My Great Grandfather Alfred Jesse Burrell

Alfred Jesse Burrell

Written by W. Craig Burrell

Key Points

Born: 16 November 1846 Norwich, Norfolk, England

Parents: James Charles Burrell and Lucy Murrell

Spouse: Charlotte Nevelia Brett 26 Dec 1866

Death: 14 July 1872

            Alfred Jesse Burrell was born to James Charles Burrell and Lucy Murrell on 16 Nov 1846 in Norwich, Norfolk, England. He was raised in a large family and was one of the younger children. His siblings included: James 1833, Elizabeth L 1835, Charles William 1837, George 1841, Harriet 1843, George Edwin 1844, and Emmanuel 1850. Large families were common in England at the time. Unless there were funds for continuing education young men found themselves in the work place at an early age.

            Norwich was an industrial city. The railroad made it possible to ship in materials and ship out products. The line from Norwich to Gt. Yarmouth was opened in 1844, and the line to London was completed in 1846. Many people in Norwich were put to work in the boot making industry. At first many of the people worked at home. The material was delivered to them and the finished product was picked up. Nevertheless, in the 1860s leather sewing machines were purchased. Large factory buildings were built and men, women and children found themselves running machines in these dismal factories. By the year 1868, 6000 people were employed producing 24,000 pairs of shoes a week. The conditions in these factories were not compatible with good health and happiness. Men, women and children worked long hours. Workers were subjected to air pollution from the machines and the tobacco that was smoked. Nothing was done to improve ventilation or minimize the noise from the machines.

            Young Alfred found himself working as a boot maker as a young man. At the age of 20 he married Charlotte Nevelia Brett on 26 Dec 1866. He was employed at a boot factory at the time. Their first child, Alice, was born in 1868. They had a son born in 1870 and named him Alfred. He died as an infant. Their third child, Alfred (Alfred Burrell Sr.) was born in 1871.

            Alfred Jesse became chronically ill from the conditions in the work place. He died in 1872 leaving Charlotte with two young children to raise.

My Great Grandmother Charlotte Nevelia Brett Burrell

Charlotte Nevelia Brett Burrell

Compiled and Edited by W. Craig Burrell

Key Points

Born: 13 July 1844

Parents: James Charles Burrell and Lucy Murrell

Spouse and Marriage: Alfred Jesse Burrell, 15 December 1866

Death: 8 Nov 1917

            Charlotte Nevelia Brett was born on 13 July 1844 to John Brett (1815) and Sarah Clark (1815) in Norwich, Norfolk, England.

            Her father supported his large family working as a chair maker. Charlotte had 8 siblings: William (1835), John Walter (1839), Johnathan Thomas (1841), Maria (1847), Eliza (1849), Robert (1851), Sarah (1853) and Maria (1855).

            Charlotte was a small attractive girl with dark eyes and dark hair. She had a lovely singing voice and a gentle temperament. She loved animals and flowers. At the age of 22 she married Alfred Jesse Burrell. They were a very compatible, attractive young couple. Their first child was Alice Maria (2 Jan 1868). They were blessed with a baby boy they named Alfred on 26 Feb 1870. However, he only lived for two days. On 30 Jun 1871 they had another baby boy. As was often done in those days, they also named him Alfred. He grew up to be Alfred Burrell Jr., my grandfather.

            Charlotte’s husband, who was not a robust man, contracted tuberculosis and died on 14 July 1872 leaving Charlotte with two young children to rear on her own. She was able to find work in a factory as a weaver to support her family. While she was working, her mother, Sarah Clarke Brett, took care of young Alfred and her mother-in-law, Lucy Murrell Burrell, cared for her daughter Alice. The two children were able to attend school until they were twelve years of age when it was necessary for them to go to work.

            My Uncle Herbert wrote about her second marriage, “When Charlotte was 41 years old she married William Brown, a quiet industrious man, easy to get along with, who helped to hold the family together as a unit. He was a good carpenter, and they rented a comfortable small home, one of a long terrace grouping known as Greenhills Road, in St. Augustine’s Norwich. They lived at number 5, and William Brown’s sister, Rose, who had married Dan Lubbuck, lived next door at number 3.”

            Herbert recorded a letter he received from Dan Lubbuck, William Brown’s nephew, who lived next store as a young man. “After my mother died, your grandmother, whom we used to call Aunt Charlotte endeared herself to us children… Aunt Charlotte promised us a farthing (one forth of a penny) each Saturday if we were good children. So, on Saturday morning the five of us would wait against the wooden dividing fence watching for the black beaded bonnet and red shawl to come out. (This was the customary dress in those days.) We only needed the wings to make us angels. Having secured our separate farthing we were gone.”

            Herbert described memories of his grandmother’s home. “Charlotte always maintained the little garden spot at the front of the house full of pansies of every color. In the rear garden she had flowers and vegetables; and a chicken coop with several inmates to keep her in eggs. There was some kind of a berry bush from which she made a tasty, non-alcoholic drink. It was used very sparingly and one never dared ask for more. Charlotte and her daughter Alice made excellent Yorkshire puddings, mincemeat pies, and fancy cakes trimmed with Jello edgings.  In 1907 she had an interesting calendar with a typical country home pictured on it entitled ‘Three Acres and a Cow’ which she carefully explained to me was the utopian dream for the average Englishman to bring country-wide prosperity. She always had a dog, a cat, chickens and a garden. This developed into some kind of a family custom. She crocheted or knitted most of the window curtains. The parlor was kept immaculate and off limits for me except on special occasions. There was an old style pedal organ and a revolving stool. (Herbert would twirl around on this stool if he was unsupervised.) The parlor was the hallowed resting place for the Brett Family Bible; full of hell-fire pictures and dramatic punishment for the ungodly people of the past. The one thing I redeemed from it was a photograph of the page listing grandmother’s parents, brothers and sisters and their birth dates.”

            Charlotte’s grandchildren referred to William Brown as Uncle Billy. He was 13 years younger than Charlotte and related well with Alfred’s children. He was a help to his step son, Alfred. The children remember how he helped their dad build a work shop behind their house on Vincent road. Alfred was very tender hearted and could not bring himself to kill the chickens and rabbits he raised. Uncle Billy often did this task for him.

