FIRST WARD RELIEF SOCIETY

 

Relief Society Poetry

 

North Sanpete Members of the Business Team 1991~~~ Taking First Place In Region Competition ~~~(Governor Cox had hair)

 

Grandma and the Indian ~ Written by Mrs. John S. McAllister (Nellie)~~ Saga of the Sanpitch Vol. 2, 19470

 This is one of those tales handed down by word of mouth from generation to generation and treasured by a family as much for personal connection as anything else. It is based on an incident in my great-grandmother’s life and no doubt has gathered a little color and was altered to suit each storyteller’s imaginative interpretations. 

Grandma was a perky little soul and at eighty possessed plenty of that spirit that no amount of hardship had been able to subdue. It snapped from her eyes and her quick movements as she flitted about giving evidence that during the early years of her life she wouldn’t be the person whose path you’d want to cross. Fortunately, she possessed a fund of good judgment and right-down practical ability along with, what in those days, was a pretty good education for a mere girl. 

About 1850 her family joined the L.D.S. Church. Early missionaries became acquainted with her father and while he was not easily impressed with new ideas and fancies, an open mind, prayer, study, and the zeal of those bringing the message had their effect and another family consisting of parents and four children were ready to begin the long journey to the land of the mountains. Being a man of fairly substantial means, the journey west was accomplished with a minimum of trials. Undoubtedly their difficulties were much the same as most of the pioneers encountered—hardships, and discomfort, but there were no actual tragic experiences that some had. Grandma was at that time a young girl, attractive, not at all self-conscious, and probably somewhat pampered because she was the only girl in the family.

 Two older brothers and one younger had always more or less done her bidding.   The company with whom they traveled soon came to know something about this family, for Grandma had a knack with children, and stops of any length would find her the center of a group of youngsters and almost without being aware of what she was doing she would be telling stories and supervising activities that were of a constructive nature. This inherent ability to teach became more pronounced as they traveled along and by the time they were established in Utah, her reputation was established also. There is not much of romance in this narrative. Grandma married shortly after arriving in Salt Lake City, and before long left with Grandfather to settle in Sanpete Valley. 

Living in a small cabin in the village of North Bend (Fairview) was not all fun, but, because it was the life of the entire group and because simple pleasures, joys, and sorrows were shared by all, there was a bond of love and happiness that united and gave strength to all. Between routine duties, which were anything but light, rearing a family, and coping with the Indians, who at that time were more of a nuisance than a danger, she still managed to gather around her the entire group of children in the small settlement and so their schooling began and kept right along with the household tasks.

 Gathered in a large group in a small cabin, arithmetic, spelling, and reading became part of their daily life. Grandmother was not always an easy task mistress and often used “discipline” to obtain desired results. It did not take her long to sense that she had a real responsibility to those children. Because she was not afraid of responsibility and assumed it when necessary, others soon began to rely on her to solve other problems that arose, and added to her teaching, out of sheer necessity she became fairly skilled in the art of nursing.

 A few years after arriving at their new home, the shooting of an Indian by a white man in the southern part of the county caused a great deal of agitation, and before long, spurred on by their chief, the Indians became bolder and really became a worry to the white settlers. In spite of the fact that the Indians who had a settlement a few miles to the north, had been a problem due to petty stealing and because they would walk into a house when they felt like it, Grandma had been on good terms with them and on many occasions had helped them by binding up injuries or attempting to instruct them in what to do in some cases of illness.

 About the time that fresh difficulties arose, Grandma had won the confidence of one particular Indian because a rather bad infection had responded to her care. One afternoon he came to her door with a small Indian baby who seemed to be very ill. After working with the baby for the remainder of the afternoon, she tried to make the Father understand that there was little chance for the baby to recover. The Indian father stood stoically outside the cabin door and said nothing. Realizing that if the baby died there would not only be a sad loss, but there might also be a general reaction among the Indians and much of the good she had done in the past would be lost because of this reaction, she continued to do what she could, but late that evening the baby died.

 With nothing but a scowl and a grunt, the father took the tiny body and left. Grandma didn’t know how she stood in his estimation. The Indians became bolder and frequently very insolent as time went on and there were more and more skirmishes. Horses disappeared, food and grain were stolen and after one such occasion, there was real alarm due to rumors that the community was to be attacked by the Indians who had been reinforced by another tribe. Homes were barricaded, groups remained together for safety, and men were posted as guards while others worked on the farms. Grandma had never seen or heard from the Indian since the day the baby died, but one night, several weeks later, she heard a stealthy knock at her door. Grandfather was attending an emergency council meeting regarding the Indians.

