It was very difficult to find housing since there were so many men retuning form the war and starting life again with wives and family. Bryon and Marion purchased a small trailer home and moved to Idaho Falls where Marion was employed by Montgomery Wards. It took only a few hours after they arrived in Idaho Fall, and Byron found employment in a garage nearby as a mechanic. A few months later he went to work for Norris Motor and worked there for several years.
In the winter of 1949, Marion and Byron heard that there were new home projects being developed in the area that were available for veterans and after investigation, decided to purchase their first home which was located in the Willowbrook addition. Their address would be 1026 Rose Avenue. This was an exciting time for them and they watched and waited while it was being built. They moved in on the 24th of July 1950. What a day, they borrowed a pickup from his employer; Mother and dad Howard came and helped them moved. It was remembered that he drove through town brining the last load of furniture with his mother-in-law in the back of the pick-up, riding in a rocking chair. She was helping keep all the things in place in the truck which was followed by other family members in the cars with the rest of the belongings. Their next door neighbors were good friends, Keith and Dawna Whittle. They had been friends before marriage even, and it was a great surprise when they found they had bought homes next to each other.
On September 8th, 1950, Byron Gene Taylor was born. Hew as a very welcome little boy. Dad, along with Grandma and Grandpa Taylor and Grandma and Grandpa Howard and many aunts and uncles were soon to welcome him. It made Byron so happy that he had a nice, new home to bring his son to when they came home from the hospital. It had snowed while Marion and the baby were in the hospital and Byron had the furnace going and the house nice and warm when they arrived.
On June 4th 1951, Byron went to work for the Idaho Falls Fire Department. Byron started as a fireman, worked his way up through the ranks to the rank of Battalion Chief. He enjoyed his life as a fireman. His Uncle Steve Taylor was the Chief of the fire department in Boise, Idaho. Byron had him for a role model. He always enjoyed being with Uncle Steve and was encouraged by his input and advice.
Byron was an avid sportsman. He loved hunting and fishing. This was certainly a stroke of luck when he could mix his love out outdoor activities with his work. When they were not leaning to fight fires, they firemen were busy planning how to get out fishing or hunting in between the second jobs most o they had. Fire department wages were not too great, but had very good benefits. Somehow, they seemed to find time fore everything that life seemed to be spent working, planning, or remembering the last trip.
This was a job where regular vacation time could be planned and Byron and Marion loved to travel and spend time with family and friends. They always tried to take the children to see new placed of historic and scenic interest almost every summer.
The family was growing, Janice Lee was born September 28th, 1953, Barbara Jo joined the family on November 7th, 1955, Karen Beth was born June 26th, 1957, and Mark Howard on February 14, 1962.
Life was good on Rose Avenue. It was predominantly people f the same age and status. Most of the families were members of the same church ah had the same interests and standards. At one time it was remembered that they were 50 children under the age of 15 on the short street. The children had good friends and everyone seemed more to be life family that just neighbors. It was wonder place for a family to grow up.
Everyone was growing up and Byron had found he had many skills. He had remodeled the basement and built a nice bedroom for Gene and Mark. He had finished a nice family room downstairs and had finished a neat workshop for himself. He and completes a laundry and storage area to help keep everything in shop shape. Byron always liked to keep things in their proper places. His tool box and work shop were kept immaculate. He always wiper each tool before putting it away and could call from work and tell Marion to go down to the shop and bring ht tool into eh third drawer on the left hand side of the cabinet –two tools over in the slot and she always could find the proper tool, even though she might not know the name of it. All of his equipment, whether guns, fishing rods, reels or tools, house in his employment were properly cared for.
He loved to keep his cars in very good repair. He could buy one that was not in good shape and soon fix it and get it so it was like new. As many others found out about his skill, he needed a garage to wok in and one day found a garage to be moved. He came home and set the building a foundation and running a concrete floor and one day, on his free day off, he and his friend, Jess Criddle, came down the road with a garage on a makeshift trailer that had devised. To the amazement of neighbors and friends, they put the garage in place, set it down and it fit perfectly on the foundation and then bolted it in place.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Byron Charles Taylor part III
After returning from the Alaskan waters he was sent to the South Pacific. He earned 5 battle starts and saw action in many places during that time. He kept a diary of some of the times and expiries he had during his service time.
Byron was release from the navy in March of 1946. He worked in Oakland, California for a month or so and then came home to help his father on the family farm that spring.
The spring and summer was a good time for Byron. It was a wonderful homecoming with his family. Many of his friends were retuning home after being released from the service. Old friendships were renewed with Ralph Beck, Clifford and June Wilcox, Wayne and Earl Beck, Earl and Very Wilcox and many, many more. They worked on their farms, enjoyed attending dances an d had lots of fun together making up for some of the list time during the war years.
That summer he met Marion Howard. They started dating, first just as friends. Byron had planned to work at home in the summer and was going to return to California and a girl friend he had met in the Navy in the fall. Somehow, as the summer progressed, the friendship turned into a romance and they were married in Dillon Montana on October 31st, 1946. Byron was already getting reacquainted with his family that summer and many times he would take his sister, Neta and Lois, with him and Marion to dances at Riverside Garden, near Rigby, Idaho. They would go on picnics with the family and with Lorin and his girlfriend, Velma. Later Lorin married Velma. They enjoyed going fishing and huckleberry picking.
Byron was release from the navy in March of 1946. He worked in Oakland, California for a month or so and then came home to help his father on the family farm that spring.
The spring and summer was a good time for Byron. It was a wonderful homecoming with his family. Many of his friends were retuning home after being released from the service. Old friendships were renewed with Ralph Beck, Clifford and June Wilcox, Wayne and Earl Beck, Earl and Very Wilcox and many, many more. They worked on their farms, enjoyed attending dances an d had lots of fun together making up for some of the list time during the war years.
That summer he met Marion Howard. They started dating, first just as friends. Byron had planned to work at home in the summer and was going to return to California and a girl friend he had met in the Navy in the fall. Somehow, as the summer progressed, the friendship turned into a romance and they were married in Dillon Montana on October 31st, 1946. Byron was already getting reacquainted with his family that summer and many times he would take his sister, Neta and Lois, with him and Marion to dances at Riverside Garden, near Rigby, Idaho. They would go on picnics with the family and with Lorin and his girlfriend, Velma. Later Lorin married Velma. They enjoyed going fishing and huckleberry picking.
Byron Charles Taylor part II
In 1938, Byron graduated form the 8th grade at the Sunnydell School. He told me he was the smartest boy in his class. Later, I learned he was the only boy in his class and there were two girls besides him that made up the entire class. The following year he started high school at the Archer school. Byron was always interests in leaning. He especially loved anything mechanical. He could always take anything apart and put it back together again and it work as well or better than before. He was going to school in Archer at the time they consolidated the school sin Madison County and he went his last year of school in Rexburg at the Madison High School. Eh took welding classes, auto repair and some diesel classes that he took full advantage of later in his life.
While he was growing up on the farm, he enjoted all the fun things that farm kids do and even that thngs they did that were called work. He was not afraid of work. He helpd with the cows and horses and any othe animals but enjoyed most of all, ridng his bicycle and later a motorcycle.
He told of the times that he and his frined, GFrank Weekes, rode their bikes all the way to Kelly Canyon. He loved to fish in the canal with his borhters and his dad would go with them and they would fish in the Snake River. He told of the time when he and Lorin and friends were playing in the field near the canal on their farm and he got to close to a skunk and his mother made him take his clothes off and scrub with soap in the canal until they could stand to have him near again.
They enjoyed visits from family, especially his Uncle Steve Taylor and his wife, Aunt Mim and their children, Doris and Dene. The families would visit, pick huckleberries, fish and go camping.
His father’s cousin, John Gillsepie, and his wife, Annie, and their daughter Elaine cam from Tooele, Utah to visit and he looked forward to their visits. The Taylor family settled in Tooele, Utah when they cam e west and John, his grandfather, had left that area nod came up to Idaho, into the Teton Valley area, and then returned to Sunnydell to settle.
The family always looked forward to the visits from family and friends. All the children played together and in later years were still able to continue their friendships after many years being apart.
On December 7th, 1941, World War II started. Byron and his friend Ralph Beck were working in Tooele, Utah. He had gone to Utah after he got out of school. He knew that Gillespie family there and went to find work. He stayed width them a few days until he got work and then he and Ralph doing a place to live and worked in several places in the area until they were both called into the service of their country.
