Finally Some Pics!

So I finally have my camera, a cord and my computer.....all in the same room!!! Here are some long overdue pics from the family reunion!!!

Is Anyone Else Missing This Woman?

Aunt Sarah was like a second mom to me. I miss her as much today as the day she left us.

I loved this conversation that we had frequently on the phone:

Me: Aunt Sarah, you need to turn to channel (such and such).
Aunt Sarah: OK, how come?
Me: You'll see!

Aunt Sarah turns the channel. And, as she see's Dolly Parton on the screen, she says, "Oh, Cindi!!!!"

She didn't like Dolly Parton. But she is the reason I still watch old movies. She is the reason I listen to the 1940's channel on my radio. She is the reason I want to take painting lessons. She is the reason I wished I lived closer to my nieces and nephews. She is the reason we take time to watch the birds out our window. She is why we sing "A, you're adorable" in the truck. It is because of her that Halle and I look for animals in clouds. We also sit and enjoy the pinks and oranges of sunrises and sunsets because of her. Thank heavens Kate has the ability to make her fudge and pinoche because Christmas wouldn't be the same without it.

Yes, I'm a sentimental sap. I blame that on Aunt Sarah, too!!!

May's Ancestor: Mary Sophronia Archibald

Compiled by Aunt Sarah:

Mary Sophronia Archibald was born May 26, 1888 at Lewisville, Jefferson County, Idaho. The daughter of James Mark Archibald and Rosetta Eliza Myler

Not much is known about our Grandmother Sophronia, I have asked a lot of people about her and this is some of the things that they had to say. She was a tall slender girl with beautiful long black hair and dark brown eyes, she was very well mannered, shy and quiet. Having her mother die at an early age, she had to help around the house, learning to cook and sew at an early age. She also helped her sister Julia with the younger children.

As to where they lived here in Clarkston is unknown. Some say it was on 1^st West and 1^st South. Later when her mother died Grandpa took his family to live with his mother Mary Mark Archibald, who lived out on the Archibald Farm, which was at the end of the lane south of my home. From there Sophronia had to walk to school unless someone came along and gave her a ride in their bob sleigh in the winter time, or sometimes she rode her pony she would tie him up until after school was over and then ride him home. To a young person, it must have seemed along way from the end of the lane to the old school house to attend school.

The following poem was written by her sister Zina Archibald Thompson:

Sophronia was born in the month of May

I was four years younger but how we did play

Down by the creek we built a willow play house

Made rag dolls, used corn silk for their hair

And dressed them in shirt and blouse.

With a green willow we made them hats

Trimmed with wild flowers gay.

We made them cradles of willows too,

And rocked them to sleep every day.

In Julia’s long dresses we would tog ourselves out

And make believe we were fine ladies strolling about

Sometimes we’d go picking wild flowers and chock berries

And some times play selling milk to the dairy

We built a cellar and striped an old cow, skimmed the cream off the milk

And fed the mild to the sow.

Riding horse back was one of our sports,

Playing cattie and doggie and jumping the rope

We also had chores to do in the house

Washing dishes, scrubbing floors, working quiet as a mouse,

‘Cause the baby was asleep in the next room.

In winter to school in a sleigh we would ride

Snow flakes in our face and wind stinging our hide

Those good old school days I love to recall

They bring back sweet memories of teachers, schoolmates and all

Sophronia grew to womanhood and fell in love

And I missed her companionship which I thought so much of

But was glad she was happy in her young romance

Till she announced she was going to marry Thomas Hans

In the Temple at Logan she was happilly wed

To the man of her choice and clean life she led

She bore three sweet children, then her health failed her fast

Two more years and her life on the earth was passed

But we know she went to a place more bright

Where she is watched over by God’s Heavenly light.

Grandpa Tom courted Grandma Sophronia in the good old horse and buggy days, driving his team out to the end of the lane to take her on a date. After they were married they lived with Grandma Lucy, until their home was completed, she watched as her new home was being built, looking forward to the day when it would be done.

Tom and Sophronia also had a home over the short divide where they lived while Tom worked his farm. He owned a lot of land just above the town of Plymouth, Box Elder County, Utah.

