John Hasler and Louisa Thalman Hasler

 

Also Includes John Haslers Autobiography taken from Family Search 

JohnHasler:  HisAutobiography

I was born on April  17, 1839, at Mamedorf Ct. Zurich situated on the Zurich Lake, one of the most beautiful places in Switzerland, of goodly parents.  My father's name was John Hasler and my mother's, Susana Leyman.

I was brought up in the Protestant Church which was then the dominant church of the State.  My parents were particular that I should attend religious classwork until I was seventeen years old before I was permitted to partake of the sacrament and be confirmed a full member of that church.

Being the oldest child of our family, I worked on our little farm which was mostly planted with grapevines.  It needed skillful work from early spring until fall to cultivate and care for them.  In the winter months besides attending school, I spent much time in learning music for which I had a great liking, especially band music.  While I had to study a great deal without a teacher, I learned to play different instruments.  In those days printed music was quite expensive.  I borrowed copies from men that were efficient in the art, and  copied most of my pieces and arranged them for different instruments.  I often spent whole nights in writing and arranging popular music, and when morning dawned, I would steal up to my room and  disarrange my bed to make mother believe I had slept in it.

When I was fifteen years old, I had to recruit in the Military Service.  (Probably the war of Sonderbud).  My talent in playing an instrument well was soon recognized.  I was advanced and before I was 21 years old.  I became the leader of the Military Band, was invited to the Cavalry and earned a Lieutenant grade.  When I was about 25 years old, there was a great revival in our town of the Methodist sect as we called it.  I attended the meetings and soon joined it.  I was never much interested, although I was quite favored by the Minister because I was a help to them with the singing.

Later I got acquainted with a young man of my own age, who had recently joined the Mormons.  He was getting ready with his young family to go to Utah.  Having had some business transactions with him I knew him well and favorably.  Since he was situated and had good prospects for the future, I was forcefully impressed.  I wanted to know what could induce him to leave his comfortable and beautiful home, parents and relatives, and to to an unknown place.  He then  took me to his private room and tried to explain the gospel message to me.  I was impressed by the strength of his faith, and before we parted that night, I asked a favor of him ~ that if he found that he had not been mislead, he  would write to me and tell me all about it and how he was getting along.

This young man was Ulrich Winkler from Zell Ct., Zurich.  He later became my  brother-in-law.  I did not hear from him for two years.  I had met his wife's sister that evening before his departure when he explained the gospel to me.  I came in the autumn of 1866 on business to the place where she lived and called on her, to inquire about her folks in Utah.  She gave me a favorable report of them.  I then asked for Mr. Winkler's address.  I wrote a letter to him and reminded him of his promise to me.  He wrote me a long letter back and told me he was not disappointed.  His religion was dearer to him than ever, and he again bore a strong testimony to me of the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, but in the blunt and out-spoken way he told me that only those that would humble themselves and would ask the Lord in sincerity for a testimony, would find happiness and satisfaction there.  I read this letter over and over again.

I wanted to know more about it.  I obtained an address of a man that was a member of the Mormon Church who lived in the City of Zurich.  I found him with some difficulty.  I had been told that he was a teacher and I expected to find a man of that profession, I was disappointed to find him working in a mechanic shop, a factory employee.  I asked him if he was a teacher.  He looked at me amused, but hesitated.  He then said he held that office in his church where he belonged and was proud of it.

Seeing that I wanted to find out more about his belief, he invited me to his home.  There I found that he was a teacher after the order of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He bore his testimony to me and invited me to come to their meetings which I attended.  I received a testimony.  I applied for baptism and received that ordinance on the 6th of December, 1968, at the age of 29, by Ferdinand Bruppacher.  I was confirmed on the 13th of December by Karl G. Maeser.  I was ordained a priest the same month.  I started to do missionary work with my former associates, the Methodists, but found a cold shoulder.  The Minister warned his flock to beware of me.  I had fallen from grace.

After I received that letter from Brother Winkler, I visited his wife's sister several times.  We became better acquainted, so I invited her to my home to spend a few days at grape harvesting time which was always great sport with young people.  Our acquaintance ripened into friendship.  This was, however, before I joined the church, and  Miss Thalman had not yet taken that step.  I offered my hand and heart to her, but she told me she could not accept my offer as she intended to become a Mormon and go to Utah.  That answer usually settled any of her suitors, but this time it did not work with me.  By this time I had received the letter to my inquiry from her brother-in-law.

I followed his instructions  and was baptized in the Church before she was.  However, she was afraid my conversion might not be sincere.  So she put me on probation for a time until she was sure I had received a testimony.

I was sent out a lot to attend meetings with Elders to different branches where I took part in speaking and singing.  On the 25th of December the same year, Miss Thalman came to Zurich to be baptized.  There was no other branch near her home.  We went out on the Zurich Lake at midnight as we were watched by a mob which wanted to make trouble.  We wandered out away from the city and she and another sister were baptized undisturbed by the Branch President, Benjamin Bruppacher.  When we came back, Brother Karl G. Maeser confirmed and blessed her, and we continued our Christmas Festivities.

A testimony was given Miss Thalman at the same time.  She had been suffering with neuralgia in her head for about two months previous so that she had scarcely slept at night during that length of time.  She had not told anybody of her ailment because she was a stranger there.  But when Brother Maeser confirmed her, he told her that she would be blessed with health and her ailments should leave her.  She wondered how he could know that she was afflicted because she had told no one.  After she went home with a young  couple who invited her,  she told the lady as she was shown to her room that she could not retire because she expected to sit up as usual with her pains.  The sister told her not to mind that.  "We are all tired."  She lay down as she was told and  in a few minutes she was asleep and her ailment never bothered her after that night.

Some time latter we were engaged to be married on the 14th day of May, 1869.  As we intended to emigrate the same year, we did not go to housekeeping.  My wife and her mother came to my parent's home to live until we were ready to start.  Before this time we had tried to dispose of our little farm, but could not find a buyer.  As soon as we took the initial step into the Church this obstacle was overcome, although we had to sell at a great sacrifice.

On the 13th of August, we received from Brother Maeser the notice to be ready to start on our journey on the 15th of August.  Our trunks were packed ready to be taken to Zurich when we received another telegram from Brother Maeser, asking if we could take a little boy of a poor sister, three and on-half years old, and care for him until his mother could come in another year.  Another family took his little sister, a year older.  We telegraphed the money, and the mother brought her children the next morning to the depot.  I felt bad for the mother who had given up her children in our hands, but she was thankful for the way to open and for the prospect of her to follow.  We took an affectionate farewell from my parents, brothers, and  sisters, who had opposed our leaving our home so much because they could not see.  I told them I had to go to pave the way for them to follow as soon as they could understand the truth, which saying proved to be prophetic.  When I came back ten years after on a mission, I was able to baptize my father, a brother and a sister.  My mother, one brother and one sister had died before I came back.

Our journey was a pleasant one.  We sailed from Liverpool to New York in thirteen days.  We were in the first emigration train that took us right through Ogden, Utah.  We were met in Salt Lake City by our brother-in-law, Ulrich Winkler.  We bought a yoke of oxen, a wagon and some farming tools, and so because my wife's family was united again, the mother and her two daughters.

Brother Winkler had been driven from Richfield the year before on account of Indian Trouble, and he had only been able to put up one room and part of another when we came.  We went to work and put a dirt roof on the other room which we occupied that winter.  In the spring of 1870, I took up some city lots, made a willow fence around two lots more in basket fashion.  Then I started to build a cellar.  Not being able to have any more done, I put a roof on the cellar which had two rooms.  For one room we were able to obtain some lumber to put in a floor.  It was made so far habitable that we were able to move in to it at Christmas Eve.  No prince or princess was happier to move into a palace than we were that Christmas eve.  We fell in each other's arms and on our knees we thanked our Father in Heaven that we had so far succeeded to have a home of our own; but with gratitude and thankfulness, be it said right here, that we were made more than welcome with Brother Winkler and family.  By this time both families were expecting an increase and we got pressed for room.

I was only a week in Mt. Pleasant when Sanpete County received a notice from the Governor that a Military Drill would be held in the fields between Ephraim and Manti, and they wanted it to be lead by a Military Band.  I was asked to lead that band.

I got busy.  I had brought with me a trunk full of musical instruments.  A big drum with sticks were a town property.  Everybody knew when it was beaten to bring all men together to guard against Indians.  I divided my instruments and drilled almost day and night, our young men.  In three weeks at the appointed time, they were able to play a number of national hymns.  My skill in writing notes came in handy.  I had to write every part of the band.  It is needless to say we won the prize because there was no other band to compete with us, although the ever faithful drum and fife were there.

In 1870, on the 14th of June, our first son was born.  We named him Henry Hasler.  He brought great joy into our home.  At this time, I got ten acres of land in the field which I cleared, plowed, and planted in wheat which brought us a fair crop even in the first year.

In 1872 another son had come to bless our home, but we did not have him very long.  He lived only three months.  The same year we went to Salt Lake City with ox team to get our endowments and  were sealed to each other for time and eternity by Joseph P. Smith.

In the fall of 1872 a severe trial overtook us.  I was suddenly taken down with typhoid fever, which later developed into rheumatic fever.  I was laid low all winter.  My life hung on a thread for months.  My body was reduced to a skeleton.  The cords of my limbs were drawn together.  In those days there was no medical help obtainable.  We had to depend entirely on the Lord, much faith being exercised by my family and the brethren of the Holy Priesthood.  I was for months delirious.

In the  first days of my illness I told my wife of a dream I had.  I dreamed I was working in the field when a personage dressed in a military suit came to me and wanted me to follow him.  He promised me work that would be to my liking in music and band.  I could be a great leader.  This was very tempting to me, but I thought then of my wife and family who so much depended on me.  I pleaded with him to let me then go to town to consider it.  I was thinking of gaining time and that I could get help of the Priesthood.  I told my wife if I would get delirious again to get my brethren to help me for fear this man would come back and overpower me.  I did not want to go with him.

My wife told the dream to those who came to administer to me mostly every day.  Some of them got weak in the faith and felt that it was almost a greater blessing to pray to our Father in Heaven to take me and release me from the misery for I suffered much.  Many of them, however, were faithful and fasted and prayed for my recovery.  I was not able to help myself in the least for months.  My wife carried me from one room to another so she could be near me and help me while doing her household duties.  My little son, Henry, also took the typhoid fever and hovered between life and death, but his grandma was able to care for him a great deal.

