Sunday, June 28, 2020

Rosamond Watson Nuttall


Rosamond Watson Nuttall 1829-1916
George Gary Creer's Great Great Grandmother
Rosamond Watson was born 23 June 1829 in Lime Street, Liverpool, Lancashire, England. Her parents were George Watson and Mary Dyson. When Rosamond met William Nuttall and wanted to join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, her parents told her that she would have to renounce her new religion or leave home. She chose to leave and lived with her married sister, Caroline, until her marriage.
Rosamond was baptized 14 January 1851 and she and William were married 4 August 1851 in the Church of St. John the Baptist in Liverpool. Because their families were very hostile toward their new religion, William, Rosamond, his parents and two unmarried brothers left Liverpool 6 March 1852 on the ship “Rockaway” with the Elias Morris company of LDS converts to come to Utah.
This group of converts was known as the Sugar company, because on the same ship came the sugar refining machinery which John Taylor had purchased for the church in Europe. The voyage took eight weeks, during which time, in April 1852, Rosamond lost a baby, which was buried at sea.
Arriving in New Orleans about April 24, the company of approximately 30 saints was met by Elder John Taylor and the machinery was loaded on smaller boats for the trip to St. Louis and then on to Ft. Leavenworth. At Ft. Leavenworth many more Saints joined the group and it became the longest wagon train to cross the plains up to that time.
The journey was made doubly difficult, not only because of the heavy and cumbersome equipment, but the weather was very severe. The company encountered the first storm at the Sweetwater. The snow was two feet deep and the temperature extremely cold. Cattle were lost, and because supplies ran low, some had to be eaten. Later, in Wyoming, the pioneers were met by Joseph Horne and then at Fort Bridger by Abraham O. Smoot, each bringing supplies. At Bear River, more storms forced them to leave the heaviest wagons to be brought to Salt Lake the next spring. When they reached the Timpanogos River (later named the Provo River), the Nuttals camped for the winter next to the precious sugar-making machinery to guard it. It was here, in a wagon bed, surrounded by about four inches of snow, Rosamond gave birth to William George Nuttall on 4 March 1853. Later in the year the machinery was taken to what later became Sugar House, and William Ephraim and his family remained in Provo where he worked as a carpenter, blacksmith and farmer.
After living in Provo for a time, William was called as bishop of the Third Ward and was asked by church authorities to accept and live the law of plural marriage. On 16 March 1861 he married Martha Fenn. She and Rosamond got along very well. Martha never had children of her own, but she helped care for and was dearly loved by Rosamond’s children. She was a guiding influence among the children in Wallsburg, where she taught Sunday school and Primary for many years.
William was still bishop in 1866 when the family decided to move to Wallsburg to make their permanent home. William bought a farm of 60 acres near the center of Wallsburg. About 1870 he acquired a sawmill near Strawberry Peak, which provided employment for his family and many of his neighbors. Lumber from this mill was hauled to Wasatch County and to Springville. William built a road from the peak down the left-hand fork of Hobble Creek where it joined a road built by the farmers living in the canyon. Around 1880 he had an accident, which nearly cost him a hand, after which he turned over the responsibilities of the mill to his son William George. On 15 July1877, Wasatch County was organized as a stake and William Ephraim was called as the first bishop of the Wallsburg Ward.
William E. served as postmaster for many years in Wallsburg. He was also the town doctor and dentist. He was known as a kind and generous man who was hard working and became fairly well to do. Others enjoyed pieces of furniture he made for them and his grandchildren adored him for his stories, his rope tricks and the toys he made. William died 5 May, 1899 in Wallsburg. Rosamond died 22 October 1916 in Ogden, Utah.
Children: Infant b. April 1852 buried at sea
William George Nuttall b. 4 March 1853 Provo, Utah, Utah
John Horatio Nuttal b. 14 December 1854 Provo, Utah, Utah  
Joseph Brigham Nuttall b. 9 October 1856 Provo, Utah, Utah  
Richard James Nuttall b. 19 September 1858 Provo, Utah, Utah  
Mary Eleanor Nuttall b. 22 September 1860 Provo, Utah, Utah
Walter Henry Nuttall b. 5 July 1862 Provo, Utah, Utah  
Martha Agnes Nutall b. 8 September 1863 Provo, Utah, Utah 
 Rosamond Emily Nuttall b. 7 March 1865 Heber, Wasatch, Utah  
Ruth Caroline Nuttall b. 6 November 1866 Heber, Wasatch, Utah  
David Watson Nuttall b. 14 May 1869 Provo, Utah , Utah
Elizabeth Ann Nuttall b. 1 February 1871 Wallsburg, Wasatch, Utah 
Laura Alice Nuttall b. 29 June 1873 Wallsburg, Wasatch, Utah
Sources: How Beautiful Upon the Mountains Wallsburg Biographies pp 972-973

