Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Thomas Morton: Death Certificate and Obituary

 Courtesy Iva Beckstead

OBITUARY

Thomas Morton died June 11, 1911, in Coalville, Summit, Utah and was buried in the Coalville cemetery on June 13, 1911.

The following obituary was printed in The Coalville Times on Friday, June 16, 1911.  The photocopy is hard to read, so it has been retyped below.

“Lives to Good Old Age”

        Died – At his home in Cluff Ward, Thomas Morton of general debility, Sunday morning at 8:15.
        The silver cord is loosened, the golden bowl is broken, the dust has returned to earth as it was; the spirit has returned to the God who gave it.
        The deceased was born Dec. 23, 1830, in Snareston, Leicestershire, England.  Emigrated to American in the year 1873, and remained in Rock Springs, Wyoming until the spring of 1874, when he came to Coalville and has resided here ever since.  His wife died almost nineteen years ago.  He followed the occupation of coal miner in England, and farmer in this country.  He was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints in the year 1843, at Ravenstone.  The deceased was the father of four children, three of whom preceded him to the great beyond, and one son, Herbert Morton, survives him.  He has sixteen grandchildren, and seventeen great-grandchildren.  He died a firm believer in the religion he espoused in his native land.
        The funeral services were held from the Cluff meeting house, under the direction of Bishop Wilde.   The speakers were Ishmael Hayes, T. L. Beech, Frank Croft and Bishop Wilde.  The singing was conducted by J. E. Carruth.  The meeting house was well filed with friends, who met to pay their last respects to the departed.  The floral tributes were beautiful.  Interment was in the city cemetery.”

Thomas was 80 years, five months, and 19 days old when he passed away due to old age.
OBITUARY

Thomas Morton died June 11, 1911, in Coalville, Summit, Utah and was buried in the Coalville cemetery on June 13, 1991.

The following obituary was printed in The Coalville Times on Friday, June 16, 1911.  The photocopy is hard to read, so it has been retyped below.

“Lives to Good Old Age”

        Died – At his home in Cluff Ward, Thomas Morton of general debility, Sunday morning at 8:15.
        The silver cord is loosened, the golden bowl is broken, the dust has returned to earth as it was; the spirit has returned to the God who gave it.
        The deceased was born Dec. 23, 1830, in Snareston, Leicestershire, England.  Emigrated to American in the year 1873, and remained in Rock Springs, Wyoming until the spring of 1874, when he came to Coalville and has resided here ever since.  His wife died almost nineteen years ago.  He followed the occupation of coal miner in England, and farmer in this country.  He was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints in the year 1843, at Ravenstone.  The deceased was the father of four children, three of whom preceded him to the great beyond, and one son, Herbert Morton, survives him.  He has sixteen grandchildren, and seventeen great-grandchildren.  He died a firm believer in the religion he espoused in his native land.
        The funeral services were held from the Cluff meeting house, under the direction of Bishop Wilde.   The speakers were Ishmael Hayes, T. L. Beech, Frank Croft and Bishop Wilde.  The singing was conducted by J. E. Carruth.  The meeting house was well filed with friends, who met to pay their last respects to the departed.  The floral tributes were beautiful.  Interment was in the city cemetery.”

Thomas was 80 years, five months, and 19 days old when he passed away due to old age.

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Isaac Wardle: Patriarchal Blessings

This is forwarded to me by Iva Beckstead
On January 7, 1875, a notice appeared in the “Deseret News” newspaper of Homestead Patents that had been received in the Land Patent Office and which were now ready for delivery.  Isaac J. Wardle and William Wardle both appeared in this news column.

PATRIARCHAL BLESSING RECEIVED

 Blessing #373 – South Jordan, Salt Lake County, January 25, 1875.  Isaac was 40 years old when he received this Patriarchal Blessing.

“A blessing given by John Smith, Patriarch, upon the head of Isaac John Wardle, son of John and Mary Wardle, born in Ravenstone, Leicestershire, England on June 14, 1835.

