Ericksen Meat and Grocery

Danish Ebleskivers

3 separated eggs
2 Tbs sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups buttermilk
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla
Dash nutmeg
Oil

Separate eggs, beat egg yolks and add sugar, salt and buttermilk. Sift dry ingredients together and add to the egg mixture. Beat egg whites until very stiff and fold into the batter. Add vanilla and nutmeg.

Place about a teaspoon of oil in each indentation of a preheated Danish Ebeleskiver Pan (preferably cast iron). Then fill each indentation to about two/thirds full with the batter.
Cook until bubbly on the top. Then turn carefully with a fine knitting needle or skewer or fork and finish cooking the other side. When fully done, you can roll them in powdered sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon sugar or whatever suits your fancy. Serve them with jam, or syrup or real butter.

"Hunk" of Meat On a Stick - Ericksen Meats by Alice Hafen, granddaughter of Henry Ericksen

Inside Ericksen Meat and Grocery

In about 1885, Grandpa Ericksen (Henry Ericksen) and his brother Allif started a meat and grocery store in Mt. Pleasant. Grandpa managed the store while Alif ran the farm and livestock; buying, feeding and slaughtering for the store. They would notify the townspeople that on a certain day they were going to kill a beef in the evening and bring it to the store the next morning, so that people could get a "hunk" of meat.

There were steaks, roasts, boils, stews or hamburger - just a chunk of meat. They would start cutting just back of the ears and end at the hind shank. all the cuts sold for the same price per pound; whether it was the neck or the porter house. Then, to carry it home, the customer whittled a sharp stick, jabbed it in the piece of meat and went home to mama, to have it prepared for the family dinner. There was no paper, twine or plastic to wrap the piece of meat in.

In 1893, they built their store on Main Street and took in another partner; brother-in-law, Judge Ferdinand Ericksen. The store was incorporated as the Ericksen Meat and Grocery Co. Their store was in a two story brick building with a full basement. It was considered one of the finest institutions in the community.

Ferdinand Ericksen was a lawyer and occupied three rooms on the second floor for his law practice. The town doctor, Dr. W.W. Woodring, occupied the other two rooms on the second floor.

In 1920, Soren M. Nielson and Uncle Harry, Henry's son, bought the store. Then in 1925, Uncle Harry, bought Nielson's half interest and owned and managed the business alone. Uncle Harry put in about forty five years operating the store. They did their own slaughtering and feed their own livestock such as hogs, lambs and cattle. Before the meat packers came into the state, they shipped out daily loads of dressed meat to Salt Lake City, Bingham, Eureka and also Carbon County.

During those first twenty years of operation they started to make their own lunch meats, bologna, minced ham, corned beef, head cheese, hamburger and sausage. But when the big packers came into the state that phase of manufacturing was discontinued. Until 1925 they handled the livestock with a first class saddle horse. After that, motor trucks and trailers were used to move the livestock between range, feed lot and slaughter house.

Ice was used in the store coolers until 1915, when modern refrigeration was installed. Before that, ice blocks were stored in the ice house under sawdust, and used to refill the store's ice about once a week. With the advent of electric home refrigerators, the store discontinued using their own ice supply.

After Uncle Harry sold the store, there has been several companies using the Main Street building, including Al and Naomi Berti's Red and White store, Terrel's Red and White Store.
The Ericksen Meat and Grocery Co. had a lot of competitors come and go, but operated for over sixty two years. And since 1986 it has been the home of the Mt. Pleasant Pyramid, the local newspaper.

WORDS OF YESTERDAY by Owen Sanders

Words we used in 'Olden Days'
Have faded with the time;
Today, we'll bring them back again
And place a few in rhyme.

Singletrees and neck yokes
Doubletrees and blinders,
Belly band and martingale
Tug chains lines and binders

Bolsters bows and reaches
Stay chains, tongues and thimbles;
Fellies, spokes and king pins
Croupers, hames and spindles

Chimneys, wicks and tallow
Sadirons, flatirons, trivets;
Scrub boards, churns and dashers,
Half soles, brads and rivets.

Steelyards, toils and tally sticks
Snath and Scythe and sickles;
Grindstones, rasps and cradles
Spigots, barrels and pickles.

