Uncle Sim

Eva Dunn Snow wrote the following poem dated February 13, 1935.

Uncle Sim

To those pioneers of years gone by,
A baby boy was given
To bring them peace and cheer and love
A gift for earth, from heaven.

To manhood grown, this precious one,
His mission well defined,
By precept and example too,
He worked and served mankind.

From friends he journeyed far,
He chose the pioneer life.
Faced many hardships, won success,
Shared with a loyal wife.

And now his earthwork is complete,
The Master says, "Well done",
He goes to reap what he as sown,
In that Celestial Home.

Eva Dunn Snow

This poem was written about Simeon Adams Snow who passed away 13 February, 1935 in Alamosa, Alamosa, Colorado. He was born 13 Jan 1861 at Salt Lake City, Utah, the son of Simeon Adams and Harriett Atwood Silver Dunn.

His school began when he was five years old in Farmington, Utah. Later his father and family moved to Brigham City where he lived until he was twenty three. In 1874 he was called to work on the S. George Temple. He left Brigham City with four yoke of oxen on December 17, 1874 and arrived in St. George on January 14, 1875.

He married Eunice Emily Harmon in Washington, Utah on 12 July 1877. In 1889 they left Utah for the San Luis Valley of Colorado. In 1891, be became the Branch President of the Eastdale Costilla branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

He and his wife, Eunice were the parents of Simeon Harmon, Levi, Elmer, Emily, Eunice, Etholen, Albert, and Jared. In 1941, his family consisted of eight children thirty three grandchildren and eighteen great-grand children.

Poem and biographical information taken from a typewritten manuscript sent to Kent Vance by his mother, Gatha Wilson April 11, 2009.

Simeon Adams Dunn

Simeon Adams Dunn, the father of Simeon Harmon Dunn, was born January 13 1851 in Salt Lake City. He married Eunice Emily Harmon on November 6, 1876, in Washington, Utah. Their first five children, Simeon Harmon, Levi Tessie, Elmer and Emily, were born there. Eunice was born in Sanford; Etholen Silver, Charles Albert and Jared Willard were born in Eastdale, Colorado.

On May 16, 1889, they left Washington with two other families, Marcus Funk and Oscar Westover. Simeon and Eunice decided to go to Colorado because they both suffered from chills and fever and had heard that the high dry Colorado climate would help improve their health.

When they arrived in the San Luis Valley, they decided to settle in Sanford. There, he traded a team and wagon for a lot with a small house and a dug-out on it. This was to be their home for two years.

In 1891, the family moved to Eastdale, Colorado in Costilla County. Eastdale was a very small town and people were like a large family. They farmed, milked cows, raised sheep and worked hard to develop the land. They built a reservoir to conserve water and dug irrigation ditches to irrigate their crops.

The people formed a community pasture and corral. For each cow or horse that was pastured, the family was to furnish someone to herd the animals for one day. The herder had the responsibility of driving the animals to the grazing land and also gathering the stock and bringing them back to the corral at the end of the day. It was a common site to see antelope grazing with the cattle.

Water for drinking and household was a big problem. For several years, there was only one well in the town. Everyone carried their water from this well. The wells were 80 to 100 feet deep and were all dug by hand. The dirt was hauled out of the wells with buckets on ropes and pulleys. The holes were about a yard square and the walls were encased with timbers.

Money was scarce and the people had to provide their own amusement. Five men in the town played the violin and Eunice had a small organ furnished for the music for the parties and dances that were held. Later a log school house was build and this building became the amusement center as well as the school. Quite often town dinners were held there.

Building their church was a community project. Adobes were made by the men and a brick kiln was erected. Pinon wood was hauled from the nearby Ute Mountain to use to fire the bricks. People took turns watching the fire to keep it burning continually until the bricks were right for building. Women and girls prepared lunches and the whole community worked together to erect the building.

In 1909 a large investment company from the east formed the Costilla Development Company and became interested in part of the Sangre de Cristo land grant. Because the town of Eastdale moved to either Manassa or Sanford to make their homes. The Dunns moved to Manassa.

