 |
 |
|
||||||||||||||
| Research | Genealogy | DNA ProjectS | Wildlife | Video Project | Photo Viewer | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
||||||||||||||
| Research | Genealogy | DNA ProjectS | Wildlife | Video Project | Photo Viewer | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
Thomas Bryant Parker by Ella Parker Ogden |
Descendants of Thomas Bryant Parker and Thomas RossCompiled by ELLA PARKER OGDEN 1965 174 'T' Street Salt Lake City, Utah Ó Copyright 1965 ELLA P. OGDEN DEDICATIONTo my Pioneer Parents and Grandparents. To my Husband and to my children, Mary Elizabeth and George Hal, and To all who have made it possible for me To live and know the real joys Of Living. I lovingly dedicate this book. ELLA PARKER OGDEN.
Photo 1: Ella Minerva Parker (Ogden) ACKNOWLEDGMENTI am greatly indebted to the following cousins, found through research, correspondence and family records, for assistance on my Faulconer, Nelson, Craig and other lines. They are descendants of grandmother Martha Ann (Nelson) Parker's sister, and half-sister, an uncle and an aunt. 1. Mrs. Mutie H. (Griffin) Darrell, granddaughter of Sarah F. Nelson, sister to grandmother Martha Ann (Nelson) Parker; a very lovely lady who devoted much of her time searching out her ancestry. I regret that Mutie passed away in August 1957 at Macom, Missouri. 2. Mrs. Mary (May) L. (Nelson) Bates, a granddaughter of Aunt Frances (Cloudas ) Stokley; half sister of grandmother Martha Ann (Nelson) Parker. May has given me much of the history and records of descendants of Aunt Frances and Uncle John Stokley's family. 3. Miss Nadine Hodges, great granddaughter of Nelson Faulconer, a brother to my great grandmother Joyce (Faulconer) Nelson, the mother of grandmother, Martha Ann (Nelson) Parker. A very charming lady, she is dedicated to research and last year, 1964, when Velma and I went to the New York fair, we enjoyed a very nice evening with her at our hotel in Kansas City, Mo. 4. Mrs. Martha (Butt) Cheek, great granddaughter of Susannah Faulconer Offutt, sister of Joyce Faulconer Nelson, my great grandmother. I also had a nice visit with- her over the telephone from Louisville to Lexington, Kentucky, her home, and what a pleasure it was to "meet her." She too is very interested in research and is gathering history and genealogy on the Nelson-Faulconer lines. Each of us are descendants of Joseph Faulconer and Frances Nelson, great grandparents of Daddy, and for whom he was named. We do not know when or why he changed the spelling of the name, but are sure this is correct as we have it in grandmother's, great grandmother's and great great grandmother's and grandfather's handwriting. The above four cousins also have it so. 5. Katherine Craig, a descendant of Capt. John Craig,, advises me that she is publishing a book on our Craig family line which will have considerable additional information. My sincere thanks to each of you who have helped so willingly in the research on our various lines. ELLA PARKER OGDEN FOREWORDThe purpose of this family book is to acquaint all members with the lives and times of ancestors and descendants of Thomas Ross and Thomas Bryant Parker, as far as is known at this time, and to have a combined record of them all. The work of compiling this book has been a great joy and satisfaction to me. I have loved it all and feel that as a result I know our people intimately. I am proud of my heritage and wish I could have known all of our ancestors more completely. I am sure I would have gained much from their courageous spirits. The Parkers and the Rosses are not the great of the earth, nor the rich or the mighty. They are the average people, the people who, with foresight, wisdom and might, combined with their faith, have supported all causes for the advancement and good of the people, supported churches, farmed the land, raised the stock, made the music and reared honorable families who have done their part in making America strong. Many years have been invested in the research of our ancestors, but the record is far from complete. For lack of information, very little can be said of some of them. Grandfather, Thomas Bryant Parker, born 1797 in Virginia, grew up in a period when that state included a very large area and history was in the making. His record has been extremely difficult to trace, as has that of Great Grandfather John Ross. Settlers were migrating from place to place in search of better lands and also due to Indian trouble. Records were destroyed and many events were never recorded, resulting in very few leads or clues on which to base effective research. However, much has been learned about our ancestors and much has yet to be learned. I fully realize my inability to accomplish all that should be done to complete a family history that would indeed be "Worthy of all Acceptation," However, I sincerely pray that all of you will seek the Spirit of Elijah and do all m your power to search the records further and have the Temple work accomplished for our progenitors. "And he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers." D&C 2:2 I express my sincere thanks to the many willing members of the family who have furnished data on their immediate families. There may be repetition of some events or facts as this material appears as it was presented by members of the many families. I am very appreciative for the help given by family members who were asked to assist in any way in the preparation of this book. Especially do I appreciate those who made possible the printing of the book by collecting the money necessary for its publication. This record is not entirely complete because some were not too interested and others have just procrastinated, however, it is my fervent hope that this book may be of some value and interest to all who may read it. May it help us to become increasingly aware of the eternity of the family, and may it serve as a humble tribute to the strength and the courage of my ancestors. ELLA PARKER OGDEN TABLE OF CONTENTSDescendants
of Thomas Bryant Parker and Thomas Ross HISTORY
OF THOMAS BRYANT PARKER FAMILY HISTORY
OF JOSEPH FAULCONER PARKER HISTORY
OF MARY ELIZABETH ROSS THE
FAMILIES OF JOSEPH FAULKNER PARKER AND MARY ELIZABETH ROSS FAMILIES
OF ADELIA COOLEY AND JOSEPH FAULKNER PARKER.. OUR,
FAULCONER AND CRAIG LINES REVOLUTIONARY
PENSION OF JOSEPH FAULCONER (FAULKNER) Interview
with Frances Nelson Faulconer REVOLUTIONARY
PENSION OF JAMES FAULKNER ANCESTORS
AND DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS ROSS LIFE
STORY OF MARGARET (PEGGY) ANN ROSS CARTER AN
INTERVIEW WITH ROBERT F. ROSS HISTORY
OF MARGARET MARIA MECHAM ROSS LIST OF PHOTO's
Photo
1: Ella Minerva Parker (Ogden) Photo
3: Joseph Faulkner Parker Photo
5: With me - are Collie and wife on their Golden Wedding Photo
6: JOSEPH, SEVIER COUNTY, UTAH, INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Photo
8: Eliza Newby and Albert Beavis Photo
14: Geo. H. Ogden and Paul, holding another quilt Photo
17: Mary Louise in Hawaii Photo
18: Mary Louise in Hawaii Photo
21: Page 27 of Parker-Ross Memoirs, by
Ella Parker Ogden Photo
22: Page 28 of Parker-Ross Memoirs, by Ella Parker Ogden Photo
24: Page 33 of Parker-Ross Memoirs, by Ella Parker Ogden Photo
25: Page 35 of Parker-Ross Memoirs, by Ella Parker Ogden. Photo
26: Mary Elizabeth Ogden and husband John M. Weiss Photo
27: HULING HOUSTON PARKER The man that Delwin Owens saw in Manti Temple Photo
28: THE FAMILY OF THOMAS BRYANT PARKER Photo
32: Ara Ann Parker, daughter of Robert Pollock Parker and Mary Clark Parker Photo
37: Joseph F. Parker, age about 21 years. Photo
40: Missionary Certificate for Joseph Faulkner Parker Photo
41: Joseph F. Parker and wife Louisa, as George and Martha Photo
48: Hulda Jane Parker Leavitt, James E. Leavitt Mary and Grace Leavitt. Photo
50: Margaret Jane Neel Parker First wife Photo
51: Joseph William Parker Photo
53: Olena, Mary, Olive, and Hulda Parker. Children of second wife (Matilda). Photo
56: Lawrence Edgar Parker Photo
57: Martha Mildred Parker Photo
59: Mary C. Gilbert Parker Photo
62: HOME AND FAMILY OF MARY 5. PARKER AND ROBERT D. YOUNG Photo
63: Mary S. Parker Young in her office at Manti Temple. Photo
65: Anna Elizabeth Parker McClellan Photo
66: Winfield Scott McClellan Photo
71: Page 190 from Parker-Ross Memoirs, by Ella Parker Ogden Photo
72: Page 194 of Parker-Ross Memoirs, by Ella Parker Ogden Photo
73: Page 198 of Parker-Ross Memoirs Photo
74: Page 200 of Parker-Ross Memoirs, by Ella Parker Ogden Photo
76: FAMILY OF ERVIN AND MARIE PARKER LARSON.. Photo
77: BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF FLORENCE ADELIA.. Photo
80:BETSEY ROSS HOUSE, BETSEY
ROSS, Birthplace of Old Glory Photo
88: Celebrating Uncle Andrews 76th birthday September 20, 1912 Photo
90: Mary Elizabeth Ross Parker MARY ELIZABETH ROSS
Photo 2: Mary Elizabeth Ross JOSEPH FAULKNER PARKER
Photo 3: Joseph Faulkner Parker THE ORIGINAL PARKERS"Even farther back than the commencement of English history, we can trace the origin of the Parker name. "It is as old as Parcarius or park-keeper from which employment it was derived, thus extending back through the ages unbroken to the origin of the Roman language. "It is a name not made from location or invented by Lord or Knight for himself and descendants, but is one of the names of occupation, of active outdoor life, that life which made useful, independent, hearty men, who caused the name of Parker to multiply, making it one of the common names of today. "The Danes, Saxons, and Normans had their representatives of the name; they were men of hardy and strong physique, were hunters and warriors as well as tillers of the soil, and romance made up a part of their pastime. "A keeper of the King's hunting grounds must necessarily be active, a good hunter, and as well informed as the civilization allowed. "The name is well associated with the history of England, a general usefulness, a good social standing and spiritual progress have been the characteristics of this ancient family name. "From it's great age the name is necessarily a common one in England, ranking eleventh in the Kingdom in point of number. "Parkers are found in history as far back as 901 to 925 when one Geoffery Parker is noted in the reign of King Edward I. He lived at Besley on the eastern coast of England. From him there probably descended a numerous posterity." [1] OUR LINE OF DESCENTSERVICEMEN'S PICTURES
Photo 4: Those who served their country in three wars. Joseph F. Parker (center picture) served in the Indian Wars. The eight surrounding him served in World War I, and all of the others served in World War II. The three who gave their lives are marked with a silver star. MY STORYELLA PARKER OGDEN My story will not be a flowery one, nor one filled with frills and thrills, but just the life story of one who has loved life, whose childhood days were very happy ones, and whose girlhood days were filled with excitement, friends, fun and adventure. I was born December 11, 1883 in Joseph, Sevier County, Utah, to Joseph Faulconer and Mary Elizabeth (Ross) Parker, goodly parents who taught us the real joy of living. My grandparents on my father's side were Thomas Bryant Parker and Martha Ann Nelson, daughter of Ambrose Nelson and Joyce Faulconer, and grand daughter of Joseph Faulconer and Frances Nelson, all from Virginia, and great grand daughter of John and Joyce (Craig) Faulconer. My mother Mary Elizabeth Ross was born March 4, 1845, near Nauvoo, in Hancock County, Illinois. Her parents, my maternal grandparents, were Thomas Ross of North Carolina and Rachel Smith of Tennessee. Rachel's ancestors were James Agee Smith and Margaret Love,. George Thomas Smith and Laer Agee, Anthony Agee and Christian Worley (see the pedigree chart for others). They were all of Virginia and some of Huguenot descent. Thomas Ross was a son of Andrew Jackson Ross, and Mary Ann Kimmins, and grandson of John Ross and Sarah Jackson and of Robert Kimmins and Elizabeth Gilbert, all of North Carolina. Father and mother were married 30 June, 1861 at her father's home in Center Creek, Wasatch County, Utah, and later sealed 13 July, 1867 in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City. Of their family of eleven children, I was the ninth. The house in which I was born was only a small log house, but a real home. It consisted of four rooms, a large living room, a combination dining room and kitchen, one small bed room just off the front porch and a large one upstairs with a clinging ladder on the wall. Later a stairway was made to go up from the outside, on the south near the chimney place. The walls inside were whitewashed. The carpets were made by our own hands and were very pretty. The furniture, to a great extent, was made by daddy and grandfather Ross. Under the carpet and in the mattresses under the feather ticks was new, clean straw from the threshing floor. Though only small and plain, it was a home where love, joy and devotion always prevailed, and one we would not have exchanged for a palace, without that homey feeling and love. CHILDHOOD MEMORIESMy earliest memories of our home life are of the crowd of young people, family and friends, gathered around the organ, which was the first in town, singing the old songs. Some of these I shall never forget, but the one dearest to my heart is "As I Sat Upon My Dear Old Mother's Knee." Many were the lessons I learned at her knee and treasure more than anything else in the world. They have been my constant guide and inspiration all through the years, for the finer, better things of life. Another of my favorite songs was "The Books of the Bible," written and set to music by my brother John A. Parker. Daddy told the three older boys, and I suppose the girls too, that he would give a choice of his best horses, and he always had fine horses, to the one who would compose a song using all of the Books of the Bible. I think we all memorized the Books from the song, and have never forgotten them. How I enjoyed the evenings when I sat on Daddy's knee, in front of the fireplace and listened to his stories and missionary experiences, and the songs he sang to us: "The Golden Slippers" and "I'll Remember You Love in My Prayers," were my favorite ones, as he rocked me to sleep. Sometimes in the evening, to please us, he would bring the grate from the oven and place it over the bright red coals and broil steaks, and make toast. Or bring in the dutch oven and bake camp-out bread, as I called it. I shall never forget how good it was, and the aroma of those sizzling steaks, cut from the fresh beef hanging in the cellar, how we enjoyed it. The evening usually wound up with someone sitting down to the organ and everyone joined in-singing songs. Sometimes Daddy would give one of his Dutch readings "The Blue Hen Chicken" or "The Dutchman and the Cat." Or perhaps mother would read a few poems or some scripture to us. Mother had such a sweet voice for either reading or singing. After evening prayers, we were all ready for a good night's rest, as we must arise early, have our breakfast by lamplight as usual and be ready for the duties of the day. Another memory of early childhood was of the black tin money box kept under a board of the floor in front of the hearth. I used to get it out and show my playmates, the gold dollars, as we called them. Our baby brother, James Marion, died of diphtheria during an epidemic, when our sister Hulda's four children and some thirty children in all were taken in six weeks. I remember I was not permitted in the house and could only see him through the window when he was ready for burial. No funerals were held. Three or four men took them to the cemetery, usually at night and we could see the lanterns flickering as they moved around. Although I was not quite five years old, it made a lasting impression on me. Anna, Amy, Estella and I were all staying at grandmother Ross' at the time. Daddy was in the mission field. We all loved to visit grandmothers. Both she and grandfather were so entertaining and made us feel so much at home. We especially enjoyed drinking from the gourd that hung by the well. They hung a bucket of milk down the well to have it cold for supper, which was very good with her fresh salt-rising bread and fresh butter and honey. I remember one morning we were all kneeling around the breakfast table for family prayers, when something on the stove began boiling over. Grandmother quietly got up, removed it from the stove, then came back and knelt down again until grandfather finished praying. His prayers were long, but very beautiful and sincere. He seemed just to talk with the Father. FALL HOUSECLEANING TIMEThis was especially interesting to me, and I loved it when everything was taken out of the large living room and bed rooms, the home made carpets taken up and cleaned, the walls white-washed, everything scrubbed and scoured and new straw put in ticks and under carpets. Sometimes the bed ticks were filled with corn husks, dried and stripped fine, which made a very good bed with the feather tick on top. I could hardly wait for bedtime to climb up on those high beds and snuggle down and enjoy the smell of the new straw and the white-washed walls. I loved the fragrance of the new lime To the older members of the family, it was work, hard work, and they were very happy the day it was done. " DADDY RETURNS FROM HIS MISSIONThe last entry in Daddy's diary is dated Nov. 2, 1888 at Pueblo, Colorado, on his way home. He had spent a week with Aunt Frances and Uncle John Stokley at Argola, Lewis County, Missouri. Aunt Frances was his mother's sister and it was she who gave him all of these old letters to bring home with him. He visited his mother from Dec. 22, 1887 to April 2, 1888 at Washburn, Barry County, Missouri. He also visited his sister, Exile Liberty Parker who married Anderson Ewing and lived at Washburn, and his half-sister Orphia Elvira Ross, who married Joseph Paul lived at Arcada, Missouri, he left Arcada for Kansas City, enroute home. The diary says he was released November 2, 1888. The date of his arrival home is not known exactly, but it was in Nov. 1888. Some of the boys went to Juab in Juab county, to meet him, as that was the end of the railroad line. When they reached home, I was just getting over diphtheria and couldn't go outside. I was sure the train had brought him right home and I did so want to see it and Daddy, but being not quite five, I don't remember which was the most important at the moment. Daddy brought with him a large sack of hazelnuts and some pomegranates. That, and many other evenings, were spent in front of the fireplace listening to missionary experiences, his visit with grandmother, his sisters, aunts and uncles, and testimonies he had received and the many friends he had made, some of whom came to Utah a little later. Brother and Sister Stephen Bowser came from Michigan, also his converts the Eardmans. The Bowsers brought with them little fancy cakes of maple sugar and syrup. They were jovial, happy