Here are three Letters to the Editor written by my Grandmother, Gladys Donaldson Ross. There are likely more, I will share if I stumble on them.
“Rodeo Visitors
“Editor, Standard-Examiner:
“I would like to thank Ken Cross and anyone else who was responsible for giving the handicapped and shut-in people the opportunity to see a nice rodeo at the Stadium July 17. It put a lot of happiness and joy into the hearts of these people who otherwise would not get to see a rodeo.
“I also would like to thank Miss Rodeo Utah for her wonderful kindness in going among these people and visiting with them. She was so very sweet to take time out and shake hands and visit.
“Troop 55, an all-handicapped Girl Scout Troop, would like the public to know that there are some very wonderful people in Ogden who do care and think of the shut-ins. These are the kind of people it takes to make a wonderful city like Ogden.
“Mrs. Gladys Ross
“Box 291A, Rt. 3, Ogden
“Plain City Sewer
“Editor, Standard-Examiner:
“Have you ever woke up in the morning and cried when you looked out of your front window? I have many times this last month when I see Plain City being destroyed like a bunch of ants taking over a piece of ground.
“I live in a beautiful, friendly town. I love the people and my wonderful neighbors. We voted in a mayor and town council to help us make our town something to be proud of, but instead I now find I want to sell our home that we have worked all our lives for and leave all my wonderful friends. I’m sure my neighbors all feel the same.
“Our former mayor and city council really sold Plain City down the drain. First, they put in a sewer that was to cost only $6 a month which is now up to $9. You pay this each month if your home is vacant or not. Then it cost $500 just to go past your home and the sewer still isn’t in proper functioning. How much more will it cost the people to get this sewer fixed right?
“They have permitted low-cost homes to be built so close to the drain ditch that when they get front porches on them they will have no front yards.
“How has our town council planned to accommodate all these homes on this small road with a sewer that isn’t perfect yet and a garbage dump that in time won’t hold all our garbage?
“I’m sorry for our new mayor for the job he has stepped into but won’t someone who knows something please help us before Plain City is destroyed of all its beauty and force the lifelong residents to move away.
“Mrs. Gladys Ross
“Plain City
Jan 12, 1971 – Letters to the Editor
“‘Dream Come True’
“Editor, Standard-Examiner:
“I think the citizens of Ogden should know about the most wonderful school in Ogden. It is the Weber Training School for the handicapped children.
“It is a dream come true for the parents and their handicapped children. I think everyone should see the school at 12th and Orchard and recognize the devotion of the principal, Mr. Hudson, and his staff.
“These teachers are more than just teachers. Their hearts and souls are with these children. They seem to know all the students and area always ready with love and understanding that handicapped children need so very much.
“I watched the love and devotion of the principal and teachers one day when a student became seriously ill. The teacher gave the student mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and never stopped until the ambulance arrived.
“I feel that the quick thinking, action, love and devotion to the students saved this child’s life.
“I am very proud and thankful for these wonderful people and know my daughter is getting the very best of care and training.
“My only question is how can we put an age limit on the education of a handicapped child. The state legislature passed a law that these students would not have to pay for their schooling when the Ogden and Weber boards took over this school. Now some one has put an age limit of 20 years old and all over that must pay $30 a month. These older children are the ones who have paid for their educatino when we didn’t have a decent school.
“I hope we can find an answer to this unfair situation.
Back l-r: Laura, Wilhelmina, Floyd, Kenneth, Ivan, Earl, Hazel, Barbara Bodrero; Sitting: Moses, Wilhelmina, Clara Bodrero
This is a copy of a letter transcribed and in the records of Golden Rulon Andra.
“Preston, Idaho
“Feb. 4th, 1941
“Dear Clara,
“I just ran into your letter of last Dec. Sorry I did not tend to it sooner.
“Well, my father was born October 18th, 1845 in Holzgerlingen, Wurttemburg, Germany. He served in the war in 1866. He also served in the war against France in 1870 and 71. He received the Iron Cross for Bravery.
“After the last war, he moved to Grunkraut, Ravensburg. He got a job from the goverment as a Strassenwarter (road overseer in English). He held that job until 1893 until he immigrated to this country, or until he joined the church.
“I don’t know much about his early life, but I believe he was a weaver of cotton goods. He also had a small farm, and I did most of the work on it.
“In 1893, 21st of June, I think, they all headed to Mapleton, Oneida Co., Idaho. He bought John Nuffer’s farm at Glendale (now Franklin Co., Idaho.)
