24-William and 25-Mary Mead Rex. Part 1.

24 - William Rex
b. 19 Aug 1817, Upton-Noble, Somerset
p. John Rex, Ann Osland
m. Mary Mead Rex, 12 Nov 1842
d. 7 Apr 1852, St. Louis Missouri

25 - Mary Mead Rex
b. 17 Nov 1813, Charleston, Hawthorne, Somerset, England
p. Meshack Mead, Betty (Elizabeth) Fox
m. William Rex, 12 Nov 1842
d. 20 Dec 1899, Randolph, Utah

Mary had her share of joys and sorrows but she bore them all with calmness and fortitude.

William was the sixth of eight children born to John Rex, a mason, and Ann Osland Rex. Mary was one of five children born to Meshack Mead, a sieve maker, and Betty (Elizabeth) Fox Mead.

William and Mary were married November 21, 1842 in the Union Chapel at Sherborne, Dorset, England. They were early converts to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in England. William was baptized February 10, 1849, and Mary was baptized on August 2, 1849. That year William wrote in his journal, opened my house for preaching. His sister Sarah was also baptized.

On December 17, 1849 Elder E. Hanham wrote: I now leave Sherborne after walking nearly one thousand miles for the salvation of this people. Since June 15, 1849, having been presiding Elder over this place since that period. I have succeeded in getting, by the assistance of others, Brother Rex not being least; eleven to be baptized, one of whom is cut off. But I think the Gospel standard is so well planted here that many will obey the Gospel ere long. My prayer to Israel’s God is that the few who have obeyed the Gospel may prosper, and become exceeding great. Yea, that the little one may become a thousand, and the great one a strong nation! I now leave my blessing on them and say, 'Be ye blessed in the name of Jesus Christ, and may ye prosper according to your well doing.' I remain your brother in the bonds of the New and Everlasting Covenant.

William Rex was ordained an Elder on December 23, 1849, and placed over the branch at Sherborne.

On October 2, 1850 William and Mary Mead Rex departed Liverpool, England on the emigrant ship James Pennell. Part of a company of 254 souls under the direction of Christopher Layton, they are listed on the ships passenger list with their children, and their birth years. William was 33 years old and Mary was 37, their children, Thomas John,7, William, 6, Charles, 4, Alfred George, 2, and 5-month old Florence Celeste who had been born earlier that year on May 5, 1850.

According to the Millennial Star, Vol XIII, page 9, their trip was an ordinary passage.

The materials for these posts are from Helen Rex Frazier's collection of history of her great grandparents, William and Mary Mead Rex. Much now appears in History, Descendants and Ancestory of William Rex and Mary Elizabeth Brough of Randolph, Utah, compiled and edited by Ronald Dee Rex, 1999. James Pannell voyage notes are from FamilySearch Mormon Immigration Index (50174) Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2000 edition. The cover page, pictured beneath, was written and compiled by her Aunt Edna Brown Rex.

To be continued ...

The Morgan Hotel closed. Repeatedly.

John Morgan concluded building the Morgan Hotel here. In June 1891 he continued his demanding life with the strength of a 10 year lease from Mr. Clark in hand.

The following newspaper article illustrates how things had been going for the Morgans and the hotel business.

Deseret News, December 6, 1892

A short notice in the News of December 7, 1892: “This morning Mr. John Morgan, Proprietor of the Morgan Hotel, took charge of this establishment . . . Mr. Clark consenting to relinquish the lease” [1]

It was while searching for that notice, which I haven’t yet found, that I saw the December 6th article naming Mrs. Helen M. (Mellie) Morgan in the lease dispute with Mr. Clark over the Morgan Hotel.

A year and a-half later in May 1894, the national financial crisis was reflected in the Salt Lake City arrival of a unit of Coxey's Army on its way from California to Washington.

Three weeks after the Utah Guard was organized in 1894, it was called to Ogden to control a group of unemployed workers, estimated at 1,200 men, who were moving through Utah as "Kelley's Army," a part of the Coxey's Army movement.

