PARLEY PRATT VAN WAGONER
Parley Pratt Van Wagoner was born at Midway, Utah, on the 6th
of November 1863, the son of John Halma Van Wagoner and Nancy Elizabeth Young. On October
24, 1884, he married Emma Slack Jones. They made their home in Provo, Utah, for a time,
later moving to Mammoth, Utah, and then to Raymond, Alberta, Canada. To this union were
born ten children.
Parley followed his fathers trade and was an excellent carpenter.
It is said he cut so accurately that he seldom had to re-saw a board or re-set a door. He
worked in Provo, Park City, and Robinson (Juab County) where he framed timbers for the
Grand Central Mine. In 1903 he moved his family to Raymond, Alberta, Canada, where he
built many of the first homes and barns. He lived in Canada for 17 years, and could be
called a pioneer of that community.
In 1920 he and his family moved to Long Beach, California; then to Los
Angeles, where he continued working as a carpenter and contractor. He built many lovely
homes in this area. His wife, Emma, passed away a short time after they moved to
California. He later remarried. He died in Los Angeles, California, on the 26th
of May 1934.
His sons, Parley and Lynn Van Wagoner were both contractors and
builders. Parley passed away in 1954, but Lynn is still living in California. His
daughter, Grace Van Wagoner Swan, lives in the Los Angeles area. Another daughter, Maude
Van Wagoner Sorenson, is living in Raymond, Alberta, Canada.
EVA ELIZA VAN WAGONER POWEL
Written April 1938 by Eva Powell
I was born in Provo, Utah, the 18th of March, 1886, a
daughter of Parley Pratt Van Wagoner and Emma Slack Jones. After I was four years old
father built a home near the Provo Cemetery, where I lived until I was ten years old, when
my father go a job in Mammoth, Utah, framing timbers for the Grand Central Mine. We lived
there for six years. My father built a number of homes there.
When I was sixteen we moved to Provo Second Ward, which is now the
Sixth Ward, in my Grandfather Jones home. We lived here one year. I attended the
Franklin School, but my eyes proved to be so bad I was told to leave school by my doctor,
which I did in the seventh grade. I had not been able to see the writing on the board
except from the teachers desk, and I wore glasses from my tenth year, but I have
been blessed that I have done all my sewing for my large family.
Father moved us to Raymond, Alberta, Canada in April, 1903. That same
year I met my husband, Ray, he having come that year with his mother and two younger
brothers to visit his sister and brother-in-law, Warren Depew, who had come from Payson,
Utah, with the Mormons who migrated with Jesse Knight to do farming. I went with Ray three
years and we were married Dec. 21, 1906, in the Salt Lake Temple. We spent our honeymoon
in Utah visiting loved ones, returning to Raymond one month later in 40 below zero
weather. Many hundreds of cattle died that winter. We lived in Raymond 21 years, but never
naturalized. My father, Parley Pratt Van Wagoner, moved to Long Beach, California, the
spring of 1920, later moving to Los Angeles where he died. Mother died in Log Beach their
first year there and was buried in Provo, Utah. Father was buried in California.
Ten of our children were born in Canada, and four died there. When our
first child was one year old, we sent Rays brother, Albert, on a mission to Ireland
for two years. We took his farm, but we had hail and drought, and had to look elsewhere
for work to keep him on his mission. We went on the Mendenhall ranch to work where we
earned enough to keep Albert. He completed his mission, and the Lord has blessed and
helped us ever since. We have always paid our tithes and have never been hungry and have
owned our own home most of our lives. The winter I spent on the ranch I never saw a woman.
Indians came to the ranch, but I was not afraid. I felt contentment.
We returned to Raymond to live. Ray worked on some of the largest farms
there, plowing and disking hundreds of acres of land for the Sugar Company, and he also
worked in every part of the sugar factory. It was here he learned to take care of electric
wiring. He later took a course in electricity by correspondence.
