T. became about ten years of age, he began working in the fossil fields to help earn passage to America. Part of the time he pushed a wheelbarrow around the mine, which was very difficult for a lad of his age. He worked in the Fossil Fields until the goal was reached. (This was work in the peat bogs. Peat is compact, dark-brown organic material with high carbon content, built up by the partial decay and carbonization of vegetation in the acid water of bogs. Dried peat was and is compressed into briquettes, used in European Countries as fuel, although it is not as efficient as coal because of its large content of water and ash. Peat can also be used for mulching and soil improvement.)

“According to early church records of Norwich Conference, Martha (Whayment) was baptized 13 September 1874, by John Jacklin. On 5 March 1876, William (Whayment) was ordained an Elder by Shadrack Empey. On 4 April 1876, William (Whayment) baptized Sarah East, daughter of George East, Sr. and Rhoda Stanford East into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (Sarah was sister to Javes East, who is father of Hazel Caroline East Wayment, our grandmother, who married Theodore Wayment, grandson of William Wayment.) The following week, Sarah East, her parents and six brothers and a sister left England for Utah Territory. They sailed from Liverpool, England, on the ship Wyoming,13 September 1876. Sarah East became a daughter-in-law to William and Martha when she married their son John Brown Wayment. This took place on 7 October 1877, in Weber County, Utah.

“After John Brown left home, the family continued to unite their efforts. Final preparations to emigrate to Utah Territory were made in the spring of 1878. With their savings and help from their sons in Utah, they booked passage on the sea going vessel, the Nevada. The Nevada was Mastered by H. Gadd who hailed his home as Glasgow, Scotland. After leaving their port of departure, Liverpool, England, the ship docked in Queenstown, Ireland, where they picked up more passengers. William and family were numbered among the 443 passengers who made their crossing in steerage, as he was unable to supply the coin for being listed among those 54 passengers in the ship’s cabins. His trade was listed as a farmer. They then made sail for New York where they arrived there on 5 June 1878. There were no deaths at sea recorded on this voyage, however, the people in steerage welcomed a male infant on 30 May 1878, with the surname of Larsen.

“Martha Wayment East, later in life, told granddaughter, Rhea Marriott, “The weather was good all the way over and the ocean was calm to what it usually was, but I was seasick practically all the way. After traveling on water for ten days, we reached Castle Gardens, New York. While we were there, I bought a tomato for two pennies, the first I had ever tasted. From Castle Gardens we boarded Pullman cars to Philadelphia. We changed here to immigrant cars which were very uncomfortable. It was beautiful in the east, but gradual signs of habitation vanished and scenes about us were dry and barren. It was all so strange here, away out west, and very different from what we had expected it to be.”

“Arriving in Ogden, Utah Territory, 13 June 1878, the family was met by Joseph and Samuel. After fifteen years, this was a joyful reunion. They were then taken to Samuel’s home. After living there a few months, William followed the instructions of church leaders and settled in the Salt Creek area, to help build up the Salt Creek District.

“William and family continued to live with Samuel and Castina, while they built a log house. Their log home was located about a quarter-of-a-mile south of the present corner of 5900 West and 700 North and about 200 yards west of the present county road. There were some trees at that spot, but it was dry and hot. Stumps of these trees marked the spot for many years. William built a bowery next to the house to give a little more shade from the sun. Russian Olive trees grew on this spot for years to give shade to sheep and cattle. Living on the land was a basis to apply later for Homestead rights. William applied for homestead rights to this quarter section of land. The logs for their home were hauled from the Wasatch Mountain Range along with firewood. These trips took several days and they would camp out along the way, where they had several encounters with bears.

“In this new and strange land they had to acclimatize to the semiarid climate. This was indeed a marked change from the verdant area of their home in England. They planted cottonwood trees, yellow roses, tea vines and any other plants that would grow fast. They helped establish the community and met the hardships endured by other families pioneering new homes. Martha Wayment East said, “It was hard work, but we had a good time in our work of making a town.

“William was a farmer and a rancher. He also owned a prize set of horses that he entered in shows and contests.

“Daughter Martha would become the first school teacher in Salt Creek. William T. would become the first residing bishop of Warren and would sustain that calling for 17 years.

