Friday, November 22, 2013

WILLIAM ASHTON: HANDCART PIONEER AND FIVE-YEAR FOOT SOLDIER Curtis R. Allen

WILLIAM ASHTON: HANDCART PIONEER AND FIVE-YEAR
FOOT SOLDIER
Curtis R. Allen1

“We continued on our journey as quick as we possibly
could. The cold increasing upon us. … Our provisions
are running out very fast, so that our rations are reduced
to 12 ounces of flour per day. … we are also being pretty
nigh wore out, with fatigue and hunger, a great many died.”
- Samuel Openshaw, Martin Handcart Company, just as
the company was leaving Fort Laramie.2
William Ashton, a 33-year-old LDS convert from Stockport, Cheshire, England was experiencing the same feelings as Openshaw but with tragedy and sorrow piled on top of them. William had lost his wife and two daughters on the easy part of the journey. Fortyfive
others of the company had also died on the way. He and his three remaining motherless girls were now faced with worsening conditions and a dismal forecast. At a camp near Fort Laramie, in Nebraska Territory (now Wyoming) in early October, 1856, William faced a decision almost beyond thinking, and with small hope of success in any of the few options.
He and his family had left Liverpool May 22, 1856 on the ship “Horizon” for the journey to America and Utah. The company was about 800 Saints; their leader was to be Captain Edward Martin. The Ashton family, like many on the ship, was traveling under the
auspices of the Perpetual Emigration Fund and would be pulling handcarts across the prairies. William’s family consisted of himself, 33; his wife Sarah Ann (nee Barlow), also 33; daughters Betsy, 11; Sarah Ellen, 7; Mary; 5, and Elizabeth, age 2.3
The ship docked in Boston the last day of June. While the company was waiting to board the train cars to Iowa City, little Elizabeth Ashton died.4 Many of the company had suffered of illness and several had died aboard ship. Perhaps Elizabeth had been sick on the sea journey. A crowded and uncomfortable train took them to Iowa City where they struggled with the delay in preparing handcarts and eventually left for the westward journey July 28th, later than hoped. Although they struggled with poorly constructed handcarts and other challenges, the company had a fairly comfortable haul to Florence
before starting across Nebraska. In Iowa, before crossing the Missouri River, Sarah Ann gave birth to another daughter. The baby, named after her mother, died fourteen days later at Florence. The difficult birth left the mother feeble and she soon passed on. A grieving and surely distraught William continued on the 1,000 mile trail toward Salt Lake
Valley with his three surviving daughters.
By October, as the Martin Company neared Fort Laramie, it became apparent the late departure, limited food supply, and lack of warm clothing would threaten the company.5  On October 9th, some of the Martin Company people gathered their valuables – watches
and the like, to trade for provisions at the fort. The commander, Major William Hoffman, 6 sympathized with the immigrants and allowed them to purchase from the commissary storehouse. The prices were reasonable: biscuits at 15 ½ cents, bacon at 15 cents a pound and rice at 17 cents a pound. Some purchased from the Sutler’s but the prices were higher.7
On this same day, October 9th, William enlisted in Company G of the 6th United States Infantry. He was surely influenced by the willingness of the army to aid the pioneers and saw in it an opportunity to help his own family to endure the remaining journey. But it was a decision that would probably trouble him for the rest of his life. Some analysis is
required to fill in around the known facts. Often, when a regiment’s ranks were depleted by desertions and other causes, the army offered cash and other inducements to enlistees.
The new men also became eligible to draw on the commissary and sutler’s stores against future pay. Three other men from the Martin Company enlisted with William, so this was probably the case then. Recruits were few in the wilderness. William was probably able
to supplement his children’s diet and possibly also help with blankets by enlisting. Also, he would not be along to receive an adult ration, also leaving that to others of the company. 
There was a Barlow family with the company that seems almost surely to have been his deceased wife’s relatives. John Barlow, an 18 year old son of that family also joined the army the same day as William. The Barlow family and William’s family lived less than fifteen miles apart in England. Although no exact genealogical link has been found, it
seems reasonable the Barlows took the girls to travel with them. Whatever the details, William must have been heartbroken and the little girls terrified at the parting. William had committed himself to five years of service in an unfamiliar situation and to repay some indebtedness to a government foreign to him.
The first several months of army life for William Ashton were uneventful. The Martin handcart company recruits in the 6th Infantry troops stationed at Fort Laramie surely Fort Laramie in the 1850’s 8
went through the adjustment necessary for any civilian introduced to military life but they were not called upon to participate in any arduous campaigns that winter. The local Indian tribes were generally not troublesome. But change was in the wind. By the spring of 1857, the Cheyenne were chafing at the encroachments on their tribal domain by settlers and the army and were raiding immigrant trains and settlements wherever they could. Secretary of War Jefferson Davis ordered Colonel Edwin (“Bull”) Sumner to mount an expedition of chastisement against the Cheyenne. Sumner’s 1st Cavalry was chosen as the spearhead with elements of the 6th Infantry, Company G included, in support.9  This included William as well as the others that had enlisted with him.10 During this expedition, the infantry suffered not only great fatigue but deprivation of food and shelter, as the expedition commander, Colonel Edwin V. “Bull” Sumner chased the
Indians with his cavalry, requiring exhausting forced marches by the foot soldiers in an attempt to keep up. The marches took them into what is now Southeastern Colorado, into central Kansas and on to Fort Leavenworth in northeastern Kansas. In Kansas, Company
G was involved in the battle of Solomon’s Fork where numerous Cheyenne were killed or wounded, but William escaped harm. Food ran short and the soldiers subsisted on scrawny beef and went days without nourishing food. At one point, the men were reduced
to eating coyotes, skunks and buzzards.11 Many soldiers deserted, perhaps justifiably, including two recruits from the Martin Company, Aaron Harrison and Samuel Blackham. 12 William stayed the course, perhaps because of commitments he had made to the sutler’s store as mentioned earlier.13 As the campaign ended, Company G was in the
vicinity of Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
In May, 1858, William’s regiment was ordered from Kansas to Utah Territory to reinforce the army sent there the previous fall to put down the “Mormon Rebellion”. The regiment was to become part of General Albert Sidney Johnston’s Army of Utah. By July 31, 1858, the regiment, including William’s Company G, had arrived at Fort Bridger, Utah Territory14. William was then in the unique position of being the only Mormon to be a part of what is known as “Johnston’s Army,” which was to march into the Salt Lake Valley to ensure Brigham Young and the Mormons would comply with federal law.
William was likely to be able to make contact with his daughters, if they had survived.
However, circumstances prevented this. In July, 1858, General Johnston was ordered by Headquarters, U.S. Army, to select one of two regiments to add to the force already at Camp Floyd in Utah County, the other to be sent to the Department of the West,
headquartered at Benicia, California. Johnston selected the 7th Infantry for Camp Floyd service and ordered William’s regiment to California. For a short time, William was within 130 miles of his two surviving daughters, but he was not aware that two of his daughters had survived.15
“Johnston’s Army” marched from the Fort Bridger area on June 13, 1858, taking companies, B and C, of the 6th Infantry into the Salt Lake Valley. William Ashton’s company G and the remainder of the 6th Infantry remained at Fort Bridger until companies B and C returned from the valley and on August 31st, the entire regiment began their march to California. That march, combined with the just completed march from Fort Leavenworth totaled 2,147 miles. Adding to this the marches associated with the Cheyenne Expedition, we see Company G marching more than 2,500 miles over a few months. The route from Fort Bridger was westward to the Bear River, near present day
Evanston, Wyoming, then avoiding Echo Canyon and the Salt Lake Valley altogether, north following Bear river past Bear Lake to Soda Springs and then along the Portneuf River to Fort Hall and then following Hudspeth’s cutoff past the City of Rocks and there connecting to the California Trail to Carson’s Pass over the Sierras. In spite of strenuous effort to beat the winter snows, they slogged through two feet of snow at the summit.
By October, 1858 they were encamped in California, moving then to Benicia Barracks in the Oakland area. At this point, the regiment was fragmented and sent to wherever they were needed to suppress Indian depredations or deal with other problems. William and Company G saw most of California during the next three years.
In October, 1861, the regiment received orders to sail to Washington D.C. for Civil War service. Company G was at Benicia Barracks and William’s five year enlistment was completed. On October 9, 1861, Private William Ashton was honorably discharged and from there, his trail goes cold. We do know he received several months back pay upon
discharge, with possibly additional funds held in his account.16 This would have given him some resources to travel to his next destination, wherever that might have been. He may have even been able to travel on the ship with the regiment to Washington, D.C. down the West Coast to Panama and across the isthmus by railroad and up the East Coast to the Capital.
No record tells us of the next several years of William’s life. It appears he found his way back to England, as he, or someone with the same name and circumstances, is found in census records. At some point he learned there were survivors in the Martin Company and in 1888 placed the following ad in the Millennial Star:
“Elder William Ashton is very anxious to learn the address of any one or all of his daughters, Betsy, Sarah, and Mary, who emigrated from Stockport, England, on the 18th of May, 1856. They crossed the plains in one of the ‘Handcart Companies’.”17
Betsy had died on the plains; Mary had died in childbirth in 1869 in West Jordan; and Sarah Ellen, who had lost the sight of one eye from the cold on the handcart trail, was in Whitney, Idaho, having gone there with her husband, Thomas Wesley Beckstead, a Canadian convert and early pioneer to South Jordan. A silent witness of Sarah Ellen’s
feelings toward her father, of whose whereabouts she then knew nothing, is the fact that she named one of her sons “William Albert Beckstead”, even using William’s seldom mentioned middle name. The name “William” is still popular among his descendants. She
also named a daughter that died as an infant “Sarah Alberta”, perhaps honoring both her parents.
Someone brought a copy of the Millennial Star to Sarah. We can hardly imagine Sarah’s emotions on getting this news of her father after thirty-two years. But she must have been anxious to see him as she and her husband sent him means to come to Idaho, which he did. He spent his remaining years with Sarah Ellen and her husband in Whitney and became known as “Grandpa Ashton.” An indication of Grandpa Ashton’s acceptance by the community was his giving a speech at the 1889 Fourth of July celebration in Whitney.
William shared the rostrum with several of his grandchildren who sang, gave talks and otherwise entertained the crowd. Like so many wishes when we study individual history, we hope someone might be digging into an old trunk and find a journal that included some notes of  that speech.
William died October 21, 1891 and is buried in the Whitney cemetery. Sarah Ellen lived until 1912 and is remembered in family histories as a grand old lady. Certainly her posterity is large and has achieved much in the way of service to their communities and country. One of her descendants, presumably gathering memories from the older
generation wrote: “She probably believed that having only one eye was no handicap. She churned butter, sold eggs, served as a midwife, and helped in the community wherever and whenever she was called upon.” She is also buried in the Whitney cemetery.
Epilogue
When, in an incident of more than fifteen years of researching the soldiers of the Utah War I first learned of the military experience of William, I knew nothing of his family connection to the Becksteads and Whitney, Idaho but that information soon surfaced. It turns out I was in high school in Preston, Idaho with at least a dozen of William’s
descendants. In contacting some of them, I found few were aware of his exemplary military service or of the details that, to me at least, provide a different view of his decision to enlist at Fort Laramie. I have since made my concept of his motives and circumstances available to some. Unfortunately, he may still be unkindly remembered by others.

