Friday, December 12, 2008
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Thomas Bowles - 1836-1927
A brave and valiant pioneer
Fought the good fight many a year
But now he has gone to a well earned rest
And with the faithful he'll be blessed.
May his descendants honor his name,
His deeds of merit renown to his fame
The memory of him we'll ever hold dear,
Of this tried and proven pioneer.
In the little city of Calne, Wiltshire, England lived Edward Bowles and his wife Ann Bolton and a family of five children. The family was supported by the Father weaving different kinds of buckets and selling them. Thomas, a second son was born on August 18, 1836.
He left school when he was ten years old and went to work in a button factory. While working there he met with a painful accident breaking his leg and thigh. While adjusting the belt which was connected with the machinery his foot was caught breaking the bones. The leg was set by the Doctor pulling on the leg while Thomas held to the head of the bed pulling up. Because of the lack of a skilled physician and improper attention the leg was shorter which caused lameness throughout his entire life. The effects were more pronounced during his later years. Eleven weeks he suffered with the broken bones in a hospital.
During his early boyhood he narrowly escaped drowning twice.
The Bowles family were noted throughout the city for their hospitality; consequently it was not strange that Robert Nelson, Joseph Coleman and a Brother Salter, missionaries of the Mormon Church should spend their time at that home while in Calne. It is possible through these missionaries that the family accepted Mormonism and prepared to immigrate to Zion.
At the age of 19 years in May 1856, Thomas, with the rest of his family except an older Brother John who refused to leave England, started across the ocean on the sailing ship "Thornton". They arrived in Iowa City, July 4, 1856, after a six week journey across the ocean.
Here they were assigned to cross the plains in the James G. Willie Company. The story of the trails and hardships of these immigrants is one of the saddest in the history of the West. The handcarts were made at Iowa City and consisted of two wheels with a frame work extended in front with a cross-bar which was grasped by the one who pulled. The clothing and food were strapped onto the frame. Only 17 pounds of luggage was allowed to a person.
The Willie Company, one of the two last companies to attempt to cross the plains that fall did not cross the Missouri River until August. Unfortunately and early winter set in. The company consisted of 500 souls, 120 carts, 5 wagons, 24 oxen, 45 beef cattle and cows.
The journey from Iowa City to the Missouri River was pleasurable in every particular. The roads were good, game was plentiful, and grass was high for the cattle. Arriving at Florence several days were spent making new carts and mending old ones and obtaining supplies.
On the plains they had many experiences. At Winter Quarters they rested and prepared to resume their journey to Zion. From Winter Quarters they traveled along Plum Creek. At a small place called Plum Creek the Indians drove off the beef cattle, which amounted to about 30 head , which was a very unfortunate occurrence.
Thomas with his Father pulled the cart with the provisions. A younger brother Enoch was ill the entire journey.
When the company reached a point about 300 miles west of Florence, they barely escaped being trampled under foot by a herd of frightened buffalo. With the loosing of many of their cattle, travel with the added loads was most difficult. The roads were very rough and much rawhide had to be used on the rickety carts to keep them from falling to pieces. The axles wore through before the journey was half ended causing much trouble and delay all along the road.
The early frosty nights made it cold for the immigrants but they pushed on until reaching Fort Laramie where they obtained some buffalo robes and a few more provisions.
On they traveled and with the consuming of the food it was discovered that the rations must be meted out to the men, women and children. On October 12 it was decided to apportion two ounces to each soul and on the 14th another reduction was made. Thomas tells of mixing the four ounces of flour with water and baking it over a bonfire made of buffalo chips, which he gathered.
This was their food for 24 hours. On the 19th the last ounces of flour was doled out. What made matters worse was that the snow was flying and it was already 18 inches deep on the level.
Just before camping at Sweet Water Thomas become too tired with pulling the loaded handcart and walking many miles that he laid on the ground along side of the road. His Father said to him: "You must not lie there, the wolves will eat you." The company trudged on and Thomas soon fell asleep from utter weariness. When he awoke it was dark and he had to feel the dust to find which direction the company had traveled. When he got up and began to walk he had not gone far when he saw a light and followed it until he arrived at camp. At Sweet Water nine members of the company died.
During their travel over the plains one of the Bowles oxen died. The company left the animal by the side of the trail. Thomas with a companion ran away from the company and walked back to the dead animal and skinned it and took a piece of the meat and boiled it and ate it. This was done because of their extreme hunger. The Captain, of course, would not allow them to eat the meat of a dead animal had he known.
At Rocky Ridge 13 members of the company died and while they were preparing to bury them two more died and they were buried with their clothes on in the same snow grave.
After the company started again Thomas' father became so tired he said, "I cannot pull the cart any further." In Thomas' own words he said, "So I pulled the cart until we came to Fort Bridger and then I dumped it into a hollow."
At this point of the journey Thomas tells of roasting buffalo hooves and eating them.
Beyond the South Pass a rescue party sent by President Young met the Willie Company. They had had nothing to eat for 48 hours and were freezing and starving to death. Wood was drawn to the camp from the neighboring hills and bonfires were lighted. Food was doled out and the immigrants took new courage. Yet nine died the night that the relief came.
William H. Kimball started for Salt Lake City with the Willie Company. It continued to snow and the nights were bitter cold. The women and children huddled at night around the fires, while the men did all they could to make it comfortable. They gathered wood and tried to keep the clothing dry. The company finally reached Green River where they were met again by supply wagons and in November the men at Fort Bridger welcomed them.
After arriving in Salt Lake City Thomas tells that his mother would give them a very small piece of bread. They would look at it and she would say, "You needn't look at it, it is all that you will get."
For two years Thomas worked in Salt Lake City for Bishop Brown of the 4th Ward. Here he hauled timber from the nearby hills and did any jobs that were to be done for the bishop. They moved to Nephi a few years after it had been settled.
When Thomas was 23 years old he hired a donkey for $5.00 and traveled to Manti and was married by Welcome Chapman a minister to Susannah Washburn (age 16) on January 27, 1859. His wife rode to Nephi with him after the ceremony on the donkey.
A log cabin with a dirt floor on the corner of 3rd North and 2nd East was built and served as their home. The cabin was located outside the Old Fort Wall making it much more dangerous to live there. They had no furniture. A hole left in the dirt floor for the hearth served as table and chairs. Here they could sit with their feet in the hole. A small piece of homemade carpet hung in the doorway served as a door.
He left his young wife many nights with only the carpet hanging to the door and went on guard in the Black Hawk War.