people, did a great deal of scripture reading and enjoyed discussing them with mother and daddy. Mother was a great reader, had a wonderful memory, and knew the scriptures. HIS DIARY"The protecting care of the Almighty over His servants laboring in the mission field. First protected from a railroad accident, April 2 1887. The freight cars, trying to keep out of the way of the passenger train, tore up the tracks and smashed up a car where there was an embankment of from 12 to 20 feet. The station hands, seeing the passenger train so close to destruction, all fled from the station, and had it not been for the courage of a bystander, who ran back, grabbed the flag and swung it high, that our engineer managed to stop within a few steps of the torn up road. A great surprise to all aboard." "God gives His servants power to stand boldly in the defense of His Kingdom." This happened at Ora, Starke Co., Indiana, and there were many other such experiences. SCHOOL DAYSThe old log school house was the scene of my first school days, and Emma Christensen was my first teacher. My first reading lesson was "Dickey Rat," and because of my incessant reading of it, I was given that as a nickname, which followed me for many years. The lesson as I remember it was: "Oh, no Dickey Rat, it is a trap, yon must not play with that." " I suppose it did become very monotonous. My eldest living brother, Bryant, just a short time ago called me on the phone and said, "Hello, Dickey Rat, do you have ma's doughnut recipe, I thought I would try and make some for the kids." I remember when I was very small, the boys, Bryant and John, would help the older girls, Susannah and Anna, with the cooking and had such fun doing it. My earliest recollections seem filled with round and twisted doughnuts, tarts and cookies that they made for us under Mother's supervision. My second teacher was a favorite cousin of mine, Eliza Ross, daughter of my mother's brother, Thomas William and Margaret Ann (Harvey) Ross. She was such a good teacher, so loveable and kind, that perhaps we took advantage of it. By this time we had a baby sister, Alta, born 15 April, 1891. The same night that Alta was born, another little girl, Aurilla, came to the home of Uncle Robert Ross, Mother's youngest brother, who lived just across the street from us. She was just one hour older than Alta, haying been born on the 14th and Alta on the 15th of April, 1891. Uncle Robert worried me a great deal, saying he had come to take her home with him, that they were really twins and the stork just made a mistake and left her on the wrong side of the street. So whenever he came over, I stayed very close, keeping a watchful eye on him and our baby in the cradle. One morning in early fall, house cleaning time, I heard Anna suggest to Mother that she keep me out of school to watch Alta, who was just a toddler then, and although I thought she was about the cutest baby ever, I didn't want to miss my school and get behind the rest of the class. So when I heard this, I just got myself a clean apron, my hair brush and comb and a hair ribbon, and off to school I went before anyone had a chance to say anything about it. Of course I was early and my teacher, Eliza was quite alone. When she saw me she said, "Well, looks like you got off in a hurry this morning." Then I told her what had happened and said, "I thought you would comb my hair," a thing I am sure she appreciated, because my hair was quite long and very tangly, but she did it and I changed my apron and was ready for the day. At noon, Mother was happy to see that I had my hair combed and a fresh apron on. School was always fun. I loved it and enjoyed each teacher in turn, some of whom were Jacob Magleby of Monroe, a neighboring town, was my fourth grade teacher who was wonderful. I treasure the little certificate of promotion from him. His brother, Parley Magleby, came later on and his specialty seemed to be spelling. We had a great many spelling bees or matches, as they were called. Two captains were called and they in turn choose class members until they were all divided. How we worked to reach the head of the class and stay there. My cousin, Pearl Wells, usually remained at the head of one side and I at the other until the teacher sent us back to the foot to start all over again. We really enjoyed them and looked forward to the next Friday afternoon. O. U. Bean of Richfield was an English expert, and under his direction we enjoyed diagramming, and also the debates in our history class, all of which were very interesting. Silas Harris really taught us the time tables much the same as the spelling bees. It seemed that each teacher as they came had one subject that stood out from the rest. Mr. Reed, from the south, was an excellent mathematician and loved to hunt up problems that made us dig. But one of his problems left unsolved was keeping boys and girls entirely separated, girls on one side and boys on the other. This he managed nicely in the school room, but out on the grounds at recess, it was quite different. A line was drawn from the door to the street, that no one dared to cross, but that did not keep us from lining up and visiting across the line. He, being from the deep south, created another kind of problem. I remember one problem especially that he gave us, and since I was the only one in the class who had it, I was asked to put it on the blackboard. One of the fellows, Francis Jackman, was haying trouble and asked Mr. Reed if I could come and explain it to him. He consented and then Henry Sullivan, also from the south only a short time, asked if he might come also. I did the explaining while watching the teacher. When I saw him looking at us, I put an arm around each of the boys and gave them a hug. He immediately shouted in his southern way, "Mr. Sullervan, will you please let Miss Eller out." When the time came to decorate the school room for President Lincoln's birthday, he would have no part of it and forbid us to hang his picture, saying he would tear it down if he had to climb the stove pipe to do it. Well, some of the boys, LeRoy Hopkins, James (Jim) Carter and Albert Beaves talked to the trustees, who said, "Go ahead," so we had our celebration. H. Lee Bradford was a very good teacher, with an abundance of patience and understanding. Especially was this so for three of us who were advanced students, determined to go on and become teachers, but who could not go away to college. These were Francis Jackman, Flora (Flo) Ross and myself. He was kind enough to help us. We helped him during the regular school hours, after which he gave us our Normal Course lessons, and we were getting our practice teaching during the day. It all worked out fine and the following summer we went to Mt. Pleasant to the Wasatch Academy Summer School, where we received our teacher's certificates. Before school was over I became very ill. Doctor Gowns said it was my heart "palpitation." He sent word to my parents through my cousin Eva Ross, that my life span was very short and to come and get me or I would probably be sent home in a box. Similar messages had been sent before and they had tried so hard to get me to come home. Even when my brother, Bryant, who was returning from his mission to the North Central States, was coming through Mt. Pleasant, they thought surely I would come with him, but I was determined to stay and finish school, although he too tried to get me to come with him. With my will power and the help of the Lord, on whom I had depended every day for strength, I did stay to the end, finished school and received my teacher's certificate. I intended to teach the intermediate grades, third, fourth and fifth grades. Upon my return home to Joseph in Sevier County, Mother persuaded me to take some much needed rest and give up the idea of teaching for the time being, as I seemed to be growing weaker. Although the doctors and most every one else seemed to think I would never get well, I never doubted in the least that I would and would still teach school. Many times as they sat beside my couch fanning me, I would hear them say, "Come quick, I think she has gone." I would just open my eyes and assure them that I was alright. I was not allowed to do anything but rest. This went on until the Christmas holidays. Then one day Mother and Daddy went to Richfield and Mother's brother, uncle An drew Ross, who came in very often, and Walter Hyatt and Joseph Moore, the school board or trustees, as they were called, came to see me. One of their teachers, a lady from Salina, who had been teaching in Clear Creek Canyon, was not coming back after the holidays. They asked if I felt strong enough now to take the school and if so, they would like me to come. I told them I knew I was, and if they would bring their contract for me to sign before the return of Mother and Daddy, it would be alright. This they did and everything was settled. Well I remember how Mother wept when I tried to explain to her what it would mean to me, and Daddy's words when trying to comfort her. He said, "Mamma, let her try her wings, if it will make her happy." It did just that. I knew it would take an abundance of will power and determination. I also knew if I had enough faith, One above would take care of me and I put my trust in Him, the Father of us all. The little old log school house in Clear Creek Canyon was just off the side of the road near two red cliffs. Across on the other side of the road the Clear Creek ran, cool and quiet. It was a very peaceful spot about two and one-half miles from Robinson's Ranch and about ten miles from home. Only thirteen children attended the school from the eighth grade to one little beginner who really wasn't old enough. Collie Robinson. such a dear, sweet child whose mother had passed away. He and an older brother were living with their grandmother Robinson at the ranch How I wanted to take him home with me. I wonder where he is today. About three years ago - some sixty years later - he called me on the phone. It was a thrill and a joy to recall those days and visit with him. I would love to see him. Photo 5: With me - are Collie and wife on their Golden Wedding The first little while Daddy took me up to school mornings and came for me in the evening with his horse and buggy. When I began to get stronger, he just came weekends and brought me back Monday morning, then I boarded at Robinson's Ranch during the week. I threw all of the medicines away, drank freely of clear, pure spring water, and each morning very early I stepped out of my room onto a small balcony and breathed all of the pure mountain air I possibly could. After a good, hearty, breakfast, I would start out for school ahead of the white topped buggy that took us to and from school each day-, and every morning I forced myself to walk a few steps further than the preceding day, and before school closed in the spring, I was walking the two and one-half miles to and from school, and returned home well, my heart no longer palpitating or bothering in any way, a thing the doctor could not understand. He had said. "my life span was very short.' That was when I was about nineteen years old, about sixty-three years ago, (19601, All of these years I have been so grateful to my Heavenly Father for His tender, loving care and for (Twin g me strength and will power to fight for my life and not allow Satan to destroy me. The next two summers, Flora and I went to the Brigham Young University summer school. and the following two summers to the University of Utah, in Salt Lake City, teaching each winter. For five and a half years I loved it all and put my whole heart years it, so much so that I began to show the strain and mother thought a change would be best for me. So I quite teaching and took a position in Loa Co-op for my brother-in-law, Scott McClellan, doing his book keeping and overseeing the dry goods department and the lady clerks. I had taught school in Loa one year and had become acquainted so thought it would be fun. Flora, (Flo, as she was called) went on teaching a few years while her husband LeRoy Hopkins, was on his mission, then settled down to raising her family of six, three sons and three daughters. On the 26 March, 1964 she passed quietly away in Salt Lake City, age 80. She was taken to Delta for burial beside her first husband and father of five of her children, LeRoy Hopkins, my second cousin. GIRLHOOD DAYSOne of my early memories was a visit to one of my second cousins, Pearl Wells, who had measles. Another cousin, Elnora (None) Ross, and I went to see Pearl. Her mother said, "I don't think either of you have had measles, and you will, you know, if you go in." But we persuaded her that we were not afraid of getting the disease. Well, two or three weeks later was Christmas and sure enough I was in bed, all broken out, and of course was feeling mighty low, having to miss everything. But LeRoy Hopkins, my second cousin, and my first beau, did come to see me and cheer me up. He brought me a very pretty vase, dark blue with pink flowers on the sides. I still have it and cherish it very much, although it is now a real antique.
Photo 6: JOSEPH, SEVIER COUNTY, UTAH, INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Front Row: Stanley Ross, Andrew Ross, Ernest Wells. Second Row: Albert Parker, Percy Carter, Ervin Billingsley, Clyde Wells, Leandrew Gilbert, Lyman Parker, Leland Hunt, Eddie Robinson, Willie Johnson, Hoken Ross, Bertha Wells, Lulu Baker, Hattie Moore, Ethel Parker, Teacher - Ella Parker. Back Row: Bryce Prisbey, Percy Carter, Lorin Billingsley, Steven Baker, Virgil Parker, Louis Ross, Celia Lott, Priscilla Willis, Gertrude Roberts, Annette Parker, and Hattie Willis. How that crowd of ours enjoyed each other and the long summer evenings when we usually gathered at one of our homes. There were four of the girls who went through school together, Eliza Newby (not in picture), Pearl Wells, Flora Ross, who were cousins, and myself. We were about the same age and as far back as I can remember, in the same grade. Three of us are still here (1962). Eliza passed away in November, 1960, and Flo in 1964. Others of our crowd who have all gone on were Elnora (None) Ross and Mary Ann Hopkins, cousins to Pearl and me, and Chappel Gilbert, Sarah Brown and Nora Bond. The boys were LeRoy Hopkins, Jim Carter, Robert Ross, all cousins of mine. Albert Beaves, who came to Joseph from Kanosh, was quite popular with his songs and guitar and made quite a hit with everyone. He married Eliza Newby and went with her family to Canada. Ben Dennis, a painter, came from Richfield and married Pearl Wells. They lived in Inglewood, Calif. Pearl died 20 Aug. 1965. Robert Ross married Dora Lee of Elsinore and they are in Canada. LeRoy Hopkins married Flora Ross, and after his death she married John Koiter. James (Jim) Carter married Maud Gardner and moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho. He died in 1961. Chappel Gilbert married Samuel Brown. Sarah Brown married Morton Nostrum of Fairview, Sanpete County. I married George H. Ogden of Richfield. He was born 30 October 1882 in Richfield, to Thomas Ogden and Ann Marsh of England. THE OLD CROWDPhoto 7: Top Row: Pearl Wells, Ella Parker and Elnora (None) Ross. Second Row: Bell Wells, Sarah Brown, and Mary Ann Hopkins. Front: Flora (Flo) Ross. He received his schooling in Richfield Elementary and high schools, then went to the L.D.S. ,Business College, where he took the two year course, completing it in one year, and returning to work in the James M. Peterson bank in 1902. In 1908 he was called to the Eastern States Mission, returning two years later to the bank, where he was teller until 1917, when he accepted a position in the Garfield State Bank at Panguitch as cashier for two years. He returned to the Peterson Bank as cashier, where he remained until 1929, when his health began to go, and he took up farming, dairying and selling cars. He had an agency for Oldsmobile, Plymouth, DeSoto and Packard for about ten years. During that time we made several trips to the factory for cars, taking a different route home each time, seeing Canada, New York, Florida and Mexico, etc., and visiting many states and points of interest along the way. We especially enjoyed Miami, and Daytona Beach was so relaxing, the water being very warm at even ten o'clock at night and our hotel right on the beach made it very convenient for a midnight splash. In 1961 we had another wonderful tour with Esther James, this time to Canada and the Pacific Northwest. There we visited the Columbia Ice Fields, where we were taken for an unforgettable snowmobile ride on the five square mile Athabasca glacier in jasper National Park. We looked down the crevasses of this 1,000 foot deep glacier covering the head waters of three large rivers, each emptying into different oceans, the Columbia, Saskatchewan and Hudson rivers. The beauty at Lake Louise is breathtaking - glacier covered mountains, lakes, fabulous hotels, landscaping, flowers and pools all contribute to make this one, if not the loveliest spot of Canada. Alta, my sister, and her husband, George H. Poulsen, were with us on this trip, which made it doubly interesting. George left us the following December, but very fond memories still remain with us of many nice trips and vacations spent together. The San Francisco World's Fair in 1934 was an outstanding one that included another sister, Amy, and her husband Will Rust. Then our fishing trips at Fish Lake and Strawberry Reservoir never seemed quite complete to us or our children unless we were all together like one big happy family. In 1964 I enjoyed a tour of the New York world's fair and the Hill Cumorah pageant. This time a niece, Velma Young McAllister, went with me. We had a wonderful trip with Esther James, we went to the birthplace of the Prophet Joseph Smith and all points of historical and church interest, up into Eastern Canada, Quebec. Montreal was very outstanding, so picturesque and beautiful. We saw many other interesting places too numerous to mention. The home we bought in Santa Monica, Calif., many years ago in the 1930's finally paid off when we sold it in 1961-2. We have enjoyed going a few places since, but now time is running out and the years are passing rapidly. Life will soon be over and much is yet to be done. My life his not been all calm and serene. Storms and clouds were thick upon my way, vet here and there sometimes bright hours of sunshine would intervene in the darkest day. So I have traveled on and sought to be of some help to other wanderers like me. "LET THE HOLY SPIRIT'S PROMPTINGS BE YOUR DAILY, CONSTANT GUIDE" By PARRY An incident in my life, showing how I could have been spared years of discomfort if I had only listened to the promptings of the Holy Spirit as given to my father and sister Estella. It was October, and autumn had donned her richest, most gorgeous colors and spread them beautifully over mountain, hill and dale. To a sixteen year old, life everywhere seemed at its