I had these two photos shared with me many years ago of my Grandparents, Milo and Gladys Ross, at Dinosaur National Park. The Quarry Exhibit Building opened in June that year to the public. You can see the building to the left in the picture. The construction stairs and ladders are still in place and were removed that year. I would expect those were removed for the opening to the public, so this might predate the June opening.
Milo and Gladys Ross with Janet, Gerry, and Brent Preece
Milo Ross and Harold Ross were the sons of John “Jack” William Ross. Jack’s brother, James, had a number of family in the Vernal, Utah, area. Carma Ross Preece is on of James’ daughters. Brent, Gerry, Janet, and Lorri Preece are all her children (and Daryl was later added).
Based on these photos, it appears Milo and Gladys and Harold and Colleen made the trip out to Vernal to visit their first cousins. It may have had something to do with the opening of the Quarry Exhibit, if so it doesn’t appear Milo and Harold took their children with them.
Harold and Colleen Ross, Milo and Gladys Ross, Gerry, Carma, Janet, Brent, and Lorri Preece
We took our family to Dinosaur National Monument in March 2024. I knew the one photo was at the Quarry Exhibit, I suspected the other photo was nearby. I showed the pictures to one of the Rangers at the Quarry Exhibit and she gave me all sorts of history and information. Here was the kink, the photos were both backwards. We figured it out because the south end of the Quarry Exhibit does not have the elevation that it does on the north end. She also pointed out that the mountains in the second photo very much looked like Split Mountain, but she could not figure out the location that far to the north.
While at the Quarry Exhibit, I snapped this photo of the vicinity of where the prior photo was taken. You can see the structural upgrades to the building that were recently done. The Ranger indicated we were not allowed to go up on top, so this was the best we could do.
Dinosaur National Monument Quarry Exhibit
Here is a picture of the full Exhibit Building. The round entry building was removed due to the same issues that required redoing the foundations of the full building.
Dinosaur National Monument Quarry Exhibit
With a little sleuthing, we located the photo with Grandpa and Grandma Ross. Now to find the second location. The Ranger indicated it appeared to be north of Split Mountain, but if the photo was reversed it might simply be the Split Mountain overlook. But it was hard to tell and imagine if it is reversed.
We went out to the Josie Morris cabin and nothing quite lined up the father north we got. So we came back and went up to the Split Mountain Campground. We could tell it was the overlook almost immediately. Although the road had been expanded and other things had changed, it was the right location.
Split Mountain Overlook, Dinosaur National Monument, 1958 and 2024
This one was easier to take a family photo on our windy, brisk day.
Lillie, Hiram, Paul, James, and Aliza Ross at Split Mountain Overlook, Dinosaur National Monument
I tried reaching out to Janet Preece Pedersen, but she and Richard were out of town. We will have to make the trek back another time.
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.
On 26 June 2014 I stopped for a visit at the Richmond, Utah, City Cemetery. I have a number of family buried there. It had been several years since I had been to the cemetery. I stopped by the Jonas family graves and was shocked by what I saw. Open scarring and damage to the tombstones. This is a follow up to a previous post.
Tombstone of Irwin J Jonas, notice the top side has been completely chipped away, along with the obvious metal dragging across the surface.
I reached out to Richmond City Hall to find out who was in charge of the Cemetery. I was given the name and phone number of Jeff Young and Cheryl Peck. I called and left a message for both. I returned to the Cemetery to take some additional pictures.
Tombstone of my grandfather, Norwood Jonas. Notice how the top corners are both completely chipped away.Backside of tombstone for Joseph and Lillian Jonas. Notice the apparent dragging of the mower deck along the back of the stone.
Over the next few weeks, I called and left messages for Jeff Young and Cheryl Peck. I indicated who I was and why I was calling. I never received a call back from either.
Tombstone of Herbert & Martha Coley. Notice the large chips and damage to the top of the stone.
A month or two later after no response from Mr. Young or Ms. Peck, I called back to Richmond City Hall. I was given the phone number for Marlowe Adkins. I had met Mr. Adkins when I worked for Inlande Environmental and Richmond City was doing some upgrades to their wastewater treatment facility. Mr. Adkins explained to me that the Cemetery had a Citizens Committee that was responsible for the Cemetery and Mr. Young was the one to talk to regarding the care of the Cemetery.
