Morgan 8 & 9: Garrard Morgan III and Eliza Ann Hamilton Morgan, Part 1

Garrard Morgan III
b. 16 May 1806 Near Carlisle, Nicholas, Kentucky
m. 1 Jan 1833 Greensburg, Decatur, Indiana
d. 10 Apr 1889 Mattoon, Coles, Illinois
Wife: Eliza Ann Hamilton
Father: Garrard Morgan II; Mother: Sarah Sanderson

Eliza Ann Hamilton Morgan
b. 5 Jul 1815 Nicholas County, Kentucky
d. 18 Apr 1901 Middletown, Henry, Indiana
b. 19 Apr 1901 Greensburg, Decatur, Indiana
Husband: Garrard Morgan III
Father: James Hamilton; Mother: Margaret Hamilton


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(A) Carlisle, Kentucky, to (B) Greensburg, Indiana, to (C) Mattoon, Illinois, where Garrard died, to (D) Middletown, Indiana, where Eliza died.

Garrard Morgan III was the son of Garrard Morgan II and Sarah Sanderson. He was probably born at the Morgan farm on Licking Creek (now Licking River) near Carlisle, Nicholas County, Kentucky, on May 16, 1806. He had three older brothers, two younger sisters and a younger brother.

As a child, he lived in one of the areas famous for being the origin and hotbed of the Second Great Awakening, so religious activity would have been a significant part of his earliest memories.

When Garrard was almost eight years old, his father died and was buried in the Old Concord Church cemetery (Presbyterian).

After his father's death, his mother did not remarry and proceeded to raise her seven children, as family tradition relates, with the aid of her extended family in the area.

In 1823, when Garrard III was seventeen years old, the Sarah Morgan family moved to Indiana to join Sarah's two sisters and their families. Only Garrard's oldest brother John remained behind in Kentucky, where he had already made his start in life. Two of his siblings also later returned to live in Kentucky.

The Morgan family settled in brand-new Decatur County. It was formed on New Year's Eve, 1821, and named after recently deceased Commodore Stephen Decatur, military hero for his part in a number of conflicts, including the War of 1812.

Greensburg was the county seat, and the Morgans lived nearby, and a number of their children were born in the area.

On New Year's Day 1833, at the ripe old age of 26, Garrard married seventeen-year-old Eliza Ann Hamilton. Even less is known about her family than about the Morgan family, but they were also evidently from Nicholas County, Kentucky. I see a research note in the genealogy stating, "[E]nclosed is marriage bond of Garrard Morgan and Eliza Ann Hamilton - date Dec. 31, 1832. It is entered in Marriage Bk. A Jan. 1, 1833." It is not clear from the notes whether the marriage record was from Indiana or Kentucky. The same note also gives additional information about Eliza as follows: "I note Eliza A. Hamilton, b. July 2, 1815 to James Hamilton and Margaret (Peggy) Turner on a list..." (What list?) (A.H. Burden to J.L. Tanner, March 9, 1991.)

To be continued...

Picture of Garrard and Eliza Morgan from Richardson's Life and Ministry of John Morgan. Picture of the Decatur County Courthouse from www.flickr.com/photos/75905404@N00/482531524/. Yes, there is a tree growing from the clock tower.

History of the Southern States Mission, Part 29: Early 1885

In this month an event occured [sic] in Carter county, Tenn., which will long be remembered by the people of that and the surrounding counties. On the 13th, Elders W.F. Garner and C.F. Christensen, of the North Carolina conference, were arrested on the following warrant:

State of Tenn
Carter Co.
Information having been made to me in writing, on oath, that C.F. Christensen, —— Farmer, —— Garner, —— Gibbs, did on or about the —— day April 1885, and at divers others days in the county and state aforesaid, did wilfully [sic], maliciously, knowingly, and feloniously teach, preach and promulgate the doctrine of polygamy, and that they did induce others, by words and persuasion to adopt or embrace polygamy, and to emigrate to another state or Territory, for the purpose of embracing polygamy. You are therefore commanded in the name of the state to forthwith arrest the said C.F. Christensen, Gibbs, Garner and Farmer and bring them before me or some other justice of said county, to be dealt with as the law directs. Given under my hand this twelfth day of May 1895 [sic; it was a decade earlier].

