In March 2021 the Ross family went on a little excursion with the Hemsley family to Junction, Utah. With them we hit Bryce Canyon National Park and some other locations. I previously wrote of our visit to Capitol Reef National Park. On that same trip, before Capitol Reef, we hit Bryce Canyon National Park.
Ross family at Bryce Canyon National Park
Here are a few photos of that excursion.
Aliza Ross and Zach Smart at Bryce Canyon, 21 March 2021
We entered from the north side of the Park through Bryce Canyon City.
You can probably tell from the photos. It was pretty chilly with the fairly new snow. The snow created some beautiful contrasts in color.
Some of it was a bit harrowing with the long drops from either side of the trail. Thank goodness we had Grandma and Grandpa, and aunts and uncles to help shepherd the children through.
These photos are all from the trails near Sunrise Point and Sunset Point.
Some of the hoo doos were definitely interesting.
Amanda taking a picture of James Ross with Zach and Alyssa Smart
Of course, I had to get a picture of Queen Victoria in the Queen’s Garden.
Amanda and James Ross with Queen Victoria
Amanda Ross and Alyssa Smart hiking Queen’s Garden Trail to the Navajo Trail
Once you hike down a trail, you must invariably hike back up. The Navajo Loop Switchback of course was our choice to return.
Jack and Derek Hemsley, Amanda and Aliza Ross in the background, hiking up the Navajo Loop Trail
We may have been huffing and puffing, along with exhausted and moody children, at the end of the loop switchback.
Some of the rock formations were simply amazing.
In the middle of the day I had to sequester myself to the van for some 341 bankruptcy hearings. After the day, we started heading toward Capitol Reef National Park and spending the night in Escalante for Escalante National Park.
Like many others, we took the opportunity to attend the Manti Temple Open House. We scheduled it during the kids’ Spring Break from School. The last time we were in Manti was for Zach and Alyssa Smart’s wedding in 2018 (I posted it about it at the time). We took this picture as a family then.
Paul, Amanda, Aliza, Hiram, Lillian, and James Ross at Manti Temple in 2018
We decided to recreate the 2018 photo. Here is what we were able to do with the exhausted and cold kids.
Paul, Amanda, Aliza, Hiram, Lillian, and James Ross at Manti Temple in 2024
We all are 6 years older! I don’t think my hair line has receded anymore since then, although it still might be thinner. All are taller.
We waited for more than 2 hours to get into the temple for the tour. It was brisk and chilly, but the kids seemed to take it well. They even rolled down the temple hill a few times. We snapped this photo near the beginning of the line at the bottom of the hill. Grandma Jill Hemsley joined us for the occasion too!
Amanda, Paul, Hiram, James, Lillie, and Aliza Ross with Jill Hemsley at the Manti Utah Temple
It was a long line.
We finally made it inside. I think we moved through faster than I would have preferred. However, it was fun to be in parts of the temple I had never before seen. The Assembly Room was amazing. I enjoyed the novelty of the stairwells. The new screens in the Terrestrial Room, although necessary for the video presentation, are very disruptive of the room. I really appreciated and felt some of the paintings.
We also recreated another photo from 2018. Some of the landscaping was redone…
Aliza and Lillian Ross attempting to recreate a 2018 photo at the Manti Temple
Here is the photo they were recreating. Aliza and Hiram were waiting for a hummingbird to land on them. Unfortunately, with the new water conserving landscaping, I am sure there will be many fewer hummingbirds. Too bad the grounds didn’t just do away with the grass. The flowers were so amazing.
Hiram and Aliza Ross waiting for a hummingbird in 2018
If you look closely, you can see the keystone of the door in the 2018 photo. Too bad the bench is also gone.
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
This wasn’t intentional. Not sure why or how it happened, but it did.
Anyone who knows me knows that I stop and visited deceased people and ancestors anytime I am in the neighborhood. Kinda like stopping in to visit any other cousin or friend when you are driving through, are in town, and have some time. Ancestors are very accommodating whenever you want to stop in and visit. Maybe COVID-19 just gave us more time.
