Utah County, Utah Biographies
 
 

 

 

 George S. Taylor
 Thomas Nicholls Taylor
 Hyrum Franklin Thomas
 Pratt Pace Thomas

 A. K. Thornton
 George Franklin Tilson
 W. H. Tolhurst
 John Tuckett
 Abe W. Turner
 
 
Utah Since Statehood
Author is Noble Warrum - 1919
 

GEORGE S. TAYLOR.

With various important business interests of Provo. George S. Taylor is prominently and actively associated. His sound Judgment and keen discrimination in business affairs make his cooperation of worth to any enterprise, and his close application and indefatigable energy have been dominant factors in guiding several important business interests to the goal of success. Mr. Taylor is a native of Salt Lake City. He was born July 16, 1860, of the marriage of George H. and Elmlua (Shepard) Taylor, the former a native of Bloomfield, New Jersey, while the latter was born in the state of New York. The father came to Utah in 1869, settling in Salt Lake, and for many years he was the head of the Taylor, Romney, Armstrong Lumber Company, a leading business concern of Salt Lake, which blew the first factory whistle in Utah. He remained active in business for a long period and passed away in Salt Lake in 1907. He never allowed business affairs however, to monopolize his time and attention and exclude his active participation in work for the uplift of the individual and the betterment of the community. He was an earnest supporter of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served as bishop of the fourteenth ward. The mother died in 1904. She. too was very prominent in the work of the church and served as president of the Young Ladies Improvement Association.

George S. Taylor was one of a family of seven children, three of whom are yet living. He mastered the branches of learning that constituted the public school curriculum in Salt Lake and afterward entered the University of Utah and also studied in the Brigham Young Academy. He came to Provo as a resident in 1888 and for twenty-five years conducted business under the name of the Provo Books Stationery Company and later incorporated his interests under the style of the Taylor Paper Company. Of this organization he is the president with John E. Booth vice president. Merle Taylor as secretary. Mrs. Ida A. Taylor as a director and A. Leroy Taylor also a director. The business, which has assumed extensive proportions is carried on at No. 66 North Academy avenue and is largely a monument to the enterprise, diligence and progressive spirit of Mr. Taylor, who has also extended his efforts into other fields, becoming the president of the George H. Taylor Investment Company of Salt Lake, an Incorporated concern, capitalized at one hundred thousand dollars. He is likewise the vice president of the Smoot Lumber Company, one of the most extensive concerns of the kind in southern Utah. He is ever watchful of opportunities pointing to success, and his sound judgment enables him to escape the pitfalls into which unrestricted progressiveness is so often led. Correctly judging of his own capacities and powers and of those things which make up life's contacts and experiences, he has so directed his efforts that his even paced energy has carried him into most important relations.

In 1882 Mr. Taylor was married to Miss Annie Christine Smoot, a sister of Hon. Reed Smoot. United States senator from Utah. They became the parents of six children. The wife and mother passed away in 1908. For his second wife Mr. Taylor chose Miss Priscilla Smith, of Salt Lake, who died in 1907. and they had one daughter. His third wife. Amy Smith, is a sister of Judge Elias Smith, of Salt Lake City, and they had one child. She passed away in 1910. Mr. Taylor's fourth union was with Ida Alleman, of Springville. Of his children. Ethel died in Infancy. Hazel is the wife of H. J. Peery. of Salt Lake. G. Merle is also living in Salt Lake. Elmina S. is a nurse in a hospital in San Francisco. Anna K. is the wife of A. B. Caine, of Logan. Miriam M. is at home. Priscilla is attending school in Provo. Elias Smith died in infancy.

Mr. Taylor has been an untiring worker in the church, serving as high counselor of the Utah stake and as acting bishop of the Pleasant View ward. He went on a mission to New Zealand, where he remained from 1884 until 1888, making three hundred converts to the church. In citizenship he stands for all that has to do with progress and improvement and he is recognized as a leader In his community because of the extent and importance of his business interests, his earnest support of the church and his loyalty to all that has to do with Provo's up building and improvement.


THOMAS NICHOLLS TAYLOR.

