David Wilding - 1804-1890

DAVID WILDING & ALICE ATKINSON WILDING
Biography[1]

David Wilding was born 24 November 1804 in Longton, Lancashire, England, the son of Henry Wilding and Jennet Bamber, and the tenth of thirteen children. It has been said the Wildings had lived since the 1200's in this small hamlet just across the River Ribble from the large city of Preston. George Wilding Sr. once said that Henry was a traveling salesman and came from the north of England. According to the burial records of Longton, Henry was a farmer, who lived to be eighty-two years old, and died in September 1850 in Longton.

David, who was trained as a doctor, married Alice Atkinson 23 October 1828 in Preston, Lancashire, England. She was born 8 April 1810 in Billsbarrow (a very small hamlet), Lancashire, the daughter of George Atkinson and Elizabeth Charnock.

Alice's grandfather, William Atkinson, was the schoolmaster of Billsbarrow and Myerscough, Lancashire, England. The Charnocks were a prominent family in Lancashire. George Atkinson was a drinker and when disappointment would come to him, he would tell his wife, Betty, "Get my check, pay my bills, and put what you don't need in the bank." Then he would go away and drink for awhile. When he came home, he would say, "How goes it, Betty?" Her answer, "All right." "How about the money?" She would explain what she had done. "That's a good lassie," he would say to her.

George taught his daughter, Alice, to read and write. Both she and David signed their own signatures on their marriage license, which was obtained in Preston. After their marriage, David and Alice lived on Williams Street in Preston. Their eldest son, George, was born there on the 9 November 1829; Elizabeth Ann on 28 May 1832; and James on 3 July 1835.

"Two men broke from the small clump of shrubbery and raced along the grassy river bank. One, the younger and more vigorous runner, drew ahead. A crowd of from 7,000 to 9,000 stood watching the race from both sides of the river and from the bridge.

"Some shouted, laughed, and cheered as the younger runner reached the 7 men standing at the river's edge. The onlookers were townspeople of Preston, England curious to see a baptismal ceremony performed by the strange young men from America called Mormons. Baptism by immersion was strange enough, but to do it in a river was unheard of.

"Winner of the race was George D. Watt, who thus won the honor of being the first convert in England to be baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the date 30 July 1837, a significant one in the history of the church and in England.

"Seven others soon joined the two contestants and the missionaries on the banks of the River Ribble. They were led one by one, into the water and baptized by Elder Heber C. Kimball, first President of the British Mission.

"Later in the afternoon of that same day 5,000 of those same townspeople gathered in the Market Place of Preston to hear what 'these Mormon dippers' had to say. Within a few months some 400 of this curious crowd would follow George Watt into the River Ribble. The harvest in England was indeed ripe for the MORMON missionaries.

"The Reverend James Fielding and his congregation at Vauxhall Chapel in Preston was ready. He had read to them his letters from his brother, Joseph, in America. Those letters told of the marvelous restoration of the gospel, of the new church, with a Prophet of God at its head, the Book of Mormon, of the signs, which followed those who believed.

"Both the Reverend Fielding and his brother-in-law, Reverend Matthews in Dedford, had left the ministry in established churches. They now led their congregations in a search for the true gospel that they felt had been lost. One Sunday morning Heber C. Kimball, Orson Hyde, Willard Richards, John Goodson, Isaac Russell, Joseph Fielding, and John Snider appeared in the congregation at Vauxhall Chapel. After the sermon Reverend Fielding announced, `There are some ministers from America present, and they will occupy the pulpit this afternoon.'

"In the afternoon meeting Elder Kimball outlined the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and Elder Hyde bore testimony. Both men were members of the Council of the Twelve Apostles.

"When in the days that followed, some of the congregation seemed inclined to follow the, Reverend Fielding barred the Elders from his pulpit and from that time on he opposed them bitterly. But the door to Great Britain could not be closed to the light of the Gospel. The thin beam was destined to become a great flood of light that would illuminate the entire land.

"The missionary work soon extended beyond Preston. Elders Richard and Goodson went to Bedford where Reverend Matthews opened his church to them with results similar to those in Preston. Elder Russell and John Snider, a priest, established themselves in Alston. The three missionaries remaining in Preston made frequent trips to surrounding areas. All found people ready to accept the gospel wherever they went.

"On Sunday 6 August 1837, eighty people gathered at the home of Ann Dawson, one of the first nine converts in Preston. The three missionaries confirmed them members of the Church and the first branch of the Church outside of the United States was officially organized." (Church Section of the Deseret News, 26 July 1958, page 12)

There was, also, a group of people called "The United Brethren" who were seeking for the Church which taught the Bible as Jesus did. This Chapel was where David Wilding attended Church. He was present at the meeting when the Elders spoke and Dr. David Wilding was so impressed that he was soon baptized and confirmed a member. He was willing to sacrifice all his worldly possessions in England for the Gospel's sake. It was in 1837, the year Victoria became queen, that David Wilding joined the Church.

David studied the Book of Mormon and received a testimony of its divine origin, which he shared with all that would listen. He was called to serve as a missionary companion to Heber C. Kimball. He was ordained an Elder in October of 1837 and the two traveled all through Lancashire. David was very impressed by Heber C. Kimball. When a new son was born to David and his wife 30 April 1838), he chose to name the baby Heber C. Kimball Wilding.

Early Church records of England give David's name as baptizing and confirming many persons. George was baptized by his father, David, in the River Ribble in 1839 and confirmed by his father and Thomas Richardson.

"The first number of 'The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star' was issued at Manchester, in pamphlet form of twenty-four pages."[2] In Volume One, David Wilding was listed as the Presi-dent of the Rochdale Branch, Manchester, England.

David and Alice Atkinson Wilding had their Patriarchal Blessings on June 11, 1840. These blessings were given by Patriarch Peter Melling in England.[3]

The History of the Church tells of an important Conference of the Church in England held Monday, July 6, 1840, and gives names of the Branch Representatives. David's name is listed as representing the Branches at Bolton as well as Bury and Elton.[4] At that Conference David was one of the Branch "Officers" that was able and willing "to devote themselves entirely to the work of the ministry…"[5]

Another son joined the Wilding family 16 July 1840 and was named David William Patten Wilding. David and Alice soon developed a great desire to join the Saints in America. They worked hard to be ready for that very important day. On Thursday, February 11, 1841, Brigham Young, Willard Richards, and John Taylor chose men to be in charge of a company of Saints ready to sail from Liverpool to New Orleans on the ship "Echo" with Captain Wood. Daniel Browett was set apart to be in charge and his Counselors, who were also set apart, were: John Cheese, David Wilding, James Lavender, William Jenkins, Robert Harris, and John Ellison. They sailed on the ship "Echo" 16 February 1841 and landed at Nauvoo 1 May 1841.

