THE 1918 FLOOD

 

WASATCH ACADEMY REVERAND ARTHUR BOAND RECOLLECTIONS OF 1920S ~~~ (Taken from LouiseJohansen's Scrapbook)

 

HOME OF ELMER DELBERT MILLER AND WIFE ELIZABETH BIGLER ~~~from our archives

 

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

 

MOUNT PLEASANT MILL COMPANY CERTIFICATE ~~~ MARY MIRANDA OMEN

 

DEDICATION OF THE SECOND MT. PLEASANT CITY HALL ~~~ AUGUST 23, 1939

 

Dedication of the New Mt. Pleasant City Hall

August 23, 1939

An Address  by Hilda Madsen Longsdorf
 Scanned from original manuscript, corrected, edited and formatted for this presentation
 by David R, Gunderson.

Mr. Chairman, Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen:  

I do feel highly honored to have been asked to give this part on today’s program, and I hope I may say some things old, yet new, and. interesting to you.

The history of Mt. Pleasant and the people of the community is a very interesting study, there were many phases, conditions and problems, and it seems each administration has had its own particular problems.

Since this occasion is the dedication of the New City Hall, it was thought perhaps the stories of the city halls and the buildings of the past administrations might be a most interesting topic today.       

Mt. Pleasant was granted a charter by the Territorial Government, Feb 20^th 1868. On May the 5^th the following officers were chosen:

      - First Mayor:
           W. S. Seely,  and as

      - First City Council Members:    
           Jacob Christensen,
           Peter M. Peel,
           Jens Jorgensen
           N. Peter Madsen, and
           Joseph Page.

They made the following appointments:

           1.  George Farnsworth – Recorder,
           2.  Andrew Madsen – Treasurer,
           3.   Edward Cliff – Assessor,
           4.  Paul Dehlin – Road Supervisor, and
           5.  O. Seely – Marshal.

It does not state where this administration met. Only three short items are recorded concerning this first City Council, one of these tells that Joseph Page was appointed Mayor Pro. Temp. At another, it was moved and carried that the $45.00 paid to the Indians should be taken from the treasury.                                                  

On May the 2^nd 1870 Joseph Page was elected Mayor, and records state that on May the 7^th , the council met in the hall, this no doubt was the Social Hall, which was the first meeting house built out side the fort.

They next met on July the 4^th, at Andrew Madsen’s home, next at Anthon Lund’s   home, then at the Third Ward School, then at the Forth Ward School house, the Telegraph Office, the Second Ward School room, Joseph Page’s residence, and so on making the rounds again.

Some of the problems of the early administrations were fence lines, irrigation ditches, 
irrigation rights, obtaining clear titles to property, to license or not to license the sale of liquor, establishing stray ponds, ordinances pertaining to meat marketers, to butchering, to duties of the polices and many other ordinances needed in a new community.

From the minutes of a session held in the Second Ward school house, in 1874,
the following is copied:

“The council, then took into consideration the plausibility of building a city hall and jail, and it was moved and seconded that the council proceed to build the same, at least, as far as to finish the basement or the lower rooms this year. Paul Dehlin and Andrew Madsen were appointed, as a committee, to locate said building and decide on dimensions of same, and estimate the cost.”

The minutes of the next meeting state:

“The Dehlin and Madsen committee appointed at last meeting gave report on subject of city hall, Madsen, Dehlin and Mayor Page were appointed to see to the erection of said hall, and to locate same and as far as circumstances would allow, to engage the labor for same, at best terms for the city.”

Later at a meeting held at the Second Ward school house, it was recorded:

“The question of the city hall was again brought up, and it was decided that it would not be wise to build, or commence building of the hall at present, but to arrange to rent a place for a lockup. Bennett and Monson were appointed to rent a house and repair same sufficient to make it safe to hold prisoners, and were authorized to draw on the treasury for means necessary for same.”

Later a bill for $10.00 was presented and paid.

And thus, after eight years of shifting from place to place, disappeared their first 
dream of a city hall.

Dec. 1875, John Waldermar and  W. W. Brandon were appointed a committee to rent
and furnish a building to be used as a lockup.

From the minutes of a meeting held in the post office in 1876, the following is taken:

 "'On the subject of a room for city council meetings, Councilor A. H. Bennett reported that a room belonging to P. M. Peel, could be had at a reasonable price. The council agreed to rent the room and Bennett and Page were appointed to make terms for the same.”