1 This article is an expansion of an article titled “Soldiers into Saints: Saints into Solders” published in the Utah Genealogical Association’s quarterly publication Crossroads, December 2008 issue, pages 171-178.
2 Lynne Slater Turner, Emigrating Journals of the Willie and Martin Handcart Companies and the Hunt and Hodgett Wagon Trains, n. p.: 1996), 115.
3 Ibid, 81, 88, 141.
4 Ibid, 141. (Some accounts indicate Elizabeth was buried at sea.)
5 Ibid, 115.
6 Major Hoffman was a New Yorker and a West Point graduate of 1829. He had served in the Mexican War and was promoted for gallant and meritorious conduct in two battles. He would lead a large wagon train of emergency supplies to Utah Territory in 1858 to supplement the meager rations of the snowbound troops of General Johnston near Fort Bridger. He served as commissary of prisoners during the Civil War and was brevetted Major General in 1865. He retired in 1870.
7 Turner, Journals, 115.
8 Fort Laramie is not near the Wyoming city of Laramie. It is about 100 miles northeast on the Overland
Trail.
9 William’s military experience from Fort Laramie until his discharge at Benicia, California in 1861 is taken from the monthly regimental returns of the 6th Infantry, NARA, Microfilm 665, Roll 68, FHL#
1579299.
10 William, Samuel Blackham, 22; Aaron Harrison, 19; and John Barlow, 18, all joined the army on the same day. Barlow’s enlistment appears to have been as a contract laborer. William’s enlistment is found in Adjutant General’s Office, War Department, Register of Enlistments, U.S. Army, NARA, Microfilm M233, Roll 25, p. 2, line 83. FHL# 350331. The records of the other enlistees are found on this film.
11 Clifford L. Swanson, The Sixth United States Infantry Regiment, 1855 to Reconstruction, (Jefferson, NC, McFarland & Company, Inc., 2001),8-11.
12 It is a popular belief among many interested parties that Aaron Harrison did not desert but came into the Salt Lake Valley with “Johnston’s Army” in June 1858. The military records are clear that Harrison deserted October 27, 1857. It is also clear that only companies B and C came into the valley while the other companies, including company G stayed at Fort Bridger until they left on the long march to Benicia, California in August, 1858. Available records of the Blackham families lives have no mention of Samuel’s military service. They settled in San Pete County, Utah but Samuel, after his marriage to Mary Ann Lamb of Manchester, England, took his family to Evanston, Wyoming after the town was established as a railroad division point. He died there in 1910.
13
14 6th Infantry Regimental Return for July, 1858. NARA microfilm M665, Roll 68, FHL# 1579299. In 1858, Fort Bridger was within the boundaries of Utah Territory. Before Utah’s statehood, chunks of Utah
were split off until it reached its present configuration. The “notch” that allows Wyoming to be a rectangle contains Fort Bridger.
15 At this time, William must have been convinced, from what news he had heard, that the Martin Company disaster took his daughters. He did not learn the truth until much later. It is likely the army, knowing
William was a Mormon, kept a close eye on him while the regiment was at Fort Bridger.
16 During the Civil War and after, honorably discharged regular army soldiers were also provided travel money to their points of enlistment. It is not clear if this was a policy in 1861.
17 Millennial Star, 31 December, 1888.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Isaac Wardle's Mission to England 1879

Mission
“I assure you I thought that God had chosen the weakest of all man to lead the people.”