I was not able to help myself in the least.  I had to be fed like a child.  On the 25th of March, mother was confined to her bed and in this sorrowful and trying condition she was delivered.  We were made happy to receive a little daughter that had been sent to come to bless and  comfort us in this trying time.  It nearly cost the life of our mother who had become so worn out of strength through this long siege of sickness.  After the excitement was over, she became unconscious.  Her mother and sister tried every means  to bring her out of her stupor, but to no avail.  Then her sister ran for blocks to get some elders to administer to her.  While she was gone, in the agony of the situation I managed to get out of my bed and over to her.  As I said before, I had not been able to lift up my body in a sitting position without being helped.  I laid my hands upon her,l and in the anguish of my soul I cried to the Lord to spare her life.  I think it was more than an hour before she gained consciousness.  Her sister brought another elder and again we pleaded with the Lord for her recovery when she was able to recognize us.  Her recovery was speedy and in a short time she was able to care for us again.  We named our little daughter Lydia Hasler.

On the first of May, I was carried in a chair out of the cellar to fresh air for a little while.  My recovery was slow.  After the warm weather came, however, I was able to help myself around with crutches.  While I was in this weak condition I started to write music for brass band, which was a great help and blessing to us.  I received wheat and provisions for my work.

In 1875, on the 31st of January, another son came to bless our home.  We gave him the name of Walter Hasler.  In that fall we had started to build our house over the cellar.  We hired the adobes mostly made, but I was not able to do much.  I had finally thrown away my crutches.

In that year the United Order was organized.  We joined.   My oxen and wagon were not of any use to us, so all was given up to the order.  I was to teach music, and those that could do masonry and carpenter work had to do the building.  The mason did not get to the top when he drew out of the Order.  The carpenters did the same.  On account of inefficient leadership the Order lasted about two years when it was dissolved again.  I then started to do the carpenter work myself.  I had a few tools to work with.  I got it so far along that we could move in two rooms before the hard winter set in.  We had lived in the cellar for five years.

In the year 1877 on the 15th of July, another sweet little girl was born to us.  She, too, was not permitted to stay long.  She took scarlet fever.  Those were hard trials, but we had to submit to the will of the Lord.  She lived only about seven months.

On the 22nd of December, 1878, Emil Hasler was born.  At that time our grandma Thalman took sick, and on the 5th of April, 1879, died at the age of 76 years.  She had never been able to learn the English language, but she had always rejoiced in the gospel.

In 1880 another son was born.  We named him Edward Hasler.  He lived only a short time.

At the April Conference my name was called to go on a mission to Switzerland.  On the 14th of April, I left my home and family and arrived in my field of labor, Bern, then the Mission Headquarters.

I was called to work in the office for about six months to arrange the music to the songs of the German Hymnbook.  One thousand copies were edited in the German Language.

After this work was finished I was sent to the northeastern part of Switzerland which was at that time a far-scattered field.  Besides my missionary work, I organized a choir in every branch and held singing practice almost every evening.  Many young people that loved music and ones that were not even members came to our practices, and became interested.  Some would become investigators in the gospel.

In the Autumn of 1882, I was released and had charge of an emigration of 72 saints, thus fulfilling a prophesy pronounced upon my head by a patriarch, that I should go on a mission to my native land, and bring some sheep home with me.  I had a chance to preach the gospel to my schoolmates, although with little result.

When I was at home, I did Sunday School class work and conducted the singing.  I was choir leader for over twenty years, free of charge.  In the first years, I wrote the music to our hymns up to the time the Psalmody was printed.  My wife wrote the words to the music in the copies.

In 1883 we welcomed another baby girl who was given the name of Mina Ottillia Hasler.
 In about 1890 I started to travel through Sanpete County and Sevier County selling musical instruments, teaching music in the homes, organizing choirs, and helping the people to have advanced students play in their meetings and Sunday Schools.

On the 12th of August, 1894, I was ordained a High Priest by the hand of John B. Maiben.  I then served in that quorum as secretary and as leader of the singing.

I was successful in starting and leading a number of my students who are now taking prominent parts in their art in our Church.  Among them are Professors McLellan, Anton Lund, and Clair Reid.

I had been successful in obtaining a genealogy of my ancestors comprising over 300 names for whom most all the baptisms had been attended to and some endowment work done.  The rest I have to leave to my children.

I was able to give my children liberal educations.  The main reason I started to travel and be away from home was that our little farm did not support the family.  The children had grown older.  The boys in connection with their schoolwork were able to take care of the farm work.  Other boys had to leave home and seek work somewhere herding sheep or hire out in mines at the tender age when they need home influence the most.  They might get in an environment where bad habits are easily formed.  I felt that I could better stand hardship than they could temptation, so that they could have the advantage of schools and learning.

I tried to keep my children under Church influence.  I was strict with them to attend Sunday Schools and meetings, and went with them to attend these functions until the habit was formed.  I had the pleasure of seeing two of my sons take missions.  My daughters, teaching schools, were also useful in church organizations.  I give my Father in Heaven my thanks and the gratitude of my heart that he has blessed me, not withstanding many failings, had kept me in the faith of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

John Hasler died January 10, 1914 at the age of 75 in Mt. Pleasant, Utah


Louisa Thalman Hasler

In a mountainous part of Switzerland in the Country of Thurgau, Parish Dussnang, I was born on the 26th of August, 1843.  My parents were Heinrich Thalmann and Ana Thalman.  They were distant relatives of each other.

My first recollection of my existance in life came possibly to me when I was four years old.  I have a faint remembrance, at that age of seeing my father in life.  I had been in the garden in the front of our house and had plucked some of his choicest flowers to give them to a girl who had asked me for them.  My father had come and chided me for taking his nice flowers.  It must have been shortly after this time that I saw, one day, a strange man coming to the house.  He went into the bedroom.  I learned afterwards that it was our family doctor.  When he went away my mother followed him to the door, and when she came in again she seemed to be in great distress.  After that I saw more people going into my father, and my mother was in tears.  Then they told me my father was dead.  Then another man came and went in the bedroom, and I slipped in with him, and this man took his measurements.  I noticed then, my father laying on his bed ~ so tall and still.

I did not realize what death meant until I was lead into the room again to see him lying in a black coffin.  His eyes were partly open and I thought my papa would soon wake up again.  But then the funeral came and I was to begin to realize that the people that gathered were going to take my papa away.  A stretcher was placed before the house and our friends found me working hard to get that stretcher out of the way.  I was then gently taken into the house by sympathizing friends.  When the procession started, my sister and I were led by the hand of an aunt.  Our dear one was carried to his burying place in the churchyard.  I heard my mother ahead of us sobbing in grief.  I rushed up to her, then fully realizing where we all were going.

When we came near the church, the funeral bells were tolling and I well remember how my little heart suffered.  When we reached the open grave, the coffin was lowered, os so deep!  There had not been a vault made to place the coffin in to prevent the earth and rocks from falling upon the coffin.  Oh horrors! That sound to my child heart was so terribly painful I could not stand it, and years after I could not stand on an open grave.  It is just as plain now at my old age as it was then.  My father died on the 15th of September, 1847.

I will remember the first winter that followed.  I believe our mother was timid to be alone.  She would keep us children up at night as long as we could stay awake.  We both would cuddle up close to her and she would tell us stories and so many things about our father that we got as well acquainted with him as if he were with us.  Mother's timid feelings were occasioned a great deal because our house was broken into three times that winter.  But it seems the burglars were frightened away every time without getting anything.  Mother was grieving as much over our loss that she could not stand us children having our frolic and laughter, especially when she prepared our evening meal.  She would come in the dining room and  bid us to be quiet.  A friend of ours noticed our condition and told her that she should not grieve as much for she was depriving her children of the happiness that was due  them.  After that time she tried hard to control herself, and allowed us more freedom.

Mother's task was a hard one, because such physical labor was required of her and we children were too small to help her.  But she adapted herself bravely to what was required of her.  In our country the law required of a widow who was left with children, that the home and property left at her husband's death be appraised at its full value, and a guardian appointed, that it should be protected in case the mother should marry again. 

The law was all right, but such a guardian could exercise too much power sometimes.  The times were hard, everything high in price, money scarce, taxes high, the farm did not bring in enough to cover expenses.  The breadwinner was gone.  We had splendid timberland on our farm, but we were not allowed to sell  anything to breach us over.  Mother had to do a man's work on the farm.  We had no money to hire.  In the first few years her brother came and helped her considerably in haying time, for which she was so thankful.  Also a sister of mother's came and helped in harvest time to cut the grain with the sickle.

Pleasant memories are those for us children when Aunt Katherine came.  She was never married and always happy.  She was so quaintly dressed.  She had always some nice candy in the deep pockets of her homespun linen dress, and in her satchel, a huge gingerbread man for each of us children and for mother, some coffeecake.  She brought us children our first dolls.  I remember mine was dressed in pink silk, trimmed with lace and gold beads.  It could do everything except walk.

As soon as we children were able to carry a burden, we had to help.  Everything that would grow on our farm had to be carried on our backs, ha, grains, fruit, potatoes, wood ~ all had to be carried, up and down for there was scarcely a level place to build a house on.  However, our land and meadows were all close to our home, and we raised enough hay to keep two cows.  We always raised our own foodstuff; potatoes and fruit, etc.

Our schooldays were very happy ones.  In the long winter months, we had lots of  sport with our sleighs.  They would carry us down to the valley below, to the schoolhouse, about as fast as we travel now in our autos.  It was not quite as pleasant going home in the evenings through the deep snow that had fallen during the day.  We had such long and hard winters there, but the boys would go in single file and draw our sleighs to make a path for the girls, and  keep the road open for the next morning.  It was a half-hour walk to our school; to church, one hour.

We would spend lunch time and recess on the mill pond skating.  I fell in once and got under the ice.  The boys quickly formed a chain, got hold of my head, and  pulled me out.  I worried more about my wet clothes than about my cold head.

After we got out of school, we would be more of a help to mother.  We got ingenious and had a  little wagon made to haul our products home, which helped us very much.