JAMES PERRY,
J.P. for Carter County.

They were taken to Roane Mountain [sic], in Carter county, for examination, having been arrested at night and forced to walk five miles. State Senator John M. Simerley [Simerly], of that county, swore out the warrant and prosecuted in the trial. An effort was made to force the Elders to a trial without counsel, but they were successfully resisted in this imposition, and obtained a postponement until the 18th of the same month. A bail was offered but was refused; the Elders had to suffer imprisonment at Elizabethton in consequence, the bail bond being five hundred dollars each which they were unable to raise.

President Morgan visited the brethren, in company with their attorney on the 17th, and decided to waive the preliminary examination, gave the necessary bail and waited till the July term in court. Messrs. Andrews and Thomburg [Thornburgh], of Knoxville, were engaged as counsel, and went on the bond, releasing the brethren on the 20th from their dismal prison, where they had for associates, thieves, cut-throats and murderers.

The state law by which the Elders were arrested defined, as unlawful, for any person to teach, preach or promulgate to others the doctrines or principles of polygamy; or to induce others to emigrate to another part of the United States for the purpose of practicing it; any one guilty of this should be subject to a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars or to imprisonment and hard labor for not over two years, or the infliction of both penalties.

Upon being released, the brethren once more took up their labors in the counties, and were received kindly by the people.

On the 25th of this month Elders Riley Cragun and F.A. Fraughton were stopping all night near the borders of the Catawba Indian reservation. At night an armed mob came to the house and demanded all the brethren to come out. Elder Cragun made his escape by the back door amid a shower of bullets, one of which struch [sic] him on the forehead, another in his face, neither inflicting a serious wound.

Elder Fraughton did not escape so well. He was caught by the mobocrats and given forty severe lashes. Among those prominent in the mob were John Allen, Fayette Crooks and Robert Cornwall.

The work during the month of June was of little importance. Council meetings were held in Mississippi, one in the southern part of the state and the other in Poutotoc county, where a branch of the church was organized. Elders arrived from Zion and were appointed to the various fields of labor. Baptisms were reported from many parts of the mission.

[Curious that this incident was up next in the history, since it was treated yesterday in Amateur Mormon Historian, including an interesting comment from Bessie, who continues to publish fascinating materials from John Morgan's diary on her blog.]

Latter Day Saints Southern Star, Vol. 1, No. 33, Chattanooga, Tenn. Saturday, July 15, 1899, p 259.

Picture of the Carter County Courthouse from www.flickr.com/photos/auvet/492528709/ The accompanying text says "Elizabethton, Tennessee Never could really figure out what the little white building is. Poss. the old county jail?" I can't find a date for the courthouse elsewhere.

Southern States Mission

Here's an interesting little story on Amateur Mormon Historian in which John Morgan plays a part.

The Linton Family Organization

Rather than duplicating all the excellent work done by the Linton Family Organization, I will simply point interested readers to lintonfamily.org. The organization started out as a project to bring together the descendants of Samuel and Ellen Sutton Linton but as more was learned about the family, the effort expanded to include Samuel Linton's second wife, Eleanor Coolidge Chase Linton, and her family.

Thanks to Colette and many other family members who have put so much effort into the project.

Morgan 10: Samuel Linton and Ellen Sutton Linton, Part 3 of 3

Continued by Mary L. Morgan, 1945.

My father, Samuel Linton and my Uncle Peter Sutton went to Echo Canyon to guard against Johnson’s Army. They naturally spoke of their sisters, so I concluded that father became acquainted with mother, Ellen Sutton, as they were married in April, 1858. She was previously married to Charles McKetchney who was a glass stainer by trade. They had one child, Sarah Ellen, who lived with grandmother Sutton till she was 10 years old, when she died with diptheria [sic].

[Note: Ellen Sutton (age 21) and Charles McKetchney or McKecknie or McKetchine (age 23) traveled to Utah in the Joseph W. Young Pioneer Company in 1853. The notes indicate that this was called the "Ten Pound Company." The sources for both Ellen and Charles list the Perpetual Emigrating Fund. The sources about this trip across the plains are extensive, and include multiple notes about the Sutton family, including some difficulties they had with animals.]

