JOHN ROBERTS
John
Roberts was born March 16, 1849 at Eglwysbach,
Wales.
During his childhood he worked with his brothers and sisters in
assisting to support the family, often helping his father who was a
shoemaker. John received baptism at the
hands of his father, Hugh Roberts, on May 9, 1857, and was confirmed the same
day by his father. The persecutions of
the Saints in Wales had reached such a point
that at times they were almost unbearable.
Even their lives were sometimes in danger. Consequently, John received very little
education in the common schools, as he was molested terribly by his associates
and he remained away from school to avoid their taunts. As a result, his schooling throughout his
life was one of experience, but he was one who lived and learned.
When
John was 15 his family emigrated to America…He was the only son in his
father’s family to come to Zion, his son Robert preferring
to remain in Wales. Thus according to the patriarchal order, John
became the head of the Hugh Roberts family upon his father’s death. The family arrived in Salt Lake City in 1864 after a hard and
strenuous journey across the plains, John having walked all the way. Times were hard and during the first winter
he hauled wood for a man from a nearby canyon, taking every third load as his
pay.
Circumstances
grew no better by spring so his father decided to move the family to Smithfield, as conditions there seemed
more favorable for making a living. At
this place his father was engaged mostly in farming and logging in the
canyons. He always had time to perform
his duties in the Church, having taught the deacons for several years and was
active as choir member. John loved music
very much. It was a natural gift and art
which had been developed as a child in his home, as all Welsh children are
taught good music from their infancy. He
was ordained an Elder May 16, 1868, by William White. Six years later on July 9, 1874, he married Eliza Marie Sorensen, daughter of Lars Christian and
Carrie M. Abrahamson Sorensen, in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City. Twelve children were born to them.
On April 7, 1881 John married Fannie Lazell
Akins, daughter of Benjamin and Levenia Noble Akins
in the Endowment House. Polygamy was
generally practiced throughout the Church at this time. Thirteen children were born to them. Plural marriage being against civil law, it
became necessary for John and his families to seek new homes as the United States Marshals had been sent to
molest and imprison all polygamists.
Many were the nights John spent away from home in secret places to avoid
them, even remaining in hiding for several days at a time.
To
gain more security from the officers of the law, the family moved to Bear Lake Valley, Idaho, arriving there Sep 7, 1883. They located on a farm John
had previously purchased which was then a part of the Liberty Ward, but came
within the boundaries of the Lanark Ward when a division of the Ward was made.
Imagine
if you can their feelings as they arrived at their new home. It was 11 o’clock at night when they reached
their journey’s end. No
one to greet or welcome them.
They built a camp fire and ate a supper of hot milk and bread which had
been purchased at Bishop Austin’s on the way.
Their supplies had run low as they had been three days on the way. A rude house without doors or windows
sheltered them that night and amid the howls of coyotes on the nearby hills,
they spent their first night on the ranch.
For a long time one cow furnished a scanty supply of milk for the two
families and their main diet besides milk consisted of bread, butter at times,
and potatoes, with wild game occasionally.
Sickness often came and even death, but through their courage and faith
they were able to withstand all of the trials.
The
original farm was made up of 160 acres and purchased for around $400-500. Years later 320 acres more were homesteaded
above what was known as the Miles Creek Canal. John spent all his spare time in the canyons
getting out material for building barns, fences, corrals, etc. On the additional land he built one of the
best farm houses in that part of the valley and put into it all the
conveniences and comforts within his means.
This was Eliza’s first home after the original two-room log house in
which both families lived for several years.
John also purchased the Peter Beck home adjoining his land and Fannie
lived there.
John’s
first machinery consisted of a mower, a cradle and a scythe. But at the time of the sale of his farm, he
had every kind of farm implement and tool necessary to carry on the work of a
modern up-to-date farm. The machinery
was always the best and was well cared for.
John was considered one of the most successful farmers in Bear Lake Valley. His crops were among the best and his
livestock often won prizes at the county fairs.
For
many years there was no money with which to transact business. John often paid a bushel of wheat for a dance
ticket. At one time he drove a herd of
sheep through the mountains to Smithfield to obtain money to liquidate
some of his debts. Working bees were
organized among the neighbors for the purpose of building fences and other
work.
As
he became more prosperous he made yearly trips to Brigham City after fruit, requiring about
a week to go and return. The children
recalled the thrill they would feel when John returned with a load of
fruit. John always worked to fill the
bins and cellars with supplies for the winter.
He also went regularly to Salt Lake to conference usually in the
spring. He always took one of the
children on his trips until each had had his turn. He hauled rock for building the Logan Temple and was present at the
dedication of both the Logan and the Salt Lake Temples.
In
1900 John built a reservoir on his land, enabling him to retain the spring flow
for his land, especially his garden. He
took great pride in this and often would show visitors through it pointing out
the fact that there were few weeks. Many
vegetables were sold in nearby town, especially Montpelier.