Sunday, May 10, 2020

Mary Elizabeth White Herron

Mary Elizabeth White Herron
George Gary Creer's Great Grandmother

Mary Elizabeth White Herron and her sisters


Mary Elizabeth White Herron

MARY ELIZABETH WHITE HERRON 1839-1930
George Gary Creer's Great Grandmother
 Mary White Herron was born in Yorkshire, in England, 9 Feb 1839.
 In every age, in every set of circumstances, there are certain personalities, which may be taken as typical of their environment. Such a person is Mary White Herron, whose interesting life story is, in a sense a typical story of the migration to and the settlement of Utah by the Pioneers. At least it is typical of the spirit, of the courage, of the faith, of the constant striving, and working that symbolized the progress of the Saints to the new country.
 It was in 1848 that two "Mormon" missionaries preached the doctrines of their faith in the country of Lincolnshire in England. Among the many who heard them, were Johnathon White and his wife, Elizabeth Dodd White, of the hamlet of Tealby. Firmly convinced of the truth of the new doctrines, burning with a white hot faith they made ready, the next spring, to follow the missionaries to the new settlement of Utah, across the wide Atlantic and more than half way across the American continent. During the weeks that intervened between the time of this decision to go, and the day of their departure, many and grave were the conferences that the little family held. Relatives and friends sought to dissuade them. Neighbors laughed at them. When they endeavored to sell their holdings of land and goods, they were not able to get full value. The buyers, knowing that they were about to leave the country took advantage of their decision, and refused to pay full price. However, the Whites realized a tidy sum, enough to buy a team of oxen, a covered wagon, a cow, and other necessities when they should reach Council Bluffs, and start across the plains with a wagon train.
The ocean voyage was long and hard, but the Whites and their four children did not notice the discomforts. Their minds were full of the land to which they were going. Johnathon White made many plans. In this new world, in company with those whose beliefs were the same as his own, he could do great things for his family, but his dreams were never fulfilled. Shortly after the family reached St. Louis and started up the river by steamer to Council Bluffs before the wagon train left for Utah, he died.
Mrs. White did not falter in her decision to continue with the wagon train. She had a good team, a good riding horse, her health, and her four children. In Salt Lake, God would find some way for her to provide for her family. The wagon train, in which they traveled, was in charge of Ezra T. Benson, who later settled in the Tooole Valley and after whom the little settlement of E.T. was named.
It was summer when the train left Council Bluffs, and the immigrants were sure that they would reach Utah before the cold weather set in. Mary White, riding her mother's horse all through the long days, helped to herd the loose horde of stock. It was exciting work for a ten-year old girl. The wide flung plains with their strange, wild flowers and birds, the herds of buffalo, the pageantry of Indian tribes, who occasionally visited the train, formed an endless enchantment. August passed by. September, with the changing colors of the leaves and grass, found them still several hundred miles from their destination.
One, cold night in early October when the frosty air was full of the coming of snow, Mary's mother wakened her and sent her to a neighbor¬ing wagon to waken the woman. There followed the excitement of hastily built fires and of kettles put to boil. The White children were bundled into another wagon to finish their sleep. Through the curious night, women hurried to and from, and when morning came, it found another baby in the White family, but it was so late in the year that the wagon train dared not delay for a sick woman, or for any other cause. So the journey continued. Before the wagon train had reached Salt Lake on the twenty eighth of October, Mrs. White was again doing her full share of the camp work. Pioneer women could not demand coddling. Come death, come birth, they must be ready and up and doing.
In Salt Lake the Whites rented a room in a part of what was called "Old Fort." It was a thatched roof building and while it provided some shelter, it provided little protection from the worst storms. Many nights through the first winter Mary and the other children sat huddled up on the beds all night holding umbrellas over them to protect themselves from the rain and snow that came in through the broken thatch.
What could a widow, with five children, two of them under two years of age, do for a living in the now settlement of Salt Lake? Mrs. White found many things that aided her income bit by bit, and provided sustenance for her little family. She helped to do housework, she washed, she ironed, and she sewed. Her sewing was expertly and exquisitely done. From England, she not only brought her needles and shears, but skill that was extraordinary, and that brought many patrons to her.
In the spring of 1851 Mrs. White came to Tooole with Bishop John Rowberry's party of settlers. The families of Phineas Wright, and Cyrus Toman also came; the first settlement was made, at the mouth of Settlement Canyon. Mrs. White and her family lived in a small house on the crook, about where the Caldwell farm is today. The next year, rumors of Indian troubles having grown to alarming proportions, a walled fort was built in the valley, and many of the settlers moved down into the town. The wall, which was about ten feet high and four thick, was built in the valley, and many of the stones were large. It began at the corner of First West and Vine Street and ran south one block. From there it ran east two blocks, to the corner of First South and First East. It followed First East two blocks, turning at First North and ending at the corner of the lane where Dr. Peck now lives. There were watchtowers at each corner, guards walked the wall all night long, and maintained a watch through the days.
