Orem Train And 4th Ward Chapel

In this undated photograph, the Orem train is shown traveling along 1st North past the LDS 4th Ward Chapel at 315 East 100 North, which is, today, occupied by the San Andres Catholic Church. 

The Orem line was completed from Salt Lake City southward to American Fork on March 23, 1913, reaching Provo in July, 1914.  The line was extended further south into Springville by July of 1915 and Spanish Fork in November of 1915, arriving in Payson City on March 24th, 1916.  Plans to extend the line 25 miles further south to Nephi were never completed, due in part to the United States entering World War I. However, surveying was completed in 1917.

The Orem line was among transit systems in central Utah that were sent into receivership during the Great Depression. “Their demise was helped by an active campaign by oil and auto conglomerates to buy up interurbans only to shut them down,” according to a Payson Historical Society account. “World War II brought a temporary boom to the line. But after the war, Utah railroads lost money, while their petitions to the Public Service Commission to shrink services and thus costs were rejected. In 1947 the last line ceased operation.”

Samuel Douglass Building On Main And Utah Avenue

 Pictured is the Samuel Douglass building. No longer standing, the building was located on the northwest corner of Main Street and Utah Avenue.  Constructed in 1891, the building remained in use until 1954, when it was demolished and replaced by the City Drug building. Samuel Douglass was the son of William Douglass, who owned one of the first stores in Payson, Utah.

#paysonutah #utahhistory #paysonplaces #readthepaysonchronicle #paysonchronicle #preserveourhistory #savethisphoto #thepaysonchronicle

Mourning the Passing of Friends: Forthcoming Funeral Service

"What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. 

All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.”

~ Helen Keller

DARRELL HOLDEN

Darrell Clifford Holden, age 82, from Vernon, Utah, passed away peacefully at his home with his sweetheart at his side on February 9, 2022. 

Darrell was born August 31, 1939, in American Fork, Utah to Clifford Henry Holden and Lillie May Heaps. He attended school in Provo and Payson, including Peteetneet Elementary where he walked to school in the snow, uphill both ways. He graduated in the class of 1957 from Payson High School. Dad went to work in Southeastern Utah, mining uranium and after, joined the United States Navy in 1958. He served ion the USS Nereus, a Fulton class submarine tender stationed out of San Diego, California for 2 years. Then he spent 2 more years stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, as a member of Guided Missile unit 10. It was there he was trained as an electrician and acquired his lifelong love of pineapples, stolen or otherwise. Darrell was honorably discharged in 1962 and came home where he went to work for the Bureau of Land Management on the West Desert of Utah. One weekend he was asked to go to a ranch in the area to help out at a cattle branding. That is where one of the great love stories in history began. He met Patricia Ekker and fell head over 6’ 4’’ heels for her. He immediately stopped going home on weekends and spent every minute away from work “helping: the Ekkers. Finally, his parents showed up to see if he was dead or just in love! Darrell and Patsy married on September 12, 1964, in Payson, Utah. They were later sealed together with their 3 little sons in the Manti Temple in 1978. They moved to Vernon in 1969 and have left a rich legacy in our little town. Darrell served as president of Vernon Water Works for 48 years. Under his stewardship, Vernon Water Works went from a redwood tank and wooden pipelines to a state-of-the-art system. This now includes fire protection and a 150,000-gallon storage tank. He worked as an electrician and a miner throughout his life. Places of employment include the Burgin, Trixie, Water Lily, Apex, Dragon and Anaconda mines. He then went to work asa high voltage lineman at Dugway Proving Grounds until he retired in 2006. 

His work ethic is legendary! When he was laid off from Anaconda, he worked building fences and corrals for Vernon cattlemen associations. He cut hundreds of cedar posts and hauled them over the mountain on his old international truck. He worked for Jim Ekker and Don Gowans calving their cowherds. When Sam Kay was injured, dad even took care of the church ranch for him until he could recover. He made friends easily and knows people far and wide. If you don’t like dad, it says a lot more about you than him! He especially loved kids. Almost every picture we found of dad has one or two or a dozen kids in it. They loved him and he loved them. He was over the moon about every grandkid. All 7 have an extraordinary relationship with Grandpa Holden. They all know him and love him and have no doubt they are his favorite. He loved his nieces and nephews and their kids just as much. What a joy it was to see dad spending time visiting with a kid!