With various phases of activity in Provo, Thomas Nicholls Taylor has been closely associated. He is connected with its commercial and financial interests and with the moral development of the community as an active churchman. He was born in Provo, July 28, 1868, a son of George and Eliza (Nicholls) Taylor, both of whom were natives of Birmingham, England. Crossing the Atlantic, they did not tarry on the eastern coast but made their way at once to Provo, Utah, where they took up their abode in 1863.  Here the father established the nucleus of the present great department store that has since been carried on by the family and which is today one of the largest and most progressive commercial establishments of southern Utah. Since the arrival of the family in this city the name has been inseparably interwoven with its up building along material, social, political and moral lines. The father has served as a member of the Provo city council and has been very active in civic and church matters. The mother is a splendid woman of the strong, pioneer type and for a long period was president of the Relief Society and active in all good work done in the name of charity and religion. Both the father and mother are now eighty-one years of age, but though they have traveled far on life's journey they are still interested in the events of the day and give hearty cooperation to projects for the public good. Mrs. Taylor is the president of the large store that is owned and conducted by the family and is a most intellectual old lady, splendidly preserved, with a mind alert, keen and active.  Thomas N. Taylor is one of a family of nine children, six of whom are yet living. 

After attending the public schools of Provo he continued his education in the Brigham Young Academy, now the Brigham Young University, from which he was graduated with the class of 1885. He was elected the president of the alumni association of this school some time ago, although he did not complete the course there. The election, however, came to him in recognition of what he has accomplished in the world and his generous financial assistance to the university. After leaving school he entered the business established by his father and has continued a factor in its conduct since 1878. However, he attended school during the winter months until 1885, from which time he has continuously been connected with the establishment. From a small store this has been developed to a very large and handsome establishment. In fact the Provo store would be a credit to a city of much larger size. They have also established branch stores at Eureka and at Spanish Fork and at the present time they are doing more business in one day than was formerly done in a month. Something of the volume of their trade is indicated in the fact that they employ between thirty-five and forty people in the big department store on West Center street in Provo, conducted under the style of the Taylor Brothers Company. The business was incorporated in 1890 and Thomas N.  Taylor has been the head of the establishment since that time. His mother, now eighty-one years of age, is the president of the company, his brother, A. N. Taylor, is vice president and John De Grey Dixon secretary and treasurer. His father retired from active connection with the business in 1889. In all that he undertakes Mr. Taylor is actuated by a spirit of enterprise and progress. He has closely studied the condition of the market, makes judicious purchases, and the profits of the house are continually increasing owing to the progressive business methods introduced by Mr. Taylor and his associates. In financial circles, too, he occupies an honorable and enviable position, being the president of the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Provo, which was established and incorporated in 1906. The bank has enjoyed a prosperous existence and has about sixty stockholders. Its vice president is John F. Bennett, who is also the president of the Bennett Paint & Glass Company of Salt Lake City. The cashier is John De Grey Dixon, while the position of assistant cashier is filled by Arnold Dixon. The policy of the bank is such as will bear the closest investigation and scrutiny. In its management progressiveness is tempered by a safe conservatism that carefully protects the interests of all depositors and yet extends a liberal credit wherever it is possible to do so, thus promoting the business activity and development of the community. The bank is a member of the federal reserve system. Into still other fields of activity he has extended his efforts. He organized the Provo Building & Loan Association, which is now capitalized for two million dollars. This company has built, repaired and purchased over four hundred homes and has in working loans four hundred and twelve thousand dollars.  No salaries are paid to any of the officers. It is an organization which is based upon humanitarian principles and which has been of the greatest benefit to the community, assisting many reliable and enterprising working men to gain homes of their own. Mr.  Taylor has been president of the association and a trustee since its organization. He is also the president of the Maiben Glass & Paint Company of Provo, a director of the Knight Woolen Mills, a director of the Springville-Mapleton Sugar Company and a director of the Beneficial Life Insurance Company, in which capacity he has served for a number of years. It has long been recognized that he is a man of sound business judgment and enterprise and his cooperation is therefore sought in the conduct of many important business interests. In addition to his other commercial, industrial and financial connections he is active in agricultural lines, now being the owner of a fine farm. He greatly enjoys farm life and is the owner of valuable horses and fine flocks of high grade sheep. He has three thousand fruit trees upon his place, which is situated on the Provo bench, and his is one of the best developed farm properties of this section of the state. Progressive and scientific methods are followed in the cultivation of crops and fruit and Mr. Taylor also stands for marked advancement in stock raising. 

