Biography of Elizabeth Jane Hogge Hart

Elizabeth Jane Hogge Hart written record of our Mother's life that we might cherish and emulate the spirit by which she lived and influenced others. With this as an incentive the sons and daughters of Elizabeth Jane Hogge Hart requested that I write her Biography. I have accepted this responsibility with humility and a sincere desire to do justice to the life of one who, in her children's eyes, lived very near to God. Members of her family and several friends have made contributions to this sketch, by information and personal tributes, and I shall include them in this writing we have thus combined our efforts to make this record, that the life and works of our sainted Mother may be preserved and remembered by a grateful posterity.      

Elizabeth Jane Hogge was a daughter of Charles Hogge and Ann Stanger Hogge, two sturdy pioneers who spent their early lives in England.  There they were married and later converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints by missionaries. Because of their search for religious freedom and their desire to be near the church headquarters, they immigrated with their two young sons to America. They traveled to Utah with one of the "Handcart Companies" and endured all the hardships of the pioneer trails. Another son was born to them while crossing the plains, and we are told that four days after the child's birth Grandmother Hogge resumed her task of walking and pushing one of the heavily laden carts. Upon arriving in Utah, they settled in Centerville where, under the humblest of circumstances, Elizabeth was born on March 21, 1868, the ninth of ten children--six boys and four girls. Nine days later, on March 30, she was blessed by her father and given the name of Elizabeth Jane Hogge.      

Late in that same year when Elizabeth was only nine months old, her parents were called by President Brigham Young to go south to settle the "Muddy Mission," a very desolate wasteland. On their journey they had trouble with the Indians and still greater trials with sand, heat, and sagebrush after they reached their destination. Under great difficulty they farmed the land and divided their food with the Indians. After a year of this strenuous life they were advised to move to a more habitable district some distance away. Elizabeth was a very delicate child, and her parents feared she might not survive these untold hardships. She gradually gained her strength, and after three years at the Muddy Mission the family was urged by President Young to forsake this barren country and return to West Weber. Of this particular time Grandfather Hogge writes, 'We left the Muddy Mission in February, 1871, for West Weber, where we arrived on the first day of May with twelve in our family. We were destitute of clothing, food, tools, and implements of all kinds and had to start life anew, for we had been called with our family to leave our homes three times in three years."      

The family then settled in Slatersville where, among other things, they raised peacocks, the beauty of which has often been described to us children. At the age of five years Elizabeth began her schooling at nearby Hooper where there was only one teacher in the back room of the village store. All the boys and girls of the village were taught in this one room and Elizabeth received her first three years of schoolwork under these conditions. From the very first she was endowed with an abundance of faith and a strong belief in prayer. These traits are exemplified in the following incident, which occurred when she was six years old and which she often told her children. There was a mill on her father's ranch, and she was often sent at the end of the day to get the key to the building. After getting it she had to climb a fence and walk some distance through the grass and weeds before reaching the house, and one particular evening she lost the key somewhere along the way. Fearing her father's reproach she searched diligently but fruitlessly. Still determined to find it she went home at dusk to her room, knelt and prayed in her childish fashion that she would be led to the key. She went directly to the spot in the grass where it lay and returned it safely to the house. The finding of the key was not nearly so important as the impression that little child received of God's goodness and willingness to answer her prayers--a belief she maintained throughout her life.      

Soon after her eight birthday the family moved to West Weber where Charles Parker baptized Elizabeth in an open canal on August 12, 1877. On the same day she was confirmed and made a member of the church by her father. She continued her schooling here until she was eleven years old Because her mother had a large family and very much hard work to do Elizabeth remained at home during the rest of her girlhood and assisted with work on the farm. Though this marks the end of her formal school training, she found Life a good teacher and emerged an efficient, alert, and highly intelligent lady, capable of home management and public leadership.        

Her work on the farm was confined largely to housework and to assisting her father during the summer months with the fruit and vegetables, which had to be prepared and taken to the Weber Valley Market in Ogden each morning. Her father was an expert gardener, and she learned much of value, which helped her in her own gardens in later years. When she was fourteen years old, she barely escaped drowning in the Weber River, where she was swimming with her cousin Nancy Hipwell. They had hold of one another's hand and were jumping up and down near the middle of the river when they stepped into a deep hold and went down below the water. Elizabeth was a good swimmer and could have reached the bank safely, but she worked with Nancy, who couldn't swim, until she brought her with some difficulty to safety, thereby saving their lives. She was a very jovial child--everyone liked her. She was not only a good swimmer but also a good foot-racer as well, and she always took the prize at the Fourth of July celebrations from her parents she learned to be neat and thrifty, two characteristics that she carried with her throughout her life. Her father entered the ranks of polygamy in 1880, by sending enough money to England to bring Annie Todd, a convert to the church, to Utah where he married her. While Grandmother Hogge was entirely in harmony with the plan, because it was then a doctrine of the church, the children were not at all in favor. They did not see how their father could support two families and they did not want their mother to have to make further sacrifices necessitated by polygamy. An interesting incident occurred the day their parents left to get the new wife. Their mother went along to greet her, which displeased Elizabeth and Martha especially. The parents were late in returning so these two girls decided to do a little spite work by cutting each other's lovely long hair. Elizabeth cut Martha's hair first, and it was so short and uneven she looked very funny and they both laughed heartily until the seriousness of occasion came to their minds. Then Elizabeth didn't want hers cut and proceeded to braid it, but when she wasn't looking Martha slipped up with the scissors and clipped off one braid. They finally had to call their brother, Joe, to come to their rescue and trim their hair more nearly even. When their mother came home Martha hid under the table and Elizabeth got the whipping. The children never reconciled to their father's second marriage, but they remained steadfast and loyal to their mother and cared for her tenderly until her death in her early adolescence Elizabeth readily filled the role of a popular young lady and was beginning to receive attentions from the young men. One youth who seemed particularly interested in her lived on a nearby farm and often called by for her on his horse to take her to choir practice. With her glossy black hair and deep brown eyes she was truly a beautiful girl. This youth who showed her the most attention was John William Hart, a native of Utah, who was endowed with an especially keen intellect and very outstanding personality. Everyone knew that "Johnnie" had a brilliant future ahead. Her parents were very strict about her going out with young men, but they seemed impressed with this John and allowed him to take her to church or an occasional dance or party. Lacking money for a dance ticket he would often take vegetables, poultry, or other produce to gain admission, and they would spend the evening gaily dancing all the old favorites. In spite of all these things and the fact that during the next few years he was very persistent with his attentions, Elizabeth remained a very independent young lady and gave him very little encouragement.       