I go devoted to His cause,
And to His will resigned;
His presence will supply the loss
Of all I leave behind.

I go because the Master calls;
He’s made my duty plain—
No danger can the heart appall
When Jesus stoops to reign.
Wiliam W. Phelps

Isaac was ordained a Seventy in the Church 28 December 1878.  As such he would have been a “home missionary.”  Shortly after, the next year, he was called to a mission to England.  At the time Isaac was called, John Taylor was directing the affairs of the Church as President of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles.  Brigham Young passed away in 1877, and the First Presidency was not reorganized until 1880.  It was not uncommon to be called from the pulpit at a general conference session.  Several other brethren from the South Valley area were called to serve missions at this time. 
    During the time of John Taylor, calls started to arrive by letter, from Box B in Salt Lake City.  Box B was used as early as August 1979; and perhaps earlier.  (See Packer, Boyd K.)  This response written in 1879 was likely typical of the time:

President John Taylor
Dear Brother,
Yours of the 27 instance notifying myself to make my arrangements to go on a mission to the United States is to hand.  You ask an answer of me.  My answer is, I am glad that I am counted worth by my brethren to go on a mission or fill any place of trust and I hope that I shall never do anything to forfeit the confidence reposed.
I know of nothing now to prevent my going as desired although plenty to do at home.  (ibid)

This letter likely reflected Isaac’s thoughts.  Being called as a missionary was a vote of confidence from Church leaders.  However it was also a hardship:

Another stressful experience in many Mormon families was the absence of the father on missions.  Around the turn of the century the missionary program was reorganized so that the bulk of the responsibility was carried by young, single men, but for the first fifty years or more of the church’s existence is was not uncommon to call husbands and fathers to spend two, three, or as many as six years preaching the gospel outside of Utah.  No more than a few hundred families experienced such paternal absences to any significant degree, but for those who did it must have seriously affected the family.  (Arrington and Bitton p 194) 

Isaac John Jr. would manage the farming operation while Isaac was away.  He was 17 when Isaac let on his mission.  There were other sons who could help.  William was nine, Charles eight, Joseph eight, Silas, two.  Isaac’s daughters were Crillla thirteen, Araminta ten and Hannah five.  (See Family Search)  Isaac’s leaving at this time would have been harder as his first wife, Martha was pregnant.

Back to England

Isaac left for his mission January 22, 1879.  Isaac, in traveling across the United States made much better time going East than when he was with the hand cart company going west:

Dear wives and children, I am well this morning.  I hope that you’re fine.  We are gaining 25 miles for hour.  The snow is not so deep as it is at home.  We are in the finest car that I ever see.  It is warm and comfortable.  We shall be in New York Sunday at meetings which as [they have] been appointed to hear us.  (Wardle, Isaac, note, Jane 22, 1879)

This was quite a difference, where 25 miles a day was an excellent day in 1856, now they were doing 25 miles an hour.  The snow got worse before they reached New York where they were to take a steam ship to England.  “I have been on board 24 hours only.  [We] traveled 10 miles in a white out.  [It has] been deep enough to go to see but expect to start in 3 hours.  The site I now behold is something that would make you gaze with Wonder.  (Wardle, Isaac, undated letter)
Even with the snow, they made good time.  They left home on Wednesday, and were in New York for Sunday meetings.  “We got to New York in 5 days.  [We] attended meeting which had been appointed.  I spoke to the people.  [We] done our business on the Monday.  We went on board Tuesday.  [We] started Wednesday at 11 Clock.  The Captain and officers was glad to see us and said that now we shall go through all right for not one vessel ever went down when one of your Elders was on Board.  I was surprised at this.  [I] told the [man] not to give us praise; but God was our protection and we should go through all Right.”  (Wardle, Isaac Feb. 13, 1879)  The Captain of the ship was glad to have the Elders because ships traveled safely when Elders were on board.  “The sea-men say that when there is any of the Elder on board that they have no fears but all will be Right.  They say that not one ever was lost when our people was with them.”  (Wardle, Isaac, undated letter) 
Isaac and his traveling companions set sail for England Tuesday January 28.  They journeyed by faster boat than when Isaac came with the Horizon.  Even so, Isaac took ill.  Isaac saw God’s intervention in calming the sea for his stomach.  “I want you to try to Be of good cheer about me.  The Lord has been with me by and land and sea; although I was very sick on sea.  His spirit [was] with me when I asked Bro John South to administer to me.  The Waves and sea became calm as I told him it would.”  (Wardle, Isaac, Feb. 13, 1879)
The Elders were invited to speak to the passengers on the ship.  There was one naysayer:

The forenight we was counted on to speak to the people which give good attention all but one.  I told him that we take the Bible for our guide and if he could confound us we would go home.  But this he did not do.  The people laughed him to scorn and said that he better go to school and learn better than to try to put down the Mormon Elders.  This was new to me but God’s Spirit was with us and we had the respect of [all] on board; the vessel wide.  All men would shun him as an imposter.  So you see that God does strengthen his servants when they trust in him.  (Wardle, Isaac, letter Feb. 13, 1979)

Isaac and his companions were on the sea less than two weeks, being in Liverpool in time for Sunday meetings February 9.  Isaac was also invited to speak after arriving in Liverpool:

“Went to meeting on Sunday.  Three Meetings was held; we being called on to speak to the people. We was glad of having the opportunity of raising our voices in the belief of God’s work in out native land.  To see the saints gathered around us and make us welcome.  My heart did most accordingly rejoice.  The spirit of God was with us and at evening meeting.  The Word had spread through some parties of town that two Elders from Salt Lake had come to preach.  I felt very weak to fill the position.  I appreciated I was the first of the two, but to my satisfaction the Lord was with us.  They was glad that they come to hear for themselves.  (Wardle, Isaac, letter Feb 13, 1879)

Amongst Family and Friends

Isaac arrived in England February 6.  After arriving in England, Isaac visited the community of his birth and youth:

Arrivals – on Saturday, February 6, 1879, Elders John South and Isaac J. Wardle arrived at this port per S. S. Montana.  They have been called on missions to this country and are now visiting their friends prior to being assigned to their fields of labor. – European Mission – Great Britain.  (MS xli 1879 p 106)

