January 1964
To my dear children, I want to prepare a history of our family to leave with you, so that you, your children, and your children’s children will know of our life here on the earth. This journal will not only include the facts of my life alone, although I shall be the one to write it, but rather, I want to make it a history of our dear little family, so that those who come after may know what occupied our thoughts and days. I want those who will read it to know of my great love for my husband and children. I would hope that as our life story unfolds, it would stimulate faith in the hearts of our dear ones, to live close to our Heavenly Father, for this has been the way we have tried to live, and this would be our most ardent wish.
I don’t write this story to be presumptuous or because I felt I had any talent to write, for I feel humble in my efforts, but rather I write because we are asked to leave a record of our lives, and there is some “drive” within me, which compels me to write the facts as they occurred.
To all who may read this, may you do so in the spirit which I have written this record.
Bessie Rogers (Ericksen)
I was born Oct. 8, 1918 in Snowflake, Arizona ( Navajo County). I was the third child and daughter of Marion Rogers and Leonora Smith.
Parents:
My father, Marion Rogers, was born 18 June, 1887 in Snowflake (Apache Co.) Arizona. He was the fourth child and son of the ten children of Andrew Locy Rogers and Clara Maria Gleason, who pioneered into Snowflake in 1879, the year following the settlement of Snowflake, July 21, 1878.
My mother, Leonora Smith, was born 2 April 1886 in Snowflake, Arizona and was the fourth child of the twelve children of Joseph West Smith and Sarah Ellen (Nellie) Marsden. Her parents came into Snowflake also in 1879 with Jesse N. Smith and family.
Grandparents:
My grandfather, Andrew Locy Rogers, was born 19 Dec. 1854 in Salt Lake City, utah. He was the second child (Son) of the twelve children of Thomas Rogers and Aurelia Read Curtis Spencer He died in St. Johns, Ariz. 20 Nov. 1943. Was buried in Snowflake.
My grandmother, Clara Maria Gleason, was born 28 May 1860, at Farmington, Davis Co. Utah. She was the sixth and last child of John Streator Gleason and Desdomona Chase. She died 26 Dec. 1932, at Mesa, Ariz. Was buried in Snowflake.
My grandfather on the Smith line, Joseph West Smith, was born 6 Sept. 1859 at Minersville, Iron Co., Utah. He was the eldest son and second child of Jesse N. Smith and Margaret Fletcher West. When he was five years old his mother died of appendicitis (then called intestinal ). He was reared by the first wife of Jesse N.Smith and the sister to his mother, Emma Seraphine West. He (Joseph W.) died 22 Nov. 1944 in Snowflake, Arizona and he is buried there also.
My grandmother, Sarah Ellen (Nellie) Marsden, was born 16 Dec. 1860 at Provo, Utah. Her parents, William Marsden and Sariah Scovil had five children—Sarah Ellen was the third in the family. The family were some of the earl settlers of Parowan, Iron Co., Utah. Sarah Ellen (Nellie) married Joseph W. Smith and pioneered into Snowflake in 1879 the year following the settlement of the community.
Great-grandparents ( Rogers):
My great grand-father, Thomas Rogers, was born 15 Aug. 1827 in Falkcick, Stirling, Scotland. He died 16 Sept. 1896—at Farmington, Davis, Co., Utah. His father was Archibald Rogers and his mother was Iabella Wilson. He married on 27 Mar. 1851 Aurelia Read Curtis Spenser, and this couple were the parents of twelve children.
Aurelia Read Curtis Spencer, my great-grandmother, was born 4 Oct. 1834 in Deepriver, Middlesex, Conn. She was the daughter of Orson Spencer and Catherine Curtis. Her mother died before the family crossed the plains and Aurelia helped to mother her brothers and sisters. Aurelia S. Rogers is the founder of the primary organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She died 19 Aug. 1922 at Farmington, Utah. One of the Heritage Halls (woman’s dormitories) at Brigham Young University bares her name.
My great-grandfather, John Streator Gleason was born 13 Jan. 1819 at Livonia, Livingston, New York. His parents are Ezekial Gleason and Polly Howard. He died 21 Dec. 1904 at Pleasant Grove, Utah. He married Desdemona Chase on 8 Nov. 1839 and they were the parents of six children.
My great-grandmother, Desdemona Chase, was born 3 April 1821 at Sparta, Livingston, New York. Her parents were Isaac Chase and Phoebe Ogden. She died 18 Feb. 1884.
