Alfred Lorenzo Baddley (1862-1936)

It was after George Baddley and Charlotte DeGrey had accepted the call for a mission in Dixie in Southern Utah and had settled in the small community of Rockville, Washington County, Utah, that Alfred Lorenzo Baddley was born. His birth place was a small makeshift cabin at the foot of the mountain and he made his appearance on September 14, 1862.

Though no knowledge of it found said in the tiny child of Alfred Lorenzo, the family had many trials and hardships. Besides the daily struggle for existence, there was the constant fear of Indians to rasp the heart and soul of those faithful builders of empires.

One evening after George had left his young wife and small son alone while he went tracting, there came a knock at the door. When Charlotte, Alfred Lorenzo's mother, timidly opened the door she saw several buck Indians standing at the doorstep. They pushed their way into the tiny cabin and all sat down on the floor. The Indians knew she was terrified at their presence, so they sat and kept pointing their fingers at her and laughing loudly. Charlotte feared for herself but her first thoughts were for her small son sleeping soundly in his crib. She gave the Indians many articles, besides some much-needed sugar and goods before they finally left.

After spending three years in the Dixie Mission helping to build and develop the small community. Alfred Lorenzo's parents were released to return to Salt Lake City because of his father's ill health. The extreme heat and hardships of pioneering were too much for George Baddley so he moved his young family back to Salt Lake City.

Alfred, however, had grown and developed into a sturdy lad. His home life in Rockville was a pleasant one for those days of hardship. There was plenty to occupy a young active mind. Alfred's father was very strict but he was a devoted father and the children learned very young in life the virtue of honesty and truthfulness.

Alfred was eight years old when his father put him on a mule and tied a sack of wheat behind him and sent him to the mill (which [was] in Liberty Park in Salt Lake City) to have the wheat ground into flour. When the process had been completed, the miller put the sack of flour on the mule behind Alfred, but failed to tie the sack on securely. On his arrival home the sack was nearly empty and there was a white trail of flour along the road. His father was quite quick-tempered, so Alfred Lorenzo received a sound spanking.

Alfred's duties as a boy were many for he was very young when his father died. He was the eldest child in the family and felt his responsibility and helped his mother in many ways. Until the time he married, Alfred always gave his mother the money he earned.

When still a young lad, Alfred and other boys herded cows for some neighbors in Emigration Canyon at Salt Lake to earn a little extra money to help their families.

One day while watching the cows, Alfred saw a rattlesnake by the creek. The boys were collecting toads, lizards, and other animals for a circus they were planning to have, so Alfred decided to capture the reptile and add it to the collection. He found a forked stick which he placed over the neck of the snake to keep it quiet while they tried to tie a string around its neck. The snake struck Alfred on the thumb. The boys screamed for help and finally attracted the attention of some people who took him to the nearest place which happened to be the Wagner Brewery. There he was treated and suffered no ill effects from the snakebite. He was given the rattle from the snake and kept it all his life.

"Many times I have heard my father tell of the wonderful, happy times they had at his mother's home when he was a young man; dances, corn-husking parties, and many other parties." Words written by a daughter, Edythe Irene B. Donaldson.

Alfred had three brothers and two sisters. Henry Orson was born on April 16, 1864 near Lehi, Utah in a covered wagon as the family were returning from Rockville in the Dixie Mission. A sister, Maria, was born October 10, 1866, after the family was settled again in Salt Lake City. On February 4, 1869, another brother, George, was born, then on January 16, 1871, William was born. Sarah was the last child and second sister to Alfred Lorenzo. She was born in Salt Lake City, too, on June 13, 1872.

Again we quote the words of daughter, Edythe: "I do not know a great deal concerning my father and mother's courtship, but I do remember my mother telling of how she met Alfred. She said that while visiting an aunt in Salt Lake City, she attended a church dance with her aunt. During the dance my father (Alfred) entered and mother asked her aunt who the handsome man was. Mother said he was dressed so nicely -- high silk hat, kid gloves, and cane. He was so well-mannered and courteous. Mother told her aunt that Alfred was her idea of a husband and right there made up her mind that he was hers. Mother was a very beautiful young girl, so I guess it was love at first sight for them both."

That was the beginning of their courtship. Priscilla Lowe, who was born October 2, 1868, at Willard, Utah; and Alfred Lorenzo, who was just six years older than Priscilla. Alfred had a nice brick home built for his wife in Salt lake City when she moved in as a bride. Several years later they sold their home in Salt Lake City and moved to Willard, Utah. They built another nice home. They had a large farm and nine children to care for, so both of them had to work long and hard hours to manage their affairs. Later they built another home with all the latest conveniences for Priscilla.

Alfred and Priscilla worked hard to have a happy home for their children. They were blessed with nine fine sons and daughters, namely: Alfred Le Roy Baddley, born October 16, 1889 at Salt Lake City, and died March 2, 1890; Leo William, born April 23, 1891; George Clifford, born October 7, 1892; Lester Howard, who was born July 12, 1894; Henry Arnold, born July 3, 1896; Edythe Irene, born April 5,1900; Wallace DeGrey, who was born June 1, 1903; Ernest Wilburn, born March 10, 1905; and Constance Ilene, born November 29, 1910.

They taught their children to honor and respect their religion; to work and help take care of each other. They spent many hours with their children both in work and play. There were always games and recreation at home and various church activities in which the whole family, young and old, participated. In winter, the favorite family sport was sleigh riding and in summer there were the pleasant trips to Ogden, fifteen miles north of Willard, in the family's handsome, fringed, white-top buggy. These family activities brought unity and deeper love for one another.

To quote Edythe again, "Every year we looked forward to the trip to Ogden to see the big Ringling Brothers Circus and then dinner at one of the best restaurants. That was surely a thrill for all the family."

Priscilla was very beautiful and talented and was the leading lady in the home talent group of Willard. This group traveled to nearby towns of Ogden, North Ogden, [and] Brigham City, and had an outstanding record for the talent and entertainment they presented.

Alfred and his wife enjoyed such activities and never missed the opportunity to attend all the plays given by the old Salt Lake Theater group, both in Ogden and Salt Lake City.

Both were active and sincere in their church activities. Priscilla was President of the Primary Organization and worked in the Relief Society.

When Priscilla died at Willard, Utah on September 13, 1927, Alfred was like a man lost in a fog, so to speak. He and his wife had always been so close as they reared their family and worked for their good.

Nine years later when Alfred passed away on February 25, 1936 at Willard, Utah, those who were fortunate descendants of this fine couple lost the second part of a union which brought joy and happiness to their family and those neighbors and friends who knew them while they sojourned in mortal life.

Alfred was a dependable and good man. His religious convictions were a foundation for his action[s] and thoughts in his every day life. He kept the Word of Wisdom and lived a very respected life. He, like his own father, taught his children honesty and goodness. He was ever a friend to those in need and helped the less fortunate whenever he was able to do so. His life was a standard by which his family can live and benefit.

Alfred Lorenzo Hall (1858-1934)

The first child born to John Charles Hall and Kezia DeGrey was a son who was blessed and given the name of Alfred Lorenzo. He was born in Sugar House Ward, Salt Lake City, Utah on November 15, 1858. He was born about one year after his parents had reached Utah and they were still quite destitute for food and clothing. Their arrival had been in the fall and they had been without any finances, so the progress, materially, was slow.

At the time of Alfred's birth, the family was without bread, so just three days after his arrival, his mother was found, sitting up in bed, making a dress for a neighbor in exchange for some flour. Under such privations, his childhood was anything but exciting and expensive.

Three years later, the parents, in answer to a call for volunteers to go to the Dixie Cotton Mission, moved to Rockville in Southern Utah, about 330 miles from Salt Lake City, with the hopes of doing better, financially, while doing the Lord's work.

Most of the saints who chose to go to Dixie were of the sturdy type, who loved adventure and freedom, who were industrious and who never knew defeat. Under such environmental conditions, the children of Dixie experienced much the same hardships as their parents, but they lived to see fruits of their labors. Building roads and homes, farming, freighting, and stock raising were some of the occupations they followed.

Alfred's father was not adapted to farming. His life in England had been patterned to that of a gentlemen and scholar, so he experienced many hardships and disappointments. Irrigation of the barren land was still in its infancy. It had been started by the Church, under the leadership of Brigham Young, only after the arrival of the first Saints in 1847.

There were steep side hills along which the irrigation ditches had to be built, then breakwaters and dams had to be fashioned before the water would run into the ditches. Floods, a frequent menace to the settlers in the spring of the year, washed out the dams and filled the ditches with mud and rocks, just at the season when the crops most needed the water.

For plowing the land in preparation for seed planting, a wooded beamed plow and an oxen team were used. Horses were very scarce in the early days in Dixie, so the work was slow and tiresome. Wagons were not made of steel and hardwood as they are made now, consequently, it was necessary to soak the wheels at every stream of water whenever on a trip.

After the crops were harvested in the fall and molasses was made, the next event of the season was to travel north through the state "peddling", as it was called, which meant trading molasses, dried fruit, and other products; for flour, potatoes, and other commodities not successfully grown in Dixie.

Much of their clothing was made by the skillful hands of the womenfolk. The cotton was harvested, then spun, woven, and dyed; ready for the process of making it into clothing. Dyes were made from certain wild and domestic plant roots. The Saints of necessity became very accomplished in making the necessities of life from the materials furnished by the generous hand of Mother Nature.