Lenora tells this story: one day some Indians came up the lane and she grabbed Lenora and Etta and they hid in the closet until the Indians had left, she was so scared, and was so happy to see Tom when he came home.

One of her good friends in town was our Aunt Addie sister of my Dad Maynard Clark she said that they had such good times together, and were the best of friends.

When her health failed her, Tom took her to Logan to the Budge Clinic for some help, Grandma Lucy always said that because Grandpa Tom didn’t have a lot of money they refused to help her, she felt like a simple operation would have helped.

Lenora remembers her mother being sick and laying on a long couch in the kitchen. When it was apparent that she was going to die, Grandmother Lucy got some men to ride over to the Plymouth area to find Tom and tell him, the men from town stationed horses along the short divide so he could go so far and then get a fresh horse which made it faster for him. He arrived before Sophronia died.

She died the 30^th of May, 1913 at her home in Clarkston, Utah leaving her beloved husband and her three small children, Lenora being just five, Etta four and Leonard two. She is buried in the Clarkston Cemetery. Tom put a beautiful headstone for her there.

Comments from our Uncle Dave, brother of Maynard: We double dated with Tom and Sophronia. They were such a pair of love birds, so much in love with each other and such a nice looking young couple.

This is a portrayal of our Grandmother Sophronia as she lived her life here on earth. She gave of her self freely to her husband and children and even though her life was short, she lived the kind of life that she knew her Heavely Father would want her to.

May we, her Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren and her posterity, remember her. Grandma Sophronia, nay we some day in the future meet you and get to know you. We thank you for giving us the gift of a wonderful mother and grandmother, Lenora Lucy Jensen.

Ancestor of the Month- David Buttars

DAVID BUTTARS
1822-1912


David was born in Scotland in 1822. He was the youngest of fourteen children. He was a religious boy and played the bellows in the pipe organ and the flute in the Presbyterian church. As a boy, he was trained as a shoemaker. He joined the LDS church in 1851, three years after he married Margaret Spalding.
He came to America with his wife and three children in February 1854. One child was buried at sea. They arrived in America seven weeks and two days later. They crossed the plains with ox teams. One child had very bad cholera, but walked most of the way. After gathering firewood one day, he discovered he had carried a rattlesnake quite a distance. Another time, when rolling up his bed from under the wagon, he noticed that a rattlesnake had been under his bed all night. However, in spite of these incidents, he was never bitten. They arrived in the Salt Lake Valley in the fall of 1854.
After being in the Salt Lake Valley for five months, they moved to Lehi. David continued to make shoes but walked 30 miles to Salt Lake City with his work on his back and brought supplies the 30 miles back home again. David raised a team of oxen from calves, as well as farmed a little.
Grasshoppers ate all the crops, and Lehi suffered with no flour. David's family subsisted on bran and clabber milk. That year their son, John, was born.
In 1863, David's wife died five days after giving birth to a baby, leaving six small children, the oldest only fourteen years old. They had no relatives to help. The baby died two weeks later. Three years later David married Sarah Keep and adopted her daughter Lucy Ann. After two years of marriage, they had a baby, which died after only two months. They later had eight children together.
In 1869 they moved to Clarkston, Utah. David was a firm believer in paying an honest tithing. He knew of the Lord's promise of pouring down blessings from heaven on those who were obedient to this commandment. In 1871, the sun was darkened with hoards of grasshoppers infesting the area and eating the grain. This happened three times. Crickets followed, eating what was left over. The crickets were so large, the chickens could eat only three or four at a time. In his great faith, David said, "I have paid my tithing and I will get something." To help remove the grasshoppers, at night ropes were dragged over the wheat to drive them into ditches where they were drowned with a water wheel. David said, "The Lord helps those who help themselves." Then the sea gulls came, gorging and vomiting. The wheat grew again; and that fall David harvested 1,300 bushels of grain, the largest crop he ever had.
To harvest the grain, it was first cradled, then cut. Six hired men followed and bound it into bundles by hand. David cured the wheat with lime, and planted it by broadcasting it by hand from a sack he had around his neck. He also planted five to ten acres of potatoes. He bought the first binder for harvesting in Clarkston, as well as the first header.
Besides farming, the first few years in Clarkston he also made shoes. The soles were attached to the shoes with maple pegs, and there were no tucks.
David donated $300 per year to the Logan Temple until it was finished. He did over two thousand endowments for his ancestors, and paid for hundreds of names to be searched out.
He was the father of fifteen children. He participated in polygamy for twenty years. He would have been jailed when the Manifesto was signed, but he was too old, so he was only fined $100, which he paid and came home happy.
He almost drowned, along with his wife Sarah, on his way home from the temple when the bridge over Bear River broke. Two men happened by or they never would have gotten out.
In 1907, David paid $200 to help replace a burned carpet in the Logan Temple. President Budge said he was an answer to prayers.
He died at 90 years of age from cancer in the eye.