  He was given two weeks to visit before receiving his assignment. (Wardle, Isaac, letter Feb. 13, 1879)  He took a few days to travel, visiting friends and relatives.  He also attended church in Whitwick:

  I am now it the house of my aunt Fran Smith, my father’s sister.  She and her husband James Smith is well and was glad to see me and made me welcome to anything that they had.  This was a blessing to me for I was weary by traveling so many thousand miles and glad to be one home where I [am] allowed [to] lay down and rest my weary body. … I have had the privilege to walk around to see Coleville and see some few old friends.  (Wardle, Isaac, letter Feb. 13, 1879)

I visited all around the town and found some old acquaintances glad to hear of my father and his family and of Salt Lake City and that I had traveled so many miles.  They think I have more experience in traveling than all the people in the town. 
   I start in the morning to the big town of Leister to my uncle Isaac Wardle then to my field of labor. 
   I was glad to be in the old meeting house and to see the Brethren and Sisters once more; but not so glad to see them in the distressed circumstances so many of them having.  No more than $9.50 cts per week to live and if this is the condition of all the folks in England I know not what they will do.  My heart brakes for them. (Wardle, Isaac, letter Feb 17. 1879)

Isaac also visited the mine where he had worked.  “I came to Coleville on Monday Night.  I stayed at a hotel.  Next Morning visited the coal mine where I worked when I left.  Here I found things changed very much.”  (Wardle, Isaac, letter Feb. 14, 1879) 

On the Home Front

Isaac’s letters reveal a deep affection for his wives and children.  One letter he addresses to them all.  “Dearest Martha and Sophia, John, Ivitez, Araminty, William, Joseph, Charles, Hannah and my Dear little Sillas Wardle; good morning to you all.  I hope you are all well as it leaves me, thank God.” (Wardle, Isaac, letter Feb. 14 1879)  In another letter, Isaac asks that a likeness be taken of the children with their mothers so he could have this with him.  (______)  In a letter he concludes with this line, “give my love to all.  Kiss the children for me.”  (Wardle, Isaac, undated letter)
Before he left Utah, Isaac had made arrangements for the continuation of his farming duties in his absence.  Isaac left his oldest son in charge of his operations while he was gone.  Isaac John Jr. was seventeen when Isaac left on his mission:

I hope that Johnny, my dear boy will be a good and affectionate son to you and as a father to my children.  My prayers is morning moon and might that God may bless him with health that he may perform every duty required at his hands and to have a watch care over what I left for him to see to.  Tell D German to do the very best he can with the sheep.  I have full Confidence that he [is] up to his duty and that he will be on the watch.  (Isaac, Wardle, letter Feb. 17, 1879)

In a letter he was surprised he hadn’t been worried about temporal things, but then asks, “I would like to have my son John send me word how the sheep is getting along-and the horses of Panados on the Winmucks and how the boys are doing with the sheep and how he is getting on in every respect with the family’s welfare hoping that all is right.”  (Wardle, Isaac letter, March 11, 1879)
Bishop Bills either ran sheep with Isaac, and his son Isaac John Jr. while he was away, or took an interest in the farm operation.  “Johnny and I are going the last of next week to over hall the shearing and prepare for shearing.  Wool at present is low, say thirteen to fourteen cents but we expect a little more.”  (Bills, letter to Isaac)  Henry Beckstead also commented on how Johnny was fairing.  “Johnny is doing well and I think better than could be expected with his experience in life.  (Beckstead, Henry)
A letter from home indicates all went well until the shearing, but then a disease got into the sheep and some died.  “I got along first rate with the sheep till after shearing and then I had a great loss.  It snowed down in the basin and storm and catered the sheep.  (Author unclear, letter to Isaac)  This same letter comments on the dry conditions later in the year.  “Seriously the water in Jordan river has been so low that anyone could walk across with their boots on.  (ibid)
There was an interesting experience with his family while Isaac was on his mission.  From a letter written by Henry Beckstead in April 1879, we learn that the health of Isaac’s family had been poor for a time:

After you left home your family was next to Brother Goff’s among all that I have seen.  Some of the folks wanted to send for a doctor but I did not think and I was satisfied in my own mind that no Doctor had the power to heal your family without the assistance of God.  I told your family that they should have anything that they thought would help them in every respect but they would not consent to those that wished to send for a doctor.  I then began to try to put down the spirit of doctor by calling the house to order for prayer after prayer.  I then asked Sophia if she had any choice.  She said yes I have.  I felt as thou there was a devil spirit in the house at that moment.  There were several of the elders there.  There was plenty of help.  We the servants of the Most High God with the Spirit of our calling promised the family in the name of our Lord and Savior that they should be made whole and sound which God granted According to our wants and our faith. … The children all look well and healthy.  Martha and Sophi health is not as good as times past but there is no danger I don’t think.  They was worn out with sickness.  I think that warm weather set them all right again.  Don’t fret about your family for while I have they will have.  (Beckstead, Henry)

This last sentiment by Brother Beckstead points to the way families looked out for each other, especially when the head of the family was gone on a Church mission.
Isaac was obviously worried about his wife Martha, and her pregnancy.  He must have felt relieved when he received this letter. “Martha gave birth to a beautiful Boy on the 9 of June weighing 6 pounds.  She got along well for the Lord was with her and strengthened her for her task.  She is as Well as can be expected.”  (Wardle, Sohpia, ______)

Missionary Work; Wigan Branch and Traveling Elder

Isaac realized early in his mission, as most missionaries do, that he was dependent on the prayers of others.  “I hope that I have got your prayers and that the Bishop and Council and the teachers will pray for me in their priesthood meetings.  I know that I need them very much.”  (Wardle, Isaac, letter march 8, 1879)
Isaac took some care of his clothes and appearance, to help with his missionary labors.  “I had a little money left when I got to England but it took me some in fitting up so that I could go around respectable.  You cannot go hear as you can at home.  We have got to look like gentlemen whether we are or not or we cannot get in with the people to talk to them!”  (Wardle, Isaac, letter April 3, 1879)
 Isaac was assigned to the Liverpool Conference.  “Elder Isaac J. Wardle is appointed a Traveling Elder in the Liverpool Conference.”  (MS xli p 137)  “I have been appointed to the Liverpool Conference to travel under the direction of Elder D. Bunting. (Wardle, Isaac, letter March 8, 1879)  Before Isaac reported to his area of service, he attended a semi-annual meeting of the conference:

I was at the half year conference last Sunday with the Church authorities in England and we had a good time.  The spirit of God was with us.  Both speaker and hearer felt that God blessed his servants but I was at this time very weak to stand up to speak to the congregation; but god strengthened me for the task.  I assure you I feel my weakness to fulfill the position I now occupy.  (Wardle, Isaac, letter dated march 8, 1879)

Of this the Millenial Star reported Isaac’s remarks:

Isaac was a traveling Elder from Liverpool at a conference held in Miners Hall, Millgate, Wigan, on Sunday March 2, 1879.”  James L. Bunting was President of Liverpool Conference.  Elder Wardle spoke at this conference.  “Elder Wardle testified to the sameness of the spirit that was possessed by those who were true Saints here, with to that possessed by those that had gathered to Zion.  The same spirit would be felt in all the assemblies of the Saints, so long as they sought to do the will of God.  He encouraged the Saints to draw near unto God and He would overrule everything for their welfare.”  (MS lxi pp 133-34)

Isaac was a traveling elder out of Wigan, and also called as Branch President.  “At the meeting during the day it was motioned that I be president of the Wigan Branch and that I travel through all the branches from Wigan to Liverpool, a Distance of 70-80 miles and strengthen the Saints always in my power.”
Speaking of serving as branch president, Isaac talked of his own shortcomings.  “I took my position as president of the Wigan Branch yesterday.  I was well received by the Saints.  I assure you I thought that God had chosen the weakest of all man to lead the people.  I know that I have not had the experience as some have had; but God has called me to this position through His servants: and I trust in him alone to help me to do my duty as a man of God.   (Wardle, Isaac, letter March 8, 1879) 
Isaac took it upon himself to visit the old church members.  He compared this to home teaching back home:

I have taken it upon myself to go and see all the saint’s families as a teacher and see what I can do to strengthen them which they need very much.  I have visited all this week.  I found many old people that joined the Church 35 years ago.  I find a good deal of difference here in visiting to what I did at home visiting.  In some places the man is in the church and the woman out; sometimes woman in and the man out with children taking both sides of the question.  This position I now occupy is one that requires both wisdom and the spirit of God to do it fairly [well] and do my Duty.  (Wardle, Isaac, letter March 8, 1879)
I thought I would say to you that I visit among the saints and do all I can to counsel them.  They are all glad to see me but feel sorry that they are poor that they cannot feed me as they would like to do.  (Wardle, Isaac , letter Feb. 14 1869)

Isaac continued to serve in this area for some time.  He was there for the next semiannual conference:

A district meeting was held in Miner’s Hall, Wigan, Liverpool Conference on Sunday July 6, 1879.
“The first assemblage convened at 10:30 a.m.  Elders from Utah on the Stand—John Nicholson, from the Millennial Star Office; James L. Bunting, President of, and I. J. Wardle, Ralph Smith, W. H. Haugh and L. R. Martineau, Traveling Elders in Liverpool Conference.
Meeting was called to order by Elder Wardle, President of the Wigan District.  Singing.  Prayer by Elder R. Smith.  Singing.  Sacrament was administered by Elders Marsh and Glover.
President Bunting made some preliminary remarks, explanatory of the duties of the priesthood and Saints.  Brother Wardle reported the district as in a healthy, thriving condition, much energy, he said, being shown by the local priesthood and Saints in reference to the spreading of the work by preaching, distributing tracts and other means. (MS xli p 435)

Isaac had success in his mission.  He doesn’t always talk about his baptisms, but does talk about some in the Wigan area:

I have been so busy that it seems that I have not Left you but 8 or 9 days [ago.]  April 1 I baptized 7 more in to the Church.  I start in the morning to the town of Limm.  I have been there once before.  I expect to baptize 3 more there and then go to Liverpool; stay 3 days and then come back to Wigan my headquarters.  I hope to baptize 5 more on my way back so you see that the Lord is blessing my labors.  …I think that the Lord will happen up the way so that we shall have a good harvest of souls this summer.  We have got 13 (6 in my last letter, 7 this) already this spring in the Wigan District since I came.  (Wardle, Isaac, letter April 3, 1879)

Isaac was released from his duties as Branch President in August.  This may have been because of his health problems.  “I have been released from being president of the Wigan District on the count of my health and I preside over the Chester District” (Wardle, Isaac, Aug. 7, 1879)

Isaac’s health

Isaac took cold shortly after arriving in England.  He was affected by the weather in England.  In the spring he talks of a bad cold.  “My head hurts at present. … [I am] hoping these few lines will find you well as it leaves me at this time with the Exception of a very bad cold which I have had for 3 weeks.  But I hope as warm weather is coming I shall be better soon.”  (Wardle, Isaac letter March 8, 1879)
Isaac formed some very positive relationships, and was grateful for those who took care of him while he was on his mission.  This included care he received when he became ill:

I have been in the hands of very fine friends.  I make mention of Brother and Sister Marsh and Wiltsen at Wigan, John Tinsely and Glover Newtune and Sister Ruebotem at Holen and Brother and Sister Derbyshire at Digmore and many others as far as they can make me comfortable; for which I feel thankful to All mighty God that he has been so mindful of me as to raise up friends to minister to me in time of need and I hope and pray that God will bless them for everything that they have to comfort me in my affliction through which I have passed so far.  (Wardle, Isaac, Aug 7, 1879)  

Isaac began having some health issues, and the rainy weather in England did not help.  However he was able to report improved health in August.  “I am very glad to tell you that my health is much better than I have been for some time.”  (Wardle, Isaac Aug. 7, 1879)

The People Suffer Economically

While Isaac served his mission, the economic situation in England must have been terrible.  He saw this as God’s judgment upon the people:

Everything looks as though a blast has come over the country and the people do not know what is the matter.  Things is so bad that men with families of 5 to 6 in family make 2$ 50 cts for week.  This is all that they have to live on.  You know not what poverty is in the valley.  Bread is 4 ½ cents per pound; beef 17 cts; mutton 18 cts; potatoes $1 for25 lbs or bushel and other thing in proportion.  Men do not know what to do and where to go to better their condition. …They tell me that hundreds of people is almost starving to death and willing to work but can’t get any to do.  I have had young men say to me that if I would send them away they would work for 75 cts for day for 3 years and board themselves.  If this is not the beginning of God’s judgments I do not know where it will commence and I hope that I shall not see it.  My heart breaks to see the poor saints in poverty and no hope of being better.  When they asked me to eat with them I thought how thankful you and the brethren and sisters ought to be to our Heavenly Father for the blessing you enjoy at home.  You know not the poverty of the people and I hope and pray you never may see what I see.  Now behold my heart aches at the site.  (Wardle, Isaac, letter Feb. 13, 1879)

When I see my poor brethren have to go to go to work in the morning without the comfort of the mortal body.  [It] requires they work from 10 to 14 hours per day for 75 cts to $1 and think they are doing Well.  This would be if they had work all the time; but some gets from 2 to 3 [days] per week at the most and they think it will be worse than what it is. … It is not strange to see from 1 to 200 Men on the street corners standing waiting for something to turn up.  One man told me that he had traveled 5 week] to find work and had not.  I have been accosted on the street by women whom I thought was in good comfortable circumstances asking for something to keep them and their children from starving.  (Wardle, Isaac, letter March 8, 1879)