David's records in Nauvoo show that his property was Lot 1 in Block 5 of the old Commerce city plat.[6] Those records also show that he lived in the Nauvoo Fifth Ward and Nauvoo Third Wards. The certificate he brought with him from England was dated February 11, 1841, and was given to him in Liverpool where it was signed by Brigham Young.[7] Nauvoo records also show that David had a home on Mulholland.[8]

George, David's son, often held the Prophet's horses, Joe and John, as the Prophet went about his business. One time the Prophet laid his hands upon George's head and gave him a blessing, then turning to David said, "David, this is your son, and he will be a great blessing to you." This blessing came true, as George was the only member of the family to remain in the Church.

Both David and his eldest son, George, worked on the Nauvoo Temple. David was employed as a carpenter and George worked as a stone mason. David was a member of the Nauvoo Legion and his name is listed on page 1164[9] of the original record. On September 7, 1843, he was named as a Third Lieutenant and the date of his Commission was October 28, 1843.

Two children were born to David and Alice in Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois. They were:
Joseph Smith Wilding Born: 12 April 1843
Jennetta Wilding Born: 8 September 1845.
David and Alice left Nauvoo with the Saints and went into Iowa where four more children were born:
Henry Wilding Born: 1 July 1848 at Crescent, Pottawattamie, Iowa
(Henry & Alice were twins. Henry died 20 August 1848)
Alice Wilding Born: 1 July 1848 at Crescent
Thomas Wilding Born: 18 March 1851 at Crescent
Sarah Ellen Wilding Born: 14 July 1853 at Council Bluffs.
Alice learned much of pioneer life as they lived in Nauvoo and Iowa. She often made oatmeal pancakes and strung them to dry to be used later in oatmeal porridge.
David came to Salt Lake City in the early 1850's, a few years after his son George and his family arrived. David made his home on the corner of 1st North 5th West. He lived there but a short time and then returned to Iowa with the rest of his children. After the rich promise of his youth and young manhood, David strayed from the Church because he was unable to accept Brigham Young as the Prophet Joseph's successor. He later joined the Josephite Church[10] in Iowa.

Alice died in Florence, Nebraska 9 August 1876 at the age of 66 and was buried in Council Bluffs, Iowa. David, the founder of the huge Wilding clan in Iowa, Utah, and Idaho, died 8 October 1890 at the age of eighty-six years in Crescent, Pottawattamie County, Iowa. He was buried in Council Bluffs, Iowa, in the Fairview Cemetery, Section A, Lot 310.[11]


PATRIARCHAL BLESSING[12]
Conferred upon the head of: Allice Wilding
Born: In Billsborrow, Lancashire, England on the 8th day of April 1810
Under the hands of Patriarch: Peter Melling
Date of Blessing: 11 June 1840

A Patriarchal Blessing confered upon the head of Allice Wilding who was born in Billsborrow Lancashire England on the 8th day of April 1810. Under the hands of Peter Melling Patriarch of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints England at a meeting held for that purpose on the 11th day of June 1840. Allice in the name of Jesus Christ I lay my hands upon thy head and according to the Authority of the Holy Priesthood given unto me I pray our Father would regard thee and that he would bless thee at this time and I do bless thee in his name and inasmuch as thou art humble before the Lord and watchful in all things thou shall find him near at all times when thou callest upon him he sall strengthen thee when thou art weak he will comfort thee when thou art weary and thou shall find that he is a friend at all times near at hand thou shall be blessed also in bringing forth thine ofspring and thou shall inasmuch as thou art faithful see his salvation thou shall be blessed with inteligence and thou shall rejoice with thy partner in all his labours thou shall see strange things come to pass thou shalt have dreams and visions thou shalt know of the mystries of heaven thy posterity shall be blessed and be a numerous people thou shalt speak with tongues thou shall experance and enjoy all these Blessings even according to thy faithfulness and humility before the Lord thou shalt have joy of heart such as thou hast not known and thou and thy partner shall rejoice together I pronounce these blessings upon thy head in the name of Jesus Christ and according to the Authority of the holy priesthood given unto me I seal the[e] up unto eternal life. Amen.


PATRIARCHAL BLESSING[13]
Conferred upon the head of: David Wilding
Born: In Longton, Lancashire, England on November 24, 1804.
Under the hands of Patriarch: Peter Melling
Date of Blessing: June 11, 1840


A Patriarchle Blessing confered upon the head of David Wilding who was born in Longton Lancashire England on the 24th day of November 1804 Under the hands of Peter Melling Patriarch of the church of Jesus Christ of latter day Saints in England on the 11th day of June 1840. David in the name of Jesus Christ I lay my hands upon thy head and according to the Authority of the holy Priesthood given unto me I pronounce upon your head the blessings of Abraham Isaac and Jacob and you shall be blessed insomuch that you have humbled yourself and gon down to the waters of baptism therefore dear Brother I say unto thee thou shalt be exhalted take incouragement Brother and go on for the Lord shall be thy defence yea thy shield and thy esceeding great reward, I feel to say thou art of the blood of Ephriam and thou shalt be blessed with his people and as thou art called to this important office to preach the gosple I pray our Father that he may inlarge thy heart and give thee wisdom and that thy faith may be great so that thou shall command the blind to see and the lame to walk and many shall rejoice at the sound of thy voice keep humble dear Brother and the day cometh when the day cometh when great things shall be done by thy instrumentality for thou shall go forth in his power and great things shall be accomplished by thee even according to his migty powr that has called thee thou shall stand before great men of the Earth and the word of the Lord by thee shall penetrate to their hearts thou shalt be blessed in thy Labours and shall return to Zion with many sheaves at last these blessings I pronounce upon thy head in the name of Jesus Christ, thy seed also shall be blessed and thy ofspring shall be numberous these blessings with every other inasmuch as thou art humble and faithful I seal upon thy head and according to the authority of the holy priesthood which is given unto me I seal thee up unto eternal life amen

