Sim and Annie Dunn

Doris Mortensen

2011-11-19T09:45:00.002-07:00

Posted: Thursday, Nov 17th, 2011
Valley Courier - Alamosa

SANFORD — The world lost one of God’s angels on earth with the passing
of Doris Dunn Mortensen, 92.

Doris was born February 7, 1919 in Manassa, Co. She was the 8th
daughter and 10th child of Simeon Harmon Dunn and Anna Buletta Jensen,
who had 13 children. In this home she learned to work hard, serve
others and love the Gospel of Jesus Christ and instilled these
qualities in all of her children.

She married Verden N. Mortensen in Sanford, Co. on March 21, 1937 and
was sealed in the Salt Lake City, LDS Temple on March 25, 1937. She
and Verden worked hard ranching north of Sanford for the next 20
years. They then moved to Manassa where she worked preparing lunches
for the school. Later she and her sister Hazel ran Buster’s Café.

After her husband retired from road construction they returned to the
ranch by Sanford. She and Verden were married 74 years. She enjoyed
gardening, quilting and cooking and was known for her delicious candy
and pies. Her children and family meant everything to her and she
spent many hours serving them, the community and the church.

She passed away November 16, 2011, three and one half months after her
husband, the love her life.

She is survived by her eight cherished children: DeAnn (Dale) Cornum,
Rosalie (Al, deceased) Williams, Jeanne (Leo) Price, Mary Lyne (Blake)
Parker, Gary (Julie) Mortensen, Delores (Paul) Niebel, Susan (Mark)
Reed, and Kathy (Kelly) Millward, 28 grandchildren, 81 great
grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren, her sister Hazel Nite, her
brother Rex (Nancy) Dunn, and many nephews and nieces. She loved them
all and each one was her favorite.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday November 19,
2011 at the Sanford 2nd Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter
Day Saints. A visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. on Friday,
November 18th at the Rogers Family Mortuary in Manassa and from
10-10:45 at the Sanford Church. Burial will follow services in the
Sanford Cemetery.

Rogers Family Mortuary of Manassa is in care of the arrangements.

Verden Mortensen Obituary

2011-08-04T07:21:00.000-06:00

Here is the obit if you didn't get to it yet.

Verden N. Mortensen, 93

Posted: Wednesday, Aug 3rd, 2011

SANFORD — Verden N. Mortensen, 93, was born on August 2, 1918 on the family ranch in Sanford, Colorado where he grew up.

Verden married Doris Dunn in Sanford, Colo. on March 21, 1937, then four days later were sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple on March 25, 1937. They began their married life on the ranch north of Sanford. After a few years Verden went to road construction in N.M. to help support the farm and family. After 23 years of road construction he returned to the work he loved most, the ranch, to raise sheep and cattle. He continued ranching to the age of 79 when he sold the ranch and retired to watch innumerable basketball, football and baseball games and enjoy life at home with his family. Verden loved for his family to come see him. As anyone opened the door to enter the home he always greeted them with a hearty “come in the house, did you bring something to eat?” That greeting will be greatly missed by all.

Verden passed away on his 93rd birthday August 2nd 2011.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Effie Mortensen, one brother, Dolan, his sister Lena Sowards, and four great grandchildren.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 74 years, Doris, at the family home in Sanford, eight children, DeAnn Cornum (Dale) of La Jara, Rosalie Williams (Al) of Mesa, Ariz., Jeanne Price (Leo) of La Jara, Mary Lyne Parker (Blake) of Sanford, Gary Mortensen (Julie) of Salt Lake City, Utah, Delores Niebel (Paul) of Sanford, Susan Reed (Mark) of Canon City, and Kathy Millward (Kelly) of Salida, 28 grandchildren, 81 great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, his brothers Floyd Mortensen (Ellen) of La Jara, Gaylon Mortensen (Doris Mae) of Sanford, and Wayne Mortensen (Janice) of Bountiful, Utah, and many nieces and nephews.

A Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday August 6, 2011 at the Sanford 2nd Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. A visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. on Friday August 5th at the Rogers Family Mortuary in Manassa. Burial will follow services in the Sanford Cemetery.

For additional information please contact Rogers Family Mortuary in Alamosa.

Loyd Jensen Dunn

2010-11-26T21:48:00.000-07:00

Uncle Loyd passed away November 21, 2010. His obituary is found on-line.

Letters of Simeon Adams Dunn and Hariett Atwood Silver

2010-06-27T14:49:00.005-06:00

There is a book that has letters that our Simeon Adams Dunn and Harriet Atwood Silver wrote to her parents in Vermont. Someone been doing Dunn research went to the Church Archives and found letters between Simeon and Brigham Young. Uncle Rex sent me the link to the letters. I found it quite interesting. If you want, you can connect to the site of Cameron Doran Wilde and download the pdf document.

http://www.dkwilde.com/Genealogy/Dunn/Dunn_and_Silver_Letters.pdf

Uncle Sim

2009-04-26T11:56:00.004-06:00

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

2009-03-15T14:26:00.004-06:00

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)

2009-03-07T18:14:00.004-07:00

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)

2009-03-01T07:35:00.005-07:00

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

2009-02-27T14:40:00.003-07:00

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

2009-02-23T20:38:00.008-07:00

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

2009-02-18T19:06:00.006-07:00

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

2009-02-15T16:51:00.007-07:00

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

2009-02-08T18:48:00.002-07:00

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

2009-02-07T17:08:00.015-07:00

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.

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.

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.

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. .

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

PHOTOS

2009-02-04T20:00:00.004-07:00

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

2009-02-01T15:02:00.002-07:00

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

Kitchen Memories

2009-01-23T20:00:00.007-07:00

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.

Which Sister? (2)

2008-12-12T10:29:00.013-07:00

Which sister is his great grandmother? He is linked to this blog.

Here's another photo of the same person. Which sister does he belong to?

And more descendants and more and more.

Which sister? (1)

2008-12-12T08:35:00.008-07:00

Let's test your ability to see the resemblance.

The person on the right is one of Simeon and Annie's descendants. Which of the Dunn sisters is her ancestor? I knew as soon as I saw her picture.

She is one of the followers of the blog and her blog is linked to this one.

In a week, I'll add another photo of a descendant of the same sister. You can vote in the poll, Which Sister (1) to the right until 12/20.

PS Here is another photographic clue as to who.

The Sisters.

2008-12-11T19:52:00.004-07:00

This is a nice picture. Now that you look at this and some of the grand-children of these women you can see their faces.

It is amazing to me to see the differences in these sisters and yet see their countenance on their decendents.

Book of this BLOG

2008-12-03T05:14:00.000-07:00

I (Larry Vance) have put together a black and white version of the articles and comments from this blog into a hardcover book of 95 pages. The following link takes you to LuLu.com where you can purchase one or more copies of the book. The cost covers the printing costs and a nominal fee that goes to LuLu.com. You can also download the contents of the book for a nominal fee.

Bound copy of BLOG

This is a small image of the cover.

Rex Simeon Dunn

2008-11-15T19:20:00.007-07:00

Rex is the youngest and thirteenth child of Simeon Harmon and Anna Buletta Jensen Dunn. He spent his childhood in Manassa. At the age of nine, he contracted polio and, consequently, spent many years in hospitals and at his sister's, Ethel Forsyth's, home in Los Angeles. After his graduation from Manassa High School, Rex attend and received a B.A. Degree from Adams State College in Alamosa, Colorado.

Rex maried Nancy Ellen Tracey of Manassa. They moved to Segundo, Colorado, where Rex taught Business Education. Their three oldest children, Phillip, Steven, and Paula, were born while they were in Segundo. Rex then taught school in Roy, New Mexico, Socorro, New Mexico, and Las Vegas, New Mexico. Rex received his Master's Degree from Highlands University in Las Vegas, New Mexico.

Nancy is the daughter of Roy Francis Tracey and Philomena Humrichouse. She moved to Manassa at the age of three years. When she was five, her mother married A. C. Nielson. Nancy attended Manassa schools and received a B. A. and M.A. Degree from Adams State College. Both Rex and Nancy have worked as teachers and Rex as a school administrator.

The family then lived in Quemado, new Mexico for seven years. Their youngest son, George was born during this time. The family moved to Farmington, New Mexico and they still live there.

This history was taken from A History of the Ancestors and Descendants of Simeon Harmon Dunn and Anna Buletta Jensen, Compiled by Vera Dunn Olivier and published June, 1993, page 143

Loyd Jensen Dunn

2008-10-26T19:48:00.007-06:00

Loyd was the eleventh child of Simeon and Anna. He grew to adulthood in Manassa. In the process he was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was ordained in the office of Deacon, Teacher, and Priest. He was ordained an Elder in 1941.

Loyd grew up with a father who farmed and he learned to drive teams of horses and milk cows at an early age. By the time he was ten years of age, he was milking cows by hand regularly and was mowing hay, driving as many as six horses on a plow, planting grain, and caring for farm animals such as cattle, sheep, pigs, turkeys, and chickens. He was taught the blessing of hard work as he hoed peas, potatoes, and lettuce, and picked green peas and potatoes. He also pitched bundles into a threshing machine, stacked hay, hauled grain, bucked bales, irrigated potatoes, and performed other farm jobs. He also worked in the pea sheds and a canning factory.

Loyd attended schools in Manassa. He was a good student, but didn't apply his abilities as well as he could have. Nevertheless he graduated from Manassa High School in 1939. As a senior, he served as student body president. Loyd attended Adams State College for one quarter in the fall of 1939.

Loyd left collelge and went back to his father's farm, which he took over and operated for the next 22 years. In 1959, Loyd returned to college. He received both a B.A. and M.A. from Adams State College. He did further graduate work at Adams State College, Brigham Young University, and Northridge State College.

Loyd married Cathryn Brothers in the Salt Lake Temple on 28 May 1941. This temple sealing was one of the choice experiences of their young lives. They will be eternally grateful to their Father in Heaven for granting the blessings of the temple to them at that time in their lives.

