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JAN 1 3 1944
The Crowthers
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of
Fountain Green, Utah
GENEALOGICAL SOQET^f
OF UTAH
Zion's Printing & Publishing Co.
Independence, Jackson Co., Mo.
V
26127
C
Copyright 1943
William O. Crovvther
Manassa, Colo.
Printed in the United States of America
THOMAS CROWTHER
Born in Easthope, England, 1797,
died March 3, 1871, buried at
Bridge North, England.
THOMAS CROWTHER
RICHARD CROWTHER
GEORGE CROWTHER
PREFACE
About the year 1850 a number of Elders of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints went to
England. Those that went to Shropshire made many
converts. Among them were three brothers and a cousin,
Thomas, Francis, Richard and George Crowther. All
four emigrated to the U. S. of America. The sole pur-
pose for making their home with the Saints of God
(commonly called Mormons). Francis came in 1852 and
died on the plains on his way to Utah. Thomas came in
1855, Richard in 1864 and George in 1857. These two
brothers and cousin chose Fountain Green, Sanpete
County, Utah, as the place to make their permanent
home, where they lived and reared their families, for
thirty years. Then Thomas moved to the San Luis
Valley, Colorado where he and his family helped to make
settlements. Richard moved his families to Southern
Utah and later moved to Logan, Utah, with one family
where he died. George remained at Fountain Green
until his death.
To keep a record of these three families is the pur-
pose of publishing this book with a desire of connecting
their Genealogy with the Crowthers that are in England
and also many of that name who came to America.
This task of family historian has been assigned to
Wm. O, Crowther who has been laboring along this line
for thirty years. At the reunion of the Thomas Crowther
family held in Sanford, Colo., July 26, 1941, it was agreed
by this assembly to have this record published. Wm. O.
Crowther was appointed chairman with Lewis R. Ander-
son of Manti, Utah, and Arthur F. Crowther of Salt Lake
City, Utah, as aids to see that this work was accomplished.
I want to thank these two men for their support and
loyalty to this cause, and all members of the family who
have rendered aid in this undertaking. Especially do I
want to thank Mrs. Leah Kirby for her untiring help.
May ir prove a blessing and help to future generations
yet unborn and all members of this great family to
"KNOW YOUR KINFOLKS."
William O. Crowther,
Manassa, Colorado.
^^--^^^mm
w^^
^^
Fountain Green, Mt. Nebo in Distance
INDEX
PART ONE Page
Thomas Crowther 1 1
Jane Jewkes Crowther i8
Mary Ann Crowther Anderson 31
Sarah Jane Crowther Johnson 52
Thomas Alma Crowther 68
James Frankhn Crowther 85
Emmahne M. Crowther Kirby 109
Laura Marie Crowther Morgan 120
WiUiam Orson Crowther 145
Annie Rozilla Crowther Mortensen 167
Vilate May Crowther Jensen 178
NeUie Crowther Mortensen 184
PART TWO
Richard Crowther 195
Annie Margaret Christensen Crowther 204
Mary Jane Crowther Durfee 206
Esther Rebecca Price Crowther 235
PART THREE
George Crowther 240
Janet Wiley Crowther 243
Robena Crowther Collard 250
John William Crowther 267
James Crowther 268
Catherine Crowther Larsen 269
Elizabeth Crowther Anderson 297
Sarah Crowther Ottsen 315
George Crowther, Jr 327
William John Crowther 328
Thomas James Crowther - 333
Fountain Green, Utah, 1942
Part One
Thomas Crowther Family
SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF THOMAS CROWTHER
THOMAS CROWTHER was born on the 12, March
1823, at a place called Easthope, Shropshire, Eng-
land. "My father's name was Thomas Crowther,
he was born in 1797, and he died March 3, 1871, and was
buried in the cemetery at Bridge North, Shropshire, Eng-
land. My mother's maiden name was Ann Preece, She
was born 9, Oct., 1800. She died 27, Aug., 1846, was
buried at a place called Stanton, Shropshire, England.
When I was nine years old my parents sent me to school
for about twelve months. After that my father having a
large family, put me to work as soon as I was able.
By this time I was able to read in the Testament with-
out much difficulty. But I never made a letter or figure
at school. What I know about writing or the value of
figures I have picked up myself and that after a hard
days work. At eleven years of age I hired out to an
old gentleman by the name of John Bradley at a place
called Ditton Friers. I stayed with him for two years
and four months, and worked on his farm. He was a
good man as far as he had light and knowledge; he was
a strict Methodist and taught me good moral principles
that had a lasting impression on my mind in after years.
He would have me go to Sunday School every Sunday
morning and meeting twice during the day, which I
thought at that time was very irksome. But I have
thought since it was all for my good. When I left him I
hired to a man by the name of Edward Hughes, at a
place called Kinsley, near Bridge North. I stayed with
him two years, but did not get that religious training as
I did of my former master. For he was a worldly man."
I continued to hire out until I was twenty-two years of
age, and notwithstanding the religious training that I
12 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
had received in my youth it did not seem to have that
impression on my mind as it does on some people; that
is I could not reconcile myself in regard to what God re-
quired me to do to be saved.
"I went from one sect to another but I still felt an
aken void. I seemed to be hunting something that none
of the religious sects had got. About this time I was
twenty-two years of age when I quit farmer's service and
went into Staffordshire and worked at blast furnaces,
that is manufacturing of iron. I continued to work at
this business the remainder of the time I stayed in
England. When about 26 years of age I married a
young woman by the name of Sarah Thompson. About
the time that we got married I went and paid a visit to
my mother-in-law. When for the first time my eyes
beheld the Book of Mormon. This was about 1849.
There happened to be a Mormon Elder at my mother-in-
law's, by the name of Thomas Shelly, he presented me
with a copy of the Book of Mormon which I took home
with me and read it through, and truly I thought I
had found the pearl of great price. My father- and
mother-in-law had already been baptized into the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and had two of
their children healed in a miraculous manner. They
were both healed by the power of God, which caused
quite a stir in that neighborhood. Several joined the
church there about this time, and as I stated I read the
Book of Mormon through and was very much interested
in the little light that I had gained through reading that
precious record. It caused me to long for more. I was not
long in hunting up the place where the Latter-day Saints
held their meetings, and the first or second time I went
to see them, one elder spoke in Tongues and another
interpreted the Tongue. The substance of it was, that
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 13
branch should grow and prosper and many should be
added to the church. I shall never forget the sensation
that came over me at that time, for I was satisfied that
these men spoke by the power of God. I saw that
prophecy fulfilled to the very letter. In the next three
months there were forty-four added to that branch, my-
self and wife included among them. We were baptized
Oct. 13th, 1850, into the Tipton Branch of the Birming-
ham Conference, by Elder George Hill, president of that
branch. Was ordained to the office of priest, December
26, 1851 by Elder John Weston. Later ordained an elder
by William George, 13 May, 1853.
About this time I met with a bad accident. I hurt
one of my shoulders so bad I could not lift my arm
up. I had faith in the power of God and his ordi-
nances. I went to meeting at night and took with me
some oil and requested the elders to anoint my shoulder
with the oil and pray to the Lord in the name of
Jesus Christ to heal me, which they did and I was
healed from that very moment, and went to my work
the next morning to the astonishment of all my fel-
low workmen. Although my shoulder was black and
blue and discolored for weeks afterward, but not to
hurt me in the least. This was the first time I had
the power of God manifest upon my own body. Previ-
ous to my hearing the Gospel I had one of my legs
broken which caused me to be helpless for three months.
This was about two months after I was married. During
this time I read and reflected a great deal. I prayed
earnestly for the Lord to guide me in the right path.
I realize that it was through this circumstance that led
me to investigate and embrace the Gospel. Quite a
number of years have passed since then. I am writing
from memory at this late date, thinking it would be of
14 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
interest to my children after I am gone. What I write
is the truth.
"In 1853, three years after joining the Church, my-
self and wife agreed to save out of my wages ten
shillings a week, equal to $2.50, as we had a great
desire to gather with the Church in America. We carried
out our plan for six months, then by selling our furniture
we had enough to pay our way to Saint Louis, Missouri,
U. S. A. We had one little girl named Mary Ann,
three and a half years old. We lost one little boy who
lived twelve weeks, named Francis. It was the counsel
for all Latter-day Saints who could pay their way to
St. Louis, Missouri, to do so, for they could get an
outfit there to cross the plains easier than they could in
England. On November 13th, 1854, we embarked on
a ship, the Clara Wheeler, a sailing vessel, bound for
New Orleans, Louisiana, with 420 Saints on board. We
were almost wrecked on the Irish channel for a day
and night, was towed back into the river Mercy, Liver-
pool, and had to wait two weeks for favorable winds.
President of the Mission, Franklin D. Richards came to
our ship and told us if we would fast and pray, and
keep the commandments of God we should have favor-
able winds and a prosperous journey across the ocean.
This we did and the next day the wind turned in
our favor and we started again. In five weeks we
landed in New Orleans safe in fulfillment of Apostle
Richards' promise. That was January ist, 1855. I was
taken very sick when about two weeks out at sea and
continued so till we got to fresh water. Many doubted
my recovery, but I told them I should live to get to the
land of Zion. I recovered fast when we got to fresh
water. Our fare was paid only to New Orleans. I was
weak from my illness, our money reduced to ten shillings.
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 15
While contemplating our condition I could see no other
way only for us to stop at New Orleans and try and get
work and earn money sufficient to take us to St. Louis,
Mo., a distance of 1200 miles. While leaning over the
side of the vessel, a man came behind me and put his
hand on my shoulder and asked me about my circum-
stances. When I told him, he reached out and gave me
40 shillings, just the amount required to take us to
St. Louis, Mo. This man was almost an entire stranger,
I had seen him on the vessel but do not remember ever
speaking to him before. He gave me the money without
my asking him. He told me I could pay him back
when I got able. Which I did with the first money I got.
A steamboat was chartered to take us up the Miss-
issippi River immediately and we landed at St. Louis,
January loth, 1855. The next day I met a former ac-
quaintance, one Richard Jewkes who had preceded me
from the Tipton Branch. He came and took me, my wife
and child to his abode, five miles distant; a place called
the Gravois. We stayed with him as long as we remained
in that part. I dug coal and made some money. The
4th of March, 1855, my wife gave birth to a boy baby that
was dead when he was born. Two days after, she died,
and was buried at a place called the County Farm. This
was sad indeed, leaving me and the little girl to make
our way to Zion.
Early in April we started on our way to cross
the plains, a distance of twelve hundred miles. I
trusted in the Lord to open the way. I met a young
man, a carpenter, who was in about the same condi-
tion as myself. We decided to build us a hand cart
and try and make our way with one of the Ox team
companies. Just at this time a messenger from a Texas
Company who had started across the plains, had gone
16 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
seventy-five miles, when the Cholera broke out and
several of the men died from its effect. He w^as looking
for teamsters, volunteers to go and drive the teams.
Myself and six others accepted the proposition to drive
four yoke of steers to each wagon loaded with merchan-
dise on consideration we got our board and what little
baggage we had and the little girl taken along. We
started out for the company with a team of horses, and
in two days reached them. Edward Stevensen was sent
to take charge of the train. He was a native of Gibralter.
a verv fine man. Out of the seven of us that volun-
teered, not one of us had ever put a yoke on an ox
before and they were all wild Texas cattle. You can
imagine we had a picnic. But we soon got so we could
manage them like old teamsters.
"We left Mormon Grove June 13th, 1855, ^^^ arrived
in Salt Lake City, Sept. 13th, 1855. Me and the little
girl would sleep under the wagon at night. In the day
time, she would ride in the wagon just ahead of me so
I could keep her in sight. We traveled late one night in
order to reach water. As soon as we stopped for camp.
at a place called Laramie, Wyoming, I unyoked mv
cattle and got them to feed. I returned and assisted in
getting supper, then went as usual for my little girl,
but she was missing. I roused the camp. No one
had seen her since we stopped for camp. A diligent
.search was made but of no avail. I imagined all kinds
of scenes of death. Indians getting her, wandering away
to perish, and be eaten by wolves, etc. I shall never
forget the feeling that came to me, though now it is
thirty years or more. I cannot refrain from tears as
that experience comes to my mind. Most of the camp
gave up the search in vain. I could not settle or content
myself, but still wandered about, when finally I found
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY
17
her fast asleep in some tall grass a short distance away
You may imagine my joy in finding her.
"We had to keep diligent watch all the way across
the plains. At Sweet Water a false alarm of an Indian
raid gave us quite a scare. But in all our journey we
were wonderfully blessed. At this place my wife that
is dead visited me, put her arms round my neck, told
. Thomas Crowther Jane Jevvkes
me of many things I have seen come to pass since that
time. She looked so beautiful. When I asked her of
how it was in the sphere where she moved, she signi-
fied she was not at liberty to tell. I knew she was dead,
and where she was buried. At this point I was aroused
by the false alarm.
18 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
"On arriving at Salt Lake City, I walked immedi-
ately to Pleasant Grove, forty miles south, and visited
my wife's parents, who had emigrated three years pre-
vious. I stayed there and worked until the October con-
ference, which I attended. After that I went with Elder
John Weston, former president of the branch that I
came from in England.
"I left Mary Ann with her grandparents and went
with this John Weston to Cedar City, Iron county, Utah.
He had been requested to find two men who understood
the manufacturing of iron. Another man by the name
of Thomas Gower went with us, where we found a
mountain of iron ore, at which place we worked for two
or three years. But the company trying to develop this
industry did not have money enough to carry on the
work. For that reason it failed.
"On the 25th of November, 1855, I met a young
widow by the name of Jane Jewkes, a former acquain-
tance in the Tipton branch. I offered my hand in mar-
riage to her and was accepted. We were married by the
president of the stake, Isaac C. Haight. My wife had
emigrated the same year. We had fairly good clothes,
but nothing toward housekeeping — no money — in a
country where even the necessities of life were scarce.
The grasshoppers had destroyed the crops, and food
was not in the country. The Lord's hand was manifest
in our behalf. During the famine, mushrooms grew
just outside the city. People would go every morning
and gather them and with a spoonful of flour to thicken
them or make gravy. We relished them and they sus-
tained life until another harvest. Another item of food
was the honey dew that fell upon the willows. People
would gather the willows, wash them in tubs, then boil
the water and make it into a syrup, which was very
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 19
delicious. They gathered barrels of it. This was at a
time when sugar or molasses could not be gotten in the
country. I have never seen it since like it came at that
time.
"I will now mention a manifestation I had in an-
swer to prayer. In the spring of 1857, a man by the
name of Whittier told me I could use his oxen to plow
my lot if I would bring them from the range — telling
me where I would find them. I started out early the
next morning in search of them, and walked fast until
noon without success. I began to get faint and weary,
when I turned to one side into a cedar grove. There I
knelt down and asked the Lord in sincerity to make
known to me where the cattle were. I had not been
on my knees more than two minutes when a voice said
to me — they are up in. Coal canyon. This was not said
in a loud voice, but in a pleasant whisper that filled my
heart with a certainty that they were there. I arose
and went with a light heart about one and a half miles
distant. There I found the cattle lying down, chewing
their cuds.
"I mention this circumstance to show that the Lord
does hear and answer prayers when we are humble and
sincere.
"Since then I have witnessed a similar manifestation
a number of times. In the winter of 1858 I decided I
would move away from Cedar City and go to Beaver,
where I could take up land. That was a new place and
plenty of land and water, a distance fifty-two miles
north. In the fall of 1858, I went to Beaver, took up a
lot and went to work building me a house, preparatory
to moving my family. I got my house under way when
I was impressed to go home— but for what reason I did
not know. It was sadly against my will, for I wanted
20 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
to complete my house. I had a presentment that I was
need at home. We had no means of communication —
mail only once a month, so there was no way of sending
or receiving a message. Next morning about nine
o'clock I started for home, with a yoke of cattle and a
wagon. I traveled thirty miles that day and camped
at a place called Paragonah or Red Creek. I turned
my cattle out and got my supper and went to bed but
could not sleep. Something seemed to urge me to get
up and go on, but I reasoned with myself like this: the
cattle are tired and I cannot possibly go on tonight.
But the impression grew stronger, so I got up, got my
cattle hitched to the wagon and started, traveling all
night, arriving home at eight o'clock a.m. I had travel-
ed fifty-two miles in twenty-three hours.
"I found my wife very sick. The neighbors did not
think she could live. At the time when the impression
came to me to get up and go on the evening before, they
thought she was dead. When I found her in this con-
dition, I understood why I was so impressed to go
home. I mention this to show that we have guardian
Angels, and that they do oft times manifest things that
we should do, and also warning us against many
dangers, if we would give heed to the whisperings of
the still, small voice.
"In the spring of 1859 I moved my family to Beaver,
but not finding farming land to suit me, I, with about
thirty others, went to Lower Beaver, a distance of twenty
five miles down the river. There we took up land and
started a new settlement, raised one crop, when the In-
dians got on the war path. We were counselled by the
Church authorities to move into the older settlements
where we could be protected from the attacks of the
Indians. So we moved back to Beaver where most of
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 21
US had houses and lots that we had left the spring
previous. Some of us concluded we would try Sanpete
county, so in the spring of i860, we sold our house and
lot in Beaver and moved to Ephraim City, Sanpete Co.
There we lived twelve months. Not being able to take
up land to suit me, we decided to move again. So in
the spring of 1861, I moved my family to Fountain
Green in the northern part of the same county. This
place was just beginning to be settled.
"By this time we had four children, two boys and
two girls. We got along very well, with plenty of hard
work incident to a new settlement, until 1865, when I
was stricken down with rheumatism, and was for two
or three months as helpless as a little child. In fact, I
could not move myself in bed without help. For twelve
months I was unable to do a day's work. During that
time I had five doctors that prescribed different reme-
dies, but none of them seemed to do me any good. I had
been administered to a number of times by the Elders,
but without any material benefit. When I had been
sick about ten months, I was suffering very excruciat-
ing pain, and I prayed to God to let me pass away or
heal me — when a voice said to me, 'I can heal you but
there is an ordinance in my house,' This is all it said,
but I understood exactly what it meant; so the next
Sunday I sent for quite a number of the Elders to come
and administer to me, which they did. I told them
this time to exercise faith, for I said I knew that I was
going to be healed. I knew for a certainty by the voice
that had spoken to me. From that very hour I began to
get better, but it took some time to gather strength so
that I could work. For I was brought very low. But
I do know that I was healed by the power of God.
"In writing this short sketch I have only m^^ntioned
22
THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
a few incidents of tliis kind that I received in answer to
prayer, that I have seen made manifest in behalf of
others. In the fall of 1873, myself and ten others were
called to go down to St. George to spend the winter
working on the temple. I was appointed captain. And
about the loth of November, we started, and we had a
very rough journey. We were caught in a very severe
blizzard. Some got their ears and some their feet
Thomas Crowthcr Home, Fountam Green, Utah
frozen. We finally reached St. George, spent the winter
employed on the temple, enjoyed ourselves and the work.
President Brigham Young and George A. Smith spent
the winter there.
"We were released sometime in March, 1874. We
returned home feeling well over our labors. We re-
sided at Fountain Green where five more children were
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 23
born unto us, four girls and one boy. Seven of our
children had moved to Colorado. On the 14th of De-
cember, 1887, myself and wife went to Colorado, in the
San Luis valley, south central part, to visit our children.
Spent the Christmas holidays with them, enjoyed our
visit and returned home safe and well on January 26,
1888.
"On the 2ist of May of the same year we attended
the dedication of the Manti Temple; where we witnessed
the power of God made manifest to a wonderful degree.
Some heard Heavenly music, some saw a halo of light
around the speakers. August 31, 1889, I was called to
hold the office of an High Priest, was ordained under
the hands of Canute Peterson, Henry Beal and John B.
Maiben, presidency of the Sanpete Stake at Ephraim,
Utah. President Peterson being mouth. In March, 1890,
we sold our home and farm in Fountain Green and moved
to Sanford, Conejos county, Colorado, arriving there on
March 26, 1890. We built us a new home, a small brick
house, and were very comfortable and contented. All
our children married, and had comfortable homes. At a
conference held in Manassa on February 15th and i6th,
1896, I was called to hold the office of Patriarch in the
San Luis Stake of Zion. Was set apart by Heber J.
Grant and John Henry Smith, the latter being mouth."
(Written in his own hand to here. Balance written by
William O. Crowther, third son and only survivor of the
family living)
"He worked faithfuly in this calling as long as he
lived. Gave many blessings and enjoyed the spirit of
the work. On May 2, 1896, his faithful wife died. She
held many responsible positions during her life. Was
an officer in the Stake Relief Society at the time of her
death. Was a faithful Latter-day Saint, a true wife and
devoted mother. This left father lonely and downcast.
1
24 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
He stayed alone for some time. Finally we persuaded
him to move into the west room of our home in the
fall of 1896. He could be to himself, give blessings to
God's children. But he ate his meals with us at our
table. Our children would contend for a turn to bring
his cushion and tell him when the meal was ready. He
read a great deal and would keep us posted on the news
of the hour at our meals, which was like turning on the
radio nowadays.
"It was a source of joy and comfort to have him with
us. His knowledge and experience was worth much to
us. It was like drawing from a fountain to quench our
thrist. He could always give us the right answer and
solve our problems,
"He made a trip to Manti, Utah, and stayed a short
time with his oldest daughter and her family — the
little girl that was lost on the plains. This visit was
enjoyed and appreciated — after which he returned, spend-
ing nearly all of his time giving blessings and keeping
the record of them. On October 2, 1898, he died at the Q
home of William O. Crowther. He was buried by the
side of his loving wife in the Sanford cemeterv."
THE FAMILY THEME SONG
(Tune: Old Spinning Wheel)
Turn back the years of my childhood, as you turn
old spinning wheel;
Just show me a lane with a bare foot boy
As shadows softly steal.
There's an old family tree in old England
Whose branches ran over the sea.
Their home now is here in these mountains.
They are true to this land of the free.
Sometimes I think that I can hear them in their old home,-
Softly, sweetly singing some old melody,-
There's an old family tree in old England,
Let us all per-pet-u-ate their mem-o-ry.
U4
o
o
OLD MEMORIES OF EARLY DAYS AT
FOUNTAIN GREEN
Thomas Crowther was an ardent and loyal sup-
porter of Brigham Young — also his local bishopric.
Whatever was proposed and supported by them went
with Thomas Crowther.
An old song called the Alphabetical Song of Foun-
tain Green, was written by a young upstart poet, Harmon
Curtis. From A to Z, it portrayed the happenings of
the town, and mentioned some of the principal ones who
took part in the events. Among them were the names of
some of the Crowthers at the time. Among them were
these items: "J for John Holman who got on a bust and
shot at George Crowther with a handful of dust." An-
other: "E for Ed Draper, He's fond of his sweeters, and
F for Frank Crowther, He goes to Hans Peters." The
loyalty of Thomas Crowther brought this one out: "T for
Tom Crowther, He's got the good notion. He's always
on hand to second the motion."
Thomas Crowther never got over his English
brogue. He would put the h's in and leave them out
when they should be there.
On a number of occasions when some one of the
rough necks of the family would get unruly. Father
Crowther had to be sent for. I remember when he ap-
peared on the scene, all quieted down, but a light mur-
mur from someone brought forth these words: "I'll
wale ya if your as big as a ouse." He was master of every
occasion.
He was quite a hand to joke. Quite often Uncle
George or someone else would call just as the family
was seated at the table for a meal. Father would in-
quire in a joking way: "Well, George, ave ya been to
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 27
supper?" If he answered no, father would bhintlv say:
"Well, we are a ed of ya," and pass on to some other
subject. If he answered yes, father would say, "Well,
you are a ed of us."
He surely had the love and respect of all honest and
truth-loving people that knew him and his wife also.
He that lives best, lives twice,
In life, in deeds, in memory; that's thrice.
w. o. c.
GENEALOGY OF THE CROWTHER FAMILY
BEGINNING WITH SIMON CROWTHER, BORN ABOUT
1606 A. D., EASTHOPE, SHROPSHIRE, ENGLAND
Simon Crowther b. about 1606, m. about 1630 Catherine
, bur. 17 Aug., 1676, b. about 1606, Easthope,
Shropshire, England, bur. 4 May, 1645, Easthope, Shropshire,
England.
Three children.
1 George Crowther, b. 29 Mar., 1632, Easthope, Shropshire,
Eng. bur. 29 Jan., 1702.
2 Edward Crowther b. 23 Feb., 1633, Easthope, Shropshire,
England, m. Mary Wykes 28 Mar., 1690, Easthope, Shrop-
shire, England, bur. 6 Jan., 1727, Easthope, Shropshire, Eng-
land, She was bur. i Nov., 1732 or 1727, Easthope, Shrop-
shire, England. Four children.
3 Joan Crowther b. 21 Feb., 1640, Easthope, Shropshire, Eng-
land.
1 John Crowther, chr. 30 Jan., 1691, Easthope, Shropshire,
England, bur. 11 June., 1691.
2 Edward Crowther, chr. 30 May, 1695, Easthope, Shropshire,
England, bur. 31 Jan., 1696.
3 John Crowther, chr. 28 May, 1696, Easthope, Shropshire,
England, m. twice. First wife Mrs. Esther -. Sec-
ond wife, Mrs. Mary He was bur. 7 Mar., 1776,
Easthope, Shropshire, England. Two children.
28 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
4 Edward Crowther b. i Sept., 1698, Easthope, Shropshire.^
England, bur. i Nov., 1729.
1 John Crowther, chr. 5 April, 1728, Easthope, Shropshire,
England, m. 2 Dec, 1756, Mary Pemberton, Easthope,
Shropshire, England. Chr. 26 Sept., 1731, d. 3 Nov., 1792,
Easthope, England. He was bur. 30 Apr., 1801. Seven
children born to this union.
2 Esther Crowther, Chr. 26 Sept., 1731, Easthope, Shropsnirc;
England, d. bur. 30 April, 1801.
1 William Crowther, chr. 15 Aug., 1757, Easthope, England.
2 Esther Crowther, chr. 23 Feb., 1759, Easthope, Eng. Twin.
3 Mary Crowther, chr. 23 Feb., 1759, Easthope, Eng. Twin.
4 Edward Crowther, chr. 2 July, 1762, Easthope, England.
5 Thomas Crowther, chr. 9 April, 1765, Easthope, England,
m. Five children.
6 Francis Crowther, chr. 29 Aug. 1768, Easthope, England.
7 Sarah Crowther, chr. 4 Nov., 1770, Easthope, England.
I Thomas Crowther b. 1797, Easthope, England, m. 1820. d.
3 Mar., 1 871, bur. Bridge North, England. Ann Preece b.
9 Oct., 1800, d. 27 Aug., 1846., bur. at Stanton, Shropshire,
England. Nine children.
0. Maria Crowther, b. 1798, Easthope, Shropshire, England,
d. 15 Jan., 1869.
3 Sarah Crowther, b. 1802, Easthope, Shropshire, England.
4 James Crowther, b. 1805, Easthope, Shropshire, England.
5 Elizabeth Crowther, b. 1812, Easthope, Shropshire, England.
I -I Mary Crowther, b. 1821, Shropshire, England, d. 1847,
Shropshire, England.
1-2 Thomas Crowther, b. 12 Mar., 1823, m. 1849, Sarah
Thompson. This is one of the persons from whose de-
scendants compose part one of this volume and whose gen-
eration is the starting of the figures used to designate the
generation from him.
1-3 Francis Crowther, b. 1825, Shropshire, England, d. on the
plains emigrating to Utah, U. S. A., 1852.
1-4 Ann Crowther, b. 7 Nov., 1829, m. Joseph Pearmain
1849. He d. 15 June, 1885, England. Eleven children were
born to them. She d. 16 Jan., 1879, bur. Birmingham, Eng.
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 29
2-1 William Pearmain, b. May 6, 1850. Emigrated to U. S. A.
Fountain Green, Utah, about 1882, m. 25 Oct., 1885, Sara
Ann Gould (Williams), widow with family of children. New
immigrant from England, daughter of Benjamin Gould and
Esther Price, b. Jan. 4, 1847, d. 7 Dec, 1926 at Fountain
Green, Utah. Three children were born to them. He d.
24 Mar., 1 94 1, Fountain Green.
2-2 Mary Pearmain, b. Aug. 2, 1851, England.
2-3 Eliza Pearmain, b. Oct. 31, 1853, England.
2-4 Annye Pearmain, b. 11 Feb., 1855, England.
2-5 Richard Pearmain, b. ir Dec, 1856, England.
2-6 Elizabeth Pearmain, b. 16 Sept., i860, England.
2-7 Samuel Pearmain, b. April 16, 1862, England, d. child.
2-8 Samuel 2nd Pearmain, b. 16 July, 1863, England.
2-9 Benjamin James Pearmain, b. 26 Aug., 1865.
2-10 Sarah Eliza, b. 15 Aug., 1867, England.
2-1 1 Martha Pearmain, b. 28 Oct., 1869, England.
3-1 William Thomas Pearmain, b. 12 Aug., 1886, d. 26 Oct.,
1886, Fountain Green, Utah.
2 Richard Alfred Pearmain, b. 18 Oct., 1887, Ftn. Green,
Utah, m. 3 Mar., 1915, Hannah Olsen, b. i Mar., 1890.
Daughter of James Olson and KJersti Janson, m. in Manti
Temple, Utah. Four children born to them. They reside
at Fountain Green, Utah.
4-1 Arthur Richard Pearmain, b. 23 July, 1916, Ftn. Green,
Utah, m. 8 July, 1939, Beth Mower, daughter of Orson
Mower and Glen Ames.
2 Niels Woodrow Pearmain, b. 20 Dec, 1918, d. 7 May, 1928,
Fountain Graen, Utah.
3 Edna Chassty Pearmain, b. 17 Aug., 1921, Ftn. Green, Utah.
4 Sarah Louis Pearmain, b. 24 June, 1925, Fountain Green,
Utah.
3-3 Florence Pearmain, b. 3 Jan., 1890, Ftn. Green, Utah, m.
William B. Coombs, son of William Coombs and Eliza
Morgan. Five children born to them.
4-1 Evalyn Coombs.
2 Ruth Coombs.
3 Melba Coombs.
4 Dora Coombs.
5 Lorna Coombs
30 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
1-5 Martha Crowther, b. about 1832, Shropshire, England.
1-6 Sarah Crowther, b. about 1835, Shropshire, England, d.
1836, a child.
1-7 James Crowther, b. 28 Jan., 1837, Shropshire, England, d.
1 861, Shropshire, England.
1-8 Richard Crowther, b. i Oct., 1839, brother to Thomas
Crowther, who with his descendants, represents part Two
of this volumn. See part Two.
1-9 William Crowther, b. about 1842, Shropshire, England, d.
1845.
Thomas Crowther, b. 1797, d. March 3, 1871. Buried in the
cemetery at Bridge North, Shropshire, England, m. Ann Preece
in 1820. She was born Oct. 9, 1800, d. 27 of August, 1846. Was
buried at Stanton, Shropshire, England. There were nine chil-
dren born to them: Mary Crowther, b. 1821, Shropshire, England,
d. 1847. Thomas Crowther, b. March 12, 1823. m. Sarah
Thompson, 1849. Sarah d. March 6, 1855. Buried St. Louis,
Missouri. Second wife born April 2, 1832. Daughter of Wil-
liam Jewkes and Jane Woodward. Children born of Thomas
and Sarah: Mary Ann, b. May 7, 1851, in Staffordshire, Eng.
m. Lewis Anderson. Children born to Jane Jewkes, second wife:
Sarah Jane Crowther, b. October 19, 1856, at Cedar City, Utah.
m. Charles H. Johnson, d. October 22, 1919 at Sanford, Colo-
rado. Thomas Alma Crowther, b. 29 of March, 1858, at Cedar
City, Utah. m. Mary Peterson, d. June 19, 1933. James Frank-
lin Crowther was b. September 17, i860, in Ephraim, Utah,
m. Mary Olson, d. October 6, 1930. Emmaline Melissa Crowther
b. June 25, 1862 in Fountain Green, Utah, m. William H. Kirby,
d. October 15, 1917. Laura Maria, b. March 25, 1864, in Foun-
tain Green, Utah, m. George D. Morgan, d. April 19, 1938.
William Orson Crowther, b. October 27, 1866, m. Mary C.
Mortensen. Annie Rozella Crowther was b. December 4, 1870,
m. Holm A. Mortensen, d. May 6, 1912. Vilate May Crowther
was b. May i, 1872, m. James C. Jensen, d. March 9, 1902.
Nellie Crowther was b. July 18, 1875, m. Lars H. Mortensen, d.
August 10, 1896.
Children of
Thomas Crowther
MARY ANN CROWTHER ANDERSON
2-1. Mary Ann b., 7th May, 1851, in Tipton, Shropshire,
England, m. Lewis Anderson in Salt Lake Endowment House
Nov. 14, 1870, d. Dec. 2, 1934.
When three and one-half years old, Mary Ann,
with her parents, embarked on a sailing vessel, called
the "Clara Wheeler," bound for the United States of
America. After sailing about six weeks, the Crowthers
landed in New Orleans, and started toward Zion. On
reaching St. Louis, Mo., they remained for the winter.
The following spring, a son was born to the Crowthers,
but the infant died. Two days later the mother also
died, and Mary Ann was motherless.
Shortly after the death of wife and son, Thomas
Crowther volunteered to drive a team of four yoke of
cattle in a train of merchandise across the plains for a
Texas company, with the provision that he could take
with him his luggage anci his four-year-old daughter,
Mary Ann. She related in her declining years how she
would roll herself up in a blanket and sleep under the
wagon at night, when they were crossing the plains.
32 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
Father and daughter arrived in Salt Lake City,
Sept. 13, 1855. Mary Ann was taken to Pleasant Grove
to stay with her grandmother, and her father went to
Cedar City to work in the iron works.
Thomas Crowther married Jane Jewkes, in Nov.,
1855. After three years at the iron works at Cedar City,
and two years farming at Beaver, Utah, he moved to
Sanpete county. He lived at Ephraim one year and
then moved to Fountain Green.
In the spring of 1861, when fifteen years old, Mary
Ann journeyed to Nephi, riding on a load of lumber,
where she hired out to a prominent family of that city.
While there she received a patriarchal blessing, a copy
of which she never received, as the patriarch's home
burned to the ground and all the records were destroyed.
But one promise the patriarch made her, which she re-
membered distinctly, was that she would be an ordi-
nance worker in the Temple of the Lord. She told
the lady who employed her about this part of her
blessing, and said she did not know how it could be ful-
filled. (There were no temples at that time). Her com-
pensation for one summer's work was a pair of shoes
and a calico dress. Returning to Fountain Green, she
obtained employment at a hotel kept by Bishop Robert
Johnson, where she worked for three years.
Mary Ann and Lewis were married in the En-
dowment House, in Salt Lake City, Nov. 14, 1870. Bishop
Robert Johnson accompanied them on their wedding
trip, which took two weeks, with a covered wagon and
a team of mules. The newly-weds settled in Fountain
Green. Mary Ann, adept at housekeeping, polished up'
the few available tin cans and arranged them on the
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 33
shelves of her cupboard, that it might appear filled. At
Fountain Green, the two oldest sons, Lewis Robert and
Thomas Jefferson were born.
Mary Ann Crowther Anderson
Lewis was then called on a mission. Mary Ann was
left with thirty dollars, taxes to pay, and no income.
She had, however, two cows from which she sold butter
Lewis Anderson
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY
35
and milk. She "took in" sewing and supplied the local
store with overalls and jumpers. Thus she was able to
support herself, her children, and a befriended young
immigrant boy, Hans C. Hanson Bogh, recently arrived
from Denmark, whom she treated as her own.
Within a few years, Lewis was called on his second
mission. Mary Ann was left with four children to care
for. She received some help from her relatives and the
good Bishop and by taking in boarders was again able
to support her family. Times were hard, but the Lord
blessed her efforts in the great responsibility that was
placed upon her.
Her later years were some of her best years. Lewis
was called to labor as a recorder in the Manti Temple,
just after it was dedicated in 1888. The family then
moved to Manti where her sixth child, a son, was born
May 17, 1890. Mary Ann was set apart as an ordinance
worker in the Temple forty-six years after her patriar-
chal blessing, wherein she was told and promised she
would be an ordinance worker. This position she
held for ten years. She was then called to be matron
and for seventeen years presided over sisters working in
the Temple. Her record was twenty-seven years of
service in the Temple of the Lord. Her activity in the
Church, outside of Temple services, was mainly in the
Relief Society, in which she was a diligent supporter
and worker. She had a good voice and sang in the
choir.
She was a true friend of the poor and her charitable
deeds will ever be known. Many emigrants enroute
from the "old country" made their beds on her floors —
made no difference if they were free from or infested
with lice — some she fed and clothed. In her home many
36 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
of the general Church authorities were entertained, who
appreciated her highly.
Mary Ann Crowther Anderson was loved and re-
spected by all who knew her. Outspoken and uncom-
promising against wrong doing, yet she had a kind
disposition and fine personality. She had blue eyes,
brown hair, about 5 feet 2 inches tall, and weighed
about 100 pounds, balanced by a large sense of humor.
Mother of six children, three boys and three girls. One
son and one daughter preceded her in death. She
passed away December 2, 1934, at the age of eighty-three
years, seven months and five days.
Lewis Anderson, son of Anders (Andrew) Ander-
son and Anna Olsen, b. Oct. 24, 1850, Hickeberg, Malmo,
Sweden. Because of persecution, the family was forced
to flee to Denmark, Leaving his wife, Anna, with four
sons — Christian, Swain, Andrew, and the subject of
this sketch, Lewis, Andrew Anderson, November 29,
1855, sailed for the United States. Enroute, the ship
caught fire and was burned to the water's edge. The
crew and passengers took to the boats and after much
suffering, were rescued bv another sailing vessel which
brought them to New York City. They arrived Feb-
ruary 28, 1856.
Anna remained in Copenhagen and made a living
for the family as best she could, principally with her
needle. She had learned to sew in her father's tailor
shop. In the spring of 1857, ^he received money for
her passage to America and the first word from her
husband since he sailed away for the New World. In
the meantime, the oldest boy, Christian, had died, and
the father knew nothing of it until he met his wife and
three sons at Philadelphia, June 24, 1857.
The family lived at Burlington, Iowa, about two
^ ^
o
J2<
5
38 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
years. In May, 1859, with one yoke of oxen and a
wooden-axle wagon, Andrew Anderson and family
left for the trek across the plains, arriving in Salt Lake
City, Utah, August 28, 1859. Lewis, though only nine
years of age, walked the entire distance from the Mis-
souri river to Utah.
The Anderson's first located on Little Cottonwood,
Salt Lake county, and later moved to Payson. Late in
the fall of 1859, they were among the pioneer settlers
at Moroni, Sanpete county. Like most of the pioneers,
the Andersons arrived in Utah with very little of this
world's goods. It is related that there were no dishes
in the family cupboard. Food in a large wooden bowl
was placed on the table, and all ate from the "serve all"
with home-made wooden spoons. In 1866, they moved
to Fountain Green, where they resided until 1877, when
Lewis responded to a call to aid in the construction
of the Manti Temple.
In 1884, he returned to Fountain Green, where he
resided until 1888, when again he was asked by the
Church to move to Manti to resume Temple work. He
lived in Manti until his death.
When a boy, while working for a man in Moroni,
Lewis was driving a team hitched to a load of wood.
The wagon had poor brakes, and while coming down
the hill, the load crowded the horses, breaking the
lines which caused a runaway, and tipped the load of
wood on top of him. His leg was broken in two places,
arm and collar bone broken and he was generally
mashed up. He went throuh life with one leg two
inches shorter than the other. This accident probably
had a great deal to do with the future of Lewis Ander-
son. His father thought Lewis would never be able
to do hard, manual labor, and "set about" to educate
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 39
him for mental work of some kind. He was sent to
Springville, where he received about three months'
training in business and accounting, under a man by
the name of Lyman Wood. This was the only formal
training he ever had. But he was a student, and sought
konwledge out of the best available books, though they
were few in number. Much of his studying was done
at night by the light of the fire in the open fireplace.
Lewis was one of the first telegraph operators in
the State, then called Territory. This came about from
the building of the Deseret Telegraph line. He wrote
a very legible hand which accomplishment brought
places of trust. (There were no typewriters then). He
wrote with his own hand the first laws and ordinances
of the Town of Fountain Green. Three copies were re-
quired to be posted in as many public places.
He loved to fish and hunt. In his youth one of the
duties required of him was to furnish the meat for the
family table. This he did from the abundant fish and
game then existing. He was a good boatman and an
expert swimmer. He loved the companionship of his
children, and they loved to be with him.
During the Indian wars, Lewis shared the hardships
of guarding the cattle against the Indian depredations,
and converting the desert and wilderness into a habit-
able country. He was a Black Hawk war veteran.
Lewis Anderson was a man of unfaltering faith
and devotion to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Whenever
a call came he was ready. He was a confidant and
trusted man of Apostle Orson Hyde, and held continu-
ally important Church positions. He was a teacher
and superintendent of Sunday Schools, a Ward and
Stake officer in the Mutuals; and a Home Missionary.
He filled two missions in the states of Wisconsin, Min-
40 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
nesota and Illinois. He was Stake Tithing Clerk, Re-
corder in the Manti Temple, President of the South
Sanpete Stake for 19 years; Assistant President and Presi-
dent of the Manti Temple, which latter position he held
at the time of his death. He died a Patriarch.
In civil life he was active in many capacities. Dele-
gate to a Constitutional Convention seeking statehood
in territorial days; school trustee, and a member of the
Manti city council, a justice of the peace, and city record-
er in Fountain Green. He was prominent in movements
that created employment, education and progress; one
of the pioneer merchants and a successful business man.
He successfully managed the Central Utah Wool Com-
pany which handled millions of pounds of wool. With
his sons, L. R. and T. J. and R. E. Lee Kenner, he en-
gaged in the sheep and cattle business, and organized
the Manti Live Stock Co., owners of one of the largest
registered Hereford cattle herds in the West. He was
interested in the furniture and hardware business in
Manti and Fountain Green. He sold to Sanford Holman
the first "self-binder" brought to Fountain Green. He
was a director of various enterprises, and president of
the Manti City Savings Bank. In politics he was a
Republican.
Lewis Anderson was about 5 feet 7 inches tall, slight
of build, weight about 130 pounds, until later years when
he fleshed up. Kindly blue eyes and brown hair. Firm
and determined in his convictions and very methodical
in his work. His advice was sought by many. His
word was as good as his bond. His motto in life "honest
luck" is recorded on the fly leaf of many of his early
books. He died in his 84th year, Oct. 13, 1933. Some
incidents in his life are worth recording:
While president of the South Sanpete Stake, he
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 41
travelled 28,609 miles on Church business, held 1,784
meetings aside from his regular meetings, and spoke
at 1,112 meetings. Attended 188 funerals and spoke at
same. Married 18 couples in civil capacity and per-
formed the marriage ceremony uniting 4,449 couples in
the Temple. During his time he married over 5,000
couples.
He labored at the Temple sawmill, in Canal Creek
canyon, above Spring City, assisting there in sawing
lumber for the Manti Temple. With Bishop Amasa
Tucker he selected every stick of native timber for that
building.
Falsely accused, by a man, of forging his signature
on a note for a sewing machine, Lewis was tried in the
District Court for forgery. On acquital he was asked
to swear out a complaint against his accuser for per-
jury. He answered that his accuser would have plenty
of trouble without being sent to jail.
In his young days, he bought cattle, and carried the
money with which to make the purchases, in his saddle
bags. There were no banks in those days.
On one occasion, while loading: a muzzle-loading
shotgun from a flask of powder, with a charger on the
end, the whole thing exploded in his hand. He was
knocked down and a gold ring on his finger disap-
peared, but otherwise, he found himself none the worse
off for the accident. His was a charmed life.
He drove his own car up to the time of his death.
Shortly before that time, he made a trip to Salt Lake
alone. On being asked how he got along, he replied
that no one passed him on the road.
He was handy with the gun and rod, and loved a
day, a week, or a month at Fish Lake, as long as he
42 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
lived. He would get out at daybreak until the last, and
enjoy "taking them" with the fly or trolling with a
spinner or plug.
Mary Ann was ever his sweetheart. She was as
much devoted to him as he was to her. Theirs was an
ideal marriage and home. One time while she was
being photographed he was poking fun at her and
laughing, trying to get her to smile. Secretly conniving
with the photographer to "take him" she turned the
tables and later surprised him with the gift of one of the
best laughing pictures ever taken.
CHILDREN OF LEWIS ANDERSON AND
MARY ANN CROWTHER
3-1 — Lewis Robert b. March 26th, 1872, Fountain
Green, Utah. m. Clara Maria Munk Dec. 11, 1895,
Manti, daughter of Peter Mekkel Munk and Eunice Ann
Brown, b. Sept. 4, 1873, Manti, Utah, 5 feet 2 inches,
weight 120, brown hair and eyes. She taught school
before her marriage. Active in Ward and Stake Relief
Society, Sunday School and other Church work; served
as local president of Daughters of Utah Pioneers. L. R.
received common school education and inherited the
family weakness for outdoor life, hunting and fishing.
Five feet, eight inches, weight 140, blue eyes, brown
hair. Associated with father and brother, T. J., and R.
E. L. Kenner in livestock ranching — registered Hereford
cattle and Rambouillet sheep. Represented large Boston
wool concerns as buyer, vice president Manti City Bank,
director in various business enterprises and active in de-
velopment of Sanpete county. Republican in politics,
mayor Manti City three terms, member Legislature and
speaker of the House, regent University of Utah, mem-
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY
43
ber state land board, member State Board of Sheep Com-
missioners, and held many other offices of public trust.
Served over 15 years as president of South Sanpete Stake,
succeeding his father, 16 years superintendent of Stake
Y. M. M. I. A., Southern States Mission two years, serv-
ing as counselor to President Ben E. Rich 20 months,
Mr. and Mrs. Lewis R. Anderson
president Board of Directors Snow College, president 48th
Quorum of Seventy, Silver Beaver Award Boy Scouts
of America, active in Church work wherever called.
Residence, Manti, Utah, where seven children were born.
3-1— Lucile Anderson, b. Oct. 9, 1896. m. June 30,
1920, Manti Temple, Clark Keller, son of Frederick
44 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH 1
Conrad Keller and Ethel Theresa Clark, b. May 15, 1899,
Manti, Utah, where they reside and their four children
were born. Lucile attended the Utah Agricultural
College. Clark is a member of the city council and is
engaged in business.
4-1 Robert Clark Keller, b. May 4, 1921. He is serving with 1
25th Field Artillery in Hawaiian Islands and South Pacific. '
4-2 Frederick Conrad Keller, b. Nov. 12, 1922.
4-3 Daniel Clark Keller, b. July 18, 1925. '
4-4 Eunice Ann Keller, b. Aug. 22, 1936.
3-2 — Robert Clair Anderson, b. Jan. 8, 1902, m. May,
25, 1927, Manti Temple, Rachel Holbrook, daughter of
Lafayette Hinckley Holbrook and Alsina E. Brimhall,
b. Dec. 6, 1903, Raymond, Alberta, Canada. Both at-
tended Brigham Young University. She taught school,
was primary grade supervisor, and a state vice-president
of the Parent-Teacher association. He filled mission to
Northern States, served as county chairman of the Amer-
ican Red Cross, and is engaged in business. Reside at
Manti, five children.
4-1 Reed Holbrook Anderson, b. May 2, 1928, Manti, Utah, d.
May 8, 1928, bur. Manti.
4-2 Lafayette Robert Anderson, b. March 19, 1929, Provo, Utah.
4-3 Jane Anderson, b. June 5, 1930, Provo, Utah.
4-4 Ruth Anderson, b. March 31, 1932, Provo, Utah.
4-5 William Elliott Anderson, b. March 27, 1935, Provo, Utah. 1
3-4 — Eunice Anderson, b. March 13, 1904, m. June
30, 1937, in Manti Temple to Waldo Elmer Garbe, son
of Ferdinand Garbe and Hedwig Martha Liebig, b.
April I, Manti, Utah. Eunice is a graduate of McCune
School of Music, graduate of Snow College, and studied
at B. Y. U. and the University of Southern California.
Active in public affairs and church work, she filled a
mission in California. They reside at Manti, one child.
4-1 Clara Garbe, b. May, 1938, Manti, Utah.
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 45
3-4 — Lewis Glen Anderson, b. Dec. i, 1906, m. Oct.
15, 1931, in Manti Temple, Bernice Braithwaite, daugh-
ter of George Riley Braithwaite and Minnie Ahlstrom,
b. August 27, 1906, Manti, Utah. Both are graduates
of Snow College. He served four years in National
Guard and filled a Mission to the Eastern States. In
poultry and hatchery business. Active in Church work.
Reside at Manti, where their four children were born:
4-1 George Lewis Anderson, b. August i, 1932.
4-2 Richard Glen Anderson, b. April 20, 1935.
4-3 Thomas Elliott Anderson, b. May 18, 1938.
4-4 Norma Anderson, b. Jan. 21, 1940. (still born).
3-5 — Elliott Munk Anderson, b. June i, 1909. Grad-
uate Snow College. Star athlete. Member National
Guard three years.
3-6 — Eva Anderson, b. August 9, 1912, d. August 9,
1912.
3-7 — Mary Anderson, b. Nov. 7, 1914, B. S. graduate
B. Y. U., major English. Mission East Central States.
3-2 — Thomas Jefferson Anderson, b. April 4, 1874,
Fountain Green, Utah. Moved to Manti with father's
family, 1889. m. Eliza Westenskow, daughter of Dor-
thea Madsen and Peter Westenskow in the Manti Tem-
ple Jan. 19, 1898. She was 5 feet, 7 inches tall, weight
150 pounds, brown hair and eyes. Talented in music.
Died Nov. 16, 1899. Daughter, Geniel, b. Dec. 16, 1898,
d. Nov. 19, 1899. m. Esther Tennant March 30, 1904,
daughter of Alice Cox and Charles Tennant, of Manti.
b. Jan. 28, 1883, 5 ft. 4 inches, weight 150 lbs., brown
hair and eyes. She was a dressmaker before and after
marriage. Active in Y. L. M. I. A., served as counselor
and president of Ward Relief Society. Daughter Maud
and foster daughter, Mona Ray. T. J. was a small man
in stature, 5 feet, 5 inches, weight 130 pounds, blue eyes
46 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
and brown hair. Associated with father and brother,
L. R., and R. E. L. Kenner in ranching — registered Here-
ford cattle and Rambouillet sheep — concern known as
Manti Live Stock Co. Ranches consisted of 16,000 acres,
T. J. was a merchant of furniture and hardware, start-
ing in 1898, and had interest in various business enter-
prises along with father and brother. Served as city
councilman of Manti City two terms. Republican in
politics. Active in Church work. Served as counselor
and II years as president of the Ward Y.M.M.I.A. Ward
clerk Manti Center ward, eighteen and one-half years.
3-2 — Maud Anderson, b. 13, Feb., 1905. Graduate
Snow College and B. Y. U., B.S. degree. Graduate work
U. of U., U. A. C. and Oregon State College. Instructor
Home Economics Manti high school.
3-3— Mona Ray, born St. George, Utah, June 5th,
1929.
3-3— Etta Anderson Poulson, b. 18 August, 1880.
Manti, Utah. During her girlhood activity in auxiliary
organizations of the Church as Sunday School teacher,
member Manti Tabernacle choir, m. Peter A. Poulson
6 Jan., 1904 in the Manti Temple by Pres. John D. T.
McAllister. He was the son of Soren Christian Poulson
and Nicoline Peterson, b. 8 March, 1873, Aalborg, Den-
mark. Active in various Church capacities. Stake Clerk
for many years and present (1941) Chief Recorder of
Manti Temple. Printer and Publisher Manti Messenger
for years. Etta passed away 25 April, 1915, and burial
took place 29 April, 1915, in the Manti cemetery. They
had five children, all born at Manti.
4-1 — Alton Lewis, b. 9 Nov., 1904. m. Gladys
.Mable Christine Nielson, 27 Dec, 1928, who was the
daughter of James Franklin Nielson and Josephine Rosa-
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 47
mond Johanson. She was b. i8 March, 1908, Ephraim,
Utah. He is a mechanic. Four children.
5-1 Donald Glen, b. 26 Nov., 1929, Ogden, Utah.
5-2 Ralph Alton, b. 2 March, 1932, Ogden, Utah.
5-3 Franklin, b. 12 Dec, 1935, Ephraim, Utah.
5-4 Rodney, b. 12 April, 1940, Ephraim, Utah.
4-2 — Wells Peter b. 30 Dec, 1906, m. Ruth Harris
8 March, 1930, daughter of Bernice Rawkins Harris and
Martha Ann Fogg. She was born 29 May, 1904, Salem,
Idaho. He is an electrician. One child.
5-1 Peter b. 26 Feb., 1935, Salt Lake City, Utah.
4-3 — Everett Crowther, b. 28 June, 1909, m. Edythe
Marian Allison, 19 Sept., 1933, adopted daughter of Carl
Allison and Edythe Wilson. She was b. i June, 1913,
Ogden, Utah. He is an electrician. One child.
5-1 Petricia Ann b. May 5, 1930, Ogden, Utah.
4-4— Mary, b. 20 July, 191 1, m. Adolphus Bent Peter-
son in the Manti Temple, 2 April, 1931, by President
Lewis Anderson, her grandfather. He was born 22
July, 1908, Greeley, Colorado, son of Mons and Annie
Peterson. He is recorder in Manti Temple.
4-5— Mark, b. April 25, 1915, d. 25 April, 1915, and
was buried with the mother.
Peter Andrew Poulson m. Agnes Peterson, 31 May,
T919, in the Manti Temple by President Lewis Anderson.
She was b. 16 April, 1884, Manti, Utah, daughter of
Andrew O. Peterson and Anne Christianson. Their
children, all born in Manti, are:
Mark Andrew, b. 19 Aug., 1920.
Bethel, b. 22 March, 1922.
Ruth, b. 3 Nov., 1924.
She reared the seven children to maturity and has
48 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
been active in Church work all her days. Ordinance
worker Manti Temple.
3-4 — Sarah Jane Anderson, b. 14th Jan., 1883, Ftn.
Green, Sanpete county, Utah. Her church work has
been in Primary and Relief Society organizations. Seven
years Recorder in Manti Temple. The past two years
she has been an ordinance worker in the Manti Temple,
m. Erastus Westenskow, b. 17th Dec, 1880, at Manti,
Sanpete county, Utah. Son of Peter and Dorthea Mad-
sen, Westenskow, who came from Denmark, and were
early settlers in Manti. He operates a business compris-
ing of sheepmen's supplies and coal, has been active all
his life in Church affairs. Ward and Stake. He spent
two years as a Missionary for the L. D. S. Church in the
Northern States Mission, in 1907-08. Children:
4-1 — Lewis Alden Westenskow, b. 23 March, 1914,
Manti, Utah. m. 22 July, 1938, Romatess Coons, daugh-
ter of G. W. and Anna Larson Coons, in the Manti
Temple by Robert D. Young. He filled a mission for
the L. D. S. Church in Denmark from Sept., 1934, to
May, 1937. At the present time he is attending school
at the Curtiss-Wright Technical Institute, at Glendale
(Los Angeles), California.
4-2 — Howard Wayne Westenskow, b. i March, 1916,
Manti, Utah, d. 9 Oct., 1929.
4-3 — Jean Westenskow, b. 15 July, 1918, Manti,
Utah, d. 16 Sept., 1921.
4-4 — Wells Clyde Westenskow, b. 19 July, 1924,
Manti, Utah. Sr, at the Manti high school.
3-5 — Mary Mabel Anderson, daughter of Lewis An-
derson and Mary Ann Crowther, was b. March 3, 1887,
at Ftn. Green, Utah. Came to Manti with parents in
1888. Lived in Manti since that time. Received educa-
tion in Manti public schools. Has held positions in all
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 49
of the organizations of the Church in the Manti North
Ward. m. George B. Taylor, son of Joseph }. and Ma-
Hnda Barton and a grandson of President John Taylor,
third President of the L. D. S. Church. Married at the
Manti Temple by Lewis Anderson, Dec. 22, 1909. George
Taylor died in Denver, Colorado, while serving as a
missionary in Western States Mission, for the church,
Nov. 14, 1912. They had one child, a daughter.
4-1 — Bessie Taylor, b. March 11, 191 1, at Manti,
Utah. Graduate of Manti high school and Brigham
Young University at Provo. m. Robert Knight Allen,
son of Robert Eugene Allen and Inez Knight, March 12,
1934, in the Manti Temple by Joseph E. Anderson.
They spent the first four years of their married life in
Paris, France, where he was employed by the U. S.
Government in the U. S. Embassy. Are now living in
New York City where he is in the employ of the gov-
ernment. He filled three years mission to Germany.
They have one son.
5-1 — Robert Eugene Allen II, b. August 8, 1939, at
Provo, Utah.
3-5 — Mary Mabel Anderson Taylor, daughter of
Lewis Anderson and Mary Ann Crowther, m. Elmer
Bert Simmons, son of Alphonzo Bert Simmons and Sarah
Jane Starkey. Elmer was b. and lived in Ucon, Idaho,
until his m. Sept. i, 1915, in the Manti Temple by Lewis
Anderson, when he moved to Manti, and has resided
there since that time. He filled a mission to the Western
States in 1911-12-13. He is employed as a salesman for
the Anderson Dyreng Furniture and Hardware Co.
where he has worked for twenty-six years. Has held
Church positions in both Stake and Ward, and at present
is Counselor to Bishop Charles G. Braithwaite m Manti
50 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
North Ward. Children of Elmer Bert Simmons and
Mary Mabel Anderson Taylor:
4-1 — Elbert Rulon Simmons, b. October i, 1916.
Graduate of Manti high school and U. S. A. C. at Logan,
Utah. Filled a mission to the New England States in
1937-38. m. Vivian Olsen of Ephraim, Utah, daughter
of Daniel K. and Dora Matilda Perry, in Salt Lake
Temple, Oct. 4, 1940, by Stephen L. Chipman. Vivian
is graduate of U. S. A. C. Elbert taught grade-junior high
school at Clifton, Idaho, in 1941-42. Both are active
in church work.
4-2 — Hazel Simmons, b. May 6, 1918, graduate of
Manti high school, has attended Snow College and the
Brigham Young University. Has worked as a stenog-
rapher in New York and Provo. m. Lt. C. Monroe
Hart, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Hart of Pocatello,
Idaho, July 17, 1942. C. Monroe Hart is a 1941 gradu-
ate of the U. S. Naval Academy at Annapolis.
4-3 — Paul Alphonzo Simmons, b. May 29, 1920.
Graduate of Manti high school, has attended B. Y. U.,
was employed by the United Air Lines in Alameda,
California. Has a pilot's license, was also student at
the Boeing School of Aeronautics, Alameda, California,
m. Virginia Larson, daughter of Parly L. and Jane Bee
Larson, Jan. 5, 1942. Enlisted in the U. S. Army Air
Corps, April, 1942.
4-4 — Lucile Simmons, b. Nov. i, 1923. Is a gradu-
ate of Manti high school, at Manti, Utah. Is now
working for the Parachute Co. of Utah.
4-5 — Don Mathew Simmons, b. March 20, 1926.
Is a student at the Manti high school, at Manti, Utah.
4-6— Dora Jane Simmons, b. Feb. 16, 1928. Student
at Manti high school.
4-7— Stanley Lewis Simmons, b. May 13, 1930.
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 51
Now a student in the Manti junior high school.
4-8 — Mary Ann Simmons, b. Nov. 2, 1933. Attends
Manti pubUc school, 3rd grade.
3-6 — Joseph Franklin Anderson, b. May 17, 1890, d.
Sept. 2, 1908. Frank was downed in a reservoir on the
Mountain Ranch, Salina Canyon, Utah. He shot a
duck, swimming to retrieve it, was taken with cramps.
He was a very promising young man.
JRN 1 3 1944
OF UTAH
26127
0136280
SKETCH OF SARAH JANE CROWTHER
(JOHNSON)
In a humble little home in Cedar City, Iron county,
Utah, a little girl was born on the 19th day of October,
1856. She was the first child born to Thomas Crowther
and Jane Jewkes, Latter-day Saint parents. Each parent
had been married before and each had one living child
by a former marriage.
She was given the name of Sarah Jane. Her mother
was a deeply religious woman and she taught her
daughter to be honest and upright, to seek companions
of a high class and to look for good in every one. Under
instruction Sarah Jane grew up with fine ideals and a
deep respect for culture and morality.
In i860, the family moved to Ephraim, Sanpete
county, Utah, remaining there a year, then moving to
Fountain Green, same county, where they made a more
permanent home. There Sarah Jane went through the
experiences of pioneer life. There were no public
schools, nothing but private instruction requiring a fee.
She took an active part in community life, taking
part in singing and dramatics. An old memory of those
who knew and loved her, was when Uncle Richard
Jewkes used to come through the lot, sit down on the
porch and call for Sarah Jane to come and sit by him
and sing "Maggie Dear." In those days the people of
this small town used to meet quite frequently, choose
sides and compete in a spelling match. Sarah Jane was
considered one of the best, and was seldom spelled down.
These little social gatherings became a wonderful
way of education and recreation. They would sing their
multiplication table even in their Sunday School. When
3
u
JZ
54 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
about sixteen years old, Sarah Jane met a young man
by the name of Charles Henry Johnson, the son of
Bishop Robert L. Johnson and Polly Ann Guymon. This
young man was born 30th of May, 1849, at Council
Bluffs, Iowa. With his parents came to Utah in 1850.
They settled in Springville, Utah county, Utah, where
they lived until i860, when they moved to Fountain
Green. They also suffered all the hardships of pioneer
life. It has been said that happiness comes to those
who go in search of it, for it was at one of the Ward
socials that Charles met the lovely Sarah Jane. It was
not surprising that the pleasant smile he gave this
charming girl was returned.
The friendship of Charles Henry and Sarah Jane
ripened into love, and they were married 27 June, 1875.