[1] This history was slightly modified by Bonita (Bonnie) Park Atkinson from the history compiled by Geneva M. Wilding, Genealogist for the Wilding Family Organization. The Sources she used are as follows:
(1) History of David Wilding
(2) History of George Wilding Sr.
(3) Deseret News Church Section, 26 July 1958, p. 12
(4) Family Group Record of David Wilding & Alice Atkinson
(5) Parish Register of St. John's Church, Preston, England - (Marriage Records)
(6) Bishop's Transcripts of Longton & Penwortham, Lancashire, England copied by Mrs. Mary
Fielden, Penwortham, England.
[2] Joseph Smith, History of the Church, (Deseret Book Company, Salt Lake City, Utah, 1970), Vol. IV, page 133.
[3] Xerox copies of the handwritten blessings are in the possession of Bonnie P. Atkinson, St. Anthony, Idaho.
[4] Joseph Smith, History of the Church, (Deseret Book Company, Salt Lake City, Utah, 1970), p. 148.
[5] Ibid.
[6] See information received from the Family History Library in the LDS Visitors' Center in Nauvoo. David's Rin number in their computer is 28229. See, also, the personal information on David and his family.
[7] See LDS Ward Record of Membership on FHL Film #581,219, from 1839-1846.
[8] In 1989 a Service Station was on the corner where the Wildings had lived.
[9] See xerox copy of the original record. The date, rank, and year are written in as it was shown with "ditto" marks from the preceding page. Copy in possession of Bonnie P. Atkinson.
[10] Once referred to as the "Josephite's", we now know this as the R.L.D.S. or Reorganized Church.
[11] Thomas Edward Wilding III found that David was buried in the Fairview Cemetery with the Section and Lot.
[12] This blessing has been typed with the original spelling and punctuation.
[13] This blessing has also been typed with the original spelling and punctuation

Alice Atkinson wife of David Wilding

Born 8 April 1810 - Billsborrow, Lancashire, England to George Atkinson and Elizabeth Charnock

Died 9 Aug 1876 - Florence, Douglas, Nebraska

Mother of 11 children

George Wilding, Sr. - 1829-1913

Born at Williams Street, Preston, England, November 9, 1829. Father, David Wilding; Mother, Alice Atkinson; Grandfather, Henry Wilding.

George Wilding left England, February 16, 1841. He was baptized in 1839, in the River Ribble, England by his father, David Wilding and Thomas Richardson. His father and mother joined the Church in 1838. Following are the names of his brothers and sisters: Elizabeth A., James, Heber, David, Joseph, Jenneta, Henry, Alice, Thomas and Sarah Ellen.

The Prophet Joseph Smith was the first man he became acquainted with in Nauvoo. He often held the Prophet's horses (John and Joe). At one time the Prophet laid his hands upon George's head and said, speaking to his father, "David, this is your son and he will be a great blessing to you." George Wilding was then eleven years old and he wondered what this meant; but his father later left the Church and died an apostate. Since he was baptized for his father, also his grandfather and great-grandfather, this must have been the blessing the Prophet meant.

George Wilding was married to Mary Elizabeth Layne on June 30, 1850, by Orson Hyde in the Post Office at Kanesville, Iowa - now Council Bluffs. Two wagon loads went and returned to celebrate with a dinner at this home in Pigeon. He had only fifty cents and his wife seventy-five cents. He gave his fifty cents to the man for marrying them. They had one log room with a bunk built in for a bed, which was made by boring two holes in the wall and nailing a post to the floor for the two other corners. They stretched raw hide across for the bottom and on this placed a straw tick, a sheet and two quilts. A frying pan and two plates was their household equipment.

George Wilding dreamed that he saw his wife's father come up from his grave and say he was glad he had married Elizabeth and that he would be the means of her salvation in the Kingdom of God. They had thirteen children as follows: George, David, Mary Alice, Roselpha, Elizabeth Ann, Jennetta, Preston, Eleanor, Maggie, Henry David, Eve, Olive and Water Layne.

When he needed money to take his family to Utah, George went to Oregon, Missouri, and worked on a farm digging sweet potatoes. The men working with him were cursing the Mormons and one night he said to them, "You should be men of understanding. I am but a boy But I am a Mormon and it hurts me to hear you speak that way. Please do not curse my people before me." They stopped and he never heard any more of it.

When George was about 13 or 14 years old, he worked for the Prophet of God and his testimony never left him. He saw the Prophet when they were taking him to Carthage Jail. The Prophet stopped, gave George his hand and said, "Be a good boy, George, and the Lord will bless you." The memory of the Prophet was very dear to him.

He and his wife and son crossed the plains with the Ben E. Gardiner Company. The Company left Kanesville, Iowa, on May 15, 1852 consisting of 241 people and 45 wagons. Fourteen of their number died on the way of cholera. George's wagon was drawn by one horse and one cow.

George Wilding and Horace Owens were the hunters for the immigrant train, securing wild meat such as buffalo, elk, deer, etc. In those days their firearms were muzzle loading, which would take about five minutes to reload. There were thousands of buffalo in Wyoming, so there was no meat problem at that time. One day when they were returning to camp with all the meat they could carry, they passed a spot where there were many new graves. They counted 130. One man had been wrapped in a feather bed when buried and the wolves had partly pulled it out of the ground. George put his foot out to turn the face up so he could see who it was. The corruption came out and he smelled the terrible odor of cholera. He contracted the terrible disease. During the night as he lay almost dead in the camp, he heard the Captain outside say, "We will stop over tomorrow to bury George." Between gasps, George said, "No you won't. I will live." He remembered his father's words, "Take strong whiskey for cholera." (David Wilding was a doctor) George's wife, Elizabeth went to the camp of Horace Owens and got whiskey as Horace was night watching. Into the glass of whiskey she put black pepper. He drank it and was able to continue his journey.

When they arrived in Utah, on September 24, 1852, they settled in the 16th Ward for one winter and George worked at his trade as mason. There are many houses still standing which he built. In 1853, he built his house in the 19th Ward and moved into it.

On August 9, 1875, he married Leona Leoti Winner, in polygamy, by whom he had twelve children, as follows: Alice Isabella, Anna, Latilla, Jennie Leoni, Elvira Naomi, Rhoda Lambert, George Lambert, Elizabeth Jeffs, Erma Estella, Leni Leoti, Clara Cornelia and Evelyn Winner. His second wife's home was in Hunter Ward, Salt Lake County. On his 70th birthday, his family numbered 25 children, 140 grandchildren and 140 great-grandchildren.

From September 21, 1887, to March 21, 1888, he imprisoned in a penal institution for polygamy. Many interesting stories he told of prison life. David Bybee, a relative and dear friend, was in with the criminals and suffered by their vile language. He asked George, who had been more fortunate, to intercede for him to be moved to better quarters. George was successful and he and David shared the same cell and were happy. George did mason work at the pen and was favored with the privilege of eating with the guards, having much better food than the other prisoners. He also cared for some pigs, raising sixteen nice ones for the prison. He asked for two of them when he left and they were given to him. This gave him a nice start of hogs for himself. He was released from prison without paying the usual fine imposed in like cases.