By May 1894 “tourists were almost nonexistent, … when members of the Morgan family stood huddled in the lobby of the hotel, peering somberly out the window. All the rooms were vacant, and as John and Mellie discussed their next move, a line of ragged and dirty men shuffled past.
“'Coxey’s Army,' said John in a voice just above a whisper.
“As the men drifted past, a turkey escaped from a street front market, flapping noisily ahead of the men. John turned to a sober-faced Mellie: 'Good thing they don’t know the hotel is empty. They might take it over.'” [2]

It was "Kelley’s Army," that was marching in front of the Morgan Hotel. Penniless unemployed men on their way to Washington. Their intent was to march on the halls of government to “influence the government on depression legislation.”

Deseret Evening News, Saturday, April 30, 1904

… The new Southern, that is to be, was built by John Morgan, at a cost of $60,000 and was opened in May, 1891, by John Clark as owner of the lease, and with Theodore Mulford, now proprietor of the White house, as the manager. But the hotel was opened at an unpropitious period—when the boom had just bursted [sic]. Then the rental figures were too much for Mr. Clark--$700 a month. In a year he was ruined financially and Mr. Morgan took the house himself and kept it for a year with Mr. Mulford still at the helm.

"About this time Mr. Morgan fell ill. He made a brave fight for the recovery of his health which had been greatly impaired by the business depression that was so widespread at that time. But death came and Mr. Morgan’s son-in-law, Mr. Snyder, tried in vain to keep the business afloat. After that the house, which was called the Morgan, was closed for a considerable time …"

Does anyone know who Mr. Snyder is, and which of John Morgan's daughters he was married to?

[1] The Life and Ministry of John Morgan by Arthur Richardson, copyright 1965, by Nicholas G. Morgan, Sr., pg. 533.

[2] The Man Who Moved City Hall; Nicholas Groesbeck Morgan by Jean R. Paulson, copyright 1979 by Marjorie Morgan Gray, pgs. 10-13.

Morgan Hotel. Rushing things as fast as I can! Concluded.

(Continued from here.)

1890
November 20-21. With a storm threatening John Morgan worked about the building then took a train to Kaysville to hurry up the brick making there—they were behind.

November 22
Rented the Hotel property to J. H. Clark for ten years. Had some difficulty in getting money to pay the men off today, but succeeded at last.

These December journal entries typified the progress and delays John Morgan continued to experience while building his hotel; 8th-Pushed the work on the building. Got the roof nearly completed and the transoms glassed in, 9th-Finished the roof and nearly the fire walls, and columns, 10th-Indications of rain and storm. The transom roof going on slowly, 13th-Arranged with Pratt Brothers and had sufficient to pay the men off today, 15th-Started washing down the brick work on outside of building and fixing for the cornice, 16th-Called and saw Mr. J. H. Bacon about money, 17th-Pushed the work on the building. Ran out of coke to dry plastering. Money very scarce and hard to get, 18th-Met Mr. Bacon again today and have some prospect of getting some money, 19th-Succeeded in making partial arrangements for money today through Mr. Bacon with Jarvis Conklin Company. Telegraphed that I would start for Colorado Sunday.

December 20
Drew and paid five thousand dollars today and kept very busy getting affairs into shape to leave. Brother Jas. A. Morgan came to the city and was with me most of the day. Worked until quite late at night.

Note: Who is Brother Jas. A. Morgan? It first appeared to me that he came “to the city” to oversee the general contracting work of the Morgan Hotel Construction in John’s approaching absence. Is Brother Jas. A. Morgan John's brother? No, wouldn't he call his brother “Jimmie,” as he always had. Could this man be a family member, or someone John wanted to invest in the Hotel? He wasn't mentioned again.

December 21
Brother Grow came up and we talked over work to be done during my absence. Attended services at the Tabernacle. … left for Colorado over the Rio Grande Western.

Note: It was four more months of the same pace before John Morgan’s hotel was completed. There is some reference to the building project in this earlier post.

1891
April 30
Finished the building and turned it over to J. H. Clark the renter. Began tearing down the old building on the 26th of May, 1890 and began excavating on the 24th of June. Attended Council Meeting at 11 a.m.

May 1
The Hotel opened today with a large crowd of boarders and visitors …

May 2
Rustling for some money to pay the men off and succeeded fairly well. Everything seems to be moving smoothly in the Hotel.

