FERDINAND ERICKSEN AND CLEMENTINA MARION MORRISON ERICKSEN ~~~~PIONEERS OF THE MONTH ~~~FEBRUARY 2026

 

Ferdinand Ericksen, son of Lars and  Stena, was born in Mt.  Pleasant, September 30, 1863.  He attended the district schools and took a two year course at B.Y. Academy at Provo.

He taught school for four years in Mt. Pleasant and then entered the Ann Arbor Law College, studying one year.  He was admitted to the bar of Michigan, June 5, 1890 and opened an office in Mt. Pleasant.


He was elected County Prosecuting Attorney in August, 1890 and County Collector in 1892.  In 1897 he was elected mayorl.  He was cashier of the Mt. Pleasant Bank from January 1893 to July 1895, and was a member of the board of directors.  He also had an interest in the Ericksen Meat and Grocery Company.


In 1894, he was elected Major of the National Guard of Utah, and in 1896 was appointed Judge Advocate, with the rank of Major, on Brigadier-General Willard Young's staff.  He was appointed a school trustee in 1896, to fill a vacancy, and in 1897 was elected to that position.


"In 1898, during the time Ferdinand Ericksen was mayor of the city, the city purchased the north brick schoolhouse, (the now mortuary) corner First North and First West, and in due time, after remodeling it, placing in a heating plant, vaults and cells, suitable furniture, etc.,it became an up-to-date and creditable city hall, and was the first real home the Mt. Pleasant city council had ever known.

The north Public Square was cleared of the brush and burrs, and trees and grass were planted for a city park".  from Mt. Pleasant History pp 179-180 by Hilda Madsen Longsdorf

Picture taken at the dedication of the Mt. Pleasant Pioneer Monument

Bon Accorde Cottage  Where Clementina Grew Up

 

KEITH ALONZO LEAVITT~~~ DEAR FRIEND ~~~ A REAL GENTLEMAN

 

Keith Alonzo Leavitt

August 31, 1934 — January 28, 2026

Ephraim

Listen to Obituary

Keith Alonzo Leavitt, age 91, passed away peacefully at home. He was a kind and gentle man who devoted his life to his family, his faith, and quiet service to others.

Keith was born on August 31,1934, in St. George, Utah, to Laurel Leavitt and Melvina Durrant. He was the third of seven children. He spent his early years in Bunkerville, Nevada, and at the age of nine moved with his family to Homedale, Idaho. Those formative years shaped his lifelong love of farming, the outdoors, and hard work. He especially treasured time spent farming and hunting alongside his father and brothers.

An accomplished and enthusiastic athlete, Keith lettered in four sports during high school. His strong work ethic and love of people later led him to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Eastern States from 1954 to 1956, where he also had the memorable opportunity to participate in the Hill Cumorah Pageant.

In 1957, Keith was drafted into the United States Army and served honorably until 1959, including two years stationed in Dachau, Germany.

Keith married Linda Swensen in 1960. They were blessed with eight children. Keith earned a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University and taught school for several years in Idaho. In 1971, Keith and Linda moved from Idaho to Provo, Utah, where Keith worked for eight years at Jones’ Paint and Glass. However, Keith was a farmer at heart. They dreamed of having a farm, so in 1979, they moved to Missouri. After two years, they returned to Idaho to help run his father’s apple farm. In 1988, they moved to Mt. Pleasant, Utah, where Keith taught school again, this time as a Special Education teacher.

At their home in Mt. Pleasant, Keith planted a fruit tree orchard and tended a large garden. Growing, tilling, and tending the earth was the labor of his life. He loved sharing garden produce with family and friends. Many boxes of apples, squash, tomatoes, and garlic were personally delivered around the neighborhood each summer. Keith and Linda loved Mt. Pleasant and the friends they made there. It was where they spent some of the happiest and most fulfilling years of their lives.