To this union of Aunt Sarah Jane, as she was called,
and Uncle Charles Henry Johnson, was born eleven
children, six boys and five girls. All except one boy grew
to reach the age of maturity.
The young couple made their first home in Fountain
Green. It was a small brick house; also a good big barn
for the stock. Love is a great miracle worker and within
a short time the little brick house was transformed into
a comfortable home, where the refining touch of Aunt
Sarah Jane's hand was evident. They took a prominent
part in the activities of community life in Fountain
Green. Quite frequently the Indians were on the war
path; Uncle Charles, being a stalwart young man, was
called on to do his part in protecting the people against
the Indians.
Due to his experience in pioneering, Uncle Charles
was called to fill a mission to Arizona. The call con-
sisted of taking his family and moving to the Tonto
Basin, which was about one hundred miles northeast
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 55
of the Salt River valley. It was at this place President
Brigham Young had advised the Saints to establish set-
dements. Uncle Charles Henry and Aunt Sarah Jane,
obedient to the call, set out on this perilous journney.
It required courage, strength and resourcefulness for the
young couple to drive over rough canyon roads, a four-
horse team hitched to a wagon loaded with a few of
their household goods, and their four children: Nellie
Jane, age eight years; Charles Franklin, age six years;
Maud Laurett, age five, and Bessie May, age two years.
To set out to find a new home. Uncle Charles did heroi-
cally the work of a frontiersman, and it will remain
always to his credit.
The weary but happy family arrived at Tonto Basin,
and again established their second home and well it was,
for within a short time after their arrival. Aunt Sarah
Jane gave birth to her fourth daughter, Minnie Frances,
on Sept. 19, 1884. As Aunt Sarah Jane and Uncle Charles
got acquainted with the people, their kindness and help-
fulness won for them the love and confidence of every
one in the community. For two years. Uncle Charles
helped in every way possible, but owing to the poor
health of Aunt Sarah Jane, he was released from this
mission in 1886, and they made preparations to go back
to Utah. The hardships of the trip were borne by the
family with patience and faith. The daughters Nellie
and Bessie still remember the trip back from Arizona to
Utah, of meeting with the Indians who were thought to
be on the war path. As the Indians came into view,
their father stopped the wagon, and asked for the old
gun, which he drew up along side of him in the sprmg
seat. What moments of suspense for Aunt Sarah Jane
and the children, and what a relief, when their father,
knowing the traits, saw the Indian women and children
56 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
were driving the horses with the men. Uncle Charles
called out, put the gun back. There is never any trouble
with Indians when they have their women and children
along.
At Lee's Ferry, where they crossed the Colorado
river, the water was very high, the horses and wagon
were taken across on the boat without any mishap.
Usually there was a fairly large charge for taking the
wagon across, but on this occasion the ferry man refused
to take anything from the Johnson family, but made a
request that when they arrived in Utah and were able,
they should contribute five dollars toward the building
of the Manti Temple. Just after the river had been
crossed and the family were all on the wagon, the journey
continued. The road was so rough, one wheel struck a
boulder, throwing Aunt Sarah Jane from the spring seat,
breaking her wrist and bruising the baby Minnie that
she was holding in her arms. In spite of the broken
wrist, the trip was continued, Aunt Sarah Jane doing
most of the cooking around the camp fire. The tired
family arrived in Fountain Green, September 17, 1886.
A baby boy, Robert Ray, was born in October, 1886,
but died in infancy, living six weeks.
In spite of having such hard experiences in journey-
ing from Arizona back to Utah, Aunt Sarah Jane and
Uncle Charles decided to move to Colorado, where
relatives of Aunt Sarah Jane (the Crowther family) were
located. They were fortunate in exchanging their home
in Arizona with Peter Cheney for a house in Sanford,
Colorado. They shipped their stock and belongings
by railroad to Myers Junction just north of the San Luis
valley. The family came by train to Alamosa, Colorado,
arriving in the San Luis valley in the spring of 1887.
What a time of rejoicing for Aunt Sarah Jane, to meet
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 57
her dear ones, and what a warm welcome the family
received from the aunts, uncles and cousins. Before long
the Johnson family were settled in their surroundings
in Sanford which was to be their permanent home.
Sarah Jane's health was much improved, and what an
interest the happy family took in the building of the
new town. Uncle Charles was a very useful man,
serving as a member of the Sanford Town Company, and
helping to survey the town and fields surrounding the
town. He purchased land and was soon busy planting
a crop and garden, shrubbery and trees were also set out.
The capable hands of Aunt Sarah Jane transformed
the humble little house into a home where love made
every task light. She had many accomplishments, one
of which was her love for reading. She would spend
the long winter evenings reading good books, not only
to her own children, but the neighbors' young folks
would gather at her home — they enjoyed to hear her
read. She learned when very young to cord and spin
wool for her own, and her mother's family. They used
to have spinning bees, where quite a number of the
neighbor girls would bring their spinning wheels and
spend the afternoon in helping one another. One of
the pleasant memories of one of Aunt Sarah Jane's
nephews was when Grandmother Crowther, Aunt Sarah
Jane, Aunt Em Kirby, Aunt Laura Morgan, Uncle Will
Crowther's wife. Aunt Mary, Aunt May Jensen, Aunt
Rozilla Mortensen, Aunt Mary Tomy, Aunt Mary Frank,
and Aunt Nellie Mortensen all met quite often at some
one of their homes, and have a quilting party and sew
carpet rags to make carpets. What happy times for all
of the relatives to meet together as one big family.
Three more sons came to bless the Johnson home:
Ross, Gilbert, and Edgar. Through the industry and
58 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
thrift of the father and mother, they were beginning
to enjoy the comforts of Ufe. In the fall of 1894, Uncle
Charles received a call to fill a mission to the Southern
States. He accepted the call and left in December, 1894.
He was assigned to labor in the state of Mississippi.
During the father's absence, Aunt Sarah Jane and the
older children cared for the home and farm. Love and
devotion for the Gospel enabled them to make many
sacrifices that their father might continue his mission,
and while he was away, the mother gave birth to a son,
Renold Crowther Johnson, July, 1895. In May, 1897,
Uncle Charles received an honorable release. He had
accomplished a splendid work among the good people
of Mississippi. Many people received the Gospel, be-
came members of the Church because of his faithful
work as a missionary. There was great rejoicing in the
Johnson home when their father returned. And al-
though he was released from the missionary labors, he
continued to work in the Church, serving as a member
of the Stake board of Sunday School of San Luis Stake,
as president of the Elders' Quorum and other Ward
activities.
Again the Johnson family were made happy by the
birth of their eleventh child, a girl, Nina Zatell, 22 May,
1898. The devotion of Aunt Sarah Jane to her family
was manifest at all times. She taught her girls to sew,
cook and become good homemakers.
Uncle Charles was a lover of sports and was very
fleet on foot, taking many prizes at holiday and fair cele-
brations. This good athletic trait seems to be inherited
by his sons. His family were very proud of their father
when he would ride a horse and appear as marshal of
the day in town celebrations. He was a man of good
judgment, would suffer wrong rather than do wrong.
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 59
Kind and lovable, he was beloved by all who knew hinx
At the age of fifty-eight years, he passed to the Great
Beyond May 31, 1907, and was buried in the Sanford
cemetery. Aunt Sarah Jane lived twelve years after
Uncle Charles left her, then she too passed on 22 Octo-
ber, 1919. She was buried beside her husband whom
she had loved so well.
The deeds which will be remembered the longest
and shine the brightest in the affection of Aunt Sarah
Jane's children and those who knew her best will be her
devotion to her family and loved ones, and in her quiet
way she accomplished a work that will never be for-
gotten. All of their children were good, loyal citizens of
both Church and state.
Charles Franklin, their eldest son, was superinten-
dent of M. I. A. of the Sanford Ward, also took an
active part in the educational activities of Sanford.
He died 10 Nov., 1915, leaving his wife, Mary Whitney
Johnson, and their young son, Frank. She and Frank
have carried on the work as leaders in the Mutual Im-
provement work. Mary also served as counselor to the
Relief Society president of the Sanford Ward, and as a
Sunday School teacher.
Nellie Jane, the eldest daughter, has taken an active
part in the church, serving as a member of the Stake
Board of Primary of the San Luis Stake; later as coun-
selor in the Sanford Ward Relief Society; at the present
time is holding the position as counselor in the Stake
Relief Society of San Luis Stake. Her husband, Jesse
C. Hutchins. served as superintendent of the Sunday
School for thirteen years; as a member of the High
Council of the San Luis Stake for twelve years and is a
member of the High Priest's Presidency at the present
time. Their son, Donald, filed a mission in Missouri.
60 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
Maud Laurett, Aunt Sarah Jane's second daughter,
held a position of Secretary of Mutual Improvement As-
sociation of Sanford Ward; stake board member of M.
I. A., San Luis Stake; was a teacher in the Sanford Ward
Sunday School; also took an active part in club work, and
was dearly beloved by all who knew her. She passed
away 4 January, 1942. Her husband, John B. Reed,
served as Bishop of the Sanford Ward several years,
later becoming a member of the Stake Presidency, At
the present time he is serving as President of the San
Luis Stake.
Besse, the third daughter, has labored in the presi-
dency of the Primary and Relief Society organizations of
the Richfield Ward, also as teacher, of Sunday School and
Mutual Improvement Association. Her husband, James
N. Shawcroft, filled a mission to the Northern States.
Upon his return home he served as counselor of the
Bishop of Richfield Ward for twelve years and later as
Bishop of the Richfield Ward for four years. Was a
member of the High Council and Patriarch of the San
Luis Stake.
Minnie, the fourth daughter, also worked as the
President of the Primary organization, later served as
counselor to the President of the Relief Society of the
Richfield Ward, taking an active part in the community
affairs. Especially was she a good cook, serving suppers
each week for years for the Rotary club of La Jara,
Colorado up to the time of her death, 11 Feb. 1938. Her
husband, Murrill Shawcroft, assisted his wife in per-
forming her duties. He and their two sons taking part
in the social life of the Richfield Ward.
Lymon Ross, the third son of Aunt Sarah Jane, filled
positions of High Council member. President of the Stake
M. I. A. and as superintendent of the Richfield Sunday
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 61
School. His wife, Laura Jones Johnson also held posi-
tion of President Y. L. M. I. A. and Stake President of
San Luis Stake Primary Association. Their son, Perry,
filled a mission to the Northern States.
Edgar, the fourth son, with his mother. Aunt Sarah
Jane, performed a great work for their dead relatives in
the Manti Temple. His first wife, Dottie Dalton John-
son, helped to introduce the Bee Hive work of the Young
Ladies' M. L A. in the San Luis Stake. She lived only a
few years after her marriage. After her death, Edgar
filled a mission to California. Upon returning home,
he married Elgiva Allen, who had filled a mission to
California, but their happiness lasted only a short time
as he passed away in 1932 at the age of 41 years.
Gilbert, the fifth son, took part in Ward activities
of the Sanford and later in the Richfield Ward. He was
a good husband, father and friend to all who knew him.
He died in 1931 at the age of 38 years, leaving his young
wife, Louie Davis Johnson, and five children. She con-
tinues to help in the different auxiliary organizations of
the Richfield Ward and to encourage their children to
do their part in church activities.
Renold Crowther Johnson, the tenth child, served
his country in the first World War. Upon returning
home, he worked in both Stake and Ward M. I. A.,
served as a counselor to the Bishop of Sanford Ward for
two years. At the present time he is serving his third
year as bishop of the Sanford Ward. His first wife, Eva
Jones, worked in Ward oranizations up to the time of
her death. Their son, Jerome, is filling a mission in the
Central States. His second wife, Clara Rasmussen John-
son, has worked in both Stake and Ward organizations
as president of the Stake Primary San Luis Stake; coun-
selor to the Sanford Ward Primary; and a member of
62 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
the Relief Society Stake Board of the San Luis Stake.
Nina, the younest daughter, has held positions as
counselor in the Sanford Ward Primary. Has been a
teacher in different auxiliary oranizations of the Rich-
field Ward. Her husband, Roy Coombs, served his
country in the first World War. Filled a mission in
the Central States, held position as president of the M.
I. A. of Richfield Ward. Thus the posterity of Aunt
Sarah Jane and Uncle Charles Henry Johnson are carry-
ing on the work begun and upheld by their noble
parents.
DESCENDANTS OF SARAH JANE CROWTHER JOHNSON
2-2 Sarah Jane Crowther, b. 19 Oct., 1856, Celar City, Utah^ d.
22 Oct., 1919, bur. at Sanford, Colorado, m. 25 June, 1875
at Fountain Green, Utah, Charles Henry Johnson, son of
Bishop Robert L. Johnson and Polly Ann Guymon, d. 31 May,
1907, bur. at Sanford, Colorado. To this union was born 11
children.
3-1 Nellie Jane Johnson, b. 22 July, 1876, Fountain Green, Utah,
m. Jesse C. Hutchins, son of Nephi Hutchins and Melvina
Harp, b. 27 Sept., 1872, Pine Hill, Wisconsin. They reside
at Sanford where their 7 children were born.
4-1 Maggie Jane Hutchins, b. 14 Sept., 1897, Sanford, Colo., m.
I Nov., 1916, Willard R. Miller, son of Andrew Miller and
Maria Jensen, b. 12 March, 1892. To them were born 5
children.
2-1 Voris Jane Miller, b. 21 Dec, 1918, m. 24 Dec, 1936, Darrell
Duane Cornum.
3-2 Richard Herman Miller, b. 3 April, 1921, Sanford, Colo.
3-3 Morris Clair Miller, b. i July, 1924, Sanford, Colo.
3-4 Enid Marie Miller, b. Sept., , Sanford, Colo.
3-5 Janice Dee Miller, b. 13 Sept., 1935, Sanford, Colo. Where
they now reside.
4-1 Sherldeen Cornum, b. 4 Nov., 1937.
2 Dennis Duwayne Cornum, b. 15 Jan., 1941.
2-2 Leona Grace Hutchins, b. 9 Apr., 1898, Sanford, Colo., m.
10 Mar., 1921, Arias J. Cunningham, b. 6 Aug., 1900, Manassa,
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 63
Colo., son of Alma J. Cunningham and Amanda Almarine
McKinzie, three children.
3-1 La Dona Cunningham, b. 26 Dec, 1921, Manassa, Colo.
3-2 Ora Lee Cunningham, b. 12 March, 1925, Sanford, Colo.
3-3 Nellie Delene Cunningham, b. 22 Dec, 1931, Sanford, Colo.
Where they now reside.
2-3 Jesse Donald Hutchins, b. 3 Aug., 1900, Sanford, Colo., m. 21
June, 1922, Richfield, Colo. Grace Shawcroft, b. 24 Sept.,
1901, Richfield, Colo., daughter of John W. Shawcroft and
Dora Davis. Four children.
3-1 Earl Duane Hutchins, b. 23 May, 1923, La Jara, Colo., d. 28
May, 1935.
2 Elma Grace Hutchins, b. 8 Oct., 1926, La Jara, Colo.
3 Ruth Elaine Hutchins, b. 22 Sept., 1930, La Jara, Colo.
4 Helen Joy Hutchins, b. 13 Aug., 1939, La Jara, Colo. Where
they now reside.
2-4 Leola Melvina Hutchins, b. 23 Aug., 1903, Sanford, Colo., m.
Feb. 4, 1926, Bruce Reynolds, b. 12 Oct., 1901, son of Byron
S. Reynolds and Emma White. Three children.
3-1 Philip Bruce Reynolds, b. 10 Sept., 1927, Sanford, Colo.
2 Eloise Reynolds, b. 20 Sept., 1931, Sanford, Colo.
3 Allen Wayne Reynolds, b. 21 Mar., 1935, Sanford, Colo. Where
they now reside.
2-5 Bessie Frances Hutchins, b. 4 Aug., 105, Sanford, Colo., m. 9
June, 1928, Jay Christensen, b. 11 July, 1905, Sanford, Colo.,
son of Herman K. Christensen and Maud Reynolds, d. Aug.
12, Salt Lake City, Utah, bur. Sanford, Colo. One child.
I Jay Franklin Christensen, b. 17 Mar., 1932, Salt Lake City,
Utah, m. second husband, Cecil William Terrel, b. 22 Dec,
1907, Watonga, Okla., m. 14 Aug., 1935, Alamosa, Colo.
One child.
I Lois Ann Terrel, b. 29 Apr., 1936, Alamosa, Colo. Where
they now reside.
4-6 Troy J. Hutchins, b. 22 June, 191 1, Sanford, Colo., m. June
20, 1936, Winona Schofield, b. 28 Aug., 1916, daughter of
Charles Schofield and May Bingham. Two children.
5-1 Alice Rey, b. 7 Aug., 1937.
5-2 Troy Schofield, b. 20 Apr., 1940.
2-7 Luella Hutchins, b. 18 Feb., 1917, Sanford, Colo., m. 3 July,
1935, Elwyn Reynolds, b. 18 Mar., 1914, son of Byron S.
Reynolds and Emma White, Two children.
64 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
1 Jesse Loyd Reynolds, born 8 August, 1937, Santord, Colorado.
2 Dorthy Jean Reynolds, b. 22 Feb., 1941, Sanford, Colo. Where
they now reside.
2-2 Charles Franklin Johnson, b. 10 April, 1878, Fountain Green,
Utah, d. 10 Nov., 191 1, m. Dec, 1903, Mary E. Whitney,
adopted daughter of Ira B. Whitney and Julia Burton, b. 9
Feb., 1882, Manti, Utah. One child.
1 Franklin Richard Johnson, b. 18 May, 1908, Sanford, Colo.,
m. 1926, Mary Lenington, b. 22 Dec, 1906, Texas. Daughter
of Isaac C. Lenington and Ella Austin. Three children.
4-1 Franklin Richard, Jr., b. 2 June, 1927, Sanford, Colo.
2 Ella Ree Johnson, b. 12, Jan., 1929, Sanford, Colo.
3 Nancy Carline Johnson, b. 2, July, 1941, Sanford, Colo.
2-3 Maud Laurett Johnson, b. 13 July, 1880, Fountain Green,
Utah, m. Dec. 18, 1902, Sanford, Colo., John B. Reed, b. 25
Oct., 1875, Lexington, Tenn., son of John L. Reed and
Precilla Adaire. Five children.
3-1 Lura L. Reed, b. 17 Dec, 1903, Sanford, Colo., d. 25 Oct.,
1927, m. Fred J. Christensen, son of Fred T. Christensen and
Maggie Poulson.
2 Marvell Reed, b. 15 April, 1905, m. Howard Shawcroft, 17
June, 1925, son of John W. Shawcroft and Dora Davis. Four
children.
1 John Lynn Shawcroft, b. 6 Feb., 1929, La Jara, Colo.
2 Lura La von Shawcroft, b. 15 Nov., 1930, La Jara, Colo.
3 Dale Reed Shawcroft, b. 15 May, 1933, La Jara, Colo.
4 Roy Wayne Shawcroft, b. 17 Aug., 1938, La Jara, Colo.
Where they now reside.
3 Bertha Jane Reed, b. 3 Mar., 1908, Sanford, Colo., m. i Oct.,
1933, Albert S. Smith, son of Robert Lee Smith and Minnie
Owens, b. Jan. 25, 191 1, Chama, N. M.
4 Stella Maud Reed, b. 14 Feb., 1910, Sanford, Colo., d. 16 June,
1926.
5 Nada Rae Reed, b. 29 Aug., 1916, Sanford, Colo., m. Dec. 24,
1935, James Creson, b. 15 Mar., 1913, son of Marian Creason
Ida Rumsey, Monte Vista, Colo, i child, Norris Creason, b.
12 Dec, 1939.
2 Maud Geneal, b. 16 Dec, 1941.
2-4 Bessie Johnson, b. 17 July, 1882, Fountain Green, Utah, m.
26 Feb., 1902, Sanford, Colo., James Nathan Shawcroft, b. 30
Jan., 1879, Funtain Green, Utah, son of John Shawcroft and
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 65
Maria Jensen. Eight children were born to them.
3-1 James Reese Shawcroft, b. 5 July, 1905, Richfield, Colo., m.
Ada Lorene Rasmussen 19 Mar., 1932, b. 19 Nov., 1908,
Sanford, Colo., daughter of Andrew Rasmussen and Martha
Brady. Two children.
4-1 Cary Reese Shawcroft, b. 9 June, 1934, La Jara, Colo.
4-2 Terr Andthon Shawcroft, b. 19 Feb., 1937, La Jara, Colo.
3-2 Bessie Inex Shawcroft, b. 31 July, 1908, Richfield, Colo., m.
, Earl C. Jensen, b. _., Sanford, Colo.,
son of James C. Jensen and Elnora Frederiksen. Four children.
1 Bessie Elnora Jensen, b. 22 Dec, 1927, Sanford, Colo.
2 Jerldine Jensen, b. 17 Mar., 193 1.
3 Ella Margaret Jensen, b. 27 Nov., 1933, all residing at Sanford,
Colo.
3-3 Thelma Dee Shawcroft, b. 20 Mar., 191 2, Richfield, Colo., m.
10 Oct., 1937, Clarence Randel Hoyle, b. 26 Sept., 1915, son
of Emery Dent Hoyle and Ida May Bailey, reside at La Jara,
Colo., R. F. D.
3-4 Maud Shawcroft, b. 10 Dec, 1914, Richfield, C^olo., ni. i
Sept., 1937, Joseph Leonard Hartung, b. 23 April, 191 5,
Junction City, Kan., son of Henry Hartung and Lareta Bailey.
3-5 May Zatell Shawcroft, b. 11 Sept., 1917, Richfield, Colo., m.
George A. Wilson 12 Sept., 1936, son of George H. Wilson
and Nora Siemoring. One child.
4-1 Ronald Kent Wilson, b. 2 Dec, 1940, La Jara, Colo.
3-6 Lena Shawcroft, b. 31 Dec, 1919, Richfield, Colo., d. 27
April, 1924.
3-7 Bonnie Shawcroft, b. 23 July, 1921, La Jara, Colo., m. Nov.
18, 1940, Ray Dewit Hutchins, h. July 26, 1922, son of Nephi
Hutchins and Melvina Harp.
3-8 Cora Parline Shawcroft, b. 17 Aug., 1925, La Jara, Colo.
3-5 Minnie Johnson, b. 19 Sept., 1884, Tonto, Arizona, d. 11
Feb., 1938, m. Sept., 1903, Murel Shawcroft, b. ro Mar., 1880,
Fountain Green, Utah, son of Fred Shawcroft and Polly Ann
Guymon. Four children.
4-1 B Shawcroft, b. 14 Jan., 1905, Sanford, Colo., d. — -
Jan., 1905.
2 Clinton C. Shawcroft, b. 5 Aug., 1907, La Jara, Colo., ni. 19
Sept., 1926, Josephine Torrey, daughter of Clair D. Torrey
and Grace Anderson, b. 16 Jan. , two childton.
5-1 Teddy Shawcroft, b. 4 Nov., 1927, La Jara, Colo.
66 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
5-2 Wilma Jean Shawcroft, b. 4 Dec, 1930, d. 6 Jan., 1931.
4-3 Tennis J. Shawcroft, b. 10 June, 1913, La Jara, Colo., d. ,
1918.
4 Jack Shawcroft, b. 5 Jan., 1920, La Jara, Colo., m. June, 1938,
Arlin Rasmussen, daughter of Alfonzo Rasmussen and Gertie
Holt, b. 27 Mar., 1922.
3-6 Robert R. Johnson, b. 17 Dec, 1886, Fountain Green, d. Jan.,
1887.
3-7 Lymon Ross Johnson, b. 7 April, 1888, Sanford, Colo., m. 5
Sept., 19 10, Laura Ann Jones, daughter of Hugh Jones and
Artinsie J. Darst. Four children.
4-1 Rosco Valore Johnson, b. 7 July, 191 1, La Jara, Colo., m. June,
1935, Lucy Lida Mathias, b. 2 May, 1912, Monte Vista, Colo.,
daughter of Chester Leroy Mathias and Nannella Malsbary.
Three children.
5-1 Loris Elaine Johnson, b. 16 June, 1936 at Alamosa, Colo.
2 Donna Marie Johnson, b. 30 April, 1938, Alamosa, Colo.
3 Chester Ross Johnson, b. 8 March, 1940, Del Norte, Colo.
4-2 Charles Perry, b. i Oct., 1915, Sanford, Colo.
3 Gerald J. Johnson, b. 5 July, 1917, Sanford, Colo., m.
Vivian Marvell Fitzhugh, daughter of Gordon Fitzhugh and
Mary Briggs. One child.
5-1 Carolyn Sue Johnson, b. 25 Feb., 1941, Alamosa, Colo.
4-4 Laura Marguerite Johnson, b. 14 July, 1922, La Jara, Colo.,
m., , Dwain D. Spencer, son ,
b. 25 April, 1 921, resides at Summit Ville, Colo.
3-8 Edgar Johnson, b. 26 Aug., 1890, Sanford, Colo., m. first
wife 6 June, 1914, Dottie Dalton, daughter of John C. Dalton
and Daphnie Smith, b. 7 Aug., 1893, Manassa, Colo., d. 11
Nov., 1918. One child.
4-1 b , d.
? Elgeva, b. 10 Sept., 1927, a child of second wife.
3-9 Gilbert Raphael Johnson, b. 4 Mar., 1893, Sanford, Colo., m.
, Elsie Louie Davis, b. 6 April, 1894, Baxter,
Tenn, daughter Five children.
4-1 Charles Robert Johnson, b. 22 April, 1915, Richfield, Colo., m.
II Dec, 1940, Dortha Smith Roberts.
2 Edith Johnson, b. 21 Sept., 1916, Sanford, Colo., m. 7 Dec,
1940, Horace Wight Huggins, b. 10 Jan., 1919.
3 Marie Johnson, b. 23 April, 1920, La Jara, Colo., m. 1
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY «7
Harold Carl Barr, son of George Barr and Elizebeth Albrecht,
b. 10 Nov., 1916. Two children.
4-4 Harold Johnson, b. 18 Dec, 1923, La Jara, Colo.
4-5 Donald Lee Johnson, b. 27 Feb., 1930, La Jara, Colo.
5-1 Lorna Marie Barr, b. 6 Aug., 1939, Alamosa, Colo.
2 Donna Kay, b. 30 Dec, 1940, Alamosa, Colo.
3-10
Renald Crowther Johnson, b. 18 July, 1895, Sanford, Colo.,
m. Eva Jones, daughter of Hugh Jones and Artinsie J. Darst,
b. I Jan. 1895. Four children.
4-1 Twins by first wife, Ronald Johnson, b. 8 April, 1917, Sanford,
Colo., d. child.
2 Twins by first wife, Renold Johnson, b. 8 April, 1917, Sanford,
Colo., d. child.
3 Jerome R. Johnson, b. 28 Dec, 1920, Sanford, Colo.
4 Calvin Johnson, b. 14 Mar., 1922, Sanford, Colo.
3-10 Renald Crowther Johnson, b. July 18, 1895, m. 2nd wife
Clara Rasmussen (Miller) widow, daughter of Andrew
Rasmussen and Martha Brady, b. 14 Oct., 1896.
4-1 Renold LaVar Johnson, b. i Oct., 1928, Sanford, Colo., d.
25 , 1932.
2 Elizabeth Jane Johnson, b. 15 May, 1930, Sanford, Colo.
3 Charles Leon Johnson, b. 18 May, 1933, Sanford, Colo.
4 Janeen Johnson, b. 30 Mar., 1935, Sanford, Colo.
5 Vaugn Andrew Johnson, b. 12 July, 1939, Sanford, Colo.
3-1 1 Nina Johnson, b. 22 May, 1898, Sanford, Colo., m. 15 Mar.,
1929, Leroy Coombs, son of Ephraim Coombs and Ruth
Shawcroft, b. Two children.
4-1 Roy Leland Coombs, b. 7 Dec, 1932, Richfield, Colo.
2 Baby Coombs, b. 30 May, 1939, Richfield, Colo., d. child.
3 Dow Orris Coombs, 12 Dec, 1930, (adopted).
THOS. A. CROWTHER
Thomas A. Crovvther, Wife Mary Peterson
Thomas Alma Crowther, son of Thomas Crowther
and Jane Jewkes, was born 29th March, 1858, at Cedar
City, Utah. His childhood was similar to that of the
other pioneer children. While he was yet a young lad,
his family moved to Fountain Green, Utah, where he
attended a tuition school for a short period. Thomas
helped his father on the farm and with the sheep, but
he still found time to enjoy the social life of the little
town. After a long day of toil, he, with the other young
people, would gather in the little meeting house which
serveci as an amusement hall, and there he would take
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 69
very active part in singing school or square dancing.
At one of these Ward dances he met Mary Peterson,
daughter of Thor Peterson and Marn Swensen, who were
converts to the Mormon Church in Denmark. Her
family emigrated to the U. S. A. and Mary was carried
in her mother's arms across the plains of Utah. Thomas
and Mary Peterson enjoyed each other's company and
became good friends. When Thomas A. was twenty-one
years old, he went to Frisco, Utah, to work, and after a
few months he learned that Thor Peterson, father of
Mary, his sweetheart, had received a call from President
John Taylor to go to Colorado and help establish a colony
in the San Luis Valley. So he hurried home to claim
his bride. After he returned home he obtained the con-
sent of Mary's parents, and preparations were made for
their marriage. The young couple went by wagon and
team to Nephi, Utah, and thence by train into Salt Lake
City, where they were married in the Endowment House,
Sept. 9, 1880.
Thomas and Mary, believing there were more op-
portunities in Colorado for young people, left with the
Peterson family for Colorado on Sept. ii, 1880. When
they reached North Bend (Fairview), Sister Peterson was
taken ill and had to return to Fountain Green. The
family continued on their journey saddened because of
their mother's illness. It was a long, hard trip, and they
experienced many hardships— fording streams, making
trails over mountain passes and encountering many Indian
tribes; but they were nevertheless happy. Thomas A.
was blessed with good natured optimism which followed
him through life.
It was six weeks and two days before they reached
the Valley and there they found so much snow it was
impossible for them to go on. They were compelled to
70 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
Stay there for three days. They reached Manassa Oct.
26, 1880, and were welcomed by the Saints hving there.
Brother S. C. Berthelson invited them to stay with his
family until the men could get logs out of the forest and
build them a house. The house was soon ready, and the
two families moved in, living in the one room through
the winter. Thomas A. got work laying ties for the rail-
road south of Antonito and in this way earned money
to take care of his family, for a child, Thomas Orson,
came to bless their humble home Oct. loth, 1881. With
an addition to his family, Thomas A, decided to move
to Richfield, where he bought some land and was soon
busy clearing his property, plowing and planting a crop.
Under the supervision of his father-in-law and brothers-
in-law, they surveyed and built a canal to carry water
to their fields. They built their second little home, and
soon another child, Robert Earl, was born April 8th,
1885. With his wife and two children to provide for,
Thomas (Tommy as we all called him), labored early
and late, and no sacrifice was too great for him to make
for his family. But not all his efforts were to gain a liveli-
hood for his dear ones, for he found time to work in the
little church in Richfield, where a Ward was established
with Mary's father, Thor Peterson, as bishop. Tommy
served as choir leader and took an active interest in the
activity of the Ward. About this time a boy, Thor
Franklin, was born Oct. 15th, 1886. The Presidency of
the Stake advised the people of Richfield and Ephraim
to move onto a bench between the two little towns,
which they named Sanford.
Tommy, always energetic and ambitious to have the
best for his family, helped to build a brick kiln, where
he made enough brick to build a one-story house on the
main street of Sanford. The following Sept. 7, 1888, a
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 71
baby girl, Mary Agnes, was born, and the next two years
were busy ones for the young home-makers. They
planted and reaped, and by their industry and thrift, be-
came good substantial citizens. President Silas S. Smith
asked Thomas A. if he would accept a call to fill a mis-
sion to the Southern States. With his usual obedience
to the authorities of the church, he accepted the call, and
left Nov. 4th, 1890, for his mission. He labored in East
Tennessee, where he made many friends for the Church
and accomplished a good work. His life was threatened
many times by the enemies of the Church, and at one
time he was attacked and beaten by a mob. But because
of his great faith, his life was spared.
He continued with his labors making many con-
verts. The Loyds, Franklins, Henseleys and many others
accepted Mormonism because of his efforts. He re-
turned home Dec. 24th, 1892, and found a warm welcome
in his home and also in the Ward, for there was need
of men of faith to teach and lead the converts from the
Southern States who were also called to colonize in the
San Luis Valley, Colorado. Being a man of such spiritual
strength and possessing great leadership qualities, he
was chosen to be second counseler to Albert R. Smith
in the Stake Presidency, and served in this position for
several years, and later became first counseler to President
Levi P. Helm who succeeded Albert R. Smith after his
death. During this time a boy Alma Leroy was born
Oct. 23rd, 1893, Not only Thomas A. was active in a
church capacity, Mary not only cared for her home and
family, but served as counseler to Mary A. Berthelsen in
the Sanford Ward Relief Society, and later as president
for several years. Her devotion to the faith made her
a good leader for her sisters in the church where she
accomplished much good. She also encouraged her
72 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
husband not only to perform his duties in a church
capacity, but in the cultural life of the Ward as well.
He was a member of the Sanford Silver Band, playing
the bass horn. Unusual ability made him one of the
leading members. In Ward dramatics he was of great
help, taking part in plays and adding to the en-
joyment of all the members of the Ward. He later served
as mayor of Sanford, taking an active part in the civil
welfare of the city. At this time a daughter, Ida Jane was
born i8th March 1897. Life continued in the Crowther
household. Planting and reaping of crops, cooking and
taking care of the children made the days of Tommy and
Mary full. Two other children were born. A daughter
Zelpha, born on the loth of August, 1898, lived only
nine months. A son, Albert Levi, was born 10 May 1900.
He too lived only four months. This brought great
sorrow for these good people, but with faith in God's
goodness, they continued faithful to the Gospel, having
assurance they would sometime meet their loved ones.
Thomas had a strong physique and enjoyed good health
until the last few years of his life.
His jovial disposition made him loved, not only by
his own family and relatives, but by all who knew him.
He was affectionately called "Uncle Tommy." In 1883,
Mary met with an accident which caused a hip injury
from which she suffered a great deal. During that time,
her husband showed her the greatest devotion and care
and the love that was so dear in their early wedded life
ripened with the years.. Their home was one of love,
peace and cooperation between parents and children,
who worked for the welfare of each other.
In 1903, a call came from the headquarters of the
Church, for their son, Thomas Orson, to fill a mission.
He and his parents accepted the call. They were happy
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 73
and felt honored for their son to carry the Gospel to
the people of the Southern States. The family sacrificed
and worked hard to send Orson the money necessary for
him to complete his mission, and when he returned two
and a half years later, he and his family were satisfied
and proud of the work he had accomplished in the mis-
sion field.
Not only was Uncle Tommy devoted to his family,
but the love he bore for his father, mother, brothers and
sisters was wonderful. The many deeds of generosity
and kindness will long be remembered by his relatives
and friends. He seemed to be the Joseph of old to his
father's family. By an accident one of his father's team, a
fine mare was killed in the spring just when we had
begun to put in the crop. This made it absolutely nec-
essary to purchase another animal to continue the farm
work. $100.00 had to be borrowed. His father always tried
to avoid debt. He signed the note, paid the interest the
first year and it ran on for another. Oh, how he worried.
It was a big debt those days. Tommy herded sheep,
went out on the desert into Nevada and stayed one winter
— when he was about grown. Came home and turned
over $100.00 to his father, which was a great relief. He
seemed to have the same feeling for his younger brother,
William O. (or Will) as Joseph of old had for Benjamin,
his younger brother. Always concerned for his welfare;
always trying to turn things in the way of filling his
sack. In the spring of 1887, Tommy and Swen Peterson
contracted to rail eighty acres of brush land and plow
and Vee a ditch for two miles for Ernest Miller, county
surveyer, about four miles west of La Jara, Colo. Tommy
sent Will with a big span of mules belonging to him,
with Swen Peterson to accomplish this work which was
under contract. Tommy stayed home to irrigate his
74 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
crop which had been planted. This contract was finished
and accepted. Swen receiving the pay in full and they
returned home. Swen payed the half to Uncle Tommy
and he settled with Will, and insisted that Will take
it about all. Will protested saying no, half of what we
made belongs to you. But Tommy insisted, saying you
may be getting married one of these days and you will
need it. Sure enough, by the October conference held in
Salt Lake City, Utah, 1886, this young brother had found
him a bride, and was determined to go to the Temple
just finished at Logan, Utah, to be married; then visit
their father and family that was left in Utah. On the
morning they were to start. Uncle Tommy inquired,
"Will, have you got money enough for the trip?" Will
answered, "I have $100.00. Our tickets will cost $84.00
which will leave us $16.00 spending money. I think we
can get along." Tommy reached into his pocket, pulled
out $25.00 and insisted on Will taking it, use it if you
need it and it was used, but returned later. Father in-
structed his family that if they borrowed from
each other they must deal just as they would with
strangers, especially in money matters. That was the rule
in the family. It was adhered to strictly and prevented
trouble and ill feelings. When the newly-weds returned
to Colorado they located on the southwest corner of the
same block with Tommy and Mary, in a little one room
log cabin.
Quite early one morning when Will went out to do
his chores, there was Tommy, letting down the corral
bars. He had brought a fresh cow and calf. He turned
them in and said, "I thought you needed some milk.
You keep this cow and calf they are yours." This is the
way he kept up his dealings with his younger brother
all through life.
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 75
It was quite a custom in our family that when any
one of them butchered a beef, pig or sheep, to send each
a nice mess of fresh meat; but when Uncle Tommy re-
turned the compliment it was about double what he
ever got. Finally I became self-conscience and took him
to task. I told him I could not afford to neighbor with
him; he had got me so far in his debt. About 1896 he
bought a new Cooper wagon. Mine was getting rather
old, so I asked him if I might borrow his. He would
say yes, even though he really wanted to use it. It was in
the winter and I was not particularly employed at the
time; so I hitched onto his wagon, took my bedding and
grub, went and stayed all night and got a nice load of
wood and a few posts. When I returned I took his
wagon home and left the load of wood on the wagon,
I told him I was much obliged for the use of it. I
thought it was about my turn to begin to get even with
him.
When he went on his mission in 1890 he left a fine
pair of colts that grew and developed into a fine team
of horses, well matched in size and color and weighing
about 1500 pounds each. He named them Jess and
Major. He was a first-class teamster himself and did
the breaking of this team to his notion. They under-
stood how to load saw logs to perfection. The driver
never had to touch the lines; Just speak to them. I
borrowed this team a number of times when I had
brush to rail or sod to plow where it took four horse
teams to do the job. But Tommy would never take
anything for the use of them. They lived until they were
twenty-two years old. Oh, the service they gave during
their lives! Finally one of them died. I felt the loss it
would be to Tommy and family and I began to wonder
what I could do to help repair the loss. Wm, O.
76 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
Crowther and Sons Co. at this time owned a good
stallion and about a dozen mares, a number of colts and
young horses. One fine young mare past three years
old could fill the bill of taking the place of the old
horse that died. I called Orson over the phone and
asked him to come down to our ranch. He was soon
there and wanted to know what I wanted. I had asked
the boys interested with me in business to let me have
the young mare spoken of; to set a price on her, and she
was charged to me. I asked Orson to take this mare up
to Tommy's home and tie her in the barn in the vacant
stall of the deceased horse, without letting anyone know
about it. The next morning Uncle Tommy went out
and fed the horses and seeing this stray animal, inquired
what she was doing there. Orson explained, it was one
Uncle Will had sent up to take the place of the one
that had just died. This was the spirit that ran through
the lives of these two brothers. Never a word of friction
in all their being together — only love, joy and happiness.
Think you they do not believe in the union of families,
the sealing of husband and wife and children for
eternity? If it were not for the hope of meeting father,
mother, brothers, sisters, wife and children, we would not
want to go to heaven. We do not fear death for we will
have to pass through it to join the family circle. But
we do fear sin, which may keep us out of that circle.
Uncle Tommy and his boys had accumulated a nice
bunch of hereford cattle and enjoyed rideing in the saddle
taking them to the forest reserve and bringing them
back home after the round-up in the fall. Even at
advanced age, when in his 70's, he could often be seen
in the saddle driving a bunch of cattle. He loved to
handle sheep also.
The children of the family began to find their
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 77
mates and were married — building homes of their own
and assuming their own responsibihties. A great sorrow
came to this family when Thor Frankhn, who had
married and had a family of three fine boys, met with
an accident which caused his death. While hauling ties
with a team and wagon, traveling on a sidling road, the
load tiped over and he fell under it. Two other sons,
Robert and Alma, were called to the great beyond
leaving their wives and large families.
Thomas Alma died at the age of seventy-five years
two months and twenty-one days, June i8, 1933, at his
home in Sanford, Colo.; near the age of his father and
grandfather when they died. He was buried in tlie
Sanford cemetery. The people of the Stake where he
had labored so faithfully, mourned at the passing of this
good man. His children and grandchildren have always
been active members of the Church. His daughter Mary
Agnes was president of the Sanford Ward Relief Society
for five years and also president of the Primary organiza-
tion for two years. Two grandsons-in-law, Berl Reed
and Amel Shawcroft, filled honorable missions for the
Church in the Central States Mission 1905 and 1926.
James Crowther, son of Thomas Orson antl Florence
Reynolds is in the mission field at the present time (1941)
in the Southern States. Ida Jane worked in the Primary
for two years as counselor, and later became teacher in
the Sunday School. Douglas Westbrook, Ida's luisband,
filled a mission to the Southern States, was counselor
in the superintendency and later superintendent of the
Sanford Sunday School. He is now mayor of Sanforti,
Colo. The descendants of Tommy and Mary are out-
standing in many ways including athletic ability and
fine, clean living. Uncle Tommy lived what he believed
the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Aunt Mary is still living
78 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
(1941) in the old home, just past her 8ist birthday; but
is unable to get around on account of a bad leg and foot
caused by milk leg, a malady of long standing. All her
children living by her.
Thomas Orson Crowther the eldest son of Thomas
and Mary filled a mission to the Southern States and
assisted many people to gain a testimony of the Gospel.
Upon returning home he was chosen as one of the
presidency of the M.I.A. in Sanford Ward. Later He
labored in the genealogical and stake missionary work.
His wife, Florence Reynolds Crowther, labored in the
presidency of the Primary, also as Sunday School and
Relief Society teacher in the Sanford Ward. Their son
James Thomas Crowther is laboring as a missionary in
the Southern States at the present time (1941), and is
accomplishing much good. Their children are all active
in church work filling positions of trust in the different
wards in which they live.
Robert Earl Crowther the second son was a generous
boy, loved by every one; a good husband and father.
He died at the age of fifty years leaving a wife and eight
children. His wife, Grace Rogers Crowther, left with a
family of small children, met life's problems bravely.
She has been active in church organization work, es-
pecially in the Relief Society and Sunday School work of
the Sanford Ward. Their children are good members of
the Church and active in the different wards where they
live.
Thor Franklin, the third son, was a fine, good man,
loved by his family and friends. At the age of twenty-
nine years he was killed in an accident while hauling ties,
the load tiping over on him. He left his wife, Clara
Chandler Crowther, and three sons. Clara was a real
daughter to Uncle Tommy and Aunt Mary and is
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 79
dearly loved by her husband's family. Her three sons
are all married and are respected and honored in the
different places where they live in New Mexico. She
later married George Reed, by whom she had two girls.
They made their home in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Clara died in 1941 and was buried in the Sanford,
Colorado cemetery by the side of her first husband.
Alma Leroy, the fourth son of Tommy and Mary,
was an industrious, good man — a good husband and
father. He died at the age forty-two years leaving a
wife and eight children. His wife, Iva Brothers Crowther,
is an active worker in the Church, laboring in the Relief
Society organization of the Sanford Ward. There are six
sons and two daughters. Two sons, Merrill and Willard,
have gone to serve our country in the present war.
All members of this family are splendid Latter-day Saints.
Mary Agnes Crowther Reynolds, the oldest daughter
of Thomas and Mary, is a very fine woman. Her
husband, Chester Reynolds, died in 1940. He was a
very good man, an ardent worker in the L.D.S. Church.
They had quite a large family, but were unfortunate in
loosing some of them in infancy. Agnes as we all called
her, faced the world with courage, all the children are
married but the youngest one. They are active in the
Church in the wards where they live, and are a credit tb
society. We are proud of them.
Ida Jane and her husband have moved into the old
home with Aunt Mary and are taking care of Aunt Mary
in her old age. They have a fine family most all married.
They are faithful and active members of the Church.
80 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
2-3 Thomas Alma Crowther, b. 29 Mar., 1858, Cedar City, Utah,
m. 9 Sept., 1880, Salt Lake City, Utah, Mary Peterson, b. 5
Dec, i860, Denmark, daughter of Thor Peterson and Myrn
Swensen. Eight children.
3-1 Thomas Orson Crowther, b. 10 Oct., 1881, Manassa, Colo.,
m. 10 April, 1907, Salt Lake Temple, Minnie Florence
Reynolds, b. 19 Dec, 1887, Mount Pleasant, Utah. 11 children.
4-1 William Orson Crowther, b. 24 Oct., 1907, Sanford, Colo.,
d. 24 Oct., 1907.
4-2 Vera Florence Crowther, b. 8 Mar., 1913, La Jara, Colo., m.
Walter Rogers, 7 Sept., 1934, Salt Lake Temple, son of
Joseph Urban Rogers and Ruby Garrison, b. 10 Oct., 1905.
Reside at Carson, New Mex. Four children.
5-1 Ila May Rogers, b. 11 Aug., 1935, Taos June, N. M.
2 William Russell Rogers, b. 20 Sept., 1936, Alamosa, Colo.
3 Gayle Urben Rogers, b. 7 Sept., 19^8, Alamosa, Colo.
4 Vera Ann Rogers, b. 21 Mar., 1940, Dixon, N. M.
4-:? Raymond Q. Crowther, b. 8 Mar., 1913, La Jara, Colo., m.
Nov. 16, 1938, Verla Bagwell, daughter of Luther N. Bagwell
and Mary Katie Brothers. One child.
5-1 Dorla Raye Crowther, b. 9 Aug., 1939, Manassa, Colo.
4-4 Nellie Aletha Crowther, b. 22 Oct., 191 4, La Jara, Colo., m.
Ren Frederikson, Nov. 7, 1932, Salt Lake Temple, son Hans
C. Frederikson and Sarah Shawcroft. Three children.
5-1 Orson Reed Frederikson, b. 16 Dec, 1933, Richfield, Colo.
2 Richard Ren Frederikson, b. 30 Oct., 1939, Richfield, Colo.
3 Dorthy Louise Frederikson, b. 17 May, 1941, Alamosa, Colo.
4-5 Mary Caryl Crowther, b. 11 July, 1910, La Jara, Colo., m. Mar.
3, 1934, Horace Shawcroft, Salt Lake Temple, b. ,
son, Frank Shawcroft and Mary Berthelsen. Three children.
5-1 Bob Allen Shawcroft, b. 4 Jan., 1935, La Jara, Colo.
2 Lary Gene Shawcroft, b. 17 Nov., 1937, La Jara, Colo.
3 James Lewis Shawcroft, b. 29 Oct., 1939, Alamosa, Colo.
4-6 James Thomas Crowther, b. 25 Sept., 1919, Sanford, Colo.
7 Edward Howard Crowther, b. 14 Mar., 1921, Sanford, Colo.
8. Edith Luella Crowther, b. 24 Dec, 1922, Sanford, Colo.
9 Jesse Dean Crowther, b. 30 May, 1926, Sanford, Colo.
10 Evan Glen Crowther, b. 4 June, 1928, Sanford, Colo.
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 81
II Minnie Ellen Crowther, b. 26 April, 1930, Sanford, Colorado.
3-2 Robert Earl Crowther, b. 8 April, 1885, Richfield, Colo., d.
29 Jan., 1935, m. 18 Sept., 1917, Grace Rogers, b. 17 April,
1900, Fairview, N. M., daughter of Joseph Heber Rogers and
Lovina Willis. Nine children.
4-1 Afton Lovina Crowther, b. 25 June, 1918, Sanford, Colo., in.
12 Mar., 1938, Otto Scheiba, b. 6 July, 1912, Manassa, Colo.,
son. Max Scheibe and Mary McGinnis. Two children.
5-1 Robert Otto Scheibe, b. i April, 1939, Sanford, Colo.
2 Barbara Ann Scheibe, b. 12 July, 1940, Sanford, Colo., d. 10
Nov., 1940, Sanford, Colo.
4-2 Effie Crowther, b. 19 April, 1920, Sanford, Colo., m. 14 March,
1937, Buford Lennon, Holland, b. 5 Feb., 1906, Little Rock,
Ark., son of William Walter Holland and Florence Betty
Pratt. Two children.
5-1 Bessie May Holland, b. 29 April, 1937, Manassa, Colo., d. 30
April, 1937.
2 Gerry Ivan Holland, b. 9 Feb., 1940, Sanford, Colo.
4-3 Clyde Robert Crowther, b. 17 Oct., 1922, Sanford, Colo., d.
auto accident, 16 Sept., 1940, Sanford, Colo.
4 Melva Crowther, b. 13 July, 1924, Sanford, Colo.
5 Willis Oren Crowther, b. 2 Mar., 1926, Sanford, Colo.
6 Betty June Crowther, b. 6 May, 1929, Sanford, Colo.
7 Paul Mason Crowther, b. 27 Feb., 1931, Sanford, Colo.
8 Wayne Nelson Crowther, b. 25 Nov., 1933, Sanford, Colo.
9 Lovinnia Crowther, b. 12 Aug., 1935, Sanford, Colo.
3-3 Thor Franklin Crowther, b. 15 Oct., 1886, Richfield, Colo., m.
12 June, 1908, (d. 19--), Clara Chandler, b. 4 Feb., 1889,
daughter of Thomas Chandler and -. Three
children were born to them. He was killed in an accident,
hauling ties, the wagon tipped over and he fell under the
load, about 19 15.
4-1 Thomas Earl Crowther, b. 19 Nov., 1909, Sanford, Colo., m.
May, 1927, Margaret Miller Chame, N. M. One child.
2 Clifford Franklin Crowther, b. 22 June, 1912, Sanford, Colo.
3 Kennith J. Crowther, b. 3 June, 1914, Sanford, Colo.
5-1 William Crowther, b. 27 Apr., 1928, Margaret Miller, mother
of this boy left with the boy. Their whereabouts are unknown.
3-4 Mary Agnes Crowther, b. 7 Sept., 1888, Sanford, Colo., m. 25
Dec, 191 0, Sanford, Colo.
Chester Reynolds, b. 17 Oct., 1882, Roan Oak, V.i., son of
82 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
Preston Reynolds and Mary Elizabeth Tinnel, was married in
the Manti Temple, 25 Sept., 1925. Was a plasterer by trade.
Was afflicted with the asthma. Died from its effect. Was a
fne man. Nine children.
4-1 Mildred Reynolds, b. 10 Aug., 1912, m. Dec. 25, 1935, in
Mesa Temple, Jan. 2, 1936, Ivan Thomas, b. , son
of Joseph F. Thomas and Ethel Mickelson. Three children.
5-1 Marilyn Thomas, b. i Nov., 1936, Sanford, Colo.
2 Elaine Thomas, b. 15 Nov., 1938, Alamosa, Colo.
3 Ivan Lee Thomas, b. 2 Jan., 1941, Alamosa, Colo.
4-2 Lavina Marvell Reynolds, b. 22 Sept., 1913, Manassa, Colo., m.
4 Sept., 1936, Birle Reed, b. 16 July, 1902, Sanford, Colo., son
of Gilbert Reed and Panola White. One child.
5-1 Sharon Reed, b. 16 Jan., 1939, Sanford, Colo.
4-3 Clifton C. Reynolds, b. 30 Dec, 1915, Sanford, Colo., d. 31
Dec. 1915.
4 Zelda Reynolds, b. 28 Feb., 1917, Sanford, m. 22 Mar., 1935,
Salt Lake Temple, David Amel Shawcroft, b. 11 Dec, 1916,
son of David E. Shawcroft and Martha Smith. Two children.
5-1 Kay David Shawcroft, b. 18 Jan., 1938, Alamosa, Colo.
5-2 Curtis Amel Shawcroft, b. 11 Oct., 1941.
4-5 Erma Reynolds, b. 9 Jan., 1919, Sanford, Colo., m. 13 April,
1941, Alfred Hicks, b. 9 Nov., 1918, son of John Hicks.
4-6 Thomas Verdell Reynolds, b. 13 Sept., 1921, Sanford, d. 20
Sept., 1 92 1.
7 Marion Vaugn Reynolds, b. 22 Nov., 1924, d. 22 April, 1925.
8 Glenna Reynolds, b. 15 July, 1927, d. 22 Jan., 1929.
9 Donna Reynolds, b. 8 May, 1929, d. 3 May, 1933, all resided
at Sanford, Colo.
3-5 Alma Leroy Crowther, b. 23 Oct., 1893, Sanford, Colo., m.
9 June, 1916, Manti Temple, Utah, Iva Brothers, b. 14 April,
1895, daughter of William Brothers and Maria Christensen.
He was a good farmer. Fond of sports, excelled in our
National Ball game as pitcher. Left six sons who seem to
inherit the traits of their father. Died 29 Mar., 1935. Eight
children were born to this union.
4-1 Elwin Crowther, b. 11 Nov., 1917, Sanford, Colo.
2 Merrill Crowther, b. 3 Nov., 19 19, Sanford, Colo.
3 Willard Crwother, b. 30 June, 1921, Sanford. Colo.
4 Quinton Crowther, b. 29 Mar., 1923, Sanford, Colo.
5 Averet D. Crowther, b. i Nov., 1925, Sanford, Colo.
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 83
6 Clella Crowther, born 4 April, 1927, Sanford, Colorado.
7 Normand Glen Crowther, b. 24 Nov., 1930, Santord, Colo.
8 Delora Crowther, b. 26 July, 1934, Sanford, Colo.
3-6 Ida Jane Crowther, b. 18 Mar., 1897, Sanford, Colo., m. 31
Oct., 1914, Alamosa, Colo., Douglas Westbrook, b. 14 June,
1894, Morgan Conejos Co., Colo., son of John D. Westbrook
and Leander Kelley. Married in Manti Temple, Utah, 9
June, 1916. Ten children born to this union.
4-1 Douglas A. Westbrook, b. 30 Aug., 1915, Sanford, Colo., m.
7 Nov., 1935, Salt Lake Temple, Hazel Shawcroft, b. 12 Nov.,
1 91 8, daughter of David E. Shawcroft and Martha Smith.
One child,
5-1 Martha Ann Westbrook, b. 27 Oct., 1940.
4-2 Gladys Westbrook, b. 7 Oct., 1917, Sanford, Colo., m. 2 July,
1935, Eugene Ferrell Barr, b. 19 Dec, 1913, Alamosa, Colo.,
son of George Barr and Elizabeth Albrecht. Three children.
5-1 Elizabeth Jean Barr, b. 3 Aug., 1936, Alamosa, Colo.
2 Richard Kent Barr, b. 13 Mar., 1938, Alamosa, Colo.
3 Max Ferrell Barr, b. 10 Feb., 1940, Alamosa, Colo.
4-3 Richard Norwall Westbrook, b. 2 Feb., 1921, Sanford, Colo.,
m. 15 Sept., 1940, Lavon Daniels, b. 12 Sept., 1920, daughter
John Daniels and May White.
4-4 Ardith J. Westbrook, b. 17 Oct., 1922, Sanford, Colo., d. 17
Oct., 1922.
5 Donald C. Westbrook, b. 23 Aug., 1923, Sanford, Colo., d. 23
Aug., 1923.
6 Thomas Don Westbrook, b. 4 June, 1926, Sanford, Colo.
7 Jesse Alford Westbrook, b. 2 Dec, 1928, d. 2 Dec, 1928.
8 Mary Helen Westbrook, b. 17 Aug., Sanford, Colo., d. 17
Aug., 1930.
9 jerraid D. Westbrook, b. 30 Aug., 1932, Sanford, Colo., d. 9
Sept., 1932.
10 Joseph Franklin Westbrook, b. 28 Jan., 1934, Sanford, Colo.,
d. 28 Jan., 1934.
3-7 Albert Levi Crowther, b. 10 May, 1900, Sanford, Colo., d. 9
Sept., 1900.
3-8 Zelpha Crowther, b. 10 Aug., 1898, Sanford, Colo., d. 28
May, 1899.
4-2 Clifford Franklin Crowther, b. 22 June, 1912, Sanford, Colo.,
m. 15 May, 1935, Rhoana Fish, b. 3 Oct., 1916, davighter of
84 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
Dr. Wesley Fletcher Fish and Sarah Rhoana Hatch. Four
boys.
5-1 Wesley Franklin Crowther, b. 27 Feb., 1936.
5-2 Thomas Clifford Crowther, b. 23 Oct., 1937.
5-3 Emer James Crowther, b. 23 April, 1939.
5-4 Robert Earl Crowther, b. 13 Nov., 1941.
BIOGRAPHY OF JAMES FRANKLIN CROWTHER
James Franklin Crowther was born September 17,
i860, 6:00 a.m., at Ephraim, Sanpete County, Utah. He
was born in a "Dugout," which was a very common
form of domicile in the early days of Utah. It was
constructed by digging out a cave in the side of a wash
or hollow, placing two large logs over the top, and
spreading poles over them and placing first brush and
then dirt on the poles thus making a roof. Sometimes
the front was closed with a wall of logs, skins, or any-
thing available.
He was the son of Thomas Crowther and Jane
Jewkes Crowther who were married in Cedar City,
Nov. 25, 1856 and moved to Ephraim in the spring
of i860. In the spring of 1861 they moved to Fountain
Green where the family grew up. Their main source of
livelihood came from farming. One spring the grass-
hoppers ate all of the wheat crop so they planted corn
which matured and was what they had to live on during
the following winter. James Franklin developed a great
liking for corn meal mush and johnny cake and retained
it all his life. Even his children seemed to inherit a
strong liking for corn products.
During his early days there were many difficulties
to be contended with. The Black Hawk war was on
while he was yet too young to enlist in the militia or
stand guard, but he and his playmates would have their
drills with their wooden guns. It was in June, 1867,
that the Indians raided the Fountain Green cow herd
and killed Lewis Lund. Father Crowther brought the
body to town in his wagon and when Frank saw the
blood he felt a strong desire to avenge that blood, which
86 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
never left him. He told the story to his children so
that they never pass the scene of the episode w^ithout
feeling a reverence for the one who gave his life for the
perpetuation of an early colony.
However, when peace was finally effected, the
Crowthers did their share to maintain it. They treated
the Indians so well that "Indian Jim," a sub-chief, would
always stay at their home when in town. On one
occasion when Frank had lost his pony, he went to
Indian Jim in his wigwam and told his troubles. Indian
Jim immediately started questioning the various mem-
bers of his tribe and in about half an hour returned with
the lost pony. It is good to have a friend, even Indian.
He was baptized March 14, 1869 by Elder James
Woodward, and confirmed a member of the Church
just one week later by the same James Woodward. In
the winter of 1873 the towns of North Sanpete suffered
an epidemic of small pox, Frank was the only one of
his father's family to get it, and although it made him
quite sick, it did not leave him with any marks or other
bad effects as it so often did in those days. He even
says his health was better after it left him. About this
time he was ordained a deacon and enjoyed working in
that office keeping the meeting houses clean and warm,
etc.
In the fall of 1880 he went with others to southern
Colorado, and during the winter, worked on the rail-
road grade along the Navajo river. In the spring helped
lay track from Chama, New Mexico, to Durango, Colo-
rado. There were times during the winter when they
were snowed in and the crew were glad to eat venison
which he would bring into camp until supplies could be
obtained from town. In July of 1881 he turned to Foun-
tain Green where he helped his father harvest the crop
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY
87
and then worked in the sawmill in Spring Creek Canyon
getting out logs and sawing lumber for the Manti Tem-
ple. He also worked with his father building the terrace
walls of the Manti Temple.
In November, while hunting deer, he was accident-
ally shot, the one ounce ball passing through the left
elbow, taking part of the joint away, then striking his
left hip, grazed the outside of the hip bone and lodged
in his back. He states that "with the help of the Lord,
and careful nursing by a loving mother, I was restored
to health, but my left arm is still stiff and crooked."
And it remained so until his death.
Completing the requirements of the district schools
he was offered a two years' normal scholarship at the
Desert University (later U. of U.) by Sanpete County,
on condition that he would teach two years in the district
schools after completing the course. He attended from
r*
Home of James F. Crowther, San£ord, Colo.
88 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
the fall of 1882 until the spring of 1884 under Prof.
John R. Park. In the fall of 1884 he began teaching in
the district school at Fountain Green. He found pede-
gogy very interesting. Also the pedagogs of the vicinity,
especially the lady ones and he says "After two years of
courtship with the largest, prettiest, best and most in-
telligent lady teacher I could find, I was united in mar-
riage to Mary Olsen in the Logan Temple on December
31, 1884 by Apostle Mariner W. Merrill."
August 31, 1884 he was ordained a priest by Elder
J. Martinus Jensen. December 12, 1884, he was ordained
an elder by his father, Thomas Crowther. May 3, 1885,
he was ordained a seventy by Peter Lauritsen. Septem-
ber 13, 1891, he was ordained a high priest by Silas S.
Smith and chosen a member of the High Council of
the San Luis Stake of Zion.
May 22, 1886, a girl was born to him and he called
her Mary Grace. In January, 1887, an epidemic of diph-
theria broke out in Fountain Green and the school was
closed for three or four months, so he made arrange-
ments for his wife to complete the term and he went to.
Colorado and settled in Sanford where he built a one-
room log house and in June his wife joined him there.