On August 23, 1891 Simeon was set apart as Presiding Priest of Eastdale Branch and Eunice was set apart as Relief Society President, both by S. C. Berthelsen. On January 29, 1894 Marcus counselor, and Ephriam Mortensen, second counselor. On August 11, 1897 Christen Jensen was set apart as Bishop of Eastdale Ward by Apostle John W. Taylor. Simeon was made first counselor and ward clerk. Andrew S. Nielsen was made second counselor.

Simeon was put in as postmaster of Eastdale on May 28, 1895. Eunice was an excellent musician with perfect pitch. She was choir director and worked extensively with music.

Simeon Adams Dunn, The Mormons; 100 Years in the San Luis Valley of Colorado; 1883-1983, Compiled and Edited by Carleton Q. Anderson, Betty Shawcroft and Robert Compton, Published by the La Jara Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Adobe Press, Albuquerque, New Mexico, pp 179-180

Christen Jensen's Military Service (conclusion)

On one occasion, while on a reconnoitering expedition, Christen and others were crossing the Green River in Wyoming. A sudden raise in the river brought it to flood stage and swept away a party of scouts. Five of them were being drowned in the black swirling waters of the stream. Jensen was in the scouting party, and it was only after swimming a mile and a half down stream that he was able to get from the frothing seething river to the shore, practically exhausted but still alive.

He was cast upon the shore of the stream without provisions. His ammunition all wet and he was without the ordinary methods of making a fire. He laid on the banks of the river for some time until his strength gradually returned. He got up, stretched his weary limbs, walked a few paces up and down the stream. He found some driftwood and in a short time had kindled a fire by rubbing two sticks together until the friction ignited the embers. A roaring bon fire was made.

Scouts on the other side of the Green river saw the blaze and an alarm was sounded. Within a day, it was discovered that it was not a band of hostile Indians encamped on the opposite bank of the Green river. Rather, it was a lone U.S. Scout. Provisions were sent across the stream to him.

The next day, he rejoined his regiment. Six of his picked followers were now sleeping beneath the river or along its banks, drowned while serving their country.

1. Looking into the Past, Ledger-News, Antonito, Colorado, 78th Year Number 15, Thursday, Sept. 16, 1971.
Please note that I have modified the article a bit in punctuation phrasing.

Christen Jensen's Military Service (part 2)

On another trip Christen Jensen was given the task of looking after 175 head of cattle which were being driven across the plains. Marauding bands of Indians had taken several of the beefs for food and were committing many depredations in the neighborhood. Christen, with a picked guard of five men took charge of the cattle the balance of the way to their permanent homes in Utah never lost another head. They met bands of Indian Scouts, but were always able to out-wit them.

The trouble with the Indians arose over treaties with the government. The U.S. government had a treaty with the Indians giving them all of the lands west of the Platte river to the Pacific Coast. In 1860, they negotiated another treaty in which certain lands were designated as reservations. The Indians objected to the latter treaty. After three years of relentless warfare, the Indians were compelled to lay down arms and accept the government's terms of treaty. A peace pact was signed.

Even after this had been accomplished, marauding bands of Indians had been roving over the western plains of Wyoming and Utah. Many depredations had been committed. The Indians were no worse than some of the white traders who would give the Indians a quart of whiskey and take in exchange for the bottle of "fire water" furs up to a thousand times the value of the liquor. Then too, there were lots of ruthless outlaws in the west. They killed Indians without cause. A was of extermination was waged until the government stepped in and conquered the Indians and told the wild men to move on. If one of these frontiersmen were a ruffian and had escaped punishment in the East, he was hunted down and tried and just punishment was meted out to him. It was almost three years after the federal troops took the field to the time when peace and quiet were restored to those taking overland trails.

1. Looking into the Past, Ledger-News, Antonito, Colorado, 78th Year Number 15, Thursday, Sept. 16, 1971.

Christen Jensen's Military Service

Christen Jensen spoke to a reporter from the Ledger-News from Antonito, Colorado1. He told of some of the experiences he had while he was in the military. The following comes from that conversation. Christen spoke with the Ledger Editor way back in 1929. He was 82 years of age at the time.

