Ward, John (Jan 25, 1786 – Feb 5, 1848)
SAMUEL WARD AND JOHN WARD BRIEF HISTORY
The earliest known ancestor in the Ward family at the present time is
that of Samuel Ward. He was born about the year 1753. His
wife was Elizabeth Iffe. She was born about the year 1765.
Their residence was Theburton, Suffolk. England.
We know little of his life, except that he was interested in political life. He served as a Foreign Commissioner.
This couple had three children that are known, namely, Samuel, John, and Elizabeth.
They did not have the opportunity of living when the restored Gospel
was on the earth, consequently their baptism into the church was done
by proxy on the 13th day of May, 1924, in the Logan Temple. Owen
D. Ward and Eunice A. Ward Harris received their Endowments for them on
the 28th of May, 1924. They were sealed for "Time Eternity" the
same day, and the children were sealed to them.
JOHN WARD, son of Samuel and Elizabeth
Iffe Ward, was born 25 January, 1786 at Theberton, Suffolkshire.
England.
He married Susannah Welton about the year 1810 at Melton,
Suf-England. They then moved to Leiston, Suffolk, England.
Susannah Welton was the daughter of John and Mary Welton.
John Ward took up farming early in
life, and continued with this occupation the rest of his life.
Six of their children were born at Leiston, England the family then moved to Fox Hall, where remaining six children were born.
Source: Ward Family Organization (1969). George Welton Ward
Family Record Book (Vol. 1 p. 8). Pocatello, ID: Gateway Printers.
Ward, George Welton (Sep 12, 1814 – Aug 18, 1882) by David Ward
HISTORY OF GRANDFATHER WARD AND FAMILY
BY DAVID C. WARD
Family Historian-1950
Our great, great grandfather, Samuel Ward of England, whose wife was
Elizabeth Iffe of the same country, was the father of John Ward our
great grandfather. Samuel Ward was a foreign commissioner in
England taking care of the imports and exports of foreign goods.
John Ward, the eldest son of Samuel Ward, married Susian Welton of
London, England. He was the father of George Welton Ward, the
eldest son of the family. From the earliest history we have, John
Ward was a farmer; taking up this occupation early in life.
George Welton Ward, our grandfather of Leiston Suffolk County, England,
is the father of the Ward brothers of Willard, Idaho and Iowa.
Grandfather was born September 12, 1814, in the village of Leiston of
Suffolk, England. He married Ann Trulock, who was born May 13,
1818 in London, of wealthy parents. They were married on the 24th
day of January, 1842, in London. Their marriage certificate being
now in the possession of one of his sons. Grandfather lived on a
farm with his father during his early life, doing the mowing and other
light work on account of his poor health. After his marriage he
kept an "Inn" in Woodbridge in Suffolk County for about six
years. He then became manager of an oil mill and stayed in this
position until he came to America.
During the time grandfather and grandmother
[End Page 1]
lived in Suffolk County, England, their first three sons were born; namely; William, George and Richard Trulock.
In 1847 our grandparents moved to Southampton Hamshire, England and on
April 11, 1849, Alfred Ward the fourth son, and also my father was
born. Three years later in January 1851 at three o'clock P. M.
our grandparents were baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints. At this time grandfather was manager of an oil
mill and was doing well financially. "He did not have to leave to
go to polygamy," says his brothers and sisters, "he was doing so well."
Shortly after this grandfather and grandmother emigrated to the United
States of America, sailing from England in a little sailing vessel
named "Marie". They were twelve weeks crossing the Atlantic
ocean, landing at New Orleans about May 23, 1851. After landing
they sailed up the Mississippi and Missouri rivers to Council
Bluff. They were compelled to go to Council Bluff as that was the
outfitting point for the journey across the plains.
On the eighth day of June, 1851, on their westward journey they reached
Harris Grove, thirty miles north of Cainsville, Council Bluff,
Potawattamie County. During this wearisome journey and on this
same day, grandmother gave birth to her fifth son, Moroni. "I
remember," says grandfather, "that it rained hard and we were forced to
enter an old shed for shelter at ten o'clock P. M. Pans were held to
catch the rain so as not to wet my wife, Ann Trulock."
Grandmother made many hard sacrifices. First, it was very painful
for her to leave her people in England and come west. Second, we
can imagine what hardships she had to undergo on her journey westward;
besides it was difficult for her to adapt herself to frontier
life. She was a small woman in stature, but genuine in character,
being a brave mother and a sweet tempered wife.
In May 1852, our grandparents emigrated to the great Salt Lake valley,
and arrived there on the ninth of October. A year later a call
was made by honorable Brigham Young, then governor of the desert, for
men and their families to leave Salt Lake and settle the territory both
north and south. By so doing small communities were established
which later developed into towns and cities.
In 1852 our grandparents wintered at North Ogden, Weber County.
In the spring of 1854 they moved to North Willard Creek, since known as
Willard City.
On the twenty third day of January 1854, John Joseph, the sixth son,
was born at North Willard Creek, Box Elder County. Ann Elizabeth,
their first daughter, was born March 21, 1856 at Willard City, Box
Elder County. Charles Robert, the seventh son, was born February
1, 1858 at Willard City, Box Elder County.
Grandfather had two wives, the second being Mary Hankinson, daughter of
James and Ann Hankinson of England. She was born in Bidsbury,
January 12, 1840. Grandfather met his second wife here in Utah.