When
Lanark Ward was organized, John was made leader of the choir, which position he
held for many years. In 1900 he was
ordained a High priest, having been ordained a seventy Aug 21, 1886 by Thomas Minson.
In
the fall of 1902 John and Eliza moved to Paris so that his children might
have the opportunity of attending the Fielding Academy. He was a firm believer in education and delighted in his children’s
scholastic attainments. Four of them
received college training. He joined the
Bear Lake Stake Choir after moving to Paris. He had a wonderful bass voice, being able to
sing lower than any one else in the choir.
He loved good music, he disliked ragtime and jazz. His idea of a pleasant evening was one of
music, especially singing. All of his
children are more or less musically inclined.
In
the fall of 1917 John sold his farm to Ernest Hymas. Reuben, Milford and Lyman had been called
into the armies of the United States in World War I, and he could
no longer run it without them. He
purchased a home in Paris for Fannie and took a
well-earned rest. He loved the Gospel
and taught his children the principles of the Gospel and delighted when he saw
his children in the line of duty.
John
was a large man, at one time weighing as much as 260 pounds. He and Eliza made several trips to Salt Lake and Logan Temples and performed work for their
kindred dead. It was in the fall of 1923
that his health broke down entirely. He
had been suffering for many years from Bright’s
disease. He and Eliza had been to
October conference in Salt Lake City. They stopped in Ogden to visit with Milford and his family, then they came to Dora’s house and stayed for a week. He insisted on seeing Elsie in St. Anthony
before returning home even though the physical strain was too severe for a man
of 74. Shortly after they had arrived
home, he said to Eliza, “Well, I have been to see all my children living
outside of Bear Lake and I feel that something is
going to happen.” Within a month he was
dead. His old ailments appeared with
complications and after less than one week of illness he passed away Dec 3, 1923. During the last day or two his
knowledge of the Welsh language, his mother tongue, came back to him and he
talked as fluently in Welsh as he had done as a boy.
His
funeral was held in the Paris 2nd Ward at 11
o’clock
on Thursday, Dec 6, 1923, both of his wives and all
his children in attendance. With his
approval and blessing, the Hugh Roberts Family Association was organized at Logan, Utah, on the 20th day
of August 1923. He, with a large representation
of both branches of his family, participated.
He was unanimously elected the first present of the association. He was very happy on the occasion of that
reunion of the family. His presidency of
the association though short of duration is a mark of honor to the family and
fitting crown of glory to him. His
participation in the organization and his position in the furtherance of the
great work of his family and race will at no distant time be proclaimed the
greatest act - the crowning glory of his splendid life for it will reach into
eternity and become more potent with power and glory as the eternities come and
go.
The
morning of John’s funeral broke clear and cold over Paris, Dec
6, 1923,
and as the hour of 11 a.m. neared, the relatives and
friends gathered to pay their last respects and to honor his memory. Bishop Daniel Price called the assemblage to
order. The High Priests Quorum of Bear
Lake Stake, of which he was a member, attended in a body and the meeting house
was well filled. The ward choir sang
“Though Deepening Trials Throng Your Way, Press On, Press On, Ye Saints of God.”
Prayer was offered by Elder Morris D. Lowe of the Stake Presidency. Elder D. R. Roberts, his nephew, spoke
briefly on the life and labor of John and his nature so high minded, delicate
and susceptible to the slightest touch of things around him, and to spiritual
influences. His
musical talent and deep love for the beautiful.
Elder
Samuel Matthews, a neighbor and acquaintance of many years, spoke of his
sterling qualities, his integrity and honesty.
Elder Roy A. Walker, president of the Bear Lake Stake spoke. He trusted that the spirit the deceased had
manifested would reach each child of this wonderful and large family. He blessed the bereaved family. A quartet, L. T. Shepard, Herbert Spencer, Mary
E. Lewis and Sister Spencer sang “I’ll Go Where You Want Me To
Go, Dear Lord, I’ll Be What You Want Me To Be.”. Elder Edward Rich, the Montpelier Stake
President, dwelt upon the exemplary life and character of the deceased. Admonished the family to be
united to the end and to honor their father throughout their lives. Elder William L. Rich honored him as a worthy
man who had lived beyond the allotted time for man and had done well.
Bishop
Daniel Price expressed thanks for the kindnesses at this time of
bereavement. He said the Ward had lost a
pillar of strength. John was interested
in others and ready to reach out and help those in need. He gave the family his blessing. The choir sang “Abide With
Me.” Benediction was pronounced by Elder
Alma Findley. Friends and relatives
followed the hearse to the Liberty Cemetery seven miles away, where the
remains were deposited in the last resting place with loved ones whose mortal
remains he had previously assisted in laying away. Those assembled bade a hurried adieu and
separated for their several places of abode.
The day turned cold, with a bleak cold wind blowing from the northwest
and it closed with a snow storm and blizzard—the dead at rest—the living left
to ponder upon the things of life, and to begin anew upon the morrow the battle
of life.
