Categotry Archives: Personality and Interests

John Peck Chidester Pioneer of 1850

He was such a little fellow to be already a part of a great movement that was to lead him across a great nation — an adventure that was to occupy him most of his lifetime. Being a member of Zion’s Camp in 1834 was a distinction for one so young, and a bit lonely, too–for there were no other children to play with, even if there had been time to play. Of course, there was the new baby sister, […]

Life & Career of John Foy Chidester

John Madison Chidester was the son of John Peck Chidester, born 22 Jan 1809 in Pompey, Onondaga Co., N.Y. Came to Utah in 1850. Married Mary Parker in New York (daughter of Joshua Parker of New Haven, Conn.)  Their children were: John Peck, David, Eunice, Darwin, Joshua and Ester. Was a Walker Indian War Veteran. Carpenter and millwright. Died 30 Aug 1883, Washington Co., Utah. John Peck Chidester, born 23 Dec 1831, Somerfield, Monroe Co., Mich. Came to Utah in […]

Brief Biography of John Worthen who Arrived in Utah in 1852

by Zenna Worthen Buttle – Granddaughter John Worthen was born 22 July, 1817 at Northwich, Cheshire, England. He was the son of Richard Worthen and Mary Cowap. He had seven brothers and sisters. Their names are Samuel Richard, William, James, Robert, Richard 2nd, Joseph.  The sisters are Jane and Mary Worthen. Richard, the father of John, was a shoemaker by trade. Richard’s father was Richard Nicols, a soldier who died in Foriegn Wars while fighting under the British Flag. Richard’s […]

John Worthen’s Autobiography

John Worthen, son of Richard Worthen and Mary Cowap, his lawful wife according to the laws of England, was born 22 July 1817, in the town of Northwich, Cheshire, England. Being of a nervous sanguine and bilious temperment with rather a preponderance of the bilious, which physiologist say give greather strengt and activity of the mild. In my boyish days I was called a good quiet boy. But according to my own recollection, I know that energy and a determination […]

Biography of Samuel Worthen

Written by Elizabeth Worthen Henderson of Panguitch, Utah Samuel Worthen, the son of Richard Worten and Mary Cowap, was born December 21, 1825 at Northwich, Cheshire, England. When a boy about ten years of age, he went as an apprentice to learn the trade of a mason, and through his training he became a master mechanic of the trade. He, in connection with his Mother, brothers and sister, emigrated from England to the United States when he was a young […]

Biography of Joseph Ellison Beck

(Compiled and condensed from histories previously turned into the Organization, together with correction of dates, etc. synonamous with the family group sheets of Joseph Ellison Beck) Allen L. Beck 1966 Joseph Ellison Beck was born 31 May, 1810 in New Hanover Township, Burlington Co., New Jersey. He was the 2nd child born to James and Hannah (Antram or Antrim) Beck. His other brothers and sister were John Antram, Thomas Bowne, William Clayton, James Baites, and Mary Comac Beck. James Beck […]

Biography of Rebecca Rocena Beck Berry

Written by her daughter Harriet L. Berry in her 75th year. In the year of 1840, Orson Hyde was ordained as Apostle of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, by the Prophet Joseph Smith in Nauvoo, Illinois, and was sent on a mission to Palestine without purse or script, to dedicate that Holy ground for the return of the Jews. On arriving in Philadelphia, Hyde was without means to cross the mighty ocean. Being full of faith in […]

Walter Lysle Platt and Alice Campbell

Written by their daughter Rocena Platt Chidester November 1976 Walter Lysle Platt was born 5 November 1900 at Kanarraville, Iron, Utah, to John William Platt and Mary Wilhelmina Perry. He was the fourth child. The other children were William Grant, Rulon Berry, John Elton, Jay Clair, Mary Rebecca, Minnie, Leila, Melvina, Verna, Vernon (twins), and Ralph Browning. Lysle spent all of his life in Kanarraville. Lysle had long ringlets up until the time he started school. As a boy he […]

The Tennessee Massacre: Defense and memorial of the martyrs

Victims Buried Those who had fled to the woods in the excitement, returned as soon as the mob left; the eyes of the dead were closed, and the bodies of the two elders and their brave defenders were laid side by side. Plain coffins were made of poplar lumber and the Saints and friends laid away in the best possible manner, under the circumstances, the bodies of the four martyrs.  The Condors going to their graves where they will sleep […]

“I Remember When” – Memories of Arnon A. Chidester by his daughter-in-law, Rocena Platt Chidester

MEMORIES OF ARNON A. CHIDESTER (GRANDPA) Written for his  102nd Birthday By Rocena Platt Chidester, daughter-in-law November 6, 1993 I remember when:  I remember the very first time I met Reeve’s mom and dad.  Reeve called and said that he was bringing “Rosa” home for them to meet.  All his mother could think of was the “Big fat Rosa” on the “I love Luigi” radio program, “well” they treated me great.  I also met Lois that day, as she was […]