best, young, bubbling over with the joy of it all. It was Sunday morning and as we were making preparations for the Sabbath day and getting ready for Sunday School, Daddy came in and said, "Ella, if you are planning to go away any place, to the hills or canyons horse back or any other way today, I want you to give it up, I don't want you to go." I told him I had nothing planned except to go to Sunday School and Sacrament meeting. Father was bishop at that time, and meeting was held at two o'clock in the afternoon in the Relief Society hall just across the street from our home. After meeting, the crowd gathered on the old tithing office corner, just a block south of the meeting house. Before long, we were joined by two young men from Richfield, James (Jim) and Joseph (Joe) Peterson. They were driving a fine black team on a new buggy, owned by our President, John Christensen. Joe invited Pearl Wells, Jim Carter and myself to go for a ride around town. My sister Estella, hearing or seeing what I was about to do, ran that short block from home to stop me, because she felt that I should not get in the buggy, but they drove away before she reached us. We drove just one block and stopped to talk to another, an older group, of young people. The horses became frightened at the laughing and noise, and jumped against the hitching post breaking the end off the tongue, letting it drop. This frightened the team still more and they began running toward the Sevier river. The crowd gathered there, and others along the street, shouted for us to jump. The broken tongue was gouging holes in the ground as we sped along, and it looked as if we would be thrown in a heap, buggy, horses and all. We jumped. Neither of the boys were hurt, but Pearl's knee cap was dislocated and has always bothered her a great deal. My right ankle was thrown out of place, broken and mashed and my leg broken in two places below the knee. As they drove up to the gate taking me home, Daddy said, "It must be Ella, fix the bed, Mother, I saw her in my dream last night, being carried in, all dressed in black, dead." I was dressed in black, everything I had on was black, but I was alive. This happened when I was sixteen years old, and has been a constant reminder all my life that I did not heed the promptings of the Holy Spirit, to my father and sister. I have since tried to heed those promptings, and am sure I have been spared many worries. The dress I wore that fateful day was black cashmere trimmed with fur. It was ballerina length, with fur about three or four inches wide on the bottom of the gored skirt. Seven or nine gores made it nice and full. The waist was tight fitting with fur around the neck and the long sleeves. A silver chain belt broke in many pieces when I jumped. I wore a collaret, fur trimmed and a plaid cap. My under things were all black. Photo 8: Eliza Newby and Albert Beavis Photo 9: Back Row: Albert Beavis, Eliza Newby Beavis, Alto Parker Paulsen, Elizabeth Newby (mother of Eliza Beavis), Ella Parker Ogden. Front Row: George H. Ogden, daughter of Eliza Beavis. In 1949, we were in Canada and were guests at the home of Albert and Eliza (Newby) Beaves. Albert told us he still had a few links of that belt, which he had kept all through the years. Albert Beaves was a very small boy when he came to Kanosh from England with his Aunt Adelaide, his mother's twin sister. His mother had left him and his father for places unknown. His Aunt Adelaide had joined the church and they came to Utah with the missionaries. The town of Joseph in Sevier County, where I was born, was a small town where everyone knew everyone else and we were nearly all related. There was not much entertainment except our .May Day, when we donned our prettiest dresses and hats and slippers. Pretty sashes of wide water-waved ribbon on our dresses made quite an array of color. Then we braided the May-pole while the home town martial band played. It seemed to me our sister, Hulda, always had charge of the May Day celebration. She was president of the Primary many, many years, as far back as I can remember, and until I was quite grown up. The fourth of July was another red letter day for us. We were always awakened at day break by cannonading, and at sunrise the band would board a big wagon, usually with a double bed box on it, and with a lively team would serenade most every home, playing a couple of tunes or so. The family would bring a treat out to them, lemonade, root beer with doughnuts, or cookies, after which they moved on the next home. At ten o'clock, all gathered at the meeting place, church or bowery, where we had a patriotic program, with a Goddess of Liberty and Miss Utah. The afternoon was spent in sports, foot races for all ages and of all kinds, and a children's dance. CHRISTMAS TIME WAS FUN TIMEHow we enjoyed the days of preparation, when plum puddings, mince pies, fruitcake, doughnuts, and cookies were made, along with homemade sausage. Turkeys and chickens were dressed and made ready. How good that big cellar smelled, almost like our grandmother's buttery. We could never forget that, how we loved to open its door and inhale that sweet aroma. On Christmas eve, everyone gathered in the town hall, where the huge Christmas tree was already trimmed and loaded with gifts for all, old and young. We listened to stories, Christmas carols, etc., then Santa Claus and his helpers handed out the gifts from the big tree. I will never forget one gift that was handed me from that tree. My brothers, teasing me, said they would have something on the tree for me, even if only an apple or potato. This night when first my name was called, I was handed a small paper bag with a little iron and stand tied to it, with what I thought to be an apple inside. I removed the iron and stand and gave the bag a throw. It fell with such a thud, I quickly retrieved it again, and found it to be a beautiful large, glass ball from my eldest sister Huldah Jane. This I have treasured all my life since I was five. My grandson, Michael Hal, has it now. When all the gifts were off the tree, we usually sang "Jingle Bells" as Santa Claus left the building, ringing his bells and waving his hand, hurrying to his sleigh. Then we hurried home to get our stockings hung by the chimney place and get to bed, so he could come and fill them. We did enjoy Christmas morning. Daddy always had plenty of big pitch-pine logs for a roaring fire in the grate, and Mother and the older girls saw to it that there was plenty of goodies of every kind. How happy we were when we found an orange in our stockings, they were extra special those days. One could never forget the beautiful wax, dolls, so lifelike and lovely, and the china dolls with kid bodies, so soft and cuddly. Christmas morning saw scores of grandchildren paying a visit to grandmother's home, just across the block from our home. She and grandfather always had something extra special for each one of us, as we rushed in shouting "Christmas Gift" or "Merry Christmas." Uncle Andrew used to hide behind the door and call out first, and then we must treat him or whoever should greet us first. This was fun for everyone. I am sure aunt Margaret Ann put much thought into just what she would have ready and uncle Robert usually had a joke or trick of some sort, and of course we all looked forward to his treat. He was such fun and everyone loved him. He was Mother's youngest brother. Her eldest brother, Uncle Andrew, made the rounds himself to all of us, to see how Santa had treated us. Grandfather's family lived quite close together. All but one sister, aunt Nancy Jane McMullen, lived in Joseph, Sevier County, but she made her home in Wellington, Carbon County. After our early morning greetings and calls, we returned home to attend to our duties there and don our new Christmas dresses to get ready for the children's dance in the afternoon, and in later years, the big Christmas dance at night. During the following holiday evenings, many parties were planned. There were candy pulls (honey or molasses, oyster suppers, chicken wakes, or just an evening popping corn and making it into balls to enjoy while gathered around the old organ, to sing our favorite songs or listen to recitations or stories. SLEIGHING PARTIES
These were such fun. It was fun getting ready for them, though it did take some preparation, you know, heating nice flat rocks or bricks in the big fireplace. It took quite a while sometimes to heat them through, yet still not burn the robes which have also been warmed. A good board warmed through was very nice in the spring seats under blankets too. Then we must have warm clothes, boots, leggings, sweaters or coats, and a good warm muffler or newby, as they were sometimes called, and a toque and gloves or mittens. Then we were ready for the big bob-sleigh, as they were called, with a wagon box carrying several spring seats, which could accommodate quite a group. For small crowds we used the cutter. Daddy always had a fine team hitched on, the harnesses strung with sleigh bells. We sang as we went over the fields and the meadows, enjoying every moment of it and returning to our homes with cold cheeks and noses, ready for good, hot bowls of soup or a cup of sassafras or ginger tea, to warm us up. Then we were ready for lessons or just to settle down to a good book. Nothing quite equaled a good sleighing party for the long winter evenings or a Saturday afternoon. The exhilarating, frosty air made one feel so much alive. RELIGION IN OUR HOME
Religion was first and foremost in our home. Prayers were the first order of the day, around the breakfast table. That was usually by lamp light, especially in the winter, so the work could all be done before we went to school. Evening prayer, again around the supper table was a regular routine and everyone was there at the appointed time, at the ringing of the dinner bell, as we called it, though it rang for all meals. I can remember trying to ring it when I was so small I could hardly lift it using both hands. I have that old bell now (March, 1966) and love to pick it up and ring it. We were taught very early to pay tithing even in very small amounts. We just never missed Sunday School and meeting unless we were ill. Mother had a sewing basket always near her chair, where she had the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, or the Bible handy, and while we were doing fancy work, sewing or mending, someone would read or we would memorize passages of scripture. The first I remember memorizing was the 13th chapter of First Corinthians on charity. W 'e had all learned the books of the Bible singing John's song. It seemed we were always studying scripture and were taught in a way that we loved it. So even though our home town was small and with not much entertainment, we had good times of our own making. PUBLIC DANCESOur brothers played for the dances, John played the violin and Bryant the organ. They would usually take one of the girls along to help play the organ. That old organ went everywhere, to all entertainments in town, and at least all dancing parties in neighboring towns. It seemed that at least once or twice a week three or four men would come and carry it over to the Relief Society hall across the street, or put it in a wagon to go to a neighboring town. When the older girls were not available I got to go, which was a rare treat and I was glad I could play enough to help. Of course by so doing, I was allowed to attend dances much younger than I ordinarily would have. One of my first trips out of town with them was to the Cove, and I took Flo Ross my pal, along for company. The boys had a spring seat on the front end of the wagon, the organ setting lengthwise down the center, and Flo and I on another spring seat across the back end. When they passed anyone they would say, "If you see a couple of girls coming along back there, tell them to hurry." or some such remark to tease us. Well, they were always playing some sort of joke on us. Ours was a large family and everyone had to do his bit toward the work inside and out. One of my jobs was to ride the horse to pull the hay off the wagon and onto the stack. I suppose I was somewhat of a tomboy, but I enjoyed being out with the boys and daddy. And horses, well they were really my delight. I loved to ride or drive them and was always happy when Bryant and John took me on the mountain with them, even if they did have their horses doing things, knowing mine would follow, like jumping a wash or creek. They always gave me very good horses to ride, and when I grew older I enjoyed putting on my riding habit and going for a ride on a handsome, prancing horse, the kind daddy kept around. My favorite riding horse and his was old Sorrell, a beautiful, high-lived animal, which only daddy and I rode until later years. Milking the cows was a job we girls all had to do, the boys being older and married and having their own responsibilities. The older girls and the boys ranched on the mountain west of Joseph, but when I was only fourteen and my niece, Iretta Parker, was twelve, we lived down on the ranch, three miles from home, milked the cows and made butter and cheese. They were very good cheese too. Nora Bond was with me there awhile and then aunt Delia came down. MY MOTHERS PASSINGWhile I was working in the Loa co-op store, I remember we were preparing for our big fall sale, September, 1909, and were all very busy. One night I had a dream that frightened and worried me no end. I knew from my dream that my mother was sick, and I was afraid it would be her last. Finally I arose and was preparing to go to her, when my sister, Anna, heard me moving around and came in to see what was wrong. I told her of my dream, we talked it over and decided I should wait and call home and see. At nine o'clock that morning we called our cousin, Lydia Wells, at Joseph, and were told that mother had taken very ill just the day before. We asked her to say nothing about the phone call. Next morning early I left for home on the mail stage, believing it would be a surprise to mother, but when on my arrival, Amy rushed into her room and said, "Mother, Ella is here," she just answered, "I know." Later on she told me she had been with me all day. She said, "I saw you get in the mail stage at Anna's east gate, saw where he stopped to water his team, saw where you ate your lunch and again when he watered his horses at the willow patch, and then when you got off the stage and into John's buggy at Susannah's south gate, so you see you didn't surprise me. I had been praying for you to come and knew you would be here." She was very sick and weak, but said she must talk with me. Then she told me just what she would like me to do. Her first request was for me to take care of Alta, saying "I am leaving her to you, take care of her as you would your own." She knew Daddy had his younger family, aunt Adelia's four youngest, and would be quite, quite busy. She knew she was not going to get well, and of course her greatest worry was leaving Alta, her baby. Although everything was done for her that science knew at that time, she gradually grew weaker each day, and after bidding us all goodbye, she quietly passed away October 22, 1909. Around her bed when the end came were her husband Joseph Faulconer Parker, ten living children and also aunt Adelia's children, two sisters and two brothers, Margaret (Peggy) Ann, Leah (Sis) Lucinda, James Andrew and Robert Francis Ross. Funeral services were held in the Relief Society hall, which she had worked so hard to help build with the sales of quilts, Sunday eggs, cakes, etc. She was in the Presidency of the organization when it was built. Beautiful words were spoken of her, testifying to her high ideals and noble character, her charming personality, her testimony of the Gospel, for which she would have, and did, give her all. The speakers were Jacob Magleby, a farmer school teacher of at least three of us, Bishop Will Coons of Richfield, son of her lifelong friend sister Eliza Coons, and A. G. Young. Many grandchildren and great grandchildren were present to pay their last respects to grandmother, a real lady, whom everyone loved and respected. Her descendants number 614 as of April, 1961. Our mother's passing was a terrible blow and such a loss to us all. The queen of our home was gone. A mother, who met every phase of life expectantly and who gave of her unusual understanding of all our problems and situations. It is good to be well born, a daughter of Mary Elizabeth (Ross) Parker. I hope we inherited some of her choice gifts and talents, of which she had so many. How could we have managed without her encouragement and understanding. Everyone misses the charm of her personality and her wholesome spirituality. What could we do to render less empty her place in our hearts. Thank you, Mother dear, for the many, many wonderful lessons you taught us and for our beautiful home life we all love so much to remember and talk over. MY WONDERFUL MOTHERI thank you sincerely, my wonderful mother, For treasures unnumbered - free gifts of your love That live in the range of fond memorie's vision. Like multiplied stars in the heavens above. I thank you for leading me out of the shadows. To drink at the crystaline fountain of truth; For love in that "little gray home" in the mountains. The refuge that sheltered the flower of my youth I thank you, dear heart, for your faith and devotion. For sacrifice perfect and patience divine; For lingering low in the valley of shadows To give me life's heritage, Mother of mine. by Theodore E. Curtis We had knelt in the valley of darkness, sorrow and shadow of night. There were plans to work out, decisions to make, and no one felt like doing anything about it. After talking things over with daddy and the family, he decided it would be best for me to go back to my job in the store and take Alta with me, she to help Anna in her home where I stayed until early in the year 1911. This we did and I remained there until John called me on the phone, asking me to come over to work in the State Bank of Sevier with Dan P. Jensen as cashier and Alfred J. Bird, teller. It was good to be with Anna at that particular time. No one could have been better to us than Anna and mothered us as she did. But anyone who knew Anna best, loved her most. They always found her straightforward and true to every trust, kind, considerate and sympathetic with her husband and family, and a friend to everyone. Her charming personality was unmatched or unequaled. She was so self-sacrificing, always doing for others with no thought of self. She was patient, loving and understanding, and though she had many heart aches, no one knew it. She carried her own cross, as did our Savior, and never complained. To me Anna was as near perfect as anyone who has lived on the earth, next to our dear Savior. The young people at Loa were all very kind and thoughtful, trying so hard to help make us feel at home. It was a small community, the home of very fine people, and it seemed to me most of them were working in one organization or another. Anna was a real leader in the Mutual Improvement Association. Her executive ability was soon recognized and she became president of that organization in Wayne Stake, a position she held for many, many years, I think about thirteen years. It was while she was working in this capacity that she