Tombstone of Ole Christiansen. Notice the large chip out of the top right, the corner worn off the bottom right, and the rounded damage on the top left.
I had not been to the cemetery for probably close to 8 years. As far as I can tell on the family tombstones all the damage occurred during that time.
I walked around the cemetery and snapped photos of the obvious damage on other grave markers.
Previous Mayor of Richmond Ross Plant’s tombstone didn’t fare any better.
This is obviously from repeated mowing and dragging the mower deck across the stone face.
Notice the large chip on the top right.
Both top corners completely chipped away.
Dragging of the metal along the back by the mower.
Large gash across the top chipping the stone and leaving the metal rust.
American Legion medallion completely broken from its rod.
The American Legion badges don’t even have the posts anymore.
This has been sitting there for a good while.
Looks like the city is kind enough to not throw away everyone’s hook!
Substantial chipping away on the corners of the stone.
Watch your step.
The entire stone has been pushed aside.
After not hearing from Mr. Young or Ms. Peck for several months, I reached out to an attorney regarding liability for the damages to these stones. Ultimately, the determination was made that proving the date of the damage was going to be hard and second Utah only has a small time frame in which to make notice of the injury. The king has again protected itself against liability. There would be no recourse against Richmond. Some of the FindaGrave photos uploaded in 2010 did have some of the damages showing, so we were obviously over the known injury time frame to make a claim.
Hopefully citizens and residents of Richmond would care how their Cemetery is being cared for, but I guess since it happened and no action was taken, I guess I might be wrong. Not my fight. But I can hope that shining a light on the issue might help.
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.
Here is a photograph I thought I would share. It tells its own story. This photo was taken on 25 April 1948 in the Benson Stake Tabernacle. The photo is honoring those Visiting Teachers who have been faithful in going out for 40+ years in the Benson Stake. The Benson Stake was headquartered in Richmond, Cache, Utah (later renamed to Richmond Stake), not Benson.
Mind you, at that time, this was not just an organization you automatically became a member of when you joined the church. This was a separate membership with dues requirements for the organization. You even received a membership card. Not only are these women faithful in Visiting Teaching for 40 years, but they had volunteered to be a member of the Relief Society for that many years and actively participated. Martha Coley in the front middle is my Great, Great Grandmother. How many Visiting Teachers today qualify for faithful Visiting Teaching for 40 years?
Here is Martha Christiansen Coley’s daughter’s Relief Society membership card. Lillian Coley married Joseph Nelson Jonas and after his death remarried to Lorenzo (Ren) Bowcutt.
Here is some more information I could find on the individuals in the photo.
Lydia Elnora Karren (1879-1959) married Edward Leavitt (1876-1957). They probably lived in Lewiston, Cache, Utah.
Estella Nora Glover (1883-1952) married Ephraim Isaac Blair (1882-1943). They probably lived in Lewiston.
Sarah () married Preece (). Cannot find records, either have the name wrong or she moved from Cache Valley.
Susanna “Susie” Elizabeth Preece (1863-1953) married Andrew Bickmore Allen (1859-1941). They probably lived in Cove, Cache, Utah.
Livinia Merriam Henson (1871-1950) married James Franklin Wilcox (1869-1951), previously married to an Levi Knapp Allen (1842-1928). They probably lived in Cove.
Clara Deseret Stephenson (1880-1951) married Joseph Henry Wheeler (1882-1963). They probably lived in Lewiston or Trenton, Cache, Utah.
Lavina Ellen Hawkeswood (1877-1954) married John James Poulsen (1871-1948). They lived in Lewiston. Interesting note, Martha Christiansen Coley’s husband, Herbert Coley, and Lavina are 1st cousins once removed! Do you think these two ladies sitting on the front row knew of that relationship?
Christensia () married Hansen (). Cannot find records, either have the name wrong or she moved from Cache Valley.
Martha Christiansen (1879-1961) married Herbert Coley (1864-1942). They lived in Richmond.
Martha Ann Kingsbury (1850-1950) married William Crawford Lewis (1830-1908). She was 98 years old in this picture! They probably lived in Richmond.
Sarah Ann Gaunt (1878-1963) married Owen Elmo Snelgrove (1880-1973). They probably lived in Richmond.
