B. H. Roberts speaks at Helen Melvina Groesbeck Morgan’s funeral, 1930, Part 1 of 2.

[Editor's note: Amy has a new list of Important John Morgan Posts on her blog here. It categorizes the most interesting posts about John Morgan and his family. It is very helpful. I’m pondering how I can come up with something as useful for my blog. ]

John Hamilton Morgan’s wife, great grandmother Helen Melvina Groesbeck Morgan died June 15, 1930. Her funeral was held in the Waterloo Ward.

In Helen Rex Frazier’s papers is a copy of a document that I believe is the talk B. H. Roberts gave on that occasion. It is not dated. It is simply titled B. H. Roberts, and is with some other documents that appear to be from the funeral also. It illustrates the friendship B. H. Roberts and John and Helen Melvina Groesbeck Morgan shared. It also appears to be the source document used for “Appendix I, A Tribute by B. H. Roberts,” The Life and Ministry of John Morgan, by Arthur Richardson, copyright 1965, Nicholas G. Morgan, Sr., pgs 579-580.

B. H. Roberts

My brothers and sister, I did not come here to speak. I had a desire in my heart that by my being here I might silently bear witness of the love that is in my heart for Sister Morgan and to stir up the recollections by my presence at her funeral of the fond memories that would be awakened of the many years ago; and renew the feeling of tenderness and deep regard that I have for all the members of the Morgan family. But, I expected to do that just by my presence. I expected to honor myself by being present on this occasion, and it is a matter of surprise to be called upon to say even a few words.

Of course, there are some present who will have some recollection, perhaps, of the friendship that I have always enjoyed in my relations to John Morgan. I went for a short time to his night school. I couldn’t afford to go to day school, but I did get an opportunity to go for a few nights, and expected to continue for quite a number of months. I formed my first contract with John Morgan at that time, and later I was directed by President John Taylor to report myself to him in the South, when he presided in the southern States Mission, which I did; and then began the friendship which lasted as long as he lived and that lasts now. I came here today in renewal of it. Both himself and Sister Morgan opened the door of their hospitable home to me, and requested me that whenever in the city to make their home my headquarters and to live with them; and that I did. I have never met anyone whose kindness surpassed the kindness and welcome and steadfastness and hospitality of this good woman, Sister, Morgan, whose remains lie before us; she was unselfish in her ministrations both of service and of lodging, and of food she gave in great abundance, and always made me welcome in her home, as also did her husband.

There was a relationship formed here that would be difficult to describe. I never had a brother that I was conscious of—both of mine dying in their infancy. So I can hardly tell just what it would mean to have a brother; but, so far as I can conceive of it, John Morgan was a brother to me, as well as President and Director of my early activities in the ministry. How much I owe to him! We became united, I think as few men become united. We were together in storm and strife and under circumstances and conditions when threatened by mobs that tried men’s souls, and I found him steadfast and true all the while. I gather that he must have had some idea about me, because he was the one who urged that I take his place in the Southern States Mission when he was released; and I carried on that work a number of years. When it was found necessary for me to go across the sea to England, I went, and he returned to the South. Afterwards, we became united in the same council, and we threshed out many, many things pertaining to the department of the Holy Priesthood which we were called to preside over.

I have met no man who surpassed John Morgan in the possession of those fine qualities of manhood and power that are universally admired. I loved him with all my heart; and when he passed away, I never got rid of the feeling that there was a vacuum at my side, where he had always stood from the first of our acquaintance.

That may sound very egotistical to some of you. But I merely wanted to assure these sons and daughters of my dear friend that because the circumstances of life have torn his family and myself somewhat apart, and other interests have crossed in, and other things have had to receive my attention, resulting in our separation somewhat, and making that close friendship and association that formerly existed between us well nigh impossible, yet there hasn’t departed out of my heart one bit of respect and honor and friendship and love for them and for their mother and father.

To me Sister Morgan was a noble woman, true and constant in her friendship. I hope to renew that friendship under those circumstances when we shall more frequently meet together than we have in the past few years in this world in which we live. She ministered to me as any kind, elder sister, I imagine, would minister to a beloved brother. And, frankly, I loved her, and cherish her memory. My association with her and the children in their younger days, presents to my mind a constant picture of regard and love and fondness for them—everyone.

I am here to make these remarks in the manner of a confession—a confession of neglect of that early friendship that was formed. And, as a confession is good for the soul, I hope these good friends of mine will accept it as a confession of neglect concerning those ties of friendship that were formed in the strength of my early manhood; and I want to assure them that those ties that bound us together then are still strong, so far as I am concerned.

(To be continued.)

Part 2.

Thanksgiving 2009. B. H. Roberts’ Thanksgiving Psalm, 1918.

I didn’t know of B. H. (Brigham Henry) Roberts’ friendship with my great grandfather, John Hamilton Morgan, when I saved this clipping from the Church News. I just liked it. It first appeared there November 22, 1975. Studying the John Morgan Journal, I’ve discovered what devoted friends they were.

A friendship forged, during their years together in the Southern States Mission, and other Church assignments, B. H. Roberts frequently stayed in John and Helen Melvina (Mellie) Morgan’s home. From my scant knowledge of their friendship, and amateur approach to locating material in John Morgan’s journal, I’ve listed a few random entries here. You can learn more about their association from these history blogs, The Ancestor Files and Amateur Mormon Historian.

From John Hamilton Morgan Journal, Special Collections, Marriott Library, University of Utah.
January 1, 1889At home during the a.m. Spent the afternoon and evening with daughter Mellie and husband [Andrew Burt] with quite a few friends. Brother B. H. Roberts came in during the evening and spent an hour or two.
January 9, 1889Attended Council Meeting at 1 p.m. Present were A. H. Cannon, B. H. Roberts, and myself. Quite an amount of business was transacted. A motion prevailed to not make any appointments at 10 a.m. for meeting on account of interfering with Sunday Schools. B. H. and brother Spry spent the evening with us.
July 10, 1889At work about the place during the morning. Attended Council Meeting … Brother Cannon loaned me his horse and buggy and Mellie and I drove out to the Penetentiary [sic] and had a pleasant visit with B. H. Roberts who was looking and feeling well. [If you scroll down on this link, B. H. Roberts is in picture P-08.]