I have the following ancestors who are buried somewhat nearby, western United States. I will link each ancestor I have written about previously if you want additional information. Here are my ancestors and where they are buried.
As of this writing, I see there are two ancestors that I haven’t stopped and visited in the last few years and got pictures with the kids and the tombstone, Christiana Andra in Salt Lake City and William Sharp in Ogden (I now have the goal to get it done before the end of the year). I also have a couple of known ancestors without tombstones, David and Gwenllian Jordan in Ogden, Utah, Hubert Jonas in Ellensburg, Washington (but we got pictures at the grave), and Damey Ross in Olivehurst, California (who we visited after hours and couldn’t even locate the grave). We should remedy that but we may just have to stop and get pictures with their grave locations.
I also cheat and use the 2016, 2018, and 2019 photos with three ancestors, Johanna Benson in Spring City, Utah in 2018, John William Ross in San Bruno, California in 2016, and James Thomas Ross/Meredith in Fresno, California in 2019. I could do a 2020 photo for Johanna, but I am not going to California just to redo a tombstone photo with the two Ross ancestors.
Lillian (in background by Wanner tombstone), James, Aliza, and Hiram Ross with tombstone of Mary Louise Wanner (1901-1991) and William Fredrick Andra (1898-1990) on 26 July 2020.
Aliza, Paul, Lillian, and Hiram Ross with tombstone of Mary Ann Bailey (1828-1913), Mary Ann (Lillian “Lillie” Musgrave) Stoker (1861-1935) and Milo Riley Sharp (1857-1916) on 23 May 2020. Mary Ann Bailey is the mother of Milo Riley Sharp, don’t confuse mother Mary Ann with spouse Mary Ann. We shorten our Lillian’s name to Lillie’s spelling in her honor.
Aliza Ross with tombstones for Hermina Jansen (1860-1921) and George Henry (Gerhardus Hendrick) Van Leeuwen (1856-1932) on 28 June 2020.
Joseph Jonas – Richmond, Utah
Tombstone of Joseph Jonas (1859-1917) on 26 July 2020. The S is a mistake put there by someone. Some have put his mother’s maiden name “Schumacher” there, but we have yet to find any evidence of that middle initial or name.
Annie Jonas – Crescent, Sandy, Utah
Lillian and Hiram Ross with tombstone of Annetta Josephine Nelson Jonas (1864-1907) on 11 July 2020.
Herbert & Martha Coley – Richmond, Utah
Lillian Ross with tombstone of Martha Christiansen (1879-1961) and Herbert Coley (1864-1942) on 26 July 2020.
Christiana Andra – Wasatch Memorial, Latona Section, Salt Lake City, Utah
Aliza Ross, Jill Hemsley, Lillian Ross with tombstone of Christiana Wilhelmina Knauke (1869-1957), widow of Friedrich Theodor Andra, on 6 September 2020. She went by Wilhelmina in the United States and married Johann Wendel, as I have written previously. The other grave is her daughter-in-law and grandson, Rebecca Emelia Christensen (1904-1931) and Otto Carl Andra (1929-1929).
Lillie, Paul, Aliza, and Hiram Ross with tombstone of William Sharp on 27 November 2020. This was the first time I had ever been to William’s grave.
Mary Sharp – Plain City, Utah
Aliza, Paul, Lillian, and Hiram Ross with tombstone of Mary Ann Bailey (1828-1913), Mary Ann (Lillie Musgrave) Stoker (1861-1935) and Milo Riley Sharp (1857-1916) on 23 May 2020. Mary Ann Bailey is the mother of Milo Riley Sharp, don’t confuse mother Mary Ann with spouse Mary Ann. We shorten our Lillian’s name to Lillie’s spelling in her honor.
Aliza, Lillie, Paul, James, and Hiram Ross at the graves of Gwenllian Jordan (1842-1900) and David D Williams (1832-1911) on 27 November 2020. Neither have a tombstone.
Hubert Jonas – Holy Cross, Ellensburg, Washington
Lillian Ross with tombstone of Emma Schriber Jonas (1855-1898), wife of William Jonas on 5 August 2020. William and his father Hubert both do not have tombstones and are buried next to Emma.
