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Show • Eliza Durrant 1844-1890 Eliza Durrant was born July 9, 1844 at Deanshanger, Northampton, England, to William and Phebe Hoar Durrant. She was the 5th of 11 children. She received a little schooling in England, mostly in classes held in homes. Eliza's parents were converted to the L.D.S. Church by missionaries in England, and they in tum taught the gospel to their children, and had them baptized as they reached 8 years of age. Eliza was baptized June 4, 1855. William and Phebe were anxious for the family to go to Zion (Utah), so they all worked very hard, sacrificed much, and saved all they could out of meager earnings, over a period of several years, in order to have enough money to secure passage on a ship for each of their older children, one or two at a time. However, Eliza married Thomas Whitehead December 20, 1863 and had two children. The first, George Alfred, died at 1 year of age. Thomas joined the church to win Eliza, but became a habitual drunkard and moved around to various cities. One night he came home intoxicated, locked the door, took out his razor and threatened to kill her. Eliza snatched up her baby daughter, Sarah Jane, and by some miracle at that moment, the door flew open and she ran out into the darkness. Later, her brother, Joseph, in Utah, heard of her trouble, and secured passage for her on the ship "Colorado". She sailed for America July 28, 1869, to join her sister, Jane, and two brothers, Thomas and Joseph. She divorced Thomas Whitehead before sailing. On this ship she met Octave Ursenbach, who was returning from a mission to Switzerland, and they were immediately attracted to each other. Sometime after arriving in Salt Lake City, Utah, they were married November 8, 1869, in the Endowment House in • Salt Lake City. They made their home here and a year later a son, Octave Fredrick, was born to them. Just 4 months after Octave Fredrick (Octave's only child) was born, Octave passed away 26 Feb 1811, and was buried in the Salt Lake City Cemetery. 18 November 1873, Eliza married George Compton, a friend whom she had known in England. They lived in Morgan, Utah for 17 years. He helped build the railroad and was a clerk in Williams' store. He was also City Recorder for many years. No children were born to George and Eliza, but he was a very good father to Eliza's children, Sarah Jane and Octave Fredrick. Eliza was a very unselfish and kind person. On 13 July 1814, Eliza went to the Endowment House and had Sarah and Emma; her two sisters who had died at the ages of 20 and 18, unmarried; sealed to her own deceased husband, Octave Ursenbach. Eliza had an interesting life. She was an expert at making pillow lace, and some of her work won a prize a\ the World's Fair. When the president of the Un,ted States, Rutherford B. Hayes, and his wife were visiting Salt Lake City, the Relief Society presented a collar of lace to Mrs. Hayes, which had been made by Eliza. Eliza also studied medicine with Dr. Kohler in Morgan, and was very kind and helpful to those who were ill. Eliza was a very spiritual woman, and once when she was extremely ill, and had apparently passed away, her mother insisted that the Elders exercise their Priesthood and ask the Lord to bring her back so she could raise her children. Eliza was revived, and she later testified that her husband, Octave, had met her on the other side and said "The Priesthood are exercising their power and you must return and raise our family. I will come for you later". After this experience, her health was never good, and she • eventually went quite deaf, which prevented her from being very active in church work. eventually went quite deaf, which prevented her from being very active in church work. She lived until Sarah Jane was married and Octave Fredrick was 20 years of age. She . assed away 8 January 1890, and was laid to rest in the Morgan Cemetery. • • q; , ... |