Eight children were born to Loyd and Cathryn. Five years elapsed between the fifth and sixth child. At this time, Loyd was called on a mission to the western Canadian Mission from 1953 to 1955. Cathryn moved in with her mother and worked as a nurse's aid in the nursery at Alamosa Community Hospital while Loyd was gone.

Loyd has held many positions in the church during his married life. Among Loyd's positions are three Stake Missions, Stake Mission President, High Counselor, Bishop, and Patriarch.

A typical March day during the years farming included rising at 4:00 am to dress and check lambing sheds, take care of newborn lambs and their mothers, feed the remaining sheep, but the cows in the barn, feed them, hand milk seven to ten cows, get milk ready to ship to the cheese factory, pump water by hand for all of the livestock, feed the pigs and chickens, and then go in for breakfast. After breakfast, it was time to check the lambing pens, get the tractor ready to plow or plant, run the tractor for about three hours, check the lambing pens and eat lunch. Then it was back on the tractor for another four hours, check the lambing pens, feed livestock, milk cows, put the sheep in the lambing sheds, eat supper, check the sheep and lambs again, and go to bed about 9:00pm.

When farming years were lean, Loyd worked in a filling station, a feed store, and a mine to supplement income. After graduating from college, Loyd became a full time school teacher.

From 1961 to 1963, Loyd taught school in Manassa and LaJara, Colorado. In 1964, the family moved to Lancaster, California. Loyd then taught elementary school in the Keppel Union School District in Little Rock, California, until he retired.

The Lord has given Loyd the opportunity to teach the missionary lessons to over 150 people who have become members of the Church. Among those those taught are a Stake President, Stake Mission Presidents, High Counselors, Bishops, and Temple Workers.

Loyd says: "We are thankful for all the blessings our Father-in-Heaven has given us, our parents, our brothers and sisters, our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, the truth of the Gospel and the opportunity to gain eternal lives. We bear solemn testimony that this, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is God's true church here on the earth and if we live up to the principles and commands He has given, we will all live with him as family units in the eternities to come. We bear this witness in the names of Jesus Christ, Amen."

Taken from A history of the Ancestors of Simeon harmon Dunn and Anna Buletta Jensen, compiled by Vera Dunn Olivier, published Jun3 1993.

Doris Dunn Mortensen

2008-10-11T19:45:00.001-06:00

Doris was the eighth daughter of tenth child of Simeon Harmon and Anna Buletta Jensen Dunn. She attended school in Manassa and graduated from Manassa High School on May 21, 1937.

Doris remembers her childhood as follows: "We were a close family and had a very happy childhood, with all the advantages available at that time. We were all taught to work by helping in the garden, doing housework, and helping on the farm, cooking and even milking, when necessary. Papa suffered eight daughters learning how to cook. We had some very happy times, too, going pinon nut hunts and having candy pulls. Papa liked nothing better than to have Papa play the piano while he and Mama would sing to us. Our home was always open to our friends."

While still in high school, Doris was dance director in the Manassa MIA with her brother, Edgar. When she was a junior in high school, Verden Mortensen came to Manassa to finish high school. The school in Sanford he had been attending was closed for financial reasons. He was on the basketball team and Doris was a cheerleader. They started dating and Doris' Christmas present that year was a diamond. They were married at the John B. Reed ranch on March 21, 1937, and then travelled to Salt Lake City, Utah, where they were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on March 25, 1937. To this union were born seven girls and one boy: DeAnn, Rosalie, Lorna Jeanne, Mary Lyne, Gary Harmon, Delores, Susan and Kathy June.

The Mortensens lived on a ranch near Sanford until 1956. At that time, Verden went to New Mexico to work on road construction. Doris stayed at the ranch with the family until her mother passed away. At that time the family moved to Manassa to live with her father. The family lived in Manassa for 18 years. When Verden quit construction work, they moved back to the ranch.

While living in Manassa, Doris held several positions in the Church --Primary teacher, member of the Primary presidency, MIA teacher, Stake MIA Board member, and Stake Girl's Camp Leader. After moving back to Sanford, she was Mother Education leader in the Relief Society. In 1979, the Sanford Ward was divided and she was put in as the Relief Society President of the Sanford 2nd Ward. She held that position until she became an extraction missionary. Doris has served as a visiting teacher all of her married life.

The history above was taken from A History of the Ancestors & Descendants of Simeon Harmon Dunn and Anna Buletta Jensen compiled by Vera Dunn Olivier published June, 1993

Quality of teaching in this century

2008-10-11T15:03:00.004-06:00

Grandpa Dunn was a school teacher at one time in his life. Several of his children and grandchildren have also worked in the field of education.

Recently, I received an e-mail citing a test that was given to 8th graders in 1895, and stating that the education in this country had gotten quite bad.

I spent the evening reviewing the questions and finding answers on the internet just so that I could say that I knew as much as an eighth grader. I was amazed at the amount of information that is available to us at the click of a few buttons. While I found many things, that I could not answer quickly, I did find answers for many of the questions. Many of the answers were things that I had learned, but had forgotten for a time.

After spending an evening with the test (I still have more to do to complete it), I have come to the conclusion that some of the things asked on the 1895 test were important at the end of the 1800's, but are not as important to life in the 21st century.

I am amazed at the things that my grandchildren are learning in school. Some of the math skills of my seventh grade grandson are far beyond what mine were at the same level. I am also amazed at the "keyboading" skills and computer skills that are being taught at seventh and even at first grade level.

I am enjoying looking at this test example and what students were required to learn. I have learned from the article, but I think it is important to see that educational requirements are not the same as they were in the 1890s. That is not necessarily an indication that today's educational system is deficient. It is proof only that it is different.

If you are interested, you can see a completed version of the 1895 test, it is also available on the internet.

Elma Dunn Pagett

2008-10-05T14:19:00.004-06:00

Elma was the ninth child of Simeon Harmon Dunn and Anna Jensen Dunn. She grew up in Manassa and graduated from Manassa High School. She then attended Blair's Business College in Colorado Springs for one year. Elma met Boyd William Pagett in the summer of 1935 when they were both working for Rickett's cannery in LaJara, Colorado. They were married in December of that year and moved to Fort Morgan, Colorado.
Boyd and Elma lived in Fort Morgan, Denver, LaJara, Grand Junction, and finally made a permanent home in Manassa. Boyd joined the Navy 10 July 1944 and served until 23 January 1946. Boyd and Elma were the parents of two children, JoAnn and Richard when Boyd joined the Navy. Elma stayed in Manassa with Elma's parents most of the time while Boyd was gone. They did join him in Port Townsend, Washington, while Boyd was in electrical school in Seattle. Boyd was sent to the Phillippine Islands and Elma and the children returned to Manassa. After the war, Boyd returned to Manassa and purchased Conejos county Gas & oil from his father-in-law, Simeon Harmon Dunn. He ran this business until his death.

Boyd was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 4 June 1960 by his son Richard. Their youngest child, Nancy was baptized the same day by her brother, Richard. Jane, Patricia (Pat), and Nancy also joined the family during the years in Manassa. Boyd and Elma were sealed for time and all eternity in the Arizona Temple on 2 April 1966. Jane, Patricia, and Nancy were sealed to them the same day. Richard was sealed to his parents in the Manti Temple on 28 May 1964 and JoAnn was sealed to her parents in the Arizona Temple on 2 April 1966.

Boyd died of a massive heart attack on 10 Dec 1964. Elma then attended Adams State College and obtained both a B.A. and M.A. Degree in education. She taught both third and fourth grade in Manassa for sixteen years and retired in May 1982. Elma served a fill-time mission in the Washington, Seattle Mission from April 1983 to April 1984. Her sister, Hazel served in the same mission at the same time. Elma has also worked in the Spanish Name Extraction Program and has spent years working with the youth of the church. He has been in the Name Extraction Program for ten years and has been an ordinance worker in the Denver temple for four years.1

Of all my aunts, Elma had the most impact on my life. For most of my youth, she was my next door neighbor. I loved visiting with her and many times, when I had problems that I needed to discuss, Elma was my confidant. She listened to me patiently and gave me advice that I valued. Sometimes I followed her advice, and sometimes I did not. I would have been much wiser to always follow the advice she gave me. Nonetheless, I never questioned that she loved me or that she was concerned for my welfare. When I was a young man and was so unhappy with my life because of the choices I had made, Elma still expressed her love and support.

My grandmother, Cora, was Elma's sister. I never knew Grandma Cora because she died before I was born. In my mind and heart, Elma took her place in my life. I will always love her for that.

Whenever I came home from travelling, one of the first visits I made was to Aunt Elma's house.

It was really a shock to me when I heard that Elma had passed away 20 March 1998. She had been quilting with her sisters. She was tired and laid down to take a nap. She passed away in her sleep.

1. The first part of this article was taken directly from A History of the Ancestors and Descendants of Simeon Harmon Dunn and Anna Buletta Jensen, Compiled by Vera Dunn Olivier and published privately in June 1993.
2. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Family Search, Elma Dunn 1917-1998, Person #KWCG-B28

Ina Olsen

2008-09-28T11:37:00.000-06:00

Ina is the seventh child and fifth daughter of Simeon Harmon Dunn and Anna Buletta Jensen Dunn. She was the first child to be born in the big cement block house since the family was living in the granary when Edgar was added to the family. Ina started school at the age of six. As school started on September 1st and Ina wouldn't be six until September 12, she worried for fear she wouldn't be allowed to go. She did get to go to school in spite of the fact that her cousin, Ila Jensen, informed the teacher Ina was only five years old. Gladys Pratt, who later married S. Dilworth Young of the first Counsel of Seventy was Ina's first grade teacher.

When Ina was about ten years old, she had typhoid fever. She was the only one in the family to contract this dreaded disease and confined to her bed for several weeks. She had to learn to walk again and almost lost all of her hair.

Ina was one of the best players on the girls' basketball team at Manassa high school. At that time, girls only played half court basketball.

After graduating from high school, Ina spent one year in Salt Lake City with Frances. She worked for a Mrs. Thompson as a companion for her two children. Edgar also worked for her and attended the University of Utah. The following year Ina attended Brigham Young University, but decided against continuing her education at that time.