Thunder mugs and cauldrons
Hearths and blackened kettles;
Woolen dyed with walnut--
Horse hair padded settles.

Brigham Tea and pine gum salve
Golden seal and yarow;
Shampoo soap from yucca roots
Hardwood teeth for harrow.

Plodding ox and stubborn mule
Buckboards, carts and sleds;
Ising glass for windows
Rawhide springs for beds.

Corn shucks for the mattress
Straw and limbs for sheds;
Logs for rustic cabins
Shakes for roofs o'er heads.

Button shoes and button hooks
Muffs and padded bustles
Petticoats and bloomers
Hatpins shawls and ruffles.

Weaving, braiding, plaiting
Knitting, netting, tatting;
Stitching, darning, quilting
Carpet rags and batting.

We could write in endless rhyme
Until all heads were reeling
But we believe we've said enough
To give an Old Time Feeling !!!

Two Tombstones of Note: Left, Charlotte Staunton Hyde - Right, Cyrus H. Wheelock

Charlotte was our Pioneer of the Month for October. She was an early school teacher and also the wife of Orson Hyde.

She had a very liberal education. She inspired many of her students to go on to become school teachers themselves. Her only pay was vegetables, fruit and heating supplies given to her by the parents of her students. She was also a seamstress. It was also said that she smoked a pipe. Brigham Young granted she and Orson Hyde an honorable separation.

----
Cyrus was our Pioneer of the Month for August. He was a courageous, honorable pioneer, who took a personal interest in everyone he knew, and was always there to help anyway he could. He is best known for smuggling a gun into Joseph Smith the day of Joseph and Hyrum's martyrdom. He also took back a letter to Emma that same day. He wrote the LDS hymn: "Ye Elders of Israel".---

Both markers are located on the south side of the middle road of the older part of the cemetery. Charlotte's about one third of the way traveling east toward the middle lane. Cyrus' is located just two or three rows east of the middle lane.

We owe much to these early pioneers of Mt. Pleasant. Most of the earliest pioneers are buried in this area of the cemetery. It is fun just to wander up that middle lane and view their markers and their epitaphs.

Blacksmith Class From Snow College Traditional Building Skills Institute

The Snow College Traditional Building Skills Institute Basic Blacksmith Class visited our Blacksmith Shop today. Gerald Cooper, Instructor wanted the members of the class to see a working pioneer blacksmith shop. He also demonstrated the coking of coal at the shop. See more about coking coal here: http://www.beautifuliron.com/thefire.htm

Some Would Ask "Why Should Massachusett's Chief Massasoit Return to the Utah State Capital?"

Because its about the Sculptor,

Cyrus Edwin Dallin.

But Why Should Mt. Pleasant Citizens Have an Interest in Him?

By Mike Stroud, circa May 1997
Massasoit Statue in Salt Lake City, Utah

In 1922 Dallin presented the original plaster figure to the State of Utah. A bronze copy was placed in the gardens in front of the building, perhaps to honor Cyrus Dallin and to make a connection between Utah and the early history of the nation. courtesy of http://www.hmdb.org/

Utah's Chief Massasoit statue, now sitting at the Metal Arts Foundry in Lehi,

(Francisco Kjolseth / The Salt Lake Tribune)

A bronze Massachusetts Indian chief makes his return to the Utah Capitol sometime this month or next. Chief Massasoit, who celebrated Thanksgiving in 1621 with Massachusetts' pilgrims, has been missing from his prominent place in front of the Capitol's main steps since an extensive renovation began in 2004. But why does Utah show this honor to a Massachusetts Indian Chief?

Perhaps its about the sculptor, Cyrus Edwin Dallin.

Paul Revere Monument --- Boston, Massachusetts --- Cyrus Dallin - Sculptor (photo courtesy of Cyrus Dallin Art Museum, Arlington Massachusetts)

What Is Cyrus Dallin's Connection to Mt. Pleasant?

About the sculptor:
Cyrus Edwin Dallin was born in a Springville cabin in 1861 to Mormon pioneer parents but later became a Presbyterian. He had an early interest in art and American Indian life.

At age 18, he moved to Boston to study sculpture and later took two trips to Paris to learn the art from master sculptors.

