AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF BLISS EUGENE TITUS
Bliss Eugene Titus, son of Eugene and Stella Jane Van Wagoner Titus,
was born 22 Oct. 1899 in Provo, Utah. His education was received at Midway and the Wasatch
High School in Heber City. His mechanical training was in Provo, Utah; Remington Arms in
Denver, Colorado; and the U.S. Arsenal in Rock Island, Illinois.
He was baptized a member of the L.D.S. Church 3 April 1908 or 1909 and
holds the priesthood of an Elder.
Bliss had always been a respected citizen of his community, and has
been President of the county "Wild Life Association." He has gained acclaim
locally, nationally, and internationally as a gunsmith being known for his fine gun
barrels and custom-built rifles. His favorite recreations are fishing and hunting. He also
is talented as a vocal soloist.
When Bliss was ten years old his mother died very suddenly and left
four young children. Bliss made his home with his Uncle George Van Wagoner.
He was one of the fortunate ones who was endowed with some of the
mechanical skill of his grandfather. As a young boy he trained in auto mechanics. As a
young man of nineteen or twenty years, he opened the first garage and service station in
Midway, Utah. He and his Uncle George managed the state Fish Hatchery in Midway at the
time it was owned by a group called the Timpanogas Rod & Gun Club. Later he sold the
business in Midway and bought and operated the Wasatch Service and Garage in Heber City;
also the Wasatch Theater and Bowling Alley.
In 1942 he sold his business and went to work for Remington Arms
Company in Denver and Salt Lake City; also for the Army Ordnance Depot at Rock Island,
Illinois, and at the Ogden Arsenal, at Ogden, Utah.
After the war ended he set up his own gun business here at Heber City.
He has produced gun barrels and custom rifles that have been sent to all parts of the
United States, Canada and other foreign countries. They have won high honors in national
and international competition.
Bliss was married in June 1922 to Leda Elizabeth Murri in the Salt Lake
Temple. They are the parents of five children: Russell Emory Titus (deceased); Stella,
(Mrs Hal Fowkes); Reba: Diann, (Mrs. Roger E. Shields); Maryan, (Mrs. Robert D. Hansen).
They have eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Stella filled a mission in the
Northwestern States; Reba served as a missionary in the Eastern States Mission.
Their only son, Russell Emory, served with the U. S. Navy for thirteen
years. He was a World War II and Korean War veteran. He taught at the U. S. Naval Academy
in Annapolis. Russell died 22 Oct. 1966 as the result of an automobile accident, leaving
his widowed wife, two children, and one grandchild.
AUTOBIGRAPHY OF MARYAN TITUS
Maryan Titus was born in Heber City, Utah, 5 Aug. 1940, the daughter
of Bliss Eugene and Leda Elizabeth Murri Titus. She attended schools in Heber City, going
to Heber North Elementary, Wasatch Junior and Senior High Schools, where she was a member
of the Pep Club. She is a talented pianist, and enjoys outdoor sports, cooking and sewing.
Prior to her marriage she was employed as a telephone operator at Heber City, and PBX
operator at the University of Utah.
She married Robert David Hansen 8 Aug. 1963 in the Salt Lake Temple in
Salt Lake City, Utah. Both Maryan and Robert David are active members of the LDS Church.
Maryan has been 1st year Beehive teacher, Relief Society member, and at present
she is 1st year Bee Keeper on the Stake Board. Robert is 2nd
counselor in their Bishopric.
AUTOBIGRAPHY OF IMOGENE TITUS WRIGHT
Imogene Titus Wright was born 9 July 1905 in Heber City, Utah, the
daughter of Eugene Ulysses Titus and Estella Jane Van Wagoner. On Jan 1926 she was married
to Jesse Therus Wright in Heber City, Utah. She was baptized 14 Mar 1914.
She attended elementary school in Midway, Utah, and Wasatch High School
in Heber City, Utah. She was an active member of the LDS Church, where she taught in
Primary, sang in the ward choir, served as a Relief Society teacher, and was a member of
the DUP.
Imogene was a lifelong resident of Utah, and was a homemaker all of her
life. She enjoyed listening to all good music, and loved also to sing. Her hobbies were
kitting and reading, and in addition she was an excellent cook. She worked as a cook in
restaurants on several occasions, where she was well known for her pies and chili. She was
a wonderful mother.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF NORMAN RAY WRIGHT
Norman Ray Wright was born 9 July 1927 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He
was the son of Jesse Therus Wright and Imogene Titus. He was baptized 4 June 1938. On 27
Aug. 1947 he was married to Nellie Jean Madsen in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Norman is at present a salesman, but was a former educator. He is
active in local politics. He has lived in Utah, Idaho, and Nevada. He attended B.Y.U.,
University of Utah, Idaho State University (Pocatello, Idaho), Washington State University
(Pullman, Washington). He received his BS degree from Idaho State University; his M.S.
degree from the University of Utah, and has done additional graduate work at Washington
State. He graduated from college with honors, and has done 2 years graduate work on
National Science Foundation Scholarships.
Norman taught school eleven years, five in Idaho, six in Las Vegas
Nevada. He was supervisor of mathematics and science for Clark County, Nevada schools for
one year, 1961-62. He was a part time member of the faculty of Southern Regional Division
of the University of Nevada in Las Vegas, 1960-62.
He enjoys most sports, music and reading. He likes to sing, especially
in quartets, and he has played several musical instruments. He and his wife have six
lovely children.