McKetchney had some dealings with President Brigham Young on which they didn’t agree so he apostacized and went to California threatening to take their baby. Mother has told me how Uncle Peter guarded her till he knew he, McKetchney, had left the country. He begged Mother to go with him, but she told him she could not leave her church and people to follow him. I think she never heard of him any more. Father was a very large, strong man. He had a farm in the old field and could cradle more grain in a day than any other man around Nephi, where they lived and could cut more wood, so I have been told by men who knew him. He had great faith in prayer and the Priesthood which he held. We never had to call a doctor if father administered to us, we got well immediately, no matter what ailed us.

He was called to the “Muddy Mission” down near St. George about 1869 to help develop that country and went with others that had been called, just a few days before Alice was born. Mother pleaded with him not to go till after, but he thought he was called and had to go. Mother came nearly leaving us, but I guess his faith and prayers prevailed as she was spared to live and bear five other children. Three of them died at birth, twin boys and one girl. Mother was a hard worker too. She could take the wool shorn, wash, dry and send it to the machines to be made into rolls; spin it into yarn which was made into skeins. Then gather rabbit brush, steep into tea, dip the skeins in this, then in blue dye to make the different colors for shirts, dresses, etc. Dear mother was a patient sufferer. I wonder that she lived as long as she did. She was 77 when she passed away. She was affable and kind. All loved her who knew her.

When Alice was a year old, Father was helping on the thresher and got his leg in the horse power. It was just mashed. Dr. Bryan set it putting it in a heavy box. Brother Adams made the box from heavy timber. They couldn’t keep the flies out of it. Oh goodness what he must have suffered. Father and John went to work for Mr. R.W. Young in Arizona. Father was quite taken up with that country. He wrote Mother to sell the meadowland and prepare to move. Mother had a good councilor in her eldest brother Uncle Peter, who advised her not to sell and said father might change his mind, which he did, and came home thankful he still had his meadowland. This was a wild grass which they cured for their animals to feed through the winter. They used to take me to tromp the hay as they loaded it. I would ride with John going down but felt safer with father coming back on top of a high load. Roads were not paved then.

Father was very anxious to have his folks join the church. His father died a year after they came to Philadelphia and father left to gather with the Saints, as he has told us. After 20 years he got a letter from his mother through the dead letter office. He began writing trying to convert them. Later he made two trips to visit them, but they were too full of prejudice to talk to him or listen so no more joined the church, but he has had their work done in the Temple which we hope they have learned to accept and appreciate.

Linton, Samuel and Mary L. Morgan. "History of Samuel Linton." Nephi, Utah, May 1908 and 1945.

Part 1.
Part 2.

Photo of Echo Canyon from www.flickr.com/photos/bryanto/3149234611/.

Morgan 10: Samuel Linton and Ellen Sutton Linton, Part 2 of 3

The 3rd of April, 1854, I left for Utah. We took rail for Pittsburg [sic], and boat from there to Cincinnati, and from there to St. Louis, where I met Horace S. Eldredge. There were five or six boys of us who were good teamsters. We asked him for a job to drive team across the plains. He told us if we would furnish our own gun and blankets, we could have the privilege of driving a team to Utah. I accepted these conditions. I went up the Missouri River to Fort Leavenworth that was the outfitting point at that time. I made the most of my situation. I made myself useful, helping to take care of Church freight. The Church had a large train that year. [This is listed in the Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel database as the Orson Pratt/Ezra T. Benson/Ira Eldredge Company (1854). Samuel Linton is not listed in the company, so after the third part posts tomorrow, I will submit the information for the database.]

A man by the name of Bucklen, a returned missionary was in charge of all the wagons and stuff. He did our cooking, but he went off to buy cattle. This left us to do our own or starve. I went 24 hours before I came down to it. None of the others would, so I had to cook. Our old hand came back. I was put to cut wood to make charcoal for blacksmithing. This, and putting wagons together, and loading up freight, and handling half broke cattle, gave us plenty to do. After the first lot of cattle was delivered, I was put to look after them. I did so, and I did not lose anything but a fancy came that was made a present to Brother Eldredge. It was taken a day or two before we started. There were men driving a herd of high bred cattle through to California. They offered me forty dollars a month and a good outfit to ride if I would go with them, but I made choice to stay with the saints and work for the Church, and I have never regretted it.