This past Saturday and Sunday was another log of interesting acquaintances and thoughts. At least for me.
Saturday found me in Malad again. I had to leave really early in order to get out of there at a decent time to head to Salt Lake City. I left about 6:30 from Preston, and started spraying about 7:30 AM. I am getting used to this early thing. That does not mean I like it though.
One of the first jobs I did was for a Price family. I caught my arm on the chain link fence and took a large chunk out of my forearm. It was a great way to start the day. I think I might be allergic to silk worm silk. I walked under a tree with loads and I sneezed pretty regularly for the next hour or two. I thought my poor lungs would give out by the time I was done.
There was this one lawn I was spraying. Tim Burnett had this really cool recreation of an old time fueling station, like 1930’s. He had created it out of all local materials. Some of the signs were very interesting. He came up and asked me some questions, then another neighbor, Don Hess, joined us. Before long we were talking politics in Malad. I am so dismayed that people go to such great lengths to do what they do. They passed a bond (what a fitting term, let’s enslave the people) for a new jail. Now, I have no qualms with a new jail, but what in the world does Malad need a 64 person jail for? What is more, I am sure they will have somebody from outside design it and it will ruin the downtown spirit of Malad. From the 20 or so neighbors who ended up weighing in on the street, either joining us, or just catching the conversation walking by, not one liked the idea. I am not sure how they passed the bond if this is the sentiment. What was even more disgusting, is that the person who was behind it had much to gain by the building of the jail. As Tim was commenting, feathering his own nest at the expense of the community. Whoever the guy, apparently also a policeman, gets to sell his land for the building of it. Another neighbor commented how odd it is that the water line for the new jail is already being built (the street where we were talking was tore up) yet he still doesn’t have enough water pressure at his home to adequately water his lawn (we spray his lawn as well). I have to admit,
I am really disgusted sometimes what happens in politics.
Larry drove over in my car to relieve me and finish what I did not finish spraying. I headed quickly to Kaysville. There I showered and changed, then Amanda and I headed to Salt Lake. We found a great little parking spot and headed to Abravanel Hall for A Prairie Home Companion. It was not his best show, I will admit. In fact, some of the show was quite the letdown. Usually they do a really interesting background on the areas that they go to. There was nothing of that sort in this show. Plus the news from Lake Wobegon actually was telling a story that he had already told, just with a different setup. There was some of it which was a really good laugh. Especially the Coffee Council. I did enjoy lives of the cowboys as well. I enjoyed the music the
most. It was a surprise that Amanda did not know any of the songs. The classic Americana songs which I remember singing at the county fair or other places, especially the sing songs in England, she did not know one of them. The ones I thought were well known like Good Night Ladies, and In the Good Ole Summertime.
We finished the show and headed to Kaysville. There, we changed and got ready to attend the temple. Amanda’s parents were finally able to join us for one. We drove up to Ogden together. I enjoyed the session. I learned some good things this time. Lately it seems I have been so tired I could not be in tune. We finished and headed home, happy to have completed our goal of attending all the temples in Utah before leaving for Virginia.
Sunday arrived far too early for me. We drove up to Tremonton for Jami Rupp’s farewell. She is a sweet girl. We then headed south to Brigham City for Jeanette Smoot’s farewell. We had some time, so we tried to pay a visit to Lenard and Donna Bruderer, but we could not find their house and they were not answering their phone. We went to the cemetery and walked around. Of mention was the grave of Lorenzo Snow. We then went down to the Box Elder Tabernacle with the intent of taking a nap on the lawn under a tree. However, I wanted to walk around and the building ended up being open. We watched a movie, took a tour, and the guy asked if we played organ. I ended up playing the organ for an hour. I was a bit rusty, but it came back. One guy who came in for a tour even said he was honoured to hear me play. (He must not go to church, they play better there!).
We headed to the farewell. It was good to see everybody, most of which we saw also at Jami’s. Jeanette gave a good talk as well. Afterward we headed to the VFW Building for a little luncheon. It was fun. I enjoy good company. It was good food too.
We had to leave to meet Nathan and Holly Wayment. We were meeting them to sign the rental contract for their home in Glen Allen, Virginia. We met them at the old Perry Tabernacle, now the Heritage Theatre. We had a good visit with them.