            Billy was devoted to Charlotte. Doris Burrell St. Jeor wrote about an experience she had when she was eight years. It was after Charlotte died and Uncle Billy had visited Alfred and Emma’s home for dinner. After dinner he sat in the parlor and the only other one in the room was Doris who sat on the floor near the fire. Quietly Billy said, “I have lost my best pal,” as tears filled his eyes.

            The Mormon Missionaries began visiting with Charlotte and her daughter, Alice in 1896. The two ladies were taught by the missionaries for over a year. I can find no record that reveals what Uncle Billy thought of this. Nevertheless, Charlotte was the head of the house. Alfred was busy courting Emma Louisa Cogman at this time.

            One day while visiting Alfred’s family, Emma caught a conversation between Charlotte and Alice. Charlotte said, “That man has been here today and I wish you had been here.” 

            “I wish I had been here too.” Replied Alice.

            “I think they have the truth.” Charlotte stated.

            “I think they do have the true gospel.” Alice said.

            It was years later before Emma realized what they were talking about, but she never forgot the conversation.

            Alice Maria was baptized on 15 April 1898. The following fall on 30 September 1898 Charlotte was baptized. The testimonies of these two women were important influences on Alfred’s family as they investigated the church and were converted.

            Herbert talked about his grandmother as she grew old. “I recall that when I was about 14 or 15 years old, I occasionally walked with my grandmother, Charlotte from her home in St. Augustine’s down Magpie Road to catch the street car on a Sunday morning to attend our chapel services, which she loved to do. It was getting difficult for her to make the trip without stopping to catch her breath every once and a while. I just had to stand and wait a short time, which I could hardly understand, as I was ready to run to the car with no problem.”

            Charlotte died on 17 Nov 1917. They found her sitting peacefully at the kitchen table with an empty cup sitting in front of her.

Source notes: The material in this biography has been taken from diaries and other writings of Herbert Burrell and Doris Burrell St Jeor. 

My Great Grandfather John Cogman

John Cogman

By W. Craig Burrell

Key Points

Born: 8 March 1837 Norwich, Norfolk, England

Parents: Robert Cogman and Maria Reed

Spouse and Marriage: Louisa Colman, 5 May 1862

Death: 23 September 1898

            John Cogman was born 8 March 1837 in Norwich, Norfolk, England. He was the fourth child of Robert Cogman and Mary Read. He had six siblings.

            He had but a few months of formal schooling. At the age of seven, it became necessary for him to remain home to care for his younger brother, Charles. John’s mother died when he was about six years old..

            John was a short heavy set man, with a round kindly face. A late picture shows him with gray hair and a beard. This picture hung on the wall of his daughter, Emma’s home for years. In his best attire: tall silk hat, coat with swallow tails, white gloves and cane he looked like a gentleman. He was a very proud man and carried himself well.

            In spite of his lack of schooling he became a good business man and was well respected in the city of Norwich. He worked with his uncles, William and Charles read learning building and carpentry work.

            While John was working with his Uncle Charles building a home in Norwich, he met Louisa Colman who was living with an aunt who ran an Inn. Her aunt sent Louisa back to her parents in Kings Lynn to avoid young John Cogman. This did not deter John. He traveled to Kings Lynn and asked Louisa’s father for her hand in marriage in a most appropriate fashion.

            John married Louisa Colman when he was 25 years old and Louisa was only 16. Louisa bore 15 Children: Ernest Arthur 1864, Charles 1865, Louisa 1867, Emma 1869, Louisa 1871, Emma Louisa 1873, Henry (Harry) 1874, Robert 1876, Alice 1878, John Percival (Jack) 1880, Robert 1882, Walter Sidney 1884, Edward 1884, Edward 1886, and Katheleen (Kate) 1890. Only 11 of these children lived to be adults.

            His business grew as his family grew. He acquired property for his shops and storage of tools and materials. He became involved in building coffins. His motto was, “Taint the cough that carries you off, but the coffin they carry you off in.”

            He would often make this statement. “Don’t bury me until I begin to stink.” He would explain his statement with this little story. “On a particular occasion I was requested to make a coffin for a certain woman who had just passed away. Coffins were usually nothing fancy then. The lids were left off until after the viewing. After the viewing, they were fastened in place with screws. After this certain woman’s viewing, I was called upon to fasten down the lid. As I was about to place the lid in place, I gazed for a moment into the woman’s face. To my surprise she winked at me. I called for a mirror. I held it in front of her face, and a trace of vapor appeared on the mirror. Her doctor was called and the woman was pronounced alive.”

            John also told the woman’s story. “I heard him pronounce me dead. I said to myself, ‘It’s funny you can hear what people say when your dead.’ They put me in a coffin so I knew I was dead; however, still I could see people come and look at me. I just stared back until the coffin maker came to put the lid on the coffin. I said to myself, ‘I wonder if I could just make that eye wink at him and scare him?’ I tried it and here I am today.”

            John related, “I was scared when she winked, and I am still scared. I don’t want to be buried alive. Don’t bury me until I begin to stink.”

            John Cogman didn’t usually say much about religion. He had a pew in St. Peter Mancroft Church of England, but his religious beliefs were aligned towards the Baptists. His daughter Emma related this experience. “I had been baptized in the Church of England when I was 14 years of age. Nevertheless, I was never confirmed. My father refused to stand in as a god father. He said there was only one “God-Father” and he was in heaven. He also said that the only correct form of baptism was to go down into the water. Making a little cross on the forehead with a wet finger was not baptism.”

            John’s sister Rachael owned several houses and shops in Norwich. John maintained this property sometimes at his own expense for years. He did have the use of some of the shops. As time went on, John’s prosperity dwindled. He mortgaged his business and property. He believed that Rachael would leave her property to him when she died. However, she left her property to her nephew Charles Cogman. John was distraught about this. His family felt that this was what triggered his heart attack and death six months later.

            His wife Louisa was left with a lot of mortgages. None of his family was interested in taking over the construction business. The children married and moved away leaving Louisa in a very poor situation financially.