“Later, he bought the Jed M. Blair farm in Whitney, Idaho. Started to raise sugar beets. (Your mother can tell you the rest.) My father was a sucessful farmer.
“In Jan. 1900, he moved to Logan City, Utah, and did a lot of Tempel work, until his death, which was Feb. 16th, 1922. He was buried in the Logan Cemetary.
“John G. Wanner
“179E. 1st So. St.
Prestn, Idaho
John George Wanner Jr
“P.S. I don’t know anything about the family bible. I know there were a lot of dates and information about the family. I was not present when the furniture was divided.
“I did not get any of it.
“J.G.W.
“This above letter was received by Clara Bodrero, 495 W. 5th No., Logan, Utah, several years ago. John G. Wanner was her grandfather.
Milo Ross in front of John Carver Cabin, Plain City, Utah
Here is a photo that Grandpa shared regularly. He was pleased to have helped with the restoration of the John Carver home in Plain City, Weber, Utah. As you can see, he also liked to write notes on photos and things to preserve his thoughts. “Milo J. Ross, Number 1 Shop, P. Calvert. Harold Carver family – money. First Ward. Restored Carver Log Home – President Calvert Plain City. Thanks to Milo Ross and Harold Carver family – Money. Milo did the carpenter work free – and supplied also.”
It was a great source of pride that he helped restore this cabin and preserve part of Plain City’s history for future generations. It had the canopy over it before and obviously another was put up. I am not sure if it went without a canopy for a while, or if this photo was just taken before it was reinstalled.
I could not really find anything on the cabin otherwise. I found this website that has photos.
1959 Article on John Carver Cabin
John Carver was born 6 August 1822 in Clifford, Herefordshire, England. He joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1842, immigrated in 1850. He met and married Mary Ann Eames on the ship, marrying 10 March 1850 on the Atlantic Ocean. He had a farm at Kay’s Creek which he gave up when he moved to Plain City in the fall of 1859 (according to Plain City history). John built this cabin in 1860.
2018 photo by Jacob Barlow of John Carver cabin
John died 11 January 1912 in Plain City and was buried on the 14th in Plain City. Mary Ann died 18 June 1870 in Plain City. John took another wife, Rachel Fredrica Tellefsen, in 1864. He took another wife, Sarah Ann Eames, in 1871. Rachel died in 1903 in Plain City, Sarah died in 1909 in Eden, Weber, Utah.
Daughters of the Utah Pioneers plague on John Carver cabin in Plain City, Utah
John had 10 children with Mary, 5 children with Rachel, and 7 children with Sarah.
Note by Milo Ross regarding the Carver Cabin
Little framed box Grandpa put together with nails from the cabin roof.
October 3, 1983
Milo Ross is repairing Daughters of Pioneers Log Cabin by our church. These are nails out of the boards the Pioneers used to make the roof on the Log Cabin.
This biography of Anna Maria Schmid Wanner was in a family history book that belonged to Golden Rulon Andra and was given to me by his daughter. I did not have this biography and am happy to share it.
“Anna Maria Schmid Wanner, my grandmother, was born in [Holzgerlingen], [Württemberg], Germany on the 21 of January 1849. She was the daughter of Jacob Friedrich Schmid and Solome Notter. Her mother died when she was two years old. She then had a stepmother who was very cruel to her. They were very poor, and she would go to her grandmothers place and pick over potato peelings for the want of food. She ate the potato peelings for food.
“She started school at the age of six. For years the people in Germany couldn’t grow a thing, and the schools had to feed the children soup in school.
“She was a member of the Protestant church.
“Her father was a linen weaver, and grandmother would walk miles and miles at night through the dark woods to deliver the linen to different people. She had to carry it on her head. She often would be afraid, but she always prayed, and never was harmed.
“She married John George Wanner on the 6th of June 1870. From this union was born to them 5 sons and 5 daughters. They buried 2 sons in Germany. They were married only a short time when her husband called to go to war.
“It was the custom for the women to do the farm work, cutting the hay with the scythe and putting it up by hand.
“When the children needed shoes or dresses the shoemaker and the dressmaker would come to the home.
“Early in the year 1873, the family moved to Greenkraut [Grünkraut], [Württemberg], Germany.
“In 1891, she and her family were converted to the Morman or Latter-Day-Saint church. In her home she had a large room where she would accommodate the missionaries with food and beds, and help them learn the German language.
“In May 1893, she with her husband and family of seven children left Germany to come to America. They arrived at Franklin County [then Oneida County], Idaho on Sunday the 18th of June 1893.
