They crossed the ocean in the ship "Defense" in 1635. Their first home was at Cambridge, Massacusetts, where three more children were born, making a total of eight, five girls and three
boys. The last child, a girl born in 1644, died young. The next to the last child was killed by Indians on August 5th, 1695, at Billerica, Massachusetts, where she lived and raised her family. The Holman family later moved into Boston and build a nice home on the corner now occupied by the famous Botanical Gardens.After the death of William Holman in 1653, the care of the family was left to his wife, who must earn the living. She did this by helping in the neighborhood at whatever she could find to do. She was especially apt in caring for the sick. She bathed and massaged, used roots and herbs, and invoked the blessings of the Lord on her patients.
Our line comes down through Jermiah, the oldest son of William and Winifred. He was six years old when he came with his parents to America. He was born in 1628 and died in 1709. He married twice, Mary (Merry) and Susanna.
Feel free to e-mail me for pictures and histories.
William Holman B. 1567 - Margaret Hall B. 1570
William Holman B. 1594 - Winnifred Holman B. 1597
Jeremiah Holman B. 1628 - Mary or Mercy Pratt B. 1631
Abraham Holman B. 1672 - Susannah Tarbell
Nathaniel Holman B. 1703 - Elizabeth Knight B. 1706
Jonathan Holman Sr. B. 1738 - Olive Farr B. 1740
Jonathan Holman Jr. B. 1764 - Zilpha Sawyer B. 1764
James Sawyer Holman B. 1805 - Naomi Roxania LeBaron B. 1816
James Alonzo B. 1835 - Sarah Ann Mathis B. 1836
Parley Thomas Holman B. 1868 - Mary Llewellyn B. 1871
Elmer Levier Holman B. 1896 - Zelda Ingeborg Jacobson B. 1900
Merrill Reed Holman B. 1930 - Viola Holman B. 1935
Bruce Erich Holman B. 1957 - Susan Jane Dickson B. 1960
UTAH SOCIETY CHARLEMAGNE DESCENDANTS 235 S 2nd E #19 SLC, UT
Charlemagne
Pippin b773 --------------------------- Louis Pious b778
Bernhard b797 Karl 2 d877
Pippin b817 Judith
Herbert Vermandois b840 Baldwin 2 Flanders d918
Beatrix Vermandois Arnulfl Flanders d964
Hugh Magnus d956 Baldwin 3 Flanders b940
Hugh Capet b938 Arnulf 2 Flanders b961
Robert 2 b970 Baldwin 4 Flanders b980
Henry 1 b1008 Baldwin 5 Flanders b1012
Hugh The Great b1027 Mathilde Flanders md1053 William Conqueror
Isabel Vermandois md1096 Gundred d1085 ------------- Henry 1 b1070
Robert Beaumont b1104 William of Warren Mathilde
Robert Beaumont b1135 Ada of Warren Henry 2 b1133
Margaret Beaumont William of Scotland John b1166
Roger Quincy d1264 Isabel of Scotland Henry 3 b1206
Helen Quincy d1296 William Ros Edward 1 b1239
Roger LaZouche d1285 William Ros Joan Acre
Alan LaZouche b1267 Lucy Ros
William Plumpton
Alice Plumpton
Alice Boteler
Constance Gerard
Ralph Standish
Roger Standish
Alice Standish
Roger Prescott
Ralph Prescott
John Prescott
Mary Prescott
Thomas Sawyer
William Sawyer
Aholiab Sawyer
Joshua Sawyer
Zilpha Sawyer
James Sawyer Holman b. 1805
Sources: Royal lines B Adams
Americans of Royal Descent B Browning
American Genealogy Compendium B Virkus
Pilgrim Dictionary - Savage
Colonists Ancestral Roots B Weis
Printed Family Histories
Records of the Genealogical Society
JAMES SAWYER HOLMAN
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| Naomi |
James Sawyer Holman was born in Templeton, Worcester Co. Mass., September 17, 1805 to Jonathan Holman Jr. and Zilpha Sawyer. His early life was spent on his father’s farm. When he was thirteen years old his mother died, causing a great trial to him. Later his father married again but no children were born in this union. In his young manhood he went to New York where he continued his farm work. Here he met Naomi R. LeBaron, the daughter of David LeBaron and Azuba King. She was born on the 7th of October, 1816, in LeRoy, Genessee County, New York. They were married March 24, 1833. Their oldest child, Harriet Naomi, was born on the 28th |
| Harriett |
The young couple joined the church soon after its
organization, being baptized by 1835. He
received his patriarchal blessing from Joseph Smith Sr. in February of 1835, in
Kirtland Ohio. It says, “Bro. James in the name of Jesus, I lay my hands upon your head and by the authority of the Holy Priesthood, I seal blessings upon you, even the blessings of a father and a Patriarch, blessings of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, blessing of temporal and spiritual. Thou art a descendent of Abraham, an Israelite, perhaps of Ephraim, but I do not say this. The Lord had laid his eyes on thee; and watched over thee for good and He has a work for thee to do. You will be called in due time to the ministry and the Priesthood with the power thereof. No powers shall be able to take away thy life if thou forsake all evil; and cleave unto that which is good. Thy tongue shall be loosed and able to speak like an angel, and proclaim the Gospel with great power-thy mind expands like Enoch, to comprehend all things, to see the wisdom of God. Confound the wisdom of the wise; bring up children in righteousness and teach them the things of the kingdom, and obtain blessings for them and their children that they may receive an inheritance with their brethren. Thou shalt have power to save thy relatives, bring thousands to the truth and lead them to Zion. Stand upon the earth till the end. See heaven and the Son on Man descend with power and great glory, rise with thy bend, meet Him, and then shalt thou receive all the fullness of the Celestial glory, and they with thee. This is thy blessing and if thou art faithful, I seal it upon thee in the name of Jesus. Amen.”
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| James Alonzo |
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| Sarah Melissa |
In 1838 he was called to go to northern Missouri with the
Kirtland camp. Benjamin Johnson
described the company, which had originally been organized to assist needy
members of the seventies in their journey to Missouri, as the “Kirtland Poor
Camp.” The wealthy had apostatized,” he
said, “and those who had means enough got an early start; while the poor, by
all journeying together could make an outfit and travel with much less
expense.” Those who could not afford to
contribute toward the expenses were told they could pay later. As Zerah Pulsipher said, “We could not
neglect them for all there was against them was that they were poor and could
not help themselves,” adding, “They wanted to join us and get out of that hell
of persecution.”
The Camp left on July 5, 1838, with 515 members – 249 males
and 266 females; 97 horses, 22 oxen, 69 cows, and 1 bull. Heads of families signed a camp constitution
in which they agreed to certain regulations that would ensure an orderly journey
to Far West. The camp was generally
awakened at 4:00 each morning. At 4:20
the three or four families in each of the twenty-seven tents joined together
for prayers. By seven or eight o’clock,
the Saints were on their way, usually traveling from twelve to twenty miles a
day. With the help of the Lord and the
combined faith and strength of each other, the members of Kirtland Camp
traveled 870 miles in about three months, arriving in Far West on October 2, 1838. There they were greeted by the First
Presidency and others “with open arms, and escorted…into the city.” For those who had made the long journey, it
was truly a day “long to be remembered.”
They had three children at this point. Here the family learned by actual experience of the trials and persecutions of the saints and of their mobbing and drivings. Their home was three miles from the Carthage jail where the prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were so cruelly murdered. They owned six lots in Nauvoo and belonged to the Nauvoo 4th ward, the same ward the prophet belonged to. Their fourth child, Zilpah, was born on February 16, 1840, but passed away the following October. Susan Adaline was born the following year, October 7, 1841.  |
| Susan Adaline |
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| Sanford |
The call came to go west and James Sawyer started with the pioneers in the Franklin D. Richards Company. When they reached Mt. Pisgah, James was called by President Brigham Young to drive the sheep the saints had, across the plains. He must go on, leaving his wife and six children, the youngest a babe, only a few months old, behind until the following year.
.JPG) |
| Charles C. Rich |
They planted and cultivated their crops and when everything began to look well, on came the crickets. You know the story, how they fought those crickets from daylight till dark, men, women, and children, until it looked as if they would lose everything. Then that Divine Providence that had guarded their destinies thus far, sent the Sea Gulls to devour the crickets, which they did.
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| Benjamin F. Johnson |
In the spring of 1851, President Young invited Benjamin on an exploring party. The second night out they camped at Summit Creek (Santaquin). It was a beautiful spot. Brigham Young asked Benjamin if he’d like to settle a colony there and Benjamin said “yes”. During the fall of 1851, before cold weather came, James S. went with Benjamin to colonize Santaquin. They built houses there and also sent hands to Salt Creek (Nephi) to build a house. George W. Johnson, brother of Benjamin, went with them; George W. later colonized Fountain Green in 1859.
During this first winter, they spent much of their time preparing for spring crops. It was during this time that David Ellis was born, December 30, 1852. Wheat and other crops were planted in the spring of 1852. When Benjamin was called on a mission to the Sandwich Islands in October of 1852, James S. was called to be Bishop of Santaquin at the suggestion of Benjamin on October 4, 1852. He was also asked to see after Benjamin’s family and property while Benjamin was away. Previous to his call, Benjamin had asked James S. for another daughter as his wife, Sarah Melissa, a younger sister of Harriet. She cheerfully accepted but realized it might be years before he returned so she changed her mind. She was beautiful and witty and perhaps, loved too much by Benjamin.
Summit Creek was created May 21, 1853 by the county court. During the summer of 1853 the Indians attacked Summit Creek (Santaquin), killed some of the brethren, wounded others, and compelled the remainder to flee to Payson. All was lost in Santaquin. Locusts destroyed the wheat crop in Payson in the fall of 1854 and again in the spring of 1855. In June of 1855 James S. joined with Benjamin, who had just returned from his mission, and his family in resettling Summit Creek, which they began calling Santaquin. Benjamin was the President of the Santaquin Branch and James S. the Bishop. Benjamin presided over the ward and James S. worked with the tithing only. James Alonzo, their oldest son, was married to Sarah Ann Mathis in Nov of 1855.
On February 3, 1856, President Brigham Young married Benjamin F. Johnson to Sarah Melissa Holman. The year of 1857 proved to be a season of great scarcity for bread. They had milk, gathered greens, and dug roots. The wheat had to be pulled up by the roots or cut with a knife. It was during this time that Benjamin F. had a dream in which he was to marry Susan Holman. He soon won her over and they were married, this being the third daughter of Bishop Holman whom he married.
During the winter of 1857, James S. assisted Benjamin in fitting out Reece Lewellyn, who arrived
by handcart in Salt Lake in 1856, upon Ranger, a fine horse, for Echo canyon where our troops were fortified against the U. S. Army. The army was at Fort Bridger and our men in Echo Canyon. The First Presidency deemed it necessary to evacuate Salt Lake City and every settlement north of Provo, and all prepared for the general move, which began in April and continued until every city was abandoned and prepared for burning. Such was the condition and feeling of the people when Governor Cumming, the Governor of the Territory, arrived in advance of the army in Salt Lake City, to find it desolate. He was followed by the U.S. Army, which marched through the city without halting, and established “Camp Floyd” in Cedar Valley. The people returned to their homes by the 1st of July.Three children were born while James S. and Naomi lived in Santaquin, David, Charles, and Lydia, all of them died as babies. Privations and hardships played their part. The death of their babies was a great sorrow to the family. They had three children living with them at this time, Sanford, Silas, and Emma; Zilpha, their third child, died in Kirkland; James A. was married and the three older daughters, Harriet, Sarah, and Susan were married to Benjamin F. Johnson.
In March of 1859, George W. Johnson, brother of Benjamin, was called from his home in Santaquin to start a colony at Uinta Springs (Ftn. Green).
He and his son Amos P. Johnson made a trip to Uinta Springs to see the area. The land was surveyed and a city plat was made in July of 1859. The new colony was christened “Fountain Green” because of the water running from a spring in the mountain and spreading over the beautiful grass meadow below. Indians stole their horses while they were surveying the land so they walked back to Santaquin.
James S. and family, along with Reese R. Lewellyn were among the first settlers to help George W. Johnson build a colony. James S. and Naomi had their last child in Fountain Green, Isaac Lester Holman, who was born December 21, 1859. He was the first baby born in Ftn. Green. Their cabin, the second built in Ftn. Green, still
stands.A few years later they moved to Holden, Millard Co. Utah, where James S. died on the 21st of June 1873. He was not an old man, being only 68, but the hardships he had endured made him look old and worn out. He died suddenly having worked in the garden during the morning. At noon he complained of not feeling well and laid down to rest. He passed away during the afternoon.
JAMES ALONZO HOLMAN
James A., the oldest son of James Sawyer, was born September 1, 1835, probably at Beaver, Crafford County, Pennsylvania. He was the second child in a family of twelve, six boys and six girls. Being the oldest boy in the family, he developed at an early age a sense of responsibility in helping to care for his father’s family. James A. moved with the family to Payson in 1853.He became identified with Indian troubles, being a minuteman and a member of
the calvary. During the most strenuous of these times, horses were kept saddled ready for the men to go at a minutes notice to the rescue of the settlers. James A. did not move to Fountain Green with his father’s family, but in November of that year married Sarah Ann Mathis. He remained with the army until 1867, taking part in all the Indian troubles.The Indians at last became more friendly and peaceable through these valleys, but in the outlying country, they remained hostile and treacherous. The mail those days was carried on horseback or by stage. He was called to go with the New York Company to Wyoming to guard the mail route, and was gone nearly one year.
Not only were they called to fight the Indians and guard the settlement, but also in 1858, when Johnson’s Army, a Division of the U.S. Army came to Utah to kill off the Mormon people, the militia hastened to meet them in Echo Canyon. It has been said that they stationed themselves on a knoll in the canyon, built bonfires, and then spent the night marching about these fires. Their numbers were so few in comparison with the U.S. Army; they knew they must resort to some kind of strategy to frighten the soldiers. The soldiers watched the militia marching past the fires during the night, never dreaming that it was the same men who marched past again and again in that weird light. Thinking the mountains were full of Mormons, they became very much alarmed and worried. Early the following morning, the officers of the militia appeared at the camp of the commander of the army and demanded that a certain amount of arms, ammunition, and provisions be delivered to them. This the soldiers very reluctantly did, not knowing what else to do to save their quarters far beyond the borders of the city. Once more the Saints were preserved by the hand of God and their enemies delivered into their hand.