We paid a visit to Grandpa in Plain City. He was in a good mood, however he was headed to a viewing for another friend. He said he liked the photos we gave to him. We talked some about Hobart Day and I told him about meeting Carma Preece in Vernal. He seemed interesting to know how she was doing.
Hobart Day was Grandpa’s half brother. His father, John William Ross, had married a May Day (doomed marriage?) before my Great Grandmother. He had a son who lived in West Virginia. He was a preacher and married a Edna Montgomery. He was knocked blind when he was 21. Somebody threw something at him and hit him in the head. He was blind from that point on. He came out to visit Grandpa three times in his life. The first two times he brought his wife. Grandpa was telling me how he used to call him Big Brother. They took him all over. The last time he came out to visit, he came alone. Grandpa was telling me that before he put him on the bus to send him home Hobart day made a few comments. Something like, “I have been to Utah, been to a Mormon Sacrament, visited with a Mormon Bishop, now I can go home and die.” Three days later he was dead. Grandpa said he got a letter or two from Edna afterward she had dictated to someone to write for her. But he did not know where they were and did not expect Edna to be around anymore. Hobart died in 1983.
Before leaving we asked Grandpa if he knew Amanda’s Great Grandpa, Walter Wayment Hansen. He said he did, he even helped him add onto his house. Amanda found that interesting.
Grandpa had to go and we went to visit Glynn and Chyrrl Wayment. Nate and Holly arrived right before us. Glynn and Chyrrl both showed up shortly afterward. Nate wanted us to stop and visit with his parents so we did. They obviously knew Amanda’s Great Grandparents, they only lived a stone throw away. I asked if Glynn knew Grandpa and he pointed to the white house to the south that he owns and said that Grandpa and Floyd Neilson built that house. He said of course he knew him. He had nothing but good to say about Grandpa. The same for Amanda’s Great Grandfather.
We left and drove past her Great Grandparents home there in Warren. I called Jennie Britzman and asked if she was going to be around. She said she was. We headed over. Richard was there as well. We were there for several hours. We visited about life, Virginia, school, and I asked questions for family history. Jennie’s mother was the sister to my Great Grandmother, Berendena (Dena) Van Leeuwen (married name Donaldson). Jennie said that many people thought her mother Jane (Jantje in the Dutch) were twins. She said that she liked Aunt Dena and Uncle Dave.
She told me that her mother used to have premonitions. She knew of things before they happened. When they were growing up in California she knew when the earthquakes were coming and would prepare for them. One time she knew a big one was coming and told her husband, William Frederick Bremer. He had become pretty edgy about her premonitions and did not want to hear of them. He would tell her to not speak of them and that he did not want to hear them. The same was on this occasion. But she knew a big one was coming so she hired somebody to put guards on the shelves in the pantry to keep the bottles on the shelves. But the time it took to get her husband to agree and for the work, he was only half done by the time the earthquake hit. This was in the 1930’s in Los Angeles. They lost half of everything in the pantry because it was not all guarded.
She knew when my Great Grandmother was going to have her accident. She tried to convince Dena not to go where she was going. But she went anyway, and got in the accident that eventually would take her life.
Jennie was telling me about a time when she was going to run to the store. Her mother said that she saw Jennie flying through the air in an intersection. But the ambulance was in the way so she could not see how her state was. She plead with Jennie not to go but she did anyway. She made it to the store alright, but on the way back she was t-boned by a semi that ran a stop sign. Just like her mother said, the car was hit, the door flew open, and she flew across the intersection. She was obviously knocked silly and did not remember any of it. But it happened. When they called her mother, she responded to those on the phone, “I know what happened, how hurt is she?”
Amanda commented that my family all have strange gifts. I thought that was a funny comment. But I suppose it is true.
Jennie (who turns 90 this year) told me that Uncle Dave (my Great Grandpa) was deathly afraid of earthquakes. During the 1930’s when he was working in the area as a plumber he did some work in their house, especially after the earthquake. When an aftershock would hit he would flee from house. He would always run from the house when anything started to shake. He commented to her once that he did not want to be in a basement and stuck down there if something happened. Jennie said she used to like to tease him. They would go to the window for the room Uncle Dave was in and then start shaking the window or screen. They used to laugh and laugh to see a man as big as him jump and run outside. She did not say if he ever knew it was them, but I don’t think he did. I enjoyed this story.