Alfred never had a pair of shoes to wear until he was fourteen years of age and then they were "homemade". For many years money, either currency or silver, was extremely scarce. What money the Saints did manage to have was used in the purchase of such clothing as could not be made from leather or home grown, homespun cotton, and wool. The shoes Alfred wore until he was nearly a grown young man were all made by his father from the home-tanned hide of the old ox which had died or been killed for beef.

Times were so busy and every man, woman, and child of age was required to work in the fields during planting and harvesting season. Then there were always daily chores around the home and the corral, so the young boys and girls had little time for actual playground activities. So many times, Alfred and other boys of his age had their fun while herding cows on the ditch banks or river bottom.

It was not uncommon at such times for a band of little Piute Indian boys to come swarming out of the nearby wigwams to play with them. As the play of children often follows in miniature the serious activities of their elders, this play usually turned into a sham battle between the Whites and the Reds. The ammunition consisted of a ball of stiff, well-mixed mud. The machinery was a willow stock about the length of the boy. The battle lines were drawn, each army taking refuge behind a convenient shelter of trees, rocks, or the ditch bank. All was quiet until a small warrior poked his head above his shelter, looking for a victim. He was observed by an opponent, who fixed a mud ball to the end of his stick, stepped quickly into the open, gave a quick swing and a jerk and "spat" the victim who received a neat spot of mud on his body. Immediately the assailant became the target for half a dozen of his enemies, who as they stepped from their concealment ready to aim, also became targets. The Indians had the advantage as to agility and accuracy, but they suffered because of being unclad.

Because Alfred was small and thin, most everyone called him "Skinny". At the age of twenty-one he weighed only a little over 100 pounds. Though he was skinny and unimpressive in appearance, he had amazing strength. What he lacked in size he more then made up in aggressiveness. No problem looked too large to him and he usually won his battles through his determined resoluteness.

Alfred did not attend school except for about three months, all total, so his education came more from the school experience. His aim in life was to lead a practical and well-balanced life, both spiritually and temporally. He never learned to write more than his name and did not do much reading until after he was sixty-nine years old. Then he spent much of his time studying the Gospel until his death.

The parents of Alfred were very strict in their discipline and teaching of their children. However, Alfred had his own ideas and he did not forget them easily. He was always faithful in most of the fundamental principles of the Gospel as taught him at home, although there is some evidence that he sought his pleasures without the counsel of his parents. For instance, at the age of eighteen years he went to Salt Lake City in the company of Tom Reeve, an eighteen year-old boy from Virgin. By way of acting smart both boys started smoking. His parents were greatly displeased but were never able to induce him to drop the habit. He smoked for thirty-six years then quit after he was married.

Alfred's father raised tobacco for a number of years. He had his hot beds for the tobacco plants on the south slope of a small incline. John C. never smoked, however, and never allowed his sons to acquire the habit, so he was much distressed when Alfred started smoking.

Alfred was shy and awkward in public, especially in the presence of ladies, so when he started courting Julia Hanson, who was a very popular girl, the entire village was surprised. Perhaps even he himself was a bit amazed. So sometime later he and Julia traveled to St. George from Rockville by wagon, taking two or three days to complete the journey down and back, and were married in the Temple on January 18th. They started on their married life with three cows, two horses, and a small farm. During the first fifteen years they lived in several homes and owned several farms. He felt he could take a very poor start and by applying a great deal of hard labor, make a good thing of it. In later years, he changed his mind in this respect. He placed his work where it showed most results in later life.

In working his farms, he gave his sons plenty of work and responsibility. His sons learned, while yet young in years, how to make do. In 1893, two of his sons, Roy and Merrill, were given the task of herding the sheep. In the words of one son, Vern, in speaking of his father, we see Alfred's plans for his family, "Mother always worried about the work the little fellows had to do, but don't think she said much about it. Dad's aim was to furnish plenty of work for his boys, put them at it and see that it was done. I don't think he ever really dreamed of being wealthy, but he surely had a clean reverence for hard work."

Stock raising was always a source of income to Alfred and his family. In 1896, there was a severe drought. Many of the watering holes dried up and thousands of head of cattle died for want of water. Alfred, at the time, was working for Mr. Kingsbury, foreman of the Cattle Company at Short Creek and Caana [sp?]. Mr. Kingsbury told him to take all the orphan calves of which he could take care. He took about forty calves and in this way started his own cattle business.

In 1902 he bought the Crystal Spring Ranch on Kolob Mountain, where he moved during the summer because of his wife's health. They lived there each summer for eleven years until 1912 when the ranch and cattle were sold. He and his sons farmed and raised their stock. The family also did some dairying, some years they had as many as twenty-five to thirty cows. They made enough butter and cheese in the summer to last during the winter months, besides selling quite a supply to neighbors on Kolob.

He raised wheat and oats, which were harvested by a cradle and bound by hand. It was hauled in and thrashed, usually without stacking it beforehand. The grain was thrashed out by having their horses trample over it on the ground. The chaff and grain were then run through a fanning mill which cleaned the chaff from the grain. Sometimes Alfred and his sons could thrash out 100 bushels per day.

Soon after dreams of getting Virgin River water onto the fertile but barren mesa of the Hurricane Valley began to take shape, Alfred knew he wanted to help in the project. He was one of the faithful supporters of the vast program. Unlike many of the old settlers in Rockville, he had to be busy at something during the long winter months. He would not content himself to just sitting in front of the store down on Main Street, whittling sticks and talking. He was a man of action rather than words and the records concerning the Hurricane Canal show that he was one of the largest contributors to the project in actual labor performed during its construction.

So many of the farms in and around Rockville were washed away by the unpredictable Virgin River, so when the canal, one of the largest irrigation projects ever undertaken in Southern Utah, was started, it was intended that the rich soil of the Hurricane Bench could be irrigated, safe from the floods of the Rio Virgin.

Alfred and his boys spent twelve long hard winters on the canal work. He had no regrets, however, and considered it one of his greatest accomplishments. He was superintendent during six years of the construction of the canal.

The canal was started in the year of 1892 by a company of about seventy-five men from surrounding towns of Rockville, Grafton, Springdale, Virgin, and Toquerville. Before the completion, however, about two-thirds of the original number had dropped out. The few who were left and who remained to the finish, faced many setbacks and discouragement, but were rewarded by the completion of six miles of canal, which started at the Hurricane dam site and reached to the Hurricane bench.

When the canal was nearly finished it seemed doomed to failure, but a delegation (James Jepson and Jim Ballard were two of the group) was sent to the Church headquarters to get financial aid. The church purchased $5,000 worth of stock, and with renewed faith and hopes the workers labored more diligently. Then soon families began to move into the valley and started building. It was a joyous occasion for those faithful workers when the first soil was plowed, planted, and irrigated.

In 1910, Alfred sold his property in Rockville and moved his family to Hurricane. Besides his farm in the valley, he took up a homestead about twelve miles east of Hurricane, where he began to dry farm. He was not backward nor hesitant in accepting new trends in progress. He bought farm machinery to suit his purposes. He owned one of the few cars in Hurricane when in 1917 he bought a new Ford.

His aggressiveness made him the leader in promoting the Hurricane State Bank. Arnold Dixon, cousin to Alfred, had the original idea and the two of them succeeded in stirring the interest of Dave Hirschl, who was the logical man to head the bank, because of his shrewd business ability and keen foresight. They were successful in their endeavor and Alfred was a director from the time the bank was organized in 1917 until 1933, and was the largest stockholder until just prior to his death.

Alfred had been reared in a fine religious home and he strove to give his own children the same teachings and discipline as he had received. Each Sunday was observed in attentive reverence by the entire family. All the children went to Sunday School and everyone went to the evening services whenever possible. The conduct of the children was closely watched and any problems of discipline which arose in church (there were not many) were thoroughly handled at home.

In the home, both Alfred and his wife set up a fine procedure. There was always something good to read and not only were the children encouraged to read it, but their mother always found time to read to her children. All of the children read The Book of Mormon and at the completion of it, each child was presented with one. Everyone enjoyed the quiet evenings at home, listening to their mother read, even Alfred welcomed this period of relaxation after a hard working day.

Family prayers, both night and morning, brought the family together and each child was given his turn in offering thanks. The parents tried to lead their children by living good clean examples. Their home was always a welcome haven to those in need. Alfred and Julia willingly assisted others even when they were having a difficult time during the beginning of their married life. In 1893, Sam and Caroline Larson lived with the Hall family, while their father was on a mission. Later, Mary Dalton, an orphan, lived there two or three years and Della Wright lived with them for eight years. On these occasions, their own family was at its largest number, but they never complained.

Alfred's health began to fail. He suffered a severe attack of sciatic rheumatism, then one type of sickness bothered him until October, 1930, [when] he was bedridden with a stroke. Dan Crawford was called in to administer to him. He was blessed and given a promise that he would get well and perform a great work. He was well enough that within one week's time he and his wife were continuing their temple work with more fervor. They started going to the temple regularly in about 1927 and then after his stroke they continued to make their twice weekly trips to St. George Temple for four years, regardless of the kind of weather.

On January 4, 1934, Alfred passed away after a very eventful and full life of hard work and service to family and neighbors. He was blessed with a loving and faithful companion and ten fine sons and daughters. Alfred Lorenzo, Jr., born on April 1, 1883, died February 18, 1886; Lester Leroy, born February 25, 1885, died April 29, 1908, in Lexington, Kentucky, while fulfilling a mission in the southern states; Charles Merrill, born January 25, 1887; Lafayette, born December 31, 1888; Alvin, born on October 17, 1890; John Harvey, born on February 16, 1893; Hilda, born April 21, 1895; Clinton, born September 23, 1897; Henry Vernon, born on April 4, 1900; and Nora Crystal, born on August 5, 1903. Four of the children (Leroy, Lafayette, Harvey and Hilda) filled missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. All of the children were married in the temple.