He experienced a narrow escape at one time when he drove a pair of wild steers hitched to a wagon from Sanpete County through the canyon to Nephi. He was also riding through the canyon the day the small company, to whom the monument is erected in the canyon, were killed. He did not know of the massacre until he reached home, where his wife and anxious friends were waiting fearing that he too had been killed.
Samuel Gilson, an early pioneer owed Charles Foote a debt. He was willing to pay this debt in horses which Mr. Foote took and with them bought tools for a butcher shop. Thomas Bowles ran the shop and was later given the tools by Mr. Foote, and he entered into the butcher business for himself. For several years he was engaged in this business. He was an excellent butcher and made many friends while in the shop.
He was one of the largest land owners in Nephi at that time. He also acted as a freighter to Salt Lake City carrying merchandise, grain etc. between the two points. He was know throughout this territory until the time of his death for his braided whips and laiette ropes. He hauled loads of logs for the Juab Stake Tabernacle. He had the distinction of buying possible the first cook stove in Nephi giving $150.00. He was a excellent gardener and made some money truck gardening. He possibly the best grafter Nephi has ever know. He was called to all parts of the country to graft trees.
He was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the age of 10 years by Richard Prater 1846 in England. He was always active in this capacity. While in England he acted as a Deacon, Teacher and Elder. President Wilford Woodruff ordained him a High Priest. In Nephi he acted as counselor to Bishop David Udall and counselor to David Cazier in the High Priest Quorum. He was a member of the first Old Folk's Committee and carved the meat for their banquets until his death a few years ago.
He played the drum and clappers in the first band organized in Nephi.
He was always known as a friend to the Indians and took them into his home many times. His home was always open to freighters and those who needed help.
At the age of 91 he died at his home in Nephi on March 1, 1927. The following children survive him: Thomas Edward, William Abraham and Martha Ann. Two Children died. An adopted daughter Mary J.J. also survives him. He has 22 grandchildren and 100 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren.
Susannah Washburn Bowles - 1843-1917
Born: 23 June 1843 at Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois; Parents: Abraham and Tamar Washburn
Married: 27 Jan 1859 at Manti, Sanpete, Utah to Thomas Bowles
Died: 25 March 1917 at Nephi, Juab, Utah
Mother of seven children: John 1859; Thomas Edward 5 dec 1860; William Abraham 5 June 1863; Martha Ann 13 Aug 1866; Alvin 15 Jan 1871; Mary Elizabeth 13 aug 1874; Mary J. 27 Jul 1878.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Thomas Edward Bowles
(Thomas Edward Bowles home in Nephi, Utah)
(Photo: Ernest Bowles, Thomas Edward Bowles, Samuel Clifford Bowles)
(Photo: Louisa Bale Bowles and her mother Sarah Miller Bale)
Parents: Richard Bale and Sarah Miller
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Sarah Elizabeth Stotter Campbell Bowles - 1892-1970
History of Sarah Elizabeth Stotter Campbell Bowles 1892-1970(Photo at right is Sarah at age 17)
When I was small my parents gave me a gray top knotted hen. I kept her for two or three years. She would set, raise her chickens and I would pay my tithing on them. I always loved to pay my tithing and go to Sunday School and sing songs of Zion.
We children loved to go to the meadows and pick flowers. There were two big springs on Father’s place. One day Hyrum and myself were down by the spring and a hailstorm come and it sure did pelt us, so we ran and got under a bridge.
We had to walk to school and in the Winter we used to skate up the slough to school. We sure did have fun skating. One morning when I was walking to school alone in the Winter I froze both my feet. My teacher thawed them out. One of my teachers name was Miss Post, I sure did like her. She taught us songs one was; "O robin red breast O robin, robin dear.
I was baptized on the 2nd of September 1900 by Hyrum Hand when I was eight years old. The Winter before we moved to Idaho in 1903 I had scarlet fever. I got so weak I couldn’t stand to sit up while Mother made my bed. That Spring when they left for Idaho they left me at my Aunt Tillie’s in Salt Lake. They thought I couldn’t stand the trip. It took me a month or two before I could stand straight. I sure got home sick while staying there. They lived by the railroad and those whistles sounded so forlorn. After I went home, every time a train whistled it would send a sick feeling through me. I went home on the train towards the Fall. The Conductor watched out for me and helped me when I had to change trains.
A mile south of Rigby was as far as the road went and the rest was sagebrush. They used to call it the Burns. There were no bridges across most of the canals so we had to ford them and some were very deep.
I went to Rudy School one Winter. We moved to Rigby, north of the county line and by the Harson Canal. We walked over to Leorin School for three or four years. One winter morning it was snowing and blowing, none of the rest of the children went to school but myself. The drifts were deep and it was hard going but I made it alright but it got very cold. When I was in the seventh grade we went to Rigby. They got school wagons so we got to ride and in the Winter went in sleighs. One crisp cold morning going to school my brother Robert was driving a white top buggy taking part of the children for there were too many for the school wagon. One of the horses leg fell through a hole in the bridge and took the skin of it so Robert took the horses back home and us children walked on to school. While helping the little ones, having no gloves I froze both my hands. The skin came off my fingers; they were sure sore and painful.
I graduated from the eight grade not having enough money. I didn’t have a graduating dress so I wouldn’t go with the rest of the class to Rexburg and have their picture taken.
I worked every summer for different people doing housework, getting two and one half dollars a week. I was a Sunday School Teacher and taught the small children; which I enjoyed very much. In 1909 Robert L. Bybee gave me my Patriarchal Blessing.
When I was seventeen Bishop Davis ask me to be President of the Young Women’s MIA. I was President for a year or so and then they reorganized and I was made Counselor.
On March 6, 1912 I was married to Samuel Clifford Bowles in the Salt Lake Temple. We went to Rigby in a sleigh and met my brother Hyrum and Charlotte Davis and we all went to Salt Lake City on the train. We went to our Aunt Tillie’s place and stayed that night, then went to the Temple the next day. The next day Clifford and I went to Nephi to see his folks, we stayed there a week or so and we went back to Idaho. Clifford worked for Sam Eams that Summer and we lived in a two room frame house South of Darious Session’s house over in the field.
On the 7th of January 1913, Wanda was born. The next spring we moved over to Thomas Doman’s place. He rented it for four or five years. On the 4th of October 1914 Verla was born. It was a cold day. We never got out thrashing done until ten days later for it had snowed. While living here we belonged to the Rigby First Ward.