Hiram, James, Lillian, and Aliza Ross with tombstone for Agnetta Benson (Bengtsson)(1832-1873) and John Nelson (Johann Nilsson)(1827-1902) on 25 July 2020.
Paul, Aliza, and Lillian Ross with tombstone of Constance Josephine Eliza Jorgensen Christiansen (1857-1932) on 8 August 2020. Portland apparently isn’t watering their cemeteries this year.
Paul, Aliza, Lillian, and Hiram Ross with tombstones for Margret Watkins (1816-1902), David Jordan (1820-1893) and Thomas Jordan (1857-1880) on 23 May 2020. Thomas is the son of David and Margret.
Paul, Aliza, Hiram, and Lillian Ross with tombstone of Johanna Johannsson Benson (Bengtsson)(1813-1897) on 7 September 2018. I know I am cheating, it wasn’t 2020. But it was recent.
Aliza Ross with tombstones of Hanna Mathea Christensen (1831-1900) and Olavus Jorgensen (1830-1904) on 26 July 2020.
Others visited this year.
Garrett Lee Smith – Weston, Oregon
Paul Ross with tombstone of Garrett Lee Smith (1981-2003) on 9 August 2020. Garrett was my last missionary companion.
Eli Benjamin Stoker – Mullan, Idaho
Tombstone of Eli Benjamin Stoker (1870-1952) on 3 August 2020. Eli is the half-brother to my Mary Ann Stoker Sharp.
Mary Nelson Jonas – Holy Cross – Ellensburg, Washington
Aliza Ross with tombstone of Mary Nelson Jonas (1885-1899) on 5 August 2020. Mary is the sister to my Joseph Nelson Jonas.
Ezra & Flora Benson – Whitney, Idaho
Aliza and James Ross with tombstone of Flora Smith Amussen (1901-1992) and Ezra Taft Benson (1899-1994) on 26 July 2020. Many know Ezra as the 13th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Secretary of Agriculture under President Eisenhower.
Spackman Plot Marker – Lewiston, Utah
Aliza Ross with the Spackman Plot Marker. She recognized and wanted a picture with the Pacman tombstone on 26 July 2020.
Walter Theodor Andra – Logan, Utah
Aliza, Hiram, and Lillian Ross with tombstone of Walter Theodor Andra (1896-1967) on 25 July 2020. Walter is brother to my Bill Andra.
Charles Wilson Nibley – Logan, Utah
Aliza, Hiram, James, and Lillian Ross with tombstone of Charles Wilson Nibley (1849-1931) on 25 July 2020. Charles is known for various positions and business interests, but most will know him as a member of the First Presidency (non-apostle) to President Heber J Grant of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Moses Thatcher – Logan, Utah
Lillian, Hiram, and Aliza Ross with tombstone of Moses Thatcher (1842-1909) on 25 July 2020. Moses is known for various positions and business interests, but most will know him as a an Apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Allison Ann Parker – Logan, Utah
Tombstone of Allison Ann Parker (1976-1997) on 25 July 2020. Allison is a friend and brother of my high school friends Ryan and Russell Parker. She passed away after a tragic accident driving back to Utah after our Senior Prom date night in 1997.
Peter Maughan – Logan, Utah
James, Aliza, Lillian, and Hiram Ross with tombstone of Peter Maughan on 25 July 2020. Peter is known for various positions and business interests, as one of the founders of Cache Valley, Utah.
Ezra Benson – Logan, Utah
Aliza, James, Hiram, and Lillian Ross with tombstone of Ezra Taft Benson (1811-1869) on 25 July 2020. Ezra is known for various positions and business interests, but most will know him as a an Apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Nels Nelson – Crescent, Sandy, Utah
Hiram and Lillian Jonas with tombstone of Nels August Nelson (Nilsson)(1857-1935) on 11 July 2020. He is the brother to my Annetta “Annie” Jonas.
Stanley Spatig – West Warren, Utah
Tombstone of Stanley Hazen Spatig (1940-2013). Son of Eva Virtue Wanner Spatig, sister to my Mary Louise Wanner Andra.