In 1902, he moved with some of his younger sons to Box Elder County where land could be obtained more readily. He made a new home again and remained there until 1910 when he moved to Lindon where he spent most of the remaining years of his life in the home of his daughter, Mrs. Jane Walker.
He was always thoughtful and considerate of others, being generous to a fault. He remained ambitious and enterprising and his mind was clear and active. He was a great reader, and was well informed. He was a High Priest at the time of this death. He died as he had lived B full of
faith in the gospel, and in a glorious resurrection, September 24, 1920 at the age of 85 years. He was the father of thirteen children, ten of which are living with a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great great grandchildren.REES REES LLEWELLYN
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| Rees |
Rees R. Llewellyn worked in the coalmines from the time he was a very small boy. It is doubtful that he received much formal education until after the time of his baptism into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The date of his baptism was April 7, 1850, and this ordinance was performed by an early Welsh missionary, David Evans. He was ordained to the lesser priesthood and the office of a priest in May 1851, and his devotion and zeal for his faith was evidenced by his activity in the years that followed. Only July 7, 1851, he was ordained an Elder by Erizer Edwards, and he labored for two years as a local missionary, and must have had a great deal to do with the conversion of his wife as none of the rest of her family belonged to the Church at that time.
Rees R. Llewellyn was married to Ann Llewellyn on January 29, 1854 in Myrthr Tydvil, Glamorganshire, South Wales. Ann did not change her name in marriage, although nothing in the history that we can find indicates they were related, and both Rees and Ann said they were not. I have a certified copy of their marriage certificate. Neither Rees nor his bride Ann signed their names on this document. Their “X’s” are marked in the space provided for a mark or signature.Ann’s father died when she was nine years old and so at that time she went to work in the mines as a sweeper. This left no opportunity for her to acquire any schooling. Her mother also worked in the mines providing lunches for the miners. After their marriage both Rees and Ann worked in the mines in the time that followed. Rees also acquired some formal type of schooling. He was employed as a timekeeper in the coalmines, became an excellent penman and was able to read and write well when he and Ann sailed for the United States on April 19, 1856.
The decision to come to America meant giving up their loved ones and friends, as they were the only ones in either of their families who were members of the Church at that time. It also meant selling and giving away many of the things they had acquired in their early married life as it was impossible to bring much with them. It was a very tearful farewell with their loved ones and especially for Grandmother Ann because her mother practically disowned her for joining the Church and moving to America. She was her only living daughter and was very dear to her. Grandfather, Rees, had to promise that he would never take another wife in plural marriage if Ann were allowed to go with him. This was a promise he kept very faithfully, in spite of the fact that he was asked three different times by Church authorities to take another wife.
The shipping records of book #1045, page 103 gives the following information in regard to their crossing: “Reese R. Llewellyn, 27, miner, and his wife Ann, 20, sailed from Liverpool, England on April 19, 1856, arrived in Boston, May 23, 1856 aboard the steamship, Sam Curling.”
They were with a company of Welsh saints and at the completion of the ocean voyage; they traveled 1300 miles to Iowa City in cattle railroad cars. Here some of the men were offered inducements to remain and work. Those who had trades such as iron rollers were offered as much as $10.00 per day. Although some of the saints remained, most of them saw a greater goal in sight. Their hearts were set on reaching Zion. Of those who did remain in Iowa City many apostatized and some died during a severe outbreak of cholera in that area.
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| Edward Bunker |
A handcart company was organized under the leadership of Captain Edward Bunker and when the saints had completed their handcarts they were ready to begin their journey. The third handcart company consisted of nearly 290 individuals, 58 handcarts and three wagons. Tearfully, they buried their lovely paisley shawls, china and other treasures from Wales, which would not be accommodated in a handcart. Rees promised his weeping wife he would return for her lovely things and he did at a later time, but was never able to find any of the things they buried. There were three hundred Welsh saints in the Edward Bunker Company. Rees R. and Ann were in the third group of ten and Rees R. was chosen to act as clerk of the company. He kept a daily record of the travel until they reached Salt Lake City on October 2, 1856. The handcart load consisted of 100 pounds of flour and they were allowed 17 pounds of baggage. Three mule-driven wagons went with the company to haul heavy provisions. The weather was fine and the roads were good but the people in the towns and cities made fun of the saints as they walked along and pulled their handcarts. The company left Iowa City on June 23rd and arrived in Florence, Nebraska on July 19th. It was necessary to remain there until the 30th of July to repair the handcarts and prepare additional supplies for the long journey ahead. The Indians were bothersome on the trip. One day one of the men in the company told an Indian brave he would like to trade his little girl for a pony. Two days later several Indians rode to meet the company with an extra pony and were very much in earnest about making a trade. This foolish statement made it necessary for the entire company to stop until a peaceful settlement could be made with the Indians.The trip across the plains was a very difficult one for Ann. She was ill during the trip and became very discouraged. She was a short fat little woman and the many miles of walking galded her body so that every movement was one of pain. More than once she became balky and refused to go any further. One day she sat down on the trail and refused to go another step. She was very weary and heartsick and said she didn’t care if they were devoured by the wolves, she said, “To hell with it,” she would not go a step further. Rees R. went on with the company for the rest of the day, and then when camp was made for the night, he unloaded his cart and started back for his balky wife. The saints were on half rations at this time, which meant they were allowed to have only one ounce of flour per person per day. While the Llewellyn cart was gone from the circle a large buffalo wandered into camp and was killed to the delight of the saints, and a blessing to the entire company. This was a miraculous thing, for they had not seen any buffalo for several days. The meat of course added necessary food to their slim diet and buoyed them onward. Ann’s shoes wore completely out and she and her husband took turns wearing his boots the rest of the journey. One of the reasons the trip was so hard on Ann and Rees was because they had worked underground for so long they were not used to the extreme heat. This of course was a much cooler climate and very few had worked in the sun. The company finally arrived in Scotts Bluff, Nebraska the last of August and then were back on the trail until October 2nd, 1856, when they landed in Salt Lake City. Rees R. took off his boots and gave Ann the privilege of walking into the city in a pair of shoes, while he walked along barefoot.
Rees and Ann received their endowments at the Endowment House and were sealed on September 11, 1857.
Shortly after their arrival in Salt Lake, Rees and Ann were standing on the street, hardly knowing what to do when a man by the name of Ben Johnson approached them and engaged in a conversation with them. He asked about their plans for the future and Rees told him that he didn’t know what he was going to do. Ben Johnson then invited Rees R. and Ann to his home and told them they would be welcome there. After a few days Rees asked him upon what terms they could remain to live with him and work for him. Ben Johnson told Rees that he could not hire him for wages by the month or year, but offered to let them continue to live and work for him until fully rested and recovered so that he might look about and find a home or circumstances that would suit them better. As winter was coming or Ben said if they decided to stay in him home they would be provided for as though they were a part of his family, and were free to leave at any time they desired.
Rees R. and Ann remained with the Johnson’s through the winter and in the spring they again asked if they would work for “Uncle Ben” Johnson. He again told them that they could stay as long as they pleased, as a part of the family, as though born in his house, to share equally in all labors, sacrifices and blessings; and when they left they would be regarded and treated as his own children.
Rees R. was treated as a son, a companion and Uncle Ben learned to lean on him for strength during the many problems he faced as head of a polygamist family. Rees R. stood by the side of Ben Johnson in Echo Canyon where the saints were fortified against the U.S. Army in the winter of 1857, serving as a regimental staff officer to John D. T. McAllister, the commanding officer.
In the spring of 1858, Rees R. went with Ben Johnson to colonize Santaquin, where he served as postmaster. While at Santaquin, there were many Indian skirmishes. Two powerful tribes, the Utes and Piutes were natives of this country. They set fire to fields of grain, stole cattle, and caused the settlers a great deal of anxiety. They also fought among themselves, and during one battle when the Utes were raiding the Piute tribe, an Indian squaw was killed and three small children were deserted. They were members of the Ute tribe and were taken by the Piutes. The children were brought into the settlement of Santaquin, and given to Ben Johnson in exchange for flour and meat.
Rees R. remained with Uncle Ben Johnson for four years and was then asked to help Uncle Ben’s
brother make the settlement of Fountain Green, Utah, in the fall of 1859. Rees had become very fluent in the English language and Uncle Ben considered him his equal in matters of management so he urged Rees and Ann to leave and provide separate homes for themselves. “Uncle Ben” told Rees as he was leaving his home as a son he would share equally, according to his number, in all that Uncle Ben’s family possessed. He received two yoke of oxen, with a wagon, cow and other necessary supplies. In addition as they had their first daughter, Julia Ann, born while they were with “Uncle Ben”, he gave them a little Indian girl, named Viret, which had been given him in exchange for meat and flour that winter. At this time Viret was four years old. She was loved and cared for in the Llewellyn home and reared to womanhood there. She was an intelligent girl and particularly clean with her person and the home.A post office was established in Fountain Green as soon as the colony was set up with Rees R. as the postmaster. The mail was carried by Pony Express and he took care of the horses for the express as well as for the stagecoaches that came through. Ann and Viret operated the first boarding house in Fountain Green. Rees R. built Lynn Oldroyd’s home, the first brick house in
Fountain Green. It still stands and is now nearly one hundred years old. The settlers in Fountain Green first built their homes of logs with roofs of dirt, and without any doors or windows. All the homes were built within a rock fort and an enclosure was also made of rock for the livestock as the Indians raided the area constantly and it was necessary to guard the forts day and night.At one time when the alarm was sounded as the Indians drew near, women and children were hurried to safety in the home of Bishop Johnson. This home was chosen because its location made it possible to see outside the fort, as there was an upstairs in the home. Women took their small children in their arms and scurried to safety. When Ann reached the upstairs she discovered she had the child of Rhoda Cuyman rather than her own daughter. There was always a hearty laugh when Ann told the story. Viret was terrified during the Indian raids that perhaps they would try to take her away with them, in spite of the fact that Rees and Ann considered her as one of their very own daughters.
A second baby girl was born in the small one-room log home, which Rees first built. She was named Margaret Eleanor and was the first girl born in Fountain Green in September of 1860. The first boy born to this couple had his birthday on August 24, 1862; he is my father and was named Reese William Llewellyn. In all, there were five boys and four girls born to this couple at Fountain Green. As time went by, circumstances improved. Rees added two rooms to increase the size of the cabin. He was always active in the community and the Church. He served as a councilor to Bishop Robert Johnson and was the choir director in Fountain Green for twenty-eight years. He helped present concerts and various entertainments for the purpose of raising funds for the Perpetual Emigration Fund. Rees had a wonderful tenor voice and loved to sing. He was a member of the 47th quorum of Seventies. He was elected president of the Town Council on August 3, 1885, a position he held for seven years. He was postmaster of Fountain Green for 28 years, served a long time as tithing clerk. He served as Magistrate of Fountain Green for 18 years. He served a term in the legislature of the territory of Utah in 1886. He was sent on a mission from Fountain Green to Wales and the British Isles, being sep apart on October 30, 1875, by Orson Pratt and returning home on November 12, 1876. He was successful in presenting the Gospel to several members of his family in Wales; he tried to convert his brother, who later came to this country and settled in Pennsylvania, but was not successful. On his return home, Rees brought Ann several pieces of china from Wales and also paisley shawls Ann loved so much.Rees bought more land, making about seven acres. Here he built a large barn where horses used to carry mail were tethered. His barnyard is one I’ll never forget. He had a log granary with steps leading to the top where there was a platform to stand on and pour the grain in the bins through the roof. Many times I have sat on that platform and watched the beautiful peacock spread his colorful tail. Ann took pride in raising chickens, ducks, geese, guinea hens and the special peacock. There were also cows and horses on the farm. Ann made and sold butter and cheese.
Later on Rees built a lovely two-story brick home, (Ned Ora Peterson’s) with eight large rooms.
There were three fireplaces in his home and skilled painters and a professional artist painted the entire house. The parlor of this home was especially beautiful. It was painted in delicate colors, one with beautiful birds and flowers over the mantel and on the ceiling. The floor tapestry was like velvet. There were two large white verandas. A creek, which supplied the water for the town, ran through the grassy meadow at the east of the house. It also ran the gristmill and the saw and shingle mill. Rees had stock in these businesses. He also owned twenty-five acres in what was known as the “big field”.Rees was a well-educated man and every night he would spend the evening reading to Ann. He was hard of hearing in his later years and as he solemnly read the newspaper to Ann in the evening, we would ask her to tell of her life in Wales. Occasionally he would lower his paper and ask, “Ann, are you listening to me?” We would all smile and say “Yes, but really none of us had heard a word he said, we had been listening to Ann tell exciting stories. As “Grandpa Rees” grew older it became my job to run and hand him his cane and help him to his feet when he wished to stand.
Rees was a very spiritual man, and was set apart to help administer to the sick, and brought relief to many through the power of the priesthood. He was honest and upright and had a wonderful testimony of the gospel; which has been an inspiration to many. One morning as we got up from our family prayer he put his hands on my head and said, “I bless you my little girl. You will never see the time when there is a single doubt in your mind as to the truthfulness of this gospel.” And I am grateful to say that this statement has been true.
Rees Rees Llewellyn was the father of eleven children, five boys and six girls; Julia Ann, Margaret Eleanor, Reese William, Gomer David, Mellissa, John Thomas, Mary Katherine, Benjamin Franklin, Ester Rosalia, Henry Watkins and another daughter was stillborn and not named. Ester died on scarlet fever at the age of eight years, and Henry Watkins met death with a shooting accident in young manhood while in the mountains herding sheep.
Rees R. Llewellyn died in June 1904, at the age of 76 years. He succumbed to Brights Disease and heart trouble at his home in Fountain Green. His beloved wife, Ann, followed him in death in September of 1912.