December 28, 1889Snowed this a.m. and continued during a great part of the day. Brother Roberts and I called at the Gardo House and had a lengthy conversation with President George Q. Cannon relative to our trip East. A number of the details were arranged and an appointment made with the First President on Monday. During the p.m. we visited the “News” Office. Historians Office, Z.C.M.I. [Zions Cooperative Mercantile Institution] and other points in the interest of our trip. Brother Roberts spent the evening with us.

From this blog,
B. H. Roberts spoke at daughter Myrtle’s passing in Manassa, Colorado.

B. H. Roberts assisted in daughter Bessie's blessing in Salt lake City, Utah.

The index page from The Life and Ministry of John Morgan, by his son Nicholas G. Morgan, below, references B. H. Roberts.

The address B. H. Roberts delivered at Helen Melvina Groesbeck Morgan’s funeral in 1930 will be posted next week.

#18 William Smith & #19Jane Rawlings, in the Sanborn line.

Avon (old Paradise), Utah, cemetery hill, October 2009.

William Smith
b. 6 Jun 1811, Stoke St. Milborough, Shopshire, England
p. Samuel Smith, Sarah Serjeant
m. 1849, Herefordshire, England
wife: Jane Rawlings
d. 14 Apr 1890
b. Paradise Cemetery, Paradise, Utah

Jane Rawlings
b. 8 Mar 1827, Parish Holdgate, Bouldon, England (neighboring parishes)
p. William Rawlings, Jane
d. date unknown
b. Paradise Cemetery, Paradise, Utah

Born in England, in neighboring parishes, William Smith and Jane Rawlings were married 1849 in Herefordshire, England. Church records show William Smith was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints on January 24, 1854.

In 1856 Willliam and Jane were on their way to the Salt Lake Valley. Their first daughter, Sarah Jane, was born April 1, 1856 in Keokuk, Iowa. They were traveling with their children, William 5, Joseph 3, and Thomas 2. The family laid over for about three weeks, until Jane recovered from childbirth.

The family was part of a company of overland emigrants which left Florence, Iowa, about June 1, 1856 with Elder Philemon Christopher Merrill, Captain, “a splendid man.” They are listed as William Smith, wife and 4 children. The company averaged fifteen miles each day. They were called together for prayer every night and morning and arrived in the Salt Lake Valley on August 14, 1856. A journal keeper from the group noted that day, "crossed the creek a number of times. Road rough much of the way & bad crossing. Clear & warm, most of the day. Cool morning."

After arriving in the Valley the family lived "in the first place they came to." Draper. On February 8, 1858, their son John Sergeant Smith was born there.

In March 1860, Joseph G. Crapo, Alvin M. Montierth, Barnard White, and William Smith, who were residing at that time in Draper, Utah, decided to visit Cache Valley in hopes of finding a location for settlement. They had heard about the lush, green valley with plenty of water and timber. They joined a wagon train that was going north and traveled with them until they reached Ogden’s Hole. They then followed an old Indian trail north into Cache Valley. Barnard White drove the first wagon and team of mules into Old Paradise (Avon) on April 1, 1860.

The area chosen was located at the forks of East Creek and Little Bear River. Today it is a small agricultural community on U-165 eleven miles south of Logan and three miles southeast of present-day Paradise.

They returned to Draper to bring their families to the new location. On May 12, 1860, Joseph G. Crapo and Alvin M. Montierth returned with their families. On their return trip they stopped at Salt Lake City and convinced David James to join them at the new location. All of the settlers were members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and David James had served as their Branch President while they were in England.

They were able to get a crop planted that year which they irrigated from springs on the east side of the Muddy or Little Bear River and they had a good harvest. Four homes were built on one side of a small road and four homes on the other side of the road in fort style. The following families spent the first winter on their chosen location either in the fort, small cabins, or in dugouts: David James, Joseph G. Crapo, Alvin M. Montierth, William Smith, Barnard White, William Woodhead, James Lofthouse, Enoch Rollins, Charles Rollins, Edward Davenport, John Sperry, Jerome Remington, Winslow Farr, Jr., James Bishop, Elijah Tams, Leonardis L. Crapo, Prince Albert Crapo, and Dr. Ellis.

In February 1861, Apostle Ezra Taft Benson and Bishop Peter Maughn called David James to be bishop. Apostle Benson remarked while visiting the settlement that "This is like Paradise".

They suffered many hardships and trials in Paradise—including being taken as prisoners by Indians. William Smith and another man guarded the outside of the meeting where the women and children were for safety. When the Indians were “a talking together” William and another man went to Logan for help. By giving the Indians food, clothing, and blankets, they were able to make peace with them.

Their daughter, Sarah Jane, said, “Wolves could be heard on the roof howling and scratching, trying to get into the dugouts. They would keep a fire all night so the smoke going up would keep the wolves from coming down the chimneys.”

In 1860 they started to raise crops. “When the crops were up the grasshoppers came so bad one could not see the sun. The next day the crops were all destroyed. For seven years the pioneers fought the pesty hoppers--then came the crickets. And for two years they destroyed every thing. The seagulls came as a blessing to the pioneers, as they rescued them from starvation by devouring the crickets.”

The first wagon load of wheat William Smith ever sold was at Box Elder. All that he received for the whole load of wheat was a washtub, a few clothes, a little sugar, and a few other things.
In the spring of 1868, the town was moved north about three miles from the original site, to minimize conflicts with the Indians, who liked to camp near the first site. The original settlement is now called Avon, named by Mrs. Orson Smith in honor of Avon, England, the birthplace of William Shakespeare.

William Smith, was a farmer and a “stockraiser.” He was a Seventy and a High Priest. He died in Paradise in April 14, 1890. He and his wife are both buried there.

Their children are:
William, born 1851, Stoke St. Milborough, Shropshire, England
Joseph Rollings, born 1852, Stoke St. Milborough, Shropshire, England
Thomas Rawlings, born 1853, Ludlow, Shropshire, England
Sarah Jane, born 1856, Keokuck, Iowa
John Sergeant, born 1858, Draper, Utah
Hyrum, born, 1859, Paradise, Utah
Mary Ann born 1862, Paradise
Martha Amelia, born 1865, Paradise
Ellen Rawlings, born 1867, Paradise
John, born 1869, Paradise, Utah
Emma Louise R., born 1872, Paradise, Utah

William Smith family marker at the Paradise, Utah cemetery.

