Notes Before Moving On

Today I had the frustration and satisfaction that family history research brings: for some time I have had the birth record, located in Utah Archives of a male child born to Joseph Pollard and Emma Frances Olsen Evans on 06/26/1903. I had looked everywhere. No other record, not even a mention. So I have had this un-named son. Perhaps it was a stillbirth- but no, it would not have had the birth record, or at the very least the original would have had a note of such. At the Family History Library in Salt Lake today I asked a professional genealogist on staff here: Where else can I look? She suggested the filmed birth record book- a restricted film- but that added no information. Back at my work materials I wonderd: Would a child be buried with Louisa and Moses at the Salt Lake City Cem? But I have no name. Look anyway. There is a book of burials to 1909 compiled by students of LDS Business College in 1931 on the shelf. Burials are listed by sirname, but in burial date order, and I found no un-named Evans. Louisa and Moses were buried after 1909, so that thought did not pan out. I began with the birth date I do have and determined that I would write down every burial that would coincide with a male Evans born 1903. The first candidate was one Shure Dale Evans, 11 months, buried June 3, 1904. I could not wait and try others!I returned to Utah Archives and put in that name. You can do this as well: http://www.archives.utah.gov (go to name index, put in last name comma first name)and here I find Shure Dale. It took my breath away, I gasped so that the person next to me responded.
Sadly our kin did not survive long, but I -we- can now call his name when we share our love and gratitude for family. I am sad to have blank boxes throughout my record, now I have less.

Generation Three, or...

For nearly a month I have been laying out what I have learned of the third generation of Joseph Pollard's family. But I began the blog as the story of his daughters families! Should this have been, then, the second generation: the Daughters' Children?

I am not going to decide that right now. But I am going to go on researching the living family, in order to identify, locate and contact those for whom this story is meant.

I also have not decided how I will record the next generation. Presently I believe I will list name and state only, as there is the greater likelihood of the next and additional generations being living.

Whatever information I have in my file I will maintain and add to, but will not publish what is confidential: dates, addresses etc. I hope you are interested, as am I in what the descendants of this pioneer family have done to continue building this legacy, and it is that which I want to report, to honor.

The Backman Grandchildren

I have made some changes in earlier posts after being able to find obituaries and other helpful or interesting information. Sometimes I miss the omissions and errors, even while previewing the posts before publishing. I willingly submit to your corrections, and welcome your additions and clarifications.

The Backman grandchildren were the family I knew and became familiar with after I moved to Utah in 1985. Those, at least who were still living. It was the fortunate circumstance of being among the eldest of the youngest. My grandfather was about in the middle of his family, but my mother was his first child and I her second, while Grace Bailey Pollard was the youngest of Joseph and Mary Ann Pollard. After a severe injury that led to grandfather being housebound his last three years I learned more of the family than I had from any other source. Since then I have tried to research and fill in blanks with facts and dates. You have seen how I have had better success with some than with others.

Gustave Pollard Backman -"Gus" -was the eldest in this family. Born 11 November 1891 in Salt Lake City, he was a product of the city he was also a maker of. In an article published announcing his death he is referred to as 'a moving force in the growth and development of Utah for a major portion of his eighty years.' (SL Tribune Monday May 15, 1972, p.B1) He was often referred to as Mr. Utah and met regularly with David O. McKay of the LDS Church and the general Manager of the Salt Lake Tribune. He was executive secretary of the SLC Chamber of Commerce, leaving that organization after 34 years to head ProUtah, Inc. He served on boards of Hotel Utah, Zions Bank, ZCMI; he went across the country to sell Utah and was involved with bringing such ventures as Geneva Steel and Bonneville Salt Flats racing ventures. He was busy. He began in his father's firm, G.H. Backman and Sons, Abstracters and Attorneys, as did brothers LeGrand and Milton.
Gus married Annie 'Nancy' Davis (1890-1981)in 1912 and they were parents of three sons Gustave LeRoy 'Roy', Pollard Davis 'Paul' and William Davis Backman.

LeGrand Pollard Backman, 18 Dec 1893 to 19 Apr 1988, was active in church and civic affairs, having served as missionary to South Africa and returning to serve as Mission President in the same field. Later he served in the presidency of the Temple Square Mission. His son Robert L. Backman served in the First Quorum of the Seventy of the LDS Church. LeGrand also served in his ward bishopric and as stake Sunday School superintendent.
LeGrand was senior partner in the Backman Clark and Marsh law firm; he served as member and as president of the Salt Lake City Board of Education and later with the Utah State Board of Education. Active with the Sons of Utah Pioneers, he served as director of the Days of '47 activities.
LeGrand married Mary Edith Price. From his bio for SUP we learn this: At age of eight LeGrand began to take piano lessons...around 13 he studied with John McClellan, the Tabernacle organist...after graduating from Salt Lake high School in 1911 he was selected as one of the traveling teachers of the Utah Conservatory of Music...given the territory from Spanish Fork to Payson to Goshen to Elberta to Eureka to Mammoth to Knightsville. In Goshen, a 14 year old girl, daughter of a widow, named Edith Price was one of his students. They were reacquainted later while LeGrand studied law at the University of Utah. Their children are Robert LeGrand, Mary Jean, Richard Price, Beverly and James Hilmer.

Melvin Hilmer Backman lived 4 Jun 1896 to 6 Oct 1898.

Milton Vaughn Backman, 8 Sep 1898 - 21 Dec 1996, followed closely his brothers' patterns: began playing violin at age 8 and played in the Utah Symphony as well as other orchestras; followed his father's profession and became an attorney, practicing until age 95; active in civic affairs and church callings. Milt was involved in United States war efforts during WWII, finding and procuring lands for Topaz, on of the Japanese relocation facilities and for atomic-bomb development and testing. He was one of the organizers of the Salt Lake Junior Chamber of Commerce and president of the Ambassador Athletic Club, Sons of Utah Pioneers, and Boy Scouts of America, receiving the Silver Beaver in 1953. Milt played hand ball and racquetball into his 90s; he helped organize several dance clubs and was one of the earliest members of the Deseret Gym.
Milton married Florence Peterson (1898-1988) in the Salt Lake Temple in 1920. They were parents of Bette Ann Backman Esch and Milton Vaughn Backman, Jr.

Grace Lucile Backman, 31 Dec 1899 - 19 May 1995, wife of Harold Watson Glade, was the first of two daughters. She grew up in the 15th ward, attending Franklin School. Married in 1929 in the Salt Lake Temple, her married life took her around the country, finally letting her settle in Ogden where her husband was in charge of Utah Area Government Housing. They were active in the Ogden 37th Ward. Lucile and 'Doc' were parents to Marilyn- Mitzi- Vinson and Lynda Latta, and grandparents to five.

Ralph Vernon Backman, esteemed educator and youth advocate was born May 4, 1904 and passed away at home Mar 28, 1992. He graduated from U of U 1926 and in 1927 began his teaching career at Irving Jr High and South High Schools. That year he also began as the evening director at the Rotary Boys Club. Before retiring as associate dean of records for Westminster College he would serve as Sugarhouse Park Playground Director(1927-1930), Dean of Boys at South High(1932-1937), Area Director of the National Youth Administration(1934-1935), Director of Adult and Vocational Education for SLC(1938-1948), State Director of the Federal Recreation Project(1939), principal of South High (1948-1969)as well as faculty member, Department of Continuing Education, U of U; Lecturer in Educational Administration, U of U; professor of Education, Westminster and would help develop a program there wherein students could gain college credit for work experience, allowing working adults to increase their education. He supported many organizations concerned with child welfare and mental health.
Ralph went on to get his masters in philosophy from Stanford University and his doctorate in Educational Administration from U of U. He married Grace McCullough of Salt Lake City in Palo Alto California in 1927 and they were the parents of Joan B. Kirkham, Carol B. Munro, Jill B. Jones, R. 'Mac' Backman and Rod Backman.
Golf and cards were lifelong pleasures, the latter up through his final days.


Edna Louise Backman Courtney Schoffield, 16 Jun 1907 - 23 Apr 2000, was a business woman in the Salt Lake area until moving to Lake Tahoe, California where she and husband Robert Schoffield were involved in the hospitality industry of that area. Edna has one daughter, Janet and two granddaughters.

Harold Samuel Backman, 2 Jan 1909 - 27 May 1969, married Vera May Sorenson (1908-1973) He worked with U.S. Steel-Geneva Works in Provo, Utah as accountant. He sang with the Tabernacle Choir. He passed away due to a heart ailment after having had polio many years earlier. Harold and Vera had no children. They are buried in the Provo City Cemetery.

