Hyrum Bowles Morris, Jr. (1863-1914)

Hyrum Bowles Morris, Jr. was born on February 14, 1863 at Springdale, Washington County, Utah, the son of Hyrum Bowles Morris, Sr. and Eleanor Crofford Roberts. He had four sisters: Lauria, Eleanor, Eliza and Sophia sadoriah. His only brother, William Edward, died while the family was crossing the plains enroute to Zion.

The Morris family moved from Springdale and made their home in Rockville, when Hyrum Jr. was about two years old. Here he was reared and received his scant education. He finished the fifth reader and received his further training under tutorship of his kindly parents.

Hyrum was a fine looking fellow, healthy, well built body, topped by a head of brown curly hair; heavy brows from under which shone two sparkling blue eyes. He took the eye of many a young girl and the heart of one, Eliza Smith.

Eliza and Hyrum had grown up together, associating in church and community activities. When Hyrum felt the need and desire for a companion, he courted and married Eliza, a lovely bride as she whispered "yes" to the handsome young man at her side in the St. George Temple. Their marriage took place on New Year's Day in 1885. They built their first home in Rockville. During the summers they went to the mountains where they milked cows and made cheese and butter. Those were very busy months but always happy times for all who went. After the long winter months spent in Rockville, it was relaxing, regardless of the daily tasks, and pleasant to spend their time during the hottest part of the year in the cool of the mountains. Southern Utah has mountains, lakes and streams which will rank with the best in the country.

In November 1885 Hyrum moved his wife to Mesa, Arizona. His parents had been living there since 1883, so they joined his folks after a long tiresome trip by team and wagon. It was a difficult journey for Eliza for she was heavy with child and the bouncing wagon offered no comforts whatsoever. Ah, but sturdy were the pioneer mothers of then.

Eliza gave birth to her first child, a son, on March 18, 1886 after they were settled in Mesa, Arizona. The following year Hyrum was called to fill a mission in the Southern States. He took Eliza and their small son, Charles, back to Rockville where she stayed with her father until his mission was completed. Their second child, George Edwin, was born in Rockville while Hyrum was still on his mission, and it was not until fifteen months later that Hyrum saw his infant son.

At the completion of his mission, Hyrum returned to Rockville, gathered his family to him and returned to Mesa, Arizona, by team and covered wagon. They made their home there for many years. They were blessed with ten children, six boys and four girls.

Hyrum was a good farmer and prospered well through his efforts. He purchased unimproved farms, worked them, and improved them and then sold them at a good profit. Throughout the Mesa area Hyrum left farms that were credit to him and his family.

In 1901, Hyrum decided to move his family to a cooler climate, so he moved them to Lovell, Wyoming. They made the trip by team and wagon and were three months traveling from Mesa, Arizona to Lovell, Wyoming. The summers were glorious but the winter cold proved to be to severe for them so they returned to Mesa by train.

In 1910, Hyrum received his call to fulfill a mission for the second time. This call was to the Northern States, but due to ill health, Hyrum was unable to complete the two years of missionary work and returned to his home and family in 1911.

Hyrum, because of his mission training and experiences, was a capable and a willing servant in both his church and community. He willingly accepted whenever called to serve, regardless of the capacity. For his church, he gave of his time and talents as one of the counselors to the bishop of his ward for years. For his community, he gave of his efforts and capably served as justice of the peace in the Alma precinct for two years, officiated as a director of the Farmers Exchange at Mesa for several years, served on the school board, both in the Alma and Mesa districts, and acted on the Board of Governors of the Salt River Water Users for years.

Because of his active service throughout the many years he was residing in Mesa, Arizona, Hyrum's death on December 23, 1914, was mourned by the numerous friends and associates he had. He had strict ideals and lived accordingly, being always fair and just in his judgment and actions, to better the circumstances under which they lived. He was a good and kind father and a faithful companion. He served his God to the best of his ability and was blessed for his sincere efforts.

George Alfred Smith (1861-1935)

George Alfred Smith, son of Charles N. Smith and Maria DeGrey, was born June 10, 1861 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The same year of his birth the family moved to Rockville, Utah, in the southern part of the state. Here he resided for 28 years and was a real pioneer in building up this country which was referred to by all the early settlers as "Dixie". He and his father did a great deal of freighting from Salt lake City to Rockville.

He attended the elementary schools in Rockville and then came to Provo to attend the old Brigham Young Academy. On January 21,1885 he married Eleanor Rebecca Morris in the St. George Temple. The ceremony was performed by D. H. Cannon. For the next six years they made their home in Rockville.

In 1891 they moved to Monroe, Utah. Here he spent the next twenty years of his life in pioneering this new country. He was in the sheep and cattle business as well as doing a great deal of farming.

In July of 1898 he was called on a mission for the L.D.S. Church. He was set apart by J. Golden Kimball on the 6th of July and the following day he left for his field of labor in the Northwestern States Mission where he labored for two years. During these two years his wife was left at home with four small children for which to care. These were two trying years for Eleanor, who took in sewing and with careful planning and the help of the Lord, managed their home and family. Soon after George returned from his mission he was selected as Second Counselor to Bishop Sarnual Gould in the Monroe Ward.