“On 5 January 1882, William and Martha traveled to Salt Lake City, Utah, to the endowment house, where they both received their own endowments and were sealed in marriage for time and all eternity.

“Their daughter, Emily Wayment Negus, with her husband, William, and three of their children, sailed from Liverpool, England, 2 September 1882, on the ship Wyoming. Two of this couple’s children had died and were buried in England. With the arrival of Emily and her family, William and Martha once again had all their living children and grandchildren around then to enjoy, but this was short lived.

“A year and three months later after their sealing, in the spring, William contracted Typhoid fever and inflammation. He succumbed to the illness nine days later on 17 May 1883. He was buried in the Plain City Cemetery, Plain City, Weber, Territory of Utah. His death left his beloved wife, Martha, four sons and two daughters, Joseph, Samuel, John and William T., Emily W. Negus and Martha Wayment without their patriarch. William was also survived by eighteen living grandchildren, all living in the Salt Creek area.

“His obituary said he was an honest, industrious and truthful man, a kind husband and an exemplary father. His house was always open to the servants of God, as a haven of rest and hospitality. His faith was unshaken in the principles of Eternal Life, and he had died as he had lived, a faithful Latter-day Saint. He was interred in the Plain City Cemetery, being conveyed thither by a large concourse of sorrowing relatives and friends.

“Compiled by Joan Wayment Creamer

Sources; West Warren History 1975, Warren History 1995, Ogden Junction Database, New York passenger lists 1851-1891, Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, Alma W.& Martha M. Hansen, June Wayment Orton, Mildred Wayment Bird.

Back (l-r): Sarah, Martha, Leonard, Mary; Middle: Hannah, Joseph, Ann, Martha; Sitting: Walter Wayment

Here is the history for Martha Brown Wayment.

“On 26 May 1823, Martha Brown became the fourth child born to Samuel and Mary Wade Brown in Bassingbourne, Cambridgeshire, England. She was their only girl who survived infancy.

“Cambridgeshire, a flat coastal plain is located in the southeast part of England. The climate is moderate with much rainfall which produces abundant vegetation. This area produced peat bogs where many men worked.

“Martha’s grandfather, William Brown of Whaddon, has been described as a very wealthy farmer. His son, Samuel, Martha’s father, was disinherited after he fell in love and married a servant girl, Mary Wade who worked for his parents.

“After being disinherited, young Samuel and his wife, Martha’s parents, moved to Bassingbourne where he became a butcher by trade. He also acquired and owned some land and sheep. Later he expanded his business and is said to have become a very well-to-do merchant. Samuel and Mary Wade Brown were good, moral people and highly respected in the community of Bassingbourne.

“The Bassingbourne Parish register records this couple of having nine children, seven boys and two girls. All were born in Bassingbourne. 1) William Brown, christened 24 July 1814, and died 13 January 1894, age 80 2) Martha Brown, christened 15 September 1816, and died 27 June 1817, 9 months 3) Samuel Brown, Jr, born Sept.1818, christened 11 Oct.1818, died January 1890, age72 4) Martha Brown, born 26 May 1823, christened, 20 Jul.1823, and died 12 Apr.1905, age 82 5) Thomas Brown, christened 28 July 1827, and died 21 July 1901, age 74 6) John Brown christened 30 May 1829, and died 18 March 1906, age 77 7) Joseph Brown, christened 25 September 1831, and died in August 1903, age 72 8) Richard Brown, born 15 February 1835, and died 3 April 1835, 2 months 9) Simeon Brown, born September 1840, and died 14 December 1872, age 32.

“It is said that the Browns were a family of large men, with each son being more than six feet in height. They also claim to have had a longevity of life, however only one of them lived to be more than eighty, and that was Martha Brown Wayment. The others, except the two infants and Simeon, lived full lives into their seventies.

“Martha Brown Wayment’s Brothers; William, Thomas and John, joined the English army between the ages of twenty and twenty-five. Because of their height, ‘well over six feet,’ these men were chosen to serve in the King’s Guard and marched in the changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. Thomas and John deserted the Army and came to America. Thomas’s arrival in America was by quite by accident. The ship he booked passage on wrecked and he was the only survivor. After floating in the Atlantic Ocean for three days, he was rescued by an American vessel, which brought him on to America. Later he married a woman named Lavina and called Clyde County, Kansas their home. They had no children. Thomas wrote to the English government requesting his pension which was given to all English soldiers. The English government replied, telling him they’d give him all that he was entitled to if he returned to England and give up his citizenship in America. Thomas declined and elected to stay in America.