The next meeting was held in the Peel room, and it was reported that arrangements
had been made for same at $ 2.00 a month. The action of the committee was
unanimously indorsed. Andrew Madsen and Peter Monson were appointed to get one dozen Chairs at the best terms possible. And this, after twelve years, was the first temporary home, the council had known, and was referred to in the minutes as the Mayors office.

It seems the question of the lockup was not yet satisfactorily settled,

In 1877, Andrew Madsen, as a committee of one, was appointed to select and negotiate
for some building suitable for a city lockup, Madsen later reported, he was able to
get the former building used, but that it was in need of much repair. The matter was
fully discussed, and laid over to hear, from A. H. Bennett, as to a contract to build
a good substantial lockup.

From the minutes of a meeting held Oct 24^th is copied:

“The Mayor stated, the object of the meeting was to take into consideration the propriety of building a lockup, with height enough to admit a general city office above, this giving room for all city purposes and save rent and contingent expanses. After some discussion as to the finances to meet the expenses of said building, Mr. A. H. Bennett presented his specifications, in three divisions

First,          The lookup proper, finished and completed, to the    
                    expectance of the city council for. $275.00.

Second,      With additional room above, completed for $100.00 more, thus a total of $375.00.

Third,         In event of the council desiring only the lockup, to  
                    finish same thoroughly, save the contractor put on a
                    temporary roof’ at an agreed on price, less than $275.00.

Some discussion was had on the necessity of inviting proposals to build said building. The Council decided that time and necessity of the building, the known honor of the contracting party, his intimacy with the financial conditions of the city, his terms proposed of payment, and that none perhaps could be found to take the contract, and thoroughly complete the same, and that no version of building would be required, it being left to Bennett, therefore, it was unanimously resolved, to build said lockup, agreeable to the contingency that may arise as to the finances in the matter of completion, and the contract was awarded to A. H. Bennett.

A motion was made and carried that the Mayor make all arrangements, for the building and paying therefore with the contractor. On motion that the recorder prepare a contract, agreeable to the specifications submitted, which contract shall be duly signed by the contractor, with two approved signers, to the acceptance of the Mayor, and that said contract shall be on file in the recorder’s office.

The contract was duly signed and placed in recorder David Candland’s office. Mayor Page, Madsen and Bennett were appointed a committee on location of the building.

In December, the following was recorded:   

“The committee on receiving the City Hall from the hands of the contractor, reported favorable and that the speciation had on the part  of the contractor .been faithfully carried out. Upon its acceptance by the council, $250.00 was allowed Bennett in full price of the lockup, and co-operation notes were drawn up, bearing 1&½ per cent interest per month from maturity. Contractor Bennett delivered the keys to the Mayor; the Mayor delivered two keys to the Marshal. The Marshal was instructed to get ‘bedding’ and Councilor Peter Monsen to get a suitable stove. Records show the stove was purchased for $7.00.”

Thus with the erection of the jail, but with out the extra rooms, faded their dream number two of a City Hall.

The Council then decided to vacate its present quarters, where they paid Joseph Page $2.00 a month, and meet over the Post Office.

A year later, it was agreed, upon motion of Councilor Monson, to fence the city jail or lockup, with lumber twelve feet high.

The lockup referred to was a building erected of rock and had been built on the public square or North Fort (Now ‘1939’ the North Sanpete High School block), which, at that time, was surrounded by a rock wall.

Few claim they ever saw the inside of this lockup.- but many do remember a prisoner, who, in the early hours of the morning,  would sit upon the roof of the building and sing the popular songs of the day. This, however, was after the high board fence had been placed around it.

The story is told that, prior to the installation of the fence, a policeman, and by the way there were many of them, after locking up a prisoner, when turning a corner on Main Street, came face to face with the very prisoner he had just locked up.

Another story of later date is that of a prisoner who started a fire on the floor, in the center of the room. And, but for the timely arrival of Marshal, Joseph Monson, would surely have suffocated.

In 1881, a room for council meetings was secured at Bishop Seeley’s home, for $1.25 a month. Later they met up-stairs over the co-op store, in the South Brick school house, up stairs in the Wasatch: Mercantile building and perhaps in other places not named. It was a difficult matter to check their trail.