George loved to farm and always had a thriving vegetable garden. His daughter Leona S. Westover, relates as follows:

"One of my early memories is how he loved to take vegetables to the neighbors. He loved to help those in need. Mother often remarked that if he had sold the things he gave away he would be well to do. "

Early in 1911 the family moved to Union, Oregon where George was attracted while on his mission. Here he wanted to go into the farming business which looked so promising there. After a few months of looking for land to buy he was unable to locate what he wanted so decided to move back to Utah.

On their return they settled in Provo where George secured employment with Taylor Brothers Department Store. He worked there until a few years before his death when his health was such that he could not stand the heavy work. He then obtained a job as custodian of the Farmers and Merchants Bank where he worked until his death.

Again in the words of a daughter, Leona Westover, here are a number of events and characteristics that stand out in his life:

"I shall always remember his garden and the lovely vegetables he raised and how he would give them away to his neighbors. He always wanted to share the things he had with others, be it a pan of new potatoes, peas or carrots, just to make someone happy. He loved to go on picnics and it was a pleasure to take them. He seemed to enjoy life to the fullest.

He loved to have his friends drop in and in warm weather he would soon come forth with a cold drink of lemonade or something refreshing. After we were married and moved away it was such a, pleasure to go back home and enjoy his hospitality and to go on short trips with them. Father, being a sheep man and with his experience in the mission field, was a good cook and helped mother so much with the cooking. His corn bread was the best I have ever tasted. Corn bread and molasses I can just taste it now, and I never make it myself without thinking of father and how he loved it. I can see him now in the evening before going to bed on a cold winter night and how he would get a pan of apples and peel them and pass them around.

Father and mother always spent Christmas with us when my children were small for they enjoyed so much seeing the children on Christmas morning.

Father was a true Latter Day Saint in every way and he lived his religion. We always had our family prayer night and morning and we all had to take our turn. Father was really gifted in praying and I have always wished I could pray like him.

Father was set apart for his mission by J. Golden Kimball who gave him a wonderful blessing and promised him some wonderful things if he would be faithful. Here are some of the things as he had them recorded. 'If you will trust in the Lord he will not leave you to yourself and the evil one will not have power to do you injury, and you shall be able to speak with great power, so much so, that the
wicked shall tremble before your presence and the righteous shall be made to rejoice, for you hold the Holy Melchisedek Priesthood. You have power and authority, not only to preach the Gospel of the Lord Jesus that brings life and immortality to light, but you have the power to baptize the repentant believers for the remission of their sins; to lay hands upon those who repent and are baptized for the gift of the Holy Ghost and the sick shall be healed under your administration because of your great faith. And these things did come to pass for him.

I shall never forget the Thanksgiving before he died. There were between 15 and 20 of us seated around the table at home to a lovely turkey dinner. Father was so pleased to have so many of his loved ones present. As he gave thanks to our Father in Heaven for the many blessings we all have received, he seemed to sense that this would be his last Thanksgiving with us and I have never heard a more wonderful prayer. I was never so overcome as I was at this time. The tears rolled down my face and a feeling came over me that I shall never forget, sensing that this might be his last Thanksgiving. Mother and others expressed the same feeling.

/ can best close by stating that he was the most wonderful father anyone could ever have and was so kind and considerate in every way. "

He became ill on the 14th of December 1934 with a blood clot in the heart and passed away January 2, 1935 at his home, 258 West 2nd North in Provo, Utah, at the age of 73.

It was very lonely for Eleanor following his death for they had been very devoted to each other all their life. It was felt that she should not stay alone so her son, Melvin, and his family made their home with her. Eleanor died March 23, 1939, at the age of 72 years.

George and Eleanor were blessed with the following nine children: Eleanor Mariah, George Hyrum, Melvin D., Charles Leo, Morris Clifford, Leona, Laura Isa Dora, and Arizola. Five of these are still living.

Charles Nephi Smith (1824-1897)

Charles Nephi Smith was born on March 14, 1824, in Hereford, England. At the age of fourteen months, he was taken from his mother and given to the care of his grandparents who reared him. Even so, his childhood and youth were not without love and kindliness, as his grandparents loved dearly.

As a boy, he attended Sunday School and divine services in the Episcopal Church. When sixteen years of age, Charles was persuaded by some friends to accompany them to hear the words of a strange preacher just to have some fun. The strange preacher, in the person of Wilford Woodruff, was most interesting and instructive and failed to provide the amusement the young men intended to find. Charles, from that very hour, felt strongly impressed with the philosophy of the young preacher. He resolved to give up his former associates and seek further light and understanding pertaining to salvation as he had heard it that memorable day, and it was a memorable day for Charles, because life seemed to take on a new and totally different aspect.

After much investigation of this new and strange religion, Charles was baptized in the year 1840 by William Parson. Like other new converts, Charles felt the urge to be with the Saints in America. So strong was this desire that he could not resist even though it meant possible feelings with his grandparents. When he did tell his grandparents about his membership in the new Church and about his desire to go to America, they were furious to think that their grandson, who was as a son to them, should leave them and his home to follow those "awful Mormons". His grandmother, when she saw his determination, tied his meager clothing into a bundle, threw them out the door and told Charles, "Go! And never come back".