In 1889 Mr. Taylor was married to Miss Maude Rogers, a daughter of Isaac Rogers, who was numbered among the pioneers of 1847. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have become parents of eight children. Thomas Sterling for three years was in Germany and was In the United States army eighteen months. He married Miss Nellie Taylor, a daughter of John W. Taylor, and they have one child. Ethel is now studying music in Chicago.  Lester is with his father in business, in charge of the music department of the Taylor Brothers Company, and for two years he served on a mission to New Zealand. Alden is now in Atlanta, Georgia, on a mission for the church. Marian, Victor, Maude and Delenna are all in school.

The religious faith of the family is that of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in the work of which Mr. Taylor takes a very active and helpful interest. He has been one of its lifelong members, belonging to the church from the age of eight years. He has served as deacon, teacher, priest, elder, seventy, high priest, member of the bishopric of the Provo third ward, as counselor to Bishop R. S. Gibby for four years, also as counselor to Bishop William D. Lewis for five years and for nineteen years has occupied the office of bishop, being called to that office on the 1st of August, 1890.

Mr. Taylor gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and was mayor of Provo for two terms, being elected in 1899 and again in 1901. He gave to the city a businesslike and progressive administration, bringing to bear in the solution of civic problems the same spirit of thoroughness and advancement which has characterized his individual business interests. Mr. Taylor was vice chairman and member of the executive committee of the State Council of Defense of Utah. His standing in financial circles is indicated in the fact that he has been honored with the presidency of the Utah State Bankers Association. He is also a member of the Provo Commercial Club and cooperates heartily in its well defined plans for the upbuilding of the city. He is a man of high ideals, affable and courteous in manner and of the strictest business integrity.  He is not only a successful merchant, banker and business man but also one in whose career prosperity and an honored name have been won simultaneously.


HYRUM FRANKLIN THOMAS.

Hyrum Franklin Thomas, conducting an abstract business at Provo, was born at Spanish Fork, Utah county, August 28, 1860. His father, James Wylie Thomas, is a native of Alabama and is now living at the venerable age of eighty-five years. He has devoted his life to the occupation of farming, thus providing for the support of his family, but at the present time is living retired. He wedded Mary E. Koyle, who was born at Nauvoo, Illinois, and in the year 1847 they came to Utah as pioneer settlers of the state. They have been factors in the up building of Utah for many years, contributing to its material progress and its social and moral development. Mr. Thomas has been prominent in local affairs and has been an untiring worker for the church. He has served as a member of the Seventy and has been president of the local quorum and he is among the most valued and respected citizens of Spanish Fork. 

While spending his youthful days in the home of his parents, Hyrum F. Thomas attended the public schools of Spanish Fork, and then, desirous of further promoting his knowledge, became a student in the Brigham Young Academy, from which he received his diploma upon graduation with the class of 1880. He afterward took up the profession of teaching, which he followed through the winter seasons from 1882 until 1890, proving a capable educator, imparting readily and clearly to others the knowledge that he had acquired. He afterward went upon a mission for the church to the eastern states and was very successful in preaching the gospel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and winning converts to the faith. He has always been keenly interested in civic and political affairs from his youth to the present time and while living at Spanish Fork filled the position of city recorder. The capability with which he discharged the duties of that position led to his election to the office of county recorder, in which he served for two terms, being chosen to the office on the democratic ticket. He has always been a stanch champion of democratic principles, doing everything in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of the party.

Mr. Thomas came to Provo twenty-four years ago, and his patriotic citizenship and devotion to the public welfare has again led him to be chosen for a position of trust, for he is now serving on the board of commissioners of Utah county. He still remains active in the work of the church and is now president of the Seventy. Since its organization he has also been secretary of the Building & Loan Association and has done much to develop this district by assisting men to build and own homes in Provo and Utah county. This association was formed by men big in spirit, who have given their time gratuitously to the organization, which now has a capital Of two million dollars.  For fifteen years Mr. Thomas has been the secretary of the society, being the first called to the position and retaining the office continuously since, owing to his efficiency and faithfulness. He is also engaged in business on his own account under the name of the Utah County Abstract Company, in partnership with J. C. Anderson, and they have attractive quarters at No. 24 North Academy avenue, occupying a ground floor office that is well equipped. Mr. Thomas was the last county recorder of Utah before the admission of the state into the Union and the first to fill that office after Utah joined the sisterhood of states.