Keith and Linda shared a deep commitment to service. For 20 years, they served together as Humanitarian Service Missionaries, giving generously of their time and talents. They also loved serving in the temple. Keith was a devoted and supportive husband, always encouraging Linda in her many projects and callings.

Above all else, Keith loved his family. He delighted in time spent with his children, grandchildren, and extended family. Cousin parties and family reunions were among his most treasured memories and he took great joy in watching his family grow.

Keith will be remembered for his gentle spirit, quiet strength, and unwavering love for the gospel of Jesus Christ. His legacy of faith, service, and family devotion will continue to bless generations.

He is survived by his brother, Leon Leavitt, his 8 children and their spouses, 29 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.

A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, February 7, at 1:00 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 450 N 200 W E, Ephraim, UT. Family and friends are invited to attend. Interment in the Mt. Pleasant City Cemetery with Military Honors.

To Watch Service Live, Click Here. The Live Zoom Link will Activate at 12:45 a.m. MST prior to services

ARMISTICE DAY HEADLINES 1934

 

HANS MADSEN AND KAREN PETRINA FREDRICKSEN FAMILY

    Hans and Petrina did not live in Mt.  Pleasant .but their daughter Anne Kristine Madsen did. Her husband Hans Peter Olsen lived here most of their married  lives and were buried in the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery  

 

NORTH SANPETE BASKET BALL CIRCA 1927

 

I just  discovered the 1925-26 Enn Ess Aich Yearbook with a lot of wonderful pictures inside.  Does anyone have a request from that era? 

Pyramid Photos From the Past

  

When the Mt. Pleasant Pyramid Office was moved

to Springville these photos were given to us to

share at the Relic Home.  Some do not have names 

or descriptions.  Let us know if you can add any details.

  

MAYBELLE FRANDSEN'S LETTERS TO THE EDITOR IN THE MT. PLEASANT PYRAMID

 

MR. AND MRS. HERMAN BECK CELEBRATE THEIR GOLDEN WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

 

THE THUNDER MUG ~~~~ BY OWEN SANDERS

 

This Bowl is not a cookie jar

Nor a porcelain pot for pickles;

But it is a thunder-mug

For Brisk nocturnal trickles!

This portable, versatile vessel

Artistic, or very plain

Was a blessing to the occupant

To ease the night-time strain.

It was easily clutched by a frantic hand

When the urgent call came ringing

And the muted vibrations

Could set the crock'ry singing.

On frosty nights, the chilling rim

Near shocked the sagging rear;

Thus, timid souls with dainty skin

Oft' viewed this pot with fear.

They perched in regal splendor

Upon this porcelain throne;

And endless thoughts were siftedOf problems in the home

For musical notes rang down the scale

From peals to thunderous rumbles;

And saved some sleepy footsteps

O'er trails beset with stumbles.

It changed the chore of midnight strolls

For half a lot or more;

And hazards of the winding trail

Beneath the glinting star.

Disposal was a dreary drudge

Where no one volunteered;

So mothers had the dismal chore

Ere morning sun appeared.

When tub and privy moved indoors

To occupy a closet,

The thunder-mug lay silent

And receive no more deposit.

Give us friends of yester-year

But not the sledge and axe;

Give us comforts that we love

But not a crushing tax.

Let us twang our heart strings

With one nostalgic tug;

But save us from the usage

Of the gleaming Thunder-Mug!

We often yearn for "The Good Old Days"

Before life's grand completion;

But the Thunder-Mug is one device

We'd ask for a firm deletion!!!

PARADE WIINNING ENTRY ~~~ JULY 24, 1914

 

OLD POOR FARM ~~~ FAIRVIEW, UTAH ~~~ CLOSED IN THE EARLY 1930S

 

HUB CITY CONOCO GETS A THANK YOU NOTE FROM ALABAMA ~~~ 1953

 

PIONEER DAY (UNKNOWN YEAR) BUT WE HAVE NAMES OF THOSE IN THE PICTURE