In the year 1917, we bought 40 acres from Joe Pitman. We moved on it in the Fall and then we belonged to the Milo Ward. On the 12th of March 1918 Thelda was born. I have worked in the Primary and was a Relief Society Teacher. On the14th of January 1920 Alice was born, we were living in a one-room log house. We were busy farming and trying to pay for it.
On the 8th of February 1922 Lois was born. There was plenty of snow and Dad went to get Mrs. Godfrey. She was a midwife and took care of me and the baby.
On the ??of April 19?? Arzella was born. When I got out of bed the peas were up. It seemed like a dream. In the Fall of 19?? in September Phyllis was born. It sure was a cold day. A North wind blew and froze the apples that night. On August 19?? Clifford Jay was born. Dad was sure thrilled to have a son; he weighed 9 lbs. He was born over to Grandma Bowles’s home.
In 1929 we bought 80 acres from Harry Moore and sold the 40 acres to Wilford Bowles. On November 19?? Mildred was born. It was during the depression, we sure had a hard time paying taxes and interest on the place. In the year 1933 I was sick with gallstones. In March 1934, I was operated on. My gall bladder had broken twice. I was sure miserable all summer. On ?? October 19?? Myrna was born. She was born in Idaho Falls at Wanda and Lee’s place. At that time we were living in two rooms. On ?? November 19?? Aldon Robert was born. In 1941 we rented the Moore place and we moved over there while Oral and Alice lived in our place.
Clifford was First Counselor to Bishop C J Call and I was Second Counselor to Evelyn Graham in Relief Society. Sister Graham was released and I was put in as President of the Relief Society in the Rigby Third Ward. I served in this position from the 14th of November 1943 to 1948. We bought 46 acres over by the Rigby Sugar Factory from Lee Phillips. We moved over there and then we were in the Rigby Second Ward. I was a Primary Teacher for one year and then I was put in as Counselor in the Rigby Second Ward. I was a Primary Teacher for one year and then I was put in as Counselor in the Primary on the 7th of January 1951. When they reorganized the Primary I was put in Teacher of Group One. I was sustained on the 5th of July 1954 and set apart on the 5th of August 1954. I was set apart as Genealogy Secretary on the 25th of March 1956. I was put in as Work Director in Relief Society on the 21st of July 1957.
On the 10th of March 1962 we celebrated our Golden Wedding. All our family was there and we had a wonderful day so many came out.
I was sustained Theology Teacher in Relief Society in November 1962 and I have been a Relief Society Visiting Teacher for about 40 years. In 1963 I was operated on for cancer and at the present time I am doing fine.
We have 3 grandsons on missions. One returned last November and Oral and Alice are in England on a Work Mission.
(Written by Sarah Elizabeth Stotter Campbell Bowles)
Samuel Clifford & Sarah Bowles
Patriarchal Blessing, August 11, 1909
A patriarchal blessing given by R L Bybee, August 11, 1909, upon the head of Sarah Elizabeth Stotter Campbell, daughter of Robert Lemuel Campbell and Victoria Elizabeth Barnard. Born August 7, 1892 at Benjamin, Utah Co, Utah.
Sister Sarah, I lay my hands upon your head and I seal upon you a patriarchal blessing. I bless you with a long life. You shall spend your days in usefulness in teaching the young by precept and example. The destroyer will seek to lead you astray but through keeping the commandments of God and walking in the paths of righteousness your feet shall be delivered from his snares and you shall never fall. Your mind shall be enlightened by the spirit of your Heavenly Father, your guardian angle shall become your companion. He will be near you, and when you are beset by the evil one and your mind is clouded in darkness, through humility and fervent prayer he will whisper to you comfort and consolation and he will tell you the course you shall pursue and you shall know and realize that the Lord is ever with you.
You are one of the daughters of Abraham. You are of the blood of Israel and of the lineage of Ephriam and I seal upon you all the blessings that are promised to the faithful daughters of Adam. Forget not the Lord for the days of your youth and all the blessings that are necessary for your comfort and convinence in this life, and exaltations in the life to come, are thine for I seal them upon you. You shall have the privilege of going to the Temple and there receive your washings and annointings and there be sealed to him who is your choice for time and eternity. You shall be the mother of sons and daughters. You shall have wisdom given unto you to teach them in the ways of the Lord. You shall come forth in the morning of the first resurrection and be crowned in the Celestial Kingdom with all the faithful of the House of Israel and shall not go out no more from the presence of your Heavenly Father. I seal these blessings upon you by authority of the priesthood I hold in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Funeral Services
Life Sketch by Merese Jensen
I should like to share with you this day a sketch of a beautiful lady and I should like to begin with the Life Sketch of my Grandmother as she herself wrote, (I did Grandmothers Life Sketch just as she wrote it to where she began telling about having her family) I made several comments that were made in that part of her Life Sketch as follows:
Grandmother loved to sing – she always had a song in her heart and as a result lovely melodies and lullaby’s flowed from her lips freely as she would cuddle a fretful child in her arms and they would soon be soothed,
Her devotion for her mate was a shining example for all as she adored him all her days and was a devoted and loving wife.
The night previous to delivering Grandmother’s Life Sketch I was prompted to read her Patriarchcal Blessing. The following things that Patriarch Bybee blessed Grandmother with particularly impressed me. He blessed Grandmother with a long life. "You shall spend you days in usefulness in teaching the young both by precept and example. The destroyer will seek to lead you astray but through keeping the commandments of God and walking in the paths of righteousness your feet shall be delivered from his snares and you shall never fall. Your mind shall be enlightened by the spirit of your Heavenly Father, your guardian angel shall become your companion." Her blessing said she would be blessed with sons and daughters.
On January 7th, 1913 her Patriarchal Blessing was further fulfilled as she was blessed with her firstborn daughter Wanda.
I chose parts of a poem by Lillie Wangsgard (given at her own funeral by her grandson Lew A Wangsgard) because they were so symbolic of Grandmother.
"When the stork left me a bundle, all done up in flannel and lace,
I caught a glimpse of Heaven, shining in that baby face,
I thought it was the prettiest sight, that had ever came to my view,
I’ll admit she was red and wrinkled but isn’t a Rosebud, too?"
After Wanda she was blessed with six more lovely daughters then her first son, then two more daughters and her second son, nine girls and two boys in all.