Alfred lived a good, religious life, He observed the Sabbath, paid a full tithing and contributed whenever asked and held the highest Priesthood. He, to the best of his ability and knowledge, had done a good work and he seemed ready to die when the end came. He set up a useful plan for his life and then lived up to that plan and offered no excuses.

John Thomas Hall (1861-1947)

The fourth child to make his appearance in the Hall household was a son, John Thomas, born June 11, 1861. He was born in Salt Lake City soon after the family had arrived in the Valley. The following year his father, accompanied by his two wives and their children, accepted the call to go to Southern Utah and settle. They were instructed to join with others, who had received similar calls, in the development of the southern section of the state. The family made the trip after much sacrifice and worry, and made their new home in Rockville, Utah, where John Thomas spent his early youth and manhood. The original site of Rockville was west of the present location. The settlers soon discovered the location was unsuitable. Their homes and farms were on a level with the river bottom and consequently, suffered much havoc from the yearly spring floods which roared down the Virgin River. So the Hall family and others moved east to a higher level of ground where the Langston and Hanson families were already settled.

For any young boy the rugged terrain of the West offered a "gold mine of adventure". When the parents were called to leave home and settle elsewhere and help build another community, the young boys and girls saw only new excitement. They little realized the struggle of their parents until they began to grow in years. Adventure and excitement still beckoned to many, but deep in their souls was more serious reasoning and thought. Maturity added greatness to the young, who dreamed a wish in their hearts.

During their youth the boys and girls took advantage of the facilities provided by Mother Nature for hiking, swimming, hunting, and riding but with the years those same youngsters came to realize that man must work his land to produce a livelihood. John Thomas was no different than the normal pioneer son, who enjoyed life in youth, and who accepted his responsibilities when the time was ripe.

John grew very rapidly, attaining his full growth before he became of age. This gave him the awkward appearance of an overgrown boy. However, he was an alert, active youngster and seemed not to notice his appearance. Tall or short, a boy could still have just as much fun and find perhaps as much mischief.

John Thomas was one of the unfortunate lads who was deprived of the full degree of schooling. Through practical experience and his parents' endeavors, he was able to secure the learning which he failed to receive during his school days. Schooling only teaches a person how to learn and to learn by doing often becomes the better teacher. John had an intense desire to learn so he took advantage of any knowledge which came to him, either through the text book or through actual experience. Because he was not able to think of going away to college, John Thomas began to think of his future as a homebuilder. When he was but a young man he began to buy a few head of cattle at time. He also purchased some farmland, which with stock raising constituted his income at the time he began to think of marriage.

At the age of twenty-six, John found the girl he desired to make his wife. She lived in Springdale. When he asked for her hand in marriage, she accepted and so on May 17, 1887, he and Adelia Gifford went to St. George in a wagon and were married in the St. George Temple by President David H. Cannon. They returned to Rockville, where they began to work and plan for their new home. Here they lived and reared their family. Three boys, Orson [Charles], [Arthur] William, and [Samuel] Lafel; were born to them while they were living in Rockville. The second son, William, died soon after his birth.

When Lafel was just a small boy, a severe epidemic of Red Measles hit the young community. There had been no cases of the disease for nearly twenty years, so all the young people, as well as the children, contracted the disease. Some were seriously ill and many bad effects were inflicted permanently on those who suffered the most severely. LaFel was one of the young ones who suffered impairments. He nearly lost his life, but through the faith of his good parents and the tender care of his mother, he recovered, but his speech and hearing were greatly hindered, leaving him handicapped throughout the remainder of his life. His parents gave him every advantage they were able to give him at that time, and provided the means to send him to a state school in Ogden for the Deaf and Dumb, where he learned to converse fluently by means of his fingers.

Together John and his wife worked in their church and their community. Both had been reared in good homes where religious teachings were the basis of their every thought and deed. They strived to teach their own children as they themselves had been taught. John worked in the Sunday School and for some years was one of the counselors to Bishop David Hirschi. The families of Rockville were closely woven together through their common interests in their church and home, both from necessity and relaxation from the toils of the day, and from the desire of companionship and association with friends and neighbors. The recreation and entertainment was furnished by the church to a large extent, so every willing body was given work to do.

John and Adelia were of the group willing to do their share. Whenever they could they offered assistance to those in need at times of sickness or death. At the time Adelia Hall Dalton, John's half sister, died leaving a small baby, they took the tiny baby girl, Arva [Adelia Arvella], into their home and loved and cared for her as they did their own children until the baby was three or four years old.

During the winter months, the men did not have much to occupy their time after their daily chores were done. So the sunny south side of the general store became a gathering place for the men. John often found the time to meet with others and talk. He had a habit of whittling on a stick with a whacking motion of his pocket knife. He soon acquired the nickname of "Johnny Whack" and would answer just as quickly to that name as his own when addressed as such by one of his friends.

When surveys were made to determine the feasibility of getting water from the Virgin River onto the Hurricane Bench, the steady pioneers moved along to develop further civilization for themselves and their families. As work began on the giant project, John spent many winter months working to do his share toward the completion of the canal. In 1907, the weary men and boys finally saw the fruits of their labors as water was turned onto the dry but fertile soil. Immediately families began to move to the town site and till the soil. John and Adelia, with their family, were among the first to settle at Hurricane.

They were happy in their new home, and planned for a pleasant future with their family. Then a few years after their arrival, Adelia became ill. It was necessary for a major operation to be performed, and sadness prevailed in the tiny home. The operation took place at St. George, and Adelia failed to respond and so passed away on March 6, 1912. Her body was returned to Hurricane, where on March 9 [it] was laid to rest in [the] new Hurricane Cemetery. It was a very sad time for John because together he and Adelia had planned and worked so hard for a home in Hurricane. Now without his companion, John's life seemed but an empty shell, and it became a difficult thing to go on without his wife. He finally found solace in the association of his grandchildren. The five children of Orson loved their grandfather and were always considerate of him so John filled, to a measure, his longing for the love and companionship of a mate.

A few years later, John married Mary R. Workman, a widow, and moved to her home on the corner from his own home. The union was a happy one and they enjoyed twenty seven years together. Again, with his mate, John found pleasure in participating in community and church activities whenever called upon to do so. He performed most of the baptisms for some years and came to be called "John, the Baptist", after being fondly recognized as [the] same by his bishop. He was a faithful Ward Teacher. His friends and neighbors enjoyed having him visit in their house because of his pleasant personality and the humble way in which he presented the gospel messages.

In November, 1941, John's second wife, Mary, suffered a heart attack and died. He was eighty years old at the time of her passing, and was unable to take care of himself. His children were grown and married, so he lived the remainder of his life with his son, Orson, in St. George and Pine Valley, Utah. He died, after a life of service for his fellowmen, on November 20, 1947. He was a good-natured, even-tempered, and likable man, and was highly esteemed by his friends and neighbors. He always determined to exercise fairness in all his dealings, both personal and business, with his fellowman. He had been blessed with two faithful companions and two fine sons who lived to maturity, and will be remembered by his descendants for the exemplar life he lived and the good he did for mankind.

Charlotte Maria Hall Foulger (1855-1938)

Charlotte Maria was the first girl born to her young parents, Selina DeGrey and John Charles Hall. She was born one warm day in June. The 28th day of June in the year of 1855, to be exact, at, Dudley, Worcestershire, England. Her mother was happy to note the arrival of this small daughter, but her missionary father barely had time to leave his work to give Charlotte Maria a fond welcome.

Charlotte Maria's appearance had been preceeded by a fine young brother who was but a baby but who could be "big brother" to her. She was unaware of anything except her food and sleep and if it did not come to her promptly, she voiced her opinions, loudly. Charlotte Maria had three brothers and one sister, namely; Charles Alma, John Thomas, and William Brooks.

Something else of which Charlotte Maria was quite unaware was the hustle and bustle at Grandmother DeGrey's home as she made preparations to go across the wide expanse of the Atlantic Ocean to America. Charlotte Maria gurgled and cooed as precious plans were made, even while a degree of animosity and resentment met the Hall and DeGrey families wherever they met neighbor and friend, because of their association with the "Mormon Church."

So when her father's mission in England, which extended for five years, was completed, Charlotte Maria and her brother, Charles Alma were bundled together and the family boarded the sailing vessel, "George Washington", which soon left the dock for America. The trip was made in twenty-one days instead of the usual six weeks. On their arrival in Boston, they were met by Grandmother DeGrey and her children, who had preceded them to America by about nine months.

Charlotte Maria's father had received a foot injury during the voyage, so the family was compelled to remain in Boston for about one week. Then the group of nine traveled by train to the Missouri River, which was indeed another new phase in Charlotte Maria's life as a young pioneer daughter.

At Iowa City, Charlotte's father, John purchased one wagon, one yoke of oxen, one yoke of cows, and what provisions and supplies he could with the combined savings. They joined other saints going to Utah and traveled in the Jesse B. Martin Company.

Again, Charlotte was oblivious of the fear and hardship experienced by her elders as the company moved slowly across the plains. Each day was much the same to her: a mother's lullaby, blissful slumber to the rhythm of the wagon wheels, the lowing of the cattle and the mumble of the busy men, women, and children during the warm summer days.

The companies of saints, as they traveled across the plains, were organized well. The wagons traveled two abreast when practical.