JAMES JACOBSON
Jens or James Jacobson was born August 15, 1838, in Togarpshed, Burlos Soken, Malme Len, Sweden, the son of Jacob Jensen and Scesa Hogansdatter. He remained in Sweden until the age of 16 years when he went to Denmark where he received the gospel and was baptized by Christoffer Winge, July 2, 1861 and P. C. Gertsen confirmed him in the Ourhouse branch. He then went to Randers where he remained about 3 years. He acted as teacher there most of the time. He then went to Kopenhagen and stayed a few weeks. Then Winberge sent him to Tyen on a mission as a traveling Elder in Odens branch for eight months. Then he was sent to Falster Mo’en Baago for 16 months as a traveling Elder. He baptized 24 persons while on his mission. When he was released he prepared to emigrate. He and his first wife left Kopenhagen May 28th, 1866. They were on the Atlantic Ocean 9 weeks. They then took the train to St. Joseph. The Cholera broke out in Chicago where one man lost his life, two in Quincy. He had it bad himself while in Lunzy but recovered. They lost 13 in St. Joseph in 36 hours. They then sailed on the Missouri river for several days and they buried four or five each night. When they landed in Wyoming there was a train and several hundred emigrants waiting for them. There were a great many more died while crossing the plains. His wife died Aug. 22, 1866 from Cholera and was buried on those plains. He often spoke about it and said it worried him to think about the poor burial she got and hoped the wild animals didn’t get her body and devour it. He landed in Salt Lake City, Utah in Captain Aloner Loury’s Company, October 22nd, 1866. While on the ship and crossing the plains he knew a girl by the name of Bertha Marie Larsen. Two days after arriving in Salt Lake, he married her, October 24, 1866, in Salt Lake. They settled in Fountain Green, living in the Fort built where our high school now stands. He took part as a minuteman in the Black Hawk war.When the people started taking up land and homesteading he took 175 acres and farmed. He built a log cabin on it where his family lived; they called the farm Squaw Springs. They later built a brick home in town where they lived in winter and on the farm in summer. They raised strawberries, grapes and had fruit trees. Alfalfa & grain. They also had stands of bees. He was at one time State Bee Inspector.
When their 6th child, Hyrum was 2 years old he was called to go on a mission to Denmark, so he left April 17, 1881, and landed in Kopenhagen, May 15, 1881 and was sent to Ourhouse conference, Oden’s branch and stayed there about 7 months. From there to Horsens where he stayed 17 months, the remainder of his mission and was released and returned home. He brought a girl with him whom he had converted to our church and this being the time of polygamy in our church, he married her a few days after arriving home. This was his third wife. He was the father of 9 children with his second wife and of one with the third. While in Sweden he learned the trade of blacksmith, which he put into practice here. At first he paid $3.50 per week for the Indians. When the Manti Temple was built he took his team and spent several weeks donation in helping build it. In his last years he did much temple work.
I, Zelda Jacobson Holman, his grand-daughter always remember him as being kind, I remember him saying when people were talking of moving to other places where they thought they could have it better, “Oh yes, there are troubles in Wyoming too.” He also would say people all have a blessing if they but live for it. At the age of 79, he walked 12 blocks from his home to take the water and as he went to take the dam from the ditch, took a heart attack and died; he was found with his face in the ditch. His life ended the 17th of September 1917, after spending a full life and being true to the gospel to the end.
LIFE STORY OF JENS
JACOBSON
Written by his
daughter Katie Alfreda Jacobson Nielson
Father went to
school in Sweden Denmark Sweden
The only thing
that I can remember of father telling me of his life in Denmark
 |
Bodil Larsen |
Father married
Bodil Larsen just before leaving Denmark
to come with the Saints to Utah
 |
| Bertha Marie Larsen |
My mother, Anna
Kjerstine Sorensen, married father July 17, 1884, but I, his tenth child,
wasn’t born until he and mother had been married for ten years, July 23, 1894.
When father
first came to Fountain Green he had no blacksmith tools so he rented some and
paid $3.50 a week for the use of them.
He soon decided to make his own tools.
As an early settler in Fountain Green he received 175 acres of
land. I guess he paid whatever the
others paid. Father raised the same crops as other
farmers; wheat, oats, and lucern. His
blacksmith shop was where he liked to work the best. He got up in the morning at 5am so he could
get it all done.
With all this
land father had, it gave his boys something to do as they got older. I think his wife, Bertha, was a fine business
woman and she taught the children many things about getting ‘gain’. Their son, Peter, became wealthy through his
own efforts because he didn’t get it from home.
Father served as
a minuteman in the Black Hawk War, a local affair with the Indians. He had blue eyes and black hair, weighed 210
pounds and was 5 feet 11 inches tall.
Their oldest
daughter, Marie, never married and she died at the age of forty. Their son, James, married Anna Bradley from Moroni Idaho Moroni
Wilford, the
ninth child was a problem child, maybe because of his handicap. He had a mysterious disease, what I supposed
to be polio, as a child that left him with trouble in walking. They did everything they could to help him be
better. They had him to all kinds of
doctors and took him back East for treatment.
He learned to walk but it was always hard for him. Since he needed much help as a child they
spoiled him. When he was old enough he
was father’s helper. When father wanted
to go to Moroni Moroni
Wilford married
Orvilla Clement when he was thirty-six and they had two boys and two
girls. He got to drinking a lot and in
those days of probation he got some poison whiskey and died within a few
minutes. He was forty-four.
I am father’s
tenth child and married John Daniel Nielson at the age of twenty-two and have
four living children, two boys and two girls and a daughter that died at the
age of fifteen. I am still able to do
most of the things I enjoy at the age of seventy.
Of all the
circumstances, father only had about thirty-one grandchildren. I know nothing about how many
great-grandchildren he had.
 |
| Anna Sorensen |
Father was a man
that didn’t quarrel with anyone. I
remember once when father came to see mother.
I believe it was the day that grandmother was buried, and mother’s
sister, Marie, was there. I saw them
outside talking and I must have been where I could hear what was said because I
heard Aunt Mary really tell him off about how he treated mother, etc. When she stopped talking he walked off and
left without saying a word. He and
mother never quarreled that I ever heard.
They, of course, had their differences but no one knew about it.
After mother
moved to Manti in 1911 father spent nearly every winter with her until he
died. My husband says that mother and
father lived in polygamy longer than any couple he knew. His wife, Bertha, didn’t die until many years
after mother died and fourteen years after father.
Father went to Denmark on a mission for the LDS Church Denmark
Mother and
father were very happy together. Mother
waited on him and pleased him in every way.
She cooked the things he liked.
He was especially fond of sweet soup, a Danish dish. If he could have a big bowl of sweet soup and
plenty of bread and butter that was all he wanted for that meal. He loved cod fish, boiled potatoes, and milk
gravy. Mother kept a supply of homemade
beer on hand for him. She would heat the
beer and put stale bread in it. When it
was hot and the bread was softened it was ready to eat. Some liked cream and sugar served with it.
Father was
willing to help in the house with anything he could do. Just before I was married, mother put up
peaches for us. She said that father sat
all day and helped her peel those peaches.
I believe that was the most peaches mother canned and she was fifty-five
at the time.
One fall, when
father came, mother took one look at father’s hat and said, You just cannot
wear that hat to the temple.” So he got
a new one. Mother looked well-dressed
and she wanted father to look well-dressed too.
The picture that was taken of father when he was in Denmark
Sometimes when
the children were still at home there was a sever epidemic of diphtheria. Father said they had nearly all had it and he
was tired and worn out from being up nights helping care for them. He got a good dose of diphtheria and nearly
died. One day while he had it he said he
felt as if he was going fast and a good neighbor came in. Father said this man took a strong piece of
wire and cut the phlegm out of his throat.
He always claimed it was the use of too much pork that brought on these
diphtheria epidemics. They more than
likely used pork three times a day most of the time.
Generally father
was a well man. As an older man he
didn’t complain of this, that or the other.
Instead, whatever ailed him he figured a dose of caster oil or a dose of
salt would take care of it. When he was seventy-four and got prostate
gland trouble the salt or caster oil, of course, didn’t help one bit and he had
to send for the doctor. If he had any
broken limbs or serious accidents, I never heard of it. Father was patient, kind, and slow to
anger. I never saw him lose control of
himself. In father’s last years he had
high blood pressure and the last winter he was with mother in Manti, he had
severe nosebleeds.
In March 1917 he
went home to Fountain Green where he was to stay until the following fall. This proved to be the last time mother was to
see him alive. His wife told us the details
at the funeral. She said he was about as
usual and had enjoyed his dinner about noon and in the afternoon he said, “I
will walk over to the other lot and turn the irrigation water in.” On the way over he talked with a neighbor
lady and she asked him to come in as she had her cellar remodeled and wanted
him to see it. He went with her down in
the cellar and seemed to be fine. After
sundown when he didn’t come home his wife wondered why so she went looking for
him. When she came near to where he was
she could see father lying on the ground drinking (she thought). She called, Pa why do you lay there drinking
out of the ditch? Can’t you wait until you get home?” He didn’t move and when she got to him she
raised his head and when she seen that he was dead, dropped his head. She figured that the black and blue mark on
his forehead was her fault because she KJIELD PETER JENSEN
Kjield Peter Jensen was born in Orem, Hjorring County, Denmark, on September 20, 1850. His father was Soren Jensen, his mother was Marianne Thompson. He had light hair and blue eyes. He was not very tall and moved around very quickly.While he was living in Denmark, after becoming old enough to work, he spent most of his time on a large farm near Aalborg. He hauled hay, cleaned stables, and did other odd jobs. Their stables were swept and cleaned twice a day. The floors were made of rock. When they worked on this farm, they lived there and it was here that he met Ingeborg Ottison Waladon who also worked on the farm. She was born November 14, 1852, at Jetsmark, Denmark. They were married in Denmark March 21, 1875.
There were missionaries at Jetsmark who converted him into the L.D.S. church. He was baptized March 30, 1877, by C.R. Nielsen and confirmed March 30, 1877, by Elder H. Brown.
While living in Denmark, one boy and five girls were born. The little boy died shortly after being born and was buried there.
After studying the gospel and hearing about America, grandfather and his wife decided to leave for America. But as money was scarce, they decided they would have to leave a few at a time. Grandfather’s mother and father lived here, so the two oldest children, Mary Ann and Zina Johanna, were chosen to come first. Mary Ann was six years old while Zina was only four. They were taken down to the ship; and with their small bags of luggage, they were placed in the care of a strange lady who had two boys the age of the girls. Then, one year later, grandfather and the third daughter, Mary, left for America. They left Denmark June 13, 1885, and arrived in Fountain Green, Utah July 10, 1885. After landing in New York, they went by train from there. After grandfather came here, he began to work on a farm for Antone Christensen. One year later, he borrowed money from Andrew J. Aagard to bring his wife and other girls, Clara and Annie, to America. Then he began herding sheep for Andrew and later took sheep on shares until he at last had 1500 head of his own. After being united with his family, they went through the Manti Temple and were sealed to each other. This took place on October 31, 1888.
Their first home was a two-room adobe house located in the southeast part of town. The furniture consisted of a cupboard, bed, table, and benches made of old boards, which were all, made by grandfather. The dishes were very scarce. Often, they would all eat from one large pan.
In 1896 he was called to go on a mission to Denmark, his native land. By this time, there were four more children, which made a family of ten. They were as follows:
Soren Otto Jensen: Born July 12, 1875 at Oster Utrup, Aalborg, Denmark
Mary Ann C. Jensen-Born July 20, 1876 at Oster Utrup, Aalborg, Denmark
Zina Johanna Jensen-Born April 2, 1879 at Oster Utrup, Aalborg, Denmark
Mary C. Jensen: Born May 15, 1881 at Oster Utrup, Aalborg, Denmark
Clara C. Jensen: Born May 6, 1883 at Oster Utrup, Aalborg, Denmark
Annie Maria Jensen: Born May 30, 1885 at Oster Utrup, Aalborg, Denmark
Emma Tomina Jensen:Born March 12, 1892 at Fountain Green, Utah
Joseph Peter Jensen: Born September 28, 1887 at Fountain Green, Utah
Alma Christian Jensen: Born June 8, 1894 at Fountain Green, Utah
George Peter Jensen: Born February 20, 1891 at Fountain Green, Utah
Grandfather sold five hundred head of his sheep to get money to go on this mission. This took place in 1896, just eleven years after coming to America. His mission was a great success. He not only converted several people into the church, but also succeeded in thoroughly convincing himself of the truthfulness of this gospel. He was on his mission just one year when Bishop C.J. Christiansen sent for him to come home, as his wife was very ill with dropsy. When he arrived in Salt Lake City, he reported to Antone H. Lund. As he was very worried about his wife, he asked Brother Lund if she was still alive. Brother Lund bowed his head for a few moments. When he raised it, his reply was “yes”. She died October 25, 1897, two days after his arrival home.
He was married to a second wife, Bertha Sophia Christensen, in the Manti Temple February 7, 1901. There were no children with this marriage. She had one son, Charles Jorgensen, with a former marriage. Grandfather was ordained an Elder January 5, 1879, by Elder Jens Christensen and ordained a Seventy on June 4, 1892, by J.C. Nielsen.
 |
| Kjeld & Twins |
He was always active in the civic pride and interest of the community. He was honest, kind, truthful, and considerate of others. I enjoyed his kind advice.
As he became so he couldn’t do much work, he insisted on moving around all the time. He always said, “If I sit around and just look on, I will soon get too old to live longer. I’m too young for such foolishness yet.” This was just one example of his ambition. He was one of the most ambitious men I have ever known.
I remember well when he prayed, he always asked the Lord to bless him that he might prove faithful to the end, and this he did. He was full of faith of the gospel and a wonderful man. He died at Fountain Green, Utah, July 23, 1940, at the age of eighty-nine. He was buried at the Fountain Green, Utah cemetery.Written by Zelda J. Holman September 10, 1954
PARLEY THOMAS HOLMAN
Parley Thomas Holman was born December 10, 1868 to James Alonzo Holman and Sarah Ann Mathis. He was the eighth of thirteen children. He had four older brothers, one of which passed away two years before Parley was born. His grandpa, James Sawyer Holman, was sixty-three years old when Parley was born and passed away when Parley was five years old.