Joseph & Ann Wayment – West Warren, Utah
Bryan Hemsley, Amanda, Aliza, and Hiram Ross with tombstones of Ann Reed (1852-1931) and Joseph Wayment (1844-1931). Amanda’s Great Great Great Grandparents on 24 May 2020.
Louis & Martha Hansen – West Warren, Utah
Bryan Hemsley, Aliza, Amanda, and Hiram Ross with tombstone of Sarah Eveline Judkins (1886-1943), Louis Alma Hansen (1876-1951), and Martha Ann Wayment (1877-1908) on 24 May 2020. Louis and Martha are Amanda’s Great Great Grandparents.
Walter & Myrtle Hansen – West Warren, Utah
Bryan & Jill Hemsley with Aliza, Lillian, Amanda, and Hiram Ross with tombstone of Myrtle Thompson (1902-1959) and Walter Wayment Hansen (1904-1995) on 24 May 2020. Walter and Myrtle are Amanda’s Great Grandparents.
Evan & Lona Jonas – Lindquist Memorial Gardens of the Wasatch, Ogden, Utah
Aliza and James Ross with tombstone for Lona Rae Jensen (1930-2012) and Evan Reed Jonas (1928-1999) on 23 May 2020. Evan is the brother to my Norwood Jonas.
Spencer & Jimmie Jonas – Lindquist Memorial Gardens of the Wasatch, Ogden, Utah
Aliza Ross with tombstone of Viola Amelia (Jimmie) Cole (1920-1996) and Spencer Gilbert Jonas (1919-1988) on 23 May 2020. Spencer is the brother to my Norwood Jonas.
Melvin Thompson – Lindquist Memorial Gardens of the Wasatch, Ogden, Utah
Amanda, James, Aliza, Lillian, Hiram Ross, Bryan and Jill Hemsley, and Alyssa Smart with tombstone of Melvin J Thompson (1925-2018) on 23 May 2020. Mel is Amanda step-Grandpa.
Merle & Belle Hemsley – Lindquist Memorial Gardens of the Wasatch, Ogden, Utah
Bryan & Jill Hemsley, Hiram, Lillian, Aliza, and Amanda Ross with tombstone for Belle Sarah Peterson (1917-2003) and Richard Merle Hemsley (1912-1962) on 23 May 2020. Merle and Belle are Amanda’s Great Grandparents.
Ellen Weller – Hooper, Utah
Tombstone of Ellen Watton Weller (1828-1894) on 23 May 2020. I stumbled upon this tombstone in Hooper. I was walking around, felt inspired to walk over, and looked at this one knowing there was a link. Name looked vaguely familiar. Half-sister to my Hannah Maria Rogers Coley. Didn’t know she was buried in Hooper, FamilySearch didn’t have it either. Her and Joseph Weller are now documented and updated.
Dee Hemsley – Hooper, Utah
Alyssa Smart, Bryan and Jill Hemsley, Aliza, Lillian, Amanda, and Hiram Ross with tombstone of Richard DeLece Hemsley (1936-2013) on 23 May 2020. Dee is Amanda’s grandfather.
William & Martha Wayment – Plain City, Utah
James, Amanda, Lillian, Aliza, and Hiram Ross with tombstones for Martha Brown (1823-1905) and William Wayment (1822-1883) on 23 May 2020. William and Martha are Amanda’s Great Great Great Great Grandparents. The tombstone above Aliza’s head is William Edward Stoker mentioned above, my Great Great Great Grandfather.
Lorenzo Snow – Brigham City, Utah
Hiram, Lillian, and Aliza Ross with tombstone for Lorenzo Snow (1814-1901) on 23 May 2020. Lorenzo Snow is known as the 5th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
David & Ruby Haight – Wasatch Memorial, Salt Lake City, Utah
Aliza & Lillian Ross, Jill Hemsley, with tombstone of Ruby Olson (1910-2004) and David Bruce Haight (1906-2004) on 6 September 2020. David Haight is known as an Apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and I previously interacted with him regarding marriage.