Darrell was a cowboy and was a top hand in any group. He knew cattle and how to handle them. He passed his love of ranching along to his family. He was a wonderful hunter too. Or maybe, to be more correct, he was a wonderful packer. He shot some exceptional deer, antelope, elk, and turkeys. But he packed out on his horse a heck of a lot more- and loved doing it!

Darrell is survived by his sweetheart and wife, Patsy Ekker Holden of Vernon, Utah. Children, Darrell E. Holden (Angie) of Vernon, Darren R. Holden (Stefanie) of Vernon, Richard C. Holden (Amanda) or Monroe, Utah. Grandchildren, Tyson R. Holden (Bailey) of Vernon, Ashley B. Holden of Vernon, Brayden R. Holden of Cedar City, Utah, MaKenzie R. Holden of Monroe, Ryder M. Holden of Monroe, Hailey C. Holden of Vernon, and Dalton E. Holden of Vernon.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Clifford Henry Holden (Lillie May Holden) his siblings, Sharron, Sherril, Boyd, and Cloyd Holden. 

Service for Darrell will be Wednesday, February 16th, 2022, at the Vernon Ward Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Chapel, which is located on Main Street in Vernon. Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. with a prior viewing from 9:30 – 10:45 a.m. There will be a viewing Tuesday, February 15th, 2022, at Tate Mortuary in Tooele, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Interment will be at the Vernon Cemetery directly after the funeral. Luncheon will be served at the Vernon church building following the interment. 

The family would like the send out a special thank you to the staff at Tate Mortuary for their exemplar service to our family and our father. We would also like to thank the Vernon Fire Department and EMT’s, the Stockton EMT’s, and the Tooele City EMT’s, as well as the Tooele County Sherriff’s office. We want to acknowledge the fine team of doctors and nurses at the VA, the Payson Hospital, and Spanish Fork Clinic. Their care for dad was world class.

We appreciate the love and support received from family, friends, and the community. You have truly blessed our lives and given us strength. 

“The only way to take sorrow out of death is to take love out of life” -Russell M. Nelson, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

Boxcar Rockstars Rock With The Lions

 

The Boxcar Rockstars rocked tonight’s Payson Lions Club Valentine party with an old school country-rock reverie. The band reunites friends and tune-turners Rhett Huff (left) and Chris Sorenson (right) twenty-five years after their first music-making project together in Payson. That project ended after Sorenson moved to Colorado, but the music never died. From his new digs and a new band a state away, Sorenson kept a song Huff wrote playing. Returning to Payson a quarter century later, the song was in his heart. Now the two are back at it, pulling the Boxcar into venues throughout central Utah.

#paysonutah #theboxcarrockstars Payson Utah Lions Club The Boxcar Rockstars #supportthearts #southcountymusicscene

Mourning the Passing of Friends: Forthcoming Funeral Service

"What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. 

All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.”

~ Helen Keller

DELOS TANNER

Our dear Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, and Great-Great Grandfather and dear friend to many, Delos Alfred Tanner, passed away Tuesday February 1st, 2022 at the age of 92.

He was one of two sons born to Reta Ada Sturgis and Alma Jensen Tanner on December 13th, 1929 in Payson, Utah. Delos grew up in West Mountain where his family owned land and farmed. He was the older brother to Bert Tanner who preceded him in death.

A beautiful girl from Lake Shore, Alene Rose, caught his eye and they were married and sealed for eternity in the Manti LDS Temple on September 21st, 1949. They have had a wonderful and happy life together for 72 years.