I drove a big team, the wagon loaded with sheet iron, mill irons, window glass, and woman and 4 children. I got through all safe although we had a stampede on the road. I heard them coming. I stopped my team and stood in front of the leaders and talked to them. They stood still while they ran past on each side of us. We came into Salt Lake City the third of October, 1854 or 56. I went to work for Heber C. Kimball. He set me to digging post holes and shucking corn. He sent me and a prisoner he was taking care of, to cut fire wood up City Creek. He had three teams hauling two trips a day. He kept them going all right. He called me the Irish Yankee. He thought I would do; when my month was up I quit. Mrs. Kimball wanted to know what was the matter. He asked me if he had not treated me right. I told him yes—and if the boys had not treated me right, and his wife, if she had not treated me right. To all this I said yes. I did not like digging and pick and shovel.

The remainder of the winter I worked for the Church up Big Cottonwood Canyon cutting timber.

In the Spring of 1855 I went to work for Bro. Eldredge, and worked for him until the Fall of 1857.

Then I went out to guard Uncle Sam against Johnson’s Army, who were sent out to annihilate the Mormons, but they found it to be a blessing by them leaving food and things they could use. In the spring of 1858 I worked for Brigham Young doing farming, and helping to move the family to Provo and back to Salt Lake. I stayed with him until the Fall of ‘60, then I moved to Nephi.

I forgot to say in the Fall of 1860, I went out after those late hand-cart companies. Had a very hard time. In the month of September 1858 Bishop Hunter sent me and eight others out to meet Rowly hand-cart company. We met them on Ham’s Fork. They were out of flour. The most pleasant trip I ever recollect having, although I came near to losing my life by a party of soldiers that followed us from Fort Bridger a distance of ten miles. They got in trouble with their Captain who was doing something the soldiers didn’t like. He ordered them out of camp. They went on about a mile to a saloon. They wanted to search every wagon and tent. But I went to them and talked to them quietly. They offered me the whiskey bottle. I said I always wanted to see a man drink out his own bottle first. “Well,” he said, “that is sensible.” By this time we had got round to where the other eight boys were, each one having a six shooter in his belt. I had told them we got along with men in peace, and when we could not get along in that way then we got along the best way we could. The one who was making so much noise showed fight, but one of them picked up a rock and said here is one of the Lord’s biscuits, shut your mouth. They went outside the camp and commenced shooting into the camp. It was dark by this time, and there was no one hurt, but it was a miracle.

You can write the remainder of my life as well as I can. (He stopped short, never could get him at it again). [That last note is from Mary Ann Linton Morgan. She continues writing the history in Part 3.]

Part 1.
Part 3.

Photo of wagon from www.flickr.com/photos/tgray/207860417/.

Morgan 10: Samuel Linton and Ellen Sutton Linton, Part 1 of 3

Samuel Linton
b. 27 June 1828 Tyrone, Ireland
m. 26 April 1858 Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah
d. 21 May 1916 Nephi, Juab, Utah
b. 24 May 1916 Nephi, Juab, Utah
Wives: (1) Ellen Sutton, (2) Eleanor Coolidge Chase
Father: William Linton; Mother: Elizabeth Selfridge

Ellen Sutton Linton
b. 22 January 1832 St. Helens, Lancashire, England
d. 1 or 2 April 1909 Nephi, Juab, Utah
b. 5 April 1909 Nephi, Juab, Utah
Husbands: (1) Charles McKetchney, (2) Samuel Linton
Father: John Sutton; Mother: Mary Ellison

County Tyrone, Ireland

Nephi, Utah; May 1908. Samuel Linton, the son of William Linton and Elizabeth Selfridge, born June 27, 1828, in the County of Tyrone, Ireland. My father emigrated to St. Johns, New Brunswick, about 1834 or 1835.