I must mention, at this time, our good neighbors ~ two or three families that lived not very far from our home, who were so very good to us.  One was a carpenter, and when any farming tools or other things in our home were broken, we could go there.  They never turned us away and they mended many things for us without pay.  How thankful we were for their great kindness to us.  We tried our best to show our appreciation in doing errands for them.  Neither of these had children.  Mother advised us that if ever we could do any errands for them, to drop everything and do it.  But we always felt that we could never get even with them.  I have never forgotten them, and I had been  so thankful that I could do the work for them in the temple and for their families.  I want to meet them again in the life to come.

Our mother was quite strict with us children.  we did not have as much freedom as many other children had.  We were kept at work.  She taught us to pray, and was very particular to have us attend Sunday School and meetings.  We were taught in the Protestant Church.  I well remember how she would get us children u in the middle of the night when there was a thunderstorm and she would pray with us, asking the Lord to temper the elements and that we would be preserved from fire.  Sudden and violent thunder storms are frequent in Switzerland.  Our large house was a wooden structure.  There was danger of lightening striking the building.  We were mostly without water to fight a fire in the summertime and we had full faith that the Lord would answer our prayers.

Mother loved nature, and instilled love for the beautiful in us children.  Often I have seen her working in the field in springtime, when all nature was in its verdure.  The birds were singing ~the kuckuk calling.  She would lay down her tools, and fold her hands, thanking and praising our father in Heaven that in his living kindness he was doing so much for us.

When my sister got out of school, she learned to weave cloth in the long winter months.  Mother would be at the spinning wheel working up the flax, which we had raised in the summer.  I would be knitting and sewing our family linen.  Can anyone picture a happier, more contented, and peaceful life with us girls singing our patriotic songs which the Swiss love and believe in so much.

But the poet, Schiller says "We cannot limit the threads of happiness for any length of time!"  My sister commenced to have her love affairs, and when she was nineteen years old, she was engaged to a young man, Ulrick Winkler from Zell Ct. Zurich, who was in good circumstances, was a baker by trade, and  an only son.  Before she was twenty years old she married and left the parental home.

By this time we girls had learned to do all work that was needed on the farm, even cutting the grass with the scythes, curing it, and bringing it home like men did.  Now her leaving was a hard blow for us, but mother and I still kept it up.  By this time we could afford to hire a little more help in the busy season; we had brought the farm to a better paying condition.

In our country when we left school at fourteen years of age, we entered into our religion class-work with the Protestant minister twice a week until we were seventeen years old.  During this time we went through the Old and New Testament catechism before our confirmation.  Then we were admitted as members and allowed to partake of the sacrament.  I was fortunate to have a devout teacher as far as he understood the gospel.  I was a favorite of my class, and was religiously inclined.  My teacher said I was truly converted.  His training, however, was a great help to me when later I received the true gospel of Jesus Christ.

About three years after my sister got married, she and her husband's sister went on an errand to a place where they met Mormon elders and were introduced to them.  The lady they visited was a member.  The missionaries engaged them in conversation and explained their doctrine to them.  They both got very much interested and the elders invited them to a meeting the next Sunday that would be held in the woods away from town.  They could not get a place nearer to meet in.  After  they got home late in the evening, my sister told her husband what they had heard and persuaded him to go with them on Sunday to attend the meeting.  Strange to say, the church was but a stone's throw from their own house.  More out of curiosity he consented to go with them.

They all get interested in what they heard.  They were anxious to hear more.  They made frequent visits to the lady first mentioned who was a good conversationalist and was eager to explain and to teach.  They later invited the elders to their home, and in the time of a few months, applied for baptism.  My brother-in-law was very popular and jovial.  They kept an inn, besides a flourishing baker trade and a very comfortable home.

The news that these people had joined the Mormons spread like wildfire.  The opposition they had to meet from relatives, friends and the whole population was hard against them.

The elders felt much concerned about them and the situation that confronted them.  More so, as they were going to be released to go back to Utah.  They convinced the family to try to get ready to emigrate with them.  But there were the aged parents to be left behind.  The situation was indeed critical.  Their father refused them money to emigrate, being much influenced by others.

My brother-in-law, with his jovial disposition, had after marriage often found pastime in car playing which is most always accompanied with the wine glass.  My mother had noticed this habit soon and had worried over it.  They were raising a  family and she thought it would be such a bad example to their children.

At this time when we, too, were agitated about this new and unpopular religion he came to our home often to tell us about their trend of mind.  He took pains to explain to us out of the Bible that this so much misrepresented organization was in accordance with the teachings of Jesus Christ.  We could, of course, not comprehend at that time; but mother said there must be something very remarkable or it would not make such a change in a man's heart who never pretended religion before.  She then  came to their rescue and borrowed the money to help them.  They were determined to go and she said no child of hers should suffer if she had it in her power to help.

They got ready with their two small children and his sister and left on May 6, 1864 to go to Utah.  My sister took from us the promise before they left us that if some missionaries should come our way we should entertain them and we would be blessed.  We did do that for their sake.

They endured many trials on their journey, They had a child born on board the ship which died before they landed, and a boy two years old died as they crossed the plains.  But their faith never wavered.  When they wrote to us after they arrived in Salt Lake some time in October, their testimony was strong, full of hope and cheer.

In 1866 I first met my future husband.  Our acquaintance ripened later into friendship.  I had had suitors before this time, which was not uncommon with a young woman of some means in sight at her marriage, but I was always very cautious for fear it was the money my admirers wer after and not alone the girl.  I was more afraid, however, that the gospel might be true and I would do a great wrong if I would bind  myself to anyone there and would be deprived of accepting it if I would be convinced that it was true.  I was not humble enough to accept it.  I was generally frank to such young men, and told them that I might go to Utah.  This answer was generally sufficient.  They would not press the suit any longer.

But this method did not work so well with Mr. Hasler.  He wanted  to know more about it.  Before my brother-in-law went to Utah, Mr. Hasler had some business transactions with him.  He came to Mr. Winkler's home a day or two before they were leaving.  He wanted to know what could induce him to leave such a good home and prosperous business to go to America.  Mr. Winkler took him to his private room and explained the gospel and bore his testimony to him.  I was present and asked Mr. Hasler if he wanted to become a Mormon.  He then took a promise from Mr. Winkler that he should  write to him if he would find that he was not deceived.

This incident might have been forgotten by both parties.  But two years later Mr. Hasler was led to my home to ascertain how my folks had found their new home and religion in Utah.  He asked for their address.  He wrote to Mr. Winkler who answered his inquiring letter and again bore testimony to him.  He investigated in the City of Zurich, the nearest branch, where President Karl G. Maeser, in his eloquent, convincing way made many converts.  A few months after, in November, 1868, he was baptized by Benjamin Brupbacher and confirmed by Karl G. Maeser.

My sister and husband continued to encourage mother and me to give obedience to the gospel message which we finally accepted.  I was baptized on the 25th of December, 1868.  My mother was baptized on the 1st of April, 1869.  I was married to John Hasler on the 14th of May, 1869.  We were then able to sell our home and farm at a great sacrifice, but we were thankful that the way was open for us to go to Zion.

Leaving our home had not been so hard on us.  Relatives and friends turned against us.  Some of them forbade us to come and take farewell.  We now made p[reparations to emigrate.  My mother's health was very poor.  Hard work had weakened her constitution.  The dreaded disease of dropsy had set in.  The doctor told us we should never attempt to take her on a journey.  She would never reach Liverpool.  But mother was determined to try.  She had great faith in the ordinances of the gospel.  She was administered to and when we reached New York, after 13 days at sea, she was ell and  stood the overland  journey just fine.  Ours was the first company of saints that traveled in comfortable train care over the desert to Ogden, Utah.

My brother-in-law, Ulrich Winkler met us in Salt Lake City.  we bought us a yoke of oxen, a wagon, plow, some farming tools and a cook stove before we started for Mt. Pleasant.  I forgot to tell that when we started from the City of Zurich we took with us a little boy, three years old,  the son of a poor sister who had no money to emigrate.  Another family took a little six year old with them.  Their mother had a promise to come the next year.  When  we left Salt Lake City, our wagon was heavily loaded.  Another family followed us to Mt. Pleasant.

When we  came as far as Payson one of our oxen took sick, and we hired a man with another yoke of oxen to help us along for a day.  I was riding on the wagon that was loaded with trunks, holding the little boy on my lap.  The man was not a careful driver.  As  he crossed a deep ditch, I lost my hold and was pitched from my high seat onto the wagon tongue, and the little boy into the ditch.  The heavily loaded wagon went right over his abdomen.  After we were both extricated, the little boy opened his blue eyes and gave just a gasp.  Imagine my feelings when I sat on the side of the road holding the little boy in my arms, apparently lifeless.  Mr. Winkler and  my husband administered to him and before very long he commenced to breath again.  We worked very long with him and in the confusion I could not find any dry clothes for him.  We wrapped him in a blanket and my mother took him in the other wagon.  I stayed behind, and washed his clothes.  evening had overtaken us.

After I had washed the clothes, I started to follow the wagon, but my legs refused to go.  I tried hard to follow but I could not.  It got dark and I could not overtake them.  They did not miss me until they stopped to unhitch.  Thinking I was in the last wagon, my husband came rushing back to find me, and when he assured me that the little fellow was alive, I began to get strength to walk to the camp with his help.  Wat a wonderful testimony that was to us all.  The boy was all well the next morning when we continued our journey.

We arrived in Mt. Pleasant the last of September, 1869.  Our joy and happiness was complete when we were united again as a family.  Mother often told me she would never be happy until we could embrace one another again.  We two sisters had always been so near to each other, such close companions.  My sister's family had been driven from Richfield a year before on account of Indian trouble, and had had to make a new start again in Mt. Pleasant.  They had a little house partly built with two rooms.  We lived together that year, but in the spring both of our families had welcomed an addition.  My sister had now three children, and ours was our first son (June 14, 1870).  We called him Henry Hasler.  We began to get crowded for room, and we now wanted to start a home of our own.

My husband had taken up a city lot where we started to build a cellar.  We did not have means enough to start a house tool.  We had assisted several families to emigrate, but of course they were not in a position to pay us back.  My husband then put a dirt roof on the cellar and divided it in two rooms with two small windows and doors.  We had lumber enough to make a floor in one room.  On Christmas eve 1870, we moved into our new  home.  I had whitewashed the walls and decorated them with pictures of relatives and friends.  People may move into mansions, but I doubt if anyone could feel more happy than we were.  We held ourselves in each other's arms and  shed tears of joy that we now had a home again of our own.  But to their credit, I must say with gratitude that my sister and family had made us more than welcome and assisted us in every way they could.