Grandchildren Johnson

Alice Pollard did not have a large family: four children. All lived to adulthood: Jay died at 35 unmarried, Louis died at 59, Melvin at 71 and Thelma at 86. There were 3 grandchildren for Alice, only two before the death of her husband. While the children remained in Utah, I locate two granddaughters passing away in California and have been unable to locate the third, a grandson.

Louis Pollard Johnson was born 14 May 1895 in Salt Lake, marrying here in 1916 Miss Dorothy Ann White. In 1930, on the US Federal Census he states he is an accountant at a bank. Louis and Dorothy have two daughters on this record, Dorothy W and Elaine. It is an interesting note that a few blocks, or down the street is the Goddard family, from which Dorothy Wanda Johnson will get her husband Claude A Goddard. Elaine will marry William A Nixon.
Louis' death certificate gives his death as May 21, 1954, stating he is retired, divorced, and his death from unknown but natural causes. His sister Thelma is the informant on this record. His obituary appeared in The Deseret News (evening edition) on Friday May 21, 1954 stating that he had died in a local hospital that morning; survivors noted were daughters, of Oakland, California; four grandchildren; one sister and one brother.

Thelma Johnson, 18 Oct 1898 - 28 Feb 1984, married Jonas Thomas Ryser 14 Jun 1923 in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. Jonas passed away about six months before their 50th anniversary in 1973. Thelma was involved in the 15th ward as she grew up and after her marriage. She was a former member of the LDS Primary General Board, and composed many song for children. Thelma belonged to the Opera Appreciation Club, and was organist for the Larkin Funeral Hoome for 40 years.
The 1930 census says Jonas was director of a grain and feed company, and his obituary published January 18, 1973 states he was director, sectretary and manager of the Bailey Feed Company. Thelma and Jonas had no children, but were close to her cousin Lucile Backman Glade, and enjoyed the company of her daughters. Thelma's obituary lists survivors as sister-in-law Ruth Johnson, nephew Keith and niece Elaine Nixon of Sacramento, California.

Melvin Johnson, 16 Feb 1901 - 24 Feb 1972 married Ruth C Jones in Ogden in 1933. She was born in New Jersey in 1906. He was credit manager for the Utah Fire Clay company and also the Interpace Company. His obituary, published in the Salt Lake Tribune states further that he was a member of the Elks and LDS Church. He was survived by his wife and his son Keith. Melvin is buried at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.

Jay Leslie Johnson, born Dec 19, 1904 died Sep 10, 1937 in an accident at his work at the Utah Fire Clay Company, when he was caught in a brick press. The news article of his accident states that it appeared he had reached in to pick something out. Jay had also worked for the Davis & Howe Foundry. He had served a mission, noted in the 15th Ward history. He is buried in the Salt Lake City Cemetery

Grandchildren of Joseph & Mary Ann: HOLDING

If you read the papers in Salt Lake or Ogden the Holding name will appear in headlines. It is always a thrill to see the names of any of the Bishop's daughters' families; I think we are noteworthy, as a whole: we have stood up for our faiths, our countries, our neighbors and for ourselves. We have had a positive impact in law, education, church, community and business. R Earl Holding and his wife Carol have worked hard to make a world class business family with the Little America hotels. I believe they now are listed as Grand America Hotels and Resorts. But Earl is not in the generation at hand; that would be his father, who will be highlighted in a few moments.

Lenora Holding was the first child of Lovenia Pollard and Thomas Clayton Holding. Born 18 July 1884 in Salt Lake City, she married in 1905 Joseph Smith Durrant, born 2 Mar 1882 in American Fork, Utah.
In the 1910 US federal census this couple and their daughter Edna had a household that included Thomas C Holding, F Eugene Holding, J Terrence Holding, Mark W Holding and R Harry Holding. Recall that Lovenia had died early, leaving her husband with six children. Lenora being the eldest- and a daughter at that, became a care, and it seems- shelter giver for her father and brothers. I see no evidence she was put upon, though any newly married woman with a babe in arms might have wanted for a few less people around her at times. Edna was born in 1907 and a younger brother Morris was born 1913. Another only daughter! Did Lenora and Edna form a mutual defense group with all those brothers and uncles about?
JS Durrant was an engineer. While he passed away in 1950 Lenora lived until 1967, passing away in Idaho, where her daughter lived. Edna Durrant Miller passed 1999, Morris in 1995.

Franklin Eugene Holding, 23 Oct 1885 - 30 Oct 1965, had a career in business. I was told by grandfather he started as manager for a large landlord in Salt Lake, but I have not found corroborating information. He passed away in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He left his wife Reva Pearl Johnson (1894-1987), daughter Helen Jean Holding Gerard (1921-2007), sons Ralph Pollard Holding and Robert Earl Holding and their families. Franklin Eugene and wife are buried in the Salt Lake City Cemetery.

Thomas Clayton Holding, Jr is given a memorial on www.findagrave.com with a nice photo portrait, as is his wife also. He was born in Spanish Fork 30 July 1887 and died in Salt Lake City December 18, 1957. Margaret Dillingham, who he married 21 February 1911, was born 23 December 1890 and passed way 22 Jul 1980. Thomas was an engineer also, working for the Union Pacific railroad. They were the parents of 3 daughters: Virginia, Merle Dean and Helen.

I have little information on Henry Richard Holding, 15 September 1889 to 13 June 1946. He married in 1917, in Elko, Nevada, Evelyn Grua. He later married Agnes, whose maiden name I do not yet know. I have no record of children in either marriage. Most records refer to Harry Holding.

Joseph Terrence Holding was born and passed in Salt Lake City; 14 August 1891 to 23 September 1983. He married Ida Alice Openshaw 10 January 1915 in Salt Lake City. His wife and two children survived him. One son, Howard Allen Holding was shot down over the Pacific 6 February 1946; he is honored at the American Cemetery and Memorial in Manila, Philippines. The eldest child was Bessie Holding Jacob, 1917-1999, and the youngest Terrence Boyd Holding.

Spencer P Holding lived 15 Jan 1894 to 26 Jun 1894, born and died in Spanish Fork.

Mark Wilton Holding, 12 March 1896, Spanish Fork - 2 Nov 1976, Pamona, California married Alice Maud Chryst, 20 Mar 1901, Wisconsin - Apr 1993, Pamona on 6 September 1922 in Salt Lake City. They were parents of Janet Holding and Mark D Holding "Mac".

Grandchildren: Boud

Elizabeth Pollard and John Wallace Boud had eight children. This family was struck with the loss of infant or child numerous times, which surely was a heartache for parents, siblings and grandparents. The eldest was John William, born 1880 and the youngest Wallace Pollard, born 1896. Joseph Edwin made it three sons with five sisters: Florence, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Ella, and Hazel.

John William Boud, 1 Jun 1880 - 22 Apr 1964 married Nellie Jeremy, 4 Oct 1879 - 25 Mar 1954 in Salt Lake City on 26 Jan 1905. Their children: Dorothy Agnes B. Burton, John William Boud Jr, Barbara Nelly B. Erickson. Two children also died in infancy.
John was highlighted in Utah Since Statehood published 1919 in SLC, editor Noble Warrum (FHL us/can 979.2 H2wn) in volume 4, p490. Here we are told that he graduated from Salt Lake High School and won his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Utah.
He served an LDS mission in Germany for two years and followed that with work for the International Harvester Company which took him throughout Europe. When he returned to Salt Lake he became involved in banking as a teller for Walker Brothers Bank and later for Nephi National Bank. He was a member of the American Bankers Association. From 1928 to 1940 John William Boud was vice-president of the Utah Woolen Mills. His obituary, published Friday April 24, 1964 on pB9, tells us that he was active in the LDS Church, serving in various ward and stake positions of responsibility.
John W and Nelly J Boud are buried at Salt Lake City Cemetery.

Florence Boud Butterworth, 29 Jan 1882 - 8 Aug 1953, and husband Edwin Fielding Butterworth, 15 May 1880 - 13 Jan 1962, wed in the Salt Lake Temple on 18 May 1904. Edwin grew up on Butterworth Court in the 15th Ward. He served as chorister there. They were parents of 5 children, only the youngest not surviving to adulthood. Maxine Alice Butterworth lived only four days after birth in 1918. Her siblings: Wallace Edmund, Florence, Ruth, and Edwin J. A very nice account of this family can be found in CALL BACK YESTERDAY by Edwin and Dorothy Leetham Butterworth.

Joseph Edwin Boud, 27 Mar 1884 - 12 Jan 1976 had as his bride Irene Delaney, 24 Jan 1890 - 21 May 1986. Married in 1912, they had no children.