 Although she was frightened when she heard the knock, she became completely alarmed when in response to her call, “Who’s there?” an Indian voice answered. She  got the gun and it was some time before she mustered up enough courage to ask what he wanted. Finally, she recognized the voice as that of the Indian baby’s father and he made her understand that he wanted to come in. Not knowing just what his intentions were, she questioned him further and decided that he was friendly. At least she thought it was just as well to act in that manner. He was able to convey to her that she was not to be alarmed if she heard noises during the night that he would be there to watch her home and that she and her family would be safe. She was not permitted to leave the house or send word to anyone. When Grandpa returned, he did not see or hear anything unusual. The next day it was learned there had been a band of Indians enter the town. Just what they had planned to do was not determined. There were several head of horses and cattle missing, but no one was injured and no shots were fired. My grandparent’s home was not bothered and none of their belongings were taken. Finally, the uprisings quieted down and as time went on peace was restored. There is nothing spectacular about this story and it is probably just a sample of what many of the pioneers went through. But today, those of us who live in the beauty of Sanpete Valley might give a second thought to our forefathers whose steadfast courage, loyalty, and love for mankind might well be emulated in our own lives to make a better world.

N.S.H. Band Gets Bid To BYU ~~~ 1952

 

More Photos From Pioneer Day August, 2021

Two (soft as mink) blankets were given away by ticket draw

Judith pinning boutonniere for Oldest Man 

Mack Wilkey

Dance Couple

Joan McAllister Table  

left to right Coleen Jorgensen, Connie Ames, Joan McAllister, Mabel Cook, Camille Anderson, JoAnn Lea Winward 

Peggy and Larry Staker

Judith Jackson presenting corsage to oldest lady Roberta Olsen Sorensen 

Lois Tucker Table

R.L. Taylor Family

Peggy and Larry Staker 

Susan  Taylor and Mack Wilkey

Mt. Pleasant Royalty 

 

Jack Sundwall McAllister

 

John (Jack) Sundwall McAllister

11/8/1938 ~ 2/11/2021

  Our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, John (Jack) Sundwall McAllister, passed away Thursday, February 11, 2021, in Provo, Utah, at the age of 82. Jack was born Nov. 8, 1938, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to John Savage McAllister and Nellie Brady Sundwall.

     Jack attended Wasatch Academy, graduated from BYU with a BA degree, and received a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Utah Law School.  He often claimed his best decision in life was to marry his high school sweetheart and eternal companion Joan Laree Stevens on June 23, 1962 in the Manti Temple. Together they have enjoyed 58 wonderful years of marriage and five children. His greatest pleasure came from his family whom he loved with all his heart.  He enjoyed reading and collecting books, spending time at his family cabin, and making sure everyone else was taken care of.

     Described as the ultimate gentleman, Jack created friends and associates from all walks of life.  He was known as a man of integrity, very trusted in relationships, doing business all his life with a handshake, and was extremely generous. Jack was a good and honorable man who knew the importance of family and friends.  He saw the best in everyone he knew regardless of their background.

     Jack was devoted to his family, church, sheep ranch and community. He commuted to Salt Lake City weekly for over 30 years so his children could be raised in his beloved Sanpete. He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served faithfully in his callings. As a young missionary he served in the Uruguay Montevideo Mission. He also served as a teacher, in multiple stake high councils, as high priest group leader, ward mission leader, bishopric counselor, and as bishop of the Ephraim YSA 9th Ward where he was loved by the members.

     Jack has managed the Fairview Land and Livestock Sheep Ranch for the past 39 years. He recently presided over the 150-year celebration of its organization as the Fairview Co-op.  He felt strongly of his stewardship and used the ranch to connect his children and grandchildren to his parents and grandparents.  He appreciated the sheep industry and camaraderie amongst other woolgrowers in the area.

     His professional career started with the law firm of Barker and Rydberg. He served as Sanpete County Attorney for four years. For over 30 years he worked as an Assistant Attorney General of the State of Utah. He was legal counsel for Snow College, among other colleges in the state. Jack was instrumental in building a state school in the Four Corners region for the Navajo Nation. He worked with the State Trust Lands and was recognized with the “Friends of Children“ award from the State PTA for his efforts. 

     He served on the Board of Trustees for Sanpete Valley Hospital for 37 years and served two terms on the Board of Trustees at Wasatch Academy. Jack worked on the Manti La-Sal National forest resource advisory committee.  He also loved the Fairview Museum and served in various positions for 30 years.

      Jack was a big advocate of Scouting, earning his Eagle Scout award, completing Wood Badge, and serving as a Wood Badge counselor.  He was a recipient of the Second Miler Award and the Silver Beaver Award. He devoted resources and time in helping and developing boys to become good men.