Byron was called to serine in the U.S. Navy. He was proud of the Navy and made the most of his opportunity to learn while there. He was at Boot Camp at Camp Farragut, in Northern Idaho near Coeur d’ Alene. While Byron was in the service he missed his family a great deal. He wrote letters almost daily to his Mother and she saved every letter. After boot camp, Byron was sent to the Aleutian Islands and many placed near as ask. He told of arriving at Dutch Harbor, Alaska when the fires were still warm after the Japanese troops had fled when they done the American forces were nearing. Byron serves on the USS Vega, an attack cargo ship, and he told of how flsa he was threat he was on an old ship. While they were in Alaskan water he told of watching several of the newer shops that had been hurriedly build a beginning of the war. The men on the Vega watch some of the new ships did not prove to be as safer as the older ship he served on. He was proud of his ship and the men he served with.
While he was growing up on the farm, he enjoted all the fun things that farm kids do and even that thngs they did that were called work. He was not afraid of work. He helpd with the cows and horses and any othe animals but enjoyed most of all, ridng his bicycle and later a motorcycle.
He told of the times that he and his frined, GFrank Weekes, rode their bikes all the way to Kelly Canyon. He loved to fish in the canal with his borhters and his dad would go with them and they would fish in the Snake River. He told of the time when he and Lorin and friends were playing in the field near the canal on their farm and he got to close to a skunk and his mother made him take his clothes off and scrub with soap in the canal until they could stand to have him near again.
They enjoyed visits from family, especially his Uncle Steve Taylor and his wife, Aunt Mim and their children, Doris and Dene. The families would visit, pick huckleberries, fish and go camping.
His father’s cousin, John Gillsepie, and his wife, Annie, and their daughter Elaine cam from Tooele, Utah to visit and he looked forward to their visits. The Taylor family settled in Tooele, Utah when they cam e west and John, his grandfather, had left that area nod came up to Idaho, into the Teton Valley area, and then returned to Sunnydell to settle.
The family always looked forward to the visits from family and friends. All the children played together and in later years were still able to continue their friendships after many years being apart.
On December 7th, 1941, World War II started. Byron and his friend Ralph Beck were working in Tooele, Utah. He had gone to Utah after he got out of school. He knew that Gillespie family there and went to find work. He stayed width them a few days until he got work and then he and Ralph doing a place to live and worked in several places in the area until they were both called into the service of their country.
Byron was called to serine in the U.S. Navy. He was proud of the Navy and made the most of his opportunity to learn while there. He was at Boot Camp at Camp Farragut, in Northern Idaho near Coeur d’ Alene. While Byron was in the service he missed his family a great deal. He wrote letters almost daily to his Mother and she saved every letter. After boot camp, Byron was sent to the Aleutian Islands and many placed near as ask. He told of arriving at Dutch Harbor, Alaska when the fires were still warm after the Japanese troops had fled when they done the American forces were nearing. Byron serves on the USS Vega, an attack cargo ship, and he told of how flsa he was threat he was on an old ship. While they were in Alaskan water he told of watching several of the newer shops that had been hurriedly build a beginning of the war. The men on the Vega watch some of the new ships did not prove to be as safer as the older ship he served on. He was proud of his ship and the men he served with.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Byron Charles Taylor
Tom Brokaw said, "If you were born in the second half of this century, you owe your freedom, your prosperity, and perhaps your life to the selfless teens and twenty something who fought in World War II. Their courage, followed by their sense of vision in the postwar years, changed the world. They are and were the greatest generation that ever lived.
After the war, this generation built our highway system, developed a polio vaccine, stared down communism and sent men tot the moon. Through modest and pain, most chose not to talk about the struggles of their youth. Now they’re senior citizens dying at the rate of 100 a day and to understand America, we have to hear from them.
Many are still uncomfortable telling their stories to their kids he say so get a tape recover and get the grandchildren involved. Younger people will be astonished. They stepped up and saved the world. They’ll look at their grandparents in a different way.”
You, your grandchildren and their grandchildren cannot talk to Byron C. Taylor, so I will attempt to tell you the story of his life and how he did his part in ‘Saving the World’…
Byron Charles Taylor was born the 5th day of November1923. He was born in Sunnydell, Madison County, Idaho. Byron was the 4th child of John Henry Taylor and Florence Hazel Mattson.
The Taylor family lived on a farm in the southeast part of Madison County, in an area known as Sunnydell. The family farm stretched from the foothills on the East of the South Fork of the Snake River on the South. The farm was a choice piece of property. His grandparents, John Taylor and Annie Zooley Foster, had homesteaded here many years before and it was here that Henry and Hazel Taylor had built their home. He farmed and she did what she loved the most; raided her little family. Hazel built her life around her children. She was a very caring and loving mother.
Hazel and Henry’s first child, Donnell was born when they lived in Poplar on his father’s farm. Donnell had pneumonia and died when he was 14 months old. That sprint they moved to Sunnydell and it was there that Oneta Hazel was born on March 24th, 1915. Raymond Franklin was born May 3rd, 1919. Byron joined the family November 5th, 1923. His mother told me that Byron was a beautiful baby. He weighted 10 pounds when he was born. Dr. Nelson told Hazel and Henry he was a ‘Perfect boy’.
His mother’s favorite story about his temperament was when he would get behind the old heart or dinning room table if he had been scolded and he would not talk. She asked him what he was doing once and he answered, “I am potting”, his baby words for pouting. He was known to use that method to get his way through his life. Byron was playing in the yard with older children when he was about 2 years old. He caught his middle finder on his right hand in the grain binder. The wheel on the cutting lade was turned by one of the older children when his had was on the blade and he lost the middle finger on his right hand t the second knuckle. He did not ever let it bother him and enjoyed telling the story of his accident to anyone who noticed his ‘short finger’ as he called it. He loved to draw, whittle wood into little funs, knives and made other toy item. He loved his father’s horses which they called “Old Buck” and often drew pictures of the horse.
On April 7th, 1927, Lorin Johnson joined the family and November 17th, 1928, Lois Ann was born. They were all loved and enjoyed by their parents.
As the children grew and started school, they rode horses and when the weather was colder, Henry would take them to school in the wagon and later when snow was on the ground they often were driven to school in the sleigh. Henry always had a beautiful team of horses and took great pride in keeping them up. In the winter, he had sleigh bells on his horses harnessed and the children loved to hear the bells as they went through the snow. Oneta tells of the fun the three boys, Byron, Lorin, and Raymond had together. She said that Byron had made a little wagon and got the mouse to pull the wagon.
Byron went tot school in the old Sunnydell School which had been built in 1902. He attended school there until it caught fire and burned in 1930. The school term that year was completed in the lumber yard building at Byrne Siding up on the hill above his family home.
Byron was a very near child. He took care of his toys and clothes and was very pleased when he was about six years old and got a new suit. He wore it to the Christmas program and when he had to take his part on the program, he had to kneel down on the stage to say his lines and before he kneeled down, he carefully removed his handkerchief from his pocket and spread it on the floor. Then he kneeled on it so that his suit would not be soiled. Needless to say, it was one of the best parts of the show and was a story told many times by his mother.
In 1931, he and his brother and sister attended the new school in Sunnydell. Byron enjoyed school and often told us about the things he did and games they played. He loved playing marbles and enjoyed skating on the canal in the winder when it was frozen over and the ice was a safe place to skate. Byron formed many friendships in the Sunnydell School that endured his entire life. He often told of his favorite teacher, Frank Ricks.
When the Sunnydell Branch of the Archer Ward was organized, the children went to Sunday school and Primary there. The meetings were held in the Sunnydell School. Oneta, Raymond and Byron were baptized as members of eth Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on June 4th, 1932. They were baptized in the old Rexburg Tabernacle in Rexburg, Idaho. Clarence Byrne baptized them.
After the war, this generation built our highway system, developed a polio vaccine, stared down communism and sent men tot the moon. Through modest and pain, most chose not to talk about the struggles of their youth. Now they’re senior citizens dying at the rate of 100 a day and to understand America, we have to hear from them.
Many are still uncomfortable telling their stories to their kids he say so get a tape recover and get the grandchildren involved. Younger people will be astonished. They stepped up and saved the world. They’ll look at their grandparents in a different way.”
You, your grandchildren and their grandchildren cannot talk to Byron C. Taylor, so I will attempt to tell you the story of his life and how he did his part in ‘Saving the World’…
Byron Charles Taylor was born the 5th day of November1923. He was born in Sunnydell, Madison County, Idaho. Byron was the 4th child of John Henry Taylor and Florence Hazel Mattson.