Parley’s father, James A., had followed his father, James S. from Santaquin, to Fountain Green, and then to Pleasant Grove. Parley was born in Pleasant Grove. When he was five years old they lived on Wiley Lane in Fountain Green. That’s when Dr. Johnson, who lived on the North side of the street, came in from milking the cows in the fall of the year. He told his wife that he had heard a strange noise and wanted to go and investigate. He lit a lantern and found Parl Holman in the ditch. The ditch had a little water in it and Dr. Johnson found him covered up with leaves. Parley had pneumonia. When he got over the pneumonia he moved back home. He was five years old at this time. When fourteen years old, he and his brother were kicked out of the house. Warren was hooking up the team to leave and his dad asked him to stay because he didn’t have a team of horses himself. Since Parley didn’t have anything to offer, he moved into the Llewellyn home and lived there till he
married Mary Katherine Llewellyn in April of 1890.Parley and Mary had nine children. Parley Leone: 22 June 1891, Jenna C.: 10
April 1893, James Reese: 19 Dec 1894, Elmer Lavier: 5 Oct 1896, Alta Zell: 13 April 1899, Henry Watkins: 13 Aug 1901, Delma Anita: 19 Aug 1903, Julian Bernard: 13 June 1905, and Elwin LeGrande: 2 July 1909.Parley was elected grant marshall of the 4th of July parade.
Mary passed away March 10, 1919 at Fountain Green Utah.
Merrill Holman, grandson to Parley, remembers the day when he and Ted Collard, who married Aunt Zell, found Parley, face down in the coal bin. Ted ran to get his mother. Dad got Ervin Oldroy who was across the street to help. Ervin ran across the street and started into the house when Merrill yelled, he’s over here in the coal bin. Parley continued to have strokes and his health failed from then on. Parley and his youngest son, LeGrande, lived in the Llewellyn house towards the end. People used to get mad at LaGrande for drinking too much and leaving Parl alone. Parley died on the 14th of December 1944 at the age of 76. He was buried in the Fountain Green Cemetery, December 18, 1944.
HYRUM SMITH JACOBSON
Hyrum Smith Jacobson was born at Ftn. Green, February 5, 1879 son of James Jacobson & Bertha Marie Larsen Jacobson. He was blessed April 3, 1879 by Reuben Clark and baptized July 7, 1887 by James Yorgason.He attended the Ftn. Green School until he reached the 6th grade. His father owned a ranch and he helped on the farm, hauling hay, irrigating and whatever needed doing. He then got a job milking cows for Bishop Yorgason who had a dairy between Ftn. Green and Moroni. He milked 20 cows by hand night and morning. Picture: Hyrum standing on ground.
 |
| Gardell & Zelda |
employment at a slaughter yard. After he returned to Ftn. Green he got acquainted with a Manti girl, so when he went to see her he rode a horse 28 miles to Manti. He stopped going with her and began taking Zina Johanna Jensen and was married to her Oct. 2, 1899. They lived in a two-room house on the same lot where Clara Christensen lives. 
where his second child, Hyrum Gardell, was born April 13, 1904. Seven weeks later he bought a two-room home of William Dugmore, the home where his wife lives at the present time, with two more rooms added to it. At this time Ray Livingston ran a saloon and pool hall where Abe Madsen’s home now stands. Hyrum had an icebox and a corner in this building where they cut meat. He bought cattle and did his own butchering. Twice a week he took a buggy with a large box with screen wire on and filled with all cuts of meat and went from house to house selling it. He bought a farm from Andrew Anderson and raised lots of hay so he bought cows and milked them.There his first child, Zelda, was born May 31, 1900. At this time he had his father’s farm leased. He began raising starver lambs, which was a start toward a sheep herd. He bought other sheep and added to them. His father-in-law gave him a lot where Clara now lives and he moved a one-log room there. That was
 |
| Hyrum is standing |
 |
| Newell |
He was a lover of sports and if there was a rodeo wanted for a holiday he would round up cattle from the field and build a corral and boys to ride, making fun for the crowd with no pay. He was given
yellow, a desert pony,
Which he taught to do tricks and took him to rodeos to perform. They called him the little wonder. He is still alive and 25 years old.
 |
| Hyrum wearing hat |
ZINA JACOBSON
I was born in Oster Utrup, Aalborg County, Denmark, April 2, 1876. N.P. Rasmussen blessed me July 6, 1879. I was baptized by James Yorgason in the creek behind Andrew Aagard’s home, which still stands. I was sealed to my parents in the Manti Temple October 31, 1888.My parents embraced the Gospel in Denmark, so they wanted to come to Utah. They sent their two little girls first. I was four years old, and my sister, Mary Ann, was nearly seven. My mother took us to the ship not knowing who was going to care for us. She asked a lady going on the ship if she would care for her little girls, which she did. She also had two small boys of her own; so I think it mast have been quite a job for her. I remember her as being a very kind person. After one year, my father and my three-year-old sister, Mary, came to join us. After being here one year, he borrowed money of Andrew Aagard to get my mother here with their two other girls, Olara and Annie.
I stayed with my grandmother and an aunt until my parents came. I was such a tiny girl that my aunt used to carry me to Primary where she was a teacher.
In those days when we went to visit our neighbors, they treated us on bread and molasses.
We were poor people. My father made a crude table out of some old boards from an old corral and a couple of benches to sit on. Martinus Jensen’s wife gave my mother her first cup and saucer and a pound of coffee.
After a few years my father had earned some sheep. He sold them and went on a mission to Denmark. Then, after spending only one year there, he received word from Bishop Christiansen that my mother was very ill. This was done without mother’s consent because she wanted father to finish his mission. I took care of mother during her illness. She lived one day and night after father’s return. She was only 43 years old when she passed away. We didn’t have cars in those days, so there were 38 wagons and buggies to her funeral.My mother’s death left me the responsibility of our family of eight. I was then eighteen years old. I stayed home one year.
I was married to Hyrum Jacobson, October 2, 1899. I was endowed to him June 27, 1951. We had three children, Zelda, Gardell, and Newell. Newell died six months after his father. He passed away on Armistice Day at the age of 31.
 |
| Gardell & Zelda |
 |
| Newell & LaVier |
My mother spun yarn and dyed it red and black. A lady from Spring City wove the cloth. This was what we girls’ dresses were made from. We were really proud of them.
I remember one year when the grasshoppers were so bad in the field. The town turned out to help destroy them. We had large pieces of canvas nailed with sticks on each end. We would scoop the grasshoppers up in big piles and burn them.
I was always quite active. One year Hyrum and I went with a crowd on the top of Mt. Nebo. I rode a horse up, but I walked down.
I have ten grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. I love every one of them.
I think the thing I have enjoyed most is teaching Primary. I taught for eight years in all. I have always taught the boys. I love to teach them. My first class consisted of Zelda’s twins, Victor Rasmussen, Morris Cook, and others. I have had great satisfaction when they say I have helped them to be good men. I was city recorder for two years, Relief Society teacher for 40 years, and Social Science leader for 2 years (Edith Cook was the other councilor), and I sang in the choir, starting when I was a young girl until my husband died. During that time, the choir was under the direction of many different leaders.
I have lived in three different homes. The home Zelda was born in was a good-sized room with a lean-to kitchen. Then we built a large one-room house where Gardell was born. Then we bought Sam Dugmore’s place where Newell was born. Now we have added a few comforts to it. I have four rooms and a bath and am very comfortable.I didn’t have much schooling as I had to hire out from the time I was a child until my mother became very ill. I have worked for many people among whom are: Mary Morgan Oldroyd, Rasmus Andersons, Sarah A. Anderson, and Chris Sorenson’s parents. I also worked for many others. I would stay for months at a time at each place.
I have had a lot of sickness. While working with the school lunch, I fell and broke my hip. It took two years before I recovered, but the Lord has blessed me that I can walk and care for myself.
I always enjoy having people come to my house. I belong to the Social Hour Club that Naggie Frandsen and I organized over 30 years ago. We have always had it on the last Thursday of the month. I also belong to a Danish Club where we renew our Danish language.
My Primary boys still enjoy coming to my house. They say they like to come because they know they are always welcome. They have enjoyed coming and making cookies and cupcakes.
I have a testimony that God lives. I have felt His Holy Spirit so near me that made me know I would walk again. I hope I will always have a desire to do right and do good to all.
Aye, many a heart could find content
If saw the joy on the road it went.
The joy ahead when it had to grieve,
For the joy is there, but you have to believe.
ELMER LAVIER HOLMAN
Elmer Lavier Holman was born October 5, 1896 to Parley Thomas Holman and Mary Catherine Lewellyn. He was born in a small house just west of Parl Holman’s home, the Lewellyn house, in Fountain Green Utah. He was blessed and given a name by Reese R. Lewellyn on December 3, 1896. Reese was Elmer’s Grandfather on his mother’s side. Elmer was the 4th of nine children.As a young man Elmer helped his father on his farm, which is located on the road
to the Big Springs. His father also had a small band of sheep, which he helped to take care of. Elmer was twenty-one years old when his grandmother Holman passed away. Sarah Ann Mathis died October 12, 1917. Elmer married Zelda I. Jacobson, March 13, 1918, in Nephi, Utah, at the age of twenty-one. They were sealed in the Manti Temple, August 28, 1918. Picture: Elmer on Dan.
For two weeks after their marriage they lived with Elmer’s mother and dad, the red brick home that Rees R. Lewellyn built. They then rented 2 rooms in Grandpa Jensen’s home until Elmer went in the army on August 29th, 1918. Zelda then moved in with her mother, Zina Jacobson, until Elmer came home from the army. Elwin Lavier Holman and Elmer Ladrue Holman (twins) were born, February 3, 1919, two weeks before Elmer got home, in the Jacobson home. A short time later .JPG)
they rented the home across the roadfrom Evan Bigler’s where Margaret Edmunds lived, 86 N. 500 W. in Ftn. Green. The twins brought great joy into their lives but sadness followed. On March 10th, 1919, Elmer’s mother, Mary passed away. The following year, the 24th of September 1920, his grandpa, James Alonzo, passed away. Elmer was 24 years of age.
Athaleen Holman Shepherd was born in this house July 10, 1921. Elmer and Zelda loved to dance and they would put the babies in a buggy and walk down town, about one mile, where they danced and visited with the crowd that would gather.
In 1922 Zelda’s mother was living in Ephraim while her boys attended school there so Elmer and Zelda moved into her home for the winter. They got two rooms in Parley’s home in the spring of 1923 where they lived until 1924. At this time they bought a home from Sophia Johnason for about 800.00. Elvon, Merrill and Jean were all born in this house. Elvon was born March 8th, 1925, Merrill on May 13th, 1930, and Jean on January 18, 1937.
Elmer’s father, Parley Thomas, passed away on December 14, 1944. Elmer was forty-eight years old. His beloved wife passed away on the 26th of February 1957, when Elmer was 61 years of age. Elmer passed away on October 17th, 1964 at the age of 68.
MY FATHER
By Athaleen Shepherd
I was two or three years old when we moved to grandpa Holman’s. Then we moved to our old home. It belonged to Sophia Johnson. It had three rooms, a cellar, kitchen, front room and a bedroom upstairs. This is where Mom and Dad raised their family of six.
Dad built a swing out of an old tire under the Red June tree. Our girls loved to go to grandma and grandpa’s to swing on that tire.
Dad herded sheep for grandpa Jacobson and Uncle Jess Hansen, so he always brought a mutton home. With the Mutton mom could always fix a meal.
We didn’t have running water. There was a well at the bottom of the steps going into the house. I can hear mom scrapping her feet on the board=s dad had covered the well with after it went dry. It was then that dad put a tap in the kitchen and an outside tap by the porch. What a blessing to have water.
Then came the first radio. Monte Madsen brought one up from Moroni so we could try it out. Monte worked for Granite Furniture. Dad bought the radio.
Dad was good to mom, but times were hard. Dad lay out with the sheep and the biggest part of the time he didn’t get paid. When I was in the third grade of school we moved to Soldier Summit. This was about 1929. Dad worked for the railroad in what they called the Round House. We could have free passes to ride the train. I remember one trip we went to Provo to visit Aunt Delma. Elvon was the youngest one. LaDrue and I sat by a large Negro lady. She gave us an orange. We didn’t dare eat it, we were scared to death. You didn’t see a Negro often.
We lived with Burt Lewellyn and his family until we could get a place of our own. While there, Elvon and I got the mumps. We had to stay in a back bedroom with no heat. Mother would put a coat on and come in and sit on the bed and read us stories. It was so cold, ice on the windows and icicles hanging on the door. We finally got a place a few blocks from Lewellyn's. I think three rooms. One night going home from Lewellyn’s, the snow was coming down so hard and the wind blowing the snow into deep drifts. It was up to dad’s waist. He put Elvon on his shoulders and broke the path for the rest of us. Dad also got the mumps that winter. He would go out and crank the car to start it. Mom was so worried about him. Dad built a big red sleigh we would pull it up the hills behind our house and ride it down. We also lived on a homestead that belonged to Uncle Jess. It was a one-room cabin. We had to cover the bed with a tarp to keep it dry when it rained. The mountains were beautiful! Dad had a herd of sheep to take care of. Dad also worked for the WPA. It was a government project for $45 a month. There was no work.
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| Lorraine & Athaleen |
Dad was very caring. When Grandma Jacobson cracked her hip it was dad who turned her, he was so gentle and careful. It was the same with Grandpa Holman when he lay so sick. Dad was there to help care for him.
Dad served in World War I and all his sons and son in Laws were called and served in World War II and the Korean War. Loraine was hurt in Germany and sent back to the states. I guess the rest came home when the war was over. Mom worked at the parachute plant in Manti during the war. Then mom and dad went to work at the turkey plant in Moroni. They were there quit a while. Then dad’s health began giving him problems. His heart wasn’t good. Mom then went to work for the school lunch, it was a hard job. The kitchen was on the second floor of the old elementary school. The stove was a big coal stove. Coal had to be carried up all those steps.
One thing about dad I remember was his sour dough biscuits. They were the best, so tender and light.
He loved his grand kids. Dad always wore his blue overalls and denim jacket. His shoes were laced to the ankles. He had to special order his shoes, size 5 in boys shoes, and go to Penny’s to pick them up. He had very small feet.
