Percy Harold Rex Family Reunion September 8, 2018

L-R Grandpa P. H. Rex, Winifred Andrus, Glenn Frazier, Helen Frazier, 

Roscoe Andrus holding Millard; front, Bessie, Rex, Marilyn, Irene, Marlene, Ilene

Yesterday's note from Cousin Irene concluded her beautiful 2018 Rex Reunion tribute to Grandpa Rex.

In last October Conference Elder Bednar spoke of meekness, that often mis-understood and surely under appreciated attribute of our Redeemer. He gave a great description and as I read it afterward I immediately thought of how well it described our beloved Grandfather Rex. Hope it resonates with you. Elder Bednar said, "Meekness is strong, not weak; active, not passive; courageous, not timid; restrained not excessive; modest, not self-aggrandizing; and gracious, not brash. A meek person is not easily provoked, is not pretentious or overbearing and readily acknowledges the accomplishments of others," In the late 30's and early 40's, Grandpa lived through at least three heavy losses with courage, strength and modesty. I think his example is truly worthy of emulation.

Picture mid-1950

We enjoyed reunion pictures found here:  

Garrard Earl Morgan. John and Mellie Morgan's tenth son was an artist.

 As a two-year-old, Earl was the older of the two baby boys his widowed mother raised following his father’s August 1894 death.

Born October 8, 1892 to John and Helen, Melvina “Mellie” Groesbeck Morgan Garrard Earl grew up in the old Farmers Ward where his family lived on Bryan Avenue. There he attended the Waterloo School with his siblings.

Earl signed his 1917-1918 US World War I registration card as “E. Grard Morgan.” His occupation at that time was Window Trimmer for The Vine Company, Chicago, Ill. The registrar reported he was tall, slender, with blue eyes and auburn hair. Earl claimed “exemption” because “wife solely dependent.” He’d recently married Merin Birgita Engman, a Swedish immigrant. Their only child was named Garrard and was called Jerry.

In 1928 his family lived on Wilson Avenue in Salt Lake City and his niece Helen Rex of Randolph, Utah spent the school year in his home while she attended the L.D.S. High School.

Sometime later Earl and Merin were divorced. Merin and Jerry lived with Grandma Mellie Morgan for a time.

I’d learned from Morgan descendants that Earl was very artistic. Several of his paintings hung in his mother’s home but none of them could be accounted for. I was understandably thrilled to see one emerge from my deceased Aunt Winifred Rex Andrus’ home this past year. It was signed G E Morgan and her daughters said they had never seen it before.

Its unknown when Earl painted this 10 x 12 inch oil on pressed board.  With my cousin’s permission I had a Giclée disc and print made of the original and offered copies to interested family members. I recently purchased a copy for myself and had it wrapped around an 1-1/2 inch deep frame with the edges cloned.

I’d be happy to order a copy again for interested family members. The print is still $37 on canvas. Having it wrapped onto a frame as I did doubled the cost and then some. Please let me know if you’d like me to order you one next time around.

Wikepedia. Giclée; The name originally applied to fine art prints created on IRIS printers in a process invented in the late 1980s but has since come to mean an inkjet print. It is often used by artists, galleries, and print shops to suggest high quality printing but since it is an unregulated word it has no associated warranty of quality.                                                                                                                

Bessie Morgan Rex. Letter to Harold June 22, 1938.

Picture of Winnie Rex, Glenn Frazier, Helen and Flora Rex in about 1936.

Randolph, Utah

June 22, 1938.

My dear son,

Here it is Wednesday and I must get a letter off to you. Three letters a week surely keeps me going. I have left you until the last this week.

Had to write and ask Winnie why she didn’t tell me she came next to highest in the state exams. That is something to crow over—but not Win. Mary Rex came home from Calif. And she came over to tell me how fine Helen and Glenn are coming. She thinks they are a grand couple.

Haven’t had a letter from you this week so far. Saw in the paper that your president has been released. I told your father to be very sure about your money. He said he would be and will get it off the first of August. $150.00. Is that it. Well it will be there before I get an answer to this I guess.

Was talking to the bishop the other night and was surprised at his attitude toward missionaries. Allen Hatch came home with the big head and bishop just barely speaks to him. Of course I hope you have more sense than to let this experience go to your head.

Pg2.  

