Freedom History () - Silver Star Communications

THE HISTORY
OF THE COMMUNITY
And
FAMILES
of
FREEDOM WYOMING & IDAHO
CONTAINING
FAMILY HISTORIES
STORIES
AND
OTHER
HISTORICAL AND TRIVIAL
INFORMATION
1ST EDITION
Compiled in 1994-2008
Copyright ©1994-2008
Update date: 5/1/2008
PREFACE
This book could not have been published without the perseverance, patience, time,
and love provided by Lorna Haderlie.
Assistants that contributed time to help type, compile and proof read, were:
Judy Clinger, Melvin Clinger, Carole Hokanson, Elaine Jenkins, Annette Luthi,
Bonnie Pantuso, Corey Pantuso, Julie Pantuso, Marie Pantuso, Stefanie Pantuso and
those that submitted the information contained here within.
The Freedom History was assembled from family History's and records
submitted by the families, friends, and individuals contained, and not contained in this
book. Any misrepresentations by editing were not intentional. The enormous job of
compiling this amount of material from so many sources is bound to have created
some errors. The many hundreds of donated hours were hard to coordinate. Any
omission of material is probably because it was not submitted or missed but not
intentional.
Any conflicts that may exist between the histories contained in this book may
be because they are personal memories and perspectives of each individual submitter.
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
History Of Freedom Wyoming
07/21/95 E71
Freedom Amusement Hall
09/01/96 E110
Freedom Cemetery
10/03/94 E44
Freedom Cemetery’s
6/14/00
Ruth Haderlie’s Dance
04/25/94 E26
Ode To The "Valley"
10/03/94 E46
A Story About Polygamists
03/23/94 E05
Silver Star Telephone
04/18/94 E25
Star Valley Stake of Zion
10/03/94 E41
Thrashing In Early Freedom
10/03/94 E43
The Vail Coal Mine
06/14/00
Song About Freedom (tune): Open Up Your Heart And Let The Sunshine In
Food Preserving - By Verba Erickson
06/16/00 E86
Freedom’s First Pioneer
Twins Born In Freedom
08/13/00 E95
Missionary List Compiled By Ina Erickson
08/13/00 E93
10
21
22
23
26
27
28
29
32
34
35
37
38
40
51
52
Allred, Paul & Vera Haderlie
01/16/95 E53
Ashment, Floyd
06/14/00
Ashment, James George & Catherine Ann Bratton 06/14/00
55
56
58
Baker, Wayne & Mariam
Bateman, Charles Thomas
Barber, Walter Riches & Lorraine
Baugh, John Robert & Tracey Clark
Bright, Annie Elisabeth Bright
Brog, Ernest & Martha
Brog, Fred & Annie
Brog, Tyler Fred & Suzanne
Brower, Alden, Carl & Audron Miles
Brower, Harold & Reberta
Brower, James Mason & Mary Erickson
03/20/99 CP112
03/19/00
06/17/00
03/14/99 E92
09/28/93 A1
06/16/00
06/15/00
06/17/01
07/18/99 JP
04/04/99 MP9
06/04/00
60
62
64
65
66
68
71
72
73
75
76
Call, Jessie Newswander
Campbell, Norma Jenkins
Chadwick, Clarence & Ressa
Child, D'orr & Elnora Hanson
Child, Ralph & Marie Stoor
Clark, Alma Porter & Marie Stoor
Clark, Arthur & Loretta McWherter
Clark, Arthur Benjamin & Helen Margaret Ross
Clark, Daniel John & Mary Amanda Hokanson
Clark, Ida E. W.
Clinger, Darwin Kenneth
02/11/95 E55
05/11/94 E29
06/16/00
03/14/99 E88
10/09/94 E42
8/13/00 E96
03/14/99 MP2
03/14/99 MP 4
03/14/99 MP 3
03/23/94 E19
79
81
82
84
87
89
91
93
95
98
99
3
4
Clinger, Melvin S. Clinger
Croft, Harry & Marionette
Croft, William D. & Beatrice
Crook, Lyman F.
Crook, Ronald Frank & Barbara Ellen Davie
Crook, William Henry & Annie Haderlie
03/23/94 E07
06/17/00
06/17/00
03/14/99 E74
06/14/00
103
107
108
109
111
112
Daines, Verna Rainey
Dana, Donna Rainey
Draney, Doyle
Draney, Elno & Laura
Draney, Ivin & Mabel
Draney, Royal Aquilla & Mable
06/16/00 E11
09/01/96 E108
10/05/93 C3
03/23/94 E08
AL
09/01/96 E101
114
118
120
121
123
124
Edwards, John
Erickson, Alvin & Kathleen Lewis
Erickson, August
Erickson, Bryce & Kathleen Hrapchak
Erickson, Carl & Beata
Erickson, Carl G.
Erickson, Carl G. E.
Erickson, Elworth & Fayone
Erickson, Newel William & Verba Keeler
06/17/01
10/05/93 C2
01/04/98 CP103
03/23/94 E09
03/23/94 E06
03/23/94 E10
03/23/94 E13
06/16/00 E80
125
126
128
130
131
133
136
139
140
Gustaveson, Wilda Jessop Jenkins
06/16/00 E77
143
Haderlie, Byron Frank & Ruth Anderson
Haderlie, Charles Henry Haderlie
Haderlie, Conn & Elmina Jenkins
Haderlie, Dannie K. & Trudy Ann Hemmert
Haderlie, Darrel Leroy & Marsha Elizabeth Roberts
Haderlie, Darren Keeler & Jerolyn Lancaster
Haderlie, Dennis K. & Pamela Greenfield
Haderlie, Earl C. & Lorna Keeler
Haderlie, Edith Weber
Haderlie, Journal of Gilbert Schiess
Haderlie, John Joseph & Martha Lindholm
Haderlie, John Max & Patricia Olson
Haderlie, Luther Herman & Johanna Lindholm
Haderlie, Phyllis Irene
Haderlie, Vaughn J. & Danice Lindsey
Haderlie, Wilford Leroy
Haderlie, Bertha Lafern Erickson
Hamilton, Alice J.
Hanson, Emil
03/14/99 MP 5
06/03/01 SP
06/17/01 JP
07/21/95 E70
03/14/99 E91
09/01/96 E102
01/04/98 CP109
07/21/95 E60
10/03/94 E40
03/14/99 MP 6
02/11/95 E56
07/21/95 E72
12/16/94 E49
06/17/00
10/03/94 E39
144
147
149
152
153
154
155
156
158
159
162
165
167
170
173
175
176
178
181
06/16/00 E90
06/14/00
Hanson, Heber
06/17/01 JP
Hanson, Martha
08/13/00 E97
Hanson, Oril & Elva Jenkins
06/17/00
Heap, Dellis & Erma Nelson Hull
07/21/95 E63
Heap, Edgar & Annie Katherine (Rena) Wright
08/13/00 E98
Heap, Eugene & Evelyn Smith
10/04/94 E28-2
Heap, Joseph
06/16/00
Heap, Mary Ellen
06/16/00 E81
Heap, William Henry Harrison
06/16/00
Hemmert, Ralph Wright & Vera Gladys Herrington 07/21/95 E69
Hokanson, Bret & Karlene
01/04/98 CP106
Hokanson, Dee J. & Ida Ranzenberg
10/03/94 E45
Hokanson, Eva May Jenkins
01/04/8 CP 105
Hokanson, Nyla J.
01/04/98 CP 108
Hokanson, Ola & William E., Joseph E., Ida A., Oscar J. 06/03/01 SP
Hokanson, Orlin Gary & Carole
01/04/98 CP108
Hokanson, Van J.
01/04/98 CP 108
Hokanson, Verla J.
01/04/98 CP107
Holbrook, Reed Burton & Bonita May Clark
03/14/99 MP 1
Izatt, Keith & Gayle
Izatt, Leslie & Delia Elizabeth Crouch
Izatt, Veldon & Veloy
04/18/94 M1
09/01/96 E 105
06/11/00 MP
Jackson, Donlee & Deanne
Jackson, Lavard & Athea
Jenkins, Alice Agusta Erickson
Jenkins, Aneita
Jenkins, Byron A.
Jenkins, Charles Evan
Jenkins, Corey Roos
Jenkins, Darrel Ray & Magdalene Susan Duncan
Jenkins, Darrin Vern
Jenkins, Dean & Elaine
Jenkins, Denzil & Lavern
Jenkins, Farrell Erickson
Jenkins, Glen La Mar & Jenkins, Alice Agusta
Jenkins, John
Jenkins, John Franklin
Jenkins, Mary Elizabeth Haskell
Jenkins, Annis Jessop
Jenkins, John Raymond & Lula Haderlie Jenkins
Jenkins, Kay D.
Jenkins, Keith & Cheryl Dee Hathaway
Jenkins, Kendall Evan
Jenkins, Kenneth R.
Jenkins, Lael (Dan) Jenkins
Jenkins, Lavor H.
06/17/00
06/14/00
04/25/94 M4
05/11/94 M8
03/23/94 E03
06/16/00
06/16/00
06/12/00
06/16/00
03/23/94 E01
06/14/00
05/11/94 M10
05/17/94 M5
06/16/00 E79
183
188
189
190
192
194
196
198
199
201
202
203
204
205
206
211
212
213
214
06/14/00
06/03/01 SP
10/05/94 E35
01/04/98 CP 104
05/18/94 cp
06/03/01 SP
06/14/00
5
Jenkins, La Vor Ray & Barbara Bagley
Jenkins, Lewis I.
Jenkins, Lorenzo & Julie Louk
Jenkins, Lowell "E"
Jenkins, Marlo D. Jenkins
Jenkins, Orrin Milton
Jenkins, Royal Aquilla
Jenkins, Theras Ira & Doris Lucille Hibbard
Jenkins, Vernal E.
Jenkins, Vernon
Jenkins, Wendell Dee & Phebe Loraine Spackman
Jenkins, Wilford Lorenzo & Annie Mabel Erickson
Jenkins, William Evan & Lena Weber
Johnson, Peter John
Keeler, Leroy Howard & Leola Heap
Kennington, George S. & Ada
Kennington, Martha
Kopaunik, George William & Olive Lavera Jenkins
12/16/94 E48
06/14/00
10/05/94 E37
05/11/94 M7
06/03/01 SP
06/14/00
06/03/01 SP
06/16/00 E76
05/11/94 M9
06/16/00
01/04/98 CP100
06/16/00 E75
05/11/94
11/12/00mp
04/18/99 SP2
03/23/94 E20
03/23/94 E20
06/16/00 E89
Laker, Frank J. & Grace Virgina Peterson
07/21/95 E64
Laker, James Andrew Hokanson / Laker & Josephine Wilhelmina Johnson
Lindholm, Franklin
06/16/00
Lindholm, Thecla
08/13/00 EL
Livingston, Annie Lovena Warren
06/17/01
Loveland, Jessie McGavin
09/01/96 E100
Luthi, Charles Kent & Sherry Allred
03/19/00
Luthi, Charles & Carol Emily Hale
07/21/95 E60
Luthi, Cody & Ronda Draney
03/14/99 E73
Luthi, Dick & Reba Sanderson
06/12/00
Luthi, Fredriech & Clara Smith...Mary Zollinger
09/01/96 E107
Luthi, Henry & Cleo Jean Bollwinkel
05/11/94 E27
Luthi, Henry Cordell & Annette Haderlie
06/16/00 E83
Luthi, Johannes & Rosina Schweizler
03/24/94 E22
Luthi, John Eldon
06/16/00
Luthi, Kim & Dena Family
07/21/95 CP
Luthi, Mark & Lisa Sullivan
01/04/98 CP102
Luthi, PA & Pete Lee
02/19/95 E58
Luthi, Reed & Vona Vee Nelson
11/12/00 mp
McGavin, George Gee
07/21/95 E66
McGavin, James Dunn
06/14/00
McGavin, Robert Ferrin
11/12/00 mp
McWherter,Arthur L. and Mildred Robinson McWherter 11/12/00 mp
Miller, Cynthia Hunt
07/21/95 E67
Moffat, Ralph & Clara
09/01/96 E103
6
Moser,Erwin Hanson and Dortha Lovina Hepworth 11/12/00 mp
Moser, Otto & Ida
06/14/00
Nelson, Andrew & Lucy
Nelson, Archie Demar & Corine Putnam
Nelson, Clarence “Ty” & Eva Nield
Nelson, Ford & Laura Keeler
Nelson, Ivan & Berniece
Nelson, Jacob
Nelson, John Thomas and Ivy Imogene Ashment
Nelson, Wan & Audra Keeler
Newswander Mercantile
03/23/94 E15
7/18/99 JP
06/15/00
8/13/00 E99
07/21/95 E62
06/14/00
09/01/96 E109
Olsen, Ken & Carol C.
Osmond, Rulon V. & Norma K.
10/17/94 E47
06/16/00
Pantuso, Corey & Bonnie
Petersen, Leo Christian & Beulah Neva Jenkins
Rainey, Clyde & Verna
Rainey, David William & Mary Marie Olsen
Rainey, Thomas & Pauline McNeel
Rainey, Thomas Glen & Clara Louise Heap
Rainey, Thomas Reed & Joyce Mitten
Roberts, Burtis & Teresa
Roberts, Lewis D. & Betty L. Charlesworth
Robinson, Alvin
Robinson, Brent G.& Ilta Robinson
Robinson, Carl & Minnie
Robinson, Dowain
Robinson, Elmo & Nola
Robinson, Fredrick Dewey & Thelma Jane Gillies
Robinson, Guy & Ida Luthi
Robinson, Horace Leroy & Leda Ann Jenkins
Robinson, James Walter & Vera Eddins
Robinson, John JR.
Robinson, John Melvin & Leone Erickson
Robinson, J.P. & Judith
Robinson, Keith & Verda
Robinson, Leonard Erickson & Family History
Robinson, Leone
Robinson, Merle “Swede” & Clara Elena Wolfley
Robinson, Reynold Frank & Eliza Luthi
Robinson, Rose
Robinson, Theo & Grace Titensor
Robinson, Dr. Thomas E.
06/15/00
06/16/00 E87
03/24/94 E21
01/09/95 E52
06/17/00
03/20/00
01/15/95 E54
06/17/00
10/03/94 E36
7/18/99 JP
11/12/00 mp
03/23/94 E14
06/17/00
03/26/95 SCAN
06/03/01 SP
06/03/01 SP
04/04/99 MP10
01/09/95 E50
07/21/95 E59
03/14/99 MP7
06/17/00
06/16/00
05/11/94 M11
01/04/98 CP111
06/14/00
374
04/18/94 E24
04/18/99 SP1
02/19/95 E57
7
Robinson, Willard And Mary Abigal
Robinson, William & Velta Wright
Robinson, William Paxton - Emily Olive Whittle
Romney, Edyth Jenkins
07/03/05
10/10/93
07/03/2005
10/05/94 E33
447
Sanderson, Chet J.& Lisa Park Tonks
Sanderson, Del Mar & Linda Weber
Sanderson, Orion La Mont (Dick) & Louie Heap
Sanderson, Max & Maxine Jenkins
Sanderson, Richard Swan & Martha Nelson
Sanderson, William Delos & Alta Brower
Sanderson, William Donnie & Kathlen
Schiess, Alonzo & Nellie
Schiess, Delbert & Susan Merle Nelson
Schiess, H. Lloyd, M.D
Schiess, William Alvin Family
Schumway, Virginia Laker Sanders
Schwab, Byron & Billie
Sears, Nola W.
Sibbett, Franklin James & Blanche Idell Haderlie
Snyder, George Franklin
Sommers, Elmer
Spackman, Charles & Phebe
Spackman, Edward A. & Thecla
Spackman, Rex Arthur & Connie Linford
03/14/99 CP112
06/16/00 E84
07/21/95 E68
06/14/00
06/14/00
06/14/00
04/18/94 E23
06/03/01 SP
08/13/00 E95
06/26/05 TH
03/26/95 scan
07/21/95 E65
04/04/99 MP8
03/23/94 E18
09/01/96 E106
06/03/01 SP
06/17/01
03/24/94 N
03/23/94 E02
01/04/98 CP110
448
449
450
451
452
454
456
457
460
462
469
472
473
474
476
478
479
480
481
483
Warren, Calvin
Warren, Delbert
Warren, Elmo
Warren, Frederick
Warren, Gene
Warren, Harold Lorenzo
Warren, Ivan Walter
Warren, Lee
Warren, Raymond Ivan
Warren, Reed Bernell
Warren, Rickie Del
Warren, Thomas Walter
Weber, Charles Samuel
Weber, Doyle Walter & Betty Arlene Johnson
Weber, Elvera Johanna Weber Penrose
Weber, Fred
Weber, Herbert & Vera
Weber, Vera Farnsworth
Weber, Kurtis & Linda
Weber, Lawerence & Leone
Weber, Paul & Anna Marie
Weber, Rex Barrus & Fern Brown
Weber, Robert Franklin & Marilyn Batemen
06/17/01
06/17/01
06/17/01
06/17/01
06/17/01
06/17/01
06/17/01
06/17/01
06/17/01
06/17/01
06/17/01
06/17/01
485
487
489
491
492
494
495
497
498
499
500
501
502
506
507
509
513
514
515
518
520
521
523
8
10/04/94 E31
04/18/94 M1
03/23/94 E17
01/04/98 CP101
06/14/00
10/05/94 E32
10/05/94 E34
06/14/00
Weber, Samuel and Venena Goldenburgen
Weber, Walter & Sylvia Clark
Weber, Winslow & Melba
Welch, Lynn Ray & Carol Haderlie
Williams, Trudy Edwards
Wilson, Lucy Pearl Erickson
Wolfley, Ernest Samuel Jr. & Wanda Walton
Wofley, Rex & Marsha
Wright, Lyman & Vernessa Penrose
11/12/00 mp
10/04/94 E30
04/25/94 M3
01/09/95 E51
06/17/01
09/01/96 E104
06/17/00
06/14/00
536
533
536
538
539
540
542
543
544
9
HISTORY OF FREEDOM, WYOMING
Written by Hazel Weber
INTRODUCTION
In 1878 due to difficulties with the government authorities in Utah, the General Authorities of
the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints, found it necessary to locate other areas for the settlement
of the Saints. Apostle Moses Thatcher was delegated to do some exploring with this in mind. He was
guided on this venture by "Indian John". We know little about the guide, yet he was of sufficient
importance to have been mentioned. As they emerged from Crow Creek Canyon, they found a vantage
point over looking the Valley. Brother Thatcher explained, "I hearby name this valley, Star Valley,
because it is the star of all valleys. This same feeling has been expressed by many people who see the
valley for the first time.
The valley was known to pathfinders, trappers, and traders fifty years prier to Brother Thatcher's
officially giving it a name. Many of the streams and lakes bear the names of men in the company of
Price Hunt's Astorians. The Hoback river and Smith's Forks were both named after men in this
company. These early adventurers found the flora and fauna of the area attractive and useful. The
canyons from which the beautiful streams emerge to join the Salt River through it's way through the
valley, had abundant sources of timber which could be used for fuel and the building of homes. The
trees and shrubs added a great deal to the beauty of the landscape. Poplars and Pines were the dominant
flora, but there was a large variety of less important trees and shrubs that added to the attractiveness of
the mountains.
There was an abundance of game and fish in the canyons and streams. This was an important
source of food for those who first arrived in the valley. Little effort was needed to catch fish, trapping
being the chief method used. Deer, sage chicken, grouse, ducks and geese, also helped supply the food
for the early settlers who were often in short supply. The purpose of giving this introduction is to
acquaint the reader with the area. I am afraid that some may feel, from what I have said, that these early
settlers had a very easy time of it, and that little effort was needed to make an adequate living. Nothing
could be further from the truth. Even though Mother Nature truly blessed this area, she also created
some natural barriers to comfortable living. She isolated it fifty miles from the nearest settlement, with
access gained only by long, tortuous trails. She also played havoc with the seasons. Long cold winters
are the rule, with snow in the valley often reaching depths of five feet. Temperatures of fifty degrees
below zero were not uncommon when readings were first recorded.
It was difficult to store sufficient food, for the family and livestock, to last through the winter. If
it became necessary to replenish the supply, it entailed a journey of 100 to 150 miles on snowshoes,
carrying the supplies on their backs the entire distance.
The cattle and horses often survived by feeding on the willows that bordered the many streams. Despite
the difficulties encountered, the hardy settlers were able to establish several thriving communities. My
purpose in this paper is to give the reader further insights into the problems and joys the settlers
encountered in establishing one of these communities, Freedom, Wy.
10
EARLY SETTLERS OF FREEDOM
Freedom lies in the north central part of Star Valley, partly in Idaho and partly in Wyoming. To
add to this unique feature, it’s boundaries include parts of three counties; Caribou and Bonneville in
Idaho and Lincoln in Wyoming. The post office was originally located in Idaho, and the town was
known as Freedom, Idaho. Difficulty arose, when it was discovered that another town in northern Idaho
had the same name. In the year 1922, the Idaho state authorities informed them that they would have to
change the name of the town. They had become attached to the name, by which it had been known, and
rather than change it they decided to move the post office into Wyoming. This was done by G.A.
Newswander, post master at the time.
Freedom was first settled in June of 1879, by the Latter Day Saints who left their homes in St.
Charles, Idaho, seeking this isolated valley as a haven from the federal authorities, who were jailing
them for their polygamous activities. Among the first to arrive were the families of John S. and Martha
Rolph, William and Sarah H. Heap, John and Hannah Hill and Moroni and Cynthia Hunt.
This party came by way of Montpelier canyon, following a trail made by earlier settlers and
explorers, to the present site of Auburn. From here they blazed their own trail the remaining 15 miles to
the present site of Freedom. Albert Rolph, one of the sons of the sons of John and Martha, in company
with John Hill had explored ahead of them and had selected the town site of Freedom as their place of
settlement. They selected an area on Tin Cup, a stream entering the valley from the western range of
mountains, as their homesite. This area now comprises the farm of Roy Robinson (formerly L.H.
Haderlie). It is one and one half miles north of the townsite. By July 3,1897, the remainder of their
families had arrived in Freedom, making a total of 27 souls in their colony.
Due to a combination of circumstances, the little colony was fortunate to survive the winter of
1879-80. Their late arrival in the valley and the short growing season combined to create a condition of
short supply. To make matters more difficult the winter was extremely severe. Snow was deep and
temperatures were lower than normal. As a result of these conditions they lost most of their livestock
and would probably have perished had it not been for the efforts of Albert and Jay Rolph and William
Heap who were credited with making four trips on snowshoes to Montpelier for flour.
In February of 1880, Sarah Ann Heap gave birth to a baby boy, William Joe. He was the first
boy born in Star Valley. She was attended in child birth by her mother, Martha A. Rolph. Martha was
credited with saving many lives in those trying times, when distance and road conditions made access to
a doctor impossible.
The first account of a Christmas celebration was in 1886. It was held at the home of William
Heap Sr. The Miller, Hunt and Rolph families were present and the celebration lasted from morning
until late in the evening. Christmas dinner consisted of Elk and Deer meat, plum pudding made from the
tallow of Elk, wild strawberries, gooseberries and huckleberries. They danced to the music of Moroni
Hunt's violin.
By the year of 1891, the Haderlie, Clark, Brower, Sanderson, Low and Lindholm families had
arrived in Freedom and the population of the community had grown to sufficient size to be organized
into a ward. Arthur B. Clark was the presiding elder for five years prior to his being called as Bishop in
the year 1891 and served until 1894. The ward also had two branches, one in Etna, which now has a
ward of its own and one, in Ulet, now known as Glen. These branches were formed to serve those who
lived too far from the ward center to travel to their meetings. Bishop Clark was replaced as Bishop by
11
Osborn Low in 1894. An interesting story is told concerning his ordination. When he was asked by
those who were delegated to reorganize the ward, if he would serve as Bishop, he requested a few
moments to consider. He then invited all of the grown men of the ward outside the log building in
which they were meeting and challenged every one of them to a fight. He said, "I will not be Bishop
over someone I cannot whip in a fair fight." No one accepted his challenge and he served as Bishop
until 1900 when Aaron F. Bracken was ordained to this position. By this time the population of the
ward had increased by the arrivals of Robinson, Jenkins and Weber families. Bishop Bracken served as
bishop for 19 years. He served faithfully and well until his son Asper was killed by a bolt of lightening.
Grief stricken, the family left the valley and moved back to Utah. Bishop Bracken was succeeded by
Carl Robinson who served from 1919-32. Bp D.J. Clark-1933-35, Henry Luthi-1935-42, Reynold
Robinson-1942-48, D'Orr Child-1948-57, Lowell Jenkins-1957-63, Lyman Crook-1963-68, Dee
Hokanson-1968-76, Veldon Izatt 1976-82, Fred Brog-1982-88, Chad Jenkins-1988-91, and Ronald
Crook who is presently serving.
SCHOOL AND SCHOOL BUILDINGS
Prior to 1889, there was no formal meeting house in the community. Meetings were held in the
homes of various church members. After A.B. Clark was ordained as Bishop it was decided that they
needed a central place to worship. With this in mind, they build a one-room, log house that served as a
social hall and meeting house. It doubled as a school house when the first formal school was started the
same year. Sylvester Low was the first teacher to receive a salary which was paid primarily with
supplies. Brother Low was 70 years old at the time. School terms were short, lasting only three months,
December-February. Most of the young people were fortunate indeed if they acquired more than 7 or 8
years of formal schooling.
Many of the students were grown young men and it was not uncommon for the teacher to have
extreme difficulty controlling the class. One early account states, "Mr. Raymond, the teacher prior to
starting the class drew his six gun and laid it on the desk alongside his hunting knife." The account
stated that he had a very attentive class.
As the states took over the payment of teachers and supplying instructions, a problem developed.
This small community had three counties involved in the jurisdiction of the schools. For many years,
three, one-room schools were operated, one in each county. Only two, one-room schools were in
operation up until the year 1915 when Lincoln Co. in WY, built a school 1/4 mile north of town. The
building was constructed at a cost of $2,376.35. Caribou Co. built their building the same year, 1 mile
north of town at approximately the same cost (Dale Luthi residence).Three or four years later, after
having met for the interim period in homes, Bonneville built their school in Glen, 7 miles north of town.
The Idaho schools were combined in 1921. The students were transported to school in sleighs. The
sleighs were made comfortable with small stoves which provided adequate heat for the coldest days.
There were no incidence of severe illness due to over exposure. Some of the students who lived so far
from school that the public sleighs would not pick them up, had their own rigs and were the envy of
other students.
When the weather would permit their doing so, they would ride their saddle horses to school. It
was not uncommon to see 15 or 20 horses tied up to the hitch-rail in front of the school. At these times,
horse racing was an important event during lunch hour.
Wyoming built an addition onto their school in 1925, making it a four-room school. Through
negotiations between the two states, it was decided to consolidate the two schools. This was done in
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1932. Idaho abandoned their school building and it was vacant until 1948 when Ed Croft purchased it
and remodeled it for his home.
This consolidation worked effectively, with Idaho furnishing two teachers, and funds for the
upkeep of the building. Secondary school children were educated in Afton, Wy with a similar
arrangement. At first the students who desired an education on the secondary level, found it necessary to
find board and room in Afton, but this problem was alleviated in 1933 when the school district hired
Orlan Hokanson, who resided in Freedom to transport the students.
This first transportation consisted of a truck, with a wooden enclosure built on the back. Three
rows of benches ran from the front to the back of the bus. The only heat was derived from the exhaust
pipe which ran the length of the enclosure. It was necessary to dress warmly to keep from being frost
bitten. Despite these difficulties, the students were glad for the opportunity of going to school and most
or all who could, took advantage of it.
Continuing improvement of the roads and transportation facilities have made these problems
seem remote, and the 20 mile ride to school is now an enjoyable experience. We little realize from our
vantage point, the effort those who have gone on before us found it necessary to expend, in order to
acquire those things we take for granted.
Changing conditions and educational needs made it necessary for further consolidation. After a
bitter fight, in which many feelings were aroused, the Freedom and Etna Schools were combined, and a
new modern school building was built in Etna during the 1956-57 school year. This was accomplished
under the supervision of Supt. Bell. With the passage of time, feelings have tempered and the town now
recognizes the move as an advancement. There will always be a feeling that something vital was taken
from their midst. The school might have been located in Freedom, but the Idaho people who comprised
a large segment of the community were allowed no voice in the matter and as a result, Etna was able to
control the vote.
The Freedom school building was sold to Royal Jenkins, who owned the adjoining property. It
was later bought by Veldon Izatt and the school was torn down.
CHURCH BUILDINGS
Reference has been made to the one-room, log cabin built in 1889. This building served
adequately until 1901 when with the press of increasing population, it was decided they needed a better
place to meet. In that year they constructed, at a nominal cost of money, but with an expenditure of
much effort, a framed meeting house. This building was 60 feet long by 30 feet wide. It had a stage at
the north end of the room. The state was elevated three feet above the floor with steps ascending on
either side. The officers of the ward were seated on the stage. Slat-type benches were used, which they
themselves constructed, these were distributed throughout the hall. The building served as a social and
sacred meeting place until a recreation hall was constructed in 1914.
Sunday school and all organizations that required class rooms were a particular problem. There
were no partitions in the building, classes were separated by white sheets, used as curtains, and strung on
wires throughout the building. It often became a problem of teachers shouting to make themselves
heard, and you sometimes derived more from the neighboring class than your own.
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With the construction of the Amusement Hall, it became possible for the ward to compete
successfully with the other wards in the valley with basketball and drama. Freedom produced more
championship basketball teams than any other ward for many years.(We still carry on that tradition).
Every year they would present two or three drama productions. Their social activities were a vital part of
their lives and they attended them faithfully.
The first moving pictures shown in Star Valley were shown in the recreation hall. August Dabel,
who later opened the theatre in Afton, provided this entertainment. These silent pictures were a source
of entertainment for several years, every Friday night.
There were several traveling minstrel shows which came to Freedom during the summers, and
they found an attentive audience on those accessions. The Glendora Players were one of the favorite
groups. Glen Taylor, who later became a Senator from Idaho, headed the cast. He took the part of a
red-headed hillbilly and kept the audience well entertained with his nonsense. The audience also enjoyed
the musical talent of Glen and his Dora. The last few excursions they made into the valley were joined
by their young son, who delighted the crowds with his singing. On these occasions, popcorn and candy
were sold to the patrons to help defray the expenses.
Dances were another source of entertainment and were held often. They were conducted under
the auspices of the church and were strictly supervised. The floor manager was always present and if
anyone began acting in an unseemly way, he would invite them to leave. This unseemly action might
include anything from drunkenness, boisterousness, or even dancing in a fashion not recognized in that
day. This presented problems as dancing involved from square to fox-trot to waltzing and etc. Those
who attempted to make the transition were often times ejected from the hall.
The citizens of the community decided in the early 1940's that they needed a new chapel. Under
the direction of Bp. D.J. Clark, a building fund was started. John Luthi Jr. was made building fund
chairman, and in 1941 while Henry Luthi was Bishop, the building was completed. It was composed of
a lovely chapel and a wing of classrooms built in a v-shape. It was the first modern chapel built in the
lower valley. Earl P. Wixom, who was at the time of it's construction, principal of the Freedom school,
painted a beautiful mural of Samuel the Laminate on the wall, preaching to the Nephite people. This
painting was directly behind the pulpit and covered a major portion of the front wall.
In 1959-60, the ward added a much needed cultural hall to the chapel. In 1985, the ward building
was again remodeled and a new chapel was added. The former chapel was turned into classrooms and
the mural was saved by the placing of a false wall in front of it. The ward building was then rededicated
October 13, 1985.
MERCHANTS AND THE GROWTH OF BUSINESS
The first store in Freedom was built by Burton Mercantile Co. of Afton. It was built on the Idaho
side of the line, at the south end of the business section in 1902. Typical of country stores, it sold dry
goods and groceries and in the early days was a gathering place for the residence, who like to visit
around the old stove. The store was managed by several managers until 1924 when it was purchased
from Burton Mercantile by Carl Robinson. He operated it until 1929 when C.R. Chadwick purchased it.
He continued it's operation until 1939. At this time he sold the stock and it has remained idle since then,
except for one brief interlude when Ken Olsen attempted to run it as a furniture store.
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Shortly after Burton's opened their store, William Heap Jr. constructed a store a short distance to
the north. He operated this store successfully until it was destroyed by fire in 1935. In 1939, Roy Keeler
purchased the land and built a fine store on the old foundation. He purchased the stock for the store from
C.R. Chadwick. After operating the store for several years, he sold it to William (Bill) Croft. This
transaction took place in 1957.
Ted Vincent opened a confectionery just north of the Heap store in 1918. His business was the
selling of ice cream and other confectionery items. He operated it until 1920 when he sold it to G.A.
Newswander. G.A. enlarged the building to include groceries and dry goods. He also became post
master and moved the post office from the William Heap Sr. home to the store, where it remained until
he moved it to a small building across the street in Wyoming. He also built a hardware store on the WY
side of the street in 1925. He ran this in partnership with his brother-in-law, Howard Hemmert, who
owned a blacksmith shop in connection with it. Howard was a rabid sports enthusiast and he had horse
shoe pegs set up behind his shop. It is said jokingly, he used to get the local farmers involved in a game
of horse shoes, and while they were thus engaged, he would have someone untie their horses and cause
them to bolt. The damage was thus created giving him a thriving business. Howard later purchased the
Hardware from G.A. and operated it until it was sold to Arthur Clark, who just recently, in 1962, sold it
to Garr Robinson.
G.A. sold the store in Idaho at the same time he sold the hardware store. Alvin Robinson was the
buyer at this time. He later sold it to his brother Reynold, who then sold it to Ken Olsen. Ken operated it
during WW11 and then sold it to Ivan Nelson. In 1961, Ivan sold the stock to Bill and Beatrice Croft and
the store has been torn down. Thus, the town is now serviced by one store. This change has been
brought about by the improved communications systems, which have made it increasingly difficult for
small country stores to successfully compete with the larger shopping centers.
G.A. sold the post office to Orlan and Eva Hokanson when he sold his other businesses and they
are operating it in connection with the local service station.
Alvin (Tommy) Schiess opened the first barber shop in 1918. It was operated in connection with
a billiards room and served most of the lower valley for many years. Alvin sold it to his brother Del in
1941. Del operated it until 1956, when he found it necessary to leave due to insufficient business. It is
now necessary for the residents to go to Thayne or Afton to get their hair cut.
With the advent of the automobile, it became necessary for the town to have a garage. Edgar
Heap, who had spent two years in California doing mechanic work, came home and opened a garage. He
had the Chevrolet dealership in connection with it. He operated the business until his death in 1945. At
this time the business was sold to Clyde Rainey, who still operates it on a part-time basis. As it happened
with the stores, modern communications took most of his business and the business is now composed of
the repair of farm machinery.
This narration could be written about many of our small communities throughout this vast
country. The rapid urbanization has passed them by, leaving them as ghost towns in it's wake.
DAIRYING AND CREAMERY DEVELOPMENT
Freedom with it's climate, was best suited to the raising of forage crops. This resulted in an early
developing of dairying. When they first started dairying as an economic venture, there was no creamery
to deliver the milk to, to have it processed. The farmers made butter at home and it was transported to a
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ready market in communities outside the valley. Often times it would go rancid, and they would then
soak it in fresh milk, which would restore it to a usable quality. Frank Lindholm was the first person in
town to attempt to make an enterprise of this. He began renting his neighbors cows, the rental fee being
paid in milk, cheese and butter. He would sell the surplus at a profit.
The farmers acquired what little money they could by selling their male livestock in markets at
Soda Springs, Montpelier or Idaho Falls. This entailed a long drive from 50-100 miles, to reach the
market. They would usually pool their animals to be sold and drive herds to market once each summer.
This was extremely difficult at times due to the poor roads. As late as 1904, an article in the
Independent, the valley newspaper said, " A bridge should be put in at Freedom across the Salt River.
It is getting to late in the day to make people ford streams and take so many risks." This is an indication
of the conditions of that time.
In the absence of cash, the stores took butter and cheese in payment for groceries. The Burton
brothers, recognizing the need for a processing station for the milk, began building creameries
throughout the valley. Freedom had their own built in 1907. This gave dairying a tremendous boost and
made the farmer's economic position more secure. This creamery operated continuously until 1931.
Ernest Brog, an emigrant from Switzerland in 1923, arrived in Star Valley in 1926. With his
arrival, a series of events were started that created a marked change in all of Star Valley. He was a man
of vision, the dynamic, driving force that helped shape the whole future of the valley. There was a great
deal of competition for the market of cheese produced by the Burton creamery. As a result, prices were
low and unstable. Mr. Brog, impressed with the geography of the country, had dreams of producing a
cheese that was new to the area, and thus created a new market.
It was a difficult task that he was undertaking. He first had to convince the farmers that his idea
was sound. This was not easily accomplished and many of them were unwilling to invest in his dream.
Finally, after a great deal of struggle, he was able to convince some of the more influential members of
the community, that his ideas were sound.
They formed a corporation with the following men as it's first directors: John Luthi Sr., Carl
Erickson, Jim Brower, D.J. Clark, John Luthi Jr. and Alvin Robinson. They put in long difficult hours
selling stock to the community. Due largely to the efforts of Mr. Brog, who worked long and hard in the
construction of the creamery, they were ready to begin operation August 22, 1927. The people who
supported him took their milk to him on this day. They had no income from this time until they were
ready to sell their first cheese in December. Mr. Brog had found a market for the cheese in Seattle. It
was a joyous occasion for them when they loaded their first cheese on a sleigh, packed tightly in straw
and tarpaulins to keep it from freezing, then left for Soda Springs, ID to ship it. When the cheese arrived
in Soda Springs the temperature was 40 below zero. This fact was recorded on the bill of lading and
when the cheese arrived in Seattle, the buyers would not accept it. They were afraid it had been frozen
and thus ruined. This difficulty was not surmounted until Mr. Brog made a trip to Seattle and proved the
cheese was good. Thus, after many heartaches, and anxious moments, a new industry was born.
By 1931, the Star Valley Swiss Cheese Co., was so well founded, that the Kraft-Burton
Creameries in Etna and Freedom closed their doors. Everyone was satisfied that they had made a good
move and Ernest Brog had become a vital force in the community.
The cheese factory was located two miles north of town on the Idaho side of the line. The milk
was hauled to the creamery by several of the patrons, who were hired to make daily pickups on the
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various routes. For many years, this was done, by wagon in the summer and by sleigh in the winter.
Often times, it was a very unpleasant task. Each route man would be required to haul 75-125, 10 gallon
cans of milk each day. Their loads sometimes required double decking. In the winter months, with the
temperature below 0 for as much as three weeks, many additional problems were encountered. The milk
would freeze in the cans and this would necessitate thawing it, by running hot water over the cans.
Not the least of the route man's difficulties was the extreme discomfort of riding these sleighs in
the sub zero weather. Some of them reduced this problem by covering the front part of the sleigh with a
tarpaulin and having a small stove in the covered part. This made handling of the milk more difficult, but
was still worth the effort. The extreme cold would dry the snow, and as the sleigh would go down the
street, you could hear them for miles, as the runners emitted their shrill noise.
In February 1936, what appeared as a disaster, struck the community. It was one of those days
when the wind was blowing the snow until it was impossible for a man to see over 50 feet. The first milk
had just arrived at the creamery and they were beginning to process it. Suddenly, there was a terrible
blast and everyone present realized that the boiler had exploded. Flames raced through the processing
room. Realizing the futility of fighting the fire, the men already there and those who soon arrived, began
moving the cheese in the curing section and hauling it to the old Kraft-Burton Creamery, three miles
away. This was a mean task in a raging blizzard. To increase their difficulties, some of the men found a
cache of wine in one of the cellars. Soon, many of the men, some who had never tasted wine, were
drinking it. It had near disastrous effects on some of them. One man in particular was overcome by it's
effects and fell from the sleigh in which he was riding. He was nearly frozen when he was found some
time later.
The fire was a great loss to the people, but their immediate need was even greater. The nearest
cheese factory was 8 miles from Freedom. This made it necessary for the route man to haul the milk to a
central place where it was placed on trucks and transported to this factory. Someone with less fortitude
than Mr. Brog might have given up at this point, but this was not his nature. He immediately began
organizing for rebuilding and by July 4, the same year, the plant was back in operation.
The plant's operation proved so successful, that within a short time, Ernest, with the help of his
brothers, Fred and Paul, opened two more factories. One was located in Thayne, serving Thayne and
Bedford. The other was located in Osmond and served patrons in the upper Star Valley. The factories
were operated in this manner until 1949. On Jan 1 of that year, the first milk was processed in a new,
million dollar factory, located in Thayne. Due to the rapid improvement in transportation facilities, it
was decided to consolidate and make all the cheese in one central plant. Modern, van trucks, have made
possible the handling of much greater quantities of milk, and under more sanitary conditions.
Mr. Brog worked continually with the farmers, urging them to improve sanitation. He realized
that with quality milk, a better grade of cheese could be made and this cheese would find a ready market.
The farmers were reluctant to take his advice, but with sanitation laws passed by the state legislature and
his continual vigilance, his aim had been accomplished.
I recognized the fact that Mr. Brog could not have accomplished this by himself. He had many
loyal supporters who worked diligently at his side and are still doing so. However, I am sure that few
people would say that he was not the driving force in the operation.
As often happens, Mr. Brog has not been shown the appreciation he deserves. Through
difficulties with his board of directors, who were reluctant to follow his advice, he was released as
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general manager. The board recognized the necessity of hiring a qualified cheese maker to fill this
position and turned to Ernest's son, Frank to manage the business. Frank is doing an admirable job, but I
am sure he would be the first to admit that he still confides in his father and seeks his advice.
The Star Valley Swiss Cheese Company now employs 128 individuals in the processing and
packaging of their product. Their cheese is well known throughout the western United States and is
gaining more popularity each year. It has become the life blood of the valley and had done so without
subsidization by the government, a most unusual circumstance in this day of increased subsidizing.
R.E.A. AND IT'S DEVELOPMENT
Due to the isolated condition of the lower valley, it was not until 1937 that Freedom had electric
power. A few of the local farmers were able to acquire Delco plants and produced their own electricity.
In 1924, ten of the families in town attempted to build a plant on the Salt River. They struggled hard and
dug a canal one half mile long, parallel with the river. They then purchased a generator and installed it.
After expending a great deal of effort and money it was found that there was insufficient fall in the
stream to produce sufficient power to fulfill their needs. After struggling with it during the summer
months, the project was abandoned when it was found virtually impossible to keep the canal de-iced.
After this unsuccessful venture, nothing was done until 1931, when Ernest Brog and a few of his
associates began the formulation of a program that later evolved into the REA. Immediately after
opening the creamery, he recognized the need for electrical power. The factory had it's own private
plant, but this was expensive, and he also realized that the electricity would help him, in getting the
farmers to develop good dairying practices.
He received a great deal of assistance from Jess Draney, the local forest ranger and some other
individuals who had the vision to see the benefits it derived. By 1937, construction was under way. A six
mile canal was dug and a plant was constructed just south of where the Salt River empties into the Snake
River.
The plant was ready for operation by Oct 1938. Most of the work was done by the local
residents, who in this way were able to pay for their stock in the corporation. Oct 12, 1938, the citizens
of the communities to be served were gathered in the Freedom Ward Amusement Hall. Those who were
in attendance stated, "They had never seen the hall so full." John M. Carmody, one of the Federal REA
representatives was in attendance and at a given signal, he pulled the switch and the hall was illuminated
for the first time by A.C. electricity. It was indeed a joyous occasion. The people soon learned however,
that their would be times when they would have to revert to the use of their coal-oil and gas lanterns.
They were still plagued with ice problems and there were times when they would be plunged into
darkness.
This seemed to happen at the most inopportune times. As soon as electrical power was available,
many of the farmers, immediately increased the size of their dairy herds and purchased modern milking
equipment. More often than not, just about the time the farmer was ready to start milking, an ice
problem would develop. This, in connection, with the increased demand for power, would cause a power
failure. He, the farmer, would then have to resort to milking his increased herd by hand.
The Power and Light office was located in the old Bank Building, which had been vacated when
the bank moved to Afton in 1927. They operated the functions of the company from this office, with
Elno Draney as manager until 1954. At this time, the LVP&L purchased the Afton Power Company and
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moved their offices to Afton. They built a second power plant on Strawberry Creek, which emerged
from a canyon, East of Bedford. This was made necessary by the increased demand for electrical power.
Since this time, they have purchased the Jackson Hole Power Company and are buying power
from Palisades Reclamation Project. Under the managerial supervision of Elno Draney, this company
has attained a reputation, as one of the nations most efficient REA projects.
TELEPHONES AND THEIR DEVELOPMENT
Dr. Love-Joy installed the first phone in Star Valley. It ran from his office to his home. His first
conversation was with his wife asking her to have his son run an errand for him. The first mention of
telephones in Freedom was in the local paper. The article stated, "Phones are being considered in the
Lower Valley. It will be necessary to have 15 subscribers in the three towns. These patrons will be
given exchange privileges at a cost of $5.00 per annum. The people will have to build their own feeder
lines to the main line." Work must have progressed rapidly, as indicated by the news item in the
Freedom news, dated December 12, 1904 that reads,"Last week the team of William E. Jenkins ran
away doing some damage to harnesses, wagon and telephone pole, but no one was hurt."
This line was installed by the Mountain States Telephone Company. It was later purchased by
Osborn Low who operated it until his death in 1954. In 1918, a group of farmers organized and
financed a telephone system that serviced the Lower Valley. It was called the Salt River Telephone
Company. Rudolph Wolfley and William Mosser of Etna, purchased the line in 1926. They improved it
and added several patrons to the line. There was still a need for more telephones and in 1946, Sterling
Weber, a young man with a dream and initiative to carry it out, bought the exchange. He was not
satisfied with the conditions as they were and promptly proceeded to do something about it. He formed a
corporation and sold stock to anyone desiring to have telephone service, at a cost of $200.00 a share.
His goal was to install a new modern dial system. In this he was discouraged by many people
who said it would not work on a rural basis. Ignoring their advise he went ahead with his plans. With
very little equipment and by hiring as little help as possible to keep expenses down, it took 2 years to
construct the lines and lay the cable to the various circuits. When he had completed the lines and was
ready to order the exchange equipment, he discovered he was short of funds. He was reluctant to go to
those who had helped finance his venture and were irritated at the long delay in acquiring service. He
decided to mortgage his home and in this way finance the equipment.
Against the advice of the Company, he decided to install the equipment himself. He encountered
no difficulties to large to surmount and on Oct 16, 1950, the first phone connection was made on this
new system. He, Sterling, called one of the patrons at his home from the exchange office. Thus, against
great odds, he completed the first rural, dial system in Wyoming. The system is equipped to handle
direct dial calls when bordering systems modernize. It also has a feature that could be used on any party
line to advantage to eliminate the problem of one person monopolizing the line, there is a five minute cut
off on all local calls.
This was the first independent telephone company in America to receive an REA loan and with
the money he acquired by this loan, the stock certificates were drawn in. Soon after the completion of
this project, Sterling became restless and sold the line to Melvin Hoopes, who is now operating it.
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SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
There are many events and many people that have been left out of this narration. Most of them
have had a marked influence on the growth of the community. I feel it essential to mention some of them
even though I cannot go into detail.
Jess Draney contributed a great deal to the community during his years of service as the local
Forest Ranger. Under his supervision, range management was improved and the forest campgrounds
were always kept in top condition. His service did not cease with his retirement, for he is now doing a
fine job of caring for the building and grounds of the church.
Louis I. Jenkins, who served many years as Justice of the Peace, has also been an influence for
good. He had done a fine job of helping to keep the peace in the community. The ward could not have
functioned as well as it did had it not been for the fine Bishops and their counselors who presided over
it.
Also, reference should be made to John Haderlie, L.H. Haderlie, Fred Luthi, William E. Jenkins,
D.J. Clark, Charles Weber and Reynold Robinson who were some of the outstanding teachers in the
ward auxiliaries. Through their efforts, the ward has been able to amass a remarkable record in
missionary service, approximately 200 missionaries having served. There was one time when the ward
had 9 missionaries in the field as once.
Reference has been made to the communities' love of sports activities. Their baseball teams
were always a challenge to the other teams in the area. At one time, interest was so high, that the town
had two adult teams. Both teams were of sufficient strength to defeat the two top teams of the Upper
Valley. This interest was held at a high point through the years by the efforts of Fred and Charley
Weber, Reynold and Bill Robinson, Jess Draney, Thomas Rainey Sr., Howard Hemmert, Alvin Schiess
and Orlan Hokanson. Fred Weber was one of the finest pitchers who ever played in Star Valley. He was
still actively engaged in the sport until his 52nd year. The community owes a debt of gratitude to these
men for the interest they helped to stimulate in the
community.
Since their retirement from active participation, sports have been unable to hold the interest of
the community. Community pride and a desire for activity was the motivating force that stimulated
these early pioneers. Even though the population of the town never exceed 520 people, Freedom was the
vital force that stimulated the growth of many of the valley's economic developments. They were not
able to retain these things they helped to create, yet there is pleasure in knowing they were the initiatory
force that made it possible for them to develop. The rush of our modern society has passed them by.
Their greatest moments are gone, but there is still a certain feeling of pride in knowing what their former
activities helped to create.
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FREEDOM AMUSEMENT HALL
The land was donated to the town of Freedom by Albert Rolph, son of John Social Rolph. Albert
also went to the canyon, cut logs and took them to Thayne where he traded logs for lumber from Charles
Henry Haderlie.
With the help of his sons, Edwin and Melvin, they built the entertainment hall in 1914. This hall
was the center of many enjoyable hours of dancing, theatricals, basket dances, basketball games and
many fine programs.
Written by Laura Hanson Stock
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FREEDOM CEMETERY
Samuel Weber, father of Fred, Charles, etc. donated 5 acres of land to the ward to be used as
a cemetery. Mr. John Robinson, father of Carl, Reynold, etc., dug a well later on which was the only
source of water.
A few early graves were dug on the Haderlie ranch up Tincup and also the D. Rainey ranch
and later on were moved to the present cemetery. The first grave was dug for a Haderlie child, a
brother to Luther.
The cemetery was watered by a sprinkler system belonging to LaVor Jenkins for many years,
his place being next to the cemetery. The ground has been leveled and planted in lawn and a care
taker has been hired and is paid for by the tax payers. The cemetery is now being watered with an
underground sprinkler. The water was piped to the emetery compliments of the Freedom Pipeline.
According to Bishop Reynold Robinson, from whom this information was obtained, the
exact year of the establishment could not be learned. His mother died in 1916 and at this time there
were already a number of graves there. A grave of the Hunt family is supposed to be the first one.
William Heap Sr., John S. Rolph, John Hill, and Hunt families were the first settlers in
Freedom.
The earliest inscriptions on the headstones are Samuel R. Miller 20 April, 1887, and William
Christensen 6 May, 1891. However, there could be older unmarked graves.
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FREEDOM CEMETERY’S
The first cemetery in Freedom was located not far from where the first settlement in Freedom
was. It was on the hill side a short distance north of where Moroni Hunt built his house. The land is
presently owned by Cordell Luthi and there is no evidence any longer because the only markers
were slabs of wood and they have long since rotted away.
The following information received from Louie Sanderson taken from family records show
that at least 12 people were buried there. One and possible two were later moved to the Thayne
Cemetery. Listed are the names of those buried there.
1- Minnie Hunt
2- Arthur Hunt
3- Daniel Hunt
4- Walter Hunt
5- Moroni Hunt
died
died
died
died
died
7 May 1882
15 Nov. 1882
15 Oct. 1888
10 July 1890
4 Apr. 891
at birth
4 years old
2 years old
1 year old
1 year old
Abel Moroni Hunt died 1 April 1891 and was taken to Bear Lake to be buried. His son Moroni died
while they were gone for his dad’s burial. Children of James and Minerva Lucky Miller;
6- James Samuel Miller died
7- LeRoy Miller
died
4 April 1889
16 Feb. 1889
2 years old
1 year old
At least one of these children and possibly both were later moved to Thayne.
8- Samuel Robert Miller
died
20 Apr. 1887 50 years old
This is Louie Sanderson’s grandfather.
9- William Heap
died
10- Effie Heap
died
All the above are related
11- Wm. Christenson drowned
12- Mrs. John Ellis (Vene)
13- Heber Felsted
10 Jan 1893
20 June 1895
Son of Will Heap Jr.
Dau. Of James Heap
6 May 1891
An adult
no date
The present cemetery has been in existence since 1900. The land on which it is located was
given to the Freedom ward by Mrs. Verena Weber. According to dates on the tombstones the first
people buried in the new cemetery were Austin Haderlie, died 16 June 1900, and his brother Edward
who died March 1898. Edward was originally buried on the Haderlie ranch but moved to the present
location when Austin was buried. The third person was a 14 year old boy by the name of Theobald
Andrischock. He was brought over from Germany by the Fredridcks family. He died in 1901. Two
other people buried in 1901 were Vernal Robinson Rainey, died 16 March and Mamie Hanson, died
19 March 1901.
From 1900 until 1965 the cemetery was operated by the Freedom ward with the bishopric in
charge. In 1965 the cemetery was formed into a taxing district including Lincoln, Caribou and
Bonneville counties. Three directors were appointed by the governor of Idaho and six were directed
in Wyoming to carry out the operation of the cemetery.
23
In 1964, under the direction of Ivan Call all the tombstones were removed and a large cat
was brought in and the ground was landscaped. After this the tombstones were replaced under Ivan
Call’s direction, then grass was planted and has been watered with a line hooked to a sprinkler
system coming out of Deer Creek installed by Darrel Jenkins.
There are as of 1 Jan. 1994, 364 people buried here. 362 are known and properly marked.
Also at this time there are 21 service men buried here. The names are as follows:
Lavor Jenkins killed on Iwo Jima
Kermit Haderlie killed a plane crash
Howard McCulloch
Ted Palmer
Glenn Ritter
Lowell Jenkins
Joe Hokanson
William Schiess
Ernest Haderlie
Marion Robbins
Herbert Weber
Charles Luthi
Burials in Freedom Cemetery 1988-1996
*Leone Hale Erickson
Roy Rainey
*Bryant Hokanson
Earl Haderlie
Eliza Robinson
*Norma Miler
*Nick Weber
Leola Heap Keeler
*Roy Haderlie
Robert Shumway
Grant Clark
Loretta Clark
*Merle Schiess
Janel Jenkins
Jean Luthi
Elmo Robinson
Eldon Luthi
*Elaine Jenkins
*Jerold Andelin
Teena Hoopes
Larry Neunswander
*Kevin Sanderson
*Erwin Moser
*Roy Hoopes
Nola Robinson
24
19 Mar1988
22 Jun1988
04 Jun1988
16 Aug1988
12 Dec1988
25 Dec1988
11 Dec1989
01 Oct1989
12 Jul1990
07 Nov1990
17 Aug1990
18 Mar1990
03 Oct1991
23 Feb1991
04 Aug1991
12 May1992
11 Sep1992
10 Sep1992
04 Jul1992
22 May1992
23 Mar1993
18 Jun1993
16 Dec1993
1993
16 May1994
Roy Keeler
Reynold Robinson
Leonard Robinson
Dewey Robinson
Roy Rainey
Alma Wolfley
Robert Shumway
Rex Edwards
Larry Neuenschwander
David Weber
*Maxine Hansen
Howard Jenkins
Byron Haderlie
Newell Crook
Joel Barber
Roy Robinson
Joseph Weber
*Oral Hansen
*Edith Jenkins Romney
Myra Jenkins
Alice Jenkins
Reberta Brower
Rocky Robinson
Alden Brower
Theron Jenkins
Susan Clinger
Allison Clinger
28Jan1994
02 Jun1994
15 Jan1994
19 May1994
20 May1995
12 Aug1995
02 Mar1995
30 Dec1995
11 Nov1995
03 Feb1995
17 Jun1995
30 Apr1995
13 May1995
03 Feb1995
23 Jan1995
05 Jan1996
19 Jan1996
19 Jan1996
25
RUTH HADERLIE'S DANCE
All my life I have loved to dance and never thought that I would ever have the opportunity to
use this knowledge. Howard McKim was principal of one of the grade schools in the Lower Valley
and he called me and asked me if I would be interested in teaching dancing. I was very excited at
the prospect so he made arrangements for me to teach at Etna and Thayne. The registration far
exceeded my expectations as I enrolled 75 students.
I taught during the school year and at the end of school we had a dance recital. I taught for
seven years. The children were aware of an audience and loved performing for them and I was so
very proud of their performance. There were never any discipline problems as each child was
excited to learn new routines.
I remember during one recital that one of our little preschoolers was performing a hula
number. She was accompanied by a small boy pretending to play the ukulele. Her little uke player
was so fascinated by her performance that he didn't realize that he played it upside down the whole
time. The audience really got a kick out of that. Another time one little girl forgot her soft-shoes
and when the group came out on the floor to perform they were all barefooted. The parents probably
wondered why they had paid for shoes. This for me was a wonderful experience and I loved seeing
the excitement in the children's faces while they were learning each new step.
Laura Draney played the piano so the children could dance. She has such a wonderful talent
and loved doing this also. She could cover a mistake the children made so expertly that no one knew
that the children had made one. She just played and
watched their every move. I really missed her when she moved to Afton and I had to use records.
I was go grateful to the parents for their great support and for the opportunity I had to work
with these beautiful children and the love I had for them.
26
ODE TO THE "VALLEY"
Star Valley is shaped like an hour-glass
And down the middle thru a narrow pass,
Glides Old Salt River--smooth and grand
Cool and constant as hour-glass sand.
The men who came here first,'tis said
Used the meadow for their bed.
'Twas June--the night was calm and still
A Coyote called from a distant hill.
The stars hung low--so low--they said
You could almost reach them from the bed.
They were there-so thick on a field of blue
That one of them said, "Iv'e got a clue-I know what the name of this place should be."
And another one said, "Yes--Star Valley."
Well-that's the way the story goes--and it
May be true--who knows--who knows.
But the river rolls on and at it's crest
Will swim a horse right up to it's breast.
Trout lie thick in it's shady pools,
While anglers dangle their fishing tools.
Cows knee-deep in meadow hay, contentedly
Chew their cud away.
Sheep dot the green spots on the hill
While frisky lambs play at "Jack-and-Jill".
Autumn passes like a dream----colors wild
Amidst the green.
Winter comes on---cold and bright with
Popping corn and fire-light
Rosy cheeks and mittens tight!
Christmas time, with pine and Yew-Candy pulls and oyster stew!
Then comes spring--Oh what of spring?
That wanton, wayward, wispy thing
Peeping out of the western hills,
Dancing down across the rills--Floating out on fragrant air,
Weaving cowslips in her hair.
Mushrooms frying in the pan--stop me
Stop me--while you can .....
In all the world there is no thing
As lovely as Star Valley spring!
-Verna Rainey Daines27
A STORY ABOUT POLYGAMISTS
By Ina Erickson
This story was told to me by Roscoe Titensor as his father told him. Rudolph Wolfley lived
in Bedford, and many of these Swiss people who came to Star Valley were good friends. When my
father, Charles Henry Haderlie, heard news that US officers were coming to Star Valley and
Freedom, he rode his horse to Bedford to tell Rudolph they were coming. He ask him if he could
hide there, and Bro. Wolfley said they had just thrashed and to come into the back yard. They hid
the horse and dug a hole in the straw stack and hid C.H. Mr. Wolfley went back to the house and
later in the day an officer asked Mr. Wolfley if he knew of any polygamists in the area. Wolfley
answered in broken English, "Yes, I do know of one." He took the officer out through the yard, and
Mr. Haderlie was close enough to hear their conversation from his hiding place. Mr. Wolfley said,
"This one likes to hide here," and took him over to a slab fence. As they came around the corner
there stood a large rooster and 25 hens. "You see", said Wolfley, "you caught him right here in my
back yard." The officer was a bit disappointed. This experience happened long before I was born.
28
SILVER STAR TELEPHONE COMPANY
The first telephone company in lower Star Valley was organized and financed by a group of
ranchers and businessmen in 1912, headed by Eugene Weber, because the population was not large
enough to attract the Bell Telephone Company to come in and serve the area.
This original company was named the Salt River Independent Telephone Company. Its
central office was in Etna, and it used a magneto system, referred to the industry today as "the
whoop and holler telephones".
By the year 1926 the lines were in very poor condition, needing a lot of repair. The Salt
River Independent Telephone Company was sold that year to Rudolph Wolfley. It was re-named the
Etna Telephone Company and sold to William Moesser in 1927. Mae Moesser, the daughter of
Rudoplh Wolfley and wife of William Moesser, operated the switchboard while her husband
maintained the telephone lines. The couple operated the company as a team for the next twenty
years.
Bill and Mae sold their interests in the Etna Telephone Company to Sterling L. Weber in
1946. Mae continued to operate the switch board until Mr. Weber had the modern dial system
installed and operating in October 1950.
At the time of the purchase in 1946, there were 52 hand crank phones in operation, serving
only the towns of Freedom and Etna. Mr. Weber's first priority was to upgrade existing lines. 99%
of all the telephone poles were stubbed with cedar posts. When the rotted telephone poles were
wired to the cedar posts, they were held up-right but sometimes not to straight. Most all of the old
lines were replaced with new treated poles and .080 copper weld wire.
At this time plans were well under-way to extend telephone service to the towns of Alpine,
Thayne, Bedford and Turnerville. Up until 1950 this entire area had only two toll store phones to
Afton. They were located in Thayne and the Bedford store and were owned by Osborn Low of
Afton. This line was later bought by the Silver Star Telephone Co. Inc. Even Freedom and Etna had
52 phones, services was pretty much limited to daytime service between the hours of 7:00 AM to
10:00 PM with as many as 14 phones on one line.
Mr. Weber's goal was to rebuild the system in Freedom and Etna and extend service to the
entire Lower Valley. This goal was achieved. At the time of sale to Mr. Melvin Hoopes in 1956
most all of the outside plant was new, and dial service was available to the entire Lower Valley with
230 telephones..
In Sept. 1948 the Company was incorporated under the laws of the State of Wyoming, and
the name was changed to the Silver Star Telephone Company, Incorporated. The name Silver Star
was given to this company by Marion and Sterling Weber when it was incorporated. Silver Star
because of the glistening new lines shining in the sun and Star for beautiful Star Valley. Prior to that
time, it was the Lower Valley Telephone Company.
The original officer workers and directors were Sterling L. Weber, pres. and general
manager, Wilford Clark, vice pres., Marion Weber, sec. and treasurer, Rex Weber and Lawrence
Weber directors, and C. Stuart Brown, attorney.
29
Sterling Weber was an ambitious and resourceful young man. He sold stock to the local
farmers and business people in order to rebuild the outside plant and provide adequate service to the
existing customers. About fifteen thousand dollars in capital stock were sold to eighty-seven
ranchers and business men in the franchised area.
Mr. Weber purchased a new Leich switchboard and installed it on the main Highway U.S.
89, at the S.E. corner of the Freedom junction. The original building still stands.
The new dial telephone building was designed by Sterling and built with the help of his
brother Rex, cousins Winslow Weber, Wilford Clark and Mr. Mallory of Afton, a brick layer.
Mr. Weber applied for, and was granted, a Rural Telephone Administration loan. The loan
was the first R.E.A. loan of its' kind in the state of Wyoming. The funds were announced as
available to Mr. Weber on 8 November, 1954 by telegram from Washington, DC.
In May of 1956 the company had 230 subscribers connected to the system, all enjoying
modern dial telephone service, the first dial telephone service in Star Valley. It is to be noted that
Afton did not have dial service until 1965.
June, 2 1965 Sterling & Marion Weber sold their interests in the company to Melvin R.
Hoopes and Ardell C. Hoopes. Mel had completed four years at the University of Utah and previous
to that, a 39 month overseas tour of duty in the United States Air Force, stationed in England. He
served in Communications and was in charge of 25 men doing radio repairs for bombers and fighter
planes. His training, both academic and technical, was to serve him in good stead in the years ahead
as the company expanded.
Silver Star Telephone Co. now has 13 full time employees and is celebrating 40 years in the
business. Mel and Ardell Hoopes have served for 33 years as General Manager and Corporate
Secretary-Treasurer, respectively.
In Mel's senior year at the U of U he drew a homestead farm in a World War 11 lottery. The
young couple decided to prove up on the homestead as a gateway to their financial future. They
spent six years in that enterprise. The farm was traded as a down payment for the Capital stock of
Silver Star Telephone Company.
The first service "truck" was a Volkswagen with the front passenger seat removed and a
ladder rack mounted on top. Mel did all his own repairs, the first year, both outside the plant and in
the central office. Ardell handled dispatching the service calls and the accounts receivable.
In August 1957, Mr. Hoopes contracted for the purchase of the O. Low and Son Telephone
Company which provided the only toll service to the Lower Valley, in order that Silver Star
Telephone Company could acquire urgently needed long distance lines to add to the system.
The original employees were Beatrice Luthi Croft as General Ledger bookkeeper, Reed
Holbrook outside plant maintaince and Mel and Ardell Hoopes as corporate officers and managers.
Reed retired in 1994.
30
Silver Star Telephone Company continued to grow in the ensuing years. On 2 February,
1961 a new dial exchange was cut over for the Irwin, Swan Valley and Palisades Communities in
Idaho. In 1964 the communities of Wayan and Henry Idaho, were added to the system.
The business office was located in the Hoopes home for seventeen years. During that time
the couple raised four children; Bonnie their only daughter, who lives in Salt Lake City, Steve and
Allen who presently work for the company, and Brad, also of Salt Lake City.
In 1974 a brand new business office was begun. The company moved into their new quarters
in January 1975. The office is located on the main highway U.S. 89, south of the Freedom junction.
The present Manager, Allen R. Hoopes married Jamielyn Harmon 2 April, 1987. She is the
granddaughter of Bill and Mae Moesser and the daughter of David and Joy Harmon. By a twist of
fate, the cycle came back full circle to make them a telephone industry family and to carry on the
tradition of many years of service to the public.
The original, tiny company has progressed from a small, turn of the century, plug-type
switchboard at the Moesser home in 1926 to electronic switching.
Sixty- three years have gone by, and much credit is due to those who persevered to develop
all that has been done. We are grateful to each of these pioneers.
Today, all of Silver Star's long distance facilities are either Microwave or underground
cable.
All four of the company's exchanges are digital switches. These switches are state-of-the-art
in the telecommunications industry.
Looking forward to the twenty-first century, the company plans to install it's first fiber optic
cable within the next twelve months. (this was written 1989) It will replace the present long
distance carrier system that serves the Irwin exchange.
Fiber optic cable can bring the information services available in the largest cities to the
doorstep of rural America.
"It is an exciting, promising challenge!"
31
STAR VALLEY STAKE OF ZION
The Star Valley Stake consists of the Latter-day Saints residing in Star Valley, Lincoln
County (formerly Uinta County), Wyoming, with headquarters at Afton. The stake consists of
eleven organized bishop's wards, namely, Afton North, Afton South, Auburn, Bedford, Etna,
Fairview, Freedom, Grover, Osmond, Smoot and Thayne. Also one independent branch named
Turnerville.
Star Valley or Salt River Valley, was known to overland travelers who passed through it on
what was called Lander's Cutoff, which entered the valley from the south through Lander's Canyon
and left it, going up Stump Creek, thus crossing the valley from a southeasterly to a northwesterly
direction. Lander's Cutoff dates back to 1863.
Elder Moses Thatcher and Bishop William B. Preston visited the Upper Salt River Valley in
the fall of 1877 and were highly pleased with its appearance. They came in from Bear Lake Valley
and found neither trappers nor settlers in the valley, but a large number of Shoshone Indian
wickiups, built of willows. No Indians, however, were in sight.
In August, 1878, Apostles Brigham Young, Jr., and Moses Thatcher and William B. Preston,
of the Cache Valley Stake presidency, visited Upper Salt River Valley. They stopped their teams on
the west bank of the Salt River at a point about five miles northwest of Afton. A meeting was held
here and Brigham Young, Jr., dedicated the valley by prayer as a gathering place for the saints. The
company had arrived in the valley in the morning of the day on which they held their dedicatory
services, which was Aug. 29, 1878.
At a meeting of the Twelve held in Salt Lake City, Utah, May 7, 1879, Apostles Charles C.
Rich and Moses Thatcher were appointed to supervise the founding of settlements of saints in Star
Valley. The first attempt at settling said valley took place in the summer of 1879, when David
Robinson, August Lehmberg , and one or two others came over the mountains from Bear Lake
Valley and located at the point near the present site of Auburn. These families, who all settled
together, spent the winter of 1879-1880 in three small cabins built in the fall of 1879. In the spring
of 1879, 27 people came to Star Valley and settled in Freedom, the Heaps, Rolph, Hill and Hunt
families.
In 1880 a few other families came into the valley, among whom were Charles D. Cazier, who
commenced to build a house where Grover now stands, but he soon moved across the river and
located near the present site of Auburn. In the fall of the same year (1880) Apostles Charles C. Rich
and Moses Thatcher, accompanied by others, visited the valley and held a meeting with the saints
there Sept. 3, 1880, on which occasion Charles Drake Cazier was chosen to preside over the branch
of the Church then organized. The Apostles advised the settlers to locate on Swift Creek, the present
site of Afton, and directed Brother Cazier to have a town site surveyed there to contain 30 blocks of
ten acres each. On the same occasion, Elder Thatcher remarked that the elevated bench at the mouth
of Swift Creek Canyon would be a beautiful location for a temple. It was, also, on that occasion that
Brother Thatcher named the valley Star Valley, as he called it a star among all valleys; hitherto it
had been known as Upper Salt River Valley.
Soon after Brother Cazier appointment to preside, meetings were commenced in private
houses and continued during the winter of 1880-1881. Some of the saints who lived at a distance
made their way to the house of worship on snow-shoes. About nine families spent the winter of
32
1880-1881 in that part of the valley which is now included in the Auburn Ward, west of the Salt
River.
In the spring of 1881 a post office called Charleston was opened in Star Valley with Charles
D. Cazier as postmaster and Thos. F. Burton as assistant. Cazier's commission was dated May 31,
1881, but though he was furnished with a mail sack and a key, no regular mail was either sent out or
received at that time. The first mail service in the valley was not commenced until 1888, when the
Afton post office was opened and a regular mail route was established between Montpelier, Idaho,
and Afton, Wyoming.
It appears that the saints in Star Valley were a little slow in moving to the east side of the
valley, as they had been counseled to do. Hence, Afton was not permanently settled until 1885. In
the meantime other settlements were founded, vis., Fairview, Freedom, Glencoe (now Thayne),
Cottonwood (now Smoot), and Grover.
As the number of saints increased in the valley, it was decided to separate the settlements in
Star Valley from those in Bear Lake Valley and organize a new stake, which was done Aug. 13,
1892, on the occasion of a visit into the valley by Pres. Joseph F. Smith. Apostle Francis M. Lyman,
Pres. William Budge and counselor George Osmond, and several other brethren from the Bear Lake
Stake. George Osmond who had acted as second counselor to Pres. William Budge of the Bear Lake
Stake, was chosen as president of the stake, called the Star Valley Stake, with William W. Burton as
his first and Anson V. Call as his second counselor. A High Council and other stake officers were
also chosen on the same occasion. When first organized the Star Valley Stake consisted of sever
wards, viz., Afton, Auburn, Fairview, Freedom, Glencoe (now Thayne), Cottonwood (now Smoot),
and Grover. Later Afton was divided into the Afton North Ward and the Afton South Ward. New
settlements called Bedford, Etna and Osmond were subsequently organized.
President Osmond died March 25, 1913. He was succeeded by Clarence Gardner, who in
1930 acted as president with Arthur F. Burton as first and Albert A. Barrus as second counselor;
David Bennion was the stake clerk. Besides those already named, Wilford A. Hyde acted as second
counselor in the stake presidency
1905-1912, and Clarence Gardner in 1912-1913. Following are the names of the stake clerks:
William H. Kennington 1892- 1913; Joseph H. Rackstraw, 1913-1917; Adelbert E. Wild, 19171918; Carl Cook, 1918-1926, and David Bennion, 1926-1930.
The saints in Star Valley have faced many difficulties in coping with the elements and a rigid
climate, the altitude of Star Valley being about 6,000 feet above sea level. But while the crops have
sometimes failed through being frost-bitten, the climate has changed materially for the better, and
the people generally are prosperous, healthy and strong, and most of them faithful Latter-day Saints.
The membership of the Star Valley Stake Dec. 31. 1930, was 3,826, including 917 children.
Afton Stake Center.
Travelers from through
out the valley
1915.
33
THRASHING IN EARLY FREEDOM
Men by the names of Hadden and Woolsey thrashed the first grain in the lower Star Valley
at Freedom. This fete was accomplished by pilling bundles of grain together, then driving a team of
horses back and forth over the bundles until all the grain was on the ground. The straw was lifted
off and the grain gathered. This was done on William Heap's farm. The grain was first cut with a
scyth. It was always put on a hard surface of ground so it wouldn't be mashed into the ground.
Information gathered from William's son, Joseph.
34
The VAIL COAL MINE
Bill Vail from Idaho Falls came to J.P. Robinson Sr. and asked him to put up some money to
finance work of the mine and new Tipple. Swede, Clara and Helen Robinson worked at the mine all
summer and fall of 1936, to keep an eye on the invested money. A lot of others in the Valley
invested also.
Arnold and Luella Biggler worked at the mine also. Clara and Luella cooked, Helen was the
secretary and Arnold and Swede built the Tipple.
Dan Seekage was a little short guy from Kemmerer. He had a lot of equipment and had run a
mine over there. He brought it over here and invested it in this mine. He had more in there than
anybody.
The following account was told by Swede Robinson, years ago, about the Vail Coal Mine
Disaster on February 11, 1938.
“We were flown over from Afton in an airplane to the Vail Coal Mine and we landed in
Greys River. Iliff Ivie and myself and the pilot Mr. Bennett from Idaho Falls. He was an old pilot in
the earlier days. He flew us over there in an old rattle trap plane that sounded like it was going to
fall apart. We just skimmed over the east of the Rocky Mountains and he tipped his plane up on its
side and let it fall right straight down to the bottom of the canyon…then he levels it off. The snow
was about six feet deep. We landed in that snow so fast and sunk down so deep that it felt like the
plane was going to turn a flip-flop end over end, but it didn’t
We had to tromp him a trail, running back and fort in order to get that plane back off the
ground. On account of the snow being so deep, he couldn’t get up enough momentum until he got a
good trail tromped. The pilot left immediately…
Iliff and I put our webs on the walked five miles that night, after dark up to the Vail Coal
Mine.
It was too late that night to go in the mine, the mine inspector had to be there to inspect the
mine and test if for gas before we could go in the next morning to get the bodies out. So after he had
tested it we went in, we found 2 bottles…Iliff’s brother Rulon Ivie and Pee Wee Holdbrook, laying
on the ground floor in one of the rooms where they had been mining coal. They were laying face
down, their coats were signed, their hair was singed off from the back of their heads. They were
laying with their hands up to the side of their faces. When we turned them over, their eyes were
open just like they were awake. It was a peculiar sight.
The mine foreman, John Baker, had been blown out of the entrance of the mine and down
into the Tiple. It had scalped him just like an Indian scalps a person. We found him under the snow
this next day and we found his scalp. His son, Bill,, had been blown down over the bank and one
other boy, Henry Ashley, from West Virginia had been blown over the bank…down by the cabins.
Mrs. Baker, John Baker’s wife, had gotten him into one of the cabins, and up on the bed. She had
given him a bottle of whiskey. He was in such pain. His leg was twisted off and he was dead when
we got there, too.
35
Mrs. Baker had never been on skis or anything in her life. Before Henry Ashley died, he
gave ‘ Ma Baker ‘ instructions to get dressed in her heavy warm clothes.
Susa Robinson Erickson accounts Mrs. Baker visits: ‘Later when Ma would come to stay
with my folks, Pearl and J.P. Robinson, they would talk about the people that died. Ma Baker, J.P.
and Pearl always thought Henry knew they were all dead so he insisted on her getting out.
She would come every year and spend two weeks. The first two years she would have them
take her to the mine. After that she came two weeks to fish to visit. She could really catch fish. She
would put the worm on the hook then spit some snuff on it for good luck. Frank and I really
believed in the ‘ snuff ‘ treatment.’
The area was called the ‘Dead Man Mountain ‘ at first…because a man had been shot there.
The name was changed to ‘Vail Mine’ when Bill Vail got investors to finance work on the mine.
“Two brothers by name of Broadbent were trapping in the 1885, when some curse came
along and stole their horses. One brother got on a horse…caught the thief and shot him…thus ‘Dead
Man Mountain.”
…(Swede Robinson taped this story at his daughter
36
Roselena’s home in 1975)…
SONG ABOUT FREEDOM
TUNE: OPEN UP YOUR HEART AND LET THE SUNSHINE IN
Long ago in Freedom, two men of great renown
Called a meeting to decide the future of the town.
The issue to be settled was "Where should Freedom go?"
Should they belong to Wyoming or go with Idaho?
We'll meet on my homestead, the Idahoan said.
The other Joe said," No, no, no, the folks would be mislead."
And still they had to meet, and so to be discreet
They got the folks together in the middle of the street.
The Haderlies and the Jenkins and Robinsons were there.
The Luthis and the Ericksons all had their views to share.
Some thought that in Wyoming there'd be too much ice and snow,
While others said they couldn't face the wind in Idaho.
Some said Wyoming schools were far behind and slow.
And others said they'd never send their kids to Idaho.
Some thought the Governor of Idaho was wrong,
And some folks didn't like the tune of the Wyoming State Song.
And so to end the meeting, these two men of great renown
Suggested that the boundary stay in the middle of the town.
And those who liked Wyoming could to Wyoming go
And those who didn't like it could move to Idaho.
Now some had many wives and secluded lives.
Made it nice for them when there would be polygamist drives.
If the Idaho sheriff came, you could go to old WYO
And if you saw a Wyoming badge you could flee to Idaho.
Every one is happy now and things are going fine.
There's no controversy on location of the line.
And if you think another state would make your joy complete,
Brother, all you have to do is move across the street.
37
FOOD PRESERVING - BY VERBA ERICKSON
Our grandparents never knew what electricity was, but they were able to cope (putting by) as
they called it, very well. These methods were handed down to each generation.
I remember being down to my grandmothers and smelling the awful smell of sauerkraut. Many
sized crocks were used for different things. In those days jams were cooked down, also chile sauce.
These were put in small crocks with the lids on. I remember seeing a row of crocks in my grandmother's
dirt cellar. They were all sizes, from one pint to five gallon. Some of them had blue flowers painted on
them. Some of these held lard which was cooked from the butchered pigs, fat. This was cooked in the
oven and poured into the crocks as it melted. Sausages were cooked, then preserved in lard. Crocks
also held dill pickles.
Hams were smoked in a small building no larger than five feet square. They hung from the top
and a small smoldering fire was kept burning for days until the owner decided they were done.
They were then put in grain bins to keep them cool and the flies from getting on them. I remember one
time when the fire went out in the smoke house and the flies got into the meat. There was a lot said that
day. Eggs were also put deep in the grain bins.
Service berries, sliced apples, plums etc. were dried. Some were put in mesh bags or cheese
cloth bags and hung on clothes lines. People who had an attic put them up there as it was dry and warm.
Doctors being very scarce, herbs and medicine plants were picked and hung up to dry. I
remember seeing them but never found out what they were, sorry to say. I do remember sage and
peppermint.
Soap was made from the cracklings left from rendering fat from pigs, sheep and beef. This was
weighed and mixed with lye. I heard that before lye was available in the stores that they made their lye
from pouring water over ashes.
I remember my mother putting meat in glass jars. Only glass lids were used and she would put
the jars in the clothes boiler and boil them for eight hours.
Nearly every one had an ice bin on the north side of their house. In the winter when the river
froze, the men had long saws that cut the ice into blocks. This was put in the bin and covered with
sawdust. I can remember cold lemonade and ice cream that was turned with a hand crank in the
summer. It was really a treat.
Garden produce kept very well in the dirt pit. Potatoes, carrots, onions, and apples. Some
people covered the carrots with sand in boxes.
Money went a long way in those days. Women made their own butter and cheese. I remember
my grandmother taking old faded coats and ripping the seams, turning them wrong side out and sewing
them up again. They looked nearly like they did when they were new.
Wood was got out in the fall. I remember my grandfather owned a gasoline powdered saw with
a large blade. A team of horses would pull this to people's wood pile. (those who wanted it cut) It
would take one or two men to push the wood through and one to throw the blocks. I can still hear the
sound of that blade as it cut through the wood.
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Nearly all the farmers raised his own wheat. After it was harvested, some of the grain was taken
to Montpelier and made into flour. They also brought back cracked wheat to be made into cereal. The
older the flour got the nicer it was. I will always remember the sticky, yellow, heavy loaves of bread I
made with the new flour.
One of my friends told me that her mother would make suet puddings, put them in gauze and
hang them from the ceiling in their pantry. Then all that was needed to do was to steam them and they
were ready for dinner.
I will never forget the sleigh ride down to the old amusement hall in Freedom on Christmas Eve,
or around that time. We would be wrapped up in quilts, with bricks that had been warmed in the oven
all day in our wood stove, at our feet. I always was so sure that the stars were brighter in the sky at
Christmas time. I always had one of the main parts on the program and I loved to take part in everything
never realizing that I had very little talent.
The joy of staying with my grandmother where I was loved so much, hearing the kill deer cry,
the cows with their bells ringing as they came in to be milked and playing in the hay where grandpa
pretended he didn't see me. There always eggs hidden away and each summer new kittens to play with.
Some how it seemed people were closer, cared more about each other, or perhaps it is just me--thinking
of those times so long ago.
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FREEDOM'S FIRST PIONEER
by LAURA HANSON STOCK MCMORROW
William and Sarah Ann Heap and their five children; Marion, Martha, William Jr., John and
Joseph--John Social Rolph, his fifth wife, Martha Ann Miller, their son, Social, daughter, Dorcas,
and sons Albert and Jay Rolph from another wife--Able Moroni and wife Cynthia and one child
along with John and Hannah Mortinson Hill and family (27 in all) were a group of pioneers who
were all related to each other directly or indirectly.
Martha Ann Miller (maiden name) had been married three times and was the mother of the
following children--Sarah Ann Heap, Cynthia Hunt, John Hill, Social Rolph and Dorcas Rolph. She
was also the sister of Robert Samuel Miller who came to Freedom a year or so later.
These Pioneers had been sent by LDS church authorities at Salt Lake City to Southern Utah
in Zion's Canyon, then to St. Charles, Idaho and on to Dingle, Idaho. They decided to stay together
and go to a valley which had not been settled yet, where they had heard the grass grew tall, and elk,
deer, and other animals ran freely.
They traveled together to Montpelier, Idaho where they picked up supplies, then followed the
old road to the salt works, where they obtained salt to take with them. The road ended at the salt
works, and from there on they had to blaze their own trail, having to cross the creek twenty or more
times.
William Heap was the first to drive through the canyon. He was known as "The Trail
Blazer". It is reasonable to believe the little colony of Utah Pioneers were all Trail Blazers.
Some were polygamist families seeking a place where they could live peacefully and enjoy
freedom and safety from Idaho Marshals who made their lives miserable. Thus they pushed on,
building their own road down Crow Creek to the spot where Fairview now stands. Some days they
traveled only a mile or two, their last camp still in sight. They brought eight wagons. Often furrows
had to be plowed on the hill side for the upper wheels to keep the wagons from tipping over and
spilling their loads of household furnishings and food. It took seven days to travel the forty five
miles through Crow Creek Canyon.
After leaving the entrance into the valley they traveled the Lander Trail along the west side.
They camped several days in the north end of the upper valley near the Sulfur Springs.
My mother told me that they saw only one small building , made partly of rock. The
building was situated in the vicinity where the town of Auburn is now located, and it was where the
Welch's, Joseph, John (Money) and Ben stayed while they were trapping in the area and where they
stored their furs.
While the group camped and rested, Albert Rolph and John Hill were sent ahead to explore
the country on horse back. They found a beautiful valley with an abundance of tall grass, wild game
and streams full of fish. They returned to the campers that night and recommended the lower part of
the valley as a desirable place to settle. This was good news to the tired settlers who had worked so
hard to eke out an existence in Southwestern Utah and in Idaho.
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The following morning camp was broken and the small group moved with their wagons and
animals to a glorious land. They camped on the Tin Cup Creek where the McCullock Ranch was
located later, and the first house was built for my grandfather, William Heap, on the ground where
the Roy and Leda Robinson home now stands.
Because William Heap had several small children, his home was built first. The walls were
constructed of logs cut from the hill nearby. On top of the log walls, poles were placed close
together so they could hold willows and long cut grass upon which dirt was piled. This combination
did not keep the rain out entirely, but it served well as protection from the hot as well as the cold
weather.
The floors were dirt, packed hard and smooth as cement. When they could save enough rags,
they were cut into long strips, braided and sewed together to make rag rugs which were placed on
the dirt floors for warmth and comfort.
Moroni and Cynthia Hunt built their log house in a little ravine up the hill where a spring
was located. This spot overlooked the location of the families below. Dee Rainey and family
moved there a few years later. Remnants of some of the buildings are still there.
A few years later Frank Cross married Dorcas Rolph and joined the colony. Frank Cross was
the first mail carrier. He went to Montpelier to get the mail for the Star Valley residents. He would
ride to Fairview, walk or snowshoe to Montpelier and carry the mail on his back to Afton. It would
take over a week to make the trip.
John Social Rolph, his wife, Martha Ann, and their two children, along with Albert and Jay,
two sons by a previous marriage, went further north to settle. Their house was built along the
foothills in Glen, a short distance from the old Brower place, where there was a hill of white clay.
This clay was used to make the mud for chinking and sealing all the log houses. The clay was mixed
with sand and water to a thick mud consistency. It would harden to a white cement-like material
which served as insulation. They also used this white clay mixture to insulate storage boxes which
were buried in the ground near a spring or placed in a cold stream for the storage of food such as
butter, cheese, milk, and meat.
After they were settled in Freedom, ways had to be provided to bring water from Tin Cup
Creek on to their land for irrigation. William Heap surveyed most of the ditches in the vicinity.
Some of these original ditches are still in use.
LIGHT AND HEAT
The first lights were made from tallow rendered from elk and sheep fat and molded into
candles with a rag wick. At night they also had their rock fireplaces which served many purposes
such as cooking, heat and light.
The first roads were into canyons for logs and poles. Logs for buildings and poles for
building as well as for fences and corrals. Many logs were required to provide heat.
When Coal Oil or Kerosene was available, it was considered a luxury and used only when
necessary. Coal Oil Lamps were truly a luxury. The glass base was filled with oil and a wick was
run from the oil up through a burner into a glass chimney. If the wick was turned too high it
blackened the chimney. Care had to be used in keeping the flame just right. Coal Oil Lanterns were
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used outside at night as well as inside the homes. When gasoline first came to the valley, gasoline
lanterns were used in the homes. This was many years after kerosene. Electric lights did not come
to the Lower Valley until after 1925.
Cook stoves and heating stoves came in the early 1900's. Flat irons were heated on the stove
tops for ironing clothes. The first ones were solid iron and they were later replaced by irons with
removable handles. During the winter we would wrap these heated irons in a towel and take them to
bed with us to keep our feet warm and heat the bed.
CLOTHING AND BEDDING
The children went barefoot because they didn't have shoes. In the winter deer and elk hides
were tanned to make moccasins and coats. Wool was sheared from the sheep, the women carded it,
and then spun it into yarn for knitting socks, long stockings, caps, sweaters and mittens. Even
dresses were made of home spun yarn. Most women had only one dress. My mother told me her
father had promised to buy her a silk dress when he went to Montpelier if she could purr like a
kitten. She never could purr but she got the silk dress in 1886 at age 16.
Most of the quilts were made of scraps of cloth sewed in quilt blocks, the centers filled with
carded wool and quilted. Others were made from outing flannel bought in Montpelier, the inside
was filled with carded wool and then the quilts were tied with string to hold the wool in place.
Tanned hides were also used as bedding and rugs.
Straw ticks were used as mattresses. Dry grass and straw would be stuffed into the mattress
and replaced once a year. Feather ticks were also used as well as feather pillows. The feathers were
taken from ducks and geese as well as chickens. These made warm, soft beds. Bunks were built for
beds before the old iron and brass beds were available. Straw was placed under the rugs on the floor
to make them soft and warm.
HARD WINTER OF 1879 & 80
Winter came early in Freedom. With the coming of deep snow, their joy turned to concern.
They began to gather the tall grass for their cattle. Because of the severe cold the rivers froze over
and it was difficult to keep them open. Martha Heap Hanson wrote in her life history--"The first
winter in Freedom, the snow was six feet deep. We ran out of flour and had to get it brought in on
man's back as a pack. We had to eat lots of beaver meat to keep alive. My father had lots of sheep.
We did not have any hay. We ran out of feed as the winter was long and cold. My mother and older
brothers cut willows for what few sheep they did save. My father took the cattle on crust of snow to
the river and shoveled along the bank to get feed of dry grass and willows. Because the river was
frozen over, holes were cut in the ice so the cattle could drink. Almost as fast as the ice was cut it
would freeze again. He had to stay all day and night while the cold spell lasted, and nearly froze
himself."
The fall of 1879 some of the colony returned to Bear Lake for supplies, mostly flour. On
their return trip heavy snow storms slowed their progress. Their wagon broke down and they had to
bury most of the supplies in Beaver Creek Canyon. They could only take what they could carry.
Later Albert and Jay Rolph made four trips to Beaver Creek for the remainder of the flour. Each one
carried 75 pounds of flour on his back and traveled on home-made skis.
Still there was not enough to eat. In April another trip was made. It was difficult to travel
during the day as the snow was soft, so they traveled by night and rested during the day. When they
reached the Salt River they obtained a dug-out canoe and floated down the river as the ice had
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melted. Things went well until they were nearly back to their settlement when their canoe hit a
whirlpool. They fought and worked hard to save their precious cargo.
My mother said she was so hungry when the flour arrived she thought she could eat a whole
pan of biscuits but she could hardly eat anything as her stomach was not large enough to hold much.
Trips were not only made to Beaver Canyon where supplies were buried but to Montpelier
and Caribou Mine to ease the hunger and save the lives of the little colony.
SELF SUPPORTING
These first settlers made many articles needed for their own use. The made the lye for
making soap by putting wood ashes in a barrel, adding water and left it to soak for a week. The
liquid contained lye which was added to pig cracklings or old tallow and cooked in a large tub over
an open fire. It was then poured into boxes to set after which it was cut into squares or bars. Clothes
washed with this soap were exceptionally white and the women took pride in having the whitest
wash in the neighborhood.
They raised pigs and cured the hams and bacon. Head cheese was made from the head. In
fact, everything was used but the squeal since even the feet were pickled.
Wild fruit was in abundance--wild currants, gooseberries, service berries and choke cherries.
Sometimes you could find wild strawberries, grapes and huckleberries. Wild fruit was dried for
winter use.
Fish and beaver were plentiful and wild game such as elk and deer roamed the countryside.
Dried jerky was made from elk and deer meat for winter use.
They had cows for milk and when the cream raised to the top of the milk it was skimmed off
to make cheese and butter. The butter was made during the summer months and molded into pound
chunks. These chunks were stored in salt brine to keep them sweet. In the fall they would take the
butter to Montpelier where it was sold for eight cents per pound. Beaver, muskrat and fox were
trapped and their furs sold.
BLACKSMITH SHOP
The first blacksmith shop was owned and run by Leslie Jenkins by the Jenkins slough. He
ran this until he started farming. Jack Sizemore had a shop later (1916) which was located by the
little meat shop of Peter Johnson on Main Street. I remember my sister Selma and I standing hour
after hour watching the blacksmith fashion the hot metal into various shapes.
POOL HALL
The first pool hall was located where Del Schiess' home stood. It was operated by Brin
Rainey. It had a hitching rail across the front and side where the horses could be tied. The second
pool hall was owned by Alvin Schiess. He purchased it from Ed Vincent Aug. 8, 1919.
FOR FUN
My mother told me what was done for fun in the Freedom settlement. The children played in
the hay stacks in winter as if they were beavers, making holes and crawling after each other and
sliding off the stacks. Many had whistles made for them from green willows by their parents or
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grandparents. The older ones danced, played cribbage, checkers or cards. Horse shoes was a
favorite game for the men and women had many a good quilting bee. Whittling was also a popular
pastime for the men.
My mother told me that couples would gather up their children, lots of food and drive to
Fairview where the Campbell family lived. They would often stay two days and nights and dance
and eat. They would return home when the food ran out and they were too tired to dance any more.
Their dancing rules were very strict. No arms around each other, only hands touching for square
dancing--no waltzing.
In the 1900's we young people of Freedom would gather in the evening and make a large
bon-fire in the middle of the street. We would play Kick-the-Can and Run-Sheep-Run. We also
gathered at each others homes for oyster or chicken suppers. The Sulfur Springs and Alpine Springs
provided many of us with good swimming parties. We also had many spelling bees in school, ,
played show, mumble peg, and had children's dances and coasting parties.
WEEKLY BATH
On Saturday night water was heated in a boiler. The wash tub was brought into the kitchen
and the family bath began. It usually started with the youngest child and worked up through the
oldest. Clean underwear was put on each child to be worn until the next bath, unless some could go
swimming in the summer or had an accident which necessitated a bath sooner.
All washing was done by hand, rubbed on a wash board in a tub of warm water with homemade lye soap, and then, if possible, the clothes were boiled in water and soap, rinsed twice and
hung on a line, fence, bushes or whatever convenient place was available. All water had to be
carried and heated which made bathing and laundry a hard task.
The Out House for toilet necessities was a small building, usually a two-holer, out by the
barn. Sears Roebuck and Montgomery Ward catalogs were the only available source of toilet paper.
They served two other purposes - reading material and wish book. All of our shoes and most of our
clothing were mail ordered from the catalogs.
INDIANS AND GYPSIES
When the little colony settled in Freedom, the valley was full of Indians. The Shoshone and
Blackfoot Indians used the valley for their summer feeding grounds. Naturally, the settlers were
afraid of the Indians and they had some scares, but nothing really serious ever happened. As a child
I remember Indians coming to our door wanting food. They called it "Bread". My mother was good
to them.
Not only did we have Indians to frighten we children in the early 1900's but we also had
Gypsies. Every summer they made a camp on the ditch bank a short distance from our home. They
dressed in colorful, long, full dresses, had long dark hair and displayed great quantities of jewelry.
They tried to sell us trinkets and would also steal everything in sight.
DAIRIES AND CREAMERIES
My mother told me that Dee Rainey had the first dairy in Freedom. He rented cows on
shares during the summer months, and with the help of his wife and children, made cheese and
butter. He lived in Glen at that time near where the Dick Sanderson place is now.
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Frank Lindholm came to Glen for the same purpose. He made cheese and butter during the
summer and took it to Montpelier in the fall to exchange for supplies.
The first creamery was built in Freedom by the Burtons. August Dabel came from
Wisconsin to manage it. His son, Bill, was with him and he married a Schneider girl from Bedford.
They raised a large family. August Dabel bought the first car I ever saw.
A milk wagon from Thayne would pick up all the milk along the west hills for processing at
the Burton Creamery in Freedom. My grandmother, Sarah Heap, would ride on the milk wagon
from Thayne to our place and visit with us while the milk was being processed and then ride back to
Thayne when the milk wagon returned.
THE FIRST SCHOOLS AND CHURCH
My mother told me the first four families that settled on Tin Cup Creek were the only ones
there for a few years.
William Heap taught his own children and Sarah's brother, Social, at night. Marion was 12,
Martha and Social 10, and William Jr. 8. In 1887 William took his sons, daughter Martha, and
Social to Afton for three month's schooling. He built a log cabin close to where the first log cabin
was built for a school and church in Afton, near Swift Creek. His children lived in this cabin,
prepared their own food from supplies their father left with them, and attended school. The first
teacher was John Bartlett. They would sit around the inside of the classroom on benches and used
slates to write on. There were seventy five students.
After three months the food ran out and the Heap children and Social Rolph had to walk
home to Freedom. They went on home-made snow shoes as the snow was still deep. They went
along the west hills all the way. My mother said she became so tired she didn't think she would
make it. She felt like lying on the ground and dying. They finally made it to Freedom in one day.
The first school in Freedom for all children was held in the home of A.B. Clark. The teacher
was Kitty Dixon, who later became the wife of Arthur Burton of Afton.
The first combined school and church house in Freedom was built in 1889. It was a log
structure 16 ft. wide and 24 ft. long. This was also used as a dance hall and theater building. This
log building was by the slough and behind where Danny Haderlie's electrical business now stands.
The tithing office and yard were also there as tithing was often paid with animals, articles of food
etc. Money was scarce. The first ball park was there also.
In 1900 the Caribou, Idaho school was built by Charles Haderlie, father of the Haderlies of
the valley. All eight grades were in one room. It was where Dale Luthi now has his home. Mr.
Kirkbride was the first teacher. All the Emil Hanson children attended this school. Neva Smith
from Nampa, Idaho was my first grade teacher in 1912. K.H. Blake, Maud Mallow and Phillis
Gibbons were some of the first teachers.
In 1927 Autna W. Stock, my husband, and Vernessa Penrose were teachers. The school had
another room added and now it was a two teacher school. Vernessa later married Lyman Wright.
About 1918 a school was built on the Wyoming side of the street, but none of the Idaho
children could go there until the schools consolidated. I attended this school for my last three years
45
of grade school and Maud Mallow was my teacher. Her daughter, Evelyn, and I rode a horse to
Thayne to take the eighth grade examination before we could go to high school in Afton.
A school was also built in Glen through the efforts of Frank Lindholm which served until
1935. Autna W. Stock taught there in 1928 and 1929. He had six of the eight grades to teach. He
bought a pair of hand hair clippers and cut all the boys hair. He also bought a shoe shining kit and
taught the students how to shine their shoes.
CHURCH ORGANIZED
The organization of the church in Star Valley did not take place until 1886 when Arthur B.
Clark arrived in the valley. In December he was made First Presiding Elder by
President Charles D. Cazier from the upper valley. President Cazier arrived in the valley in
1880. The Freedom Ward was organized 17 June 1891. Arthur B. Clark was set apart as bishop by
Wm. Budge in May 1894. On 12 August 1894 Osborn Low was set apart as bishop by Francis M.
Lyman. Eugene Weber was in charge (not bishop) in 1899.
In July 1900 Aaron Franklin Bracken, who moved to Freedom from Thayne, was chosen as
bishop of the Freedom Ward. He was released 22 June 1919, and on that same date Carl Robinson
was chosen as bishop and set apart by James E. Talmage. He presided as bishop until 31 December
1930. At that time there were 386 members including 77 children in the Freedom ward.
The first church meetings were held in the homes. Some of the first colony lived in Glen.
The meetings were held alternately in Freedom and Glen.
The first baptisms were performed in Salt River or one of the creeks that was deep enough.
Many people who were baptized in the early days had to be re baptized when they received their
endowments, because Bishop Clark had a fire in his home and many of the early records of the
Freedom Ward were destroyed.
William Heap's mother, Margaret Beesley Heap, joined the LDS church in Indiana in 1844.
She was the only Heap to join at that time. William's mother and brother, George Heap, came to
Freedom in 1888. George built the house where Franklin Bracken lived. He married the 2nd
polygamist wife of William Heap, Margaret Brown Heap, in 1889.
George and Margaret had five children born to them while living in Freedom, Arthur 1890,
Alice 1892, Mildred 1894, George 1896 and Bessie in 1900. The George Heap family later moved
to Idaho. Franklin Bracken moved to Freedom and lived in the same house that George Heap built.
This house is now owned by Kent Luthi. William Heap built a new log house in the town of
Freedom about 1887 or 1888.
CELEBRATIONS
In the early 1900's the 4th and 24th of July were great occasions in Freedom. By ten o'clock
in the morning people from the entire town would meet at the amusement hall for a Patriotic
Program. The town had a band which boomed out the good old tunes. Emil Hansen played the
drums and any local talent had the opportunity to sing a solo or in a duet, trio or quartet. Comic
readings were given and there was a lot of community singing. After the program we went home for
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lunch or went to the store to buy real treats such as fresh cherries, bananas hanging upside down on
their stalk, oranges, candy, or go to the confectionery for ice cream or soda drinks from the fountain.
In the afternoon we went to the "Ball Diamond" as we called it. The band was there. The
kids ran races for bags of candy, there was dunking for apples in a tub of water and finally the ball
game. The towns were rivals and we always had a rousing good time.
In the evening everyone went to the dance. The small children were wrapped in quilts and
put to sleep on the benches, while the oldsters danced their hearts out. We always had to have our
hair washed and put up in rags, and we came forth with beautiful ringlets and bows wearing a bright
new dress made by our mothers.
THE FIRST CHRISTMAS
The first Christmas celebration was in the home of William Heap in 1886 on the Tin Cup
Ranch. All the families were present: Moroni Hunt and family, Samuel Miller and family, Martha
Ann Rolph, Social Rolph and Dorcas and Frank Cross. Samuel Miller was a brother of Martha Ann
Miller Rolph. The celebration lasted all day and night. The dinner consisted of elk and deer meat,
plum pudding made from the elk tallow, and service berries which had been picked during the
summer and dried for winter use. They danced to the music of Moroni Hunt's violin and Samuel
Miller called the dances.
CHRISTMAS IN FREEDOM 1914
Christmas Eve the towns people gathered for a special Christmas Program. A large
Christmas tree decorated with popcorn, colored paper chains, tinsel and candles stood on the stage.
Most of the children took the part of angels on the program and wore a halo of tinsel around their
heads.
After the program Santa came and gave each a bag of candy and nuts. Everyone was anxious
to get home to decorate the family tree so they could get to bed and be up early to find the ONE gift
Santa left.
The family was all together for Christmas dinner. The first to arrive tried to beat my mother
in shouting "Christmas Gift!" Dinner was wonderful. We raised our own turkeys and chickens and
had all the trimmings. There were large milk pans full of delicious cakes, and pies and plum
pudding were a must. After dinner we gathered around the piano and sang songs. The children took
their new sleighs out in the sparkling frosty snow. Sleigh bells would jingle from around the horses
necks as they were driven up and down the roads pulling the children on the sleighs. This was a
happy time.
FIRST CONFECTIONERY AND SODA FOUNTAIN
The first confectionery was owned and operated by Margaret Heap Kirk and Phil Kirk. After
the Kirks moved away Albert Rolph bought it for his sons, Edwin and Alvin. Alvin ran it for a time
and then sold it to Ed and Edna Vincent who later ran the post office, which was located on the
south east corner of the main street as you came into Freedom.
The Vincents sold the confectionery to G.A. and Nora Heap Newswander. This was the
place where all the kids liked to spend their small amounts of money and meet friends.
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G.A. sold to Alvin and Mary Schiess. Alvin later sold the business to Reynold and Eliza
Robinson, who were the owners in 1938 when electricity first came to Freedom. By this time the
business had grown to include groceries and many other items as well as a confectionery. Reynold
owned it for only a few years and sold it to Alvin and Thetta Robinson. They sold it to Ken and
Carol Olsen who operated it and a furniture store. The old building where C.R. Chadwick had his
general store was the location of Ken's furniture store. Ken and Carol sold the confectionery store to
Ivan and Berniece Nelson, who later sold the stock to Beatrice and Bill Croft, who were running the
store they had purchased from Roy Keeler, and Ivan had the store building torn down.
FIRST GENERAL STORE
A.F. Bracken opened the first store in the 1890's and he sold it to Burtons from Afton in
1900's. George Kennington from Afton and Rosetta Rolph from Freedom ran the store. Rosetta
worked there for many years.
Carl Robinson bought the store in the 1920's and he sold it to C.R. Chadwick in June 1929.
It was called The Red and White Store. C.R. Chadwick operated it until 1941 when he sold the
stock to Roy Keeler.
About 1900 William Heap Jr. built a home just north of the Emil Hanson home, and in 1917
he purchased the store that Frank Roberts from Afton had built. This store burned down 15 August
1930.
Roy Keeler bought a lot where the Wm Heap store had burned. He constructed a large
cinder block building which housed a beauty parlor operated by Nan Hughes, a 3-bedroom
apartment upstairs and an apartment in the back of the store, which was later made into a freezing
compartment and rented freezer lockers. Roy opened his store for business in May 1940.
Subsequent owners were Bill and Beatrice Croft, Bruce and Judy Hoopes, and it is presently owned
by John and Tracey Baugh.
Howard Hemmert ran a hardware store and also a blacksmith shop.
THE FIRST CHURCH BUILT OF LUMBER
In 1901 the first real lumber church was built on the site of the present church. There were
no class rooms, only one large long room with a raised stage at one end where seating was available
for those presiding and conducting the meetings. The pulpit was in the front center and white
curtains were drawn lengthwise to make class rooms for Primary, Sunday School and Priesthood
Meetings. I can remember one of my classes which was held on the stage, and Abbie Robinson,
wife of Willard Robinson, and Minnie Luthi Robinson were my teachers. A large pot-bellied stove
was in the very center of the building, and if you were more than ten feet from it, you froze. Many
early socials and parties were held in this building. In 1892 my father, Emil Hansen, was
superintendent of the Sunday School.
THE FIRST BANK
The Freedom people were not experienced in taking their money to a bank for safe keeping.
A clock, mug, or jar in the pantry served the purpose. If over $10.00 was saved, one would be
considered thrifty, and if it got up to $50.00 you were well off. In 1914 a bank was established
under the direction of Eddie Mehr. It had a capitalization of $25,000.00. Some of the early
stockholders were John Robinson, Lewis and John Jenkins, and James Brower. The first cashier was
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Parley P. Baldwin followed by Roy Harrison, David Bennion and Albert Perkins. Louis I. Jenkins
was the President until the bank moved to Afton.
FIRST DOCTORS, DENTISTS AND MIDWIVES
Arthur B. Clark who moved to Freedom in 1886 served as a dentist, and Angus Dutson
practiced dentistry for the valley people around 1900. Dr. L.C. Proctor was the first permanent
dentist. He practiced from 1905 to the 1950's. Many early Freedom residents remember Dr.
Proctor. During the summer months traveling dentists frequently stopped in Freedom. The town of
Freedom never had a doctor. The first doctors located in Afton. Dr. C.P. Groom and Dr. G.W. West
were among the very first.
Midwives carried on a blessed mission. Cynthia Hill Hunt, wife of Moroni Hunt, served the
expecting mothers who lived near her. She was a natural midwife and was always willing and
anxious to assist in delivering babies, often staying with the new mother until she was able to care
for herself.
Some wondered if Moroni Hunt's home on the small hill overlooking the settlement could
have been pre-planned. From the location a communication system served in time of sickness or
childbirth. When Cynthia could see a light in the window of one of the homes, she knew that home
needed her services. Cynthia went to serve regardless of the weather.
One cold winter night after Cynthia had returned home after caring for the sick, she found to
her sorrow that her own three year old daughter had tried to follow her and became lost. She was
never found. Cynthia had a very sad life. Her first husband, Henry Morrow, killed their only child
because it cried too much. She and Moroni Hunt had nine children, none of which lived past 1902.
She then married Jacob Miller and had two more children. Both of them died before Cynthia.
Tribute should be paid to Constance Ann Stephens Eggleston, wife of Orson H. Eggleston,
for the God-given ability in relieving pain and suffering. She came to Star Valley in 1884, and her
willing service was effective throughout the valley. She helped in the delivery of many in our
family. If the family being served were poor, there was no charge, otherwise $1.00 to $5.00 was
accepted. In over fifteen years she helped in the delivery of more than one thousand babies.
Elsie Fluckiger Roberts also served as a midwife from 1899 to 1930 in the Lower Valley.
Her first delivery case was in Thayne. Delbert Heap was born to Marion and Evalena Miller Heap.
I was also brought into this world with the help of Mrs. Roberts, who served the sick in many ways
traveling on foot, horseback, wagon, sleigh and toboggan.
CEMETERIES
The first cemetery was located not far from the Tin Cup settlement. It was on the hillside a
short distance north of where Moroni Hunt built his home. The hill was covered with sage brush
and the graves were marked with wooden slabs. Among those buried in the first cemetery were:
Children of Moroni and Cynthia Hunt:
Minnie Hunt
7 May
1882
At birth
Arthur Hunt
15 November 1882
4 years old
Daniel Hunt
October
1888
2 years old
Walter Hunt
10 July
1889
1 year old
Moroni Hunt
4 April
1891
1 year old
Abel Moroni Hunt
1 April
1891
Husband and Father
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Two children of James and Minerva Lucky Miller.
Robert Miller:
James Samuel Miller
1889
LeRoy Miller
1889
Samuel Robert Miller (brother of Martha
Ann Miller Rolph) 20 April
1887
50 years old
William Heap
Effie Heap
6 mo. son of Wm. Heap, Jr.
Child Dau. of James Heap
15 Jan. 1893
20 June
1895
James is the son of Samuel
2 years old
1 year old
All of the above were related.
An adult woman was also buried in this cemetery and also the following:
Wm. Christensen, drowned May 6 1891, Mrs. John Ellis (Vine), and Heber Felstead.
The present cemetery was laid out by Bishop Franklin Bracken in 1900.
THE FIRST ENTERTAINMENT AND DANCE HALL
The land was donated to the town of Freedom by Albert Rolph, son of John Social Rolph.
Albert also went to the canyon, cut the logs, and took them to Thayne to be traded for finished
lumber from Charles Haderlie. With the help of his sons, Edwin and Melvin, they built the
Entertainment Hall which gave many hours of pleasure in dancing, theatricals, basket socials,
basketball games as well as many fine programs. It was built about 1914.
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TWINS IN FREEDOM
Ina Erickson
Fred Luthis
John Robinsons
Eldon Luthis
Denzil Jenkins
Roy Keelers
Walter Webers
" "
G.A. Newswanders
Walter Barbers
Newell Crooks
Lyman Crooks
Royal Jenkins
Nick Robinsons
Chad Jenkins
Ladell Heiners
Elmo Robinsons
Ed Crofts
Lyle Jenkins
Charlie Luthis
Royce Jacksons
Gene Warrens
Lorenzo Jenkins
Dean Reed Luthis
Rol Wellmans
Rick Hunsakers
Frank & Ella (boy & girl)
Leonard & Reynold (boys)
Curtis & Cody (boys deceased)
Girls (died soon after birth)
Lorna & Laura (girls)
Doyle & Royal (boys)
(died soon after birth)
Jean & Jessie (girls)
Joel & Jan (boy & girl)
Kelly & Kerry (boys)
Vicky & Val (girl & boy)
Jay & Kay (boys)
Chanda & Heath (girl & boy)
Jamie & Jodi (girls)
Brock & Bobbie (boys)
Karl & Kami (boy & girl)
Joan & Judy (girls)
Kent & Brent (boys)
Kent & Carol Janis (boy & "girl deceased")
Jody & Janette (girls)
Dixie & Danette (girls)
Tamara & Tyson (girl & boy)
Michelle & Ashly (girls)
Brandie & Mattie (girls)
(boys deceased)
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MISSIONARY LIST COMPILED BY INA ERICKSON
To the best of her recollection
Albert Rolph & Son
Charlie Weber
Fred Weber
Walter Weber
Lawrence Weber
Gerald Weber
John F. Jenkins
Winslow Weber
Sterling Weber
Nola Weber
Arlene Weber
Elvira Weber
Ardith Weber
Myrna Weber
Wade Weber
Larry Weber
Kurtis Weber
Robert Weber
Alvin Robinson
Carl Robinson
Reynold Robinson
Willie Robinson Jr.
