Utah Since Statehood
Author is Noble Warrum - 1919

J. R. EKINS.

J. R. Ekins, who is engaged in ranching at Slaterville, is one of Utah's native sons, his birth having occurred in Provo in 1859. He is a son of John and Rebecca (Burnham) Ekins, both of whom were natives of England, the former having been born in Yorkshire, while the latter was a native of Northamptonshire. The father was born May 9, 1829, and was a son of John Ekins. Sr. In early life he learned and followed the shoemaker's trade but found it difficult to get work because of the fact that he was a convert to the faith of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the community in which he lived displayed much opposition to those of his belief.  Accordingly, when but a lad of sixteen years, he determined to come to the new world and induced his mother to give him some money. She gave him five pounds, or about twenty-five dollars in American money, and this brought him to the United States.  He made his way at once across the country and arrived in Utah on the 1st of April, 1851. since which time the Ekins family has been represented in Weber county. It was in Utah that he wedded Rebecca Burnham, who came to this state in 1852, settling in Ogden but removing a few days later to Provo.

J. R. Ekins, whose name introduces this record, obtained his education in the public schools of Marriott and was reared to the occupation of farming, which he has followed as a life work. He has always given his attention to the cultivation of the crops best adapted to soil and climate, carrying on general farming, and by reason of his close application, his indefatigable energy and unfaltering enterprise has won a substantial measure of success.

On the 16th of January, 1889, Mr. Ekins was married to Miss Emma Kasey, a daughter of Thomas P. and Mary Ann (Banyer) Kasey, the former a native of Germany, while the latter was born in England. They came to Utah in 1867, settling in Slaterville, where Mr. Kasey engaged in farming. He was a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Mr. and Mrs. Ekins have become the parents of four children: Clements T., Frances Amelia, Edna R. and Ernest R. The elder daughter is now the wife of George W. Allen, while Edna is the wife of George A.  Amidan.

Mr. Ekins and his family are adherents of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He has been quite active and interested in public affairs and for a time filled the office of constable, while for the past eight years he has been one of the directors of the irrigation company. His support can always be counted upon to further valuable public measures, and he is accounted one of the representative men of Slaterville.

FRED W. ELLIS.

Fred W. Ellis is engaged in ranching at North Ogden, where at various times other interests have also claimed his attention and profited by his energies and cooperation.  He is one of the substantial citizens that England has furnished to Utah, his birth having occurred at Melksham, Wiltshire, April 30, 1846. He is a son of Edmond and Martha (Oakley) Ellis and was left motherless when but seven years of age, Mrs. Ellis passing away in her native land. The father afterward came with his family to the United States, establishing his home in Germantown, Pennsylvania, in 1867 and there remaining until 1868, when he came to Utah.

Fred W. Ellis, however, made the trip to Utah in 1866, crossing the plains with the Halliday train. He was eight months in making the journey from England to this state.  He first settled in Salt Lake City, where he remained for two years and while there residing was leader of the choir In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He afterward removed to Corinne, when it was a tent city, where he was engaged with two others in the conduct of a bakery and grocery business for a time, but subsequently took up his abode at North Ogden, where he became an active factor in musical circles. In 1868 he entered land from the government and he also took charge of a cooperative store, of which he remained manager for two years. He likewise followed his trade of painting and paper hanging, which he had learned in his native country, and to this business he gave considerable attention for several years. Later he more and more largely concentrated his efforts upon agricultural pursuits and has become known as a representative rancher of North Ogden.

On the 16^th of September, 1869, Mr. Ellis was married to Miss Susan K. Davis, a daughter of Edward George and Sarah Rebecca (Mudd) Davis, both of whom were natives of England, the former having been born in Bristol and the latter in London, while the birth of Mrs. Ellis occurred in Bath, England, January 28, 1850. The Davis family came to Utah, September 3, 1868, and after living for a time in Salt Lake City removed to North Ogden.