I cannot remember that we ever had an unpleasant word between us until we came to divide our dear mother.  My sister claimed that since she left our home I had had her all the time and that it was her turn to have her.  We had some tears together; both of us seemed to be selfish.  At last we concluded to let our mother decide where she wanted to stay.  She said that since there were only two city lots to divide us, she thought she could mother us both.  As I was the youngest, she decided I needed her most, with a promise that she would always be where she was needed.  This was satisfactory with all of us.

We started in with a will to make us a home, cleared the land off and fenced in two city lots with cedar posts and willows, weaving them in basket-fashion.  We started some gardens, but the grasshoppers ate up everything the first year.  We got two pounds of lucerne seed from Salt Lake City and planted the first lucern in Mt. Pleasant.  We had many rocks, large and small, on our lots, which showed bigger when the sagebrush had been removed.  Water had to be brought on the land that could not be plowed from a mile away.  I had done hard farming at home, but this was a new task.  My husband was a hard working man, but neither of us was skilled at pioneering.  We did not work to an advantage as an American goes to work.

I must admit that one day I sat on one of these huge rocks in front of the place and cried bitterly.  My husband came and wanted to know what was the matter.  I told him we would never be able to make a home on this place.  He came and sat by me and tried to comfort me.  He said this very rock could be made a very romantic spot.  The rocks could be made very quaint and scenic.  He would plant shrubs and vines around them; flowers would make it beautiful.  The picture helped to comfort me.  The rocks are still there yet, but there is lucern grown around them, and they do not look nearly as large as they did then.

On February 11, 1871, another son was born to us.  We named him John Hasler.  He did not come to stay very long ~ only three months.  He was sick only one day with convulsions and we had to give him up.  He was so sweet and bright.  His papa often called him his little angel and an angel he was soon going to be.  That same year we traveled to Salt Lake City by oxen to receive our endowments.

In September, 1872, my husband took down with typhoid fever.  I will not repeat this long and severe trial.  It is described in my husband's diary, but I must mention how faithful and true the brethren holding the Holy Priesthood had been to us.  They came to visit us for months almost every day to comfort, help, and bless him.  It was hard for us all to exercise faith.  He was so very low so long.  To human appearance it would seem impossible to think he could live.  The nearest doctor was living in Nephi.  I telegraphed for Dr. McEwan, but on account of sickness in his household he could not come.  We were often told it was not right for us to fast and pray for him to live.  It would be better if he could be released from his suffering; but as long as there is life, there is hope.

Those were had and trying days.  My little boy, Henry, then two years old, had also taken the fever.  Both were lingering between life and death for a long time.  My  mother was a great support to me in tending and nursing the little boy.  Never will I forget the help and support my sister, her husband, and the faithful elders who exercised their faith, prayers, and fasting in our behalf.  Surely our Father in Heaven will reward them.  They have all of them since gone to their rest.  Blessed be their memory.

His condition was very low all winter.  His body was reduced to a skeleton.  He had to be lifted around.  He could not help himself in the least.  On March 25, 1873, under these conditions, I was delivered a little baby girl.  She came indeed to bring hope and cheer and gladness under these trying circumstances.

I had for weeks and months carried my husband in my arms from one room to another.  My strength was much spent and overtaxed by night and day.  At this time my sister was with me and when I was made comfortable she wanted to go home to bring the glad news to her family, intending to be right back again.  As she turned to me as she was leaving she noticed that I had become unconscious.  She rushed to my bedside and tried hard to bring me to notice her, but to no avail.  I can remember I heard their pleading, but could not speak.  At last she rushed off to find some elders, but she had to run a long way as we had then no near neighbors.

During this time my husband had managed, without assistance, to get to me from his bed, and in the anguish of his heart and soul, prayed over me and asked the Lord to let me come back.  More than an hour must have elapsed when my sister returned and an elder with her.  He administered to me and after he took his hand from my head, I came to again.  My sister tenderly nursed me and in about two weeks I was able to do my work again, and to take care of my dear ones.

My husband was lifted up from the cellar for the first time on the first day of May to enjoy the sunshine, and soon after that he was able to walk a little on crutches.

About July papa was still not able to walk without his crutches, and we had to have hay for our cattle.  We owned some hay land in what is now called Chester.  Everyone was so busy getting his own hay home, but some kind brethren told us they would cut and load our hay if we could get our team down there.  We managed to yoke up our oxen.  I got a little ladder for my  husband to get on the wagon, and we drove to the hayfield.  There were always kind people to load our wagon, and then put us both on the load again.  Our home journey was mostly in the night.  Ox teams are slow.  I was told to always put my arms around the binding pole so if we got in a chuck hole I would not fall, but the one night I went to sleep and fell down from the load unnoticed.  Papa drove on.  He did not know what had happened.  After I gathered myself up, I started limping after the wagon.  He had quite a start.  It was not far from town when I caught up beside the wagon and called to him to let me ride with him.  Papa was a little frightened, thinking it was my ghost calling.  Happily I was not hurt much.  We were thankful to get our hay home.

In 1875 we joined the United Order which delayed, somewhat, the building of our house.  We had the adobes made.  I handled those adobes two and three times until they were in the wall.  I helped to bring them from the yard, unload them, and then handed them up again.  I can remember how sore my hands were.  My husband gave up his land, oxen, wagon, cows.  He had to teach music in school, brass band, and the choir.  Mason and carpenters were assigned to do the building, but before the house was up to the top, the mason drew out of the order and we had two rooms ready to put the roof on.  It was getting late in the fall.   I was determined there should not be another baby born in the cellar.  I put the shingles on myself so that we could move in the house.  Papa did the carpenter work in the house, so we were able to move in about December having lived in the cellar for five years.  On January 31, 1875, another son was born to us.  We named him Walter Hasler.

In 1875, I was called as Secretary to our President, M.F.C. Morrison in the Relief Society, which position I held for 32 year4s until our President died and another organization was effected.  At the time of my calling, I was ill-fitted for the position.  I was greatly handicapped, not having mastered much of the English language, but I went to work with a will with my papers and dictionary.  I translated the minutes into English from my mother tongue.

This work was a great pleasure and blessing to me.  I was associated with the best and truest of sisters.  I was the youngest of them.  The experience of association with them was a joy and benefit to me.  I am ever thankful to my Heavenly Father that this great privilege came to me.  When later my sons were called on missions, I could correspond with them and encourage them in their work.

In 1877, on July 15, another little daughter came to bless our home.  We named her Louisa Hasler.  She was a sweet treasure to gladden our home, but again, only for a short time.  She died of scarlet fever when she was only eight months old.  Parting with those little souls was a hard trial for us.

On December 22, 1878 or 1879, another son was born to us.  We gave him the name of Emil Hasler.  He was very welcome because the other children had grown out of their babyhood.  About that time another sorrow awaited us.  My dear mother took very ill.  She took to her bed after Christmas time and lingered all winter.  We hoped that springtime would have an invigorating influence over her, but the Lord destined it otherwise.  On April 15, 1879, she left us for another sphere of action.  She had lived 76 years.  Mother was always so thankful and happy that she had been able to reside in America and to receive the gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  She was the only one of her family who was able to come to this land, and be united with her children and live with the prophets and apostles.

She was greatly handicapped at her age.  She was not able to learn the English language, but she had received the spirit of the gospel.  As soon as she was baptized, she gave of her means to help different families.  She was generous to a fault as some of the people did not appreciate her kindness, and did not prove worthy of it.

In the fall of 1880, my only sister's health seemed to be failing her.  It caused us some alarm, but we attributed it to her delicate condition, and we believed that when her time would come she would soon be restored to her former health and strength again.  Her cheerful disposition gave us reason to hope for the best.

In October, she was delivered of a baby boy.  In our joy in her new delivery, we did not notice that a change for the worse had come over her.  The dreaded disease of dropsy had rapidly developed, to which she succumbed on December 9, 1880.  Her little baby had preceded a few weeks before the death.  This was a hard blow to her husband and it was a very hard trial to me, we having so recently parted with my dear mother.  But then we had felt our loss together.  No I mourned alone.  We had been more than sisters to each other.  There was a companionship  that few enjoy.

I, too, was in a delicate condition, and the shock came so unexpectedly to me,  I took sick, and in a few weeks gave birth to a premature child.  We named him Edward Hasler, but he died the day after he was born.  Thus we added another grave to those we had already laid away.

In the spring at April Conference, my husband was called to go on a mission to his native country.  He had only two weeks to get ready.  We were quite destitute for clothes to wear at that time.  We had used our means to finish the house, but we had plenty of bread stuff.  The good people of Mt. Pleasant donated him enough money to take him to his field of labor.  He was given a farewell party together with another missionary.  Many were invited.  I had nothing to wear to accompany him to the party.  I had a silk wedding dress, but I had taken it to pieces, thinking I could make a cloak for my little seven-year old girl.  I intended to make it warm with some woolen, home-made lining, but when I was invited to the party I sat up all night and put the dress together again.  And  to the surprise of my friends I came out in a silk dress and wore a pair of home-made shoes which sounded loud to the rustle of my dress.  Fortunately it was quite long and I was careful to cover my dress over my shoes.

I worked very hard while my husband was away.  I worked in the harvest field.  We did not have self-binders then, and I was not the only woman who worked in the field.  But it came hard on me because I was not used to that kind of work.  I left my four children home alone.  Oh how I missed my mother!  It was always late at night when I came home.  I told the children to sit on the floor when they were beginning to get sleepy as they would not be so apt to fall from their chairs.  I would most generally find them all four in a row on the floor asleep.

From that time  on my little girl mothered my children.  I could always depend on her  that she would be with them.  In the winter I got work to crochet hoods for the school children.  I earned money to make us comfortable.  Thus we got along just fine until papa returned in the fall of 1882.

When he  returned, he brought some  emigrants home with him in fulfillment to his patriarchal blessing that he would return bringing his sheep with him.  Four followed him to Mt. Pleasant.  He also had charge of an  emigration of 72 Saints from Switzerland.  Among them, he brought home to Mt.  Pleasant an old lady who just recently had lost the only daughter she had, who was also to emigrate with her mother when death overtook her.  This sister, before her death, had taken a promise from Brother Hasler who had visited her at her deathbed that he would take her mother home with him to Utah, and take care of her as long as she lived.