"There’s measles, mumps and green apples, now their up on the shed,
I fish them out of a water ditch, then one sits in a red ant bed,
It’s not all fun raising youngsters, but with all the toil and strife
I wouldn’t miss being a Mother, for anything else in life.
Then when your son or daughter comes with their bundle of joy,
And see in that babies features, your own little girl or boy,
Life takes on new interests, there’s plenty to do in store
Giving a little help when needed. Life need never be a bore,
You know I’ve sometimes wondered, but now I understand,
Why they call them Grandchildren, it’s because "They are so Grand!"
"There’s a thrill being a Mother. There’s a thrill being a wife,
But I’d rather be a grandmother, than anything else in life!"
To which I might add she enjoyed being a great grandmother also as she enjoyed everything good in her life - whether a mother to eleven, a grandmother to 60, or a great-grandmother to seventy-seven in number.
Grandmother spent her days raising a fine family – working in the church in some capacity of every organization. She served as a Relief Society visiting teacher for 45 years.
A real high light of her life was the 10th of March 1962 when she and her beloved companion celebrated their Golden Wedding with their family and friends.
It was a difficult task for me to eulogize Grandmother not because of things to say but keeping my emotion controlled enough to say them.
I have often said of Grandmother that she was the closest thing to a Saint of anyone I have ever known. She had a lovely spiritual quality always about her. She possessed both dignity and modesty. (Modesty not only in her dress but also in accepting praise about herself.)
She both studied and lived her religion spending many hours doing temple and genealogy work.
Among her many attributes her family and friends will remember her for was endless patience, kindness, unbound less love, thrift, not only with material things but with time, as she was always busy, whether it was (to name just a few) cooking, cleaning, canning, crocheting, making beautiful ceramics, embroidering some lovely thing, making a quilt, stitching beautiful temple clothes of which she made many, or fussing with her garden, yard, flowers or house plants. It seemed almost without exception that everything Grandmother cared for whether plant or person grew and flourished under her good influence and loving care.
I can honestly never remember a single complaint from her lips. She was the very essence of patience and long suffering.
It was always a joy to visit her home, as she was such a gracious hostess making all who went there welcome. A marvelous cook was one of her many talents. Her wholesome homemade brown bread was the best I’ve ever eaten.
One thing I learned to love her for and appreciate was her attitude toward work. Not long ago I was rereading the childhood classic "Little Women" and came upon a passage about work – that was the same philosophy that Grandmother had about it, for when I read it I immediately thought of her. "Work is wholesome, and there is plenty for everyone – It keeps us from being dissatisfied, bored and mischievous. It is good for health and spirits and gives us a sense of power and independence better then money or fashion. Make each day both useful and pleasant, and prove that you understand the worth of time by employing it well. Then youth will be delightful, old age will bring few regrets and life become a beautiful success." Louisa Mae Alcott
She did work hard and employed her time well and her life was a beautiful success.
There are many good things that this lovely gracious lady with her quiet simple ways meant to each of us if mentioned would make along and endless list. So for however she touched our lives – though she is gone her memory is locked up in our hearts forever to be treasured, loved and to learn from.
Sarah Elizabeth Stotter Campbell Bowles to whom we pay our last respects. A loving and devoted wife, as a gracious mother and example for all as charming and sweet a grandmother or great-grandmother as ever could be found. She truly was a daughter of Israel – of such is the Celestial Kingdom of God.
Speaker William Sperry
Brothers and Sisters, I have been deeply impressed and touched by the services and this congregation that has gathered here. It pays a wonderful tribute of respect and love for Clifford Bowles and his wife, Sarah Elizabeth Stotter Campbell Bowles. I certainly consider it an honor to having been asked to speak on this occasion and I do most humbly pray that our Heavenly Father will bless me that I may be able to say the things that are in my heart, and that there things that God would have me say. There were five of those boys in the Bowles family and every one of them became High Priests in the church. Three of those boys and every one of them have gone; Roy and Clifford are left here. I don’t know how many girls were in the family but one is left. We have 2 boys and 2 girls in my family who were very close friends of the family. I thought it was worth mentioning that these boys lived well enough to receive the Priesthood and be High Priests each of them. The honor and respect that is shown here this afternoon to Clifford and his wife.
Sarah Elizabeth Stotter Campbell Bowles, do you ever think what’s in a name? It came to me when I saw Sarah Elizabeth, Sarah the wife of Abraham, Elizabeth the mother of John the Baptist. As I thought of this posterity, it is and I know it is a wonderful comfort to Clifford. It’s not easy, I remember my Mother saying when her mother passed away, my Grandmother, I remember it and I was touched as these girls are. In those days, pioneers days, my Mother went to the Bowles family and helped in the birth of their children and Sister Bowles came and helped our family. I don’t know if she helped when I was born or not, but I know she helped when my younger brother was born. Pioneer days, wonderful people who settled in southern Utah. As I think of that town now and the wonderful people come out have there and families that lived there.
As I contemplate these boys and girls, Sarah their Mother, how pleased she is to see their testimonies, to see them married in the temple, to see the posterity they have. What a memory you girls have, there’s nothing like a mother and daughter, comfort that come to each of them. We sometimes speak of this being our last testimony, our last respects by her influence, her teachings was quoted here today by one of the granddaughters. Can you imagine as I counted them in my mind, 137? This man here that was a boy with me, him and I were scared to death when they asked us to pass the sacrament after being ordained a Deacon in the Chapel in Nephi. You can’t imagine hardly what it will be as these boys and girls have their families and they teach this same story of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I’d like to read something of a man who we all love, President McKay, "Family cares came heavy, but not a complaint, forty-four children now praise her as a saint. Companion, Counselor, Advisor, always, my wife for Eternity, my own Emma Ray. You insist that I’m ninety; my limbs say your right, as I hobble along, a pitiful sight. But I shall always feel young with the Gospel that is true with loved ones around me and friends like you."
I could not help feeling this was fitting to read on this occasion as Clifford seems so alone here without Sarah, and this daughter and son sitting beside him and you other’s that are here, what a marvelous comfort that is to him. This same prophet that I quoted said that a family such as this is of far more value to God and humanity than all the silver and gold in the world. United family, prayerful family, righteous family, they will go in the world and exert a righteous influence. They will teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and people will listen because they are sincere, as they are of stock that is sincere.