Dean Robinson
Lamont Sanderson
Golden Erickson
Barry Hoopes
Danny Hoopes
Allen Hoopes
Donnie Baker
Spencer Erickson
Bryce Erickson
Rondo Erickson
Gary Nelson
Milson Clark
Troy Clark
L.I. Jenkins
Willie Jenkins
Wilford Jenkins
Glen Jenkins
Louie Jenkins
Kenneth Jenkins
Wendell Jenkins
Claudia Jenkins
Leon Jenkins
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Marlan Erickson
J.U. Schiess
L.H. Haderlie
Conn Haderlie
Morris Haderlie
Juel Haderlie
Vaughn Haderlie
Charles Luthi
Henry Luthi
Curtis Luthi
Jeff Luthi
Kristine Luthi
Rick Luthi
Randall Luthi
Kirk Brower
Martell Brower
J.P. Robinson
Fred Brog
Eric Robinson
Kip Robinson
Byron Haderlie
Chad Miller
Ward Wolfley
Perry Hoopes
Borden Jenkins
Steven Jenkins
Kendall Jenkins
Jolynn Jenkins
Alice Jenkins
Farrell Jenkins
Vernal Jenkins
Eldon Jenkins
Glen Jenkins
Myra Jenkins
Alice Jenkins Hamilton
Edith Jenkins
Norma Jenkins
June Jenkins
Don Jenkins
Ardell Jenkins
Darrel Jenkins
Lera Jenkins
Lavon Jenkins
Earl Jenkins
Lyle Jenkins
Chad Jenkins
Dahl Jenkins
Dave Jenkins
Lynett Jenkins
Merrill Robinson
Dannie Haderlie
Dallie Haderlie
Rick Warren
Gene Warren
Roydell Haderlie
Lin Dee Hokanson
Randy Hokanson
Bob Hokanson
Bret Hokanson
Drew Hokanson
Van Hokanson
Lindon Jenkins
Sherman Jenkins
Tad Jenkins
Will Jenkins
Edward Jenkins
Brad Jenkins
Perry Robinson
Darren Robinson
Lex Porter
Scott Rainey
Clyde Rainey
Don Rainey
Rex Wolfley
Lavell Hawthine
Lyman Crook
Richard Crook
Tracy Crook
John Baugh
John Sturr
Kim Luthi
Todd Luthi
Trudy Jenkins
Anna Jenkins
Ivan Sharp
Fred Wright
Trevor Roberts
Kenny Hokanson
Matt Clinger
Nathan Clinger
Jayson Cazier
Clint Warren
George Rainey
Curt Jenkins
Kim Jenkins
Brent Jenkins
Dana Nelson
Marty Clinger
Maury Robinson
Stacy Robinson
Karl Robinson
Nolan Jenkins
Wynn Jenkins
Keith Izatt
Stanley Izatt
Dana Izatt
Jed Izatt
Dale Izatt
Lane Izatt
Drew Izatt
Paula Izatt
Airica Izatt
Launa Izatt
Dirk Izatt
Ross Spackman
Brad Spackman
Steven Warren
Sandra Warren
Wyatt Warren
Dallas Warren
Jody Warren
Darnell Jackson
Jack Draney
Newell Crook
Wayne Crook
Ronald Crook
Marie Crook
Russell Tilleck
Joel Barber
Cody Luthi
Kip Robinson
Aaron Jenkins
Cathy Carlisle
Vern Osmond
Evan Jenkins
Tyler Brog
Farren Haderlie
Joe Rainey
Jay Haderlie
Jared Jenkins
Kerry Heiner
Courtney Roberts
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Dan Weber
Fletcher Roberts
Rod Wolfley
Blake Jenkins
Evan Jenkins (grandson)
Eric Heiner
Todd Jenkins
Michael Haderlie
Theras Jenkins
Eddie Jenkins
COUPLES
L.H. & Johanna Haderlie
Leslie & Delia Izatt
Dean & Elaine Jenkins
Darrel & Magdalene Jenkins
Veldon & Veloy Izatt
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Kade Clinger
Adam Rainey
Shane Crook
Kyle Luthi
Blake Izatt
Luke Brog
Matt Heiner
Lorna Haderlie
Golden Erickson
Fred & Hazel Weber
Lavard & Atha Jackson
Carl & Francis Baker
Dee & Ida Hokanson
PAUL AND VERA HADERLIE ALLRED
Paul and Vera lived in Osmond, Wyo. Paul worked for the creamery in Osmond making Swiss
cheese. When the creamery was closed and the operation was moved to Thayne, Paul and the men who
worked with him drove to Thayne every day.
In the spring of 1949, Paul was approached by Jean Luthi to run her ranch. It was a dairy farm
with crop land of hay and grain to farm. Paul continued to work at the creamery in Thayne and farm
also. Paul and Vera had moved their little family of Brent, Peggy, Ella Lou and Paulette into the home
that Fred and Hazel Weber once lived in. Kent and Sherri Luthi have since purchased and live in this
house.
A little girl, Sandra, was born in Oct. 1949. Paul worked both of his jobs for one year and
realized he was trying to work too many hours and early in the summer of 1950 Paul and Vera moved
back to Osmond.
Paul and Vera lived in Osmond for 22 years before moving to Brigham City in 1961. She
enjoyed raising flowers inside and outside in the yard. She did beautiful handiwork and many people
benefited from this talent.
Their children are: Brent H., Eric Paul, Blair H., Peggy Lindley, Paulette Freeze, Sandra
Ammon, and Ella Lou Lancaster.
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FLOYD ASHMENT – UNCLE BUSH
I don’t recall when I first met Uncle Bush—seems he was just always there. As often as
once a week, he rode down into our woods to visit us. The dogs would bark, we’d look, and here
would come Uncle Bush, riding up from the canal bridge on his horse, his long legs nearly dragging
the ground.
Mom would ask, “Who’s out there?” And Us Kids would always answer,” it’s just Uncle
Bush. Just meaning, he was welcome and that we felt comfortable in his presence. We didn’t have
to comb our hair, tidy up, or pretend we were any different, or better than we actually were.
Dad, Uncle Bush and Uncle Cicil used to get together to put their hay up, taking turns, going
from one’s place to the other’s, and Us Kids used to herd both Uncle’s sheep, along with our own.
Keith, being the oldest of the family, was the first sheepherder. Uncle Bush bought him his first
rifle. Brand new!
When my brother Blaine and I were reminiscing a few years ago, Blaine told me that when
ever Uncle Bush rode in, he always made a fist and spared-off, as though challenging Blaine to a
boxing match. It was Bush’s way of greeting Blaine. An Blaine says if made him feel good.
When Anut Exta and Uncle Bush were still married, I went often, down to their place to stay
overnight with Marellen and Russel. I felt comfortable and welcome with all of them.
On one particular visit there, Uncle Bush came driving his car into the yard. I ran with
Marellen and Russel and we crammed our heads in through the car window. They, to greet their
dad. I to greet my Uncle. Uncle Buch was a big man, in those days, and with his low, quiet voice
and big blue eyes, I thought then—and to use an expression of the teenagers of today—“Super
Cool”. I’ll never forget that moment. I wanted to tell him how much I liked him, but I was too
timid.
Secretly, I believe all our family sort of thought Uncle Bush Belonged to us.
Dad, being seven years older than Uncle Bush, was able to tell us many interesting stories
about their childhood days, and how he used to baby-sit the younger brother. This was how we
learned where their brother, Floyd, got the nickname of Bush, in the first place. It seems, when he
was a little boy, he was a rolly-polly little fellow. He ate a lot.; he would sit at the breakfast table
and eat bowl after bowl of cooked cereal. The family, kiddingly, would tell him if he didn’t stop
eating so much, he’d get a Bishop-belly. To this, the fat little brother, not being able to pronounce
Bishop, would rub his fat tummy and say, I’m Bush”. The name stuck. Even to this day, hardly
anyone ever called him Floyd.
Mom has told me that Uncle Bush was the handyman of the family; the one who did the
butchering , the hunter, the one who brought the deer in. She has said Bush was also the barber,
cutting everyone’s hair, his dad’s and his brothers’—most everybody’s. She said, the one getting the
hair cut, would go right on talking, and Bush would put his big paw on top of their heads, to hold
them down, instead of interrupting them to ask them to cooperate. Uncle Bush was the one who
showed Mom how to cut hair.
Some people have said, Dad and Bush quarreled a lot. I have never thought of it as a quarrel.
I think they were just opinionated people, who preferred to voice their strong opinions in a loud
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verbalized manner. Had they disliked each other, they wouldn’t have spent so much time together.
No one forced this relationship upon either of them.
Uncle Bush, like Dad, was very fond of animals, especially horses. So it was horses which
caused the most major debates. Even so, when Us Kids ran short on transportation, it was Uncle
Bush who always had an extra horse, kicking around somewhere, to lend us. Whether it was for
herding sheep or riding to meet the school bus. We took horses, and I don’t recall that we ever paid
for or returned the animal.
There was an old buckskin mare, in particular, which we kept and rode for years, until we
had an accident and lost her. Uncle Busch didn’t even scold us. Perhaps, after so many years, he
had forgotten she was still his.
Uncle Bush was always good to Us Kids. He had no fight with us; we had no fight with him.
Perhaps Uncle Bush didn’t contribute as much to the community and his religion, as might
have been expected of him, but surely one can’t say, he has lived a sinful life. He was just a loner.
We felt sorry for him, knowing he lived alone, and had done, for so many years, down on the
banks of Salt River, but he would have been unhappy had anyone moved him to more convenient
surroundings. He loved his land and preferred to live there.
I speak for myself and the rest of the Arlynn Ashment Family, when I say, “We’ll miss Uncle
Bush, certainly, we’ll never forget him.
Written by Beula Ashment Chesak / Daughter of Arlynn and Niece of Floyd Ashment
57
JAMES GEORGE ASHMENT & CATHERINE ANN BRATTON
James George Ashment was born December 7, 1865, in Crewkerne, England, to Thomas
Ashment JR and Ann Huggins Ashment, His Father joined the Mormon Church, February, 1869.
They came to America on the ship Minnesota, it took them about 13 days. He had 7 brothers
and sisters. His Mother died a short time after they came to Utah, she was buried in the Richmond
cemetery.
Catherine Ann Bratton was born in San Diego, California, December 7, 1872, to Samuel
Bratton and Susannah Richardson Bratton. Catherine’s Father was a Civil Engineer on the Railroad,
he went to Chiluahua, Mecxico, to work, and contacted smallpox and died at the age of 37, they
wouldn’t let come home, he was buried there.
After the Father died Susanna sold her home in San Diego and moved her seven young
children to Utah. That move didn’t work out, so they moved to Goldendale, Washington. Susanna
died November 7, 1909.
James and Catherine were married July 26, 1888, in Richmond, Utah. His father gave them a
small piece of land, they had a one room log house. While living in Richmond, six children were
born, John Howard, April 3, 1889, Clarence James, April 3, 1891, Ivy Imogene October 31 1892,
Daisy Ione May 22, 1895, Arlynn Martin October 22, 1898, Floyd Russell July 1, 1905. Winnoa
was born in Freedom March 3, 1908, Cecil Delbert was born in Glen January 1, 1912.
James worked for John Robinson in Richmond, when he moved to Freedom and bought a
ranch he wanted James to come there and work for him. Catherine didn’t like Richmond very well
and was glad to move. They came to Freedom in 1905. They moved in covered wagons. They
lived in Washington for a time also.
The first place they lived in Freedom was a two room log house, where in Leonard Robinson
place is. They milked cows, and separated milk, churned butter, and sold it at the store, owned by
Frank Bratton, as there wasn’t a creamery in Freedom at that time. The Robinsons got half. They
lived there, and worked for a few years, then they heard of a place they could get North of Freedom
through the Homestead Act. They moved there in a two room house, with a dirt roof. The area was
called Glen at that time. They had to clear land of sage brush, with a plow and by hand.
James Clarence, and Arlynn, Homestead around 320 acres, extending East of Black
Mountain Then later Clarence got move, they had about 600 acres between all of them.
They had two houses burn down, one was struck by lightening, and had to build over. James
and the boys had a milk route for many years and hauled milk in cans to the creamery with sleighs
and wagons,. They were all horse lovers and traded and bought many horses and always had a good
saddle horse and well trained team.
Seems they always had to do their work the heard way by hand, they pitched hay on the
wagon by hand and pitched it off by hand, pulled sage brush by hand, milked cows by hand, They
also dug a well by hand lifting the dirt out with a bucket on a rope. The clothes were washed by
hand on the scrub board, and the water was packed up the hill by hand.
58
The children rode horses to school and back about 8 miles, or sometimes they rode in a
buggy or wagon.
James died April 10, 1937, at home of complications of sugar diabetes. He had never been
really sick before in his whole life. Catherine died December 7, 1940, of heart trouble and
complications.
Then she died she had five sons, three daughters, 25 Grandchildren, three Great
Grandchildren.
James George Ashment
James George Ashment (older) Katherine Ann Ashment
Katherine Ann Ashment
James George Ashment 1927
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THE WAYNE and MARIAM BAKER FAMILY
The Wayne and Mariam Baker family became a part of the Freedom community in the fall of
1973. After having purchased the Melvin and Leone Robinson homestead in Tincup Canyon in
1972 and commencing the building of a new house on that homestead, we and our three youngest
children. Susan, Donnie and Bonnie moved into the as yet unfinished house in time for the children
to start school that fall.
For all of us it was like coming home. Wayne's grandparents, Alonzo and Anna Eliza Baker,
in 1888, had been among the first families to settle on the east side of the Salt River in what was
then known as Freedom and later became Etna. Anna Eliza and her young daughter built a
permanent home there. That little log cabin has been moved several times over the years and now
sets on a lot in Etna. Both it and the lot have been donated to the Star valley Historical Society,
which is in the process of restoring the cabin.
Wayne, the son of William Alonzo (Lonny) and Blanche Baker, was born in Afton, with Dr.
West doing the honors. His younger years were spent in Etna and then the family moved to Afton,
where he lived until just a few days prior to the bombing of Pearl Harbor. During WWII Wayne
served as aerial engineer and top turret gunner on a B-24. His group was stationed in England and
he personally was on 32 bombing missions over Germany.
We were married shortly after WWII ended and other than for a short period of time, spent
the next 28 years in either California or Utah. Mostly in Utah
During the many years of living away from Star Valley, we rarely missed a one to two weeks
summer vacation here, visiting family and friends and camping up Greys River. There are many
wonderful memories of the scenery, fishing, outdoor cooking, and pleasant times spent around the
campfire spinning yarns (the men were more adept at that than the women) and singing.
Even though we said we had retired before moving to the valley, we continued on with a
slightly smaller version of the equipment and steel business previously owned in Utah. We have
since determined that you should never retire, as you just get busier and tireder.
Within a few years we purchased the old gravel pit on the north side of the road, that
connects Freedom to highway 89. The building constructed on this site eventually became the home
of Freedom Arms. Freedom Arms, which employs an average of fifty people year round, now has a
world wide reputation of producing the finest quality, most accurate handguns as well as the most
powerful, the 454 Casull. We always feel good, when visiting other areas or countries when people,
upon hearing the name Freedom Arms, comment "oh yes, that is in Wyoming, isn't it?". In the case
of foreigners we sometimes have to show them just where in the United States, Wyoming is, but the
name does mean something to them. Wayne recently retired as manager of Freedom Arms and that
position has been filled by Bob Baker, our eldest son. (Again Wayne is busier and tireder than
ever).
The fly-by candy drop, which has become a part of the ward July 24th annual reunion and a
delight of Freedom children was initiated by a group of local residents at a ward correlation meeting
in 1977. It was suggested by Bishop Veldon Izatt. Wayne who received great pleasure from it, flew
this drop for a number of years. The first year on the 1st pass, due to a lack of coordination between
the pilot and dropper, the candy landed in Webers barnyard but subsequent passes were more
60
successful in hitting the ballpark. It was at one of these particular days that Stan Izatt, one of the
droppers, came back as green as those little men from outer space. As we no longer have a plane,
Corey flies with someone else and the youngsters are still receiving their sweets from heaven.
Bob, his wife Sandie (Frank) and their children live in Turnerville, Susan and husband Mike
Hepworth and children are in Auburn. Donnie and wife Claudia (Bateman) and children are in Etna
and Bonnie and husband Corey Pantuso and children are in Freedom. Mike, Donnie and Corey are
all a part or the Freedom Arms operation.
Over the years the three younger children and their families, as well as the Connie and Don
McCourt and Claudia and Ron Hartley families have enjoyed being Freedom residents, living where
the old Robinson home had been. Christine and Russell Wilshaw and daughter are the only
members, who have not lived here.
Having had eight children ourselves, we find our posterity getting decidedly larger. At
present there are thirty eight grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. A lot happens in 50
years.
The decision to move to Freedom was a good one and even though we are quite busy,
occasionally we take time to sit on the back porch and listen to the sounds of approaching night - the
yapping of the coyotes, the owl’s hoot and the whirring of the night hawk’s wings.
We appreciate the friendly, thoughtful ways of the community and are happy to be a part of
it.
61
CHARLES THOMAS BATEMAN
Charlie Bateman, as everyone him by, was born November 4, 1912 in Thayne Wyoming at
the home of his Aunt Bertha Haderlie.
He was born to James Alfred Bateman and Lillie Haderlie Bateman. He was the third child
of four children, two older brothers Calvin and Frank and a younger sister Helen. Charlie was 5 ½
years old when his father died.
In 1931, at the age of 19, he went back to Lincoln, Nebraska to a mechanic school. After
having received his diploma from this school, he then returned home. He worked for a while for his
Uncle Cliff Haderlie in his Ford Garage as a mechanic. He also worked two years for his Uncle
John Haderlie on his farm.
Charlie then bought some ground from Newell Erickson. This is where he now lives.
Soon after he had purchased the land from, Newell, he built a saw mill run by a steam
engine.
In the later part of November 1940, Charlie went back to Vermont and bought his saw-mill.
The steam engine he bought in Soda Springs, Idaho. On his way to Vermont, he stopped in Detroit,
Michigan and purchased a White truck to bring the saw-mill home. He arrived home right after
Thanksgiving. Rex Aullman of Thayne went with Charlie.
In March 1941, he started his saw-mill. Lots of lumber was sawed out of Charlie’s mill that
was used throughout Star Valley to build homes and other buildings. It has been said, he did a neat
job in his sawing. When he was through sawing a log, there was very little waste to it. He put out
good lumber. He used his saw-mill up into 1965.
Charlie went to the Canyon and done a lot of his own logging for his saw-mill. While
logging alone he had some very harrowing experiences of close calls of death. You might say, “he
was a man with nine lives.” Many times while logging he spent the night in the canyon because of
problems he ran into and he often wasn’t able to get out. He would spend the night sleeping by his
logs or under a tree. One summer Darwin Clinger logged, selling Charlie the timber which was
around 75,000 B.M. “board feet.” He filled his yard full of logs.
Charlie built two rooms onto the saw-mill where he lived until he built his present home. His
mother, Lillie Bateman, lived two summers with him in his two rooms and his sister Helen stayed
one summer.
In the summer of 1956, he married May Summers Stadtmueller, a widow with two young
daughters. Charlie became an instant Dad to Dawn, age 6, and Ivy, age 3. Charlie, May and their
family spent two summers living at his home in Freedom where he still did some logging and
operated his mill. They would then move to Afton for the winter. They later made Afton their
home.
In the year of 1957, Charlie went into partnership with his brother Calvin in building a
swimming pool down on Calvin’s farm near the Salt River. It took two years before it was open for
business. Charlie hauled a lot of the sawdust that was used to heat the water for the pool.
62
After two years in the business, Charlie sold his partnership to Calvin.
Charlie lived for 21 years in Afton until after his wife May died in August 1977. The next
spring of 1978, he moved back to his home in Freedom.
While living in Afton, Charlie and May remodeled what was once a grocery store and made
it into Afton Bowling Lanes, which they operated for a few years. It is now owned and operated by
their daughter Dawn and her husband Dough McCaskill.
After Charlie moved back to Freedom, he built him a large greenhouse where his mill once
stood. He raised lots of nice tomatoes which he would sell or give to his friends and relatives.
It was fascinating to go into his greenhouse and see all the many different vegetables he
grew, and among them here and there, was a variety of flowers growing. His greenhouse eventually
became to much work for Charlie to keep up, so he gave it up.
In his eighties, Charlie still enjoyed raising a garden and he liked to go fishing. He went
often with his brother Frank to Jackson Lake.
63
LORRAINE AND WALTER RICHES BARBER FAMILY
submitted by Marsha B. Wolfley
Walter Riches Barber Jr. was born Sept. 7, 1912 in Logan, Utah to Walter R. Barber Sr. and
Clara Whittle. Lorraine was born July 20, 1920 in Thayne, Wyo. She was the oldest daughter of
Edgar Heap and Annie Catherine (Rena) Wright. Walter had two older sisters, Mary and Alice.
Lorraine had a younger brother, Forrest, and a sister, Ellen.
Walter and Lorraine were married on May 10, 1943. World War II was in full swing at this
time . Walter had worked at Hill Air Force Base in Ogden, Utah for about a year before their
marriage. Being the only son in the family, he was needed to work on the farm; so he was deferred
from active duty. Walter and Lorraine settled on the farm up Jacknife Creek in Freedom. They had
four children. Marsha was born Feb. 14, l944. Sally was born on her dad's birthday, Sept. 7, 1948
and the twins, Jan and Joel, were born May 13, 1953.
Walter's children recall "Dad had a quick wit and cheerful disposition. He also had the talent
of making friends wherever he went. He struck up acquaintances with complete strangers and
seldom forgot a name. His keen mind and extraordinary memory enabled him to remember not just
names but many other things, including details of books he had read 25 to 30 years earlier." Marsha
remembers discussing books she was reading at the time with him that he had previously read . "He
also entertained me with a blow by blow account of the Jack Dempsey--Gene Tunney fight, which
he had heard on the radio several years before. Dad was an avid sports fan."
Lorraine loves to read and learn about many different things. She is very well read in church
doctrine. She likes to study history, particularly ancient history. She also likes to read about
animals, birds and insects. Just ask her, for instance, what animals are found only on the African
continent and she will tell you specifics about them. She was blessed with a beautiful soprano voice.
She has sang all around the valley at various church and community functions. At one time she sang
with a group of Relief Society ladies who traveled to Idaho Falls to practice weekly before singing
in Salt Lake City at General Conference. She also plays the piano and has played in the Relief
Society for many years and accompanied others who sing.
On June 25, 1959 Walter and Lorraine took their family to Idaho Falls, where they were
sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple.
Walter died on May 20, 1959 as the result of a tractor accident while doing spring planting.
He was a member of the Freedom Ward Elders Quorum Presidency at the time of his death. He was
also serving on the ward building committee, where he helped collect funds for the new addition to
the ward meeting house.
Lorraine and Walter's only son, Joel, was killed August 12, 1995 while riding his fourwheeler with a friend near his home in Springville, Utah. Joel's wife, the former Shelley Benson, and
their daughter, Brandi, are still living in Springville, Utah. Marsha is married to Rex Wolfley and
they have raised their four children on the Barber ranch in Freedom. Sally is married to Ed Bruce.
They have five children and live in Afton, Wyo. Jan lives in Garland, Utah with her husband Mike
Anderson and six children.
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JOHN ROBERT AND TRACEY CLARK BAUGH
I was born Oct. 27,1958 in Afton WY, and was the youngest child of Grant and Lovey Marie
Woodrum Clark. I grew up on our small family farm, one mile north of Freedom on the State Line
Road, on the Wyoming side. I have been a life long resident of Freedom, making my children, fifth
generation Freedomites.
I attended Metcalf Elementary in Etna, WY and my junior and high school years in Afton.
Some of my fondest memories of growing up are on that small family farm. Spending time in the
logging camps in the summer with my father is a special memory.
During the summer of 1976, I moved to Douglas, WY, where I worked as a dental assistant for
my brother-in-law, Kent Erickson. That fall, as a senior, I worked for one hour during every school day
as an assistant to Dr. Sorensen. This experience helped me attain employment in Idaho Falls ID, upon
graduating from high school in 1977. I worked for a dental assistant for a Dr. Maharas until Dec. 1,
1977 when I moved back to Freedom to prepare for my marriage to John Baugh.
I met John in the fall of 1971 when he moved to Freedom from Seattle WA. He lived with Bruce
and Judy Hoopes who had just purchased the old Croft store. John attended his sophomore, junior and
senior years at Star Valley High School. During the summers, John worked on a ranch in Etna,
changing sprinkler pipes and hauling hay. Upon graduation in 1974, John started working at one of the
phosphate mines in Soda Springs, ID. That fall he started school at BYU in Provo, UT. He attended
one semester before being called to the Virginia Ronoke Mission in March of 1975. After serving his
mission John returned to BYU working summers in the phosphate mines. John and I were married in
the Idaho Falls Temple, Dec. 17, 1977.
Our first child Brandi Lee was born on my father's birthday Feb 13, 1979, while we were
attending school in Provo, UT. We moved back to Freedom that spring and purchased the old store
from Robert Tillick in Feb., 1980.
While living here, five more children were born: Jamie Sue was born on Father's Day, June 21,
1981; Daniel John, April 28, 1984; Erin Marie, Oct. 24, 1987; Lisamarie, May 1, 1991 and finally,
Eric John, April 21, 1993.
John worked many jobs and learned several trades before landing at Silver Star Telephone Co.
in April of 1989, where he is currently employed.
Over the years we have done extensive remodeling of the old store and home. On Oct. 13, 1989
we opened up the store which had been closed since 1973. In the six years we have operated the
Freedom General Store, we have met people from all 50 states and dozen of foreign countries. Living
and working in Freedom has been an experience we will always be grateful for.
65
ANNE ELIZABETH BRIGHT WIFE OF CARL GUSTAF ENGELBRICK
ERICKSON
By Daughter Annie Mable Erickson
Mother was born at Richmond, Cache County, Utah on August 27, 1877, to Gilbert Bright
and Alice Hill Bright. She lived in Richmond, Utah until a short time after she married Carl G.E.
Erickson. The first five children were born here. They were: myself, 18 October, 1895, Annie
Mabel; Lucy Pearl born 2 May, 1897; Bertha LaFern born 12 April, 1899; Carl Golden born 25
March, 1901; and Marlan Gilbert born 4 February, 1903.
I went to school one year in Richmond, Utah before moving to Star Valley Wyoming.
Mother was so loving and kind to us and so patient. Many times she sent my sister Lucy and I to the
store for groceries. We always took four or five squawking chickens in a little red wagon to pay for
our groceries. We had to go through the main part of town to get to the store and those squawking
chickens embarrassed me, but we always got home with the groceries. The clerk always gave us a
bag of candy as we left which made us feel good. I did as my parents told me even if I got angry
about it.
The time came for us to leave our home in Richmond and come to Wyoming, more
specifically, to Glen, located five miles north of Freedom and on the Idaho side of the state line.
Freedom was located on both sides of the state line. My mother had a hard time leaving her parents
and other loved ones in Richmond.
Uncle John and Aunt Hilda Robinson, my father’s sister, came with us. We left the same
day and traveled together for nearly a week to Star Valley to make our new homes.
When we arrived at the place where we were to make our new home, it looked like a
wilderness with only a home here and there. Our new home was about two miles north of Uncle
John Robinson's place, the ranch that Reynold Robinson owned. It was called Ulet at that time and
was later known at Glen. I will never forget the night we arrived. It was about sundown and our
nearest neighbor was brother Walter Barber. We were tired and hungry, and he brought us some
food, green onions, radishes, bread, milk and jam. He was always such a lovely neighbor.
The Indians went through our place every few days with their bands of horses. They would
beg food from us and Mother was very afraid of them. Negroes also came by in black top buggies or
surreys as we lived near the county line. There was a little old lonely school house over by the north
hills and the Negroes would put minstrel shows on. They came to the valley often to entertain.
Mother was afraid of them, and she would call us kiddies inside and lock the doors and pull down
the shades until they were out of sight.
Mother made many trips back to Richmond, Utah to see her family. She had many
hardships to bear. Father bought us a cow, and she hung herself on a pole fence, and our first horse
also died.
Father was a good worker and provider for his family, and we had plenty of good food.
Mother never had to worry about food to put on the table. Mother had plenty of heart aches in
raising her family, especially the last one. She suffered much but was always sweet and lovely.
She had the patience of Job.
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When Byron was being born the doctor thought she was dying, Father put his two fingers in
her throat and unlocked the mucous and said, "Thank God, she survived again".
One Sunday she became so ill that the family and friends were called because she didn't have
many hours left. I was very tired as I would soon have a new baby. I had my only child with me.
One of the girls asked if she could take him for a walk. I told her I was afraid he might fall in the
ditch which ran close by the house because they might forget to watch him. In about 20 minutes I
got up and went for my baby. He had fallen in the ditch and drowned!! I left and went to my home
in Freedom. I saw mother one more time. She suffered from December to August, and she passed
away 13 August, 1917, of Uric Poisoning.
Mother had thirteen children, and all of them living when she died. She would have been 40
years old on August 27th. Lucy and I were married leaving 11 motherless children for Father to care
for.
CHILDREN
Annie Mabel
Lucy Pearl
Lafern Bertha
Carl Golden
Marlan Gilbert
Alice Augusta
Hilda Victoria
Veda Vilate
Zelda
Newell William
Berniece
Alvin August
Byron Parley
Written by the oldest daughter Mabel E. Jenkins
67
ERNEST & MARTHA BROG HISTORY IN FREEDOM, IDAHO
(WYOMING)
Ernest and Martha Kaufman Brog and their son Frank Ernest, arrived in Freedom, Wyoming
in a Model T Ford on the 6th of August 1926 through invitation of a small group of Freedom dairy
farmers led by Carl Robinson. This group of dairymen had heard of Ernest's success in converting
cow's milk into fancy grade Swiss cheese.
Ernest Brog, following the tradition of his work experience in Switzerland and in the state of
Wisconsin, organized the dairy producers of Freedom and the surrounding areas into a farmer's
cooperative. The cooperative was made responsible for providing the physical facilities to
manufacture Swiss cheese using the building plans of Ernest and Ernest was made responsible for
purchasing and installing the cheese making equipment necessary to manufacture and market the end
products which were Swiss cheese and liquid whey. Ernest was hired for 15% of the gross receipts.
Bear in mind, these were pioneer times, no water, no electricity and no sewer systems. His
only assets were work, knowledge, and perseverance to be successful.
Ernest was responsible for cutting, hauling and contracting the trees from the surrounding
mountains which he used to feed the boiler to make the steam which fueled the generator to create
the electrical power to run the cheese plant. A well was dug to obtain the water, and sewer facilities
were designed to accommodate the waste materials.
The milk at the farm was cooled in a slough, creek or small river which were usually found
nearby the cow herd. The milk was placed in metal, 10 gallon cans and the cans of milk were placed
in the cool mountain stream after removing the lid so the milk could both aerate and cool at the same
time. This cooling process made it possible to find many things in the milk that should not be there.
These had to be screened out of the milk at the cheese plant. Sometimes an occasional cream dipper
or a white flour sack would be found. Ernest, who had received formal training in milk sanitation
saw that it was to his advantage to supply, without charge, white cotton filter discs to the milk
producers to help maintain a cleaner milk supply. The cleaner milk would definitely make a higher
quality cheese.
Martha Kaufman Brog continued on with their family; Gayle, Paul, Ora and Roy were born
without the services of a public hospital and Martha continued the food preparation, laundry and
room services for the hired men , many who would come from Switzerland to help Ernest in the
cheese factory. Bessie Warren, Fern Warren, and Atha Crook, to mention a few, were hired to help
Martha and Ernest with their boarders and with their children. Larry was born in August 1932 and
Rea in June 1934 at the Star Valley Hospital in Afton. Ernest had a vision for a Freedom Hospital
and a Dental Office so he built a facility in Freedom for this but it never happened and Roy Keeler
purchased the building and opened a grocery store in Freedom, Idaho.
Ernest and Martha invested in the hardware business in Freedom and enjoyed a successful
enterprise and later moved the inventory to Afton where it was known as Brog & Hemmert. Howard
Hemmert was his partner. They also invested in the lumber business and were owners of the
Freedom saw mill for several years before selling it to the Leslie Izatt family.
Because Ernest always had a good car, he was called upon often to help others in an
emergency. He transported many women to the hospital in Afton to have their babies as well as
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accident victims who needed care. He never minded doing this. The people would always try to pay
him back by giving of their goods and services.
Martha and Ernest were very instrumental, by using their political contacts, in obtaining the
school lunch program in Freedom and throughout the valley. Ernest and Martha purchased the
Wayan Swiss Cheese plant from John Herschsprunger and sent Earl and Lorna Haderlie of Freedom
to operate the plant. Ernest made many a trip between Freedom and Wayan while the Wayan Swiss
Cheese plant was in operation.
In 1934, Ernest had another plan; an idea to bring electricity into Star Valley. Ernest had to
install individual power plants to operate the cheese factories he had started and he could see an
urgent need for electricity for use in dairy manufacturing and other industries. The Rural
Electrification Act was passed by Congress in 1937, allowing cooperatives to borrow from the
government to help rural areas obtain electrical power. The original members of Lower Valley
Power and Light applied for and received a mortgage note in the amount of $145,000 and Lower
Valley Power and Light was incorporated on April 12, 1937. Salt River was chosen for a hydro
generating plant site and by the end of the year membership applications totaled 375. Customers in
Swan Valley and Irwin, Idaho also joined the cooperative in 1937 so they could receive the benefits
of electricity. On November 12, 1938 the newly constructed Salt River generating plant and power
lines were energized and 287 members began to receive electric service. A celebration was held at
the location of Lower Valley Power and Light's first office in Freedom. Ernest had the opportunity
to turn on the first electric light in the Mormon Cultural Hall. Later the Lower Valley Power and
Light office was moved from Freedom to Afton, Wyoming and presently supplies electrical power to
all Star Valley, Jackson Hole, Wayan(Idaho), Swan Valley(Idaho), and parts of Teton County and
Yellowstone National Park.
Fred Dewey Brog was born on the 4th of July, 1944 and in 1950 the assets of the Freedom
Cheese Factory were merged with the assets of two other Swiss cheese factories which had been
operated by Ernest's brothers, Paul and Fred Brog, and this resulted in the largest Swiss cheese
factory in the world being built in Thayne, Wyoming. When Ernest left Wisconsin to come west, he
left Wisconsin along with 40 other contemporary Swiss cheese makers; 39 returned to Wisconsin
claiming that good Swiss cheese was not capable of being produced in the west. Ernest proved that
this was not true.
Martha was a dedicated helpmeet to her husband. She cooked and boarded all of his guests
and business associates. There was not a public motel in the lower valley and she ran a family motel
out of her home. She was excellent cook and served her guests well. Everyone felt welcome at her
home. She and Ernest lived in a part of the creamery that had been built into living quarters. She
and Ernest loved their home in the creamery and lived there until their death. Martha designed the
sales room and restaurant facility on the west end of the Thayne, Cheese Factory. This was a very
profitable business and made a lot of money for the Star Valley milk producers. It is still in
operation today. Martha is also known for her generosity in taking food to friends and neighbors as
well as being very talented in remodeling homes and farming. Many people in Freedom will
remember seeing her on the tractor, plowing the fields, baling hay, and running other machinery in
the fields.
Ernest lived to see one of his long term goals accomplished, when the last stretch of oiled
road was completed between Freedom and Wayan, Idaho. This was a four mile stretch which would
be closed in the spring of each year due to muddy conditions. Since pavement was completed, this
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has become a main route for travelers to and from the Valley. Tourism to Jackson and Star Valley
has also benefited.
Ernest joined the Mormon faith in 1984 and was sealed to his family in 1985. He died
December 12, 1985. Martha, age 91, died March 21, 1998.
70
FRED D. BROG & ANNIE CALL
June 15, 2000
Fred D. Brog married Annie Call on May 9,1969 in the Logan, L.D.S. temple. After
finishing college at Utah State University, a year later, they decided to buy the family farm owned
by Fred's father, Ernest, located in Freedom. They are still living there today. To them, nine
children were born: Tyler Fred, Nisha Ann (Winsor), Heidi (Galbraith), Amber (Page), Luke Dewey,
Clay Thomas, Michelle (Haskell), Bridget, and Paige. They have made their living by dairy farming
and various other jobs. They have always had a dairy herd of between 100 and 200 cows most of the
time about 150. They also farm the land. At the present time they are running the Ruth Clark farm
of about 300 acres, the old Grant Clark farm (which they bought) of about 50 acres, 80 acres just
below the cemetery (which they bought), the Earl Wolfley farm, the Clyde Stock property of about
500 acres, and the Freedom Ward Farm. They raise barley and alfalfa hay.
Fred served in the Young Men's organization for ten years right after his marriage after
which he was called to be the Stake Young Men's President. He was called to be the Freedom Ward
bishop on July 11, 1982. Reed Luthi was called to be his first counselor and Rex Spackman , second
counselor; Chad Jenkins, executive secretary, Rex Wolfley, ward clerk; Burtis Roberts,
membership clerk; LaDell Heiner, historical clerk and Harold Brower, financial clerk. Harold
Brower was later released because of illness and Dean Jenkins was financial clerk and then Wynn
Jenkins finished out the tenure. On April 17, 1988 Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the
Twelve Apostles, came to the Thayne, Wyoming Stake to reorganize it. Fred was then called to be
the second counselor in the new stake presidency where he served with Kirk H. Dana, as the stake
president, and Robert Blair Allen, as the first counselor. They served for nine years together. When
Fred was released he was called as the gospel doctrine teacher in the Sunday school and to the ward
and stake emergency preparedness committee and to the ward and stake public affairs council. He
has served as president of the Lincoln County Farm Bureau and on the Jackknife Livestock
Association Board. He has also served on the Board of Directors for Lower Valley Power and Light
and Lower Valley Energy for ten years and is presently serving in that capacity. He loves sports and
is a certified ski instructor. He loves to snowmobile, water-ski, and dance, and has taught many
others these skills. He has worked over twenty five years in scouting and received the distinguished
"Silver Beaver" award in 1993. He also serves on the Idaho Cooperative Utilities Association and
has worked extensively with the legislative committee.
Annie has always been involved in community activities such as 4-H and the "millennium
time capsule 2000". She has worked extensively in the community and in the church in the
humanitarian effort to prepare supplies for third world countries and devastated areas. She has
served for over ten years in this capacity. She was on the first board of directors of the Star Valley
Child Development Center. Some of her church callings have been: primary teacher, primary
presidency, young women Beehive's class, and young women's president, primary nursery, primary
chorister, Sunday school teacher, Cub Scout Webelos leader, and stake and ward public affairs
council. Fred, Annie, Heidi, Amber, Luke, and Clay have also helped coach youth softball and
baseball.
At the death of Ernest and Martha Brog, Fred and Annie bought the old cheese factory where
Ernest and Martha lived. They love to live in Star Valley where the air is still clean, the water pure,
and the opportunities for work are still many.
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TYLER FRED BROG – SUZANNE HOOPES
Tyler Fred Brog was born on July 11, 1970 to Fred Dewey Brog and Annie Call Brog.
Suzanne Hoopes was born on February 2, 1968 to Gaylen H. Hoopes and Geraldyne Louise Burleigh
Hoopes. On August 15, 1992, Tyler and Suzi were married in the Logan LDS temple. They lived in
Logan for nearly three years, before moving to Freedom in May of 1995.
Tyler and Suzi have six children. Four girls and two boys. Whitney Sue Brog, born October
20, 1987. Bailey Shay Brog, born October 21, 1993. Shelbey Lyn Brog, born October 12, 1995.
Kenedey Rae Brog, born May 7, 1997. Dylan Tyler Brog, born May 5, 1999. Carter Trey Brog,
born March 19, 2001.
Tyler is currently employed full-time as a mechanic/farmer on his parent’s farm, and parttime for the school district, driving a school bus.
Suzi, with her third child getting ready to begin kindergarten, is employed full-time at home.
Tyler built a new home on Stateline road and Grant Clark Lane. He has served as assistant
Scout Master in the Freedom Ward and Advisor to the Deacons Quorum. Suzanne has served as a
teacher and as a nursery leader in the Freedom Ward.
72
ALDEN CARL AND AUDRON MILES BROWER
Alden Carl Brower was born January 19, 1911, in Freedom, Wyoming, to James Mason
Brower and Beata Maria Erickson. He was the fifth child in a family of six – three brothers, James
Edwin, Walter Howard, and Harold Marion, and two sisters Bertha and Alta. Dad, his parents, and
brothers and sisters lived on a ranch about three and a half miles north of Freedom.
When Dad was growing up his best friend was Newel Erickson, his cousin, who lived about
three-quarters of a mile from his home. They used to play kick the can and ginney peg.
Tragedy struck Dad early in his life. When he was six years old, his mother died from
complications of phlebitis caused from child birth. His youngest brother, Harold, was twelve days
old. Dad’s only memory of his mother was seeing her lying on some boards with her long auburn
hair hanging to the floor.
Dad started to Glen school the fall after his mother died. The kids walked to school in the
fall and spring and rode horses in the winter. On one trip to school, Dad froze his legs and cheeks
badly. At the school he remembers they put cold water on the frostbitten flesh, and it felt like
boiling water. Dad often reminded us kids about going to school in the driving snow when he
complained. We think he did have shoes, however.
Dad was baptized in the Salt River on September 8, 1919, and confirmed a member of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints by his father. I guess they thought the river was a little
cold in January.
When Dad was nine years old, Grandpa Brower married Mirnen Vandenacker. Times were
hard, and he did not have a lot of happy childhood memories.
Dad learned at an early age the value of hard work. When he was thirteen years old, he
stacked thirteen, ten ton stacks of hay. This was the beginning of many jobs Dad had to make
money. As a boy, one of Dad’s chores was to haul water to the house. Aunt Mirnen, his stepmother, was used to having water piped into the house and did not use it sparingly. Because of this
experience, Dad had always been frugal with water. We kids have often laughed at his conservative
ways.
When Dad was fourteen, Uncle Harold had been shooting squirrels and inadvertently shot
Dad. While unloading the gun, it went off, glanced off a metal lid by the well, and hit Dad in the
stomach. Grandpa and Aunt Mirnen took Dad on the long trip to Afton for medical attention. The
doctor was able to remove the bullet, but Dad had to stay to Afton to be close to the doctor for ten
days.
Dad talked about the fun he had with friends skiing behind the sled. He had his friend Newel
made their own skis and ski jumps. Even though they took many spills, they had great fun.
Dad’s education ended with the eighth grade. In those days, high school was in Afton and
there was no way for Dad to stay in Afton and go to school. He was needed to help on the farm.
Dad was always good with figures and could add long columns of numbers in his head. Dad may
not have been an educated man, but he instilled in his children the value of education and did
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everything he could to make sure we had the opportunity to go to school. He took great pride when
all three of his children graduated from college.
Dad met Mom at the Junior Prom. Dad signed up for a dance on Mom’s dance card, but she
was no where around for the dance. Mom says she regretted it later because Dad was a great dancer.
After dating Mom’s sister Venice, he finally forgave her for the snub and asked her out. They were
married November 2, 1932, in the Salt Lake Temple. They have been married for sixty-two years.
They moved into a house just north of Grandpa Brower’s. Mom and Dad lived in one room
and Wanda and Elmer Summers lived in the back two rooms. Mom and Dad have remained friends
with the Summers and talked fondly of the happy times they had together.
On October 24, 1933, their first son Jerry was born. Shortly after Jerry was born, Grandpa
Brower had a heart attack and Mom, Dad, and Jerry moved in with Grandpa to help on the farm.
In 1935, Dad bought a little two roomed house and moved it over to his dad’s. In January
1938, Grandpa Brower died, and Mom and Dad bought the house in Freedom and eighty acres
where we kids grew up. In January 1939, a second son, Owen, was born. Seven years later Kirk
came along. Mom and Dad made great boys.
In April 1948, tragedy came once again. The oldest son Jerry was killed in a farming
accident. At the time of the death of their son, Mom and Dad found they were expecting another
child. Cherie was born the following December and helped fill the gap in their family caused by
Jerry’s death.
Dad worked hard on the farm in Freedom. When he could, he got extra jobs to help
supplement the family income. He hauled milk to the cheese factory and worked on the Palisades
Dam during its construction. Work always came first to Dad and when the work was done, then we
could play. But you know, on a farm work is seldom done.
During this time, Dad served as president of the Farm Bureau. Dad had many church
callings, but his favorite calling was that of Elder’s quorum president.
In 1966, Kirk was called on a mission to Australia. Dad was so proud. But that left him
short handed on the farm. The summer of 1966, Cherie and Mom did their best to help, but Dad
knew he couldn’t keep up the farm. In January of 1967, Dad got a job at Utah State University and
lived with Owen and Myrla until the spring when Cherie and Mom joined him and settled in Logan.
He worked for Utah State University for ten years when he retired.
Dad always had a farmer’s heart and even in Logan grew a beautiful garden. He was thrilled
to be able to grow corn and tomatoes because of the longer growing season. Even last summer, Dad
gave his kids produce from his garden.
Dad died peacefully on January 23, 1995 with his family around him. His children thank
him for his love and for instilling the value of hard work. He will be sorely missed. He is survived
by his devoted wife, Audron, his youngest brother, Harold, whom he loved dearly, three of his four
children, Owen, Kirk, and Cherie, thirteen grandchildren and five great grandchildren. He was
preceded in death by his mother and father, two brothers, two sisters, and his oldest son.
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HAROLD AND REBERTA BROWER
Harold Marion Brower was born February 27, 1917
at the Brower home in Bonneville County, Idaho. His
parents were James Mason and Marie (Mary) Erickson
Brower. His mother died when he was 3 weeks old, his
sisters Alta and Bertha, along with a part time nurse raised
him for the first 3 years, at which time his father married
Mirnen Vandanaker. She never had any children of her
own, so she took good care of him and loved him, and they
became very close through out their lives together. Aunt
Mirnen and she was known to many, died March 1949.
Harold attended school at Glen, Idaho and rode a horse to school. He also attended Star
Valley High School. When his father died in 1938, he took over the family farm. Later he and his
brother split the farm, but in 1968 Alden sold his half to Harold and moved to Logan, Utah. Harold
is still running the farm with a lot of help from his son, Martell, who is in the process of buying the
farm.
Harold has always liked mechanic work. He took a course in welding and says he learned
whatever else he knows from the "School of Hark Knocks”. He has always kept up his own
machinery as well as helping out friends and neighbors whenever they needed help. He worked as a
mechanic for Nield Implement, Don Wood Tractor, Allan Clark Trucking, Robinson Construction
and is still working for Hebdon Construction Co. when needed. He helped build the road up Hoback
Canyon working for Rocky Mountain Construction Co. He worked for the forest service a number
of summers, and in 1948-50 he was co-owner of Chrysler Motors in Thayne, Wyo. With Bill
Neuenschwander. He has always been musically inclined, playing the accordion when very young
and trumpet when he was in high school. He has sung most of his adult life, either solos or with his
sister Alta until her death in 1980 and now with his daughter, Tess Corsi.
Roberta Miller Brower was born in Thayne, Wyoming. Her parents are Herbert O. Miller
and Neta Eddins Miller, she has one brother, Arlo, and they were great friends and playmates as they
lived in the Narrows south of Thayne and did not have very close neighbors. She attended school in
Thayne and graduated from Star Valley High School. While there she was a cheer-leader with
George Virl Osmond (the father of the famous Osmond brothers). She was quite excited when
Virl’s family became famous and has kept in touch with him.
In 1936 Reberta married Rex A. Hale. Rex was killed in a forest fire in Cody, Wyoming in
1937, where they were living at that time. She was left with a baby daughter, Marlene. She lived
with her parents for the next years and went back to school and did post graduate work. She
worked for E. Francis Winters in the A.A.A. office and later for Gephart Stores where she worked
for many years as a part-time clerk. She also worked for Dallas and Anne Clinger for 28 summer
seasons. Reberta and her parents suffered a great loss when Arlo passed away in 1971.
Harold and Reberta were married in Paris, Idaho, September 24, 1942 and were later sealed
in the Logan Temple. Harold took Marlene into his home and his heart as if she were his own.
In January of 1944 the Brower home burned to the ground with very little being saved.
Family, neighbors, and friends rallied around and soon they were living in a house belonging to
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Swede and Clara Robinson. They will always be grateful to the Robinsons for the free rent,
electricity and many other things the Robinsons gave them. Harold, with the help of neighbors and
friends, went to the canyon and got out logs and even though World War II was going on and
everything was rationed and hard to get, by August of 1945 the Browers moved into the home where
they still live.
In October 1945 their first daughter, Trudy Mirnen, was born followed in 1951 by Tess and
in 1954 a son, Harold Martell. They were a happy family. They all learned how to work together.
They all milked cows and run tractors and farm machinery, and helped make the farm prosper.
The children all graduated from college and Martell fulfilled an L.D.S. mission to Quebec
Canada.
Harold and Reberta have had some exciting vacations. In 1966 they accompanied Trudy to
Atlantic City, N.J. where she represented Wyoming in “The Miss America” pageant. In 1982 they
went to Hawaii with Wes and Trudy, and in 1987 they visited South America where Jack and Tess
and Family were living at the time. In August 1993, we went to Alaska on the Crown Princess Love
Boat to Juneau and toured Vancouver B.C. This was with Wes and Trudy.
In June 1990, Trudy and Wes won a Colorado Lottery and presented us with a Lincoln Town
Car. We have enjoyed some nice trips in it. Trudy and Wes gave us a “50” Anniversary which we
celebrated September 26, 1992 with all our immediate family except Todd and Tiffani Sargent, and
over 260 relatives and friends from far and near.
We are content and happy here on the farm where Harold was born and has lived all his life.
We intend to stay here as long as we possibly can.
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JAMES MASON BROWER & MARY ERICKSON
James was the son of Betsy Mason and Ariah Coates. He was the youngest of 22 children a
had no full brothers of sister, only half brothers and sisters. Jims mother was 49 years old when he
was born, so consequently he was much loved by his mother.
His early education was obtained from his mother and in rural schools. His mother taught
school and was an excellent scholar and much interested in his early education. The families were
always well provided for with plenty of good food, nice homes and good farms. His mother took
care of the financial part of the Brower families.
Jim’s father was very strict. One time Jim went fishing on a Sunday afternoon and caught a
lovely trout. He brought it home so proudly but because he had caught it on Sunday, his father
would not let him keep it and it almost broke his heart. Jim’s father died when he was young. At 13
he began working in the summer time for surveyors and later driving teams to Montana. They were
hard trips, roads were poor and there was always the fear of Indians, but he always got along fine.
He married Mary Erickson and soon left for a mission. Times were hard and people didn’t
have much money but they were happy. Edwin was born while he was on his mission. While there
he became ill, perhaps ruptured appendix or some infection of the intestines and the infection went
into his legs. Mr. and Mrs. Howard, saints in the church in West Virginia cared for him. He
contracted milk leg in both legs and the Howards took care of him until he was able to come home.
Later when Walter was born he was named Walter Howard after the old couple.
After Bertha was born Jim decided to go to Gentile Valley to take up a homestead. Many of
his friends thought he was crazy to leave Richmond but it was a good move. They enjoyed their
close friends and lived in harmony with each other and Jim was in the Bishopric. They soon began
to prosper.
Mary’s health was not very good and the summer before Alta was born Mary went to see her
mother in Star Valley where Alta was born. They returned before the cold weather set in.
About 1909 they decide to move to Star Valley as many of their friends and Mary’s family
were there. Grandma and Grandpa Erickson’s family and the Robinson’s were all doing well there
so plans were made to move. The trip to Star Valley was hard and tiresome, roads were poor and the
Tin Cup Creek was dangerous this time of year. Grandpa Erickson and Uncle Carl came with their
teams and wagons to help them move. It was a good move, the soil was better and it was a good
dairy country and it was easier to make a living.
A few years later Alden was born and by this time everything was going pretty good. The
winters were bad but people prepared for them and they always had a good supply of food and other
supplies.
Before we moved to Star Valley, when Bertha was about 9 years old, she was bitten by a
rattle snake on the leg. After we got here, Bertha was not well. She suffered a heart ailment that
kept her in bed most of the time. Six years later Harold was born. Mary suffered from kidney
trouble and milk leg and when Harold was 16 days old, Mary died. It was a sad blow. Bertha had to
spend most of the time in bed and it fell to Alta to do most of the work. They had a nurse for a while
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but later on the girls took care of the baby. Three years later, Jim married Mirnen Vandenakker,
who had been a family friend in Richmond.
Jims friends were countless. For 21 years he was deputy assessor. He was active in politics
and made several trips with sheriff Mepopen, taking prisoners to Boise and visiting different places
where gambling was going on . Jim was a good orator and spoke at many funerals in both Valleys.
He was a great promoter in the ward and gave a great deal of charity, always active in church affairs.
He was director of the Star Valley Cheese Factory.
Jim contracted asthma on one of his trips and for two years was in poor health. He suffered a
partial stroke and had to use crutches. While visiting in Rigby, Id., with Mirnen’s family, he
suffered a fatal heart attack and died on 24 Jan. 1936. Alta, Harold, Walter and Alden were with
him when he died. He was buried in Freedom in the Valley he loved most.
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MY LIFE IN FREEDOM, WYOMING
Excerpts from my Life Story
By Jessie Newswander Call
Twenty-five minutes after my sister Jean was born on August 8, 1925 the surprised doctor told
my surprised mother, "There's another baby coming--you've got twins!"
The doctor was G.W. West, MD, and the place was his home in Afton that he used for his
hospital. Mother had suspected that she might have twins, but she didn't know for sure. I weighed four
and one-half pounds and had respiratory problems, so it was touch and go for me for a few days.
Just for comparison to today's prices I would like to mention that Dr. West's bill, including
Mother's 15-day stay in his home, plus nursing care, cost $50.00!
My parents, Godfrey Arthur and Nora Heap Newswander, lived in Freedom Wyoming at that
time. They owned and operated a general mercantile store and our house was built into the south side of
the store. The house was surrounded by a beautiful, well-kept yard on which they both enjoyed
working.
The store was open eighteen hours a day. My parents sold practically everything from boots to
groceries. There was also a soda fountain and a gas pump. Dad also ran the post office and the
hardware store across the street.
Freedom's population in earlier days was greater than it is at the present time. The IdahoWyoming state line runs right down the middle of main street. We lived on the Idaho side. Freedom at
that time had three stores, a hardware store, a blacksmith shop, a garage, a post office, a barbershop and
pool hall, a service station, two school houses, a dance hall, and a church. There was also a bank at one
time.
Will Heap's store, located next to our store, burned down one day in September, 1930. It looked
as though our store would also catch fire from the flying sparks and tremendous heat, so everyone got
excited and started carrying everything out of the house and store. One lady picked up our huge round
dining room table and carried it out all by herself. In the excitement she didn't notice how much it
weighed--or how difficult it was to get through the doors. It took six men to bring it back in. One
ornery lady got angry at mother (because Jean and I were crying our heads off) and threatened to throw
us into the fire.
There were two grade schools in Freedom, one on the Idaho side and one on the Wyoming side.
Jean and I went to the Idaho school for our first three grades.. We rode to and from school (about a mile)
in a horse-drawn wagon.
There were two rooms in the school house, with four grades in each room The rooms were
heated by pot-bellied stoves. Mrs. Anderson and Mrs. Panting were our teachers during our first three
years of schooling. If we talked when we weren't supposed to our teacher would put adhesive tape over
our mouths, and we would go home after school with a black on our faces. Teachers would often tie our
legs to our desk if we left it without permission, not realizing what might happen if the school building
were to catch fire while we were all tied up.
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In 1935 the schools were consolidated, so the Idaho school was no longer used. Jean and I went
to the Wyoming school for our fourth to sixth grades. There were two grades per room for these years.
During the summers we went swimming in a slough near Carol Luthi's home. The water was ice
cold, but we must have liked it because we went every chance we got.
Our store was the only place in Freedom that had electric lights. Dad had a generator for the
store that ran night and day. But like all the other residents in Freedom we didn't have indoor plumbing.
We had a water pump in the back porch and an "outdoor bathroom" in the back yard. We heated our
water on the cook stove in the kitchen and bathed in a large galvanized tub.
Our house was heated by a wood and coal stove in the dining-living room and the wood-burning
cooking stove in the kitchen. There was also a pot-bellied stove in the store. Jean's and my daily chore
was to carry wood from the woodshed to the back porch woodbox.
I have always been thankful that I was able to spend the first twelve years of my life without
modern conveniences. It makes me appreciate all the luxuries I now have. When I was a child things
like that weren't really considered hardships, anyway.
After running the store in Freedom for eighteen years, Dad sold it in the spring of 1937 to Tom
Schiess. After changing ownership many times since, the store was finally torn down in the early
1970's.
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NORMA JENKINS CAMPBELL
Norma was the fourth consecutive daughter born to William and Lena Jenkins of Freedom.
If her parents were disappointed that she was not a boy they managed to conceal it very well, and
Norma grew up thinking they were two of the finest people on earth.
She attended grade school in Freedom, high school in Afton, and graduated from the
University in Logan, Utah. She served a mission to the Northwestern States. When she returned the
school superintendent offered her a job teaching school in Turnerville, Wyo. Thus, began a career
that lasted 32 years, until 1973.
After teaching in Star Valley for 5 years, Norma transferred to Utah to teach. She became
acquainted and courted Duane Campbell. They were married in Burley, Id. 10 August, 1942.
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CLARENCE & RESSA CHADWICK FAMILY
Clarence (Doc) Richard Chadwick was born 29 March 1899 in North Ogden, Utah. The next
year, his parents, George and Emma Georgiana Jones Chadwick, moved to Star Valley by wagon
and settled in Osmond, where they bought a ranch.
Mary Amaressa (Ressa) Wollenzien. Her parents came to Star Valley from Wisconsin to set
up the production of the first Swiss Cheese in this area.
Clarence, Ressa, and their two young sons, Kaestle and Lynn moved to Freedom in April of
1927. They had been living in Provo, Utah where he was manager of the Skaggs store. He was also
a licensed chiropractor.
The following is taken from Ressa’s personal history:
Because of the long hours, Doc’s legs really began to bother him. He was working 12 to 15
hours a day, six days a week. It also took away his family life.
In April of 1927, we bought the Orville Ross Ranch south of Freedom, around the knoll. We
had enough money to buy the ranch, but had to borrow money to buy cows, horses, and sheep.
We left Provo early in the Spring of 1927 when there was still snow and lots of mud. We
had to leave our car in Montpelier until late June. We went up the canyon in another car then
transferred to a sleigh. We brought our German shepherd dog, Bozo. Mr. Nield would not left him
ride on the sleigh and by the time we reached the halfway house on Crow Creek, the dog’s feet were
bleeding. We were transferred to a lumber wagon at the halfway house and insisted the dog ride
from there on. We arrived at Delbert Chadwick’s home in Fairview and he took us on to Afton,
where my parents were living.
A few days later, we traveled all day through mud to get to Freedom. Our “new” home had
no water or electricity. Had to use an outside toilet. Such a change from Ogden and Provo where
we even had nice bathrooms. We also didn’t have any close neighbors, but Lena Jenkins, Joan
Weber, and Hazel Weber knew I was lonesome and bless them, they often came to see me.
It wasn’t long before Doc was put in as Stake Sunday School Secretary and because of the
shortage of music people, I was put in as Primary Organist, Relief Society Chorister, Ward Organist,
and Stake Sunday School Chorister. One year, the Star Valley Stake had a Sunday School
Convention and being the Church’s General President of Sunday School, David O. McKay was in
attendance. I had to give a talk and told him how frightened I was. He put his hand on my shoulder
and said, “Sister Chadwick, that is humility.” He was such a nice man.
While living in Freedom, we had five more children born to us, Ladee, Glayd, and two baby
girls who died not long after birth.
Doc and I often directed plays down in the old Freedom Amusement Hall. We bought a
good Maytag washer but with no electricity, we put a gas motor on it. The gas would last for two
batches so I would put in overalls and shirts and do the rest on a board. Then we bought a washer
Doc would have to push the handle to make it go. Sometimes Fred Weber would come up and while
playing checkers, would take turns pushing the handle.
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One day, at duck, Doc came home from Bishop Carl Robinson’s store and said the Bishop
wanted him to buy the store. He said, “Let’s go look at it.” So we did and that very night we bought
it and took possession the very next morning. Raymond Jenkins bought our ranch. This was in May
of 1929. We were so busy in the store. In the summers, the farmers would wait till the cows were
milked in the evening, then come and do their shopping and visit until 10:00 or later. We lived in a
lean to next to the store. In the winter it was so sold there would be frost on our quilts in the
morning and the water in the kettle and wash basin would be frozen. Merelda Robinson did our
housework and took care of LaDee while I worked in the store. She was a good cook, so clean and
took good care of the kiddies. We really missed her when she moved to Wayan. Then Leona Moser
(later Mrs. Clifford Burton) worked for us and she was very good also.
We spent evenings playing games with our boys. In the summers, went fishing, camping and
picnicking. We would go to Sunday School in the mornings, come home, change clothes, go on
picnics. If we didn’t so many people wanted to shop and would come and want us to open the store,
then would end up working all afternoon until time for sacrament meeting. In the fall, Doc and boys
went hunting. Boys learned to swim in Tin Cup and Salt River. Families spent lots of time visiting
relatives and friends. There were lots of dances and socials and plays.
Ivins attended another year. He gave interesting lectures on his association with the Indians
and his hobby of studying birds. He knew all their calls and would whistle them. These camps were
such fun and we really missed them when they quit having them.
We began building our new home in the spring of 1936 and moved in just before Christmas.
It had living room, dining room, 3 bedrooms (all carpeted), bathroom, kitchen, breakfast nook,
fireplace, and a furnace to keep it all warm. My, we enjoyed that home. We spent 12 years in this
home. We had the store for about ten years then we traded it to Roy Keller for his dry farm.
Doc served in many positions of the church, including sic years as a counselor in the
bishopric. He served diligently in the scouting program and later in life, was presented the Silver
Beaver Award.
In early 1948, we sold the dry farm and bought the mink and fox farm upon temple bench in
Afton from Milton Barrus. Elno Draney bought our home in Freedom. We really hated to leave it
and Freedom.
******************
Clarence (Doc) Chadwick died 22 November 1989 in Gunnison, Utah. At this writing, April
1994, Ressa is 92 years old and is living in Layton, Utah.
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D'ORR AND ELNORA HANSON CHILD
I first came to Freedom in the spring of 1930 during the depression. I had taken Elnora Hanson
home to Freedom following the end of the school year as she had been living in Fairview with the family
of Fred Brown and attending school in Afton. There were no busses transporting students to high school
from the lower Star Valley at that time.
Elnora's father, Heber Hanson offered me a job working on his farm, which I was glad to accept
as I was in need of employment. I worked for him doing all the different things needed on the farm.
Elnora and I became sweethearts and were married in May of 1931. We continued working on
the farm and received a wage of $30.00 per month.
In 1932 we leased the farm and Mr. and Mrs. Hanson went to Mesa, AZ to work in the LDS
Temple. The time from 1932-37 was spent on the farm and occasionally I found extra work to
supplement the milk check.
I recall in January 1932 when President Roosevelt was placed in office and he declared a
moratorium on the banks and no bank was allowed to do business for a few days. I had gone to the store
on horse back to get some things but could not cash a check even for one dollar. It was a time of
concern for everyone. I did not know of this situation until I arrived at the store or radio at this time.
Cattle and hog prices were very low and people had difficult times meeting their financial
obligations. During 1932, the government bought up cattle for $1.00/head and then shot and killed them
on the premises and left them to rot.
I remember selling choice steers for 11 1/4 cents per pound and dairy from $5.00 to $25.00/head.
We did all the work on the farm using horses, using three, four and sometimes five head to pull a
plow and other equipment.
In 1932 after the crops were harvested, I worked on the road between Grays lake and Henry,
using four head of horses to pull a scraper. For this I received $.30/hour for my work and $.10/hour for
each horse. This was a blessing to be able to earn some much needed money.
In 1937, I received a contract to furnish and drive a school bus from Freedom to Afton,
transporting high school students. The rout started at intersection of the state line and Jackknife road
proceeding to Freedom and on to Afton. I operated this bus for five years.
During the summer of 1938, work was begun by LVPL on building a power plant on the Salt
River north of Etna. Most of the excavation was done by hand labor at a wage scale of $.30/hour. I
worked here for a short time and then got a job working in the Swiss Cheese Factory in Freedom, where
it was close enough that I could walk to work.
During the years I drove bus I worked part time during the school day at Brog and Hemmert
Hardware, assembling machinery and other work that needed doing.
In 1938 we bought the livestock and leased the ranch from Heber Hanson and continued driving
the bus.
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During the 1930's and 40's, recreation consisted mostly of basketball in the winter and baseball
in the summer. The basketball games would draw standing room only crowds, and would generally be
followed by a ballroom dance, lasting until midnight.
Baseball in the summer, consisted of a league formed from all the towns in upper and lower Star
Valley. The games were held on Saturday afternoons and work for a large part came to a halt on noon
Saturday. A very good percentage of the people attended the games and gave their support.
For a number of years, Freedom held a 24th of July celebration to honor those Pioneers who
emigrated to Salt Lake in 1847. These celebrations were well supported by the valley.
I recall December 7, 1942, hearing about the bombing of Pearl Harbor by the Japanese, and
standing by the radio listening to President Roosevelt making the declaration of was on Japan. Freedom
like every other community was greatly affected by the war.
Every male member 18 years of age and older had to register for the draft and most of them up to
age 35, or there about, were drafted. We would try to have a social honoring each draftee as they were
called. Sometimes they would only have a few days from the call to report for duty.
During the war years we had to have ration stamps in order to buy gasoline, tires, shoes, and
many items such as sugar etc. We would receive our allotment of ration stamps periodically, and would
have to budget these until the next allotment. We got along quite well on this. I recall needing tires for
the car and taking two old tires with holes in them, putting one tire inside the other so the holes did not
match. You did not dare drive too fast or too far because of the heat the tires generated. It was a happy
day when the war ended and our boys started coming home. We were saddened of the loss in battle, of
Doyle Draney and Lavar Jenkins, to name two.
During the 1940's following the end of the war, the economy began to pick up, and it was a time
for many who had served in the military to readjust back to life at home.
In 1945 or 46, I received a call, along with Roy Robinson, to serve as a stake missionary for the
church where we served two years. We visited every home in the Freedom ward area, both members and
non-members of the church. It was great to get to know the people better and enjoy their friendship. I
developed a great love and respect for my companion Roy Robinson. President Royal Papworth of
Afton, was then president of the Star Valley Stake. President Papworth was released and E. Francis
Winters was called to serve as stake President.
I received a call in 1948 through President Winters, to serve as bishop of the Freedom Ward, a
position I felt I was not capable of fulfilling. I selected two good men as my counselors; Roy Robinson
and Delos Sanderson, two very capable men whom I loved and respected. We served in this capacity for
five years. Byron Haderlie and Grant Clark were then sustained and served as counselors for the
remainder of my term as Bishop. We enjoyed a very good relationship which has lasted over the years. I
was released as Bishop in October of 1957. I will forever be grateful for the support and acceptance of
the people of Freedom. I learned much from many of the elderly who were hard working and dedicated
people. During my tenure as Bishop several of these good people were laid to rest and I conducted
funerals for them.
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In 1956 I had a crippling accident, which greatly limited my ability to take care of the farm and
dairy herd. During the time of my recuperation, I received a great deal of help from the members of the
ward.
I had many enjoyable experiences during my tenure as Bishop, and one of them was the
purchase of the Darwin Clinger ranch for a welfare farm for the church. The farm consisted of some
300 plus acres with 160 dry farm in Idaho and the balance in Wyoming, consisting of meadow hay and
pasture. The pasture and meadow was later sold, leaving the dry farm for the ward to operate. The first
year we worked the farm, the men of the ward all came to help and what a sight and thrill to see the
cooperative effort of so many. There were 32 tractors operating in the field at the same time. The Relief
Society ladies would prepare dinner and bring it to the farm and serve the workers. This was a fun and
worthwhile project.
Another project we enjoyed as a ward, was cutting and hauling logs from the canyon up Tin
Cup, for the purpose of sawing lumber to be used in the construction of a cultural hall on the LDS
chapel. This required a lot of help and it was completed in record time.
After my accident it became more difficult to care for the dairy herd and farm, and in 1962 I
accepted employment in Afton. I commuted to Afton to work until 1969 and March of that year we
moved from Freedom.
I shall always claim Freedom as my home town and will ever be grateful for the association of
those great people that I spent so much time with.
Elnora passed away in December of 1974. D’orr then married Myrna Hanson and still lives in
Afton.
Our children are: LaRue, Jenny Lyn, Vern D'Orr, Diane & Clair.
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RALPH AND MARIE STOOR CHILD
I grew up in Wayan, Idaho, just over the Tincup Mt. from Freedom. Ralph grew up in
Fairview, Wyoming and came to Wayan in 1935 for employment. In time, we met, fell in love and
were married on 9 Aug., 1940. We moved to Freedom the following year where Ralph worked for
his brother D'Orr on the farm. We lived in a 2-bedroom house D'Orr built for us, and we enjoyed
D'Orr and Elnora. Besides being our relatives, they were our best friends!
We loved the two young daughters they had at that time too, LaRue and Jenny.
It was on 7 Dec., 1941 while we were taking a Sunday afternoon ride that we heard the
shocking news that the Japanese had bombed Pearl Harbor. We stopped the car in a daze,
wondering what that would mean in our lives. In seven months we were to have our first child.
We enjoyed living neighbors to D'Orr during the winter months and the Salt River Cattle
Association range riders during the summers. Don was born 11 Jul., 1942 and Luella on 18 Jun.,
1944. We laughingly said that Luella must have been overly anxious to come into the world. She
was born on the way to the hospital in Afton.
Life was good. Ralph played baseball with the men, and I played softball with the women.
The women cheered the men and the men cheered for the women. We played teams throughout the
valley, Montpelier, Soda Springs, Alpine, Tetonia, etc. Ball games were keen competition. Farm
work came to a halt in Star Valley at noon on Saturdays and it was time for play. We did lots of
fishing, picnicking, ball playing and square dancing. I belonged to "The Ladies Chorus". Each
Wednesday night was practice night, and we were loyal. It was not unusual for us to sing, talk and
eat until 2 or 3 in the morning. One blizzardy night I rode a tractor about 2 miles to meet some of
the others, because the road was closed, and I had to go to chorus! We were asked to sing for many
funerals, at sacrament meetings in different wards, at entertainment's, and we were invited to sing in
the Idaho Falls Temple. We all enjoyed the 12 years in the ladies chorus and felt bad when some of
the members moved away, and it was finally discontinued. Members of this group were: Alta
Sanderson, Laura Draney, Elmina Haderlie, Wilma Jenkins, Elnora Child, Jean Hoopes, Vera
Hemmert, Julie Vordeman, Ilta Robinson, Leda Robinson and myself.
Luther and Joan Haderlie, good friends and neighbors, received a call to serve a mission and
asked if we would live in their home and take care of their farm and livestock while they were gone
... also to keep an eye on mister Lindholm, Joan's elderly father who lived in his small home. This
was a great opportunity for us, so in the fall of 1945 we left D'Orr's little home and moved to
Haderlies. That was an enjoyable time for us. One of the highlights of the year was my family
spending the Christmas week with us, the first time we had all been together since before the war.
My four brothers had been in the service in different parts of the world, and we had cause to
celebrate as all of them returned unharmed. During these early years we in Freedom we began our
church work. At different times I was a Bee Hive teacher, Mia Maid teacher, counselor to Carol
Luthi in the YWMIA and later president with Eva Hokanson and Opal Hoff as counselor. I taught
the Blazer boys in Primary and was chairman of the Girl's Correlation with Fern Weber as my
assistant. Ralph started his many years in the Scouting Program serving as Assistant Scout Master to
Wendell Jenkins.
Eventually he was honored with the Silver Beaver Award. He served as a counselor to Ralph
Hemmert who was superintendent of the Sunday School.
After Haderlies returned from their mission, Ralph worked again for the Salt River
Association for two years, then we leased Jean Luthi's farm and a year later bought the Conn and
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Elmina Haderlie farm. During the years before we bought our first home, we lived in 6 different
homes, D'Orr's, L.H.Haderlies, a small house of Reed Luthi's, the Grant and Lovey Clark home, Garr
and Lena Robinson's and the old home of Jean Luthi. It was an exciting time to finally be in our
own home. Dena, our second daughter was born while we were living in the Jean Luthi home, 9
Mar., 1951, and our second son, Dee, was born 21 Jan., 1953 in our first real home. In 1954 the lease
agreement was up with Jean Luthi, and we had an opportunity to buy a larger farm in Auburn. We
sold our place to Kent and Sherry Luthi and moved to Auburn in October of 1954.
Leaving Freedom was a difficult time for us. Our roots had gone deeper than we realized in
the twelve and a half years we had lived there. We had many good friends and loved the
community, the church and the activities that had been such a great part of our beginning years.
Once again, we had mixed emotions. Freedom will always have a special place in our hearts.
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ALMA PORTER & LAVINIA IRENE CARD CLARK
We moved to Freedom from Afton where we had lived for about six or seven years, and we
lived there for three years. My folks moved back and forth from Salt Lake to Afton two or three times
during those twenty years that they were having children. Consequently, some of us were born in Star
Valley and some in Salt Lake. My grandfather, Hyrum D.C. Clark was a pioneer and homesteader in
Auburn. My father, Alma Porter Clark, was born in Farmington and came to Star Valley to work with
his father to try and make a living. My father was a first cousin to the White families in the valley,
through the Porter line. Grandfather eventually moved back to Farmington because of health reasons and
because his nice big house in Auburn burned down.
In about 1937, our father leased the place in Freedom now known as the Star Valley Ranch, and
tried ranching. We worked very hard clearing virgin land and farming it. We kids took turns driving the
big, old Caterpillar tractor, while another one would ride on the plow behind and with our feet push the
sagebrush on through so they wouldn't clog up the plow. We picked up and hauled off many loads of
rocks from one 40 acre piece. We spent most of our summer weeks in the hay fields with our horses, and
also had a big garden, and one summer grew a large field of potatoes, (at least it seemed large to me
because I had to help hoe it!) We also milked several cows and did a lot of herding of them in various
places.
Some people named Coy lived on the place just before we did. Lyman (Dime) Fluckiger moved
on to it after we left to run it for Paul Brog. Along the road, a little to the east of us, lived Arthur Clark
(no relation to us), and south of them, lived Willard Humpherys, the Perkins and Lakes.
The oldest child, Joyce, was already married to Charles Elzinga and living in Salt Lake. The
next daughter, Barbara, was living and working in Afton. Alma Card and Paul, the oldest sons, were in
high school and road the bus into Afton every day. Wanda, Dean and Myrna attended grade school in
Freedom. Geraldine was too young to attend school.
I attended the seventh and eighth grades (which met together in the same room) in Freedom and
road the bus to my first year of high school in Afton. I remember Mr. Wixom, our teacher very well and
some of the fun times we all had together there. It was a new experience for me to be in the same room
with another class and I thought it was pretty neat.
I attended 4-H club in Thayne, but we attended church in Freedom and many times walked the
four miles there and back. I remember when the new church was built and Mr. Wixom made his big
painting on the front wall of the chapel. He told us in school how he planned it and some of the
mechanics of doing that painting.
My mother, Lavinia, was a trained nurse and walked to our neighbors a lot to help take care of
sick people. (Mother was born and raised in Pennsylvania and came West when her family did after they
joined the church. That is when she met my father.)
My father had the contract to drive the school bus from our area to the Freedom school for a
couple of years. Much of the time it was it was in a horse-drawn, sheep-camp type covered wagon or
sleigh with a small wood stove in it to try and keep us warm. A few times the crust on the deep snow
was so hard and was all down hill to town, that we took our sleds and rode over the fences on the crust
to school. This was about four miles. I guess one of my most vivid memories of Freedom was the cold. I
don't think we had the proper clothing to keep out the severe cold, and I very well remember the frozen
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toes and fingers that I had so much of the time. To this day I do not enjoy winter sports nor any snow
activity.
Written by Wanda Clark Limb
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ARTHUR and LORETTA McWHERTER CLARK
Arthur was born on September 12, 1908, to Daniel John and Mary Amanda Hokanson Clark
at Dublan, Chihuahua, Mexico. He was the fourth child of a family of seven and also the first son.
In September 1909, he moved with his family from Mexico to Blackfoot, Idaho. In February 1910,
his family moved to Freedom, Wyoming.
He attended grade school at Freedom and high school in Thayne and Afton, Wyoming.
At the age of fourteen, he drove a team with his uncles, Joe and Oscar Hokanson, and hauled
cheese to Montpelier, Idaho, and freight back to the valley. It took about a week for the round trip.
He enjoyed the evenings around the campfire listening to his uncles and the other freighters they met
along the way spinning yarns.
Basketball was his favorite sport and he played with the M Men team in Freedom for several
years.
He helped make the first Swiss cheese made in Star Valley. He said the first cheese wasn’t
the best made, though. It had run all over the floor the next morning.
In the spring of 1929 he went to Blackfoot, Idaho, to work for his Uncle Orlan Clark. He
met Loretta there and had the opportunity of baptizing her a member of the LDS church on August
16, 1928. As he was going home in the fall and the roads were closed during the winter and he
wouldn’t be able to see Loretta until spring they were married on October 14, 1928, and moved to
Freedom where they made their home the rest of their lives. They went to the Logan Temple and
were sealed in 1931.
They lived in several different homes before settling in their last home located near Salt
River on the road between the highway and the town of Freedom.
Arthur held several positions in the Church but the one he loved the most was being
president of the Ward choir and singing in it. He loved to sing and like to get the family together as
often as possible to sing hymns. He sang in many quartets for church affairs and funerals. Loretta
was a Primary teacher and a visiting teacher. Her talents were used very much in the ward to
decorate bulletin boards and tables for ward functions.
For a livelihood Arthur farmed and worked as a laborer and was milk inspector for eleven
years at the Star Valley Swiss Cheese Company. He owned the hardware in Freedom for a short
time. He and Loretta were custodians at the Metcalf school for fourteen years until his retirement.
They had three children, Bonnie, Zane, and Ileen.
One of the highlights of their life was when they flew to Hawaii for a three week vacation
with their son, Zane, and family when he was teaching at the Church College in 1966.
Arthur passed away at their home on 25 January, 1983. Loretta passed away at her home on
18 March, 1990.
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Picture
picture
4 Generations
Zane & Son Danny, D.J. Clark, Arthur Clark
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picture
picture
Aug. 55
Bonnie, Ileen, Zane
50th Wedding Anniversary
ARTHUR BENJAMIN CLARK & HELEN MARGARET ROSS
Arthur Benjamin Clark was born 22
March, 1854, in Barking Essex, England. He
was the sixth child of his parents, Daniel and
Elizabeth Gower Clark.
Shortly before the birth of Arthur the
missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-Day Saints taught the Clark family the
Gospel and converted them. As with most early converts to the Church, the Clarks had a great
desire to emigrate to Zion. On 3 June, 1864, the family sailed from England for the USA.
Arthur’s father died along the bank of the North Platte River while crossing Nebraska by ox
team on their way to Salt Lake City. Arthur was 10 years old. The family lived in Richville, Utah,
after their mother remarried.
Arthur married his first wife, Helen Margaret Ross, 7 December, 1874, in the Endowment
House. He entered into a second polygamous marriage 12 September, 1878, with Mary Catrena
Rasmussen.
This was the time United States Marshals were seeking polygamists among the LDS people.
Hundreds of men with plural wives were fined and placed in jail for six months or more. Arthur
avoided the officers by moving to Star Valley with five other men and their families in the summer
of 1885.
In 1886, Arthur took his two families to Salt River Valley thirty miles north, and bought land
and a two room sheep north of Jackknife Creek.
Arthur was made presiding Elder over church members in the Salt River Valley.
Within a year of building the first home on the first townsite in the valley several other
families had built log houses in the same area. He also built a three room log house in 1890 for
Mary, twenty roods west. He selected a homestead east of the townsite and to the upper valley to
winter over. Hay ran out and many cows died of starvation. This winter was so long, it was referred
to as the “hard winter.” The next spring, to the surprise of the family, Arthur drove home a herd of
six cows.
Bands of twenty or thirty Indians from Fort Hall, Idaho, riding and driving 100 ponies passed
through Freedom early each summer, going on to the hunting grounds of Wyoming. They returned
in late summer. They stopped for two to four days, begging for food, and shooting squirrels with
bow and arrow. They put their faces against the windows and asked again and again for “biscuit,”
but were eager for anything they could get to eat. Both the wives, Helen and Mary, gave them some
bread every time they asked. Once two older bucks came onto the step and asked for bread. Helen
gave each a good piece and also a pint cup of milk. Three or four young men about 20 years old
came up and expected something. Helen had no more tin cups, so brought each of the boys bread
and a good sized bowl of milk. This displeased the old bucks; so they stepped forward and forcibly
exchanged their half consumed milk for the full bowls.
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The Star Valley Stake was organized 17 June, 1891, with Arthur as Bishop of the Freed
Ward. He held this office for 5 years. He bough a small organ for his home. The organ had only
four stops, and no variety in tone, was monotonous to listen to, but filled a great need. The entire
ward depended upon this organ until the ward purchased one.
Arthur held many positions in the church; he was especially called upon to help with choirs,
and to lead the music wherever he lived. In addition to his unusual skill with musical instruments he
had an amazing vocal range—high tenor to low bass. He was in great demand to sing solos, both for
church occasions and social gatherings.
He learned the profession of making false teeth and traveled through Star Valley, Bear Lake
Valley, Cache Valley, and Salt Lake Valley soliciting dental work. Having his violin along, he often
played and sang for the family. This vocation kept him away from his homes much of the time and
so the farm work was left up to his 10 boys from both families.
In the year 1899, Arthur bargained for two quarter sections of meadow land northwest of
Freedom—the George Heap ranch, one-half mile west, and the William Heap ranch, joining on the
north. Helen moved into the old William Heap home. On the George Heap property Mary had a
two room log house, and a barn built later by her boys. Each family secured 8 cows, and a farm
machinery.
In 1903 it became known that plural marriages could be performed in Mexico. Three men
from Star Valley moved to Mexico along with their families. Arthur gained the consent of 2 other
unmarried children and two women where the new marriages were performed by President Anthony
W. Ivins.
All of Arthur’s children eventually made the trip to Mexico except one son who remained in
Wyoming. Mary and her family left Wyoming in 1905. Some of the families stayed only a short
time in Mexico; other remained until the general exodus in 1912.
After returning to the United States, Arthur practiced dentistry in Utah, Idaho and Wyoming
for six years, going through the valleys as he had done before the move to Mexico. He joined the
Blackfoot Ward where his wife Mary lived.
On July 16, 1917, Arthur left Freedom for Blackfoot in his one-seated Ford. On attempting
to climb the long dugway out of Cunard Valley the engine became overheated on the last steep hill,
and the car rolled backwards and it rolled off the dugway into a dense growth of chokecherries. He
was taken to Blackfoot where he died of internal injuries on July 26, 1917.
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DANIEL JOHN CLARK & MARY AMANDA HOKANSON
Daniel John Clark was born in Richville, Morgan
County, Utah, November 9, 1876, the oldest of a family
of 17 brothers and 10 sisters, to Arthur Benjamin Clark
and Helen Margaret Ross Clark.
He was baptized October 7, 1885, in Bear Lake by is
father while living in St. Charles, Idaho, In October
1885, the family moved to Afton, Wyoming, where they
lived for one winter. The next spring Daniel’s father
moved his two families to the lower Star Valley in Glen, Idaho, which now belongs to Freedom
Wyo. He bought land and a two room building about 36 feet long and 12 feet wide with a room on
each end and an open shed in between, all covered with a dirt roof, which was probably built for a
sheep shelter. Daniel and his mother and father lived in one room and his father’s second wife,
Mary lived in the other room for one winter. The second winter Mary’s family was moved to the
Heap ranch five miles
It was on this ranch in Glen that Daniel had his first experience stacking hay at the age of
nine. When he was 1o years old, he stacked all the hay they raised that summer, which was about 50
ton. When he was 11 years old, he fed 200 head of sheep and four or five milk cows alone. The
family was snowed in that winter and could not go any place without skis.
One winter while living here, for Christmas, they received a handful of dried serviceberries
and tow small pieces of candy his folks had brought in form Bear Lake the fall before.
In 1889, Helen, Daniel’s mother, was moved to a two-room log house, which was the first house
built on the townsite in the Valley, now Freedom, Wyoming. This was several months before a log
meeting house was built, and church functions such as Sunday School, Primary, Sacrament Meeting,
and even dances, were held in this small home. For about three years the mail was also brought to
his home and distributed to about 20 families.
During the first 10 years of Daniel’s life in Salt River Valley there were no fences or streets.
Hunters could find bear, elk, and deer in an hour or two. Wild geese, ducks, and sage hens were also
plentiful.
When Daniel was 13 years old he attended his first school. They had school only three
months in the winter, December, January and February. He had only 15 months of school in his
entire life. Although he had very little formal education he read and studied a lot, and was well
posted on the scriptures and also world affairs. When called upon to speak in a meeting he was
always well prepared without any extra study. He was a very fluent speaker.
He was a great lover of music and liked to sing the LDS hymns with his children. Nearly
every evening after work was done for the day he would ask his children to play the organ and all
join in and sing. His favorite hymn was “Let Us Oft Speak Kind Words To Each Other.”
When he was about 16 years of age his father gave him $1.00. It was the first money he had
ever had. He once worked three days to clean about a corral and for pay he received a hen and some
little chickens. He got wages of $.50 or $1.00 per day for working on a farm.
When Daniel was 17 his family moved to Grover, Wyoming.
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At the age or 19 he was ordained an Elder and was called to work in the Stake Sunday
School, which position he held for five years.
Daniel “kept company” with Mary Amanda Hokanson for one and one-half years, although
he did not see her very often as she lived in St. Charles, Idaho. He was 24 years of age when he
traveled to St. Charles from Mary, taking her to Logan in a lumber wagon. They were married in the
Temple on June 12, 1901, by Elder Mariner W. Merrill. For this occasion Daniel bought his first
suit, at a cost of $15.00. It took four days each way to make the trip.
He purchased some land a mile north and one mile west of the town of Freedom, which is
now called the “Rainey place.” While living on this farm their first two children, Stella and Rhoda,
were born.
In 1904 Daniel and Mary moved to Mexico to assist in colonizing a new land. They went o
Montpelier by team and wagon, and from there they traveled on a train. They did not take any
furniture with them. Upon arriving in Dublan, they hired carpenters to build them a house. During
the four years they lived in Mexico, Luannie and Arthur were born.
The family’s next move was to Blackfoot, Idaho, where they lived for six months. Returning
to Freedom, they rented the farm of his uncle, Dave Ross. A son, Milson, was born on this place.
Later Daniel bought a farm form Ola Hokanson, Mary’s father, located one mile north of Freedom.
Lois and Grant were born in the two-room log house he built on this farm. This was the home of the
family for many years, and for Daniel and Mary for the remainder of their lives with an addition
built on several years later.
A white top buggy was purchased, in which to ride to church and other activities. Every
Sunday morning the team was made ready for the buggy, and Daniel and his family went to Sunday
School. They were the first ones there most of the time. He would pick up the neighbors along the
way until he had more than a load. He would often drive his team and buggy to Stake Conference in
Afton, a distance of 25 miles, the buggy always being loaded with family members and neighbors.
They stayed with friends overnight, and returned home the next day.
For many years Daniel worked for the State as Road Superintendent. Wages were $3.00 per
day for a man and his team. He hired men who most needed the work. He had a pleasing
personality which attracted people to him, especially young people.
He held many positions in the church, having served as a Sunday School teacher and
superintendent, and president of Elders and Seventies Quorums. He was a counselor to Bishop Carl
Robinson bishop of the Freed Ward, and was set apart by Elder Melvin J. Ballard, June 5, 1932.
This position held for four and one-half years. He helped build two meeting houses and the
amusement hall in Freedom. In 1955 he was given the honor of being chosen as an honorary Master
M Man in the Star Valley Stake.
In 1944, after all the children were married, Daniel and Mary turned the farm over to Grant
and moved to Logan. During the next four years they did temple work for over 1200 persons.
Mary passed away in Freedom, June 11, 1948, following a stroke. This left Daniel alone.
However, he continued to have a close association with his children, several of whom lived nearby,
and he enjoyed man y visits form friends. His good eyesight and memory enabled him to spend
most of his time reading church doctrine and doing missionary work in the Stake. He was often
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called to the bedside of the sick to administer to them, and saw many miracles of healing by the
power of the Priesthood. He also served as Senior Aaronic Priesthood coordinator, which position
he held at the time of his death.
Daniel died August 20, 1957, following a heart attack. He was survived by six children, 39
grandchildren and 39 great-grandchildren.
picture
picture
Elnora Hanson & Lois Clark
Luannie & Lois
picture
Daniel J. Clark & Mary Clark Family House.
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IDA EMMA WEBER CLARK
Ida Emma Weber was born 21 Jan., 1882, in Schmiedrued, Aargau, Switzerland, the fifth
child born to Samuel and Verena Goldenberger Weber.
Her father earned a living by working in a mill, and her mother supplemented the family
income by doing tailoring. After hearing the gospel and being baptized, they immigrated to
America. This was about in 1887 when Ida was 5 years old.
While on the ship, Ida had a narrow escape. She was out on the deck looking at the ocean
when all at once she started to fall in the ocean. A man close by grabbed her dress and pulled her
back and saved her from going overboard. Samuel and Verena settled in Providence, Cache County,
Utah for a time and in the summer of 1893, they moved to Star Valley and chose Freedom for their
home. Ida was then 11 years old. She worked for Dee Rainey in Freedom and milked 25 head of
cows night and morning, fed the cows, separated the milk and churned butter every day. For this
work she received $2.50 a week.
Ida was the alto in the duet team of sisters, and she and Lena sang for many social events.
They harmonized so beautifully. They were a popular, well known quartet, singing with father and
Robert when they were still living in Providence, Utah.
The Clark family also had a home in Freedom and used to visit a lot with the Weber family.
They spent a lot of time together singing and discussing the gospel. Many a Sabbath Day was spent
in this manner. Ida became interested in one member of the family, Arthur Raymond, and found
that he was also much interested in her. During the early summer of 1901 they discussed the subject
of making a home together and finally the important question was asked and answered in the
affirmative. After consulting with their parents they set the time for their marriage for the 3 Oct.,
1901. William E. Jenkins was also interested in Ida's older sister, Lena, and after they heard of the
plans of the younger couple, they decided to accompany them to the Temple and start their life
together too.
They were happy to have someone a little older to take the lead in such an important trip, 230
miles to Salt Lake. They took separate wagons so they could bring home fruit and furniture. The
trip was made in four days and after the marriage, they attended the semi-annual conference of the
church. That was their honeymoon. On their way home they purchased a stove in Montpelier and
signed a note in payment. They lived in one room of the three room house owned by Raymond's
father.
Ida and Raymond were the parents of 10 children: Hilda, Wilford, Hazel, Florence, Walter,
Alta, Neva, Wanda, Gerald and Byron. She passed away 25 Jan., 1920, with her two youngest sons,
Gerald and Byron.
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DARWIN KENNETH CLINGER
Darwin Kenneth Clinger was born 24 February, 1924, in Glen, Bonneville County, Idaho. He
is the son of Kenneth Vernile Clinger, son of John William and Josepha Marie Zobell Clinger and of
Sarah Elena Miller Clinger. She is the daughter of Jacob A. Miller and Cynthia Ann Hill Miller.
Darwin was the second of three children born to Ken and Sarah. Marion, a daughter was their first
child; then Darwin Kenneth followed by Donnie, the third and final child. Darwin's mother died in
1929 when he was only four years old, and that same year his dad married Cleora Stewart of Kansas,
City, Missouri. In 1931 his father, Kenneth Vernile Clinger, met an untimely death in a car wreck
which burned part of his body. Ken died on 22 August, 1931, at Soda Springs, Caribou County,
Idaho hospital.
Darwin, his brother and sister were orphaned at a very early age and it was difficult to find
some to care for them. Marion remained with her stepmother, Cleora, and Darwin and Donnie were
sent a couple months after Ken's death to their Uncle Henry's at LaBelle, Idaho. They were sent up
on the mail truck, and no one knew that they were coming until the service station attendant where
Darwin and Donnie were let off of the mail truck called Henry and told him about the two boys
waiting for him to come and pick them up. They remained with their Uncle Henry until the next
spring when their maternal grandfather, Jacob A. Miller, of Freedom, Bonneville County, Idaho
came and picked them up to go and live with him.
For want of love in his youth, Darwin manifests an over-flowing amount of love to his family
and friends. He is one individual who really knows what it means to love someone else because he
experienced a lack of it in his youth.
Donnie V. Clinger
Darwin started to buy the old ranch that his
Grandfather Miller had south of Freedom. His brother,
Donnie Vernile, was accidentally shot with a pistol and
eventually died because of the wound in 1942. This was
a very sad blow to Darwin because he loved his brother,
Donnie, with all his heart and soul. They had been
through many trying experiences together and were very
fond of each other.
While in high school at Afton, Wyoming, Darwin
met and married Arlean Schwab, the daughter of Martin
Henry Schwab and Mary Hale. They were married in
Idaho Falls on 6 November, 1942. This marriage was
later solemnized in the Idaho Falls Temple where they
had their first two sons, Kenneth D. and Martin S.,
sealed to them. This sealing took place 9 July, 1947.
Darwln loved to play football in high school. He also liked to box. He was good at both
sports, especially boxing. Darwin grew to manhood fast because of his circumstances and was in
every respect a man when but 16 years of age. It was at this young age that he beat the town bully
(an older man) in an unfortunate fight and was ever after respected and admired by all who knew
him.
Darwin lives for his family.
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He loves to hunt in the hills around the old ranch. There were trees in those hills that bore
the names of Darwin, Arlean, Kenneth, Martin and Melvin. Darwin loved to carve their names on
the trees in the hills that he loved so well. In 1948 Melvin was born, and in 1950 David came to
adorn the family circle. It wasn't too long after this that Darwin's second step-grandmother started
causing problems; wanting more money on the place Darwin was buying from his grandfather. And
so, rather than cause problems with his grandfather Miller, he sold the ranch to the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints to pay his grandfather off. He then moved into Freedom and began
logging for a couple of years. But it got so that he was paying his crew more than he could so he had
to sell his equipment. He then took his family, which was now increased to five boys (Brady), to
Long Beach, California where he studied at night to be a mechanic and worked at Douglas Aircraft
Company in the daytime to earn a living for his family. This was in the year 1955 and part of 1956.
In 1956 Darwin moved his family back to Star Valley where he worked on the Palisades
Dam. In 1957 the family moved to Arizona until 1962 where he worked on the Glen Canyon Dam.
The family then lived in such places as Idaho Falls, Idaho; Lewiston, Idaho and Coulee Dam,
Washington. Eight years after the youngest boy was born three girls were born in succession to
Darwin and Arlean. They were named Darlean, Diane and Sarah Ann.
Darwin has always been a handsome man and very strong physically. He has always been
very polite and respectful. Even though he never finished high school, he has encouraged his sons
to go to school for their education. Of his five sons three have attended college, one of which has
graduated and will be entering the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University this
fall and the fourth son will be entering Ricks College this coming fall. Even though Darwin never
gained a degree in schooling (other than mechanics schooling), he has acquired an exceptional
degree in life's experiences. Such a degree has won him many friends and helped him to influence
countless individuals.
I was once told by a man who is now a patriarch in the Afton Wyoming Stake that Darwin
was "the best man to ever hit that valley". I also went to work with Dad at the Little Goose Dam one
Saturday in my high school days, and I will never forget the complements that I heard his fellowworkers expressed on his behalf. He is truly respected and admired by his fellowmen. Excluding
his faults and short-comings, he is the very ideal of a man as I would picture my Heavenly Father to
be, and I can say that about no other man on this earth.
Dad once told me that he hated the thoughts of getting old. But through the comprehension
of what the gospel offers, he now looks forward to it.
Darwin is an excellent hunter and fisherman. It almost appears as if he can talk fish into
taking his bait. As a hunter I have never known one better. He has spent his whole life in the hills
and even thinks like a wild animal when he is stalking them. He once shot a bull elk, bull moose
and buck deer from the very same sitting and with three successive shots.
Darwin served as a counselor in the bishopric in Lewiston, Idaho in the years 1968 and
through 1969. This was in the Lewiston Second Ward. He enjoyed working with the youth in MIA.
Because of the lack of teachings that Darwin received in his youth, it was hard for him to lay
down the same for his family. But what he lacked in teaching precepts, he more than made up for
by the example which he set for his family and others as well. A stronger example of love and
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devotion would be hard to find. It would be extremely hard to find one who had a harder youth than
did Darwin. But he has developed into a tremendous man; in my estimation, one of the Lord's best.
His heart harbors no hate, just love and forgiveness. He never speaks bad of others. He has always
told his children that if they did not have something good to say about someone, not to say anything
at all.
Darwin is one of the rare few who has profited from such a distasteful youth. He had to be a
choice spirit to develop as he did. He is as hard a worker as you will ever find. Many people will
bear witness to this fact.
I have taken great delight in writing this history of my Father. I have not written all that
could be written about such a wonderful man but that which I have written is sufficient to give all
who may read this account a desire to know that man as I know him. And to me there is none finer.
In the 1980's, Darwin, Artean, Darlean, Diane, and Sarah moved from Coulee Dam,
Washington back to Idaho Falls, Idaho. When the American Falls Dam was refurbished in the mid1980's, Darwin was the equipment Superintendent on the job, He retired from work in about 1986.
Since then, he has spent his summers in the mountains of southeastern Idaho in a tent. He has spent
his time enjoying the out-of-doors that he has loved all of his life. Getting out firewood has been his
main undertaking. In his younger days Darwin logged in the mountains of south-eastern Idaho. The
Izatt Brothers of Freedom will attest to the fact that few loggers were as good at it as Darwin
Clinger.
In 1989 Darwin had an operation for cancer - rectal cancer. He had to go through the painful
treatments of radiation in order to get rid of that which the operation did not eliminate.
In 1992 Darwin had both of his knees operated on. Partial steel joints were set into the knee
bone structure. Recuperation was hard. But Darwin hasn't given up on life.
Bishop Wiford Clark came to see me as I was building my own house in 1985. He, too, was
suffering the effects of cancer at the time. He was also the Thayne Wyoming Stake Patriarch. Dad
happened to be at my house that same day. Bishop Clark wanted to talk with him. He wanted to get
out of his pickup which his wife was driving and walk over to Dad. His wife volunteered to drive
him over, I heard him tell his wife that he "(I) would crawl on my hands and knees to talk to that
man."
I heard Bishop Clark on another occasion say that there wasn't
a better man that ever hit Star Valley than Darwin Clinger.
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Picture
Darwin & Arlean & grandchildren.
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Picture
Kenneth, Darwin, Martin, Melvin, Brady, David
Arlean
Darlean, Diane
Sarale
MELVIN S. CLINGER
Melvin S: Clinger, was born on 7 January, 1948, in Afton, Lincoln Co. Wyoming in the
Afton Latter-day Saint Hospital. I was the third child and son of Darwin Kenneth and Arlean
Schwab Clinger. Unlike my two older brothers who were both named after grandparents, I was not
named after anyone in particular.
My family lived on a farm and ranch about ten miles due north of Freedom, Wyoming when
I was born. This farm my Dad was buying from his grandfather Jacob A. Miller, but due to
problems with his step-grandmother, Dad sold the place rather than create problems with his
grandfather whom he loved. Darwin sold the farm to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, and it is now the Freedom, Wyoming Ward Farm.
Our family now moved to Freedom where Dad logged for a couple of years We then moved
to California where he studied to be a mechanic and also worked at Douglas Aircraft Company to
support his family. We lived in Long Beach with my mother's brother, Anthon H. Schwab. In 1956
we moved back to Freedom, and Dad worked on the Palisades Dam project. Then in 1957 we
moved to Page, Arizona where he worked on the Glen Canyon Dam. As a boy in Arizona, I loved to
roam the desert around Page with my brothers and hunt for arrowheads and Indian ruins. We also
loved to hunt and shoot rabbits.
In 1962 we moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho where Dad worked at Georgetown, Idaho. My
brothers and I loved to be near Star Valley. We worked there during the summer months on farms
and then for school months we would move back with the folks. I worked one summer when I was
thirteen for my Dad's relative, Bill Miller, then I worked for Ferrin McGavin for four years. I used
to love to ride horses in the hills on Sundays when I should have been in church. In 1964 we moved
to Lewiston, Idaho where I graduated from high school in 1966. While in high school I loved to play
baseball, basketball and my senior year, football. In 1964 and 1966 I played American Legion
baseball with Lewis-Clark Post 13. In 1966 we went to the American Legion World Series at
Orangeburg, South Carolina and ended up seventh in the nation of more than 2000 teams that began
the season. I was more like the last player on the team, as I had arm problems and never played
during the tournament action.
In the fall of 1966 I went to one semester of college at Lewis-C1ark Normal School,
presently called Lewis-Clark State College. I went on a basketball scholarship but never made the
team. That same winter I had a knee operation which was necessary because of a football injury to
my right knee that I received my senior year in high-school. I then spent three months at Allen Hall
in Provo, Utah learning the Portuguese language. I was then sent to San Paulo, Brazil where I
served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for two years.
In the summer of 1969, I had just returned from my mission to Brazil when I began the
process of adapting back to civilian life. I had no intention of getting married for a couple of years .
In fact, I never even had a girl-friend. I had always wanted to wait to marry when 27 years old.
However, within two weeks of my return, I attended an MIA social for young marrieds and college
students. I was surprised to see there a young woman who had gone to the same high school as
myself, but had graduated two years before me. She also belonged to a different ward in the church
than I. I was surprised that she was still single. Not that I was interested in her, but certain traits are
learned in the mission field that can be applicable to other aspects of life. Missionaries have to
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check out all prospects to see if they are the Lord's elect. Such was the case with this young woman
and my marriageable prospects.
Prior to my being released from my mission I had fasted and prayed that the Lord would
guide me to the right companion. Renae Olson was this young woman's name. She was a college
student at Brigham Young Univ. and was home to get a car that her dad had purchased. After she
went back to school, we corresponded through letters for about three weeks. We could feel by the
spirit that something very special was bringing us together. She came home to visit me on the
Fourth of July weekend. On the morning of the 3rd, as I was lying in bed half awake and half
asleep, I began unconsciously to contemplate the errors I had committed against the commandments
of the Lord while in my youth. And as I bitterly lamented over the things that I had done, my
conscience was racked by my errors. Yet, I knew that God had forgiven me because of my sore
repentance and service in His kingdom. As I contemplated marriage and my unpreparedness, that
still small voice of the Holy Spirit said to me that if you don't marry this young woman, you will
never get another opportunity like this again. I never even knew her. We hadn't been together for
parts of three days over a month's time and had corresponded during that same time. But I knew
what I had to do. I asked her to marry me on the Fourth of July, and she readily accepted.
We were married after only associating together parts of 17 days over a 6 month period of
time. Yet, both of us knew by the spirit that it was ordained by our Father in Heaven. We married
not for love but because we knew that it was right. Sort of like keeping a commandment. We were
married in the Idaho Falls temple on 20 December, 1969.
Yes , we have had problems in our short five and a half years of marriage. Most of which
have been my fault, but I know that she was given to me to help me grow and develop as an
individual. Of this fact, I have a strong and undaunted testimony.
From July 1969 to March 1972 I was in the United States Army. While in the army in
training, I was Trainee of the Month for December 1969 at Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Trainee of the Cycle
for my Advanced Individual Training group and the Honor Graduate in my Combat Leadership
Schooling. I was then promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant after having been in the army for only
nine months. I did as much (promotion wise) in 9 months as it takes most people three years to do.
I then spent eleven months in Viet Nam and nine months in Germany.
I graduated from Idaho State University at Pocatello, Idaho on 17 May, 1975. I graduated
with high honors. I was also admitted to the Phi Kappa Phi honor society. I have been accepted to
the law school at the new J. Reuben Clark law school at Brigham Young University for the fall
semester of 1975. I have looked forth to this blessing with great faith for the past three years and
have seen events happen before my very eyes allowing my faith to come to fruition.
My wife and I presently have eight children: Matt born 21 September, 1970; Nathan born 5
May, 1972; Kimberly born 21 May, 1973; and Kristine Renae was born 29 April, 1975.
We have been real active in the church. I have served as Aaronic Priesthood General
Secretary, counselor in a ward MIA, counselor in a branch presidency, executive secretary in a
branch, president of the MIA in a branch, Deacon's Quorum adviser in two different wards, second
and first counselors in my present ward Elder's Quorum Presidency. At different times, I have
served as a Sunday School teacher and home teacher among various other duties and
responsibilities. I have also served as Elders Quorum President once.
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The Gospel of Jesus Christ is, indeed, the key to our lives. I have a personal testimony that
President Kimball is a true prophet of God which I received while on my mission in 1967. We have
tried diligently to keep God's commandments and raise our young family up in the. true principles of
the gospel. The joy we receive therefrom can only be acquired through experience. I admonish all
who read this to try the Lord and see. Keep his commandments and seek to bring forth and establish
the Kingdom of God on the earth, and the Lord will guide you in all of your pursuits. Ever since
Renae and I were married, everything seems to have fallen into a perfect puzzle arrangement. I
have had numerous answers to prayer literally fulfilled before my very eyes. I thank the Lord for my
membership in his church.
In closing, I might add that I, like my Dad and brothers, love to hunt and fish and be in the
mountains, but if there was one ambition I could fulfill in my life, it would be to preach the gospel
continually to the nations of the world. For nothing in all the world gives me the joy, happiness and
consolation like the gospel of the Master. (May 1975)
Jonathan born 23 October, 1977; Kathryn born 11 August, 1979; Nathaniel born 25
December, 1980; and Ethan born 7 September, 1982. The last three were born in Star Valley Afton, Wyoming.
I graduated from the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University in 1978.
Our family then moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho. From there we moved to Freedom, Wyoming that
same summer where I started logging with Myrl Aullman of Thayne Wyoming. We lived in the
home of Ida Jenkins behind the Freedom Post office for seven years. I started working for the Star
Valley Feed Store that winter of 1978. In the summer of 1979 I logged alone for awhile. Then I
logged with Somsens of Wayan. All in all, I have either logged full-time or part-time for seven
years.
I began working
at Freedom Arms in
November of 1979 as
the
receptionist/purchasing
agent, Thirteen years
picture
later, I am still the
purchasing agent.
In
1985 we moved into
our own home in Glennorth of Jackknife. We
built
the
home
ourselves with logs we
harvested from the
local hills, cut on our
own sawmill and built it
ourselves. We bought
three acres of land from Beverly Miller, on the Wyoming side of the state line. It is in eye-sight of
the land my great-grandmother, Cynthia Ann Miller, homesteaded in the late 1800's. She was one
of the first 27 settlers in Star Valley.
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As of this writing, I am the Thayne Wyoming Stake Financial Clerk. I have worked for Fred
Brog since April of 1991 to help keep two missionaries in the field. This is a part time job that I
have been at for the last 17 months. Matt returned from Italy and his mission in November 1991.
Nathan went to Australia on his mission in July of 1991. Kimberly is going to L.D.S. Business
College in Salt Lake City, Utah. Matt is now going to Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.
Kristine is this year a Senior at Star Valley High School.
Our family loves Star Valley. After all, our roots are here. There could be no prettier place
on the face of the earth than this pretty mountain valley. This is, indeed, the "STAR OF ALL
VALLEYS".
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HARRY CROFT & MARIONETTE DONALDSON
Harry and Marionette moved from Fairview, WY to Freedom in 1927. Seven of their nine
children moved with them. They bought the farm owned by George Hemmert, on the border line of
Freedom and Thayne. They rented extra land to raise additional hay. The entire family worked hard
to operate the farm and were diligent in going to the canyons to get their winter wood so they could
be self sufficient. The children attended school and participated in sports and activities in the ward.
As the boys grew older they worked for other farmers in the area.
Marionette (Mame) served as a Relief Society visiting teacher & she drove the school wagon
or sleigh for several years. She was a good cook and was and a wonderful homemaker.
Harry was always involved with music which he loved. He played several instruments and
belonged to an orchestra traveling all over the valley playing for dances, winter and summer. Mame
always accompanied him whenever she could. They loved to dance and won "Best Dancers" on the
floor at the old folks parties.
In 1936 they left the farm and moved to Afton, WY.
They were the parents of nine children, five boys and four girls. Their names and spouses are listed
below:
Earl-Wilma Burton
Rae-Lee Jensen
Marion (Bird) Wm. Hillstead
Mary-Everett Hale-Virgil Barker
Helen-Vernon Rang
Edward-Beulah Johns
William (Bill)-Beatrice Luthi
John Dee-Mae Taysom
Joe- Drowned in teens
Picture
Mr. & Mrs. Harry Croft
Marionette (Mame Donaldson Croft
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WILLIAM D. & BEATRICE CROFT
William D. “Bill” Croft was born June 28, 1915 in Fairview, Wyoming, to Henry Mathias
and Marian Donaldson Croft. He moved to Freedom at the age of twelve. His parents bought a farm
from George Hemmert on the southern end of the Freedom Ward boundary. Bill attended the
Wyoming Elementary School and also attended high school taught in Freedom. Bill helped his
father on the farm until he turned fifteen. At that age he began working for wages as a hired hand
for other farmers. He lived with and worked for Alvin Robinson for several years. Bill loved sports
playing basketball and baseball into adulthood.
Beatrice “Bea” Luthi was born August 25, 1918 at Afton, Wyoming, to Fredrick and Mary
Zollinger Luthi. Her family owned a farm on the Idaho side of the community at the end of the
Tincup Road. She attended elementary school at the Caribou County School in Freedom and high
school in Afton, Wyoming. Bea worked on the farm helping her father milk cows and do the
farming. She also worked at the local grocery store and at Lower Valley Power and Light.
Bill and Beatrice were married September 13, 1941. Bill was drafted into military service in
March of 1941. During WWII he served in Northern Africa and Italy campaigns for about three and
a half years. After returning from the war, Bill worked for Ernest Brog at Star Valley Swiss Cheese
Company, and Bill and Bea lived in Freedom.
In 1949 they moved to the Carl Robinson farm and lived there until 1958 when they
purchased Roy Keeler’s Store and moved to town. Bea worked for Silver StarTelephone Company.
Bill drove the school bus to Afton for twenty-one years. Also while living in town they bought a
farm from Doyle Weber. Later they sold the store to Bruce Hoopes.
Bill and Bea were both active in the LDS Church. They had four daughters: Connie (Roger)
Christensen, Jana (Duane) Pounder, Teina (Richard) Moore, Julie (Bradley) Ford.
In 1981 Bill retired from the school district. Then in 1983 they sold their farm and Bea
retired from the telephone company. They moved to Wellsville, Utah.
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LYMAN CROOK
LARUE MARCHANT
MARY NAOMI JEPPSON
Lyman Fred Crook, the second son of William Henry Crook and Annie Evelyn Haderlie
Crook was born in Freedom, Wyoming (on the Idaho side) on July 14, 1916. While he was still a
young child, the family moved to the homestead on the upper highway.
Lyman started school in the old building that was located where the Veldon Izatt home now
stands. He and his brother Newell rode the three miles on a horse until the school district provided
the team drawn covered wagon or in winter a sleigh. The sleigh was equipped with a stove. Later a
new school was constructed on the same site. Lyman completed his sophomore year there then
finished high school in Afton.
The summer after graduation, Lyman worked for his Uncle Harvey Crook hauling logs from
the Grays River Canyon to be treated and delivered through out the Lower Valley. These were used
to bring in the first electricity to the lower valley.
That fall he entered Utah State University. After completing a year there he was called on a
mission in the southern states mission. During this time the United States entered into World War II.
In 1943, after completing his mission, Lyman joined the Army. After being stationed in
Greenland for two years he was transferred to Fort Douglas in Salt Lake City. While he was there
he met and courted Larue Marchant. After his release from the Army they were married on
February 1946 in the Salt Lake temple.
They returned to Freedom where Lyman worked on the family farm and is still doing so.
Their home was built with timber that Lyman cut down in Deer Creek Canyon.
Lyman and Larue had six Children: Richard, Ronald, twins Vicki and Val, Tracy and Marie.
Val died at the age of four.
All but one daughter filled missions. Lyman has served the church all his life in Stake and
Ward callings including Bishop in Freedom.
Lyman has always loved horses, fishing, working and basketball and has coached the
Freedom basketball team at different times. He also served in the Soil Conservation District, and
was a member of the Star Valley Hospital Board, and a director of Star Valley Swiss Cheese
Company, and a board member of Western Dairy Coop. Inc..
Larue was well known for her musical talent and was ward organist for many years. She had
a great love for genealogy work and spent many years in the effort. She died on August 12, 1982 in
the Idaho Falls Hospital of a degenerative brain disease.
Mary Naomi Jeppson was born in Ogden, Utah on July 1, 1930 to Aaron Baird Jeppson and
Harriet Helen Guymon. She was the seventh of eight children. She grew up in Boise, Idaho. There
she met and married Jack T. Gage. They settled in Cheyenne Wyoming. They had seven children:
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Jack Richard, Ann, Janet Joan, Mary Ellen and James. They were later divorced. After moving to
Smithfield, Utah. Mary worked for a home building company for nine years.
It was there that she met Lyman in October 1984. They were married in the Logan temple on
Oct. 12, 1985. One of the highlights of their life was serving as temple officiators in the Idaho Falls
temple.
110
RONALD FRANK AND BARBARA ELLEN DAVIE CROOK
Ronald and Barbara were married July 26, 1974 in the Idaho Falls Temple. Ron grew up in
Freedom with his parents, Larue Marchant and Lyman Fred Crook. Barbara moved here from Burnaby,
British Columbia, Canada. The two of them met while he was serving in the Alaskan-British Columbia
Mission. They lived in a trailer in two places, one of them behind his parent's home.