Charlotte Sharp – Ogden, Utah
James and Paul Ross at the tombstone of Charlotte Elizabeth Earl (1816-1907) on 27 November 2020. Charlotte married my William Sharp (1826-1900) after she was widowed of her first husband Charles James McGary (1808-1875).
Lorin Farr – Ogden, Utah
Paul Ross with tombstone of Lorin Farr (1808-1907) on 27 November 2020. Lorin Farr was the first Stake President of the Weber Stake which covered all the territory of all my ancestors in Ogden and Plain City. He was also the first Mayor of Ogden.
Thomas Marsh – Ogden, Utah
Paul Ross with tombstone of Thomas Baldwin Marsh (1800-1866) on 27 November 2020. Thomas Marsh is known as the first Apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who had he remained faithful, would have been President before Brigham Young.
Sergene Sorenson – Pleasant View, Burley, Idaho
Lillie, Hiram, Aliza, and James Ross with tombstone of Sergene Sorenson (1932-2013) on 2 January 2021. Sergene is the sister to my Grandma Colleen.
Scott Sorenson – Pleasant View, Burley, Idaho
James, Lillie, Hiram, and Aliza Ross with tombstone of Scott Sorenson (1951-2001) on 2 January 2021.Lillie, Hiram, Aliza, and James Ross with tombstone of Bert Sorenson (1924-1991) on 2 January 2021.
For Labor Day weekend this year, 2019, we went with the Hemsley clan for a Reunion at Smith and Morehouse Campground, in the mountains from Oakley, Summit County, Utah. I pulled two photos from the bunch to share.
Hiram Ross sitting on the shore of Smith and Morehouse Reservoir with Zach and Alyssa Smart in the background
Yearly Hemsley Reunion with Amanda and her immediate family. Kids had loads of fun at Smith and Morehouse.
The departing armada of paddelboats and kayaks at Smith and Morehouse Reservoir
Last weekend was Amanda’s sister’s wedding in Manti, Sanpete, Utah. We went down to attend the wedding for Zachary & Alyssa Smart. It was a wonderful trip, time to get away, celebrate the wedding and reception, and enjoy ourselves.
Paul, Amanda, Aliza, Hiram, Lillian, and James Ross at Manti Temple
I have done enough family history that I knew my 4th Great Grandmother is buried in Spring City. Like other locations, if I am in Sanpete County, I make an effort to stop and visit her grave. I think the last time I was able to stop was about 2003, so it had been about 15 years.
Paul, Aliza, Hiram, and Lillian Ross at the grave of Johanna Johannsson Benson (Bengtsson)
His mother was Annetta Josephine Nelson (she went by Annie) (1864 – 1907).
Her mother was Agnetta Benson (she went by Annie) (anglicized from Bengtsson) (1832 – 1873).
Her mother was Johanna Johansdotter (which shows up on the tombstone as Johansson) (1813 – 1897), who was married to Nils Benson (anglicized from Bengtsson).
I really don’t know tons about Johanna. Nels August Nelson makes only passing reference to his grandmother. I have been unable to find when she immigrated to the United States.
Hiram and Aliza Ross waiting for a hummingbird to land on them
Johanna Johansdotter was born 15 February 1813 in Öringe, Veinge, Halland, Sweden. She met and married Nils Bengtsson on 4 July 1830 in Veinge, Halland, Sweden. Nils was born 1 August 1802 in Brunskog, Tönnersjö, Halland, Sweden. Together they had 8 children together.
Agnetta Nilsdotter born 9 Dec 1832.
Lars Nilsson born 11 May 1835.
Ingjard Nilsdotter born 17 February 1839.
Christina Nilsdotter born 21 June 1841.
Bengta Nilsdotter born 19 March 1843.
Nils (Nels) Nilsson born 23 August 1846.
Borta Nilsdotter born 6 April 1849.
Johan Petter Nilsson born 31 August 1855.
Nils passed away 12 March 1859.
Johanna was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 11 May 1861. Agnetta was baptized 10 November 1863, Lars 5 May 1860, Ingjard 5 May 1861, Christina 4 February 1866, and Nils Jr 5 May 1860. Johann joined 7 September 1893 after immigration to Utah. The other two were after their deaths. Bengta and Borta did not join or immigrate to Utah.