When  she came, we were all very glad to have another grandmother which she indeed proved to us and our children in every sense of the word.  If she had been our very own grandma we could not have loved her any better, and she loved us.  She lived with us for fifteen years and died in August of 1897.  Her name was Elizabeth Muller, born in Langenhart at Zurich, Switzerland.

On August 13, 1883, Mino Otilia Hasler was born.  we called her our missionary girl.  She brought so much joy and happiness to our home.  After my husband returned from his mission he started to teach music at home.  He had mostly students from out of town.  They boarded at our house.  We had two instruments in different parts of the house.  The first session would start at 6 o'clock in the morning.  there were generally three students.  Four one hour lessons were given a day and that many hours practice in a day.  A term was three weeks.  Many of the students who had some talent would advance quite fast in the art of music.  Many of them returning home, would be able to play our church hymns in Sunday Schools and meetings which was quite a help in those days.  Many of our organizations had thus been benefited throughout Sanpete and Sevier Counties.

In June, 1886, our last baby was born which nearly cost my life.  It was one of the greatest testimonies we received of the power of the priesthood when my life was spared.  Conditions were such that it was impossible for me by human appearance to get through this ordeal and live.  No skilled medical help was obtainable.  Nightly prayers were offered up to our Father in Heaven by the priesthood and my dear ones, and in a wonderful way my life was spared.  My beautiful baby boy's life had to be sacrificed.

It is hard, often, in human life, when you have to meet with trials that will try your heart and soul, trials which you can not share with any soul, however near and true.  Your heartstrings may be almost ready to snap, but you will carry the burden alone.  A heart doesn't break.  It will be wounded; it will bleed; and the wound will be hard to heal.  Some try to find  relief in the whirlpool of pleasure.  I doubt it!  Fortunate is he or she who can to  to his sacred alter, humble himself and bring before his Father in Heaven the load he has to bear when it seems that the water of sorrow will overflow it.  Unload your burden to Him that lurks in the recess of your hear; you will not ask in vain.  His great mercy, his loving kindness will manifest to you the healing balm of His holy spirit and there alone you will find peace and comfort.  What wonderful testimonies will be revealed to you.

In the year 1893 our oldest son, Henry, was called on a mission to Switzerland and Germany.  He worked a year in our native land,  one in Germany, and one in the office in Bern as Secretary.  He returned in 1896.  In 1898 our second son, Walter Hasler, was called on a mission to our native country.  After he had graduated from the B.Y.U. in Provo, he labored two and one-half years in Germany.  He returned in 1901. 


Hasler Home

 We had been able to give our children (and not without sacrifice) some educational advantages that would be a help to them through life.  Our home was not a pretentious one, but hospitality was given freely to all who entered it.  We welcomed and entertained in our home such men as Dr. Karl G.Maeser, Dr. Talmage, Brimhall, Keeler, Benjamin Cluff President of the B.Y.U.  We entertained sisters of the General Board of the Relief Society, Mrs. Annie T. Hyde, Elizabeth Grant, List Farnsworth, and many others.  We harbored about twenty-four emigrants at different times.  some of the for weeks, some for months, until they would find houses of their own.  All were made welcome and at home.

Our home was a place where the young folks congregated, where freedom, music and song were enjoyed, and all made welcome.  We also harbored a number of people that were hunted down because they were accused of breaking the law of the land.  We were loyal to our trust and  not any of our children betrayed the trust.  I remember a little incident that happened some time ago.  It was a cold and dreary November night.  Rain had come down in torrents all day.  At a late hour we heard a knock at our door.  As my husband opened the door a man stepped in, all wet and cold.  He asked if he could  not get a night's lodging for two families.  They came from Manti where they had been in the temple.  They aimed to reach Fairview where thy had friends, but their horses gave out, and they could not get any further.  As  they entered our town they asked on several places, but no one could make room for them.  They had little children with them, both women and children were cold, hungry, and  wet.  My husband told them all to come in.

We made a warm  fire.  i warmed a kettle full of hot milk with fresh bread; then I put the little children in our warm beds.  I kept a good fire all night to dry their wet clothes and bedding.  They told us that a man had directed them to our place where a light was still burning. 
There lives Brother Hasler.  He is a good man.  He takes  everybody in.  He will make you comfortable."  In  later years I met one of the ladies in Provo.  She  told me that never in her life had hot milk tasted so good to them as it did that night.

In 1897, our daughter, Lydia, was married in the temple at Manti to Arthur C. Candland of Mt. Pleasant.  Her husband left her  in a few days after on a mission to the Southern States.  Lydia did not leave our home until he returned two years after.  The same year my son, Henry was married to Sophi Kelch in the Manti Temple.

