Autobiography of John Raymond Lee

I was born at Minersville, Beaver County, Utah, on August 28, 1877. My father was John Nelson Lee born 11 November, 1841 at Payson, Adams County, Illinois. My mother was Melissa Keziah Rollins, born at Cajon Pass, California 13 July 1841. They were married in Minersville on December 30, 1868, and later were endowed in the St. George Temple.

My four older sisters were: Jane Eveline, born 6 March, 1870, Ada Melissa 19 April, 1872, Ida Dionitia 8 October, 1873, and Mary Etta 6 April, 1875. I was the first son followed by James Henry 28 August, 1879, Luverna Edessa 29 August, 1881, Peter Leroy 4 Sep 1883, Angus Melvin 3 February, 1886, Lester Eugene 15 February, 1889, and Porter Lafayette, who was born November 8, 1891.

Mother went to Minersville for my birth, then father took us home to Panaca, Nevada, in a covered wagon. One of the horses died enroute, and father pulled the wagon with the other lone horse until we reached Desert Springs, twenty miles away, where he secured another horse.

At six years of age, I began school with Mary Finley as my teacher. Other teachers were: Allen M. Finley, Rose Atchison, George F. Whitney, Charles R. Ronnow, and Mr. Warner of Provo. My total years of schooling would be about five. At that time, boys were taken out of school as soon as they were big enough to help on the farm.

I was father’s main help on the farm. We raised a good supply of vegetables, which we sold at Pioche markets for several years. We also sold much to the mining camp at Delamar, Nevada, forty five miles southwest of Panaca. We also delivered ice through the summer, as well as in the winter. I made many trips with four-horse teams alone, taking three nights and two days for the trip. I received five cents for a pound of ice at times, but the usual price was seventy ($70.00) per ton. Vegetables ranged around two and one- half cents a pound.

Delamar was a wonderful gold camp. Thirteen million dollars ($13,000,000) in gold were extracted from the mines by means of Chilean mills or dry crush, which proved very deadly to the miners. Many lost their lives from the dry dust of those mines. Three cemeteries were filled with men who mined for the yellow gold. In later years, at great cost, Simon Bamberger bought out the former owners. He changed many things by making pipelines for twenty-five miles, from Meadow Valley Wash, over mountain passes. The main pump station was about nine miles from Caliente, Nevada.

After several years of this farm life, peddling vegetables, hauling freight, camping out, and farming, I fell deeply in love with Annie Eliza Keele, the daughter of David and Eliza Keele. I was just nineteen years of age when we were married. I married her at home in Panaca in 1896, then later we were endowed 15 June 1897 in the St. George temple. To this union were born nine daughters and five sons.

We lived at Panaca until after our first four children were born: Myrtle Idonna, Ada Evelyn, Jesse Raymond, and Leah Birdetta. I built a nice four room home on father’s land, about one hundred and fifty yards southwest of father’s home. I continued farming and stock raising, then father and I not being satisfied to let well enough alone, bought a ranch of 480 acres at Sunnyside, Nye County, Nevada, known as White River Valley. There my son James Horald, was born. After two years farming there, the rabbits became so numerous that we turned the ranch back to Mr. Horton, the original owner. He paid us one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) for our cattle and then father and I dissolved our partnership.

I moved my family, with my animals and machinery, thirty-five miles north, into Lund, White Pine County, Nevada. The town had been named in honor of Apostle Lund. From Bishop O.H. Snow, I purchased a home, city lot, and five acres of land from Nevada land and Livestock Co. Later I purchased more land. Estella and Melba were born here. Then desiring to increase my holdings, I sold my property to Mr. Hoop of Preston, Nevada. By so doing, I doubled my acreage and water rights. Here we raised hay, grain, vegetables and cattle.

Our baby boy, Porter La Vaun, was born here, but we were blessed with his companionship only six weeks, when he was called into the great beyond and we buried him in the cemetery at Preston, where we now lived, having moved there after selling out to Mr. Hoop. In Preston, Guy Willis and Margaretta were born also. I owned two houses there. I borrowed six hundred ($600.00) to buy one. This was a financial mistake. For years I suffered agony from an inguinal hernia. I wore a heavy truss for many years before I could afford to have it operated on, and many, many times, Annie came into the fields and helped with the work just like a man when I could not have carried on otherwise.

From Preston, we moved to McGill, Nevada a large copper and mining camp. Lester Nelson Lee was born there on December 18, 1911. I acted as fireman in the fire department and looked after the fire wagons. I also exercised the horses who pulled the fire equipment.

Annie and I decided a mining town was not the right place for our daughters, so we set our hearts on Oregon, but father’s persuasion took us back to Panaca, where I farmed another year for him. Then we went to Minersville, my birthplace, and farmed more than a year when I got word from Mr. Mitchell to run his farm at Parowan. Father had passed away July 21,1914
and my brother, Melvin followed him in death a few months later from a ruptured appendix,. November 18,1914.

After moving on the Mitchell farm, I raised hay, grain, vegetables, and livestock. I bought a home and city lot for eight hundred dollars. This is where Ida Mae was born. The following year I farmed for Evans brothers. Sheep were then added to the other enterprises. Next I farmed for Hans J. Mortenson, just across the street on the Culver farm. The products of this farm were hay grain, cattle, sheep, and hogs. In 1917, ELzada was born at our new home in Parowan. She died eight years later with ruptured appendix. She was born July 19, 1917.

In 1919 we again decided there was great possibilities for families in the Sugarville district. This was in the Delta Valley. We moved there and rented eighty (80) acres to raise beets and alfalfa. Edessa was born there on June 30,1920. Then I leased 160 acres from Gus Johnson three miles farther east in the Woodrow district. Everything was going nicely until my wife Annie became suddenly ill. In twenty days, she died from blood poisoning caused from obstruction in the blood vessels of her legs. She passed away September 22,1921. I was left a widower with our thirteen children, five of whom were married. At the mother’s death, Melba assumed the role of mother and, carried on the great responsibility of caring for the house and our motherless family. Annie's funeral service was held at the Sugarville ward. The tabernacle was filled to capacity although scattered with friends who loved her. Fifty-five automobiles followed in the funeral procession 15 miles to the cemetery in Delta, Where she was buried. Although we had so many kind friends it was a terrible blow for me to carry on without my beloved wife.