Ina's first full-time job was as a cashier and bookkeeper with the Gordon Department Store in Alamosa. She also worked in Trinidad, Montrose, and Grand Junction. She earned $10 per week for six eight-hour days and paid board and room and bought her clothes.

In 1941, after World War II had begun, Ina went to Port Townsend, Washington, to visit her sister, Hazel and her family. While there, she went to work for the government at Fort Warden and later transferred to Camp White, Oregon near Medford. After the war ended in 1945, Ina returned home to Colorado. Bishop Fred Haynie asked her to go on a mission. Since Ina hadn't been too active in the church for several years, she declined. Later, however, she changed her mind and decided to go. This was the turning point in her life. She spent eighteen months in the Northern California Mission under the direction of Presidents German E. Ellsworth and Thomas Gardner. She was in the mission home in San Francisco for nine months. The last three months of her mission were spent in Ashland and Medford, Oregon, where she had lived during the war.

After Ina returned home, she attended BYU for the summer quarter and then taught Seminary in Manassa for one year. During this time, she served as Stake YWMIA President.

Ina and Wilma Jackson purchased a flower shop in LaJara, Colorado. When Wilma got married, Ina decided to return to college. She worked for the Alamosa County Welfare Department and attended classes at Adams State College in Alamosa.

In December 1955, Ina went to Los Angeles, California to be with Hazel Nite and her family. She was called as an ordinance worker in the Los Angeles Temple. Here she met John Henry Olsen. They were married November 21, 1956, in the Los Angeles Temple by President Benjamin Bowring.

The Olsens lived in Hollywood until April, 1957, when they moved to Lancaster, California, where they were owners of a funeral home and sick room supply business. In February, 1981, Henry and Ina moved to St. George, Utah, to be closer to the temple. They had been driving 150 miles round trip to the Los Angeles Temple each week for over twelve years.

Ina and Henry were very involved in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in southern California. Ina's callings in the church have been many. Among them are Young Women Advisor, genealogy teacher, Relief Society teacher and visiting teacher, Ward and Stake YWMIA President, Ordinance Worker, and Seminary teacher.

When Henry passed away on June 11, 1992, in St. George, Utah, Ina stayed. Ina passed away 29 June 2004 in Washington, Washington, Utah.

The majority of this article has been taken from The History of the Ancestors and Descendants of Simeon Harmon dunn and Anna Buletta Jensen, published privately by Vera Dunn Oliver June 1993.

Edgar Harmon Dunn

2008-09-20T17:36:00.005-06:00

Edgar was born shortly after the family of Simeon and Anna Dunn moved from Eastdale to Manassa. He was born in the granary. When I was a boy, we played in that granary. It was an empty shed of weathered wood with gaps wide enough for the wind to come through easily. I cannot imagine living in that granary during one of the cold San Luis Valley winters.

Edgar attended school in LaJara and Manassa was a star on the Manassa Maulers basketball team.

Edgar married LaVeryl Aydelotte on April t 1936 in Taos New Mexico. They were later sealed in the Mesa, Arizona Temple on December 7, 1955.

After his marriage, Edgar farmed with his brother, Loyd, on the family farm west of Romeo. On March 3, 1940, he was called on a mission to the North Central States Mission. After his misson, he farmed for a short time and then was hired as a carman on the D&RGW Railroad in Alamosa in 1942. Edgar went into train service as a fireman and worked up to head engineer. He retired from the railroad in July 1974, with 32 years of service.

When I was is high school, Edgar was my home teaching companion. Edgar was a faithful home teacher and I enjoyed going home teaching with him. We visited the homes of Ruth and Stanley Holman and Gordy and Ruth Bagwell each month. I enjoyed being with him. I loved his infectious laugh.

In September, 1974, only two months after retirement, Edgar and LaVeryl were called to serve 18 months on a walfre mission among the Indians in Taos, New Mexico.

Edgar died suddenly of a hart attack on 09 September 1978 at the age of 68. Edgar is buried in Manassa.

Portions of this article were taken from A History of the Ancestors and Descendants of Simeon Harmon Dunn and Anna Buletta Jensen compiled by Vera Dunn Oliver, published privately in June of 1993.

Hazel Dunn Nite

2008-09-18T19:36:00.005-06:00

Hazel was the eighth child of Simeon and Annie Dunn. Her early life was spent in Manassa, Colorado where she graduated from high school in 1933. After graduation, she moved to Los Angeles, California where she lived with her older sister, Ethel Forsyth. Hazel attended Beauty College in Huntington Park, California. It was there that she met and married James Graham Nite.

Hazel and Jimmie moved to Round Mountain, Nevada six months after they were married. When Ronnie, their first child was born, they moved to Colorado and lived on the Dunn ranch west of Romeo. Hazel's second child, Jeanine was born in Manassa.

In 1940, there was another move. This time to Port Townsend, Washington. After Max was born, the family returned again to Manassa where Karen was born.

The Nites returned to California. This time to Santa Monica where they lived for many years. Hazel worked as an electrical assembler at North American Aviation for fifteen years.

After retirement, Hazel returned yet again to Manassa. She participated in the Spanish Name Extraction program and on February 5, 1982, she received a mission call to serve in the Seattle Washington Mission for 18 months.

Upon her return to Manassa, she continued to serve in the Spanish name extraction program.

Her home today sits on the property that was once Simeon and Annie's. Her home is where the chicken coop had been. Jeanine's home sits near Hazel's and they take good care of each other.

When I return home to Manassa, it's to Hazel's home that I go. I love her humor and her grit. When I saw her a couple of weeks ago, she reminded me, "It's hell to get old." It may be, but she has really done it graciously.

Thanks to Vera Louise Dunn for the information provided in, A History of the Ancestors and Descendants of Simeon Harmon Dunn and Anna Buletta Jensen, compiled by Vera Louise and published privately in 1993.

New Blogs added to the list

2008-09-14T14:48:00.006-06:00

Recently, Larry and I have added some new blogs to the list. I can look at the blogs and see hints of their family resemblance, but I am not sure just exactly how they fit.

Today, I added two links.

These were added at the request of their mother. Laraine Wheeler. Laraine is the daughter of Keith and Erma Bingham. Keith is the son of Cora and Ted Bingham. Cora is the Daughter of Simeon and Anna Dunn.

I added these links because I saw the links on Larry's blog and I believe I know who they are, but I need to confirm that.

As I look at the pictures, and as I read the entries, I believe I see traces of the Pagett Family. Help me understand who these links belong to and how they fit in with the family. We might try the format of Laraine's relationship shown above to indicate how the owners of the blogs belong in the family.

I would to add as many blog links as we can identify. If you have a blog you want added, you can send an email to Kent Vance

Ruth Carrie Dunn

2008-09-12T18:40:00.007-06:00

Ruth Carrie Dunn, the fourth child of Simeon Harmon Dunn and Anna Buletta Jensen Dunn, was born in Eastdale, Colorado. Her parents could never agree on the date that she was born. Grandpa said it was one day, and Grandma said it was another. Grandma said that she should know because she was there. As a little girl, Ruth lived for a time in Eastdale, but soon moved to Manassa with her family. She lived in Manassa until she graduated from high school in 1925.

She then went to LDS Business College in Salt Lake City, Utah. She also attended telegraphy school. Her two older sisters, Frances and Ethel, were in nurse's training there.

Ruth worked in Salt Lake City in the office at Utah Wollen Mills for a while and then returned to Colorado. She worked at J.C. Penney's in Antonito, and it was here she met Bill Koch. Ruth married William Emil Koch on 31 December, 1933, in San Luis, colorado. Ruth and Bill told us one day in the mountains that the day that they were married, the Sherriff was shot. His body was on display at the courthouse. Bill and Ruth had to see his body before they returned home.

Ruth and Bill moved to Alamosa and Ruth worked for Gordon Stores for 17 years. She worked for Alamosa National Bank for two years, and for Kavley's Department Store. She then worked then for 20 years as Clerk of the county court, and as clerk of the water court. Ruth has always been a working woman.

Ruth and Bill enjoyed their family and grandchildren. especially picnicing and camping on the Conejos river.

Ruth and Bill have been generous in helping extended family members, as well as their own immediate family. I would always plan on seeing Ruth at our house with new school clothes for us in the fall.

Mother (Gatha Wilson) spent some time with Ruth at her home in Alamosa a year ago this January. She moved to a nursing home shortly after that visit. There was recently an article in the Alamosa paper congratulating Ruth for celebrating her 103rd birthday.

Portions of this entry were taken foom A History of the Ancestors & Descendants of Simeon Harmon Dunn and Anna Buletta Jensen, compiled by Vera Louise Oliver and published privately in June of 1993.

Ethel Leona Forsyth

2008-09-04T17:21:00.005-06:00

Ethel Leona Dunn was the second child born to Simeon Harmon Dunn and Anna Buletta Jensen Dunn. Ethel's early childhood years were spent in Eastdale, Colorado. When Ethel was six or seven years of age, the family moved to Manassa. She lived in Manassa until she left home to train to become a Registered Nurse.

After Ethel married Donald Prescott Forsyth, the couple made their home in Los Angeles, California. They lived and raised their children in Los Angeles. Don and Ethel loved to travel to Manassa, Colorado for summer vacations. They always spent some time in the beautiful mountains.

Many years after Don retired, they sold their California home and moved into the Los Angeles Temple Apartments, where they served for a time as temple workers Later they moved to Manassa where they put a mobile home on the property where Simeon and Anna Dunn had made their home in Manassa. When Don passed away, Ethel continued to live in Manassa near most of her sisters and her brother, Edgar.

Ethel is remembered as a sweet and loving woman. Her love of the gospel of Jesus Christ radiated in her life. She served as Primary president and twice as Relief Society president of the Manchester Ward in Los Angeles. Ethel and Don are both buried in Manassa.

This short history was taken directly from A History of the Ancestors and Descendants of Simeon Harmon Dunn and Anna Buletta Jensen, compiled by Vera Dunn Olivier and Published privately in June, 1993.