I don’t want you to be too sophisticated nor think Utah isn’t big enough for you. After all, the more we learn, the more we decide that we are just a very small part of this universe. I always think of Milton’s poem when I hear of some person who thinks he is so important. This the last of it.

"God doth not need either man’s work, or his own gifts; who best bear His mild yoke, they serve Him best. His state is kingly. Thousands at His bidding speed, And past o’er land and ocean without rest; They also serve who only stand and wait.”

Allen came in and talked to me the other day & I liked him. I know he is rather conceited tho’. He got a fellowship to a Calif. U. from the A.C. [Utah State Agriculture College] & is going down there next month. He graduated from the A.C. this Spring. I don’t know your idea in wanting to go the Ut [University of Utah]. Is that Pres. Howell’s suggestion? Allen thot you would like either the U or the A.C. spirit better. He went out in Agriculture & says all last year’s graduates have been placed. I hope you think things over well before

Pg 3.

It always looks that way to me too if I get out of the valley overnight.

Tonight is Wayne Argyles & a Putnam girls wedding in Woodruff. All these young people will be married off when you get home. Bishop thot Roy had improved much when he came home the last time. Had gotten over his big head. Are you return missionaries watched.

I believe they are trying to get Alto Dick J. & well I cant remember who now. Anyway they are hunting for those who can keep themselves. Oh Dee Hatch is the other one.

I must be closing now & get the boys’ breakfast. They have been gone since right after five. I think the responsibility placed on them does them good.

When this reaches you, it will be time to send your money I guess. Time is going pretty good now, but when I think Xmas nearly before we see you. Oh dear.

We all send our best love and ever remember in our prayers the dearest missionary (to us anyway) in the field.

Lovingly, Mother

Note: I couldn't include the original letter, I'm having scanner problems.

Gail Hamilton Miers of Greensburg, Indiana

This is John Hamilton Morgan's cousin Gail Hamilton Miers.

b. April, 1866, Greensburg, Decatur, Indiana

p. Mary Susan Logan and Garrard Morgan Hamilton

m. Morgan Miers

d. October 20, 1914

When John Hamilton Morgan began his missionary journal in 1876 he wrote from Normal, Illinois on January 4, 1876:

… I enter here my genealogy:

My grandfather and father were named Garrard Morgan. My grandmother Morgan’s maiden name was Sarah Sanderson. On my mother’s side my great grandfather was named John Hamilton; his wife, Elizabeth. Grandfather was James Hamilton, his wife, Margaret Hamilton. My mother’s name is Eliza Ann Hamilton. Gerrard Morgan, Jr. had a sister, Mary Morgan who married Marshall Hamilton, himself father of Woodson Hamilton.

Descendant Amy at The Ancestor Files once suggested that paragraph may account for why John Morgan's son Nicholas Groesbeck Morgan did not include his family history in the volume he wrote about his father.

In addition to the marriage of Mary Morgan to Marshall Hamilton mentioned above, James and Margaret Hamilton named their youngest son after their oldest daughter's husband, son-in-law Garrard Morgan; thus their youngest son was Garrard Morgan Hamilton.

No wonder Aunt Winnifred Rex Andrus once said, "I don't know how we'll ever straighten the Morgans and Hamiltons out."  To add to this fun Cousin Gail Hamilton, above, married a man whose first name was Morgan--Morgan Miers. 

From John Hamilton Morgan Travels and Journal:

October 27, 1882 - Started early this a.m. and drove to town and at 10 a.m. took train for Indianapolis where I visited cousin Robbins and uncle Morgan Hamilton. Attended the Grand Opera with cousin Gail Hamilton and saw the Hanlons play. Stayed all nigh at uncle Hamiltons.

November 1, 1883 - Left Cin. [Cincinnati] For Greensburg at 8:17 a.m. arriving at 10:40 a.m. and was met at the depot by cousin Gail Hamilton. Went up to uncle Morgan H. and spent the day.

Thank you to cousin Karen M. for sharing this wonderful picture of Gail. I suggest she is the Gail that John and Mellie Morgan named their daughter Gail (born 1888) after.

Bessie Morgan Rex. Letter to Harold, May 10, 1938.

