Springville and Arizona
We were prospered in Springville until 1876 when two of my boys, Albert and Charles were called to go and help colonize in Arizona. Accordingly, they fitted themselves with wagons and teams and started in February and settled on the little Colorado near Sunset Crossing. Albert returned to Springville the same summer but Charles stayed until 1878 when he came back and spent the summer returning in the fall to Arizona. In the meantime, May's health was so poor and it was thought that a journey might do her good and with the encouragement of her father we fitted out and went with Charles. May was benefited by the move, but never entirely recovered her health, and when in the spring of 1882 she wanted to return to Springville, we again commenced the homeward journey. Alas the sands of life were too nearly exhausted and when we reached the Houserock Springs we stopped with brother Jedediah Adair who lived there at the time. They were so kind, and though she lived only two or three days it was a great comfort to be with friends. That was the one great trial of my life, but must acknowledge the hand of the Lord who doeth all things well, but the loved earthly form is still resting there in the lonely grave.
We reached Springville in June, weary and sorrowing, but comforted greatly by the sympathy of loving friends. Albert and Oscar came to meet us with supplies and dainties for May. We stopped at Mapleton and made our home there. Fred and John built quite a nice log house there on some land they bought of Oscar.
Note by Hattie (Harriet Whiting Jensen):
This is the sketch as I received it but I would like to add just a little.
I see the picture of a tiny white haired grandmother sitting by the fire side, always ready with beautiful song or story, sympathy or counsel, to advise or cheer those who came whether old or young. Ever a peacemaker, finding only good when others were telling bad qualities, she was never too tired to stay up till the crowd left. Her laugh ringing out clear as a silver bell over our foolish nonsense, she always kept young people around her, and she took Clara Curtis when she was five years old to live with her. Clara was one of her daughter's younger girls and they were never long separated. Her home was with Clara until Clara married Joseph Burke, then grandmother went to live with them and spent the remainder of her life there.
She lived about twenty years in Mapleton and Hobble Creek Canyon, but in August 1901 four of her boys decided to go to Arizona. I think it was the thought of seeing again the lonely grave of her daughter, May, that induced her once more to make that long journey in a wagon, as there is no railroad on that route, and the remainder of her life was spent in sunny Arizona.
She was the mother of nine children and today there is a host of children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great, great grand children to revere her memory. She began teaching school at fifteen years of age since which time she taught forty two years. Her hair was snow white the last I remember of her teaching.
Few people were ever blessed with more friends who loved her for her amiable disposition, her sterling integrity and devotion to her family. She was an energetic Church worker for many years until her health failed. She was the first secretary of the Mapleton Relief Society and her hand writing in those record books is as clear and plain as print. Her mind was bright up to the time of her death which occurred July 5th, 1912, at the ripe age of eighty five years. (She was the first school teacher of Mapleton and taught in the kitchen of her home just north of her son Albert's place.)