In 1924 we moved to Payson, Utah. Our daughter, Shirley V., was born
there. The following spring he applied for a job as city electrician in Nephi, Utah , and
was accepted. After we came to Nephi Mildred, our twelfth and last child, was born.
Shirley V. died here at the age of four years.
On August 24, 1938, my husband was called to be second counselor to
Bishop P. B. Cowan of Nephi South Ward. He has also served as superintendent of the Sunday
School and as scoutmaster. He was later called to the Juab Stake High Council.
Eva Eliza Van Wagoner Powell passed away December 6, 1961, at Nephi,
Utah. She was buried in Payson Cemetery. She was a woman of great faith. She was active in
the L.D.S. Church, serving in many capacities, both Stake and Ward. She was greatly loved
by all her friends, and neighbors. She was a woman of great charity, doing many kind deeds
for those she loved. She helped in the homes of the sick and visited the old and infirm.
She was the first President of the D.U.P. in Nephi, and spent many hours writing histories
of pioneers of Nephi who were still living at that time. From the time she was very young
she started a series of diaries. She left a wealth of material concerning her life, and
the events that happened world wide.
IDA MAE POWEL NELSON
Ida Mae Powell was born in Raymond, Alberta, Canada, the first child
of Olof Raymond Powell and Eva Eliza Van Wagoner Powell. She attended the elementary
grades in Raymond. At the age of 16 she moved with her parents and brothers and sister to
Payson, Utah, the birthplace of her father. Her mother was born in Provo, Utah. They
family lived at Payson for one year, where Ida attended high school, then he father
obtained employment as city electrician in Nephi, Utah, and moved his family there. Here
Ida continued her high school education. She also worked in the Nephi telephone office, as
an operator.
She married Spencer J. Brown of Provo, Utah, in the Salt Lake Temple,
and they lived for a time in Provo. This married ended in divorce. Later she married Roy
V. Nelson. They have two children, Kent and Christine.
Roy was a career officer in the U.S. Airforce. He served in the 2nd
World War. In connection with his service they were transferred to many far away places.
They lived for two years in Japan, returning to the United States, and they were
transferred to Biloxi, Mississippi. They also lived at Fort Warren, Wyoming, and Ida lived
in Bordentown, New Jersey, while Roy spent a year in Labrador. The family moved then to
Enid, Oklahoma, and later to Turkey, where they spent two years, returning to Colorado
Springs, Colorado, where Roy was retired from the Airforce with the rank of Lt. Col. In
1963. At the present time she and her husband and son and daughter are living in Santa
Rose, California, where Roy is employed in the real estate business.
Ida is an accomplished author, having had a number of poems and stories
published. In 1962, she published a book of poetry entitled, "Tina in Turkey."
Her poetry has appeared in the Era, Childrens Friend, and other publications. As a
young girl, she delighted many audiences with her dramatic readings. She has a lovely
singing voice, which was sometimes overlooked because of her popular readings.
BERT POWELL
Bert Powell, son of Olof Raymond Powell and Eva Eliza Van Wagoner
Powell, both members of the L.D.S. Church, was born June 20, 1911, at Raymond, Alberta,
Canada. My father was born at Payson, Utah, and my mother at Provo, Utah. Their parents
were all members of the L.D.S. Church. I was the third child of a family of twelve
children. I attended the elementary grades in Raymond, and was baptized a member of the
L.D.S. Church June 26, 1920.
On Wednesday, April 16, 1924, at the age of 12 I left Raymond with my
family, and moved to Payson, Utah, where I lived for one year and attended the 8th
grade. In 1925 we moved to Nephi, Utah, where my father was employed for about 25 years as
city electrician. I graduated from the Juab Stake Seminary in 1928, and the Nephi High
School in 1929.