The parents of both these young people were pleased with the match--Elizabeth, with her beauty, her good health and alert mind; and John, with his fine stature and brilliant possibilities would go far up the ladder of success together-- and the parents urged that they be married before John went on his mission. Elizabeth was not quite in favor of the idea because she was young and not sure of her love for him.  Even though early marriage was encouraged in those days, she was not quite ready to forsake her freedom when she was sixteen she went to Menan, Idaho, in the fall of the year to visit with an older sister; and she remained there eight months. During that time she and John corresponded, and he told her freely of his love for her and his plans for their future together. She cherished these love letters and kept them always. When she returned to Utah the following spring, in 1885 she was convinced that love was mutual and she was destined to become the wife of John W. Hart. Now that she had made up her mind in his favor she was a loyal friend, sincerely true to him throughout their engagement.                  

On December 2, 1885, Elizabeth Jane Hogge was united in marriage with John William hart 'for time and all eternity." M.S. Merrill officiated at the marriage ceremony, which was in the Logan Endowment House, later known as the Logan Temple. Both these young people were thrilled with the opportunity of being married in the Temple of God, and throughout their lives they cherished the blessings they received because of this privilege.            

Now that they were husband and wife they breathed a silent prayer for the future and started hand and hand on the perilous, yet promising, journey ahead of them, A gay wedding party was given by Charles and Ann Hogge for their daughter and son, and they began their married life with a many material things as the average couple had at the time. They lived at her mother's home because John had already received his call to go, in just seven weeks hence, on a mission for his church; and they would delay getting a house until his return. Seven short weeks of marital happiness and they were separated for a year and a half while he filled his mission, leaving on January 26, 1886, and going to the Southern States. Mob action in the South was at its height at this time, and missionaries going to that section were in great danger. For that reason, John was particularly anxious to marry his sweetheart because he wasn't sure he would ever return to her. Naturally, their parting was an unusually sad one, but their undaunted faith in God's mercy made them unafraid; and his young bride assured him of her loyal support, financially and spiritually.     

While he was gone, Elizabeth received her Patriarchal Blessing from the Presiding Patriarch of the church, John Smith. She fervently believed in its promises, strived diligently to live worthy of them, and went to the blessing often to renew her faith and courage. She was an active worker in the Relief Society at West Weber as a teacher and attended all church meetings faithfully. It was at this time, too, that she became particularly interested in genealogical work, which played a great part in her later life. She assisted her mother in commencing research work for the Stanger family (Her mother’s ancestry) and by doing temple work for the dead. When she wasn't able to assist her mother with the work she gave money instead.                  

Being extremely ambitious and independent, Elizabeth sought work immediately after her husband left so that she could support herself and assist him as much as possible. For several months she did general housework for a prosperous Uncle John and Aunt Susan.

She worked hard every day in the week and received three dollars for each week's work. She used very little of it for herself, sent the greatest part to her missionary husband, and used the remainder to make a layette for the coming birth of her first child. She made all the tiny clothes by hand and trimmed them with dainty lace she had knitted: and there must have been a mixed feeling of hope and fear as this young woman anticipated the coming event. For additional money she helped Aunt Sarah Ann Hart stretch curtains. As was typical of her entire life he worked strenuously until the birth of her child the following year, October 2, 1886, while her husband was still on his mission. Without his support she "went down into the valley of the shadow of death" for the first time at the comparatively early age of eighteen. She thus became 'our Mother" and John "our Father." She met the ordeal bravely and was soon on her feet again, working for and loving her newborn son whom she named John William for his absent Father. She maintained their independence by working at various tasks until her husband's return in July, 1887.      

Their reunion was a happy one, and they immediately began work on their new home, which was completed that fall. They were happy, congenial, and very grateful for their own home, ready now to build for their future in earnest. This new home consisted of one adobe room on the north and two brick rooms on the south, and it was built on a small plot of ground which belonged to them and which they cultivated. The furniture was new and fairly good, the most important piece of which was a reed organ that Father gave Mother for a birthday present. She made her window curtains out of flour sacks and trimmed them with her own hand-made lace. In addition to the house and land they owned several cows.  They had a small shed, which was called the "buttery", alongside their flowing well. In this buttery Mother kept the milk and butter cool and sweet she kept the milk in buckets covered with clean cloths to keep out the frogs. She was always "spic and span." A minor tragedy occurred at this time when their new barn was destroyed by fire, everything in it being burned. Among the loss was their fancy new buggy which, Mother felt, could never be replaced.      

Their second child, born March 4, 1888 was a daughter whom they named Elizabeth Ellen. Mother was delighted to have a namesake, and this little girl was destined to share her mother's sorrows and joys, to stand by her side through the coming years of hardships and toil. Much of the time Father spent away from home herding sheep, which he took in large bands to the mountains. Mother was left alone with her little family for months at a time. Their small plot of ground provided them with most of their food, and she was becoming expert in the preparation of appetizing meals  She made all their butter, and there was also an ample supply of syrup  which was made at the sorghum press from sugar cane and stored in large  wooden buckets.      

On April 24, 1 890 their third child, Clarence, was born in her own  little home. The services of a midwife were always secured for these  occasions because doctors were scarce and were found only in larger  centers. Mother often spoke of Auntie Hart (Grandfather Hart's first wife) and Sister Gibson as two efficient women who assisted her for these events. She silently and bravely endured her suffering and remained in bed only a few days scarcely regaining her strength before she was again at work caring for her family. It was her fond desire to have a large family, and she cheerfully welcomed her next little son, Charles Oscar, who arrived on December 1 9, 1891. Since agriculture was the chief industry, she knew these little boys, as they grew older, would be trained to till the land and learn the fruitfulness of hard work.      

Her social life in West Weber was interesting because she was a dynamic person whom others loved to be around, and she and Father attended many dances and socials with their friends. At their house parties all the young couples would bring their children, put them to sleep in one room, and spend the evening playing "High Five" and other parlor games. Refreshments usually consisted of parched corn or wheat and popcorn. Their dances were community affairs, the music consisted of a piano and "fiddle" and they danced the waltz, and group dances--Virginia Reel, Polka, Square Dance, and Schottishe. People in these small communities were like one big happy family, and the young people mixed freely with the older ones to promote this feeling of brotherhood and make for pleasant evenings. In the fall of each year several families would go in "white tops" to Ogden Canyon for two weeks for an outing. They camped by the stream, and the men hunted and fished to provide the wild food.      

Their fifth child was a girl, Vera Ann, born on May 2, 1 894 on the same conditions as the others. While Mother was recuperating, Rachel Bailantyne, who later became a dear friend, visited her. Their parents were friends and neighbors in earlier days. Money was always scarce, but Mother always made the best of her circumstances and managed to keep her little family dressed in clean clothes of her own making. She was growing discontent with their meager livelihood, however, and felt sure her husband could do better in a different country. She had been impressed with Idaho when she visited it as a girl and felt sure they would have greater opportunities in this fairly new land. Together they planned to abandon what they had accumulated in West Weber and try the more rugged life in Idaho.      