I Apologize for the quality of the pictures. They are details from some larger photographs and they are the only ones I have. If someone can add comments to this entry that will give us more details about Aunt Ethel, it would be greatly appreciated. Kent Vance

Frances Edna Dunn

2008-08-24T11:43:00.011-06:00

Rueben Gillespie Moyle, the son of Matthew and Eliza Mary Gillespie Moyle, met Frances Dunn, eldest child of Simeon Harmon and Anna Buletta Jensen, in Allturas California. After much pleading and persistent courting, they were married in Reno, Navada. In the beginning, the only dependents were Fluffy, the cat, and a dog whose name cannot be remembered. Following the birth of their third child, Gayle, Rueben became sick and spent much time in the hospital.

In order for Frances to care for her ill husband, she sent their three children, Rueben Dean, Kay, and Gayle by train with Edgar and LaVerl Dunn to stay with their grandparents, Simeon and Anna Dunn in Manassa, Colorado.

The children stayed there for almost a year. When Reuben was well enough, they made a trip to Manassa to pick up the children. At this time, the decision was made to stay in Manassa.

Frances was a registered nurse and was employed at Alamosa Community Hospital. Reuben set up a poultry business in order to stay home with the children. Prior to this time, Reuben had worked most of his life as a carpenter. Frances worked as a registered nurse for many years. The family first lived on a farm near Romeo and later they purchased a home outside of Alamosa.

Reuben passed away on 23 Jul 1970, and is buried in Manassa. Frances has been an inspiration to all of her relatives. She remains active at the age of 91 (at the time of the history). After Reuben's death, they spent sever winters in California with her father, participating in work for the dead in the Los Angeles Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Frances is now living at the San Luis Valley Care Center in Alamosa. She has remained active in the church and is still a Relief Society Visiting teacher at the age of 91. She also still does temple work whenever she gets a way to go to Denver.

Taken from A History of the Ancestors and Descendants of Simeon Harmon Dunn and Annie Buletta Jensen, Compiled and published privately by Vera Dunn Olivier June, 1993,

Robert and Pam here for Jessie's wedding

2008-08-08T18:53:00.004-06:00

Bob and Pam have been coming to St George for the past three years. Jessie is a pitcher on the Dixie College girls softball team. She is very good. Bob and Pam have come to all of Jessie's games. They have stayed with me most of the time and they have become very close friends. The are a great family. Jessie is marrying a polynesian man tomorrow in the St George Temple. Some of them are staying in my home and Loyd and Cathryn are staying with Leon and Loni. They will be married tomorrow. I love being a part of the Dunn family. All of them are special.

Gatha

Christen Jensen

2008-07-20T18:18:00.001-06:00

Christen Jensen, son of Peder Jensen and Kirsten Andeston, 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, at Florence, Nebraska, and begged to be baptized. His father consented and he was baptized June 27, 1862. He instantly healed and became strong enough to walk all the way to Salt Lake City. The family later moved to Moroni, Sanpete county, Utah. During this time there was trouble with the Mavajo and Blackhawk Indians. Christen was mustered into Company A to do service in the Blackhawk war. He served in that capacity for three years.

He received his endowments and married Maria Sophia Anderson on February 8, 1868. That same spring, he received a call to go as a Church teamster across the plains, assisting the 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 1886, 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. He was in exile for 12 years. The family lived in Richfield for about 13 years and then moved to Eastdale. He was the father of 18 children. Anna Christana was the mother of 7 daughters and three sons and Helena Sophia was the mother of six daughters and two sons.

In 1886 Christen assisted in organizing the 92nd Quorum of Seventy, and for 11 years he served as its senior president. After the persecution relented, the Jensen family made plans to return to their home in Utah, but he cas called to move to Eastdale and serve as the Bishop of the Eastdale Ward. He was ordained a Bishop by Apostle John W. Taylor on August 11, 1897, with Simeon Adams Dunn as First Counselor and Ward Clerk and Andrew S. Nielson as Second Counselor.

When Eastdale was sold, Bishop Jensen moved to Manassa. On October 24, 1909 he was set apart as a member of the High Council. On August 20, 1911 he 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 and served as a Secretary and Treasurer of the San Luis Stake Academy. He has acted as Justice of the Peace, Police Magistrate, School Trustee, membeer of the Manassa Town Board, President of the Colonial State Bank of Manassa and a missionary to his native Denmark.

After the death of his wives, he worked in the Salk Lake Temple and met and married Eliza Bessey. Christen died October 31, 1932 in Manassa.

This history was taken from "The Mormons: 100 Years in the San Luis Valley of Colorado 1883-1893", compiled and edited by Carleton Q. Anderson, Betty Shawcroft and Robert Compton,

1956 Reunion

2008-06-22T10:27:00.013-06:00

Thanks to Bonnie Olsen, we have a listing of the people who attended the 1956 reunion of the Simeon Harmon Dunn Family. Please see below.

1. Wm. Emil Koch	15. Mary Lyne Mortensen	29. Levi Dunn	43. Robert Wm. Dunn
2. Ruth Carry Dunn	16. Delores Mortensen	30. Judy K.	44. Joseph Christen Dunn
3. Ruben Dean Gillespie	17. Donald Arlo Vance	31. Wm Rufus Warwick	45. Edgar Harmon Dunn
4. Frances K. Gillespie	18. Cora LaRue Bingham Lawson	32. Richard Boyd Pagett	46. Reva LaVerl Adelotte Dunn
5. Gayle Gillespie	19. Gatha Bingham Vance	33. Boyd Wm. Pagett	47. Mima Gay Dunn
6. Rex Simeon Dunn	20. Harold Lee Lawson	34. Elma Dunn Pagett	48. Jack Harmon Dunn
7. Nancy Dunn	21. Roland Kent Vance	35. Jane Dunn Pagett	49. Jill Ann Dunn
8. Paula Dunn	22. Donald Arnold Vance	36. Patricia Pagett	50. Simeon Harmon Dunn
9. Steven Dunn	23. John Edward Lawson	37. Nancy Pagett	51. Anne Beletta Jensen Dunn
10. Phillip Dunn	24. Bonnie Lynn Vance	38. Loyd Jensen Dunn	52. Hazel Dunn Nite
11. Verden N Mortensen	25. Betty Jean Johnson DeGolyer	39. Cathryn Brothers Dunn	53. Ethel Dunn Forsyth
12. Doris Dunn Mortensen	26. James Troy DeGolyer	40. Vera Louise Dunn	54. Ina Dunn
13. Lorna Jeanne Mortensen	27. Emily Jane Smith Dunn	41. Lloyd Gerald Dunn	55. Melvin Thomas Harmon
14. Gary Harmon Mortenson	28. Emily Dunn Warwick	42. Carol Anne Dunn	56. Sara Ellen Harsley Harmon

Eunice Chidester Harmon

2008-05-31T11:10:00.001-06:00

I got an email today from someone who had found our blog. She directed me to this interesting Blog article. This is my 3rd great grandmother in the black and white picture.

Short words of advice.

2008-05-25T22:24:00.011-06:00

Grandpa told me, "Hook your wagon to a star. Be the man your mother thinks you are. "

Gatha used to tell her children, "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all."

She also says, "The power of God is strong enough to pull us back into his arms."

Arlo used to say, "Put your money where your mouth is."

Betty's Mom used to say, "Save for a rainy day."

Gatha says, "There is no limit to the good you can do if you don't care who gets the credit."

Larry says, "Wisdom can be conveyed in a simple phrase." He adds, "You are only happy if you think you are."

He also says, "Choice is a two edged sword. " and "It is nice to know that there is forgiveness. The Savior has enabled us to receive and know that we receive forgiveness. We all have our skeletons."

Can you think of short lines of advice you have been given?

Ruth has a special day coming up

2008-05-23T06:42:00.007-06:00

Gloria brought it to our attention that Aunt Ruth is getting ready to celebrate her 102nd birthday.

See the article in the Valley Courier

State honors Valley centenarians
Posted: Thursday, May 22nd, 2008
BY: Ruth Heide

Photos by Ruth Heide San Luis Valley centenarians honored Wednesday in Alamosa are from left Ruth Coch of La Jara who will be 102 next month; Ethel Davis of Monte Vista who will hit the 100-year mark in October; Claude Albert of Alamosa who will soon be 101; and Irma Satterfield of Alamosa who just celebrated her 100th birthday last month.
One resident nears 102

By RUTH HEIDE

ALAMOSA — Ruth Coch said the reason she’s still alive is because heaven does not have room for her yet.

She will be 102 years old next month.

Meeting in Alamosa this week, the Colorado Commission on Aging and the Region 8 South-Central Colorado Seniors Inc. honored Ruth Coch and other San Luis Valley centenarians during a special ceremony on Wednesday.

In addition to Ruth Coch, San Luis Valley centenarians present for the occasion were Irma Satterfield of Alamosa who turned 100 on April 25, Claude Albert of Alamosa who will be 101 years old on July 13 and Ethel Davis of Monte Vista who will hit the centennial mark on October 3. Ruth Coch will be 102 years old on June 16.

Ethel Davis, who now resides at Juniper Village in Monte Vista, was born in Oklahoma and had 14 brothers and sisters. She moved to the San Luis Valley at the age of 21. She and her late husband “Bud” had 4 children, 8 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. She was a homemaker renowned for her mashed potatoes and also worked in the school cafeteria. Ethel also herded sheep from time to time. She is a lifetime member of Tri County Seniors.

One of 13 children, Ruth Coch was born in the San Luis Valley and married Bill Coch in San Luis “a long time ago,” she said. She and Bill had one daughter, Betty Jean, whom she called her greatest accomplishment, and several grandchildren and great grandchildren. When her grandchildren would call her “my beautiful grandma,” she would melt and often give them a quarter. Ruth played the piano, saxophone and basketball. She said she enjoyed playing in Sanford because that is where the good-looking guys were. She served as a clerk in the district court and now resides at the San Luis Care Center where her grand niece is director.

Coch advised young people to keep their bodies clean, not to smoke or drink, mind their parents and to flirt around.