We lived in the same house in Woodrow until the following Spring. The land was boggy so we moved to Hinckley, Millard County, Utah, about fifteen miles south of Woodrow. We leased 160 acres from F.L. Hickman and farmed there two years. Then, I bought 80 acres north of the Hickman ranch, this was called the Perry place. Here I met and married my second-wife, Harriet Theobald Bliss whose husband had been killed by a derrick fork. We were married in the Salt Lake Temple, October 2, 1924, by Elder George F. Richards.

In the meantime my son, Horald, had married Jennie Woodbury, and Melba had gone to Provo to attend school at the Brigham Young University. The household duties were turned over to Margaretta, but soon she married Orvil Morris, and left me again without a housekeeper. Stella, a married daughter, cared for her younger brothers and sisters. Myrtle, also married, helped with their care. The boys did their part too, in helping to keep the home going.

My wife, Harriet's house, and 40 acres were just across the street from our house and 80 acres of alfalfa seed land, so, we unitedly ran both places. Harriet had eight boys and one girl, so with our two large families, it was better that she preside in her own home, and our home was kept as before. Things went quite smoothly when Elzada became ill at school. Her operation was at Delta hospital and she was dead in three days from a ruptured appendix.

At this time, our baby son, Leo, by Harriet, was just four months old. After Elzada's death, things went along fairly well, and soon we were blessed with a little brother for Leo. Otto was born January 29, 1927. Hattie (Harriet) hemorrhaged badly and it became necessary to take her to Salt Lake City, on advice of Dr. Middleton where she was taken to the L.D.S. Hospital. Otto was then two days old and was left in the care of Sister Wilford Warnicke, who kept him in excellent shape for a month. They then had expected to turn him back to his mother, but Hattie did not live to nurse her baby or see him again. She died February 28, 1927. Her body was returned and funeral services were held at Hinckley High School Auditorium. She was buried in the City Cemetery.

At that time I felt I had almost more trouble than I could bear and only my good family standing by and the help of dear friends, gave me the courage to go on. Don and Nora Bishop, who had not been able to have a child for eleven years, consulted with President Hinckley, now an apostle, about adopting little Otto; since Nora and Hattie had been very dear friends, Nora was anxious to have her baby. He told them that with my consent and the blessings of the Lord they should take him. When Otto was nine months old, and was very much loved and doing so well, Nora dreamed that Hattie came to her and wanted her baby back. This, of course worried Nora, especially since she soon became pregnant herself. Strangely enough, when Otto was nineteen months old, he drowned in the well, the day after Nora’s baby was born. I can't help feeling that Hattie wanted her baby and the Lord made it possible for Nora to have one to take Otto’s place in her heart.

Once more I was alone in sadness. hardly knowing the wisest course to pursue with my family. Through all of my trials, I endeavored to take part in my religious duties. At different times I held responsible positions in many of the church organizations; Superintendent of Sunday school, President of YMMIA. Ward teacher, and Counselor in the Bishopric. I have always felt it my obligation to pay tithing, donations, etc. These responsibilities helped to sustain me during those trying times.

The water shortage and other obstacles made me feel that I could do better elsewhere and also get away from the sorrow I had experienced in that area. I closed out my holdings and with a rambling desire, took a trip into the Snake River Valley in Idaho as I wanted to get my family in as good a location as possible, but this did not prove satisfactory. I went back to Nevada, to work as a laborer, then as night foreman at the foundry in McGill. I worked four years for the Nevada Consolidated Copper Co. My daughter, Ida Mae, was my housekeeper. Edessa and Leo were with us in a small town of Steptoe overlooking McGill township. Dessie was about ten and Leo five years of age. Soon Mae married John Munson, and again I needed a housekeeper. Next came the depression, and many men were out of work. I was laid off at the foundry.

I hardly knew where to turn, but I was somehow guided back to my old boyhood home in Panaca. By this time, of course, father was gone and mother had remarried and was living in Cedar City, Utah. The old home had been vacant for years. My sister, Edessa, who lived just a short distance away from the old home, was happy to see the light shining in the old house again. Those were the last lights to shine in the old homestead. After a year there with the baby girl of Annie's and oldest boy of Hattie’s, again I was at my wits end to know what was best, and I earnestly prayed for someone to help me finish raising my children. I thank my Heavenly Father for hearing my prayer.

In February, 1933, Mary Lowe Lemon went to visit her daughter, Genova and Willis Robinson, her son-in-law, who taught school in Panaca. Genova and Willis had taken me to Caliente and other places on different occasions. One Sunday night, I attended the opening of a new ward in Caliente, built under the direction of Bishop Porter Lee, my brother, and his counselor. This night, the Robinsons brought Genova’s mother with them and thus began a much brighter future for me. In about a month I married Mary Lemon, whose husband had been gored to death by a bull in 1915.

My last night in the old home brought many mixed emotions, because I knew I would never again live there where so many memories, both happy and sad, were all around me. I was alone and worked all night preparing to leave on the early morning train for Willard, Utah, where we would make our home. I left with my intended wife, leaving Dessie and Leo with their Aunt Dessie until we could get settled into Mary's old home, which she and her former husband, Alec Lemon, had built when they were newlyweds. We knew there would be many problems to overcome. Mary’s large family of boys and girls were all married and very much disapproved the marriage of their mother to a man they did not know. I knew I would have to work hard to prove my loyalty and love for their mother. My family of married children probably were not too approving either, but in the years that we lived together, Mary and I, very happily, we proved to both families that it is very possible for older couples to have a happy and satisfying relationship even with so many hurdles to overcome. We have more than justified the faith that we had in each other.

We were married in the Logan Temple on March 17, 1933, by President Joseph R. Shepard. The following years, I worked the land on Mary's farm, planting new fruit trees, removing old ones, spraying, picking, selling, and the many, many tasks that go with earning a living on a fruit farm. As soon as we were settled, I brought Dess and Leo to their new home. There were many adjustments to be made. Edessa was about 13 years of age, a very sensitive, shy child, and after about two years, Melba and Hans, her husband, took Dess to live with them in Arizona. Leo was about 8 years of age, and easy going, happy boy, who readily accepted Mary as “mom”. He helped with the work of the farm and attended the local schools, finally graduating from Box Elder High School, at Brigham City, Utah.

