• • • ROSETTA JOSEPHINE NOBLE SPENDLOVE 1858-1901 1847 PIONEERS--Life was hard for the early pioneer settlers. So much that young Julia Rozetta Thurston longed for a better life which she thought she would receive by becoming the 6th polygamous wife of her father's dear friend, the industrious Joseph Bates Noble. Both families came across the plains from Florence, Nebraska in the second group of pioneers that arrived in the valley on Oct. 2, 184 7. The Thurstons were part of the Jedediah M. Grant Company and Joseph Bates Noble was captain of another company. - Joseph was a good man, valiant, faithful, kind and honest, had been with Zion's Camp and a bishop in Nauvoo, and at age of 88 was called as a Patriarch. He was 32 years her senior when he married 14 years old Julia in January 1856. THE MOVE SOUTH--In 1857-58 the United States government, believing the false reports that the Mormons were rebelling, sent troops to squelch it. President Brigham Young called on the Saints to abandon their homes and head south. Over 30,000 lined the road in a mass exodus from their communities. As they left they scattered leaves and straw on the floors of their homes and the plan was for a few men called the "Home Guard" stationed (in hiding) throughout the community, to set fire to the homes and other buildings if the actions of the military should make it necessary. But as it turned out the army left peacefully. The suffering of the families as they lived in very crude temporary shelters exposed to the weather caused much suffering and privation. They welcomed springtime with its green herbs, sego lily roots and mushrooms that seemed like "Manna from heaven". They returned to their homes after the all-okay was given, in destitute condition, many dressed in rags. It was under these trying circumstances that on March 13, 1858, 16 years old Julia gave birth to her first child, named Rosetta Josephine Noble, also known as Josephine Rosetta. Julia had another baby girl, named Harriet also born in Salt Lake in 1860. SEP ARA TION--When dark clouds hung heavy over the plural marriage families as a result of the Morrill Anti-Bigamy Law of 1862, Joseph took Julia and their two little girls to Milton to live near her family. Another daughter Sarah and son Charles were born while hiding in Milton. Anxiety, an afflicted son, poverty and the unknown future of marriage relations, brought discontentment into Julia's heart. Perhaps with her life still before her, in her early twenties, and the desire to gain some measure of control over her life; divorce seemed the only thing she could do. YOUNG GIRLHOOD Raised in Salt Lake, Milton and Bountiful, Josephine was only seven when her mother left polygamy. Her grandparents Thomas Jefferson and Rozetta Thurston provided a place for them to stay, in a small home near theirs in Milton. Josephine' s grandfather was known for opening up the Weber Valley for settlement in 1855. Being the oldest of the children, Josephine tried her best to help. She attended school in Milton, but often visited with her father in Centerville for weeks at a • • • time. She became a favorite of her father's and it is said that he gave her a number of fine dresses. He loved his children very much and did many things for them. In 1865 her mother Rozetta was married to her second husband James Jacob Arthurs. He built a cabin and eventually moved his family to live in Hardscrabble where he owned and operated a sawmill. They shared the cabin with a family by the name of Davis. Julia had several more children by Jacob Arthurs one of which drowned in the creek. As the years went by making a living became even harder and Arthurs left his family just before Julia had a baby boy in 1878. He went to Alaska in pursuit of an inheritance left him by relatives and was never heard from again. COURTSIDP AND MARRIAGE As a young teenager Josephine spent time visiting her grandparents in Milton a with her uncle, Peter Franklin Thurston and his new bride Mary Ann Spendlove from Middleton. May Ann had an 18 year old brother and he spent much of his spare time visiting them. Josephine was only 13, in 1871. William would often ride his pony down to Centerville to visit her and go to dances at the old schoolhouse. Their courtship ripened into a deep love, on the 15th on November 1875, William took his father's horse and buggy and with his intended bride, traveled to Salt Lake to be married in the endowment house. The young couple held a wedding dance of the 71Jt of January 1876 in the Milton school house. There were 60 couples in attendance and a big supper was served, and it lasted until 2 o' clock in the morning, and was greatly enjoyed by all . FIRST HOME For the first years they lived in William's Uncle James home, since he was not married and was away working on the railroad. William continued to farm with his father and got a few sheep, 3 cows and other animals. Josephine proved very capable of taking care of household duties, and her frugal ways, and