In the fall of 1 895, Father and Mother took their five little children and all their belongings in the covered wagon and started for their new home. They had no definite promise of anything better than they left behind, but they were young and fired with the determination to make good regardless of the handicaps ahead. The trip was a long tedious one; and they would stop each night somewhere along the way, make their beds in the wagon, and rest till daylight when their journey was resumed. There were boards on the wagon for the children to sit on, and they cooked their meals over sagebrush fires. Indians were a menace in the Fort Hall district, stopping the wagons and demanding tea and sugar. Mother liberally shared her food with them, thereby assuring her and family of safety. She believed President Young's advice: 'It's better to feed Indians than to fight them."       

When they arrived in Menan many days later they had only ten dollars in their possession. They went to the home of Mother's sister, Belle, whose husband was well established in this farming community. She gave them her two back rooms in which they lived all winter, enduring every inconvenience--poverty, crowded conditions, and even a leaky roof, which soaked the beds during every rainstorm. Father arranged to buy a farm, and they made definite plans to make Idaho their home. Early in the spring Mother, who was really in no conditions to do hard work, took her little children with her and "white-washed" the houses of the more prosperous people, thereby earning enough money to take her back to West Weber in April of 1 896. There, at her mother's home her sixth child was born on the sixteenth day of that month, and she named him George Leland. After she had regained her strength she and her six children returned to Menan, where they lived in an old abandoned store owned by Spencer Raymond. It was very open and cold, with large cracks in the walls and ceilings, which they tried to stuff with paper and rags. The bedding would have to be washed after every storm, and when winter came the snow would drift in on the beds and floors. Through all these trials they kept in good health, and though they had little money Mother managed some way to keep the children warmly dressed and well fed.      

The following summer they moved down to the 'Wright Ranch", a large farm Father leased for the purpose of raising hay. Here living conditions were no better. Her family lived in a small log house with dirt roof and dirt floors and a piece of canvas nailed on the doorframe for a door. Mother, in the face of all this, at once set to work to make things more home-like. She kept the floors clean by throwing water on them, sweeping it off, and packing down the dirt. She made overalls for her little boys out of seamless sacks and would often take the children with her to the banks of the Snake River to fish--she was proud of the fact that she always caught some trout each time she went. The mosquitoes were very numerous that summers; in fact they were such a menace that smudges had to be built in the corral for protection while the boys milked. They were so bad that Mother finally took the children and went up ;on Moody Creek, in the mountains, for relief. They took the cows along and churned butter to sell at Sugar City, so that they might not want for food during those few weeks.                                                                 

Of this and two following summers she spent on this ranch, one of her children says, "I shall always remember Mother's heroic efforts to keep the place clean, cook for a crew of hay men, and endeavor to keep her young barefoot family clean and respectable under such primitive and adverse circumstances. She had the crudest of furniture and utensils, no conveniences, again had a leaky roof and often had dishes filled with dust after the windstorms. The shallow well, near the slough, was where the cloudy water for family use was dipped with a bucket and which carried strongly the "siough" taste. Our only light at night would be a candle, or coal-oil lamp or lantern. Here she displayed superior courage, industry and thrift. We learned through her leadership the necessity to gather the haw berries and to work them into our favorite jelly for winter. During this period she led us alongside the ditch banks to glean wheat by hand or scythe, which the crude machine then in use failed to collect. Now, as well as the summers that followed, she taught us how to pull wool off the barbed wire fences after sheep had passed under them, take it safely home to wash and dry it, then card and a comb it to make it fluffy. This wood was then made into 'bats" and used for the many over-all-quilts which she made each year.       The winter of 1898 her next child was born, this time a girl whom she named Martha. Shortly after her birth on February 7 the tiny infant contracted pneumonia and died the following month, on March 14. This was Mother's first experience with death in her own flock, and she grieved deeply. The tiny babe was buried in the family plot on the Cedar Buttes and given an appropriate marker. Mother made periodic visits to the little grave to keep it looking nice. Their third summer in Idaho, 1 898, was an important one for both Father and Mother because their home was built on their newly purchased farm. This farm of 160 acres, located two miles west of the community center of Menan, had cost them $4500, and they borrowed the money to buy it. Their house consisted of three rooms-a kitchen and two bedrooms. Lack of money prevented them from building more rooms, but they planned to enlarge it later. At the back of the house a separate building called the gishanty" was used for a bedroom and washhouse. Mother was truly grateful, after so many privations in Idaho, for a home of her own. She spent many hours sewing shirts, overalls, dresses, knitting all their stockings, and making sheets and quilts for the six or seven beds she had to keep up. In addition to her own sewing she made extra things for the less fortunate people of the community to whom she freely gave because of the generosity of her heart. She continued to make butter and would often take it to the neighboring village to market Lake where she had steady customers who eagerly purchased it. She picked fruit "on shares" so that she would have an ample supply to bottle for winter use. All these things she did to save money and make sure her family didn't want for the necessities. There was no orchard yet on the farm, but she had one planted with all the large and small fruits that section would grow successfully, and she took great pride in caring for it the way her father had taught her.      

Their first child to be born in the new home was another daughter, Sarah Sell, who came on January 16, 1 899. She was, as at all times before, attended by a midwife; and it was remarkable how quickly she always gained her strength and resumed her housework. Father was now a member of the State Legislature and gone away much of the time. Mother was proud of his achievement and proved to be a very enthusiastic supporter of the Republican Party. She attended Rallies, gave speeches, and took great interest in elections, not only at this time but also throughout all her coming life. Even though his going meant added responsibility for her, she was willing he should go and help form the policies of this young state. He took a definite stand for the right and had great opportunity to give Mormons equal standing with other people of Idaho Naturally this caused enemies, and Mother feared that the many strangers who came to the farm were there to cause trouble. She was ever on guard for her family and often called the older boys in the night to load the gun and go outside with her. With no neighbors for miles around, much thick brush, and many foreigners passing through and stopping she often had occasion to worry for their safety. Being a woman of courage and faith that the Lord would protect them she endured many long lonely nights and overcame countless unpleasant situations.       At the turn of the century, in 1 900 Father's financial future seemed pretty well secure. In addition to the large farm, which was paying dividends, he had secured employment with the Woods Live Stock Company, one of the largest farming and livestock concerns in the West.  He became intimately acquainted with the founders, M. and Mrs. J.LD.  Wood, and they were often at the ranch for meals. Mother, who appreciated their rank in the world, made every effort to make them comfortable. Father's work consisted of inspecting farms, buying and selling sheep and cattle, measuring hay--all of which kept him away from home more than ever. Though Mother had no manual work to do on the farm because of her boys and hired men she did have general supervision of the farm work, and she engineered the finances. Their income grew steadily and they soon paid off the mortgage on their farm and purchased more land. On January 23, 1901, their next daughter was born, and they named her Veda Luella. For several weeks after, Mother was weak and unable to resume her regular work. Finally consenting to see a doctor in Ogden she was told an operation would be necessary to restore her to health. She wanted to go to the Temple first; she had faith she would be made well there through the power of God. She went to the Salt Lake Temple, was anointed with oil and given a blessing that she would be healed if she had faith. Feeling much better, she returned to the doctor who examined her again and released her without the operation.      