Another thing that I thought of: "I come that you might have life and that you might have it more abundantly," the words of Jesus of Nazareth. Think of this girl starting out in life, being married in the Temple and having these children. You think what abundance means in the life of a woman or a man. Abundant life. They may have been hungry sometimes as I was, in striving to get enough things of the world to live, but their life was blessed abundantly. And they are of more value, and there accomplishment is of far more value than all the gold and silver in the world. There is no question about it in my mind. I hope I will be able to read this poem about Mother:
Gentle hands that never weary, Toiling love’s vineyard sweet,
Eyes that see forever cheery, when our eyes they chance to meet.
Tender, patient, brave, devoted; this is always Mother way.
Could her worth in gold be quoted, as you think of her today? (No you can’t)
There shall never be another, quite so tender,
Quite so kind as the patient little Mother,
Nowhere on this earth, you’ll find. Can her affection be duplicated?
None so proud, if you were fine. Could her worth be overstated?
No, not in any words of mine.
Now Clifford: I do not wish you joy without a sorrow,
Nor endless day without the healing dark,
Nor brilliant sun without the restful shadow,
Nor tides that never run against your bark.
I wish you love and strength and wisdom, goods of this world,
Gold enough to help some needy one,
I wish you song also blessed silence and
God’s sweet peace when day is done.
Perhaps we should not mourn for her today,
She is only gone across the way
Through a long wide flung gateway fare,
And left behind her pain and care.
She’s only gone a day before, to build and plan as she did of yore.
To prepare a place for her loved ones there,
That when their work is through they shall come and share.
She was so gentle, kind and good; another’s trouble she understood.
She counted her friends by the score.
For everyone loved her that left her door.
Her kindly smile, her pain would hide, her words of cheer, their fear deride.
She feared not death, for every day she followed the path of the narrow way.
Today she mingles with her dear ones there,
Free from the pain she had to bear.
Happy is she with her work well done, and wearing the crown so nobly won.
But ‘tis those who are here must feel her loss and
And now must carry the heavy cross, the loss of a loving Mother’s care,
The fond caress they use to share. The loving kiss from a dear wife’s lips,
The husband shall miss as his sorrow he sips.
As the days come and go in memory will live,
The love and kindness was her joy to give.
So Father in Heaven, she answered your call, help us to bear,
It one and all, that worthy we’ll be when we meet on that shore,
So we may dwell with her forever more.
There is just one other thing I would like to say and I’ll quote this, as it comes to me from the scripture "Let not your heart be troubled. We believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions, if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you, and if I go I will come again and bring you unto myself. That where I am ye may be also. And whither I go ye go, and the way ye know; then Thomas sayeth unto Him, Lord we know not wither you goeth, how can we know the way? Then Jesus sayeth unto Him. I am the way, the truth and the light. No man cometh unto the father but by me." The words of Jesus of Nazareth, that Sarah Elizabeth worshiped and had a testimony that he was the Son of God and that in him was Salvation. Brothers and Sisters it’s a marvelous thing to belong to the church and the Kingdom of God. Sarah started young and stayed with it until – she was old – her spirit was born perhaps after mine. We are all children of God of our Heavenly Father. He is our Father. Jesus Christ is His Son. This is my testimony to you, to Clifford who has always been my friend and a dear friend. He was when he was a boy; he set an example that I could follow. I say this in sincerity of my heart. I’ve known him when he was a boy and when he was a man. I came to Idaho in 1913; I came to Clifford’s place in 1914 and worked for him on the farm. I know him and he knows me. I don’t think I was as good a man as Clifford.
Honors have been given me in the church, somebody saw some good in me, they advanced me in the Priesthood and gave me opportunities to work in the church which developed me and which has developed Sarah and don’t think that you children, that the influence she had will stop with her life here. It will be with you, you’ll remember her, I don’t know but what that she will remind you of it. She loved the gospel, she taught it, she lived it, and may you children follow her example I pray humbly in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.
Speaker Reuel Chandler
This is a humbling honor my Brothers and Sisters. This has almost been a family reunion. It’s a little hard for me to understand just where I fit in. It has been a habit of mine for a long time to go the hospital every week or so and several weeks ago I went and visited the different floors. I met several of the Bowles children and I said, "What is the problem?" They said, "Mother’s here and she is in intensive care and we don’t know if she is going to make it or not." Weeks and weeks passed and she was still there. Last Wednesday, I went to the hospital. I went up to the floor where Sister Bowles was and asked the nurse and she said, "I think Brother Bowles is in the room and by the way he and 3 or 5 of the girls had been there all the time." So I went in and Sister Bowles knew us and spoke to us and shook hands but my she was tired. She was just so tired I thought how in the world can she hang on. I was reminded of the scripture and you will find it in the 11th Chapter of the Gospel of Mathew, Words of Christ, "Come unto me all ye that labor under heavy laden and I will give you rest; take my yoke upon you and learn of me, and ye shall find rest to your soul, for I am meek and lowly of heart, and my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Now you’ll have a rough time convincing me that the gates of Paradise were not open with a welcoming hand of those who were suppose to be there when this good woman’s spirit left her body. I’m just as convinced, as I can be that Celestial Glory is her lot. I’ve known her for a long time and I can’t say that I know anything bad about her. I was impressed with the Life Sketch. You know we have it so easy now days Brothers and Sisters that unless you have lived years ago some of the things you talk about you don’t understand. I can remember there used to be the Burns; I herded cows out there when I was 8 or 9 years old. We got the cows from the people who lived in town and they paid us 5 cents a day. There weren’t many bridges and it was cold in the winter and all these things have come and gone and instead we have an almost affluent society today.
You know someone has said life is like a 3 act play and I believe this. We lived before we were born, I think probably all of you believe that, if you don’t its scriptural, it can be proved, because of the fact you were willing to listen to our Elder Brother’s plan you were permitted to come here upon the earth and except a second estate. This is not so long either as the Pre-existence or as Eternity and when we leave here then Eternity is ahead of us.
When I hear this Life Sketch and the Life Sketch’s of other noble people who go, I become congas of the fact that this is going to happen to all of us, death is something that nobody will miss and whether you like to or not, your going to be resurrected eventually and you are all going to Paradise, now we may not all be at the same place but we will go to Paradise and there’s going to be gradations. Brothers and Sisters in the Resurrection, let me just give you one scripture you’ll find this in the 15th Chapter of 1st Corinthians, Paul says, "There are Celestial bodies and bodies Terrestrial, but the Glory of the Sun, and another Glory of the Moon and another Glory of the Star; for one star differeth from another star in glory so also in the Resurrection of the Dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption, then as this friend is quoted from John; "In my Father’s house are many mansions." We are not all going to get in the place. Celestial Glory however; Brothers and Sister is that which is offered to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, but it will take effort to get there and it ought to be worth it.