In the spring of 1933 I joined the Civilian Conservation Corps at
Nephi, Utah, and worked for 2 ½ years during the great depression in this organization. I
worked as a carpenter building the camp, three months as a horse wrangler, where I took
care of six horses and three mules and packed in the food and supplies for a trail crew of
about 20 men making trails on Mt. Nebo. In the winter of 1933 and 1934 I worked as a
surveyors helper to the camp engineer at Washington, two miles east of St. George, where
the old cotton mill was built, the first one in Utah. Then for about two years I worked as
the forestry clerk to the camp superintendent. I then attended the L.D.S. Business College
for a winter.
In 1936 I started work for the agent of The Texas Oil Co. at Nephi, as
a truck driver, bookkeeper, and salesman, which job I worked at for six years. In 1942 I
started work for the Juab County Mill & Elevator Co. at Nephi, as a truck driver,
salesman, and bookkeeper, which job I still hold.
I have been active in scouting for about 28 years, six as a scout,
about 15 as a scout master and explorer leader, and about seven years as a troop
committee-man. In 1945 I became a counselor in the Nephi South Ward bishopric and spent 4
½ years as a counselor in three different bishoprics, which was a wonderful experience.
At the present time I am a counselor in the Ward MIA, the second time I have held this
position. In 1964 I was presented with the Silver Beaver award in scouting.
I married Florence Belliston of Nephi, Utah, in 1939, the daughter of
Ralph Bardsley Belliston and Alice Lillian Farnsworth, both L.D.S. members. We were
married in the Logan Temple August 4, 1939. Florence has served in the YWMIA as a
counselor, and as a teacher in the Primary, and Sunday School; and for over ten years as
the Relief Society magazine representative, which position she holds now. During that time
the Ward has gone over their quota of 100% each year.
We have two children, Robert Belliston Powell, born June 4, 1941, at
Nephi, Utah, and Linda Marie Powell, born Sept. 10, 1946, at the Payson Hospital, Payson,
Utah. Robert is an Eagle scout, a silver explorer, and holds the Duty to God award. In
1957 Robert and I attended the National Jamboree at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. At Juab
High School Robert lettered in track, was editor of the high school paper, and was
valedictorian of his class. He also graduated from Seminary. To earn money he had a paper
route and was janitor at the local bank.
In Roberts junior year he became a ham radio operator, a hobby
which he still enjoys. He was awarded a four-year scholarship at the BYU where he is
majoring in electrical engineering and is in his senior year. Between his second and third
year of college he filled a mission for two years in the Eastern States Mission. While
there he participated in the Hill Cumorah Pageant for two years. Robert plays the piano
and organ and has completed the L.D.S. course as an organist.
Linda graduated from Juab High School in 1964. In High School she was
very active in athletics, plays, and in her senior year had the lead part in the musical,
Oklahoma. Her talent as a piano accompanist was also used extensively. She was also editor
of the high school paper, and was drill mistress of the Pro-VITA drill team, a girls
service organization. She also received a scholarship at the BYU, having graduated from
high school with honors, and is now attend school at that college. She was Miss Nephi in
1964. Linda has completed the L.D.S. chorister course and has been assistant Sunday School
Chorister for several years, and also has served as Sunday School organist.
We all have a testimony of the Gospel and know that The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true church on this earth. By trying to live the
Gospel teachings and obeying the lords commandments we have been greatly blessed
and, as a family, have received much joy and happiness. In times of trouble and when
members of our family have been seriously ill in our home, the power of the Priesthood of
God has been manifested, and they have regained their health and strength, and our
troubled minds have been calmed and our burdens eased. We have tried to fully pay our
tithing and offerings and have never missed the money but have had joy and happiness in
doing so. When financial worries have been great and we have wondered how we would be able
to meet certain obligations, the way has been opened up and the seemingly impossible has
happened. We know that if we follow the Lords words and obey His counsel that we
will have joy in this world and peace of mind, and happiness in the life hereafter.