The Taylor family lived on a farm in the southeast part of Madison County, in an area known as Sunnydell. The family farm stretched from the foothills on the East of the South Fork of the Snake River on the South. The farm was a choice piece of property. His grandparents, John Taylor and Annie Zooley Foster, had homesteaded here many years before and it was here that Henry and Hazel Taylor had built their home. He farmed and she did what she loved the most; raided her little family. Hazel built her life around her children. She was a very caring and loving mother.
Hazel and Henry’s first child, Donnell was born when they lived in Poplar on his father’s farm. Donnell had pneumonia and died when he was 14 months old. That sprint they moved to Sunnydell and it was there that Oneta Hazel was born on March 24th, 1915. Raymond Franklin was born May 3rd, 1919. Byron joined the family November 5th, 1923. His mother told me that Byron was a beautiful baby. He weighted 10 pounds when he was born. Dr. Nelson told Hazel and Henry he was a ‘Perfect boy’.
His mother’s favorite story about his temperament was when he would get behind the old heart or dinning room table if he had been scolded and he would not talk. She asked him what he was doing once and he answered, “I am potting”, his baby words for pouting. He was known to use that method to get his way through his life. Byron was playing in the yard with older children when he was about 2 years old. He caught his middle finder on his right hand in the grain binder. The wheel on the cutting lade was turned by one of the older children when his had was on the blade and he lost the middle finger on his right hand t the second knuckle. He did not ever let it bother him and enjoyed telling the story of his accident to anyone who noticed his ‘short finger’ as he called it. He loved to draw, whittle wood into little funs, knives and made other toy item. He loved his father’s horses which they called “Old Buck” and often drew pictures of the horse.
On April 7th, 1927, Lorin Johnson joined the family and November 17th, 1928, Lois Ann was born. They were all loved and enjoyed by their parents.
As the children grew and started school, they rode horses and when the weather was colder, Henry would take them to school in the wagon and later when snow was on the ground they often were driven to school in the sleigh. Henry always had a beautiful team of horses and took great pride in keeping them up. In the winter, he had sleigh bells on his horses harnessed and the children loved to hear the bells as they went through the snow. Oneta tells of the fun the three boys, Byron, Lorin, and Raymond had together. She said that Byron had made a little wagon and got the mouse to pull the wagon.
Byron went tot school in the old Sunnydell School which had been built in 1902. He attended school there until it caught fire and burned in 1930. The school term that year was completed in the lumber yard building at Byrne Siding up on the hill above his family home.
Byron was a very near child. He took care of his toys and clothes and was very pleased when he was about six years old and got a new suit. He wore it to the Christmas program and when he had to take his part on the program, he had to kneel down on the stage to say his lines and before he kneeled down, he carefully removed his handkerchief from his pocket and spread it on the floor. Then he kneeled on it so that his suit would not be soiled. Needless to say, it was one of the best parts of the show and was a story told many times by his mother.
In 1931, he and his brother and sister attended the new school in Sunnydell. Byron enjoyed school and often told us about the things he did and games they played. He loved playing marbles and enjoyed skating on the canal in the winder when it was frozen over and the ice was a safe place to skate. Byron formed many friendships in the Sunnydell School that endured his entire life. He often told of his favorite teacher, Frank Ricks.
When the Sunnydell Branch of the Archer Ward was organized, the children went to Sunday school and Primary there. The meetings were held in the Sunnydell School. Oneta, Raymond and Byron were baptized as members of eth Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on June 4th, 1932. They were baptized in the old Rexburg Tabernacle in Rexburg, Idaho. Clarence Byrne baptized them.
Howard History
Well, that wraps it up for the stories from the Howard side! It was so much fun to learn so much about them and really get a feeling of their life. If you have stories, corrections, or comments, please post or send them my way.
Goal from my new-learned information: Have an Ice Cream eating contest with my family. The Howard brothers did - I think I'd just be following them!
Goal from my new-learned information: Have an Ice Cream eating contest with my family. The Howard brothers did - I think I'd just be following them!
Franklin Downs Howard part II
Frank served on the Ririe School Board, was active in community affairs and was always willing to help in any what he was needed
Frank served as a Sunday School Superintendent, High Priest Group Instructor, and in May of 1964 he and Jo were called to serve a mission in the Northwestern Canadian Mission, Peace River District. They moved to Grand Prairie, Albert, Canada, working hard to build a chapel in this far northern community. He was set apart by President N. Eldon Tanner. While in Canada, they made many friends and grew in the Gospel. Jo was very ill while there and it was a hard year for them, but they stuck with it and completed the chapel.
When it was finished, they accepted a call to go to Clovis, New Mexico. There they worked on a chapel and spent another year of toiling with volunteer labor and other challenges. They loved the southwest and again made many friends with whom they have kept in touch since they returned to Idaho. Frank was close to his brothers and sisters. He and Walt looked so much alike that they were often mistaken for each other. He enjoyed Jack, Albert, Jimmy, and Ted, and family reunions were ice cream eating contests for the Howard Brothers.
Frank was a kind; generous person and his code of honesty and integrity are unsurpassed.
Frank suffered a stroke in November and passes away Saturday, January 10th, 1981 at the University of Utah Medical Center, in Salt Lake City, Utah. He is survived by his wife, Josephine of Ririe; a son, Paul of Kaysville, Utah; and three daughters; Mrs. Byron (Marion) Taylor of Idaho Falls; Mrs. Willard (Faye) Carroll of Salt Lake City, Utah; and Mrs. Port (Lucile) Wood of Ririe. He has 15 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters; Mrs. Ella Buck of Hall, Montana, and Mrs. Carrie Turner of Santa Monica, California, and two brothers; James, of Ephrata, Washington, and Walker of McCammon, Idaho.
Frank’s philosophy of life and the Gospel are exemplified by two scriptures. First, from the 13th Article of Faith: “We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous and in doing good to all men.” Second, from Third Nephi 13: 1-4, 19-21: “Verily, Verily I say, that I would, that ye should do alms unto the poor; but take heed-that ye do not your alms before men to be seen of them; otherwise, ye have no reward of your Father who is in Heaven.
Therefore, when ye shall do your alms-do not sound a trumpet before you, as will hypocrites do in the streets – that they may have glory of men. Verily I say into you, they have their reward. But when though doest alms, let no they left hand know what they right hand doeth. That thine alms may be in secret, and thy father, who seeth in secret, himself shall reward thee openly.
Lay not up for yourselves, treasure upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and thieves break through and steal. By lay up for yourselves, treasure in heaven where neither neight moth, nor rust doth corrupt and where thieves do not breathe through not steal.
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
This was the Life Sketch given by Howard Moore, at Frank Howard’s funeral service, Wednesday, January 14th, 1981.
Frank served as a Sunday School Superintendent, High Priest Group Instructor, and in May of 1964 he and Jo were called to serve a mission in the Northwestern Canadian Mission, Peace River District. They moved to Grand Prairie, Albert, Canada, working hard to build a chapel in this far northern community. He was set apart by President N. Eldon Tanner. While in Canada, they made many friends and grew in the Gospel. Jo was very ill while there and it was a hard year for them, but they stuck with it and completed the chapel.
When it was finished, they accepted a call to go to Clovis, New Mexico. There they worked on a chapel and spent another year of toiling with volunteer labor and other challenges. They loved the southwest and again made many friends with whom they have kept in touch since they returned to Idaho. Frank was close to his brothers and sisters. He and Walt looked so much alike that they were often mistaken for each other. He enjoyed Jack, Albert, Jimmy, and Ted, and family reunions were ice cream eating contests for the Howard Brothers.
Frank was a kind; generous person and his code of honesty and integrity are unsurpassed.
Frank suffered a stroke in November and passes away Saturday, January 10th, 1981 at the University of Utah Medical Center, in Salt Lake City, Utah. He is survived by his wife, Josephine of Ririe; a son, Paul of Kaysville, Utah; and three daughters; Mrs. Byron (Marion) Taylor of Idaho Falls; Mrs. Willard (Faye) Carroll of Salt Lake City, Utah; and Mrs. Port (Lucile) Wood of Ririe. He has 15 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters; Mrs. Ella Buck of Hall, Montana, and Mrs. Carrie Turner of Santa Monica, California, and two brothers; James, of Ephrata, Washington, and Walker of McCammon, Idaho.
Frank’s philosophy of life and the Gospel are exemplified by two scriptures. First, from the 13th Article of Faith: “We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous and in doing good to all men.” Second, from Third Nephi 13: 1-4, 19-21: “Verily, Verily I say, that I would, that ye should do alms unto the poor; but take heed-that ye do not your alms before men to be seen of them; otherwise, ye have no reward of your Father who is in Heaven.