He engaged in farming and school teaching and his
wife ran a little co-op store in one end of the one room
log cabin. Here a son was born May 2, 1889, and they
called his name Arthur Franklin, and he was blessed
on the 7th day of June by Soren O. Berthelsen. The
store grew and in the spring of 1890 was moved to a
building of its own and housed the post office in one
corner. He was engaged as manager of the Sanford
Co-op store and appointed postmaster. He continued
in that position for about eight years.
He accepted a call and went on a mission to the
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 89
Indian Territory mission March 5, 1898 and returned
February 22, 1900. In June he was appointed secretary
and treasurer of the San Luis Stake Sunday Schools and
remained in that office until he moved to Provo, Utah,
in October, 1909. He was elected justice of the peace
in 1900 and re-elected until he filled four and a half
terms. He worked in the store for about three years
after returning from his mission and then engaged in
farming and sheep raising.
On account of education facilities and other environ-
ments he sold his farm in Colorado and moved to Provo,
Utah, October i, 1909, where he engaged in coal mer-
chandising and farming. Later he sold the farm and
coal yard and engaged in apartment house business.
He sent four of his five sons on missions. Arthur
left in October, 1912, for the Japanese mission, and re-
turned in 1917. Osmond left for the British mission,
November 25, 1919 and returned June 11, 1922. Earl
left for the California mission April 16, 1924, and labored
in the Nevada conference, returning June, 1926. Eldon
left for the British mission September 8, 1928, and re-
turned November 21, 1930, to a parentless home, his
mother having died February 24, 1930, and his father
passed away October 6, 1930. He returned just in time
to attend the funeral of his oldest sister, Grace, Decem-
ber 28, 1930.
The posterity of James Franklin Crowther, third
child of Thomas Crowther and Jane Jewkes:
a
3
O
a;
!
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 91
2-3 James Franklin Crowther, b. Sept. 17, i860 at Ephaim, Utah,
d. Oct. 6, 1930, m. Mary Olsen who was b. April 5, 1863, and
d. Feb. 24, 1930.
3-1 Mary Grace Crowther, b. May 22, 1886, d. Dec. 28, 1930, m.
Walter Stevens who was born at Holden, Utah, July 2, 1882.
Their children are:
4-1 Walter Frank Stevens, b. March 31, 191 1 at Provo, Utah, m.
Fern Lee, b. May 2, 1914 at Hibbard, Madison County, Idaho.
5-1 They have one child, Dennis Frank Stevens, b. Mar. 22, 1939
at Goldendale, Washington. (Klickitat County.)
4-2 Mary Lucile Stevens, b. Jan. 18, 1914 at Marley (Richfield),
Idaho. She was married to Harvey B. Bickett, Oct. i, 1933,
their children are:
5-1 Walter Clair Bickett, b. April 2, 1938 at Gooding, Idaho.
4-3 Ruth Stevens, b. June 9, 191 6 at Provo, Utah, was married to
Garth E. Brush, b. Dec. 9, 19 16 at Richfield, Idaho, m. May
5-1 Ottis Garth Brush.
4-4 David Clair Stevens, born at Marley, Idaho, Nov. 16, 191 7,
m. Wilma Lucile Hennis, June 20, 1941. She was b. April 9,
1921 at Gardena, Calif.
4-5 Fay Stevens, b. Jan. 10, 1920 at Marley, Idaho, m. Roy
Raymond Blakeslee, Nov. 16, 1940. He was b. May 7, 1912.
Their child:
5-1 Mary lUene Blakeslee, b. Richfield, Idaho, May 18, 1941.
4-6 Helen Stevens, b. Feb. 22, 1924 at Shoshone, Idaho.
4-7 William Grant Stevens, b. Aug. 26, 1925.
3-2 Arthur Franklin Crowther, b. May 2, 1889 at Sanford, Colo.,
m. Ethel Ann Cluff, Oct. 31, 1917. She was born in Anarbor,
Michigan, Nov. 15, 1887. They had two children who both
died in infancy.
4-1 Mary Jane Crowther, b. Sept. 27, 1920, d. Oct. 5, 1920 at
Buhl, Idaho.
4-2 David John Crowther, born at Provo, Utah, June 5, 1921,
died same day.
They took two of their nieces into their home and raised
them to maturity, June Fern Kimball, b. June 18, 1918 at
Magna, Utah. Helen Stevens.
3-3 Chester Lawrence Crowther, born at Sanford, Colo., July 16,
1891, d. Jan. 3, 1892.
92 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
3-4 Lewis Olson Crowther, born at Fountain Green, Utah, Jan.
16, 1893. Married Winnie McDaniel, Jan. 15, 1918. She was
born Mar. 15, 1895.
4-1 Raymond Lewis Crowther, b. March 20, 191 9 at Provo, Utah.
4-2 Frank McDaniel Crowther, b. Jan. 18, 1921 at Provo, Utah.
4-3 Mary Louise Crowther, b. Aug. 12, 1923 at Provo, Utah.
3-5 Esther Jane Crowther, b. Oct., 1895 at Sanford, Colo. Married
Ernest Long, Feb. 4, 1914. He was b. May 12, 1891 at
Valdesa, N. C.
4-1 Their children are Cleo Mary Long, b. Feb. 21, 1916 at
Provo, Utah. Was married to James Paxman Martin, Sept.
15, 1937. He was born
5-1 They have one child, born in Brunswick, N. J. Name Karen
Martin.
4-2 Jessie Ernest Long, b. Provo, Utah, July i, 1919.
4-3 Richard Crowther Long, b. Nov. 17, 1930, at Provo, Utah.
3-6 Osmond Crandal Crowther, b. Aug. 13, 1898 at Sanford,
Colo. Married Idena Jensen, Dec. 10, 1924. She was b. Feb.
12, 1900 at Fountain Green, Utah. Their children are:
4-1 Eloise Corine Crowther, b. Nov. 9, 1925 at Fountain Green,
Utah.
4-2 Janet Crowther, b. June 25, 1927 at Provo, Utah.
4-3 John Osmond Crowther, b. Jan. 12, 1930 at Provo, Utah.
4-4 Frank Martinus Crowther, b. Feb. 21, 1932 at Mt. Pleasant,
Utah.
4-5 Mariana Crowther, b. July 24, 1936, at Fountain Green, Utah.
4-6 Dean Stevan Crowther, b. Feb. 9, xy^2 at Ftn. Green, Utah.
3-7 Israel Earl Crowther, b. Aug. 27, 1901 at Sanford, Colo.
Married Ruth Wintch, June 22, 1927. She was b. Sept. 20,
1905 at Manti, Utah. Their children are:
4-1 JLoree Crowther, born at Richfield, Idaho, Aug. 7, 1928, and
died the same day.
4-2 Earl James Crowther, b. Sept. 16, 1929 at Shoshone, Idaho.
4-3 Norma Jean Crowther, b. Feb. 8, 1931 at Provo, Utah.
4-4 Dolores Ruth Crowther, b. July 30, 1932 at Provo, Utah.
4-5 Richard Keneth Crowther, b. March 18, 1934, d. Dec. 27,
1936 at Provo, Utah.
4-6 Glen Wintch Crowther, b. IvTov. 10, 1935 at Provo, Utah.
4-7 Lois Crowther, b. Jan. 26, 1939 at Provo, Utah.
4-8 Thomas Henry, b. July 11, 1942, Provo, Utah.
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 93
3-8 Thomas Clyde, b. Dec. 4, 1903, d. Dec. 20, 1903 at Sanford,
Colo.
3-9 Ray Eldon Crowther, b. June 4, 1906 at Sanford, Colo.
Married Nelda Beck, Aug. 17, 1932. She was b. Nov. 18,
1908 at Nephi, Utah.
4-1 Mary Joyce Crowther, b. Jan. 31, 1937 at Provo, Utah.
4-2 Elda Joan Crowther, b. Feb. 11, 1939 at Provo, Utah.
LIFE OF MARY GRACE CROWTHER STEVENS
By Her Brother, Arthur F. Crowther
Mary Grace Crowther was born at Fountain Green,
Utah, on May 22, 1886, the daughter of James Franklin
and Mary Olsen Crowther. In 1887 she was taken with
her parents to Sanford, Colorado, where they settled
to help build up a new colony. Here they lived happily
for about twenty-two years. They engaged in farming
and raising sheep and cattle and operating a small store
and post office. Schools were established at an early
date and none of the settlers of the new colony needed
to lack for educational facilities until after they had
finished the eighth grade. Grace studied diligently and
passed one grade each year until she had finished the
eight grades. She helped with the chores and house-
work before and after school and as soon as she was old
enough she would go and help her father in the store
and post office. After completing the course of study
in the eight grades offered at Sanford, she went to
Provo, Utah, and attended the Brigham Young Univer-
sity for three years and obtained a diploma in the Normal
School of that University.
She then returned to Colorado where she engaged
in school teaching in the towns of Eastdale, Manassa,
and Sanford. Many of the boys in her classes were of
equal or greater age than she, but she did not success-
94 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
fully teach them the laws of matrimony. In 1908, an
old classmate of the BYU, Walter Stevens, started to
writing her letters from the mission field, and in 1909,
after his mission was finished, they were married in the
Manti Temple, and went to Blanding, where he had
interests in cattle raising. But after about one year at
that they sold out there and moved to Provo, where he
worked at various jobs, and after three or four years,
moved to Idaho and took up some land near Richfield.
Here they followed farming and stock raising with a
good degree of success all the rest of her life.
She died at Richfield, December 28, 1930, leaving a
husband and seven children behind.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF ARTHUR FRANKLIN
CROWTHER
I, Arthur Franklin Crowther, was born in Sanford,
Colorado, May 2, 1889 and grew to manhood there.
Started driving the cows to pasture in the morning and
home at night at the age of four. Started to milk and
feed them at the age of six. Started to do farm work in
the field during summer vacations from school at age
nine. At age twelve, father being manager of the co-op
store, it was my job to haul all the produce, such as
butter and eggs to the railroad to be shipped to market
and merchandise from the railroad to the store to be sold
to the customers. At age sixteen, father obtained the con-
tract to haul the mail from the railroad to the Sanford
post office. Then I made the trip every morning and
night, hauling the mail along with the produce and
freight for the store.
In 1909, father sold out all his possessions in Colorado
and took his family with him to Provo, Utah, to give
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 95
his children the advantages of the schooHng offered by
the Brigham Young University. I had completed the
eight grades of elementary school and did one year of
high school work in Colorado and in the spring of
1912 was graduated from the commercial department of
the B. Y. U. About that time I received a call to go on
a mission and left in October for Japan where I labored
for four and a half years.
On my return I found a very nice and loving young
lady, Ethel Cluff, a daughter of one of Provo's most
prominent families, just waiting for a husband. I was
very happy when she consented to let me be the lucky
man, and we were married in the Salt Lake Temple,
October 31, 1917. I had taken a civil service examination
for accountant and received my appointment in the navy
department. The United States had entered the war
between Germany and Great Britain, and in my civil
service status, I was still subject to be drafted into the
army. My country was at war and needed all of its
men, and I was willing to give it all the service I could,
but preferred to give it in the navy than in the army, and
therefore enlisted in the navy in February of 1918 and
was sent to Newport, R. I., for training. My wife also
went to Newport and rented a room in town and came
to see me often and I would go and spend the time with
her as often as I could get liberty from the training sta-
tion. After completing the course of training in the
Yeoman school and because of my knowledge of short-
hand I was given the rating of Yeoman 2nd Class and
detailed to the engineers office.
After the armistice was signed, I was demobilized
and returned to Provo. But since it was impossible to
find employment of any kind there, we went up into
Idaho where I hired out to work for a farmer named
96 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
Nicholson at Filer. I worked for him all summer and
took a civil service examination for R.F.D. carrier and
got my appointment effective November i, 1919. In
January of 1921, an examination w^as announced for
railway mail clerks, and thinking that such employment
was more suitable to my ability I took it and passed and
received my appointment the following May 13. I had
to work as a substitute, taking out runs for regular
clerks when they were sick, or off on annual leave until
February of 1924 when I was appointed a regular clerk
on the Pocatello and Buhl RPO. (Railway Post Office).
In 1926, I transferred to the Green River & Pocatello
RPO because of the higher classification and consequent
possibilities for promotion. In 1930 I transferred to the
Ogden, Utah, terminal RPO because mother had died
while I was so far away that I could not come to see
her in her last illness and father's health was not very
good and he seemed so lonesome. But terminal work
seemed very monotonous after so many years of road
work and in 1931 there was a vacancy on the Salt Lake
& Marysvale RPO to which I transferred, and then after
eight years on that line saw more opportunity for ad-
vancement on the main line so transferred to the Denver
& Ogden WD RPO, and there I intend to stay all the
rest of my active life.
While living in Buhl I was Ward Clerk and very
active in church work, holding six different assignments
for a while. While living in Pocatello I became presi-
dent of the elders' quorum, and again when I returned
to Provo. I am proud of my church work and have
found the greatest happiness of my life came from fol-
lowing strictly church teachings.
LIFE OF LEWIS OLSEN CROWTHER
By His Brother, Arthur
Lewis Olsen Crowther was bom at Fountain Green,
Utah, January i6, 1893, ^nd shortly after returned with
his mother to their home and his father in Sanford,
Colorado, where he grew in usefulness and attended
the district schools there. His father had quite a lot of
farming land, but being justice of the peace, postmaster,
and manager of the co-op store, he could not spare much
time to farming, so at a very early age, Arthur and Lewis
were sent out to work the farm. They had a good team
of gentle mares, Polly and Pet, and when Arthur was
about to turn nine years old and Lewis was only six
they would go out and Lewis drive the team and Arthur
hold the plow and the land was cultivated. In the fall
when the grain was ripe, the father was called to the
county seat for jury duty, and the children, Grace, Arthur
and Lewis had to look after the store. They received
the butter and eggs from the farmers and delivered the
goods and had a real big day of it. At night they were
standing by the tobacco and remembered how it looked
to see some older people chew tobacco and shock up
grain with great ease, and knowing they had five acres
waiting for them to shock up the next day, they sup-
plied themselves with a liberal quantity of both chewing
and smoking, and next morning they started out early
to shock up the wheat. But the tobacco made them so
sick that all they could do was lay down on the bundles
in the hot sun and vomit all day long. In the evenin_g
after the father had closed the store, he went down to
the field and found them in their misery and took them
home and gave them some good fatherly advice which
they remembered all their lives. They do not recom-
98 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
mend tobacco, neither chewing nor smoking, to any one.
In the year 1909 they moved with their parents to
Provo where they both attended and graduated from the
high school department of the Brigham Young Uni-
versity, Lewis going out in agriculture. He took up
wrestling for recreation and was presented in many meets
and prize money he got that way helped support his
brother, Arthur, while on a mission in Japan.
After finishing high school at the B. Y. U. he mar-
ried one of Provo's nice and beautiful girls, Winnie Mac-
Daniel, and they moved to Richfield, Idaho, where he
engaged in farming and stock raising. Also family
raising, for to them was born two sons and a daughter:
Raymond Lewis, Frank McDaniel, and Mary Louise.
He loved his family and always saw to it that they had
proper recreation and spent much time with them in the
search of proper recreation. This led him into the job
of being supervisor of the 4-H club of that district and
all the young boys of the neighborhood would look for-
ward with longing for the night when they should meet
at his home and hold their 4-H club meetings. The most
striking case of co-operation between father and son I
ever saw in my life was when I visited him one summer
at his sheep camp on the banks of the Middle Fork of
the Snake River.
PERSONAL SKETCH OF
ESTHER JANE CROWTHER LONG
May 5, 1942
I was born in Sanford, Colorado, October i, 1895,
daughter of James F. and Mary Olsen Crowther. My
schooling began in Sanford. In 1909, my parents, with
their children, moved to Provo, Utah, where I con-
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 99
tinued my education and where I have lived ever since.
In 1914, I was married to Ernest Long of Provo
and we have been blessed with one daughter, Cleo Long
Martin, and two sons, Jesse and Richard Long. I am of
light complexion with blue eyes and blonde hair, about
five feet eight inches tall and weigh 165 pounds. I have
always enjoyed good health. I have always worked in
my church, having held the following positions: primary
president in the Pleasant View ward, secretary of the
YLMIA in the Provo Fifth ward. Religion Class and
Primary teacher in the Manavu ward, and magazine
agent and relief society block teacher in Manavu ward.
I have seen my son, Jesse, fill a very successful
mission in the southern states, which is a joy to me. My
daughter, Cleo, is a graduate nurse.
I have always been proud to be a member of the
Crowther family and never cease to be thankful that my
grandparents joined the Latter-day Saint Church in Eng-
land and came to Utah to make their home.
The Crowther family feel that they have been great-
ly blessed of the Lord and believe that if they serve him
to the best of their ability he will bless them with every-
thing they ever need. They have sent many sons on
missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints. Jesse Long, a great grandson of Thomas Crowth-
er, being on a mission when this book is published,
wrote a letter to his mother which seems to portray an
attitude which is typical of the Crowther missionary. To
show the enthusiasm and devotion that letter is quoted
herewith :
Abbeville, S. C, May i, 1942
Dear Folks:
This has been the very happiest week of my entire
life. Words just cannot seem to say what I want to tell
100 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
you in this letter. I received your letter Wednesday with
the money in it, and I was very glad to hear from you
and know that you are all right. Thanks a million for
the money, it just came in the nick of time for me.
Last Saturday we left for Newberry to work over
there, over the week end. When we got to Newberry
we made arrangements to have a baptismal service for
Sunday and baptize those three people in Newberry that
I had been teaching the gospel to. But when I got up
to our only member's house, I found that she had been
sick in bed all week and it would be impossible to bap-
tize her family unless she could go with them. My
hopes sank at this news, but I never gave up. I promised
her that she would be made well and would be able to
go and help with the baptismal service and see part of
her own family baptized. That night she got out of
bed and the next morning, my companion and I and
Sister Donalds and her two oldest children, and Sister
Cordle, who is a jeweler's wife, left for Winnsborro, S.
C, and there held a service, and I baptized all three of
them. It was a happy day, both for them and for my-
self. They are all strong members in the church and it
was harvesting the fruits of my three months' labor in
Newberry. It was through the power of God, and not
any power of my own that I was able to do this thing.
I came back to Abbeville Monday and was the happiest
boy in the entire Southland. But I still had more to do.
I had four more baptisms coming up right here in
Abbeville.
This past Wednesday at five o'clock, on the banks
of a large river near Abbeville, we held a wonderful
open air meeting. We had about forty non-members
and about forty members there to see a "Mormon Bap-
tismal Service." It was a very hot afternoon and it really
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 101
made everything fine. President Shea preached at the
meeting and then I went into the water and baptized
four more of my own converts. That makes seven this
week and eighteen for my mission so far, and I think
that I still will get some more before I return to you.
It really made me happy to baptize these people this
week. I contacted every one of them and have been the
instrument in the hands of the Lord in teaching them
the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. All seven of
them are very prominent people in Abbeville, and New-
berry and that is a great help to the church. The four
I baptized in Abbeville were all old people. Sister Pruitt
was seventy-two years old and was made well and strong
as she came out of the waters of baptism. Sister Boswell
was seventy and she is one of Abbeville's most brilliant
women. Sister Boswell's daughter is thirty and she is
a very good piano player and a very smart young lady.
I then baptized Sister Pruitt's son, who is fifty and that
made the four of them. I also confirmed five out of
seven members of the church, at their request, and per-
mission being granted me to do that.
But the saddest news of all is that I am leaving Abbe-
ville this Saturday. My work in this town is finished
and I am leaving for Greenville, South Carolina, to-
morrow morning. Greenville is about the largest city
in South Carolina and I am going up there to work with
the local missionaries and try to get them on the go be-
fore I go home. President Shea gave me my transfer
yesterday and I am busy today packing and gettmg
ready to leave town. I have worked in this town for
nearly a year now and have seen forty of my contacts
baptized into the church within that year's labor, so you
can see that the Lord is greatly blessing me and I am
'harvesting the fruits of my hard labors in the mission
102 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
field. I know that this is in answer to both your prayers
and mine. I am grateful and thankful that the Lord
has answered our prayers and I want to thank you for
helping me to put over the biggest thing that ever hap-
pened in my life.
Tonight the branch is having an open air picnic for
me, and they are really going to have a time. I don't
know exactly what is going to take place but from what
I hear, they are really going to have a time. A fish fry
and a steak fry. Since coming into the mission field I
have learned how to eat certain kinds of fish so I will
enjoy this fry tonight. I dearly love these people in this
branch at Abbeville and it is going to be a hard job to
leave them tomorrow morning. But I will get to come
back three or four times more before I come home, so
that won't be so bad.
Yesterday President Shea and I walked about twenty-
five miles and held three cottage meetings and we were
really tired when we got home last night. But we both
got another thrill when we met a Sister Botts, that I had
been teaching the gospel to, and she came up to me and
told me that she wanted me to baptize her before I re-
turned to the West. She is the leading lady in the Meth-
odist church here in Abbeville, and would really be a
great asset to our branch here. That thrilled me right
to the toes to hear that good sister say those words. She
is a wonderful woman, and I know will be a great mis-
sionary when I do get her baptized. So before I go home
I am going to come back to Abbeville and baptize her
and another lady, and that will just about wind up my
converts.
How is dear old dad? Tell him hello for me, and
tell him that I am doing fine, and that I am working
my heart and soul out to get my work done out here
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 105
before I come home. Tell Richard hello for me and tell
him that I will soon be seeing him, and for him to get
in and practice on that trombone.
May the Lord's choicest blessings be with you at all
times.
Jesse.
BIOGRAPHY OF
OSMOND CRANDALL CROWTHER
I was born August 13, 1898, in Sanford, Conejos
County, Colorado, while my father was on a mission
for his church in the Southern States. Upon hearing
of the birth of his son, my father sent my name home,
Osmond being the name of the first child he blessed while
on his mission, and Crandall being the name of the mis-
sionary companion. Mother liked the name and I was
given it. I remember of mother thanking my Uncle
Thomas Crowther for the help and kindness shown her
during the burdens incident to my early childhood while
father was away from home on his mission.
My earliest memories are of living in Sanford and
of father managing the town mercantile store. Later I
remember moving to a farm north of Sanford where I
spent my early childhood, walking to town to school.
In 1909 I moved to Provo, Utah, along with the family,
where I attended grade school in the winter and worked
on the farm in the summer. I also completed high
school at the Brigham Young Universty. In 1915 I
got a job with the Schofield Auto Company, and worked
as auto mechanic for over three years, working up to
be head mechanic.
In October, 1918, I joined the United States Army
in World War No. i, and having had musical training,
104 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
I played in the band and was appointed company bugler
and company clerk. At first I was excused from the
manual of arms training, but liked bugling so much
that my practicing bothered the captain and he ordered
me to attend all regular drills, which I did. I was de-
mobilized in December of 1918, having spent all of my
army time in training camps.
I again entered the garage business, but in the
spring of 1919 I was forcibly inspired by the spirit of
the Lord with a desire to fulfill a mission. I was called
to the British mission, but due to passport complications
following the war, my call was changed to the Eastern
States. I left Provo, in November of 1919 and worked
in Brooklyn and New York City, New York, and Ho-
boken, New Jersey, until July, 1920, filling the position
of Hoboken Branch President during March and April.
In July, I was transferred to the British mission, but when
I went to the steamship company to get my reservation
to go to England, I was informed it would be October
or November before I could get a reservation. How-
ever, upon going down to the docks, I found that SS
Mauritania was short of men for its crew, so Elder
Wilford Owen Woodruff and I joined the seasman's
union as firemen and worked our way to Liverpool.
Shoveling coal was real hard work, but we worked
four hours and then rested eight. We both felt a touch
of seasickness, but had to keep up our work just the
same. The pleasing thing was that when we landed at
Liverpool we had earned about one hundred dollars
instead of spending that much for passage, which helped
our missionary work considerable. In England, I labored
in Liverpool, London, Scotland, and Newcastle con-
ferences. After being released in 1922, I visited France,
Belgium and Holland and Canada. I also stayed two
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 105
weeks around Birmingham, England, looking for gen-
ealogy and visiting the places my ancestors came from.
I returned home in July, 1922, and worked at ac-
counting and selling clothing in the summers and at-
tended the Brigham Young University, majoring in
accounting and music for three years. On December i,
1924, I was married to Idena Jensen, of Fountain Green.
We lived in Provo, where I continued in school until
June of 1925 when we moved to Fountain Green and
I engaged in the garage business, also operating a garage
in Mount Pleasant, until 1932 when I disposed of my
garages and entered the sheep raising business.
I was ordained Bishop of Fountain Green Ward in
June of 1929, and was released in 1932. I was elected
to the Fountain Green city council in 1938 and served
until I was elected mayor in 1942. Of all the work and
service I have performed, I believe I have reaped more
joy and satisfaction from my services as a bishop.
SHORT BIOGRAPHY OF
ISRAEL EARL CROWTHER
May 6, 1942
I was born in the town of Sanford, Colorado, on
August 27, 1901, the seventh child in the family of nine
of James Franklin and Mary Olsen Crowther. Mem-
ories of my childhood include moving to the ranch at
age two, starting to school in the old red school house
at Sanford at the age of six, having my eldest sister for
one of my teachers, herding cows and sheep out on the
prairie, fishing for water dogs in the pond, and ,bemg
tucked into bed by mother or father at night in the old
log house when the blizzard was howling outside.
In September of 1909, my father sold the ranch and
106 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
moved the family to Provo, Utah, so that we might have
a better opportunity for education and closer association
with the church. For this move I am most thankful
as I look back on my life at the age of forty. I must
here also remember to give my mother credit for in-
fluencing this move and for her extreme patience and
tender love and guidance during these formative years
of my life.
My father again took up farming, acquiring con-
siderable land on which we boys were kept busy until
our maturity.
In 1920, my brother Lewis and I, having formed a
partnership, moved to Richfield, Idaho, where we en-
gaged in dry farming for about five years, but had only
moderate success, gaining much in experience but losing
some financially. My education had proceeded pretty
much on schedule until by the spring of 1924 I had
completed one year of college work at the B. Y. U. In
April 15, 1924, I responded to a call to the California
mission, where I labored for 26 months in the Nevada
Conference; the last six months as conference presi-
dent. Upon my return June 10, 1926, I again went to
Idaho to work during the summer and attended the
B. Y. U. during the winter, taking a business course and
participating in football and wrestling.
On June 22, 1927, I was married to Ruth Elizabeth
Wintsch by my uncle, Lewis Anderson, in the Manti
Temple. This was a memorable day in my life as we
had been childhood sweethearts and both had filled
missions for the church and now were united for time
and eternity.
To bless our union, eight children have been given
to our keeping. Loree, Earl James, Norma Jean, Dolores
Ruth, Richard Kenneth, Glen Wintsch, Lois, and Thomas
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 107
Henry. Two have died, Loree at birth and Richard,
when about three years old.
The first three years of married Hfe we Hved in
Richfield, Idaho, where we both took an active part in
church work. In 1930 we returned to Provo, locating
in the fifth ward. Here I served in the Sunday School
superintendency, and as ward clerk for nine years.
I am thankful for the heritage of my parents and
for the faithful devotion of my wife and the love of my
children. It seems to me that these are the things that
really make life worth while.
BRIEF LIFE SKETCH OF
RAY ELDON CROWTHER
I was born at Sanford, Colorado, on June 4, 1906,
and moved to Provo, Utah, when three years old. Here
I grew to boyhood and manhood with the normal ex-
periences and enthusiams of impatient youth. Grade
school, high school and college were all completed in
Provo. After the third year at Brigham Young Uni-
versity, I had ambitions and arrangements made to enter
the United States School of Aviation. A call to fill a
mission to Great Britain cancelled all previous plans. I
left September 15, 1928, for England. Here as a mis-
sionary, two of the most absorbing and educational years
of my life were spent. My mother and father both died
during this interval. Following my release, a hurried
trip through the major European countries before re-
turning home was a fascinating study of the people and
customs of the old world. Enroute home a visit to the
place of my birth in Colorado was made, the first since
leaving some twenty years before.
Entering school again at Brigham Young Univer-
108 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
sity, I graduated June, 1931. Continued study the next
year at New York University and received a Master of
Science degree in business June, 1932. A short vacation
afforded time to visit Utah long enough to get married
to Miss Nelda Beck of Nephi, Utah, on August 17, 1932.
Anxious to make my future home near my ow^n
people, the following year found me in Los Angeles,
California, and later Utah, where additional schooling
in preparation for a life of teaching was completed. My
teaching career began in high school at Provo, Utah, in
1934, and has occupied my greater time and interest for
the past years while engaged in this profession.
Will. H. Kirby, Emmaline M. Crovvther and Family
EMMALINE MELISSA CROWTHER
Your lips were unafraid, you did not ask
"Why must I leave my home
And go across the wind-swept prairie
To a land unknown?"
Unquestioning — your baby at your breast,
Another, scarce more than babe, with tiny feet to
plod:
Your young bright head flung high with courage,
You followed, then your husband and your God.
A rattling wagon held a hand pieced quilt,
Some rose sprigged china plates, a yard of cherished
lace,
A vase, a rocker and a spinning wheel;
You'd need them all in that far place.
Beside the campfire's acrid smell of burning sage,
You gathered close your own.
And in your fearless eyes began a dream,
A dream of home.
A one room cottage built of logs and mud,!^
A shining place for a queen to come?
You found it not to small, too ugly for your love.
You made it home.
A heritage you left for us — a shining trail
Of faith and strength, of courage, dreams come true :
God give us faith and strength and courage now.
To follow you.
These lines by Beatrice Parsons are more than a
refrain of a song. They are the refrain of Mother Emma-
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 111
line Melissa Crowther Kirby's own beautiful life — living
and working for others was her pattern for living.
Mother Emmaline Melissa Crowther was born June
25, 1862, at Fountain Green, Utah, the fourth child of
Thomas Crowther and Jane Jewkes.
"Fortunate was she to grow up in a family whose
foundation for family life was built on the love for one
another, strength to do the task at hand and faith to
carry on. From the hearth fire of this modest pioneer
home, there was a love for learning, culture and music
that radiated far beyond their humble family circle.
It was in this home environment that father William
Kirby, met and loved our dear mother. They were mar-
ried June 5, 1879, in Salt Lake City, Utah, at the En-
dowment House.
With the heritage of love that she received from her
pioneer home, mother was not long in transforming the
little log house into a home, for she possessed char-
acteristics and skills which made her a home builder of
the first order. Some of the outstanding qualities of
mother was her understanding, tolerance, gentle patience
and courage.
A boy, William Thomas, was born November 17,
1881. In the spring of 1883, father received a call to
fill a mission to the Southern States. Mother had need
of faith and courage when she urged father to accept
the call, for a child was to be in the fall. Father labored
as a missionary in Georgia and Tennessee. He was very
humble, and a man of great faith. He made many
friends, and through his efforts many people accepted
the Gospel and he had the privilege of baptizing several
people. After eighteen months of service as a missionary,
father was ransferred to the San Luis Stake in Colorado,
where the southern saints were advised to gather and
112 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
help to colonize settlements in the San Luis Valley. The
last three months of father's mission were spent in help-
ing the southern saints in their new home in the West,
and a good work was accomplished among the southern
converts, both in a spiritual and temporal way. These
people had to be taught the art of irrigation, planting
William H. Kirby
and gathering of crops, for conditions were so different
in Colorado than they were in their southern homes.
Many are the words of praise that these southern
saints have spoken to us children of the honesty, intreg-
rity and thrift of our father, for he was a man who lived
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 113
what he taught. During the absence of father, mother
gave birth to a girl, Mary Jane, September i, 1883. She
Hved in their little home, and not only took care of her
two babies, but worked in different ways to earn money
to send to father that he might continue with his mis-
sionary service. When father returned home, there were
three to welcome him: mother, William, and Mary, the
child who was born during his absence, and the good
people of the ward who rejoiced at the return of the
young missionary.
Father was very favorably impressed with Colorado,
and shortly after returning home, mother and he made
preparations to move to Colorado. They disposed of
what property they had, buying horses, wagons, and
provisions for the trip. Mother was saddened because
of leaving her dear parents, but had the hope that at
some future time the family might be reunited. They
loaded two wagons with provisions and what belongings
two wagons would hold, and set out into an unknown
country, father driving one team and Uncle Will Crowth-
er, mother's brother of seventeen years, driving the other
team for father.
Their journey to Colorado was a long and hard
one. Streams to cross, rivers to be ferried over, and
roads built as they went along across mountains and
prairies. They heard of many bands of Indians, but
were not molested by them. The trip was not without
its pleasures, the scenery being beautiful, game being
plentiful. They were on the road one month and three
days and these weary people were happy when they
reached the Valley on September i, 1885. The people
of the little settlement of Richfield were very kind to
father and his family, for kindness and brotherly love
existed among these pioneer saints.
114 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
Father rented a dugout, where they lived through-
out the winter months. Later, upon the advice of the
Church leaders, they moved to Sanford, and their little
log home was the second house to be built in that settle-
ment. And to this humble little home another baby girl,
Bertha Emmaline, was born Aug. 30, 1886, the first girl
to be born in Sanford, Colo.
Father purchased land and put in a crop. Mother's
gift for homemaking asserted itself — rag carpets, cro-
chet tidies and curtains adorned her home. Father was
chosen to be one of the superintendents of the Sunday
School, which position he held for several years, and
because of his great faith was often called to administer
to the sick. Although mother did not hold any high
position in the Church, she always encouraged father in
his public work. But wherever there was sickness and
trouble in the little settlement, mother was there to
give help and comfort, even in homes where there were
contagious diseases. She would go and help, always
taking every precaution when she returned, not to carry
any contageious germs to our family. She was skilled
in the art of cooking, and her cooking will long be re-
membered by her relatives and friends.
In the year 1888 on May 12th, a second son was born,
Alma Leroy. Time moved on: planting, reaping of
crops and taking care of the children keeping father
and mother busy. On January 16, 1891, a daughter,
Nellie May, was born. This beautiful little girl added
to the joy of the family, and later, on Dec. 11, 1895, the
third son. Parley, was born.
Thrift and industry were part of their pioneer home,
and they were beginning to see the fruits of their labor
when father met with a terrible accident, receiving a
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 115
blow on his head which caused an affhction which lasted
as long as he lived. For thirteen years, father was a
helpless invalid, and mother and the children had to
assume the responsibilities of earning a living.
During this period, the noble traits of character of
mother showed themselves. Patience and love sealed
her lips to any complaint. Her devotion to her loved
ones asserted itself during the long years she cared for
her invalid husband and no labor was ever too harti,
for she never spared herself to make life better for her
family. Father passed on to his rest Aug. 6, 1910. After
father's death, life went on in the home and mother's
counsel for right living was impressed upon her chil-
dren. Three of the children were married, and had
assumed responsibilities of their own. Mother was
greatly blessed by having her parents, brothers and
sisters near her, and they were a great comfort to her
in her trouble and sorrow.
In 1912, mother married Henry Stover, and took his
two children by a previous marriage into her home, and
proved herself to be a good mother to them up to the
time of her death.
Mother suffered many trials and hardships during
her life, but her goodness will live in the hearts of her
children and friends throughout all eternity. She died
October 4, 1917, and was laid to rest in the Sanford ceme-
tery. Her children and grandchildren appreciate the
heritage their noble parents left them and are trying
to carry on. Will, Mary, and May have joined their
parents in the Great Beyond. Mary's husband, Lymon
Carter, and Bertha and her husband, Ira Luster, and
their families are taking active part in the Mesita branch
of the Latter-day Saints' church. May's husband, Eulice
116 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
Guthrie, served as presiding elder of the Alamosa branch I
and is now bishop of the Alamosa Ward. May's son, I
Alma Guthrie, filled a mission to Holland and accom- ;
plished much good. Before Will died, he helped to -i
establish a branch of the church in Alamosa and took
an active part. Since his death, his wife, Florence, and
his children, are helping to carry on the work.
Alma Leroy is counselor to the superintendent of
the Sanford Sunday School. His wife, Leah, and their
children are working in both Stake and Ward and
auxiliary organizations. Their son, Allen, is outstanding
in music ability and educational circles. Fred, their
second son, is in the service of our country.
Parley and his family, living in California, take an
active interest in geneological work and other Ward
activities. Their son, Norval, is outstanding as a super-
visor of the Aaronic Priesthood. Their third son,
Howard, is in the service of our country. The children
and grandchildren of Mother Kirby are without one ex-
ception some of the finest citizens of both Church and
State. Leah Kirby, Historian
EMMALINE M. CROWTHER AND HER
POSTERITY
2-5 Emmaline Malissa Crowther, b. 25 June, 1862, Fountain
Green, Utah, m. 5 June, 1879, Salt Lake City, Utah, William
Henry Kirby, b. 15 Aug., 1856, Manti, Utah, son of Thomas
James Kirby and Mary Ann Duffin, both of England. Six
children born to them.
3-1 William Thomas Kirby, b. 17 Nov., 1881, Fountain Green,
Utah. M. , d. 26 May, 1926, Flossie
Bailey, b. 29 Jan., 1883, Cassandre, Georgia, daughter of
William Dixon Baily and Martha J. Coxwell. Four chil-
dren born to them. Reside at Alamosa, Colo.
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY U7
4-1 Herbert Ray Kirby, b. 29 Nov., 1907, Alamosa, Colo., d.
16 May, 1926, Alamosa, Colo.
2 Fern Kirby, b. 8 Oct., 1910, Alamosa, Colo.
3 Kenneth Kirby, b. 13 July, 191 3, Alamosa, Colo.
4 Nadine Kirby, b. 31 Dec, 191 5, Alamosa, Colo.
3-2 Mary Jane Kirby, b. 17 Sept., 1883, Ftn. (keen, Utah, m. 10
April, 1902, Manti Temple, Utah, Lymon W. Carter, b.
6 Aug., 1878, Beaver, Utah, son of John S. Carter and
Martha Gibbons. Eight children were born to them.
4-1 Amy Carter, b. 11 Nov., 1905, Sanford, Colo., m. 26 Nov.,
1928, Clarence Crosser, b. i Feb., 1895, son of Thomas
Crosser and Priscilla Jones.
2 Willard Leroy Carter, b. 6 Jan., 1908, Sanford, Colo., d.
II March, 1912, accident.
3 Stanley Kirby Carter, b. 7 Nov., 1910, Sanford, Colo, m.
22 Dec, 1933, Elsie Rae Mickelsen, daughter of Rasmus
Mickelsen and Ellis Cornum, b. 26 Sept., 1910. Two
children.
5-1 Deanna Jane Carter, b. 27 March, 1937.
5-2 , Karen Rae Carter, b. 20 July, 1941.
4 Franklin Kirby Carter, b. 16 May, 19 12, Sanford, Colo., m.
29 Sept., 1935, Hellen Ethel Earle, at Alamosa, Colo., (one
child), daughter of Bergerman Earle and Carie K. James.
5-1 David Lymon Carter, b. 11 March, 1937, Mesita, Colo.
4-5 Earl Kirby Carter, b. 29 Aug., 1916, Mesita, Colo., m. 4
June, 1938, La Vaun Bailey, b. 13 March, 19 17, daughter
of Ruben J. Bailey and Jane DePriest. One child.
5-1 Earl Vaun Carter, b. 19 Sept., 1939, Alamosa, Colo.
4-6 Mary Carter, b. 27 June, 191 8, Mesita, Colo., m. 2 Jan.,
1936, Harry Larsen, b. 21 Nov., 1914, son of Hans C. Lar-
sen and Mary Peterson. Three children.
5-1 Harry Carter Larsen, b. 6 Oct., 1936, Alamosa, Colo.
2 Richard Larsen, b. 24 May, 1938, Alamosa, Colo.
5-3 Donald Glen Larsen, b. 18 Feb., 1940, Alamosa, Colo.
4-7 Stella Carter, b. 19 Jan., 1920, m. 15 Sept., 1940, Taos, New
Mex., later Arizona Temple, Elwin Franklin Parker, b.
9 July, 1920, son of Benjamin Parker and Emma Christen-
sen. One child.
5-1 Stella Jenine Parker, b. 14 June, 1941, Manassa, Colo.
4-8 Edward Kirby Carter, b. 12 Sept., 1922, Sanford, Colo.
3-3 Bertha E. Kirby, b. 50 Aug., 1886, Sanford, Colo., m. 27
118
THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
June, 1906, Sanford, Colo., Ira C. Luster, b. 4 July, 1883,
Hawkins Co., Tenn., son of Samuel Patson Luster and
Bathsheba Tate. To them were born 11 children. They
reside at Mesita, Colo. Occupation, farming.
4-1 William Ira Luster, b. 26 Nov., 1907, Sanford, Colo., d.-
26 Nov., 1907.
2 Zelda Luster, b. 18 June, 1909, Sanford, Colo., m. 16 Sept.,
1927, Gus Buhr, b. 20 March, 1905, Watson, Missouri, son
of Joseph Buhr and Margaret Leismann. Three children
born to them. Reside at Mesita, Colo.
5-1 Edward Buhr, b. 18 June, 1930, San Acasio, Colo.
2 Joseph Buhr, b. 4 Jan., 1934, San Acasio, Colo., d. 4 Oct.,
1934.
3 Margaret Buhr, b. 18 Nov., 1935, San Acasio, Colo.
4-3 Donald Luster, b. 19 Feb., 191 1, Sanford, Colo., d. 19
Feb., 1911.
4-4 Barsha Emmaline Luster, b. 4 Jan., 1912, Sanford, Colo.,
m. 13 Nov., 1 93 1, Taos, New Mex., Clayton Edwin Wil-
liams, b. 23 Sept., 1907, Weeping Water, Nebraska, son of
Edwin Woodruff Williams and Nettie Louise Hoback.
Two children.
5-1 Dorathy Mae Williams, b. 7 Aug., 1932, Mesita, Colo., d.
7 Aug., 1932.
2 Robert Leslie Williams, b. 4 March, 1937, San Acasio, Colo.
4-5 Albert C. Luster, b. 20 Jan., 1914, Mesita, Colo., m. 20
Nov., 1937, June Lossaine Williams, b. 5 July, 1919, Mos-
sill. Neb., daughter of Edwin Woodruff Williams and Net-
tie Louise Hoback. Two children. Reside at Mesita, Colo.
5-1 Jack Williams Luster, b. 14 Nov., 1938, Mesita, Colo.
5-2 Albert L. Luster, b. 20 Nov., 1941, Mesita, Colo.
4-6 Alberta Luster, b. 20 Jan., 1914, twin, d. 20 Jan., 1914.
4-7 Reetha Luster, b. 13 Jan., 1915, Mesita, Colo., m. 11 May,
1935, Sanford, Colo., Cecil Floyd Crounk, b. 13 May, 1915,
Rocky Ford, Colo., son of Bert William Crounk and Willa
Cleo Coleman. Two children. Reside Mesita, Colo.
5-1 Rertha Willene Crounk, b. 20 Aug., 1936, Mesita, Colo.
2 Ila Maxine Crounk, b. 13 Sept., 1937, Antonito, Colo.
4-8 Mary Helen Luster, b. 11 Nov., 1916, Mesita, Colo., m. 16
Dec, 1935, Nortonville, Colo., Carl Larsen, b. 16 Dec, 1915,
Omaha, Nebr., son of Hans Antone Larsen and Mary Pet-
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 119
ersen. Three children born to them. Reside at San Acasio,
Colo.
5-1 Patricia Leon Larsen, b. 18 May, 1937, San Acasio, Colo.
2 Carolyn Jane Larsen, b. 29 March, 1938, San Acasio, Colo.
3 Betty Ann Larsen, b. 21 Jan., 1941, San Acasio, Colo.
4-9 Elsa Luster, b. 10 Feb., 191 9, Mesita, Colo., m. 2 July, 1937,
Woodrow Wilson Ford, b. i March, 1914, son of George
Ford and Cora White. Two children. Reside Mesita, Colo.
5-1 Lenora Raye Ford, b. 3 Oct., 1939, Mesita, Colo.
2 Norma Gene Ford, b. 12 June, 1941, Mesita, Colo.
4-10 Viola Luster, b. 15 June, 1920, Mesita, Colo., m. 19 Sept.,
1938, James S. Ford, son of George Ford and Cora White.
Two children.
Nellie May Ford, b. 18 Feb., 1940.
James Reuben Ford, b. 4 Feb., 1941.
3-4 Alma Leroy Kirby, b. 12 May, 1888, Sanford, Colo., m.
Leah Block, b. 10 Aug., 1894, daughter of Chris J. Block
and Boletta Paulson. She wrote the sketch of Emmaline
M. Crowther and assisted in the sketch of Thomas A.
Crowther. Reside at Sanford, Colo. Five children were
born to them. Farmer — a good man.
4-1 Leroy Allen kirby, b. 6 Oct., 19 16, Sanford, Colo., m.
,. , Lois Ellen Duxted, daughter of
and , b. 21 Sept., 1916. One child.
School teacher and musician, was Allen Kirby.
5-1 Sylvia Gay Kirby, b. 6 April, 1940.
4-2 Helen Lucy Kirby, b. 7 July, 191 8, Sanford, Colo.
3 Fred B. Kirby, b. 27 May, 1921, Sanford, Colo.
4 Virginia Kirby, b. 3 May, 1924, Sanford, Colo.
5 Norma June Kirby, b. 24 June, 193 1, Sanford, Colo.
3-5 Nellie May Kirby, b. 18 Jan., 1892, Sanford, Colo., d. 31
March, 191 8, bur. Sanford, Colo., m - - Eules
Ross Guthrie, b. 13 April, 1889, son of
and He m. -----■•
He is L.D.S. bishop of Alamosa Ward, San Luis Stake.
Three children were born to first wife.
4-1 Alma Ross Guthrie, b. 12 May, 1913, Alamosa, Colo., m.
.., daughter of —
" " " ' b Filled a
mission for the L.D.S. Church in Holland.
120 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
4-2 Doris Mae Guthrie, b. i June, 1914, Alamosa, Colo., d.
, 1941, Provo, Utah, m. Myron Morgan Thomas,
son of Joseph F. Thomas and Ethel Mickelsen, 15 Aug.,
1933, Salt Lake Temple. One child.
5-1 Haynes Morgan Thomas, b. 9 Aug., 1934, Alamosa, Colo.
4-3 Erma Lee Guthrie, b. 17 May, 191 7, Alamosa, Colo.
3-6 Parley Kirby, b. 11 Dec, 1895, Sanford, Colo., m. 1915,
Bettina Holt, b. 24 May, 1898, daughter of Holt and
Lula Hutchins. Seven children. Reside at Bakersfield, Cal.
4-1 Norval Kirby, b. 11 June, 1916, Sanford, Colo., m.
Lois Morris. Two children.
5-1 Ronnold David Kirby, b. 14 Aug., 1936.
2 Karen Marie Kirby, b. 31 Aug., 1940.
4-2 Ivan Kirby, b. 23 April, 191 8, Alamosa, Colo.
4-3 Howard Kirby, 15 Oct., 1919, Alamosa, Colo.
4 Lola Marie Kirby, b. 8 May, 1921, Alamosa, Colo., m. 6
Oct., 1940, William Mack Parker, b. , son of
and
5 William H. Kirby, b. 28 March, 1924, Bell, Calif.
6 Eldon Ray Kirby, b. 31 Jan., 1926, Bell, Calif.
7 Ivan S. Kirby, b. 29 March, 1929, Bell, Calif.
A SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF
LAURA MARIA CROWTHER MORGAN
Written by Her Daughter, Pearl Morgan Daniels
And Her Granddaughter, Laura Morgan Harmsen
Laura Maria Crowther was born in Fountain Green,
Utah, on March 25, 1864 — the daughter of Thomas
Crowther and Jane Jewkes and the sixth child. In this
history sketch she will be called "Aunt Laura."
She spent her childhood and grew to maturity in
Fountain Green with her father, mother, brothers and
sisters. She went to school and received the best edu-
cation that Fountain Green afforded. There were no
free schools at that time and only three months of
school a year with a tuition fee of from one dollar for
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 121
the younger children up to two dollars and a half a
month for the older children for each child. At home,
she was taught the arts of homemaking — sewing, cook-
ing and housekeeping at which she excelled.
Growing up in a home where the father and mother
were deeply religious and taught the gospel to their
children, she always had a great love and appreciation
of her church. It came very naturally for her to attend
Sunday School and Sacrament meeting, not only as a
child, but all of her life. There was no Primary when
she was a girl but she attended Mutual regularly.
Having three brothers and six sisters. Aunt Laura
had plenty of companionship and she loved them all
dearly. Her brothers liked to tease her, which was a
natural thing, and Uncle Tommy once said to vex her,
that when she was married he would cut the buttons
off her children's clothes. She often told this before
him and her children and they all laughed together.
Since Uncle Will was just younger they played to-
gether in childhood and there was always a close tie
between them. One time they were playing and he
had to cut some wood for the playhouse. She was stoop-
ing down, gathering it up as fast as he cut it, and
somehow she got under the ax and he cut quite a piece
out of the top of her head. It bled freely and nearly
frightened him to death as he thought he had killed
her. She always bore this scar, but the hair grew back
over it.
She was a beautiful girl with a fair complexion, eyes
as blue as the sky above and her golden brown hair was
long and thick. She was of average height and a strong,
healthy girl. She weighed i6o pounds in her youth and
was a big woman, but light on her feet. She was always
active, even past middle age. Aunt Sarah Jane loved
122 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
to tell Aunt Laura's children what a beautiful girl their
mother had been. At the age of 74, when she passed
away, her face still bore the marks of a clear, pure beauty.
Death never robbed her of the beauty that had been
hers in life.
In those days children were taught to work and the
older children often helped away from home when it
was possible to earn what they could to help with the
younger children. So it was that she "worked out"
some. Since Fountain Green was a small town, the
only opportunity open to girls was house work. She
often went early in the morning, washing on a board,
scrubbing board floors and working hard all day for
twenty-five cents, which she turned over to her mother
to help with the rest of the family.
She was born with a beautiful voice and could sing
like a lark when a little girl. People passing by would
stop to listen and marvel at the clear, sweet, melodious
notes coming from the throat of a child. Her brothers
and sisters were proud of her voice and loved to hear her
sing. She was always called upon to take part in en-
tertainments in school and in socials. Having a sweet,
kind, generous nature, she loved to do things to make
others happy and was never selfish with her voice.
Uncle Will, who is an accomplished musician himself
and has a beautiful voice, says that all of the Crowthers
could sing, but her voice was the best, and if it had
been trained she would have been another Jennie Lind.
They would stand outside and listen to the choir and
could tell her voice soaring above all of the others.
Fountain Green did not have any musical training to
offer until after she had moved away.
She had a girl friend named Em Miles and they
went to Mutual and choir practice together. Aunt
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY
123
Laura sang soprano and Em sang alto. On the way
home, walking along as girls will, slowly with their
arms linked together, they would sing. Their voices
f^
George David Morgan, Laura Maria Crowther Morgan and Child
blended perfectly and as the night air caught up the
song of the two sweet girlish voices and carried A along
124 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
it sounded glorious. Her brothers, sisters, and the
neighbors coming along would stand outside and listen
as long as the girls sang.
Aunt Laura was a joly and good natured girl and
enjoyed the company of other young people, naturally
she was popular and had her share of "beaus." At six-
teen she was married to a neighbor boy who had courted
and won her love. He was quite an athlete and a good
wrestler and being an ambitious lad he had worked and
saved his money so they could be married.
George David Morgan was born in Santaquin, Utah,
on June 24, 1858, and was the third son of Thomas
Morgan and Fanny Vizzard. He took Aunt Laura to
Salt Lake City from Fountain Green and they were
married Nov. 18, 1880 in the Endowment house as the
temple wasn't finished then. They made the trip in
their covered wagon and it took them a week.
Besides the team and wagon they had three hundred
dollars, which was a neat sum in those pioneer times
when money was scarce and hard to get. Uncle George
had herded cattle, cut cord wood and worked on the
railroad to save this "nest egg." In Fountain Green they
bought a lot and built a house on it.
Here their first two children, Loretta and Frank,
were born. The winter Loretta was a baby one time
they got up in the middle of the night, wrapped her up
warmly and carried her six blocks to Grandma Crowth-
er, sure that something serious was wrong with her.
The worried young mother was only 17 and the father
23 as they hurried along and how their hearts yearned
over this small bit of humanity of their own. Grandma
Crowther took the baby and examined her but could
find nothing wrong, some freakish trick of baby nature
had frightened them. She lay in her grandmother's
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 125
arms laughing and cooing but doing none of the strange
things she had done at home. So the two young parents
wrapped their treasure back up and carried her home
with peace in their hearts.
Since Fountain Green was a small town and offered
little chance for work, Uncle George had to be away
from home part of the time. He worked wherever he
could find a good honest job. After they had been
married a few years, Uncle Tommy, who had been
called to Colorado with several more Saints to settle
there, came back to Utah on a visit. He told them what
wonderful possibilities Colorado offered and how much
land there was that was open for farming, and he and
Aunt Mary liked it. Aunt Laura and Uncle George
talked it over and decided to try it themselves.
They sold their home, packed their household ef-
fects in wagons and with their two litde children started
for Colorado. Two of Uncle George's brothers, Tom
and John, were in the company. It was a long, slow,
hard journey and the baby, Frank, forgot how to walk.
They arrived in the San Luis Valley in September, just
six weeks after they had left Fountain Green, and settled
in Richfield. They bought 20 acres of land and built
another house, and here, Jennie (Fannie Jane) was
born. Uncle Tom and Uncle John Morgan lived with
them for a year.
The people of Ephraim and Richfield decided, since
there was so much alkali and the water wasn't good at
either place, that they would meet together on the bench
and settle a town. It was called Sanford. After a year
spent in Richfield, Aunt Laura and Uncle George sold
their land and bought a lot in Sanford. Uncle George
built a two room log house and they planted apple trees
126 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
and currant bushes. The apple trees are still there but
the little log house has been moved away.
In this home Hugh, Pearl, Myrtle, Jess, Wilford,
Hemming and Amy were born and the children spent
their childhood. It was here also that the first real
sorrow came. On May 6, 1887, the oldest child, Loretta,
who was five, died with brain fever. Her's was the
first grave in the Sanford cemetery. Fifteen years later,
April 15, 1902, Amy passed away with membranous
croup and was buried by the side of her sister. Amy
was the baby then and 18 months old.
Aunt Laura was very busy these first years when
the children were small. All of the washing for the
entire family had to be done on a wash board, the floors
were scrubbed on hands and knees and the soap had
to be made. Through the early years all of the clothes
for the entire family had to be made by hand, all of
their stockings had to be knitted. Sometime later they
went into partnership with Aunt Mary and Uncle Will
and bought a knitting machine and took turn about
using it. In the winter mittens and wristlets had to be
knitted for the men and children. The cooking was
also a big problem, and she had to make every bite of
bread that her family ate, skim the milk and churn
the butter and she also made cheese. This cheese making
was quite a process and took a lot of time.
Uncle George was a busy man, too. From the time
he got up in the morning with a cheery whistle on his
lips (he was always an early riser), until he went to
bed, he was busy. His neighbors could always tell when
Uncle George was harnessing his horses by the tune he
whistled, even though it wasn't yet light enough to
see. Raising a crop in those days wasn't play with the
crude implements they had to use. The ground was
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 127
plowed with a walking plow, the harrow consisted of
a wooden frame with iron pegs and the grain was
broadcast and harrowed in. The first drills were
walking drills. The harvest Was all done by hand, too,
there being no binders the grain was "cradled." Uncle
George was known as one of the best "cradlers" in the
country when he was young and could cradle five acres
of grain a day.
There was romance in the life of the Morgans, even
in a two-room log cabin with homemade furniture.
Although Aunt Laura had her hands full with the
children and household duties, somehow she always
found time to make the pretty hand-made things that
make a house a home. Her house was always clean
and in order and crocheted and braided rugs were on
the floor, there was hand work on the linens, and
patchwork quilts covered her beds. With all of the
beds she had to provide covers for there was never a
bought quilt on them. Her windows were full of house
plants in bloom. She had a knack with flowers— per-
haps because she loved them so much— and they grew
and bloomed beautifully for her.
Her hands were always busy and as she sat and
rocked the cradle with her foot her fingers were sewing,
knitting, mending, crocheting or embroidering, and
she did them all nicely. As she worked she hummed a
tune or sang softly. Yes, there was romance in this
litde home which was so full of love and tenderness—
between the father and mother, between the parents
and their children and between the children. They
loved their home as children and today they love the
memories they have of it. It was a real home where
true love reigned.
Quilt making in itself was no small task, but like
128 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
Others one in which she found a great deal of pleasure.
First a pattern had to be decided on, then all of the
scraps of cloth were laid out and the pieces cut and
then they had to be pieced. When the top was put to-
gether and the lining made the bat had to be made.
Wool made the warmest quilts so when the sheep were
sheared so much wool was put away for quilts. This
wool had to be washed, and none but those who have
washed wool can appreciate the real labor there is in-
volved in the process. After the wool was dry it had to
be 'picked' and 'corded' and was then ready for the
quilt. Sometimes the neighbors and relatives would
be summoned to come and spend the day or afternoon
"quilting," but many times they were entirely quilted
by her own fingers.
They bought more land near Sanford and since
Uncle George was a good farmer as well as being
thrifty and industrious, they got ahead. The milk cow
at the start soon turned into a herd. He always had
good horses. He also was a first class butcher and it
took lots of meat for a family. Besides butchering his
own meat he butchered for his neighbors and also for
the market. The cattle were brought to him and he got
the hide, head, heart, liver and tallow for his work. He
could dress a beef for the market in an hour and a half.
He traded beef heads to Hugh Jones for fruit trees
which were planted. Aunt Laura made soap out of the
tallow.
Here is the story of how he got his first sheep. He
traded old Bird (a four year old horse) to Peter Mort-
ensen for 41 head of sheep. This was the beginning of
his sheep business. Later he went into partnership with
Uncle Will, Uncle Frank, and Uncle Tommy and to-
gether they bought 3,200 head of sheep from the Bond
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY ,2,
Brothers at Espanola, N. Mex. They homesteaded land
in New Mexico to run them on and were in partnership
for about two years, then, the range being dry and the
losses heavy. Uncle Frank and Uncle Tommy quit but
Uncle George and Uncle Will stayed together with the
sheep for a good many years. Frank and Hugh, being
the older boys, helped herd the sheep in New Mexico.
One time Hugh stayed there all summer with his cousin,
Alma Crowdier, and he got so homesick that he said
he couldn't remember how his mother looked. Uncle
George stayed in the sheep business till he sold out to
the boys. After Hugh, Jess, Wilford, Hemming and
Harry were married they went into the sheep business
with him.
All of the years that Uncle Will and Uncle George
were partners there never was an unpleasant word be-
tween them nor a bit of trouble. Uncle Will says that
Uncle George was always the easiest man in the world to
get along with. He was never aggressive or overbearing
with anyone. Just a quiet, good natured, peaceable man,
willing for everyone to have his own way. He was
always a good provider and was as tender hearted as a
child. He loved his wife and children very dearly and
quietly enjoyed them and his home. He was a Just
man too, treating his neighbors as he would like to be
treated.
At the Pioneer Day celebration held in Sanford
July 24, 1941, Swen Petersen, a prominent business man
of Sanford who had done a great deal of business with
Uncle George — said in the program that George Morgan
was one of the most honest men he had ever known
and the best "grain cradler."
Always a sociable family the house was usually full
of company, old and young alike. All of the Crowthers,
130 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
that is Thomas and Jane Crowther and their children
except Mary Ann, once Hved in Sanford. Uncle Frank
is the only one who took his family back to Utah. They
visited back and forth and family celebrations were al-
ways in order. They all seemed like one big family,
which in reality they were, and the Morgan children
were so close to their cousins that they seemed like
brothers and sisters. When they were together there
was music and singing.
At one time they organized a "Crowther Quartette."
Aunt Laura sang soprano, Aunt Zill sang alto, Uncle
Will sang base and Aunt Zill's husband, Uncle Holm
Mortensen, sang tenor. Since Uncle Will had had two
year's musical training he was the leader. On Sundays
they would all have the evening meal together at one
of their homes and after the dishes were washed and put
away they would sing until bedtime or after. Aunt
Mary Will and Uncle George sat back enjoying the
music and quietly chatting. They also met on certain
nights once or twice a week to practice. This quartette
was very popular and even famous. They sang at social
entertainments, church programs. Stake conferences,
funerals and family celebrations. They sang together
for about twenty years until Aunt Zill died.
They learned and sang 19 of Will L. Thompson's
compositions and also hymns and concert pieces. Harry
Russell recorded a number of their songs. Three of
Aunt Laura's favorites were "Whispering Hope,", "The
Flower Land," and "The Sweetest Story Ever Told."
Aunt Laura and Uncle Will often sang duets.
In about 1900 they rented the "Hamilton ranch"
which was 12 miles south of Sanford and farmed it for
seven years. This ranch contained 1000 acres, 420 acres
of farm land and the rest was hay meadow. They kept
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 131
their land near Sanford and farmed it too. They milked
i6 cows all the time they were there and made butter
and sold it to customers in Antonito. They all worked,
it was a big place and there was plenty to do.
Several things of interest happened to them while
they lived here. Harry, the baby of the family, was born
Feb. 4, 1905. On March 15 of the same year, Frank,
the oldest boy, was married. He stayed on helping with
the ranch and lived over across the field. Feb. 14, 1906,
their first grandson was born but died when three
months old. And on Sept. 23, 1907, Myrtle died. She
was the youngest girl and 17 — a beautiful, jolly, lovable
girl and the picture of health. She took typhoid fever
and though she fought it for 28 days it sapped her
strength and she passed away. She was buried in San-
ford beside her two little sisters.
After Myrtle died there were too many sad memories
on the ranch and the next spring they moved back to
Sanford. After seven years the little log house was too
small so they bought a stately, two story red brick house
in the northeastern part of Sanford. They had a big
vegetable garden west of the house and beyond that
was an apple orchard. The house was built in the south-
east corner of the lot and Aunt Laura made a flower
garden in the south and east front yards.