One day, when Mrs. White was in the midst of her washing, an excited neighbor came running. "The Indians are coming," he cried. They hastily emptied the tubs, moved the household goods, and the house itself down inside the walls. However, the Indians at that time did not attack Tooele.
There is but one authenticated instance of the Indians really attacking. Some emigrants lost a number of horses, which were supposed to have been stolen by the Indians of the valley. The men of Tooele went out in search of the thieves and captured a number of the Indians. They started to Tooole with their captives, by simply driving them ahead. They failed to disarm them. As they approached the South gates in the wall, one of the Indians hid himself behind a boulder. After the white men had passed him, he gave a blood curdling war whoop and began to fire. The other Indians turned and there was a small battle. One, White lost his life. It was believed that one, or more Indians were killed, but as they carried their dead or wounded into the hills, it was not fully determined.
About this time, a worthy man, Benjamin Clegg and Mrs. White were married. Mr. Clegg, who was known throughout his life as "father” to his step children, was more than kind. He cared for them and provided for them as he did for his own children. After her marriage to Mr. Clegg, Mary's mother found the world a brighter place for her and her five children.
Mary, now thirteen years of age went to Salt Lake City. Here she worked for one family or another earning her keep but very little more than that. When she was seventeen she met Alexander Herron, a young tailor. They were married December 8, 1856. They made their home in Salt Lake for a year. With the coming of Johnson's army and the founding of Camp Floyd in Cedar Valley, the Herrons moved to the camp. Here Mr. Herron set up a tailoring shop. He had more work than he could do, for the officers and soldiers of the camp. Here Mary saw another, General Johnson, were at times wild and disorderly. It was an exciting time for the little "Mormon" woman living in the midst of the soldiers who had been sent on a "wild goose chase" against the Mormons, and who misunderstood the people in every particular.
When Camp Floyd was abandoned at the outbreak of the Civil War, the stores of the camp were sold at auction. It was recorded that goods of the camp were sold at about a hundred thousand dollars. They were worth four million dollars. The foundation of many present-day fortunes were laid in the shrewd buying up of the supplies sold, but there were tons of ammunition and provisions that were not sold. So before the soldiers left the camp, they destroyed all the provisions remaining. The gigantic bon fire is one of the most vivid of Mrs. Herron's recollections.
In 1865, the Herrons moved to Tooole. Here Mr. Herron opened a tailoring shop in one of the upper rooms of the Co-Op store, which stood on the site of the Tooole Drug. Here he did a thriving business.  In 1873 he began the construction of the stone house, which Mrs. Herron now lives. The building was completed and the family moved into it in 1875. ¬
 Mr. Herron died in 1890. Following his death, Mrs. Herron move the sewing machines from the tailoring shop to her home and for years carried on the business of manufacturing overalls. Several years later Mrs. Herron was elected County Treasurer, which office she held for one term, discharging her duties efficiently and conscientiously.
Still later she opened her good home to boarders, and became famous throughout the country for her bountiful means that she provided.
Mrs. Herron has been a conscientious member of the L.D.S. Church throughout her life. For many years she acted as a ward teacher.
She was the mother of twelve children. They are Alexander, Jr; Mary, who is now Mrs. William McLaws; Elizabeth, who is now Mrs. Frank Walters; Ella, who was Mrs. George McLaws; Maggie, who died in her early twenties; Annie, who in now Mrs. B.H. Rowberry; Elmer, with whom Mrs. Herron makes her home. These are all from Tooele.
Joseph, Howard, and Rose are all deceased; Ruby, who in now Mrs. George Nuttall of Provo, and Mable, who is Mrs. E.H. Minn, of Salt Lake City. Mrs. Herron has fifty eight grand children sixty two great-grandchildren, and eight great great grand children.
At a recent dinner, given at the home of Mrs. Edwin M. Orme, in honor of the birthday of her mother, Mrs. Wm. McLaws, there were five generations present at the table: Mrs. Herron, her daughter, Mrs. Wm. McLaws, her grand daughter, Mrs. ElM.Orme, her great grandson, Ellis M. Orme, and her great great grandson, Leon E. Orme.
Mrs. Herron, who was ninety on the Ninth of February, is exceedingly strong and active. her keen eyesight is remarkable. She sews, unaided by glasses, on the sheerest of white materials, doing work that is delicate and exquisite. She delights in the care of her youngest grandchild, Kenneth Herron, age fifteen months, who finds his grandmother a wonderful companion and playfellow. Mrs. Herron, in speaking of her life, has no thought of any hardship that she underwent personally.
"My mother had a hard time," she says,” with father's dying on the road, and 2 new babies being born before we reached Salt Lake. Mother was hard put to it." To her, life seemed to be more pleasant fifty years ago, than it is today.
"We used to be neighbors then," she says. "A woman could pick up her baby and her mending and run across to the neighbor's and visit while she worked. They don't today, and miss a lot of friendship."
"In the old days," she goes on, "we had to make the best of every chance to enjoy ourselves. You don't have to make an effort today, and you don't know what real enjoyment is. It comes so easy that you miss the best of it all."