They are the parents of four children: Denis (Sharon) Tanner, Steven (Kathi) Tanner, Kathleen (Kevin) Hoyt, and Carrie Lee (deceased as an infant); and have 10 grandchildren: Kris Tanner, Kory Tanner, Ryan Sass, Michele Gibson, Joseph Tanner, Missy Lambert, Molly Ingram, Marcie Falkner, Kal Hoyt, Karalee Turpin, who all adore their Grandpa. They are the beloved Great-Grandparents to 28 and also Great-Great Grandparents to nine, with two on the way.

He was active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Delos spent many hours building the West Ward Church in West Mountain (Payson) and was in the bishopric as the Ward clerk and worked in other capacities.

Delos and Alene worked hard as successful farmers and with livestock in West Mountain, Utah. They always had a large beautiful productive garden. One time a filming crew came to spend the summer and used their house, grounds, and farm to make or shoot a movie.

Delos was a bus driver for the Nebo School District for 33 years. The kids on his route thought he was lots of fun; he was quite the jokester. He drove the bus full of athletes to sporting events and other school activities. On occasion, they flew back to Georgia to pick up brand new buses and drive them home cross-country to Utah.

Delos and Alene loved to travel to California, Nevada, and Idaho and enjoyed visiting and spending time in Alaska, Oregon and South Africa; and going on many other adventures.

In 2006, they sold the farm and moved into town where they met, new dear friends in Payson, while continuing to go to sunny St. George, during the winter- time.   In 2018, they moved full time to St. George in a beautiful new home.   They had the time of their lives with cherished friends and neighbors in the St. George area for over 23 years.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 12, 2022 at Highline Ward Church located at 586 West 1750 South in Payson, Utah. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.  at the church. Interment will be in Payson City Cemetery, 400 North 800 East, Payson, Utah.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Walker Funeral Home. Condolences may be offered at www.WalkerMemorials.com. 

Mourning the Passing of Friends: Forthcoming Funeral Service

"What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. 

All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.”

~ Helen Keller

Blair William Herbert

Blair W Herbert, age 89 of Goshen, Utah was finally reunited with his loving wife Bonnie (Yvonne) and other departed family members on February 4, 2022.

Blair was born August 1, 1932 in Payson, Utah to George and Lavern Vest Herbert. He graduated from Payson High School in 1950. He married his longtime sweetheart Bonnie (Finch) Tanner in June 1951.

Blair worked at Geneva Steel, Ironton Steel and Road Construction at South Pass, Wyoming in his early years. He went to work in the mines in Nevada with a good friend Ken Thomas in June 1961. On his first shift at the age of 29 Blair was in a mining accident in Nevada which resulted in the loss of his eye sight. He didn't let this get him down for very long. In a few short years he found employment at the Elberta LDS Church farms under the watchful eye of a good friend Pat Downy and he became a tractor mechanic fixing broken farm equipment. He worked there for the next 18 years before retiring and moved on to his next challenge. With the help of his good friend Max Sabey he learned to repair small engines, lawn mowers, tillers and anything with a small engine and helped family, friends and neighbors in keeping their yards in shape. He was also the Justice of the Peace for Goshen for many years doing his judicial duties of performing many marriages and settling traffic citations. Some called him the "Hanging Judge" but no one ever hanged.

He didn't let the 60 years loss of sight hinder what he wanted to do which included helping build fences, corrals, sheds and pens for the variety of a farm animals he raised. He learned the art of tanning hides to make leather for different projects he worked on. He would often walk the 2 1/2 blocks down to White Service Station to have a Coke and a bag of peanuts. He made several trips to Alaska fishing for King and Sockeye salmon on the Kenai Peninsula with his sons, grandsons and friends. After Bonnie died his favorite thing to do was a road trip to Mesquite, Nevada to play the nickel slots. He never hit the big one but said it was just fun entertainment for him. He enjoyed traveling even though he couldn't see. He had a great sense of feel and hearing. He and Bonnie traveled to Mexico, Alaska, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, South Dakota, cruising the Caribbean and Hawaii, enjoying every minute of it.