Saint John River, New Brunswick, Canada

When I was 6 or 7 years old I helped father all I could piling brush and light wood such as I could handle. I remained with my father until I was twenty (20), when I went to Philadelphia, with the approbation of my parents. I took passage on a Brigantine loaded with spare timber for New York which I helped to unload. It took us four days. I then took a train for Philadelphia where there was a job waiting for me. I was among strangers, but my friends were very kind to me.

The Linton gravesite at Westminster Cemetery outside Philadelphia, 2005.

Cemeteries tend to move around a lot in Philadelphia. William started out in a different cemetery, but ended up here. There are a number of other family members also buried in this cemetery. 2005.

The next year, 1849, my sister Sarah Jane came on. She lived with my cousin Robert Selfridge his wife and one child. She lived with them until she married Mathew T. R. Ralston. The next year (1850), the family came on. Father only lived a year after he came to Philadelphia (1851). Five years after my father died (1856) I heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and how I came to hear it was this:

There was a great infidel, Joseph Barker of Ohio. He gave out a challenge to any of the ministers of the day to debate with him on the divine authenticity of the Bible, or the being of a God. There was an old gentleman that took him up. They had five nights of a discussion. The Old Presbyterian could do nothing with him. I went every night. This set me to thinking. I made up my mind to go and hear every sect and party that professed faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. In looking over the advertisements in the Daily Ledger to see which of the sects I should visit, I saw the advertisement of the Latter-day Saints which read like this: “Elder Samuel Harrison of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would preach at ten o’clock on Sunday at 7th and Callow Hill, and he would show that neither Protestant nor Catholic had the true gospel preached to them.” This took my attention. I thought they were the most presumptuous people I had heard of, to style themselves the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I thought I must go and hear them first. I was there on time.

The corner in Philadelphia where Samuel Linton first heard the gospel preached. It's not much to look at now; there are no original buildings on any of the four intersections. Here's what the area looked like about thirty years later. Here is a bit of history of the branch at Seventh and Callowhill from the point of view of the RLDS. ("Brighamites" means the part of the church that went to Utah under the direction of Brigham Young.)

The people began to gather in. I thought they were the most sociable, happy people I had ever seen. The Elder came in and went up on the stand and gave out a hymn. I thought it, and the prayer, was the most sensible I had ever heard. He preached from the New Testament, and quoted passages of scripture that I had committed to memory in Methodist Sabbath School, but he applied them in such a different light that it bothered me to understand it. I had inquired about these Mormons, and they said they were Old Joe Smith’s followers, that he had dug up a golden Bible, and they didn’t believe our Bible. Well, I thought that if this is the Book of Mormon, it is very like our Bible, and thought I would ask him to let me see his Book of Mormon, but before he sat down he held up the Bible and said this is the Bible translated under King James that I have been preaching from. That was enough for me. I could see they had lied about the people. When meeting was over I was in no hurry to go. There was a man by the name of Luts, a perfect stranger to me. He asked what I thought of the preaching. I told him I had no fault to find. I asked him a great many questions. He answered me satisfactorily. He told me if I would come back in the afternoon, he would lend me a book, which, if I would read, I could learn a great deal about the Gospel. I read it, I was convinced that the Lord had restored the Gospel and the authority to administer the Ordinances thereof, I applied for baptism. They asked me if I had considered the consequences. He asked me if I was ready to have my friends turn against me and have my name cast out as evil, and suffer persecution, and perhaps lay down my life. I considered a moment, and I thought the former-day Saints had to take all these chances, so I told him I was prepared for all this. He said on these conditions you may be baptized. They were about three weeks before they were ready to go. There were quite a few baptized. There was plenty of ice to be moved, so we had a cold bath. We were all right. We took no harm. This was the first of January, 1854.

Part 2.
Part 3.

Photo of Tyrone County, Ireland from www.flickr.com/photos/deviant-87/1998085204/. Photo of St. John River, St. Johns, New Brunswick from www.flickr.com/photos/greencolander/15548027/. Photo of Philadelphia taken in May 2009. Photos of the Linton graves in Philadelphia taken in July 2005. Photo of Samuel and Ellen from lintonfamily.org.