Great-grandparents (Smiths):
My great-grandfather, Jesse Nathaniel Smith, was born 2 Dec. 1834 at Stockholm, St. Lorence, New York. He was the third child (son) of Silace Smith (a brother of Joseph Smith Sr., father of the prophet—thus Joseph Smith, the prophet and Jesse N. were first cousins.) His mother was Mary Aikens, and after the death of her husband in Pitsfield, Illinois she moved to Nauvoo with the saints. Later, she and her two small sons, Jesse only thirteen, started their trek across the plains, June 9 1847, with “Parley’s” Company. Mary Aikens 13 Aug. 1797 in Barnard, Windsor Co., Vermont. She died 27 Apr. 1877 at Parawon, Utah. Jesse N.’s father, Silas, was born 1 Oct. 1779 at Derrifield, Rockingham, New Hampshire. He died at Pittsfield, Illinois 13 Sept. 1839. There were three children: John Aikens, Silace and Jesse N.—John died at the age of 6, on 27 Nov. 1838. Jesse N. married five wives. His second wife, Margaret Fletcher West was a younger sister of his first wife. He (Jesse N.) had 44 children. Jesse N. was the first president of the Snowflake Stake—which before that was called Eastern Arizona Stake. He (Jesse N.) died in Snowflake, the community which he helped to settle and which he loved. He died 6 June, 1906.
My great-grandmother, Margaret Fletcher West, was born 22 May 1838 at Shalkall, Beuton Co., Tenn. She was the second wife and sister to the 1 st wife of Jesse N. Smith. She died while her husband was on a mission to Denmark—leaving two small children, Adelaide Margaret and Joseph West. She died 1 Feb. 1864.
My great-grandfather, William Marsden, was born 15 Mar. 1814 in Old Home, Lanes, England. He died 4 June 1890 in Parowan, Utah. He married Sariah Scovil 16 September 1856. His father was Abraham Marsden, and mother was Hannah Thornton.
My great-grandmother, Sariah Scovil was born 27 Apr.1837 in Mantwa, Portage, Ohio; she died 20 June 1868 at Parowan, Utah. Her parents were: Lucius Nelson Scovell and Lura (Lucy) Snow.
My Husband’s Genealogy:
Francis Willis Ericksen, was born 24 September 1915 at Brigham City, Utah. He was the first child (of three) of Francis Eric Ericksen and Virginia May Gilbert. He married me 3 April 1944 in the Arizona Temple. We have had 3 children: James Willis, MaryAnn, and Christine.
Parents:
His father, Francis Eric Ericksen, was born 31 December 1893 at Mt. Pleasant, Utah. He was the third child of nine of Erick Henry Ericksen and Anne Christine Monsen. He was married to Virginia May Gilbert 23 December 1914. They were parents to three children: Frances Willis Ericksen, Franklin Russel Ericksen, and Frances Virginia Ericksen (Cox).
His mother, Virginia May Gilbert, was born the 17 March 1834, in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was the second child (of three) of James Alexander Gilbert and Hannah Elizabeth Wallis. Her brothers and sisters were: Kathryn Ann Gilbert (married Albert H. Swinyard); Virginia May Gilbert and James Franklin Gilbert. Her mother, (an L.D.S.) died with thyroid fever when Virginia was 5 years old, and the three little children were reared by their grandmother, Anna Maria Palmer Wallis.
Willis’ grand-parents (Ericksen)
The grand-parents on the Ericksen side were: Erick Henry Ericksen, born the 29 Oct. 1866 in Mt. Pleasant, Sanpete Co., Utah. He died 6 December 1928. He was the eldest son of 9 of Erick Berthel Ericksen and Else Maria Søndergaard. He married Anne Christine Monsen, 19 December 1888. They were the parents of nine children.
Willis’ grand-mother, Anne Christine Monsen, was born 10 March 1870 in Mt. Pleasant, Sanpete Co., Utah. She was ______ child of ( ) Peter Mogensen and Anne Christine Christensen. She died 25 November 1942 at Price, Utah.
Willis’ grand-father, James Alexander Gilbert, was born 21 June 1866 at Wilmington, New Castle, Delaware. He was the son of John Gilbert and Catherine ?. We know very little about his people—he came west as a young man—19 or 20 years old. He met and married the young mormon girl, Hannah Elizabeth Wallis, on 4 May, 1892. They were the parents of three children: Kathryn Anne, Virginia May, James Franklin. The grand-father in his later life lived at the home of his daughter, Virginia, and died 19 Sept. 1933 at Deer Park, Washington.
Hannah Elizabeth Wallis was born 16 Apr. 1873 in Mt. Pleasant, Sanpete Co., Utah. She was eldest (of eight) child of John Joseph Wallis and Annie Maria Palmer. She died 20 October 1899 leaving three small children—the youngest three years—for her mother to rear.
Great-grandparents
Willis’ great-grandfather, Erick Berthel Ericksen, was born 5 November 1841 in Risör, Norway. He married Else Marie Søndergaard 3 December 1865 and died 18 November 1889. They were the parents of nine children.
He great-grandmother, Else Marie Søndergaard, was born 3 December 1848 at Norre Sundly Alborg, Denmark. She died 9 December 1918 at Mt. Pleasant, Utah.
His great-grandfather, John Gilbert, was born abt. 1834? in Edingburgh, Scotland. No information is available now as in his death or family. His wife, we believe was named Catherine, and she may have been born in Wales. (We are anxious to find more on these good people and this has been the object of our genealogical search for the past few years.)