He soon gained international recognition for his monumental, award-winning statues of American Indians and patriots. He returned to Utah to craft the Angel Moroni statue for the Salt Lake City LDS Temple and the Brigham Young Monument on Main Street.

He created three Chief Massasoit statues. Besides Utah's Capitol, the statues are in Plymouth, Mass., and on the Brigham Young University campus in Provo.

Dallin died in 1944 at age 82.
http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_11121562
Source: Utah History Encyclopedia


The Connection
Cyrus was the nephew and namesake of Mt. Pleasant's own Cyrus Wheelock. In Hilda Madsen Longsdorf's History of Mt. Pleasant we find the name Cyrus Dallin on page 305 as one of the gentlemen who took part and helped in Mt. Pleasant's theatrical troop.

In numerous histories of his life it is said that he made friends with the indians as a child. No doubt there were indian children who lived in and around Springville. But maybe he also played with the indians children who lived near Mt. Pleasant as well which is noted in the histories of other Mt. Pleasant pioneer children such as James Burns, Conderset Row and the Frandsen children. It is said that the indian children taught him to fashion indian figures out of clay and that is how his sculpting of figures started.

So if you should have the opportunity to visit Boston Massachusetts, make sure you see the Paul Revere monument. When you look at the Angel Moroni atop the Salt Lake temple, or visit the Utah State Capital in the future, remember our connection with Cyrus Dallin, world renowned sculptor.

Newspaper Rock -- Where Native America Meets Pop Culture

Newspaper Rock -- Where Native America Meets Pop Culture

James Burns ~~~ Pioneer of the Month - December 2008

WHO WAS SHERIFF JAMES BURNS?

James Christopher Burns was the son of John and Lydia Ann Porter Burns. He was born in Linden-Rock Port, Atchison Missouri in September of 1849. His parents were headed for California in the Great Gold Rush of 1849.
At the place known as “the Last Crossing of the Sweetwater”, in the State of Wyoming, two-month old baby James Burns was found by a company of other travelers. He was lying at his mother’s breast. Both parents lay cold in the embrace of death. They had succumbed to the deadly disease of cholera. Deadly cholera is a very contagious disease. One brave soul from the company by the name of Milton Dailey risked his life to save the baby, if possible. The kind-hearted people of the wagon train did what they could for the baby, and they put forth efforts to find any relatives.

Arriving in Salt Lake City, they found the Saints gathering for conference, and Milton Dailey, gave the baby to Brigham Young who held him in his arms before the conference gathering, told of his parents tragic death and asked for information. The baby’s aunt, his mother’s sister, was among the saints and claimed the child.

He was then taken to the home of his grandmother at Provo, Utah. His early boyhood and manhood was spent in Mt. Pleasant, where he was educated and grew to the type of man that earned the love and respect of all who came in contact with him.

He fell in love with Matilda Josephine Anderson. It was thought by many to be “love at first sight”. James Burns often remarked that when he gazed into Matilda’s eyes of blue, he knew she was the one being in the world to make him happy. They were married on the 22nd March 1869.

After the Blackhawk War, he made friends with the red men, allowing his children to play with them, learn the Indian songs and dances, and many of their phrases.

James Burns prospered and progressed and became the Sheriff of Mt. Pleasant, and later served the people of Sanpete County in the same capacity.

Then on the 24th of September 1894, he received a telegraph notice from Scott Bruno, asking him to meet him in the morning at Moroni, as there had been a sheep stealing case.

The following is taken from the writings of Niels Heber Anderson:
‘Bill Brewer, Scott Bruno, Niels Heber Anderson and Sheriff James Burns confronted sheep rustlers at Reader’s Ridge back of the Horseshoe Mountain. Evidence of the changing of the ear marks and brands made it quite clear that certain sheep had been stolen.

Sheriff Burns made an attempt to place the rustlers under arrest without first disarming them. As he approached them, they shot and killed the sheriff, then warned the other men that if they did not stay out of the affair, they would receive the same treatment as had been given the sheriff.