History of the Southern States Mission, Part 28: Early 1885

The new year of 1885 commenced in peace. President Morgan visited the Mission, leaving Elder Roberts home for a much needed rest. During January a company of Saints was made up to leave for the west next month.

In February a circular letter was issued to the Elders, containing general information and counsel, putting special stress upon the propriety of keeping away from protracted meetings, as there was a tendency with them to incite mob violence.

A company of Saints met at Chattanooga on the 19th and made a safe journey to Zion.

In Putnam county, Tennessee, Elders J.F. Miller and George Wilson were engaged in aiding some Saints to prepare for emigration. On the night of the 14th, while Elder Wilson was alone, he was rudely disturbed by a large mob of men, who came to the door and wanted to see the "Mormon Elders." Elder Wilson boldly faced them, though he knew by their conduct that they were determined to do some devilish deed. They inquired for Elder Miller; failing to determine his whereabouts, a number of the gang went in search of him, while the remainder took Elder Wilson into the woods, where they discussed what to do with him.

While engaged in parleying a pistol was accidentally discharged by one of the mob, the ball taking effect in the leg of another, a bailiff, quite seriously wounding him. After caring for the wounded mobber the lawless ruffians secured the Elder fast and administered twenty lashes upon his back. After turning him loose they demanded that he should leave the state within thirty days.

Elder Miller narrowly escaped being whipped. When he was returning to Brother Rutledge's he passed near the mob, but by the bravery of Sisters Rutledge and Lambert he was met by them in the woods and warned of the danger, for the mob were still hunting for him. He immediately sought safety and escaped the wrath of the mobocrats.

Elder Wilson was not seriously injured by the blows he had received, and in a short time was able to join Elder Miller. The names of these mobbers were never learned, but their inhuman actions will never be forgotten by the brethren and their friends.

Jonathan Golden Kimball

Early in March President Morgan returned from taking some Saints to Utah; Elder J.G. Kimball was released to return home soon after. The only other thing of importance during this month was in procuring some printing from Mr. Frank MacGowan, of Chattanooga, the first done in the South.

In April President Morgan was compelled to return home because of death in his family. [Two-year-old Flora Morgan died on April 1, 1885.] He came back to the Mission the same month, bringing with him ten Elders. Towards the close of the month a large amount of literature was sent into the field. Nothing of importance happened at all until the next month, when more trouble was had in East Tennessee.


Latter Day Saints Southern Star, Vol. 1, No. 32, Chattanooga, Tenn. Saturday, July 8, 1899, p 249-50.

The picture of winter in Tennessee from www.flickr.com/photos/mhodge/240211650/. The sketch of J.G. Kimball from the Salt Lake Tribune, April 6, 1897, p 5.

Victoria Josephine Jarvis and George Miles, Part 2

George Edmond Miles was born in the Parish of Surrey, St. Mary, London, England, December 9th, 1866, and lived in London until 1878. Then his half brother, John H. Miles, a Mormon convert, upon returning to St. George, Utah, brought George and the rest of his family with him. His mother, two brothers, and a sister came. His father died in England, leaving a small fortune to John, the oldest son, a half-brother to George.

In St. George, he worked at various jobs for a year. Then worked for A.W. Ivins for a year, for which he was paid $125.00 in Canaan script 1. He hauled wood, hay and bullion to Milford; hauled supplies to Silver Reef, a booming mining town twenty miles from St. George. He worked on a ranch near the Silver Reef for another year, then got work with Wooley, Lund and Judd, at Reef, driving a delivery wagon, hauling supplies, etc. He drove the mail to Toquerville for four years.


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Next he worked in the Wooley, Lund and Judd store at the Reef for seven years. Then he attended school in St. George. Next, worked for awhile for E.B. Snow Sr. He went to school again, attending the Stake Academy at St. George, and later attended the University of Utah one winter. Then went back to the Reef, and worked a few months in the Assay office.

Next he taught school at Leeds, Utah, during the winter of 1894-5.

He was about twenty-seven years of age when he was asked to take a Sunday School course at B.Y. U. He did this, later relaying the information to a class of Stake workers at St. George.

He had been baptized into the L.D.S. Church in England, but had taken no interest in religion until his marriage. Then he made up his mind to get into the Church in earnest, which he did, and has remained a faithful worker.