In 1882 Mr. Thomas was married to Miss Sophronia J. Hawks and they have become the parents of eight children, of whom five are yet living. The firstborn, Lulu is now Mrs. Beamer and resides in San Francisco, California. James Bryant died of influenza November 17, 1918. Hyrum Hazen is living in Pueblo, Colorado. Lucy Jane was killed at the age of fifteen years in a railroad accident. Mrs. Clarice Shellabarger is a resident of Salt Lake City. Reva M. is with her sister in Salt Lake. John Weston died at the age of seven months. Norman is attending the high school of Provo. The mother died January 5, 1909. In 1911 Mr. Thomas wedded Emma Farrer, a daughter of William Fairer, who came to Utah as one of the pioneers of 1847 and was very prominent in the church circles of the state as a supporter of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was one of the first party of missionaries to the Hawaiian islands.  Mr. Thomas has been very active in promoting the interests and up building of his city and county. He is a popular man of fine business ability, unassuming but forceful, and his many friends consider his opinions in connection with both public and private affairs of great value and worth.


PRATT PACE THOMAS.

Pratt Pace Thomas is a well known figure in banking circles in Utah, occupying the position of cashier of the Commercial Bank of Spanish Fork. Honored and respected by all, the high regard in which he is held is the logical result of his uniform courtesy to the patrons of the bank and his marked business ability. He was born in Spanish Fork, March 20, 1883. His father, John S. Thomas, was a native of Wales and came to the United States in 1857. He made his way to Utah with his parents. William and Margaret Thomas, who settled in Salt Lake City but after a time removed to Utah county in 1867 and established their home at Spanish Fork. The father followed both farming and merchandising and passed away upon his farm in 1905. He was a republican in his political views and gave active and stalwart support to the party and its principles. The mother of Pratt P. Thomas bore the maiden name of Rhoda Snell. She too was born in Spanish Fork, a daughter of John W. and Lucilla Snell, who were among the earliest residents of the state. The death of Mrs. Thomas occurred in 1909.

Pratt P. Thomas is one of a family of five children, all of whom are living. After completing a course of study in the public schools of Spanish Fork he attended the Utah Agricultural College at Logan, being graduated with the class of 1903, on the completion of a course in bookkeeping and business methods. He then became connected with mercantile interests and for seven years was superintendent of the Young Men's Cooperative Company. He afterward turned his attention to banking by entering the Commercial Bank of Spanish Fork in the position of cashier and has since so served. He has contributed in no small measure to the success of the institution and is recognized as a most sound and reliable financier. While he is most enterprising in all that he undertakes his progressiveness is tempered by safe conservatism and his advice is frequently sought by friends and bank patrons in matters of investment. He is also largely interested in farming, owning a fine farm property devoted to the cultivation of a general line of crops such as are best adapted to soil and climatic conditions here. 

In 1906 Mr. Thomas was married to Miss Mima Christmas, a daughter of Luther and Lena Christmas, natives of Wales and United States respectively, while Mrs. Thomas was born at Spanish Fork. They have two children, Max and Blanche, now eleven and nine years of age respectively.

Mr. Thomas is a member of the Commercial Club. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he is secretary of the local republican central committee. He is keenly interested in everything that pertains to the country and its welfare and gave tangible proof of this during the period in which America was a participant in the great World war. He was chairman of all of the Liberty Loan committees at Spanish Fork, when the city went over the top in both the first and second loans, while in the third it went over two hundred per cent and in the fourth and fifth went over its quota. While holding to high ideals, his work in behalf of his country has ever been of a most practical character and his labors have been thoroughly resultant.


A. K. THORNTON.

The success which A. K. Thornton has achieved in the course of an active life well entitles him to mention among the capitalists of American Fork. He is now in the seventy-second year of his age, his birth having occurred in Ayrshire, Scotland, April 6, 1847, his parents being William and Mary (Kennedy) Thornton. The father was a weaver by trade in Scotland and, becoming a convert to the faith of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, made his way to American shores and thence traveled across the country to Utah, making the trip over the plains with the company of Captain Appleton Harmon. In the party were the parents and their six sons and a daughter.  They had also lost two daughters who passed away and were laid to rest in Scotland before the family left that country. They remained in Salt Lake City for one winter and in the following spring took up their abode at Cottonwood, going to Mill Creek in the succeeding fall. They next went to American Fork in the following spring and Mr.  Thornton, the father, took up the trade of weaving, which he had learned in early life, and also became owner of a farm, but his sons largely had the care, development and improvement of the farm property. He died in 1864, while his wife survived him for a number of years.