Brother Isaac according to thy desire I place my hands upon thy head to in the name of Jesus Christ pronounce and say a blessing upon thee which shall be a guide and comfort unto thee.  Thou art of the House of Israel, thy pathway hath been fraught with trials and difficulties thy guardian angel hath preserved thy life for thou hast a mission to perform, which if thou art faithful will exalt thee hereafter and give thee peace.  Therefore be upon thy guard, seek wisdom, knowledge, and understanding that you may overcome the evils of thy nature and obtain the spirit of the Lord to direct thy mind and give thee strength and grace sufficient for thy day for it is thy privilege to live to a good old age and travel much for the Gospel’s sake and assist in gathering scattered Israel and do a work for thy kindred who are now in darkness for there are honest in heart who will rejoice with thee hereafter.  Thou art of the blood of Joseph through the lineage of Ephraim and entitled to the blessings of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob with the gifts of the priesthood.  Therefore be prudent and seek to know the will of the Lord concerning thee so thou shalt be warned of events to come, the vision of thy understanding shall be opened and thou shalt see and understand things as they are.  Thou shalt realize that the hand of the Lord has been over thee for good.  He both heard thy petitions and will answer thee if thou wilt ask in faith and will be prospered in thy journeyings at home and abroad, be blessed in thy labor spiritually and temporally.  Therefore I say unto thee let thy faith fail not and every word of this blessing shall be fulfilled, for I seal it upon thee by virtue of the holy Priesthood and I seal thee up unto eternal life to come forth in the morning of the first resurrection a Saviour among thy kindred, even so, Amen”.
– H. S. – Recorder


SECOND PATRIARCHAL BLESSING RECEIVED

Blessing #345 – pronounced upon Brother Wardle when he was 72 years old.

A Patriarchal Blessing given at Parker, Fremont County, Idaho on February 25, 1908, under the hands of Andrew J. Hansen upon the head of Isaac John Wardle, son of John and Mary Kinston Wardle – born June 14, 1836 at Ravenstone, Leicestershire, England – R.F.D. # 3, Saint Anthony, Idaho.

“Brother Isaac in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I place my hands upon your head as a servant of the Lord, and in the authority of a Patriarch confer upon you a blessing which shall be with you through life and which shall be a beacon light unto you even into eternity.

Thou art of the Royal Blood of Israel of the House of Joseph through the loins of Ephraim and the blessings of the Holy Priesthood, the blessings of standing at the head of your generation’s and kindred as a saviour and redeemer be upon you.  The blessings of the patriarch’s of old, even Abraham, the faithful of the faithful, so shall it be unto you.

In thee and thy seed shall kindred tongues and peoples be blessed and a ruler, a leader, a preacher of righteousness shall not depart from thine house even unto the end of time.

Prophets and apostles shall come forth through thy lineage, and their record shall refer with pride and honor to Isaac, their father.

And now dear Brother at the eve of life I bless thee as one of the noble, venerable, faithful and true servants of the Lord, who has stood faithful through the trying ordeals of life, who have been polished, tempered, and purified, according to Gods own will and purposes, prepared in due time to receive a fullness of glory in the eternal mansions for a mansion hath been prepared for you and the blessings of the Lord await you on every hand.

I say unto you the Lord shall spare you from undue bodily suffering.  You shall live yet many years and enjoy life and the pursuits of happiness.  Generations unborn of your lineage shall prattle about your knees, shall stroke your cheeks, and kiss your lips, shall touch your heart and your joy shall be full.

Through them your inheritance shall be established in the hand of Joseph.  Through them you shall be represented in the various nations of the earth, in the temples of the Lord, in the redemption of the living and the dead.

In due time keys and powers of which you know not now shall be conferred upon you, even the keys of the resurrection and you shall call forth through the veil of eternity your wives and your children and complete the labours of this probation and enter into your glory.

In this life you shall find friends on every hand, your enemies and opponents shall sink into oblivion and they shall be blotted out from the book of your remembrance.

Your children shall gather around you and the old hearthstone and bless and comfort your latter days.

I seal you up unto eternal life to come forth even in the morning of the first resurrection, yea even to meet the King of Kings at his coming, in the clouds of heaven and welcome him and be of that happy number spoken of by the prophets of old.  And this shall be your reward for the acceptance of and the keeping of the laws of the Lord in your time and day, and eternal laws in the world to come forever, in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost, Amen.”  - Recorded by Solomon Hansen.


Thursday, January 24, 2013

Your Heart Will Burn: Act 2 scene 12

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iloudBbiNUQ
This scene portrays a Cedar City Sunday School many years later, and the comments of Francis Webster.  The song "We Became Acquainted With God" is based on his words.  Duane McGhie portrays this roll.  He is the descendant of handcart pioneers.  I have William Ashton joining his family at the end of the song.  By this I was trying to represent that even though he left the company, he did eventually join the Saints and his family.