Each evening when camp was made, all the livestock was kept inside an enclosure formed by locking the wagons together. All the wagon tongues were placed inside with the fore wheel of one wagon locked in the hind wheel of the next wagon. At both ends of the corral thus formed were gateways. The gateways were always carefully guarded. Many pioneers slept in their wagons, but there were tents carried along and these were pitched near the wagons on the outside, the whole camp being patrolled by the guards all night. Because there were nine in the Hall and DeGrey families and only one wagon, some of them were compelled to sleep outside in their tent.

Sometimes the camp would be made near a lake or river, and in this case, the corral would be formed by the wagons being locked in a half moon shape from two points near the water's edge. The pioneers became proficient in driving their wagons at night to the exact position to be locked in the circle.

After the first days were passed, Charlotte's father, as did all others, found it quite an easy task to strike camp, and when the order was given for the day's rest, it would be but a short time when all would be in readiness for the night, and out of the level prairie would arise the mimic city.

To Charlotte, who was beginning to notice everything and to get into all sorts of mischief, the camp fires in the evening with everyone singing or dancing around them, were the bright spots of the long trek westward.

Then the long journey was over! They were home at last! As the group met new friends and neighbors in the first weeks after their arrival, there was no time for thoughts of homesickness and regret. With thankfulness to their Heavenly Father for His protection, Charlotte's father and mother set about to the task of preparing the necessities of winter. Those who were already established lent a helping hand to the Hall family, and soon there was a buzz of activity as thought of a permanent home took shape.

However, when the call came from the church a few years later for the saints to go to Southern Utah, Charlotte Maria's parents offered their support. In the year 1861, the family moved to Rockville, Utah. As a temporary lodging until a more permanent residence could be established, her father built a dugout near the Virgin River. Sometime later the dugout was flooded by the unpredictable river and another dugout was fashioned on higher ground safe from the river. Later a new adobe house was built.

While her father and mother were engaged in the task of feeding and clothing their family, and helping in the community growth, Charlotte Maria was growing and developing into a lively, sweet-dispositioned child. Her activeness and continuous stream of chatter made her a lovable little girl. Even so, from childhood Charlotte was no stranger to adversity and hardship. As soon as she was old enough she gained a sense of responsibility and was obedient in helping in the home and on the farm wherever a young girl could.

She anxiously awaited the date of her eighth birthday. On that day, June 28, 1863, she, with a group of other young people of the same age, was baptized in the Rio Virgin by her father. She was confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on the same day by Henry Jennings.

Schooling for Charlotte Maria was a problem and a worry, same as it was with other pioneer sons and daughters of that day. Capable and qualified teachers were practically unavailable. Inadequate housing facilities caused an over-crowded condition as children of all ages were grouped in one large room. The different classrooms were improvised by the use of curtains hung as partitions. Charlotte, consequently, received the majority of her learning and training at home under the tender and watchful guidance of her parents.

When she was but a young girl, her mother left Rockville and returned to Salt Lake City with some of her brothers and sisters. However, Charlotte Maria and two of her brothers chose to remain with their father and "Aunt Kezia".

There was no glitter and swank to the comely main street of Rockville; no neon lights blazing forth their messages and greetings and no many-storied buildings reaching for the sky. Only the sturdy mulberry trees, which lined the street, the familiar hitching posts and the honey-rock home, framed by trees and flowers, made up the main street of Rockville. For the faithful who toiled and built, the street was a sign of progress and security, while for the young, the street was a meeting and greeting place. Charlotte Maria loved her "main street", her friends, and her home. She worked unselfishly in her home and, whenever she was called to do so, in the community. Life in a pioneer community was not without entertainment and social life when pioneers, ever from the very beginning of the Church, were very mindful of the arts, music, drama, etc.

So Charlotte enjoyed the Virginia Reel, quadrillo, and other popular dances of the day. The weekly dances were greatly anticipated by Charlotte because she loved to dance. Dainty, shy girls could then swing into the arms of their favorite "tall, dark and handsome".

During her young girlhood there were no serious conflicts with the Indians. Instead, the Indians became good friends of the white man and was willing in many cases to trade their goods for food with the Saints. Charlotte learned to speak the language of the Indians who were settled near the southern part of Utah.

When she reached the age of twenty-one, she felt the responsibility of being with her mother and helping her since she was alone, so she went to Salt Lake to be with her mother. Soon after her arrival, both she and her mother secured employment at the Lion House for President Brigham Young. They were working there at the time of his death.

Charlotte enjoyed her work at the Lion House because there was always a hum of activity. Twelve of Brigham Young's wives with their children lived in the Lion House as one large family. In the southwest end of the basement was located the dining room. Then came the pantry, next the kitchen, and, in the rear, the laundry. There was also a small room at the end, beyond the laundry, which was used as a nursery school for the younger children. On the east side of the basement were the cellars for milk, vegetables and meat. Then there was the weaving room and beyond that was a recreational room. Here the young folk had the opportunity not only for pleasure, but for development in music and dramatics. On the second or main floor there was a beautiful prayer room and also the private rooms of each of the wives. Upstairs were located the bedrooms for the older children.

After her return to Salt Lake City, Charlotte Maria met Herbert John Foulger. They fell in love and were soon married in the Endowment House on October 11, 1881 by Joseph F. Smith. Charlotte was twenty-six years old when she was married and it was a happy day for her, a day she had anticipated and planned for many weeks and months and even years. The blessings of the temple marriage were a source of strength and comfort to her in the months and years of trial ahead of her.

Every girl of that day began planning for her marriage when yet a very young girl by sewing dainty pieces, making quilts and clothes which were set aside for her new home and new life. Most every family owned a few sheep. Many of the pioneer girls sheared the sheep, carded and spun the wool, weaved the cloth, and made their own dresses. Necessity caused those women to learn the art of weaving and carding and even pattern making. Charlotte was no different from most young pioneer daughters. She learned how to manage a home and how to make many of the items which go to make up the necessities of a home. She was blessed with elders who knew how to make and was taught by having to assist her parents.

So when Charlotte Maria married she was a capable and ambitious young woman. During the course of her marriage she bore seven children, two boys and five girls. She was a kind, generous mother and worked untiringly for her family.

Besides her family and home which kept her busy, she was very active for many years both in the MIA and the Relief Society. Whenever she was asked she willingly gave of her time that others might benefit through her efforts. She loved to dance and enjoyed music, so she found much pleasure in her MIA work. One of her sons, Ernest Charles Foulger, was sent to fulfill a mission in the Swiss and German Mission. She was thankful for her son's opportunity and was happy to sacrifice in order that he might be able to complete honorably his mission.

After thirty-nine years of happiness in her marriage, her husband died from a heart attack, on December 13, 1920. Then she was left to herself to manage a home. Her children were married and old enough to care for themselves. She enjoyed their companionship and the activities of her grandchildren.

One of Charlotte's granddaughters, Miriam Foulger Cromar, who often visited her grandmother in the company of her father and family, says, "I always liked to be around my grandmother Foulger and enjoy[ed] her kindness to me. She loved children, all children, particularly her grandchildren and always managed to see that they were well-fed. She was kind and loving, and on one occasion she gave a Christmas party for her fourteen grandchildren. She loved to give gifts to her grandchildren and found happiness in their laughter and chatter." She had a total of sixteen grandchildren, two were born later.

At the age of eighty-three, Charlotte Maria died on July 20, 1938. During her life she had found much joy in her family and in the service of her church. To know her was to love her and she will long be remembered by her numerous descendants.

Kezia DeGrey Hall (1837-1905)

Kezia DeGrey was the daughter of Maria Brooks and John DeGrey III, born to them on January 21, 1837, in West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England. She was one of ten children, namely: Sophia, Alfred, Selina, Ann, Elizabeth, Maria, Charlotte, Sarah, and John, Jr. Four of her brothers and sisters died in infancy.

Kezia's schooling was very limited. When she was twelve years old her father died, leaving a mother and six children, the oldest of whom was Alfred, who was about eighteen years old. To Kezia's mother, Maria, went the responsibility of rearing the six fatherless children -- no small task, particularly in the face of relative poverty. Maria needed the assistance of those children who were old enough to work to help her in earning a livelihood for the younger ones. So at the age of twelve, Kezia began working as a nurse girl, tending babies, and was never able to gain any further schooling.

Her mother had to take in washings to help supply the needs of her family. Because the country was so smokey in the winter time, the clothes had to be dried in the house and this required an extra quantity of coal. Kezia, as she grew older, would go to the coal refuse dumps, after she would come home from her own work, and pick up any lumps of coal she might find. When she had her basket filled she would be assisted by others who were nearby in lifting the basket to the top of her head. She often said, in relating this incident, that after the basket had been lifted down, it would be several minutes before she could turn her head.

In 1853, when Kezia was sixteen, a young missionary from Utah came to their humble home and talked to them of a wonderful new religion. His persistence and the sincere message which he brought soon found a spot in the hearts of the DeGrey family, and it was not long before Maria and her children entered the waters of baptism. Kezia was at an impressionable age when she was baptized. She felt something extremely important had come to her. Then, too, there was the thought of that Utah-land so far away at the moment and which, only a few months prior, had been quite unknown to her. She loved to listen to the missionaries talk of the land of Zion, and of the promises that they too could go there if they lived faithful to their new-found religion. She had a few wild, exciting dreams tucked away in her breast of which no one knew.