“After coming to America, John Brown changed his name to John Clark. He took a wife and settled in Minnesota. They had a large family. Several years before William T. Wayment died, one of John’s daughters came to Utah and visited with him. She also stayed at the home of Martha Wayment East. That was the last recorded communication with the Clark families from Minnesota.

“William served fourteen years in the English Army, then returned to his home in Bassingbourne. He fought in the Crimean War, Battle of Enlseman and the Russian War of 1848. After the Russian War he returned to England and received a service pension for the remainder of his days.

“When Samuel Brown, Martha’s father, was too old to work any longer, Samuel Jr. took over his father’s business. Joseph also remained home, making his living as a common laborer. When Samuel Sr. died, he bequeathed all his cash earnings to his youngest son, Simeon. Simeon died of alcoholism at the age of thirty-two.

“Martha Brown Wayment; Samuel and Mary Wade Brown provided their children with the best education available. Martha worked in her father’s butcher shop. From her mother, she learned to be frugal, clean and how to keep a neat, tidy house. It has been said about Martha that she was sometimes upset by the unclean habits of some of the older members of the family around her in England.

“In a Relief Society Lesson Publication, Pamphlet #32, dated December 1910, contains short biographies and testimonies of outstanding pioneer women of the North Weber Stake. Martha Brown Wayment told: “When about twelve years of age, there was a strange preacher came there, called a ‘Mormon.’ They were very desirous of hearing what he had to say and went to a meeting. When dinner time came, she seeing them without dinner, no place to go and no money to buy it with, she told her mother that she would go without dinner if she would let the preacher have it, but her mother was not so inclined.” (Martha Brown would have been fourteen years of age when she saw the first missionaries. The first missionaries arrived in Liverpool, England, 20 July 1837.)

“Sometime after the summer of 1840, Martha Brown met William Wayment. Their courtship culminated into a Christmas day wedding the following year. They were married, 25 December 1841, in the Parish of Whaddon Cambridgeshire, England. A copy of their marriage certificate shows William signed his last name as Whayment, listed his age as twenty and his occupation as a laborer.

“Martha gave her age as nineteen, listed herself as a spinster, a title used under English law for any woman who had never married. Martha and her new husband moved in with William’s widowed mother, Mary Rook Whayment.

“The Whayment home was a white vine-covered masonry, two-story cottage, with a thatched roof. The main floor contained two rooms. The largest room had a walk-in fireplace on one end with built in seats on opposite interior walls. The cooking was done in kettles hanging in this fireplace.

“Martha and William began their lives together under very limited circumstances. Though William was a hard worker, they never accumulated much wealth. It is said that William earnings sometimes amounted to eight shillings a week which is equivalent to about two U. S. dollars. Their modest home and limited circumstances was a source of embarrassment at times for Martha. But by careful management they were able to take care of their growing family.

“As a young bride and living in her mother-in-law’s home, Martha found that circumstances and conditions were not always pleasant. One day at the most distressing of times, Martha threatened to leave the Whayment home and her husband. She went into a small room or clothes closet to get some of her things. Her mother-in-law quickly closed the door, locked her in and kept her there until Martha promised not to leave. Satisfactory adjustments were made and Martha kept her promise to stay.

“All William and Martha’s children were born in Whaddon, Cambridgeshire,England. 1) Male, Aaron Wayment born 14 Nov 1842 died 15 Nov 1842, age 1 day 2) Male, Joseph Wayment born 7 Feb 1844 died 20 Dec 1931, age 78 3) Male, Samuel Wayment 28 May 1846 died 1 Jul 1912, age 66 4) Male, William Wayment Born 1 Mar 1849 died 19 Jun 1850, age 1 year 5) Female, Emily Wayment born 15 Apr 1851 died 15 Mar 1925, age 74 6) Male, John Brown Wayment born 13 Apr 1854 died 30 Sept 1923, age 69 7) William Thomas Wayment born 29 Apr 1859 died 15 Feb 1943, age 84 8) Martha Wayment born 25 Mar 1863 died 1936, age 73.

