Raymond Orestes Baker and Elma June Smith

Raymond Orestes Baker was born at Beaver, Utah 14 May 1904 to Daniel Ray Baker and Edith Sylvia Twitchell.  He was the oldest of six children.

He graduated from eighth grade in a school of 26 pupils and six grades when 13 years of age.  During this school year a terrible thing happened that should never happen to any boy. His father took sick and died from appendicitis at 3:45 am on 11 November 1917. His mother was just 32 years old and now had six children, including a baby, and a 46 acre farm to care for by herself.  When Raymond was just 14, it was time for raking the hay and the neighbors had turned out to help. The young mare took off and Raymond fell down in front of the hay rake.  His head and shoulders bounced along the ground for over 100 yards. His Uncle Alvin Twitchell was the first to reach him.  He turned him over and knowing some first aid attempted to straighten his twisted neck.  Raymond grunted and started breathing again. He was told that he was at death's door for 4 days and nights fully unconscious.  The elders administered to him and he soon awoke asking for his brother, Shirley, who had gone to town to celebrate the 4th of July. Raymond continued going to school as insisted upon by his mother and he graduated from Beaver High School in 1922. This same year his mother married a neighbor and friend of her deceased husband, Harry Green, who had lost his wife and only child.  This opened the way for Raymond to attend BYU. While a student, he worked on walkways and landscaping on the hill where Maeser Memorial Building is located.  He also worked as a janitor for 25 cents an hour while a student. After two years he taught at the one room school in Frisco after which he taught history in American Fork. He decided to go back to BYU for a higher degree.  He met June Smith, a fellow student, at a get acquainted dance.  They were married 9 May 1928 in the Salt Lake Temple and both worked hard so that Raymond could finish his degree.  Unfortunately, his mother passed away before seeing him graduate.  Raymond taught and was principal at several schools while working various jobs during the summer. They finally built a home in Draper on family land and Raymond continued to teach and to farm.

Elma June Baker (known as June) was born 3 June 1908 to Joseph Lauritz Smith and Melissa Ann Fitzgerald in Draper, Utah.  She became the oldest of nine children.

She grew up on Relation Street in a small home originally built by her great grandfather, Lauritz Smith, for his wife Maren (Mary).  She and Raymond and children built their first home just down the street from her parents.

 First three children, Rita, Ray, and Elma

In her younger years she loved to play softball and was a pitcher.

She kept a beautiful garden and enjoyed sitting on her front porch in the evenings watching the Wasatch Mountains change colors.  June and Raymond had seven children and adopted another daughter for a total of eight.

 Raymond and Elma with adopted daughter, LaRee

Her own father died at the fairly young age of 62, from cancer.  Unfortunately June's husband, Raymond, also died of cancer on 25 August 1975 at just 71 years of age.  June lived as a widow, just as her mother had, for many years. Her mother, Melissa, died in 1982.  June continued on until 21 May 2002 and was a wonderful grandma and great grandma.  She continued to enjoy life.

 June with her daughters, Kathleen, Rita, Elma, and Bonnie

When a new ride opened in an amusement park in California, she would fly down to visit her daughter, Elma, so that they could be the first ones in line.  Raymond and June are buried in the Draper, Cemetery.

Raymond and Elma with all of their children 
and Melissa Ann Fitzgerald Smith

Back row L to R; Phil, Elma, Ray, Rita, Kathleen, Joe

Front row L to R; LaRee, Bonnie, Raymond, June, Melissa

Jordan Brady and Mary Lavina Howell

Timeline: Life of Jordan Brady and Mary Lavina Howell

1843 June 7 - Jordan was born in Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois to Lindsey Anderson Brady and Elizabeth A Hendrickson

1844 Nov 27 - Mary was born in New York, New York to Edmund Wheeler Howell  and Sarah Vail

1850's - Jordan and Mary become acquainted as children at Union Fort near Salt Lake City

1861 Dec 10 - Jordan Brady and Mary Lovina Howell are married in Fairview, Sanpete, Utah

1880 Census: Fairview, Sanpete, Utah with spouse; 9 kids
1900 Census: Fairview, Santpete, Utah with spouse; 4 kids
1910 Census: Fairview, Sanpete, Utah with spouse
1930 Census: Fairview, Sanpete, Utah with spouse

