Utah Since Statehood
Author is Noble Warrum 1919

CHARLES A. FERNELIUS.

Charles A. Fernelius. residing at South Weber, Davis county, devotes his attention to ranching and makes a specialty of the raising of fruit. He was born February 6. 1850, in Carlsdahl, Sweden. His father, Peter Adolph Fernelius, was born in that country, August 2, 1819, and on reaching adult age married Mary G. Kihlstrom in Sweden, who was born February 2, 1820. They came to the United States with the Meeker company and settled in Pennsylvania in 1868. In 1873 they removed to Minnesota, where their remaining days were passed.

Charles A. Fernelius spent the first seventeen years of his life in his native country and in 1867 sailed from Sweden for the new world, establishing his home in Pennsylvania, while later he, too, became a resident of Minnesota, where he lived until his removal to Marquette county, Michigan. He afterward returned to Minnesota, where he made his home until 1883 and then came to Utah, settling in South Weber, Davis county, where he still resides. In early days he was employed in the rolling mills, having learned the business in Sweden. Since establishing his home in Utah he has resided upon a farm. For two and a half years he engaged in merchandising at Uinta but is now concentrating his efforts and attention largely upon his agricultural interests, although he is now actively connected with several business enterprises.  He is secretary and one of the directors of of the Uinta Canning Company and secretary and a director of the South Weber Creamery Company. He is likewise the treasurer and one of the directors of the South Weber Amusement Company. His farm is a splendidly developed property, upon which he has a fine apple orchard, and he is also engaged in the raising of cherries and raspberries.

It was in the spring of 1872 that Mr. Fernelius was united in marriage to Miss Mary F. Lindberg, a daughter of Andrew and Johannah B. (Rosendale) Lindberg, who were natives of Sweden, but were residents of Minnesota at the time of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Fernelius, who have become the parents of eleven children.

In community affairs Mr. Fernelius has taken an active and helpful interest and was school trustee for fifteen years and also water commissioner. He was for one term county commissioner of Davis county, serving from 1906 to 1908; has also filled the office of justice of the peace; and was road supervisor for a number of years. He has filled all of the offices in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints up to that of bishop, having been appointed bishop in March, 1917. He has filled home missions and has done everything in his power to advance the cause in which he so firmly believes. His son, Heber A., filled a mission to Sweden from 1905 until 1907. His son, C. A., was with the Three Hundred and Forty-eighth Field Artillery in France, being at the front when the armistice was signed. He was overseas for a year, was a wagoner and saw considerable active service. The record of the family is one which establishes them high in public regard. Mr. Fernelius of this review has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for here he has found good business opportunities leading to success, and at the same time he has had the opportunity to live among the people of his own religious faith and aid in the up building of the church.

GEORGE H. FIRTH.

George H. Firth, engaged in general farming at South Weber, was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1850, a son of Mathew and Mary Firth. The father, who was born in England. March 23, 1819, came to Utah in 1868 and established his home at South Weber.  He worked on the Union Pacific Railroad during the period of its construction through this section. He also purchased land where his son George H. now resides and gave some attention to agricultural pursuits. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and became a ward teacher. He died March 7, 1891, when he had reached the venerable age of eighty-two years. His wife, who was born April 6, 1820, passed away on the 18th of August, 1911.

George H. Firth spent his early days under the parental roof and was employed at various kinds of labor. In 1870 he took up farming, which he has since followed, and now occupies the old homestead, devoting his attention and energies to general agricultural pursuits. He has a good tract of land, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation, and the productivity of the fields brings to him a substantial harvest each year.

In 1905 Mr. Firth was united in marriage to Miss Emma Byram, a daughter of Joseph and Ann (Ashton) Byram, who were natives of England. Mr. Firth was a youth of eighteen years when the family came from England to the new world and through the intervening period he has since lived in Utah. His has been an active and well spent life and he is regarded as one of the representative farmers of Davis county.

WILLIAM HENRY FIRTH.

William Henry Firth has passed the allotted span of three score years and ten but is still actively engaged in farming, making his home at South Weber. He was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1847, a son of John and Jane (Kendell) Firth. The father, who was born in 1823, came with his family to Utah in 1853 and took up his abode at Salt Lake, where he resided for two years. He then removed to South Weber in the spring of 1856 and purchased land from different parties, while later he bought it from the government. Upon the farm which he developed and improved he spent his remaining days, transforming a wild tract into richly cultivated fields. He erected substantial buildings and irrigated his land, converting it into one of the excellent farm properties of the district. He also took an active part in church and school work, served as trustee of schools and was identified with every plan and project which he regarded as of worth and benefit to the community in which he lived. He died in 1875 and thus passed from the scene of earthly activities one who had been a valued factor in the pioneer development of his district.

