Saturday, March 16, 2019
Friday, March 15, 2019
Thursday, March 14, 2019
Wednesday, March 13, 2019
Dodge and Zabriskie Families ~ taken from "The Family History of William Bristol, Ane Marie Sophie Clausen, Joseph Clausen, Joseph Cambron and their descendents
Julia Permillia was the daughter of Emma Elizabeth Bristol and Zeneous Wayne Dodge.
Written by Pat L. Sagers
1985
Their children are as follows:
Margaret Elizabeth
Eva Vernice
Edith Emma
George Alma
Dorothy Millie
Alvin Leon
Ada Lucille
Beth Louise
Vanetta
Mary Ann
Mable
Charles Edward
Tuesday, March 12, 2019
What Is Saleratus? How was it Used?
With their ox teams, the settlers would go to Manti to gather saleratus. That to be used for bread-making was carefully gathered with a spoon and that to be used for the washing was gathered with a shovel. In the making of bread, water was poured on about a cupful of saleratus, and when settled and clear, the top would be poured off and combined with buttermilk, then used for leavening bread. They also at this time made Salt Rising Bread and later the yeast from the home-made beer was used for the leavening. A beverage known as Brigham Tea, made from a brush called Mountain Rush, was widely used with or
without milk or sweetening. This tea was also used for medical purposes.
without milk or sweetening. This tea was also used for medical purposes.
History of Mt. Pleasant by Hilda Madsen Longsdorf page 56
Wool was washed in two or three warm waters, softened with saleratus, and made white, fluffy and beautiful. Much was also washed and cleaned in the warm springs known as Crystal Springs, south of Manti, which is a soft, warm water, where it was made soft, clean and lovely.
Women also carded the wool with hand cards, spun it into yarn on home-made spinning wheels, and on home-made looms they wove it into cloth and made it into clothing. Some still remember the never-ending irritations caused by home-spun underwear.
History of Mt. Pleasant by HML page283
Saleratus was a chalk-like powder used as a chemical leavener to produce carbon dioxide gas in dough.
Saleratus was a naturally occurring mineral found in the western United States, especially in areas that were extremely high in alkaline. This bubbly white crust would be collected by pioneer women and used to leaven the biscuits and breads they baked in their dutch ovens. To make it even more confusing, this “new” product which we call baking soda today was referred to as saleratus as well after its introduction in 1860 and for some time afterwards. Today, some people still call baking soda biscuits “saleratus biscuits.” The proportions of the first saleratus and the later baking soda version of saleratus were slightly different: about 1 ¼ tsp. of baking soda to 1 tsp. of saleratus.
MILLING PROCESS
In the milling of the wheat, the grinding apparatus consisted of two circular stones fitted together. They were smooth on one side, and were called the upper and lower or nether millstone. which were held together with a perpendicular shaft. The upper stone was turned round and round upon the under one by means of the crank. The lower stone was stationary. A round hole in the upper one admitted a quart or two of grain at a time. As the stone evolved this would gravitate down and out from between the stones and during the slow movement it would be ground into more or less fineness. This then was bolted or sieved through a thin cloth, separating the flour from the coarse particles and bran.
This flour was made into dough and leavened with beer yeast, sour dough kept from the last baking, salt rising made from shorts and salt water set to rise, or saleratus. This last preparation was made by putting a certain amount of saleratus in a vessel and a quantity of water, according to the amount being made, stirring well. and allowing to settle until perfectly clear. This liquid was used to leaven biscuit dough and could be kept on hand some time. About the only saleratus beds to be found in this part of the state or nearest here, were down a little south of Manti.