Irma Satterfield was born in Mirage and grew up helping her father in the family business, a general store. She was married and had four children. She enjoyed being a homemaker as well as keeping active in her church over the years. Irma graduated from Adams State College and embarked on a second career in education.

A descendant of German settlers, Claude Albert is also a San Luis Valley native who was a rancher, was in charge of a road crew in Antonito and was a skilled handyman. He raised two daughters and three sons and enjoys his grandchildren. Claude now resides at Evergreen in Alamosa where staff recently found him throwing cookies for the resident therapy dog to retrieve.

The Valley centenarians received certificates from the governor and letters from U.S. Senator Ken Salazar who recognized the many changes and challenges the centenarians had experienced in the past century. “In surpassing the one-hundred year marker, these Coloradans have reinforced the age-old axiom that age ‘is just a number’,” Salazar said. “Now in their second century of their life’s journey, they are honored members of our communities and our society, and as such, are well-deserving beneficiaries of our admiration and respect.”

South-Central Colorado Seniors Policy Board Chairman Carol Refior recounted some of the changes and challenges the centenarians had experienced including heating up water for baths and laundry, outhouses, horse-drawn farm equipment, picking peas by hand and many other challenges. In the past century the honorees had experienced two world wars, the Great Depression and other major events, Refior added. She also described prices of the past such as 79-cent footwear and 2 pounds of hamburger for 15 cents. Refior described the social life of the early century when opera houses existed from Antonito to Saguache and shared the Paul Bunyan tall tale of how the Great Sand Dunes were formed.

Dignitaries present for the centenarian celebration in Alamosa on Wednesday included Alamosa Mayor Farris Bervig, Alamosa City Councilor Charles Griego, Alamosa County George Wilkinson and Ms. Senior Colorado 2007 Lara Carbajal. Local musician Donald Garcia provided entertainment for the event including the “Happy Birthday” song.

Colorado Commission on Aging Chairman Sheila Casey paid tribute to the centenarians’ “wonderful legacy” and attributed their longevity to their enthusiasm in life.

Ruth Coch exemplified that enthusiasm by remarking, “When I’m 200 I wonder what they’ll do then.”

Hypnotizing a chicken

2008-05-22T20:10:00.003-06:00

Grandpa and grandma Dunn had a chicken yard. The chickens would run around, scratch, and eat in the yard. I had a boy tell me that a chicken could be hypnotized. I doubted him. He proved it.

It is quite simple.

Catch a chicken
Hold the chicken with the wings tucked against the body
Place the chickens head on the ground with the beak on the ground and the eyes looking straight ahead
Start at the beak and draw a deep line in the dirt straight from the beak away from the chicken with a stick
Slowly move the stick away
Slowly release the chicken

It will stay there frozen and not move. I was amazed. In a few moments or after a sudden noise or movement the chicken would dart away.

The Grandmother Clock

2008-05-08T19:31:00.002-06:00

One of my fondest memories of Grandma and Grandpa Dunn's home was the grandmother clock that stood on a shelf in the kitchen. I believe that is why I love listening to a clock tick to this day.

Grandpa Dunn used to sing a song, "The Grandfather Clock". I would love to find a recording of that song.

I have heard it said that when their children were coming home late at night, grandma was ask them to stop the clock with the pretext that the noise was bothering her. What she was doing was having them stop the clock so she would know what time they were coming home.

I understand too, that when Grandma would ask one of the boys when they came in late at night what time it was. They would respond, "It's plenty after twelve."

Anna Buletta Jensen Dunn's Autobiography

2008-05-05T20:02:00.006-06:00

(Written in 1956)

I, Anna B Jensen Dunn, aka Annie B. Jensen Dunn, daughter of Christen Jensen and Carrie Peterson Jensen, was born 28 of June 1882 at Moroni, San Pete County, Utah.

When I was twenty-two (22) months old, my parents moved to Richfield, Colorado, with three of us children, Kjersten, myself, and our brother, Pete. Leaving our oldest sister Mary with Father's first wife, who never had any children of her own. We lived in a dugout that belonged to bishop Sarn C. Berthelsen until Father could get the logs and build us a two room house with a lean-to for a kitchen. I have heard Mother tell about the first year they were here, she peeled the potatoes thick. Father planted them and raised a good crop of potatoes.

Father always made two trips back to Utah a year, he always came back with honey, dried fruit, and the top of the trunk filled with red colored woolen stockings, which Aunt Sophi had spun the yearn, dyed it, knit stockings that came over our knees. It was kind of her to do so much work for us, but how I disliked them. I'd lose mine, hide them and be all day getting dressed. I got many spankings over them. Too, I learned if I could get the ones my sister had worn, they didn't itch so bad.

We lived in Richfield until I was fifteen years old, so there was where we received most of our schooling. I remember my teachers, Orlando Funk, Ira Whitney and Jimmy Dyer. At that time Father was getting ready to move his families, we had two families in Colorado, back to Utah. We were all anxious to go, when he was called to move to Eastdale to be Bishop of that Ward. So we moved to Eastdale.

It was there I met and married my husand, Simeon H. Dunn. We have had thirteen children, five boys and eight girls. Two boys died in infancy, one daughter died at the age of thirty-six years, so the children came to live with us.

We are poud of our family and enjoy them very mush, which at present number over ninety, including, in-laws, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Taken from, "A History of the Ancestors & Descendants of Simeon harmon Dunn and Anna Buletta Jensen", compiled by Vera Dunn Olivier, Published privately June, 1993, pp 26-27

Simeon Dunn - The Final Years

2008-05-04T19:30:00.007-06:00

Part 4 of 4 parts.

I was ordained a Seventy by Rules S. Wells on april 25, 1909, and a few years later was set apart as one of the Council of the 92nd Quorum. On the 24th of May, 1942, I was ordained a High Priest and set apart as a member of the High Council of the San Luis Stake by richard R. Lyman, an Apostle. I served under to Stake Presidents, John B. reed and Howard Shawcroft. During the time I was in the Seventies Quorum, I served as a Stake Missionary for about three years.

In 1940, I quit farming and went into the gas business wholesale and retail. During World War II, my wife and ran the place. She took care of the station while I did the hauling and delivering. Neither of us missed a day on account of sickness, and we had wonderful health. On January 1, 1950, I sold the business to my son-in-law, Boyd W. Pagett. I was 72 years old. I stayed and helped him for about four years.

During all this time I had been working in the Church in different positions. After my release as a High Councilor I was set apart as President of the High Priest's Quorum, where I served for about four years. I also served in the Mutual Improvement Association as Superintendent of the Sunday School for a number of years. I have served as a Wart Teacher (and Home Teacher) since I was a young man.

Our daughter, Cora, died October 11, 1944, and her husband, James Edward Bingham, died July 11, 1946, leaving a family of six children whom we helped to raise.

This history would not be complete without a word about my wife. We were married 58 years th 20th of November, 1958. She is the mother of 13 children, 11 of them we raised to man and womanhood, two died in infancy and our daughter, Cora died at the age of 36. The rest of our children are alive today. She has been a wonderful wife and mother, has taught her children honesty, thrift, to be good membeers of the Church and of the community where they live. She is loved and respected by the people of the community where she lives and all who know her. Our son, Rex was stricken with polio in 1936, when he was nine years of age. My wife never ceased working with him and spent years taking him to different doctors and hospitals. He was left with one leg that has to have a brace and he walks on crutches. As of this date (1958), we have 102 in family, in-laws and all--13 children, 43 grandchildren, 24 geat grandchildren, 80 blood descendants.

(1993 -- This history is bing finished by Semeon and Anna's daughters, Frances Gillespie, Ruth Koch, Hazel Nite, Elma Pagett, Doris Mortensen, and Ina Olsen). Anna Buletta Jensen Died October 9, 1959, at her home in Manassa. She was 77 years old. After he death, their daughter, Doris Morensen and family lived in the family home. Simeon lived with them in the summers and with his daughters, Ethel Forsyth, Ina Olsen and Hazel Nite, who lived in the Los Angeles area, curing the winters where he worked in the Los Angeles LDS temple. After five years, his daughter, Frances, rented a Temple apartment and they lived there together and worked in the Temple during the winters and went back to Manassa during the summers. The last three years of Simeon's life, he stayed in Manassa. He stayed mentally and physically active and died suddenly of a cerebral hemorrhage. He was 95 years old. He died January 10, 1973.

Better people never lived than Simeon and Anna. They are dearly loved by all of their descendants.

Taken from, "A History of the Ancestors & Descendants of Simeon harmon Dunn and Anna Buletta Jensen", compiled by Vera Dunn Olivier, Published privately June, 1993, pp 25-26

If I had known

2008-05-02T21:07:00.001-06:00

A Poem by Annie Dunn

I didn't know that love meant

Keeping houses clean, by constant sweeping,

Scrubbing, ironing, washing clothes,

Making beds and making wishes

For new hats, and shoes and dresses,

Staying home and cleaning messes.

If this is love, excuse the laughter,

I didn't know what I was after.

- Annie Dunn

Taken from "A History of the Ancestors & Descendants of Simeon Harmon Dunn and Annie Buletta Jensen", compiled by Vera Dunn Oliver and published privately June, 1993, page 29

The Old Armed Chair

2008-04-27T15:52:00.004-06:00

Grandpa was an old man when I heard him sing this song, but I loved it then, and I love it now. I believe that it was Ina who originally recorded it.

Simeon and Annie start their family

2008-04-27T11:47:00.008-06:00

Part 3 of 4 parts

I had now been away from home two years. I was offered a job teaching school at home, in Eastdale, Colorado, so I went home and commenced teaching for forty dollars a month in a little country school where I had all the grades by myself. In the fall of 1895, I was put in as Ward Choirmaster, a position my mother held before me. On November 21, 1899, I celebrated my 21st birthday teaching school with 30 or 40 students ranging from 6 to 16 years old.

In our town, water for domestic use was drawn with buckets out of wells 80 feet deep. We had no well on our lot, so my brother, Levi, and I decided to dig one. I had a horror working underground and had never been down one of those deep wells, but by starting at the top and going down a few feet each day, I learned to work underground. I also helped on the farm some and went to summer school in Manassa, which was taught by Clifford I Goff. I stayed at the home of Stake President Albert R. Smith. After this school closed, I, with another young teacher, Ashbel Haskell, attended a short teachers' course in Antonito, and after that two weeks went to Del Norte to a Teachers' Institute. By the time this was out, it was time to start teaching another term.