William H. Firth used every available opportunity in acquiring his education, attending school whenever possible, and throughout his life he has remained a keen observer of men and events and is continually adding to his knowledge by reading and observation. He has always followed farming on the old homestead and is numbered among the representative agriculturists of his district. He carefully tills his fields and as the result of his supervision and sound business discernment is meeting with substantial success.

On the 21st of January, 1891, Mr. Firth was married to Miss Sarah A. Boulton, a daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Cook) Boulton. Her father was from Herefordshire, England, and her mother was from Worcestershire. They came to Utah in 1860, settling in Ogden, where the father worked as a miller. He afterward took charge of a mill at Provo. where he removed with his family, and there spent his remaining days.  Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Firth: John Thomas; Nellie, now the wife of Edwin Schmalz, of South Weber; and Jennie.  In a review of the life history of Mr. Firth it will be seen that there are no esoteric chapters in his record. He has persistently followed a well defined purpose, and his energy and diligence have brought him to the front among the representative farmers of Davis county.

JOHN FLINT.

John Flint, a farmer and stockman of Davis county, was born in Derbyshire, England, June 19, 1848, his parents being John and Mary (Spencer) Flint, who were likewise natives of that country, where they remained until 1851 and then crossed the Atlantic to the new world. Landing on the American seaboard, they thence traveled westward to Omaha, Nebraska, and from that point made the journey with ox teams across the plains to Utah, establishing their home in Davis county, where Mr. Flint took up a homestead claim of one hundred and sixty acres. His first house was a dugout, which he and his family occupied for about three years, at the end of which time he built a little adobe dwelling and it remained his place of residence to the time of his death. To John and Mary (Spencer) Flint there were born thirteen children, of whom five are now living. 

John Flint was reared in Davis county and there secured a limited education. His youthful days were spent under the parental roof and when the period of his minority was passed he engaged in farming and stock raising on his own account. He has since been active along that line and now owns a part of the old homestead property. He later purchased other land and his holdings now include three hundred and twenty acres of rich and arable land that responds readily to the care and labor which he bestows upon it. His farming interests have been carefully, intelligently and successfully directed.

There was a period when it was thought that the farmer had little to do but plow his land and plant his seed. However, it is a recognized fact today that the farmer must just as systematically and carefully manage his interests as does the owner of any commercial or industrial concern, and this Mr. Flint is doing. He makes the best possible use of his time and opportunities and has won prosperity in the careful conduct of his business affairs. Aside from his farming he was one of the incorporators and is one of the directors of the First National Bank of Layton and is a director in the Kaysville mill and canning factory. He is likewise one of the directors and a stockholder in the Ellison ranch of Idaho, where the company has over twelve thousand head of cattle and forty thousand head of sheep, this being one of the most extensive and important stock ranches of this section of the country. They specialize in the raising of Hereford and Durham cattle and in the Rambouillet sheep.

In 1871 Mr. Flint was united in marriage to Miss Martha Bruff, a native of England and a daughter of Thomas Bruff. She came to the United States in early life and passed away on the 19th March, 1917, a devoted wife and mother and in every way a worthy helpmate to her husband. She had become the mother of thirteen children: Ada, now deceased; May, the wife of Edward Barnes; Maggie, who is deceased; Fred; Frank B., George B.; Mrs. Jessie Howell; Emily, the wife of Charles Burton; Oscar V.; Pearl, the wife of Melvin Hill; Chester V.; Walter V., deceased; and one who died in infancy. 

Mr. Flint exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and keeps well informed on the vital questions and issues of the day, but has never sought or desired office. His entire life has largely been devoted to the development of his farming and stock raising interests and each year has chronicled his progress and attendant success, consequent upon the diligence and determination which he has ever displayed in his business affairs. In this connection he has made steady progress and Kaysville now numbers him among her valued and representative citizens, occupying an enviable position on the plane of affluence.

JOSEPH E. FLINT.

Farming and stock raising interests in Davis county find a worthy representative in Joseph E. Flint, whose labors along that line are bringing to him a gratifying measure of prosperity. He is well known in his section of the state, for he is a native son of Davis county, where his birth occurred February 21, 1855. He was one of the twin children of John Flint, who is mentioned at length on another page of this work. His youthful days were spent under the parental roof in Davis, county and his educational opportunities were those afforded by the public schools. He remained at home until he had attained his majority and early became familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. When he reached adult age he began farming and stock raising on his own account and has continued in this line of business to the present time. He now has one hundred acres of fine land, all well irrigated, and the care and labor which he bestows upon his fields enable him to annually gather large harvests. He is likewise one of the directors of the Farmers' Union Store at Layton and in all business affairs displays sound judgment and unfaltering enterprise. 

