HISTORY OF
ELIZA CATHERINE THAYN JONES
This is Irene Jones Marshall's Grandmother
From Jones Family |
Compiled by Velda Jensen and Ida Wall
My first three years were spent in Iowa. I was born July 28, 1858, in Lynn County, Iowa. Tho I can’t recall my early years, my Mother said that in Iowa we were prosperous and lived comfortably. When they heard of the gospel, they readily accepted it. They sold out and came to Utah, giving up all for the gospel. We crossed the plain to Utah in the year 1861.
The trek to Utah was a peaceful one, with no trouble from the Indians. My oldest brother Nephi, drove one team of oxen across the plains and my Father, John Johnson Thayn drove the other. My Mother’s name was Sidney bower Thayn. There were seven children who came across the plains. My brothers and sisters’ names appear in the order of the oldest to the youngest: Mary Ann, Nephi, Johnny, Ellen, Jane, Fannie, myself, and Emmy. All of these have since died.
My mother while living in Iowa devoted much of her time for the caring of the sick. She acted as midwife and her presence in a sick room was ever welcome. Her knowledge of medicine and caring for the sick was indeed a help while crossing the plains. She acted in her capacity as midwife and helped those with illness while on the trip.
Because of her understanding of the children’s need for nourishing food she walked most of the way and drove a small herd of cows. She strained the milk in the churn in the morning, and hung the churn on the side of the wagon. By nightfall we would have butter to eat, so we were provided for better than many.
We settled in Salt Lake City. My Father started in the saw milling business in Mill Creek Canyon. There is a canyon there now named Thayn’s Canyon, after my Father. Everyone was quite poor. We could not all afford to have shoes, so the smaller children went barefoot in the summer and in the winter months, Mother made shoes for us by sewing overall cloth in our stockings. When we went outside we put on heavy old shoes over them. She spun yarn and knitted good warm stockings for us to wear.
We couldn't all afford to go to school either, because of the tuition fee or lack
of clothes. The fee for tuition was three dollars a quarter. Tho it seems a
small sum now, at that time money was scarce
In the evenings my Mother would sew for other people, after the children were put to bed. When we were older we went to Sunday School and meeting. Later concerts were held once a week on Thursday, that we were privileged to attend. At the big Theatre we attended a Matinee of Cinderella and The Glass Slipper.
My Father hauled granite used in building the Temple. Conference days were days we looked forward to. Our folks from Farmington came for conference. I often went with my folks to the tithing yard. In the fall of the year they loaded vegetables or lumberand eggs to pay their tithing. My Father helped guard President Brigham Young when some of the people would try to make trouble.
My sister Fannie, one year and three months older than I, and myself did the housework and all the washing for the large family from the time we were big enough to work, while my Mother worked in the garden and continued her work as midwife.
A thrilling experience in my life occurred when I was twelve. My Mother sent me to the stream for a pail of water. While dipping the water I heard a shrill whistle. It was the arrival o the first train to Salt Lake City.
I was very proud of my calico dress. I wore it only to Sunday School and Meeting. As soon as I came home I had to take it off and keep it just for best.
I lived in Salt Lake with my parents until I was seventeen. Then I met a young fellow from Maine, who was employed by my Father. His name was Elisha Allen Jones. My parents had discouraged our friendship because Elisha was not a member of the church. As a man he was very well thought of. At last we had decided to take the step. Elisha sent me a letter in which he urged me to run away with him. It had always been difficult keeping secrets from my sister Fannie, who was so mischievous. So I tucked it in my petticoats and thought it safe. That evening when I retired I found the letter was missing. I retraced my steps during the day, but to no avail. I was afraid to think what would happen if my sister Fannie should find it. I knew she would go to Father. However, the following day nothing was said. That evening was the wedding party for my brother Johnny. Elisha was invited. Unknown to me Father had found the letter and given Elisha his consent to our marriage. That was one of my happiest evenings.
We were married on June 9, 1875. We moved up in Mill Creek Canyon where my Father owned and operated a saw mill and I cooked all that summer for Father’s hired help. Shortly after we were married Elisha was converted and baptized into the church. Since then he took active part in the music departments in the organizations.
We later moved to Woodland on the Provo River, where we made our home for eight years. The first winter we were there, the snow was so deep we built steps in the snow. In the evening we read to each other.
We moved to Castle Valley in 1885 on the Old bill Powell Ranch or Wilson Ranch, Southeast of Castle Dale. Later we were one of the first families to settle in Castle Dale. Here Elisha owned and operated a brick yard. Some of the bricks used in the old meeting house, that has since fallen down, were made by Elisha.
I have been an active member in Relief Society until my health failed.
I have had nine children: Allen Elisha Jr., John Edward, Lindley Elmer, Edith Adella, Murvin Leroy, Ida Mae, Wallace Raymond, Rolland Orlando, Herbert Arthur, and have 51 grandchildren, and 43 great-grandchildren.
Eliza Catherine Thayn Jones died at the age of 83 on December 27, 1941. She had been a widow since March 17, 1931. Two weeks preceding her death she fell and received a fractured hip. Her death was caused from age and complications.
This is the Jones Family Album You'll find Catherine Thayn Jones here. |
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