26 July 2009

Alonzo Pearis Raymond by William Goodwin Raymond

Alonzo Pearis Raymond, younger Alonzo Pearis Raymond, older

Alonzo Pearis Raymond, son of Pearis Raymond and Rebecca Pierce, was born in Addison County, Vermont, on 14 February 1814. He was the first of his family to join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Shortly after his baptism he was determined to join the Saints in Illinois. His family tried to persuade him not to do so, but he left his home while yet a young man and was in Nauvoo at the time of the martyrdom of Joseph Smith and his brother, Hyrum. He was one of the grief-stricken body of Saints who on June 28 witnessed the never-to-be-forgotten scene when the bodies of the murdered brothers were brought from Carthage to Nauvoo for burial. He knew the Prophet well and heard him preach on many occasions.

His father and the rest of the family soon joined him and were among those who were driven from Nauvoo by the mob. They suffered greatly but still remained faithful to the teachings of the church.

While yet a young man and before coming west he married Clarinda Cutler. His first child was born at Council Bluffs, Iowa. While at Council Bluffs Alonzo Pearis became afflicted with what doctors said was an incurable disease and told him he had not long to live. He was, of course, very despondent about this and one day while sitting down to rest after walking a short distance--for the least exertion seemed to cause him great fatigue --he was approached by Heber C. Kimball who, putting his hand on Alonzo's head, inquired what was troubling him. He told Heber of his affliction. Brother Kimball then asked him why he didn't enlist with the battalion of five hundred men who had been called for a march to Mexico in defense of the flag of his country. This question seemed to him to be foolish on account of his physical condition. He expressed himself to Brother Kimball, who now told him to go and promised he should recover and be able to make that eventful march. He enlisted in Company D with Nelson Higgins, Captain, After a few days during which he rode in a wagon he was able to take his place in the ranks of the infantry and the promise of the Prophet of God was literally fulfilled. He recovered fully and upon reaching California he was a strong and vigorous man.

While on this march of the Mormon Battalion, Alonzo Pearis, with his comrades, suffered greatly for food and water. Many died and were buried on the lonely trackless wastes over which they traveled. To deceive the wild animals, fires were built over the graves, yet some of the bodies were dug up and devoured by the wild beasts.

On one eventful day as he dragged his weary body along, he noticed a comrade who had crawled under a scrub bush apparently to die. Unable to render any help he left him there, but on reaching camp a short distance ahead he filled his canteen with water and returned to save his fallen comrade. He was in time to save him and bring him back to the camp. This man remained in California and years later related this incident to a nephew of Alonzo Pearis Raymond.

After a short stay in California he received his discharge from the army and with others made preparations to join their families in the Valley of Great Salt Lake. This journey was not made without subjecting him to great dangers and hardships. Upon arriving in Salt Lake he found that his family had not yet come with the company. He therefore set out at once to join them at Council Bluffs. He found them all well but anxious to be on the way across the plains.

The next year he brought his family over the memorable route and arrived in Salt Lake City in 1848. Here another child was born, He now moved to West Jordan for a time where another child was born. From here he moved to Lehi where he lived for some time. The rest of the family of seven children were born in Lehi. He was among the first to settle in Cache Valley where he was active in building the town of Smithfield. He helped to build the first saw mill and grist mill at this place.

Here in the old fort which he helped build for protection against the Indians, his wife, Clarinda Cutler, died bringing to him great sorrow. She was a very estimable woman and had endeared herself to all who knew her, especially the Indians whose sick children she would nurse and doctor until they recovered. It is said that at her funeral the Indians gathered and chanted mournful cry expressing their grief at the loss of their friend.

The name of Alonzo Pearis Raymond stands out prominently as a man of faith and integrity and industry in the early history of Smithfield, Utah.

Shortly after the death of his first wife he married Zylpha Noble. Twelve children were born to this worthy couple. Alonzo Pearis Raymond died on 14 August 1904, as a consequence of great exposure, hard work and hardships. He contracted rhematism [sic] which caused him great suffering and finally his death. Before he died he became helpless. His wife, Zylpha Noble, died on 16, January 1923. They made Smithfield their home until their deaths. During his later years and until he became disabled he labored in the Logan Temple for many of his kindred dead--a work which he deemed very important. He is buried in Smithfield cemetery at Smithfield, Cache county, Utah.

Given above briefly are just a few events in the life of Alonzo Pearis Raymond who has left to his posterity an example of faith, integrity and industry unexcelled by few.

--Written and prepared by William Goodwin Raymond, oldest son of Alonzo Pearis Raymond and Zylpha Noble Raymond. Portions of this history were published in Kate B. Carter’s Treasures of Pioneer History Vol. 4 (Salt Lake City : Utah Printing Co., 1955).

Ireta Pitcher Raymond

Ireta Pitcher Raymond I am the ninth child of James D. and Nancy Jane Smith Pitcher. I was born 18 November 1899 in Cardston Alberta Canada. Mother had twelve children.

We moved from Canada back to Utah in 1905. My father bought the property at the beginning of 2nd West and 1st North. The first school I attended was in an old chapel which Ben Tueller bought and remodeled into a home.

When I was twelve years old Mother let me go to Cache, Idaho, which is a small community in Teton Basin, to live with my sister LaVerna Allen who had gone there to live. I went to the 6th-7th-and 8th grades in Idaho. I went to North Cache High School for one term.

I worked for people in their homes, doing house work. The wages were $3.00, or if they were real generous, $3.50 per week. I worked at the Romney apple orchard many falls picking and packing apples. My father was a coal dealer. The office was just a little East of the Utah-Idaho street car station. My father had a slow paralysis; he was ill for 15 years. I helped him at the coal office. I weighed the coal and kept the books for him.