For a long period Fred W. Ellis has now made his home at North Ogden and is accounted one of the worthy and highly respected citizens of the community. Aside from ranching he has conducted a nursery and has supplied nearly all of the fruit trees to the people of North Ogden and vicinity. He has likewise been active in irrigation work and for ten years he carried the mail to Harrisville, West Weber, Plain City and North Ogden. There are few events which have to do with the development and up-building of this section of the state with which he is not familiar. He has been a witness of all that has occurred in the work of transformation and improvement and at all times his aid and influence have been given on the side of progress.  Mr. Ellis remains a loyal member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and in 1893 he went on a mission to Tasmania, serving for two years and seven months. He also filled a mission in this state and was a prominent Sunday school worker for twenty-five years, acting as superintendent. He likewise led the choir for twenty-five years and he has ever figured very prominently in musical circles, having had four hundred and forty-four music pupils. His wife was a member of the choir for forty years. Mr. Ellis sang with the choir the first hymn in the large tabernacle in Salt Lake City and he has sung at the funerals of four different presidents of the church.

WALTER R. EMMETT, M. D.

Dr. Walter R. Emmett, physician and surgeon, whose ability is manifest in the liberal practice accorded him, has his office in the Lewis block in Ogden. He was born February 15, 1876, in the city in which he still makes his home, and is a son of the late Thomas Emmett, who was a native of England and on coming to America crossed the continent to Utah, establishing his home in Ogden among its early residents. He was a soda water manufacturer and the first to engage in that line of business in northern Utah, meeting with substantial success in his undertakings. He was also an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served on a mission to England. He married Nancy Hitchon, a native of England, who came to America with her husband and their two children. Both the father and mother died when sixty-six years of age. They had a family of thirteen children, seven sons and six daughters, of whom nine are yet living, Walter R. being the twelfth child. 

Dr. Emmett was educated in the schools of Ogden and in the Brigham Young University at Provo, Utah, while later he attended the Northwestern University, where he studied medicine, graduating from that institution in 1910 with the M. D. degree. He afterward spent one year in the Post Graduate Hospital of Chicago as an interne and gained that broad and valuable knowledge and experience which can never be acquired in any other way as quickly as in hospital practice. Returning to Utah, he entered upon the private practice of medicine at Coalville, where he remained for five years, and then removed to Ogden, where he has since been in active and continuous general practice, meeting with substantial success in his undertakings, he is very careful in the diagnosis of his cases and conscientious in the performance of all of his professional duties.  He is now serving his second term as county physician, having been appointed in 1916.  He belongs to the County Medical Society, the Utah State Medical Society and the American Medical Association and thus he keeps in touch with the advanced thought and scientific investigation of the profession.

On the 10^th of October, 1900, in the Salt Lake Temple. Dr. Emmett was married to Miss Joan Woodmansee, a native of Ogden and a daughter of Charles and Eleanor (Porter) Woodmansee  both representatives of old families of Ogden. They have become parents of five children: Eleanor, John, Charles, Louise and Robert. They are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Dr. Emmett served on a mission to California from 1897 until 1899. He was a member of the city council of Ogden for four years; was a medical examiner for soldiers drafted for the war and at all times he has been active and interested in supporting plans and projects for the up-building of community, commonwealth and country.

WILLIAM ENGLAND, Sr.

William England, Sr., who is now living retired, making his home at Plain City, was born in Bradpool near Bridport, Dorsetshire, England, July 29, 1846. He is a son of John and Jane (Pavitt) England and emigrated to America in 1862, when a young man of sixteen years. He accompanied his parents to the new world, the family home being established the same year in Plain City, where John England took up the occupation of farming and also engaged in weaving to a large extent, for that was his trade, which he had learned in his native country. His father, James England, was the inventor of the power weaving machine.

John England was one of the first converts in his neighborhood in his native country to the faith of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, joining the church at the time that Woodruff entered that field. After coming to the new world he took an active part in the church work and following the establishment of his home at Plain City he was chosen president of the Elders' Quorum and also one of the ward teachers and was very active in other branches of the church work.  William England acquired his early education in the schools of his native land hut when only eight years of age began providing for his own support by working in a rope factory, so that he had little chance to attend school. He had to walk a mile to and from work and his hours were from six o'clock in the morning until eight o'clock in the evening, after which he attended night school for an hour for three nights each week. With his parents he left Liverpool on the 9th of April, 1862, with ten hundred and twelve emigrants on the ship John J. Boyd, which was chartered by the Mormon church, so that all on board were followers of that faith. The president of the company on board was James Brown, of Ogden. While crossing the Atlantic twelve deaths occurred and the people were buried at sea. It was six weeks and three days before the voyage was terminated by dropping anchor in the harbor of New York, where they passed inspection. They then made the trip to Chicago by rail. The road most of the way was new and traveling was slow, so that it required three weeks to make the journey. The Civil war was in progress at that time and this occasioned many delays.  From Chicago they proceeded to St. Louis, then up the Missouri river to Florence, Nebraska, which was then the outfitting place for the trip across the western plains.