World War 2 began in 1941, and both Guy and Lester enlisted. Later, Leo and several grandsons enlisted or were drafted. Guy was sent to India with the Army where he was badly wounded and spent many months in the hospital. His death in 1953, was no doubt hastened by the many toxins in his body from this experience. His death was caused from Hodgkinson’s disease.

Lester enlisted in the Navy and was on a cruiser in the South Pacific, or Solomon Islands, when the Japanese bombed the ship, the Astoria, which was sunk along with two other cruisers on August 9,1942. He was a gun loader, and the reports say he "stayed at his post until the gun was blasted from the ship." He was reported missing in action and finally declared lost a few weeks later. About twelve hundred lives were lost that night.

My granddaughter, Georgia Mickelson married Ray Munson, brother to my daughter, Mae's husband, John Ray was in the Army, and was badly wounded on the Anzio beachhead in Italy. Leo enlisted first in the Navy, then the Army, rating in as a Sergeant, then finally making the Air Corps his career, earning his wings as pilot, then after his marriage to Helen Harrop, advancing to Major. He has made the years in service fruitful. Leo has raised a fine family, four boys and two girls,(as of this writing, July 1962) and is serving as Bishop in one of the
wards in San Bernardino.

John Raymond Lee and Children
Family Reunion Tooele, Utah.

Back row: (inserted) Lester Lee, Mae Lee Munson, Guy Lee, Dessie Lee, Jesse Lee, James Horald Lee, Estella Lee Eddards, Melba Lee Claussen.

Front row: Ada Lee Griffiths, Myrtle Lee Kesler, John Raymond Lee, Mary Lowe Lemon Lee, Birdetta Lee Mickelson, Marge (Margaretta) Lee.

John Raymond Lee
Family Reunion
Children, Grandchildren,
& Greats

Back row: unk, John Munson-husb of Mae, unk, John Munson-son of Mae, unk, unk, unk, unk, Ray Munson-husb of Georgia-daughter of Birdie , Guy Lee, Tillie Lee-wife of Guy, Jesse Lee, James Horald Lee, unk, George Mickelson-husb of Birdie, unk of Myrtle, child in arms of Nina-wife of Jesse Lee, Albert Kesler, unk of Myrtle, unk of Myrtle, unk of Myrtle, unk of Myrtle, Jennie-wife of James Lee.

Center Row:Unk, Mae Munson, Edessa Lee, Ada Griffiths, Myrtle Kesler, John Raymond Lee, Mary Lemon Lee, Birdie Mickelson and grandchild Linda, Melba Claussen, Marge (Margaretta) Lee, Stella Eddards with child, Georgia-daughter of Birdie Lee Mickelson.

Front Row: unk, unk, unk, unk, unk, unk, daughter of Jesse with baby, unk male with girl, unk male with boy, unk girl, Raymon Lee-son of James, Flora Monson- dau of Mae, unk, Helen Lee-dau of James, son of Myrtle, Sharon Lee-dau of James.


At this writing, July 1962, 1 am again alone. My wife, Mary, passed away on February 3, 1962. She died without pain as she had been promised in her Patriarchal blessing. She was 93 years of age. We lived together in harmony and love for 29 years. At present I am 85 years old. I have recently visited with my two brothers, Porter and Lester in Nevada, and with my sister, Etta in the St. George hospital. Etta’s health is gone, and it will be merciful when God will take her. She does not recognize anyone and is a total invalid. I pray every day that I may not become incapacitated in such a way before our Heavenly Father sees fit to call me home. My sisters, Edessa and Ida have passed away within the last five years. I have at the present time,10 living children, 55 grandchildren, 128 great-grandchildren and 8
great-great-grandchildren.

Many happy memories of our marriage I remember fondly and there were many events that brought us sadness. First, Mary's grandson, Orvin's boy, Wayne, was killed when their horse kicked him, rupturing his spleen. Second, Eileen, 0rvin's daughter, lost her husband as he was crushed when a frozen slab of earth fell on him while he was making a drain for their new home. After she remarried, her son, Wayne, named after her brother, was killed accidentally by a tractor.

The next sad event was when we learned that Lester had lost his life in the service of his country. Then Orvin's son, Bert was killed while in the service. He was accidentally killed by a tractor he was running. Then Guy's death brought the next sad event. There have been many other unhappy events, but mostly our marriage was blessed by good health and with much happiness. Mary was allowed to live as long as life was sweet to her. Our life was very satisfying and I believe we were able to prove to both families that we did love each other very dearly, and could make a home for each other. Mary shared her home with me and I was happy to justify her faith in me by showing her children that all I wanted from their mother was her love, and had no desire to take anything away from the home, but was glad to do my best to build it up and work the land to support us.

Their kindness to me has grown through the years, and I believe our feelings for each other is as fond as any father-children relationship. These last thirty years have gone by very quickly. They have brought enrichment to my life in the many associations I have had with Mary's friends and her children and grandchildren, who are like my own dear ones.

At this time, due to my state of health, it is not wise for me to live in the old home by myself, so the future years will no doubt bring many changes. I will enjoy my remaining years getting re-acquainted with my own children and I am sure the years hold many more happy experiences for me. God has indeed blessed me.

-- John Raymond Lee

After July, 1962, John Raymond Lee lived with his daughter, Mae Munson, in Bellflower, California, a suburb of Los Angeles. He desired greatly to make a last trip to visit his brothers, Lester and Porter, in Panaca, Nevada, and to visit his old friends there. He was driven to Panaca by his son-in-law, Mervin Edwards, and his daughter, Ada. miraculously, his badly deteriorated hip improved enough to allow him to walk over the beloved land of the old Lee farm. He had planned to stop in Tooele, then travel once more to Willard to visit with Aunt Mary’s families.

He spent several days with his oldest daughter, Myrtle Kesler and family, in Tooele, when his heart began to fail. He was placed in the Tooele Valley Hospital, where he passed away, without pain, after having sung, “Bury Me Not on the Lone Prairie" just 20 minutes earlier, when the nurses came to get him ready for breakfast. He has lived a wonderful full life. Everyone who came in contact with him loved him. His funeral, by his wish, was held in the Willard, Utah Chapel. Hundreds of friends and relatives paid their last respect to him. The services were planned by him several years before, and those who participated paid a wonderful tribute to a kind, wonderful man.

