We have had such a wonderful response this time from all of the reporters and would like all to know that the delay in the paper this time is due to the fact that we have not been able to find anyone to type the master sets for us. We do hope you will forgive us this time. We are trying to make arrangements so this will not happen again. We hope you will continue to be prompt with your reports, and we will be on time after this.
Here are some more news items:
JOHN THOMPSON AND JANE SMITH FAMILY:
Reported by David S. Rowley Jr. and his wife Selma
Mrs. Sarah Rowley spent a month in Salt Lake City with her daughter, Mrs. Lenna Bushnell. Lenna is going to summer school at the University of Utah and will teach again this year in Meadow. Lenna and her mother visited with Mrs. LaRue Donaldson in Salt Lake and were lucky enough to run into LaRue’s sister, Beth and her husband and two small sons who were in Salt Lake from California. I don’t know Beth’s married name.
Dr. Dean A. Rowley and his wife and children of Mesa, Arizona were in Spring Glen about a month ago and called on a few of their relatives.
We got a look Saturday at our first grandson and are very pleased. He came from Victorville, California and plans to stay her two week with him lovely mother, Mrs. Jack Rowley, this fine lad is six months old and looks up and smiles when we say Hi Jeffery. His grandfather, David Smith Rowley, Jr. is very proud of him.
A new little John Thompson came to live at 323 Hollywood Ave. in Salt Lake City. He is the son of Lewis Claude and Vera Jones Lockwood. His great-grandfather was John Thompson Rowley. He is number eight for the Lockwood’s and all I can say is God bless them, and congratulations!! I think big families are so very wonderful!
Little Raelynn keep was one of the first youngsters to make an appearance at the new Price Hospital. Raelynn was born July 21, and weighed 5 lbs. 13 oz. She is the first child of Shirley Ann Rowley and Ralph Keele. She is also the first grandchild of Mr. and Mrs. Lee Rowley. She is the great-great-granddaughter of John Thompson Rowley and Jane Smith.
A TRIBUTE TO ZURIAH ROWLEY LYMAN
by Eliza R. Snow
The purest tribute earth can bring
Bright gems that never fade,
Should be for Friendship’s offering
Upon her alters laid.
Let none but who at nature’s shrine
With truthful homage bow,
the sacred wraith of friends up twine
Around her virgin brow.
With Heavenly beauties, not a few,
Will God enrich her crown
Zuie I deam it all your due,
By merit truly won.
Salt Lake City, April 1882
HISTORY OF JAMES ROWLEY:
EXPLANATION:
Since so little has been written of the life of James Rowley, I am going to tell some of the know history of his loved ones, hoping in this way to enrich the small amount of information we have been able to find and perhaps we will be able to find additional facts of interest in these allied histories.
The following chapter will contain a short history of his daughter, Zuriah Rowley.
Zuriah Rowley ws born to her parents, James Rowley and Mat Shirlock, in Fenton, Staff., England, on 15 August 1855. She bore a striking resemblance to her father and his people.
When Zuriah was less than one year old her father left England and many of his loved ones, Mary Shirlock, baby Zuriah, his mother, brothers and sisters, and migrated to Utah. Zuriah’s mother, Mary Shirlock, never left England.
At some time in Zuriah’s childhood, her mother married a man named ?????????? Bailey. Zuriah had several half brothers and sisters who were born to her mother. The ones we know of at this time are Charles, Alfred, George, Elizabeth and Hannah.
Zuriah worked very hard as a child in a pottery. We do not know that she worked for relatives, but it is very probable that she die, for her father’s people were potters by trade.
In 1863, Zuriah’s grandmother, Sarah Wright Rowley and her two Aunts, Mariah Rowley Olon and Abigail Rowley Walters and their families migrated to Utah. Many of Zuriah’s father’s people still remained in England, his sister Mary, who married William Holt, never left England, nor his sister Sarah.
Zuriah’s Uncle Ralph Nephi Rowley, her ????? James Rowley and now her grandmother, Sarah Wright Rowley, and her Aunts Mariah Rowley ???? and Abigail Rowley Walters and their families all settled in Fillmore, Millard, Utah.