Sources: This material is taken from recollections of Emma Louisa Cogman Burrell, and writings of Herbert Burrell and Doris Burrell St. Jeor.

           

My Great Grandmother Louisa Colman

Louisa Colman Cogman

Compiled and Edited by W. Craig Burrell

Key Points

Born: 9 November 1844

Parents: William Colman and Martha Weaving

Spouse and Marriage: John Cogman, 5 May 1862

Death: January 1915

            Louisa Colman was born to William Colman and Martha Weaving on 9 November 1844 in Kings Lynn, Norfolk, England. She grew up in a family of seven children and was the second oldest. She was a lovely girl with dark hair and an olive complexion.

            She was working at an inn in Norwich for her aunt when she met John Cogman, who was working on construction with his uncles nearby. When her aunt became aware of the relationship that was developing, her aunt rushed her back to parents in Kings Lynn. John traveled the forty miles to her home and presented himself to her father in a proper fashion. Her father gave permission for them to marry. John was 21 and Louisa was only 16.

            Louis’s uncle, William Flowers was a prosperous carriage builder in Kings Lynn. He made sure that the young couple had a gala wedding. After the ceremony, the couple was carried to the railroad station in an elaborate carriage. It was drawn by a classy team of horses and a postilion in a red uniform was mounted on the near horse. As the train pulled out of the station, “Fog Signals” exploded to give them a royal send off.

            When they arrived at their home in Norwich, Louisa found the home furnished and comfortable. The big copper kettle was singing on the kitchen stove to greet them thanks to John’s sister Rachael.

            Louisa did not conceive for a year or more after she was married. She went to her mother crying because she didn’t have any children. Her mother gently told her, “Some day you will be crying because you have too many.” Louisa eventually had 15.

            John and Louisa were comfortable in Norwich; however, they found it necessary to move to London for a while. New babies arrived while they were living there. Small Pox and Typhus claimed the life of three of their little ones. Emma Louisa was born while they lived in London, and shortly after this they moved back to Norwich.

            In Norwich they settled in some of the property belonging to the Read family in what is known as Crooks Place. John Cogman’s granduncle, Charles Read, and his son William Reed lived in one of the cottages. John Cogman and his growing family moved into the other cottage. John latter built a larger home where Emma Louisa remembers growing up with her family. She told her children about the apple tree and the private hedge that separated the cottages from the larger home at the top of the yard. William Read built another larger home on the property and the John Cogman family moved into it later on.

            Louisa was very domestic and did beautiful sewing. She made many clothes for her own children and also many clothes for the babies of her first daughter-in-law, Polly. In those days baby’s clothes were decorated with tucks and laces and required much hand work. On one occasion Emma Louisa saw her mother making diapers and surmised that they were for Polly. “Don’t you think you should give up sewing for Polly and let her do it herself?”

            Her mother replied, “I wish they were for Polly, these are for me.” They were for Kitty the last of the 15 children. Emma Louisa was annoyed when she realized that her mother was pregnant again. 

            Louisa spent much of her time sewing. Emma Louisa was hard to sew for and it took a lot of tucks to make her dresses fit. However, she made them fit. She spent a major part of her time sewing while the older girls took care of the younger children and cleaned house. Louisa spent her life in her home with her family. She rarely went out of the house for anything.

            After John Cogman died, no one in the family was interested in managing the business or maintaining the property. Louisa was quite heavy and had problems with her legs. She retained water and there was no way to deal with the problem back then. As she grew more helpless, she remained in a single room. Her daughter Louie came by to help her on a regular basis.

            Herbert Burrell, one of Louisa’s grandsons told of this experience. “When I was 13 years old, I was living with my family on Vincent road and I grew flowers…. I had fostered a Chrysanthemum plant and on this particular fall it burst out in very full bloom.”

            “When I discovered what a lovely burst of yellow Chrysanthemums were on my bush, I decided to pick them all and take them to Grandmother Cogman. They were beautiful when I started out, but were somewhat bedraggled by the time I got there.”

            “We usually walked everywhere in those days, although there was an Electric Tramway which ran on rails with electric wire overhead. I never thought of taking the tram. It may have been at least a 30 minute walk to Grandma’s home. We measured our distance in walking time never in miles. This is the only time I remember visiting her.”

            “I was very shocked to find her situation. As I recall, the steps up to her second floor room were plain unpainted wood and the floor of the room was also plain and unpainted without rugs. Grandma sat helpless in a plain wooden chair with a curved back and arm rests, no padding. She was so very heavy and helpless. I put the flowers in some container with water that I got from the sink myself. I can’t remember what conversation may have taken place, but I know I went home wondering just who would look after her. I knew that Aunt Louie lived nearby, but I did not stop by to see her. Grandmother, Louisa Cogman suffered from dropsy and died in January 1915.”

Source: This material was compiled from the diaries and writings of Herbert Burrell and Doris Burrell St Jeor.

             

My Great Grandfather Charles William Hardy

Charles William Hardy

Compiled and Edited by W. Craig Burrell

Key Points

Born: 28 July 1842, Groverland, Essex County Massachusetts

Parents: Josiah Guile Hardy and Sarah Clark Parker

Spouse and Marriage: Marinda Andrus, 31 May 1872

Death: 6 June 1914

                        Charles William Hardy was born the 28^th of July of 1842 in Groverland, Essex County, Massachusetts. He was the fourth child of nine born to Josiah Guile Hardy and Sarah Clark Parker.

            His parents were converted to the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while living in Massachusetts.

            Charles’ family left Bradford Massachusetts on 7 April 1850 to travel west to Zion. The family settled temporarily near Columbus, Missouri where his father, Josiah worked in a saw mill. Their objective was to earn enough money to purchase a wagon, team and supplies to travel to Utah. Josiah earned $30 a month and at the end of 23 months they had earned enough to purchase an outfit.

            On 7 April 1852 they left Columbus, Missouri traveling to the Omaha area to meet with the James Bay pioneer company. They met the company on the Iowa side of the Missouri River. William’s father, Josiah, was appointed clerk of the first ten of the company. On 29 May 1852 they crossed the Missouri river and traveled west.