Your Heart Will Burn: Act 2 scene11: Martin's Cove

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQfcC05RQg0
This scene shows the conditions in Martin's Cove.  Ashley Orton as the narrator sings a simple song, "Close Your Eyes" which sets the mood.  The leadership would often inspect the camp early in the morning.  Peter McBride's (played by Caleb) tent did blow over as depicted, and the family got out of the tent except for Peter.  He slept well, but his hair froze to the tent.  His sister, noticing he had not gotten out, assumed he had died in the tent.  I added this song to change the mood.  The play had been very emotional, and I wanted to leave on a more upbeat mood so added, snug as a bug.  Isaac and John Bailey did often have grave duty.  Langley did not as he was still bed ridden.  It was good news when they finally announced, no deaths in camp today.  However this was actually much later, after they left the cove and were headed to Salt Lake.  In the interest of time I could not depict the entire journey and so leave the party at Martin's Cove.  Langley Bailey road in wagon from Martin's Cove to Salt Lake City.


Your Heart Will Burn: Scene by Scene

Act 1 Scene 1 and overture: Coalville; Isaac Wardle "When Ye Shall Receive These Things" "Live Goes On"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YzTCQI1CbU
Act 1 Scene 2: Coalville; Isaac Wardle  "Your Heat Will Burn"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4D4eoTd4JU
Act 1 Scene 3: Fairfield; The Ashtons "London Bridge" "Your Heart Will Burn"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACC0Kn3-d5s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9t7xQAaYvjw
Act 1 Scene 4:  Letters; William Severn and Mary Astle "When I get his letters"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X35ABIksPjY
Act 1 Scene 5: Coalville; Isaac Wardle "I love you Goodbye"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhLWUOlKTN0
Act 1 Scene 6: Deck of the Horizon "Friends for Life" "Farewell to thee England""Oh Zion" "When I get his letters" reprise
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NuVa8yqnvc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pd-LI2M7Zmc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLbn0tKV3ss
Act 1 Scene 7: Deck of Horizon; "wedding march"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFxlZMeY_M0
Act 1 Scene 8: Deck of Horizon; death of Elizabeth Ashton, "The Journey is Long"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mbx9iYLL4SU
Act 2 Scene 1: Iowa City; Martin Handcart Company, "Working" "Going Through the Eye of the Needle"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArtP_YIGanQ
Act 2 Scene 2: On the trail in Iowa; Langley gets sick, "TheHandcart Song" birth of baby Sarah Ann Ashton "Life goes on" Reprise
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pKzTkXYmHY
Act 2 Scene 3: Florence, Nebraska; "Cheer Saints Cheer" "Campfire Dance" Langley's blessing, death of Sarah Ann Ashton, "I Love You, Goodbye" Campfire Dance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgpwcyDV8rE
Act 2 Scene 4: Plains in Nebraska, site of A.W. Babbit wagon gravesite, death of Sarah Ann Ashton (not shown)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63Dwurjv_w8
Act 2 Scene 5: Fort Laramie, William Ashton joins the infantry, "Live Goes ON" reprise "confrontation"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHnQLGH4Ioc
Act 2 Scene 6: Salt Lake City, Brigham Young starts the rescue"Get Them Here"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=py60LvJaBbo
Act 2 Scene 7: Last Crossing of the Platte and its aftermath, Betsy freezes her feet "Oh Zion When I Think of Ye"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIewLpTYe1g
Act 2 Scene 8: Red Buttes, rescuers arrive
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wk3CHdqbBow
Act 2 Scene 9: At the Sweetwater, Rescuers carry many over the water "Get them Here" reprise
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrJZFOrqW18
Act 2 Scene 10: Martin's Cove, Isaac gathers wood, "Come Come Ye Saints" Betsy passes away
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UatDF_CLXVg
Act 2 Scene 11: Martin's Cove; "See Them for Real," Peter McBride and the tent,"Snug as a Bug" leaving the cove
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQfcC05RQg0
Act 2 Scene 12: Cedar City many year later; Francis Webster, "We Became Acquainted with God"
http://billywardlegen.blogspot.com/2013/01/your-heart-will-burn-act-2-scene-12.html
Curtain Call
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIwxd7nqdWY
Many Thanks to Susan McGhie for making the movie, Joe Eliason and Elaine Morris for the music.