In 1888, Councilor Syndegaard called attention to the city jail, and said it was not a fit place to put a prisoners. Later Marshal Burns reported the jail had been repaired and he thought it was now a comfortable place to retain prisoners.

In 1890, during John Carter’s term as Mayor, again the subject of a city hall was discussed. The council favored erecting a water works system, instead of a hall, if the City must be bonded for either.

And thus, that city hall dream again faded away. (Number Three)

In 1895, during the time that Abram Johnson was Mayor, the record states:

“Considerable discussion was indulged in by the council, in regards to the immediate construction of a city hall, and the Mayor was authorized to procure plans etc. and it was resolved that it be the purpose of this council, to erect   a city hall, at an aggregate sum of from four to five thousand dollars, at as early a time as practicable, and that we proceed during the present year to excavate for basement and build foundation of said building. July 15^th Architect Watkins presented the plans for the proposed city hall. The plans submitted were for a two story building with the jail in the basement, a council chamber, police court, vault and three offices on the first floor, one office and a public hall on the second floor. Aggregate cost to be $5,500.00.  It was discussed for some time, finally disposed of by appointing a committee to prepare an estimate of current income and expenses of the city, with the object in view to ascertain what available funds the city could command. July 19^th the subject of erecting a city hall was again taken into consideration, and discussed as to weather said building should be constructed or not. A motion was made to lay the matter over indefinitely, while the motion was lost, no farther action was taken”.

And thus faded dream number four of a City Hall.

In 1896, during N. S. Nielsen’s term as mayor, at the time of the building of the
Central or Hamilton School, School Trustees, Ericksen and Jensen, representing the
School Trustees, met with the council, to confer with them, in regards to disposing of the North School house. Council took the matter under consideration

No farther mention is made of a City Hall was made until 1898, during the time
that Ferninand Ericksen was Mayor when the following discussion took place:
(By then, the City Council had been wandering about homeless for 30 years.)

North Brick School remodeled into Mt. Pleasant’s First City Hall (1898)

“School trustees Johnson and Jensen appeared for the purpose of making a proposition for the transfer of the North Brick school house to the city. It was moved and carried that it be the sense of the council that they purchase the house, providing the offer of the School trustees meets the approval of the council. Mr. Johnson stated that after through consider-ation, the school trustees had concluded to ask the sum of $2,000.00. On motion of' councilman Sorenson, a com-mittee of three were appointed, to visit the School house for the purpose of ascertaining the condition of the property. On Feb. 4^th the council met in   special session, the committee reported the school. Building to be in better condition than anticipated, and recommended the purchase of the building at fifteen hundred dollars, which Mr. Johnson of the school trustees stated they had decided to accept the offer.  It was moved, and carried to purchase same and to pay the school board, $500.00 down, $500.00 in six months and $500.00, again in nine months. Notes were issued bearing interest at 5 per cent per annum from date of purchase.”

       “A motion was made to reconsider motion, motion lost.” 

The committee on improvements were instructed to take immediate action, and in due time after thoroughly remodeling the building, installing a heating plant, a vault, cells and suitable office furniture, It became an up to date, and creditable City Hall.  And dream number five, came true, when the council met in their session, in the first real home the Mt. Pleasant City council had ever known.

But, that, was forty years ago.   

                    We are here today, in honor of dream number six, and to dedicate the new Mt. Pleasant City Hall of 1939[1].                            

                                               

Mt. Pleasant’s New (1939) City Hall[1]

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[1] Pictures of the “Old” and “New” City Halls are from the Book, “Mt. Pleasant” By Hilda M. Longsdorf - 1939 

Thank You

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[1] City Government in 1939 – Mayor:  Justice Seely,
City Council:  J. H. Stansfield, Dr. A. L. Peterson, L. A. Phillips and William Olsen.

---

[1] Scanned from original manuscript, corrected, edited and formatted for this presentation by David R, Gunderson.

CHARLOTTE STAUNTON QUINDLAN JOHNSON HYDE ~~~OBITUARY and History

 

One of the most popular pioneers of Mt. Pleasant is Charlotte Staunton Quindlan Johnson Hyde. 

We found this obituary recently and posted it here yesterday, which has given us some additional facts about "Aunty Hyde".