spirit, provided a peaceful atmosphere to the home. (Most of their furniture was given by relatives) They had an old stove and a few chairs. Their bedding was a straw tick and a few quilts. They had to draw water from Deep Creek, and most of their food came from the farm. One year later Joseph built a new home and gave the log cabin the them. HERITAGE Josephine's ancestors were all from New England stock, some coming to America as early as 1630. William, with his parents Joseph and Harriet and sister, Mary Ann, were baptized in England and sailed to America when he was 10. They crossed the plains in 1864 with the Captain Joseph S. Rollins company. Both William and Josephine were firm in their faith. On the 51Jt of August 1877 their first baby was born. Josephine's aunt Cordelia (Smith) acted as midwife. In the years to come 11 more children were born to them. (They young couple lived happily and enjoyed being near to the children's grandparents.) Under a few fruit trees in the garden just below the old ditch, Josephine would take her children during the hot summer days and tell them stories. These pleasant hours were few as lots of work took most of their time. THE FARM Some years on the farm the harvest was good but there were years that the grasshoppers ate most of the crops and times were poor. The winters were cold in the • • • Morgan Valley with frost every month of the year, and their grain almost invariably frosted so much it was hard to get a good yield. William would go to work in the fall of the year with his Uncle Tun, while his father took care of the chores. It was not easy leaving his wife all alone "but" he said "she was in good hand with Mother and Father close by and who could be better to watch out for her?" SORROWS 1881 was a very hard year for the Spendlove's as William's mother suffered an extended illness that took her life at the age of 48 years in May of that year. William took over all of the farm work for a time and his 14 year old sister Haniet took over the household and the care of 4 year old Joseph Franklin. Tragedy struck again just 5 days before Christmas 1881 when William and fJjosephine now parent of three children were called upon to part with their oldest child, 41/2 year old Mary Josephine who died of the dreaded diphtheria. The baby, Clara Rosalia did just 17 days later on Jan 7'\ 1882. Joseph writes of this tragic event as follows. "William and Josephine were heartbroken. Their children were sick about 12 days. He sent for me and we administered to them before they died. They were pretty girls. In this sickness of these children no one came to help. All seemed afraid of the disease. William got the coffins made and he and his wife's mother had to wash and dress them and put them in the coffins themselves. We dug the graves and buried them ourselves. There was no funeral. William and his wife are full of sorrow about their dear little girls but I tell them they are saved and of such is the Kingdom of Heaven." THEIR OWN PLACE In October they were happy to welcome another little girl named Julia Rosetta. Two months later they bought the Henry Giles place, 25 acres of good farm land, including a nice brick home, barn and stables for $950.00. As a gift, Joseph gave them $500.00 for a down payment and the rest they paid later. In January of 1883 William moved his family into the new house. William and Josephine were always faithful and willing to help others and build up the kingdom. When William attended conference he would stay over in Bountiful with his father-in-law while Josephine visited with them. She was a lovely singer. In 1889 Joseph bought a new buggy , he gave William his old one. Nothing could have pleased him more, he had often wished for a buggy to take Josephine on rides to meetings and other places. William and Josephine, welcomed four more baby girls, Eliza, in 1884, Haniet in 1886, Elizabeth in 1888, and Nellie Louise in July of 1890. On the 7th day ofDecember 1890 the baby died of whooping cough and pneumonia. Josephine seemed to lose some of the pep and vim that had been a part of her makeup for so many years. Life was not all work and hard times, there were fun get-togethers in the ward and community, as well as the 4th and 24th celebrations. There were games and contests and a good ball game. There was plenty of popcorn, candy and soda water . William and his father bought a share in the thrashing machine in the spring of J'l/ • • • 1873, Joseph writes in his diary of harvest being a time of much hunying around and hard work yet they always looked forward to meeting at each home and the meals that the women folks would set before the workers. It seemed as though the ladies tried to outdo each other in the good food they prepared. A year after losing Nellie Louise, Josephine had her 8th baby girl, Minnie Jeanette, and in 1894 Rachel Rebecca and in 1899 Marguerita. In 1897 Joseph records the grand reunion, which was the only time he was able to have all his children and grandchildren