Growing flowers came as naturally for her as did
singing, it was a gift. She loved her flowers dearly and
spent much time and labor on them. To repay her tor
the care she gave them they bloomed profusely. She
could grow roses and other flowers that did not do well
in this high altitude with such short seasons. There
were annuals, perennials and shrubs of all kinds. She
had a knack in her planning and planting arrange-
ments and the result was magnificent.
132 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
Giving was one of the things she did best and she
loved to share her flowers. Visitors carried a bouquet
home with them and she cut her choicest blooms for
the sick. In winter when the yard was empty the win-
dows were full. In every house she lived her windows
were full of house plants. In winter many of her guests
left with a treasured slip from a rare plant or a favorite
geranium.
The children were all given every advantage that the
town had to offer in the way of schooling and church
and social activities. At home they were taught how to
work — the boys learned how to farm and care for the
stock and the girls cooking, sewing and housekeeping.
Frank, Jess and Wilford attended the Sanford district
school. Jennie and Hugh were sent to the Brigham
Young University in Provo, Utah, one year. Jennie learned
dressmaking and in later life was one of the best dress-
makers in Sanford. Pearl and Myrtle attended the
Church school or Academy in Manassa two years. Hem-
ming graduated from the La Jara high school and Harry
from the Sanford high school. It wasn't easy to rear
eight children and it took lots of hard work and many
sacrifices, but by working together it was accomplished.
They never had the real hardships that some fami-
lies have because they were both good managers and hard
workers. They made their plans and worked together.
They always had milk cows, chickens and pigs and
their children were never hungry. Uncle George was
a good provider and Aunt Laura saved what he made,
and as the children grew up they learned to help. They
were proud of their family and sent them to church
where they all took active parts. The boys hold the
priesthood and are all elders but Hemming, who is a
high priest. Those who weren't married in the temple
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 133
have been since and all have their families sealed to
them.
Frank bought the lot north of them and lived in
Sanford until 1913 when he bought a ranch two miles
west of Bountiful where he moved his family and still
makes his home. He is a successful farmer and stock-
man and has a dairy herd and beef cattle and a few
hundred head of sheep. He is the only boy who didn't
go into the sheep business on a large scale. He served
as first counselor in the Bountiful Sunday School for two
years and as superintendent three and one-half years.
He teaches the Advanced Senior class in the Romeo
Ward Sunday School at the present time.
The fall after they moved back to Sanford, Pearl
was married in the Manti temple. Always a home girl
she never got very far from her parents. She is a born
entertainer and a leader in Sanford's social life. She is
well known for the lovely parties she gives in her ele-
gant home. For years she has taken in school teachers.
She was president of the Sanford Ward Primary seven
years.
Two years later Jennie married and has always made
her home in Sanford. She lost her husband with the
flu in that memorable winter of 1918 and has never
married again. They had four little girls when Ernest
died, their ages ranging from eight years to four months.
She worked hard to bring up her girls and is still working.
Uncle George and Aunt Laura gave Pearl and
Jennie the lot where the little log house had been. Their
homes are side by side as their husbands built them—
they both married carpenters.
Jess and Hugh were married next— Jess in the Manti
temple and Hugh in Manassa. Hugh lost his wife in
1934 but married again. He loved athletics and followed
134 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
the basket ball teams all over the state loyally cheering
for Sanford. He was quite a wrestler and loved horses.
Jess has the distinction of having the largest family
and the only twins in the Morgan family. Twin girls
were their first-born, but only lived one day — there are
three boys and four girls living. Jess is a born trader
and is called a second Uncle Richard Crowther.
Wilford married in Sanford and settled in the
southern part of town. He was a soldier in the first
World War and served as superintendent of the Sanford
Ward Sunday School seven years. He built the first
motion picture theatre in Sanford and successfully oper-
ated it for several years. The building burned down
and was never rebuilt. Sanford has never had another
theatre.
Hemming filled an honorable two year mission in
the Central States. After he returned home he served as
Stake president of the Y. M. M. I. A. three years; as
superintendent of the Sanford Ward Sunday School
four or five years; and was a counselor in the Sanford
Ward Bishopric for six years. At the present time he
is Scoutmaster of the Sanford Ward, the Gospel Doc-
trine teacher in the Sunday School and is treasurer of
the Sanford district school board and has held this posi-
tion the past ten years. He was married in the Salt Lake
Temple.
After Harry married he bought the old Grandpa
Crowther home, a block from his parents. He took an
active part in the Y. M. M. I. A. and has served as Stake
president and a counselor in the Sanford Ward.
After they were married Hugh, Jess, Wilford, Hem-
ming and Harry went into the sheep business with their
father and also farmed together. The partnership was
dissolved several years ago and Uncle George sold his
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 135
sheep but the boys are still in the sheep business. Wil-
ford, Hemming and Harry started shearing sheep sev-
eral years ago and every spring shear all over Colorado,
Wyoming and Montana. They are considered top
hands.
Jess is the shortest boy and is five feet eleven inches
tall and weighs i8o pounds. Wilford and Harry are
the tallest and are six feet and one inch. Frank and
Hemming are the heaviest and weigh about 200 pounds.
Jennie and Pearl are average height and stout. They
are the true representatives of a father and mother who
have kept the word of wisdom.
The boys have all been athletes. Frank, Hugh, Jess
and Wilford played baseball, then basketball became
popular and the younger boys took it up. Hemming
and Harry have both played professional basketball since
they finished school; Hemming as a guard and Harry
as a forward. Harry is considered one of the most out-
standing players the San Luis Valley has ever produced
and is the highest scoring man in Colorado. He has
played basketball 14 years and has toured the west in
tournaments. This talent is carried down by the sons
of Hugh, Jess, Wilford and Hemming, as they are big,
husky boys and are all basketball and football players
of considerable talent.
While they lived in the brick house Aunt Laura
fell through a step on the stairs one day and hurt her
leg. For years she had trouble with this leg and al-
though in time it healed completely she wore a rubber
stocking on it for the rest of her life.
About 1917 they had a new house built on the
southwest corner of the same block where Jennie and
Pearl live. This house was a beautiful modern gray
stucco bungalow with seven dormers. It was a five room
136 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
house with bath, pantry and two porches and was built
by their sons-in-law. It is located on Main street and
near the center of town, the church and stores being
only a few blocks away.
It took lots of planning and hard work to build this
new home. Aunt Laura and Uncle George both did
their share. She took all of the orphan lambs that she
could handle and raised them on the bottle and that
fall sold them for one hundred sixteen dollars. This
lamb money put all of the windows and doors in the
new house. Nor was this the beginning or the end of
Aunt Laura's pet lambs. Every spring for years before
this, and for years after, in fact as long as she was able,
she took orphan lambs in the spring and raised them
on bottles.
They had big windows made especially for her
house plants. In the dining room there was a bay
window and besides the plants in the windows she had
several stands with ferns on and one big Christmas
cactus. This house was luxuriously furnisheci and be-
fore Aunt Laura died she had everything that her heart
desired: the beautiful home that she had always wanted,
planned and worked for was a reality ; in it was her mate
who had worked and planned with her all through the
years; and her children were near and came to see her
often and she was able to do for herself.
After they moved to the new home Hugh bought
the brick house and spent the rest of his life there. The
two houses were only three blocks apart. Jess bought
across the street on the west from them and Hemming
on the south and built both homes. Aunt Laura and
Uncle George were always proud of their large family
and it was a great satisfaction to them that their chil-
dren were so close — all within a few blocks except
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 137
Frank, and he was only eight miles, or a few minutes
drive, away.
This new home became one of the most attractive
places in Sanford. The house faced the west and a lawn
was planted in front. On the south was an orchard and
a small flower and vegetable garden on the north,
separated from the lawn by shrubbery. Between the
cement walks and the house flowers were planted. Along
the sidewalk in front was a row of shade trees. In the
back there were the large vegetable garden, raspberry
bushes and rhubarb. The yard was a mass of blooms
all through the season. The peonies around the lawn on
the north side were a rare sight — large, bushy plants
covered with big, beautiful flowers. Her peonies were
all colors, some of the plants having shaded flowers.
As the years went by Uncle George did less work
in the field and devoted most of his time to the chores,
the garden and the yard. As it grew harder for Aunt
Laura to get around, she satisfied herself with helping
less out-of-doors but always supervised the care of her
flowers.
But as Aunt Laura became less active she was busier
than ever with her fingers. She had more time now to
spend on her quilts and fancy work, and she was never
idle. She was very fond of quilt making and was very
adept at it. Now when such wonderful materials were
available she made some very beautiful quilts. She
sought out the most attractive patterns for both fashion-
ing and quilting and made both pieced and appliqued.
Quilt making never lost its charm for her and she was
still making quilts when she became ill the last time.
Another ' thing she liked especially was dishes and
she was very proud of her china closet. In it she kept
all of the pretty and unusual dishes that had been given
138 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
to her and it was full of lovely glass and china, some of
them being heirlooms.
Aunt Laura took an active part in church activities
as long as she was able. Her Relief Society record
stands out as a testimonial of her long years of service —
for 35 years she was a member of the Sanford Ward
Relief Society. She served as a counselor at one time
and for a good many years helped care for the dead.
She helped wash and lay them out and then make their
clothes. At that time ready-made burial clothes and
morticians were almost unknown things. She was also
a visiting teacher and helped with every part of the
work carried on by the Relief Society. At the time of
her death she was still making temple aprons for this
organization. When Hugh died, ten months after her
death, he was buried in one of the temple aprons that
she had made.
She was certainly a "ministering angel" to the sick
and those in need or trouble. At her funeral, it was said
of her that there wasn't a home in Sanford, except those
built recently, that she had not visited some time in her
life in the capacity of helper or comforter in times of
sickness, trouble or death. Time after time she was
summoned by a neighbor's child and left her own house-
hold duties to help in whatever capacity she was needed
— in sudden illness, an accident or before childbirth.
Her life was spent in service for others and no self-
sacrifice was too much to give and she was always a
hard worker also being industrious and thrifty. After
her family grew up and modern time-saving appliances
became available she adjusted her time in such a manner
that she was still busy. She liked creating things with
her own hands, never tired of the exacting labor her
flowers required, not to mention the household cares,
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 139
and she was fond of reading and kept up an active cor-
respondence with both her own and Uncle George's
distant relatives.
Having a gracious nature and being naturally a
lover of mankind, her home was filled with much com-
pany. She enjoyed having her own children and their
families as well as other relatives and friends come in
for a meal often and to spend the afternoon, evening or
a full day. Being mild in nature, she could be relied
upon to welcome anyone at any time with friendliness
and affection. She was also a good entertainer and a
cordial and generous hostess. She liked to "feed" people
and always had pie, cake, cookies or fruit on hand when
someone "dropped in" for a chat. Especially was this
true with her grandchildren and great grandchildren,
although she was never partial and the grown-ups were
fed along with the children whether relation or friends.
Aunt Laura and Uncle George made several trips
back to Utah and she made several trips to other places.
She enjoyed traveling and visiting and taking short
sightseeing trips ; but not Uncle George. He was content
to have her go and leave him home to see that everything
was done. And she was a great home-body, too.
November i8, 1930, they observed their golden wed-
ding anniversary and this was a red letter day in their
lives. Together they shared 58 years of true love with
joy and sorrow intermingled. Their lives were filled
with usefulness and unselfishness and they achieved the
things that are worth working for and together shared
the happiness that is the just reward of honest labor.
They were both honorable and courageous and never
did a questionable thing in their lives. Two of ^ her
granddaughters and one niece were named "Laura" for
her.
140 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
Aunt Laura passed away April 19, 1938. She died
as she had Hved, with her children all near. At this
time there were eight children, 31 grandchildren and 15
great grandchildren. They all attended her funeral with
the exception of one granddaughter and her children,
who were in Phoenix, Arizona with a sick husband and
father. She lay in state in her own home, it being her
wish that she should never be taken to a mortuary. Her
funeral was held in the Sanford Ward Chapel under
the direction of the Sanford bishopric, the house was
filled and the floral offerings were numerous. The pall
bearers were her six stalwart sons, all honorable men
that any mother could be proud to own. She was buried
in the Sanford cemetery by Loretta, Amy and Myrtle.
Just ten months and two days after her death, Hugh,
the second son, passed away and was buried in the same
cemetery.
Uncle George is still living and is hale and hearty.
He makes his home with Pearl and is active for a man
83 years young. He milks six cows every night and
morning and rides a horse to and from the pasture. He
works, not from necessity, but because he still had rather
work than do anything else.
A noble heritage Aunt Laura has given her posterity
and through her the Crowther tradition still lives in the
Morgan family in the fourth generation. In the July
issue of the 1941 "Children's Friend" was printed a pio-
neer story taken from the life of Thomas Crowther, who
came to Utah from England for the sake of the Gospel,
and written by Aunt Laura's great granddaughter — Con-
stance Jane Harmson. She lived to see her parents,
sisters and all but one brother (Uncle Will) pass into
the great beyond.
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 141
LAURA MARIA CROWTHER'S DESCENDANTS
2-6 Laura Maria Crowther, b. 25 March, 1864, Fountain Green,
Utah, d. 19 April, 1938, Sanford, Colo., m. 18 Nov., 1880,
Salt Lake City, Utah, George David Morgan, b. 24 June,
1858, Santaquin, Utah, son of Thomas Morgan and Fannie
Vizzard. Eleven children. Residence, Sanford, Colo.
3-1 Laura Laurett Morgan, b. 30 October, 1881, Fountain Green,
Utah, d. 6 May, 1887, Sanford, Colo.
3-2 George Franklin Morgan, b. 28 May, 1883, Fountain Green,
Utah, m. 15 March, 1905, Hamilton Ranch, Conejos Coun-
ty, Colo., Mary Jane McKinzie, b. 27 July, 1886, Manassa,
Color. Three children. Endowed Arizona Temple 7 Dec,
1938. Successful farmer and stock raiser. Bountiful, Colo.
4-2 Mary Laura Morgan, b. 30 Sept., 1907, Laisla, Colo., m.
28 Dec, 1927, La Jara, Colo., Christian Nicolas Harmson,
b. 20 July, 1905, Walnut, Iowa. Two children.
5-1 Constance Jane Harmson, b. 29 Nov., 1931, La Jara, Colo.
5-2 Dennis Frank Harmson, b. 16 Sept., 1934, La Jara, Colo.
3-4 Alva Hugh Morgan, b. i Jan., 1887, Sanford, Colo., m.
1916, Margaret De Priest, b. 3 Jan., 1894, Manassa, Colo.,
d. 21 Aug., 1934, daughter of Thomas De Priest and
Four children.
4-1 Vernell Hugh Morgan, b. 23 Nov., 1917, Sanford, Colo.
2 Aloa Morgan, b. 16 Sept., 1919, Sanford, Colo., m. 9 May,
1936, Harold R. Richardson, b. 16 March, 191 5, Manassa,
Colo., son of Richard S. Richardson and Clara Biddinger.
One child.
5-1 Anita Kay Richardson, b. 13 Sept., 1938, Manassa, Colo.,
where they reside.
4-3 Olive Morgan, b. 19 May, 1922, Manassa, Colo.
4-4 De Von Morgan, b. 16 Aug., 1920, Sanford, Colo., where
the three children reside.
3-3 Fanny Jane Morgan, b. 14 May, 1885, Sanford, Colo., m.
Jan. 1908, Sanford, Colo., George Ernest Wright, b. 25
April, 1889, d. 18 Dec, 19 18, Sanford, Colo., son of Geo.
Wright and Minnie A. Danniels. Four children.
4-1 Ella Myrila Wright, b. 25 Aug., 191 o, Sanford, Colo., m.
25 July, 1929, Clifford Mickelsen, b. 4 Sept., 1905, Sanford,
Colo., son of Rasmus Mickelsen and Ellis Cornuni. Three
142 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
children. He is a cripple from accident; goes in wheel
chair. Does lots of work in carpenter shop.
5-1 MoUie Ray Mickelsen, b. 9 March, 1930, Sanford, Colo.
2 Derral Ernest Mickelsen, b. 24 Nov., 1931, Sanford, Colo.
3 Kalvin Clifford Mickelsen, b. 11 Jan., 1936, Sanford, Colo.
4-2 Alice Wright, b. 20 May, 1913, Sanford, Colo., m. William
Canty, 5 Aug., 1931, b. 26 April, 1901, son of Alonzo
Canty and Henretta Paterson. Child. Reside at Sanford,
Colo.
5-1 Jenny Marvin Canty, b. 20 Dec, 1932, Sanford, Colo.
4-3 Laura Dee Wright, b. 7 April, 191 5, Sanford, Colo., m. 16
June, 1935, Francis Whitney (widower), son of Job H.
Whitney and Georgia Mitchell, b. 21 Dec, 1900, Sanford,
Colo. One child.
5-1 David Larry Whitney, b. 28 March, 1936, Sanford, Colo.
4-4 Chloe Wright, b. 23 Aug., 191 8, Sanford, Colo., m. 9 May,
1936, Alamosa, Colo. Endowed in Salt Lake Temple 8
March, 1938 to Milton A. Rogers, b. 13 June, 1916, Man-
assa, Colo., son of B. Car Rogers and Mary C. Mitchell.
Two children. Reside in Manassa, Colo.
5-1 Lonnie Milton Rogers, b. 20 Oct., 1938, Sanford, Colo.
5-2 Dannie Edward Rogers, b. 17 Oct., 1941.
4-2 Hazel Morgan, b. 30 Aug., 191 0, Sanford, Colo., m. 17
Sept., 1927, Charles Wendall King, b. 26 June, 1912, Man-
assa, Colo., son of Charles G. King and Emma W. Chris-
tensen. Six children. Reside at Albuquerque, New Mex.
5-1 Marie King. b. 25 Nov., 1929, La Jara, Colo.
2 Terence Morgan King, b 21 Aug., 1931, La Jara, Colo.
3 Billie Lou King, b. 2 April, 1933, La Jara, Colo.
4 Kathleen King, b. 8 July, 1935, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
5 Gary Wendall King, b. 21 June, 1937, Albuquerque, N. M.
6 Madelyn Yetive King, b. 21 Aug., 1939, Albuquerque, N. M.
4-3 Raymond Franklin Morgan, b. 14 Feb., 1906, La Isla,
Colo., d. 4 May, 1906. Sealed to parents Mesa Temple,
6 June, 1939.
3-5 Ina Pearl Morgan, b. 18 Dec, 1888, Sanford, Colo., m. 14
Oct., 1907, Manti Temple, Utah, James L. Daniels, b. 15
Feb., 1887, Manassa, Colo., son of James H. Daniels and
Mary E. Hedrick. Carpenter by trade. Two children
(adopted). Res., Sanford, Colo.
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 143
4-1 James Junior Daniels, b. 15 Aug., 1925.
2 Shirley Jeane Daniels, b. 28 Jan., 1929.
3-6 Ella Myrtle Morgan, b. 14 Jan., 1890, Sanford, Colo., d.
23 Sept., 1906.
3-7 Jesse Earl Morgan, b. 6 May, 1893, Sanford, Colo., m. 9
June, 1916, Greeta Martin, b. 7 June, 1895, Sanford, Colo.,
daughter of William L. Martin and Vesta Hostetter. Nine
children.
4-1 Eleone Morgan, b. 30 June, 19 17, Sanford, Colo. Twin, d.
I July, 1917.
2 Leone Morgan, b. 30 June, 1917, Sanford, Colo. Twin, d.
6 July, 1917.
3 Quin Morgan, b. 16 Dec, 1918, Sanford, Colo.
4 Richard M. Morgan, b. 20 Sept., 1920, Sanford, Colo.
5 Jay Everet Morgan, b. 15 Nov., 1922, Sanford, Colo.
6 Lena Mae Morgan, b. 13 Feb., 1928, Sanford, Colo.
7 Venna Dee Morgan, b. 3 June, 1930, Sanford, Colo.
8 Carol Lee Morgan, b. 26 June, 1932, Sanford, Colo.
9 Laverd Morgan, b. 20 June, 1937, Sanford, Colo.
3-8 Wilford Ray Morgan, b. 25 Aug., 1896, Sanford, Colo., m.
5 June, 1918, Ada Block, b. 10 Feb., 1900, Sanford, Colo.,
daughter of Chris J. Block and Bolette Poulson. Six children.
He served in the first World War. Resides at Sanford, Colo.
4-1 Wilford Dean Morgan, b. 28 March, 1919, Sanford, Colo.,
m. 31 Oct., 1941, b - daughter
of Wm. Christensen and Edith Dalton.
2 Grant Block Morgan, b. 17 Jan., 1921, Sanford, Colo.
3 Donald Morgan, b. 21 Dec, 1923, Sanford, Colo.
4 Ray George Morgan, b. 6 Dec, 1925, Sanford, Colo.
5 Glen Jay Morgan, b. 2 Nov., 1929, Sanford, Colo.
6 Janice Ann Morgan, b. i March, 1940, Sanford, Colo.
3-9 Hemming Vivian Morgan, b. 26 Dec, 1898, Sanford, Colo.,
m. 27 June, 1923, Salt Lake Temple, Edith Lenninton, b.
17 April, 1902, Kaufman, Texas, daughter of Isaac C. Len-
nington and Ella Austin. Four children. Reside at San-
ford, Colo.
4-1 Cleo La Donne Morgan, b. 20 May, 1924, Sanford, Colo.
2 Georgana Morgan, b. 18 April, 1928, Sanford, Colo.
3 Hemming Lament Morgan, b. 30 May, 1930, Sanford, Colo.
4 Lowell Morgan, b. 18 April, 1933, Sanford, Colo.
144 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
3-10 Amy Rozilla Morgan, b. 19 Oct., 1900, Sanford, Colo., d.
15 April, 1902.
3-1 1 Harry Golden Morgan, b. 4 Feb., 1905, m. 4 Feb., 1926,
June Smith, b. 2 June, , daughter of Nephi Smith
and Emma Holyoak. Two children (adopted).
4-1 Robert Lee Morgan, b. 5 March, 1929.
4-2 Harriet Joy Morgan, b. 12 Dec, 1940.
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LIFE SKETCH OF WILLIAM ORSON CROWTHER
AND MARY C. MORTENSEN
WILLIAM ORSON CROWTHER, son of Thomas
Crowther and Jane Jewkes, was born 27th of
October, 1866, at Fountain Green, Sanpete County,
Utah (in a fort built for protection from the Indians).
He was born of good parents. He was the seventh child
of a family of ten children, three sons and seven
daughters. All grew to maturity, married and reared
families.
Owing to the early settlement of Utah, separated a
thousand miles from civilization with transportation so
slow and difficult, this family had to live principally from
their immediate surroundings. The family grew up
under privations and hardships, learning the lesson of
self-support. Land was productive and abundance of
wild game existed in the nearby mountains, particularly
deer, rabbits, sage hens and prairie chickens.
"My brothers and I became Nimrods in supplying
the family with meat. Well do I remember paying my
subscription to the school teacher with venison. At
times we would get a surplus, and again we would go
scant.
"My parents were devoted Latter-day Saints and
taught their children after them to pray and have faith in
God. I was taught to pray at mother's knee. Mother was a
beautiful singer, possessed a beautiful voice, taught me
when a child many lovely songs. When about ten years
of age I would invite my playmates, boys about my age,
to our home, a short time before Christmas. There we
would drill on these songs preparatory for Christmas car-
roling. We would start on Christmas eve, visit as many
homes as time would permit until bedtime. Then again
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 147
in the morning until we had visited the entire town,
about one hundred famiHes, never daring to miss
anyone. The people expected us, they would prepare
some little dainties for us, Danish beer, cakes, apples,
candy and make our visits pleasant for us and themselves.
"As I grew to be a young man, my parents assisted me
in getting a gun, a violin and a piccolo. I was sent to
night school, to Professor A. C. Smyth, a very competent
musician from London, England. I mastered vocal music
very well. Played the piccolo in the band and the violin
in the orchestra. I with a companion, William Collard,
who also learned the violin, were put in charge of the
Sunday School choir. We had no organ. We two
played the violins and an aged man from England, a new
arrival, Benjaman Gould, a very large man and a power-
ful bass singer, played the cello. This combination
answered very well as a substitute for an organ.
"We had many good times, took our choir to the
Stake Jubilee at Mount Pleasant in competition with ten
or more choirs from much larger towns, in all, we
thought we held our own in quality and efficiency. I
became very efficient with my gun, which was a 44
caliber rim fire Ballard, octagon barrel, one of the best
in the country at that time. I had been taught an
abiding faith in the Lord, that He would direct us in all
the affairs of life. I had read and pondered over the
history of Nephi (Book of Mormon Prophet) and his
sojourn in the wilderness with his parents and brothers.
The occasion of him breaking his bow, and all the
others had lost their spring; the sorrow and mourning
that followed, impressed me of our condition at times;
and often when wandering over the hills tired and
weary, knowing our family was in need, I have humbly
knelt and asked the Lord to guide me in the direction
148 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
to find game. I never failed to meet with success when
we were in need. Many people thought and said what a
successful hunter, but there was a secret underlying
the whole matter.
"When a young boy I met with a bad accident.
My brother James F. and I were told to cut some
Alfalfa (Lucerne) for the calves at noon. Father and
my oldest brother had gone to our field two miles
away from town for the day. While cutting this hay
I crowded to close to him, was barefoot, and when
he made a stroke with the cythe he brought it around
so far behind him it caught me just on the front of my
right foot at the ankle, cutting an ugly gash about three
inches long, causing me to go on crutches the rest of
that summer. It finally healed but left a life mark that
always remained.
"I grew up having all the opportunities of school-
ing that could be offered in a new settlement. In
those days there were no free schools. Father had to
pay our tuition which was about two dollars and fifty
cents a month for each pupil. I attended until I was
eighteen years of age. My brother, James F., fresh from
the University of Utah, was employed to teach school
in our home town. I was employed to help him with the
lower grades during the winter of 1883 and 84. During
the summers of these years I worked on the D. and R. G.
Western Railroad in Spanish Fork Canyon. This en-
vironment was surely degrading, the worst I was ever in.
The riff raff of the west had gathered there and many
of the Mormon boys from Utah and Sanpete Counties
were employed also; about two hundred men in all. We
were laying big steel rails. The grade being new, the
high waters from the melting snow washed the grade
away and caused a number of accidents; sometimes we
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 149
were called on to work all night to repair the washouts.
The Railroad Company furnished two large tents, which
we put up on a level grass spot. Each man furnished his
own bed and there we spent our evenings and Sundays.
Profanity, vulgarity, card playing, smoking and com-
peting in the singing of vulgar songs was the theme of
our associations, and sorry to say, one of our Mormon
boys was among the champions in these contests.. I had
been taught to reverence the name of God, but these
men would profane His name in their common talk and
conversation and think no more about it. The crowd
would applaud, clap their hands for more as each com-
petitor finished his song. At the end of each month
when pay day came, some of them would go to Salt
Lake City, spend their earnings; on their return would
tell in a boastful way where they had been and what
they had done. I never was nearer hell than this. I
went out among the willows along side the river after
dark, knelt down and prayed earnesdy unto my Father
in Heaven to assist me to make a living without having
to work in such environment. However I endured it
until the work was finished. The following shows how
my prayer was answered. My oldest brother, Thomas A.
and wife, my sister Laura and husband, George Morgan,
had previously located in Colorado in the San Luis Valley,
which is one of the largest valleys in the inter-mountain
west. It is in the central part of Colorado, east and
west on the southern border next to the state of New
Mexico, east of the Continental Divide, elevation 7500
feet, a cold, bleak country to live in, but very productive.
My brother-in-law, William H. Kirby, husband of my
sister Emmaline, had recently returned from a mission
in the state of Georgia. For his last three months he had
been transfered to the San Luis Valley, Colorado, to en-
150 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
courage the Saints there and teach them the art of
irrigation. On his return home he and my sister decided
to make the San Luis Valley, Colorado, their future
home. As they had no one to accompany them but
their two small children (Will and Mary Jane), they
asked my parents to give their consent for me to go with
them and drive one of their teams and assist them on
their way to Colorado, which was agreeable to all
concerned.
"I had many associates and friends I held dear and
it was a trial and sacrifice to leave them. I had been
quite active in church duties, was ordained a teacher,
March 3, 1881, and a Seventy, August 5, 1884; had taken
part in the erection of a good chapel at Fountain Green;
had hauled lumber to the Manti Temple and spent part
of one winter working on the grounds leveling the hill.
The home of my youth had become dear to me. I bid
my parents, brothers and sisters and sweetheart good bye
on the 29th of July, 1885, and we started for Colorado.
I expected to return the next year. We had a rough
experience on the way, bad roads, floods, breaking down
of one wagon wheel on the desert, severe storm at Green
River. We got one team and wagon across the river on
the ferry boat and returned for the other team when the
storm struck us. The boss said, 'Get this team off the boat
until the storm is over.' We did so; tied them to a tree and
rushed for the ferry man's tent. This was about 4 p. m.
There we stayed all night without food or bed. All our
provisions, bed and money were in the wagon on the boat
in the middle of the river. The next morning the ties
and rails of the railroad were washed off the grade for
half a mile stretch, twisted over and over, looked like a
picket fence from the distance. We traveled on after
a day's work getting straightened out. We arrived in
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 151
the San Luis Valley, Colorado on September ist, 1885,
located for the winter in the little town of Richfield,
Conejos County. It seemed a long trip. Met my brother,
Thomas A. and family, sister Laura and their family,
and many old friends who had been called by the Mormon
Church authorities from Fountain Green, Utah to go
and help settle in the San Luis Valley, Colorado. Here
I met a young woman, Mary C. Mortensen, who later
became my wife, who had emigrated from Parowan,
Utah, with her mother and a large family about six
weeks previous to my coming. The Mortensen family had
become quite numerous in southern Utah. This young
woman, Mary Caroline Mortensen, was born February
21, 1868, at Parowan, Iron Co., Utah. Her parents came
from Haarbule, Denmark in 1856, crossing the plains
to Utah in one of the belated hand-cart companies
(Captain Willie) that was fraught with so much
distaster in the death of so many of their number. My
wife was one of a large family. Her father was a
polygamist. Ten children were born to her mother and
four were born to the second wife, but never was any
distinction ever made between the fourteen children.
From a child she grew up under very much the same
environment as myself. In those days the home was
quite different than now. She was experienced in nearly
all the science of self-support, in fact the home was an
extremely versatile factory. She was skilled in them
all, including dress making, millinery, a shoe shop,
tannery, wooden mill, a cooper shop, a laundry, a dairy, a
broom factory, a kindergarten, a school, a pickeling and
botteling works, a brewery, a soap factory, a flour mill,
a meat packing establishment, a tailor shop, a knitting
mill a dance hall, a theatre, a garden and a farm— all
these we were trained in. A university of haidknocks.
152 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
"During the summer of 1886, I worked for wages
and courted my wife which took 10 hours for my
employer and long hours at night, especially when there
was a dance, but it all had to be done so we made the
best of it. I worked in the hay field along the La Jara
river, and she cooked for the crew; by the October Con-
ference in Salt Lake City, at which time the railroads
gave reduced fare, we had saved enough to take us to the
Temple at Logan, in northern Utah. We went in com-
pany with Anders Mortensen, my wife's brother and his
bride, Sina Heiselt. There we met William Collard and
his bride Matilda Weeks from my old home, also Willard
T. Guymon from Fountain Green, with his bride from
Parowan. We four couples were married in the Logan
Temple by Apostle Marriner W. Merrill on October ist,
1886. After our marriage we visited the conference at
Salt Lake City and then visited at Fountain Green, where
my parents had everything in readiness for us to stay
and make our home with them. They wanted us to take
care of the farm and them as long as they lived and
then us to have the farm and home by our paying each
of my brothers and sisters, one hundred dollars. But we
did not feel like doing this, as the place was worth much
more, and we felt it would cause the others to feel that
we had got more than our share, and rather than
have ill feelings over the estate, we declined; then we
persuaded my father and mother to let Rozilla, my sister
just younger than me, go to Colorado with us and we
would return there and make our home. They made up
their minds to make a visit to Colorado and see the
prospects for making that their home and all the family
being together, which they did during the winter of
1887, then they returned home to Fountain Green, sold
the home and farm and moved to Colorado, bringing
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 153
my two youngest sisters with them. Soon the three young-
est girls married. James F. and his family, Sarah Jane and
husband and family all came, there we were all living in
the same town of Sanford (except our oldest sister, Mary
Ann). There we had many good times together in
family reunions. Mother was the first one to pass away,
on May 2nd, 1896, which broke the family circle. Some
time after her death father moved in the west room of
our new brick house and made his home with us as
long as he lived. Mary, my wife, cooked for him and
he ate at our table. We surely appreciated having him
with us.
"After we were married and had our honeymoon
trip to Utah, we arrived back in Colorado the last
of October, bringing my sister Rozilla with us. She
made her home with Aunt Laura her sister and family.
We had our building lot selected in the new townsite
located on a high bench three miles east of the railroad
town of La Jara. It was first named Alma, then finding
there was a town of that name in Colorado, the name
was changed to Sanford, after or in honor of the president
of the Stake, Silas Sanford Smith. The outside lines of
the town were surveyed and the lines established when
we came. I helped to carry the chain and locate the
blocks, lots and streets. It was a large town site, one mile
by one and a half miles. It was decided to incorporate
the town, making two incorporations. The Richfield
people to incorporate the north half of the town as the
Sanford Town Company, and the Ephraim people to
incorporate the south half of the town under the name
of the Sanford Land Company. I was elected president
of the Sanford Town Co., with my brother Thomas A.
Crowther as secretary, Ira B. Whitney, Charles H. John-
son and William H. Kirby, directors. A year or two
154 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
later Thomas A. Crowther was called to fill a mission in
the Southern States along with Swen Peterson, and my
brother, James F. Crowther, succeeded him as secretary.
We all held these positions until every lot in our cor-
poration was deeded to the parties who had taken up
and paid for them; all parties were given their lots at
the cost of the land which amounted to about fifty cents
a year on each lot, and in a few years we had built quite
a nice little town of about one hundred thirty families,
each owning their own home. Our first home was a
little log hut 14 X 16 feet with a dirt roof, one door and
one window, a fire place in the south end, chincked and
plastered between the logs and whitewashed on the inside.
We felt very humble in so lowly a home. The cabin was
quite close to the street on the west side of the lot and
my wife made a heaven of it. Over the window and
mantel piece she would get some colored paper all
scalloped and decorate the walls, many times when a
hard rain came the roof would leak and she would
have to whitewash and during the storm put pans
on the bed to keep it dry. This process developed
patience and we endured it for eight years during which
time our first four children were born in this humble
cottage.
I rented a farm of eighty acres from Soren C.
Berthelsen for a term of three years. He sold me a
team of large mules. Jack and Grandy, also a wagon and
harness, I paid for them in wheat out of the crop by
paying a part payment each year. It was good land,
adjoining Richfield. I raised good crops and at the end
of the third year I had the team paid for, and leased the
farm for another term of three years. We made plans
to build a new house ourselves, gathered material between
crops, I worked at the saw mill for lumber, hauled rock
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 155
for the foundation and made brick two summers. By
the fall of 1894, October ist, began laying the brick.
Elijah Clapp, a good brick mason, moulded the brick
and layed them up for me, the last brick was layed by
January, 1895. Holm A. Mortensen and William T.
Morris did the carpenter work. By April 17th, 1895,
we had the center and east rooms finished so we moved
into the new house. Which day, Clara, another girl was
born to us; we were proud of this new girl and this new
home. By exchanging work with my helpers we man-
aged to have it all paid for. In this home the last six
children were born, making ten in all. It takes a heap
of livin' to make a house a home. Here were births and
deaths, one little boy, Jesse Anders, thirteen months of age
and Thomas Crowther, my father passed away in this
house while we were sitting by their side. The little boy
on September 6th, 1898 and my father died on October
2nd, 1898, these were sad experiences for us.
Many good times were enjoyed here with our family
and neighbors. On April 15th, 1888, the Sanford Ward
was organized, I was chosen as second counselor to the
Bishop, Soren C. Berthelsen. I will always praise this man
for putting me in such environment, in touch with the
general authorities of the Church, and the experiences
of eight years, then I was released and placed in charge
of the stake choir, and also the Sanford Ward choir, with
William T. Morris as organist. We had many good times
and the members gave us fine support. Then on January
31, 1899, I was chosen and set apart as Bishop of the
Sanford Ward by Abraham O. Woodruff, one of the
twelve Apostles. Marcus O. Funk and Herman K.
Christensen were my counselors, two very fine men. A
few years later both of them moved from the ward and
William C. Christensen and Swen Peterson took their
156 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
places with me. All of these men I learned to love; we
got along fine together.
On May 21, 191 1, I was released as Bishop and was
sustained as first counselor in the Stake Presidency with
Erastus S. Christensen, president, and Samuel Jackson,
second counselor. We worked with him until he was re-
leased and Hyrum S. Harris was sustained as president,
myself and Samuel Jackson continuing as counselors.
Brother Harris was a very fine man, was principal of the
San Luis Academy. He left the stake and went to Utah,
and on May 25, 1919, I was sustained as president of the
San Luis Stake with John W. Shawcroft and Samuel Jack-
son my counselors. These two men were very faithful men
and will always have a warm spot in my heart. We were
released December 6, 1924. I served in the Bishopric
for nearly twenty years, and in the Stake Presidency
thirteen years. During that time I aided in getting the
Stake Academy established, was a member of the board
of directors thirteen years and president for the last five
years until it was taken away, and a Seminary was given
us by the Church. I was also secretary of the district
school at Sanford for eighteen years. Was a member of
the Conejos County central committee during the world
war number one, when so many of our boys went away
to France and a number never returned, gave their lives
for their country. I was also president of the Sanford
Hall Company, the first brick amusement hall where we
had so many good times; where Wm. T. Morris, Holm
A. Mortensen, Job H. Whitney and many others gave
their talents in drama and dancing.
Well do I remember the little log church located
on the northeast corner of the church block, later
known as the Library building. It was the first church
built on the new town site. During the month of
, THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 157
November, 1886, Albion Haggard (who presided over
the branch of the Mormon Church) with Ephraim
Mortensen, Francis M. Mortensen, George Morgan and
WilHam O. Crowther, with their teams hauled the
logs from the Bias on the head waters of the La Jara
River in the west mountains, a very cold trip I re-
member. December 10, 1886, I went with others down
in New Mexico and worked on the D. and R. G. Rail-
road, completing the line from Espanola to Santa Fe.
We had our teams, made good wages, returned the latter
part of January, 1897. I helped to complete the little log
church, and the people of Ephraim moved their log
church and put on the end of the one we had just built.
Later the two little buildings were given to the
Relief Society of the Sanford Ward and moved onto the
west part of the same lot which belongs to this society.
The cut rock church was begun during the time Bishop
Berthelsen presided and was completed while I was
Bishop. We hauled the rock from Hot Creek Canyon,
twenty miles west. It took us twenty-two years to com-
plete this building. Swen Peterson was manager and
did a good part on this building.
In 1908 I leased the land known as the Bears Ranch,
two miles north of Sanford, consisting of 484 acres, from
Zeph Charles Felt of Denver, Colorado. About this time
our oldest son, Wm. Alma, went on a mission to Ger-
many. He returned in December, 1910, after having filled
an honorable mission. On his return I purchased this
ranch and I took the three boys, Wm. Alma Crowther,
Thomas Walter Crowther and Holm Eugene Mortensen
(my nephew) as partners, and we did business under the
name of William O. Crowther and Sons Company. We
improved this ranch, and homesteaded lands in the
mountains west, north of the Box Canyon of the La Jara
158 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH ,
river. Accumulated quite a lot of property, also debts,
and a lot of experience. After twelve years, the boys all
married and having families, by common consent we all
agreed to divide the property and disolve the partnership,
which we did, satisfactory to every one of us. The ex-
perience was a good schooling for every one of us, and
gave us an encentive to accept responsibility.
I was asked to teach in the San Luis Academy this
year, 1922, which position I accepted. Rented the Dalton
home in Manassa and moved in where we lived until
1929. In 1924, myself with six other men, Wm. C.
Christensen, Peter A. Mortensen, Thomas A. Crowther,
Jesse C. Hutchins, Ruben J. Bailey and P. A. Jack, all
Latter-day Saints, organized ourselves as a company
known as the San Luis Construction Company, with
Wm. C. Christensen as president and Wm. O. Crowther,
secretary and treasurer — purpose of building highways
or any public works. We were successful bidders on a
project building a highway of five miles in the Conejos
Canyon. I did the clerical work and handled the
funds and helped to manage the boarding of the men,
my wife managing that part and doing the cooking, with
one hired girl to help.
We finished our contract November 25, 1924, made
good wages and a margin to divide among us. In 1925,
we were successful bidders on a project between Alamosa
and Monte Vista in Rio Grande and Alamosa Counties.
We finished this project with a small margin of profit.
We then bid on a highway project on the Tennessee Pass
and was awarded the job. It was late in the season when
we got started and snow came early, we had to close down
for the winter. Don Q. our youngest son worked with
us. He received a call to go on a mission for the church
to New York State. My wife still did the cooking for
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 159
the camp with a girl helper. Don accepted the call and
left us November 3rd, 1925. Returned November 27,
1927, after filling an honorable mission. I received a letter
from the president of the Colonial State Bank of Manassa,
Colorado, asking me to take a position in the bank as
cashier, to be ready to take the place on December ist,
1925. I presented the letter to all the members of our
construction company, and they all consented for me to
accept the offer and position at the bank, but I was to
remain responsible for the finishing and obligations of
our contract, which was agreeable and understood by
all the members.
My wife and I left the boarding responsibilities
with Jesse Hutchins and wife, which they took over and
fnished up the next summer. This contract set us back
financially about four thousand dollars, it was in a very
high elevation, snow came early and stayed on until
late in the spring. It rained a great deal and made it a
handicap all the while to prosecute the work. I paid my
part of the deficiency and some of the others. I assumed
the responsibilities as cashier of the Colonial State Bank on
December ist, 1925, and remained there until October
ist, 1933. The president of the bank. Christen Jensen,
died. My wife and I were asked to accept a mission to
go and work in the Arizona Temple, which call we
accepted. We worked six winters there, coming home
for the summer months each year. Don, our son,
returned from his mission. We planned our house a
duplex building. I purchased an acre of ground from
the Jackson Investment Co., in block 31 in the Town of
Manassa, Colorado. We lived in the Dalton home
until 1929, when our new home was finished suf-
ficiently to move in. Don had married Irene Swofford, a
very fine young woman. They occupied the east side
160 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
of the house and my wife and I die west, and this was
the way the premises were divided after an equitable
settlement was made between us. We just got the new
home completed when Don and Irene left for the east,
their destination being Washington, D. C. His ambition
was to graduate in the George Washington University,
which was reached in June, 1937. My wife and I with
Clara, our daughter, and her husband, Orin Beck, visited
them and were present at the graduating exercises.
The eight years in the bank was a profitable ex-
perience. It took a year after the depression to get every
thing arranged satisfactorily. By October ist, 1933, the
bank was free from debt. We left feeling fine. We
were free from debt, we owned our home and car and
enough to keep us comfortable while gone. We were
set apart as officiators in the Mesa Temple where we
have worked six winters, have done work for a great
many of our own kindred and helped many other people
with their work.
We stayed with Uncle Anders and Sina Morten-
sen, who were married the same day with us in the
Logan Temple in 1886. During our stay each winter they
have been so good to us. We have tried to reciprocate
by helping them the best we could. We have helped all
we could in getting the Mortensen family records and
history completed for publication. Anders has spent a lot
of time and means to accomplish this end. I hope all
the Mortensen family will appreciate his efforts all down
the stream of time. My wife, Mary C. Crowther, has
been an active worker in the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints, all her life. Worked as an officer in
the Mutual Improvement Association in the Sanford
Ward soon after it was first organized, was a counselor
to Dora Sprague. Later worked in the Stake Primary
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 161
with Sister Haskell. Was a counselor to Lena Heiselt in
the Relief Society in Sanford. After moving to Manassa,
she served as counselor in the Relief Society with Dorthea
Nielsen, Then as president for a number of years, until
we went to Arizona. She is a good cook and house-
keeper, very particular and exacting. Has fed many of
the general authorities of the Church and cared for them
when they have been in this stake visiting at conference
time. She has many friends, and is beloved by her
children and grandchildren and great grandchildren.
At this date, February 21, 1942, her birthday, we have
nine children living, nine in-laws, forty-two grand-
children, fourteen grand in-laws, twenty great grand-
children, making a total of ninety-six living in our own
family. She is light complexioned, five feet-two inches
in height, weighs no lbs., never idle. She is busy knitting
sleeveless sweaters for the Red Cross to be sent to the
soldiers in the training camps. Is in good health and
enjoying life.
William Orson Crowther is six feet tall, weighs
170 lbs., light complexion, blue eyes and light brown
hair. Is president of the High Priests' Quorum of the
San Luis Stake. At this date, February 21, 1942, is in
good health, and enjoying life.
We celebrated our Golden wedding, October i, 1936.
Hope to be here for our Diamond wedding, in spite of
the Japs and Nazis and Italians.
We attribute our good health to the keeping the
Word of Wisdom all our lives. We bequeath to our
posterity, faith, hope and charity, honesty, virtue, industry,
love of God, their country and their fellow man, loyalty
and devotion to truth and righteousness to the end. No
wealth to quarrel over, but love and affection for each
other, and abiding faith in the God that created you all.
162 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
Your loving Uncle and Aunt, Father and Mother,
Grand and Great Grandpa and Grandma,
William Orson Crowther,
Mary Caroline Mortensen Crowther.
DESCENDANTS OF WILLIAM ORSON CROWTHER
2-7 William Orson Crowther, b. 27 Oct., 1866, Fountain Green,
Utah, m. I Oct., 1886, Logan Temple, Utah, Mary Caroline
Mortensen, b. 21 Feb., 1868, Parowan, Utah, daughter of
Anders Jorgen Mortensen and Christine Anderson. Ten
children. Reside, Manassa, Colo.
3-1 William Alma Crowther, b. 18 Oct., 1887, Sanford, Colo.,
m. 4 Oct., 191 1, Salt Lake Temple, Utah, Marcella Chris-
tensen, b. 20 April, 1889, Manassa, Colo., daughter of Wil-
liam Christensen and Wilhelmina Peterson. Nine chil-
dren. Reside, Sanford, Colo. Filled mission for L. D. S.
Church in Germany, 1908-10. Bishop of Sanford, 7 years.
4-1 Oneita Crowther, b. 7 Aug. 1912, Sanford, Colo., m. 24
July 1931, Floyd M. Reed, b. 17 Nov. 1907, Sanford, Colo.,
son of James Gilbert Reed and Panola White. Three children.
5-1 Frances Lorane Reed, b. 14 April, 1932, Sanford, Colo.
2 Maxine Reed, b. 6 March, 1935, Sanford, Colo.
3 Donald Wayne Reed, b. 9 Nov., 1936, Sanford, Colo.
4-2 Delsie Crowther, b. 3 Dec, 1914, Sanford, Colo., d. 7 Feb.,
1931-
4-3 Violet Crowther, b. 12 Jan., 1917, Sanford, Colo., m. 17
Feb., 1936, Walter Roy Johnson, b. 5 Dec, 1917, Alamosa
Colo., son of Alex Richard Johnson and Dora Mabel Hill.
Three children.
5-1 Beverly Jo Johnson, b. 30 Nov., 1936, Alamosa, Colo., d.
21 April, 1937.
2 Walter Alex Johnson, b. 10 Feb., 1938, Alamosa, Colo.
3 Bunny Leroy Johnson, b. 6 Sept., 1939, Alamosa, Colo.
4-4 Nadine Crowther, b. 19 June, 1921, m. 6 June, 1938, Brig-
ham F. Johnson, b. 14 April, 1912, son of John C. Johnson
and Angie Young.
4-5 William Richard Crowther, b. 6 April, 1923, Sanford, Colo,,
attending State Agricultural College, Colorado, at
4-6 Alice May Crowther, b. 13 May, 1926, Sanford, Colo.
4-7 Fern Crowther, b. 12 July, 1928, Sanford, Colo.
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 163
4-8 Robert Grant Crowther, b. 5 Jan., 193 1, Sanford, Colorado.
4-9 Janette Crowther, b. 26 July, 1934, Sanford, Colo.
3-2 Mary Estella Crowther, b. 3 Sept., 1889, Sanford, m. 8
June, Salt Lake Temple, Utah. She has always been an
active Church worker. Red Cross and public servant. Bart-
let West Dalton b. 3 Sept., 1886, son of John Cranmer
Dalton and Hannah Daphne Smith. Graduate of Utah
University, lawyer, filled mission for L. D. S. Church.
Residence, W. Los Angeles, Calif. Five children.
4-1 Mary Estella Dalton, b. 10 March, 1911, Manassa, Colo., d.
10 March, 191 1, bur. Manassa, Colo.
4-2 John Cranmer Dalton, b. i Sept., 1915, m. 9 Sept., 1935,
Miriam Smith, b. 7 June, 1913, d. June 28, 1939, Los An-
geles, Calif., bur. Salt Lake City, Utah. Daughter of Hyrum
G. Smith and Martha Gee Smith. One child.
John Cranmer Dalton, m. second wife 17 May, 1941, Arizona
Temple, Maxine Jensen, daughter of Glen A. Jensen and
Delia Keller, b. 7 July, 1920, Manti, Utah.
5-1 Juana Dalton, b. 9 Dec, 1936, Los Angeles, Calif.
3-3 Sarah Mabel Crowther, b. 18 July, 1891, Sanford, Colo., m.
27 June, 191 1, Heber Houston De Priest, b. 3 Feb., 1890,
Manassa, Colo., son of James H. De Priest and Margaret
Tally. Sarah Mabel Crowther was a talented musician and
gave many students lessons on the piano. A good church
worker. Four children were born to them.
4-1 Opal De Priest, b. 11 Oct., 1912, Manassa, Colo., m. 29
Dec, 1928, Niels Gantzel Thude, b. 28 Feb., 1903, Hillerup,
Denmark, son of Soren Frandsen Thude. Two children.
5-1 Charlotte Ann Thude, b. 8 April, 1931, Manassa, Colo.
2 Caralyn Sue Thude, b. 25 Aug., 1933, Manassa, Colo.
4-2 Vaughn H. De Priest, b. 12 June, 1915, Manassa, Colo., m.
I Feb., 1937, Ruth Fitzhugh, b. , daughter
of Clarence Fitzhugh and Elizabeth Richardson. Two chil-
dren.
5-1 Peggy La Vaughn De Priest, b. 4 Dec, 1937, Antonito, Colo.
2 , b.
4-3 Edith De Priest, b. 19 Jan., 1918, Manassa, Colo., m. i July,
1935, Augustas W. B. O'Barr, b. 23 Dec, 1912, Mesa,
Ariz., son of Pepper O'Barr and Lola Mas. Two children.
5-1 Gerald LeRoy O'Barr, b. 26 Jan., 1936, Mesa, Arizona.
2 Mary Colleen O'Barr, b. 9 April, 1938, Mesa, Ariz.
164 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
4-4 Mary Margaret De Priest, b. 10 June, 1921, Manassa, Colo.,
m. , b. -
son of Lewis Shawcroft and Ada Coombs.
3-4 Thomas Walter Crowther, b. 26 July, 1893, Sanford, Colo.,
m. 12 June, 1914, Salt Lake Temple, Utah, m. Cora Estella
Peterson, b. 2 March, 1894, Sanford, Colo., daughter of
Peter Peterson and Cora Guymon. Six children.
4-1 Annie Louise Crowther, b. 8 Dec, 1915, Sanford, Colo, m.
17 June, 1933, Del Norte, Colo., m. Grant Curtis Morten-
sen, b. 29 Aug., 1914, Sanford, Colo., son of Rulen E.
Mortensen and Sadie Poulsen. Five children, all boys.
5-1 Curtis Walter Mortensen, b. 6 Nov., 1933, Sanford, Colo.,
d. 16 Jan., 1934.
2 Lary Grant Mortensen, b. 13 April, 1935, Sanford, Colo.
3 Arnold T. Mortensen (twin), b. 7 Sept., 1938, Sanford, Colo.
4 Ardith R. Mortensen (twin), b. 7 Sept., 1938, Sanford, Colo.
5 Dennis Q. Mortensen, b. 11 March, 1940, Sanford, Colo.
4-2 Cora Millie Crowther, b. 30 Sept., 191 8, Sanford, Colo., m.
, Francis Faucett, b. 20 Aug., 191 7, son of
Earl Faucett and Florence Cornum. Two children.
5-1 Dixon Allen Faucett, b. 22 May, 1938, Sanford, Colo.
2 Walter Francis Faucett, b. 27 April, 1940, Sanford ,Colo.
4-3 Howard W. Crowther, b. 19 Jan., 1923, Sanford, Colo.
4-4 Mary Reba Crowther, b. 24 April, 1926, Sanford, Colo.
4-5 Leland P. Crowther, b. 5 Dec, 1928, Sanford, Colo., d. 7
Dec, 1928.
4-6 Thomas Donald Crowther, b. 14 March, 1931, Sanford, Colo.
3-5 Clara Emily Crowther, b. 17 April, 1895, Sanford, Colo., m.
II June, 1913, Orin E. Beck, b. 25 Aug., 1892, Sanford, Colo.,
son of Erastus Beck and Mary Valentine. Eight children.
4-1 Orell Beck, b. 24 March, 1914, Sanford, Colo., d. 28 Oct.,
1919.
2 Mary Beck, b. 20 Feb., 1916, Sanford, Colo., d. 3 Mar., 1917.
3 Lavee Beck, b. 4 Aug., 1917, Sanford, Colo., m. 28 Dec,
1940, Provo, Utah, Gerald Lamb, b. , son of
and J
4 Donna Beck, b. 6 Feb., 1921, Sanford, Colo.
5 Rae Beck, b. 18 March, 1923, Sanford, Colo.
6 Carroll Beck, b. 27 Oct., 1925, Sanford, Colo.
7 Ronald Orin Beck, b. 25 June, 1954, Sanford, Colo.
8 Bonnie Beck, b. i Sept., 1935, Sanford, Colo.
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 165
All this family moved to Provo, Utah, Dec, 1940, and
purchased the Peay Cabins, 45 West 2nd South, Provo,
Utah. They are active workers in the L. D. S. Church.
3-6 Jesse Anders Crowthers, b. 12 Aug., 1897, Sanford, Colo, d,
6 Sept., 1898.
3-7 Jane Christine Crowther, b. 12 July, 1899, Sanford, Colo.,
m. May 16, 1919, Salt Lake Temple, Utah, Vernal Jackson
Anderson, b. 22 Nov., 1899, Los Cerritos, Colo., son of
Thomas Jackson Anderson and Lola Maybell Bagwell.
Vernal J. Anderson filled a mission for the L. D. S. Church,
Central States, in 1919-1920. Was a member of the Manassa
Ward Bishopric, now High Counselor in the San Luis Stake.
Farmer, stock raiser and dairyman. His wife, Jane, taught
school and has always been a faithful Church worker in the
L. D. S. Church. They live on a ranch three miles south
of Manassa, Colo. Five children.
4-1 Richard Vernal Anderson, b. 20 Oct., 1921, Franklin, Ariz.
Attended two years school at Adams State College, Ala-
mosa after graduating from Manassa high school.
4-2 Norris Dee Anderson, b. 15 Oct., 1923, Claypool, Ariz.
Graduated from Manassa high school, 1940, now attending
the Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah.
4-3 Russell Deon Anderson, b. 2 Feb., 1927, Claypool, Ariz., d.
16 July, 1927, Sanford, Colo.
4-4 Carlton Q. Anderson, b. 24 May, 1928, Sanford, Colo.
4-5 Glenna Jane Anderson, b. 8 Oct., 1930, Sanford, Colo.
3-8 Horace Clive Crowther, b. 6 Aug., 1901, Sanford, Colo., m.
13 Oct., 1920, Almarine Cunningham, b. 22 Feb., 1903,
Manassa, Colo., daughter of Alma Arias Cunningham and
Amanda Almarine McKenzie. Horace graduated from a
mechanical school at Wichita, Kansas, attended the San
Luis Stake Academy, had fifteen years' experience in auto-
mobile repairing, is now in Washington, D. C, assisting in
national defense work. Was a member of the Bishopric
in the Alamosa Ward of the San Luis Stake, a High Priest
and an active worker in the L. D. S. Church. Four children.
4-1 Elaine Crowther, b. 29 Aug., 1929, Sanford, Colo., m
, son of - -
Both working for U. S. defense in Washington,
D. C.
4-2 Kent Horace Crowther, b. 30 Sept., 1926, Miami, Ariz.
166 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
4-3 Dean K. Crowther, born 31 July, 1928, Manassa, Colorado.
4-4 Teddy Joe Crowther, b. 29 Jan., 1937, Alamosa, Colo. All
the family live in Alexandria, Va., Route 4.
3-9 Laura Varina Crowther, b. 25 Nov., 1903, Sanford, Colo.,
m. 6 Dec, 1922, Rolland Hubert Sowards, b. 6 Sept., 1901,
Manassa, Colo., son of Lewis W. Sowards and Lillie Huff-
aker. Rolland Sowards has been a faithful clerk in the
mercantile business for 21 years. Laura attended the San
Luis Stake Academy, is president of the Primary Association
in the Manassa Ward, San Luis Stake, where the family
reside. Six children.
4-1 Laura Jean Sowards, b. 8 Aug., 1923, Ignacio, Colo., m.
20 June, 1939, Ralph Vance, b. 15 April, 1921, son of
Luther Monroe Vance and Nancy Maud Johnson. One
child. Residence, La Jara, Colo.
5-1 Sharon Elain Vance, b. 7 Feb., 1940, Manassa, Colo.
4-2 Cline Rolland Sowards, b. 12 June, 1925, Manassa, Colo.
3 Coleen Sowards, b. 8 May, 1928, Manassa, Colo.
4 William Winfield Sowards, b. 22 Dec, 1929, Manassa, Colo.
5 Morris Sowards (twin), b. 3 Oct., 1935, Manassa, Colo.
6 Marie Sowards (twin), b. 3 Oct., 1935, Manassa, Colo.
3-10 Don Q. Crowther, b. i April, 1906, Sanford, Colo., m. 5
Sept., 1928, Mary Irene Swofford, b. 26 Feb., 1909, daughter
of Claude Swofford and Myrtle Helen King. Two children.
Don Q. Crowther attended the grade school at Sanford,
Colo., the San Luis Stake Academy at Manassa and gradu-
ated at the mechanical school at Wichita, Kansas. Filled a
mission in the Eastern States, New York, for the
L. D. S. Church, 1925, 26, 27. Wds a member of the
Manassa Ward Bishopric, San Luis Stake, 1928-1929. Then
left for Washington, D. C, where he attended the George
Washington University, where he graduated in 1937. He
has worked in the labor department under Ma Perkins and
is still there helping to get the information on all the strikes
of the nation. He is an active worker in the L. D. S.
Church at Washington, D. C. and is the present Stake clerk.
Their home is in Arlington, 5100 N. 25th St., Va.
4-1 Shirley Ann Crowther, b. 6 July, 193 1, Washington, D. C.
4-2 Duane Swofford Crowther, b. 16 Aug., 1934, Washington,
D. C.
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 167
SHORT SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF ANNIE
ROZILLA CROWTHER
ANNIE ROZILLA CROWTHER was born in
Fountain Green, Sanpete County, Utah, 4 Dec,
1870, she was the eighth child of a family of ten
children. Her parents, Thomas Crowther and Jane
Jewkes. Rozilla was 5 feet 5 inches tall, medium heavy set,
her complexion was very fair, light hair, when she was a
child almost white, pretty cheeks, keen brown eyes, you
would look in vain to find paint or powder that would
produce such beautiful pink color. She always had a
smile on her face. She received the best education that
could be had in her home town. Her talent in music was
very good, she was an exceptionally good alto singer. After
attending the class in music of Prof. Adam C. Smyth, he
discovered she had a sweet voice and a good personality
and gave her the part of little Red Riding Hood in that
opera, under his direction. She was then quite young.
A favorite among her crowd. When nearly sixteen
years of age, her youngest brother, William Orson
Crowther, who had been in Colorado for over a year,
returned home with a young bride. Her parents were
persuaded to let her go with them back to Colorado, as
her older sister, Laura, needed a girl to help her as she
had quite a family of children to care for. Aunt Laura
sent money to pay for Rozilla's fare on the railroad. On
the last of October, 1886, she arrived in Sanford, Colorado,
and made her home with the George Morgan family,
her brother-in-law. She soon became acquainted with
the young people of the community, and soon began to
be escorted home from church and parties by different
young men. However, being a sister-in-law to her
brother Will's wife, a Mortensen, Rozilla frequently
168 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
visited them and there she got better acquainted with
Holm Andreas Mortensen, the young man with whom
she seemed to be a favorite.
Two years passed, they wooed and on October lo,
1888, they were wed in the temple at Manti, Utah, by
Daniel H. Wells, in the presence of her parents and her
oldest sister, Mary Ann and her husband, Lewis Ander-
son. They went up to her old home town, Fountain
Green. There the town band came out and serenaded
them and they had a fine evening together. Wedding
supper. Her two younger sisters and her associates,
parents and friends, were guests of the occasion. After
spending their honeymoon visiting in Utah, they re-
turned to Colorado, arriving October 31, 1888. There
they first lived in a little frame house on the west side
of Main street, one block north, and across the street on
the southeast corner of Block 31, Town of Sanford, They
were industrious and soon a small new brick house took
the place of the little frame dwelling. They planted an
orchard and shrubbery, English currants and gooseberries,
which yielded abundantly in a very short time. They
were happy. A number of children soon came to brighten
their home and they were all welcome. // takes a heap
a Uvin' — to ma}{e a house a home. There were deaths
here also, twice did they lay away a young babe which
brought sadness and grieving. Five boys and five girls
are still living and married and have families. A
remarkable thing, Rozilla was very light complexioned,
keen brown eyes, six of the children have dark hair and
brown eyes, and six had light hair and blue eyes.