Ron attended two years at Utah State University and received and Associate degree in
Agricultural Mechanization, after which he returned home for good. Today they still live in the home
they built next to Ron's parents. They began building in October of 1976 and moved in, June 1977.
Landscaping and basement were gradually done in the years to come.
As of 1995 they have 8 children: Shane Ronald, Melanie Jean, Gina Marie, Justin Todd, Mitzi
Lyn, Darrin Kent, Michelle Anne and David Allen.
Ron served as first counselor in the Freedom Bishopric from April 24, 1988 to May 19, 1991.
He was then called to serve as Bishop on May 19, 1991.
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WILLIAM HENRY CROOK and ANNIE HADERLIE
William Henry Crook was born may 3, 1884 in Garden City, Utah, the 2nd child and 1st son
of William Joshua Crook and Harriet. An older sister and two brothers were born in garden city.
The family moved to Smoot, Wyoming, where six more sons and another girl were born. William
helped on the farm until he went to the Paris Fielding Academy. In 1903 he went on a mission to the
Swiss German Mission.
After returning home he went with his Dad to Etna to take some horses to his brother Joshel
with the idea of homesteading some land there. They stopped at the present Crook farm where
August Moser was homesteading for the night. The land had just been opened up for homesteading.
The east-side canal had been made to carry water to land that had been Indian land. William
decided to take over the homestead rights August was working on because he decided to leave. This
was home until he passed away in 1961. The first home was a one-room cabin south of where
Ronald’s home is now. He met Annie Haderlie at a dance in Freedom.
Annie was born September 4, 1890, to Charles Henry Haderlie and Babette Schiess in
Freedom, Idaho. She was homesteading land up Tincup north-west of the present Gilbert Haderlie
home on the hill. She had to live on the land for a certain time to make it legally her land, so their
marriage took place 1 ½ years after Sept. 17, 1913. The trip was made by team and wagon taking 4
days each way. The brought fruit and vegetables back home with team they had purchased in Logan
for their winter’s food. They had lived in the cabin on the Tincup homestead. She later sold her
homestead and bought half of the Alam Dana ranch which is still part of the Crook ranch. They
added a couple of rooms on the cabin. Greta, Atha, Leah, and Wayne were born here.
William logged up Jackknife and had the logs sawed by the Fulton sawmill. He hauled the
lumber home for the new house to be built by the big hill. They moved into it in 1929.
William and Annie worked hard on the ranch. Horses were the only source of transportation
and farming. Cows were milked by hand in a barn or corral at the pasture. Annie raised flowers
inside and outdoors, and enjoyed growing a garden. They always had a root cellar to store the
vegetables in which they raised and also the bottled fruit. She had a flock of chickens for food, eggs,
and extra money. She made soap for washing, she sewed for family, her mother and others. She
loved to quilt and crochet and do other handwork. They had kerosene lights, pumped water by hand
and heated it on the stove for bathing and laundry. She helped with milking, cropping and haying
when needed.
Harvesting was slow and done with pioneer machinery. The grain was cut in early days with
a binder. If the grain wasn’t quite ripe it would be shocked, standing 3 to 5 shocks together to finish
drying. It would later be hauled in and made into stacks until the threshing machine would that went
from farm to farm came to thresh it. This was a big job for Annie to prepare dinner and supper for 5
to 10 men. Later a heading machine was used to cut the grain and elevated it into a wagon pulled
along side of the header. The wagon had boxes on to hold the cut grain to be hauled to the yard and
stacked.
To keep cured meat from spoiling they would bury the meat in the grain bin. They killed a
pig and did their own curing of hams and bacon. William cut blocks of ice in the canal in winter and
covered them in a bin of sawdust. This was used for various things. We enjoyed freezers of homemade ice cream on special occasions. Laundry was done on the scrub board and after a washer run
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by pumping a lever, then later a gasoline motor was attached, then when power came an electric
conventional was used. Clothes with irons heated on the stove, 3 irons were usually the set. She
made homemade bread with a live yeast. Annie kept the family well with remedies obtained from
Mrs. Cynthia Miller, what she got from the Indians and her own source. The children were born at
home with a midwife.
All the children graduated from high school. Lyman had Newell served their country during
WWII. They also all went on missions. Newell went to Florida and Alabama, Lyman went to
Florida and Mississippi, and Wayne went to Tennessee and Kentucky. Wayne was the only one to
go on to college and get a degree.
William sheared sheep for people to help with the income. He went to Cokeville in the
spring and helped with the big herds. He used hand clippers and could shear 100 sheep in a day.
We went to Church in winter with a team and sleigh with hay in the box and lots of heavy
quilts and warm rock to keep warm. Sometimes we would ride on the runners going home. William
and Annie drove a school wagon with a team and covered wagon for a few years to help with the
income.
They had a few sheep of their own and after they were sheared Annie would wash the wool
and dry it then Will would card it so Annie could put it in quilts.
The road by their place was just dirt at first cut in the hill north of their house. Many years
later it was widened and oiled. The small part of the hill on the west was pushed out into the field
and filled in the swails that run down through the land. William irrigated his corps with ditches
running through the fields and ditch dams. When his turn for water came he would irrigate day and
night, Sunday and all in order to cover what crops he had under the water rights and the time allotted
to him. The kids had to herd cows in the fields when the pasture was used up to keep them from the
hay stacks.
William passed away at his home on February 4, 1961. Annie passed away at a nursing
home in Salt Lake City, Utah on August 3, 1983.
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VERNA RAINEY DAINES' RECOLLECTIONS
I was born in my grandmother's house at the foot of the 'Big Knoll', on the Wyoming side of the
street, 1/2 mile south of the post office and the meeting house on 3 Aug 1899. At the time of my birth,
my mother stayed in grandmother's house just long enough to recuperate and then returned to her tworoom cabin, five miles north in Glen. Grandma was a widow and her house was a two-story structure
built of peeled logs. She had come to Utah as a young girl from Norway. Now as a widow, she worked
with her son building a house to resemble the houses she had known in her home land. There were good
pine floors and an open stair rail. Grandma was a much sought after practical nurse but she was never a
licensed midwife. Her specialty was diptheria and pneumonia.
My mother was a second wife in polygamy. Her children were: Julia Teola, Lawrence Ivan,
Alta May and Verna. On my fourth birthday, my mother packed the wagon and left my father. She
moved back to grandmother's house in Freedom. My mother now had five children, Gladys who was
two years old and she was expecting her sixth child. The big log house at the foot of the Knoll was
empty when we moved in August. Grandma was finishing a mission in her native land of Norway and
did not get home until the middle of November. She had not been informed of the separation and was
much surprised to find the house occupied. Fern Sophronia was born New Years Eve, 31 Dec.
Lawrence had the nick-name of Brin. Brin was short for brindle (a cow of many colors). His winter
coat was a mackinaw or parka with bright colors. It came for Sears Roebuck and was sort of a "Joseph's
coat of many colors". He was a kid who didn't start growing until he was 18 and then he shot up to over
six feet. You could spot him coming across the fields, over the snow and everyone would yell, "here
comes Brin".
As a second wife in polygamy, mother's marriage was not recognized by law so she had no legal
claim for child support. He chose to leave it like that and mother was on her own. Mother was
respected for her industry and devotion to her children. In the mean time, father moved to Afton, 25
miles to the south.
I have a vivid memory of my childhood. I remember my grandmother's funeral, she died in
November 1905. We were still living in her house, there was no snow, just hard, frozen ground and
digging the grave was very difficult. The Relief Society sewed for three days in the upstairs bedroom. I
was just past six and mother let me carry sandwiches and drinks up to the ladies. People were so
thoughtful at times like that. Men and boys would do the chores, milk cows and pitch the hay. Teenage
girls scrubbed floors, ironed, washed, cooked, etc. The Relief Society always made the burial clothing
and they had to know tailoring to make white suits for men.
Grandma had three children: Amelia, Heber, and Janet. Amelia was married to Bishop
Bracken. He had a kit with forceps and deadening and at no charge, he pulled teeth to relive pain.
Bishop Bracken made coffins in the back of his store with the help of some of the Priesthood. The
native pine wood was probably from the Haderlie saw mill in Thayne. Charles H. Haderlie's second
wife, Babetta, lived there and her sons ran the mill. Materials for burial clothing was kept on the shelves
of the store. A corpse was never left unattended as men would come early in the evening and stay over
night. A cloth dipped in some kind of chemical was kept over the face to keep it from going dark and
this was changed at regular intervals. Being young, I was petrified at seeing her laid out all cold and
stiff. It was my job to fill the resevoir at night and I had put it off until dark. I had to pass by where they
had laid her out close to a big open window to keep things cool. The well was some distance from the
house and my bucket was small so it took several trips to fill it. I ran so fast past the window that the
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water splashed all down my legs. I was soaked and when mother saw me she said, "I shouldn't have sent
you."
Most of the Freedom were meticulous house keepers. Their dirt floors were tamped hard and
covered with bright colored, braided rugs in front of beds, dressers, and stoves. It was unthinkable to
spill anything on the floor. Good linen and fine china graced the table on sunday, which was brought
from the old country by converts. When my grandmother came home from her mission to Norway she
brought many fine things. When she came to this country in 1863, as a convert at age 20, she carried
only a knapsack. Her one pair of shoes were in the knapsack as she was saving them for when she
reached 'The Valley". She walked barefoot most of the way across the planes carrying a small baby who
was too sick to stand the jolting of the wagon. She and her sister were the only converts from their
family and they both married soon after their arrival in Salt Lake. When she came back 40 years later,
she opened a big, bowed-top trunk loaded with beautiful things; gold compasses for boys, gold lockets
for girls and linen and silver for her daughters.
Well, let's get back to town...running from south to north...first, the Hansen hotel, which is still
standing with it's big pine trees, next the saloon and general store owned and operated by Will Heaps
with a millinery shop operated by his wife Esther. A general store owned by the Burton brothers of
Afton and operated by Bishop Aaron Frank Bracken which he later brought. A candy kitchen owned
by Ed Vincent and his wife Edna who was a Kirkbride before her marriage. The post office and the
meeting house occupied the Wyoming side of the street. In the early days the dances and parties where
held in the church. Later they built a dance hall on the Idaho side where the boys could also play
basketball.
Bishop Bracken lived in a lean-to on the south side of the Burton store before he bought a house
from Heaps that was located 1/2 mile north on the Wyoming side. There was no animosity between
Will Heaps and Bishop Bracken, even though they were both in the dry goods business. In Freedom,
there was room for all. The Bishop was a cheerful, liberal minded person and Esther (Hemmert from
Thayne) and Will were very generous with their donations to the church. In Freedom, most of the
Jenkins families were clustered in town; Johnnie, Eddie, Louis, Willie, Phil, Raymond and Wilford. It
was a big polygamist family with the original convert, Evan coming from England and settling in
Newton, Utah. 'Old' John Jenkins had come to Star Valley to settle his many sons on virgin land
because he considered Cache Valley, too crowded. Before long he moved back to Newton. The Jenkins
boys ran 500 head of white-faced, Hereford cattle on the open range in the lower valley.
Gus Dable ran the Burton creamery located on the east side of Salt River, about 1/2 mile from
town. Joe Heaps lived east of the creamery on the north side of the road. Young Ivan Warren and his
wife Dolly lived at the top of the hill. The Hokansons, Jim Laker and Ray and Ida Clark lived further
north on the road that goes to Etna.
Eddie and Vean (Alvenia) Jenkins had the first phonograph in town, an Edison with big horn and
disks. They invited people over to listen to music. I heard Enrico Caruso the greatest tenor of all time. I
enjoyed myself when I milked cows for them which was often. They didn't have any children and milks
as many cows as the other Jenkins brothers. Vean raised exotic house plants and made life pleasant for
any one who came to help them. They always had a hired man. I liked living with Eddie and Vean
because they bought my grandmother's house and land from uncle Heber. When I think of music, plays
or parties, I think of the people who lived up the west lane; The Rolphs, Clarks, Hydes, Vincents, and
Webers. John Hyde took the part of the villain in melodrames. He was tall, dark and handsome and his
acting would have done credit to John Barrymore. When the curtain came down between acts, the
Weber boys sang, barber shop quartets.
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The land north of the school house was owned by the Robinson brothers, John, Willard, Wynn
and their married children. The rest of the town south of the school house was a mixture: Kirkbrides,
Neilsens, Warrens, Luthis, Clarks, Hokansons, Heaps, Brackins, Jenkins, Webers, Rolphs, Vincents,
Hydes and Spackmans came later. Mrs. Inger Nelson lived on the north side of Tin Cup Creek. She had
three sons and one daughter, Sarah, Soren and John Thomas. Haderlie families lived on up the creek.
We lived on the south side of the Tin Cup road which led out of the valley to Soda Springs. Henry
McCullock owned the ranch next to ours going east. We sometimes rode to school in the sleigh with the
Nelson children. It was two miles to town from our place around the main highway and about a mile
cross-lots. In summer we walked through the fields of hay and grain ducking under the fences. In
winter on the crusted snow when it was frozen deep and strong, and enough thawing and freezing, it
would hold up a sleigh-load of hay and horses, (late Feb. and early March). By this time the snow
covered the fences and what fun it was trotting cross-lots to town over a highway smooth as concrete
and much more beautiful.
Freedom in the winter was basketball, drama practice with oyster stew afterwards, pie sales and
basket dances to raise money. Albert Rolph was usually the auctioneer for the pie dances. He knew
how to raise the price on a pie by slyly mentioning that he thought a sister so and so had made it. He
would drawl out, "this crust will just melt in your mouth." When there was pie auctioning at the dances,
the boys would go together and bid on a pie and then we would sit in the corner and eat it. Everyone
came to the dances, small babies were put to sleep on benches up on the stage and the older children
played in the corners or danced with each other among the grownups without getting rowdy. Webers
had some beautiful trotters which were hooked to a light weight sleigh and we would go to the candy
kitchen and "cut shines" in front of the dance hall. This was a fun winter sport for all the kids in town.
Every town had a character ball during the winter and other towns came to compete. There were
prizes and refreshments. Esther Heaps was always Queen of the Night and many famous people were
depicted, such as Napoleon Bonaparte, Columbus, Cleopatra, Sampson and Deliliah, Mary Queen of
Scots, the Sheik of Araby, Ivanhoe, Little Miss Muffet and George and Martha Washington.
Basket dances were a lot of fun. Girls spent days making and trimming their baskets with lace,
ribbon, flowers and packed them with delicious lunches. These were benefit dances and auctioneer
knew how to make money. Every boy wanted to end up with his girls basket and the privilege of eating
lunch with her. If the audience was ruthless they could bid him way up but they didn't do it to a kid who
didn't have much money. Young Willard Robinson had a crush on the pretty new school marm and they
made him pay $25.00 to eat cold sandwiches with her. She had been busy with some of her students that
needed help after school and she had no time to fix a fancy lunch or trim a basket. She packed
sandwiches in an old summer straw hat and hung it upside down by some pink streamers. That was
okay with young Willard. He went with her most of the winter but she left when school was out. That
didn't usually happen in Star Valley as the local lover usually got his girl and made a rancher's wife out
of her.
Bishop Brackens family was very good to us. They put up our hay, took us fishing, took us to
the dances if we didn't have a date and played Santa Claus to us when we were little. They had five boys
and we had five girls. We had one brother and they finally got two little sisters. In June of 1909, Asper
Bracken was killed by lightening while hunting cows in the hills above the Weber ranch. I was born on
Asper's birthday and was 9 years old when he died. Marley Bracken died of the red measles in Logan
while he was attending his freshman year in college at Christmas time in 1916. This was a tragedy for
me. Bishop had pure bred Percheron draft horses, a breed that came from Europe. They are a beautiful
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work horse. They are coal black when born, iron-grey when fully grown and cream white when eight
years old. The Bishops white Percherons and carriage always headed the funeral cortege carrying the
casket with the mourners following directly behind. Bishop Bracken's boys drove the team and it was an
impressive sight. He was bishop of Freedom for 20 years.
Dave Ross, a widower bought a piece of land across the road north of the Henry McCulloch
property. Soon after he bought it he hired me and my little sister to cut Canadian Thistles for him.
There were thousands and he paid us a penny a piece, we really made quite a bit of money that summer.
Luther Haderlie bought the ranch later.
Eugene Weber's sister Martha was a lot like her brother, she read every thing she could get her
hands on. Her room was stacked with books from Sears & Roebuck for a dime apiece. Many people
borrowed their books. There was a saying that went like this, Beware of folks who borrow books, they
never bring them back, the crooks. The ones you see upon my shelf are those I borrowed once myself. In
the average Star Valley home the Sears Catalog stood next in importance to the Scriptures. The outdated issue was immediately relegated to the out-house and usually lasted a year. You could get every
thing from a potato masher to a pre-cut home. A copy of a 1908 catalog had a two-bedroom home for
$700.00.
I learned a lot by helping in other peoples homes. My last year at home, before I went to Logan to
school, I drove team and tromped hay for Jay Rolph to put up his crop of wild hay. He had a new
contraption called a loader and I was hired to drive while he tromped but he was short and fat and it
looked like such a task with his short legs that I traded jobs with him most of the time. It would take
half the evening to get the fox-tail out of my overalls and then we'd milk the cows after dark. He was
the bachelor brother of Albert Rolph and recently married the spinster sister of Louis Jenkin's wife May.
Her name was Ruth. He lived right in town across the street from Albert. He paid me $2.00 a week and
I slept on the couch in the kitchen. Was I ever happy for that money, it went right in the drawer of the
clock-shelf for my college education. Anything above eight grade was referred to as college. That fall I
took my first trip out of the valley. Eliza Luthi went with me as we were going to college. We made the
trip by covered wagon with Bishop Bracken. The first night we stayed at Kunz Dairy at the head of TinCup Creek and the next night we stayed at Grace, Idaho where we had our first brush with a telephone.
We were both scared stiff and the bishop laughed at us. We were in a little hotel. I saw my first train in
Soda Springs and the next night we landed in Logan. I was thrilled with the chance to pick an apple off
a tree as I had never seen an orchard or even one real fruit tree in my life. I was 16 years old when I left
the valley.
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DONNA RAINEY DANA
Donna was born in Freedom, Caribou Co., ID on March 27, 1922. She was the sixth child of
nine children of Thomas Glen Rainey Sr. and Clara Louise Heap her great grandfather and mother,
William Henry Heap and Sara Ann Heap were the leaders of the first white settlers in the Star Valley
region. Her other great grandfather, David Pinkney Rainey, was a personal friend of the Mormon
prophet Joseph Smith. He sold the prophet a buggy in Nauvoo, Il and worked in the Temple there.
Donna grew up playing marbles, one-o -cat, a baseball game where you hit the ball, run to first
and then home. This game was played because they didn't have enough players to field a full team. She
learned to swim in Jackknife Creek where the older kids threw you in and you swam or drowned. They
fished in Salt River and went to Alpine Hot Springs to swim. They road horses on Black Mountain and
went Huckleberry picking. The two room log cabin Donna was born in, was replaced with the present
ranch house that still stands. She attended LDS church in Glen and school at the Jackknife School there
also. She went there for seven years and passed the eighth grade test and graduated. She then attended
high school for one year in Idaho Falls, ID, where she boarded with a family. Donna first met her
husband, Wilford Hokanson Dana at Gilbert Ivies, a neighbor of theirs when they were both children.
They started dating when Wilford talked a friend of his out of taking Donna to a dance so he could take
her. Love bloomed and Wilford claimed that, "he couldn't make those trips to the hill any longer in the
winter" as he proposed marriage to sixteen year old Donna.
They traveled to Idaho Falls, accompanied by their mothers as the under aged bride needed to be
signed for, and after waiting for two divorce proceedings, where married on October 7, 1938, by a
Judge. They spent their honeymoon in a hotel in Idaho Falls.
The couple lived with Wilfords parents while building a home on Muddy String. They also
stayed with Donnas parents while cutting logs on Black Mountain to build their house with. Wilford dug
the basement with a shovel and pick as was the custom at that time, the neighbors helped build their
home.
The family didn't take long in growing larger. Wilford Lamar was born on Oct. 26, 1939, Sanette
on Dec. 13, 1940, Andra on June 11, 1942 and Roger Rainey, April 4, 1945. Donna had three children
by the time she was barely twenty years old. It was agreed to have Roger if a certain habit was given up.
The children were named from western books.
Life on the farm and supporting their little brood wasn't an easy task; money was scarce. The
main fair was poached deer and elk combined with fresh trout. They had plenty of mush, lumpy dick,
huckleberry pie and cull potatoes, which cost $l.00 for a hundred pounds. The farm work consisted of
raising pigs, sheep, horses, goats, chickens and milk cows. The family put up hay, cleared land by
picking up sticks and rocks for fields that only seemed to sprout more. To make ends meet Donna
worked as a school cook and latter for the Star Valley Swiss Cheese Plant. The family picked potatoes
and huckleberries to buy school clothes.
In 1956, Donna and Wilford left Star Valley. They purchased a mobile home and lived in
Washington for 1 1/2 years. In 1958, they lived in Ashland, OR and six months later they moved to
Pollock Pines, CA. In 1960, they moved to Redding, CA. After stops in Mt. Shasta, Etna, California and
Dayton, WA, then back to Redding, they purchased a mobile park home in Los Molinos, CA in 1969.
The park was on the banks of the Sacramento River which soon flooded. After cleaning up the mess,
they sold the park in 1973 and moved to Yuba City, AZ. where they now live in retirement. Since then
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they have spent many summers in Afton with Sanette and Reid and many winters in Hawaii with Lamar
and Dianne.
They will be married 56 years on Oct. 7, 1994. Our daughter Andra passed away Aug. 1, 1972,
we have 17 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren. We celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary Oct.
7, 1988.
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DOYLE DRANEY
Doyle F. Draney was born December 26, 1922, in Auburn, Wyoming to Jesse E. and Ruby
Foss Draney.
After graduating from Star Valley High School, Doyle married Marveline Cazier. A son
Eugene was born to them before Doyle was inducted into the Armed Forces on May 25, 1943.
Doyle's basic training was at Camp Roberts, California. From there he was assigned to the
infantry in the 96th Division and moved into combat areas quickly.
On April 6, 1945, less than a year after his entry into the Army, Doyle was wounded in the
fighting on Okinawa. He died from those wounds on April 9, 1945.
Initially, he was buried in a military cemetery in Okinawa. Later, on May 20, 1946, his body
was brought home and buried in the Afton cemetery with military honors.
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ELNO FOSS DRANEY & LAURA
Elno was born in Tygee, ID April 3,1911, to Jess & Ruby Foss Draney. He lived in Auburn
while his father was forest ranger for Caribou Forest. His father, Jess, was transferred to the
Freedom Ranger Station about 1925-26 and lived there until he retired.
Elno lived in Auburn and Afton while he attended Star Valley High School. He moved to
Freedom 1933-34 and bought land from G.A. Newswander to build the Draney service station and
home east of the station. The old post office was moved to the back of the station, facing west and
this is where Elno and Laura lived while Elno built the house and the service station.
In 1939, Ruel Call took over the station and sold it to Edgar Heap, who owned the Freedom
Garage on the west side of Freedom. Elno and Leonard Robinson did electrical wiring in Freedom,
Etna, and Swan Valley after electricity came to the lower valley in Freedom in 1937-38.
In 1941-42, Elno became accountant and book keeper for the Lower Valley Power and Light
Co. In 1943-44 he became manager of the LVP&L that was located in the old bank building in
Freedom, until it was moved to Afton in 1955-56.
Elno & Laura bought the C.R. Chadwick home in Freedom (located west of the old Bank
building on the ID side) in 1948-49. We lived there until the LVP&L was moved to Afton. We sold
our home to Roy and Leda Robinson.
Elno & Laura were very active in community and church affairs while they lived in Freedom.
Elno was 2nd counselor in the Freedom ward bishopric from 1942-48 and scout master. He was a
member of the Freedom Gun club that was very active for many years. They met every Saturday
afternoon for practice and contests, also competing with clubs out of the valley. Members of the
club were, Roy Keeler, Ernest Brog, Jess Draney, Howard Hemmert, Elno Draney, D'Orr Child,
Lonnie Schiess, C.R. Chadwick, Orlan Hokanson and Edgar Heap.
Laura helped organize a ladies chorus which stayed together for 12 years. They met each
week regardless of the weather in the homes of it's members. They sang in the LDS wards of the
Star Valley Stakes, for community parties and special events. Many lasting friendships developed
during this time.
We were very happy the 20 years we lived in Freedom, and the good times and friends will
never be forgotten. We enjoyed many dancing parties at the Brogs. Martha always served the most
delicious ice cream, cake and all kinds of good food. We did modern and square dancing to records.
Those were fun times and we did it often, especially in the winter.
The 24th of July celebrations in Freedom were spectacular, and people came from far and
near. There was always a program in the morning and races, a rodeo and sometimes a ball game in
the afternoon. At night there was a big dance in the old ward hall. These events were very
successful and well attended.
Lavor and Opal Hoff (Elno's sister) operated the cafe (Bimbo’s) by the service station from 1950
until they moved to Logan.
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Violet Hoffines, Ruby Draney's sister lived in the apt. in the old Red & White store (formally
owned by C.R. Chadwick). She lived there during the years we owned the Chadwick home. She
was killed in an automobile accident shortly after we left Freedom.
Elno & Laura's children were:
Nolan G. born Feb. 22,1935-Married Joyce Nield (Afton)
Terryl E. " June 11,1939- " Vonda Sanderson (Etna)
Waldon G. " Feb. 6,1943- " Helen Fluckiger(Bedford)
Randall G. " Sept. 15,1947- " Gwen Hokanson (Thayne)
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IVAN AND MABEL DRANEY
We moved to Freedom in the early fall of 1942. The house we lived in at Thayne, Wyoming
burned down and what furniture we had was out in the street. We knew about the old cafe building
in Freedom and found out that it belonged to Wilford Clark. He sold it to us for two hundred
dollars. We had three sons at that time, Elwyn 5, Jerry 3 and Dale 1. Diane was born that December
29.
Ivan was drafted to the service in December 1943. I followed him to the different places he
was stationed. We were in Louisiana, Arizona and Nebraska before he left for England. He was a
gunner on a B-17 aircraft. He served until May 1945. Carole was born July, 1945.
We gradually added onto and remodeled our home until it was very comfortable. Ivan found
some work hauling coal into the valley for Alan Clark, and I worked where ever I could find a job to
help pay the bills. Some of my places of employment were: Ivan Nelson's grocery store, a cafe and
motel in Etna, a cafe in Thayne, the Star Valley Swiss Cheese plant, Nield's Market, and I drove
kindergarten bus for several years. About 1965, Frank Brog asked me to manage the salesroom at
the Swiss cheese plant. I left there in May, 1969. In November, 1972 we moved to Logan, Utah.
Star Valley, especially Freedom will always be where my heart is. I dearly love the people who
have lived and are still living in Freedom.
Ivin died in 1981. We had eight wonderful years together after he stopped drinking. I miss
him terribly. What a joy my large family is to me. Ivan and my posterity numbers sixty seven at
this time.(1992)
PICTURES
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ROYAL AQUILLA & MABLE DRANEY
Royal was born February 18, 1912, in Freedom, WY. His parents were Louis Ira Jenkins and
Mary Ann (May) Griffin. Royal lived in Freedom most of his life. He attended Star Valley High School
where he participated in many sports. He especially liked basketball, baseball and football. He excelled
in basketball and baseball. He was a catcher and taught my twin brother and I to love sports. He
graduated from Star Valley High School in the class of '31. He also attended Utah State University
where he played basketball for them.
Mable was the daughter of Jess E. Draney and Ruby Foss. She was born in Auburn, ID on Sept.
14, 1918. Royal and Mable were married in Idaho Falls, on July 24, 1934. They subsequently had nine
sons and daughters: Jay "D"; Kay "D"; Lael Dan; Marlo "D"; Darlene "D"; Patricia "D"; Val "D";
Marva Low and Terry "D".
In Freedom, my father milked cows and ran a 40-acre dairy farm and grew alfalfa to feed them.
We also had pigs, chickens and horses on our place. My father was an ardent lover of good horse flesh.
He especially loved through-breeds and participated in Roman chariot and cutter races for many years in
WY.
While living in Freedom, Royal played Santa Clause many times at different functions. He
thereby acquired the nickname of Santa Clause and kept the name as his children grew up there.
My parents moved to Murry Utah, on June 1, 1957. They later moved to West Jordan so he
could raise horses and cows. They lived there until dad had a partial stroke and then my mother sold the
acreage and moved to a home previously owned by my brother, Marlo. Dad died December 20, 1972 at
age 60. Mother died October 1986, Jay was killed October 24, 1949, and Lael died February 8, 1976
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JOHN EDWARDS – LUANNIE HOKANSON
John Edwards and Luannie Hokanson were married in 1910, and lived in Freedom,
Wyoming, on the State line road. They farmed for a living, and also had some land in Stumpp Creek
Idaho. They lived in Freedom all of their life. They have seven children: Margaret (June 21,1911),
Tressie (May 21, 1913), Florize (August 2, 1915), Eva (April 17, 1918), Kenneth (November 12,
1920), LaVell (October 13, 1922), and Rex ( August 20, 1925). Rex bought the farm and continued
to live there until his death on December 31, 1990. He sold the farm to Carl Eggleston who owns it
at this time.
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ALVIN AND KATHLEEN LEWIS ERICKSON
I, Alvin A. Erickson, was born May 15, 1915, to Carl G.E. Erickson and Annie Elizabeth
Bright Erickson in Freedom, Caribou, Idaho down in the north end of Freedom called Glen. I was
the 12th of 13 children - 8 girls and 5 boys.
My mother died when I was going on two years old. I was raised by my father and sisters.
We were taught to work. I worked on the farm with other family members.
Berniece, Byron and I were left home alone, a lot while others were doing different things.
One time Byron and I were home alone and we decided to make some candy so we called the
telephone operator and asked her how. She told us to hang up and go to bed. We were not old
enough to be in school yet. Byron and I decided to build a fire. The family had hidden the ax, but
we found an old broken handled one. Byron held the wood while I chopped. I chopped two of his
fingers off. Boy was I scared, and I ran over against the hill to get Grandma. She took care of him.
I really hated to see my Dad come home because I knew I was going to get it when he got there, and
I did!
1926--I went to school in one room with 8 grades and one teacher. He was a really mean
teacher. We never had lunches because my sisters thought we should just walk home to find
something to eat. So most of the time, I went hungry rather than wallowing through the snow. Just
two of the kids passed, the rest had to take the grades over.
My dad bought a home in Freedom. I stayed there 2 years. Then I went back on the farm
with Newell for 5 years until he moved in 1937.
I met Kathleen Lewis, daughter of Selton Jay and Myrtle McGavin Lewis, in 1937. Her
family came to Freedom that year. Her father worked on the Jim D. McGavin place. Kathleen was
raised in Lewiston, Utah. We were married in Idaho Falls, Idaho, on June 22, 1939. Our marriage
was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple. When we married we bought half of the Carl G.E.
Erickson place. We flipped a coin - one would keep the old buildings and the other would build
new. So Newell built down by the road. We stayed in the old home and raised our children until
April of 1972, when we bought Alden Brower's house.
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Our Family
Larry
married
LaRue Burt
Peggy
married
Dave Helm
Craig
married (1)Angela M. Luna (2)Lynn Anderson
Michael married
Sheila D. Earle
Randy
Judy K. Park
married
Susanne married
Karl W. Weber
Chad
married
Debra L. Peavler
Cleve
married
Annie Kennington
Jennifer married (1)Verdean Hyde (2)Billy Peterson (3)Glen Hansen
Bart
married
Anna Robinson
127
MY FATHER AUGUST ERICKSON
Picture
Picture
By Leone Augusta Robinson (a daughter)
My father, Robert August Erickson, came to Freedom, Wyoming from Richmond, Utah with
his brother-in-law John Robinson. They came with his cattle for summer range in the year of 1900.
John Robinson bought some ranches in Freedom and moved his family here in 1903. Robert came
with them. Robert married Mary Luella Edwards November 7, 1904, in the Logan Temple.
They first lived on a homestead at Glen, Idaho about 5 miles, north of Freedom. Their
children, Warren Robert, Edgar Gustave, Leone Augusta, and Milton Edward were all born while
they lived at Glen.
They bought a place in Etna, Wyoming from Lon Baker and moved there about 1912. Norma
Elfrieda and Morris Ervin were born at Etna, Wyoming.
When Morris, their last child, was born. Mother suffered a severe stroke that paralyzed her
right side. After taking her to several Dr.s., they advised Father to take Mother to a lower, warmer
climate. They bought a 40 acre farm at Heyburn, Idaho. All went well for about a year. Mother felt
better, and they loved the community. While they were at Minidoka, a Dam, on a picnic outing
Father drank some water from a pump in a barnyard, and contracted typhoid fever. For 6 weeks the
Dr. thought he had a bad "summer grippes". Then others around became sick, and by tests they
found out they had Typhoid Fever. That was a sad day for us. Warren and Leone had contracted the
disease from Father and the other children were moved to Aunt Amy's, and Edgar was left to help
Mother. Father went to bed in September and didn't get up again until March or April and had to
have special Dr.s to help him learn to walk as he was paralyzed from his waist down.
They were not able to make payments on the farm, and the mortgage was foreclosed. They
lost the farm, animals, and machinery. We were happy, we still had our Father. We then moved to
Heyburn until dad got a job at Austins ranch near Soda Springs. These were hard years for all. We
were glad again when we were able to move back to Freedom Wyoming, with the help of John
Robinson. We first lived on the home place of John Robinson that is known as Reynold Robinson's
place. Then we moved to the Hammond place that Uncle Leonard Robinson bought. After a few
years of hard work and saving, along with some financial help from G. A. Newswander, Dad was
able to buy the Ed Jenkins ranch 1 mile south of Freedom now owned by the Erickson brothers.
Dad built a nice home where Elmo Robinson's house is located. We lived there for a few
years. Dad and Mother then moved to Nampa, Idaho where their two sons Warren and Edgar and
families lived. They loved it there. While dad had good work, mother felt much better there. She fell
and broke her hip and was moved back to her daughters home on Tincup at Freedom, Wyoming. She
died two weeks later. Dad just visited around with his family for the next six years. He later died of
cancer of the spleen at Melvin and Leone's home on Tincup. Mom and Dad, Warren and Edgar,
along with their wives are buried in the Freedom Cemetery on the Idaho side in Caribou County.
They always befriended the lonely, helped in the Church and community, and had a happy home for
their family.
Their children and wives were:
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Warren Robert and Leone Hale
Edgar Gustave and Twila Allen
Melvin Robinson and Leone Augusta
Milton Edward and Melba Kennington
Norma Elfrieda and Lorin F. Reeves
Morris Ervin and Leola Keyes, Divorced
Remarried to Dorothy Zollner
- 6 children
- 8 children
- 10 children
- 7 children
- no children
- no children
- 5 children
Norma and Lorin F Reeves are buried at Larkin Memorial Gardens 10600 So. 1700 E. Salt
Lake City, Utah.
As of the year of 1992, Leone Robinson has a home by her son Bruce Robinson at Box 315,
Bedford Wyoming, 83112.
Milton has a home in Afton, Wyoming, 83110. He also enjoys the winter month close by
the temples where he and Melba can do temple work.
Morris is a retired Army officer and lives in Florida. He enjoys his family very much,
especially when he comes home to visit.
Picture Home
129
THE BRYCE AND KATHLEEN HRAPCHAK ERICKSON FAMILY STORY
Bryce H. and Kathleen Ellen Hrapchak were married in the Salt Lake Temple on February 25,
1970. Bryce was in the process of buying the family farm from his parents Golden and Ina Erickson.
After their marriage, Bryce and Kathy moved into the house that Bryce's brother Spencer had
built before he left the Valley to continue his education.
Bryce and Kathy's first child was born on December 21, 1970. She was named Kristine H. On
May 18, 1973 Karen H. joined the family, followed by Becky H. on April 16, 1975. Their first son,
Barry G. was born on September 4, 1976. Kelly Carl joined the family on January 19, 1976 followed
by Kayleen H. on February 22, 1981, and Bryan Reed on April 28, 1983.
Besides farming, the Ericksons decided to build a dairy-cow-milking operation in 1987. They
built a large modern building and are now, in 1995, milking around 150 cows.
Kristine and her husband, Kirk Dory, were married July 18, 1990 in the Salt Lake Temple. They
have a daughter named Michelle Kristine born in Laramie, Wyoming on September 12, 1992. Kris
graduated from the University of Wyoming in April of 1995 with a degree in Elementary Education.
Karen and her husband, Cordell Burton, were married in the Logan Temple December 19, 1992.
They have a son named Taylor VerNon Burton born on September 8, 1994 in Laramie, Wyoming.
Both Karen and Cordell will continue their education at the University of Wyoming.
Becky graduated from Star Valley High School in 1993 and she has been attending the University of
Wyoming majoring in Education.
Barry graduated from Star Valley High School in 1995 and is attending Western Wyoming
Community College in Rock Springs. He has been working as a Certified Nurse Assistant at the
Sageview Nursing Home. Barry is working toward a degree in nursing.
As of the 1995-1996 school year, Kelly will be in the eleventh grade, Kayleen begins her
freshman year in High School and Bryan starts Junior High as a seventh grader.
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CARL GUSTAF ERICKSON & BEATA PERSSON JONSSON
Carl was born Sept. 19,1842, and Beata was born Mar. 13,1844, in Sweden. As a young 5 or
6 year old, I remember grandpa and grandma living in a neat log house in Freedom, WY. Grandma
was a fastidious housekeeper, never anything out of place or dirty. Her lacy curtains we starched
and ironed to perfection and so pretty with the dark green blind pulled down behind them. Grandma
made some kind of sweet bread like a bun, hard as a rock and she would give us one when we left to
go home. We chewed that bun all the way home to Etna, 4 or 5 miles away. We rode with a team
and wagon or sleigh as daddy did not own a buggy then.
Grandpa was just as fussy about his yard, the barn and animals as grandma was about her
house. Pet, his horse, and Curly, the black dog, had to be bathed, polished or combed before going
visiting. As children we would watch the road for a snow white horse when we knew they were
coming to see us. Curly always rode between them so she wouldn't get dirty or tired, and their knees
were covered with a creamed colored, wool lap robe.
It was so hard for them to learn to speak English. I could understand Grandma quite well but
not Grandpa, and I would have to go through Grandma or Dad or some other grownup so I could
understand him. They were both very conscious of this so they never held any responsibilities in the
church. Grandpa never did administer to the sacrament because of this. They went to church and
saw to it that their children had this opportunity. They couldn't read English, and their prayers were
said in Swedish. Their children talked to them in Swedish most of the time, especially Grandpa.
I was happy when they came to live by us in Etna in a one room house. Grandpa had real
bad back trouble from working on the section crew on the railroad for many years while they lived
in Richmond, Utah. He did this so that he could pay back the money he borrowed to bring his
family to Zion so they could be raised up in the body of the church. How thankful I am that they did
this. Grandpa was very bent over and used a cane for as long as I can remember him. When he
wanted to tell us, ”no, no”, he would tap his cane on the floor or ground and say "Auk, Auk" in what
I thought was a cross voice. I was afraid of him all my life, and I used to have bad dreams about him
even though he never laid a hand on me. He used to coax me to his bedside and give me a
peppermint or horehound piece of candy that he kept under his pillow. He suffered greatly and took
morphine for his pain. There was nothing like we have in our day to help him. He had two big sores
over his kidneys that one could see into his insides.
The last thirteen years of his life he was bedfast most of the time. He moaned and groaned
lots, even when I thought he was asleep. When I was 13 years old, Daddy brought us over from
Austin's Ranch, near Soda Springs, to see Grandma. She had cancer and would not live long.
Grandpa had Daddy ask me to give him a kiss, and I have always thought of this as one of the
bravest acts I have ever done. It took all the courage I had to do this. I am so thankful I did as now I
look back and know he loved me and wanted me to know it. Grandma died six weeks later, and I
have always been glad for the things she told me. She said Daddy had always been so good to them
and showed me some of the things he had given them. She told me to always be a good girl, say my
prayers and obey my parents. After Grandma died, Grandpa was cared for in uncle Carl's home.
Aunt Annie had died, leaving a baby under a year and a family of 13 children, some of which were
married. It was a trying time on all. Their daughters had died and Mother had her bad stroke. I
shudder when I think of it. We went to see grandpa often, but in my memory is always the agony on
his face. It was a great relief to all when he was called to rest and his poor, deformed body was
131
buried in the Freedom cemetery beside Grandma. Thank you, Thank you.
PEOPLE.
Your loving granddaughter, Leone Erickson Robinson
132
You are two GREAT
CARL GOLDEN ERICKSON & INA BERTHA HADERLIE
By Ina Bertha Haderlie
Golden and I were married June 24,1926, and we moved to Glen. We first lived on his
father, Carl Erickson's, farm (later owned by Alvin Erickson) in a two room log house that his
grandparents lived in. The well caved in, and there was a little spring close to the house, and we
used that water for household chores. Our drinking water was hauled three to four city
blocks away, and we sometimes used melted snow.
In May 1927, we moved to the Joe Christensen's place (Donnie Sanderson) and lived there
for a year. It was a large one room house with no foundation and we put straw and snow around the
house to keep it warm. When the south side of the house would melt on warm days, we would have
to re-bank the snow because it was a very cold winter.
We bought 120 acres, that is now a part of Star Valley Ranch for $1,000. Our home was a
small log, two room house against the mountains. We moved about the 1st of May. We had such
good water that came from Green Canyon, it now furnishes water for all Star Valley Ranch homes.
Golden had a milk route, north down Burton lane to the Kraft Creamery on Freedom lane. The
winters were very harsh. One summer the water from the canyon stopped, and we had to rely on
rains for the upper fields, we could use the water from the Hardman stream. In the fall of 1929, we
sold the farm and moved to Rupert, ID.
In April 1930, (depression years) Golden and Newell became partners and took over their
father's farm sharing the family home. Many acres were cleared and we irrigated out of Jacknife. In
the fall of 1935, we bought 354 acres from Robert Erickson (Golden's uncle). We stayed in the
home in Glen and hired Raymond Warren to help Golden haul hay up to the ranch to feed the
animals. In the spring when the roads got soft, it was very difficult to take a sleigh loaded with hay
over them, and they would tip over and have to be reloaded. We moved to our new home around
April 1,1936. Our farm was so full of Canadian Thistles that Carl Robinson bet that in 10 years
they would take over. With hard work and a few years later a spray was developed we were able to
get rid of most of them, and we raised wonderful crops.
About 1926 a few farmers in Freedom decided to form a creamery co-op. Golden was one of
the first to join, he and others could work out some shares by shoveling the gravel hauled in with
wagons. His dad was a real booster for getting the creamery going and also helped with the frame
work. In the fall of 1927, it was completed, and we hauled our milk morning and night to the
creamery. We had to wait three to four months before we got any pay. I think the cheese was
hauled with a team and wagon to Soda Springs that winter and later on by truck to Pocatello.
While we were waiting for our milk money, Golden worked in the canyon and on Tin Cup road. My
father, Charles Henry Haderlie, was road overseer, and Golden worked for $5 a day sometimes
driving a team of four horses hooked on a Fresno (road grader). Nov. 12, 1938 we got electricity.
Our men folk got up at 3 AM to do chores to try out the new lights. They sure had a ball doing
chores without carrying coal oil lanterns in and out of buildings. During the first winter, heavy ice
jam caused our power to go off and on for two to three weeks.
In the spring of 1939, we bought a milking machine with two units. Golden couldn't be
around hay dust, and I had to run the milkers for many years. We bought our first tractor this same
year and what a help it was to us. In 1948 we bought 172 acres up Deer Creek from Clarence
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Chadwick. The children were a great help on the farm, and Bryce eventually bought the farm which
he still runs.
In 1926 the businesses in town included: the Burton store, part of which is still standing on
Patsy McGavin Payne's land; Will Heap's, which later burned down; Edgar Heap's garage;
and the G.A. Newanswander store. Just north of G.A.'s store was a little candy and ice cream store
called Vincent Confectionery. A pool hall and barber shop made up the stores on the Idaho side.
Across the street was the Freedom Bank, the blacksmith shop, the service station and the post office.
Gas was $.35/gal. and eggs sold for $.10-.15 in the summer. Our first child cost $10.00 and when I
was born, I cost $5.00. I remember when hay sold $5.00 a ton and grain $1.00 a hundred. There
were three schools in three counties, Glen (Bonneville), a two room school on the corner to Soda
Springs (Caribou), and a four room school in the area where Kim Luthi lives (Lincoln).
While we lived in Glen, the one room school house was where church socials and school
were held. Primary was held on Friday afternoon and when we had a special party, we scrubbed the
rough, slivery floors on our hands and knees. Golden was superintendent of the Sunday School and
I, was the organist. We bought a used organ from Orlin Hokanson's mother for $15.00 while waiting
for our branch organ. We loaded the organ every Sunday morning, backed the sleigh to the door,
rolled it in and returned it the same way. This lasted for a month or more.
Our children are: Shirley Lou, Carl, Spencer, C.G. Jr. (deceased) Bryce, and Rhondo.
Ina was born April 10,1905, Golden was born March 25,1901.
His health was poor for many years and he passed away April 24,1976.
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house picture
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CARL GUSTAF ENGLEBERKT ERICKSON
(Compiled by Iris S. Erickson)
Carl G.E. Erickson was born 7 Nov., 1870, at Julita, Nyskoping lan, Sweden. He was the
first child of Carl Gustaf Erickson and Beata Per Jonson.
The following is Father's own words.
My father and mother were baptized into the church 16 May, 1879, by John A. Quist and C.
Anderson. I was baptized a year or so later and re-baptized in Richmond Ut. 2 Apr., 1891. I had a
desire to move to Zion and a Bro. Nordberg gave me the money to come to Ut. I was 12 yrs. old and
only had to pay half fare up to age 13. I left Sweden to come to Ut. in May 1882 and arrived in
Richmond, Ut. the latter part of June. I hadn't been there long before we began to work for the
money to bring my parents over. It was more than two years before my parents came over, it was the
happiest day of my life, and we cried for joy to be together again. I took the opportunity of going
back to Richmond to see if the loan was paid off, and it was. Father was an honest man.
Before he married Annie Elizabeth Bright, he told her if she married him she would have to
go to Star Valley, WY. as he had been there before and knew he wanted to live there. They were
married 9 Jan., 1895 in the Logan Temple. They lived in Richmond for 8 or 9 years, and 5 of their
children were born there before moving to Freedom. He traded his place in Richmond plus $200.00
for 160 acres in Ulet or Glen. He took 160 acres to homestead and later bought 160 acres more. At
the time they moved to Glen, there were four families living there and about four more in Freedom.
There was a creamery in Freedom that made hard cheese which was later sold to Kraft, and
they received 8 cents less for butterfat than the market price. They tried to get an adjustment but
couldn't, so Carl Robinson and Carl Erickson decided to start a creamery of their own. There were
24 members in the organization. Ernest Brog had a Swiss cheese factory in Driggs ID, and they
went over to investigate his set-up. Ernest joined the Star Valley organization as a manager and
cheese maker. At first, it was a branch of the Mutual Creameries and then a branch of Challenge.
Carl was one of the two Challenge directors. He was president of this company for 20 years.
Carl and his wife had eight more children while in Freedom, 3 boys and 5 girls. When their
thirteenth child was born, his wife developed complications and was very ill. She never completely
recovered and died 13 Aug., 1917, at Freedom.
Carl finished raising the family and sent Golden and Marlan on missions. Carl received his
citizen ship papers 16 Apr., 1892, when he was 22 yrs. old.
Henry Luthi was bishop when the new chapel was started in Freedom, and Carl was finance
chairman. It was completed the first part of the year in 1939. Anna Mae Jenkins, granddaughter of
Carl Erickson, was the first baby blessed in the chapel. John Luthi's funeral was held in the
unfinished chapel. Carl was at the chapel ever day and saw it completed. Carl was Superintendent
of the Sunday School twice in the Freedom ward and served for 8 yrs. He was 1st counselor to
bishop D.J. Clark, a stake missionary, and 2nd counselor to George Burton over the seventies
Quorum. This calling was made at a conference at which Carl was not in attendance. He was
Justice of the Peace and also a Constable. Carl also supported the REA and inspected poles for the
electric lines.
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When he was Constable he had an experience with a bootlegger on McCoy Creek. He had
men watching the bootlegger and one night they called and told him to come as they were sure to
catch the bootlegger. Carl rode a horse to their camp and had to cross the river which was high and
treacherous. He had to swim to shore, but he was not alarmed as his patriarchal blessing told him he
could live as long as he desired. The bootlegger was arrested and Carl told him that if he would give
up his still, sugar and all the other equipment to the authorities he would recommend leniency. This
the man did and received a light sentence.
He bought a home in the town of Freedom. He loved to fish, hunt and camp. The week
before he died he had gone over his fishing gear in preparation for the opening of fishing season
May 1st. Carl Gustaf E. Erickson died Wednesday, 22 Apr., 1953, of a heart attack.
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pictures
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ELWORTH ERICKSON AND FAYONE COATES
Elworth was born in Afton, Wy. to Verba Keeler and Newel Wm. Erickson. He lived in
Freedom his early and teen years. He liked sports and horse back riding. Most of all he liked being
with his Grandpa Keeler on his trap line, fishing and going to government trapper rendezvous.
These were the happiest times in his growing up years.
In 1958 he married his high school sweetheart Fayone Coates. They moved to Rexburg
where Elworth attended college and in 1959 they moved back to Freedom. They lived in the old
LVPL building which was also the 1st bank in Star Valley. The vault served very well as a closet
and linen cabinet as well as a food cellar because the temperature was always the same, "very cool".
We enjoyed electricity but no indoor plumbing or running water. There were two rooms, one very
large with a 12 foot ceiling and one very small which we used as a kitchen. We had a borrowed
refrigerator, a little wood cook stove, a cute little cabinet, a wash stand and a borrowed table and
chairs. We did laundry and bathed either at my moms or Grandma Keelers for the first 2 years. We
then got a Maytag washer with twin rinse tubs and we hauled and heated our water after that. When
they got a Laundromat in Afton we washed there in winter. This was home for over 4 years. Our
1st three children, Terri, Todd, and Sherie were born while we lived there.
Elworth worked for the forest service and at the Grays River Sawmill during the summers.
When winter came he set out trap lines up Tin Cup. He would start at south fork, snow shoe across
to Deer creek and then walk home. Sometimes in the Spring the snow would get too soft during the
day and he would have to wait until the sun went down for the snow to crust up again before he
could come home. Our 1st two children were paid for (doctor and hospital) with money he got from
selling beaver pelts. We use to tell Todd we should have named him "Little Beaver" and Terri
"Little Beaverly".
In October 1961 the National Guard was activated for the Berlin Crises and from Oct. to the
following Aug. we lived in Tacoma, Washington. We then moved back to our old home in Freedom
and Sherie was born Oct. 1962. In May we moved to Carlin, Nevada where Elworth had a
government trapping job. He never liked Nevada as it was all desert, no place to fish and no
grandpa to talk to. Five months later we moved back to Freedom, this time north past the Jacknife
Creek road to the Brent Robinson ranch. We loved it here you could always hear frogs in the
summer and geese in the fall. Best of all we had indoor plumbing and a bedroom for everyone. We
didn't live in the "middle" of town any more, I never was a "city" girl. While we lived there Elworth
worked construction. He set grade on the Tin Cup road and one summer worked 12 hours a day,
seven days a week on the gravel crusher at the pit in Freedom.
In 1965 we moved to Etna where we bought our 1st real home of our own and we lived there
still.
El Donna was born in April 1971.
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NEWEL WILLIAM AND VERBA KEELER ERICKSON
Newel was born Nov. 6, 1912. Some say this date was wrong, that it was 1911 and Newel grew
up thinking this was the right date and there weren't any records to prove him wrong.
He was born at the family home on the Erickson ranch and was the tenth child in a family of
thirteen. His parents were Elizabeth Annie Bright and Carl Gustaf Erickson. He had eight sisters and
four brothers. His mother died when he was six years old, leaving one sister and two brothers younger
than him.
Life was hard. Each one of the family had to work hard to survive. Newel's first job was
sweeping out the school house and making a fire. The school house was on the Erickson ranch, so the
children were able to walk to school each morning. Newel went to the eighth grade. The Glenn school,
as it was called, was on the ground now owned by Charlie Bateman. Dances and church were held
there every week.
Verba was born Mar. 12, 1919 at Afton. I remember mother telling me that Dad had hoped so
much for a boy. Dad was in the Army at the time and got home only a short while before I was born. I
was the first child of Mary Leola Heap and Roy H. Keeler. We were a family of five girls: Myself,
Audra, Laura and Lorna (twins) and another daughter, Zoma, lived only a short while.
My first home, owned by Humpherys, was in Etna. Mother and Dad then bought a house built
by John Nelson and moved it up on the hill where Eugene Heap lives now. They stayed there one winter
and then had it moved up into the trees, across the street where part of it still stands. This land was a
school section and they rented it, farmed and milked cows for quite a number of years.
The year the twins were born, Dad bought a lot and log house in Freedom from Carl Robinson.
He had a job as a government trapper and didn't want to leave mother and baby twins alone so much
while he was away. This also was my first year of school. The Freedom school house was either being
built or built on. I don't remember, but we first graders were shifted all about town. We went to school
in the Hardware, the Church and basement of the Freedom Dance Hall finally we finished up the 1st
grade in a house on the corner of the Rex and Fern Weber Lane. Leda Jenkins Robinson and I walked
up there every day. The 2nd grade was much nicer as we now had a school to go to.
After grade school, I was lucky because a bus had now started to take the lower valley kids to
high school in Afton. We had moved back to the dry farm and I walked down to the highway at Ivan
Warren's house to meet the bus. I will always remember how cold it was, especially when I missed the
bus and had to walk back home again. After I froze my feet, Dad decided I could stay the rest of the
winter with my grandma Heap. I loved her so much and the best times of my life was being with her.
When I was seventeen, I met Newel Erickson. Before that I had come to really dislike him as it
seemed he sang at every program. He had a great voice and was clapped back for a second song, but I
decided he was on the program too often. Alden Brower sang with him and they were good. I did not
like to hear that he was a super good dancer, which really went over in those days. Of course, I changed
my mind after he ask me to go to the prom. We dated a year and one half and were married in Idaho
Falls, June 23, 1937. We moved down to the Erickson ranch where we both lived the rest of lives.
Paying for the ranch was hard as we had to pay half of everything we made from the milk check.
We had a car and a few pieces of furniture that we were paying for on the installment plan. We were
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about to lose our car when Newel got a job as a carpenter, at 40 cents an hour. Working six days a week
he could make $17.00 a week. We were so glad that we could keep our car that we had paid $900.00
(new) for.
When the Palisades Dam started, Newel got a job, as a cement foreman, and worked for the
entire time it took to build it.
He also worked on building roads and later, building homes in Alpine. He developed a heart condition
in the 60's and on November 26. 1974, Newel had a heart attack while feeding his cattle.
Newel and I had a good marriage and we worked hard, keeping out of debt. We went to all the
dances and were over thirty years in a young couples club. We had a great time in a square dance club.
I was invited to join the Afton's garden club and this was fun also.
All of our five boys were in sports and made up proud. One daughter, Lisa, has also brought us
pride and joy with her many talents and the kind things she does.
We were married in the Temple July 13, 1948.
OUR FAMILY
Elworth E.
Ronnie Kay
Val Dee
Kel B.
Alan Lance
Lisa Kimet
Apr. 29, 1939
Dec. 24, 1944
Aug. 6, 1949
Mar. 30, 1953
Aug. 4, 1954
Jul. 18, 1958
Fayone Coates Etna, WY
Anna Dana
Thayne, WY
Peggy Brown Fairview,WY
Betty Neild
Soda Springs,ID
Lorna Wells Twin Falls, ID
Vance Walker Mountain View,
22 Grandchildren and 16 Great Grandchildren as of 1995.
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A TRIBUTE TO MY GRANDMA VERBA ERICKSON
There is a special lady,
And we think she's pretty neat.
She's always dressed to perfection,
So pretty and smelling so sweet.
Grandma is very intelligent
She's always loved to read.
She's got files of cute poems & stories
She shares with the rest of her seed.
She has a love for beautiful things
Her home is full of nic-knack pleasures,
Antiques, glass figurines, paintings, wood carvings,
And many of Lisa's artistic treasures.
Grandma's yard was so pretty in summer,
All her flowers were just awesome.
Many long hours she spent there,
So breath-taking when the buds were in blossom.
Her home is like a greenery,
With all kinds of house plants there.
Many different colors, kinds, and sizes,
She takes such pains-taking care.
She's raised quite a family,
Five boys and just one girl.
Twenty three grandchildren, ten great grandchildren,
Sometimes she's in a whirl.
Especially at Christmas time,
When at Grandma's home we all meet,
She works so hard getting things ready,
Making sure everyone has a special treat.
She keeps herself busy making quilts for her grandkids,
A gradation gift to be.
And her laced trimmed satin pillow cases
Are so cherished, a work of beauty to all who see.
To our beautiful, dear Grandma Erickson,
Your posterity has become quite a crowd.
Happy Birthday next week! We sure love you!!
You make us very proud!
Sherie Warren 1990
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WILDA JESSOP JENKINS GUSTAVESON
My father's first wife had three sons (1 died of diphtheria at just under 4 years) and 2 daughters,
the youngest of which died at birth. His wife died about a week later leaving one daughter and two sons.
My father later remarried and they had nine more children, I was the eighth. My mother is Annis Jessop
Jenkins and my Dad is John Franklin Jenkins.
I was born in our two story home, which has since burned down. I was baptized in the Salt
River by the bridge in Freedom. There were a few of us baptized on the same day. I remember my
father, he was a hard worker. He worked out in the field and with the animals all the time. I remember
when Dad would come in the house, if there were any grandchildren around, he would bounce them on
his knee and then drop his false teeth. They all liked this. Mom was a midwife and helped a lot of sick
people. She was a very good mother. I remember her coming home from one person's home who had
scarlet fever. She came sneaking in, thinking she would get home before any of us were up, change her
clothes that she felt were contaminated, and there I was waiting for her. I went to give her a hug, I put
my head right on her chest but I never got the fever.
I remember when Lyle was little and he was sitting in the doorway of the kitchen, it was
lightning and thundering like mad. We had some dishes on the old cook stove which I had to put away,
when all of a sudden, (and this is the honest gospel truth) a big bolt of lightning, a fire ball, came
through the door over Lyle's head to the stove where I was picking up the dishes, then it just turned and
went right back out the way it came in. I didn't see it hit anything and I don't know what made it go
back.
It was the scariest thing.
I remember going to the farm, where Dean now lives, about every night to milk the cows, stay
over night, milk the cows the next morning and go home. In the house where we stayed there was no
running water. We would have to ride the hayrack and team to and from the farm.
I left Freedom when I was 18 years old. I went to Idaho Falls to work and later moved to Salt
Lake City where I met my husband, Derald Gustaveson. In 1968 we adopted a beautiful baby girl. We
named her Wendie, when she was 18 she went into modeling school and changed her name to
Alexandra Blantyre. I still live in Kearns with my husband at this time. (1995)
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BYRON FRANK AND RUTH ANDERSON HADERLIE
Byron was born to Luther Herman and Johanna Lindholm December 13, 1917 in Afton
Wyoming. Vera, Byron, Austin, Lila, Carol and Kermit were the brothers and sisters in Byron’s
family.
When Byron was four years old Austin nearly three, the family moved to the ranch that now
belongs to Roy and Leda Robinson. The house was a log home with three rooms. Austin and Byron
were great friends. Austin stepped on a rusty nail and later died of blood poisoning at the age of
twelve. This was a traumatic experience for a young boy. Byron mourned the loss of his
friend/brother for many years.
There was always a lot to do and the children learned to milk cows by hand at a very early
age because there were no milking machines. Everyone had chores to do. From chopping kindling
and starting fires to milking night and morning their share of the cows.
Byron attended schools in Freedom and Afton. In his younger days he met an Indian boy,
who came to their house to see Byron and eat with them. One day he asked Byron to come to their
home and have dinner. The meal was very good and when the boys went out to play, Byron noticed
skunk skins on the fence and asked his friend about it and he told him that the skunk was what they
had eaten for dinner.
Byron helped his mother in the house and learned many useful skills. He so capable and
dependable while working on the family farm with his father.
The following story was written by Conn Haderlie, Byron’ s cousin:
“ The summer I was sixteen years old was one to be long remembered. My father, John
Haderlie, hired my twelve-year-old cousin, Byron Haderlie, to help us one day to run one haymowing machine while I was running another in the same field. These were horse drawn mowers
and the flies were a great nuisance to the horses in the summer time. Very often, we had to stop and
raise the cutter bar up on the first notch and clean the gopher dirt out of the underside of the cutter
bar so we could mow. We were always cautioned to put the machine out of gear while doing this
but this time, Byron forgot and the horses got excited because of the flies and started to run. Byron
got caught by the guards and was literally butcher by the fast moving knife as it ran with him lying
on the cutter bar. I stopped put my machine out of gear put my horses on a run and took after him.
By the time we got his team of horses stopped he was a terrible sight. His clothes had been cut into
shreds and also his arms, legs, and thighs. My father, who had been raking hay in an adjoining field,
saw what was going on and put his rake in the up position, put the horses on the run and came over
to where we were. He told me to take Byron on the rake up to the house and have mother bandage
and take him to the Doctor while he took care of the teams and mowers. Byron was bleeding
heavily and suffering greatly and almost going into shock. Mother applied tourniquets and bandages
and then she and I, with me driving our Model A Ford, drove to Afton as fast as possible. The
Doctor was two hours and forty-five minutes taking care of him on the operating table. We watched
the Doctor and nurse while they cleaned all the cuts, covering them with antibiotics, applied clamps
and put in stitches sticking out. His arms and legs looked like a jigsaw puzzle after they healed. I
prayed so much and often that his body would mend and heal and that he could be normal as
possible again, and my prayers were answered.”
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Byron served a mission to the Northwest States Mission. After returning home he married
Ruth Anderson in the Salt Lake Temple on September 18,1940. Ruth was born in Samarai, Idaho to
Peter Hutton and Sophia Morse Anderson April 28, 1918. He attended school at Utah Agricultural
College in Logan and received a BS Degree in Agronomy in1943. Byron worked for Utah-Idaho
Sugar Company in West Jordan, Utah after graduation and from there moved to Spanish Fork, Utah.
During this time the last of their five children; Annette (Luthi), Joan (Romwell), Roger, Susan
(Collins), And Kirk. He worked as a Fieldname and Agricultural Superintendent in Utah and Idaho
for Fifteen years.
While living in Spanish Fork, Bighorn’s father became ill and his mother phoned and asked
him to come home and plant the crops. His father didn’t get well so Byron took a leave of absence
from the company in Utah and because of his father’s ill health, decided to purchase the farm. Our
family moved from Utah to the little white house, across the road from the farm, where Lynn and
Carol Welch lived (Angel home). We traded homes with his parents (L.H and Joan) later on, so that
Byron could be closer to his work.
The old milking barn was condemned and Byron knew he had to milk cows to make a living
for his family. He was one on the first farmers in the valley to build a modern, raised, milking parlor
with a pipeline and milk tank. He milked over one hundred head of cows and was always thinking
up better ways for better milk production and used the latest technology that was available. His
university training helped him to understand and apply the newest methods of farming.
The mud in the cow holding area was so deep in wet weather that Byron knew he had to get
the cows up out of the mud. He cemented the whole corral area the hard way a wheelbarrow full at a
time, in a little cement mixer. Byron was a very positive and progressive thinker. Discouragement
was not a word in his vocabulary.
Byron had designed hay shed for his Dad and they spent every weekend on it. He purchased
one of the first hay balers in the Lower Valley. He also built a silage bunker and was able to grow
good crops of field peas and alfalfa to make the silage. The cows loved the feed; therefore they
produced more milk. The teenagers of the Freedom ward held a dance in the newly finished bunker.
Byron worked hard on the farm but always-found time for church callings. This was
important in his life. He was in the Bishopric with Bishop D’Orr Child. He was also the Star Valley
Stake Young Men’s President and initiated the New Years Eve dance with movies, food and other
entertainment to allow the young people to be in one place. At that time, the Saturday night dances
during the summer were started, and held at a different ward each week.
One of Ruth’s fondest memories of living in Freedom was the dance program she started for
young boys and girls which continued for several years. Dance reveiws were held in the old hall
with a large crowd attending. Her students were from Freedom, Etna and Thayne. Ruth was always
active in the LDS Chruch and held calling in the Relief Society, and in Young Women’s MIA.
Byron’s two year leave of absence from the U & I Sugar Company became nine years. In
1960 we moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho where Byron worked again for U & I Sugar Company for a
short period of time.
Byron accepted a Poisson to work for a private company based in Sacramento, California as
an International Agricultural Consultant involved in planning, designing, implanting, training and
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evaluating food production programs in Third World developing countries. The United Nations,
World Bank, UAID, and host county governments, United States and host country private enterprise
have financed many of these projects. HE worked four years in New York where he was the
Director of Agriculture and Rural Development for the Tippets, Abbetts, McCarthy and Stratton
(TAMS) Company an international consultation firm. Byron and Ruth worked and traveled to
Austria, Bulgaria, Brazil, China, Guinea (West Africa), Holland, Hungary, India, Iran, Israel,
Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Mexico, Poland, Senegal, Switzerland, and Yugoslavia. Byron traveled
on consulting mission to many of the above mentioned countries and to the Azore Islands,
Dominican Republic, Eygpt, Liberia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Portugal, Saudia Arabia and Sri Lanka.
Byron passed away while living in Sacramento, California on the 19th of May 1994. Ruth
has since relocated to Logan, Utah to be near family and friends.
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CHARLES HENRY HADERLIE
This is Joseph Haderlie’s father.
Charles Henry Haderlie, son of John Ulrich Haderlie and Anna Zollinger, was born March
29, 1895 in Ober Urdorf, Canton Zurich, Switzerland. At the age of seven years, I immigrated with
my parents to America. We left Switzerland about May 1st 1866, crossed the Atlantic ocean on a
sailing vessel. While on board the ship my mother gave birth to a baby girl named Emily. After a
long sea voyage, we arrived in New York City and immediately took a train for the west. Going
through the state of Iowa an axle broke on the car we were riding in and tipped us over. The car was
a box car and contained quite a few emigrants, but we suffered no serious injuries. Proceeding
westward, we arrived at the Missouri River, Winter Quarters or Florence, Nebraska about the latter
part of June 1866. Upon our arrival, we were surprised to see my Uncle Jacob Zollinger who had
come from Utah, having been called by the church authorities to go as a teamster. After resting for
a few weeks in camp and waiting for the organization of the company-going west and give the mules
a chance to rest up a little for the trip, we started on our journey. We were fortunate in being
assigned to Thomas Rick’s Company. In my Uncles wagon were father, mother, sister Louise,
Emily, the baby, and myself of our family. We also had another family in his wagon, consisting of
two aged people, two sisters, and brother. With my uncle as driver there were eleven persons in our
wagon. With four head of mules we left for the overland journey July 15, 1866. Everything went
well without serious mishaps except while crossing the Platte River in Nebraska one of the mules
laid down in the water which was over three feet deep and it took considerable time to get him on his
feet again. Proceeding on our trip, my little sister Emily took seriously ill of fever and ague and died
somewhere in the neighborhood of Evanston, Wyoming. A little casket was made out of a mess box
of a wagon and she was laid away in a lonely grave. We arrived in Salt Lake City September 16,
1866. We remained a few days then proceeded on to Providence, Utah where my grandfather and
grandmother and their children resided. This ended our long journey by covered wagon over the one
thousand mile trip from the Missouri River.
On August 31st 1867, a sister was born and later died on September 4, 1871. From the late
sixties up to the 1875 there were some trying times, Indian troubles, grasshoppers, and cricket
plaques. During my boyhood days, I had to help my mother with the crops in the lots and fields, and
help glean wheat heads for our flour. When I was sixteen years of age, I broke my right leg between
the knee and the foot and was laided up for six weeks. A few years later I had the same leg smashed.
In October 1879, I went with a contracting company to Snake River Valley (also know as
Poplar) to help build the first canal out of the South Fork of Snake River.
In June 1881, I was united to Annie Barbara Schiess. We were married by Joseph F. Smith in
the old Endowment house, Salt Lake City, Utah.
To this union was born 13 children: Henry Walter, February 6, 1882; Lillie Barbara May 16,
1889; Annie Evelyn September 4, 1890; Ida May 9, 1892; Lula Irene, November 27, 1893; Edward
Winifield March 10 1896; Wilford Leroy November 22, 1897; Gilbert Schiess January 10,1907.
In 1884, I was ordained a seventy by Abram H. Cannon.
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On the 15th day of April 1884, I was united in marriage to Bertha Schiess, daughter of John
Schiess and Barbara Kursteiner Schiess; and the sister of my other wife. This marriage took place in
the Logan Temple, Logan, Utah.
To this marriage were born thirteen children: Fredrick William, July 14,1886; Charles
Marion, June12,1890; Oliver M. August 15,1899; Roy, June 24,1901; Ernest L. September 15,1902;
Mabel Artella, December 25,1903; Ina Bertha April 10,1905; Leo L. October 14,1906; Della R. June
13,1908; Blanch I. December 31,1909, and Wania Florence February 12,1913.
I am the father of twenty-six children and twenty-three of them are still living(1912).
In October 1885 I received a call to go on a mission to Europe and on October 11th I took a
train for Salt Lake City.
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CONN HADERLIE and ELMINA JENKINS HADERLIE
I was born of goodly parents, William Evan Jenkins and Lena Weber. I imagine my parents
were disappointed when I was born because I was the 5th girl in the family and they only had one
boy, they made me welcome.
I was born in Freedom, Wyoming in the house my folks had built on the 40 acres of land just
a ½ mile east of the town of Freedom.
I spent a real happy childhood in Freedom and with my brother and sisters and many cousins
who lived close by. I had one younger sister born just two years after I so we were real close and
played together much.
Because of living on a farm and because there was only one boy in our family the girls had to
learn how and help with the farm work. I learned to milk cows when I was 9 years old and never
quit until I went away to school. The most cows I ever milked at one time was 21.
I was interested in music from the time I was young; I guess because my older sisters played
such pretty music. When I was 10 years old a lady by the name of Ressa Chadwick moved to our
town and my parents told me I could start taking lessons which made me very happy. When I got so
I could play I was made the Sunday School Organist, then Ward Organist and played on the old
Reed Organ which our ward owned. I enjoyed my work in the church very much. His father told
him if he would get some of his friends together to form an orchestra he would buy the music for
them, so Conn asked me to play the piano for them and he asked my brother, Evan, and three of my
cousins, Royal, Wendell, and Howard Jenkins, if they would play with us, so we formed a little
orchestra and played for dances in several of the towns in the Valley. Conn and I started to date and
went together for about two years, he went on a mission to the Eastern States and I went to Logan to
go to college. When he came home and we met on the tabernacle block in Salt Lake. We became
engaged in August of 1935 and were married August 12, 1936 in the Salt Lake Temple.
Conn was Ward Clerk of the Freedom Ward about two months after we were married and I
became the Relief Society Organist. Enjoyed Relief Society and have worked in it ever since. I was
Secretary for a while when Aunt Hazel Weber was President, during the Relief Society Centennial
Year, 1942, and I remember we really had a big birthday party. I was also Social Relations teacher
for 2 years but the rest of the time has been either as chorister or organist.
Besides being Ward Clerk, Conn was also a Sunday School teacher, teacher of the Special
Interest class in Mutual, the Elder’s Quorum Presidency, and then the Stake President asked him to
be a Stake Missionary. He told him if he would accept that job he would be released from all of his
other positions, but he never was, so he completed 2 years as a Stake missionary while trying to keep
up with all of his other positions. Many a night he would have to go out and do his milking after 9
or 10 o’clock at night because I was unable to do it for him, although I helped him whenever I could.
Besides the above mentioned church positions he has taught the M-Men-Gleaner class in Mutual,
was on the Sunday School Stake board, was Secretary of the 179 Quorum of Seventy, was Secretary
for Lincoln County Farm Bureau Marketing Association.
I have been chorister and organist in every organization in the church at one time or another.
While I was ward chorister in Freedom, we put on several Easter Cantatas which were very
beautiful. The one I like the best was called “Victorious King”. Laura Draney and Lorraine Barber
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were two of the soloists and they really had beautiful voices. I worked with Laura Draney in
musical capacities very much and loved her. She was so capable. I remember one time our choir
furnished music for Stake Conference and she played and I led, and we sang, “The King of Glory”
and “Invocation” two beautiful songs. I also worked with Ressa Chadwick in the music and we got
along real well too.
When Janis, our oldest daughter was in the 1st grade, she had a teacher by the name Virgil
Molen who was real good singer. While Miss Molen was in Freedom she, along with a few other
ladies, decided to start a ladies chorus and they asked me to play for them. That was the beginning
of a ladies chorus which lasted for me until we moved to Logan, 10 years later, and they kept going
even after we moved. We met once a week at one of the ladies homes and we met even in the worst
winter weather. We had about 15 to 24 ladies. We put on many programs in the ward and sand for
funerals and many other things. We enjoyed our associations together and I surely missed that when
we moved away.
After graduating from High School I stayed home for the next year and helped my folks on
the farm. Norma, my sister was in the Mission Field, and Evan, my brother, was away to school so
they needed my help and I don’t think they could afford to send me. I enjoyed my time at home.
The M.I.A. put on two three-act plays that winter and I was in both of them so I really enjoyed that.
The next fall, in 1933 I went to Logan to go to school along with my brother Evan. We lived with
Aunt Bracken and I got so homesick I thought I was going to die. We didn’t get home until
Christmas time and after Christmas we stayed there until spring, but after the first year it wasn’t so
bad. I had three years of college before I married.
Conn and I started our married life in Uncle Fred Weber’s old home. We had 80 acres of
land and some cows and chickens and a few pigs. We lived on this place for nearly 14 years. While
we were there Conn bought a caterpillar tractor and broke up a lot of sage brush land for my folks
and also leased a part of a school section and plowed up a lot of sage brush on that too. He also
bought on of the first combines in Freedom.
Our first little girl was born in June 1937. That was a great experience to have a little baby
in our home. We had two more little girls in 1941 and 1942. We named our first girl Janis and the
next one Vivian and the next one Vicky. When Janis was 5 years old I started teaching her how to
play the piano. She picked it up very quickly. We started the other girls out about the same age on
the piano and they all seemed to have a lot of talent for it. Janis took lessons from a lady in Afton
for a while then she recommended that she go to Logan and study with Irving Wasserman, a Polish
pianist so that is when we started thinking about moving to Logan, but we didn’t make the move
until September of 1949. By this time we had two little boys, Lloys and Max. We moved to Logan
and lived for the winter then back to Freedom for the summer. We stayed there for a year and a half
and we had another son born there in July 1951 whom we named Brian. And in March 1957 another
son was born whom we named Elwin Scott.
Children: 8
Janis Vivian Vickey Lloyd Max Brian 150
Derrel L. Seggard
Asael Wayne Blanchard
Dewey Floyd Furness
Sharyl Jensen
Patricia Grace Olson
Gaylene M. Brenchley
Stanford J. - Lived 1 day - died.
Elwin Scott - Nadene Tillett
151
DANNIE K & TRUDY ANN HEMMERT HADERLIE
Dannie K Haderlie was born April 12, 1956 to Earl and Lorna Haderlie of Freedom in the Star
Valley Hospital located in Afton, WY. He was their 5th child. He graduated from Star Valley High
School in 1974 and went on a mission to Helsinki Finland in April 1975. His wife, Trudy Ann
Hemmert, was born November 5, 1956 to Ralph and Vera Hemmert of Grover, in the Star Valley
Hospital. She graduated from Star Valley High School in 1975 and went on to graduate from Ricks
College with a Secretarial Degree in 1977.
The family of Dan and Trudy started with their marriage on July 8, 1977 in the Idaho Falls
Temple. After a brief stay in Grover, Afton and Rock Springs, they moved to Freedom in August 1979.
They first lived in a Trailer house by the home of Veldon Izatt, then moved to a new home in their
present location, about 2 blocks south of the LDS Freedom church. In July of 1982, Dannie and Trudy
started their own Electrical Contracting business with a shop located in the old Lower Valley Power and
Light building located in Freedom. Later Dan expanded to include Plumbing Contracting.
In 1992, Dan went into a partnership to purchase a hunting camp located at East Table Creek on
Snake River which he later sold to his partner.
To Dan and Trudy were born three daughters, Azure Dee (August 23, 1978) Tapria (May 26,
1980) Julianna (July 2, 1983). They were followed by the birth of three sons, Forrest Daniel, (August 2,
1987) Ian Blaine (May 24, 1990) and Logan Daryl (August 10, 1992).
Azure graduated from Star Valley High School in 1996 and attended Brigham Young University
for two semesters, transferred to LDS Business College and graduated from there with an Associates
Degree in Accounting in 1999. On August 19, 1999 Azure married John Dee Howe in the Mount
Timpanogos Temple and they reside in West Valley City, Utah.
Tapria graduated from Star Valley High School in 1998. She attended LDS Business College
and graduated from there with a Certificate of Accounting in 2000. On 7 September 2001 Tapria
married Richard Dennis Birch in the Idaho Falls Temple. They have two children, Anisha and Alan and
reside in Teton, Idaho.
Julianna graduated from Star Valley High School in 2002. She left to attend LDS Business
College in the fall of 2005.
As of 2005, all three sons were still living at home in Freedom.
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DARREL LEROY & MARSHA ELIZABETH ROBERTS HADERLIE
Darrel was born in Afton, WY to Earl C. & Lorna Keeler Haderlie, July 6, 1944. He was the
second child of seven and the first son. He was nicknamed Bus, by his father and still goes by it to day.
He spent his early teens in Freedom and attended schools there and in Etna. Jr. High and High school
were in Afton. He met his future bride, and they dated in high school.
He married his high school sweetheart, Marsha Elizabeth Roberts, July 23, 1963, in Salt Lake
City, UT. She is the oldest daughter of Lloyd and Rhea Brown Roberts. She has two sisters and three
brothers.
Marsha and Darrel were blessed with four children: Rhea LaNiece, Roydell Lloyd, Farren Earl
and Lorna Crystal. Their marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple, Dec. 13, 1984, with all four
children being sealed to them.
During Darrel's growing up years he was a hard worker. He had a great love and respect for his
family, was always willing and dependable, and had a sincere love for animals. He spent a lot of
enjoyable time fishing, horseback riding, hunting with his grandfather and spent loving hours with his
grandmother Keeler. He learned the skill of trapping from his grandfather Keeler, as did many of the
cousins, and they in turn taught their own sons.
Darrel worked for farmers in Freedom during the haying season, the Etna lumber mill, Forest
Service, Robert's Market, where he learned to butcher and Olympic Sales, spraying cabinets. He also
worked with his Dad and brother Dennis, contracting fencing jobs with Jay Walton and trapping on the
side, when he could. We were able to travel all over the state of Wyoming during this time and our two
oldest, LaNiece and Roydell were young and were both born in Afton.
In 1970, Darrel was offered a job in Rawlins, WY, trapping for sheep men in that area. We
worked for the Buzzard and Stone ranches for two years. He then worked for Arch Mineral Coal Mine
in Rawlins for two years, and during this time, Farren and Crystal were born.
In 1974 we had the chance to move back to Freedom and buy his grandfather and grandmother
Haderlie's home, who both had passed away. We were excited about coming back home.
We have spent our lives in Star Valley except for five years, four in Rawlins and one in Salt
Lake City where Marsha attended LDS Business Collage. She worked for the Tracy Collins Bank as
she finished her schooling.
Darrel started working for Dravo Construction Co. in Soda Springs, ID in June of 1974, and is
still working there as a heavy equipment operator.
Darrel and Marsha's posterity are as follows: LaNiece - Married Lynn Call and they have three
boys, Jason 5, Tyson 4, and Cody 2. Roydell - Married Dezerene Hegsted. Farren - Married Tara
Gardner and they have two children, a girl, Taylor and a son, Trace Darrell. Crystal lives at home and is
working and waiting for a missionary.
Roydell served a mission to the Baton Rouge, Louisiana Mission and Farren served his mission
in the Texas San Antonio Mission. We have been greatly blessed.
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DARREN KEELER & JEROLYN LANCASTER HADERLIE
The Darren Haderlie family began on May 29, 1980, when Darren and Jerolyn were united in
marriage.
The first few months of our married life were spent in a small trailer that was parked at
Whitelocks, on the Blackfoot Reservoir, in Henry, ID. With the thoughts of winter coming on, we
longed to come back to Star Valley.
In October of 1980, we bought a 14 x 70 trailer from Donnie Sanderson. It was located just
north of Max & Maxine Sanderson's house. It allowed us a lot more room and was in a neat
neighborhood. While living there, our first child was born on April 11, 1981, Jeramy Darren came into
our lives. He was a real good baby and gave us both a new outlook on life.
In the summer of 1982, we sold our trailer and it was moved. We purchased the Mabel Hill
home in Etna. It was a small brown house, located across from the parking lot of the Etna church. We
hadn't been there very long when we got another addition to our family. Colter Jess was born on
February 6, 1983. He was a healthy baby boy and a terrific playmate for Jeramy. What one of them
didn't think up, the other one did. They kept us on our toes, but it was a happy time in our lives.
In the fall of 1988, Darren's Dad passed away. At that time I was expecting our third child and
January 26, 1989, we were blessed with a beautiful baby girl, Savannah Lyn. She has been the apple of
her Dad's eye since the day she was born. The people in Etna use to say, he carried her around like a
trophy, and he did. He now had two boys for his pride, and a girl for his heart.
While serving a mission at the Family History Center in Salt Lake City, Lorna decided she
wanted to sell her home. Darren really wanted to buy his folks place. We had a cute, comfortable home
and many special friends in Etna and it was hard to leave. As time went on, we knew that is what we
were supposed to do.
Darren has fond memories of growing up in Freedom and he wanted the same life style for his
sons.
You know what they say, "once a Freedom boy, always a Freedom boy." Yes, I learned the hard
way. You can take the boy out of Freedom, but you can't take Freedom out of the boy. Needless to say,
we did buy the family home in August of 1991.
As all good stories have a happy ending ours does too. We are living happily ever after with our
three children, Jeramy (15), Colter (13) and Savannah (6) here in Freedom, where the pure breezes blow
and the clear streamlets flow.
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DENNIS K. and PAMELA GREENFIELD HADERLIE
Dennis K. Haderlie was born August 2, 1948 at Afton, Wyoming to Earl C. Haderlie and
Lorna Keeler Haderlie.
He was the 3rd child and 2nd son having an older sister and brother. Erlean and Darrel.
Younger sister Chandra and three younger brothers. Dannie, Darren and Dallie. Dennis was a special
brother. Kind and caring to his brothers and sisters. He spent his childhood in Freedom. Enjoying
Grandparents, family, other relatives and many friends.
He spent his elementary schooling at Metcalf until they divided the large class sending half
to Holdaway. Where he finished.
While young, he spent a lot of time with his grandfather Roy Keeler. He took him very
young and when he tired he would carry him on his shoulders. They spent many special times
together hunting, fishing and trapping.
Going to Star Valley High, he enjoyed his younger years. He liked school and his teachers.
He played in the Star Valley High school band and a pep band, and played a guitar as a member of a
home town orchestra called the "Legends". They sang and played for all the teen age dances valley
wide. Members of the orchestra were Randall Draney, ValDee Erickson, Fred Rainey, Wayd
Weber and Dennis. Where ever they played the teenagers came.
He enjoyed playing with a Freedom Basket Ball Y.M.MIA team. An Independent article read
Feb. 11, 1965, Freedom Juniors win Star Valley Stake MIA Championship. Coached by Roy
Robinson. Feb. 10, 1966 The senior explorer Freedom Basketball Team won again, players were
Michael Erickson, Dennis K Haderlie, Colin Jenkins, Fred Rainey, Kent Rainey, Clint Robinson
and Dennis Sanderson.
Dennis worked with his Dad and older brother in logging and fencing over areas of
Wyoming, Wamsutter, Path Finder Reservoir, Casper, Cheyenne, Wheatland, and Shoshoni. They
spent three summers Fencing.
He met, dated, and married Pamela Greenfield. Originally from California then residing in
Alpine. She is the 4th daughter of Charles and Kitty Greenfield. She has four sister and a brother.
They went to work in Rawlins, Wyoming. Where Dennis worked for Arch Mineral Coal
Mine. Coming back to Freedom in 1974. He went to work for Dravo Mine at Soda Springs Idaho,
and is still working there currently.
He bought land from Farrell Jenkins in 1972 and he built a new home and out building there.
They have the following children:
Heidi. Married Dany Mack. They have two daughters, Samantha and Aricka.
Zane. Attending College at this time.
Seth. Just graduated from High School
Written by Lorna K. Haderlie
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EARL C. & LORNA KEELER HADERLIE
Earl was the first child of Wilford LeRoy and Bertha LaFern Erickson Haderlie, born 13 May
1921 at Haderlie Ranch in Freedom, Caribou County, ID. Dr. Ellison delivered Earl and Leora Luthi the
same day. He was delivered by instruments and was badly bruised. As a child, Earl lived in eight places
with his parents and sister Jean who was born 15 July 1927.
He graduated at Freedom Glen School Eighth Grade on his birthday in 1935. He started high
school, but wasn't able to finish. This was the year he started having trouble with his leg and
circumstances at home.
He worked very young and was self-supporting. He had caring aunts and uncles he worked hard
for, and he was ambitious. He was taken in their homes with their families. He was proud of their well
kept ranches. He worked in Idaho for a time and when he returned started dating and then married
Lorna Keeler on his 21st birthday at Hailey, Blaine County, ID. on 13 May 1942.
Lorna was born 8 July 1925 at Freedom, Lincoln County , WY. to Mary Leola Heap and LeRoy
Howard "Roy" Keeler. My twin sister Laura and I were born at the Dry Farm located east of Freedom.
A midwife, Esther Hemmert Heap, helped to bring us into the world. The closest doctor was in Afton
and Dr. West came in a buggy and did not arrive in time. Laura weighed 4 pounds and Lorna
considered premature weighing 3 pounds. Laura and I were "womb" mates--conceived at different
times. Laura was a blue baby and had heat kept by her for three weeks. Mother said she could mold the
shape of my head with her hands at first. I was the fourth of five daughters, Verba L., Zoma died shortly
after birth, Audra and Laura.
The winter we were born, Dad moved his family down in the log house on what later became his
Wyoming lot. There we spent our first winter and the following spring moved back to the Dry Farm.
We attended first grade from Dry Farm traveling in a school bus pulled by horses to the Wyoming
school. Second grade we went down to Idaho School on Tincup corner. Third grade we went back to
Wyoming and were there through the eighth grade.
Dad built a home in Freedom and in the fourth grade we walked down and back to our school
house about four blocks each direction. We would walk home for lunch. We were busy in sports,
primary, school and loved Christmas programs, spring May Festival, 4th and 24th of July parades and
programs. Laura and I took tap dancing where our group danced at the Wray Theater. Laura, Jessie &
Jean and I danced the Holland Dutch clog in white and navy blue satin costumes. Later in years Leah
Crook, Erma Hemmert, Laura and I danced in a set for the 17th of March Program. We danced at a
young age with our parents. These were budget dances. Going into Mutual age. I completed three
years of high school and was married the following summer to Earl.
We lived in the Keeler building for a short time. We moved to a two-room apartment built by
Brogs. Mr. Brog asked Earl to run the Swiss Cheese Creamery in Wayan, Id. we moved later in the fall.
We were there a year and came back to Freedom in the late summer of 1943. We moved into the Keeler
building when Earl moved our furniture back from Wayan by sleigh. We stayed until our home was
completed up around the Freedom Knoll in the late fall of 1950. Earl and his father built our home after
work and on Saturdays. There we raised our seven children: Laura Erlean, Darrel LeRoy, Dennis
Keeler, Chandra Lee, Dannie Keeler, Darren Keeler, Dallie Keeler.
156
Lorna worked periodically while raising our family at the Keeler Mercantile and then went full
time in the cutting room at the Swiss Cheese Factory in Thayne. I later worked in the Sales Room and
Mail Order Packaging Department. When the creamery closed I started working at the Metcalf School
and was there for 12 years 10 months when I retired. While raising my family I was active in all
organizations in the LDS church, as a Relief Society Visiting Teacher and searching out family records
for genealogy.
Earl's passion was hunting deer and elk, and every fall he would work and plan to set up camp
for those weeks he looked forward to all year. Every year camp got bigger and better, and of course his
pride and joy was having his sons and daughters in the mountains with him. He would fuss and carry on
teaching and sharing those experiences with his children and grandchildren. He loved his family, was
proud of his children and took joy and pride in his grandchildren.
Earl was blessed with many skills which helped him acquire employment. He was put in a
foreman position on his jobs shortly after he was hired. One overseer said his type of worker was rare,
at work a half an hour early and never left until the day's allotted work was completed. He did a good
job in all of his work. He helped his sons build or repair their homes and buildings, teaching them as he
worked with them.
Everyone knew where they stood with Earl. He was a man of few words; he said what he felt
and to whom it concerned, his body language was every bit as plain as his words.
In 1975 he had total hip socket replacement surgery and at recovery was free from pain for the
first time in 42 years. But then complications set in and that reverted back. In 1983 he had open heart
surgery and recovered well. He knew pain and discomfort the majority of his life, but was never one to
complain. Earl died of complications after surgery for a stomach aneurysm on 16 August 1988 with his
family close at hand with love and prayers in his behalf. He left behind his wife, five sons, two
daughters, their families and his sister, Jean.
I continued working at the school after Earl's death and retired in July 1990. I then left for 16
months in SLC at the Family History Library to serve on an LDS mission. In April 1991 I returned to
Freedom and moved into a new apartment my sons built for me on the same lot I spent my first winter
with my parents.
by Erlean H. Dickey - Daughter
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EDITH WEBER HADERLIE
My life began in a four room, two story, house in Freedom, Wyo. I was the tenth child of
Walter and Sylvia Clark Weber. There were eleven children in the family. My father led the singing
in church, and when I was a very small child he was going to let me say the words to "Improve the
Shining Moments" at church one Sunday morning I was sick and couldn't attend that Sunday. I
always remembered that as he passed away when I was just seven years old, and I never had the
chance again. Every night after supper I and my sister Betty would go sit on his lap, and if we
weren't put to bed right straight that is where we'd go to sleep I was put to bed as a cross child lots of
times, as I didn't appreciate the fact of having to be disturbed in my sleep to get my night clothes on.
I always considered myself a "tom boy" and loved riding horses and climbing trees, spending
lots of time out of doors. My father passing away when I was so young gave me the opportunity of
working along side my brothers, the oldest being just fifteen, and having all the responsibility. I
thought it was fun to say I milked my first cow at the age of seven. I worked along side of them in
the hay field and milked along side them, having my choice at milking time to go start the milking or
stay in the hay field for a while longer. They always said they didn't have to invest in a milking
machine as long as they had me, and they didn't either until I was a Jr. in high school. I resented
having to milk when I had friends staying with me or perhaps a date waiting for me. Although I
helped outside alot, I always felt it my duty to scrub the floors and do the harder work as my
mother's health wasn't too good.
My mother passed away in the cold, bitter of the winter during the time of the blizzards. I
then took the responsibility of the house, and enjoyed cleaning, cooking and caring for the ones that
were still at home although I was the youngest. I was just sixteen at the time. I was going steady at
the time, but still finished another year in high school before I got married.
I married LaMar in the wintertime, and we lived in part of his sister's house for three months
until we moved to the farm we still occupy, in Thayne. Helping outside gave me the excuse of really
not learning much of anything like making pie and etc., but I made up my mind if others could do it,
I could too. My time for horses and other things changed as we started raising our family and to me
nothing was more important than the welfare of my children.
We have four children: Kelly our oldest son, Marlene, Curtis and Gena.
Our children have brought great joy into our lives by being active in the Church and living
such good lives.
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JOURNAL OF GILBERT SCHIESS HADERLIE
I Gilbert Schiess Haderlie born of goodly parents was the 13th child of Charles Henry
Haderlie and Anna Barbara Schiess commonly known as the Babetta. I was born January 10, 1907.
I was delivered in the home on Tincup known as Freedom Idaho 3 ½ miles west of the IdahoWyoming state line. The midwife that delivered me was Hanna Nelson. Mothers did not go to
hospitals as there was none in the valley. This valley was known as Star Valley, called this because
it was the star of all valleys.
My father was a polygamist having two wives. He was married to my mother in the
Endowment House in Salt Lake City, Utah June 30, 1881. They were married by Joseph F. Smith,
apostle. My mother said if they were going to practice polygamy she wanted my father to marry her
only sister Bertha Schiess, which he did. They were married April 15, 1885 in the Logan Temple.
The children born to my father and mother were; Henry Walter born February 6, 1882, Lillie
Barbara born May 16, 1883, John Joseph born June 16, 1884, David Arnold born November 20,
1885, (these were all born in Providence Utah. In 1889 their first child in Star Valley was born.
Luther Herman born April 6, 1889, Annie Evelyn born September 4, 1890, Ida May born May 9,
1892, Lula Irene born November 27, 1893, Edward Windfield born March 10, 1896 and died May
31, 1898 from whooping cough. Wilford Leroy born November 22, 1897, Austin Lavon born
December 31, 1899 and drowned June 16, 1901 in an irrigation ditch south of our house. Hazel
Laverne born September 15, 1903, and Gilbert Schiess born January 10, 1907. Making seven
brothers and five sisters.
I had rickets when I was a baby and raised on a sugar teat. Being the last child I guess there
wasn’t much milk left. Mothers didn’t raise babies on prepared food like they do now a days. When
I was 23 months old our house burned down Christmas morning December 25, 1908. The folks put
my sister Lavern and I on a mattress in the yard while they tried to get things out of the house. My
Uncle Jacob and Aunt Susan Schiess, neighbors to us, took us in until other arrangements could be
made. Rather sad Christmas but a blessing no one was burned in the fire. We lived in a wood shed
and a sheep camp till another house was built on the same foundation which is rock. The good
people and neighbors helped out with lumber and money. This is the home my wife and I are living
in at the present time (1979).
My father owned a water powered saw mill west of our house on a high spot under the hill.
Water was brought down a ditch out of Tincup. He also had a saw mill three miles north of the town
of Freedom on Carl Erickson’s property. He would take me down with him when I was a little boy.
It was a steam powered saw mill in Thayne, Wyoming about two miles north of Thayne on the west
side of the highway. I use to haul logs to the mill with a team and sleigh from the canyons here by
our ranch.
We would haul saw dust from the mills to cover the ice. We would cut ice down on the
creek that run through our ranch. Sometimes the ice would be 2 ½ feet thick. The ice would be used
to make ice cream and used in ice boxes to keep fresh as we did not have electricity in our homes.
We would store the ice in a bin and cover it with saw dust. We would cut the ice with cross cut
saws, the same saws that we cut timber with. Many people came form town to get ice from our
place. My brother John bought a special ice saw. He and his wife Martha also had an ice box. My
mother put the milk and cream down a hand dug hand cribbed water well by the side of our house.
159
We would put butter, milk, and cream in a little bucket, let it down the well with a little rope. My
wife and I did the same thing when we were first married.
I am not sure whether I was six or seven years old when I commenced grade school. My first
teacher was Miss or Mrs. Smith, then I had a teacher called Mr. Gibbs. When the students did
anything wrong or whisper in school he wouldn’t say anything he would just throw a piece of chalk
and hit you the side of the head. I might say I was guilty at times. I am not sure how many teachers
I had, I but my last teacher was Thelma Gillie Robinson form Beaver, Utah. She taught eight grades
in one room. I graduated and got my diploma from eighth grade May 19, 1922. My sister Lavern
and I with some of my cousins, the Schiess children Uncle Jacobs and Aunt Susans children Dell,
Lloyd, Lonnie, Hazel, and Connie would walk to school from up here on our ranches 2 ½ - 3 miles
one way to the school house on the state line just south of W.P. Robinson’s home now owned by
Conn Haderlie Family. Sometimes Father would let us ride a horse and then in the winter take a
team and sleigh. Many times when we got to school we were about froze. We had a lot of fun
during school noon and recesses. We took our lunch in a gallon syrup bucket. We didn’t have
school buses and hot lunches like they do today. We had a big pot belly wood stove in one end of
the school room and we would huddle around it when we got to school in the winter.
My father had a chain drive truck and one time he went to Idaho Falls with it on the way
home one of the chains broke down near Palisade. He found a ride up home and went back with a
big black team to get it. I went with him the team to pull the truck back. We had to stay over night.
I remember crossing Snake River on a ferry.
My brother Wilford and I went to Tincup to go swimming. We had a deep hole we called the
drop off about seven feet deep. One day we went down on a horse and he dove off a time or two and
one time he got cramps or something he couldn’t swim out. I didn’t know what to do so I got on the
horse and went out where he was and he grabbed the horses tail and we pulled him to the bank. It
took him a long time to come out of it.
I hauled pigs to Soda Springs on a high wheeled wagon. Sold pigs for $1.50 a piece. $18.00
for a 1000 lb steer.
When my grandfather Haderlie died a man named Soll Barber spoke at his funeral and he
said in tribute to him he was an honest man in all his dealings. A legacy I have tried to practice
through out my life.
When I was a boy I drove the team on a wagon that had a hay loader behind it. My brother
gave me a silver dollar for driving the team and when I didn’t turn the corner just right I got a
chewing out. In 1929 the doctor said my mother had cancer of the bowels. The spring of 1930 she
passed away. My father and I batched it, then in June of 1931 Phyliss Jenkins and I were married in
the Salt Lake City Temple. We bought the place I am living on new. My father lived with us 12
years before he passed away November 1942.
We were parents of six children. Evelyn, Vaughn, Juel, Linda, Peggy, and Terry. They are
all married.
My wife’s father said I took all his best help from him. My wife’s brothers all worked for
me on the farm. My wife helped in the field helped milk the cows and raise a family and cared for
my father. In 1936 we bought our first car, a four door sedan, for $180.00.
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In winter of 1935-36 was one of the hardest winters during our married life. This was the
first year Idaho had school bus. When plowing time came in the fall I would put three head of
horses on a riding 14” plow. At noon I would put a fresh team on and while I having my noon hour
my wife would plow.
I helped Ernest Brog build his dairy set up. I also worked for Wayne Baker when he bought
the Robinson ranch. I helped build the gun plant and worked on the addition to the Bedford church.
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JOHN JOSEPH & MARTHA LINDHOLM HADERLIE
Wilma Jenkins, daughter, wrote this from
information told to her by her Dad.
Situated between two ranges of mountains and fed by fresh mountain streams is the fertile little
valley of the now "well known" Star Valley. In the year 1888, the family of Charles Henry and Annie
Barbara Schiess Haderlie moved into the northwest part of the valley called Freedom. C.H. Haderlie
had to leave Utah because the federal officers were hunting him because of his practice of polygamy.
He had worked at Caribou at the gold mine for some time and came down from there to find a place for
his family. In 1888, the C.H. and Annie Barbara Haderlie family consisted of, father, mother and four
children. The third child John Joseph is the one whose story we shall attempt to record.
At the time the family came into the valley, little John was four years old and a rather frail
looking child. John was born in Providence, Cache, Utah on 16 Jun., 1884. He was baptised 2 July,
1896 by Charles Crouch at Freedom.
In 1895, C.H. Haderlie bought and began to operate a water power sawmill. John was about 11
years old at that time and he became a constant hand in the operation. While working in the mill he was
carrying lumber when one end of the load was dropped on John's arm, badly injuring him. This injury
caused him pain throughout the years. He had accidents at different times involving his fingers while
working in the mill. It is little wonder that he grew up wanting things to do besides mill work. He was
against getting a big steam boiler in the valley for another proposed mill. However, it became his
assignment to take a wagon and team to go to Montpelier, Idaho about 75 miles distance, for a steam
boiler. The people at the loading station and those who had gone with John to help, insisted on loading
the boiler in an upright position on the sleigh. This was against his better judgement, but being outvoted
he went along with their idea. On the way home, the wagon tipped over and allowed the boiler to fall
off. Reloading was a major operation. By this time, however the crew was willing to accept Johns
advice and they shoveled away the snow from the lower side so they could drive in and load the boiler
on it's side. They proceeded home without further mishap.
John never had the privilege of much formal education, only attending when the work allowed.
(A brother thought he might be in the 7th grade.) In spite of his limited schooling, he acquired a fairly
good education through reading books and papers. His daughter Wilma recalls vividly his desire for
reading and how he eagerly looked forward to the daily paper and was disappointed when it didn't come.
I recall seeing him, as if it were yesterday, sitting so the light from the kerosene lamp would fall over his
shoulder onto the paper. He spent many hours perusing church literature preparing sunday school
lessons. He was a very capable teacher in that organization for many years.
He developed many skills at a variety of jobs outside of Freedom, including Idaho Falls for a time, but
his heart was in Star Valley.
Many homes, barns, etc. were built partly or entirely by John. John liked to go to dances and
other entertainments, but he was always an early riser and some of his helpers liked to sleep in and did
so with John hammering and sawing away. They lived in sheep camps so they could be close to their
work. He was a man of high integrity. His ambition brought on the saying, "of course he never sleeps,
he's a Haderlie." John had the honor of having built the highest building in Star Valley until the Afton
Stake Tabernacle was built. He built a 40 foot high barn on the G.W. McNeel ranch.
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When John was 19 years of age his father's home burned to the ground one Christmas morning.
John was given the task to supervise the building of a new family home. Luther his brother, tells of how
men older than John, listened and did what they were told. When the home burned, the family moved a
mile down the road to stay with an uncle and his family. L.H. tells how he and John loved music and
had saved their instruments from the burning house and were playing them when their father found
them. They really received a scotch blessing for enjoying themselves at this time.
All of John's time wasn't spent in work as he liked to hunt wild birds and play games with the
young fellows in town. Swimming in the old "swimmin' hole" in Tin Cup Creek was another pastime.
Courtship for John and Martha Lindholm lasted some five years before their marriage. They
lived some distance apart and since horses and carriages were the only mode of travel, quite a spell of
time elapsed between visits. On Sept. 25, 1912, after a trip by team and wagon 150 miles to Logan,
Utah, John and his bride Martha Lindholm were married in the temple. Martha was the daughter of
Franklin and Agnes Stewart Smith Lindholm. Accompanying them in another wagon was John's sister
Ida and P.E. Jenkins who were married on the same day. One of John's brothers drove another wagon
down for supplies.
John and Martha homesteaded a piece of land north of the old Haderlie home. He and his
brother Luther bought part of his father's farm. L.H. was called on a mission to England and John and
his wife worked and finished paying the debt off this land also helped to keep his brother on his mission.
John and Martha built the family home on this piece of land. However, while homesteading, they built a
small house on stilts on the homestead. John and Martha cleared the land and produced enough to give
them a good living. He was a good manager and mechanic and a helpful neighbor.
During the early years of his married life he was a road overseer and helped to establish and
build the Tin Cup road. He built equipment to push snow from the road when cars were used.
During the winter he logged most of the lumber used in the buildings on his farm and for
firewood. He froze his hands many times and would always make sure his children wore the right kind
of clothes so they would not have to suffer as he did in later years. John's hired men were treated as
members of his own family.
In 1940, John was sick during the month of March with measles. He felt he must get to work
and went out to help in his weakened condition. While he was milking, his stool slipped and the cow he
was milking tromped on his back confining him to the hospital. He had to be in bed for many weeks as
his nerves were partially paralyzed from the waist down. This still didn't keep him down.
Around 1944 he bought the Dewey Robinson farm, which is located about 3 miles east of his
own farm and built the family home.
Five children were born to John and Martha; Conn J.-20 Sept., 1913, Wilma-13 June, 1920,
Morris L.-19 May 1923, Vella-3 July, 1926, Nelda-12 Mar., 1931.
John and Martha encouraged their children to play some musical instrument. John lead a band
in Freedom composed mostly of young people and played for celebrations and programs. He also
played in a orchestra and enjoyed all musical programs.
He was president of the stock association for several years while Jess Draney was Forest Ranger.
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Religion was always an important part of his life and he held many callings in the ward and
stake. He was also a member of the ward building committee when the church house was built the first
time. He sent two sons on missions and all of his children were married in the temple.
His life seemed one of work but there were also times of foolishness. His sisters maintained that
he could tease with the best as some of their dolls received an early burial at the hands of John and his
brothers. They wondered how John escaped being scalped by the Indians. He and his brothers used to
get up on the dirt roof of an old shed and while the Indians were sharpening their knives they would
knock dirt down on the Indian's backs. The sisters recall, with a good deal of pleasure, driving John's
team on his little black buggy. John wasn't too happy when they would come home with his horses wet
with sweat from running.
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JOHN MAX & PATRICIA OLSON HADERLIE
I was born on 27 Oct., 1952, in Logan, Cache, UT. My parents are C. Arthur Olson and Grace
Francis Waits. I was raised in River Heights, just outside of Logan. I have two older brothers, an older
sister and a younger brother. I had a very happy childhood. I always enjoyed school and went to River
Heights Elementary, South Cache Jr. Hi. and Sky View High School.
I started piano in about the second grade and violin in the fifth grade. I enjoyed music and
played in the school orchestras growing up. I was a member of the Northern Wasatch Youth Symphony
for about five years. My senior year, this group traveled to Mexico and played and toured for ten days.
In the fall of 1970, on a music scholarship, I started attending USU. It was there that I met Max as we
both played in the USU orchestra. We became good friends. In the spring, things got more serious
between us and on 1 May 1971, Max asked me to marry him and gave me a diamond. We were married
16 July 1971, in the Logan Temple.
I, Max, was born 18 May, 1947, in Afton, Lincoln, WY. I spent the following few years in
Freedom where my family lived at the time. I can remember very little about my life there except for a
few incidents mostly involving my sisters. One thing I remember, to my disgust, (at the time) was they
(my sisters) seemed to lack dolls to play with so they took opportunity to use me. I remember getting
dressed into and out of many different clothes, doll clothes, I guess, which seemed to fill the need in
their life. I didn't do much for me. It was also in my earliest years that it was discovered that I had heart
trouble.
Some time between the age of 3 and 5 years old, my family moved to Logan, UT, where we
resided except for some summers until my marriage in 1971. I went to grade school in the Woodruff
School in Logan, the Logan Jr. and Sr. High School. I graduated from Logan Hi. in May 1965. In July
of 1961, the 7th, if I remember right, I entered the Salt Lake LDS Hospital prior to open heart surgery
two days later. I was 14 at the time. Uncle Thomas Romney gave me a blessing for the successful
operation the day before the operation. Immediately after the operation, in the recovery room, I was
placed on an ice mattress to keep my temperature down, with blankets on, of course, to keep me from
catching cold. I couldn't ever figure out if I was freezing or burning up. It was uncomfortable to say the
least. The following Friday after entering the hospital, I was released. The operation itself took about
four hours, an hour and a half of which the Dr. had my heart out on a table putting a piece of plastic in
one hole, and sewing up another one, both about the size of fifty cent pieces. He then put my heart back
in, started it up, sewed me up and sent me home five days later. I weighed 68 pounds when I left the
hospital and 135 pounds a year later.
I spent a great portion of my summers in Freedom working on the farm with my family and
relatives, grandparents, etc. That was always the fun part of my year.
During September of 1965, I entered Utah State University, where I went to one year of college.
I served a mission to the Southwest British Mission from November 1966 to October 1968. Three years
later as a senior at USU I found the girl I was to marry. I was a senior and she was a freshman. Pat and
I were married the same day as my final test. My instructor gave me a wedding present, I didn't have to
show up to class or take the final. That fall we moved to St. Charles, ID., where we lived the following
three years except for the summertime when we were in Freedom. We finally moved to Freedom where
I run the farm and much happier than teaching school.
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After being married for 5 1/2 years, Max and I had our first child, Michael John, 28 Nov., 1976;
Gary Max, 3 Aug. 1978; Steven Jay, 27 Dec., 1979. All three boys were born in Rexburg, ID. Then
came Jenny Ann, 14 Aug., 1981; Diane, 4 Mar 1985; Kevin Mark, 21 Sept., 1988, and Shannon, 10
Dec., 1992. All four of these children were born in Jackson Hole, WY.
We were so grateful for the blessings of the Lord and the many prayers in our behalf that we
might have a family to raise.
While living in Freedom we have been active in the LDS church. Max was assistant Stake Clerk
and in the Elder's Quorum Presidency for may years. Since then he has taught the youth. I have served
in many positions in the Primary and Relief Society.
Max and his brother Elwin, built a dairy barn and became partners in a dairy operation. In the
spring of 1985, Elwin married Nadine Tillett and they moved near the farm so Max and Elwin could
work together and they did this for many years. In June of 1994, Elwin and Nadine moved to Erda, UT
where Elwin helps manage an LDS church farm.
For many years, Max and I have played or sung the Messiah, In Afton, with the S.V. Choral
Society and also in Jackson, with the Jackson Choral. After much thought in 1981 we felt we would like
to organize a choir in the lower end of the valley. There were so many talented people, we felt like it
would work. The response to the new choir was positive. We put on our first Christmas concert in Dec.
1981 and called the group the Lower Valley Community Choir. Later, the name was changed to the Star
Valley Community Choir. People from all the Lower Valley towns and some form the Upper Valley
have been involved in the choir. We have put on a Christmas concert almost every year since. It has
been one of the most fun things we have ever done and we really love the choir members. It has become
a Christmas tradition now and we always have a good crowd attend.
For many years we played in a string band with Doug and Mary Woody and Dena Luthi. We
called the group the Stateline Band because we all lived on the Stateline road. We played on many
programs and had a great time together.
After teaching music lessons for about 18 years, I felt ready for a change and in December of
1993, I started training as a postal clerk. I worked with Ida Hokanson until she retired and then worked
with Gayle Izatt. It is challenging work and fun to visit with people as they come in.
Our family has grown up fast it seems. Mike is 18 and graduates this spring (95). He joined the
National Guard last summer, and has had a taste of army life and is an Eagle Scout. Gary is 16, an
Eagle Scout and was chosen as Star Valley scout of the year. Steven is 15 and won Young Author of
WY., in the 7th grade with a story about farm life. Jenny is 13 and my right hand helper. Diane is 10,
Kevin is in kindergarten and Shannon is two. They have been good kids to raise.
We have so enjoyed the people of Freedom and all they have done for us. It is a beautiful spot in
the world to live.
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LUTHER HERMAN & JOHANNA LINDHOLM HADERLIE
Luther was born 6 Apr., 1889, at Freedom, ID., the son of Charles Henry and Anna Barbara
Schiess Haderlie.
Luther fulfilled a mission for the LDS church from 1912-14 to Great Britain. Upon returning
he courted and married Johanna Lindholm, who was born 8 Jul. 1891 in Glen, ID. Johanna lived up
Jackknife Creek in Bonneville, ID., and Luther lived up Tincup Creek in Freedom, ID. A mountain
connected the homes of the young people, and 15 Sept., 1915 they were married in the Salt Lake
Temple. They were accompanied by his sister Lula and Raymond Jenkins who were married the
same day.
Luther, known as Lue by his brothers and sisters, L.H. by most of his business associates and
Johanna, called Joan by most who knew her, started their married life on a mountain homestead
above Luthers father's ranch in Tincup. In this humble beginning their first son was born, being a
weak, premature baby, he lived about 36 hours. Such was the sorrow and hardship of pioneer living.
In due time, another son, Byron Frank, was born 13 Dec., 1917.
In 1919, Luther and Johanna purchased another ranch, consisting of 160 acres of subirrigated ground, known as the Ross place. They lived here for more than 40 years. Their home was
blessed with their son Austin 7 Jul., 1919 and three daughters Vera, 19 May, 1921, Lila 5 May,
1926, Carol 16 Dec., 1927, and another son Kermit 28 Oct., 1934.
About this time in their life Luther and Joan purchased the 120 acre ranch across the road
from their home. It was known as the McCullough place. This provided them with more pasture
and farming ground for their type of farming.
Hard work, hardships and sorrow as well as many blessings filled their years. Their 12 year
old son Austin acquired blood poisoning from a nail puncture in his foot and died from the lack of
medical knowledge and modern medicine.
During the span of raising a family and building up his ranch, Luther experienced many
accidents. One in particular was in the summer of 1937, when his son Byron was serving an LDS
mission in the Northwestern Mission. Needing extra help, Byron Erickson was hired as a farm hand.
Luther was stacking hay and was knocked off the tall stack by a surprise load of hay. He hit the bank
of Tincup Creek, breaking two vertebrae in his neck. He fell into the creek below, and as he hit the
cold water he regained consciousness and clung to a willow branch which saved him from drowning.
