William Brindle Whitehead

William Brindle Whitehead was born July 6^th, 1872 in Sugar House, Utah.  He died on the 20^th of March in 1944 and was buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Springville, Utah.  

The following was written by Hazel Whitehead Vorkink:

                William Whitehead was the first child born to Amelia and James Whitehead Jr.  They were living in Sugarhouse Ward in Salt Lake City, Utah.  William was blessed and given a name by W.C. Smoot and he was baptized into the LDS churn on 4 November, 1880 by William Bromley.  He was confirmed a member in this church by his father, James Whitehead Jr.

                The Family moved to Springville in 1875 where James Whitehead Jr. had purchased the woolen mills on Spring Creek, north of town.  His son, William, was only three years old at this time.  This child attended the schools of Springville and worked at the mill and on the family farm.  In 1893 he went to Southern Utah, Northern Arizona, and to the mining camps of Nevada.  He was occupied primarily in freighting supplies into these isolated camps.  In 1896 he filed a homestead on River Bottoms.  He married Mary Alice Barkdull on 8 February 1901.  She had been born 26 February 1880 in Petersburg, Millard County, Utah.  Due to drought and insect pests, they were forced to return to Springville, where William raised garden produce and operated a farm on Mapleton Bench.  In 1908 the family moved into the old Brindle home on the north side of town.  About 1927 William B. Whitehead went into the business of egg production.  He continued in this work until his death on 20 March 1944.  He was an active civic leader in Springville and he served eight years  as a City Councilman, two years on the Board of Directors of the Farm Bureau and for a year as a Board Member of the Poultry Association.  Mary Alice and William B. Whitehead were the parents of seven children:

Lloyd Whitehead

Olga Whitehead

Grant Whitehead

William Whitehead, Jr.

Clifton Whitehead

Glen B. Whitehead
James Melvin Whitehead

William Brindle Whitehead

Alexander, William and Thomas Patterson

The following article was printed in the Michigan Chronicle on July 15, 1885.  The original researcher adds that "the dates are in error".

A Renewal of Acquaintance

A short time ago a stranger stopped at the home of William Patterson, Sr., and asked for something to eat.  While he was disposing of the food which was generously provided for him, he commented on the striking resemblance between Mr. Patterson and an old gentleman he had met in Australia, for in the course of his wanderings, he had spent sometime on that big island.  He said that this man's name was Thomas Patterson.  William Patterson has an uncle of that name whom he supposed to have died many years ago.  The last time he had seen him was when William and his parents were leaving Berwick-on-Tweed, Scotland to come to America.  William was at that time seven years old and he is now 68.  So 61 years had elapsed since nephew and uncle had known of each others whereabouts.  Mr. Patterson put little faith in the stranger's story, but he wrote to the address which he gave him.  He has just received a letter in reply and the Thomas Patterson whom he bade good-bye to at Berwick-on-Tweed 61 years ago is the Thomas Patterson now residing in Australia and who is now 82 (?)  years of age.  He was overjoyed to hear from his nephew for he had not expected to ever hear anything from any of his relatives.  Through William Patterson, his nephew, he has been placed in communication with his brother William who is now located at Brock, Ontario, and who has recently celebrated his 101th birthday.  The brothers had last heard from each other over 81 (?) years ago.  The members of the family have been remarkable for the longevity.  Alexander, father of William Patterson of Ravenna, died at Grand Rapids four years ago.

***These are the dates I have for the people featured in this story:
William Patterson, 1846-1905
his uncle in Australia, Thomas Patterson, 1818-
his uncle in Brock, Ontario, William Patterson, 1804-1896
his father in Michigan, Alexander Patterson, 1802-1885

Eliza Melissa Wilson Patterson

The following was written by Lillian P Morgan in 1978 as a tribute to her mother, Eliza Melissa Wilson Patterson (1882-1921).  As always, I try to use the original spelling. 

"My Mother"
There was always been a picture of her in my mind - ever since the day she last said good bye to us - a short time indeed for the family to have and to know, sweet, unselfish, devoted and fun to be with.  A busy woman, cooking, sewing, embroidering and having flower gardens and loving us always.  There were two older brothers and then four girls - and Dad would tease her about her four stair steps.  She was not a very big person - about 5'3 and slim as a rail, long dark hair done to perfection.  An excellent cook and nice treats for her family, dainty cream puffs - sweet roles, big steamed puddings -- the best of pies - and always the smell of fresh baked bread.  her house was always immaculate.  Mother had a big front window - extended out to hold house plants by the dozens - many times as we came from school we'd find women on the porch just loving the beauty of the blossems.

She made her girls dresses - hats and crochet bonnets - I often wonder how she found the time.  My two younger sisters can barely remember Mother but over the years hearing about her, seeing the pictures of her they do have an idea what she was like and how sweet she was.  Our youngest brother and the baby of the family was only 3 days old when Mother was taken from us - leaving a family that didn't realize what a void there would be - she has always been with me.