In the spring of 1888, at the celebration of May day
in Sanford, Colorado, Rozilla was chosen Queen of the
May; the first May Day Queen in the town of Sanford,
just a new town. Rozilla's gentle disposition made many
I
Annie Rozilla Crowther, Her Husband Holn A. Mortensen,
First Two Children
170 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
friends for her. She was a neat housekeeper and a very
proficient cook; her food was always very tasty, whether
she had much or Httle to cook with. She was a thorough
Latter-day Saint, observed the Word of Wisdom. She
had lots of faith in prayers. In sickness she always
wanted the elders to administer to her, and members of
the family.
On the loth day of December, 1909, in company
with her husband and children, she left Sanford, Colo-
rado by train for Mesa, Arizona. It was a cold
morning, eight inches of snow on the ground and the
thermometer was 14 degrees below zero. Rozilla's health
was failing, she was not able to do any work. The
doctor had done all he could for her, and recommended
that she be taken to a lower climate, preferably Arizona.
Her husband had visited Arizona, stopped in Mesa, two
years previous with the thought of moving there. They
arrived in Mesa on the 14th of December, 1909.
It was like coming into a new world. It was a bright
sunny morning, lawns were green, flowers blooming,
oranges on the trees and grain growing in the fields.
There had been a severe snow storm throughout the
northern part of New Mexico and Arizona. It seemed
just as cold and desolate as when they left Sanford, Colo-
rado. It was evening when they left Ash Fork, about 7
p. m. When sunlight came they were in Phoenix. It
was like a new world. Rozilla seemed to gain strength
soon, but when the hot weather came in July, she had
a very sick spell, due to the hot weather, and in her
condition the doctor recommended that she be taken out
of the heat until cooler weather came again. "We had
not sold our home in Sanford, Colorado," says her hus-
band, so they decided to go back to Colorado, which
they did, arriving there on the 15th of July, 1910.
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 171
Soon after her marriage, she with her sister, Laura
and brother, WilUam O. and husband learned many
quartetts, hymns and glees, and sang at many gatherings
and celebrations, funerals, and especially at the family
gatherings. She was a member of the ward choir up to
the time of her death, a lover of literature and poetry, and
wrote a number of poems. The death of her mother in
1896, was a sad blow to her as she depended so much on
her counsel in sickness and the care of her children.
At the family gathering held on the birthday celebration
of her father, 12th of March, 1898, held at his room where
he was living with his son, William Orson, Rozilla wrote
the following verses for the occasion, and was read by
her.
Oh how blest are we this evening,
Blest far more than words can tell:
That we may all here assemble,
Gay and happy, free and well.
Met to celebrate the birthday,
Of our aged Father dear;
And to fill his heart with gladness,
With our merriment and cheer.
Seventy-five years of life He's traveled.
Seventy-five years of hopes and fears:
From a tiny litde baby,
To Great Grandpa's ripened years.
Years that bore him on through childhood.
Unto manhood's brightest hours;
Thence unto the marriage morning,
With his bride bedecked with flowers.
Thence unto a Father's station,
And with Mother's joy and care:
Fears that none can know but parents,
Joys no other one's can share.
Teaching oft the rule that's golden,
Helping minds to bud and grow;
Striving e're to lead our foot steps,
In the paths that they should go.
172 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
Years passed by and still are passing,
And we'er gathered here tonight:
In a happy bond of union,
And our hearts are gay and light.
As we travel o'er in memory,
All the many scenes of yore;
And the days when we were children.
But those days will come no more.
Oh how blest are we this evening,
We his children gathered here:
That we have our dear Father,
Spared to us our lives to cheer.
And that as brothers, sisters.
All may gather here tonight
As we were when we were children,
Round the fire side so bright.
Mother trod life's stormy pathway.
Near her three score years and ten:
And dear Father he is older,
Oh how faithful they have been.
And may we as Fathers, Mothers,
By our faith and honor show:
That as budded, grown and blossomed.
The seeds of honor they did sow.
That when life's journey here is ended,
And the master death doth call:
That with garments pure and spodess.
May be ready one and all.
To ascend to realms of glory,
In our Saviour's home above;
There to bask through time eternal,
In our parent's faithful love.
She had a very pleasing personality, she was nearly
always singing while doing her work. A very pleasing
compliment was paid to her and her husband by one of
the town's enterprising men. He stated he had called at
their home one morning, when he got to the door, he
heard them singing a duet. He stopped and listened
to the words.
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 173
Oh happy homes among the hills where flow a thousand crystal
rills ^
Surrounded by grand Mountains high, where snow clad summits
reach the sky;
My heart in-raptured with the sight, crys to the Heavens with
delight.
God bless and guard our Mountain home, God bless our Moun-
tain home.
He listened until they were through, then entered.
He said he never heard anything so beautiful, that im-
pressed him so much, but stated, that he was too busy to
think of singing. He was always struggling for the
almighty dollar. But said he would give anything if he
could sing and enjoy life as much as they did. He thought
the spirit of that song was worth more than all the
wealth he could gather up. This couple enjoyed many
of the happiest hours of their lives in singing, and this
gift has been passed on to their children. But the young-
est did not have the mother's care and teachings. After
that sweet voiced bird had flown, they realized more
than ever what she meant to them. On the 6th day of
March, 1912, Rozilla died very suddenly and unexpectedly.
Her death was caused by a premature birth, she died
without saying a word to anyone of the family. The
doctor had done all he could for her and left. Her
husband, her sister Laura, the oldest son and a nurse
were present in the room when she passed away. Funeral
services in the ward chapel were held on March 8th,
1912. A large gathering of people were present, as she
had a great many friends who came to pay their respects
to her. Her two brothers, Thomas A. and William O.
Crowther, and her two sisters, Sarah Jane and Laura M.,
and their families were present. The speaker was Bishop
James P. Jensen, he spoke in high terms of praise for
her, in the noble part she had done in rearing a large
174 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
family who were all honorable members and good work-
ers in the church. The oldest son being the only one
married before her death. In the family circle there
was a dear mother missing, and there was never another
that couki take her place. The great responsibility now
fell upon the oldest girl, Melvina Jane (Ina). She got
along fine. But her marriageable age came and after her
marriage, the father moved again to Mesa, Arizona,
taking the younger children with him. There he married
a widow with a family. His children shifted for them-
selves, all married but scattered in different states. His
second wife died and he is a janitor at the high school
in Mesa, Arizona. He has always been an active worker
in the L.D.S. Church. Teacher in the Sanford Sunday
School for many years. Member of the ward choir and
chorister, violinist, played for many old time dances, a
good man, has a wonderful posterity. A High Priest, is
now past his seventy-fifth birthday, active and still feels
young. He has a national baseball nine, sons of his two
oldest sons, that are hard to beat, six feet to six feet four,
some of them weigh 200 lbs., clean in their lives and
fine stalwart young men. One is in the mission field for
the L.D.S. Church and some are enlisted in the service
of their country.
DESCENDANTS OF ANNIE ROZILLA CROWTHER
2- 8 Annie Rozilla Crowther, b. 4 Dec, 1870, Fountain Green,
Utah, m. 10 Oct., 1888, Manti Temple, Utah, Hohri Andreas
Mortensen, b. 17 Oct., 1866, Parowan, Utah, son of Anders
Jorgon Mortensen and Wilhelmina C. Ipson. 12 children.
Residence, Santord, Colo.
3- I Holm Eugene Mortensen, b. 18 Aug., 1889, Sanford, Colo.,
m. II Oct., 191 1, Effie A. Nielson, daughter of Anthon
Nielson and Maria Beck, b. 22 Sept., 1892, Sanford, Colo.
Farmer and stock raiser, sheep preferred. Musician, a High
Priest. Member of the Sanford Ward Bishopric. Reside on
ranch three miles north of Sanford, Colo. Six children.
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 175
4- I Dolan Eugene Mortensen, b. 8 Jan., 19 13, Sanford, Colo..
d. 27 Jan., 1920.
4- 2 Floyd Lynn Mortensen, b. 23 Feb., 191 5, Mapleton, Utah.
Great ball player and athlete.
4- 3 Verden N. Mortensen, b. 2 Aug., 1918, Sanford, Colo., m.
27 Mar., 1937, Salt Lake Temple, Utah, Dorris Dunn, b.
7 Feb., 1919, daughter of Simeon H. Dunn and y\nnie
Jensen. One child.
5- I DeAnn Mortensen, b. 14 June, 1939, Alamosa, Colo.
4- 4 Gaylon E. Mortensen, b. 3 Mar., 1923, Sanford, Colo. These
three brothers, great athletes.
4- 5 Lena Mortensen, b. 30 May, 1927, Sanford, Colo.
4- 6 Ernest Wayne Mortensen, b. 21 July, 1935, Alamosa, Colo.
3- 2 Elmina Jane Mortensen, b. April 2, 1891, Sanford, Colo., m.
25 Dec, 1912, Daniel Eugene Poulsen, b. 8 Sept., 1891,
Sanford, Colo., son of Peter Poulsen and Margarite Christen-
sen. Six children. Divorced, m. Ben Poulson, nephew of
first husband. No children.
4- I Robert Eugene, Jr., Poulson, b. 13 Dec, 1915, Sanford, Colo.,
m. Sept. 23, 1936, Maxine Amelia Peterson, b. 20 Apr., 191 8,
daughter of Wilford Peterson and Jennie Poulson. Three
children.
5- I Robet Eugene, Jr., Poulson, b. June 9, 1937.
5- 2 Donald Glen Poulson, b. Aug. 24, 1938.
5- 3 Allen Ray Poulson, b. Nov. 29, 1940.
4- 2 Thomas Boyd Poulson, b. i Jan., 191 8, Sanford, Colo.
4- 3 Mildred Poulson, b. 21 April, 1919, Sanford, Colo., m. Wil-
liam Chambers, b. , son of
Two children.
5- I , b
5- 2 , b.
4- 4 Keith Lynn Poulson, b. 4 Jan., 1921, Sanford, Colo., m.
, b , daughter of
4- 5 Raymond H. Poulson, b. 11 April, 1922, Sanford, Colo, d. 5
May, 1922.
4- 6 Richard Wayne Poulson, b. 2 Nov., 1924, Sanford, Colo.
3- 3 Randell Cluff Mortensen, h. 21 Aug., 1894, Sanford, Colo.,
m. 3 June, 1914, Sanford, Colo., Helen F. Mclntire, b. 28
July, 1898, Sanford, Colo., daughter of Joseph Mclntire and
Maria Rasmussen. 12 children, wonderful family of athletes.
176 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
4- I Hillard Randall Mortensen, b. 9 Mar., 1915, Sanford, Colo.,
m. 5 Nov., 1933, Wynona Marie Sabin, b. 23 July, 1914,
daughter of Lee Roy Sabin and May Rosalee. Three
children.
5- I Barbara Mosilee Mortensen, b. 10 May, 1937.
5- 2 Judith Marie Mortensen, b. 19 Dec, 1938.
5- 3 Randall Lee Mortensen, b. 21 Aug., 1941, Sanford, Colo.
4- 2 Lois Helen Mortensen, b. 15 Feb., 1917, Sanford, Colo., d.
23 June, 1917.
4- 3 Joseph Cline Mortensen, b. 20 May, 191 8, Sanford, Colo., m.
25 April, 1936, Ruth Peterson, b. 5 Oct., 1918, daughter of
Orval Peterson and Ella Shawcroft.
5- I Robert Mortensen, b. June, 1936, d. June
5- 2 Donald Vagrett Mortensen, b. 8 Apr., 1940.
4- 4 Louise Mortensen, b. 15 Nov., 1919, Sanford, Colo., m. 13
Oct., 1940, James Dyer, b. 25 Nov., 191 8, son of John Dyer
and May Warnick.
4- 5 Herbert Fred Mortensen, b. 11 Jan., 1921. On Mission for
L.D.S. Church, Central States, Missouri, 1941.
4- 6 Albert Mclntire Mortensen, b. 5 June, 1922, Sanford, Colo.
4- 7 Clyde Holm Mortensen, b. 7 Sept., 1923, Sanford, Colo.
4- 8 Ralph Kent Mortensen, b. 8 Sept., 1925, Sanford, Colo.
4- 9 Donald Eugene Mortensen, b. 12 April, 1928, Jarosa, Colo.
4-10 Carol Mortensen, b. 7 Mar., 1933, Alamosa, Colo.
4-1 1 Alice Mortensen (Twin), b. 13 Apr., 1935, Jarosa, Colo.
4-12 Marie Mortensen (Twin), b. 13 Apr., 1935, Jarosa, Colo.
3- 4 Hazel Rozilla Mortensen, b. 26 Nov., 1895, Sanford, Colo.,
m. 50 Dec, 1914, Manassa, Colo., Marion Richard Christen-
sen, b. 2 Mar., 1893, Manassa, Colo., son of William Christen-
sen and Wilhelmina Peterson. Eight children.
4- I Marion Richard, Jr., Christensen, b. 24 Nov., 1916, Antonito,
Colo., d. 28 Aug., 1918.
4- 2 Chester Lynn Christensen, b. 2 April, 1919, d. 2 April, 1919.
4- 3 Grant M. Christensen, b. 28 June, 1920, Mesa, Ariz. On
mission to Canada (1941) for L.D.S. Church.
4- 4 Ruth Christensen, b. 9 July, 1922, Manassa, Colo., d. 9 July,
1922.
4- 5 Lenore Christensen, b. 29 Feb., 1924, Long Beach, California.
4- 6 Hazel Louise Christensen, b. 17 Feb., 1926, Manassa, Colo.,
d. 17 Feb., 1926.
4- 7 Glenna Christensen, b. 22 April, 1927, Los Angeles, Calif.
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 177
4- 8 Cherie Lou Christensen, b. 7 Aug., 1932, Alamosa, Colorado.
3- 5 Laura Nellie Mortensen, b. 14 Feb., 1897, Sanford, Colo.,
d. Oct., 1897.
3- 6 Leona Mortensen, b. 31 Jan., 1900, Sanford, Colo., m. 17
Apr., 1926, Otto Jasmann, divorced, and m. George Strong,
June, 1941, b. , son of , ]
Three children by first husband.
4- I Otto Henry Jasmann, Jr., b. 29 May, 1927, Santa Monica,
Calif.
4- 2 Hugo J. Jasmann, b. 29 Jan., 1929 (Twin), Santa Monica,
Calif.
4- 3 Hubert M. Jasmann, b. 29 Jan., 1929 (Twin), Santa Monica,
Calif.
3- 7 Aaron Crowther Mortensen, b. April 13, 1901, Sanford,
Colo., m. , lone Ann Schmidt, b. 15 Oct., 1900
(Divorced.) Three children. Reside, Phoenix, Ariz.
4- I Herbert David Mortensen, b. 14 Feb., Phoenix. Ariz.
2 Paul Gerald Mortensen, b. 12 July, 1952, Phoenix, Ariz.
3 Joan Riter Mortensen, b. 15 June, 1935, Phoenix, Ariz.
3- 8 Clifford Mortensen, b. 17 Mar., 1903, Sanford, Colo., m.
Helen Wandke, (divorced), m. Golda Armitte Packard,
24 July, 1932, b. II Nov., 1904, daughter of A. D.
Packard and Silvia
3- 9 Marcella Mortensen, b. Jan. 7, 1905, Sanford, Colo., m.
, William Franks, b. .__ -, son of
Two children.
4- I Coralee Elaine Franks, b. 24 May, 1934, Los Angeles, Calif.
2 Anthony J. Franks, b. 4 Oct., 1937, Portland, Oregon.
3-10 Golda Mortensen, b. 3 Feb., 1907, Sanford, Colo., d. ,
1907.
3-11 Lynn Hemming Mortensen, b. i May, 1908, Sanford, Colo.,
m. 31 Dec, 1932, Taos, New Mex., Ruth Viola Mathews, b.
18 June, 1913, daughter of John Mathews and Ada Louise.
One child.
4- I Bonnie Evelyn Mortensen, b. 23 Nov., 1936, Jarosa, Colo.
3-12 Cora Mortensen, b. 23 April, 1910, Sanford, Colo., m. ..--
_____ Stephen Maroni. One child. Stephen Lynn,
died at birth. Divorced. She was a professional dancer.
Married David Beanford, 2nd husband.
SHORT SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF
VILATE MAY CROWTHER
VILATE MAY CROWTHER, daughter of Thomas
Crowther and Jane Jewkes, was born i May, 1872,
Fountain Green, Utah, the ninth child of a family
of ten children. She went through many of the trials
and hardships pertaining to early pioneering, yet not so
severe as the first children born to this family. Peace had
been established with the Indians about the time of her
coming into the world, times improved because the people
could get out and work on their farms, and roam the
hills and mountains and they felt free. While it was a
struggle to obtain the necessities of life, all members of
the family labored hard and the older members es-
pecially were thoughtful of the comforts of the young
ones. On holidays, more especially Christmas time, the
oldest girls would help mother make rag dolls, and nick
nacks for all, that the Christmas stockings that hung by
the fireplace might be filled to the brim. This young
girl with the rest would be awake before peep o'day, get
out of bed and feel the stockings, to find out if Santa
Claus had come. Oh the joy, the hustling to get dressed;
(for it was the rule in this home that we were not to
take down our stocking until we were dressed). School-
ing facilities began to improve, the town was now twelve
years of age and about one hundred families had located
there, a postoffice, school house, co-op store, the United
Order was organized there. Most everything was run by
the organization of the L.D.S. Church. Emigrants from
eight to ten nationalities. Old American stock, English,
Scotch, Welsh, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Holland.
Danish were predominant. All went to the same school,
the same church, learned the English language, danced
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 179
together and in a very few years forgot all about nation-
alities. Three boys and three girls out of this family
married Danish companions, and one girl a Swede.
Vilate May was one of the girls to take a Danish man for
her companion. She was active in the community, in
school and socials, had been taught to sing and play the
organ, but by the time she was eight years of age, quite a
number of the older members of the family had married
and started homes for themselves. A number of them
going to Colorado, was the result of causing all the family
except the oldest daughter, Mary Ann, who had located
at Manti, Utah, to follow.
By the year 1890, Vilate May, with her parents and
youngest sister, being the only survivors of the Thomas
Crowther family left in Fountain Green, Utah, left in
March for Colorado, where they made their home. May,
as we all called her, being born on the first of May, was
given that name. She was a beautiful figure approaching
the age of eighteen, a good dancer and entertainer, she
took well with the young people of Sanford and sur-
roundings. Here she met a young Danish man from
her home town of Fountain Green, James C. Jensen, a
former neighbor. They became quite attached to each
other and soon decided to become partners for life. Went
back to the Manti Temple, Utah, and were married there
16 Oct., 1890.
After their honeymoon trip they returned to Sanford,
Colo. In a short time a small new frame house was
built in the northwest corner of town, just across the street
west from his father and mother. May was a tall, slender
woman, fair complexion, brown hair and eyes, self sacri-
ficing for the comfort of others. It was pleasing to any-
one to go to their home and to have them at our family
socials.
i
Vilate May Crowther, Husband James C. Jensen
I
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 181
James C. Jensen was 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighed
about 160 lbs., wore a heavy mustache; a very fine neigh-
bor. Very industrious and considerate of his family, a
likeable fellow. He was active in the L.D.S. Church,
filled a mission to the Southern States about 1894-5. ^
good farmer and business man.
They were very unfortunate in losing three of their
children by death, leaving only one girl, Etta May, who
has survived them, and married Clarence Hansen, a
distant relative from the old home town of Fountain
Green, where they now reside. They have a very fine
family of six children. Three of them married.
Vilate May died after a short illness, severe cold and
pneumonia, 9 Mar., 1902, Sanford, Colo. After her
death, Etta May and Robert, the two children living, were
left with their grandmother Jensen, until April, 1904.
James C. married a young lady, Nora Fredericksen, a
very fine woman, and she became a good mother to May's
children. In 1914, Robert died. Two children were born
to this union, Earl and Maggie. Then on 8 Oct., 1906,
James C. Jensen died, leaving Nora a widow with three
children to care for.
DESCENDANTS OF VILATE MAY CROWTHER
2-9 Vilate May Crowther, b. i May, 1872, Fountain Green, Utah,
d. 9 Mar., 1902, Sanford, Colo., m. 16 Oct., 1890, Manti
Temple, Utah, James C. Jensen, b. 3 Aug., 1865, Fountain
Green, Utah, son of James Nielson Jensen and Metta Katrena.
Four children.
3-1 James Ernest Jensen, b. 25 Aug., 1892, Sanford, Colo., d.
8 Oct., 1912, accident, load of rock on the wagon which he
was driving a team. He fell and the wheel ran over him.
3-2 Etta May Jensen, b. 5 Oct., 1894, Sanford, Colo., m. 14 Feb.,
1917, Clarence W. Hansen, b. 8 July, 1893, Fountain Green,
Utah, son of Hans Hansen (Bough) and Cadine Jensen. Six
children born to them. They reside at Fountain Green, Utah.
All active church workers in L.D.S. Church. She was presi-
182 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
dent of the Primary association for years in the Fountain
Green Ward, North Sanpete Stake.
3-3 Robert Jensen, b. 11 Feb., 1900, Sanford, Colo., d. 17 June,
1914, Sanford, Colo.
3-4 Elmer Thomas Jensen, b. 24 Feb., 1898, Sanford, Colo., d.
an infant.
4-1 Jewell Marteen Hansen, b. 21 Nov., 1917, Fountain Green,
Utah, m. 18 Jan., 1935, Elvvin Grant Goble, b. 26 Apr., 1910,
son of George Goble and Marcel Ingram. Three children.
5-1 Grant Lary Gobel, b. 22 Feb., 1936, Nephi, Utah.
5-2 Ronald Merrill Gobel, b. 30 Oct., 1937, Nephi, Utah.
5-3 Carolyn Gobel, b. 2 Sept., 1940, Nephi, Utah.
4-2 Jessie May Hansen, b. 29 Aug., 1920, Fountain Green, Utah,
m. 25 May, 1938, Ramond Sudvveeks, b. 15 Apr., 1917, Nephi,
Utah, son of Richard Sudweeks and Florence Bowls. Two
children.
5-1 Richard Sudweeks, b. 19 June, 1930, Nephi, Utah.
5-2 Raymond Marice Sudweeks, b. 19 Aug., 1941, Nephi, Utah.
4-3 Willard Clayton Hansen, b. 7 June, 1921, Fountain Green,
Utah.
4-4 Kay Arnell Hansen, b. 20 June, 1923, Fountain Green, Utah.
4-5 Devona lona Hansen, b. 6 Feb., 1925, Elberta, Utah.
4-6 Gordon Merrill Hansen, b. 2 Sept., 1929, Fountain Green,
Utah.
BRIEF BIOGRAPHY OF NELLIE CROWTHER
(MORTENSEN)
NELLIE was born in Fountain Green, Utah, July i8,
1875, to Thomas Crowther and Jane Jcwkes.
Here she lived and grew to young womanhood.
She was schooled and educated in the private schools of
this town under the tuition of the best teachers of the
neighborhood. She was especially gifted in penmanship,
her handwriting being almost as legible as print. She
was a gifted and talented leader among her sex, for she
was an interesting conversationalist and mixer, and had
many admirers among the opposite sex. Being of English
decent, she often used expression of the English brogue
in her speech.
With her parents she immigrated to Colorado in 1888,
and took up her residence in Sanford. Here she made
many friends and acquaintances; among her many boy
friends, her favorite one was Lars Hanmer Mortcnsen.
As she was fair to look upon, she had many admirers.
Being a good singer and performing well on the organ,
she was gifted as an entertainer. She could accompany
herself in singing as well as other soloists.
Soon after her arrival in Colorado, her principal in-
terest turned to her future husband, Lars Hanmer Morten-
sen, whom she wooed and wed on 26 Nov., 1893, at her
parent's home. Brother George W. Irvin performed the
ceremony, surrounded by a host of friends and relatives.
On account of financial difficulties, this young couple
was not married in the Holy Temple, for the very mi-
portant event. Apostle John Henry Smith advised the
young couple to go ahead and marry at home and post-
pone the Temple marriage on account of economic
reasons, for said he, "When I return to Colorado, I will
Nellie Crowther Mortensen
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 185
perform the sealing ordinance, the same as though it
were performed in the Temple, therefore, children horn
to you will be born under the new and everlasting
covenant."
Nellie served in many capacities in the Ward, such
as Mutual, Choir and Sunday School. Her work and
record as secretary of the Sunday School under the
superintendency of Lars Mortensen, her father-in-law,
who was very fond of her, was particularly outstanding.
For which Assistant Church Historian, Andrew Jenson,
gave the following comment: "This, Sister Nellie, is the
finest record it has been my pleasure to examine in all
the Church."
During the first winter of married life, her hus-
band Hanmer was engaged as a teacher in the
Sanford School. The newly wed couple were living in
the new brick house then owned by Job Whitney, and
although his salary was but $35.00 per month, because
of thrift, he purchased a five-acre tract of land in the
east five acre field. At the conclusion of the school
term they moved into the little log house across the
street east from the Swen Peterson home, where they
resided until their own little home across the street was
made ready for occupancy. During the summer of
1894 every effort was being made to get this new home
completed, being greatly aided by Lars Mortensen the
father-in-law. Besides this work and tending their little
crop, Nellie accompanied her husband down on the
old Ball Ranch, where he was assisting Peter A. Mor-
tensen in putting up the hay on said ranch.
One day, September 14, 1894, evidence of the arrival
of the stork began to appear; not being familiar with such
an experience, the young couple hardly knew what to do.
Peter being wiser than they, suggested it would be better
186 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
to leave the ranch and consult the doctor or nurse. Acting
on the timely suggestion, in a few hours, about six p. m. of
that day, they were in Sanford. Mother Mortensen was
quickly summoned and in a few moments were as-
sured that conditions were perfectly normal and that they
might expect the stork to appear before many hours. The
next day, September 15, 1894, Nellie presented her hus-
band with a fine 'jVi -pound boy. So Hanmer Wells,
as he was called, became a new member of the family,
there never was prouder parents, nor a finer baby said
his mother: there never was a mother who cared more
carefully for a child, both in dress and other care than
Nellie. The boy baby became the idol of all who knew
him, he never cried or gave any trouble until he had
reached his i6th birthday.
She was a fine housekeeper, very congenial and lov-
ing and thoughtful in the home. It is doubtful if there
was ever a happier home than her home, for they con-
stantly strove to make each other happy; no contention
but full confidence reigned supreme. Wherever her
husband's work took him, Nellie and the loving baby also
went. During the next year Hanmer was offered the
principalship of the public school at Monticello, Utah.
There both went and became important additions to the
new neighborhood. Said Pres. Piatt Lymon to the young
couple, "The neighborhood has been made better by your
work and residence here."
During the early spring of 1896, as we were pre-
paring to leave for home, the sad, sad news reached
us that Nellie's loving mother had suddenly aijd un-
expectedly passed away. In her delicate state of health,
the shock was so great that it preyed on her mind
until her health was impaired. Finally on July 11 she
gave birth to another bouncing boy 10!^ lbs., Penn
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 187
B. Mortensen. At the time of the birth it seemed that
Mother Crowther came to call for her, for Nellie saw her
and said, "Mother!" She never showed signs of being
perfectly normal, although the good and concient^ous
Dr. George Hamilton did his best to care for her and
restore her to health. One day he said to me, "Mr.
Mortensen, I have done my best, but it seems we must
submit to the inevitable." On August lo, 1896, dear
Nellie was taken into another sphere, leaving a heart
broken husband and two fine baby boys to be cared for
and reared, a father, brothers and sisters to weep and
wait and hope for the day when they may all meet
again where there will be no more sorrow, sickness, pain
nor death. She lived and loved and her presence is
greatly missed. This poem by Don Q. Crowther sets
forth plainly the faith of this family in the marriage
relationship.
THE JUNE COUPLE No. 2
As time flows past you, year by year,
Little voices, children dear;
Will brighten many days to come,
And tie your heart strings near to home.
And if a shadow comes one day,
When 'neath the earth you lay away:
A boy or girl with eyes of blue,
Or perhaps it may be one of you.
When death comes back and one by one,
It takes them, till near all are gone;
In that day, my happy pair
When you'r engulfed in deep dispair:
When you like Him on Calvary,
Will cry, hast thou forsak&n me?
Your heart will then turn unto God,
You'll look back o'er the ways you've trod.
188 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
And plead to Heaven with trembling voice,
That the loving souls of your heart and choice
May live again as they did of yore,
Renew their loving ties once more.
Be not estranged in foreign lands,
But take each other by the hand.
See and love and feel and know.
The thrills you knew long years ago.
God has said my happy pair,
That loving ties continue there.
If in the Temple of the Lord,
You'r wed by His own power and word.
Not 'till death you two doth part.
For death will only be the start;
Of centuries where you will be,
Together through eternity.
To share the sweet delights and joys.
Of Heaven with your girls and boys.
If in your youthful hearts you're sure.
There burns a love that will indure.
Beyond the pale of mortal days,
To cheer and hope and help always.
Then don't accept a term so short,
As until death you two doth part.
Lift your eyes to God's great plan.
Divinely shaped that every man;
With wife, and children doubly blest.
Can there obtain eternal rest.
From folly, vice and worldly sin,
And build a loving realm therein.
The lives of those you love so dear,
May be secure from harm and fear.
There within that sheltered nook,
You and yours can dwell, and look,
Into the great eternity.
Which yours for work and joy shall be;
Think far young happy pair, and you.
Can make your happiest dreams come true.
Think not in terms of earthly years,
Through which you move 'mid sighs and tears;
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 189
But let your vision dare extend,
Through coundess ages without end.
Where you will travel hand in hand,
With faith to walk and understand
The path to all eternal joys.
For husband, wife and girls and boys.
LARS HANMER MORTENSEN
Lars Hanmer Mortensen, b. 9 Nov., 1870, at Parowan,
Utah. Moved with his parents to the San Luis Valley,
Colorado in 1887, settled in the town of Sanford which
was just begun in 1885. Worked on the farm with his
father, passing through the trials and vicissitudes of pio-
neer life, until 1892, when he went to Provo, Utah, to at-
tend the Brigham Young Academy. On April 6th, 1893,
was privileged to attend the dedication of the Salt Lake
Temple with his father and other San Luis Stake mem-
bers of Colorado. There listened to the inspiring words
of the president of the Church, Wilford Woodruff. With
the school year over, went back home to Sanford, Colo.,
and was engaged to teach in the Sanford school. On
November 26, 1893, was married to Nellie Crowther.
"I continued to seek for knowledge and an education,
attending institutes and normal schools, until I received a
high first grade certificate. Continued with my educa-
tional work until I received a P. D. M. Degree from
Greeley, Colorado, 1914. Prior to this time after having
served as principal of Sanford public school for five years,
1902 to 1907, was called on a mission to the Northeastern
States by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
After having accepted the mission and prepared to go, the
presidency of the Church, at the request of the presidency
of the Snowflake Stake, through the recommendation of
190 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
Prof. L. F. Moench, principal of the Snowflake Academy,
my mission was changed to go to Snowflake Academy
and teach music there, where I served from December,
1907 to the spring of 1910. I was released from my
mission there and returned to my home in Sanford, Colo.,
where I recuperated my health wjiich had been run down
because of excessive over work. I was then appointed
teacher of music, history, theology, etc., in the San Luis
Stake Academy, where I served for four years.
"In January, 1914, I engaged in politics and served in
Conejos county office of county treasurer. Two years
later was elected county superintendent of schools of said
county and served two terms, four years. 1920-21 was
placed at the head of the music department of the Center
Consolidated Schools at Center, Colorado, achieving some
success. The next year was elected high school principal
of the Sargeant Consolidated School at Monte Vista,
Colorado. Because of the high type of student body and
teacher organization, this school was designated by the
school authorities of the nation as the best consolidated
school in the United States and the Center Consolidated,
both of whom we had organized, as the second best. Was
selected superintendent of public schools of Manassa,
Colorado, to organize the Manassa High School as a
state high school on the basis of the remains of the old
academy. Within a year and a half we placed Manassa
High School on the accredited list of high schools of the
state, because of the proper type of organization. Served
from 1924 to 1927. This school was then designated by
the state C. E. A. as one of the very best. In 1927 made a
visit to Los Angeles, California, and soon began work in
the high schools of that great city and served for twelve
years. Should have mentioned that I received a degree
of A. B. at Greeley, Colorado, 1922. Also an honor degree
THOMAS CROWTHER FAMILY 191
of eminent service from Colorado State in January, 1927,
without solicitation and a National Social Science College
Degree of Pi Gamma Mu, 1927. In 1933, was appointed
Bishop of Pasadena Ward, where I served for two years,
but because of long distance to my work, was released and
appointed Stake Superintendent of Sunday Schools of
Hollywood Stake."
Was sent as a special delegate to the N. E. A. at
Washington, D. C, in 1934, and to Denver, Colorado, in
1935. On June 5, 1937, was granted a Master Degree in
Science of Education by the University of Southern Cali-
fornia. In 1941, was elected to membership of the
Forty Plus C. In the fall of 1941 came back to Colorado
and taught the Norton Ville School during the winter
and spring of 1942, his wife being with him.
DESCENDANTS OF NELLIE CROWTHER
2-10 Nellie Crowther, b. 18 July, 1875, Fountain Green, Utah, m.
26 Nov., 1893, Sanford, Colo., Lars Hanmer Mortensen, b.
9 Nov. 1870, Parowan, Utah, son of Lars Mortensen and
Cornelia Decker. Resided at Sanford, Colo. Two children
born to this union. Nellie d. 10 Aug., 1896. Lars Hanmer,
married his second wife 12 Oct., 1896, Luna C. Bailey, who
became a fine mother to his two boys left him as babes.
She died 9 Sept., 1926. He was always an ardent worker in
the L.D.S. Church, was a member of the Bishopric in the
Sanford Ward for years. Was diligent in seeking an educa-
tion. Has made teaching his profession. Has taught in
Colorado, Arizona and California. Is now back in Colorado
teaching in the Norton Ville school. Many of the young
people under his tuition have been inspired to high ideals
and given an ambition to seek for a better life. On 21
Oct., 1927, he married a third wife Gussie Leone Yielding,
b. 18 Sept., 1889. She is now with him here in Colorado,
a very fine woman. No children by either of his last wives.
3- I Hanmer Wells Mortensen, b. 15 Sept., 1894, Sanford, Colo.,
m , first wife. Hazel Nielson, b. >
192 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
died soon after marriage, daughter of Peter Nielson and
Laura King. Married second wife , Blanch
Kirtland, b. , daughter of Daniel Jackson
Kirtland and Alice Von Cannon, d. Two
children were born to this union. Wells was a talented
musician, filled a mission for the L.D.S. Church in France,
was called home when the World War No. i broke out
After the death of his second wife he married
his third wife They returned to
Sanford, Colo., where he died 27 June, 1933, bur. Sanford
Cemetery.
4- I Lovelle Louise Mortensen, b. 6 Aug., 1919, La Jara, Colo., m.
4 Apr., 1936, Elmer E. Parr, son of Earl Parr.
5- I Coleen Ann Parr, b. 5 July, 1939, Wendell, Idaho.
4- 2 Coleen Mortensen, b. 22 June, 1922, La Jara, Colo., m. 27
Oct., 1940, Howard Clayton Johnson, b. 10 Sept., 1912, son
of August Johnson.
5- I Coleen Ann Parr, b. 5 July, 1939, Wendell, Idaho.
3- 2 Penn Bertrand Mortensen, b. 11 July, 1896, Sanford, Colo.,
m. 1919J Bessie Warnock, b. 17 Mar., 1899,
daughter of James Warnock and Rozilla Reynolds. Ten
children. Address, 720 E. Grand View, Arvado, Colo.
4- I Penn Odell Mortensen, b. 30 May, 1920, Logan, Utah.
4- 2 Lois May Mortensen, b. 17 Nov., 1922, Boulder, Colo.
4- 3 Norris Jay Mortensen, b. i July, 1924, Sanford, Colo.
4- 4 Nellie Jean Mortensen, b. 13 March, 1926, Sanford, Colo.
4- 5 Verres Mortensen, b. 19 Dec, 1928, Sanford, Colo., d. 19
Feb., 1929.
4- 6 Thomas Lyle Mortensen, b. 3 April, 193 1, Sanford, Colo.
4- 7 Norland McKay Mortensen, b. 11 Jan., 1933, Sanford, Colo.
4- 8 Marvin Wells Mortensen, b. 18 Sept., 1934, Alamosa, Colo.
4- 9 Gerald Richard Mortensen, b. 24 March, 1936, Sanford, Colo.
4-10 Larry Steven Mortensen, b. 26 April, 1941, Denver, Colo.
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Part Two
Richard Crowther Family
>» %
Annie M. Christensen
Crowther
SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF RICHARD CROWTHER
RICHARD CROWTHER was born i October, 1839,
at the Parish of Bridge North, Shropshire, Eng-
land. Son of Thomas Crowther and Ann Preece.
He was the eighth child in a family of nine children.
His schooling was limited, as in a family of this size,
of the laboring class, the children were placed with
some one in more affluent circumstances. His ex-
perience as a boy was more particularly along the line
of gardening. He labored at different places until he
was about twenty-five years of age. Born of goodly
parents, his life was ga-uged by religious influence. He
helped his parents as much as he could.
Richard met the elders of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints and was converted to that
faith. Along with his older brothers, he became a
member through baptism and confirmation by one
having authority. He left England and came to the
U. S. A. in 1864. He crossed the Plains and experienced
the hardships of the early pioneers and made his Home
with his Brother Thomas Crowther. He helped his
brother on the farm and, in partnership with one John
Shawcroft, a young man about his age whose parents
were converts from England, he worked in the canyons
getting out logs for a house.
Brother Shawcroft being quite a thrifty man was
later called to move to the San Luis Valley, Colorado
and help build settlements, which ended this partnership.
He often testified of the honesty and integrity of Richard
Crowther. They had worked together for a number of
years in various undertakings and never kept any par-
ticular records of their business. Some people said,
surely you two will have a great time settling up your
198 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
affairs. When settlement time came, they made a
division of their profits and both were entirely satisfied.
They both met Danish girls and were married about
the same time. Richard took to wife Annie Margaret
Christensen born 3 Sept. 1853, ^^ Hermustia, Fredericks-
burg, Denmark. She was one of the pioneers of Utah,
located at Fountain Green. Her father was a carpenter.
She had one brother, Zorum and one sister, Mary.
To this couple were born ten children. Five sons
and five daughters. See record following.
They had a hard struggle to take care of these
children and they worked hard. Richard farmed during
the summer and freighted supplies by team to the mines
down in the southwest part of Utah. He was a great
horse trader. He would sometimes trade four or five
times on a trip of about two weeks. You could never
know him by his team when he returned. When the
railroad came through Fountain Green about 1880, he
had a little span of mules, and they were pert and full
of life. At one time he was working on the railroad
about three miles south of town. At quitting time as
the train came by he undertook to keep up with it for
the three miles to home. When the whistle sounded
from the engine he was unhitching the tugs, declaring
it was a good race. Some of the people called him
wild Dickey Crowther. He was a good driver but
liked to let his team run once in a while.
During the winter of 1884 Richard Crowther, David
Coombs, William O. Crowther, his nephew, and Wil-
liam Collard took their turn as assigned by the Bishop
of the ward to go down and work on the Manti Temple.
For leveling the grounds on the north side of the Temple,
Richard took his little mule team and his wagon
equipped for hauling dirt. By using planks, loose on
RICHARD CROWTHER FAMILY 199
the bottom and sides, he could unload by turning the
planks one at a time and quickly get the load off. Two
men stayed at the west edge of the high hill or crest
to help dump the loads. They would insist that the
driver keep out close to the edge so they would not
have to shovel so much. Richard drove the little mules
out a bit to far. The wagon began to slide in the loose
dirt, tipped over and over, mules and all, going about
one hundred feet to the bottom.
Another instance while working on the Temple
grounds: A fire alarm was sounded in the northwest
part of Manti. The home of Brother Parsons was on
fire and the men working on the temple grounds were
ordered to go and help extinguish the fire. Richard
Crowther said, "Jump on boys and we will be off." About
ten or more men jumped on the loose planks on his
wagon and we were soon down off the Temple Hill
and a couple of blocks on our way to the fire. The little
mules were sped up to full speed and the men and planks
were strewn along the road. The driver, Richard, got
the mules stopped and the men and planks were soon
replaced and away they went again. In two more blocks
the same thing was repeated. Richard shouted, "Hurry
on boys, they need our help." The men jumped up and
motioned for him to go on shouting, "We'll walk." So
he arrived without a passenger, the men following him
and rendering their services in putting out the fire.
They then arranged the planks on the wagon and agreed
to ride back with Richard on condition that he would
go on slowly and agree to get them back safely.
Another instance: Richard was taking his family
down to his farm to see how the crops were doing.
Aunt Annie was rather a large woman and the family
were quite small children. He had a dilapidated wagon
o
Ui
u
RICHARD CROWTHER FAMILY 201
box and he put some hay in the bottom for his wife
and children to sit on. Richard stood up in the front
to drive the Httle mules. He went south one block then
east to the main road. When they got to the center
of the block, just before entering Main street, the mules
had come to a good speed. Turning to Frank, his
eldest son, who was quite a big boy, Richard said, "Hold
me hat Frank, while I drive," giving his hat to the
boy. Just at that moment, as he turned to go on Main
street, a tire came off one of the wheels of the wagon
and rolled along the side. Richard shouted out, "Ay,
whose tire is that?" He always got along without any
serious accident.
He was a good entertainer at home and in com-
pany. Uncle Thomas' children all liked to see Uncle
Richard come to their home. He sang many songs to
entertain and please the people. "Where Is My Wander-
ing Boy To-night" and "My Grandfather Was A Most
Wonderful Man."
He could do and invent,
He could poetry write;
He could do most anything,
He could wrestle; he could fight.
Talking, ah, talk about fighting,
'E's the chap to 'it'em.
One day Grandfather got into a fight.
'E knocked the fellow so far,
It took six osses and a coach
Six weeks to bring 'im back again.
Chorus:
What a pity it was,
His life was but a span;
My Grandfather was
A most wonderful man.
When Richard's Brother Thomas and families moved
to Colorado, they missed the visits of Uncle Richard
and his family. Many of them never saw him again,
202
THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
but he lived in their memory. He Hved a clean life,
honest and upright in all his dealings with his fellow-
men. He left the impress of his life and teachings on
his family, his relatives and friends. His first family,
as was usually the case, when he took the second wife
felt they were somewhat neglected and had to shift for
themselves. But they are all good citizens and active
workers in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints — men and women of honor and integrity to
truth and righteousness.
Richard Franklin Crowther, Oldest Son of Richard and Annie M. Crowther
ANNIE CHRISTENSEN, FIRST WIFE OF
RICHARD CROWTHER
Annie Margaret Christensen was born in Denmark,
Sept. 3, 1853. She crossed the ocean in a saihng vessel
with her parents, Christen Christensen, b. 24 Dec. 1828,
Filing Vensyssel, Denmark, and Johanna Peterson Chris-
tensen, b. 16 Dec. 1824, Denmark, when Annie was eight
years old. During this voyage her baby sister died and
was buried in the ocean. When Annie was fifteen years
old she married Richard Crowther, in the old Fort at
Fountain Green, Utah. They were married by Orson
Hyde, one of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, about the year 1867.
They lived at Fountain Green for about twenty-two
years. Here ten children were born to them, the oldest
a girl, named Martha Ann. She died while still a
baby and was buried there. Later they lost a baby boy
named Samuel Edward, who is also buried at Fountain
Green. Their four boys and four girls grew to maturity
and married and all had families. When Richard
Crowther married a plural wife, he took her and his
first family down into Wayne County, Utah. Annie
stayed down there about four years. She then went to
Sevier County, and stayed with some of her married
children. Later she moved with her oldest son, Frank,
up to Bear River City, Utah. Here she died in the fall
of 1905. She was buried at Elwood, Box Elder County,
Utah. She was good at sewing, she made her children's
clothes and braided straw and made straw hats for them.
She was a kind, even tempered woman, never allowmg
herself to get excited even in the turmoils with the
Indians.
204
THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
Annie always made the neighbors and relatives
welcome at their home. She endured the trials and hard-
ships of the early settlement of the west with patience
and hope for a better future. She had faith in the
restored Gospel for which her parents and family sacri-
ficed all to leave Denmark and gather with the Saints
in the Rocky Mountains. She never wanted to go back.
She leaves a host of relatives and friends and a
numerous posterity to inherit the blessings she has left
them — faith, hope, industry and love for each other.
Long she will live in their memory.
SKETCH OF MARY JANE CROWTHER AND
HUSBAND LEGRAND DURFEE, SR.
MARY JANE CROWTHER, daughter of Richard
Crowther and Annie Margaret Christensen, was
born 22 January 1870 at Fountain Green, Utah,
She attended the schools of that early day, the beginning
of the free school system. She grew up to womanhood
in the home of a large family, associating with her
cousins and the young people of the town until about
1887, when her father took the family to southern
Utah to pioneer a new settlement. Along with the family
she experienced the hardships that were usual among
the pioneers of that day. The family moved to Sevier
Valley about 1892, There Mary Jane met a young man,
LeGrand Durfee, whose life came into hers and after
a short acquaintance they were married in the Manti
Temple, on May 4, 1892. From that time their history
has been one. To this couple were born ten children.
They were both of a religous nature, being born of
goodly parents who taught them to believe in the restored
Gospel of Jesus Christ; that a Prophet of God had been
raised up in this day; that Joseph Smith was that
Prophet; that through him that restoration had come
again to the earth; that a great and marvelous work had
come forth among the children of men, and should
never be thrown down, nor given to another people.
The parents taught these things to their children,
who had the gift of faith to believe them and conform
their lives in harmony with them. Mary Jane worked
as a counselor in the Relief Society for sixteen years; also
as a teacher in that society for several years. She was
an officer in the organization of the Daughters of the
Utah Pioneers.
3
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208 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
LeGrand Durfee, sr., husband of Mary Jane
Crowther, was born Dec. ii, 1869 at Springville, Utah;
son of Jabes Durfee and Celestia Curtis. He died 15 Dec,
1941 at Aurora, Utah where his home had been for so
many years. He was an honest, industrious man;
provided well for his family; was a lover of stock, es-
pecially horses. He and his boys entered the state fair
of Utah with some of the best teams in the state and
carried off the prizes in a matched contest for the best
pulling team. He was also active in his Church duties.
He was a High Priest and a member of the High Council
of the North Sevier stake of Zion for several years; also
a special stake home missionary. In his earlier years
he acted as teacher in several organizations of the ward
and as secretary of the Y. M. M. I. A. He filled a mission
in the Central States
LeGrand held many positions of responsibility in
the social and civic affairs of Aurora town. During
his last illness while alone, realizing that his time on
this earth was about finished, he wrote in a very legible
hand the following letter and left it as his last earthly
testimony and blessing. It is in his own plain hand,
not a tear drop nor a blot upon its pages. He wasn't
afraid to die. The letter is headed Aurora, Utah, but
no date is given.
THE LETTER: "My Brothers and Sisters: no doubt
you have all heard me bear my testimony to the truthful-
ness of this Gospel many times in different pulpits
while I have lived among you. It always has been my
desire to bear that same testimony to the end of my life.
Knowing that I wouldn't be able to appear in person
and utter these words in speech; I have taken it upon
myself to have them read from writing. My life has
not been altogether as good as I would of liked it to
RICHARD CROWTHER FAMILY 809
have been; but those golden opportunities have all past
and my life is just vi^hat I have made it. This is a
glorious old world, full of light and sunshine, created by
God the Father, the great Giver of all good. I am
thankful I have been permitted to come to earth and
take part in this great plan. I am glad I have been
privileged to bring a family into this world. I am
proud of my wife, one among the best of women. I am
proud of my sons and daughters, I am proud of my sons-
in-law and daughters-in-law, and the course they are
taking to bring salvation to their souls. I am also proud
of all my little grandchildren. I am proud to know I
have been permitted to live most of my life in Aurora
among some of the best blood that has ever been per-
mitted to come to earth. I love all of you and my earnest
desire is that we all will be permitted to live together
again throughout time and all eternity. I know the
Prophet Joseph Smith was a true Prophet of the living
God. That he did see God and angels face to face, and
he was instrumental in restoring this Gospel to earth
again. That Jesus Christ did give His life for the re-
demption of mankind from the grave. My earnest
prayer is that God will forgive me for every sin I have
committed while on earth, and hold them against me
no more. That I may be able to go to my father and
mother, brothers and sisters and my children, all relatives
and friends that have gone before me. That I may be
ready to welcome all my loved ones that will come
in after years, and may we all be permitted to mingle
together in peace and happiness, and go on and on
in progression and reach that golden shore that we are
all trying so hard to reach. I am glad I have been
permitted to be ordained to the high calling of the
Priesthood and have what experience I have had. This
210 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
is my earnest prayer and blessing from your father,
brother and friend in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
LeGrand Durfee, Sr."
He was 72 years old on Dec. 11, 1941, and died four
days later, on Dec. 15, 1941. He was buried in the Aurora
cemetery.
GENEALOGY OF THIS FAMILY OF TEN CHILDREN
LeGrand Durfee, Sr., b. 11 Dec. 1869, Spring^'iIIe, Utah.
Son of Jabes Durfee and Celestia Curtis.
2- 2 Mary Jane Crowther, b. 22 Jan. 1870, Fountain Green, Utah.
Daughter of Richard Crowther and Annie Christensen, m.
LeGrand Durfee, Sr., 4 May 1892, Manti Temple.
5- I LeGrand Durfee, Jr., b. 24 Feb., 1893, Aurora, Utah, m. 24
May 1 91 8, Manti Temple to Sena Alima Sorensen, b. 8
July 1898 (see Sketch).
4- I Lola Durfee, b. 5 Feb. 1920, Aurora, Utah.
4- 2 Merrill G. Durfee, b. 17 July 1921, Aurora, Utah.
4- 3 Myrna Jane Durfee, b. 11 Dec. 1926, Aurora, Utah.
4- 4 Leila Durfee, b. 7 Aug. 1927, Aurora, Utah.
4- 5 Lymon James Durfee, b. 20 Jan. 1930, Aurora, Utah.
3- 2 Ella May Durfee, b. 17 Sept. 1894, Aurora, Utah, m. Frank
Taylor, Preston, Idaho, April 2, 191 7. Endowed in Manti
Temple, 27 Mar. 191 8. A teacher in Sunday School and
Primary. President of Y. W. M. I. A., d. Aurora, Utah, 21
May 1919.
3- 3 Chloe Elemeda Durfee, b. 2 July 1896, Aurora, Utah, d. 16
July 1912.
3- 4 Millie Jane Durfee, b. i Nov. 1898, Aurora, Utah, m. Oriel
Andrews, Feb. 24, 1921. Manti Temple. Served in Church as
2nd counselor in Primary, Sunday School teacher, secty. in
Relief Society and teacher in both Mutual and Primary.
Oriel Andrews, husband of Millie Jane Durfee, b. 25 Aug.
1 901, Aurora, Utah. President of Y. M. M. I. A. for a
number of years. President of Elders Quorum and at
present president of the 107th Quorum of Seventy.
4- I Ula May Andrews, b. 6 Jan. 1923, Aurora, Utah, d. Salina
Hospital, 23 July 1934.
4- 2 Neldon Vee Andrews, b. 21 Jan. 1925, Aurora, Utah, ordain-
ed Deacon, 1937, a Teacher, 1939, Priest, 1942.
RICHARD CROWTHER FAMILY
211
4- 3 R. Delos Andrews, b. 19 Jan. 1927, Aurora, Utah, ordained
Deacon, 1939, Prest. of the Quorum, a Teacher, 1942.
4- 4 Elden Verness Andrews, b. 6 May 1929, ordained Deacon,
25 May 1941, President of Quorum.
4- 5 Millie Laveda Andrews, b. 13 Aug. 1932, Aurora, Utah.
3- 5 Lenard Durfee, b. i April 1901, Aurora, Utah, d. 11 Jan.
1902.
3- 6 Amy Violet Durfee, b. 11 Sept. 1903, Aurora, Utah, m. 2
June 1926, Manti Temple, Joseph W. Curtis, b. 25 Dec. 1904,
Aurora, Utah, son of Lorenzo Curtis and Eliza Mott, he is
a Seventy and an officer in the Quorum of North Sevier
Stake. He acted as counselor in the Ward Mutual for two
years, and as president of the same organization three years.
At present he is chairman of the Church welfare work of
the Aurora Ward. Amy filled a mission to the Central
States from 1922 to 1924. The following are offices she
held at different times in the Church: 1st counselor in the
stake M. I. A. organization, president of the ward Y. L. M.
I. A. for three years, president of the ward Relief Society for
two and a half years, member of the Sunday School board
of North Sevier Stake, teacher in both Sunday School and
Primary organization.
4- I Joseph Ivo Curtis, b. 23 July 1927, Aurora, Utah, he holds
the office of Teacher in the Aurora Ward.
4- 2 Amy Coleen Curtis, b. i Sept. 1935, Aurora, Utah.
Verr and Edith Durfee
212
THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
Emmet Durfee
3- 7 Clifford Dee Durfee, b. 23 May 1905, Aurora, Utah, d. 24
Feb. 1906.
3- 8 Floyd C. Durfee, b. 9 May 1907, Aurora, Utah, d. 13 April
1908.
3- 9 Emmett Vaughn Durfee, b. 13 Dec. 1913, a Teacher in the
Aurora Ward.
3-10 Verr Durfee, b. 13 Aug. 1915, Aurora, Utah, m. 12 June
1937, to Edith Barney, ordained an Elder, 23 Nov. 1941,
Endowed at Manti Temple, 9 Jan. 1942. He is a ward
teacher.
4- I Verr Don L. Durfee, b. 4 Dec. 1938, Elsinore, Utah, blessed
Jan. ist, 1939 by LeGrand Durfee, Sr.
4- 2 R. Bardett Durfee, b. 14 April 1941, Aurora, Utah, blessed
May 4, 1 94 1 by LeGrand Durfee, Sr.
2- 3 Richard Franklin Crowther, son of Richard Crowther and
Annie M. Christensen, b. 29 April 1872, Fountain Green,
Utah, m. 6 Mar. 1908, Annie Jorgensen, b. 13 Feb. 1882,
Bear River City, Utah. Six children, two children living,
four dead. See picture of him and his horse. A quiet,
RICHARD CROWTHER FAMILY
213
good man, possessed many traits of his father. Full of
fun and enjoyed life.
3- I Florance A. Crowther, b. 25 Dec. 1909, Bear River City, Utah,
m. 16 Sept. 1935, Warren Edward Rasmussen, b. 20 Apr.
1905, East Garland, Utah.
3- 2 Leola Marie Crowther, b. 6 Sept. 1910, d. 10 July 1912.
3- 3 Richard Crowther, b. and d. 30 Mar. 1912.
3- 4 Elda lola Crowther, b. 26 Nov. 1913, d. 4 Mar. 1917, Bear
River City, Utah.
3- 5 Raymond F. Crowther, b. 11 Sept. 191 5, Bear River City,
Utah.
3- 6 Virgil S. Crowther, b. 13 Sept. 1919, Bear River City, Utah,
d. infant.
Four Generations, Richard Crowther and Annie M. Crowther Family
2- 4 Annie Elizebeth Crowther, b. 13 Feb. 1874, Fountain Green,
Utah, m , Lewis Wells Gardner, b. 11 April
1868, Home, Tremonton, Utah, six children.
3- I Margaret Ann Gardner, b. 13 June 1874, Tremonton, Utah.
214
THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
3- 2 Laura Elizebeth Gardner, b. 5 May 1894, Tremonton, Utah.
3- 3 Billy Maud Gardner, b. 11 Feb. 1897, Tremonton, Utah.
3- 4 Lewis Richard Gardner, b. 21 Sept. 1899, Tremonton, Utah.
3- 5 Hazel Thersa Gardner, b. 25 Feb. 1904, Tremonton, Utah.
3- 6 Elden Franklin Gardner, b. 3 Dec. 191 2, Tremonton, Utah.
2- 6 James William Crowther, b. 19 Jan. 1879, Fountain Green,
Utah, m. 9 Dec. 1901 at Richfield, Utah, Lydia Harding,
endowed at Manti Temple, i Feb. 191 1. He died at Salina
Hospital, Utah, 7 Feb. 1920. Five children.
James Wm. Crowther
Lydia Harding
Crowther
Children of James Wm. Crowther
and Lydia Harding Crowther
RICHARD CROWTHER FAMILY 215
3- I Samuel J. Crowther, b. 22 Dec. 1902, Aurora, Utah, m. Aha
Stevens, 15 June 1922, b. 27 Dec. 1904 at Holden, Utah, d.
19 Feb. 1933 at Aurora, Utah. Two children born.
4- I Don J. Crowther, b. 7 Sept. 1923, Aurora, Utah, rec'd.
Patriarchal Blessing. 2nd Coun. in Sunday School.
4- 2 Betty Ray Crowther, b. 22 March 1926, Aurora, Utah.
Patriarchal Blessing from Christian M. Mickelson.
3- I Samuel J. Crowther, b. 22 Dec. 1902, m. 2nd wife March 8,
1935, Genevieve Knight, b. 5 July 1913. Member of stake
Sunday School board. Two children. Endowments and
sealings done in Manti Temple, March 26, 1942.
4- I Joyce Crowther, b. 30 Aug. 1937, Salina, Utah.
4- 2 Jimmie Crowther, b. 23 July 1942, Salina, Utah.
3- 2 Otheya Crowther, b. 7 Feb. 1907, Aurora, Utah, m. 15 May
1929, Don L. Cooper at Richfield, Utah. One child.
4- I Karen Cooper, b. 17 Jan. 1928, Salina, Utah.
3- 3 Ora Crowther, b. 6 Nov. 1909, Aurora, Utah, m. 25 Oct.
1928, Glen Mason at Richfield, Utah. Endowed at Manti
Temple, 14 March 1934. Patriarchal Blessing by Maroni
Lazenby. Teacher in Sunday School and Primary, at present
2nd counselor in Primary. Four children.
4-1 Gene Verdon Mason, b. 10 April 1930, Aurora, Utah.
4- 2 Versel J. Mason, b. 26 April 1932, Aurora, Utah.
4- 3 Carl Glen Mason, b. Dec. 15 1934, d. 3 Jan. 1936 of scarlet
fever,
4- 4 Peggy Mason, b. 22 March 1937, Aurora, Utah.
3- 4 Lydia Veone Crowther, b. 23 July 1913, Aurora, Utah, m.
Mar. 8, 1935, Cleve Marion Cloward at Manti Temple.
3- 5 William Wendle Crowther, b. 3 June 1920, Aurora, Utah, d.
of flu, March 8, 1921.
2-10 Alma Christian Crowther, b. Dec. 15, 1887, Fountain Green,
Utah, m. 25 Sept. 1909, Rhoda Clarisa Wall, b. 24 Feb.
1894. A relief society teacher for 18 years. To this honored
couple were born fourteen children. Home, Aurora, Utah.
3- I Armilda Crowther, b. 13 Mar. 1910, m. 26 Oct. 1926,
Harold Anderson, b. 27 Oct. 1903.
4- I La Roy H. Anderson, b. Mar. 3, 1927.
4- 2 Dewayne A. Anderson, b. 15 April 1929, d. 29 Aug. 1933.
4- 3 Tenance Orrale Anderson, b. 5 Nov. 1934.
4- 4 Ulean Anderson, b. 20 Oct. 1936, d. 22 Dec. 1936.
4- 5 Vern Eugene Anderson, b. 11 Sept. 1938.
216
THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
t% V^*i 1
Alma and Rhoda Crowther
Their Nine Daughters
3- 2 Alma Loyd Crowther, b. 3 Dec. 191 1, d. 6 Oct. 1929.
3- 3 Sena Hartense, b. 25 Mar. 1914, m. 25 Mar. 1931, Don
William Kennedy, b. 22 Aug. 1909.
4- I Sena Elvera Kennedy, b. 4 Feb. 1932.
4- 2 Hartense Nada Kennedy, b. 29 Aug. 1933, d. 15 Feb. 1936.
4- 3 Kenneth Don, b. 17 Mar. 1935.
4- 4 Maurine Kennedy, b. 8 Sept. 1938.
3- 4 Anna Berneas Crowther, b. 27 Aug. 1915, m. Dec. 29, 1933,
Burdell Christian Sorenson, b. 29 Feb. 1912. Five children.
4- I Vernon Burdell Sorenson, b. 12 Aug. 1934.
4- 2 Berneas Burdella Sorenson, b. 3 Mar. 1936, d. 15 Aug. 1938.
4- 3 Karl Alma Sorenson, b. 26 Aug. 1937.
4- 4 Richard Christian Sorenson, b. i April 1939.
4- 5 Boyd Lynn Sorenson, b. 5 April 1941.
3- 5 Viva Crowther, b. 22 Sept. 1918, m. 2 Jan. 1940, Norman
Wilson Memmott, b. 4 Sept. 1913.
4- I Rea La Von Memmott, b. 14 Mar. 1940.
4- 2 Portia Memmott, b. 18 July 1942.
3- 6 Clifton Richard, b. 12 July 1922, twin, d. 19 June 1923.
3- 7 Clifford William, b. 12 July 1922, twin, d. 31 July 1924.
3- 8 Maurine Crowther, b. 19 June 1924, d. 5 Dec. 1928.
3- 9 Vivian Crowther, b. 7 Feb. 1927.
RICHARD CROWTHER FAMILY 217
3-10 Leola Crowther, b. 24 June 1929.
3-1 1 Geraldine Crowther, b. 9 May 1931.
3-12 La Vern Crowther, b. 10 March 1^33, d. Mar. 18, 1933.
3-13 Geneva Crowther, b. 26 Dec. 1933.
3-14 Rhoda La Vona Crowther, b. 25 April, 1936.
RECORD OF RICHARD CROWTHER FAMILY
FROM THOMAS FRANCIS CROWTHER
2- 7 Thomas Francis Crowther, b. June 21, 1881, Fountain Green,
Utah, m. Jennie M. Bosshardt, June 3, 1907, Manti, Utah,
b. Apr. 26, 1891, Axtell, Utah.