His second wife had seven children. Namely: Mary Ann, David
Henery, [sic] Sarah Ellen, Joseph Welton, James Albert, Eliza Jane and
Hyrum H. Ward. John Joseph and Hyrum H. are the only two living
of grandfathers [sic] children.
Grandfather was ordained first counselor to Bishop Cordon, who was the
first bishop of Willard Ward, 1857, and held this office until the
death of Bishop Cordon in 1871. He was acting bishop of Willard
Ward from 1871 to 1877. On September 9, 1877, he was ordained
bishop of Willard Ward, holding this office until his death, August 18,
1882. Grandfather was sixty seven years, eleven months, nine days
old at the time of his death.
Besides being bishop he was also active in civic affairs, being
selectman or commissioner of Box Elder County for twenty five years,
1857-82. He was estray pound keeper from 1864-65 and was mayor of
Willard City for ten years, 1870-82.
As the only occupation for the earlier settlers was farming,
grandfather, along with other settlers of Willard Creek, homesteaded
some land. He was able to take up this occupation because of his
early home training on his fathers [sic] farm in England. Here he
acquired some worthy traits of character which carried over in his
later frontier life. He prided himself in doing his farm work
carefully and systematically. He trained his family of boys to be
thorough in their work and because of this training the work of George
Welton Ward's family became very noticeable among the early
settlers. "There wasn't a man," says Edwin Cordon, "that could
stack grain to shed water like your Grandfather Ward."
We are proud of our grandfather and the traits of character that he has
handed down to his posterity. May we ever emulate his worthy
examples.
Source: "History of Grandfather Ward and Family by David C. Ward" Ward
Family Organization (1969). George Welton Ward Family Record Book
(Vol. 1 pp. 1,4). Pocatello, ID: Gateway Printers.
Other Interesting Stories In The Life Of
George Welton Ward And His Family
Seven years after their marriage (George Welton and Ann Trulock Ward)
the restored gospel was presented to them by the missionaries of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. After thorough
investigation, they accepted it and were baptized into the
Church. George Welton Ward was the first and only known one of
his father's family to embrace Mormonism. When he did so he was
required to make a choice between his share of his father's estate and
his newly found religion. Like Mary of old "he chose the better
part" and stayed with his church. He was baptized the 12 day of
July, 1849 by Elder Thomas D. Stenhouse.
George Welton Ward's second marriage took place in Salt Lake City,
Utah. He married Miss Mary Hankinson, June 30, 1857 in President
Brigham Young's office, the ceremony being performed by President Young
himself. They were later sealed for "time and eternity" in the
Endowment House by Daniel H. Wells on 20th June, 1863.
Mary Hankinson was the daughter of James and Ann Wych Hankinson.
She was born 12 Jan. 1840 at Didsbury, Lans, England. The family
of Hankinson accepted the gospel in England. The missionary who
baptized them told them that the father and mother would not migrate to
Utah, but that some of the children would come. This was
fulfilled. Mary's father died the 4th April, 1851, succeeding her
mother's death on 6th March, same year. A brother William, a
sister Ellen and Mary emigrated to Utah with the C. A. Harper Company,
arriving in Salt Lake City the 29th of October, 1855. Two years
later Mary was married to George Welton Ward.
Mary Hankinson Ward completed her earthly mission and passed away 1 March, 1882 at the Willard home.
The greatest accomplishment of George Welton Ward was his large family,
which numbered 15 children. He went to his reward five and a half
months after the death of his good wife, Mary, 18 August, 1882.
He was buried in the Willard Cemetery, at Willard, Utah.
Newspaper clipping from Deseret News Files:
Feb. 18. 1858-At Willow Creek, Box Elder County, a Committee was
appointed by the people to draw up resolutions approving of the present
government of the Territory. Those selected for this duty were:
Salmon Warner, Dwight Harding, Joseph L. Lish, William Bradbury,
William M. Dalton, William Brewerton, John Robinson, George W. Ward,
Jacob Lundel.
Source: Ward Family Organization (1969). George Welton Ward
Family Record Book (Vol. 1 p. 8). Pocatello, ID: Gateway Printers.
Trulock, Ann (May 13, 1816 – Jul 14, 1860)
Ann traveled with her husband to be with the gathering saints in
America. They were baptized members of the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints in January 1851 while still in England. The
family landed "at New Orleans about May 23, 1851. After landing,
they sailed up the Mississippi and Missouri rivers to Council
Bluff. They were compelled to go to Council Bluff as that was the
outfitting point for the journey across the plains."
"On the eighth day of June, 1851, on their westward journey they
reached Harris Grove, thirty miles north of Cainsville, Council Bluff,
Potawattamie County. During this wearisome journey and on this
same day, grandmother [Ann] gave birth to her fifth son, Moroni.
�I remember,' says grandfather [George Welton Ward], �that it rained
hard and we were forced to enter an old shed for shelter at ten o'clock
P.M. Pans were held to catch the rain so as not to wet my wife, Ann
Trulock.'"
"Grandmother made many hard sacrifices. First, it was very
painful for her to leave her people in England and come west.
Second, we can imagine what hardships she had to undergo on her journey
westward; besides it was difficult for her to adapt herself to frontier
life. She was a small woman in stature, but genuine in character,
being a brave mother and a sweet tempered wife."