I knew R. L. Campbell; I knew R. L Bybee, and Sister Bowles when she moved up here. I became quite well acquainted with Lloyd, with Retta and Vivian who were still home. The information and association that I have had and gotten from Clifford has been that which has been worthwhile. I want them to know that my sister Ada, Mrs. Tom Doman, loved them as her own family.
Well, you have sit here a long time. I don’t think I should talk longer. I just want to make 2 or 3 statements. Brother Clifford this isn’t going to be easy. I tried it, after 5 months I think it got tougher; I’m not telling this to scare you. Maybe it won’t be the same with you.
You know how to pray and you get comfort. Could I say to you boys and girls and grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren let’s see that this good man gets visited. Let’s see that he gets called on the telephone. Let’s keep in touch with him, don’t try to live his life, he doesn’t want you to do that. Don’t say, Dad come live with us, and don’t say Dad go here or there unless he wants to. Put your arms around him with affection and let him know you are available. This wonderful group of High Priests see that this Brother of yours get contacted will you? Call on him not only at his home, but also at church and other places. Let him know you are available. May all of us appreciate friends, family and opportunities and may we live worthy because after all this life is the time to prepare for Eternity. It is going to come as I’ve already said so let us live sufficiently righteous that when it does come we can hear from he who controls our destinies. This good woman has already heard, "Well done Thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." Sometime in that great future, wouldn’t it be wonderful, and it can if you’ll measure up, to meet Dad and Mother, Grandpa and Grandma, Great or great great or what have you, in that future where there is no more death, where there is no set in, nor strikes, nor blood shed, nor wickedness? Where we can continue to live according to our Father’s plan? It can done, but it takes living the type of life necessary while we’re here. May God bless us that this can be our happy lot. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, He, who if you please I recognize as my Elder Brother, Amen.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
History of Samuel Clifford Bowles
Clifford’s Father was a butcher so Clifford worked early and later helping him. When he was about sixteen he went with some other men to catch wild horses. It was exciting as well as hard work. The summer of 1910 he worked in the plaster mill East of Nephi. That fall he went to Idaho with his sister-in-law. He joined the Milo Ward.
He was ordained an Elder on the 20th of November 1911 by Robert M Newman. Clifford worked at farming and clearing off sage brush, disking the ground, thrashing and helped stack hay. He helped Tom Doman dig wells for different people.
He married Sarah Elizabeth Stotter Campbell on the 6th of March 1912 in the Salt Lake Temple. That summer he worked for Sam Eames on his farm. The next summer he farmed Tom Doman’s farm and run it until 1917. In the year 1917, he bought Joe Pitman’s forty acres in Milo and that fall we moved on it. The ground was partly covered with sagebrush. We left the Rigby First Ward and joined the Milo ward. He was chosen Counselor to Frank Newman in the YMMIA. He also helped Wallace Wright run the dances in Milo. He was a trustee for the Leorin School for several years.
He was ordained a Seventy on the 27th of November 1921 by George F Richards. In the spring of 1924 he was chosen Second Counselor to Bishop George Cook. He was ordained a High Priest on the 24th of May 1924 by James E Talmage in the Idaho Falls Stake. He served in this office seven years. He took children to the Logan Temple for baptisms for the dead and went on Temple excursions. He also worked in the Sunday School as Superintendent for several years. In 1929 he sold the 40 acres and bought 80 acres from Harry Moore. The depression hit the next year and we had tough times for three or four years.
In 1931 was released from the Bishopric in Milo. We joined the Rigby Second Ward and Bishop C J Call chose him to be First Counselor in March 1942. He served six years and went out in December 1948. In 1949 he was chosen as Aaronic Priesthood Committee in the stake.
In 1947 he bought 46 acres from Lee Phillips just North of the Sugar Factory. Then we moved and joined the Rigby Second Ward as it had been divided and was in the Third. He served two years on a Stake Mission from the 27th of November 1957 and Brother Fred Rogers was his companion. He was released on February 1, 1960. Then he was Chairman of Genealogy in 1956 and at the present time he is working in Adult Aaronic Priesthood.
He has served as director on the Rudy and North Rigby Canals for over 25 years. He has driven school bus over 15 years and also drove horses on the school wagon and sleigh when the roads were impassable, going in and out of people’s fields. He has hauled many a load of wood and chopped it to keep the home fires burning.
He is the Father of two boys, nine girls, and Grandfather of 57 living grandchildren and 40 great-grandchildren. We celebrated our Golden Wedding Anniversary on the 10th of March 1962 and all 11 children were in attendance, the families, a host of friends and relatives. There was a very large crowd and it was such a bad day out. He is an Adult Aaronic Teacher and a Home Teacher.
Speakers at Samuel Clifford Bowles Funeral
Life Sketch by Lona Fox, a granddaughter
My Grandfather, Samuel Clifford Bowles was born September 15, 1891, Nephi, Utah. He was the 3rd son of Thomas Edward and Louisa Bale Bowles. His formal schooling ended with completion of the 7th grade. After which, he participated in activities to supplement the family income. He became and excellent butcher while assisting his father in this trade. He hunted rabbits and coyotes for the hides the bounties paid at that time, captured and sold wild horses, worked in the plaster mill and accepted any other work that was available.
In the fall of 1910, he came to Idaho and became a member of the Milo Ward. He worked for farmers in the area clearing land, developing irrigation systems, hand digging wells, as well as regular farm work such as thrashing wheat and stacking hay. His life really began March 6, 1912 when he married Sarah Elizabeth Campbell in the Salt Lake Temple. They rented a farm for a time then bought a farm in the Milo Ward in the Rigby area. They became the parents of 9 daughters and 2 sons. In order Wanda Phillips of Rigby, Verla Wilding of Milo, Thelda Turner of Farmington, Utah, Alice Curtis presently in Western Samoa, Lois Killian and Arzella Wheeler of Idaho Falls, Phyllis Beesley and Jay Bowles of Rigby, Mildred Madson of Kearns, Myrna Armstrong of Rigby and Aldon Bowles of Leadore, At the time of his death there are 60 grand children and 80 grandchildren.