Martha and Martha Wayment

“All their children were taught to be responsible and dependable workers. But as one granddaughter, Thora Wayment Shaw stated, “it seemed necessary for them to come to America to develop their full potential.”

“Cambridge was predominantly agricultural, producing wheat and other grains, sugar beets, fruits and vegetables. At an early age, the children hired out to work, working for these farmers in the area.

“Around the age of fourteen, Martha had heard the message of the LDS missionaries and recognized the truth of the gospel. At that point her parents would not allow her to be baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Especially after some incidents occurred that seemed to involve the missionaries and turned many people living in Cambridgeshire against the Mormons. Although they were convinced of the truth, William and Martha delayed joining the church due to her family’s bitterness and influence in their community.

“Martha and William listened to the messages, the Elders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-days Saints brought to the area, of the restoration of the true gospel of Jesus Christ. William became convinced of the truthfulness of the gospel they were preaching and was baptized 28 May 1850. This was not a safe thing to do in those days as many were violently against the preaching of the restored gospel. Martha also opened her home up for place to meet, to share the gospel with other Saints and friends. Between the years of 1853 and 1878, the traveling Elders always found a home with Mrs. Wayment. During that time, their house was used for a meeting house for the Saints. The Elders who traveled in that section of the country always found the family ready to share their meals and beds with them as many can testify.

“Seven years after her husband had embraced the gospel, Martha was baptized on 1 May 1857. Some have criticized Martha for waiting so long to be baptized into the Church, however, she was living in extenuating circumstances. Due to the religious persecutions heaped on the early Saints, they had to meet in secrecy. Martha was one of the first ones to become interested in the restoration of the gospel. When word of her accepting the gospel reached her father in Bassingbourne, he disinherited her, cutting her off with only a few shillings. Her father then used his influence in the Parish to oppose all new members and the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. However, this did not change her mind. Martha’s testimony of its divinity sustained her. She helped set the example and taught their children the principles of the gospel. With her husband, she encouraged her children to join the Church, and all of them were baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“In the spring of 1863, Joseph, the oldest son, determined to go to America, to gather with the Saints in Zion. At this time, both him and his father, William, were working in the fossil diggings. (This was work in the peat bogs. Peat is a compact, dark-brown organic material with high carbon content, built up by the partial decay and carbonization of vegetation in the acid water of bogs. Dried peat was and is compressed into briquettes, used in European Countries as fuel, although it is not as efficient as coal because of its large content of water and ash. Peat can also be used for mulching and soil improvement.)

“The family set up a plan and fund for their relocation to the Utah Territory in America. Joseph, the oldest, was first to go. He left 4 June 1863. He was followed by Samuel and his new bride Castina Frances Ann Chapman. They sailed 24 June 1868. Two years after Samuel left, Emily married William Negus. They made their home in Whaddon for the next 12 years. Their sixth child, John Brown completed his preparations, and at age nineteen he left for America on 9 July 1873, aboard the Amazon.

“In 1871, their daughter, Emily and her husband William welcomed their first child, a son they named John. Their joy was short-lived, for when John turned eight-and-a-half months, Emily contracted typhoid fever and developed severe complications. Martha Brown Wayment, took her grandson, John and raised him until he was three years old. At that time, he was returned home to his mother who had finally recovered from her ordeal. Emily was very grateful for the loving help she received from her mother and her sister Martha. Due to the closeness John had developed with his Grandmother Wayment, Emily would often strap pack-baskets on the back of their donkey, where John would ride when they went to visit his grandparents.

“Their son Joseph had sent back to England, a marriage proposal for a local girl. It is likely that Martha gave encouragement to Ann Reed to accept her son’s Joseph’s proposal and join him in the Utah Territory. Ann completed the necessary preparations leaving Liverpool on 24 June 1874.

“It took almost another five years, continued efforts, working in the fossil fields for William and his son William T. to earn enough money for them, along with Martha and young Martha, to emigrate to America. By the spring of 1878, they were making the final preparations to emigrate to Zion. With their savings and some help from their sons in Utah, they booked passage on the ship Nevada, and sailed from Liverpool, England, 25 May 1878. This was fifteen years after theirfirst son, Joseph had emigrated to Utah Territory. After arriving in New York, they boarded a Pullman train which took them to Philadelphia. There they changed to immigrant cars, which were very uncomfortable.