Posted today in memory of Marlene Sanborn Silotti (Nov 22, 1931 - Jul 12, 2009)Genealogist Extraordinaire!

DUP History, Sarah Jane Smith, A Utah Pioneer of 1856, submitted 1936 by Dau. Fla Barton. FamilySearch. Family records. John W. Van Cott history of Avon at, onlineutah.com/paradisehistory.shtlml and cacheregister.com/citypages.php. Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah, Utah Pioneers Book Publish Company Publishers, 1913, p. 1171. Pictures by the author. Please advise me of any errors you may find here.

John Hamilton Morgan and daughter, Mellie, 1886 trip to Southern States Mission, Part 4, conclusion.

1886 John Morgan traveled with the emigrants February 19-21 from Chattanooga to Kansas City, where he saw them safely off, and began his return to Chattanooga. He arrived there on the 22nd, was met by brother Kimball at the depot and found Mellie no better.

February 22-25, ... Busy at work at my cash book and other office work during the day, wrote some and attended to Mellie the greater part of the day. ... John Morgan continued to attend to his convalescing daughter, Mellie, much of the following month. On February 28th he wrote, Mellie not improving much. And on March 1 … Obtained a feather bed of sister McDaniels for Mellie. …

March 6 Read and wrote during the day. Attended a circus at night. Mellie improving very much. …

March 8 Wrote and read during the day. Attended to Mellie who is improving slowly. …

March 13 Elder Jno. P. Murphy called this a.m., having just arrived from Utah to fill a mission. He spent a part of the day with us. Wrote some letters today and in the evening we administered to Mellie.

March 14 Accompanied brother Murphy to the Depot and saw him off to Georgia. Afterwards got a carriage and took Mellie and Misses Sarah and Susie Fowler to Lookout Mountain. Went to Rock City, Natural Bridge and other points. Returned at 6 p.m. Mellie standing the trip pretty well. …

March 17 Mellie still improving, but quite weak.

March 18 Mellie not so well today. Wrote some letters and attended to Mellie. Beautiful weather.

March 19 Writing and reading today. In the evening brother [perhaps Elias S.] Kimball returned from a seventeen day trip into Georgia. Reported all well.

March 20 At work with brother Kimball getting things in shape to go west.

March 21 Reading and writing the entire day.

March 22 Made preparation to start west tonight. Finished up my correspondence and looked up my business. At 6:10 p.m. took M. and C. train to Memphis. Mellie feeling much better. …

March 25 Arrived at Pueblo at 8:10 a.m. and had breakfast. Waited until 12:35 p.m. and took west bound train to Salida at which point I left Mellie to go on alone while I turned back to Pueblo. Snowed considerably. A fire in Salida today burned two of the center blocks in the place.

"In her youth Mrs. Austin acted as her father’s
secretary and accompanied him
on numerous tours of the mission and to other
parts of the United States."--From the obituary
below.

Wouldn’t it have helped us now if her granddaughters had been named in her obituary?

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

From John Hamilton Morgan journal, Special Collections, Marriott Library, University of Utah.

John Hamilton Morgan and daughter, Mellie, Part 3

On January 28, 1886, John Morgan’s party left the steamer at Vicksburg and spent the next three days in route to Chattanooga by train. They spent a night at Memphis where John Morgan held meetings with twelve elders from Utah, wrote letters, and assigned two missionaries to W. Tenn. and one to Miss.

Arriving in Chattanooga on January 31, 1886, he was busy thereafter getting Elders assigned and attending to other mission business through February 5. John Morgan’s Groesbeck nephews, John and Joseph, aren’t mentioned again.

February 5
Wrote some letters and went with Mellie to get her photograph taken. Met brother Tillman from Ala. And had a talk with him. In the evening visited brother Jno. McDonald on Boice Street.

February 6
Wrote a number of letters and attended to mission work most of the day, principally posting the office books. A pleasant change in the weather.

February 7
Walked out on Whiteside Street with brother Tillman and visited Frank Paynes and Jno. Jenning’s family. In the afternoon walked up to the top of Cameron Hill and in the evening went to hear Dr. Bachman preach at the First Presbyterian Church.

February 8
At 10 a.m. Mellie and myself started to go up Lookout Mountain. Visited Rock City and had dinner at Mrs. Wilsens. Then drove to the Natural Bridge. Then to Sunset Rock and then to Saddle Rock and Grand View. Had a very pleasant day of it.


February 9
Very busy all day at work at Mission correspondence. Elder Rouche came in from New Orleans. Rained in the afternoon. …

The work of the mission continued. February 14 At work in the office with emigration matters. Getting ready for the company that leaves on the 18th inst. …

February 18
Emigrants coming in on all the trains. At 6:10 we left for the west, picking up parties at Stephenson and other points along the line. Had to leave Mellie in Chattanooga suffering from a severe attack of Eyresipelas [sic, Erysipelas].


(To be continued.)

From John Hamilton Morgan journal, Special Collections, Marriot Library, University of Utah. According to a letter from Mrs. Emma Guthrie, printed in The Life and Ministry of John Morgan, by Arthur Richardson, copyright 1965, Nicholas G. Morgan Sr., pgs 335-337, a Mrs. Melissa (Payne) Jennings was baptized by John Morgan.

John Hamilton Morgan and daughter, Mellie, 1886, Part 2

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1886
January 21
Writing and mailing emigration circulars to the Elders and attending to mission affairs. John and Joseph Groesbeck arrived from Utah.

January 22
Obtained transportation of Mr. Wrenn for self and party to Meridian, Miss. Going to New Orleans. Took 11 a.m. train over Western and Atlantic Ry. And went to Dalton. Lay over two hours. Visited the Court House where the murderers of Joseph Standing were acquitted. At 4:35 took East Tenn. Train to Rome, Georgia where we took sleeper for Meridian. Had a rough ride during the night.