Louisa died January 4, 1930 in Mt. Pleasant, Utah

I was born on April 17, 1839, at Mamedorf Ct. Zurich situated on the Zurich Lake, one of the most beautiful places in Switzerland, of goodly parents. My father's name was John Hasler and my mother's, Susana Leyman. I was brought up in the Protestant Church which was then the dominant church of the State. My parents were particular that I should attend religious class work until I was seventeen years old before I was permitted to partake of the sacrament and be confirmed a full member of that church. Being the oldest child of our family, I worked on our little farm which was mostly planted with grapevines. It needed skillful work from early spring until fall to cultivate and care for them. In the winter months besides attending school, I spent much time in learning music for which I had a great liking, especially band music. While I had to study a great deal without a teacher, I learned to play different instruments. In those days printed music was quite expensive. I borrowed copies from men that were efficient in the art, and copied most of my pieces and arranged them for different instruments. I often spent whole nights in writing and arranging popular music, and when morning dawned, I would steal up to my room and disarrange my bed to make mother believe I had slept in it. When I was fifteen years old, I had to recruit in the Military Service. (Probably the war of Sonderbud). My talent in playing an instrument well was soon recognized. I was advanced and before I was 21 years old. I became the leader of the Military Band, was invited to the Cavalry and earned a Lieutenant grade. When I was about 25 years old, there was a great revival in our town of the Methodist sect as we called it. I attended the meetings and soon joined it. I was never much interested, although I was quite favored by the Minister because I was a help to them with the singing. Later I got acquainted with a young man of my own age, who had recently joined the Mormons. He was getting ready with his young family to go to Utah. Having had some business transactions with him I knew him well and favorably. Since he was situated and had good prospects for the future, I was forcefully impressed. I wanted to know what could induce him to leave his comfortable and beautiful home, parents and relatives, and to to an unknown place. He then took me to his private room and tried to explain the gospel message to me. I was impressed by the strength of his faith, and before we parted that night, I asked a favor of him ~ that if he found that he had not been mislead, he would write to me and tell me all about it and how he was getting along. This young man was Ulrich Winkler from Zell Ct., Zurich. He later became my brother-in-law. I did not hear from him for two years. I had met his wife's sister that evening before his departure when he explained the gospel to me. I came in the autumn of 1866 on business to the place where she lived and called on her, to inquire about her folks in Utah. She gave me a favorable report of them. I then asked for Mr. Winkler's address. I wrote a letter to him and reminded him of his promise to me. He wrote me a long letter back and told me he was not disappointed. His religion was dearer to him than ever, and he again bore a strong testimony to me of the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, but in the blunt and out-spoken way he told me that only those that would humble themselves and would ask the Lord in sincerity for a testimony, would find happiness and satisfaction there. I read this letter over and over again. I wanted to know more about it. I obtained an address of a man that was a member of the Mormon Church who lived in the City of Zurich. I found him with some difficulty. I had been told that he was a teacher and I expected to find a man of that profession, I was disappointed to find him working in a mechanic shop, a factory employee. I asked him if he was a teacher. He looked at me amused, but hesitated. He then said he held that office in his church where he belonged and was proud of it. Seeing that I wanted to find out more about his belief, he invited me to his home. There I found that he was a teacher after the order of our Lord Jesus Christ. He bore his testimony to me and invited me to come to their meetings which I attended. I received a testimony. I applied for baptism and received that ordinance on the 6th of December, 1968, at the age of 29, by Ferdinand Bruppacher. I was confirmed on the 13th of December by Karl G. Maeser. I was ordained a priest the same month. I started to do missionary work with my former associates, the Methodists, but found a cold shoulder. The Minister warned his flock to beware of me. I had fallen from grace. After I received that letter from Brother Winkler, I visited his wife's sister several times. We became better acquainted, so I invited her to my home to spend a few days at grape harvesting time which was always great sport with young people. Our acquaintance ripened into friendship. This was, however, before I joined the church, and Miss Thalman had not yet taken that step. I offered my hand and heart to her, but she told me she could not accept my offer as she intended to become a Mormon and go to Utah. That answer usually settled any of her suitors, but this time it did not work with me. By this time I had received the letter to my inquiry from her brother-in-law. I followed his instructions and was baptized in the Church before she was. However, she was afraid my conversion might not be sincere. So she put me on probation for a time until she was sure I had received a testimony. I was sent out a lot to attend meetings with Elders to different branches where I took part in speaking and singing. On the 25th of December the same year, Miss Thalman came to Zurich to be baptized. There was no other branch near her home. We went out on the Zurich Lake at midnight as we were watched by a mob which wanted to make trouble. We wandered out away from the city and she and another sister were baptized undisturbed by the Branch President, Benjamin Bruppacher. When we came back, Brother Karl G. Maeser confirmed and blessed her, and we continued our Christmas Festivities. A testimony was given Miss Thalman at the same time. She had been suffering with neuralgia in her head for about two months previous so that she had scarcely slept at night during that length of time. She had not told anybody of her ailment because she was a stranger there. But when Brother Maeser confirmed her, he told her that she would be blessed with health and her ailments should leave her. She wondered how he could know that she was afflicted because she had told no one. After she went home with a young couple who invited her, she told the lady as she was shown to her room that she could not retire because she expected to sit up as usual with her pains. The sister told her not to mind that. "We are all tired." She lay down as she was told and in a few minutes she was asleep and her ailment never bothered her after that night. Some time later we were engaged to be married on the 14th day of May, 1869. As we intended to emigrate the same year, we did not go to housekeeping. My wife and her mother came to my parent's home to live until we were ready to start. Before this time we had tried to dispose of our little farm, but could not find a buyer. As soon as we took the initial step into the Church this obstacle was overcome, although we had to sell at a great sacrifice. On the 13th of August, we received from Brother Maeser the notice to be ready to start on our journey on the 15th of August. Our trunks were packed ready to be taken to Zurich when we received another telegram from Brother Maeser, asking if we could take a little boy of a poor sister, three and on-half years old, and care for him until his mother could come in another year. Another family took his little sister, a year older. We telegraphed the money, and the mother brought her children the next morning to the depot. I felt bad for the mother who had given up her children in our hands, but she was thankful for the way to open and for the prospect of her to follow. We took an affectionate farewell from my parents, brothers, and sisters, who had opposed our leaving our home so much because they could not see. I told them I had to go to pave the way for them to follow as soon as they could understand the truth, which saying proved to be prophetic. When I came back ten years after on a mission, I was able to baptize my father, a brother and a sister. My mother, one brother and one sister had died before I came back. Our journey was a pleasant one. We sailed from Liverpool to New York in thirteen days. We were in the first emigration train that took us right through Ogden, Utah. We were met in Salt Lake City by our brother-in-law, Ulrich Winkler. We bought a yoke of oxen, a wagon and some farming tools, and so because my wife's family was united again, the mother and her two daughters. Brother Winkler had been driven from Richfield the year before on account of Indian Trouble, and he had only been able to put up one room and part of another when we came. We went to work and put a dirt roof on the other room which we occupied that winter. In the spring of 1870, I took up some city lots, made a willow fence around two lots more in basket fashion. Then I started to build a cellar. Not being able to have any more done, I put a roof on the cellar which had two rooms. For one room we were able to obtain some lumber to put in a floor. It was made so far habitable that we were able to move in to it at Christmas Eve. No prince or princess was happier to move into a palace than we were that Christmas eve. We fell in each other's arms and on our knees we thanked our Father in Heaven that we had so far succeeded to have a home of our own; but with gratitude and thankfulness, be it said right here, that we were made more than welcome with Brother Winkler and family. By this time both families were expecting an increase and we got pressed for room. I was only a week in Mt. Pleasant when Sanpete County received a notice from the Governor that a Military Drill would be held in the fields between Ephraim and Manti, and they wanted it to be lead by a Military Band. I was asked to lead that band. I got busy. I had brought with me a trunk full of musical instruments. A big drum with sticks were a town property. Everybody knew when it was beaten to bring all men together to guard against Indians. I divided my instruments and drilled almost day and night, our young men. In three weeks at the appointed time, they were able to play a number of national hymns. My skill in writing notes came in handy. I had to write every part of the band. It is needless to say we won the prize because there was no other band to compete with us, although the ever faithful drum and fife were there. In 1870, on the 14th of June, our first son was born. We named him Henry Hasler. He brought great joy into our home. At this time, I got ten acres of land in the field which I cleared, plowed, and planted in wheat which brought us a fair crop even in the first year. In 1872 another son had come to bless our home, but we did not have him very long. He lived only three months. The same year we went to Salt Lake City with ox team to get our endowments and were sealed to each other for time and eternity by Joseph P. Smith. In the fall of 1872 a severe trial overtook us. I was suddenly taken down with typhoid fever, which later developed into rheumatic fever. I was laid low all winter. My life hung on a thread for months. My body was reduced to a skeleton. The cords of my limbs were drawn together. In those days there was no medical help obtainable. We had to depend entirely on the Lord, much faith being exercised by my family and the brethren of the Holy Priesthood. I was for months delirious. In the first days of my illness I told my wife of a dream I had. I dreamed I was working in the field when a personage dressed in a military suit came to me and wanted me to follow him. He promised me work that would be to my liking in music and band. I could be a great leader. This was very tempting to me, but I thought then of my wife and family who so much depended on me. I pleaded with him to let me then go to town to consider it. I was thinking of gaining time and that I could get help of the Priesthood. I told my wife if I would get delirious again to get my brethren to help me for fear this man would come back and overpower me. I did not want to go with him. My wife told the dream to those who came to administer to me mostly every day. Some of them got weak in the faith and felt that it was almost a greater blessing to pray to our Father in Heaven to take me and release me from the misery for I suffered much. Many of them, however, were faithful and fasted and prayed for my recovery. I was not able to help myself in the least for months. My wife carried me from one room to another so she could be near me and help me while doing her household duties. My little son, Henry, also took the typhoid fever and hovered between life and death, but his grandma was able to care for him a great deal. I was not able to help myself in the least. I had to be fed like a child. On the 25th of March, mother was confined to her bed and in this sorrowful and trying condition she was delivered. We were made happy to receive a little daughter that had been sent to come to bless and comfort us in this trying time. It nearly cost the life of our mother who had become so worn out of strength through this long siege of sickness. After the excitement was over, she became unconscious. Her mother and sister tried every means to bring her out of her stupor, but to no avail. Then her sister ran for blocks to get some elders to administer to her. While she was gone, in the agony of the situation I managed to get out of my bed and over to her. As I said before, I had not been able to lift up my body in a sitting position without being helped. I laid my hands upon her,l and in the anguish of my soul I cried to the Lord to spare her life. I think it was more than an hour before she gained consciousness. Her sister brought another elder and again we pleaded with the Lord for her recovery when she was able to recognize us. Her recovery was speedy and in a short time she was able to care for us again. We named our little daughter Lydia Hasler. On the first of May, I was carried in a chair out of the cellar to fresh air for a little while. My recovery was slow. After the warm weather came, however, I was able to help myself around with crutches. While I was in this weak condition I started to write music for brass band, which was a great help and blessing to us. I received wheat and provisions for my work. In 1875, on the 31st of January, another son came to bless our home. We gave him the name of Walter Hasler. In that fall we had started to build our house over the cellar. We hired the adobes mostly made, but I was not able to do much. I had finally thrown away my crutches. In that year the United Order was organized. We joined. My oxen and wagon were not of any use to us, so all was given up to the order. I was to teach music, and those that could do masonry and carpenter work had to do the building. The mason did not get to the top when he drew out of the Order. The carpenters did the same. On account of inefficient leadership the Order lasted about two years when it was dissolved again. I then started to do the carpenter work myself. I had a few tools to work with. I got it so far along that we could move in two rooms before the hard winter set in. We had lived in the cellar for five years. In the year 1877 on the 15th of July, another sweet little girl was born to us. She, too, was not permitted to stay long. She took scarlet fever. Those were hard trials, but we had to submit to the will of the Lord. She lived only about seven months. On the 22nd of December, 1878, Emil Hasler was born. At that time our grandma Thalman took sick, and on the 5th of April, 1879, died at the age of 76 years. She had never been able to learn the English language, but she had always rejoiced in the gospel. In 1880 another son was born. We named him Edward Hasler. He lived only a short time. At the April Conference my name was called to go on a mission to Switzerland. On the 14th of April, I left my home and family and arrived in my field of labor, Bern, then the Mission Headquarters. I was called to work in the office for about six months to arrange the music to the songs of the German Hymnbook. One thousand copies were edited in the German Language. After this work was finished I was sent to the northeastern part of Switzerland which was at that time a far-scattered field. Besides my missionary work, I organized a choir in every branch and held singing practice almost every evening. Many young people that loved music and ones that were not even members came to our practices, and became interested. Some would become investigators in the gospel. In the Autumn of 1882, I was released and had charge of an emigration of 72 saints, thus fulfilling a prophesy pronounced upon my head by a patriarch, that I should go on a mission to my native land, and bring some sheep home with me. I had a chance to preach the gospel to my schoolmates, although with little result. When I was at home, I did Sunday School class work and conducted the singing. I was choir leader for over twenty years, free of charge. In the first years, I wrote the music to our hymns up to the time the Psalmody was printed. My wife wrote the words to the music in the copies. In 1883 we welcomed another baby girl who was given the name of Mina Ottillia Hasler. In about 1890 I started to travel through Sanpete County and Sevier County selling musical instruments, teaching music in the homes, organizing choirs, and helping the people to have advanced students play in their meetings and Sunday Schools. On the 12th of August, 1894, I was ordained a High Priest by the hand of John B. Maiben. I then served in that quorum as secretary and as leader of the singing. I was successful in starting and leading a number of my students who are now taking prominent parts in their art in our Church. Among them are Professors McLellan, Anton Lund, and Clair Reid. I had been successful in obtaining a genealogy of my ancestors comprising over 300 names for whom most all the baptisms had been attended to and some endowment work done. The rest I have to leave to my children. I was able to give my children liberal educations. The main reason I started to travel and be away from home was that our little farm did not support the family. The children had grown older. The boys in connection with their schoolwork were able to take care of the farm work. Other boys had to leave home and seek work somewhere herding sheep or hire out in mines at the tender age when they need home influence the most. They might get in an environment where bad habits are easily formed. I felt that I could better stand hardship than they could temptation, so that they could have the advantage of schools and learning. I tried to keep my children under Church influence. I was strict with them to attend Sunday Schools and meetings, and went with them to attend these functions until the habit was formed. I had the pleasure of seeing two of my sons take missions. My daughters, teaching schools, were also useful in church organizations. I give my Father in Heaven my thanks and the gratitude of my heart that he has blessed me, not withstanding many failings, had kept me in the faith of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. John Hasler died January 10, 1914 at the age of 75 in Mt. Pleasant, Utah  

Dont Try To Figure It Out ~~~ Submitted by Larry Staker

 

A Proclamation From Brigham Young

 

On May 4th, 1866, President Orson Hyde visited Mount Pleasant and read to the people a proclamation from the First Presidency, addressed to the people of Sanpete, Sevier, Piute, and other settlements which were not safe from the Indians. The Presidency begged the people to be of good cheer and advised that all settlements that had not over 150 families should move to larger settlements.

They should arm themselves. The stock should be guarded so that the Indians would not be able to steal anymore. If the Indians desired peace and came into the settlements, they should be treated with kindness, for if a peaceable Indian was killed it was just as much murder as if it had been a white man.

Quoting R. N. Bennett: "David Candland was sent with the epistle for the people of Fairview to move to Mount Pleasant, the people of Fountain Green to Moroni, and the people of Spring City to move to Ephraim. John L. Ivie and myself were sent as Candland's bodyguards. After these families had moved, the minutemen of Mount Pleasant and other settlements had to go as guards for the men while they did their work."