      Jack loved music. He played the trumpet in high school and college marching bands. He loved to sing, and performed for many years in ward and stake choirs and in the Mt Pleasant Community Easter Offering.

      Jack is survived by his wife Joan, and children: Steve McAllister, Lori (Troy) Birch, Richard (Jenny) McAllister, David (Emily) McAllister, Kathryn (Jason) Carrillo; 14 grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Scott (Lora) McAllister, Clark (Linda) Brockbank, Wayne (Nancy) Brockbank and Anne (Brett) Woodard.  Preceded in death by his parents John and Nellie McAllister, and stepmother Helen Brockbank McAllister. 

      In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Fairview Museum or Wasatch Academy.

A viewing will be held Friday, February 19, 2021 from 6-8 pm at the Mt. Pleasant North Stake Center, 461 N. 300 W. Mt. Pleasant, Utah. Funeral services will be held at 11.00 am on Saturday February 20, 2021. Interment in the Mt. Pleasant City Cemetery. 

Live Zoom  Link will activate just prior to services. 

Home of Jacob Jacobsen and his wife Rosella Marie Porter ~~~ Researched and Compiled by Tudy Barentsen Standlee

HAMILTON ELEMENTARY BAND ~~~ 1950

1. Jay Lott; 2. Don Olsen; 3.Jim Averett; 4. Gordon Staker; 5. Gerald Seely; 6. Winkleman; 7. Ron Shelley; 8. Richard Dixon; 9. Frank Lee Pritchett; 10. Leon Brothersen, 11. Stan Turpin; 12. Andy Peterson; 13.  Jack McAllister; 14. Euvona Larsen; 15. Tammie Madsen; 16. John Monsen; 17. Clark Truscott; 18. Peter Hafen; 19. Paula Scow; 20. Reed Syndergaard; 21. Dora Madsen; 22. Joann Carlson; 23. Jackie Ericksen ?; 24. Sue Ann Seely; 25. Kathleen Rowley; 26. Dave Ball; 27 ? 28. ? 29. Brook Larsen; 30. Jack Winterbottom; 31. Allen Frandsen; 32. LaFay Johansen; 33. ?; 34 ?; 35 ?; 36. ?; 37. Patsy Larsen; 38. Sally Rosenlof; 39. Halene Tidwell; 40. Charlotte Madsen; 41. Joan McArthur; 42. Mr. Marsden Allred; 43. Carolyn Jensen; 44. Roger Sorensen; 45. Carma Seely; 46. Veone Shelley; 47. Jay Carlson; 48. Virginia Candland; 49. ?; 50. Sally Peterson; 51. Lois Christensen; 52. Norma Seely; 53. Maxine Brothersen; 54. Karen Jacobs; 55. Peter Jensen; 56. Dave Hafen; 57. Elna Mae Johansen; 58. Welby Barentsen; 59. Larry Beck; 60. ?; 61. ?

Mt. Pleasant Relief Society Poetry ~~~ 1962

Hamilton Band circa 1946

Home of Jacob Jacobsen and wife Rosella Marie Porter ~~~ Researched and Compiled by Tudy Barentsen Standlee

GRANDMA AND THE INDIAN ~ Mrs. John S. McAllister ~ Saga of the Sanpitch Volume 2

Mt. Pleasant Pioneer Day ~~~ March 17, 2018Ou

Our Hardworking Kitchen Staff
Diane Beck Lund, Glenadine Daniels Hill and Lorie Beck Hardy 

Poor picture of our beautiful quilt that was raffled.

Shirley Ney Miller and Carol Ney Beesley

John Johansen and Dale Peel

Mack Wilkey and Steve Monsen

Peter Hafen, Marx, Don Hafen

Mabel Cook, Joan McAllister and Peggy Staker

Tudy Standlee and Cheryl Madsen

Pottery by Michael Vernon Porter

Artwork by Kristy Daniels

Unknowns

Embroidery and Cardmaking

Unknowns  selling books

R. L. Taylor conversing with unknowns 

Salt Lake Tribune ~~~ August 14, 1904

Pedigree Chart of Samuel H. Allen (Example of many more held at the Relic Home)

To see this better, right click your mouse and choose from the list: open in new tab.  This will enlarge it just a bit for better viewing.  If you would like to see more like this email me at pandk@cut.net.

Pioneer Day Program ~~~ March 3, 1951

March 1947 Pioneer Celebration ~~~~~ Pioneer Dancers ~ Taken from the Alice Hafen Collection

Relief Society Poetry Contest 1962