Therefore, when ye shall do your alms-do not sound a trumpet before you, as will hypocrites do in the streets – that they may have glory of men. Verily I say into you, they have their reward. But when though doest alms, let no they left hand know what they right hand doeth. That thine alms may be in secret, and thy father, who seeth in secret, himself shall reward thee openly.
Lay not up for yourselves, treasure upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and thieves break through and steal. By lay up for yourselves, treasure in heaven where neither neight moth, nor rust doth corrupt and where thieves do not breathe through not steal.
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
This was the Life Sketch given by Howard Moore, at Frank Howard’s funeral service, Wednesday, January 14th, 1981.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Franklin Downs Howard
Franklin Downs Howard was born September, 1897 at the family home in the community y of Shelton, Idaho. He was the sixth child of Bishop John Shelton Howard and Sarah Ann Downs. He had four sisters: Ella, Ollie, Carrie and Doris, plus five brothers: Jack, Albert, Walt, Jimmy and Ted. He was blessed in the old log church at Shelton by his father and grew up in a warm and loving home. He was baptized on September 2nd, 1905 by his father. The day he was baptized, his father and his family members together with a neighbor girl – Ethel Johnson, and her family, walked through the field, down to the Boomer Canal where they were both baptized into eh cold, swift water. He was confirmed a member of the Church the next day.
He attended primary and Sunday school at Shelton Church and went to school in the community at the Buck Schoolhouse. He has often told of his many happy experiences with his school friends: Ed Brown, John Burtenshaw, Harris Burtenshaw, Jess Ferguson, Elmer Newman, Francis Burtenshaw, Bill Sperry and others. He had a happy adolescence and participated in the usually boyish pranks at the Old Miskin Store, riding neighbors’ calves and roping bee hives so they could get honey.
He graduated from eh either grade at Buck School and them, as was the custom, went to work Cattle and horses were his special interest. He loved to rope and ride and enjoyed being out on the range with the cattle. He knew the hill country and south and east of here and loved to be at the cow camp in Fall Creek Basin.
He always loved to go back and see these places, often making his own roads (where none existed). His car went many difficult places long before the four-wheel drive was known. He loved to take his family for rider though the hills where he herded cattle, and tell the family of many of his happy experiences there.
As he grew up, he began to pay attend to a lovely neighbor girl n ext door, Josephine Johnson, and after going together for two years, they were married on March 22nd, 1925, in Idaho Falls. They were married at the home of Frank’s mother by President David Smith, Stake President of the Idaho Falls North Stake. They were both working – Frank helped his father on the farm and Josephine teaching school in Poplar.
Later that summer, Frank went to work for Snake River Equipment Company in Idaho Fall and Ho went to summer school at Rexburg. They them moved to the Upper Shelton Schoolhouse basement apartment and she taught school there while Frank worked for the equipment company in Ririe. In the spring of 1926, he went to work for his brother-in-law, Jim Buck, and they moved to the Buck ranch near Willow Creek. This was a continuation of a special friendship which they had with Ella and Jim Buck and Family. Frank really loved Bud Buck and felt a great loss at Bud’s death. He enjoyed his life at the ranch and both he and Jo worked hard. It was here that their first child Marion Gene was born.
In 1933 they left the rand and Frank went to work with his friend Ben Myler. They started doing carpenter work in the Ririe area; start him on his lifelong career as a builder. He later worked with many other excellent carpenters including Gus Hansen, Charles Richard, Willard Hayes and Delbert Larsen. Some of the others he associated with in the building business were Paul Dizon and Marion Harrop. Wages were different from what we experience today. He of the work for $1.00 per day plus his lunch.
They lived near Ririe for a few years, then in the Spring of 1936, they bough their present home on the Shelton Cemetery Road, loved near Jo’s sister, Florence and her husband, Ralph Moore’s home although they were always close as families, it was here that they became even closer to each other. Howard and Dorothy Moore always looked on Frank and JO as their second set of parents.
While living here, Frank and Jo were blessed with three additional children Paul Franklin, Fay Josephine, and Lucille Anne. Their children were the highlight of their lives and everyone knew of the love and concern which they had for children, both young and old. Frank was a good father. He was loving and kind. Whenever he traveled anywhere, all the kids liked to ride with him as he always found the time and money for ice cream cones, bottles of pop or a candy bar.
Marion says she can’t remember her father ever saying a cross word to her. Frank built or remodeled many homes and businesses in the valley from Pocatello to Jackson and West Yellowstone. Almost every home and business in Ririe, Shelton, Poplar, and Swan Valley have been build by his labor. He also built many churches, including Ririe, Shelton, Labelle, Clark, Rigby 2nd Ward and Swan Valley. No job was every too small, no request for he was ever refused. He was always willing to help anyone and would work night and weekend to accommodate the needs of people.
In December 1941, Frank and JO and their family, together with Ralph and Florence and their family, plus several friends, journeyed in the cold to Logan, Utah where they were sealed for time and eternity in the Logan Temple.
Frank loved the out-doors and enjoyed camping wit the families of Mayme and Dick Cleverly (another of Jo’s sisters) and Ralph and Florence Moore. He liked to show his skill at campfire cooking. He loved to fish and hunt and each fall participated in what was called “the long ride”, over ht hills and southeast Idaho in search of deer and elk.
He attended primary and Sunday school at Shelton Church and went to school in the community at the Buck Schoolhouse. He has often told of his many happy experiences with his school friends: Ed Brown, John Burtenshaw, Harris Burtenshaw, Jess Ferguson, Elmer Newman, Francis Burtenshaw, Bill Sperry and others. He had a happy adolescence and participated in the usually boyish pranks at the Old Miskin Store, riding neighbors’ calves and roping bee hives so they could get honey.
He graduated from eh either grade at Buck School and them, as was the custom, went to work Cattle and horses were his special interest. He loved to rope and ride and enjoyed being out on the range with the cattle. He knew the hill country and south and east of here and loved to be at the cow camp in Fall Creek Basin.
He always loved to go back and see these places, often making his own roads (where none existed). His car went many difficult places long before the four-wheel drive was known. He loved to take his family for rider though the hills where he herded cattle, and tell the family of many of his happy experiences there.
As he grew up, he began to pay attend to a lovely neighbor girl n ext door, Josephine Johnson, and after going together for two years, they were married on March 22nd, 1925, in Idaho Falls. They were married at the home of Frank’s mother by President David Smith, Stake President of the Idaho Falls North Stake. They were both working – Frank helped his father on the farm and Josephine teaching school in Poplar.
Later that summer, Frank went to work for Snake River Equipment Company in Idaho Fall and Ho went to summer school at Rexburg. They them moved to the Upper Shelton Schoolhouse basement apartment and she taught school there while Frank worked for the equipment company in Ririe. In the spring of 1926, he went to work for his brother-in-law, Jim Buck, and they moved to the Buck ranch near Willow Creek. This was a continuation of a special friendship which they had with Ella and Jim Buck and Family. Frank really loved Bud Buck and felt a great loss at Bud’s death. He enjoyed his life at the ranch and both he and Jo worked hard. It was here that their first child Marion Gene was born.
In 1933 they left the rand and Frank went to work with his friend Ben Myler. They started doing carpenter work in the Ririe area; start him on his lifelong career as a builder. He later worked with many other excellent carpenters including Gus Hansen, Charles Richard, Willard Hayes and Delbert Larsen. Some of the others he associated with in the building business were Paul Dizon and Marion Harrop. Wages were different from what we experience today. He of the work for $1.00 per day plus his lunch.
They lived near Ririe for a few years, then in the Spring of 1936, they bough their present home on the Shelton Cemetery Road, loved near Jo’s sister, Florence and her husband, Ralph Moore’s home although they were always close as families, it was here that they became even closer to each other. Howard and Dorothy Moore always looked on Frank and JO as their second set of parents.
While living here, Frank and Jo were blessed with three additional children Paul Franklin, Fay Josephine, and Lucille Anne. Their children were the highlight of their lives and everyone knew of the love and concern which they had for children, both young and old. Frank was a good father. He was loving and kind. Whenever he traveled anywhere, all the kids liked to ride with him as he always found the time and money for ice cream cones, bottles of pop or a candy bar.
Marion says she can’t remember her father ever saying a cross word to her. Frank built or remodeled many homes and businesses in the valley from Pocatello to Jackson and West Yellowstone. Almost every home and business in Ririe, Shelton, Poplar, and Swan Valley have been build by his labor. He also built many churches, including Ririe, Shelton, Labelle, Clark, Rigby 2nd Ward and Swan Valley. No job was every too small, no request for he was ever refused. He was always willing to help anyone and would work night and weekend to accommodate the needs of people.