“She left a brother and sister and father in Germany when she came to America. She had a brother named Carl and a sister, Louise Sophia. Grandmother was the youngest child. She was the only one of her fathers family that joined the Latter-Day-Saint church.
“They lived in Glendale, Whitney, and Preston, Idaho and in 1910 they moved to Logan, Utah. She and her husband did lots of Tempel work for their own dead ancestors as well as considerable donation work in the Tempel for other people.
“She obtained many names from Germany which was promised in her Patriarchal blessing, and the work was done for all of them before her death.
“She took sick in December, and died on the 9th of December 1929 of Pneumonia. Her funeral services were held in the 4th ward of Logan, Utah in which she was a member. She was buried by her husband in the cemetery at Logan, Utah.
“NOTE: Her oldest son preceded the family to America. He came over 1 and 1/2 years before the rest of the family. Thus — they only brought 7 children with them.
“This biography was copied from a letter received from Clara Bodrero, 495 W. 5th No., serveral years ago. She does not remember who sent it to her. Logan, Utah.
Another article clipped by my Grandmother, Gladys Donaldson Ross. This references a fire of a home that belonged to Harold and Jennie Ross. Jennie is a Van Leeuwen cousin of my Grandma, Harold is the brother to my Grandpa. Jennie told me at one point, she may have thought the fire was intentionally set to get back at her by Harold. She lost some of her prized Charlie Russell paintings in the fire.
“Pleasant View – Although they would have liked to, city officials here voted against loaning city equipment to help clean up after a recent house fire.
“City councilman and Mayor Richard Diamond said they feared such an act would set a precedent that may be difficult to live with as the years come and go.
“In addition, a group of citizens appearing before them on other matters felt the same way.
“Voiced Sympathy
“Mayor Diamond asked the group how they felt about granting such a request involving the home of Harold Ross at 975 W. 3800 N., that was gutted by fire.
“Several of the people responded. They also expressed sympathy for the cause, but said it would not be wise for the city to loan the front-end loader.
“A couple cited other examples in which such requests could have been made and said there would be no place to “draw the line.”
“Debris left over by the fire was being cleared by volunteers, mostly neighbors and friends.
“The front-end loader, it was explained, would have come in handy to scoop up the debris and load it into waiting trucks.
“In further illustrating the problem such an act would create, Councilman Leonard Cevering mentioned an experience at his own home.
“He said he came home at 10:30 one evening to find his basement half full of water.
“”I would have been great if I could have called the city and had them bring over a piece of equipment to dig down and drain the water out,” he said.
“As it was, he added, the task involved considerable time and expense on his part. He said there could be a number of such problems in the future.
“City officials, however, did not rule out the use of city equipment during emergency situations when lives or property might be threatened.
This is another chapter of the Jonas history book compiled by Carvel Jonas. “The Joseph Jonas clan of Utah (including – early Jonas family history; early Nelson family history)” This one is on Gaylen Thompson Jonas, Melvin Andersen Jonas, and John Irvin Jonas.
“Gaylen Thompson Jonas
“Melvin Andersen Jonas
“John Irvin Jonas [all my family history records show his name as Irwin John Jonas, not John Irvin]
“The above three Jonas boys were killed during World War 2 within two months and eight days of each other. Each was a grandson of Joseph and Annette Josephine Jonas, and each is a son with a different father. Melvin was a son of John Nelson and Armina Jonas. Gaylen was a son of William Nelson and Mary Jonas. Irvin was the son of Joseph Nelson and Lillian Jonas [I wrote about a post about Irwin exactly 10 years ago, then the 70th Anniversary of D-Day]. Gaylen never married. Melvin and Irvin married. Irvin was the only one of these three to have any children. He had one son, whose name was Irvin [Robert Irwin Jonas (1944-2019)], and only one grandson who was killed in a car accident when he was 16 years old [Robert Irwin Jonas II (1965-1983)]. Also, grandpa Joseph Jonas had a brother, William, who had a grandson who was also killed in the war [Melvin Paul Jonas (1917-1945)]. This grandson may have passed the Jonas surname had he lived, but with his death William Jonas had no great grand children who were boys. The war killed four of the Jonas sons.
Irwin John Jonas
“I wish that I had more information about Melvin and Irvin. I do have pictures which have been included in this history. If you (the reader) have any additional information please let me know so it can be included in a future edition.