Compiled by W.L. Wilding, with lots of appreciated help from Clara Wilding Coon and her family.

Mary Elizabeth Layne wife of George Wilding Sr.

Born 24 Dec 1832 - Bowling Green, Owen County, Indiana to David Layne and Lucinda Bybee

Died 17 Dec 1909 - Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah

Mother of 13 children

Leona Leoti Winner 2nd wife of George Wilding, Sr.

Born 15 July 1857 - Six Mile Creek, Pike, Illinois to James Winner and Isabell Lambert

Married 29 Aug 1875 - Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah

Died 15 Nov 1933

Mother of 12 children

George Wilding, Jr. - 1851-1898

George Wilding, Jr.

George Wilding Junior was born June 5, 1851, at Winter Quarters, North Pidgeon, Pottowatomie, Iowa. His parents were with the Saints that had been driven from their homes in Nauvoo. George was born while his parents were preparing for the trek to the Great Salt Lake Valley with others of the early pioneers. He was one year old when they commenced the journey.
His Father, George Wilding Senior, was among the first converts to the Mormon faith in England. His Mother, Mary Elizabeth Layne, was converted to Mormonism with her Father’s family in Clay County, Indiana, and later moved to Nauvoo. The Wildings left for the Salt Lake Valley May 15, 1852, and arrived there September 24, 1852, with the Benjamin E. Gardner Company.
George grew up with other pioneer children in the Valley and endured the trials and hardships of those early years. His education was that which was provided the children of the Saints in those first years in the Valley. The children learned to read, to write, and the fundamentals of arithmetic. They were taught those things necessary to live useful and productive lives.
The month and day of George’s baptism is unknown, but it is a matter of record that he was baptized in the year of 1866. George was the eldest child in a family of thirteen children: five sons and eight daughters. He was guided, as he grew, by the influence of good parents. He developed great faith in the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and, as he grew to manhood, he developed the reputation of being a fine honorable man.
George and his family attended Church regularly in the old Sixteenth Ward of Salt Lake City. It was there he became acquainted with Sarah Brown and her family, who were converts from England. George and Sarah Brown were both active with the young people in the Ward. He was ordained an Elder in the Melchizedek Priesthood in the Sixteenth Ward.
The old Salt Lake Endowment House was where George married Sarah Brown on October 19, 1874. They were sealed for time and all eternity in a double wedding, for his sister, Roselpha married George Rhodes Emery that same day. Sarah was seventeen and one-half years old and George was twenty-three when they were married. The double wedding remained a sweet memory throughout the years for the participants and the family members.
After their marriage, George and Sarah lived in Salt Lake City where their first two children, George David and Joseph Abram, were born. George David was nearly two years old when George and Sarah moved to Fountain Green, Sanpete County, in Southern Utah. This was their home for the following nine years. Their two oldest boys were baptized while they were living in Fountain Green. They returned to Salt Lake and lived on the farm of George’s brother-in-law, Oak Poulton. A year later George purchased a ten acre farm on 33rd South (now 35th South) in the Hunter Ward. He operated a farm for Bishop Spears, of the Salt Lake Tenth Ward, as well as his own ten acres. He contracted to buy 160 acres of dry farm land on the bench land above their home farm, which he also farmed.
These were days of extreme hardship for the people of the Valley because of the grasshoppers. Four years in a row they were able to harvest only one crop of hay before the grasshoppers moved in and stripped the fields. There was danger of losing their farms so George found employment wherever possible. The boys old enough to work found jobs also. It took much to feed and clothe their growing family. They cut railroad ties and logs, built bridges, and worked wherever they could find something to do just to keep things going.
They were faithful in Church attendance. Sarah worked in the Relief Society and she and George attended M.I.A. together. They found that activity in the Church and their associations there brought happiness and peace amid their hardships.
Five more sons were born before a daughter blessed their home: Heber "J", William (who died when he was only four days old), Charles Henry, Thomas Edward, Lawrence Roy, and James Albert. One of the boys had to become his Mother’s helper with this large family and no daughters. Edward (Ed) was the one chosen to help with the labor and upkeep of the home. He helped with the washing, which was done with a washboard and tubs, became a fine cook, and was especially skillful in cooking all types of meats and making delicious gravies. Later in his life he was sought after to help at Ward banquets or wherever meals were being served. He was especially skillful in cooking meat of all types and making delicious gravies.
Finally a daughter came to bless the family when Mary (May) Elizabeth was born in 1889. Lester Layne, Alice Emmeline, Harvey, Eva, and Wilford completed their family of fourteen children, which were born within twenty-two years. During the years of having and caring for her family, Sarah did all the sewing to provide her family with clothing. She made suits, hats, coats, dresses, underwear, and nightwear. She provided for all the needs of the growing children plus doing the cooking, washing, ironing, and the thousand and one things that only a mother knows of. As the children grew old enough to help, they were assigned their daily tasks in the home and farm routine.
The Salt Lake Temple was under construction and every Church member was expected to do his share. George with his young sons hauled granite from the quarries with their teams and wagons to do their part in helping to erect a house of the Lord.
These were years of challenge to George as he worked to provide for his family. Often he would join others in the neighborhood and they would go hunting for wild ducks to earn extra money during the winter months. They went out during the week, killed the birds, dressed them, and took them to town to be sold at Saturday’s market. This market extended from Richard Street to West Temple and was known as "Green Grocery Row." The farmers brought their produce to this market on Saturdays and sold it to those living within the City.
George’s youngest child was fourteen months old when George went on one of these hunting trips with his friend, Joe Messer. They had not been out long when George was stricken with a severe attack of appendicitis. He died in a Grantsville, Utah, hotel on Tuesday, November 8, 1898, before they could get him back to Salt Lake. George was only forty-seven years old. He was buried in Pleasant Green, Salt Lake County, Utah.

Sarah Brown wife of George Wilding Jr.

Born 5 March 1857 - London, Shoreditch, England to Abraham Critcher Brown and Mary Ann Dearman

Died 11 June 1923 - Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah

Mother of 14 children

History of Sarah Brown Wilding - 1857-1923

Sarah Brown was born the 13 September 1857, in Tottenham, Middlesex, England, the daughter of Abraham Critcher Brown and Mary Ann Dearman. She was the fifth child in a family of eleven children. Through the efforts of the Latter-day Saint missionaries, the Brown family was converted to Mormonism. One archive record shows that her Mother, Mary Ann Dearman Brown, was baptized in 1853 and her Father was not baptized until 1871. The Whitechapel Branch of the London Conference showed records for Mary Ann Brown, Sarah Brown, and Emily I. Brown. (Whitechapel Branch, London Conference, England, British Mission, Fam. Hist. Lib. film #087,038, p.27,1869.)