It was a happy day when Charles secured passage on the ship "Emerald", yet beneath his happiness at the prospects of an ocean voyage to a new land, was a loneliness and sadness that his parting from his dearly beloved grandparents should be such as it was. He must have felt that once in America, he would never return to his loved ones in England.

The Saints who left England at that time aboard the ship "Emerald", were in the charge of Parley P. Pratt. After an uneventful trip across the ocean, the boat docked at New Orleans in the year of 1842.

From New Orleans, Charles proceeded to St. Louis, Missouri, where he secured employment in a brickyard at the wage of sixty cents per day. Charles was compelled to walk five miles to and from his work each day. This, besides the strenuous work he had to do at the brickyard soon proved to be too much for Charles and he was forced to accept medical attention at a charitable hospital. it was while he was bedridden that Charles heard the shocking death news of Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother, Hyrum. Charles was greatly saddened. He had left his native land and those who were dear to him, and was now lying in a hospital, sick, and weary, without friends to care for his well being.

Soon as he was well enough, Charles went to Nauvoo where the Saints were located. There he found that for which his heart longed. He was warmly welcomed and even found a very good friend, George Spillsbury. The two young men made plans to go in one of the companies going to Salt Lake Valley. They had two oxen, two cows and one wagon with which to begin the journey westward. The wagon was old and had been put together without one piece of metal. Hickory saplings had been wound around the wheels to act as tires. However. this crude conveyance carried the group safely to the Great Salt Lake Valley.

The trip was not without incident. Many were the hardships and disappointments. Sickness and death were ever prevalent to further dishearten the pioneers. One incident, which caused much excitement and concern, occurred as the company was traveling along the Platte River. The oxen who were thirsty and over anxious to reach the water, ran away down over a steep path into the river. The wagon with all its contents, was upset in the river. Sister Spillsbury and her one week old baby were drenched in the cold water before they were finally rescued. No harm came to either mother or child. (This infant grew to maturity and was a faithful pioneer in a Mormon colony in Old Mexico.)

After their arrival in the Salt Lake Valley, Charles found employment and later met and was married to Eliza Needham in 1855 by President Brigham Young. Two years later he married, as his second wife, Maria DeGrey. To them were born eleven children. Eliza bore no children.

Trouble from the outside world, so to speak, continued to come to the Saints. When Johnson's Army came to molest them, Charles was one of a group chosen to protect and hold the entrance through Echo Canyon to the Valley. Then, too, much anxiety and concern was caused the pioneers because of the practice of plural marriage. In 1857 when the saints left Salt Lake City to escape marshal law, Charles moved his families to Springville. The following year they returned to their home.

In 1861, Charles was one of a group of men called to take their families and colonize the southern part of Utah. Faith and the desire to obey the call from their Prophet of God was greatly evidenced when these men and women accepted the challenge to clear the land of sage brush and rocks, plant corps, build homes and fight molesting Indians. After having had, only a few years hence, experienced the hardships of the great trek across the plains, those pioneers had to have much faith and perseverance to leave their homes in Salt Lake City and travel again to a barren section to build other communities.

On the journey to their destination in Dixie, the company had to ford the Rio Virgin. In mid stream Charles oxen stopped to drink and the wagon began to sink in the quick sand. Despite his frantic efforts to urge the oxen onward, they completely ignored Charles. He was trying to save his outfit but the wagon box floated down stream. A number of men, who were working on the opposite bank finally
came to his aid in time to save the occupants of the wagon Eliza and one of Maria's sons, Joseph, who was then four years old. The men carried Eliza and the young boy to the bank and they secured the wagon box to a cottonwood tree.

After years of toil and a meager subsistence, Charles and his family began to feel encouraged as they gazed upon their fields of corn and grain, their orchards and the small garden patches. Charles built a small home in the community of Grafton, which consisted of but a few families with their farmlands. The Indians gave them trouble by driving off their cattle and horses and killing some of the citizens. About four years later the people in Grafton were advised to move to Rockville for protection.

In 1867, Charles was ordained bishop of the Rockville Ward and faithfully fulfilled that calling until 1891 when he was honorably released. Durning that year Charles moved his family to Monroe where he built another home. He continued to be as active in his church as his age would allow. At a conference held in Salina, Sevier Stake, he was set apart as a patriarch of the church by Frances M. Lyman. In 1875 Charles was called on a mission to Canada, but was unable to complete it because of ill health. Six years after his release as bishop, in 1897, at the age of seventy three, Charles departed this life, leaving behind a fine posterity.

From the time Charles had first heard the gospel in England from the lips of Wilford Woodruff until his death, his sincere desire had been to seek more knowledge of the Gospel of Christ and to be of service whenever called. He was a good father who set a worthy example for his children to follow. Because he had missed having his own mother and father, Charles tried more earnestly to be an understanding and kind father. To his neighbors and associates he was an honorable, hard working and a generous friend.