Melvin Andersen Jonas Portrait
“Melvin Andersen Jonas was born 31 March 1917 in Richmond, Cache County, Utah. He was given a priesthood blessing 1 July 1917. He was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 31 August 1925. He was ordained a Deacon 3 December 1929; a Teacher 12 February 1933, and a Priest 21 June 1937. He married Doris Everts 17 March 1944 and died just over four months after he was married on 16 July 1944. The Deseret News – 20 July 1944 p. 14, has the following obituary. “Houstin Texas. Lt. Melvin Jonas. Richmond – Funeral services for Lt. Melvin Jonas, 27, who drowned Sunday in the San Marcus California River, Will be conducted Sat. at 2 P.M. in the Richmond tabernacle by Bishop Erastus Johnson.”
“John Irvin Jonas was born 2 September 1921 at Thatcher, Bannock [Franklin] County, Idaho. His first name was probably given to him in behalf of his uncle, John Nelson Jonas, who died about two years before Irvin’s birth. Irvin was given a priesthood blessing 5 February 1922 and was baprized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 19 February 1931, and confirmed the same day. He was ordained a Deacon 1 April 1934 and a Teacher 27 February 1938. He was married 17 June 1943 when he was 21 years old at Rochester, Minnesota. Their only son, Robert Irvin Jonas was born 12 February 1944 at Logan, Utah. His son was four month old, less one day, when John Irvin died. The Salt Lake Tribute 8 August 1944 p. 11, and the Deseret News 8 August 1944 p. 5 have the following information. “Sgt. Irvin Jonas, 22, Richmond. Husband of Mrs. Mary [Popwitz] Jonas and son of Mrs. Lillian C. Jonas died 11 July 1944. Died in action in France.
Gaylen Thompson Jonas
“Gaylen Thompson Jonas was born 14 March 1925 at Logan, Utah. He was 6′ 2” tall and weighed over 200 pounds when he enlisted in the US Marines 19 August 1942. He was just 17 years and 5 months old when he enlisted. He went to San Diego, California to be trained with the 2nd Mormon battalion. He went overseas Jan 1943. He died 19 September 1944 when he was 19 years, 6 months and 5 days old. He was buried overseas for four years and 4 days and then was reburied 23 September 1948 at the Elysian Burial Cemetery in Murray, Utah. Here his body was laid next to his youngest brother, William Thompson Jonas, and now his parents are there, too. The Deseret News – 24 October 1944 p. 5, has an obituary.
“Gaylen was given a priesthood blessing 5 July 1929 by his father. He was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 25 November 1933. He was confirmed 3 December 1933 by his father. He was ordained a Deacon 4 July 1937 and a teacher 29 January 1940. Temple work was done for Gaylen by his father 8 March 1950. Gaylen had visited his father two different times after his death and asked for his temple work to be done.
“The following is quoted from the April 1943 edition of the Millcreek Courier, which was the ward paper for William and Mary Jonas. “Gaylen was born in Logan on March 14, 1925. He came so near being born on Friday 13th that Mrs. Jonas was on the verge of asking the President to set the clock ahead about 24 hours to insure for her son a lucky beginning. Gaylen enjoys fishing and riding horses. The horse however on one occasion became just a little peeved and didn’t enjoy one bit the caress bestowed upon it by our hero. Being kicked in the face by one of the beasties isn’t a pleasant experience as Gaylen will tell you. He is a member of the 2nd Mormon Battalion having enlisted July 6, 1942. He is the proud possessor of a medal for sharpshooting and is a private in the Marines. Since they entered the service, the paths of Gaylen and Maynard have crossed and they have spent some enjoyable moments together under the palms where Pacific breezes blow. We wish them many more such meetings whenever the opportunity arises.”
“Gaylen, before joining the Marines, had received a severe wound in his leg which could have kept him from military service. But Gaylen would volunteer even though his parents encouraged him to consider not going, he being only 17 years old.
“Two of the many letters that Gaylen wrote will now be included. Mailed 23 September 1943. “Little Brother, well here’s a letter all of your own. Well your eight years old now. Your getting to be a big boy now. When you get big you will make a good Marine. Be nice to your teachers and make good marks in school. Be good until I come home and I’ll bring you a nice, big present. Do you still have your rabbits I gave you? Tell me how many cows and calves we have now. I got to go to bed now. I’m still your pal, Buddy. Your big Brother, Gaylen.”