Source: "History of Grandfather Ward and Family by David C. Ward" Ward
Family Organization (1969). George Welton Ward Family Record Book
(Vol. 1 p. 2). Pocatello, ID: Gateway Printers.
Barker, Alonzo John (Jul 1, 1858 – May 26, 1941) by Hazel Bott & Arola McDonald
ALONZO JOHN BARKER
Alonzo John Barker was the sixth child in the family of fourteen
children of John Newman and Mary Ann Maria Smart Barker. He was
the second surviving child, four others had died in infancy.*
Alonzo's parents settled in Willard, an out- post settlement, in
1856. They were very poor and food was scarce. Many
times they drove as far as Hot Springs to dig sego lily roots.
In March 1858 the call came from President Brigham Young to leave their
homes and move south for protection from the expected attack by
Johnson's Army. April 11, 1858 John and Mary Ann, with their four
year old son, Brigham, packed as many of their few possessions as they
could in their wagon, filled their house with straw, hitched up their
oxen and with heavy hearts, they and other settlers turned their backs
on their home, leaving only a few men to light the fires should the
army come. They traveled in a three and a quarter inch wagon with
no springs, a "dead X" (meaning: "has no springs"), as wagons were
built in those days.
Upon arriving at Salt Lake City, they found the streets thronged with
people, wagons, cattle, horses, sheep, pigs and chickens – all heading
southward. They stayed in Salt Lake City for a time. They
left Salt Lake City and arrived in American Fork on June 6.
American Fork is about ten miles this side of Provo and was
Headquarters [sic] and where Brigham Young had built shanties for his
families. Others also built shanties but most of the people lived
in wagon boxes set on the ground.
During the spring months, President Brigham Young had been negotiating
a treaty with the army officials. Two friends of the Mormons
intervened and saved the saints from further conflict. One of
these, Thomas L. Kane, was also a friend of President Buchanan.
Finally an agreement was reached. There appeared in the"Deseret
News" [sic] of July 1, 1858 this announcement: "All who now wish
to return to their homes may do so". In a few days the roads were
blocked with hundreds of wagons and livestock wending their way
northward from their temporary exile. In a few weeks Salt Lake
City and the villages which had been abandoned again resumed their
customary way of life.
John Newman and Mary Ann were among the last to leave, for on the day
the order was given to return home, 1st July 1858, a son was born to
them. As recorded in the old family Bible: "Alonzo John born at
10-30 at night 1 July 1858". In John Newman's diary we read:
"American Fork, July 1, My wife, Mary Ann, gave birth to her Fifth son
at 1/2 past ten at night. She had a hard time of it, as she had been
expecting for three weeks – he was born in a wagon outside the wall, on
the East side, weight 10 1/2 pounds. Name Alonzo John."*
When Alonzo was very young, the family moved several times.
August 25, 1858 finds them in Salt Lake City. March 1, 1859 John
Newman went to Cache Valley where he took up fifty-five acres for a
farm. The family stayed in Salt Lake City. Octover [sic] 17, 1860
they moved to Wellsville, Cache County, with their few possesions,
[sic] "1 wagon box, 1 plow, 1 spade, 1 shovel, 1 fork, 2 scythes, 2
hand irons, crayne, bedstead, bullets." (Diary J.N.B.) Alonzo's father
purchased a farm from E.T. Benson for which he paid three hundred
dollars.
* Nephi Joseph, born 10 Dec. 1849, died 29 Aug. 1850 at age two years of small pox in England.
Alma Nephi, born 30 July 1851, died at age two years of dysentery and canker on the ocean. He was buried at Keokuk, Iowa.
Isabella was still born 5 Sept. 1855. She is buried in 18th ward,
Salt Lake. John Newman died at age 10 1/2 months in Willard, Utah.
[End Page 1]
By May 1865 they were back in Willard. They bought a farm and
made it their permanent home. Their home was a simple one built
of adobe with a thatched roof and dirt floors. These later were
covered with boards. There were two rooms, a kitchen and a
bedroom. The furniture was home made, substantial and
comfortable. The chairs had rawhide seats. The beds were
laced with rawhide on which was placed a straw-filled tick. They
had a sheet-iron stove replacing the old fire- place.
Due to hard times John Newman left his family and went to Montana where
he could earn better wages, which were badly needed by the growing
family. During his absence the boys took care of the
family. Alonzo at the age of seven went with his brother, Brigham
then about twelve, to Facer's Creek and to the Hogback to get their
winter's wood with the oxteam, Rock and Paddy. They prized this
little team highly as they had raised them from calves. Rock was
the favorite. He was gentle and dependable, a light roan in
color. Paddy was spotted and a good mate for Rock. When the
boys felled a tree, they would tie one end of the rope on the tree and
the other end to Rock's neck and drag it down the mountain to the wagon
where it was loaded. It was a big day's work for two small boys
to get a load of wood. When Alonzo was about ten years old, he went
with Brigham to Wellsville for lime. He drove a yoke of oxen to
help build the schoolhouse in which he attended his first school.
His schooling was very meager as he attended only three months out of a
year, mostly in the winter when he couldn't work on the farm, and
during that time he stayed out every third week to help his father in
the mines. He "quit school in the sixth reader".