A. K. Thornton obtained his education in the common schools at American Fork, attending until he reached the age of seventeen years, when he began driving a four yoke team of oxen from Salt Lake to Helena, Montana, hauling supplies to the miners there. He also made trips to Virginia City, Montana, from Helena and down the Missouri river, from which point he returned to Salt Lake. At times he drove a seven-yoke team of oxen, being an exceptionally good driver for a boy of his years. He afterward returned to American Fork, where he worked at the carpenter's trade and engaged in farming and also in clerking in a store. He likewise devoted his attention to teaming and to mining and thus lived a very active life. He entered mercantile circles in connection with Joseph Shelly, with whom he was thus associated for a few years, and for ten years he was engaged in the saloon business. He then sold out and turned his attention to the lumber and coal trade at American Fork and in the conduct of the business was associated with his son John. They afterward established a branch store at Pleasant Grove, which is now under the charge of his son Alexander. His son John has passed away. Mr. Thornton disposed of his interests at American Fork but continues the business at Pleasant Grove, carried on under the name of A. K. Thornton & Sons Company. They handle lumber, coal and general merchandise, also have a drug store and likewise sell hay and grain. A. K. Thornton is the president of this company and his well defined business policy is a potent force in the attainment of substantial success.

In 1868 Mr. Thornton was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Miller, who was born on the Missouri river while her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Miller, were en route to Utah. Her father, who was a farmer by occupation, died soon after the arrival of the family in this state. Mr. and Mrs. Thornton have become parents of three sons and six daughters, of whom Alexander, the eldest, is in charge of the business at Pleasant Grove. John, the second son, was in business at American Fork but is now deceased.  William is mentioned elsewhere in this work. Mary died at the age of twenty-two years. Ellen is the wife of John Binns, who makes his home at American Fork, where he is engaged in sheep raising and formerly he gave his attention to cattle raising. Jeannette is the wife of Elmer Bates, who is with the Chipman Mercantile Company of American Fork. Elizabeth is the wife of A. C. Lockhart, who is with the government trust service and spends his time largely in Ogden. Sadie is the wife of Hugh A. Willis, of Salt Lake City, who is with the Oregon Short Line Company. Fern is the wife of Elmer P. Chipman, a farmer and stock raiser living at American Fork.  Mr. and Mrs. Thornton have twenty-two grandchildren who are yet living, while five of their grandchildren have passed away. There are also four great-grandchildren.

Mr. Thornton is a stalwart advocate of republican principles and for four years has served as a member of the city council but prefers that his public service shall be done as a private citizen rather than as an office holder. He has always given his attention and energies to business affairs with the result that success has come to him in substantial measure, and he is now a director of the Bank of American Fork, with which he has been identified from its organization, and is the president of the lumber company.  Whatever he has undertaken he has accomplished and he is ever ready to encourage and aid others on life's journey. He and his family occupy an attractive home which was built in 1915 and is the abode of warm-hearted hospitality.


GEORGE FRANKLIN TILSON, M. D.

Dr. George Franklin Tilson. a physician and surgeon actively engaged in practice in Payson, was born at Ceres. Virginia, January 26, 1868, and is one of the five living children in a family of ten whose parents were Henry Harmon and Mary Jane (Groseclose) Tilson. They, too, were natives of the Old Dominion and there the father followed farming and stock raising as a life work, remaining a resident of Virginia to the time of his death, which occurred in 1884. His widow survived him for more than a third of a century and passed away on the 7th of March, 1919.  Dr. Tilson of this review is indebted to the public school system of Virginia for the educational privileges which he enjoyed in early life. He afterward attended Rural Retreat Seminary in Virginia. In 1885 and 1886 and then began reading medicine at Sea Breeze, Virginia. He also spent a year in Richmond College and removed to Utah from Texas. For a year and a half he practiced at Payson, this state, and then went to Nashville, Tennessee, where he entered the Vanderbilt University and further pursued his studies, being graduated from that institution with the class of 1890, at which time his M. D. degree was conferred upon him. He later returned to Virginia, where he spent another year and then again became a resident of Payson. Utah, where he has since devoted his attention to general practice, although specializing to some extent in obstetrics.

He is a member of the Utah County Medical Society and the Utah State Medical Society and through their proceedings keeps in touch with the advanced thought and purposes of the profession. His ability in this direction is widely recognized and he has served as city physician, as surgeon for the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad Company and as school physician. He has become extensively interested in mining during the period of his residence in Utah and now holds a large amount of stock in mines yielding the precious metals. This, however, is a side issue to his practice, which is now very extensive throughout Utah county. He has been a hard worker in his profession and withal very successful.