Wednesday, January 23, 2013

My Dad’s Family During the Depression


Grandfather Wilford (my dad’s father) decided to move his family to Salt Lake City, as he had a job working in an auto body shop.  This job lasted two ears, when he lost the job due to the depression.  The family moved back to the Teton Basin to victor.  Grandpa worked as a sheepherder as this was the only job he could get.  Audrey and Lula (dad’s older sisters) went with him. 
He then moved the family to Lincoln, outside of Idaho Falls, and followed the sugar beets.  During the depression, there was plenty of work, but not enough money.  It seemed his parents were always on the verge of poverty.  Aunt Audrey related the following with regards to this period:
This was really the depth of the depression.  My parents were so poor I don’t know how we survived.  What my parents must have gone through.  Papa would work the sugar beet run and then do what odd jobs he could.  The two summers we were in Lincoln he contracted to thin and hoe huge fields of beets for different farmers.  I worked side by side with him, all day, every day but Sunday.  Lula helped too and my mother walked to the field and worked when her housework was done….One time we had no flour and no money to buy any.  I know my parents were frantic.  As we sat around our kitchen table after supper there was a knock on our back door.  When we answered it, there, in our little lean-to porch, was a 50-pound sack of flour.  We never knew who brought it….But what a heaven-sent gift.  (Chase, Audrey’s history)
Audrey relates another story, about a year later, which illustrates the economic condition of the family.  This was after Audrey had worked a summer in Pocatello:
I got paid $.25 an hour at my job.  One of my most precious memories was the result of my job.  No children in our family had ever had a bike.  It was something totally out of reach.  But my brother Wilford dreamed of one.  Most of his friends had one.  He went to Victor to stay….While he was gone I got him a bike for his birthday.  He got back the day of his birthday.  I had put the bike in his bedroom, which was a tiny room down a long hall and at the back of the house.  I told him there was something for him in his room.  He dashed back there.  I’ll never forget his face as he wheeled out that beautiful new bike.  At $.25 an hour, it took me most of the summer t pay for it, but it was well worth it.  (Chase)
From Idaho Falls the family moved to Pocatello where Grandpa worked on a W.P.A. project.  These were “government projects President Roosevelt had started to help the poor.” (Chase)  He worked for civic projects with a pick and shovel on bridges and buildings.  From there the family moved to Salmon, Idaho, and stayed about a year before moving back to Pocatello.
Aunt Audrey had received a two-year teaching certificate, and taught for a year at Bates School in the Teton Basin.  She saved enough money she was able to help her parents make a down payment on a farm the following year.  Aunt Audrey described this as a fertile farm, in Riverton, Idaho just west of Blackfoot.
Grandpa Wardle lost the farm after two years:
He got a little behind in the payment.  A man was sent to see him about it.  My dad reacted as he usually did and beat the fellow up.  He made that payment, but the fellow told Ellis, (Audrey’s husband) “I’d have worked with him, but now I’m just waiting to see him get behind again.  When he does, I’ll get him!”  Papa got behind again and lost the farm. (Chase)
From there they landed on a farm near Rigby, renting a couple of poor farms and eventually purchasing one.  This farm had rocky soil.  They farmed beets and potatoes, hay and livestock.  I know Dad also raised livestock—pigs, chickens and milk cows.  He also herded sheep with his father.  This community became the permanent residence of my Grandparents.

Monday, January 21, 2013

Mary Rupp, Leo Wardle: More Picture sharing and identification

This picture is identified on the back as Aunt Mary Rupp.  She is the daughter of William Haston and Annie Sorensen Wardle.  She was the third child of eleven born to this union.  She married Milton Woodruff Thompson and had six children with him.  When he passed away she married George Earl Rupp.  They had no children together but he did have four children from a previous marriage.  His first wife had also passed away.
 No identification on these two pictures.  Please help if you can.
Leo Wardle is also the son of William Haston and Annie Sorensen Wardle.  He was the fourth of eleven children.  He was married three times, Maude Tempest, Joy Jean Williams and Marian Adams.  My dad spent time with he and Aunt Joy during WWII when my dad was stationed at Treasure Island.  Uncle Leo worked for the rail industry.
This picture is identified as Lionel and Arthur Peterson, Children of Uncle Jim and Aunt Mary Peterson.  In ths case Mary is Mary Sorensen Peterson, youger sister of Annie Sorensen Wardle.  Lionel and Arthur are her two oldest children born 1901 and 1903.



William Haston and Anne Sorenson Wardle Reunion 1968?

Orrin, Norval, Reed, Delilah, Vernal, Leo, Mary, Wilford
 Uncle Roy is missing.
Adding spouses.  Please help to identify.  My Grandmother Melissa is in striped shirt. Lucile Wardle next to Reed.