Business is getting worse every day.  It seems that people will almost starve to death this summer.  Thousands of men are out of work and do not know what to do to feed their families.  This week two men has hung themselves; one last week because their children was crying for bread and they had none to give them so they took this way to get out of trouble[.] (Wardle, Isaac, letter April 3, 1879)

Isaac in his letter talks of his privations, but also the tender care of some of the members:

I ham staying tonight with old brother and sister Rapley which takes water and she washes my feet for me and she gives me all the harbe beer drink to that I Want and they furnish me a bed to sleep in when I call to see them and give me the best they have to eat when I Call on them.  So you see that the Lord has given me a home in the land of strangers.  I have got some very kind friends in this district which do all they can for me but it is not like being at home. (Wardle, Isaac, letter April 3, 1879)

 The condition in England prompted Isaac to write, “I want you John to pay all our debts and then keep out of debt.  Do all you can for your mother and Sophia and the children. …Send me word how the sheep as doing this winter and how many lambs you have got and then I will write to you and tell you what to do about giving up sheep.”   (Wardle, Isaac, letter April 3, 1879)

Spiritual Blessings

Isaac received many spiritual blessings during his mission.  He knew that if he did his “duty” God would bless him:

We think that God will be with us in all that we do if we faithfully do our duty.  We think that God through his servants does manifest His power and that He will gather in the lost sheep of Israel if we faithfully do our duty but it [takes] the spirit of God and peace and perseverance to accomplish this. (Wardle, Isaac, letter March 8, 1879)

[I have] been much [more] of a spiritual minded man [than] before leaving home…  Do no fret about me as God is with me by His sprit and will take care of me and you also if you do what is right.  (Wardle, Isaac March 11, 1979)

The Journey Home

Isaac was released early form his mission on account of his health.  At the same time he sent a letter home saying he was improved, he sent this letter to the mission president, which was dated August 6. 1879:

Dear Brother,--According to promise, I write to you concerning the condition of my health.  It is about the same as when I last saw you.  Brother Bunting thinks it would be advisable for me to go home.  I feel myself that I am unable to cope with this climate another winter.  I should like very much if I were able to stay and fully accomplish the mission to which I have been called, but it seems my health will not admit of it. 
I thank you for the kind consideration you have shown in my behalf, and the valuable instructions you have given me.  I would like to go on the next ship, as I think it would be better for me to have a little time at home to recruit before winter sets in.  I hope I have been able to do some good in this land.  At least I have done no harm.
Your Brother in the Gospel,
Isaac J. Wardle”  (MS xli p 559)

He was released as a result. “Release on account of ill health Elder Isaac J. Wardle is released to return to Utah with the company that will leave Liverpool on September 6, 1879.  William Budge, President of the European Mission.” (MS xli p 555)
Returning home from his mission, Isaac was caught in a furor over Mormon immigration in general.  He, like most returning missionaries, accompanied a group of new immigrants.  In the 1870s, public opinion had been slowly forming against Mormon immigration, with the claims the Mormon Elders used unjust manipulations, and they attracted the worse of society:

Despite the general verbal opposition to the Mormon immigration, little concrete action was taken to stem it until the 1870s.  In 1876 the United States Supreme Court ruled that immigration policy was a matter strictly confined to the federal government.  In 1879 Secretary of State William Evarts became uneasy about Utah’s “accession from Europe…drawn mainly from the ignorant classes, who are easily influenced by the double appeal to their passions and their poverty.”  Evarts soon sent a formal not to several European governments requesting aid in stopping the Mormon stream at is sources, but he received little response in his move.  (Arrington and Bitton p 137)

    It would appear European governments had no interest in interfering with law-abiding citizens and their rights to immigrate.  That they may believe in polygamy had no sway in the argument.  (See ibid p 137-38)  However, that did not please all American politicians and newspaper men.  The New York times published this article when the group went through new York:

How They Regard Secrtary Evart’s Letter of Protest to European Powers.
Among the passengers of the Wyoming yesterday were 335 Mormon recruits, under the leadership of N.C. Flygare, and including 16 other elders, viz: Ralph Smith, Charles Monk, John Larsen, William McFadden, Isaac Wardle, R. Dansie, William England, Jonathan Midgley, Thomas Child, R. Nielson, John C. Scofield, J.F. Olsen, N.P. Nielson, James Hansen, G. Anderson, and William Goodman.  All names, except Scofield, are returning missionaries, having been in this country before.  They journeyed across comfortably as cabin passengers, their followers being relegated to steerage.  About half of the latter are Scandinavians, the rest being English and Welsh.  They are an unintelligent looking crowd, but are fairly clean as compared with other batches of their brethren who preceded them in Castle Garden.  They are nearly all in families, and the sexes are about equally divided.  There are about 50 children and 25 aged person who have relatives in Utah.  They left last evening for that Territory via the Pennsylvania Central Railroad.
The importance of the arrival consists mainly in the fact that this is the first batch that has come hither since Secretary Evarts sent out his famous letter of protest against Mormon Proselytism in Europe.  The Elders yesterday said that the Secretary’s letter had been widely published abroad, but had not met with a very favorable reception.  Wherever it had not been pitched into, it had been mercilessly ridiculed.  Many persons were of the opinion that is was a canard, not being able to believe that anything so absurd could be seriously father by the American government.  The Mormons were not disturbed by it in the least.  They considered that they had just as much right to preach their peculiar doctrines as any other religious body, and they looked upon the notion of prohibiting emigration, because there was the possibility of the emigrant violating the laws of another country, as too ridiculous for contemplation.  They claimed that polygamy is not taught as something to be enforced, but as permissible.  Abroad it is never practiced, and only in Utah here.  The ”revelation” about polygamy was given in 1843, and it was practiced in Utah from that time until 1862 before the United States Government made the slightest move to suppress it.  In the latter year Congress passed a law against it, but no attempt has ever been made to enforce that law.  The recent prosecutions, which resulted in the conviction of Reynolds, were instituted under an old Territorial act, and Reynolds could not have been convicted had it not been for the defection of members of his own family.  Out of 19 or 20 cases, his was the only one that it was found safe to proceed upon as a test one.
Such were the statements of the Mormon elders.  They professed to look upon the new movement against the latter-day Saints as a purely spasmodic outbreak, that will soon die out and end in nothing.  They announce that a further consignment of their brethren will reach her in October.  (The New York Times Published: September 17, 1879 Copyright The New York Times)

    Isaac must have gained satisfaction with his mission, even though due to health reasons he came home early.  “It must have been with great satisfaction that he was able to return to England in 1879 and serve a nine-month mission in his homeland.  (Wardle, Orrin)

Friday, November 15, 2013

Uncle Isaac and Aunt Ann (Fran)

Isaac, in a couple letter home while on his mission, mentions visiting an aunt and an uncle, sister and brother of his father.