History of Mt. Pleasant pp 284-285 HML
Plain But Wholesome: Adventures in Mormon Pioneer Food: Saleratus:
Sunday, September 14, 2014
Patty Sessions was headed out of Nauvoo in 1846. So was her husband's second wife, Lovina. What we know about the circumstances comes from Patty's diary, so perhaps the facts are a little slanted. The Sessions's were not long on the trail before tensions between the two sister wives made life difficult, with all three sharing a tent. According to Patty, Lovina refused to help with camp chores such as cooking and laundry. She told Br. Sessions lies about Patty. Br. Sessions apparently came to feel that Patty was at fault. To demonstrate his condemnation of her, Br. Sessions took away Patty's stores of saleratus and locked it up. Patty was about 45 years old at the time.
Saleratus is a chemical compound (potassium carbonate) which naturally weeps from the ground as mineral-bearing water evaporates. Coming from Latin roots,sal aeratus means aerated salt, referring to its ability to produce carbon dioxide when mixed with another acidic food element such as vinegar or tartaric acid (cream of tartar). It is used instead of soda to make biscuits. Pioneers on the trail often gathered saleratus when they found it, for example near Independence Rock in Wyoming. It is also reported to occur on the shores of the Great Salt Lake. I believe I have seen some such deposits in the past.
In Utah, pioneer settlers continued to use saleratus to leaven their biscuits. Livvy Olsen, a Danish immigrant growing up near Manti, Utah in the 1860s, remembered collecting saleratus by the wagon load near the San Pitch river.
So today I went out to see if I could find some saleratus. South of Manti a mile or so is "Manti Meadows", a property managed by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. Most people go there to hunt ducks and pheasants. From the road, I could see bright white patches in the clay soil. We (my good wife sometimes shares my food adventures) walked a half-mile or so from the parking area, and spotted a patch of what we thought was saleratus. It crusted over the ground, with a slightly crystalline appearance, almost like salt. It seemed to be frozen in a bubbly foam. The crust was a quarter- to half-inch thick over the ground. I whipped out a small container of vinegar I had brought. A little saleratus in my palm foamed and fizzed when I poured vinegar on it. We had struck it rich!
Last night it rained considerably, so the deposits were softer than normal, and we had to be careful in collecting them so they wouldn't crumble. I imagine that if we had a dry spell, the saleratus would be more crusted and stable. Also with the rain, some sandy silt came up with the saleratus.
From what I have read, some pioneers dissolved the saleratus in a little water, and let the silt settle to the bottom. The mineral-bearing water could then be used to mix biscuits. I haven't tried it yet, but I'll let you know how it turns out. More than anything it makes me think we don't really know much about pioneer cooking, if we've never used saleratus before.
The above story is courtesy of Brock Cheney, a historian, primarily focused on Utah and Mormon themes in the 19th century. His recent work has centered on foodways among Mormon pioneers. His book on the subject, Plain But Wholesome is due out in the spring of 2011. He is also working on a companion volume of recipes.
You can contact Brock by writing to pioneerfoodie@gmail.com
Saleratus is a chemical compound (potassium carbonate) which naturally weeps from the ground as mineral-bearing water evaporates. Coming from Latin roots,sal aeratus means aerated salt, referring to its ability to produce carbon dioxide when mixed with another acidic food element such as vinegar or tartaric acid (cream of tartar). It is used instead of soda to make biscuits. Pioneers on the trail often gathered saleratus when they found it, for example near Independence Rock in Wyoming. It is also reported to occur on the shores of the Great Salt Lake. I believe I have seen some such deposits in the past.
In Utah, pioneer settlers continued to use saleratus to leaven their biscuits. Livvy Olsen, a Danish immigrant growing up near Manti, Utah in the 1860s, remembered collecting saleratus by the wagon load near the San Pitch river.
So today I went out to see if I could find some saleratus. South of Manti a mile or so is "Manti Meadows", a property managed by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. Most people go there to hunt ducks and pheasants. From the road, I could see bright white patches in the clay soil. We (my good wife sometimes shares my food adventures) walked a half-mile or so from the parking area, and spotted a patch of what we thought was saleratus. It crusted over the ground, with a slightly crystalline appearance, almost like salt. It seemed to be frozen in a bubbly foam. The crust was a quarter- to half-inch thick over the ground. I whipped out a small container of vinegar I had brought. A little saleratus in my palm foamed and fizzed when I poured vinegar on it. We had struck it rich!