Rebecca Boud and husband Clarence Eugene Jones were acquainted in the 15th Ward and married 21 Jun 1916. It seems they remained active in that community both with church assignments and socially. Clarence was a purchasing agent for LDS Hospital. I find no record of children. Rebecca lived 6 Mar 1887 to 2 Jun 1947 and died of cerebral hemorrhage enroute to the hospital; Clarence: 18 Jul 1888 to 26 Oct 1948, died of cancer. They are buried in the Salt Lake City Cemetery, near to her siblings and parents.

Ella Boud Watson (30 Nov 1888-25 May 1977)and husband Henry Watson (10 Sep 1884-6 Oct 1974) were parents to six children including twins Kenneth Watson and Kathryn W. (Swenson) Johnson, Henry B. Watson, Maurine W. Yose, Helen W. Hart, and Elizabeth W. Yates. Kenneth died at age 12 in 1938.

Puzey Grandchildren, continued

Albert Edward Puzey, born 2 Mar 1879, married Martha Maria Beck in 1901 at Manti. Martha passed away August 1938 at age 55 and Albert married Jean Baxter 1944 in Nephi. Edward Puzey passed away himself April 9, 1955 in Spring City.
Albert and Martha had ten children between 1903 and 1926, all marrying and raising families. As Albert passed away scarcely a week after his aunt Grace Backman I wonder if they viewed the changes during their lives the same or differently- Grace had a 15 year head start on him, would that have had an impact?
Albert and Martha's children:
Ila May P. Peterson, 1903-1964, contributor to my and others' knowledge of this Puzey clan.
Dorothy Jane P. Greenhalgh, 1906-1989
Martha Fern P. Boyce, 1907-
Ira Fay P Wilson, 1911-1978
Fanny Alberta P. Christensen, 1913-
Charles Beck Puzey, 1916-1999
Edward LeGrand Puzey 1918-1963
Willard Reid Puzey, 1921-
Alta Beth P. (Blain) Foce, 1923-
Simon Nad Puzey, 1926-

Lavina Puzey Mott, 12 Mar 1881 - 19 Feb 1955, widowed in 1928 by husband William Romanzo Mott who was born 1875 in Salina, Utah. They married in December 1902. Romanzo lies at rest in the Strawberry Cemetery in Duchesne County, Lavina in the Duchesne City Cemetery. A farmer, Romanzo passed away from an acute illness which was not identified on his death certificate. Lavina, homemaker, suffered a cerebral hemorrhage which shortly resulted in her death.
This family consisted of parents and four children:
Chloe Elisabeth, 1905-1919, who died from an abscess on her spinal cord
William Ray, 1906-1973
Lela Fay 1917-
Lilly May, 1921-2002

Mary Alice Puzey Neilson, 22 Dec 1882 - 9 Apr 1950 and husband Carl Neilson, 15 Feb 1877 - 5 Dec 1957 settled in White Salmon, Washington, where they are both buried. This after moving through the US Northwest and Alberta Canada. Their children:
Velma, 1904 - 1961
Glendon LeRoy, 1905 - 2001
Ruby Rowena, 1907 - 1997
Charles Verneal, 1909 - 1992
Cora, 1911 - 1918
Edna, 1914 - 1999
Harry Swen, 1916 - 1993
Ada, 1922 - 2008
Alice, 1924 -

William H Puzey and wife Emma Margaret Robinson were parents to two children: Garland William 'Sock' Puzey and Macel Puzey Thurmond. William Henry Puzey was born 27 Jun 1885 and passed away in Magna, Utah on 7 Jan 1960; Emma R. Puzey, also of Spring City, was born 23 Sep 1888 and died 12 Oct 1974 in Tremonton, Utah where her son lived. They were grandparents to four boys.

The Puzey Grandchildren

Believe it or not I've tried to organize my paperwork to smoothly flow into the blog. And daily I find I have forgotten a page, lost a reference, dropped a number or recalled a different family. I do not find this charming! But I know it is research and report. We will not have a definitive book on the Pollard daughters- from me, at least- and if we do, by that time a professional editor will have helped erase or minimize the human errors. But I will make my best effort to do that in this space. I am so thrilled to have a sketch, even incomplete, of this family that I admire, respect and whose impact I believe will go on for generations. I believe I am Pollard with as equal a footing as I am Backman, Kirkham, Woodhouse, Gudmundsen, Mulliner, Chugg, McCullough, Mercer, Thomas, Jones, Jacobsdottir, Bailey, Richardson, Andersdottir, Lovering, or Gibbon. And I believe the same of you (with your own pedigree names).

The above was brought about by realizing I had neglected to print a family group for Mary Alice Puzey, the family group sheet being my working file for this generation; and in whose there are so few empty boxes! This correction shifts all the birth order numbers after her up one. But, I digress!

Frederick Puzey, Sep 4, 1875 to Sep 12, 1938, was born in Spring City and my record says he died in Salt Lake City. He immigrated to Canada after his marriage to Emili Nilsson in 1910. She was born in Sweden in 1875 and died in Champion, Alberta, Canada in 1924. One son, Frederick Elmer was born in Canada 25 Aug 1911, dying there 13 Oct 1990. After being widowed a year Frederick married Anna Ohlin in Dec 1925.
The area this family settled was farm country opened up when the railroad came. Unfamiliar with the place, geographically I imagine it is much like the northern farm plains of Montana, which I have seen. Silos probably indicate a farm over the roll of the horizon; Vulcan, Champion, Carmangay are communities that are named on this family record. All were founded before 1909, grew to have over 100 residents but none have a post office. This latter requiring a town, I suppose.

Joseph Henry Puzey, 26 May 1877 - 17 Mar 1962, marrying Letitia Beckstrom Allred in 1902; Letitia being the widow of Joseph Delos Allred. Joining Stephen Terrance Allred in this family were Lydia Marie Puzey and Richard Keith Puzey. Widowed later, Joseph married Olive Ellis. Daughter Marie lived until 1996, passing away in Ogden, Utah; her obituary ran in the Standard-Examiner Sunday June 9, 1996 on page 21C. Sons Stephen and Richard both were deceased in the 1980s.

Evans Grandchildren

Louisa Pollard and Moses Evans raised seven children, two sons: Joseph Pollard and Robert Taylor and the five daughters: Emma Louise, Mary Alice, Louie May, Julia and Grace. In birth order among the cousins their numbers were 1, 3, 5, 11, 16, 18 and 25.

The family home was always relatively near the original home at about 200 W 400 South in Salt Lake City. The rail road industry would encroach on that area; it would eventually swallow up Pollards Court. That was the era this family grew up in. The railroad was not the only industry, certainly; but it gave much work while demanding much ground. The history of Utah- of America before and then after the coming of the railroad makes an interesting study (one can easily say the same of England, Canada, India, etc and etc).

Robert Taylor Evans, 10 October 1877 to 29 May 1926 married 22 Jun 1904 to Eleanor Valentine Sharrock, 4 Jul 1878 to 31 Aug 1951. I found Robert's obituary in the Salt Lake Tribune of Sunday May 30, 1926 on page two. I nearly missed it and may have the first time I perused the microfilm at the City Library. The heading stated: Salt Lake Man Answers Call:

Aged nearly 49 years, Robert Taylor Evans died at a local hospital. The death certificate says of influenza pneumonia. He was formerly employed by the Denver & Rio Grande Western railroad and the Salt Lake board of education, the obituary reports and death certificate adds that he was last a salesman for Western Furniture Co, SLC. At the time of his death he was survived by widow and son Glenn Robert Evans, just about to turn 20, his mother, brother and all sisters.

Louie May Evans, May 1881 to October 1955 married a man who for years I had names Welchefsky. Never was I able to find any record of him or of her after marriage. Only in the last year did I learn that I had either mis-transcribed someone else's record or had written the name from a spoken report: the husband was Arthur L Schefski. I believe I only found this correct spelling through the Salt Lake County Clerk Alphabetical Marriage Index.

Widowed in 1944 when Arthur died of heart attack (SL Trib obit Friday Dec 15, 1944, p21)Louie May's health over the last several years deteriorated and she died in Provo at the state hospital from the results of chronic myocarditis due to arteriosclerosis. Chronic brain syndrome developed due to these health issues. Arthur Schefski had founded the Schefski Automobile Company in Salt Lake City. They were the parents of four children, three growing to adulthood: Kenneth E, Ethel and Melba. They are buried in Mt Olivet cemetery.

Julia Evans Baysinger, 1883-1972, wife of Floyd Terrell Baysinger, 1880-1970, is buried in Mt Olivet Cemetery as well. Utah Cemetery Inventory (found on ancestry.com)lists burial as 10 January 1972. I found this information only tonight, showing how my records continue to develop even as I record our story.