2009 Reunion

Cindi,
Just to update you on the reunion. It is scheduled for the 11 of July,
here at Hooper park. We will start around noon or 1:00 and have an
afternoon of events planned. We have adult activities and children
activities planned. We would like to hold a silent auction with donations
from each family. We would like things like a bake sale or things that
belonged to Grandma' or Grandpa that could be donated to auction off.
Or something that you are really good at that could be purchased. I
think Ken has made a cedar chest and Shauna has made some pillows
(from grandma's old dresses). I keep thinking if I have anything of
Maynard or Lenoras' that I can part with...............still looking and thinking.
The funds will go to the next reunion committee for the costs of the reunion.
The park here cost $100.00 to reserve but they will refund $75.00 if it is
left in the best condition. We also are planning on grilling hamburgers and
hotdogs with relishes and buns supplied, also the drinks. We need Johns
family and Ken's to bring salads; Madge and Ralphs to bring desserts. We
need addresses to mail invitations........Can you get me these?? Let your
family know what is happening, I don't have any e-mail for any of them.
I am in touch with Ken's, Madges, and Brenda from Ralphs.
There you go...........this is the hot list.


Louise

Ancestor of the Month- Susannah Thompson Clark

SUSANNAH THOMPSON
Susannah was born September 18, 1836 in England to Joseph
Lewis Thompson and Penelope Thompson Thompson. She spent her
childhood in London. Her family came to America on separate voyages
and settled in Providence, Rhode Island. While there her father owned a
hotel and rooming house in Providence.
Susannah was very talented and sometimes she would dance and entertain the
guests. She also danced in the town opera house. One night after a performance there,
Michael Joseph Clark saw her dancing and fell in love with her. He came back stage after the
performance to meet her and found her father sitting by the dressing room. He sternly
informed Michael if he wanted to meet his daughter he would have to do it through proper
channels. It took him two weeks to arrange for it but soon they met, fell in love and were
married on August 15, 1857. Six weeks after their marriage, Michael's mother died "from the
effects of a chill" taken while bathing. After her death Michael's father, Patrick, came and lived
with "Mike" and "Sue" since Michael's only sister and other brother had already died. Sue did
all she could to keep Pat and Mike's relationship close.
Michael and Susannah settled in Providence and had two children born to them. Mary
Susan was born June 12, 1858 and died when she was two years old due to pneumonia,
following whooping cough. Alfred Joseph was born April 28, 1860.
Susannah was a Mormon (L.D.S. Church) and had been baptized while living in
England, however Michael was Irish Catholic. Erastus Snow and Parley P. Pratt met Michael
while serving as missionaries in the area. Michael was converted and joined the L.D.S.
church. Patrick never did join the church.
The following spring after Michael's conversion they decided to come to Utah. Before
they left, they placed the mortal remains of their baby, Mary Susan, in a joint grave with
Michael's mother, Mary Ward Clark. Mike and Sue wanted always to know "the baby" and
"grandma" were together. They traveled by handcart to St. Joseph, Missouri, then by
steamboat to Florence, Nebraska. Patrick refused to travel with the Mormons, so they
traveled the prairies with the Independent group. Sue walked most of the way, carrying their
little boy and pregnant with their third child.
After they had been gone for only a month Mike and Sue were walking a distance from
the wagons and talking. They were weary of the journey but Mike urge Sue on as they were
getting too far behind. "I don't care," said Sue. "Well keep up anyway," said Mike. "There
may be Indians lurking near, and we don't want trouble." "I'm not afraid of Indians," she said.
"Look behind you," said Mike. When Sue turned to look, she saw an Indian creeping up