The Finsbury Branch showed records for Abraham Brown, who was baptized March 13, 1853 by Elder Spicer, and Mary Ann Brown, who was baptized in 1853 by Elder Spicer. The Finsbury Branch also shows that Abraham Crictcher Brown was a Teacher in the Priesthood. At that time, their Address was: 4 Plough Yard, Shoreditch. The Book of Ordinations show also that he was ordained a Teacher on Jun 13, 1853, by J.B. Maiben; and was ordained an Elder on July 15, 1854, by Elder Harrison. (Finsbury Branch, London Conference, England, British Mission, 1850 through 1859, FHL film #086,998, #218 - Abraham Brown and #265 - Mary Ann Brown.)

Later records of the Goswell Road Branch show that the family had moved to Leonard Street and that the record was received from the Finsbury Branch on March 19, 1859.

Records of the British Emigration Company Perpetual Emigration Fund show that the Brown Family emigrated to Zion with the help of the Church members who contributed to the Perpetual Emigration Fund. Emigration Records from Liverpool show that they sailed on July 12, 1871 on the Ship "Colorado". The ship's Captain was Master Green and their destiny was New York City. Sarah was thirteen years of age at the time they sailed, but her birthday was only two months away. (British Emigration Company Perpetual Emigration Fund, FHL film #025,686, p.24 of Names of Persons Indebted to the P.E.Fund Company. Emigration Records from Liverpool, Office of the British Mission for 1868- 1874, FHL Film #025,692.)

When they reached Salt Lake they settled in the Sixteenth Ward. Sarah had received all the schooling that she was to have before they immigrated to Utah. Soon after their arrival in the valley, she went to work in the home of Emmeline B. Wells. There was no limit to the work hours in a day and for this she received the sum of twenty-five cents a week.

They had been in the United States just two years and seven months when Sarah's Father developed lung problems which were described as "miner's T.B." which was caused by his many years of labor in the coal mines of England. He died on February 4, 1874. Abraham Critcher Brown was only forty-eight years and seven months old at the time of his death.

Sarah took part with the young people in their activities in the Sixteenth Ward and it was here that she met George Wilding. George and his family were also active members of the Ward. At the age of seventeen and a half, Sarah became the bride of twenty-three year old George when they were married for time and all eternity in the old Salt Lake Endowment House. It was indeed a special day as George's sister Roselpha married George Rhodes Emery there on the same day. Wilding Family members were there to witness both weddings and that day became a sweet memory throughtout the years that followed.

After their marriage, they lived for a time in Salt Lake City, where their first two children were born: George David Wilding and Joseph Abraham Wilding. When George David was nearly two years old, George and Sarah moved to Fountain Green, Sanpete County, in southern Utah. There they made their home for the following nine years. The two Oldest boys were baptized while they were in Fountain Green: George David on June 4, 1884 and Joseph on November 3, 1885.

They returned to Salt Lake and George purchased a ten acre farm on 33rd South (now 35th So.) in the Hunter Ward. He also operated a nearby farm for Bishop Spears, who was the Bishop of the Salt Lake Tenth Ward. They also were farming and paying for 160 acres of dry farm land on the bench above the home farm. These were days of extreme hardship in the Valley as they were able to harvest the first crop of hay, but after the first crop the grasshoppers would move in and strip the rest of the crops. This happened four years in a row. George was forced to find employment elsewhere to keep from losing their farms and just to feed and clothe their growing family. Their sons that were old enough to work also found employment wherever possible. They cut railroad ties, logs, built bridges, and did any work they could find to help the family.

The family was faithful in their Church attendance. Sarah worked in the Relief Society, and she and George attended MIA together. (In those days there were classes for the adults as well as the young people and all twelve and older attended MIA together). These activities brought happiness and peace to them in the midst of their hardships.

The family grew within their first 22 years together from one to fourteen children. One baby son, William, died four days after his birth. During these years Sarah sewed the entire clothing needs of her family. She made suits, hats, coats, dresses, underwear and nightwear. She tended to all the needs of her growing children as well as doing the cooking, washing, and ironing. As the children grew old enough to help, they were assigned their daily tasks in the home and family routine.

Seven sons were born before a daughter blessed their home: George David 11 Sep 1875; Joseph Abraham 19 Oct 1876; Heber "J" 7 Feb 1878; William 1879; Charles Henry 6 Jun 1880; Thomas Edward 26 Jun 1882; Lawrence Roy 11 Feb 1884; and James Albert 2 Apr 1886. As a result, it was necessary that one of the boys become his Mother's helper. Ed (Thomas Edward) was the chosen one that worked with his mother to care for the home, help with the washing (at that time done on a washboard in tin tubs), and prepare the meals. Ed became a very fine cook and in the later years of his life he was sought after to help with the planning and cooking of Ward banquets. He was especially skillful in cooking of all meats and making delicious gravies.

After fifteen years of marriage, Sarah was finally blessed with the birth of a daughter, May (Mary Elizabeth) - 12 Mar 1889. Another boy came to the family, Lester Layne 12 Jan 1891, and then her second little daughter was born, Alice Emmeline 8 Apr 1892. Evidently the Lord considered Sarah a fine mother for boys as her twelfth child, Harvey 3 June 1894, edged himself between two girls, Eva 1 Mar 1896. Her last and 14th child was again a son, Wilford 7 Sep 1897.

The Salt Lake Temple was being built during this time and every church member was called to do his share. George and his young sons hauled granite from the quarries with teams and wagons to do their share in helping to erect this House of the Lord.

During these trying years, George with others of the neighborhood, often hunted wild ducks during the winter months. They went out during the week, killed the birds, dressed them, and took them to town to be sold at Saturday's Market. The Market extended from Richard Street to West Temple and was known as "Green Grocery Row". It was here the farmers brought their produce to be sold to those living within the City. It was while on such a hunting trip that George was stricken with a severe attack of appendicitis. He died in a Grantsville Hotel before they were able to get him into Salt Lake City. George died at the young age of 47 years on November 8, 1898.

After George's death Sarah faced the future alone and to her the task seemed tremendous. Thirteen children must be fed, clothed and cared for. Her youngest child was 14 months old. Just a year after her husband's death her second son, Joseph, was called to serve a two-year mission in Texas. Sarah and the children worked at anything they could find to support him in this calling. Great freezers of homemade ice cream were frozen, cakes were baked, and these were sold at Ward or community socials. Eggs were gathered to be sold. Butter was churned, molded and sold. Sarah made hair "switches" for ladies of the community who brought some of their own hair to her to be made into hairpieces. These funds were always referred to as "Joe's money" and were kept for his missionary expense. The Lord blessed their efforts and Joseph returned in 1901 after completing an honorable two-year mission.