Soon after President Hyde's visit, the people of Mount Pleasant sent teams to Fairview to help the people move. The move of the people to Mount Pleasant took place in one day. They were located within the fort, and with families outside the fort. During the time they were living at Mount Pleasant, men went to Fairview to build a fort for their protection and in August, when the work was completed, they were prepared to return. President Hyde came to Mount Pleasant and held a meeting with the citizens of Fairview, and released Andrew Petersen, the acting bishop, and ordained Amasa Tucker, of Mount Pleasant, to act in his stead.

In Mount Pleasant, it was now found necessary, in order to protect the cattle, to erect a fort. Some today, claim this was never completed, yet we find recorded in Andrew Madsen's Journal, "On June 4th the wall was commenced, and the fort, the same size as the one erected in 1859, was completed on June 19th, 1866."

The walls enclosed the block consisting of a little more than five acres, lying directly north of the old fort. (This block is now known as the North Sanpete High School Block.) Andrew Rolph states that the east, north and west walls were the same height as those of the old fort, but that the south wall was only about half as high, and there was a gate in the center of it. In due time four herders, who were paid so much ahead for herding the cattle had been appointed. The tingling of the many cowbells was a familiar sound as the herd was taken out at seven o'clock every morning. One man was assigned as gatekeeper, and after the cattle were accounted for and claimed by the owners, the gate was locked.

  Horses for the guards were always on hand. He further states that the first break in this fort wall was made near the northeast corner by Thomas Fuller, who used the rocks to wall up a ditch which passed in front of his mother, Mrs. Sarah Scoville's, place, which was opposite on the north side of the street.

General Daniel H. Wells and their escort visited Mount Pleasant on June 19th and gave the people timely advice in regards to protecting themselves against the Indians.

The minutemen were often called to scout about without finding the enemies. The country was sparsely settled, the raids day and night of so frequent occurrence, the scanty crops must be harvested, the wood must be hauled, and other preparations for winter be made, so that it was impossible for men to attend to their farms and stock and other duties, and fight the Indians day and night without some assistance.

Previous to this, Colonel O. H. Irish had called on General Doty asking for Military assistance from Fort Douglas, but had been informed by the commander at the fort that the settlers must take care of themselves.

The people of Salt Lake and Utah Counties, learning the real condition with their friends in the south, made preparations for the re-enforcing of the military power. A little later Captain P. W. Conover, with fifty men from Utah County, reported to General Snow for orders. Colonel Heber P. Kimball, having a company of fifty men from Salt Lake County, reached Manti. Colonel E. B. Page took command of the forces under Captain" Conover, and with such an additional force, the citizens felt secure and proceeded to their daily duties in comparative safety. The Indians kept away from the troops but managed to continue their depredations.

June 20th, 1866, Indians under Chief Black Hawk made a raid on the stock of Scipio. During the skirmish Henry Wright and James R. Ivie, the father of Colonel J. L. Ivie were killed. It will be remembered that in 1859 James R. Ivie had been chosen at Ephraim as a leader for the company of pioneers who settled Mount Pleasant and that he faithfully filled that position until W. S. Seeley was chosen bishop of the colony. A short time after the killing of Mr. Ivie, a son of Ivie, in retaliation for the killing of his father, killed a friendly Indian. This enraged the Indians and they entered more vigorously into the bloody work of massacre among the white settlers.his father killed a friendly Indian. This enraged the Indians and they entered more vigorously into the bloody work of massacre among the white settlers.

Captain Kimball's company, under command of Captain A. P. Dewey, was stationed at Thistle Valley. Sunday, June 24th, Captain Dewey sent out two companies of scouts, four in each company, one company going north and the other south. Two of those who were going south had stopped at the warm springs on the west side of the valley. The members of the camp were not aware that Indians were at that time scattered through the cedars and ravines surrounding the camp. However, Horner Roberts and John Hambleton, being at the spring, saw them. Roberts succeeded in evading the Indians and took the report to Mount Pleasant and Fairview. Charles Brown, of Draper, and a companion who were in the cedars, also seeing the Indians, made their way towards camp. Brown was shot in the back and, upon falling, the Indians shot him with arrows. Some of the company at camp, seeing him fall, rushed out and brought him to camp where he expired. The Indians immediately surrounded the camp, which consisted of six baggage wagons that had been placed along with a wall of wood built around the camp for their protection. This enabled the company to keep out of sight of the Indians. However, the Indians shot into the camp, wounding Thomas Snaar of Salt Lake City. When the news of the attack reached Mount Pleasant, Colonel John L. Ivie and his company were in Pleasant Creek Canyon. At about 2 p. m., upon hearing three shots fired followed by five more, which they knew to be a signal, immediately left the stock they were helping to gather and rode down to the mouth of the canyon about four miles east of Mount Pleasant, where the message was delivered to them. They were ordered to get to the scene as quickly as their horses could carry them.

A cavalry consisting of about eighteen or twenty men, including Colonel Ivie, George Tucker, Orange Seely, R. N. Bennett (Dolph), Martin Aldrich, Aaron Oman, Niels Madsen, and Peter Fredricksen started with great speed for Dewey's camp, at Fairview, others joined them.

They arrived in Thistle Valley about one hour before sundown, just in time to save the whole camp from being massacred. After a hard skirmish, the company succeeded in routing the Indians. Some Indians were killed and many wounded as they fled into the mountains; the Indians, as was their custom, took their dead and wounded with them. A chase was taken up; after following them to Soldiers Summit at the head of Spanish Fork Canyon, the Indians resorted to their old tactics, that of separating and going in all directions, and the men were compelled to return. During the skirmish in Thistle Valley, Orange Seely and Dolph Bennett, seeing an Indian leave his horse and sneak into the wash towards camp, captured the horse, saddle, bridle, a buckskin jacket, and a long lasso rope. Seely kept the horse for some time as a trophy of war. All horses, excepting five or six head of saddle horses, were missing. These were hitched by the rescuing party to the wagons and the camp was moved to a more protected location, where Indianola now stands. The body of Charles Brown was taken to Mount Pleasant for burial.

R. N. Bennett made the following statement concerning the attack: "June 24, 1866, Black Hawk warriors attacked Captain Peter Dewey's company at Thistle Valley, killing one man, Charles Brown, of Draper, and wounding Thomas Snaar, and driving off twenty or more head of horses. John L. Ivie, Orange Seely, George Tucker, myself, and others went to recover the horses. We followed Black Hawk and his band nearly to the head of Spanish Fork River, going a distance of about forty or fifty miles, then following down the Spanish Fork River, to about where Thistle Junction now is. During this engagement, three or four Indians were killed, and a number wounded."

Three days after the attack on Captain Dewey's camp, the red skins raided Spanish Fork and killed John Edmonston, of Manti, wounded another man, and drove away the stock. Settlers of Spanish Fork and Springville combined their forces and pursued the Indians up the canyon as far as they dared, securing most of the cattle. The Indians continued on into Sanpete, then into Sevier County, and caught the unprotected points as places for attacks. They kept on the mountain when near Manti, or in the vicinity of the troops, thus avoiding engagements. About July 1st, 1866, General Y. Kimball Wells, obeying the instructions of President Brigham Young, issued an order for the abandonment of the settlements in Piute County, and the colonists moved to Sanpete County, most of them located at Ephraim.

July 12th, Captain Bigler, with sixty men from Davis County, reached Manti, relieving the troops from Salt Lake County. Though new men soon had an opportunity for a conflict with the savages, for on the 27th, the Indians made a night raid on the cattle of Ephraim and Manti, driving away about 150 head of cattle. General Snow and Captain Bigler, with their commands, pursued the thieves into Castle Valley, but did not succeed in recovering the cattle, nor were they able to capture any Indians. This successful raid no doubt gave the Red Men enough beef for the winter. Few people had trouble with the Indians until the following spring. They managed to keep at a safe distance from the troops, enjoying the fruit of their many raids during the summer, and making their plans for the spring.

R. N. Bennett states: "About September 1866, the Black Hawk Indians drove off a herd of cattle, John L. Ivie, Orange Seely, myself and others, were with the company that followed them over the mountains east of Ephraim, via Joe's Valley, from there down Cotton Wood Canyon, on to Huntington River, where the town of Lawrence now stands, a distance of about seventy five miles. Then we came back to the Cotton Wood River, and then, camped and patrolled the valley two days, searching for Indians. We were gone from home about ten days."

 Taken from History of Mt. Pleasant by Hilda Madsen Longsdorf pp 110-115

Two Story Outhouse ~~~ Shared by Jeff McDonald

Vintage History

Did you know outhouses in the past often had more than one story: Believe it or not, high-rise outhouses actually existed. Back in the old days, they had two-story hotels in towns so they would build two-story outhouses. On the upper floor, you’d go back in a little bit further than the outhouse below. Waste from above would fall down a shaft behind the first-floor loo’s wall, allowing for a seamless flow of sewage. This is a 1941 photograph of a two-story outhouse.

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Willard Lauritz Frandsen and Bothilda Johanna Hansen Frandsen ~~~ Pioneers of the Month ~~~ June 2022

Willard was born on 14 August 1963 (7) in Mount Pleasant, Utah. He was the third and youngest son of Margretha and Rasmus Frandsen. He was born into a polygamous home, as there were 10 children in 12 years to the two sister wives. 

During these 12 years, the third wife gave birth to four children. She had six children later. 

It was a busy household. Willard spent many years on the floor of the large living room and kitchen with his homemade toys. While his mother churned, sewed, baked, and ___, he loved the beehive of activity. He always dreaded the days his mother was away caring for the sick or just visiting. 

His dresses were kept clean (boys wore dresses until they were six years old) and his soft white curly hair, which he wore in ringlets, was washed every Saturday night when the family bath hour arrived. 

He loved to eat. He always enjoyed the crisp carrots they grew in the garden and especially the Codling and Sweet Bough apples that grew in the orchard. He was always hungry. He lived across the street from the school. Many times he would take a sandwich to eat at recess and then go home for dinner. 

He loved the farm animals, especially horses. When the men rode away to fight the Indians, it was his greatest desire to get big so he could ride away on a fast horse. His father had chosen horses for this purpose. 

At the early age of six years, he herded the cows in the field. He loved the cows, but his stick horse became rather boring. Catching frogs was his favorite pastime. At times, he would get so interested his cows would stray and he would be worried until he found them. He loved to catch birds. The birds would make their nests in old tree stumps. He would thrust his hand in quickly before the bird had a chance to fly out. One day a large black snake wound itself around his arm. Its ugly head was near his face. After that, he was more cautious about catching birds. 