Christen Jenson was born in England and came to America in 1862. From New York, he went to Omaha, Nebraska. In 1863 he walked from Omaha to Salt Lake City, Utah. Quite a hike. He got a job with the construction of the Mormon Temple in Salt Lake City, a piece of architecture which cost over $4,000,000 when completed.

In 1868, Christen was employed by the Church officials at Salt Lake City to make trips to Cheyenne, Wyoming with an oxen team to bring back those where were coming to Salt Lake City to make permanent settlement among their friends and neighbors, the Latter Day Saints.

In 1865 he was in the federal army and acted as a scout for the Federal Forces. At one time the Navajo had surrounded the party of scouts who had been out to recoinoiter. Five of the party met with death at the hands of the Indians.

Christen Jensen escaped barely with his life. He rushed back to headquarters and sommoned aid who rounded up the band of Navajos and thus ended a very bloody incident. Christen served with honor and distinction during the entire Black hawk Indian wars in Utah and Wyoming. He reported a very interesting incident.

He was acting as government agent scout and had not had any sleep for several days. He was almost overpowered with listlessness. He chewed up some tobacco and in order to stay awake, he put some tobacco juice in his eyes. That was the first and last time he ever did that! After nearly getting back to camp he collapsed and was brought in by soldiers. Once at camp, he slept for more than 48 hours.

1. Looking into the Past, Ledger-News, Antonito, Colorado, 78th Year Number 15, Thursday, Sept. 16, 1971.

Christen Jensen moves his family to Manassa

Near Jaroso, Colorado, there is a farming area that is green and productive. in 1897 it was the home of Christen Jensen and his family, and other members of the Eastdale Ward of the San Luis Stake. When the water rights to this farming area were sold in 1909, the town was sold and Bishop Jensen moved his family to Manassa, Colorado.


View Larger Map
In Manassa, Christen served as a member of the High Council. On August 20, 1911, Christen was ordained a Patriarch by Apostle Orson F. Whitney. For a number of years, he was Stake Representative of the Genealogical Society of the San Luis Stake. He also served as the Secretary and Treasurer of the San Luis Stake Academy. He acted as Justice of the Peace, Police Magistrate, School Trustee, member of the Manassa Town Board, President of the Colonial State Bank of Manassa and a missionary of his native Denmark.

Christin owned several homes in Manassa. Each house was shared with a wife and family. Those homes are all in use in Manassa today. After the death of his wives, he worked in the Salt Lake Temple where he met and married Eliza Bessey.

Christin died October 31, 1931 in Manassa, Colorado. Christin was buried in Manassa.

The Mormons, 100 Years in the San Luis Valleyof Colorado 1883-1983, Compiled and edited by: Carleton Q. Anderson, Betty Shawcroft and Robert Compton, Published by the La Jara Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Copyright 1892.

Christen Jensen's family

Christen Jensen received his endowments and married Mary Sophia Anderson on February 8, 1868. That same spring, he received a call to go as a teamster across the plains, assisting the Mormon emigrants on their way to Utah.

On December 5, 1875, he took a second wife, Anna Christina Bengtsson. In December, 1881, he married Helena S. Rundquist, and in 1883, he married Mattie K. Peterson. About this time great pressure was exerted against polygamists. Christen moved part of his family to the San Luis Stake of Zion (The San Luis Valley). He was in exile for 12 years. The family lifed in Richfield, Colorado for about 13 years and then moved to Eastdale, Costilla County, Colorado.

Christen was the father of 18 children. Anna Christina was the mother of seven daughters and three sons and Helena Sophia was the mother of six daughters and two sons.

In 1886 Christen assisten in organizing the 92nd Quorum of Seventy. For eleven years, he served as its senior president.

After the persecution relented, the Jensen family made plans to return to their old home in Utah, but he was called to move to Eastdale and server as Bishop of the Eastdale Ward. He was ordained a Bishop by Apostle John W. Taylor on August 11, 1897, with Simeon Adams Dunn as his First Counselor and Ward Clerk and Andrew S. Nielson as Second Counselor.