together. They met at William and Josephine's home. Joseph had gone back to England as a missio~ary after his wife Harriet died. Then after his return in 1886 her married a dear lady by the name of Sarah Stone. Joseph told his family that he had kept a diary since the time he had joined the Church and had recorded the things of worth dear to his heart. He said he wanted them to read these things. It was a time of rejoicing. MORE SORROW Shortly after the birth of her last child, Freeda Virginia, Josephine became very ill. The years of hard work and child bearing with the strain of mental fatigue had left their mark on her. Her pain and discomfort was so intense that her mind was affected to the extent that she hardly knew anyone at times. The doctor felt that her condition was so bad that a complete rest away from home was necessary. The Elders were called in for a blessing but the Lord knows best for all his children and the prayers of loved ones when the Lord calls his children home can do little more than bring consolation to those left behind. In spite of all that could be done for her, Josephine passed away on the 26th of August 1901 in the hospital at Provo, after an illness of2 months. She was 43 years old. The loss of his beloved wife Josephine was a hard blow to William With a large family to care for, he missed her guiding hands that were always there the guide his family and to keep his home in order. William bore his grief as best he could. His daughter Julia now 19, and the other older girls took over the chores. William O. 22 years old helped with the farm and William's father and stepmother lent their aid, and soon he was able to adjust himself to the thought that he must carry on and endure his sorrow. His daughter Harriet wrote that her (great) "Aunt Eliza Spendlove help us with the funeral.. She had always been a good neighbor, friend and confidante and helper to my mother before her death. I had to stay home and take care of the younger children that day." Harriet was 15 years old at the time. Josephine's funeral was held in the Milton meeting house. She was buried in the Littleton Cemetery beside her three little girls. Her original stone had only the initials J.R.S . • • • 1873, Joseph writes in his diary of harvest being a time of much hurrying around and hard work yet they always looked forward to meeting at each home and the meals that the women folks would set before the workers. It seemed as though the ladies tried to outdo each other in the good food they prepared. A year after losing Nellie Louise, Josephine had her 8th baby girl, Minnie Jeanette, and in 1894 Rachel Rebecca and in 1899 Marguerita. In 1897 Joseph records the grand reunion, which was the only time he was able to have all his children and grandchildren together. They met at William and Josephine's home. Joseph had gone back to England as a missionary after his wife Harriet died. Then after his return in 1886 her married a dear lady by the name of Sarah Stone. Joseph told his family that he had kept a diary since the time he had joined the Church and had recorded the things of worth dear to his heart. He said he wanted them to read these things. It was a time of rejoicing. MORE SORROW Shortly after the birth of her last child, Freeda Virginia, Josephine became very ill. The years of hard work and child bearing with the strain of mental fatigue had left their mark on her. Her pain and discomfort was so intense that her mind was affected to the extent that she hardly knew anyone at times. The doctor felt that her condition was so bad that a complete rest away from home was necessary. The Elders were called in for a blessing but the Lord knows best for all his children and the prayers ofloved ones when the Lord calls his children home can do little more than bring consolation to those left behind. In spite of all that could be done for her, Josephine passed away on the 26th of August 1901 in the hospital at Provo, after an illness of2 months. She was 43 years old. The loss of his beloved wife Josephine was a hard blow to William With a large family to care for, he missed her guiding hands that were always there the guide his family and to keep his home in order. William bore his grief as best he could. His daughter Julia now 19, and the other older girls took over the chores. William 0 . 22 years old helped with the farm and William's father and stepmother lent their aid, and soon he was able to adjust himself to the thought that he must carry on and endure his sorrow. His daughter Harriet wrote that her (great) "Aunt Eliza Spendlove help us with the funeral. . She had always been a good neighbor, friend and confidante and helper to my mother before her death. I had to stay home and take care of the younger children that day." Harriet was 15 years old at the time. Josephine's funeral was held in the Milton meeting house. She was buried in the Littleton Cemetery beside her three little girls. Her original stone had only the initials J.R.S .