Blair had a wonderful testimony of how God had blessed him throughout his life and the importance of church and family. He served his church in many callings in the Elder's Quorum, High Priest Group and a Stake Seventies leader doing missionary work.

He is survived by his children, Tanya Dorez, Michael (Joy) Herbert, Dana Herbert and Tim (Amy) Herbert; a twin brother Blake, sister Nyla Neil and brother Dale; 17 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren with one more due in May. He was preceded in death his parents, his beloved wife Bonnie, sisters Zelda Hurst, June Stanton and Darlene Taylor; a brother George Jr. Herbert, and a son-in-law Loren Dorez.

A special thanks to Encompass Hospice Healthcare for the help on his last journey, Lindy the RN, Anne as Chaplain and Susan his aide.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, February 9, 2022 at 11:00 am at the Goshen LDS chapel. 75 So. Center. Viewings will be held Tuesday from 6:00 to 7:00 pm at Brown Family Mortuary, 66 So. 300 East Santaquin and again Wednesday from 9:45 to 10:45 am prior to services. Burial will be in the Goshen City Cemetery. Share condolences at www.brownfamilymortuary.com

Mourning the Passing of Friends: Forthcoming Funeral Service

"What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. 

All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.”

~ Helen Keller

 

Mark William Wilson

“Some of it’s magic and some of it’s tragic; but I had a good life all of the way.” –Jimmy Buffet

Mark William Wilson was born on August 11, 1944 to Lawrence Wilson and Leeta Finlayson Wilson in Payson Utah. He moved on suddenly from this world on February 2, 2022.

 

Mark, we will miss your smile and your teasing, your ability to argue, but mostly we will miss your caring heart.

 

Mark loved the outdoors.  As a child of 10 years, he worked hard hauling hay for a local farmer with no hat, no shirt and no sunscreen; therefore he paid in later years with skin cancer.

 

Shortly after graduating from Payson High School, Mark joined the U. S. Marine Corps. On returning home from basic training, he decided he would be honored to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He submitted his paperwork and was soon called to serve in the New England States mission. He served honorably in several areas for two years.

 

Mark had all kinds of loves: he loved sports of all kinds, participating in basketball, golf, hunting, fishing, pinching, Jimmy Buffet, and old westerns. He especially enjoyed fishing and water sports at Lake Powell. These rated high on his list. Best of all, he loved riding or hiking in the canyon with Pam. They knew every trail by name and could spot animals of every kind (deer, elk, moose, sheep, goats, turkeys, dove, chukars and even a cow or two on every peak and in every valley.

 

On returning home from his mission, he met Pamela Jo Ellsworth, and after a short courtship, he asked her to be his wife. On August 14, 1970 they were sealed in the Salt Lake City Utah Temple. Their first home was in Payson, Utah and they lived in Payson all of their married life. They were blessed with 4 children: Nikki (Brian) Gabler, Noelle (Jory) Sorensen, Natalie (Travis) White, and Luke (McKenzie) Wilson. They also have been blessed with 18 grandkids and 4 great grandkids.

 

Mark worked for US Steel Geneva Works, mostly in the Rolling Mill. He met and worked with many good friends there.

 

Mark also served as a volunteer fireman for Payson City. He loved this work and his fellow volunteers. He was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in many different capacities, including working in the Payson, Utah Temple.

 

A funeral service will be held on Monday, February 7, 2022 at the Payson South Stake Center, located at 711 S 600 E Payson, UT.  A visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. The service will begin at 11:00 a.m. Interment at Payson City cemetery. Share condolences at www.brownfamilymortuary.com

Mourning the Passing of Friends: Forthcoming Funeral Service

"What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. 

All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.”

~ Helen Keller

 

DR. STEPHEN HAROLD SPENCER

Dr. Stephen Harold Spencer passed quietly Sunday January 30, 2022 in Yuma, Arizona from Parkinson's and dementia.  He was born November 23, 1954 to Dr. Phillip and Karen Hiatt Spencer.  His grandparents were Francis Harold and Alice Spencer and Harold and Grace Hiatt. Stephen attended and graduated from schools in Tooele, Utah, where his father had his dental office.  He served faithfully in his church as a missionary to Nagoya,Japan; in the youth programs, as counselor in the bishopric and stake presidency; and as bishop, faithful home teacher, and temple worker.