Food was still scarce. Even milk was not plentiful as they had
but one cow, a white heifer named "Old Lil" which the boys cared for as
soon as they were old enough. Sego lilies were still used in
scarcity of other food. One treat the boys especially liked was
slap jacks and their mother made especially good ones. They were
allowed sorghum and bacon grease to put on them. Water was not as
yet available in town and the animals had to be driven to the mouth of
the canyon to drink. Later a rock ditch was built to bring the
water to the town. Then wells were dug and, later, many were
fitted with pumps.
The first money Alonzo ever earned was when he drove two miners to the
Hot Springs with his ox team, Rock and Paddy. He charged them one
dollar each. Two dollars was a lot of money in those days.
His father later bought another team of oxen from Orson Merrill named
Brin and Brandy but Rock and Paddy remained the favorites with the boys.
In spite of poverty and hard work, the boys still had some time to
play. Alonzo and his pals, Stevie Wight, Reuben and Brig Nebeker,
and his half-brother, Orson, who was living with them, gathered in the
evening to play. They were often joined by other boys and
girls. Their favorite games were base ball, [sic] six sticks, a
game similiar [sic] to steal sticks, draw base and run sheep,
run. They also had parties at which they played games and served
lemonade. When a new house was completed, they initiated it by
having a dance. Sometimes the boys clubbed together and bought a
bottle of wine which decidedly raised their spirits.
Their clothes were of homespun. Their mother obtained the
material and hired Mrs. Crabbs, a Swiss lady, to do most of the
sewing. In the winter they had no overcoats or rubbers – just
their ordinary coats and home made caps, warm home knit stockings and
jean trousers.
When Alonzo was about fourteen years old, his father took him to Ogden
to a spiritualist meeting. For a long time he had been worried
about his sister, Rosetta. She had not been heard from in
years. He asked the medium to call up her spirit if she were
dead. He was told she had gone to Auckland, New Zealand and
[End Page 2]
When in his teens Alonzo and his gang, Brigham, Reuben and Orson,
decided they were really going to celebrate. So they all chipped
in and bought a half gallon of beer, four clay pipes and some tobacco
and hied [sic] themselves to the cellar. They poured out the beer
which was just enough for a large glassful each. It tasted
swell. Then they filled the pipes and lit them and leisurely
pulled on them for about ten minutes. But somehow they didn't
taste so hot and, one by one, their heads began to spin and they got
deathly sick. When John Newman found them, he told them they had
better get to bed. It wasn't until the next morning that he found
the real cause of their sudden illness. It took the boys three
days to get back to normal. Alonzo suggested that this incident,
by way of explanation, be labeled, "a moral object lesson".
had married a man by the name of Taylor but had met with an accident
and had been killed. No one ever found out whether this was true
or not.
The family was now getting more comfortable financially and John Newman
bought their first team of horses, Kit and Fan, from Tom Birch.
The boys were thrilled. They said, "Now we can go flying."
They were so much faster than the oxen. Later, John Newman bought
a mule team from Joe Ford named Suse and Sall. Mules were much
tougher than horses, also much more stubborn. It was Alonzo's job
to tend the horses.
The first Sunday School that Alonzo attended was held in John Wood's
home, later George H. Facer's, but it was Mutual that attracted him
first. Then he became interested in Sunday School. When
they finally had a permanent place to meet, it was but one room and
they all sat on homemade benches. They held the A,B,C and
Testament classes. The boys and girls were in different groups.
There were no curtains to separate them.
On 24 December 1882 when Alonzo was twenty-four years old, he married
twenty year old Elizabeth Stauffer, a long time friend and
schoolmate. She was the daughter of Ulrich and Elizabeth Schenk
Stauffer. It was Sunday and both attended Sunday School.
After dinner, the two immediate Stauffer and Barker families gathered
at the home of John Newman. William Thomas Brewerton officiated
in the ceremony that united the young couple "for better or for worse,
as long as you both shall live" which took place at two o'clock in the
afternoon. After the ceremony and congratulations, John Newman
passed pitchers of his famous homemade wine and toasts were drank to
the newlyweds. The bride was beautiful in a modish grey delaine
dress, with a polanaise [sic] bustle back and trimmed with
fringe. About four o'clock a wedding supper was served by the
parents of the bridegroom. John Newman gave them a wedding gift
of five dollars. They made their home temporarily at the groom's
home.
On the 22 October 1883 their first child was born, a girl. They
named her Lois. When she was about a year old, Alonzo bought his
brother, Orson's, interest in a homestead in Elba, Cassia County,
Idaho. Two other brothers, Brig and Sam, had also taken up
homesteads of one hundred sixty acres each. The three
joined. They would work together.
Elba was located in a beautiful little valley surrounded by
mountains. The virgin soil was fertile. The water
plentiful. Fish were in the streams. Wild deer, bear,
coyotes and other animals roamed the mountains and foothills. The
winters were cold with bitter winds and deep drifted snow. The
summers were delightful and the foothills covered with flowers.
The evenings were cool and peaceful.
Their new home was a two room log house. Only one room was
finished. It served as a kitchen, bedroom and parlor. The
other room was used for a granery. [sic] Both had hewn log walls
with chinking and a dirt roof. The next year it was
[End Page 3]
finished and they had a kitchen and bedroom. During heavy rains the
dirt roof would leak and they would put pans around to catch the water.