Aunty Hyde died at the home of Mrs. M.M.F.G. Morrison. 

(Mary Margaret Folkwar Cruickshank Morrison) 

was the Relief Society President at that time.

Aunty Hyde taught for 21 years.

Aunty Hyde taught the following students:

Emaline Seely Barton, Oscar Anderson, William Morrison Jr., Sylvester Barton, Joseph Nephi Seeley, Annie Porter Nelson, Melvina Clemensen Crane, Peter Johansen, Chastie Neilsen, Benta Neilsen, Peter Jensen, Allen Rowe, Henry Ericksen, Miranda Seeley Oman, Wilhemina Morrison Ericksen, Hans Neilsen, William D. Candland, Charlotte Reynolds Seeley, Sarah Wilcox Bills, Celestial McArthur Barton, William A. Averett, Amasa Aldrich, James B. Staker, Maria Tidwell Larsen, Libby Barton Averett, Morgan A. Winters, Eli A. Day, W.W. Brandon, Sarah Davidsen Wilcox, Maggie Peel Seely, Samuel H. Allen, Harry Candland, Albert Candland, Charles Averett, Hazard Wilcox and Hans Neilsen.

 

Charlotte Staunton Quindlan Johnson Hyde
You would think that a wife of Orson Hyde would be buried in Spring City next to him. You would think that she would have a very distinctive, monolithic marker of granite and stand very tall. Not so for Charlotte Staunton Quindlan Johnson Hyde. Of those many names by which she was called, we can only verify that her name was Charlotte Quindlan Hyde. She lived in Mt. Pleasant, taught school in Mt. Pleasant and died in Mt. Pleasant. Her grave marker is about 18 inches tall made of marble. You literally have to kneel down to read her epitaph there.

Charlotte Quindlen was born 22 of August 1802 at Lower Pensnock, Salem, New Jersey. Charlotte Quindlan was the name used at the Endowment House in Salt Lake City when she was sealed to Orson Hyde in 1852. The marble marker lists her as Charlotte Staunton Hyde as does the Mt. Pleasant History Book. Perhaps the name Staunton came from another marriage. From the dates we find that she was fifty years old when she married Orson Hyde.
The following is taken from the book “Orson Hyde Olive Branch of Israel”
“Orson Hyde was chosen as an original member of the Council of the Twelve in 1835, when the Mormon Church first organized this governing body. Orson's most well-known accomplishment was as a Mormon missionary to Jerusalem (1840-1842) to dedicate the land for the return of the Jews. Because his words have proven prophetic in the many decades since his entreaty, a peaceful garden on the Mount now honors him and his supplication. In 1979 civil authorities in Jerusalem invited the development of a five-acre hillside garden in honor of Orson Hyde.
“Orson Hyde was a remarkable individual. He received esteem in many roles, among them apostle, teacher, missionary, orator, scriptorian, journalist, editor, lawyer, judge, statesman, colonizer, and administrator; also as the husband of eight wives, the father of thirty-three children, a friend of mankind, and a servant of God.” MYRTLE STEVENS HYDE,
During the years 1850-1852 Charlotte Quindlin Johnson lived in Kanesville, Iowa at the home of Orson Hyde as a domestic assistant to his first wife Marinda. She was already a member of the L.D.S. Faith. She had been divorced from a man named Johnson. She was described as a seamstress who also liked children. She helped Marinda with her children Alonzo, Frank and baby Delila. She was with the Hyde Family at Winter Quarters and as they traveled across the plains to Salt Lake, arriving in 1852. Marinda and Charlotte got along very well.

Orson and Marinda discussed the possibility of inviting Charlotte to become a wife rather than a domestic. Orson had also married Mary Ann Price who for a time was a domestic in his household. Orson and Mary Ann were married in Nauvoo in 1843. Orson talked with Brigham Young about taking Charlotte as another wife and Brigham Young approved. Orson proposed to Charlotte, she accepted and they were sealed as husband and wife in the Endowment House 22nd of November, 1852. She was the fourth wife of Orson. Besides Marinda and Mary Ann, Orson had married Martha Rebecca Browett, who he later divorced in 1850. Martha went on to become the wife of Thomas McKenzie who also divorced her.