Recall that it was Julia's daughter Mildred Lee Baysinger Busk's death earlier this year that stirred me to action on researching and reporting what record I had of this pioneer family. Julia's second daughter Doris Baysinger Asay passed away in 2008.

Grace Evans did marry but did not have children. The Western States Marriage Record Index reports marriage to Charles Patton (21) of Salt Lake City and Grace Evans (21) of Salt Lake City wed 5 July 1917 in Salt Lake County, marriage cert # A-027317. Charles Patton's death certificate reports his death November 7, 1923 due to chronic nephritis, He was a conductor for the Denver and Salt Lake railroad. Grace was born Mar 13 1887. I do not have a death listing for her at this time.

Allred children

Lola Jane Allred Justesen (6 Jan 1873 to 26 Jan 1950) and husband John Franklin Justesen (18 Oct 1870 to 25 Mar 1946) lived their lives anad raised their 8 children in Spring City. John was a farmer. This simple, short sentence can never say it all; at the same time says so much! Farming. While her death certificate says Lola had no usual occupation we can learn from the term- farmer- on his, that she was a partner in a 24/7 venture.
Their children: Elizabeth Cleo (1896-1961), Edith Fern (1898-1987), Sarah Maxine (1901-1965), Mary Hazel (1903-1985), Inez Ophelia (1904-1990), John Evans (1908-1938), Cora Virginia (b 1911) and Lola Wnona (1913-2005).

Joseph Delos Allred, born 1 Dec 1874 passed away aged 25 on 29 Apr 1899. He left a widow, Letitia Beckstrom, also a Spring City native and son, Stephen Terrance Allred (1898-1982).

Martha Amelia Allred (29 Jun 1877-1 Dec 1963) married Sanpete County boy James William Anderson. With their family they eventually settled in Salt Lake City where James was a teacher. James passed away with coronary thrombosis at age 70, in 1945. They were married in Manti 2 Apr 1897. Both are buried in the Salt Lake City Cemetery.
Their children: Beulah Amelia Anderson Neill (1898-1971), James Clair Anderson (1900-), Vernon Hazen Anderson (1903-1964), Alton Boyd Anderson (1905-1965), Alma Owen Anderson (1909-1987), Eva Maurine Anderson Buma (1913-), and Mary Marjorie Anderson (Snyder) Foxe (1918-).

John Arthur Allred, 1881 to 1971 married first Eva Clyde Larsen and together they were survived by one child, Elva Ramola (1913-1982) who married James Rogers Fechser. John later married Margaret Ruth Henderson.

These are short, an indication of how information is available today. Many records remain confidential for various lengths of time: Utah death certificates -50 years, US Federal Census- 75 years, etc. I feel motivated to continue to research to assemble my Pollard family story, but I do not feel I need to be the "only" worker in this. Your research, your sharing of your immediate family stories- with all of this we will leave a mark for the imergent portrait of the Bishop's daughters.

Grandchildren: The Daughters' Families

Joseph and Mary Ann Bailey Pollard had 45 grandchildren, not all survived to adulthood; Elizabeth Boud, Hazel Boud, Wallace Pollard Boud, Spencer P Holding and Melvin Hilmer Backman all died in infancy or childhood. The Bishop's daughters had families close in age. While my grandfather was my earliest source of Pollard family history, he was one of the youngest cousins. I recall his stories about his aunts more than any stories of others of that generation. Joseph Pollard Evans, the eldest, was 37 before my grandfather was born in 1904. Let me share some of what I have learned of the others.

Emma Louise Evans was born 23 November 1869. She grew up in the area of Salt Lake developing as the railroad center of the burgeoning city. I am sure that Moses and Louisa's children played and schooled with other families involved with the building and expanding railroad industry and the building of a rising city.
Her obituary tells us that Emma was LDS, and that she was associated with the Ladies of Woodcraft Organization, I believe an auxillary of the Woodmen of the World, a social and service organization. She married George Merrill Creamer 23 Jun 1898 in Salt Lake; born in Ohio, George was a machinist for the Denver Rio Grande railroad shop for 20 years and at the time of his death in 1926 as the result of diabetes had worked for the Salt Lake City Health department. Emma's death certificate reports her death was due to a hepatic coma of unknown cause. She died after being ill for about one week at age 83, on April 8, 1953.
Having no children of her own she was involved in the rearing of her nephew Clarence Ira Blanchard, son of her younger sister Mary Alice, both of whom survived her as well as did sisters Louie May, Julia and Grace.
Emma Louise and George M Creamer are buried in the Mt Olivet Cemetery in Salt Lake City.

James Carlos Allred was born in Spring City on September 23, 1870. Even today seeing Spring City one can imagine the ease of learning about the physical world around us. The farm, the pasture, the hills, the mountains. For sport, leisure or industry the outdoors are near at hand in Sanpete County. James married in 1899 in Manti to Ruth Anine Justesen, also of Spring City. She was the dauther of Rasmus Justesen and Anine Marie Larsen, pioneers of the community known as Dane Town. They were the parents of five children: Clarence Jay, Merrill, Genile, James Raymond and Erma. Genile passed away in 2004, the last of this family. James Carlos passed away in Spring City on 30 July 1919. If I am reading the death certificate correctly his death was attributed to locomotor attoxie, from which he suffered for over a year. He had had a carreer with the US Forest Service, his wife survived him for over 20 years, passing away in Richfield, Utah on 16 Dec 1940. They are at rest in Spring City.

Mary Alice Evans Blanchard was born in 1871 and passed away 13 February 1957, age 85. She is listed as widowed on her death certificate, which reports her death occurred at her home on West 2nd South in Salt Lake City. She had been a homemaker and mother of on child, Clarence Ira Blanchard. Her husband was Ira Blanchard, a native of Iowa. I have that marriage as 20 Apr 1896 in Salt Lake City, which I find on the Western States Marriage Records Index (http://abish.byui.edu/specialCollections/westernStates)
I have found no other information for Ira but believe that like his father-in-law and brothers-in-law he was involved in the life and industry of that area where they made their home. Mary Alice was survived by sisters Grace and Julia and her son Clarence and daughter-in-law Myrtle Krogh Blanchard. She is buried at Mt Olivet.

Generation Three: The Grandchildren

I realize I have yet to let anyone know about this blog. I wanted to be sure I could accomplish my goal: to tell a story about a family in which I am one of the fifth generation; about my great-great grandfather Bishop Joseph Pollard's family.

I have data now for the third generation; does this make a story? Not really. A story needs life- a family story, family life. Memories. Pictures. Tales (tattle, tall, folk etc.) As I get more of this next generation down on paper and up on screen I think I can begin to find addresses and let others -you- in on the project.

Joseph Pollard Evans was the first grandchild, born January 1867. I have found sources that list either the 10th or the 13th of January. He was born in Salt Lake and his obituary says he lived there until 1925, but he is reported with the 1930 federal census in Salt Lake, in this record with wife, daughter and granddaughter.

Joseph married Emma Frances Olson (1869-1955), daughter of Norwegian immigrants on 10 November 1897. Two children survived to adulthood: Joseph Leon (1899-1949) and Emilie Frances (1905-1976). For one son, born 1903 in Salt Lake I have found no record after birth register and the obituaries of neither parent refer to this child.

Joseph's obituary appeared in the Salt Lake Tribune on July 8, 1940 claiming he had been a resident in San Francisco for the past 15 years. Death was due to a heart ailment. He was survived it says by a son, Leon of San Francisco, daughter Mrs. Frances Balfour of San Francisco, five sisters and one grandchild. Funeral services and burial would be in San Francisco. Emma's death notice was also carried in the Tribune and she was survived by Mrs. Frances Balfour of Los Angeles and one granddaughter. She died in Los Angeles of causes incident to age. The California Death Index, 1940-1997 lists her as Emily Frances Olson Evans. Funeral and burial were in Los Angeles.

Second grandchild Mary Ophelia Allred was born July 4, 1868 in Spring City, Sanpete, Utah. I imagine her as slight in features, delicate. I do not know where I get this image unless it is from her death to heart disease at the young age of 25. But she married, had a child, dealt with a husband affected by service in the Spanish American War.

Mary's marriage to George Sigfried Backman is reported in the Western Marriage Record Index (http://abish.byui.edu/ [Special collections]) in two differing notes: 18 Aug 1891, Sanpete Co, vol 2 p 90 and 10 Sep 1891, Sanpete Co, vol 2 p 94. They had one daughter: Lola Juanita Backman (1892-1977).

Mary Ophelia Bachman [sic] is found in the Salt Lake City Death Record Book A, page 88 (FHL film #0026554):
death #3583, certificate #5354, age 25y 4m 26d died at Pollards Court/6th W 4th S on 30 November 1893 by heart disease of 15 month duration.