ZOE POWELL GIBSON
Zoe Powell Gibson was born on August 24, 1913, at Raymond, Alberta,
Canada. She was the 4th child in a family of twelve children. She attended
school at Raymond until the fifth grade, when her parents, Eva and O. Raymond Powell,
moved their family back to Utah, the birthplace of both parents.
The family lived at Payson for a year, moving to Nephi in 1925 where
her father had obtained employment as city electrician. Here Zoe graduated from the Juab
High school and Juab Stake Seminary. In 1935 she married Roy Elme Gibson, who was a native
of Nephi, in the Manit Temple.
Roy is a printer by trade, and publishes the local weekly newspaper. He
is the son of Alice North and Jacob Gibson, and was born in Nephi, December 28, 1911. He
attended Logan High School and then was trained in his profession by his brother Abe, who
owned the Times News in Nephi. Roy later bought into the newspaper as a partner of his
bother. When Abe moved to Pleasant Grove, Roy took over the newspaper as editor. He is a
member of the Utah State Press Association, having served as secretary, vice-president,
and president of that organization, and is at present a member of their business
committee.
Zoe and Roy are both active in the L.D.S. Church. Roy served as
Elders President, superintendent of the Sunday School, counselor in the Bishopric of
the Nephi Second Ward, and Bishop, and was then sustained as a member of the Juab Stake
Presidency, a position that he holds at the present time.
Zoe has served in numerous ward, and stake positions, including Primary
President, a teacher in most of the auxilliaries, seven years as an age group counselor in
the MIA, Stake Relief Society board member, and is at present Education Counselor in the
ward Relief Society.
Zoe and Roy have four children. Shirley Rae is married to Clifford R.
Birrell. Allan Roy graduated from the high school at Nephi, also the Juab Stake Seminary.
He then served four years in the U.S.Navy, where he received special training in
photography. He is at present attending the Utah State University at Logan, Utah.
The two youngest boys, Vance and Daryle are still at home and attending
local schools. Vance is interested in music and photography, and Daryle thinks he will be
a printer like his father.
SHIRLEY RAE GIBSON
Shirley Rae Gibson, born 30 Aug 1936, is the oldest child and only
daughter of Roy Elmo and Zoe Powell Gibson. She graduated from the Nephi High School and
Seminary, and also from the B.Y.U. with a degree in elementary education. She taught in
several schools; at Rose Park, Pocatello, and Provo, both before and after her marriage.
She married Clifford R. Birrell in the Manti Temple. He is a native of Provo, Utah, but
spent most of his life in Twin Falls, Idaho, where his parents now reside. They are the
parents of two children, a son and a daughter, Mark Roy Birrell, and Dana Rae Birrell.
Clifford is also a teacher. He graduated from the B.Y.U. and had
further training at the University in Pocatello, Idaho. He taught music at a junior high
school in Pocatello for two years. Then moved his family to Redondo Beach, California. He
is teaching in a nearby high school at Palos Verdes as an instructor in music and speech.
He served a mission before he married in Germany. He and Shirley Rae are active members of
the L.D.S. Church. Shirley was called to the primary presidency in their Pocatello Ward,
and at present is junior Primary chorister. Clifford has been MIA superintendent in both
Pocatello and Redondo Beach.
PARLEY MAX POWELL
Parley Mac Powell was born in Raymond, Alberta, Canada on May 15,
1916, the third son and seventh child of Olaf Raymond and Eva Van Wagoner Powell. Migrated
from Raymond to Payson, Utah, April 16, 1925. Later moved to Nephi, Utah, where he
finished high school. Was employed at a garage in Bakersfield, California, when drafted in
the United States Army on February 18, 1941, and sent to Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, where
he served as mechanic instructor of men in the Signal Corps for ten months. Was
transferred to Camp Crowder, Mo., and took first contingent of 21 men to open the camp.
He worked in the motor pool where he became a Master Sergeant. Received
honorable discharge October 30, 1945. Worked as garage foreman, now diesel mechanic.
