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.