Last night it rained considerably, so the deposits were softer than normal, and we had to be careful in collecting them so they wouldn't crumble. I imagine that if we had a dry spell, the saleratus would be more crusted and stable. Also with the rain, some sandy silt came up with the saleratus.
From what I have read, some pioneers dissolved the saleratus in a little water, and let the silt settle to the bottom. The mineral-bearing water could then be used to mix biscuits. I haven't tried it yet, but I'll let you know how it turns out. More than anything it makes me think we don't really know much about pioneer cooking, if we've never used saleratus before.
The above story is courtesy of Brock Cheney, a historian, primarily focused on Utah and Mormon themes in the 19th century. His recent work has centered on foodways among Mormon pioneers. His book on the subject, Plain But Wholesome is due out in the spring of 2011. He is also working on a companion volume of recipes.
You can contact Brock by writing to pioneerfoodie@gmail.com
Monday, March 11, 2019
Sunday, March 10, 2019
Marriage Certificates of the Children of Annie Marie Sophie Clausen Rambo
Several years ago Pat L. Sagers brought into the Relic Home a history of her ancestors who had lived in Mt. Pleasant. I wasn't acquainted with the name "Bristol or Cambron" so I didn't give it more attention at the time. I catalogued it and put it on our library shelf. One day while browsing the collection of histories and going through the names I noticed the name Charles Rambo. I recognized that name because he owned the house that my mother and dad bought when they were first married. It was the house I grew up in.
So I took home the book and read through it and was so delighted that most of the people who were in the book were at one time Mt. Pleasant residents. There were names that were not all that common to the histories I was used to seeing.
The book is copyrighted; so I called Pat Sagers and asked for permission to post some of the research she had done on our blog. Thankfully she agreed.
The "Pioneer of the Month" coming up in April is that of Annie Marie Sophie Clauson. Annie came to America and to Utah as a child and lived with the William S. Seely family in our Relic Home for eight years.
The marriage certificates that follow are of her children who married into local families. The text comes from Pat's book "The FamilyHistory of William Bristol, Ane Marie Sophie Clausen, Joseph Cambron and Their Descendants". by Pat L. Bird Sagers.
Saturday, March 9, 2019
Friday, March 8, 2019
ANNIE CHRISTINE CHRISTENSEN MONSEN
Many thanks goes to Beverly McIntosh Brown for sending in the histories of Annie Christine and Dorthea Marie Nielsen (Christensen). These were the two wives of Peter Mogensen (Monsen). Peter was Pioneer of the Month in January 2010. We will link all these histories together for research purposes.
Annie Christine Christensen Monsen
Wife of Peter Mogensen (Monsen) You can find his history here:
Originally compiled and typed by F. Fern McIntosh Jacobs
Retyped by Belva Jones McIntosh June 2000
Most parenthetical comments and highlighting done by Beverly McIntosh Brown
Annie Christine Christensen Monsen was born October 8, l848 in Copenhagen, Denmark, the daughter of Catherine Amalie (Trine) Rasmussen Borresen Christensen Fecher (her story typed separately) and Peder Henrick Christensen. (Annie was the second wife of Peter Mogenson.)
Her Mother, “Trina” as she was called, was born October 18, 1826 in Denmark, and her father was born January 15, 1823 in Sanby, Lolland, Denmark. The Christensen’s became the parents of two daughters, who were born in Copenhagen, Denmark. Annie Christine Christensen was born October 8, 1848 and Jensine Sophia, born December 30, 1850.
They became converts to the Restored Church and soon after, in company with the Borresen families, set sail for Zion in America. The day happened to be Christmas Day.
