A few years ago I snapped this photo of my Great Grandmother’s clock sitting on my Dad’s work bench in his shop.
My parents picked up this clock in Richmond, Utah after my Great Grandma Lillian Coley Jonas Bowcutt passed away in 1987. The story I recall was that it was in the root cellar. The belief being that at some point it quit working and was placed in the cellar.
At some point I remember Dad determining that the main spring had broke. The photo above 2021 shows that the silver of the clock, if it was original, was nearly all gone. I don’t think it was original, probably painted at some point over the years. Sitting in a root cellar for unknown decades had not helped the wood and clock mechanism either.
I don’t know if my Great Grandparents purchased it new or not. I will have to do some research on it, but the belief is this clock likely predates my Great Grandparent’s marriage in 1918. Did it belong to the the Coley family before that, the Jonas, or did someone else give/sell it to them? We will not know in this life. It likely even predated Lillian’s birth in 1898.
Either way, Dad took it upon himself to work on restoring it. He took the clock to Twin Falls and had the mechanism fixed. He restored the wood and glass while the clock was fixed. Here is what it looked like at Christmas 2022. Pretty amazing.
It now works and even chimes the hour and quarter hour. A beautiful relic restored to life.
I have two copies of the History of Plain City, Utah. The front indicates it is from March 17th 1859 to present. As far as I can tell, the book was written in 1977. At least that is the latest date I can find in the book.
One copy belonged to my Grandparents Milo and Gladys Ross. My Grandpa has written various notes inside the history which I intend to include in parenthesis whenever they appear. They add to the history and come from his own experience and hearing.
I will only do a number of pages at a time. I will also try to include scanned copies of the photos in the books. These are just scanned copies of these books, I have not tried to seek out originals or better copies.
History of Plain City March 17th 1859 to present, pages 39 through 43.
Former Relief Society Presidents Prior to 1948
Mary Ann Geddes, Laura Moench Jenkins, Ismilda England, Nellie Ward Neal, Lavina Telford, Cerilla Palmer, Sarah Y Knight
Relief Society Prior to 1946.
Relief Society Singing Mothers Early 1960’s
First brass band organized in Plain City.
Pioneer Trio (l-r): Alminda Johnson (Harmonica), Ina Poulsen (Harmonica), Florence Singleton (Accompanist)
This group performed for many years at Ward and town recreation activities. Elizabeth Lund joined the group after as a Whistler.
HISTORY OF PLAIN CITY RECREATION HALL
Pioneer settlers of the early communities loved to dance. Plain City residents began dancing on bare dirt floors four months after arriving here. Later, they danced in homes and school houses.
One school house was an adobe building on the south side of the side of the square. Local talent was used for the music and entertainment.
An amusement hall, where dances were held, was located between the Leah Penman home and the George Weatherston home, where Lynn Folsman’s home now stands. It faced west, with a raised stage in the west end. This property was deeded to the L.D.S. Church in December, 1906.
An Act of Congress, dated April 24, 1820, entitled “An act making further provisions for the sale of public lands, etc.,” Utah Territory, U.S.A., signed by President Ulysses S. Grant, gave a tract of land 640 acres for the townsite of Plain City.
Some of this property was deeded to Charles Weatherston December 9, 1898. Mr. Weatherston deeded a lot to the Church when George W. Bramwell was Bishop.
The recreation hall was destroyed by fire before 1912. Since then, the property has been deeded back to Weatherstons.
An open air dance hall was built just west of the present L.D.S. Chapel in 1925. It was a community landmark and had an extra special dance floor. Later, it was closed in so it could be enjoyed in the winter months.
The Church Center had just been completely remodeled on the inside, including a basketball court, a beautiful modern kitchen, and other features, when it was destroyed by fire April 22, 1967.
Plain City Chapel dedicated 1889 looking from Northwest.
Rear of Chapel. This addition was built in 1914 which added a kitchen, several class rooms and a recreation hall upstairs.
Arts (Art Simpson) Dance Band played for most of the dances held in the recreation hall that burned down in 1967. They also played throughout the county.
