Sherwin and Elva's Wedding Reception

Left to right: Unidentified bridesmaid, Joyce, Mary Bailey Kerr Danielson, Elva, Sherwin,  unidentified best man, Earl, Erline, LeGrand, Elva's mother and father. December 13, 1963

James Agee Smith and Christina Penrod

These photos are Walt's great grandparents, James Agee Smith and Christina (Penrod) Smith?

James Agee Smith, b. 1829 in Gibson County, TN, d. 1902 in Provo, UT

Christina Penrod, b. 1842 in Nauvoo, IL, d. 1902 in Provo, UT.

Dewey and Jennie and Family

Cousin Susan F. sent this photo, asking for help identifying family members. I don't see LeGrand--perhaps he is taking the photo? Here's my take (left to right):

• Illa
• Alma
• Floyd (blond hair)
• Dewey Sr. (in back)
• Albert
• Dewey Jr.
• Dexter
• Jennie (holding Dexter)
• Richard "Dick"

The photo would have been taken in the summer of 1933, probably in Lake View, Tooele County. What do you think?

Cousins, 1958

The above photo was probably taken during the summer of 1958, when Aunt Illa's family visited at 1015 N. Blvd.--probably while en route to or from Yellowstone Park. Left-to-right are:

• Wilford
• Bob Harvey
• Wes, held by cousin Susan Harvey
• Shauna (Dewey Jr.'s daughter--in front of Susan)
• Deborah Harvey
• Me

My, how time flies!

Brothers

LeGrand's three oldest sons, ages 2, nearly 6, nearly 8.

Logan, the Dansante and Grandma Law

As part of a visit to the Utah Festival Opera, we attended a backstage tour of the Ellen Eccles Theatre on 43 South Main Street (where we would later see the two operas). About half way through the tour, I heard a word that I had heard Mom mention whenever she talked about the beaus who courted her in college--in fact, it might be where she met my dad. The word sounded like "dansant."

As we finished up at the Ellen Eccles Theatre, the guide said, "Now let's walk across the street to the dansant." As we walked across the street we saw this building at 59 South 100 West, which now houses the offices, scenery shop, costume studio, practice rooms and other offices of the Utah Festival Opera:

Inside the Dansante, they told us a brief history of the Dansante:

It started out as a rollerskating rink then as a miniature golf course. By the late 1930's it was a dance hall (hence the name "Dansante," French for "dancing"). (It was here that Mom went to weekly dances leading up to her marriage to Dad.) Also during that time, it was used to race miniature cars and to hold boxing/wrestling matches. The tour guide mentioned that notables like "Gorgeous George" and "The Swedish Angel" boxed or wrestled there.

After World War II the building fell into disuse until 1993, when Michael Ballam purchased it from an M.D. in California, restored and expanded it into the offices of the Utah Festival Opera.

Following the 1:00 Mikado performance, it occurred to me to wonder where Erline had lived as a single college girl. I recalled that she had lived at her Grandma Law's house. I checked out the 1920 Census (on the Internet) and found that she had lived at 79 West 400 South--about 4 blocks away from the Dansante. We drove there and took this photo:

I'm not certain if this is Grandma Law's actual house, but it is definitely at the same address. It could be that vintage.

After taking the photo of Grandma Law's house, we went to look for a restaurant. On the way we noticed a Bluebird Candy Factory, located on the same block as the Bluebird Restaurant (where we had dinner yesterday evening), but physically separated by at least half a block. Curious, we walked into the factory, where we learned that the factory and restaurant separated in the not-too-distant past. The chocolates we purchased at the restaurant yesterday weren't really Bluebird Chocolates, but were purchased from other "generic" manufacturers. We each went away with one authentic Bluebird Chocolate.

Myrtle and Mabel: Twin Sisters

Left to Right: Myrtle Deem (Law) Cole and Mabel Deem (Law) Atkinson were identical twins. Although undated, this photo might have been taken somewhere around 1917, when Myrtle and Mabel would have been 20 years old. (If you know of a more accurate estimate, please let me know!

Cold Idaho December

Judging from the candy cane wreath on the front door at 1015 North Blvd., this photo must have been taken in December. Third and first sons, ages 6 and 12.

Three Little Magi

In her third book of poetry, Path to Home (1962), Mabel Law Atkinson writes of her three grandsons in the poem "Three Little Magi":

Three little Magi, as I follow you I find again the world of wonder through The shops festooned with stars that blaze and blink-- Brighter the shining stars that dance and twink Within the blue of your exploring eyes-- Humbly I follow who am Grandma-wise. While watching your rapt faces, your small hands Caressing gifts with awe, on quiet sands Of Galilee I walk with One adoring And blessing little children. My heart outpouring With love acclaims the Christmas miracle-- Three little Magi, with their beautiful, Sweet marveling, their radiant reverence, Lead me through wonder trails of innocence.