My grandfather as well as my parents and Aunts and Uncles have told many stories about the tough times. Grandfather fought blizzards and snow drifts to get the children to school with team and buggies and sleighs. The time they tipped over 5 times in one day getting water from the canal near by for the livestock and finally having to give up. The time when the kids slept in the fruit cellar and grandfather had to dig them out, dig the snow away so the children could get out in the morning. He also told us about the good times too. The temple excursions with their young people going to Logan before the Idaho Falls Temple was built. The pheasant hunts when some times he’d shoot 3 with one shot. The fishing trips to Beckler Meadows. The time when 32 went on a hay wagon behind a car and they threaded donuts on a rope to pass to the kids in the trailer behind the car. Grandfather taking care of grandmother and bathing and dressing the babies when there was a new one. Also being skilled enough to deliver two of his grandsons, one of them I know was my brother, when the babies arrived before the Doctor did. Like being blessed by the Lord when a little grandson had a long time in the canal so that he was able to breath life back into this little one. The 40 connective years he went to Utah after peaches for the family. Sometimes hauling grain to trade and getting 2 bushel of peaches for a bushel of grain. I know some of my fondest memories of grandpa; I can’t say grandpa with out including grandma as they were always together; were the family reunions that we had. We haven’t had any the last few years by they stand out in my mind for always grandpa was at the head of his family as he should be. He enjoyed having his family around him. I know my children were so excited when whey would see grandpa’s car pulling into the driveway for a visit. To me it seems that grandpa was a successful man, not so much that he was a successful farmer, he was President of the Rudy irrigation district and on the board of directors of the North Rigby canal and the great Feeder canal at the time of his death. Along with Hyrum Campbell he was instrumental in setting up the Milo Cemetery district. We recognized his responsibility to the work of the Lord. He served in nearly every organization in the Ward. He was counselor in 2 different Bishoprics, served on a Stake Aaronic Priesthood Committee, and filled a Stake Mission. He saw all 11 children married in the temple. He lived to see his grandchildren and great-grandchildren profit from his example that he set. I really think his success was assured way back when he married grandmother because she stayed by him and loved him to the end. He was so lonely and unhappy since grandma left last spring. I know that when we talk to him again that he will say that this trip home has been one of the good times and I’m sure it’s a good time for grandma too.
Speaker William Sperry, A Long Time Friend
In 1904 Clifford and I were deacons in the city of Nephi, Utah and passed the sacrament. I remember how much afraid I was. He and I little knew that we would be in Idaho now and choose a companion and make a home here in this beautiful country. Our Folks all lived in Nephi and his and mine were good friends and it was wonderful to find Clifford here when I came. We came to Idaho in 1913. Clifford was married in 1912.
Here is a poem I want to read:
It is my joy in life at the turning of each road,
To find the strong arm of a comrade to help me with my load,
And since I have no goal to give, love alone must make amends
My humble prayer is while I live, God make me worthy of my friends.
Clifford and I have, since 1904, been friends and that friendship has continued over the years. This young lady said something of success. President McKay said, "No success in life can compensate for failure in the home." I was thinking these 11 children, 60 grandchildren, and 80 great-grandchildren a success. No way of measure what you’ll do – these children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I’ve always admired this family. President McKay was a man who loved his family.
I have worked in the temple many years and have kneeled at the alter and heard the ceremony sealing families. Clifford and his wife were sealed and know they will receive blessings promised because they have been faithful. I see Clifford dressed in robes of the Holy Priesthood. Only those being married in the temple can be buried in this clothing. I’ve had many of my friends in the temple speak to me about Clifford and Sarah. They have expressed this is the way I wish my wife and I could go, quickly and together. Faith produces that kind of people. We don’t know just exactly what is on the other side but we can study the scriptures and believe them and we know that Sarah is a spirit, left her body and went into the spirit world and now her companion follows a few weeks later. Her companion of her younger life is with her and they will be resurrected with a perfect body.
When I came to Idaho in 1914 Clifford came and asked me to work for him, as I was looking for a job. So I did go to work for him. Some of the things we did, I had a horse and saddle and I went to see my girlfriend (my wife now) and I rode this horse to see her, and took her on the horse to dances, this was not very nice so I traded the horse and saddle as a down payment on a buggy. Many might say how can I pull a buggy with no horse but Clifford and I had talked this over. He said you can use a horse from here. He and Sarah would use his horse and my buggy during the day. At night I would use his horse and my buggy. Just like the poem I read, Clifford and Sarah were and are my friends.
One day on the farm we were hauling hay with a family by the name of Lemon who lived a short distance away. We hauled with 3 wagons. I was helping pitch with a Lemon’s boy on the other side and a girl on each wagon. One of the teams broke and run away. I hollered to the girl to jump off and she did, the team went up to the stack and tangled with the other wagons but got things straightened out alright. This is one of the things Clifford overcome trying to make a living on a farm.
I’d like to give some comfort and blessing to this family and want you to know I love you dearly and admire you. These girls and boys were with their mother while in the hospital constantly and they have been with their father. Clifford and Sarah have both said, "What would we do without this fine family." Success in life is a wonderful thing. All of us have lost loved ones. When Jesus was about to leave this life he told his disciples and they could not believe it. He explained that he was giving his life for the salvation of mankind and he said, "Let not your hearts be troubled, ye believe in God and ye believe in me. In my house are many mansions if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. Jesus said, "I am the truth the light. This comforted his apostles and I know this does you too to know your father and mother are alive and in the kingdom of God. As in Adam all men lie and in Christ all will be made alive, every man in his own order. We have a prophet today that Jesus the Christ is the Lord. I pray the Lord will bless this family. We know their mother and father have lived a good life and are entitled to the blessings that have been pronounced upon them. They are happy now. They are together; their marriage is eternal and they’ll always be together. May you boys and girls be successful as Clifford and Sarah. Some of you have big families and are doing as our prophets teach and will receive the blessings for it. It is wonderful for these girls to be here and surround their mother and father when she was ill and when he was ill. My wife and I consider them friends we know their stamina and strength and their testimony. We know Clifford kept the commandments of the church and paid his tithing and other things to keep the kingdom of God. We appreciate the blessing that comes to us for his activity and this I pray for humbly in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Sarah Brown History added
Click on Sarah Brown or George Wilding, Jr. on the right of the screen to read.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Verla Bowles Wilding History - 1914-2007
History of Verla Bowles Wilding
In 1917 her parents bought 40 acres in Milo from Joe Pitman. They lived in a one-room log house with a lean-to.
When Verla was about 5 years old, one of her father’s relatives died in Nephi, Utah. She and her father made the trip to the funeral.