Byron Erickson, being the young strong man that he was, was able to pull him out of the water and
up the bank. He loaded him in the wagon where Luther stood holding on to Byron around the waist.
They traveled this way by team and wagon two miles to his home. When Joan heard what had
happened to him, (into the bathtub he went, and into clean dry clothes.) Then Byron drove them 30
miles to the closest hospital in Afton, WY. When they arrived at the hospital and took x-rays, the
attending physician, Dr. Samuel Worthen, said he was seeing a miracle. The bones were so severely
injured with all the movement since the fall, he should have been paralyzed.
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Pictures
Many Priesthood blessing and prayers of the faithful family and ward members plus expert
medical care restored him to health so that he could again care for his family.
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That summer the Freedom Ward, Byron Erickson, Luther's devoted wife, Joan, and his caring
and hard working daughters succeeded in finishing the summer haying and fall harvesting.
Following the advice of his parents and Bishop, Byron stayed on his mission.
Luther was one of the original group of men who started the Star Valley Swiss Cheese
factory. For many years he was one of the largest milk producers and served on the board of
directors.
Luther served as Justice of The Peace for Caribou Co. and often held court in his living
room.
Luther served as counselor in the bishopric with Carl Robinson as Bishop. He was Stake
Sunday School supt., S.S. teacher and always a ward teacher. During his life time he spoke at many
funerals.
He worked diligently as a member of the building committee when the Freedom Ward chapel
was built. He gave generously of his time and means. During these years Joan was a counselor in
the R.S., and a visiting teacher. The great love of her life was being a charter member of the
Daughters of the Utah Pioneers and she earnestly pursued her family's genealogy.
Joan's talents were many. They included cooking, gardening, crocheting and quilting. Being
a true pioneer woman she raised a flock of laying hens which provided the family with food and
extra money for emergencies.
The winter of 1945-46 Luther and Johanna fulfilled an LDS mission to Wickenburg, AZ.
From this they learned to enjoy the warm climate and developed a love for the desert. Later in their
retiring years, they spent their winters in Arizona doing temple work and their summers back in
Freedom.
Their fourth and last son, Kermit, discovered his love for flying early in his high school days.
He became a civil air patrol pilot and joined the ROTC while attending Utah State University. After
graduating and earning many awards and advances in the military, Kermit was, among other things,
a member of the USA Air Force Sky Blazers. He flew 200 missions over Viet Nam in 1966. Later,
he volunteered and was accepted in the class of 1968 in the Aerospace Research Pilot School at
Edwards Air Base in Arizona. On 22 Nov., 1968, Major Kermit L. Haderlie was making a test flight
over the Mojave Desert when his plane crashed, killing him. Kermit's death was such a tragic loss to
his family and especially his parents.
Johanna passed away 3 Jan., 1972, and Luther passed away 10 Feb., 1980. They are both
buried in the Freedom Cemetery along with their 4 sons, baby boy, Austin, Kermit and Byron.
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PHYLLIS IRENE JENKINS HADERLIE
Phyllis was born 10 Nov. 1913, in Lincoln, County, Wyoming, in the little town of Freedom
where the state line runs through the center of the street dividing it to half Wyo. and half Idaho.
************************************************
I am the second child in a family of nine children. My father, John Franklin Jenkins and my
mother (his second wife), Annis Jessop Jenkins started life together in a two room log house near the
place they called town. Father and mother’s family consisted of Howard J., myself, Byron Allen,
Olive Lavera, Rex Oviatt, Leon Franklin, Dean Bedford, Wilda Jessop, and Lyle Reid.
Our brother Rex died at eleven months of age when our family had the severe flu that took so
many lives in our valley. I was just seven years old when we had this sickness and was one who had
it hard. I remember well the hemorrhage I had, the blood pumped from my mouth and nose so fast
that I couldn’t get air to breath. I can still see mother running for help and doing everything she
could to get it stopped.
Soon after Mother and Dad were married, they started to build a new home not far from the
old log house. My older brother Howard was born in the newly completed home. I remember well
the rainy days of summer when we couldn’t farm or hay. We neighborhood cousins would beg our
parents to take us to the Alpine Sulfur Springs for a swim. It was a race for the old Reo car to see
who would get the outside seat. We would usually have to fix a flat tire before we left and another
one before we got home, but we traveled together, helped each other, and always had a good time.
In the spring we could hardly wait until it was time to move the cows over to the dry farm for
the summer. Hug piles of sagebrush were cut to dry so we could have a bonfire and play run sheep
run, releavo, and many other bonfire games. On the summer pasture there was no barn for the cows
to be put into, but they were trained to stand still while being milked, which I did by hand.
Everyone hauled their milk to the Creamery down by Salt River. It was an on going race to see who
could be the first to get to the creamery to unload your milk and load up the whey for the hogs, as to
not have to wait in line.
My father was the cattle herder and range rider for many years. each summer, we looked
forward to camping trips up McCoy Creek, to take salt and check on the cattle.
Each Memorial Day, we older kids would pack a sandwich in a paper bag and go by foot to
the knoll south of town. There, we’d pick wild flowers to put on graves in the cemetery. Later,
Mother, Father, and smaller children would come by horse and buggy. Together, we would spend at
least half a day digging weeds and brush, trying to find the graves.
Wintertime was great sport too. As the cold weather with mornings of 40 degrees to 50
degrees below zero would freeze the creeks and rivers solid, many ice-skating parties were enjoyed.
Before the warm weather would come, Dad and his brothers would cut big blocks of ice from deep
holes on Salt River and store them in bins of saw dust for making homemade ice-cream all summer
long.
I loved to go with Dad to feed the cows and ride the sleigh down to the haystacks which were
located on what is now the property of my brother Byron. We kids would slide off the big loads of
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loose hay and leave our imprints in the snow. Dad would tease us by whipping the team into a trot
and we would really have to run to catch up and get back on the sleigh.
Toward spring, when the days would get hot and the nights still cold, the snow would get
real good and crusty, excellent for coasting parties. The Knoll south of town near the cemetery was
usually the chosen site. The next day the school teachers didn’t have to ask where we had been.
The sunburned faces, scrapes, and scratches told we had played hockey and gone coasting.
All our fun and recreation was what we could make for ourselves without money.
Everything we had was homemade and then repaired by Mother and Dad. Dad had a shoe lathe and
sewing machine to half sole and repair all the shoes. No child was paid for working. We did it for
our board, and out of love for Father and Mother.
I enjoyed music and played the piano for a dance band in my high school years. I had my
schooling in Freedom., eight years of grade school. I graduated from Star Valley High School at
Afton in May of 1931.
On June 10th of the same year, I married Gilbert Schiess Haderlie. We were married in the
Salt Lake L.D.S. Temple. I was a young bride of just 17 yrs. old. My mother and dad chaperoned
us to Salt Lake City one day and we came right home the next day. Home became the Haderlie
Ranch located up Tincup on the Idaho side of town. Giblert and I began life together on the ranch,
in the home where he was born. He was the last child of the family of thirteen. He and his father
were living together at the time of our marriage, and Dad Haderlie continued to live with us until his
death in 1944. (Gilbert said Phyllis loved and cared for him as she would her own dad.)
The first years of marriage were during the depression of the 1930’s and was financially
rough. We pioneered the hauling of our school children from Tincup to town, to earn a little extra
money to help make ends meet. I was called upon to be a big help in the running of our ranch and
milked our cows and plowed along with my husband. We had six head of horses and would use a
hitch of three at a time on the plow. Gilbert would plow until lunch time and would come in and eat
lunch. I would take the other hitch of hoses out to plow, giving Gilbert and the first hitch a chance
to rest.
Six lovely children were born to us. Evelyn May, Vaughn J., Dennis Juel, Linda Barbara,
Peggy Irene, and Terry Gilbert. Our first child was the first grandchild in the family of my mother’s
marriage, so naturally she was loved and Grandmother Annis said she would spoil her for us. My
Grandfather John Jenkins was still living at this time.
Soon after I was married, my mother being President of the Primary asked me to be a
teacher. I only taught a few years, then made secretary of the same organization, which position I
held for about twelve years; being released a couple to times for a little spell to care for a new born
baby. I again taught a class in Primary for about 2 years. In the year of 1961, I was called by
Bishop Lowell Jenkins to be the President of the Freedom Relief Society. Our two sons served
missions, Vaughn, served in the New England States Mission. Juel, served in the Western Canadian
States Mission.
When the children were all in school, I applied for work at the Star Valley Swiss Cheese
Factory. My health did not permit me to milk cows or get into the dusty had fields, or help with the
running of the farm any longer, but I felt I should help out in some way. I worked in the factory for
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five years doing cutting and packaging cheese. I enjoyed the work and the association with the
ladies very much.
I have made the statement to my family and friends that we do not have lots of money in the
bank, or a lot of fancy things in our home, but we have traveled and visited places that have
strengthened our testimony in the Lord. Money couldn’t buy the things I love most in life.
**********************************
(additional thoughts by family members)
Phyllis always made the best of any situation, no matter how difficult or unpleasant it was.
We never heard her say anything negative about anyone. She always would see the good and praise
you for that. She was a very immaculate housekeeper, and was very ambitious.
No matter how bad she felt or how sick she was, she never complained, she was loved and
respected by all who knew her. She was never a fancy complicated woman, but one who could and
did make the simple things in life beautiful.
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VAUGHN J. & DANICE LINDSEY HADERLIE
By Vaughn Haderlie
I was born to Gilbert Scheiss and Phyllis Irene Jenkins 26 Nov., 1933, in my grandmother
Annis Jenkin's home in Freedom. (the old home burned down but was on the present sight of the
Lyle Jenkins home.) Dr. O.L. Treloar drove from Afton to deliver me. He was a noted fisherman,
and I only weighed 4 1/2 pounds, as he held me up by my feet, he said, "Mrs. Haderlie, I have
caught bigger fish than this."
I was the 2nd child of 6 children: Evelyn May Suter, Vaughn, Dennis Juel, Linda Barbara
Lindford, Peggy Irene Hoopes and Terry Gilbert. I grew up on the family farm helping with the
dairy cows, beef cattle, hogs and chickens along with raising the hay and grain to feed these animals.
I presently own and live on 40 acres of the original farm on Tincup Creek.
I attended 8 grades of elementary school at Freedom, WY. which was located on the Veldon
Izatt property. I went to 4 years of high school in Afton, graduating in 1952.
The Palisades Dam was under construction at this time, and I spent one year driving a uclid
earth moving truck, hauling fill material for the Dam.
I filled a L.D.S. Mission to the New England states mission
from June 1954 through June 1956. Dad and Mother flew back to New England at the time of my
release, and we spent a week touring the mission. This was a very enjoyable experience with my
parents.
I was drafted into the U.S. Military the fall of 1956. I took my basic training at Fort Lewis
Washington and after finishing basic training I volunteered for airborne (a parachutist) training and
was sent to Fort Bragg NC to train with the 82nd Airborne Division. After 6 weeks of rigorous
training, both physical and mental, I made my first parachute jump from a C119 military plane. It
was a very exciting experience and a beautiful view as I drifted to the earth hanging from my
parachute. I spent the remainder of my military service with the 82nd at Fort Bragg and made 15
more jumps.
While attending church at the L.D.S. branch in Durahm NC, I became good friends with a
Jim Dixon who was also in the service and was from Flint, Michigan. Jim decided I should become
acquainted with a nice L.D.S. girl that lived in his home ward in Flint. I started corresponding with
Danice Earlene Lindsey the summer of 1957. I received an honorable discharge from the military
July of 1958, and on my way home I stopped by Flint, Michigan to meet the young lady I had been
writing to for a year. I was very impressed, as she was very attractive, lots of fun to be with and her
family treated me very well. We spent several days swimming, picnicking and getting acquainted.
Danice's parents, Dan Monroe and Margaret F. Lindsey were converts to the L.D.S. church shortly
after their marriage. Danice was the oldest of 3 children: Danice, Dan and Margaret. Danice
graduated from Hurly School of Nursing during the summer of 1958 and moved to Provo to attend
B.Y.U. We dated that fall and were engaged at Christmas time. We were married in the Salt Lake
Temple on 10 June, 1959 on my parent's wedding anniversary. Danice's parents were also sealed to
each other that same day.
Danice and I spent the first three years of our married life working for my parents on the
farm. We lived with my parents the 1st month we were married and then moved into the basement
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of our now present home. To earn extra money while working for my parents, I took on extra work
milking cows for Morris Haderlie a year, and Byron Haderlie a year. Danice worked as a registered
nurse at the Star Valley Hospital. After 3 years of working on the Farm, we sold our interest in the
livestock and went to school at BYU so I could study wildlife management. We had only been in
school 30 days when the Berlin Crisis flared up, and I was reactivated into military service for 8
months. During that time I trained at Camp McCoy Wis., and Danice moved back to Flint Michigan
and lived with her parents.
We had 6 children: Julie Danice died at 2 days, David L., John D., Vicki Jo, Jay D. and
Margaret Irene. David was born the summer before we started school at BYU and John was born
while Danice was living with her parents. I was released from the service in Aug., and we returned
to school for 2 more years, a year at BYU and a year at the University of Idaho at Moscow, ID.
During this time Vicki Jo was born. We waited 8 years after Vicki's birth before bringing Jay and
Margaret into our family. After Vicki's birth, we were struggling to make ends meet so we couldn't
continue school. We moved back to our basement home on Tincup, and I went to work for Call Air
who was manufacturing Ag Spray Planes and Danice went back to the hospital as a nurse. Danice
has worked off and on for 30 years at the Star Valley Hospital as well as doing a lot of nursing in
peoples homes, many times being called in the middle of the night.
In 1967, I obtained an outfitters license from the state of Idaho, and we began a commercial
outfitter’s business and named it Haderlie Outfitters. With Danice working at the hospital and me
working many different construction jobs, we managed to feed and clothe our young family and put
together a viable outfitting business. We purchased 40 acres of the Gilbert Haderlie farm to raise
hay for our dude horses and build guest facilities. This has offered our family an enjoyable lifestyle,
many enjoyable rides, fishing and hunting trips as a family-run business. We have made many
friends from near and far. Our son David and his wife Lorie live neighbors to us and have
ownership in the business.
At this time, 1994 we are the proud grandparents of 9 grandchildren.
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WILFORD LEROY HADERLIE
BERTHA LAFERN ERICKSON HADERLIE
Wilford LeRoy Haderlie, 73, Freedom resident of many years, died Thursday, October 26,
1971 at his home town in Freedom, of a heart attack.
Funeral services were held Thursday, October 28 in the Freedom Ward Chapel, with
Counselor Farrel Jenkins conducting. Internment was in the Freedom Cemetery.
He was born November 22, 1897, at Freedom (Idaho) to Charles Henry and Anna Barbara
Schiess Haderlie in a three-room log house. He was the 10th child in a large polygamous family of
26 children. His schooling was limited as he had to walk three miles to attend school, where one
teacher taught all grades.
He married Bertha LaFern Erickson June 10th, 1929 in the Logan LDS Temple. They had
only two children, Earl and Jean. Wilford was a farmer and carpenter, having learned carpentry skill
from his father, who owned a sawmill. He had helped build many homes in Star Valley and
elsewhere.
He was active in the church and held many positions, including stake missionary, stake
mission president, ward teacher, Sunday School superintendent, teacher and stake board member,
assistant stake Sunday School superintendent, ward teacher supervisor and president of 179th
Quorum of Seventy. He held the office of High Priest at the time of his death.
He was a good husband and father, and was always kind and considerate to his wife and
children. His wife preceded him in death by only two weeks.
He is survived by his son Earl C. Haderlie, Freedom, and daughter, Mrs. Rand (Jean) Merritt,
Bedford Wyoming: twelve grandchildren: six great grandchildren; nine brothers, and 8 sisters.
Henry
Luther H.
Gilbert
Cliff
Carl
Oliver
Roy
Ernest
Leo
Annie
Ida
Lula
Ina
Mabel
Della
Blanch
Wanda
Seven brothers and one sister preceded him in death.
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BERTHA LAFERN ERICKSON HADERLIE
Funeral services were held Thursday, October 14 at 1 p.m. in the Freedom Ward LDS Chapel
for Bertha LaFern Erickson Haderlie, 72 , who died October 12, 1971, at the Star Valley LDS
Hospital in Afton of a lingering illness. Conducting was counselor Keith Izatt. Burial was in the
Freedom Cemetery.
She was born April 12, 1899, at Richmond, Utah to Carl Gustof Englebrickt and Elizabeth
Bright Erickson, the third child in a family of thirteen. She was survived by 7 sisters and 4 brothers
and 1 brother preceded her in death. She came to Star Valley with her family when five years of age
and settled at Glen, Idaho, five miles north of Freedom. She attended school in 1905-06 in a 12x16
foot log house with two small windows. There was one teacher for all grades. In 1907 a new school
building was put into use for both school and church activities and also as a recreation center. Her
mother died when she was 18, and as she had to remain home much of the time to help out, her
education was limited and she did not pass the 8th grade.
She married Wilford Leroy Haderlie June 10, 1920, in the Logan LDS Temple. Two children
were born to them, Earl and Jean.
She loved music, dancing and quilting, learning to dance when her father was floor manager
of a dance hall, and she was his partner when he called for square dances.
LaFern was a firm believer in prayer, which was a great source of strength to her. She was
very active in church work and filled many position, including choir member for 40 years; Sunday
School chorister, Primary secretary; Primary president for three years; Stake Missionary 1 1/2 years;
Stake Mission Secretary five years; and Relief Society visiting teacher for 45 years.
Her pride and joy were her devoted husband, children, grandchildren and great
grandchildren, and her home. She maintained a clean, well kept home, and always had cookies and
fresh bread on hand.
Surviving are her husband, Wilford L.; a son, Earl C. Haderlie, Freedom, Wyoming; a
daughter, Mrs. Rand (Jean) Merritt, Bedford, Wyoming; twelve grandchildren; six great
grandchildren; seven sisters and four brothers.
Mable
Carl Golden
Alice
Alvin
Lucy
Byron
Hilda
Newell
Velda
Zelda
Berniece
Star Valley Independent Notice:
LARGE CROWD ATTEND SERVICES FOR LAFERN - A large crowd of relatives and friends
attended funeral service last Thursday held in the Freedom Ward Chapel for Mrs. Wilford (LaFern)
Haderlie. She will be greatly missed.
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Wilford
LaFern
Earl
Lorna
Jean
Rand
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ALICE J. HAMILTON
In the little village of Freedom, Wyoming, I made my first appearance on March, 29, 1904. I
know my father was hoping for a boy as there was already a little girl in the house named Myra. I was
born in Uncle Lewis and Aunt May Jenkins's little two-roomed log cabin. My parents, William Evan
and Lena Weber Jenkins did not own a house in Freedom at this time. They were homesteading some
land east of Freedom town-site, and they lived with relatives in the winter time and "across the river" on
their land in the summer time. Their home was a little one-roomed shanty for kitchen and living room
and a covered wagon for their bedroom.
My earliest recollection is of my father leaving for the mission field on a cold January morning
in 1908. Myra was five in October, I would be four in March and Edyth two in April. I can remember
Mama bustling around helping Papa finish packing and getting ready to leave. The mailman stopped out
in front of the house and after a tearful goodbye, Papa got into the covered sleigh and we didn't see him
again for two full years. My parents had built a new house in Freedom and just the two north rooms
were finished at the time Papa left for his mission to the Central States. I vividly remember his return
two years later. Mama had a third room of the house finished while Papa was gone and it was our
kitchen; then we had a parlor and bedroom. He came home when it was real dark at night. We were all
sitting around the new malleable stove Mama had purchased to put in the new kitchen, eagerly waiting
to hear Papa's footsteps on the porch. I remember we were singing songs to fill in the time. Then, he
finally came and what a happy reunion. I know we three girls' main concern was what he had in the big
trunk he brought home with him. All of this is very vivid in my memory today.
Mama was president of the Relief Society when Papa left for his mission, as well she had the full
responsibility of the farm and cows. She received some very fine help from the dear relatives on both
sides of the family. Aunt Martha was her right-hand man; she lived with us much of the time, helping
Mama milk the cows night and morning and often they carried hay with a pitch-fork to feed the cows
and other animals. It seemed to me that she stayed with us most nights during the winter months to keep
Mama company and help us. We kids all loved her so much, she used to tell us good stories and taught
us many songs to sing, some of which we sang on programs. She was my ideal of the kind of person I
wanted to be when I grew up. At the time she was only 14 or 15 years old.
Then Mama had one more "hired man" in the form of a mongrel dog, named "Old Brin". Mama
used to say that "he was as good as a hired man around the place and that she knew the Lord sent him to
help her while Papa was on his mission". He lived to a ripe old age and was treated like on of the family.
As I was in a family of girls we all had to help Papa with the farm work. Mama always worked
right along side of Papa in all his farm work, milking cows, planting crops and harvesting the grain and
hay. All the girls in the family had to help on the farm also as soon as we were old enough. One of my
first jobs was herding cows along with my sisters. We had to herd them out of the grain and alfalfa fields
as there were no fences between their pasture and the other crops. We would drive the cows to our land
across the river, which was about two miles away, on our little Pungee pony, a little Indian horse, herd
the cows all day and then drive them home at night. I didn't mind this cow-herding so much because we
would take books and magazines to read and how I did love to read. About as soon as we were able to
sit on a stool, we were milking cows and we milked lots of cows during our life on the farm. Papa
always said his girls were the best farm hands he could get.
For a few summers I drove a buck-rake for Uncle Charley and Uncle Fred during the haying
season and earned a dollar a day which was top wages in those days. I enjoyed this a lot as they were
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such fine people and always so good to me, and laughed at all my mistakes, never scolding me and
making me feel bad. This money helped me pay my expenses in high school. I guess I would be classed
as a "Tom-boy" as I liked to ride horses and help with the farm work much more than do house-work.
The Webers were a very close family. We had lots of house-gatherings and out door parties
together. One of the first I can remember was going over to Grandma Weber's house for a big dinner; the
occasion was the return of Uncle Walter from the mission field. Grandma lived in the old house over on
Uncle Charley's place, that was their home then. I remember Myra and I running up through the field to
meet Uncle Walter who had walked from Thayne and was coming down through the fields. Grandma
was an excellent cook and I can almost taste her delicious apple pie. She could make the best ever; also,
I remember how the grandchildren would quarrel over who was going to grind the coffee mill.
Some of my finest memories are of the picnics and swimming parties we had at Alpine springs
and the old camp grounds, also the get-to-gethers we used to have at the Uncle's and Aunt's homes and
at our home on holidays. We always had lots of cousins to play with on both sides of the family besides
my own sisters and we had many good times together. My cousin, Hazel Clark was one of my favorite
playmates along with my sister Edyth.
When I was in the fifth grade, the Star Valley Bank in Afton, sponsored an essay contest about a
patriotic picture on a calendar they had distributed throughout the valley that year. It was a picture of
George Washington and some of the signers of the Declaration of Independence with an American Flag.
I entered the contest and won first prize which was five dollars. I can still remember how happy and
thrilled I was over the honor and the "great amount of money" received. It was my first five dollars. I
don't remember, but I'll wager Mama said, "You must pay your tithing on that money."
I loved my grade school days and had many good teachers, Mr. Errol Bagley from Fairview,
being my favorite. In those days when you graduated from the 8th grade, everyone had to take an
examination with the other 8th graders in Lincoln County. I was in the 7th grade, but Mr. Bagley
encouraged me to take the examination with the other 8th graders of our school. With the consent of
Papa and Mama I rode our little pony up to Thayne two or three mornings where the tests were given. It
turned out that I received the highest average in the county, so never did take the 8th grade, but went to
Star Valley High School the next years.
I enjoyed my four years at S.V.H.S. very much, batched it every year, living with cousins and
sisters. We hauled most of our good from home and ate lots of bread and milk, cheese and bottled fruit. I
had some very fine teachers; among them, Olive Woolley Burt, Sidney B. Sperry, Miss Luella White,
Miss Fern Young and others. I got along real well in school and enjoyed it very much. I was
valedictorian of the class of 1922, and received a four year scholarship to the University of Wyoming
with all my books and tuition paid for the four years. Papa and Mama didn't think I should go to
Laramie to school with all its worldly influences, so was sent to BYU in Provo my first year of college.
My next three college years were at USAC in Logan and I liked the school and town better and maybe
being with my sister Edyth had a lot to do with it. I taught school in Bedford, Wyoming one year during
my college years, so Edyth and I graduated in 1927 together. In the fall of 1927 I began my teaching
career in the Victor, ID High School.
The fall of 1928, I received a mission call to the Eastern States and this was a dream come true. I
was sent to the West Virginia district to labor in the town of New Martinsville.
I came home from my mission in February 1931, and taught school one year in Etna and one in
Freedom. During this time I was writing to Melvin Hamilton from Murray, Utah, whom I had slightly
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known at USAC--he was one of the big football stars on the team. In the mission field I met him again
as he was our district president. our romance developed and we were married in the Salt Lake Temple,
June 21, 1933. Our children are: Melvin Spencer, Marilyn, Jimmy, David Kent,
Janet, Brent "J".
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LIFE STORY OF EMIL HANSON
On October 30, 1859 Gistaf Emil Hanson, child of Elis Hanson and Elizabeth Thor was born
in the city of Goteborg, Dalsland Sweden. In 1887 Emil went to Freedom with his brother Alfred to
homestead.
It was the 4th of July celebration in Freedom that this young man with blue eyes and dark
curly hair first met Martha Heap, the girl of his dreams. It happened when the program was going
on under the bowery, and during the community singing, some one heard Emil sing and urged him to
sing a song. That was when Martha fell in love. On July 3 1889 in Paris, Idaho they were married.
On September 15, 1897 they traveled by horse and wagon to Logan, Utah, taking, Ida May, Olive,
Lorin and Mammie with them to have them sealed for Time and Eternity in the House of the Lord.
They settled in Freedom on a farm just south of the town on the west side. This farm was
given to them as a wedding present by the father of Martha, William Heap. Emil built their house of
logs. It had a dirt roof and floor. It was in this home the family were born, it was added onto many
times.
To this union were born the following children; Ida May, 27 March 1890, Olive, 20 August
1892, Lorin, 20 Sept 1894, Mammie, 25 Nov. 1896, Lyman, 5 Sept 1902, Selma, 30 Aug. 1904,
Laura, 11 April 1907, Oril, 14 Sept 1909. Two of the children died young. Mammie of diphtheria
and Lyman of pneumonia.
It was difficult to make a living at this time. Emil went to work at the gold mine in Caribou.
He worked for two years. Martha was alone to care for the farm and their small children.
Emil would go to the canyon in the Fall of the year for wood to keep warm in the winter and
for cooking and heating water.
Emil played the drums in the town band which played on special occasions 4th and 24th of
July celebrations. He sang songs and gave comic readings on the same programs. His daughters,
Selma and Laura sang duets on most of the programs.
When any of the men folk needed a hair cut they came to the Hanson home. This was before
a Barber Shop ever opened up in Freedom.
Fall was hog butchering time. The meat was cured in brine, smoked and hung to dry for
winter as well as summer use.
On the farm we raised horses and cattle, mostly calves for milk cows. Grain was raised and
the great event of the year was threshing time. The neighbors would all gather to help with the
threshing. The threshers would arrive with the machine, pulled by horses and set up out behind the
barn where the teams would go around and around as they turned the large wheel that made the
power for the threshing machine. The straw would fly until it made a large stack. The grain would
flow into sacks or wagons to be emptied into grain bins. The women would cook goodies for days
to feed the men who were always hungry. It was an event we looked forward to each year.
Emil taught his children right and wrong encouraged them to attend church. He served his
children.
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The log house first built was remodeled and rooms added several times until it was a twelve
room house. Martha helped to provide for the family by taking in roomers and boarders.
Emil died 14 January 1936.
Laura Hanson Stock NcMorrow
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HEBER HANSON Born 19 Oct. 1868
In the Fall, mother and I went out to Star Valley to look at the country with the thought of
taking up a homestead. We went to Freedom by Arthur Clark’s suggestion and staked a place to
build a house. Mother later filed on a hundred and sixty acre homestead there. It was located on
half mile south of the Freedom meeting house. Mother went back to St. Charles for the winter and I
stayed with Arthur Clark’s family, in Freedom. I was nineteen years of age and had always been
small for my age. Some folks thought I never would grow up. Wile staying with Bro. Clark that
winter I grew so much that the folks hardly knew me when I went to St. Charles in the spring. I
went out to get mother and bring a few head of cattle we had out there. I walked and drove the cattle
all the way back to Freedom. I had got out logs for a house during the winter.
In May I put up the log house. I put split logs on the roof then hay on top of the split logs
and dirt on top of the hay. It leaked just a little in the northeast corner.
In 1888 I went back to St. Charles and put up the hay on the nine acres we had left and
brought back the lumber for our floor. This same season I cut enough wild hay from the river
bottoms with a scythe to feed my cattle through the winter, horses also.
The next summer 1889, was a very dry summer. I did not get enough hay to last me through
the winter. I lost one horse and one cow. Many people in Star Valley did not have enough flour to
last through the winter. People of Montpelier brought wheat out half way and the people from Afton
met them half way and got the wheat and took it to Afton Four Mill and had it ground into flour.
This winter was always spoken of as “The Hard winter in Star Valley”, after that. Many of the
settlers lost their cattle that winter. I never wanted for hay after that. This same year I fenced forty
acres of land with a pole fence and watered part of the forty acres.
In 1889 Swan Sandersen, Gustave Lumburg, William Crookston and I got a ditch from the
Salt River to irrigate our land. I had plenty of hay from then on. Fraklin Linhom mowed my hay
that summer I hauled hay for him. The next spring I went to Montpelier bought a new mower and
put up my own hay. I raised some timothy seed this year and sold enough to buy a pair of bobsleds.
In 1892 I went to Canada with D.W. Rainey and Janet, Bro. Silvester Low and family. D.W.
went back to Star Valley when he cut his thumb.
My mother came to Canada the fifteenth of June the very day that Janet’s baby Ceola was
born. She was a beautiful baby and has been beautiful every since. D.W. had returned in the Spring.
I did not intend to return to Star Valley but mother insisted on me taking her home so I left
my team of horses, plow, cows and everything thinking that I would come back. Mother and I
started for Star Valley in Sept. 1894.
Trade my horses for a pair of colts. We stayed all night. In the morning we made the trade.
Mother had been suffering for two weeks with a lame back and had to lie in the back of the wagon.
When I hitched the colts on the wagon mother said “Now you will finish me”, just then the colts
began to run and ran for half mile. I had a hard time getting them stopped.
It was still September when we got home. I went to October conference. Mother stayed in
Logan to visit some of her old friends that came across the plains, the same time she came. Apostle
Joseph I. Smith spoke for the Mormons to marry Mormons and for the Catholics to marry Catholics.
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That was the only way they could be happy. On our way home we stopped at St. Charles and I
worked there and got enough potatoes and flour to supply us through the winter.
The next spring 1895, I got out timber and fenced one hundred and eighty acres of land.
Osborn Low was the Bishop of Freedom at this time. We held meetings in Freedom one Sunday and
in Glen the next Sunday. This continued for several years. In the fall of 1896, I was president of the
Mutual Improvement Ass’n I held for three years. We held mutual on Sunday evenings, and
alternated with Glen the same as the Sunday School. I was floor manager for the dances.
The summer of 1898, Miss Julin Goaslind came to Star Valley to visit her sister Mary
Titensor at Bedford. We met at the dances and became acquainted, and “fell for each other” and the
next year we married in the Salt Lake Temple., Sept.27th 1899. To this union a baby girl was born.
She lived only long enough to be blessed with a name of Julia by Bishop Bracken.
In 1899 I built a barn that would hold eighty tons of hay.
In 1901 my mother and I were called to go a mission to Norway. I sold all of my hay and
stock.
We returned from mission and arrived in Salt Lake City the last of September. We got to
Logan in the night and went to Goaslind’s and surprised Julia and her mother. The first thing we
heard Janet and left D.W. and was living in our house. Mother was glad to have Janet come back.
She had six children. I borrowed a team to go to Star Valley, bought a team to Bishop Bracken,
came back and got mother and Julia. We lived together for two years. I bought cows and with
Janet’s cows and all worked together. Janet finally bought a ranch of D.J. Clark and moved there
on the west side of Freedom. Janet made cheese while we worked together and also after she moved
away.
A creamery was finally built in Freedom and we sent our milk to it. I was put in Sunday
School teacher as soon as I got home and that winter I was chosen as one of the assistants to the
Superintendent of the Sunday School. I help that position of a number of years. I raised cattle and
put up hay. In 1905 I raised more hay that I could use and sold what I did not need to the McNiel
Bros. For three dollars and a half a ton. They brought my hay for three years.
1909 bought a farm in Clifton, Idaho. We went back to Freedom to spend the winter. In
Feb. 1910 Julia took down with rheumatic fever. We did all we could but she passed away on the
14th of Feb. I stayed with Janet’s family that summer. We helped each other in putting up hay. In
October I went to Logan and married Pricilla Allen, a cousin of Julia’s in the Logan Temple. We
spent the winter in Freedom and went to Clifton in the spring. Elaora born 13th of April 1914. She
was a blue baby through blessings she was spared.
1916 we sold our land and moved back to Freedom. We bought Soren Nelson’s ranch on the
Idaho side of the town. It had a two roomed log house on it which we fixed up and lived in till we
could build a new house.
World war was on and we got good prices for our produce. We received at one time $90,000
for one big steer. In 1917 on the eleventh of April, Verday was born. She was beautiful child with
long golden curls and big brown eyes. In the fall of 1918 she and Elnora were exposed to the
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whooping cough. Elnora got over it, but Verda choked down and passed away on the 23rd of Dec.
1918.
Our house was finished in 1918 and we moved into it on the Fourth of July. We had the
water from our spring piped into the house and all the bathroom fixtures put in.
The summer of 1918 was a dry year and people did not raise enough hay to feed their cattle
through the winter, so they go together and decided to send all the cattle out to Nebraska where they
could buy hay for them. Hundreds of head were sent with Bishop Bracken, Carl Erickson, and J.P.
Robinson for them to feed. I sent twenty five head of steers, and a bull. The winter was severe and
the weak ones could not stand the storms, so a great many of them died. I became discouraged when
a storm came up and drove the cattle into a hollow where they trampled on my bull and killed him,
so I sold all my steers to John Robinson at a sacrifice. They all came back. Many of the people
were paying the feed bill on dead cattle for years.
In 1920 Ronald was born on the “29th day of May. We went to Salt Lake City to conference
that fall with Bishop Bracken. Sister Clark took care of the baby.
In 1921 I raised nineteen hundred bushels of oats. The crops were good.
In 1922 Priscilla was operated on for appendicitis, what doctors could do for her the fasting
and prayers of the saints at Freedom, she recovered.
That fall I bought 40 acres of isolated hill pasture, paid 250 dollars for it.
The winter of 1923 and ’24, Glays and Lawrence stayed with us. We enjoyed having the
young folks with us. They were so lively and going out with the school teachers in the valley, going
to dances and places of amusement.
In the summer of 1924 Lawerence and Leo McCulloch helped me with the haying and in the
fall got out our winter wood. The spring of 1925 Elijah Allen with his family and two cars came
stayed ten days with us. While there helped me put up a fence between mine and Haderlie pastures
that I had been wanting to do for a long time.
In the fall of 1925 we understood that the Arizona temple was completed so we made
preparations to go to Arizona and work in the temple. Rented the ranch to Denzil Jenkins. By doing
that I succeeded in getting Denzel and his wife united. We left Freedom in a sleigh in November.
When we got to Mesa we found that the temple was not to be dedicated for two years. We
lived there until next Fall. Denzel wrote and said he wanted to quit the ranch. In September 1926
we went back to Freedom and took up the work on the ranch again. We had some hay left over from
the year before that we could not sell so we decided to buy some milk cows to eat the hay. I bought
eleven head of cows of Charles Weber for $75.00 a head. Janet’s ranch was under a mortgage and
the bank wanted their money right now, so I bought the hay they had left over and a horse from the
man who rented their place and paid for it in advance in order to pay off the mortgage, then I got a
chance to sell my hay and I fed the hay from Janet’s place to my milk cows.
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The next summer 1927 the Howells from Clifton, Idaho came helped me put up my hay.
They lived in Janet’s house. The Mosquitoes were awful, that summer I raised the biggest crop of
hay I ever raised.
The summer of 1928 the Crofts and Lee Jenson came and put up the hay for me. We though
we had got in a position again where we could go work in the temple as Jenson wanted to rent the
farm we made arrangements for him to rent the place and we would go to Logan and work in the
temple that winter, worked in the temple till March when I went back to the farm. Ronald took
diphtheria and passed away March 29, 1929. Jenson proved to be a very unsatisfactory renter so I
decided to pay him his price and get him off the place. It cost me twenty five hundred dollars to get
rid of him. We got in debt so had to back on the ranch to work.
The summer of 1929 Denzil Jenkins contracted the putting up of my hay. He hired Veda
Ericksen to run a buck rake for him. His wife helped also and Leslie’s boy drove the stacker team.
That winter I hired Reed Nelson to do my feeding. Then in the spring of 1930 he helped put in the
crops, I bought a car and Ray Clark drove it to Logan for us and to Salt Lake City to see if we could
get a boy at the orphans home. They had one there, but Decker would not let him go for fear he
would get out of a job if the children went away. When we went home, Wilma Wendenhall went out
with us. I had D’Orr Child hired to help with Reed nelson to put up the hay. Before we started to
hay, A.J. Mendenhall and Lile Tripp came hunting a job. I hired them to help with the hay. Before
starting to mow Reed, Veloy, D’Orr, Elnora, and Wilma took a trip to Yellowstone Park. When the
alfalfa was up and we were waiting for the meadow hay to get ready I decided to take my first trip to
the Yellowstone National Park. A.J. Wendenahll drove my car. Tripp went along also Priscilla and
myself. We were gone four days.
I hired D’Orr Child to do my feeding that winter. In the spring Elnora and D’Orr were
married in the Logan temple the 27th of May 1931.
D’Orr and Elnora helped put up the hay in 1931, and D’Orr did the feeding that winter. The
Spring of 1932, LaRue was born on the 16th of June. Elijah Allen and his new bride Lydia paid us a
visit. Wilford Haderlie helped put up the hay. In the fall D’Orr rented the ranch for five years. We
came to Arizona and worked in the temple all winter. I planted mase on my two and a half acres and
then went to Star Valley to cut an burn the brush in the pasture. I hurt my hand chopping hawthorne
and it has never got over it. I burned the brush in October 1933 and came back and worked all
winter in the temple. In 1934, we both went to Star Valley and helped on the ranch, lived in the two
south rooms. Janet came to Arizona with us. D’Orr and Elnora brought us in the car. The three of
us worked in the temple that winter, until Gladys got sick and Janet went to help her.
In 1936 Jennylyn was born March 18th. We went to Star Valley to see the baby.
In 1937 we went to Star Valley again as D’Orr’s five years of rent was up. He wanted to try
working in the creamery so we took the ranch over once again. That fall Wilford Haderlie helped
me with the feeding. In November I traded part of my milk cows for sheep.
In 1938 Bro. And sister Evans came and spent the summer with us. He did the mowing and I
did the raking. Ilif Ivy took the contract of putting up the hay. We decided to sell all the stock and
pay off the mortgage and rent the ranch again. I had thirty applicants to rent my place. As D’Orr
said he would rent for five years we let him have it.
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The year of 1939 I thought I would stay in Arizona all summer, but it got so hot August I
could not stand it so I took the bus and went upon the ranch.
In 1940 we both went to Freedom on the bus along with Hunsakers. I helped in the field and
Priscilla cooked for the hay men. Elnora drove the stacker team.
In 1941 I went to Star Valley on the bus. They adopted 3 children and just raised the one
Elnora Priscilla Allen Hanson passed away June 21, 1952. Heber Hanson passed away Feb. 10,
1956
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MARTHA HANSON
History of Martha Hanson, daughter of William Henry Harrison
Heap and Sarah Ann Marsh. I was born in Dixie, Utah on November 22, 1870. We came to Bear Lake
in 1872. I lived in Dingel, Idaho for about 5 1/2 years. My father had chills and fever for three years
after we came to Bear Lake and my mother spun yarn and sold it for a living. My father trapped rats on
the lake. We ran out of hay so my mother and brother, Marion, had to get bulrushes and haul them on
the hand sleds to feed our cattle. I remember the herds of long horned cattle that come from Texas on the
way East to market as there was no railroad at that time. I remember my mother had a small press behind
the house where she made cheese. John and Joseph were born in Bear Lake.
The next move we made was to Freedom, WY. The first winter we lived there, the snow was six
feet deep and we ran out of flour and had to get it brought in on men's backs. We had to eat lots of meat
to keep alive. My father lost lots of sheep as we did not have any hay. We ran out as the winter was long
and cold. My mother and oldest brother cut willows for the sheep they did not lose. My father took the
cattle on the crust of snow to the river and shoveled along the banks to get feed. He stayed right with the
cattle and almost froze himself. We made butter in the summer and put it in brine and sold it in the fall in
Montpelier for 8 cents a pound. My mother and brother trapped beaver and foxes as they were plentiful
then and helped to make a living. The Indians lived all around us in the summer-time and we had many
a scare.
My father taught school at nights for three; my brother, myself and uncle. The first school I went
to was in Afton where we had one teacher, John Bartlett. I was 17 years old at that time. There were 78
people and I only went for three months. We had to go home on snow shoes on the west side of the
valley, and I was so tired I could have laid down and quit as the road was all hills and we made it in one
day. The same four went that my father taught.
We had only about four families for a year or more. We had to buy in the fall all we wore and
the food we needed to eat and if we ran out of anything, we had to stay out. We went barefoot most all
the time. All the sport we had was playing in the hay and we played we were beavers. We got mail about
once a week after Afton began to settle. We got our mail by Frank Cross carrying it on his back from
Montpelier. We began to have dances and back then, we could dance nothing but square dances because
we were not allowed to waltz because it was a sin. But times have changed now. Aaron was the first
child born in Freedom in the year 1880 and we moved to Freedom in 1879. I was married in 1889 and
have 22 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.
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ORIL HANSON & ELVA JENKINS HANSON
Oril and Elva Hanson (or Sonny as he was known) were married in 1934 at Idaho Falls,
Idaho, and lived in the front part of the Hanson Hotel.
Oril’s father passed away in the second year of their marriage and Oril bought his parents
farm. He never liked working on a farm so he sold it to Fred Weber. He tried his hand at several
jobs that took the family to Ogden, Utah and Paris and Grace Idaho.
During World War II while living in the Ogden area their youngest son contracted polio that
has required many operations on his leg and caused him trouble and pain throughout his life.
Five children were born to Oril and Elva: Bruce, Sharon, Irene, Dale, and Gale.
In 1945 the family moved back to Freedom to a house that belonged to Elva’s parents, now
owned by their daughter, Sharon Breinholt. At that time it was a two room home but has since been
remodeled into a beautiful modern home.
Oril worked for the Lower Valley Power and Light Co. but liked the Ogden area so in 1946
they were divorced and Elva continued to live in Freedom and raise her children. This caused some
hardship but brought the family closer together and they still hold that closeness for one another and
a great love for their mother.
In 1950, Bruce joined the Civil Air Patrol enabling him to attend camp at Camp Grofton,
N.D. and Mather Air Base, California. After high school he joined the Air Force. Sharon joined
two years later.
In 1952 Elva married LaRell (Bud) Hebdon and settled in Thayne, Wyoming. To this
marriage a son, Kelly, was born and today is in a construction co.
Bruce and Claudine retired in Utah and moved to Bedford. Sharon and Bob Breinholt live
part time in Mesa, Arizona and Freedom. Irene has settled in Denver, Colorado and works for
AT&T, Dale and Lela live in Afton, Wyo. And Gale and Joann live in Grantsville, Utah. Oril now
lives in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Elva Barbara Jenkins was born in Freedom, Lincoln, Wyoming on 27 November, 1917, to
Raymond and Lula Haderlie Jenkins.
Oril Emil Hanson was born on the Idaho side of Freedom in Caribou County to Emil and
Martha (Sis) Hanson on 14 September, 1910. Died 11`November, 1995 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Buried 16 November, 1995 in Freedom, Wyoming.
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DELLIS & ERMA NELSON HULL HEAP
I was born in Freedom, WY on 7 Feb., 1908, to Joseph Heap and Mary Ellen Nelson Heap. I
had two brothers: Edgar and Clarence. Sisters: Leola, Elvina, Carrie, and Belva. Carrie is still living.
When I first started school, I went to the little two room school house on the Idaho side of Freedom.
Some of the time I walked the two miles and other times I rode in a buggy or sleigh. The second year,
there was a school house built in the town of Freedom and there were four grades in each class room. I
still walked most of the time. I took a lunch but in the winter it would freeze. We played baseball,
basketball, and had lots of fist fights.
I was baptized when I was 8 years old in the river and it was real cold.
When I was 10 years old, I worked for Gus Dable, driving a team of horses on a slip while he
loaded hay on it. I got paid 10 cents a day for doing this.
I did a lot of trapping for muskrats in the fall to buy clothes for school. Mother sent for a little
farm wagon for me for christmas but it was sent to two or three other places. The package finally came
after two years but by then I was too big for it and I don't know what became of it.
I didn't get to go to high school as we had to stay in Afton and I didn't know about it. I didn't
have any clothes ready so I decided I didn't want to go.
I started working when I was 15 doing any kind of farm work. I worked for Sid Bagley milking
15 cows by hand both night and morning, then I took a team and went 5 miles for a load of hay, brought
it back and fed 100 head of stock cattle. I did this for part of the winter and got $l.00 a day. I also
helped my dad get in our winter wood, helped him milk and feed our cows.
In my spare time I liked to go fishing. I also wanted to learn to shoot a gun, so I swiped Dad's
double barrel shot gun and decided I would shoot some wild ducks. I took aim, pulled both triggers at
once and was knocked about 10 feet backwards never even hitting one duck!
When I was a little older, I drove a herd of sheep over to Soda Springs. It took a whole week, 5
days going over and 2 days on a horse coming back. I got $2.00 a day for this job. This is also when I
saw my first train. I worked on the county road with my team for $5.00 a day and that really seamed
like a lot of money to me.
I rode a horse to go to the dances and if I was lucky enough to have a date, she would ride in the
saddle and I would ride behind her. In the winter we went in a sleigh with other girls and guys.
I was just 18 when a pretty young school teacher came and taught in the old Idaho school house
for $125.00 a month. At the end of her second year we were married. Her name was Ellen (Ella)
Robinson. In those days they wouldn't let married women teach, that was in 1927 at the time of the
depression and we had a hard struggle to try and keep going. We lived in my parent's kitchen and slept
in the attic. Mother and Dad moved into their front room and they also had the bedroom. We all used
the outdoor plumbing and had to pump for our water. In the spring, Ella and I moved into a little log
house up on Dad's ranch, east of Freedom, then when fall came we had to move back with Mom and
Dad again.
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I helped dad with milking and feeding. We sent the milk to the creamery and they held out so
much for stock in the creamery and our checks were $5.00 each. I started to haul milk beginning at five
o'clock each morning to gather up my load and take it down to the creamery where Brogs still live.
Sometimes I'd make $85.00 a month in the summer and only around $30.00 in the winter.
Ella and I finally lived in a small duplex in the old Kraft creamery building and then just 3 days
before Christmas, it caught fire and burned down. We just barely got baby Renae out. She was two
years old and had been living with us after her mother died. We lost every thing we owned except the
milk clothes we were wearing at the time. Everyone was so good to us. They had a shower for us and
gave us food, clothing and bedding to help us get started again.
I finally bought my first car, a 1935 Chevy, for $800.00 when I was 27 years old. I really
enjoyed it.
I was always a healthy fellow but my wife Ella wasn't. When she finally got pregnant she had a
lot of trouble. Ella gave birth to triplets and they only lived for an hour or two. They were buried in
Richmond, UT where Ella's folks lived. Ella was never well after the birth of those babies and on 17
June, 1936, she passed away and was buried next to the triplets.
I stayed single for six years and helped Dad run the ranch. On the 3 Oct., 1942, I married Erma
Nelson Hull who was living in Afton, running a cafe and taking care of her two children, Bill and
Nadine. We bought the new home that my brother Clarence had built before his first wife, Bertha died.
We lived there until after we had two children, Barbara and Eugene and Renae was still living with us.
I finally sold what cows I had, sold our home and we moved to California where my sister
Elvina lived. I bought a grocery store but missed all the fishing and hunting. We had another baby
while in CA. and named her Janice. With that many kids we decided to come back to Freedom. I
bought another herd of cows and built a small home until we were able to build a larger home. I wasn't
in very good health. I had a ruptured appendix and a short time later prostate operation. They
discovered cancer of the lymph glands and I spent a lot of time going to the doctors but they couldn't
help me.
Dellis passed away 7 Oct., 1983 in the Afton hospital with his wife and three children at his
bedside. His last words were "GOING HOME".
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EDGAR & ANNIE KATHERINE (RENA) WRIGHT HEAP
Edgar was born Aug 20, 1897 to Joseph and Mary Ellen Nelson Heap of Freedom, WY in
Caribou Co. He was born of a good pioneer heritage and in some ways Edgar was a pioneer in his own
right. He was the second child of seven children to be born to Joseph and Mary Heap. Leola was the
oldest, then Edgar, Elvina, Clarence, Carrie, Dellis, and a little sister Belva that died. He and his brothers
and sisters were close and had many fun and happy experiences together.
He spent his young years in Freedom at his parent's home helping his father on the farm and
playing with family and friends. In his youth he went to the Idaho school situated on the corner of the
road that leads to Tin Cup Canyon. As the Idaho and Wyoming state line runs up the center of the road
in Freedom, it was Idaho that built the first school in the town.
Edgar was a quiet, kind and mannerly young man. He was always clean and neat in his
appearance and his character was of the highest quality. He carried these characteristics throughout his
life.
When Edgar was about 19 or so, he and a couple of his friends, one being Lawrence Weber went
to California for a year. Edgar wanted to be a mechanic as cars were coming to Star Valley and he
wanted to start his own business. While in California he got very sick and about died but he was nursed
back to health by his paternal grandparents and finished his schooling. He returned home to start a
business in the garage that his father had built while he was gone. His was the first, fully equipped
garage in Star Valley for many years and he had the only air hoist in the valley.
He met Annie Katharine Wright at a social and they fell in love. She was born March 30, 1899,
to Charles Erastus and Annie Fredericka Hemmert Wright. She was raised on Muddy String road in
Thayne, WY. Rena, as she was always called, had four sisters and two brothers. Edgar and Rena were
married March 29, 1919 in the Logan Temple which was a happy day and special experience for the
young couple. Their first twelve years were hard. They lived with his parents and then moved to the
Eddie Jenkins ranch where Edgar milked cows and fed livestock.
The first winter they were married, the deadly flu epidemic hit the valley and both Rena and
Edgar were stricken and were taken to his parents to be nursed with six others of the Heap family. Roy
Keeler (the husband of Edgar's sister, Leola) had contracted the flu and survived during the first World
War. He doctored and nursed the stricken family back to health. Rena stated that he was very kind and
knew just what to do and with his knowledge and experience, his nursing efforts were successful. Rena's
parents would come and watch her through the window from the outside and pray for her recovery. She
was at this time three to four months pregnant with their first child. On July 20, 1920 this proud couple
was blessed with a tiny, three pound four ounce baby girl. They named her Lorraine after a town in
France. Her grandmother Wright's wedding ring would fit over her tiny wrist like a bracelet. After
Lorraine was born they moved into a one-room house, across the street from the garage. They stayed
there for fifteen months and then moved into living quarters on the south side of the Burton store where
they made their home. Edgar could work in the garage in the summer and had to find work in the winter
elsewhere. Sometimes he would go to the canyon and log or do other odd jobs to support his family.
They did this for twelve years and then things began to get easier.
On November 3, 1922 a son was born to them and they named him Edger. He lived for only two
months and was buried in the Freedom Cemetery. The following year on November 4, 1923, they were
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blessed with another son and named him Forrest Joel. When he was two and one half old, he and his
older sister caught the whooping cough. In those days it was a dreaded disease and took the lives of
many babies, but Forrest was blessed and survived. In the spring time when the roads were bad, and
Forrest was four and one half years old, he became suddenly ill. The doctor diagnosed him with a
paralyzed intestine. Through all kinds of weather and over terrible roads, they took him to Dr. Kackley
in Soda Springs. With faith and prayer and the work of a good Dr., Forrest lived after the parents were
told he would die.
They had started to build a home in Freedom next to Edgar's sister, Leola and brother in-law,
Roy Keeler. In April they moved into it with only two rooms finished, but it was their very own and they
remained their for the rest of his life.
On April 14, 1932, eight years after Forrest was born they were blessed with another baby
daughter. She was born on her Grandfather's Heap"s birthday and they names her Ellen after her
Grandmother, Mary Ellen Heap. They enjoyed her very much, especially her father.
Edgar and Rena had a successful life together. They were the first couple to have a radio
installed in their home. He was a prosperous business man and who was always honest in his dealings
and pleasant to deal with. They operated the garage with a beer, soda pop and ice cream store attached.
They closed it around 1939 and opened an ice cream and soda fountain across the street next to where
Brog and Hemmert's hardware use to be. They closed that after a few years and Edgar just worked in
the garage.
Through the years they camped, fished, went on many trips to Yellowstone with family and
friends and would go prospecting with his father, Joe Heap, which was enjoyable. Edgar was one of
several men from Freedom that spent many hours in meetings and traveling to Soda Springs or Idaho
Falls trying to get the Tin Cup road passable and worked on. To this end they were successful.
Both he and Rena were active in the LDS Church and held many positions. They were dance
directors, stake missionaries and was Sunday school superintendent at the time of his death, at the age of
48. He died in Tacoma, WA where he had gone to pick up an army jeep with a friend, Clarence
Chadwick. He died of a cerebral hemorrhage.
Rena had been sick so much in her life and had several major surgeries, still she worked with her
husband, was a good mother and an immaculate house keeper. The year 1945 was a hard one for her and
Edgar as he about lost her because of a serious gall bladder operation.
After Edger died, Rena stayed in her home, in Freedom, for about two years. She then sold the
garage and home, and with her daughter Ellen, moved to Afton where she could find work and support
them. Rena died May 31, 1957, at the age of 58. Both she and Edger were buried in the Freedom
cemetery.
Lorraine married Walter Barber and they lived close by in Glen where they farmed land that
Walter's father had settled. Forrest served in the second World War and caused the family to worry
greatly, as did others in the Valley who were serving. He married Nada Jean Taggart and for a while
after he came home from the service he and his father worked together in the garage. After Edgar died,
Forrest tried to carry on alone and then he and Nada decided to move to California and Washington to
further his education. He became an aeronautical engineer and was very successful. His mother was
proud of him and his accomplishments.
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He and Nada had five children. Ellen married Charles G. Heiner and moved to Bedford. They lived on a
farm and Charles farmed for many years. They had four children.
Star Valley and Freedom was settled by good, strong pioneers, sent out by the church leaders.
This family was proud of their heritage and Edgar and Rena were no exception. They lived as their
pioneer ancestors would have wanted them to by working hard, being honest and keeping the faith.
Written by daughter, Ellen H. Heiner.
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EUGENE & EVELYN SMITH HEAP
Gene and I moved our trailer house from Thayne to his Dad's dry farm, east of highway 89,
about 1980. We had three children at the time. Rox Anne was about 9, Geni was 4, and Thad was 3.
It was fall, and Gene parked the trailer in sage brush and weeds on a little hill where his Grandfather
once had a home. The next spring, we pulled the sage brush and mowed the weeds and it made a
pretty good looking lawn. The view is beautiful, but the road was scary to drive at times in the
winter. I was Relief Society President in the Thayne ward so we still attended church in Thayne.
After they split the Thayne ward and redid boundaries, we started going to church in Freedom. Rox
Anne was in mutual by then and Thad in Scouts. It was so much easier to get to Freedom and closer
than Thayne, especially in the winter. We have two more boys, Brock and Brant.
We started building our home when Rox Anne was about 12. We finally have most of it
done.
I've worked in Primary and as a Beehive Advisor in the ward. Gene became active in the
Church about 2 1/2 years ago and we with our children were sealed in the Logan Temple when Rox
Anne was married two years ago in 1992. Gene has been in the ward Sunday School Presidency,
Stake Sunday School Presidency, Primary teacher and is in the Elders Quorum Presidency at this
time.
Gene started a landscaping business about four years ago. I have my beauty shop in our
home. We became grandparents this spring. We are plugging away and trying to get our children
raised right - hopefully.
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JOSEPH HEAP
Joseph Heap- Born 14 April 1878 at St. Charles, Bear Lake County, Idaho. Fifth child of
eleven. Born to Sarah Ann Marsh and William Harrison Heap. He had seven brothers and two
sisters. He came to Star Valley with his parents in June 1879 when he was ten months old. They
made their home in the Lower Valley at Freedom in the Tincup area, Caribou County side. Joe and
his brother John met with an accident at the age of nine costing him his sight in one eye. But this
never hindered his ability to work. He was an avid sportsman, hunting and fishing. He was a
farmer, loved horses and played a violin. The Heap family played many musical instruments. He
was one of 27 people to first settle in Freedom. He kept his buildings and surroundings neat and
clean. He married Mary Ellen Nelson who was born 29 September 1879 at Bloomington, bear Lake
County, Idaho to Inger K. Peterson and Nels “Neils” Christian Nelson. She came to Freedom with
her mother at the age of nine. She had three sisters and five brothers. The Nelson family settled in
Tincup area on Caribou County side of Freedom. Her early years included pioneer living with all
attendant hardships and pleasures. She soon developed a real skill at handwork ding beautiful
embroidery, crocheting, and knitting and was real seamstress by hand. In later years she had a
Treadle sewing machine. She could make anything you wanted from a piece of material or remake
to perfect fit something out of a coat she ripped the seams out of and turned the material. Never
were there two better Grandparents. They helped raise some of their grandchildren and every child
was welcome in their home. To this union were born seven children, three boys and four girls, and
then twenty-seven grandchildren. Mary Leola married LeRoy H. Keeler—Edgar married Annie K.
Wright (Rena)—Elvina married George A. Steadman—Carrie married Sidney R. Bagley—Clarence
married Bertha May Brower and Grace Hyde—Dellis married Ellen Robinson and Erma Nelson—
Belva lived but a few hours.
Joe bought 160 acres from his brother John Heap and applied for Homestead Land was cut
short with his wife sick (a neighbor reported him). So he had to start again. But stayed more
complete this time until it was his. He worked hard, was a good neighbor and friend.
Inger K. Peterson Nelson Inger was born 7 April 1845 at Norrivia, Noroke, Denmark, the
daughter of Petter and Mattie Jensen. Her father was killed in a war against Germany, leaving his
young wife, a daughter and a son to make their way alone. When Inger was 18 she joined The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and came to America. She was engaged to a young man
who planned to come to America later. Mother and daughter left Denmark around 1863 leaving the
brother there to come six years later. While crossing the plains, a gun in the hands of Nels “Neils”
Christian Nelson accidentally shot her. As a result of this incident he took responsibility for her and
married her in the Endowment House. She was 17 years younger than her husband and this entered
her into polygamy. Later Inger and her 9 children were removed to the comparatively safe haven of
Star Valley to escape the U.S. Marshals. This was in 1888. She was left to fend for her family as
both her father and mother on a farm up Tincup without a fence where she tried to keep her
livestock-a heartbreaking task. Her nearest neighbors were the families of C.H. Haderlie, Jacob
Schiess and William Heaps. Indians were a source of fright. She finally made friends with them to
the point she was no longer afraid of them and they were good to her in return. Times were hard.
She had to feed her family with what she raised and the wild fruits, cord wool and spin thread to
make material which she dyed. She gathered the wool from fences and brush, corded it, spun her
own materials, made her dye and homemade soap to wash with. She would knit stockings and
mittens. She was never idle and meticulously clean. She made lye soap, rag rugs and was known as
a skilled mid-wife. She would help all she could in a 10-mile radius accepting anything for payment
that would sustain her growing family. Not once did she fail to head the call for help. Nor did she
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turn the hungry from her humble home, often sacrificing the goods her own family needed. Her life
was hard—nothing but bare necessities, never luxury. She died 23 October 1930 with all 9 of her
children at her bedside. They were Andrew, Martha Sanderson, Soren C, Joseph, Jacob, Inger K.
Thornock, Mary Ellen Heap, Sarah Christina Sizemore and John Thomas Nelson. My mother often
stated that her Grandma Inger Nelson grieved over the young man she was engaged to and never had
a chance to marry. Her life on earth was so hard, but she stayed so strong. She lived the
commandments and knew her reward would be in heaven.
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REMEMBERING MY GRANDMA, MARY ELLEN HEAP
The fondest memories I have as a child growing up, was of my grandma Heap. At her place I
could bake cookies and no matter how they turned out they would say they were good. She was always
so proud of anything I did well and her praise would make her happy for days.
One of the things I remember well, was the aprons she wore; It would go over her head and
cover her completely. I would walk down to the barn with her to gather the eggs which she would put in
her apron. Other times when we walked, we would gather small chips and pieces of wood to make a hot
fire to bake bread. On baking days she would also iron. People today wouldn't believe how hot your
house would get cooking three meals a day. I remember her holding her apron over my head when we
were caught in a shower. She used her apron to lift bread and cakes out of the oven. When I was little I
remember her wrapping me in her apron and rocking me in her big rocking chair.
Grandmother's life was hard and her health was never good. All the cream, butter, eggs and milk
were kept in a cool cellar, and you would carry them out and back for three meals a day. Grandma also
had the most awful water pump. You would have to pump a lot of strokes before the water came and if
you stopped to rest the water went back down the pump and you would have to start over. I remember
her joy when she got her first refrigerator. She called it and ice box. How wonderful it was not to have
to carry all those things down to the cellar to keep them cool.
I have never known anyone with so much talent. She could look at a picture of a dress in a
catalog and cut a pattern out of newspapers and it would fit perfect. She could crochet lace from looking
at the pictures. I remember her knitting, tatting lace, drawing beautiful designs on pillow cases and her
embroidery was perfect.
I will always be grateful to my grandma Heap. I was always made to feel so welcome in her
home and she was always glad to see me. Many of the things she gave me I still have and I treasure
them.
My life was made better because of her.
Written by Verba Erickson
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LIFE STORY OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON HEAP
Son of Wm Heap and Margaret Beesley
Written by Laura Hanson Stock, a granddaughter, 1963
William Henry Harrison Heap was born in Cedar Grove, Franklin County, Indiana 2 January
1838. His father was William Heap who came to America with his parents, William Heap and
Elizabeth Watson Heap in 1819, having sailed from Liverpool, England, and landed in Alexandria,
District of Columbia. William's mother was Margaret Beesley, daughter of Joseph Beesley and
Rebecca Herrod from Lancashire, England. They came to America between 1825 and 1830.
William worked on his father's farm until he was twenty-three. At that time he married Mary
Whitehead, daughter of Thomas Whitehead and Mary Heap. Two children were born to this union,
Albert in 1862 and Clara Jane in 1865, In 1866 William came west with an ox team company to Salt
Lake City, Utah. On 19 October 1867 William married his second wife, Sarah Ann Marsh.
In February 1879 William returned to Indiana to help his first wife settle her affairs. He tried
to persuade her to come West with him, but she would not. He refused to stay in Indiana so they
separated on those terms.
William and Sarah Ann lived in southern Utah, in Dingle, Idaho and St. Charles Idaho before
coming to Freedom. While in St. Charles two more boys were born, John, 30 November 1875 and
Joseph, 14 April 1878.
There move from St. Charles to Freedom, Idaho was made by way of Montpelier Canyon,
crossing the creek about twenty times, and following the old Salt Works Road to where it ended.
From there it took seven days to build a road and travel to the present site of Fairview. They
followed the Lander Trail from there to Freedom, Idaho where they decided to settle. It has been
told that William took part in the flag raising ceremony when Wyoming was made a State from a
Territory.
Six more children were born to William and Sarah Ann in Freedom, Aaron, who was the first
white boy born in the lower Star Valley, Eli, Henry, Margaret, Ella and Ira. This made eleven
children in this one family.
When Martha was sixteen years of age her parents gave a dance in the home of Martha
Rolph, her grandmother. The home consisted of only one room. Martha invited all the lower valley
people to the dance. She served pie to all. Moroni Hunt played the violin and Samuel Miller called
the dances.
About 1887 William and Sarah left their Tin Cup home and built, with the help of their sons,
a log house in the town of Freedom. A one-room log house was built across the street from William
and Sarah's new home. This was for Sarah's mother, Martha Ann Rolph.
About 1900 or 1901 William sold his new log house to Albert Rolph, who raised his family
there. Ralph later sold the home to Walter Weber.
William and Sarah, along with the children which were still living at home, moved to
Montpelier, Idaho, where they tried their luck at running a restaurant. After two or three years they
decided they didn't like to live in Montpelier so they moved to Thayne, Wyoming. There William
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bought a store from Arthur Roberts and a farm from Amon Vail. He also sold machinery for Sidney
Stevens. In later years he turned the store over to his sons. Aaron owned the store for several years
before moving to Ogden, Utah.
William and Sarah lived in Thayne the rest of their lives. William passed away 7 February
1919 while visiting his daughter, Margaret, in Kemmerer, Wyoming and is buried in the Thayne
Cemetery. Sarah Ann passed away 7 February 1919 in Thayne, Wyoming and is buried by the side
of her husband, William.
WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON & SARAH ANN MARSH HEAP
William was born January 2, 1838 at Cedar Grove, Franklin, Indiana. His father William Heap
came to America in 1819, sailing from Liverpool, England. He married Sarah Ann Marsh in Salt Lake
City. She was born April 18, 1852. They were sealed at the Endowment House October 19, 1867. They
were sent to Dixie by Brigham Young. They settled in Zions Canyon. Three children were born to them:
Marion-October 19, 1869; Martha-November 22, 1870; and William, Jr.-July 25, 1873. The family
moved on to Bear Lake. During time in St. Charles, two more sons were born. John-November 30,
1875; and Joseph-April 14, 1878.
Blazing a trail they made their way into the upper Star Valley, now known as Fairview. After
camping, the men scouted the valley. They decided on the present side of Freedom on Tin Cup Creek
area, now known as McCullock Ranch (Rainey Hill). There were 27 people besides the Heap family;
John S. Rolph, Jay Rolph, Martha Ann Rolph, John and Hannah Hill, Albert F. Rolph and Moroni Hunt.
William brought the first cattle and sheep into Freedom. Here they found a dream valley where they
could be near clear streams full of fish. Easy access to wild fowl and wild game feeding in bush areas of
tall grass, with an abundance of choice wild berries and wild onions. It was a perfect summer in 1879.
The fall was breathtakingly beautiful and colored leaves added to the gorgeous surroundings of lush
reds, golds and green. The new residents were not aware of the hard winter that soon arrived, quietly,
blanketing the area in deep, white snow. Their new home took on a whole new look. The snow
continued to pile up to the depth of six feet. Such a severe winter was a bad experience, yet they
survived. It was a great teaching experience, though life threatening. He lost most of his livestock. The
next winter found the family better prepared. Six more children were born in Freedom: AaronSeptember 10,1880 (first white child born in Lower Star Valley); Eli- March 29, 1883; Margaret-March
10, 1885; Ella-October 28, 1887; Henry-August 8, 1890 and Ira-September 10, 1896.
In 1887, William and Sarah left their Tin Cup home, built a comfortable two story, large log
house in town on the Caribou, Idaho side. A long comfortable, one room log house was built across the
street for Sarah Ann's mother, Martha Ann Rolph. Sarah Ann was an excellent cook and home maker.
William was a teacher to his older children after a full days work. They left Freedom in 1900.
William passed away in Kemmerer on May 15, 1916: Sarah Ann in Thayne on February 7, 1919.
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RALPH WRIGHT & VERA GLADYS HERRINGTON HEMMERT
Ralph was born 8 March, 1915, at the home of his parents, Hans George and Mary Aldine
Wright Hemmert in Thayne, WY. His family moved to Ogden in 1925.
Vera was born 16 Jan., 1916, in Gravesend, Kent, England to Herbert Alfred and Gertrude Elsie
Segon Herrington. Her family immigrated to UT., settling in Ogden when she was around 4 years old.
They met in Ogden through a mutual friend and were married in the Salt Lake Temple, April 20,
1936. They continued to reside in Ogden where the birth of their first child, Veloy Aldine occurred on
12 January, 1937. They then moved to Freedom in 1938, purchasing the home of his brother, Howard,
which had been built by Howard and Ralph's Father.
It was a white house with a front porch and a white picket fence. Inside was a front room,
kitchen, bathroom, 2 bedrooms and a back porch on the main floor. Upstairs were 2 bedrooms with an
attic in the west bedroom, and an alcove over the front porch in the east bedroom.
Ralph had been trained as a Blacksmith by his father and received training as a mechanic at the
Utah Trade Tech in Ogden. When the family moved to Freedom, Ralph worked at and managed the
Freedom Brog and Hemmert Hardware Store and Blacksmith Shop. He often made calls far into the
night in farmer's fields to repair their machinery. People called him from as far away as Montpelier,
Idaho because of his excellent ability.
Ralph was known for his honesty and wonderful personality. He was a man of many skills,
including carpentry, plumbing, electrical, welding, farming, fishing, hunting, marksmanship (He helped
organize the Freedom Gun Club), gunsmithing, trapping, playing horseshoes and the ability to make
horseshoes, snowshoes and bridles. In other words, he was capable of doing anything.
Some of his church positions, while residing in Freedom, included serving in the MIA, dance
director and drama director jointly with Vera.
As well as being an excellent homemaker, Vera helped work in the store. She encouraged
Ralph's carpentry skills by knocking out walls in their home for remodeling. Vera enjoyed sewing,
canning, cooking, needlework, quilting, playing the piano, gardening, marksmanship (at one time
winning a medal). wallpapering, painting, refinishing furniture and singing in the Women's Choir. Vera
spent many hours doing Family History Research.
Some of her church positions included, Primary Organist, Relief Society Visiting Teacher, MIA
Activity Counselor and Sunday School Teacher.
Ralph and Vera enjoyed dancing, camping, horseback riding, shooting guns and volleyball.
While living in Freedom, three more children were born into the family; Ralph Sherman, 13 July
1939; Juleen Maude, 5 May 1944; and Von Eugene, 20 September 1948. They were all born in the
Afton Hospital about 20 miles away from Freedom.
In 1954, Ralph started working at the Afton Brog and Hemmert Hardware Store. He and Vera
sold their home to Lyman and Vernessa Wright and bought a farm in Grover where their fifth child,
Trudy Ann was born on 5 November, 1956.
Ralph died 29 July 1989.
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BRET and KARLENE HOKANSON
Bret W. Hokanson was born in Afton, Wyoming, December 20, 1959, to Gary and Carole
Hokanson. He grew up in Freedom and graduated from Star Valley High School in Afton. He
served an LDS mission to Perth, Australia from January 1979 to January 1981.
Karlene Kay Frandsen Hokanson was born in Idaho Falls, ID to Karl and Iris Frandsen, on
December 28, 1961. She grew up in Blackfoot, Idaho, and attended Blackfoot schools until her
family moved to Firth, ID. She graduated from Firth High School. She attended LDS business
College and graduated from Eastern Idaho Technical College and received an associate in Dental
Assisting.
Bret and Karlene met while Bret was attending Ricks College, and Karlene was attending
EITC. They were married April 2, 1982, in the Idaho Falls Temple. They lived in a little
apartment in Etna until August 1982, when they moved to Rexburg, ID. so Bret could continue his
education at Ricks College. Bret was employed at Nelson-Ricks Creamery at Sugar City, ID. while
attending college. While in Rexburg their first baby was born, Nickolas Gary, September 26, 1983.
On March 26, 1985, Bret and Karlene moved back to Star Valley. They lived in Afton until
August of the same year. Then they moved to Freedom, into Vernessa Wright's home. (Gary and
Carole had bought and remolded the house).
They had three more children--Travis Don, March 1, 1986, Heidi Lynn, May 24, 1988, and
Timothy Brian, June 15, 1990. Bret was employed by Western Dairymen at the Star Valley
Creamery for nine years. The creamery closed their doors and changed hands in the fall of 1993.
Bret has now gone back to school at the Eastern Idaho Technical College in Idaho Falls, ID, for a
degree in Diesel Mechanics. The family still lives in Freedom, and Bret travels to school and home
again,
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DEE J. AND IDA RANZENBERG HOKANSON
Dee J. Hokanson, son of Orlin and Eva Hokanson, was born at home in Freedom, Wy. 8
Aug., 1934. He has two sisters, Verla and Nyla, and two brothers, Gary and Van. They lived in the
home on Freedom Lane that had been built by his father.
Dee's first recollections of home were baths in a tub in the middle of the kitchen, playing
with cousins, milking cows by hand, feeding horses, filling the wood box, trucking with his father,
and eating lunch at the post office. He attended elementary school for eight years at Freedom, with
two grades in each room. The school bus was a covered wagon with a stove in the middle. Parties
and special programs were held in the church amusement hall. During the school years, their
amusement included skiing behind a saddle horse, jumping from the loft in the old barn into the hay
below, playing basketball, running races, coasting on the crust and horseback riding. He rode a bus
for one hour each day to attend High School in Afton where he played basketball and football. He
was a jockey when he was 9 or 10 years old, he rode for his father and other owners.
In 1953, Dee married Ida Ranzenberg in the Idaho Falls Temple. We have lived in Freedom
all our married life. We have seven children, all of which are married and have families of their
own. We have 18 grandchildren, and they are the light of our lives.
Dee attended college at USU at Logan for five years. He was a teacher and/or a principal for
33 years. He retired from the school district in the spring of 1993.
As members of the LDS Church, we are active as ward Mission Leaders and Stake
Missionaries. Other jobs have included Bp., High Council, Relief Society President, MIA Pres.,
Primary teacher, Scoutmaster, Explorer leader, and Ward Clerk. Ida has been postmaster for over 22
years and worked as a clerk for 10 years. She took over the job when Eva retired.
Dee still has a love for horses, he has owned and raised horses all his married life. He races
at the race tracks during the summer months and races on the cutter (chariot) during the winter
months. Ida's hobbies are quilting and photography.
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EVA MAY JENKINS HOKANSON
I was born at Freedom, Wyoming, November 13, 1909, in a two room log house. I was
the fifth child. My parents Lewis Ira Jenkins and Mary Ann (Mayi Griffin), were very happy
with my arrival as their last three children were boys. They had planned on being moved into their
new house for my arrival, but it wasn't ready, so they moved in for Christmas. I had one sister
and seven brothers, and one adopted brother Kenneth. My brother Blaine died of Dropsy when I
was a year old, and Harvey died of pneumonia when he was 4 months old.
We all had the childhood diseases as they came along. Mother said I never took whooping
cough, although the rest of the family had it real hard. We all had the flu and were down all at once.
When I was five years old, I had ruptured appendicitis. I was taken to CIfton in a covered sleigh
and brought home in a buggy. I was operated on by Drs. Bryon and Leffett Reese. The doctors
told my parents I only had one chance in a hundred. The power of the Priesthood was called upon
in my behalf several times, and each time I was greatly blessed. I was in the hospital for two
months. I had to even learn to walk all over again.
My best girl friend was my cousin Norma, and we were together every chance we could
squeeze in. At one time in my life, I had 9 dolls. My favorite pastime was playing with them all,
dressing and undressing them for bed most every night, and sewing new dresses for them,
I attended school at Freedom, Wyoming, in a two-room school house for eight years. We
had religion class in grade school once a week for 1/2 hour in the morning for a while.
I started working in the post office as a clerk in 1428. Norma went on to college that fall
so we were separated. I became close friends with Ardella Hokanson, who was working for
William Heap in our store in town. Of course Orlin took us car riding many times to pass the time
away. My first date with Orlin William Hokanson was to a young folks party being held at the
ward hall. I had to furnish a freezer of ice cream. We both were on the committee, so he made a
date to pick up the ice cream and of course, had to bring the freezer home again. He came most
of the time on horseback, many times before I was through milking. We were married November
12, 1330, in the Logan Temple. My mother and father and Orlin's mother went with us. We were
unable to get our license on the 11th as it was a holiday, so we had a big rush the next morning
to get to the temple, as we stayed in Newton overnight. That winter Orlin camped and got logs
out for our precent home. He came home only on weekends. I worked in the post office until May
4, 1331 then stayed home most of the time. Our first home was on the Jackson place east of
Freedom, one room dust for the summer. We moved to Orlin's mother's for the winter months.
Then in the spring, we moved to the north room in my dad's house and started working a little at a
time on our home for the next two years.
Eva was appointed Postmaster in Freedom, May 11, 1338. She held this position fur 35
years. She was active in the church all her life. Eva and Orlin's married life together was a happy
one. Their family life was very important to them. They spent many hours playing games with
their children. The children born to Eva and Orlin are Verla, Dee J., Orlin Gary, Evalin (lived only
a few hours), Nyla, and Van. Eva May Jenkins Hokanson passed away January 23, 1977, of
terminal cancer.
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NYLA J, HOKANSON
Nyla was born September 29, 1941, to Orlin William Hokanson and Eva May Jenkins. She
was the fifth of six children. She attended elementary school in Freedom.
On January 15, 1966, Nyla married John Alfred Merchant in the Idaho Falls, Temple. The children
born to Nyla and Al are Sheryl Anne, Alison, Jeffrey Alan, Carolyn, and Steven Michael
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OLA HOKANSON
In the beautiful country of Sweden, a land of rolling hills and farmland, in the county of
Krisianstad, parish of Hvitaby, was born born the son of Kakan Persson and margretta Persdotter.
His name was to be ola. He was born 6 July, 1842.
His father died when he was 14 years old. Farm work helped Ola to develop his young body
and made him strong and healthy.
His mother died when he was 21 years old and he went to live with his sister.
He met the girl who was to become his wife and they were married on 17 July 1866. He
married Ingar Hokanson.
Two sons were born to them, Hokan and Nils.
Shortly after the birth of Nils they met Latter Day Saint missionaries and were converted
along with Ingar’s brother, Pehr. Pehr gave up his inheritance and helped finance the trip that they
able to make the journey to America. Here another son, Olof was born.
In 1873 the family moved to the fairly new setlement of St. Charles, Idaho and here he
homesteaded land and built a home.
During the winter months they worked in the timber.
Three more sons were born to them, John Alfred, William Edgar and Nephi Henry who did
not live very long.
Ola took out citizenship papers and became a citizen of the U.S. of America on 27 June
1882.
Two daughters were then born to them, Mary Amanda and Luannie Sophia.
One more son was born, James Andrew and in giving birth to this child Ingar lost her life.
James was born and Ingar died on 15 June 1884.
This was hard for Ola and he was forced to give his new son up for another to raise. This
being the midwife, Sister Annie Laker.
Another young convert had arrived from Sweden and was taken into the home to help before
the death of his wife and she continued on and helped care for the home and family. Later that fall
Ola went to the Logan Temple shortly after it was dedicated and was married to Inger Maria
Johnson.
To this marriage were born, Joseph Enock, Heber, Ida Arabella, Hyrum, and Oscar Johan.
Again Ola was to lose his comapnionon 13 February, 1900, baby Oscar only 16 months old
but this time there was Annie and mary to care for him.
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Ola’s four oldest sons moved to Star Valley taking there brides with them so in May 1902
Ola took his remainig family and moved to Freedom, Wyoming.
He bought the Warren property and proceeded to build a snall home on it.
In Feburary 1904 his son William Edgar was called to serve a mission in Kentucky . But
within a year he was called to his Heavenly home, his death being caused by erysipelas.
Ola farmed his ground which consitsted of the property owned by John Edwards and Daniel
Clark.
Ola believed in keeping his home and his grounds and barns clean. He had great pride in his
horses and team and he had a high stepping team. He would ride his horse to the post office each day
to get his mail.
Ola had white hair and a big white beard and quite often he was used as the Santa Claus of
the ward.
In about 1915 he traded some of his land to his daughter Annie and her husband John
Edwards for some dry farmland that they had homesteaded at Glen and Oscar and Joseph went there
to live. He also sold the rest of his farm to his daughter Mary and her husband Daniel Clark.
He remained in this home the rest of his life.
Ola served for a number of years as second counselor in the Freedom Ward Bishopric with
Bishop Aaron Bracken 1905-1915. He was released due to poor health.
Two of his sons , John Alfred and Hyrum died of appendicitis.
Joseph was called in two the service of his country during World War I serving in Siberia.
Ola passed away at his home 2 January 1917. His body was placed in a plain pine box where
it was taken back to St. Charles where his dear friend, Ola Petterson had made a coffin for him. He
laid to rest with his two dear wives and mothers to his children.
We, posterity of this great man and his wives are very proud of our heritage.
WILLIAM EDGAR HOKANSON
William Edgar Hokanson was the fifth son and child born to Ola Hokanson and Ingar
Hokanson. He was born 22 January, 1877 at St. Charles, Bear Lake, Idaho.
Very little is known about his life but according to his sister-in-law, Josephine Laker, she
thought he was a wonderful man.
He grew to manhood quite tall in stature and heavily built.
All of the children in the family learned the true value of work and were taught at an early
age to do it right or it would be done over again.
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He moved with his father to Star Valley and to Freedom in May 1902 with his father from St.
Charles and they built a home and farmed some ground.
He was called to serve on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and
was set apart 16 February, 1905 for the Southern States Mission.
After serving eleven months he was stricken with erysipelas and passed away in Foxport,
Kentucky on 16, January 1905.
He is buried in the St. Charles, Idaho Cemetery.
JOSEPH ENOCK HOKANSON
Joseph Enock Hokanson was the first child born to Ola Hokanson and Inger Maria Johnson.
He was born 9 June, 1891 at St. Charles, Bear Lake, Idaho.
His mother passed away with heart trouble when he was eight years old. Thus he was raised
by his sisters Mary and Luannie.
He moved with his family to Freedom, Wyoming in May, 1902 and went to school in
Freedom. Later on the went to Paris, Idaho and went to high school.
He along with his brothers loved to hunt big game and fish.
During the hunting season of 1913 he went elk hunting up Gray’s River with his brother
John. While they were there, John had a serve attack of appendicitis and they had to stay longer
than they had planned until John could travel.
Joseph would go wherever his help was needed. In 1915 while his brother John was in
Grover helping his brother Olof while they were all down with the mumps, Joseph went and helped
out at John’s home.
On 9 February, 1915 he accompanied his brother John to Afton for the final time as this time
his appendix had ruptured and he passed away.
For years he lived with his brother Oscar and sister Ida in the old family home.
When the first World War broke out he was called to serve. He was in service for about a
year.
After his arrival home, the Spanish Influenza broke out and even though he had the flu
slightly he went to the homes of his brothers and sisters to help out.
As was common with all men in the valley they took turns freighting to Montpelier. He
always took his turn.
He herded cattle to McCoy Creek. One time he went on horseback with his cousin Mary
Hokanson, sister Ida and Warren Edwards up to Caribou Mountain where they were mining gold.
He loved dances.
He met Miss Nina Fulton Hokanson and they were married on 25 June 1927.
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Their only son Ola Fulton Hokanson was born 21 May 1928.
When Nina’s sister, Norma Fulton Thomas passed away two weeks after having given birth
to a baby girl, Joe and Nina took this baby and raised her as their own. Her name was Betty. She is
presently married to Bernard Lindstrom of Wayan, Idaho.
In about 1933 Joseph and Nina moved to Gray’s Lake, Idaho and later to Soda Springs. He
was a farmer and carpenter for forty years.
He passed away at Soda Springs on 6 July 1948, just two weeks after his sister Mary had
died, he is buried at Freedom, Wyoming.
His son Ola Fulton married Alma Mae Parsons 14 December 1947 and has two
children.
IDA ARABELLA HOKANSON CLARK
Ida Arabella Hokanson was the first and only daughter born to Ola Hokanson and Inger
Maria Johnson. She was born 11 March, 1894 at St. Charles, Bear Lake, Idaho.
She was only six years old when her mother passed away so was raised for a few years with
two substitute mothers, her sisters Mary and Annie. May married not long after the mother passed
away so it was up to Annie to raise the family.
She moved with her family to Freedom, Wyoming in May 1902 and there she went to school.
She moved away and on 10 September 1924 she was married to Harry Thomas Clark at
Evanston, Wyoming. They then moved to Lee’s Summit, Missouri and she had one son, Heber Jewel
Clark and on 22 January 1916 when he was only one year old she passed away on 24 January, 1926.
She is buried in Lee’s Summit. Heber married Lucille Vera Hatton.
OSCAR JOHAN HOKANSON
Oscar Johan Hokanson was born 8 October, 1988 at St. Charles, Bear Lake, Idaho to Ola
Hokanson and Inger Maria Johnson.
When he was just a little over a year old his mother passed away leaving him to be raised by
his sister Annie. For 11 years she was his substitute mother, then she married John James Edwads on
22 June 1910.
Then he lived with his father and with his brother Joseph on the Glen or Jack-knife Dry
Farm.
After his father’s death and his brother Joseph went into the army he went to live with his
brother Hokan in Thayne. After the death of Hokan he continued to live with Lehi. In later years he
spent considerable time with his niece, Delila Dana in Green River.
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Oscar never married. He worked as a ranch hand for many ranchers in Lower Star Valley.
Then he began working with the U.S. Forest Service. He was a great sportsman and loved to hunt
and fish. He liked animals, especially horses.
He passed away 11 March 1974 In Salt Lake City, Utah and is buried in Freedom, Wyoming
cemetery.
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ORLIN GARY HOKANSON
Gary was born November 30, 1936, in Afton, Wyoming, to Orlin William Hokanson and
Eva May Jenkins, He was the third of six children, He attended elementary school in Freedom and
high school at Star Valley High.
On September 13, 1958, he married Carole Ann Willmore in Evanston, Wyoming. Their
marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls Temple on February 2, 1980, He owned and
operated the service station in Freedom, Wyoming, for l6 years, Children born to Gary and Carole
Hokanson are Bret W, and Drue W.
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VAN J. HOKANSON
Van was born at the LDS Hospital in Afton Wyoming on my father's Birthday, June 26,
1944, to Orlin William Hokanson and Eva May Jenkins. He was 6 weeks premature, but was a
healthy, normal boy. He is the fifth of five in the family having 2 older brothers and 2 older sisters.
He attended elementary school in Freedom, and served an LDS mission to Uruguay. He
married Joyce Aileen Stock in the Idaho Falls Temple. The children born to Van and Joyce
Hokanson are William S., Shelly, Andrew S., Michael Van, and David Paul.
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VERLA J. HOKANSON
Verla was born October 30, 1932, in Afton, Wyoming, to Eva May Jenkins and Orlin
William Hokanson. She grew up in Freedom, Wyoming, and attended elementary school in
Freedom.
On November 20, 1953, She married James Peterson Crook in the Idaho Falls Temple. The
children born to Vevla and James are Leanna, Terena, Merodene, Jay H., Scott H., Shereen,
Colleen, Nolin H., Val H., James H., Erecky, and Jan.
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REED BURTON HOLBROOK & BONITA MAY CLARK
Reed Burton Holbrook was born in Burley, Idaho on 4 February,
1932, to Kenneth Barlow Holbrook and Elsa Mae Burton. He is the
second child of a family of four. When he was two years old his parents
moved to Etna, Wyoming where his father bought a farm. He lived
there and helped on the farm until shortly before he was married.
Bonita May Clark was born in Afton, Wyoming on 14 May,
1932, to Arthur Clark and Loretta McWherter. She is the first of three
children. She has live in Freedom all her life except for the first six
months of her marriage.
Reed and Bonnie were married on 22 June, 1951, in the Idaho
Falls Temple. They lived in Sunset, Utah for 3 months and Reed
worked at Hill Air Force Base. Then they moved to Afton, Wyo. And
Reed worked on construction helping build the new high school. They
moved to Freedom March 1952, and lived in a 2 room house in back of
the Charles Weber home. While living here their son, Arlo, was born.
About 2 years later they moved into Keeler’s cabins in back of the store
now owned by John and Tracey Baugh. In May 1957, they bought 1.65 acres and a 3 room home
one-fourth north of the Freedom church where they still live at the present time. Their home has had
several rooms added to it over the years which they have built themselves. Their daughter, Betty,
was born a few years after they moved into their home.
In 1952 Reed started working part time for the Silver Star Telephone Co. while still owned
by Sterling Weber. In 1956, Melvin Hoopes bought the telephone co. and hired Reed full time
where he still works at the present time. (1993)
Bonnie worked for the Lower Valley Power & Light while it was still located in Freedom
until she was married.
Reed’s church positions have consisted of Ward Clerk, Executive Sec., Sec. Of Elders
Quorum, and a counselor in the High Priest Group. He and Bonnie are now Stake Baptism
Coordinators and Initiatory Officiators at the Idaho Falls Temple.
Bonnie has worked in all the organizations of the Church as Ward and Stake Sunday School
Secretary, Teacher and Counselor in Primary, Junior Sunday School Coordinator, President of the
MIA, and Counselor in the Relief Society.
Reed’s hobbies are traveling and woodworking where he spends many hours in his shop
making cedar chests and furniture.
Bonnie likes to read, type and take care of her family and home.
KEITH C. & GAYLE IZATT
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Keith C. Izatt was born on the 23rd of January, 1927, to Leslie & Delia Elizabeth Crouch
Izatt. Keith was welcomed into the world on a 40 below zero day in Turnerville, Wyoming. He quit
school after the 8th grade in order to help his dad, Leslie, run the sawmill. World War II had taken
all of Leslie Izatt's help from the mill. Years later he took the high school "equivalent test" [GED]
and passed. This gave him a high school diploma.
Keith married his sweetheart Emily Gayle Erickson who was the daughter of Clarence Henry
& Emily Barrus Erickson. She was born in Fairview, Wyoming on the 16th of February, 1937. In
her youth Gayle worked at the Pilot Cafe, Covey Cafe & Hiway Market in Afton. She graduated
from the Star Valley High School in 1955. Except for a 6 month period of time in which Keith lived
in North Salt Lake and worked at Bountiful Lumber, he, Gayle, and family have lived in the family
home in Freedom, Wyoming. The following children were born to Keith and Gayle Izatt:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
26 January 1957 - Wade Keith Izatt - married Lona Gail Williams
29 October 1958 - Marta Rae Izatt - married Barry Von Diamond
14 April 1962 - Dana Eric Izatt -married Stephanie Diane Fransen
15 December 1964 - Jill Izatt - married Rex Wayne Hubbard
15 July 1971 - Jan Marion Izatt - married Bryan Dee Miller
12 December 1975 - Blake Leslie Izatt
One of the highlights of Keith's younger years in Freedom was working on the Freedom
Ward Farm. He remembered working on the Ward Farm each Spring & Fall and how good it was to
associate with those who came to help put in the crops and also harvest them.
The occupation that Keith chose in life to support his wife and family was that of a logger &
lumber man. He worked in the Freedom Lumber Company for 53 years and finally retired in May of
1993.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been of great importance to Keith. He
has held the following church positions:
Ward Teacher, Elders' Quorum Secretary for 7 years, Missionary to
the East Central States, Activity Committee - M.I.A., Secretary of the
M.I.A., Scout Master, Elders' Quorum President, 1st Counselor in the
Freedom Ward Bishopric for 8 years, Counselor in the Freedom Ward High
Priests' Group for 12 years, Stake Usher, Home Teacher, and currently,
Freedom Ward High Priest Group Leader.
Keith is not alone in his dedicated efforts in serving his church. Gayle, also, has held the
following Church positions:
Relief Society Visiting Teacher, Counselor and Secretary of the Y.W. M.I.A., Counselor in
the Primary, Relief Society President, Counselor in the Thayne Wyoming Stake Young Women's'
Presidency, Stake Cultural Arts Board Member, and she also taught in the organization. At one time
Gayle and Keith were Stake Young Marrieds Leaders.
Gayle Izatt also helped provide for the family. She started as a Clerk in the Freedom,
Wyoming Post Office in September of 1973. She has also worked as the Officer-In-Charge of the
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Auburn, Wyoming Post Office from October 1990 until October of 1993. Then she was installed as
the Postmaster of the Auburn, Wyoming Post Office in October of 1993.
LESLIE & DELIA ELIZABETH CROUCH IZATT
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Leslie was born June 23, 1899 in Turnerville to William Boyle and Rhoda Ann Turner Izatt.
Delia was born September 1, 1900 in Moreland, ID to Charles Edwin Crouch and Rosetta Magdalena
Wolfley. They were introduced to each other by Delos Turner who took Leslie to Moreland to meet
Delia. They were married March 7, 1923 in the Logan Temple.
Delia's Dad, Charles was a cousin to Danny Clark and he built a little log house on the east side
of L.I. Jenkins' home. He married A Wolfley girl from Star Valley. He also was one of the men who
went to Montpelier on snow shoes to bring back food for the people living here. They later moved to
Moreland, ID.
Les and Delia lived in Turnerville where all of their children were born: Lenord C., Keith C.,
Stanley C. and Veldon C. We moved our family to Freedom, WY August 30, 1939. We lived in a log
house with a lean-to on the back, which belonged to Anthon Hansen. I worked for him in the saw mill.
In March of 1940, I started digging the basement for our new home in Freedom. We bought one
acre of ground from William Crook. We moved into our new home August 30, 1940 which was not
finished. We put quilts up to the windows to keep the cold out, but we sure did appreciate it. The Crook
family was sure good neighbors. Lots of times Mrs. Crook would kill a fat chicken and bring it over for
us to use.
We sure did work hard the summer of 1940. I would get up at 4 a.m. each morning and
work until 7 a.m., then get my breakfast and go to work in the sawmill. Delia and Lenord would work
the rest of the day and as soon as the mill stopped I would work on the house until dark. In July of 1940
Hans and Mora Petersen, Delia's sister and her husband, came and helped us build on the house for one
week. In October 1940, Delia, Veldon and myself, borrowed Irvin Hansen's Plymouth car, to go to my
brother Ira's son's funeral, Clifford Izatt. After the funeral, we went to Call's hardware store and got two
windows and a door. As we were going home, Kenneth Hyde came running out from behind a pickup
truck that was parked along side of the highway. I turned the steering wheel just as far as I could to keep
from running over him but the handle on the door struck him on top of the head and split his skull open.
We landed in a cement headgate and the car stopped so quick that it threw the door over the fence into
the field. I broke the windows that were in the back seat and threw glass all over Veldon. I jumped out
of the car and ran over to the boy whom I thought was dead. I could see he was still breathing and just
then, a car drove and it was an M.D. from Illinois. He gave the boy first aid then took him and his
mother to the L.D.S. Hospital in Afton, WY. In about a week the boy was out and around again with a
large scar on his head.
In the spring of 1941, I went in partnership with Anthon and Irvin Hansen and worked that way
until October 1942. We had a disagreement so I gave Anthon a note for his share of the mill and I traded
Irvin my share of the truck and tractor for Irvin's share of the sawmill. We made a good living from
then on.
In November of 1950 Stanley was called on a mission to California. While Stanley was still in
the mission home, we lost our market for our lumber but just a few days later, Howard Skinner said he
would take all of our lumber and give us cash for it. That proved to us that the Lord keeps his word
when you pay your tithing.
September of 1953 Keith was called on a mission to the East Central States.
VELDON C. IZATT---VELOY ALDINE EMMERT
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Veldon C Izatt was born August 17, 1935 at home in Turnerville, Wyoming to Leslie Izatt
and Delia Elizabeth Crouch, the last of 4 sons. When he was 4 years old the family moved to
Freedom where they lived in a log cabin that still stands on LaVard Jackson’s place on Highway 89.
In 1941 they moved into the family home that Keith Izatt now owns. Veldon grew up and worked in
the sawmill owned by his father.
Veloy Aldine Hemmert was born 12 January, 1937 in Ogden Utah at the Dee Hospital to
Ralph Wright Hemmert and Vera Gladys Hemmert. The first of 5 children. The family moved to
Freedom in 1939 and bought the home owned by Howard Hemmert on the west side of the road
across from the Post Office. Ralph and Vera worked at the Brog and Hemmert Hardware.
Veldon and Veloy attended school at Freedom Elementary, graduating from the eight grade
there and attending Star Valley High School in Afton. It was in High School when they began
dating each other, which blossomed into a lasting relationship.
They were married 20 July, 1954 in the Idaho Falls Temple. They lived in a small three
room house by the sawmill until Veldon went to Ricks and B.Y.U. and received a B.S. Degree.
After graduating in 1967 they moved their family to Panaca, Nevada where Veldon taught at the
Nevada Girls Training Center. They moved back to Freedom in 1968 when they bought their
present home from Doran and MaryLee Wilson and began a very slow remodeling process. Veldon
and his 2 sons worked at the sawmill in the summer and Veldon taught Choir at Star Valley High
School where he is presently employed.
They were blessed with 5 children: Lorene, Jed Veldon, Dena Aldine, Dale H and Lisa
Kaye.
Veldon served as President of each of his Aaronic Priesthood Quorums as he grew up and as
Sec. Of the Priests Quorum. He was called as a counselor in the Young Mens while still in High
school. He also served as President of the Y.M.M.I.A., Ward Clerk, Scout Master, Explorer
Advisor, Sunday School Teacher, Choir president, Sunday School Chorister, Elders, Quorum
President, Home Teacher, Dance Director, Bishop for 6 ½ years, Stake Executive Secretary, High
Priests Group Leader and is presently serving as Gospel Doctrine Teacher.
Veloy’s church positions have been Primary teacher, chorister and organist, Sunday school
teacher, Counselor and Chorister in Mutual, Dance Director with Veldon, Relief Society Organist,
Chorister, teacher and Visiting Teacher, and Stake Relief Society Board Member.
Veldon’s hobbies are photography, hiking, reading, traveling, camping, fishing and
woodworking. Veloy’s are knitting, crocheting, plastic canvas crafts and other type of crafts,
traveling, reading and being with the family.
The DONLEE JACKSON Family
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Donlee Jackson was born October 29, 1954 to Charles LaVard and Atha Crook Jackson in
Afton, Wyoming. Donlee enjoyed being with his family, Utahnna, Charleen, Roice, Juanee, Darnell,
Lannis and Tammi. Being raised on the family farm was an interesting place to grow up. Donlee
worked by milking cows, hauling hay, changing ditch dams and moving sprinkler pipe for his father.
He also helped his uncles haul their hay and swam with his cousins in the East Side Canal.
Donlee attended elementary schools in Etna and Thayne, Wyoming. As he grew, he was
active in sports, especially football. He attended Star Valley High School and graduated in 1973.
After high school, he moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho and lived with his sister Charleen Davis, and
family. He worked for Old Faithful Beverage Company and Burton Construction. Donlee later
moved to Ogden, Utah and worked as a welder for Utility Trailer company. While in Ogden, he
lived with his brother Roice and family. In the spring of 1974, he moved back to Freedom to help
on the family farm. In his spare time, he tried his hand at bull riding at the local rodeos. In the
summer of 1975, he started seeing his high school sweetheart, Deanne Hillyard, again and made
plans to marry.
Deanne Hillyard was born July 7, 1955 in Afton, Wyoming, to Ronald and Edna Mae
Hillyard. She grew up in Afton, where her father and grandfather, Victor Bjorkman, owned and
operated B&H Chevrolet. Deanne attended Elementary school, Junior High and High School in
Afton. She enjoyed being with her family when they went on camping trips to Greys River. She
also enjoyed playing softball and volley ball with the girls in the Afton Second Ward. Her parents
sold the family home to her brother, Douglas, and moved into a double wide trailer next to the B&H.
This made her belong to the Afton First Ward during her last two years of high school. She had to
leave her lifelong friends and teammates and get to know new ones. She was honored by being
elected Sophomore Class Secretary while attending Star Valley High School. High School brought
the opportunity to learn music by participating in band and chorus. One fond memory was the
musical “Fiddler on the Roof” in which she played Frumah Sarah. Deanne graduated in 1873 and
moved to Ogden, Utah where she attended Stephens Henager Business College, majoring in
accounting. She was elected Student Body Vice-President during her second year. She graduated
with an associated degree after the fall quarter on 1974. Her first job was with Western Mortgage
Company. Deanne later moved to Salt Lake City to work for Standard Plumbing Supply. During
the summer of 1975, she started seeing her high school sweetheart Donlee Jackson again. They
were married September 26, 1975 in the Salt Lake Temple.
Donlee and Deanne started their lives together in Afton, Wyoming. They lived in a little
apartment above the Afton Post office on Main Street. Donlee worked for Lower Valley Power and
Light as a pole tester and Deanne worked for Star Valley Drug. Donlee’s work was seasonal and
required him to be gone during the week and home only on the weekends. Donlee and Deanne were
called to be Sunday School teachers in the Afton Second Ward. Deanne also worked with the
Beehives in MIA.
In October 1976, Deanne got a position with Star Valley State Bank. She enjoyed using her
education and meeting the challenges offered there. Because of the seasonal work at Lower Valley
Power, Donlee took a welding job in Afton at Aerotek, building Pitts Airplanes. With steady
employment, Donlee and Deanne decided it was time to start building a home of their own. They
purchased 2 acres from Donlee’s father and mother. In the fall of 1976, construction began on their
new home. Kent Luthi and Bruce Hoopes finished the house in February 1977. This new home was
a pleasant change from the small, noisy apartment on Afton’s main street.
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Donlee and Deanne settled into life in Freedom, with Donlee being called to assistant scout
master almost as soon as they moved in, serving with LaVon Jenkins. Deanne was called to help
organize a night Relief Society with Gayle Izatt. During this time, Donlee and Deanne drove to
Afton everyday to work. They enjoyed these hours together. They were called to be the Blazer and
Merrie Miss leaders in the Freedom Primary. Donlee, being a lover of the outdoors, didn’t enjoy
working inside a welding shop that didn’t have any windows. When the opportunity came for a job
at Star Valley Cheese, he took it. Donlee worked in the truck bay for about a year, then he drove the
milk truck as soon as an opening came available. He really enjoyed visiting with the farmers and
being outside and closer to home. He worked for Star Valley Cheese until April 1982, when he was
offered a position with Lincoln County Road and Bridge. Deanne worked for Star Valley Bank for
nine years and was promoted to Head Bookkeeper.
Donlee and Deanne longed for a family. After many years of medical treatments with no
success, on January 3, 1985, Kdee Anne joined their family. With the help of L.D.S. Social Services
their dream of a family finally came to be. They traveled to Pocatello, Idaho on January 21, 1985 to
meet little Kdee Anne. They kept this news to themselves until they brought her home and gave
family and friends a wonderful surprise. Deanne was very happy to finally become a full time
mother. Kdee was later sealed to her parents in the Logan Temple. Kdee’s family was later blessed
with the placement of another child, Scott Buddy, born on February 11, 1988. He was welcome
addition to the Jackson family. Kdee was excited to have a little brother to love. Buddy was sealed
to his family in the Idaho Falls Temple. With the family complete, life continued with many happy
days and many challenges. To help with family finances, Deanne worked part time for Star Valley
State Bank and did the bookkeeping for her father at the B&H until October 1989, when she started
working part time for silver Star Telephone. As the children got older and started school, Deanne
worked full time with the telephone company as bookkeeper.
Many church positions enrich the Jackson’s lives. Donlee was called as second counselor in
the Freedom Elders Quorum Presidency, serving with Max Haderlie, president and LaVor Jenkins,
first counselor, and Kim Luthi, secretary. He was called to be Executive secretary to Bp. Chad
Jenkins and Bp. Ronald Crook. Later, he was called as Assistant Scout Master working with Dannie
Haderlie. After that he was called as Scout master and second counselor in the Young Mens’
program. Deanne was primary music leader for many years until being called to be Ward Primary
President, serving with Connie Luthi and Tracey Baugh and Jolene Crook. After 4 years as Ward
President, she was called as Stake Primary Secretary and served for six months until being called as
Stake Primary President in April 1992.
Kdee and Buddy have been active in the community programs such as tee-ball, baseball and
4-H. They have attended Metcalf Elementary School and enjoy being with their friends. Fond
memories include the annual 24th of July celebration with the cookout and candy drop and many
ward primary activities and celebrations. The whole Donlee Jackson family love life in Freedom
with its peace and quiet, good neighbors and friends.
LAVARD AND ATHA JACKSON RANCH
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The ranch was homestead by James K. Smith. (Lynn Smith’s father), in about 1912. The
land was kept in the Smith family even after James Smith passed away, but other people rented it
during the following years. Carl Haderlie and family rented it in about 1920-1923. The Ivan
Warren family lived on the ranch and rented it for awhile. In 1934, Anthon Hansen brought it. He
sectioned off a piece on the south and put a sawmill on it which he purchased from Charles Henry
Haderlie. When Anthon Hansen sold the ranch, the mill was sold to Leslie Izatt, who had moved
down from Turnerville to work for the Hansens. The Izatts lived in the log house that still stands
today. It is nearly 100 years old and has housed many families. When Milson Clark lived there,
Atha and her sister Leah tended their children. Leslie later built the house Keith Izatt lives in today.
This home sits on a piece of land purchased from William Crook. Rose Hansen (Anthon’s wife) had
a beautiful yard with shrubs and flowers. She also had a big strawberry patch. Water was drawn
from an open well with a bucket, which the Smiths dug. Then, Evan Moser drilled the first water
well. It was on the west end of the shed that’s leaning and falling over.
The highway was a dirt road until 1932, then it was graveled and widened. Most of the
gravel came from our ranch. Two pits are the result, one being located by the Ray Warren house.
There are several families that lived east of the gravel pit while the highway was being constructed.
They lived in tents with wooden floors and partial wooden walls for added warmth. It was like a
little town. Unfortunately, one man was killed in an oil truck explosion. The highway was later
oiled and made even wider.
In October 19445, Julyous Hokanson bought the ranch. He didn’t have it long when Delbert
Wright and Stanley Hokanson bought it. There was a small house on the hill that all the owners
lived in. Stanley Hokanson built a basement home in the middle of the yard closer to the road.
LaVard and Atha were married in 1943. LaVard spent two years in the Navy, during 194446. When he came home, he worked at different jobs. He bought an old Chevy truck from Bryon
Jenkins and hauled milk. He later replaced it with a new green Chevrolet two ton truck. He hauled
milk for ten years to help pay for the ranch. He hauled to the Bedford Creamery, to the one in
Afton, Thayne. He was one of the first to haul to the plant. LaVard was the first full time artificial
inseminator in the lower Valley.
He later worked at the Thayne Creamery, wrapping cheese, making butter, running the whey
drier and also the separators. He even worked on the Palisades Dam for about one year.
In 1949, we rented Henry Clark’s ranch in Etna. To help us run this ranch, we bought a John
Deere A Tractor, with a mower, plow, and disk. We ran the Clark place for three years. The
machinery was a big help on the ranch because before, we only had horses to use. We put up hay
with a stacker and buck rake, and dump rake, which all used horses.
In May 1951, we purchased the Ranch from Delbert Wright and Stanley Hokanson. We had
four children at that time. In 1964-1966, we built our present home, on top of the basement home
that was already there. Late one night, the old small home on the hill burned down due to the
raining on electrical wires. We plowed up sagebrush on the upper 80 acres and put it into
production. There was only a dirt road which was later graveled. There wasn’t much traffic, just
lovebirds. Then, Star Valley Ranch was developed and the road was oiled during the 1980’s. There
wasn’t much water for the ranch. It had to be irrigated with ditch dams. In 1973, we went in on the
Dana Ditch Sprinkler System. We put in three wheel line sprinklers and also had three hand lines.
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This made it possible to raise more grain and hay. We were able to milked up to thirty-five cows.
We also raised sheep and pigs. We were blessed with four more children after we bought the ranch.
The Jacksons worked hard on the farm to make a livelihood for the family and to educate the
children. LaVard worked at various jobs besides running the ranch. He enjoyed driving school bus
to Etna for a few years. Atha worked at the Star Valley Cheese Factory for many years. She also
enjoyed working at Dana Cold Storage. All eight of our children graduated from high school and
went on a mission. Utahna is married to Max Smedley. Charleen is married to Nathan Davis.
Roice was married to Deanne Weaver, which ended in divorce and he later married Linda Sullivan.
Juanee is married to Richard Jensen. Darnell is married to Catherine Anne Motes. Donlee is
married to Deanne Hillyard. Lannis is married to Zed Anderson. Tammi married Bing Anderson,
who has since passed away. Roice and Donlee have built homes on part of the ranch east of the
canal.
LaVard and Atha fulfilled a sixteen month mission to the Calgary Canada Mission, in 19821993, we filled a second mission, twelve months in the Rapid City, South Dakota mission. We lived
on the Omaha Reservation with the Indians. We enjoyed celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary
while in Macy, Nebraska.
ALICE AGUSTA ERICKSON JENKINS
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I, Alice Agusta Erickson Jenkins, was the sixth child born to Carl Gustaf Englebrekt Erickson and
Annie Elizabeth Bright Erickson January 9, 1905, in Glen, Idaho, Bonneville County - five miles
north of Freedom, Wyoming.
I had seven sisters and five brothers. They are as follows: Mable, Lucy, LaFern, Golden,
Marlan, Hilda, Veda, Zelda, Newell, Berniece, Alvin and Byron.
We lived on a farm. We had dairy cattle/cows to milk by hand. We also had horses to use
with machinery to run the farm. We also raised sheep, chickens, pigs, and turkeys.
At first we used coal oil lamps and lanterns. Later on we had gasoline lamps and lanterns.
We did our washing by hand on a rubbing board. We used a boiler, tubs, home made soap, and
water which we drew from a well. Later we had a driven well with a pump to pump the water by
hand.
We didn't have the telephone or electricity in my younger days. We went to church and
school. We had all of our entertainment and celebrations in a one room school house. We had all of
the grades in this one room school house.
My mother died when I was thirteen years old. The two older girls were married. LaFern
got married three years later and then I was the oldest girl. As such, we had the responsibility of
taking care of the family and home - cooking, scrubbing, washing, ironing, and all.
In the Spring Father would butcher two or three pigs and beef. He would cure and smoke the
pork. We would bottle some beef and Father would cure some beef for summer use.
Father always got wheat and took it up to Afton to Frank Gardners flour mill. Thusly, we
had flour and germade cereal for the year. We churned our own butter. We made our own bread,
cookies, pies, etc. I don't think that we could have bought a loaf of bread. In the Fall Father would
also take the team and wagon and go down to Snake River and get a load of potatoes for the winter.
When I was sixteen I used to work for women when their babies were born. As such I would
take care of the mother and family, washing, ironing, cleaning, cooking, and all.
I have always liked to do my part in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When I
was young I would give memory Gems and help in singing. I was a teacher in the Nursery classes in
Freedom Sunday School with Thelma G. Robinson. I have taught a Sunday School class and
Primary class nearly all my life. I was President of the Primary at one time and a counselor to the
president another time. I have also been a counselor to the Young Women's Mutual. I have always
sung in the ward choir. My sister, Hilda, and I used to take part in community programs. At present
I am a Relief Society Teacher.
I was married to Glen La Mar Jenkins on October 15, 1924, in the Logan Temple in Logan,
Utah. We lived with his parents until the Spring - April 1925. Then we rented a farm this side of
Thayne called the Hemmert Place for four years. We had two children born while living there Farrel E. born July 15, 1925, and Lowel E. born October 25, 1926. We then moved back to Freedom
and lived in two rooms at his Father and Mother's home.
Pictures
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My husband went on a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ to the Eastern States Mission
in January 1928. After my Husband left for his mission my third son, Eldon, was born March 16,
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1928. We continued to live in the two rooms of Glen's parents' home. I took care of our three boys
and helped milk the cows while my husband was on his mission.
When my husband returned from his mission in March 1930, we bought a place south of
Freedom, Wyoming. We stayed at Glen's folks' home until the next Spring when we built a home
and moved up there on the place. Our daughter, Aneita, was born February 13, 1931, before we
moved on to our farm. Vernal was born April 3, 1934. We ran the farm and milked cows by hand
until 1935. At that time the County Agent gave my husband a job working with him. We then
moved to Afton. But in the Fall of 1937, my husband had a stroke. He was paralyzed on the right
side. We stayed in Afton until Spring. The children had measles, whooping cough, and small pox.
I was expecting another baby. In the Spring we moved back on the farm. My Father, Glen's Father,
and brothers helped the boys for a year or so on the farm. Then Glen got so he could get around and
be with the boys to give them counsel and teach them how things were to be done. Anna May was
born September 22, 1938. My last child, Glen, was born November 29, 1940.
My beloved husband, Glen La Mar Jenkins, died July 4, 1941. We then had to run the farm.
We milked the cows by hand. I always helped with the farming and milking until the boys took the
farm over. In the winter I helped cook for the school lunches. I also worked at the Star Valley
Swiss Cheese Creamery most of the time after they started the cutting room. Unfortunately, our
home burned down in February 1956. As a result of this we had another home built. I still have my
home and one acre of land in Freedom, Wyoming. I live alone and take care of myself and my
home.