After a time, they landed at New Orleans, Louisiana, and soon the Saints were sailing up the Mississippi River. There they saw burly Negroes loading barrels of molasses and huge bales of cotton onto ships for transportation. Also they saw alligators sunning themselves on the riverbanks. These were strange and interesting sights for these immigrants from afar.
Soon after landing at Winter Quarters, these families joined a pioneer company bound for Utah. There was much sickness in the camps of these saints. Now it was the father who became ill and passed away on April 5, 1854. So, sadly, Trine had her beloved husband, Peder Henrick Christensen laid to rest enroute to the Salt Lake Valley. Cholera took its toll, and death occurred among many of their friends.
Annie’s mother became acquainted with a very fine man, a German immigrant, John Frederick Fechser. He was kind to her and while they were in Salt Lake she became his wife on January 14, 1855.
In March 1859, Fechser’s family, with others from Salt Lake Valley and Utah County, came to Mt. Pleasant, Sanpete County. They helped to build the fort in Mt. Pleasant, and in the summer of 1859 it was completed.
After the Manti Temple was completed, it was a great joy to Trine Christensen Fechser when she, accompanied by her daughter could go to the temple and be sealed for eternity to her dear former husband, Peder Christensen, who died enroute to Utah.
Annie Christine went to work at the home of Peter Monsen when they moved to Mt. Pleasant. He and his good wife Dorthea Nielsen were the parents of five children. Christian who was buried at sea at the age of 16 months while they were on their way to America, and Anne Christina, Peter L., Joseph Moroni and Sena M. It was the order of the Mormon Church at that time for the worthy members to enter into plural marriage. Since Dorthea was not well, and Annie needed a good home of her own, it was decided that Annie should become his second wife in plural marriage. Annie was very fond of both Peter Monsen and his wonderful wife, so their marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple the 2nd of January 1864. Dorthea was like a real mother to her, and whenever she was troubled or needed help, she was the one who gave her love and consolation and encouragement. Dorthea had three more children – James, Dorthea M. and Carolena.
Annie gave birth to thirteen children. Annie lived in a little house one block west of Dorothea, and they enjoyed a very pleasant relationship at all times. Annie helped Peter Monsen down at the farm, and many times the babies slept in the shade of the bushes of a wheat stack while she worked hand in hand with her husband. Dorthea, who was not well enough to work in the fields, often assumed the responsibility of all the children while Annie worked. Annie wore her husband’s old shoes tied to her feet, and didn’t know what it was to have a beautiful new pair of her own.
Both women were excellent dressmakers, and did all of their own sewing. The last pat of Annie’s life was very hard because the practice of plural marriage or polygamy was abolished and she had to hide from the officers for fear of being arrested. She slept in many different places at night and exposed herself to all kinds of weather. She died in 1888 at Mt. Pleasant at the age of 40 of childbed fever, a couple of weeks after the birth of her 13th child, Esther. When she died, Peter Monsen was in Indianola preaching to the Indians, and John, 13 years of age, rode to there on a horse to get him.
It was a real tragedy, and much sorrow filled the hearts of these children when their dear mother was taken from them so young. Dorthea tenderly took care of her children until she died, November 10, 1912. Esther said that if ever there was an angel on earth, it was this wonderful stepmother. She said,”All I knew about my stepmother was beautiful. She was so kind and patient and helpful to all of her children and stepchildren, even though she had not known a well day for the last 40 years of her life. She need not be afraid to meet Annie and give a good report on the care of her wonderful children.
Annie Christine Christensen Monsen
Wife of Peter Mogensen (Monsen) You can find his history here:
Originally compiled and typed by F. Fern McIntosh Jacobs
Retyped by Belva Jones McIntosh June 2000
Most parenthetical comments and highlighting done by Beverly McIntosh Brown
Annie Christine Christensen Monsen was born October 8, l848 in Copenhagen, Denmark, the daughter of Catherine Amalie (Trine) Rasmussen Borresen Christensen Fecher (her story typed separately) and Peder Henrick Christensen. (Annie was the second wife of Peter Mogenson.)