Ardent hunter, outdoorsman, authority on guns and is a shooter and instructor. Is a life
member of National Rifle Association. Has worked several years with Boy Scouts and Junior
Rifle Clubs. Devoted to his family. Is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints.
Married Wilma Corine Bulger October 24, 1942, in St. Phillips Episcopal
Church of Joplin, Mo. She is the daughter of Phillip Bulger and Jessie Ruth Staples
Bulger, born November 7, 1911, in Joplin, Mo. She loves her home and family and friends.
She likes to do needlework, and likes flowers. Wilma is an office worker and has worked
over 15 years for the Credit Bureau of Joplin. She graduated from Joplin High School and
has taken some adult education classes. She is a member of the Episcopal Church.
Two sons were born to Parley Max and Wilma Corine Bulger Powell.
Phillip Ray Powell is married to DeLores Ann Castoreno. Lynn Max Powell was born January
10, 1946, in Joplin, Mo. No. 46-1-80. He graduated from high school in Joplin. Won number
of medals and trophies for shooting. Likes to hunt, fish, shoot, and swim. Is a Red Cross
Lifesaver. Interested in Scouting. Is an outdoorsman. Attending Kansas State College at
Pittsburg, Kansas, studying to do industrial and technical drawing, drafting, etc. Is a
member of the Methodist Church.
PHILLIP RAY POWELL
Phillip Ray Powell was born July 9, 1944, to Parley Max and Wilma
Corine Bulger Powell. He is No. 44-7-1069 in Joplin, Missouri. He graduated from high
school in Joplin and has attended Drury College in Springfield, Missouri for two years. He
plans to become a teacher. His interests are church, Scouting, shooting, hunting, fishing,
outdoor sports, and writing. He is an N.R.A. approved markmanship instructor, and a
Thespian. He is a member of the Methodist Church.
On December 1, 1963, he married Delores Ann Castoreno in the Chapel of
the Methodist Church in Carthage, Missouri. They have a son, Scott Felipe Powell, who was
born prematurely. Because his digestive system was not developed he was having some
difficulty in handling his food.
OF DEAN VAN POWELL
I was born in Raymond, Alberta, Canada, June 20, 1918, the son of
Olof Raymond and Eva Eliza Van Wagoner Powell, one of a family of 12 children. Dad was a
electrician, watermaster, and sometimes served as a Deputy Marshall in the town, a prairie
town in South Alberta, close to the U.S. border. Father went to Canada as a young man,
punching cows, farming, working in the L.D.S. Sugar Factory and then as electrician.
We moved to Payson, Utah, in 1924, and to Nephi in 1925. We loved the
town of Nephi, population about 3000, at the foot of 12,000 foot Mt. Nebo, and 10,000 foot
Red Ledges to the south of Salt Creek Canyon. It is a lovely place to live and grow up. My
brothers, Bert and Max, and I spent so much time in the hills and mountains we knew almost
every hill and hollow. We loved to fish its streams and Burriston Pond and to hunt deer
and pheasants, and to camp in the canyons with our parents and sisters, who loved that
locality as we did. Our faithful old dog, King, traipsed the hill trails with us and
flushed the birds before our guns in the meadows and fields. I had climbed old Mt, Nebo
nine times by my 18th birthday, from the West and the East, and with my brother
Max, all three peaks of that mountain.
We attended Nephi Central School and Juab High School (changed from
Nephi High), hauled hay for the farmers, drove tractor for dry land farmers. Bert and I
spent some time in the Civilian Conservation Corps, and Max worked in garages and service
stations. I worked for A. B. Gibson, and his brother Roy, who married my sister Zoe at a
later date, in the Nephi Printing office, "The Times News Printing
Establishment." I enjoyed this work and worked there on a part-time basis until after
I had finished high school. I enjoyed doing my work from a sitting position and Roy kept
me busy retrieving my typesetting stool from the trash heap, where he repeatedly threw it.