January 23
Arrived at Lauderdale at 5 a.m. and changed cars to M. and O. Ry. And arrived at Meridian at 6:20 Bought ticket and at seven continued our journey to New Orleans. Arrived at 1 p.m. Hired rooms at 221 Gravier Street. Walked about town and went to Robinson Dime (?) Museum.

January 24
Visited the French market early this a.m. then walked about the wharf and visited a Liverpool steamer and a packet running between N. O. and Vicksburg, both very fine. Then took street cars to Greenwood Cemetery which we passed through. Then went to west end by steam (?) spending an hour there. Returned to the city and attended the St. Charles Theatre, “Streets of Paris.”

January 25
Went out to the Exposition this a.m. and met six Elders from Miss Conference visiting and sight seeing. Attended the Exposition all day. Returned tired and hungry. Walked about town a while.

January 26
Went out to the Exposition this a.m. and spent the day. Returned at 4:30 and took steamer, Jas. D. White, to Vicksburg.

January 27
Awoke in time to see Baton Route and during the day steamed up the river, passing Port Hudson and other points of interest.

January 28
Quite cool today. Still on the boat. Arrived at Vicksburg at 3:30. Walked up into the city and got a carriage and drove out to the National Cemetery. Had a fine view of the river. Returned and went to the Verandale House and met Mr. Peck. One of our party in the Blockade.


(To be continued.)


The Groesbecks arriving January 21, could be: John Groesbeck, born 1866 to Nicholas Harmon and Rhoda Groesbeck, and Joseph Groesbeck, born 1864 to John Hamilton and Helen Melvina (Mellie) Morgan. They are probably part of the party mentioned on the 22nd traveling to New Orleans.

The John Hamilton Morgan journal, Marriott Library, Special Collections, University of Utah.

John Hamilton Morgan and daughter, Mellie, 1886, Part 1

This picture is scanned from The Man Who Moved City Hall; Nicholas Groesbeck Morgan, by Jean R. Paulson, published 1979 by Press Publishing Limited, Provo, Utah, pg 24.

[Picture caption:] The oldest daughter of John and Mellie Morgan was named for her mother. This photo of Helen Melvina Morgan Burt was taken by noted photographer C. R. Savage. Helen later married George Austin. [John Morgan called his daughter Mellie.]

"In her youth Mrs. Austin acted as her father’s secretary and accompanied him on numerous tours of the mission and to other parts of the United States."--From an obituary for Helen Melvina Morgan Austin, death 1952, sent me by a Groesbeck descendant. In 1886 Mellie accompanied her father to the Southern States Mission. She was sixteen years old, having been born January 19, 1870 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

This previous post from John Morgan’s journal concluded in Manassa, Colorado on November 27, 1885.

1885
December 25 [Salt Lake City, Utah]
At home quiet with the family. Had our Christmas turkey alone, and had a very pleasant day …

On the 27th, after bidding the folks goodbye, John Morgan took the train to Springville, Utah where he stayed at brother in-law Harmon Groesbeck’s. On the 28th … At 1 p.m. met my daughter Mellie on the D. and R. G. train and with her continued on east. Passed the day quietly and pleasantly.

December 29
Awoke soon after leaving Black Canyon and enjoyed the scenery across Marshall Pass. Arrived in Pueblo on time and found Mellie’s pass had not arrived and so concluded to go to San Luis Valley on a visit. Went to bed at the Depot House.

On the 30th snow drifts delayed their travel. Ultimately, … brother Hislet [sic, Heiselt] took me to Manassa where I met Annie and the baby both quite well. But the weather intensely cold.

John Morgan won’t receive the pass he needs for Mellie to travel further with him until they get back to Pueblo on January 7th.

1886
January 1
… A terrible wind storm came up in the night drifting the snow through everywhere and making everything cold.

January 2
Busy making Annie comfortable and getting the snow out of the house. At home most all day.

... John Morgan continued busy with Church meetings, speaking, writing, and visiting throughout the communities. He and Mellie arrive back in Pueblo on the 7th where he got a room in the Victoria Hotel. They couldn’t get out on the 8th as they … spent the day quietly waiting for the snow blockade to be broken. … at 8:30 p.m. went aboard the sleeper for the east, with a prospect of getting away during the night.

January 9
Laying at LaJuanta all day …. January 12 Some indications that we would get away today but night found us in the same old spot.

January 13
At 12 it was announced that we would get away during the afternoon and at 3:15 p.m. we pulled out in two sections, cheering and in high glee after our long confinement …

January 14
Ran all day through Kansas, snowing, raining, and sleeting at entervals [sic]. Evidences of heavy storm all along the road. Telegraph poles prostrated and deep snow banks. Arrived at Kansas City at 10:30 p.m. and went to the Lindell Hotel. Very tired and over all the streets there is a glare of ice.

January 15
Visited about over the city with Mellie and in the evening met Lon at the Union Depot. At 6:30 left over the Ft. Scott and Gulf Ry. For Memphis.

January 16
Changed out of the sleeper into chair car and rode to Memphis in chairs. Arrived on time. Called on Mr. Ellis and received a pass for self and daughter to Chattanooga. Had a short visit and chat with Mr. Hughes at the M. and C. Ticket Office. Walked over to the M. and C. Depot and at 10:20 left for Chattanooga.

January 17
Arrived at Chattanooga at 9:45 a.m. and met brother Kimball at the Depot. Went to boarding house and slept part of the day. Talked over mission matters with brother K.

January 18
Called on Mr. Sutton this a.m. on railroad matters. Walked about town with Mellie a while. A rainy disagreeable day. Busy in the office all day and evening on mission business.

January 19 and 20
Busy during the day writing and sending out emigration circulars. Got Mellie a pair of shoes and in the evening visited the South Tredgar Iron Works. A Mr. Stewart presented Mellie with a copy of Robinson Crusoe as a birthday present.

(To be continued.)

Lon [Leonidas] Morgan is John Morgan’s brother. Click here . and scroll down for a picture and mention of Lon.

Elias S. Kimball. In these 1885-1886 journal entries, when John Morgan refers to Brother K. or Brother Kimball, it appears that he is referring to Elias S. [Smith] Kimball. You can search for a biography here.

From John Hamilton Morgan journal, Marriott Library, Special Collections, University of Utah.

