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.