In addition to her large family and ever-increasing work, Mother took great interest in church work and found in it a source of comfort and joy.  She first served in the ward Primary, as first counselor, from 1 896 to 1 900.  Then, in that year, she was chosen to work as second counselor in the ward Relief Society with her dear friend Mary Stephens as President. In that capacity she served fourteen years, freely devoting a great deal of her time and money to the cause. She told of planting wheat in the Relief Society plot, harvesting it for funds, and gleaning the straggling heads in many other fields. She told, also, of driving with Mary Stephens to Idaho Falls where they purchased and hauled back enough lumber to build a grainery for the society's wheat. She worked on quilts for the poor and helped with many bazaars to increase the funds. Often at these bazaars she would donate many articles and buy back as many more. Always willing and eager to help the poor and sick she shared liberally of food and clothing to make them more comfortable and happy. The older boys recall her orders for them to carry sacks of flour and potatoes, or articles of clothing to the home or wagon of some poor family; the boys often obeying under protest but now loving and revering her for it. In 1 91 4 she was selected as second counselor to the Stake Relief Society and she capably held both ward and stake positions for two years. In this respect one of her children said, "She always gave her very best to the job at hand, and never was she selfish or desirous of the acclaim of her fellows. When requests were made of her followers she was ever sure her own contribution exceeded any other. This, to me, is a trait of a great and good leader; without fanfare and not wishing to be unduly noticed or praised, she stuck determinedly to a task till it was completed." There were occasions when she walked the two miles to church with a baby in arms and four or five other youngsters trailing behind; and in stormy weather she would mount an old work horse and ride through the mud and rain to her meetings.      

She remained thoroughly cheerful in spite of her hardships and could leave at the end of a long day's work, ride over rough roads, take part in and thoroughly enjoy a dancing party with young and old. She was an exceptionally good dancer and was in constant demand at a dance. She enjoyed and encouraged good dancing and taught each of her children the fundamentals of ballroom dancing before they ventured forth on the dance floor for the first time. Always termed "the life of the party wherever she goes" Mother and several of her lady friends often dressed up in outlandish costumes and played pranks and cut capers to the merriment of the crowd.      

Now that they were financially able, Mother and Father laid plans for finishing their home--another of her dreams to come true. She was to have a nice dining room, furnished with a long walnut table, twelve chairs, and a fancy "sideboard" all to match; a parlor with piano, settee and rocking chairs to match, sofa and cushions; another bedroom downstairs and two very spacious ones upstairs; and a modern bathroom with tub and sink, also a sink in the kitchen all equipped with running water. A pump house with a storage tank was built nearby providing\the the necessary water for the new conveniences. What a luxury in those days! She was so proud of her lovely bit home, and she always kept the parlor closed except for Sundays or special occasions so that she always had one room ready for company. The modern way of living in all the rooms never quite won her approval. Her children were taught to respect good things. Even though they might have only two outfits of clothes they had to keep one "for best" and could then always look presentable.      

About this time there was a very severe epidemic of smallpox and some of the family became ill with it. Mother used one south bedroom for the sickroom, and as each child contracted the disease he was put in the "pesthouse" (as they rightly named it) and remained there until his recovery. Mother, who was not very strong at this particular time, contracted the disease , and one of the boys who were recovering was her only nurse. With an extremely high fever she became delirious, and that little boy worked valiantly to keep her alive. Outside help finally came, and Mother gave birth to a premature baby girl who had already died because of the dreadful disease. Slowly she regained her strength, and though she was heartbroken at the loss of another daughter, this little one was always counted as a member of the family. She was thankful her life had been spared and gave all credit to the mercy of her Father in Heaven. She had explicit faith in prayer--it was the factor by which she lived and from which she derived her almost super-human strength in her labor to her family and church. During this, as well as the many other epidemics, which kept the children in quarantine, Mother conducted "cottage meetings" on Sunday and had all the children take an active part so that they received their regular religious instruction even though they could not attend church.      

She will long be remembered for her industry and vigor. An early riser day after day, year after year, she always believed in making every minute count. There was always order during mealtime, and a daily part of their lives was family prayer before breakfast at which time the entire family would kneel around the table while one of the group uttered the humble prayer. She would see that the regular farm work and chores were done in Father's absence, and the children would be called at six in the morning or earlier, depending on the season. Regularly each Monday she would bend for hours over the old-fashioned washtub, scrubbing out her immense washings by hand. Later when the crude washers were made she purchased one and marveled at the work it did. Her task, now, was to keep the children turning the wheel. With many extra people to cook for regularly it was not uncommon occurrence for her to bake sixteen loaves of bread each day, eight or ten pies or cakes, and churn many pounds of butter. When her little girls couldn't reach the table she would stand them on chairs so that they could stir the cake batter or mix down the bread. Being an excellent cook she prepared tempting meals and fed her hired help well. During hot weather at haying time, mid-afternoon would find her in the field with a bucket of lemonade or a keg of root beer to quench the thirst of the haymen. Naturally she was a favorite among those who worked for her.      

By organizing her work she gave every child a task and thus somewhat lightened her own labors; otherwise she never could have completed her day's work. During the school season there were many lunches to pack. The girls helped with these and packed them in milk buckets or dish-pans (during hard times their sandwiches often consisted of bread and bacon grease or molasses.) The boys had ten or more cows to milk and feed and other livestock to care for. There were lanterns and lamp chimneys to clean, silverware to scour at the ditch bank, milk cans to wash, butter to churn, large ironings (with as many as 27 shirts at one time), and always-tiny children to care for. Her next child arrived on November 6, 1903, and he was named David Francis. Though she was growing older she still maintained her remarkable vitality and strength.      