There was a wave of resentment against any and all who had anything to do with "Mormonism." So it was natural that Mother DeGrey and her little brood began to plan and save for the time when they might join others going to Utah. Regardless of the animosity against them, anticipation and anxiety rose high in the DeGrey household. They knew that it might be years before they would have the means to take them on the long journey to Utah. However, the Lord seemed to bless their efforts and the much anticipated trip came to them sooner than they had planned.

The DeGrey family sailed for America one year before the completion of Elder John Charles Hall's mission and his return with his wife, Selina, and children. The small family group arrived in Boston after many days on the ocean. Kezia enjoyed the trip on the ocean because she never was afflicted with seasickness. Although the voyage was long and sometimes quite monotonous, the young found never ending energy and curiosity. Their chatter and laughter was ever an inspiration and encouragement to those who were ill or depressed.

While awaiting the arrival of John and Selina, the DeGreys worked in Boston to secure additional funds for the remainder of their trip. They knew that John would be short of finances after his mission, and they were anxious to be on their way as soon as possible. So when the appointed time came, the group was willing to ensure some inconveniences in order that they might leave that particular spring (April 1857), heeding not the advice that they remain until the following spring. The determination and desire to reach Salt Lake Valley as soon as possible made the group undertake the journey with such handicaps as insufficient conveyance. The Saints traveled slowly towards the setting sun, ending each day in prayer and song, until the Sabbath Day, when the entire company rested and worshiped their God in Heaven. Many were the privations and hardships, but humor and comics found their way into the daily routine.

As the DeGrey and Hall family began their journey, Kezia, who was wearing some half-soled shoes she had had before leaving England, realized that her shoes would never last the entire trip. In many cases the Saints would have to travel three or four miles off the road to find feed for their animals and the roughness of the country would wear Kezia's shoes faster than regular wear under normal conditions. So, except for the times when the company turned off the road to make camp, where the grass stubble and rough ground forced her to wear her shoes, Kezia walked the entire distance barefoot.

In recalling her experiences across the plains to Utah, Kezia often said that the people who came in the hand-cart companies had a hard time, but that at least their carts would go when they pushed them. Many a time the wagons would hardly move regardless of how hard the Saints pushed and lifted. Those were the times when despair and discouragement found temporary lodging in the hearts of the faithful. However, after an hour of prayer and thanksgiving in song at the close of the day, even the weakest were filled with fresh hope and courage. As the Saints worked with each other, helping those in distress, their own troubles were forgotten.

Sickness and death struck so many families during the trek, but the Hall-DeGrey family was fortunate. Their only misfortune was that on their arrival in Salt Lake City on September 12, 1857, they were without sufficient funds to store provisions for the coming winter. Those who could tried to find any type of work to assist in preparing for daily sustenance.

Kezia tried vainly to find work in some of the homes. No one had work nor the money to hire assistance. Often she was told that she could come into the family and share with them by marrying the man of the house. So it was quite natural that she accepted John Charles Hall when he asked her to marry him. She admired and respected John, but she accepted partly to assist her sister, Selina, who was soon to have her third child. Kezia and john were married and sealed for time and all eternity in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City on September 17, 1857. It was a very happy occasion for Selina and John were also sealed on the same day.

Kezia finally found employment digging potatoes for which she received potatoes in payment. The family, consequently, had all the potatoes they could use and some they traded to their neighbors for other items they needed badly.

Kezia was a beautiful girl. She had the lovely lines and feminine graces inherent in the DeGrey family, which back in the middle ages had almost made Lady Jane DeGrey queen of England. But combined with those fine qualities was a tremendous physique, and the resoluteness of the long line of DeGrey conquerors and rulers.

The story is told that while the family was living in Sugarhouse, a neighbor came in to make trouble about a horse belonging to the Halls, which had wandered in to forbidden territory. A difference of opinion developed to the extent that the neighbor gave John Charles a nose-bleed. All the DeGrey fighting blood came to the aid of Kezia's family pride and she strode out of the house with fire in her eyes. An onlooker related that Kezia gave the man such a beating that he was glad to crawl away on his hands and knees. Then only about three weeks later her first child, Alfred Lorenzo, was born on November 15, 1858. Another son, Henry Orson, was born two years later on September 1, 1860, but he lived only tot he age of six years.

In 1861, when Kezia's husband volunteered to take his families and go to southern Utah in answer to a call from the church leader, Brigham Young, she, naturally, was sad at the thought of leaving their new home and friends. Nevertheless, she, like so many faithful wives, was desirous to do the will of the Lord. And if it meant going to the unsettled area in southern Utah, then she meant to do it.

On their arrival in Rockville, located on the Rio Virgin, after a long, tiresome trek over rough, rock roads, Kezia and her sister, Selina, immediately began to make ready another new home. At the hand of a loving woman even a dirt dugout can take on a tidy, cheerful aspect. They both were accustomed to hard work by now and accepted the task at hand without complaint.

The new arrivals were warmly greeted by those who had already preceded them. So it was difficult to remain discouraged. There was a work to be done; each person had a part to fulfill, consequently, men, women, and children of all ages assisted in the building, planting, and harvesting during those first few years after their arrival in Rockville.

Because John suffered from heart trouble, the hardships of the rugged pioneer life were sometimes injurious to his health. Both Kezia and Selina were compelled to work along side of their husband in the fields. On one occasion the incident was related by one who witnessed the scene of Kezia carrying a bed sheet filled with cotton on top of her head. She had to cross a narrow foot log over the river. Part of the farmland was across the river from their home so whenever the team of horses was being used somewhere else, Kezia would carry the cotton from the field in this manner. She was a sturdy, energetic, and faithful pioneer mother, who in time of need was just as capable and kind while she doctored those who were ill.

The Hall family had been instructed, as had many others, to raise cotton as the major crop. They also raised sweet potatoes and any surplus they happened to have was taken to Pioche, Nevada. In this way they were able to buy doors and windows for their new adobe house which replaced the dugout and was built soon after their arrival in Rockville. Most of the furnishings in their home and the implements used on their farm were made by hand.

The pioneer women were very versatile and capable of accomplishing their many tasks with the materials supplied by nature. To illustrate this fact, the story of how they made water-softener or lye-water is very interesting. The women would hollow out a log, nail strips of board closely together in the bottom of the log. Into the log they would put cottonwood ashes and then pour water over them. The water which came off clear was used for lye. Often this home-made lye would be hauled as far north as Parowan and traded for grain or other items needed by the pioneer families in and near Rockville.

To make suds for washing their clothes, the women would use the roots of the Yucca or Oose Plant. These roots they would pound until soft. Later through their own ingenuity, the wives and mothers found a way to process soap from animal fat. After the lye water had been prepared, it was taken to the back yard and heated in a large kettle. All the grease which had been saved from fat scraps, rinds from the pork, and trimmings from the meat was brought out and added slowly to the lye water. This cooking process continued for several hours until a rich honey-like syrup formed. Then with saucer and spoon, the busy mother would test it, first with plain water, then with lye water, until her trained eye found that the soap was just right. When the mixture became firm and white, then the soap was done.

The soap was set in tubs to stand over night and cool. The next morning the soap was cut into bard and stored for use for the family. Some of the soap was even perfumed if it was to be used for hand soap. Many talents were brought to light through the rugged pioneer life of these sturdy men and women.

Selina, when she became discouraged with her life in Rockville and went to Salt Lake City, left three of her children who wanted to remain with their father and their "Aunt Kezia." Although Kezia never completely recovered after the birth of her first child, she became the mother of ten children. Three of her children died in infancy, but with the three children of her sister, Kezia mothered ten boys and girls to maturity.

Kezia was a woman of great faith, high ideals, conscientiousness in her home and her community. Her aim was always to better her life and her home for her family. She was a person of religious living and self sacrificing. Her thoughts and actions were always in behalf of those who were sick and in need. Her special gift lay in the realm of nursing. From her patriarchal blessing, received when she was first married, she found her calling. Among other things, she was told that she would go among the Saints of Zion, nursing the sick and afflicted. She devoted her life to work of service, in alleviating distress and bringing joy to those who were afflicted.

The Saints were more less isolated in Southern Utah because of the slow travel throughout the state. Medical assistance from a doctor was hardly known to those early settlers, and those who had any inclination for doctoring or nursing helped in any way they could in time of sickness. Kezia DeGrey Hall was such a woman. She was forgiving, sympathetic, and tireless in her charitable efforts towards all of her neighbors and friends. She spent long hours studying medical books on obstetrics and all known diseases. At one time Kezia was the most sought-after woman in the nearby towns of Springdale, four miles away, Shonesburg, five miles distant, Grafton, one and one-half miles away, and Virgin, nine miles, because of her willingness and work. Regardless of the weather or the conditions of the roads which she had to travel, she was ever ready to serve. She delivered between 450 and 500 babies and she charged only $3.00 for the delivery and ten days' care of the mother and child following the birth. Ofttimes she collected no pay for her work because the families were unable to give anything.

It was almost impossible to secure patented medicines, so Kezia made her own remedies. Some of them were unique in their contents, such as, charcoal poultices made of charcoal, vinegar, bran, and catnip, cooked together and put in a small sack and applied hot; cough medicine made of Sweet Balsam; "Bitters," as she called it, was made from grape wine and certain proportions of Mountain Grape root, Quakenasp bark, and Chokeberry bark.

Life in the many communities in Utah, regardless of size or location, was not all weary strife and toil. On Friday night there was usually a dance and social in the old bowery or the newly constructed recreation or church building. Everyone, both young and old, joined together, dressed in their "Sunday best," for a full evening of fun. Tiny babies were brought, snuggled in their baskets, and deposited behind the orchestra to sleep while their elders "Circled a...", "Do-si-doed", and "Grand right and left." The atmosphere seemed charged with gaiety and laughter, as the eager men and women forgot the worries of the day in dance.