Our family was very close in spite of pretty independent dispositions
and some strong tempers. I loved my parents and sisters, Ida and Zoe, Grace, and Mildred,
and two dear little sisters that I remembered who died, one less than a year old and one
at five. Mother lost three other children in infancy, twin girls, Leah and Reah; and one
boy, Raymond Van. The two girls I remember were Vivian and Shirley V.
I squired several of the Nephi young ladies, but really fell hard for a
blonde and beautiful young lady from Fountain Green, Utah, a town about 15 miles southeast
of Nephi, elevation over 6000 feet. This young lady, of Danish extraction, with a strong
dash of English, was the daughter of Edward Merriam and Ida Delena Llewellyn Hansen. We
kept company for about two years and were married on August 22, 1939, in Fillmore, Utah.
My wifes name is Gladys Carol Hansen.
I obtained employment with my mothers brother, Lynn Van Wagener,
as a carpenters helper, in Los Angeles, California. As a carpenters helper and
soon a carpenter I worked on hundreds of homes and apartment buildings during the first
years of World War II. We had two daughters, Carol Ann and Ronnie Jeanne, born to us in
Los Angeles, and I worked there until 1943, with one summer spent at Marysville,
California, and part on the construction of the Topaz Japanese Evacuation Center, west of
Delta, Utah. I worked on the Geneve Steel Mills, west of Provo, Utah, in the fall and
early winter of that same year. In February, 1944, I went to Hanford, Washington, to work
on a top secret construction job for the government. This later turned out to be a
Plutonium plant, where some of the ingredients for the first atomic bombs were
manufactured.
My wife, Carol, and our daughters joined me in Hanford in July of 1944,
and we lived for a time in a government housing project in Sunnyside, Washington. Later we
moved to the town of Richland, Washington. We have nine daughters and one son.
I changed employment in November, 1944, and began driving a bus to the
atomic plant. I have continued in this work to the present time. In 1947 my wife and I
became active in the Church and have continued in that activity. She in the Relief Society
and Primary, and I as a counselor in the Stake and Ward Sunday Schools, as Elders
Quorum President, branch and stake missionary, ward teacher, counselor to a senior members
group, Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster, Stake Scouter and committee member.
We have strong testimonies of the divinity of Jesus Christ, as the son
of God, and the restoration of the Church and Priesthood by Him through the Prophet Joseph
Smith, and we know that our testimony is true. It has been wonderful to raise our children
in the Church.
GRACE V. POWELL JACOBSEN
Grace V. Powell was born on 18 May 1920, at Raymond, Alberta,
Canada. She was the daughter of Raymond Olof and Eva Eliza Van Wagoner Powell. When she
was four her parents moved back to the United States. She was on of twelve children. She
was raised in Nephi and finished high school there. She attended business school in Los
Angeles, California, and lived with her Aunt Grace Swan while there. During the first of
the World War II years, she worked in Salt Lake City and at Fort Douglas, Utah, but, never
one to conform too closely, she then worked in the Panama Canal Zone, Korea, and Alaska.
Grace and Ernest Jacobsen met in Alaska and were married on June 29,
1950. He was transferred to Florida in 1951. Their three children were born at Eglin Air
Force Base, Florida, and they lived at Valparaiso, Florida. In 1957 they were transferred
to Goose Bay, Labrador, where they lived for two years.
They were fortunate to be sent to Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
in 1959. Here, after two years, Ernest finished his twenty years in the service and
retired. He took a job as civilian in the same office where he had worked as a Master
Sergeant, and finally became Base Director of Ground Safety. They now reside in Santa
Maria, California.