Sarah remained on the farm for four years following her husband's death. The younger children were attending school in the Hunter Ward where Ness Hall was teaching. At one time or another she taught Harvey, Alice and Eva. Ness later married their brother Ed (Thomas Edward) and became their sister-in-law. The following two years Sarah spent the summer months on the farm but during the school months she moved to town where the children could continue their schooling.

In 1902 the older boys began to marry and establish homes of their own, but on Sundays they would still gather at their Mother's home to visit. Around the large dining table they partook of the bounties of life with which her table was always blessed. They were welcomed with open arms and a glad, thankful heart.

Sarah moved to town to make a permanent home in the early part of 1904. The farmhouse was rented for a while but eventually it was sold and the dry farm was rented. This gave her some income although yearly payments were still being made on it.

Her fifth child, Charles Henry died in 1906 at the age of 26. The doctors diagnosed his death as being a result of Spinal Meningitis caused by the bite of a wood tick. He died just 13 1/2 months after his marriage to Maud Collins. Maud was left a young widow with an infant daughter whom they had named Lucille.

A few weeks following Charles death, Sarah's brother Joseph was drowned in the Snake River, near St. Anthony, Idaho. Then Sarah's Mother and Mother-in-law died within a month of each other. At this time Sarah took one of her granddaughters into her home to raise, Bertha Jones. Bertha was indeed a blessing and a great help to her grandmother, especially as Sarah grew older.

Sarah's youngest child, Wildord, died in 1910 at the age of 13. His death was also diagnosed as Spinal Meningitis. At the same time that family was in quarantine as Ab (Albert) had smallpox. Eva and Ab were not allowed to attend the graveside service for their baby brother but Sarah was "fumigated" by the authorities and was permitted to go.

Sarah's health was seriously impaired by all of these deaths. The stress of caring for those ill and coping with the loss of loved ones had taken its toll. She suffered from exhaustion caused by many sleepless nights. When she began to feel that she might get on top of it all, the family was again confined to their home with Scarlet Fever. This happened just two to three months after their siege with smallpox. There were seven children and Sarah at home at this time.

Sarah's home was on 8th West and she maintained it until World War I, when her only unmarried son, Lester, was called into the Service. During the time he was gone, she moved in with her daughter Eva who lived next door. Eva's Husband, Elmer Hokanson, was also called to serve. The two young men left together. After a period of time Elmer came home on furlough because he had suffered a serious attack of the dreaded "flu" and it had left him nothing but skin and bones. Eva put him to bed, nursed, and cared for him until he returned to duty 12 days later. When the war ended, Elmer returned home about two months before Lester. Upon Lester's return, Sarah again moved into a home of her own on Mead Street in the 30th Ward.

Sarah was able to visit her sons during the years that followed. She traveled to Idaho and stayed at Heber's home in Downey, then she went to Joe's outside of Idaho Falls in Milo Ward, and spent time at George's home in Rexburg. These were the easier and more enjoyable years of her life.

She was kind, thoughtful, and understanding of others. She gave of herself and shared her worldly goods with others. There was a pie or cake for the widowed, neighbors, or friends. She showered little children with love and kindness. Sweet memories of "Granma Wilding" linger in the minds and hearts of the grandchildren who remember her. Her faith in the power of the Priesthood was mainfested in times of sickness and expressed when her first words would be, "Send for the Elders".

In Sarah's Patriarchal Blessing received years before, she had been promised that she should not die until she was ready to go. On Jun 8, 1923 she suffered a heart attack in her home and to her daughter Eva she made the statement that she was ready to go any time. On June 11, 1923 she died at the age of 66 years. She was laid to rest, after 25 years of separation, beside her companion in the Pleasant Green Cemetery, Salt Lake County, Utah.

The noble pioneers, valiant parents, and grandparents now have a great posterity, most of them residing in Utah, Idaho and California, but others are spread throughout the states.

(This history written by a granddaughter with assistance from Aunt Eva daughter of Sarah)

Mary Ann Dearman mother of Sarah Brown (above)

Born 13 Sep 1827 at Tottenham, Middlesex, England

Married 10 Mar 1850 in England to Abraham Critcher Brown

Died 24 Jan 1910 at Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah

Phoebe Withers mother of Mary Ann Dearman (above)

Born 1795 London, England

Married to William Dearman

Eliza Ann Barnes Wilding - 1890-1957

Eliza Ann Barnes was born 21 August 1890 at Downey, Woodland Ward, Bannock, Idaho. December of 1916 she described herself with blue eyes, brown hair, height 5 ft. 3 inches, weight 120 lbs., chest 38. Vocation housework.

A written history of her was not left but found where she wrote: "Was operated on for tumor and had the appendix removed 19 Feb 1929 at the LDS Hospital and had left breast amputated 1 Aug 1938 with Dr. H. Ray Hatch for both operations. I had my right breast amputated 7 June 1951 at the LDS Hospital in Idaho Falls, Idaho by same doctor.

She did leave a listing called:

Personal Record of Eliza Ann Barnes Wilding

Name in full - Eliza Ann Barnes Wilding

Father's name: John James Barnes; Mother's name: Hannah Eliza Douglass

Born: 21 August 1890 at Downey, Woodland Ward, Bannock County, Idaho

Blessed 30 January 1992 by John Gooch

Baptized - 5 May 1899 by Bishop Henry H. Wakley at Downey, Woodland Ward, Bannock County, Idaho. Confirmed - 5 May 1899 by William W. Woodland

Married - 19 Oct 1909 to Joseph Abraham Wilding by Stake Pres. William A. Hyde at Pocatello, Pocatello Stake, Bannock, Idaho

Patriarchal Blessing - 10 November 1909 by John Smith, Salt Lake City, Utah

Endowed and Sealed - 10 January 1910 in Salt Lake Temple

All these positions she held in the Milo Ward: Counselor in Primary; President of Primary; Relief Society Visiting Teacher; Relief Society secretary; 1st counselor in Relief Society; Relief Society President twice Feb 1930-Oct 1932 and Oct 1937-1940; R.S. work and business class leader; secretary of the Genealogical Society.

Moved to Idaho Falls in July of 1943 and resided there until time of death.

Her children are listed in her husband, Joseph Abraham's history and a family group picture is in her son Harold Joseph's history. Her patriarchal blessing follows.