Sometime in 1873, Zuriah joined her father and the others in Fillmore. They must have been very proud of her for she was a true Rowley with her eyes spread far apart and her beautiful curly hair and genteel ways and mannerisms.
James Rowley and his wife, Hannah Barrows had four children at this time, James, Abigail, Sarah and Joseph. Zuriah joined this family and was very happy to know them, for they were her half brothers and sisters.
Zuriah’s father, James and his brother, Ralph Nephi had a pottery in Fillmore. James was also a brick mason and owned a farm. James was also a part owner in a flour sill & operated it for many years but this was at a later date.
There were many dances and social gatherings held at this time. Lorenzo Snow Lyman played for many of the dances. One night as he was playing in the orchestra he say the beautiful English girl, Zuriah come in the door. As his eyes beheld her, he knew that here was the girl he wanted.
Following are quotations from his diary:
“Fillmore, April 20, 1874, I played for a dance at Mr. Rowley’s for the little folks.
“Fillmore, June 21, 1874. I took Miss Rowley out walking this evening.
“Fillmore, July, 1874 Miss Zuriah Rowley agrees to keep company with me, with the calculation of marriage provided we suit each other.
“Fillmore, Sunday, July 19, 1874. A wagon load of young folks went berrying in the canyon today. I took Zuie.
“Fillmore, July 25, 1874. I spent the afternoon at the Rowley’s.
“Fillmore, July 26, 1874. I spent the evening with Zuie.
“Fillmore, July 28, 1874 I helped Mr. Rowley lay a wall.
“Fillmore, July 31, 1874 I spent the evening with Zuie and she consented to be my wife.
“Fillmore, August 1, 1874 Spent the evening with Zuie.
“Fillmore, August 4, 1874. Saw James Rowley and he was much pleased and gave his consent.
“Fillmore, August 5, 1874. Saw Zuie this evening.
“Fillmore, August 8, 1874. Saw Zuie this evening.
“Fillmore, August 11, 1874. Saw Zuie this evening.
“Fillmore, August 23, 1874. Saw Zuie the evening.
This is all, as here the diary ends with a lot of blank pages following.
Zuriah Rowley and Lorenzo Snow Lyman were married November 21, 1874 in Fillmore, Millard, Utah, by Edward Partridge, probate judge.
The rest of Zuriah’s story I will tell with direct quotations from letters received from her daughter Rosa Lyman More.
Letter of October 30, 1957. “We never any of our mother’s people and were too young when she passed away to be interested in family histories. My oldest sister was 13 years old, I was the 3rd child, and was ten and the youngest just six weeks. I can remember my mother receiving letters from her mother, brothers and sisters in England, and after her death in February, 1889, we children occasionally wrote to Grandmother Bailey, but really never knew much about them. My father told is she came to Utah to her father James Rowley.
“My oldest sister, Mary Eliza was born in Fillmore in 1875, then they moved to California. My brother Cornelius was born in Carpinteria, California, in April 1877, and I, Rosa, in Santa Barbara, December 1878, Nora, in Carpinteria in August 1880. Another move to Parowan, Utah, for about three years, during which time Ina Dee was born, November, 1882. In 1884 or 85, we came back to California, to San Bernardino, (where my father was born) And in 1888, the final move for my mother. Amasa Henry was born December 31, 1888 and mother died in February 1889, when Amasa was just six weeks old.”
From letter of March 24, 1958. “My mother was a scrupulously neat person, kept us children in all white starched clothes until we had five on us. When I was four, I was learning to sew and knit and crochet, and loved it, — we were all taught to do work about the house and do it right too. No corners left unswept.
From letter of May 14, 1958. “My sister-in-law, Edith Shuman Lyman recalled little things my brother had told her of his child hood days, things that I had not thought of for years. How, for instance, while we lived in Parowan, Utah, we kept the Pose Office, and one day while he men were all away from the then little town, the Indians (probably drunk), raided the town and came into the Post Office, scaring our mother very badly, but doing no damage. And I can remember too, how we would take an egg or a paper to the store and trade for candy. The papers were used for wrapping parcels.