Bill Brewer and Anderson brought the news to Spring City and Mt. Pleasant. Thomas Braby, with the Mt. Pleasant Militia, was soon on the scene of the shooting, and the body of James C. Burns was taken to Mt. Pleasant. Although the Militia searched and guarded for a couple of weeks in the ledges and dense timber, the murderers were never apprehended.
“James Burns’ life was short but some there are who do not have to live long to accomplish big things. He was killed in the performance of his duty.” Olivia Burns – daughter in law and author of James Burns History  

Mt. Pleasant Depot - Wagon - Men (unknown)

Sent in By David R. Gunderson, Ogden, Utah

Contributed by Betty Gunderson Woodbury.
Can anyone identify the people?

Family Thanksgiving Recipes

We hope you all enjoyed the Thanksgiving Holiday. Here at the Hafen Household we work for two days cleaning, cooking, decorating, and setting a beautiful table with the finest china and silverware. We sit down, give thanks to the Lord, and then it takes about twenty minutes to devour it all.

It was just Grandma Great (Alice), Peter and myself at the table this year. Pretty boring, huh?
Our children rotate spending Thanksgiving with us and spending Christmas with us. We get them all for Christmas this year. However, they all seem to show up for leftovers, games and Grandpa Pete's famous pies.

One of our family favorite recipes is Grandma Rigby's Danish Sweet and Sour Cabbage. Well lets say, it is a favorite of some. But Thanksgiving would not be Thanksgiving without it. I used to tease Grandma Rigby about the smell. You can't enjoy the beautiful smell of turkey roasting in the oven if sweet and sour cabbage fills the air. So, this year we did the cabbage on a campstove out in the shop about 150 feet away from the house.

Here is the recipe. Nothing is exact. Subtract or ad as you like: One head of red cabbage. Remove the outer leaves and chop it into chunks of about two inches each. Put the cabbage in a large pot with about two cups of water. Put on the stove at medium heat and let the cabbage steam and decrease in size. Then add vinegar and sugar to your taste. Bring all to a high heat to encourage the sugar and vinegar to carmelize the cabbage. (easier said than done). Add a little crumbled bacon, apple juice and whatever to suit your own taste. Serve hot. Watch for the reaction of your guests. They either love it or they absolutely hate it.

Thanksgiving Special History !!!

                                            Joseph  and Alice Thalmann Farnworth

On November 17th I posted the photo of Joseph and Ann Dutton Coates. I had no history to share and so I wrote Pam Gardner and she sent me the following histories and a new photo. It also includes the History of George Farnworth and Susannah Coates Farnworth. Also, Alice Thalman Farnworth and James Albert Farnworth. We will call these our Thanksgiving Special. Thank You Pam !!!

James Coates Jr.
Born October 12, 1812 in Chesterfield, England
Died June 6, 1865 in Mt. Pleasant, UT

Anne Dutton Coates
Born February 24, 1817 in Chesterfield, England
Died March 16, 1876 in Mt. Pleasant, UT

Joseph Coates Jr. was born in England to Joseph Coates Sr and Hannah Cantrell Coates.

His father Joseph was born May 11, 1777 in Chesterfield England. He passed away April 7, 1852 in Chesterfield England.

His mother Hannah was born January 9, 1780 in Chesterfield England. She passed away January 2, 1848 in Chesterfield, England. Joseph and Hannah were married December 25, 1801 also in Chesterfield, England.

Anne was born in England to George Dutton Jr and Elizabeth Coates Dutton.

Her father George was born April 8, 1817 in Chesterfield, England.

Her mother, Elizabeth was born March 13, 1794 in Chesterfield, England. They were married January 24, 1814 in Chesterfield, England.

Joseph and Anne were living in Chesterfield, England when in 1839 the family was taught the Gospel by Parley P Pratt and Brigham Young, who became their first converts in Chesterfield along with Joseph’s brothers James and John and their families. Every member of the family came into the church willing and gladly. A few years after accepting the Gospel, Joseph’s brother James died and his family remained in Chesterfield, but Joseph and Ann had partaken of that irresistible spirit of gathering in Zion. His brother John also stayed in Chesterfield as he was unable to afford the move. So in early 1847, Joseph, Anne and their three children, Susannah, George and Elizabeth set sail for Zion. (6 children had previously died and were buried in Chesterfield. 4 were yet to be born)

Fifteen years after leaving England, Joseph and Anne found the means to assist his brother John and family to come to American where they came directly to Mt. Pleasant.