Johanna’s daughter Agnetta (Annie) traveled with her husband Johan Nilsson from Halmstadt, Sweden through Liverpool, England docking in New York City, New York on 3 June 1864. I cannot tell that Johanna traveled with Johan and Agnetta.
Most of the children upon traveling to the United States were given the last name of Benson instead of Nilsson.
The children spread. Agnetta went with her husband to Logan, Utah. Lars went with his family to what is now Sandy, Utah. Ingjard to what is now Sandy. Christina to Vernon, Utah. Nils to Spring City, Utah. John also to Sandy. For whatever reason Johanna went with Nils to Spring City and remained there the rest of her days. She passed away May 1897, we do not have an exact date. Nils served a mission from 1892 to 1894 back to the Scandinavia mission.
Manti Temple 2018
An interesting tidbit about our trip to Manti. We stayed in a restored home of James Marks Works. He was the brother-in-law to Brigham Young. It was an early home with various additions, modifications, and ultimate restoration. James Marks Works and Phebe Jones had a daughter named Mary Ann Angel Works. Mary Ann is the second wife to Nils Benson and they had 9 children together. The home in Manti we stayed may very well have been visited by my 3rd Great Grand Uncle and his 9 children, all of which were grandchildren of James Marks Works. James Marks Works died in 1889 and the first of the 9 children were born in 1892, but James’ son James Marks Works (Jr) kept the home and continued working the sawmill behind the home.
Here is a picture of the Manti Temple from James Marks Works’ home.
Manti Temple from James Marks Works’ home
Another interesting side note that I remembered from the last time I walked around the Spring City Cemetery. Orson Hyde is also buried there. I walked the kids over to Elder Hyde’s grave and we snapped a picture there as well. I explained his role as an Apostle, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Dedication of Palestine for the return of the Jews, clerk to Joseph Smith, lawyer, Justice on Utah Supreme Court. The kids didn’t seem to care much…
Hiram, Lillian, and Aliza Ross at the grave of Orson Hyde
Here is Orson’s short biography from the Joseph Smith papers.
8 Jan. 1805 – 28 Nov. 1878. Laborer, clerk, storekeeper, teacher, editor, businessman, lawyer, judge. Born at Oxford, New Haven Co., Connecticut. Son of Nathan Hyde and Sally Thorpe. Moved to Derby, New Haven Co., 1812. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, 1819. Joined Methodist church, ca. 1827. Later affiliated with reformed Baptists (later Disciples of Christ or Campbellites). Baptized into LDS church by Sidney Rigdon and ordained an elder by JS and Sidney Rigdon, Oct. 1831, at Kirtland. Ordained a high priest by Oliver Cowdery, 26 Oct. 1831. Appointed to serve mission to Ohio, Nov. 1831, in Orange, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio. Baptized many during proselytizing mission with Samuel H. Smith to eastern U.S., 1832. Attended organizational meeting of School of the Prophets, 22–23 Jan. 1833, in Kirtland. Appointed clerk to church presidency, 1833. Appointed to serve mission to Jackson Co., Missouri, summer 1833. Served mission to Pennsylvania and New York, winter and spring 1834. Member of Kirtland high council, 1834. Participated in Camp of Israel expedition to Missouri, 1834. Married to Marinda Nancy Johnson by Sidney Rigdon, 4 Sept. 1834, at Kirtland. Ordained member of Quorum of the Twelve by Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris, 15 Feb. 1835, in Kirtland. Served mission to western New York and Upper Canada, 1836. Served mission to England with Heber C. Kimball, 1837–1838. Moved to Far West, Caldwell Co., Missouri, summer 1838. Sided with dissenters against JS, 1838. Lived in Missouri, winter 1838–1839. Removed from Quorum of the Twelve, 4 May 1839. Restored to Quorum of the Twelve, 27 June 1839, at Commerce (later Nauvoo), Hancock Co., Illinois. Served mission to Palestine to dedicate land for gathering of the Jews, 1840–1842. Member of Nauvoo Masonic Lodge, 1842. Member of Nauvoo City Council, 1843–1845. Admitted to Council of Fifty, 13 Mar. 1844. Presented petition from JS to U.S. Congress, 1844. Participated in plural marriage during JS’s lifetime. Departed Nauvoo during exodus to the West, mid-May 1846. Served mission to Great Britain, 1846–1847. Presided over Latter-day Saints in Iowa before migrating to Utah Territory. Appointed president of Quorum of the Twelve, 1847. Published Frontier Guardian at Kanesville (later Council Bluffs), Pottawattamie Co., Iowa, 1849–1852. Appointed to preside over church east of Rocky Mountains, 20 Apr. 1851, at Kanesville. Migrated to Utah Territory, 1852. Appointed associate judge of U.S. Supreme Court for Utah Territory, 1852. Elected to Utah territorial legislature, 27 Nov. 1852, 1858. Presided over church in Carson Co., Utah Territory (later the Nevada Territory), 1855–1856. Served colonizing mission to Sanpete Co., Utah Territory, by 1860; presided as ecclesiastical authority there, beginning 1860. Died at Spring City, Sanpete Co.