Glenn and Helen Rex Frazier, Part 8

After his wife, Helen, passed away June 26, 1982, Glenn overcame his fear of flying. He flew to Maryland to visit his daughter Susan as often as he could. She treated him royally and they enjoyed one another’s company. He began using Helen’s cane after she passed away. For the most part he enjoyed good health, and always had plenty of energy to help someone else. He helped his son and his daughter’s families in countless ways.

Glenn is standing next to Brigham Young’s statue in the United States Capitol Rotunda, Washington, D. C. Susan took him to the White House, the National Cathedral, the Smithsonian, the Washington, D.C. Temple, and introduced him to her friends. He loved staying there, and looked forward to each trip.

Daughter Susan took Glenn to New York City. His son, Rex, was there on business at the time. They had a wonderful time together.

Glenn and Susan outside her Bethesda, Maryland home.

May 25, 1989, Susan received a Masters Degree from Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health. Glenn was proud and happy to be with her in Baltimore to celebrate her accomplishment.

Friends and family celebrated Glenn’s 80th birthday on December 27, 1989 at a gathering in the South Salt Lake City Hall.

Glenn loved to reminisce and visit with family. His siblings kept in touch. L-R, Delora Frazier Frodsham, Bruce Frodsham, Verla Madsen Frazier, and Elmer Frazier visited Glenn.

His sisters-in-law, Winnie and Flora, kept in touch with Glenn. One day they met at his home in Salt Lake, spending the day with him, washing his walls, blinds, curtains, cleaning his house, and lifting his spirits.

Symbolic of the countless celebrations Glenn participated in with his family, he is with his son and daughter at the Salt Lake Temple, attending a granddaughter’s 1989 wedding. Glenn and Helen have three children, fourteen grandchildren, and thirty-six great grandchildren.

Glenn continued serving in his quorum and watching over the widows he was assigned to home teach. Many a lonely, needy person he comforted in their loneliness, and was thus comforted in his own. Helen’s passing was a deep loss. He said there was no way he could go on without her for more than ten years!

In June, 1992, a month before Glenn passed away, he was with a granddaughter when she graduated from the University of Utah.

Glenn and his grandchildren had such good times together. He was an available and willing chauffeur. And as such, they became good friends with their grandpa. He got them to gymnastics, dentists, work, school, practices and they frequently went out to lunch together.

The Iceberg, an old fashioned drive-in, selling the world’s best shakes, was a frequent haunt of his. A couple of granddaughters reported a challenge they had in the drive-through there one day. They stopped by the Iceberg after gymnastics. Glenn hadn’t noticed a plastic milk crate in the middle of the drive way when he turned in, and drove right over it. Unfortunately it got stuck under his truck.

He attempted to dislodge the thing by first rolling back and forth over it, to no avail. He got out of the truck and used his cane to push against the crate from every conceivable angle. As his granddaughters looked by, calling from the truck, one of them suggested he let her crawl under the truck and free it. He would have none of that, and continued poking at the crate with his cane.

As the tension of the situation mounted, Glenn began experiencing some tightness in his chest. He pulled out his little bottle of nitroglycerin tablets and popped a few. He had angina, and this kind of stress brought on pain. Calming finally, he drove off with the crate dragging under the truck. In recounting the tale Glenn laughed as much as his granddaughters did.

Glenn passed away the afternoon of July 4, 1992 at the L.D.S. Hospital. A couple of nights earlier his grandchildren had been with him, sitting on his bed laughing, and playing cards together.

Glenn and Helen Rex Frazier are buried together at Elysian Gardens, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Pictures and history from my collection.

John Hamilton Morgan (1842-1894) and his son, John Hamilton Morgan (1894-1982).

John Hamilton Morgan’s daughter, Bessie Morgan Rex, kept a scrapbook. Forgotten until last year, I took pictures of some of the pages. In memory, and with respect, for these men and all veterans today, Veterans day, I submit the following. Bessie Morgan Rex clipped and pasted it into her scrapbook.

Interesting Similarity In Soldier Letters of Morgans, Father and Son

An interesting and impressive similarity is brought to mind by a letter recently received by Mrs. Helen M. Morgan, 359 Bryan Avenue, from her son, John Morgan Jr., a young soldier on his way to France. The letter was almost a duplicate in context and spirit of a letter written more than 56 years ago by his father, the late John Morgan, who was a soldier in the Civil War. Both are appeals to the folks at home not to think of peace but to continue to give the army all possible support and encouragement.

A further interesting similarity lies in the number of this unit to which the respective soldiers belonged. John Morgan, was a member of the 123d regiment of Illinois mounted infantry. John Morgan Jr. is with the 123d aero squadron?

Civil War Letter
The elder Morgan’s letter was written to his mother and father from a camp near Murfreesboro, Tenn., under date of Jan 28, 1862. It is one of the treasured possessions of the family and hangs in a frame, with the old regimental flag in the office of Nicholas G. Morgan, a son. In part the letter reads as follows:

“It makes me a little riley to hear of good, staunch administration men turning from their allegiance to their government and supporting one of the most God-forsaken projects (as the present peace party claims to be) that was ever invented. Were it possible I would wish that Lincoln could assume the power of a dictator for 12 months and would hang every man that dared utter one word in favor of the rebellion or peace.

Congress and northern legisletures [sic] and northern traitors are doing more for the cause of the Rebellion than all the Southern army. They are discouraging the federal army and encouraging the rebels as much as lay in their power. We of the army are in for nothing but the subjugation or annihilation of the south, and if we cannot accomplish it in three years we can in six, but that it is to be done we are satisfied, and that we are the army to do it we are also satisfied!”

The 1918 Letter
The letter from this federal soldier’s son, more than half century later, says in part:
“America is gradually awaking to the fact that we must best Germany at her own game. No more are we relying on some wonderful achievement of an Edison or the appropriation of huge sums of money by Congress. When we outnumber Germany with better fighting men, then can we hope for victory.”

“No doubt you talk this over daily but to give you the one thought of the boys in training: We do not want the folks at home to feel that Germany is all in, that the game is over, and we can slack up now; for if this thought ever gets into the head of the American public many hundred of thousands are not coming back, who could if we strain every muscle, use every legitimate man and flight like h___ now.”