Salt Lake City, Utah - November 10, 1909

A blessing given by John Smith, Patriarch, upon the head of Eliza Wilding, daughter of John James and Hannah Eliza Barnes, born in Downey, Bannock County, Idaho, August 21, 1890.

Sister Eliza Wilding: As thou hast desired it, I place my hands upon thy head, and as the spirit shall direct, pronounce and seal a blessing upon thee. Thou art numbered among the daughters of Zion who were chosen at their birth to labor in the vineyard of Our Father. It has been thy lot to labor in the interest of improvement among thine associates. It has been thy privilege to have a care among the younger of thy sex. It is thy duty to sit in council among the older. It is thy duty to teach and to exhort. Therefore, I say unto thee, strive to inform thy mind, through the study of books, by listening to council, and thou shalt learn much by observation. Thou shalt reflect often upon the past, and thereby gain knowledge through experience. Although as it were in thy youth, thou hast learned somewhat of the ways of the people and thereby enabled to council wisely among thine associates. Thou are of Ephraim and an heir to the blessings, gifts and privileges of the new and everlasting covenant. Thy name is written in the Lambs Book of Life, thy children shall grow up around thee, be a comfort unto thee and bear thy name in honorable remembrance. Thou shalt have joy in thy daily associations, and as you gain experience thy faith shall increase and as you advance in years, thou shalt study the laws of nature and be healthy and strong in body and mind, wise in council among thy sex and in thy habitation. Thou shalt give unto the needy, comfort the hearts of the fatherless and cheer up the bowed down, and for thy kindness thou shalt be remembered in after years.

Remember to look always upon the bright side, to be cheerful in thy deportment. Cheerfulness will often turn aside anger, restore peace and gain friends and influence among the people. Therefore, look forward to the future with pleasure. This blessing I seal upon thee in the name of Jesus Christ and I seal thee up unto eternal life to come forth in the morning of the first resurrection with many of thy kindred and friends, even so. Amen.

Eliza passed away at age 66 on 25 Jan 1957. She was survived by three daughters and five sons. Her husband and two sons preceded her in death. At her passing she had 26 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Joseph Abraham Wilding - 1876-1943

A life sketch history of Joseph Abraham Wilding, written by the family February 1979 as well as we can remember.

Joseph Abraham Wilding was born 19 October 1876 at Salt Lake City, Utah, Hunter Ward. He was the second son and also the second child born to his parents, George Wilding, Jr., and Sarah Brown Wilding. A family of 14 children, he had three sisters and ten brothers.

George David - Born 11 Sep 1875, died 28 Jul 1954
Joseph Abraham - Born 19 Oct 1876, died 5 June 1943
Heber Born -7 Feb 1878, died 16 Dec 1963
William Born - 1879, died
Charles H Born - 6 June 1880, died 2 July 1906
Thomas Edward - Born 26 June 1882, died 15 July 1959
Laurence Roy - Born 11 Feb 1884, died 23 Feb 1951
James Albert - Born 2 Apr 1886, died 16 May 1939
Mary Elizabeth - Born 12 Mar 1889, died 30 Jan 1952
Lester Layne - Born 12 Jan 1891, died
Alice - Born 6 Apr 1892, died 1 June 1960
Harvey - Born 3 June 1894, died 28 Sep 1955
Eva - Born 1 Mar 1896, died 6 Aug 1974
Wilford - Born 7 Sep 1897, died 24 Feb 1910












(Joseph Abraham is on back row far right)

As father was next to the oldest and grandpa died leaving such a large family and father didn't marry until he was 33 years old, it fell to him to help all he could to support the family. He was always good to his mother and his family all loved and respected him.

Joseph was baptized 3 November 1885 by John Cotton; and confirmed 5 November 1885 by Fredrick Kessler. The family lived in Hunter Ward, Salt Lake City, Utah. He had little schooling and worked at what he could to earn a living.

He was endowed in the Salt Lake Temple 18 December 1901 before serving a two year mission in the Southwestern States Mission in Texas, January 8, 1902. The missionaries traveled without purse or script and depended on the people being good enough to give them food and a place to sleep. He was released from his mission in 1904.

Missionary picture

He worked as a conductor on the street-cars in Salt Lake City. He had some trouble with his back and decided to find some other work. He went up to the Downey area, where he met Eliza Ann Barnes, whom he later married 19 October 1909. They were married in a double wedding ceremony with her sister, Cora and Joseph Jensen at Pocatello, Idaho. They moved to Salt Lake for a short time and had their marriage solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple 10 November 1909.

They came back to Downey where Joseph homesteaded a dry farm and built a two room house. They lived there until November 1918. Our household water had to be hauled in large wooden barrels and stored in a cistern. We attended the Woodland Ward church. We had smallpox in the spring of 1915. Father had them real bad and Leo just had one spot on his entire body.

Father would go away each spring to shear sheep to help earn extra money. He trapped coyotes on his farm so they would not molest the animals.

In November 1918 the folks decided to move to Rexburg, Idaho. We moved on the train and the flu was so bad that year that we all wore little gauze flu masks over our faces. There were five children, Vada, Harold, Leo, Orvil and Louis at this time. We moved to a house about one mile north of Rexburg, owned by Uncle George. After living in Rexburg awhile father bought a farm at Archer, Idaho and we lived there about a year and then moved back to Rexburg.

Father still sheared sheep each spring and also worked for a butcher. Stanley was born at Archer, and was never very strong and healthy and he died at 11 months old of malnutrition on 23 October 1920.

Sarah was born in Rexburg. We then moved to Milo where we lived for the rest of father's life. Jesse Reed, Lynn and Della were born after we moved to Milo. Jesse only lived two weeks.

We lived near the Milo church and father helped on the recreation committee and had charge of the ward dances, he always enjoyed dancing. We moved to another farm in Milo owned by Bishop Parley J. Davis, and as he had enough boys to help on the farm he needed very little hired help. The neighbors exchanged help too. The family moved once more to the place where Harold now lives.

Joseph served in the Sunday School Superintendency and also in the Bishopric. He worked very hard to help establish the Milo Cemetery District.