Christen Jensen, The Mormons; 100 Years in the San Luis Valley of Colorado 1883-1983, Compiled and Edited byCarleton Q. Anderson, Betty Shawcroft, and Robert Compton, published by The La Jara Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, pp 191,192

Christen Jensen

Annie Buletta Jensen Dunn's father was born in the "Old country".

Christen Jenson, son of Peder Jensen and Kirsten Anderson, was born October 28, 1848 in Farre, Skanderborg, Denmark. When he was 10 years old, Latter Day Saint Elders came to his father's home and taught the Gospel to his family. Christen was converted and wanted to be baptized. His father, however, thought he was too young.

On April 6, 1862, the family of nine members left Denmark and traveled to Salt Lake City. On this journey Christen was taken seriously ill with ague. There were at Florence, Nebraska, and Christen begged to be baptized. His father consent and he was baptized June 27 1862. Instantly, he was healed and became strong enough to walk all the way to Salt Lake Cith. The family later moved to Moroni, Sanpete County, Utah.

During this time, there was trouble with the Navajo and Blackhawk indians. Christen was mustered into Company A to do service in the Blackhawk war. He served in that capacity for three years.

Taken from "The Mormons, 100 Years in the San Luis Valley of Colorado 1883-1983", Published by the La Jara Stake of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, compiled and edited by Carleton Q. Anderson, Betty Shawcroft and Robert Compton, page 191.

Grandpa's Garage

Good are the memories you did invoke,
Right after reading what your pen strokes.
After thinking about our great grandma,
Near the surface came thoughts of grandpa
Dear old grandpa lived to a grand old age,
Part of his character made him a wise sage.
Auto supplies he sold at CCG&O
Shop at grandpas garage was long long ago.

Great was the building holding the wares,
Aunt and uncle I remember coming there
Ripe with desire for gasoline or air
Able to change tires and fix or replace
Going to work did I at that same place
End of the poem came, I ran out of space!

Reunion Photos

1. There are too many people in this picture to identify each one, but the reunion took place at the family cabin near Fox Creek, Colorado. The truck belonged to Arlo Vance. This was the Dunn family reunion, but I can't tell you for sure what year it was. I (Kent) can tell that my children would have been young. It may have been in the early 1980's. If you know the year, please comment and let us know. On some of the pictures below, I will identify the people I can. I'll need to rely on you to help me with the faces that my memory fails.

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2. This picture is a little easier to identify.

The person to the left of the table is Frances Gillespie. The toe head I believe is Joey Dobbins. The person with the Blue coat is Vera Louise Olivier. People's backs aren't that interesting. Let's home the next picture is more fruitful.

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3. It's nice to see people's faces. Vera Louise Olivier is standing to the left next to Max Nite. Max's wive, Karen is standing behind him. Uncle Henry Olsen has an unidentified girl in his arm. Janet Degolyer is playing in the fire. I can't identify the girls in the back, but the person holding the baby in her arms is Nancy McDaniel.

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4. This is another picture with a lot of faces. I'm going to name a few in random order. In the foreground, I recognize Joanne Vance, Then in the cloud of people, I see Jeff White, Marcy Vance, Danette Vance, Andrea Vance, Cory Vance, Kent Vance, Jack Dunn, Jimmy Bingham, Bonnie Olsen, Vera Olivier, Janet DeGolyer, Chris Degolyer, Justin Bingham, Rick and Chad Bilstein, Justin Bingham, Jay Bingham, Teddy Bingham, and many many more. If you can find your picture here, let me know and I'll add your name to the list. .

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5. I only see one face in this picture that I recognize. That is Hazel Nite. Everyone else has their back to the camera.

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6. The first face to the left is a young Jill Dunn. To her right is Dolores Niebel. Next is Loyd Dunn with one his grandchildren on his knee. I am sorry, but I don't know which of his grandchildren it is. Next is Barbara White, Leon Bingham, and Ina Olsen.

It looks like someone in the background is going to the outhouse that is just behind that big bush.

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7. I don't recognize a single face in this photo. I do recognize the huddle around the campfire that is off to the right. The cabin are off to the left.

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8. Deann Cornum is standing with crossed arms. I believe the two children are Marcy Vance (Zinn) and Donnie Holman. Jill Dunn and Dolores Mortensen (Niebel) appear to be having an engaging conversation. I wonder what they were talking about.