He passed away July 19, 1963, at age 86. He was buried beside his first wife, Annie, in Delta, Utah, according to his wishes. His sons, James and Leo J. officiated at the graveside. Pall bearers were grandsons, Ronald Lee, Ramon Mickelson, Lester Munson, Verl Kesler, Calvis Kesler, Marion Kesler. He is survived by: Mrs. Albert Kesler (Myrtle) Tooele, Utah; Mrs. Mervin Edwards (Ada) Minersville, Utah: Mr. Jesse Lee, Delta, Utah; Birdie Mickelson, Redondo Beach, California: James H. Lee, Kearns, Utah; Mrs. Estella Edwards, Cedar City, Utah; Mrs. Hans J. Claussen, (Melba), Winlock, Washington: Mrs. Margaretta Duncan, Winlock, Washington, Mrs. John Munson (Mae), Bellflower, California; Edessa Lee, Douglas, Arizona; Leo J. Lee, San Bernardino, California.

(Name spellings and birth dates verified 23 September 1998 by Jennie May Lee Adam from computer Genealogy records.

Annie Eliza Keele

Annie Eliza Keele Lee
My Mother's history
by James Horald Lee 1960

I have many times made the request of my sisters to take time to ponder and write some of the things that they remember about our precious Mother. So, at this time, I, Jim Lee, am going to put down on paper some of the things that I remember about her.

She was the mother of 14 children of which 9 were girls and 5 were boys. She was a very attractive woman with big brown eyes, beautiful teeth and a generous crown of auburn colored hair. She had always had beautiful roses in her cheeks and her eyes sparkled when she laughed. I remember when we were working in the fields, beet fields, mother would always come with something tasty for us at about 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. She was always concerned about her men and about her girls. Although she was the mother to and had 14 children, she was never old. Many times she would go to the dances with the girls and it was hard for her to make people believe she was their mother, not their sister.

Truly, the saying that, "there is no love, like a mother's love" was true about her. For every heartache one of the children had, she also had heartache. I remember when I lost my first love. The whole world seemed to have fallen from under me. I moped around for 3 or 4 days, and just keeping it to myself. Her heart ached for me. One night when I went to bed, she quietly came into my room and slipped in by my side. She took me into her precious arms and I cried out my sorrow on her shoulder. It sure relieved me, for I felt much better the next morning. She taught each of us how to cook and prepare a good meal, boys and girls alike, so that when the time came that we had to cook, we wouldn't just be lost.

She was a practical nurse and a good one. Three different times she brought me back from death's door with her love and care. Then when death called her and Annie Eliza Keele Lee one of us were able to do for her what she had done for us, so many times, it almost broke my heart. Then there were the heartaches during her long illness, which was caused by a miscarriage, when blood clots stopped the circulation from her legs and so her legs and feet died first, which caused her such pain that she had to be under shots almost constantly, she couldn't stand for anyone to help her change her position but me. She thought that I alone could and was able to help without hurting her. I spent many hours and days alone with her watching her die from the feet up. Her skin on her feet became transparent so that I could see the bones as if it were just plastic covering the bones. Then her legs went this same way. Finally gangrene and blood poisoning brought her relief many times I had and did cry unto the lord to take me instead of her. Little realizing that such a puny offering could not pay for such a priceless gem.

We got hold of four different doctors but none were able to cure her and to remove the clots from her legs. Then in desperation we called Dr. Green from Parowan, Utah to come. Mother had worked for him as his nurse during the terrible flu epidemic of 1918. He called her his 'old life saver'. For when a patient was that bad that he could do no more for them, he would turn them over to mother and she would bring them through almost without exception. When dad called Dr. Green and told him what had happened to mother, he dropped everything and came to delta.

We were all present when he came. Also there were 2 other doctors. When he came to her bedside, he knelt down and put his arms under her head and wept bitterly for his 'Old Life Saver'. When he examined her and tried to force the blood through the veins by massaging, but to no avail. All the while knowing that there was no hope and all the while there were tears of grief falling onto his hands. Our hearts went out to this wonderful doctor for he was a great man and a wonderful doctor. But despite all our efforts, the Lord took her home and left such a deep and empty spot in our hearts. Many times in the fields, cultivating beets, tears of memory have fallen down my face as I remembered how precious she was and I could feel her presence near as if she were trying to comfort me as she had done many times before.

Remembering back to the time when our oldest boy was killed, I had been helping them clear some ground on a new project. I had my tractor on my truck and was returning home late in the afternoon. We stopped at a farmer's house to see about buying a cow to take out to Blaine’s place. After making the arrangements to get the cow, we returned to the truck, to find a flat tire, on the back. It being almost dark, we hurriedly took off the tire and took it to a garage and had it fixed. Blaine called his wife to come, and they would go home from there while we were hurriedly putting on the tire, a pickup truck driven by a boy and accompanied by his father came along the highway and seeing us in a crouched position, thought that someone was hurt. He applied his brakes to stop. The left wheel's brake, grabbed and swung his pick up around and into us knocking us under the truck. Blaine’s head struck a bolt and knocked a hole in his head, just above his eyebrow. Me being badly hurt, my chest caved in and my lower gum almost severed, I saw his quivering body lying on the ground and felt that at that moment, I would never see him alive again. Another car came along and took him to the hospital along with me.

He never gained consciousness. He lay between life and death for three days. About 2 a.m.on the 3rd day, I was lying on my bed in the hospital feeling miserable, when I felt the presence of my mother, as I had often felt before. I turned as if to see her. But I couldn't, but knew that she was there. I knew, in my heart, that she had come for my son. When the bishop came the next morning, he said, "it's all over". I said, "I know, for my mother came for him."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

What I Remember About My Mother
By Leah Birdetta Lee Mickelson


My earliest recollection of my Mother is when we were living in Lund, White Pine County, Nevada. I can remember when Daddy was freighting from Tonopah to Lund with a 4 horse outfit. After one of these trips, he brought a man home with him named Monroe. Apparently Daddy did not get another load of freight. He and Mr. Monroe had filed a claim together on a gold bearing mine. He let Mr. Monroe go back to Tonopah to finish negotiations on the claim. Mother begged Daddy not to trust Monroe, but to go with him and see about it himself, but Daddy was always trusting, being honest himself, so instructed Monroe what to do. The next Daddy heard of the mine was that Monroe had sold it for $10,000 and skipped the country.