A close neighbor and very dear friend was Rachel Ballantyne who worked with Mother in Primary and Relief Society for many years in Menan.  Of this association Mrs. Ballantyne says, "Our friendship grew, our spirits were congenial, and as a result a sympathetic understanding of each other's hopes, aims, ideals, and efforts sprung into life. I remember going with her, on one occasion, in a little toboggan drawn by "Old Nubbins" to visit some needy ones, over very badly drifted roads and in intense cold weather. It was indeed one of the coldest rides I ever had, and the road was so rough we tipped from side to side. She and I were partners in the first campaign in Menan in the interest of Genealogical work. indeed we did the first that was done in the way of visiting the homes of the people and explaining the work as it had been given to us. Too, I remember before starting on that mission we knelt, as we did many times before beginning a task, and asked for Divine guidance in our work. Her life on the farm as wife, mother, and homemaker is not surpassed. Her large and well-trained family speaks volumes for her motherhood and management in the very frequent absence of their Father. And as a stake board member while she was President of the Stake Relief Society I enjoyed traveling so frequently with her, and I learned more of the depth of her sisterly soul and the strength of her leadership and integrity." What a tribute from one friend to another!                               

On December 19, 1 905, their sixth son, Cecil Elmo, was born; and again Mother had no medical assistance. Father was now Bishop of the ward, and Mother's church duties, too, were now taking her away from home more than ever. Consequently the older children had to step forward and take many responsibilities during her absence a day or two each week. She knew, too, that children developed best under responsibility and definite tasks, and she was eager for them to be industrious and ambitious. To this end she was successful simply because she started early in life to train them that way.      

Her home was marked with hospitality; she threw its doors open to her friends and her children's friends. It was the center of many family gatherings, parties for the young people, and a refuge for several relatives who made their home with her for long periods of time. She also entertained distinguished church and political leaders in Menan, including U.S.; Senator William E. Borah, a close associate of Father's. She mothered everyone and was dearly loved and respected by young and old. Her last son, Joseph Irel, arrived on St. Patrick's Day, March 1 7, 1 908, and was brought into the world with the first medical assistance Mother ever received during confinement. Dr. Melton, the country doctor was in attendance. Her own well being was her last consideration, and though she should have taken life easier now and spent more time restoring lost energy, she maintained her usual vigor and was soon working from daylight to dark with no rest periods crowded in.      

Her love and devotion to her husband and family are not surpassed. She honored and respected Father and loved him deeply. She had great admiration for his rapid growth in influence among men and the high standing he attained. Because of his public life they were deprived of much companionship, but throughout her life Mother remained steadfast and loyal to him. She taught her children to respect and revere him and regard his word as final in all things. Firm in her discipline when it was necessary, she was extremely forgiving to her children in their repentant moments. She was always ready to understand and comfort each child when he or she brought its little aches and pains to her. Her family was the source of her greatest joy, and naturally for whom she had most concern. She lived for their success and constantly prayed for and made possible their happiness.      

On August 30, 191 0, her last child was born--a daughter whom they named Ivy Katheryn. With fourteen children to her credit Mother breathed a prayer of thanksgiving that she had been privileged to bring such a fine group of boys and girls into the world and endow them with keep minds and healthy bodies--she could ask no greater joy. Even though she sacrificed her own health because of it she firmly believed it was every woman's duty to raise a large family. She is a striking example of the nobility of motherhood; surely she filled her mission to the utmost degree.      

Late in the year 1 91 0, on December 30, Mother was called to face another real tragedy in her family life. She had taken the small children to Rexburg for an over-night visit with her sister, Martha; and Father was at Boise for the opening session of Legislature. Her daughter Vera, a beautiful promising girl of seventeen, was leaving home with her escort to attend a party in the community hall. It was early evening, and she mounted the buggy and was seated while her friend stepped in front of the team of horses to untie them, the horses became frightened, and in a flash they leaped out of his control and lunged forward down the road. The reins were trailing on the ground or Vera, who was a smart horsewoman herself, could have conquered the situation. Powerless to control the team she sensed the danger of being overturned, and one could imagine her feeling of helplessness and impending tragedy. The horses tore madly over the icy road, and within a fraction of a mile from the house Vera was thrown from the buggy into the ice and snow on the roadside. Beth and Oscar, as well as the friend, were at her side in an instant and carried her into the house in an unconscious, broken condition. The doctor came immediately and pronounced her dead. To those loved ones around her it was almost unbelievable that she could have been snatched away so suddenly. Father and Mother were stunned and broken-hearted over her passing, and nothing was spared to lay her away beautifully. On son, Clarence, was on a mission to the Southern States and was unable to attend the funeral. Vera's death was a great shock to Mother who never fully reconciled herself to it. She eventually had Vera's work done in the Temple so that she would not be deprived of a more abundant life in eternity because of her early death.      

An interesting phase of Mother's life was her faithful correspondence with her English Cousins. They consisted of her Father's brothers and their children who never joined the church nor came to America but who eagerly answered all mail from their Relatives here. Mother's interest in genealogy increased her desire to communicate with them, and one cousin in particular, Nellie Baines, became very dear to Mothers heart. So frequent was their correspondence that each knew all about the other's family, shared their sorrows and joys freely, exchanged gifts on Christmas and birthdays, and thus formed a bond of friendship and love that will endure forever. It was their mutual desire to see one another, and Mother hoped she would live to see her English Cousins become members of the L>D>S> Church. She was denied the privilege of seeing them, but she endeared herself to them through her letters. After her death Nellie Baines wrote of her: "It is a great joy to me to pay tribute to my dear cousin, the late Elizabeth J. Hart. During the many years I corresponded with her I always felt she was a very sincere Christian woman. Her letters were always full of inspiration, and one could tell that her aim in life was to do good and help others. She loved her husband and her children and home, and could not speak too highly of them all. My only regret, and I might say hers also, was that we never had the privilege of meeting one another. However I feel that one day that pleasure will be granted us. I thank God for such a cousin.'       in spite of her multitude of interests she missed her home and relatives in Utah and made occasional visits to them, always taking the small children. She brought her mother to Menan, when she became ill with a paralytic stroke, and Mother cared for her a year or so before her death. She often said what a joy it was to help make her mother comfortable in her last days. Mother's home was open to all her relatives in time of need --------- she helped raise a motherless nephew, befriended her older brother for several years till his second marriage, and had Grandfather Hart come for many long visits during which she would always buy him a new supply of clothes and give him many little considerations which made him happy. The happiness of others always was foremost in her mind. A multitude of little kindnesses to others will never be known by her family because she did things quietly without wishing to be recognized or thanked.      