School started again (1900), the students who were sixteen last year were seventeen now and one of them especially was becoming quite noticeable to me. Before school was out in the spring, her mother said she didn't think it did much good for her daughter to go to school as she wasn't studying much as she was too interested in the teacher.

On November 20, 1900 this same young lady, Miss Anna Buletta Jensen, and I were were married by Joseph F. Smith, of the Council of the Twelve, in Manassa, at the home of her father's first wife. She was 18 and I was 23. I was teaching again at Eastdale for my third year. I traded a team of horses for a house and lot where we lived for 10 years. In the summer of 1901, A.C. Neilson and I took a contract stacking hay on a cattle ranch about 35 miles from home so we camped there while putting up hay.

On August 25, 1901, our first child, a girl, Frances Edna, was born and we thought she was the sweetest baby that ever lived. In the fall of 1901, Ammon Mortenson and I rented a herd of sheep from Bishop Christen Jensen, my father-in-law, and spend the next eight years, farming, building reservoirs, and working in the ward organizations.

On the 13 of May 1903, our second child, Ethel Leona, was born. On January 6, 1905, our third child and first son, Willard Oliver, was born. He lived a littler over a month and died February 18, 1905. We were broken-hearted. On October 5, 1905, my wife and I with our two little girls went to the Temple in Salt Lake City, where she received her endowments. I had already received mine, and we were sealed for time and all eternity and our three children were sealed to us. What joy and happiness this brings to us when we know that if we are faithful in keeping the covenants we have made with the Lord, we will be privileged to live as families forever in God's kingdom. On June 16, 1906, our fourth child, Ruth Carrie, was born.

The county in which we lived was an old Spanish grant, and the people who owned it sold it to another company who wanted to get more settlers on the land. As the community of Eastdale had the best water rights on the stream, they were anxious to get it and they put considerable pressure on us to sell. The people finally sold to them, some moving to Manassa, and some to Sanford.

On the 29th of July, 1908, our fifth child, Cora Emily, was born. We now had four little girls, the eldest not quite seven. (Cora was born in Eastdale.) During the summer and the following winter, I worked for the company which bought our land and water, on the reservoirs the Eastdale people had started. After working one day, I was put in as a foreman on the dam for which I received $3.00 a day and paid 75 cents of that for board. The common laborer received two dollars a day and paid 75 cents for board. I spent the winter working on the reservoirs and in the spring of 1909, moved to Manassa.

We lived on a ranch south of town where we stayed until the summer of 1910. During the summer we built a house and granary in Manassa. We made two rooms in the granary so we could live there while we finished the house. On the 1st of September, 1910, our sixth child, Edgar Harmon, was born in the granary. We finished the house before cold weather and moved into it where we lived for several years. I spent the next few years working in company with several of my brothers-in-law with sheep and cattle.

On September 12, 1912, Ina, our seventh child, was born. Our company dissolved partnership and Ammon E. Mortensen and I started working together. We farmed together until our boys were large enough to help run the farm. For the next thirty years, I ran the farm, milked cows, raised pigs, hauled milk to the creamery, and helped raise my family. During most of the time I had good health. During the terrible flue epidemic, after World War I, I had a bad sickness with flu, but finally got well. Many friends and relatives died with flu during this epidemic.

On February 24, 1915, our eigth child, Hazel was born. On March 7, 1917, our ninth child, Elma, came and on Feb 7, 1919, Doris was born. We now had eight girls and one boy living. On the 12th of April, 1921, Loyd Jensen was born and on the 13th of April, 1925, we had a son, Keith Melford, who was stillborn. Our last child, Rex Simeon, was born September 12, 1927. This is the total of our family, eight girls and five boys, eleven living. My mother, Eunice Emily Harmon Dun, died April 24, 1922, with cancer of the liver. She was 67 years old. My father, Simeon Adams Dunn, died February 13, 1935, at the age of 84.

During the winter of 1927-28, there was an epidemic of smallpox in Manassa. Many whole families were ill at the same time. The first bunch of vaccine that people were vaccinated with was not effective and by the time the second bunch was given out, most of the people had already contacted the disease. Our whole family came down with the disease, but all recovered.

Taken from Simeon Harmon Dunn's own history found in "A History of the Ancestors and Descendants of Simeon Harmon Dunn and Anna Buletta Jensen," Compiled by Vera Louise Olivier and published privately June, 1993, pp23 - 25

Simeon Harmon Dunn - His school days

2008-04-15T21:13:00.007-06:00

Part 2 of 4 parts

During my boyhood in Eastdale, I worked on a farm, milked cows and did any other work to help. Times were hard, no money and we had to make our own amusements. At first we held dances in private homes. We were well blessed with musicians, there being five or six men in town who played the violin. My mother had a small organ that we carried from our home to the place where we held dances to accompany the violin and I usually played it. We had a good time.

Later, a log schoolhouse was built where he held all public gatherings. Quite often a dinner for everybody in town was held at this schoolhouse. Everybody was friendly and we had good times. During the summer of 1895, I worked in Sanford for Ira Whitney, helping make adobes and building. In the summer and fall of 1895, I drove the horses that run the thresher, six teams on a horsepower thresher.

I had been thinking of going to Utah to school as there were no high schools here, so one day a young man and woman came to the thresher to find someone to help take a team and wagon to Odgen, Utah. I quit my job and in company of Steve Spiker of Manassa, we started for Utah in October 1896. We were about three weeks on the road and landed in Huntington, Utah, the day of election when McKinley was elected President of the United States. My Grandmother and uncle lived there. My uncle was superintendent of the Co-op store. A telephone line had just beeen completed from Price, 25 miles north on the railroad and one phone in the store was all there was in town and men stayed in the store all night to get election news as it came over the wire. This was the first phone I ever saw or heard.

I was 19 that fall. I lived with my Grandmother, Eunice Chidester Harmon, through the winter and attended Huntington Seminary, a church school, where high school subjects as well as religion was taught. A. E. Wall was the teacher. I was ordained a teacher in the Aaronic Priesthood by Bishop Peter Johnson and set apart as a counselor in the presidency of the quorum where I served that winter. An uncle, Oliver Harmon and family also lived in Huntington. The oldest boy, Oliver T., and I attended a music class where we studied vocal music under Professor Hardy. My mother was a good singer and I inherited some of her talent and was glad to have a chance to improve along that line.

Nothing of great importance went on except school work through the winter of 1897. The streets and roads were solid with snow so we had sleigh riding. When spring came and school was out, I went by train to Toquerville in Utah's Dixie, to work for Levi N. Harmon, another brother of my mother. I spent the summer on a small farm, irrigating orchards, alfalfa, and cutting and stacking the hay ten acres will produce. In this part of the country, the hay is cut four or five times a year. In the fall I helped pick peaches, grapes, and almonds, etc.

When school time came, I went to St. George, about 25 miles away, and spent the winter there in schoool with John T. Woodbury as teacher. I stayed at the home of another uncle, Melvin N. Harmon. He went with me and introduced me to the teacher and I was a homesick boy. As soon as opening exercises were over, a young man, Jospeh W. Webb, came and sat down by me and introduced himself and from then on we were together most of the time. A young lady, Della Rideing, also came and introduced herself. From then on, I made friends fast. I joined the baseball team (in Dixie they play all winter) and in many ways had good times besides attending to church duties as they were in the L.D.S church.

When school was out, I went back to Toquerville where my uncle Levi was getting ready to move to Castle Valley. Before leaving St. George, I was ordained an Elder by Edward H. Snow of the St. George Bishopric, and went through the Temple. My uncle and I went to Huntington by team and wagon, taking about a week to travel there. I again stayed with my grandmother. Shortly after arriving in Huntington, I took sick with some kind of fever and wasn't able to do any work for about a month. After getting well, I helped farmers put up hay and harvest grain.

During the summer, Professor Hardy organized a choir of 125 voices from several towns to attend and compete in a singing festival in Salt Lake City in October and I was chosen as one of the singers. The first part of September I went to Castle Gate and worked for the Rio Grand Railroad for a month and then went to Salt Lake to take part in the singing contest, 125 country people and we sure had a swell time. Of course we didn't win, but we had the time of our lives. Just singing in the Tabernacle was a thrill that I'll never forget.

Taken from Simeon Harmon Dunn's own history found in "A History of the Ancestors and Descendants of Simeon Harmon Dunn and Anna Buletta Jensen," Compiled by Vera Louise Olivier and published privately June, 1993, pp21 - 23

Simeon Harmon Dunn comes to the San Luis Valley

2008-04-12T17:41:00.006-06:00

Part 1 of 4 parts

I was born November 1, 1877, at Washington, Utah, the eldest of a family of nine children, five boys and four girls. They were Simeon Harmon Dunn, Levi Dunn, born Jan 9 1880, Tessie Dunn, born July 19, 1882 and died Oct 28 1882, elmer Dunn, born Sept 28, 1884, and Emily Dunn, born Nov 23, 1886. These five were all born in Washington, Utah. The following were born in Colorado: Eunice Dunn, born in Sanford on Oct 9, 1889, Etholen Silver Dunn, born at Eastdale on March 8, 1892, Charles Albert Dunn, born at Eastdale Jan 2, 1895, and Jared Willard Dunn, born at Eastdale on Sept. 9, 1897. Seven of the family are living at this writing January 19, 1959.

I was blessed and named by my Grandfather, Simeon Adams Dunn, Sr., Jan 12, 1878. For some reason not known to me, I was blessad again on the 5th of Feb. 1880, the same day my brother Levi was, this time by Andrew Larson. I spend the first part of my life as any normal boy, just growing and having fun. I remember when I was about nine or ten years old my father send me to a lot a ways from home to hoe some corn. While hoeing (and I didn't like to hoe) another boy came by and said, "Let's go in a neighbor's garden and get some watermelons." So we went and picked two of the nicest ones and into a bunch of trees to eat the, but they were still green and not good to eat.