His health began to fail and mother cared for him at home until his death 5 June 1943. The family consisted of ten children in this order:
Vada - Born 20 August 1910
Harold - Born 2 February 1912
Leo - Born 17 October 1913, died 25 January 1964
Orvil - Born 24 December 1915
Louis - Born 9 Nov 1917
Stanley - Born 18 Nov 1919, died 23 Oct 1920
Sarah - Born 10 January 1921
Jesse Reed - Born 10 December 1922, died 24 December 1922
Lynn - Born 22 January 1926, died 20 February 1958
Della - Born 9 August 1928
(See this family picture on Harold Joseph's page)

Stanley is buried in Sugar City Cemetery; Jesse Reed, father and mother in Milo Cemetery, Leo in Ammon Cemetery and Lynn in Cloverdale Memorial Park, Boise, Idaho


Eliza Ann and Joseph Abraham about 1941

Harold Joseph Wilding - 1912-1998

Harold Joseph Wilding - Born 2 February 1912 at Downey, Bannock, Idaho to Joseph Abraham Wilding and Eliza Ann Barnes Wilding. Blessed by Joseph Abraham Wilding on 7 April 1912 at Downey, Idaho. I was the second child of the family. We lived on a small dry farm that my folks homesteaded. It was located about 3 or 4 miles south and west of the town of Downey. We lived at that place till November 1918. I had started to school there.
In the year 1918 on Nov. 11th we moved to Rexburg Idaho. My father rode the railroad car with cows, horses, machinery and other belongings, while mother and five children rode the passenger train to Rexburg. We lived there until spring then bought a place at Archer south of Rexburg. We lived there one year, then sold that and went back to Rexburg.
I was baptized by Raymond Muir 5 February 1921 at Rexburg Idaho and confirmed 6 February 1921 by Hyrum J. Lucas.
My father sheared sheep, so in the spring of the year while he was away mother and us kids did the chores.
We moved from Rexburg to Milo 7 March 1921. The morning we left Rexburg we left early. (We lived about a mile north of Rexburg town site). My father drove four head of horses on the wagon loaded with all it would carry. My mother drove a team on a two seated white top buggy with chickens and all it would handle, including four children. I was nine years old and Leo was 7½. Leo and I walked and drove the cows from there to Milo. It was a long tiring day. The roads were dirt at the time. The neighbors all pitched in and helped us get in and settled that night. The place we moved to was just north of the Milo church. The place Leo Avery now lives. It was at that time known as the Bybee place. We found we couldn’t make out it so we rented it for a while, then we moved on to Parley J. David place and rented there for a few years.
I was ordained a deacon 10 February 1924 by Mahonri E. Brown. Ordained a teacher 15 February 1926 by A.S. Newman. Ordained a priest 19 August 1928 by T.J. Storer. While we lived there, I helped with the farming and raising pigs. We drove pigs to Ucon and loaded for market. While living there I graduated from the 8th grade at the Milo school with Melvin R. Jordan as teacher. 21 May 1927 I missed one year, then went to high school 3 years at Ucon High School.
In the spring of 1930 we moved down on the place which I live. When I was 14 I did farm work for a dollar a day and board.
As my Father being a sheep shearer I had learned to shear at age 16. So I sheared sheep in the spring and worked at farm work such as cutting and raking, piling, harrowing and stacking hay and threshing grain and peas. That was all done by hand with pitch fork and horses. I picked potatoes and topped beets in the fall of the year for many years. I got a job herding sheep in the summers of 1930 and 1931. I was herding sheep during summer time and courting a lovely young lady, Verla Bowles.
Was ordained an Elder 19 October 1931 by Joseph Abraham Wilding (my father).
On October 21, 1931 Verla and I were married. She and her parents, me and my parents made the trip to Utah, where we were married in the Logan Temple. She is the most kind, sweet, generous and thoughtful person you could ask for. I loved her and came to appreciate her more day by day.
When we returned home from Utah, we started our married life together herding sheep. Our honeymoon was on the range in the old style covered wagon in those day with wood high wheels. We brought the sheep in from the range 23rd December. We stayed with our parents that winter. In the spring we went back with the sheep. It was an enjoyable time that summer. We would take rides when the sheep would bed down. We roamed the hills running onto rattle snakes. I saved the rattlers and my mother put them on a cardboard in a design which I still have. It had 24 rattles on. On occasions when close enough to home, we rode to the valley. While the sheep were shaded up to rest during the heat of the day. We rode to the valley to see our families. Late in the summer of 1932 the sheep company dissolved. It was several farmers that put their sheep together to make a herd.
In the winter of 1932 we rented a 40 acre farm from Rich Olsen which was on the county line. We went to the secondhand store and bought a bed, table, chairs and stove for $50. That was a very cold winter 50 degrees below zero. We got a cow and calf for a wedding present. I milked the cow and we skimmed the cream and sold it. We would get a ten pound bucket of cream a week, which we sold and got 65 cents a week. That is what we lived on that winter. I farmed the summer of 1933. Sold our hay for $5 per ton. Sold the pea crop and got enough to buy myself a pair of bib overalls. Our first child a daughter, was born the fall of 1933.
The winter of 1933-34 I worked for the W.P.A. which we had a little better living. Did farm work until September of 1937. We moved to Idaho Falls. I got a job in Idaho Falls working at Gene’s coal and feed. My job was hauling coal. Then in the spring of the year when I wasn’t hauling coal, I would help clean grain. In 1937 we had another baby girl. While we were living in Idaho Falls, we had a chance to buy a two room log house. It was on Garfield Street. We got it for $450 dollars. The house wasn’t lined on the inside. Our house payments were $12 per month. We as time went on were able to line the inside of the house. In the fall of 1939 a baby boy came to live with us.
In the spring of 1940 we moved out of town. I decided to get a grain cleaner and work for myself. I got the cleaner and put it on a trailer. I also got a portable grain chopper. I cleaned grain from 1940 till 1986. The territory I worked reach from Fort Hall south to Dillon Montana on the north, Arco and Lost River west and Afton Wyoming to the east. I would also shear sheep. June 5, 1943 my father passed away. The next day after his funeral we went to Montana to sheer sheep. When we got home in July my mother decided to trade her equity of her farm to us for our house in town. So that we did. We have lived in the place since July 1943. In 1946 another daughter came to live with us.
In the spring of 1947 I got a larger fanning mill which kept me pretty busy. I ran the 40 acres. The springs I cleaned grain, sheared sheep, did custom hay baling and milked 12 head of cows night and morning. The last year I went to Montana shearing was 1946. In the summer of 1955 we were blessed with another son.
1957 we celebrated 25 years of married life.
1982 we celebrated 50 years of married life.
5 children
21 grandchildren
27 great grandchildren
Harold Joseph Wilding passed away on 10 January 1998.
This was dictated to wife Verla which she wrote in pencil, in longhand.

** Photo above: Vada (sister) and Harold

Joseph Abraham Wilding and Eliza Ann Barnes Wilding children:

Back row l to r: Harold, Sarah, Vada, Della, Leo, Orvil
Front row l to r: Louis, Eliza Ann, Joseph Abraham, Lynn