“And my sister Nora wrote me that she remembered how busy our mother was, and how clean and neat she always kept us. As we grow older we have realized how hard she must have worked, for she loved to dress us four girls in white, starched and ironed to perfection. She knitted all our stockings, crocheted, quilted and was a wonderful cook and housekeeper. Nora and I both have beautiful lace she knitted for pillowcases.
“I remember hearing my father tell of meeting my mother when she first came to Fillmore from England. He was playing the accordion at a dance when she came in, and immediately he said to himself, “That’s my girl”, not even knowing who was.
LETTER WRITTEN TO ROSA LYMAN AND HER HUSBAND, WILLIAM MORE
36 Gregory St.
Longton, Staffs.,
England
4/29/1900
My Dear, Dear Niece and Nephew,
Rosa and Will More, I am delighted to have a few lines from you both and to hear that you are well. I see the baby boy looks according to his picture, he is a splendid looking little follow. You can tell Will that I have been to the native land of his father and mother, Airy Scotland. I went from Longton to Liverpool by rail, to the Isle of Man from Liverpool by boat, and from the Isle of Man to Glasgow by boat which is 13 hours sail and a splendid voyage/ it was, and is a splendid country to live in, but what a lovely site to see men building ships down River Clyde. No, Uncle Alfred did not care much for a soldiers’ life, it did not suit him. I am glad to hear that Cornelius did not go to the Philippines or he would probably wish he were home again. I have a friend in a Scotch Regiment, the Leaforth Highlanders, he is with Lord Roberts at Bloeinfontion, he has been in four engagements viz; Nodder River, Magersfontion, Feedesber Deift, & Pasedeberg, where they captured Crouje, the Boer Leader and and 4,000 men and he says he wishes he were safe back in England as he is tired of the war. He was in the Chitial campaign in India in 1892, and the London war of 1898, and not the Boer War, he was present at the Island of Crete when the Turks were massacring the Christians, so he has seen a little active service.
No there are no more great-grandchildren. Theages of your cousins are; Aunt Elizabeth and Will Bennett children: George, age 20, William, age 17, Samuel, age 15 years, their mother and father are dead, children, all single.
Aunt Hannah and William Johnson’s children: William age 16 years, and Alfred, age 9 years.
Uncle George and Elisa Bailey, Children: Glourie, age 6 and George age 1 year.
Uncle Alfred and Minnie Bailey have one child about 12 months.
Uncle Charles and Annie Bailey, children, none.
We had a slight shock of earthquake here about three years ago, only slight shock. I suppose you have no time to ride now you have a child, as he requires a deal of looking after. Uncle George used to ride a wheel.
No more this time so will now conclude by wishing you both a happy and prosperous wedded life and may you both live long and die happy and may you both live as long as you want and never want as long as you live.
The above letter was written by Charles Bailey, half brother to Zuriah Rowley, daughter of James Rowley and Mary Shirlock.
IN MEMORIAL…..
A SHORT HISTORY AND TRIBUTE TO ETHEL MAY BECKETT, WIFE OF JOHN HENRY ROWLEY
Written by Luella Jones Downard, Historian
A funeral was held for Ethel May Beckett Rowley Bearsdall, at the Berg Mortuary Chapel, in Provo, Monday, June 1, 1958.
Ethel May Beckett was born Feb. 8, 1892, in Melbourne, Australia. Her parents were John and Ann Taylor Beckett. She was one of a family of 13 children. She lost both of her parents in death when she was only eight years old. She took turns living with her married sisters until she was old enough to work and support herself.
She was one of the first converts to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Melbourne. She and her family met a young Mormon Missionary, John Henry Rowley, who called on a mission to Australia from Spring Glen Wad, Carbon Stake. He was a son of John T. Rowley and Mary Jane Smith. Their friendship grew and John and Ethel became engaged to be married. He filled and honorable mission and was loved by all who knew him. He returned home and as soon as he could he sent for his sweetheart to come to meet him in Canada.