In 1878 Mr. Flint was united in marriage to Miss Jane Hodson, who was born in England and came to America with her parents when but six years of age. She is a daughter of James and Hannah Hodson, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs.  Flint became the parents of ten children, five of whom are yet living, namely: Phoebe E., the wife of Oscar Barlow; Evelyn, the wife of Monroe Christensen; Mabel, the wife of Charles Steed; Walter E., a farmer of Davis county; and Vera, at home. The wife and mother passed away in 1898 and in 1909 Mr. Flint married Mrs. Alice A. Whitesides, widow of James L. Whitesides of Layton. She is the mother of four children by her marriage to Mr. Whitesides, namely: James M., Frank L.. John H. and Cora, now the wife of Archie Adams.

In politics Mr. Flint is a democrat, but the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him. However, he served as road supervisor for ten years and did effective work in improving the public highways. In 1913 Mr. and Mrs. Flint took up a homestead near Hazel, Idaho, which they occupied for three years, cleared the tract of the brush and brought it to state of cultivation. Mr. Flint is a self-made man and is justly classed with the leading farmers of Davis county. In addition to tilling the soil he has followed threshing for thirty years, starting with a horse power thresher but now owning a steam thresher of a modern design. He conducts his farm work along progressive lines and his home property indicates the careful supervision of a practical and progressive owner.

SAMUEL S. FLINT.

Samuel S. Flint, who is devoting his energies to general farming and stock raising in Davis county, was born on the 17th of December, 1857. He is a son of John Flint, mentioned elsewhere in this work in connection with the sketch of his son, John Flint. 

Spending his youthful days under the parental roof, Samuel S. Flint attended the common schools and was reared to farm life, early becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. When he had attained his majority he took up farming and stock raising on his own account, settling on the farm which he now owns and which is a part of the original farm of his father. This farm comprises one hundred acres of rich and productive land. The entire tract is irrigated and he has added many improvements to the place, including good buildings and the best farm machinery. His farm is divided into fields of convenient size and everything about the place indicates his practical and progressive methods. He is most systematic in all that he does and closely studies everything that has to do with improved agricultural conditions. 

Mr. Flint was united in marriage February 19, 1884, to Miss Mary E. Barnes, a daughter of William J. Barnes, and a native of Davis county. To Mr. and Mrs. Flint have been born six children: Crilla, the wife of George Schofield; Mary M., the wife of Ernest Schofield; Geneva, the wife of C. F. Cunningham, of Innisville, Canada; and Charles B., Clarence M. and Hector J. All reside in Davis county except Mrs. Cunningham.  The parents attend the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, of which Mrs. Flint is a member. In his political views Mr. Flint is a republican but has never been ambitious to hold office, although he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day and greatly desires the success of republican principles. Those who know him and he has a wide acquaintance in Davis county, where his entire life has been passed esteem him highly as a man of business enterprise and sterling personal worth.

WILLIAM S. GRANT.

With the farming interests of Davis county William S Grant, now deceased, was identified for a number of years. He was born in Plymouth, New York, on the 22d of August, 1842, and because of his religious faith came to Utah, wishing to be among people of his own belief. He was a son of George D. and Elizabeth (Wilson) Grant, who were natives of the Empire state and who came to Utah at an early day, remaining here until called to their final rest.

It was in young manhood that William S. Grant arrived in Utah, where he continued until death called him in the year 1883. A decade before, on the 8th of December, 1873, he had wedded Miss Mary A. Muir, who was born in Davis county, Utah, a daughter of William S. and Jane (Robb) Muir, who were natives of Scotland and came to America in 1849. At once they crossed the continent to Utah, settling in West Bountiful, Davis county, where her father took up a farm of three hundred and twenty acres, and both he and his wife remained residents of that section of the state until called to the home beyond. They had a family of twelve children, seven of whom are now living.  This number includes Mrs. Grant, who by her marriage became the mother of four children. Nellie, the eldest, born December 3, 1874. passed away February 8, 1879.  George W., born July 28, 1876, died on the 12th of February, 1879. Thalia was born September 12, 1878, and died on the 13th of October following. Alice J., born January 26. 1881. became the wife of Nephi Hepworth and died November 28, 1903, leaving two children, William Grant and Alice, the latter now deceased. 

Mrs. Grant still owns a farm in West Bountiful, which was a part of the farm of her father and is now a highly improved tract of land, equipped with all the accessories and conveniences of the progressive farm property of the twentieth century. She is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to which Mr. Grant also belonged, and for three years he filled a mission in England. He always took an active part in the work of the church, and his aid and influence were ever given on the side of right, progress, reform and improvement.

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