Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Groesbeck/Morgan Gathering. September 20, 2014


I met formerly unknown cousins at our recent Groesbeck/Morgan Gathering at the Evergreen Library, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Descendants of great great grandparents Nicholas and Elizabeth Thompson Groesbeck gathered there for a reunion on September 20, 2014 where we visited, shared histories, and a delightful afternoon.

John Hamilton and Helen Melvina Groesbeck Morgan descendants attending:

Nicholas Groesbeck Morgan [born 1884] grandchildren (4) great grandchildren (2)

Gail Morgan Clayton [born 1888] grandchildren (3)

Bessie Morgan Rex [born 1891] grandchildren (3)

John Hamilton Morgan [born 1894] grandchildren (3)

And (5) spouses

Cousin Karen M. shared a beautiful slide presentation with histories of our Groesbeck grandparents and uncles and aunts.

I shared slides of my Spring trip to John Morgan Country: Rome, Haywood Valley, Chickamauga Battlefied, Georgia, and Lookout MountainChatttanooga,Tennessee.

Those who weren't there were missed. We will do this again.

Monday, September 29, 2014

Bessie Morgan Rex. Letter to Harold. July 7, 1938.


 Randolph Recreation Hall, a couple of weeks ago.


I hadn't noticed this plaque on the corner of the building before. 
This family played a huge role in its construction.

Randolph, Utah
July 7, 1938

My dear boy,

So far this week, again I have had no letter from you, but I suppose anticipation helps to quiet any disappointment I might feel. Time is getting short now, and I surely am counting the letters I shall write or receive, the months left; & weeks too. Will it be Dec. before you get here? Everybody thinks it is such a grand opportunity for you, to travel I mean.

Here Roy’s father died a week ago yesterday and I haven’t written you. Roy got home about five minutes before the funeral. He was in the Northwest selling knit goods. He flew to S.L. They had such a time locating him. Broadcasted from three or four [radio] stations. You might write a letter to him and his mother. She could forward it to him. I think he is going back. She doesn’t want him to stay here.

We have had miserable cold weather for the past week. Frozen every night. A kind Providence kept our garden from freezing.

Didn’t you ever get my letters telling you that Lynn N. was in Sweden on a mission? Myron gets his release next month, but will travel a little before coming home.

Morgan has sent for a gas motor for his gas model plane. I wish you could see it. He is quite a builder. Maeser is going to the B. G. [The ranch they found work on.] Monday. Morgan will stay here & milk the cows, help me tend the garden, etc. They started haying down there today.

Well dearie, there isn’t much to tell you, so you know who will do the talking when you get home. We have the quiet life here.

Will ring off and do my ironing. We are all very fine here. I suppose your next letter will be from Sao Paulo. Love & best wishes for every success in your work, and I shall try to not be too impatient waiting for you to get home now.

Lovingly Mother

Did I tell you Arch McK. is going to marry Norrine Wahlstrom’s sister (the nurse) in Sept. She is a very sweet girl.

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Bessie Morgan Rex letter to Harold. June 26, 1938.


Bessie Morgan Rex's Randolph, Utah home last week.

Randolph, Utah
June 26, 1938

My dear son,
I am sitting in the leather chair on the front porch, trying to concentrate my thot’s on a letter to you. No letter from you last week, but I don’t worry. Just like to get one tho’. Daddy is to a meeting of the Broughs to plan a reunion. I tried to turn the earth over yesterday. I am not much good today. But it is glorious to feel able to do a day’s work. The boys have gone to milk—as usual.

Have been reading a book “From Immigrant to Inventor” by Michael Pupin. What an inspiring book to any young fellow starting out in life. A Serbian immigrant landing in N.Y. with 5 [cents symbol] in his pocket and a thin suit on his back. I want my boys to read it—surely. He studied at Columbia UY., Cambridge & in Berlin, but he always found so much in science to enrich his own life, so much to keep his feet on the ground. He is a grand character.

Well, daddy came home, and I guess we don’t get the Brough reunion here. It is to be at Lagoon.

Main St. is being oiled. Fine gravel is piled high in the center of the street & oiling machine is here. Then they will put in cement curbing. It all helps.


Sanborn 1911 map of Lagoon from Wikipedia.

Pg 2. [This page appears to be from a different  letter.]
deciding. That Smith Hughs work in agriculture is a very fine field & Mr. Guymon was sure you would like it.

There – is that a sermon? Well my dear it all totals up – be yourself & don’t be a snob. Ina Jeane home, but she wouldn’t speak to the neighbors. Oh, such people make me sick.

The boys have gone to milk early. Tonight is the big fight & they wont get back to hear it.
I’m afraid this will be a cool summer. It freezes about one night a week. Rather discouraging to people trying to raise beans and posies. However, mine haven’t been hurt yet.

The Broughs are going to have a reunion here this summer. I think. They are planning it. Helen & Glenn, I’m afraid, are not going to make it home. Money is pretty tight right now all over the country.

Here it is the next morning. A beautiful morning too. I hope things grow better now. Such cold freezes and frosty mornings we have had.

Kennedys have been on a 2000 mile trip up thro Mont. & Idaho. And coming back this place looks bare & dry.

Pg 3. Suppose you have heard from Winnie & how she came out in state exams 90 is a good average isn’t it. I shall be so glad to have her home for two or three weeks.

Randolph seems much like the little Serbian village Pupin came from, but I believe our boys and girls can make a success of life if they try. People are so asleep tho’, in these small places. However the Mr. Cook, whom Mary Rex worked for, in Calif. Told her he thot he would have been happier on a small farm, and he is director of Skagg’s stores. Success brings money and sometimes money wrecks people’s lives. They have both forgotten their religions and drink & smoke, & go a pretty pace.

Well here it is Monday morning. Cloudy & warm. Here’s hoping it rains.

I’m also hoping this letter reaches you for your birthday. Getting up in years aren’t you. That is all right if the years bring added wisdom.

Your time is getting short. It will be hard to leave a land you are nearly certain you won’t see again wont it. I can just imagine. Well, it will always bring pleasant memories, I’m sure.

Must close now with a prayer for your well being and success in your work my son.


Lovingly Mother