In the spring of 1853 we find Marinda, Mary Ann and Charlotte all living together under one roof in Salt Lake. Charlotte, however, was having a hard time adjusting to being a plural wife and departed the family, a mutual decision between she and Orson. They were separated, but never divorced. Brigham Young granted official separation for Charlotte and Orson Hyde in 1859.

Charlotte came to the Sanpete Valley long before Orson shows his influence here. It was during the “big move” with the earliest Saints first to Fort Ephraim, then north to resettle Mt. Pleasant. The first pioneers had been driven out of Camp Hambleton, located one mile west of the current city of Mt. Pleasant. She first made her living as a seamstress then as a school teacher while the settlers still lived inside the fort. A schoolhouse was then built outside the fort. She was fondly called "Aunty Hyde" by her students. She inspired many of her students to become teachers themselves.

In Mt. Pleasant History by Hilda Longsdorf the following description of Aunty Hyde school: “In a little log house about 12x15 feet, on the south side of the street on First North, about midway between State and First West, (in the area where Mary Ursenbach now lives-2008) Charlotte Staunton Hyde taught school. The building was also known and later used for Lesser Priesthood meetings and similar Church gatherings. Mrs. Hyde was a woman who no doubt had earlier in life received quite a liberal education, and although described as “a little old woman who smoked a pipe and was quite deaf,” she was affectionately called "Aunty Hyde". Many amusing stories were told of her school, but with all her students there remained pleasant memories. There being no handbell, as in later years, the children were always called from their play to the schoolroom with her familiar call, “To Books. To Books. To Books.””

“Mrs. Hyde lived in a little log house west of the school. She often brought her bread to the schoolhouse to bake. She had a skillet with a tight-fitting lid and in this, by heaping on it coals from the fireplace, which was in one end of the building, she baked the bread during school hours. She was paid for her services as a teacher with any produce or garden stuff available.
Mrs. Hyde taught for some time in the log meeting house in the fort. Many attended school. A number of the pioneers were polygamist families and usually were large families. In some cases the entire family had attended her school as was the case in Abraham Day’s family, Joseph, Abraham Jr., Eli A., Ezra, and Ephraim, children of the second wife, all attended; among others who also in later days became prominent citizens were her students Emaline Seely Barton, Oscar Anderson, William Morrison Jr., Sylvester Barton, Joseph Nephi Seeley, Annie Porter Nelson, Melvina Clemensen Crane, Peter Johansen, Chastie Neilsen, Benta Neilsen, Peter Jensen, Allen Rowe, Henry Ericksen, Miranda Seeley Oman, Wilhemina Morrison Ericksen, Hans Neilsen, William D. Candland, Charlotte Reynolds Seeley, Sarah Wilcox Bills, Celestial McArthur Barton, William A. Averett, Amasa Aldrich, James B. Staker, Maria Tidwell Larsen, Libby Barton Averett, Morgan A. Winters, Eli A. Day, W.W. Brandon, Sarah Davidsen Wilcox, Maggie Peel Seely, Samuel H. Allen, Harry Candland, Albert Candland, Charles Averett, Hazard Wilcox, and Hans Neilsen.

Although records show that Mrs. Hyde was not the first teacher in the community, in the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery on the south side of the center driveway, is a little marble slab now yellowing with age, upon which is engraved: “Charlotte Staunton Hyde, wife of Apostle Orson Hyde, born in Penn., Died in Mount Pleasant, December 3, 1881, age 78. At rest now---Through the kindness of pupils of early days, this stone is erected to her memory, she is the first school teacher in Mt. Pleasant.” M.M.F.C.M.”

Many, many children benefited from her talents, from her love, and from her example.

HEAP BIG WATERS 1918 ~~~Shared by Judy Malkiewicz

 

June 18, 1918, during W. D. Candland's term as mayor, Mt. Pleasant was visited by a number of floods, one being the biggest in the history of the city. Great boulders and rocks were carried with the stream of mud, damaging bridges and fences, sweeping down the streets and through city lots, covering gardens and filling basements, and completely filling the channels with debris, rocks, etc. One life was lost, that of Louis Oldham, who, near his home east of the city, slipped and fell into the stream. Some days later, his body was found in the debris west of the city. A few days after the flood, a group of convicts were sent from the state penitentiary to assist in clearing out Pleasant Creek channel. Many local men volunteered their assistance. p 200 "History of Mt. Pleasant" by Hilda Madsen Longsdorf

PIONEERS HAD PLENTY WORK TO DO ~~~ No modern machines back then.