Glenn and Helen Rex Frazier 1938

 

Randolph, Utah

May 10, 1938

My dear boy,

I waited until after the mail was in to write this letter, hoping of course not expecting, just hoping there might be a letter. Not being selfish tho’ you know, for you see I received a letter Sat. for Mother’s Day. That was lovely & I did enjoy it, but we usually get one on Monday. Well, we didn’t this Mon. so I’ll just have to tell you some news & gossip.

Saturday we received a grand picture of Winnie. A double—one in her uniform and one in her dress. They are lovely. Then yesterday comes one from Helen & Glenn. It is the cutest picture. They both look so fine, and Helen looks five years younger. Of course I am thrilled. I finally have them arranged on the piano, with yours in the middle, but it has taken me all day.

Roy was to be here today. He was released to go to his mother in the hospital, but they said he was coming home. Dottie is still very ill. Not a very happy homecoming for him.

Well, our old cold storm is finally

Harold Morgan Rex 1936-38

clearing off and things are warming up. I’m afraid you will find this a rather bare place when you come back.

Father is down to the B. Q. They are turning the earth over down there. Four tractors plowing. I rather think your father is in his glory.

Winnie graduates this month. I am glad, for her. It has been a long grind I think, but she is a brick.

Oh I wish something exciting would happen, so I would have something to tell you. Life is rather dull right now. Unless this is news. Jim Jackson married Jean Nebeker. Some combination.

School is out in two more weeks.

Morgan graduates from seminary this Sunday. He is a good boy but rather quiet. Not like his older brother, is he.

Here it is the next morning and I haven’t got any body else to send a line with this. I needn’t have written on both sides, but  if the others write it is better. A beautiful morning outside. I hope it keeps it up. Well, my dear I’ll sign off, praying that the Lord will ever help you in your work.

Of course we all send our love, and an extra lot from Mother.

Winnifred Rex Andrus 1938

Bessie Morgan Rex, letter to Harold. 1938 undated January.

"Oh, and does it make me sick to see my boy"

Undated early 1938 letter from Randolph

My dear son,

You wont mind, will you, if I just scratch off a few lines with a pencil. Must get this off to you this morning.

I do hope we hear from you today. We didn’t get one last week, but I thot that a month ago then you were on your way to your new field of labor. I do hope you like it there, and enjoy your work.

Hear from Helen & Winnie every week. Helen is grand down there [Oakland, California]. Think – 130 lbs. that is more than she ever weighted, I think. She found Aunt Lile and her girls. Families do get scattered.

There is a picture of the Joinville R.S. sisters in the Dec. magazine. I don’t suppose you get the magazine. Wish I could send you mine, but I am afraid it would get lost. I do like to keep them. It has so many grand things in it.

You just wont know you are in Randolph Church when you come home. It is all changed so.

Well, we have had no snow & no cold weather so far. I certainly think we will

get some. You see, I am like the old farmers’ wife who said,

“There is a heart, there is a hand we feel but cannot see

We have always been provided for and we shall always be.”

There just isn’t anything of importance around here. We go along in the same old way I guess. Ah last week I wrote a play & we put it on in R.S.

Hope you have written to Helen. She is so eager to hear from you.

I think I better close this. My mind just isn’t perking this morning. Heard “Red Sails in the Sunset” last night on the radio, Oh and does it make me sick to see my boy. I’m afraid as these missionaries start coming home, I’m going to get more impatient about you coming home.

Tell us all about your new home. We all send a bushel of love and surely do pray that the Lord will ever help you in your work.

Lovingly,

Mother 

Bessie Morgan Rex letter to Harold. January 19, 1938.

John Morgan, Percy Harold, Maeser Morgan Rex, 

standing in front of their Randolph, Utah home, prior to Morgan's deployment.

 Randolph, Utah

January 19, 1938

My dear dear boy,

Right now, I am going to sit down and write to you. It is nearly six o’clock and I am getting supper ready. Just received your letter of Dec. 17, and was, oh so pleased to get it. Of course it was written before your airmail letter, but nevertheless we enjoyed it very much, so I will chat about it first.

That is a lovely picture of Winnie, isn’t it. I have mine where I can see it all the time. I think my daughters are just grand but don’t say it’s too bad you are her brother. My dear, you have no idea how proud I am of my boys. Your work down there is a constant joy to me, and Morgan is growing into a fine serious fellow who loves things like physics and geometry. I do hope you can accomplish all the things you desire to so much. I am surely happy these days, especially when I think of my children. I received a letter from Helen also tonight

I am so glad she and Glenn are working [in] the ward. Have you heard from her? You should have by now.