            Josiah wrote in his journal that they had a pleasant trip. William was ten years old and he traveled with 5 brothers and sisters. They made good time and were met by Samuel B. Hardy at the head of Echo canyon on 16 August 1852. They arrived in the valley 20 August 1852.

            His father, Josiah, had a large family. His first wife, Sarah, had eleven children and second wife, Ann Denston, had eleven children. Charles William was raised in Salt Lake City where he received his schooling.

            Civil Engineering became his profession. In 1862 he apprenticed to the firm of Hinckley and Stewart. He was employed in 1869 by the Utah Central Railroad which was later known as the Oregon Short Line. He was employed by them until the project was completed in 1871.

            He was made First Assistant Engineer of the Utah Southern Railroad, which was later known as the San Pedro. He remained in their employ until the road was completed to the Frisco Mine.

            He served as the County Surveyor in Salt Lake County for eight years from 1870 to 1878, and held the office of Assistant Territorial Surveyor General for two years.

            In 1872 he was made Chief Engineer of the Wasatch and Jordan Valley Railroad. He also served in the capacity of Chief Engineer of Saltair, Park City, Fort Douglas and Emigration Canyon roads.

            He had charge of the construction of the Sevier Reservoir dam and many other similar projects all over the Western States and in Old Mexico.

            He married Marinda Andrus daughter of Milo Andrus and Mary Ann Webster 31 March 1873. They had eight daughters and one son: Lucy May 1873, Sarah Alice 1876, Marinda Maude 1878, Mary Edna 1881, Charles Jesse 1883, Bertha Andrus 1887, Minnie Viola 1888, Bertha Andrus 1892, and Cynthia 1894.

            His second wife was Bertha Starley, whom he married on 28 November 1878. Their son, William Henry was born in 1881.

            He was committed to church service and was very earnest in the performance of any duty placed upon him. In 1878 he was called as a counselor to John Nicholson on the stake board of the Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Association.

            From 1881 to 1883 he filled a mission to the Southern States. He served as president of the Eighth Quorum of Seventies and also as a counselor to bishop T. A. Williams of the Twelfth Ward.

            He was an influential teacher in the Sunday School all of his life and he served diligently as a Ward Teacher.

                        The Charles W. Hardy family prospered financially for many years, however, some time after 1902 they had a real set back. Charles W. lost some money he had invested. The family struggled financially for several years. Marinda and the children had to work to keep the family afloat. This interfered with college plans for some of the children.

            Charles William was a very even tempered man. He was loved by everyone and his advice was sought constantly by his host of friends. He was a friend in deed and served constantly among the sick and distressed. He had an unwavering faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He put a stop to any gossip started in his presence, and refused to allow a disparaging word uttered about the church. In mathematics he was a genius, never having been stumped by any mathematical problem submitted to him.

            His death was sudden and unexpected. He had walked home from town to his home on 1^st South and 6^th East in Salt Lake City carrying a large reference book on Utah Pioneers. When he reached the porch, he collapsed dead.

My Geat Grandmother Marinda Andrus Hardy

Marinda Andrus Hardy

Compiled and edited by W. Craig Burrell

Key Points

Born: 18 May 1857, Cottonwood, Salt Lake County, Utah

Parents: Milo Andrus and Mary Ann Webster

Spouse and Marriage: Charles William Hardy, 31 March 1872

Death: 27 December 1922, Salt Lake City, Utah

            Marinda was born 18 May 1857 to Mary Ann Webster Andrus and Milo Andrus in Big Cottonwood, Salt Lake County, Utah.

            Mary Ann was the fifth wife of Milo Andrus. Her family joined the Church in Windle, Lancashire, England. She met Milo for the first time while he was serving there on a mission. Mary Ann was a true pioneer, traveling from England to Pottawatomie county Iowa where her father and some of her siblings died the first winter. From there she traveled to Utah where she eventually married Milo Andrus and settled in Big Cottonwood.

            Marinda had 8 siblings: Marlon 1854, Lyman 1859, Lucy 1862, Walter 1864, Grant 1867, Minnie 1869, Nellie 1873, and Laura 1875. She also had 48 half brothers and sisters. Surely she never lacked for someone to play with or work with.

            Milo was valiant in his testimony and was always obedient when given an assignment. His wives were also valiant in their testimonies and were dedicated to serving the Lord and building the kingdom. Each one of them had special talents that contributed to the needs of this large family.

            After Marinda was born her father was called to serve the church in many callings. He served as a Major in the Utah Militia during the Utah War. In the Big Cottonwood ward he served as a bishop. In 1859 he was called to serve on a second mission to England for two years. During this time Marinda’s brother Lyman was born in Big Cottonwood.

            While Milo was in England, he left his wife Lucy Loomis with the task of building a half way house in the area known as Dry Creek (10330 So State Salt Lake County). Some of the family moved there. Marinda’s mother did not go to England. She remained in Big Cottonwood serving the family there during the mission. There is some evidence that Mary Ann’s family moved later to the Dry Creek location.

            Milo did not return speedily back from England. In 1861 he led a company of Saints from England to New York on the ship The Underwriter. He led a company of 900 saints from New York to Florence, Nebraska by train, and he led a company of 38 wagons and 620 people to Salt Lake City.

            Milo was able to enjoy his family in Utah for a few years. However, he was called on a mission to the eastern states in 1869.

            After Marinda was married and settled in Salt Lake City, her mother and some of her siblings traveled to St. George where Milo served as the chairman of the United Order and helped build the St. George temple. Later the family pioneered a settlement in Green River, Utah. Marinda received sad news from her family in the spring of 1881; her younger sister Minnie had drowned in the river.

            Marinda married Charles William Hardy 31 March 1872. Their home was located in Salt Lake City, Utah. They were blessed with 9 children: Lucy May 1873, Sarah Alice 1876, Marinda Maude 1878, Mary Edna 1881, Charles Jesse 1883, Bertha Andrus 1887, Minnie Viola 1888, Bertha Andrus 1992, and Cynthia 1894. Charles William also had a second wife, Bertha Starley, who raised one son, William Henry 1881.