The accompanying photographs show the two Morgans in their respective uniforms, which, as may be seen, are widely different. The particular dress of the elder Morgan was worn by him in 1862 in connection with a foraging expedition, when the soldiers had to provide themselves with whatever clothes they could find. It goes without saying that the “uniforms” were numerous and varied.

Thank you, cousin Karen A., for typing this copy of the text from the newspaper clipping.

Bessie Morgan Rex and her brothers, 1905

Isn’t this a wonderful picture! That is grandmother Bessie Morgan Rex and her brothers, Nick and John (Jack) Morgan. Her biography begins here. Thanks to her brother, Nicholas Groesbeck Morgan, for saving the picture. And thank you to his granddaughter, cousin Karen M., for sending it to me.

Uncle Nick’s poem, reflections on discovering this photograph about 60 years ago, follows. Today is actually his birthday. He was born 125 years ago today, on November 9, 1884. Happy Birthday, Uncle Nick! And thank you for the family treasures you preserved.

Be sure and click on the imagine to enlarge it!

Glenn and Helen Rex Frazier, Part 7

166 East Oakland Avenue, Salt Lake City, Utah, Glenn's truck, trailer, and Susan’s blue Volkswagen.

Glenn and Helen’s Salt Lake home was always a crossroads, for friends and family traveling to or from a mission, school, vacation, or city shopping. There was always a welcome bed for a night, a week, or a school term.

1961 Glenn and Helen Rex Frazier, Sharon G. (seated), Inge B., Susan Frazier, Bessie and Richard Sanborn, Suzanne S. (in front) James Sanborn, Beryl Sanborn, Sherlyn N. (seated), and Pete Sanborn.

This happy occasion in 1961 is the only family picture from these years. Glenn and Helen’s son, Rex, is missing because he was in the Army Reserves at Fort Ord, California at the time of his sister’s wedding. After his Army service, Rex served a mission to Scotland, and earned his CPA from the University of Utah.

There daughter, Susan, interupted nurse's training to serve a mission to Italy in 1974. April 21, 1978 she received a degree in nursing from Brigham Young University Nurses College . The following year Susan went on a B.Y.U. study abroad to the Jerusalem Center. In the early 1980’s she moved to Bethesda, Maryland where she made her home for the next twenty-five years.

This picture of Helen with two of her fourteen grandchildren was taken in about 1976. She had a very slow healing ulcer on her ankle at the time. It didn’t slow her grand-mothering down. She was ever involved with each of her grandchildren. She and Glenn attended every birthday, baptism, confirmation, sealing, ordination, and special occasion possible. Their children and grandchildren brought Glenn and Helen great pleasure, and were always welcome at their home.

March 19, 1973 Helen R. Frazier became a member of the National Society of Daughters of Utah Pioneers (DUP), South Center County Company, Camp Lockwood, Salt Lake City, Member No. 44179. She was their lesson leader, and enjoyed sharing the stories and notes of interest learned from her lessons with her family.

Helen was an avid genealogist and purchased a typewriter with a legal sized carriage. She recorded all of the data she and other family members gathered on pedigree and family group sheets, and submitted them for temple work. She gathered pictures and stories and constructed Books of Remembrance. Glenn shared Helen’s interest in family history, and was her constant help. Together they published a monthly Stephen Vestal Frazier family newsletter in the 1970’s.

As a grandmother, Helen was called to teach the Mother Education lessons in her Relief Society. Helen dealt with asthma as a girl and throughout her life. Her health continued to be compromised as she developed emphysema and rheumatoid arthritis. Despite a life threatening illness and five-month hospital stay in 1978, she seldom complained.

Glenn and Helen pulled their trailer behind Glenn’s truck and traveled to various family and senior spots; Lava Hot Springs, Mesquite, Nevada, Death Valley, California, places where there was dry desert air, and hot springs to soak in.

In 1980 Glenn and. Helen flew for the first time. Helen’s health and limited mobility, coupled with Glenn’s reluctance to fly, didn’t deter them. Their daughter’s family would be visiting Nauvoo, Illinois that summer, and insisted they meet them there. Ever since the June 1978 dedication of the Relief Society’s Monument to Women statuary park in Nauvoo, Helen had wanted to visit Nauvoo.

Helen with daughter Bessie, and granddaughters L-R Melinda, Andrea, and Evette.

Glenn and Helen flew to St. Louis, Missouri. Helen recorded: “… 1980, June 13 we started a very wonderful trip. We left Salt Lake City on American Air lines at 1:30 p.m. and flew to St. Louis, Mo. We had never flown and was that a thrill. We (family) had been concerned whether Glenn would enjoy it because he said he would never get off the ground. St. Louis was a thrill to see because my great grandfather & grandmother Rex [William and Mary Mead Rex] came to there from England. They were converted to Mormonism in England. Grandfather [William] Rex grew up in St. Louis & finally was able to come onto Utah with his mother when a young man. We stayed at a Holiday Inn. Bessie called that evening & said they were having some car trouble, but would get us in the morning. That evening I called a telephone no. listed in St. Louis under the name Chester Rex. His wife told me he had passed away just a year ago. I talked with her for some time, and learned there are no more Rexes in St. Louis.

“We had a lovely dinner at the hotel and the next morning Bessie & Richard came for us. It was so much fun to be with them in their car. (VW Van) It is so roomy. Melinda & Dustin took turns sitting by me & I loved it. Also the older girls. We went to Hannibal, Quincy and on up the Mississippi River to Nauvoo. …We got (had reserved) a Motel in the Nauvoo State Park – Village inn. Rested a bit and then went to dinner. … they came for us & we went to the visitors Center & the homes of the early Church members – site of the Nauvoo Temple. A wonderful experience. The Women’s monuments in the garden at the visitors center are wonderful to see. Then we drove over to Carthage. … we drove across the Mississippi River through the corner of Iowa and across Missouri to Liberty. Liberty Jail is a very touching place. … the next day flew home. …What a sight to look down at the earth and see the fields of grain in Kansas and Colorado and then to see the river, reservoirs & roads. Then to fly over Denver and see the homes, city streets – I shall never forget it all and always be grateful for that wonderful experience.”
Helen’s health was precarious. All of that fun put her in the hospital for a week. Her only regret was not being able to travel to Randolph for the Rex family reunion on the 28th. Glenn was a patient caring companion to Helen throughout the remainder of their lives together. Helen suffered a heart attack June 26, 1982 while at her doctor’s office. Glenn buried his wife, Helen, June 29, 1982.