At times he would go with his father at haying time. He would help rake the hay his father had cut with the ____. All the men would set the day for haying. They would go to the open fields and cut fast for all they cut was ends. It was hard work with but little rest while the race was on. The boys enjoyed seeing their fathers cut more than their neighbors. Also enjoyed the huge lunches and jugs of homemade beer brewed especially for the occasion. Too much water made the thirsty men ill. When the new invention of unloading hay with a fork came his father would not accept it. He said that it was a sign of laziness and anyway he could pitch the hay off the load faster. 

He loved the Indian stories his father would tell after a scrimmage. When they became friendly came to the homes and begged. One day his father was giving an Indian some flour and he stuck his hand in the flour and the Indian slapped him. He never forgot the result. While he was herding he often came in contact with the Indians as they crossed the fields going to town. He learned many of their customs and spoke a good deal of their language. One day he was hanging around their camp watching them prepare a meal of cricket soup. He was playing with the Indian boys when the father invited him to eat. He was afraid to say no as they were easily provoked and he didn’t want trouble. The soup went down but he didn’t want a second helping. Because of his acquaintance with the Indians, Brigham Young sent him to Indianola to get the Indians to come to Mount Pleasant to sign the peace treaty with Black Hawk. This treaty was signed in the Bishop Seeley home, now the Mount Pleasant Relic Hall. 

He went to school in several different buildings in Mount Pleasant. He finished the eighth grade. One time he climbed on his father's chicken coop and found a piece of mirror in the sun and into the teacher’s eyes. He was immediately caught and given a sound whipping with a hickory stick which the teacher kept on hand for such tricks. He went to Provo where he attended the Brigham Young Academy. He was a good student and always loved to read. He often quoted from his teacher, Karl G. Maeser. 

He was an active boy. He loved to play with the neighborhood children. Run Sheep Run and Kick the Can be favorite games along with Ball and Tap Cat. He loved to dance. He often paid his ticket with a post or bushel of potatoes he had earned by hard work.  

It was at a dance he met Bothilda Hansen. It was no easy matter to court her as she lived three miles west of town. But loved the horseback ride, which was his only means of transportation. She would always carry her dress. She would always wear something warmer for riding and she must keep her lovely dress fresh and clean for dancing. Many nights after Choir practice he would pick her up on his horse and they would ride the long distance on one horse. She would always ride side-saddle. He loved his horses and always kept them clean and well-groomed. He felt a man was judged by the way he kept his horses. Sleigh riding was a favorite pastime. The bobsleigh was made ready with straw and quilts and hot rocks. Then it filled with young people. After a few hours of riding, the gang would go to Bothilda’s place or some other home for donuts and buttermilk or homemade beer if the girl could talk her mother into it. 

At the age of 23, he married Bathilda. The date was 24 June 1886. This was a very happy relationship. She was a good housekeeper, cook, and mother. She loved to sing. She was the daughter of James Hansen. He played the violin at the dances and led the choir. They continued their love for dancing and horseback riding all through their lives. They were on the dance floor at the Church Parties, old folks parties, and masquerade balls. And would often waltz in their own home by music from the radio when they were in their early 60s. 

They spent the first year of their married life in his mother’s home as the house was large and the family is mostly gone. During this yar, Willard built the one-room frame house on the Homestead farm north of town. They moved into it soon after their first child, Farrie was born. 

The farm was in its primitive state. It was covered with sagebrush even higher than their heads. Much hard work was required to get the land in shape to be cultivated. The bush was grubbed and stacked in piles by hand. In the evening the piles were set on fire and burned, much to the delight of the children. Potatoes and onions were roasted. The hard work was turned into fun and frolic. Mother’s flowers made the desert farm blossom as a rose. New rooms were added to the house as the family grew larger. Eight children, to boys and six girls, were born and raised in this house, just outside the city limits. 

Willard was very good and kind to his family always wanting them to have the things he had missed in life. Willard spent his summers on the farm and his winters on the desert herding sheep. He had invested his hard-earned savings in sheep and was anxious to see them thrive and produce well. This was difficult work. Horses and wagons were used to haul food and supplies. This was difficult work. Tents were used for sleeping. Most of the cooking was done in the open. Dutch ovens and open kettles were their utensils. Many nights the young wife spent in tears when a letter was received saying that he had gone to bed with his eyes full of ashes and belly full of burned bread. Then in the hard times of Pres. Cleveland and the panic of 1893, prices were low and the winter was hard. The expenses were too great. The result was the complete loss of his sheep. This was a hard blow, as he now had a family of several children to support. His wife, Bothilda, took on sewing at this time to help over the crises. She dried corn to sell and also churned butter to sell.

Cattle were his means of making a living but he also loved horses and would have a fine animal to sell. These horses always brought top prices. 

He owned a hay bailer, the first in Mount Pleasant. He would bale his hay then pull the bailer near the stack. The men would pitch the hay to a table. From this he himself would feed it into the bailer in small forkfuls. A man would arrange the wire and tie it. When a certain length was reached a block of wood was placed in the bailer to separate the bales. A team was hitched to the plunger and were driven around and around to furnish the power. This was hard work for the men but they seemed to enjoy it. The said while they worked. One of us children followed the team to keep them at a regular speed. This was extremely monotonous as we followed around and around. He would move his bailer wherever hay was to be bailed. Often going to the Schofield valley where enough hay was bailed to keep him busy all fall. One time he went to Abraham Millard County. While bailing here the youngest son was born. He named him Abraham after the beautiful Abraham valley. This baby was a beautiful little fellow, so fat and healthy, but at the age of 9 months he became ill and died. This was a great sorrow to them both. Bothilda never quite got over it. She was so happy when he came to their home. She felt she couldn’t spare him. 

One day we children came home from school and a large box was on the porch. We knew at a glance a piano had been in the strange box. Sure enough, when we went inside to see it, there stood a beautiful piano, the grandest sight we had ever seen so large and shiny. This piano was one of the first three in town. We were indeed proud. This replaced the organ we had used to practice on. Brother John Hastler who had sold us the piano gave lessons as a bonus. On Saturday mornings at 6 a.m. every three weeks, he would come to our home to give 5 of us children lessons. He would always have breakfast with us and then on to his next students for dinner he would go. The piano was bought on the installment plan as few things were. $500.00 was a very large sum to raise. One time he hardly knew where to get the $50 due and we were all worried about our precious piano. Then one day, he came in the house all smiling. He had found a way. The Ringling Brothers Circus was coming to town and wanted his ground for a few days. We were excited waiting and wondering what the circus was like. Finally the day arrived. We were all up at daylight and down to the depot to see the train unload. What a thrill—so many cars loaded with strange animals and beautiful floars. We hardly knew where to go to see the most. We reached home ot see the huge tents raised by the elephants. The cook tent was a buzz as the cooks prepared food for all the workmen. Finally, the 10:00 parade started.

Never had we seen such beautiful cages with wild animals, steam callia, clowns, and beautiful horses with lady riders. How we were thrilled when the leader would call, “Follow the parade to the showground”, and we knew that they were going to our farm. All that day we watched the circus three rings of acts, sideshows, and menagerie. We watched far into the night as they lowered the tents and led the elephants back to the train. The small town had become a large city as people came from distant towns and pitched their tents or parked their covered wagons in the streets. Her they cooked on open fires, many brought their milk cow for their fresh milk. Boxes of chickens were brought to supply meat. Baskets were baked in dutch ovens. Every street was a campground. This circus was a never-to-be-forgotten experience. They returned to our farm for three years. 

One day a large iron box affair was being loaded into our home. When the men had completed the job it was the first Home Comfort Range in town. Peddlers always stayed at our farm where they could get feed and care for their horses and so the range for their company. Fruit peddlers always stayed with us. Jews came as peddlers to sell their wares. One Mr. Pink made his early visit a new folding cane part for care of the team. His yard was often filled with horses and wagons as many as 20 or 30 campfires in the evening and mornings brought the smell of bacon and coffee being prepare. He always worried about the fires and would often make a trip to the yard late at night to make sure the fires were out. 

Occasionally a fruit peddler would become discouraged and ready to pull out, Will would feel sorry for him especially the young men and buy the balance of his load. Our cellar would be full of peaches, melons, or sweet potatoes, often mother would dry the peaches to keep them as her jars were already full. 

His fear of fire urged him to buy hanging lamps to replace the high foot lamps on the table when the children got big enough to climb. It was a fear of starting a fire from the coal oil. The only water supply was a creek one and half blocks away. Later a well was dug and a central pump put in. But as there is little in Mount Pleasant most of the water was pumped by hand. This was a big chore for him on wash day. Filling the reservoir on the range and a large copper kettle outside. 

Willard had large gallows where he would butcher for individuals and the butcher shop. Often Indians came begging. While they were tame and quiet, white people never lost their fear of them. They would camp by the Tithing Yard when the Bishop would supply them with hay and grain for their horses. The school children all loved to see them, with their bright-colored shawls and gay clothes. It was always a thrill to see a tiny papoose. Their tiny papooses were always smiling and good-natured. As a squaw came to the door begging you always felt like giving more if she had a cute little baby jogging along on her back. Two or three squaws would come together. When they would receive anything, they would immediately sit on the ground and (END OF DOC)

Bothilda Johanna Hansen Frandsen

 My grandmother, Talula Johanna Nelson, told me this story about her Mother, Bothilda Johanna Hansen. Bothilda and Hannah Seeley were born the same year (1866) in Mt. Pleasant and were extremely good friends. It was a sad day for both of them when Orange Seeley and Hanna Olsson Seeley answered a call to go to Emery County to settle that country in 1879. They were all packed up and it was very early in the morning, but Orange knew how much these two friends loved one another. He stopped his team and Botilda ran out to hug her friend and say goodbye. Talula thinks that was the last time they saw each other, but I read that Hannah rode to Mt. Pleasant to see a dentist. She may or may not have visited with her friend Bothilda.

 My daughter Victoria Ferris has been friends with Jenny Oaks and I have second cousins who descend from Orange Seeley and am reading the book President Oaks wrote, "Lessons Learned." My reading in this book made me think of the little story I have written here. If any of you want to see Bothilda Johanna Hansen on Family Search.

https://www.familysearch.org/photos/artifacts/47002325?cid=mem_copy