When the Saints first began to surge across the plains in search of religious freedom, it became a practice of necessity to sing and dance at the close of each weary day. Hundreds of the Saints died en route to Utah, many others suffered cold, hunger, and other sicknesses. Brigham Young saw the need of something to make the grieving mothers and discouraged fathers retain their courage in order that they might face the difficult journey still ahead of them and the task of building homes in a frontier land. So music was furnished by brass bands, the violin, or the accordion; and everyone danced the quadrilles and minuets on the hard ground around the campfires. Then, natural enough, this activity became the most common amusement for the early founders of Utah. Music and drama also became an important art in most every community.

To Kezia, like every pioneer wife and mother, the socials and dances were happy times in her life. She looked forward to each one. She scrimped and saved that she might have a new, frilly dress for just such occasions. There was music in their home, too, and everyone who was musically inclined had the opportunity to develop his or her talent.

Even though much of her life was more or less spent in the service of others, Kezia was a good and wise mother to her children. Because of the privations she had experienced after the death of her own father, Kezia was a very sympathetic and tireless woman. She had great ambitions that her children would have just a little bit more than she herself had had as a child and young girl, as does every mother.

To Kezia and John were born ten fine children, seven of whom lived to make them very happy parents. There were six daughters and four sons, namely: Alfred Lorenzo, born November 15, 1858; Henry Orson, born September 1, 1860; Maria Laura, born on November 30, 1862; Alice Maude, who was born on April 5, 1864; Anne Selina, born on March 14, 1872; Arthur Wright, born on December 9, 1875; and Dora Martha Murton, born on January 8, 1878.

So after a full and serviceful life, Kezia DeGrey Hall died at Rockville, Washington County, Utah, on July 25, 1905. The memory of her good life will long be endeared by her descendants and friends.

Selina DeGrey Hall (1833-1901)

Selina DeGrey was born of goodly parents, who bequeathed to her the fundamentals of a strong character through the laws of inheritance and correct teaching in her tender and growing years as a girl in old England.

Her parents were John DeGrey and Maria Brooks and at the time of Selina's birth on August 1, 1833, the family was living at West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England. Selina was the third child born to these parents who were poor English working folk of the kind who constitute the very fiber of Britain: honest, frugal, independent in thought and action.

Selina's childhood was a normal, uneventful one. With her young playmates and friends she had a happy childhood. As she grew older she accepted her share of the household responsibilities and learned to assist her mother to manage the home. Because of the economical condition of England at that time, her parents were unable to gain, financially, so Selina led a rather conservative childhood.

When she was but a young girl, her father died after a brief illness. Because of her age and since she was the oldest daughter, Selina felt a portion of the responsibility which befell her mother. Her grief at the loss of her father was deep felt because the family had been so close.

Sometime after the passing of her father, Selina, her mother, and the younger children visited at the home of a cousin where they heard two young missionaries representing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints explain the principles of their comparatively new church. The sincerity and plainness with which the young men expounded their Gospel appealed to the DeGrey family. After that first meeting the Elders returned many times to visit the DeGreys, and always found a receptive audience.

In 1853, the family was baptized and confirmed members of the Church. They were opposed by friends and neighbors because of taking this step, which only seemed to heighten their determination not to falter. They chose to suffer opposition and resentment in order that they might "worship according to the dictates of their own conscience."

Selina as a young woman was attracted to one of the young Elders more than just because of the Gospel he taught. Something within her seemed to say that he was the one she wanted to marry. The attraction was mutual and soon Elder John Charles Hall, who was formerly of England, began to make plans for the future. Elder Hall had received permission to marry while he was laboring in the mission field if and when he found both a pretty and a suitable wife and companion. So on April 26, 1853, the young couple was married. They managed to have a home even though John was very busy doing his missionary work.

Their first child, a son, was born in Dudley, England, on February 16, 1854, and was given the name of Charles Alma. The following year on June 28, 1855, a second child was born to them. The tiny baby was a girl and they christened her Charlotte Maria -- Charlotte for her paternal grandmother, Charlotte Wright Hall; and Maria for her maternal grandmother, Maria Brooks DeGrey.

Soon after the second child was born, Selina's mother and sisters sailed for America, leaving her alone for the first time in her young life. However, she was too busy taking care of her husband and two babies and too full of plans for their own trip to America, to be lonesome. Her John would soon be released from his mission after five years of diligent and faithful work.

In 1858, Selina and John and their two small children sailed from England on the ship "George Washington" for America and their new home. They arrived at the Boston harbor after a pleasant voyage of only twenty-one days. Ordinarily, the trip required six weeks, but they were fortunate in sailing on a faster boat.

On their arrival in Boston, Selina was happy to meet her mother and her sisters who had been working in Boston for about nine months. A few days later the group traveled by train to Iowa City, where John purchased what provisions and supplies he could with the combined earnings of the group. The trip across the plains was by no means a pleasant one, but the urge to be in Utah with the Saints where they might build a home and spend a life of peace and contentment kept up Selina's spirits. She was young and able to make the best of the problems and privations. As long as her children were well, she was content. She was proud of her young husband who accepted the responsibility of taking nine persons in one wagon across the prairies to Utah.

Near the end of the trek, she began to feel weariness, as she was carrying her third child. So when the company, under the leadership of Jesse B. Martin, reached the Salt Lake Valley on September 12, 1857, Selina was tired but indeed happy to be home. As compared to England, America was so vast and so different to her.

After a few days rest, Selina and John were sealed in the Endowment House on September 17, 1857, by Heber C. Kimball, just five days after their arrival in the Valley. Now her dreams were fulfilled ... she and her husband and their children were sealed in the House of the Lord for "time and for all eternity." On the same day, her little sister, Kezia, then twenty years old, was also sealed as the second wife to John.

On October 9, 1857, a third child was born to Selina and John. The baby was given the name, Kezia Elizabeth, named for Selina's sister, Kezia, who was so sweet and helpful during the time of her confinement. On June 11, 1861, a fourth child, a son, was born to them. He was blessed and given the name of John Thomas.

The little family worked together and soon built a home in Sugarhouse, where they lived until the year 1861 when, in answer to a call from the church authorities, John disposed of their property and moved his families to Rockville in Southern Utah. Their first home was a dugout, which was eventually replaced by an adobe house, built of adobes or sun-dried bricks. The roof was composed of brush covered with dirt. When the families moved into the new adobe house, there were no floors other than hard-packed earth.

There were no modern conveniences in early pioneer homes. Most of the home furnishings and even working tools for the farm were hand-made. Light was received in the daytime through one or two small windows in each cabin. In the evenings the glow from the fireplaces assisted the burning rags in dishes of oil to illuminate the pioneers' home.

In due time, perhaps after harvest time, Selina's home received a floor made from logs, flattened on one side with the adze (?). Later the floor was covered with a home made carpet.

As time passed and the family became more settled and adjusted to the community, John again replaced the adobe home with a more durable home built of stone.

To John and Selina, after they moved to Rockville, were born three more children, two daughters and one son, namely: Sarah Ann, born May 17, 1863 and died September 22, 1864; Eliza Evelin, born November 21, 1865 and died on June 30, 1866; William Brooks, born May 2, 1867. The latter grew to maturity and had a fine family.

After living several years in Rockville, Selina became discouraged with her life there because of the hardships and privations. She took all but three of her children, Charles Alma, Charlotte Maria, and John Thomas, who chose to remain in Rockville with their father and Aunt Kezia; and returned to Salt Lake City. She never remarried and she found it very difficult to care for her children. Nevertheless, she bought and sent to John and Kezia the first cooking stove they ever had in their home. She always sent clothes down to Rockville to her loved ones. Her thoughts were constantly concerned with them and their welfare.

She took in washings to make a living for herself and her family. Selina's mother, who was getting too old to be left alone, lived with her and made extra work for Selina. She took care of her mother until she died on April 2, 1876. Selina worked very hard to give her children the advantages they needed.

When Charles Alma was about sixteen years old, he joined his mother in Salt Lake City. Later, Charlotte Maria, at the age of twenty-one years, also returned to Salt Lake to be with her mother. They both, Selina and Charlotte Maria, worked for Brigham Young in the Lion House.

Selina was always very religious and was a willing servant whenever called upon to fill a position. She worked hard and diligently both in her temporal and spiritual endeavors. She had a gentle, unassuming disposition, but was very determined in spirit. She was never too proud to help others or accept help from a friend. She was a good and charitable woman. Her belief in the Gospel was proven by the fine sons and daughters she bore.

"Character is the product of daily, hourly actions, and words and thoughts; daily forgiveness, unselfishness, kindnesses, sympathies, charities, sacrifices for the good of others, struggles against temptation, submissiveness under trial. It is these like the blending colors in a picture, or the blending notes of music, which constitutes the man." (Macduff)

As Selina advanced in age and became ill, she went to the home of her daughter, Charlotte Maria Hall Foulger, where she was taken care of until her death on August 11, 1901. Those who remained and those descendents who followed after her will long remember Selina for the heritage she left by her acceptance of the Gospel and her determination to build a home for the children in the Gospel.

John Charles Hall (1821-1890)

The paragraphs of this history has been slightly re-ordered from it's original writeup to separate the historic section, in italics, from the personal history of John Charles Hall. I have corrected spelling and punctuation in a few locations -- any uncorrected errors are either original and intentionally left, or are mine formed in transcription.