1934 May 27 - Jordan died in Fairview
1934 Sep 20 - Mary died in Fairview
Both are buried in the Upper Fairview Cemetery

At Union Fort in Utah, Jordan and Mary became close friends and met again at North Bend (Fairview) where their romance blossomed into a marriage ceremony performed by Jehu Cox on December 10, 1861. Jordan was 18; Mary was 17. They were among the first settlers of North Bend. In these early pioneer years at Fairview, Jordan helped build the fort, roads and bridges. He helped clear the unbroken land and dig the ditches. With his father, he helped plant and harvest the few acres allotted to them. He helped herd the community flocks and guard against the treacherous Indians. He took part in the skirmishes and became a veteran of the notable Black Hawk War. Their first home which was built of logs, like other homes, could boast of a dirt floor and roof which leaked terribly that first winter. In 1866 they made a team and wagon trip to the Endowment House in Salt Lake City where they were sealed for time and all eternity on April 30, with Apostle Wilford Woodruff officiating. Those early years at Fairview, were fraught with trial, adventure and hardship, But joy and happiness also were felt in their modest home. It was the year 1882 and Jordan was in the prime of life; just beginning his 40th year. The Lord had blessed their home with ten lovely children; a comfortable home; farm property; horses and other animals; as well as stock in the Co-op Store and a sheep herd. But again, they heard and gave heed to the voice of Prophet Brigham Young and responded to a Colorado settlement mission call. Fairview had grown into a beautiful Mormon village, and they loved it. The parting was hard. With two well-equipped covered wagon outfits, they joined the mission caravan on August 10 and began the long trek which ended September 20 of that eventful year, 1882. Little did they realize the trials of poverty and hardship which lay ahead in this unbroken and barren land of alkali and greasewood brush. For nine years the Brady family struggled through this mission call and was blessed with three more precious children; one of whom lived only three months. Following the mission release in 1894 they returned to Fairview.

 

Jordan and Mary Lavina with family in Fairview Canyon

  

The following pages are a memoir written by Jordan Brady

Family picture with 10 children before leaving for the settlement mission to Colorado.

Family picture including all their children after returning to Fairview in 1894.  Sarah Matilda Brady, great grandmother of my husband, Glen, is on the back row on the right side of the first picture and on the bottom row left side in the bottom picture.

Hee Haw Farms with Opal

I received an invitation in October to visit Hee Haw Farm in American Fork with Opal and her preschool class.  We had a great time.

 As you can see, the farm has been around for awhile.

I grew up on an 80 acre dairy farm in Idaho with Jersey cows, a horse, occasional pigs, chickens, and cats and dogs.  There were two tractors, a big flat big truck,  several graders and plows and such, silos, and a big red barn.  As I look back, it was a a great childhood.

This is what it looks like when there is an abundance of corn kernels.

Poor Opal!  Grandma made her look towards the sun to show the field with corn stalks, sunflowers, and ripe pumpkins.

Sorry honey!  It really was bright!

It was a fun day to visit this working farm with a side job and Mt. Timpanogos in the background.  Thanks for inviting me to tag along!

Thanksgiving Point Gardens now Ashton Gardens

Oscar had a rolling good time at the newly named Ashton Gardens this fall.

We stopped by after a birthday party in Draper to see the newly installed bronze statues depicting the life of Christ which had recently been added.

I felt like they had done a very good job of staging with the large blocks of stone and landscaping.

These statues have been brought to full size.  The smaller size bronzes earlier gave the public a glimpse of what was to be.

 I loved this piece!  It was as if one was there at the rising of Lazarus.

There are several statues of Jesus teaching and succoring the women.

Each statue retold a story.

Gethsemane, where He suffered for us all.

And his lonely walk to the end of His mortal life.  It was definitely a worthwhile experience.

These grasses have replaced the concentric circles of blooming flowers as the entrance to the exhibit.  It was a fitting choice.

I loved the glass tulips with the colorful mums.

We had to make a stop in the Secret Garden where the water feature has been redone.  A bit of grandpa/grandson tussle.

And they were off to feed the fish.

So many fish and grandpa had so many quarters in his pocket.

 Oscar decided that he liked close up and personal better.  It was a fun short visit.

One of these things is not like the others!

It was a wonderful October in my hometown!  I may have put the autumn decor on the front door, but beyond the door it was still green and wonderful.

When a few leaves were gone from the trees, the extra sun and milder weather made all of my plants on the front porch happier and fuller and more colorful.

I love October, a mix of fall colors and overgrown summer.

I waited all summer for blooms like these and yes, sunlight matters!