First Sheep Wagon made in Mt. Pleasant by William E. Madsen. Alma Allred drove it in the parade. 

 

PHOTOS FROM THE PAST

 

MAYOR CANDLAND APPEALS FOR INTERESTS iN THE CITY ~~~ 1918

 

Mayor W.D. Candland 

1918

Also see:

1918 flood 

https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=9054792&page=6&q=Mt.+Pleasant+flood&year_start=1912&year_end=1950&facet_type=%22article%22&facet_paper=%22Mt.+Pleasant+Pyramid%22 1918 flood

MT. PLEASANT BASKETBALL ~~~ School Class 1909

 

FORMER MAYORS OF MT. PLEASANT

 

NORTH SANPETE HIGH SCHOOL COMMENCEMENT PROGRAM 1940 ~~~ From the Betty Gunderson Woodbury Collection

 

HOME OF DANIEL IVO CHRISTENSEN AND HIS WIFE MARY DELLA TIDWELL ~~~(from our archives)

 

L.D.S. SEMINARY 1892

 

PIONEER CELEBRATION 1914

 

1.

When you knelt this morning on your knees to pray,

Did you ask God's blessings on Pioneer Day?

Did you come to greet them with a smiling face,

To dispell the shadows on their resting place?

Chorus

Welcome Grandma with your locks of gray,

Welcome Grandpa to our feast today;

Cheer the Old Folks, Greet them with your call.

Welcome to our banquet, welcome one and all.

2.

In life's battle always you've be brave and true.

You have fought and conquered wrought for me and you.

You have fought the hostile Indian where the cactus grow.

You made the desert blossom like a rose.

Chorus

3. 

We will cheer the old folk; make them glad today.

Fill their hearts with sunshine help them on their way.

Little deeds of kindness proves of power to save,

Tis better far than garland strewn upon their graves.

Chorus

4.

Some have crossed the river in the year just passed.

They have been faithful in their children, faithful to the last.

We will cheer the old folks in the path they've trod,

They've be en faithful to each other, faithful to their God.

Family Group Sheet of Theodore A. Candland

 

CHARLOTTE STAUNTON QUINDLAN JOHNSON HYDE "Aunty Hyde"

 

Charlotte Staunton Quindlan Johnson Hyde
You would think that a wife of Orson Hyde would be buried in Spring City next to him. You would think that she would have a very distinctive, monolithic marker of granite and stand very tall. Not so for Charlotte Staunton Quindlan Johnson Hyde. Of those many names by which she was called, we can only verify that her name was Charlotte Quindlan Hyde. She lived in Mt. Pleasant, taught school in Mt. Pleasant and died in Mt. Pleasant. Her grave marker is about 18 inches tall made of marble. You literally have to kneel down to read her epitaph there.

Charlotte Quindlen was born 22 of August 1802 at Lower Pensnock, Salem, New Jersey. Charlotte Quindlan was the name used at the Endowment House in Salt Lake City when she was sealed to Orson Hyde in 1852. The marble marker lists her as Charlotte Staunton Hyde as does the Mt. Pleasant History Book. Perhaps the name Staunton came from another marriage. From the dates we find that she was fifty years old when she married Orson Hyde.
The following is taken from the book “Orson Hyde Olive Branch of Israel”
“Orson Hyde was chosen as an original member of the Council of the Twelve in 1835, when the Mormon Church first organized this governing body. Orson's most well-known accomplishment was as a Mormon missionary to Jerusalem (1840-1842) to dedicate the land for the return of the Jews. Because his words have proven prophetic in the many decades since his entreaty, a peaceful garden on the Mount now honors him and his supplication. In 1979 civil authorities in Jerusalem invited the development of a five-acre hillside garden in honor of Orson Hyde.
“Orson Hyde was a remarkable individual. He received esteem in many roles, among them apostle, teacher, missionary, orator, scriptorian, journalist, editor, lawyer, judge, statesman, colonizer, and administrator; also as the husband of eight wives, the father of thirty-three children, a friend of mankind, and a servant of God.” MYRTLE STEVENS HYDE,
During the years 1850-1852 Charlotte Quindlin Johnson lived in Kanesville, Iowa at the home of Orson Hyde as a domestic assistant to his first wife Marinda. She was already a member of the L.D.S. Faith. She had been divorced from a man named Johnson. She was described as a seamstress who also liked children. She helped Marinda with her children Alonzo, Frank and baby Delila. She was with the Hyde Family at Winter Quarters and as they traveled across the plains to Salt Lake, arriving in 1852. Marinda and Charlotte got along very well.