“By rail they arrived in Ogden, Utah Territory, 13 June 1873, and were met by their son’s Joseph and Samuel. William and Martha followed the instructions of the church leaders and settled in the Salt Creek area. They lived with Samuel and Castina while William and William T. built a log house located about a quarter-of-a-mile south of the present corner of 5900 West and 700 North and about 200 yards west of the present county road. There were some trees at that spot, but it was dry and hot. Stumps of these trees marked the spot for many years. William built a bowery next to the house to give a little more shade from the sun. Russian Olive trees grew on this spot for years to give shade to sheep and cattle. Living on the land was a basis to apply later for Homestead rights

“In this new and strange land they had to acclimatize to the semiarid climate. This was indeed a marked change from the verdant area of their home in England. They planted cottonwood trees, yellow roses, tea vines and any other plant that would grow fast. They helped establish the community and met the hardships endured by other families pioneering new homes. Martha Wayment East said, “It was hard work, but we had a good time in our work of making a town.”

“Their daughter Emily, her husband William Negus and their three living children arrived in the fall of 1882. Martha once again rejoiced at having all of her children and grandchildren around her again.

“Martha and William Wayment continued being active in the Church they had learned to love. On 5 January 1883, they traveled to Salt Lake City, where they received their endowments and were sealed in marriage in the Endowment House.

“That spring, William contracted Typhoid fever and succumbed to this decease on 17 May 1883, at age 61 years and 3 days. He left Martha, his beloved wife, four sons and two daughters; Joseph, Samuel, John and William T., Emily W. Negus and Martha Wayment. Also, eighteen grandchildren.

“Martha Brown soon found herself completely alone. Her daughter, Martha, married Edward Marriott. Then her youngest son, William Thomas Wayment, married Maud Mary Bullock 4 July 1883. Daughter Martha was soon divorced from Edward Marriott and moved back home with her Mother. After her daughter returned to teaching school, Martha helped take care of her grandson, Arthur. Her daughter Martha then married David East on 25 December 1885, Arthur spent most of his time living with his grandmother Wayment.

“Martha was able to do her own work and lived near her daughter, Martha for more than twenty years. She continued to enjoy her church meetings, her children and her grandchildren. But she was never without problems.

“Emily’s husband, William Negus, met his death trying to uncouple the double tree to loose the team when the horses floundered in crossing a swollen stream on the North edge of Warren. William Negus drowned along with his horses on 31 March 1890.

“Martha was not idle. On 16 November 1885, she received her citizenship paper. Her husband had applied for his but died before they were granted. In 1886 Martha Brown Wayment received an important document for a land grant. It was, “the original grant of Homestead given to Martha Wayment, widow of William Wayment (deceased). The south east quarter of section two in the township six north range three west of Salt Lake Meridian in Utah Territory, containing 160 acres.” Signed by Grover Cleveland, President of the United States, and dated 18 October 1886. This tract of land is located on the west side of the present road 5900 West and extending from about 300 North then extending west to the Little Weber River. Martha gave four acres of this tract of land to her daughter Martha Wayment East for a home site. The rest of the tract was given to her son, William Thomas Wayment, and used to pasture his horses and cattle. Martha Brown Wayment’s log house was moved north to be nearer her daughter Martha’s home.

“Martha said that in her lifetime, she had read the Bible about one hundred times. She could quote scriptures freely and read the scriptures regularly to some of her grandchildren. She was always faithful and devoted to the Church and taught her children to live the same way. Martha was a very religious person. She read widely of any Church literature available. Her son, William T. said she read all the books he brought back from his mission.

“It was also said of Martha that she had the ability to handle any problems that arose in her family. She could discern and counsel sensitive situations with solutions in a way that helped hold her family together. Her daughter Emily said, “I learned how to keep a clean home and how to cook good meals from my mother.”

“Martha Brown Wayment was an outspoken person. She was described by her grandson, Chester T. Wayment for being set in her ways, but he loved to go to her home, because she always was kind to him. ” She would buy groceries from a traveling ‘grocery man’ and among her purchases was always a bag of gumdrops. Martha would enjoy the sugar off the outside of the gumdrops, then dry the off and feed them to her grandchildren. Chester said, “I ate many of those gumdrops and if I tried not to she would get very angry. She did this to all her grandkids.”