***Transcriber's Note
My grandmother, Donna Delora Patterson, was the youngest girl in the family, and though she may not have known her mother, the description here of Eliza might have been the description of her daughter, Donna.  My grandmother loved flower gardens, was a wonderful cook, an excellent seamstress, and kept an immaculate house.  She was a small woman, delicate and beautiful and one who always dressed with care and taste.  She was much like the flowers she loved so much - a delight to behold and a gift to all who came in contact with her.  ***

The following was written by Florence Wilson Cunningham Hunter, written about her sister, Eliza.

"When my sister - Melissa - died and my mother* was broken hearted I promised her that if she would not grieve I would care for and protect the little ones[.]  she thot at my age and being a widow that I would not be able to cary such responsibility.  But by the help of a kind and loving Father in Heaven I rose to the responsibility and was able to keep them together as a family and hope to keep sacred my promise to a loving Mother"

*Eliza Ann Rackham Wilson

George Scott Patterson

Biography of George Scott Patterson

George Scott Patterson was born in Girard, Crawford, Kansas on the 23rd of March, 1874 and died in Ogden, Utah on November 25th, 1942. He died of “pulmonary embolus” due to “cancer of the bladder”.  His occupation at death was listed as "expressman" for the Ogden Transfer Company.

This was written in 1975 by Lillian Patterson Morgan, daughter of George Scott Patterson. 

"In his early married days he worked for the old street car company in Salt Lake City and we would stand out in front of our house and wave to him every time he went by.  As his family grew in size, he gave that up and bought a team of horses, and a wagon and would haul anything that he could get to do -- his team of horses was always special and had the best of care and he was so gentle with them -- on Sundays and holidays everything was cleaned out -- and we'd go for picnics to the canyons -- Dad and the boys hiking and Mother and the girls staying in camp -- just enjoying the beauty of the streams and the mountains.  In his spare time he always had a big garden -- we also had a quite a large orchard and plenty of room for swings, see-saws, etc -- and there was natural springs, bubbling up around the back yard.  Dad rocked them all in; they wound around the trees -- Mother then planted her flowers in all those little rivlets and streams and it was a beautiful place, which we all remembered.  After Mother passed in 1921we loaded up everything and moved to Ogden.  And Dada worked with his team for a number of years in the gravel pits.  He finally sold the horses and went to work for the Ogden City Transfer Co. until he retired in his early 60's.  He always had a twinkle in his eyes -- and was a friendly person -- he was a gentle man -- a man that left us with a lot of lovely memories."

"A Tribute to my Grandfather John C. Patterson"

The following tribute was written by Lillian B Morgan about John C Patterson who was born in Brock, Ontario, Canada on March 16th, 1841 and died in Ogden, Utah, USA on the 28th of March, 1931

A tribute to my Grandfather John C Patterson
By Lillian B Morgan

A loving, kind, gentle old man who lived ninety years, straight as a ramrod and true blue- a real pioneer and had known hard times -- rugged living and plenty of hard work.  He mellowed in his later years and was a gentle fellow, talked softly and wouldn't harm a fly -- he lived alone after losing his wife early in the 1900's and didn't really get over it.  He also was very charitable and never forgot his grandchildren, he saw to it that we had his old Phonograph -- a cylinder type record and a big rose pink horn which brought the sound in clear and we loved it -- five gallon cans of Honey, plenty for everyone to enjoy -- and the purchase of a warm winter coat for me when needed and my Father could not afford at the time.

Grandpa was a carpenter by trade his last few years and did build his own little two room home he always kept busy making other things.  I often stopped by to visit a little on my way home from school and we enjoyed it.

After I moved to California we did not correspond though I did write him several times -- shortly after his health began to fail and he was bed ridden for a time but for 90 years of living he was worn out and passed away.  He was buried next to his beloved wife and I have visited his final resting place many times - he rests in peace, a loving memory always.

History of Adam Patterson (1840-1891)