  I am now it the house of my aunt Fran Smith, my father’s sister.  She and her husband James Smith is well and was glad to see me and made me welcome to anything that they had.  This was a blessing to me for I was weary by traveling so many thousand miles and glad to be one home where I [am] allowed [to] lay down and rest my weary body. … I have had the privilege to walk around to see Coleville and see some few old friends.  (Wardle, Isaac, letter Feb. 13, 1879)

I visited all around the town and found some old acquaintances glad to hear of my father and his family and of Salt Lake City and that I had traveled so many miles.  They think I have more experience in traveling than all the people in the town. 
   I start in the morning to the big town of Leister to my uncle Isaac Wardle then to my field of labor. 
   I was glad to be in the old meeting house and to see the Brethren and Sisters once more; but not so glad to see them in the distressed circumstances so many of them having.  No more than $9.50 cts per week to live and if this is the condition of all the folks in England I know not what they will do.  My heart brakes for them. (Wardle, Isaac, letter Feb 17. 1879)

 I went looking for them on Family Search, and couldn't find them.  I searched for Fran Wardle married to James Smith.  This came back as Ann Wardle, William's (Isaac's father) youngest sister.  However Uncle Isaac was not there.  I looked for him and found him, and linked him to the family.  It had William as his father with no mother.  Temple work has already been done.  He was born in Ravenston, but passed away in Leister which is consistent with Isaac's letter.  He passed away in 1882. 

Monday, November 11, 2013

Veterans in my family

My Son, Mark, Marine, served in Iraq


My dad, Navy served during WWII in Brazil and Africa.  He was on a destroyer escort.
Great-great-great grandfather Ashton who served in the Infantry of the Army defending U.S. interest at the time against Native Americans 1856-1861.  He marched to California, and walked the entire state North to South.  He was discharged from Benecia in 1861. (sorry no picture)

Aunt Verna who did a couple tours of duty.

Saturday, November 9, 2013

Check Out Family Search

Martha and Isaac

Sophia and Isaac

Jens and Anne Sorensen
I rediscovered family search.  This site is incredible now as it allows sharing of pictures and stories.  When I found it I found 114 ancestors with pictures that others had put into the website.  In the last week I have added 125+ pictures and about 10 stories.  I have now linked to 190 ancestors, and 105 of them personally.  I have also put in as stories the first two chapters of the Isaac Wardle History, his birth and childhood and his going to work young.
I have found some incredible finds: my mom and her twin in the arms of their older sister, great-great grandparents etc.
So check it out.  You will need to sign in, or register to sign in, but it is free.  You will also only be able to see those who are related to you.
https://familysearch.org/?cid=ldshp-fs-leftnav

Isaac Missionary Letter Home May 13


I like the not from the margin, "Kiss all the children for me.  I ever see them and you in my mind."   There is a page change in the middle, with an entirely diferent subject.  He talks of helping with the immigration, and hoping his family can meet a woman who has helped him on his mission.
[Upper margin] kis all of the Children for me[.]  i Ever see them and you in my mind[.]  god bless
Banken [Blanken] May 13 1879 Chester
Dear Wives and Children it is With Love and afecton that i take this opotunety to Right to you in anser to you favor Wich was to hand on 6[.]  i Was glad to hear frome you and to Larne that you Was all so Well and getting along so Well and that god had spared all of you so fare and i hope that he Will Continue to Bles you and perseve you and pros[p]er you in all that you have to Du[.]  i am as Well as Cood be expcted in this Damp Climit[.]  i have had a very bad Cold and Cofe most of the time i have been in England[.]  it [h]as Efected my memery very much so that it makes it bad for me to stand up to speek[;] Espeshley out Dores[.]  but I hope before Long i shall be beter When the Whather gets Warmer[.]  Don’t fret a bout me[.]  god Will take Care of me[.]  i knowe it[.]  i shall not Right much this time as i send you my Likness and [the following page does not seem to be in order]  to other land of some girls that Work in the pit Bank[.]  among the Gale i shall send you some girls that Work in the factry as so one and I Can some of them has told me that thay Will get them for me[.]  i feel first rat in my Labers so far but as you said i had some think to pas thrue[.]  that is true[.]  but What of thata it is all Right[.]  I hope that you and all of my Brethen and sisters is Well and that god Will Bles you all[.]  i knowe that the Lord [h]as blesed me sinc i Left home[.]  We are holding out Dore meting and the do man is Making a Litle Noise in som plases but that all Right[.]  i Espet to be in Liverpool on the 23 and 24 to help to fix up the Compney that Will start than thay Will be 1 sister and her son Come in that Com by the name of Brooks[.]  if you Cood be at the City When thay get their she will tell you how i am getting along[.]  she [h]as been very kind to me[.]  Du the same to her[.]  she [h]as my Liknes[.]  i gave it to her[.]  Excuse Liter short as i Canot get posteg stamp[.]  good by  I J Wardle

Friday, November 8, 2013

Isaac Wardle Mission Letter from England: April 23 1879

In this letter Isaac advises young men who may follow him into the mission field, gives a baptism account, talks of coming off victorious against a clergyman
Wigan Lankershire End Ap 23 1879
Dearest Wives and Children it is With feelings of a thankful harte that i set Doune at this time to Anser your kind and most Welcome Leter Wich Came to and me 22[.]  i Was thank to almity god that that he had brught you thrue the spell of sicknes that you have had sinc i Left home and that you fell that god blessing Was and is still With you and that you have Confedenc in the holey prestod and servents of god hear on the Erth[.]  i hope that you May Ever have this same sprit to bee With you Comfet and Console and Shrenthen you in all that you may bee Caled to pass thrue[.]  and i hope that you Will feel to Exnolize [recognize] the hand of god in all you and me have to pass thrue and think that We must bee tried and proven in all things so that When We get Thrue With this Mortle Life We may be Counted Worthey of etrnal Life in the kindom of our god When he shall Come to Raine With is sants on the Erth When thay Will be no more sicknes sorouse [sorrows] and missiry but all Will be joy and non Will have to Wander in Earth to Looke after the Lost sheep of house of Esreal and go from house to house as i and my Breathen have to Du in these Days in sarch of the honest in harte and We may theach them the first prinseples of the gospel[.]  i hope We shall be fathfull to our trust Wille [while] We are in this and other Lands so that the time Will soone Come when Esreal Will be gathered home to Meet With you and god and and all the fathful and Rejoice With the sants of god in valleys of the mountins[.]  i hope that you and my Breathe [brethren] Will not think that We the Elders have Not Enething to Du  When we get hear but to go about With our hands in our pckets[.]  i Wood Like to Empres on the mind of my sons and yong Breathen [page 2] the Nesey of storing thine mind With all they law With Christen proof of the Work of god in Wich thay say thay Bleed and all so I larne speek in publick so that when many of them may be Caled to Come to this and other Lands thay may have something to say.  The short time i have been heare i have found Wat Little i Did precklis [preaching] Before i Came to be of grate Benefet to me[.]  i Coud not help thinking of my yong Men on 16 instant When i Was holding a Discushen With one of the Larned Devines or Clargman in the Church of England[.]  i thought o boys store up nolegs [knowledge] all you Can for you no [know] not When you Will want it[.]  i felt the Nead of it very much but to my oon [own] prise the vishin of my mind Was hopend so that me and the Lord Came of victores[.]  the gentlemen Wood Not stay to finish the Wrok he had begun and he Left in hast While the people Wondered houe it Was that he Been so hige [high] larned Coud not Du Eney beter[.]  so you see that the mind Wood be much beter for this tasks if WE Dun all We Coud Before We come heare then With the sprit of god to Esist [assist] us We Can Come victores and give god the prais[.]  this i had to Du for i knode that his sprit Was With me on the Ecation [occasion][.]  i told you in my Last that we thaught that the old man Wood Make a Noyse after a Litle[.]  he as commenced all Ready but this Materth Not[.]  We have Baptized sinc our Last Confanc in hall [all] 19.  6 by Elder Wilkins 3 by El hage 10 by myself thru the Blesing of god[.]  With a fue more most Ready god been Willing We shall have them before Long[.]  Breathen give us your prairs that god may blas our Labers in this land for We feel thou We may plant it is god that givs the Enkeas [increase] [.]  this Been so give us you fath and Confadenc and prairs Breathen[.]  [letter ends here but there may be more elsewhere.] 