Last night a young man came to see me. Do you remember those three salesmen you met in Evanston a day or two before you left. You know they sold Helen a couple of dresses. Well, one Karl Page, liked Helen very much, and so he came up to see me. He kept saying “She is one swell girl.” I should like to capture him for Winnie. He is the sweetest kid. He always wants to know all about you and is looking forward to seeing you when you come home. I like him because he is fine & clean looking, and does he love life.

You mentioned buying a camera. I do hope you were able to keep it. We are looking forward to seeing pictures of Brazil. I am wondering if you have enough money now. Do be very observing. We shall have many many questions to ask you. Did you write to Mr. D. P. Murray. Possibly you didn’t get my letter saying he was much interested in you and will help

you if you go the the A. C. [Agriculture College in Logan. Utah].

I have written a play for the R.S. today. It has been fun, but I do get tired. Myrtle Jones is the new R.S. Pres. And I still teach literature.

Have you decided to come straight home. Possibly that is the best. Daddy has some debts to pay and a hundred dollars is quite a bit right now. If you come home by N.Y. I shall send you Vash Young’s address and you can call on him. He gave me or my family a very urgent invitation.

They cleaned the church today to make it ready for carpet and drapes. Wont that be grand.

We have no snow so far, and a very mild winter. Different from any winter I have seen here so far.

And now my dear, you are much further away from us, but I’m so glad it is cooler. I looked it up on the map, and the weather, I judge, is about the same as our southern states. I do hope you like it. I think you have been rewarded for your good work.

Did I tell you Roy went back to his mission Monday morning. Bob W. will be home next month.

Did I tell you Helen found Aunt Lile. They didn’t know her.

Dear dear, I told you about the boy’s baby beef didn’t I. I am getting tired and sleepy, so I better be closing. There isn’t any news in town of any importance.

Keep up your good work, my son and the Lord will ever bless you. We wait for your letters each week and love to hear from you.

Love & kisses from all of us.

Lovingly,

Mother

Note: Eliza Ann Morgan Smith is Bessie's older sister born February 8, 1875. Vash Young is #8 in Bessie's classroom picture on this post.

July 2013 trip to Wyoming's Brigham Young Pioneer Vanguard Trail.

During my recent visit to Northern Utah my cousins chauffeured me (in a big truck) to some of the early nearby Wyoming pioneer trail sites. This rock arrow is purportedly what remains of an arrow Brigham Young left to direct travelers who came after him. Our great great Grandparents Nicholas and Elizabeth Thompson Groesbeck passed this way with the John Banks Company in 1856.

This marker is for a crossing of the Muddy. Presently there is very little water near the site.

These large old trees are evidence of earlier moisture. Nothing more than the creek below, with a bridge built over it for modern-day pioneers to pull their handcarts across. It was beautiful and green, if not muddy.

Markers have been added at actual pioneer grave sites along the trail.

High on this sandstone rock  Philo Dibble Jr. carved his name here while hiding out from Johnston's Army in 1857.
  

Very near the sandstone carving pictured above is this marker. It identifies the site as part of the original Pioneer Trail.

On a highway northeast of Evanston, Wyoming stands this marker that reads:

ERECTED by the members of the 

Woodruff Stake of the Church 

of JESUS CHRIST of Latter day Saints

in honor of the PIONEERS

 who passed this spot July 12, 1847

 under the leadership of 

BRIGHAM YOUNG

Dedicated Sept 20, 1924

The monument was dedicated by Great Grandfather William Rex (1844-1927). His then six-year-old granddaughter Winifred Rex Andrus, attended the dedication, and wrote her name with others on a paper that was left inside of the monument. 

Bessie Morgan Rex. Letter to son Harold. August 29, 1937.

Randolph, Utah. Aug 29 [1937]

Sunday afternoon, at home.