William England made the trip alone, leaving his parents in New York, but later they joined him in Utah. The boat which he took up the river was loaded with merchandise, with wagons and outfitting goods of all kinds. The firm of Kimball & Lawrence was represented by George Merrick, who was their agent on the boat. Mr. England became acquainted with him and hired out to him to drive a team of oxen across the plains. This trip consumed three months. He then made his way to Plain City, where he had a brother-in-law, who had crossed the plains with a "handcart" company. After reaching his destination Mr. England worked by the day for some time and in 1863 he engaged to drive a team from Salt Lake to California in order to haul grain. On the return trip they hauled army supplies into Utah. Mr. England again made his way to Plain City, where he purchased a lot and built a hut. He then sent to England for the lady to whom he was betrothed, Rhoda Stone, who was born in Cruckorne, Somersetshire, England, May 1, 1841, and on her arrival they were married on the 18th of October. 1863, the wedding being celebrated in the little dugout which he had prepared.  They became the parents of ten children and the mother passed away January 16, 1913.  Seven of their children have also departed this life but three are still living, namely, William Jr.. Charles and Sophia.

On the 5th of June, 1913, Mr. England was again married, on which occasion Susannah Beddis-Robinson-Booth became his wife. Her parents, Thomas Paul and Ann (Cole) Beddis, left England on the 1st of February, 1854, on the Wondermere and arrived at New Orleans after a voyage of nine weeks. From the Crescent City they proceeded northward by boat to St. Louis and from there traveled to St. Joseph, where Mrs. Beddis passed away, as did their son, Joseph H. Mr. Beddis died soon afterward of cholera. In July of the same year the daughter came to the west with her brother.  She was then but seven years of age. They journeyed with a company of Mormons and walked all of the way. They first stopped in Salt Lake in September, 1854. Susannah Beddis was born July 12, 1847, in Wiggan, Lancashire, England. When twelve years of age she came to Plain City with Joseph and Alice Robinson, who reared her and her brother. Joseph Robinson was one of the first pioneers of Plain City. Prior to coming to Plain City he had lived in Lehi for five years.

Mr. England has been justice of the peace for several years, also school trustee for several terms and has ever been actively interested in the welfare and progress of the community in which he makes his home. A consistent member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he has filled all of the offices save that of bishop.  In 1878 he went on a mission to England covering two years.  To provide for his support Mr. England always followed farming save for a period of four years when grasshoppers destroyed his crops and he was obliged to work in the mines in order to support his family. He also worked on the railroad and was thus engaged when the golden spike was driven, which was the culmination of the efforts to build the Union Pacific across the great plains of the west, the two ends of the road being thus united. Mr. England worked on all the various railroads which were built at that period and he has been instrumental in promoting the up building and progress of every important enterprise of the community. He has indeed been a valued citizen and is one of the honored pioneers whose memory forms a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present. He has witnessed practically the entire development and transformation of this section of the country and has borne his full share in the work of progress and improvement.

WILLIAM ENGLAND, JR.

William England. Jr., who is engaged In ranching at Plain City, where he was born November 28, 1871, is a son of William England, Sr.. mentioned elsewhere in this work. Spending his youthful days under the parental roof, he acquired his education in the schools of Plain City and when his school days were over he took up the occupation of farming and stock raising in connection with his father. He has always given his time and energies to this work and now has one hundred and seventy acres of land, of which he cultivates seventy acres, while the remainder is meadow and pasture land. His business affairs are carefully and wisely conducted and whatever success he has enjoyed is attributable to his own labors.

In May, 1892, Mr. England was married to Miss Millie Thueson, a daughter of John and Alice (Wasden) Thueson, who were natives of Denmark and of Yorkshire. England, respectively, the former being of both French and Danish descent. The parents of Mrs. England came to Utah with the first company that crossed the plains and located at Salt Lake, where they remained for a short time and then removed to Springville. where the death of Mr. Thueson occurred. His widow afterward married again and removed to Scipio, where they resided for a number of years. They later established their home at Monroe, where they lived for thirteen years. Mr. and Mrs. England have become the parents of six children: Lavell William, born February 14, 1893; Mildred, whose birth occurred on the 2d of June, 1894; Chester, whose natal day was November 12, 1897; Rollo, born June 3, 1900; Clyde, who was born August 24, 1903, and Leah, born June 29, 1918. The son Chester was sent on a mission to the southern states, where he labored for the church from 1916 until 1918. The religious faith of the family is that of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Mr. England is second counselor to Bishop Thatcher. He has also been active in the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations and has held all of the offices of the church in his ward save that of bishop. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and in all matters of citizenship he manifests a public spirit.