I found these pictures amongst a bunch of pictures.  I am not sure of the year but probably between 1968 and 1972.  The reunion was always at Ross Park in Pocatello.  There was a big pot luck, and then leftovers later in the day.  One year a transcript was taken of memories.  There was a pool across the street, and big boulders to climb on.  Another year Fort Hall replica appeared on the hill.  The first year we had our run of the fort and played and played.

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Picture Identification

left Mintia, right Mintia or Etta May

right Altheamer and his wife Rose Powell Wardle,
Left Junius and Ann Rommel Wardle
Thanks for the blog updates, Billy. I enjoy them very much!
Hey, I have some old photos and I think they are photos of the Wardle family. My grandmother was very particular about labeling her own photos with names and dates, but when she passed away we found an old box full of pictures that we think may have been given to Grandma when some other relative died. Because the pictures aren’t labeled, we know they didn’t start out in Grandma’s possession. She may have been given them after her eyesight had diminished to the point of not being able to see who the people in the photos were.
Two of the photos are of the same teenaged girl. One has “Junius” written on the back, and one has “Mintia” written on the back. Since these are two of Isaac Wardle’s children with Martha Egbert, I am guessing that the young girl in the photo is Etta May Wardle, the youngest sister in that branch of the family. This leads me to believe that many of the other photos in the box are of the Wardle family. Some are of babies and will probably never be identified, but some are of adults; weddings, graduations, etc. I’m attaching a couple of them. If you recognize any of the people in them could you let me know?
Patti Call
PS- Grandma is Crilla Aldura Myers Egbert, who is the daughter of Annie May Butterfield Myers, who is the daughter of Crilla Wardle Butterfield, who is one of Isaac Wardle’s daughter with Martha Egbert.
This pictures say Beckstead? on the back


This picture also says Beckstead?
 This picture has names, but I am not sure who they are?  The back says "Rose and her daughter."  It then adds Wineger?  It looks like "Rose and her daughter" is written by my grandmother, and "Wineger" by my father. This is corrected as Rose Powell Wardle and her daughter Fern Wardle White.

Friday, January 18, 2013

Poem: My Heart Breaks

This poem reflects the letters of my father and grandmother to each other during WWII when my father was in the Navy.  I wrote this when I wrote my Dad's Naval history.  It reflects my Dad entering the Navy, being known as Wilford, and preferring Jim in the Navy.  I guess everyone went by their first name in the military.

My Heart Breaks

My Heart Breaks
I go to defend my country,
My arms ache.
I'm not found under summer trees.

I feel empty.
I will be safe, protected,
Danger, avoid the sea.
By God directed.

I worry, cry and weep;
I wish you could be calm,
At night I do not sleep.
My patriarchal blessing's balm.

But what of the farm?
I have a job to do here.
Work without harm.
When my job is done; I'll be there.

Guard your soul.
I will walk upright
Mind your eternal goals.
My actions guided by light.

You leave me, my Wilford,
I return to you as Jim.
My son, my manly ward.
I've learned to swim.

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Your Heart Will Burn: Act 2 Scene 9: At the Sweetwater

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrJZFOrqW18

This scene portrays somewhat accurately the experience of the Martin Handcart Company at the Sweetwater, crossing before Martin's Cove.  The lines given to Brother Astle were actual lines spoken by another handcart company member, and as his wife offered to pull the handcart, the Valley Boys volunteered.  For a more historical please see the great history written by Chad Orton.
http://billywardlegen.blogspot.com/2010/09/bool-review-martin-handcart-company-at.html
You could also look at the section I wrote for Isaac's history which describes Isaac's likely experience this day.
http://billywardlegen.blogspot.com/2012/08/chapter-10c-t-sweetwater.html


Your Heart Will Burn: Act 2 Scene 10: Martin's Cove

https://www.youtube.com/my_videos_edit?video_id=UatDF_CLXVg&ns=1&feature=mhsn


Tuesday, January 1, 2013

The Chase Family: My Father's Oldest Sister

Audrey and Mom


Aunt Audrey's home


Ann, Audrey, Kenneth, his wife, Dale, Carolyn, Roger, Kenneth's son

Roger, my grandmother Wardle and Mom

Roger's family
We seemed to always be close to Audrey and her family.  Kenneth came to Othello to for my dad.  Roger came to Carbondale to spend some time with us.  One of my favorite Christmas gifts was a hand-me-down from the Chases Civil War set.  We would also often go camping together.

Audrey and Kenneth's wife



Kenneth
Ann
Roger, High School graduation

Aunt Audrey