Her Mother, “Trina” as she was called, was born October 18, 1826 in Denmark, and her father was born January 15, 1823 in Sanby, Lolland, Denmark. The Christensen’s became the parents of two daughters, who were born in Copenhagen, Denmark. Annie Christine Christensen was born October 8, 1848 and Jensine Sophia, born December 30, 1850.
They became converts to the Restored Church and soon after, in company with the Borresen families, set sail for Zion in America. The day happened to be Christmas Day.
After a time, they landed at New Orleans, Louisiana, and soon the Saints were sailing up the Mississippi River. There they saw burly Negroes loading barrels of molasses and huge bales of cotton onto ships for transportation. Also they saw alligators sunning themselves on the riverbanks. These were strange and interesting sights for these immigrants from afar.
Soon after landing at Winter Quarters, these families joined a pioneer company bound for Utah. There was much sickness in the camps of these saints. Now it was the father who became ill and passed away on April 5, 1854. So, sadly, Trine had her beloved husband, Peder Henrick Christensen laid to rest enroute to the Salt Lake Valley. Cholera took its toll, and death occurred among many of their friends.
Annie’s mother became acquainted with a very fine man, a German immigrant, John Frederick Fechser. He was kind to her and while they were in Salt Lake she became his wife on January 14, 1855.
In March 1859, Fechser’s family, with others from Salt Lake Valley and Utah County, came to Mt. Pleasant, Sanpete County. They helped to build the fort in Mt. Pleasant, and in the summer of 1859 it was completed.
After the Manti Temple was completed, it was a great joy to Trine Christensen Fechser when she, accompanied by her daughter could go to the temple and be sealed for eternity to her dear former husband, Peder Christensen, who died enroute to Utah.
Annie Christine went to work at the home of Peter Monsen when they moved to Mt. Pleasant. He and his good wife Dorthea Nielsen were the parents of five children. Christian who was buried at sea at the age of 16 months while they were on their way to America, and Anne Christina, Peter L., Joseph Moroni and Sena M. It was the order of the Mormon Church at that time for the worthy members to enter into plural marriage. Since Dorthea was not well, and Annie needed a good home of her own, it was decided that Annie should become his second wife in plural marriage. Annie was very fond of both Peter Monsen and his wonderful wife, so their marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple the 2nd of January 1864. Dorthea was like a real mother to her, and whenever she was troubled or needed help, she was the one who gave her love and consolation and encouragement. Dorthea had three more children – James, Dorthea M. and Carolena.
Annie gave birth to thirteen children. Annie lived in a little house one block west of Dorothea, and they enjoyed a very pleasant relationship at all times. Annie helped Peter Monsen down at the farm, and many times the babies slept in the shade of the bushes of a wheat stack while she worked hand in hand with her husband. Dorthea, who was not well enough to work in the fields, often assumed the responsibility of all the children while Annie worked. Annie wore her husband’s old shoes tied to her feet, and didn’t know what it was to have a beautiful new pair of her own.
Both women were excellent dressmakers, and did all of their own sewing. The last pat of Annie’s life was very hard because the practice of plural marriage or polygamy was abolished and she had to hide from the officers for fear of being arrested. She slept in many different places at night and exposed herself to all kinds of weather. She died in 1888 at Mt. Pleasant at the age of 40 of childbed fever, a couple of weeks after the birth of her 13th child, Esther. When she died, Peter Monsen was in Indianola preaching to the Indians, and John, 13 years of age, rode to there on a horse to get him.
It was a real tragedy, and much sorrow filled the hearts of these children when their dear mother was taken from them so young. Dorthea tenderly took care of her children until she died, November 10, 1912. Esther said that if ever there was an angel on earth, it was this wonderful stepmother. She said,”All I knew about my stepmother was beautiful. She was so kind and patient and helpful to all of her children and stepchildren, even though she had not known a well day for the last 40 years of her life. She need not be afraid to meet Annie and give a good report on the care of her wonderful children.