In December 1941, Frank and JO and their family, together with Ralph and Florence and their family, plus several friends, journeyed in the cold to Logan, Utah where they were sealed for time and eternity in the Logan Temple.
Frank loved the out-doors and enjoyed camping wit the families of Mayme and Dick Cleverly (another of Jo’s sisters) and Ralph and Florence Moore. He liked to show his skill at campfire cooking. He loved to fish and hunt and each fall participated in what was called “the long ride”, over ht hills and southeast Idaho in search of deer and elk.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Josephine Johnson Howard part II
In 1933, they moved to Ririe, and the following year moved to their present home. On March 4th, 1937, they were blessed with a baby boy, Paul Franklin. These were the depression years and times were very difficulty. However, because of their frugal spending, they were able to enjoy many good times, in spite of the hardships. Mother remembers buying milk from President Tom Moss for 25 cents for a syrup bucket full. Frying chicken were 25 cents each. Mother and her sister Zelma, Mayme, and Florence would take turns wearing the one pair of dress shoes they owned. Frank got a job with Ben Myler building the dance hall in Ririe and helping Frank get started and find success in the carpentry business. Frank was never without a job after that.
On August 11th, 1939, Faye Josephine came into the family, and on May 2nd 1943, Lucile Ann was born. These were very hard times, as World War II was raging. Mom and Dad's dream was to won their own home and they eventually saw this dream come true, but it was not without a lot of hard work and sacrifice. They brought 27 acres for $2500. They started out in a two-room, log home and Dad added additional space as needed or as they could afford it. Mother went to the Federal Land Bank and borrowed the money at 4% interest.
On December 10th, 1941, Mother and Dad, Florence and Ralph Moore, and a few other couples from the Shelton Ward traveled to Logan and were sealed for time and all eternity. It was very cold and the roads were bad but they made the trip without incident.
Mother was thrifty and a very good manager, being able to stretch the dollar a long ways. She was very creative and was always thinking of ways to assist Dad in providing for their family. She would order 100 or more baby chicks each spring. I remember her going out in the night to check on them. She would kill the majority of them for eating, and then the hens would be kept for producing eggs. We always had at least one cow. She raised a garden, taught us to sew, embroider, iron, wash, and always make sure we hung the clothes a certain way on the clothes line. We learned many good work habits that each of us have incorporated into out lives, as we have raised our own families. The folks taught us through good example and never expected us to do anything that they weren't willing to do themselves. Mother and Dad were always up and going early. Breakfast was most always eaten together as a family. We always had very special breakfasts for holidays and when we were camping. Mother was and excellent cook. We especially love her baked eggs and jams, jellies, biscuits and homemade break. She always loved cake and made many of them, and she made really good cookies. Mother could fry fish and chicken better than anyone I know. She loved fish! Byron would catch large trout on the South fork of the Snake River and bring them for Mom to cook. She had a real special way of frying them crisp and delicious. Our cousins loves coming to the farm to visit. Many times, we would be about read to have dinner, and in the yard came a car load of relatives. Mother would set the table with a few more places and everyone would gather around the table and enjoy her cooking. She would always have plenty of potatoes and other vegetables, and she didn’t take much time preparing a wonderful meal, no matter how many were there. Out kitchen always seemed large enough to accommodate everyone, and there were times when we had to eat in shifts.
We looked forward to Memorial Day because we had lots of company come visit on their way to the cemetery. Our family reunions were also a very special event – always with plenty of delicious food and ice cream. Most of the Johnson’s and Howard have lived within 50 miles radius of Shelton, so we knew out aunts, uncles, and cousins well. Aunt Florence, Uncle Ralph, Howard and Dorothy Moore lived by us, and we were a very close knit family. We went to Salt River and Fall Creek on camping trips with Aunt Florence, Aunt Mayme, Uncle Wayne and their families many times. This was always a special treat, and the breakfasts cooked on the campfire will never be forgotten. We spent most holidays together. We worked together canning fruits and vegetables and enjoyed many wonderful times playing games in the winder. Howard would buy fireworks for the 4th of July and friends would come from far and near to enjoy. Dorothy taught Paul, Faye and Lucile to play the piano and drive the “Plymouth”. The Charles Richard Family was very close friends, and we have many fishing trips to Yellowstone Park with their family.
Mother worked in all the auxiliaries of the church and as a visiting teacher for many years. She had been a member of the Daughter of Utah Pioneers for over 50 years. Her mother was the firs Captain for the Sara Ann Howard Camp. Marion and Lucile are both members of the DUP, and Marion is one serving as a Captain in Mesa, Arizona. Her brother, Wayne, was her Bishop for several years, and has visited her often. Since the War and Stake boundaries have been challenged, Mother now lives in the Ririe Stake, Ririe 3rd ward.
In 1964, Mother and Dad were called on a mission for the Church in Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada. They were very loved and appreciated by a wonderful landmark for the City of Grande Prairie. They went the next year to Clovis, New Mexico, where they again build a beautiful chapel and received a had of friendship from all the members. In both places they made some wonderful and very eternal friendships. This was a time of much growth for both of them and their testimonies grew tremendously. Three of their children and three grandsons have also served missions. Paul in England and Scotland, Faye in New York, Marion in Chicago, Gene is New York, Kent in Georgia, and Steve in Argentina.
Mother has always been a good friend and consequently, she has lots of friend today. Dinah neighbors, home teachers, Relief Society teachers, and friends, too numerous to mention, played a big party in her life, as have her brothers and sisters. Mother and dad were always there for their family and friend and were very generous with the time and money helping wherever there was a need. Our parents have been blessed with wonderful posterity. At age 90, mother has 15 grandchildren and more than 30 great grandchildren. “Blessed are the children of a woman who loved them. Proud is a mother who raises them well. And when they’re grown their success in her victory. She taught them how to belie in themselves.”
On August 11th, 1939, Faye Josephine came into the family, and on May 2nd 1943, Lucile Ann was born. These were very hard times, as World War II was raging. Mom and Dad's dream was to won their own home and they eventually saw this dream come true, but it was not without a lot of hard work and sacrifice. They brought 27 acres for $2500. They started out in a two-room, log home and Dad added additional space as needed or as they could afford it. Mother went to the Federal Land Bank and borrowed the money at 4% interest.
On December 10th, 1941, Mother and Dad, Florence and Ralph Moore, and a few other couples from the Shelton Ward traveled to Logan and were sealed for time and all eternity. It was very cold and the roads were bad but they made the trip without incident.
Mother was thrifty and a very good manager, being able to stretch the dollar a long ways. She was very creative and was always thinking of ways to assist Dad in providing for their family. She would order 100 or more baby chicks each spring. I remember her going out in the night to check on them. She would kill the majority of them for eating, and then the hens would be kept for producing eggs. We always had at least one cow. She raised a garden, taught us to sew, embroider, iron, wash, and always make sure we hung the clothes a certain way on the clothes line. We learned many good work habits that each of us have incorporated into out lives, as we have raised our own families. The folks taught us through good example and never expected us to do anything that they weren't willing to do themselves. Mother and Dad were always up and going early. Breakfast was most always eaten together as a family. We always had very special breakfasts for holidays and when we were camping. Mother was and excellent cook. We especially love her baked eggs and jams, jellies, biscuits and homemade break. She always loved cake and made many of them, and she made really good cookies. Mother could fry fish and chicken better than anyone I know. She loved fish! Byron would catch large trout on the South fork of the Snake River and bring them for Mom to cook. She had a real special way of frying them crisp and delicious. Our cousins loves coming to the farm to visit. Many times, we would be about read to have dinner, and in the yard came a car load of relatives. Mother would set the table with a few more places and everyone would gather around the table and enjoy her cooking. She would always have plenty of potatoes and other vegetables, and she didn’t take much time preparing a wonderful meal, no matter how many were there. Out kitchen always seemed large enough to accommodate everyone, and there were times when we had to eat in shifts.
We looked forward to Memorial Day because we had lots of company come visit on their way to the cemetery. Our family reunions were also a very special event – always with plenty of delicious food and ice cream. Most of the Johnson’s and Howard have lived within 50 miles radius of Shelton, so we knew out aunts, uncles, and cousins well. Aunt Florence, Uncle Ralph, Howard and Dorothy Moore lived by us, and we were a very close knit family. We went to Salt River and Fall Creek on camping trips with Aunt Florence, Aunt Mayme, Uncle Wayne and their families many times. This was always a special treat, and the breakfasts cooked on the campfire will never be forgotten. We spent most holidays together. We worked together canning fruits and vegetables and enjoyed many wonderful times playing games in the winder. Howard would buy fireworks for the 4th of July and friends would come from far and near to enjoy. Dorothy taught Paul, Faye and Lucile to play the piano and drive the “Plymouth”. The Charles Richard Family was very close friends, and we have many fishing trips to Yellowstone Park with their family.