My dear neglected son,

Here I have been wasting this whole afternoon and have not written one line to my kiddies. I am awful, but it seemed good to just lie around and rest. I guess I was tired. You see, I have had a cannery here and I have been putting up vegetables for all I have been worth. They will be so nice this winter. My dear, we did not receive a letter from you this week. I cant imagine where these letters go that each of us never receive. Last week is the first week we have missed writing for months. Daddy and the boys work from 6:00 in the morn until 8:00 at night, and they are so tired when they get in, and we are all so tired after supper that we all go to bed, but haying will soon be over. School starts soon, however, but probably it will be a good thing. Maeser looks so tired. I think this is a hard country to earn a living in.

My flowers are still pretty, but it is feeling pretty cool outside. It rained last night and this morning, and I am afraid my beans will go down tonight. Rilla Peterson just sang over the radio. She has a very nice voice. Daddy is in Evanston with the Bishop. The boys are out milking. Helen has been to Woodruff to preach for the M. I. A.  I have listened to the radio and read Shakespeare’s biography.

Do you get the world news. It is certainly in a chaos. I am beginning to think that the prophecies about nations visiting against nation and wiping each other out is being fulfilled.

Well the typewriter makes my shoulder ache so I quit. Then I wasn’t feeling so hot so went to bed & had rather a bad night. I’m all right this morning. Just a bad head left.

Must hurry this off tho, & get a line to Winnie. Helen suffered with neuralgia part of the night & I’m wondering if she will be able to work today. Got the men off.  Maeser is some lad, but quite a sweet kid with all his funny ways.

The meeting house is to be decorated this fall. It is sadly in need of it. Suppose Helen told you of Dallas’ wedding. Free picture shows this week too.

I hate to write such uninspiring letters to you, but when I have much to do my brain doesn’t work very well. Shall try to do better when I can get outside. No wonder a poor farmer doesn’t advance very far intellectually. When your body is all tired out you can’t think even.

I suppose you hear from Clara don’t you. Helen was telling me how pretty she looked when she saw her last.

Well dearie, I’m afraid this will have to do for this time. Suppose you know you only got $25 last month. We have been rather shy of money, but will try to increase it.

Love & kisses, and a prayer for the Lords’ choicest blessings to be with you my dear.

Loving, Mother

Picture from Wikipedia
Pictures of daughter Winnifred canning in her kitchen.
Pictures of granddaughter Carol canning in her kitchen.

Helen Rex's 1937 trip to Los Angeles. Concluded.

 “Anyway I think I was pretty brave.”

You most certainly were brave Mother--you traveled alone on a bus from Randolph to Los Angeles in 1937. That’s pretty brave in this daughter’s eyes. And then you found yourself a nice hotel apartment in downtown Los Angeles to live in during your stay.

Continued from here

Apr 4 1937 letter from Helen to her brother Harold in Brazil, describing her trip to Los Angeles to visit Glenn Frazier.

Friday we went to Santa Monica, Ella, Mrs. Eastman, Glenn and I. We had lots of fun. We had our lunch in the nicest café. From the window where we sat we could look right out over the ocean, and we had fish. We saw Betty Davies Home there. It is right on the ocean shore. There is a boulevard goes right around the coast line. We drove around it and saw some of the most beautiful views of the ocean. Then we came out in Beverley Hills and saw Will Rodger’s Polo field and ranch. I can’t explain it to you, you really have to see it all. We will go someday together I hope.

I forgot to tell you, Thursday night, we went to the Palomar dance hall. It is hardly as large as Cocoa Nut Grove in Salt Lake, but more elaborately decorated. Ted Fio Reto’s Orchestra was there. We dance up close to the orchestra pit and watched him p[lay the piano. That was sort of a thrill.

Something else.  I saw Mary Pickford on the porch of her home, and we were driving home Friday night and saw Errol Flynn. Were we excited? Oh, no. Ela, Glenn and I all said at once. “That is Errol Flynn.” I don’t remember whether he was very popular when you left, but he has made some good shows. On Friday night we went to a theatre in Hollywood and saw Romeo and Juliet. It is wonderful. Norma Shearer and Leslie Howard play in it. I hope you can see it someday. This theatre is a Chinese theatre, and in the cement walk in front of it, are the hand marks and feet marks of the movie stars. Janet Gaynor’s Bill Hart’s, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks and lots of others. It is quite the thing.