Thursday, March 7, 2019
North Sanpete Stake Relief Society Singing Mothers
What a group of beautiful women this was. There are too many names to mention. I see both my own mother, Helen Rigby and my mother-in-law, Alice Hafen in this group. The director in the dark dress is Ethel Ericksen. Considering the flowers in the front and the flag, I would guess this was some kind of celebration. The location is definitely the South Ward Church.
Many Relief Society choruses from sisters world-wide sang under the name "The Singing Mothers." They performed at General Conferences, special occasions and even on the radio. On April 21, 1934 the name "The Relief Society Singing Mothers" was adopted as the official name. In 1966 there were almost 45,000 Singing Mothers in more than 3200 choruses in the stakes and missions of the Church worldwide. The name was later changed to the Relief Society Chorus to be more "politically correct" as of course not all the women involved were actually mothers.
taken from About.com: Latter Day Saint Faith
Wednesday, March 6, 2019
Del Johansen Has Passed Away
1938-2019
Del Johansen, Mapleton’s M& M Man, was happily reunited with his loving wife on Sunday, February 24, 2019. He was born on August 23, 1938 to Delbert “Whitey” and Leora Mower Johansen in Mt. Pleasant, Utah and had one sister, Donna Mae (Duane) and one brother, John Lee (Tonya).
Del married Sherry Kollette Skougard on June 7, 1958 in the Manti Utah Temple and together they had four children, Sherry, Ken (Jan), Karen and Kathy (Paul), many grandchildren, great grandchildren and extended family. Del was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and lived a full life of service fulfilling many ward and stake callings, which gave him great joy, especially Bennion Creek Camp.
Del graduated from Snow College and worked for and retired from Sears after 28 years. He enjoyed camping, cooking on the grill, snowmobiling and river rafting. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, his parents, sister and brother-in-law.
There will be a viewing on Friday, March 1, 2019 from 6-8 pm at the LDS Stake Center, located at 970 N 400 E in Mapleton. Funeral services will be Saturday, March 2, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at the same location. A viewing will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. prior to the funeral services. Interment will be at the Mt. Pleasant City Cemetery (900 S 100 E) at 3 pm.
Tuesday, March 5, 2019
CORRECTION
The letters that were sent out to our
Mt. Pleasant Pioneer Association Members
Inviting them to Pioneer Day
stated the
wrong address.
We will be holding our Annual Pioneer Day
March 16th, 2019
At Mt. Pleasant's North Stake Center
MT. PLEASANT ANNUAL
PIONEER DAY
March 16, 2019
Doors will open at 10:30 a.m.
Luncheon at 12:00 noon
Program; 1:00 p.m.
The theme this year: "Looking Back InTime". Memories of the State Street buildings now torn down, as well as others on Main Street still standing will be the topic. Those who have memories to share will have the opportunity to share them. A mike will be passed around. However, memories will have to be short and time will be limited.
 |
| Old North Ward Church |
Monday, March 4, 2019
Ellis Reynolds Shipp
Why do we honor Ellis Reynolds Shipp here in Mt. Pleasant? Because she lived here with her father, William Fletcher Reynolds. She came across the plains with her father and Mother Anna Hawley They first lived in Pleasant Grove, where her Mother passed away in 1861; and then they moved here to Mt. Pleasant. The townspeople recognized that she had a brilliant mind. Brigham Young while visiting Mt. Pleasant asked to meet her. Brigham Young offered to have her go with him back to Salt Lake where she could live with his family and get the schooling that would most benefit her. This she did.
You can find more history of William Fletcher Reynolds here: https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2217707143168230507#editor/target=post;postID=3287105207339205963;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=4;src=postname
Heroes and Heroines:
Ellis Reynolds Shipp—Mother and Doctor
Ellis Reynolds Shipp knew firsthand about the sickness and death the Saints had to deal with. At the age of five she traveled in a covered wagon with her family to Pleasant Grove, Utah. While Ellis was still a young girl, her mother died. Later, five of her own children died in childhood. Ellis knew how important it was for every mother to learn the laws of good health.