Mama used to clean us children all up about 10 o'clock in the morning of a nice day, and pick up the baby in her arms, (Stella) and take us up to spend the day at Aunt Lou Harrison’s. While she and Aunt Lou visited, we and the Harrison children had good times together. Daddy would come after his day's work was over and carry the baby home. Sometimes Aunt Lou would bring all her kids and spend the day with us. Mama and Daddy liked to dance and attended all the dances. Sometimes they would take the kids with them and put them to sleep on the benches while they danced. We always had wonderful Christmas. One year Mama crocheted a lovely white sweater for papa of wool yarn, when it was nearly worn out, she would salvage the best parts and crocheted booties for the baby. Mama was an excellent seamstress, she made all our clothes and her own.

One incident stands out in my memory that happened while we were still living in Lund. Papa played Santa Claus to Dell Ivens family, as Mr. Ivens was at that time on a mission. Mama got Daddy all dressed up in his Santa Claus costume, complete with bells and all and sent him to the Ivens home, he peeked in the window, and sister Ivens was telling the Christmas story to her children, as she finished, Daddy jingled the bells and came close to the window. Hearing the sound of the bells, the children looked at the window, seeing Santa clause there, they scampered off to bed in a hurry.

Then sister Ivens opened the kitchen door and talked to Daddy for a moment. She told him she had explained to the children that there would be no visit from Santa this year, as Santa only visited those who could pay for the gifts, and since their Daddy was on a mission for the Lord there was no money for gifts. Papa gave them something in the way of Christmas cheer. I think Mama had baked something, either cookies or a cake and some home made candy and some toys. Sister Ivens tearfully thanked him and Mama, whom she knew had helped to plan it.

A couple of years later, when we moved six miles to Preston, sister Ivens came to our house at conference time. She wanted Mama to come and go to conference with her, Mama had a month old baby (porter)and she told sister Ivens that she could not get into her Sunday dress, as her corsets had worn out by the time the baby was born. For the benefit of those who might read this, all the women wore stout corsets in those days with steel stays in them, so sister Ivens, being a slightly thin woman, went into the bedroom, took off her corsets, let out the laces, and had Mama put them on, so she could go to conference with sister Ivens and her husband who by that time was back off his mission. (naturally Papa went to conference too.)

I remember waking up one morning while we were still living in Preston. There was a quilt fastened up to the doorway where there was no door, and I asked one of my sisters, who was also awake, why there was a quilt there. My sister Ada said she did not know. Just then papa pushed the quilt back and said, "hey you kids, get up and come and see your new baby brother".(Guy Willis). Sister Windows, the midwife who had delivered the baby, was busy getting some breakfast. Many times Mama used to walk with us children on the hills close to our home, while Daddy was working on the farm. Some times she would pack a lunch to take with us. She made the most delicious taffy candy I have ever tasted. I remember and probably you do too, Horald, watching her plump shiny arms in fascination, as she pulled the candy to the right stage to stretch out on the table and cut in pieces, then she would pick up the pieces when they were cool and place them on her big white platter (china) with the pink roses on it. Mama's friend bertha smith painted the platter when we lived across the street from her in Lund. Many is the time, Horald, when we've seen that platter heaped with popcorn balls she'd made or apples she'd polished, at Christmas time.

Mama worked hard both inside the house and out. I remember one year papa was ill and could not work. It was harvest time and along with one other person that papa hired, Mama went into the field and loaded the shocks of grain. It was hard work, she used the pitch fork and finally got the crop harvested. Constant use of the fork had bruised the inside of her hand between her second and third fingers. This place on her hand gathered into what sister windows called a felon. I don't know what it is known as today, but I think it is infection from the bruise. Mama's hand and arm swelled and became inflamed, she was quite ill and lost a lot of sleep through it. She bound it up in a bread and milk poultice, this caused it to come to a head and break releasing pus and blood. After this the swelling and the infection went away. Mama always did the doctoring for the whole family and half of the neighborhood. I’ve heard her say that she never had a doctor in the house until her 12th child was born (Ida Mae). Her children were delivered with a mid-wife and papa, who was as good as any mid-wife, I know he helped me when my first child, Arthur was born, and I had a doctor in the house, too.

I remember when I had the measles, it seemed like all the children managed to get a childhood disease at about the same time, then Mama got very little sleep. I remember how Mama would come in when we were sleeping, and how she would go from bed to bed feeling our forehead or check to see if we had fever, giving this child a drink of water and that child a dose of medicine, which in many instances she had mixed herself. When the kids got the toothache, papa would get the forceps out and pull the tooth if need be, while Mama held our heads and comforted us afterwards. Mama doped our ear ache with warm olive oil. Mama never used olive oil unless it was consecrated. A he said that it has "healing power." By this time the family numbered 10. Myrtle, Ada, Jesse, Birdie, Horald, Stella, Melba, Porter Lavon, (who died later) Guy, Margaretta.

Even with this big brood of kids to look after, Mama still found time to entertain us, she took us swimming in the creek below town. She played jacks with us on the lawn, helped us make valentines, helped scoop out squash for jack-o-lanterns. She sang school songs with us and taught us some songs she had learned when she was in school. Since we had no radio or other forms of music, Mama would sing the baby as she rocked it to sleep in the evening. Sometimes Daddy would join in, they sang nicely together. Mama made a lovely soprano voice, Daddy had a nice bass voice. We as children would sit and enjoy their singing and ask them to sing certain songs that were our favorites at that time, such as "Papa Dear Papa, Come Home with me Now" "Listen to the Gypsy's Warning" and "My Beau with the Little Black Mustache". This answered our craving for music. At Thanksgiving and Christmas there were other favorite songs "Over the River and Through the Woods", Silent Night, ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, and several others that were in the church hymn book. I think the first time I ever heard "Silent Night" was when Mama sang it to us. It seemed like all our troubles and hurts would fly away when Mama sang to us.

Daddy decided to move the family to McGill, White Pine Co., Nevada. Where he could make a better living for us. There, our brother, Lester was born on my birthday, Dec.17, (there seems to be some question about the year) I guess it was 1913. While we were living in McGill, Mama took in washing for several of the workers, after she had ironed them, she would wrap them neatly in newspaper, tie them with twine string and label each package with the man's name, the price of the washing, and the address. Never was it over 35 or 50 cents. Mama used to walk with us down to the park below McGill, which is now the dairy and swimming pool. After a year or so we left McGill, and moved to Panaca, Lincoln County, Nevada. Daddy's youngest brother, Uncle Porter came to McGill from Panaca to help move us.