ANEITA JENKINS
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One cold February day, as I recall it was on Friday the 13th of February 1931, a baby girl
was born to Glen LaMar Jenkins and Alice Augusta Erickson. It seemed I was starting my life, but
being very impatient, I couldn't even wait for the mid-wife to come 5 miles. So, Grandma Jenkins
[Mary Ann or "May" as she was called] delivered me. I was the first girl in our family, having three
older brothers and being the first granddaughter on the Jenkins' side. The place of my arrival was in
Freedom, Wyoming, in Grandpa Jenkins home.
We lived in Freedom until I was three and then moved to Afton,Wyoming, where Dad
worked in the Triple A office, now known as ASCS, until he had a stroke and was left partially
paralyzed.
We moved back to Freedom on the farm where my three older brothers learned the art of
being farmers. I attended first grade in Afton and grades two through eight in Freedom. My high
school days were spent in Afton. We rode the bus thirty miles one way, which made a long day, but
we didn't know any different so we made it a lot of fun.
I married Jay Weeks on October 21, 1949, in the Idaho Falls Temple. Jay was born in Ririe,
Idaho, on 5 December, 1931. He was the son of Jesse Weeks and Charlotte Opal Marshall. We
started our married life on a farm in Irwin, Idaho. We raise cattle, sheep, and children. Jay told me
at one time that his hobby was "Work, I guess." It seems like that is all we have time for. Jay left
the farm for Randy, our son, to run in 1974. Jay then started employment with the school district in
Irwin as custodian and bus driver. In 1980 he drove the high school bus to Idaho Falls, 50 miles
away, and also worked for the school district down there where he was employed as Grounds
Supervisor. I, also, worked in Idaho Falls for the USDA - FMHA. Jay and I rode together to work
in Idaho Falls five days a week. As my hobbies, I love to quilt, crochet, knit, and other sewing
activities.
We have always been blessed with many opportunities to work in the church. Jay has been a
counselor in the Bishopric twice, Ward Clerk, Sunday School President twice, and several positions
in the Mutual. I have been Relief Society President, Sunday School Teacher, had several musical
positions, worked in the Mutual, was Relief Society Secretary, and Primary President two times.
We are thankful for these blessings.
CHILDREN OF ANEITA JENKINS & JAY WEEKS
Glenna Lee Weeks - born 25 October 1950
Randal Jay Weeks - born 30 August 1952
Debra Weeks - born 28 August 1956
Ronda Weeks - born 13 November 1961
Dee Jay Weeks - born in 1972
BYRON ALLEN JENKINS & VERNA BRYSON
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Byron was born Sept. 11, 1915, the second son and third child of John Franklin and Annis
Jessop Jenkins. I attended elementary school in Freedom and high school in Afton graduating in
1935. I loved sports, playing high school and church ball.
We lived on a farm, milked cows and raised grain and hay. We all had chores to do including
milking cows by hand. Dad had a dry farm 2 miles east of Freedom across highway 89. In the
summer we would go over to the ranch, milk the cows, stay all night, milk in the morning and go
back home to hay.
The year after I graduated from high school I became ill with back problems and
rheumatism. I was homebound and my mother nursed me back to health. I later had back surgery
and have had total hip replacements in both hips twice.
At a basketball game and dance in Auburn, I met Verna Bryson, daughter of Rilla Hoopes
and Mertis L Bryson. We were married Sept. 11, 1940, in the Salt Lake Temple.
We moved to the house on the dry farm (the Dean Jenkins home). There was no water or
indoor plumbing so we hauled water from town. Our second home was a small house on the
property where Stanley Izatt lives. The next move was to Freedom in the old family home after my
father passed away in Nov., 1945. We bought his land. We built our present home during 1949-50
doing most of the work ourselves and moving in March 31,1951. Indoor plumbing and central
heating were wonderful.
After high school, I worked in Elno Draney's service station for a summer. In 1937 I worked
for my brother-in-law, Gilbert Haderlie. I drove school kids with a team and sleigh. I worked for
the Lincoln Co. Weed Control and made $.50 an hour. (thought I'd hit the jackpot). In 1942 I got a
school bus route which went from Crooks along the Highway and the Freedom road to the school
house in town. Later on, my route included around the Knoll, south of Freedom. My wage was
$29.00 a month.
I bought a pickup and put a homemade box on the back with benches along the sides. Gas
was $.28 a gal., a show ticket $.25 and our light bill was $3.36. Later on I drove a pickup, Model A
Ford, with a homemade box on the back.
We lived on the dry farm, and the road wasn't maintained during the winter, and we would be
snowed in weeks at a time. I kept the school bus down by the highway and walked down to it. I
drove a freight truck for Willard Nelson from Montpelier to Thayne. In 1947 the school bus jobs
were put out on bids, and I got a job and drove bus from then to 1981 when I retired. I drove bus for
39 years. In 1956 Fred Warren, Denzil Jenkins, and I, along with our wives went to Lima, OH and
purchased three new, 60 passenger school buses.
Verna loved her home, and she always kept it nice. She had a garden and canned lots of fruit
and vegetables. She sewed the children's and her clothes, milked cows and helped in the hay field.
Now that Verna has retired from school as a custodian, we plan to spend our winters in Yuma, AZ.
Byron has been a home teacher, counselor in the MIA and in the scouting program. Verna
was a visiting teacher, sec. to the Relief Society and Primary, counselor in the MIA, worked in the
ward library and taught in all the organizations.
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Our children are: Bryce who was born Dec. 23, 1941, just before the second WW while we
were living on the dry farm. Larry born April 18, 1944, while we were living over on the highway.
Dallas was born June 29, 1946; Glayd born March 31, 1950 and Von Dee Sept. 11, 1954. Eleven
years later we got our only girl, Rhonda who was born Feb. 23, 1965.
CHARLES EVAN JENKINS FAMILY
Evan was born in Freedom, Wyoming, April 22, 1913, to William Evan and Lena Weber
Jenkins. He was the fifth child in a family of seven, the only boy. He says in his autobiography,
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“People I guess, if it has to be one or the other, it must be the latter as my sisters have always been
very good to me.” I, his wife, testify this was true. And they have been extremely good to me and
our children.
Evan’s mother told me that never in his life had he been disrespectful to his parents.
Evan grew up in Freedom where he had several Jenkins cousins his age. He loved to fish and
kept his family supplied with that delicacy. That was always a favorite sport and when the day came
that he told one of his old fishing buddies that he (Evan) wouldn’t be going any more I knew that his
life was nearing a close.
As he grew up he spent a lot of time at the home of “Uncle Fred” Weber. This relationship
led Evan to the baseball diamond where he excelled as a pitcher for the Freedom team and where he
helped them win many championships.
Evan attended school in Freedom through the eighth grade and then about t5hat time a Junior
High School (ninth and tenth grades) was established in Freedom and continued for a few years, so
he continued his education there.
About this time the group of young folks from Freedom, who were up there formed a dance
orchestra called the “Freedonians.” Evan played the clarinet in this group. I don’t suppose he rated
with Tommy Dorsey in his accomplishment along this line but our children thought he was pretty
great when he entertained them in Home Evening many years later.
Evan sang with several quartets in his life and was a faithful choir member. When I was
called to be ward chorister he was my most loyal fan and honest critic. You might know, that even
now, I miss the most faithful tenor that the choir ever had. Though his voice was not loud his pitch
was true and he knew what he was doing but always wished that he could do much better.
Evan fulfilled a mission to the Texas-Louisiana mission, even helping to build a small chapel
in Natchitoches, Louisiana. He returned from his mission in the spring of 1940 spending a little more
than two years in the mission field.
Shortly after our marriage Evan was called to serve a Stake mission. He was released about
a year later to become the ward clerk. He held that position for 17 years while two different bishops
served.
With the exception of the time during his Stake mission he was always a Home/Ward
teacher.
After his release as Ward clerk he was sustained as one of the “seven presidents of Seventies
in the Stake Seventies quorum.” A year before his death he was ordained a High Priest and was
appointed as the secretary for the ward group. He was to his meetings and taking care of his
stewardship until he entered the hospital about a month before he died.
Evan took part in civic affairs, was secretary to a gun club, Freedom Pipeline Inc. and also
the cemetery board.
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Evan was a good Latter-Day Saint. He was considerate and loving companion and a wise
and exemplary Father. He is loved and respected by his children, as his Patriarchal blessing
promised that he would be if he lived as he should.
WILMA HADERLIE JENKINS
And now, a short bit about myself. I too, was born in Freedom, but on the Idaho side of the
State Line which runs through the center of our town. This fact brought consternation to the man
who issued our marriage license.
I attended school in Idaho in a two-room school through the fifth grade and then Wyoming
and Idaho consolidated the schools in our area and then I went to the Wyoming school for three
years. High School was in Afton, Wyoming. I graduated in 1938. I attended school at the old A.
C., but did not graduate at that time. Later I attended extension classes and took Home Study classes
and did substitute teaching. In 1965, we decided that I should return to school so I went back in the
summer. At this time we had two children in the mission field. In the summer of 1966, I went to
school again. We had three besides myself in college and our youngest in high school.
In January of 1967, our oldest son was married to a girl from Canada. I graduated from
school in the spring of 1969. I spent my time at the hospital with Evan. He came home May 23rd
and one week later, on Memorial Day, he passed away in the same home where he had been born.
I loved working in the church and can only remember one short time, since I was 14 years
old, when I have not held at least one job.
Evan and I are the parents of four children: Lynette, Steven “H”, Kendall Evan, and JoLynn.
All of our children have attended college. They have all filled missions for the church. Lynette
went to Bavaria, Steven to Illinois, Kendall to California North and JoLynn will complete her
mission to Hong Kong in July 1974.
COREY ROOS JENKINS
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I am the second son of Vernon and Wyoma, born on July 20, 1964 at the Star Valley
Hospital in Afton Wyoming. I attended elementary school in Etna until the 4th grade when my
parents divorced and I moved to Afton with my mother and brother, Darin. I attended school in
Afton until my graduation from high school in 1982. Although I lived with my mother during the
school months. I would spent many weekends and the summer months with my father in Freedom,
Wyoming, helping him out on the family farm.
I served a LDS mission for our church for two years in Oslo Norway. Those two years as a
missionary have been the most rewarding and worthwhile years of my life.
DARREL RAY JENKINS & MAGDALENE SUSAN DUNCAN JENKINS
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I was born the 18th of January, 1920. The first son and third child of John Raymond and
Lula Irene Haderlie Jenkins. I was born in a one room house about 600 feet east of where Darren
Haderlie now lives. When I was born the Spanish Flu was in full swing in the lower valley. It was
reported that in Freedom there was 250 cases of the Flu with only 14 well people. Seven people
died in Freedom that winter from the Flu. At the time of my birth both of my parents were sick and
my father was considered to be one of the worst cases. I must have done some good coming into the
world as my mother recovered as soon as I was born. I was delivered by a Doctor who was staying
at Mrs. Hansen’s boarding house or hotel as it was called.
Shortly after I was born my parents moved the one room house to town and added two rooms
to it and here we lived until the spring of 1929 when my parents purchased the farm where we now
live. The farm was purchased from C.R. “Doc” Chadwick who had purchased it two years before
from the Rolph family. For the first two years we lived there in the summer and moved back to town
for the winter so we wouldn’t have so far to walk to school. At this time we attended school in
Wyoming but when we began to live there the year around we had to go to school in Idaho,
attending the two room school house on the Tin Cup corner. I drove a two wheel cart in the fall and
spring and a sleigh in the winter picking up kids along the way. We didn’t have school routes such
as they had in Wyoming.
I started school when I was five and the one year I went to Idaho I was in the seventh grade.
My teacher, Elmer Sommer, figured life would be easier for him if he didn’t have me in the eighth
grade the next year as I was the only one in the seventh grade so he had me take the eighth grade test
and graduated me from grade school. As a result I graduated from high school shortly after my 16th
birthday. Probably the youngest person to graduate. I began my schooling in the log house at the
end of Weber lane as they were building the new school in Freedom. My first year in high school
was in Freedom but in 1933 the school district began daily bus service and from then on all high
school was held in Afton.
Life during the 30’s was not easy because of the depression that began in the fall of 1929 just
a few months after our parents bought the farm from the Chadwick’s. It was lots of work and very
little time to play. The car my father bought in 1925 gave up the ghost in 1930 so we had no
transportation except by horse back or team and wagon, otherwise we walked to town and to church.
Going to high school we had to walk to town to catch the bus at eight. This was whether it was good
weather or forty below.
My father liked sheep rather than milking cows so us kids spent a lot of time herding sheep.
From the time I was ten until through my teens I spent a lot of time herding the sheep, sometimes
over on Deer Creek and Miller Creek, living in a tent by myself. On Sunday morning my father
would come over and relieve me and let me come home to get a bath and go to church.
In the fall of 1940 I was called to serve on a mission in the East Central States. I spent two
years in Virginia and North Carolina. After returning home I took over the operation of the farm as
my father’s health prevented him from doing very much.
In the fall of 1947 I renewed my acquaintance of Magdalene Duncan who I had met five
years earlier while in North Carolina. She had come to Idaho Falls to visit her sister and I persuaded
her to stay on. We were married in November of that year in the Salt Lake Temple.
Magdalene was born and raised near Tabor City N.C. After getting out of high school she
went to work in Wilmington N.C. until she came west for a visit and was persuaded to stay.
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To our union was born seven children; LaVor Ray, Lola Sue, Lavon D, Betty Jo, Earl D,
Kim D. and Curt D. In March of 1959 Betty Jo died of pneumonia at the age of 3 ½ .
LaVor went into the army and served a year in Vietnam. He is married to Barbara Bagley
and is presently in the farming business. Sue married Ron Tolman and he is in education with the
local school district. Lavon served a mission in Missouri, married Pam Hoopes and is an accountant
in Salt Lake. Earl served a mission to Las Vegas, married Jill Nield and after teaching school for a
few years retired to become a farmer. Kim served in the Chicago mission and married Debbie
Johnson and is working for the USDA. Curt went to Japan on his mission and is presently teaching
school in Utah. He is married to Melanie Thomas.
Shortly after we were married we bought my parents farm and operated until 1983 when we
sold it to LaVor, who had been helping on it after he got married. I worked for Silver Star
Telephone Co. for five years and retired in 1983. Magdalene and I had planned on going on a
mission after Curt got home from Japan and we were called to the Alabama Mission, where we
served for a year. In 1992 we were called to the South Carolina Mission for a year.
We have tried to keep active in the church, serving in many positions. Magdalene served in
the Primary, Sunday School, Y.M.M.I.A. and R.S. Besides as teacher in the Relief Society, she was
counselor to two presidents and President for four years. I worked in Sunday School, Y.M.M.I.A.
and 1st counselor to the Bishop but my real love was teaching where I spent close to fifty years.
One project that we were devoted to was the beautification of the Freedom Cemetery. We
offered to furnish water for it from our sprinkler system when it was fixed up. We also have served
as caretakers for it for over 25 years.
DARRIN VERN JENKINS
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I was born June, 28th, 1962, in Afton Wyoming to Vernon and Wyoma. I was their first son
of two children, and grew up in Star Valley, Wyoming.
On February 13, 1982 I married Evelyn Ann Leavitt in the Auburn LDS Church. She was
born September 22, 1962 in Afton Wyoming.
We made our home in Freedom Wyoming.
Children born to Darrin Vern Jenkins and Evelyn Ann Leavitt:
Trevor Darrin Jenkins
Gavin Vern Jenkins
DEAN BEDFORD & ELAINE DURRANT JENKINS
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Grandfather believed in plural marriage, he had three wives. He drove cattle from Utah to
Idaho and Wyoming to put them on the range. He could see this was a good place to raise cattle so
he moved some of his family here. My father was the oldest of thirty-five children.
My father, John Franklin Jenkins, known as Johnny, came from Newton, Utah. He lived in
Freedom until his death Nov. 21,1945. Dad lost his first wife in child birth. Mother was told by a
Gypsy that she was going to keep house for a big man, and that she did. She came from England to
keep house for Dad's first family. Later they married. Dad's first wife was Mary Elizabeth Haskell.
The children were: Floyd Clifford, born 1891, died 1894, Leslie Leroy, Claudie Elizabeth, Denzil
Earl, Baby born 1907, died same day.
I was born Sept. 16,1922, in the family home in Freedom. The house was east of town, a big
two story house with nine rooms, two wood stoves, one in the kitchen and one in the living room.
Several of the children and their families lived in the house at different times. The house burned
down Mar. 17,1969, the day after Mother's funeral. Annis Jessop Jenkins was born and raised in
Yorks, England. After Dad's death she lived in California and Utah until her death Mar. 12,1969.
The children were: Howard J., Phyllis Irene, Byron Allen, Olive Lavera, Rex Oviatt, Leon Franklin,
Dean Bedford, Wilda Jessop, Lyle Reid. Rex died as an infant.
I enjoyed the companionship of my father. I was taught of work at a young age, to keep
wood in the house. As soon as I could sit on a one legged stool, I started milking cows. In the
summer we took the cows to the dry farm. Lots of times finding them by the flash of lightning. I've
cut grain with a binder, then we had to stand it up in shocks to let the heads dry. From the binder we
went to the header, and then to the combine. Combines are a life saver.
The church house was one big room with curtains hung on wire to separate the classes. We
sat on the church house steps waiting our turn to have our tonsils taken out. They laid us on the
sacrament table and put an ether rag over our faces. I went to school in Freedom in a four room
school house with two grades in each room up to the eighth grade. High School in Afton through
the 11th grade, staying home to help my father get the crops in the year WW11 broke out. I liked
sports, I started playing basketball in the 6th grade. I played M-Men basketball until I was 35 yrs.
old. I played football and basketball in High School.
In 1945, my father on horse back was attacked by a bull. He died one month later, the day
before Thanksgiving. I was left with the responsibility to run the farm. In Jan. 1946 I went to
California with my brother Leon and his wife Barbara. Barbara introduced me to her friend, Elaine
Durrant. Mother and I went to St. George, and Elaine came from California, and on Nov. 16, 1946
we married in the St. George Temple. We stayed in California the first winter. In the spring we
came to Star Valley. We lived in two rooms of the house in town for one month. Byron and Verna
were living in the rest of the house. In May we moved to the dry farm, two miles east of town. The
house was built to homestead the land. We have lived here ever since. Elaine's father was a
carpenter, when her folks were on vacations, they built additions on to the house. Times weren't
easy, for five years we hauled our water from town, pumping it with a hand pump. In the winter we
had to use a team and sleigh, the snow plows didn't keep our road open. We heated water in a
copper boiler on the wood stove for washing and bathing. After 5 yrs. we drilled a well and put
running water in the house.
I loved riding horses in the mountains. I had the range-riding job herding cattle for five
years. I worked at a saw mill in Alpine for seven years. We have 160 acre dry farm with rolling
hills and a canal that winds the full length of the farm. I've worked at different odd jobs over the
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years to help supplement our income. Elaine worked at the Star Valley Swiss Cheese plant for 20
yrs.
Dean's church callings: secretary, counselor, and president of the Elders Quorum, Stake
mission, counselor in the Sunday school and MIA, home teacher. Elaine and I worked in the Family
Record Extraction Program, Ordinances workers in the Idaho Falls Temple. We served a Family
History Mission to SLC. I am a M-Men, and Elaine is a Golden Gleaner.
Elaine's church callings: Teacher in Sunday School, Primary, MIA, Relief Society.
Counselor and President, counselor Stake Relief Society, chorister Primary and Sunday School,
Visiting Teacher, and Data Entry.
Our children are: Delaine, born Jan. 23, 1948, When she was a few years old she was
diagnosed as being mentally and physically handicapped. Melanie, born Sept. 19, 1949. Maridene,
born Apr. 12, 1952. Sirena, born Oct. 25, 1955. Nolan D, born Mar. 9, 1960. Wynn O'Dell, born
July 9, 1963. Both boys filled honorable missions. Nolan to Milano, Italy, Wynn to New York,
New York, Spanish speaking. We have 24 grandchildren.
picture
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picture
HISTORY OF DENZIL AND LAVERN JENKINS
Denzil Earl Jenkins was born 20 March 1902, the son of John Franklin and Mary Elizabeth
Haskell Jenkins. He had two brothers and two sisters. Floyd Clifford. Who died when he almost
three years old. Leslie LeRov. Claudia Elizabeth Pixton. And a bay sister. Who died soon after
birth in 1907. Seven days after his baby sister was born and died his mother died also.
His father married Annis Jesson in 1911 and to them were born six sons and three daughters.
Denzil spent his childhood in Freedom helping his father on the farm. He loved to play ball
and he played every time he could. He attended school in Freedom and two years in high school at
Afton.
During his life he worked in many places at several different types of jobs. He worked on
the Alexander dam on the Bear River at Alexander. Id.. Globe mills in Ogden. Ut..worked at the
college in logan Ut.. school system in Centerville. Ut..worked in Nevada. On the palisade dam.
Hauled milk. Drove school bus. Trucking. Soraved beetles for the forest service. And worked as a
hunting guide. He loved to hunt and fish. He and Lafern both worked at the Navy Base in
Clearfield. Ut. During world war. II.
He married Hazel Lavern Haderlie on the 6th of Aug. 1924 in Idaho Falls.
They were sealed in the Logan Temple in 1927.
Lavern (also known as Lafern or Fern) was the daughter of Charles Henry Haderlie and Anna
Barbara Schiess. She was the 12th child of 13 born of this union. Her father also married her
mothers sister Bertha Schiess and to them were born 13 children. Her childhood was spent on the
farm on tin cup. When she was four years old their home burned down on Christmas morning. Her
father built a new home on the same site. She contacted trackoma. An eve disease. From using the
same towel as the Indians used. She had to stay in a darkened room half the winter and nearly lost
her eyesight. She had had to wear glasses since she was eight years old.
Her brother Gilbert and her used to ride a horse 3 miles to school. In the winter they would
use horses and a covered sleigh. She graduated from the eighth grade.
As a young girl she would do housework for other people in Freedom. Later she worked for
the school system cooking school lunches. She worked for thirteen years at the cheese factory in
Thayne cutting and wrapping cheese.
Denzil and Lavern had eight children. Don Earl 1924. May and Fay (twin girls) 1926. Died
in infancy. Ardell H. 1928. Dewain H. 1930. Elda 1933 died less than two years old. Yvonne
1937. LuDene 1939.
They lived in several different places. But Freedom was always their home. They
established their home on the north east corner of Denzil’s father’s farm. Their first home was made
by joining two one room homes together and adding on another room. In 1947 they built a new
home in place of the old one which was moved and used for other purposes. In their later years they
lived in Utah at times mostly. in in the winter. Denzil passed away in 1982. Lavern is still living at
the present time. 1994.
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THE FARRELL E. JENKINS FAMILY
The family of Farrell Jenkins began one snowy morning on the first day of December 1950.
Farrell Erickson Jenkins, the son of Glen LaMar Jenkins and Alice Agusta Erickson, married Joann
Kennington, who was the daughter of William Hugh Kennington and Luella Nield. This marriage
took place in the Idaho Falls Temple.
Their first home was in a cabin behind the Keeler Store in downtown Freedom. Their job
was taking care of the L.D.S. Ward building and the "Hall" across the road. It was used for dances,
ball games, boxing matches, etc. Farrell also worked for and helped whoever needed his help. He
had five cows and also helped on his mother's farm.
In the fall of 1952, Farrell went to work for Grey's River Lumber Company of Kamas, Utah
as edgerman. After a few years he became sawyer and foreman. He hired and fired and solved
problems. During the summer the family moved to Squaw Flat on the Grey's River. There they
lived
during the week and returned to Freedom on weekends to wash, get groceries, and go to church.
There was a small community up at Squaw Flat with Dale and Mona Leavitt as Mom and Dad to all.
They worked and played together and became very close. During the winter the family moved to
Kamas, Utah where they lived and worked for the same company.
When the Lower Valley Power and Light Company moved to Afton from Freedom, Uncle
Kenneth Jenkins put his home up for sale and Farrell bought it. It was originally Grandpa L. I.
Jenkins's house built on his homestead across the street from Dean Jenkin's home. Kenneth moved it
and improved it, and in April of 1954 Farrell and family moved into it. They currently still live in
the same home in Freedom.
After the death of Farrell's brother Lowell, Farrell took over his Mother's farm. For two
years he ran the farm and the sawmill with the help of Chad, LuAnn, and Ryan (Lowell's son). In
December of 1969, they bought the farm and quit the sawmill after sixteen years of employment
there. Farrell then built the farm into a grade "A" dairy. From then on life was spent milking,
feeding, haying, changing pipes, and chasing cattle.
It was a hard life - kids grumbled ["All we do is work!"] - but life did have it's good times.
Farrell and Joann talked about retiring when Farrell turned sixty-five. Chad wanted the farm and so
they started the necessary paperwork. On the morning of October 24, 1990, they went to Afton to
talk to the lawyer. On the way home they visited with people. They were feeling good! Now, they
could do some things that they had wanted to do. However, that night the whole world changed for
Farrell. He went to help Chad and Todd milk. He was up on the bale stack - about sixteen bales
high - when one gave way with him and down he came onto the hay rack and ground. After laying
there for a while, he finally got to his feet and somehow made it to the barn where Chad was
milking. Chad brought him to the house and called Janel. They took Farrell to Afton, took X-ray's,
and said that he had a vertebrae that was almost severed and that he should be paralized or dead!
With the help of Janel, Chad, Todd, Veldon Izatt, and the Lord they made it to Idaho Falls where
the surgeon fused three vertebraes. After a week's stay in the hospital, they brought Farrell home on
halloween night. The kids were trick-or-treating, and it was snowing. They had two registered
nurses, LuAnn and Janel, plus the rest of the family and the ward to take care of him. Farrell and
Joann retired without choice for almost six months. Chad took over the farm, yet Farrell is still
there to supervise.
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In a five month period of time that winter the family lost Janel, who died in a tubing
accident, they almost lost Farrell, and a grandson, [Dahl's Conner], who had a bacterial infection in
his throat. He spent a week in the Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City. It was hard, yet
the family stuck together and helped each other.
Farrell and Joann were blessed with four children - two boys and two girls:
LuAnn - a registered nurse - director of nursing at the hospital
in Preston, Idaho - married Greggory Nielso. They have two children - Jeremy and Kara Ann.
Chad - a school teacher, former bishop, and farmer married Janel Birch. They had six
children - Todd, Mindy [deceased], Jamie and Jodi [twins], Teri and Kami.
Dawn - head lunch room cook - recreational leader for the city of Shelley, Idaho - married
Chuck Lloyd . They have three
children - Vandy, Bill C., and Brian J.
Dahl - office manager for a construction company, manager of a video and music store married Tracie Dana. They have three children - Elliot, Callie, and Connor.
Farrell and Joann's three oldest children were married within a year. They now have fourteen
grandchildren. Chad and Dahl followed their father and filled full-time missions for the L.D.S.
Church. Farrell went to the Central States, Chad to Texas, and Dahl to Ohio.
Farrell and Joann have enjoyed their church callings. They have had the following positions:
Farrell - Scoutmaster, Councilor in a Bishopric [with Bishop Dee Hokanson and Keith Izatt], Sunday
School Teacher, High Councilman, High Priest Group Leader, Stake Missionry, and Sunday School
President.
Joann - Primary Presidency [with Fern Weber and Nola Robinson],
Young Women's President, twice in the Relief Society Presidency [Elaine Jenkins and Leora
Rainey] [Ida Hokanson and Denice Haderlie], Sunday School Secretary, and Magazine
Representative.
Farrell and Joann love to help their family, work in the yard, watch television ballgames,
doing handwork, and going where they want.
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picture
house picture
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GLEN LA MAR JENKINS & ALICE AGUSTA ERICKSON JENKINS
Glen La Mar Jenkins was the third child born to Mary Ann Griffin and Lewis Ira Jenkins.
He was born August 16, 1904, in a two-roomed house in Freedom. He went through the elementary
school in Freedom and high school at Afton. They would travel to high school with a team of horses
in a buggy or sleigh. There were others going to high school from Freedom, and they all rode with
Glen. They would go up on a Sunday afternoon and stay in Afton the week and sometimes longer.
They rented in Afton while going to school. Glen had a team of horses named Bud and Snap. He
thought they were special. In winter he liked to shine around the corners. They had a shining spot
in town in front of the store where he would take the girls for a round or two and make them squeal.
He also had a pony he called Ginger.
Glen married Alice Agusta Erickson October 15, 1924, in the Logan Temple. Phillip Jenkins
took them down and they stayed with Aunt Alice Christensen in Newton, Utah. When they came
home, it was stormy and the roads were rough and muddy. There was snow on the top as they went
on the road going south of Afton.
The first winter they stayed with Glen's father and mother. Glen drove the school bus
wagon. It was like a wagon box with seats built on the sides, a cover on it, and a little stove in it.
He drove it with a team of horses. In the winter it was put on sleigh runners. In the Fall and Spring
it was put on the wagon platform with wheels.
In the Spring they rented the Hemmert place, which was about seven miles from Freedom,
along the highway going to Thayne, Wyoming. They lived there for three or four years.
Glen went on a mission to the Eastern States on January 31, 1928. They had two sons at this
time, Farrel E. and Lowell E. Eldon E. Jenkins was born three months after Glen left on his
mission. Glen came home from his mission March 3, 1930. He rode in a sleigh from Montpelier.
That Spring they bought a farm south of Freedom belonging to Aunt Ruth Griffin Rolph. They built
a home and lived there until 1934. Then, they moved to Afton where Glen worked at the Triple A
Office for the County Agent, Seymor B. Murry for four years. There they had two more children:
Aneita and Vernal E.
Glen had a stroke in the Fall of 1937. He was paralyzed on his right side. He couldn't talk at
first but could talk before he died. The doctor told him he would have to get a wheelchair, but
through faith, prayers, and determination he was able to walk again.
In the Spring of 1938 they moved back onto the farm in Freedom. Grandpa Jenkins and
Glen's brothers helped the boys with the farm. They had cows, pigs, chickens, and horses. Horses
were used for farming as they didn't have any power machinery.
Glen loved the outdoors. He loved his family and was a good provider. He loved horses.
He loved to play basketball and was on the basketball team when he was going to high school. He
also played on the church M-Men team. He was very good with young people, and they loved him.
He was on the MIA Stake Board after his stroke. He couldn't work, but he could get around and tell
the boys how to do things.
Glen died July 4, 1941. He left a wife and seven children under the age of sixteen. They
were: Farrell Erickson, Lowell E., Eldon E., Aneita, Vernal E., Anna Mae, Glen E. Farrell was
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lacking a few days of being sixteen and Glen E. was seven months old. At the time of his death
Glen was President of the Seventies Quorum.
Alice was called on a mission to Canada a number of years ago, but had to return home
because of sickness. She worked as a cook for the school system for a number of years. She also
worked in the cheese at the Star Valley Cheese Factory in Thayne. Her interests are reading, temple
work, cooking, candy making, and keeping a clean house. She is now 89 years old. She still takes
care of herself and her home.
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JOHN JENKINS
John Jenkins was the father of John Franklin, William Evan, Lewis Ira, Edmund D. (Eddie),
Philip Eugene, John Raymond and Wilford Lorenzo who all settled in Freedom.
He came with his family from England arriving in America in May 1850. They arrived in Salt
Lake City in Sept. 1861. After John married his first wife, Mary Oviatt, he settled in Newton, UT, a
place in Cache Valley.
He accepted the doctrine of plural marriage and married his second wife Annie Clark, his third
wife was Maria Jensen.
In May of 1888 John came into Star Valley by way of Stump Creek, through Auburn, to look
over the country for a cattle ranch, but returned without buying.
In May of 1891 he took his second wife Annie and went back to Star Valley and bought a
squatters right and improvements. John then filed a homestead claim on it and settled there in the Lower
Valley where Freedom is now located. He and his first wife Annie then went back to Newton, UT.
Again in July of that same year he took his third wife Maria and came back to Freedom with 200
head of cattle. He bought hay and hired a man to feed them through the coming winter.
In July 1896 he moved Maria to Freedom and she made her home here for about eight years.
She did a lot of cooking for hired help as her husband put up an abundance of hay, sometimes over 100
ton annually.
While living in Freedom two more children were added to their family, a son Seymor, who died
at the age of 17 and a daughter Meda. In the fall of 1902 the family returned to Newton.
In 1901 while working on the LDS church house in Freedom John Jenkins fell from the square
of the building, about ten feet and struck the floor joist, breaking three ribs close to his spine. This
injury caused him a lot of suffering from then on.
Maria his third wife was the mother of Raymond and Wilford Jenkins. Mary his first wife was
the mother of John, William, Lewis, Eddie, and Philip. He was the father of thirty five children.
FIRST FAMILY
M. John Franklin
M. William Evan
F. Alice Clarissa
F. Judith Evallett
M. Lewis Ira
F. Ruth Ann
M. Edmond D.
F. Lydia Rosabell
F. Rhoda Lucetta
M. Philip Eugene
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SECOND FAMILY
M. John Henry
M. David Robert
F. Sarah Ann
F. Mary Elizabeth
F. Sophora Jane
M. Junius F.
F. Ida Charlotte
F. Naomi Estella
M. Gerorg Edger (twin)
F. Edna Elmira (twin)
M. Lorin Amos
M. Arche Lemuel
F. Veneta
M. Donald Thomas
M. Spencer Samuel
THIRD FAMILY
M. James Oliver
F. Marian Lorene
M. Peter Moroni
M. John Raymond
F. Ann Olevia
M. Wilford Lorenzo
M. David Seymor
F. Meda Lucille
M. Lavon
M. Burton
He died Dec. 19, 1936 at Newton, Cache, UT and is buried there. His Wife Mary Jane Oviatt
died in Freedom Dec. 20, 1924 and is buried in Newton, UT. Maria his third wife, Mother of Raymond
and Wilford died Feb. 14, 1930 in Newton, UT and is buried there.
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JOHN FRANKLIN JENKINS
MARY ELIZABETH HASKELL
ANNIS JESSOP
Mr. John Franklin Jenkins, son of John and Mary Oviatt Jenkins, was born in Farmington,
Utah, September 13, 1868. His parents moved to Newton, Utah in 1870, and Mr. Jenkins lived there
until 1898, when he came to Star Valley and settled in Freedom, where he has lived ever since.
Mr. Jenkins has been an active worker in Church and civic affairs. He filled a mission for
the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Southern States from 1903 to 1905. He was a
HIgh Priest and a Committeeman in that Quorum at the time of his death. He held positions in the
local cattleman's associations, and was a prominent stockman and farmer. He helped establish the
Freedom State Bank and was President of that institution for some time.
On March 19, 1890 John Jenkins was married to Mary Elizabeth Haskel of Payson, Utah. To
this union were born five children. On June 28, 191, in the Salt Lake Temple he married Miss Annis
Jessop, and to this union were born nine children.
His children were home for the funeral except Howard, who was in Germany.
His six sons, Leslie, Densil, Byron, Leon, Dean and Lyle acted as pall bearers. Interment was in the
Freedom Cemetery. The grave was dedicated by John J. Haderlie.
Notes on the talks given: P.P. Baldwin spoke of the wonderful life he had lived and of his
association with him. He never knew a more honest and upright man. He also spoke of his likes and
dislikes and mentioned that his life was spent for his family, friends and community, which is
extremely evident by the fine family he raised and his prominent standing in the community.
Charles Weber spoke of, when he was just a boy, knowing Mr. Jenkins and of the sound and strong
council that was often given to the younger people. He was not a man of many words - or a public
man - he lived for his family, and his enjoyment was with them. But whenever he was called upon
for anything for the benefit of the ward or community, he was always more than willing to do his
share. He also spoke of the wonderful and faithful wife he left behind, too much cannot be said for
her. Not only for her loyalty and faithfulness to him, but also the debt the community owes her for
her assistance in ward work and in sickness and hour of the day or night. Osborne Low spoke of his
long acquaintance with Mr.Jenkins and family and said he had cheer in his heart to know that there
had been a council in Heaven and he had been called by this council to fulfill an important mission
on the other side, and how well Mr. Jenkins was prepared to fulfill this mission and to "Enter into
the Joy of the Lord"
Mr. Jenkins had a genial, pleasant disposition and was liked and respected by all who knew
him. He will be greatly missed among his many friends and relatives.
DIES OF INJURIES, INCURRED IN ATTACK BY ENRAGED BULL.
John F. Jenkins of Freedom passed qway at his home Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. Mr. Jenkins
was 77 years old in September and has lived in Freedom around 40 years.
About two weeks ago while riding a horse out in his field, he was attacked by a bull and fell
from the horse. He was unconscious for a few minutes and did not remember what took place.
When he regained consciousness the horse and bull were some distance away. Mr. Jenkins was sore
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and bruised and had some cracked ribs. He was brought to the hospital in Afton, where he remained
a week. He did not fully recover from the shock, and he had bad spells in which he imagined
different things. It is presumed that he passed away during one of these spells.
He has two sons in the armed forces: Howard, who was in England and Leon who had just
returned to the U.S. at the time.
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ANNIS JESSOP JENKINS
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Shortly after Annis arrived in Freedom from England, she married a widower, John
Franklin Jenkins, Johnnie, as he was known. He had three children; Leslie, Claudia & Denzil. All
children were under twelve years of age. Annis & John had nine children; Howard, Phyllis, Byron,
Olive, Leon, Dean, Wilda & Lyle. One son Rex died during the flu epidemic in 1920 at age eleven
months.
Annis was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-Saints at age eight
years of age while still in England. In Freedom she was always very active in all the church
organizations. She filled callings as Presidents of Young Women's Mutual, Primary, Genealogy
Society & Relief Society. She was always a teacher in Sunday School, Primary & other
organizations. She was the gleaner teacher for many years & was a visiting teacher most of the time.
Annis was always one of the volunteers called upon to go door to door for donations to the
red cross & many other benefits. She said people got to saying when they saw her calling on them,
they knew she was asking for a donation for some organization or other. She did not enjoy doing
this but she realized it was important that the community support these good causes.
Annis only had a third grade education due to rhumatic fever which led to a heart disease
problem. She suffered with this the rest of her life, & it contributed to her death. She was always
reading & in so doing educated herself, & she was able to accomplish many things & bless many
people besides her family. She had a talent to care for ill people & had compassion for everone.
Almost no home in Freedom did not receive some help from Annis in the years she lived in
Freedom.
She went to peoples homes & cared for them when they were ill. When women were ready
to give birth to a baby, they would send for Mrs. Roberts, a midwife, & also for Annis. Years later
when a doctor would replace the midwife, they still came for Annis to assist. Whenever the Bishop
would hear of anyone ill, he would ask someone to go get Annis & take her over there.
There were no antibiotics at this time, & scarlet fever was a terrible disease at this time. No
one would go in & help the families because they were afraid of contracting the disease. Annis went
several times. When she came home she would wash & change clothes in the woodshed before
making contact with her family. She never did take any disease home to them. One place she stayed
for days. Several children had scarlet fever. Three of the children died, one after the other in a short
period of time that winter.
Annis stayed at another home for ten days to comfort a dying lady with dropsy, as it was
known then. Now it is known as congestive heart failure. She held her in her arms so she could sit
upright most of the night, so she could die as peaceful as possible. It was some time before her arms
and shoulders returned to normal & were not painful.
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Another time, a father & mother had not had measles, & their young son was exposed to
them. They asked Annis to take him into her home, which she did. He got the measles & went
home recovered.
Annis took an elderly lady who was ill into her home & cared for her untill she passed away.
Then she cared for the body in her home. She helped line the casket to bury her in. This was only
one of many caskets she helped to line & make beautiful for burial.
All this time Annis still had the responsibility of her own family. Nearly all of Annis'
services were given without any monetary gain. She had great compassion for people who were in
need without thought of repayment. People were unable to pay most of the time anyway. People
did appreciate her help.
These are only a few times she helped. She did not always have to be asked. Many times
she said, "If they have to ask for help, it is to late."
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JOHN (JOHNIE) FRANKLIN AND ANNIS JESSOP JENKINS
Son of John Jenkins and Mary Jane Oviatt, born Sept 13, 1868 in Farmington, UT. He was the
oldest of ten children - 5 boys and 5 girls. He went to school in Newton, UT as far as the 8th grade. He
was the oldest of the three families. Grandfather had 35 children. He was a polygamist and had three
wives.
When the Manifesto was enacted, Grandfather wouldn't give up his wives, so he had to leave
Utah and hide out in the hills so the law officers couldn't get him and lock him up in jail. Johnie always
went with his father so he would know where to take food and provisions to him, and to let him know
how close the law officers were.
They would drive cattle up into Idaho for feed, but found that Idaho also had laws as Utah did.
They moved their cattle over the line into Wyoming where there was no such law. Here they were free
to live as they wanted. The town was named Freedom, WY.
John Franklin was married to Mary Elizabeth Haskell of Newton, UT. March 19, 1890 in
Logan, UT. After their marriage, they lived in Weston, ID for awhile. Their son Floyd Clifford, died of
diptheria Aug 18, 1894 in Weston, ID. They moved back to Newton where Leslie was born Sept 7,
1894. Sometime after 1897 they went with grandfather to Star Valley, WY where his father helped
him get settled on some land next to his 360 acres, where they built a two room log house to live in.
They dug a well where they got their water for drinking and to water the stock.
Johnie and I worked with grandfather, who lived next to us, and together we brought cattle from
Utah. We got some milk cows which we milked twice a day.
Our first daughter, Claudia, was born in the spring of 1899, April 18th. We were the first settlers
in the Lower Valley. We cleared raw land of sage brush and planted hay and grain for both our food and
the animals. We planted wheat enough to last a year and we grew lucerne and timothy for the stock.
In the spring of the year we took the dry stock to the hills to feed for the summer, while the crops
were growing in the fields.
Written by his first wife, Mary Elizabeth Haskell Jenkins.
His second wife was Annis Jessop. She was the youngest of 7 children born to Edward and
Elizabeth Bedford Jessop. She was born in Pilley, Yorkshire County, England on April 24, 1888.
At the age of 22, Annis and her mother came to the United States. Annis' passage across the
ocean was paid by John Franklin Jenkins, who had hired her as his housekeeper. She came straight to
Freedom, WY.
Shortly after her arrival here, she married John Franklin Jenkins on June 28, 1911 in the Salt
Lake Temple. To Annis and John were born 9 children: Howard, Phyllis, Byron, Olive, Rex, Leon,
Dean, Wilda and Lyle. Rex died during a flu epidemic at the age of 11 mo.
Annis had poor health all of her life. When her father died in 1898, the doctor gave her only a
few more months to live. She had heart trouble and anemia. Her health problems gave her trouble in
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attending school as she had to climb a hill to get there. She only gained a 3rd grade education, she
taught herself how to read, do arithmetic and many other things.
After she was married, she lived in the Freedom Ward, there she taught in Sunday School for
several years, she was the leader of the Gleaner Girls for two or three years. she was second counselor of
the M.I.A. Taught in the Primary almost all of the time. President of the Primary, President of the
Relief Society, a visiting teacher all of the time she lived here. She spent much of her time away from
home taking care of the sick. She was always willing and happy to help out where she could.
After her husband passed away, she sold her holdings in Freedom to some of her sons and went
to California where Leon and Howard lived. Annis came back to Salt Lake City and lived with her
daughter Olive. She passed away March 12, 1969 and is buried in the Freedom Cemetery.
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JOHN RAYMOND JENKINS AND LULA HADERLIE JENKINS
Raymond Jenkins was born May 15, 1891 at Weston, Idaho, the son of John and Maria
Jensen Jenkins. What education he received was at Newton, Utah, which was only through the fifth
grade.
In his early teens he went to work mostly around Grace and Alexander, Idaho, where he
worked until he came to Star Valley to help run one of his father’s ranches in Freedom.
Shortly after coming to Freedom, he met the woman who was to be his life long wife and
companion, Lula Irene Haderlie, daughter of Charles Henry Haderlie and Annie Barbara Schiess
Haderlie.
Lula was born November 27, 1893 at Freedom, in the Tincup area, on the farm now owned
by her youngest brother Gilbert Haderlie, She was the eighth in a family of thirteen.
They were married in the Salt Lake Temple, September 15, 1915. This trip was made by
team and covered wagon to Newton, Utah. Lula’s brother L.H. Haderlie and fiancee Joan Lindholm,
were to be married the same day. They were going to leave for Utah in two covered wagons. Two
days before they left, Raymond was notified that his younger brother had died, so he took the train
from Soda Springs, Idaho so he could get there in time for the funeral.
Lula drove the team and wagon from Soda Springs to Newton, Utah where she met Raymond
father. This is where Gary Hokanson now lives.
They then bought a one room house from Lula’s brother John Haderlie and moved it up on
their farm. Part of the land is where Earl Haderlie lived and is now owned by his son Darren
Haderlie.
Raymonds father John Jenkins owned this land that went east from the road to the Salt River
and he divided it between two of his sons, Raymond and Wilford Jenkins. In his later years, Wilford
sold his half to Farrell Jenkins.
On April 29,1920, Raymond and Lula decided to move their house back to town. They had
bought five acres of land from Ada Robinson, and they added on another room. They had to move
their house on sleds as there was still a foot of snow or more.
The two room home still stands on the place where it was moved. It has been remodeled and
built onto. It is now owned by Raymond and Lula’s granddaughter and her husband Bob and Sharon
Breinholt. They use this as their summer home.
In the spring of 1929, Raymond and Lula bought the farm where their oldest son Darrel now
lives from Clarence Chadwick, which was on the Idaho side in Caribou County. With the land they
owned across the road in Wyoming, this made them a very good sized farm.
Dad raised several hundred sheep along with the milk cows to help pay for their farm.
The summer of 1936 was a bad year. We didn’t raise enough had to feed all of the animals.
So that winter, Dad took the sheep to Iona, Idaho where he bought hay and stayed there all winter to
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feed them. We had to move to town for the winter in our little home there. Mother milked the cows
and done the chores. In April, Dad moved the sheep back and we then moved back on the farm.
t was a happy day for us all when Dad finally sold his sheep. He shipped by train to Omaha,
Nebraska. He made the trip himself on the train to the livestock auction in Omaha to see them sold.
As kids, we did not have very good memories of herding sheep. We seemed to get in more
trouble from our Dad, for goofing off and not herding them like we should.
Dad and Mother were hard workers and they took a lot of pride in their farm, a trait they instilled in
all their children. They taught us all to be good workers and “to put in a good days work for a good
days pay.”
Raymond never participated too much in public affairs but during his early life, before and
after he was married, he played in brass bands around Alexander and Grace, Idaho, Newton, Utah
and in Star Valley. He played the cornet and E flat alto horn.
He served for several years as ward teacher and worked actively in the Elders Quorum on the
welfare projects.
For several years, he served in the Freedom – Etna Farm Bureau organization.
Lula was active in the L.D.S. Church all her life. Before she was married, she taught as a
Sunday School teacher with Abbie Robinson. She was a counselor in the M.I.A., secretary in the
Relief Society, visiting teachers advisor, Relief Society magazine representative, and a Primary
teacher. She was teaching Primary at the age of 83. She loved working with little children.
Raymond and Lula centered their life around their family helping them in any way they
could.
They sent a son, Darrel, and a daughter, Lera on a mission and two sons served in the Armed
Forces. LaVor served in World War II and Theron served in Germany.
In 1940, soon after Darrel had left on his mission, Dad became very ill with arthritis which
grew worse with the years, and he was unable to do much on the farm.
After his son LaVar was killed, he developed Parkinsons Disease. Because of this, he no
longer could do anymore work. So they sold the farm to their son Darrel and built them a new home
in town. They moved into this home in 1950. Their son Theron now lives in this home.
On June 29,1971, Lula had her first heart attack and was in the hospital for one month.
She was able to live for seven more years living alone and taking care of herself. She spent
time quilting, working in her garden or flowers and reading.
On September 8, 1978, while shopping in Afton with a good friend Jean Luthi, she
peacefully passed away while sitting in Jean’s car in front of Nields Market, while Jean was buying
groceries. She was 84 years old.
Eight children were born to Raymond and Lula:
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Leona Wood – Afton, WY.
Elva Hebdon – Thayne, WY.
Darrel Jenkins – Freedom, WY.
Wilda Marie Jenkins – died at the age of 20 on Iwo Jimi in World War II
Lera Buttars – Preston, ID.
Maxine Sanderson – Freedom, WY.
Theron Jenkins – Freedom, WY.
Written by: Maxine Jenkins Sanderson
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KAY D. JENKINS
I was born February 4, 1935, in Afton, Wyoming, the second twin son born to Royal Aquilla
Jenkins and Mable Raney in the Afton Hospital. They named me Kay D. and my older brother Jay
D.
My older twin was accidentally killed on Monday, October 24, 1949 about 6:35 P.M. on a
highway about six miles outside of Grover, Wyoming. He was walking by the side of a cousin, Dee
Hokanson. Directly behind him was another cousin Vernal Jenkins, and by Vernal’s side was Dean
Merrit of Thayne, Wyoming. I was walking directly behind Vernal at the time of the accident. A car
coming from behind just missed me and brushed Vernal, bruising his hip, and hit my twin brother
Jay on the head lamp, instantly killing him. After that day the school made sure there were busses
available to make the lower valley boys from basketball practice at the High School instead of
making them walk 18 miles to there homes in Freedom, Wyoming.
In 1974 I met Ann Miller and we were eventually married.
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KEITH & CHERYL DEE HATHAWAY JENKINS
Keith was born 7 Sept., 1928, at home in Freedom with a Mrs. Roberts, who lived in Thayne,
as midwife. There were no telephones or cars, and my older brother Theras rode a horse to Thayne,
which was about 7 miles away, to get Mrs. Roberts. We paid her $15.00 which was hard to pay.
Compare that to the $1500.00 or more it costs now days.
My parents are Philip and Ida Haderlie Jenkins, both from polygamy families. I was the 6th
of 7 children, 2 brothers and 3 sisters. I went to the 8th grade in Freedom and 3 yrs. of High School
in Afton. It was kind of ironic that when we were kids in grade school that we always wished the
school house would burn down so we wouldn't have to go to school. When I got older they built a
better brick school, and I got to help tear down the old one. The old one was a real fire hazard.
I met Cheryl on a blind date with my good friend Wright Roberts, who was living in Salt
Lake. We were married 22 June, 1962 in the Salt Lake Temple.
Cheryl was born in Salt Lake City to Ruth Russell and Lorenzo Dee Hathaway. She is the
oldest of 10 children and was raised and attended school in Salt Lake.
Cheryl and I have lived in Freedom since we were married where we farm and milk cows.
We have 7 children: Robert, Lorenzo, Trudy, Aaron, Anna, Colleen and Elizabeth. We also have 5
grandchildren.
Being born and having grown up during the depression of the 30's, a lot of people were out
of work. My dad became crippled with arthritis about then and couldn't work much. Times were
hard, and the older children had to work at whatever job they could; milking cows, putting up hay,
house work, driving school bus or anything to get some money. The government came and killed
the animals in our corral because my dad couldn't feed them. We weren't the only farmers this
happened to. People learned to be survivors and help each other. It's interesting to look back and
see the changes of a 65 yr. life span. There are a lot less people actually involved in farming.
Because of bigger and better machinery, one person can do more work.
Keith drove a school buss, and enjoys hunting. Cheryl loves to knit and garden.
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KENDALL EVAN JENKINS
Kendall Evan Jenkins born March 1, 1948 to Charles Evan Jenkins and Wilma Haderlie. He
grew up and lived in Freedom on the place that his father and mother owned. Kendall went on a
mission to California. While he was on his mission his father passed away. Upon returning from his
mission, he worked for Bryce Erickson and attended Ricks College. At Ricks he met Eileen Gardner.
They were married on May 29, 1971. They have four children, Jared Dennis, Evan Kenneth, Brandi,
and Vern Scott. From 1972-73 Kendall attended USU and graduated with a bachelors degree in
elementary education. While attending USU he worked for Bryce Erickson and then he purchased
the farm from his mother. Several years later his Aunt Myra and Aunt Edyth Romney sold the house
and 10 acres to Kendall. Several years after that he purchased the Charlie Weber place. He raises
cattle and farms the ground planting hay and grain. Kendall and Hal Heiner started a small welding
business in which they manufactured framing equipment and hay bagging units, ground tillage
equipment, calf feeders and various other pieces of equipment.
Jared served a mission in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Evan served a mission in Manchester
England. Jared has attended Ricks College majoring in welding. He plans to finish at USU and help
his dad run the farm and weld with him.
Kendall has been involved in many organization over the years. President of Freedom Pipeline,
President of Salt River Stock Association, Sec of Etna Irrigation, Sec of Freedom Ditch, Director,
and Sec of Baker Ditch Co. He has served on Freedom Cemetery District Board and helped with
various other organizations.
He has held various church positions, ward clerk, high counselor, scout leader, teacher, 2nd
counselor, and Ist counselor in the Freedom Ward Bishopric.
Kendall is always willing to help others and will drop anything he is doing whenever his help is
needed. Seeing that his mother is getting less able to take care of herself he has purchased a
fabricated home and put it on a piece of ground between his house and the Denzil Jenkins home .
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KENNETH R. JENKINS
I was born on June 15, 1917, and grew up in Freedom, Wyoming. My father was Lewis I.
Jenkins and my mother was Mary Ann Griffin (known as May all her Life.)
I spent my boyhood days on the farm in Freedom, Wyoming helping with the chores and
farm work and going to grade school there. By taking a short cut across part of Dad's field, it was
only about a block to school, so we always walked. This was a fun time as there was always a ball
game or marble game going on during recess and the noon hour.
Dad had two houses, one in town at Freedom, Wyoming and the other two miles East on the
dry farm. In the summertime we stayed quite a bit at the dry farm house, and there we could pick
wild flowers in our pasture which at that time was covered with sage brush. At night after we went
to bed, we could lay and listen to the howel of the coyotes, and many times we saw them in our
fields in the day time.
When it was time to enter high school, they decided to have the 9th and 10th grades in each
of the lower valley towns, so I attended these two grades at Freedom, and then rode the bus to Afton
to finish high school. I made some new friends on the bus and enjoyed the ride. I graduated from
Star Valley High School in the spring of 1935.
After I became a little older, though, we had a milking machine and also tractors to do our
work, and it became much easier to work on the farm. My father and his two brothers, J.F. Jenkins
and W.E. Jenkins, bought one of the first tractor powered threshing machines to come into Star
Valley, and they did lots of custom work with this equipment at harvest time. All the neighbors
would come and help each other to make a crew to do the threshing. About all the pay any of them
got for this job was the big dinners that were always served to the threshing crew.
After graduation from High School, I helped on the farm for one year and then was offered a
job as a clerk in the post office at Afton, Wyoming by Albert Linford, postmaster. I worked there
for one year and then went back to the farm for two years while my brother Wendall went on a
mission. After Wendall returned, I went back to work at the post office for another year until I was
called on a mission to the East Central States with headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky. I was set
apart for my mission by Apostle John A. Widtsoe on November 6, 1940.
I served two years in the west half of Kentucky, teaching the gospel and at the same time
gaining a strong testimony for myself. I have lots of fond memories of those two years although
much of it was very hard work. The small branches of the Church in Kentucky had a hard time to
keep going, and the missionaries had to put a lot of effort into keeping the members active.
World War II started while I was in the mission field, so when I returned home the draft
board told me that if I could spend two years for the Church, I could also spend some time in the
service of my country. Therefore, I was drafted in January 1943, and was in the army until just
before Christmas, 1945. I took my basic training in Camp McCain, Mississippi and Fort Pierce,
Florida. I was in the 149th Engineer Combat Battalion. During my stay in the service, I was in
England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany and Luxembourg. It was really great to get back to
the United States again.
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In the fall of 1946, Elno Draney, manager of Lower Valley Power and Light, asked if I was
interested in a job. I was very happy for the opportunity and went to work for them on September 20
of that year. I worked outside as a ground man until August of 1947, when I had a chance to go work
in the office. I was hesitant at first about the office work but decided to give it a try and have been
very happy that I did. This turned out to be a real good opportunity, and I have enjoyed my work
very much. It was very hard at first as I didn't know much about accounting. All I had in school that
helped much was high school bookkeeping and type, but I finally got the job learned and have since
worked up to the position of Office Manager.
F. William Moesser also worked for Lower Valley, and I was very much impressed with him
and at the same time became interested in his daughter, Evona. About this time, though, their family
inherited some property in California, and they moved there. So I thought I would not likely see her
again. They only stayed about a year, though, and then came back to Etna.
Soon after they returned to Etna, I began courting Evona and after a few months we were
married in the Idaho Falls Temple on December 8th, 1948. There was a terrible blizzard on the day
of our wedding, and we were late arriving in Idaho Falls. We had to go through the afternoon
session instead of the morning session as scheduled. Because of this, we were able to help with
some sealings after our marriage, so it all turned out for the best. This, of course, was the greatest
event of my life. We are very happy and have enjoyed many blessings together. We both like to go
camping and did quite a bit with a tent. In January 1967, we purchased a folding tent trailer and now
we go whenever we have the time to do so.
We have six children: Karen, Noel, Carol, Brent, Marie and Linda. Linda was not well at birth
and lived only a year.
Things I remember about growing up in Freedom:
Milking cows by hand. This was a big job, but all the family, including mother, pitched in
and we got the job done. Mother would skim the cream off of the milk cans every morning before
we took the milk to the creamery, and we always had plenty of cream and homemade butter. Many
times I turned the churn for her. We milked about 25 cows.
Putting up hay and grain with horse-power. Dad had lots of horses and took very good care
of them. At noon when we quit for dinner, we always had to feed and water the horses first, and
then we could eat. Hay was stacked with a buckrake and overhead stacker. For putting up grain we
first had a binder, and then Dad purchased a horse drawn header. Dad and two of his brothers,
Willie and Johnny, bought one of the first tractor powered thrashers to come into Star Valley. I had
hay fever, but didn't know at the time what it was. All summer as I rode the buckrake or drove the
team on header box wagon, my eyes and nose would run continually, and everyone thought that I
had a bad cold all summer.
Going to school, about the second and third grade, in the old log cabin that belonged to Fred
Weber, west of Freedom, while a new school house was being built in Freedom.
The old Reo car that we had. It was a big car with a cloth top and removable side curtains.
There were two folding seats between the front and back seat, so the car would hold eight
passengers. All the roads were gravel or dirt, and a car couldn't go anywhere in the winter, so we
put it on blocks and stored during the winter months.
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The white top buggy. We often used this to travel back and forth from town to the ranch, and
Dad had a trotting team that he used when he had to go to Afton and couldn't take the car. He also
used the team on a light sleigh in the winter time.
The kerosene and gasoline lamps. Before electricity, we lit the barn with kerosene lamps and
also the house much of the time. We did have a gasoline lamp in the house that was much brighter.
The hand powered washing machine. We children would take turns helping mother with the
wash by pumping the handle that powered the machine.
Pumping water and carrying in wood for the house. We heated with a wood burning stove
and had to chop and carry the wood into the house. The water pump was in a well back of the
house, and we had to pump the water into a bucket and carry it in.
The outside privy. Before electricity which came in 1938, we had no indoor toilet facilities.
It was mighty cold in the winter months.
Celebrating the 24th of July. Freedom would always start off the 24th of July with a blast of
black powder that would wake the whole town very early in the morning so they could all get their
chores done early and the milk to the creamery. Then everyone would take the day off for a patriotic
program and a ball game in the afternoon.
family picture
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LAEL (Dan) JENKINS
written by Kay D. Jenkins, older brother
Lael D. Jenkins was born May 29, 1938, in Afton Wyoming. He was the third son born to
Royal Jenkins of Freedom, Wyoming.
Lael was called to the Western Canadian (Alaska-Canadian) Mission from 1959 to 1961.
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LAVOR H. JENKINS
LAVOR H. JENKINS was born in Freedom, Wyoming November 14, 1924, the second son
of Raymond and Lula Haderlie Jenkins. He attended grade school in Freedom and about two years
of high school at Star Valley High School. He had to drop out of high school to run the family farm
because of the illness of his father. His solder brother was on a mission at the time. His entire life
before going into the service was spent helping his family on the farm which he enjoyed very much.
He entered the service March 19, 1944, serving in the U.S. Marine Corps and received his
boot training at San Diego, California, where he won a medal as a sharpshooter, being one of the
best shots in his outfit. Later, he trained at Camp Pendelton, California and became a qualified
machine gunner.
LaVor went over seas in August 1944 and was a member of the 5th Marine Division. From
which they were shipped for combat on the island of Iwo Jima.
LaVor’s courage and coolness under fire was a continual source of inspiration to those men
near him in action. Because of the natural ability he possessed as a leader, he was always in the
forefront when danger was the greatest. Both in training and in combat, the highest tribute I can pay
LaVor is that he was a “good marine.”
The morning of March 5, 1945, his company was being relieved in the front lines by another
unit. The terrain was rocky to the northwest of Motoyama airfield no. 2 and offered excellent
positions for Japanese snipers who had bothered us all of the preceding night. About nine o’clock in
the morning, LaVor’s platoon was ordered to move out and it was while making this change that
LaVor was struck by an enemy rifle bullet. He was burried in the division cemetery, with all the
honor that his comrades could bestow on one who did his job so well. His final resting place is in
Plot no. 6, Row 1, Grave 1524, Fifth Marine Division Cemetery, Iwo Jima, Volcano Island.
On December 11, 1948, LaVor’s body was returned home. The snow was deep there was
only a one land road to Montpelier, Idaho, where all his family went to meet the train with LaVor’s
body.
On December 12th, he was buried in the Freedom Cemetery with military honors.
His parents Raymond and Lula Jenkins were awarded the Purple Heart and the Asiatic
Pacific Campaign Medal for his service in the Asiatic-Pacific area.
A Memorial Gift
As a boy each year on Memorial Day, I would ride my bike to our tiny cemetery to watch
members of the VFW and National Guard. They came to march, fire their rifles, and play taps in
memory of our war dead. This held no significance to me. I went only to watch them struggle to
march in step. When their commander yelled “fire” I found it amusing when their guns would not
fire in unison. It was comical to hear the amateur bugler struggle with the delicate notes of taps. I
and my friends would often race to see who could gather the most empty shell cartridges (some of
them still hot) after the salute was over. The Memorial Day that arrived in the summer of 1971
proved to be different.
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I was ten years old and anticipated the soldiers coming with great excitement. Just as in
previous years I arrived in plenty of time for the ceremony. On this occasion I happened to stand by
my elderly neighbor Lula Jenkins. She was in the later years of her life and had always been nice to
me and my family. I and my brothers had on occasion shoveled her walks in the winter and mowed
her lawn in the summer.
True to form the soldiers arrived and began their annual ritual. They were again out of step
and their guns did misfire. Just as taps began to play I turned and happened to notice Lula beside
me. Large tears were falling down her cheeks. This struck my ten-year-old mind as quite odd, this
was supposed to be a fun time, and exciting day, “didn’t she know that?” I then noticed at her feet a
white tombstone with a small American flag beside it. I knew that those flags were placed on
soldiers graves but this had never meant much to me. At that very instant in time many things were
made apparent to me. For the first time I realized the significance of those out-of-step soldiers,
those broken salutes, and rickety taps. In a few brief seconds my feelings were touched and my
heart deeply changed. Lula’s son LaVor had died in World War II in the Pacific Theater. Those
tears were for her “once ten-year-old boy” who never came home. That moment is forever etched in
my mind. Needless to say, I returned to our cemetery the next year with reverence for what those
soldiers were trying so simply to convey. As the Memorial Days come and go, I hear other taps
play, and different salutes fired, but my thoughts unavoidably return to those tears of my friend Lula
at the graveside of her son.
Written by:
Karl Robinson
Son of Elmo and Nola Robinson
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LA VOR RAY & BARBARA BAGLEY JENKINS
LaVor, born 18 Oct., 1948, and Barbara born 16 July, 1954, are both life long residents of
Star Valley. We both attended Star Valley schools and graduated from high school, LaVor in 1967
and myself in 1972.
After LaVor's graduation, he continued his education at Utah State in Logan. In 1969 he
joined the army and spent the next six weeks in Fort Ord, Calif. In June, LaVor was sent to Viet
Nam for a one year tour. This was a very hard time in his life, but good did come out of this
experience as he made some good friends whom he still has contact with. He also developed a deep
love and appreciation for our country. Following an honorable discharge in 1971, LaVor went back
to USU for more schooling. It was during Christmas break that we started dating. We continued our
courtship for 1 1/2 years and were married 26 May, 1972, in the Idaho Falls Temple.
The following year was spent back in Logan continuing his education at USU. We moved to
Freedom in the Spring of 1973, where LaVor worked various jobs until 1974 when he began
working on the family farm with his dad, Darrel Jenkins. This was an enjoyable time, and we were
happy to be living in Freedom. My grandparents, G.A. & Nora Newswander, were former Freedom
residents, and my mother, Della, was raised here. Since I had always heard stories of life in
Freedom I felt very much at home here even though I had been raised in Afton by good parents,
Burton & Della Bagley.
In 1982, we purchased the farm from LaVor's parents, Darrel and Magdalene. Before that,
the farm belonged to Darrel's parents, Raymond and Lula Jenkins. The Idaho, Wyoming line splits
the farm in 1/2, and the majority of the land lies in Idaho. We built a home in 1976 on the Idaho side
where we still reside and operate a dairy.
Five children were born to us, Rilianne, Matthew Curt, Tennille, Josh Raymond and Thomas
Jeff.
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LEWIS I. JENKINS and MARY ANN “MAY” GRIFFIN JENKINS
Lewis was born 4 Jan, 1877, in Newton, Cache County, Utah, to John and Mary Oviatt
Jenkins, the fifth child and third son in a family of 10 children.
He attended school in Newton, a two-room lumber building for eight years. He attended
school at the A.C. (an agricultural school) in Logan for one year, then changed to the Brigham
Young College in Logan.
He married Mary Ann Griffin (called “May” all her life) on 15 December, 1898 in the Logan
Temple. They made the trip to and from Logan with a team and wagon. He was called on an LDS
mission to England and left on 13 May, 1899. While he was away, his first child, Louie Irene, was
born on 7 Oct., 1899. He was in the first group of missionaries who were required to have passports,
needed after war broke out.
He arrived home from his mission 3 July, 1901, and came to Star Valley in April 1902,
where he herded cattle for his father. The family lived in a three-room log dirt-roof house in
Freedom, where a brother, Willie lived with them for two winters. They later moved into a home
built by John J. Haderlie, and it became their family home for many years.
In 1903 Lewis was appointed by the commissioners to assist in starting a school district. The
present Star Valley Consolidated School District No. 19 was established, and he served on the
school board and as its president most of the time until after all the new elementary school buildings
were completed in the new building program in 1925-26. He inaugurated the first school wagons
and busses in the district.
Soon after moving to Freedom, he was elected justice of the peace for the town of Freedom,
and served for more than 50 years in this capacity. He helped start the Farm Bureau in the area and
served as local president for many years. He was elected Lincoln County Commissioner for two
terms in the Wyoming State Legislature and was a notary public. He helped organize the Freedom
State Bank and served as its president. He was chosen to be instrumental in having a ranger station
located at Freedom on the Caribou Forest. He helped on various other civic projects and served on
road committees.
Lewis was active in the Freedom Ward, serving as Sunday School Superintendent, Stake
Sunday School Superintendent, Senior president of the 179th Quorum of Seventy of the Star Valley
Stake, and served on the high council for more than 21 years.
He was a hard worker and took good care of his farm and was proud of his large dairy herd
and other farm animals. He loved horses and owned a prize trotting team which he drove to Afton to
attend meetings.
He was a good father to his family, helping each one of the children to get started in their
occupations when they were married. He helped care for his son Glen’s wife and three sons while
Glen was on a two-year mission. He sent four of his sons on missions and helped with several
grandchildren on missions.
His wife, May, was killed instantly in a car wreck near Afton, June 1, 1955. He lived the last
seven years with his daughter and son-in-law, Louie and Leo Banks at Bancroft, Idaho. He fell Aug.
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29, 1967, fracturing his right arm and causing other injuries resulting in his death on Sept. 24, 1967,
after hospitalization in Idaho Falls. He was buried in the Freedom Cemetery.
Mary Ann “May” Griffin was the fifth child of John Griffin and Ruth Keep of a family of
thirteen children. She was born in Newton, Utah, on 20 February, 1879. She was named after two
grandmothers.
After her marriage to Lewis they lived in a log house for several years until they built the
Jenkins home, that is still standing, in 1909 and moved into it on Jan. 1, 1910.
She held several Church positions in the Freedom Ward as secretary and treasurer in the
Relief Society which she held for 10 years, president of the YWMIA for 6 years and a Relief Society
teacher for many years.
Lewis and Mae had nine children and adopted a son. The children are Louie, Ira Blaine,
Glen, Orin, Eva, Royal, Wendell, Harvey, Kenneth, and Vernon.
May was killed in a car accident near Afton on June 1, 1955. She was buried in the Freedom
Cemetery.
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The MARY ANN GRIFFIN & LEWIS IRA JENKINS Family
Eva May Jenkins
I was born at Freedom, Wyoming, November 13, 1909 in a two-room log house. I was the
5th child. My parents Lewis Ira Jenkins and Mary Ann (May) Griffin, were very happy with my
arrival as their last three children were boys. They had planned on being moved into their new
house for my arrival, but it wasn’t ready, so they moved in for Christmas. I had one sister and seven
brothers, and one adopted brother Kenneth. My brother Blaine died of dropsy when I was a year
old, and Harvey died or pneumonia when he was4 months old.
We all had the childhood diseases as they came along. Mother said I never took whooping
cough, although the rest of the family had it real hard. We all had the flu and were down all at once.
When I was five years old, I had ruptured appendicitis. I was taken to Afton in a covered sleigh and
brought home in a buggy. I was operated on by Drs. Byron and Leffett Reese. The doctors told my
parents I only had one chance in a hundred. The power of the Priesthood was called upon in my
behalf several times, and each time I was greatly blessed. I was in the hospital for two months. I
had to even learn to walk all over again.
My best girl friend was my cousin Norma, and we were together every chance we could
squeeze in. At one time in my life, I had 9 dolls. My favorite pastime was playing with them all,
dressing and undressing them for bed most every night, and sewing new dresses for them.
I attended school at Freedom, Wyoming, in a two-room school house for 8 years. We had
religion class in grade school once a week for ½ hour in the morning for a while.
I started working in the post office as a clerk in 1928. Norma went on to college that fall so
we were separated. I became close friends with Ardella Hokanson, who was working for William
Heap in our store in town. Or course Orlin took us car riding many times to pass the time away. My
first date with Orlin William Hokanson was to a young folks party being held at the ward hall. I had
to furnish a freeze of ice cream. We both were on the committee. He came most of the time
horseback, many times before I was through milking. We were married November 12, 1930, in the
Logan Temple. Mother and Father and Orlin’s mother went with us. We were unable to get our
license on the 11th as it was a holiday, so had a big rush the next morning to get to the temple, as we
stayed in Newton overnight. That winter Orlin camped and got logs our for our present home. He
came home only on weekends. I worked in the post office until May 4, 1931, then stayed home most
of the time. Our first home was on the Jackson place east of Freedom, one room just for the
summer.
We moved to Orlin’s mother’s for the winter months. Then in the spring we moved to the
north room in my dad’s house and started working a little at a time on our home for the next two
years.
Grandma was appointed Postmaster in Freedom, May 11, 1983. She held this position for 35
years.
Grandma has been active in the church all of her life.
Grandpa and Grandma’s married life together was a happy one. Their family life was very
important to them. They spent many hours playing games with their children.
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Grandma had terminal cancer and she endured it with much patience and faith. She passed
away January 29, 1977.
Verla J. Hokanson
I was born October 30, 1932, in Afton, Wyoming. I grew up in Freedom, Wyoming (Star
Valley). I attended elementary school in Freedom.
Children born to Verla J. Hokanson and James Peterson Crook:
Leanna, Terena, Merodene, Jay R., Scott H., Shereen, Colleen, Nolin H., Val H., James, Becky, Jan.
Nyla J. Hokanson
I was born September 29, 1941, to Orlin William Hokanson and Eva May Jenkins. I was the
fifth of six children. I attended elementary school in Freedom.
On January 15, 1966, I marred John Alfred Merchant in the Idaho Falls Temple.
Children born to Nyla J. Hokanson and John Alfred Merchant
Sheryl Anne, alison, Jeffrey, Carolyn, Steven
Van J. Hokanson
I was born at the LDS Hospital in Afton, Wyoming, on my father’s birthday, June 26, 1944.
My parents are Arlin William Hokanson and Eva May Jenkins. I was 6 weeks premature, but was a
healthy, normal boy. I am the fifth of five in our family ahving 2 older brothers and 2 older sisters.
I attended elementary school in Freedom and a mission in Uruguay.
I married Joyce Aileen Stock in the Idaho Falls Temple.
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LORENZO & JULIE LOUK JENKINS
In March of 1987, Lorenzo & Julie went out on a blind date. On 2 Oct., 6 months later, we
were married at the Stanger Memorial building in Iona, ID. We bought a trailer house and moved it
on a piece of land next to Lorenzo's parents, Keith and Cheryl Jenkins. We were sealed as a family
in the Idaho Falls Temple 5 Nov. 1988.
Pauline Loretta Jenkins was born 22 Aug., 1989, in Afton, Wyoming. In 1990, on Aug 7th,
we had a set of twins, a boy and a girl. We named them Tyson Earl and Tamara Dee. Tyson had to
be life flighted to Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake where we spent 9 days because of
immature lungs. My sister, Bertha Stafford, and her husband, Preston, went from Idaho Falls to be
with Tyson because I was still in the hospital, and Lorenzo stayed at home to stay with Pauline.
This was one of the hardest things we have had to do. On the 8th day the hospital called and told me
that Tyson could come home on the 9th day. We went down and picked up Lorenzo's sister, Anna,
and she went with us to pick up Tyson. He has been fine ever since.
In 1993, we started to clean and fix up the Phil and Ida Jenkins home. We moved in Oct. of
93, and this is where we are presently living.
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LOWELL "E" JENKINS
Lowell "E" Jenkins was born 25 October, 1926, to Glen LaMar Jenkins and Alice Augusta
Erickson at Freedom, Wyoming. He was the second child and son in a family of five boys and two
girls. His father passed away at age 36 when Lowell was only 13 years old.
Lowell served his country during World War II. He was discharged October 1946. He
married Verna Titensor on 12 November, 1948, in the Logan Temple. Verna was the daughter of
Roscoe Titensor and Elnor Bishop. Lowell ran the family farm in Freedom and also worked various
jobs to supplement the income as his family grew. In 1962, he started his own electrical company
which was called "Lowell's Electric."
Lowell was active in the LDS Church. He served as president to the Deacon's Quorum,
Teacher's Quorum, and Elder's Quorum. He was called as the Bishop of the Freedom Ward on 20
October, 1957.
Lowell had a desire to serve a mission for the Church and wanted to return to Austria, where
he had been during his Army service. But this hope and dream never materialized, as he left this
world when he was killed in an accident at the early age of 36. He died on 3l January, 1963, at
Palisades, Idaho.
CHILDREN OF LOWELL "E" JENKINS & VERNA TITENSOR
Eldean Jenkins - born 12 August, 1949
married - Kim Heiner - 16 January, 1971
Children - Shane Heiner - born 10 August, 1971
Brady Heiner - born 15 January, 1973
Heather Heiner - born 8 June, 1976
Colby Drew Heiner - born 7 October, 1981
Ryan Lowell Jenkins - born 2 March, 1951
married - Edith Janell McBride Children - Jennifer Jenkins - born 5 January, 1974
Joshua Ryan Jenkins - born 19 March, 1975
Jedediah L. Jenkins - born 23 March, 1978
Robyn Jenkins - born 22 September, 1983
Laura Lee Jenkins - born 26 October, 1952
married - Melvin J. Miles - 15 August, 1973
born March 1954
Saundra Jenkins - born 16 March, 1954
married - Von K. Merritt - 12 November, 1976
Children - Clint Earl Merritt - born 28 February, 1981
Randy J. Merritt - born 25 June, 1982
LaMar Jenkins - born 13 August, 1955
married - Eileen Wilkes - 17 November, 1979
Children - Dustin LaMar Jenkins - born 11 October, 1980
Jesse Cole Jenkins - born 26 August, 1982
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Eileen Jenkins - born 14 January, 1960
married - Ray M. Barney - 12 June, 1981
Children - Aaron Ray Barney - born 29 November, 1981
Kyle Benjamin Barney - born 23 November, 1984
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MARLO D. JENKINS
I was born May 20, 1940 in Afton, Wyoming to Royal Aquilla Jenkins and Mable Draney,
the fourth of 9 children. I grew up on the family farm in Freedom, Wyoming. I had reumatic fever
at the age of 13, and missed one year of school. We moved from Star Valley in 1957, to Murray,
Utah. I graduated from Murray High School in 1959.
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ORRIN MILTON JENKINS
The following life sketch was written by Orrin Milton Jenkins for his daughter, Shirley, in
1948 for an MIA assignment. It is written in the first person and from his memories up to that time.
Unfortunately, it was not made current before he passed away.
----------------------------I was born on October 29, 1907, at Freedom, Wyoming, in the home of my parents, Lewis I.
Jenkins and Mary Ann Griffin. After the Christmas holidays when I was six years old, I went to
kindergarten in an Idaho School house about one mile north of Freedom. I began my first grade the
next year in the same school. Wyoming then built a school house for Wyoming children to go to. I
skipped the second grade and began third grade in this new building.
My eight grade teacher was the basketball coach, and with her as coach, we had the best
basketball team in the valley that year. Afton was the only team that was able to beat us, and that
was only once. The boys on the team were Orlin Hokanson, Delbert Spackman, Clarence Heap,
Arthur Clark, and me. In 1922, I graduated from grade school.
For my freshman year in Star Valley High School, I batched with Hazel Schiess, Edith
Jenkins, and my brother Glen in an old two-room barn behind the house, and we went home for a
visit about every two weeks. It took three or four hours to ride each way. When I was a sophomore,
I was the only one from Freedom who went to school in Afton. For week-ends I went home on
horseback.
I was a sub on the basketball team for the first two years of high school, and on the main
team the other two. When I was a junior, the team went on a tour. We rode to Montpelier in a
sleigh, but we had to walk two miles just before we got to Montpelier because the snow had melted.
We rode on a train from Montpelier to Cokeville and Kemmerer. We lost most of the games that we
played.
I graduated with the class of 1926. I started doing bookkeeping in the star Valley State Bank
on February 1, 1927, and moved to Afton permanently. In May, my sister Louie and I bought a gray
Chevrolet coupe for $700. I had to sell my cows to get the money to pay for my share. This is the
first car I ever owned.
I married Orene Allred on June 5, 1929, in the Logan Temple. The children born to Orrin
and Orene Jenkins are Boyd D., February 14, 1931, Afton, Wyoming. Shirley, November 7, 1932,
Afton, Wyoming. And Ross E., December 16, 1934, Afton, Wyoming. In 1954, Orrin and Orene
were divorced and he never remarried. He remained close to his three children. He lived all of his
life in Star Valley. He died June 17, 1984, at the McKay-Dee Hospital in Ogden, Utah.
Louie Irene Jenkins
I was born October 7, 1899, to Lewis Ira Jenkins and Mary Ann Griffin, the oldest in a
family of ten. I had one sister and eight brothers. I was born at my grandparents, John Griffin’s
home in Newton, Utah, five months after my father had gone to England on a mission. My family
moved from Newton to a farm at Freedom, Wyoming, two years after my father returned from his
mission.
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I attended elementary school in Freedom, Wyoming, and high school in Afton, Wyoming. I
went to college at U.S.U. in Logan, Utah. I earned a Bachelors Degree in Education. My majors
were Home Economics and Social Studies. I served a mission in the Central states Mission for 25
months.
I taught school in Wyoming for five years, in Idaho for five years, and in Utah for three
years. I also worked as a cashier in the bank and as office clerk and bookkeeper for Burton and
Kraft Creamery for fifteen years.
I married Leo Joseph Banks October 30, 1948, in the Idaho Falls Temple. He was born
November 13, 1893, to Joseph Banks and Jane Clark Angus. We were not blessed with children, but
Leo was a widower with three children, and I soon grew to love them and think of them as my own.
After I married Leo, I received a new education in managing a home, raising a small boy, running
for parts, and helping out on the farm. The step-children of Louie and the children of Leo Banks are,
Donna Clark, Floyd Jenkins, and Leo Joseph.
I have served in many Stake and Ward positions, a few of which are: Counselor in the
YWMIA, and Primary, Sunday School and Primary Stake Board, Teacher in MIA, Sunday School,
Primary and Relief Society, and Ward Education Representative. We were officiators in the Logan
Temple for about five and ½ years. I was a visiting teacher for 23 years. I had the opportunity of
having dinner and visiting with four of the Church Presidents. My hobbies are reading, sewing
embroidering, crocheting, and knitting.
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ROYAL AQUILLA JENKINS
written by Kay D. Jenkins the eldest living son
Royal Aquilla Jenkins was born February 18, 1912, in Freedom, Wyoming. His parents were
Lois Ira Jenkins and Mary Ann (May) Griffin. Royal lived in Freedom, Wyoming most of his life.
He attended Star Valley High School where he participated in many sports. He especially like
basketball, baseball, and football. He excelled in basketball and baseball. He was a catcher and
taught my twin brother and I to love sports.
Royal married Mable Draney in Idaho Falls on July 24,1934. They subsequently had nine
sons and daughters. Mable was a daughter of Jess E. Draney and Ruby Foss. Mable was born in
Auburn, Idaho, on September 14,1918.
In Freedom, Wyoming, my father milked cows and ran a 40 acre dairy farm and grew alfalfa
to feed them. We also had pigs, chickens, and horses on our place. My father was an ardent lover of
good horse flesh. He especially loved thorough-breds and participated in Roman chariot and cutter
races for many years in Wyoming.
When the Jenkins family lived in Freedom, Wyoming, Royal played Santa Claus many times
at different functions. He thereby acquired the nickname of Santa Claus and kept the name as his
children grew up in Freedom, Wyoming for many years.
Children born to Royal Aquilla Jenkins and Mable Draney:
155 Jay D. Jenkins, born Feburary 4,1935, Afton, Wyoming
156 Kay D. Jenkins born February 4, 1935, Afton, Wyoming
157 Lael Dan Jenkins, born May 29, 1938, Afton, Wyoming
158 Marlo D. Jenkins, born May 20, 1940, Afton, Wyoming
159 Darlene D. Jenkins, born February 7, 1943, Afton, Wyoming
160 Patricia D. Jenkins, born May 8, 1945, Afton, Wyoming
161 Val D. Jenkins, born June 26, 1950, Afton, Wyoming
162 Merva Lou Jenkins, born June 11, 1951, Afton Wyoming
163 Terry D. Jenkins born March 2, 1957, Afton, Wyoming
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THERAS IRA AND DORIS LUCILLE HIBBARD JENKINS
Theras was born June 1915 in Freedom, WY, the first son of Philip Eugene and Ida May
Haderlie Jenkins. He went to school in Freedom to the 9th grade. He served a mission from November
1948 to November 1950 in the Western Canadian Mission.
Doris Lucille Hibbard is the second daughter of Stanley Borden and Elsie Olive Doughty
Hibbard. Lucille has two sisters.
Theras and Lucille were married Oct. 30, 1952 in the Cardston Temple at Cardston, Alberta Canada.
Theras has lived all his life in Freedom. He owns property on the Freedom, ID side which he
farms. For several years, he enjoyed running a team of thoroughbred horses in the All-American Cutter
Association.
Theras and Lucille children were all born in Afton, WY and are:
1. Doris May- Aug. 10, 1953
2. Rosalee H.-Aug. 31, 1954
3. Lynden H.-Jan. 26, 1956
4. Beverly H.-Dec. 30, 1957
5. Sherman Henry-Mar. 17, 1959
6. Edward Ira-Jul. 23, 1960
7. Brad H.-May 20, 1962
8. Tad Theras-Aug, 28, 1963
9. William H.- Sep. 28, 1964
10. Jeannette Rae-Mar. 9, 1966
11. Charlotte Kay-Mar. 6, 1969
12. Borden Neil-Aug. 3, 1970
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VERNAL E. JENKINS
I was born April 3, 1934, in Freedom, Wyoming to Glen LaMar Jenkins and Alice Augusta
Erickson. We lived in Wyoming on a farm about one and a half miles south of Freedom. When I
was seven years old, my father passed away, leaving my mother to raise seven children and take care
of the farm. All of us worked hard milking the cows and taking care of the farm.
I attended elementary school in Freedom until the eighth grade, then went to Afton for High
School. I graduated from Star Valley High School in May 1952. After high school I worked for the
Forest Service and then for a saw mill at Grey's River, Wyoming.
In December 1954, I received a call to serve a mission in the North Central States. Before
leaving I was interviewed by Elder Bruce R. McConkie and set apart by Elder Spencer W. Kimball.
I served my mission from January 1955 to March 1957.
After returning home from my mission, I was drafted into the Army in May 1957, where I
served for two years. I then went to Kamas, Utah, to work for the Grey's River Lumber Company
where I met Diane Lambert. She was born in Coalville, Utah on 14 November, 1941. Her parents
were Walden W. Lambert and Dorothy Elaine Moon. We were married August 19, 1960, in the Salt
Lake Temple.
I worked for a number of years for the Hercules Company and then changed jobs to work for
the United States Postal Service as a Letter Carrier. I love playing and watching basketball, football,
baseball, and bowling. We like to take the family camping and fishing. My favorite hobby is
playing chess. I have held various teaching and secretarial positions in the church. I have served as
the High Priest's Secretary in our ward and as a veil worker in the Salt Lake Temple
CHILDREN OF VERNAL E. JENKINS & DIANE LAMBERT
Lisa Ann Jenkins - born 1 January, 1962
Married - Michael Coon
Children - Nathan Coon
Lloyd L. Jenkins - born 12 September, 1966
Dan L. Jenkins - born 25 August, 1970
279
VERNON LYNN JENKINS
I WAS BORN April 24, 1919, at Freedom, Wyoming, to Lewis Ira Jenkins and Mary Ann
Griffin, the last child in a family of ten.
I grew up on the family farm soon learning to help out with all of the chores and workings of
a ranch, with such good teachers as my two sisters and seven brothers.
When I was about four years old, one cold February morning, on my faithful stick horse, I
followed my father’s footsteps down to the slough where he had opened the water hole for the cows
to drink. Being curious, I got too close to the opened hole and fell in the icy water. I must have
gone down and come straight up again. I clung to the edge of the ice, which was about three feet
thick, for about twenty to thirty minutes before my father found me and rescued me. With Mother’s
quick first aid and constant care for several weeks, and faith and prayers of the family, I soon
recovered, none the worse for the episode.
I attended elementary school in Freedom, and high school in Afton, Wyoming, where I
played on both the football and basketball teams. We were the first basketball team from Star
Valley to go to the State District Tournaments and we took third place. I was on the F.F.A. judging,
and after winning State, we went to the National Stock Show in Denver, Colorado, and took third
place in the Nationals.
I played on the Church basketball team for several years. We were the Stake tournament
champions during this time. I have been Explorer Leader, Scout Master, Secretary of the Young
Men’s Mutual, and ward teacher for several years.
I was a 4-H leader for about ten years and went with my truck and took the first cattle that
went to the State Fair in Douglas, Wyoming. I served on the F.H.A. board for three years, the Fair
Board for four years. While on the Fair Board, Harold Papworth and I went to Kemmerer and got
money appropriated for the straight-a-way race track built on the Fair Grounds. I helped to get the
All American Cutter Racing Association started. The first few years we held the race meets on the
main street of the town we were at. I ran race horses for many years throughout the intermountain
west. I also rode for Roman racing. I rode in the rodeos during this time and won many belts,
buckles, and hats as prizes.
In 1959 I married Wyoma Roos Perry. She was a widow with three girls and one son: Alice,
Patty, Carol and Steven. We had two sons, Darrin and Corey. After about ten years we were
divorced.
I am still on the old family farm working and taking care of cattle and my beloved horses. I
guess my hobby would be my horses. My racing horses were my best friends and almost like
members of my family.
280
WENDELL DEE JENKINS and PHEBE LORAINE SPACKMAN
I was born Jan. 12, 1914 in Freedom, Wyoming to Lewis Ira and Mary Ann Griffin Jenkins. I
was the seventh of ten children and grew up on the family farm in Freedom.
We lived in town right next to the Church house and our home seemed to be a gathering place for
play for both young and old, especially Sunday afternoons and evenings after Sacrament meeting.
We played hide and seek, prisoners base, run sheep, etc. outside, while indoors was table games,
checkers, and other games. There was always refreshments mainly popping corn or homemade
candy which was part of the evening activities.
I attended school in Freedom for ten grades, 2 years in Jr. High then two years in Afton where I
finished high school. I was awarded a scholarship by the Union Pacific Railroad to the
University of Wyoming in Laramie, which I never used. I played basketball, boxed, and wrestled
my senior year, graduating from high school in 1932.
During the depression years I got a job helping trail cattle to the railhead at Soda Springs, Idaho
for the government. For several years I helped with the trail herds to Soda Springs for the ranchers
until the big trucks came and started hauling the cattle. I also herded cattle for the Cattlemen's
Association on the Caribou National Forest.
In 1938 I was called to serve a mission far the Church to Great Britain. I was there when World
War II started. We got up 3 or 4 times in a night to run for air raid shelters before we left England. I
finished the last five months of my mission in South Illinois.
As soon as I was old enough, I was made Scout Master. I served over 43 years in the scouting
program, as Scoutmaster, District Leader and on the Tendoy Council. I started the first Cub Scout
troop in Star Valley. We also organized and carried out the first exchange program in Scouting. A
troop from California came to Star Valley for camping and fun in the mountains and our boys went
to California during Christmas holidays for the Rose Bowl Parade and football game, Disneyland,
Knots berry Farm, ocean and city wonders. I was awarded the Silver Beaver while still in scouting.
I served on the Mutual Stake Board for over 21 years and organized and managed the Athletic
Program in the Star Valley Stake and Scout Council. I also served as Elders President, Seventies
Presidency in the Stake and Ward, and Stake Sunday School President. We organized the first
Junior Sunday School in the Star Valley Stake.
On a cold crisp January ii, 1923 morning I, Phebe Loraine Spackman, entered this world at my
grandparents', Charles Arthur and Phebe Rich Spackman, home in Freedom on the Wyoming side at
the
first Forest Ranger Station, which my Dad helped build. I was the third daughter in a family of
seven, 5 girls and 2 boys of Edward Arthur (Art) and Thecla Lindholm Spackman. Our family,
Nellie, Helen, Loraine, Dorothy, Lester, Dorinda, and Rex, grew up on the family farm six miles
from Freedom on the Idaho side of the road located on Jackknife creek. We were and still are the last
home up the canyon. The forest land was our play ground where we camped, had picnics with aunts,
uncles and grandparents. Besides the ranch work which we all helped with, the forest was another
place we learned how to work. Bringing in the cows from the forest night and morning to be milked,
working with Dad getting out wood, a lot of which he sold to schools, churches, and the creamery.
We also helped him cut out huge blocks of ice from the creek which were stored in sawdust for
summer use.
281
I attended school in Glen, this was the name of the area, and was on the Idaho side and in
Bonneville County. We had 8 grades and one teacher with an enrollment of 25-30. An average day
would find someone absent because of sickness but many times because they needed to help out at
home. We also had a dependent Branch of the Freedom Ward and Sunday School and Primary were
held in the school house at Glen, along with parties, especially at Christmas and Easter time. There
was no electricity, so different ones were assigned to "be sure you bring your lantern", besides the
food and dishes . The school kids had practiced for a play, music, or readings which was the
program. Then we ate and after that there was Santa, games or dancing, something which the
youngest to the oldest participated in as these always included the whole family. After roads became
improved and cars could run all winter the Branch was dissolved and we attended the Freedom
Ward.
On January 12, 1943 we were married in the Salt Lake Temple.
We were ranchers and had a small growing Holstein dairy herd for about 35 years. Wendell
represented the State of Wyo. as a delegate to the National Dairy Conventions. We traveled most of
the United States. We traveled to most Church History sites, and have been to several of the temples
in our travels. In 1980 Wendell became a member of the national Dairy Shrine Club.
Our sons have all been on missions. When our last son, Troy, was called to japan we went over
to meet him when he was released.
We have 6 children, 3 girls and 3 boys: Tanna, Pamela, Colin, Kevin, Dorinda, and Troy. We
have 17 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren,
Loraine served in the Primary and Relief Society Presidency also a teacher in Young Women,
Sunday School, and Primary. We both served as 4H leaders for many years.
We now like to do temple work and have recently been released as Stake Missionaries.
282
WILFORD LORENZO AND ANNIE MABEL ERICKSON JENKINS
Wilford was born Nov. 12, 1895 at Newton, Utah. He was the sixth child of John Jenkins and
Anna Marie Jensen Jenkins. He had seven brothers and two sisters. When Wilford was two years old,
his family moved to Freedom, WY, to a ranch they had purchased. They lived on this ranch for 5 years
and then returned to the ranch at Newton. Wilford attended school at Newton and worked on the ranch
while he was growing up. He attended college at Logan, UT. At the age of 18, Wilford and his brother
Raymond, returned to Freedom to take care of the ranch in November 1913. He married Annie Mabel
Erickson, June 9, 1915, in the Logan Temple in Logan, UT.
Annie was born Oct. 18, 1895 at Richmond, UT. She was the first child of Carl Gustaf
Englebrekt Erickson and Annie Elizabeth Bright. She had 7 sisters and 5 brothers and lived at
Richmond until the age of 7 when the family moved to Freedom.
Wilford and Mabel made their home in Freedom where they raised their family. There were 6
children born to them, 3 boys and 3 girls.
In 1919 Wilford served an LDS mission to California. In 1932 he began employment with the
Wyoming Game and Fish Dept. as a game warden for seven years, then went back to ranching.
Mabel was a 4-H Club leader for several years. She, at one time, worked at the Star Valley
Swiss Cheese Co. at Thayne, WY. She assisted her husband, Wilford, in operating checking stations in
the fall of the year for the WY Game & Fish Dept. Mabel was an excellent cook and a neat, clean,
house keeper. During the times when there were no accommodations, such as hotels, motels and cafes
in lower Star Valley, Mabel took boarders into her family home. She supplied rooms and meals to
construction workers, school teachers and others.
Wilford and Mabel were both active in the LDS Church. Wilford served as a ward clerk for 12
years, president of the YMMIA, first counselor in the Bishopric and a home teacher. Mabel held
leadership positions in Relief Society, Primary and Sunday School.
Children and grandchildren of Wilford and Mabel are:
(1) Wilford Cyril, who died in infancy; (2) Aceil Carl, who married Marveline Cazier. Children:
Eugene, Gary, Nancy, Robert, and Kelly; (3) Leda Annie, who married Horace LeRoy Robinson.
Children: Perry, Sheila, Vana, and Naunie; (4) Donna Carrol, who died at about the age of 13; (5) Ruel
E. Married LuDene Cazier. Children: Lynn and Joy; (6) Geraldine who married Ralph Edward
Stephens. Children: Jeanette, Laurie June and Diane.
283
WILLIAM EVAN AND LENA WEBER JENKINS
William Evan Jenkins was born in Newton, Utah 14 Sept., 1870. When he was 14 yrs. of age
he contracted typhoid fever. It took him literally years to recover. He was too weak to work on the
farm, so he attended Brigham Young College in Logan. He graduated in 1893 with honors as a
teacher.
In Nov. of 1900, my brother, Eddie, and I went by horseback to Star Valley. It took 3 days
from Trenton. William's oldest brother John was living in Freedom and wanted him to come there.
This country had been introduced to the family by their father, John Jenkins. He owned land in
Freedom in the center of town where the post office and meeting house now stand. Every spring he
would drive between 200 and 400 head of cattle up to Wyoming to graze, going as far north as
Jackson Hole country.
On Dec. 18, 1900, William went to Afton to George Kennington's father and filed on a piece
of land east of Freedom. All five brothers, John Franklin, William Evan, Louis Ira, Edmond and
Phillip Eugene all settled in Freedom in the center of town, with their lands adjoining one or the
other of the brothers.
In the summer of 1901, I worked with my brother Johnny and lived with him and his family.
The latter part of Sept., Lena Weber and I drove to Salt Lake together with her sister, Ida and Ray
Clark to get married. We were married Oct. 3, 1901, in the Salt Lake Temple.
Lina was born on 9 Jan., 1878, in Schmiedrued, Switz., the first daughter and second child of
Samuel and Verena Goldenberger Weber. Her father was a cigar salesman, and her mother was an
expert seamstress. They Emigrated from Liverpool to Logan June 9, 1888. Up to the time she started
school in Providence, UT., her name was spelled Lina but the teacher wrote it Lena and so Lena it
was.
After she moved to Freedom, there were no church services, and "we were so lonesome and
homesick that mother and I cried every Sunday. It seemed that we had left everything to come to this
place that had nothing. But during the fall and winter church was held, and there were dances and
parties for the young people, so we soon got acquainted with the people in the small town of
Freedom."
Money was scarce. One summer when she came home from Caribou with $70.00 she bought
a winter coat for $3.50, shoes for $1.50, black cashmere cloth for a dress at $.25 a yard and the rest
of the money was given to her parents. I had 10 brothers and 2 sisters.
After we married, William taught school in Freedom on the Idaho side of town and was the
only teacher. There were about 30 pupils covering most of the eight grades including, Walter
Weber, John and Annie Haderlie, Ida, Olive and Lorin Hanson, the Schiess boys and the Baker
children from Etna. They lived in the Heber Hanson house. When spring came we built a shanty on
the homestead, bought some cows and moved across the river. William moved here with a new
wagon, cover and harness; the covered wagon box served as our bedroom, and the shanty was the
kitchen and living room.
The next winter, they moved back to town and lived in his father's house which stood about
where the post office is now. Myra, the first child, was born there 26 Oct., 1902. In the spring, they
284
moved back over the river and built a one-room log house. In the fall, they moved back to town and
lived in his brother John's log house. Alice, the second daughter, was born there 29 March, 1904. In
the spring they moved back over the river and in the fall back to town. That winter they lived with
his brother Lewis in his two room log house.
About 1905, a large frame house was begun with four rooms on the ground floor and rooms
upstairs. This was on 40 acres of land acquired from William's father about one-quarter mile east of
town. As soon as one room was completed, they moved into the house. Soon two rooms were lived
in, and Edyth, the third child, was born 14 Apr., 1906. Lena was president of the Freedom Relief
Society, a position she held for 26 years.
Late in the fall of 1907, William received a call to the Central States Mission and served two
full years returning home in Jan. 1910. Family and neighbors helped with the work while William
was on his mission. Lena became very ill while he was on his mission, and Bishop Aaron F.
Bracken advised her to call William home. She assured the Bishop she would get well and could
manage the work until he returned. While he was gone, a new stove, large rug and furniture were
bought and the interior of the house was completed.
William and Lena were always leaders in church and civic activities in the community. He
was elected Justice of the Peace in Freedom and served for many years. They acted together in
dramas and did dialogues a programs. He played the violin some and when the Freedom band was
organized he played the clarinets, of which he had three, two leads and an alto. They both sang in
the ward choir and other music groups for many years. Lena sang soprano. She sang in duets,
quartets and choruses at meetings, funerals, programs and other occasions. William's knowledge
and understanding of the scriptures were profound. Four more children were born to William and
Lena making a total of seven. Norma was born 7 Nov., 1910, and Evan, the only son and a most
welcome addition, was born 22 April, 1913. Elmina was born 6 Aug., 1915 and June, the seventh
child and baby of the family, was born 12 Jul., 1917.
William and Lena realized the value of an education. All seven children attended college.
They sent six of their children on full term foreign missions. William also served another six month
mission. On William's eightieth birthday, all the family returned home to help him celebrate. He
passed away 30 June, 1951. Lena lived alone the rest of her life. Some months after William died
she and Evan traded homes. She passed away 14 March, 1954.
picture
picture
L.to R.
Lena
285
Alice
Edith
Myra
picture
picture
picture
286
PETER JOHN JOHNSON
(Father of Josephine Laker)
Per Johannes Johansson, known as Peter John Johnson in the United states was born 23
August, 1851 in Alekulla, Alfsborg, Sweden. His parents were Johannes Magnusson and Ann Britta
Pehrsdotter.
His father was a farm hand and a rather poor man. His mother had come from a well-to-do
family.
He told of one time his mother went to hunt for some food for the family and the children
were crying so he went out and dug up some of the potatoes that they had planted to feed them.
Nothing is known about him in his early years.
He met and married Johanna Maria Petersdotter. To them were born three daughters. They
adopted one son and he died when only a year old, then the oldest daughter died. The two surviving
were Selma Christina and Josephine Wilhelmina.
His sister Inger Maria joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and be would
torment her for it but at a later date both he and his wife joined the church.
His sister Inger Maria immigrated to America in 1884 and that fall she married Ola
Hokanson of St. Charles, Idaho.
In 1886 he immigrated. His wife was crippled so was not allowed to immigrate. Peter
stayed in St. Charles for awhile had worked for one Lorenzo Young for $.25 a Bear Lake country.
He worked at the Kunz Dairies near Soda Springs and for Jensens in the Randolph, Utah area.
His brother August immigrated and together they made enough money to send for their parents,
Peter’s two daughters and August’s wife and daughter. This was in 1890.
His wife died in Sweden in 1897.
Peter then went into the butcher business. He would travel in Kemmerer, Wyo., hauling
cheese, butter, etc. from the Randolph creamery.
After his parents died and his brother-in-law, Ola Hokason moved to Freedom, he decided to
move there also. This was about July 1906. His daughter Selma had married in 1905.
In Star Valley he continued in the butcher business and would go around to the farms doing
his butchering and selling meat. As a sideline at one time he also sold extracts, salves, etc., much
like Raleighs and McNess products.
He had a butcher shop and living quarters in Freedom just a little south of the old amusement
hall.
At one time he was on a home mission in the Auburn area.
287
He continued with his business until he became blind and there was nothing at that time that
could be done for it so he was blind for about five years. During this time he had a little one room
adjacent to his daughter Josephine Lakers home.
He passed away on 15 December 1931 at Freedom and is buried in the Freedom
Cemetery.
288
LEOLA HEAP KEELER
Born 19 August 1895 to very young parents, Joseph and Mary Ellen Nelson Heap at
Freedom, Caribou County, Wyoming. This tiny dark eyed dark haired little girl was soon loved by
many members of her family. She had three special grandmothers, Inger Nelson, Sarah Ann Heap
and Grandmother Rolph. There were many young Uncles. As her mother stated, being a very
pretty child she brought a lot of happiness to a baby hungry family. How they all loved and enjoyed
her. Most of her time was spent at the homes of her grandmothers where they lovingly taught and
cared for her.
She was the oldest of three girls and three boys and one sister who died in infancy. It was
Leola’s responsibility to stay home to help during sickness which hindered her schooling. Her
sisters and brothers are Edgar, Elvina, Clarence, Carrie and Dellis. Because Leola’s mother was a
very talented seamstress she had the advantage of lovely and becoming clothing as she grew up.
She did the work that was available to young women in those days. She helped in homes of new
mothers, spent time working at her Uncles Will Heap’s store and time at the local Post office. She
was helping take care of some motherless children for the Robinson Family when she was
introduced to a new man in town- Roy Keeler. They both worked at the same ranch and had
opposing opinions about the proper care of children. With the constant intervention of their friends,
they became aware of each other, dated and were married.
Leola was a good mate, an excellent homemaker and cook. Her home showed her talents,
and her artistically arranged lace adorned all her furniture.
Leola and Roy were the parents of five daughters:
Verba
Zoma
Audra
Lorna
Laura
Married- Newell Erickson
Died shortly after birth
Married- Wan Nelson
Married - Earl Haderlie
Married - Ford Nelson
Don Henderson
5 sons, 1 daughter
3 daughters, 1 son(not living)
2 daughters, 5 sons
2 sons, 4 daughters – one still born
Verba
Newel
Audra
Wan
Lorna
Earl
Laura
Ford
289
LEROY
HOWARD KEELER
“Roy”
was born 16 November 1895 to Edward Allen and Ida
Bereuter Keeler
at Neligh, Antelope County, Nebraska. He was the sixth
son of a family
of thirteen children. The family’s first years were hard.
They
worked
the family farm and grew up on home grown vegetables.
The hard work
and good food helped him grow into a strong, healthy young
man. He never
had a problem with unclean habits and said he learned very
young that he never had to do things just because the others did them.
Roy was thirteen when his mother died. There were five older brothers and two younger
brothers and four sisters. Just before his mother’s death she called each child to her bed side and
counseled them to keep clean habits. He promised he would and never broke his promise to her. He
loved his mother and resented her dying because she was not given the proper medical attention. As
he worked around with his brothers he always wanted to go to the mountains where there were
streams to fish. He was an avid reader and read about Jackson Hole. He and his brother Ernest (3
years older) came across country from Nebraska, walking most of the way. They worked at ranches
as they journeyed. They came as far as Montpelier and got a ride with Walton Freight wagon
coming into the valley.
In Star Valley, Roy found what he had been searching for. His brother went on. He went to
work for the Robinsons. He soon made friends with the young men his age. He worked hard. He
was introduced by all the young people to a Leola Heap. And discovered what a strong willed person
that pretty young woman was.
Though he came to the Valley with only the clothes on his back, hard work helped him
acquire a good home and provide for his wife and four daughters. He was a loving husband and
parent, and his joy was complete with four fine son-in-laws. Their home was never quiet as those
daughters gave them 20 grandchildren.
He held jobs with the Department of Interior Fish and Wild life, Predator Control, for over
forty years. He owned and operated a grocery store and rental cabins. Roy and Leola loved music
and dancing .
His greatest joy was teaching his son-in-laws and then grandsons how to fish and hunt. He
was a poet and those treasured pieces show his love and sensitivity. He was a teacher to his big
family and the love he gave was returned ten-fold.
Son in Laws & Dad
(Left to right)
Newel, Earl, Dad, Wan, Ford.
290
Lorna & Laura
In front of Keeler Store
Leola
Roy
Keeler Home
GEORGE SEWARD & ADA KIMBALL KENNINGTON
291
Written by Martha E. Weber Kennington
George was born 29 Sept., 1879, at Ovid, Idaho, the son of William Henry Kennington and
Annie Rebecca Seward. His parents moved to Star Valley when he was 8 years old.
He went on a mission in 1905 to the Southern states. On his return, he was asked to be the
manager of the branch store in Freedom, which belonged to the Burton Mercantile Company.
He became attracted to a Miss Ada Kimball of Thatcher, Arizona, who was training as a
nurse in the Budge Hospital at Logan Utah. She was sent to care for a patient in Freedom, a Mrs.
Granwell McNiel, who was seriously ill and since no trained nurse was available in Star Valley, the
Dr. in charge sent one of his best nurses to care for her.
The only phones in Star Valley were owned by the stores. Miss Kimball confided to her
father-in-law that the moment she heard his rich, resonant voice, she knew he would be her future
husband. That was January and the 24th of June, 1908, they were married in the Logan Temple.
Their first home was in an addition of the store. Ada was born 4 Jan 1886. She was not well much
of her married life. Their first son was born 30 Oct., 1910. He was named Winston and lived only 3
days, dying 3 Nov. Ada was frequently called on in a professional capacity to diagnose ailments.
During the next Semi-Annual Conference of the LDS Church, Ada accompanied her parents
for her confinement. The twins, Berniece and Clarissa, were born April 3, 1912. George was enroute but was not at her bedside when she died. The community felt so bad at the loss of this young
mother.
His mother-in-law, Mrs. Thomas Kimball, brought the twins up to Star Valley to put them in
their father's care. His sister, Mollie Low, took them into her care giving them devoted service and
relieving their father of what could have been a great deal of worry. Their father was very proud of
them, and he showed them off to everyone who came into the store.
292
picture
George Seward Kennington
Clarissa
Berniece
picture
George Seward Kennington
Ada Kimble Kennington
picture
Inside Burton Store
Freedom
Ada - George - Rosetta Rolph
GEORGE S. KENNINGTON
293
George S. Kennington and his wife Ada Kimball Kennington, ran the Burton Mercantile
Store in Freedom, Wyoming. a nice new store on the west side of Main Street. A long building with
a counter on each side, shelves on both side walls and tables down the center. It had everything in
it. Lovely yardage section on left front shelves, small glass showcase on the counter with jewelry,
women’s and men’s wear farther back, shoes beyond that, and in the rear were garden tools and
machine parts.
Right side as one entered was the post office, down the counter were scales, jars of candy,
farther back were baskets of eggs and stuff, sacks of potatoes, flour and such; in the rear aisles were
barrels of beans, rice, and more beans. Shelves on this side were filled with caned food, every kind.
Center tables held various things—mittens, gloves, hats, and caps. Hats were important items in
these days. I never saw Mama go to the store, Relief Society, or gardening without a hat on. When
we children went to play we wore hats and if Mama caught us with out hats on the ground--“Put
your hat on.” Nobody went to church unhatted. They might be dressed not so well, but a hat was on
top. My Sunday hat, wide-brim Panama straw with red ribbon trim cost $3.15. Mama thought it
was a high price but bought it because she thought it would look good on me, or I would be more out
of sight.
Running the length of the store on the south were attached living quarters and were nice. A
clear stream of water, 4-5 feet wide, 8-12 inches deep depending on the season, ran south past the
store and was bridged over in front of the store and other buildings on Main Street.
By Myra Jenkins
MARTHA EMMA WEBER KENNINGTON
294
I remember how friendly George was to everyone, how he won every one's love and
confidence. Men use to congregate around the Ben Franklin stove and exchange friendly news items
and gossip. I always enjoyed talking to him and hardly remember when he seemed more than
ordinary to me. Just how he had ever gotten himself invited to a series of young people's parties, I
don't know. He always had seemed so interested in what we did that no one thought or remarked
that one so much older than we should be invited.
It was after one of these parties when we were all getting into a sleigh and when passing him
in the sleigh, he took my hand and pulled me down to sit beside him. So then after a rather long
time when he was serious in his intentions, he was coming to see me at least twice a week.
We were married 23 Oct., 1913, in the Logan Temple. We lived in a small house without
heat or running water, and the only convenience was an old fashioned refrigerator that required
blocks of ice to keep things cool.
The twins survived my inexperienced hands. Berniece came to us at once after I had spent a
little while in Freedom, but Carissa was recovering from a bout with pneumonia and was
convalescing. Though I had no experience, it seemed to me so natural to take care of children. I
may have seemed awkward, but no one criticized or found fault with the way I did things. I was a
happy young girl, not yet 21. George thought the care of two babies might be too much for me, so
he hired girls my own age to help me. I enjoyed their company.
I never had much experience in cooking, but I loved cooking for an appreciative husband.
My mother, though I was the only girl for a long time, had never given me the needed experience.
She was a wonderful cook herself and as such was rarely willing to entrust more inexperienced
hands. I remember asking George what foods he enjoyed. He said, "If I ever drown, I hope it will
be in soup." I thought I knew how to cook several varieties so I didn't worry too much. I had an
innate sense for what constituted good cooking, and under George's warm and lavish praise I soon
learned the art of cooking new and varied dishes. Shortly after we were married, we moved to
Afton.
George and Martha were the parents of 10 children: Garth Stanford, Guinevere, Gordon W.,
Beverly, Forest W., Audine, Neldon Craig, Eugene Seward, Ruth Mignon and Martha who died in
infancy.
picture
George & Martha Kennington
GEORGE WILLIAM AND OLIVE LAVERA JENKINS KOPAUNIK
295
I was born June 5, 1917, at Afton, Lincoln Co, WY at the home of May Hale. My father is John
Franklin Jenkins and my mother is Annis Jessop. I am the fourth child of a family of nine. Our family
is as follows:
1. Howard "J"
6. Leon Franklin
2. Phyllis Irene 7. Dean Bedford
3. Byron Allen
8. Wilda Jessop
4. Olive Lavera
9. Lyle Reid
5. Rex Oviatt (died Feb. 11, 1920, 10 1/2 months old)
My mother was my father's second wife. His first wife was Mary Haskell, she died after
childbirth, Oct. 4, 1907.
Freedom is where I lived all of my single life. We had a large 9 room home right in town on the
Wyoming side. Our father had our home built by the Call brothers. It was a two story building, with a
small basement.
I was blessed by Ray A Clark. In later years he also gave me a Patriarchal Blessing. I was
baptized by Thomas E. Robinson in the Salt River. The streams were the only place to baptise, so all the
baptism were in the summer.
My father was a farmer, so we worked in the fields, tended animals and milked cows. We always
had to be there for the morning and night milkings which were done by hand.
The fall after my 6th birthday I started the 1st grade. Kindergarten was not heard of at this time.