George Backman, younger brother to Gustave Hilmer Backman was born in Sweden 1866 and died 1908 in Salt Lake City. His death certificate originally stated spotted fever as cause of death, which was struck through and alcoholism then listed below. I recall seeing carved ships that he had made with much detail. A veteran of the Spanish American War, he had served in the Philippines and had become ill during that time. I believe he was a clerk for the railroad, also was involved with his father's tinworks and with the building of the Salt Lake LDS Temple.

Our Grandfathers, the Remaining Two

Henry William Puzey. As with many stories of early Utah pioneers and settlers Henry's is one of trial and loss. Mormonism was not universally accepted, many families felt- or were- torn apart. Emigration always involved someone aboard a vessel and someone else on the dock. H. W. Puzey was born in South Hampton 1 June 1848 to Henry Puzey and Mary Ann Wateridge. Henry, the father had apprenticed as carriage maker and it was around the time of his marriage that he heard preaching missionaries. The family story compiled by Ila Puzey Peterson and shared by several families on ancestry.com tells that while he joined that church his family did not. Wishing to gather with the Saints he left England about 1866. His eldest son, William Henry of our story joined him approximately 3 years later, departing Liverpool, England on the steamship Minnesota in August 1869 with a group of Saints under the leadership of Marius Ensign. He also took up the carriage and wagon making trade in Salt Lake City where he met another English immigrant from Kent, Lydia Pollard. This wagoner business he took with his bride to Spring City, Utah and there they settled and began their family. William Henry became ill with pneumonia during the winter holidays of 1886 and died at home January 5, 1887. In a letter to England, this source tells, his grieving father wrote: "I traveled 120 miles through the snowy mountains to see him laid in the silent tomb in the valley of Sanpete County among the everlasting snow clad mountains...He was greatly respected among the people where he lived." Neither of these men ever saw the family remaining on the English docks again. William Henry Puzey, also called Harry, left his widow with six children 12 years and younger.

Moses Evans. I have learned least of Moses- and perhaps for that reason feel particularly earnest to account for this family; recall that it was a loss in the Evans family that finally sat me down to build and share this family story. What I do know was Moses Evans was born in the south parts of Wales in 1835. The Mormon Immigration Index in the databases at the Family History Library gives Moses, age 20, occupation of smith, immigrating with David and Ann (laborer and wife) and Sarah and John, ages 11 and 9, crossing the Atlantic aboard the ship S. Curling in 1856 and the plains with the Dan Jones company to arrive in Salt Lake 23 May 1856. After marrying Louisa Pollard the Evans home was set up on west Second South Street. Moses preceded his wife in death.

Notes on Our Grandfathers, Continued

I have located the photocopied autobiography I mentioned of Gustave H Backman, and feel some notes are pertinent to our need just now:

"Referring to Bishop Pollard I here say I first met Bishop Pollard when I was about 15. I was working at the Utah Central [railroad] shops. He had been a sailor, in fact a ship's carpenter; the ropes used in the railroad between the engine and the tender were spliced or braided at the ends, sailor fashion, and upon several occasions while doing that work he requested that I (Backman, the tinker's boy) be permitted to help him. This work taking several days gave me a good chance to get well acquainted with him. He could and would talk most of the time while at work. His stories were mostly of the sea and the scenes he had viewed and the people he had met. He could only remember the good, the beautiful, and the noble and dwelt on those. I was so impressed with his splendid character, his love for the good, his great charity and particularly his sympathy and interest in the young, that I loved him for these. I ascribe much of my happiness to the fact that my children are his descendants, inheriting many of his sturdy splendid qualities. I then first met my wife, she was a little girl about twelve who brought his lunch (dinner we called it). She was bashful and no thought occurred to us that our lives would be lived together."

Gustave Backman became Bishop Pollard's son-in-law about four months after his death February 1890 when he and Grace Bailey Pollard were married in the Logan Temple June 25, 1890.

"...I had purchased a lot on Jeremy Street, intending to build next to my brother William. Bishop Pollard however wanted me to build on his lot next to the old home on Sixth West Street. He suggested that I sell my lot and buy his... we built a beautiful little home. It first consisted of three rooms, bath and summer kitchen. We afterwards built on two more [rooms] in the rear and two in the attic placing a pretty winding stair in the front hall. We became very comfortable there and there our six eldest children were born."

John Lewis Johnson. Born 18 June 1863 in Oslo, Christiana amt, Norway to Johan Julius Johansson and Inger Kirstine Thoresdotter. Legacy of Sacrifice tells us that because his parents had joined the LDS church his birth was not recorded, the official record then being the Lutheran parish records. John immigrated to the United States with his mother and two of his sisters in May 1866. A member of the 15th Ward, he served in the bishopric for about 16 years, as president of the quorum of the Seventy and as Sunday School superintendent. He accepted a mission call to Norway 1892-1894, even while having been married to Alice Pollard in February 1888.
A blacksmith by trade he was employed in the yards of the Davis Howe company when a cable broke and he was struck by a derrick which crushed his upper body, from which injuries he died as he was delivered to the hospital.

The Husbands, continued

John Wallace Boud. We learn of this man from the history of the 15th ward, LDS Biographical Encyclopedia, his grandson's account in 'Call Back Yesterday' and his obituary. John Boud was born in Keokuk, Iowa; his mother, Rebecca Bailey Boud, had been widowed about a month after the death of husband and father John William Boud, in a steamboat explosion on the Mississippi river. They were Mormon immigrants from England, like the Pollard family. John Wallace was the third child, but only his mother and older brother Edwin welcomed his birth. They would remain in Iowa, and John was baptised in the Mississippi river when 8 years old. The widow Boud married William Bacon with whom she had six children from 1858 to 1868, all in Keokuk.
Assisting in the needs of home John sold newspapers and learned the trade of iron molder at a foundry where his stepfather worked. This trade he would follow in Salt Lake City after 1878. While first settling in Spring City with his wife the need to feed, clothe and shelter his family brought them back to the city and he joined the pioneer iron manufacturer Davis Howe company. He remained there his entire career.
John Wallace Boud was ordained bishop in 1910 by Joseph F Smith for the 15th ward where he served for 16 years. Widowed in 1933, John Wallace Boud passed away at the home of his daughter Jan 7, 1942.

Thomas Clayton Holding. An account included in the posting on www.findagrave.com states that Thomas Holding was born on Jun 3, 1859, to Sarah Middleton Holding, wife of Daniel Holding. It notes that Daniel Holding had passed away about 2 years before and probably Thomas was the child of Mrs Holding and Thomas Clayton. With Mrs Holding moving between Wednesbury and Chester, England the exact birthplace is not confirmed in this source.
A history of Spanish Fork, Utah informs us that Thomas Holding was manager of the shoe manufacturer associated with ZCMI there and his obituary refers to Thomas being "in the shoe industry most of his life." Wife and mother Lovina Pollard Holding passed away in Spanish Fork in 1896. Thomas Holding married Catherine Davis, later divorcing. He died with pneumonia Dec 7, 1934.

The Sons-in-Law, Our Pioneer Grandfathers

Before I move to the next generation, the children of the Daughters, I thought to look again at their husbands. After all, none of us are Pollards. It is the husbands- the bishop's sons-in-law- who gave us our names: Allred, Evans, Puzey, Boud, Holding, Johnson, and Backman.

This has proven to be a task I have had difficulty completing and so may continue on through a few posts. My purpose in this blog is to provide family history. Not 'A' family history or 'THE' family history; I don't want that job! But I wanted to know more about these women, my great grandmother and her sisters, and their families. You have seen already I rely on the efforts of others (Bless Them!) and I hope always to help you access the sources so you can join me in the journey.

James Anderson Allred. First Mayor of Spring City, Utah and at the time of his death considered to be the oldest LDS Bishop serving. He was born in Bedford County, Tennessee and came to Utah territory in 1861 with a company captained by William McKissick. He practiced polygamy as a faithful man of his church and community. When he died in 1904 he left two widows: Mary Ann Pollard and Elizabeth Ann Brough. His parents were William Allred and Sarah Warren. He has lineage back into the American Revolution and thus have you, from this fore bearer. I have recently come upon the Allred Family Association website: http://www.allredfamily.org/ which has provided a fount of information- but not the history I hoped (yet!). Also I have used the book Allred Family in America by Archibald F Bennett , FHL us/can 929.273 AL 57. The obituary included in http://www.findagrave.com/ helped much.