“In her later years, Martha had become very heavy, but she continued to care for most of her needs and enjoyed good health up to the time of her death. On that day, she had been visiting her daughter Emily. While returning home, she saw the traveling grocery wagon heading to her home. She hastened to arrive before him. Arriving about the same time, she told him she would need time to gather her eggs first. Martha used eggs as payment for her groceries. She asks him to come back, so he didn’t have to wait on her while she gathered and cleaned the eggs. When the grocery man returned, he could not find Martha any where, nor did she answer when he called out for her. Later her lifeless body was found in her outhouse (outside toilet). It was determined that she had died of a massive stroke or heart attack. Bishop William L. Stewart had met Martha by the old school house at noon, and reported, “she was walking quite smart,” on the day she died.

“From the Standard, Ogden, Utah, Saturday evening 18 April 1905, Column 2, pg. 7, Vol. 35. MRS. WAYMENT BURIED, The funeral services, over the remains of the late Mrs. Martha Brown Wayment, who died at her home in Warren on Wednesday last, (12 April 1905), were held at the Warren Meeting House at two o’clock yesterday afternoon. (Friday 14 April 1905.)

“”The services were presided over by Bishop William L. Stewart and the ward furnished the music. The speakers were, DR. H.C. Wadman, Frank Barrows, Joseph V. East, Thomas H. Bullock, John F. Burton, George W. Larkin and Bishop Stewart.

“”The speakers eulogized the life of the deceased, referring especially to her religious convictions, her kindly disposition, her affection for her family, and of her true friendship. The meeting house was entirely too small to accommodate the large number of relatives and friends. A large funeral cortege followed the remains to the Plain City Cemetery, where they placed in her last resting place. The grave was dedicated by Joseph H. Folkman.”

“Her death was 12 April 1905. She was laid to rest next to her husband William Wayment in the Plain City Cemetery. She was survived by four sons and two daughters, Joseph, Samuel, John and William T. Wayment, Emily W. Negus Mullen and Martha Wayment. Also, surviving was 46 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren. The posterity of William and Martha Brown Wayment now numbers well over two thousand.

“Two recipes brought over from England by our Wayment Grandmother; Martha Brown Wayment.

YORKSHIRE PUDDING, 1 pt. of sifted flour salt, 1 pt. of milk, 4 eggs, Beat well. About 3/4 hour before the roast is done, pour off dripping from the pan-leaving enough to keep pudding from sticking. Bake 3/4 hour.

“OLD ENGLISH MINCE MEAT, 3 lbs. Beef chopped fine, 1 lb. Suet, 10 lbs. Apples (green) chopped, 3 lbs. Raisins, 1 lb. Currents, ½ lb. Lemon peel, ½ lb. Orange peel, ½ lb. Citron, ½ gal. hard cider, 1 tsp. Allspice, 1 tsp. Nutmeg, 1 tsp. Cinnamon, tsp. Cloves, 3 cups Brown sugar, Salt to taste, Boil slowly until fully cooked, then seal in bell jars. Makes about 10 quarts. May let set for a few days to improve flavor.

“Sources; West Warren History 1975, Warren History 1965, Warren History 1995, Database New York passenger lists 1851-1891, Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, Alma W.& Martha M. Hansen, June Wayment Orton, Mildred Wayment Bird, Bishop William L. Stewart Journal.

History of Pauline W. Crossley

This history came into my hands from Golden Andra’s collection. A received a large stack of family history from his family. I am reviewing and making them available in this format. I typed this one about Pauline as typed, misspellings and errors too.

Pauline Wanner and Wiliam Henry Crossley

“This history was compiled August 3, 1993, by J. Allyne Kemp Crossley from two seperate histories, a story written by her son, Richard and information obtained from various family members, at a special request for he 1993 Wanner Reunion, which celebrates the 123rd year of the Wanner family.

“Pauline Wanner Crossley, daughter of Johann George and Ann Maria Schmid Wanner, was born in Atzenweiler, Neckarkreis, Wuertthemberg, Germany on April 1, 1884. Wuertthemberg, being one of the states of the divided nation of Germany. At the time of her birth, she joined a family of seven brothers and sisters, she being the eigth child. Following her birth two more children came to the family making a total of ten children: five boys and five girls, two of which died at an early age, while the family was still in Germany.