Occasionally she had the opportunity to travel for a short time and she made a few brief visits to Boise while Father was attending Legislature.  Conscious always of her vast responsibilities at home, in spite of her well trained older children who made these trips possible for her, she would return soon to her home. Often, however, she would take as many of her children as she would get in the "surrey" and go to Rexburg for a visit with Aunt Martha This was a gala event for the children--to see a big town and sleep away from home; and they would be very obedient for several days before in order to earn the trip. The longest trip she made while in Menan was her visit in company with Father to Washington, D.C. Her son, Leland was on a mission in Georgia at the time and was permitted to join his parents for a brief visit in Washington, D.C. was without incident; and although Mother enjoyed the various points of interest and got a thrill out of meeting the prominent statesmen, yet she was not affected nor impressed by the glitter and sham of the 'bluebloods.' She was ever conscious of the presence of evil and was just as quick to appreciate the good of a situation,."       

Relief Society continued to absorb a major portion of her spare time.  Conscientious and charitable to the depths of her soul she served faithfully, visiting the sick, caring for the needy, sponsoring bazaars and various other money-raising projects for the society. In January, 1917, she was asked to serve as first counselor in the stake, and one year later, in June of 1918, she was chosen to be the Stake Relief Society President. She accepted the call with humility and the confidence that she would be blessed with the necessary health and vitality to go forward. She was released from the ward to devote her full time to this new position. As Stake Relief Society President she had many accomplishments to her credit.   Every ward in the stake was regularly visited. She and her officers had the reputation of making money readily and always having plenty on hand.  Under her remarkable leadership the organization raised $34000 for the purpose of furnishing seventeen rooms in the newly built L.D.S. Hospital in Idaho Falls. Two or three years later this same group furnished $I 200 for the Stake Tabernacle which was being erected. The money was raised through numerous bazaars, sale of quilts, gleaning and sale of wheat and vegetables, the sale of burial suits, which the women made and sold to practically every family in the stake. After Mother's resignation from this position she continued making these clothes as her hobby and always-kept two or three suits on hand. Needless to say they were beautifully made, of the finest linens and silks, and she received praise from all sections for her superior workmanship. She religiously paid her tithing on all money earned, and she had receipts for tithes and fast offerings amounting to several hundred dollars.      

She also prized all her Relief Society magazines and had them bound, twenty volumes in number Her visits in this capacity, to the homes of the sick and destitute were countless. She had the unusual gift of spreading cheer and making the recipients feel she was doing charitable acts for the sheer joy of it.      

Another stirring change came into her life when she and Father decided it would be to their best interests to move to Rigby. Father was now the Stake President, and had also organized, along with several other prominent citizens, the First National Bank of Rigby and served as president of that institution. Naturally his interests were shifting from his 16 farms to the larger community, and he found the transition fairly easy. Mother, on the other hand was very reluctant to leave her comfortable farm home and her independent life there where her large family had always been busily occupied and where the major events of her life had taken place. Her many friends (the most outstanding of whom were Rachel and Martha Ballantyne, Mary Stephens, Anna Robbins, Mary Raymond, and Christina Green), and church activities tugged at her heartstrings; but typical of her bravery and willingness to cooperate she transferred her possessions to; the Cordon home at Rigby in the early spring of 1916. This rambling old house was only a temporary residence for she had been promised a fine new home, made to her liking; and it was already being built just across the street so that she eagerly watched its growth. The majority of her older children were now married and living in their own homes, while Zelia, Veda, and David were attending high school in Rexburg. Hence her large family at home had now dwindled to their three younger ones who were to get their schooling in Rigby.      

Her new home, which was ready for her in the winter of 191 7, was truly a substantial, good-looking structure. made of the latest yellow brick it had a finished basement with furnace and laundry equipment and a complicated electric vacuum cleaner; five large rooms and a bath on the main floor; with five equally inviting rooms and a bath on the second floor.  To add to the thrill of a new home she was given the privilege of selecting completely new furnishings for every room. Her taste was, as always, exceptionally good in every detail, and the new home was, as Mother often said, her "palace--fit for a King." To complete it she and Father had an Apostle of the church dedicate it to their future use and happiness, and this made the home a sacred shrine as well as a glorious place for them and their children. It will always be enshrouded with the fondest of memories. Surely after all these years of hardship she was entitled to this comfortable home in which to spend her last days, and she grew to love it and every inch of ground around it. She had lawn and flowers the first spring, as well as a large vegetable garden and several fruit trees. Desirous of having the surroundings match her lovely home, she worked outside tirelessly for hours each day, not only then but throughout her life.  From time to time she ordered shrubs and trees from commercial nurseries.      

Now that she and Father were holding prominent stake and civic positions their home became a religious and social center. Every visiting church official was entertained in the finest way, and the home was made his headquarters throughout his stay. During their life in Rigby, Mother and Father welcomed into their home many times the President of the Church, Heber J. Grant, his Counselors, the Twelve Apostles, and many other officials. These good men brought into the home their uplifting influence, and our parents were grateful for and looked forward to their next visit. Business and political men, too, were guests at the home; and it all meant added work for Mother, who cheerfully accomplished it through sheer nerve, for many nights she would retire completely exhausted. She felt amply repaid, however, through the joy she received in serving them. The church officials knew her for the loyal, sweet-spirited woman that she was, and they were always high in their praise and appreciation for her service. it didn't matter in what circle she moved, she made a splendid impression. In this connection an incident is told concerning the occasion when the President of the United States Warren G. Harding, made a western tour with several other government officials and stopped at Idaho Falls, where Father made arrangements for his family to meet them. Mother was favorably impressed with Pres. Harding. When Father introduced her to the U.S. Secretary of Public Works, with the explanation that she was the mother of fourteen children, the cabinet member said warmly: Kk' What a monument to womanhood! I'd like to show you off to the women of the East and let them see a real American woman."      

Her charitable nature was portrayed in one of the most Christian acts a person could ever undertake. She had a niece whose husband died and left her with a large family and a mortgaged home. The widow was desperately in need of help when the mortgage was about to be foreclosed. Mother, sensing the grave situation, was determined to raise the money. Heading the list with a large contribution she solicited the business districts of Idaho Falls, Rigby, and Rexburg, explaining the situation and asking for contributions. Through her influential standing, her diligence and good management, she raised personally and alone, $1 300 and paid off the mortgage. She became interested, also, in several poor widows in town and for many years regularly stocked their shelves with food and clothing. Always willing to leave on a minute's notice she was at the bedside of many of her older brothers at their death, tenderly fulfilling their last requests and financially assisting their families. These things truly point to the fact that she patterned her life after that of the Master.      