Gustave Hilmer Backman. Born in Sweden, he immigrated with his uncle John Peter Backman at age 13 and, as was the case for so many then, worked to contribute for the ultimate immigration of his parents and other family members. His parents were Samuel Christian Backman and Anna Johanna Andersdotter. Gustave's grandmother Inger Dahlberg is buried in Centerville. He studied by correspondence and was admitted to the Utah Bar to practice law in 1899. LDS, he served a Scandinavian mission 1886 to 1888. His obituary in the Salt Lake Tribune Tuesday morning, November 24, 1931 and Legacy of Sacrifice: Missionaries to Scandinavia 1872-1894, FHL us/can 948 K2b were sources full of highlights. I have read a short autobiography which I have not recently found again and have some temple record sheets he completed by hand that show a masterful penmanship.

There is a bit of variation in the sources I have found for Gustave Hilmer Backman. I imagine there will be in my own history as well, if I do not write it now. How about yours'?

Grace Pollard Backman

Grace, the youngest in this family, was born November 27, 1867. I have always referred to her as Grace Bailey Pollard Backman and I find her in LDS Family Search by that name; though none of her siblings were given their mother's maiden name as a middle name.

Grace Bailey Pollard was MY great grandmother. Very early I formed an attachment: I had been born on her birthday, recall. But by the time I was born Grace seemed to be easily irritated- this I base on the stories I heard as I grew, I do not recall her personally. Her death certificate lists her death on April 1, 1955 as incident to old age. She was 87, and I make a point not to say "only" 87; there may well have been many reasons for irritability. Her obituary which ran on Sunday, April 3, 1955 in the Salt Lake Tribune, cites her church involvement in the 34th Ward Relief Society.

I regret that I may know least about this daughter of Bishop Pollard. Is that a common dilemma in family history? To not have gotten to know the closest kin. I knew her children generally well. I was always pleased to see them, they loomed larger than life to me: Gus-my first job at the Hotel Utah (grandfather told me to drop the Backman name when I applied), LeGrande- I remember the story of the school directors going to LeGrande when grandfather was applying for a position (could he, LeGrande vouch for Ralph's character?) LeGrande had also been a Mission President in South Africa; Milton- had to layoff playing racket ball in his 80s or 90s after having a detached retina from being hit. Lucille- always sweet, as someone from that generation "should" be, but not so sweet that she seemed frail. Where she was small, as I pictured her mother Grace would have been, Edna was large, as I pictured great grandfather Gustave H Backman would have been. Edna laughed aloud. Melvin died as a child, I believe of flu or diphtheria. Harold died before I began to meet the family up in Utah.

The Backmans were city folk, business people. Movers and shakers. 'Backman women don't work' my grandmother had been told (she said) and so the Backman men worked hard: Gus was dubbed Mr Utah for his service in Chamber of Commerce activities, he met regularly with David O McKay (LDS Church president) and Mr Fitzgerald (Salt Lake Tribune publisher) to look at the needs of the city and the citizenry. LeGrande was on the Salt Lake City Board of Education for many years (as had been the father prior to his death in 1933). Milton helped draft the paperwork that set up the WWII Topaz, Utah resettlement center for Japanese Americans. Ralph was principal at South High school for many years and an active educator before and after that. Harold was involved in the steel business in Provo.

All these sons- and I think daughters too looked up to and honored their mother throughout her life. I believe Gustave Hilmer Backman was proud to have married this youngest Bishop's Daughter. By their eight children they had 18 grandchildren, and at the time of her death 30 great-grandchildren. Grace is buried in the Salt Lake City Cemetery.

Alice Pollard Johnson, 1862-1950

The Fifteenth Ward ran from 200 West Street to the Jordan River and from South Temple Street to 300 South Street. I haven't walked it yet. This ward welcomed newcomers from all over the world- as much as Salt Lake City itself did. Alice grew up, having been born in Salt Lake 15 April 1862, with new neighbors from everywhere there had been missionary labor. When we think of it now, it was really quite a small world yet. But Alice grew up at Pollards Court with her sisters and as time came for such things -the beaus.

Undoubtedly her father, Bishop Pollard brought many people to Alice's home. Whether from the work or the church duties the Pollard home surely was a busy, sociable place. Alice was active in this environment.

And then when the time came for such things- there came the beau. John Lewis Johnson. Born in Olso, Norway, he was a blacksmith and active in the Fifteenth Ward. Alice grew up at 36 South 600 West, and when she married John Johnson in 1888 they moved into 42 South 600 West. The neighbors were nice: she had known them all her life! The J.W. Bouds lived at 48 South 600 West and G.H. Backman when he wed younger sister Grace would come to 30 South 600 West. Louisa Evans' family was near, a few blocks and around a corner at 434 West 300 South. Alice's brothers-in-law were in the trades as well. There was work available on the railroads, the LDS Temple, and Salt Lake's infrastructure were needing hands. Whether it was Pollards Court or the entire territory, life had hustle and bustle.
Alice Pollard Johnson would live to be 88 years old. Her age is given as the cause or contributory to the cause of death. She had four children:
Louis Pollard Johnson, 1895-1954, married Dorothy White
Thelma Johnson, 1898-1984, married Jonas Thomas Ryser
Melvin Johnson, 1901- , married Ruth C Jones
Jay Leslie Johnson, 1904-1939
John Louis Johnson died in 1928 when his neck was broken in an industrial accident at the foundry. Their youngest son, Jay also died from an accident when his head was caught on a presser at Utah Clay Products.
Alice and John are interred at the Salt Lake City Cemetery.

Lovinia Pollard Holding, 1860 - 1896

Lovinia died young- 36 years old- and two months after giving birth to her son Mark Wilton Holding. I believe she is buried in the Spanish Fork Cemetery; the family was living in that community at the time of her death.

Lovinia married Thomas Clayton Holding 12 Apr 1883 in Salt Lake City. He had learned the trade of shoe making and when the Spanish Fork Co-operative Mercantile Institution opened a shoe factory he found steady employment, managing that concern. He would be affiliated with the shoe business his entire life.

Lovinia's children ranged from 12 to infant at the time of her death. The oldest was Lenora (1884-1967), her only daughter and later Mrs. Joseph S. Durrant.
The remaining children- sons- were:
Franklin Eugene Holding (1885-1965) wife Reva Pearl Johnson
Thomas Clayton Holding (1887-1957) wife Margaret Elita Dillingham
Henry Richard Holding (1889-1946) wife Evelyn Clara Grua
Joseph Terrence Holding (1891-1983) wife Ida Alice Openshaw
Spencer P Holding (1894)
Mark Wilton Holding (1896-1976) wife Alice Maud Chryst

From the six children marrying, Lovinia had 14 grandchildren. In my research files I do not have a clear record of great-grandchildren. I do know that there are now descendants in the 6th generation. Lovinia's children were definitely a part of the building of the west.

Thomas Clayton Holding is buried in the Salt Lake City cemetery.

Elizabeth Pollard Boud

Elizabeth Pollard was born in Great Salt Lake City 12 November 1857, less than two months after her family arrived. How fortunate that we count her as one of our pioneer mothers- as well as those following her; childbirth was not easy for mother or child on the frontier. It really is no less so today, if the same practices are used. So we are gifted with the lives of Mary Ann and daughter Elizabeth.

Elizabeth grew to maturity in a household of sisters. I cannot- have not yet found an account of that life on Pollards Court. Elizabeth would certainly have had the attention of neighbors and fellow members of the 15th Ward but she did not marry until August 1879 at the age of 22. At this time she was wed to John Wallace Boud, a newcomer of two years earlier who had been born in Keokuk, Iowa in 1854. A member of the LDS Church, he was active in the various administrative levels of the 15th Ward, holding the offices of Elder, Seventy, High Priest, and served as First Counselor to Bishop Ashton before being ordained bishop himself in 1904. He, with his wife Elizabeth Pollard Boud fulfilled this calling until 1920, serving for 16 years.

Elizabeth would certainly have understood the expectations of on bishop's household having been in her parents' home. We will need our Boud  cousins to tell us if there is an extant account left by Elizabeth. A very pleasant photograph of Elizabeth and John Wallace Boud with their adult children is found in 15th Ward Memories. This account informs us that the Bouds were well known and a great credit to the ward and their neighbors. Elizabeth Pollard Boud passed away due to complication of extreme arteriosclerosis which virtually starved her body of life-sustaining fluids. The immediate cause of death is listed on her death certificate as malnutrition. She died at the family home on Emerson Ave in Salt Lake City, 13 Mar 1933. Her husband would follow her on January 7, 1942. They are buried in the Salt Lake City cemetery.
A thoughtful account of the Boud family is provided in "Call Back Yesterday: Our Personal and Family Histories" by Edwin Butterworth  and Dorothy Leetham Butterworth (FHL 929.273 B982be). This account also has great photographs included.
The children of Elizabeth Pollard Boud are:
John William Boud 1880-1964, married Nellie Jeremy
Florence Boud 1882-1953, married Edwin Fielding Butterworth
Joseph Edwin Boud 1884-1976, married Irene Delaney
Elizabeth Boud 1886
Rebecca Boud 1887-1947, married Clarence Eugene Jones
Ella Boud 1888-1977, married Henry Watson
Hazel Boud 1891-1905
Wallace Pollard Boud 1896-1897

Lydia Pollard Puzey

Lydia was born in Deptford, England, the last of the daughters to be born there. She would have a baby brother who would remain only a baby; living only to be six months old.