“Pauline and her brothers and sisters were very fortunate to have had parents who were honorable, upright, and hard-working people, who loved their children and worked very hard to see that they got the very best that they could provide. 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 Lutheran Church, and tried to teach their children correct principles.

“Sometime during the year of 1891, Johann, Pauline’s father, brought some missionaries to their home. These missionaries were representing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they were Jacob Zollinger [1845-1942] from Providence, Utah; John Hassenfritz, from the Bear Lake area, and John Federly of Salt Lake City, Utah.

“After the missionaries had been teaching them the Gospel for some time, the family became very interested and decided they would join the Church. Some of the family were old enough to be baptized and they became members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in October 1891. Pauline waited until after the family arrived in America to be baptized on January 7th 1897, just three months before her 13th birthday. Joining the Church brought peace to their minds and joy to their hearts. It did not take long for the 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 families, and to provide for their wants and needs.

“Not long after their baptism, some of the missionaries were preparing to return to their homes in the U.S. and Johann and Maria decided to send their older son, George to America with them, he’d be the first member of the family, to come to this country.

“In the Spring of 1893, Pauline’s parents began making the preparations to take the rest of their family to America, saying “Good-bye” to all their relatives, friends, and their native land.

“They had to ride the train for one day, afterwhich they took a boat up the Rhine River which took three of four days, then they took another train for another day, which took them to the North Sea. Here they got on another boat which was larger than the first, which would take them to Liverpool, England. The sea was very rough and the weather stormy, so it took another day before they reached Liverpool, where they boarded a big ship to sail to America.

“They were on the ocean for about 2 weeks, before they finally reached New York, where they stayed for two or three days. From New York, they took the train once again, and started their journey across the American Continent, for Salt Lake City, Utah, having to stop in Chicago, Illinois for one day and night. After arriving in Salt Lake City, they then continued their long and tedious journey to Franklin, Idaho where they arrived on the 18th of June 1893, all being very happy, and anxious, to get settled in their newly adopted homeland.

“They were met by their brother, and son, George and Mr. Fred Nuffer. Mr. Nuffer invited George, and all of his family to stay at his home, until they could find a place of their own, which was about one week.

“The Sunday following their arrival in Franklin, they all went to church, traveling to Glendale, where they had their membership records moved to, from the Branch in Germany.

“Grandpa Wanner soon bought the home and farm of John Nuffer’s in Glendale and the family lived there for a number of years before buying a home in Logan, Utah.

“Pauline worked hard on the farms that her father had bought – he bought several for his family to run. The members of Pauline’s family were all good workers and they all strived very hard to make a go of it, in this new land. Each of them was also very diligent in working for their beliefs, for their church, and for their Savior, Jesus Christ – including Pauline – she was a member of the Relief Society Presidency, while her children were still young she would take the “Black-top” and make many trips down to Thatcher.

“Not too much is known about Pauline’s romances, as a young lady, but her daughter, Annie, remembers hearing Pauline talk about a young man that she was engaged to, prior to Pauline’s engagement to her Dad, who was killed in an avalanche – Pauline only talked about it a few times.

“Pauline Wanner and William Henry Crossley, were married in the Logan Temple on December 14th 1904; Pauline was 20 and Will was 26 at the time, they both had dark brown hair but Will’s was curly.

“Will’s parents were John and Eliza Clements Crossley, he was born the 16th of October 1878 at Weston, Idaho and was baptized May 7th 1887. He had only one older brother, named Emanuel; one half brother, Levi, also lived with them while they were at home.

“To Pauline & Will were born four girls and five boys. Their first child, a beautiful baby girl, whom they named Florence, was born about 1905, she lived for about one year, then died in a very tragic fire. About one year later, another little girl was born whom they named Violet, she lived only two weeks; a third little baby girl, named Fern, was born on May 25th 1908 and she lived for only a few hours. Pauline was out helping to put up hay when a load tipped over on top of her, bringing the baby too soon. A 4th little baby girl, Annie Laurie, who’d be their only living daughter, was then born on April 30th 1909. *(According to Annie’s birth certif., she was born in March).