As a British subject, she could enter Canada but nit the United States until she was married to a citizen of the United States, thus becoming a citizen herself. Arrangements were made for a time and a place of meeting. John Henry was held up by Customs and there was a long delay on his passport. He was not able to keep the appointment. When he did not some as they had planned, she thought he must have changed his mind abour marrying her. When he finally did arrive she had obtained a job and was preparing to earn a return ticket to Australia. When their difficulties were finally settled, they were married in Vancouver, British Columbia, on the 5th of January 1914. She was then a citizen and they journeyed to Salt Lake City, where they were married for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple.
They made their home in Spring Glen, Carbon, Utah. They were both very active in the Church. The following children were born to them: Ethel Jane Rowley, born 1 October 1914; Ruth Adelaide, 19 December 1916; John Henry, 19 February 1919; Cora May, 16 December 1923; John Henry’s father died 31 January 1925, and they decided to go on a trip back to Australia. Their last child, Reginald Charles Beckett Rowley, was born to them soon after their arrival in Australia.
Ethel’s family and friends were very glad to see them and two children,. They were very happy at first. Them times began to get hard for them. John Henry had a bad automobile accident and became very ill. He was in the hospital for months and months, where he finally died 14 August, 1928. He was alone and friendless and homeless in a country that was not his own. He longed with all his heart to return to his beloved country before his death.
After his death their circumstances became even worse and it was with great suffering and sacrifices that Ethel was able to provide and keep her family together. ?? the many hardships they all suffered were very hard to hear. When the girls became 14 years of age (which is the age children are allowed to work in Australia) they obtained work and were able to make things better for the little mother.
Ethel Jane married Russell Stewart Cabtree, 19 March 1938.
Ethel Jane and Ruth Adelaide came to Spring Glen in 1940 to see their old home and visit with their father people.
The war in Europe came and traveling from one country to another was curtailed. Ethel Jane was permitted to return to Australia because she had a husband there, but Ruth had to remain here. She lived for a while with relatives. She lived for about eighteen months before her marriage to Grant Gerber, 19 January 1943 with her cousin Luella Jones Downard, where she was loved and honored as a member of the family.
Twenty years after her husband’s death, Ethel May Beckett Rowley came back to Utah, with some of the family and lived in Provo. While living there, she met Willis Beardall, whom she married for time only, on March 9, 1950. They made their home at 631 East A Street, Provo. They lived happily together for a long time.
The last two years of her life were filled with sorrow, unhappiness and poor health. During this time she became divorced from her husband, Willis Beardall and went to live with her girls. Her health continued to become worse and when she had a heart attack and had to have constant hospital care, she was put in a rest home.
She passed away with her daughter Ruth lovingly caring for her at the rest home, on Thursday, May 20, 1958.
She had great determination and held her family together under almost impossible difficulties. She had a deep and abiding faith and a sure knowledge a that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is indeed the only true Church. She was returned to her husband, family and friends who had passed on before her. She was dearly loved and cherished by all who knew her.
She is survived by the following: sons: John Henry, Salem, Oregon; Reginald Charles Beckett Rowley, Annapolis, Maryland; three daughters: Mrs. Russell (Ethel Jane) Crabtree; Mrs. Grand (Ruth Adelaide) M. Gerber; Mrs. Lloyd (Cora May) Crabtree, Sale, Australia; Nine grandchildren; two sisters: Mrs. Emma Land, Mrs. Olive Diamond, Melbourne, Australia; one brother, Harry Beckett, Melbourne, Australia.
JAMES ROWLEY AND MARY DAY FAMILY:
Dearden A. Jennings is serving an L. D. S. Mission and is really enjoying his work, so his mother, Myrtle Deardon Jennings reports. Myrtle is the daughter of Thomas Davies Deardon and Elizabeth Rowley who was the daughter of James Rowley and Mary Day.