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In London there is a family of Halls, who have been merchants for many generations. Their beginning as a family is obscure, but is is quite certain that, like other English families of the Twelfth to the Fourteenth Centuries, they came from a man who owned a castle, containing a large auditorium or hall. As an example, we might take the Manor Hall in Kent County on the London Road, where a man by the name of Fitz William was Lord. He became known as William at the Hall and finally William Hall. His family died out with no issue to carry on the name, so this cannot be the ancestors of this family of London merchants. However, it does seem probable that their name originated in a similar manner. They probably were feudal lords at one time, but as the field of ruling and lordship became crowded and the Crusaders created a new foreign commerce, the Halls of southeastern England left warfare and turned to the less painful but more profitable means of gaining riches, honor, and glory. They secured by peaceful trade the profits which others won in turbulent conflict. They searched the world for articles to enrich the lives of Englishmen, and in turn they helped to disseminate English-made goods throughout the world. they were good Christians, but found it more practical to live the Law of Moses. They bought goods cheaply as possible and sold them for as much as they could. They have lived as educated ladies and gentlemen for many generations, in relative economic security and physical comfort.

The Wright family of England and America was founded by two brothers who came from Normandy with William the Conquerer. They obtained the Wryta by virtue of their skill workmen. John Wryta was especially noted as a wood carver. The name Wryta was later spelled Wright.

Just how early the Wright family started showing political and business ability, is not known, but by the end of the fifteenth century they were well established. By this time the family had centered around two points. The Kelvestone family of Sussex Shire were the ancestors of many of the Wrights who became famous in American history. The Kelvedon branch of Essex Shire had built a great estate of several manors where Sir John Wright in 1525 built a magnificent mansion, which still stands sixteen miles northeast of London. He also built the Kelvedon church at the same place, where he and many of his descendents lie buried.

In 1797 there was born to John Hepstritch Hall and his wife, Elizabeth Murton, a son, Thomas Johnston, who, in 1819, married Charlotte Wright. Charlotte was a proud lady of a great family possessed of considerable wealth.

Thomas Wright, a London merchant of this branch of the family was the father of Charlotte, who was born March 27, 1800. So when Charlotte married Thomas Johnston Hall, a well-to-do coal dealer's son of Faversham, Kent Shire, she was not only marrying according to wealth and social position, but was forming a link between two great families of London traders.

They were married and happily settled in Favorsham in March, 1819, and the following children were born to them: Mary Ann, Eliza, and Charlotte, all of whom died in infancy; and John Charles and Thomas.

John Charles Hall, of whom we write now, became the father and patriarch of the family whose histories follow. He was born in Faversham, Kent, England on October 20, 1821. His name was entered in the Faversham Church register and he was baptized a member of the Church of England on November 5, 1821.

His father, Thomas, was quite prosperous for some time as he had property of his own, and he also assisted his own father, John Hepstritch Hall, who was a coal merchant. The use and development of coal had been slow. Smelters were the first to adopt the use of coal as it quickly increased the capacity of the foundries from a ton to two tons per day to the mammoth plants of industrial England. Only as the payrolls increased through the industrial growth, did the homes of the laborers enjoy the luxury of coal. These changes and growth came slowly, so by 1825, John Hepstritch Hall and his son, Thomas, were among the earliest pioneers of the coal industry.

Then when the family had began to enjoy the fruits of their endeavors, there was a great economic panic and many lost all their wealth. The Hall family was not one of the favored ones ... Thomas lost his home in payment of his debts and his father, John, was so overcome by humility and the fear of being jailed because of inability to pay his obligations that he took his own life with a pistol.

After this distressing happening, the family was completely broken up. In 1827, John Charles was put in a boarding school, while his father tried teaching school at warsham in Doritshire, for the next several years. John Charles's mother took their losses very hard and sent to London. The family moved from place to place trying to find suitable work and home until August of 1833, when John Charles's father went to America and deserted his family. At this time John Charles had to go to work and he was only twelve years old. He was apprenticed to a firm which made pianos and organs where he worked for several years. He became very skilled as a piano finisher. He may have been a young man without means, but he certainly was not without ambition. He was more serious-minded and philosophical than his brother, Thomas, and through his zealous efforts, he became well-educated. Even so, he was unable to overcome the barriers caused by his family's poverty and get established in business in England.

So when he was a young man, the New World held out a beckoning hand to him and he emigrated to Canada, hoping to find his father and have him go back to England and straighten out his family affair, and maybe secure a better job for himself in the New World. His initial desires were unfulfilled, but soon after he arrived in Canada, he met a Mormon missionary, who talked to him concerning the principles of the gospel. At the close of their conversation, the missionary gave John a book, "Voice of Warning." John was quite interested and decided to read the book. He said of the book after he completed reading it, "With every statement I read of that little book, my mind told me that it was true. I could not stop reading until I had read every word of it." No longer was John in doubt as to his future course.

Later he talked with the same missionary, Elder Bailey, and became converted that he had found the true gospel. And in November, 1847, he was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Soon the spirit of gathering took hold of him and he longed to be with the Saints in Zion. So anxious was John Charles to go to Salt Lake City, that he only worked long enough in one place to get money to take him a little nearer to his destination. He arrived in Salt Lake City, in 1850, just three years after his baptism. He secured employment and soon found contentment and peace in just being associated with the many who had surged to Utah in order that they might "worship according to the dictates of their own hearts."

Two years later in 1852, he was called to go on a mission to his homeland, England. Naturally, he was anxious to return and give the Gospel to his family and others of his acquaintance. Before he left he was given permission by the church authorities to marry if he found a suitable companion.

Once in England, he reported to the mission headquarters at Dudley, where he began his labors as a missionary. During his travels, he met and converted a widow, Maria Brooks DeGrey, and her six children: Alfred, Selina, Kezia, Maria, Charlotte, and Sarah. He spent much time discussing the gospel whenever he visited the DeGrey family, and became well-acquainted with them. Their home became a place where the missionaries always found welcome. Love bloomed between John and Selina, the eldest daughter, and they were married on April 26, 1853. They made their home in England as best they could while John was yet laboring in the different districts, and later two children, Charles Alma and Charlotte Maria, were born to them.

John's mission lasted nearly five years, during which time Maria DeGrey and her children were working and saving for the future date when they would be able to go to Utah. John had told them so much about America that they could hardly wait. One year before John was released from his mission, Maria and her other four daughters came to America, where they worked in Boston, making further preparations to go on to Utah. Her only son, Alfred, came to Utah later.

The following year when John Charles arrived in America at the central place where all the saints made final arrangements to make the trip, he and the DeGrey family found they had only enough funds to buy one wagon, one yoke of cows, and one yoke of steers. Because there were nine of them in the group and only one wagon to take them on the long journey, John and his little group were counseled to remain until the following spring. They were all very anxious to leave, however, so John asked the captain of the company if he had any objections to them joining the company if they promised to cause no trouble. The captain said, "I guess we can't stop you if you want to go." The family felt relief and had the faith that the Lord would protect and sustain them if they but lived righteously, so they made the long trip without incident and arrived in the Salt Lake Valley on September 12, 1857.

Enroute to Utah, John Charles was determined not to cause the company any trouble. On one occasion, when the company had reached the Platte River, the road was covered with a thick layer of mud. The river had flooded the road for miles and then had receded, leaving it muddy and almost impassable. The company doubled their teams, that is, all teams were fastened to a few wagons in order to take them through the mud, a few at a time, until the entire company was again on dry ground.

John looked the situation over carefully and decided to go around the mud as much as possible wherever the countryside near the main traveled road was possible. When the captain of the company had seen all of the other wagons over the muddy obstacle, he asked, "Where is Brother Hall?" Someone standing near replied, "There he goes on ahead of us." This incident shows the typical determination of John Charles Hall. The many hardships and trials which the Hall family encountered during the trip were overcome by the zealous determination of all in the little group. Naturally there were those times when John became discouraged when he saw the hardships which the womenfolk had to endure, but beneath that discouragement and indecision was a deep reverence of the purpose for which they all suffered inconveniences and privations.

On their arrival in Salt Lake City on September 12, 1857, John and his group had very little to live on during the coming winter, and it was quite difficult to find work. Even the beautiful and wholesome valley, which meant home to them, could not stamp out the reality of necessity. Food was their main necessity at the moment and John found any work he could to secure produce for his family until they too could plant and harvest. Tired from the responsibility of the trek across the plains, young John worked hard and faithfully to establish his young family and those dependent on him in a new home. He obtained some farming land in what was then Sugarhouse Ward, now about 19th East and 14th South, Salt Lake City, and began the slow process of building for the future.

Just five days after their arrival in the valley, John asked for Kezia's hand in marriage. Although she admired him and respected him, she consented mainly to be able to assist her sister, Selina, when her third child was born. Kezia and John were sealed in the Endowment House on September 17, 1857, and on the same day John and his young wife, Selina, were sealed for time and for all eternity. For them it was a dream come true, after their simple marriage in England.

Not long was John and his family in their new home when the presiding brethren sent out the call for Saints to go farther south and build more communities. He willingly volunteered to go even though by now he was well established. He owned two or three city lots in the city and other property near the present site of Park City. What property he could not sell, he left behind, and he and his family went to southern Utah and settled at Rockville or, as it was called then, Adventure. The undertaking was a colossal one both from the standpoint that the new colonies were to be made on rugged, unsettled terrain and that many of the Saints were unacquainted with the life associated with such an adventure. Only the tried and true would likely endure without complaint the privations and hardships incident to such an exodus. It must be remembered that these Saints were headed for a wilderness where a road must be built most of the way, because there was no settlement south of Payson, and danger from attacks of roving bands of Indians was a constant source of uneasiness.