3- I Thomas Clarence Crowther, b. May 30, 1908, Axtell, Utah,
m. Delia Carlyn Mickelsen, Sept. 21, 1932, Manti, Utah, b.
June 12, 1913, d. Nov. 20, 1940.
4- I Arven Jay Crowther, b. June 26, 1933, Axtell, Utah.
3- 2 Ellis Richard Crowther, b. Aug. 30, 1910, Axtell, Utah.
3- 3 Newell John Crowther, b. Mar. 23, 191 3, Axtell, Utah, d.
Sept. 13, 1 92 1.
3- 4 Mildred Crowther, b. Sept. 14, 1918, Axtell, Utah, m. Max
L. Peterson, Jan. 17, 1938, Nephi, Utah, b. Dec. 2, 1914,
Manti, Utah.
4- I Maxine Peterson, b. Dec. 25, 1938, A.\tell, Utah.
4- 2 Del Rita Peterson, b. Mar. 10, 1940, Axtell, Utah.
2- 8 Samuel Edward Crowther, b 1883, Fountain Green,
LTtah, d. an infant.
2- 9 Laura Hannah Crowther, b. lo Sept. 1884, Fountain Green,
Utah, m.' Edwin Thomas Watts, 2 Feb. 1900, Manti, Utah,
b. July 13, 1868, Springville, Utah. Laura d. Oct. 17, 1921.
3- I Edwin Watts, Jr., b. Nov. 25, 1901, Axtell, Utah, m. Thelma
V. Wheeler, 26 Nov. 1921, Richfield, Utah, b. Oct. 10, 1903,
Springville, Utah.
4- I Betty Thelma Watts, b. May 26, 1924, Bingham Canyon,
Utah, m. 4 Mar. 1942, Keith Hill, Fayette, Utah.
4- 2 Jack E. Watts, b. i July 1926, d. Aug. 10, 1932, Brigham
Canyon, Utah.
4- 4 Louise Betty Watts, b. 17 June 1939, Axtell, Utah.
3- 2 Clara May Watts, b. 20 May 1904, Axtell, Utah, m. Ira Louis
Hansen, 4 Aug. 1919, Richfield, Utah, he was b. 16 Nov.
1897, Redmond, Utah.
4- I Chloe Hansen, b. 27 July 1920, Axtell, Utah.
4- 2 Juineta Hansen, b. 27 Nov. 1922, Axtell, Utah, d. 2 Jan. 1923.
4- 3 Montez Hansen, b. 29 Nov. 1923, Axtell, Utah.
218 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
4- 4 Ira Roland Hansen, b. 19 Sept. 1926, Provo, Utah.
4- 5 Clara Faye Hansen, b. 30 Oct. 1927, Provo, Utah.
4- 6 La Mar Hansen, b. 28 Jan. 1930, Provo, Utah.
4- 7 Lowell Jay Hansen, b. 28 July 1931, Provo, Utah.
4- 8 Lawana May Hansen, b. 21 Oct. 1933, Provo, Utah.
4- 9 Laura Darlene Hansen, b. 25 May 1936, Provo, Utah.
3- 3 Mabel Leona Watts, b. 10 Jan. 1906, Axtell, Utah, m.
1925, Salt Lake City, Utah, Mike Simpson, b.
13 Jan. 1902, Pennsylvania.
4- I Lora Simpson, b. 3 Dec. 1926, Axtell, Utah.
4- 2 Arva Simpson, b. 7 Dec. 1929, Salt Lake City, Utah.
4- 3 Viola Simpson, b. 4 Dec. 1933, Axtell, Utah.
4- 4 Bobby J. Simpson, b. Mar. 28, 1935, Axtell, Utah.
4- 5 Stanley Leon Simpson, b. 27 Oct. 1936, Gunnison, Utah.
3- 4 Rosella Watts, b. 19 July 1910, Axtell, Utah, m. 16 July 1926,
Gerald Barney Orton, Manti, Utah. He was from Panguitch,
Utah, divorced 1927.
4- I Laura Rose Orton, b. 29 May 1927, Axtell, Utah.
3- 4 Rosella Watts (Orton), b. 19 July 1910, Axtell, Utah, m. 20
Sept. 1929, Elden John Christensen, b. 21 Feb. 1902, Red-
mond, Utah.
4- I Afton Josephine Christensen, b. 29 Aug. 1930, Redmond,
Utah.
4- 2 Virlie Laurrine Christensen, b. 29 April 1932, Redmond,
Utah.
4- 3 Janice Christensen, b. 19 Sept. 1935, Redmond, Utah.
3- 5 Laurence Richard Watts, b. 29 Oct. 191 2, Axtell, Utah, m.
Norma Dodge Tobler, 31 Dec. 1938. She was b. 30 Dec.
1917, Irans, Utah.
4- I Richard Vernon Watts, b. 15 Jan. 1940, Salt Lake City, Utah.
4- 2 Norma Joice Watts, b. 4 April 1941, California.
3- 6 Moral C. Watts, b. 14 Sept. 1921, Salina, Utah.
SKETCH— LEGRAND DURFEE, JR. (GRANDSON
OF RICHARD CROWTHER)
LeGrand Durfee, Jr. (some times signed Lee G.
Durfee) was born 24 Feb. 1893 in Aurora, Sevier County,
Utah. My great grandfather, Edmond Durfee, was killed
by an anti-Mormon mob, 26 Nov. 1845. They first set
fire to a hay stack and when Edmond Durfee and others
went to put out the fire, the mob fired; one ball struck
him in the breast and he died instantly. His body was
brought to Nauvoo for burial. My grandfather, Jabez
Durfee and his wife, Celestia Curtis, were pioneers. Their
first home in Utah was in Springville, but they later
moved to Aurora. Jabez Durfee was the first Bishop
in Aurora.
My mother, Mary Jane Crowther, was born 22 Jan.
1870 at Fountain Green, Utah. Her parents were Richard
Crowther, born i Oct. 1839 or 4^ ^^ Parish of Bridge
North, Shropshire, England, and Annie Margaret
Christensen, born 3 Sept. 1853 at Hermustis, Fredericks-
burg, Denmark. They also were Utah pioneers.
On 26 March 1893, I was blessed and named by my
grandfather, Richard Crowther. I was baptized by John
D. Durfee, 2 June 1901 and confirmed by Daniel H.
Cloward the same day. I was ordained a ileacon by
C. M. Ivie, 4 Dec. 1907 and a priest by Hans Jensen,
25 Nov. 1912. Hans Jensen ordained me an elder on the
30 Jan. 1916, and on the 2 Feb. 1916 I received my en-
dowments. On 5 Feb. 1916, I left home to fill a mission
in the Central States in the State of Kansas— St. John
conference (now West Kansas District). I returned from
my mission the 3 April 1918. On the 24 May 1918 I was
married to Sena Alima Sorensen of Glenwood, Sevier
County, Utah, by Lewis Anderson at the Manti Temple.
220 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
On the 27 May 1918 I left home to serve in the 145th
artillery in the world's great war. I left the U. S. A.
on the 16 Aug. 1918; was in France and England until
the 4 Jan. 1919. I returned to my home in Aurora 24
Jan. 1919. Aurora was quarantined at this time because
Le G. Durfee, Jr.
of influenza and it lasted for about a month after I
returned home. In March 1919 I was sustained as first
counselor to Byran Ivie in the Y. M. M. I. A. On 28
Dec. 1919 I was sustained and set apart by George M.
Jones, as a High Priest and as second counselor to
Bishop Levi Sorensen. On 15 July, 1923, I was set
apart as first counselor to Bishop Sorensen by Chas. H.
Hart. In the winter of 1924 Bishop Levi Sorensen was
called on a six month's mission. I took his place as
Bishop of the ward during his absence. We were re-
leased from the Bishopric in Dec. 1933. A social was
given in our honor at this time. The children were
given a dance in the afternoon and served with candy.
In the evening a program was given; after which
RICHARD CROWTHER FAMILY SSI
a plate lunch was served to 370 persons. The remaining
part of the evening was spent dancing. We were each
presented with a mirror as a gift of remembrance.
I have been ward secretary in Aurora and in the
High Priests Organization. While ward secretary I
copied all ward records into a new book. I was also
secretary in the M. I. A. before I was called into the
mission field. On i July 1934 I was set apart and
sustained as a High Councilman in the North Sevier
Stake. I was set apart by David O. McKay. I have
been secretary for the cattle grazing association. I
have also served three terms as town councilman and
secretary in the Aurora town — first term 1924-25, second
term 1940-41, third term 1 942-1 943.
In the summer of 193 1 I had an experience which
strengthened my testimony in the Gospel. I also learned
that there are times in our lives when it is almost im-
possible to discern between good and evil influences.
The wrong spirit causes everything to appear so easy
and plausible that we sometimes get the two influences
confused. The Prophet Joseph Smith in speaking upon
this subject, tells us that we must try the spirits and
prove them, for it is often the case that man makes
mistakes in regard to these things. There is but one way
to avoid evil influences. Live pure, holy and prayerful
lives; cultivate a spirit of discernment and shun every-
thing of an evil nature. Or in other words, resist the
devil and he will flee from us. I suffered much and lost
out financially because of listening to the wrong spirit.
I had bought a farm three years before this time with
money borrowed from the bank, but had been able to
pay off only the taxes and interest each year as they came
due. Finally I was able to get a permit to graze cattle
and it seemed like I was getting along fine. I wasn't
222 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
satisfied with this amount of cattle so decided to borrow
more money and get more cattle. I tried three dif-
ferent times to borrow money, but each time the banker
turned me down. I prayed about it, and I decided that
if I ever paid for my farm I would have to get more
cattle. So I got my father to go to the bank and see if
he could persuade the banker to let me have the
money. Father finally talked him into letting me have
the money, so I purchased more cattle. It seemed like
I was getting along fine, then the depression came. I
had rented ten acres of my farm to Aldon Mason to put
into beets and I was running the other ten acres of
alfalfa and working for J. A. Scorup. The beet crop
that year was almost a failure and the price of cattle
was only about half what it was the year before. By
July ist I began to worry about my debts and I got so bad
that I couldn't eat nor sleep. I would have spells when
perspiration would pour out all over my body, which
caused a weakness. A dull heavy feeling crowded into
my mind and I had physical pains in my head and body.
For ten nights straight I could not sleep. I walked the
floor all night. After that I could only sleep a few
hours each night, for weeks. During the day time I did
not know at times what I was doing. Many a time I
rode my horse over to J. A. Scorup's and tied him up;
then started out for the bridles for the working team;
but before getting to them I would turn around and pick
up my riding horse's bridle and go and untie him
without realizing what I was doing. The only way
I could get any relief was when I prayed. When I was
alone at work in the field I would get down on my
knees and pray.
At last I decided to try to sell my cattle, farm and
permit and get as near out of debt as I could. I owed
RICHARD CROWTHER FAMILY 825
500. After looking around for some time, I at last
found a sale for my cattle and permit. I had a few
heifers that were fat that I sold for five cents a pound
and the others I sold to the Cowley Boys of Venice with
my permit. Father thought I was foolish to let them
!go at the price I did, but two weeks later cattle sold for
much less and the price has never been as high since
and that is going on three years now. Edwin Sorensen
took over my farm and allowed me what I had given
for it. In this way I got out of debt and still had my
home clear.
Le G. and Alima Durfee
At this time I was ten dollars behind in having my
tithing paid in full, and we just had ten dollars left in
the house. There were two or three of the children
that needed shoes and there were many other things
we needed. My wife and I thought it over for several
days and at last decided to pay the ten dollars for tithing.
224 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
The Lord did bless us for I had a month more work than
I expected at J. A. Scorup's. I did not get winters work
as I hoped to get and at Christmas we did not have
money to buy Christmas presents and we were afraid
our children would find empty stockings on Christmas
morning. But to our great surprise, God Himself,
through unseen power, put $130.00 in my hands which
gave us the necessities of life until spring and a few
Christmas presents. I realize that we have always been
blessed for the paying of tithing; but this is the first time
I ever saw such blessings come so directly. The lesson
I learned through this experience is: the world may
become hard and cold because of the selfishness and
mistakes of man, but God is always ready to help his
children. I thank the Lord for this experience, but I
hope I never will have to pass through it again. It
surely has strengthened my testimony and I feel like
I am much better off spiritually if not financially.
The next spring I got the job as water master on the
Rocky Ford canal and in the fall the sugar company gave
me the job of weighing beets. I have had this employ-
ment now for eleven years, from 1931 to 1942. I have
enjoyed these jobs very much for I always like to sit
over a large number of figures and books.
I began milking cows as early in life as I began
school. My job while going to school was milking and
feeding and watering the cows. I would milk from
fourteen to sixteen cows each morning and evening.
At night I was too tired to do much studying, but I
always saw that I had my arithmatic, which was my
choice subject.
I wanted to go into business, for that was my choice
field, but my father had done so well financially in
cattle and farming, I decided that it was best to follow in
RICHARD CROWTHER FAMILY 225
his footsteps. I had to stay out of school so much to help
father on the farm besides milking cows while going to
school, it caused me to get behind in my school work
which partly killed the desire for a business career.
Since my farming career sliped from me, it has made me
long and wish more than ever for a business career.
When I reflect upon the past, I like to think of
those happy hours I spent in our home with the children.
My wife arranged so we could have a family party, or in
other words a home evening, once a week, wherein we
prayed and taught each other the principles of the
Gospel. These evenings began with prayer, then fol-
lowed with a program, and every one took part, using
the different talents God gave us. After the program
we played games and had refreshments and the evening
was ended with family prayer.
God blessed our home with five children — three girls
and two boys. They were all born in Aurora, Utah.
They are:
Lola Durfee, b. 5 Feb. 1920, baptized 4 Sept. 1928.
Merrill G. Durfee, b. 17 July 1921, baptized 10 Sept. 1929.
Myrna Jane Durfee, b. ir Dec. 1926, baptized 7 May 1934.
Leila Durfee, b. 7 Aug. 1927, baptized 2 May 1936.
Lymon James Durfee, b. 20 Jan. 1930, baptized 24 May 1938.
The children all showed in early childhood a spiritual
disposition, and a great desire for education. They are
active in their church duties. Many a Sunday after-
noon they remain at home entertaining each other while
their girl chums and boy chums are to the picture shows.
The children have been interested in music, playing the
piano and other instruments. My wife is a great lover
of music and she has spent much of her time teaching
the children to play the piano. We have also given them
lessons on the piano by Professor Elmer Nielson, Chester
226 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
Hill and Lavar Jensen. The year Lymon was in the
fourth grade, the school put on a Christmas operetta,
and he played the piano accompaniment. He was just
nine years old.
My wife Cena Alima Sorensen was born in Glen-
wood, Utah, 8 July 1898. At the age of fifteen she began
her leadership in the Church as a teacher in the Sunday
School. At the age of sixteen she was sustained as
organist in the M. I. A. At seventeen she became organist
in the Sunday School and organist and teacher in the
Primary. She worked diligently in these different
organizations until she came to Aurora. In the Aurora
Ward she has been organist for twelve years and besides
Sacrament meetings accompaniment, she has accompani-
ed the Aurora choir several times at Quarterly Confer-
ences and all funeral services, from 1919 to 1921 and from
June, 1931 to November, 1941. She was organist in the
Sunday School from 1921 to 1928. She has been organist,
class leader and visiting teacher in the Relief Society and
also in Primary. She served in the North Sevier Stake
M. I. A. from Sept. 25, 1936 to May, 1940.
In 1938, Lola Durfee graduated from the L. D. S.
Seminary. The graduation exercises were held on May
8, 1938. Her part on the program was to play a piano
solo. She also accompanied the chorus on the piano.
At the senior farewell program, 18 May, 1938, Lola
played a flute solo and took part in a play. In
1938 she graduated from the North Sevier High School.
The graduation exercises were held, 19 May 1938. At
these exercises, Lola sang a soprano solo, "I Love You
High School." She wrote the words to her song and put
them to the melody of "I Love You Truly." Here she
expressed her two favorite hobbies, writing poetry and
music. Another of her talents was public speaking. She
RICHARD CROWTHER FAMILY 227
received a scholarship to the Snow College at Ephraim,
Utah. On the 24 May 1940, Lola graduated from the
Snow College. On 4 June 1941 she graduated from the
Brigham Young University with a three year Normal.
In 1941 she became a Golden Gleaner in the M. I. A. At
the present time Lola is teaching in the Salina district
school.
Merrill G. Durfee was ordained a deacon 17 July
1933 by his father, LeGrand Durfee, Jr. He was ordained
a teacher 24 July 1936 by his father. He was ordained
a priest 17 July 1938 by his father. He was ordained an
elder 25 Aug. 1940 by his father. On 13 May 1939,
graduated from the L. D. S. Seminary. He sang in a
male trio and directed the chorus in singing, "Redeemer
of Israel." On 24 May 1939 was the farewell program
for the seniors. At the program Merrill took part in a
play and directed the chorus singing, "Farewell Dear
High School." He wrote the words to this song and
put them to the melody of "The Wild Rose." On 25
May 1939, Merrill graduated from the North Sevier High
School. He was high point student in scholarship which
entitled him to a scholarship. This high school also pre-
sented him with a citizenship badge. At the exercises he
played his saxophone in a quartett and also directed the
senior graduates singing, "Our Yesterday." He took
part in all the musical festivals, singing solos, singing in
quartets and playing solos and playing in quartets with
his clarinet and saxophone. He contested in shorthand
and typing; he also took a great interest in shop. In
September, 1939, he began school at the Brigham Young
University. This is his third year at this school. He is
majoring in music and business. Called to fill a mission
for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he
went June 15, 1942 to the New England States.
228 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
I am hopeful that the other three children will ac-
complish as much as their elder brother and sister. I
am closing with a poem:
A CHILD'S PRAYER
God your love for me was very great,
To give me such a father and mother.
Thanks to thee, I offer for my fate,
That wonderful father and mother of mine.
Twenty years they've cared for me —
Struggled, fought and worked for me.
God, they've done their noble parts.
Help me to fill the desires of their hearts.
Tho I have faltered in many ways
Leave me not alone, I want to win.
Happiness (I want) to fill their hearts,
Not sorrow and grief for my sin.
God bless and protect that wonderful father and mother of mine.
Written in 1941 by LeGrand (Lee G) Durfee, Jr.
Lee has set a good example to his children, because
of his straightforward life. He has been a very active
man in his church. His view points in life have always
inspired others to higher levels. He taught his children
the right way but gave them their free agency to choose
for themselves. He possesses two of the greatest
characteristics a person can possess — honesty and depend-
ability.
His wife, Alima Sorensen Durfee.
RICHARD CROWTHER
RICHARD CROWTHER married his second wile,
my mother, Esther Rebecca Price, in the Logan
Temple, Sept. i6, 1887. The wedding journey was
made from Fountain Green, Utah to Logan, with team
and wagon. It was a happy time for both of them. The
present generation can see Httle romance in such a mar-
riage. The principle of plural marriage is neither taught
nor practised today. Their holy vows were so sacred to
them, they surpassed all romance. After the wedding
trip, father took his first wife and family and my
mother down into Wayne County to build a home.
They went down into the lower country and settled
in a place called Blue Valley on the Fremont River.
This country is now known as the Wayne Wonderland.
It is a country of magnificent scenery — canyons with
walls of solid rock, gigantic rock formations and the
remains of ancient cliff dwellings. There were about
eleven families in the new settlement. Father was sus-
tained as presiding elder. Relief Society, Sunday School
and Primary organizations were formed.
The six years spent in Blue Valley, though filled with
toil and hardship, were very happy ones. The people
of the little pioneer community were united and un-
selfish in their devotion to their neighbors. Babies were
born without benefit of doctors or anaesthetics. Always
a kind neighbor was there to welcome the new arrival
or perform the last kindly rites for the dead. Three girls
and one baby boy were born to father and mother down
in Blue Valley. The baby boy died and was buried in
a lone grave. My parents often talked of this beautiful
little son and were sure they could find his little grave,
in spite of wind and weather. The Fremont River flood-
230 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
ed its banks and caused great damage in the struggling
little settlement. After six years of floods and loss of
crops the families began moving out. A visitor in the
lov^^er country at the present time may still see the re-
mains of the old orchards and rock houses of the first
settlers. Father and his families moved back into Sanpete
Valley. The years following were full of privations and
hardships for all. Father was playing a game of hide
and seek with the U. S. marshals. He, with a great
number of other Latter-day Saint men, was wanted for
practicing ploygamy. After a great deal of dodging,
and it is to be suspected a bit of fun at the expense of
the marshals, he was taken into custody. His sentence
was three months in the state penitentiary. This was
a critical time for my mother. Her fifth child, a baby
girl was born while he was away. The families moved
around from one little town to another and finally they
moved north to the Bear River Valley,
Father bought a little farm in Elwood, Box Elder
County. Here he planted fruit trees and many different
varities of berries and shrubs. When he was a boy in
England he worked as a gardner on a gentleman's estate.
Gardening was the work he loved. He was never so
happy as when working among his plants, pruning
trees or experimenting with some new growing thing.
His fingers had the green touch. He was so proud to
cut a great bunch of grapes from his vines to send with
a happy child to the school teacher. There were huge
squash that took the blue ribbon at the county fair and
strawberries so large very few would go in a basket
He was an easy mark for a nursery salesman. Mother
would scold and argue about money being spent for trees
when the children needed shoes, but the new variety of
tree nearly always won. Though father was a most
RICHARD CROWTHER FAMILY 231
unscientific bee man, he always wanted a few hives
of bees about the place. Out under the apricot trees
the busy hum of bees was part of the summer weather.
When the bees would swarm, father would have all the
family out beating tin pans, this was for some obscure
reason children didn't quite understand; but that did not
interfere with their pleasure in making the wanted noise.
It apparently had been an old English custom and father
kept it up in America.
There wasn't much money in farming. Father and
the older girls worked in the spring and fall topping
and thinning beets in the neighborhood in order to pay
taxes and buy the bare necessities of life. It is a good
thing the family was nearly always in good health since
there was no money for doctors and medical care. When
one of the members of the family was ill the first
thought was for the consecrated oil and the administra-
tion by father. He was a man of great faith and was
often called into other homes to administer to the sick.
There were no moving picture theaters to take the
place of family recreation at that time. The evenings
were filled with games around the fire side and reading
aloud from the best books. The history of the Church
was familiar to even the smallest in that farm home.
Father told wonderful stories of his long trek across the
plains and his Indian experiences in Sanpete County.
One Indian story that was called for again and
again had its setting in Fountain Green. The Black
Hawk war was on and Indians were a constant threat
to the live stock men. One day Uncle Thomas sent
father for cattle that had strayed. He was walking
among the willows on the branch of a creek looking
for the cattle. Glancing up stream he saw an Indian in
full war paint bathing his feet in the creek. Father
232 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
crouched behind the willows and fairly froze to the
ground, his heart beating so loudly he felt sure the
Indian could hear it. He stayed in hiding until after
the Indian mounted his horse and rode away. Father
lost no time in getting to the settlement to give the word
that Indians were in the vicinity. He could tell dozens
of similar stories that were fascinating to boys and girls.
During the years he lived in Elwood he served in
many ward offices. He was always willing to answer
any call in the service of the Lord. His faith was deep
and abiding. There was never a day begun or ended
without the family gathering in prayer. He never missed
an opportunity to bear his testimony to his family or his
friends. His was the youthful heart. Many people re-
member his recitations. His rendition of the "Murder
of a Mosquito" is a memory to treasure. He made a
fine Santa Claus at ward socials. A jollier Saint could
not be imagined.
When a crowd of young people came into the home
he was one with them. He loved the old songs — "Then
Why Art Thou Silent — Thou Joy Of My Heart," is a
refrain that will live forever as sung by his voice.
His latter years were filled with a desire to work
in the Temple. Many times he made the trip down to
Manti to spend a little time working in the Temple. In
191 1 he moved his family to Logan, Utah, where he
could spend his last days doing the work for his dead
kindred.
The last year of his life was filled with great pain
caused by a cancer on his head. He was cheerful through
it all and enjoyed his old friends coming to visit him.
The daughters of the pioneers gave a little party for him
a few weeks before his death. He was the life of the
party. He gave a recitation and joined in the pioneer
RICHARD CROWTHER FAMILY
233
songs with delight. He died at his home in Logan,
June 25, 1926 — a man respected by his neighbors, honor-
ed as a trail blazer and pioneer. His was a simple life.
He wanted only the common things — a home, his family
around him, the love and companionship of his fellows.
He left no worldly goods behind for his children. He
did leave a worthy name and an undying testimony of
the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
— Written by his daughter, Marilla Crowther Cook.
Richard Crowther at 84
SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF ESTHER REBECCA
PRICE CROWTHER
ESTHER REBECCA PRICE was born 17 July i860
at Netherton, Worcestershire, England. She was
the daughter of John Round Price and Hannah
Paddock. She was one of nine children born to this
couple, though only she and four brothers lived to the
age of maturity. The others died during infancy.
Her childhood was a very happy one. At the age
of four she started to school which was a private school
and besides the regular studies she was taught to knit,
sew and crochet.
Esther's parents embraced the Gospel as taught by
the Latter-day Saints soon after they were married, so
she was taught the principles of truth from youth and
through her early life. However she was not baptized
into the Church until she was twenty-four years of age,
which was shortly after her Father died. With her
mother and brother Benjamin she left England and came
to Utah, U. S. A., arriving in Provo 9th of June 1886.
She was married to Richard Crowther, 16 Sept. 1887
in the Logan Temple. Along with him she did much
pioneering in the early settlement of several communities
in southern Utah. She is the mother of nine children
of whom five are living at this time, Feb. 24, 1942.
Since the death of her husband in January, 1926,
she has spent most of the time with her youngest daughter
at Mink Creek, Idaho, where she still makes her home
with this daughter and family. She is now in her eighty-
second year and is blessed with fairly good health. Her
mind is still very keen and alert and her eye sight and
hearing are almost perfect.
She has a firm testimony of the Gospel and is ever
236 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
ready to testify to its truthfulness and encourage every
one she comes in contact with to Uve more strictly to
its principles and to try to follow the teachings of our
Savior.
— Mrs. Esther Rebecca Price Crowther,
Mink Creek, Idaho.
DESCENDANTS OF RICHARD CROWTHER'S
SECOND FAMILY
1-8 Richard Crowther, b. i Oct. 1839, Shropshire, England, d.
lune 25, 1926, Logan, Utah, m. 16 Sept. 1887, Logan Temple.
Esther Rebecca Price, b. 17 luly i860, Worcestershire, Eng-
land, daughter of lohn Round Price and Hannah Paddock.
Nine children. Residence, Mink Creek, Idaho.
2-1 Esther Ann Crowther, b. 13 Sept. 1888 at Aldrich, Wayne
Co., Utah, d. 10 Dec. 1937, m. 23 Sept. 1908, Salt Lake
Temple, Hyrum Chase Yates, b. 26 Nov. 1877, son of
Hyrum Yates and Margaret Forsythe. No children.
2-2 Emily Hannah Crowther, b. 26 March 1890 at Aldrich, Utah,
d. 29 Dec. 1904.
2-3 lohn Richard Crowther, b. 28 Oct. 1891, Aldrich, Utah, d.
21 Dec. 1891.
2-4 Rachel Miriam Crowther, b. 25 Dec. 1892, Aldrich, Utah,
d. 2 July 1929, m. Logan Temple, 5 Sept. 191 7 to William
Emer Taylor, b. 30 Oct. 1890 at Yost, Utah, son of Emer
Harris Taylor and Sylvia Esther Crich. Six children.
3-1 Esther Taylor, b. 11 March 1920, Oakley, Idaho, m. 11
March 1938, Victor Eugene Barrett, son of Wm. Barrett and
Sarah Lula Kidd, b. 20 May 191 1 at Albion, Idaho. Two
children.
4-1 Victor Eugene Barrett, b. 23 Jan. 1939 at Albion, Idaho.
4-2 Esther leanetta Barrett, b. 3 Aug. 1940 at Rupert, Idaho.
3-2 Richard Emer Taylor, b. 30 Oct. 1921, Oakley, Idaho.
3-3 Howard Taylor, b. April, 1923, Almo, Idaho.
3-4 Nadene Taylor, b. 4 Sept. 1925, Almo, Idaho.
3-5 Betty Mae Taylor, b. i July 1927, Almo, Idaho.
3-6 Horace Keith Taylor, b. 24 May 1929, Rupert, Idaho.
2-5 Alice Minnie Crowther, b. 20 Nov. 1894, Gunnison, Utah,
m. 17 Dec. 1915, Logan Temple, Alfred Henry Meyer, b.
10 July 1 89 1, Biel, Switzerland, son of Henry Frederick
Meyer and Eugenie Vilmont.
RICHARD CROWTHER FAMILY 2S7
3-1 Irel Henry Meyer, b. 4 Oct. 1914, Preston, Idaho, m. 31
May, 1934, Logan Temple, to Ruth Nelson, b. 7 May 19 16,
Smithfield, Utah, daughter of Robert LeRoy Nelson and
Alice Doane. One child.
4-1 Alice Ann Meyer, b. 31 Jan. 1937, Logan, Utah.
3-2 Jack Warren Meyer, b. 21 March 1923, Colton, California,
m. 20 Nov. 1941, Las Vegas, Nevada, Dorothy Maxinc
Jones, b. i April 1922, St. Anthony, Idaho, daughter of
Alma Jones and Dorcas Reynolds.
2-6 Lucy Leona Crowther, b. 6 Oct. 1896, at Gunnison, Utah,
m. 28 Nov. 1917, Logan Temple, Julius Oliver Wahlen, b.
14 May 1894, Logan, Utah, son of Julius Charles Wahlen
and Annie Davidson. Three children.
3-1 Donald Oliver Wahlen, b. 18 July 1919 at Logan, Utah.
3-2 Lois Wahlen, b. 22 Dec. 1920 at Logan, Utah.
3-3 Gwendolyn Wahlen, b. 22 Jan. 1926 at San Bernardino,
California.
2-7 Joseph Crowther, b. 20 Dec. 1898 at Axtel, Utah.
2-8 Marilla Crowther, b. 24 Oct. 1900, at Gunnison, Utah, m.
17 June, 1926, Samuel Bryson Cook, b. 15 April 1899 at
Border, Idaho, son of Joseph Wolcott Cook and Eliza Bryson.
Five children.
3-1 Joseph Wolcott Cook, b. 12 Sept. 1927 at Logan, Utah.
3-2 Richard Crowther Cook, b. 3 Oct. 1929 at Logan, Utah.
5-3 Mary Alice Cook, b. 18 April 1933 at Logan, Utah,
3-4 Katherine Cook, b. 22 Oct. 1934 at Logan, Utah.
3-5 Samuel Bryson Cook, b. 14 July 1937 at Logan, Utah.
2-9 Bessie Pearl Crowther, b. 13 Sept. 1903, El wood, Box Elder
Co., Utah, m. 12 Oct. 1932, Logan Temple to James Hazen
Baird, b. 25 Jan. 1906 at Mink Creek, Idaho, son of Lorenzo
Snow Baird and Newgenia Keller. Three children.
3-1 James Lorenzo Baird, b. 30 Dec. 1934 at Logan, Utah.
3-2 Ronald Crowther Baird, b. 9 Oct. 1937 at Logan, Utah.
3-3 Mary Jean Baird, b. 26 Nov. 1941 at Preston, Idaho.
Part Three
George Crowther Family
GEORGE CROWTHER FAMILY
Janet Wiley, Wife of
George Crowther
The Crowther family have been
quite musical. Thomas James
Crowther was in the first band
and orchestra and was leader of
both for many years. His son Clif-
ford has taken his place as leader
of both. George Crowther has had
sons, grandsons and greatgrand-
sons in both band and orchestra
from their beginning — The
present band has three grandsons
and three great grandsons.
I have some record of four hundred and eighty-
five members of George Crowther's Family. There must
be about sixty or more that I could not get the record
of. Quite a number are in the army. Several have filled
missions.
— George N. Larsen.
George Crowther, born Nov. i8, 1826. Died April 16, 1895.
Janet Wiley, born October 29, 1825. Died Dec. 22, 1904.
Their children:
Robena Crowther, born Jan. 5, 1850. Died October i, 1923.
John William Crowther, born , 1851. Died
, 1852.
James Crowther, born , 1853. Died ,
1854 or 5.
Catherine Crowther, born March 11, 1856. Living in Manti,
Utah.
Elizabeth Crowther, born Aug. 15, 1858. Died Jan. 19, 1937.
Sarah Crowther, born May 22, 1861. Died
GEORGE CROWTHER FAMILY 241
George Crowther, Jr., born April 13, 1863. Died April ,
1888.
William John Crowther, born May 14, 1864. Died Dec.
9, 1908.
Thomas James Crowther, born October 10, 1868. Died June
29, 1920.
George Crowther the son of John Crowther and
-was born November i8, 1826,
in Dorley or Ironbridge near London, England. (In
searching the genealogical records we find, Dorley,
given as his birth place in his endowment record, is not
mentioned on the maps and gazetteers of the British
Isles; but Ironbridge, given as his birth place in his
sealing record, is an ecclesiastical district or Parish be-
longing to Madeley in Shropshire, England. There was
a great iron bridge built across the river Severn in
1779 and part of the Parish took the name of Iron-
bridge from the stupendous undertaking.)
There is little known about his father John Crowther
or his mother and their family. The most definite in-
formation we have of them is given in a letter re-
ceived from Richard Crowther, written, on September
30, 1888. We reprint the letter in full:—
Pontnewydd Near Newport,
September 30, 1888.
My Dear Brother:
I hope this will reach you as I have been trying to get your
address for many years. I got this through one of the samts that
is here on a mission. Now if you are my brother I hope that
you will write as soon as you get this for I am the only brother
left. They have all gone to their long home. There are
two sisters left, Jane and Ann; that is all. The last I heard
from them they were well. If this finds you, I will send you
all the news in my next letter but it is useless to write some
one else all that I want to say to you. But as regards myself 1
may say that the Lord has blessed me with health so tar,
for which I thank him, though I have seen some ups and
242 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
downs through Hfe up to now. I have, through God's help,
overcome them and at the present time I can say that hitherto
the Lord has helped me. If you are George Crowther the son
of John Crowther of the Parish of Madeley, Shropshire, England,
I am your youngest brother Richard Crowther.
And now I hope that I shall not be disappointed and that
you are my brother. Hoping that you are alive and well and
that your wife and children are well. If I don't see you again
on earth I hope to meet you in heaven with those that are
gone before.
I will not say any more now but in my next I will tell you |
all. Believe me, your affectionate brother,
R. Crowther.
Pontnewydd Near Newport, Mammouthshire, England.
P. S. If this should go to the wrong address if you know more
Crowthers, please try to let them have it.
Yours, R. Crowther
There was considerable correspondence carried on
over a period of years, but the letter quoted is the
only one we can find. This letter was found among
some of the things that were being sorted over years
after the death of George Crowther.
George received an average education for the time |
in which he lived in England. As a young man he be-
came interested in the mining industry. Later on he J
went to Scotland to work in the mines. His education if
and religious training gave him a keen insight to the
real values of life. He was blessed with a sense or r|
consciousness when danger was near, for many times
when at work or while eating dinner with the other
miners he would get up or move from where he was
sitting or working and say to the other men, "I feel
like something is going to happen and we had better
move from this place." Many times they had just
moved a short distance when the roof of the roomi
or a large rock would fall and cover the place where,
they had been.
GEORGE CROWTHER FAMILY S4S
He went to Kilberney, Scotland, to work as this
was a mining center as well as a manufacturing center
for textiles. While here he boarded with a family by
the name of Piper. The Pipers were friends of the
Wileys. It was here that he met and became acquainted
with Janet Wiley, who later became his wife.
Janet Wiley was born October 29, 1825, at Kil-
berney, Ayrshire, Scotland. She was the daughter of
William Wiley and Janet Fife Wiley. Her education
was limited to what she got before she went to work
in the factory and the studying she did when off work.
She went to work in the textile factory at a very early
age and continued until she was married. For a more
detailed sketch of Janet's life I will quote from a sketch
that was written by Mrs. Elizabeth Crawford Munk, a
friend of the family.
Across the ocean in Scotland in the city of Kilberney a little
girl was born on the 29th of October, 1825. She had very dark
brown hair (almost black), blue eyes and was a litde under
average in height. As a child she was very alert, nothing
escaped her quick perception, whether it was in her play with
the children or listening to her elders in their conversation.
She was also a very patient child keeping all her troubles to
herself. In her early life she was a lover of the story of Christ
and, therefore, learned to ask him for help. * * * Janet learned
to fight her own batdes in a quiet way. She went to work
in the factory at the age of eight and worked there until she
was married.
Her father, William Wiley, was a devoted Christian. The
family belonged to the good old Presbyterian Church which was
founded by John Knox. His motto was, 'The fear of God is
the beginning of wisdom." John was one of the eady reformers
who taught the people to read the Bible and think for them-
selves and not depend entirely upon what the priests anc^ Pope
taught them. * * * Janet came home one night and told her
people about a new doctrine that was being taught. Her father
told her that he had had the right to investigate the scriptures
244 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
and choose the way he could get the greatest light. "So, now,
Janet, I am not going to stand in the way of any of my
children having the same privilege." The mother could not at
first be persuaded to listen. Soon her elder sister Barbara ac-
companied her to one of these meetings to hear this new
doctrine.
Janet was only about sixteen at this time, but she led
the rest of the family to try to understand this new doctrine or
new gospel plan. To her it seemed to open up something
broader and gave her a clearer light of the plan of salvation.
Together the two sisters would tell their father the differences
in the points of doctrine as the following: "He said tonight,
father, 'A man must be called of God by prophecy and by the
laying on of hands by those who are in authority to preach the
gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.' This he proved
by the scriptures."
It was not long until their father became interested and
would go to hear the Mormon Elders, for they were the men
whom Janet had found and listened to. * * * She became con-
vinced that this was a broader explanation of the scriptures than
she had ever heard and she joined at the age of sixteen. She
was baptised on the 23rd of December, 1841.
Parley P. Pratt opened this branch of the church. It was
not long until her father and sister were baptised.
Bro. Wiley was a man of strong willpower, that is he was
not led easily one way or the other. He took his time to in-
vestigate and when he became satisfied that this was a revelation
from heaven he studied all the principles thoroughly. Their
doctrine of faith was especially interesting to him. Faith is a
principle of power. * * * One day when he was brought home
on a stretcher, from work, with his leg very badly broken he
asked for the Elders to come and administer to him. He had
such great faith that after they had administered to him he
could move his foot. Shortly after this his wife joined the
church.
Janet was a faithful member of the faith and attended all
the meetings whenever it was possible for her to go. Some
time after she had joined, at one of the meetings Janet was
introduced to a fine, young English boy who had come to work
in the mines of Kilburney. This being a coal district as well as
a manufacturing town. This boy, George Crowther, had
GEORGE CROWTHER FAMILY 245
joined the Mormons before coming here. They became attached
to each other and when Janet was twenty years old they were
married. They lived in Scodand until their first child, Robena,
was born.
Their daughter, Robena, was born January 5, 1850,
and during the summer of 1850 they left Scotland and
came to the United States. They crossed the ocean in a
sail boat and landed in New Orleans that fall. They
went up the Mississippi River and joined the saints at
St. Louis, Missouri. While they were living in St.
Louis their son John William was born (1851). They
moved to Alton, Illinois, in the early part of 1852. Soon
after they moved there their son John William died.
In 1853 their son James was born and he died in 1854
or 1855. From the material we have, the date, is in-
definite. Their daughter Catherine was born March
II, 1856, at Alton, Illinois.
About this time Israel Evans was organizing a
Hand Cart Company of saints to make the trip to
Utah. After a great deal of thinking and counseling
they decided to join this company. They hesitated to
make the trip on account of Janet's physical condition.
She had been sick for a long time, finally one morning
she said; "George we will go to Utah with Israel Evans
and his Hand Cart Company." George told her she
was too weak to start on the trip, and her reply to
this was; "I will die if we stay here and if we go I
will get well." This settled all arguing or hesitancy
and they began planning in earnest for the trip.
They left the gathering place of Israel Evans' Hand
Cart Company near Alton, Illinois, in June, 1857, and
started the long trip across the plains to Salt Lake City.
The road was long, rough, sandy, up and down hills,
through the hot sun, the wind and rain storms. The
246 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
company left some of its members in graves along the
road, but Janet Crowther's health began to improve
when they started and she made the trip to Salt Lake
City in good physical condition. Catherine was fifteen
months old and had to be hauled in the cart all the way
and Robena who was only seven years old walked as
much of the way as she could stand. Through all these
months they marched forward and landed in Salt Lake
City, September 12, 1857. They were the last of Israel
Evans' Hand Cart Company consisting of 154 people
and thirty-one hand carts.
They arrived just ahead of the Johnston Army,
which, because of falsehoods and misrepresentations,
had been sent by the Government to suppress the sup-
posed-to-be, unlawful activities of the Mormons.
One week after they arrived in Salt Lake City
President Brigham Young called George to go on guard
against the army of Colonel Johnston. He left his
wife and babies and went on guard in Echo Canyon.
The guard selected several points in front of the army
and marched around and around before them. They
passed in view with coats on; then with them off; then
turned inside out, and in numerous ways they dis-
guised themselves in order to make it appear that they
had many more men than they really had.
While this was going on the Church made what
in Mormon History is known as the "Big Move." The
Mormon families packed up all their belongings, gathered
their flocks, and left Salt Lake City for the valleys to the
south. A few men were left in Salt Lake City to kindle
the straw that was left in the houses in case the army did
not keep its promise to Brigham Young to march through
the city south to the Jordan Narrows.
Janet Crowther and her two little girls were moved
GEORGE CROWTHER FAMILY 247
to Payson. After the guard was disbanded it took George
two weeks of constant searching to find his wife and
family. They lived in Payson for some time and while
there their daughter Elizabeth was born August 15, 1858.
They moved from Payson to Wales, Sanpete Co.,
Utah, in i860. George worked in the coal min^s there
and did some farming and took an active part in the
community activities. Their daughter Sarah was born
there May 22, 1861. Their son George, Jr., was born
April 13, 1863 at Wales.
In 1863 they moved to Moroni. They were no more
than settled there when they were called, by President
Young, to go to Sevier Co., to help colonize that section.
They went to Monroe where, two weeks later. May 14,
1864, their son William John was born. In this place
farming and guarding against the Indians was the prin-
cipal occupation. Three years later, 1867, they were
called away from Monroe on account of the Indian War.
This was the Black Hawk Indian War.
George Crowther, Bishop Olsen and Walter Barney
went to Spring City to see Orson Hyde about moving
from Monroe. The day they were to return to Monroe
the Indians made an attack on the community. There
was great fear for their safety, but it so happened that a
Mr. Readhead at Richfield had insisted that they stay at
his home over night. This they did against their wishes
as they felt that they should get home as quickly as
possible. If they had not listened to Mr. Readhead it
is quite possible that they would have been killed by
the Indians, because the attack was on at the very time
they would have been on the road.
Through most of the Indian troubles George was a
minute man. Besides driving the pony express he was
248
THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
called to guard against the Indians at nights and times
when not on his regular trips.
During this time of colonization and Indian troubles
food was very scarce. The principal articles of food
during the spring and summer were thistles, mustard
greens, sego roots or bulbs and mushrooms. Most of
this was gathered by the children. Janet and her children
would pick, card and spin the wool and weave it into
cloth for their clothing. The longer fibers were selected
Old Home of George Crowther Family
and twisted into thread to sew the clothing, this was
usually the job for Catherine as she was very quick and
had nimble fingers. The worn out clothing was cut into
strips and woven into carpets and rugs.
They moved from Monroe to Manti where they
stayed two months and then moved to Fountain Green
where they made their home permanently. Like all
other pioneer families they had a few sheep. Janet and
GEORGE CROWTHER FAMILY 249
the girls washed the wool, picked and carded it in rolls
and wove it. One fall Janet wanted to make cloth for
a suit for George and she wanted it extra nice so she
colored some of the wool red, then took a portion of
black and white. The three colors were mixed in the
picking which made it a dark rich color when woven.
George was always proud of this suit. Janet and her
daughter Catherine, now Mrs. Hans P. Larsen, made
forty yards of jeans one winter. Catherine carded all this
wool in rolls by hand. Janet was always busy either
with helping and cheering the sick or those in trouble.
October lo, 1868, Thomas James was born at
Fountain Green.
From this date on the family engaged in farming
and stock raising. They were early pioneers in Utah.
It was people like them that made possible the wonderful
conditions we have in Utah today.
The last few years of George's life were made mis-
erable by the affliction of asthma. He died April 16,
1895 at Fountain Green, Utah.
Janet Wiley Crowther lived nine years longer and
was very active to the last. When the children would
come to visit with her, she would be busy at her loom,
and they would say, "Mother, you do not need to be
working like this all the time." She would smile ^ and
say; "better wear out than to rust out." And when God
called her she left a piece of carpet in the loom not quite
finished. She was active to within a few days of her
death which came December 22, 1904 at her home in
Fountain Green, Utah.
Janet was in word and deed a Pioneer Mother, and
when we say a Pioneer Mother it stands for all that is
praise worthy, honest, benevolent, courageous, strong of
heart and hand. All she asked in return was a clasp of
250 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
the human hand. She died as she had Uved, a true
Latter-day Saint.
Thus closed the activities of George Crowther and
his beloved wife Janet Wiley Crowther. The trials and
hardships they went through can be appreciated only by
those who know pioneer life. In addition there were
the extreme dryness of the Utah desert, the Indian
troubles, and the falsehoods and misrepresentations which
caused the Church and all its members many worries and
heart aches. The solving of these problems of life by
these pioneers was an outstanding achievement and the
world stands indebted to them. When trials were
harder they worked harder and when they became al-
most unbearable they would sing, "Come, Come Ye
Saints No Toil Or Labor Fear."
In closing this short account, allow me to say:
They died as they had lived true and loyal to their
country, their church and their high standards of life.
The examples and memories they left for their children
and grandchildren can never be forgotten and will ever
be an incentive to a higher and cleaner life.
N. B.—
Since writing this sketch the writer made a trip to Monroe,
Sevier Co., Utah, and on a monument erected to honor the
pioneers he was glad to see, among others, the name of George
Crowther on the large bronze plate.
ROBENA CROWTHER
Robena Crowther, born Jan. 5, 1850 in Kilberney, Aryshire,
Scotland. Died Oct. i, 1923.
Albert Collard, born Oct. 15, 1846 in England. Died April
16, 1924.
Their Children:
Albert Edward, born Oct. 27, 1870. Died Aug. 15, 1901.
Mary Catherine, born Mar. 18, 1872. Died April 13, 1872.
Janet Eliza, born Mar. 27, 1873. Living in Ogden, Utah.
GEORGE CROWTHER FAMILY 251
George William, born Feb. 25, 1875. Died Dec. 31, 1939.
Robena Estella, born Dec. 20, 1877 at Fountain Green, Utah.
Living in Cowley, Wyo.
Charles Lester, born Jan. 30, 1879. Died Oct., 1957.
Thomas James, born Sept. 29, 1880. Died May 29, 1890.
Sydney Ernest, born Nov. 18, 1882. Living in Huntington,
Utah.
Harriet Elizabeth, born Aug. 14, 1884. Living in Hunt-
ington, Utah.
John Henry, born Aug. 27, 1886. Died Feb, 15, 1887.
Arthur Clarence, born Feb. 14, 1888. Living.
Vernile, born June 17, 1890. Died, Spring of 1940.
ROBENA CROWTHER
Robena Crowther was born Jan. 5, 1850 at Kil-
berney, Aryshire, Scotland. She was the first child of
George Crowther and Janet Wiley. During the sum-
mer of 1850 she, with her parents, came to America.
They crossed the ocean in a sail boat and landed at
New Orleans in the fall. Later they joined the Mor-
mons at St. Louis, then moved to Alton, 111. When
Robena was seven years old, June, 1857, the families
crossed the plains with the Israel Evans Hand Cart
Company. She walked as much of the way as she
could. They arrived in Salt Lake City, Sept. 12, 1857
after a long, tiresome journey.
One week after they arrived at Salt Lake her
father was called by President Brigham Young to go
on guard against Johnston's Army. During the "Big
Move" of the church she with her mother and sister
Catherine were moved to Payson, Utah.
They moved from Payson to Wales in i860; to
Mornoni in 1863 and were no more than settled there
when President Brigham Young called them to help
colonize Sevier County. They went to Monroe in 1864.
In 1867 they were called away from Monroe on ac-
252 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
count of the Indian War. They went to Manti where
they stayed two months, then to Fountain Green where
they made a permanent home.
Robena did her part as a pioneer girl, fighting
pests; gathering greens and roots for food; helping
in the fields and the home; spinning yarn; weaving
cloth, carpets and rugs. She was very active in church
and community affairs.
December 6, 1869, at the age of nineteen years, she
and Albert Collard went to Salt Lake City and were
married in the Endowment House.
Albert Collard was the son of Edward Collard,
born Nov. 16, 1823 in England, died April 12, 1868 at
Fountain Green, Utah, and Eliza Marchant, born Feb.
4, 1818 in England, died Oct. 23, 1857 in England.
Albert and Robena made their home at Fountain Green
until the spring of 1880. While living here they were
very active in church and community affairs. Six
children were born to them: Albert Edward, born Oct.
27, 1870; Mary Catherine, born March 18, 1872, died
April 13, 1872; Janet Eliza, born March 27, 1873;
George William, born Feb. 25, 1875; Robena Estella,
born Dec. 20, 1877; and Charles Lester, born Jan. 30,
1879.
In 1880 the family moved to Huntington, Emery
County, Utah, to commence anew their battles with
the desert; to pioneer as they had done in Fountain
Green; to fight the pests, drought and everything that
goes with pioneering a new barren country — for such
it was at that time.
In this their new home they toiled and prospered.
The richness of their lives was derived from experi-
ences gained in the "College of Hard Knocks." Al-
bert Collard went on two missions to England for the
GEORGE CROWTHER FAMILY 253
L. D. S. Church. The first mission was from 1893 to
1896, and the second from 1912 to 1914. He did some
fine missionary work and gathered genealogical rec-
ords of his father's family. During this time Robena
and the children took care of the farm and made
the living for the family and helped to keep him on
his mission.
Their family increased to twelve children, eight
boys and four girls. The children born in Huntington
are: Thomas James, born Sept. 29, 1880, died May 29,
1890, at the age of 10 years; Sidney Ernest, born Nov.
18, 1882; Harriet Elizabeth, born Aug. 14, 1884; John
Henry, born Aug. 27, 1886, died Feb. 15, 1887; Arthur
Clarence, born Feb. 14, 1888; Vernile, born June 17, 1890.
Most of the life of this family was a struggle such
as pioneers in a new country must endure. During all
this time they found ample time to attend to their
church and civic duties; take part in the joys and sor-
rows of the family and community. October i, 1923
Robena died at Ogden, Utah, and was buried in Hunt-
ington, Utah. It seems that Albert Collard lost heart
because of this separation and on April 16, 1924 died at
Huntington, Utah. They died true to their family, their
church, their country and the standards of life by
which they had lived.
ALBERT E. COLLARD
Albert E. Collard, born Oct. 27, 1870. Died Aug. 15, 1901.
Mary Wakefield, born - - -
Their children:
Glen Collard, born — -
Rhea Collard, born — — —
ALBERT E. COLLARD
Albert E. Collard was born Oct. 27, 1870 at Foun-
254 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
tain, Green, Utah, the son of Albert CoUard and Robena
Crowther. He was about ten years old when his
parents moved from Fountain Green to Huntington,
Emery County, Utah.
Albert was a very industrious boy and, being mu-
sically inclined and a very good singer, he was very
prominent among his associates and in church and
civic functions.
He married Mary J. Wakefield of Huntington. They
received their endowments Sept. 25, 1901. They made
their home in Huntington, where he engaged in farm-
ing and stock raising. They were successful in their
chosen occupation.
Their two children Glen and Rhea were born and
educated in Huntington. Rhea died about one and one-
half vears after her father's death.
Albert E. died Aug. 15, 1901 from appendicitis. His
wife and children are living in Huntington.
MARY CATHERINE COLLARD
Mary Catherine Collard, born March 18, 1872, at Fountain
Green, Utah. Died April 13, 1872.
JANET ELIZA COLLARD
Janet Eliza Collard, born March 27, 1873, at Fountain
Green, Utah. Living in Ogden, Utah.
Married to James Vaughn Leonard, born
Living in Ogden, Utah.
Their Children and Children's Children:
Estella Leonard, born , married to
Alvin Fleming. They have one child, Max Leonard.
\'^aughn Leonard, born
Married to Hilda Park.
Clifford Leonard, born , married
to Vennice Miles.
Yula Leonard, born , married
to George Osborne. They have one child, Claire.
GEORGE CROWTHER FAMILY 255
Verna Leonard, born __ , married
to Theodore Nielsen. They have three children, Hal, Virginia
and Janet.
Merrill Leonard, born __. , married
to Stella Parker. They have one child, Dandra.
La Verda Leonard, born ...., Married
to Sherman Nance. They have five children, Ronald, Richard,
Karen, James V., and William.
Evelyn Leonard, born , married
to Edward Von Tobel. They have two children, Sharon and Von.
JANET ELIZA COLLARD
Janet Eliza Collard was born March 27, 1873 at
Fountain Green, Utah, daughter of Albert Collard and
Robena Crowther. Janet was about seven years old
when her parents moved from Fountain Green to
Huntington, Emery County, Utah.
She had some experience in pioneer life in that
new country.
Because of her aggressiveness she gained a fair
education and an abundance of practical experience.
As she grew to womanhood she was very active in
the church and community affairs.
Janet married James Vaughn Leonard of Hunting-
ton. They received their endowments Oct. 18, 1893.
They made their home in Huntington where they
engaged in farming and stock raising. Later they
moved on a farm near Ogden, Utah, where they now
have their home. They have been very successful in
their occupation and active in the church and com-
munity.
They have a family of eight children (four girls
and four boys) and thirteen grandchildren.
GEORGE WILLIAM COLLARD
George William Collard, born Feb. 25, 1875, at Hunting-
ton, Emery County, Utah. Died Dec. 31, 1939.
256 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
Married Margie Elizabeth Rowley of Huntington. They
received their endowments
Their Children:
William CoUard, born June 3, 1905, at Huntington, Utah.
Leland Taylor CoUard, born May 17, 1906, at Hunting-
ton. Married Etta Howard.
Albert Lynn Collard, born April 22, 1908 at Huntington,
married Etta Howard.
Lyle Collard, born _
Roanna Collard, born April 8, 191 1, at Huntington. Mar-
ried Clyde Johnson.
Jarrold Edward Collard, born July 5, 1913, at Huntington.
Married V'^iola Belnap.
Ora Collard, born July 28, 1915 at Huntington.
Nile Rowley Collard, born June 20, 191 7 at Huntington.
May Collard, born Oct. 27, 19 19 at Huntington.
Louisa Collard, born Aug. 23, 1921 at Huntington. (10
children.)
GEORGE WILLIAM COLLARD
George William Collard, son of Albert Collard
and Robena Crowther, was born in Huntington, Utah,
Feb. 25, 1875. He grew up in Huntington, going to
the schools there and taking part in the activities of
the church and community. He worked the farm with
his father and did other work such as the community
had for men to do.
May 20, 1904 he married Margie Elizabeth Rowley.
They received the endowments in the Manti Temple.
They made their home in Huntington and went
into the farming industry. They were successful in
their occupation and enjoyed the association and activ-
ities of their family and the community. Their family
of six boys and four girls was a great joy and satisfac-
tion to them.
George William had a very agreeable disposition
which made a host of friends for him and his family.
GEORGE CROWTHER FAMILY 257
Life in this world came to an end for him De-
cember 31, 1939, at his home in Huntington, Utah.
WILLIAM COLLARD
William Collard, son of George William Collard,
died June 5, 1905.
ALBERT LYNN COLLARD
Albert Lynn Collard, son of George William Collard,
born May 17, 1906.
ROBENA ANN COLLARD
Robena Ann Collard, daughter of George William
Collard.
LELAND TAYLOR COLLARD
Leland Taylor Collard, son of George William Col-
lard and Margie Elizabeth Rowley, was born May 17,
1906 at Huntington, Utah.
Jan. 25, 1928, he married Edith Brown at Manti,
Utah. She was born Jan. 22, 1908 at Hammond, New
Mexico, daughter of Adelbert Brown (born May, 1877
at Orangeville, Utah, died Oct. 17, 1925 at Provo, Utah)
and Laura Eliza Guymon (born April 7, 1879 at Fountain
Green, Utah).'
Their Children:
Leland Blain Collard, born July 11, 1929 at Hunting-
ton, Utah.
Klea Collard, born Dec. 21, 1934 at Huntington,
Utah.
Lorna Collard, born Jan. 22, 1938 at Huntington,
Utah.
Edith Kay Collard, born Sept. 7, 1939 at Huntington,
Utah.
258 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
Roma Collard, born June 5, 1941 at Huntington,
Utah.
ALBERT LYNN COLLARD
Albert Lynn Collard, son of George William Collard
and Margie Elizabeth Rowley, was born April 22, 1908
at Huntington, Utah.
June 3, 1937 he married Ella Elmeda Howard at
Manti, Utah. She was born Dec. 6, 1909 at Huntington,
Utah, daughter of Joseph Ernest Howard (born Oct.
29, 1883 at Huntington) and Sarah Elmeda Gardner
(born May 9, 1886 at Huntington, Utah, died Nov. 24,
1940 at Huntington Utah).
Their Children:
Le Rene Collard, born Sept. 8, 1938 at Huntington,'
Utah.
Duane Lynn Collard, born Oct. 25, 1939 at Hunting-
ton, Utah.
JAROLD EDWARD COLLARD
Jarold Edward Collard, son of George William
Collard and Margie Elizabeth Rowley, was born July 5,
1913 at Huntington, Utah.
Nov. 7, 1934 he married Viola Belnap of Blackfoot,
Idaho. She was born June 17, 1916, at Kilgore, Idaho,
daughter of George Belnap and Laura Edith Loveland.
Their Children:
Joan Collard born Oct. 5, 1936 at Blackfoot, Idaho.
Donna Jean, born March 4, 1939 at Blackfoot, Idaho.
LOUISE COLLARD
Louise Collard, daughter of George William Collard!
GEORGE CROWTHER FAMILY 259
and Margie Elizabeth Rowley, was born Aug. 23, 1921
at Huntington, Utah.
Oct. 19, 1940 she was married to Cliffe Henry House-
keeper of Price, Utah. She like the other members of
her family are farmers and stock raisers. They are very
religious and active in church and community affairs.
One Child:
Lois Ann Housekeeper, born Dec. 29, 194 1 at Black-
foot, Idaho.
ROBENA ESTELLA COLLARD
Robena Estella Collard, born December 20, 1877 at Foun-
tain Green, Utah. Living at Cowley, Wyoming.
Alma Eugene Johnson, born Nov. 17, 1878 at Manti, Utah.
Died Nov. 20, 1936 at Boise, Idaho. His father, Robert John-
son, born Mar. 3, 1849 at Stockport, England; mother Anna
Hargaard born April 3, 1855 at Folster, Denmark.
Their Children:
Eugene A. Johnson, born Dec. 2, 1901 at Orangeville, Utah.
Paul Collard Johnson, born July 3, 1903 at Cowley, Wyo-
Margaret Johnson, born April 19, 1905 at Huntington, Utah.
Kenneth W. Johnson, born Sept. 15, 1910 at Cowley, Wyo.
Died Dec. 3, 1910 at Cowley, Wyo.
Aleen Johnson, born April 25, 1912 at Cowley, Wyo. Liv-
ing in Seattle, Washington.
Tom Collard Johnson, born Feb. 7, 1916 at Cowley, Wyo.
ROBENA ESTELLA COLLARD
Robena Estella Collard was born Dec. 20, 1877 at
Fountain Green, Sanpete Co., Utah, daughter of Albert
Collard and Robena Crowther. She grew up in Hunt-
ington as her parents moved there when she was a
small girl.
The education she received there was under pioneer
conditions and from her reading and studying at home
as she grew older. Stella was always lively and ag-
260 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
gressive, very popular and active in both the church
and the community.
She married Alma Eugene Johnson of Orange-
ville, Utah, July lo, 1899 at Huntington, Utah. After
their marriage they lived in Orangeville until after
their first son, Eugene Alma Johnson was born, Dec.
2, 1901. The living for the family was derived from
barbering and working at various jobs.
Later they moved to Cowley, Wyo., where their
second child, Paul Collard Johnson, was born, July 3,
1903; then moved back to Huntington where on April
19, 1905, their third child, Margaret Johnson, was
born. Again they moved to Cowley, Wyo., where the
following children were born: Kenneth W. Johnson,
Sept. 15, 1910, died Dec. 3, 1910; Aleen Johnson, April
25, 1912; and Tom Collard Johnson, Feb. 7, 1916.
In Cowley, Wyo., Alma Eugene did farming and
other types of work. Frequently he took jobs away
from home, and when on a job in Boise, Idaho, he
took sick and on Nov, 20 1936 died.
Robena Estella still maintains her home in Cow-
ley, Wyo., and is active in the affairs of her church
and community. Margaret and Aleen are both mar-
ried and have families of their own.
Her son, Tom Callard Johnson, is in the army,
serving his country in this the worst of World wars
(1942).
EUGENE A. JOHNSON, JR.
Eugene A. Johnson, Jr., son of Eugene A. Johnson,
Sr. and Robena Estella Collard, was born Dec. 2, 1901,
at Orangeville, Emery Co., Utah.
Married Mable Tolman of Livingston, Montana,
Aug. 18, 1921. She was born May 8, 1900. For a while
GEORGE CROWTHER FAMILY 261
after their marriage they made their home at Cowley,
Wyoming, where their first child, Kenneth T. John-
son, was born, June 19, 1922. Later they moved to
Salt Lake City where another son, Calvin T. Johnson,
was born, Feb. 13, 1924.