Living under such a pressure of responsibility and hard work and having raised such a large family, she discovered she would have to give up some of the public work or her health would break. Hence, in 1 924, she resigned from the Relief Society , much to the sorrow of her many friends throughout the Stake. Though not actively engaged in the work from this time on, she was nevertheless a steadfast member and supporter of the work to the end of her life. It didn't mean an end to her charity and kindness to others; these things were so much a part of her life that she continued them during the years to come. As a token of their love and esteem her co-workers gave her a party and presented her with a beautiful cut-glass bowl and table-mirror, as well as a unique quilt made of eighteen blocks, each of which was made by each officer who embroidered her own monogram on it. How she treasure it!      

With more time now for personal interests she fervently turned her attention to genealogy work. She spent large sums of money on research and temple work for her dead ancestors and devoutly believed we were all held responsible for the salvation of our dead relatives. She made countless excursions to the Logan and Salt Lake Temples 'to do work for the dead," and at the time of her death she had traced the Hogge and Stanger lines as far back as possible. To increase her children's interest in the work she bought for herself and each one of them a Family Record Book and a "Book of Remberance" in which she included records, histories, and pictures of our forefathers. Three days before she died, when she was weak and scarcely able to talk or sit up, she asked for her Book of Remembrance that she might show it to some visiting relatives while there was yet time. She left to her children the duty of carrying forward the work, especially on the Hart line.      

Late in 1 924 Mother had a severe attack of gallstones and was rushed to the Salt Lake Hospital where the best p[physicians were summoned. After an examination they reported an immediate operation was necessary. Always dubious about surgery she insisted that the Elders could make her well, as she had done before, through faith and a blessing. Her request was granted, and the next morning she arose, dressed herself, and left the hospital without notifying anyone, much to the surprise of the nurses and doctors. This is a typical example of her extreme faith in God. Several years later she had a repetition of this sickness but never so severe as this time. She attended church regularly throughout her life and often bore her testimony of the goodness of God. Her fast offerings were paid regularly. She always kept consecrated oil on hand for medicinal purposes. When there was sickness in the family she called the Elders instead of the doctors for help.      

Her children were all grown by now, and she received great joy from the fact that her sons had fulfilled missions for the Church. Of her great assistance to them in this capacity one son says: 'She possessed a quality which seems devoid of any name, difficult of description, and almost too sacred to divulge; and that was an invisible something which she conveyed to her missionary sons as they departed and during the pursuance of the outlined course of their mission. This indefinable source of inspiration characterized each of her humble, yet sincere, letters wherein she gave heavily of her encouragement, stressing the vital fundamentals necessary to a happy and successful missionary life. She opened up her heart to us to divulge the innermost of her hopes in our behalf and expressed her deepest of feelings, that might otherwise have gone unexpressed and even unknown. Pre-eminently do I refer, in this respect, to the first letter I received from her after she had learned of our accident on the ocean. I kept and often referred to that little interview with Mother because I knew her then as I had never known her before." She received greatest happiness of all from the fact that she lived to see all her children go to the Temple--a fulfillment of one of her greatest hopes. Equally pleased was she to see them take an active interest in the church, all of them at some time in their life holding ward or stake positions. They all live clean lives and not a single one is addicted to tobacco nor alcohol nor any other particularly bad habit--all of which is truly a monument to her teaching!      

Her short trips to Salt Lake City brought her much happiness. She usually went twice a year to attend General Conference. In order that she might longer retain the messages from those meetings she always kept notes and took a great deal of interest in all sessions. Her trip to California with one of her daughters was, as she termed it, one of the high spots in her life. Never having been there before she thrilled with its beauty and was particularly drawn to the ocean, primarily because she had two sons on European missions. She took deep interest in the great liners as they drew near or departed on the horizon, and no doubt visualized herself on one of them sailing for England. She made the comment that she would never again fear the ocean. On a short voyage to Catalina Island she was, from all reports, the best sailor in the crowd.      

Early in 1 925, because of events beyond his power to control, Father suffered severe financial reverses which mercilessly stripped them of their life's accumulations. Mother naturally shared the loss with him, realizing that Life could be relentless and often hard and bitter. Because of this they could not spend their last days in ease and freedom from financial stress, even though they had honorably won and nobly deserved such a blessing. Instead they worked bravely on, eager to give their remaining children the education they had planned for them. At a great sacrifice on their part Father and Mother willingly sent their children to school and on missions or gave them pieces of land until they had all been given, in their parents' fair judgment, an equal start in life.      

Mother, in her role as grandmother, was equally charming and beloved. Her grandchildren, of whom she had thirty-seven at the time of her death, were as dear to her heart as her children. Their interests were her interests--she was eager to satisfy their every want and were always on hand to supply them with special treats and surprises. The affectionate expressions of the grandchildren about their beloved grandmother speak loudly of her goodness and devotion. One of them says, 'I'm thankful we had Grandma with us as long as we did. She made such a deep impression on me that she seems to be near always, and I cherish the memory of her more each day. Her first duty was her family, and by that I mean everyone down to the smallest grandchild, and she found time to remember us all always. Her keen sense of humor and her fondness for picnics on the bank of a stream will long be remembered. As a grandmother there are none better, and we would all do well to pattern after her." Another grandchild writes, "There are no words that justly describe the true character of Grandma. She was always so loving and kind, so patient and understanding. No matter when I went there she always had something to give me--cookies or candy or some little 'nick-nack' and I'll never forget the good old sorghum candy she made. Whenever I ate breakfast with her I could be sure of a cup ;of cocoa. Everyone who knew her loved and respected her. As for me, she was the most perfect grandmother a girl ever had, and I loved her dearly."

From another grandchild came these impressions: "Grandma was always the favorite with her grandchildren because when she was around we generally had our own way. Each time when I thought I was abused at home I sought refuge at Grandma's place for there I knew I would get the sympathy I thought I deserved. My childish desires received her full attention and she always found a solution to problems--no wonder I loved her so much. Many a time it fell my lot to pick berries for her, a job I disliked fiercely, but Grandma generally had a reward for my efforts. She was an ideal grandmother to me and an example to follow." Another granddaughter says: "Grandma was one of the sweetest persons I have ever known. Everything she did seemed to reveal her outstanding love for and kindness toward others. The thing I remember most about her was her generosity--she was always giving and seemed to derive much happiness from so doing. She never forgot to give everyone a little gift or remembrance on special occasions. My memory of her is an ideally beautiful one." These expressions, coming as they have from the hearts of her grandchildren, show the remarkable influence she had on these adoring youngsters whom she loved dearly.       