When I look at pictures of the bishop's daughters they all seem small. How did these girls make it at all! But they did. Lydia would travel across the sea, and then travel across a new country which was yet a frontier. And then live to be 86.

I found wonderful records with photographs of Lydia and her family (including portraits I had not known of before of Joseph and Mary Ann Baily Pollard) in http://www.ancestry.com/ John Crane and others have put much work into their record and kindly have shared it.John is in Mary Alice Puzey Neilson's family.

I was told of Lydia by my grandfather Ralph Backman. She was small, with hair white. She would walk right into the road, holding up her hand to stop traffic until she made it across. And it worked. I do not know what age this would be but I pictured her elderly and small. Grandfather, on a trip to Spring City stopped in to visit aunt Lydia first and when he got to his aunt Annie Backman's home she promptly threw his luggage into the street declaring that if he liked Lydia more he could stay with her. Grandpa said he was just into his teens or younger.

Parts of Lydia's family emigrated to Canada and then some immigrated back again to live in different areas of the country. I have met Robert G Puzey (son of Garland and Nell Bezzant Puzey) and his wife in the Ogden area.

Lydia and her husband Henry William Puzey are buried in Spring City. She died there April 18, 1940. Their children were:
Frederick, 1875 - 1938, married Emily Neilson and Anna Ohlin
Joseph Henry, 1877 - 1962, married Letetia Beckstrom Allred
Albert Edward, 1879- 1955, married Martha Beck
Lovenia, 1881 - 1955, married William Romanzo Mott
Mary Alice, 1882 - 1950, married Carl Neilson
William, 1885 - 1960, married Emma Margaret Robinson
Twentyseven grandchildren made up the next generation.

Louisa Pollard Evans

Born in Deptford, the second child; crossed the plains just as she turned eight. Louisa is also represented in Pioneer Women of Faith and Fortitude (page 925) with a short biography.

I have no record when Pollard's Court was built- or developed, as I have always understood it to be a short street or cul de saq, and not just the family home. I know that it was very near the railroad and that that was to be a meaningful enterprise for Joseph Polllard and several of the in-laws. But Pollard's Court was the home in which the bishops daughters grew up; an "interesting English cottage at Pollards Court" as Pioneer Women states it.

Joseph Pollard would be Bishop in the Fifteenth Ward for about 15 years, and active in the ward administration for as long a time: the childhood years of his daughters. Pioneer Women reports that Louisa did not remain active in the LDS church, but we do not learn if there was a precipitating event or simply a growing apart from this faith in her home and certainly in her neighborhood. It was not unheard of, and many of the early families have branches that left active participation even while remaining active in the society and commerce of the area.

Louisa married Moses Evans, an immigrant from south Wales. They were married March 9, 1866 and had seven children. I believe that Moses had a career with the railroads. Louisa would live to be 80 years old, a widow the last four years of her life, which ended February 1928.

In a Salt Lake City newspaper her obituary ran as follows:
Pioneer Utah Woman Dies After Long Illness
"Mrs. Louisa Pollard Evans, 79, died Wednesday night at the family residence 816 West Second South street, following a lingering illness. Mrs. Evans was the wife of the late Moses Evans and crossed the plains to Utah in 1857.
"She was born in Bettford [sic], Kent, England June 23, 1848. She is survived by the following children: Joseph P. Evans, Mrs. G. M. Cramer [sic], Mrs. Mary Blanchard, Mrs. E. [sic] L. Schefski, Mrs. Floyd T Baysinger and Mrs. Charles Patton all of Salt Lake. The following sisters also survive: Mrs. G. H. Backman Sr, Mrs J. L. Johnson, and Mrs. John W. Boud of Salt Lake and Mrs. Mary Ann Allred and Mrs. Lydia Pusey [sic] of Spring City. Funeral arrangements will be announced later." I believe this was the Salt Lake Tribune, possibly the Telegraph.

Louisa's children were:
Joseph Pollard Evans, 1867-1940, married Frances Emma Olson
Emma Louise Evans, 1869-1953, married George Merrill Creamer
Mary Alice Evans, 1871-1957, married Ira Blanchard
Robert Taylor Evans, 1877-1926, married Eleanor Valentine Sharrock
Louie May Evans, 1881-1953, married Arthur Lewis Schefski
Julia Evans, married Floyd Terrell Baysinger
Grace Evans, married Charles Patton

Mary Ann Pollard Allred

Mary Ann was born August 22, 1846 in Deptford, England. Eleven years old when she arrived in Salt Lake City; of her or her sisters' youth I have found no record. I do not believe they were very different than their neighbors, perhaps a picture will develop as we go. This was a new city for everyone, and a new country for many. There was work to to do at every age. When she was 19, Mary Ann married.
The family lore that I learned was that James Anderson Allred was in Salt Lake City for the LDS Conference. Either as a guest in the Pollard home or familiar with Joseph Pollard through church related service I was told that he broached the marriage subject with Mary Ann's father. James Anderson Allred was bishop in Spring City, Utah, and had been the first mayor of that village. He had as his first wife Elizabeth Parkes. Mary Ann would have to agree to be a plural wife. We know that her parents accepted the principle of plural marriage and that in 1862 Joseph married Ruth Allen. We know, also that Joseph and Mary Ann Bailey Pollard had left their families and community to adhere to their religion.
Mary Ann married James Anderson Allred January 6, 1866. She bore the following children:
Mary Ophelia Allred, 1868 - 1893
James Carlos Allred, 1870 - 1919
Lola Jane Allred, 1873 - 1950
Joseph Delos Allred, 1872 - 1899
Martha Amelia Allred, 1877 - 1963
John Arthur Allred, 1881 - 1971
Mary Ann Pollard Allred passed away October 2, 1930 in Salt Lake City, where she was living with her daughter Amelia and James William Anderson. Her husband had passed away in 1904, as had half her children. Pioneering was not easy, even with the many advances that Mary Ann saw during her life. She is buried in the Spring City Cemetery.

Memorials for Mary Ann Pollard and James Anderson Allred can be found at http://www.findagrave.com/ as can other members of our Pollard daughters' families.

Fifteenth Ward, Salt Lake City, Utah Territory

The Fifteenth Ward, Riverside Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City was organised February 22, 1849. This was not quite two years after the first permanent settlers arrived in the valley of the Great Salt Lake. In October of that year, 1847, there were approximately 2,000 inhabitants and the population would only increase.
More often than not the first chapels were dirt or slat floored log or adobe buildings serving also as school, recreation hall, and in the 15th Ward's case, granary. A larger building was raised at First South between 3rd and 4th West, which still served multiple purposes. This was the Ward Chapel that the Pollards would worship in. Abraham O. Smoot was the first bishop of this ward.
Joseph Pollard was ordained in 1877 as the 6th bishop and a short biography is printed in the book 15th Ward Memories, Riverside Stake 1849 - 1960, printed 1961 (FHL call # us/can 979.2258 K2sa) in Salt Lake City.
Joseph and Mary Ann continued their active participation with their chosen faith in this new community. They lived out their lives in the 15th ward.

John Wallace Boud, husband of Elizabeth Pollard was also bishop of this ward, being called to this position in 1904. John Lewis Johnson, husband of Alice Pollard served as second counselor to the ward bishop and Jonas Ryser served as 1st counselor, he the husband of Thelma Johnson, daughter of John and Alice Pollard Johnson. Other family members also served their ward community in various capacities: Jay Leslie Johnson, missionary US Northern states; Gustave Backman, missionary Scandinavian Mission; James L Johnson, missionary Scandinavian Mission and Sunday School Superintendent, George S Backman, missionary Sweden Mission, Thelma Johnson Ryser, organist; Jonas Ryser, Sunday School Superintendent; Alice Pollard Johnson, YWMIA.
In the years since 1857 (153 years) descendants of Joseph and Mary Ann Bailey Pollard have given much in service to wards, cities, states and provinces, countries and to their beliefs.
I hope I have given an enlightening illustration of the early family and that with your input we will have a good picture of the growing family- the families of the Bishop's Daughters.