            Marinda had grown up in a home where her father was often away from home. Her husband was also away a lot building railroads and reservoirs, and serving a mission to the southern states; she maintained the home and cared for the children. Behind the house was a garden, a chicken coop and a barn for the family cow. She even sold milk to the neighbors. The girls all learned to cook, sew and manage a household. They were particularly fond of making candy.

            When I was a young boy, I spent a lot of time in the home of my grandparents, Charles Jesse and Clarice Hardy. An oval, marble topped table occupied a prominent place in the parlor. The marble table top was in bad shape. Instead of looking smooth and shiny, it was yellow and had a surface like finished cement. Grandma Hardy told us the history of this table and explained that it came from Marinda’s home. The smooth, cold marble top was perfect for setting freshly dipped chocolates on to cool. Many wonderful chocolate treats were created on this table. Eventually the beautiful surface became rough and discolored. I remember when Grandma Hardy had the marble top refinished. The table remains in the family as a cherished heirloom. Sadly, it is no longer used to make chocolates.

            Marinda lived for 8 years after her husband died. She died of a stroke while living at the home of her daughter Bertha in Salt Lake City on 27 December 1922. The Salt Lake area had received a heavy snow and with much difficulty she was buried in the Salt Lake Cemetery.

            

My Great Grandfather Charles Harding

Charles Harding

*Compiled and Edited by W. Craig Burrell

Key Points

Born: 2 May 1838, Caldwell County, Missouri

Parents: Dwight Harding and Phebe Holbrook

Spouse and Marriage: Matilda Josephine Zundel, 30 September 1865

Death: 8 July 1899, Willard, Box Elder County, Utah

            Charles Harding had the fortune of being born into a Latter-day Saint family. His parents accepted the restored gospel while they were living in New York. His father, Dwight Harding, was baptized on January 3, 1833; and his mother, Phebe Holbrook, was baptized on January 20, 1833. Soon after, on February 12, 1833 the two were married.

            Dwight and Phebe made their first home in Weathersfield, Seneca County, New York where their oldest son, George, was born. In the year 1834 when George was still an infant they moved to Kirtland, Ohio. The next year, 1835, they moved their family to Keytesville, Chariton County, Missouri where their second son Alma was born.

            Persecution against the church was great; however, they remained with the main body of the church and moved to Caldwell, Clay County, Missouri in the summer of 1835 where they remained for three and a half years. The saints were then driven out of Clay County. They sought refuge in Far West where Charles Hardy was born April 2, 1838. Later that same year on November 1, 1838, Dwight along with the other men was forced to lay down their arms and leave Missouri.

            The family traveled to Quincy Illinois where they lived for three and a half years. While they were here, Phebe had their first daughter, Elizabeth Jane, born on October 23, 1840. Soon after this they moved to Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois where they resided for five years. They built a comfortable home on Fulmer Street. Two daughters were born to the family here: Nancy Ann and Phebe Eliza, who died as an infant.

            Persecution against the church persisted. Charles was eight years old when his family left Nauvoo in the spring of 1846. They traveled to Iowa and settled on Mosquito Creek seven miles from Kanesville. Not long after their arrival in Iowa, Dwight moved his family to Ponco. Good grazing was available there for livestock and the Indians were friendly. They planted crops that would later be harvested and used by other saints traveling west.

            In the spring of 1848 they moved to Council Bluffs. Here Dwight and Chauncey Call contracted to build the first jail in Council Bluffs. While living in Council Bluffs Dwight received word that the Harding estate had been settled and his share would be fifty dollars. The family needed this money for their trip west. Fifteen year old George was sent on foot 100 miles to the nearest government mail station to receive the money.

            Charles Harding was thirteen years old when the family left Iowa on their journey to Salt Lake City (June 16, 1851). They traveled with the John G. Smith Company. The family consisted of Dwight and Phebe, three sons: George, Alma and Charles, and two daughters: Elizabeth Jane and Nancy Ann. The weather was agreeable on the trip. They endured the normal hardships that pioneers experienced traveling across the prairie with teams and wagons.

            Nevertheless, they did have Indian problems. One day, while they were slowly wending their way along the wagon trail following the emigrant wagons, they noticed some Indians keeping close to their wagon and occasionally slipping their provisions out. The Harding children decided the only thing for them to do was to sit on the sacks of crackers to prevent further loss. This scheme, however, proved to be ineffective. When they stopped, they found the cracker sack to be half empty. The Indians had cunningly slipped the crackers out from under them a few at a time.

            They arrived in Salt Lake City on September 15, 1851. After a short stay in the Salt Lake Valley, they traveled to Bountiful to the home of Phebe’s brother Joseph Holbrook. North Willow Creek was recommended to them as a favorable place to settle. While the family rested, young George traveled north to explore the area. He came back with a favorable report.

            The family arrived in what is now Willard, Utah on September 26, 1851. A few families had settled there the previous spring. Dwight acquired seventy-five acres of land. They immediately began to haul logs to build a house.

            Dwight Harding was involved in building many of the early houses in Willard. The early ones were made out of logs. Later several houses were built out of adobe. Building materials that today are available in any hardware store were non existent in early Willard. A blacksmith, Will Wilker made flat nails out of old iron such as used wagon tires. He sold them for seventy five cents a pound.

            Education was important in the Harding home. Charles attended the first school in Willard with sixteen other children. Their first teacher was Henry Thatcher who spent the winter in Willard on his way to California. Dwight helped build a school house of logs in 1852.

            Dwight Harding taught his sons many gospel principles. In the spring of 1853 he had an opportunity to teach them a lesson in charity. One morning they were about ready to go into the field when a man by the name of Christensen drove into the yard. He said Brigham Young had sent him to Willard to get a load of wheat. Many emigrants were entering Salt Lake City and he was having a hard time obtaining food to feed them.