In September last year, 2017, the Hemsley family took our yearly excursion into the hills.
We traveled into Soda Springs to get to know the town and its sites a little better.
We made a trip to Hooper Springs Park north of Soda Springs to see what we could see.
Hooper Springs Gazebo
A memory stretching from my childhood appeared. I remember going here with my Grandma when I was about 5 or 6 years old when I would go with her selling insurance for a week or so at a time. I remember this little park and the gazebo covering the spring.
We brought our cups out and we did partake of the carbonated waters from Hooper Springs.
I did a little research on Hooper Springs. This little spring has been here and advertised for over at least 160 years. Rain service reached the area in 1882 and W. H. Hooper marketed the springs nationally. Hooper was a banker and President of Zions Cooperative Mercantile Institution. He was a great advocate of Soda Springs and the soda water industry.
William Henry Hooper was born in Maryland, moved to Illinois, converted to Mormonism, and moved to Utah with the exodus. He served in Congress from Utah from 1859 to 1873 with some gaps.
He was superintendent of ZCMI from 1873 until 1877, then as President from 1877 to 1882. He was also the President of Deseret Bank from 1872 until 1882.
Hooper first came to Soda Springs about 1870. He had his own home in Soda Springs as well as Salt Lake City.
Here we came into Hooper Springs in September 2017. Photo of the Hemsley clan to prove our attendance.
James Ross sits int he car seat on the bench, Zach Smart and Alyssa Hemsley in the back right, Bryan Hemsley holding the red solo cup with flavored carbonated water, Jill Hemsley, Amanda Ross, Derek & Jordan Hemsley holding Jack, with children Alyssa Ross, Lillian Ross, Olivia Hemsley, and Hiram Ross in front.
Old Main at Utah State Agricultural College (USU now), Logan, Utah, about 1900. The iconic front and tower were build in 1902. Fred Nuffer provided 3,000 feet of cut stone for the construction of the south wing.
From Utah State’s Facility Planning.
“Old Main is the landmark of Utah State University and remains the oldest academic building still in use in the state of Utah. In 1889, plans for “The College Building” by C. L. Thompson were selected by the Board of Trustees just two weeks after the land for the Logan campus was secured. The site was chosen the next day so that the main tower would be due east of the end of Logan’s Seventh Street —Today’s Fifth North. Construction began immediately on the south wing of the three -part building and was completed in 1890.
“With more money appropriated in 1892 than anticipated, the Trustees hired [K]arl C. Schaub to redesign an enlarged structure and the construction began for the east part of the central section and the north wing. It wasn’t until 1901 that the money was assured for the completion of the building. The front portion along with the tower was completed in 1902 with the design of H. H. Mahler.