Since the town was divided into two states, we had the Wyoming school and the Idaho School. The
Idaho school was north of town about 1 1/2 miles and the Idaho students went there. Wyoming did not
have a large enough building to house all of their students so we went to different buildings around
town. I attended 1st grade in a makeshift room added on to a building which later became a hardware
store on the Wyoming side. Second grade was spent on the Idaho side of the street in a small room
connected to a store owned by G.A. Newswander, across the street from where we went the year before.
By the time I was in the 3rd grade they were building two more rooms on to the old two-room school
house. It was not ready when the school year began so we spent time in the one-room church house
which could be divided into rooms by drawing curtains. It was in Wyoming where the church building
is now. Part of the year we were in Idaho in an old house by the west hills, commonly known as
"Bishop's Place". Finally we were in the regular school building later that year. We had two years of
high school in Freedom for both Wyoming and Idaho students. The last two years of high school we
rode a big, silver bus to Afton.
On October 9, 1939, I married George William Kopaunik of Kemmerer, WY. Four years later
he started developing Multiple Sclerosis. We came back to Freedom a couple of times to live for short
periods. When he became unable to work we moved back to stay until he passed away, December 23,
1959. We were married 20 years and had four children.
1. Joyce "J"
3. Karla
2. Gwen
4. John Virgil
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George worked on construction and for Utah Power & Light. After his death, I worked at the Swiss
Cheese Factory until spring. I moved to Salt Lake City, UT. I worked at the L.D.S. Hospital and the
Primary Children's Hospital while I attended school. I became a licensed Practical Nurse. When my
children were grown I returned to school. I graduated as a Registered Nurse from Brigham Young
University. I worked twenty years at the Primary Medical Center.
My mother lived with me for six years before she died. I am still living in Salt Lake City Ut.
Now a little about my children: Joyce married Junior Dabel and they had three children; Jerry, Lisa and
Russell. They lived in Afton for many years and were later divorced. Joyce married Larry Garbis and
they live at Carpenter, WY.
Gwen married Doyle Simpson and they had five children; Diana, Terri, Gwenette, Jody and
Jessica. They were divorced and she married Harold "Perk" Allred and they live in Ferron, UT.
Karla married Douglas Hardman, they had six children: Wayne, Korrina, Natalie, Michael,
Lacy and Amanda. Wayne died when he was only one hour old. They lived in Portland, OR where all
the children were born and now live in Roy UT. Karla attended Utah State before she married and has
continued to further her education through the years.
John Virgil (when he was a child we called him Virgil. He is now known as John.) He married
Linda Kener, they had three children: Kevin, Julie and Andrea. They were divorced and he married
Carry Awalt who had two small children, Alisha and Michael. John and Carry had two children: Janice
and Stephen. They now live in West Jordan, UT. Before John was married he served 3 years in the
Army, with two of them in Vietnam during the war as crew chief on helicopters. When he returned
home, he attended school to become a licensed mechanic and a pilot for both helicopters and airplanes.
For some time he has had his own business, and now he works for a company and they go on forrest fire
and rescues.
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FRANK J. AND GRACE VIRGINIA PETERSON LAKER
Frank was born to James and Josephine Laker on 20 Apr., 1921.
Grace was born to John and Annie Peterson 9 Aug., 1923. Frank and Grace met in 1935, and
their courting was done mostly by riding bicycles and horses. Frank had to ride several miles to see
Grace. They were married the 23 Sept., 1940, (leap year) in Rigby, ID. Seven years later in 1947, they
were married in the Logan Temple. Five children were born to Frank and Grace. Virginia Shumway,
Loyd F., Darla Mae Nelson, Loa June Nield and Lane F.
When Frank and Grace were first married they lived in Grace, ID. where Frank worked for Dr.
Kackley and Frank Luthi doing ranch work. Frank and Grace moved back to Freedom after Virginia
was born around 42-43. Frank helped James with the farm, did logging and carpentry, building many
homes in and outside the valley. He worked on Palisades Dam from 1954, through 1958. During this
time Lane was born and was there after known as the "Dam" baby.
Frank and Grace bought the ranch from James and Josephine in 1956, and their home has been
in Freedom practically all their lives. Grace worked for the school as a cook and also as a pie baker for
the Star Valley Swiss Cheese Co. until she was forced to quit in 1965, because of poor health.
Both Frank and Grace have held many church positions and for quite some time they were the
official greeters for the Freedom Ward.
Their home burned to the ground in 1950. Loa was just a baby and it was just before Christmas
and all our Christmas and belongs burned. Grace was seriously burned when she returned to the house
to make sure all the kids were out. Thank goodness we all survived. The Freedom ward, family and
friends saw to it that we had a wonderful Christmas giving us clothes, toys, furniture etc. They all pulled
together and rebuilt our home on the same foundation in record time, taking only a month. (amazing)
Our family will never forget the help and support they received from everyone all over the valley.
(Thanks to all)
The children are all married and doing well. Darla and Randy Nelson live in Grover,WY, Loa
and Reed Nield live in Afton, WY, Virginia Shumway in Freedom,WY, Lane and family in Rock
Springs, WY and Loyd and family in Jackson Hole, WY.
Frank and Grace enjoy picnics, hunting, fishing and family get-to-gethers. Frank keeps himself
very busy, especially in the summer, farming, sharpening saws and pressing sprinkler pipe.
Written by Virginia Laker Schumway
298
JAMES ANDREW HOKANSON / LAKER
JOSEPHINE WILHELMINA JOHNSON
James Andrew Hokanson was born 15 June, 1884 at St. Charles, Bear Lake, Idaho. His
parents were Ola and Ingar Hokanson Hokanson.
James’ birth was a very trying one for this mother and she gave her life in childbirth. James
became very weak and other mothers took care of him but finally his father asked the midwife if she
would take him and raise him. This lady was Annie Laker. Her husband was a bit hesitant about it
as she taken others, only to love them and then have them taken from her, but she finally did take
him.
Thus he was raised in the Laker home and from then on took that name as his.
His foster-father took another wife in polygamy an the two families lived in the same home.
Then Annie moved to Paris and James went with her.
He attended some school in ST. Charles, some in Salt Lake City and about two years at the
Fielding Academy in Paris.
When James was about 16 years old he was stricken with diphtheria and very nearly died but
through the power of the Priesthood he was made well.
When he was about 18 he made his first trip to Star Valley. He then went to visit his
brothers Nils and Kokan who were living at Thayne and his sister Mary Clark.
His next trip was made in the company of his mother and this time he was homestead
hunting. He bought the homestead that Charley Nelson from Bedford had originally homesteaded
and evidently hadn’t proved up on. This was located across the Baker Canal from his brother Johns.
He built a small cabin on his third trip to the valley and stayed in to prove his homestead
rights.
JOSEPHINE
Josephine Wilhelmina Johnson was born in Harplinge, Halland, Sweden on 22 April, 1895.
Her mother had been to visit her mother-in-law and Josephine was born on the way home, near a
snow bank.
She could not remember anything about her mother as she and her sister Selma stayed with
other ladies as their mother was crippled.
She knew nothing of her father until after she immigrated with her grandparents and aunt in
1890. Her father left Sweden when she was about a year or two old.
When she was five she left to come to America. She lived with her aunt and uncle August
and Sophia Johnson and sometimes with her aunt and uncle, Inger Maria and Ola Hokanson. Inger
Maria was her father’s sister.
She went to some school but not much. When old enough she went to people’s homes and
worked for them.
299
She and her father were living in Randolph when he suddenly decided to move to Star
Valley.
There she also worked in other homes doing cleaning, washing, etc.
Here she again picked up her acquaintance with one James Hokanson Laker whom she had
known in St. Charles.
They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on 07 June, 1907.
James with the help of some neighbors and relatives built them a small two room home
where the present home stands, it was added onto later.
JAMES AND JOSEPHINE
Pioneer times were not easy times to break up the land, plant the crops and harvest them.
None of the modern day or even 50 years ago equipment. Mostly done with very crude machinery, a
good team, lots of muscle and sweat and the good help of neighbors. But in years he was able to
have a nice self sufficient farm.
Life wasn’t easy for the farm wife either. She worked to the side of her companion, tended
to her house wifely duties and raised a good sized family.
Their first child was born at the Laker family home at Paris, Idaho on 21 May, 1908.
Josephine very nearly lost her life in giving birth to this, their first child. Again through the power
of the Priesthood she was made well. Her Dr. told her that it was not through anything that he had
done, it was a further power than his. And anyone knowing these fine people can only add amen to
their testimony of the church and the power of prayer. They lived their religion every day of their
lives.
The following children were born to them in the coming years: George James on 21 Oct.
1910, May Selma on 04 May 1914, (she passed away on 25 Apr. 1915), Carl J. on 16 Apr. 1916, (he
passed away on 26 Oct. 1931), Vera Mary on 19 Mar. 1919, Frank J. on 20 Apr. 1921 and Lash J. on
26 Apr. 1924. In these past few years George has passed away on 27 Jan. 1978.
James loved good horses and took great pride in them. In later years they always raised
chickens and sold the eggs and raised turkeys and sold them.
In about 1917-1918, he and his brother-in-law John Edwards bought a binder and went
around and did for other people.
At harvest time was when the wives were put to the test with their culinary skills. Then they
were required to prepare a good meal for some very hungry, tried men for a few days. Sometimes
this was hard on the meager supplies that they had but it was always done and appreciated.
He used to haul milk from Freedom to Etna to August Stadtmuelllers Mutual Creamery. He
hauled either by wagon in summer or sleigh in winter. He was also janitor at the church and
amusement hall for awhile.
Twice he lost his cattle, once with Bangs and once when most were sending their cattle to
Nebraska because there was no feed.
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In about 1927 they sent for Josephine a rug loom and she made for herself, her family and for
other people to help supplement their income until the summer before she passed away. There were
not many marriages around that did not receive one of her rugs as a wedding present.
Both James and Josephine liked to travel to see their families. Going to Bear Lake, to
Farmington and Salt Lake and later to Idaho.
In 1957 their grand daughter Ruth and husband took them to California and this was the first
time that they had seen the ocean. James commented at first that it was no larger than his beloved
Bear Lake but after having traveled along it for a day or so he had to change his mind but he never
did forget his trip.
Josephine went on several trips with her wandering grand daughter and daughter Grace. She
loved to see the beauties of nature and her yard showed how she loved beautiful flowers. At one
time they bought some apples trees and she took care of them until the fall before she died.
James broke his hip 21 August, 1963 and spent some time in the LDS Hospital in Salt Lake.
His health was never good after that and he passed quietly away at his home on 03 April 1964 after
having just eaten the last meal that his beloved wife had prepared for him. He is buried in the family
plot in the Freedom Cemetery.
Josephine continued on for another 13 years doing the same as she had done all her life, a
very lonesome life. She made so many rugs and quilts for people.
She very much enjoyed her friends and often commented, “What would I do without such
good friends.” They always seen that she got to the Dr. and to get groceries and to her meetings.
Josephine passed away on 08 October, 1977 at Afton, Wyoming at the age of 92 and is
buried in the Freedom cemetery.
How can we their posterity live up to our heritage? It will be hard.
Grace Annie married Charles R. Anglesey
George James married Matilda C. Stadtmueller
May Selma died 11 months
Carl J. died 15 years old
Vera Mary married James Journal Sanderson
Frank J. married Grace V. Petersen
Lash J. married Opal Fyfe
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LIFE SKETCH OF EARLY STAR VALLEY PIONEER
FRANKLIN LINDHOLM
APRIL 23, 1865 – DECEMBER 29, 1948
Franklin Lindholm was born the 23rd of April 1864, at Tooele, Utah, son of Carl Eric and
Johanna Nilson Lindholm, who were early pioneers of Utah. They emigrated from Stockholm,
Sweden, for the Gospel’s sake, arriving in Utah in the autumn of 1861. Frank has been the last
surviving member of his family, consisting of his parents and eight children. His father passed away
when he was but eleven years of age, leaving his mother to rear and support her eight small children,
with the labor of her hands, as she and her husband had followed the trade of tailors.
As Frank was the second child of the family (his brother older than him being of delicate
health) it naturally became necessary that he begin very early in life to help his mother support his
younger brothers and sisters. The next three years he spent most of his time in the employment of a
neighbor, who paid for his services by furnishing a cow and her feed for the family to get milk and
butter, his mother also received vegetables form the garden.
At the tender age of 14, he had an opportunity to drive a four-horse team for a company who
delivered cordwood from Butte, Montana to Salt Lake City. He spent about four years with this
company, making regular trips during the summer months, delivering wood and timber to Salt Lake
City and returning to Butte laden with food, supplies and equipment. During the winter months he
worked as general chore boy at the station at Butte. There he learned the simple rudiments of
arithmetic as he often had the responsibility of checking the orders, etc. He has had very little
schooling or formal education; however, it can be truly said that he was a self-made man.
His young manhood years were spent in helping his mother support her family, and it caused
him to understand and have a deep feeling of sympathy for widows, orphans, and all unfortunate
families. He learned the full meaning of true charity, which he practiced throughout his entire life.
At the age of 24 on October 10, 1888, he married Agnes Stewart Smith, widow of the late
Heber A. Smith, who had three small children. These children he took into his home and raised to
manhood and womanhood, with exactly the same consideration and care that was given to the four
who were born to this union in later years.
In the year 1889, they sold their home in Utah and came to Star Valley. With all their
children and household belongings in a covered wagon, and a few head of cattle driven along ahead,
it took thirty days to make the journey from Tooele, Utah to what is now known as Freedom,
Wyoming, then but a few scattered cabins belonging to people who had arrived before them.
He took up a homestead on Jacknife Creek and there he and his family worked hard to build
a comfortable home and gather about them the comforts of life as prevailed in those days. In those
days life in Star Valley was comparable with conditions which prevailed in Utah in the early days,
such as about 1849.
Frank was one of the first three men in Star Valley to manufacture cheese for commercial
purposes. He along with the late D.W. Rainey and Alonzo Baker installed choose making
machinery at their homes and for many years carried on this industry, marketing the finished product
at Pocatello, Idaho, to which place it was hauled by team. When the Burton Creamery Co. was
established in Star Valley, the home manufacture of cheese was discontinued.
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Mr. Lindholm was successful in his farming and ranching enterprises, and owned and
operated one of the best and most beautiful ranches in Lower Star Valley. He raised purebred cattle
and sheep, and took great pride in caring for them.
Throughout his lifetime he taught his children and grandchildren by example the valuable
lessons of thrift, honesty, and fair dealing with his fellowmen.
In the early years of pioneering in this valley, there were neither doctors, nurses, nor
hospitals to care for the sick. In those days Frank and his good wife, Agnes, were on call constantly
to nurse the sick, help out in case of accidents, and in laying out the dead, and preparing them for
burial. Many stories could be told of those errands of mercy. Their home was always open, and a
welcome accorded to all who came their way in need of help, food or shelter. Their home was also a
haven for young and old to gather for pleasure and good wholesome enjoyment and recreation.
Besides the four children who were born to Frank and Agnes, and his wife’s three children
from her former marriage, they gave a home, over a period of years to seven more motherless and
orphaned children.
Coupled with his outstanding honesty in dealing with his fellowmen, and his deeds of
charity, he had a great love for beautiful surroundings, and spent much of his life in the cultivation
of rare and beautiful shrubs and flowers. His ranch was outstanding in beauty, in cultivation, system
of management etc. He was energetic in any improvement, and especially in the improvement of
roads and schools. He worked many years to establish the school district which was known as the
Glen, Idaho school district, located in the northern end of Freedom Ward, that those families living
in Idaho, could have access to school for their children. He loved a peaceful quiet home life
surrounded by his family and friends.
His wife Agnes passed away at their home November 10, 1915. A few years afterward he
married Maria Stadtmueller and to this union was born three children: Garth, Idona and Grant.
For the last nine years he has made his home with his daughter, Johanna Haderlie and her
family, who have tried to make his declining years as comfortable and pleasant as possible.
He passed peacefully away in his daughter Johanna’s home on December 29, 1948.
He leaves to mourn his passing, three sons and four daughters, also 17 grandchildren, 24
great grandchildren and a host of kind friends. He was laid to rest in the Freedom cemetery, January
1, 1949, beside his wife Agnes.
Submitted by Johanna L. Haderlie, Freedom, Wyoming
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THECLA LINDHOLM
Thecla Lindholm was born Sept. 11,1893 the sixth child to Franlkin and Agnes Stewart
Lindholm at Glen, Bonniville Co. ID, the lower end of Freedom. She grew up on the farm located on
Jacknife Creek. She helped with family and farm chores which were numerous, but had a happy
childhood, she learned to love work. Thecla attended school through the 8th grade at Glen. Will
Raymond, a neighbor, was her teacher for the full time. The next two summers she went to Idaho Falls
to help at her sister Agnes' home with their honey bee farm, and decorated ladies hats that Agnes made.
The spring of 1912 her sister Clara Luthi died of complications giving birth to twins, George and
Ella. Thecla and Joan under the direction of their ailing mother brought the babies home. By 1915 her
sister Joan married, her mother passed away, Thecla and her father were alone to raise the babies until
their father Fred remarried, and came to take them, a sad and lonely time, she had grown to love them as
her own. When her father was away from home on business the house got too big and quiet, she would
turn the cows and calves together, walk through the forest from Jacknife Creek to Tincup, to her sister
Martha Haderlie's home, she would spend a couple of days, walk back through the hills home.
She knitted many socks and sweaters for soldiers in World War I. Thecla loved handwork, made
many pieces of tatted lace, embroidery, crochet, ect. She entered a table cloth in the county fair, took
top honors. The judge ask to send it to the State Fair, from there it was sent to the Worlds Fair in New
York, she again won a purple ribbon.
Thecla attended church in Glen before and after her marriage. She served in Primary, Relief
Society presidency, Sunday School, Relief Society Teacher, as a Visiting Teacher for 50 years. Her love
for genealogy took her to many homes. She rode horseback to help families until travel became easier
and the branch was later dissolved and it became Freedom Ward.
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ANNIE LOVENA WARREN LIVINGSTON – Leon Livingston
She was born on March 25, 1899, to Thomas Walter Warren and Annie Elizabeth Wolfley
Warren. She went to school in a one-room building with one teacher teaching all eight grades until
the fourth grade. Another room and another teacher were then added. When her brother was in the
fifth grade, he and another girl caught diphtheria, and we were quarantined to stay in our home for
six weeks. She went to Star Valley high school in Afton for two years. When the flu broke out, she
nursed the sick people. Her mother sent her to Salt Lake City to the Keister School to learn to sew
and when she came back and for the rest of her life, she did a lot of public sewing. She would also
go and help mothers when they had new babies. She would take care of the family, do the washing,
cooking, make bread and butter, and tend the mother in bed for $3.50 a week.
In 1923, she got a job helping a lady cook at a road camp while they were building a road up
Greys River. There were lots of men working there. They worked 16 hours a day, slept in a tent,
and got up at 4:00 every morning. They moved camp every 10 days. She did this for two summers.
While working there, she met Leon Livingston and dated him all summer of 1926. She married
Leon Livingston September 28, 1927 in the Logan Temple. Her children are: Shirley Ileen, Justin
Warren, Colleen, Annie Geneal, Leon Walter, and twin girls, Madalyn and Carolyn. Every year all
the children and their children hold a family reunion and camp out together for a week.
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JESSIE MC GAVIN LOVELAND
Q:
Now Grandma, didn't you live in Star Valley, WY? How did you happen to have your family
move clear from southern Utah to Star Valley?
A:
Well, nobody ever told me this, but from the stories that I've from others I think that there were a
lot of polygamists that went to Star Valley to get away from these "feds". Because my father had both of
his families living together at that time, they moved from northern Utah into Star Valley. This was in
1889, about the summertime when they moved. There was a little settlement that settled in what is now
known as the Lower Star Valley, they lived there and took up farming or homesteading. My sister Elsie
was born in the spring of 1890.
Q:
Do you remember the name of the town you moved to?
A:
I remember they had ward there and it was called Ulet, but that's out of existence now. Now that
I can remember, It was the Freedom ward and the post office was in Freedom.
Q:
How big was your ward in Freedom?
A:
Oh, I don't know how large it was because I was only there until I was about 15 and at 16 I guess
I moved away. It was a small ward compared to wards nowadays. I remember that we had a branch
down where we lived and it was known as the Glen ward, but it was a branch of the Freedom ward. We
didn't have a church house. We had to hold our meetings in the school house and I remember those
great, cotton flannel curtains that we use to divide the different classes.
I remember Carl Erickson was the superintendent of the Sunday School for years and years.
When I got to be about 13 or 14, I was always considered a pretty good singer and we had an organ that
I started taking lessons on. I use to pick out some of the songs, when I got to Sunday School, I'd teach
the whole congregation these songs that I had learned by myself and do the same in Primary. They were
all farmers
in this area and some of them use to come for three or four miles to church. We lived
about one half mile away from the schoolhouse.
Q:
Do you remember some of your bishop's names?
A:
The only bishop I ever remember or even knew of in Star Valley was Bishop Aaron F. Bracken.
He was in for over 20 years.
Q:
How were your family able to buy this land?
A:
Well, they homesteaded it. At this time there was a Homestead Act, people could live on it for a
certain number of years. They called it filing on land and then they paid a small amount after living on it
so many years, they proved upon it, it was called. I think my people had about half section of land they
homesteaded.
Q:
Now your family moved to Star Valley to get away from the federal marshals?
A:
Well, it seems like that, but that isn't the family story we have.
Q:
What were some of your activities that you did while you were a young girl?
306
A:
Well, we use to play a lot of games whenever we'd get together with the neighbor kids or at
school or at Primary, everywhere. We played all kinds of circle games and hide and go seek. I seemed
like every time more than a couple of kids got together, they were playing games of some sort. We
always had swings that we could go swing on. In the winter time when we were in school, I think is
when we made the most fun. 'Course, we had snow three or four feet deep all winter long and we'd ride
in sleighs behind the horses. We'd have sleighing parties and then it got spring and the sun would come
out rather warm in the day time, then at night, it would freeze over and we'd go up on the mountain and
coast down those long mountain slopes. We'd get our chores done early and then we'd go to the hills and
coast for hours, that was great fun. Skating, we didn't have too much skating because the rivers would
freeze, then pretty soon the snow would come and it would be snow all over the ice.
Q:
Did you have many dances?
A:
Oh yes, dancing was our greatest pastime. Of course I couldn't go to the dances, grown-up
dances as we called them, too much 'for I left there. I do remember a few that I went to and there were
about eight girls. The boys at our age, 14 & 15 weren't coming out to the dances but we girls were.
Every once in a while they'd play a square dance tune, then we'd form a circle in the back of the church
(which they danced in) and we'd do the square dancing. Once in a while we'd dance together waltzes and
two-steps. We loved dancing so much that we even danced at school. We had desks that weren't fastened
to the floor so we could slide or scoot them to the side of the wall and then we'd hurry and eat our
lunches. A couple of boys would play their harmonicas and we dance and we learned to dance and got
the boys dancing too. When we'd have a celebration, there would always be a children's dance in the
afternoon and we children would dance and dance to our hearts content and then it would be the old
folks at night, or the big folks as we called them.
Q:
Did you have to be a certain age at go to these grown-up dances?
A:
Oh yes, you had to be at least 15 or in that age. I didn't
when I was 16.
go to too many because I left there
Q:
entertained?
What kind of entertainments did you have to keep you
A: Well, they use to always celebrate all the special days we'd have and we'd have school programs,
10:00 in the morning, at noon we'd have a big dinner and oh, the women would bring the greatest dishes
in the world. Pies, cakes, chickens, all kinds of good dishes and then they'd spread the tables and we'd all
sit down and eat those great big dinners. On the 4th of July and the 24th, they'd celebrate either one day
or the other and there would be horse racing, a parade, and I remember it was the 24th of July they'd
always have a white man and an Indians fight. Some of the boys would dress up as for Indians, and of
course, I was too young to know why they weren't really Indians. It was really frightening to me. I
always kind of dreaded to see that fight between the white men and the Indians, but after I got a little
older, I found out it was just some of the fellows of the ward that I knew. We always kept our
celebrations. They meant so much to us, both summer and winter it seemed like and especially the
winter. I think then the people use to get together quite a bit.
There is one thing they use to have real often, surprise parties. Some body would get in bed and
then here would come a whole bunch, two or three sleigh loads of people and get them out of bed.
They'd bring their cans of oysters and everybody had plenty of milk and cream to make oyster stew and
they'd stay up until about morning. There was always plenty conversation and games to be played.
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Q:
Did you have any musical bands that came around to provide different types of music for you?
A:
No, I don't remember anything like that in Star Valley. One thing that I forgot to tell of
entertainment, especially in the winter time, was theatricals they called them. Each ward would put on
three act plays and take them back and forth to the different wards and I always liked to do that because
I dreamed of being an actress some day. I'd go to see these and then at school I play this thing with the
kids and I appoint some of them to be certain characters. I'd tell them all about the play and then we'd
redo it the next day at school.
Q:
Didn't you used to go horseback riding a lot Grandma?
A: Oh yes. I can't remember when I learned to ride a horse. We had several nice little ponies that I can
remember. I loved to go and I ride miles and miles and race with my brother. My brother Jim used go
out with me a lot. He was seven years older than I was and he used to take me all over the school
section, which was grazing land they had leased. I'd follow him up the hill and down and through the
streams and every where and kept right up with him. I remember one little pony, we'd call him Paddy,
and he was kind of a fat little horse. He was so nice to ride, I didn't even like a saddle on him. I used to
get him up to the higher fence and I'd try to climb up on him from this wire fence. Maybe I'd stop to pick
some flowers or something and he'd move just a little before I'd go to get on him. Down I'd go and I used
to have my clothes torn and my legs all scratched up, falling off this wire fence.
Part of an interview by Jane Loveland Moffitt.
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CHARLES KENT LUTHI
I was born of goodly parents on May 18, 1934 in the hospital in Afton, Wyoming. My
mother was in labor for three days before my twin sister and I were born. My sister was born first
and took all the hard labor. She only lived a few hours. Mother said my sister was chubby and a
pretty baby. I was skinny and frail and the doctor thought I probably wouldn’t make it.
I was fourth in a family of six children. Besides my twin sister Janis I have sisters Charleen,
Genell, and Gloria, and a brother John.
I attended elementary school in Freedom. The building is no longer there but stood on the
property approximately where my son Kim has a home now.
I loved to go to the ward hall and play basketball on our activity periods. I have always
loved sports.
Two of my favorite teachers were, Ora Luthi and Lovina Moser.
I attended high school in Afton, Wyo. Besides the regular school work I participated in
football, basketball, and track. I graduated from Seminary and high school in 1952.
On July 28, 1952 I married my high school sweetheart, Sherry Allred, in the Logan Temple.
We didn’t have a car or a job, (only with my dad.) We lived in a little one room house beside my
parents for about three years.
I have had many different jobs during my life. I worked on the Palisades Dam, and the Etna
school building. I followed construction for several years. That was tiresome and took me away
from my family too much. I finally bought part of my father’s farm. The home I live in was built in
1900 and the home and property were owned and operated by several different families. Bishop
Aaron Bracken, Fred Weber, Conn Haderlie, and Ralph Child. Dad bought it from Ralph Child.
Later on my father-in-law Ronald Allred helped us remodel and fix up the home. I learned a
lot about carpentry from him and worked with him on many jobs. This has enabled me to be able to
provide work for and with my sons as they grew up. My oldest son Kim and I have a construction
company (Luthi Construction) together, along with our farm operation. Our other sons help on the
farm when needed.
The gospel has been a joy and a blessing in my life. I have loved watching my children grow,
prosper, and marry and have families of their own. I love and thoroughly enjoy my grandchildren.
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SHERRY ALLRED
I was born and raised in Fairview, Wyo. My father was Ronald Allred, my mother was
Loreen Pead. My mother passed away when I was two and I was raised by my grandmother until
dad remarried. He married Elda Smith. I attended elementary school in Fairview, Wyo. Went to
high school in Afton, Wyo. I married Charles Kent Luthi on July 28,1952 in the Logan Temple.
I have lived most of my married life in Freedom. I have enjoyed raising children here.
Our children are:
Lorene Luthi……………….Married Brain Carter
Vicki Luthi…………………Married Rollin Wade Johnson
Kim C. Luthi………………..Married Dena Izatt
Cody Luthi………………….Married Rhonda Draney
Todd Luthi………………….Married Connie Lamb
Mark Luthi………………….Married Lisa Lyn Sullivan
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CHARLES AND CAROL EMILY HALE LUTHI
Charlie was born to Rosina and John
The fourth child of ten, their third little son.
He was the first to be born in the United States.
It was the 13th of December, a very cold date.
While in Utah he helped his brothers herd sheep
And once fell in a millrace that wasn't too deep,
But was dangerously full for a child still small.
He held on and was rescued and lived to tell all.
We must wonder if Rosina did ever forget
When she said, "Yes, go swimming, but just don't get wet."
They were not a rich family, but they did what they could
To help hungry Indians who came begging for food.
They moved to Wyoming in 1893
And settled in a place called Star Valley.
Charlie loved school and completed fourth grade
In a one-room house where all classes stayed.
As he helped herd the sheep in the nice summer weather,
He would go without shoes 'til his feet got like leather.
His feet would then crack and get really soreMom would rub them with grease if she had any in store.
Young Luthi's stature was always quite small
And one reason, he felt, that he never grew tall
Was because one old ram loved to knock Charlie down
Whenever he happened to see him around.
But Charlie got wise and decided instead
To lay flat when he saw him and play as if dead.
It's too bad this idea came at such a late time
Or he might have grown-up to be, at least 5 foot 9.
At sixteen his small finger was amputated
For blood-poisoning that was cut-related.
His life had been saved but his finger was gone,
He then buried his finger somewhere on the farm.
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Charlie loved to play pool and would often stop
As he rode his horse to his favorite shop.
But one day in a race when he was ahead,
The horse stopped at the pool hall where he'd often been led.
This would have been fine if it's where the race ended
But it wasn't the place where the end was intended.
After an honorable mission, he was drafted for war
And in France he arrived just three days before
The armistice was signed and peace was declared.
He never saw battle but in this joy he shared.
For many years Charlie rode as a range rider
Going daylight to dark, no one ever worked harder.
He was strong for his size and despite winter chills
Also hauled loads of wood from the canyons and hills.
Charlie helped get the animals for the town rodeo
And worked hard in the arena to help put on the show.
He met Carol Hale and was greatly impressed,
He knew she deserved to have only the best.
So after a short, lively courtship they were married forever
In a temple of God, for their love they did treasure.
Six lovely children were blessed to this home;
Two sons and four daughters, though only five are now grown.
Charleen and Genell were the first of the throng,
Then Carol had a surprise when some twins came along.
Little Janis, Ken's twin, lived perhaps half a day
Although it was Kent, doctors thought, would soon pass away.
It was seven more years before John made his stop,
Charlie claimed John and Gloria were his second crop.
He liked to feed babies as they sat on his lap
And loved giving them honey to watch their lips smack.
The family worked hard and when Saturdays came
They wouldn't quit until lunch but then would watch a game.
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All of Freedom was caught in the baseball craze
With Fairview a tough rival back in those days.
Also talent and ability in athletic events
Seemed to be proud possessions of Gloria and Kent.
The family would travel for miles to a game
To cheer and support them time and again.
This great love for sports is a strong legacy
That has been passed down through their posterity.
Charlie loved to read scriptures and as he read
You's see his love for the Savior in the tears that he shed.
He not only read scriptures but lived by them too
And showed by example, he knew they were true.
Of baptisms and blessings, he was proud to take part,
His priesthood, his honor, he shared from his heart.
Because of his health they moved to Salt Lake,
There he helped build a chapel in the Taylorsville Stake.
Younger men couldn't believe that at 79,
Charlie worked and achieved as if still in his prime.
He was twenty years older than his loving wife
And assumed he'd proceed her from this mortal life.
But in this he was wrong and when she passed away,
He lost all of his spirit along with her that day.
Although his children cared for and helped him along,
He was still sad and lonely after Carol was gone.
Then at 83 years and 3 days old,
He passed peacefully on to another fold.
He's thought of by family since their memories began,
As a proud, devoted, kind, loving man.
Lorene Luthi Carter
He was born 13 Dec., 1886, at Providence, Utah, to John Luthi Sr. and Rosina Switzer
Luthi. He passed away 16 Dec., 1969, at the home of his daughter Charleen (Mrs. Gerald Putnam)
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Their children were: Mrs. Gerald (Charleen) Putnam, Mrs. Clyde (Genell) Bagley and Mrs.
Clint (Gloria) Johnson, Charles Kent (md. Sherry Allred) and John William (md. Sheron Peterson).
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CAROL EMILY HALE LUTHI
Grandma was born the second child
of William and Ella Hale.
As a child she loved to play
But was often sickly and frail.
They lived north of Afton and once a year
Went to Utah to get their fruit,
Visited relatives and especially Grandpa Brown
All along their route.
The family got all fixed up for the baseball games.
Grandma thought them enchanting.
In later years she coached the girls
And cheered-on her own offspring.
At age of 8 while the men were haying,
Grandma road the horse to water.
The harness strap broke and she fell off
Breaking one wrist and spraining the other.
Riding to school with the mailwagon
The man got out and the horses went flying.
Until they were stopped, Grandma sat in the box,
Holding the reins tight and crying.
Winters were cold with lots of snow,
Dad made them trudge to school anyway.
If 50 below they could stay at home,
But at -49 the thermometer stayed.
Grandma liked to go to her Grandma Hale's
Who made the best rice pudding and cake.
Maybe this inspired Grandma in later years,
Who was famed for the pies she baked.
Had formal education 'til her sophomore year,
Then her tonsils had to come out.
She got so ill and far behind in class,
She quit school after this bout.
At nights they'd sit while Dad was milking
And Mom to them would sing.
Ate Popcorn and apples on long winter nights,
They did their own entertaining.
Her father encouraged developing talents
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So Grandma tried playing piano.
Discovering this was not her thing
Started painting and learned to sew.
They enjoyed going to Afton to MIA
And picked up kids along the way.
She worked in other people's homes
To earn her pay.
She had several school day crushes
But when she met Grandpa
That was the last of any of those
Other boys she saw.
Grandpa said he made plans to marry her
When she was small.
He saw her in a race and when she fell
For her he did fall.
They were married October 11, 1927,
In the Salt Lake Temple.
The way to start out life together
Pure and simple.
First they welcomed a baby girl
Named Charleen after her dad.
They were so thrilled and excited.
They had wanted a child so bad.
Each birth a struggle,
Each pregnancy was risk-taking.
But as each child was placed in her arms,
She knew the chance was worth making.
The second baby girl came along
And was named Genell.
She was born eighteen months later
And they thought she was just swell.
Twins were born next, prematurely,
But to their dismay
Janis, their baby girl, lived only a few hours
Before passing away.
Their twin son Kent was left as one
He was their first boy.
Born in the image of his dad,
He was tiny but brought them much joy.
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Six years passed by swiftly.
Kent wasn't the last my dears.
John and Gloria came three years apart.
Grandpa said, "Best second crop in years!"
Grandma always said she would have liked
To take her children five
To the doctor who said she's have none
But he was no longer alive.
Haying time on a farm is hectic
But Grandma would prepare and plan
Hot luscious full course meals
To feed the hard-working clan.
One of the special treats
We looked forward to each year
Was Grandma's special homemade brew
Ice cold root beer.
Every Saturday morning in the Luthi household
Cleaning was the chore
Wash the walls, mop the floors
And a whole lot more. (Don't forget the corners)
Waste not, want not
Was Grandma's plan
If you cannot use it yourself
Give it to someone who can.
Prayer was taught in the home
In the Lord they put their trust.
Grandma taught by example that
Dependability was a must.
Family togetherness was one of the things
Grandma was always concerned about
They went swimming, fishing, and hunting as one
No one was ever left out.
Cooking was an art for her
Her skills she began to share
She cooked at the Swiss Cheese Factory
She worked several years there.
The church was a great part of her life
She answered our Heavenly Father's call.
In Relief Society, Primary, MIA, Sunday School
She served many years in all.
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When Grandpa's health stopped him from working hard
It was a decision they had to make
So they sold the farm, packed their bags
And moved to Salt Lake.
Then Grandma worked as a checker
In Uncle Stan's grocery store
People came in time and time again
For her smile, her friendship and more.
She was always thinking of others
Especially her children and grandchildren
She wanted them to be happy
And gave her all for them.
Velma Linford was a childhood friend
Grandma told us about her
She never married but became State Superintendent
of schools
And a well-known author.
But Grandma was satisfied with what she had
And time and time again
Said, "I wouldn't trade my family,
Or my happiness for fortune and fame."
When Uncle John was on his mission
Grandma became very sick
Penicillin as a cure for pneumonia
Almost took her quick.
Grandma told me of a promise
She made to the Lord that day
She would do her best if she could be here
To raise her children all the way.
Several years later when they all were grown
Each married and on their own
The Lord took our dear little grandmother
She went to her heavenly home.
So ended a life of service and love
An example of charity
We'll remember her smile and her lilting laugh
Our grandmother, Carol Emily Hale Luthi.
Written by Debra Putnam Merritt and
Lanis Putnam Fluckiger
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Carol was born 25 July, 1907, at Afton, Wyo., to William W. and Ella Brown Hale.
She worked at the sales room at the Star Valley Swiss Cheese Co. in Thayne, Wyo. From
1954, to 1961. During this time she made over 1000 pies during the summer months, which were
sold in the sales room.
Carol died Monday, Dec., 26 1966. At the Star Valley Hospital in Afton, WY following an
illness.
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CODY AND RONDA DRANEY LUTHI
Cody was born Oct. 5, 1957 in Afton, Wyoming to Kent and Sherry Luthi, the fourth of six
children.
Cody spent his growing up years in Freedom, except for the short time his family spent in
Montpelier, Idaho. He attended Metcalf Elementary, Star Valley Jr. High and Star Valley High School.
He played football and basketball while in school.
He was called to serve in the Minnesota, Minneapolis Mission. After serving 18 months, his
mission was split and he served the last 6 months in the Wisconsin, Milwaukee Mission.
Ronda was born Feb. 25, 1960 in Afton, Wyoming to Wendell and Joyce Draney, the 10th of 12
children. She grew up in Tygee Valley on the family ranch. She attended school at Afton Elementary,
Star Valley Jr. High and Star Valley High School. After High School she attended Ricks Collage. She
graduated in April, 1980 with an Associate degree in Secretarial Training and Family Living.
A week after Ronda's graduation, she and Cody met at a Young Adult soft ball game. They
were married July 31, 1980 in the Idaho Falls Temple. They lived in Freedom for one month then
moved to Salt Lake City where Cody attended school and Ronda worked at the LDS Church Offices.
From there they moved to Thermopolis, WY. where Cody worked for KTHE Radio. They moved back
to Freedom in Sept. 1981 where they have lived since.
They have five children: Landon-born July 25, 1981; Ben-born Oct. 17, 1982; Devin-born Nov.
1, 1986; Ariel-born April 18, 1990; Audrey-born Oct. 2, 1992.
Cody and Ronda have worked as custodians for the LDS Church since Jan. 1982.
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DICK & REBA SANDERSON LUTHI
Dick R Luthi was born June 16, 1922 at Freedom, Idaho to John Luthi Jr. And Hazel Kirk
Robinson Luthi by a midwife at their home. Reba Sanderson was born to Wm. Delos Sanderson and
Alta Brower Sanderson at Glen, Idaho by a midwife.
Dick had ruptured appendix and laid for six weeks not knowing if he would live or die. Dr.
O. L. Treloar was his attending physician. His father died when he was 13 years old.
Dick served with the Engineer’s Battalion for three years and 7 months in Okinawa and
Korea.
While home on a furlough he wen to a dance in Freedom and met his future bride.
They were married July 16, 1946 in the Idaho Falls Temple. To this union were born four
children: Dixie Ann, Kirby Delos, Nena and Tami.
We have held many church jobs. My favorite are the times I served as organist in many
organizations. I enjoyed the many times I accompanied my Mother and Uncles at the funerals in the
valley and outside the valley. Also helping all others when I was asked.
Dick worked at many jobs some are: Forest Service, Palisade Dam, clearking timber for the
high lines in Star Valley and Snake River Canyon, Holdaway and Metcalf Schools, S. V. State Bank,
Swiss Cheese Co. Bldg., and the Armory Bldg.
We have lived our 47 years of marriage on the present place (James Robinson owned it).
Our first home was a cold, three room home but we were very happy. Our children were all born
while living in this small home. Our means were limited but Dick worked hard to provide the
necessities. We learned together to budget and save. My father and Dick’s two brothers wen to the
canyon to get logs to build our present home. We do appreciated the warm, comfortable home.
Dick is very fussy with whatever he builds and keeps his yards looking nice.
Dick drove bus for 35 years retiring in 1990. I worked for the Swiss Cheese Co. for 23 years
and the school 9 years. I retired in 1992. We enjoy the leisure time and not watching the time.
We have 8 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.
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FREDRIECH LUTHI...CLARA SMITH...MARY ZOLLINGER
Fred Luthi, the oldest of ten children, was born in 1880 at Trachselwald, Bern, Switzerland to
John Luthi Sr. and Rosina Switzer. His parents joined the Mormon church and when he was six years
old, the family immigrated to America. On the voyage over, his mother was continually tormented by
sea-sickness and was so weak that she could hardly stand when they arrived in New York.
The family settled in Providence, UT where John Sr. found work as best he could.
When Fred was twelve, the family moved to Bedford, WY. Life was a struggle as the family had
very little money. He worked for the Mosers to add a small income to the family.
Four years after settling in Bedford, the family moved to Freedom, on the Idaho side of Star
Valley. Fred began working at the Caribou gold mines to assist in providing for his family. He also did
ranch work for Henry Haderlie, Walter Barber and John Robinson. Later, he was employed at the
Burton Creamery in Freedom for ten years.
In 1903, Fred married Clara Smith, also a Freedom resident, in the Logan Temple. Clara was
born in Tooele, UT. She had one sister and one brother. Her Father died before she was born. Later, her
Mother married Franklin Lindholm and when she was five years old the family moved in a covered
wagon the Freedom, settling in the Jackknife area. To the union of Fred and Clara, four children were
born, Ernald, Vella, who died at age one, and twins Frank and Ella. Clara died of an infection May 4,
1912 shortly after the twins were born, leaving the family motherless.
At this time, Fred was doing his chores on the farm and riding a horse, to and from the Burton
Creamery, where he worked. His father and sisters (living at home at this time) came to his assistance,
taking Ernold into their home. Ella and Frank went to live with their grandmother.
In 1907, taking advantage of the Homestead Act, Fred filed on property that would eventually
become part of the farm he would live on the remainder of his life. In future years, additional property
was purchased to the west of the homestead and across the state line in Wyoming.
During a visit to relatives in Providence, Utah in 1915, Fred met Mary Zollinger in her sister's
strawberry patch. Both expressed later, that at first sight they knew they would be married.
Mary Magdalena Zollinger was born November 27, 1885 at Providence, Utah to Jacob and
Rosetta Zollinger. Mary came from a large, prominent, prosperous family. Her father had been a Cache
Valley, Utah pioneer, farmer and dairyman.
After a year long courtship, mostly by mail, they were married on June 28, 1916 in the Logan
Temple. They returned to Freedom by horse and buggy. To this union four children were born; Beatrice,
LeOra, Alta and Dale.
Fred operated a dairy farm in Freedom for the rest of his life. He was ambitious, happy and
optimistic. When he built something, he built it strong and to last. He loved to dance and was dance floor
manager for 25 years. Dancing was the main entertainment. The dances were held almost weekly. He
enjoyed hiring the best orchestras. A Hawaiian group called Johnny Hich-ah was one of the favorites.
Many times the tickets fell short of the amount needed to pay the orchestra and he paid the difference
from his own pocket. He liked dancing, always attending and taking his daughters when necessary. He
was usually the first on the floor and danced with everyone. He was honest and very dedicated to his
church work. He passed away on February 21, 1955, at the age of seventy-four.
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Mary always managed a spotless household and loved neatness and order, a trait she passed on
to all of her children. She was a hard worker from childhood and expected the same from those around
her. She was a good organizer, which served her well in her many church callings. One of her
responsibilities in the Relief Society included preparing bodies for burial. Mary died on December 2,
1976 at the age of ninety one. She had been a widow for twenty one years.
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HENRY AND CLEO JEAN BOLLWINKEL LUTHI
Henry was born in Bedford, Lincoln Co., Wyo. on 9 Dec., 1895. His sister, Eliza, said that as
a boy he had light brown hair and blue eyes. He was ambitious, kind, thoughtful and always willing
to help others. He helped with the chores, was obedient and never complained. In his spare time he
enjoyed skating and coasting on the crusted snow. They played guinea peg and catch. He and Eliza
enjoyed playing Rook. As an adult, he jokingly said that when he was old enough to crawl, he got
out of Bedford because there were too many rocks to pick from the fields. Eventually, the family did
buy a farm in Freedom from Marion Heap. It is the same farm that now belongs to Cordell Luthi.
His schooling was at the Idaho Elementary School located on the northeast corner of Fred
Luthi's farm. It was a two-room building where grades first through the fourth and fifth through the
eighth were taught in the same room. They had many different teachers, some of which were from
out of the valley.
Some of his close friends were Hyrum Hokanson, Fred Weber and Alvin Schiess. They all
enjoyed sports of different kinds. Henry especially loved to play baseball and basketball and the
latter was a game in which he became very proficient. The Freedom ball team consisted of Leonard
Draney, Roy Keeler, Leonard Robinson, Reynold Robinson and Henry. They had to be careful not
to foul out because they didn't have any substitutes. The Freedom girls were there to cheer them on
and they composed this song and sang it.
There's Draney and Keeler and steady old Si
With white=headed Slippery to carry the ball
picture
1924
Jean
Bollwinkel
With Hen in position we fear not at all,
The game is all ours! The game is all ours!
This basketball team was an excellent one, and they were able to beat teams from all over the valley.
When Eliza and Henry were in their teens, they both contracted the red measles and were
very ill. Henry's measles turned to black measles because they stayed in his body and would not
break out. The Doctors from Afton came, and with their help he began to recover. He was very
weak and had to be helped in order to walk. Along with this he had rheumatism, and the illnesses
left him with scar tissue on the valves of his heart.
When Henry's sisters didn't have dates to go to dances and parties, Henry would take the
team and hook them to the sleigh or buggy and escort them there. The dances were held in the old
Freedom Hall that still stands.
He married Cleo Jean Bollwinkel in the Logan Temple, 26 June, 1925. She was born in
Thatcher, Idaho, 20 May, 1899, to Samuel Alonzo and Arletta Peck Bollwinkel. She had six sisters
and three brothers. She was right in the middle, #5. She went to Idaho Tech at Pocatello, Idaho. A
position to teach grades 1-4 in Freedom, Idaho was offered her. Her mother did not want her to go
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because she thought Freedom was the end of the world, and she would never see her again. In order
to get to Freedom, Jean had to go to Montpelier and catch a ride from there with the mail truck
which was supposed to go each day. The day she went to Montpelier, the truck was not going to
Star Valley. Rosco Titensor had taken his sister to catch a train that day and invited her to ride back
with him. It was a long way, and there were no houses until they got to Afton.
Her first students were Ada Nelson Holt, Reed Luthi, Elmo Robinson and Byron Haderlie.
She dated Henry one year and was engaged to him one year before they were married.
On their way back to Freedom on the Tincup road, close to where the old Melvin Robinson
place was, the car stopped and wouldn't move. It was dark, and Henry couldn't find the problem.
They walked up the road to where the town had built a dance floor. A dance was going on that night
so they stayed and had fun and caught a ride home. She wrote that they sure took a lot of ribbing.
Marriage ended her teaching career for a time.
Six children were born to Jean and Henry; LaRue, Faye, Roma, Joy, Kareen and Cordell.
Henry was proud of his family. He was very kind and understanding to his family and to all other
people he knew. He reared another family also. His sister, Ida, lost her husband, Guy, because of
the flu. She had four small children; Mildred, Roy, Brent and Elmo. Henry was renting his father's
farm, and they all lived in the same house. Henry took care of Ida's farm in Glen, milked her cows,
counseled and reared the boys until they were old enough to take care of their own place. All this
was done in addition to taking care of his own place.
Henry was called as Bishop of the Freedom Ward and was Bishop until his death 16 Aug.,
1942. He died from bacterial endocarditis. His earlier illnesses probably contributed to it.
While he was Bishop the new church was built. It was a great responsibility as the members
of the ward were required to donate a great percentage of the cost. It was difficult to collect these
donations as people were having a hard time making a living for their families. John Luthi Jr. was
the chairman of the building committee. He passed away just as the church was completed, and his
funeral was the first meeting held there. The church has been remodeled twice since then.
Henry passed away, leaving Jean with six children, Cordell, the youngest, was not quite two.
She had a farm they had purchased only three years earlier, and she was left with the note to pay.
Things looked bleak. When the war with Japan had begun, and there was a shortage of teachers.
This opportunity was a real life saver for her, and she went back to school to receive her teaching
degree. She taught school for 30 years, 1 yr. Turner, Id., 2 yrs. Freedom, ID., 10 yrs. consolidated
WY-ID, 6 yrs Thayne, WY., 6 yrs Etna, Wy. She retired from teaching in WY., and taught 3 more
years in Soda Springs, ID., and 2 yrs in North Rich, UT.
After retiring from WY., she bought the red brick house west of the Freedom church. She
tutored many children who needed special help because teaching had been her life. In her later life,
she made afghans and quilts for her grandchildren. She crocheted 100's of dishtowels.
She had many trials-losing Henry and then her daughter, Faye, 7 years later. Jean lived
alone and took care of herself until she died. She passed away 4 Aug., 1991. She was a widow for
49 years. She was only married 16 years.
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picture
1991 Freedom Party
L. to R.
Reed Luthi - Elmo Robinson
Ada Holt - Jean B. Luthi
Byron Haderlie
picture
Joy Roma
LaRue Faye Jean Cokene
Cordell
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HENRY CORDELL AND ANNETTE HADERLIE LUTHI
Cordell was born in Afton, Wyoming to Henry and Cleo Jean Bollwinkel Luthi. He is the only son,
having five older sisters who are: LaRue, Faye, Roma, Joy and Kareen. He was not quite two years old
when his father passed away.
He attended school in Freedom through the eighth grade, at the school house in town on the
property Veldon and Veloy Izatt now own. There were two grades in each room and the teacher taught
one grade a subject and then while the others worked, he/she taught the other grade their lesson. He
graduated from Star Valley High School in 1958 and by that time was running the family farm and had
done so for a couple of years. Cordell loved sports and he excelled in basketball. He went to Utah State
University in Logan, Utah that fall and played basketball on the freshman team.
Annette was born in Logan, Utah to Byron Frank and Ruth Anderson Haderlie. She is the oldest
of five children: Annette, Joan, B. Roger, Susan and Kirk L. She lived in West Jordan and Spanish Fork
until just before her tenth birthday, and at that time the family moved to Freedom. She attended school in
Freedom through the eighth grade and graduated from Star Valley High School in 1959.
The fall of 1959, Cordell and Annette were married and moved to Logan so that Cordell could
finish his education. Annette worked at the College of Engineering in the Physics Department as a
secretary, and Cordell graduated in June of 1965 with a B.S. in Secondary Education. His first teaching
and coaching assignment was in Cokeville, Wyoming and they lived there for five years.
In the fall of 1970, Cordell accepted a coaching and teaching position at Star Valley High School
and so they moved back to Freedom. Cordell had purchased his mother's ranch and so began a career of
teaching, coaching and dairy farming. Cordell was head basketball coach for three years and taught
physical education at the high school. He decided to change schools and go to the Junior High and teach
social studies and he continued assistant coaching for many years. After seventeen years of coaching
three sports, he gave up coaching to devote time to teaching and the ranch. Annette has been a stay at
home wife who did all the odd jobs that came up while Cordell was teaching.
Freedom is and has been a wonderful place to raise children. The association of the people here
is definitely a plus. All in all...wouldn't have had it any other way.
Children: Curtis, Kelly, Karen, Kim, Kyle, Kade.
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JOHANNES SR. & ROSINA SCHWEIZER LUTHI
Johannes Luthi (also known as John Luthi Sr.) was born 24 June, 1857, in Luperswil, Bern,
Switzerland to Mathias Luthi and Ann Rindlisbacher. He was the fifth child of a family of six.
Many times he spoke of his home in the hills of Switzerland. Everyone seemed to be happy
as one could hear yodeling and whistling as the herders took their cows to the summer pastures and
home again. The mountains were green, and flowers of every color could be seen in the summer
time.
As walking was the only means of transportation available, he remembered going on long
walks with his associates.
On 17 Dec., 1878, in Bern he married Rosina Schweizer. She was born 11 Dec., 1859, to
Jacob Schwiezer and Magdalena Luthi Schwiezer. Their three oldest children were born in
Switzerland; Freidrich, Johannes and Rosa.
John belonged to the Lutheran church, but was not happy with some of it's doctrine. A friend
told him that two Mormon Missionaries from America, who professed to have the true church, were
preaching in the vicinity. So he went to listen to them. It seemed they had the message he was
longing to hear. He knew they had the truth and was baptized without telling his wife. He didn't
have the heart to tell her because the church was so unpopular and bitterness so intense against those
who joined. However, he did tell her about the missionaries and their interesting points of doctrine.
He gained permission from her to invite them to their home. Soon she too began to feel the gospel
was true. Finally, she built up enough courage to approach her husband on the subject and then
found out that he was already a member. After joining the church, their families and friends turned
against them. The only other member of either of their families to join the church was John's oldest
sister Elisabeth, who married Ulrich Stauffer. They, too, came to America and settled in Providence,
Utah.
Under the circumstances John & Rosina believed that they would be happier in Zion and
made the many sacrifices that such a decision demanded. They were tauntingly told it wouldn't be
long until they would be disenchanted with the new religion and the new land and would be glad to
return. They were perfectly happy and satisfied with their life in America and never had any desire
to return.
With their three small children they crossed the ocean in a ship with returning missionaries
and other converts. Fred remembers how seasick a lot of the people were and especially his mother.
She was so weak she could hardly stand with they arrived in New York. One of the missionaries
aboard told them that Zion was a place where one could tell a Mormon's field by it's superior crops
and where men would not use tobacco. The fact that the two men assigned to meet the family, in
John's words "smoked like locomotives" did not deter them or weaken their faith.
They came to Utah and settled in Providence where Charles, Ida, Mary and Lena were born
Lena died as a baby. A family in a new land and not knowing the language, they had a difficult time
and times were hard. John found work wherever he could. He even went to Bear Lake to find
employment. A few years later he heard about Star Valley and the opportunity to acquire land.
When Charlie was about five years old, they loaded their family, and belongings into a covered
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wagon and came to Bedford, Wyoming. The John Moser family who were converts from
Switzerland, also came to Providence and they all moved to Bedford.
John bought a place in Bedford, giving a mare and colt for the right to file on it. The place
was owned by a bachelor. Their log home wasn't elaborate, but was immaculate and made a happy
home for their children who numbered eight after the birth of Minnie and Henry while living in
Bedford.
Always looking for an opportunity to improve his circumstances, John went to Freedom to
work on the Heap ranch. He was finally able to buy the place from Marion Heap and moved his
family to Freedom selling the place in Bedford to John Thather. Later he was able to acquire more
land. It was here that their youngest child Eliza was born, and where they lived the rest of their
lives.
The first years in Freedom they continued to endure many hardships. To provide extra
income, John worked for many years at the Caribou Gold Mine, traveling to the mine by horse in the
summer and snow shoes in the winter. The older boys would do the chores and haying as much as
possible, then go for their father at the mine. He would come home for however long it took to
accomplish the work the boys were unable to do. The girls helped with the milking, making butter,
gardening and other household chores. With the purchase of the farm he was gradually able to
provide a better living. As the farm prospered, he was able to build a two story frame home. How
happy they were to move into it and have more space and better living conditions. Rosina was able
to enjoy the new home for several years before her death.
John had the qualities to make a successful farmer, besides being a hard worker he was very
particular and fond of animals. His fences were always in excellent condition, his buildings in good
repair, his yards clean and neat and his animals lovingly cared for. He was knowledgeable about
horses, was a good judge of them and knew how to doctor them. People would come to him for
help when their animals were sick. He was a tall man with dark hair and a full, well trimmed, beard.
He was extremely neat in his appearance, always interesting to talk to, good company, very pleasant
and looked on the bright side of life. He made friends easily and had many. He was a gentle, kind,
honest man who never said an unkind thing about anyone. He loved little children and always made
friends with them. He had a keen sense of humor that just naturally came out no mater what the
topic was. He was always faithful in paying his tithes, offerings and donations to the church and
contributed several hundred dollars for genealogy research records and temple work.
When he became ill, he had surgery in Logan where they found a malignancy. After leaving
the hospital he stayed in Providence a while with a nephew, returning to Star Valley to stay with his
daughter Minnie at Afton until his death. He was bedridden for several months and suffered greatly.
He continued to be patient, never complaining, always grateful and with his sense of humor evident
to the very last. He died 29 April, 1939, at the age of 82 and was buried in the Freedom cemetery
beside his wife. He had been a widower for 28 years.
Taken from histories written by Eliza L. Robinson, Jean B. Luthi, Leone E. Robinson and
compiled by LeOra Luthi Rainey.
He had a fine team of pacers that were delightful to drive, and his daughters enjoyed driving
them. He also owned a team of mules that he liked to drive, but his daughters didn't share his
enthusiasm for them. They were stubborn and would stop whenever they would pass some one, or
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when someone passed them. They did this because John had a habit of stopping frequently to
converse with friends, neighbors, and sometimes strangers.
The Fluckigers and Mosers became dear friends of John and Rosinas while they lived in
Bedford. After the Luthis moved to Freedom, these families often visited each other and would stay
overnight, sometimes two or three nights. Lizzie Warren, a close neighbor in Freedom became a
special friend.
In March of 1911, Rosina took with a bowel obstruction. John and his son-in-law, J.P.
Robinson, fixed up a sleigh and took her to Afton. The Dr. operated on her, and although the
operation was a success, her heart could not stand the surgery and she died on the 28th. She was
buried in the Freedom Cemetery.
Rosina was a pretty woman with wavy rich brown hair. She was patient, kind and loved by
everyone. For all of them, their home was their castle and heaven. The real nice things that they
were not able to buy were not noticed because of the order, care and love that they gave the things
they did have. Anyone was welcome in their home and given a good meal. She was immaculately
groomed and an excellent house keeper. She was known for the beautiful flowers and garden she
raised. Her children remember what a good cook she was. In spite of his loneliness, John continued
his duties as father and farmer.
In 1916, his daughter Rose died, and her son Melvin came to live with them. Ida's husband,
Guy Robinson, died in the 1918 influenza epidemic, leaving her with four small children to raise.
John invited her to come and live in part of his home. At this time Mary, Minnie, Henry and Eliza
were still at home. He and Henry helped her in every way they could by taking care of the farm in
Glen, milking her cows and counseling and helping to raise her children.
In later years after his children were married, he sold his farm to Henry and his wife Jean.
He continued to live with them, except for a few months before he died. He had his own room on
one side of the house. He got along exceptionally well with Jean and Henry and appreciated all the
many things they did for him.
picture
John Luthi Sr’s House (Freedom)
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picture
(Horse) Elmo - Bruce - Roy
Miniee Robinson - Ida Robinson
Reynold R - Jeene - Eliza R. - John Luthi Sr.
THE JOHN ELDON LUTHI FAMILY
John Eldon Luthi (Curly) was born February 7, 1911, at the John and Hazel Luthi residence
about one and one-half miles north of the town of Freedom. He had four brothers Reed, Dick, Tex
and Kirk and two sisters, Enna and Gayle. During his early years, he helped his family operate and
family ranch and homestead.
Eldon married Ora Noreen Baty on March 23, 1935, in Paris, Idaho. This marriage was later
solemnized in the Idaho Falls Temple on July 13, 1948. Ora was born on September 7, 1912, to
John and Lettie Baty in Bancroft, Idaho. After living a few years in a small white house on the
home ranch, Eldon and Ora settled in a house and ranch approximately 3 miles north of town. Ora
was hired as a teacher by her future father-in-law and taught in the Freedom, Etna and Thayne
elementary schools. She eventually taught elementary school (primarily second grade) fore
approximately 35 years and was selected as Star Valley Teacher of the year in 1977.
During his lifetime, Eldon was employed as a cowboy, forest ranger and performed various
duties at the Freedom Swiss Cheese Creamery. He and Art McWherter were two of the last
“Cowboys” that made the last cattle drive from Freedom to Soda Springs, Idaho. On his ranch, he
raised milk and beef cattle, he held the unofficial record for raising the most twin calves at one time.
Five children were born to Eldon and Ora, Cherie Gayle, John Ryck, Randall B., and
identical twin boys, Curtis and Cody, Who passed away shortly after their birth. Cherie, Ryck and
Randall attended the local elementary schools and graduated from the Star Valley High school.
During her youth, Cherie worked for Ivan and Bernice Nelson, who owned the Nelson
Grocery Sore in Freedom and she also worked for Bill and Beatrice Croft in the Croft Market in
Freedom. She graduated from Utah State University and is employed as a Speech and Language
Specialist in Southern California.
Ryck and Randall helped their father on the farm / ranch and both attended the University of
Wyoming. Ryck received his B.S. and Master’s Degree, worked for the University of Wyoming and
is currently Associate Director at the University of Utah, and teaches part-time. Randall was
student body President in 1978, and received B.S. and J.D. Degrees. Randall worked for U.S.
Senator Alan K. Simpson, the department of the Interior Solicitor’s Office, and the National Oceanic
Atmospheric Administrtion Office of General Counsel in Washington, D.C. In May of 1993, he
returned to Freedom to run the ranch.
The Eldon and Ora Luthi family was active in the LDS church. Eldon served as Sunday
School President and a long-time home teacher. Ora was a Sunday School teacher and Sunday
School Secretary. Ryck served a mission in the Gulf States and Randall served a mission in the
Massachusetts-Boston Mission. In the community, Eldon served as a member of the Agricultural
Stabilization and Conservation Service.
Ora Luthi died on September 15, 1979, following about with Lou Gehrigs’ Disease. Eldon
Luthi passed away on September 11, 1992.
Adopted members to this family included Blanch Wray Luthi, whom Eldon married on
March 29, 1984, in Jackson, Wyoming, and Kevin Voyles, who worked with Randall in Washington,
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D.C., helped Eldon on the farm, and moved to Jackson to work with Randall following Eldon’s
death.
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KIM C. AND DENA IZATT LUTHI
June 30, 1978, was the beginning of the Kim and Dena Luthi family unit. Kim is the son of
Charles Kent and Sherry Allred Luthi. He was born in Afton, Wyoming on October 21, 1956. Dena
is the daughter of Veldon C. and Veloy Hemmert Izatt. She was also born in Afton on August 18,
1959. Kim and Dena were married for time and all eternity in the Idaho Falls Temple. During
their courtship, they didn't have to look far for each other because they just lived across the fence. In
fact one of their favorite stories to tell is about the time when 14 year old Kim picked up 12 year old
Dena and put her over the fence telling her that she lived on that side of the fence and to stay there.
Some years later he was found to be wandering on the wrong side of that very fence.
They bought their first home from Bruce and Judy Hoopes in 1978. It was a trailer located
on a piece of land behind what is currently known as the General Store. They lived there for six
years. While living there they added a few family members. Sara Jane was born September 3,
1979. She was born on the most appropriate day of the year, Labor Day. Two years later they added
a playmate for Sara. Tyson Kim was born June 26, 1981. Thinking that two years (give or take a
few months) was a good space for having babies, they added Nicole Luthi to the family on March
29, 1983. At about this time Kim and Dena decided that things were starting to be a little crowded
in the trailer so they started land hunting. The only land available was and acre from Dena's dad
Veldon. Each of his five children would be "willed" an acre of land from his five acres. They had
drawn straws as to the location. It was just Dena's luck that she ended up with the piece between
Kim's parents and her parents. Now Kim and Dena took pride in being warm friendly people and
being able to get along with most anyone, but to live right smack dab between both parents was
more than they could handle. So, with a little land swapping between brothers and sisters they
settled with an acre just south of Veldon and Veloy's home. With the land settled, they sold their
home to Lester Jacobson and moved into the little Weber home at the foot of the Freedom hill until
their home was completed.
The Luthi's had been feeling cramped when they were living in the 3 bedroom trailer, but
the "little white house" as they called it, had only two bedrooms and there was another little Luthi on
the way. Danielle was born March 2, 1985. They were crowded but they had some funny memories
of that little place, like the ear wigs that they would wake up with every morning and the mice that
would sit in the living room and share their company until 5 year old Tyson would take the broom
after them. They lived in that home for 18 months.
The move to their new home was an exciting time for the family. Kim being in the
construction business built the home and like the plumber who's wife never had running water, the
Luthi's home wasn't finished. In fact there were no inside doors when they moved in along with
minor details of no carpet, no trim no siding. . . but to them it was like moving into a King's palace.
Their home in fact was a Freedom landmark for 6 years. With only silver insulation on the outside,
people began using it to give other people directions. "It's three houses down from the silver house",
or " it's about 1 mile past the silver house". When the siding finally went on people had to think of a
whole new way of giving directions.
The fall after the Luthi's moved into their home, Dena opened a preschool which she held
in her living room until a room was built in her basement for it. She taught preschool for 6 years.
Almost a year later from the big move, Zachary Kent was born January 20, 1987. He, as of this
date,( and hopefully forever) was the caboose. The move to the new home made things a little more
convenient for the Luthi's. Kim was now closer to his dad's farm, which he helped on, closer to his
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construction equipment and supplies, and also closer to the church house where he would spend a lot
of his time. On April 24, 1988, Kim was called to serve as Second Counselor to Bishop Chad
Jenkins. Three years later on May 19, 1991 he was bumped to First Counselor as he served under
Bishop Ronald Crook. On July 10 1994, he was released as counselor and called to serve as Young
Men's President where he is still presently serving.
The Luthi's have found that living so close to both sets of parents isn't so bad. It's been a
great opportunity for their children to grow close to both sets of grandparents, something that most
children don't have the opportunity to do and it makes it so much easier to borrow a cup of sugar.
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THE MARK AND LISA SULLIVAN LUTHI FAMILY STORY
Mark Luthi was born in Montpelier, Idaho on September 13, 1960, the sixth of six children,
to Charles Kent Luthi and Sherry Allred. When he was still an infant, his family moved back to
Freedom, where he has lived most of his life. He went to school from Kindergarten through sixth
grade at Metcalf Elementary in Etna Seventh and eighth grades were attended at Star Valley Junior
High School in Afton. His High School years, nine through twelve, were spent at Star Valley High
School. As a youth he kept busy participating in church and school sports and working on the family
farm. After graduating from High School, he attended Utah Technical College for two years.
On April 14, 1965, Lisa Lynn Sullivan was born the second of three children to Richard
Patrick Sullivan and Linda Lee Olson, in Escanaba, Michigan. During the first nine years of her life,
she had moved with her family a lot. Among many of the places she lived were, Michigan, Illinois,
Colorado and finally, Thayne, Wyoming. She attended fourth through sixth grades at Holdaway
Elementary in Thayne, then seventh and eighth grades at Star Valley Junior High School and nine
through twelve at Star Valley High School. During her Junior and Senior years, she was a member
of the Star Valley High School Brave Cadettes Drill Team, she loves to dance.
The summer of 1891, Mark and Lisa met. They dated for six months, then Lisa took the
Missionary discussions and Mark baptized her a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints on November 14, 1981. Then, after another year and a half of dating, on June 3, 1983,
only a week after Lisa's graduation, they were married for time and all eternity in the Jordan River
Temple in South Jordan Utah. They rented a trailer from Reed and VonaVee Luthi for the first year
and a half of their marriage, then in November of 1984, they moved into their home, located onefourth of a mile north of the Freedom Church, on the Wyoming side of the road.
On March 27, 1985, they were blessed by the birth of their first child, Mallory Lorene Luthi,
then two and a half years later, Dustin Mark Luthi came on the scene on September 19, 1987. Then
after six years of not-so-patient waiting, along came Mindy Lynn Luthi on June 30, 1993.
Mark has served as Blazer Leader, a Primary teacher, a member of the Elders Quorum
Presidency, Assistant Scout Master, as Young Men’s Basketball Coach as well as being a Home
Teacher.
Lisa has served as a Primary Teacher, Nursery leader, Homemaking Leader, Young Women
Secretary, Achievement Day Leader, coach Young Women Softball, Volleyball, and Basketball, as
well as being a Visiting Teacher.
As of July 1995, we are all still alive!!
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PA LUTHI AND PETE LEE
by-Verna Rainey Daines
Pa Luthi, as he sat in his favorite rocker
Didn't look like a fluent, exuberant talker.
He simply looked kind, collected and shrewd.
He never was loud and never was crude.
But the things he would say in his droll, quiet way
Could keep you in stitches the rest of the day.
He couldn't work hard on account of his heart,
But for keeping things moving, Pa Luthi had art.
His girls were good cooks and his boys were well-trained
With the hay always stacked before it had rained.
When you saw a hat moving through alfalfa or wheat
You knew that Pa Luthi was walking the beat.
He had come from the 'Old Country' a few years back when
He had 3 young children and now there are nine.
His youngest was 13 when his wife passed away,
But things went the same, day after day.
The lamps were well-trimmed, the bread was well baked.
The big barn was full, and the calves were well-staked.
However ---this tale was intended to be
A story about "Pa" and his old friend Pete Lee.
It was usually winter when Pete came to town,
To take orders for things, and explain and expound
On the new ways and means of breaking the ground.
You see, Pete was a salesman of high reputation,
Who covered much ground and was proud of his station.
The things that he sold were solid and sound
Like discs, plows and harrows for breaking up ground.
Instead of a sleigh, Pete rode in a cutter.
His horses were 'blooded' and sleek as warm butter.
Along---towards evening he'd drive into the yard,
And Henry would come from the barn---running hard.
Pete would toss him the reins and slip him some candy,
Saying, "Henry, my boy, you sure come in handy."
Pa would stand at the threshold and welcome him in,
With a shake of the hand and a warm, cheerful grin.
Pete Lee was well-versed, well-groomed and well fed,
And part of the reason, I heard and 'twas said
Was because he could count on Pa Luthi for bed-And for food and for comfort for him and his horses.
The meals were delicious---always three or four courses!
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So--Pa sat by the fire on cold winter nights
And conversed with Pete Lee about far away sights,
About doings of government in Britain and Spain,
Then back to horse-trading and the low price of grain.
While I stood in the kitchen with my friend Eliza
And wondered and pondered if Pete Lee was a miser.
And once I asked, "Liza, why does Pete always stay
Here at your house and take all this free food and hay?"
Sis Hanson takes boarders and runs the hotel.
Her beds are quite clean and she cooks pretty well.
But Eliza was blessed with some of Pa's wit,
And my cold stab at logic didn't phase her a bit.
As she polished the lamps and set them away,
She said with a grin, "Don't you know what they say?
There's often bed-bugs in the beds where you pay!"
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REED & VONA VEE NELSON LUTHI
Reed Luthi was the fourth child in a family of seven born to John Luthi, Jr. and Hazel Kirk
Robinson.
Education for Reed started in the Idaho School on Tin Cup corner. He finished first grade
before he turned six. His mother sent him to school early because he was to “hard” to handle. He
graduated from Star Valley High School before he turned seventeen. Reed was never able to get the
education he desired because of the death of his father. He and his mother ran the Luthi farm
together for fifteen years. To Reed, “life has never been boring as I was too busy for boredom.”
Reed has been chosen many times for service work such as:
Member of Idaho Investment Corporation Advisory Board
Idaho Beef Council
State Farm Dairy Extension Service Board Member
University of Wyoming Agricultural Extension Board
Board Member of Star Valley Swiss Cheese Company
Caribou National Forest Grazing Board
Served as President of Jacknife Cattleman Association for 40 years.
Reed has had the opportunity to serve in several positions in the Church, both Ward and
Stake, and attributes much growth and development to this service.
Reed and Vona Vee were married at the home of Vona Vee’s parents, Clarence “Ty” and
Eva Nield Nelson.
Vona Vee had the opportunity of attending the University of Wyoming and graduated from
Utah State University. She taught school twenty years before retiring.
Our children are:
Lana Drue Married Burnis L. Skinner, 6 girls, Okinawa, Japan
Kristine married Ronald F. Hoopes, 6 children, Laramie, WY
Jeffery N.
Washington, D.C.
Dean Reed, Jr. Married Lora Leigh Walker, 2 children, Freedom, WY
Written by Vona Vee Luthi
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GEORGE GEE McGAVIN
I was born 19 Nov., 1888, to Robert McGavin Jr. and Rozelia Gee at Lewiston, UT. They lived
at that time in a log cabin with a dirt roof. I don't remember much about that part of my life, but have
been told that when it rained hard, they put pans and buckets on the bed and tables to catch the water
that leaked.
My parents were poor in worldly things but they tried to bring us children up in a God-fearing
way to be honest, truthful and prayerful. They were good parents and tried to live the golden rule. I
strayed off the straight and narrow path many times, but the many wonderful lessons I was taught at my
mother's knee has helped to keep me from going astray too far.
In 1890, during my second summer, I moved with my family to Star Valley, near the IdahoWyoming state line. We settled on the Idaho side near Jackknife Creek. My father built two large log
rooms which were separated by a large shed. The one wall on the south side of the shed was left open.
The house and shed were roofed with poles covered with dry grass and a thick layer of dirt. We had
board floors in both the family rooms. The shed, with it's dirt floor, was used to keep saddles, tools and
dry wood out of the storm.
There was my mother and we six children in the east room and Caroline, (father's second wife)
and five children in the west room. We were crowded but were warm and comfortable during the long
cold winters. We had a large pile of dry logs put aside that was chopped as needed to provide heat and
warmth and cooking for the two families. We had cows to provide us with all the milk and butter we
needed. I remember how they used to churn the cream in a tall, round, wooden churn to change the
cream to butter. There was a dasher on a long handle that had to be churned up and down. The faster it
was churned and the quicker the butter was made. The buttermilk was drained off and the butter washed
in cold water and molded into rolls. These were put in the cellar where it was kept cold and ready to
use.
I remember we had our family prayers night and morning. Our nearest neighbor was about a
mile and half from us, but we children didn't need any playmates as there were enough of us to play lots
of games and for the most part, we had lots of fun. I was the youngest of our family and of course was
protected from a lot of unpleasantness. We went to church in a log school house. When I was six years
old I went to school and we had Primary on Friday after school. My father and two older brothers got
out some house logs and built a two room house near the school so I could walk to and from. School
lasted only three months each winter. When I was 8 years old, I was baptized by my bishop, Osborn
Low, in a big slough back of the school house.
In a short time, we bought the improvements on a piece of land on the east side of Salt river. On
it was a two room house built of hewn logs with a dirt roof that seldom leaked. We planted a big garden
and with the cows, chickens and a couple of pigs, we felt pretty lucky. In the summer, there was just my
mother, my youngest sister and I there. I use to go fishing every day when I could and kept them in fish.
My brothers were gone out of the valley to get work. My two older sisters were married. My job was to
cut all the wood and help milk the cows.
I had no friends or playmates, but as I grew to be a young man we got a school house at Etna,
WY where I met some boys and girls who became very good friends. I went to church there and was
ordained a deacon by Ray Clark. Later I was ordained a teacher by Rudolf Wolfley and was set apart as
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secretary of the Sunday School which I enjoyed very much. We had dances and parties and a lot of
happy times. All my friends got married and I was left.
My father had two wives, Rozelia was the mother of Theresa Laura, Sarah Inez, Rozelia Irene,
Robert Lysander, Almon Eddie, Janette May and George Gee. Caroline was the mother of Sidney
Rowe, Agnes Emoneretta, Charles Fredric, Roland, Isobella, Effie P., Elsie, James Dunn, Mary, Myrtle,
Jessie, Erma, Beatrice.
The fall of 1917, I went to Swan Valley and there I met a beautiful girl who later was to become
my wife. Somehow I knew she was the girl of my dreams. We had a short and stormy courtship. On 28
May 1918 my mother died and I was called to the service in July. I was sent to Fort Riley, KS and I
doubt if hell could be any hotter than that was. After three weeks of roasting, we were shipped to Fort
Lewis, WA. I corresponded with my sweetheart while in the service. I was discharged 24 Feb. 1919.
On 12 Jun. 1919, I married Hazel Jeanette Tanner, the wonderful girl of my dreams.
Hazel became the mother of seven wonderful children, 3 boys and 4 girls.
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James Dunn McGavin . . . Florence Heap McGavin
Jim McGavin was born May 13, 1892 to Caroline Gee and Robert McGavin, at Wooley’s
ranch on the Blackfoot River where his father was employed. The family moved to Star Valley and
settled in the Lower Valley in the section of what was later known as Glen.
Jim received his schooling in the little one-room school house under the tutorship of W.G.
Raymond. He grew up in a family of twelve children. All his life, Jim made friends easily. He
loved people of all ages. When he was 23 years old, his parents and unmarried sisters moved to
Idaho Falls, Idaho. Jim and his brother, Roland, were left to run the ranch, where they were working
at the time Jim met his future wife. Florence Heap. They were married on June 14, 1918. Florence
was the daughter of William Jr. and Hattie Louise Heap of Freedom, Wyoming, who were among
the early settler in Star Valley.
Jim was always robust and healthy. He and Florence had several good years together, and
during this time, they were blessed with three daughters, Catherine, Beatrice and Veloy, and one
son, Ferrin. Sadness came into the lives of Jim and his family, when Florence died on November 11,
1947, at the age of 49. Jim, Beatrice and Veloy moved to Idaho Falls that same winter, where Jim
became interested in the Insurance and Real Estate business. They returned to Star Valley in 1949,
making their home in Afton, where Jim continued to sell Real Estate for a firm out of Idaho Falls.
He was also active in church and civic affairs at this time.
On June 22, 1949, Jim went to the Idaho Falls Temple, and had his two younger daughters,
Beatrice and Veloy and their mother, Florence, sealed to him.
On December 7, 1948, Jim married Frances Wright. Nearly six years later, on April 3, 1954,
Jim became very ill while on a trip to Idaho Falls. Two days later, he entered the hospital in Afton,
and two weeks later was transferred to the Salt Lake Hospital. He passed away quietly on April 26,
1954 at the age of 61.
The children are:
Catherine
Robert Ferrin
Beatrice
Florence Veloy
married
married
married
married
Melvin Frank McNeel
June Robinson
Noel N. Allred
Virgil Boehme
Written by, Beatrice M. Allred
341
ROBERT FERRIN McGAVIN Sr. & JUNE ROBINSON McGAVIN
Ferrin was the only son born to James Dunn McGavin and Florence Heap McGavin. Mrs.
Roberts assisted at his birth on 14 May 1922 at the McGavin home at 50 Jackknife Rd. He attended
8 years of school at the Glen School, which was just a short walk from his home. IN those days the
teachers would stay with families of the children that attended school. He did not go to high school
because Bonneville County in Idaho did not consolidate with the Wyo. schools; so he would have
had to go to Idaho Falls to high school.
Ferrin enjoyed living on the farm. In the summer they put up hay, first with a slip and
derrick, later with a beaver slide and after we were married we used an overshot stacker, neighbors
working together to get up the hay. Then in later years we had balers and accumulators. His father
owned about 1000 head of sheep and for part of the summer he would go on the range to help the
sheep herder. They were always extra men hired to help with the work. Ferrin’s mother did lots of
cooking and several times a week she would bake big batches of delicious homemade bread. Ferrin
had a team of 4 dogs, and would hitch them to a wagon in summer and sled in winter and go to
Etna, about 2 ½ miles away and get the mail. When he was older he rode a horse if he wanted to go
somewhere. He always loved horses and when he was 16 years old he started riding in rodeos here
in Star Valley and he also participated in the Henry Stampede in Soda Springs and as far away as
Salmon, Idaho. He took part in all events; saddle bronc and bareback riding, calf roping,
bulldogging and roman riding. This was with 2 horses running side by side and Ferrin standing with
one foot on each horse and holding onto the reins.
At 9 years of age Ferrin was kicked in the forehead by a horse. This was a very serious
injury, but Dr. Beal, who had been a surgeon in the army, operated on him, putting a metal plate in
his head to replace the shattered bone. He was in the hospital for about 2 weeks, and then he stayed
with Dr. Treloar in his home for another 10 days. This was when Dr. Treloar first came to Star
Valley. Because of this injury he was deferred from active duty during WWII.
I lived just over the hill from Ferrin’s home. My parents were Reynold F. Robinson and
Eliza Luthi Robinson. I was born 5 June 1923 in the hospital at Afton, Wyo. I attended school in
Idaho until the 5th grade when Caribou County Idaho consolidated with Lincoln County Wyo.
schools. Then I attended Freedom fifth through eight grades and later high school in Afton,
graduating in 1940. That fall I enrolled in L.D.S. Business College in Salt Lake City, Utah and
stayed with my Uncle and Aunt, Dr. and Mrs. T. E. Robinson. After business school I worked at
Fort Douglas in Salt Lake City for a time, and then I came back home to work for Ernest Brog at the
Freedom Swiss Cheese Co. until my marriage 31 Jan. 1944. Ferrin and I lived with his parents until
we moved into a small home on the McGavin ranch. Our honeymoon was spent in a sheep camp
helping with the lambing. About this time Ferrin got the red measles. We didn’t know he was
exposed and being out in the cold, we weather nearly proved fatal, but we finally decided what he
had and by keeping warm and staying inside he finally recovered. Ferrin never liked working with
his father’s sheep and vowed when he owned his own place he would have cattle, which he did.
It was such a sad event when Ferrin’s mother passed away just one month before our second
child, Patsy, was born. She was only 49 years old. After her death Ferrin’s father bought a home in
Afton and Mack and LaVerla Bateman came form West Jordan, Utah to help us on the ranch. They
had four children, Dennis, Bonnie, Gary, and Pam. One daughter, Sandy, was born while they lived
on our ranch. Later Mack and LaVerla bought the farm now owned by the Neil Carlisle family.
Since that time the Batemans have moved to Idaho Falls, but they have always remained our very
342
dear friends. Mack and Ferrin had from 200-300 pigs while they worked together, but after they
moved to their own farm, we raised only a few pigs along with our cattle and milk cows.
Jim, Ferrin’s father, passed away just seven years after his mother died. It was set at that
time we bought the ranch and moved into the family home. We built a milking parlor and had 40
head of milk cows. From my father we purchased his range permit and were able to have 120 head
of steers, buying them in the spring and selling them in the fall.
I was very happy living on our ranch with such good neighbors and friends. In the summer I
would walk or ride the 4-wheeler down to the corner to pick up the mail and I would stop and chat
with neighbors along the way. I enjoyed the Freedom L.D.S. Ward where we attended church each
Sunday and before the block program, Relief Society and M.I.A. Tues. afternoons and evening the
Primary on Wed. I enjoyed working in all of the organizations. It was a wonderful place to live and
raise a family.
A very sad time in our lives came on 14 Aug. 1980 when Patsy’s husband, Roger Cazier, was
killed in a truck accident leaving her with 4 small children to raise.
We had been blessed with three very special children, Darlene, Patsy and Robert, who have
been a great joy in our lives and have blessed us with three special sons-in-law, 7 grandchildren and
3 great grandchildren.
Due to Ferrin’s heart condition and on the advice of his doctor, we started going away for the
winters to Yuma, AZ, returning in the spring to run the ranch and buy cattle. Finally, because of
poor health, Ferrin felt it wise to sell the ranch. We hated to do this because it had been in the
family for 99 years. Larry and Pam Wright and their three boys from Leona Valley, CA bought our
ranch and moved into the house 1 Nov. 1990. We purchased a home in Afton at 630 Lincoln St. It
was hard to leave our home, our many relatives and friends, and the town where we had lived all our
lives, but we are enjoying our retirement and look forward to visits from family and friends.
Darlene
Patsy
Married
Married
Robert Jr.
Single
Dennis Hebdon
Roger Cazier
Bill Payne
Rexburg, Idaho
died Freedom
3 Children
4 children
2 children
Las Vegas Nevada
Written by June Robinson McGavin
343
ARTHUR L. McWHERTER and MILDRED ROBINSON
Arthur L. Mcwherter was born in St. Anthony, Idaho, 7 Nov., 1917, the ninth in a family of
thirteen to John and Leda McWherter. He spent his first ten years on a ranch between St. Anthony
and Ashton, Idaho. In 1927 the family moved to Blackfoot, Idaho. He sold papers on the streets
after school and later had a route where he delivered papers.
In 1932 he came to Star Valley to visit his sister and husband, Loretta and Arthur Clark. He
decided to stay and worked for different farmers all over Freedom. He also worked in the old waterpowered sawmill for Anthon Hansen, this was the mill C.H. Haderlie built. He worked there the last
day the old mill run. He then worked for Mr. Hansen in the present Izatt Lumber Co.
Art was working for Dewey Robinson when he started going with Mildred, she was helping
with her Grandmother who had a broken hip. They went together three years before getting married
on 17 May, 1941. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Logan Temple in December, 1943.
Art started working in the Swiss Cheese Factory the day after they were married. They lived
in Freedom in the old log house Ida Robinson and family used to live in. He walked to work winter
and summer. He was still working there when the war broke out with Japan in 1943. He went into
the Air Force to serve his country. He was a gunner on a B24 and flew all over the Pacific Ocean.
He was honorably discharged in 1946 as a Sergeant.
After returning home he worked at the Swiss Cheese Factory again until the plant moved to
Thayne in 1952. He then worked on the Palisades Dam and after it was finished he worked at the
Cheese Factory again. He also worked in the Greys River sawmill and the Airplane Factory in
Afton as an inspector until it closed down. He worked for Star Studs in Afton for fourteen years.
He retired in July 1981.
On 17 July, 1912, a beautiful curly black-haired daughter was born to Ida and Guy Robinson,
the oldest child and only daughter of four children.
When Mildred was only a few years old, she had a severe case of ruptured appendix. They
rushed her to the hospital in Soda Springs, Idaho where she was attended by Dr. Kackley. She had a
high fever and they feared for her live. When she did recover the high fever left her with a hearing
impairment. After that sickness she never seemed to be as physically strong as other children.
At the age of seven her father passed away and her mother took her family of four children
and moved to Freedom where they resided at the home of her Grandfather, John Luthi, who was a
widower.
Mildred attended 8 grades of school in the Old Idaho School House and 2 years of High
School in the Wyoming School House located in Freedom. She was a good student. She became an
outstanding penman and because of this natural talent she was asked to write names on Church
awards and Seminary and High School graduation certificates throughout Star Valley.
After graduating from High School she worked in the Post Office for G.A. Newswander for
seven years. She loved to read and dance.
While Mildred was at the home of her Grandmother, Emily Robinson, who had a broken hip
she met her future husband, Art McWherter.
344
Art and Mildred were overjoyed when their only child, Eugene, came to bless their home on
2 September, 1949. Eugene wasn’t a well child and his parents had many anxious moments when
they had to keep him in the hospital so often. After his first 2 years of school he became stronger
and wasn’t sick so often.
Mildred had heart problems and diabetes for several years and died on 17 December, 1981, at
the Star Valley Hospital. She was buried in the Freedom Cemetery.
Art taught Mildred to fish and they spent many hours on the bank of a tree-lined stream.
Often Mildred caught more fish than Art, which always brought a little fun-filled humor to the
occasion.
Art is still living alone in their home in Freedom.
345
MILDRED ROBINSON McWHERTER—by June R. McGavin
On Wednesday, July 17, 1912, a beautiful curly black-haired daughter was born to Ida and
Guy Robinson, who lived on a little farm in glen, Idaho. She was the oldest child and only daughter
in a family of four children.
When she was only a few years old, she had a severe case of ruptured appendix. They
rushed her to the hospital in Soda Springs, Idaho where she was attended by Dr. Kackley. She had
such a high fever, and they feared for her life. She finally recovered, but the high fever that had
accompanied this illness had left her with a hearing impairment. After that sickness she never
seemed to be as physically strong as other children.
At seven years of age, another sad experience came into Mildred’s life when her father
passed away. An epidemic of Spanish Influenza invaded Star Valley and other parts of the coutnry,
and her father was one of the many that succumbed to this dreaded illness.
Ida Robinson took her little family of four children, the youngest beingonly 2 years old, and
moved from the little farm in Glen to Freedom where she resided for many years in her father’s
home, helping to care for his needs. At this time John Luthi Sr. was a widower. His wife had passed
away the same year that Ida was married.
Ida and her small children were a great joy and comfort to her father, and in turn, he was helpful in
rearing her small family. Many times her mother, who was away from home for days at a time
caring for members of her family during times of illness and need, would leave Mildred the
responsibility of cooking and caring for her younger brothers and her grandfather. I am sure this
was the foundation for becoming such a good cook and competent homemaker when she had her
own home.
Mildred attended 8 grades of school in the Old Idaho School House and 2 years of High
School in the Wyoming School House located in Freedom. She was a very good student. Liking the
subject of penmanship and because of a natural talent and much practice, she became the most
beautiful outstanding penman in all of Star Valley. Many times when names needed to be inscribed
on church award and seminary and high school graduation certificates, Mildred was asked to do this,
and she contributed her tiem and her talent cheerfully whenever asked to do so.
After graduation from the school in Freedom, she worked in the post office for G.A.
Newswander for seven years. She was complimented by Mr. Newswander many times for her
efficient and business-like manner in which she filled this position. If Mildred had a motto to her
life, I am sure it was this: “Anything worth doing at all, is worth doing well.” And she lived this
motto to the letter.
“Two things Mildred loved to do were read and dance. She read her newspaper every day
and subscribed to (church and ladies’ magazines). She was very knowledgeable on world as well as
civic affairs and could converse freely on many subjects. She was a friendly, sociable person and
enjoyed visiting with people. This attribute endeared her to people and she had many friends.
Dancing was something she loved to do and she was a very good dancer. Friends from
Greys Lake came over to the dances in Freedom, and they always stopped at the Robinson home to
visit, of ten times spending the night. Mildred, her brothers, and their friends would in turn, go over
there to dance and return their visits.
346
Mildred’s grandmother, Em Robinson, broke her hip and Mildred often visited her to help
out. It was at her grandmother Robinson’s that Mildred first met her future husband, Arthur Lyman
McWherter. They were married May 17, 1941. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Logan
Temple, in December, 1943. How overjoyed Art and Mildred were when their only child, Eugene
came to bless their home on September 2, 1949.
Eugene wasn’t a well child and his parents had many anxious moments whne they had to
keep him in the hospital as often, but their great love and caring for him, and his love in return for
them became a great bond between them.
Mildred had a rare gift that few of us possess, and that was the gift of true love and genuine
concern for others. She had a lovely sense of humor that carried her through troublesome times and
endeared her to all who knew her. She never complained about her poor health, but always looked
to the future with faith and hope that each new medicine she tried would give her the good health
she so desired, not so much for herself, but for her son and her dear husband who loved and cared
for her so devotedly and untiringly during the many years of illness.
Her life sketch would not complete without mentioning the great comfort she was to her
mother during the many years she lived without the companionship of a husband, and when her
mother became ill, she tirelessly took care of her as long as her health would permit and Art
supported her in this anxiety and concern for her mother.
Mildred was a beautiful woman, always graceful in her bearing, walking tall, with her crown
of black curly hair attractively arranged. She had a flair for clothes and always looked so beautiful
and took such pride in her appearance.
Art and Mildred were a very devoted and happy couple, enjoying many fun filled hours
doing things together. Because of this common bond, Art taught Mildred to fish, and they spent
many happy hours on the bank of a tree-lined stream, enjoying the beauties of nature and hopefully
feeling the tug of a fish at the end of their lines. At times Mildred caught more fish than Art, which
always brought a little fun-filled humor to the occasion.
Her brother Roy recalls one time when Mildred was learning how to drive their car, probably
the first one they owned, and she ran it off the road into the fence. Mildred rushed home all upset
and asked Roy if he would hurry and get the car out of the fence before it go scratched. The boys
had many good laughs over this, I am sure, at Mildred’s expense.
Mildred loved the church and had a strong testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel. She
was a devout believer in the power of prayer, and it was a great comfort in her life. She held various
church positions, secretary in the Relief Society, teacher in Primary and visiting teacher in the Relief
Society for many years. She and Art served in the Sunday School Organization as Greeters for 8
years, a position they both enjoyed, and the people in the ward really learned to love and appreciated
them for their love, thoughtfulness, and cheerfulness at all times.
Mildred passed away Thursday morning at 12:15 a.m. in the Star Valley Hospital at Afton,
Wyoming, She is survived by her husband, Art, her son Eugene and daughter-in-law, Carol, of Salt
Lake City, three brothers, Roy and Elmo Robinson of Freedom, Wyoming, and Brent Robinson of
Lancaster California. Her mother and father preceded her in death.
347
CYNTHIA HUNT MILLER
Mrs. Cynthia Hunt Miller 79, wife of J.A. Miller of Glenn, passed away at her home last
Monday after a long illness. She had been in poor health for several years.
Mrs. Miller was one of the oldest settlers in Star Valley having come here as early as 1879, with
her husband John Wilkes. She and her husband Moroni Hunt were among the first settlers in Afton, and
established their home here about 1884. About 1886, they moved to Freedom and Cynthia was married
to J.A. Miller in 1893, and three children were born to them.
Mrs. Miller was married twice before she married Mr. Miller and has born 13 children.
Mrs. Miller was an excellent nurse and midwife and many of the early settlers can remember the
good work she did. She didn't go out much as she spent most of her time at home.
Independent Article, 1940.
348
RALPH & CLARA MOFFAT
By Jerolyn Haderlie (granddaughter)
I have fond memories as a little girl of grandma and grandpa's farm in Freedom. They purchased
the Fred Warren home and acreage in 1967, and moved from Tetonia, ID to Freedom. They lived where
the LaDell Heiner family lives now. It was a cute little white farm house way out in the country. I was
only five years old when they moved here, but I remember what a long way it was from Smoot to
Freedom. I couldn't wait to get to grandmas house. She was always so clean and kept the place neat and
tidy, both inside and out. I can still smell the aroma of hot, fresh bread when I drive by that little white
house today. Grandma was the finest cook I know and she told me long ago, "That bread's no good
unless you put some lovin' in the dough." Boy, could grandma ever make bread. I used to ride the
school bus home with uncle Warren on occasion, and it seemed even farther on a bus ride. I'd run in and
get my belly full of home made bread and jam and change into my jeans. The farm house was great, but
a tomboy like me, the farm was even greater so I'd head outside to find my grandpa. He could be found
anywhere from the barn to the Salt River. He loved to fish and really enjoyed living that close to the
river. Grandpa was a quiet busy, little man who was always glad to see us. I wasn't much help but I sure
enjoyed doing whatever it was he was doing. I liked to help with the milking, feed the cats or haul the
hay. I especially remember and old ram grandpa had in a pasture just west of the house. He didn't like
anyone in his pasture and if you got across the fence, you'd better be able to run at a pretty good speed
because he'd come across that pasture on a dead run, hook you on the seat of the pants and bunt you
right back out. We had more darn fun with him. When it got too dark to be outside, grandpa and I would
go in. How well I remember the smell of the fresh air in her clean sheets, and the many wonderful
bedtime stories she could tell.
Grandma loved to quilt and always attended Relief Society. She was drama director in the
M.I.A., taught primary and was always active in every way.
Grandma and Grandpa loved Freedom Ward and the many special friends they had here. They
had fond memories of the time they spent in Freedom. They sold their home to Doyle Child in 1970 and
purchased the Handy Anderson home in Smoot.
Grandma and Grandpa have gone on to that little white farmhouse in the sky. But, if I could turn
back time, I'd go back to the good times we shared at that little white farmhouse in Freedom.
349
ERWIN HANSON MOSER and DORTHA LOVINA HEPWORTH
Erwin was born on 11 August, 1911, in Freedom, Wyo., to Ida Mae Hanson and Otto Moser.
He was eleven years old when his father died. The following year in December 1923, their home
burned down.
He worked away from home at a young age, always staying with his grandparents. Some of
the men worked for were Charles Weber, Heber Hanson, and his kind and caring Uncle Alvin
Robinson. Some of his classmates he enjoyed being with were George Laker and Swede Robinson.
When Erwin was fourteen years old he had an infected lung and peritonitis set which left him
with only one lung for the rest of his life. He was blessed with a beautiful baritone singing voice
that few heard, he only sang while milking cows or was in the hills hunting.
While working away from home and staying with his grandmother Hanson a young school
teacher, Dortha Lovina Hepworth, came to live at his Grandmother’s boarding house and teach
school in the Fall of 1928. They dated for two years and were married in Paris, Bear Lake, Idaho,
on 12 May, 1930. Their first child and only son Cloyd was born 11 July, 1931.
Near Erwin’s 20th birthday in 1933 he contracted typhoid fever from drinking contaminated
water while working in a hay field in Thayne. He was taken to his mother’s home, then Lovina
contracted the disease and was taken to her grandparents home in Grover. After they both
recovered, Erwin’s grandmother Hanson (Sis) prepared a nice fresh apartment for them at her
boarding house.
On 14 January, 1940, their daughter, Cecilia, was born.
In 1942 Erwin purchased his Uncle John Moser’s place next to his father’s homestead. In
the winter of 1945 he contracted red measles and pneumonia, his life was spared with sulpha drug.
In 1946 he was ill again and Dr. Worthen had to remove a kidney as a result of the measles and too
much sulpha. With the help of Cloyd at the age of 14 and his youngest brother, Lynn Moser he
milked 30 cows. In 1948-49 he bought the Freedom garage and later sold it to Clyde Rainey. He
raised pigs on his farm. He had two large corrals near his barn and sheep men would rent them
overnight many times for nearly 5000 sheep.
When Cloyd went into the military in 1953 for two years, Erwin hired Claine Peterson at the
age of 10 years and he worked off and on until he was 18 years old. Claine became like a second
son to Erwin and Lovina. In 1959 Erwin sold his farm to Carl Bragger. They lived in the Dee
Hokanson home that winter and part of the next summer, then in 1960 he purchased the ranch from
Mack Bateman located at the lower end of Freedom.
Soon after moving to the ranch Lovina was confined to a wheel chair. She tutored students
in her home. She devoted her life to her family. She had a wonderful sense of humor. Her cooking
was excellent. She did a lot of handiwork: crocheting, embroidered pillow cases, luncheon sets, and
dresser scarves; she made several for the Relief Society bazaars. She cooked, canned fruit, fed her
family, kept her home clean from her wheelchair. She loved flowers and her home was filled with
them.
Erwin often stated he didn’t know what he would have done without his spunky, kindhearted little Grandma Martha Hanson (Sis).
350
Lovina passed away 17 October, 1967. Erwin married Donna Nielsen Keller 5 December,
1969. In her he found a good caring companion which they enjoyed for 24 years.
Erwin passed away at the Star Valley Hospital in Afton, Lincoln, Wyoming on 16 December,
1933.
351
OTTO & IDA MOSER
22 December 1922 Independent
Otto Moser called Beyond --- He was one of the residents of Star Valley Here for nearly thirty years.
Otto Moser who we reported very sick last week and who was operated on in a effort to save his life
passed peacefully away at the home of Mrs George Osmond last Saturday at 3 o’clock. Mr. Moser
had been suffering more or less for some time but developed serious complications only a few days
previous to his death. Mr. Moser was the third son of a family of thirteen being of Swill dissent, his
parents John U and Elizabeth Moser coming to Star Valley in 1892 settling in the Lower Valley.
Living here since that time. 9 October, 1907 Otto married Ida Hansen of Freedom. They were
blessed with eight children. Two dying in infancy. Four boys and two girls. The youngest two
months old. Mother, Father, Wife and most of his brothers and sisters were at his bedside all but one
attended the funeral. Serving were held in Freedom Tuesday and attended by very large crowd.
Very high tribute was paid to a father taken in the prime of life.
22 December 1923 Independent
Disastrous blaze---Last Monday night the home of Mrs. Ida Moser burned to the ground. Very little
was saved. Only the cloths on their backs. Help arrived from Freedom, Thayne and Etna but the
flames were beyond control. A neat purse was collected at the scene of the fire. Everything that can
be done to help is being done by the entire lower valley Mrs. Moser and her family are staying at the
home of her parents Emil and Martha Hanson and a sister Mrs. Alvin Robinson.
Children:
Evan Moser Married
ErwinMoser
“
Leone Moser
“
Seth Moser
“
Twila Moser
“
Lynn Moser
“
Theo Hyde
LaVina Hepworth
Clifford Burton
Alice Epborne
Floyd Lewis
Una Hokanson
Ida Hanson was born in Freedom, WY 27 March 1890 the eldest child of Gustaf Emil Hanson and
Martha (Sis) Heap Hanson. She married Otto Moser 9 Oct 1907 later she married F.L. Ringel of
Paris 28 July 1936. Died 24 May 1963.
Independent
30 May 1963 Graveside Services held for Erwin Mosers Mother. Moser Ringle was buried at the
Freedom Cemetery.
352
ANDREW JENNINGS NELSON AND LUCY ANN DANA
Andrew Jennings Nelson was born in Hyde Park, Cache County, Utah on 5 Aug., 1964. His
father was Niels Christian Nelson and mother, Inger Kristine Petterson.
Andrew's first wife was Emma Beyeler, and they were married in the Logan Temple 25
November 1891. They had one son, Verde Nelson. Andrew and Emma were divorced.
Lucy Ann Dana was born 18 August, 1883, Mesa, Maricopa, Arizona to Roswell Root Dana
and Eunice Melvina Davis.
Lucy's first husband was George Patton Nelson, and they were married 20 March, 1900.
There were three daughters born, Mabel 23 December, 1900; Eunice Melvina, 3 November, 1904,
and Ellen Phonanda (Fawn) 4 November, 1906. Lucy and George separated.
Andrew and Lucy were married 24 November, 1909, in Thayne, Wyoming. The following
children were born to their marriage: Inger Christina Nelson 19 August, 1910; Roswell Root Dana
Nelson 20 September, 1913; Anthon Alma Dana Nelson 9 December, 1915; Audry Metla Nelson 2
May, 1918; Andrew Dana Nelson 3 June, 1920; Fay Dana Nelson 15 January, 1923; and Donald
Dana Nelson 28 November, 1924 , died the same day.
Lucy and Andrew lived in several towns in Star Valley including, Bedford, Afton, Muddy
Stream, the mouth of Cedar Creek and Freedom. They moved to Freedom, Idaho in about 1925.
They lived a short time in a log house on the lane west of Freedom across from the old Walt Weber
place. Then they moved down the lane west next to the hill.
Ross, Tony, Audry, Dana and Fay went to school in the Idaho school house where the road
goes up Tin Cup. It was a two room school house for the first eight grades.
After several years, the family purchased 80 acres on Highway 89, two and a half miles south
east of Freedom. That summer the family spent working in logs for Joe Hoffman to get lumber to
build a home and other out buildings on the 80 acres. That fall they moved into their new home
where Andrew and Lucy spent the rest of their lives.
Andrew was a very fine carpenter. He built a round topped barn at Wilford Clarks and Jack
Ivie house in Etna. He built Earl Wolfley 's house up Tin Cup and many other buildings in the
valley. He loved his horses and was very kind to them. His favorite pas-times were hunting and
fishing. He loved his family and worked very hard to care for them.
Lucy was a very fine nurse, and she cared for many sick people in the lower valley. Many
babies were born into the world with her help, and the Doctor would come a day or two later. She
loved to garden and bottled 100's of quarts of fruits, vegetables and meats each year. Lucy was a
very fine seamstress who sewed clothes for her children and many other people.
Ross, Tony and Fay all served in the army in WWII. Mabel married Arthur Cazier 18 July,
1917. Eunice married Joe Reeves 7 June, 1923. Fawn married Dee Nield 30 June, 1923. Inger
married Orvell Rolph 21 May, 1928. Ross married Nellie Illum 15 November, 1945. Tony married
Beth Illum 7 June, 1941. Audry married Alden Snyder 9 April, 1939. Dana married Mary Louise
Danks 17 July, 1959. Fay married Gwen Hyde 17 December, 1951.
353
Andrew Jennings Nelson passed away 8 May, 1943. Lucy Ann Dana passed away 29
January, 1945.
picture
picture
354
ARCHIE DEMAR NELSON and CORINE PUTNAM NELSON
Archie Demar Nelson was born, May 16, 1927, in Freedom on the Idaho side, to John
Thomas Nelson and Imo Imogene Ashment Nelson, he had three sisters and three brothers. His
Brothers all died in infancy.
When he was real young he went every where with his Father and learned a lot of things
from him at a young age. When he was about four years old his family moved to a farm across the
River, where he still lives, he learned to drive a team of horses doing farm work, before he was ten
years old. He could milk by hand also.
Archie’s Father died in a car wreck when he was ten years old. His mother with the help of
himself and his sisters, kept the farm and finished paying off the debt owed on it by milking cows.
They also had a chicken stand and sold eggs at the store for other commodities they needed.
Ada and Margie got married in 1940, that left Archie and his Mother alone. Archie went to
the eighth grade, and then his Mother got sick, she didn’t go to High School for three years, he went
one year, so he only completed nine years of school.
He with the help of his mother, farmed and milked cow, and slowly got ahead a little at a
time. He worked for other people in his spare time, Neighbors or other people that would hire him
to make extra money, he would clean barns dig post holes haul hay or anything he could do.
The year he was 19, Archie and his mother and Margie and Seth went to California for one
winter, Seth couldn’t find a job, and he wasn’t feeling well, and had to go back home and have his
stomach operated on. Archie worked all winter and paid their way, he worked for the Union Pacific
Railroad, and in an Airplane shop doing mechanic work.
When they came back they brought more cows, and started farming again. He also helped
put machinery together and put steel graineries together. Then he started working for Brog and
Hemmert Hardware as a mechanic in Afton in their shop. He worked on tractors and trucks, and a
lot of other machines. He worked their about eight years, in the mean time ran their little farm.
When Archie got married in 1952, his mother moved to Freedom in an apartment above
Keeler Store, and a few years later she bought her little house that John had built years before.
Archie married Corine Putnam, October 20, 1952, in Idaho Falls, Idaho. The daughter of
Euvern Frank Putnam and Ruth Alice Searight Putnam, from Auburn, Wyoming. Corine came from
a family of four boys and eight girls. She was raised on a Farm also and knew how to milk cows.
They worked together and farmed while Archie worked in Afton. They bought a little bit of
machinery to make farming easier, we have worked milking cows and farming, buying a few aches
of land at a time, until we now have a large Farm, a herd of Dairy cows, and also a herd of beef
cows. They bought the Roe Herrick land East of Etna, the Ashment Property that his Grandparents
Homestead in the early 1900’s. This property has been in the family ever since, Archie and family
bought if from Cecil when he moved to Salt Lake city, Utah.
Archie went to School in Chicago, Ill. And learned to Artificial Inseminate cows for Curtiss
Candy Breeding Co. He bred his own cows to mostly Red and White Bulls and had a herd of
Registered Rend and White Dairy Cows. We still have mostly Red and Whites.
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We built a new house where the old one was, we all helped build it, did all the work
ourselves from cement work, plumbing, electric wiring, and laying of rock laying for Fire place.
We had one of the first modern Herringbone milking parlors, in the lower Valley, we didn’t
hire it built we all helped build it.
Archie has always liked horses and cattle, he especially likes a good saddle horse. In 1972
the family started Cutter Racing, the whole Family joined in helping exercising, shoeing, and
feeding, cleaning stalls, grooming and what ever was needed. Archie and his boys have had a team
or two teams in the All American Cutter Racing Association, ever since, winning First place three
times, and has placed in the top four, many times. In 1990 he won first place with a team that he had
bred raised. He has taken his team to the World Assoc. many times. He has also raced
Flat Track, in Pocatello, Idaho Falls, Evanston, Rock Springs, When Sandy Downs opened we had a
horse in the very last race. We have bought and raced winners, but the favorites are the ones we
have bred and raised and trained ourselves. We have raised quite a few first place winners Our
family has always worked together feeding and Training them.
John Demar was born, Sept. 13, 1952, Cordon Ray Sept. 10, 1954, Michael Brain Oct. 19,
1958, Ann Marie Jan. 31, 1961, Thomas Euvern Sept. 29, 1962, Chris Ranell Feb. 23, 1965.
We have 15 Grandchildren, Terralee, John Demar Jr., Dustin A. children of John and Sandra
Suter Hope Tressa, daughter of Cordon, Elizabeth Kay, Andrew Michael, Mattew Ryan, children of
Michael and Connie Smith, Gordon Scott, Morgen Shane, Shannon Skyann, children of Ann Marie
and Kevin Spencer, Ashlee Corine, Brain Thomas, Gregrory Thomas, children of Thomas, Bobby
Reed, Trenton Demar, children of Chris.
When Hazel and Dorald were killed in a car wreck in 1958, their two youngest children came
to live with us, Radele stayed about four years and then went back to Preston, Idaho, Sheldon stayed
until he was out of High School. He still lives in Star Valley.
Archie & Corine
Cordon
John
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CLARENCE “TY” AND EVA NIELD NELSON
My parents, Clarence “Ty” and Evan Nield Nelson and myself, Vona Vee moved to Freedom
early in 1925. We had spent the previous two years in Etna where Daddy managed the Mutual
Creamery Company.
Home to the family here in Freedom was a two story, five room lumber home located on
Freedom Lane, next to the Kraft Creamery and near Salt River. Daddy was manager and worked in
the Creamery for three years. The home was destroyed by fire a few years after we left Freedom.
All that remains of the Creamery is some of the cement foundations.
Freedom is a friendly community and the family soon felt at home Mom and Dad became
involved in dramatics. Exchanged trips were made to Swan Valley and Irwin as well as here in Star
Valley. Winter travel was by team and sleigh where you nestled down in to piles of hay and
blankets. The model T was put away when snow fell. One night while performing here in Freedom,
Mother was on stage doing a very serious scene. All of a sudden faces from the audience were
smiling, then snickering, pointing, at the stage and laughing out loud. I had gotten away from my
baby sitter, gone behind the scenery, poked my head through a hole and was making faces. When
mother discovered what was cracking up the audience she motioned with her hand for me to move
and get back to my sitter. I did not budge until the sitter came to Mom’s rescue. (I made my acting
debut at an early age).
My favorite place to play was on the bridge looking into Salt River. Several times I was
escorted home by a concerned milk hauler to a worried mom and dad. I was always happy when
Wilford Jenkins and daughter Donna would take mom on the sleigh with them to feed the cattle
along Salt River. My parents knew I was in good hands and they did not worry.
I recall vividly the outdoor toilet and Sears and Roebuck Catalog. The Saturday night bath in
a round galvanized tub and suppers by a kerosene lamp. Mother being upset with Daddy’s pigs for
getting too close to the house, so she threw warm dish washing water on their backs and they would
go off with a squeal.
My mouth waters when I think of Mother’s raisin-filled cookies, chocolate pudding and
fudge. Daddy made the best sauerkraut, butter, and cheese I ever ate.
I also remember a soft fluffy feather tick on my head that I could nestle down into on cold
winter nights. It was like floating on a cloud. The kerosene light, dim as it was, made every pictures
on the walls.
How I hated those long-legged underwear with the “drop backside”, and my long cotton
stockings. I’m thrilled when I remember a crepe paper costume or dress, a brownie suit and a
sunbeam outfit that let me participate in church functions and parades.
One afternoon as Daddy was finishing up his work at the creamery, he noticed a small herd
of sheep coming down Freedom Lane. The closer they got to the creamery he observed John Luthi
Jr. and son Reed. Mr. Luthi had discovered the check he had been paid for the sheep was not good
so he went after the sheep and was taking them back home. Daddy took a “fancy” to those sheep,
made a deal and drove them into the pasture behind our house. From that time on my dad always
had a herd of sheep he cared for. I became a sheep herder and Daddy’s right hand girl. I also
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learned one very valuable lesson about the sheep dad purchased from Mr. Luthi---when Daddy said
“DON’T”, he meant it. I took a liking to the Luthi sheep also---I chased them around the pasture.
We had a wood pile used for heating the house. Daddy warned me it was dangerous to chase the
sheep as they may run into the pile of wood. I didn’t listen. Running with the sheep was too much
fun. One day while chasing the sheep—I chased one into a pile of wood---it suffered a broken leg. I
suffered also, but not with a broken leg. My dad was rather persuasive, and I didn’t chase sheep
again.
On July 20, 1927, a reddish haired brother joined our family. I felt threatened, I had been the
center of attention for four and one-half years, and I didn’t care for this sharing one bit. It didn’t
take long for me to discover that Neal as well as sister and brother.
Many good friends were made in Freedom and it was with great sadness that we left them
behind when in 1928 we moved to Afton so Dad could work in the creamery there. These many
friendships have lasted a life time and had great influence on our lives. It was like coming back
home for me when I married Reed and settled in Freedom. Its been easy for me to call it home. I
say with pride, I live in Freedom.