The next day my father called me and said, "I hear you have been in the neighbor's garden stealing melons." Of course, I denied the charge, but it wasn'te any use. He knew I was guilty and I did, too, so I owned up to the charge.

He said, "Now you must go to these people and make it right." I tried to get out of going, but it was no use. So I went, but that was the hardest task I ever had to do. But I am thankful that my father saw that I made things right because I learned a lesson that I have never forgotten.

In August, 1883, my mother's mother, Eunice Chidester Harmon, a widow, took some of her children to Provo to school. My mother and her children went and stayed there three months with her and there I received my first schooling. I was then six years old.

On Jan 7, 1886, I was baptized by Robert F. Gould and confirmed by John P. Chidester. My mother was leader of the Sunday School Choir and practices were held at our home so I learned to sing the different parts in group singing, which has been a great help to me.

My father and mother had chills and fever a lot in Washington and hearing about the San Luis Valley in Colorado and thinking to improve their health, they decided to move. With two other families, Marcus Funk and Oscar Westover, they began the hourney on May 16, 1889. Bishop Funk had five wagons. Westover had two, and my father had three, making ten wagons. I drove one wagon all the way.

We traveled east and north passing through Cedar City, Parowan, Beaver, Richfield, Salina, up the Salina Canyon into Castle Valley to Huntington, where a brother of my mother's (Oliver Harmon) lived. We stopped there and visited a few days with him and his family. When the rest of our company arrived, we traveled east across some real rough country. Some places the road went across solid rock, small canyons and hills. This country they called Holes in the Rock. There was no water only in holes in the rock which had been filled by the rains, some of which were quite deep.

The next town was Green River. Here we came to the railroad, the same place where it now crosses Green River. Since it was spring, the river was high and there was no bridge so we had to cross on the ferry boat. This was accomplished without any trouble. We then started across the Utah desert which is dry exc ept for when it rains and then it is mud. We made it to a Mormon town on the bank of Grand River. This river is larger than Green River and again, there was no bridge, so we drove onto the ferry boat again. We were all standing by the rail or by the wagons looking toward the east bank when someone said, "Why don't we start?"

Someone else said, "Look back," and we were in the river moving steadily toward the opposite bank. From Moab, we went toward the southeast through rough country, bad roads, and scarcely any water. One night when we camped for the night, there wasn't any water for the stock. Some of the men went up a small canyon and climbed to the top of a rise in the bottom of the gulch about 12 or 15 feet high and found a deep hole in the rock filled with water, so with a bucket to dip and a cup at the bottom we watered our stock. We passed to one side of Monticello, Utah, and soon crossed the Utah-Colorado line.

We went through Mancos, Durango, and Pagosa Springs, then turned more toward the south toward the Continental Divide to Chama, New Mexico. Here we turned toward the north over Cumbres Pass, followed the narrow gague railroad most of the way across the pass. We came over a toll road across as far as Osier and then into the San Luis Valley, down the Conejos River to the town of Manassa. We started on the 16th of May and landed in Manassa on the 16 of July, just two months living and camping in wagons. Although we had many hardships, we also had good times. We never traveled on Sundays, unless it was necessary to get water for the stock. After leaving the river ranches, we traveled across the valley to Manassa without fences or anything to hinder. At that timer, there were no houses in Romeo, just a switch (for the failroad). We camped just north of the John Marshall place north of town for one day while the men looked around to decide where we would locate. Bishop funk and my father decided to locate in Sanford and camped on the block where the high school now stands.

A few days later, we moved into part of Bishop Bethelson's house. A short time later, we traded a team and wagon for a lot with a small house and a dugout on it, and moved into a place of our own. I was eleven years old at the time of our trip. I went to school two winters in Sanford. On Marcy 30, 1891, we moved to Eastdale in Costilla County. On August 23, 1891, Eastdale was made a Branch of Sanford Ward with my father as Presiding Elder. On Janyary 18, 1893, I was ordained a deacon by Bishop Soren C. Berthelson at Sanford. On January 29, 1893, Eastdale was organized into a ward by John Henry Smith and others with Marcus Funk as Bishop. On December, 1893, I was set apart as president of the Deacon's Quorum, which position I held till the fall of 1896.

(From Simeon's own history found in "A History of the Ancestors and Descendents of Siemon harmon Dunn and Anna Buletta Jensen", compiled by Vera Dunn Olivier, published privately June, 1993. pp19-21)

Grandma's Garden

2008-04-07T07:13:00.004-06:00

Grandma Dunn was a hard worker. She not only had one garden, she had two. The second one was close to the chicken coop. It was on the north west side of the garage. The year that Grandma died, her currant bushes died. She had a row of them by the kitchen door and some in the second garden. They also had a cow corral on the West of the property. Grandpa milked cows until after Grandma died. Donnie used to help him milk. Grandma and Grandpa gave us a great example of hard work and thrift.

Family Folk Lore

2008-04-06T14:14:00.005-06:00

When I taught school, I really enjoyed sharing stories from American Folk Lore. I would always start out our lessons with the question to the students: "Would you like to hear a true story?" I would then proceed to share a fun story that had it's roots in the vocal sharing of stories that had been passed from generation to generation. It is in that spirit that I would like to share this.

Grandma and Grandpa didn't always agree. As any couple has differences, so did they. As a matter of fact, they never did agree about the actual date that Aunt Ruth was born. Grandpa insisted that is was one day, but Grandma insisted that it was a different day and that she should know because she was there when Ruth was born.

Grandma Dunn had a garden that extended from the western porch of their house to the property line. It included a wide variety of vegetables including rutabagas, parsnips, carrots, potatoes, radishes, spinach, corn, beans, rhubarb, current bushes, and more. A garden of that size needed constant care. Plants had to be watered and weeded and thinned.

One day, Grandpa was working in the garden with one of his grandchildren. Grandma came to the porch door and shouted, "Sim, oh Sim!". Grandpa continued working with his head down. She called again, "Sim, oh Sim!" The grandchild anxiously looked at his grandfather who worked on without reacting. A third time, grandma beckoned, "Sim, oh Sim".

The child could bear the suspense no more. He turned to Grandpa and asked, "Don't you hear that?"

"No," replied Grandpa, "and neither do you."

Robert Dunn (2)

2008-03-25T05:31:00.000-06:00

This is Robert, using Gatha's computer and spot, since I'm not signed on myself. She's gone to Mesa to Doris Fay's wedding, and my wife and I are staying in her house during our daughter's softball games here at Dixie State, where she's a pitcher for their softball team. Gatha always makes us feel very welcome here. The news from our family is: The daughter we just spoke of, Jessie, is engaged and getting married in August (to a really good guy named Daniel Maiola Kalili Kaohe ai Kaonohe. Everyone just calls him Ola. He's Hawaiian.) Our oldest daughter just had our first grandchild, and all our kids will be married soon, excpt Rob, who feels it deeply. Loyd and Cathryn are doing pretty well, except that Loyd has had shingles for a week or two. Their daughter, Lori, is getting married on May 17 to a nice man she's known for awhile. We're very happy for her. Well, that's all for now. Love, Robert

Robert Dunn

2008-03-21T21:03:00.002-06:00

I spoke with Robert Dunn for about a minute this evening. He had come to visit my mother in St. George. Hearing him was like talking to Uncle Loyd. We are looking forward to having him join us and post pictures of his family so that we can get caught up with him. It's been a long, long time since we sat and visited with one another.

The MASK

2008-03-13T17:37:00.005-06:00

Who is whom?

Leave a comment with a number and a name.

This image is the map that relates to the list in the right side of the BLOG. It would be nice to fill in the numbers for those that I am not so sure who they are.

(Who have I missed?)
01 DeGolyer, James
02 Degolyer, Betty Jean
03 Pagett, Boyd
04 Pagett, Pat
05 Gillespie, Kaye
06 Mortensen, Rosalie
07 Nite, Jeanine
08 Pagett, Jane
09 Dunn, Jack
10 Dunn, Mima Gaye
11 Pagett, Elma
12 Dunn, LaVeryl
13 Vance, Kent
14 Vance, Arlo
15 Dunn, Edgar
16 Nite, Ronnie
17 Olsen, Ina
18 Forsythe, Allan
19 Dunn, Vera Louise
20 Dunn, Carol
21 Mortensen, Jeanne
22 Gillespie, Rueben Dean
23 Bingham, LaRue
24 Koch, Ruth
25 Mortensen, Doris
26 Mortensen, Verden
27 Forsyth, Ethel
28 Dunn, Anna Beuletta
29 Dunn, Jerry
30 Gillespie, Gayle
31 Forsyth, Donny
32 Nite, Max
33 Dunn, Simeon Harmon
34 Pagett, JoAnn
35 Forsyth, Don
36 Dunn, Robert
37 Dunn, Loyd
38 Gillespie, Frances
39 Gillespie, Rueben
40 Nite, Karen
41 Nite, Hazel
42 Dunn, Catherine
43 Bingham, LaRue
43 White, Barbara
44 Pagett, Richard
45 Mortensen, Mary Lyne
46 Mortensen, DeAnn
47 Bingham, Doris Faye
48 Vance, Donnie
49 Dunn, Nancy
50 Dunn, Philip
51 Vance, Gatha
52 Nite, Jimmy
53 Bingham, Jean
54 Bingham, Leon
55 Dunn, Rex

Doris Mortensen was very sick

2008-03-10T07:11:00.005-06:00

I talked to Catherine on Saturday and she said Doris had had pneumonia and was near death. Catherine had talked to Gary and he said she is much better and would be in a nursing home for a time until she recuperates.

Gatha

Grandma and Grandpa Dunn

2008-02-28T10:54:00.007-07:00

Grandma Lived in Eastdale, Colorado and was in school there. Grandpa Dunn was her teacher. They fell in love and were married.

They lived in Eastdale until my mom was born. Just before Edgar was born they moved to Manassa. All of the rest of the children were born in Manassa.