really converted her husband, Scott McClellan to Mormonism, by pretending she
couldn't understand the Theology lessons she was preparing each week for her
visits. She would study the lessons while he was at work, then she would say,
"Well, I have my lesson, tonight I will have Scott study it with me." On points
she wanted to impress on him, she would say, "Just what does that mean?" Then
she would look up all references in the Doctrine & Covenants or Book of
Mormon, and be real sure he had the message before bringing up another point of
interest. When the lesson was over, she would smile and say to me, "Didn't he
do that beautifully, he will be a Mormon before he knows it." If any of you remember, in those days the Theology lessons were scriptural lessons, and quite hard, but Anna was very capable and handled them beautifully. She had had three years of advanced academy and college work, one year at the Sevier Stake Academy at Richfield, one year at Brigham Young Academy at Provo and one year at the Beaver Branch of the B.Y.U. at Beaver. Theology was one of her favorite subjects and she loved it. Amy said she was eighteen years of age when she and a cousin Ada Ross, Anne Newby and her cousin Annette Ross, all of Joseph, and Stella Bagley of Koosharem all went to the S.S. Academy together and lived together at Thurbers. I have a photo of these girls and Uzella Thurber, taken while they were at school. The next year Anna, Lou Wells, Eva and Harvey Ross, all cousins, went to Provo to the Brigham Young University and kept house together. I remember the trunks and boxes of food they took with them, home cured hams, flour, fruits of all kinds, fresh, preserved and dried, especially mother's dried, cut-short beans, (string beans). That same year Estella won a scholarship for the following year, at the Beaver branch of the B.Y.U., at Beaver. Mother and Daddy thought it best they go together, and they had a very enjoyable year. Estella was captain of the basketball team. She studied piano under Eddie Kimball, who became her boy friend. It was at school that Anna met Frank Paxton, whom Daddy thought was not as religious as he should be and would not let her marry him. The following summer they went to Kimberly, Amy with them, to get work. Their plan was to all return to school the next year. However, instead they met their future husbands, Scott McClellan, Claire Webber and Taylor Goodwin, whom they later married and school was forgotten. Photo 10: OUR TRIP TO THE ALASKA, YUKON, AND PACIFIC EXPOSITION June 1909. Back Row: Clarissa Beal Tuttle, Maude Orrock, Lou Seegmiller Irene Seegmiller. Front Row: Agnes Jones, Goldie Faux, Ella Parker, and Mrs. Christy, who joined our group later. While Anna and Stella were attending school at Beaver, Amy was assistant teacher Stella Jacques of Provo, who had the primary department, a very large group. Amy is also taking a class in dressmaking from x cousin Eliza (Ross) Smith. I remember me very pretty dresses she made in class r them, Anna's, a beautiful blue and Stela's, red. With what help mother and I could give her, she and I made a red one for me, pretty, and of course some for herself. I sure she did some sewing for Mother, perhaps a wrapper, as that was what the casual dresses were called at that time. They were one piece dress with a fitted bodice, fastened down the front and reaching almost to floor. AT LOA
The months we spent in Loa with Anna proved to be very happy ones. All of the young people and some young marrieds joined to make good times. Loa was a small town with not much entertainment except what we made for ourselves, and I suppose some of the older people thought we made plenty, but most of them were ready to join with us, especially Anna and Scott. They were very happy for us to have chicken wakes or suppers at their home, if we would get the chickens from their coop. Of course we promised, but one moonlight night the stroll to Aunt Hattie's coop, about one block away, was too tempting and her old rooster wound up in the kettle. He was no spring chicken nor a birdling young and tender, so we spent the greater part of the evening boiling him so we could at least sink a tooth in him. Aunt Hattie, who was a dear soul we all loved so much, often wondered what became of the old fellow, who had evidently been around for some time. Speaking of aunt Hattie, she used to sew a great deal and made lots of very pretty dresses for Alta and me, yes, and for Anna also. We will never forget some beautiful red velvet dresses she made for all three of us, and black taffeta ones for Alta and me, with long fitted bodice and full pleated skirts, about like those of today. Yes, those were very happy days and will long be remembered and cherished. Many of the old friends have passed on; some remain, and it is a joy to meet and talk over old times with them. In January, 1911, a phone call from my brother John Parker, who was a director of the State Bank of Sevier in Richfield, said they would like me to come home to do the bookkeeping in the Bank. I accepted. The next few years at the Bank were busy and interesting
ones. Alta remained in Loa another few months working in the store most of the
time. I was staying with Susannah and family. Soon after I began going out
with George H. Ogden, who was teller in the James M. Peterson bank in the same
block. We had known each other since we were very young and were living in Los
Creek, the southwest part of Richfield. We were married and I stayed on in the
bank until our Mary Elizabeth came, and George accepted a position as cashier
of the bank of Panguitch, a position he held for two years, then returned to
the Peterson bank as cashier for eleven years, until 1929. In 1920 we purchased a farm just off 8th south and main streets, where the children were raised and where they lived until they were married. We remodeled the house and made of it a very beautiful home, where we lived for twenty-five years. We sold it and moved here, 174 F street, Salt Lake City on September 1, 1945, just before Hal returned from World War II. That same fall, his son, Michael Hal, a darling child, was only a toddler. It was in that home on the farm that we really had a chance to enjoy our children, Mary and Hal, while they, were growing up. It was there that their crowds gathered for parties, dinners or just to study. Hal's group of Deacons met to hold meetings when he was president, and they prepared lessons and talks. How they all enjoyed turning on the radio and dancing in that large and spacious living room. We didn't worry about the nice carpet, we knew it would be there when they were married and gone, and too we wanted to know where they were. Our friends too enjoyed the parties we gave, usually dinner parties. The living room held so many, with long tables reaching from the sun room steps to the fireplace, a distance of thirty-six feet, taking care of a great many guests. We loved to have them all there together, such a jolly good crowd and we loved them all. At one dinner party, I believe the first one in the large room, I seated seventy-seven guests at an "L" shaped table. Music, song and dances entertained them while being served. Mary's group of girls served and also did some dances under the lights in the sun room. They were Edith Ann Gun, Floy Hansen, Juana Peterson and Mary. Helen Poulsen and Anna Calloway with a violinist furnished the music. This was acclaimed a very nice party. Mary and Hal also entertained their groups at dinners and dance. Some of the mothers thought me very foolish to allow dancing on the carpet, but it is still there and beautiful (1964). One day Hal and a cousin, Ernest Ogden, ran in to ask if they could have a dinner party that night. I told them they could if they would arrange the living room and tables the way they wanted, and I would fix the dinner, using their menu. I don't remember what that menu was, but the main thing was, we all had fun. They did all sorts of things in the living room for gags and games for the evening. There were about sixteen or eighteen, and judging from the gaiety and shouts of laughter, they were really enjoying themselves. Of course, to complete the evening, the large radio was turned on and dancing began. Just to have those days over again, with the children and friends coming in and out would make these lonely days less long. Mary's daughter, Mary Louise, a very lovely girl, spent some time with us, went to school two or three years in Richfield and here in Salt Lake City, when her mother was working. We enjoyed her so much. Then she went to Hawaii when her mother was transferred over there. This was a very nice experience for them and Hawaii a most beautiful place to be. While they were there, dad and I went over and spent a winter, a most wonderful winter of 1947-48. Photo 11: From Left. Vern Pace, Horace Gunn, Roy Warner, Joseph Johnson, Mida Johnson, Taylor Thurber- -------------------------- Dr. J. R. Gledhill, Mae Sevy, John L. Sevy, A. J. Ashman, Moiben Thompson, Stella Poulsen, Dr. Eugene Poulsen, Ernest l. Anderson, Florence Anderson, Minnie Gunn, Lucy Thurber, Dolly Warner, Thera Ashman, Wallace Sorenson, Venorma Anderson, Leona Pace, Mae Gledhill, Elva Sorenson. Photo 12: OLD FASHIONED PARTY AT OUR HOME, Left - George H. Ogden, Candy Anderson, ------ ----------- Curry, Joseph Poulsen, Dolly Warner, Phebe Jensen, Elida Poulsen, Minnie Gunn, Iretta P. Anderson, Olena Christiansen, Caston Olsen, Nephi J. Bates, Lulu Peterson, James M. Peterson, Mary S. P. Young, Mrs. Curry, Roy Warner, Ella P. Ogden, Nancy Bird, ------------------------- Alfred Bird and George Hal Ogden. We met some very lovely people we shall never forget, found members of the Parker family there, grand people I am sure and truly hope some day we will find we are more than friends but blood relations. Brother and Sister Paul Parker and their lovely children are choice people; also his brother Arthur Parker and family, although we didn't get so well acquainted with them, only in church. He was a member of the Stake Presidency of Oahu Stake. The story of their ancestor Parker, is a very interesting one. I will tell it to you as it was told to me. TRADITION"In their family, as in ours and others": Three Parker brothers came together to America. One settled in New England, one in Virginia and the third seemed to have disappeared until - John Palmer Parker turned up in Hawaii in the days of King Kamehameha, on an old whaling vessel, with a group of whalers much his senior. After spending the winter there they were preparing to leave. The wise old King, who had taken quite a liking to John, persuaded him to remain there saying he was too young (being just in his tender years, about eighteen) to travel with them, and he would give him land, all he could ride around in twenty-four hours. It was agreed and horses were stationed at intervals along the way. He would begin at the ocean, ride inland as far as he desired, then overland to his liking and back to the ocean. This he did, and this as I understand was the beginning of the "World famous, five hundred thousand acre Parker Ranch," second largest in the world. When we spent the winter of 1947-48 at Honolulu with our daughter Mary and her daughter Mary Louise, we visited the Parker ranch on the big island Hawaii, a beautiful spot in a gorgeous setting, with it's own little community or village, with church, school, stores and everything for the convenience of the family and workmen alike. At that time it had two thousand head each of pure bred horses, cattle, sheep, hogs, in fact all kinds of stock. John Palmer Parker was the son of Samuel and grandson of Ebenezer. Samuel was married in 1770 to Ann Palmer. Their son John Palmer, left Newton, Mass. in 1809, never to return. He often spoke of his mother with affectionate remembrance. She was reputed to be a good woman of uncommon intellect. He, John married into the King's family - Kipikane, taking her name as was the custom when marrying into Royalty. He became the ancestor of the Parker family in Hawaii. We visited at Paul's home in Kaneohe, Oahu. His charming wife Margaret Lauen and their lovely children were a talented family. While there we took pictures of some very gorgeous quilts, made of silk flags, beautifully quilted, as only a Hawaiian lady could produce. They were made by his mother. Photo 13: Standing in front of one of the quilts are: Paul P. Parker, Margaret Lauen, his wife, Ella P. Ogden, their son and a missionary whose name I have forgotten. Photo 14: Geo. H. Ogden and Paul, holding another quilt Excerpts from an old letter:12 Sep. 1863, from Hamakua, Hawaii, written by John Palmer Parker: "I have been living on this island forty-eight years. I have had one wife and she has borne me three children. I have sixteen grandchildren and four great grandchildren. My wife has been dead for four years. I have but one son living, and he is a good son and a great blessing to me. Your letter was the first one I have seen, except my brother and my mother and sister, and after they died, from my sister's children and one from Patience P. Ward. "I went ashore at Hawaii under the protection of King Kamehamaha I, and have lived to see five Kings. I am 74 years old. I have a great grazing farm of many thousand acres, and a great many bullocks, horses, sheep, hogs, etc. That is my business, the raising of stock. I am very comfortable, thanks to God and the good advice of my mother." John P. Parker died 25 Mar. 1864 in Honolulu. The body was sent to the Island of Hawaii for burial. He was born in 1790 and died age 74. See "Packers of America" by Augustus G. Parker, pages
62-64. Prayer Answered Honolulu, Hawaii, February 19, 1948 On the 31st of January, we attended a Hukilau, which means group participating in fishing. The crowd assists in laying a ti-leaf fringed net in a huge semi-circle from the beach to the open sea. After two hours wait, the net is drawn in. Then followed a fish fry and a Hawaiian poi luncheon consisting of poi, baked taro, pork baked in ti-leaves, coconut pudding and milk, pineapple, lomilomi salmon, Hawaiian spinach which is carrot tops and is very good - try, it (cook just like our spinach) and many other Hawaiian dishes. Then we saw Hawaiian and Samoan modern and old-time dances and songs, all sorts of Polynesian crafts and entertainment. At two o'clock we left to go to the Temple and went through for the first time since we came to Hawaii. The Temple is about 44 miles from here and there is no regular bus service that allows one to go through a session. The Temple is very, very beautiful, smaller than others, inside and out. It was a thrill to have those lovely Hawaiian ladies attend us in preparation for going through. From the time we started through, I had a feeling I would like to join the circle in prayer, and mentioned it to my husband, George. When the time came, President Clissold, who is leaving here on the 25th to preside over the Japan Mission, was conducting and he invited us to come up and join in the prayer. He read a list of names of the sick who wished to be remembered, and as he did so, I asked in my heart and thoughts that I could be numbered among those others and that I would be given a special blessing. I was having a very hard time walking without my shoes, as you know I have had since my foot was broken when I was 16 years of age. I thought no more about it until Monday night, February 2, 1948, when we were together talking and reminiscing - George, Mary, Mary Louise and myself. We had talked of many rare blessings that members of the family had enjoyed - when Hal was instantly healed, the marvelous experience when both Phyllis and Gerald were born, and many other faith promoting incidents in years past. It was about midnight when we retired and soon after my toe felt a little queer and I sat up and began rubbing it and also my foot. A strange thing happened that really frightened me at first and I called to George to come quick that something was happening to my foot. He was in the other twin bed. He and Mary both came running and switched on the light and then as I moved my ankle, we could both feel and hear the bones moving around as we had our hands on the foot. It kept on for some minutes and then I got up and walked around in my bare feet without walking on my toes for the first time in 47 years. It was October, 1900 when my foot was broken. Photo 15: Mary and Daughter Photo 16: Four Generations: Ella P. Ogden. Mary E. Fleeman, Mary Louise Fleeman, and Claudio Ann Chordas Photo 17: Mary Louise in Hawaii Photo 18: Mary Louise in Hawaii Photo 19: George and Ella I didn't sleep much that night. I was too thrilled and happy for sleep. Two or three times in the night - possibly more - I got up and walked to be sure it was not all a dream. The next day I went around barefooted and did the washing. Now, after 47 years, I can wear sandals and shoes without having the heels built up. I am very grateful to my Heavenly Father for this wonderful blessing and pray that I may be able to show my appreciation by keeping His Commandments and living the Gospel, serving Him always, and by keeping my heart in tune to receive His blessing at all times, as we are told we should. ELLA PARKER OGDEN CHURCH DUTIESBesides duties at home, we always found time for our church work. My first office in the church was treasurer of the Y.L.M.I.A. when I had just turned twelve. Of course to me it was very important that I must be at meeting each Tuesday night, held in the upstairs room of the old Tithing Office, where all of the grain and produce of all kinds, sent in for tithing, was stored. It stood on the corner where the Joseph Ward meeting house now stands, just across the street from daddy's (aunt Adelia's) old home, the rock house. It housed, at that time, the Jensen Brothers' store. I don't believe I have ever been without an office in one or more organizations since that time until now, 1959, when we moved back home to 174 F Street, Salt Lake City, from San Jose, California, where we had lived the two years previously. My church work has meant so much to me. I enjoyed it all, especially my Sunday School classes. I always seemed to have a class until after World War II, 1945, and we left Richfield and came to Salt Lake. It was so interesting and rewarding to watch the development of all those fine girls and boys. I am sure they are all carrying on, working in some organization or another. Some have been Bishops, some Sunday School and M.I.A. Superintendents, Relief Society and Mutual Presidents. All are married and have boys and girls of their own now. MY WORK IN THE M.I.A.