Boy Scout Band organized by L Rulon Jenkins in 1934. They rode around the town on a truckbed on the Fourth of July at daybreak playing lively music to awaken the residents and summon them to the celebration on the Town Square. They also performed on other occasions.
Kitchen Band played for most of the dances held in the recreation hall that burned down in 1967. They also played throughout the county.
The Recreation Hall was built in 1924. The first dance was held July 20, 1924. Additions were added in 1966 when the building was renovated. A kitchen was added, also facilities for basketball.
Kitchen of renovated addition.
This building was destroyed by fire in April 1967.
This building was first built as an open air dance hall and was later enclosed so it could be used in the winter months.
This is the Dedicatory Program that was in my Grandpa Milo Ross’ possessions. Dad provided me a copy and I scanned it. The writing on the program and throughout is his writing, Milo James Ross.
Plain City Ward – Farr West Stake – Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints – Sunday, November 7, 1954 – 2:00 P.M.
Grandpa was always pleased to have been a part of the construction of this building. He was upset when this building had a new one built beside it and then tore down this one. He also had great satisfaction in helping to arrange the construction of the Plain City 2nd, 7th, and 8th Ward Building.
Charles L. Heslop, Elvin H. Maw, George E. Knight, Merrill Jenkins
Our Bishops who have served during planning and construction of this New Chapel.
Bishop Charles L. Heslop, Bishop Elvin H. Maw, Bishop George E. Knight, Bishop Merrill Jenkins.
History of Construction
Bishop Heslop, who served as bishop of our ward from 1936 to 1944 along with his counselors Gordon Thompson and Abram Maw secured the ground for the location of this new chapel from Stephen Knight a resident of Plain City ward with thought in mind that some day this would be the site of our new building. It was during their administration that Bishop LeGrande Richards came to our ward and spoke to people instructing them to start a building program, and forget much remodeling of our old Chapel. In 1944 Bishop Heslop was released and Elvin H. Maw was sustained as Bishop with L. Rulon Jenkins and Fred Singleton as counselors. Later Lewellyn Hipwell served as a counselor. During this time the approval to build was given and enough money was raised to start construction, but due to the outbreak of war, we were unable to begin. In 1949 Bishop Elvin H. Maw was released and George E. Knight was sustained as Bishop with Leslie T. Maw and Howard Hadley counselors. In the fall of 1951 Brother Howard McKean came and visited our old chapel at which time he instructed us to make plans to build a new building. In the spring of 1952 the ground breaking ceremonies took place and the building commenced. Committees composed of ward members were chosen to help secure donated labor and funds and many other things pertaining to this undertaking. The entire ward response was wonderful and the construction proceeded very well. In the fall of 1953 the Stake was reorganized with Bishop George E. Knight being called as first counselor to President Raymond Pace. The ward was reorganized with Merrill Jenkins sustained as Bishop with Elmer Ericson and William J. Searcy as counselors. It has been under their direction that this chapel was completed.
To single out individuals for special thanks would be amiss since there are so many who have contributed their utmost and someone would surely be left out.
The building has been entirely constructed under the capable supervision of Leland Carver a Seventy in our ward. We are very proud of the work done under his direction.
Written by Grandpa, Milo James Ross was paid to help Mr. Carver as a carpenter.
Program
Organ Prelude – Ms. Glen Charlton
Opening Song – Song of the Redeemed – Chorus
Invocation – Bishop Charles L. Heslop
Song – Quartet – Bless This House – Mae Robson, Diane Chugg, Maurine Olsen, Sheran Knight
Remarks – Stake President Raymond J. Pace
Song – I Need Thee Every Hour – Lawrence Cottle and Sons
Remarks – Pres. George E. Knight, former Bishop
Song – Let the Mountains Shout for Joy – Chorus
Remarks – Bishop Merrill Jenkins
Address and Dedicatory Prayer – Bishop Thorpe B. Isaacson
Song – The Lord’s Prayer – Ronald Jenkins
Benediction – Elvin H. Maw
To those who have helped so much who are not now members of our ward we would like to express our appreciation and may you share in the joy with us this day.