Verla started school 1920 at the Milo School. The schoolhouse had two rooms one room for the lower grade and one room for the upper grades. They advanced her one grade either 3rd or 4th. They walked to school in the spring and fall. But when the workhorses were not needed in winter – they would ride the horse. One winter day she and her sister Wanda rode the horse to school in bitter cold. When they got to school there was no teacher so they went home. When they got home one side of Verla’s face was frozen. Their father quickly put snow on it to help take the frost out.
After the children got home from school each night they had chores to do, filling the reservoir and getting kindling for the wood stove. They also helped feed the cows and clean the barn.
Verla attended Sunday School and Primary at the Milo Ward. On October 15, 1922 she was baptized a member of the church in the Idaho Falls 1st Ward Tabernacle.
She had the usual childhood diseases. They used to quarantine the home when they had sickness. One day she and Wanda came home from school and their sister Lois had scarlet fever so they had to stay at Grandma Campbell’s until she got better.
As Verla got older, she did more work on the farm harrowing and leveling, shocking grain, topping hay on the hay wagons and driving derrick horse. She and Wanda would go out to check the irrigating water at night and could hear coyotes howling which was kinda scary. Her father raised peas and after they were threshed she would herd pigs in the field to eat the remains. One summer her father told her and her sister Wanda if they pulled all the mustard weeds out of the grain field he would buy each of them a kewpie doll. This they did and they prized those dolls for along time.
Verla was a very happy and good-natured girl with a sense of humor. In her early teens she took violin lessons for a while. She enjoyed this. The man that taught her would go around to homes teaching.
During the passing years five sisters were added to the family. The family was getting large for the little log house. Their father built a root cellar to keep fruits and vegetables in. The folks decided to put a couple of beds in it for the older children. The children thought this was okay because they had a bedroom of their own and they had some privacy. There were times in the winter when their father would have to shovel the snow off the door before they could get out. One summer when her mother had a baby about threshing time she and Wanda cooked for the threshers. They would take turns getting up to build the fire in the stove.
Verla attended MIA and loved to go to the dances. She was also in some school plays and MIA plays. Their father took the children on occasions to the Logan Temple to do baptisms for the dead. They enjoyed going on fishing trips.
When she and her sisters reached dating age her father would take them to Wanda Mirror in Idaho Falls to dances and also to Riverside Gardens in Rigby.
About 1928 she graduated from the 8th grade at Milo. Melvin Jordan was the principal and teacher.
Verla went to 3 years of high school at Rigby. They rode a school bus driven by horses. Two more children had been added to the family. After 7 girls they were blessed with a brother. Two years later they had another baby sister.
During the years Verla was growing up in Milo there also was a boy named Harold Wilding growing up in Milo. They saw each other at church and MIA. They dated some. One day Verla came home and told her parents that she and Harold were going to get married. So Verla and her parents went to see Harold’s folks. Harold was up on the foothills herding sheep so they went up to see him. In Harold’s joking manner he said, "If she says we’re going to get married, I guess I’d better not back out."
The summer Verla was large expecting their first child, Harold had some pigs and he was going to put rings in their noses. Verla was holding the barn door. She peeked in and one big pig saw the door and made a mad dash to get out – catching Verla between the legs and carrying her for several lands before she got off.
When it was time for the first baby, Verla was up to Harold’s folks. She had a long, hard labor and delivery. The doctor came to the house. They were blessed with a baby daughter they named Vonda.
The first part of October 1937 they moved to Idaho Falls. Harold was working for Gene’s Coal and Feed. They were blessed with another daughter, Betty Fawn. Two years later they had their first boy and named him Gary Dee. The next spring they moved back to Milo living just north of where they do now.
Harold had bought a grain cleaner, and was also shearing sheep and farming. They would go to Montana shearing sheep in the spring. Verla would load up her three kiddies and go with Harold. They would live in a tent, Verla doing the cooking for the men and caring for her little family.
During these years Verla had a new sister and brother. Making her parents family of nine girls and two boys.
Harold’s father died in 1943. Harold and Verla bought his farm and moved to where they are now.
Marilyn Yvonne was born making a family of 3 girls and 1 boy. Verla loved to sew, making many of her children’s clothes. She loves to work with her hands, crocheting, quilting, gardening, etc.
Vonda got married. Her husband was in the Navy in California, so Verla and Harold made several trips in the next few years to California to visit Vonda and visit Harold’s two brothers living in California.
Michael Joseph was added to their family completing their family of 5 children.
Harold was still grain cleaning, going to Star Valley, Wyoming in the spring. Verla would go when she could. They made many friends there because of this.
Verla encouraged her children to take part in things at church and in school. She made many a costume or outfits for them.
Gary got married and the following year Betty got married, then Marilyn married leaving the folks and Mike as it is today.
Verla had 19 grandchildren to date. Her first granddaughter got married last spring. Verla enjoys making things for her grandchildren. Our daughters have many things Grandma Wilding has made them and they treasure each one.
Verla is always busy (never idle) having to work as a youngster, many times its doing things for other people. She is a good neighbor and a thoughtful and understanding mother-in-law.
She lost both her parents in 1970. I know she misses them. But her sisters and brothers have get together's and enjoy each other company. She’s close with her sisters, getting together to sew or celebrate birthdays.
Verla has held many positions in the church through the years. In the Primary as a Teacher and Secretary, MIA as a Counselor, Teacher and Secretary, Sunday School as a Teacher and Relief Society as president, Counselor, Secretary and Visiting Teacher and now as Work Counselor again.
I appreciate all that she does for our family and for raising a fine son for me to marry. I also appreciate the help her older sister Wanda gave in writing this history and appreciate the opportunity of giving this history.
Given in the Milo Ward Relief Society, January 30, 1973 to honor the Relief Society Presidency by Carolyn Wilding.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Photos Added
You will find George & Ellen Briggs Douglass and Hannah Bradley posted on Ralph Briggs Douglass History page.
Mary Ann Dearman and Phoebe Withers posted on George Wilding, Jr. History.
I had these photos but haven't found histories on these people. Enjoy the Photos.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Ralph Briggs Douglass and Jane Stone Douglass
George Douglass and Ellen Briggs are parents of Ralph Briggs Douglass (above)
They came to America when Jane was a small child. Soon after landing in the United States, they began to migrate westward with the pioneers. Jane's father died near Nauvoo with yellow fever. This left Jane, her mother and two brothers to come to Utah. They endured many hadships crossing the plains.
Hannah Bradley mother of Jane Stone (above)
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