Grandchildren Melinda, Jason, Bonnie, Dustin and daughter Susan Frazier visiting in the right corner.

(To be continued.)
From Glenn and Helen Rex Frazier collection.

Glenn and Helen Rex Frazier, Part 6

Helen Rex Frazier and daughter Susan, Spring 1952.

In 1951 Glenn began driving truck out of Provo, Utah. He moved his family into a little brick home at 657 West 5th North in Provo. Their youngest child, Susan, was born October 20, 1951 in the hospital in Provo.

Susan and Bessie, Provo, Utah, Spring 1952.

Helen, on the right, with sisters-in-law L-R, Verla Madsen Frazier and Dorothy Tipton Rex. A backyard Sunday picnic, Provo, Spring 1952.

Work moved Glenn and family to Salt Lake City, Utah where they first lived on 3rd West, and then moved to 134 East Oakland Avenue. A couple of years later Glenn and Helen were able to begin buying the home at 166 East Oakland Avenue. They lived their the rest of their lives.

Glenn worked construction and drove a cement truck for J.B. and R.E. Walker for many years. He always drove a truck. Even after retirement when he helped his son fix up and manage rental units, Glenn drove a truck.

Helen was a fine homemaker. She baked, cooked, canned, and was a lovely seamstress, teaching her daughters to sew as girls. The family attended the Kimball Ward, in the South Salt Lake Stake. Helen was the stake Junior Sunday School Coordinator, and Glenn was called as a missionary in those early years. In about 1955 Helen began working in an assayer’s office, then for the City of South Salt Lake. The city offices were on State Street, just south of the Oakland Avenue corner, a block’s walk away from home. She would work there for seventeen years; as the water billing clerk, in most other city related work, and serving on the Planning and Zoning Commission.

For just short of forty years the Fraziers lived on Oakland Avenue in South Salt Lake, Utah. The children attended Madison Elementary School, across the street, on Oakland Avenue and State Street, Central Junior High School, and they each graduated from Granite High School. Glenn and Helen were always involved in their children’s lives, the Church, and the South Salt Lake Community.

Family, reunions, and gatherings were anticipated with great excitement. Over the river and through the words, applied to every holiday, as they traveled. Whether Woodruff, Randolph, Huntsville, or Marion, Utah, they ever sang the lyrics of that song and other favorites on their treks.

Through the annals of frequently recalled family stories, the following account is a favorite: Soon after the family moved to 134 East Oakland in about 1955, Helen had taken Susan with her as she drove to pick Glenn up after work. It was a new neighborhood, but Helen was comfortable leaving Rex and Bessie (ten and eleven) home alone, and instructed them to stay inside. Sometime after their mother left they heard a sound they had NEVER heard before. The loud wail of an unfamiliar siren penetrated the air. It reached through the walls and windows of their little two bedroom home and paralyzed them. But, not for long. It was such a persistent, urgent call, they determined it must be a blackout siren. They had never heard one before. But it fit the description of the sirens their parents told them of, calling for blackouts, in Oakland, California after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor in 1941.

They knew what to do. They closed all of the blinds and curtains they could, and hid, huddled together in the center of the house. They worried. This house didn’t have blackout curtains. After a long time the siren stopped. And they waited longer. When nothing happened, they snuck to a window and peaked out. Nothing seemed changed, the people and cars they could see appeared normal. They cautiously awaited until their parents returned home.

They had moved into a community with a volunteer fire department, and had heard the siren for the first time. The fire station was part of the City Complex on the corner of Oakland Avenue and State Street. They became well acquainted with that siren’s call, it becoming a reassuring sign that help was being summoned for someone in need.

Madison Ward Bishopric, about 1961. Front row L-R, Counselor Brother Christensen, Bishop Frank Fox, and Counselor Glenn Frazier. Others unknown.

In the 1960’s Glenn served as a counselor to Bishop Frank Fox in the Madison Ward Bishopric. Glenn served in seven bishoprics, usually as the ward clerk. During the years they lived on Oakland Avenue they watched commercial enterprises slowly encroach their community. It began with the construction of Interstate, I-80 a block and a half north of their house in about 1960. They attended the Kimball, Madison, Burton, and Central Park Ward, and two different stakes, without ever moving from Oakland Avenue.

Helen is on the top row, far right. The other women are unknown.

(To be continued.)

Pictures and history from Glenn and Helen Rex Frazier collection.

Glenn and Helen Rex Frazier, Part 5

Anchors Aweigh, my boys, Anchors Aweigh!

We lived in Grandpa [Frank Union] and Grandma [Emily Rufi] Frazier’s house the winter of 1949. My brother [Rex] and I were the only children on the Ranch. In the Spring Grandpa Frazier brought runt lambs wrapped in burlap sacks into Grandma’s kitchen. I remember him tucking one into a box and pushing it behind the coal stove. It was wet and limp. After a day or so it perked right up. I helped Grandma feed them from the back porch steps. After milking time, and the cans were pushed up to the house from the barn, the lambs got some warm milk, in pop bottles with black rubber nipples on top. The next Spring Rex and I were given two runt lambs as pets, Buttons and Bows. I don’t remember who suggested those names, but I’m certain they came from a Dinah Shore song that my parents liked.

Only sweet memories remain from those times. I’d walk up the hill with Grandma Frazier to the sheep pens. We’d pull tufts of lamb’s wool from barbed wire fences and fill Grandma’s apron with them. She wasted not a thing. And we gathered up wood chips near the woodpile to fill her apron. She needed them to start the fire in her Monarch kitchen range.

In Grandma Frazier’s kitchen, Grandpa would sit on the reclining caned ship-deck chair Glenn brought him from California. Pulling on his tall leather boots, and lacing them up, couldn’t be accomplished without sitting down. He always had some licorice for us. Dark black hard stuff he liked to suck on. He’d keep a little leather coin purse in the front pocket of his bibbed overalls, filled with licorice chips and pieces,.