Vona Vee Nelson Luthi
My Family:
Clarence “Ty” Nelson died August 30, 1958---Afton, Wyoming
Eva Nelson Taylor 88 years old, living in Afton
Vona Vee Nelson Luthi living in Freedom
Neal A. Nelson died December 11, 1973------Afton Wyoming
Joan Nelson Brog (Roy) living in Logan, Utah
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FORD AND LAURA KEELER NELSON
Ford was born in Thayne, WY on January 15, 1922 to Charles H. and Susan C. Hymas Nelson.
He was the fifteenth child in this family. The family later moved to Bedford where he received his first
eight years of schooling. Six members of his family lived in Freedom; Pearl, married J.P. Robinson, a
long time rancher. Meryl married Dell Schiess, Freedom's barber. Reed, married Velois Robinson. He
logged and worked at various jobs. Nan, married Clyde Hughes. She ran a beauty shop and Clyde had a
cafe. LaRue married Dewey Campbell. He worked for the Lower Valley Power and Light. Wan married
Audra Keeler. He worked for the Lower Valley Power and Light.
The Nelson family were close and spent a lot of time together. Ford stayed here with his family
often, visiting and working. He met, courted and married Laura Keeler on March 22, 1942 at Ovid, ID.
She was the fifth daughter of Roy and Leola Keeler of Freedom. He was drafted into the Army during
World War Two and trained at Fort Logan, Colorado. His farewell party was held in Freedom with
many others in the Freedom Ward Hall, and left September 16, 1942 shipping out September 29 to
Siapan. It was here he fought in the worst of it. He received a bronze medal. The three years he spent in
the service, Laura stayed in Freedom with her parents and spent time with her sisters and friends. She
played soft ball with the Freedom lady's ball team as their pitch and was a home run hitter. She enjoyed
the association of all the players, playing the game, and they were a good team.
Ford returned October 6, 1945 and they made their first home in an upstairs apartment in the
Keeler building. The two other apartments were occupied by Rex and Beth S. Robinson and Earl and
Lorna K. Haderlie. They later moved into the Keeler cabins where Audra and Wan lived in one set.
While living in Freedom they had two daughters; Nancy-born Oct. 26, 1946 and LaRee-born
Sept. 26, 1951. Ford got a job with the Fish and Wildlife and they moved to Downey, ID where two sons
were born; Vance-born Aug. 15, 1957 and Terrell Roy-born Nov. 8, 1962.
The family came home often to spend quality time with their family.
Ford died of a heart attack June 1, 1967 at his home in Downey. Laura later married Don L.
Henderson of Swan Lake where she now resides.
Written by Lorna K. Haderlie
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MEMORIES OF FREEDOM, WYOMING
BY IVAN AND BERNIECE NELSON
Berniece and I met some time in October or November of 1930. I had worked for the Woods
Livestock Company for the past two summers at a location at the mouth of Birch Creek some forty
five to fifty miles north west of Idaho Falls, Idaho. I had always had a strange feeling about Star
Valley as if some large person had their arm around me to shield and give comfort to me when I was
in the valley. As the summer wore on, I had more and more of the feeling of wanting to be in Star
Valley for this reason. So I left the Reno Ranch and my Robinson had befriended me in times past
and seemed to have an interest in me so I went to work for him. This was about the middle of
September. Carl had told me if I ever needed a job to look him up, and he would try to help me, and
this is what happened.
I was born in Driggs, Idaho to Edmond William Nelson and Pheobe Hannah Hebdon and was
the last of six children, five boys and one girl. We moved to Star Valley when I was about two years
old. My father and mother separated when I was either four of five years old, and Father and the
boys left Star Valley to seek a living else where. My mother and my sister stayed in Star Valley at
the place we had been living at. Father died just after I turned sixteen, and from there on I had to
fend for myself.
Berniece was the youngest daughter of Carl G. E. Erickson of Glen, which was a small
community five miles north of Freedom, Wyoming on the Idaho side. She was the eleventh child of
a family of thirteen children. Two boys were younger than she. Her mother, Annie Elizabeth
Bright, had passed away when the last child was just a few months old. The family had no mother in
the home from then on.
Prior to the time when we started going together, Berniece had lived with a sister Hilda, and
her family at Lewisville, Idaho. While we were going together she lived with her uncle Jim and
Aunt Mirnen Brower for about a year.
I will always be grateful to Carl and Minnie Robinson for the influence they had on my life.
They treated me like one of the family. In looking back over the years. Carl has always been a man
of his word. In the fourteen years of continual close association with him, he has always been
honorable and has kept his word in everything I know of. He was the Bishop of the Freedom Ward
all the time I knew him up to the time he left Freedom and moved to Afton. Others who had a
marked influence on me were his brothers Alvin, and Reynold, and his wife Eliza Robinson.
Carl was asked to be the Cashier of the Star Valley State Bank and needed someone to take
care of his ranch. It seemed like a good chance to get started ranching or working for ourselves. He
wouldn't rent the place to me unless I was married so we decided to get married in December rather
than June of the next year. So Owen Draney and Zelda Erickson, along with Berniece and I, were
married the same time by Bishop Carl Robinson at Afton, Wyoming December 29, 1931.
The great depression was in full swing at this time, and of course we felt the effect of it in
our lives. We were milking from twelve to fifteen cows, and our half of the milk check was about
fifteen dollars per month. This is all we had to live on, buy what we needed and pay the bills with. I
have no idea what would have happened if it had not been for Clarence, or "Doc" Chadwick, as
every one called him. He was operating a store at the time and helped many with solving their
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problems by giving them credit. We would take our milk check up to him, and he would let us have
what we really needed. It took several years for us to pay off our debt to him. I will always be
grateful to him for his kindness to us.
Since this is history, I would like to make a comparison to present times. At that time, about
1931, until about 1933 or 1934, we sold weaner pigs for about one dollar each, we sold older pigs,
weighting up to about 125 pounds, for $ 1.25 each. We sold our milk for about 30 to 35 cents per
hundred pounds and so on. Now try to buy a pork steak, or try to buy a pig! About all you get for
$1.25 is the squeal! A gallon of milk costs about $1.95 or about 23 cents per pound. During those
trying years we had almost no money to spend, but we had plenty of milk and cream, we could trade
for flour or wheat, and we had a flour mill the owners of which would mill the wheat for a
percentage. So we lived through that time.
Some time about 1926, the Star Valley Swiss Cheese Company was formed and by this time
was, (1933) going pretty well. During a blizzard in the month of February 1936, the Swiss Cheese
factory burned down. We had two feet or more of snow on the ground with a fierce wind to fan the
flames. The cheese had to be put out of the factory through the basement windows and covered with
snow to keep it from freezing until it could be hauled to a place to store it. With very few
telephones, it was amazing how the word spread, and in just a few minutes there were some 30 to 40
men working feverishly to save the cheese and put out the fire. The factory was quickly rebuilt, and
cheese making went on as usual, except better. Better, because some of the defects were adjusted
and places were changes were needed were made.
That was a rough winter because we had a large amount of snow, and it had drifted until the
roads into the fields where the farmers went to their hay stacks were literally on top of the snow. On
the first day of April, where we lived, we could drive our team of horses out over the snow to the
hay stack and for a very few days bring a load of hay up to the yards on the crust. Very quickly
though, the weather changed and became warmer at night, The snow would freeze but melt quicker
in the mornings, and it became very difficult to get the hay from the hay stack in the field to the
cattle at the corrals. By the first of May, the five feet of snow which we had the first day of April
changed to water, and we had to wear hip boots to get to the cow barn and around the yards.
Our three children were all born at Afton, Wyoming. Boyd May 9th, 1933. Gary 18th of
March, 1937. Berniece's father Carl Erickson came to live with us for about a year and was such a
help with the children. We sure enjoyed having Grandpa with us. Gary was happiest when his
Grandfather would sit and rock him for long periods of time. Aloma came to greet us on a beautiful
summer day July 6th, 1942. I believe she was sucking her thumb when she was born or at least just
minutes after. She was so cute. Our children were always good to care for themselves. When
milking time would come, Berniece would put them to bed and they knew they were to stay there
until she came back from milking. They were so good natured and so pleasant to be around that we
knew that if one was cross or having a bad time of it, he or she was ill. In the mornings they would
stay in their beds and play until their mother or I would come to take care of them.
At some time in 1939, we finally had electricity to help us. It was such a help to have a
refrigerator and milking machines, and about the same time or maybe a year earlier, we bought a
tractor and equipment so that we did most of the farming with a tractor instead of having to feed and
curry the horses. Harness them and slowly get the field work done, give the horses time to eat and
rest at noon, get them ready again to go to the field and take care of them again after work. Now we
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could work as long as we wanted to, even into the night if need be. This helped wonderfully, but of
course it all had to be paid for.
During the time when Gary was a baby, we used to hire a beautiful girl by the name of Ruth
Anderson to take care of the house, and Berniece would work in the field with me. We sure made a
good team and accomplished a great deal. She was some of the best help I could ever ask for. She
loved to work outside and took such an interest in doing her work well. At the same time, the girl
took excellent care of Boyd and Gary and had the meal ready for us at noon so that no time was lost.
When we didn't have help like this, it slowed things down a lot. When Aloma was a baby we
couldn't get Ruth so we hired a Roberts girl. I've forgotten her name, but it surely helped out.
(Yvonne Roberts, I believe)
Each year it seemed like I had more trouble with my breathing in the winter time, and Dr.
Worthen finally told me to leave the farm if I wanted to live long. Berniece had more of the outside
work to do as this progressed. Finally in 1945, Alvin Robinson came to use and wanted us to buy
his store. This was such a surprise and shock just to think of getting off the farm and not have to
work so hard. It was a hard decision to make, but after a lot of consideration, we decided to try to
make the change. Things happened at this time to make me more aware that The Lord does answer
prayers. We purchased the store that Alvin Robinson owned also the merchandise from Ken Olsen,
and we were in business. We had to take over the store the 15th of September and still operate the
farm until the 15th of December. During this time Boyd, who was now 12 years old, was such a
help to me. He could run the tractor and buck in the hay from the field so fast that two men could
hardly take care of it. He even milked the cows on one or two occasions. We were milking about 28
to 30 head of cows, and he did it alone! Gary was such a help to his mother, and Aloma stayed with
me and was so good. She was only three years old. She was obedient, considerate, helpful, and
hardly ever cried. She was just made to order. She grew up that way too. If she saw her mother or
me doing something, she wanted to help. Her mother would get up early to get the lawn mowed
before Aloma awoke. Many times she would be out helping in just a few minutes after Berniece was
out. In later years, sometimes I would pick up as much of our groceries as the car would hold.
When I would get home, if she heard me she would come to help.
When the work on the Palisades Reservoir started, I started out as a carpenter's helper. I was
able to learn from those I worked with. Our supervisor was a whiz in math. It was like going to
school.
In 1953 we had the opportunity to purchase the lot just north of our store. We decided to buy
it to build a home on. So during the fall of 1954 and the summer of 1955 our home was built. We
hired Fornham Call to build it. With my family doing as much as we could to help. It was the first
brick home to be built in Freedom. It stands west of the Freedom L.D.S. church house.
Our sons Boyd and Gary had experience working with heavy equipment, both worked at the
Palisades Dam. The work of building the Palisades Dam changed the lives of many people of Star
Valley. Life was never the same afterwards. A number of our young men from Freedom became
foremen and worked up quite a reputation for themselves. Wages were good comparatively, and this
made a great impact on each of the communities of the valley.
Boyd followed the heavy equipment line of work. Gary went on a mission for the L.D.S.
Church during 1958 and 1959 and was married in 1960. He married Helen, the daughter of John and
Gladys Mallory of Afton, Wyoming. Boyd married a girl from Glens Ferry, Idaho, Barbara Lish
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Aloma finished high school in the spring of 1961 and wanted to go on to college at Salt Lake
City, Utah. After being in the store business sixteen years, we decided to sell out and go to Utah.
Aloma attended college and married Earl Kern from Afton, Wyoming.
Note: The store had been owned or operated by Ed Vincent, G.A Newswander, Alvin (Tommy)
Schiess, Reynold Robinson and Alvin Robinson before we owned it. Some of the young ladies that
helped work in the store were: LaRue and Jennie Child, Mable Draney, Cherrie Luthi, Annieta
Jenkins, Opal Heap, Jeraldine Jenkins, Edith Weber, Opal Draney, Jeul Nester, Ilta Robinson and
Marge Stewart.
Ivan and Berniece Nelson
Picture
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JACOB NELSON
Jacob Nelson was born 3 April 1874, at Bloomington, Bear Lake, ID., to Nels (Neils) Nelson
and Inger Kirstine Petersen Nelson. He arrived the 5th child of a family of nine. He had four older and
four younger brothers and sisters.
He came with his family to Freedom at the age of 11, the year of 1888, where they located up
Tin Cup which later became the residence of the Earl Wolfley family.
He was happy as a young child, but as a young man he was involved in a serious accident that
would change his life. While working in the Montpelier Mountains he was run over by a heavily loaded
wagon, it passing over his legs.
After much pain he was left with a severe limp. Before the accident he was engaged to be
married but was advised not to as it would be hard to provide for a family.
This made a lonely life for him and he was not only in pain but, the object of taunting heartless
adults and cruel, thoughtless children.
He died in Freedom from a heart attack 22 Oct., 1940. His funeral was held on the 25th and he
was buried in Bloomington, Bear Lake, ID by his parents.
He was survived by a brother Andrew and three sisters, Mary Ellen Heap, Martha Sanderson and
Sarah Sizemore, and many nieces and nephews.
Written by a Grand Niece
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JOHN THOMAS NELSON & IVY IMOGENE ASHMENT
John Thomas Nelson was born June 3, 1885, at Bloomington, Idaho. The ninth Child of Nels
Christian Nelson and Inger Christine Peterson.
The family of Inger’s lived on a Farm, While the first Wife and family lived in town. Inger
and her family milked cows, sold butter, and part of the proceeds went to support the family in town
also.
Inger would gather wool from the fences and sage brush after herds of sheep went through.
She would wash cord, dye, and spin the yarn, to make stockings and mittens for her family, then on
her loom she would make cloth for clothes, including men’s suits. She made a suit for John, in
which he had his picture taken, it was a dark blue pinstripe.
Inger developed many skills and abilities in her life, she was also a skilled midwife, she
helped deliver many babies, including some of her own Grandchildren.
Due to increasing trouble with U.S. marshals harassing the Polygamists in Utah, Inger and
her family of nine children, were moved to the comparative safe haven of Star Valley, the rather
remaining in Bloomington. Here Inger and her family continued to work as hard as ever, she was
both mother and Father, John being the youngest was about 3 years old.
The time was 1888 the place, Tincup on a Farm northwest of Freedom, without fences trying
to keep their stock in bounds was a heartbreaking task. Their neighbors were, C.H. Haderlie, Jacob
Schiss, and William Heaps.
John went to the third grade, but he educated himself by reading everything he could get hold
of, he read his children’s school books they would bring from school.
Johns brothers and sisters were Andrew, Martha Sanderson, Soren Christain, Joseph, Jacob,
Inger Kristine Thornock, Mary Ellen Heap, Sara Christina Sizemore, and himself John Thomas.
They were all living at the time their mother died in 1930.
Ivy Imogene Ashment was born October 31, 1892, in Richmond, Utah, in a one room log
house, with white washed walls, to James George and Catherine Ann Bratton Ashment, Imo was the
third child in the family of eight. Five boys and three girls. John, Clarence, Imo, Daisy, Arlynn,
Floyd, Winnona, and Cecil. This family has all passed from this life, Winnona being last in 1993.
In 1905 they moved to Star Valley, to work for John Robinson, Willard Robinson helped
them move in covered wagons. The first place they lived was in a two room house where the
Leonard Robinson place is. They went to school in the Idaho School, it was on the corner of the
Tincup road where Dale Luthi lives. Imo went to the seventh grade and that was all her schooling.
Imo and John met at a dance, she thought he was very good looking, he had dark hair and
brown eyes, they dated quite a while off and on. They had many good times together, they married
February 26, 1916.
After they were married they lived on the old Nelson place for a few years, they milled cows
and Farmed, From there they moved to Freedom in town, John built a little house, one room and a
little later another room on it, Most of their children were born there. From there they brought land
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across the River, where Archie lives now, John built another bigger house, they went back and forth
for while until the house was about finished.
John would rent land around Freedom, for hay, and haul it home in the winter to feed his
Stock. He rented the Lindholm place, about where the J.P. Robinson place in now, he worked for
other people putting up hay. He always had a good, well trained team, he also./worked for Erwin
Moser., putting up hay, He worked as a Forman on the W.P.A.
They had seven children, Theo Douglas, Hazel Mildred, Ada Fawn, Elmo John, Margie
Inger, Archie Demar, and a stillborn son, the two older boys died in infancy.
John died in a car wreck March 18, 1938, at the age of 52. Hazel and her husband Dorald
Baxter also died in a car wreck November 7, 1958.
Ada married Dorald Holt February 23, 1949, Margie married Seth Nickerson November 22,
1940. When Archie got married in Corine Putnam, October 20, 1952, Imo moved to Freedom in a
apartment above Keeler Store, she lived there about 3 years and then bought her little house back
that John had built years before, She had it built onto and made modern. She had a garden and lots
of flowers inside and out, she also had raspberries and strawberries and currents.
At the age of 71 she was still active with all the things she wanted to do. She would walk
over to Archies a lot and help them too. She always worked hard inside and out.
She loved her Grandchildren and liked to have them with her, she was a good Grandmother,
Her Grandchildren loved her very much.
Imo died June 4, 1970, at the age of 78, from a heart attack. At the time of her death she had
12 Grandchildren, and 8 Great-grandchildren.
This information was compiled by Corine Nelson from Imo’s book of remembrance and her life
story.
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WAN AND AUDRA KEELER NELSON
Wan spent a lot of time in Freedom at the homes of his sisters and brother: Pearl - Mrs. J.P.
Robinson, a rancher; LaRue - Mrs. Dewey Campbell, a worker for the REA; Reed married Velois
Robinson, he was a logger; Merle married Delbert Schiess, the barber and businessman; Nan, a
beautician, married Clyde Hughes, he ran a cafe.
Wan was born August 20, 1917, the thirteenth child of fifteen to Charles Henry Nelson and
Susan Cornelia Hymus Nelson.
Wan worked for the Lower Valley Power and Light, located in the bank building across the
street from the Chadwick red and white store. They left from this building and reported in each
afternoon after the days work.
Audra Keeler was born October 11, 1921 and was the third daughter of five, of Roy and Leola
Heap Keeler. They became acquainted, dated and were married September 8, 1940.
They hired an orchestra and held a wedding dance with two other couples in Freedom, Byron
and Ruth Haderlie, and Byron and Verna B. Jenkins.
They spent their first year in Ashton, Idaho and returned the following year. They moved into
the apartments in the back of the Keeler Store. While living here, there first daughter, Nona was born
September of 1942.
Wan was drafted and while he was in training, his wife and small daughter spent time with him
in Minnesota. Wan was assigned to a mine sweeper in the Pacific Ocean. Audra and Nona returned
home, staying with her parents. While he was gone, their second daughter, Shannon was born January,
1945. When he returned from active duty, they lived in the Keeler cabins where his brother Ford and
Audra's sister, Laura lived.
They later moved to the Edgar Heap home located on the south side of Audra's parents home.
Many enjoyable years were spent in Freedom with relatives and friends. Nona and Shannon attended
their first years of schooling here.
Leaving Freedom, they moved to Bedford and while here they had their last daughter, Debra,
born July, 1955. While in Bedford, they lost their home with a fire.
They moved to Kaysville, Utah in 1960 and Wan build a trailer court. They sold this in 1986 and
moved to Hooper. Wan died while in Hooper on October 4, 1992. Audra now resides in Clinton, Utah.
Nona married Dan Skinner
Shannon married Layne Stephens
Debra married Kelly Beecher
Audra and Wan have nine grandchildren.
Written by Lorna K. Haderlie
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NEWSWANDER MERCANTILE FREEDOM, WYOMING
1920-1937
By Jean Newswander Lewis and Lee R Call
G.A.
NORA
In 1920 a confectionery store in Freedom was advertised for sale by Ed Vincent. G.A.
Newswander decided he was tired of farming in Thayne and made a decision to take advantage of
this opportunity to go into business. So, on October 4, 1920, he purchased the store. It was on the
Idaho side of Main street in Freedom, Wyoming. The building was in rather bad condition with a
leaky roof and a few other things out of order, but it had a storeroom, a salesroom, and some very
small living quarters for his young family.
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Elmo & Della 1919
In the business deal they also took over the Freedom Post Office, which was soon moved to
the Wyoming side of the street. G.A. hired Grace Laker to work in the U.S. Post Office, and later
Eva Jenkins and then Mildred Robinson.
In 1922, G.A. built a larger building and expanded their business into a general mercantile
store. They sold everything from soda fountain treats to overalls. Nora, G.A.'s wife, made a delicious
bread that sold like "hotcakes" for ten cents a loaf. There were two gas pumps out front and a cement
platform all along the front of the store on which the children remember playing marbles, riding
roller skates, playing hopscotch, and jumping rope. The old confectionery was now a storehouse and
a woodshed. Living quarters occupied the south side of the store and almost always had the door
open into the store so Nora could help tend the store. With the post office, the store, the gas pumps,
and G.A.'s varied occupations, they were "on call" all day and at odd hours during the night.
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The family consisted of G.A., Nora, and two children: Elmo and Della. In 1925, twin
daughters, Jean and Jessie, were born to Nora and G.A. Twins were a novelty in Freedom, and
everyone that came to the store had to see them. Exactly one month earlier the Keeler twins were
born in Freedom, so people were wondering what was happening.
Since the Newswanders lived on the Idaho side of town, the children attended the Idaho
school. G.A. served as a member of the Board of Education for the Idaho schools and was
instrumental in getting the schools on the Idaho side of the state line in Freedom consolidated with
the Wyoming schools. Then the children went to the Wyoming school which was much nearer their
home and not so isolated as the Idaho school house.
The store and house had the only electricity in Freedom at that time because of a generator
that G.A. installed. He also ran power lines to the old church house nearby and operated a movie
house, using batteries for emergencies. He relinquished this entertainment enterprise to someone else
after four or five years. The only telephone in Freedom for a long time was in the Newswander store.
G.A. and Nora operated the store business and the post office for eighteen years. G.A.
attained seniority among fourth class postmasters in Star Valley, and the Freedom post office had the
highest volume of business of any post office in the valley except Afton.
G.A. took part in community affairs in the Lower Valley. He was appointed a deputy game
warden in 1915 and served for three years without pay. He served as water commissioner for the
Lower Valley for seven years. He helped organize the Freedom State Bank in 1914 and became a
stockholder and director of the bank in 1922.
Early day banking in Star Valley was a struggle, and G.A. was called on several times for
special assessments to put up additional money to keep the bank from going under. Troubles came
when some cattlemen lost heavily when they shipped cattle to Nebraska and received only eighteen
dollars per head for them. When they could not pay off their loans to the bank, G.A. and others were
levied an assessment to keep the bank afloat.
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The Afton bank also got into trouble and was about to fail. A bank examiner from Cheyenne
came in to survey the situation and made the recommendation that the two banks merge and operate
in Afton. Freedom stockholders were not in favor of the merger and move, but accepted it. In
essence, it was the Freedom bank that saved the Afton bank. G.A. remained president. There were
many struggles for the banks, but through it all, it was the perseverance and doggedness of men like
G.A. who managed to keep things going during rough times. A note to add: not only did he assist the
bank in its financial troubles, but he also made personal loans to countless other people who had
difficulty in getting bank loans. These people were very grateful for his help in their time of need.
An event the family remembers vividly was the night Will Heap's store next door, less than
fifty feet away, burned down. It took a lot of effort by neighbors and friends, dousing the store and
home with buckets of water drawn from a pump, to keep them from burning down too. The furniture
and much of the merchandise was moved across the street as a precautionary measure. Fortunately,
the Newswander store was not damaged by the fire. But what a nightmare it was!
Operating the store and post office at Freedom through the years was a unique experience for
the entire family. Keeping the store open every day, sixteen hours a day, catering to the public at all
hours, the lack of privacy in having their home and store combined, affected their life style but they
adapted well. They were happy in Freedom. The children say it was the happiest times of their lives.
In 1937, G.A. sold the store and moved to Los Angeles, California. The family later moved back to
Star Valley, not really liking city life, and G.A. and Nora retired in Afton.
G.A. died at the age of ninety six in 1984, and Nora passed away in 1989, just two weeks
before her ninety seventh birthday. They had seventy three years of married life together. Their four
living children all have homes in Afton.
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370
KEN AND CAROL C OLSEN
By Carol Olsen
Ken and I went to Freedom in about 1940 to run a branch furniture store for my uncle, John
C. Mallory. The store was in the old Chadwick Store, and we lived in three rooms on the south side
of the building. We were paid $80.00 per month and since this was not quite enough to live on, Ken
took a job during the summer as a guard for the Forest Service up Greys River. I ran the store
during the day, and Ken laid carpet, linoleum and made deliveries in the evenings. The people in
Freedom supported us very well, and we made many good friends. We finally gave up the furniture
store after several years and bought a grocery and clothing store from Alvin Robinson. We then
moved next door to Keeler's store in some rooms next to the store. We did well in this business and
kept it for several years, then Uncle John wanted us to buy his furniture store in Afton. We were not
sure that we wanted to borrow so much money, but finally decided to sell our store in Freedom to
Ivan and Bernice Nelson.
While we were in the grocery store business, Ken caught some kids who were stealing 22
shells. He put the box on a high shelf and put a mouse trap in it; He laughed a lot about that. Every
week or so, he would get a l/2 load of frozen halibut. It was very popular in Freedom and the Lower
Valley, it got to the point where he had it all sold ahead of time and had to have a list of those who
got it regular. One man from Etna got mad at Ken and wouldn't speak to him for years because Ken
had put his name on a fish and someone else came in and talked the clerk out of it. Ken tried his best
to convince the man that it was a mistake, and he would make sure it would never happen again, but
he would not accept the apology.
When we went out of the furniture business, we had a few blank business checks left over.
Not thinking, we let the Chadwick children have them to play with. Doc Chadwick picked up a
fellow that he felt sorry for and brought him home for a meal and a bed. He took the checks and
wrote them out clear across the country, but the account had been closed so the people who cashed
the checks were the ones who lost out.
A lot of good things happened while we lived in Freedom, we made some wonderful friends
whom I still love. Ken always thought some of the best people in the world lived in Freedom, and I
agree.
Ken was M.I.A. President for the young men when Clara Robinson was M.I.A. President for
the young women.
We left Freedom in 1946.
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RULON V. & NORMA K. OSMOND
Rulon VanNoy Osmond, son of Rulon Osmond Sr. and Anges LaVerna VanNoy was born in
Thayne Wyoming---. Norma K. Osmond was born in Fairview, Wyo. To Alonzo Richard
Kennington (Lon ) and Susan Ida Dixon. This couple was married in the Logan L.D.S. Temple on
Sept. 29, 1937…At the time of their marriage Rulon was working for Fred Brog in the Upper Star
Valley Swiss Cheese Cooperative. During the 4 ½ years with the cheese factory they lived, first in
Fairview, then in Osmond (Dry Creek)…After 4 ½ years Rulong Terminated at the cheese factory
and was hired as the “Dairy Herd Improvement Association” supervisor where he and Norma built
the patron cow numbers to over 600 cows----; then at a later date, turned the “Milk Butterfat
Testing” over to High School Future Farmers program to be supervised by the Vocational
Agriculture Instructor. About this time the war broke out in Europe and the Osmonds did special
guard duty in Clearfield Naval Depot. Shortly after Rulon accepted a job as Associate Super--visor
with the “Farm Security Administration” later changed to Farmers Home Administration. – After
about two years Rulon was drafted into the Navy (WW2) leaving Norma to care for three small boys
namely, Rulon R. (Bob), A. Richard, and Vern J. (Vern born while Rulon was home on boot
leave)……
After the war Rulon returned to his job at the Farm Security Administration; it was at this
time that the R.V. Osmond family purchased the old Moser farm from John VanNoy----; the couple
had planned buying or renting a farm while Rulon was floating around the Pacific on-board ship.
The move was planned so as to teach their son’s how to really work and make decisions that could
help them in later life.
May 26, 1946—the Rulon & Norma family moved into their new home in the Freedom ward.
They were anxious
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COREY & BONNIE PANTUSO FAMILY
June 16, 2000
Corey Nick Pantuso was born on June 5, 1956 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Gildo & Leona
Pantuso, the second of 3 boys. He attended all of his school years there. Through the years he
worked as a painter, janitor and then as a Aerial Photographer, making topographical maps and
taking aerial photographs and performing aerial surveys. He has said that he spent many hours in
the back of an airplane looking through a camera and fighting off airsickness. He then decided to
continue his education by going to Utah Community College studying Electrionics & Computer
Engineering.
Bonnie Joyce Baker was born on September 14, 1959 in Price, Utah to Wayne & Mariam
Baker. The last of eight children. Living in Price until 9th grade and then moved to Freedom where
Wayne and Mariam Baker bought the Melvin Robinson homestead in Tincup. After finishing
school at Star Valley High School and then attending LDS Business College in Salt Lake, Corey
sweep me off my feet my 2nd year there.
Corey and I met the fall of 1978 while I lived in the basement of one of Corey’s friends
home. Corey had come to see his friend and Marian (his friends mother) couldn’t wait to introduce
us. She was a great one for blind dates! After that we had a lot of fun dating and going to hockey
games and then just spending time together. We were engaged on April 7th, 1979.
Even though Corey wasn’t through with college, his friend suggested he apply for a job at
IBM. Corey didn’t think that he had any chance but the same day that he was interviewed they
called him in to another interview. After passing this interview and a couple more, his employment
was contingent upon him completing company training in Chicago which was to last for 3 months.
This was in June of 1979.
Corey was able to come home once during his 3 month period and that’s when we had our
engagement pictures taken and only one negative turned out, which of course is the one that we
used. He returned two weeks before we were married in the Salt Lake Temple which was
September 28, 1979. We worked in Salt Lake for the first year. Corey, for IBM and I, for Mountain
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Bell. While in Salt Lake Dad asked us if we wanted to move to Star Valley and work at Freedom
Arms. In June of 1980 we moved into Mom and Dad’s trailer in Freedom where Melvin Robinson’s
house used to be and during our time there we had two daughters, Julie and Marie. Julie Ann
blessed our home on March 29, 1991 and Marie Lynne on January 25, 1983.
On May 9, 1984 we bought Bruce Hoopes’ home which is on the west side of the Rainey Hill
about 1 ¾ miles from the Tincup turnoff. We lived in our garage while we finished building our
house for 7 years, and during that time we were blessed with Stefanie Leona and Jake Corey.
Stefanie was born on October 30th, 1987. She was actually due on Halloween but gratefully she
came early! Jake came along on June 1, 1989 and he hasn’t stopped running since. The time came
for us to move into our house 7 weeks before we had our 4th daughter Trina Jill which was on April
7th, 1991. Rick Corey soon came to visit on August 26th, 1993 and Eric Allen came on May 1st,
1995. Our latest and hopefully final arrival is Boston Hunter came on September 20, 1997.
A coveted tradition that we continued doing after Grandpa Baker (Wayne) started years ago,
in the community of Freedom is the annual 24th of July candy drop. We have been involved in it one
way or another either flying or being the bombardier, spraying the Freedom community park with
hundreds of pounds of candy each year. The shelters are the most desired target as everyone love to
hear the candy raining down on the tin roofs, scaring the young and old, and bringing sugar sickness
delight to all the little ones both young and old. The event has grown each year drawing family and
friends from every where. Another tradition we started as a family is a fireworks display after dark.
We started the fireworks display for the first time in 1996. The whole family enjoys participating in
this annual event.
As you can see, our lives have been rich and fulfilling and there’s hardly been time to smell
the roses but we wouldn’t trade any of it! We love the joys of living in Star Valley snowmobling,
riding the 4-wheeler & jeep, biking, fishing, hunting, and camping when we get the time. We have
raised cows, turkeys, pigeons, a rabbit, dogs, and plenty of kids on our little Tincup ranch.
374
LEO CHRISTIAN AND BEULAH NEVA JENKINS PETERSEN
Leo was born in Blackfoot, ID on March 10, 1918, to John and Annie Petersen. Annie was a
Petersen before she married John Petersen. They moved to Tygee, ID when he was three years old and
later moved to Thayne in 1936. Leo served in WW ll from May 26, 1944 - January 8, 1946. He attained
the rank of Sergeant.
Beulah, a homemaker and seamstress, was born in Freedom, Wyoming on October 20, 1921, the
fourth of seven children born to Philip Eugene, born December 15, 1889 and Ida May Haderlie, born
May 9, 1892. Other children born to Philip and Ida were Ines Lucile, born February 1, 1914; Theras Ira,
born June 1, 1915; Rella May, born April 26, 1917; Carma Elda, born October 13, 1923; Keith "H",
born September 7, 1928; and La Vere "H", born October 28, 1930.
Philip Eugene Jenkins, 87 died May 8, 1977. Ida May Haderlie, 92, died January 14, 1985.
Both are buried in Freedom, WY.
Leo and Beulah were married September 23, 1940 in Rigby, Idaho. They were later sealed in
the Logan Temple, September 11, 1942.
Leo and Beulah lived in Freedom until 1961 when they moved to Granite, Utah. Nine children
were born to them.
1. Claine J, son, born August 25, 1941.
2. Leo J, son, born June 13, 1942. Died the same day.
3. Burnell J, son, born September 7, 1942.
4. Milton J, son, born October 8, 1946.
5. Barbara Ann, daughter, born Oct. 12, 1948. Died Dec. 10, 1948. 6. David J, son, born January 17,
1950.
7. J Danny, son, born July 7, 1952.
8. Gwenna Lee, daughter, born Nov. 18, 1957. Died May 28, 1958.
9. Jimmy J, son, born May 19, 1959.
All three of the deceased children are buried in Freedom. All nine children were born in Afton, WY
while we lived in Freedom. The five oldest all went to school in Freedom and Etna, and Claine and
Bernell graduated from High School in Afton, WY.
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CLYDE WILLIAM & VERNA LEORA LUTHI RAINEY
LeOra was born May 13, 1921, in Freedom. She was the second child and second daughter
born to Fred Luthi and Mary Zollinger. She also had two step brothers and a step sister because her
father had been previously married.
Because she grew up on a farm, LeOra was no stranger to hard work. There were always
chores to do, putting up the crops and milking and tending the cattle. Other chores included work
around the home. The milk cows were milked by hand, and LeOra had to help in the mornings and
then get to school. When she started High School, she also had to walk a mile after milking to catch
the bus for the twenty mile ride to Afton.
One of the highlights of the year for LeOra as a young child, was the family's annual trip to
Providence, Utah to visit the Zollingers. She and the other children were surprised to see the lights
which were shinning in Logan and the surrounding area. Electricity had not yet come to Star Valley.
The homes of the relatives had indoor plumbing, another sight that was not common at the time in
Star Valley.
The first school LeOra attended was located a block from home on the corner of the Tincup
road and the state line road. The school had two rooms and two teachers. She enjoyed school and
often wished that it would not end when summer came. When she began the seventh grade, Caribou
County Idaho and Lincoln County Wyoming consolidated schools, and students from both states
attended school just north of town on the Wyoming side of main street. The students did not get
along very well at first with the students from both states arguing about which students were
smarter, those from Wyoming or those from Idaho. At the time of consolidation, Idaho was
considered to have the better schools. After about a month of arguing between the students, the
teacher, Willard Bruce, decided it was time to stop the debate. He made it very clear that he would
not listen to any more of their arguments. It took some time for unity to develop between students
from the two states because a lot of them had associated very little with each other before.
LeOra attended Star Valley High School from 1934 until graduation in 1938. She especially
enjoyed classes in Chemistry and Math. Whenever there was a school activity such as a basketball
game, the student body would remain in Afton to watch. Many times a dance would follow.. The
school buses would remain at school until the activities were finished. Then the normal bus routes
would be followed, with lower valley students arriving home late at night.
Following graduation, she worked in Freedom at the general store owned by Alvin Robinson.
She continued working there after the store was purchased by Ken Olsen. The store was in town, a
mile from home, and LeOra walked both ways. The walk home after work was almost always in the
dark. She also worked for the Brog's creameries in Freedom and Thayne. She helped check the
incoming milk for quality. A young man who was sending a small amount of milk to the creamery
each day, by the name of Clyde Rainey, had his milk rejected by LeOra on several occasions.
After her marriage to Clyde Rainey in 1947, LeOra began her life's work as a wife and
mother. To the couple were born five children: Fred, Kelly, Clyde, Patrica and Don. LeOra
continually sacrificed her own interest for those of her family. They received her total attention. She
was the guiding influence in helping her children develop values of their own. She demonstrated a
faith, throughout her life, which has been a strength to all her family. When LeOra gave her word, it
could be counted on. She never wavered as to what was right and wrong.
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LeOra participated in many areas within the LDS church. She was a visiting teacher for most
of her adult life. She taught in the M.I.A., Sunday School and Primary. She served in Presidencies
in the Relief Society and M.I.A. She was always ready to serve when called.
She seemed to derive pleasure from the simple things in her life and could find good in any
situation. She enjoyed working outside, scratching in the soil, among the flowers and shrubs. The
appearance of her home and yard was always important to LeOra and she spent many hours making
sure they were neat and clean.
Traveling was an interest of LeOra's. She enjoyed the many small vacations she shared with
her family. She looked forward to spending winters in Arizona away form the cold and snow.
Written by Clyde Rainey Jr.
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377
DAVID WILLIAM & MARY MARIE OLSEN RAINEY
David William Rainey and his family moved to Freedom Ulet, Uinta, Idaho in about 1890
from Richmond, Cache, Utah.
David (Dee) William Rainey was born 6 Jan., 1858, at Provo, Utah, Utah. His parents were
David Pinkney Rainey and Dorothy Jane Dennis. His wife Mary Marie Olsen was born 26 Apr
1859 at South Weber, Weber, Utah. They were married in Richmond, Cache, Utah 21 Mar., 1880,
and sealed in the Endowment House at Salt Lake City, Utah 12 Jan., 1882.
There four children when they moved to Freedom - Florence May, Ivie Irene, Mary Claudine
(dec.) and David William Jr.. Ruby Marion, Christa Jane (died after they moved to Afton) were
born in Freedom. Ethel Lucile, Josephine and Ralph were born at Afton, Lincoln, Wy.
David had a brother, George Washington Rainey who moved to Freedom the same time.
David lived just north of the Verba Keeler Erickson home on the Idaho side of the road, and Osborn
Low lived across the road east of the Rainey family. George Washington lived south of Osborn
Low.
Grandma Rainey (Mary Marie) made butter and cheese from the milk cows the family
owned, and Grandpa freighted the extra butter and cheese, as it needed to be sold, to the
neighboring communities. He took salt to Montana and supplies to the Caribou gold mines.
Mother told about the time Grandpa talked Grandma out of some turkeys they had raised, he
packed the live turkeys in the pack saddles or panuers, and when he got to the gold mine they were
all smothered. Anywhere he freighted, he brought home supplies for the family that could not be
grown or purchased here.
My mother, Irene, told of a man coming to talk to Grandpa while the cows were being
milked. He asked her how old she was, and she told him 14 years old, then he asked her how many
cows she milked and she told him 14.
When they left Richmond to come to Freedom, Grandma had left pans of milk for the people
to use so that when they moved in the home that night, they would have milk.
When I go to Idaho Falls, I wonder about the Rainey road just north of the LDS church.
Then north of the Swan Valley store there is a small stream from the east named Rainey creek and I
wonder if Grandpa Rainey had anything to do with that. I have asked people in Swan Valley if they
knew where the name came from, but no one could tell me.
Grandma, Mary Marie, was the first Relief Society President when Freedom was made a
ward. Grandma died at Afton Wyoming of ruptured appendix. Christa Jane died of pneumonia at
age seven, and they are both buried in the Afton cemetery.
Grandpa was called as a high councilman when the Star Valley Stake was organized.
Grandpa married (2) Janet Hanson, (3) Margaret Burton Barlow, (4) Ruth Cornish Larsen. He died
at Lomita, California after a car accident in 1934.
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THOMAS AND PAULINE McNEEL RAINEY
Into this community on June 24, 1918, Thomas Rainey was born to Thomas Glen Rainey, Sr.
and Clara Heap. He was the fourth of nine children.
Thomas' s life was hard as a child and the family had a meager existence. The home was a
two room log house with a dirt roof, and it was located in Freedom, Bonneville County, Wyoming,
commonly known as Glen. The children slept on straw mattresses on the floor in one room and the
parents slept on a bed in the other room. Thomas worked hard on the family farm in the summer
helping his father, and in the winter they would get out logs. He worked many hours with his sisters
and brothers tending a large one acre garden, which provided food for the family. They also fished
and hunted wild game. Grandpa, William Heap, Jr., who owned a general store, would help the
family by bringing huge boxes of food and clothing.
Their food was simple, white gravy, potatoes, vegetables and rice. They had very little
illness in the family. The only medicine Thomas's mother used was castor oil, and the taste was so
bad that even if they were sick no one would say anything for fear of having to take some.
Thomas's father bought the family farm for $1500 for 160 acres and had a hard time paying
for it. When Thomas was about 14 his father built the family a larger home. He borrowed $2000
from the Kemmerer Bank and pledged the farm and cattle as collateral. After the house was built,
Thomas Sr. couldn't pay ; so the bank took him to court. Thomas's father hired a lawyer. The bank
finally settled by taking the cattle but they did not lose the farm. That winter they had two cows and
one calf to feed their family of eleven. They lived on potatoes and carrots, vegetables and wild
meat. Grandpa Heap helped get them through the winter.
Thomas's home was seven miles north of Freedom, and his parents would go to town once a
month, and the children about once a year. It was a real treat just to go even though they weren't
able to buy anything. He was fourteen before he went to Afton, Wyoming, which was only twenty
five miles away.
School was a little school house in Glen. It was about a mile away. Every day they would
walk to school and back. He attended this school until the eighth grade, then they went to Etna,
Wyoming to school. When Thomas was in the eleventh grade, they started running a bus to Afton to
take the children to high school. The bus was crowded and because Thomas and his brothers and
sisters lived on the Idaho side of Freedom, Wyoming, the school authorities decided not to let them
attend the Wyoming schools; so Thomas never did finish high school.
Thomas worked with his father on the farm and other jobs he could find. It was at the time
of the Great Depression and jobs were hard to find nor was the pay good. He hayed with his uncle
and rode a rake for ten hours and received fifty cents an hour.
While Thomas attended school in Etna he met his future wife, Pauline McNeel. Pauline was
born 30 August 1918 in Star Valley, Wyoming. She was the eighth of eleven children born to Emma
Rudd and William Lloyd McNeel.
In the spring of 1936 after school let out, Pauline went to Jackson, Wyoming and secured
work in a laundry. She was paid $1.00 a day. By July Thomas came over and got her and they were
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married. After a year and a half of living with his parents, Thomas and Pauline moved into a sheepcamp next to his parents' place. By this time their son, Reed, was born.
Wages at this time were extremely low. One of Thomas's friends milked thirty head of cows
and fed two hundred fifty head of cattle and for this he received fifty cents a day. One of Thomas's
jobs right after their marriage was to milk cows. They sent two ten-gallon cans of milk to the
creamery and would receive $6.00 for two weeks. Programs like the WPA and CCC helped provide
work for the men in the valley. Prior to this time, the roads in Star Valley were dirt, but with the
CCC program they began to gravel and oil some of the main roads. These projects meant a great
deal to the people. The wages weren't high, but it meant enough money to help them survive. The
CCC built the road up Snake River Canyon and graveled the roads in the valley. Thomas and his
father worked on these projects. They would work a week and then they would lay a man off and
put his neighbor to work for a week. Hardships forged a strong bond of trust and friendship among
the people. No homes were ever locked.
After being married about five years, Thomas got a job hauling milk. He would go all over
the lower valley picking up milk. He purchased an old Dodge pickup. Gas for the trip would cost
$1.25 and he paid $30 a month on the truck. After expenses he made seventy-five cents a day.
Another child, Jean, was born 12 February 1940. With a new baby and a small child of three
years old they moved into an old red school house. The winter was very cold. Water had to be
hauled from a quarter of a mile away and heated for washing, which was done on a laundry board.
Thomas purchased four acres of ground close to his parent's farm for $200, which seemed a
lot at the time. Thomas got out the logs for lumber and built his home with just a hammer and handsaw. He worked on the house all winter. in 1942 they moved into their new home. It had a wood
cook stove that kept the house warm ,and they lived in it for seven years without an indoor
bathroom. but it seemed like a palace to the family. The house had 1000 square feet of living space
and cost $2900. They now had a telephone and electricity, which Thomas had never had in his
parent's home.
Seventy more acres of ground came up for sale. The taxes on this property hadn't been paid
for seven years; so Thomas traveled to Idaho Falls where this ground was auctioned off on the steps
of the courthouse. He bought the seventy acres for $200 plus $3.00 to register the deed. Thomas
had sold 35 head of hogs weighing 240 lbs. for $235 and was thus able to acquire this land.
For entertainment Thomas and Pauline went square dancing three nights a week. Also
Thomas loved to fish. It would take a half hour to an hour to catch a gunny sack full of fish during
the summer, and on Sundays the whole family would get together for a fish fry. Thomas's greatest
love, however, was baseball, which was the big entertainment in Star Valley at that time.
Everything would stop on Saturday at noon to attend the baseball games. Every town had a team.
Summers were fun but winters were hard. Their third child, Clara, was born 6 January 1944.
It was extremely cold. The temperature stayed around forty below zero for ten days. Thomas was
taking care of the other two children while Pauline was in the hospital for ten days, the usual time
for mothers hospital-stay in those days. Thomas was milking ten cows by hand, and the children had
to stay in the dark because the electricity was off and Thomas had to take the Kerosene lanterns out
to the barn so he could see to milk the cows and do the chores. During those ten days no one could
get to Afton. There had been a slide in the Narrows that had isolated the lower valley from the
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upper valley. It took thirty men eight days to get the road opened, which seemed like an eternity to
Thomas taking care of the two children.
When World War II started Thomas was exempt from the draft, but his two brothers served
in the armed forces.
On 7 June 1948 their fourth and final child, Terrell Kent Rainey, was born. Life was good
and it looked like more profitable times were ahead. Even though the years had been hard and
people struggled financially, there were many joyous and happy times. In the spring of 1979
Thomas and Pauline sold their ranch and home to their sons, Reed and Kent, and moved to Etna,
Wyoming, where Thomas still resides. Pauline passed away 23 April 1996 and is buried in the
Freedom Cemetery.
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THOMAS GLEN RAINEY . . . CLARA LOUISE HEAP
Thomas Glen Rainey was born in Richmond, Utah on September 22, 1891 to George W.
Raniey and Emma Robinson. The family moved to Gentile Valley (now Grace, Idaho), shortly after
Tom was born and lived there until he was seven. In 1898 his parents moved the family to Star
Valley. During the move Tom and his brother Denzil helped drive one of the wagons and herd the
cattle along the trail. They settled in Freedom on property which now belongs to Harold Brower.
Later, they traded for a farm across the State line in Wyoming where Weldon Clark now lives.
Clara Louise Heap was born in Freedom on January 13, 1895 to William Heap Jr. and Hattie
Louise Heap. Clara had two sisters, Ethel and Florence. Her mother died when she was four years
old. Her father ran a mercantile business in Freedom.
Tom and Clara were married June 22, 1911. They first lived on Jacknife Creek where the
Art Spackman place is located. Tom hauled milk during this time. Three years later, they bought a
homestead from John Edwards on the Jacknife bench. They moved into a two room log cabin that
was located at the site. In this cabin most of their nine children were born. In order of birth the
children are; Hattie, LaPriel, Jenny, Thomas Jr., Clyde, Donna, Ruth, June and Roy. In addition
they raised their granddaughter, Maxine Hansen, after her mother Hattie died following childbirth in
1930.
Tom Clara had the usual hardships and rigors of ranching and raising a large family. The
sagebrush on the Jacknife bench was so tall at the time they settled there, that a man on horseback
could ride through it and not be seen. Tom allowed the grass to grow up in the sagebrush the first
summer. It reached a height of five feet. When the grass dried in the fall, he set fire to it. The fire
consumed the grass and sagebrush so that very little extra clearing was required before the ground
could be farmed the following year.
Additional property was purchased in future years. The Hokanson place was purchased to
the north and the Miller place to the east of the original homestead.
Tom was a big strong man. He was a hard worker and a good provider. Besides hauling
milk and farming, he trapped, had a trucking business, was an assistant Bonnevile County Assesor
for thirty years and was also a Deputy Sheriff of Bonnevile County for many years.
Clara was an excellent homemaker and cook. Her home was always a welcome place to
those who came to visit. Rarely, anyone left without being fed.
In later years, Tom and Clara bought a home in Idaho Falls and spent the winter time there.
During the last few years of their lives they would travel to Mesa, Arizona to enjoy the warm
climate through the winter months.
Tom Clara enjoyed outdoor activities and went on many camping and fishing trips with their
family. One of the camping trips consisted of riding horses up Snake River, before the road was
built, and camping at the elbow of the river. Tom would ride his horse out into the river and fish
from its back. He would use two flies attached to his line. Often, he would have two large trout on
at the same time. They also enjoyed picnics, cookouts, and fish fry’s with the relatives. They
enjoyed watching their sons play ball.
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Clara died in July, 1963 at Blackfoot, Idaho, after fifty-two years of marriage. Tom passed
away at his home in Freedom on May 26, 1965.
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THOMAS REED AND JOYCE MITTEN RAINEY
Thomas Reed was born 21 Dec., 1936, at the Star Valley Hospital, which at that time was above
the Bill Neuenschwander garage. Reed was small, weighing only 5 pounds and very blue. Our grandpa
Rainey called him a timothy stock and from that time on his nick name was Tim. As a little boy, Reed
was full of mischief. Mom often had to tie him to a tree because he would run away. He loved to wade
up and down the ditches after mom had cleaned him up. Reed had a big yellow dog, and wherever Reed
went the dog was right by his side. One day they lost him for several hours. They found him in the
school section, and all they could see was a big yellow dog bounding through the woods, and a blondie
running behind. Mom said he was always like Patt's flee, here-there-and everywhere.
Tim attended Freedom for 8 years, never missing a day up through his 7th grade. Reed was an
excellent student. Reed attended Star Valley High School for 4 years and Utah State for a short time.
Reed was an outstanding athlete and has enjoyed sports all his life. In high school, he was chosen as an
All-Stater three years in a row. He always had a basketball tucked under his arm. He would coax his
sister, Jean, to play ball with him every night. Jean said he would say, "Just one more shot then we'll
go home."
When Reed was a Jr. in high school, he began work on the Palisades Dam and worked there
until they completed it. After high school Reed moved to Cougar, Washington where he got
employment with another Dam project. He met Mary Chalburg, and they were married 6 Feb., 1958.
To this union three children were born: Tom, Tim and Terry. Reed and Mary moved to Idaho Falls
shortly after Tom was born. They moved to Etna for a short while, but Idaho Falls was where they
settled. Reed and Mary divorced in 1967. A year later, on 5 July, 1968, Reed married Joyce Mitten
Fairness and to this union, Joe was born. Joyce had a son from a previous marriage, Scott Fairness.
Reed had 8 grandchildren and loved them very much. The little girls said, "Grandpa won't take
us swimming any more." T.J., Tom's oldest boy made the statement, "Grandpa was going to take me to
work Thursday night, now he can't." He died on T.J.'s birthday. Reed was a worker and taught his boys
how to work. He was very neat and tidy.
Joyce said that he enjoyed the winter because he could relax a little bit. He loved to ice fish with
his family. He loved any type of sport.
Reed was faithful to his mom and dad and never missed a day of stopping in to see them. He
liked to pick his dad up and go to the coffee shop, or to the ranch or fishing--whatever they needed to do.
He always wanted to know Dad's thoughts about matters. Dad said, "he was my best pal."
Reed was a person of his word and expected other people to be. He was a very fine husband,
father, son, brother and friend. Tom, his son, and Kent, our brother, both made the comment, "he was
my very best friend."
Joyce said, "Reed loved his family." He looked forward to them coming home and loved family
reunions. Reed supported his boys to the fullest and loved following them in their sports.
Reed and Joyce lived in Freedom most of their married life. They bought the family ranch in
1978. They have worked hard to help their boys in all they did.
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Reed worked at Dravo in Soda Springs for 12 years. He really enjoyed his co-workers and they
liked to play pranks on one another at the job. Reed died Sunday, 23 Aug., 1987.
Written by his sister.
pictures
Reed and Joyce Rainey
Tim - Terry - Tom - Scott
Reed - Terry - Scott -
Tom
Joyce & Joe
Tim & Joe
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BURTIS & TERESA ROBERTS
When we first came to the valley I knew I wanted to live in Freedom. Courtney, my baby
girl, was six months old. Trevor David was 2 ½ . We lived in the Darrell Haderlie home on the
Idaho side of the street. Later we moved north of there on the Wyoming side into what is now Doug
Woody’s home. Fletcher Dane was born in Jackson while we lived there. A little later we built and
moved into our home of almost 20 years. It is located south of Freedom on the back road to Thayne
close to Deer Creek. We bought our ground from Farrell Jenkins when everyone else wouldn’t sell.
A fact which has always endeared him to me.
Burt & I met at B.Y.U. and lived a short while in California and Utah before coming to Star
Valley. My main objection was the absence of a swimming program in the high school. I did a lot
of swimming in high school and college and wanted my kids to enjoy swimming also. The high
school still doesn’t have a swimming program, but my children have all played other sports and
enjoyed the association of their friends.
Burt worked for Silver Star Phone Company for the first few years we were here. Later, he
joined the Lincoln County crew & pushes snow. He runs a few large pieces of equipment of his own
and calls it “Deer Creek Construction”. I finished my education by transferring from B.Y.U. to
U.S.U. and attending summer sessions between babies. Now I teach school in Wayan, Idaho in a
one room school called Grays Lake Elementary with grades varying from K to 6th. Our numbers are
decreasing and we may have to close our doors to this small rural school but til then I’m enjoying
this unique experience.
At the present time our oldest, Trevor David, just announced wedding plans for November,
1995 in the SLC Temple to Shelli Stringham of S.L.C. Trevor will be graduating from B.Y.U. in
April in a pre-med program for physical therapy. Courtney recently graduated from U.S.U. in
political science and is doing an internship for Senator Alan Simpson in Washington, D.C.. She
completed a mission to the Netherlands this past year. Trevor served his mission in Louisiana.
Fletcher Dane is presently serving in Anchorage, Alaska and loving it. Alison Ann is our baby. At
16 she is still attending S.V.H.S. with no swimming pool but playing a mean game of volleyball and
basketball for them.
As for Burt and I, we are getting older I suppose but hopefully wiser in our old age.
Priorities have a way of changing. Our family is just beginning to grow and we are thankful to our
Heavenly Father for our good health and all that we enjoy.
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LEWIS D & BETTY L CHARLESWORTH ROBERTS
We bought our land from Dellas and Erma Heap 2 Sept., 1982, to build our home in
Freedom. It was such a beautiful place, you could see forever and such a wonderful view.
We started digging and pouring the foundation on Sept. 15. We worked on it all winter and
summer. Lewis planted the lawn before we ever moved in, which was 10 Sept., 1983. We had grass
but no windows. On the 24 Sept., we finally got them and put them in. We had sold our trailer
house in Etna so we had to move.
Louis was a Farmers Insurance agent in Afton for 10 years. We met many new friends and
renewed friendships again with old friends. I was his secretary.
I also had church jobs which were: Primary secretary and teacher, visiting teacher,
compassionate service leader and stake secretary for the Relief Society. I also liked to sing with the
choir.
On Oct. 23, 1988, Louis was killed in a gun accident in our home. I had my mother, Eva
Charlesworth with me for 3 years. She passed away 21 Oct., 1992, after breaking her hip. She loved
the valley and the Freedom ward. She had lived in Etna for 11 years before moving to Goshon,
Idaho.
My parents were John (Jack) and Eva Charlesworth. I have 2 sisters and 1 brother. Dorothy
& Howard Madsen, Warren & Virginia Charlesworth, Colleen & Gene Drake.
Louis’ parents were Sylvester & Vera Hawkins Roberts. Louis had two brothers, Merrill &
Karen and Bob & Martha.
Louis and I had 3 children, Steven L & Laurel (2 boys), Sheree L & Leon Roska (1 boy 1
girl) and Scott C & Ginger Roberts (a son)
I am so glad I had my family for without them life sure would be lonesome. Families are
forever. I love my friends and the Freedom ward, so if they will have me, I think I'll stay!
picture
Louis & Betty
picture
Our home in Freedom
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HISTORY OF ALVIN ROBINSON
Alvin Robinson was born October 19, 1887 to John Robinson and Annie Louise Christensen
at Richmond, Utah. His mother was the second wife of John Robinson. She died when he was four
years old.
He lived in Richmond until he was sixteen and then moved to Freedom, Wyo. With his
father and step-mother Hilda Erickson and his sister Hazel.
He had started his schooling in Richmond and finished in and old log school house in
Freedom. He went to the U.S.A.C. College in Logan, Utah one year.
When he was 21 years old he fulfilled a mission in Lancaster, England. He was gone for 27
months.
On the 8th of September, 1910 Alvin married Olive Hanson in the Logan Utah Temple.
Olive was born August 20, 1892 to Gustaf Emil Hanson and Martha Heap Hanson.
They lived in Freedom and to this union was born four children; Valois, Vera, Theo and
Keith. They had many hardships loosing their home and all the belongings in a fire when the
children were small.
On January 14, 1927 at the age of 36, Olive died with pneumonia and childbirth leaving a
young family. Keith was just four years old.
April 12, 1928, Alvin married Thetta Ann Sanderson in Soda Springs, Idaho. To this union
was born five children; Ione, Verna, Blake, and Etta Ann.
Alvin and Olive are buried in the Freedom Cemetery.
Mission Picture
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Alvin
Valois
Olive
Alvin Robinson’s Home
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BRENT G. & ILTA ROBINSON
Brent was born in Glen, Idaho side in Bonneville county 18 September 1915, the third child
of Guy and Ida Luthi Robinson.
He spent his early life with his mother, sister and two brothers at his Grandfather Luthi’s as
Brent’s father died when he was four, leaving his mother and the four little ones.
He went his grade school years in Freedom and attended high school at the Star Valley High
School in Afton.
He said he went to school for sports. It was what he enjoyed the most.
Brent and his brother Roy farmed together on the ranch in Glen. It is five miles from town.
Ilta was born 16 February, 1921 at Afton, Lincoln County, Wyoming to Gilbert and Malinda
Allred. She attended eleven years of school in Afton and attended one year in Idaho Falls.
Brent and Ilta were married in the Salt Lake Temple 27 June, 1941. The second world war
was declared the next December 7, 1941.
Brents brother Elmo served in the armed forces. Iltas brother, Calvert was killed during the
war.
They had three children while living in Freedom. Brenda, Linda and Kyle.
Brent served as counselor in the Sunday School Presidency with Clarence
“Doc” Chadwick. He filled a Stake Mission.
Ilta served as 1st counselor under Aunt Carol Luthi, Aunt Eliza Robinson. She was President
of the Young Women’s organization, taught Primary one year and Sunday School.
She worked at Ivan Nelson Store. Roy Keeler Store and at the Star Valley Cheese Factory.
Brent worked for the Forest Service for a few years, and also worked on the Palisade Dam.
They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1991 with their family. The family
enjoyed being together.
They are retired and still live in Lancaster. They came back to their Star Valley “Roots” a
couple of times a year.
Brent bought his mother’s house. They enjoy their family. Brenda lives in Rosamond,
California, Linda is in Hemet California and Kyle is in Mesa, Arizona.
We have 6 grandchildren (lost one grandson). We have 3 great grandchildren.
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MEMORIES OF UNCLE CARL AND MINNIE ROBINSON
Written by Leone Robinson Jan. 1986
It wasn't until after I graduated from the 8th grade that I started to be in their home, helping
Aunt Minnie with housework, ironing and minding Max. It was fun. She paid me 50 cents a day as
well as giving me something to take home to mother or the family. She was a good housekeeper and
manager besides being a super cook, as she had a knack for bring out flavor in foods. Aunt Minnie
had a dry wit. She could think of something funny about everything, a bit caustic and cutting at
times, but true. She was a very neat and orderly person with herself and her house.
Her sister, Ida, was a widow with 4 children. Ida helped Aunt Minnie a lot like staying at the
ranch when they would go to conference in SLC or on vacation.
Aunt Minnie wanted her family to be educated, and she always had a lot of good books
including a set of several volumes of Law books. She was always reminding Carl if he had a minute
he should study. Uncle Carl was very patient. Minnie was determined that he must have goals as he
was a young bishop of a big ward, both in area and membership. He hired a man to help him with
the cows and the ranch work most of the time. Winters were hard on man and beast. To get to a
stack they had to break a road by taking the team and an empty sleigh to the stack and back a few
times. If the loaded sleigh got off the path it would tip over. Sometimes there were 3 to 4 feet of
frozen snow and ice that had to be knocked off the stacks to get to the hay.
Uncle Carl would put on his big horsehide overcoat, cap and chaps and get on his favorite
horse to go to his meetings three miles away. This he did to visit the sick, the dying or dead and
return very late into the night and sometimes morning.
After they bought the store in town, and Dad bought a ranch a half mile south of town I
helped them more. I loved to be able to go to everything that happened at church and in the
amusement hall. Those were happy days, I was of dating age, and I did enjoy it. Aunt Minnie, in
her sweet, cunning way, would encourage me to "shine up" to Melvin, her nephew, who lived about
half mile away. I did not need encouragement as he was the most handsome, best athlete and most
sought after young man around, also the most evasive. On nights when I had a date with him, Aunt
Minnie would fix a "sparking parlor" as she called it, around the heating stove in the store where we
could come home and get warm, sit and talk and "spark".
Living quarters were built onto the store. There were two bedrooms, a kitchen, living, dining
room in one and a back entrance where the Maytag washer was kept. In winter, the washer was
moved into the kitchen once a week to do the laundry.
We had no indoor plumbing and the outhouse behind the store served the public too. When
people who lived a long way away, would drop by Aunt Minnie would ask them in to have
something to eat, and she would say, "add a quart of water to the soup."
The store had very little fresh produce as there was no refrigeration. Sometimes in the
winter, Uncle Carl would get a box or two of lettuce and some of that would be frozen by the time it
was freighted by team and sleigh from Montpelier. We had canned tomatoes, peas, corn, beans and
pork and beans, and they were not the good flavor they are now, but we enjoyed them. There was
one kind of soda crackers, no store bought bread or milk, just canned milk. You went to Mrs.
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Newswander for bread, as she made and sold it every day. Newswanders made Ice Cream when
there was a dance or celebration. He also had a soda fountain but no ice.
The big items in the store were flour, sugar, lard in a bucket, soap and lye to make soap,
dried fruits; apples, apricots, peaches, prunes and raisins. These you could buy in 20# boxes or by
the pound. Candy was mostly hardtack, horehound, peppermints and fondant chocolates. Once in a
while Uncle Carl would get some real good chocolates and stuffed dates, they were expensive but
would sell fast. Melvin would get stuffed dates for our treat and I didn't care for them, but I ate them
anyway. They made my mouth sore.
They carried cloth by the bolts. Flannel for diapers was a fast seller, also batiste for baby
dresses (boys and girls wore dresses), percale and gingham were fast sellers too. They sold silk and
cotton stockings for women and cotton and wool socks for men. They had a good assortment of
dishes and pots and pans. Aunt Minnie would do the ordering, and Uncle Carl would be cautioning
her to not get "carried away". They did not carry many shoes or hats but did sell overalls, jumpers
and gloves. There was also a fair supply of hardware, horseshoes and nails, rope etc.
They moved to Afton, and Uncle Carl was made cashier of the Star Valley State Bank when
the bank from Freedom merged with the one in Afton. Now I could see the reason for studying law
and the benefits of it.
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DOWAIN ROBINSON
Things I remember of my mother Rose (Rosa), She was the third child of grandfather and
grandmother Luthi’s family. She was born the 20th of August 1884 in Landiswil Bern, Switzerland.
She was 3 ½ years old when they joined the church and came to America. My first memories of
mother was: The sweet, kind, lovable person she was and the love she gave to us as her family and
all who associated with her.
What an inspiration she was in our lives, teaching by word and by example, radiated form
her. She was a special mother. I have wished so many times in my life she could have been with us
a greater length of time, as I am sure I would have been better qualified to meet the callings and the
challenges I have faced in my life.
These happenings may not be in order of time but are things that happened as I remember
them.
I was the second oldest in our family, Melvin my older brother was bigger and stronger so
he was more help to our dad, there fore, I was blessed to help mother I the home. I remember I was
given the assignment of washing dishes. A large dish pan was placed on the back end at the front of
the stove with hot water in it, and dishes placed in the hot water, with some shavings of home made
soap. I stood on a chair and washed dishes and placed them in another pan, and mother would scald
them with hot water. I still love to do dishes in hot soapy water.
I remember I was to keep the reservoir on the end of the stove filled with water and on wash
days the reservoir was full and the copper boiler must be kept full also. I had to keep the wood
basket full of good dry wood. It seemed there was no end to all the wood that stove could burn. As I
remember, she washed her clothes for some time on the wash board. We then had a washing
machine with a sick handle in the middle of it, by pushing this handle over and back the dolly would
turn. I was not strong enough or big enough to turn it. I tried many times to no luck. Dad had one of
the hired men turn the washer, I think he disliked the job. Wherever I went the rest of my life, I
helped do the washing.
A job for this small fry was bringing in water from the well ( which had a pulley with a rope
tied to it), you would lower the bucket into the well and it would fill up with water and then you
would pull it up, I would usually spill plenty on me so I always got a good washing on washing day.
We then had a pump, the pump set in the middle of a frame we built, which was about 3 feet square.
Moving the handle on the pump up and down would pump the water out of the spout, which was
much easier than pulling it up on the pulley. I remember the pump platform quite well.
On Saturday, mother would have me get all of our Sunday shoes out to shine them. We put
them on the pump platform. She would get me a bottle of black shoe polish with a dobber in it, and I
would paint all of the shoes for Sunday morning, they were about 6 inches tall with buttons on the
side and we would button them with a button hook. I probably got about as much polish on my self
as on my shoes and it was difficult to get it off.
One thing I remember real well, mother loved flowers. She always raised beautiful
geraniums. In the spring of the year we would go across the creek, east of the house and get some
soil from under the willow bushes. She would have me go to the corral and set some fresh fertilizer,
mix it with water and pour it around the plants that had been planted in the pots. These geraniums
would grow like you would not believe. In the winter time on warm sunny days she would keep
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them in the windows, at night she would place them on the round oak table and place paper and
towels and other coverings around them, then we would put green wood into the stove ( which
would last until about morning) to keep the plants warm. Her geraniums were the envy of many of
her friends. I was always glad when summer came and we did not have to spend so much time with
the plants. In the fall on the east side of the home, from the kitchen to the south end of the house,
she would help us clean a spot of ground about 3 feet wide and put clean straw on it. She threatened
anyone that stepped on that piece of property. In the spring there would be these red roots (we call
them weeds), come up thick and when they got about 2 to 4 inches tall mother would clip them off
and cook them for our dinner, and what a delicious thing that was. We never had any greens in the
winter time in those days, lettuce, celery and etc was impossible to keep and not available. We
could not get any of those items until along in June to the first of July when the garden produced
them. We grew lettuce, carrots, peas, turnips and things of that nature. The next thing was
dandelion greens they were not very prolific in those days, like they are today, but we would have a
few of them and they made good greens.
I remember the big tall bull thistles, we boys would go out and cut them off with a long
handled butcher knife and then hold them with a pair of pinchers and clean them, they would taste
quite a bit like celery. Mother always raised a good garden. We three boys did a lot of the weeding
and caring of the garden, under her direction. We had to bring the water down half a mile or more to
water the garden. Dad always had the men clean the ditch and see that the water was there once a
week. About ½ block from the we had a small building built over the creek with water troughs in it,
water ran through it continuously and it was always quite cold, we would place the milk and other
items in buckets and bottles and set them in these troughs where the water run by them all day long,
that was our cooler. Whenever we needed anything it was ½ block down to the creek and ½ block
back to get things for the table. Nowadays we have quite a time going out on the porch and getting
things on a cold day. The bath room was down about 200 feet from the house. In the winter time
when you had to make the trip, especially when the snow was up to about your hip pockets, you put
it off as long as you could, until morning if possible.
On Saturday it was my pleasure to help mother with the cooking. I got to lick the frosting
and cake pans and Sweed was always good help on that, in fact he enjoyed that part very much,
other than that, he seemed to be in the way. Mother always made dozens of loaves of bread, many
pies and cakes and many times she would make suet pudding in a flour sack. The pantry was, as I
remember it, about 4 feet wide and maybe 10 to 12 feet long. It had shelves in it for food, and the
reason for all of this food was not only for ourselves, but usually, Jim and Bill and Tom and Hilda
and Sybil and sometimes Reynold and Leonard would come down on Sunday afternoon as their
mother had passed away and they knew mother was a good cook and would be sure to have some
goodies for them, and we enjoyed playing with them. She always helped us milk the cows in the
summer time when we milked out in the corral, she would never milk in the barn or help us in the
barn.
We had two herds of sheep. In the summer we had one herd up on grays river and one up on
the black mountain. So dad was always quite busy. A lot of the time he was away moving camp and
helping the herders, packing food and salt for the sheep. It was hard to keep the coyotes out of the
sheep. We also had about 250 head of range right for cattle, and we milked about 60 head of cows.
We had about 10 to 12 nurse cows so we let the calves in twice a day to nurse. Many times we
would have many chores to do, we always had many teams of horses and plenty of saddle horses.
Mother always insisted that we have milk cows as she was a real manager as I look back now. It
was a monthly income, you did not have to borrow from the bank for daily expenses. Dad hated
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cows with a passion. He had made a lot of money buying and selling cattle, He owned horses most
of his life but it finally caught up with him one time. Melvin would often go with dad to take the
pack horses and care for the sheep and cattle. I stayed home, took care of the dishes and got the cows
in from the pasture with Swedes help. We always had good men work for us, Denzil Rainey,
Charles Luthi and many others, Roy Keller, later on, one of the finest men we ever had, Jack Horner.
He was a good worker, but he was a mean little cuss. One night Melvin was teasing him about his
name, I’m not sure what his real name was. He picked up a milk stool and threw it at Mel. Just
missed his head, just grazed him. Dad happened to see it, walked into the house, got his check book,
wrote him out a check and told him to get off the place and never show his face on it again. This
was about dark at night, mother didn’t feel that dad should send him away that night without his
supper. She always had compassion for everyone.
I also remember when Helen was born. Grandfather Luthi came down in his single seated
buggy with that beautiful brown driving team, said he was going to take that pretty little black head
home with him. Of course I was upset as I thought he probably would do it, but he didn’t.
We were threshing grain, and bishop Braken was helping, I remember them giving Helen
her name, he and father. mother always took us to church, in the sleigh in the winter and in the
white topped buggy in the spring and summer. Mother was good with the team and we always had
good horses and when you started them out you were well on your way to church.
She died October 30 1916.
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ELMO AND NOLA ROBINSON
Elmo and Nola Robinson have lived in Freedom since 1954. Their first home was in Kellers
cabins behind Keelers store. They later built a home on the Wyoming side about a block and a half
from town. In 1994, Nola still lives there.
Elmo hauled milk for several years to Star Valley Swiss cheese plant. He also worked in
Afton as a mechanic in the afternoons. He later worked for Don Wood Tractor as a parts man and
worked their until January, 1992. Nola worked for Star Valley Swiss Cheese plant most of her
married life. She managed the cafe or front end as we called it. She worked until 1989.
They have five children. Kedrick W. born in 1950. He has an MBA from the University of
Wyoming. He married Jeanne Poema. They have two children, Briauna and Keegan. He works for
Coast to Coast Resorts. He lives in Litteton, Colorado.
Maury Guy was born in 1952. He has a BS from the University of Utah. He went on a
mission to Florida. He married Janene Jordan. They have three boys, Jordan, Guy and Vincent. He
works for the Quaker Oats Company and they live in Mantica, California.
Stacy Elmo was born in 1955. He went on a mission to Germany. He got his education at
B.Y.U. and University of Pacific in San Francisco, California. He married La Rae Eatough. They
have two children, Cory and Kelci. He is a Dentist in the Air Force and at the present is stationed at
Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho. He spent three years in Germany with the air force.
Kami was born in 1960. She has a twin brother Karl. She got her RN at Rick. She got her
BS and Masters from B.Y.U. She graduated Valedictorian with both her BS and MS. degrees. She
married Layne Peterson. They have three children, Katie, Tyce and Laramie. She is a supervising
nurse for Salt Lake City. They live in Riverton, Utah.
Karl was born in 1960. He has a twin sister Kami. He got his education at the University of
Wyoming and University of Nebraska. He has a dental practice in Kemmerer, Wyoming. He was a
dentist in the army for three years. They lived in Alaska during that time. He went on a mission to
Costa Rica. He married Julie Lashwood and they have four boys, Zachary, Lucas, Blake and Erick.
Nola served on the Star Valley Hospital Board for several years. The new hospital was built
at this time. A blessing for all of the valley.
The church as been important in our lives. Elmo was a clerk in the Afton Thayne Stakes and
Ward Bishoprics for over 29 years. Nola has been in the Presidency of Primary, Young Women’s
and Relief Society. She was a relief society teacher for almost 30 years.
We have especially enjoyed living in Freedom. Participating with our kids and watching
them in school and ward activities. Great ball players, school officers and the usual good things.
We pray for Health and wealth for our children, grand-children and for all you Freedom people.
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FREDRICK DEWEY ROBINSON and THELMA JANE GILLIES
Out of the six children born to William Paxton Robinson and Emily Olive Whittle, one
remained on the ranch with his mother after the death of his father, Winn. The one being Fredrick
Dewey, known throughout his life as Dewey to his friends and family. He was born July 14, 1898,
the fifth child in the family.
Dewey had a happy childhood in Freedom. He was particularly close to his sisters, Lou and
Mary, since there wasn’t that many years separating their ages. They found great joy in playing with
one another or playing with their simple homemade toys. Entertainment in those early years was
“homemade.” Visiting relatives, going to church socials, and attending school programs provided
the basis for their outings.
At the age of seventeen Dewey decided his country needed his services and joined the navy
to help fight in World War I. Two months later after receiving his basic training, the war came to an
end and the small town boy left the big port of Seattle, Washington to return home to Freedom and
his family.
Thelma Jane Gillies had come to Freedom to teach school at the age of nineteen. She was a
new face in town Dewey decided to ask her for a date. Knowing that he had been a navy man,
Thelma though him to be unreliable, she was quite surprised when he showed up for the date. After
a few more dates their romance blossomed and Dewey and Thelma married June 3, 1920, in Idaho
Falls. Their marriage was solemnized in the Logan Temple in 1927.
Thelma Jane Gillies was born April 7, 1897 in Beaver City, Utah, to George Burton Gillies
and Hannah Elizebth Black. When Thelma was eight years old her mother died and she went to live
with her Aunt Jean. Aunt Jean and her brother, Ward, were able to provide her with education.
Thelma had heard that teachers were needed in the Star Valley area and with a teachers
certificate in hand, she left Utah for Wyoming to a new job and a new life. She found teaching quite
an experience, sometimes frustrating and often amusing.
After Dewey’s and Thelma’s marriage they settled down to ranch life living in the home of
Winn and Emliy. Two children were born to them, a son, Guy, and a daughter, Joyce.
After his father’s death in 1931, Dewey ran the ranch in Freedom. Like his father, Dewey
was a hard worker, a man of honesty and integrity, a good provider for his family, helpful to his
neighbors, compassionate to those less fortunate then he, reliable, and a stickler for staying out of
debt. Men liked to work for him because they knew they would be treated fairly and paid good
wages for a full day’s work.
Thelma was a generous, kind, loving woman. She worked long hard hours at Dewey’s side if
necessary, or prepared large tasty meals for the many hired men who came to help harvest the crops,
in addition to all the usual household chores that required a woman’s touch. Even though she had no
training as a nurse, people looked for her help in any kind of a health crisis. Her kind, gentle,
manner made them feel at ease. For years she worked in Relief Society rendering compassionate
service to those in need. When Emily Olive had her many falls and broken bones, Thelma took care
of her and never once complained of the added hardship.
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Dewey and Thelma developed a love for Freedom and it’s people. They had great times
participating in the community plays, attending church socials, and going to programs at school.
Country living, cattle, and ranching were their way of life.
During World War II, their son ,Guy, and Art McWherter, who had come to work and live
with the family and was considered to be a family member, left to go to the armed services. Dewey
felt that he could no longer manage the ranch by himself, so he sold it to the John Haderlie family
and moved Thelma and the children to Idaho Falls. After three years they moved to Great Falls,
Montana, where Dewey became part owner of a stockyard business. From there they moved to
Pocatello, Idaho, where they lived for twenty years. Later, they moved back to Idaho Falls where
they had been married fifty years earlier. It was there that Thelma became ill and died June 17,
1973.
After her death Dewey continued to live and work in Idaho Falls for two years. He then went
to live in Louisiana with his daughter Joyce, and her family. Louisiana just wasn’t home to him for
his heart belonged to the west with his mountains, clear creeks, and herds of cattle. He became ill
with cancer and fought a long hard fight against the ravages of the disease. He died August 11, 1982.
Both he and Thelma are buried in the Freedom, Wyoming Cemetery which overlooks the valley they
lived in for so long and loved so much.
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GUY ROBINSON and IDA LUTHI ROBINSON
Guy Robinson was born 27 August, 1889 in Freedom, Wyoming to William Paxton
Robinson and Emily Olive Whittle. He helped his father on the family farm until he was married.
He married Ida Luthi 14 July, 1906 in the Logan Temple. To this union were born four children,
Mildred, LeRoy, Brent, and Elmo. They lived on their farm in Lower Freedom called Glen. Guy
became ill with the influenza during the 1919 epidemic and died 24, January, 1920, leaving Ida to
raise four small children alone. He was buried in the Freedom Cemetery.
Ida Luthi Robinson was born Oct. 17, 1890 at Providence, Utah, to John Luthi Sr. and Rosina
Switzer, immigrants from Switzerland. There were ten children to this family. They settled in
Providence Utah then in Bedford, Wyoming, where Ida attended school. They later moved to
Freedom, Wyoming.
Her mother died when she was a young woman. When Guy died she moved with her four
children into her fathers home until the children were older, then she moved to town in a small home
of her own. She had several serious illnesses in her life and was promised by Elders of the church
that her health would be restored. She served as Counselors in the Primary and Relief Society and
was a teacher in the Sunday School for about 30 years. She taught the Seagull girls in Primary and
was a visiting teacher. She also worked in the temple as much as possible.
She had a beautiful yard with many lovely flowers and she raised a garden each year as long
as her health permitted.
Ida died on 14, Sept, 1972 at the Nursing Home in Soda Springs, Caribou, Idaho. She was
buried with her husband, Guy in the Freedom Cemetery.
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HORACE LeROY ROBINSON AND LEDA ANN JENKINS
Roy was born February 5, 1915, at the home of his Uncle Fred Luthi to Guy Robinson and
Ida Luthi Robinson. He is the second child of four. He has two brothers and one sister, Brent,
Elmo, and sister Mildred Robinson McWherter.
His father died when he was five years old. He had the influenza of 1919 and had a set-back
and there wasn’t enough help to help treat everyone. Many people died at this time. His mother and
her four little children went to live with their Grandfather Luthi, who had lost his wife. Grandfather
wanted to help his daughter, Ida, take care of her little family.
When Roy was young he worked for his Uncle Dewey Robinson. When he and his brother,
Brent, were 12 and 14 years of age they drove cattle on horseback for their Uncle Dewey to be sold
in Idaho Falls. It took 3 days to go down and 2 days to come back. Roy also drove cattle to Soda
Springs. Later he worked on the forest until he was married. He was lived in Freedom all his life.
Leda was born to Wilford and Mable Jenkins, May 21, 1919. She is the third child of six.
She was born in Afton, Wyo. With Dr. West attending.
Leda has 3 brothers and 3 sisters. She never knew her oldest brother as he drowned at the
age of two. Aceil was the second child and Leda the third. Her sister, Donna, was sick much of her
life and died at the age of 12. Then she had a brother Ruel (Chris) and a sister, Geraldine.
Although Leda and Roy both lived in Freedom, Roy lived in Idaho and Leda in Wyoming so
they didn’t know each other very well until they started going to dances and M.I.A. socials. They
fell in love and were married in the Logan Temple on June 13, 1938.
When they were married Roy quit working for the Forest Service and rented his Uncle
Reynold Robinson’s farm. After their first year of marriage their son, Perry was born. He was very
special to the family as he was the first child, first grandchild for both the Robinson and Jenkins
families, and also for a first great-grandchild for the Robinsons.
They had some unfortunate experiences renting the farm so Roy went back to working for
the Forest Service. After his Uncle Henry died, Aunt Jean Luthi wanted Roy to rent her place which
he did for a year. Then Roy and his brothers rented the Barber place which was owned by Walt
Barber. It consisted of 320 acres. They also ran their Mother’ farm which was located in the lower
end of Freedom known as Glen, Idaho.
They did all their farming by horses which was a good team. Roy always loved a good team
of horses and he took pride in taking care of them. After a year or two they were able to buy a Ford
tractor and a tractor crawler which made the farming a lot better.
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While they were renting the farm Elmo and Brent both married, Brent to Ilta Allred and
Elmo to Nola Smith. The boys always worked together and their families were always together for
work and play which made them a very close family. Then Brent moved to California and Elmo to
Afton.
Roy gave up the Barber place and brought Leda’s dad’s farm and 30 acres form Doc
Chadwick. Roy also hauled milk, first with wagon or sleigh with horses, then later he bought a truck
when they moved the creamery to Thayne, Wyo. Leda worked at the Star Valley Swiss Cheese plant
as Lab Tech.
They bought the Luther Haderlie place in 1968 and have dearly love it. It is known as one of
the best places in Star Valley.
They were blessed with four children: Perry, Sheila, Vana and Naunie. Perry married
Beverly Tippetts, they have 7 children. Sheila married Lael Eddins, 4 children. Vana married Ralph
Evans, 3 girls, after a divorce she married Fred Sorenson, they have 1 son. Naunie married Edward
Nelson, they have 1 son.
Roy’s church positions have consisted of MIA president—counselor to Bp. Dorr child—
Stake Missionary—Sunday School teacher-and Freedom’s Explorer basketball coach, he loved the
boys and they were the top team for the Star Valley Stake several times.
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Leda was counselor in Primary and a primary teacher—MIA Laurel teacher—girls ward
attendance secretary and first counselor to Vona Vee Luthi in the Relief Society and also a visiting
teacher. She also sang a ladies chorus where were privileged to sing in the Idaho Falls Temple.
Their hobbies are raising cattle, snowmobiling, visiting their families, going to high school
football and basketball games, fishing, and camping up Greys River with family and being good
grandparents. They love their family get-togethers.
Family times are happy times
That all of us can share;
Laughter, smiles, a joke or two
A hug that says, “I care”.
Family times are special times
That only we can know—
Happy conversations—and a face all aglow.
Years may pass, yet none of us
Will ever grow apart—
Family times are family ties
That keep us close in heart.
Family farm Picture.
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JAMES WALTER & VERA EDDINS ROBINSON
James Walter Robinson was born 21 Feb., 1899, in Richmond, Utah. His parents were John
and Eureka Erickson Robinson. He grew up in a large family. Brothers: J.P., Alvin, Carl, Leonard,
Reynold, Bill and Tom. Sisters: Hazel (Luthi), Ada (Nelson), Sybil (Papworth) and Hilda
(Markstaller). He grew up in Freedom and attended school there, and as a young man he worked on
the family farm with his brothers.
Vera Eddins was born 16 May, 1897, at Glenco (Thayne), WY. Her parents were Albert and
Clara Jane Gilby Eddins. She was the third in a family of 6 girls and 3 boys. Her sisters were:
Lavern (Hebdon), Neta (Miller), Reba (Hart), Clara (Haderlie) and Arvella (Hawkins). Brothers:
Orland, Albert (Bertie) killed in an accident and LaVell.
Vera spent her childhood on the Eddins ranch in the Narrows. She attended school in
Thayne, and she and her two older sisters, Lavern and Neta, either rode a horse or drove a horse
hitched to a sleigh or buggy to school. As a young girl she worked in the Thayne creamery and also
the Freedom bank. It was while she was working in Freedom that she met Jim Robinson, a courtship
that led to their marriage in the Logan Temple 24 June, 1920. They traveled 125 miles by horse and
buggy during the hot summer to be married. They made their home in Freedom for the next 25 years
and they lived in a little red house about a mile or so north of Freedom. Uncle Jim ran the farm and
worked in the creamery. He was a Scout Master for many years and held numerous positions in the
church. Aunt Vera was a good cook, and uncle Jim said her bread was as good as cake. On holidays
or special occasions when her sisters or other guests would come for dinner, she would roast a
turkey that she had raised. Her turkeys were always the best you had ever tasted, and she would
baste it with heavy cream and bake it in an old wood stove oven. A little story goes along with the
raising of turkeys, one that the family always laughs about. Seems one day aunt Vera sent Doug out
to feed the baby turkeys, he saw a little sick one that was being pushed away from the food by the
larger ones. He took a stick and killed all the bigger ones so the sick one could have something to
eat.
Uncle Jim and aunt Vera were always proud of their pioneer heritage and proud to be
members of the Mormon Church. Aunt Vera was a Relief Society teacher for many years, and in
those days they either rode a horse or went with a team on a buggy or sleigh. Ina Erickson recalls
aunt Vera as her first R.S. teacher and always looked forward to her visits. She also taught Primary
and would take the little boys behind her on the horse.
Uncle Jim and aunt Vera were blessed with four boys so aunt Vera officially made Curtis her
daughter. Whenever you went to their house, Curtis would be helping with the house work and
helping prepare the meals. Uncle Jim agreed with this arrangement as he was a very thoughtful man
and a good helpmate. He bottled the fruit, made the pickles and sauerkraut. He did most of the
washing as the washer was out in the milk house, and he would carry the clothes out there, wash
them and bring them back to be hung on the line. It was always fun to go to their house, and you
always felt welcome.
Tragedy struck in 1938, when their son Douglas was kicked in the head by a horse while
raking hay. He dropped the lines, reached down to pick them up, and as he did this it startled the
gentle old mare, and she kicked him in the head. He was in the Salt Lake Hospital many times, and
a steel plate was put in his forehead. However, in time, infection set in, and he died on his 16th
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birthday 15 May, 1940, and was buried in Freedom. He was attending Star Valley High School at
the time of his death.
They left the farm in the fall of 1945, because uncle Jim suffered from asthma. They rented
the farm to Eldon Luthi for two years, then uncle Jim's sister, Hazel Luthi and Reed bought the farm
and in 1952, sold it to Dick and Reba Luthi.
Uncle Jim and aunt Vera left the farm and moved to Great Falls, Montana where uncle Jim's
brother, Alvin operated a livestock auction. They also operated a cafe near the auction ring for two
years. Later they moved to the Tacoma, Washington area, first living in Federal Way and then to
Fife where they bought and ran an awning business. Their sons all lived in the area and some were
involved in the business.
Uncle Jim served in the Stake Missionary Presidency in the Tacoma area while they were
living in Fife. They were in a car accident at an intersection about 1961. Uncle Jim was not badly
hurt, but aunt Vera sustained a broken neck and was in a neck cast for many months.
Around 1968, uncle Jim's eye sight began to fail, and he was later diagnosed with skin
cancer on his face, and for this he received much treatment.
They moved to Milton, Washington and while living there Aunt Vera belonged to the Milton
Flower Club because she loved flowers. She belonged to the Milton Senior Citizens Club.
Uncle Jim passed away 26 Oct., 1978, at Milton, and his body was brought home to Freedom
for funeral services and burial.
Their Children:
Scott graduated from Star Valley High School and joined the Navy. When he returned from
the Navy, his parents were living in Great Falls, MT. It was there, he met and married Billie Ann
Hitchcock. They are the parents of two sons, Steven and Mark, who died in infancy. Scott worked
for Boeing Aircraft in Seattle for many years. He made many trips back to Star Valley to visit his
relatives. In the summer of 1983, it was discovered he was suffering from a brain tumor which was
malignant. Everything possible was done for him, but he was forced to retire, and he passed away
14 Dec., 1984.
Curtis filled a mission for the church in Wisconsin and later joined the army. Upon his
return, he married Barbara Ellsworth, and they are the parents of Brenda Kae, Ronald E., Beverly
Gene, John Douglas and Tona Marie. Curtis is a barber by trade, and they live in Puyallup,
Washington.
James (Jimmie) also served in the Army. He married Sandra Kieghtley and are the parents of
James Bradley, Kelli Ann and Holly. They were later divorced, and Jim married Janice Marie
Peterson. They have one son, Thayne. Jim and Jan recently retired, Jim from the Tacoma school
district and Jan from the Police force. They live in Tacoma, WA.
Submitted by Nieces, Lynette Hillstead and Reberta Brower.
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pictures
405
JOHN ROBINSON JUNIOR
Pioneer, Community Builder and Beloved Father
The proverb "A man's actions speak far louder than his words" bore an outstanding testimony in
the life of John Robinson, affectionately known by many as "Uncle John".
John Robinson Junior was born 18 August, 1859, in Willard Territory of Utah. He was the fourth
child in a family of nine children born to John Reed Robinson and Ann Gregson. The family consisted
of five boys and four girls. In 1860, his father moved the family to Richmond Territory of Utah. He
spent his youth and the early part of his married life there.
John had a speech impediment which made schoolwork very difficult for him. Consequently, he
attended only a short time which he regretted all of his life as it was a handicap to him on many
occasions. However, he compensated in many ways for this lack of education and was very apt in
mentally calculating figures and percentages along with an astute business mind.
Because he was unable to attend school, his father assigned him much of the work about the home
as well as the work in the canyon. His father had a sawmill and lumber business which he operated
when he was not engaged in teaching school. At the time John was 20 years of age, his father passed
away leaving him as the sole support of the family consisting of his mother and the five younger
children. This forced maturity at a young age. He was strong, very energetic, and a hard worker. A
quote from Uncle Robert Erickson when he was asked what he remembered about John Robinson was
"He sure as hell knew how to work".
John trailed cattle up to Star Valley Wyoming for the summer range three years prior to the time
he moved the family there to live. At that time he had already purchased a ranch or two. He moved to
Freedom in 1903, where he engaged in ranching, cattle raising, and was one of the largest milk
producers in Star Valley. He was one of the first men to plant alfalfa in that section of the county and
contributed freely to public enterprises. Consequently, when such institutions as a creamery or bank
were proposed, he was first among its promoters. He was one of the original and largest stockholders in
the Freedom State Bank now known as the Star Valley State Bank. (now 1st Security Bank of
Wyoming) It was stated that if there had been no John Robinson, there would now be no Star Valley
State bank. He was a heavy stockholder originally, and he came forward with financial assistance at
crucial intervals, averting crises when they seemed imminent. Though shy and unassuming, his business
acumen made him a leading financial power in the community. Over and above that quality shown the
rays of absolute honesty and integrity. His word was his bond and he was never known to default on a
business agreement. He was genial and warm-hearted, giving freely to worthy causes. His
characteristic quality of brotherhood is attested by the practice of paying one half cent per pound, more
than the market price to the widows for beef or other stock. This represented a substantial extra value
when you consider that beef in those days was only four to five cents per pound.
"Uncle John" was a great lover of horses. He insisted that his horses be well and adequately fed,
groomed and cared for with regularity and dispatch.
He was a man of vision and foresight far ahead of his time. His home in Richmond was among the
first to have water piped into it for kitchen and bathroom use. It was also piped to the yard for the
watering of the stock. When the family moved to Freedom, the log house they moved into consisted of
three rooms. He enlarged it into a two-story structure with five bedrooms, dining room, parlor, bath,
kitchen, and pantry. Here, as in Richmond, he piped the water to the home from the springs north of the
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house. Both hot and cold water were provided which was a luxury rarely seen in those days. It was also
piped into the yards for the use of the stock. Proper care of the milk was always a problem so he built a
milk house to accommodate a large vat to set the cans of milk in. This was cooled by a constant stream
of cold water running through it. This too, was an innovation rarely observed on a dairy farm at that
time.
Sorrow was no stranger to him as on three different occasions he was left the sole support and
comfort of his motherless children. At the age of 23 he married Merelda Angela Peart and to this union
was born one son, John Peart, known as J.P. The mother of his first son passed away at the time of the
child's birth. It is presumed that the death was due to childbirth.
Two years later, John married Annie Christensen in the Logan Temple. To this union were born
three children: Willard, Alvin and Hazel. She too passed away leaving him widowed again.
His last marriage on 22 June, 1893, in the Logan Temple, was to Hilda Ulricka Erickson, age 21.
To them were born 10 children: Ada, Carl, Reynold, Leonard, (twins) James, Willie, Sybil, Justie,
Thomas and Hilda. At the time of the birth of their last child, his third wife passed away. The baby was
just 3 days old at the time of her death and the eldest was 14. There were two children from a previous
marriage still at home, making a total of 12 motherless children left to care for.
He was not a man to succumb to defeat. Though he was greatly sorrowed and spent many
lonely hours, his strong character and determination kept his family together. He was very obedient and
observant in the practice and exercise of family prayers by each member of his family. Although he did
not pray vocally because of his speech impediment, yet he had been heard by several members of his
family to pray orally in secret without the least discernment of the speech problem.
He lived for his family and it was his ambition as his family grew up to have them live around
him. He acquired land whenever he could, close to his home ranch and as his son's married, he would
help them to get started on land close to his and to each other. This was realized when 8 of his children
were there in Freedom with ranches close to each other and many of them joining.
Written by Correne Papworth Barrus
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JOHN MELVIN AND LEONE ERICKSON
ROBINSON
John Melvin Erickson was born 12 October 1904
to John Peart Robinson and Rose Luthi at Freedom on
the Idaho side of the town. He graduated from the 8th
grade at the Freedom school. He went to Preston, Idaho
to go to high school. He went two years to school there
and was on the football and basketball team. He made
quite a name for himself. He was good at sports. In
Freedom he also played baseball and track and long distance running. He coached the
Men basketball team. They won first place in the Star Valley Stake for two years and went o Logan
to compete in the region, talking 2nd place there. He also rode bucking horses until he married and
his wife could not take the excitement.
He married Leone Augusta Erickson 10 October 1929 in the Logan Temple. She is the
daughter of Robert August and Mary Luella Edwards Erickson. Leone was born the 13 August
1909.
Melvin and Leone struggled the years of the great depression of 1930. They went from
making $5.00 a day to $50.00 a month, a place to live and silk, cream and wood, working for his
grandfather, John Robinson. Melvin and Warren Edwards milked, fed and cleaned barns for 30 head
of cows plus fed more than 100 head of cattle plus a herd of horses. They worked hard from early
morning until late at night. But we were so thankful and lucky to have a early morning until late at
night. But we were so thankful and lucky to have a job. There always seemed to be time for
evenings with our friends playing games and making ice cream and candy.
We bought a pig weighing 275 lb. from Uncle Alvin Robinson for $6.50. Butter was 23
cents per hundred weight so we had to be careful how much cream we used.
Melvin always had a trap line in the winter and that brought in a few extra dollars. As time
went on and Grandpa Robinson sold his place to Leonard Robinson and J.P. Robinson sold his place
to Leonard Robinson and J.P. Robinson, Melvin’s father, Melvin hauled milk and worked in the
Swiss Cheese Creamery.
And then we bought 160 acres up Tincup, five miles from Freedom, for $600. We paid $100
down and $100 a year for five years. It ended up about $120 a year with the interest added on. He
had a milk route and also worked for the U.S. forest service also Lower Valley Power and Light and
still turned cheese at night for Mr. Brog.
We moved up on our ground in two tents and down town in the winter the first year. The he
got cut logs and started our house, two rooms. We were so happy and worked so hard, had five
children then and all our friends and relatives helped us all they could. Melvin got a job trapping
beaver and was given an allotment and had to live trap some and transplant them to other streams
where they could multiply and Build dams in the streams to hold the water. He also had to pelt so
many a year and that was a job that I helped with. I have skinned and helped stretch over 1,000
beaver plus many sink muskrats and weasel and I skunk that was enough.
When the Palisades Dam was being built Melvin got a job there and left early in the morning
many times while the children were still in bed and got home late, after turning cheese and after the
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children were in bed. That was a wonderful paying time, and I don’t know what we could of done
without it but it was really hard on all of us, as we had 13 cows, some pigs, and chickens that me and
the boys had to take care of. We also had to clear ground and improve the farm as we could.
Everyone helped and by 1954 we got electricity, a telephone, and better roads. It wasn’t until our
tenth child was quite big that I had cold water in the house form a spring a cross the road.
Melvin was Deputy Sheriff for Caribou Co. and had to go to all the social happenings and
that was fun. We also worked in M.I.A. and was a Stake Missionary for years. He was also second
counselor to Bishop Lowell Jenkins.
Later on they worked on building the Power Lines in the Lower Valley and over to Jackson.
Our three oldest boys worked on the line in the summer and went to school in the winter. I drove the
school bus for several years and when they stared hot lunches at school I cooked for two or three
years.
Melvin had a disease called Farmers Lung, and his lungs filled with a yeast virus that caused
his death on November 14, 1972 in Bedford, Wyoming, at his son, Bruce, and his daughter in-law,
Joyce’s home. We built a home on his property by his home and I have lived there ever since. The
family is so good to me and take care of all of my needs.
We have a wonderful prosperity of 47 families, 55 grandchildren and as of 1992, 72 great
grandchildren.
picture
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JOHN PEART & JUDITH ANNE HALL ROBINSON
J.P. was born may 19, 1941 in Afton, WY to Merle G. (Swede) and Clara Robinson. Judi
was born March 6, 1942 in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. They were married June 29, 1963 in
Cardston, Alberta Temple. They have lived in the home built by J.P. on Jacknife Creek ranch in
Freedom, WY from 1964 until the present time.
Children:
Gina Marie born February 9, 1965 (Married to James Miller)
Heidi Anne born September 5, 1967 (Married to Lyman Clark)
John Peart III born July 12, 1972
Hannah Cherie born January 5, 1974
Darcy Elena born July 30, 1977
J.P. first worked for the forest service and helped his father Merle G. (Swede) Robinson run
the Jacknife ranch. He joined the National Guard in the summer of 1963 and served 6 months at Ft.
Leonardwood, MO in the winter of 1963-64 for his basic training. Later he started hauling milk for
the creamery, got into driving semi trucks, and then ran his own semi trucks hauling grain, livestock,
logs, etc. He owned ‘Jacknife Ranch and Construction’, a company involved in building oil field
locations, roads, bridges, and doing general contracting and snow removal. Also he operated a
service station at Etna, WY. He had a logging and trucking business, as well as running the Jacknife
ranch. Since the oil boom has subsided he has been involved in his trucking business, raising
livestock, and running the ranch. He has always enjoyed horses and owned many registered shire
horses as well as quarter horses. In recent years he has enjoyed chariot racing in the winter months.
His beautiful, fast quarter horses have won the Wyoming State Championship for two years.
Judi moved to the U.S.A. from Canada in 1963. Prior to this time she attended the
University of Alberta, (Edmonton) and taught second grade in Southern Alberta. After moving to
Freedom she attended extension classes, took correspondence classes and went to Utah State
University to get her teaching degree. She did substitute teaching until Darcy started first grade. In
the fall of 1984 she began teaching Kindergarten at Afton Elementary School. The next year she
transferred to Metcalf Elementary to teach third grade. She has been teaching there ever since and
loves the third grade children. Judi also has a ‘love for horses’ which her dad, Reid Hall, instilled in
her as he was a natural horseman and rodeo cowboy. She loves riding pleasure horses and training
for horse show classes. For 18 years she was a 4-H horse club leader and each of their children
completed 9 years of 4-H horse club and earned their completion recognition certificates. Gina was
Miss Rodeo Wyoming in 1986 & won 2nd attendant to Miss Rodeo America in December 1986.
The L.D.S. Church has been a valuable stronghold in their lives. J.P. served a mission to the
West Virginia Mission (1960-1962), He served in the Elders’ Quorum Presidency as well as the
Sunday School Presidency in Freedom Ward.
Judi has enjoyed working in the church as a Primary Teacher, Sunday School Gospel
Doctrine Teacher, Relief Society (Mother Education and Spiritual Living) Teacher, as well as a
visiting teacher and Secretary of the Sunday School.
We are blessed to live in a beautiful valley near Jacknife canyon where we have wonderful
neighbors and friends.
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KEITH & VERDA TITENSOR ROBINSON
I, Keith Robinson, spent about 20 years, 1922 - 1943 in Freedom. All of them on the ranch
where Fred Brog now lives. I went to grade school and helped with the usual chores such as milking
cows, getting in the wood and feeding cattle.
In school I played basketball and was on the championship team in 1935, with Frank Laker,
Austin Warren, Winslow Weber and Scott Robinson. I didn’t attend school after the 8th grade.
Dad and Thetta moved to town and operated the Freedom Store. I along with Bill Croft ran
the ranch until it was sold. We had an assortment of livestock on the ranch; milk cows, a few sheep,
hogs, chickens, etc. I also trapped muskrats and mink for extra money. We would always go to the
canyon and cut green aspen wood for heating and cooking. We would block, split, and stack the
wood in the winter and let it dry all summer before putting it in the shed for winter use. My fondest
memories are when I went fishing often with Art McWherter, Rex and Scott Robinson, Aceil
Jenkins and many other friends. I guess I have caught my share of fish and I still enjoy fishing
whenever I have a chance. I can say that I surely have lots of fond memories of all my friends,
relatives and time that I spent in Freedom.
I, Verda Titensor Robinson, married Keith Robinson September 13, 1941. We took Bill and
Beatrice Croft to Idaho Falls to get married and on the way we were persuaded to join them in
getting married. So the four of us were married by a Justice of Peace and spent the night in Idaho
Falls, Idaho. I was working for Doc an Ressa Chadwick, so we decided to keep our marriage a
secret and we did for two weeks. The marriage license came from Idaho Falls in the mail and when
Keith’s Dad, Alvin, received the mail the secret was out.
We lived in the little one room post office that Theo and Grace Robinson started their
married life in on the ranch. Later Keith built a room on the back of it so when our first daughter,
Karen, was born Dec. 25, 1942, we had a bedroom. Keith also piped a running water tap inside the
house.
Days before T.V. were happy days, making your own entertainment, having a group in for
supper and playing cards, or going out on the hay stacks in winter and shooting rabbits, or ice
skating on the frozen creeks. The day Pearl Harbor was bombed, Dec. 7, 1943, we were ice skating
and later heard the news on our radio.
In the spring of 1943, Keith’s Dad sold the ranch to Ernest Brog, so we moved to Thayne
where Keith worked in the Swiss Cheese Factory with his brother Theo. Later Alvin bought in the
Great Falls Livestock and we were there for two years. Then his dad bought the Moser Farm
Implement building from Cliff Haderlie and Ken Moser, which is now Robinson Motors. We
moved back to Afton where we still live.
Our children are: Karen Robinson Brown - Afton, Wyoming
Robert Keith Robinson - Afton, Wyoming
Olive Jean Bandy - Denver, Colorado
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THE LEONARD ERICKSON ROBINSON & FAMILY HISTORY
Leonard Erickson Robinson was born February 28, 1897, to John Jr. and Hilda Ulricka
Erickson Robinson. He was the youngest of the twins as his brother, Reynold, was born first. They
were born in a large white two story home in Richmond, Cache County, Utah. Older brothers &
sisters welcoming the twins were John P. from his father's first marriage, and Alvin & Hazel from
his father's second marriage, Ada and Carl from his father's present wife Hilda. Grandpa John Jr.
was a cattle farmer and for several years he drove his cattle from Richmond to Star Valley for
summer feeding. In 1902 he moved his family to Freedom, Wyoming where he purchased the
Condie Ranch - currently, the Reynold Robinson Ranch. It was located on the Idaho side of
Freedom - the boundary line being down the middle of the road - making Freedom half in Idaho and
half in Wyoming. James Walter, Willie, and Sybil Jacosa were later born to this family. A second
story was built onto the house, making five additional bedrooms for his growing family. They
learned the meaning of hard work - they milked an average herd of 65 head of milk cows and fed
approximately 800 head of beef cattle. The cows were milked by hand as there was no electricity or
milking machines. There were always hired men to cook for, until the boys were old enough to
handle the work.
On February 24, 1904, Justie Augusta was born. On October 26, 1905, Thomas E. joined
the family and last to join was Hilda, who was born the 4th of September, 1907. Three days later,
mother Hilda died leaving thirteen children motherless. This was a very difficult time for all of the
family, but John Jr. was a hard worker, and he taught his children the value of hard work. Leonard
was hired out to help other farmers milk cows and feed cattle as soon as he was big enough. He
worked for the Johnsons and Cranneys in Auburn for the winters. As money became available
through loans, etc., surrounding ranches were purchased. The Henry McCollough Ranch, later
known as the Bill Robinson Ranch, the Lynferrel Ranch, now the Carl Robinson Ranch, the
Hammond Ranch, later known as the J. P. Robinson Ranch, and the Leonard Robinson Ranch. The
Kirkbride Ranch became the Alvin Robinson & Jim Robinson Ranch.
When he was a little boy living in Richmond, Leonard and Reynold were only about three or
four, Reynold fell into a swift creek behind their house. Leonard ran to the house and got his
mother. She pulled Reynold out in time to save his life, but he did have a cut in his head that
required several stitches. Another time Leonard recalled falling to sleep after crawling under the
porch and laying down by their dog. It was getting dark when he awoke to their calls. They had the
neighborhood hunting him.
The year 1915 will never be forgotten as the worst flu epidemic in the history of the valley
people. More families lost loved ones than not. Young fathers and mothers, as well as children,
were stricken with this dreaded germs, and many homes lost from one to four of their loved ones
within days while this disease was on the rage. World War I was being a threat to the young men at
this heartbreaking time, and Leonard E. Robinson was called to serve while the valley was still
under quarantine. He and eight others were told that they could leave, but could not return until the
flu had subsided. They traveled to Kemmerer and were inducted into the army, but upon their first
night there the armistice was signed, and they were permitted to return home - that is, as far as
Afton, as the quarantine in the narrows had not yet been lifted. They then stayed in Afton until the
barricade to the lower valley had been lifted.
It was soon after this time that Leonard started courting a beautiful young lady named Lila
Irene Staley, who was working for his brother J. P. to help care for his four small children after his
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wife died. After two years of fun and getting to know each other, they set their wedding date for 2
October, 1918. They traveled to Logan where they were united for time and eternity in the Logan
Temple. They made their first home in Etna, Wyoming where Leonard worked as a farmer - milking
cows and harvesting crops. On July 21, 1919, their first son was born, but Leonard almost lost his
dear wife. As fear gripped him he felt that his only hope was to have his brother Carl administer to
her. It seemed that time almost stood still waiting for his arrival. Leonard met Carl at the gate and
said, "You're too late, she's already gone." Carl said, "No she isn't, she will be all right." After
entering the house Carl took hold of her hand as they knelt in a family circle, and Bishop Clark
prayed. It was during this time that Carl felt a flicker of life in her hand. He then anointed the oil
and with the assistance of the others, Carl administered to her and promised that she would recover
and live to raise a family. Life began to flow back into her body, and she lived to see that promise
fulfilled, but not without many crisis throughout her life. They were grateful to the Lord for the
power of the priesthood and the wonderful blessings received. They named their son Garr L. He
was a beautiful blond curly headed little boy. On December 31, 1920, shortly before the New Year,
a dark headed little girl was born at Smoot, Wyoming, at Lila's parents' home. After recuperating,
mother and daughter, Norma, returned to their home in Etna. Then on May 14, 1922, another baby
girl was born and they named her Hermoine.
Much can be said about the hardships and financial conditions of young farmers trying to
buy a farm at this period of time. With a fast growing family and high farm payments, the Leonard
Robinson family decided that it might be easier to work for wages elsewhere. It was in the fall of
1923 when Leonard found work as a machinist and drill press operator in the Kennecott Copper
Mills in Garfield, Utah. As Lila was expecting their fourth child, it was decided that her brother,
Warren, would bring her to Richmond, Utah, so she could stay with her sister, Voilet, until after the
birth of another son, which was named Rex Dale. He was born November 29, 1923. Leonard was
happy to be able to move his family into a small home in Magna, Utah, where they made new
friends and enjoyed being members of the Pleasant Green Ward, Oquirrh Stake. It was while living
there that another son, Paul Blaine, was born on the 19th of November 1925. This one amazed even
the doctor - and the mother remembered his comment, "This isn't just one of those you hear about
and wonder if it is really so. This one really is a 14 pounder." Tragedy put Lila in bed for several
weeks again when a boiler of boiling water and clothes tipped off a chair and struck her on the back
of the legs, scalding them severely. Boiling clothes on the stove was the custom for whiter clothes,
then placing them on a chair and wringing them through the washer wringer into the rinse water
before hanging them out on the line to dry - it was a common practice. It seemed that her health was
greatly impaired from that time on. It was nearly three years later when another daughter joined the
family. This darling little girl was born on October 21, 1928, and was named Ulva Winona
Robinson.
In 1929 the economy of the country began showing a serious slump. The Kennecott Co. was
forced to lay off many employees, and Leonard was one of them, but his termination wasn't until the
first part of August 1930. Leonard's Dad offered to sell him 250 acres of land located between his
brother J. P.'s and Alvin's. With that offer, Leonard and his family returned to the Valley. Their
new home was a two room log house with a small bedroom built on. The kitchen and living room
were large enough, but more sleeping room had to be acquired so a hole was made in the pantry
ceiling and a floor laid in the attic, a window cut in each, end and that was the children's' bedrooms
until room could be built in. The children learned the art of farming in a hurry. First, feeding
chickens, turkeys, pigs and raising rabbits for fun and eating. Then milking cows, feeding calves,
riding horses - both in work and fun, putting up hay, along with the art of house & garden work. It
was a good place and way to raise children and teach them the art of work and responsibility.
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On October 27, 1931, another son was born and again Lila's life was threatened and she was
near death for days. It was over a month before she was able to even get out of bed. She never was
very strong again after that. She was deeply saddened when her last baby died and was buried on his
sixth month birthday.
Not until 1937 was electricity brought into the Lower Valley. Until then oil lamps and gas
lanterns were their only source of night light. Leonard saw the opportunity to further his knowledge
as an electrician. Having had considerable training at the Kennecott Copper Mills in Garfield,
Leonard was confident that with additional learning from books, that he could pass the qualifications
needed to be licensed as an electrician. This was done, and along with a younger man, Elno Draney,
they worked for two years bringing electrical lighting into lower Star Valley homes. He also filled a
contract for wiring a block of homes in Swan Valley and in Ashton, Idaho for the Fall River Rural
Electric Co. His son, Garr, helped on the Swan Valley job. Leonard enjoyed teaching his three sons
the art of electrical work as well as mechanical, plumbing and all other phases of the work that had
to be done in running a farm and rebuilding an old home into a lovely home. Even the three girls
took their turns in milking cows, helping in the hay fields along with learning to cook for hay men.
When the grain was being harvested, there were approximately twelve men to feed. Each of the
children were good workers and learned responsibility, dependability, loyalty, and Leonard was
proud of each of their accomplishments. All three boys were called to serve their country, but Garr
was sent home because of a hernia. Rex served in the Army and Paul in the Paratroopers. They
both returned home with honorable releases after two years of service. Each was missed as they left
the home next to start lives of their own. Much could be said about different experiences Leonard
had in raising his family, but he was thankful that he and Lila lived to see each grown and married to
worthy mates.
In 1943 Leonard served a two year mission for the Star Valley Stake, and Lila served with
him for the last six months. Leonard was grateful that her health was much improved and that they
could take trips together and enjoy visiting their families. It was around the 1st of October 1948,
that Lila went with Leonard to the cattle auction in Idaho Falls. Lila became very sick again. After
returning home, she continued to get worse, Leonard took her to the hospital in Afton where they
admitted her and finally determined that she had polio. Leonard's brother, Tom [Dr.], kept in touch
and when she was able to be moved, she was taken to Salt Lake where he could treat her. She
gradually improved enough that she was to go home and she was given a booster shot that was to
carry her for some time before she had to return for another one. That booster shot paralyzed her,
and she died on the 22nd of October 1948. Leonard's loss was great for now he was alone.