MILDRED V. POWELL TAYLOR
I was born in Nephi, Utah, on October 15, 1927. This was to continue
to be my home until I was eighteen and left for college. I had a happy childhood since I
enjoyed parents who were both religious and loving. I attended grade school and high
school in Nephi and graduated in 1945. That fall I went to Snow College and took a
business course for one year. Here I met my husband-to-be, Sherrel J. Taylor, whom I
married in the Manti Temple on December 18, 1947. Sherrels birthplace was in Aurora,
Utah on March 23, 1927.
After marriage Sherrel continued with his studies at the Brigham Young
University, and I worked as a stenographer to help him through school. He graduated in
December of 1949 with a B. S. degree in elementary education, and we moved to Aurora,
Utah, where he began his new career. We stayed in Aurora for five years, during which time
two boys and a girl were born to us. They are named Roger, Eileen, and Neil. In 1955
Nevadas better opportunities for school teachers beckoned to us, and we moved to Ely
where Sherrel was to be principal of an elementary school. We were both kept busy in the
Church teaching Sunday School, and we were very pleased when Sherrel was called to be
Sunday School Superintendent. When my children were all in school, I started working as a
stenographer again. I feel that the best thing Ely did for our family was make us realize
the great influence for good that our Gospel has in peoples lives.
In 1961 Sherrel began having trouble with his legs, and after many
trips to specialists, it became obvious that what he had was very serious and probably
incurable. Since it looked as if his chances for being able to work again werent
very good, we decided to move back to Utah. We had never felt that we wanted to raise our
family in the environment Ely offered, and also felt they would have a better chance of
obtaining a college education if we lived close to a college.
So we made the big decision and moved to Orem, Utah. We bought a home
here and hoped we could now put down permanent roots. I began working for Geneva Steel
Company, where I am still employed. We have good hopes for the future, although Sherrel is
still unable to work. We feel that the most important thing in life is to stay close to
the Gospel, which is after all the only sure way to happiness in this complicated world.
Our children all seem to have testimonies of the Gospel and are active in their church
groups, which makes us very happy.
ESTELLA VAN WAGONER GALBRAITH
(Written by daughter, Mildred V. G. Anderson)
I, Mildred V. Galbraith Anderson, was born Dec. 13, 1913 to David
Layton and Estella Van Wagoner Galbraith, at Raymond, Alberta, Canada.
The Lord took my mother Aug. 28 1923 (she died with complications in
pregnancy), and for fourteen years my father raised us four children alone. He instilled
into us a testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
My father came to Canada with his mother, Elizabeth Layton Galbraith in
1903. His father died in Mexico. David fulfilled a mission in Oklahoma in 1908, and as
long as I remember he was Elders President in Raymond 2nd Ward. He was a
very good, kind, honest man. His teaching was "prepare to live and youll be
ready to die." He died August 16, 1936, in Raymond, Alberta, Canada.
My mother, Estella, was a beautiful lady. My memory of her was as her
sister wrote: "She pressed her blouses and skirts every day. She kept herself
lovely." Her walk, talk, and laugh were beautiful. She never spoke an unkind word.
Her bishop remarked, "I have never known a more beautiful character than she."
She was referred to as "a leader among young people." She was MIA President at
the time of her death.
She married David Layton Galbraith April 12, 1911. They were married in
Raymond, Alberta, Canada. When asked how she knew she loved him, she remarked,
"Because I know I can always honor and respect him."
The date of Estellas death was the day the Cardston Temple was
dedicated. In the Spring (March 7, 1924) Eva Van Wagoner Powell, Estellas sister,
stood proxy and mother and father were sealed and so were we children. How well I remember
that day. President Wood turned to us children and said, "Your mother is here. I can
see her."
BRUCE VAN GALBRAITH
Bruce Van Galbraith has lived in Raymond, Alberta, Canada, all his
life. He attended the University of Utah for one year and Mount Royal College in Alberta
one year. His occupation has been farming until 1962 when he received a position with the
Canadian Government as a Farm Credit Advisor, which he still holds. He was a member of the
Town Council of Raymond from 1949 until 1955. He was a bishops counselor from 1947
to 1955, and then was made Bishop of Raymond 4th Ward, a position he still
holds.