Rockfille was a small organized community, nestled in the foothills on the banks of the Virgin River, about five miles from Zion Canyon as we know it today. It was settled by those Mormon colonists in 1861 and stands today as a monument to and symbol of the sturdy, progressive, unyielding pioneer spirit of those hard, God-fearing Saints.

The climate in southern Utah is such that fig trees, cotton, peanuts, and semi-tropical fruits can be raised without difficulty. The early settlers took advantage of the cool breezes which swept down from the canyon during the summer, and the pleasant winters to till the soil and harvest their crops. There were many hardships and hazards accompanying the work of the rugged soil tiller. Sudden storms in the Rocky Mountains at the head of the Virgin River sent floods scurrying down the canyon to tear down fences, drown cattle, and even lap at the doors of the settlers' homes. Rocks had to be removed from fields to allow for planting, and time after time irrigation dams in the Virgin River had to be replaced because floods swept them away. Indian wars and other hardships drove some of the less sturdy members away to greener pastures. Much of the credit for settling the area goes to later families who moved in and plied their trades.

John Charles was one of such men. He was eager and ambitious to build and secure a section of the fertile land on which to build his future. On their arrival in the south, the family built a dugout as a temporary lodging and took a farm across the river from them. Later they built an adobe house, then sometime later, John built a rock house which still stands (as of March 1949) as a monument to him and his faithful family. Their home furnishings and even most of the farm implements which were used to work and till the soil were home made.

It was not uncommon to see the women and children of all ages working beside the head of the family in an effort to expedite the completion of a home or community building or the heavest of the crops. But to John, who had been reared as a scholar and a gentleman in his native England, was it doubly hard to have his wives assist him in his work. He had had high hopes and mountainous plans for his two beautiful wives and his children. Nevertheless, he welcomed their encouragement and assistance because of his weakened conditions due to heart trouble. The long journey to "a home in the tops of the mountains" had left its mark on John though he strived to convince otherwise.

Needless to mention that all the Saints sensed the responsibility and necessity of pushing forward in unison. They knew that all must participate in the building program if they were to survive the hardships and disappointments so prevalent in this newly settled area. The Lord had blessed them, but they still needed further perseverance and determination to conquer the rough Indian country. There was much work to be done -- homes to be built, farms planted and harvested, public improvements in their town, exploration of the country round about to become acquainted with the natural resources that might enhance the financial interests of their community and assistance in bringing under cultivation more acres of land. The founding of the colony was made easier by the cooperation of every able-bodied man and his family.

The first winter was a hard one for the Hall family and they suffered considerably for the want of nourishing food, but the Lord was merciful unto them and preserved their lives. There was a scarcity of dairy and animal products; there were no fresh vegetables for the table such as can be secured in this day, and only in later years was there plenty of fruit. There was seldom a shortage of the basic foods. The food was usually wholesome but not too nutritious because of the lack of variety. The value of a nutritious diet was not understood by those early pioneers, who suffered along on coarse cane seed bread and potatoes as the mainstays.

Selina became discouraged with the way they had to live so she returned to Salt Lake city, where she lived the remainder of her life. The struggle even in Salt Lake City was rather hard for a lone woman to live and take care of a family of children. She also had to care for her mother, who was getting too old to manage for herself. Although Kezia never completely recovered after the birth of her first child, she became the mother of ten children. Three of her children died in infancy, but three of Selina's children remained in Rockville and lived with Kezia and John until they were grown and able to go out and find work for themselves.

While the Hall family was still living in the adobe house with the dirt roof, John bought an organ. Through his training as a youth he had acquired a deep love for music. And he meant to have happiness and song prevail within the walls of their tiny home through the medium of music. He felt that wherever there was music there would abide peace and forgetfulness of every day's toil and strife. His desire for music shows his belief of the following words: "Music is the universal language of mankind." (Longfellow), and "The meaning of song goes deep. Who is there that, in logical words, speech, which leads us to the edge of the Infinite, and lets us for a moment gaze into that." (Carlyle).

The organ became a precious and vital part of the Hall family and the community where they lived. Whenever it rained and the roof would leak, the oil cloth from the table was spread as a protector over the organ. It was the only organ in Rockville for a number of years, so it was naturally a prize possession to the owners. On special occasions it was not unusual to take the organ to meetings and celebrations, and sometimes it was even hauled by wagon as far as Zion where celebrations and outings were often held.

Indians were ever a menace to the pioneers who were struggling for existence as it were. Whenever Indians were known to be near to their community, the people were alerted by the loud blowing on a large sea shell, which belonged to John Langston. The shell made a sound similar to a horn, so everyone could hear it and be prepared for an attack or trouble from the "Red Man". One time Charles, son of Selina and John, was on a small nearby hill, digging oose (?!) roots. Someone saw the sun glistening on the shovel he was using, so he immediately gave the alarm of "Indians!" When the men had met together, John then relieved their fears by telling them that it was only his young son digging for oose roots.

Nothing came easy for those persistent pioneers. The men and boys had to go into the mountains to secure wood for fuel. Since there were no roads built for their wagons, much of the wood had to be carried or dragged by the men and horses to the wagons. Often the logs were dragged to the edge of a cliff and then thrown over and rolled as near as possible to their wagons. In this way fuel was hauled to their homes until later when roads were built for the wagons to travel.

During the early growth of Rockville, it became apparent of the necessity of a shoemaker and a nurse or midwife. John accepted the responsibility and borrowed enough money at 12% interest to finance the journey of a convert, Mr. Tuffield from England, and a widow, Ms. Campbell, and her two children, Billie and Tillie. After their arrival in Rockville, they both proved unsatisfactory in their professions, so the debt became very irksome to John before it was finally paid in full.

John, because of his advanced age, did not feel that he was too old to learn. He had had a good education, but he still desired further learning. He was always reading and studying. He was genius at spelling and could spell almost any word given to him if it were pronounced correctly. There were those who were ever searching for new words to confuse John.

The first meeting and school house combination was one made of logs with a huge fireplace in one end. It had a board floor made from lumber hauled from Parowan by ox teams. Attempts had been made to fashion lumber from cottonwood logs found nearer to Rockville, but those attempts proved fruitless because the lumber which was needed for their buildings was brought from Parowan.

Later, an adobe school house was constructed and, still later, it was covered with weather siding. As more space was needed for amusement halls and more class rooms, additions were made to the old adobe school house. In 1893, this building was destroyed by fire and at that time the people and the county built a rock school house.

Utah's Dixie pioneers then hauled lumber from Kaibab, Trumball, and other remote forests requriing from ten to fifteen days for a trip, while on top of nearby Zion Park Rim, later called Cable Mountain, were choice forests of good quality pine. This was apparently inaccessible because of the 2,000 foot perpendicular drop to the bottom of the canyon.

Native genius, common sense, and dogged determination solved this problem under the leadership of one Dave Flannegan, who conceived the idea of bringing the timber down on wire cables. Dr. Decker, of the Branch Agricultural College, hearing of this scheme, went to investiate and informed this rugged, practical pioneer that the #14 wire he was using would have tensile strength enough to hold only its own weight for the proposed 3,000 foot span. He said that "scientists had determined this fact," etc.

Dave Flannegan replied, "Well, I ain't no scientist, so I don't know that it can't be done," and went ahead with his plans.

It is reported that Brigham Young once told the people of Dixie that "lumber would come down off those ledges like a hawk out of the sky." That was actually true, for millions of feet of lumber were brought down on cables from the rim of Zion Canyon. After Dave Flannegan proved the scheme to be practical, the cable was enlarged and used for many years. He said that during the time they used the #14 wire, there was not a serious accident.

The desire to learn and progress and the ingenuity of these strong-hearted men and women made their daily existence more livable as they learned of newer and better ways and means of accomplishing their tasks. "The prosperity of a country depends not on the abundance of its revenues, the strength of its fortifications, or the beauty of its public buildings; but it consists in the number of its cultivated citizens, in its men of education, enlightenment, and character." (Luther)

John Charles Hall, though a quiet, reserved man, was still a man who, through his own ingenuity, made a happier and more contented life for himself and his family as they became more settled in their home, church, and community. Each member of each family in the town strived to work harmoniously together in order to achieve satisfaction and the knowledge of work "well done." "Love thy neighbor as thyself" became a standard code of ethics for these early adventurers and home builders.

John always said that the anticipation of a difficulty was usually worse than the calamity itself. He believed that the Savior's words, "Take no thought for the morrow," if applied faithfully, would do more to make a man happy than those who had never tasted the truth of the statement could ever imagine.

Handicapped as he was, due to heart trouble, John was not ashamed of the fact that he was a working man. He loved his work and took a great deal of pride in whatever he undertook to do. He was thorough, reliable, and could always be depended upon to carry to a successful finish whatever he attempted to accomplish. He made his mistakes, as do all men, but his virtues so far outshone his weaknesses as to give him a place among the great and good of his generation. He was not known for his eloquence nor for brilliant achievement in that spectacular sense by which men attract the attention and the loud acclaim of their fellows, but was content to do his simple duty each day without ostentation and in the quiet retreat of his local environment. His life was dedicated to the cause of the Lord.

After years of kind service, both for his family and his God, John Charles Hall died at his home in Rockville of heart disease and dropsey on March 3, 1890. His had been a full and eventful life. There had been much toil and sorrow, but these were overshadowed by his being blessed with two good, faithful wives and seventeen sons and daughters.