Encouraged by friends, Ellis resolved to educate herself. She adopted a rigorous schedule of rising daily at 4 A.M. to study until 7 A.M. Then she tended to her two small boys, milked the cow, and taught at the ward school. She studied many subjects, but it was medicine that interested her most. Later she studied medicine in Salt Lake City with a Dr. Gunn.
In October 1873 President Brigham Young declared that “the time has come for women to come forth as doctors in these valleys of the mountains.” The first woman to answer President Young’s challenge was Romania B. Pratt in 1874. Then on November 10, 1875, Ellis made a curious entry in her diary: “What a strange fatality! This morning I start for Philadelphia to attend Medical College.”
With her husband’s encouragement—yet reluctant to leave her young sons—Ellis left for the East. She arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at three-thirty in the morning and slept on a bench in the railroad station until daybreak. Although the next few months of the valiant woman’s life were filled with constant study, she grieved for her children, and she anxiously awaited letters from home.
In the spring Ellis’s husband, Bard, came to visit her. Finding his wife weak and tired, he encouraged her to come home for the summer. After being home awhile, Ellis found that financial problems, the anguish of leaving her children again and the discovery that she was pregnant made it difficult for her to even think about returning to school. Yet her strong convictions that she should serve others, and her desire to help her family, overcame her reluctance, and she returned to her medical studies.
Back at school Ellis had to conserve what little money she had. In exchange for food, she began instructing a baker’s daughters in dressmaking. She was deeply touched when her young son sent her a letter with a pressed flower and a dollar he had earned.
Worried that her pregnancy might end her schooling, Ellis prayed all one night to the Lord that she might have the strength to finish her classes before the baby was born. Ellis did not miss a single class! On May 25, 1877, the day after she passed her exams, she gave birth to a baby girl. Ellis was delighted to have a daughter, and she wrote in her diary: “It is to me the crowning joy of a woman’s life to be a mother.”
The August heat became unbearable, so Ellis took her daughter Olea to the New Jersey countryside. Walking from farmhouse to farmhouse, Ellis finally found a home where a mother welcomed her to stay and teach her daughters dressmaking skills in exchange for board and room.
In the fall Ellis returned to her last year of school. On March 14, 1878, at the age of thirty-one, Ellis recorded in her diary: “Graduated from Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania.”
Upon returning home, Ellis moved her family into a house near her office. “Thus began the happiest hours of my life,” Ellis wrote. She was now with her sons and daughter. Her boys helped clean the house, tend the baby, and deliver messages. On one occasion, Ellis was on calls for a period of twenty-four hours, during which time she delivered five babies. When she returned home, her two boys were waiting for her; they immediately rushed her off to bed and made sure she was not disturbed while she rested.
Sometimes when Ellis returned home from visiting the sick, her arms were loaded with eggs, chickens, or butter. Usually she received a twenty-five dollar fee for such calls, but she knew how little money some of her patients had and she was glad to help them in any way she could. “My needs were never so urgent,” she wrote, “that I felt the necessity of placing bills in the hands of collectors.”
Ellis soon realized that she and the few other women doctors in the area were not enough. In the fall of 1878 she opened her School of Obstetrics and Nursing. It was not unusual for Ellis to be pregnant or for her to be holding the baby of one of her students while she lectured.
After returning from medical school, Ellis gave birth to four children—two boys, who died in infancy, and two girls.
Not only did Ellis teach classes in Utah, she also traveled with her children to teach in Canada, Mexico, Colorado, and Nevada.
Successfully combining motherhood and a medical practice, Dr. Shipp helped thousands of people during her lifetime. She died in 1939 at the age of ninety-two.
Objects courtesy Daughters of Utah Pioneers Museum. (Photos by Eldon Linschoten.)
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