He next worked in Wooley, Lund and Judd store in St. George for some time. His next work was at the Cotton Factory at Washington, Utah. Then he combined with his brother Henry, and they ran a store at Delamar, Nevada.

George E. Miles was married to Victoria Josephine Jarvis in the St. George Temple, June 30th, 1895. He had met her while doing the Sunday School work.

While he was at Delamar he was called to go on a Mission to the Southern States. He left in August 1895 and returned March 1899. While he was gone his first son was born.

He became Stake Superintendant [sic] of the Sunday Schools and served in that position for seventeen years. He often had to travel a distance of 500 miles in a buggy, to visit the Sunday Schools of the large St. George Stake each year.

He worked in the St. George Co-op Store, and hired a man to run his farms which he owned in the Washington field area. Later, did the farming himself with the help of his sons. In 1907 he managed the James Andrus store for two years.

He taught in the Woodward school at St. George from 1909 until 1912. He farmed again until 1916, when he became City Clerk and Stake Clerk. He held these book-keeping positions for eighteen years, then held the Stake Clerk position until 1935. Also served as City Treasurer for awhile. He was Juvenile Judge from 1921 until 1930. He often audited the County books during this time.

He taught Parents Class in Sunday School for ten years. Was teacher of High Priests for some time. He has done Ward Teaching all his life since becoming active in the Church, and is still busy; is a Patriarch in St. George Stake, serving in that office for eleven years. (1953)

Brother Miles has been a full tithe-payer since he started to do Church work, and in addition has always donated liberally to all Church funds and to schools, and all worth-while causes. He has been an Ordinance worker in the St. George Temple for the last ten years, and is still working there. Is now in his 89th year. (1955)


From Margaret Godfrey Jarvis Overson. George Jarvis And Joseph George De Friez Genealogy. Mesa, Ariz: M.J. Overson, 1957, pp 80-81.


1 There is a single reference to "Canaan script" on the internet. It is in a biography of John Macfarlane (Macfarlane, L. W. Yours Sincerely, John M. Macfarlane. Salt Lake City, Utah: L.W. Macfarlane, 1980) and the book is not available online, so I can't see the context, but it is in the sentence "received in pay Tithing Script and Canaan Script, little more than enough to feed the family. Charles W. Seegmiller was the commissary. It was his responsibility to somehow find the food for the men."

Victoria Josephine Jarvis and George Miles, Part 1

Victoria Josephine Jarvis, tenth child of George and Ann Prior Jarvis, was born at St. George, Washington County, Utah, April 21st, 1866.

She attended all the schools available, while very young — then began teaching at the age of fifteen years. She taught school for seventeen years, and was one of the finest teachers of that time.

On June 30th, 1895, she married George Edmond Miles, in the St. George Temple. To them seven children were born — the youngest passed away in infancy.

Mother was always a willing and very capable Church worker. During all the years when her health permitted, she was working in some Church organization. She was a Sunday School teacher for many years and also taught some in Primary.

She was Councilor in the Stake Y.L.M.I.A. for six years, and then was President of the Stake Y.L.M.I.A. for two years. She served as Stake Secretary of the Primary for fifteen years. In 1913 she was chosen as Stake Secretary of the Genealogical work. In 1915 she was chosen as first Councilor in the Stake Relief Society. She was set apart as Relief Society President by Apostle Melvin J. Ballard, March 14th, 1920, and very successfully held that position until she resigned in September 1933.

In addition to Church work, she acted as Washington County War Historian, after World War I. She received high praise from State Officials for the very excellent work that she did.

She gave many talks before High School and College groups, and was honored by all who knew her, as a brilliant and capable woman.

Mother's quiet dignity, queenly bearing, Charming personality, kindness, and utter unselfishness endeared her to everyone.

Mother was in very deed an ideal woman, — a wonderful, loving wife and mother, a devout and faithful Church-worker, whose life was an inspiration to us all. She passed away May 5th, 1941, at the age of 75.


From Margaret Godfrey Jarvis Overson. George Jarvis And Joseph George De Friez Genealogy. Mesa, Ariz: M.J. Overson, 1957, pp 80-81.