Sunday, February 16, 2020

Genevieve Nuttall Creer Obituary


Genevieve Nuttall Creer
Published: August 12, 1998 12:00 am Deseret News

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Devoted and loving mother, grandmother, Genevieve Nuttall Creer, passed away peacefully at home August 10, 1998 after a brief struggle with cancer.
She was born February 20, 1910 in Provo, Utah to George Madison and Ruby Herron Nuttall. She married David Russell Creer on April 14, 1930 in Pocatello, Idaho. Later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple. He died March 6, 1989.Member of LDS Church, where she served as visiting teacher, visiting teacher supervisor, Primary teacher and Salt Lake Temple worker for many years. Member of D.U.P., Genevieve was the last survivor of 11 brothers and sisters.
Survived by sons, D. Clare Creer (Maurine), Bountiful, Utah; G. Gary Creer (Sidney), Midway, Utah; Ralph N. Creer (Jerrie), SLC, Utah; daughter, Jeanine Larsen, Phoenix, AZ; 16 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by husband; one grandson; one great-grandson; one great-granddaughter.
Funeral service will be held Friday, August 14, 1998 at 12 noon at the Valley View Stake Center, 2249 East 3900 South. Friends and family may call Thursday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Larkin Mortuary, 260 East South Temple, and Friday at the ward from 10:45 -11:45 a.m. Interment, Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery, 10600 South 1700 East. In lieu of flowers family suggests contributions in Genevieve's name to Huntsman Cancer Institute, 15 North 2030 East, SLC, UT 84112-5330.