However, he was grateful that his brother Carl's blessing was fulfilled. Lila lived to raise her family
and died on her youngest daughter's birthday - after her 20th birthday. She was the only one not yet
married. She was a student at the USU college in Logan.
In the fall of 1949, Leonard's daughter, Norma, moved home with her three children. Her
baby which was born July 15, 1949, had a spastic stomach and was under the doctors care so they
were unable to follow her husband, Merrill Taylor, in his work as a lineman on high power lines. He
came home for the Christmas holidays and was to return home to stay as soon as the job was
finished on the Mohave Desert in California. On February 2, 1950, he scaled the eighty foot tower
and cut off the last guy wire to finish the job. The line had picked up static electricity from an
electrical storm which took his life. Norma and the children lived on with Leonard until he married
Beulah Clevland Wolfley on August 17, 1953. She then moved to Afton where she was employed
as a secretary for Reuel Call at the CallAir Airplane Factory. She worked there until she married
Wilton J. Lindberg on March 26, 1957.
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With his three sons living near by, Leonard and sons purchased their first D-t Caterpillar in
1947. It was the first Caterpillar and Dozer brought into the Valley. They cleared land for many
people, and within the next two years they purchased two D-7 Cats. With this heavy equipment they
were able to do a great deal of hill clearing for additional farm and crop land, construction road
work, and land leveling work not only in the Valley from Upper Smoot through Alpine and the
Palisades Dam area, but also in Boundarant, Jackson, Grace, Ririe, and wherever. Leonard's brother,
Carl, once told a visiting Senator, when introducing Leonard, that he [Leonard] had done more to
change the appearance of the Valley than any other person in the Valley. Leonard gives this credit
to his boys also. Garr and Rex made their life earnings in the heavy equipment business. Paul took
to trucking - driving large gasoline transports. He left the Valley and made his home in Salt Lake
where he raised three girls and three boys. Garr raised two boys and two girls. Norma, one boy and
three girls. Hermoine, two boys and one girl. Rex, four boys and four girls. Ulva, one girl and two
boys.
Leonard now had two step-children from his wife Beulah. Both of them finished high school
and went on to college. Sally finished college and planned to be married in September 1959, but
fate stepped in, and as she was driving her fiancee's car from Freedom to Idaho Falls, it slid off the
rainy highway and dropped twenty feet into deep water in Snake River just before reaching the Swan
Valley River bridge. The loss of Beulah's only daughter was devastating for her. The loss of her
mother with cancer the next year did not help her depression. Her health began failing and after
Christmas 1961, her doctor told them that she also had cancer. She passed away on February 17,
1962.
Leonard worked hard that summer. By keeping busy and tired, it helped the time to pass.
That fall, as Leonard was baling hay, the baler clogged, and Leonard neglected to turn off the tractor
while unplugging it. They pulley caught his glove and pulled his arm into the teeth of the baler. His
arm was chewed to hamburger, but he was grateful that it stopped a few inches short of his head.
Learning to manage the ranch work with one arm and being alone was a rough schooling, but
Leonard mastered it until he sold the farm and ranch to his children in November 1978. Leonard
passed away at Norma's home on May 11, 1984 from a stroke.
pictures
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LEONE ROBINSON’S MEMORIES
My memories of John Robinson by Leone Robinson, written June 1989 while staying at
Doyle and Rose Jensen's place in Prove, Utah.
My first remembrance of John Robinson was the year of 1921 or 1922 when he hired my
father, Robert Erickson. They were brother-in-laws; John married Hilda, Robert's oldest sister. My
father went to work on his home ranch in Freedom, Wyoming. I say home ranch as he had large
acreage of land and other homes, but this was where he lived. It was where Aunt Hilda had died in
1907. Now his family was raised and had gone for higher education or had married and had families
and homes of their own.
My father had lost his 40-acre farm in Heyburn, Idaho because of a year's battle with
Typhoid Fever, and he was struggling to provide for his family. He was working at Austin's ranch
near Soda Springs, Idaho, for $50 a month. Uncle John paid my father $100 per month, gave him a
nice place to live in his big house and provided our milk, cream and wood. We all had to work. I
learned to milk and milked 11 cows every morning and night. I was 13 years old and in the eighth
grade and had to ride two miles to school. We were so happy to live in a big house; it was so special
That was one of the first homes in Star Valley with hot and cold running water and a bathroom.
Uncle John had his kitchen, pantry, bathroom, back bedroom and back entrance for chore clothes,
and a large living room with an organ and a Victroia phonograph. He used to let us play it
sometimes. The parlor was where Mother had her kitchen and living room and all. No water was
piped in there so we carried it in from a hydrant out on the lawn.
Mother and Dad had the big bedroom (master bedroom, they call it now); that was where
Aunt Hilda died. After her baby girl was born, she got blood poison and had loss of blood. She
died three days later. Uncle John slept upstairs; he said so he could get the boys up. The stairs were
so wide and spacious to me. They were open, too, with only a banister. Sometimes, we would
straddle it and ride down into the large hall that was around it. Uncle Reynold and Aunt Eliza had
that part torn down in later years. Aunt Eliza thought it was old-fashioned with such high ceilings
and tall, narrow windows and doors with transoms on top so you could put it down and let air in.
Aunt Eliza told me many times she wished they had never torn it down. Aunt Eliza was a special
housekeeper and homemaker, but she had a bit of keeping up with the world in her; she did not
want to be classed as old-fashioned.
At first Uncle John helped us milk, and we sang all the songs and hymns we knew. Uncle
John could sing without stammering so he enjoyed singing My Darling Nellie Gray" was one of his
favorites. Now as I think about it, the words must have expressed some of his feelings The chorus:
"Oh, my darling, Nellie Gray, they have taken you away, and III never see my darling
anymore.
I am sitting by the river, and I am weeping all the day for you've gone from the Old Kentucky
shore."
I am sure Uncle John had many sad and lonely hours and days after he had lost three wives
in childbirth. "Love at Home" and "Count Your Blessings" were favorites, too, for all of us He
would help us sing them, and my father's beautiful bass voice would make it so good and special.
These songs are a "family must" to sing as the family gets together.
Uncle John took my brother, Milton, with him to ride the range. Milton rode a small,
buckskin mare named Buck. Melvin's father had her when Melvin was a little boy. His mother
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used to put Melvin and Dewain on her and walk and lead her two and a half miles to go to Relief
Society in Freedom or to visit Grandma Luthi. Grandpa and Milton left early in the morning and
came home just in time to milk, or after Grandpa had bread and duck for lunch (that is, dry bread
ducked in a clear stream of water where they had stopped to rest so the horses could feed). Uncle
John always had a nap if the mosquitoes and horseflies would let him. (Uncle John went to bed late
and got up early and had naps during the day.) He very seldom made it through a meal without
napping. He would get his food on his knife (an English habit) and halfway to his mouth two or
three times during his nap. He took one hour easy to eat a meal at the table.
I am thankful that he had Melvin and I come to live with him during the Depression There
just was not paying work to be had this time, I had married Melvin (J.P. and Rose's oldest boy) so
now Uncle John was Grandpa. He had sold his home place to Uncle Reynoid and Aunt Eliza, and
Grandpa moved on to the Hammond place; that used to be where J.P. and Rose lived. That was
where Rose died. Melvin had many happy memories of his boyhood there, and he was so happy
when we could live there. We were paid $50 per month with milk, cream and wood. Grandpa ate
with us when he didn't go up to "the Giri's" (that is what he called Hazel) or to Carl and Minnie's;
they were both about a half mile away on ranches he had helped them buy
Grandpa was a handsome man (never fat, not even heavy) and, oh, so kind and neat and
clean. I just loved him, and I think he loved me. I was pregnant with my first baby and, oh, so sick;
it was all such a new experience for me Grandpa would bring tea and toast and a poached egg to the
bed for me. He said it would make me feel better: he used to do that for Hiida and it helped her, he
said.
Tom and Virginia were in Philadeiphia at medical school. He was so proud of Tom and the
honors he had in high school and college. When he would get a letter from him, he would go to "the
Girl's" (Hazel) to have her read it to him. Grandpa could neither read nor write He stammered and
stuttered really badly. He was always so proud of his big family. I often think of these handicaps
and the loss of three wives in childbirth and now not having a loving wife and counselor to come
home to, meals prepared and someone to share the work of the day with; it's no wonder he stayed
outside and worked and worked and worked until he expected everyone else to do the same. He had
no other recreation. I feel he cried and prayed and was given Divine help to carry on.
One time he was in the field harrowing, and for some reason the team ran away, dragging
him under the Harrow which was an implement with 8" to 10" steel teeth used to break up clods and
sod to make ready for a seed bed. I do not know how far he was dragged, but they ran over a ditch:
he was dropped in it and that saved his life. There were many such accidents in those days, and
some farmers were killed. I washed the dirt and blood out of his hair and off his face; his beautiful
hair would curl around my fingers. It was a great experience for me. Uncle Carl administered to him
and took him to the doctor in Afton and all was well. Soon, he was out helping again. Uncle Bill
had a fast four-horse team that he used on the seed drill; Grandpa hired him to do the drilling.
Grandpa was upset with him and said, "By gum, boy, you go so fast you don't give the seeds time to
get down. " He meant it! Bill could drill 20 acres per day and that was a lot for horses. It would be
fun to have Grandpa see the methods and power they farm with today.
Melvin and Uncle Warren Edwards milked 44 cows, took care of the calves and fed the dry
stock and lots of horses. It was a big job and went well into the night sometimes. It seemed with
Grandpa that the more you accomplished, the more he thought (with a little longer time and more
effort) you could do. I can understand that now because his work was his recreation and all to him.
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Grandpa divided the Hammond place between J.P and Leonard, and he went to live with Carl and
Minnie and Royal and Sybil in Afton. They were so good to him and he enjoyed his last days
On the Hammond place there were big cattle scales and corrals where people from all over
the Valley brought their cattle to be weighed and sold to cow buyers. They were then driven to Soda
Springs, Idaho, or Idaho Falls and shipped on the railroad to the cattle market. Melvin loved to do
work with cattle He had a good horse to ride and a good and faithful dog and took good care of
both. He got $5 per day; that was good money, but it didn't last long. Grandpa could always figure
in his head how much the cattle were worth, and the buyers and neighbors sat around the kitchen
table many times figuring for a long time. Grandpa could draw his name and that was all I ever
knew he could write. He had a good, figuring head so I do not think very many people cheated him
on money matters.
Grandpa always had a stallion of good breeding. Horse sales were comparable to a tractor
sales business now. In Grandpa's day, everything was done with horses and everyone wanted the
best. There were many exciting and dangerous stories told about these stallions as they were big,
strong, mean and hard to keep under control. They traveled all over the Lower Valley in breeding
season breeding mares to keep a supply of work horses on the farms. The best horses of the year had
to be kept in a strong, high corral where they could exercise and squeal and stomp all they wanted. I
was scared to death of them.
Grandpa John Robinson was a gentleman in every way. The greatest fault that I could see in
him was his work habit: it was life. He expected everyone to work hard and help His stammering
was so bad he did not enjoy visiting, or public or church work. Therefore, he was very supportive
with finance, teams and machinery. He had the well drilled up on the Freedom Cemetery. It has the
original pump and a good flow of water, and we have never had to prime it to this day (this is the
year 1990). While we, Bruce and I, were working on a headstone, we talked about our heritage and
all the many loved ones who are buried there. We figured the well was drilled 75 or 80 years ago.
Uncle Tom may know for sure. Many children pump water every Memorial Day out of curiosity.
Grandpa John Robinson was one of the men who started Freedom State Bank. You can find
out more about this in Star Valley and its communities. It consolidated with Afton State Bank, and
Grandpa was one of the main stockholders. Uncle Carl moved to Afton to be cashier and later
became president and main stockholder; his son's (Max, Kay and Hal) are all directors and
managers in some capacity. One of Uncle Carl's sons is in the banking business in Salt Lake City. I
am sure that would have made Grandpa happy. As far as I am concerned, he was a financial wizard.
If anyone needed to sell anything to get money, they came to Grandpa; he could always give
cash if they needed it. He always had a great acreage of land, a large range right and lots of pasture
so he bought what people needed to sell. The market then was a long way off. There were no big
trucks and the roads were not very good either (always going around sections of land and the hills
were steep and dangerous), certainly not what they are now.
Grandpa always had good horses. There were work horses, a Traveling team and lots of
saddle horses. I can see him now on Brin, his big, strong saddle horse, a great walker. The horse
and Grandpa could go all day, up hill and down through stream, chasing cattle; I think they were
sorry when night came and they had to quit. He knew how to ride a horse and make it easy for the
horse. There is a great art involved in this and Grandpa had it. Melvin inherited that gift and art
from him, and also the love of it.
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When anyone lives to the age he did, 76 years, and loved and worked to make this world a
better place to live, volumes could be written about them. I am thankful to have known and loved
and lived with Grandpa John Robinson. We have a great heritage and many noble people have
helped us all. Let's all vow to Press On! Do Good! I love each one of you--Grandmother Leone
Robinson
Win Robinson.
For a time Melvin and I lived across the road from his home. His yard, corrals, barns and
shed were almost as clean and orderly as Aunt Emm (Win's wife) kept her house, not anything out
of place. You could set your clock and not be very many minutes off by the time Uncle Win's light
came on in the mornings or the time it was blown out at night (There was no television.) The cow
barn was cleaned everyday at the same time, early in the morning You knew what day in February it
was when Uncle Win butchered pigs (three, at least. and maybe five).
When the wood was sawed and split for the next year, the branding, dehorning and castrating
of calves were done, also. These were done by the signs of the Zodiac so they would heal faster and
not bleed so much. Aunt Emm made her soap, did the housecleaning and washed bedding and
curtains at regular times of the year.
They were prompt and exact in everything, never late. They were short of patience with
anyone that had this bad habit. They raised a good, hard-working, neat, clean and methodical
family. I learned a lot from them.
The Cow Barn
I must describe the cow barns ("milking parlors,' they are called now) Grandpa Robinson's
big barn was built to hold 40 to 50 cows with a large calf pen. There was a place for stools and cans
as well as a milk stand outside where the cans of milk were put so the milk hailer could pick them up
easily. There was also a large water trough with cold spring water running night and day for the
animals, and in the summertime the milk cans were set in the water to cool. The milk had to be
hauled about five miles to the creamery by horses, and some people's milk would be sour by the time
it got there because they had not taken good care of it. For years Grandpa had the hauling job as he
had the most milk and was on the end of the route. They hauled empty swill cans to bring back full
of whey, which they fed to pigs and chickens. Sometimes you hauled as much swill as milk.
The stalls were long enough for the cows to stand with all four feet on the level. The feed manger
was in front of the cow and was filled night and morning so she always had plenty of good hay.
There were bins all along each side of the barn big enough to hold large loads of hay. These had to
be filled every other day if you were milking lots of cows. The cow could not get through the head
lock so she couldn't walk on and waste her hay, the partitions between the stalls were made of good
1" boards so that the cow in the next stall could not kick or hurt you while you were milking. I have
seen my brothers climb the boards many a time to get away from the cow they were milking
sometimes they had real sore teats, caked udders or cut teats and had to be hobbled to be able to milk
them. Some men were cruel and beat the cow with the stool they sat on which had nails sticking out
of the end so it wouldn’t slip out from under you. They even twisted the cow's tail until it was
broken and she would bellow and groan in pain. I know many of the ribs of cows were broken, too.
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I cried and scolded many a time. I only hope that some men have to answer for their cruelty to
animals that were defenseless.
The gutter was behind the cow; it was about two feet wide and six inches high. This was to
keep the manure and urine from going all over the barn. Then there was an isle between the rows of
stalls about 10 to 12 feet for the cows to come in and the horses to pull the manure boat through
each day. They would load the manure and urine and take it out on the fields to spread for fertilizer.
Some men were not very particular (or just hated the job, like two of my brothers), and the barn
would soon be a stinking mess since that job had to be done everyday (especially in the winter when
the cows were kept in the barn all night). Sometimes the milk would be an "off" flavor.
The cans were five and ten gallon cans. Now my milk cans are worth a good price, and they
are used for storage and to cook "milk -can dinners" Bruce and Joyce have learned to do this and
have cooked and served up to 300 people). We always have one or two during the summer. There
is a recipe for them and pictures in my Scrap Book. I am so thankful for the milking parlors, cooling
systems and sanitary laws they have now. Milk, cream and butter taste so good, and the cheese has a
much better flavor and quality
The Cellar
Everyone had one. Grandpa Robinson's was the only one I knew in my girlhood that joined onto
the house so you could go from tile kitchen to the cellar without going outside. Grandpa's was made
of rock, strong and clean and cool it is still in use in 1990. There were as many different kinds as
there were people who had them. Some were dug
under one room of the house and the trap door was part of the floor; you went down a ladder to put
things in or get things out of them. They were also used for punishing kids that wouldn't mind; they
were put down in the dark and cold until they decided to be good We had one like this in Etna, and
Uncle Warren Edwards put my brother. Warren, down there when he was naughty while Dad had
taken Mother to the doctor in Ogden. He cried until he couldn't make a sound: they had to doctor
him for days with olive oil and sugar. Warren was very stubborn and hard to manage Some cellars
were quite a way from the house; ours was up Tin Cup We made it on the highest ground we had
because the water level was so high Even then, in the springtime when the snow melted. we would
get a wet floor and it was hard to keep it from smelling musty and moldy. You had to have a
ventilation hole in the top and, when the weather warmed, leave a crack in the door so the air could
circulate. We had a big, hard snow-shoveling job in the winter Sometimes we went to the cellar
only once a week and brought enough vegetables. apples and bottled fruit and meat back to last a
week, then the next week we took the empty bottles back to the cellar and got the next weeks supply
We didn't have a refrigerator but sometimes the vegetables and apples would freeze in the house if
there was a long, cold spell. We had a cupboard on the outside of the house where we could keep
things that could be frozen like meat and butter We had to plan ahead and improvise Tile cellar had
shelves for bottled fruit, meat and vegetables and large bins for potatoes (800 lbs.) Then there was
a place for apples (10 bushels or so), and they were often bottled as the bottles were emptied I
always planned on 400 or 500 bottles of fruit and vegetables in the winter you couldn't buy fresh
produce as they couldn't get it from Montpelier without it being frozen, and besides, they had to
freight more needed things than produce I was married before I tasted grapefruit, and then they were
not good like now a so bottled 40 to 60 quarts of meat (pork, elk, chicken and deer and meat balls of
pork and elk) There were always the wild serviceberries and chokecherries that the family picked. I
never liked them much as I was worried I was eating a worm or a bug The chokecherries were not
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wormy, but guile bitter I liked it better with juice from apple peelings mixed in it. It was a real
good feeling when the cellar was filled as the snow started coming.
Cleaning the cellar for the next year's supply was a major job. You had to sort the potatoes,
carrots and apples as there would always be some wilted and rotten ones, and we had to have enough
to do us until we raised some more--so we did a lot of sorting. I was married before I had bought
Potatoes or carrots from the store. Mother taught me how to hang cabbage with the roots left on so
they would keep sometimes until January. We usually had a big barrel of sauerkraut and we always
had a few rutabagas for a change of menu. We could raise them in Star Valley
Sometimes milk and butter were kept in the cellar; it was the coolest place we had. You had
to be very careful to store them in mouse-proof containers as there were mice and rats in the cellar.
We trapped them all the time. The mountain rats would carry off anything that was small enough for
them to carry. I am so happy to have a nice, clean storeroom, as part of my wonderful home. It even
has carpet on the floor. I love it!
Some Memories of John Melvin Robinson
Melvin was a good swimmer and a beautiful diver; he hardly made a splash when he went in
and came up so quickly. I loved to watch him. One time he saved his sister, Helen's, life. Some
friends had talked her into swimming a deep hole in Salt River; there was an undercurrent that took
her under a big willow bush. Melvin heard them telling her she could swim it. She could barely
paddle swim. She went under and could not get loose, and Mel dove in and brought her out. They
worked quite a while to get her breathing again.
Melvin was a real good wood chopper and sawyer. He and George Laker held the record for
felling the most trees in a day on the Forest Bug Project out of Ogden. Melvin worked for the Forest
Service for many years, building trails, improving springs, burning bug timber and making and
improving campgrounds. He loved this work. This work all started during F.D.R's administration as
President of the U.S. to help provide for families and improve the country, too.
I cooked for the Bug Camp up McCoy the summer of 1931 Verlene was the baby, and we
lived in a big cook tent. Melvin would get the water from a spring and always chopped and split the
wood I needed. He was always the first one on job in the morning. He made $3 a day and I made $4;
he earned half of mine, I always said. We always saw and heard lots of wildlife. The mosquitoes
were terrible until sundown We always had repellent for them. The scenery was so beautiful and
peaceful. Those were happy days that summer with rnoney coming in, and I loved to cook. The
Forest Service furnished the food so I did not have to worry about that. I always had time for a nap
each day, but Mel didn't.
When the Forest officials came to check our camp and our work, they always gave us
compliments on our camp and our food. Always, the men were hungry and enjoyed anything I
fixed. My brother. Edgar Erickson, worked on the same job and helped with Verlene a lot. She just
loved him; he sang and whistled to her and carried her outdoors a lot. Melvin found a real good
huckleberry patch in a place they named Hells hole, but he said I would never make it in there: I
didn't try
One time a salesman that sold plumb axes to the hardware stores in the Valley came to
Freedom to demonstrate chopping a log at east two feet in diameter. He wanted someone in the
crowd to take his ax and chop it first. Friends and relatives persuaded Melvin to try. He was 27
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years old then and, oh, so strong and handsome. He did a super job; I do not remember how long it
took. Then the man took the ax and how the chips did fly! I never thought a man could chop so
smooth and fast. For years after, Melvin always used a plumb ax. The spring after he came home
from Preston, where he went to high school, there was a good one-mile runner from Afton (I have
forgotten his name) home from college. and he challenged anyone for a one-mile run. Melvin was
herding cattle up Tin Cup at the time so Fred Weber and Uncle Henry Luthi went up to get him to
run. The race was at Thayne, from the Muddy String road down to the road that goes by the church
north and south. There was a big crowd for that day, and Melvin gave it all he had and won the race
by quite a ways. The Lower Valley people went wild! Melvin could not get out of bed the next day
and he always said that was the sorest he had been. In those days we didn't have bathtubs in which
we could soak in hot water; you rested and suffered it out.
There are many. many things I could write and have written at other times, but this will be all
for now. I would hope that each one of you would try to overcome your faults and weaknesses and
do the things you know to be right, as he did. He had a great love for the gospel, motherhood and
ladies (not hussies--they were bad, bad in his book). He loved his Father in Heaven and he loved
his heritage; it was the greatest to him. He truly loved me and his children and did all that he could
for us. I am so thankful for the sealing power that has been restored and that we are all sealed so
that if we desire and will obey the laws that govern the principle we can continue on eternally,
loving, caring and helping each other.
Hair Care
From the beginning of time, women have been concerned and worried about how their hair
looks, always trying to find a new method to make it more silky and beautiful. We read many times
that a woman's hair is her "crowning glory." That is a bit of a strong statement to me, but I have
worried and brushed and shampooed and worked until my arms ached, and I shed tears trying to
have my hair look becoming to me. I am thankful that at 80 years of age I have never had a color
rinse or dye of any kind on my hair. I am thankful I have a heavy head of hair that grows fast, but it
grows a bit more stubborn as it goes gray.
As young girls we wore it braided and had ribbons to wear in it for Sunday and special
occasions. After so many wearings, we had to wash and press the ribbons. Our hair was washed
once a week, or maybe two weeks. There was no shampoo; we used the bar soap we used for our
hands. Some used home made soap if they had no other. There was no running hot water either so
we heated it all on the stove. When we were done, we carried it out and threw it on the yard. On the
farms there was no planted lawn and there were no lawn mowers (at most homes there was not any
water available to water the lawn). So we threw the water that was not used to wash greasy dishes
on the lawn, and it was enough to keep the yard green in spots. They would stake the saddle horse
on it to do the mowing.
There was no rinse or conditioner so we used vinegar in the rinse water to make our hair
shiny and not sticky from soap scum. It made the hair easier to comb, too. As we grew older, we
would use lemon juice instead of vinegar. Then we found out if we boiled the rind of the lemon our
hair would be more glossy and it would bring out the color more. As teenagers, Norma and I would
wash our hair and then go out in the sunshine to see if we had done a good job. We both got many
compliments on our hair it was a lot of work. We found if we melted snow in the winter time it was
so much better since the snow water was so soft. We would get two big dish pans heaped high with
clean, white snow and put them on the stove to melt. Sometimes we had to get more snow
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depending on how nice we wanted our hair to look; so much depended on how well we rinsed the
soap out. If our hair would snap and crackle when we brushed it, we had done a good job. I was 13
years old when my braids were cut off, straight around my head and just below the ears ("Dutch
cut," they called it). My hair had a little curl in it and I would put it up in rags. Then came the
curling irons you heated in the kerosene-lamp chimney, then a comb we could use to make waves,
then metal curlers, then brush curlers.
I was 19 years old when I saw my first lady with a permanent Nora Newswander had a sister
in Blackfoot, Idaho, that had a "beauty parlor." I stayed with Nora's children, and she went to
Blackfoot to get curly hair it would be curly for six months. When she came back. "crooked' was a
better word than curly, and she had several burned sores in her head. The perms were done by
electricity, and the hair was roiled so tight on the curlers that your head was sore for days. The
curlers and clamps with the heat to curl your hair were so heavy you could hardly hold your head up
(some weights were on the
clamps to help take the weight off of you or you couldn't have done it). The heat would be on 20 or
40 minutes, depending on how hard your hair was to curl and how long you wanted it to last. I have
had many a burn on my head When cold waves came in, there were women that would not change
and would go miles to get a hot wave (Norma, my sister, was one of them). Nora was so pleased
with her fuzzy, dry, cooked hair that soon all the ladies were wanting a perm.
Hair Styles
Hair styles are always changing. Some are very becoming and add much to the beauty of
the person; however, there are those who go to extremes in every style. Then, no matter how pretty
the features, the hair makes one appear ugly. One style that I did not like when I was a teenager
was what they called "The Cootie George" You pulled the hair on the top of your head smooth or
with a wave, then took some hair over your ears and snarled it real tight. You then pulled the top hair
down over it and some had a bump of snarled hair that stuck out three inches from the head like a
big lump over their ear. Alta Sanderson was real good at making hers big There were some girls
that curled the top hair (the hair they pulled over (their Cootie George) and that made it look better.
Aunt Sybil did that, and I thought she was so pretty. She fixed it pretty everyday whether she was
staying home or going to church She put the long back part in a bun (this style came from World
War I times). Aunt Sybil was always so ladylike and well-groomed and her manners were so nice; I
just loved to watch her.
Then there was the "Bubble" hair where you ratted your hair on top your head. Some could
make it stand at least eight inches high! At church and meeting you could hardly see the speakers;
you had to try to look over or around all the hair in front of you. I hope there are some good pictures
of them.
There are boys and men now that wear their hair like the women do; it is hard to tell whether
they are male or female since the girls wear pants and shirts just like the men. I have seen many
strangers that I couldn't make up my mind if they were men or women. With all the hair color,
sprays, combs, ribbons and different perms, you can look any way your heart desires. There are
some very pretty and becoming styles, some are funny, some are ridiculous and that will always be
the case Some care, some don't and some just want attention
Wash Day
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My, how it has changed! Has it ever changed!! When I was a girl if you were a dutiful wife and
took pride in managing your home, you washed on Monday and ironed and mended and darned the
stockings on Tuesday. Some super managers would wash and iron on Monday--that was Aunt Mary
Luthi, Lula Jenkins, Ida Jenkins and a few others. Some women kept track of when and what time of
day your wash was on the line and how it looked; you were judged as to how good a housekeeper
you were by the way your curtains hung in the windows and how the wash looked on the line. I still
have that bad habit and hate to admit it.
Some men were extra good providers and built a wash house with a stove. The washer, if
you could afford one, had to be turned at least 100 or 150 times to get the clothes clean so you had
to have enough children to take turns doing it. We did not have one until I was a big girl, 16 years
or so. We had big wash tubs of galvanized tin that would hold about 15 gallons of water and two 15
gallon boilers that we heated our water in on the stove. Then we had to boil the clothes in them after
we had rubbed them on the stove. When the water got so dirty, say four or five batches, you had to
get some clean water. Now, it required lots of wood to heat that much water so someone had to
keep filling the stove. It was the hardest day of the week.
The washboard was made of wood and galvanized tin, glass or another metal I don't know
what kind we had; this metal had ridges on it and a place for soap at the top. You put the board that
was the frame in the tub and went to work, putting extra soap where it was needed, and rubbed and
rubbed. Mother was so fussy, and I had to do them over many times until I decided it was easier to
do it right the first time. You sorted your clothes before you started. Sometimes we would have 26
piles, the bed linen in one, the tablecloths and dish towels in another, towels in another, underwear
in yet another; these were all white. If there was a baby, those clothes and diapers were washed first
so they would stay a pretty color. There were some that looked terrible; they didn't put colors on
babies until they were nearly a year old.
We always had at least four tablecloths as we nearly always had a tablecloth at noon;
morning and night we just used the oilcloth. It was so neat to me when we could have a clean dish
towel every day. I used to stitch embroidery in the corners and sometimes I ironed them so they
would look nice. When my mother died at the age of 68 years all her dish towels, sheets and
petticoats were neatly ironed and put away in drawers. Remember, she was crippled on her right
side. We did not have Clorox bleach so we had to rely on lye, soap and sunshine to bleach our
clothes.
I learned to sew on the treadle sewing machine by hemming dish towels made from our flour
sacks. Most of the tablecloths were made from flour sacks, too, with colored borders and
embroidery. That way we got the feel of the sewing machine and learned to guide the cloth through
Bannock Chief was the brand of flour Mother used and it had a big Indian Chief on it that was
terribly difficult to get off. Some never did come all out. We washed most all day until it was
milking time; it felt good to sit down and milk. I always had sores on all my knuckles every week
from the lye and strong soap.
We had to carry the water from the well or creek and carry it all back out; that was a big job
Daddy and the boys usually carried the water Sunday night and then filled all the milk buckets in the
morning before they went to their work. We always hung the sheets so they were the same length on
the line, and all the pillow cases were in pairs with the embroidery to the front. The dish towels and
tablecloths were next and they were hung according to size. The underwear was hung on the
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middle line so they would not be on display. The stockings and socks were a batch by themselves; if
we had two pair a week, that was enough. They were cotton or wool and were dark colors.
When I was a teenager, Mother sent to Sears and got some mercerized staple cotton in a
color like suntan. Oh, that was so great I was working in Uncle Carl Robinson's store before I got
my first silk stockings. They cost $1.98 per pair, and you could get flesh color and another
color. I also, at that time, got my first silk bloomers. They came to our knees, and we felt so
dressed up. Also, we didn't have to worry so much if the wind blew our dresses up. Rayon soon
came in and was cheaper, but it was easier to run. I have spent many an afternoon with a fine
crochet hook fixing a run instead of taking a needle and sewing it together (or worse, wearing it
anyway). There was always a big mending and darning-socks day. Mother always did the darning
and was so good at it. It had to be a smooth and durable job or the feet would get sore, and if it
wasn't done tight, you would have it to do the next week (forbid that!).
We always ended the wash with the rugs and hung them on the fence to dry. I can see Aunt
Mary's rug (9 feet by 10 or 12 feet) hanging on the board fence to dry. We carried water in buckets
to throw on them in order to rinse them out well. One person couldn't lift them when they were wet!
Enough said about Wash Day. You can see how much it has changed. I am doing my
washing and drying while I am writing.
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MERLE “Swede” ROBINSON & CLARA ELENA WOLFLEY
Swede was raised on the ranch where Leonard Robinson lived until after the death of his
mother, Rose Luthi Robinson, in 1916. We children were then raised by the help of hired girls,
aunts and uncles for the next 3 or 4 years. Some of the hired girls were: Verna Rainey, Lizzy and
Beth Lalliten. IN the fall of 1919, Mrs. Vernie Osmond and her sons, Ruben, Ralph and Verl came
to stay and take care of us while Swede’s father, J.P. Robinson, went to Nebraska with the cattle of
Star Valley. That was the hard winter and he was in charge of the migration. That same winter the
people of Star Valley were stricken with the flu. We all had the flu real bad. The kids were taken
care of by Mrs. Vernie Osmond. Edna Vincent used to run the confectionery in the old part of
Nelsons store. She would come every day and help care for the children because they were so
isolated.
Swede’s father was called in Nebraska to come home. He came to Montpelier, Idaho and
was told that the family was feeling better. He returned to Nebraska until the spring of 1920. He
returned with the few stock that survived the hard winter.
Getting weaned away from home at the age of ten was against Swede’s desire. He sent to
Uncle Leonard in Etna, to herd cows down on the Salt River bottom. He needed a pair of
overalls…his father unable to get bibs, which all wore at that time, bought him a pair of bib-less.
Swede cried and felt bad because he had to wear them. At that time only the sheep herders that wore
bib-less overalls. He was the first young feller in the Valley to start wearing them.
As Swede lived and worked with his uncles, he learned a lot…ride horses, herded sheep,
rodeo’d, drove teams with loads of pigs to Idaho Falls, trailed cattle everywhere to market…drove
teams of horses to Soda Springs, Id. For winter supplies.
Swede played on the church team for many years with George Laker, Milson Clark, Eldon
Luthi, Lloyd Wilson, Ed Croft, Theo Robinson, Roy Robinson, Byron Jenkins and Wendell Jenkins.
They were winners.
In Swede’s travels, he met a pretty, black-haired gal from Etna. It was love at first sight.
Swede came calling on Clara in Etna. He knew when he came he would be welcomed by the six
brothers of Clara’s and especially the two youngest ones. They were going to make sure that Swede
was the winning suitor and all others discouraged.
In those early years Clara went home once a week or more to wash, iron, bake bread, clean
house for her father, Fred Wolfley and the kids that were home. Her mother Elena died in 1934.
Swede and Clara were married July, 1933…later endowed in the Idaho Falls Temple, July
13, 1944.
Swede was working at the Swiss Cheese Creamery in Freedom, run by Earnest Brog. He
was also hauling milk with team and wagon or sleigh. Not long after, Swede and Clara purchased a
little, willow-covered farm down on the river…straight east and down a muddle, little, narrow lane
from Dick Sandersons. There was a log house and a barn and very little cleared ground. They
pursued the clearing of the land and Clara usually had the cows milked when Swede got home from
work. A few years later they bought a few acres up on the state-line road, in the corner by Dick and
Swan Sanderson and moved the cabin up there. they soon started a new home and it was very nice.
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In the summer and fall of 1936. Swede, Clara and Helen Robinson worked at the Vail Coal
Mine. Clara was one of the cooks with Luells Biggler. Helen was the secretary. Arnold Biggler
and Swede built the ‘Triple’. The Vail Coal Mine had a bad disaster Feb. 11, 1938 and blew up.
Five were killed. Swede and Iliff Ivie were flown in to help out. Iliff’s brother was killed there.
Swede helped Iliff take his brother home to be buried in Scipio, Utah.
Some years later, opportunity beckoned again and some hard choices had to be made. Frank
Lindholm’s “Jack Knife Ranch’ was for sale and it was real good soil for super crops. A nice
picturesque location…a great, large barn all nestled under the shadow of a pine covered mountain.
The house was old and built of logs and not much to excite a lady that owned a brand new, modern
home. It was hard to leave, but a new home and ground was sold to Eldon and Ora Luthi. Swede
and Clara moved on to the Lindholm place which they had bought from Glen Molen. On one side
lived art Spackman and Walter Barber on the other.
The old house became a most comfortable and lovely home. Everything well cared for. In
later years their place became head quarters for hunters and they became acquainted with people
from all over the country. They kept coming back even after the hunting camp was no longer
available. The people came back to partake of the finest and most sincere hospitality they had ever
felt. It was where the nieces and nephews wanted to go at the reunion times…the most superb
cooked meals in all the world. the horses were always shod and ready to go.
Iliff Ivie and Swede bought a ranch on McCoy Creek. It was lying at the foot of Poker Peak
on the north and Jensen Creek on the west and all most to McCoy Creek on the South. They worked
on their ranch and took in many extra boys from time to time…Martin Clinger, Fred Wolfley Jr. and
others and were good to them.
Swede worked on many committee’s such as building committee for the Freedom Church,
Elders Quorum and worked in the Farm Bureau. Clara was president of the YWMIA and served as
counselor in the Stake Relief Society, among other service for everyone who needed it.
Theirs was the gather place for friends and family over many years, who knew they could
always find a bed, plenty of good food and a good time at Uncle Swede’s and Aunt Clara’s.
Swede died Sept. 1976 and Nick was killed in a car wreck on Jan 18, 1980.
Clara continues to live on the Jacknife place where she enjoys her family, friends and
community activities.
Swede and Clara had four children…5 years apart in this order:
Roselena……………..married…………….Raymond Sanders
John Peart or J.P……..married…………….Judi Hall
Nick…………………..married…………….Jalene Thompson
Cally………………….married…………….Kent Nebeker
16……………Grand Children
5………Great-Grand Children
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REYNOLD FRANK ROBINSON & ELIZA LUTHI
It was a very happy Sunday morning in Richmon, Utah Feb. 28, 1897. Twin boys were born
to John Robinson and Hildah Ulricka Erickson. They named them Leonard Erickson and Reynold
Frank. Leonard was the oldest by just a few minutes. As usual with twins, they always had a very
close relationship. They were the third oldest in a family of 10 children.
John Robinson operated a ranch and sawmill in Richmond, Utah, and when the twins were 6
years old, John sold out and moved his family to Star Valley. He bought his ranch in Freedom from
Walter (Wall) Barber.
Reynold went to school in the old Idaho Schoolhouse. This consisted of 2 rooms, 4 grades in
each room, and a teacher for each 4 grades. John Robinson would hitch up the team and the children
would drive to school, picking up other children on their way. Sometimes in winter Reymonld
would walk through the field on the crust and check his traps that he had set along the creeks to see
if, by chance, he had caught a muskrat.
John Robinson always got up a 4 a.m. and when he arose he saw to it that everyone else got
up shortly after. Cows were milked on two ranches; so there was always lots of work to do.
Reynold and Leonard often fell to sleep in school and the teacher, knowing how early they got up in
the mornings, would let them nap for a while.
Reynold’s first car was a classy black Model T. Ford. It had side curtains that could be put
on or take off depending on weather conditions. He also recalls the many fun times he had on his
motorcycle.
Eliza Luthi was born on Dec. 12, 1898 in Freedom, Wyoming on the Idaho side of the road
about one-half mile from town on the ranch presently owned by Cordell and Annette Luthi. Her
parents, John Luthi Sr. and Rosina Schweizer Luthi, girls. A midwife, Eliza Roberts, assisted with
the birth, and Eliza was named after her. Eliza wrote in her life story: “We never had the
conveniences people have today. There were home-woven carpets on the floors and straw-filled
ticks for mattresses. We carried water from a well, heating it on a wood-burning stove for washing
clothes, cleaning the house and also for bathing. We bathed in a round tin tub. We washed the
clothes on a washboard and boiled the white clothes in a boiler. I carried wood to fill the woodbox.
It was also my job to feed the chickens each day and gather the eggs.
In those days we cured our own meat. Father butchered a pig, and he would cure the hams
and side meat in salt brine and smoked it in a small building. Father butchered a beef every winter
and cut it up and hung it in the smokehouse. It would freeze and keep all winter. Dad would saw
off with a meat saw as we needed it for food. In the winter when the rivers were frozen over, the
men would go in sleighs with ice-saw as and cut ice in large square pieces and haul it home and put
it in the ice-bin, which was a building built out of wood, and the ice was packed in sawdust. This
kept the ice from melting and it kept most of the summer that way.
I attended the Idaho School in Freedom. It was only one-half mile from my home and I
walked most of the time. When I was 11 years old my father built a new frame house, and we were
happy to get out of the log house and have more room. Not long after we had the new home my
mother took sick and had to have surgery; so my father and brother-in-law, J.P. Robinson, took her
to Afton in a covered sleigh. I will never forget how sad I was when they brought her home.
428
When I graduated from the 8th grade I received a diploma. Then I went to Logan to attend
the BY for a year.
Reynold and I started dating when I was 18. We used to go in sleighs from town to town in
the winter months to dances and basketball games, many of us going together.
Reynold and I become engaged and Reynold sent to Sears for a diamond ring. It had not
arrived before Reynold was drafted in the army. It came after he was gone, and he had me put it on
my finger. I guess you can say ‘I engaged myself.’ Reynold was sent to Colorado Springs where he
trained. He became a Sargent and helped train other men. The Peace Treaty was signed before he
had to go overseas.
In June of 1919 Reynold was called on a mission to California where he served for 2 years.
We were married June 28, 1922 in the Logan Temple. We went to get married in a black Model T
Ford and we honeymooned in the Bear Lake area on our way home.”
After their marriage, Reynold and Eliza bought a small ranch in Etna, located where Darwin
and Lola Wolfley lived at this time. June was born while living there. Reynold always loved sports,
and he played baseball with Wardell and Ken Clinger and others from Etna and later from Freedom.
He was the catcher and Ken was the pitcher.
When Grandpa Robinson retired, they sold the ranch in Etna to him and came to live on the
home ranch. Three more children were born to them, Dean, LaNea, and ReNell. They bought the
G.A. Newswander store in Freedom and moved there for a time. Reynold still operated the ranch. It
was while they were living in the store that the R.E.A. brought electricity to Freedom. That was
such a glorious event and made life easier and more enjoyable.
Reynold and Eliza were always active in the LDS Church. Eliza served in the Sunday
School, Primary, Mutual, as Relief Society Pres. of the Freedom Ward, and also as Stake Relief
Society Pres.
Reynold was active in civic affairs as well as his church positions. He was Caribou County
Commisioner for 17 years, which is longer than anyone has served in that capacity to date. He was a
member of the school board in Freedom, where he and L.I. Jenkins were instrumental in the
consolidation of the schools in Caribou and Bonneville counties in Idaho and Lincoln county in
Wyoming. He was a director of the Freedom Swiss Creamery for 6 years and on the Lower Valley
Power and Light board for 12 years. In the church he served on the high council 17 yrs. and in the
Stake Sunday School Pres. for 13 years. He was bishop of the Freedom Ward from 1942-1948.
It was while Reynold was bishop that members of the ward fixed up the corrals and shutes at
the rodeo grounds, where our present ballgrounds and tennis courts are located. They also built a
grandstand, and on special occasions like July 4th and 24th and other holidays, everyone would father
at the rodeo grounds for a day of celebration and enjoyment. Dances were held at night in the old
ward hall located across from the church house.
In later years they spent their winters in California at their son’s home. Reynold died in San
Luis Obiso, CA on Dec. 6, 1983 at the age of 86. Eliza passed away 5 years later on her 90th
birthday, Dec. 12, 1988 at her son’s home.
429
June-married-Ferrin McGavin, Afton, Wy-3 children
Dean-married-Ramona McClure, Orem, Utah- 3 children
LaNea-married-Jed Adams, Davis, CA- 4 children
ReNell-married-Ronald Hadley, Bountiful, UT- 3 children
430
FOND MEMORIES OF MY SISTER ROSE LUTHI ROBINSON
By Eliza L. Robinson
She was the oldest daughter of Johannes (John Jr.) and Rosina Schweizer. We immigrated
from Switzerland to Utah and from there to Star Valley, finally locating in Freedom, Wyo., the ranch
that Cordell Luthi now owns. We all lived there until we were married. Rose made J.P. Robinson's
acquaintance soon after his family moved to Freedom from Richmond, UT. Rose was a beautiful
girl and had many suitors. She had a charming personality and made friends wherever she went.
People admired her sterling qualities and the manner in which she conducted herself. I am the
youngest in the family, but I remember how proud I was to have her as my sister. She and J.P. were
married 10 June, 1903, in the Logan Temple. They homesteaded land and milked cows, farmed and
earned a good living for the family.
Rose was a lovely homemaker, keeping a neat and clean home. She was a good mother who
loved her little family dearly and was so proud of them. She always took her children to church and
served as an officer in the Primary. I recall one time when she was in Logan, UT. walking down the
street holding Melvin's hand. He was dressed in a red velvet suit. A gentleman stopped her and
asked if she would sell her handsome little son. He would give any price she asked, and she soon
told him, "My little son isn't for sale." She was rather nervous to think a man would be so bold as to
approach her in that manner. The thought of selling one of her children was shocking.
She was an excellent cook. I remember her delicious fruit cakes, they were so moist and
tasty. She also made wonderful plum puddings, the kind that was put in a sack on a plate, put into
boiling water in a large kettle and steamed for hours. When they were done they were taken out of
the water, sliced and served with a delicious sauce. She didn't only cook tasty desserts but served
delicious meats and vegetables. Rose always had a lot of company, and people knew they were
welcome at her home. I recall one time when I was staying at my sister Ida's for a few days, she and
I went to visit Rose. It was in the fall, and we spent such a lovely afternoon. Rose was expecting a
baby within a few days. When it was time to go home, she followed us out to the buggy, and as we
drove through the field, she stood and watched us. Ida said, "I have a peculiar feeling, I wonder if
we will ever see her alive again." When she took sick, J.P. got Mrs. Roberts, the midwife, who
always delivered her babies, but this time she could not handle the case. She waited and waited and
by the time she told them to get a Dr. and he came, it was too late to save the baby or the mother.
Rose and the baby passed away 30 Oct., 1916. She was just 32 years old. What a sad situation, I
shall never forget! My heart aches whenever I think about them.
J.P. was so broken hearted and sad. It took him a long time to get over her death. She was a
lovely companion, and they always got along so good. He depended on her so much. Without a
mother to care for the family, my sister Mary stayed that first winter to help out. Then other girls
came and took turns.
Finally, J.P. met Pearl Nelson, they were married, and she became their new mother. She
made a lovely home for the children, and they were happy. At this time, Swede was staying with us,
and we lived in Etna and enjoyed having him. His father called on the phone and said that now he
was married, he would come and get Swede. How happy he was to go home with his father!
431
Picture
House Picture
432
OKLA WILLIE
BILL
GWEN
RUTH
VELTA
Gwen & Ruth Ann Heiner
Off to school. Standing by home.
Back building is a smoke house.
THEO & GRACE TITENSOR ROBINSON
Theo Robinson was born 13 March 1914 in freedom the second child and the eldest son of
Alvin and Olive Hansen Robinson.
He recalls when he was five or six years old, one cold winter night his mother x looked out
the window and the snow was all red, the house was on fire. He was sitting with his nightgown on
and his feet in the oven to keep warm. The house burned down so fast they never saved anything not
even his shoes. All the neighbors came to help; one of them came in a sleigh loaded with milk cans.
He sat on a can watching the house burn down to the ground.
His dad had a box of rifle shells, which went off, like fireworks. While they were building a
house he spent a lot of time with John Luthi and Robert Erickson families.
He spent many happy hours swimming in the sloughs with all the neighbors. Another pass
time was building a big bon fire and playing run sheep run. He attended school in Freedom and a
year of Junior High.
Valois Nelson his oldest and Vera Campell another sister and his brother Keith was 13 years
old when his mother died leaving his father a family of four.
Thetta Sanderson worked for them and later married his father. To this union were born five
more kids. Ione Wilkes, Verna Jensen, Alvin, Blake and Etta.
Theo always loved sports, Basketball, and Baseball was his favorites. He took
championships. Among them was the Stake Basketball 1934. They went on to win the regionals in
Paris, Idaho.
When he was just a teenager they would drive cattle to Soda Springs to put them on the train
to ship to Omaha, Nebraska, or Las Angeles, California this was quite an experience for an 18 year
old selling them and getting home with the money.
He always helped haul Swiss Cheese to Soda Springs with team and sleigh bring back a load
of coal.
Theo met Grace Titensor at a dance after courting several years they; were married in Salt
Lake on the 18th of May 1935 and were Sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple later.
They started marriage in the old Freedom Post Office, which had been moved and bought by
Melvin Robinson and used as a chicken coop.
Theo ran his father’s ranch until December 1935 when he decided to try something else, he
learned to shear sheep while living on the farm. So they packed their belongings in their Model A
Ford and left for California. Here he worked at several different jobs. Their first son was born on
the 14th of May 1936 Verdell.
In June they returned to Star Valley where he learned to make Swiss Cheese at Thayne. He
worked there for sixteen years where some of the best cheese in Star Valley was made.
433
There were blessed with another son Jerry and a daughter Janet. They built their first home
in Thayne. He and his brother Keith bought the Robinson Motors from their father traveled to Afton
for twenty years.
He had a bout with lung cancer in 1981 which he was cured. In 1981 he had a massive heart
attack disabled him farther. But, he was not idle he made beautiful cedar tables, rock clocks,
aluminum airplanes from pop cans and woodwork. He also enjoyed gardening and they traveled.
Theo and Grace loved to fish and hunt and spend time with there family, relatives, and
friends.
Theo passed away on the golf course on the 23rd of March 1990.
434
THOMAS E. ROBINSON
MEMORIES OF FREEDOM, WYOMING
I, Thomas E. Robinson was born 26 Oct., 1905, to John Robinson and Hilda Ulricka Erickson,
the 9th of 10 children--namely Ada Phidelia, Carl, Reynold & Leonard (twins), James, William, Syblil
Jacosa, Justie, Thomas and Hilda. All except the last three were born in Richmond, Utah. The last three
were born in Freedom. Freedom was and is an unusual town. The main road running north and south
divides the town--the west part is in Idaho and the east part is in Wyoming. Our ranch was in Idaho and
so the last three of us were born in Idaho. As I recall my Father bought the home ranch from Walter
Barber. Our home was a large house; 5 bedrooms, a very large kitchen, a large room where we enjoyed
playing the Victrolia and we kept warm with a large pot bellied stove. Wood was the only source for
heat. The large kitchen was where all meals were prepared and eaten. The large kitchen range had four
stove lids and these could be taken off to cook foods at different temperatures. There was a large water
heating area on the one end of the stove and when heated the water would also go into a large tall tank
where the hot water was run through pipes to the sink where dishes were washed. The source of all
water was from a storage area up on the side of the hill. This reservoir was kept full by piping water
from two springs about 1/2 mile apart. The water was always cold. My understanding is that my Father
piped water from a spring up the foothill from Richmond, Utah and he was the first to have water piped
into the home there. There was a large pantry where food, can goods, etc. were stored in two large bins
which were kept full of flour. Leading off the pantry down some stairs was a rock built storage
underground and this kept foods cool and kept them from spoiling. There was also a large room where
as we entered from the west, all our coats, caps, hats, jackets were hung up. Adjoining this room was a
fairly large wash room with a basin where we washed our hands and faces and large tub for use when
several batches of clothes were washed each week. The hand powered washer was hard work. The
water from the reservoir upon the hill was piped to a hydrant 20 feet from the house where there was
plenty of water to wash our dirty boots and shoes. Water was piped down to a large trough where cows
and horses had nice fresh water to drink. On the ranch besides the house were several other buildings-a large chicken coop, a large pig pen, a fairly large work shop where mowing machine knives were
sharpened and where repairs of all kinds were done. Another building was called a shanty and we kept
some grain here. The largest building on the farm was the barn for milking. It had 72 stalls for cows to
stand in and they were fed in the winter from leans on each side of the barn where hay was hauled to
from stacks out in the field. Near this cowbarn was a barn where three teams were kept and fed. The
other large building was unusual--it had two sheds where buggy or large sleighs could be kept. Between
these two sheds was a granary where hundreds of bushels of grain was stored in the fall and this was fed
to the teams and chickens and pigs. Above this grain storage area was a large loft in which hay was kept
to feed two teams which were kept in sheds and in the center was a large room for old Tiff, a beautiful
stallion that Dad had. The yard was fenced with board slabs and a pole on top. There was a large lawn
area and also nearly an acre where a garden was planted early in the spring. There was also a long shed
connected to the large coral for 2000 sheep where they could find shelter when needed. There was one
other building near the house which also had a trough filled with cold water and in which milk was kept
cold for table use. I have taken time to detail this ranch because it was probably the largest ranch in
Freedom, but every farm had somewhat similar buildings. All the farmers had cows as this was the
source of their daily living. The farmers sent their mild to the Burton Creamery--which was 3/4 of a
mile east of the town. My Father hauled the milk for all his married children and for Uncle Winn
Robinson and the McBrides, and two farmers west and south of the home ranch. The box for hauling
milk was about 25 feet long and wide enough to hold three eight or 10 gallon cans. I hauled the milk
starting when about 10 years old.
435
Now for a description of the town when I was about 10 years old.(1915). The north-south road
divided the town. On the west in south part of town lived the Hansens, then the Burton Store and next
the Heaps store, in between was a little building--a barber shop run by Tommy Schiess. Next on north
was a confectionery store run by Ted and Edna Vincent. When hauling milk, I would often pick up the
groceries at the two grocery stores for the farmers. Almost every day I would stop at the confectionery.
I shook dice with Edna a lot and at one time I had over 100, 10 cent bars of candy coming to me from
her. Edna was a real fun person. On the north about 150 feet, on the west side was a large dance hall
used for dances, hometown theatricals, and basketball games. This was the recreational site for all of
Freedom, all of Glen and for some of Etna and Thayne. On the north about 1/2 mile was the home of
the Luthis'--a large beautiful frame house and further north about 1/2 mile was the Idaho School House.
1/4 mile further north, the home of Uncle Winn and Aunt Em Robinson, still further north was the home
of John Luthi and Hazel Robinson. A little further north you crossed the Tin Cup Creek and then
turned west to go past Carl Robinsons, Uncle Willard Robinson and Aunt Abbies, then to Dad's ranch.
Now back to the town--starting on the south part again but on the east side was a large log house
belonging to Grandpa Erickson, my Mothers parents. A little later the Freedom Bank and then some
Jenkins and on the corner where the road went east to the Burton Creamery was a small building, the
post office. North across the street from the post office was the small frame church. Going north before
you crossed the bridge over the slough was Bishop Bracken and after crossing the bridge, the
Spackmans, further north the Hokansons, then Daniel Clark, Charlie Luthis, then McBrides, then Alvin
Robinsons, and J.P. Robinsons a little east of the main road. Going west from the Idaho School House
was Fred Luthis, the McCullocks, the Raineys the Schiesses, and the Haderlies, Southwest of the town
were the Webers.
Going east from the church were Lewis Jenkins, Other Jenkins then were Willie Jenkins, then
across the Salt River to the Burton Creamery and on the east Charlie Webers and others.
Freedom was a great town for young people to be raised in. Practically all LDS, friendly,
helpful and kind. The big celebrations were on the 4th and 24th of July. I recall going upon the hill
north of our home and picking buckets full of Sego Lilies and tying them on wheels of buggies and on
harnesses of the teams so as to be part of the parade in town. Certainly some of the greatest people in
the world and in the Church did and still live in the Little Switzerland of Freedom and Star Valley.
For a general description most of the ground is relatively flat, with good deep soil and mostly
free of rocks--this is mostly true in Freedom and Glen where the Browers, Raineys, Sandersons,
Ericksons and Lindholms lived. The Freedom area had good water supply from Tin Cup Creek coming
from the west, and a diversion from the Salt River about two miles south of Freedom and this brought
water through man made ditches to the area southwest of Freedom and this diversion ran north through
Freedom about 1/4 mile east from the confectionery. This stream ran through Bishops farm and then
turned west into Idaho giving water to the Luthis, then to Uncle Winn Robinsons farm--then went east
into Wyoming and gave water to the Kirkbrides, the Alvin Robinsons, the J.P. Robinson ranches and
finally flowed north through many willows to provide water for cattle in the pastures and then emptied
back into the Salt River. The Jack Knife Creek came from the hills and mountains to the west and
furnished water to the Linholms, McGavins, Uncle Carl Erickson, Glen Robinson, etc. The hills
surrounding Freedom area were largely Quacken Asps, some pines and the same with the Glen area.
East of the Salt River, the land was less flat with a gradual slope eastward to the few foothills and high
mountains. Many rocks had to be cleared when the east side canal was established. It started in the
narrows above Thayne and running through lands east of the Salt River down through Thayne and Etna,
establishing this land for farms.
436
The vision and untiring labor of these early people is difficult to match. My Father John was no
exception. Children rarely got to bed before 11 o'clock in the summer. Dad was always up at 4 a.m. and
the children at 4:30 a.m. Everybody worked hard -- the girls would help milk the cows and would leave
the barn a little early to go fix breakfast.
One fond memory for me was when I went with my Dad to buy cattle and he always paid 1/2
cent more per pound to the widows. He never talked to me about it but when I made out the checks, I
noticed it.
Another fond memory was the large slough taken out of the Tin Cup about a 1/2 mile west of
our property. The stream ran through our property and down to Uncle Willard Robinsons, then to Carl
Robinsons and ran on north to water a farm my Father owned. The stream was large enough that in the
spring when the fish were returning from upstream spawning, many of them came down this irrigation
stream. We built a fish trap and each morning we could go to the trap and bring home a sack full of fish.
The suckers we would feed the pigs and the trout and white fish we would eat and take to the farmers as
we gathered their milk. This irrigation stream ended on the farm and all the fish would have died, so it
was good to be able to use them for food. This same stream harbored lots of ducks which I enjoyed
hunting. In the winter when frozen over, we had lots of good ice skating fun.
There was quite a mixture of the Luthis and the Robinsons. My brother J.P. married Rose Luthi,
my sister Hazel married John Luthi, my brother Carl married Minnie Luthi and my brother Reynold
married Eliza Luthi. No Luthi left for Thomas so I had to find one as good as the Luthis' in Salt Lake-this was Virginia Jermy Wright. She did a little better than the Luthi girls as she brought 10 children to
roost with us and we really loved each of them and were happy with them.
Thomas--Dr. Tom or T.E. Robinson M.D.
I respond to any and all of these names.
Most of my patients call me Dr. Tom.
437
WILLARD AND MARY ABIGAL ROBINSON
Willard Robinson was born in Richmond, Cache County, Utah on 4 January 1869 to John
Robinson and Ann Gregson Robinson. He was the eighth child in the family.
John and his wife, Ann, had joined the LDS church in England and was very active in the
church while there, holding many important positions. They came to America and settled in
Richmond and helped pioneer that part of the state. John and Ann are buried in Richmond, Cache,
Utah.
John Robinson taught the first school at Richmond and was paid by the parents of his pupils
in goods he could use. His son, Willard, and other children in his family were also his pupils.
Willard’s daughter, Muriel, had a lady from Logan, Mrs. Hanna Larson, who knew John
Robinson , tell her that John Robinson was a wonderful and powerful speaker, and that people would
come for miles when they knew he was to be the speaker.
Willard grew up like other boys of his time, roaming the hills east of the family home with
his dog, “Uno”. Richmond was, and still is, a beautiful, quiet and peaceful place. Many of the
Robinson family members still go back to the cemetery on Memorial Day to pay homage to their
honored dead.
Willard’s father died when Willard was ten years old. When Willard was older he bought a
corner lot in east Richmond. A small log house was on the property and his mother lived with him.
He worked in a saw mill, and while he was gone he hired a niece to stay with his mother.
Willard courted and married Mary Abigal Allen in Logan, Cache, Utah 30 March 1892. She
was the daughter of James Allen and Mary Elizabeth Mathews. Willard moved his new bride into
the house where he lived with his mother. Abbie, as Mary Abigal was known, dearly loved her
mother-in-law, and she often spoke of her to her children, so they learned to love Grandma Ann
Robinson by listening to the fond memories their mother told of their time together. This was the
only way they knew their grandmother, because she died 24 June 1892, only a short time after
Willard and Abbie’s marriage. She was buried by her husband in Richmond. This was a long way
from their birthplace in England.
Abbie liked to garden, and she would compete with her neighbor, Brother Griffin, in
gardening and especially in raising tomatoes. They were great friends and loved to visit and joke
together.
Willard and Abbie built a nice frame home on the lot where they lived, but later sold it and
bought a larger place east and north above the Richmond cemetery. It was through this ranch that
the Richmond City Water System was brought into the town. This really helped the town because
until this time the people had to dig wells. All their children were born while they lived in
Richmond.
The following is a list of their children:
Chlomania Robinson:
438
Born 31 January 1893. Blessed 2 March 1893 by Joseph Kerr. Baptized 4 September 1901
by Clarence Funk. Confirmed 4 September 1901 by William Hill.
John Willard Robinson:
Born 3 January 1895. Blessed 3 March 1895 by W. Merrill, Jr. Baptized 3 September 1905
by George Clark at Freedom, Wyoming. Confirmed the same day by William Jenkins.
Muriel Ann Robinson:
Born 1 November 1896. Blessed 3 January 1897 by W. Merrill, Jr. Baptized 3 September
1905 by George Clark at Freedom, Wyoming. (Willard and Muriel were baptized the same
day in the Salt River) Confirmed 3 September 1905 by William Jenkins. They sat on a pole
fence while being confirmed. There were two others baptized that day and confirmed while
sitting on the pole fence. The water was very cold.
There was a still-born girl, but no date was given. She was buried in the Richmond, Utah cemetery.
Lydia Robinson:
Born 22 January 1900. Blessed 22 January 1900 by Andrew Feltman. Died 22 January
1900. Buried in the Richmond cemetery.
Mary Edith Robinson:
Born 4 May 1903 at Richmond, Cache, Utah. Blessed 2 August 1903 by Walter Barber at
Freedom, Wyoming. Baptized 4 August 1913 by L. I. Jenkins at Freedom and confirmed
by Bishop A. F. Bracken on 4 August 1913.
Edith was two months old when Willard and Abbie moved from Richmond, Utah to
Freedom, Wyoming. They lived in Freedom until the fall of l9l9, and enjoyed the friendship of the
people and working in the Freedom ward. They lived close to their Uncle John, Jr and Aunt Hilda
Robinson and family. They enjoyed their cousins very much. Other relatives living in the area were
Uncle Win and Aunt Em Robinson, and Uncle George and aunt Emma Robinson Rainey .
They all rode horses and helped with work around the home. President Joseph F. Smith
instituted the Home Evening Plan for the church at this time, and the family especially looked
forward to Home Evening when they gathered around the big wood heater to read books and enjoy
the long winter evenings. In the summer they didn’t have time for the Home Evenings, but in the
winters they read such books as “Black Beauty”, English Orphans”. “The Virginian”, etc. Willard
always read for a while and then the book was passed around for rest of the family to take turns.
Just as it would get to the good part, Willard would say, “Now it is bedtime. If we all hurry with
our chores, we can read a little tomorrow night.” They could hardly wait to get to hear what would
happen. There was always a treat—cookies, popcorn, etc., and then off to bed. They had Home
Evening once every two weeks and there were happy memories of these times.
Abbie was very good with the sick, and she was usually sent for whenever there was illness
in the community. Many times she was there before the doctor, who lived 25 miles away in Afton,
Wyoming,. People in the ward became like a family as they depended on each other. All were
willing to help when needed. Abbie was a wonderful cook and worked in the various church
organizations.
439
Willard was rather shy about taking part, but paid his tithing and helped on ward projects.
He helped with sawing logs and building the Amusement Hall in Freedom. This was a big event,
because prior to this building all meetings, dances etc. were held in the one-room “meeting house”.
Curtains were drawn to divide classes for Sunday School, etc. Willard was very good with figures.
He built milking barns for people and one for himself. He drew all his own plans. Willard laid out
the plans for a dugway along the side of the mountain up Tin Cup Canyon. Prior to this time, the
road had been in the bottom of this very narrow canyon. There had been many crossings of the
stream and in the spring the bridge was continually washing out. The work for the new road was
done with horse-drawn implements and manpower. When, after many years, the state decided to put
a road through the canyon, they used the very same grade Willard had used. He was called upon to
measure stacks of hay to figure how many tons of hay people had and also to figure how many
bushels of grains in grain bins. When the First World War was on and a draft system set Willard was
taken in the very first draft. How happy the family was when the war ended and he came home.
In those days when there was a death, everything was done my the people. There were no
hospitals and mortuaries. The caskets were made by carpenters and trimmed by the Relief Society
Sisters, with help from the men when needed. Many times the women would sew all night to finish
beautiful burial clothes for the Sister who had passed away.
When Hilda Robinson, wife of John Robinson, Jr. died, Eliza Hemmert, a midwife, was in
charge of the delivery. Hilda got an infection, so they sent to Montpelier, Idaho for a doctor. This
was 80 miles away. A system was organized in which there was a relay system of teams throughout
the distance that the doctor had to travel so that he could be brought to Freedom with as much speed
as possible. However, the doctor could do nothing for her and she died. This was a great loss and a
tragic thing for this family of young children and especially for John Robinson. It was John’s wish
that the baby, Hilda, be taken into Willard and Abbie’s home until he was able to care for her.
Chlomania and Muriel took sewing classes and did sewing for some women in the ward.
They were a great help to their mother when she would be gone from the home for days at a time
taking care of the sick. When Justa, John Robinson Jr’s daughter, died of diphtheria, Abbie was
quarantined in John’s home for about two weeks, and Willard would take the children over to John’s
and they would sit on the side of the hill outside the fence and visit with their mother.
When the day of Justa’s funeral came, Abbie and John prepared the body, put it into the
casket that had been made, dipped a sheet in formaldehyde, wrapped the casket in it, and set it in the
yard. Willard and Win Robinson picked it up and carried it to a waiting buggy, and the relatives and
the bishop drove to the cemetery at Freedom. A song was sang and a prayer dedicating the grave
was given, then she was buried by the side of her mother.
Early in the fall of 1919 Willard sold out his farm in Freedom and moved his family to
Weiser, Idaho. They were in the Boise Stake and made many friends while living there. After the
three older children married Willard and Abbie moved to Magna, Utah. Willard worked for the
Utah Copper Company for several years. Edith had been trained in office work and got a job in
Salt Lake City.
While living in Magna Willard became very interested in temple work and genealogy. He
contributed money to researching his family line. Willard raised chickens to help support the
family.
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Willard died 4 December 1934 at his home in Magna, Utah after a lingering illness. Funeral
services were held in Magna 7 December 1934 and he was buried in the family plot in the
Richmond, Cache, Utah cemetery. Abbie remained in her home in Magna until her health
deteriorated and Edith and her husband, Gordon Martin Breeze, moved into the home with her. In
December 1942 she suffered a severe stroke. Her daughters cared for her until her death on 16 July
1943. Services were held on 20 July 1943 in her ward in Magna followed by her burial by the side
of her husband, Willard, in the cemetery at Richmond, Utah.
Their children married:
Chlomania married Calvin Eugene Caldwell
John Willard married Mary Orpha Larsen*
Muriel Ann married LeRoy Mallory
Mary Edith married Gordon Martin Breeze **
*John Willard Robinson died on 20 December 1975 at Portland Oregon in a hospital. He
was buried at Portland, Oregon 24 December 1975.
**Gordon Martin Breeze died 5 August 1975. He was buried in Tacoma, Washington 9
August 1975.
--Taken from the history written by Muriel Robinon Mallory
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WILLIAM AND VELTA WRIGHT ROBINSON
John Robinson, one of the earliest settlers in Freedom, was married to Merelda Peart. To
them was born one son, John Peart, known throughout his life as "J.P." After her death he married
Annie Christensen who bore three children: Alvin and Hazel and Willard who died in infancy.
Annie also succumbed, leaving John with three small children. Later, he met and married his third
wife, Hilda Ulricka Erickson. To them were born 4 daughters--Ada, Justie (who died at age 11),
Sybil, and Hilda. Their sons were Carl, twins Leonard and Reynold, James, William, and
Thomas. Hilda died three weeks after the birth of her youngest daughter and namesake, leaving
John to raise 12 children without a mother. He vowed never to marry again. The family stayed on
the farm, and as they grew to maturity J.P, Alvin, Hazel, James, Reynold, Leonard, Carl, and
William each obtained acreage and farms, clustered around the family home and raised families of
their own.
William (known as Bill or Willie and the next to the youngest son) married Velta Ruth
Wright, daughter of Charles Erastus and Annie Frederika Hemmert Wright, who lived on Muddy
String in Thayne. They purchased a 329 acre farm next to Bill's father's home in Freedom from his
uncle and aunt, Willard and Abigail Robinson. They farmed the way most of their neighbors
farmed. Alfalfa and grain were raised in the fields, sheep were used for food and their wool. Pigs,
chickens, turkeys, and geese were used for food, and some sold for cash. Usually, there were 15 to
25 cows to milk each morning and night. Milk from the evening was cooled in 10 gallon cans in
the water trough overnight and sent to the creamery the next morning in the milk wagon where it
was made into swiss cheese. They worked together on the farm. Velta helped with the milking and
drove a team of horses each day in the hayfield in the summer time until tractors and other
sophisticated farm equipment replaced the work horses.
They had four children: William (also known as Willie) and three daughters--Okla, Gwen,
and Ruth Ann. The children worked in the fields as well as in the house. Gwen and Ruth Ann
gathered wool from the barbed wire fences left from the sheep as they crossed under the wires.
Picking and canning service berries was an annual project and provided a good portion of the winter
fruit.
Winter food storage was an important part of life. In the fall of the year, sometime after the
first frost, at least two pigs were killed. The hams and slabs of bacon were cured in the
smokehouse. Some of the meat was cut into chunks, seasoned, cooked on the stove, placed in quart
jars, sealed, and processed in a water bath in the oven until all bacteria was destroyed. The best of
the meat was ground into sausage and piled on the table. Bill seasoned it with sage, salt and pepper
and other spices, and then it was stuffed into long bags Velta had made from 58-pound flour sacks
cut and sewed into bags about five inches wide. The filled bags were hung on the outside of the
house to freeze. Later they were sliced into patties, the cloth peeled off and cooked for a wonderful
breakfast.
The grain fields ripened in the fall, and the thresher crews started their work. It was a
cooperative affair. The thresher was owned by one man, and the crews were made up of local
farmers. A schedule was made up. Bill and Willie joined the crew, and each day went to a
neighbor's to harvest grain. When that job was finished, the thresher moved on to the next farm,
and the crew followed. The wives prepared a noontime dinner and often served between 38 and 56
men. It was a progressive move when combines replaced the threshing machine.
442
Cash was always scarce, and Velta became an accomplished seamstress. On her treddle sewing
machine she worked late into the nights making dresses, coats, mittens, pants, or quilts not only
for her own family, but she sewed for others in order to raise a little cash for groceries. She also
knitted warm woolen earmuffs for men, women and children. When death occurred in a family,
many times she was asked to make the burial clothes or to line the homemade casket of an infant.
She was an angel of mercy as she sat with the sick and the dying. Bill would hitch up the team, fill
the sleigh or wagon with fresh hay, make sure she had sufficient quilts to keep her warm, and she
would take herself to the home of those who needed her. After spending the night she usually
returned home in the mornings to get the children off to school, take care of her family and if
needed, return for another night with the sick.
Bill trailed cattle from Freedom to Soda Springs through all kinds of weather--wet, cold,
snow and ice. He always had the two most important companions a cowboy needed--a faithful horse
and a trusty dog. When returning from a trailride in the dark, he wrapped himself in his heavy coat
and gloves, pulled his hat down low over his face, put the reigns over the saddle horn, gave the
horse his head and let him take him safely home. Many times he returned home late in the night
with his chaps and clothes frozen stiff.
While Bill was away on the trail, Velta and the children cared for the stock and milked the
cows. She was always nervous when Bill was away. There were many night noises on the farm-coyotes cried from the hilltops, owls hooted, and often during those depresssion years, there were
weary travelers who knocked on the door late at night looking for a meal and a place to stay.
Theirs was a home where nephews were left in their charge, and others came for company
and stayed to be taught important principles of hard work, responsibility, and honesty. No one ever
left their home hungry. Tramps or hobos were frequent visitors in the summer time. Among their
kind, the word was that if you go down Tincup from Soda Springs, you could always find a meal
and a bed at John Robinson's or down the road to his sons.
They seemed always to find Bill’s place. Although Velta would never let them leave
without a meal, she would not allow them in the house unless Bill was there. She asked them to sit
on a block of wood on tbe porch to eat and offered them a bed in the hayloft of the barn.
Bill and Velta were industrious and progressive in their life style. They were among the first
to purchase a Delco system to provide electric lights in their home and a gasoline engine powered a
revolutionary milking machine. It was not too many years before the Delco system was replaced by
a common system that brought electricity to the whole valley.
In 1935 they made an addition to their log home which provided indoor plumbing with hot
and cold water a bathroom, and a small room for the newly acquired electric refrigerator, a place
for Velta's sewing and a beautiful ironing area close to the wood stove which heated the flat irons. It
was not long, however, before the flat irons were replaced by an electric iron. The sound galvanized
tub used on Saturday nights for bathing bodies was hung on the outside of the house, replaced by the
luxury of a ceramic tub where one could stretch the body out to full length and bask in the wonderful
hot water.
The family's life centered around the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the
community. Both Bill and Velta were very spiritual and sensitive people. Velta continually taught
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her children and others about the truthfulness of the gospel and to appreciate the handiwork and
creations of the Lord. They loved people and were friends to everyone. They worked and served in
the Church in many positions. In the late 30's and early 40's Bill was the president of the Young
Mens MIA, and Velta was the president of the Young Women MIA. Mutual was held every
Tuesday night, and they always drove their car to Freedom to the church. Anyone who lived along
the route would stand out on the road and wait to catch a ride. It was not unusual to have at least 12
bodies in the car. One night 17 people were jammed in or on the car. Bill got out and stood on the
running board along with four other kids, and two kids were on each fender. Velta drove the rest of
the way with Ruth Ann sitting on her lap.
Dancing was an important part of their recreation. In Freedom, Etna, and Thayne they were
held in the old cultural halls and in the little schoolhouse in Jacknife. When cars came to Star Valley
and transportation was easier, the Lower Valley people went to dances in Auburn, Grover, Afton
or Smoot. Circles of friendships extended. There were always wonderful Fourth of July
celebrations in Freedom and Swiss Cheese Day parties. On the 4th of July a talent show or program
was held in the cultural hall in the forenoon, everyone went home for lunch or a picnic and met in
the afternoon at the Ball Diamond for a spirited baseball game, horse races, games and footraces
for the children and to support the food booths where hamburgers, hot dogs, ice cream, soft drinks
and other goodies could be purchased for a nickel or a dime. It was a wonderful experience if you
had a dollar to spend during the afternoon.
Bill a1ways kept good riding horses. He and Jim McGavin decided to train their teenage
sons, Willie and Ferrin, to ride Roman style. In this event two horses were strapped together at the
bridles and the rider would stand with one leg on each horse and race for the prize. At the Lincoln
County Fair Ferrin and Willie competed with other riders in the Roman competition. Okla rode in
the girl's competition and never lost first-place position.
Summer ball games were the highlight of the season. Each Saturday morning the milking
was done, horses harnessed, and everyone was in the field by 8:00 a.m. The haying stopped
promptly at noon, and everyone went for dinner and to get ready for the ballgame. Bill and his son
Willie played on the same baseball team along with other neighbors. On the way home, the games
were played over and over again in their conversations, and Strategies planned for next week's game.
Growing up in Star Valley was a wonderful experience.
Written 1 June, 1988
In l946 Bill, Velta, Gwen & Ruth Ann (the only children at home) moved to Afton, Bill
started buying & selling livestock, he also started a livestock auction held each week, Bill, Velta,
Ted & Leah Moffat (Velta's sister & her husband) bought a women's apparel shop which Velta &
Leah operated.
Velta died in 1978---Bill died in 1986
Hal and & Jann Heiner & family live on his grandparents farm.
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WILLIAM PAXTON ROBINSON - EMILY OLIVE WHITTLE
William Paxton Robinson, or “Winn” as he was called by his family and friends, was born 7
August 1863 in Richmond, Cache, Utah. He was the fourth son of John Read Robinson and Ann
Gregson.
His father died when Winn was fourteen years old, and he assisted other family members in
helping to support his mother. He drove a team on the freight line from Corrine, Utah to Helena,
Montana. Later he worked for a surveying crew on the Oregon Short-Line Railroad surveying the
line to Fort Benton, Montana. He used teams and scrapers to make the grades for the first railroad.
He married Emily Olive Whittle on 11 November, 1884 in Richmond, Cache, Utah. The
marriage was later solemnized in the Logan Temple. They filed on some land in Gentile Valley,
near Grace, Idaho, but this venture did not turn out as they had hoped; so they moved back to
Richmond, Utah where their first child, William Glen, was born.
Winn and his two brothers, Frank and John, made a trip to Star Valley, Wyoming, where
they purchased some land located in what is now known as the Freedom area. Winn returned to
Richmond and brought his wife and baby to Star Valley. The land was sparsely settled and they
became real pioneers. Winn’s original homestead became known as “the old ranch”. As time
passed Winn bought out his brother’s shares of the ranch, and they returned to Richmond, but John
later returned to Star Valley to rear his family.
Winn was known throughout Star Valley for his honesty and integrity. No one found it
necessary to sign a note with him on any business venture, as “his word was as good as his bond.”
He was tall and lean in appearance and he had a keen sense of humor. He was liked by everyone
who knew him. He was a good provider.
Emily worked quietly at Winn’s side. She was a petite lady with lots of energy. She did all
the sewing and knitting for the family in addition to making quilts, sewing rags for carpets, canning ,
cooking and all the countless duties of a ranch wife and mother. She served on the sewing
committee responsible for making burial clothing for people who died in the area. She churned
butter and sold it to the Burton Mercantile in Afton who made it into pounds and sold it to their
customers.
When the flu epidemic swept the country after World War I, she nursed family members
back to health, except for her son, Guy, who developed pneumonia and died. It was winter and the
ground was frozen. There were no mortuary facilities. It was her responsibility to prepare her son’s
body for burial. She packed snow around Guy’s body until such time as the burial could be taken of.
In later years she broke a hip, and the doctors felt that she would never walk again, but she
had her son, Dewey, put casters on a chair, which she could use to sit on and make her way around
the house. She went that way until she could use her legs again but never without pain.
Winn died of cancer 1 August 1931. He had become a prosperous rancher and cattleman.
With foresight and planning his legal affairs were in excellent order and his wife and family were
well provided for.
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Emily lived past her eightieth year and died 3 January 1945 in Idaho Falls, Idaho where she
had been living with her son, Dewey, and his wife Thelma. She was buried beside Winn in the
Freedom, Wyoming cemetery, which overlooks the valley to which they had come so many years
before. Their children lived to maturity and married. They leave behind a rich heritage of stalwart
pioneer virtues. Integrity, thrift, industriousness, good business management, compassion and
concern for others characterize their lives.
THEIR CHILDREN:
WILLIAM GLEN
Born. 11 April 1887, Richomond, Utah
md. Elsie McGavin
GUY
EMILY OLIVE
Born. 27 August 1889, Freedom, Wyoming
md. Ida Luthi
Born. 12 October 1892, Freedom, Wyoming
md. Griffin Harris Marshall
LOUIE
FREDERICK DEWEY
Born. 2 September 1895, Freedom, Wyoming
md. Lorin Hanson
Born. 14 July 1898, Freedom, Wyoming
md. Thelma Jane Gillies
MARY ANN
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Born. 3 December 1902, Freedom, Wyoming
md. William Alvin Schiess
EDYTH JENKINS ROMNEY
I was born 14 Apr., 1906, in the new house of my parents, William Evan and Lena Weber
Jenkins. Our home was located 1/4 mile east of Freedom, Wyo. on the south side of the road. I was
the 3rd child of 7.
When I was about 21 mo. old my father was called on a mission to the Central States for 2
years.
I attended the first 2 years of school in the Idaho school house about 1 1/2 miles west and
north of home. Skipping the 3rd grade, from the 4th to the 8th I went to the new school in Wyo.,
just north of town. I attended high school in Afton and graduated from Star Valley as valedictorian
in 1923. That fall I enrolled at Brigham Young College in Logan, Utah, and the three years
following I attended Utah State Agricultural College in the same city. I majored in English and
graduated with a Bachelor of Science on 4 June, 1927.
In the fall of 1927 I obtained a teaching position in the high school at Moore, Id. And the
next year I taught grade school in Freedom.
In the early summer of 1930, Bishop Carl Robinson said he would like me to prepare to go
on a mission when Alice who was serving in the East Central States, should return. My parents
suggested I need not wait for her return, and as a result, I went into the mission home in July and 10
days later departed for the Canadian Mission with headquarters in Toronto, Ontario. I returned
home the last of January in 1933, having served for 2 1/2 years.
I worked in Clarence Chadwick's store in Freedom for a while; did some genealogical
research in Salt Lake City, taught school and busied in various church activities.
I proposed to Bishop Daniel J. Clark that a committee start raising funds to build a new
chapel, I was appointed chairman, and we organized programs, had banquets and put on plays, etc.,
to raise money. It was a small beginning, but the ward had a small fund to purchase lumber when
the time came to start the building.
I taught school in Freedom, Etna and Fairview, Wyo., until 1938. On 12 July, 1938, I was
married to Eli Hansen in the Manti Temple. Eli suffered a stroke and passed away 25 Sept., 1945.
My bishop asked me if I would like to go on a mission, and I responded in the affirmative,
feeling it would be the best thing that could happen to me at that time. I received a call to the
Central States Mission. My mission president’s, Thomas C. Romney, wife Lydia had died while
serving with him in the mission presidency. We were drawn together to some extent through the
sympathy we felt for each other in the deaths of our companions. After he was released in 1946 we
corresponded. I was released 15 June, 1947, and on 6 Oct. we were married in the Salt Lake
Temple.
I have not been blessed with children of my own, but have enjoyed and appreciated the three
children of Eli: Vergil, Ethel and LeOra; and the seven children of Thomas: Owen, Golden,
Pauline, Lucille, Miles, Catherine and Genevieve.
Following the death of Thomas in January 1962, I was employed at the Historians Office.
447
CHET J. & LISA PARK TONKS SANDERSON
Chet was born 26 Feb 1958 the third child of Max and Maxine Jenkins Sanderson. He grew
up on the family farm, when he got old enough to go fishing by himself, he spent a lot of time
fishing along the Jacknife Creek that runs through their farm and into Salt River, bringing home a
catch or two.
Chet attended grade school at the Metcalf School in Etna, and Jr. High and High School in
Afton. He graduated from High School in May of 1976 and then attended 2 years at Weber State
College in technology and trade, technical education in diesel service, auto body and paint
graduating 3 June 1978. He returned to Star Valley where he worked for his Uncle Don at Don
Wood Tractor Co. in Afton as a mechanic for a time. He worked at the Jacknife Construction Co. in
Etna for J.P. Robinson as a mechanic and sometimes driving truck. For a while, Chet owned and
operated his own logging truck.
Chet married Lisa Park Tonks 16 December 1983. She is the daughter of Marvin and Rayola
Corsi Park. Her dad and mother lived in Freedom for awhile when she was young and Lisa attended
Kindergarten at the Metcalf School in Etna. Her family then moved to Irwin, Idaho and she attended
grade school at Irwin and high school at Ririe Idaho.
When Chet married Lisa he also became an instant Dad to her little daughter, Cassie Marie
Tonks. Chet legally adopted Cassie and her name was changed to Sanderson 17 November 1986.
Chet and Lisa lived in Etna for just a few months after they were married and in March of
1984 they bought a trailer home and moved it to Freedom just north of his parents home and lived
there for seven years. In March 1991 they bought a home in Etna where they now live. Chet works
for Kilroy Construction Co. in Alpine as a mechanic.
Chet and Lisa enjoy doing things together as a family, boating, water skiing and camping. They
have three daughters, Cassie, Candice "Candi" and Charlotte " Charlee".
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DEL MAR AMD LINDA WEBER SANDERSON
Del Mar was born June 22, 1932, to Orion Lamont and Louie Heap Sanderson. He grew up in
Freedom and went to elementry school there and high school in Afton.
Linda was born Dec. 14, 1940, to Herbert Charles and Vera Farnsworth Weber. She grew up
and went to elementry school in Freedom, and attended high school in Afton.
Del Mar and Linda were married April 1, 1961 (April Fools Day) Del Mar worked on power line
construction for two or three years and then they returned to Freedom and bought Del Mar's family farm.
They have three children, Rosalie Ann, Dal & Laurie.
Rosalie Ann married Dr. Scott Southworth from Salt Lake City and they have three children;
Shayla, Brian and Whitney and are living in Farmington, UT.
Dal was married and divorced and has one son, Richard. Dal lives in Freedom at this time.
Laurie married Shane Reeder from Logan and they have two girls, Kallie and Alexi. They live
in Gresham, Oregon where he practices Law.
449
ORION LA MONT (DICK) & LOUIE HEAP SANDERSON
He was the eighth child born to Richard Swan and Martha Nelson. He was born 18 May, 1904,
in Bloomington, ID. His parents came to Freedom, WY when he was a year old. He attended school 8
years in Glen, ID., and one year in Freedom. He worked on his father's farm, trapped, logged and
worked on the Tin Cup Road.
He was a member of the LDS Church and served a mission to southern California. He served on
the Sunday School Board with Fred Luthi. He also served as a secretary to the Jackknife Cattleman's
Assoc. and the Freedom Cemetery Board. Dick stacked hay for $1.00 a day for William Robinson.
He worked as a mechanic for Clifford Haderlie in Thayne, WY and there he met Louie Heap. A
year later they were married in Blackfoot, ID., on 18 May, 1929. Their marriage was solemnized in the
Idaho Falls LDS Temple 2 July, 1968.
After living in Afton a short time, Dick and Louie moved to Freedom to help his father on the
farm which he later bought.
In 1934, they moved a house on log skids from the north end of Etna to Freedom with four teams
of horses. They lived there for ten years while building their new home. They hand dug the basement
with help from Grandpa Sanderson's brother, Nels. Carpenters were paid $.75-1.00 and hour. The
cement work was done by the Sanderson brothers and they hired Wilford Haderlie for the roof work.
Ether Baker made the cabinets. The closets were all cedar lined. Materials in all cost $800.00.
Babies cost $50.00 and was a 10 day stay for baby and mother. Louie Sanderson and Virginia
Kennington were expecting and stayed at Dr. West's home before the babies were born. He took them
with him so he would be able to keep an eye on them while he went up Tyge where he had to check his
sheep.
The cost of Corn Flakes was $.25 for two big boxes, eggs were $.10 a dozen and gas was $.25 a
gallon.
Dick and Louie have seven children:
La Dean Clark
Del Mar
Joyce Cherry
Lloyd
Yvonne Card
Dennis
Linda Call
La Mont died 27 Sept., 1982.
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MAX SANDERSON & MAXINE JENKINS SANDERSON
Max Sanderson was born on October 6,1925 in Afton, Wyoming to Delos and Alta Brower
Sanderson.
He was their first born and only son. Max has three sisters, Reba, Mary, and Kayleen.
In 1929, his Dad and mother moved to Etna. His Dad bough the ranch where Bert McNeel
now lives from his brother Nels Sanderson.
Max started his first years of school in Etna.
In 1932, His Dad and Mother moved back to Freedom. They lived in a two room log cabin
down in the willows east of his Grandma and Grandpa Sanderson. His Dad then sold the place to
Swede Robinson, which is now owned by Eldon Luthi. His Dad then bought the land owned by Joe
Christensen, which is were we now live.
When Max’s Dad first bought the place from Joe, it was mostly willows. The only land that
could be farmed was on the west side of the Salt River.
Max new as a young boy what it was like to work hard. He helped his Dad to clear the
willows on the east side of the Salt River which is the meadows. They used horses and a 22
Caterpillar to pull the willows and work the ground.
Max has seen a great change come about on the farm with hard work and more modern
machinery.
In the winter months, Max helped his father in the canyon getting logs for building and
improving the place.
Max married Maxine Jenkins on June 15, 1945 in the Idaho Falls Temple.
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RICHARD SWAN & MARTHA NELSON SANDERSON
On October 15, 1883, Swan and Martha were married. The following Sept. 24, 1884 their
first child, James Richard was born. Their second son, Dowe Christian was born on October 2,
1886. He died of whooping cough on Sept. 5, 1887. Their third baby, Andrew Nelson (Nels) was
born August 14, 1888. During this time Swan supported his family by working their small farm in
St. Charles, Idaho and by trapping furs.
Swan would skin the muskrats near where he caught them and take the hides home. Martha
would flesh the hides and put them on stretchers to dry. Swan trapped all one year and accumulated
nearly a wagon box load of muskrat hides which he sold for five cents each and bought Martha a
sewing machine.
In the winter of 1888 the settlers in Freedom were starving. Toward spring they sent Ike and
John Hill our to Montpelier to get flour for them. Swan decided that a better opportunity might exist
in Star Valley. In the summer of 1889, Swan and Martha and their two boys, James and Nels,
moved to Freedom and homesteaded a parcel of ground just north of the Freedom Cemetery. This
place is now part of the Rex Weber Farm. He left his family and returned to Bear Lake to work to
get money to buy needed supplies.
Indians were a constant bother to Martha and because she was alone with two small boys,
they were a concern to her. One time the Indians came to her cabin door asking for bread, instead of
giving bread, she threw pepper in their face. On another occasion two Indians came by near evening
and pounded on the door. Martha put James and Nels in the cellar under the floor and told James to
keep Nels quiet.
Martha’s only weapon was an ax. She would sit and knit at night by the moonlight with an
ax by the bolted door in fear of the Indians that were camping near by. It was here, she gave birth to
their first daughter, Delpha born Nov. 2, 1892 and died Dec. 18, 1892. IN the short time of life the
baby contacted whooping cough. They took the tiny baby to St. Scharles and buried her beside their
infant son Dowe.
Times were very hard and Martha’s nerves got the best of her and she had a nervous
breakdown. Swan moved her back to St. Charles where he could have help caring for her.
Their second daughter, Martha Iola was born MY 19, 1895 AT St. Charles. After the birth of
Iola they moved back to Freedom and bought land located next to where the LDS Chapel is located.
Soon a two room log cabin was built and their son Lavon Swan was born may 19, 1898. William
Delos was born October 19, 1901. After the birth of Delos, Martha developed a high fever (Milk
Leg) and had to lay in bed for eleven weeks. The only medication was painting her leg with iodine
applied with a feather.
Martha again was bothered with her nerves so Swan moved his family back to Bloomington,
Idaho around 1904. It was there Orin Lamont was born May 18, 1904.
They sold their place to L. I. Jenkins. Swan had purchased several parcels of land which
were quite scattered and spent all of his time riding from one place to another irrigating.
By 1906 Swan convinced Martha that things really were better in Freedom so they sold their
place to a man by the name of Bert Thomas on credit and moved back to Freedom.
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There wasn’t much good land left to homestead so they borrowed money from Wal Barber
and bought the Frank Robinson place. They would finally settle down and call this place home for
the rest of their lives.
On May 24, 1906, shortly after they moved to Freedom their last child,
Thetta Ann was born.
Their home was originally located at the north end of their property next to where the
Weldon Clark home is. Around 1909 Swan moved their house to the south end of the property and
Martha’s brother, Andrew helped build an addition to the home and is still standing.
Swan and Martha would always take time in the summer to return to Bear Lake to visit
friends and relatives. Something we seldom have time to do any more.
Swan was nearly 60 years old when to got his first car. That was a lot of years of working
with horses to learn how to drive a car. The little car shed which he built had a constant bulge in the
back wall which came from Swan driving in at high speed and shouting “Woah!” instead of applying
the brakes. The wall would stop the car.
In February of 1952 a blizzard struck the area. Swan nearly 92 years old, got up and
shoveled a path in the snow. The next day while he was putting on his shoes, he suffered a stroke.
He passed away a few days latter on February 25, 1952.
Martha was 78 years old when she developed sever stomach pains and would vomit a green
substance. The family took her to Idaho Falls, Idaho where the doctor could not find what was
causing the problem. She had always had to cope with bad legs running ulcers. Grandma always
had time to fix a meal for everyone when we went to visit. Her body had finally worn out, she
passed away due to age October 29, 1956 four years after Grandpa passed away.
They both were laid to rest at the St. Charles, Idaho cemetery where their infants were
buried.
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WILLIAM DELOS & ALTA BROWER SANDERSON
William Delos Sanderson was born October 19, 1901 at Freedom, Wyoming to Richard
Swan and Martha Nelson Sanderson in a log cabin on the pact that Vernon Jenkins now resides.
Alta Brower Sanderson was born October 4, 1905 to James Mason and Beata Maria Erickson
Brower at her grandparents home at Glen, Idaho.
Dad and mother were married July 3, 1924 at Paris, Idaho. On June 3, 1925 a son was born,
William Max. A daughter, Reba arrived on April 19, 1928. A few years passed and Mary arrived
on May 18, 1936. Our baby sister Kayleen was born on October 3, 1941. Children and spouses
Wm. Max Sanderson-----Maxine Jenkins
Reba--------Dick R Luthi
Mary-----------R L Heiner
Kayleen--------A Glayde Hill
As I type this mom and dad has 17 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and 3 great, great
grandchildren.
Max remember: When I was growing up Dad worked from daylight till dark. We cleared
willows from the place with horses and chains. The willows were so thick it took lots of hard work.
Dad and I would milk and have all the feeding doen and off to the canyon every winter at day break.
He helped several neighbors with lumber. Dad helped a lot of people with hay so they could finish
wintering their cattle out until spring.
Reba remembers; When dad told us kids to do something or get up when he called, we knew
to do it or else. Every week end when we would go dancing, the next morning to be sure we were
called earlier than usual. Max and I were with Dad to do about everything like, haying, fencing,
weeding garden, picking huckleberries and etc. Mom always had the best meals ready for us. she
had a big garden, bottling lots of fruit, meat. Mom never idle, always busy cooking, sewing,
crocheting, patching, and whatever needed to be done to keep up her home. I went many, many
times to play for her and her brothers (Walter or Harold) to sing to funerals. Those memories are
very special. Dad and mother served in many different church jobs. They were faithful church
workers. Mother loved and lived for singing, and even miss a meal if she could fulfill a request for
some one.
Mary remembers: Mother was a good cook. We had to work in the hayfield and when we
came in from the field, dinner was always waiting for us. After they hay was put in and before
school started we always went for a camping trip with Uncle Nels and Aunt Mandy, Gaye and
Vonda. Mother did a lot of sewing for us. I remember my first formal, a blue taffeta with a jacket.
She sewed most of my clothes but only remember the formal. Every day when we were haying, at 4
o’clock in the afternoon, mom would bring us a lunch and a drink. She was very considerate and
worked very hard.
Kayleen remembers; It seems like only yesterday when I was a youngster. I have much
request and love for Mother and Dad. I disagreed many times with their answers they gave me,
when I asked questions, but as the years went by I could understand more about the reasons given
and why. Their advice has been appreciated and used many times while raising my children.
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Our camping trips were the most outstanding memories for all of us with the folks. We all
looked forward to the outings with them. Mom and Dad worked and prepared for days for the yearly
camping trip up Snake River at East Table. All of the grandchildren looked forward for the summer
to come for the outings with Grandpa and Grandma. Their wedding anniversary was July 3, so each
year it was the tradition to go camping. We took lots of pictures and made the outings very special
and enjoyed by all. They celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary in 1974.
The last time we went with the folks was in 1976 and all of us enjoyed our reunion. Dad was
very ill at the time but did not let on to anyone. Less than a year later Dad passed away on May 31,
1977. Mother was very lonely.
Mary, Kayleen, and I with our spouses, Mother and friend Effie enjoyed a trip to the Ice
Follies in Salt Lake City in April 1980. We had so much fun.
Mother wen to Logan, Utah to visit a few days with Uncle Alden and Aunt Audron. She
enjoyed a loved her two brothers very much. She passed away on Sunday May 4, 1980 at Uncle
Alden’s.
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WILLIAM DONNIE AND KATHLEEN ANDERSON SANDERSON
Donnie was born 4 Sept., 1952, the second child and oldest of Max and Maxine Jenkins
Sanderson.
He grew up on the farm and in his early years developed a great love for horses. He spent a
lot of time on Sunday afternoons with his saddle horse rigging up to some type of harness so his
horse could pull things for him.
He attended grade school at the Metcalf School in Etna, Jr. Hi. and High School in Afton
graduating in May of 1970. After graduation he went to work for his Uncle Don Wood at his tractor
co. in Afton for awhile. Donnie then worked for Vaughn Haderlie in his outfitting business as a
packer in the fall during hunting season. The summer of 1973 was spent on trail rides with Vaughn
going up into Challis, Idaho. This was something he enjoyed being with horses and out in the
mountains. He bought himself a mule for packing and named her Ruffus. He spent a few months
one winter in Soda Springs working at the mines and one summer on a ranch near Billings, Montana.
Donnie decided to come back home and work with his Dad on the farm. He worked as range
herder for Jacknife Creek Cattle Assoc. for a few years. He bought another mule and named him
Festus to pack the salt to the cattle.
His desire to own a beautiful team of horses took him to Shell, Wyo., near Greybull, where
he purchased four Clydesdale colts, and later he bought two more. Donnie spent a lot of time
working and training his horses until he was able to have a four-horse hitch in the parade. He
entered his horses for a few years in many parades, going to Sun Valley, Id., Ogden, UT. for the 24th
of July celebration, Jackson Hole, Wyo. and Jefferson Co. Fair in Rigby, Id. He is a member of the
Draft-Horse Assoc. In Idaho, participating in many of their functions. He has won many trophies
and ribbons with his horses. The one he was the most thrilled about took him four years to win, the
championship trophy in the plowing contest.
He married Kathleen Anderson who was the oldest of two daughters, and she was born 10
Nov., 1949, to Virginia and Harold Benson Anderson in Long Beach, California. She grew up in
Southern California, graduating from Norwalk High School in June of 1967.
Kathy was baptized a member of the LDS Church a few months after graduation. She
attended Cerritos College in Cerritos, California. During this time she sang with a patriotic sing out
group, The Grand Land Singers. She also worked part time in department stores and offices. She
left home to attend BYU in Sept. 1969, graduating in April of 1974 and left BYU in Aug. of 1974,
with teaching credentials in elementary ed. and special ed.
During summer vacations while Kathy was in college, she spent one summer in Illinois and
one summer in Connecticut doing genealogy research and working as a waitress.
After graduating from BYU, Kathy fulfilled teaching assignments in special education in
Owensboro, Kentucky and Idaho Falls, Id.
In the summer of 1979, Kathy moved to Portland, Oregon to enter a masters program at
Lewis and Clark College in teaching the deaf. She finished her Masters work in May of 1980 in
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Gooding, Idaho at the State School for the Deaf and Blind. She received her masters degree in June
of 1980.
In the spring of 1980 Kathy first came to Star Valley to visit a friend. She interviewed for a
special ed. job in Lincoln County School District #2. She later signed a contract to teach resource
room and was assigned to Afton Elementary and the newly opening Osmond Elementary.
Kathy was lined up in the early spring of 1981 on a blind date with Donnie Sanderson by her
principal, Dee Hokanson. Kathy married Donnie 2 May, 1981, in Freedom, Wyo. And put an S on
the beginning of her last name. They were sealed in the Manti Temple in October of 1986.
Their first child, Flynt William Sanderson, was born 1 Oct., 1987, and their second child,
Noelle, Tiana Sanderson was born 27 May, 1990.
Living on a farm has been a challenge for Kathy. It is a long way in distance and life style
from the city. She continues to work for the Star Valley School Dist. in various teaching
assignments currently at the Holdaway School in Thayne.
picture
Donnie
Noelle - Kathy - Flynt
457
ALONZO and NETTIE SCHIESS
I Virginia Schiess Nield of Alpine, Utah will tell about my Father and Mother Alonzo or Lon
and Nettie McNeel Schiess. I have my brother Dean living in Paradise Valley, Arizona and my other
sister Patricia S. Redburn living in Delorus, Colorado.
Lon and Nettie took over the Susan Stauffer and Jacob Schiess farm up TinCup Canyon,
Carbon County, Freedom Idaho, about one mile West of the Idaho- Wyoming border line in 1924.
Jacob and Susan’s Family had lived there from 1892 to 1924. They had ten children, John U.,
Edwin, Alvin, Alfred, Lon, Lloyd, Dellert, Hazel, Connie, and Virl. My dads was the fifth boy. We
first lived in a two room house about ¾ mile west of the original Schiess log cabin house all four
years dad homesteaded 160 acres and then after Jacob died in 1920. Susan and family moved to
Providence, Utah 1924. In 1928 Lon, Nettie, and Virginia moved into the log cabin home and
purchased the 160 acres from Susan. Money was hard to come by then. He had paid her a small
amount each month from the milk check and milk hauling job.
Most of the ground was unproductive. It was covered with brambles of willows, sage brush,
deep ditches, swales, rocks and water that run everywhere. Lon and Nettie had a big task ahead.
They both worked very hard. Lon worked night and day it seemed improving this ground. Removed
willows, sagebrush and burned. Filled in ditches and swales, made new fences and ditches. He
disked, harrowed, and leveled until the ground looked very good. He planted alfalfa, barley, and
oats. Lon and Nettie were both hard workers, very neat and orderly. We always had a big garden. A
big raspberry and strawberry patch, also potatoes. Mother canned a lot of fruit every year. We
picked a lot of wild berries, huckleberries, sarvis berries, choke cherry, gooseberries, and currents.
Lon built up a big herd of milk cows, sheep, pigs, chickens, and several horses. He hauled his
and the Mughuons milk to the Swiss Cheese Factory in Freedom for many years. He went to the
canyon for big trees to make lumber and kept it stacked neatly in the shed. He brought in big dry
trees from the hills for firewood each year. We used our neighbors saw. Then we split and stacked it
neatly. We went to a hole in the creek to cut out blocks of ice to put in a saw dust bed, so we could
have ice cream in the summer. We didn’t have running water of electricity for many years. We used
coal oil lanterns in the barn and kerosene lamps in the house. We hauled our own water for a long
time, to drink and to wash and bath with. We built a new home when I was about fourteen. It was
really wonderful when we had running water in the house and could bathe in a tub, and to have
electric lights and a refrigerator. We made our own butter in a churn. We also made cottage cheese,
and wash soap from the fat, sour kraut from our cabbage, and horseradish from plants that grew in
our yard. We gathered a lot of eggs which we cleaned, put in crates and took to the grocery store and
traded for other food. Nettie was a very good cook. She was known for her lemon pies, chocolate
cakes, raised doughnuts and fruit cakes. We made candy and played games in the winters.
Nettie Mc Neel born January 30, 1908
Alonzo “Lon” Schiess born August 28, 1900
Married October 1, 1924 in Logan, Utah
ChildrenVirginia June 9, 1925
Dean December 13, 1929
Patricia May 19, 1944
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Parents of NettieWilliam Lloyd McNeel March 9, 1860
Emma Ruud June 14, 1885
married May 1, 1907
Parents of AlonzoSusan Stauffer Schiess January 27, 1872
Jacob Schiess July 14, 1862
married December 10, 1890
Lon and Nettie posterity approximately 52
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DELBERT & SUSAN MERLE NELSON SCHIESS
Del was born in Freedom May 13, 1905 to Jacob and Susannah Stauffer Schiess. He was the 7th
son in a family of 8 boys and 2 girls.
As a young man he enjoyed all kinds of sports, participating in circuit boxing matches that were
held in Star Valley and rodeos. He was a skilled fisherman.
Merle was born Mar. 9, 1906 at Thayne, WY to Charles Henry and Susan Cornelia Hymas
Nelson.
Delbert and Merle were married on May 8, 1925 in Freedom, WY. They had four daughters:
Betty Lou (deceased), Beth, Noreen and Vicky.
Del Merle and Vicky Schiess
As told by Vicky Lou Schiess Snyder
I Arrived in Star Valley (Afton, WY) naked as a Jay Bird on May 14, 1945, that's the day I was
born. I lived in Freedom until Jan of 1958 when my parents & I moved to Pocatello, ID. Mom, Dad & I
loved going back to beautiful Star Valley for visits. I still enjoy going back and taking my children to
see the beauties of Star Valley.
Dad owned a barber shop business. He rented the building from A.C. Stadmueller. It was
always fun to spend time at Dad's shop. He not only cut hair, shaved the guys and shared men's gossip
stories, he also sold candy, pop, beer, etc. He had two pool tables in the back room. There was an old
pot belly stove that kept people warm in the winter. I remember Dad letting Dale Wright and me play
pool. I don't know how we were able to do it because neither one of us were very tall. Every Christmas
Dad would get in all sorts of neat, yummy Christmas candy, all in pretty boxes.
During the rodeos that were held in Freedom, Dad's shop was the hub of all the activities. My
sister Noreen would sit at a little old typewriter and type out the cowboys names and numbers. It was so
fun to watch all the cowboys go through the line getting their numbers. I think that's why I get
sentimental whenever I see cowboys or go to rodeos. (If that's what they are these days) Give me a
rough and tough rodeo like the good old days!
Dad was the local dentist. Whenever a kid had a toothache and their father couldn't stomach
pulling the tooth out, they would take them to Dad. He would get his trusty old pliers out and yank the
kid's tooth out. I wonder how many kids had a dislike for my Dad? Ouch!
Dad also had a shuffleboard and pinball machines at various times in the Pool Hall. He had a
jukebox and I did a lot of dancing to the 50's records that it played.
There always seemed to be lots of people that hung out at Dad's place. The guys could sit and
enjoy sharing their lives with each other. Kids enjoyed getting their hair cut and if they sat really still,
Dad would give them a stick of Juicy Fruit gum. That was Dad's trademark, even in Pocatello. He died
July 29, 1977.
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Mom was always a quiet person. She was a good cook, even though she never had indoor
plumbing or running water. She got water from the out door pump and hauled it into the house. How
good that water tasted.
Mom made the best banana cream pie I have ever tasted. She entered some in the fair and got
ribbons every time. I enjoyed listening to her reminisce about her childhood. If kids could only be
brought up the way she was, there would not be the problems that kids have now. Mom worked at the
Swiss Cheese Factory in Thayne for a while.
She was a member of the LDS Church. She enjoyed crocheting, reading and especially her
children and grandchildren. She had unconditional love for everyone and her advice was full of wisdom
and love. She enjoyed her yearly trips to Star Valley. She died Thursday evening, Oct. 3, 1991 in
Bannock Geriatrics Center in Pocatello following an illness. Funeral services were conducted Tuesday
Oct. 8, 1991 at the Freedom LDS Chapel. Interment was at the Freedom Cemetery.
As for me, I wish we had never moved from Freedom. My fondest memories are when I lived
there. The winters were great with lots of snow. My friend, Sheila Robinson and I did lots of sleigh
ridding on the knoll. Summertime was great also. Visits from out of town relatives, rodeos and just
plain enjoying the good clean air and beautiful scenery.
I attended elementary school in Freedom. I still remember the wonderful building we had for a
school house. It was made out of wood and glass not concrete and steel. I had Vernessa Wright as one
of my teachers. I also attended school in Etna for one year. I attended 1/2 year in Afton my parents and
I moved. Dortha Titensor was one of my teachers. I remember having to memorize, "Dried Apple Pies"
when I was going to school in Afton I only remember the first two lines. My best friends were Sheila
Robinson, Carol Draney, Susan Haderlie and Janet Warren.
I enjoyed going into Keeler's store. I can still see the yummy cookies in the cookie jars and the
big glass counters that food was kept in. I remember when we had to get meat out of the big walk-in
cooler and how cold it was. Nelson's had a store and it was fun going in there also. Hokanson's had the
gas station and post office which was a fun spot and I always enjoyed going and getting the mail.
Whenever my cousin Nancy Nelson would visit her Grandma and Grandpa Keeler, I would go
over there. I remember Mr. Keeler was a trapper and I got to feed fawns that he found motherless in the
hills. There's nothing like the "GOOD OLE DAYS" !!!
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Autobiography of H. LLOYD SCHIESS, M.D.
I was born November 3,1902 in Freedom, Wyoming in a two room log house, and delivered
by a midwife, Elizabeth Roberts. I was the sixth straight boy born to Hans Jacob Schiess and Susan
Stauffer Schiess.
There were a total of eight boys and two girls in our family.
John Ulrich
Jacob Edwin
William Alvin
Walter Alfred
Alonzo (Lon)
Herman Lloyd
Delbert
Hazel Rosina
Connie Barbara
Harold Virl
My father was thirteen years old when he left Herisau, Switzerland in 1875. They settled in
Providence, Utah.
My mother was born in Willard, Utah in 1872. At the age of 18, she and my father who was
ten years older, were married in 1890. He worked as a common laborer for some time, and shortly
after that he moved to Star Valley, Wyoming. My father's two sisters, Bertha and Babetta, lived
there, having both married Charles Henry Haderlie, a polygamist. Uncle Hen, as we called him,
talked my father into coming out there and working. He worked there, and then he took up 160 acres
of land that had been abandoned by another family, which was close to the Haderlies.
The early life was very tough. Grubbing sagebrush to raise a garden and hay for a cow, they
scrounged out a living. They built one log cabin and later a barn, and picked up a few cows and
some chickens.
My two oldest brothers were born in Providence. Mother would leave Star Valley to have the
babies. When the third son came along, Alvin, he was born in the one story, one room cabin. Later
they built a 2 room log cabin and that was where the next boy, Alfred was born. We used to tease
Alvin and tell him he was born in the sheep stable, as the first log cabin became that when the
second cabin was built.
We still lived in this two-room log house when I was born. When I was about four years old,
they added what they called a “boy's room", which made it a T shaped house. This was a real luxury
for mother. I don't see how we all slept in these small quarters. I do remember four of us boys
sleeping in one bed, two at the bottom end and two at the top. And of course we tickled each other,
kicked each other and this was not very conducive to good sleep.
The winters were long and hard. It seemed that half the year there was snow on the ground.
The snow would sometimes become three and four and five feet deep. The temperature dropped to
forty below zero. Our grade school was about two miles away, and consisted of two rooms; the first
four grades in one and the last four in the other. In the wintertime, and in the summer, we mostly
arrived at the school riding atop these hard milk cans which were cold and pretty rough. Other times,
we walked. Since I was born in November, and September was the cutoff period for beginning
school, I started school when I was 7 years old. In the wintertime, sometimes we would take a sled
with the horses and collect all the kids along the way, and then we would take them all home.
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At the grade school we used to have children's dances such as the waltz, polka and Virginia
Reel from the tune of a mouth organ or harmonica. We never had any television or radio of course.
In the summertime during noontime, we played baseball or mumblepeg or marbles.
As I look back, it was great to live on a farm where we had all kinds of animals and we were
close to Mother Nature. We would witness the animals mating and being born, the sheep, pigs, dogs
and cats, and the chickens hatching their eggs. We had adequate food, that is as good as anyone in
the valley had, and in the fall we picked service berries, dried them and also dried apples which we
got from Utah. Vitamins were unknown at that time, and I remember in the spring of the year, we
would develop sores on our faces and lips, and got scratches that would never heal. We used to eat
little buttercups and thistles that we peeled in order to eat the cores. We also had what was called
"sourdocks", which had broad leaves. We'd put a little salt on them and they were good. I'm sure that
the Vitamin C we received helped us, because our sores would heal up much faster.
We had no electricity so we had no power machines whatsoever. Our source of heat was
wood with a big pot-bellied stove in the living room and a range in the small kitchen: for mother to
cook on. She baked her own bread and made cakes and so forth on that range. Our bedrooms were
very cold. We used to take the flat iron, heat it up and take it to bed. I remember some of the cold
nights, it was so cold when I awakened in the morning that my breath would get in my nostrils and
freeze almost like icicles. Our light was a coal oil lamp.
Our source of water was a well with a big bucket on it. We would draw water up and place it
in another bucket. There was a dipper in there, and everybody drank out of the same dipper. The
source of water for the cows was from Schiess Creek, which emptied into Tin Cup Creek, a short
distance from our house. Dad would chip holes in the ice to water the cattle, and sometimes that was
a source of our own water supply.
Every Sunday we went to church by horse and buggy. This was three miles away. The
Mormons passed Sacrament, breaking bread and water in remembrance of the body and blood of
Christ. In the early days, everyone drank water out of the same glass. I can remember little children
putting their mouths up and regurgitating in the water. That made no difference, we went ahead and
drank anyway. Then we wondered why measles, mumps, scarlet fever and so forth were passed
along.
Mother was very good with the sick, and she was called many times to sick people and
would stay overnight. She told me in the early days there used to be epidemics like diphtheria, and
one epidemic was so bad in the next town, Thayne, that they did not know what the cause of it was,
and they fumigated by burning sulphur. This did not help, so they actually burned down some of the
homes. We used to wear a sack around our necks filled with a horrible smelling compound called
asafetida, which was to prevent us from getting contagious diseases. No wonder it worked--no one
could stand to be within 15-20 feet from us!
My mother told us of a bleeding spell that my oldest brother Jack had when he was a young
boy and the only medical care we had was the midwife, Mrs. Roberts. She came and after Jack had
vomited a large clot of blood, she told mother that he had a bloody tumor of the stomach. From the
symptoms she told me, especially the bleeding gums, there is no doubt in my mind now that he had
scurvy from the lack