To those who have passed away before this wonderful occasion, we express your sincere gratitude for all they have done.
Sincerely, Your Bishopric
Acknowlegement
Let us here give thanks to those who have given so generously of their time and means to make this building possible. May we all work to the end that it shall serve the purpose for which it was intended.
Amanda’s mother’s family decided to put together a Holden Family Reunion this year in St George, Washington, Utah. Unfortunately, Amanda’s aunt, Jean Holden Drown, passed away earlier in the year so it lessened some making a second trip for another Holden get together.
One of the highlights of the trip was attending the St George Utah Temple Open House. The temple has been updated and restored to a design as would have existed in the 1870’s and 1880s. The original shell of the temple and some of the original rooms have been restored to the period, but the annex and other parts of the building are very much new additions since the 1877 dedication and functional as a current operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
St George Temple on 3 November 2023
The drive down and while I was there I did not feel very well. Other than the drive, it was a great opportunity to relax and take some much needed naps. The whole family all stayed together in this home available for rental.
The Holden Family had a fun little game night at a golf course club house. Here is a picture I snapped from the back door overlooking part of the course and St George.
View from Sunbrook Golf Clubhouse 4 November 2023
The next day we found our way into Snow Canyon State Park.
Jenny’s Canyon at Snow Canyon State Park
We also hiked the Butterfly Trail and saw the petrified sand dunes too.
Amanda Ross and Jill Hemsley waiting for kids to emerge from the lava tube, you can see the petrified sand dune to the left
Grandma took many pictures on the trip. We also did some family portraits near Jenny’s Canyon.
Aliza Ross (in stripes) and clockwise: Rowan and Olivia Hemsley, Jill Hemsley, and Lillian and James Ross
All in all, it was a fast and fun trip to St George for the Holden Family Reunion. Before coming home, we stopped at the Jacob Hamblin Family Home in Santa Clara.
Amanda Ross in white shirt holding the camera, Jill Hemsley surrounded by grandchildren and clockwise from Amanda, Hiram Ross, Paul Ross, James Ross, Derek Hemsley with Rowan on his shoulders, Jordan Hemsley with Bryan Hemsley to her right, Aliza Ross, Jack Hemsley, Olivia Hemsley, and Lillian Ross
On Sunday 12 November 2023, Amanda decided it was a good day to make some applesauce. We worked through and processed quite a few apples that we had picked. The trees still have plenty more on them (and under).
James and Hiram helping separate apples
We actually did pretty good at working together and not getting on each other’s nerves. We achieved quite a batch of applesauce. Here are some of the bottles.
Don’t the kids look smart and helpful in their aprons?
“Two other Idaho boomtowns which never really got off the ground were Idahome and Yale, in the Raft River Valley. Idahome was at one time, a planned major shipping point for cattle and grain out of the Raft River Valley, but the town died when plans for the railroad failed to materialize. Today, all that remains at Idahome is a grain elevator and the only thing left in Yale is a beet dump. Several other planned towns in the Raft River Valley met the same fate when the railroad did not come into the area.”
This newspaper clipping caught my attention for a couple of reasons. Idahome is not too far from me in Cassia County, about 30 miles from Burley.
Apparently my Great Great Grandparents, James and Damey Ross, lived in Idahome in 1918. At least that is where their son Robert shows them as living when he registered for the draft in September 1918. They moved quickly to Paul, Idaho as I understand Jim worked the first sugar beet campaign that fall. It was in Paul they lived when their son, John, aka Jack, came to visit while on leave from the army in 1919. I don’t know how long Jim and Damey lived in Idahome. Other than that draft registration, I was not aware they were residing in or near Idahome. Either way, it now holds a place as an alleged residence of my Great Great Grandparents.
I thought I would share some pictures of first General Conference attendance dates for Aliza and Hiram. Aliza turned 8 in October 2018, so her first General Conference was 7 April 2018.