“This next letter was written 10 June 1944. “Dear Pap, I received four letters from you and ten from Mom. You can see our mail was held up for sometime. I don’t think I will be able to see Del for sometime as we are headed in different directions. Vaughn will sure snap out of it sometime. I was hoping he would get into the M. Marines. I guess it is just as well that he went into the Navy because he may learn a trade that will help him when he gets out sometime. Maynard is on a sub. he travels mostly between Pearl Harbor and Brestone. He doesn’t get much danger but his work is very important. Well pop that makes four of us in the service. I hope we are safely able to get out of this war okay. Tell mom, Grandma and little buddy hello. Love, Gaylen.”
“Two of the people Gaylen served with wrote home to the Jonas family to express their sympathy and to tell the history of Gaylen’s death. The first letter is from Richard B. Wentworth.
“Ebba Thompson, I have been trying to find out P.F.C. Jonas’ address ever since his death. I knew he lived in Salt Lake, but his correct home address I have been unable to obtain or I would have written sooner. I believe I knew Jonas longer than anyone else in the battery. I knew him when he was in the 155 M.M. Batt. and I am proud to say I am one of the many friends that he had while in the Marines. In all the time that (I) knew him I very seldom ever saw him without a smile and a good word for anyone. On Sept. 19th the regiment asked for volunteers to do stretcher bearer duty at the front. There were 9 of us who volunteered for this duty. On this island we knew full our odds of coming out were practically nill. I meant that we would all be exposed continually to enemy fire like ducks in a shooting gallery from the start. We all split up and worked pairs. Jonas and I carried three wounded and went back. A man had been shot in the chest just forward of the front lines after knocking out the pillbox. We went out after him and got caught in enemy machine gun crossfire. Jonas was killed immediately. You may be assured that he never suffered for a moment… I know that this is not in the smallest way adequate, these few words that I have written. So feel perfectly free to write me personally and ask any questions. You can always write my mother if I should change address and she will give it to you…
“This next letter was written by Sgt. L. E. Byington 20 January 1945. “Dear Mrs. Jonas, It sure was a pleasure to hear from you. I want you to know if there’s anything I can do please don’t hesitate to ask I’ll be only glad to help out in anyway I can. When I come home I sure will come and see you all. Gaylen often told me “Blondy I want you to meet my folks when we get a furlough, they are the best parents a guy could want.” He always called me Blondy. He sure thought a lot of his aunt Miss Thompson too. Most people don’t figure that letters from relations interest other people but he used to let me read some of her letters. He sure thought a lot of her. I took two pictures of Gaylen but one negative must have got lost in the mail when I sent it home. I’ve already sent Miss Thompson one picture of Gaylen and another fellow and I. And I told her if she wanted the negative she could write to my folks in Hooper and they’d sent it to her… Sgt. Rawlings and I and three other members of Gaylens platton and three Seabees were there at the dedication of Gaylens grave. Sgt. Rawlings said a wonderful prayer. Yes. I know Corp. Wentworth also. He told me how it happened. It wasn’t compulsory that they went, they asked for volunteers and well Gaylen was the kind of guy who lent a hand wherever a hand was needed regardless of danger. Why things like this happen to our closest friends I’ll never know but his name will never go unremembered. I had to stay on board ship to watch our galley equipment and when I reach camp I was told about him. At first I couldn’t believe it. I was just stunned. It’s just like losing a brother. Gaylen and I used to be in the mess hall together back in San Diego. We used to go on liberty together too. Every time I think about it I’d like to kill a dozen… Those that we’ve captured said they knew they’d lose. All they held out for was to kill. They said you’ll win the war but it will cost you… Well, Mrs. Jonas I’ve enjoyed your letter very much. I’m going to save it so I can always remember you folks and I’m going to try my best to meet you all some day soon. May God be with you always, a friend. Stf. Sgt. L. E. Byington.”
“The next letter is from the secretary of the Navy. “The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Bronze Star Medal posthumously to PRIVATE FIRST CLASS GAYLEN T. JONAS, UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE, for service as set forth in the following Citation: For heroic service while serving with the Twelfth Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion, Fleet Marine Force, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu, Palau Islands, 19 September 1944. Courageous in the fact of terrific fire from Japanese guns, Private First Class Jonas volunteered to serve as a stretcher bearer during the evacuation of the wounded from the front lines. After the establishment of a shuttle system, he operated between the high ground dominated by hostile enemy snipers and, having assisted in the successful removal of several wounded men, was returning to the front lines to render further assistance when mortally wounded by a Japanese sniper. By his self-sacrificing spirit and daring efforts to save the lives of others, Private First Class Jonas upheld the highest tradition of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.”