Saturday we went to Exposition Park. The Los Angeles Colosseum is there, where the University of California and Southern California play football. It is simply huge, and that doesn’t explain it. Glenn says he is going to see a football game there next fall. Then there are buildings there with plants, minerals, and all kinds of things telling of the history of California. There is the skeleton of a huge elephant unearthed there someplace. It was all so very interesting, and we had to go through it in a hurry.

Sunday I checked out and started for home, it was awful. I left there at 6 p.m. and arrived home 11 p.m. Monday night. We crossed the desert in the night and with a full moon. It was a beautiful sight.

I also saw the sight where the Mormon Temple is to be built. It is near the University of Southern California. They purchased the land from Harold Lloyd Estate. It is in the beautiful part of the city. You see Hollywood, Beverely Hills and Westwood village are just suburbs of Los Angeles.

There were lots of other things I saw, but heavens I have written nearly three full pages, and I’ll bet while you have been reading this yarn you should have been studying, so must be stopping. The folks will be writing also.

When I came through Salt Lake, I saw Winnie. We had a stop of an hour and a half there. She is fine. She is the sweetest kid. Always has a smile on her face. I would liked to have stayed longer with her, but couldn’t. She is planning on coming home soon, so we will have a good visit. She is taking her vacation in August. Wish you were going to be home, so we could have a good family reunion. Maybe I won’t be home when you come back. If all goes well until fall for us, I think I’ll be making a new home. Glenn has done fairly well so far. There are so many strikes down there, it is rather a hard pull. When you come home, I hope these things are settled up. The place he is working at, has been under strike for two months. If it goes another month, and nothing more happens, then legally the strike is supposed to be over. He will then have a chance to work steady. It isn’t hardly what he wants, but it will be something to live on until he gets into a Diesel Company. It is with the Pacific Freight Lines, but they use Diesel trucks. He wants to work into a company where they sell the Diesel tractors, and all that.

We have been having some lovely rain storms here. Everything is nice and green. There was a dance last night, but didn’t go. I’m still recovering from last week.

Well old dear, We love you heaps and do miss you. Oh, say Willard Tingey has his release and will be home next month some time. One year from now, we can be saying it won’t be very long before Harold will be starting toward home.

Love & Kisses, Helen

Two years ago Winnie’s daughter wrote about her mother and posted here on her blog a lovely picture of Winnie. That is the girl Helen greeted on her trip home to Randolph.

John Hamilton and Helen Melvina Groesbeck Morgan--NEW gravestone.

William and Mary Elizabeth Brough Rex descendants gathered in about 1980.

L-R; Flora Elizabeth Rex Lamborn, Winifred Rex Andrus, Helen Rex Frazier,

Barbara Rex Wade, Ada Rex Pugmire, Jean Rex Stanley, and Amy Rex Gerber.

John Hamilton Morgan descendants met for lunch in 2009.

Claudia, Flora Lee, Karen M., Bessie

Granddaughters Flora, Margery, and Winnie seated in front.

About the same time John Hamilton Morgan granddaughters

and great granddaughters identified family members

 at the John Hamilton Morgan Salt Lake Cemetery Plot.

Several projects over the last three years have added new information

and headstones to the plot. John Morgan family descendants

 are invited to join together on Saturday, September 15th at 1:00 p.m.

to see the updated cemetery plot,

 and the beautiful NEW John and Mellie Morgan headstone.

1985 John Morgan [Jack] Clayton memories of his Grandma Mellie Morgan.

  Helen Melvina "Mellie" Groesbeck Morgan abt. 1925

The following is from a 1985 interview with John Morgan [Jack] Clayton, son of Gail Morgan Clayton. His mother, Gail was born in 1888, the 8th child of John Hamilton and Helen Melvina "Mellie" Groesbeck Morgan. Jack was answering questions asked by his cousins, about his memories of his Grandma Mellie Morgan.

Jack said: “The way she did her hair up in that knot. And beautiful hair!

“She was a very interesting person. She tried to keep up on things that were going on in the world all the time. I mean, she wasn’t just way back there, she was up here. As a matter of fact, when you would do something, she would try to kind of interview you. Every time I’d come back from Randolph from spendin’ the summer up there, she would sit me down and say,’Now tell me everything you did—don’t just say you went swimming in the river and that you went to church once. Tell us about it.’