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9. I believe the fellow in stripes is Carl Harbour. In the little grouping in the front, I see Janet Degolyer, Nancy McDaniel, Richard Pagett, and some children I can't identify. Jack Dunn is holding one of his girls here and is talking to me (Kent Vance). I'm holding my son, Robert. I think I see Kay Hensley's distinctive profile behind my shoulder.

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10. This is a lineup of the children Simeon Harmon and Anna Buletta Dunn and their spouses. In order from left to right, they are Elma Pagett, Bill Koch, Frences Gillespie, Hazel Nite, Ruth Koch, Edgar Dunn, LaVeryl Dunn, Verden Mortensen, Doris Mortensen, Ethel Forsythe, Henry Olsen, Ina Olsen, Loyd Dunn, and Catherine Dunn.

The majority of them are gone now, but for me, the love and support they gave me as I was growing up will always be with me. There is nothing that is as strengthening as a loving extended family.

Larry Vance posted the pictures, and I have added the descriptions. If you see a face in the pictures that is not listed, you can add a comment, and we'll update the descriptions.

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PHOTOS

These are just some random pictures from my photo album.

I hope Larry will allow me (Kent) to enter the names of the people I know here.

The picture to the left is Gatha with some unidentified children. The picture to the right is Betty Jean DeGolyer

The far left is Curtis Cornum. Center is Susan Mortensen. Right are Kerry and Janet DeGolyer.


The bottom picture is a group of missionaries. The only one I recognize for sure is Gary Mortensen. This was a long, long time ago, and a lot of changes have taken place since then.









The person on the left is one of the Bilstein boys. I don't know for sure which one. The Center is Jack Dunn and the picture on the right is Phillip Dunn.

The first picture in the second row is of Rex and Nancy Dunn's Family. The back row are Paula, Phillip, and Steven. In front are George, Nancy, and Rex. I believe the color photo to the right is George Dunn.

The bottom row are also Rex and Nancy's children. Steven to the left and Paula to the right.









Elma leads this page off to the left. To her right are Lane and Joann Vance's family. I will probably need to correct this, but I believe they are Gary, Shannon, Lane, Joann, Wesley, Seth, and Blake.


Jane is the bride. The girl in the center top is Nancy. I believe the center picture below is also Nancy. Please correct me if I am wrong. To the right, you see Elma again.

I believe the couple to the left at the bottom are Shannon and Gary Vance. The Last picture on the page is Richard Pagett.






Nites are next. Someone will have to help me identify the cute little pink lady. To the right are Carol and Ronnie Nite's family. In the back row are Ronnie, Carol, Elizabeth, and Ronda. The Center row are Julie, and Blaine. The bottom row are Shanna, and Kallie.

Ronnie and Carol with flowers on. I wonder if this was their wedding day.

The pretty girl on the bottom row is one on Max's daughters. I can't remember if it's Diane or Debraw. Can someone help me identify her? The last two pictures on the page are of Danny Malloy







I don't need put anything on this picture since Mom has already done that.

Simeon Dunn Meets Joseph Smith

I received an email from Rex Dunn that contained this link. I found it quite interesting.

Kitchen Memories

Great Grandmother Dunn's kitchen my heart had won
Rutabagas, parsnips and currents were not uncommon,
And tomato soup was a favorite dish.
Nice smells tempted me. How for a taste I'd wish!
Danish dishes, vegetables, cakes, sauces and pies,
Mashed potatoes and gravy and canning supplies,
Aromatic peppermint, candled eggs, and a pantry of jars
Showed the fruit from her garden. She worked their for hours.

Sweet treats occasionally came from her stove.
Unto us, little tastes she'd give with her love.
Great smells of cinnamon and spice
Arose from her counter and smelled so nice!
Reaching for a sample was such a temptation
Caution sometimes lost with no thought of correction.
Our sweet Grandma would wink and then she'd grin.
Other times, though her patience was thin.
Kitchen memories are the strongest to me now when
In this aging brain I turn to childhood again.
Every memory now is kept in a nook,
Stored there with love by a wonderful cook.