Amanda, Aliza, and Paul Ross at General Conference in April 2019
Hiram was not so lucky. He turned 8 in May of 2020, but there was no public General Conference in 2020. Hiram’s first attendance at General Conference took place in 2022 since that was the first weekend where we could make it work.
Hiram Ross’ first General Conference, April 2022
Hiram wanted a picture up near where Aliza had first attended.
For the 2023 Annular Solar Eclipse on October 14, we traveled to Wells, Nevada. We wanted to be in the path of totality for the full experience.
Ruby Valley Branch Church
We booked a hotel in Wells, Nevada and drove down Friday afternoon. Unfortunately, when we arrived, we found out the entire hotel had been somehow double booked. There was no room at the inn. That was a total surprise and disappointment. We looked up available hotels, there was nothing available within many miles. The options were either to just sleep in our van or go home. We could have ventured back to Jackpot for a really expensive hotel room, or… We just didn’t know.
Aliza Ross, Zach Smart, Hiram Ross, Amanda Ross, James Ross, Alyssa Smart, Jill and Bryan Hemsley, and Lillie Ross looking heavenward
We did have a dinner appointment with Jordan and Kari Brough. Since we already had that dinner appointment, we decided to keep it and figure things out later. He was a missionary in Oklahoma City and we have kept in contact over the years. I knew he was in Nevada. I reached out and indicated we would be in his neck of the woods and he invited us over (he said to return the favor of dinners in Oklahoma. We had a great dinner with them and their three little children. The food and company was great, very worth the visit.
Amanda Ross, Alyssa Smart, and Jill Hemsley at Ruby Valley
After dinner, the Broughs asked us about our hotel accommodations. We were not planning on saying anything but we told them. They expanded their dinner invitation to include overnight stay! Which, we were afraid we would impose on them and they would do such. Kari is also pregnant. We had very limited options so we were happy for the chance. We emphasized that they must give us an opportunity to return the favor. We expressly invited them for the Burley Idaho Temple Open House or any other time they may be in our area.
Partial Eclipse at Ruby Valley Cemetery, behind Ruby Valley LDS church building
Another perk of staying at the Brough home was that they live in Clover Valley, part of the way between Wells and Ruby Valley. It reduced part of our trip to Ruby Valley. We had a pleasant breakfast with the Broughs, saw their chickens, and headed out.
Shadows on a wall during the full annular eclipse in Ruby Valley
We had already designated Ruby Valley as the location to meet with Amanda’s family from Utah. We chose The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints branch building in Ruby Valley. The Broughs told us to look out for the Neff family while we were there. Sure enough, a contingent of their family were there to watch the eclipse at the building too.
Solar Eclipse Timelapse by Bryan Hemsley
We went to Rexburg in 2017 for the total eclipse so we had expected something similar. It certainly did not get as dark. Bryan had his camera taking proper shots as the eclipse occurred. You can see the result above. We were very luck to be between clouds for the entire eclipse. The forecast had said it would be about 30% cloud cover, and they were about right. We were really worried we would get cloud cover for the full eclipse and we might not be able to see the sun at all.
Leading up to full eclipse, what we called cartoon shadows
Nothing quite adds up in the mind with the changes of light with an eclipse. This was no different. Even as we were driving out to Ruby Valley and the partial eclipse was starting, my eyes were not happy. My mind seemed to be trying to focus as it recognized something was wrong with the light.
Before the eclipse, the shows reflect the eclipse. You can see the full eclipse above with full circles.
It was already a partially chilly day. I do not think the eclipse helped at all. But we were just along for the ride.
After the eclipse, the webbing of our shadows
It was worth the drive. We are already looking into plans to make the April 2024 eclipse happen. It might be the last chance our children, or either of us, get to experience another eclipse in our lifetime. Where to go to maximize the eclipse length, reduce travel issues, lower costs, but yet avoid potential cloud cover. Where will we end up?
Bryan Hemsley, Amanda Ross, and Zach Smart after the total annular eclipse
Sagacity 