Rex and I attended school in Woodruff, as did Glenn and his father, Frank Union. Someone from the Ranch would drive us down each morning. We were able to take our roller skates to school on special days, and after lunch, we would skate around on the wood floor in the 2nd floor auditorium. Sometimes we were permitted to skate in our class room. There were two classrooms; the younger grades in one, the older grades in the other.

The teacher would watch us safely cross the highway to the Church across the street on Primary day. There was a pot-bellied stove in our classroom in the church. Sometimes the ditch running around the school block had skeeters skating across the water. We’d lay along the ditch and try to catch them.

The Frazier's raised sheep, and every other kind of farm animal. And there were plenty of kittens to play with. Glenn Frazier was an apt sheepherder. His son is amazed recalling his Dad’s ability to whistle for his sheep. “The sheep would all be out on the back fence. Dad would whistle and the sheep would come to him.”

Once, some of his sheep became lost. His son remembers “looking out of the house and seeing Dad prepared to go hunt for them. He was sitting on his horse dressed like a mountain man in his sheepskin coat, hat, and saddle bags. He had three or four horses packed up to take with him, and go look for the lost sheep.”

That winter saw 47 degree-below-zero weather. Glenn’s ears got frostbite. There don’t appear to be any surviving pictures of the snow at the Ranch in Woodruff during the winters of 1949 and 1950. I do recall them. After the second winter Glenn declared, “I’ll never spend another winter here!” And there were other reasons for leaving Woodruff.

Helen arranged for tap dance lessons for me. We traveled the ten miles to Randolph, or the twenty-nine miles to Evanston, for lessons and the recital. In the picture above I’m the shortest girl on the far right. We tap danced to Anchors Aweigh my boys, Anchors Aweigh! I thought that was a World War II song. Not originally, according to Wikipedia. The only girl I remember in the picture is my cousin, Kathy Rufi [daughter of Jake and Mary Rex Rufi]. She’s the blonde, two to the left of me. I think the boy in the middle’s last name was Stuart. Our mother’s made our costumes; white satin with red bows and royal blue sequins. There was some misunderstanding about how many inches from the hem the blue sequins were to be sewn. I would like to know who the other dancers are. Can anyone help me with that?

(To be continued.)

The picture of the Woodruff School is on this post.

The picture of the Woodruff Church is on this post.

Author's personal account. Picture from Glenn and Helen Rex collection.

Glenn and Helen Rex Frazier, Part 4

Helen, Glenn, Frank, and Emily Frazier

visit San Francisco about 1940.

When Glenn and Helen lived in Oakland, the Oakland Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints grew from 3,700 members in 1935, when it was organized, to 9,000 members in 1946, making it the second largest stake in the Church. The shipyards in Richmond attracted thousands of people to the Bay Area and the various naval bases brought many more. Helen was in the Oakland Ward MIA Presidency. Glenn was called as a stake missionary in 1946, and again in 1949.

Helen worked for Montgomery Wards, and one summer got her younger sister, Flora, work there. Her brother Maeser stayed with them for a time. Sister Winifred was with Helen when her first baby, Bessie, was born in 1942. And a year latter, soon after their son Rex was born, Helen’s father Percy Harold Rex was able to visit.

Helen with her new baby, Bessie, Christmas 1942.

Glenn drove laundry trucks for his Uncle Bill [William] Rufi. He also worked for a furniture company. Rubber was scarce and he drove truck for a company that contracted to pick up all of the tires in Oakland and San Francisco during the war. They stored them in large warehouses in San Francisco. People were permitted to keep only four tires on their cars and one spare during the war years.

Glenn was up for the draft, however he was rejected because he was bothered so with eczema, especially on his hands. He dispatched trucks for an Alameda, California company that sent specialists (carpenters, pipe-fitters, machinists, etc.) to Mare Island Naval Shipyards in the San Francisco Bay to repair boats during the war. He also worked for a company that had the contract to rebuild or fix large passenger ships for war duty.

Glenn and Bessie upon his return from work 1943.

After the war Glenn worked for a refinery that picked up 50 gallon drums of used oil from service stations. The drums were agitated with air. Sludge was dropped to the bottom, further processing produced oil that was better than new. They then sold it to service stations, and for use on large ships.

“These jobs aren’t in order as I worked them,” Glenn explained, as he listed all of the jobs he could remember when he was eighty-one years old, for his son-in-law.

Rex and Bessie

Glenn and Helen had their dreams in California. They purchased an orchard in Walnut Creek [west of Oakland]. The farmer in them pruned, cultivated, and sprayed their budding trees. They harvested almonds. We were still pealing the outer coverings off of their last crop of almonds while were we were living on the Woodruff Ranch.

The work in Oakland, which was plentiful during the war, decreased. The opportunity to return to Woodruff and ranching presented itself. Glenn’s brother and his family were leaving the Frazier Ranch. Glenn and Helen and children would be welcomed. They could move into a home there. It had no indoor plumbing, except the kitchen sink. Saturday night baths were in a galvanized tub in the kitchen near the coal stove. There was a wash stand with a pitcher and basin against one wall. There must have been real compelling reasons, never fully understood by children, that altered their earlier dreams. The chance to live nearer loved ones. Steady work. Building there own place. Helping their folks out!

Glenn and Helen packed all of their earthly belongings in Frank Union’s farm truck. Tucked their two children between them on the seat, tied a suitcase with trip necessities on the cab top, and moved from Oakland to the Frazier Ranch in Woodruff, Utah. They traded a sea breeze, fog horns, and bay weather, and no steady work, for Northern Utah’s sub-zero freezing winters. They loved being nearer their families. There was always work!

The sun streams through the kitchen window

onto Rex and Bessie in their

4130 Terrace Street, Oakland, California apartment.

That's Glenn spraying the trees in their

Walnut Creek, California, orchard.

Bessie and Rex Frazier with Uncle Bill [William] Rufi

in front of his, and Aunt Mabel Rufi's,

Oakland, California apartment.

(To be continued.)

An Ensign To The Nations; History of the Oakland Stake, Evelyn Candland, published by: Oakland California Stake, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Chapter 4. Pictures from Glenn and Helen Rex Frazier collection. Emily Frazier's penny post card shares the family news, and shows us how to get the most out of one penny.