Mary Ann Bailey Pollard, 1821 to 1895

This biographical sketch is based on the submission to Pioneer Women of Faith and Fortitude,Vol III which was published by the International Society Daughters of Utah Pioneers in 1996:
'In the year 1848 Mary Ann and Joseph heard the Mormons preach. They were baptised, being the only members of their family to accept Mormonism. On November 18, 1854 they left their home in England to emigrate with a group of 400 Saints on the ship "Clare Mueler" [sic] bound for America.
'By December 30 they sighted land and January 9 they reached the Mississippi and traveled to St Louis by January 22, 1855. Mary Ann was so ill that she had to be carried off the boat.'

This entry does not say what the illness was. The family stayed in the St Louis area until June 1857 when they continued their travel westward. The Biographical Encyclopedia referenced earlier says that their home was open to many Mormon visitors, including LDS Apostle Parley P Pratt, a guest shortly before that missionary's trip into Arkansas where he met his death at the hands of antagonists. Joseph is reported to have found employment in ship building. They were active in the LDS branch in that community.

Pioneer Women says that the family crossed the plains with a handcart, but the Jacob Hoffeins Company was a teamster company. As wagons were full with the necessities of the journey all able-bodied members of the group walked across the great central expanse of America. Esther Stevenson was in the same company; in her pioneer biography recorded in Our Pioneer Heritage/ They Came In 1857 she tells us: "we travelled about 2 miles an hour in a long train of wagons." Encyclopedia does mention the company and both report that during one stampede of livestock there were many injured, including Joseph and Mary Ann.

This company- the Jacob Hoffeins/Matthew McCune Company at times was encamped nearby the camps of Johnson's army which was en route to Utah to put down the reported rebellion. It was a time of great and general unrest and concern. The 'Mountain Meadow Massacre' had occurred on September 11, Governor Brigham Young declared martial law and the Utah Territory militia were ordered to Echo Canyon and other places to impede Johnson's progress. These events can be read in the Church Chronology, A Record of Important Events compiled by Andrew Jenson Assistant Church Historian. The pioneer company arrived in Salt Lake City on or about September 22, 1857

The Pollard family settled in the 15th Ward of Salt Lake City, where Joseph built Mary Ann an "interesting English cottage" (Pioneer Women). He would become Bishop of that ward, as would a couple of sons-in-law. Joseph and Mary Ann Pollard lived the remainder of their lives in that ward, Joseph passing away February 1890 and Mary Ann six years later.

Mary Ann saw many changes in her world- much of it historic, many events heartrending but also many redeeming. Her daughters all married and gave her a great posterity. Pioneer Women concludes with:
'She was firm in her faith and is truly a great pioneer woman to be honored and revered.'

The Beginnings, and a Little of Before

The book Ships, Saints, and Mariners, A Maritime Encyclopedia of Mormon Migration 1830 - 1890 by Conway Sonne published by the University of Utah Press in 1987 gives us a description of the Clara Wheeler.

This square-rigger was built in 1850 in Massachusetts. Its dimensions were 174' by 35' by 27'; it was a three deck ship with square stern and a billethead at its front- the bow. The voyage on which our family traveled was the second under the command of Captain J. F. Nelson. It carried 422 saints with the leadership of President Henry E Phelps and counselors Elders John Parsons and James Crossley. The trip was forced to return to port due to bad weather and when finally making it out of the Irish Channel had to deal with much illness from sea-sickness and then measles. Thirty-three persons died between Liverpool and New Orleans.

Can we find any journey today that would give us insight to this?

My record shows that Joseph Pollard and Mary Ann Bailey were married in Kalherwhite, Surrey, England. I cannot find that location yet but I believe it will be within the metropolis of London, as Deptford is. Deptford, where Joseph joined the shipbuilding industry is across the Thames from London itself and immediately east of Greenwich. I have not found anything to tell us why Mary Ann was in that place, but reasonably it could be thought for economic reasons.

Joseph's childhood was spent in Corfe Castle, Dorset, an area close by the sea and of some historic interest. It is a region of stone quarries. Mary Ann was born in Lifton, Devon, upon the river Tamar which bounds the county of Cornwall and which flows to the sea at Devonport.

This gives a little background to the family that left England. Our advantage is that we can learn more of them. Could they have been able to imagine us? I am convinced that without a hint of the future they pressed forward believing that they were building up a kingdom for a family they could not foresee, could not know. I hope this blog, then might show what that family has done with their legacy.

The Daughters

Joseph Pollard married Mary Ann Bailey 22 Sep 1845 in England. For a glimpse of that time one can go to the writer Charles Dickens. I hope to increase my knowledge and understanding of that time, those places which would have had an impact on this humble, hardworking family. It seems, looking from what vantage I have that the Pollard family was fortunate in many ways.

In 1846, Aug 22 in Deptford, Mary Ann was born. She would end her years in America on 2 Oct 1930 as Mrs. James Anderson Allred.

Louisa followed on 23 Jun 1848. Like Mary Ann, Louisa died in Salt Lake City. Her passing came 1 Feb 1928, following her husband Moses Evans who died 1924.

Lydia was daughter number three. Born in Deptford as well, on 21 Jan 1852, she passed away in Spring City, Utah 18 Apr 1940. Spring City plays a steady part in the lives of our family; some of us are there still. Lydia and her husband Henry William Puzey recently lost a granddaughter-in-law: Anna Nell Bezzant Puzey.

The fourth child of Joseph and Mary Ann Pollard was son Joseph James Pollard, born and died 1854. The family would immigrate to America before the next child was born. This family of parents and three daughters aged 8, 6 and 2 sailed from Liverpool, England Nov 27, 1854 on the ship 'Clara Wheeler'. They would remain in St Louis, Missouri while Joseph earned the means to finish the journey to the Rocky Mountains. This story can be followed in Andrew Jenson's Latter-Day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia.

Five children would be born in Great Salt Lake City. Elizabeth on 12 Nov 1857, who became Mrs. John Wallace Boud, and lived in Salt Lake until 13 Mar 1933. Her grandson Edwin J Butterworth passed away in Provo, Utah on Apr 5, 2010, and grandson-in-law Walter C. Yose passed away 12 Apr 2010 in Bountiful.

Lovinia was born 28 Mar 1860 and would die in Spanish Fork, Utah in May 1896. Her husband was Thomas Clayton Holding.

Alice was born 15 Apr 1862 and would grieve the tragic deaths in industrial accidents of her husband John Lewis Johnson and son Jay Leslie Johnson before passing away 17 Aug 1950.

Benjamin Pollard was born and died in September 1864. Grace was born three years later on November 27, 1867. Grace survived her husband Gustave Hilmer Backman for 24 years, passing away 1 Apr 1955.

It is to these daughters, our pioneer grandmothers that I wish, lovingly, to dedicate this story. I hope you, my cousins of every degree will enjoy, learn from and add to this work. I want you to comment and to share. Please DO correct me! I hope to add a little each week or so.

Ked Kirkham 364 W. 825 North, Sunset, Utah, 84015-3120 and KirkhamKed@gmail.com

Welcome To Our Story, The Story of Bishop Joseph Pollard's Daughters

My name is Ked Kirkham. My great grandmother, with whom I share a birthday on November 27, was Grace Bailey Pollard Backman. Grace was born in Salt Lake City, Utah and was the youngest daughter of Joseph and Mary Ann Bailey Pollard.

There were seven daughters. Joseph and Mary Ann also had two sons, Joseph and Benjamin, who did not survive. I think of this family with feelings of delight and admiration; I can, I am a little removed from them. Although I believe I must have met great grandmother as she died when I was about 3 or 4 years old, I really did not know any of the early generations. Great grandmother liked chocolate and she liked hats. I think that when she was young she was beautiful, something common to the seven young women, the Pollard daughters.

I decided I would approach you, cousins, in this way. Tell us all about the Bishop's Daughter of your heritage. Recollections and legends. We will laugh at the humor together, view with awe the hardships and victories, and we will remember the pioneer family that came across half the world to settle in the valleys of the mountains and became our grandmothers.

Why am I doing this now? It has been on my mind for some time, and then on March 19, 2010 I read that Mildred Lee Baysinger Busk had passed away. I recognized the name Baysinger, and went to my Pollard files; I had nothing after the 1920 census for Julia Evans Baysinger's family! Mildred had lived fairly nearby (Bountiful) and passed away at 101 years of age (I have lived here for about 25 years). I knew then that I needed to learn more of this pioneer family of which I am a part.

Since that time we have had other losses in the families of Joseph Pollard. And we will learn of the passing of others as we go forward. Join me in discovering this family, won't you?