Mother worked in all the auxiliaries of the church and as a visiting teacher for many years. She had been a member of the Daughter of Utah Pioneers for over 50 years. Her mother was the firs Captain for the Sara Ann Howard Camp. Marion and Lucile are both members of the DUP, and Marion is one serving as a Captain in Mesa, Arizona. Her brother, Wayne, was her Bishop for several years, and has visited her often. Since the War and Stake boundaries have been challenged, Mother now lives in the Ririe Stake, Ririe 3rd ward.
In 1964, Mother and Dad were called on a mission for the Church in Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada. They were very loved and appreciated by a wonderful landmark for the City of Grande Prairie. They went the next year to Clovis, New Mexico, where they again build a beautiful chapel and received a had of friendship from all the members. In both places they made some wonderful and very eternal friendships. This was a time of much growth for both of them and their testimonies grew tremendously. Three of their children and three grandsons have also served missions. Paul in England and Scotland, Faye in New York, Marion in Chicago, Gene is New York, Kent in Georgia, and Steve in Argentina.
Mother has always been a good friend and consequently, she has lots of friend today. Dinah neighbors, home teachers, Relief Society teachers, and friends, too numerous to mention, played a big party in her life, as have her brothers and sisters. Mother and dad were always there for their family and friend and were very generous with the time and money helping wherever there was a need. Our parents have been blessed with wonderful posterity. At age 90, mother has 15 grandchildren and more than 30 great grandchildren. “Blessed are the children of a woman who loved them. Proud is a mother who raises them well. And when they’re grown their success in her victory. She taught them how to belie in themselves.”
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Josephine Johnson Howard
The story of one of my favorite people!
Life Story of Josephine Johnson Howard told by Faye Howard Carroll - Daughter or Josephine.
One a beautiful summer day, June 23rd, 1904, a tiny blue-eyed baby girl was born to John and Matilda Johnson. One brother and three sisters welcomed her: John, age nine, Ethyl, age seven, Mayme, three, and Zelma, eighteen months. The baby was named Josephine, after her Father's sister. The mid-wife that delivered her was Sarah Ann Howard, their neighbor.
Going back a few years in time, John's parents had grown up in Sweden and accepted the Gospel of Denmark. They immigrated to Utah with two daughters, Olivia and Josephine. President Brigham Young called them to go to Brigham City, and it was there that John was born. When John was six weeks old they moved to South Bountiful. John received his education in the Salk Lake schools, and he began teaching school when he was 21 years of age. It was in a two room school in South Bountiful where he met Matilda Ann Howard. He courted her for sometime, and then they were married in the Logan Utah Temple on March 9th, 1893. Before he had met "Tillie", he had filed on a homestead in Idaho. He cleared the ground, cut the logs, and built a one-room home on this property. he then brought his wide to Idaho to live in the newly built home.
In the fall of 1897 he was called to Sweden on a mission, and was set apart by President Wilford Woodruff. He took Matilda and their children John and Ethyl, back to Bountiful to stay with her parents while he was gone.
John and Matilda raised their family in a prayerful home, where the Gospel was taught and practiced. Mother, being the middle child in the family of 12 children was fortunate to have older brothers and sister, but also younger ones to love and enjoy. She had a very happy and enjoyable childhood. Because she was in the middle of this large family, she was called upon to help with a lot of the household chores and playing with the younger children. There was an area on the side of their home where there were large, layered rocks. Mother remembers spending many hours there singing songs, playing games, reading stories, and having a wonderful time with Glen, Maude and Marie, the twins, Florence, Jim, Wayne and Geneve. They didn't often play with neighbors or friends because they had each other. The Johnson family was very musical-her Mother played the piano and organ well and her father dang, and all the children had music lessons.
The Johnson's lived across the street from the Shelton Ward Church. Mother had many wonderful memories of the many years that she spent in the Shelton Ward - the wonderful teachers she had and the friends that she made there. Their social life was centered around church activities. Holidays were especially memorable, as they got to have homemade ice cream, candy and fruit and nuts and many things that they were not used to having only on special occasions. Christmas eve was always a very special time. The whole family would go to the Church for a Christmas program, in which the children all participated, and then Santa would come and give them a treat. This tradition carried on for many years to come with her own children going to Shelton Ward for Christmas Eve.
Mother remembers her baptism day well. She went with Bishop John Shelton Howard, his wife Sarah and Carrie, their daughter. She had turned eight the past June and Carrie had just had her eighth birthday. They rode in a high top buggy to Iona. She remembers that they spent the cold November day there and that they were baptized by Brother John C. Rushton. This was the 2nd of November 1912.
She was about fourteen years old when her Dad came home from his second mission to Sweden. She remembers that time very well and the experiences he would relate about his time in Sweden. She really loved her had and always wanted to perform her very best to please him. She always loved school and was a very good students. She really loved to read and would read any book she could get her hands on. Many a book she read by the light of a coal-oil lamp. She was sewing well by the time shew as 15 an d made a majority of her clothes as well as many for her sisters. The Johnson children had a very good penmanship. Their father was an excellent penman and was called upon often to do the writing on church and school certificates with his beautiful penmanship. At age 90, Mom still had good penmanship and can recite a lot of the poetry she learned in grade school.
In 1919 she stated high school. Mother, Jimmy and Ray Howard, and Agnes Carlisle went to Rigby to school. When the weather got bad and made travel difficult, they batched in an apartment. During her last year at Rigby High School, her brother, Glen, stayed with them and slept in a corner on a cot. After completing her junior year in Rigby, she attended Ricks Normal School in Rexburg, Idaho, rooming most of the time with Naomi and Ruth Newman. She remembers on one occasion being very tired and discouraged with school and wanting to quit. She came home one weekend and told her parents that she was not going to return. Her Dad and Mother never argued with her or told her that she had to go back. When Sunday came around, however, her Mother Mother made her own graduation dress. She remembers being on the graduation program and went alone, all the time feeling bad that her family would not be their for the big occasion. After the program had started, she looked into the crowd and saw her brother John and his wide, Carrie, and her Mother and Dad come in. What a thrill for her!! They have her a foundation pen. She still remembers how bad she felt when it was stolen. She was the first one in her family to graduate from High School.
She attended summer school that year and took education classes, then took the State Exam and got her teaching certificate. Her first two years of teaching was at Poplar, in a two-room school, with Carrie Johnson. For several summers Annie Zucher, Agnes Carlisle, Carrie Johnson, and Mother would go to summer school and take additional classes to better prepare themselves for their teaching career. The Poplar school was ran by Bonneville County, and sometimes their checks were unable to be cashed because the people couldn't pa their taxes. The grocery store would let them charge their food until the checks would clear the bank. Their monthly salary was about $125.
On March 21st, 1925, she married Franklin Downs Howard. They had grown up next door to one another, but Frank was seven years older so it wasn't until she was teaching school that he paid attention to her. After they were married they lived in Idaho Falls. She continued teaching and again went to summer school. Frank worked for Billy Reed at the Mountain States Implement Company. In 1926, they moved to the Upper Shelton school and lived in the basement and she taught there. This was the first time they had electric lights and they still and to haul their own water. The following spring when school was out, they moved to the Buck Ranch. They stayed there for the next few years.
On March 22nd, 1928, a baby girl, Marion Gene, was born. Everyone on the ranch adored Marion and she was the center of attention. Jim Buck especially enjoyed her and would buy her anything that she wanted. Mother helped Aunt Ella, Frank's oldest sister, and Mrs. buck, cook for their hired men. There was always plenty of hard work to keep them busy, with meals and any other chores that needed to be down. They didn't have any of the modern conveniences that we take for granted today. Uncle Gene Johnson, Uncle Ted Howard, and Rub Brown, lived on the ranch and worked for a time. Overall, it was great experience and everyone enjoyed playing cards in the winder when the worked slowed down.
Life Story of Josephine Johnson Howard told by Faye Howard Carroll - Daughter or Josephine.
One a beautiful summer day, June 23rd, 1904, a tiny blue-eyed baby girl was born to John and Matilda Johnson. One brother and three sisters welcomed her: John, age nine, Ethyl, age seven, Mayme, three, and Zelma, eighteen months. The baby was named Josephine, after her Father's sister. The mid-wife that delivered her was Sarah Ann Howard, their neighbor.