Peter Monsen, my husband’s great-grandfather, was born 8 April 1830 in Rudkjobing, Langeland, Denmark. He died in March 1924 in Mt. Pleasant, Utah. He was a missionary to Denmark and played a part in the establishment of that mission.
His wife, Anne Christine Christensen, was born 8 October 1848 in Copenhagen, Denmark.
A Testimony by F.W. Ericksen Written November 1974
As I look back on my life, I realize how the Lord has poured out his blessings upon me and my family. For this I am humbly grateful. There have been many answers to my prayers, nothing spectacular, but in quiet ways the Lord has blessed us.
One outstanding and direct answer to the prayers of my wife and I, came to us after years of fasting and prayer. We had only one child and were disappointed that we could not have more. One summer, while I was still in dental school, we came to Snowflake to help at home while Bess’s mother was in the hospital. It was conference time and Elder Mark E. Peterson was the visitor. President Jesse M. Smith asked Bess to entertain Elder Peterson and his wife at our home. Of course we had an opportunity to discuss our problem with Elder Peterson, and he offered to give Bess a blessing. In the beautiful blessing that ensued, he made no direct promise that we would have more children but prayed that we would be patient and content, and at the proper time our desires would be fulfilled.
We returned to Portland, Oregon to finish my senior year at dental school. The following year we were invited back to Snowflake again by Bess’s parents to take care of their property while they filled a mission in the New England States. About a year later the Snowflake ward was divided and I was called to be bishop of the Snowflake 2 nd Ward. While being ordained and set apart to this office by Elder Delbert L. Stapley, and with no prior knowledge of our desire for a family, he promised me and my wife more children. It was a touching experience for us. A year and half later MaryAnn was born and Christine followed 15 months later. What a glorious blessing to our family these two daughters have been.
I would like to relate one more incident which was a direct answer to our prayers. About 25 years ago it was discovered that I had glaucoma, a serious eye condition. I was able to control it through the years with medication. About three years ago, a complication with a cataract necessitated an operation. This was very discouraging to me, because my profession was in jeopardy.
Again it was Stake Conference time. Bishop Robert L. Simpson was the visitor. President Taylor arranged for a private interview with him early Sunday morning. After visiting quietly for a while he administered to me and gave me a blessing. In the blessing he promised that my sight would be restored and that I would be able to see as long as I remained upon the earth, and until my mission was completed. What a blessing of hope this was to me.
It would take too long to tell of the operations and anxieties before this blessing was fulfilled, but the Lord has given me 20/20 vision which is far more than I ever hoped for. My heart is full to over-flowing with thanksgiving for his goodness to me.
Even As They
For me no hard fought pioneering,
Of unmarked trails over forbidding lands,
No stubborn earth-sought harvest yielding,
No threatening hostile Savage bands.
For me the ancient silent loom
Is stilled in history’s distant night,
My life’s sun-filled brilliant room
Makes no place for musty memories’ sight.
But still my untaught soul must earn
Its place—must conquer pride, and hate, and greed.
And with the lessons form my Father learned,
Present a life judged worthy of his seed.
Written for the Stake Relief Society
Story and Poem Contest 1965.
(Won 3 rd prize $5.00) Bessie R. Ericksen
Our Children:
James Willis Ericksen, born 10 July, 1945 in San Antonio, Bexar Co, Texas.
Blessed August 5 1945 by F. W. Ericksen.
Baptized August 1 1953 by F.W. Ericksen.
Graduation 8 th grade 15 May 1959.
Ordained a Deacon August 4 1957 by Frances W. Ericksen
Ordained a Teacher July 19 1959 by Frances W. Ericksen
Ordained a Priest July 23 1961 by Frances W. Ericksen
Duty to God Award December 13 1962
Eagle Scout Award February 5 1960
High School Graduation May 24 1963— Snowflake Union High School
Brigham Young University September 1963-June 1964
Ordained an Elder 9 August 1964 by Frances W.
Patriarchal Blessing July 20 1958 by Hyrum Broadbent—Snowflake
Mission Call: to the Northern Indian Mission—August 20 1964
Departed to Mission 12 October 1964
Endowed 15 August 1964 in the Arizona Temple
Returned from mission: (returned to the “Y” September 1966)
Called to Bishopric of Kaiserslautern Branch March 6 1971
Sustained March 7 1971 set apart by…
Drafted into the army November 14 1969 at Albuquerque NM
Basic training Ft. Ord California
Finance Division in San Francisco
45 th Finance Division in Kaiserslautern, Germany July 1970
Ordained: High Priest in Kaiserslautern, Germany
Married: to Susan Jayne Inman: December 27 1973
Children: Amy Beth Ericksen born 1 June 1975
David Ryan Ericksen: born 9 March 1977
Accountant for Eastern Arizonan College September 1975
Called the Ward Clerk in the Thatcher Ward: September 1975
Todd Daniel born March 1 1979
Attended ASU—Summer of 1979—also took courses at EA in Accounting, etc.
Moved to Mesa, bought a house at 922 South Lesueur
MaryAnn Ericksen:
Born 15 December 1956 at Holbrook, Navajo County, AZ