Mother died on the 26th of February 1957, from a tumor on the brain. Dad spent some lonely years without her. He wouldn’t stay with anyone; he just wanted to go home. He often said, “I can’t even stay in bed until I’m ready to get up.” Thanks to Bill Johnson who found him in bed: dad passed away in his sleep. Dr. Speakman and I went to Ftn. Green to verify dad’s death.
MY MEMORIES OF ELMER LAVIER HOLMAN
BY JEAN H. BOWLES
My first thoughts about Dad are how easy going and pleasant he was. He liked to tease a lot and always had a smile. He was not a large man in size. He was probably 5’6” or 5’7” tall and weighed about 150 pounds. He had to go to the boys’ department in the store to buy shoes because his feet were so small. He wore size 51/2 shoes. He joked a lot about this.Dad loved his family a lot and was very proud of his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed having them come home to visit. Only Allan and Cheryl were born before he passed away, and they can barely remember him; so my family missed out on a lot by not knowing my parents.
We grew up not having many material things, but we had the basics and never went hungry. I don’t remember my parents complaining or wishing for things they couldn’t have. Dad loved to have milk and homemade bread with lots of salt and pepper at night. Many times that was our supper, but we didn’t need more. Dad usually cooked eggs and toast for his breakfast and Mom cooked cereal. He loved to dip homemade bread in grease drippings from cooked meat.
Dad raised all of the meat we had. I remember Chester Johnson coming to slaughter and dress the animals for us in the fall. We raised chickens, pigs and a calf each year. The pork was cured in a saltbox in the dirt cellar under the kitchen. Mom & Dad made homemade link sausage that was the very best. The veal was bottled, as we didn’t have a refrigerator. There was an icebox in the cellar where the milk, cream and homemade butter and cottage cheese were kept. The chicken was cooked for special days like Christmas, Thanksgiving, or birthdays. Of course, the chicken soup with dumplings was always a big treat. I remember the root beer that was made each year. It was put in the cellar after it was bottled. Every now and then a top would blow off and the root beer went everywhere. Then there was the ice cream made each winter, usually for my birthday party in January. We all took turns turning the handle on the freezer and adding salt and snow to help freeze the ice cream. It seemed like it took forever to freeze, but it would keep for a few days outside in the deep snow and cold weather we used to have at that time.
I remember the out-house or two-holer as it was called. Every couple of years Dad would have to dig a new hole and move it. The Sears Roebuck catalogue did not make very soft toilet tissue, but that was what we had to use. It seemed like a long ways to get out there especially in the winter or at night. I never could make the trip fast enough even though it wasn’t that far. We only had cold water tapped into the kitchen from a well outside the back door, so we had to heat water for everything including the #2 tub we bathed in each week. I remember when we got our first telephone. We just picked up the receiver and told the operator whom we wanted to call. The operators were on Main Street in an office at that time. Several people were on our line, so anyone could listen in on conversations, and we had to wait our turn to use the phone. Dad used to get pretty upset when he had to wait for any length of time for his turn.
I was about 15 years old when we got our first refrigerator. It was wonderful. We were still washing clothes on a scrubbing board and using a wringer type washer, and had no bathroom; so the refrigerator was a big step up for us. Dad finally got a black & white blonde colored TV after I got married. A radio had been our big entertainment up to that time. Dad really enjoyed the TV. They also got a couch with a hide-a-bed to take the place of the cot I had slept on in the living room.
Dad always enjoyed going to Mom’s club when they had couples’ parties. Some of us girls got to tag along because we were too young to stay alone. They always had big cooked meals and played fun games, so we all had a lot of fun.
I remember Dad being operated on for appendicitis when I was quite young. The operation was done in a home used as a hospital in Moroni. Mrs. Dice, who later married Mathias Allred, took care of Dad. He got a bad infection and his side drained for a long time, so he didn’t get back on his feet for quite some time.
Mom and I spent time on the East Mountain with Dad where he was herding sheep for Uncle Jesse Hansen. I was quite young at the time, but I remember making fudge and Dad made sour dough biscuits. Mom read me part of the book “Gone With the Wind” and Dad took me for my first horseback ride that I can remember. It was a special summer for me.Dad and Mom worked out at Jericho when I was about 7 years old. Clark Ivory picked me up at Grandma Jacobson’s at 5 a.m. one morning so I could go out and stay in the tent with Mom and Dad. Dad worked in the shearing corral and Mom cooked for the shearers. The big trains went by close to where we were staying, so I was always being told to stay away from the tracks when I was playing.
Dad worked at the Moroni Turkey plant in the shipping department and Mom was picking turkeys. I would go with and help her until I was old enough to work on my own. This is about the last time I remember Dad working as he developed heart problems, hardening of the arteries.
Dad and Mom both enjoyed helping with the Lamb Day sandwiches. It was a big celebration back then, with boxing matches, a carnival, program, parade, horse races, an outdoor dance, and lots of games going on. There were always sandwiches left over to sell at night during the dance. It seems like they only cost about 10 cents each at that time.
Dad had the necessary tools to cut hair with, and I remember some of the guys in Fountain Green coming to our home for a trim. He also cut his own boy’s hair. He used a leather strap to keep his razors sharp. He was really pretty good at it.
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| Jenna, Harry, Zell, Delma, LeGrande |
Dad didn’t like to lend out his car much, but I managed to miss the school bus to Moroni a few times, so I could drive the car. He always checked the mileage, so I didn’t dare do too much or go too far.
We always went to Sacrament Meeting on Sunday as a family. We could play in the afternoon, but we always went to meeting at night. Sometimes we would make candy with friends and I even remember riding my bike to Moroni for ice cream at the drug store with friends one Sunday afternoon.
I don’t remember Dad getting mad at me very often. He had a lot of patience. Mom was the one to discipline, and that was very seldom. They were good parents. I always knew I was loved and trusted even though they didn’t always express it. They were very supportive of whatever I did, whether I was talking in church, had the lead in a school operetta, or playing the piano. They were always there for everything. Dad was always around the home doing something. He always had a good dog around. I can’t remember names, but I still see a couple of them in my mind. He also enjoyed shooting his 22 rifle. That was his hobby.
The picture I have in my mind of Dad is seeing him in his bib overalls. He carried a pocket watch, and I can still see him taking it out to check the time. He also carried a silver dollar that was dated the year he was born, along with a few Indian head pennies. I still see him sitting in the big white wooden chair in the kitchen. Athaleen still has that chair.
The posterity my parents have left behind is a huge compliment to both of them. I only wish we could have had them around for a few more years to enjoy. No one appreciates their parents like they should until they have become parents themselves.
ELMER HOLMAN
BY ELVON HOLMAN
I am going to write a few words about my dad, Elmer Holman. I was born to Elmer and Zelda Holman on March 8, 1925.
My dad was a very honest and hard working man. When I was five years old he worked in the railroad round house in Soldier Summit. The winters were so cold we had icicles hanging in our bedrooms. We rode the train to Helper to buy groceries and had to make our way through waist deep snow.
When the depression hit in 1929 dad lost his job. He had a homestead east of Scofield with 640 acres. He built a cabin and fenced it with poles. He had to spend several months each year to improve it. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to and he lost it.
He would drive the school team and hack, to Jerusalem and Birch Creek to take the children to school and then pick them up after school. In the winter it took six head of horses to pull through the snow and ice.
Dad had a bad habit; he would say don’t do something but didn’t say why and shouldn’t do it. When herding sheep we lived in a tent and had to move camp with packhorses. Riding behind dad he would say don’t put your leg over the rope on the horse we were riding, but he didn’t say why. One time I didn’t listen to his advice and the horse hung back and threw me out into the trees. He said are you hurt? I think that you had your leg over the rope like I told you not to. I learned the hard way I never did that again.During the depression he herded sheep, farmed and worked for the W.P.A.. The W.P.A. went from Fountain Green to Salina in the winter to build fences in the mountains. There were so many people going without food during the depression. Dad helped butcher 250 head of cattle at one time to give to those who needed it.
He also had a job for the city fixing pipes. The pipes were wooden. He would dig down to find the leak and repair it using wooden plugs to fill the holes. My dog team and myself would go and help by hauling buckets, plugs and other tools he needed to repair the pipes.
The scoutmaster told me once that I couldn’t take my horse on a scout camp to pack in my food and blankets. So my dad built me a packsaddle for the goat. Which packed all of my supplies. When I met the group at the depot, the scoutmaster said, “I don’t swear, but I’ll be damned.”
When mom passed away in 1956 we tried to visit him as often as we could but he had a very lonely 8 years before passing away in 1964.
He was a good dad and we had many happy times together.
ZELDA HOLMAN
When I was born there was but one telephone in Fountain Green and as my father couldn’t get the Dr. by telephone, a neighbor, Niels Hansen, rode a horse to Uncle Pete’s farm just north of Moroni. There he changed horses and rode on to Mt. Pleasant to get Dr. Winters. The Dr. came by horse and buggy as there was not cars at the time.I was born May 31, 1900, in Fountain Green in a two room house 2 block west of the James Madsen home.
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| Hyrum & Zina - Day before wedding |
I was blessed by my grandfather James Jacobson, July 1, 1900 and was given the name of Zelda Ingeborg Jacobson.
I don’t remember much until I began my schooling in 1906 in a one room red brick house which was standing where our high school now stands, with tall poplar trees around it.
My first teacher was Ellilian Hansen. She is now Ellilian Ivory.
There were two grades in the same room, the teacher first paying attention to one and then the other.
I remember well the high black heating stove in the room to keep up warm and where our teacher popped corn during our play period for us.
She had a supply of common remedies in a desk drawer for ear and toothaches and small injuries, which she applied with kindness when needed.
In 1907 our new elementary school house was completed so I began my second year in a new building.
On Aug. 29, 1908, I was baptized by Niels P. Aagard and confirmed the same day by A. M. Barentsen.
I don’t remember many special things during my school days. We had our parties, dances and programs. I always enjoyed my teachers and hope they did me.
When I was a child at home, I always had clean clothing and whenever my parents wanted to go any place all we needed to do was say we didn’t dare stay alone and my brother and I got to all the parties then.
When I was ten years old, my father bought potatoes for 3 bushel for a dollar and wheat the same. Eggs were 6 cents per dozen, and gingham was 12 cents per yard.
I always respected my parents. I never went to talk to my girl friend across the street unless I asked if I might.
Then came the great day of graduation. It was held at Moroni May 26, 1915. My teacher was J.N. Dorius. All the 8th grades from all Sanpete county were to spend the day and evening. The people of Moroni were all happy to take as many of us as they could to feed. My father and mother took my friend and I to Moroni in a buggy with 2 brown horses. They went to the program at 10 a.m. and then drove back home. After the dance in the evening, they came back to get us.
The girls of Fountain Green had dresses of the same white material trimmed in narrow lavender velvet ribbon. We all wore long gloves and white-topped lace shoes to match. My hat was a beautiful, fine, white silk net with two layers of pansy flowers between. I graduated with an average of 96% from all my studies. During the day we girls became acquainted with some Spring City boys so I went to the dance with Osmour Beck from Spring City.In the fall of 1915 my dearest girl friend, Golda Jensen, and I had a funeral, for we were parting to go to High School. Until that time we had almost lived together. She went to Mt. Pleasant and I went to Provo to the BYU. I started to stay with Nephi Anderson’s mother. Sleeping and cleaning her home for my board. My first classes were at 8:15; but I became too lonesome so after Thanksgiving I started to board with Ray Holman because there were other girls there.
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| Zelda & Fern Robertson |
Up until this time I had associated with boys and girls in my own classes and of my own, never thinking of a boy named Elmer Holman; but in the late summer of 1916 a friend and I were walking down in town one evening when who should run us up a fence, but Elmer Holman. He was on a horse so he asked us to go riding with him. We both got on and went with. After that he began making dates with me and by fall I didn’t need anymore schooling. I was studying loveallagy and my parents couldn’t convince me to go to school. I never worked for any one until I was married, as my father was too proud. He felt it a disgrace for him not to keep me.
We wanted to be married in the fall; but were talked out of it until in the spring so we set the date for March 13th of 1918. I was just 17. There were no graveled roads and father owned a Model T Ford with curtains to fasten on the sides. I had to take father with me to get my marriage license so we started out one morning at 9 a.m. for Manti; but we only got 10 miles in all day and at 9 p.m. we were back to Moroni in a hotel eating supper. We had been stuck in the mud and pulled out by teams. There were no self-starters on cars so Elmer would have to get out and crank it every few minutes. Well, we had to have a license, so next morning we went to the Depot and boarded the Sanpete train and went to Nephi, it stopped and let us out on Main street and we had 15 minutes until it was going back. We ran to the courthouse and back with the license.On March 13, 1918 we had a shower at home with 76 young folks present. We had ice cream and cake. (Both homemade)
After we were married we lived at Holman’s for 2 weeks and then rented 2 rooms over in Grandpa Jensen’s home and lived there until Elmer received a call to go in the army during World War 1. That was in August 1918. His mother wanted us to stay with her until he had to leave.
I was given a Patriarchal blessing by C. N. Lund Aug. 22, 1918 at Mt. Pleasant before Elmer left for the army. Our Bishop called us on the phone and asked us why we didn’t go through the temple and receive our endowments before he left, so we made up our minds in a hurry and were on our way that same day to Salt Lake. His mother wasn’t well but went with us for this purpose.
When we reached the doors of the Temple they were closed on us and we were told to wait until the next session as the Temple was filled. We didn’t have time so Mrs. Holman went to a side door and asked for us to be admitted, so we went through and received our endowments August 27, 1918 in the Salt Lake Temple. We reached home the same night, the next day Elmer reported to Manti and the next day, Aug. 29, 1918, left Manti on the train for the army. I went to Salt Lake with him to say goodbye. Then went to Provo and visited a few days before returning home.
I lived with my folks until Elmer returned, which was 6 months later.
On November 11, 1918 the Armistice was signed, but the soldiers had to remain a while longer in the army.