Going back a few years in time, John's parents had grown up in Sweden and accepted the Gospel of Denmark. They immigrated to Utah with two daughters, Olivia and Josephine. President Brigham Young called them to go to Brigham City, and it was there that John was born. When John was six weeks old they moved to South Bountiful. John received his education in the Salk Lake schools, and he began teaching school when he was 21 years of age. It was in a two room school in South Bountiful where he met Matilda Ann Howard. He courted her for sometime, and then they were married in the Logan Utah Temple on March 9th, 1893. Before he had met "Tillie", he had filed on a homestead in Idaho. He cleared the ground, cut the logs, and built a one-room home on this property. he then brought his wide to Idaho to live in the newly built home.
In the fall of 1897 he was called to Sweden on a mission, and was set apart by President Wilford Woodruff. He took Matilda and their children John and Ethyl, back to Bountiful to stay with her parents while he was gone.
John and Matilda raised their family in a prayerful home, where the Gospel was taught and practiced. Mother, being the middle child in the family of 12 children was fortunate to have older brothers and sister, but also younger ones to love and enjoy. She had a very happy and enjoyable childhood. Because she was in the middle of this large family, she was called upon to help with a lot of the household chores and playing with the younger children. There was an area on the side of their home where there were large, layered rocks. Mother remembers spending many hours there singing songs, playing games, reading stories, and having a wonderful time with Glen, Maude and Marie, the twins, Florence, Jim, Wayne and Geneve. They didn't often play with neighbors or friends because they had each other. The Johnson family was very musical-her Mother played the piano and organ well and her father dang, and all the children had music lessons.
The Johnson's lived across the street from the Shelton Ward Church. Mother had many wonderful memories of the many years that she spent in the Shelton Ward - the wonderful teachers she had and the friends that she made there. Their social life was centered around church activities. Holidays were especially memorable, as they got to have homemade ice cream, candy and fruit and nuts and many things that they were not used to having only on special occasions. Christmas eve was always a very special time. The whole family would go to the Church for a Christmas program, in which the children all participated, and then Santa would come and give them a treat. This tradition carried on for many years to come with her own children going to Shelton Ward for Christmas Eve.
Mother remembers her baptism day well. She went with Bishop John Shelton Howard, his wife Sarah and Carrie, their daughter. She had turned eight the past June and Carrie had just had her eighth birthday. They rode in a high top buggy to Iona. She remembers that they spent the cold November day there and that they were baptized by Brother John C. Rushton. This was the 2nd of November 1912.
She was about fourteen years old when her Dad came home from his second mission to Sweden. She remembers that time very well and the experiences he would relate about his time in Sweden. She really loved her had and always wanted to perform her very best to please him. She always loved school and was a very good students. She really loved to read and would read any book she could get her hands on. Many a book she read by the light of a coal-oil lamp. She was sewing well by the time shew as 15 an d made a majority of her clothes as well as many for her sisters. The Johnson children had a very good penmanship. Their father was an excellent penman and was called upon often to do the writing on church and school certificates with his beautiful penmanship. At age 90, Mom still had good penmanship and can recite a lot of the poetry she learned in grade school.
In 1919 she stated high school. Mother, Jimmy and Ray Howard, and Agnes Carlisle went to Rigby to school. When the weather got bad and made travel difficult, they batched in an apartment. During her last year at Rigby High School, her brother, Glen, stayed with them and slept in a corner on a cot. After completing her junior year in Rigby, she attended Ricks Normal School in Rexburg, Idaho, rooming most of the time with Naomi and Ruth Newman. She remembers on one occasion being very tired and discouraged with school and wanting to quit. She came home one weekend and told her parents that she was not going to return. Her Dad and Mother never argued with her or told her that she had to go back. When Sunday came around, however, her Mother Mother made her own graduation dress. She remembers being on the graduation program and went alone, all the time feeling bad that her family would not be their for the big occasion. After the program had started, she looked into the crowd and saw her brother John and his wide, Carrie, and her Mother and Dad come in. What a thrill for her!! They have her a foundation pen. She still remembers how bad she felt when it was stolen. She was the first one in her family to graduate from High School.
She attended summer school that year and took education classes, then took the State Exam and got her teaching certificate. Her first two years of teaching was at Poplar, in a two-room school, with Carrie Johnson. For several summers Annie Zucher, Agnes Carlisle, Carrie Johnson, and Mother would go to summer school and take additional classes to better prepare themselves for their teaching career. The Poplar school was ran by Bonneville County, and sometimes their checks were unable to be cashed because the people couldn't pa their taxes. The grocery store would let them charge their food until the checks would clear the bank. Their monthly salary was about $125.
On March 21st, 1925, she married Franklin Downs Howard. They had grown up next door to one another, but Frank was seven years older so it wasn't until she was teaching school that he paid attention to her. After they were married they lived in Idaho Falls. She continued teaching and again went to summer school. Frank worked for Billy Reed at the Mountain States Implement Company. In 1926, they moved to the Upper Shelton school and lived in the basement and she taught there. This was the first time they had electric lights and they still and to haul their own water. The following spring when school was out, they moved to the Buck Ranch. They stayed there for the next few years.
On March 22nd, 1928, a baby girl, Marion Gene, was born. Everyone on the ranch adored Marion and she was the center of attention. Jim Buck especially enjoyed her and would buy her anything that she wanted. Mother helped Aunt Ella, Frank's oldest sister, and Mrs. buck, cook for their hired men. There was always plenty of hard work to keep them busy, with meals and any other chores that needed to be down. They didn't have any of the modern conveniences that we take for granted today. Uncle Gene Johnson, Uncle Ted Howard, and Rub Brown, lived on the ranch and worked for a time. Overall, it was great experience and everyone enjoyed playing cards in the winder when the worked slowed down.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
John Shelton Howard part III
English-born John S. Howard had trudged across the plains to Utah as a boy of twelve. He returned to England as a missionary for the LDS church in the 1880's and when he came home to Utah, found he was in trouble. The federal anti-polygamy law the 1882 Edmund's Act - though still untested by the courts, was being used to send polygamists to prison. In reality, the issue was not religious; for a number of decades, it was as politically expedient to be against the Mormons as to be for the Fourth of July. Though fewer than three percent of the Mormons practiced polygamy, the Issue made a dandy excuse for the denunciation of the whole church.
John S. Howard, however, was one of the three percent. His first wife had no children, he married Sarah Ann Downs, also English-born, and they had two sons. In the bitter choice of which wife to put aside, it had to be the mother with the children who remained with John Howard. During those years, however, it was not enough to "put aside" plural wives. Bounty hunters and ambitious prosecutors made no distinction between polygamists and ex-polygamists. John and Sarah Ann decided to make a new start in Idaho, but here too, headline seekers such as Fred Dubois and Ed Winn were making careers of the witch-hunt for polygamists. John S. Howard took his middle name, which had been his mother's, and came to Idaho as John Shelton.
The first winter in Idaho was a bleak one, and the settlers lived mostly on wild game, including deer, fish, and sage hens. An epidemic of diphtheria ran through the community. John and Sarah Ann spent much of their time that first winter caring for the sick and preparing the dead for burial. John would make the rounds of the neighbors, administering to the sick, and when he came home would build sage-brush fire and stand in the smoke of it to disinfect his clothes.
John was a carpenter, and when there was a death, he would build a coffin; Sarah Ann would line it with whatever bit of cloth and lace could be found among her possessions or those of her neighbors. Often John would officiate at the funeral, and many times John and Sarah Ann would also sing a duet. This pattern of service to the community continued throughout their lives.
In the summer of 1892, the Willow creek Ward of the LDS church was divided. On August 14, 1892, the east portion became Shelton Ward, named for John Shelton Howard, who was set apart as bishop. He held that position for 26 years.
John Shelton Howard was a large man, and wore a full but neatly-trimmed beard. Described in a life sketch as having "a very kind disposition which won him a host of friends bot in and out of the church," he traveled over the valley, building bridges and houses. Like other settlers with timber claims, the Ho wards planted many trees, and developed their land into a fine farm. The Howard home was opposite that present Shelton church.
Sarah Ann Howard was a queen-sized woman, and in her long lifetime, she did a queen-sized job as a wife, mother, good neighbor, church-worker and midwife. She looked after the children and the farming and did the milking when John was away and building jobs. In 1895, she answered a call from LDS Stake officials to take training in obstetrics.