After nine weeks at sea, they landed in New York and took a steam ship to Dry Hill, MO where they lived for three years. Their twin sons, Thomas and William were born during this time. In 1852, the family came to Utah with the James J Jepson 2nd Company. After living in Salt Lake City for a time, they moved to Battle Creek UT, now called Pleasant Grove. Here they lived for nine years and were quite comfortable. But Brigham Young called for settlers to go south to Mt. Pleasant or Hambleton as it was called then. The Coates answered the call.

They were received with a hearty welcome and given their allotments of one city lot and 20 acres of land as was stated in the Mt. Pleasant History Book.

Joseph was a large man of stature, weighing nearly 200 lbs. He was a mason and builder by trade. He built many of the towns best homes and structures. Some of those may still be standing. During the early stages of Mt. Pleasant, the homes were all built in the fort.

Life was very rough in Mt. Pleasant during the early years. They had a lot of trouble with the Indians. Many of the settlers were killed, and many fought in the Black Hawk War. The peace treaty to end the war was signed in Mt. Pleasant during this time.

Joseph was appointed to preside over the High Priests on March 25, 1860. He held that position until he passed away on June 6, 1865 in Mt. Pleasant.

Anne passed away on March 16, 1876 in Mt. Pleasant. They are buried side by side in the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery.

On March 4, 1917, an act to pension the survivors of the Black Hawk War was approved. Joseph Coates was named to that even though he had passed away years earlier.

Children of Joseph and Anne Coates were……

Charrlotte,

James
Susanna,

George
Mary Ann,

Elizabeth
Everett,

Joseph
Thomas,

William (twins)
Hyrum Levi,

Eliza Jane
Emaline Ann,

John


George Farnworth

Born January 24, 1818 in Landreton, Lenord, France
Died July 11, 1903 in Mt Pleasant, UT

Susannah Coates Farnworth
Born December 12, 1836 in Chesterfield, England
Died November 2, 1998 in Mt Pleasant, UT

George was born in France, even though he was English. He father was in the English Army and stationed in France at the time of his birth. George had one younger brother, William Richard who was born in Ireland on July 3, 1820. His parents were Joseph and Margaret McBride Farnworth.

Susannah was born in England, the daughter of Joseph and Anne Dutton Coates. She was one of fourteen children. Her brothers and sisters are; Charrlotte, James, George, Mary Ann, Elizabeth, Everett, Joseph, John, Thomas and William (twins), Hyrum, Eliza Jane and Emaline Ann.

George was a blacksmith by trade. He married Elizabeth Bustard on June 24, 1840. Elizabeth was born in Sheffield England.

George and Elizabeth heard the Mormon missionaries and joined the church. They had one son, Earl in 1847. That same year, they set sail for America. They lived in St Louis, MO where Elizabeth and their son, Earl passed away in 1849.

George then married another Elizabeth, Elizabeth Hitchins in 1850. Elizabeth was born in Glowschester, England. They did not have any children and on March 7, 1853, Elizabeth passed away in St. Louis.

George came to Utah alone, arriving on July 18, 1853. He was baptized or re-baptized as was the custom back then, on October 30, 1853 in Salt Lake City. Here he met Susannah Coates. They were married on December 12, 1853 in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City, UT. In 1855, they moved to Battle Creek, UT or Pleasant Grove as it is now called. In 1856, they were called by Brigham Young to help settle a new town called Hambleton or Mt. Pleasant as it was commonly called. They were received with a hearty welcome and given their allotments of one city lot and 20 acres of land. George continued to work his trade of blacksmith. He was know to be “an excellent shoer” by many in the town. He helped keep the oxen and horses shod. George and Susannah had 13 children….

Susanna Ellen
George
Joseph
Samuel
Hyrum
James
Moroni
Rosella Anne
Eliza Jane
Un-named twins who died at birth
Herbert
William R.

In 1860 he was chosen to be on the committee for the 24th of July celebration. During the celebration George gave the two following quotes.