I married W. Clayton Raymond 13 Nov. 1918. This was the year of the great flu epidemic so we had to cancel the shower and wedding reception. We were married at mother's home and went to the Logan Temple the next March. Bishop Chris J. Plowman married us at mother's home.

Our first home was two rooms in Clara Bingham's home, (now owned by Henry Coleman) one room downstairs and the bed room upstairs. We started to buy the little log home West of Alma Raymond's home, but soon gave it up. We rented several places. In 1923 we bought a building lot from Dad and moved a two roomed house on it. By 1925 we had three children, (our first baby was ill for a year and passed away in April 1921) and were getting a little crowded, so in June 1926 we moved into two rooms at Clate's father's place. By August our new home was finished and we moved back home.

The date 13 comes up several times in our family. Clate's Aunt Lizzie Plowman was born March 13. Clate was born March 13. Clate's sister Florence was born Oct. 13. We were married Nov. 13. Our first baby was born Sept. 13. Our son Cleve Al was married July 13. And our first great-grand child, daughter of Larry Clayton Raymond and Sherill Ann Raymond, was born Dec. 13.

We had five children: Maxine born 13 Sept. 1919, Budd Clayton born 21 March 1922, Barbara born 28 July 1923, Rhonda born 20 Nov. 1925, Cleve Al born 6 April 1929.

Clate's mother died 1913.

(From a type-written autobiography in the possession of Cleve Al Raymond, son of Ireta Pitcher Raymond.)

Alma Raymond and Cordelia Ewing Raymond

By Ireta Pitcher Raymond, daughter-in-law

Alma RaymondCordelia Ewing Raymond Alma Raymond and Cordelia Ewing Raymond

Alma Raymond was the second child of Alonzo and Elizabeth Hillyard Raymond. He went to the public school where his half brother, Herber Thompson, was the teacher. He got as far as the fourth grade.

In the early days the people would drive their cattle North of the City limits in Smithfield, to feed in the sage brush. Alma was one of the boys who did this job. They would take their lunch and stay all day to herd the cattle, driving them back at night.

His Mother owned some farm land West of Smithfield. He farmed this land for her.

He married Cordelia Jane Ewing 14 April, 1892, in the Logan L.D.S. Temple. Thev had six children. Alma Ewing, born 15 Feb. 1896, Wickliff Clayton, born 13 March 1898, Glen born 4 May 1900, Florence born 13 Oct. 1902, Shele Hillyard born 12 May 1906, and Cordelia born 6 June 1913.

Home of   Alma and Cordelia Raymond
Home of Alma & Cordelia J. Raymond. Cordelia is in the doorway. The children are Glen & Florence. Clate was born here in 1898.

Alma had numerous jobs. They lived in a two room log house at 3rd No. 3 E. in Smithfield, Utah. The bedroom just had a dirt floor. This home was built in 1895. Later Elizabeth Hillyard Raymond, Alma's Mother built a room on the East side and lived there.

About 1910 the family moved to the site of the Mill. Alma ran this Mill until 1912. They moved back to Smithfield and run the McCann ranch West of Smithfield.

Cordelia was pregnant at this time and spent most of the time in bed. In June, the Dr. took the baby cessarian. The baby was a girl, they named her Cordelia J. Cordelia (Mother) had cancer, she lived until Sept. 8, 1913.

Cordelia and Rose Pitcher Ewing went fishing a lot. They went a horse and cart, and some (kids along). They fished in Bear River. Cordelia also fished the Logan River, wearing hip boots under her long dress.

Alma worked for Cache Co. Road Dept., worked at the Amalga Sugar Co., Willis Smith Feed and Seed.

Alma married Rose Pitcher Ewing 2 May 1918. Rose had six children, and Alma had five.

Alma moved back to the Mill in Richmond in 1915. He and his son Clayton, started to buy the Mill. The oldest son, Alma Ewing, had married Lilas Kirkbride. They moved up there and Ewing worked at the mill.

Alma didn't put much time at the mill, and they lost the mill in 1917, and the family moved back to Smithfield.

Alma married Rose Pitcher Ewing 2 May 1918. Rose Raymond had triplet boys born 6 Nov. 1920. One was stillborn, the other two died 8 Nov. 1920. They were named Owen and Oren.

Grandma Elizabeth Raymond took care of her. Grandma was 82 years old at the time. The babies were placed in a shoe box and put in a rocking chair and placed in front of the stove. They weighed about two and one-half pounds.

Rose Ewing's husband, Earl Ewing, was Cordelia Ewing's brother.

Alma was a great outdoorsman. He loved to fish and hunt. He run the Smithfield Feed Store for quite a few years.

Alma had a team of matched grey horses. The bishop would ask him to hook them onto a ludlow and haul the corps to the church and then to the cemetery.

Alma was a good Miller. He worked to the Farmers Union Mill for many years. He was also a good butcher. He butchered his own pigs and also for his neighbors. He was also the butcher in the butchcr shov down town.

Alma and Grandma Rose were both quite sick in Aug. 1955. She went to live with Lois Reese her daughter, and Alma was taken to Sunshine Terrace in Logan. He died 15 Dec. 1955

The following paragraph was typed with a different typewriter at the end of the history. Presumably, Ireta added this later.

Alma died 12 December 1955 at Sunshine Terrace in Logan, Utah. After that Rose went to California where she lived with her two daughters, Zelda and Dee for a while. When she came back she rented an apartment in Smithfield, on first north, just east of the old bank. Silvia McCann owned the apartment and lived in part of the house. She lived there for quite a while and then went to Amalga to live with her daughter Lois Reese. Lois worked at Cache Valley Dairy. After she stayed there for a while she moved to the Ladies Rest Home in Mendon, Utah. She died there 1 Oct. 1969.