We headed back to Amanda’s parents. Mel and Shanna Thompson were there, Amanda’s grandparents. We had a good little visit. They were working on family history. It was good to see them. I did not know that Mel was born in Pingree, Idaho.
I headed home to Provo for work on Monday morning. They have given me one last job to finish before I leave. It is a good little job and will keep me busy. It is to paint the walls in the crystal department. I have been working on it since.
Last night I went up and met Amanda and her family at the Bountiful Temple. We then went up Mueller Park with Rick for family photos. It was fun. I don’t know if I will like any of the photos, but it was fun. Amanda’s cousin Sherise was there to keep us entertained. We went out to eat Mexican at El Matidor (something like that). I way overate. It was very good food.
Anyhow, today we are packing to move to Virgina. Moving day is fast approaching. Looking forward to the trip!
This weekend was a great trip. I don’t know if I have written this, but Amanda and I made a goal to hit all the Utah Temples before we move away. We made this goal in Jan or Feb and have been working on it since. Monticello and Vernal both posed a problem for achieving that part of what we wanted to do. Why not knock them both out at once? So we did. We took this past weekend, drove down to Monticello on Friday and stayed the night. We stayed at, and highly recommend the Monticello Inn (in the phone book as Triangle H) especially if you are LDS. They were more than wonderful with us. She even called the temple to make our reservation for the 8:00 session for the next morning. We attended the 8:00 session and when we came out, got our photo (we are taking a photo with us and each temple as well, Amanda’s idea!) and headed out. We drove back up through Moab, over to Fruita, Colorado, up through Rangely, Colorado and into Vernal. It was a beautiful day for a drive.
Vernal turns out to be one of our favorite temples. There is something about it. It has more character than some, and it seemed more like home to me. We were sitting in the chapel waiting to go on the next session when I kept looking at the only other couple in the room. I was sure it looked like the parents of a friend from high school. She looked younger though, and he had some chops, so I had my doubts. Finally, I just had to know, walked up to them, and sure enough, it was Scott and Anita Jensen from Paul, Idaho. Anita was a cub scout leader for me for a few years. Bryan, their son, helped me secure a ring at a great price for Amanda last year. We chatted, and were one of only a few couples on the session. I will tell you what, there is something that is inspiring when the rays of the sun are coming through the veil when they lift the curtain before being introduced. It just lit up the room and I loved it.
On the session was also a Shane Mayberry. Afterward, I visited with him and asked if he knew a Carma Preece. He said he went to school with her son. I asked about her, and found out she only lived a block of two from the temple. Before we left, by asking others, he had her address and phone number for me. So, we are close, why not visit. I gave her a phone call, she was home, and we were invited to stop.
She is the first person I have ever met who is related to me through the Ross line. In fact, her maiden name is Ross and her father is the brother to my Great Grandfather. It was interesting to look at her characteristics and physical makeup. She must have barely have been over 5 foot. Similar to most of my closer Ross relatives, other than my Dad, who inherited his height from the Donaldson side. Amanda snapped a picture of a portrait of her parents. Giving me the first copy of a photo I have of any of the other Ross siblings. I have a rough, vague, damaged photo of my Great Grandparents, and nothing of them together. My Great Grandmother died in 1925 after giving birth. The baby also passed away with her. For some reason or another, the Sharp line did not like my Great Grandfather, John William Ross. So he was run off, and my Grandfather’s family farmed out to members of the Sharp family. My Grandpa to the Ed Sharp family, Uncle Harold to the Delwin Sharp family, and Paul Ross to Fred and Vic (Sharp) Hunt. The only thing we really know is that he moved to California.
He died in the Veterans Hospital in Livermore, Alameda, California. As far as we can tell, all of his siblings ended up in California as well. John had a sister named Fanny, who married a Calvin Dickerson Phibbs, who was the judge in Rupert, Idaho for a time. Calvin’s father and some other family members are buried in Rupert. But the Phibbs went to California as well. Then there was a Robert Leonard Ross, and his life is very sketchy. Have very little idea of him. He was married to a Minnie Belle Hambrick, Rose Ann Clawson, and Ruby Leaster Hall. The only one of these I could confirm was Rose Ann Clawson, who had been married to a Sanders, but he married her in Burley, Idaho. Then there was Carma’s father, James Thomas Ross who settled in the Vernal area. Apparently he was the one who went to Utah so his children could marry LDS. They missed Virginia so much, they named their first child after their old home. So, Carma’s older sister is named Vesta Virginia.