May 3
At home all day except attending Ward Meeting in the evening. Brother Roberts with us most of the day.

May 4
Looked after the work about the building and made arrangements to go to Colorado.

May 5
Had lease for the building signed today and settled up with a number of the contractors. At 10 p.m. left for Colorado …

June 1
[Salt Lake] Called at the Hotel and had a look over it. A number of doors had shrunk so as to not close. Met N. V. Jones about getting some money …

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

Morgan Hotel; at work about the Building, Money very scarce and hard to get.

Continued from here.



Two additional themes ran through John Morgan’s journal entries during the year he was building the Morgan Hotel; at work about the Building, and Money very scarce and hard to get. The railroads carried him on Church assignments throughout Utah and to Idaho and Colorado, where he was also able to keep tabs on his three families. Being continually on the move undoubtedly helped John Morgan evade the Marshals.

On October 6, 1890 he attended General Conference in Salt Lake City and wrote, Conference met at 10 a.m. with a large attendance. The General Authorities of the Church were sustained after which the Articles of Faith were read and the recent Manifesto of President Woodruff was sustained. At 7 p.m. left for Colorado over the D. and R. G. Railroad.

He wrote during much of his trip. On the 8th he, took train for the south arrived at home [Manassa]. All well. Found my affairs in fairly good shape. The next day he worked about his place, and noted, The boys returned from the mountains with a load of wood, some lumber, and some poles.

October 10
Nich Smith [born 20 June 1881 to John Henry and Josephine Groesbeck Smith] dislocated his arm this a.m. and I took him to Antonito where Dr. Johnson set it. Quite cold. The boys at work at the fence around the hay.

The next day he drove to Sanford and LaJara [map here] and assisted in getting the wire stretched around the hay. On the 12th he attended meeting at 2 p.m. and spoke to the people.

The next couple of days he took down the old chimney at the house and started to build a new one. Went to the ranch this p.m. to stay all night. The next morning he drove over to town and worked at the chimney and got affairs into shape to return to Utah.

On the 16th he arrived at home in Salt Lake and Found all well, but bad weather had held the building back. Attended council meeting … On the 19th he took the train to Preston, Idaho, returning to Salt Lake the same day.

October 20 Kept busy about the building during the day. At 7 p.m. left for Emery County in company with A. M. Musser on political matters ...

October 25 Gave a note to State Bank of Utah for $3,164.00 this morning. Paid off the men and worked about the building during the day ...

November 1
Gave note to State Bank of Utah for $1,800 and paid the men off during the day.

November 2
Attended funeral of young Joe Groesbeck at 11 a.m …

November 3
Pushed the work on the building and endeavored to raise some money to go ahead with my work.

... November 8 Paid the men off today, it taking nearly $2,500.00. After the days work, left at 7 p.m. for Emery County ...

November 11 John Morgan return to Salt Lake City, storming during the day so as to stop the masons from laying brick ... on 12th, clear and cold after yesterday’s storm. A heavy force of men at work on the building pushing the work as fast as we possibly can ...

November 13
Another fine day and crowding the work on the building. Made two trips to the stone works in the Nineteenth ward to hurry them up. Reached the square of the fourth story today.

November 14
Pushed the work on the building, but our supply of stone gave out and we were forced to stop the brick laying, but kept the carpenters at work.

November 15
Hurried up the Carpenter work and stone cutters. Paid off the men and left for Nephi on the 4 p.m. train. Arrived at 8 p.m.

November 16
Remained quiet at Sister Udalls during the day. A number of friends called during the day and evening.

November 17
Left on the 5 a.m. train and arrived at 10 a.m. A large force at work on the building pushing it steadily.

November 18
At work about the building and rushing things as fast as I can. Good weather.

November 19
Looked the elevator question up and got bids …

(To be concluded.)
John Hamilton Morgan Journal, Special Collections, Marriott Library, University of Utah. Picture from Google.

Stephen K. Frazier May 18, 1945 - December 29, 2010

We lost Frazier cousin Stephen K. Frazier last week. His sister called him a maverick today at his funeral. A great grandson of Stephen Vestal Frazier, he came by it naturally. I offer my heart-felt condolences to his loved ones. Steve will surely be missed.