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| Zina & Twins |
On February 3, 1919 a wonderful thing happened to me. I was permitted to be a mother of twin boys. The influenza was very serious at this time and we had a hard time getting a Dr., but we got Dr. Limebaugh and he was at my bedside at mothers home for one hour, which made it 1:30 in the morning. I shall never forget, I thought I was through with the Dr. as I had my babies so I asked him what I owed him and his pleasant smile came as he said, “My dear girl, wait until the sun shines.” He said now don’t let anyone in to see you as the influenza is so bad; but we just couldn’t turn people out. They were so anxious to see the babies. Fifty came the first day and 25 the second. When my babies were two weeks old my husband came home. This was Feb. 18, 1919. I got strong enough so I could get around so we rented a home. (The one across the road from Evan Bigeler’s where Margaret Edmunds lives at the present time.)
I was young and liked to dance so it was the style to take our babies with us so I put their best clothes on and our buggy held both of them and we went to the dance and I felt very proud of them as we pushed them to the one end of the hall, which was filled with baby buggies and babies. My babies didn’t sleep, but were entertained by the music and dancers. We danced and had a good time.On July 10, 1921, I was blessed with a baby girl to enrich our lives. She was born in the place we had moved to.
In 1922, the men that owned this place sold it so we had to move. Mother was living in Ephraim, sending her boys to school there, so we moved into her home for the winter, but had to move out in the spring of 1923. We couldn’t find a place to rent so we got two rooms in Elmer’s father’s home and lived there until Oct. 1924.
During this time I decided I needed to earn money to help raise my children so I took in sewing for people and made many pretty dresses. For a lady’s best dress I received $3.00 a piece.
We used to stay in bed for 10 days, then on the 10th day we could sit in a chair while our beds were made. We had a nurse 10 days, just long enough to bathe the baby and me. She would receive $10 and the Dr. $15 and Elmer was my housekeeper and cook.
When Elvon was 4 years old I began doing an ironing a week for George C. Jackson’s family. They brought a basket full of clothes to me and I ironed them and they came after them. I received $1 for this job. I did a lot of sewing for people at this time also.
In this year I worked as Secretary for a City Club, the Home Economics.
In 1929 we took up a homestead by Soldier Summit so I spent that summer there.
Then in 1930 I lived in Soldier Summit from January until May 1st, when I returned home, my fifth child, Merrill, was born May 13, 1930.
It has been the happiest time of my life when I have received my children.
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| LaVier & LaDrue in Ely |
In 1935, I started canvassing the town working for two Companies at once. One was the California Perfume Co. and the other sold silk underwear and stockings. I worked on percentage. I kept this job for two years.
In 1936, I was Secretary the 2nd time in Home Economics Club.
This same year, before my last baby was born, Ellilian Ivory asked me to work in the Stake Relief Society. I felt at first it was impossible at this time, but she said if I would accept this position a way would be provided and it was.
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| Zelda, Vea, Anderson, Allred |
In 1935 and 1936, I spent a lot of days and nights with an old lady that had been bedfast for 8 years. Her name was Margaret Thompson. If I stayed at night I received 50 cents and I got 50 cents more for the day. I stayed with her in December as my last baby was born in January.
Jean, my sixth child, was born January 18, 1937 in the house we now live in. Merrill was 6 years old so it seemed good to have a baby girl. Our oldest girl was growing up.
In the spring of 1939, Athaleen graduated.
On May 13, 1939, Ladrue was married.
On July 19, 1939, Athaleen was married.
On September 3, 1939, Lavier was married so I had three married within four months.
In August of 1939, my brother Gardell took me thru Yellowstone Park and in 1940 took me through the Zion’s National Park and Bryce Canyon. In 1941, I served again in the Home Economics Club, this time as President.
On May 7, 1941, I had the sad experience of losing my father, Hyrum Jacobson. He died of Acute Endocaritis. Then on Armistice Day, November 11, 1941 my brother Newell Jacobson died of Streptococci’s at the age of 31.
In the year of 1941 and 1942 I canvassed the town taking orders and delivering them for the Everbest Company from Salt Lake selling spices, cosmetics and flavorade and flavoring.
On October 1, 1942, I was chosen as Ftn. Green ward Secretary in Relief Society and worked until September 3, 1944, when I was released as the Relief Society was reorganized.
In the fall of 1942 I began to do house work for Ethel Madsen 3 days a week. I received $1.25 a day. I worked until Christmas and then decided to go to Manti and help make parachutes for the war. I got $4.40 per day, but transportation of 60 cents per day was taken from it and I paid mother 50 cents a day for tending Jean, she was 5 years old. I worked 2 years here. I got up in the mornings and got Merrill and Elvon ready for school, did my work, washings and ironings and cooked dinner and ran 5 blocks t catch the bus at 1:30 p.m. for Manti. I sewed on the electric sewing machines 8 hours. Webbing, Sizing and repairing on parachutes. I felt I was earning the money and helping in time of war. I made many friends, which I cherish.
On July 30, 1943 Elvon got married.
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| LaDrue |
In the spring of 1945, Clark Ivory came and asked me if I would help cook at Jericho for the Shearer’s and Elmer could work in the corral so we left Merrill and Jean with Mother for a month while we were there. We slept in a tent and while we were there it snowed and blowed part of the time, but I heated a rock in the oven to help keep us warm. I enjoyed working there.
In the fall of this year, 1945, I started to pick turkeys in Moroni and enjoyed new friends and change of jobs. That year I picked 1,290, toms and 1,440 hens in 72 days and made $337.36, an average of $4.68 per day clear. I picked again in 1946 from September 23rd t January 9th. Working 55 days I picked 1,504 hens and 1,699 toms making 3,203 turkeys and made $319.63, which is an average of $5.81 per day. This year they gave me a bonus of $11.41.
In the spring of 1947, Paul Madsen asked me to work at Jericho cooking for the Shearer’s again, so I went for him for a month for $3 per day. In the fall of 1947, I was asked by Edward Nielson,
to be head cook at the school at Ftn. Green, so I accepted the job asking my mother which was 67 years old to help me. We cooked for an average of 130 students and enjoyed each other until January 14 1947 when she fell on the ice and broke her hip. After that I had three changes of women to help me the rest of the year. In June 1948 I attended a convention and school of 500 cooks at Logan, Utah and received a certificate. We had a grand time here and it was very beneficial.The fall of 1948, I began to cook again with Emma Hansen as a helper. I am writing this as memories if you would want my history it could be taken from this.
I am the mother of 6 children, 7 grandchildren. Between my mother and I, we raised my one grandchild, Judy Holman, for 4 years. I am soon 49 years old. I have never had a Doctor, only when my babies were born and when examined for life insurance. My wealth is my family. I try to keep the word of wisdom. I enjoy clean sports such as dances and parties, and enjoy going to church. I enjoy mingling with children and making new friends and enjoy the things in life that cost nothing, such as looking at the mountains, the sun, and stars, beautiful snow scenes in winter and the green in summer.
I have belonged to a club since I had my first babies; we started with 12 members and as some have moved or dropped out we have added more to replace them.
My daughter in laws and on in laws always treat me as I have with them and I’m thankful for them. I am thankful for my health; I have had it through all my work, which I have also enjoyed.
May you treasure this and I hope I can live for years yet and be able to continue this, but I may not. If not, you can do it for me.
Your Mother
Zelda Indgborge Jacobson Holman
My grandmother continued to work for the school lunch until the winter of 1956. She passed away in February 1957.
By Bruce Erich Holman
Elwin Lavier Holman
Elwin Lavier
Holman was born February 3,1919, in Fountain Green, Utah to Elmer L. and Zelda
Holman. He was the first of two twin boys.
He was twenty minutes older than his brother. The year of his birth followed a year in
whichthe greatest flu epidemic in the world’s history had taken place. It infected 28% of all Americans. An estimated 675,000 Americans died during
the pandemic, ten times as many as in the world war. People tried to stay away from people for
fear of infection. With this background, people still came to visit the famiy
to see the special addition to the community, twin boys. They were born in a small home without the
modern conveniences and medical marvels of today. At their birth one of the boys had a ribbon put
on his arm to tell the apart. Zina
Jacobsen, Zelda’s mother, helped by taking care of one of the twins. |
| Zelda |
Elmer L.
Holman, Elwin’s father, was in the army.
His mother, Zelda, was a homemaker, a challenging calling. He had extended family of grandparents and
others in the area.
He grew up
in the rural community of Fountain Green, a Mormon community initially
colonized by pioneers sent by Brigham Young.
As a youth, he had few luxuries but had love and the basic needs of
life.
A sister,
Hazel Athleen, was born July 10, 1921.
Entertainment
was different during those times. Boxing
was a popular sport. Elwin and his
brother, Elmer (Drue), were part of the area entertainment as childhood boxers. During the main event fights there was a card
involving a fight bbetween the twins. As
Elwin recalled, they fought very hard, both trying to win. Coins were tossed into the ring to encourage
and reward their efforts. The money was
needed and appreciated at home.
A particular
event highlighted Elwin’s childhood. The
family had moved into a larger house with Parl Holman. The house apparently was special because of
the many fireplaces. One day Elwin and
Drue were out back of the house playing in the garden dirt. Out the back door came Zelda with her apron
flying headed for the two twins. Drue
sat there puzzled at the events unfolding before him. Elwin jumped up and ran across the
field. Zelda got to Drue, pulled down
his britches and gave him a spanking.
Elwin continued across the field and ran into the outhouse and jumped
down the hole. Zelda pulled him out and
spent the next little while hosing him down.
Apparently, earlier Elwin had gone through the kitchen. Zelda had just baked bread and had taken six
loaves of bread out of the oven and turned them onto a table. Elwin tore the crusts off and ate a handful
out of each loaf. Of course, Zelda was
not happy. Drue later said he got a
spanking but didn’t get as severe a punishment as Elwin having jumped down the
outhouse hole. Elwin told me later the
bread sure was good. |
| Newell & Lavier |
A brother,
Elvon J, was born March 8, 1925
At age 14
Elwin got a job herding sheep near Thistle for the Jackson family. He was paid 75 cents a day to watch
sheep. After a time, Elwin asked for a 5
cent a day raise. The Jackson’s couldn’t
afford it. Elwin walked sixty miles
home. Elwin knew his worth.
Sheep wee a
part of the area life style. Elwin’s
grandfather Jacobsen was a responsible for starting a celebration called Lamb
Day. Lamb Day involved work making a pit
lined with rocks, building a large fire, and eventually cooking lambs in the
pit. The lamb sandwiches were the
highlight of the celebration. Elwin was
involved with the annual celebration cooking lambs for the big event. He knew the lamb pit well and loved and
respected his grandfather.
A brother,
Merrill Reed, was born May13, 1930.
Elwin went
to high school in Moroni. He was proud
of his typing skills. There was a typing
team consisting of two boys and a girl that represented Moroni competing
against other schools. Elwin could type
75 words a minute withouterrors. They won many competitions. Typing would later come back into Elwin’s
life.
Times wee
hard then. The Depression made it
difficult to find work. One in every
four men was out of work. Everyone
struggled. Elwin and Drue Had made plans
to go to California tohae an adventure and find work. Zelda found out about this plan. She wrote a letter to Uncles Harry and Reece
Holman in Ely, Nevada asking about the twins coming to work in their
store. Drue went first and then a year
later Elwin followed to Nevada and beganto work in the grocery business. Elwin
was only 15 years old when he left home, a courageous and mature young
man. Both Elwin and Drue worked for O.P.
Skaggs. They worked between two stores, one in Ely and one in
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| Lavier & Ladrue |
Ruth, Nevada. This is where Elwin began to work in the meat counter. He was taught by Waldo Thompson, an excellent meat cutter, how to cut meat and most important how to figure the price for each typeof cut of meat. This early training would again come back in his later life.
The twins
took turns alternating staying at homes between Uncle Harry and Reece
Holman. Eventually they saved enough
money to get a roomavove J.C. Penney in Ely.
There were four people sharing the room.
There was a café across the street wehre they ate breakfast. A stack of pancakes was 25 cents.
At age,
Elwin quit O.P. Skaggs and went to work for Safeway. O.P. Skaggs paid $2.00 a week and food to
start. Eventually that worked up to
$15.00 a week. Safeways gave Elwin a
raise to $28.00 a week. A workweek was
long then. It was not unusual to work 80
hours.
Athaleen Holman Shepherd
I Hazel Athaleen
Holman was born July 10, 1921 to Zelda Ingeborg Jacobson Holman and Elmer
LaDrue Holman, in Fountain Green Utah.
The house
where I was born belonged to a family named Sebars across from Nettie and Evan
Bigler.
 |
| Old House, Elmer, Parley, Snowball |
When I was
two or three years old we moved to Grandpa Holman’s. I remember walking backwards one day to show
Elmo Lewellyen I thought was doing something great and fell in a tub of wash
water that mother was emptying after a washday.
I couldn’t have been very old when we lived at Grandpa Holman’s. Then we moved up to our old home. It belonged to Sophia Auguson. It had three rooms. They were a kitchen, front room, and a
bedroom upstairs and a cellar. This is
where mother and dad raised their family of six.
They had a
full lot, a share of water, and they always had a large garden. They always had a patch of potatoes and there
was always a pig in the pen, a cow and chickensCthe large red and gray hens.
There was a
pear tree, an apple tree that was the best cooking apples and two red June
trees, the best eating apples.
 |
| Elmer, Parley,LaFaye, Athaleen |
Dad built a
swing out of an old tire. My children
spent many good hours playing there.
There also was a big swing between two trees on the front lawn. Our girls loved to go to grandma and
grandpas.
Dad herded
sheep for Grandpa Jacobson and Uncle Jess Hansen so he always brought a mutton
home. So with what they had, mom could
always fix a meal. Mother bottled a lot
of fruit and pickles. Mother was a hard
worker. She was the one to milk the cow
and see it met the cow herd. They went
to the Cedar Hills for the day, and then she would meet the herd at night when
the cows were brought home to be milked.
We didn’t
have running water. There was a well by
the bottom of the steps going into the house.
I can hear mother scraping her feet on the boards that dad covered the
well with. The well was lined with rock. When it went dry, dad took railroad ties and
put over the top. At this time water was
put into the kitchen and an outside tap put out side by the porch. What a luxury to have water.