"Her ability as a midwife was know through the valley," according to a life-sketch. "There was scarcely a family who had not benefited from her service. She kept a record of over six hundred births at which she had assisted, and she never lost a mother, although some of the cases were very difficult.
"She would be called to leave home at any time of the day or night in any kind of weather. Her services included daily care for the mother and new arrival for ten days. Her charge for this service was $10, but she received no pat in at leas half the cases.
"Many of the homes into which she went were very humble having scarcely the bare necessities to help her with her task. She often had to improvise even a blanket in which to receive the newborn babes. Many times there would be other small children and little or no food in the house to prepare for the new mother Aden her brood. She always did the best possible under these conditions, cleaning and finding things up to help the unfortunate."
Hard times were a way of life in pioneer days, but stake poverty descended quickly when the mother of the family was ailing, for besides being cook and laundress and seamstress, she was the break maker, the butter-maker, and milkmaid and the fire tender. This was why Sarah Ann Howard so often found distress in the homes where she was called to help usher in a new life.
The men spent all their daylight hours cleaning the fields of sagebrush and on monumental take of building the canals and laterals, and coaxing the water through not-very-sturdy ditches to the acres they were able to plant. There could be no prosperity until there were harvest and early Shelton families, like all the valley pioneers, lived on hope.
Mary Blake Ryset, in her "History of Shelton Ward Primary" wrote: "Of all the things hard to get, cash was perhaps the hardest to obtain. Much of the tithing that was brought to Bishop Howard's home was in produce, eggs, butter, berries, livestock, grains, and so forth. A receipt was given the tithe payer with a stub for the stake clerk to audit. Then it was up to the bishop to sell or use up these products before they spoiled. If the bishop's family used the articles, they had to dig up the cash equivalent to give the stake clerk. Many times things spoiled, and they had to pay for them anyway." One entry in the ward ledger records the donation of a pig, with the rueful addition "ran away."
During these busy years, John and Sarah Ann became the parents of nine more children, making eleven in all. As the bishop's wife, Sarah Ann was the official host to visiting church officials, and entertained them in her home. She was a superb cook; custard pie was her specialty.
"In 1914 when the new Shelton ward biulding was dedicated, the Howard home was the scene of feverish activity." According to her life-sketch. "It was cleaned and redecorated from stern to stern. New silver wand linen were purchased, and some new furniture. The visiting dignitaries at these time were Apostle George F. Richards; Patriarch of the church Henry Smith, and Sister Trarly, a daughter of Heber J. Grant, and general board member... Every member of the family and host of the neighbors were pressed into serving in order that the best imprecision's of the community might be carried forth by visitors."
During the influenza epidemic of 1918-19, the Howard's once more mad the rounds of the stricken community, caring for the sick, and in case of death, "laying out" the corpse, and providing the burial clothing and coffin. None of them contracted the dread disease.
John S. Howard was realised as bishop in 1918. He died in 1923. Sarah Ann spent part of her time in California with relatives, but she enjoyed going fishing on Willow Creek, as in earlier days, with her old friend, Ada Buck. She continued, as well, to respond to special nursing assignments. She died in September, 1938.
John and Sarah Ann left a fine heritage: an admirable family, and an unsurpassed record of service to eastern Idaho and to the friendly little community, Shelton, which was, indeed, name for the Bishop John Shelton Howard.
John S. Howard, however, was one of the three percent. His first wife had no children, he married Sarah Ann Downs, also English-born, and they had two sons. In the bitter choice of which wife to put aside, it had to be the mother with the children who remained with John Howard. During those years, however, it was not enough to "put aside" plural wives. Bounty hunters and ambitious prosecutors made no distinction between polygamists and ex-polygamists. John and Sarah Ann decided to make a new start in Idaho, but here too, headline seekers such as Fred Dubois and Ed Winn were making careers of the witch-hunt for polygamists. John S. Howard took his middle name, which had been his mother's, and came to Idaho as John Shelton.
The first winter in Idaho was a bleak one, and the settlers lived mostly on wild game, including deer, fish, and sage hens. An epidemic of diphtheria ran through the community. John and Sarah Ann spent much of their time that first winter caring for the sick and preparing the dead for burial. John would make the rounds of the neighbors, administering to the sick, and when he came home would build sage-brush fire and stand in the smoke of it to disinfect his clothes.
John was a carpenter, and when there was a death, he would build a coffin; Sarah Ann would line it with whatever bit of cloth and lace could be found among her possessions or those of her neighbors. Often John would officiate at the funeral, and many times John and Sarah Ann would also sing a duet. This pattern of service to the community continued throughout their lives.
In the summer of 1892, the Willow creek Ward of the LDS church was divided. On August 14, 1892, the east portion became Shelton Ward, named for John Shelton Howard, who was set apart as bishop. He held that position for 26 years.
John Shelton Howard was a large man, and wore a full but neatly-trimmed beard. Described in a life sketch as having "a very kind disposition which won him a host of friends bot in and out of the church," he traveled over the valley, building bridges and houses. Like other settlers with timber claims, the Ho wards planted many trees, and developed their land into a fine farm. The Howard home was opposite that present Shelton church.
Sarah Ann Howard was a queen-sized woman, and in her long lifetime, she did a queen-sized job as a wife, mother, good neighbor, church-worker and midwife. She looked after the children and the farming and did the milking when John was away and building jobs. In 1895, she answered a call from LDS Stake officials to take training in obstetrics.
"Her ability as a midwife was know through the valley," according to a life-sketch. "There was scarcely a family who had not benefited from her service. She kept a record of over six hundred births at which she had assisted, and she never lost a mother, although some of the cases were very difficult.
"She would be called to leave home at any time of the day or night in any kind of weather. Her services included daily care for the mother and new arrival for ten days. Her charge for this service was $10, but she received no pat in at leas half the cases.
"Many of the homes into which she went were very humble having scarcely the bare necessities to help her with her task. She often had to improvise even a blanket in which to receive the newborn babes. Many times there would be other small children and little or no food in the house to prepare for the new mother Aden her brood. She always did the best possible under these conditions, cleaning and finding things up to help the unfortunate."
Hard times were a way of life in pioneer days, but stake poverty descended quickly when the mother of the family was ailing, for besides being cook and laundress and seamstress, she was the break maker, the butter-maker, and milkmaid and the fire tender. This was why Sarah Ann Howard so often found distress in the homes where she was called to help usher in a new life.
The men spent all their daylight hours cleaning the fields of sagebrush and on monumental take of building the canals and laterals, and coaxing the water through not-very-sturdy ditches to the acres they were able to plant. There could be no prosperity until there were harvest and early Shelton families, like all the valley pioneers, lived on hope.
Mary Blake Ryset, in her "History of Shelton Ward Primary" wrote: "Of all the things hard to get, cash was perhaps the hardest to obtain. Much of the tithing that was brought to Bishop Howard's home was in produce, eggs, butter, berries, livestock, grains, and so forth. A receipt was given the tithe payer with a stub for the stake clerk to audit. Then it was up to the bishop to sell or use up these products before they spoiled. If the bishop's family used the articles, they had to dig up the cash equivalent to give the stake clerk. Many times things spoiled, and they had to pay for them anyway." One entry in the ward ledger records the donation of a pig, with the rueful addition "ran away."
During these busy years, John and Sarah Ann became the parents of nine more children, making eleven in all. As the bishop's wife, Sarah Ann was the official host to visiting church officials, and entertained them in her home. She was a superb cook; custard pie was her specialty.
"In 1914 when the new Shelton ward biulding was dedicated, the Howard home was the scene of feverish activity." According to her life-sketch. "It was cleaned and redecorated from stern to stern. New silver wand linen were purchased, and some new furniture. The visiting dignitaries at these time were Apostle George F. Richards; Patriarch of the church Henry Smith, and Sister Trarly, a daughter of Heber J. Grant, and general board member... Every member of the family and host of the neighbors were pressed into serving in order that the best imprecision's of the community might be carried forth by visitors."
During the influenza epidemic of 1918-19, the Howard's once more mad the rounds of the stricken community, caring for the sick, and in case of death, "laying out" the corpse, and providing the burial clothing and coffin. None of them contracted the dread disease.
John S. Howard was realised as bishop in 1918. He died in 1923. Sarah Ann spent part of her time in California with relatives, but she enjoyed going fishing on Willow Creek, as in earlier days, with her old friend, Ada Buck. She continued, as well, to respond to special nursing assignments. She died in September, 1938.
John and Sarah Ann left a fine heritage: an admirable family, and an unsurpassed record of service to eastern Idaho and to the friendly little community, Shelton, which was, indeed, name for the Bishop John Shelton Howard.
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