Being a lover of good books and music Mother filled her library shelves with the very best literature and songs She subscribed for and read all church publications. Beautiful poetry and prose selections always appealed to her, and she had a vast number of newspaper clippings in her collection, some of which she placed in her scrapbook. in addition to these  things she had another hobby, which was quilt making. She made many, many beautiful quilts which she either gave to her relatives or donated to bazaars--she retained very few of her masterpieces for her own personal use. Her ability was outstanding as a cook; her guests never failed to comment on her delicious meals, and everyone welcomed an invitation to dine at her home. Her family, too, looked forward to eating "Mother's grand dinners at home;” never can they forget such favorites as the home- made bread, tomato gravy, bread puddings, her unsurpassed mince pies, her tender hot biscuits, her meat pies and plum puddings. She always had her entire family home for Thanksgiving, and the feasts she prepared are unforgettable. The spirit in which she welcomed people to her home was as enjoyable as the meals she prepared.       

In the last five years of her life her health was rather poor, and she spent many suffering hours about which h no one else knew. Determined never to give in, she overcame one after another-sick spell with remarkable endurance. In spite of all her heartaches she loved this life, and she wanted to live until she could no longer serve others. She often said, "if the next world is as good as this I shall never dread to die." Typical of her independence she always said, though, that she did not want to be a burden to anyone; she hoped death would call her while she could still care for herself. in June of 1 933 she had a very severe heart attack, and the doctors pronounced it "Angina Pectoris" a disease of extreme pain and suffering. She was taken to the hospital, given every care, and emerged two weeks later relatively free from the pain. The coming winter, however, was a miserable one for her because her activity was limited. As the months passed she became weaker and could not so much as get into the car for a ride. How her dear generous heart ached when she could not, her last Christmas here, do her Christmas shopping--an event which had always brought her such great satisfaction      

The New Year, 1 934, brought very little hopes of recovery, and she soon became confined to her bed. Patiently, heroically she endured her suffering, trying not to cause anyone else any inconvenience. in late February she became alarmingly worse, and on the afternoon of March I 0 she passed away to her eternal glory. A few hours prior to her death she weakly and quietly struggled to console her grieving family. All through her life she had possessed a keen spirit of discernment and she knew now, without being told, that her death was near. One of the children said, "You've been such a good mother to us." She replied, 'You have all been good children to me." Another one said, "Mother, you'll always watch over and care for us, won't you" And she answered with all confidence, "Yes, dear, of course I will." And I am sure she does. There are times when each one of us has felt her presence. With many of her family at her bedside in that last hour, silently praying for her comfort, she seemed to face the ordeal with calm and thanksgiving; for truly she had lived a full life and contributed much to mankind.      

We as a family can never forget the manner by which she stoically endured heartaches, physical pain and suffering in her early years of motherhood; and especially in the closing years of her life when no one, not even her closest associate, had complete knowledge of her suffering nor the extent thereof. The depth of her courage under these conditions, and the way she endured her suffering during the last year of her life present to us a problem of impossible solution, especially when we attempt to understand why it was necessary and how she endured it. However, we have arrived at a partially satisfactory answer as we realize that during those hours she found solace in and drew heavily on the wonderful memory of her past devotion to her family, the devout and individual appreciation she had of what price it had cost her; and finally the strengthening consolation she took from her family as it surrounded her, and as she contemplated its future adherence to the ideals and principles for which she had fought so hard and so long. it behooves us, then, to hold up that hope of hers as an ideal toward which to strive in facing life's perplexities and disappointments.      

She was laid to rest in the beautiful temple clothes of her own making; and as she lay there so serene and peaceful, with a divine expression on her dear face, this poem came to my mind:

She lay there in her soft white robes,                  

Her face was like a queen;                  

"I will not weep for her," I thought,                  

"in death she is serene."

But when my eyes had traveled down To where her dear hands lay, The hands that told of sacrifice; That I could ne'er repay; Emotion sped her quiver full, My strong will to revoke; I looked down at her toil-worn hands So still -- and my heart broke.      

Her body lay in state in her own home the morning before the funeral, and hundreds of relatives and friends called to get one last glimpse of the woman who had endeared herself to so many. Countless floral pieces--baskets, wreaths, sprays, and bouquets--filled her home to overflowing and spoke warmly of the love and appreciation everyone had for her. Particularly touching was the statement one man made when he brought flowers to the home for her. He said, "This is a small expression of our esteem for your mother. When our wayward son died some years ago she was the only one who brought flowers to his funeral, and we have never forgotten her for it." Mother's sons were the pallbearers, and they tenderly carried their beloved Mother as no one else could. Under the supervision of the First Ward Relief Society the older granddaughters carried the flowers.      

The funeral was held in the Stake Tabernacle, and the building was completely filled with people, many of whom grieved with the family over the loss of one who had done so much good in the world. Perhaps the greatest tribute of all to the noble life she lived was the presence and sermon of President Heber J. Grant who came entirely of his own accord. Of her he said, "I have come to pay a tribute of respect to one of the choicest and most diligent women I have known. She kept God's commandments diligently and has been a just and true servant of her faith." The services were dignified, orderly, and impressive. She had always loved violin music and wished it to be a part of the service, and her wish was fulfilled. After the funeral her body was taken to the family plot in the Cedar Butte cemetery at Annis where, following the dedicatory prayer, she was gently placed in her final resting-place with her two daughters who had proceeded her. This cemetery, beautifully green and cultivated now, was the spot above all others where she wished to be buried.      

The Rigby Star, local newspaper, said of her: "Mrs. Hart's greatest role in life was that of Mother and wife, which she faithfully fulfilled. She was a loyal friend, and her high ideals have won her everlasting respects from the many who were numbered among her acquaintances." Of the funeral the paper said: "One of the largest assemblages of people to gather in a funeral service in Jefferson County was present at her services held March 1 3, 1 934. Rigby business houses were closed during the services. Prominent business men, church officials from several stakes, and many local people gathered to pay final tribute to an outstanding pioneer woman. The presence of Pres. Grant was significant of the love and esteem the General Authorities have for the Hart Family.'      

Thus ended the life of our sainted Mother. She remains in our minds as a monument of all good and fine things. She encouraged motherhood, gave perfect bodies to her large family, and impressed them deeply for good. She will be remembered for her sincerity and extreme devotion to Christian principles and Life as she understood it. Not lacking in persuasion she taught her family the right way of example. What a grand Mother! Noble and faithful, a lover of God and humanity, self-sacrificing and full of charity--she lived simply but forcefully. As a fitting climax to her biography I should like to use one of the poems she had in her collection. It very beautifully expresses our feelings, as devoted children, for our beloved Mother. love God took the sunshine and roses, God took the moonlight and dew. God took the song of the songbirds, God took the heavens of blue; And He molded the image of Mother, Perfection of all of His arts-- From His home high above He endowed her with As He crowned her the queen of our hearts. And after she's scattered her sunshine And after her song was sung through, God took her in all her perfection High up in His heavens of blue. And there she communes with the angels In a land where her joys cannot cease. In the folds of His love in His home high above She is Queen of the Angels-God's own masterpiece.