behind them, partly hidden. With a little scream of fright, she began to run and she ran until
she caught up with her wagon.
After three months journey, they arrived in Logan, Utah. They lived there for two years
in a dug out (approximately on West Center Street and 3rd West). Their lives here were
similar to many of the other pioneer families. While living here, their third child was born, John
Peter.
After a couple of years in Logan gold was discovered in Montana. Thinking this would
improve their living conditions, they decided to move to Montana. At that time, only a wagon
track marked the road and the Bear River, Snake River, as well as other streams had to be
forded. It took faith to ford those rivers, as there were five in the wagon and none could swim.
However,
no accident happened and after six weeks of travel, they reached the mines in Virginia City,
Madison county, Montana. Patrick, although an old man, came with them to this mining town.
Mike found he did not like the life of a miner, but being very musically talented, turned
to teaching music and running a theater instead. While in Montana, Alfred (now 12 years old),
became proficient enough in his music to play leading coronet in the Helena band. They
prospered while in this area.
While living here they had two more children. James Michael was born August 31,
1865 and Laura Penelope was born May 1, 1870.
In 1874 bad luck struck the family as a fire in the area burnt down their theater and
destroyed their $700 piano. Sue's family had been wanting them to return to Clarkston where
they had settled and live near to them, so they decided at this time to return to Utah and be
closer to her family.
The family brought back some of their luxury items and found them useful in trading for
things they needed for their new home. Silk dresses and a parlor stove were exchanged for a
cow and chickens, a pig and some farming tools. Stage scenery and some linoleum
decorated their kitchen. Sue taught dancing and signing and became the stage make-up and
costume mistress for the Clarkston Dramatic Association, as well as coach and assistant
manager. She sang well and helped her daughter and friends in their dancing and performing.
Sue was known for being hospitable, dainty, sweet, generous, and charitable. She
was a good nurse and midwife and helped care for the dead. At the age of 63, Sue went to
visit her daughter Laura after the birth of a new granddaughter, also named Laura, was born
on May 28, 1899. Two weeks later she contacted tick fever and died on June 13, 1899. Her
daughter was unable to attend the funeral, as it took three weeks in those days to recuperate
from childbirth, so she was propped up in bed to look out the window to watch the procession
go by.

Ancestor of the Month Michael J. Clark

Michael Joseph Clark is the father of John P. Clark and grandfather to Maynard.

The Musical Life of Michael Joseph Clark

In 1845 at the age of fourteen years, Michael Joseph Clark began his musical life. His first music book was Bertimes Piano Instructor, one of the first editions published in America. His first teacher’s name was Thomas Carroll. This book is still in good condition and he kept it until he died. He advanced as fast as he could under this teacher and then studied under Henry Yarkers, who came from Germany; this was while he was in Providence, Rhode Island. Michael also studied at Boston, Massachusetts. He was a member of the Union Brass Band in Providence. In 1858 he was musical director and organist at St. Bernards Catholic Church. He played for their Sunday Schools and many festivals. The popular songs of the day were “The Mocking Bird,” “Hard Times,” “Old Folks at Home” and “Old Kentucky Home.” His favorite song was “The Last Rose of Summer” by Henry Herez. About this time Jenny Lind came from Europe and gave a series of concerts. She sang “Mary of Argyle,” and “When the Swallows Homeward Fly” and selections from the “The Bohemian Girl.” Two of the songs from the opera were “Then You’ll Remember,” and “I dreamed I Dwelt in Marble Halls,” that he loved very much. Michael attended Jenny Lind’s performance when he was very young.