PAUL COLLARD JOHNSON
Paul Collard Johnson, son of Eugene A. Johnson, Sr.,
and Robena Estella Collard, was born July 3, 1903 at
Cowley, Wyoming.
He married Miss Florence Mattock at Salt Lake
City and after their marriage they made their home
in Cowley, Wyo. She was born Nov. 22, 1907. They
have the following children: Rodney M., born Feb. 7,
1928; Paula Charleen, born May 15, 1929; and Collard
M., born Aug. 25, 1935. All the children were born
at Cowley, Wyoming.
MARGARET JOHNSON
Margaret Johnson, daughter of Eugene A. John-
son, Sr., and Robena Estella Collard, was born April
19, 1905, at Huntington, Utah. April 3, 1930, she mar-
ried William Foster Bevans of Helena, Montana. He
was born May , 1^06.
They made their home in Helena, Montana, for
some time. Here their first daughter, Virginia Aleen
Bevans, was born July 21, 1932. They moved to Boise,
Idaho, where their daughter Margaret Ann Bevans was
born May 3, 1936.
KENNETH W. JOHNSON
Kenneth W. Johnson, son of Eugene A. Johnson,
Sr., and Robena Estella Collard, was born Sept. 15, 1910,
at Cowley, Wyoming. Died Dec. 3, 1910, in Cowley,
Wyoming.
262 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
ALEEN JOHNSON
Aleen Johnson, daughter of Eugene A. Johnson,
Sr., and Robena Estella CoUard, was born April 25,
1912, at Cowley, Wyoming.
Jan. I, 1934, she married Floyd Nielson McCowan
of Glasgow, Mont. He is the son of Floyd Buel Mc-
Cowan who was born March 24, 1876, at Will County,
111., and Anna Nielson, born June 19, 1880, at Lolend,
Denmark.
After their marriage they made their home in
Seattle, Washington.
Their Children:
Neela McCowan, born June 30, 1938 and Bruce J. Mc-
Cowan, born July 27, 1939, both at Seattle, Washington.
TOM COLLARD JOHNSON
Tom Collard Johnson, son of Eugene A. Johnson,
Sr., and Robena Estella Collard, was born Feb. 7, 1916
at Cowley, Wyoming.
Feb. 14, 1942 he married Audrie Vance of Glendale,
California. It is presumed that his wife Audrie is
making her home with her parents there as Tom is
in the U. S. Army defending his country in this ter-
rible global war.
CHARLES LESTER COLLARD
Charles Lester Collard, born Jan. 50, 1879 at Fountain
Green, Sanpete County, Utah. Died in October , 1937-
Mary Annett Robins, born Oct. 27, 1884. Living at Hunt-
ington, Utah.
Their Children:
Verl Collard, born Feb. 6, 1905 at Huntington, Utah.
Lucille, born Oct. 18, 1906 at Castle Gate, Carbon County,
Utah.
Charles R., born Mar. 30, 1910 at Huntington, Utah.
GEORGE CROWTHER FAMILY 263
Orson Vaunoy Collard, born Nov. 19, 1913 at Huntininon
Utah. '
Albert Blake, born Dec. 11, 1918 at Huntington, Utah.
Don C, born March 17, 1928 at Huntington, Utah.
CHARLES LESTER COLLARD
Charles Lester Collard was born in Fountain Green,
Utah, Jan. 30, 1879, a son of Albert Collard and Robena
Crowther. His parents moved to Huntington, Utah,
where as a boy and young man his work and education
were similar to that of other pioneer boys of his time.
He worked at farming, on the range with the cattle
and did some mining in the coal mines of Carbon
County, Utah.
Feb. 24, 1908 he married Mary Annett Robins
of Huntington, Utah. They made their home
in Huntington most of the time where he engaged in
farming and stock raising. He frequently spent the
winter months in the mining camps of Carbon County
and from 1908 to 1912 he made his home at Castle
Gate, Utah, where he worked in the coal mines.
Charles Lester and Mary Annett had a family of
six children — five boys and one girl. They were known
for their dependability and were respected by all who
knew them. After an honorable and useful life Charles
Lester died in October, 1937, at Huntington, Utah. His
widow Mary Annett Collard is now living in Hunt-
ington.
CHARLES R. COLLARD
Charles R. Collard, third child of Charles Lester
and Mary Annett Collard, is the only one of their
children we have been able to get any record of. He
married Bertha Edna Sherman Oct. 16, 1933, of Hunt-
264 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
ington, Utah. They have one son, Reynold Collard,
who was born April 12, 1934, at Huntington, Utah.
Charles R. is a successful farmer and we under-
stand that his brothers are farmers and stock raisers
and that his sister married a farmer. They are all
living in or near Huntington. Time will not permit
my writing for further information at this time.
THOMAS JAMES COLLARD
Thomas James Collard was born Sept. 29, 1880 at Foun-
tain Green, Utah. Died May 29, 1890 at Huntington, Utah.
SIDENY ERNEST COLLARD
Sidney Ernest Collard, born Nov. 18, 1882 at Huntington,
Utah. Living at Huntington.
Alta Amelia Hurst, born Dec. 21, 1898 at Joseph, Sevier
Co., Utah.
Their Children:
Utana Collard, born Dec. 22, 1925 at Huntington, Utah.
Ina Collard, born Oct. 8, 1936 at Huntington, Utah.
SIDNEY ERNEST COLLARD
Sidney Ernest was born at Huntington, Utah, Nov.
18, 1882. He was a pioneer boy in that section and
received his education in the schools of Huntington. He
was a great reader and gained considerable knowledge
from this source.
He married Alta Amelia Hurst, the daughter of
Samuel Isaac Hurst and Laura Laraine Lott, of Joseph,
Sevier Co., Utah. They made their home in Hunting-
ton. Farming and stock raising is their occupation. In
church and social events of the community they are
very prominent.
Their children have been trained and educated
GEORGE CROWTHER FAMILY 865
to take their place in the community much the same as
the parents were.
They are successful farmers, good church members
and leaders in community activities.
HARRIET ELIZABETH COLLARD
Harriet Elizabeth CoUard, born Aug. 14, 1884 at Hunt-
ington, Utah. Now has her home there.
David Charles Leonard, born April 26, 1884 at Hunt-
ington, Utah. Died 1942 at Huntington, Utah.
Their Children:
General Leonard, born ^.
CoUard Leonard, born - .
Ross Leonard, born
Hugh
Drew (Twins) , born
Foster
Farris (Twins) , born—. .
HARRIETT ELIZABETH COLLARD
Harriet Elizabeth Collard (commonly known in
the family as Bessie) was born at Huntington, Utah,
Aug. 14, 1884, daughter of Albert Collard and Robena
Crowther. She grew up in Huntington, receiving a
common school education and taking an active part
in community and church functions.
She married David Charles Leonard of Huntington,
Utah. They made their home in Huntington where
farming and stock raising was their occupation. In
this type of work they were very successful. Church
and community functions always found them among
the leaders.
, 1942 she was called upon to
part from her husband who died at the home in
Huntington. While she still has her home in Hunt-
266 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
ington she is at present (Dec, 1942) visiting with some
of her children who are Hving in CaHfornia.
JOHN HENRY COLLARD
John Henry Collard, son of Albert CoUard and
Robena Crowther, was born Aug. 27, 1886 at Hunt-
ington, Utah, and died Feb. 15, 1887 at Huntington.
ARTHUR CLARENCE COLLARD
Arthur Clarence Collard, born Feb. 14, 1888 at Hunting-
ton, Utah. As far as is known is living somewhere — none of
the family know.
Dora Malinda Allred, born
Died , 1918 at Huntington, Utah.
Their Children:
Dean Collard, born
Dexter Collard, born _
Genevieve Collard, born
Teddie Collard, born _■_
Roxie Rea Collard, born
ARTHUR CLARENCE COLLARD
Arthur Clarence Collard, son of Albert Collard
and Robena Crowther, was born Feb. 14, 1888 at Hunt-
ington, Utah. He grew up as a farmer and stock-
raiser helping his father. He was educated in the
schools of Huntington and the school of experience.
Married Dora Malinda Allred of Huntington. They
made their home in Huntington. They went into
farming and stock raising for themselves and were
successful in their work. They had a family of five
children, two girls and three boys. They were getting
along fine and seemed very happy until 1918 when his
wife, Dora Malinda, died. This sorrow had a terrible
effect in the family which scattered. They all left
Huntington and as far as the other members of the
GEORGE CROWTHER FAMILY 267
family, their brothers and sisters, know they are hving
but do not know where. It seemed that Arthur Clarence
just dropped out of existence.
VERNILLE COLLARD
Vernille CoUard, born June 17, 1890 at Huntington, Utah.
Died in the spring of 1940 in San Francisco.
Mazy Jorgensen, born._ _
Their Children:
Alady Collard, born — .
Vernille Collard, born
VERNILLE COLLARD
Vernille Collard, the youngest son of Albert Col-
lard and Robena Crowther, was born in Huntington,
Utah, June 17, 1890. He was educated in Hunting-
ton and went into the construction work as a young
man, he also did some farming.
Vernille married Mazy Jorgensen and they raised
two children — Alady and Vernille.
They lived in Huntington for some time;
later they moved to San Francisco. They were active
in church and community problems, and he was very
efficient in his trade. The last few years of his life
were made miserable and sometimes very painful as he
suffered from cancer which caused his death in the
spring of 1940 at the family home in San Francisco,
California.
JOHN WILLIAM CROWTHER
John William Crowther was born - ,
1851, at St. Louis, Mo. He was not very well any
of the time and in 1852, when he was about one year
old he died at Alton, 111. (I have been unable to get
the month and day of his birth, no one living seems to
know.)
268 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
JAMES CROWTHER
James Crowther was born , 1853,
at Alton, 111. His physical condition seemed to be about
the same as his brother John William. Due to the
persecutions of the Mormons at this time, with the
worry and exposure and other conditions which
were forced upon them, it was impossible to get the
proper care for the children of delicate health. Thus
in 1854 or 1855 he died at Alton, 111.
CATHERINE CROWTHER
Catherine Crowther Larsen
Catherine Crowther, born March 11, 1856 at Alton, lUinois.
Is living at Manti, Utah.
Her parents: George Crowther, born Nov. 18, 1826 at
Dorley or Ironbridge near London, England. Died April 16,
1895 at Fountain Green, Utah.
Janet Wiley, born October 29, 1825 at Kilberney, Ayrshire,
Scotland. Died December 22, 1904 at Fountain Green, Utah.
Married to Hans Peter Larsen December 15, 1881 at the
Endowment House in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was born
September 30, 1853 at Gunnerod, Denmark. Died December
8, 1938 at Manti, Utah. His parents were Niels Larsen, born
GEORGE CROWTHER FAMILY 269
November 7, 1823 at Gunnerod, Denmark. Died April 9,
1873 at Manti, Utah; and Annie Hansen, born October , 1825
at Gunnerod, Denmark. Died May 15, 1902.
Their Children:
Hans Milton Larsen, born September 21, 1882 at Manti,
Utah. Died October 28, 1885 at Manti, Utah.
George Niels Larsen, born October 13, 1884 at Manti, Utah.
Living at Provo, Utah.
William Wallace Larsen, born June 11, 1886 at Manti, Utah.
Living in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Myrtle Larsen, born November 15, 1888 at Manti, Utah.
Living at Manti.
Annie Janet Larsen, born August 17, 1890 at Manti, Utah.
Living at Wales, Utah.
Robert Morland Larsen, born June 3, 1893 at Manti, Utah.
Died March 23, 1909 at Manti, Utah.
Lorrin Ward Larsen, born November 10, 1899 at Manti,
Utah. Died March 15, 1923 at Manti.
Catherine Crowther was born March ii, 1856 at
Alton, 111., of Mormon parents, who were suffering
persecution with the other members of the church
there. They were doing all they could to get ways and
means to move on to Utah. The time to start came
in June, 1857, when they left with a company of Saints
under the direction of Israel Evans, who had organ-
ized a Hand Cart Company.
Catherine was fifteen months old when they started
the long hard march across the plains. She and her
sister Robena, who was seven years and five months
old at the time of starting, had to have room in the
Hand Cart to ride. The load was heavy and had to
be pulled through sand and mud, up hill and down
hill over a thousand miles to Salt Lake City. Catherine
realized the hardships of this trip only when she be-
came old enough to understand it all.
270 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
After a three months trip across the plains, they
arrived in Salt Lake City, just ahead of the Johnston
army. One week after they arrived President Brigham
Young called George Crowther to go in Echo Canyon
to guard against the army of Colonel Johnston. While
he was away the church ordered the "Big Move," as
it was called. Janet Crowther and her two little daugh-
ters were moved to Payson. When the guard was mus-
tered out it took the husband and father two weeks to
find them.
As a little girl Catherine went with her parents
from one place to another where her parents were called,
by President Young, to go and help colonize. They
moved to Wales, Sanpete Co., in i860; to Moroni in
1863; President Young called them to go to Monroe
in May, 1864; in 1867 they were called away from Mon-
roe on account of Indian troubles; they went to Manti,
where they stayed for two months and then to Foun-
tain Green where they made a permanent home.
Catherine was now eleven years oki and had to do
her part in gathering thistles, mustard greens, sego roots
or bulbs and mushrooms to be used for food for the
family. She would fight the grasshoppers and do work
around her home. Her fingers were nimble so she was
assigned the task of selecting the long fibers of wool
and twisting them into threads to sew the clothing
they made from cloth woven by her mother.
Her education was such as could be obtained from
the schools of that time. The school terms were short
and the curriculum consisted principally of the three
R's (reading, 'riting and 'rithmetic). In these she did
well and, with the practical experience gained through
the "College of Hard Knocks." she became fairly well
educated.
GEORGE CROWTHER FAMILY 271
As a young woman she would help spin and weave,
cook and sew, work in the gardens and fields with her
father, help neighbors in sickness and need of assis-
tance. She was very active in church and civic affairs.
As a girl she was known for her ability to make and
hold friends because she believed and practiced fair
play to all — a quality she still has (1942).
She met and kept company with Hans Peter Lar-
sen of Manti for some time; then on Dec. 15, 1881 they
journeyed to Salt Lake City where they were married
in the Endowment House. This was before the temples
were built. After their marriage they made their home
in Manti.
Hans Peter Larsen was the son of Niels Larsen and
Annie Hansen Larsen of Manti. He with his parents
joined the church in 1863 while their home was in
Gunnerod, Denmark. After they joined the church
his father's people disowned them, and the treatment
they received caused them to sell out and move to
America.
Han's father had been a captain in the Danish
army, and was well fixed financially there. But when
he decided, in 1864, to come to America he loaned
thousands of dollars to the immigrants coming over at
that time. Many of them never repaid the loans be-
cause some died on the way or soon after and others
never had the money ahead to pay with. The family
arrived in Salt Lake City in 1864 and went directly
to Manti where his home had been until his death, Dec.
8, 1938.
Hans and Kate, as their friends affectionately called
them, settled in Manti. They were very active in church
and civic affairs. They did a lot of temple work for
272 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
their dead ancestors. Hans spent several years working
in the temple.
They engaged in farming and stock raising. Hans
was a good farmer and Catherine a very good cook and
home maker. Her ability to manage and economize
is above the average housewife. They had a family of
seven children, five boys and two girls. Hans Milton,
born Sept. 21, 1882 at Manti, Utah, died Oct. 28, 1885
of pneumonia at the age of three; Robert Moreland,
born June 3, 1893 at Manti, died March 23, 1909 of quick
pneumonia; Lorrin Ward, born Nov. 10, 1899 at Manti,
died March 15, 1923 of ether pneumonia following an
operation for appendicitis. Lorrin Ward was in the
service of his country in the world war and at his death
his mother's name was added to the list of "Gold Star"
mothers.
Catherine is now past 86 years of age and still has
that spirit of wanting to help others. Her ideals are
the same as always and may be expressed in a few
statements as follows: "It is better to suffer wrong
than to do wrong." "He who serves is happier than
he who receives services." Another aphorism she got
from her mother: "I would rather wear out than to
rust out." These ideals keep her busy working and
thinking, two of the best things a person can do to
live and be happy.
HANS MILTON LARSEN
Hanson Milton Larsen the first child of Hans
Peter Larsen and Catherine Crowther, was born at Manti,
Utah, Sept. 21, 1882 and died at Manti Oct. 28, 1885,
of pneumonia. He was very active and healthy until
he contracted the cold that turned to pneumonia and
caused his death.
GEORGE CROWTHER FAMILY 273
GEORGE NIELS LARSEN
George Niels Larsen, born Oct. 13, 1884 at Manti, Utah.
Living at Provo, Utah.
First married to:
Martha May Block Oct. 14, 1909 in the Manti Temple by
President Lewis Anderson. She was born May 18, 1886 at
Ephraim, Conejos Co., Colorado, died Feb. 29, 1920 at Vernal,
Utah, daughter of Christian Jensen Block, born Oct. 4, 1853 at
Hals, Denmark, died Nov. 21, 1923 at Sanford, Conejos Co.,
Colo.; and Bolleta Lucy Poulson, born Aug. 19, 1857 at Manti,
Utah, died June 23, 1938 at Sanford, Conejos Co., Colorado.
Their Children:
George Dale Larsen, born Aug. 4, 191 at Sanford, Cone-
jos Co., Colo. Living at Orem, Utah.
Pauline May Larsen, born October 25, 191 1 at Sanford,
Conejos Co., Colo. Living at Venice, Sevier Co., Utah.
Grant B. Larsen, born Feb. 8, 1914 at Sanford, Conejos
Co., Colo. Living in Inglewood, California.
Lucy C. Larsen, born Sept. 11, 1917 at Vernal, Uintah
Co., Utah. Living in Oregon at present (Oct. 12, 1942.)
Second marriage to:
Jennie Geneva Hanson, March 18, 1926 at the Manti
Temple by President Lewis Anderson. She was born June 8,
1900 at Vernal, Uintah County, Utah, living in Provo, Utah.
Daughter of Peter Hanson, born March 7, 1862 at Salt Lake
City, Utah, died July 20, 1920 at Vernal, Utah; and Sarah
Helen Glines, born May 23, 1866 at Cedar Fort, Utah, died May
I, 1934 at Provo, Utah.
Their Children:
Le Nae Larsen, born March 17, 1927 at Roosevelt, Duchesne
Co., Utah. Living at Provo, Utah.
Lorrin H. Larsen, born Aug. 26, 1928 at Vernal, Utah.
Living at Provo, Utah.
Milton H. Larsen, born Dec. 13, 1929 at Provo, Utah.
Living at Provo, Utah.
Gary H. Larsen, born Aug. 16, 1931 at Provo, Utah. Liv-
ing at Provo, Utah.
Dean Maurice Larsen, born Dec. 11, 1932 at Provo, Utah.
Died May 5, 1935 at Provo, Utah. Buried at Vernal, Uintah
County, Utah.
274 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
Ralph H. Larsen, born March 30, 1934 at Provo, Utah.
Living at Provo, Utah.
Suzan Larsen, born Nov. 8, 1936 at Provo, Utah. Died June
5, 1938 at Provo, Utah. (Drowned in an irrigation ditch.)
Don H. Larsen, born April 15, 1939 at Provo, Utahj Living
at Provo.
GEORGE NIELS LARSEN
George Niels Larsen, born Oct. 13, 1884; christened
Dec. 14, 1884 by Hans Jensen; baptized Jan. 2, 1893 by
Hans Denison; confirmed a member of the L. D. S.
Church Jan. 5, 1893 by Peter Westenskow; was or-
dained to the different offices in the Aaronic Priesthood
as he grew up; ordained an Elder May 2, 1906 by Pres-
ident Lewis Andersen and received his endowments in
the temple prior to going out in the mission field.
He went from Manti May 7, 1906 to Salt Lake City
where on May 8th he received final instructions and
was set apart for missionary work in the Western States
Mission by Apostle Orson F. Whitney, leaving that
evening for Denver, the headquarters of the mission. In
the mission he labored for a little over thirty-two months,
arriving home for Christmas 1908. Later, while living
in Sanford, Colo., he was ordained a Seventy.
His education is that gained from the public schools
of Manti, high school and college course equivalent to
a complete four year college course. Besides this he
has passed courses in geology, salesmanship and business.
He taught school nineteen years, teaching in grades,
junior high and high school. Subjects taught in high
school were, English, science, vocations, history and me-
chanical arts. He taught in the schools of Conejos
Co., Colorado, five years; schools of Uintah Co., Utah,
twelve years; and in Duchesne Co., Utah, two years.
At the age of seventeen he joined Company F., ist
GEORGE CROWTHER FAMILY 275
Infantry, National Guard of Utah. Served in this or-
ganization for thirty-nine months and when mustered
out of service held the rank of Second Sergeant.
October 14, 1909, married Martha May Block of
Sanford, Colo. The first winter they lived in Manti;
moving to Sanford, Colo., in the spring of 1910. While
there they had three children born to them: George
Dale, Aug. 4, 1910; Pauline May, Oct. 25, 1911 and Grant
B., Feb. 8, 1914. During the summer of 1914 they
moved to Vernal, Utah; here on Sept. 11, 1917 Lucy C.
was born. During the "flu" epidemic his entire family
were stricken with the disease. On Feb. 29, 1920 his
wife, Martha May died from it.
March 18, 1926 he married Jennie Geneva Han-
son of Vernal, Utah. At this time he was teaching in
the Duchesne Co. high school. They lived in Roose-
velt during the school year, returning to their home in
Vernal for the summer months. Two children were
born to them while they lived in the Uintah Basin; a
daughter Le Nae, March 17, 1927 while at Roosevelt
and Lorrin H., Aug. 26, 1928 at Vernal.
In the spring of 1929 they moved to Provo, Utah
Co., Utah, where their home is at the present time (1942),
The following children were born at Provo: Milton
H., Dec. 13, 1929; Gary H., Aug. 16, 1931; Dean
Maurice, Dec. 11, 1932, died May 5, 1935 in an epi-
demic of scarlet fever and diphtheria; Ralph H., March
30, 1934; Suzan, Nov. 8, 1936 (June 5, 1938 Suzan fell
in the ditch north of their home and was drowned);
and Don H., born April 15, 1939.
Both marriages were solemnized in the Manti
Temple by President Lewis Anderson of the Temple.
Carpentry has been a vocation for the summer months
and odd times. After moving to Provo he went in
276 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
business with the State of Utah selHng merchandise.
At present (1942) he is Clerk of District No. 6 of
the Utah State Road Commission with offices at Provo.
GEORGE DALE LARSEN
George Dale Larsen, born Aug. 4, 1910 at Sanford, Cone-
jos Co., Colo. Living at Orem, Utah. Son of George Niels
Larsen, born Oct. 13, 1884 at Manti, Utah, living at Provo,
Utah. His mother is Martha May Block, born May 18, 1886 at
Ephraim, Conejos Co., Colo., died Feb. 29, 1920 at Vernal, Utah.
Married Eva Marie Conway on Oct. 6, 1934 at Lindon,
by David B. Thorne. She was born May 23, 1915 at Durango,
Colorado. (La Plata Co.). Now living in Orem, Utah. Chris-
tened Sept. 5, 1915 by Alvory H. West. Her father's name is
John Conway, born April 8, 1886 at Silverton, Colorado, liv-
ing at Salt Lake City, Utah. Her mother's name, Vida Page,
born Jan. 4, 1896 at Lindon, Utah Co., Utah, living in Salt
Lake City.
Their Children:
Larry Conway Larsen, born Aug. 6, 1939 at Provo, Utah.
Living at Orem, Utah, christened Oct. i, 1939 by Bishop Earl
Lewis. Glen D. Larsen, born Feb. 7, 1942 at Provo, Utah,
living at Orem, Utah, christened May 3, 1942 by Ray H. Gap-
pemayer. Eva Marie, wife of George Dale was not an L. D. S.
member when married. She was converted and baptized Aug.
22, 1937 by George Niels Larsen, confirmed a member of
the Church Aug. 22, 1937 by John Brailsford, Jr. George Dale
was ordained an Elder May 28, 1939 by Benjamin H. Knudsen,
a high priest. (Mr. and Mrs. Conway were married Aug. 8.
1914, at Pleasant Grove, Utah.)
GEORGE DALE LARSEN
George Dale Larsen, born Aug. 4, 1910 at Sanford,
Conejos Co., Colorado; christened Sept. , 1910 by
George Niels Larsen; baptized Aug. 31, 1918 by Forest
Weeks; confirmed a member of the L. D. S. Church
Sept. I, 1918 by Don B. Colton; ordained a Deacon
Jan. 6, 1924 by Ernest Eaton, a teacher, Aug. 2, 1925 by
E. J. Winder, a Priest by ,
GEORGE CROWTHER FAMILY 277
an Elder, May 28, 1939 by Benjamin H. Knudsen.
He completed the grade school courses in the schools
of Uintah School District; graduated from the Uintah
high school and took some classes one year at the B. Y.
U. He played the cornet and was a member of the
B. Y. U. band.
During the depression he joined the Civilian Con-
servation Corps and learned to operate "caterpillars"
and other heavy machinery. Then he went to the Pa-
cific States Pipe Plant where he worked about ten years.
Here he had a variety of jobs, the last being electrical
jobs. Now (1942) he is carpentering at the Geneva
Steel plant which is under construction.
Oct. 6, 1934 he married Eva Marie Conway of
Pleasant Grove, Utah. On Oct. 6, 1939 their first son,
Larry Conway Larsen, was born; then on Feb. 7, 1942
Glen D. was born.
PAULINE MAY LARSEN
Pauline May Larsen,. born Oct. 25, 191 1 at Sanford, Cone-
jos Co., Colo., living at Venice, Sevier Co., Utah. Her
father, George Niels Larsen, born Oct. 13, 1884 at Manti,
Sanpete Co., Utah, living at Provo, Utah. Her mother, Martha
May Block, born May 18, 1886 at Ephraim, Conejos Co.,
Colo., died Feb. 29, 1920 at Vernal, Utah. Married to
Reuben W. Buchanan on Sept. 3, 1930 in the Manti Temple
by President Lewis Anderson. She lives at Venice, Sevier
Co., Utah. Reuben's father is Eugene DeLos Buchanan. His
mother's name is Elizabeth Watson.
Their Children:
Bonnie Jean Buchanan, born June 15, 1931 at Venice,
Sevier Co., Utah, christened by Dr. T. R. Gladhill, June 15,
1931.
Jo Ann Buchanan, born April 8, 1936 at Venice, Utah,
christened by —'
Jack R. Buchanan, born July 5, 1942 at Ricluield, Sevier
278 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
County, Utah, christened by Golden Buchanan, July 6, 1942.
PAULINE MAY LARSEN
Pauline May Larsen was born Oct. 25, 191 1, at
Sanford, Conejos Co., Colorado; christened Dec. 3, 191 1
by George Niels Larsen; baptized Nov. , 1919 by
; confirmed a member of the L. D. S.
Church Nov. , 1919 by
She is very religiously inclined and is active in church
and civic affairs; teacher in classes of various organiza-
tions of the church and is a leader in dramatics.
Her education was begun in the grade schools of
Vernal; graduated from the Uintah high school and
from the L. D. S. Seminary course; attended the B. Y. U.
one year. Music was one of her favorite subjects and
while attending the B. Y. U. she belonged to the sym-
phony orchestra and the band, playing the clarinet.
She was married Sept. 3, 1930 to Reuben W. Bu-
chanan in the Manti Temple by President Lewis Ander-
son. They lived in Salt Lake City about one year after
they were married, then they made their home in
Venice, Utah, where Reuben took up farming, stock
raising and other types of work available including
automobile repairing.
They are active in civilian defense projects. Pauline
graduated in First Aid work and Reuben belongs to the
Home Guard.
Their Children:
Bonnie Jean, born June 15, 1931 ; Jo Ann, born April
8, 1936 and Jack R., born July 6, 1942.
GRANT B. LARSEN
Grant B. Larsen, born Feb. 4, 1914 at Sanford, Conejos
Co., Colo., living in Englewood, California. His father, George
GEORGE CROWTHER FAMILY 279
Niels Larsen, born Oct. 13, 1884 at Manti, Utah, living at Provo,
Utah. His mother, Martha May Block, born May 18, 1886 at
Ephraim, Conejos Co., Colo., died Feb. 29, 1920 at Vernal, Utah.
GRANT B. LARSEN
Grant B. Larsen was born Feb. 8, 1914 at Sanford,
Conejos Co., Colo.; christened June 11, 1914 by George
Niels Larsen; baptized Nov. 25, 1922 by George Niels
Larsen; confirmed a member of the L. D. S. Church
Nov. 26, 1922 by George E. Wilkins; ordained a Deacon
by
a teacher Jan. 8, 1929 by Glen M. Bennion.
He is naturally religious, but as a boy he was rather
shy and reserved. He takes part in the church activities
where he lives.
He was educated in the grade schools at Vernal and
the Provo high school, from which he graduated. Be-
cause of the depression he was unable to go to college.
However when he entered the North American Air
Plant at Englewood, Calif., he took the classes given
there; also a special course in an air plant school, here
he completed the higher branches of mathematics in-
cluding mechanical drawing. After graduating from
high school he was employed in the Pacific States
Pipe plant where he worked four years. There he
worked in the pattern department, particularly in the
construction of heating stoves. In the spring of 1939
he went to California and was employed in the North
American Air Plant. He is still working there (March,
1943). He has worked his way up until he has a head
position in the pattern department.
He has always been very considerate and interested
in the welfare and happiness of others; very dependable,
polite, in fact, he has the qualities that make him loved
and respected by all who know him.
280 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
LUCY C. LARSEN
Lucy C. Larsen, born Sept. ii, 1917 at Vernal, Utah, liv-
ing in Medford, Oregon. Father, George Niels Larsen, born
Oct. 13, 1884 at Manti, Utah, living in Provo, Utah. Mother,
Martha May Block, born May 18, 1886 at Ephraim, Conejos
Co., Colo., died Feb. 29, 1920 at Vernal, Utah.
Married to Donald Eric Hansen July 12, 1941 at San Luis
Obispo, Calif., by Major Theodore E. Curtis. Has the rank
of Master Sergeant in the U. S. Medical Corps now stationed at
Medford, Oregon. His father, David Hansen, born July 21,
1867 at Richfield, Utah, living at Richfield.
LUCY C. LARSEN
Lucy C. Larsen was born Sept. 11, 1917; christened
by Patriarch Harmon Sowards of the Uintah Stake;
baptized by Howard Bascomb; confirmed by George
Niels Larsen. She attended the grade schools at Vernal,
Utah, and finished her junior high and high school work
in the Provo schools; attended the B. Y. U. one year;
graduated from the Provo Beauty School and practiced
for a while in Provo. Later she went to Richfield, Utah,
where she worked at beauty culture for more than two
years.
July 12, 1941 she was married to Donald Eric Han-
sen by Major Theodore E. Curtis. The ceremony was
performed at the home of Colonel and Mrs. David B.
Gotfredson who also gave them the wedding dinner.
This was a military wedding, the only man present that
did not wear a military uniform was the bride's brother.
Grant B. Larsen. Later the division Donald E. Hansen
was in was transferred to Los Angeles. Lucy got em-
ployment in the North Amercian Air Plant. While
here she attended school in nursing and graduated as
an army nurse, receiving her uniform. Later they were
transferred to Seattle, Washington; then to Medford,
Oregon, where they are at present (Dec. 1942).
GEORGE CROWTHER FAMILY 281
LE NAE LARSEN
Le Nae Larsen was born March 17, 1927 at Roosevelt,
Utah. Daughter of George Niels Larsen and Jennie
Geneva Hanson. She received her grade schooling in
the schools of Provo. She is now a student (1942-43) in
the Provo high school, having carried all her work
thus far with an "A" grade. She is an exceptionally
talented musician. She plays the violin with much
feeling and is appreciated by church-going people. She
also plays for clubs and socials. Le Nae received her
grandfather Hanson's famous violin to play, which was
made in the year 1654. The summer of 1942 she was
employed in a nearby grocery store as clerk and is con-
tinuing that work on Saturdays and week days after
school is out. She is very quick and efficient in her work,
having a pleasing disposition to meet the public. (She
was blessed May i, 1927 by Geo. Niels Larsen. Con-
firmed a member of L. D. S. Church Mar. 17, 1935.)
LORRIN H. LARSEN
Lorrin H. Larsen was born August 26, 1928 at
Vernal, Utah; son of George Niels Larsen and Jennie
Geneva Hanson; blessed Oct. 1928 by George Niels Lar-
sen; baptized a member of the L. D. S. Church by
Vaughn D. Spendlove on Feb. 14, 1937; confirmed a
member the same day by Vernard Anderson; ordained
a Deacon by Lynn A. Nelson June 23, 1940. Lorrin
has a very strong initiative to do things, especially is
he interested in basketball and other athletic sports in
junior high school (1942-43). In the evenings he is
employed at a bakery. In the summer time, he is
busy picking fruit and doing odd jobs. He is large
for his age and is very strong and healthy looking.
282 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
MILTON H. LARSEN
Milton H. Larsen, born Dec. 13, 1929 at Provo,
Utah, is the son of George Niels Larsen and Jennie Ge-
neva Hanson, living at Provo, Utah; blessed by George
Niels Larsen Mar. 2, 1930; baptized by Marion James
Baird and confirmed by T. Quathal AUred on Sept. 11,
1938; ordained a deacon by Halvor Madsen on Dec.
28, 1941.
Milton is a student of the eighth grade (1942-43),
plays the cornet, clarinet and at present is playing the
bass horn in the band. He plays the cornet with much
feeling and is considered very gifted in music. He has
been busy in the summer picking fruit, helping in the
gardens and doing odd jobs.
GARY H. LARSEN
Gary H. Larsen was born August 16, 1931 at Provo,
Utah. He is the son of George Niels Larsen and Jennie
Geneva Hanson. He was blessed by Wm. J. Snow on
Nov. I, 1931; baptized a member of the L. D. S. Church
by Reed M. Powell and confirmed by Arlington P.
Mortensen on Jan. 14, 1940.
He is a student in the sixth grade and plays the
cornet in the band. He is interested in his work and
studies — works slowly and quietly but has the staying
qualities to succeed. He is very considerate of others,
especially does he have a high regard for his parents.
He is very lovable and kind. He is busy in the summer
time helping with gardens and picking fruit.
DEAN MAURICE LARSEN
Dean Maurice Larsen, born Dec. 11, 1932 at Provo,
Utah, is the son of George Niels Larsen and Jennie
Geneva Hanson. He was blessed March 5, 1933 by
GEORGE CROWTHER FAMILY 283
Bishop J. M. Jensen; died May 5, 1935 at Provo, Utah,
and was buried in the Vernal cemetery. He was a very
bright and active boy until he took the scarlet fever
which merged into pneumonia and then diphtheria
which caused his tieath.
RALPH H. LARSEN
Ralph H. Larsen, born March 30, 1934 at Provo,
Utah, was blessed by Ed. Rowe August 5, 1934; baptized
by Eugene Sylvester Bassett April 12, 1942 and con-
firmed the same day by Leon Nielson. He is a student
in the third grade; of a studious makeup and enjoys
his work. He enjoys music and art; is very loving
and kind.
SUZAN LARSEN
Suzan Larsen, born November 8, 1936 at Provo,
Utah, is the daughter of George Niels Larsen and Jen-
nie Geneva Hanson. She was blessed by Benjamin
H. Knudsen, March 7, 1937; died June 5, 1938 at Provo,
Utah, and was buried in the Vernal cemetery. Suzan
was a very bright child. She could sing tunes from the
time she was eleven months old. June 5, she fell in a
ditch north of the family home and was drowned.
DON H. LARSEN
Don H. Larsen, born April 15, 1939 at Provo, Utah,
is the son of George Niels Larsen and Jennie Geneva
Hanson. He was blessed by George Niels Larsen Aug.
6, 1939.
Don is a very loving child and inclined to music.
He has been able to sing tunes since he was one year old
(1942-43)-
284 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
WILLIAM WALLACE LARSEN
William Wallace Larsen, born June ii, 1886 in Manti, Utah,
living in Salt Lake City, Utah. Father, Hans Peter Larsen, born
Sept. 30, 1853 in Gunnerod, Denmark, died Dec. 8, 1938 in
Manti, Utah. Mother, Catherine Crowther, born March 11,
1856 in Alton, Illinois, living at Manti, Utah. (Jan. 1943.)
Married to Stephney McAllister on Sept. i, 1909 in the
Manti Temple by President John D. T. McAllister. Father,
John D. T. McAllister, born , died
at Manti, Utah. Mother, Ann
Eliza Wells, born , died
_ Manti, Utah.
Their Children:
Wallace Max Larsen, born Nov. 23, 1910 at Manti, Utah,
living at Manti, Utah.
Jean Larsen, born Nov. 27, 1912 at Manti, Utah, living in
Salt Lake City, Utah.
Bessie Larsen, born March 16, 1915 at Manti, Utah, living
in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Carol Larsen, born Dec. 22, 19 16 at Manti, Utah, living
at Manti, Utah.
Verda Larsen, born Dec. 8, 1919 at Manti, Utah, living in
Vernal, Utah.
Kirk McAllister Larsen, born Aug. 12, 1921 at Manti,
Utah. In the U. S. Navy (Nov. 1942.)
Renaye Larsen, born Dec. 3, 1925 at Silver City, Utah,
living in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Lorrin Duane, born April 7, 1928 at Silver City, Utah,
living in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Garth W. Larsen, born Dec. 7, 1930 at Manti, Utah, liv-
ing in Salt Lake City, Utah.
WILLIAM WALLACE LARSEN
William Wallace Larsen was born June 11, 1886 at
Manti, Utah. As a boy and young man he was usually
found on the farm helping his father with the farming,
caring for the horses and cattle at home and on the range.
He had followed this occupation and teaming most of
the time until the spring of 1942 when he was employed
GEORGE CROWTHER FAMILY 285
at Hill Field in Ogden during the construction of the
army airplane base. In Sept. 1942 he accepted a posi-
tion with the Southeast Furniture Co. in Salt Lake City
where he is engaged in setting up furniture as it arrives.
He was educated in the grade schools at Manti and
graduated from the Manti high school. He does con-
siderable reading and has a wealth of practical experi-
ence gained from actual contact with the problems of
life as he has had to meet and solve them.
He is very active in church and civic affairs; teaches
classes in the various organizations of his Church and
helps his family to understand and appreciate the re-
sults of right living.
Sept. I, 1909 he married Stephney Wells McAllister,
daughter of John D. T. McAllister and Ann Eliza Wells.
Her father was President of the Manti Temple for a
number of years.
They have a family of nine children, four boys and
five girls. William Wallace is a great home lover and
enjoys being home and associating with his family. His
children are his richest asset. He strives to teach his
children to be industrious, honest, religious and to be
good citizens. The example he sets for them is his
strongest point in teaching.
WALLACE MAX LARSEN
Wallace Max Larsen, born Nov. 23, 1910 at Manti, Utah,
living at Manti.
Lucile Bessy, born 19", at Manti, Utah.
Their Children:
Lea Rae Larsen, born Jan. i, 1934 at Manti, Utah.
Gary Larsen, born Nov. 8, 1936 at Manti, Utah.
Myra Larsen, born Mar. 20, 1939 at Manti, Utah.
WALLACE MAX LARSEN
Wallace Max Larsen was born in Manti, Utah,
286 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
Nov. 23, 1910, son of William Wallace Larsen and
Stephney Wells McAllister of Manti. He was schooled
at Manti, completing the grades and high school. Worked
with his father on the farm, but seemed to be inclined
toward business. He worked in the Rite-Way Stores.
At present he is working in the parachute factory at
Manti.
. He married Lucile Bessy Sept. 28, 1932 in the Manti
Temple, daughter of Charles A. Bessy and Leah Tuttle
of Manti. They made their home in Manti where they
are active in the church and community. They have
a family of three children, one boy and two girls.
JEAN LARSEN
Jean Larsen, born Nov. 27, 1912 at Manti, Utah.
Lawrence Verl Allen, born Oct. 19, 191 1 at Salt Lake City,
Utah.
JEAN LARSEN
Jean Larsen was born at Manti, Utah, Nov. 27,
1912, daughter of William Wallace Larsen and Stephney
Wells McAllister of Manti, Utah. She completed the
school courses including the high school from which
she graduated with high marks. Jean was always a
good worker at home, in church organizations and in
the community. June 16, 1939 she married Lawrence
Verl Allen, son of Orson Allen and Elizabeth J. Russel
of Salt Lake City, Utah. Marriage took place in the
Manti Temple. After their marriage they made their
home in Salt Lake City, Utah.
BESSIE LARSEN
Bessie Larsen, born March 16, 1915 at Manti, Utah.
George Smith Hatch, born _ at Koosharem.
Their Children:
Jean Bessie Hatch, born July 4, 1934 at Manti, Utah.
GEORGE CROWTHER FAMILY 287
Dean Smith Hatch, born April 27, 1937 at Manti, Utah.
Karen Hatch, born May 25, 1941 at Manti, Utah.
BESSIE LARSEN
Bessie Larsen was born in Manti, Utah, March
16, 1915, daughter of WilHam Wallace Larsen and
Stephney Wells McAllister of Manti. Bessie received
the educational information given in the schools of
Manti including the high school courses.
Sept. 6, 1933 she married George Smith Hatch, son
of Session Jacob Hatch and Emma Rosetta Delang of
Koosharem, Utah. They made their home in Manti, Utah,
until the first part of 1942 when he was employed at
Hill Field, an army air field near Ogden. They are
active members of the L. D. S. Church. Their family
consists of one boy and two girls.
CAROL LARSEN
Carol Larsen was born Dec. 22, 191 5 at Manti, Utah,
daughter of William Wallace Larsen and Stephney
Wells McAllister of Manti, Utah. She was educated in
the schools of Manti, graduating from the grades and
high school. Later she went to Los Angeles, Calif.,
where she took a beauty course, after completing this
course she worked as a beauty operator at Manti. Be-
cause of her nervous temperament she quit beauty work
and is now (Jan. 1943) an inspector in the Parachute
Factory at Manti, Utah. She, like the other members of
the family, is an active member of the L. D. S. Church.
She is a talented singer, which helps to place her m
the lead in social activities.
VERDA LARSEN
Verda Larsen, born Dec. 8, 1919 at Manti, Utah.
Theodore Paul Olsen, born June 17, 19 16 at Emery, Emery
Co., Utah.
288 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
VERDA LARSEN
Verda Larsen, daughter of William Wallace Lar-
sen and Stephney Wells McAllister, was born Dec. 8,
1919 at Manti, Utah. She completed the grades and
high school courses of the Manti public schools. As a
student she was very popular; prominent in social ac-
tivities because of her ability to sing.
Aug. 22, 1941 she married Theodore Paul Olsen in
the Salt Lake Temple. He is the son of George Theo-
dore Olsen and Elizabeth Segmiller of Emery, Emery
Co., Utah. Theodore Paul Olsen is in the Reclama-
tion Service of the U. S. Government. This occupation
causes them to move around some; at present (Jan.
1943) they are living at Vernal, Utah.
KIRK McAllister larsen
Kirk McAllister Larsen, son of William Wallace
Larsen and Stepheny Wells McAllister of Manti, was born
in Manti August 12, 1921, Kirk graduated from the
grade and high schools of Manti, also junior college at
the Snow College. Being very active and athletic, he
was one of the leading basket ball players of the Manti
high school. After completing school he worked in
the local hotel, later accepted a position with the South
East Furniture Company of Salt Lake City. He is now
in the U. S. Navy, training to participate in the war
in defense of his country. He is a talented musician,
the cornet being his most used instrument.
RENAYE LARSEN
Renaye Larsen, daughter of William Wallace Lar-
sen and Stephney Wells McAllister, was born Dec. 3, 1925
at Silver City, Utah. She completed the grade schools
GEORGE CROWTHER FAMILY S89
and is now a junior in high school. Her musical abil-
ity is best expressed in her singing. She has a very
lovable disposition.
LORRIN DUANE LARSEN
Lorrin Duane Larsen, son of William Wallace Lar-
sen and Stephney Wells McAllister, was born at Silver
City, Utah, April 7, 1928. He is a student of the junior
high school and plays the cornet.
GARTH W. LARSEN
Garth W. Larsen, son of William Wallace Larsen
and Stephney Wells McAllister, was born at Manti,
Utah, Dec. 7, 1930. He is a student in grade school of
Salt Lake City, Utah.
MYRTLE LARSEN
Myrtle Larsen, born Nov. 15, 1888 at Manti, Utah, living
at Manti, Utah. Her father, Hans Peter Larsen, born Sept.
30, 1853 in Gunnerod, Denmark, died Dec. 8, 1938 at Manti,
Utah. Her mother, Catherine Crowther, born March 11, 1856
in Alton, Illinois, living at Manti, Utah.
Married to Lawrence N. Nelson June 10, 1908 in the Manti
Temple by President Lewis Anderson, born Sept. 12, 1886,
living at Manti. His father, Friz Emanuel Nelson, born -
, died — - at Manti Utah.
His mother, Caroline Domgard, born , -
died... at Manti, Utah.
Their Children:
Ruth C. Nelson, born June 5, 1909 at Manti, Utah, living at
Ephraim, Utah.
Robert Nelson, born May 14, 191 1 at Manti, Utah, living
at Elsinore, Utah.
Catherine Nelson, born June 9, 1913 at Manti, Utah, liv-
ing at Salt Lake City, Utah.
Melba Nelson, born March 18, 1915 at Manti, Utah, liv-
ing at Provo, Utah.
Jennie Lou Nelson, born Sept. 11, 1923 at xManti, Utah,
living in Ephraim, Ut?h.
290 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
Gwendolyn Nelson, born July 17, 1925 at Manti, Utah, liv-
ing in Manti, Utah.
MYRTLE LARSEN
Myrtle Larsen, born Nov. 15, 1888 at Manti, Utah,
daughter of Hans Peter Larsen and Catherine Crowther.
As a girl she was very active and loved the out of
doors, and would rather do out door work than the
indoor tasks. However, she is very accomplished at
cooking and home making. She attended the Manti
grade schools, but because of sickness she was prevented
from going to high school. She has always taken an
active part in religious affairs.
June 10, 1908 she was married to Lawrence N. Nel-
son in the Manti Temple, President Lewis Anderson
pronouncing the marriage ceremony. They made their
home in Manti where they are engaged in farming,
stock raising and sawmilling.
RUTH C. NELSON
Ruth C. Nelson, born June 5, 1909 in Manti, Utah, living
at Ephraim, Utah. Her father, Lawrence N. Nelson, born
Sept. 12, 1886 at Manti, Utah, living at Manti. Her mother.
Myrtle Larsen, born Nov. 15, 1888 at Manti, Utah, living at
Manti.
Married to Glenn Kelly Stubbs Nov. 23, 1927 in the Manti
Temple by President Lewis Anderson, born July 3, 1906 in
Sunnyside, Utah, living at Ephraim, Utah. His father, James
E. Stubbs, his mother, Martha Elonora Kelly.
Their Children:
Glenn R. Stubbs, born Jan. 10, 1930 in Gunnison, Utah,
living at Ephraim.
Grant N. Stubbs, born Feb. 5, 1931 in Gunnison, Utah,
living at Ephraim, Utah.
Ray L. Stubbs, born Oct. 28, 1932 in Gunnison, Utah, liv-
ing at Ephraim, Utah.
Norma Ruth Stubbs, born June 25, 1937 at Gunnison,!
Utah, living at Ephraim, Utah.
GEORGE CROWTHER FAMILY 891
RUTH C. NELSON
Ruth C. Nelson was born June 5, 1909 at Manti,
Utah, daughter of Lawrence N. Nelson and Myrtle
Larsen. She has always been very studious and am-
bitious. Her intellectual capacity was always above
the average for her age. The outstanding achievement
in her life is her exceptional ability at needle work and
fine arts, cooking and home making in its entirety.
She was educated in the Manti schools, completing
the grades and high school courses. As a student she
was classed as A plus in all her subjects through all her
years in school. In church and civic affairs and among
her associates she has always been a leader,
Nov. 23, 1927 she was married to Glenn Kelly
Stubbs of Gunnison, Utah, in the Manti Temple by
President Lewis Anderson. For a time they made their
home in Gunnison when Glenn was engaged as a clerk
in merchandising. Later they moved to Ephraim,
Utah, where Glenn is manager of one of the J. C.
Penney stores.
ROBERT NELSON
Robert Nelson, born May 14, 191 1 at Manti, Utah, married
to Mable Braithwaite of Manti, December 14, 1933 in the
Manti Temple, daughter of Robert Martin Braithwaite and
Mable Clair Buchanan of Manti, Utah. Mable was born July
17, 1912 at Manti, Utah.
Their Children:
Robert Kay Nelson, born Oct. 12, 1934 at Manti, Utah.
Marilyn Nelson, born Jan. 15, 1957 at Manti, Utah.
ROBERT NELSON
Robert Nelson was born May 14, 191 1 at Manti,
Utah, the only son of Lawrence N. Nelson and Myrtle
Larsen. Robert has always been a hard worker and a
292 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
very good student, completing all the grades and high
school with high honors. He has always been active
in social, church and civic affairs.
Dec. 14, 1933 he married Mable Braithwaite of
Manti. They made their home in Manti where for
some time they engaged in farming and stock raising,
working with his father. Later he went into the feed
milling business at Manti, working for the owner of
the mill. In Sept. 1942 they moved to Elsinor, Utah,
where he is in the feed milling business for himself.
CATHERINE NELSON
Catherine Nelson, born June 9, 1913 at Manti, Utah. Mar-
ried to George Weston Funk of Sterling, June 22, 1933 at
her home in Manti by Bishop Gideon Sidwell. He was the
son of Andrew Funk and Nora Georgianna Mills of Sterling,
Utah, born June 24, 1902 at Sterling.
Their Children:
Betty Lorraine, born Dec. 14, 1936 at Sterling.
Deana, born Sept. 23, 1938 at Sterling.
Judy Darlene, born Oct. 7, 1941 at Sterling, died May
31, 1942 at Sterling, Utah.
CATHERINE NELSON
Catherine Nelson was born June 9, 1913 at Manti,
Utah. She is the daughter of Lawrence N. Nelson and
Myrtle Larsen. She has always been of a reserved na-
ture as far as public activity is concerned. When she
finished the grades and high school, she much preferred
the work of the home. She is of a lovable nature and
is respected and admired by all who know her. Because
of being reserved, her participation in church and com-
munity activities has been rather meager.
June 22, 1933 she was married to George Weston
Funk of Sterling. The marriage ceremony was per-
GEORGE CROWTHER FAMILY 293
formed by Bishop Gideon Sidwell. They made their
home in Sterling where Weston worked at farming,
selHng goods and at odd jobs. In Jan. 1942 he secured
a job in the Small Arms Plant in Salt Lake City. May
31, 1942 their baby daughter Judy Darlene died, after
this they moved to Salt Lake City where his work is.
MELBA NELSON
Melba Nelson, born March 18, 19 15 at Manti, Utah, mar-
ried to Roy Frank Reid, son of WilHam George Reid and
Malinda Anderson of Ephraim, Utah. Roy was born March
15, 1914 at Ephraim.
Their Children:
Charlene Ann Reid, born Aug. 28, 1938 at Ephraim, Utah.
Lawrence Roy Reid, born Feb. 7, 1941 at Holy Cross hos-
pital in Salt Lake City, Utah.
, born Dec , 1942
in the Utah Valley hospital, at Provo, Utah.
MELBA NELSON
Melba Nelson was born Mar. 18, 1915 at Manti,
Utah, daughter of Lawrence N. Nelson and Myrtle
Larsen. Melba has always been a good mixer, she
loves society and is a leader in this respect. Her lively
disposition has brought her a host of friends. She com-
pleted the grade school and high school as a good stu-
dent. She is a good cook and home maker.
Sept. 27, 1937 she was married to Roy Frank Reid
of Ephraim in the City Court House by the justice of
the peace in Salt Lake City, Utah. They made their
home in Ephraim where Roy was in the cafe business.
Later they sold their business and went to selling goods
on the road. They moved to Salt Lake City. Later he
was employed by the Fuller Construction Company and
was put to work at the Geneva Steel Plant which is
under construction (1943). They moved to Provo in
the spring of 1942 and there bought a home.
294 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
JENNIE LOU NELSON
Jennie Lou Nelson, born Sept. ii, 1923 at Manti, Utah,
married to Irvin Peterson of Ephraim, Utah, March 26, 1941
in Manti Temple by President Robert D. Young. Irvin is the
son of Arthur Christian Peterson and Myra Jensen Young
of Ephraim, Utah.
Their Child:
Joyce Peterson, born Feb. 16, 1942 at Ephraim, Utah.
JENNIE LOU NELSON
Jennie Lou Nelson was born Sept. 11, 1923 at
Manti, Utah, daughter of Lawrence N. Nelson and
Myrtle Larsen. Jennie Lou was a good student, com-
pleting the grades and three years of high school. She
is very popular in society, active in church classes;
but when it comes to public activity she is too reserved
to take much part. March 26, 1941 she was married to
Irvin Peterson of Ephraim in the Manti Temple by
President Robert D. Young. They made their home
in Ephraim where they are engaged in live stock rais-
ing and some farming. They are taking an active
place in the church organizations and community affairs.
Their first child, Joyce, was born Feb. 16, 1942, at
Ephraim.
GWENDOLYN JUNE NELSON
Gwendolyn June Nelson was born July 17, 1925 at
Manti, Utah, daughter of Lawrence N. Nelson and Myrtle
Larsen. She is a student in the high school. Has a
very pleasing personality and is popular with all the
young people. Her activity in church and civic affairs
is on the average of young people of her age.
ANNIE JANET LARSEN
Annie Janet Larsen, born August 17, 1890 in Manti, Utah,
GEORGE CROWTHER FAMILY 295
living in Wales, Sanpete Co., Utah. Her father, Hans Peter
Larsen, born Sept. 30, 1853 in Gunnerod, Denmark, died
Dec. 8, 1938 at Manti, Utah; her mother, Catherine Crowther,
born March 11, 1856 at Alton, Illinois, living at Manti, Utah.
Annie Janet was married to Alma M. Thomas May 9, 1928
in the Manti Temple by President Lewis Anderson. Alma
was born Aug. 30, 1892 at Wales, Utah; his father, Henry R.
Thomas, born Aug. 4, 1856 at Merthyr Tydvil, South Wales,
died Jan. 15, 1926 at Wales, Utah; his mother, Mary Midgley,
born June 17, 1863 at Nephi, Juab Co., Utah, living in Wales,
Utah.
ANNIE JANET LARSEN
Annie Janet Larsen, daughter of Hans Peter Lar-
sen and Catherine Crowther, was born August 17, 1890
at Manti, Utah.
As a girl she was a good student and popular among
the young folks of her age. Graduated from the grade
schools and went three years to high school. She
graduated as a nurse from the Dr. Roberts Nurse Scliool
in May, 1918. Served as a nurse from the time of her
graduation until 1938. During the "flu" epidemic of
1918 she was very busy day and night helping those
who were sick.
May 9, 1928 she was married to Alma M. Thomas
of Wales, Utah, son of Henry Richard Thomas and
Mary Midgley, in the Manti Temple, by President
Lewis Anderson. They made their home in Wales
where Mr. Thomas has a farm, coal mine, sheep and
cattle.
Sept. 30, 1930 Annie Janet was set apart as Relief
Society President of Wales Ward, serving in this capacity
for ten years. She is and always has been active m
church work, acting as a teacher in Sunday School,
Primary and other organizations.
296 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
ROBERT MORLAND LARSEN
Robert Morland Larsen, son of Hans Peter Larsen
and Catherine Crowther, born at Manti, Utah, June
3, 1893. He was one of the best natured boys it was
anyone's pleasure to meet. He was always ready to grasp
every opportunity to accommodate others. Being
thoughtful, helpful and considerate of others were his
outstanding characteristics. He was a good student
in school and a very good worker. He was work-
ing for Manti City in the Canyon when he took a cold
which developed into quick pneumonia which caused
his death two days later, March 23, 1909.
LORRIN WARD LARSEN
Lorrin Ward Larsen was born Nov. 10, 1899 at
Manti, Utah, the son of Hans Peter Larsen and Cath-
erine Crowther.
He was an outstanding student all through his school
training in grades, high school and college. He, with
two of his most intimate chums, Grant Dyring and
Oscar Donalson, because of their exceptional work in
the school subjects, were dubed the three wise men of
the high school.
Besides being above the average in intelligence he
was very religious and considerate of others, especially
was this true in this behavior toward his parents. He
was christened Feb. 4, 1900 by Hans Jensen; baptized
Nov. 12, 1907 by Louritz Anderson; confirmed Nov.
12, 1907 by John B. Maben; ordained a Deacon Oct. 14,
1912 by Louis C. Kjar, a teacher, Dec. 13, 1914 by
Ernest Munk, a Priest, Nov. 27, 1917 by Ernest Mad-
sen. He was ordained an Elder Nov. 9, 1925 and re-
ceived his endowments by proxy, J. B. Jacobsen per-
GEORGE CROWTHER FAMILY
S97
forming the ordinance. In 1918 he joined the army and
was placed in officers' training. He was about ready
to take his place in action when the Armistice was
signed. After being mustered out of service he was
appointed deputy county clerk which position he held
until his death, March 15, 1923, of ether pneumonia fol-
lowing an operation for appendicitis.
^ ^- ^ .A;w*MJi^•.:.'««.'.^
Eliza
Robena Katherine
Daughters of George Crowther
ELIZABETH CROWTHER
Sarah
Elizabeth Crowther, born Aug. 15, 1858, at Payson, Utah,
died Jan. 19, 1937 at Overton, Nevada, daughter of George
Crowther and Janet Wiley Crowther.
Married to James Peter Anderson Oct. 31, 1875 at Moroni,
Utah, who was born Nov. 28, 1855 at Salt Lake City, Utah,
son of Jens Peter Anderson, born Jan. 4, 1826 at Gamelstrap,
Denmark, died Dec. 11, 1910 at Ephraim, Utah, and Rebecca
Christian Preese, born July 11, 181 8 at Valbye near Copen-
hagen, Denmark, died Nov. 24, 1866 at Ephraim, Utah. Living
in Overton, Nevada.
Their Children:
Janet Rebecca, born April 5, 1877 at Fountain Green, liv-
ing in Venice, Calif.
298 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
James William, born Jan. 24, 1879 at Fountain Green,
living in Overton, Nevada.
George Christian, born Nov. 24, 1881 at Fountain Green,
Utah, living in Salt Lake City, Utah.
David Edgar, born June 13, 1883 at Fountain Green, liv-
ing at Venice, Utah.
Thomas Milton, born Dec. 18, 1886 at Fountain Green,
living at Overton, Nevada.
Robert Vernon, born July 6, 1889 at Fountain Green, liv-
ing at Fountain Green.
Mildred Elizabeth, born May 20, 1892 at Fountain Green,
living at Overton, Nevada.
Fay Emanuel, born July 10, 1894 at Fountain Green, Utah,
living at Overton, Nevada.
Mary Jean, born May 10, 1896 at Fountain Green, Utah,
living at Overton, Nevada.
Alvin Glen, born Nov. 12, 1899 at Fountain Green, living
at Overton, Nevada.
Linford, born June 6, 1902 at Fountain Green, died Oct.
6, 1902.
Joseph Odel, born Sept, 12, 1903 at Fountain Green, died
Oct. 3, 1903.
ELIZABETH CROWTHER
Elizabeth Crowther was born Aug. 15, 1858 at
Payson, Utah; she is the daughter of George Crowther
and Janet Wiley Crowther.
When she was two years old her parents moved
from Payson to Wales, Sanpete County, (i860) ; 1863 they
moved to Moroni; May 1864 President Brigham Young
called them to help settle Sevier County and they located
at Monroe; 1867 they were called away from Monroe
on account of Indian troubles; they went to Manti for
two months then to Fountain Green where they made
their home permanently.
Elizabeth was now nine years old and did her part
in helping the family in various ways. Her main duty
was to help provide food for the family, this she did
GEORGE CROWTHER FAMILY 299
by gathering thistles, mustard greens, sego bulbs, mush-
rooms and assisting in growing gardens and crops.
Her education was on a par with the other young
people of that time. The school terms were short. But
with plenty of practical work and problems to solve,
gave her a wealth of knowledge not gained in the
classroom.
As a young woman she was required to take a hand
in all kinds of work, in the kitchen, the fields, fight-
in the grasshopper plagues, assisting neighbors in
sickness, and with the production of cloth for clothing,
rugs and carpets.
Oct. 31, 1875 she married James Peter Anderson, the
marriage ceremony taking place at Moroni, Utah. Later
they went to the Temple and had their endowments
and sealing work attended to.
They made their home at Fountain Green. Be-
sides having a home in town they had a ranch on
Water Hollow three miles north of Fountain Green
where they spent a greater part of their time farming,
and raising livestock; sheep raising was the principal
occupation.
They had a family of twelve children, nine boys and
three girls, ten of whom are living (1942).
George Christian lives in Salt Lake City, Robert
Vernon lives in Fountain Green, David Edgar at Venice,
Utah, and the others live in Overton, Nevada.
The home in Fountain Green and the ranch at
Water Hollow were sold and the family moved to Over-
ton, Nevada. Here they bought a store and went into
merchandising, farming and stock raising.
After a good, honorable and very useful life of
service to her family, the church and the communities
where she lived, Elizabeth departed this life Jan. 19,
300 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
1937 in her home at Overton, Nevada, and wa.s buried
in the local cemetery. Her husband James Peter An-
derson and most of his children and grandchildren are
living at Overton, Nevada.
JANET REBECCA ANDERSON
Janet Rebecca Anderson, daughter of James Peter
Anderson and Elizabeth Crow^ther, was born April
5, 1877 at Fountain Green, Sanpete County, Utah.