Alonzo helped build the log school house west of town, called District
No. 26, where later his children went to school. He was a member
of the Board of Trustees for many years. He also helped build the
rock meeting house (1896-Eva), and the Relief Society Hall and the
Academy at Oakley. He served on the building and amusement
committee for many years with Bishop Thomas Taylor and O. F.
Beecher. He was also superintendent of the Sunday School under
Bishop Hubbard. He departed for a mission to Montana April 9,
1898.
Alonzo worked hard to clear and improve his land. The brothers
dug a ditch from the mouth of Green canyon to their farms. It is
still known as the Barker Ditch. On Alonzo's homestead, part of
which was on the foothills and which he used for pasture for the cows,
he planted an orchard of apples, apricots and sugar plums, also
raspberry and strawberry patches. In the fields he planted wheat,
oats and barley, also a large patch of potatoes and corn. It was
the job of the children to keep the weeds out of these crops. He
also raised bees, pigs, chickens, cattle and horses.
The fall was a busy time. The grain was threshed and stored in
huge bins in the granery [sic] to be used for seed or to be sacked and
loaded in the wagon for a grist to be taken to the mill for the
winter's flour, or chopped for feed for the animals. The straw
was stacked to be used for filling ticks and as bedding for the
animals. The big bins in the root cellar were cleaned, also the
one at the house, and filled with the new crop of potatoes and apples
for winter storage. Pork was salted down in barrels, sides of
beef wrapped and hung high on the north side of the house. Big
loads of wood had been brought down from the canyons during the summer
and cut into stove lengths and was neatly stacked against the house for
fuel. The cattle were brought in from the range and the buyers would
come and bargain with the farmers for their best prices. All was in
readiness for the bitter winds and the deep snows of winter. They could
begin to relax.
John Newman's health was failing and it was becoming increasingly
difficult for him to run his farm, so he wrote to Alonzo and asked him
if he would like to buy part of the old home. The deal was made.
Alonzo sold the Elba property to Marion Savage. There was great
excitement among the family members which now numbered seven.
Seven children had been born to Alonzo and Elizabeth while in
Elba. Lois was married and lived in Burley, Idaho. Maude
was born 18 July 1885. She was married and would stay in
Elba. Sarah Ann was born 29 May 1888. She died 24 December
1889 of membraneous [sic] croup and was buried at Elba.
Alonzo was born 11 Oct. 1890. He was then 17 years old.
Hazel was born 18 Dec. 1892 and was then 15 years old.
Marie was born 29 Nov. 1894. She was then 13 years old.
Leora was born 5 July 1899 and was eight years old.
Leslie was born 9 Dec. 1901. He was six years old.
A few nights before departure the people in Elba gave the Barker family
a farewell party in the dance hall above the chapel in the rock
church. Most of the town was there. There was dancing to
the music of the violin and piano. There were speeches of praise
for the family and regrets that they were leaving. Alonzo and
Elizabeth were each presented with a gold watch chain as a token of
affection from the people of Elba. Alonzo gave the acceptance
speech. A picnic lunch was then served at a long table.
Everyone had a good time. For the family, there were mixed
emotions as they bid goodbye to friends whom they loved and had worked
with so long and depended on so much.
Finally the last preparations were made. The wagon and hayrack were loaded
[End Page 4]
and the teams hitched up. They sadly bid goodbye to the little
home they loved and started on a new experience – back to their
childhood home and friends. Friends came out along the way to say
goodbye and wish them well. A cousin, Edmund, hitched an extra
team on the hayrack and helped them to Malta. The weather was
wet. The roads muddy with deep ruts so travel was slow.
After a hard day they reached Blind Springs. They stayed at the
home of Mr. and Mrs. Tarbet. The next morning they decided to
leave the hayrack with most of the furniture and hitched both teams on
the wagon. Rover, the faithful dog, remained on guard and would
not budge until they came a few days later for the hayrack. The
second night was spent at Honeyville at the home of Mr. Hunsaker.
They had a lovely evening. The next day they arrived at their
destination – North Willard.
John Newman was happy to have his son and family back. He went to
the cellar and drew a large pitcher of his famous wine and passed
it. Mother demured [sic] but he was exuberent, [sic] "Drink it
for your stomach's sake." They did. The family soon
adjusted to their new home. It was thrilling to renew old
acquaintences [sic] and make many new ones.
John Newman retained the new part of the house and had a housekeeper,
Mary Graves. He still cared for his flower garden although he
could do very little else. Alonzo had six rooms in the other part
of the house, four rooms downstairs, two upstairs and a room in the
large cellar. The orchard was divided among Alonzo and his
brother Fred. Fred had the cherry orchard; Alonzo, part of the
peach trees and the large vinyard. [sic] The barn was divided. It
was not long before Alonzo's place was weedless. He often said,
"A weed has no place in my life." He was a hard worker, always
doing for others. He never worked on Sunday even during the peach
harvest. They waited until Monday. He often said, "I have
never lost one dollar by observing the Sabbath day."
I remember Alonzo, my father, was an early riser and he figured we
should be the same. Before he went out to do the chores, he came
to the stairway and called each of us by name beginning with the
oldest. Each had to answer to prove we were awake. In the
busy season he would add, "Now get right up. We are going to
shock grain today", or maybe corn, or haul hay, or dig potatoes, or
maybe haul rocks, pull sage brush – big jobs we disliked very much.