Then the
first radio. Monte Madsen brought one up
from Moroni
I had twin
brothers, LaDrue and Lavier. They were
two and a half years older than myself.
Then Elvon, Merrill and my only sister Jean.
Mother was
always trying to make an extra dollar to help support the family. She would iron a bushel basket of laundry for
50 cents on $1 for George C. Jackson’s.
She would iron all day.
She also
stayed with an elderly lady that was bed fast for 50 cents a day or night. (Thompsons)
She would try to save enough to buy us kids a pair of shoes or
cost. She never complained.
Dad was good
to mom, but times were hard when dad laid out with the sheep the biggest part
of the time he didn’t get paid.
When I was
in the third grade of school we moved to Soldier Summit. Dad worked for the railroad in what they
called the round house. We could have
free passes to ride the train. I
remember one trip we went to Provo
We lived
with Burt Lewellyn and his family until we could get a place of our own. While there Elvon and I got the mumps and we
had to stay in a back bedroom with no heat.
Mother would put a coat on and come in and sit on the bed by us and read
us stories. It was so cold, ice on the
windows and icicles on the door. We finally got a place a few blocks from
Lewellyns. I think it was three rooms.
One night we
were going home from Lewellyns. The Snow
was coming down so hard and the wind blowing the snow so deep it was up to
dad's waist. He put Elvon on his
shoulders and broke the trail for the rest of us.
Dad also got
the mumps that winter.
We had some
fun times. We would climb the hills
behind our house and ride a big sled down.
Grandma
Jacobson would send us a package in the mail with oranges, cookies etc. It was a treat. We also lived on a homestead I believe
belonged to Uncle Jess. There was a
one-room cabin. We had to cover our bed
with a tarp to keep the bed dry when it rained.
But the mountains were beautiful.
Dad had a herd of sheep to take care of.
When the
twins were about 15 they went and lived with Aunt Florence and Uncle Reese
Holman. They worked in the O.P. Skaggs
store Uncle Reese managed and sent to school at White Pine high school. They didn’t graduate but went on in the
grocery business. Drue became the
manager of Safeway’s and LaVier became the butcher.
They both
married girls from Nevada
 |
| Zina, Zelda, Athaleen |
Then
December 27, 1966 our little girl Debra was killed in a terrible car wreck, two
days after Christmas, and just before her eighth birthday on January 20th.
Loraine and
I have had a good marriage. Our
daughters and son-in-laws have brought us so much happiness. We are thankful for them. We have been married 53 years this coming
July.
At the time
of this writing, I am 70 years old and Loraine is 75. We have 19 grandchildren and 11 great
grandchildren.
Elvon
Jacobson Holman
Elvon was born at home on March 8, 1925,
to Elmer L. and Zelda E. Holman. Elvon
remembers the depression but said his parents worked hard to make it easier on
their family. At the age of eight Elvon
was living alone herding sheep for his grandfather Jacobson. Taking care of the herd, dogs, horses and
cooking for himself. He spent his
teenage years working as a sheep herder and shoveling coal in the Echo mines. |
| Our wedding day |
Elvon met a pretty young girl Ruby Lamb, whom he married on July 30,
1943. Not long after they married he was
drafted into the United States Army. He
left for Camp Roberts, California for basic training on December 14, 1944. He was shipped overseas the same day that his
first son John E. Holman was born, June 3, 1945. He was 37 days aboard ship and it was weeks
before he even knew about his son’s birth.
He first served in Leyta Phillipines.
From there he went into Tokyo, Japan.
Elvon was on the fifth truck going into Japan and was able to witness
the signing of the peace treaty that ended the war. He then helped disarm 14,000 troops in Zama,
Japan. He was also present when General
MacArthur took over the American Embassy.
Shortly after that he was made a Staff Sargent and placed in charge of
the Emperial Palace. From there he was
over the guards at the Bank of Japan. At
one time he was able to see all the gold and jewels that Japan had stolen from
China and the Philippines. He was
handcuffed and had to escort Tojo, the master mind over the bombing of Pearl
Harbor to court several times.
He received an honorable discharge on October 26, 1946. When he arrived home he met his son John for
the first time, he was 1 ½ years old. He
said he will never forget John’s little half asleep face looking up at him and
saying Hi daddy.
In the winter of 1946 he went to work in the Gypson mine. From there he worked in the Elton Tunnel 3300
feet underground. After the Elton Tunnel
closed down he went to work in the Bower mine.
The pay was $12.00 per day, working in the deadly heat. From there he went to the Hidden Treasure
mine working in extreme cold temperatures.
While working in this mine he had an accident that crushed his right
hand severely. After being examined at
the hospital they said they were going to have to amputate his hand. His wife insisted on a second opinion and
they were able to save his hand.
 |
| Elvon, Merrill, LaDrue |
The worst winter for snow on record in Utah was in the winter of
1948-1949. You could walk across the top
of a parked car and not even know it was there or climb a snow drift to touch
the top of a telephone pole. Elvon’s
second child was due in January of that year.
When the time came close he would leave his car running all night long. He would go out and back the car out of the
driveway and back just to keep the path way open. On January 21, 1949, Arden R. Holman was
born.
Elvon enjoyed riding bare back in rodeos. He often spent more money on the hospital and
doctor bills than he made however. In
his lifetime he has had his neck broken twice, two broken feet, two ribs, both
hands and all but two fingers have been broken.
He has also had his shoulder dislocated seven times.
Elvon has always had a horse. On
July 19, 1960 he was asked to ride in the Centennial reenactment of the Pony
Express ride. He was rider #144 East, he
rode Rex up Emigration canyon several miles.
In the 1960’s he started raising and training Quarter horses. He has been very successful and to this day he
is a well-known quarter horse breeder in the state of Utah.
 |
| LuAnn & Elmer |
On March 4, 1961, Ruby and Elvon had a baby daughter that they named
LuAnn. She was a surprise to them but
has delighted them through their lives.
Elvon retired from Kennecott Copper on April 1, 1985 with almost 34
years of service. He is enjoying
retirement. He loves to fish, camp and
follows the horse races. He recently
toured nine countries in Europe and several states back East. He has six grandchildren and two great
grandchildren that he enjoys spending time with. Elvon has always been a great father and husband
who is concerned about his family and their welfare.
Written by LuAnn Holman, 1992
Merrill Reed Holman
Merrill Reed Holman was born
May 13th, 1930, to Elmer and Zelda Holman of the pleasant little
town of 
Dad grew up
in the house he was born in. It was a
small three-room house with a root cellar. His parents slept upstairs until the
kids were moved out. He remembers that
Elvon used to sleep at Zina’s a lot. Dad
and Elvon or Jean would sleep in a bed upstairs, with their parents in the
other bed. It could get pretty cold
upstairs. The house was purchased in
October of 1924, from Sophia Johnson for about $12.00 a month. Dad remembers Jean as a newborn baby, in the
arms of Zelda, lying in the bed of the living room.
During these
early years dad can remember the time when his older brother Elvon rode a
Shetland pony up to the house. Dad
wanted so bad to ride the pony, but at his age naps were more important. By the time dad woke up both Elvon and the
pony were gone. This was dad’s first
recollection of his days growing up.
When dad was in the first grade he clearly remembers going to Elvons
class, after his half day of classes, to wait for the school day to end so they
could hurry home to see their new baby sister Jean.
 |
| Merrill - front row, third from right |
School days
at the Fountain Green elementary were full of excitement. Dad recalls the time a classmate threw a pair
of scissors at him. She must have been
pretty mad because dad ran for the door, but stopped and turned around to look. Just as he stopped he remembered a dream he
had of this very moment. He ducked just
in time to avoid the sharpened scissors flying past his ear and sticking into
the wood door behind him. He had seen
all of this in a dream some time earlier and knew just when to duck.
Another
time, a gal by the name of Doris Lund got sick and threw up in school. She was a nice gal, but for a long time dad
didn’t care for her. It’s funny how
small things leave such a strong impression on us.
There was
the time dad went to see the “Hounds of Baskerville” with Elvon and Darius
Anderson. Dad can still see the dogs being released and the terror they
created. When the show was over, Elvon and Darius ran for home. Home was six blocks away and it was a cold
night. Dads little legs couldn’t keep up
and the cry of coyotes west of town made him run down the middle of the road,
afraid to look to either side. Dad
survived that night but there was a time de didn’t fare so well. A listing of movies was posted on the wood
door to the theatre with a new device, something called a thumbtack. Dad’s curiosity was overpowering. With both hands he pulled at the tack,
releasing it with a quick jerk and hitting himself in the nose, causing his
first nosebleed. Dad also had scarlet
fever in grade school where he could peel his skin from his wrist to this
shoulder in one continuous piece.
Back then
the kids used to get small prizes in Cracker Jacks just like we do today. While in Miss Allreds class, a bunch of kids
received as their prize, an imitation ink spill. She just picked up the yardstick and
proceeded to Bruce Jacobson’s desk where she let him have it, right over the
head. The yardstick broke and a lot of
mouths dropped open. Bruce Jacobson
didn’t have a thing to do with the prank, but the memory brings a little
laughter. Dad and a few others did have
to apologize to Bruce when the truth of the ink spill was discovered.
.JPG) |
| Swedeish Temple |
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| Elvon, Ring & Dan |
When dad was
eleven years old his grandfather Hyrum Jacobson passed away. It was May 7, 1941. Elmer was working at the new fish hatchery
doing cement work. Young Merrill was
asked to go find Elmer. He took off on
his bike, headed for the fish hatchery.
Dad remembers the metal wire they were putting down before pouring the
cement. After telling his dad about the
death of Hyrum, Elmer rode the bike home with Merrill sitting on the handle
bars.
Dad’s
friends were Elvon, his older brother, John R. Anderson, John Crowther whose
dad was scout master, Dee Oldroyd, Maurice Jackson, Dick Draper, Jay Coombs,
Gordon Hansen, and his best friend Boyce Morley who moved from Moroni to
Fountain Green. Beth Allred became his
first love when dad was only nine.
Dad recalls
the time when he, being about 10 years old, and John R. Anderson, about 13
years old, took the Yellow pony up onto the West Mountain. They camped at North Flat by a spring. During the night a terrible thunderstorm hit,
splitting the tree where the horse was tied.
The horse wasn’t there when they got up in the morning; it had headed
back to the corral. Dad and John walked
back to town. John’s mom said she’d give
them some bread to take back to camp on the mountain if they’d weed the
garden. This they did, and then took the
pony back up to their camp where they had left the tent and their
equipment.
The elk
would come down off the mountain looking for something to eat. The Fish & Game rigged a corral to
capture them by stringing a line across the entrance with a bell on it. Young boys were asked to sleep in a tent in
the corral to close the gate when the bell went off. Dad said he didn’t like this job. He was about 15 years old at the time.
 |
| Kjield Peter Jensen |
When Kjield’s
wife died and he was older, Velma Mickelsen moved in upstairs.
Speaking of
showers, dad remembers taking baths in the #3 tub. This was the old round tin tub we always
see. Zelda used these tubs to do the
washing in. We have a picture of her doing
just that.
I asked dad
what they used to eat for meals. He
reminded me of the times they lived in and that no refrigerators could be
found. They didn’t even have an ice box. The root cellar was used to store potatoes,
canned meat, and dried fruit. Dad loved
bread and milk but the milk was room temperature, being taken from the cellar. His mom prepared a lot of chicken and
ham. The ham which was stored in the
root cellar had to be kept dry so it wouldn’t spoil. Salt was used for this purpose. In time they acquired a new device from Salt
Lake, an ice box. This was also kept in
the cellar but now they could keep their dairy products and meat cool.
Dad tells the
story of when he and John R. Anderson were herding sheep up on the mountain. About one in the morning they heard the sheep
moving suggesting a predator was attacking the herd. Dad was thinking a mountain lion was the
cause and decided to check the herd.
John R. crawled under his bunk, afraid of the big cat. Dad grabbed the 30-30 rifle and took off with
the dogs. He didn’t walk far before
realizing John R. was right behind him.
He didn’t want to be left alone in the tent. They pushed the sheep back to their bedding
ground. The next morning they rode the
horses along the Six Gun trail to look for evidence of a cat. As they crossed a water crossing along the
trail they found big cat prints in the mud.
Dad was about fourteen years old at the time.
Dad spent a
lot of time sheep herding up on the divide or the west mountain. He tells how they would cut car tires in half
and put salt in them for the sheep herds. They would never bed the sheep down on the top
of a hill, always on the sides. About 4
to 4:30 in the afternoon they’d move the herd to their bedding grounds. Most the time they would stay in the
area. He recalls a time when they had a
mixed herd of sheep, small herds owned by different town’s people. Devere Johnson who mostly farmed but herded
sheep on the side, hired dad to watch this particular herd. An old sheep would head for a better grazing
area after being led to the nights bedding area. Dad was frustrated as he watched the old
sheep lead others with him. So dad took
off after then and steered them back. He
watched again as the old sheep did the same thing. This time dad went to the edge of the hill
and rolled a big rock off the cliff to scare the sheep back the way they had
come. Unfortunately, the rock hit the
old sheep in the head, killing it instantly.
So much for this sheep herding skills.
A few years
later he and John R. were with three other boys driving through Nephi. They passed up a home where five girls were
in the front yard. The boys decided to
turn around to visit with the girls, who at this time saw them coming and went
into the house. The girls said they were
playing the piano and couldn’t come out.
Dad said they had a piano player with them. The girls let John R. Anderson in but no one
else. It didn’t take long for the girls
to enjoy the music and let the rest of the boys in to visit. Years later three of the boys married three
of those girls, one of which was dad’s second cousin Jack Llewellyn.
I recall the
home just West of Zina’s home. It was
built of logs which were painted red.
Dad tells the story of how Andrew Sweed (short for Swedish) Anderson
built a lodge up near Big Spring West of town.
Folks would use the lodge for activities and campouts. The church used it for socials. As time went on, youth started to destroy the
place making it an eyesore. The city
decided to have it tore down and asked Andrew Sweed to do it. He hauled the timber into town and built a
house, the one just west of Zina’s home.
You’ll see the home in the pictures.