“Going back to my first recollection of Grandma was really on a trip to Randolph. And we were little. And it took you all day to get to Randolph. My father had an old touring car—I don’t know if it was the old Columbia, or when I had a Lap, I don’t remember. But we were going up there, and all of us kids, and Mother and Grandma. And it was lousy weather. As a matter of fact, the car spun around—all the way around—and the women screamed and hollered, but Dad said, “Don’t worry about it!” I am sure he was a surprised as she, but I didn’t notice. As we were driving along, Grandma looked, and there was a herd of cattle down there with the snow, and she said, “Oh, look at the sheep.” And us kids laughed and said, “Grandma, they are cattle!” And my Mother said, “You shouldn’t laugh at Grandma, because at her age maybe they do look like sheep, and the day will come when you’ll have a little trouble with your eyes too—when you get as old as she is.”

Written on the back in Winifred Rex Andrus' hand:

 Uncle Jack & Aunt Gail & family

I recently understood whose family is in this picture. It is the very family and car Jack is referring to in the interview above. The John Morgan [Jack] and Gail Morgan Clayton family. The family members according to New Family Search are:

John [Jack] (1882-1974)and Gail Morgan Clayton (1888-1984)

Berenice Clayton Purchase (1912-1992)

John [Jack] Morgan Clayton (1914-1995)

Gail Clayton (1919-1968)

Darwin Spencer Clayton Sr (1921-1997)

Richard William Clayton (1925-)

Find an old Columbia touring car by searching for "Columbia" here.
An account of the Clayton cousins' trip to Randolph, and vacation with their Rex cousins at Bear Lake, is written here in Helen Rex Frazier's autobiography.

A special thank you to cousin Karen M. for transcribing and sharing early family interview tapes.

Bessie Morgan Rex - letter February 5, 1937.

About 1927

Helen, left rear. L-R Maeser, Morgan, Winnie,

 Harold in front of the Rex's Bear River Ranch House

My dear boy,

Helen has written a letter, and I had her wait until I wrote one before we sent it. So I mustn’t fail today. Last week I was rather under the weather. Experimenting—and it did not turn out so well. I thought of so many things to tell you. Whatever were they all about? I suppose you have heard of the floods up here. Disaster can certainly humble a mighty nation. Today a heavy storm on the Pacific coast is tying up traffic and communication. The whole country, practically, has had its share. Strikes tie up business & men wrangle back and forth until it is all sickening. It makes on wonder how it is all going to turn out.

The weather is acting very much like it did a year ago, and I shouldn’t be surprised if the snow is piled up much the same as it was last year.

Winnie hasn’t been able to get home yet. I suppose she has told of the Flu down there. Maybe she can come next week. We all hope so. Tonight is a basketball & dance. The new building is a delight to go to. I think they will make plenty for a while anyway.

Well, here it is 9 p.m. The family (excepting Flora & myself) have gone to the game. A while ago I read an essay on writing letter with many reasons for putting it off. In the end, the friend of the man who has been putting the letter-writing off, walks in. Now if you could do that, I shouldn’t have to finish this, rather dumb, letter.

Flora is asleep on the couch. Can’t you see her? She is growing so tall tho’. Morgan took one half hour pushing two waves in his hair. Did it look sleek & pretty—and does that boy primp. Heaven help me if I get three of my boys under the same roof. Maeser struts around in his new suit like—well like Harold

 used to.

Ohio University has been putting on a show on the radio. They are plucky. Ohio has been badly hit by the flood. Some announcers were giving news of the flood from Cincinnatti. Terrible news too-and then they said “We will now have some music.” The music was “Beautiful Ohio.” It would make you weep.

I wish I knew something to tell you. As far s the town is concerned, well I could live some other place for all I know.

Did I tell you I went with Uncle Will to S.L. to see Winnie while he went to a funeral. The funeral of Sis. Stoof was also held the same day. Bro. Stoof was president of the Argentine mission & I believe all of S.A. before it was divided. He is a German. He spoke at conference & I cut his talk out of the report. It is very inspiring, and if there

is room in the envelope, will send it to you.        

Did you get your garments? I am anxious about them. Do you get your money every month?

You never say. Its 30 or 35$ enough? Please advise.

Helen went down to Don’s and Mabel’s to stay overnight. I hope you never want to come back & settle down like that. There is too much in this world to bury one’s self on a place miles from nowhere. Don’t do it son.