            Brother Christensen had stayed the night before at another home in Willard. He had been told that Dwight Harding had the only wheat they knew of in the settlement and that was very little. He was somewhat discouraged when he drove with his wagon into the yard. He disliked the thought of going back to President Young with an empty wagon. When he asked for the wheat, Dwight replied. “I have between three and four bushel of wheat in the bin. I have prepared land to plant six pecks of it. My boys and I are now on our way to the field to work. You go into the granary. There you will find a peck measure. Fill it six times using a little board to smooth it off even. Clear a space in the corner of the bin to place my share in, and then you can take the rest.”

            When Dwight and his sons came from the field at noon, Brother Christenson was still sacking wheat. He had his wagon full of sacks which he had filled and sewed up, and he was just finishing the last sack. Dwight said, “I see you were able to find your load of wheat. Where did you get it?”

            “I got it from your bin. I did just as you said. I measured out six pecks for you and placed it in a corner of the bin. I have taken my load from what was left.” Brother Christensen replied.

            Dwight looked at his boys in amazement. They all knew the amount of wheat there was in the bin, yet here was the evidence that a load of wheat had been taken out and their share was left. They walked into the house. Dinner was ready, but they could eat very little; their minds were filled with wonder.

            Early in the spring of 1858 Brigham Young called for 150 men to go to the Salmon River country to assist some of the saints that had been sent there to colonize the area. The saints had been threatened and harassed by a band of Indians. Many of the settlers had been killed. Cattle and horses had been stolen. Charles and his brother George were among the men sent there from Willard. They rode through a stand of cedars as they entered the Bannock Valley. As they emerged into the open they saw several dead horses on the ground and other evidence of an Indian raid. On closer inspection they found the body of Bailey Lake of North Ogden pierced with arrows. Captain Cunningham, who was over the mission sent the ten men from Willard back to North Ogden with the body.

            They packed the body with snow in a wagon. The snow was knee deep and they had to break a trail in the snow for the team and wagon. They started their trip from a location where Arbon, Idaho is today. The first night they stayed in Malad. The next day they traveled to Willard. Charles was riding a pony (saddle horse). He rode ahead to Willard and asked the bishop to have fresh men and horses ready to haul the corpse the remaining ten miles to North Ogden. This was a remarkable trip considering it is thirty five miles from Arbon to Malad and most of this trip was traveled in knee deep snow. After resting for the night they traveled another seventy one miles from Malad to Willard in one day.

            Charles and his brother George made many trips freighting goods in from California and sometimes Montana. He also made three trips back east. The three Harding brothers established a store in Willard. Most of the goods they freighted in were for the Willard store, but sometimes they hauled goods for the Walker Brothers Store in Salt Lake City.

            The three Harding Brothers: George, Alma and Charles built four different stores in Willard. The first store consisted of two rock rooms that are now part of the George Hardy home that was located on the west side of the road at Center Street and 100 West. Their merchandise included: dishes, dress goods and calicos, home medicines, stoves, tubs, washboards etc.

            The second store was built on the southeast corner of Alma Harding’s lot on Main Street. The store was located on the west side of Main Street just north of 100 South.

            The third store was built next to the Charles Harding home on the west side of main street just south of 100 South. This store was made of rock by Shadrack Jones and Dan Tooey. Peter Baird did the carpentry work. It was a two story structure. The lower part was used as a store and the upper part was used for the school. Charles managed this store. He had a likeable jovial personality and was strictly honest and honorable. . They expanded their line of merchandise. Customers came in from Malad and Promontory valleys. Since Willard was on the main road there was always a steady train of emigrants stopping on their way west. This store burned down.

            The fourth store was built on the east side of Main Street just south of Center Street. It was a two story brick building. The store was on the lower level. Nancy Harding had a millinery department in this store. The upper floor was used for recreational purposes. It had a hardwood floor and a stage. It was referred to as the Opera house. This store was also destroyed by fire.

            On September 30, 1865 Charles was married to Matilda Zundel the daughter of John Jacob Zundel and Sarah Forstner Zundel in the endowment house in Salt Lake City. They were blessed with twelve children, six boys and six girls: Joseph Alonzo (1866), Charles Don Carlos (1867), George Forstner (1869), Matilda Josephine (1871), Daniel Fenton (1873), Jacob Dwight (1876), Sarah Phebe (1877), Lewis Henry (1879), Clarice Melena (1882), Elizabeth Louise (1884), Jenny Lavern (1887), and Ivy Lavon (1892).

            Charles put his children to work on a very successful farm. They had a large orchard with a great variety of fruit trees including 26 different kinds of apple trees. They had a large garden and stored vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, turnips, parsnips, and cabbage in a root cellar. They raised several kinds of berries. After the railroad was built, the berries were picked, crated and shipped to Salt Lake City. They raised corn and small grains. Harvest time was a special event for the kids when the thrashing crew came. They raised sorghum cane and had the only molasses mill in town.

            They had milk cows and hogs at the farm in Willard. Draft horses, light driving horses and saddle horses were kept on the farm. In addition Charles and his bothers ran a ranch at Promontory where they raised cattle and sheep.

            At times there was an opportunity to hire out and make extra money. The United States Army, Johnston’s Army, was camped at Camp Floyd west of Lehi, Utah between 1858 and 1861. The Harding Brothers contracted to haul wood to the camp. They cut the wood east of the camp and used horses, mules and oxen to haul it. They had to hire extra men to accomplish this.

            The transcontinental railroad was completed in 1869, the Harding brothers and their teams were hired on to help build the grade. The famous Fresno scraper was not invented until 1883. The scrapers they used were much less efficient. Charles worked for Union Pacific at Fort Bridger.

            When Charles was called to serve for his church, he always responded positively. On October 15, 1875 he left his young family and served a mission to Massachusetts to labor among his relatives there. Several of his children followed his example and served church missions.

            Charles and Matilda instilled in their children a desire to learn. They supported education in Willard when they could. It has been mentioned that the upper story of the third Harding Brothers store was used as a school. Only one of their eleven children that grew to be adults did not attend college. All of them did not attain a degree, but two sons became medical doctors and one became a dentist.

            As a young man Charles and his sister Elizabeth were members of the Willard Dramatic Association. Some of their plays were taken to other towns. He supported similar activities in the community. The upper story of the fourth Harding Brothers store in Willard was called the Opera house. Dances, plays, concerts and recreational activities were held in this facility.