Although raised a Catholic, Michael joined the LDS Church after meeting his future wife, Susannah Thompson. In 1861, when he moved to Utah, he brought the copies of these songs to Logan with him. He was the first musical director of the first concert given in Logan, Utah in January 1862. Some of the singers who took part in it were Emma Benson, Lottie Benson, Bill Benson, Ellen Blair, Anna Ferral, William Knowels, James Hyde, James Howell, Richard Evans, James Martewna, and the director Michael Joseph Clark. Michael J. also played the melodies, Alma Harris was a violinist, a man from Hyde Park played the cornet and clarinet, and Soffe Bensen sang “What Is a Home Without a Mother?” The opening chorus was “Away the Morn is Breaking,” glee songs were “Come Where My Love Lies Dreaming, “Hail Smiling Morning” and the closing song was “By The Shady Greenwood Tree.” This concert was given as a surprise to Brother Ezra T. Benson and Peter Maughan when they came from Salt Lake from the Legislature, but the people called a vote to give the proceeds to Michael Joseph Clark and family to help them through the winter. He also received a lot of vegetables to go with it. The tickets were 25 cents each. He carried the music he used across the plains.

In the spring of 1864 Michael moved his family to Virginia City, Montana. Here he was also engaged in music work. He played the Moldy and taught groups of twenty-one singers. They sang for Hebert J. Grant and Tomas F. Magh, the first governor of Montana.

During this time they moved to Helena where more gold had been discovered. He had only been there three days when a stranger came to him and asked him to get up a choir for the Catholic Church, to be used at the opening of the new church. He began practicing for the Christmas Midnight Service with sixteen members, mostly Germans, for St. Peters celebrated mass. He remained for three years at this occupation, receiving $6.00 per week. He gave his oldest son Alfred a start in music at this time. He paid $4,000 for his first piano and began togive private instruction. One of his students was Mrs. Caremanyle, whose husband was a delegate to Congress, and she won the laurels at the Grand Ball. During the next two years Michael held a musical position at $35.00 per week, with James McCarey, cornetist, and Charles Broy, violinist.

In 1873, after the saloon he owned burned down, destroying his prized piano and the costumes Susannah wore as she performed, he returned to Utah and settled in Clarkston. Michael did not like the place, but thought it best for his family. He taught the first music choir, and gave private piano lessons throughout Cache Valley.

A short time before he died he was asked to come down to Salt Lake City and play the Great Salt Lake Pipe Organ in the LDS Tabernacle, but he thought he was too old to go. Professor McClellan, made a trip to Clarkston to see Michael Joseph and stayed two and one half hours trying to get Michael Joseph to come to Salt Lake and play at LDS Conference. He

asked him why he was “buried in these God-forsaken hills.”

After he went back he wrote to Michael J. The following is a

copy of that letter, which is today among the keepsakes of his son John Peter Clark. It is dated 18 April 1925:

My Dear Brother Clark.

It was such a pleasure to meet you and to hear your dear voice. I have given you many a kindly thought since I left your hospitable home the other evening. I hope and pray that you are very well and that God will vouch safe you and me the pleasure and joy of having you here and play the Great Organ at the Tabernacle before too long a time has passed. You are a great credit to your church, your people, and to higher civilization. Brother Clark, you are a Godly man, your glorious life and excellent condition at your advanced years prove all this for your health and faculties seem so very fine for a young man of 60, which you look to be. I know that you are nearly 90 years old, and I marvel at your alertness, brightness of mind, and keenness of body.

Dear Brother Clark, the Lord bless and keep you many years for all of us who love you and honor you. I am waiting for you to come down and play and hear the Great Organ. It is as much yours as mine and you are more than welcome to it. Please give my kindest regards to your dear son, his darling wife and those two noble, charming girls.

My Love to all.

Your devoted Friend

J.J. McClellan.

Michael J. knew how to make pipe organs. He helped to put in the Logan Tabernacle organ and was the first to play it. It is said that he had a unique touch on the piano and organ, and although he was blind before he died he could play mater pieces from memory.

At the time of his death he had a long, snow-white beard. He was always very clean with himself. He died 30^th April 1927 at the age of 91 years, 6 months at Clarkston, Utah.

History by Sarah Homer Clark daughter in-law