On the 18th of May. 1898, Dr. Tilson was married to Miss Chloe Loveless, a daughter of R. A. P. Loveless, who became a resident of Utah in early pioneer times. Dr. and Mrs. Tilson have five children. Lucile, twenty years of age. is now the wife of Ray P.  Monson, of Mount Pleasant, Utah. Madeline, seventeen years of age is in school. Evelyn. aged twelve. Kermit, aged nine, and Theron, a lad of six summers, are also in school.

In politics Dr. Tilson has maintained an independent course but is interested in matters of progressive citizenship and his aid can be counted upon to further any plan or measure for the general good. He now has a nice home and offices on Main street in Payson and is making steady progress in his profession.


W. H. TOLHURST.

W. H. Tolhurst, owner and proprietor of the Leland Roller Mills at Spanish Fork, which he has successfully operated since June 1, 1913, was born in London, England.  November 16, 1858, a son of William and Rosanna (Watson) Tolhurst. The father was a coachman in England. He and his wife came to America three years after the emigration of their son, W. H. Tolhurst, who spent the period of his minority in his native land and came to Utah alone in 1880, when a young man of twenty-one years.  He was the eldest of a family of ten children.

W. H. Tolhurst displayed special aptitude in his studies for his age, having completed the work of the eighth grade when twelve years of age. He had no further opportunity to attend school, however, but through reading and observation has learned many valuable lessons. He became a tin plate worker when a lad of twelve years and learned the trade of a machinist before coming to America. After making his way to the new world he rode the range and did teaming for the firm of White & Sons, butchers of Salt Lake, in whose employ he remained for a year. He was afterward employed by the Denver & Rio Grande and the Southern Pacific Railroad Companies for a period of nineteen years, acting as foreman of the roundhouse and as machinist. During this time he lived at Salt Lake and at Ogden. Eventually, however, he embarked in business on his own account, for on the 1st of June, 1913, he purchased the Leland Roller Mills at Spanish Fork. This is a flour mill with a capacity of seventyfive barrels and be manufactures flour of excellent quality, producing two grades, the Pride of Leland and Tiptop. The mill which he owns was built in 1898 by Gardner & Bradford

In 1884 Mr. Tolhurst was married to Miss Sarah Smith, who was born in Huntingdonshire, England, and came alone to Utah in 1882. They have become parents of five children, three of whom are living. James is assistant master mechanic at the Utah-Idaho sugar plant at Spanish Fork. He enlisted in the American army in May, 1917, and went to Camp Lewis and thence was sent to Rock Island, to Peoria and Clinton for special training and afterward returned to Camp Lewis, whence he left for overseas.  He was ordnance sergeant and had charge of a traveling machine shop behind the lines in France, Belgium and Germany. He was three months with the army of occupation in Germany before being discharged in April, 1919. Charles, residing at Ogden. is a machinist for the American Can Company. Kate is the wife of John B.  Thomas, a farmer residing at Palmyra.

Mr. Tolhurst votes with the democratic party. He belongs to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is a high priest and high counselor of the Nebo stake. He was also formerly high counselor of the North Weber stake while residing at Ogden.  His life has been marked by steady progress and he has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for he here found the opportunities which he sought-opportunities for business advancement and for association with the people of his religious faith.


JOHN TUCKETT.

John Tuckett has now passed the eighty-fifth milestone on life's journey but notwithstanding his venerable years he is still hale and hearty and does considerable work upon the farm of his granddaughter, with whom he resides. His has been an active, useful and honorable life, commanding for him the entire confidence and respect of those with whom he has been brought in contact.

He was born in London, England, April 26, 1834, a son of Charles and Jane (Pattenden) Tuckett. He came to America with his mother, one sister and three brothers in 1849. On account of lack of funds they settled in St. Louis, Missouri, where they remained until 1855.