“Following the birth of Annie Laurie, the family grew with the addition of the boys, each arriving about two years apart from one another. Joseph Henry, arrived on April 14th 1911; Richard Wanner on January 27th 1913; Albert John was born June 28th 1915; Clarence William, who everyone knew as “Virgil” was born March 18th 1917; he died September 6th 1984, and is buried in McCammon; and then Cyril Chester was born on October 28th 1919. These children brought lots of joy to their mother, and I’m sure that had she have lost Annie, her only living girl, she would have just laid down and died right then —

“The Pioneer immigrants had to make many sacrifices and endure many tragidies in order that they could live their faith and belief in the Gospel of Jesus Christ – many having to leave their homeland and their families, worldly goods, even suffering sicknesses and surviving near starvation and freezing temperatures – But I can’t imagine the pain and heartache of having to watch a home that I’d help build with my own hands, be destroyed in a fire, along with a very precious baby daughter – Florence, when she was only about a year old.

“Pauline and Will had both dropped-off to sleep, forgetting to turn off their coal-oil lamp, and since the wick was bad, it filled the room with smoke as it burned – which woke Will up. He was so sick from the smoke, he couldn’t stand up to talk, he had to crawl about one block, or more to the neighbors, who ran back and were able to get Pauline out of the house – but because of all the excitement and all the turmoil, they forgot about Baby Florence. When Pauline came to all she said was, “The Baby! The Baby!” But it was too late!

“The folks said that another fire happened on the homestead, in Thatcher, at the middle place, because the children decided to build a bon-fire behind the stove in the kitchen – they said it was because the fire had ruined everything so bad, that that was their reason for building their last home, on the homestead, and also a reservoir.

“Will’s older brother, Emanuel, had moved to Thatcher on a homestead, about two years before he and Pauline decided to move – He was finally persuaded and he moved his family to Thatcher, where they homesteaded the place which adjoined his brother’s.

“All of Pauline’s children had a hard “row to hoe” while they were growing up – some made sure that they got a small education and others didn’t but all-in-all nothing was easy for them –

“The children would go barefooted a lot when they were little. One day their Dad noticed that the cows were down in the “stubble” so he instructed the children to go and get them, (they were barefooted, as usual). Annie’s little feet were so tender that with each step she took, the stubble scratched them, and caused them to bleed and each added step brought more scratches, and more bleeding, so she tried to take her time, being as careful as she could so that the rough stubble wouldn’t hurt her feet anymore than they were already hurting. Her Dad got really upset that she took so long to go and help get the cows (he didn’t realize her suffering).

“Then, there were the times when the children would get lost, even on their own place – One day the children were up in the pasture, watching their Dad put in fence posts for a fence, so he could fence-off the pasture. (The children were probably helping as well). One of the boys got tired, so he wandered away from the rest and laid down in the BIG, TALL brush and went to sleep. The whole family hunted and called – but he wasn’t found until sometime after dark.

“Earlier, when the family lived by the “WHEEL GATE”, Joe and Annie went wandering in the TALL Sage Brushes, east of their place. Most of the neighbors must have hunted all over, until the “wee” hours of the morning before they finally found them – the Sage Brushes were so HUGE, that they were just right for the children to make their own little “houses” in them.

“Pauline and Will were strict parents, and living on a farm wasn’t an easy life, to be sure, and everyone needed to work to help: the children even had their responsibilities on the farm —

“Joe and Annie, for example, had to go after the cows, on the hilly pasture land, (there were lots of trees and vegetation). One day, they had just got the cows going along the “cow-trail” through the hills and a bobcat began to follow them and they were scared to death!! After running the cows for awhile, Joe was right behind the cows, Annie next, and then their dog – the dog finally tangled with the bobcat and he took off through the trees – were they ever glad to get back home!

“Another time, Annie went out to take her brother, Richard, a sandwich, when a big buck decided to turn on her and Joe – the only one that could control him was Richard – the buck wouldn’t hurt him.

“Besides his farming – Will also had a “Threshing machine” and he’d go out and do threshing for other farmers, which gave his family a little added means for flour and cereal – He’d always take a load of wheat, by wagon, down to Preston, to have ground into flour and cereal.

That was the end of page 4. It seemed to be an abrupt end, but I cannot tell if there were more pages to the history or not.