He was always busy and expected us to be and woe to the one who was
just sitting when he came in the house. He usually got an
assignment to weed the garden or other small job. You can imagine
we found something to do in a hurry if we saw him first.
He was very interested in our welfare. He took a great interest
in our school work. He was a school trustee and came to visit
school often. It was father who signed our report cards. It
was father who took us to the little country store and bought us lined
leather gloves, warm "buckled" overshoes and sturdy Buckingham and
Hecht shoes, more often they were boy's than girl's because they were
heavier and would wear longer and somehow we didn't seem to mind too
much as we seldom had new shoes. Mother, however, wasn't too
happy at his choices but I never remember questioning them
myself. It was father who fixed the doses of ipecac or lobelia on
sugar when we had colds and coughs. It was he who lanced a
carbuncle under my arm with his razor with the handle wrapped in white
cloth.
Father was a wonderful dramatic story teller, especially stories of
early days when bear, deer, coyotes were plentiful. When their
stock and chickens had to be carefully guarded, the trusty shotgun hung
in the kitchen over the door ready for instant use. His and our
favorite story was the tale in which he and his brother, [sic] were on
the hills when he spotted a bear's den. He looked in and could
see two
[End Page 5]
eyes shining in the dark. He took aim and fired. He heard a
loud roaring and out came the wounded bear straight at him. He
was running backward and stumbled. The bear was almost on him
when a shot rang out. It was from Brig's gun. He felled the
angry bear and saved father's life. We were always terrified at
the shining eyes and the loud roaring.
About the year 1919 Alonzo sold his place to the Gull brothers from
Salt Lake and moved to Willard. Again his new home was a model of
neatness, nary a weed. He kept busy even to caring for other
orchards, pulling up old trees and planting new ones. They too
were weedless. Alonzo and Elizabeth lived in their last home for
twenty-two years. Alonzo was very agile.
He trusted everyone. Later, Gull, whom Alonzo thought was honest,
betrayed this trust and, through some loop hole Gull's lawyers found in
the contract, Alonzo lost out considerably financially on the sale of
his farm. Having his trust betrayed affected Alonzo so badly, his
health began to fail and after a series of small strokes, he passed
away at his home 26 May 1941 at the age of 83 years 10 months and 25
days. He was buried in the Willard Cemetary [sic] 29 May 1941.
–Written by Hazel Barker Bott, a daughter. November 1972
AUTOBIOGRAPHlCAL SKETCHES of ALONZO JOHN BARKER
Sketch number one. Copied from the original.
Born in American Fork, Utah July 1, 1858. Suffered hardships as a
young boy, Father went to Montana to seek work for about two years, at
the age of about 7 went with my older brother Brigham age 12 to get our
winters wood, by pulling it down by a cow's neck. At about 10
went with the same brother to Wellsville after lime. Drove one
yoke of cattle to help build the school house, Which was the first
school I ever attended; never attended school but three months in one
year and during that time I had to stay out every third week to help
Father in the mines. Quit school in the sixth reader.
Got married December 24,1882 to Elizabeth Stauffer. Moved out to
Elba, Idaho Built our own house by getting logs from the canyon,
helping to lay them up, then hewing the inside and plastering. We
helped build the rock meeting house in Elba, also the Relief Society
House, also the academy at Oakley; served on the building and amusement
committee with Bishop Taylor and O.F. Beecher for years.
In April 1907 moved back to Willard, bought the old home and engaged in
fruit growing; also called in the Sunday School Superintendency [sic]
during Bro. Hubbard's administration. We came to Willard Sunday
School, acted as teacher of the High Priests. Was president of
the Fruit Growers Association 2 yrs. Member 5 years. Member
of the building committee also a bondsman with Joseph Hubbard for
guarantee of payment for the building of our class rooms and dance
hall. Also member of our choir for many years, president of
Genealogical organization for three years, and have acted as Block
Teacher over 40 years.
Sketch number two.
I helped build the first school house I went to school in in [sic]
North Willard, also helped build the first school house our children
went to school in at Elba. Helped build the Elba meeting house
and amusement hall, also the Oakley Academy; Was [sic] appointed home
teacher at 25 and am still active. Moved back to Willard in the
year 1907 and was put on a committee to build the amusement hall; Also
president of the Willard Fruit Growers' Association for about three
years. Worked in the Sunday School Superintendency [sic] both in
Elba and North Willard. Was appointed president of the
genealogical and Temple work at Willard for about three years.
[End Page 6]
Was teacher of the High Priests, also teacher of the parents class in Sunday School.
Have lived under seven bishops, and five presidents of Stakes; also
have seen and known by sight all the presidents of the church except
Joseph Smith. And to my understanding the principle of doctrine and
firmness, as Bishop William J. Facer said comes first; now as to where
we first got acquainted is a mystery to some, but to me it is
clear. We associated together and played together and had likes
and dislikes, and as Pres. John Taylor says, we agreed that when we
came down here we would take certain ones as our companions; as what
happened between my Grandpa and Grandmother would signify, at least
Grandfather had made up his mind, for when they first met in Coventry,
England, he said, "My wench (a girl or maiden) give me your
hand." She said, "I won't." Then he said, "Here is my hand
and here is my heart as a pledge that within two weeks thou shall be my
wife." (She was.)