June 3, 1896 she married Albert Fredrick Bishoff,
son of Jacob Bishoff and Maria Jensen of Fountain
Green, Utah. He was born March 26, 1874 at Fountain
Green, Utah.
They made their home in Fountain Green, Sanpete
Co., Utah, until 1902. While they lived there the fol-
lowing children were born to them : Grace Janet Bishoff,
born March 7, 1897; Franklin Albert Bishoff, born April
4, 1899; Ruel Gertrude Bishoff, born June 4, 1901.
Fred Bishoff, as the family called him, was a good
carpenter and in 1902 he was persuaded to join a colony
of people who were going to settled the the Big Horn
country of Wyoming. In the company there were
men of nearly all trades, professional people, business
men and laborers, principally farmers. They went
into the Big Horn country and settled the town of
Lovell, Wyoming. There they lived until 1910. While
at Lovell, Wyoming, the following children were born
to them: Ether Loris Bishoff, March 5, 1903; Eliza-
beth Maria Bishoff, July 7, 1905; Mildred Erma Bishoff,
May 9, 1907; Etta Ethel Bishoff, April 12, 1909.
In 1910 the family moved to Overton, Clark Co.,
Nevada, where Janet's parents and brothers and sisters
had moved. While there the following children were
born: Lavon Jean Bishoff, Jan. 3, 191 1; Edith Dora
GEORGE CROWTHER FAMILY 301
Bishoff, Oct. 6, 1912; Roy A. Bishoff, Aug. lo, 1914.
In 1915 they moved to Shelley, Bingham Co., Idaho,
and while there Deloy A. Bishoff was born, Dec. 17,
1916. In 1918 they moved to Moon, Butte Co., Idaho.
There Elry A. Bishoff was born April 11, 1919 and he
died April 28, 1919. Later on they lost their son Ether
Louis who died July 18, 1923 at Moon, Idaho. Again
the family moved ; this time to Venice, California, where
they have their home at present (Jan. 1943).
They have been very useful and active citizens
of their church and the communities where they have
lived. The family of twelve children, ten of whom are
living, have all been honorable citizens.
While the dates of the marriages of their children
are not available to the writer, we do have the follow-
ing information of those who have married.
Grace Janet married Lemuel R. Jeppeson. Franklin
Albert married Eva K. Bingham, divorced her Oct 29,
1926, and married Velma Bank, May 193 1. Rucl Ger-
trude married Oscar L. Dodge. Elizabeth Maria mar-
ried Ray Franklin Hooper; divorced him in 1928 and
married Stanley H. Sparks Oct. 8, 1928. Mildred Emma
married Neil Rees. Etta Ethel married Arthur G. Pain,
who died April 13, 1940; then she married Maurice
Rees Oct. 19, 1940. Lavon Jean married Leo Gallup.
Edith Dora married Benjamin Harold Scott. Roy A.
married Marjorie Mary Carney. Delroy A. is not mar-
ried and is in the army defending his country in this
world struggle.
JAMES WILLIAM ANDERSON
James William Anderson, son of James Peter An-
derson and Elizabeth Crowther, was born Jan. 24, 1879
at Fountain Green, Sanpete Co., Utah.
302 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
Married Ellen Josephine Robertson, born May 25,
1881, in Fountain Green, Sanpete Co., Utah, daughter of
Nephi Robertson and EHza Ann Pennington, in the Manti
Temple. They made their home in Fountain Green
until James' parents, brothers and sisters moved to
Overton, Nevada, then they moved there also. His
occupation is farming and stock raising. They are
active church v^^orkers, sober and industrious.
Their Children:
James Clyde Anderson, born August 3, 1909 at Overton,
Clark Co., Nevada; married to Myrtle Bennett.
Nevada Jean Anderson, born Sept. 6, 1910 at Fountain
Green, Sanpete Co., Utah; married to Lyle Dee Payne.
Nephi Gleaves Anderson, born January 18, 1912 at
Fountain Green, Utah; is in the United States Army.
Eloise Anderson, born Sept. 13, 1914 at Fountain
Green, Utah; married to Philip W. Barney.
Garner Anderson, born Aug. 26, 1916 at Fountain
Green, Utah. He, too, is in the United States Army de-
fending his country in this world conflict.
Wilma Anderson, born Aug. 24, 1918 at Fountain
Green, Utah; married to James F. Pace.
Winona Anderson, born Nov. 7, 1932 at Overton,
Clark Co., Nevada; married to Loyde Whiting.
GEORGE CHRISTIAN ANDERSON
George Christian Anderson, son of James Peter
Anderson and Elizabeth Crowther, w^as born in Fountain
Green, Sanpete Co., Utah, Nov. 24, 1881. He was raised
on the farm and sheep ranch. He attended school and
received an average education. Is a zealous church
worker. As a boy he was advanced from one division of
the Aaronic Priesthood to another. Was ordained an
Elder June 23, 1900 by A. W. Barentsow; ordained a
GEORGE CROWTHER FAMILY 303
Seventy Sept. lo, 1905 by Joseph W. McMurrin; takes
part as a ward teacher and active in church welfare work.
June 26, 1901 he married Ida A. Anderson in the
Manti Temple, President John D. T. McAllister per-
forming the ceremony. Ida was born July 18, 1882;
Christened Sept. 7, 1882 by George Crowther; baptized
Dec. 2, 1890 by Arthur Henrie; confirmed a member
of the L. D. S. church Dec. 2, 1890 by Horace Thornton
in the Manti Temple; worked in the Primary organiza-
tion for 20 years, two years as president, two years as
counselor to the president, six years as secretary, 10 years
as a teacher. In the Relief Society she has done some
very fine work as a teacher in the work and business
class, helping in sickness and securing clothing for people
in case of death. She is a graduate nurse and has helped
the people of the community in sickness and accidents.
George and Ida made their home in Fountain Green
until about 1941, when they moved to Salt Lake City,
as he was employed in the Small Arms Plant doing
defense work.
Their Children and Grandchildren:
George Donald Anderson, born Jan. 24, 1903,
married Betty McKnight, daughter of James McKnight,
Sept., 1937. She was born March 24, 1910. Their home
is in Fountain Green and they have no children.
Ida Leota Anderson, born Jan. 14, 1906, married to
Lewis M. Anderson, son of Peter L. Anderson (born
Nov. 2, 1865) and Henrietta Peterson Christensen (born
Jan. 22, 1873 in Denmark and died Aug. 27, 1923 at
Fountain Green), June 13, 1928 in Manti Temple by
President Lewis Anderson. Prominent in Church
work.
Their Children:
304 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
Ida Beverly Anderson, born July i8, 1929 at Mt.
Pleasant.
Dona Lucesene Anderson, born April 23, 1931 at
Mt. Pleasant, Utah.
Lewis Blain Anderson, born Feb. 25, 1933 at Mt.
Pleasant, Utah.
George Earldeen Anderson, born Aug. 9, 1935 at
Mt. Pleasant, Utah.
Peter Marvin Anderson, born Sept. 14, 1936 at Mt.
Pleasant, Utah.
Jerry Lee Anderson, born Oct. 18, 1939 at Mt. Pleas-
ant, Utah.
Glenda Jean Anderson, born May 16, 1909 at
Fountain Green. Married Aug. 17, 1932 to Lowell T.
Aiken of Spring City by Bishop Graham at Salt Lake
City. He is the son of Joseph H. Aiken and Elizabeth
E. AUred. They are active in church work.
Their Children:
Idonna Jean Aiken, born Jan. 24, 1934 at Fountain
Green.
Lowell Sheldon Aiken, born Feb. 12, 1937 at Fountain
Green.
Max Clair Aiken, born Feb. 20, 1938 at Fountain
Green.
George Chrian Anderson, the grandfather, christened
all of Glenda's children.
LA VIRD JAMES ANDERSON
La Vird James Anderson, born April 15, 1913 at
Fountain Green, married Thelma Stanley, daughter of
Rubin Vernon Stanley (born Oct. 27, 1890) and Ezetta
GEORGE CROWTHER FAMILY SOS
Moor Carter (born July 8, 1895) of Nephi, Utah. Later
they went to the Manti Temple and had their endow-
ments and were married by President Robt. D. Young.
They are active church workers.
Their Child:
Nadean Anderson, was born March 7, 1942 at
Payson, Utah and was christened by its grandfather,
George C. Anderson.
Marvin De Loye Anderson, born Sept. 23, 1917 at
Fountain Green. Married Ruby Lucile
Shaw (born Aug. 4, 1918) daughter of Alfred I. Shaw
(born March 14, 1879) and Mary E. Haycock, born Nov.
3, 1879) of Nephi, Utah.
They are prominent in church organizations and in
the M. I. A. and Boy Scout work.
Their Child:
Shirley Lucile Anderson, was born June 14, 1939 at
Nephi, Utah and was christened by her father, Marvin
De Loye Anderson.
DAVID EDGAR ANDERSON
David Edgar Anderson, son of James Peter Ander-
son and Elizabeth Crowther, was born June 13, 1883 at
Fountain Green, Sanpete County, Utah. He received a
common school education and extensive training in
farming and raising live stock.
June 10, 1908 he married Carrie Oldroyd (born
Sept. 29, 1882 at Glenwood, Utah) daughter of Isaac R.
Oldroyd (born Jan. 18, 1859 at Ephraim, Utah, died
June 8, 1939 at Venice, Utah) and Mary Jane Buchanan,
306 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
(born Dec. 28, 1862 at Glenwood, Utah, died Nov. 4,
1894 at Glenwood, Utah). They were married in the
Manti Temple by President Lewis Anderson.
Since their marriage their home has been in Venice,
Sevier Co., Utah. Here they are engaged in farming and
stock raising. They are prominent in church and com-
munity activities. They have served as officers and teach-
ers in the various organizations of the church. Their
family consists of four children, three sons and one
daughter, as follows:
Melvin D. Anderson, born May 27, 1909 at Overton,
Nevada. Sept. 10, 1931, he married Idonna Sargant,
born Nov. 5, 191 5 at Richfield, Utah, daughter of James
Elliot Sargant (born Oct. 29, 1883 at Marysvale, Utah)
and Olive Charlotte Hardy (born March 4, 1892 at
Sevier, Utah). They were married at Richfield by
Wendell Anderson.
Their Children:
Jerry D. Anderson, born Aug. 5, 1937 at Richfield,
Utah.
Scott David Anderson, born Mar. 21, 1941 at Rich-
field, Utah.
Evan J. Anderson, born Oct. 18, 191 1 at Glenwood,
Utah. He is interested in farming and live stock raising
with his father. He is not married.
Ellis R. Anderson, born Sept. 25, 1913 at Glenwood,
Utah. Jan. 8, 1938 he married Mea Madge Utley (born
Mar. 26, 1915 at Sevier, Utah), daughter of Benjamin
Hammon Utley (born March 24, 1884 at Sevier, Utah).
Their Children:
Max E. Anderson, born Dec. 23, 1938 at Salina,
Utah.
GEORGE CROWTHER FAMILY 307
Ray D. Anderson, born Jan. 8, 1941 at Salina, Utah.
Mary Elizabeth Anderson, born Jan. 18, 1918 at
Venice, Utah, died March 6, 1927, at Venice, Utah. Mary
Elizabeth was very bright, attractive girl nine years of
age at her death, which was a severe shock to her entire
family.
David Edgar Anderson, his wife and all his children
are very religiously inclined and are prominent in all
church and community activities,
THOMAS MILTON ANDERSON
Thomas Milton Anderson, son of James Peter Ander-
son and Elizabeth Crowther, was born Dec. 18, 1885 at
Fountain Green, Sanpete Co., Utah. He was educated
in the schools of Fountain Green and in his participation
at farming and stock raising.
Sept. 18, 1912 he married Annie Gertrude Rohner
(born Feb. 27, 1894 ^^ Overton, Clark Co., Nevada)
daughter of Abraham Jacob Rohner and Annie Louise
Edwards of Overton, Nevada. They were married in the
Saint George Temple. Their home is in Overton, Nevada
where they are engaged in farming and stock raising.
They are active in church and community functions.
Their Children:
Louise Anderson, born July 12, 1913 at Overton,
Clark Co., Nevada; christened Aug. 13, 1913; married
to Edward Vril Hickman.
Reva Anderson, born Nov. 15, 1916 at Overton,
Nevada; christened June 7, 1917; married to Andrew
Kujda.
Viola Anderson, born Sept. 4, 1918 at Overton, Clark
Co., Nevada; christened Oct. 6, 1918; married to Thomas
Ralph McCleery.
308 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
Milton Deloye Anderson, born Nov. 5, 1923, at
Overton, Clark Co., Nev.
ROBERT VERNOR ANDERSON
Robert Vernor Anderson, son of James Peter Ander-
son and Elizabeth Crowther, was born July 6, 1889 at
Fountain Green, Sanpete Co., Utah. His education
consists of the courses of the common schools including
some high school work. The greater part of his educa-
tion is derived from the practical application and his
ability to solve the daily problems as they arise in the
conduct of his farm and livestock v/ork. He seemed
more inclined toward the livestock industry and has
devoted most of his time to this work, especially to the
raising of sheep.
June 24, 1908 he married Sarah Ethel Anderson
who was born April 14, 189 1 at Fountain Green. They
were married in the Manti Temple by President Lewis
Anderson. She is the daughter of Ole Christian Ander-
son, born Aug. 29, 1866 at Moroni, Utah, died Aug. 4,
1905 at the L. D. S. Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah; and
Sarah Ann Allred, born Nov. i, 1869 at Fountain Green.
Robert and Ethel are active in church and social affairs.
Their Children:
Evanelle Anderson, born July 22, 1909 at Fountain
Green, Utah. June 7, 1933 she married Glenn Charles
Mangelson, who was born Aug. 15, 1906 at Levan, Utah.
They were married in the Manti Temple by Joseph E.
Anderson. He is the son of Charles Adolph Mangelson,
born July 5, 1870 at Brigham City, Utah and Emma
Nielson, born Oct. 17, 1879 at Aalburg, Denmark
Evanelle and Glenn live in Levan, Utah where they are
GEORGE CROWTHER FAMILY 309
engaged in farming and stock raising. They have two
children: Evan Glenn Mangelson, born March 6, 1934
at Levan, Utah and Robert Hal Mangelson, born April
22, 1936 at Levan, Utah.
Verona Lucile Anderson, born March 31, 1912 at
Fountain Green, Utah. Aug. 31, 1935 she married Glade
D. Hansen. They were married by Bishop Anthony
Winters of Fountain Green. Glade D. Hansen was
born April 2, 191 1 at Fountain Green, the son of Soren
Christian Hansen, born Feb. 10 in Denmark, died Jan.
5, 1937 at Bingham Canyon, Utah; and Mary Ann
Douglas, born April 26, 1875 at Ephraim, Utah.
Their Children:
Glade Bruce Hansen, born June 13, 1936 at Bingham
Canyon, Utah.
Vernor Le Roy Hansen, born Aug. 24, 1938 at
Murray, Utah.
Robert Glade Anderson, born July 9, 1918 at
Fountain Green. He was blessed Aug. 4, 1918 by A.
James Aagard; baptized July 20, 1926 in the Manti
Temple by John R. Johnson; confirmed July 20, 1926 by
Jacob B. Jacobsen; ordained a Deacon Sept. 14, 1930
by Bishop Osmond Crowther, a Teacher by Ole A.
AUred, a Priest by Bishop Irvin Oldroyd, an Elder, Dec.
5, 1937 by Stake President Joseph R. Christiansen of
Moroni. He was a member of the Fountain Green
band from the age of eleven until he was enlisted in the
army. Sept. 24, 1941 he joined the United States Army.
During the winter of 1941 he was in training at Fort
Knox, Kentucky. Here he was promoted to Lance
corporal. In the spring of 1942 he was transferred to
Fort Dix, New Jersey, and in June, 1942, his regiment
was sent to Ireland. As far as his parents know he is
with the American Forces in the African campaign.
310 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
Robert Vernor Anderson's children have all been
very active in educational and church affairs. They all
have a high school education. Robert Glade attended
college at the Snow College in Ephraim, Utah, one
year.
MILDRED ELIZABETH ANDERSON
Mildred Elizabeth Anderson, daughter of James
Peter Anderson and Elizabeth Crowther was born May
20, 1892 at Fountain Green, Utah. Mildred was educated
in the Fountain Green school and some high school
classes. She is very intellectual and industrious, the two
outstanding characteristics of her life which have made
her a leader in church organizations and community
activities.
April 3, 1913 she was married to Joseph Benjamin
Robison (born July 11, 1892 at Fillmore, Utah), son
of Joseph Hancock Robison and Nellie Hinckley.
Their home is in Overton, Clark Co., Nevada where
Mr. Robison is engaged in farming and stock raising,
while Mildred continues her fine community and church
work as well as her home duties. They have a family of
seven children and seven grandchildren as follows:
lone Robison, born April 3, 1914, at Overton, Nevada,
married to Stanley J. Bennion.
Their Child:
Stanley Robison Bennion born Nov. 10, 1937 ^^
Independence, Mo.
Rula Robison, born March 21, 1916 at Overton,
Nevada, married to Raowl Leavitt.
Their Children:
Harold Ray, born Dec. 27, 1934 at Overton; Diaun,
born March 5, 1938 at Las Vegas, Nevada; Tania, born
Dec. 28, 1940 at Overton, Nevada.
GEORGE CROWTHER FAMILY 311
Arthur Ray Robison, born Oct. 7, 1917 at Overton,
Nevada, married Barbara May. They have one child, born
March 22, 1942 at Overton, Nevada.
Maurine Robison, born Feb. 5, 1919 at Overton,
Nevada, married Orson Ross Sanders.
Lenore Robison, born April 14, 1920 at Overton,
Clark Co., Nevada, married to John Wittwer.
Ruth Robison, born April 26, 1923 at Overton,
Nevada, married to Raowl Leavitt.
Their Children:
Patricia Ann, born May 9, 1941 at Las Vegas, Nevada.
Alma Raowl, born March 27, 1942 at Las Vegas,
Nevada.
Shirley Robison, born Jan. 19, 1930 at Overton,
Nevada.
FAY EMANUEL ANDERSON
Fay Emanuel Anderson, son of James Peter Ander-
son and Elizabeth Crowthcr, was born July 10, 1894,
at Fountain Green, Sanpete Co., Utah. He, like the
other members of the family, was educated in the
schools of Fountain Green and at farming and stock
raising.
Aug. 3, 1914 he married Carrie Solanda Hanning
(born Nov. 10, 1897 at Logandale, Nev.), daughter of
Rheinhold Hanning and Heneretta Huntsman. They
were married at Las Vegas, Nevada and made their
home in Overton, Clark Co., Nevada. Here they are
engaged in farming and livestock raising.
Their Children:
Rene Anderson, born March 18, 1915 at Overton,
Nevada, christened May , 1915, married Margaret
Sevey.
Glen H. Anderson, born Jan. 27, 1918, at Overton,
312 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
Nevada, christened March, 1918, married Royene La Suer.
Nola Anderson, born Jan. 8, 1923, at Overton,
Nevada, christened Feb. 6, 1923, married to Lynn Adams.
Yynford Odell Anderson, born Sept. 7, 1925 at
Overton, Nev., christened Nov. i, 1925.
PhyHp Elmo Anderson, born May 16, 1927 at Over-
ton, christened July 3, 1927.
MARY JEAN ANDERSON
Mary Jean Anderson, daughter of James Peter Ander-
son and Elizabeth Crowther was born May 10, 1896 at
Fountain Green, Sanpete Co., Utah. She received her
education in the schools of Fountain Green and has
always been very active in church and community affairs.
Home making is perhaps her outstanding qualification.
June 10, 1914 she was married to Clarence Clinton
McDonald (born Nov. i, 1893 at Woods Cross, Utah),
son of William Wesley McDonald and Lucinda Emerson
of Woods Cross, Utah. After their marriage they made
their home in Overton, Nevada, where they are engaged
in farming and stock raising. They are very religious I
and take part in the activities of the church organizations
and community affairs. There is one of God's command-
ments that they have complied with more fully than any
other members of the George Crowther and Janet Wiley
posterity, and that is to "Multiply and Replenish the
Earth," as they have a family of sixteen children.
Their Children:
Theone McDonald, born Feb. 14, 1915, married to
William S. Petty.
Joseph A. McDonald, born Dec. 13, 1916, christened
Feb. 4, 1917, married Norma Hunt.
GEORGE CROWTHER FAMILY 313
Gwen McDonald, born Aug., 1918, christened Sept.
1, 1918, married to Jack Willets.
Velda McDonald, born April 7, 1920, christened May
2, 1920, married to Merle Robison.
Clarice McDonald, born Jan. 2, 1922, christened Feb.
5, 1922, married to Walter Hardy.
Glenna McDonald, born Oct. 4, 1923.
Eula McDonald, born Jan. 29, 1926, married to Daniel
Turnbaugh.
Eunice McDonald, born May 28, 1928, christened
July I, 1925.
Mary Jean McDonald, born Nov. 14, 1930, christened
Jan. 4, 1931.
Clarence Lee McDonald, born May 20, 1932.
Gloria McDonald, born May 6, 1934, christened July
i> 1934-
Alvin Ray McDonald, born July i, 1935.
Merla McDonald, born Feb. 26, 1937.
James Gerry McDonald, born Jan. 16, 1938, christen-
ed May I, 1938.
Karl Blaine McDonald, born Aug. 19, 1937, christen-
ed Jan. 14, 1940.
Beth McDonald, born Nov. 24, 1929, christened Nov.
29, 1929.
All sixteen children were born in Overton, Clark Co.,
Nevada, and are active Latter-day Saints and are taking
their places in the church and community activities ac-
cording to their ages.
ALVIN GLEN ANDERSON
Alvin Glen Anderson, son of James Peter Anderson
and Elizabeth Crowther, v^^as born Nov. 12, 1899 at
Fountain Green, Sanpete Co., Utah. He was educated
314 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
in Ftn. Green and learned farming and stock raising,
which is his life's occupation. Taking part in the church
organizations and community life was of prime im-
portance to him as a young man and yet is for him,
his wife and family today.
he married Agnes Campbell
Clive (born July i8, 1896 at Salt Lake City), daughter of
William Claude Clive and Isabella Stewart Campbell of
They made their home in Overton,
Clark Co., Nevada, where the following children have
been born to them:
William Clive Anderson, born Dec. 15, 1922.
Alvin Clive Anderson, born May 13, 1925.
David Clive Anderson, born Jan. 9, 1930.
Linford Anderson, son of James Peter Anderson and
Elizabeth Crowther, was born June 6, 1902 at Fountain
Green, Sanpete Co., Utah, and died Oct. 6, 1902 at
Fountain Green.
Joseph Odell Anderson, son of James Peter Anderson
and Elizabeth Crowther, was born at Fountain Green,
Sanpete Co., Utah, Sept. 12, 1903 and died Oct. 3, 1903
at Fountain Green, Utah.
I
GEORGE CROWTHER FAMILY 315
SARAH CROWTHER
Sarah Crowther, born May 22, i860, at Wales, Sanpete
County, Utah, died August i, 1925 at Huntington, Utah.
Christian Ottsen, born March 12, i860 at Fountain Green,
Utah, died December 12, 1936 at Huntington, Utah.
Their Children:
Sarah Emery Ottsen, born February 5, 1885 at Hunting-
ton, Utah, living at Huntington.
Janet Ottsen, born 1887 at Huntington, Utah.
Barbara Ottsen, born Feb. 25, 1889 at Huntington, Utah.
Leo Ottsen, born March 25, 1891 at Huntington, Utah.
Died Feb. 4, 1929 at Huntington, Utah.
Orin Ottsen, born March 8, 1894 at Huntington, Utah.
Wallace Ottsen, born April 6, 1896 at Huntington, Utah.
Ira Ottsen, born Feb. 12, 1904 at Huntington, Utah.
Elma Ottsen, born 1910 at Huntington,
Utah. (Her mother was fifty years old at the time of her birth.)
SARAH CROWTHER
Sarah Crowther was born May 22, i860, at Wales,
Sanpete County, Utah. At this time her parents, George
and Janet Wiley Crowther, were running a boarding
house for the miners who worked in the coal mines
there. George was also working in the mines. In 1863,
she, with her parents moved to Moroni; they were no
more than settled there, when President Brigham Young
called her parents to go to Sevier County to help colonize
that section. They settled in Monroe. In 1867, they
were called away from Sevier County on account of the
Indian War. They then settled in Fountain Green where
Sarah grew to womanhood, taking her place in the home
and community. She attended the schools, worked on
the farms and in the home helping to manufacture
clothing, carpets and rugs for the family.
516 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
December i8, 1878, she was married to Christian
Ottsen, the son of Christian Ottsen and
He was born March 12, 1861 at Fountain Green; his
father was born December 14, 1822, in Denmark; his
mother was born
Sarah and Christian, as the family and their friends
chose to call them, were quite young to assume the
responsibilities of married life; but they went to work
building a home for themselves. Shortly after they
were married, they moved to Huntington, Emery County,
Utah. They were among the early pioneers of that
county, and took up land in the mouth of Huntington
Canyon, a few miles out from Huntington.
Christian was a good farmer, energetic and wise in
the methods he used in developing his farm. He planted
an orchard of a large variety of fruits, numerous types
of berries, grapes, melons, hay and grains. While their
orchard was growing they raised a large acreage of
melons and when they were ready for market he would
load them on his wagons and go to the mining district in
Carbon County and sell them. When the trees began
to bear fruit he sold it and grain to the miners.
Christian was a wise financier and very religious.
He was an exceptional provider for his family. His
wheat bin always had at least a three years supply for
his family. His fame as a farmer, and fruit grower
spread through the entire county and people came from
afar to buy his products.
They built a fine home and raised nearly everything
that could be raised there. No one ever came there and
went away hungry. If in real life it can be said: "He
lived by the side of the road and was a friend of man," it
can be said of Christian Ottsen.
Their family consisted of seven children — three boys
GEORGE CROWTHER FAMILY 317
and four girls. Sarah Emery, the first daughter was born
February 5, 1885. The others in order of birth were
Janet, Barbara, Leo, Wallace, Ira, and Elma. Sarah was
fifty years old when Elma was born.
Sarah was busy at her work and had just been out
gathering eggs and while returning to the house, she took
a stroke which caused her death, August i, 1925.
Christian went on with his work until December 12,
1936, when death came to him. They both died on their
farm near Huntington, and are hurried in the local
cemetery.
SARAH EMERY OTTSEN
Sarah Emery Ottsen, daughter of Christian Ottsen
and Sarah Crowther, was born Feb. 5, 1885 at Hunting-
ton, Utah. She received her schooling in the schools of
Huntington. The work at home in the house, on the
farm, with fruit, bees, poultry and gardening gave her
a fund of knowledge gained by actual contact with the
real problems of life. She is religious and industrious
and has always taken part in church and community
affairs as much as it was possible for her to do so.
Sept. 30, 1903 she was married to William Lewis
Marshall (born Sept. 15, 1879 at Orangeville, Emery Co.,
Utah), son of William Marshall (born Dec. 7, 1857 at
San Bernardino, Calif., died Nov. 7, 1938 at Huntington,
Utah) and Martha Permila Allen (born May 23, 1859
near Savanah, Missouri, died Feb. 16, 1931 at Huntington)
of Huntington, Utah. For a short time they lived in
Mohrland, Carbon County, Utah, other than that they
have made their home in Huntington, Utah.
They are good church workers. Emery has been
connected, as an officer and teacher with the Relief
Society for a number of years, and is active in the com-
3J8 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
munity functions. They have two sons in the U. S. Army
defending the nation in this Global War. Their family
of thirteen children are:
The thirteen children of Sarah Emery Ottsen and
William Lewis Marshall are:
Lila Marshall, born July 12, 1904.
Herbert Lewis Marshall, born Oct. 20, 1906.
Neldon A. Marshall, born Dec. 11, 1908.
Sarah Permelia Marshall, born March 11, 191 1.
Len R. Marshall, born Nov. 3, 1913.
Jeneal Marshall, born Dec. 8, 1914.
Calvin Lee Marshall, born Feb. 10, 1917.
Sylvia May Marshall, born May 10, 1919.
William Crowther Marshall, born Nov. 9, 1921.
Lois Marshall, born Dec. 4, 1923.
Dallis E. Marshall, born March 7, 1926.
Melvin John Marshall, born March 21, 1928.
Piccola Marshall, born Nov. 14, 1932.
LILAH MARSHALL
Lilah Marshall, daughter of Sarah Emery Ottsen and
William Lewis Marshall, born July 12, 1904 at Hunting-
ton, Utah. Jan. 15, 1923 she was married to Morley
Burgess (born Sept. 10, 1899 at Huntington, Utah), son
of William Harrison Burgess, (born Jan. 22, 1859 at Salt
Lake City, Utah) and Mary Ann Davis (born May 15,
1867 at St. John, Utah, died Jan. 22, 1942 at Salt Lake
City, Utah, buried at Huntington, Utah) of Huntington,
Utah.
Their Children:
Melrose Loyd Burgess, born March 28, 1924 at Hunt-
ington, Utah.
GEORGE CROWTHER FAMILY 319
Lewis Harrison Burgess, born April i8, 1926 at Hunt-
ington, Utah.
Ruby Gerine Burgess, born Nov. 12, 1927 at Mohr-
land, Utah.
Pearl Elorine Burgess, born Jan. 16, 1929 in Salt Lake
City.
Lenn Earl Burgess, born Nov. 21, 1930 at Hunting-
ton, Utah.
Betty Bernice Burgess, born Feb. i, 1932 at Hunting-
ton, Utah.
Lavell Morley Burgess, born Dec. 18, 1934 at View,
Idaho.
Deral Larell Burgess, born April 16, 1936 at View,
Idaho.
Ferrel Dean Burgess born Jan. 28, 1938 at Burley,
Idaho.
Elgen Sheldon Burgess, born July 29, 1941 at Cal-
ienti, Nev.
MELROSE LOYD BURGESS
Melrose Loyd Burgess, son of Lilah Marshall and
Morley Burgess, born March 28, 1924 at Huntington,
Utah. June 22, 1941 he married Bernice Stephens (born
April 28, 1925 at Burley, Idaho) daughter of Edmond
A. Stephens (born May 9, 1887 at Hufer, Weber Co.,
Utah, died July 10, 1935 at Burley, Idaho) and Mary
Stone (born May 22, 1887 at Wilson, Weber Co., Utah)
of Burley, Idaho.
Their Children:
Melrose Edmund Burgess, born May 19, 1942 at
Burley, Idaho.
HERBERT LEWIS MARSHALL
Herbert Lewis Marshall, son of Sarah Em^-ry Ottsen
320 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
and William Lewis Marshall, born Oct. 20, 1906 at
Orangeville, Utah. Dec. 14, 1928 he married Geneva
Richens (born Nov. 19, 1909) daughter of William Ban-
ford Richens (born Feb. 2, 1865) and Eliza Ostler (born
Jan. 23, 1869 at Huntington, Utah.)
Their Children:
Herbert Lewis Marshall, born Aug. 10, 1929 at Hia-
watha, Carbon, Co., Utah, died Oct. 24, 1929 at Hunt-
ington, Utah.
Dortha Dean Marshall, born Nov. 18, 1931, died Dec.
29, 193 1 at Hiawatha, Utah.
Morland Jay Marshall, born April 20, 1933 at Hia-
watha, Utah.
Doris Jean Marshall, born Dec. 21, 1934 at Hunt-
ington, Utah.
Carol Ann Marshall, born Nov. 14, 1936 at Hunt-
ington, Utah.
Eveline Loraine Marshall, born Nov. 11, 1938 at
Huntington, Utah.
Peggy Arline Marshall, born Jan. 4, 1940 at Hunt-
ington, Utah.
Dixey Raire Marshall, born Sept. 21, 1942 at Hunt-
ington, Utah.
NELDON ALLEN MARSHALL
Neldon Allen Marshall, son of William Lewis
Marshall and Sarah Emery Ottsen, was born Dec. 11,
1908 at Huntington, Utah.
Oct. 24, 1939 he married Lucile Helen Wilson at
Rupert, Idaho, born June 2, 1921 at Heyburn, Idaho,
daughter of Aaron Wilford Wilson (born March 26,
1893) and Mary Olive Campbell (born April 25, 1898).
GEORGE CROWTHER FAMILY 321
They are farmers and very devoted to their work and
reHgion. Sept. 8, 1924 they went to the Logan Temple
and had their work attended to. They have no children.
SARAH PERMELIA MARSHALL
Sarah Permelia Marshall, daughter of Sarah Emery
Ottsen and William Lewis Marshall, born March 11,
191 1 at Huntington, Utah, March 16, 1931, married to
Harold Thomas Jensen (born June 29, 1908) son of
Thomas M, Jensen (born April 27, 1888 at Goshen, Utah)
and Eva L Francom (born Nov. i, 1888 at Payson, Utah,
died July 8, 1940 at Genola, Utah) of Genola, Utah.
Their Children:
Thomas Von Jensen, born April 17, 1933 at Hia-
watha, Utah.
Allen M. Jensen, born Feb. 20, 1934 at Hiawatha,
Utah, died Feb. 20, 1934, buried at Huntington, Utah.
Reed Theodore Jensen, born Feb. 9, 1936 at Goshen,
Utah.
Gene Ray Jensen, born Jan. 27, 1938 at Goshen, Utah.
LEN R. MARSHALL
Len R. Marshall, son of Sarah Emery Ottsen and
William Lewis Marshall, born Nov. 3, 1913 at Mohrkuul,
Utah, married Aug. 10, 1935, Ruth Vargas (born Feb.
3, 1913 at Monta Vista, Colo.), daughter of Pablo Vargas
(born Aug. 24, 1883 at Monta Vista, Colo.) and Edubigcn
Maez (born Oct. 21, 1886 at Monta Vista, Colo.) of
Roosevelt, Utah.
322 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
Their Children:
Barbara Jane Marshall, born Nov. 17, 1936 at Kem-
merer, Wyoming.
Phyllis Marshall, Born Oct. 2, 1938 at Huntington,
Utah.
Kenith Len Marshall, born Jan. 3, 1940 at Roosevelt,
Utah.
JENEAL MARSHALL
Jeneal Marshall, daughter of Sarah Emery Ottsen
and William Lewis Marshall, born Dec. 8, 1914 at Mohr-
land, Utah, married Oct. 20, 1931 to Benjamin Glen
Brady (born Oct. i, 1905 at Fairview, Utah), son of
Marion John Brady (born July 20, i§66 at Mt. Pleasant,
Utah) and Selestia Castle Jones (born Dec. 15, 1878 at
Huntington, Utah, died Aug. 29, 1937 at Salt Lake City,
Utah) of Fairview, Sanpete Co., Utah.
Their Children:
Beth Brady, born Jan. 7, 1932 at Huntington, Utah.
Glen Brady, born Dec. 1933 at Huntington, Utah.
Edward Brady, born Oct. 24, 1935 at Fairview, Utah.
Clifford Brady, born Sept. 25, 1937 at Huntington,
Utah.
Bevon B. Brady, born June 20, 1939 at Huntington,
Utah.
Delmont Bud Brady, born Jan. 26, 1942 at Hunting-
ton, Utah.
CALVIN LEE MARSHALL
Calvin Lee Marshall, son of Sarah Emery Ottsen and
GEORGE CROWTHER FAMILY 323
William Lewis Marshall, born Feb. lo, 1917 at Mohrland.
Utah. He is single and at present (Jan., 1943) is in
the U. S. Army, quartered at Camp Barclay, Texas.
SYLVIA MAE MARSHALL
Sylvia Mae Marshall, daughter of Sarah Emery
Ottsen and William Lewis Marshall, born May 10, 1919
at Mohrland, Utah, married June 8, 1936 to Eldon Mar-
shall Judd (born Dec. 10, 1913 at Lehi, Utah), son of
Marshall Judd (born Aug. 9, 1891 at Livingston, Ten-
nessee) and Clara Marilla Bushman (born May i, 1892
at Lehi, Utah) of Lehi, Utah.
Their Children:
Vivian Elaine Judd, born June 19, 1937 at Burley,
Idaho.
Phylis Nadine Judd, born Oct. 16, 1939 at Weiser,
Idaho.
WILLIAM CROWTHER MARSHALL
William Crowther Marshall, son of Sarah Emery
Ottsen and William Lewis Marshall, born Nov. 9, 1921 at
Huntington, Utah. He is in the U. S. Army defending
his country (Jan. 1943).
LOIS MARSHALL
Lois Marshall, daughter of Sarah Emery Ottsen and
William Lewis Marshall, born Dec. 4, 1923 at Hunting-
ton, Utah.
DALLIS E. MARSHALL
Dallis E. Marshall, son of Sarah Emery Ottsen and
324- THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
William Lewis Marshall, born March 7, 1926 at Hunt-
ington, Utah.
MELVIN JOHN MARSHALL
Melvin John Marshall, son of Sarah Emery Ottsen
and William Lewis Marshall, born March 21, 1928 at
Huntington, Utah.
PICCOLA MARSHALL
Piccola Marshall, daughter of Sarah Emery Ottsen
and William Lewis Marshall, born Nov. 14, 1932 at Hunt-
ington, Utah.
JANET OTTSEN
Janet was born at Huntington, Utah. She is the
second child of Sarah Crowther and Christian Ottsen.
Other than this I have no record of her and her family.
BARBARA OTTSEN
Barbara Ottsen, daughter of Christian Ottsen and
Sarah Crowther, was born Feb. 25, 1889 at Huntington,
Utah.
March 28, 1907 she was married to Adelbert Marshall
at Huntington, Utah. He was born Feb. 6, 1885 at
Huntington, Utah, son of William Marshall (born Dec.
7, 1857 at San Bernardino, Calif., died Nov. 7, 1938 at
Huntington, Utah) and Martha Permila Allen (born
1859 at Savannah, Missouri, died Feb. 16, 1931 at Hunt-
ington, Utah),
GEORGE CROWTHER FAMILY 325
They, like the others of the family, are good farmers
and faithful church workers.
Their Children:
Barbara Marshall, born May 14, 1908 at Huntington,
Utah, married to Melvin W. Williamson.
Thill Marshall, born Oct. 28, 1910 at Huntington,
Utah, married Estella Jensen. They have five children.
Orthillo Marshall, born Sept. 18, 1912 at Huntington,
Utah, married to Melvin Mills.
Eva Marshall, born Nov. 4, 1916 at Huntington,
Utah, married to Melvin M. Mills.
Clara Marshall, born Nov. 5, 1918 at Huntington,
Utah, married to Walter Thomas, born Nov. 26, 1916.
Bertha Marshall, born Nov. 15, 1920 at Huntington,
Utah, married to Herbert Whitmer.
Elma M. Marshall, born March 4, 1923 at Hunting-
ton, Utah, married Grant Jensen of Price, Utah. They
have tv^^o children.
Adelbert Marshall, born May 7, 1930 at Huntington,
Utah.
Barbara Jane Marshall, born Dec. 23, 1933 at Hunt-
ington, Utah.
LEO OTTSEN
Son of Sarah Crov^ther and Christian Ottscn. Was
born March 25, 1861 in Huntington and died Feb. 4,
1929. His w^ife Elizabeth lives in Salt Lake City.
ORIN OTTSEN
Orin Ottsen, son of Christian Ottsen and Sarah
Crowther, was born March 8, 1894 at Huntington, Utah.
June 6, 1917 he married Ella Lucille Grange in the Salt
326 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
Lake Temple. Ella Lucille is the daughter of Ulyses
W. Grange (born Nov. ii, 1868 at Springville, Utah) and
Margaret Elizabeth Jones (born Oct. 4, 1873 at Heber
City, Utah).
Their Children.
Cloe Maxine Ottsen, born May 28, 1918 at Hunting-
ton, Utah.
Fred Z. Ottsen, born Sept. 27, 1919 at Huntington,
Utah, married Mable Seal Oct. 23, 1941 at Rupert, Idaho.
Beth Lucille Ottsen, born May 28, 1921 at Hunting-
ton, Utah, married to William Jackson, June 25, 1942 at
Salt Lake City, Utah.
Joseph Orin Ottsen, born Feb. 11, 1924 at Hunting-
ton, Utah, married Dora Johnson Jan. 11, 1943 in Salt
Lake Temple.
WALLACE OTTSEN
Wallace Ottsen, son of Christian Ottsen and Sarah
Crowther, was born April 6, 1896 at Huntington, Utah.
He married Dorithy H. Guymon, who was born Nov.
6, 1903. She is the daughter of John Wesley Guymon,
and Minnie Nielson. The marriage was performed in
the Salt Lake Temple.
Their Children:
Ned and Ted (twins) were born April 11, 1942 and
died May 21, 1942 and Oct.24, 1942 at Huntington, Utah.
IRA OTTSEN
Son of Sarah Crowther and Christian Ottsen. He
was born Feb. 12, 1904 at Huntington, Utah. Ira is in
the U. S. Army; probably in Northern Africa.
GEORGE CROWTHER FAMILY 327
ELMA OTTSEN
Elma Ottsen, daughter of Christian Ottsen and
Sarah Crowther was born , 1910 at Hunting-
ton, Utah. She was raised and schooled at Huntington
and took a leading part in all activities both of church
and community.
May 10, 1930 she was married to Clarence Dean
Collard, born March 23, 1909 at Huntington, Utah, son
of Clarence Collard (born Feb. 14, 1889 at Huntington,
Utah) and Dora M. Allred (born Sept. 27, 1892, died
Jan. 31, 1919 at Mohrland, Utah, buried at Huntington,
Utah) of Huntington, Utah.
Their Children:
Clifford Dean Collard, born July 14, 1931 at Hunt-
ington, Utah.
Leo Bruce Collard, born June 3, 1935 at Huntington,
Utah.
Max Leon Collard, born Aug. 26, 1940 at Hunting-
ton, Utah.
GEORGE CROWTHER, JR.
George Crowther, Jr., was born April 13, 1863 at
Wales, Utah, the son of George and Janet Wiley
Crowther. When he was one year old. President Brigham
Young called his parents to go and help colonize in
Sevier Co. They settled in Monroe and lived there three
years. In 1867 they were called away from Monroe on
account of Indian trouble. They moved to Fountain
Green where a permanent home was established.
George Jr., grew up as a pioneer boy, doing the
various tasks according to his age — helping fight the
grasshoppers, gathering food such as mustard greens, etc.
As he grew older his work became that of tilling the soil
328 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
for the production of food and feed for the cattle which
he helped to care for.
He took advantage of every educational opportunity
offered to him; this with his practical experience equipped
him very well for citizenship. His outstanding quality
was his exceptionally good nature, and his thoughtful-
ness for the comforts of others. In church or community
activities he was always prominent, and gained the love
and respect of all who knew him. Death came to him
in 1888 just as he was in the prime of life and seemingly
with such a broad, useful future for him.
WILLIAM JOHN CROWTHER
William John Crowther, born May 14, 1865 at Monroe,
Utah, died Dec. 9, 1908 at Fountain Green, Utah, married
Serena Olsen, Oct. 24, 1889 at Fountain Green, by Lars Nielson;
she was born Oct. 8, 1867 at Fountain Green, Utah, is living
at Fountain Green. Serena's parents: Hans Peter Olsen,
born May 30, 1833 at Hoerring Judland, Denmark, died June
23, 1908 in Fountain Green, and Ellen Christena Aagard, born
Nov. ;28, 1836 at Farrer Judland, Denmark, died March 22,
1922 at Fountain Green.
Their Children:
Lorena May Crowther, born July 23, 1890 at Fountain
Green, Utah, living at Fountain Green.
Ellen Janet Crowther, born July 8, 1892 at Fountain Green,
died Sept. 8, 1940 at Fountain Green.
Virgil William Crowther, born July 13, 1897 at Fountain
Green, died Oct. 28, 1908 at Fountain Green, Utah.
Bertha Zetell, born July 22, 1900 at Fountain Green, living
at Fountain Green.
WILLIAM JOHN CROWTHER
William John Crowther was born May 14, 1865 at
Monroe, Sevier County, Utah, during very trying times
for the settlers of that section, as there were frequent
attacks by the Indians. When he was two years old,
GEORGE CROWTHER FAMILY 329
President Brigham Young called his parents with the
other settlers from Monroe on account of the Indian
War. They moved to Manti, then to Fountain Green
when they located permanently.
His early life was that of a pioneer. His education
was on a par with the other young men of his time.
The school terms were short, but the practical education
he received from his actual contact with the problems of
life with which he had to contend, gave him a valuable
education. As a young man he worked with his father
on the farm and on the range with the cattle and sheep.
He had his share in fighting the grasshoppers and crickets
which often threatened to destroy the crops.
Religious and community activities always found
him an active participant. Because of his even temper
and genuine friendliness he was loved and respected by
all who knew him. His outstanding characteristic was
his spirit of fair play and the respect he had for the
rights of others.
October 24, 1889 he married Serena Olsen, Lars
Nielson officiating, at Fountain Green, Utah. She was
the daughter of Hans Peter and Ellen Christena Olsen of
Fountain Green. They made their home in Fountain
Green where he had a farm. Their occupation was
that of farming and stock raising, principally in the
sheep industry. They continued their church and com-
munity activities although in later years he was forced
to be away from home a great deal with his sheep.
They had four children, three girls and one boy.
Lorena May, Ellen Janet, Virgil William and Bertha
Zetell. When their son Virgil William was eleven years
old he suffered an attack of pneumonia and died Oct.
330 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
28, 1908. This was a hard blow to WiUiam John, who
at the time was sick with a cold, it seemed that he lost
heart in everything; the shock and his physical condi-
tion was more than he could master. He continued to
feel worse until he was forced to bed. He died Dec. 9,
1908, less than two months after his son Virgil's death.
He had suffered some reverses financially, yet taken as a
whole he could be classed as successful.
In 1909, Serena went to the Manti Temple and had
their Temple work attended to. George Niels Larsen
and Brother Lorrin Larsen did the work for William
John and Virgil William.
Sorrow came again to Serena when death took her
daughter Ellen Janet, Sept. 8, 1940. Ellen Janet left her
husband and a family of eleven children. Eight years
after William John's death Serena built a brick home on
the George Crowther lot where she still lives (Dec. 1942).
LORENA MAY CROWTHER
Lorena May Crowther, daughter of William John
Crowther and Serena Olsen, was born July 23, 1890 in
Fountain Green, Utah. As a young woman she was
very active in church, community and educational
affairs.
Oct. 26, 1910 she was married to John David Hansen,
who was born Feb. 2, 1881 at Fountain Green. The
occupation has been farming and sheep raising.
They have a family of three children: Ina was
born Aug. 12, 191 1; Vernile John was born Oct. 27,
1915; and Harry Montell was born June 23, 1922.
Ina Hansen was married to Harold Jepson Christen-
sen, who was born Jan. 29, 1909. The occupation is
GEORGE CROWTHER FAMILY 331
farming and sheep raising. They have three children:
Jack Harold, born March 15, 1935; Doyle Kay, born
Oct. 5, 1936; and Roger Arden, born May 20, 1939,
Vernile John Hansen and Harry Hansen have been
in training in the U. S. Army and are by this time in
the battle line defending their country.
ELLEN JANET CROWTHER
Ellen Janet Crovs^ther, daughter of William John
Crowther and Serena Olsen, w^as born July 8, 1892 in
Fountain Green.
Ella, as the family and her friends called her, was
very good natured, friendly and was always ready to
help any one in sickness or in circumstances in which
they were in need of help.
Sept. 1910 she was married to Wilford Henry
Coombs of Fountain Green. He was born April 13,
1889 at Fountain Green, Utah, the son of Joshua Coombs
and Sarah Lane Huggins. They followed farming and
sheep raising for a living. They received their endow-
ments in the Manti Temple in April, 1923.
Their Children:
Virgil Wilford, born Jan. 23, 191 1; Alonzo DeVer,
born April 2, 1912; Morris William, born Jan. 10, 1914;
Elwood Joshua, born Jan. 13, 1916; Ellen Veleria, born
Nov. 30, 1917; Sarah lone, born Aug. 11, 1920; DuWaine,
born Nov. 29, 1922; Rena Inez, born May 18, 1926; Ken
Crowther, born April i, 1929; Bess E., born June 18,
1932 and Arlene, born Dec. 20, 1935; all were born at
Fountain Green, Utah.
After a very useful, self sacrificing life Ellen Janet
died Sept. 8, 1940.
332 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
Virgil Wilford Coombs is in the U. S. Army fighting
for his country in this "World War No. 2."
Alonzo DeVer Coombs married Ila Peterson.
Morris William Coombs married Bessie Sophia
Jensen.
Elwood Joshua Coombs married Ruth Lamb.
Ellen Valeria Coombs married Frank Parkins.
Sarah lone Coombs married La Mont Taylor.
Other members of the family are not married. They
are all engaged in farming and stock raising, and take
a prominent place in church and community activities.
VIRGIL CROWTHER
Virgil Crowther, son of William John Crowther and
Serena Olsen, was born July 13, 1897 at Fountain Green,
Utah, died Oct. 28, 1908 of pneumonia. He and his
father were so attached to one another that his passing
took the very life out of his father, who followed him
in death Dec. 9, 1908.
BERTHA ZETELL CROWTHER
Bertha Zetell Crowther, daughter of William John
Crowther and Serena Olsen, was born July 22, 1900 at
Fountain Green, Utah. She, like the others of the
family, received her education in the schools of Fountain
Green and Sanpete County high schools. Her religious
training was received through the various organizations
of the L. D. S. Church in which she was active.
July 26, 1922, she was married to Lee Clair Coulson,
who was born Jan. 28, 1899 at Fountain Green, Utah.
He is the son of Francis Coulton and Clara Rowley. His
mother Clara Rowley was born May 27, 1876, died
Feb. 27, 1929.
GEORGE CROWTHER FAMILY 333
J. L. Neilson performed the marriage ceremony, then
in March, 1936, they went to the Logan Temple and had
their endowments and did some temple work. They
engaged in farming and stock raising.
May, 1935, they left Fountain Green, Utah, to make
their home in Hazelton, Idaho. They have four children:
Lee Junior, born May 22, 1924 at Fountain Green; Lois
Claron, born April 23, 1927 at Fountain Green; Virgil,
born March 25, 1929 at Fountain Green and Roy Francis,
born Aug. 11, 1936 at Hazelton, Idaho.
They are active members of their church and com-
munity.
THOMAS JAMES CROWTHER
Thomas James Crowther, born Oct. 10, 1868 at Fountain
Green, died June 29, 1920 at Fountain Green, Utah, married
Sarah Johanna Peterson, daughter of John Peterson and Ann
Johanna Lund Peterson, June 3, 1892 at Fountain Green, Utah,
Bishop Christian Christiansen officiating. She was born May
19, 1879 at Manti, Utah, died June 19, 1938 in New Mexico.
Their Children:
George Thomas Crowther, born July 19, 1894 at Fountain
Green, died Aug. 18, 1895 at Fountain Green.
Etta Sarah Crowther, born April 3, 1896 at Fountain
Green, living at Fountain Green.
Leo Crowther, born July 12, 1898 at Fountain Green, died
January 3, 1899.
Perry Crowther, born November 25, 1899 at Fountain Green,
died April , 1903 at Fountain Green.
Cleo Estella Crowther, born April 15, 1902 at Fountain
Green, living at Fountain Green.
Clifford Lund Crowther, born April 15, 1904 at Fountain
Green, living at Fountain Green.
Geneva Crowther, born July 24, 1906 at Fountain Green,
living at Fountain Green.
Erda Crowther, born Nov. 23, 1909 at Fountain Green,
living in New Mexico.
334 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
Lorrin Don Crowther, born April 15, 1911 at Fountain
Green, living at Fountain Green.
Erma Jean Crowther, born Dec. 14, 1913 at Fountain Green,
living at Fountain Green.
THOMAS JAMES CROWTHER
Thomas James Crowther was born Oct. 10, 1868 at
Fountain Green. This was just one year after his
parents had established their home permanently. When
he was old enough to work the Indian wars were over
and the most severe tests of pioneer life there had passed.
As a boy he attended school and helped at home and on
the farm. He showed a great talent for music and was
a leader among his chums in playing musical instru-
ments and singing.
As he grew to manhood he still retained this love
for music. He took up the cornet as his favorite instru-
ment and was the leader of both the band and orchestra.
He was a member of the band and orchestra or its leader
for about 40 years. The church and community had him
play in their socials, dances, churches and programs
given by various organizations. He was very lively and
a good mixer in society, and it has been said many times
that he was the life of the party. This love for music
continued with him throughout his life.
June 3, 1892 he married Sarah Johanna Peterson of
Manti. They were married at Fountain Green by Bishop
Christian Christiansen. Sarah, the daughter of John
Peterson and Ann Johanna Lund, was born May 19,
1874 at Manti. They made their home in Fountain
Green where they engaged in farming and stock raising.
They continued to take part in all church and civic
activities.
They had a family of ten children — five girls and
five boys.
GEORGE CROWTHER FAMILY 335
Their Children:
George Thomas, Etta Sarah, Leo, Perry, Cleo
Estella, CHfford Lund, Geneva, Erda, Lorin Don and
Erma Jean; six of whom are Hving (Nov., 1942).
Thomas James would go out shearing sheep in the
early spring, this work with his farm gave him a living
for his family. While out in one of the shearing camps
he ate some tainted food that gave him ptomain poison.
He came home June 27, and on June 29, 1920 he departed
this life. Sarah continued in her home and lived to
see all her children grown and married. While on a
visit in New Mexico with her daughter Erda she took
sick and departed this life June 19, 1938.
GEORGE THOMAS CROWTHER
George Thomas Crowther, son of Thomas James
Crowther and Sarah Johanna Peterson, was born July
19, 1894 at Fountain Green, Sanpete Co., Utah, died
August 18, 1895 at Fountain Green, Utah.
ETTA SARAH CROWTHER
Etta Sarah Crowther, daughter of Thomas James
Crowther and Sarah Johanna Peterson, was born April
3, 1896 at Fountain Green, Utah.
Oct. 2, 1918 she was married to Irvin Victor Ras-
mussen in the Salt Lake Temple by Joseph Christensen.
He was born Sept. 26, 1897 at Fountain Green, the son
of Rasmus Rasmussen, (born Dec. 7, 1851 in Denmark,
died Dec. 17, 1926 at Fountain Green) and Anna Christen-
sen, (born Oct. i, 1854 in Denmark, died Aug. i, 1929
at Fountain Green).
They made their home in Fountain Green where
they went into the grocery and mercantile business. They
are very active members of the church and community.
They have a family of seven children.
336 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
Their Children:
Ruby Rasmussen, born Aug. 25, 1919 at Fountain
Green; Victor James Rasmussen, born Jan. 23, 1922 at
Fountain Green; Gayle Crowther Rasmussen, born July
26, 1924 at Fountain Green; Joyce Rasmussen, born Jan.
30, 1927 at Fountain Green; Doris Ann Rasmussen, born
Dec. 17, 1929 at Fountain Green; Carlyle Lewis Ras-
mussen, born July 18, 1933 at Fountain Green and
Carmille Rasmussen, born July 25, 1937 at Fountain
Green.
Ruby was married to Austin Mangelson, Dec. 14,
1940 in the Manti Temple by Robert Young. He was
born April 14, 1914 at Levan, Utah, the son of Charles
Mangelson and Emma Mangelson of Levan, Utah.
Their Child:
Austin Kenneth, born Sept. 12, 1941.
Victor James married Kenna Aagard, Feb. 4, 1942
in the Manti Temple, Robert Young officiating. She
was born May 3, 1924 in Fountain Green, the daughter
of John E. Aagard, (born July 15, 1880 at Fountain
Green) and Mary Ellen Ostler, (born Sept. 2, 1880).
The other five children are single. All are active
in church and community and are taking every ad-
vantage of the educational opportunities of the schools.
LEO CROWTHER
Leo Crowther son of Thomas James Crowther and
Sarah Johanna Peterson was born July 12, 1898 at
Fountain Green, died Jan. 3, 1899 at Fountain Green.
PERRY CROWTHER
Perry Crowther son of Thomas James Crowther and
GEORGE CROWTHER FAMILY 337
Sarah Johanna Peterson was born Nov. 25, 1899 and died
in April, 1903 at Fountain Green.
CLEO ESTELLA CROWTHER
Cleo Estella Crowther, daughter of Thomas James
Crowther and Sarah Johanna Peterson, was born April
15, 1902 at Fountain Green. She has always been active
in church and community affairs. Most of her work has
been clerking in a store.
Feb. II, 1925 she was married to Roy A. Christiansen
of Fountain Green, who was born Jan. 29, 1892, the son
of Christian John Christiansen, (born April 17, 1855 at
Salbery Aurhug, Denmark) and Ellen June Oldrody,
(born Nov. 14, 1856 at Ephraim, Utah). They were
married at Nephi by Bishop Thomas Bailey.
Their Children:
Kenner C, born July 2, 1926; La Rue, born June
17, 1928 and Royce, born Nov. 8, 1931; all were born in
Fountain Green. They are enaged in farming and stock
raising.
CLIFFORD LUND CROWTHER
Clifford Lund Crowther, son of Thomas James
Crowther and Sarah Johanna Peterson, was born April
15, 1904 at Fountain Green. At a very early age Clifford
showed a great talent for music. He is a good singer
and can play a number of musical instruments, the
cornet being his choice. He has been both band and
orchestra leader for a number of years. This talent
has been the means of bringing him in contact with
church and civic activities, in clubs, etc.
338 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
June 26, 1926 he married Devona May Hansen, who
was born May 4, 1907 at Fountain Green. She is the
daughter of H. C. Hansen (born Sept. 6, 1861 in Den-
mark), and Carohne M. Jensen, (born June 19, 1864
at Pleasant Grove, Utah).
Their Children:
Doyce Clifford, born Oct. 22, 1927 and Donnell H.,
born Aug. 25, 1934. Both were born in Fountain Green
Utah. '
GENEVA CROWTHER
Geneva Crowther, daughter of Thomas James
Crowther and Sarah Johanna Peterson, was born July 24,
1906 at Fountain Green. She is musical and very promi-
nent in social and religious circles. She was a clerk in
the store for a few years.
Jan. 5, 193 1 she was married to John Elden Christian-
sen. They were married in Moroni, Utah. John Elden
was born Feb. 27, 1901 at Fountain Green, the son of
Christian John Christiansen (born April 17, 1855, Salbery
Denmark, died Dec. 26, 1927 at Salt Lake City) and
Ellen Jane Oldroyd, (born Nov. 14, 1856 at Ephraim,
Utah). Farming and sheep raising is their occupation.
Their Children:
Phyllis, born Oct. 23, 1931 and Leah Jean, born Dec.
24. 1933 at Fountain Green, Utah.
ERDA CROWTHER
Erda Crowther, daughter of Thomas James Crowther
and Sarah Johanna Peterson, was born Nov. 23, 1909 at
Fountam Green. As a girl, Erda was inclined toward
GEORGE CROWTHER FAMILY 339
reading and study. This equipped her for Hterary work
and teaching in the various organizations of the church.
Nov. 26, 1930 she was married to Francis Booth Cook
in the Manti Temple by President Lewis Anderson.
Francis Booth Cook was born June i, 1910 in Fountain
Green, the son of George E. Cook (born Nov. 23, 1871)
and Edith Virginia Justensen (born Feb. 9, 1880). They
are engaged in farming and sheep raising.
Their Children:
LaNore, born Feb. 12, 1933; JoAnn, born Dec. 14,
1934 and Betty Sue, born Aug. 8, 1938 at Fountain Green.
LORRIN DON CROWTHER
Lorrin Don Crowther, son of Thomas James
Crowther and Sarah Johannah Peterson, was born April
15, 191 1 at Fountain Green, Utah. Farming and stock
raising attracted him at an early age and has become
his life's work.
June 29, 1937 he married Delia Laura Rosquist in
Salt Lake City, Utah. She is the daughter of Advin
John Rosquist (born Nov. 15, 1886 at Ephraim, Utah)
and Margaret Christiana Thompson (born Sept. 29, 1885).
Their Children:
Helen Renie, born Nov. 15, 1938; Thomas Jay, born
March 6, 1941 and Margret Joy, born March 6, 1941 at
Fountain Green, Utah.
ERMA JEAN CROWTHER
Erma Jean Crowther, daughter of Thomas James
Crowther and Sarah Johanna Peterson, was born Dec.
14, 1913 at Fountain Green, Utah. She is a lover of
340 THE CROWTHERS OF FOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH
domestic art and home making and gets her greatest
dehght in this Hne of activity.
December 29, 1934, she was married to Howard
Murel Ivory in the Manti Temple. He was born Aug.
3, 1912 in Fountain Green, the son of Edward
Murel Ivory (born Nov. 18, 1885 at Fountain Green) and
Mary Elillian Hansen (born Nov. 8, 1884).
Their Children:
Thomas Murel, born Sept. 16, 1935; Maurine, born
March i, 1937; and Mary Johanna, born Jan. 4, 1940.
il
INFORMATION
In appreciation for the Gospel of Jesus Christ which
was brought to England by the Elders from America of
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; which
was the cause of bringing our forbears to this land
of the free — a land that is choice above all other lands.
These blessings we have inherited. This family has
responded to defend both our country and church.
Thirty-eight members have responded to a call to go
on missions to the various parts of the earth; a number
have gone back to England, to Germany, to Japan, and
others to many states of our Union. Several members
of this family went through the first world war, and
upward of thirty are now on the battlefront of another
war or in the training camps preparing to go.
"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man
lay down his life for his friends." Willingness to bear
the cost in time and money to accomplish these ends
proves the loyalty and appreciation of our heritage.
We will close our book with the words of the old
song:
"Nobly our flag flutters o'er us today
Emblem of peace, pledge of liberty's sway;
Its foes shall tremble and shrink in dismay,
If e'er insulted it be.
"Our stripes and stars loved and honored by all.
Shall float forever where freedom shall call;
It still shall be the flag of the free,
Emblem of sweet liberty.
"Here we will gather its cause to defend,
Let patriots rally and wise counsel lend;
It still shall be the flag of the free,
Emblem of sweet liberty."
.
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