He drove one wagonload and Daddy drove the other. I do not know how long it took us, but one night we camped in an old log camphouse a way off the road. We just got settled in there when it started to rain. Daddy had wagon covers over the wagons, and we hobbled the horses so they wouldn't stray too far from camp, the only way Mama cooked our supper was over the fire in the open fireplace. After we had all been fed and the younger children were in their beds, which Mama had made on the straw covered floor, Mama and Daddy, myrtle and Ada sang some songs to us. The one I remember as outstanding was "Jesus Lover of my Soul". It is a beautiful song at any time, but on that occasion in that lonely place, with the rain falling in the darkness, the snug little cabin, the flickering fire all contributed to make it a memorable occasion. Uncle Porter said, "my hair stood on end when they sang that song."

Just before bedtime Daddy went out to round up the horses for the night. It was still raining, thundering and lightning. Just when Daddy was wondering where the horses were, there came a flash of lightning, revealing the horses back in the trees, but more important, the lightning showed Daddy that he was about to step into a deep dry well. He told us about it when he came back into the cabin. Mama said, "the Lord is watching over us this night." We reached Panaca without harm or accident. Outstanding in my memory about our reaching Panaca, was Mama's reaction upon meeting her grown up brothers and sisters, who had been quite young when she last saw them, 8 years before.

I would like to say here, that Mama didn't cry easily but upon meeting each brothers and sisters, who had changed so much, she was overcome and cried and sobbed. Grandma Keele, Mama's mother said, "I was afraid it would be this way, Annie, you have stayed away too long." We lived with Grandpa and Grandma Lee for a while, then we moved to a house in another part of town. It was in this house we had our first Christmas tree. Mama showed us kids how to string popcorn and cranberries to decorate the tree. We had always hung up our stockings over the fireplace before. Mama made we girls lovely Christmas dresses. Mama and Daddy always managed to take us to the program on Christmas eve. Mama always made a fruitcake and plum pudding for Christmas with turkey or chicken for a nice Christmas dinner.

On the 4th of July, we had lovely white dresses she had made for us. The boys got pants which she made from Daddy's old pants or suits. (they looked nice too).

After living at Panaca approximately 2 years, we moved to Utah. Daddy had hoped to go to Uintah basin, but after we reached minersville, Daddy's relatives talked him into settling in Minersville, Beaver Co., Utah. While living in Minersville, both myrtle and Ada met and married their husbands. We remained in minersville about a year and a half, then moved 18 miles away to Adamsville, where Daddy farmed for Mr. Griffiths, Ada's father in law. Things did not turn out very good for us that year, I remember at Christmas time in order to have money to buy our gifts, Mama popped corn which Daddy had raised, and made it into snowy white balls. She and Daddy took them up to Beaver where they sold them to Mama's cousin, Lizzie Cowdel who had a store there.

In February, we moved to Parowan, Iron County, Utah. Daddy had leased a farm there belonging to Mr. John T. Mitchell. It was while we were living on this farm that our sister Ida Mae was born. The farm was 4 miles to town (Parowan) so as school time drew near, Daddy rented a house and we moved to town, where those of school age attended school. Mama took care of both Myrtle and Ada at the birth of their first babies. Mama's 13th child, Elzada, was born while we were living in Parowan. Something I forgot to mention earlier was the death of Mama's brother Jessie while we were in Preston, she had dreamed a day or two before of him, and he was climbing a flower bordered stairway into the sky. She was unable to go to his funeral, and years later when we were living in Parowan Valley she received word of the death of her sister Elzada in Alamo, Nevada. Mama was unable to go to this funeral because she was expecting our sister Ida Mae in about 6 weeks. After the crops were harvested in September, Daddy moved us up to Parowan City and rented a home there. The children of school age started to school. The house we lived in was too small, so the following spring Daddy moved the family to another house which happened to be across the street from the Mickelson, and there I met my future husband George Mickelson.

When I told Mama that George had asked me to marry him, her reply was "wait a month before giving him an answer, to make sure you are ready to settle down to a married life. At the end of a month I decided I wanted to marry him so we were married in October of that year. When my first baby was born in August, the following year, Mama had me come to her place and stay until my baby was a month old. She had a month old baby at that time (Elzada) this was Mama’s thirteenth child. A few months later Daddy moved the family to the Culver Farm in Parowan.

While they were living there, Mama took care of our sister Ada, from Minersville, when her son Lavon was born. While they were living there Mama received word from Panaca, Nevada, that her mother was critically ill. She made the trip to Panaca, where she nursed her mother back to health. Mama had the know-how of nursing. When the "flu" broke out in Parowan, Mama nursed many people through the danger period. Even though she herself was quite ill with it.

The following year, Daddy moved the family to Delta, Utah. Daddy leased a farm there. I had several letters from Mama, one containing the news of a new baby girl being born to her (Edessa.) When dessie was 18 months old, Mama became ill of some strange malady. All we married ones were called to her bedside the doctors didn't seem to know what Mama's trouble was. One doctor said it was bright's disease, another said it was obstruction of the blood vessels, her legs turned black and she lost the use of them and became bedfast. The pain in her legs was so bad it was the cause of her losing a great deal of weight. It was as though her legs died while she lived to experience the horrible pain. Through this ordeal, Mama retained a normal temperature. She was concerned even then with the welfare of her family, especially her 18 month old daughter Edessa. Our sister Melba was the oldest girl at home then, and you Horald, was the oldest boy still at home.

Melba did a mighty fine job of caring for the family with the help of Daddy and the 8 children still at home. Daddy sent to Parowan for Dr. Green because Mama had quite a lot of faith in him. He had been her doctor when Ida Mae was born in Parowan valley. Dr. Green was unable to prescribe for her, and later he told Daddy, " I knew as soon as I looked at your wife that she was already an angel. I would have given anything to be able to help her. " by this time Daddy had sent for Mama's mother. She helped relieve the burden of nursing and house work.