Exerpts [sic] from funeral sermons:
1. He has been a peacemaker from his early boyhood and has been a stalwart in the church and community. (George Facer)
2. He lived a life consistent with his religion. (Asa Beecher)
3. He obeyed his God and loved his fellow men. He harmed no
one. He lived a life of usefulness, of charity, of faith.
He was important in civic life of Willard. (George A. Lowe)
4. Brother Barker didn't cater to the opinions of men. When he
had set his mind on certain things, he was very determined and we all
have a great deal of respect for men who are true to their own
convictions. It mattered not how many opposed him or what their
different opinions were, he didn't waiver from his opinion on the
subject and especially on the gospel. He was one of the most
faithful ward teachers in Willard. He went to the homes and if
the people were not there, he would go back and he would continue going
back until he contacted them and delivered his message. He was
one of the best genealogical workers that we had in the ward or any
other duty he was asked to perform. He wasn't a fair weather
man. If he didn't agree with a person, he was very emphatic in
stating his position. He had many friends here. He was one
of our pioneers in Idaho and here. He was a man that loved to
work. I have often heard him say that a weed had no place
whatsoever in his life. He kept his place, clean. I have
heard him say "Cleanliness is next to Godliness". That applied
not only to the farm but to the orchard as well. He showed his
good faith in his works. He kept all the promises that he had
anything to do with. His word was as good as his bond.
(Ephraim White)
5. There is one thing I would like to draw your attention to that most
of us farmers here in Willard feel impossible and that is weeds.
You might think Brother Barker had a small home and not much ground but
it was my privilege to work on the side of a place Brother Barker
owned. It was a peach orchard and previously it was just as foul
as it could be. Those peach trees were taken up and he planted a
young apricot orchard. They grew for the twenty years he lived
there. I never saw a weed go to seed in that orchard. He
was very proud of it and he kept it perfectly clean. I thought
what a pretty world this would be if all of us would do likewise.
When we beautified the grounds of this church, Brother Barker was then
80 years old. He was one of the "young boys" that was willing to
come out and help. I told him we could get younger ones, it was
too much for him. He said, "I don't want to be a shirker. I
am still able to rake up a few rocks." He never had the feeling,
"I am too old". He wanted to work. He wanted to be useful
while he was here. I admire him for it.
[End Page 7]
It will seem strange not to see him sitting on the front row at 9:30
a.m. in Priesthood meeting and on fast Sundays not to hear him get up
and bear his testimony. It was a regular occurrence. He had
a strong testimony and voiced it so well. I could see that he was
desirous that the young people would realize and appreciate the
blessings they had in the gospel. He was so eager. He
reminded me of the old prophets who were also eager that the young
people as they grew up would realize the gospel and appreciate its
blessings.
He lived a life to try and help others to see. I think of him as
Paul stated, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is
the power of salvation to those that believe." He symbolized that
in his life. (George Braegger)
[End Page 8]
Source: Bott, Hazel Barker & McDonald, Arola Bott (1973). A
History of Alonzo John Barker & Elizabeth Stauffer and Their
Descendants 1858-1973 (pp. 1-8)
House, Adophus or Audolph (1774)
House Ancestors in New York State.
1. The 1810 Census (page 68) shows an Audolph House in Oppenheim
(Upenheim) Montganery County, New York with the following Family.
Male 0-10…….2
Male 10-16……2
Male 16-26……1
Female 0-10…..1
Female 10-16….2
—-
8-Chi1dre in
1810.
The Fami1y Record shows our Audo1ph House to have 8 children in 1810.
The ninth child (Margaret) was born in 1813. This checks with total
children shown in the 1810 census.
The Family Record shows Children;
Male 0-10……3
Male 10-16…..2
Male 16-26…..1
Female 0-10…….1
Female 10-16……1
—–
8
If we list Christian, who was 15 in 1810 in the 16-26 group. and assume
that the census taker made a mistake in the sex of one child[ren] than
the n\Dnber in the various groups shown in the f~ record check with the
1810 census.
2. In 1817 Audo1ph House purchased a tract of land in Oppenheim, Montgomery County. New York known as lot 41.
3. In 1821 a George A. House purchased a part of this tract of land(lot
41)from Audolph House and wife Mary. Family Records show our Audo1ph
House had a son George A. and his Wife was named Mary.
4. (a) The assessment Rolls for the Town of Oppenheim shows Audo1ph House was assessed taxes on 75 acres ib 1821.
(b) In 1822 George A. was assessed taxes on 34 acres–Audo1pn was assessed only on personal property.
(c) In 1824 Audo1ph's name does not appear on the assessment roll, but George A. House was assessed taxes on 50 acres.
(d) Neither Audolph or George A. appear on the assessment list in 1828 which is the next record available.
(e) Family records show our George A. House to have been born in 1800.
He was married in 1822 in Cherry Valley, Ostego County New York. If the
George A. House in Oppenheimis the same, it appears he purchased land
from his Father when he was 21 years old (1821) Married when he was 22
(1822) and had a son Harvey 1823 while he was still in Oppenheim since
he paid taxes in Oppenheim in 1824. In 1825 his second son was born in
Clymer Hill, Chautauqa County,New York, so he must of moved from
Oppenheim to Clymer Hill between 1824-1825.