Fourteen very happy wonderful years were spent in Sevier Stake M.I.A. I was sustained twice as counselor and twice as president. At a conference in Richfield November 29, 1913, I was sustained as second counselor to Matilda Olsen Dalton. On the 9th of February, 1915, she was married to my oldest brother, Joseph William, and they moved to Joseph, Sevier County, fourteen miles south. I was then set apart as president by President James M. Peterson. In 1917 George accepted a position as cashier of the Garfield State Bank at Panguitch. We remained there two years, when he returned to the James M. Peterson bank as cashier. A few days after our return, I was again set apart as first counselor to Olive Pratt Anderson. At a convention held 25 September 1920, I was again made president of the organization, this time by Elder Melvin J. Ballard. He gave me a blessing I shall never forget, it has been one of the highlights and a constant guide to my life. The years that followed were very busy ones, when the General Board was stressing contest work in all fields of culture. Beehive work was introduced in 1915, under the direction of the General Presidency, with Sister Martha H. Tingey at the head. Its purpose was to train our girls for service, love of life, work, and really to perfect womanhood. The junior department was organized in 1921, taking the older Beehive girls and the younger Gleaners, making a wonderful group of girls. It was that same year that Sevier Stake, reaching from Redmond on the north to Marysvale on the south, was divided into the three Sevier Stakes. On the 15th of March, 1924, the Anona pavilion was presented to the church by it's owner, President John Christensen, and was turned over to the recreation committee, consisting of the Superintendency and Presidency of the M.I.A. This building was completed at a cost of $12,000, but with improvements its value had increased to $30,000 when received by the Stake from Pres. Christensen. Many wonderful entertainments were given there. Everyone loved to attend our dress balls, Gold and Green balls and others. The M.I.A. Jubilee Year, 1925, was a very busy year, with contests in all fields. Our Stake was represented at the church finals in three events: Gleaners Public Speaking - Leona Poole; Subject, "Our Inheritance" First prize. A ladies chorus of fifteen voices. A band of twenty-five instruments. Both of these groups were directed by Brother J. L. Terry and both received first prizes. For the parade, we made a banner in the shape of a pennant, 6 feet by 10 feet, made of green satin with gold satin lining, our M.I.A. colors. On one side was painted a picture of Fish Lake, on the other was Clear Creek Canyon, done by brother Chris Myers, our own artist, with the inscription "Three Stakes of Sunny Sevier." One hundred and five members of our Stake marched in that great parade, some of us taking part in the pageant at night. A STORY BOOK WEDDINGOn the third day of September, 1929, following the advice of the General Boards of the M.I.A. a story book wedding was held in the new Sevier Stake Tabernacle, under the direction of the Sevier Stake Mutual Improvement boards. Supt. Otto L. Anderson presided and Pres. Ella Parker Ogden conducted. Prince Era, represented by Joseph Lewllyn Young and his attendants, a little page Calvin Boswell, two lords James Gunn and Scott P. McClellan, and the Prime Minister, Supt. Otto L. Anderson, all came from the Improvement Era. Princess Journal, Miss Ruby Thurber and her attendants, another little page Hal Ogden, two ladies in waiting, Vilda Jessen and Barbara McClellan, came from out of the Young Woman's Journal. The large books were opened by the Fairy Godmother, Olive Ogden, at a signal of the trumpeters. The Prime Minister read the ceremony uniting the two and the Pages brought the two halves of the M.I.A. Monogram, presented them to the Prince and Princess, who joined them, and the Prime Minister fastened them together. A Fairy Godmother waved her wand, the curtain was drawn, revealing the "New Era." The audience stood and sang, "M.I.A. We Hail Thee," Gleaner girls and M men distributed wedding cake, beautifully wrapped and sealed with gold seals and wedding announcements as follows: "Mrs. Y.L. General Board announces the marriage of her daughter Miss Young Woman's Journal and Mr. Improvement Era on Saturday June the eighth, nineteen hundred and twenty nine. At your home after November 1, 1929." Many subscriptions were received in the form of wedding presents, to the "New Improvement Era." Thus ended the "Young Woman's Journal." After my release from the M.I.A. in the winter 1929, when we went to California for the winter, many and varied were my calls: Stake Gleaner LeaderOrdinance worker in the Manti Temple from May 1934 to October 1942. Sevier Stake Missionary. I served only about one Year, when we moved to Salt Lake City in September 1945. Nellie Waters was my companion. Ensign Stake Mission, two years 1949-51. I was set apart by Elder Roland Merrill and my companion was Ursula Wright. Ordinance worker in the Salt Lake Temple from 1949 to 1955, when a heart attack ended my work there. My missionary companion Sister Wright was also called to the Temple and is still there (1965) such a wonderful worker, sweet and lovely to everyone, as are all of the grand ladies there. GENEALOGYMany years have been spent in my genealogical research work, still trying to find the ancestors of my grandfather Thomas Bryant Parker. It yet remains a mystery after years of hunting, begun even long before Daddy went away. But then our lives are full of mysteries so deep we cannot fathom all the years may bring. A VISIT WITH DADDY On October 20, 1936George and Alta Poulsen and family came to Richfield the evening before the opening of the deer season, to hunt with my husband, George H. and our son, Hal Ogden, on the Parker Mountain west of Joseph, Utah, the usual hunting ground of the family. Early the next morning, after giving the men-folks breakfast and getting them ready, they were on their way. They, had to leave early to drive that distance and be at the hunting grounds by daybreak for the early shoot, with the wagon and team carrying camp outfits and supplies and Hal with his horse, Baldy, and his dog. Needing Hal's room for the girls, I had made him a bed on the davenport in the large living room in front of the fireplace. It looked so inviting and so cozy, I just curled up there and for an hour or so rested until time for the family to awaken. I slept soundly and dreamed: - I heard Daddy coming up the walk with his cane tapping the cement and I ran to the door to meet him. I was so happy to see him. He had been gone since January 14, that same year. I was also anxious to hear all about Mother and other members of the family who had gone before him. After getting him seated by the fire in his favorite chair, I began plying him with questions. Yes! your mother is all right and everybody there just loves your mother, was his answer to my very urgent question. After inquiring about all of the family, I asked, Daddy, have you come to bring me the names of your grandparents? Looking very sad, he slowly shook his head and said, No. And when I asked why - thinking surely he had been there long enough to have seen them and get their names, his answer was, I'm not permitted to. Then how will I find them? You know we have hunted for years and just can't find them. Then he said, emphasizing his words with his hand hitting on the arm of the Morris chair, You will just have to hunt and hunt and hunt, but you will find them, repeated again, You will find them. Then I remembered I had found his mother's parents on her Patriarchal Blessing and I told him they were Ambrose Nelson and Joyce Faulconer. With a big smile, so like him, he said, Yes, that is their names. Before he passed away, Daddy told me he was going, was tired and ready to go. I reminded him that our genealogy was not finished, saying, "You just can't go." "Well," he said, "I have been thinking about that and have decided I can help you more over there than I can here. You see, I will see them and get their names and bring them to you." I think perhaps I had been a bit lazy and was waiting for him to bring the names I needed so badly and still do. And now, after these many years, I am still hunting and we have the Genealogical Library doing research for them all the time. Time is running out for me, but still I can't give up and am not giving up. Daddy said, "You will find them," and find them I must. The names I seek are the parents of Daddy's father, Thomas Bryant Parker, my grandfather. ELLA PARKER OGDEN Many beautiful and wonderful experiences have come to me through this work and my Temple work, that have kept my hopes up, and I still believe I will yet be successful in finding them and others of my ancestry which I need. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not to thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths." A VISIT WITH MARYMary Elizabeth, our daughter and eldest, called herself Mary Lizamutt, from which she got her nickname "Mutt." A very capable girl she was, with a very remarkable memory, puzzling parents and teacher alike, especially her first teacher, Nettie Hawley Anderson. We thought she was doing so well in her reading until I discovered she was reading with her book upside down. Well, giving her a new lesson, I discovered she just didn't know the words. After I read the lesson through once and handed her the book she read it right off. Nettie did the same and tried other ways and discovered she was memorizing all of it. She would also memorize a long reading, and she gave many of them, in an evening. She learned to sew and cook when very young. Yes, when I cooked she did the same, as did Hal, who became a very good cook also. Mary dear, it seems such a long time ago when we used to sit on the side of the bed and talk about all of the happenings of the day, or perhaps a whole week had passed unaccounted for. I think it was usually, the bed on the sleeping porch that heard most of our secrets, as we sat visiting and keeping an eye on Hal as he played in the back yard. You remember the day we watched him going back and forth, carrying straw in his arms and wondered where he was putting it. Then he came in and asked if he could please have a match. When we inquired what he was going to do he said, "I'm going to have a big fire." Sure enough, he had piled the straw he had carried from the stack, at the end of the porch, all ready to light. That was our favorite spot to go each day to read "The Story of the Book of Mormon," by Reynolds. How proud and happy you were to retell to me the chapter read the day, before, and how well you told it. I have never vet seen anyone who could tell "The Book of Mormon Story" as well as you. That study hour paid off, didn't it? I hope you are keeping up with it and telling it to your grandchildren. I am sure you remember when we lived in Hollywood Ward the winter of 1929-30 and how they used to call you out of the audience to come to the stand and speak in meetings. That year you were up for vice president of the Hollywood Stake Gleaners Organization. How proud we were of you. Another of your accomplishments made me very happy. When sister Martha Home Tingey, General President of the Mutual Improvement Association came to Richfield for a convention and stayed with us over the weekend, from Friday afternoon to Monday morning, you cooked and served the meals - very good meals. Othello Gurr took care of Hal, bedrooms, etc., while you took charge of kitchen and dining room. Well, President Tingey just couldn't believe you were doing it, until we showed her just how you planned it out. You were only a little girl, just past twelve years old. She was really your pal from then on. What was the name of the book she sent you when she returned home? A WINNERYes! you and Melba Lloyd really were winners in the 4H Club sewing contest, under the supervision of Armina Boswell, carrying off the honors of the Richfield group, then the Sevier county group. The county sent you to the Utah State Fair in Salt Lake City, where you won State honors and were chosen to represent the State at the western division at Portland, Oregon. All this was in 1926, when you girls were fourteen years old. But let us see what "The Richfield Reaper" has to say about it, quote: "Richfield Girls Achieve Honors at State Fair. The Richfield sewing club demonstration team, consisting of Melba, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Lloyd and Mary, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George H. Ogden, returned Friday evening from Salt Lake City where they won State honors and were chosen to represent the Home Economics clubs of the U.A.C. (Utah Agricultural College) Extension Service at the Pacific International Livestock Exposition, at Portland, Oregon from October 30 to November 6, 1926, inclusive. "The team scored the highest in the demonstration contest at the State Fair, October 6, during which time they gave an exhibition on the making of a bungalow apron in thirty minutes. In the time allotted, the pattern was drafted, the dress cut and almost finished. Other contestants were from Cache, Box Elder, Weber, Davis, Tooele, Utah, and Uintah counties. Judges were Rena B. Maycock, Effie S. Barrows and Almeda P. Brown, specialists of the U.A.C. extension service. A very distinct honor for these voting ladies to be selected to represent-Utah in the big Pacific Coast contest. They were accompanied to Salt Lake City by their leader Miss Mercedes Poulson, Mrs. Jonathan Lloyd, Mrs. George H. Ogden and Mr. and Mrs. S. R. Boswell." Again from the "Richfield Reaper": "Win Trip as Prize - Sew Long! Mary Elizabeth Ogden right and Melba Lloyd left, both of' Richfield, comprising the Sevier county sewing team, will go to Portland, Oregon the last of this month to represent Utah in a club demonstration contest against other state leaders from the intermountain west and northwest. These girls won the trip by taking the demonstration contest at the Utah State Fair. They are holding the apron they made under the eyes of the judges." Mary was very capable. I hope some of her family inherit her wonderful memory, or as it has been described, a photographic memory. Photo 20: Melba Lloyd - 3rd from left; Mary Elizabeth Ogden - 4th from Left; Mr. Murray - Right end, USAC, Logan, Utah. Taken in Portland after winning 4-H Sewing contest for Sevier County. Melba Lloyd - 3rd from left; Mary Elizabeth Ogden - 4th from Left; Mr. Murray - Right end, USAC, Logan, Utah. Taken in Portland after winning 4-H Sewing contest for Sevier County. HAL's ARRIVALTime seemed to fly and soon it was April 11, 1920, when our wee babe boy, with big brown eyes, well shaped nose and lips that gave us such a cute little crooked smile, was born. Words cannot describe the joy and happiness folded into the years following, watching him grow and develop; his first smile of recognition, his first words, first tooth, first step, all meant so much to us all, as all parents and older sisters know. We had no baby books to record it, but memory notes have kept it all. The first Christmas in his walking chair. Mary Lizamutt, as she called herself, had hung small candy, animals on the lower branches of the tree. Soon he found they were not only pretty but very tasty as well. Mary was eight years old and took great pride in helping trim the tree she had gone to the foothills with Daddy to get, a practice kept up a long time. Christmas morning, when the tree was aglow with tinsel, lights and decorations, Hal just stared in wonderment, rolling his big eyes but not bothering to turn his head. That day his walking chair was discarded and a rocking horse took its place, and he took his first step alone. Soon he was playing in the yard, where he found a variety of playmates, but the strangest of all was a snake. One morning while he was playing in the yard, I heard him laughing so hard and went to see what was causing all the merriment. To my astonishment, I found him with a long stick, hitting at a water snake. The snake was very angry and was fighting back. He enjoyed feeding the orphan lambs, kept in a chicken wire pen in the yard. We would fix bottles for them and he would hold them through the wire while they drank the milk. One day when he came in for more bottles, we noticed he had milk on his mouth and asked if he had been helping the lambs eat, and he said he had. Of course, I explained to him that he must not eat their food, that I would fix a bottle just for him. He loved animals, all kinds, but at times one of the angora goats played a bit rough with him, as did the old goose. She would chase him back to the house if she found him outside the garden gate, and if she caught him would grab the seat of his overalls and whip him with her wings. Then one morning he got up with chicken-pox and uncle Bob (R. D. Young) told him, "Now you can get even with that old goose, when you get out, just run after her and holler 'exposed and she might get the chicken-pox." So he did run after her saying, "Sposed, sposed." Not long afterwards she died. Yes, he thought she must have taken chicken-pox. I think Hal was a born mechanic. At least he began early on his little blue car, operated by foot pedals. He was only about two or three years old when his uncle George and aunt Alta Poulsen gave it to him for Christmas. By this time their daughters Phyllis and Carol, had outgrown it. It was some time before he could reach the pedals, but he enjoyed steering it while we pushed. However, it didn't seem long until he was taking it apart and putting it together again. How well I remember the first time he took the wheels off, he came in for help and said, "I can't put the wheels on my car and I can't ride it." We got them on, and he was happy, again. As I remember he called his first dog Queenie, a beautiful black dog with white markings, a shepherd dog. She loved to ride Baldy his horse with him. Then there was Jiggs, a vicious one-man dog, I think part wolf and part police dog, who frightened his playmates and his magpie, who would scream "go away, go away" to Jiggs. Other dogs he enjoyed were Boots, a black dog with white feet, Prince, a large brown setter, I believe, and Ring, the collie. One of them was always with him on guard and were very good watch dogs. Ring was stolen and someone killed Prince. Baldy was a real pal to him and his dog, Queenie or Boots, and many times took them on trips to the foothills west of Richfield and brought them safely home. After Baldy died, the day before our return from Santa Monica where we had spent the winter, he hardly knew what to do with himself, he missed him so much and was so lonely. But his buddy, junior Jensen, helped him to forget and then it was, he turned his attention to cars and as the yard was full of them, he had plenty to work on, tear down and put together again. Photo 21:
Page 27 of Parker-Ross Memoirs, by Ella Parker Ogden Photo 22: Page 28 of Parker-Ross Memoirs, by Ella Parker Ogden Many times when I saw the yard full of parts, I really wondered if lie would make it, but he never seemed to have any trouble finding the right place for each, with none left over. The old 1928 Chevrolet was remodeled and he made it into a camper with storage space for food, dishes, cooking utensils, a chafing dish for a stove, fishing tackle and hunting equipment and a sleeping compartment. I am sure he and his friends enjoyed it, duck-hunting, fishing, and perhaps even deer hunting. He painted it red, white and blue. He was always a lover of nature, loved to be in the mountains, along the streams, and on the lake with his fishing gear. He was usually lucky getting his share of those speckled beauties. He also enjoyed hunting. I think it was up on the Parker mountain, west of Joseph with his daddy and uncle George Poulsen, that he shot his first deer, but dad had to cut it's throat, he couldn't do that part of it. Fish Lake was his favorite fishing and hunting place, especially after we got the cabin, and we all really enjoyed it. It was quite a common sight in the fall to see his and other cars in front of the cabin with deer on hood and fenders. After he was married, he and wife LaVee enjoyed their hikes to Mirror Lake, quite some distance away, but one hike I don't think they nor I shall ever forget. We had been fishing in Johnson's reservoir, seven miles from the cabin. All the other cars had left and when Hal went to turn the car around he got in some wet sand, I suppose quicksand, and the car was really stuck. When darkness overtook us, we decided we must leave, so he carried his creel filled with fish and we walked back to the cabin, arriving about one o'clock in the morning, very, very tired. The next morning when the forest ranger went with him to get the car out, he said, "I can understand how you and LaVee could walk back, but I will never know how your mother made it." He had measured the distance on his car. It was 7 miles. Now they have a son, Michael Hal, in college and their daughter, Sherre Ann, married, all living in San Jose, California, where they all enjoy the great outdoors, boating, fishing, water skiing, and are building a beautiful mountain home. School never seemed to interest him especially, he would much rather read books and magazines, often bringing five books from the library at one time. Elizabeth Magleby, the librarian, told me when I went to pick up some books for him, that she didn't believe they had a book he had not read. When Superintendent A. J. Ashmen sent out a course of reading for each grade, they were to read so many and certain books. Hal, then in the sixth grade, had read all of the requirements up to the eighth grade. Some of those Superintendent Ashmen was quite amazed over and asked what he was then reading. He was very much surprised to find it was David Copperfield and said that was usually given only to high school students. He had won the citation but never received it. Hal is very capable and can do anything he sets his mind to. He seems to enjoy precision work most of all and is very good at it. He has been with Westinghouse in San Jose, California, a number of years now, I think about fourteen (1965), enjoying his work and the people around him, always trying to do something for someone. He is also a welder and carpenter and is building his lovely mountain home with the help of his wife and son. They are a very happy family and keep very close to each other. They have a nice home at 2885 New Jersey Ave., San Jose, Calif., where love abounds. George Hal, born, 11 April 1920, married, 4 July 1941 LaVee Swindle, born 26 March 1924. Their children: Michael Hal, born 17 January 1944, college manSherre Ann, born 15 April, 1946, married Michael Melvin McKinney 22 March 1963. Their little daughter Audrey Kathleen, born 9 March 1964. Photo 23: Audrey Kathleen Daughter 20 Months: Sherre Ann Ogden and husband Michael M. McKinney cutting their wedding cake. Her brother, Michael Hal Ogden, sitting; a friend standing in rear. Hal has a very strong testimony of the gift and power of prayer. He was instantly healed of a very serious illness when he was about ten years old in Santa Monica, California. During World War II he realized that on several occasions his prayers had been answered. A few thoughts when he was married, I call: LIFE'S JOURNEYNow you have started on life's journey In your own dear little home, Following the paths of many, Never knowing where they would roam. Though the road be rough in places And your hearts with longing fill, You may always see the faces In your memory, if you will Of the ones who miss you so, dear More than tongue or pen can tell. Every streamlet in the mountains Every echo in the dell, whispers To me very softly, gently saying, All is Well. Now that you have left the home nest, Gone to make one of your own For the little birds and birdlings That will come to call it home. Put your very best into it, Make it shine, the perfect home. Make it ring with joy and laughter, Never from it care to roam. God has promised, if you follow In His footsteps day by day, Peace and plenty will be given And protection on the way. So start your home the way He taught us, With prayers and blessings every day, And His promises will follow Every single tithe you pay. He has given many blessings, Healed you when you were so ill. He has kept you here, my dear one, Some great mission to fulfill. Do not now forget to praise Him, Thank Him, for them day by day. Ask His guidance, ere you journey From your home at break of day. Thank Him, for your sweet companion Who is always waiting there, Making home a restful haven, And your joys and sorrow share. You, a witness, have been given Of the strength and power of prayer, This to help you on life's journey And to lead you safely there. So start today to count your blessings, And in every way prepare For the work for which He sent you, E're He calls you over there. Lovingly, Mother, ELLA P. OGDEN "THE MAGIC OF LOVE"by Helen Farries There's a wonderful gift that can give you a lift It's a blessing from heaven above - It can comfort and bless, it can bring happiness - It's the wonderful Magic of Love. Like a star in the night, it can keep your faith bright Like the sun it can warm your heart's too It's a gift you can give every day that you live And when given, it comes back to you. When love lights the way, there is joy in the day And all troubles are lighter to bear- Love is gentle and kind and through Love you will find There's an answer to your every prayer. May it never depart from your two loving hearts, May you treasure this gift from above - You will find if you do, all your dreams will come true, In the wonderful Magic of Love - ! ! Sent to me by Mary L. Prisbrey, Provo, Utah. "A LITTLE BOY AND HIS DOG"It happened in mid-morning on a beautiful summer day when Hal and a younger cousin, Melvin Ogden were about five and seven years of age. They were playing out in front between our gate and the highway where Hal's Daddy was working, fixing or repairing the large stone gate-post, when Ring, Hal's Collie, was struck by a car. Melvin came running to the house, crying and calling - "Aunt Ella, come quickly, Ring has been run over." When I reached the scene both boys were hovering over the injured dog sobbing. Fearing one of them might get hit also, I asked his Daddy to help them get the dog over to the house, as he was a big dog and they were only little boys, and the house was some distance back in the lot. We put him on a rug in the kitchen. Hal's first thought was, calling the Veterinarian which I did and was told, "He did not think there was any need for his coming down, the dog would most probably die any way, but to console Hal, tell him to give him some nice warm milk and bread and make him as comfortable as possible." All this was done and seemingly to no avail. When bed-time came we fixed him a nice warm bed, in a large box on the West porch. The night was long and we dreaded to see morning come and Hal awaken, feeling most sure Ring would be dead and Hal's heart would be broken. To my surprise, when quietly, I went to see, Ring raised his head as if to reassure me. I called Hal and said, "Come here, Ring is still alive." Well, his answer to me was, "I know it." I then asked if he had already been out to see him. "No." he answered, then how did you know. His answer came slow and deliberate - "Because, I ask the Heavenly Father, to not let him die and I knew He wouldn't." Just one more incident proving the implicit and unfaltering Faith of a little child. ELLA P. OGDEN FAITH OF A YOUNG BOY (Hal Ogden )An Incident of Healing.We spent the winter of 1929 and 1930 in California. Before Christmas we were in Hollywood with Velma after her husband, Charles Green, died. She furnished the home and we (Mary, Hal and myself) took care of food and expenses. George, my husband, was in Richfield looking after the furniture store. All was very lovely - then at the beginning of the New Year, the crash came and we lost everything. We moved out to Santa Monica to less expensive quarters and the children went to school there, Mary to Santa Monica High and Hal to Madison School only a few blocks away. They enjoyed the beach very much and we were not far from it. All was fine until one morning when Hal woke up very, very ill. I called the doctor - none of them made house calls and we couldn't take him to them. He was ten years old. So, depending on the Lord and following the doctor's phone instructions as best we could, still he was growing weaker and weaker. I had sent for his Daddy to come quickly. One morning in his weak little voice, he said, "Mother, if Daddy was here to bless me, I would get well." I explained that I had phoned but Dad couldn't get here until tomorrow. I asked him if he would have as much faith in Brother Thomas, a Patriarch, who lived close by and who held the same priesthood. He said he would. Brother Thomas came and brought with him Brother Baker, counselor to the Bishop. They gave him a nice blessing and as they left, one of them said to me, "Sister Ogden, the Lord Giveth and the Lord taketh away." The other one said, "Be prepared for whatever may come, Sister Ogden." Trying to hide my heartache from Hal, I stepped into another room for just a few short minutes, and to my surprise and delight when I returned, Hal said, "Mother, I want to get up. I'm well." I tried to tell him he was too weak, but if he desired, I would dress him if he would stay on the bed and he could work on his model airplanes. When Mary came home from school, he was up and the next morning he wanted to go to school. I talked him out of it until the afternoon, then I walked with him up the hill to school about two blocks away and told him I would be there when school was out to walk back with him. Soon after I reached home, his Daddy came in and found me shedding tears of thanksgiving to my Heavenly Father for healing my boy. It was his Daddy who walked him home. I was never told what was wrong only that he was a very sick child. This is only one of the many times during his childhood that Hal was healed. At two different times, he was healed from pneumonia and has had cause to acknowledge the hand of the Lord for His protecting care on several occasions. I hope he will always remember these incidents of healing and never forget that "He, the Lord, loves those who love Him and keep His commandments." ELLA PARKER OGDEN OUR FAMILYGeorge Henry Ogden, born 30 Oct. 1882, in Richfield, Sevier Co., Utah, son of Thomas Ogden and Ann Marsh. Thomas Ogden was the son of William Ogden and Mary Vickers. Ann Marsh was the daughter of Thomas Marsh and Ann Horrocks, all of England, and all early pioneers to Utah, and - Ella Minerva Parker, born 11 December 1883 in Joseph, Sevier County, Utah, daughter of Joseph Faulconer Parker and Mary Elizabeth Ross, were married in the Salt Lake Temple. Our two children: Mary Elizabeth Ogden, born 9 Jan. 1912 George Hal Ogden, born 11 April, 1920. Mary (Lizamutt) as she called herself, married first Harold Lester Ogden, divorced. A child Sterling Harold, born 10 April, 1929, died 18 April, 1929. She married 2nd George Franklin Fleeman, born 18 Oct., 1911, divorced. One child Mary Louise Fleeman, born 11 Feb. 1931, Venice, California, married 3 June, 1949 to Charles Bernard Chordas, born 28 July, 1928 in Barnesboro, Penn. They were married in Salt Lake City, Utah, at our home, 174 "F" Street. A reception followed and many friends called to wish them well. Photo 24: Page 33 of Parker-Ross Memoirs, by Ella Parker Ogden Now, in 1964, they are making their home at Lawndale, Calif. near her mother, who is at El Segundo, Calif., and where her husband, Charles B. (Chuck) works for Standard Oil at their big plant there. Charles B. and Mary Louise are the proud and very happy parents of four beautiful children, one daughter and three sons: Claudia Ann Chordas, born 14 Sep. 1950 in Detroit, Wayne Co., Mich., Baptized 27 Sept. 1958. Ronald Clifford Chordas, born 27 June, 1953, Baptized in Dec. 1961. John Franklin Chordas, born 1 June, 1958 at Los Angeles. Charlton Barry Chordas, born 16 June, 1962, Harbor City Hospital, Calif. Mary married her present husband 23 Aug. 1952, Johannes Max Herbert Weiss, son of Max Weiss and Ida Piankowski. He was born 6 Nov. 1906 in Essen, Germany. They were married at Roseville, Macomb County, Michigan. He is a tool and die maker and works at big aircraft factories near their home in El Segundo, Calif. Both Chuck and John are converts to the Church and are working diligently toward the Temple. Chuck especially wants to be very sure his wife and children will always belong to him. George Hal Ogden, our son, born 11 April, 1920, married 4 July 1941 LaVee Swindle born, 26 Mar. 1924, Monroe, Sevier Co., Utah, the daughter of Charles Emil Swindle and Hazel Robinson. Their home is in San Jose, Calif. and his work is with Westinghouse, in nearby Sunnyvale, where he has been fourteen years (1965) doing precision work. He is a leader over men; he is kind and has courage and self restraint. In fact, his are the qualities of character that last forever. They are the parents of two lovely children Michael Hal, born 17 January, 1944, who is in his third year college at San Jose, and an excellent student. He was born at Fort Bragg. Mendocina County, Calif., while his father was serving his country in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II. At the close of the war they returned to Richfield and after a few years moved to San Jose. It was while living in Richfield that their daughter, Sherre Ann, was born 15 April, 1946. She is small, petite and dainty, with eyes of heavenly blue, that smile with love and kindness. She was married March 22, 1963 to Michael Melvin McKinney at Santa Maria, Calif., and now a lovely'baby girl with her mother's blue eyes and father's red hair, has come to bless their home. They call her Audrey Kathleen, born 9 March 1964. A very pretty name for a very pretty little lady. Michael Melvin McKinney, born 10 April 1944, to Corwin Basil McKinney and Dorothy La Vonne Dale. AN INTERESTING EXPERIENCE OF MARY'SLate in the summer of 1953, Mary and her husband, John M. Weiss, were vacationing at Lano Lakes on Wisconsin's south border. They were staying at a cabin owned by some friends, Mr. and Mrs. Otts. One day Mrs. Otts said, "Mary, I would like you to go with me, to visit a very old friend Of ours, an Indian friend. He is very, very old, we don't know how old, nor does he seem to know, but he must be well over a hundred. He is married to a white woman much younger than himself, a school teacher, and very well educated, from Chicago." When they arrived, they found him in bed, ill. They had been fishing. He told them where and how he fished and said, "When you come again, I will take you fishing and get big ones." They had gone there from Detroit, where they were living at that time. During the conversation, he asked her if she was raised in Detroit and she said no, her home was in Utah. The old man said, "Oh, I know Utah, I was there when I was a young boy, and there was one man there I won't ever forget. He was a big strong man, and was so straight and tall, his name was Joe Parker." Mary said, "why that is my grandfather, he was an Indian scout." Then the old man told her how the squaws would say to their children, "You will never grow up to be big and strong like Joe Parker if you don't do this or that, and eat your food as you should." Photo 25: Page 35 of Parker-Ross Memoirs, by Ella Parker Ogden. Then he told her that all of the young bucks knew him or at least of him, and wanted to be like him. It seems he was their ideal. Mary had forgotten the old man's name, and when they returned again he was gone, had died that winter. Joe Parker, the scout, was Joseph Faulconer Parker, my father, and Mary's grandfather. In June and July of 1909, I (Ella) went with a group of girls on a trip to the Northwest to visit the "Alaska, Yukon and Pacific Exposition" at Seattle. It was a wonderful experience for all seven girls. Clarissa Beal Peterson, my lifelong friend and pal, who afterwards married Bert Tuttle of Manti, was our chaperone, having been married and lost her first husband Antone Peterson a short time before. The other girls beside myself were Lucy and Irene Seegmiller, Maud Orrock, Jennette Jones, all of Richfield and Goldie Faux of Sanpete county. On our way to the fair, we stopped at Portland, Oregon and attended the "Rose Parade." It was beautiful, such huge, gorgeous roses, and of course the city called "Rose City" was at its best and was full of beauty. Then on to Seattle where, we were met at the train by a Mr. Berger of the Portland Cement Company. He had been in Salt Lake and was introduced to us by my brother-in-law, Scott McClellan. He was a short, stout man with piercing black eyes, full of mischief. He invited us to stay at his home while in Seattle. His wife met us on the porch with a broom after him, said she had not believed he had been to Utah until she saw him bringing seven Mormon girls home. She was so cute. They had a lovely family, two beautiful daughters, Barbara and Myrtle, and two sons, one married. They were all very nice and we enjoyed our stay with them. Barbara and I became very good friends and kept in touch many years. It was for her, Anna named her Barbara. CLIPPING FROM "THE SEVIER VALLEY SUN," JUNE, 1909"Youth and Beauty to the Big Fair" A bevy of youth and loveliness of Richfield (Utah) left here last Friday morning for the big fair at Seattle. Ever since the Alaska-Yukon Exposition has been talked of, some of Richfield's fair damsels determined on visiting the fair and taking in the sights. The party which left here on Friday consisted of Misses Lue and Irene Seegmiller, Jeanette Jones, Maud Orrock, Clara B. Peterson and Ella Parker. Goldie Faux, a farmer "pedagoguess" of this city was to join the party at Mt. Pleasant and after a few days in Zion, the party were to hasten to the Fair at Seattle. After taking in all the sights there and visiting everything worth while around that city, the girls intended to proceed by slow degrees down the coast and visit all the cities of the Golden State. The trip is one of pleasure and to the school teachers it will be one of profit as they will return equipped with plenty of material for their work in the schoolroom. FROM NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS, SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, APRIL 26, 1955CARD ARRIVES IN S.L. - JUST 47 YEARS LATEMystery: Where's It Been? - Delivered After 47 Years When the Mail's Late - It's all very well to be a good sport and shrug off as just one of those things the fact that a fellow's mail doesn't get delivered. But things like that can lead to trouble. What happened when young George Ogden arrived in Salt Lake City and didn't find "Dear Cousin" Stella waiting for him? Did he go back to Richfield in a dudgeon? Did he unjustly dismiss Miss Stella from his life forever, never knowing until now, 47 years later, that she didn't get the card telling he was coming? Photo 26: Mary Elizabeth Ogden and husband John M. Weiss Congress ought to look into these things. If it weren't for Mr. Ogden's assurance that all has gone well anyway and for the fact that Mrs. Ogden's picture shows that Mr. Ogden did very well indeed, we'd personally demand an investigation to expose and strip of his pouch the mailman who committed that injustice half a century ago. Neither rain nor snow nor heat nor gloom of night can stay these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds - but sometimes it takes one of them 47 years. That's how long it took a post card to make the 164 mile trip from Richfield to Salt Lake City. The card was mailed April 24, 1908, by George H. Ogden. It was returned to his Salt Lake home. Mr. Ogden resided in Rich field until 1944. He now lives at 174 F Street. The colored card, slightly bent, was addressed to Miss Stella Nelson, 425 E. So. Temple. Can Blame the Post Office - And if Miss Nelson stood up Mr. Ogden nearly 47 years ago, he can blame the United States Post Office Department. The card read in part: "Dear Cousin: Just a card to let you know I am coming. I will be in Salt Lake next Sunday." The card was presumably mailed on a train. It's first postmark bears Salt Lake City and Marysvale Railway Post Office stamp and is dated April 24, 1908. Another postmark is from East Los Angeles, Calif. It's dated April 10, 1955. Stamps Quite Valuable - The card finally got "special delivery" Thursday afternoon, however. Mrs. Ogden said her letter carrier made a special trip to bring it. He told her the It green