If I remember correctly, Horald, the last two weeks of her life, you were the one who was able to move her without hurting her, and this service you willingly did for her. It seemed you had a more gentle, careful way of lifting her than any of us could. By this time she had lost so much weight that you were able to lift her alone. Horald, dear, I know these are painful memories to recall, but it seems we have to relive them in writing her history. I know we all wondered at the time, how the Lord in his goodness and mercy, could possibly take Mama away from her big family. But even so, she departed this life Sept. 22, 1921. I believe the funeral was held in Sugarville, and she was buried in the Delta Cemetery. Now Horald, any of these dates which you know are wrong, please correct them, but I feel that we had an especially wonderful mother, and her spirit and teachings will remain with us always.

I hope these things I have set down here will aid you in writing Mama’s history, Horald, and may the Lord bless you in your task.
Love to you always, Your sister, Birdie.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"MY MOTHER"
As I remember her, written Jan. 20, 1960
By her daughter Ada Edwards

My earliest recollection of my mother was when I was about 3 and a half years of age. My oldest sister Myrtle and I and my brother Jesse were standing around a chair eating hominy from saucers. All of us were babies as we were about 17 months apart. At that time, we were living at Aunt Ida Hollingshead's place, across the street from Grandma Lee's place at Panaca. I can even recall what she looked like. Very young and beautiful, as she was married at 15 years.

She was fair and had warm brown eyes and light brown hair and so much in love with my dear Daddy, who is alive today at age 81, full of the best of living. Mother had many talents, being a gifted seamstress, she made many beautiful clothes both for herself and for her family. She was also an excellent cook. She could make fruit cake and pickles as I have never tasted anywhere since. I recall sneaking to the cellar where I would eat pickles from the crock as if they were candy.

She had many virtues, among them the power of discernment of being able to see things before they happened. I have often heard Daddy tell of things she seemed to foresee, and say that if he had listened to her council he would have been better off.

We lived at Panaca until after my sister Birdie was born, then went to the White River Ranch to live in White Pine County, Nevada, where my dear brother Horald James was born, as were too far away to have a doctor in attendance, my Grandmother Lee and Father were the only ones with her at the time of his birth but she was very brave and young and so got along very well.

They soon had to move from the ranch as the wild jackrabbits took all the grain and hay and the cattle had nothing to eat. They moved farther northward to a little town called Lund, Nevada, where we settled on a little farm and bought a house. Daddy was very young yet I remember his 25th birthday, very well. He had to leave home and go away to far off Tonopah to haul ore. Mother was left alone for long periods of time when he was away. While living at Lund, my sisters Stella and Melba were born with only a midwife in attendance. Mother and Daddy both took an active part in church work and many times took part in home theatricals.

After 3 or 4 years at Lund, Daddy decided to go to Preston, a town still farther northward. He bought a farm and we lived there for a number of years. My sister May Margaretta was born here, as also Guy Willis and Porter Lavon. He died when only a few weeks old.

During some of these years at Preston, my father became very ill with a bad hernia and as they didn't operate for it at that time, he was bedfast a lot of the time and mother had to work real hard. My dear mother scarcely took time out to have her babies at that time as my brother Jess was not old enough to do chores, she would be up and around as soon as possible.

At this time a dear sister by the name of Margaret Windows, she was a midwife, and took care of mother at childbirth, then mother in turn would take care of her, when her children were born. Our families were almost like one big happy family, often eating Thanksgiving Dinner at each other's home.

Since mother was such an excellent seamstress, the ladies would often come to mother's house and they would sew and make quilts together, often bringing their little ones with them. They would stay all day long.

It was the custom in those days to have a community Christmas tree, where one would take a gift to put under the tree for Santa to give the children. On one occasion, I remember that Santa was taking the gifts from the tree when his beard caught on fire from the lighted candles. Mother screamed and ran to him and hiding his face from the audience she pulled the burning beard from his face. I didn't know for many years that the Santa was my own dear father. Christmas was in those days, sheer magic, to we children as we never saw any toys, nor went in any stores to see anything like that before Christmas, and on finding toys in our stockings, Christmas morning, we were more than delighted. I never knew then what a sacrifice it was for mother and dad to always have a very merry Christmas for us, and sometimes they would play Santa to those less fortunate than we were.

Mother made our 4th of July dresses out of pink and blue sateen as that was the only material available at that time, but with her skill and as a fine seam-stress, she took some lace medallions out of a blouse she had and trimmed them. They were princess and I was very sure they were the prettiest dresses in town.

Mother was a good neighbor in every sense of the word, often sitting up with the sick and doing nursing to those who were ill. In recent years I visited our old town of Preston and a lady told me how mother had helped her when she lost her husband and how she had nursed a sick child.

Dad's restless nature soon had them on the move again. This time we went to McGill Nevada, a booming mining and smelting town. He worked at the mill for about 4 years. Here my brother Lester Nelson Lee was born. Aunt Margaret Windows came up from Preston to be with mother during his birth. But as she was expecting a child, she could not stay; so it fell to my lot to help nurse mother and baby brother. Mother would instruct me how to bathe the baby and take of him. He was born in December and that was Christmas. I helped take mother's place as Santa’s helper, which was a thrilling experience for me. While we lived there, mother would take in washing to help out with our large family.

Soon, however, they were called back to Panaca, to help Grandpa Lee on the farm. However this did not last long, as we had to live with grandpa. So after a couple of years, they came to Utah. Living at Minersville, his father's birthplace, for a short time. Here, I met and married Reese Griffiths, a fine violinist. Shortly after, mother and dad moved to Parowan, Iron County to live and they lived there for 4 or 5 years. Here my sisters, Ida May and Elzada were born. Dad engaged in farming while there. During 1918 a flu epidemic broke out and mother was called to nurse the sick and dying. As many of them lost their lives at that time. She was a fine, courageous woman. She took care of her large family and went nursing night and day and helping to save many lives.

After a few years there, they moved to Millard county where they lived at Sugarville. Here my youngest sister Edessa was born; making 14 children for her however mother's health started to fail and when Edessa was only 14 months old, mother got blood clots in her legs and after much suffering died, leaving her large family and ending the life of a very noble woman loved and revered by many.