House's
(5) The 1830 census shows George A. in Clymer Hill Chautauqua County with 7 Children.
(6) The 1840 Census shows that he still only had 7 children.
The Eighth child was born in 1842 in Illinois indicating that George A. moved from New York to Illinois between 1840 and 1842.
(7) The 1830 Census shows an Andrew and a Christian House in Chautauqua
County New York George A. had brothers with the same names, Family
Records show. Dates check and we have strong evidence that these men
were brothers to George Ash. House.
House, George Ash (Sep 4, 1800 – Jan 25, 1857) House history by Aurthur House Neeley
219 McMane Avenue
Berkeley Heights, N.J.
December 12, 1962.
To Descendants of Henry Clay House and
Martha Adelia Haight House:
Dear Cousins,
Last year, about this time, I
wrote to you about the genealogy of the House family and related
families. I am writing this brief report for the purpose of bringing
you up to date on what we have accomplished during the past year.
We have had the part time services
of a very reliable and accomplished genealogist, Mrs. Verna Jacob. She
has found that those of our ancestors whom we have studied lived in
eastern New York State along the Hudson and Mohawk rivers. A number of
our early families migrated to this area from the Palatinate, a
province in eastern Germany along the Rhine River. Among the palatines,
as these people were called, were the House, Overbach, Richtmyre (or
Rightmyre), Meyer, Snyder and Bogardus families, from whom we are
descended. The Palatines were Protestant and were severely persecuted
in Germany during the Thirty Years War. They migrated first to England,
where they suffered greatly from lack of food and housing, and finally,
in 1710, the English government arranged for them to be transported to
America for the purpose of producing naval stores-"pine tar and pitch"
-for the English Navy. They came in ten ships between April and October
1710. Because they had suffered greatly from disease enroute from
England, they were first disembarked on what is now Governor's Island
in New York harbor, where they were held in quarantine until late in
the fall of 1710. They were then moved up the Hudson River about 100
miles above New York City where they settled in two areas near pine
forests. These settlements were known as East Camp and West Camp and
were a part of what was known as Livingston Manor above Kingston. West
Camp was in the area of Catskill, Greene County, N.Y. They remained in
these camps for only two or three years since they were unable to make
pine tar from the type of white pines growing in this area. The House
family later migrated to what is now Montgomery County along the Mohawk
River where we first find our progenitor George Ash House and his
father Adolph, as early as 1800.
The Overbaughs and Richtmyres
remained in the area around what is now Greene County and we have
located the graves of some of our ancestors in this area.
Our Osterhout ancestors were
originally Dutch. The first member to come to this country was Jan
Jansen from Osterhout in the Province of Brabant, Holland. He came in
the early part of the 17th Century. He was married in the Dutch
Reformed Church of New York in 1653. He later became known as Jan
Jansen Van Osterhout and his descendants took the name of Osterhout or
Osterhoudt. The Osterhouts were numerous and intermarried later with
our Overbaugh ancestors.
The Haight family were Quakers and
migrated from Long Island, New York, to the Hudson River area north of
New York City. We find many of them in Greene County, where our
ancestor David Bateman Haight was married in Greeneville to Clarissa
Richmyre (or Rightmyre) in 1833. The Richmyres, originally Palatines,
became an influential family in the area of Ulster, Columbia, Schoharie
and Greene counties.
Following is an outline of what we have accomplished and what remains to be done:
1. We have established the fact that the ancestors of Henry Clay House
and Martha Adelia Haight House were concentrated, for a period of about
150 years, almost entirely in central New York State in the counties of
Ulster, Columbia, Greene, Schoharie and Montgomery.
2. We have determined that many records of these families exist in the
libraries of this area, including the New York Public Library and the
New York Genealogical and Biographical Library.
3. We have traced the ancestry of Henry Clay House through his mother
Mary Davis through six generations of Osterhouts, Overbaughs and
related families to Jan Jansen Van Osterhout.
4. Our research thus far has found at least 600 Osterhout families, and
100 Overbaugh families and established our relation to them. About 500
Richtmyre and 500 House families have been found and recorded on family
group sheets also.
5. Although George Ash House and his father lived in an area in
Montgomery County around 1800, surrounded by numerous House families,
it remains for us to establish their exact relationship to this family
about which much has been published.
6. As I explained to you last year, we have not as yet been able to
prove the correct relationship of David Bateman Haight and his father
Isaac to the Haight family of the area where they lived.
7. Clarissa Richmyre was married to David Bateman Haight in 1833 in the
center of an area where numerous Richmyre families lived at that time
and still live. We have not been able
to work on the problem as yet, but it should be possible to establish
her relationship to this family when we are able to concentrate effort
on it.
You can see from the above that we
have a golden opportunity at this time to develop the genealogy of the
ancestors of Henry Clay and Martha Adelia House. We know where they
lived, that many records are available for searching and we have
available at the moment the services of a very competent genealogist
who is interested in our problem and familiar with this area.
The work for the past three or
four years has been supported by my sister Helen, my son Arthur, and
myself. We plan to continue the work to the best of our ability.
However, since it is the responsibility of all members of the Church to
search out their ancestors and have the Temple work done for them, we
invite the assistance of all members of the House family in this
project. Any amount you can contribute will be gratefully accepted and
a complete accounting will be made of any funds contributed.
Sincerely,
Your Cousin
Aurthur House
Neeley