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

I need help

I have a of William Haston's family.  The picture identifies a woman holding a baby as Aunt Hattie.  The closest I come to this is Harriet Rhodehouse, the wife of Charles.  Charles and William were close in age so this is a possibility.  I was wondering if anyone new of anyone who could be closer?  I checked the sisters of Annie and no one has a name similar to this.  Harriet had a baby who would have been two months, named Harriet Wardle.
b. Wilford, Audrey in arms, Melissa, Mary, Anne (mother) Aunt Hattie, baby
f. Birdie, Delilah, Orrin, William (father)

Monday, November 4, 2013

Uncle Reed Wardle: Top Elk


Reed is my grandfather's brother, son of William Haston and Annie Sorensen Wardle.
Top Elk Selected
Reed Wardle of Rt. 6 was honored recently as Elk of the Year for 1975-76 by Idaho Falls Elks Lodge 1087.
Wardle was cited for his volunteer work visiting the sick, for his work on the Door Committee, meeting and greeting fellow Elks, and for giving his time, equipment and labor to help the Lodge.
In ceremonies at the Elks Lodge Wardle was presented with a plaque and a jacket by then Exalted Ruler Watie Combs.
Wardle has been an Elk for 11 years.  A construction man, he pioneered the concrete ditch lining in southeast Idaho.  He has constructed concrete ditches in Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Wyoming and Idaho.  He has been presented with an award for distinguished service in the support of the Jefferson County Soil and Water Conservation District.  He has been a Heart Fund volunteer and has been a part of Scouting for 51 years.

Baby Pictures of Children of William Haston Wardle

These are the children of William Haston and Annie Sorensen Wardle.  They had eleven children, ten of whom reached maturity.  Most pictures taken before first birthday.
James Wilford Warde 2 November 1891
William LeRoy Wardle 13 January 1894
Mary Ann Wardle 14 March 1896
Leo Isaac Wardle 17 December 1897
Vernal Haston Wardle 26 Januaru 1900
Delilah Sarah Wardle 10 January 1902
Reed Smoot Wardle 2 September 1904
Elbirdie Christine Wardle 18 October 1906

Norval Junius Wardle 21 March 1909

No picture Norman Andrew Wardle 18 March 1912 (died at one month old)
Orrin Dermont Wardle 22 June 1913

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Family History Pictures

https://familysearch.org/photos/
I am so impressed with this website I had to share.  Family Search has a place for photos.  I clicked on it and people in my ancestry have been downloading photos.  You can click and the person, and there is a link to tell how they are related to you.  It is incredible.  I have discovered new photographs of people I know.  I have also discovered people I didn't know, but I can quickly see how they relate to me.  For example I found this picture of my grandparents.

If you have an account, you will be able to see those related to you.  If you do not have an account you will have to create one.  However this is free.

Friday, November 1, 2013

Letter from Isaac to Home July 2, 1879



In this letter Isaac accepts the baby's name, talks of his health and being busy.  He mentions a poem, and hopes Minty [Araminta] would learn to sing it when he returns.  Minty must have been the singer in the family.
July 2, 1879
Wigan Lancshire ED
To my Deer Wives and Children it is With plusher that i have this privleg to anser you faver of June 11[.]  i was glad to hear that you all was Whell and all so to hear that Mother Was thrue safe her confinement so fare and to heare that she had a sone[.]  i sent a Name for him but the 1 you have sute me very Well[.]  take good Care of him and all of the oters and your selves till i Come home so that i Can have the privlig to see you all againe[.]  i hope that you are all Well[.]  i ham a little Beter than When i Rote last[.]  this Climit is very ingures [injurious] to meny of the Elders[.]  I have Been posted to go home this somer if i may Call it somer[.]  it as Raned Every Day but 4 [page 2] Month[.]  it is as Cold all the time as it his in April at home[.]  i hope i shall be hable to stand it so that i Can Do the Work i Came for to Doue[.]  it is hard Work for me to speek out Dones My Lung is so bad With the Damp Whather but We hope to have somer after awile[.]  be of good Chear[.]  all Will Bee Well[.]  i Was glad to Reseve the present you sent me[;]  the baby haire[,] all so the 5 $[.]  i Did not knowe how to get a Long for Want of money[.]  i have not had a nuf to pay maile Makers sinc i Came to England so you see that i Neaded it[.]  the sants Wood Doue more for me if thay Cood.  But thay have not got it to Du Wilth[.]  all of the Elders have had to have help from home or bring it With them[.]  [page 3] i Mean all i have seene[.]  i was at Liverpool Esisting to fit out the Last Compney of sants Which No 622 soles[.]  the 1 before Was 170; the 1 before that was 173 total 965.  This is Doing Well for this year so far[.]  thay Will more in the fonte?[.]  be kind to Eney of them that Come to see you as some Will come if thay Can[.]  tell John Spencer i Will visit is brother if Can before i come home but i ham so bisey at present that it makes it imposeble at present[.]  tell Brother Winward that i have Not seen his sister as yet[.]  i Do Not knowe when i ahsll have the privlig to Do it[.]  We the Elders are very Bisey and have not time to go to see frends as yet[.]  i Rote to him but have Not [page 4] Receved aney anser[.]  if he as Not got it tell him to Right to me[.]  tell my Duck mother Egbert to bee good to father Egbert and all the family and to you give my Love to Mother Becksted and all the Nebers[.]  Let all the Children Right a Litle to father is nomore than 1 word a peace[.]  i send you a peace of poetry Wich Was given to me [be] a sister[.]  tell minty to larnet so that shee Can sing it to me When i Come[.]  i Du not Whant to have my Liknes taken again yet[.]  i mist conclude this short Later praying god to bles you all[.]  i Remain your husbend and father f[as] away from home[.]  Isaac J Wardle
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