stamp on the card was quite valuable. It bears the picture of Benjamin Franklin. Salt Lake Postmaster D. R. Trevithick noted: "You might call it 'slightly delayed."' He speculated that the card may have been lost in a crack of a mail car. "It probably had years of riding about," he said. "I imagine that the mail car on which this was initially carried was taken to Los Angeles to be demolished and the card was found there. It may have stood in an abandoned railroad car for years before the car was demolished," he said. PRAYER ANSWEREDAT BIRTH OF PHYLLIS POULSENOn the morning of August 26, 1914, 1 was called to the bedside of my younger sister, Alta, whom I had tried to care for since the death of our dear mother nearly five years before, and who was making her home at that time in Salina, Utah. She had been in labor many hours with no results whatever. The doctor had decided that to save her life, it would be necessary to operate and take the child the best way he could. He explained that the child would possibly have to be sacrificed to save the mother. He had done everything he could but nothing helped. The nurse Sister Annie J. Peterson had everything ready for the operation. I asked them to wait until I could get the Elders to come and administer to her. I telephoned to everyone we could think of. Those whom I could reach had some reason why they could not come. The Bishop or Bishop's counselor was just one block away in the Forest Office, but he said, he could not leave the office until closing time, although I explained to him, that it was a case of life or death. At last I called my husband, George H. Ogden in Richfield to come and bring Pres. Robert D. Young, our brother-in-law as quickly as possible. All this time the doctor was cursing and said, "Any one who would take time to pray, in a case of that kind needed their head fixed." Of course he was not of our Faith, or he would have known that it was in just such cases that we knew we had to have the help of the Lord. Her husband would not let them do anything until I returned. Feeling very dejected and desolate I started up the stairs to the sick room, about half way up, I saw my blessing, given to me just a short time before by our beloved Patriarch Hyrum G. Smith, unfolded before me. One sentence stood out plainer than all the rest, it seemed that it had been written with blacker ink than the rest. It read, - "Thy prayers shall not be heard in vain." In my worry and anxiety I had forgotten to pray, thinking only of the Power of the Priesthood, but with that reminder I turned and went back and locked myself in the bathroom while I poured out my soul to Him who heeds the sparrow's fall. I plead with Him to save the lives of both Mother and child. The terrible depressed feeling seemed lighter as I returned to the sickroom quite calm and serene. Just as I opened the door the husband, George, looked at me, then to the doctor said, "You can go ahead now." He said, he knew when he looked at me that every thing was going to be alright. There was no need for operation then nature seemed to take things in hand and with one perfectly natural pain and in not longer than five minutes Phyllis was born, whole, well and strong. A beautiful child with a very beautiful Spirit who has been a real joy and comfort to that little Mother and all of the family. Phyllis was the first child born to George H. and Alta Parker Poulson, then three other lovely girls came to their home and then their splendid boy Gerrald Parker. Written By and Testimony of ELLA PARKER OGDEN /S/ Nurse ANNIE J. PETERSON /S/ JERRY'S BIRTH - A MIRACULOUS TESTIMONYBy Ella Parker Ogden Very early on the morning of May 17, 1933, I dreamed I heard my mother's voice, waking me. She was standing by my bed calling me, saying, "Ella, wake up and get up and go to Alta, she needs you. Wake up, Ella, and go to her." Mother had on a large tie-apron, such as were used when she was here and in the apron she was carrying a tiny baby. I was so impressed with my dream, just as I was back in 1914 when in like manner, she sent me to Alta's bed-side. On both occasions saying, "Go to Alta, she needs you." I awakened George, my husband, and told him of my dream. We looked at the time and knew we would have to hurry to catch the train for Salt Lake City. At that time, Alta was living in the little town of Granite, at the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon. When I arrived, everything was all right and we had a nice
visit, retiring rather early. About four o'clock the next morning she asked us
to call her husband, George Poulsen, who was at work at the Utah Power &
Light plant in Big Cottonwood Canyon, and the doctor. While her daughters,
Phyllis and Carrol, and I were getting her ready for the hospital, I was
getting ready also. But Alta said, "They
won't let you go, Ella," and I replied, "Well, Mother sent me to be with you
and I am going." To my surprise, when I went to my suitcase, I found in it one
of my white beautician uniforms, and for the life of me I do not know how it
got there as I could not remember putting it in. But I was very glad to find it
and I put it on and when the doctor was finished with the examination, he left
saving to her husband, "You and the nurse get her over to Cottonwood Maternity
Hospital right away and I will have everything ready." When we arrived, the
doctor was not there but the very efficient nurses took over at once and from
their excitement I knew something was seriously wrong. When the head nurse met
the doctor on his arrival and explained conditions to him, he said, "Well, the
baby is dead now and it is going to make us work to save the mother." Immediately, I began looking for some place where I could go in secret to pray. I did not know that was an L.D.S. establishment and felt so alone. Finally I went into the reception room, found a chair, drew it into a corner facing the wall. There I sat to pour out my soul and really talk to the Lord, asking Him to let them both live and finish their missions here on earth. Soon a sweet calm came over me. My fear was gone and I knew, as I know today, that they would both be all right. I staved close to the door of the delivery room and each time I heard the doctor say, "He is dead" and he said it many times, I said to myself, "No, doctor, he isn't." After what seemed such a long time, he was finally here and the doctor told the nurse to take him and take care of him. When she came out, she asked me to come with her. She said, "Isn't it a shame he had to die - her only son." I said, "Nurse, he isn't dead, and he isn't going to die. Let's work with him." This -she did, giving up several times, saying that it was no use, he was gone. I could not give up. I knew he was to live and told her so. Then she really worked, doing everything she could with what little help I could give her. She was so sweet and so patient and finally when a tiny cry came from him, we both cried and she said, "We must have a bigger cry than that." I asked her to wait until I got in to Alta before she gave him the spat. When Alta heard his cry, she said, "There's somebody's baby.' I told her it was her baby, that he was alive and was going to be all right, and so was she. She said, "No, I heard the doctor say he was dead a long while ago." When her Bishop and a counselor, whom we had called, came, they asked what we wanted done. By this time, the baby was in my arms, dressed and fine. The head lady of the hospital came out and said, "Mrs. Ogden, in our Church if we are not sure a child is going to live, we give them a name." The father of the baby being there, I said, "What about it, George, do you want to give him a name now?" With his answer, he really put me on the spot when he said, "Ella, if he is going to die, let's give him a name; if not, let Alta name her own son." To Bishop Roy Hawkins and his counselor, I said, "Just administer to him and then to his mother." When the Elders left, I went with them, knowing that everything would be all right. Word had been sent to the four girls at home that the baby was dead and their mother's chances few. That was at one o'clock in the afternoon of May 18th - a harrowing experience all those many hours. This incident fulfilled a promise given to me seven years prior in 1926, when lying in the L.D.S. Hospital very sick. One evening two young Elders came in and administered to me, gave me a lovely blessing and among other things, they told me that "I would see those pronounced dead raised to life, through my faith and prayers." I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for all the many, many blessings I have enjoyed, and the many times He has answered my call. This baby boy, Gerald Parker Poulsen, today in 1965 is a graduate Doctor of Dental Surgery of the Loyola College in Chicago and is now going on to be an orthodontist. Thirty two years have passed and with them he has accomplished many things. He has been a real pride and joy to all the family and to the Church in all capacities to which he has been called. He is a wonderful husband and father to his wife, Karen, and daughter, Yvette. Keep up your good and faithful work, Jerry, serving the Lord in every way possible, always counting your many blessings. Aunt Ella ELLA PARKER OGDEN (Now, 1965, Dr. Gerald Parker Poulsen.) Joseph Utah January 13, 1953 Mrs. Ella Ogden. Salt Lake City, Utah. Dear Mrs. Ogden: Would you please send me all the information you have on, the name "Huling Houston Parker." This is the name that I took through the Manti Temple, on December 14, 1950. I would like to know all that can be found on this fellow. His birth and so on. Do you have his Picture? Am enclosing what I have written down about this incident, and by being at the Temple that day in December of 1950, has sure done a lot for me. I didn't have any doubt in the truthfulness of the Work. but now I know for sure that, there is something besides this life. Thanks Mrs. Ogden. Yours Truly, Delwin T. Owens Joseph, Utah Photo 27: HULING HOUSTON PARKER The man that Delwin Owens saw in Manti Temple (Answered) I, Delwin T. Owens, and Steve Baker, both from Joseph, Utah, decided to take our wives and attend the Manti Temple, December 14, 1950. "Steve! I haven't been here for about a year so lets stay pretty close together." "I'll stay right along with you so don't worry" said Steve. As the four of us entered the Temple hallway, where shoes are removed and wraps are placed for the day, I noticed a fellow at the far end of the hallway beyond any other persons. He evidently had been waiting for someone, because he hurriedly moved through the crowd stepping over out-stretched legs of the people sitting on the benches. We left our lunch in the room northwest of the hall. When we left the room I saw him standing by the door watching us. After we had passed by him, I could see that he was following us. I picked up our suitcase and followed the others up the flight of stairs; I was behind so I took two steps at a time trying to catch the others, the strange fellow stayed at my side. In the hallway above, Steve turned and said, "When there is a large crowd such as today, I always like to go to the dressing room and get a locker." I opened my suitcase and took out my clothing and gave the suitcase to my wife. I noticed the fellow just stood by and watched what I was doing. I could see him all the time and I was wondering why we were being followed. As we entered the room at the south end of the hallway, I wondered if he was a Temple Worker and was following us to make sure we didn't enter any room we should not. We parted Yours Truly Delwin T. Owens Joseph, Utah, from the ladies, they went to the west and we went down the stairs to the East. The fellow watched the ladies enter the room to the West and then followed us down the stairs to the dressing room. Steve entered the middle aisle of lockers stopping one third of the way along the aisle and said, "I usually take a locker about here." I saw the locker number was 42 and said, "I'll take number 43." We opened our lockers and left our clothing. The fellow passed beyond and stood waiting. Steve looked at the fellow and I expected him to speak, but he looked around the room and I could see that the three of us were alone. Steve said "Are you ready we don't want to be late for the meeting." We filed up the stairway. I wanted to ask Steve who this fellow was that was following us, but he always was too close for such a question. I thought rather than cause embarrassment to anyone, I'd wait and ask later. We went up the stairs and on into the meeting, and I didn't think anymore about him. We stayed out in the hallway and I didn't see him while in the meeting. When the meeting was over, we got in line to get the name that we would go through for. While I was waiting in line Brother J. E. Parker tapped me on the shoulder and ask me if I had a name to go through for. I told him no and he said, "Why don't you take a Parker name." I said, "That is okay with me." So I got the name, Huling Houston Parker. I entered the next room South and rented some more clothing as I didn't have all I needed. After renting the clothing, I went out in the hallway where Steve was waiting. He said, "If you are ready lets go." We hurried through the hallway, I saw the same fellow again, he was wearing a blue suit. He had black hair, blue eyes, and was a little shorter than I am. Steve opened the door at the end of the hallway, and held it open until I could reach it. As I started through the door, I could see the other fellow had the same idea; so rather than bump together I stepped back and let him enter. He stopped just inside the door and as I closed the door softly we stood smiling at each other. Neither one of us offered to shake hands with the other one. That was the last time I saw him. He wasn't anywhere in the Temple the rest of the day as I watched for him. I was ordained an Elder in the name that I went through for. I didn't worry anymore about the fellow because he was worry anymore natural to me as Steve. I didn't mention it to anyone until two days later, when I heard my wife telling my sister of a Temple guide who took a group through telling them about the historic points and happenings. I asked how the Temple guide was dressed. She said "he was dressed in a white suit like the Temple Workers." I said, "The guide that went with us wore a blue suit", She said, "We didn't have a guide." "Yes we did" I replied, "He went right along with us." Then I told them all about my experience. I knew that Steve had seen the fellow and I thought maybe my wife hadn't noticed him. I didn't sleep much that night after telling my wife and sister of the happening. So the next morning I talked to Brother Steve Baker. I had seen Steve look directly at the fellow while in the dressing room, so I said, "Steve who was that fellow who went with us to the dressing room?" "There wasn't anyone with us," Steve said, "As I took particular pains to look while we were in the dressing room and there wasn't another person, just the two of us. "Yes there was," I replied. Then I related the experience to him. He said, "I wondered why it took you so long to get through that door, and why you were smiling." Delwin T. Owens Joseph, Sevier Co., Utah. OBITUARYDELWIN OWENSJoseph, Sevier County, Utah - Delwin Thomas Owens, 66, died Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at his home of natural causes. Born May 14, 1899, Panguitch, a son of William Thomas and Elizabeth Richards Owens. Married Clara Lott June 12, 1922, Richfield. Solemnized in Manti Temple Sept. 20, 1923. Retired produce inspector for federal government in Utah. Former counselor in Joseph Ward bishopric; ward clerk at time of death. Survivors: widow, sons, daughters, Mrs. W. G. (Alta) Newman, Denver, Colo.; Dr. Delwin Thomas Jr., Barstow, Calif.; Mrs. Sam (Nannette) Gray, Salt Lake City; Richard, Diane, both of Joseph; seven grandchildren; brothers, sisters, Mrs. D. C. (Ferol) Hendrickson, Mrs. Owen Varner, both Ogden; Waldo, Mrs. Richard (Melba) Beck, both Joseph; Rayfl, Salt Lake City; Mrs. Marion (Nell) Englestead, St. George; Mrs. Scott (Ada) Worthen, Panguitch; Ray, Delta. Funeral Tuesday 1 p.m. Joseph Ward chapel. Friends call at Magleby Mortuary Monday 7-9 p.m., at chapel Tuesday before services. Burial, Joseph Cemetery. THE FIRST PARKERMuch has been written about the Parker family, but not about this particular line which migrated from the mother state, Virginia, into Maryland and thence into Georgia. From this line there are many descendants in the southern section of our country who eagerly await information about these connections. Among the landed gentry of England, Burke in his lists says, "The name was originally De Parkere, from a Norman knight, and that it was one of the oldest and best names in England." Sir William Parker married the heiress of Morley and his son Henry was summoned to Parliament as Lord Morley in 1529, as was his great grandson Edward in 1581. This Edward was the father of Lord Monteagle who received the letter that discovered the Powder Plot, 1605. From Thomas of Lete and Macclesfield came the Virginia Parkers. In America the name is no less illustrious. Men high in every profession - legislative, judicial, naval and military, as well as business - have made the name prominent. The Continental Army had eighteen Parkers who were officers and led troops during the Colonial and Revolutionary periods and who were descendants of the immigrant, Sir Thomas Parker of Macclesfield, Isle of Wight County, Virginia. He was from Park Hall, Staffordshire, England. On November 15, 1647, a patent of 300 acres of land was issued to Thomas Parker, Gentleman, known as "Smith's Creek," being part of the island near Tappon Creek. This was for the transportation of himself and four children into the colony. His children were: Joan, Elizabeth, Thomas, and Francis. No wife is mentioned in this grant and it is supposed she may have died in England. On May 29, 1683, there was issued to Thomas Parker, Gentleman, and to James Bagnell 470 acres, which included 380 acres granted March 15, 1641, and 50 acres which had been granted to Sir Peter Montague, February 25, 1638. This patent recites that Thomas Parker, Gentleman, had married the widow of Sir Peter Montague, who left two daughters, Dorothy and Sarah, the latter of whom had recently married James Bagnell. Captain Thomas Parker (son of Sir Thomas Parker) died
testat, at the age of 56, and his will was admitted to record in the county
court, Isle of Wight County, Va., February 1685. He left a widow (name not
given) and seven children; John, Thomas, Francis, George, daughter Elizabeth,
daughter Mary and daughter Ann. 2 Abstract of will: Eldest son John to have all the Island that goes by the name of Hughes Island. Son Thomas, Son Francis, Son George, daughter Elizabeth, daughter May and Daughter Ann. Major George Parker, (fourth son of Captain Thomas and
grandson of Sir Thomas Parker) patented land in Accomac County, Virginia, 1650
with 300 acres. This tract he called "Poplar Grove", and another patent he
called Onancock." He was a major of militia, commissioner of Accomac and Northampton
Counties, Va., and judge in the county court, 1658-63, which position he held at the time of his death in 1674.[2] His will mentions his wife Florence. (Many think