Lovingly submitted by her daughter, Ada Griffiths Edwards, with love to my brother Horald James Lee

John Raymond and Annie Eliza Keele Lee

Written and submitted by: Mae Lee Munson and Georgia Munson
as published in the book: "White River Valley Then and Now -- 1898 to 1980 Lund, Nevada," by Mike Meservy

John Raymond Lee was born at Minersville, Utah on August 28, 1877. His father was John Nelson Lee, son of Frances Lee, who with his brothers settled in Panaca, Nevada.

John Raymond married Annie Eliza Keele, daughter of David and Eliza Jane Geary Keele. Annie was born March 14, 1881 in Panaca, Nevada. They were married in 1896 and later endowed in the St. George Temple. John R. Lee hauled freight to Delamar gold mine for several years and was his father's main help on the farm, as he was the oldest son.

John R. and Annie were blessed with nine daughters and five sons. For their first several years they lived in Panaca. They left Panaca for Sunnyside, Nye County, Nevada, known as White River Valley, in 1902. After two years of farming there, the rabbits became so numerous and destructive to the crops that it became impossible to make a living. Mr. Horton, who owned the land, bought it back for $1,000.00, 480 acres and cattle.

The Lees then moved to Lund, Nevada, thirty-five miles north in White Pine County. The town had been named in honor of Apostle Lund. John R. purchased a home from Bishop 0. H. Snow, a city lot and five acres of land. Later he increased his acreage. Estella and Melba were born in Lund, joining Harold who was born at Sunnyside and Myrtle, Ada, Jesse and Birdetta who had been born in Panaca. John (Ray),wanting to increase his holdings after about three years in Lund, decided to move his family to Preston. He raised hay, grain, vegetables and cattle. The family moved to Preston about 1906. A son, Porter Lavon, was born here but lived only six weeks and he was buried in the Preston Cemetery. Guy and Margaretta were also born in Preston. Ray then bought another home, in addition to the one he already owned. It was a financial mistake. He suffered physically with a very painful inguinal hernia, as many men did at that time, because of the heavy lifting needed on the farm. For many years Annie went into the fields and worked right along with him until the boys were large enough to help.

Ada recalls an incident when she and Myrtle, ages 5 and 6, went for a ride in an old wash tub out on the large pond on the ranch at Sunnyside, luckily they were discovered before they capsized. The water was very deep in the middle of the pond and neither girl knew how to swim. In later years the two older girls helped their father with the farming until Jesse was old enough to take his place beside his father.

The house they lived in was a small two room log home with a "leanto". Annie and Ray sang duets at many church and town functions. Ray loved to play the harmonica and was a caller at the many quadrilles, so popular at that time. Annie would chord on the organ, and it was just a natural thing for the family to learn to sing together. Ada also played the organ. All the children had nice voices and every family get-together meant sharing the familiar old "home" songs.

Annie was an accomplished seamstress and Lydia Munson, who lived across the street from the Lees, recalled a time soon after Guy's birth when Annie called to her to come and see what she had made. When she ran across the street she found 5 pretty little girl's dresses laid out on the bed that Annie had just finished making. The baby was 3 days old.

Ada remembers a happy childhood with the simple things, as life for most early settlers was making their own entertainment. She attended school in a one-room school house which served as a church and community building also. She recalls one Christmas in Preston when her father Raymond was Santa Claus (as he was many times) and that evening as they were enjoying the community Christmas tree party, Santa was distributing the gifts for the children when he got too close to one of the candles which ignited his beard. Ada said she couldn't understand why "mama" went running after Santa Claus as he made a hasty exit. She remembered the miracle of Christmas and receiving gifts that Santa brought, even after Daddy had told her Santa was too poor to visit that year. She and Myrtle had great times "fixing" all the young girls' hair for dances and entertainments. They were "self made" beauticians and were kept very busy making other girls beautiful.

Annie was a fine cook and many young couples in Preston and Lund tell about the 19 pies or 20 cakes that were made for their receptions by "Sister Lee".

Birdie remembers how different discipline for school children was handled as compared with today's methods. She told of Jesse being severely punished because he was disrespectful to Mrs. Brown, his teacher. He was called into the Principal's office and soundly whipped. His father and mother, working in the garden close by, heard his cries but the decision of the teachers and school administrators was upheld and they did not interfere. Jesse carried welts on his back for several days.

In the winters the farmers took the wagon beds off the wheels and put them on sleigh runners. Straw was put in the bottom and with warm quilts and a heated brick or two, the children loved to ride to church or around the town with "Papa" skillfully handling the horses.

She, too, remembers a unique Christmas when Santa Claus came to the community program to distribute gifts, and how disappointed she was that "Papa" missed seeing him because he had to go "see to the horses" just before Santa came. It was several years before she knew that Papa and Santa were the same person.

Birdie also remembers an incident about a disagreement among the Indians close by. It seems that one woman accused another of stealing money she had earned scrubbing floors. The quarrel became so violent it was necessary to call the town marshall. The accused woman was questioned and searched but the money was not found. Finally some one suggested her hair should be searched because it was thick and piled high on top of her head with hair pins. The money was found and the dispute settled peacefully.

Love between neighbors was truly practiced during those times. The older girls remember when Brother Ivins was on a mission and "Papa" told the girls that Santa couldn't come to the Ivins family house because all their money had to be sent to their missionary father, and Papa further asked the Lee girls if they would share what they had received with the Ivins girls. They remember the warm feeling of love when the gifts were delivered along with cookies and candy that "Mama" had made. There were tears of gratitude and love exchanged, making it a most memorable Christmas.

Annie was a very capable practical nurse, as was her dear friend, Margaret Windous. Th#se two girls exchanged services for each other when their babies were born, each attending the other with love and kindness.

It was a memorable occasion to watch Annie make taffy candy. She had the unusual strength in her arms to pull the shining candy into glistening strands that was so good.

Her stamina was almost legendary. She never was attended by a doctor for any of her children's births until the 12th, Ida Mae, was born. Some of the feats of strength credited to her by Preston neighbors in later years would seem impossible to this generation.

John and Annie found life hard at times with such a large family but there was a great abundance of love between them and their children which seemed to compensate for many things of the world which they did not have. They gave love and friendship to all people they knew through out their life time. They left Preston in 1911.

At the present time all children of John R. and Annie are still living except John Lester who was killed during World War II in the South Pacific, Elzada died in 1924, Guy deceased 1954, Myrtle in 1969 and Harold in 1976.