Winnie surely looked grand when I saw her. She is a dear girl. I shall be glad if Helen can get to California. She is so thin here, but she is feeling pretty good.

I must be closing. Give Mr. & Mrs. Duke my best regards. They certainly must be nice people. Was that place you visited Xmas a resort of some kind. You are indefinite. The Lords blessings on you my dear is our constant prayer.

Lovingly, Mother

1930 SRHS Junior Prom - When Helen met Glenn.

Dance Program from Helen Rex's Scrapbook

Glenn Frazier met Helen Rex while she was still in high school. They each told their descendants the same story. They met at a South Rich High School dance--in those days everyone went. 

After sharing a few dances Glenn asked Helen if he could take her home. She said, “no,” and explained that she’d return home with the person who brought her to the dance—her father. The Rex home was nearby in Randolph, it was just down the street from South Rich High School, the Church, the old Opera House, and almost everything else in town.

Glenn Frazier’s family lived ten miles south of Randolph in Woodruff, Utah.

The Rex and Frazier families were some of the early 1870 Rich County settlers and each family helped settle their respective town; Randolph and Woodruff.

Both families are represented in this 1929 Rich County Fair Report.

Complete List of Winners at the Second Annual Rich County Fair--September 29, 1929

The Second Annual Rich County Fair and rodeo held at Randolph, Utah, Sept. 24 and 25, under the direction of the County Farm Bureau, was a huge success.

The exhibits of fruits, farm products, livestock and home economics were first class. The display would be a credit to a much larger county than Rich.

Interesting programs were held each morning in the ward chapel. Speakers from the Utah Agricultural College, State Farm Bureau and the State Board of Agriculture gave instructive talks.

The Rodeo held in the afternoon was as fine as any held in the west.

The whole affair showed what real cooperation can do.

Following is a list of the premiums and of those in charge: 

[I list only winners I know belong to my families.]

Saddle Horses--3d., Sam Rex—ribbon.

Mare and Colt--1^st A. G. Rex, 1-2--$1.25.

Yearlings--2d., Winnie Rex--$1.00

Boy Pony--2d., Maeser Rex--$1.50.

Dairy Cattle—Holstein

Grade Milking Shorthorns

Cow-1^st. prize, P. H. Rex.

Sheep Department

Harry Smith, Judge, Wm. Rees, Supervisor.

Registered Ramboulilet--Ram—1^st. Frank Frazier

Lincoln--Ram—1^st. and 2d., Frank Frazier

Columbia--Ram—1^st. Frank Frazier.

Grade Beef Cattle--Group 3 steers--2d. P. H. Rex

Bread

Cake—Mrs. Frank [Emily] Frazier, Woodruff, 50 cents.

Nut Bread—Mrs. Sam [Bess] Rex, Randolph, Utah, 50 cents.

Junior Prom February 28, 1930.

Helen's dance program and note at the bottom, A Wonderful time.

Helen was part of the Junior Class that year.

My guess is this is the dance when Helen first met Glenn!

Helen and Winnie Rex reaped President George Albert Smith's promised blessing.

Helen and Winnie Rex, Randolph, Utah, 1936.

I read a statement from last week's Relief Society lesson from the Teachings of President George Albert Smith that was very familiar and reminded me of the P. H. and Bessie Morgan Rex family of Randolph, Utah, and some of their letters that I've been posting here.

The following statement from "Doing Our Part to Share the Gospel," pages 141-142 (1935 conference report) reminded me of the Rex's support of their missionary son Harold during his 1936-1938 mission to Brazil. Daughters Helen and Winnie contributed a portion of their salaries to their brother's support in the mission field. There is no doubt they reaped the promised blessing.

"A plea has been made ... that we send our sons and daughters into the mission field. ... It has been a joy to me to see men and women economize and plan in order that their children may go into the world. Within the last few weeks a young man ... left to go into the mission field, and his two sisters ... are sending him part of their small salaries that he may enjoy the blessing of a mission. He is the first of a large family of children to go into the mission field to disseminate the truth. ... I know the joy that will come into the hearts of those two fine women who have faith to give their means to their brother in order that he may serve the Lord in the field. They will receive the blessing that comes from teaching the Gospel, as far as it is possible to receive it without personal service."