            Charles Harding had a pleasant agreeable nature and made many friends. He was easy to approach and children adored him. He was a gifted story teller and loved to joke with his customers. He was a good neighbor and an honorable man.  

            It is a shame that not many of his grandchildren had the opportunity to know him. Charles died at the age of 61. He had been infected with Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and died July 8, 1899.

*Source: Dwight Harding Family Book, 1968, Glen F. Harding M.D.

My Great Grandmother Matilda Josephine Zundel

Matilda Josephine Zundel Harding

*Compiled and Edited by W. Craig Burrell

Key Points

Born: 16 January 1845, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois

Parents: John Jakob Zundel and Sarah Forstner

Spouse and Marriage: Charles Harding, 30 September 1865

Death: 29 December 1922, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah

            Matilda’s parents were born to two families that left Wiernsheim, Worttemberg, Germany in the pursuit of religious freedom. The Johann Eberhart Zundel family and the Johann Georg Forstner families Joined the Rapp Society in Germany. They were among the 800 members of the society that immigrated to America settling In Harmony Pennsylvania in 1805.

            In the spring of 1814 the society moved to New Harmony, Indiana along the Wabash River. Georg Rapp later sold this land and the society moved to Economy, Pennsylvania in 1825. John Jacob Zundel Matilda’s father was born in Germany in 1796 and her Mother Sarah Forstner was born in New Harmony Pennsylvania in 1809.

            Both of these children were raised in the Rapp society. They dressed like simple Swabian peasants of the 18^th century. In school they learned German and the three R’s. They attended religious meetings almost daily and studied the bible. People in the society had an appreciation for art and music. Children were taught to work hard. When a boy became 14 years of age, he was trained in a trade of his choice.

            Georg Rapp taught that men and women should live a celibate life and never marry. For this and several other reason’s John Jacob Zundel and Sarah Forster left the society in 1831 and were married. They settled in Phillipsburg, Beaver County Pennsylvania. John Jacob made his living there as a butcher. This was the trade he learned as a boy in the society.

            In 1836 John Jacob heard a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints preach the restored gospel and shortly thereafter he and Sarah were baptized in the Ohio River. Soon after this he sold his business and moved to join the saints in Missouri. He was driven with the saints out of Missouri and into Illinois.

            John Jacob bought a farm in Nauvoo and built a brick house. They enjoyed the association with the members of the church. Here he was able to utilize his German language skills in a special way. He taught language lessons to Joseph Smith.

*****

            Matilda Josephine Zundel was born January 16, 1845 in Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois. Joseph Smith had been martyred and members of the church were facing much persecution. The saints including her father were working hard to complete the Nauvoo temple. Her parents were able to have their temple work done before they left Nauvoo in the spring of 1846.

            When they left Nauvoo, they traveled to Winter Quarters where they remained for one year. In 1847 they moved to Pottawatomie County, Iowa where they lived until they made their trek to Utah in 1852.

            They traveled west in Captain Wood’s company. Melena, Matilda’s older sister made the wagon cover by hand. Two wagons carried their possessions and provisions. One was pulled by horses and the other by oxen. Matilda was six years old and traveled on foot most of the way following the slow wagons. Every morning her mother would fasten her churn to the wagon so they could have butter for their evening meal. The weather was pleasant. Men guarded the circle of wagons at night to protect them from Indians and buffalo. Their worst trial was Cholera. Twelve of the company died. The camp was moved twelve miles from the ones that were infected. Matilda’s parents remained with the sick to administer to those who were dying and to bury the dead. They bathed and washed their clothes before returning to their family. None of the family was infected with the disease.

            Matilda crossed the plains when she was six years old. Like most children she loved dolls; however, she did not have one. As they traveled along the trail they often saw piles of clothes in a heap near a grave. They would ask their mother why the clothes were left there, and she would only look sad as she returned to her work. One afternoon while walking behind the wagon, she and some older children decided to get some of the clothes. They found a whole heap of them and made beautiful dolls. When they looked up from their play there were no wagons in sight. They could see a man coming towards them on horseback; however, they were not frightened. When he reached them, he told them the company was miles ahead. He made them follow him on foot. When they came to a large stream, he made them wade into the water. As the reached the middle of the stream he had them throw the clothes away. They did this with tears in their eyes and continued to follow their guide. Upon their return to camp, their mother took off Matilda’s clothes and washed them. Matilda was given a bath.

            Matilda learned that the clothes were left by people who died of Cholera. The children had exposed themselves to the disease by handling the clothes. With all this worry, mother got some toasted bread from a barrel in the wagon. She made some milk gravy and put jerked meat in it. This was poured over the toast. The ordeal was forgotten, and the children did not get Cholera.

            Herds of buffalo were on the prairie in those days. At one time a herd of about one hundred head came very near to the company. They feared that the herd would stampede and run through their little wagon train that was circled for the night. The next morning a lone buffalo was standing inside the circle of wagons. The men got their rifles and killed it, and the company enjoyed the meat while it lasted.

            Matilda’s family reached the Salt Lake Valley in August of 1852. They camped near their Aunt Magdaline Moesser’s home near the Jordan River for a period of time. After their rest, they moved to North Willow Creek. Their first home consisted of a one room log house and their wagon boxes which were set on logs. Their furniture consisted of three bed frames with bed cords stretched across them which John Jacob had made himself. They had carried them all the way across the plains. They also had a few maple chairs with rush bottoms, a few shelves and a home made table. The floor was covered with bunch grass. It made a wonderful floor. The native grass was abundant in the area and was plentiful. It could be changed every day if desired

            They had brought to Utah dried apples, sugar and a supply of various seeds. A supply of dry goods was also included. The following spring they planted barley, oats, wheat, corn, potatoes and other vegetables.