He has no enemies. He loves all people and animals, especially horses.
He married Beth Heninger in 1936. She is a graduate nurse, and has done a lot of nursing
for friends since their marriage. She has also held many positions in the Church, mostly
in MIA.
The Three oldest children, David Brian, Betty Lynne, and John, are
married. Paul is at home. He enjoys farming. Margaret is at home, taking grade 12, and all
of the rest of the children are in school.
The children are interested in Speech Arts, and each have won several
awards for this. Evelyn is an accomplished horsewoman. She barrel races and jumps her
horse at local rodeos.
Were just a big happy family. We love the Church and our town, and our neighbors are
the best.
DAVID BRIAN GALBRAITH
David Brian Galbraith filled a mission in Switzerland. He loved Europe, so went back to France to study after his mission. Then he went to Israel to study the customs of the people and to learn Hebrew. There he met Frieda Kruger, a Dutch girl with some Jewish ancestry. She joined the Church and they were married in the Alberta Temple in 1963. They are both attending the B.Y.U. David has his B. A. degree and is getting his Masters in Political Science. Frieda speaks Dutch, French, German, English, and Hebrew, and is majoring in education and languages. She will graduate in 1965. They expect their first child right away.
BETTY LYNNE GALBRAITH
Betty Lynne Galbraith is also a nurse. She married Keith Palmer, a farmer, and since her marriage, between babies, she also has worked some at her profession. She and her mother often help each other in nursing. If one is teaching a class or needs to be at home, the other responds. Lynne and Keith are both active in the church.
JOHN GALBRAITH
John Galbraith filled a mission in France. Six months after his return he married his childhood sweetheart, Coral Bingham. They are both attending the B.Y.U. Coral will graduate in 1965, majoring in education and music. She is an accomplished pianist.
MILDRED V. GALBRAITH
Mildred V. Galbraith was born to David Layton and Estella Van
Wagoner Galbraith Dec. 13, 1913, in Raymond, Alberta, Canada, and came to Utah in 1936.
Here she met Leo Vitt Anderson, a returned missionary from Eastern Canada. They were
married 22 Sept. 1938 at Cardston, Alberta, Canada. She says:
"He later told me the day he met me he went on top of a mountain
and prayed and told the Lord, "This day I want to meet the girl I should marry.
He then asked for guidance and help. He had been a missionary with a friend of mine, Isaac
Roberts, and he introduced us.
We lived in Provo until 1943. While here three of our eight children
were born. In February of that year we moved to Union, Utah.
Leo Vitt was a man who was in the world but not part of it."
He had very close communication with his Father in Heaven. He was in the Bishopric under
two Bishops, Bishop Thomson and Bishop Sterling Stokes. He was Scout leader, Sunday School
superintendent, MIA superintendent, High Priest leader; and in 1954 he was made Bishop of
Union 2nd Ward. After giving of himself, love and service the Lord made it
known to him he was leaving this earth, so in November 1959 he was released as Bishop, and
he passed away the following September, 1960.
Since his death until now, March 1967, I have lived in our house in
Union. Five of our children have married. Van filled a mission in Northern Califormia,
David filled a mission in Eastern Canada, and James is on a mission to the Central
Atlantic States.
I am Relief Society President. I have worked in MIA as teacher and
president, in Primary and Sunday School. I have also been a counselor in Relief Society.
My goal in life is to teach my children that they can say as I can that they "know
that God lives," and to prepare them to live uprightly so they will "be ready to
die," as my father said.
DONNA V. GALBRAITH
Donna V. Galbraith was born May 26, 1919, in Raymond, Alberta, Canada. She is the daughter of David Layton and Estella Van Wagoner Galbraith. On September 6, 1939, she married Clyde Rich Bennett, in Alberta, Canada. They have five children.