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.