My grandparents were a great blessing in my life and the lives of my brothers and sisters. I remember as children, Betty Jean, Keith, Rex, and I were close in age and did a lot of things together.

One time Keith and Rex got Dad's 22 rifle and were playing cops and robbers and put a bullet in it and were going to shoot Betty Jean and me and the shell jammed in the gun and the gun was never any good after that. I think for Betty Jean and Me that was one of the Lord's tender mercies.

We spent many Sunday afternoons at Grandma and Grandpa's home. We lived in Manassa at that time.

Later when we moved to Romeo, it was fun to go to grandma's house. When our parents died, grandma's house was a place for me to go for solace. I love my grandparents.

Grandma and Grandpa, My great blessing

2008-02-27T12:59:00.006-07:00

There was a time in my life when I spent a lot of time with my grandparents. After my parents died I needed someone to talk to and to understand my feelings. Grandma Dunn was really there for me. So was Grandpa. I have felt bad that my children didn't have grandparents that they could love as I loved mine. Gatha

Blessings of having grandparents

2008-02-19T16:24:00.006-07:00

Grandma and Grandpa Dunn are really special in my life and of all of us. We spent a lot of time at their home as children. After our parents died, they were one of the greatest blessings to us. LaRue, Barbara, Leon and Doris Faye ended up with them at the end of their high school days. I spent many days with Grandma through those years. She gave me great comfort. I will forever thank her for her love. Grandma Gatha

Riding the horses

2008-02-19T07:11:00.000-07:00

Uncle Edgar had some horses that he kept in the pasture next to the fairgrounds. He would allow some of us to ride his horses.

Barbara White's children and I would go beg Uncle Edgar to allow us to ride the horses. we would go out to the pasture and catch them and get them ready to ride.

Jill would sometimes come with us.

I don't remember all the details, but I have memory of a couple times that we went riding. Patches was a retired bronco. Grey was a tall gentle horse. The Shetland pony was small, but was ornery. We would ride the horses depending on the people that were there and who was dominant. I ended up with riding Patches one day.

Patches liked to hold his breath when installing the saddle. This would make the cinch a little less tight, and probably more comfortable for the horse. After a bit the saddle would loosen. It was advisable to check the cinch after a bit of riding to make sure that things were all snug and proper.

The saddle loosened. I rolled to the side of the horse while clinging onto the saddle. Patches stopped and I fell to the ground. I rose and tightened the cinch, but while I was in the attitude of pulling up on the cinch that cantankerous old horse stepped back and stepped on my foot. I know it was on purpose. I pushed and shoved on the horse to get it to move from my foot. It did not put its full weight on me. We went on riding that day.

On another occasion it was my draw to get the Shetland pony. We were required to catch and prepare the horses for the ride. We managed to finally catch the horses we were going to ride. The pony did not want to be caught, and when it finally was, it did not want to be ridden, at least not by a little runt like me. I was able to mount the pony and get into position to ride it when it took off at full gallop toward the barbed wire fence. I was pulling on the reins with all my force to get the pony to stop. It finally locked its legs in a forward pointing position and skidded toward the fence. I went over the top of the saddle and over its head toward the fence. After extracting myself from the fence and beginning to check out if I was seriously wounded the pony backed up to me and started to kick. I was kicked in the head, after which I began to bleed profusely. I did not go riding that day.

How does blogging work?

2008-02-15T13:19:00.006-07:00

Some people who visit here may have an interest in being involved, others may just want to come look. There are two levels at which a person can be involved with a BLOG.

Post comments to articles published
Publish articles

The information for the BLOG is stored by blogger.com as a service. One person creates the BLOG and sets the limits on how the BLOG is used. There are two levels of privilege associated with a BLOG as an author. The original author is the site administrator. The site administrator can invite others to be contributing authors. Contributing authors can also be designated as administrators by the original administrator or subsequent administrators.

This BLOG is set so that the general public can view the BLOG. Anybody in the world can visit and look at what is published here. The administrator(s) can change the permission on viewing the BLOG to just those who have OpenId accounts, those invited by the administrator, or just authors. This BLOG is wide open to everybody for comments and viewing.

So in review, there are three levels of participation.

Administrator
Author
General Public

Anybody can look and comment. Only authors can post articles. The administrator controls who can do what.

If you are a part of the Simeon Dunn family and would like to have permission to be an author, then please notify Kent or me (Larry) that you would like to be invited by an administrator.

My address is larryavance1954 at gmail dot com. Replace the at and dot with the right symbols.

I grew up among them

2008-02-09T10:26:00.001-07:00

I am Larry Arlo Vance, son of Gatha Bingham Vance and Donald Arlo Vance. I grew up in Manassa Colorado. I lived with my parents across the street from Elma and Boyd Pagett. Elma is my mother's aunt. Gatha's mother is Elma's sister.

As I grew up in Manassa our family had the occasion to interact with several of the sibblings from the Simeon Dunn family. I suspect that some of them will outlive much of the 2nd and 3rd generations. I am grateful for the help that my family received from the Dunn family. They were always there to help us.

I remember that one day when I was in my younger years (single digits) and had received a bow and arrow as a gift. I shot my arrow up on the roof of the house. I went up onto the roof to retrieve my arrow by going up through the attic onto the roof. I retrieved the arrow and by the time I had descended back to the ground through the hatch into the attic my mother was waiting for me. She told me she found out I was on the roof from Elma.

Welcome Kim and Jack

2008-02-05T20:11:00.000-07:00

Jack and Kim, we are happy to see that you have joined use. We are really looking forward to a nice newsey post about you and your family. Pictures are worth a thousand words, but words are valuable too.

If you have email addresses for your Brothers and Sisters, I would appreciate it if you would mail them to Kent Vance for blog invitations rather than posting them on the blog. I'll see that they get an invation without publishing their addresses to the world.

The Potato Cellar

2008-01-31T18:23:00.000-07:00

I learned some great lessons from my trips into Grandma’s potato cellar. In the beginning of the season, it was fun to crawl down into the dark cellar under the porch because it smelled clean and it was a safe place to be. As the season progressed, however, the task was not so pleasant. The cellar became infested with spider webs and we had to be very careful where we knelt to insure that we were not kneeling in a rotten potato. Those rotten potatoes exuded the most awful smelling liquid and if they weren’t removed from the cellar, the potatoes around them also began to rot.

At the end of the season for storing potatoes, Grandma would have the cellar emptied, the walls and ceiling swept, and the cellar prepared for a new season.

Like potatoes, we do not live in a world alone. Our attitudes and actions have an effect on the people whose lives we touch. If we are living righteously and are wholesome, we can have a positive effect on the lives of those around us. When we are not, our rotten attitudes and actions have a negative effect on the people in our lives.

I have come to see that my life has had an effect on people around me. It has been painful to see the long list of people who have been hurt by my poor choices and unwholeseome behavior. More than anything, I would like to undo some of those effects.

Just as in Grandmother’s cellar, we had to identify the rotting potatoes to remove them from the cellar, I have had to identify my bad habits and attitudes before I can work on removing them from my life.

Fifty nine years of life has left a long list of people whose lives have been touched by mine. I would love to say I’m sorry to them if only I could.

In the process of working on changing my life, I have learned some things about myself. have had a strong need to always be right. This has been so strong, that I have trampled others’ needs in interest of my own. I need to be a better listener. Although I need to be heard occasionally, I need to make a better effort to listening to what others tell me. Maybe that is why I have two ears and only one mouth.

I need to quit rationalizing my behavior and making excuses for the things that I have done wrong in my life. There comes a time that it no longer matters why I made the choices I did. What matters more is what I am doing about it today. As long as I rationalize, I am denying the Lord the opportunity to work in my life to bring about change.

I am trying really hard to prepare for a new season in my life. Grandma's potato cellar has taught me some things to make the preparation easier.

Hazel and Doris visited

2008-01-31T15:05:00.000-07:00

Thought I would say Hi. I love all of you. Hazel and Doris were down here last weekend. It was nice to see them. Love Doris Faye

Larry Vance is here

2008-01-30T15:49:00.000-07:00

I am here. I hope that our ranks grow. It has been fun contributing to and reading the other blogs. Maybe this weekend I will make a meaningful contribution to the BlOG.

Until then, TATA for NOW.

Love
Larry.

It is great to be a part of a good family

2008-01-29T19:19:00.001-07:00

Today it is interesting to be a part of a big family where there are people you hardly ever see but feel connected to them. i love my aunts, uncles. and many cousins. Gatha

Family photos

2008-01-29T11:53:00.000-07:00

I love this old photo (It's also in the header). It's fun to look at the faces and remember when things were a bit different. I've tried to make a list of the people in the picture but some I can't recognize. I would love it if you could help me complete the list and make corrections where they are needed.

Do you know who the people in this photo are? What year was it taken?

Welcome

2008-01-27T05:31:00.001-07:00

Following Larry's example with his family blog, I thought it would be a nice thing to do to start a blog for our extended family. I started one for my parents, Arlo and Gatha Vance, and one for my grandparents, Ted and Cora Bingham.

I have enjoyed communicating with members of the family through these blogs, there there is another group I would like to reach. Simeon Harmon and Annie Bueletta Dunn, my great grandparents, were the only grandparents I remember. They loved us and taught us and are an important part of my life.

My fondest memories are those of our thanksgiving dinners in Manassa at their home, and at the home of their children in Manassa; Edgar and LaVeryl Dunn, Boyd and Elma Pagett, and Verden and Doris Mortensen. I don't remember ever having a dinner at the homes of Hazel, Ethel, Ina, Loyd or Rex, but they are their families were certainly part of those gatherings.

The years have taken us to different locations and as our families have grown apart. I yearn for an attachment to my family again and ask your help in helping me open the communication between us again.

I have created this blog as an avenue for us to share our memories, lives, and our love. It will be an open post and we welcome posts and comments from any family member who would choose to make entries. My list of email addresses is sadly incomplete. I would appreciate it if you would help me with any email addresses so that I can be sure to invite everyone in the family. If you want to be an author on the Blog, but don’t want your email visible to the world, just send me an email (rkentvance@gmail.com) and I’ll send you an invitation to be a member of the blog.