“May the people of Mt. Pleasant, like the parts of a well-made machine, work together”

“May Mt Pleasant be noted throughout the world for ingenuity and industry”

George was very active in both civic and church. Many records are found in the Mt. Pleasant History book. He was a major in the Black Hawk War, sent out to track down Indians. He was one of the first Sunday School teachers in 1865. He was elected first City Recorder in 1868. He was ward choir director, Tithing Clerk and Bishop. Many times he was called to help pioneers coming to Utah. He had to deal so much with the disease Cholera. One trip so many parents died of Cholera, there were 53 children left for him to find homes for.

George wrote a letter that was published in the Deseret News on March 3, 1871. He said that on an account of a very mild winter, fears of the scarcity of water during the coming summer for irrigation purposes have been very general throughout the Sanpete Valley. But all such fears have been dispelled by the abundance of snow which has fallen during the two or three weeks prior to the date of this letter.
On February 22, 1861, George took a plural wife, Mary Jane Allen. They were married in Mt. Pleasant. George and Mary had eight children, John William, Charles Henry, Nephi, Brigham, George Heber, Mary Violet, Alfred Lorenzo and Susanna. The children from George and Susanna treated these children as their full brother and sisters. They called his plural wife, Aunt Mary.

On August 2, 1884 George was set apart as Bishop of the Mt. Pleasant Ward. In 1890 he served on a committee for an old folk’s party.

When the Manti Temple was completed George began doing for his kindred dead. One day on his was to the temple to do the last names he had, a wonderful thing happened. This is in his own words. This morning about 10:00 while traveling between Pigeon Hollow and Ephraim but the grave yard, I felt a very strange sensation, as I have never before experienced. Under this influence, I went along and as I looked ahead, it seemed that right in front of me there was a vast multitude of men. To the right and a little in front stood a large man, who would weight about 242 pounds. He waved his hand and said, “They are your kindred and we have been waiting for your temple to be finished. We want you to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. You have had the privilege of hearing the Gospel of the Son of God. We have not that great blessing.” Just then I looked at them and saw that they were all men and through it strange that there were no women. I tried to recognize some of them, but knew none. I was thinking, “how can I find out their names?” when it appeared that a voice by me said, “When that will be required, it will be made know.” Just then the tears were rolling down my cheeks and in the humility of my soul I shouted, “God help me. God being my helper, I will do all I can.” It seemed as if the whole host shouted as if one voice, “Amen”. I cried and cried aloud, while wiping my eyes and face. After I could control myself, I looked ahead and all had gone. When I got to Ephraim I felt so over come, I had to tie up my team and rest before I could go to Manti.

When George arrived at the temple, the recorder handed him some sheets of names and said, “Brother Farnworth, these are for you.” The recorder was Moses Franklin Farnsworth. He had just received them from England. Some of the names went back to ancient times. He was their representative, to help them attain perfection. George and his family were faithful in performing the ordinances for them. There were 300-400 names on the list.

George lived a full and productive life. He passed away July 11, 1903 and was buried in Mt. Pleasant.





Alice Thalmann Farnworth
Born March 22, 1866 in Thurgau, Canton, Switzerland
Died September 3, 1953 in Bountiful, UT

Alice was born the 4th of six children to Johanes and Susanna Winkler Thalmann in Switzerland. Her brothers and sisters were;

Robert
Albert
Lucetta
Anna Selina
John Jacob

Her parents were converts to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. When Alice was seven years old, she immigrated with her family to America. Her family settled in Mt. Pleasant, UT where a lot of other Swiss immigrants had settled. It was a hard life going up here, but they still loved the town. At the time she was growing up, they still had a lot of trouble with Indians, but it was home to them and they were surrounded by members of their beloved church.

On January 23, 1889, Alice married James Albert Farnworth, Sr in the Manti Temple. This was a wonderful union. Alice had a sister named Lucetta who five years earlier had married James’ brother Joseph. So now, they were not only sisters, but sisters in law as well. Alice and James had three loving children;

Florence Susanna – January 25, 1890 – September 26, 1978,
James Albert Jr March 1, 1893 – February 7, 1975
Estella Lucetta March 8, 1897 – February 5, 1927

Sometime before 1897, Alice, James and their family along with Lucetta, Joseph and their family bought a farm together in West View, a town just outside of Gunnison, UT. Here they raised sheep and farmed.