Adam Patterson
Adam Patterson was born in Brock, Canada, March 13, 1840, and died in Muskegon County, Mich., June 17, 1891. The half-century that spanned these dates was filled with deeds of kindness and generosity, and when the end came it was felt by all with whom he had business of social relations that the community had suffered an irreparable loss. This brief record of his life will be perused with interest by those with whom he was associated in days gone by, and will also furnish an example for the emulation of the rising generation.
The parents of our subject, Alexander and Mary Patterson, were natives of Scotland, and in 1837 emigrated to America, settling in Canada, where they resided about twenty years. They then removed to Michigan and located in Berlin, Ottawa County. After a residence there of another twenty years, they sold out their farming interests and removed to Grand Rapids, where Mr. Patterson resided, practically retired from active business, until his death. Of ten children, our subject is the fourth in respect to age. He remained at home until about the age of twenty-two years old, assisting his father on the farm and at the same time acquiring a common-school education. He then engaged in farming in Polkton Township, Ottawa County, and followed this occupation about two years.
Removing from Polkton Township to Ravenna, Mr. Patterson embarked in the milling and lumber business, and for about two years had an extensive trade in that line. Then selling out his interests in that place, he located at Titiute and erected a large mill for the manufacture of lumber and shingles. He did a thriving business here for about one year, then sold out and removed to Ravenna, where he remained for one summer. Thence he went to Casenovia and purchased the Edward Hayward mill, where his usual success attended him during his two year's stay. His restless ambition, however, induced him to again dispose of his property, after which he located in Half Moon Lake. After one year spent at that place, he went the Bailey and built one of the largest mills in northern Michigan, which he conducted for two years. Later he resided at Nunica, Ottawa County, and subsequently engaged in the manufacture of shingles on Rogue River.
After having spent twelve months in the last-named place, Mr. Patterson disposed of his interests there and removed to Girard, Kan., where he engaged in farming. Like so many others who settled in the Sunflower State at that time, he soon discovered that farming operations there proved very unsuccessful, owing to the hot winds and the destructiveness of grasshoppers. As a result of these causes, he met with the entire loss of all of his property, and after a two-years sojourn in Kansas returned to Michigan. In this State he located on a farm ten miles east of Grand Rapids, where he remained about one year, going from there to a farm in Moorland Township. Upon property purchased in this township he conducted agricultural operations on an extensive scale, and in connection with his farming interests he built and conducted a large lumber and shingle mill.
Mr. Patterson possessed indomitable pluck and energy, and we find him in 1877, less than two year after his return from Kansas, with his fortune so far retrieved that he was the owner of a fine farm and a large milling interest. His business here proved very successful and he made this his permanent home. He was married July 19, 1865, to Lovisa, daughter of John W. and Elizabeth Tibbitts, natives of New York. The marriage resulted in the birth of three children, one of whom, Ethel May, is deceased. Ella Frances and Elmer Franklin are twins, the former being the wife of Thomas Workman, of Moorland Township; the son married Mary McMillan and makes his home in Moorland Township. In the summer of 1891, Mr. Patterson returned from an extended tour through the South, where he had looked up a new location for milling operations. He was making arrangements to return to the South, when a brief and unexpected illness resulted in his death. He possessed many sterling and generous qualities, and his friendly and social disposition made him quite popular among his acquaintances.

Source: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~mimuskeg/MuskBio21.html

Letter from Martin Littlewood

The following is a letter from Martin Littlewood to his family:

August 22, 1869

Dear Wives and Children;

I take up my pen to write you a few lines, hoping to find you all well as this leaves me, for which I thank my Heavenly Father, your note of the 10th found me last night at bedtime, but I got a candle and read it and it made me feel well, but I did not sleep all night for thinking about you. Sorry you did not get my letter as I sent you all particulars. So that you might be satisfied that I am doing my best for you all. You say that you would have wrote sooner but you did not know where to send it. If you had of got the letter it would have informed you. But as you did not, I will now tell you.

Hoping that the Postmaster will tend to his business better. I'm about 100 miles West of Salt Lake City. We have no Post Office here or any traveling this way. Only when someone goes to the City on business and that is about once a month. We get no paper or any thing to read, only old ledgers. We have no meetings so you may know I feel lost on Sundays. I am at work for Porter Rockwell putting up frame buildings. I have put up three homes and two barns, but they are not all finished yet. I expect it will be another month or six weeks, before finished. I have two men to help me and the timber we have to haul 60 miles, shingle about 50 miles. My wages are $3.00 a day, board and washing. We have a good board.

I often wish that you were here to take diner with me. Porter has about two thousand acres of land here. Forty horses, three hundred head of cattle. We milk thirty cows night and morning, have plenty of milk, butter etc. I have been quite well all the time but sometimes get homesick. I keep up my prayers both for you and me, and He blesses me. I am a little lame in the left leg, but I keep up work all of the time. I am anxious to make as much as I can, that when I do come home I can make you all comfortable and happy. Last night I reckoned up my account, have earned $175.00 out here. All I have spent is $3.50 for overalls and shirt. I have mended up my old shoes that they still do. We have here five men, four boys, one woman and two girls, all hired by Porter. We have tea, coffee, bacon, sugar, and some time deer meat, that we get by the Indians thats here. All our Desert Indians are here but the Black Hawks. They tell Porter I am a Morman with all squaws, having three wives.

Porter starts for the City on Tuesday, he will put this in the Post Office for me. You say that you think I can not read your letters. I had no trouble, so write again and direct your letters to M.L. in care of O.P. Rockwell Salt Lake City and I shall get it. Give my love to all of the children and hug the babies for me, and I will bring you all the love that is in my heart when I come home. So no more at present from your affectionate and loving husband.

Martin Littlewood

To Ann and Annie Littlewood
God bless you all.

P.S. I would have sent you some money but Porter has none with him, but he will get some in the City. I will send some in next letter. Tell George to do all he can and be a good boy. William to help him, and I will reward them when I come home. Bless you all.

Martin Littlewood