            In the first years they lived in Willard they had problems with Indians. One night after dark about one hundred Indians threatened to kill them and burn their home. Sarah Zundel took her children and walked three miles to a neighbor’s home. The older children carried the younger ones. The oldest son Abraham remained to guard the home. The next morning every family in the area moved into what is known as Willard City and formed a fort. The following day Major Moore and his officers came from Ogden to help dig a trench around them. It was ten feet deep on the outside of the dirt pile and poles were placed on the inside near the houses. Living quarters were fashioned out of boards and wagon boxes. There was one bridge to enter and exit the fort.

            Shortly after the trench was completed the Bannock Indians came. The band consisted of one hundred braves, three squaws, the chief and an interpreter. They rode toward the fort in style giving a war whoop with every beat of their horse’s feet. They stopped near the entrance to the fort and asked if they could come in and spend the night saying they would not molest them. The Indian band was allowed into the fort; however, every man stayed up with his gun loaded.

            At three o’clock in the morning the three squaws were awake by the wagon boxes crying and all the bucks were up ready to fight. Mother Zundel said, “Children, you must pray and the Lord will protect us. A wagon drew up by the side of the Zundel wagon box. The chief stood in the wagon and preached about an hour to his braves. He reminded them that they had promised that if the people would let them sleep inside the fort they would not molest them or kill them. He added, “You keep that promise. I will not allow any of these people to be harmed.” The braves all went back to bed and the next morning they left peacefully.

            Another time while they were all staying in the fort, a big band of Indians came. The older women and children were put under the wagon beds with the children. They were all very worried. Some of the older women noticed when they peeked out that the braves had brought their squaws with them. This brought relief to them, and they all laughed. The Indians would not attack with their squaws along.

            When Brigham Young heard about what was happening in Willard and other areas he said. “The Indians have done something I could not do. I have told you people to move into small towns where you could attend church. But you would never do it until the Indians forced you to.”

            A large band of Indians camped a few miles from the fort and the men had to take turns standing guard. As the town grew, they built a wall around it so they could live in safety. This wall was built by making a form out of boards and filling it with mortar and mud. It was built one section at a time. A trench was dug on the inside to get the dirt to mix with the mortar. 

            When the Indians became friendlier, they furnished the pioneers with ducks, geese and feathers. They dried service berries so they could be used like raisins. None of the white folks could ever figure out how these berries were processed. The Indians would trade a sack of berries for enough flour to make a batch of bread.

            One May a few years after the Indian problems had settled down, a late snow storm dropped over two feet of snow. Nearly all of the horses and cattle in Willard died. John Jacob and Brother Ward had a lot of grain harvested. They used their grain sparingly to keep their animals alive.

            Fifty Danish people came to Willard that next winter. Grain was scarce, but John Jacob rationed out a portion of grain to all that came to his door. He had a log granary, and when he started giving out grain he made a notch to show how deep the grain was in the structure. He gave away grain every day; however, the depth of grain in the granary never fell below that mark. There was a famine all over the state that year. Brigham Young sent men all over the state to make sure that everyone was provided for. A Mrs. Hatch was found nearly starved to death. She was taken into the Zundel home and provided for.

            Matilda Zundel attended school in a one room school made of rock. She was exceedingly handy with the needle. She preferred to sew by hand even when a machine was handy. No small piece of cloth was wasted. It was hemmed and used as a table cloth or a dish towel.

            In her teen age years she became skilled with spinning, and was noted to be the fastest spinner in town. People would hire her because she could not only spin fast, but could join the yarn perfectly. She would spin a knot and a half in a day. Her first calico dress was earned by spinning. She worked ten days at fifty cents a day to earn the money to purchase ten yards of gray calico. She made the dress by hand and later wore it to the Willard dances. Everyone thought that her dress was the prettiest dress they had ever seen. She had long black curls that set off the gray dress with the white collar. She told her children that they would dance until the morning. In fact, they would dance until the fiddlers were too tired to play.

            Matilda loved her mother and as a young girl was usually found by her mother’s side. Often they would prepare meals for travelers coming from the gold rush in California. One day some men came and said they would pay ten dollars for a meal. Ten dollars was a great amount of money in those days. Sarah had the only step stove in town and could prepare a meal quickly. She killed a chicken and made noodle soup and hot soda biscuits. With plenty of butter and fruit the men said they had never eaten so fine a meal. Sarah was paid the ten dollars in gold dust. These men had an entire wagon full of small sacks of gold dust. They asked to spend the night and asked if they could bring the gold into the house. They never doubted for a minute that it would be safe. In the morning the man told Sarah Zundel that he would give her the entire load of gold dust for her daughter.

            Matilda was very attractive and was very popular in the community. She loved to dance and enjoyed simple forms of recreation then common to pioneer families such as: rag bees, fruit cutting, drying bees and quilting.

            She was married to Charles Harding in the old Endowment House in Salt Lake City on September 20, 1865. It was a two day journey to Salt Lake with a horses and covered wagons. Her brother Isaac and Charles Harding’s sister Elizabeth were also married in the Endowment House on the same day.

            Charles and Matilda had twelve children and raised eleven of them. They lived in a large stone home that can still be seen today while driving through Willard. Matilda was a real home maker with the instincts of the pioneer woman: making the bedding for the large family, curing the meat, preserving the fruits and vegetables and doing the serving for her family. Other duties were making candles, knitting stockings, making bread, churning butter and making other home prepared food that was served on her well set table. No one was turned away from her door hungry, and many were hospitably entertained from her well stocked larder. Here was a happy and well-regulated home. She was a good neighbor and an efficient housekeeper. She was a member of the Relief Society of Willard, and it can be said of her that she did her full share in contributing towards the needs of the association and to the needy and worthy poor. With her, to see a need either in her own family, her neighbor’s home, or with the passing emigrant was to supply it.

            After her husband Charles died and nine of her children were married she bought a home in Salt Lake City. She moved there; however, every spring she prepared to return to her old home in Willard for the summer. She continued to do this until her death.

            She passed away at her home in Salt Lake City on December 26, 1922. Her funeral was held in Willard and was greatly attended by friends and relatives. She was buried next to her husband in the Willard cemetery.

*Source: Dwight Harding Family Book, 1968, Glen F. Harding M.D. and John Jacob Zundel Family Book, 1973, Glen F. Harding M.D.