It seems to me that somehow they caught wind of the opening of the Sugar Factory in Paul, Idaho, so they moved there from Virginia. I know the Phibbs were there before the Ross family was. Fanny and Calvin were married in Virginia in 1906. The Phibbs all moved to Idaho and then Fanny probably invited her other siblings to go. Fanny arrived there sometime between 1912 and 1914 as children changed their birth locations. My Grandpa has a half brother, Hobart Day, born in 1911 in West Virginia. My Great Grandparents were married in Fort Logan, Colorado. How that ever happened I will never know. My Great Grandmother was married to a Mark Lewis Streeter, who gave another half sibling to my Grandpa, June Streeter. Great Grandma went with Mr. Streeter and they operated a confectionery in Paul, Idaho named Streeter’s Confectionery. There doesn’t seem to be records of this in Paul, other than a Hall’s Confectionery which according to my Grandfather would have been in the same location. Whatever happened, my Great Grandmother divorced her Streeter husband in 1919. My Grandpa is the oldest, born in Plain City. Paul was born in Paul, John Harold in Burley, and Ernest Jackson in Plain City, who died. So that pretty well breaks down the time in Idaho for my family. My Great grandmother married Streeter in 1917 or so as June was born in June 1918. Fanny and Calvin were there until after 1930, when their last child was born in Rupert that year.
James Thomas had only one child born in Idaho at Rupert. She is a middle child, and the rest were born in the Vernal area. That child, Sydney Bea was born in 1922. As for Robert Leonard, he married the one wife in 1919 at Burley, but that is about all that is set in stone for him.
I do not know what the draw was to California. All of them seemed to have died there. I don’t know where Robert died, but I know it was in 1944 and everyone says it was California. Nobody seems to know where, and I have not found a record. My John William died in Livermore in 1948. He remarried a Zane Coffey in Rock Springs, Wyoming. We don’t know what happened to her, if they stayed together. Fanny died in 1943 in San Francisco. James died in Los Angeles in 1964. California had such a draw that both of their parents, James Thomas Meredith (legally, but went by James Thomas Ross) and Damey Catherine Graham both moved to California and died in 1951 and 1933 in Fresno and Marysville respectively. I do not know if my Great Great Grandparents ever came to Idaho, or spent any time in Utah. Carma told me that she met her grandparents in California, so that makes it seem that while she has memory, they were not in the Vernal area. Who knows for sure. I seem to remember somewhere that James Thomas Meredith/Ross was a Bishop in California at one time, indicating he spent some time there, long enough to become acquainted and be called. I don’t remember for sure if it was him or someone else who was called as Bishop.
Anyhow, it was interesting to visit with Carma. She told me of a couple of visits to Grandpa and Grandma’s place. She told me how impressed she was with how tender they were with Judy. They have not visited Plain City since the early 1970’s. She told me of a time that Grandpa came to visit them in Vernal. She said they took them around and introduced them to the family and showed them the area. The one comment that was interesting was that Grandpa used to swear up a storm. According to her, every other word was a swear word. I have never known him like that. The only time I ever heard him swear was when the emphasis was needed, or another word sometimes just did not seem to fit. She was surprised to learn that Grandpa and Grandma had become active. I thought that was interesting. She was even more surprised to learn that they both worked in the Ogden Temple for a few years. Carma now works in the Vernal Temple.
It was good to sit and visit with her. She loaned me a book that was given to her just the month before with all the descendents of James Thomas Ross (Jr). I was excited about that. It looks like we will have to call on Carma on the way to Denver at the end of this month. To return the book and perhaps to glean some other memories from her mind. She is 81 now, and who knows how much longer she could be around. Getting into those ages, things change so quickly. However, I hope she will still be around when we come to visit Utah again, and that we can pay her another visit. Funny how things happen.
We had a great visit and we snapped a picture of Carma and me together. I enjoy visiting family. There are always more stories to hear. I have many more, I record of all my visits in my regular journal. Sorry you don’t get to read of some of those adventures. Perhaps someday I will reiterate some of them here.
Sagacity 