While there John Tuckett joined the Young American Greys of the United States army, for even then the rumblings of the rebellion were heard and recruiting for the army was active. He continued in military duty until his removal to Utah in 1855. He crossed the plains with the Moses Thurston company and drove a three yoke team of oxen all the way. After a year spent in Salt Lake he was called to go on a mission to Las Vegas, Nevada, to make peace with the Indians. He traveled thither in company with several others and his good work there he attributes to his faith in God and his abiding by the right. This enabled him to triumph over the evils all about him although at times the situation of the few missionaries was a most gloomy one. There Mr. Tuckett remained until 1858, when he was recalled at the news of the approach of Johnston's army to Salt Lake. He served in the Echo Canyon war, being with Captain McAllister's company, and while thus engaged his feet were badly frozen and he suffered many hardships and privations. It was a year before his feet healed. For a few years thereafter he lived at Spanish Fork and at Springfield and then took up land at Mapleton, where he made his home for a number of years.

Mr. Tuckett was one of the most active church workers in the state. In fact his entire life has been characterized by great service in behalf of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He has been bishop, Sunday school superintendent, presiding teacher, counselor and president of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association.  He was called to a second mission and was appointed superintendent of the Sunday school at Springville with the hope of making that self-supporting. This he accomplished by buying land and leasing other land, which was put into crops, and from the proceeds of this the church erected a Sunday school building at Springville thirty-three by fifty-three feet and a vestry of eighteen feet. This was done by Sunday school labor without the aid of the church.

It was on the 7th of April, 1862, that Mr. Tuckett was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Ann Gee, who was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and came to Utah with her parents in 1852 with the Eli B. Kelsey company. Seven children were born of this marriage: Sarah Ann, Jane, Caroline Lelia, John, Josephine, Charles and Luella. all of whom have married and have families. There are now thirty grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren.

In 1917 Mr. Tuckett was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died July 15th, honored and respected by all who knew her. He has sold his farm at Mapleton and now lives with his granddaughter. Eda, who is the widow of Lewis Dittmore and has one child, Martin Lewis Dittmore. Mrs. Dittmore owns a twenty acre farm and although Mr. Tuckett is eighty-five years of age he is still a splendidly preserved man and is able to do considerable work upon the farm. His former thrift and industry brought to him a capital sufficient to enable him to meet all of his needs and wants, but indolence and idleness are utterly foreign to his nature and he enjoys assisting in the work of the place

His political allegiance is given to the republican party. As a supporter of the prohibition cause he was elected to the city council of Springville and served for four years He was also elected to the same position in Mapleton and served for two years. His life has been unselfishly lived for the benefit of others. He is grateful for the privilege accorded him of traveling so long on the journey of life and seeing his descendants about him numbering threescore. He has ever attempted to do his part as best he could, never thinking of himself but doing unto others as he would have them do unto him. His has indeed been an upright and honorable life, fraught with good deeds, actuated by high purposes-a blessing and a benefit to those with whom he has come in contact.


ABE W. TURNER

Abe W. Turner, a representative of the Provo bar, before which he has practiced since 1916, winning a gratifying clientage during the intervening period, was born in Heber, Utah, April 26, 1893. He is a son of William L. and Jane (Hatch) Turner. The father was born in Heber and has devoted his life to merchandising and banking, remaining still as an active factor in the business world. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he is one of its most earnest supporters. His progressive citizenship and devotion to the public welfare have led to his selection for various political offices of honor and trust. The mother. Jane (Hatch) Turner, was born in Utah, a daughter of Abram Hatch, who became a resident of this state in pioneer times.

Abe W. Turner is one of a family of six children who are yet living. He supplemented his early education, acquired in the public schools, by a course of study in the Wasatch high school and afterward matriculated in the University of Utah, in which he studied for five years, devoting three years to the mastery of a classical course and two years to law. He then went east in further preparation for the bar and was graduated from the Georgetown University at Washington, D. C., in 1916 with the LL. B., degree. The same year he was admitted to practice in the courts of Utah but owing to the condition of his health did not at once take up the active work of the profession, giving his attention for a time to farming and stock raising. He now has offices in the Knight building in Provo and he is a member of the Utah County Bar Association.  He prepares his cases with great thoroughness and care and his logical reasoning and clear deduction have been potent elements in the attainment of his present success.  His clientage is steadily growing in volume and importance. 

In 1917 Mr. Turner was married to Miss Merline Roylance, a daughter of William M. Roylance of Provo, and they have one son, William Roylance Turner.  In his political views Mr. Turner is a democrat, giving stalwart allegiance to the party. He served as a member of the city council while in Heber and he has been active in civic affairs, supporting all those projects which he deems of value to the community. He is a member of the Provo Commercial Club and he is widely known in the city in which he makes his home. Those who know him. and he has a wide acquaintance, entertain for him high regard.

 

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