Orson and Marinda discussed the possibility of inviting Charlotte to become a wife rather than a domestic. Orson had also married Mary Ann Price who for a time was a domestic in his household. Orson and Mary Ann were married in Nauvoo in 1843. Orson talked with Brigham Young about taking Charlotte as another wife and Brigham Young approved. Orson proposed to Charlotte, she accepted and they were sealed as husband and wife in the Endowment House 22nd of November, 1852. She was the fourth wife of Orson. Besides Marinda and Mary Ann, Orson had married Martha Rebecca Browett, who he later divorced in 1850. Martha went on to become the wife of Thomas McKenzie who also divorced her.

In the spring of 1853 we find Marinda, Mary Ann and Charlotte all living together under one roof in Salt Lake. Charlotte, however, was having a hard time adjusting to being a plural wife and departed the family, a mutual decision between she and Orson. They were separated, but never divorced. Brigham Young granted official separation for Charlotte and Orson Hyde in 1859.

Charlotte came to the Sanpete Valley long before Orson shows his influence here. It was during the “big move” with the earliest Saints first to Fort Ephraim, then north to resettle Mt. Pleasant. The first pioneers had been driven out of Camp Hambleton, located one mile west of the current city of Mt. Pleasant. She first made her living as a seamstress then as a school teacher while the settlers still lived inside the fort. A schoolhouse was then built outside the fort. She was fondly called "Aunty Hyde" by her students. She inspired many of her students to become teachers themselves.

In Mt. Pleasant History by Hilda Longsdorf the following description of Aunty Hyde school: “In a little log house about 12x15 feet, on the south side of the street on First North, about midway between State and First West, (in the area where Mary Ursenbach now lives-2008) Charlotte Staunton Hyde taught school. The building was also known and later used for Lesser Priesthood meetings and similar Church gatherings. Mrs. Hyde was a woman who no doubt had earlier in life received quite a liberal education, and although described as “a little old woman who smoked a pipe and was quite deaf,” she was affectionately called "Aunty Hyde". Many amusing stories were told of her school, but with all her students there remained pleasant memories. There being no hand bell, as in later years, the children were always called from their play to the schoolroom with her familiar call, “To Books. To Books. To Books.””

“Mrs. Hyde lived in a little log house west of the school. She often brought her bread to the schoolhouse to bake. She had a skillet with a tight fitting lid and in this, by heaping on it coals from the fireplace, which was in one end of the building, she baked the bread during school hours. She was paid for her services as a teacher with any produce or garden stuff available.
Mrs. Hyde taught for sometime in the log meeting house in the fort. Many attended school. A number of the pioneers were polygamist families and usually were large families. In some cases the entire family had attended her school as was the case in Abraham Day’s family, Joseph, Abraham Jr. , Eli A., Ezra, and Ephraim, children of the second wife, all attended; among others who also in later days became prominent citizens were her students Emaline Seely Barton, Oscar Anderson, William Morrison Jr., Sylvester Barton, Joseph Nephi Seeley, Annie Porter Nelson, Melvina Clemensen Crane, Peter Johansen, Chastie Neilsen, Benta Neilsen, Peter Jensen, Allen Rowe, Henry Ericksen, Miranda Seeley Oman, Wilhemina Morrison Ericksen, Hans Neilsen, William D. Candland, Charlotte Reynolds Seeley, Sarah Wilcox Bills, Celestial McArthur Barton, William A. Averett, Amasa Aldrich, James B. Staker, Maria Tidwell Larsen, Libby Barton Averett, Morgan A. Winters, Eli A. Day, W.W. Brandon, Sarah Davidsen Wilcox, Maggie Peel Seely, Samuel H. Allen, Harry Candland, Albert Candland, Charles Averett, Hazard Wilcox and Hans Neilsen.