Stephen graduated from BYU and completed his optometry degree in Chicago, Illinois. He married Wendy Butler, daughter of Carl and Carol Butler of Payson, in April 1979.  Stephen and Wendy are parents of five children, Jason, Jeremy, Derek of Arizona; Stephenie (Alex) Phelps, Clinton, UT, and Ami (Jordon) Udall, Logan Utah.  Dr. Spencer practiced in Utah, then accepted a position in Yuma Arizona where he established a reputation as a skilled and caring doctor.  Survivors are his wife Wendy, his children, and twelve grandchildren; his brothers Kirk (Sue) Spencer, David (Kristi) Spencer; Aunts Sherry Gay, Audrey Hiatt, and Miriam Knight.

Services will be held Friday February 11, 2022 at 10:00 a.m., in Yuma, Arizona.

Payson Third South Mills

Originally published in The Payson Chronicle in 2019. Story courtesy of the late Dee Stevenson and the Payson Historical Society.

In 1858, Bishop Charles B. Hancock constructed a grist mill located at 300 South and 200 East (today’s address).  This was the second grist mill that he was involved in constructing.  The first one was located at approximately the location of the Intermountain Farmers at the rear of the present day Getaway Furniture. The new mill was known as the Hancock Mill for many years.  It was built as a “make work” project for the benefit of the poor.

The Hancock Mill was a two-story log mill operated by an over-shot wheel run by buckets eight feet long and eighteen inches deep.

FINLAYSON MILL

In 1880, the grist mill was purchased by the Payson Cooperative Institution.  James Finlayson was the millwright.  After a year it was sold to Mr. Finlayson and became known as the Finlayson Mill.  It operated until 1901 when it was destroyed by fire.  The Payson Electric Light and Power Company had a dynamo, owned by Thomas E. Daniels Jr. and George W. Hancock.  During the daytime this power was used by the mill to grind grain and from six P. M. until midnight furnished power to many residents of the city.

TOLHURST MILL

In 1909, Thomas F. Tolhurst came to Payson to investigate a location for a grist mill.  He had gained milling experience at the mill located in Leland near Spanish Fork.  He built a rollar mill on the site of the old Finlayson Mill.  The new mill was equipped with the most modern equipment that he could obtain.  The mill could produce seventy-five barrels of flour a day.

Mr. Tolhurst died in 1931 and the mill was sold to Ammon Hermansen.  By 1935, there was new large capacity grain cleaning equipment installed in the mill.  The mill was closed in 1955 due to the illness of the miller, Richard Wilson.  After that Mr. Hermansen used the mill to store flour produced at the Nephi mill that he operated.

The mill building and property was later purchased by Elmo Dockstader.  He had previously restored the old Francom home on the northeast corner of 100 North and 500 East.  This home had been vacant for many years.  He had also restored the old Payson Substation on North Main into a residence.  He had plans to restore the old mill for new uses.  He had converted a portion of the old mill into living quarters but later sold the property without finishing the restoration he had planned.  The building was later torn down.

The old mill has become nothing but a memory to many Payson residents. It was torn down years ago and a beautiful new home now occupies one of the important locations in the history of  Payson.

#peteetneet #utah #payson #art

 

Early Twentieth Century Bandstand

Early twentieth century Paysonites are shown posing for a picture at Memorial Park’s centerpiece: The Bandstand.

The central Payson landmark has weathered the seasons well. It remains a popular place for pictures, but more so the live musical and artistic performances it stages for events year round and summer Sunday Band Concerts in the Park. 

Hannah Jones Willey (1885-1961) can be seen (far back, left) looking southward from the west-facing bandstand off 250 South Main Street. Do you recognize anyone in this photo as someone who is a part of your family tree?

In This Week's Edition: Wednesday, February 2, 2022