Fred Nuffer provided his own contribution to the construction of the south wing of Utah State’s Old Main. Another interesting side link, Karl Conrad Schaub’s widowed mother married Fred’s father, John Christoph Nuffer. She was Anna Maria Alker who married him Conrad Schaub who left her widowed in 1894. Fred Nuffer provided stone, Karl provided design. Karl and Fred’s brother, John were friends and worked on buildings together.
Another entry from “We of Johann Christoph Nuffer, also known as: Neuffer, Nufer, Neufer,” The book was published in April 1990 by Dabco Printing and Binding Co in Roy, Utah. I will quote from the book itself.
The full title of this article from the book was named, “WRITTEN BY FRED NUFFER AT REQUEST OF OFFICIALS OF UTAH STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE TO BE ENCLOSED IN CORNER STONE LAID IN 1938, TO BE OPENED IN 1988, THE 100th ANNIVERSARY OF THE COLLEGE.”
Utah State was founded in 1888. It appears that the cornerstone was opened at 50 years in 1938 and a new cornerstone was sealed to be opened in 1988. As Fred Nuffer was involved with some of the construction of the campus, he was requested to write for the cornerstone. This was the original part of Old Main, south wing, of what is now Utah State University in Logan, Utah.
“I will recount in detail, as I remember it, the work done by myself and others in supplying stone for the construction of the Utah State Agricultural College buildings in Logan, Utah.
“In the year of 1891-1892, I made contract with Mr. Venables of Ogden to deliver about 3,000 cubic feet of cut stone. Mr. Venables had previously tried to get the stone somewhere south of the valley, but found the stone unsuitable, and the party could not fill the order. As I had furnished stone for several buildings in Logan, Mr. Venables came up to see me. I lived near the quarry at that time. He inspected the quarry and pronounced the stone suitable and gave me a contract to fill the order. The quarry was located about ten miles up Cub River Canyon from Franklin, Idaho, on the left side slope going up the river, on a small tributary creek of Cub River called Sheep Creek.
“All work was done by hand. The main ledge was about 20 feet above ground and about 20 feet wide and 400 to 500 feet long. We used 12 foot churn drills and blasted large black loose from the main ledge. We had to be careful how much powder we used so as not to shatter or cause seams in the stone. We usually had to put a second charge in the opening made by the first charge to dislodge the block from the main ledge. The block so dislodged was from 6 to 7 feet thick and about 20 feet long. From then on, all tools used were hammers, axes, wedges, and squares. Grooves were cut with axes wherever we desired to split the block, then wedges were set in the grooves about ten inches apart and driven in with hammers. Then we dressed them down to the right measurement allowing one half inch for the stone cutters to take out all the tool marks we made. Mr. Venables furnished bills for stone in dimension sizes as needed in the building.
“My brother, C[harles]. A[ugust]. Nuffer, worked on the job the whole time it lasted. I also had a man by the name of Ed Hollingsworth of Preston, also Mr. A. Merrill and Mr. Abel Smart of Cub River, and Mr. Robert Weber of Providence.
“It took part of two years for the job, 1891-1892. The hauling was all done with wagons and horses: 30 to 35 cubic feet was a good load for two horses. The following names were the men doing the hauling: John McDonald of Smithfield, Jean Weber of Providence, and Jake Rinderknecht of Providence hauled more than any other. He used to leave home at 3 a.m., load up the same day and get back to Logan by 3 p.m. the next day. It was very hard on the horses. I also hauled a good many loads with my own team. All loading was done by hand on skids.
“I got 40¢ per cubic foot, of which 20¢ was paid for hauling. We had a hard time handling the name stone to go on the front of the building. When it was ordered it had 30 cubic feet in it and only one foot thick. When the stonecutters got through with it they had found it too big to be hoisted in place so they made it smaller until there wasn’t much left.
“The most difficulty I had was in not getting my pay from Mr. Venables. We overlooked a large 4-horse load at the final settlement. A few minutes after I had signed the receipt for the final payment in full I discovered my mistake. Mr. Venables refused to pay for it, although I produced the bill of lading signed by him. He didn’t dispute the debt, but said he had a receipt paid in full. He didn’t have anything, and the government property couldn’t be attached, so I was the loser of about $15, which seemed a lot of money to me at that time.
Sagacity 