she was a Teagle, but this is only tradition and cannot be proven by research). Abstract of Major George Parker's will (1674) : To son George where I now live on the north side of Onancock Creek, part of land called "Poplar Grove". Wife to have use of same until son reaches 21. To son John land on south side of Onancock Creek. To son George all my lands in England. All arrearages of rents from said land to go to my sons now living. To my two youngest sons, Philip and Charles, my other lands. To daughter Abigail, to brother John Parker, to Thomas Teagle; wife Florence, reside, legatee, together with my five children. Wife to have '/s and children as they arrive at age. Wife Florence ex., Charles Scarborough, Thomas Teagle. Overseers with Daniel and Ann Jenifer and Francis Taylor. John Parker, second son of Major George and Florence, was sheriff and commissioner of Somerset County, Maryland, July 8, 1708, vestryman in 1696 of St. George's Parish. Abstract of John Parker's will (Annapolis, Maryland 1731; To son George, and heirs, 400 acres of Wicommoneck. Testator states that having sold 350 acres in Accomac County, Virginia (given to him by his father Major George Parker), to Henry Scarborough, should son George insist on an interest in portion bequeathed him shall be divided among his eight children, viz., John, Tabitha, Philip, Charles, Samuel, Eleanor, who married Valentine Dennis, and Leah, who married John Turner. Daughter Tabitha, wife of James Nicholson and heirs to have 175 acres of Dumfreeze and Brotherhood lying at head of sound and personality. To grandson John Turner, and heirs, 150 acres of Parker's Adventure. Residue thereof: Wife Tabitha, 400 acres of Parker's Adventure during her life. At her death to son Samuel and heirs. One third personal estate, residue of personal estate to my nine children aforesaid. Ex., Tabitha and son Samuel. Test: Isaac Morris, Henry Farmer, and James Nicholson. John Parker was very wealthy and from the deeds and records at the land office in Annapolis, Maryland, left each of his children well provided for. He married Tabitha Truitt, daughter of George' and Eleanor (Meridy ) Truitt, daughter of Philip Meridy, who died 1670.[3] Will of George Parker, Worcester County, Maryland, (Eldest son of John and Tabitha Truitt) dated March 1770, states: Wife, Sa rah; and children, Elisha, George, Jacob, John, Sarah, married Robert Price and Mary married James Twyford.[4] Jacob Parker (third son of George and Sarah Parker) was
born in Somerset County, Md., 1724. He married (1748) Mary Smith, daughter of
George Smith and Judith Turner, granddaughter of George Smith and Sarah Cox
(daughter of Thomas Cox) and great-granddaughter of James Smith and Mariam[5] "Among the most estimable of American families is that of Parker, of Irish origin, which had its seating in Pennsylvania more than a century and a half since. The ancestor of the family in America was Richard Parker, a native of Ireland, who having married there Janet ------------ emigrated to Pennsylvania in the year 1725. He acquired lands by patent in what was then Lancaster County in 1730, which was divided January 17, 1750 and all of its area west of the Susquehannah River embraced in the county of Cumberland, of which Richard Parker I, became a citizen and his lands still remain in the hands of his descendants. He had nine children. His sons were John, Thomas, James, William, Richard II, born 1763, died 1814, unmarried."[6] Under the heading "Parker Family of Virginia, Richmond Virginia Times of August 4, 1904 says: "Virginia can show that the Parker family settled in Accamac County, Va., prior to those who settled in New York. The description of the coat of arms of the Virginia Parkers is given: Arms - Sable a stags head embossed between two flaunches, argenta. Crest - A cubit arm erect, cooped below elbow, sleeved azure, cuffed and slashed argenta, in the hand of a stag's attire (or horn) gulio. Motto - Fideli certa merces. HISTORIC SUMNER COUNTY By Jay Guy Cisco Published 1909 NATHANIEL PARKERThe first of the Parker family came to America in about the second ship after the Mayflower landed at Plymouth Rock. Thomas Parker espoused the cause of Roger Williams and went with him to the Hartford Plantations. One of his descendants emigrated to Pennsylvania and afterwards he or one of his descendants removed to Hampshire County, Virginia. From this line sprang John Parker, the father of Nathaniel Parker. Nathaniel was born in Hampshire County, Virginia about 1730. He served under Washington in his attack on the French at Fort Duquense. He also served under Captain Jack against the Indians. He was fond of adventure, as were most men of his day, and wandered through the wilderness of Pennsylvania and Northwestern Virginia fearless of Indian foes. He may be classed with the "Long Hunters" as he spent much of his time hunting and exploring, being out often by himself for long periods of time. He made several journeys from his native state to the Cumberland country and back. While in Sumner County he spent most of his time at Greenfield. Before the Indian troubles ceased he removed his young children (his wife being dead) to Sumner County and built a house near Greenfield and that house is still standing and is occupied by Robert Bryson. Five years after the death of Colonel Anthony Bledsoe, lie (Nathaniel) married his widow, he being at the 63 and she 60 years of age. He died in 1803 and was buried near the site of the old Morgan Fort on lands now belonging to Dr. Johnson. Nathaniel had seven sons. The three eldest married sisters, Misses Rogers, members of the same family as General George Rogers Clark. John married Miss Rogers, Thomas married Susie Rogers and Richard married Nancy Rogers. (See page 22-201 of Parker Family of Southern States). The eldest John never came to Tennessee. The other sons were: Nathaniel Parker, Jr., Isaac Parker, Aaron Parker, Robert Parker. From these sons of Nathaniel Parker have descended many prominent people of Sumner County and elsewhere. George W. Parker was a lawyer of eminence at Gallatin, Tennessee, Sumner Co. He went to Missouri where he died. His wife was a sister of the Honorable Balie Peyton. The Honorable James M. Head, former Mayor of Nashville; Dr. Head of Smuner County; Prof. A. J. Hibbett of Pikeville; Honorable John H. DeWitt, a Nashville lawyer, are all descendants of Mr. Parker. HISTORY OF THOMAS BRYANT PARKER FAMILYBy Ella Parker Ogden , March 1958 Thomas Bryant Parker, father of my father, Joseph Faulconer Parker, was born 15 October 1797 in Grayson County, Virginia. His parents, after many, many, years of research, are still unknown, except that his mother probably was a Miss Bryant. We are also reasonably sure he had a brother George, as father remembered his Uncle George visiting their home many times. He did not remember any mention of his grandfather however, he was only nine years old when his father died at Kanesville, Iowa on the 27th of July 1850. Nothing is known of Thomas Bryant Parker's life in Virginia. Neither do we know how long he was there. On the 27th of October, 1825 he married his first wife, Catherine Hammett, of Baltimore, Maryland. They were married in Howard Co., Missouri, by Aquillo Jones. Catherine Hammett Parker was born 19 January 1806. She and Thomas had three children: the first, Rebecca Snodgrass Parker was born 10 October 1826, place not given, died 22 August 1836 in Missouri. The second child, John Fletcher Parker, was born 24 September 1828 in Palmyra, Marion County, Missouri, married Mary Edgar. Mary born, date unknown, and died in 1890. John Fletcher died in 1900, leaving one daughter, Lillian, adopted about 1850. WILLIAM HAMMETT PARKER FAMILYWilliam, the second son and last child of Thomas Bryant and Catherine (Hammett ) Parker, was born 25/6 September 1830 in Palmyra, Marion County, Missouri. He married Nancy Wells, daughter of Zachary Wells and Mary (Polly) Balleu of Kentucky in 1850. They were both dancers and were married on the stage. She was born, 15 of March 1830 and died 1890. William Hammett died 1909 in Fresno. They left a family of seven - four boys and three girls: John Fletcher Parker (named for his uncle), James Thomas Parker, William Henry Parker, Ira Edgar Parker, and three daughters - Mary Ann, Nancy Catherine and Lorena Pauline. William Hammett Parker was only a boy in his 18th year when the family left Missouri and joined the Saints in 1848 on the trek to the Rockies. He had lived with his father, Thomas Bryant, and second wife, Martha Ann (Nelson) Parker, his own mother having died when he was but two years old, in 1832. His father married Martha Ann Nelson three years later, in 1835. This 18 year old boy carried a great deal of the responsibility of the moving. He was very willing to share and carry his part of the load. Even the cooking frequently rested upon him. The mother was not very well, and it was in August 26, 1848 that baby Margaret was born and died - just two months on the trail. The date Kanesville was reached is not known, nor the exact place he and Nancy, were married. William Hammett's first two children were born in Iowa. He did, however, come to Provo after Grandmother came with her children, but in one of her letters written 15 October 1854 to her mother, and this was written from Provo, Utah, she said, "You ask about William H. He told Robert last Winter that he was going to San Francisco, and we have not heard from him since he left here." So, he was in Provo, Utah at that time. However, he did go on to California and finally reached Old Millerton, along the San Joaquin River, which was soon after known as the County of Fresno. He became interested in politics and served on the first grand jury in the county, and was elected supervisor of the second board of Fresno County. He died there 26 October 1909. The following was copied from "The Clovis Independent." It was written by May Case and entitled "'I Meet Covered Wagon Baby." (Quote) "It was way, back in 1854-55 when seemingly the whole middle west was following Horace Greeley's old adage, "Go West, young man, go West, when Wm. Hammett Parker, his wife Nancy, Well, and baby girl, Mary Ann Parker, then three weeks old, had the misfortune to lose their home by fire in Missouri. It seems that for sometime Mr. Parker had been dreaming of California and its hidden wealth of gold and when disaster hit him he at once decided to join the throng headed toward the western skyline. Getting his ox team ready he joined a caravan to the Golden State and finally reached Old Millerton along the San Joaquin River. Just about the time the Parker family arrived, the County of Fresno was formed and the county buildings erected. Mr. Parker became interested in politics and served on the first grand jury ever held in Fresno County, and was elected supervisor when the second board of Fresno County was put in office. Later on Mr. Parker and family moved to Fresno City which was located on Fresno Slough near the present site of San Joaquin. Here he was a neighbor for years to Jefferson James, noted land baron of the early days. William died in 1909. Another daughter was born to the couple at this place, Kathryn Parker, now Mrs. DeSoto, who resides part of the time with her sister, Mary Ann Strivens at Herndon, who was the child that accompanied her parents to California when an infant. Mrs. Strivens is now 81 years of age. In checking the history of the Parker family, I found a number of interesting facts. In the early history of the United States, three Parker brothers of England came to America to settle. One stopped on the eastern coast in New York and Boston, another in West Virginia, and the third went to the Lone Star state. And it was another of the Parker's that came prior to the three brothers that fired the first gun in Boston during the revolution. One of the Parker women was the mother of Robert G. Ingersol. It was in 1902 that W. H. Parker found a big write-up of the inaugural program of Teddy Roosevelt at Washington, D.C., and he discovered that Chief Quanah Parker of the Comanche Indians, would represent his tribe in the ceremonies in Washington, when the White Father became a great chief. Mr. Parker then told his children that Quanah was a cousin of his as the mother of Quanah had been stolen from his Uncle at Groesbeck, Texas, by the Comanches, in 1833. The girl's name was Cynthia Ann Parker, and when she became a young lady, having been with the Indians all this time and not knowing anything about her people, she was made wife of Chief Pe-ta-no-co-na. She was first heard of in 1841 by her people. They had three children and Quanah became the big chief of the Comanches, later on taking his father's place. The Indian family adopted the name Parker as their own. I knew Quanah Parker when a child and played with his children. He had six wives when I knew him and there were plenty of children to play with. His mother, who had a very poetical nature gave him the name of Quanah, which in the Comanche tongue means "fragrance of flowers." When Cynthia learned her family was white she wept for them and wanted to go home and finally when things quieted down among the whites and the Indians she was allowed to return to her people but when she did go to them she found that she had become Indian in her ways and she mourned the loss of her family and she was sent back to the tribe. Mrs. Strivens and her sister, Mrs. DeSoto, second cousins of Quanah, are the second group of white people I have found that were closely related to Cynthia Ann, whose name rang across the continent when she was stolen and she has never been forgotten by the old timers of Texas. The first family I found was in Salida, Colorado, by the name of William Orting, Mrs. Orting being a cousin of the Parkers. Mrs. Strivens is quite interested in the history of her Indian cousins, but has never met any of them. Mrs. Strivens is also well versed in early Fresno County history." (End of article from "Independent"). Uncle William (Bill) Hammett Parker, Daddy's older brother, told Daddy that Cynthia Ann, mother of the Indian Chief, Quanah Parker, is their blood cousin. The family of William H. and Nancy (Wells) Parker are: (1) John Fletcher Parker, born 2 December 1851 in Iowa. He married Josephine Schulteze, born 1852 at Santa Barbara, California, daughter of Captain Shoulcrist Schulteze and Maria Ortega. She died 14 April 1911, probably Fresno, California. John Fletcher died 26 June 1903, Fresno, California. They had five children: (a) Nancy Lee Parker, born 7 October 1876 at Fresno, Calif. and died 1903. (b) Eveline Parker, born 12 Nov. 1877, Fresno, died 1900. (c) James Thomas Parker, born 22 Nov. 1879, Fresno. Married Harriet Sullivan, died 1951-2. (d) William Hammett Parker, Jr., born 18 August 1882, died 1946-7. Married Maud Burroughs. (e) Catherine Parker, born 16 September 1884, died 1954. Married 8 Aug. 1925 to Deputy St. Labor Commissioner Frederick C. Huss, Washington, D.C. No children. See, - An Interesting Experience, later. All children above were born in Fresno, California, and have many descendents still there. (2) The second child of William Hammett and Nancy Wells Parker was Mary Ann Parker, born 3 February 1853, Des Moines, Iowa, died 14 February 1936. She married Charles Edward Strivens, born 25 March 1844 in Missouri. He died 16 February 1922. Both were buried at Fresno, California, although Charles died at Herndon, just a few miles away. They left twelve children. I have visited these two families. The family of Charles Edward and Mary Ann (Parker) Strivens are: (a) Annie Ameba Strivens, born 2 Mar. 1871, married first Dan Wilson, second, Alex Castellon. (b) Lorena Strivens, born 8 October 1873 at Fresno. Married James Weldy. (c) Charles Thomas Strivens born 4 September 1874 at Fresno. Married Annie Metzger. (d) Nancy Catherine Strivens, born and died 28 January 1876 at Kings, California. (All of the other children were born and died at Fresno California.) (e) Maud Lee Strivens, born 26 January 1877, died 31 July 1893. (f) Mary Edgar Strivens, born 1 August 1879, died 27 March 1881. (g) William Fletcher Srivens, born 25 April 1881, married Ellen Gigger. (h) Louisa Strivens, born 27 September 1882, died 11 August 1893. (i) Rebecca Gertrude Strivens, born 24 September 1885, married George Peter Young, born 12 May 1880, Brooklyn, New York. They were married 26 Feb. 1908 at Fresno, California 'and have four beautiful daughters: (1) Myrtle Mae Young, born 31 August 1909. (2) Mildred Ruth Young, born 3 July 1911. (Mildred died 11 Apr. 1923) (3) Helen Gertrude Young, born 21 November 1913. (4) Della Irene Young, born 2 April 1916. (j) Charlotte Grace Strivens born 10 March 1888, married first Paul Nowlin, second, Mr. Zeigler. (k) Josephine Orella Strivens 2 December 1889, married Benjamin Hughes. (1) Edna Coreen Strivens, born 10 October 1891, married first Eugene Mercy, second Mr. Priest. AN INTERESTING EXPERIENCE NEWSPAPER CLIPPING
Fresnan Vividly Recounts Rescue by Friendly Squaw By James Dufur If she lives to be 100, Mrs. Fred C. Huss (Catherine Parker Huss) granddaughter of Uncle Wm. Hammett Parker, of 174 North Sixth Street, Fresno, Calif., will never forget the night she spent on an Indian woman's lap on a rock, high above the north fork of the San Joaquin River. It happened in 1890 when Mrs. Huss was six years old. Her father, John Fletcher Parker II, had taken his family with him into the hills when he moved his livestock up there for summer feeding. "My father and grandfather had gone down for more supplies, leaving just my mother and the children," Mrs. Huss said. "There were a lot of Indians up. there and some of them were pretty mean, one in particular. They used to come around every once in a while and my father would give them food. However, just before he left to go down for supplies they had come asking for food and father refused them because he had just given them some a short time before." "Just after breakfast one morning four or five of them came up to the house. The mean one was leading them and they were drunk. A boy who had worked for my father was with them. They came in the house and ordered mother to get them some breakfast. The boy told mother not to cross them or they would do us harm. Mother gave them breakfast and then the boy told mother that his mother was outside. "While the Indian men were out talking about getting more liquor, the Indian woman came and took us all down to the river. We waded up the river so we wouldn't leave a trail. The woman carried me, while my mother and the other children walked. HID IN BUSHES"She took us up on a rock and we stayed there all night. She sat on the rock and held me in her lap so I could sleep. My mother and the other children spent the night in some bushes behind the rock, so that even if the Indian men found us they wouldn't find the whole family. "The next day my uncle, Henry Wells, arrived. All of the Indian men were afraid of him. The house had been burned to the ground. They also had shot all the chickens and killed my father's breeding horse. We had to stay with my uncle until father built us another house." Mrs. Huss was born in Fresno and has lived in this area all her life. Her husband, Fred C. Huss, retired this year after serving more than twenty years as a deputy state labor commissioner. LIVED IN COUNTRYIn her youth, when she was not in the mountains, Mrs. Huss lived in a house "out in the country" about four blocks from where the Fresno community hospital now stands. She attended school on what is now the site of the Fresno Memorial Auditorium. "We lived up above Millerton for a few years and attended the fifth grade taught by Mrs. Susanna Krag," Mrs. Huss said. "Mrs. Krag now lives near the Alvina school, south of Fresno, and is one of four known natives of the old community of Millerton, Fresno County's original county seat. "I used to spend a lot of time with her, she lived alone and I spent the night with her many times." The courthouse, which served as the seat of Fresno County government until 1874 when Fresno became the county seat, was torn down when the Friant Dam was completed in 1941. Mrs. Huss said her grandfather, William Hammett Parker, operated the old Casa Blanca Hotel at White's Bridge, near Tranquility when Tiburcio Vasquez, a notorious bandit leader, attempted to ride his horse into the hotel's saloon. "Grandfather told him not to, but he said he was going to and started the horse up the front steps. Then he looked up at the balcony and saw my grandmother, Nancy Wells, had a shot gun trained on him. He didn't ride the horse into the saloon, in fact, had great respect for my grandparents after that, and gave his gang instructions never to steal from them." Newspaper clipping o f Mary Ann Strivens death and history - dated 2/14/36
AGED HERNDON PIONEER LEAVES 71 DESCENDANTSFuneral services for Mrs. Mary Ann Strivens, 83, a Fresno County pioneer, were conducted yesterday at the chapel of Stephens and Bean, followed by burial in the Mountain View Cemetery. Mrs. Strivens, the widow of Charles Edward Strivens, a pioneer oxen teamster, died here Friday. She was a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. William H. Parker, who came to California in a covered wagon in 1853 when Mary Ann was 3 weeks old. Parker operated a store on the San Jouquin River that was robbed at one time by the early California bandit, Tib |