One Sunday
morning dad was asked to help cut hay for Farrell Hansen who was laid up
sick. Dad used Dever Johnson’s tractor
with a seven foot blade and Doyce Oldroyd used their 9’ blade tractor. They figured Doyce would be paid more since
he had a larger blade but when they began cutting dad would pass Doyce up every
three rounds. Dad’s tractor was faster. They cut two big fields and then Doyce
decided not to charge Farrell for the labor.
When dad returned the tractor to Devere Johnson he was yelled at for
using the tractor. Devere’s brother
accused dad of driving the tractor to Mt. Pleasant to see a movie. Dad said he didn’t do it and reminded Devere
that the money Devere owed him for cutting his field was no longer
required. Dad had used the tractor to do
side jobs to make some money and therefore didn’t charge Devere for cutting his
own field. Dad was honest to a tee.
Dad grew up
in Fountain Green doing various jobs, plowing fields, hauling hay and spending
summers herding sheep. He spent one
summer in Yellowstone as a cook in Canyon
village. He worked at the Bower mine in
Tooele for a while and in Elko with Lavier.
He also worked at Geneva Steel in Orem Geneva
Here dad met a
fellow soldier named Don Hermansen from Ely Nevada. Here, a connection was made. Don had known a girl from Ely by the name of
Sally Hutton. Going back before the war,
Sally had visited her grandmother in Ftn. Green. Dad’s friend, Cornell Holman, took Sally to
the dance in Moroni and dad went with Nell Anderson. Cornell drank too much at the dance. Dad drove Nell home and then took Sally home
while Cornell slept in the back seat.
Sally and dad talked a lot that night, so much so that her mother had to
come to the car, knocking on the window to see if everything was all right.
Back to Camp
Roberts. Don and Dad both knew
Sally. She happened to be at a nursing
school in San Francisco. They both took
leave one weekend to go see her. They
were surrounded by women and lined up some dates. That was a weekend to be remembered.
Driving home
through Salinas California, a fellow soldier was caught speeding. Ninety-five miles an hour through town! They told the officer they were late getting
back to base and that’s why they were in a hurry. They still got a ticket. Three months later while dad was in Okinawa a
letter arrived from the states from the Salinas city attorney notifying the driver of
a ninety-five dollar fee and if it wasn’t paid he’d go to jail. The letter had gone to the military base at
Camp Roberts and then forwarded to Okinawa.
Since dad was the company clerk, he wrote back a reply. He again stated the reason why they were
speeding and that he had no money. If
they wanted they could come to Okinawa and get him. Some weeks later another letter from the city
attorney arrived. They said the fine was
dropped and that if he ever came through Salinas again to please not speed.
While
serving as a clerk-typist in 
Recently, September
of 2011, I had my father describe the property they lived on in Ftn. Green and
where the sheds and gardens were located.
The house was small but the property was pretty big. The well was just south of the house, now
covered up by an addition built on years later.
I took a picture of the well hidden under a piece of wood in the
basement.
A coal bin was
southeast of the house. South of this
was a fence running East and West. A
gate led into a pasture area where a cow, sheep or pigs were kept. A shed in the Southwest corner was used to
protect the animals in the winter and where the cow was milked. The pig pen was attached on the south side of
the shed. The South East portion of the
property was fenced off for a large garden.
They grew potatoes and other vegetables.
Just east of
the house was an open area where grains were grown. Dad remembers the Harrow, used to break up
the dirt. A line of apple trees lined
the fence north of this area.
.JPG)
During a church youth
conference in Ftn. Green during the summer of 2010, we walked past the old
Holman residence. As the youth headed
for the church for their activities, I knocked on the door and asked the woman
if I could see inside. I explained who I
was and she was delighted to have me in.
The house was messy with kids
eating cereal and watching television. I
remember sleeping upstairs when I was about five years old. We walked up the small stairway on the north
side of the house into the room above.
It was so much smaller than I remembered. Coming back down the stairs the woman pointed
out the original glass window. I took a
picture of it. We walked through the
house and even went down stairs where she showed me where the old well was
covered up. The kind lady showed me a
homemade marble they had found while digging in the garden area on the west
property line. She gave it to me which I
later gave to dad for his 80th birthday. A rusted old gun was shown to me but the
women wouldn’t give it up. They were
selling the house but appreciated me telling the history of the old place. We’ve found a history of the cottage which
is found in another document. I can’t
believe the memories which were made here.
 |
| Upstairs |
.JPG) |
| Original glass looking North |
.JPG)
Becky Bartholomew
History Blazer, January 1996
History Blazer, January 1996
The first owner was 25-year-old Thomas Wakefield from Illinois
.JPG)
For most of its life the house consisted of only a
living room, kitchen, and attic bedroom--less than 600 square feet, not
counting the stone-walled cellar beneath the kitchen. But this was
sufficient for a small pioneer family. The adobe came from a local brickyard.
With walls one foot thick, the house stayed cool in summer and above freezing
in winter, even before stoking the cook stove. Windows were oriented to the
valley's prevailing winds so that a pleasant breeze kept the attic livable on
hot August days.
Five Wakefield
In about 1881 the Wakefields were "called"
with other local Mormon couples to colonize the next valley east. Their last
four children were born in Huntington , Emery County
It is not known who used the house from 1881 to 1891.
But in 1892 Per and Elling Aageson arrived in Fountain Green by invitation of
Hans Olson, the Mormon missionary who had baptized them in Langare, Denmark.
Their older son had immigrated to
Per and his sons hauled a log cabin from the edge of
town to a corner of the same block as the little adobe cottage. The Aagesons
found Utah
Tiny and very pretty, daughter Sophie was courted by
another Scandinavian immigrant, Edward Gunderson. In the same year her mother
died, they were married. Soon Sophie and Edward bought the adobe house and its
acre. Five children were born. The family had barely begun to prosper when
Edward and two infants died, perhaps in one of the typhoid epidemics spread by
the town’s wooden-trough culinary water system. Sophie lived as a widow for two
decades before "removing" with two grown children to Salt Lake
County
.JPG) |
| West Entrance |
Six Holman children were raised in this house and that
of their grandmother a block away. They were all grown when, in 1956, Zelda
died suddenly from a brain tumor. Elmer lived until 1963. The house was then
sold to an out-of-towner who had married a Fountain Green girl.
During the 1960s and 70s these
owners used the cottage as a hunting cabin during the pheasant, deer, and elk
seasons. They kept the house in vintage condition. But after their younger son
was killed in Vietnam
 |
| Laylout of yard in Ftn. Green |
Sources: Abstract of Townsites, Sanpete County,
Utah State Archives; Record of Members, Fountain Green Ward, 1860-1908, LDS
Church Archives, Salt Lake City, microfilm; Fountain Green Cemetery records;
interviews with long-time Fountain Green residents.
Dad has lived
an active life and continues to take care of the yard and the household
duties. Mom is getting old and spends
many of her days in bed. Dad takes care
of her and enjoys visiting with the neighbors.
Recently I attended a Reich family reunion where I talked to Don Hermansen. I asked him what dad was like back when they
first met at Camp Roberts. The only
thing he said was that dad loved to talk as he does now. How true that is. He loves to reminisce about old times and
tell stories. He could fill volumes with
the stories of ages past. He leaves
behind a great heritage.
Friday
morning, October 11th, 2013, I received a call from Marvin at 2:00 in the
morning. Mom had called 911 to report a
man in her house robbing her. The police
showed up to find them both disoriented.
I explained their condition and arranged to have my sister Susan show up
to stay with them. The next morning I
arrived to see and hear my dad acting like he’d had a stroke. His speech was slurred and he was delusional.
Margie, Susan, and I went out back to talk about what we should do. We decided not to take dad to the emergency
room but to call Bristol Hospice care. Mom
had been taken to the hospital where they ran tests and discovered she’d had
many strokes the past few years.
When visiting
Saturday morning, I asked dad after he had taken a shower and gotten dressed,
if he knew he’d had a stroke. He looked
me right in the eye and said “no”. He
visited a while and then went to his bedroom to lay down. It bothered us to see him laying on his back,
poking the air above him, talking to his brother Elvon who had died the year
before. It was obvious he had changed and
suffered a stroke. Seeing him like this
was such a contrast to the strong man he had been up to this weekend. Dad was gone as we knew him.
Bristol sent a
nurse to see dad and evaluate his condition.
He was immediately put on hospice.
Susan stayed at the house for the weekend and I made arrangements to put
them in a rest home. We all liked the
home at the bottom of 6200 South and redwood road. Tuesday after work, the 15th, I
went to the rest home to meet mom as they brought her to the facility so she
would feel comfortable seeing someone there.
We went to her room and settled her in.
We then made our way to the eating room where we waited for dad to come. Margie and Susan had a hard time getting dad
into the car and say good-bye to the house.
Dad just said he’d try it. Dad
was wheeled into the care center and looked like he’d had a stroke. They wheeled him to the table next to mom but
wasn’t responsive. Mom put her hand on
his knee and comforted him, saying he didn’t look good.
For eleven days
mom and dad would take strolls around the facility with both of them in
wheelchairs. Their children visited them
both and tried to comfort them. The
nursing staff was wonderful, taking care of them and making them feel
comfortable. Mom spent much of her time
at dad’s room sitting next to him. This
only lasted eleven days. After our
temple sealing assignment, Steve and Anne Paxman went to see mom and dad with
us. We gave dad a blessing that night,
Friday the 25th of October.
After the blessing he tried to rise up.
I held his hand and whispered to him that it’s O.K. After a short visit Susan and I left to go
home. The nurses raised his morphine
level just as we were leaving. It was
only an hour later when Marvin called and said to get there as soon as
possible. By the time it took to drive
the few miles to the care center, dad had passed. Marvin and Susan were there to see him leave
this world.
Mom and dad
were married 58 years when dad passed away.
Mom was in the Avalon rest home taking care of dad and the other
residents, feeding them and showing the women how to knit. Dad passed away the night of October 25th,
2013. We woke mom up to tell her the
news. She cried and wanted to go to
him. We wheeled her down to his room
where dad laid. She held his hand and
wept, the love of her life was gone. She
was given medication and visited with her children and grandchildren in the
family meeting room.
Dad’s funeral
was Wednesday, the 30th of October.
It was a wonderful funeral with many people supporting mom. She was on medication but enjoyed the love of
family, friends, and neighbors. We
stopped by the cemetery after the luncheon to bring home some of the flowers. We decorated mom’s room at the rest home with
beautiful floral arrangements.
Dad worked
hard right up to the day he suffered the stroke. He took care of the house and yard and did
the laundry. Mom wasn’t able to take
care of the daily needs of the house but dad stepped in and did a terrific
job. His snow blower was leaking
gasoline which really bothered dad.
Every time I visited that last summer, dad would talk about fixing
it. We tried making repairs but noting
stopped the leak. He loved repairing
fixtures and making things right.
Funeral Services
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Family Prayer: Bruce Holman
Conducting: Bishop Michael
Matheson
Chorister: Lori Smith
Pianist: Margene Lyon
Opening Hymn: (100) Nearer, My God, to Thee
Invocation: James Holman
Obituary: Susan Holman Simpson
Speaker: Jean Holman Bowles
Speaker: Marvin Holman
Musical Number: My Father, Susan Holman and John
DeBirk
Speaker: Margie Holman Arnovitz
Speaker: Steven Holman
Speaker: Bruce Holman
Closing Remarks: Bishop Michael Matheson
Closing Musical Number: (152) God Be With You Till We Meet Again
Benediction: Preston Holman
Dedication of the Grave: Bruce Holman
Pallbearers
at the Church
James Holman
Preston Holman
Kirk Holman
Codi Anderson
Caleb Holman
Clint Emery
Jared Meyer
David Senior
Honory
Pallbearers
Kevin Holman
Grant Holman
Mitch Perkins
Tyler Dennis
Brandt Simpson
Kurt Simpson
Scott Simpson
Interment in
Elysian Burial Gardens
1075 East 4580
South
We love our
dad and grandpa.
Jean
Holman
 |
| LaFaye & Jean |
Zelda Jean
Holman Bowles was born at home in Fountain Green, Utah, on January 18, 1937, at
2:45 P.M. to Elmer Lavier Holman and Zelda Indgeborg Jacobson Holman. She was delivered by Dr. Madsen from Mt.
Pleasant, Utah. She was the youngest of
six children, one sister and four brothers.
Jean was blessed and given a name by Kjeld Peter Jensen, her
great-grandfather April 18, 1937. She
was baptized a member of the LDS church July 1, 1945 by Neils E. Mikkelson and
confirmed July 1, 1945 by Ivan Bailey.
She graduated from Primary May 22, 1949, and received her Patriarchial
Blessing April 26, 1953 by Patriarch J.L. Nielson.
Jean attended Elementary school and Jr. High school in Fountain Green,
Utah. She was promoted to the 7th
grade on May 20, 1949. On May 13, 1952,
she graduated from Jr. High school with her 15 classmates. She was co-valedictorian, along with Dorothy
Mikkelson. She was also the class
president, and gave the opening address at graduation.
She received many awards and honors throughout her school years. It was important for her to get A’s in all
classes. Along with her music classes,
chorus, and playing a clarinet in band, she loved the commercial classes at
Moroni High- tying, shorthand, and bookkeeping.
Jean was engaged to Alvin Clarence Bowles in the Spring of 1953. He received his call for the army, and left
for Fort Ord in California July 28, 1953.
He left for a 17 month tour of duty in Germany in December. Jean stayed in Fountain Green and finished
her schooling. She graduated from Moroni
High school May 14, 1955. Clarence was
released from the army May 17, 1955, just four days after her graduation. The were married June 24, 1955 in the Manti
LDS temple.
Jean had four children, two boys and two girls. Allan Clarence was born November 29, 1958,
Cheryl Jean was born May 17, 1960, JaNae was born December 5, 1965, and Brent
was born October 11, 1967.
As of this date, Jean is the proud grandmother of 11 beautiful
granddaughters, and JaNae is expecting her first child in December or January,
which will make 12 grandchildren.
Jean is still working as a bookkeeper and secretary at Parkin Motor
Company, where she has worked for this past 34 years.
Written by JaNae B. Kay in July of 1992