ROBERT ERWIN.

Robert Erwin is a farmer and fruit raiser whose home is situated in the Hooper district of Weber county. He was born in Liletown, Green county, Kentucky, April 11, 1861, and is a son of Warren and Mary (Wallace) Erwin. The early years of his life were spent in the Mississippi valley and it was on the 19th of March, 1902, that he came to Utah, settling first at Clinton, now Sunset. Here he purchased a ranch and took up the occupation of farming, gardening and fruit growing. His fields are highly cultivated, his gardens are productive and his orchards yield a large- amount of fruit annually. He also makes a specialty of the raising of melons. 

On the 6th of May, 1900, Mr. Erwin was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Houk, a daughter of Miles and Cynthia (Faulkner) Houk. They have become the parents of sixteen children and of this large family fourteen are still living. Mr. Erwin and his family are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He has led an active and useful life and his personal worth is acknowledged by all with whom he has come in contact. Employing the opportunities for advancement in a business way, he has made steady progress and is now regarded as one of the substantial ranch owners of his section of the state.

DAVID W. EVANS

David W. Evans, of Ogden, filling the position of treasurer of Weber county, was born May 25, 1870. at Treycanon Aberdare, Glamorganshire, Wales. His father. Thomas Evans, was also a native of that little rock-ribbed country and was one of those who emigrated to Utah. Crossing the Atlantic to America, he arrived in this state on the 6^th of November. 1879, settling in Ogden. He was a railroad man and engaged in business of that kind to the time of his death, which occurred in Ogden November 19, 1896, when he was sixty-four years of age. He was a very devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and took a most active and helpful interest in church and Sunday school work. He wedded Mary Benjamin, a native of Wales, who died in Ogden, September 16, 1890, at the age of fifty-seven years. Their family numbered three sons and a daughter: Thomas B.. who was president of the Ogden stake of Zion of the dominant church and passed away April 4, 1919; Ann the wife of Arthur Price, a resident of Plymouth, Pennsylvania; David W., of this review: and Samuel, who died March 1. 1908, in Ogden.

David W. Evans is indebted to the public school system of Ogden for his early educational opportunities, which were supplemented by study in Weber Academy. After leaving school he entered upon clerical work in the office of the county clerk, under Newton Farr. He was also engaged in clerical work with the Pioneer Power Company for a number of years and with other firms. For a period of two decades he was associated with the fire and life insurance agency of B. H. Goddard and there remained until 1911. when his duties as stake clerk occupied the major part of his attention. He served in the latter capacity from August 22, 1908, capably filling the position of clerk of the North Weber stake to the present time. It was on the 6^th of January 1919, that he took over the office of county treasurer, to which he had been elected the previous fall. He was also at one time justice of the peace of the second municipal ward of Ogden and acted in that capacity for two years. His political allegiance has always been given to the democratic party since he cast his first presidential ballot for Grover Cleveland and throughout the intervening period he has labored earnestly and effectively in support of democratic principles. Throughout all these years Mr. Evans has also been untiring in his advocacy of the interests of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He has been the treasurer of the third ward Sunday school and counselor of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association in the same ward. He held the position of stake treasurer of the Weber stake Sunday school board from the date of its organization until August, 1908, or for a period of eight years, when the stake was divided.

On the 16th of December, 1903, Mr. Evans was married in the Salt Lake Temple to Miss Mary H. Wiggins, a native of Ogden and a daughter of William and Annie (Gibson) Wiggins, both of whom have passed away, the mother having died in Ogden in January, 1916. The father was a very early settler of Utah.  Mr. and Mrs. Evans make their home at No. 2248 Lincoln Avenue, in Ogden, and Mrs.  Evans has been an active Red Cross worker as well as in the church. From the age of nine years Mr. Evans has been a resident of Utah and his record is that of a self-made man, far through persistent effort and energy he has worked his way upward. He has never faltered in the accomplishment of his purpose, and his success is indeed richly deserved.

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