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Show In 1875 a small pox epidemic broke out in Ogden. Thomas's stepfather died on April 18 of that year, whether from small pox or something else I do not know. Thomas joined a mercy squad to aid the sick, and medicine, and to bury the dead. He came close to having a nervous breakdown. The epidemic continued into the next year, but it was tapering off. After the plague was over, Thomas went to Keokuk, Iowa to get his medical degree. He graduated on June 14, 1878, and returned to Utah. Some members of the family state that he was the first certified doctor in Utah. Something happened to his testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, either during this time or shortly afterwards. His mother had sold a piece of the property to Brigham Young, at his insistence, for what the family considered a very inadequate sum of money. Perhaps his heart was hardened in Keokuk, Iowa. His wife had borne eight children, one while he was away. Only three lived more than three years. The one born while he was away was one of the dead. All of these things have to be considered as possible causes or contributing factors in this loss of faith. The family moved to American Fork in Utah County; then on to Payson where Kate was born. From there they moved north to Lehi. Two more children were born. One had been born in American Fork, giving Thomas and Catherine a total of seven living children. Two more were born in Morgan making a total of nine. While at Lehi, the older children were placed in the "New West School." It was a non-Mormon school which did not find favor with the community. This school was supported by a church in the east, who sent teachers out as missionaries every two or three years. The family had spent eight years in Utah County. They then returned to Ogden for a short stay and then to Morgan where they remained. In Morgan, Thomas resumed his medical practice. He was by today's standards, an old fashioned doctor. He did what was then known about alleviating the sufferings of his fellow citizens. He set broken bones, sewed up cuts and delivered babies. He also dispensed medicine, most of which he made. Martha Jane, his daughter was a valuable assistant and often accompanied him on his rounds and helped him with his patients. She developed good nursing skills which she used all of her life. In addition to these activities, he organized the Militia in Morgan, drawing men from all over the county. Some of them were the Porters from Porterville, Fred White, William Piatt, Eugene .Morgan Pioneer History Binds Us 'Together Hibber and Charles R. Clark. This group cleared sage brush from the flat and drilled there. In Morgan he was instrumental in opening the road from the Laurel Mortenson home to the Weber River, and in having a bridge built to shorten the distance from North Morgan to South Morgan. He was part owner of Como Springs, with Sam Francis and Richard Fry. As manager of that hot springs resort, he assisted in building a dance hall, a long row of bath houses on the north shore of the pool where swimmers from Morgan, Ogden, Salt Lake City and Evanston could enjoy the therapeutic waters. At one time the entire Salt Lake Tabernacle Choir was entertained at the hot springs. For many years he organized and managed the Fourth of July parades. The many exciting and beautiful floats and Indians and cowboys made it a looked-for festive occasion. The parade was always led by a "Statue of Liberty" float. After the parade, games were organized for the young; there was a program of speeches and musical numbers for the adults in the morning. A dance was held for everyone at night, generally with two bands, one from Morgan and one from Peterson. Thomas was a civic leader and held many positions of trust. He was the Morgan County Sheriff in 1890, served as the Justice of the Peace for eight years. He also served as Juvenile Judge and County Court Bailiff. In 1895, he qualified as a Postmaster at Morgan and held this position for eight years. He was assisted by his daughters, Kate and Ann. In 1900 he and his daughter, Kate, took the U.S. Census in Morgan and Summit Counties. He also operated the Morgan South Side Store for many years. The Wadsworths settled first in Morgan in the old Geary home. This was 1888 and Thomas was now forty-eight years of age. In 1889 he moved to a home where the Morgan Stake Seminary was later built. Their home was located on the corner near the High School. Instead of a lawn, the entire front yard had been planted into a beautiful flower garden which was painstakingly cared for by Thomas's wife Catherine. Their home was a joyful one, particularly when now grown-up members of the family visited. It was an outgoing and cheerful group and when several members were together, the house was filled with intelligent conversation and much laughter. Charles Stuart, Thomas's grandson, gave the following tribute and description of his Grandfather: "Thomas Shore Wadsworth had dark blue eyes, medium build, about 150 pounds in weight. He had light brown hair that never turned grey. 22 ( |