In 1904, the two families decided it was time to move again. They moved to a large, nice farm in Joseph, Wallow Co, OR. Here they raised hogs and sheep. The farm was beautiful. They really loved it here except for the fact there were no other Mormons around. They would have missionaries every once in a while. Alice would read to the children every Sunday from the bible. Alice and James really felt the family needed to attend church so they decided to sell this wonderful farm and moved to Idaho. The lived in Marysville and Ashton ID for may years. Here they regularly attended church services and were involved in many church activities.

Years later, Alice and James decided to sell their farm in Ashton and move to Woods Cross, UT. Here they continued to farm, raise cattle and sell milk to the local dairy.
A few years later, they sold the farm and retired and moved to Salt Lake City.

James and Alice celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on January 23, 1939 with a dinner and reception in the home at 567 East 5th South in Salt Lake City which was attended by two of their children, Florence and James, Jr. Estella had passed away in 1927.

James and Alice always went everywhere together. Many people have said that he seemed to rely on her help and suggestions. They were very congenial together. So when James passed away four short months after their 50th anniversary, it must have been very hard on her.

Alice passed away on September 3, 1953 at the age of 88. She was buried in the Salt Lake City Cemetery, next to her beloved James.



James Albert Farnworth Sr.
Born January 14, 1864 in Mt Pleasant, UT
Died May 21, 1939 in Salt Lake City, UT

James was the fourth of thirteen children born to George and Susannah Coates Farnworth. His brothers and sisters were;
Joseph
Samuel
Hyrum
Moroni
Rosella Ann
Eliza Jane
Unnamed twins who died at birth
Herbert
William
George
Susanna

James grew up in Mt. Pleasant, UT. His parents were very poor and did not have the money for a lot of things. They also had a very large family to raise. Many times James and his siblings did not even have shoes. They would wrap sacks around their feet to keep them warm. James helped his parents work their farm a young boy. He would also have to help out his mother with the children. In his teens, he also worked at a saw mill.

He married Alice Thalmann on January 23, 1889 in the Manti Temple. James and Alice had three children, Florence Susanna, James Albert, Jr. and Estella Lucetta. The family continued to live in Mt. Pleasant where James continued to farm and work in the saw mill. After a while, the family, along with James’ brother Joseph and his family decided to move to a small town outside of Gunnison, UT. James continued to farm and began working at another saw mill. He along with his brother Joseph also had a herd of sheep.

In 1904, James, his brother Joseph and their families moved to Joseph, Wallow Co. OR where they bought a large farm together and raised hogs and sheep. James and Joseph had married sisters, Alice and Lucetta, which was one reason they were so close and would move around together. In Joseph, OR, there were no other Mormons so they only ones they ever saw other then the family were occasional missionaries. This was very hard on James. He felt his family needed to attend church. So in 1907, James decided to move to Marysville, ID where he bought a farm. After a couple of years in Marysville, James and his family moved to Aston, ID where he bought another farm. Here, their farm prospered greatly.

James took part in many church affairs. He was very active in the church as was his family. He was very happy he moved his family so they had the influence of other members of his church. The family continued to live in ID, where they prospered for many years. Years later, James and Alice decided to move to Woods Cross, UT where they farmed, raised cattle and sold milk to local dairies.

James retired from farming and bought a home at 567 East 5th South in Salt Lake City, UT. James was a very generous man. James would always help others and give them whatever they needed. James and Alice had a very loving relationship with each other. They were very dedicated to one another.

James passed away at the age of 75 of a heart ailment on May 20, 1939. He was buried in the Salt Lake City Cemetery.

When Sheep Fueled the 1920s Economy

In 1918 John H. Seely of Mount Pleasant had sold a two-year-old ram for a record $6,200 at the National Ram Sale in Salt Lake City. It was a French Merino type sheep known as Rambouillet, and Seely had introduced the breed to Utah and Sanpete County.

More information at : http://historytogo.utah.gov/utah_chapters/from_war_to_war/sheepfueled1920seconomy.html
Whether a resident of Sanpete or a traveler of the Western United States, who doesn't remember this popular landmark at Thistle Junction?