Uncle Melvin

This is a photo of Melvin Boyd Atkinson (Erline's younger brother), taken about 1942. Melvin died in an automobile accident in Fort Ord, California, on June 7th of that year. The following poem (written by his mother) likely refers to Melvin:

Heaven's Alchemy When in my garden of Gethsemane The sun was darkened and my song was stilled. My heart was bleeding, for a part of me-- The boy I birthed and reared with love--was killed. While spheres were clashing, Heaven's mighty power Rebuilt my shattered kingdom when I said, "Thy will be done." The moment--magic hour! Restoring my torn soul. Upon my head I felt a crown of peace I had not known. The veil was thinned ... The Master at the helm Let me behold my living son, His Own, And see the beauty of His glorious realm, Its kingdoms reaching far as thought can look-- Mortality but prefaces God's book.

Legacy

My latest project is to transcribe Grandma Atkinson's poetry and short stories (as mentioned in yesterday's blog entry). Today I encountered a poem entitled "Legacy" that surely must reference her own father, Francis Joseph Law, and the legacy he left his four sons and six daughters. Here is that poem, followed by a family portrait of Mabel, her siblings and parents:

He looked around the room and saw his ten-- A few short hours was all he had to live-- He smiled, "Six stately women, four tall men! To you I leave no lands or gold but give An honored name on which you each may build Your cherished castles, live your dreams and find No breath of scandal that must needs be stilled-- No specters that can haunt your peace of mind; For though I have but walked the lowly road My thoughts have been as high as yonder star. My love has lightened every heavy load; And I have watched you climb to where you are Pride in my heart--Now my short trek is ended. Continue choosing pathways, broad and splendid." Francis Joseph Law and family: Back (l-r): Vernon, Reuben, Rozella, Stella, Joseph, Orville Seated: Myrtle, Mabel, Anine Deem Law, Francis Joseph Law, Nomah, Minerva Tuesday, September 30, 2008 Mabel Law Atkinson Great Grandma Atkinson (1897-1962) wrote numerous poems and short stories during her life. I have begun a web site dedicated to her writings. Much work remains, but I hope you will enjoy it (as it develops). Sunday, July 6, 2008 Let's Dance This is a photo of LeGrand and Erline in about 1940, three years before their marriage. He passed away in 2000. He had been in an assisted living center for less than one day. The evening he died, Erline attended a high school jazz concert in which her grandson Derek played. At the end of the concert, Erline told Derek that during the concert that night--when Derek's group played Glenn Miller's "In the Mood"--Walt had come up to her and said, "Let's dance." After the concert, Erline received a phone call from the assisted living center, informing her that Walt had passed away during the concert. Saturday, July 5, 2008 Erline with Her 5 Boys, about 1958 Wednesday, June 11, 2008 Happy Birthday, Mom! We would be celebrating your birthday in person today if you were still around. (It's been over three years since you left.) We miss you. Thanks for the many wonderful memories!! Thursday, May 29, 2008 Logan Home On Memorial Day earlier this week, we stopped at 265 North 3rd East to see the last place LeGrand and his family lived in Logan, Utah. He graduated from the AC (present-day Utah State University) on June 3, 1949. By the end of the summer, the family had moved to Idaho Falls. The place has been amazingly well maintained! This is the door to the basement apartment where LeGrand and his family lived. It is now labeled as apartment C. Here is the same downstairs apartment door seen from a distance. These photo were taken while travelling home from the Memorial Day family picnic at the village where LeGrand and Erline are buried. We miss you, LeGrand and Erline! Friday, May 16, 2008 Eight Years Today Today it has been eight years since LeGrand passed away. We miss him and his influence. Thanks for the memories. (As he would say, "You're A-O.K.") Wednesday, April 30, 2008 Willie and Wally About 1948 Subscribe to: Posts (Atom) Search This Blog People, Topics Ag. Club (1) Albert (3) Aleatha (1) Alma (4) Army (1) Arnold Pitt (1) Art Bird (1) Christina Penrod (1) Construction (1) Dansante (1) Dayton (1) Dewey (5) Dewey Jr. (3) Dexter (3) Dick (4) Doris (4) Dorthy (1) Earl (2) Elva (1) Erline (11) Erma Shields (1) Floyd (3) Frances (1) Glenda (1) Grandma Law (1) Green River (1) Henry (1) Homes (3) Illa (3) James Agee Smith (1) Jennie (4) Joseph Rasmussen (1) Joyce (2) Lake View (2) LeGrand (27) Logan (3) Logan Canyon (1) Logan Tabernacle (1) Logan Temple (2) Mabel Law Atkinson (7) Marcellus Nielson (1) Marvin (1) Max Nielson (2) Melvin (2) Myrtle Law Cole (1) Oceal (3) Phylis Smart (1) Ruth (3) Ruth Shields (1) Sherwin (2) Shurlee Gene Silvers (1) Sid (1) Stanley Dunn (1) Stella (Law) Rasmussen (1) Takarazuka Japan (1) Ted Pitt (2) Tooele (3) Twins (1) Wedding (1) Yellowstone Park (1) Picture Window theme. Powered by Blogger.